Morning Blend
Who controls the future of legal marijuana in New York, state faces loss of House seats, different plan for Lincoln Square towers, new head of Historic Albany
Marijuana legalization
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio announced his qualified support for recreational marijuana legalization Thursday. The mayor's view on how legalization should work appears to be in opposition to that of the Cuomo admin -- and it highlights the ongoing conversation over the role of local control and corporations in the future marijuana industry. [NYT] [Politico]
New York population trends
Because of population trends, New York State is line to lose one -- and maybe two -- seats in the House of Representatives after the next decennial census. [TU]
St. Clare's pension problems
Albany Roman Catholic bishop Edward Scharfenberger met with former St. Clare's Hospital employees Thursday in closed-door session to discuss the faltering pension fund. The former employees had a range of reactions to what went on in the meeting. Scharfenberger: "We're going to have to get together, put our heads together, and come together with some plan." [CBS6] [Daily Gazette] [Spectrum]
Another Albany shooting, petition to drop charges against Ellazar Williams, New York tops state population loss list
Albany shooting
A 24-year-old man was shot in the leg early Wednesday morning near Garden Street and Slingerland Street in the Second Ave neighborhood. [TU]
Ellazar Williams
+ A group of Albany citizens are creating a petition to urge David Soares to drop charges against Ellazar Williams. [TU]
+ Chris Churchill on the Williams case, and the video that shows he was running away from officers when he was shot: "It is disturbing that no one in a position of authority is honest enough to acknowledge that the evidence doesn't back the official narrative. No one will admit that Williams was fleeing when he was shot in the back. No one will concede that the use of force was unnecessary." [TU]
Schoharie limo crash
The federal National Transportation Safety Board is demanding that Schoharie County DA's office give the feds access to limo in the Schoharie crash, stating in a letter that they're "gravely concerned" the DA's lack of responsiveness has impeded the federal investigation. [CBS6] [TU]
Vigil for victims of double murder-suicide, Morse claims he was threatened by teen, animal hoarding investigation in Troy, Luna gets a reprieve
Vigil for victims of Ballston Spa shooting
About 600 people turned out at a vigil on a cold Tuesday night, to remember 12-year-old Emma Jones, and her mother, Jennifer, victims of a double murder-suicide earlier this week. Emma Jones was remembered as a kind child and a "beautiful soul" who wanted to save animals, took pride in being a pescatarian and asked for donations to help others in lieu of birthday presents. [Spectrum][Saratogian][TU][Gazette]
Shawn Morse
The 18-year-old Troy man who has accused Cohoes mayor Shawn Morse of choking him during an incident at Morse's home has released photos of his injuries. Morse, meanwhile, says the teen threatened to kill him, and was the person who beat his daughter, breaking her collarbone.[TU][WNYT]
Lawsuit filed over Albany police shooting of man, the many details of Cuomo's 2019 overview, Madison Theater re-opening still in progress
Albany police shooting of Ellazar Williams
+ Attorneys for Ellazar Williams, the 19 year old shot by a Albany police detective in August, have filed a lawsuit in federal court against the city of Albany alleging excessive force -- and have released a video they say shows Williams was running away from the detective when he was shot. An attorney for Williams says the video contradicts the allegation made by police that Williams had charged toward the detective with a knife. Williams was paralyzed from the chest down by the shooting, and his attorney says the basics of day-to-day life have become enormous tasks because of the injury. [TU] [News10] [Spectrum]
+ This past Friday the Albany County DA announced that a grand jury had declined to hand up criminal charges against James Olsen, the detective who shot Williams. On Monday APD chief Eric Hawkins said the incident had been the subject of "a thorough internal investigation" as well as an investigation by the DA's office: "I have the upmost respect for the judicial process and the decision returned by the Grand Jury." [Albany County DA] [News10]
Ballston Spa double murder-suicide
+ Chris Churchill: "Why did Steven Jones do such a thing? How can a father kill a wife and child? If answers are ever offered, they will not satisfy or explain. If there is light amid this darkness, it is difficult to see." [TU]
+ It was Jones's employer that prompted the welfare check at the house by police, not the daughter's school -- and the Ballston Spa school district explained why it hadn't followed up on her absence. [TU]
+ Remembering Jennifer Jones and her work with children. [WNYT]
Few details in shooting deaths of Ballston Spa family, no charges for Albany detective in shooting, another alleged incident involving Cohoes mayor, Lombardo's is closing
Ballston Spa double murder-suicide
Ballston Spa police have yet to comment on what might have prompted a Ballston Spa man to shoot his wife and 12-year-old daughter, and then himself, in their home sometime last week. Police discovered the bodies of Steven Jones, Jennifer Jones, and their daughter Emma Friday afternoon after the man's employer -- GlobalFoundries -- had contacted police asking them to check up on him because he hadn't been at work for several days. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
No charges for Albany detective in shooting
+ The Albany County DA's office announced Friday afternoon that an Albany County grand jury had declined to hand up charges against James Olsen, the Albany police detective who shot Ellazar Williams this past August. And the DA's office also delivered a presentation of what it says were the sequence of events in the incident. [Albany County DA] [TU]
+ One of the ongoing questions in the case is what exactly Williams was doing when he was shot, what position his body was in when he was shot. The Center for Law and Justice's Alice Green, to Spectrum: "There are a lot of questions that were not answered. That presentation did not add anything to the community's concerns. I was there at the hospital right after he was shot. The bullet entered his back. I saw it. I touched it." [CBS6] [Spectrum]
Rensselaerville supervisor resigns, community response to Albany shootings, Tedisco calls for governor to pardon Luna, remembering the South End Santa
Rensselaerville supervisor resigns
Thursday night Rensseelaerville's town board announced that supervisor Steven Pfleging had stepped down after being confronted with evidence from an audit that he had written multiple checks to himself without town authorization. Another supervisor resigned after a 2012 audit, and board members say they're going to change procedures, including bringing in an outside payroll service. [TU] [WNYT]
Community response to Albany shooting
Community members gathered on Judson Street in Albany rally against gun violence following the city's latest fatal shooting there earlier this week. [TU]
Arrest in attempted abduction in Albany
+ Albany police say a Guilderland man has been arrested for attempting to abduct a 16-year-old girl near Robin and Sheridan earlier this month. APD says the man is a registered sex offender on parole -- he's been previously convicted of two crimes involving teens. [APD] [TU]
+ The teen in this most recent case says the man threatened to shoot her, and she was able to fight him off while he tried to drag her to a car. [CBS6]
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]
Pedestrian killed in Latham, Kaloyeros sentenced, jury deliberating in murder for hire trial, Cuomo urges Dems to oppose funding for wall
Pedestrian killed in Colonie
A 61-year-old woman was struck and killed by a car on Tuesday night at the intersection of Swatling Road and Route 2 in Colonie. Police are investigating but they say alcohol was not a factor in the crash and the driver called 911 immediately. [TU][Spectrum]
Alain Kaloyeros
A federal judge sentenced Alain Kaloyeros to 3 1/2 years in prison on Tuesday for his part in a bid rigging scheme connected to the Buffalo Billion initiative, and for trying to cover up his crimes. Kaloyeros will remain free pending his appeal. He told the judge, "Your honor, I stand before you with a heavy heart. I feel enormous responsibility for the hurt and loss I have caused others. ... I feel enormous sorrow and pain. I take full responsibility for their struggle and will spend the rest of my life trying to make amends."[NYT][Spectrum][TU]
Fatal shooting in Albany, restrictions attached to state legislature pay raise, apartments proposed next to Crossgates
Fatal shooting in Albany
+ Albany police say a 28-year-old man was fatally shot near the intersection of the Judson Street and Second Street (map) in West Hill around 7:50 pm Monday. APD says a 19-year-old man also was found with a gunshot to the foot. [APD]
+ The fatal shooting is Albany's 15th homicide of the year, more than double the typical number in recent years. [TU]
Pay raise for state legislators
+ The official recommendations from the commission that determined state legislators should get a $50k raise includes a cap on outside income at 15 percent of the government salary. [TU]
+ Capital Region state Senator George Amedore, whose family owns a home construction business, on the outside income cap: "All this is going to do is create a bunch of career politicians who do not have have outside real world experience." [Daily Gazette]
+ Andrew Cuomo said Monday that outside income has been source of conflicts of interest, and any doubts about the legality of the ban could be addressed by the legislature passing a law to codify it. [Politico]
+ The commission also recommended significantly reducing the number of leadership stipends (known as "lulus"). [Politico]
Debate over big pay raise for legislators, Albany County revenue from housing immigrant detainees, trio of Albany parks to get wi-fi
Pay raise for state legislators
The details of the planned $50k raise for state legislators will be released today:
+ An overview of the raise, how it's happening, and why there's a push for it. [NYT]
+ A possible limit on outside income for legislators is already getting pushback. [Politico]
+ Local Assembly member Pat Fahy, who said she didn't seek the raise: "The good news for democracy is that I think you'll see more people interested in running." [CBS6]
+ Chris Churchill: "If we were tying lawmakers pay to performance, we'd have no choice but to cut their pay." [TU]
Albany County revenue from housing immigration detainees
A look at the millions of dollars in revenue Albany County has gotten from housing immigration detainees at the county jail and how that money that's being used. [TU]
Four-vehicle crash on Central Ave
Colonie police say five people were injured in a four-vehicle crash on Central Ave late Saturday afternoon in which a police say a car with two men had fled a traffic stop. CPD the said the fleeing car, headed west, sideswiped a eastbound CDTA bus, a westbound SUV, and the crashed head on into an eastbound car. The occupants of the eastbound car were injured and taken to the hospital. CPD says the two men in the fleeing car then ran from the scene, and one of them was picked up by police nearby. [Spectrum] [News10] [TU] [Colonie police press release]
Troy council tables sanctuary city resolution, big pay raise for state legislators, John Faso's regrets, new director for AVillage
Troy sanctuary city resolution
The Troy City Council tabled the proposed sanctuary city resolution Thursday evening. Approximatley 40 members of the public spoke at the meeting both in favor and against the resolution. [Spectrum] [TU] [CBS6]
Pay raise for state legislators
A state panel voted to increase the salaries for state legislators from $79,500 to $130,000 by 2021. It's the first raise in 20 years and would make New York legislators the highest paid in the country. It also looks like the panel would impose some restrictions on outside pay for legislators, and there's some question about whether it can do that. The panel also supported pay raises for the governor and other statewide elected officials, as well as cabinet officials. [TU] [NYT] [Politico] [Spectrum]
Housing for people with mental health issues
An investigation by the New York Times, ProPublica, and Frontline highlights cases in which people with mental illness died or otherwise couldn't care for themselves after New York State shifted people from institutions into private apartments as part of a settlement agreement. [NYT]
APD investigating attempted abduction, Colonie police search for missing man, memories of a president and friend, Schenectady woman spins the wheel
Abduction attempt
Albany police are investigating the attempted abduction of a teenage girl on Central Avenue on Tuesday evening.[TU]
Guilty plea in fatal crash
A 23-year-old motorcyclist pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter in the Berne crash that claimed the life of his passenger. [TU]
Troy moves closer to sanctuary city status, alleged murder for hire plot detailed at trial, homicides (and arrests) up in Albany, Cuomo to be inaugurated on Ellis Island, dinosaurs headed to Lake George
Sanctuary city
Troy's Public Safety Committee voted 2-1 on Tuesday to send a resolution to make Troy a sanctuary city along to the City Council. The vote followed a three hour public meeting where residents spoke out both in favor of and against sanctuary city status.[TU][Spectrum]
Albany violence
The number of homicides and shootings in the city of Albany is up significantly this year compared to the five year average -- and the police department has managed to make arrest in almost all the homicide cases.[TU]
Dembrosky murder trial
A Fulton County jail inmate testified on Tuesday that Tarchand Lall offered to pay his bail if he would kill a man with a lethal dose of heroin. [Gazette]
A year later questions remain about man's death, county budgets approved, Albany police investigating flag burnings, an epidemic of unhappiness and despair
The death of Raolik Walls, a year later
The family of Raolik Walls -- the man whose body was found 38 days after his death in his room at a Troy facility for men recovering from addiction -- and his family says it's still waiting for the results of a state investigation into how he died and why it took so long for someone to notice. The state's Justice Center says the case is an "open and active investigation." [TU] [CBS6]
Albany County budget
The Albany County Legislature approved a 2019 budget that reduces the tax levy 1.5 percent, and reduces the property tax rate more than 4 percent. [TU]
Rensselaer County budget
The Rensselaer County Legislature approved a 2019 budget that increases spending 1.9 percent, but holds the tax rate at the same level as 2018. [TU]
New York's climate future, medical debts paid off, homes promised but not built, teen activists, a return after almost seven decades
Climate change and New York
Among the potential climate-related changes facing New York State as described in the new National Climate Assessment: warmer winters, heavier rainstorms, and the continued spread of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme. [TU]
Earlier: Adapting for a more extreme future
AIDS
The number of new HIV diagnoses in New York State continues to drop, and the Cuomo administration is talking about ending the AIDS epidemic here by the end of 2020. [TU]
Schoharie limo crash investigation
Larry Rulison reports that records indicate the limo in the Schoharie crash had its insurance cancelled six times between January and September, and was reinstated the day before the crash. [TU]
Scrutiny of shops that issued inspection stickers ahead of limo crash, possibilities for state elections reform, Troy budget passes, dispute over business use of New Scotland Ave house
Schoharie limo crash investigation
Larry Rulison reports that the two auto repair shops issued state inspection stickers to the stretch limousine in the Schoharie crash are still conducting inspections even though it appears they had violated state regulations in issuing the stickers for the limo. [TU]
Guilty pleas in death of 14 year old
The father of an autistic Schenectady teen who died of what prosecutors called acute oxycodone intoxication pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide Thursday, a felony, and the teen's grandmother pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. [Daily Gazette]
Pedestrian killed in Scotia crash
Police have identified the 70-year-old pedestrian killed in a crash on Mohawk Ave in Scotia Wednesday evening as Kathleen Allen. Multiple news stories note that police reported Allen was crossing a four-lane road while wearing dark clothing and not in a crosswalk. Not mentioned: The closest crosswalk across Mohawk Ave is more than a football field's distance away and reaching it would have required traversing both a wide driveway and crossing another street. (Distance via Google Maps.) [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [News10] [Spectrum]
Records indicate limo company circumvented proper inspection process, pedestrian killed in Scotia, services slated for state trooper killed in crash, NYRA may expand 2019 Saratoga season
Schoharie Limo crash
The Times Union reports that the owners of the limo in the Schoharie County crash that killed 20 people appear to have circumvented the proper New York State inspection process, by having the vehicle inspected every two years by regular auto shops rather than every six months in rigorous DOT inspections as required by law. [TU]
Services for Trooper
Flags are flying at half staff and funeral arrangements have been announced for Trooper Jeremy Van Nostrand, who was killed on Tuesday when his car was struck as he was headed to the barracks for work. [Spectrum]
State Trooper killed in crash outside barracks, not-guilty plea in Cohoes murder case, Music Hall restaurant tied to tax breaks, Cuomo says he's ruling out a 2020 run
State Trooper killed in crash
A New York State Trooper was killed on Tuesday morning when his car was struck by a box truck, pushing him into oncoming traffic as he waited to turn into the State Police barracks in Montgomery County. Trooper Jeremy Van Nostrand, a six year veteran of the State Police, was pronounced dead at Albany Medical Center. An investigation into the incident is continuing, and police say weather appears to have been a factor[TU][Spectrum][Gazette]
Cuomo ruling out a 2020 presidential run
Andrew Cuomo told Brian Lehrer on Tuesday that he is ruling out a 2020 presidential run, saying "I ran for governor, I have a full plate, I have many projects - I'm going to be here doing the job of governor."[Spectrum]
A woman and two men in the room, family moves toward lawsuit over home demolition, Troy rethinking dangerous dog law, remembering Dan Dwyer
State Senate leadership
After a leadership vote Monday, Democrat Andrea Stewart-Cousins will be majority leader when the state Senate is back in session in January -- and she'll be the first woman to hold the position. On being one of the three men -- now two men and a woman -- in the room: "Women hold up half of this state, so the fact that there was never a woman in the room has always been something that I found troubling." [Spectrum] [TU] [CBS6]
Sheridan Hollow home demolition lawsuit
The Albany family who's housed ended up demolished after an adjacent emergency demolition on Orange Street in October is moving toward filing a lawsuit against the city. [TU]
The Thruway
A former NYS Thruway official at an infrastructure industry event in Colonie Monday said the Thruway is in an "an old age crisis" and the state is facing possible spending of $500 million to $1 billion a year to restore the system.
Another story of an FBI informant, Troy police officer suspended, remembering student killed on bike path, South End study, Syrian delights
FBI informants
Brendan Lyons looks at the situation surrounding the Albany man who served as an FBI informant in the case against former Halfmoon supervisor Melinda Wormuth -- all while he allegedly was running a tax-fraud scheme. [TU]
Schoharie limo crash
A look at how a ruling by New York State's highest court regarding the Ethan Allen tour boat sinking could play a key role in whether the families of the victims in the Schoharie limo crash will be able to sue the state over inspections and regulations. [TU]
Troy police officer suspended
The Troy Police Department says the officer accused of elbowing a man in the face after Little League game in North Greenbush this past September has been suspended. [TU]
School threats
The number of bomb threats reported by Capital Region school districts is down compared to the previous decade -- but other types of threats that prompt lockdowns aren't required to be reported, and those appear to be on the rise. [Daily Gazette]
Albany city budget approved, Troy woman no longer facing deportation, uniting against the Amazon New York deal, bioswale brouhaha
Albany city budget
The Albany Common Council unanimously passed the $177 million city budget, which includes no increase in the tax levy and again relies on $12.5 million in "capital city funding" from the state. It also approved an expansion of a $90 trash fee to single-family homes, a move that drew four votes against. [TU] [News10] [@mandy_fries]
Lawsuit over Troy police shooting
Dahmeek McDonald -- who was shot by a Troy police officer in August 2017 -- has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and officer alleging "excessive, unreasonable, racist and deadly force." (A special prosecutor presented the case to a grand jury and this past summer and it declined to hand up charges against the officer.) [TU x2]
Troy woman no longer facing deportation
A Troy woman who was facing deportation will be allowed to stay in the country after she filed for a green card (with money donated by someone she didn't know following a Times Union story) and an immigration court dismissed her case on Monday. [TU]
Mourning the teen fatally shot in Cohoes, Delgado prepares for Congress, Albany County eyes tax levy decrease, pop quiz: who's a good boy
Cohoes shooting
+ Cohoes police identified the person killed in the Friday shooting on the Mohawk-Hudson bike path as 17-year-old Johni Dunia.
+ City police and mayor Shawn Morse are describing the shooting as an "isolated" incident, and they've haven't released any info about arrests. [TU]
+ Dunia's mother to CBS6: "I'm quite sure there is someone who killed my son. And I have to know that person." [CBS6]
+ A group of teens gathered in George Street Park to remember Dunia. [Spectrum]
Troy shooting
+ Troy police say a two-year-old boy was shot in the hand Friday night while he sat in a vehicle in North Central. TPD says it believes the vehicle had been targeted. [CBS6] [TU]
+ People gathered at the corner Saturday morning to protest the violence. [CBS6]
Corinth shooting
State Police say and investigation and autopsy indicate 34-year-old Ashley Rosenbrock -- fatally shot in her home Thursday night in Corinth -- was hit by a shot discharged while her husband was doing maintenance on a gun. Neighbors said the couple have three children. [NYSP] [TU]
Bulletproof vests for firefighters
The Schenectady Fire Department has bought 45 bulletproof vests for its firefighters. A fire department official couldn't recall an incident in which firefighters in the city had been shot at, but said they do sometimes respond to situations in which people have guns. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
It snowed, big investment at SUNY Poly, record job count, early voting to be considered, push for statewide rent control, Saratoga to Saratoga
It snowed
About five inches in Albany as of Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service. There's another few inches of snow on the way, and the precipitation could turn to rain in the afternoon. [NWS Albany x2]
Albany County DA policy on marijuana possession
Albany County DA David Soares announced Thursday his office won't be prosecuting people for possessing up to two ounces of marijuana, and there will be a path for people with previous convictions to have them expunged. Using pot publicly, in a car, or around children will still be prosecuted. Soares said prosecuting the low-level cases isn't worth the resources, and his office would be focusing its attention instead on drugs such as heroin. And he framed the new policy as easing "the transition into market regulated marijuana." [AOA] [TU] [CBS6]
SUNY Poly
New York State is putting up $250 million as part of an $880 million for a semiconductor research effort by the company Applied Materials at the SUNY Poly Albany campus. The company says it will be doing materials engineering research and development for clients in fields such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and life sciences. [TU] [Biz Review]
Jobs
The number of the jobs in the Capital Region reached the highest number of jobs on record (since 1990) in October, according to the state Department of Labor. The statewide unemployment rate in October was 4 percent, the lowest mark on record. [TU] [NYS DOL]
Colonie police car hits pedestrian, State AG wants to reinstate charge against Abelove, Raniere renews bid for bail, Albany County to use federal funds for immigrant assistance
Abelove
The state attorney general's office wants to reinstate a perjury charge against Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove, for allegedly lying to a county grand jury in 2017 to keep from being prosecuted for official misconduct in a probe of a 2016 fatal police involved shooting [TU]
Police car/pedestrian
A 61-year old man was hospitalized on Wednesday after being hit by a Colonie police car while crossing Route 9 near Fiddler's Lane. [TU] [Spectrum]
Prosecution of marijuana cases
David Soares is expected to announce a new policy on prosecution of marijuana possession in Albany County. [TU]
Amazon in line for $1.5 billion in New York State incentives, investigation into Albany Med ER death, family fights order to have dog put down
Amazon in New York
+ Amazon is setting up one of its new offices in Long Island City in Queens. (The other will be in Virginia near DC.) [NYT]
+ The company is line to get "performance-based direct incentives" of $1.525 billion from New York State based on the creation of 25,000 jobs. Of that, $325 million will be a cash grant from Empire State Development and the rest would be via refundable tax credit. [Amazon]
+ Update: Jimmy Vielkind posted the memorandum of understanding between Amazon and the state and the total of incentives is more like $1.7 billion. [@JimmyVielkind]
+ Andrew Cuomo last week: "I'll change my name to Amazon Cuomo if that's what it takes." [NYT]
Albany Med emergency department death
+ Albany police have identified the 45-year-old man who died last week after being restrained in Albany Med's emergency department, and say the death remains under investigation. [APD] [TU]
+ In a press release last Friday AMC said the man had been brought in "displaying aggressive and belligerent behavior" and staff had made multiple attempts to deescalate the situation before restraining the man in order prevent injury to staff or the man. The man's girlfriend tells Spectrum that his body appeared beaten when she arrived at the hospital. [AMC press release] [Spectrum]
Man dies after Albany shooting
+ Albany police say the man shot in a vehicle near Park Avenue and Philip Street last week has died. His death is the 14th homicide of the year in the city. [APD] [TU]
+ Albany Common Council member Derek Johnson: "Anytime that something like this happens, I want to feel surprised, I don't want to ever feel like this is how it's supposed to be." [WNYT]
Local rallies for Mueller investigation, shooting in Albany, police say phone in evidence was remotely wiped, Russell Sage moving to be co-ed
Mueller investigation rallies
People gathered Thursday evening in Albany and Saratoga Springs to rally support for the protection of the Mueller investigation following the firing of US Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week by Donald Trump. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Kirsten Gillibrand
+ In a segment that aired Thursday night, Kirsten Gillibrand told Stephen Colbert she would give a 2020 presidential run "a long, hard thought of consideration." [NYT]
+ Surveying the Kirsten Gillibrand presidential run situation. [TU]
No charges for Eric Schneiderman
+ The prosecutor reviewing the assault allegations against former state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that Schneiderman will not be facing charges. Nassau County DA Madeline Singas: "I believe the women who shared their experiences with our investigation team, however legal impediments, including statutes of limitations, preclude criminal prosecution." [Politico] [NYT]
+ Schneiderman statement: "I recognize that District Attorney Singas decision not to prosecute does not mean I have done nothing wrong. I accept full responsibility for my conduct in my relationships with my accusers, and for the impact it had on them." [Spectrum]
Fire damages Albany home, Dems consider what follows the blue wave, another threat to Niskayuna school, watch out for deer
Albany fire
A mother and children escaped unharmed early Thursday morning, when fire damaged their Sheridan Avenue home in Albany. [TU][Spectrum]
NY and the blue wave
Now that Democrats have control of New York State government, they're considering what to do with it. On the list of potentials: early voting, legalizing marijuana, investing in crumbling subways, and climate change issues. [TU][NYT]
Cuomo wins 3rd term, Delgado over Faso, Letitia James is next A.G., Dems gain control of NYS Senate, Stefanik holds on to 21st District, voter turnout high in Capital Region
Voter turnout
Heavy voter turnout was reported on Tuesday across the Capital Region. [TU][WNYT]
You can find more results here. [AOA]
3rd term for Cuomo
In a victory speech in midtown Manhattan on Tuesday, Andrew Cuomo told a group of supporters "New York is not buying what President Trump is selling," [NYT]
NYS Senate goes blue
Democrats seized control of the New York State Senate on Tuesday, for the third time in 50 years. [NYT]
It's Election Day, TU editorial board revokes Tedisco endorsement, lawsuit over incident involving off-duty Troy police officer, meatballs before voting
ELECTION DAY
Polls are open until 9 pm. Don't know where to vote? Take a few seconds to check with the state Board of Elections website.
Would you like to see a sample ballot for your election district? Check with your county board of elections: Albany | Rensselaer | Saratoga | Schenectady
Key elections and issues
+ Some of the New York Congressional elections -- including the NY-19 here in the Capital Region -- that are tightly contested and could be key in deciding which party controls the House of Representatives. [Spectrum]
+ Just one seat could decide which party controls the New York State Senate. [TU]
+ The Times Union editorial board revoked its endorsement of Jim Tedisco for the state Senate Monday because it believes Tedisco misrepresented his stance on abortion rights in its discussion with him. Update: Here's more on Tedisco's side of the story -- he says he was misquoted. [TU] [Planet Albany]
Poll: the Faso/Delgado election for the NY-19 is close, trying to pin down Schoharie crash limo company owner, Madison Theater update
Elections
+ The Siena poll out Sunday reports that the gap between Andrew Cuomo and Marc Molinaro has been narrowing, and Andrew Cuomo's favorability rating is at the lowest point of his eight years in office. The new poll has Molinaro invoking George Pataki's win over Mario Cuomo. [SRI] [Politico]
+ How control of the state Senate could end being decided by just one seat, and the implications a shift in the chamber could have for New York State. [NYT]
+ A Siena/NYT poll pegs the Faso/Delgado election for the NY-19 to be within the margin of error. Shane Goldmacher on Faso/Delgado in the NY-19: "It is a battle, in miniature, of the same fault lines and forces buffeting the midterms across the country, with Democrats blitzing Republicans on health care and Republicans trying to rally their base by leveraging sometimes inflammatory cultural issues." [NYT x2]
+ There's been a
+ The Daily Gazette's election guide.
+ Sara Foss would like you to vote. [Daily Gazette]
Schoharie limo crash
The Times Union follows the many business, social, and law enforcement threads involving Shahed Hussain, the owner of the limo company involved in the Schoharie crash: "Less than a month after the Oct. 6 Schoharie County crash that killed 20 people, the owner of the Wilton-based Prestige Limousine remains a very hard man to pin down." [TU]
Gubernatorial candidates debate without Cuomo, Albany middle school plan, report of needle in candy was a prank, color temperatures
Gubernatorial election debate
The candidates running for governor -- except for Andrew Cuomo -- gathered for a debate at Saint Rose Thursday evening and addressed topics such as the Regional Economic Development Council program, the Excelsior scholarship program, Medicaid, and Cuomo's absence. [TU] [Politico]
NY-20 debate
Among the topics that came up at the debate between incumbent Democrat Paul Tonko and Republican challenger Joe Vitollo for the NY-20 Congressional District: health care, gun violence, the federal deficit, and birthright citizenship. [WMHT] [TU] [NY Now]
Ellazar Williams shooting rally
A group called Justice for Ellazar rallied outside Albany police headquarters Thursday to call for the suspension of the Albany police detective who shot Williams. [Spectrum]
Police search for SUV driver in Bethlehem hit-and-run, Ho-Jo's owner sentenced for sexual harassment, construction underway for airport/Northway connector, Puzzles on Today
Bethlehem hit and run
Police are searching for an SUV driver in connection with the Bethlehem hit-and-run earlier this week, and think it's possible the driver didn't know they hit someone. The victim, an 80-year-old former gym teacher, was riding a bicycle at night and not wearing any reflective clothing. [Spectrum][WNYT]
More problems for family whose home was demolished
The Albany family whose home was demolished by the city when a wall was compromised as the building next door was being torn down says they were not notified of the demolition project next to their home or any asbestos concerns. [TU]
WNYT bomb threat
A Bethlehem man was arrested in connection with Sunday's bomb threat at NewsChannel 13. [TU]
Man injured in Albany fire, child injured in Troy shooting, call for special prosecutor in Albany police-involved shooting, Smiths movie filming in Albany, DA seeks probe of community center
Call for special prosecutor in police involved shooting
Civil rights activist Alice Green is calling for a special prosecutor to investigate the police involved shooting of 19-year-old Ellazar Williams that left the teen paralyzed from the chest down. [Spectrum]
Child injured in shooting
A child suffered minor injuries when the vehicle he was riding in was hit by a gunshot in a drive-by shooting on Hutton Street in Troy on Tuesday. [WNYT]
Emmett Street Fire
Investigators are searching for the cause of an overnight fire at a home on Emmett Street in Albany that left one man injured.[TU]
Albany family gets bill after home demolished, people of many faiths gather to mourn synagogue shooting, Rensselaer County DA debate, how soon is now for film shoot
Sheridan Hollow home demolition
Albany city officials continue to say the city did nothing wrong during the emergency demolition on Orange Street that ended up prompting the demolition of a family's adjacent home -- and on Monday the family received a $36k bill from the city for the demolition of their house. [TU]
Local response to Pittsburgh synagogue shooting
+ Community members and leaders of multiple faiths packed Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady Monday for a vigil to mourn the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. [CBS6] [Daily Gazette]
+ Rabbi Matt Cutler: "If you yield to terror, change your ways ... If you succumb to the fear, terrorism wins. And that's not going to happen." [WNYT]
+ Sara Foss: "Those of us who aren't Jewish -- a category that includes myself -- need to express support for those who are, and to denounce anti-Semitism whenever possible. What was once a fringe movement in America is creeping into the mainstream, and it's unacceptable." [Daily Gazette]
Local response to Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, family trying to settle after house knocked down, multiple hit-and-run crashes, film shoot in Troy
Response to Pittsburgh synagogue shooting
+ Hundreds of people -- including people of different faiths and elected officials -- gathered at Temple Israel in Albany Sunday for a prayer service in response to the Pittsburgh synagogue. Said a 69-year-old man, whose family had members killed in the Holocaust, at the service: "These kinds of acts are an outrage and they're scary as well. My children are worried, they're scared for themselves, for their children, for us. What's going to happen?" [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU]
+ From state released by Andrew Cuomo: "The hate in this country has reached a fever pitch and it is bubbling over into violence. This past week, the entire nation was shaken by targeted attempted political bombings, by the racist attack in [Jeffersontown,] Kentucky and by the anti-Semitic shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. In New York, we mourn for the victims and their loved ones, and we stand together with the African American and Jewish communities and all communities that make up our diverse social fabric." [Cuomo admin]
Bomb threat at WNYT
+ WNYT's facility in Menands was evacuated Sunday morning after the station received a bomb threat via a phone call. Law enforcement swept the building and didn't find any explosives. [WNYT] [TU]
+ Monday morning the President of the United States used Twitter to call the news media "the true Enemy of the People." [Washington Post]
"All we had is that house"
Chris Churchill talks with the family who lost their Sheridan Hollow home when a city-hired contractor conducted an emergency demolition on the next-door building. (Here's a the News10 story about the demolition of the Orange Street home a week ago.) [TU] [News10]
Race and Niskayuna schools
Talking with with alumni and parents about their experiences attending Niskayuna schools as people of color and the discomfort and exclusion they felt. [Daily Gazette]
Gillibrand-Farley debate, Albany's new strategy for potholes, sewers known and unknown, 158-year-old business changes hands
Gillibrand-Farley debate
+ Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican challenger Chele Farley debated Thursday for 30 minutes at NYC TV station in their matchup for the US Senate. Donald Trump was a frequent topic. And Gillibrand in response to a question about running for president: "I will serve my six-year term." [ABC7] [NYT] [AP/TU]
+ Jimmy Vielkind: "This debate is the opposite of Cuomo-Molinaro. Spirited discussion of issues. Real clashes. Both Gillibrand and Farley are speaking quickly and fluently." [@JimmyVielkind]
Albany potholes
The city of Albany's DGS commissioner says his department has been pursuing a new strategy for fixing potholes. [TU]
Suspicious package scares prompt concern, Skelos sentenced, Faso happy with Trump endorsement, $1 million East Greenbush Powerball winner
Suspicious packages
+A suspicious package sent to Andrew Cuomo turned out to be just a thumb drive with material from the alt-right group, the Proud Boys. The package raised suspicion early on because of pipe bombs sent in recent days to George Soros, the Clintons, Barack Obama and today, Joe Biden. [TU]
+A suspicious package found on Wednesday at the Albany JCC on Wednesday was later determined to be a practical joke, but Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says the events of recent days have him concerned about copycat crimes. [TU][WNYT]
Skelos sentence
Former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos was sentenced on Wednesday to four years and three months in prison for
bribery, extortion and conspiracy. Skelos' Son, Adam Skelos, was sentenced to four years in prison. Prior to sentencing, the elder Skelos told the court "I truly am remorseful, your honor," he said. "I have disappointed so many, and that's what troubles me. I'll never get over that."[Gazette][Spectrum][TU][NYT]
Cuomo and Molinaro debating today, NY-19 debate, search for info in Route 7 pedestrian death, eat your vegetables first
Gubernatorial election
+ At long last: Andrew Cuomo and Marc Molinaro are scheduled to appear in a debate Tuesday in New York City that will be recorded and played around the state this evening. Here in the Capital Region it will air at 7 pm on CW15 (WCWN) on TV and on WGY on the radio. [TU] [CBS6]
+ Debate pre-game analysis. [NYT]
+ The debate will be one-on-one between Cuomo and Molinaro and not include the other candidates. [News10]
NY-19 election
The four candidates for NY-19 Congressional District -- Republican incumbent John Faso, Democrat Antonio Delgado, Green Party candidate Steve Greenfield, and independent Diane Neal -- debated at WAMC Monday. Among the topics: personal histories and immigration. [WNYT] [WAMC]
Pedestrian death on Route 7
The daughter of the 86-year-old woman who State Police say died after it appears she was struck by one or more vehicles on Route 7 in Brunswick Friday night, to the Times Union: "If people can stop for an animal they hit, they can stop for a human being." [TU]
AG calls for reform after death of man in Schenectady police custody, focus on working conditions of EMTs, Albany family forced from home by demolition, the pet finder
Review of man's 2017 death in Schenectady police custody
The state Attorney General's office reported Friday that a grand jury had declined to hand up charges in the 2017 death of Andrew Kearse in Schenectady police custody. Kearse died of a heart problem, and in its report the AG's office says it consulted with a cardiologist who determined that there had been "a limited window of time in which appropriate medical intervention could have saved his life." [NYS OAG]
+ From a released statement by AG Barabara Underwood: "Regardless of the grand jury's decision, Mr. Kearse's death was a tragedy that never should have happened, and reforms must be made to prevent similar future tragedies."
+ The AG's office also released video associated with the case. [Daily Gazette]
+ Kearse's widow said she was disappointed there was no indictment, but hoped his death would inspire reform. [Daily Gazette]
EMT working conditions
A look at the hours, strain, and pay that EMTs face as their union pushes for higher pay and changes in working conditions with Mohawk Ambulance. [TU]
Sifting through $100 million in Cuomo campaign contributions, Schenectady train station opens, saving the family farm with hemp
Gubernatorial election
The USA Today Network Albany Bureau after reviewing $100 million in campaign contributions to Andrew Cuomo since 2010: "... Cuomo's campaign coffers are filled with donations from companies with business before the state -- and regularly made through a massive loophole in state law." [USA Today Network Albany]
Schenectady train station
The new Schenectady train station opened Wednesday, ahead of the previously announced opening date. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Schoharie limousine crash
+ Talking with the Amsterdam couple whose four daughters and three sons-in-law died in the Schoharie crash about how their family is coping and working to move forward. [NYT]
+ The final member of the party -- Michael C. Ukaj, an Iraq war veteran -- was buried Wednesday in Saratoga National Cemetery. [TU]
More details on limo business owner's dealings, Troy police detectives plead guilty, Miner on 3rd party bid for governor, state's high court hearing arguments about chicken sacrifice
Schoharie crash
+ More on Shahed Hussain, the owner of the limo in the Schoharie crash, including business dealings in which an Olympic boxer and a pastor say Hussain cost them thousands of dollars.
[TU]
+ Memorials continue for those killed in the crash, including former Marine Michael Ukaj and Colonie's Amanda Rivenburg. [Spectrum] [TU]
Former Troy officers plead guilty
A pair of now-retired Troy detectives pleaded guilty on Tuesday to misdemeanor charges related to concealing a warrantless entry into an apartment as part of drug case. [TU]
Inspecting the inspection records of limo companies, local school districts and homeless students, Boyhaven sold, coworking with cats
Schoharie limousine crash
+ Larry Rulison and Lauren Stanforth look into the inspection records of limo companies statewide and concluded that "Prestige had the most egregious violations among them over a two-year period," other limo company owners question how Prestige had been allowed to continue operating. [TU]
+ Kathy Manley -- the attorney who represented Yassin Aref in the FBI's Albany rocket launcher sting -- on Presige owner Shahed Hussain and his involvement as an undercover FBI informant in that case and other cases: "[T]his would not have happened had it not been for the FBI enabling this guy." [News10]
Homeless students
+ There were 512 students in the Albany school district categorized as homeless* during the 2017-2018 school year, according to state data. (The number was 664 when counting student enrolled in charter schools in the city.) For the Schenectady school district the total was 467. And for Troy it was 338. [NYS-TEACHS]
+ Sara Foss: "If we don't find a way to reverse this worrying trend, we risk accepting student homelessness as a normal part of American life." [Daily Gazette]
Rally for EMT raises
Mohawk Ambulance EMTs rallied Monday for a new contract, raises, and better working conditions. The union that reps the EMTs says they currently make $12.51 per hour, and should be making at least $15 per hour. [News10] [WNYT]
Sifting through the background of the Schoharie crash limo company owner, call for stricter limo safety standards, Girard picks Syracuse
Schoharie limousine crash
+ Sifting through the life and business dealings of Shahed Hussain, the owner of Prestige Limo who worked as an undercover informant for the FBI on multiple occasions. [TU]
+ Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have joined the call for the federal government to issue stricter safety regulations for stretch limos. [NYT] [Daily Gazette]
+ The first responders to crash, almost all of them volunteers, are trying to find ways to process and deal with what they saw at the scene. [TU]
+ The funerals have begun for the people who died, drawing hundreds of mourners. [TU] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
+ There is now a hub of verified donation campaigns for the families of the people who died in the crash. [Go Fund Me] [NYS OAG]
Following the many threads of the Schoharie crash, feds said to be looking into mayor's part-time job, ugly behavior and the beautiful game
Schoharie limousine crash
+ State Police are investigating what they're calling a suspicious death at the site of a Wilton motel owned by the family that owns the Schoharie crash limousine company. Earlier this week State Police said the death didn't appear to have any connection to the business or business owners. The state Department of Health says the motel's permit had been suspended at one point last year because of code violations. [TU] [Post-Star] [CBS6]
+ A look into two fires that directly or tangentially involved the family of the limo company owner, Shahed Hussain: one destroyed a house in Loudonville, and the involved a mechanic's garage in Queensbury and a Bentley. [TU] [Post-Star]
+ Looking into the driving history of the diver of the limo, including a 2015 crash in Glens Falls. [Post-Star]
+ A limo driver tells News10 that he drove the Schoharie crash limo three years and he thought it was unsafe then. [News10]
Son of limo owner charged in deadly Schoharie crash, victims remembered/1st responders honored in vigil, Quail Street fire accidental
Schoharie crash
Nauman Hussain, operator of Prestige Limousine and son of owner Shahed Hussain was arrested on Wednesday and charged with one count of criminally negligent homicide in connection with the Schoharie crash that killed 20 people on Sunday. Hussain pleaded not guilty, was released on bond and ordered to turn over his passport. Hussain was arrested at a traffic stop on I-787, his car packed with his belongings. His attorney says he was seeking a safe place to live after receiving death threats. [NYT][Spectrum][Gazette][Post Star]
The driver of the limousine was cited in August for not having the proper license to operate the limousine. [News 10]
More than 1,000 people gathered at the Schoharie Central School guy on Wednesday for a vigil in memory of the 20 people killed in Sunday's crash. The Crowd honored first responders as well, singing Lean on Me, as the group of 1st responders stood and held on to each other in the center of the gym. [Spectrum][Gazette]
Sara Foss on what the Schoharie tragedy says about the need for transportation regulations and whether limos like the one in the crash should be allowed on the road at all. [Gazette]
Chris Churchill on the many failures that led to the crash. [TU]
Cuomo orders flags at half-staff for limo victims, more problems revealed with limo and company, police investigate Troy shooting, police chief defends investigation in officer-involved shooting
Schoharie County limo crash
+ Andrew Cuomo has ordered flags around the state to be flown at half-staff on Thursday in honor of the 20 victims of last weekend's limousine crash in Schoharie.[TU]
+ Federal records show that the limo failed inspection because of brake issues last month.[Gazette]
+ More stories are coming to light about problems with the limo in the crash and the company that rented it. Days before the crash, the limo was listed for sale for $9,000. [TU][TU]
+ The Times Union took the trip down the hill on Route 30 through the intersection where the crash happened. [TU]
+ The Schoharie County District Attorney is considering potential charges as the investigation into the crash continues. [News 10]
+ Schoharie is preparing for a second vigil to be held tonight in a local school gymnasium, and the funerals for the crash victims will begin on Friday.[TU]
Investigation into Schoharie limousine crash, community and first responders try to cope with the deaths of so many, students could use better math prep, questions for the Adirondacks
Schoharie limousine crash
+ On Monday Andrew Cuomo and State Police said the stretch limousine in the Schoharie crash that killed 20 people had failed a state inspection last month and the driver didn't have the proper licensing to be operating the vehicle. The company -- Prestige Limousine -- is now under a cease-and-desist order from the state preventing it from operating, and State Police have seized the company's vehicles. [CBS6] [WNYT x2]
+ State Police and federal investigators are continuing to sort through the details of the crash, and State Police left open the possibility of criminal charges. [NYT]
+ Contrary to comments made by state officials, Lee Kindlon, the attorney representing Prestige Limousine, said Monday the vehicle had passed state inspections and "was safe to be on the road." And he turned attention to the design of the Route 30/Route 30A intersection: "I think the state has been warned about that intersection for years and the Department of Transportation is just looking to point a finger." [News10] [TU]
+ Schoharie's current and former town supervisor both say the 30/30A intersection has been a safety problem for years. NYSDOT redesigned the intersection in 2010, and in 2015 trucks were banned from the Route 30 hill. [CBS6] [Daily Gazette]
+ The owner of the Wilton-based Prestige is Shahed Hussain -- a former Albany gas station owner who became an FBI informant after being snagged for drivers license fraud and ended up being the key informant in the the sting that led to the arrests of Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain in Albany. State Police said Monday Hussain is now in Pakistan. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Sorting through the aftermath of the Schoharie crash, mother facing charges in toddler's death, review of fatal Albany police shooting, what's up with the Madison Theater
It's Columbus Day. Many schools, banks, and government offices will be closed, though other places will be open. Check before heading out.
Schoharie limousine crash
+ State Police say 20 people died in the limousine crash in Schoharie Saturday at State Route 30 and State Route 30A. All 18 people inside the limo died, as did two pedestrians. The National Transportation Safety Board, which was on site to investigate, said it's the largest loss of life in a transportation incident in almost 10 years. [NYSP] [NYT] [Daily Gazette]
+ A family members says the group of passengers from Amsterdam had been celebrating a friend's 30th birthday -- the group included four sisters, two brothers, and two newlywed couples. [TU]
+ The manager of the nearby Apple Barrel Country Store, to the New York Times, about the immediate aftermath of the crash: "I don't want to describe the scene ... It's not something I want to think about." [NYT]
+ A man who lives nearby said the spot has been a problem intersection. [Daily Gazette]
+ From a statement by Andrew Cuomo: "I join all New Yorkers in mourning these deaths and share in the unspeakable sorrow experienced by their families and loved ones during this extremely difficult time." [Cuomo admin]
Control of the state Senate, Albany Law professors join call to oppose Kavanaugh confirmation, in the grips of disc golf fever
Control of the state Senate
+ A look at how Republicans have managed to keep control of the state Senate in recent years even as New York's electorate has trended toward Democrats. [TU]
+ A profile of the 44th state Senate election between 10-term incumbent Democrat Neil Breslin and Republic challenger Christopher Davis. [TU]
+ A profile of the 46th state Senate election between incumbent Republican George Amedore and Democratic challenger Pat Strong. [TU]
A public vote in October
Albany County comptroller Mike Conners is criticizing a Guilderland school district $42.7 million construction referendum vote that's being held October 16 because it's not being held concurrent with other votes. He said it's representative of a larger problem of similar votes being held on unusual dates, which often results in low turnout. [WNYT] [TU]
Albany County Board of Elections office move
+ Amanda Fries tracked down Matthew Clyne, the Democratic elections commissioner for Albany County, to ask him about his Republican counterpart's recent comment that the the county BOE shouldn't move its offices to Albany's South End because it's a dangerous neighborhood -- he said he had no comment. [TU]
+ In comments to Spectrum News, Rachel Bledi -- the Republican commissioner -- reiterated her opposition to a potential move to the building that's housed the DMV on South Pearl Street, and said regarding her earlier assertion about the neighborhood: "it would be ignorant on part of officials to pretend like this is not a real and serious issue." [Spectrum]
Youth football team mourns second gun death, Yassin Aref released from prison, how Sheldon Silver remains free
Second gun death for Pop-Warner team
The shooting death of a pop-warner football coach in an Albany night club last weekend marked the second gun violence loss this year for an Albany Pop Warner football team. [TU]
Silver
How the twice-convicted Sheldon Silver is still managing to stay out of jail. [NYT]
Aref released
Yassin Aref, the Albany Imam convicted on terrorism charges following the raid of an Albany mosque in 2004, was released from prison on Wednesday and will be leaving the United States to join his family in Kurdistan. [WNYT][TU]
Alleged night club shooter was parolee, overnight trailer explosion in Colonie under investigation, Schenectady police brutality settlement upwards of $300k, campaigning against Aaron Burr
Man charged with shooting was parolee
The man charged in a fatal shooting outside an Albany nightclub over the weekend was on parole after serving two years in prison on a weapons charge. [TU]
Schenectady police brutality settlement
The police brutality settlement between the city of Schenectady and a woman who alleges two officers slammed her head onto a bench in the police station in 2016 is reportedly somewhere between $300,000 and $400,000. [TU]
Trailer explosion
An explosion and fire destroyed a Colonie trailer home and damaged two others late Tuesday. There were no injuries and the cause remains under investigation. [WNYT][Spectrum]
Proposed Albany budget includes trash fee for single-family homes, man dies from Albany shooting, tracking the events at the Albany Capital Center
Albany city budget
+ Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan released her proposed 2019 budget. It includes a spending increase of less than 1 percent, and again relies on $12.5 million in "Capital City Funding" from the state. [Sheehan admin]
+ But the most noteworthy part of the proposed budget is that it includes a new $90 trash fee for single-family homes. (Trash service is currently not paid for separately, and has for years been subsidized by the city's landfill, which is scheduled to close next decade. The city is probably headed, eventually, toward a system that charges people in some way based on how much gets thrown out.) [TU]
More municipal budgets
+ Supervisor Paula Mahan's proposed Colonie town budget includes a 7.5 percent tax increase, which would exceed the tax cap. [TU]
+ Mayor Gary McCarthy's proposed Schenectady city budget would include a small property tax cut. The budget plans for $2.56 million in casino revenue, a 12 percent increase from this year. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
+ The proposed Schenectady County budget doesn't include a an increase in the tax levy. [Daily Gazette]
Shooting death in Albany
+ Albany police say one of the people shot outside Club Phoenix on Central Ave this past weekend has died of his injuries. APD says the charges against the man in custody for the shooting will be upgraded. [APD]
+ The man's death is the city's 13th homicide of 2018. The Times Union has been tracking that number. [TU x2]
Two large fires in Albany, three people shot, Cuomo with large lead in Siena poll, concerns about sprawl in Saratoga County
Large fires in Albany
+ Two large fires in Albany Sunday morning -- one on Sheridan Ave in Sheridan Hollow, the other on Quail Street in Pine Hills -- burned several buildings and collectively displaced more than 60 people. One person was injured in the Quail Street fire. [News10] [Spectrum] [CBS6]
+ Kathy Sheehan said there wasn't a time in recent memory when two large fires of this type had burned at the same time -- the AFD got assistance from Troy, Watervliet, and the Watervliet Arsenal. [TU]
+ In both fires residents are credited with alerting their neighbors about the fire and helping to get people out. [News10]
+ Officials say multiple buildings will need to be demolished because of the fires. [Spectrum]
Three people shot in Albany
Albany police say three people were shot outside Club Phoenix on Central Ave early Saturday morning, and APD says it's arrested a man for the shooting. An APD spokesman says one man had been targeted in the shooting -- he was in critical condition -- and the two other people shot were bystanders. [APD x2] [CBS6]
Audit of agency that awards Albany tax breaks, proposed South End development, dirt bikes in Washington Park, looking for bigfoot
Audit of agency that awards Albany tax breaks
An audit by the state Comptroller office reviewed 15 projects granted tax exemptions by the Albany Industrial Development Agency -- projects that were approved between 2004-2015 -- and concluded that the agency could have done a better job of incorporating goals into the agreements for those projects and then following up to check on investment or revitalization goals. It also noted that many of the projects received tax breaks that stretched beyond the five years in its standard policy. In a letter attached to the audit, the IDA responded that changes made between 2012 and 2015 had already addressed many of the best practices recommended by the audit. [NYS OSC] [TU]
Albany County Land Bank
A look at the Albany County Land Bank's recent efforts to use grant money to take on building rehab projects itself -- projects that private developers hadn't been willing or able to take on. [TU]
New development for South End
At a neighborhood meeting for a proposed new-construction mixed-use on Second Ave in Albany's South End residents were hopeful and skeptical. [TU]
FBI investigating Cohoes mayor, only 45% of NY students passed state tests, Albany Med prize goes to immunotherapy researchers, Garafalo's to close after 114 years
FBI investigating Shawn Morse
FBI agents are investigating business dealings of Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse, Brendan Lyons reports. [TU]
State tests
Only 45% of New York State students passed the state reading and math tests for grades 3-8 this spring. State officials say this year's tests represent a new baseline and shouldn't be compared to past tests. [TU][Gazette]
Corrections officer charged with abusing inmate
A Rensselaer County jail corrections officer is facing misconduct and sexual abuse charges for allegedly inappropriately touching a female inmate. [Spectrum]
Protestors seek justice for Williams, Capital Region unemployment drops, Albany sewer concerns, reaching the century mark
Ellazar Williams protest
Two dozen people gathered and protested at the Albany Public Library on Tuesday night demanding justice for 19-year-old Ellazar Williams, who was paralyzed when he was shot in the back by a police officer five weeks ago. Protestors criticized department findings in the case and are calling for the officer to be charged with attempted murder. [WNYT][Spectrum][TU]
Cuomo/Crystal Run
Three weeks after Andrew Cuomo told the Times Union editorial board that Crystal Run Healthcare never warned his campaigned about potential problems with $400,000 in donations, the Cuomo campaign says the governor was incorrect. [TU]
Unemployment
Unemployment dropped slightly in the Capital Region last month, to 3.7 percent from 3.9 percent in August and from 4.5 percent in August of 2017.[Gazette]
Pay-as-you-throw recommended for Troy trash collection, notifying the public about drinking water problems, Molinaro says he has plan for cutting property taxes
Drinking water
A state Comptroller's office review of the state Department of Health oversight of public water systems concludes that DOH has not always taken the appropriate or timely to hold systems accountable for notifying the public about problems. DOH pointed out that 98 percent of water systems in the state reported no water safety violations in 2016, a rate that's better than the national average. [NYS OSC] [TU]
Troy trash plan
A draft version of Troy's trash management plan identifies multiple longstanding issues and recommends the city move to a pay-as-you-throw model for trash collection. [TU]
Mice, bedbug complaints at state office on Pearl Street
The state Office of General Services has been treating floors in the 40 North Pearl Street office building (the Ten Eyck Building) for bed bugs and engaging in "aggressive mouse control." [TU]
NXIVM
The feds say the FBI is trying work its way through as much as 12 terabytes of data on devices seized from Halfmoon residence this past March as part of the NXIVM investigation. [TU]
New York's abortion laws and the Supreme Court, Albany selling its Coeymans land, crash at police station, building collapse near old South End Tavern
Abortion rights in New York State
A look at where New York's laws stand on abortion rights and how that could be significant if there's a shift in direction by the Supreme Court of the United States. [TU]
Albany selling Coeymans land
The city of Albany is moving toward selling the 363 acres of land it owns in Coeymans -- once planned to be used for a new landfill -- to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. [TU]
Gubernatorial election
Gun control laws: Andrew Cuomo says he'll push to expand the SAFE Act while Marc Molinaro says he wants there to be "a respect for the constitutional rights of all New Yorkers." [Spectrum]
Attorney general election
A short profile of Keith Wofford, the Republican running for state attorney general. [News10]
Women running for state offices
There's a record number of women running for state legislature seats this year. [Politico]
Percoco sentenced to prison, the people who stopped a knife attack, Watervliet road diet, in the end it's just stuff
Percoco sentenced
+ Joe Percoco -- the former top advisor to Andrew Cuomo who was convicted of taking more than $300k in bribes from companies with business before the state -- was sentenced to six years in prison Thursday. [TU]
+ Valerie Caproni, the federal judge in the case: "Frankly, it's not surprising that the citizenry of this state have absolutely lost faith in their government." [NYT]
+ Andrew Cuomo: "Joe Percoco is paying the price for violating the public trust. And it should serve as a warning to anyone who fails to uphold his or her oath as a public servant. On a personal level, the human tragedy for Joe's young children and family is a very sad consequence." [News10]
+ Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro: "Andrew Cuomo was sentenced today -- he just doesn't have to do the time." [TU]
+ NYPIRG's Blair Horner: "It's hard to believe that Albany has learned anything. If they have, they've been keeping it a secret. There have no meaningful measures to reduce the corruption in state government." [Spectrum]
Top state mental health official charged with child endangerment, legislators await pay raise decision, rescued bear cub euthanized
Top state official charged with child exploitation
A special assistant to the commissioner of the NYS Office of Mental Health was is facing 29 counts of child endangerment after police say he lured teens into his home, and, among other things, asked them to wear diapers. [News 10][TU]
Legislative pay raise
The decision on a long-awaited pay raise for stat legislators is in the hands of a state compensation committee and should come within the next three months. [TU]
Albany homicides reach 12, JCOPE hasn't investigated Cuomo, flooding issues continue on Western Avenue, Saratoga City Hall closed for a year
Albany homicides
Albany has recorded 12 homicides in 2018 so far -- the highest number in 18 years. [TU]
Sentencing in Schenectady stabbing
A Schenectady woman will serve 3 years in prison for an April stabbing at Summit Towers apartments in the city. [Gazette]
Manslaughter plea
An Albany woman pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter Tuesday morning, in connection with the overdose death of a 24-year-old woman found in a snowbank in March. [TU]
"It felt like my whole back was on fire"
Ellazar Williams, the man paralyzed after being shot in the back in a police involved shooting, told his story to Paul Grondahl[TU]
Cohoes mayor says he's not resigning, record turnout for Democratic primary, dirt bike ride through supermarket
Shawn Morse
+ As more local political leaders called for him to resign Monday over multiple accusations of domestic violence, Cohoes mayor Shawn Morse announced at a press conference that he would not: "I ain't down, I ain't on my knees, I ain't resigning." [@MCCoyCountyExec] [News10] [WNYT]
+ Morse used the press conference to deny the series of accusations: "I've never touched a woman. I've never touched my wife. I never touched my daughters and I never touched my son and I will take that to the grave with me because it's never happened." And he tried to paint his estranged wife as the one to blame, saying she's "very troubled, she's on a downward spiral and I'll leave it at that." [CBS6] [TU]
+ Speaking to News10, Brenda Morse reiterated some of the recent accusations against Shawn Morse, including an incident in the parking lot of a Wolf Road restaurant. [News10]
+ At a special Cohoes Common Council meeting Monday night, multiple residents defended Morse during public comments. Councilman Randy Koniowka has continued his call for Morse to step down. [WNYT x2]
+ Chris Churchill: "There's something within us that wants to believe people who really seem as though they are telling the truth. That's how demagogues gain power." [TU]
Aftermath of Albany police shooting
Paul Grondahl visited with Ellazar Williams, the man shot by an Albany police detective during an incident in which police say Williams had a large knife -- Williams is now paralyzed from the chest down. (He did not speak about the shooting with Grondahl.) [TU]
Governor calls for Cohoes mayor to resign, what state Senate shift could mean, APD chief talks about response to gun violence
Shawn Morse
+ The Times Union obtained child protective services reports and an affidavit that detail allegations Cohoes mayor Shawn Morse was physically violent with his wife and daughter on multiple occasions. Morse's Twitter account called the Times Union reporting "orchestrated stories" and accused the paper of having "exploited the mental illness and drug addiction of my wife for your own personal gain." [TU] [@MayorMorse12047]
+ On Sunday Andrew Cuomo released a statement calling for Morse to resign: "The frightening and egregious evidence of domestic violence against Mayor Morse, as documented in recent media reports, cannot be ignored. Given the documented evidence presented in these reports, it is clear he cannot continue to serve and must resign. The New York State Police have reopened their investigation based on new reported evidence." [Cuomo admin]
+ Also on Sunday: Colonie police said they're investigating a complaint from Morse's wife that he grabbed her and spit in her face during a meeting at Wolf Road restaurant last week. [TU]
+ State Assembly member -- and former Cohoes mayor -- John McDonald on Morse: "I don't know how you can walk into that office and expect to carry on the job of being there." [WNYT]
Cuomo wins Democratic primary for governor, multiple state Senate incumbents lose, 911 call from wife of Cohoes mayor, Troy city employee charged in connection with land sale situation
Democratic primary for governor
+ Andrew Cuomo won the Democratic primary for governor 64-34. over Cynthia Nixon.*
+ Cynthia Nixon: ""What we saw tonight was not what we hoped for, but I am not discouraged. We have fundamentally changed the political landscape in this state." [Politico]
+ Despite the media attention for Nixon's challenge, Cuomo had gathered the support of the party establishment, labor unions, and real estate interests. He an overwhelming advantage in the amount of campaign funding available to him for the primary. [NYT] [Politico]
+ Cuomo's campaign said spent primary night at a private watch party the Executive Mansion in Albany. [TU]
* That tally, like all totals mentioned here, is unofficial and represents the reported count by the state Board of Election for 99.5 percent of election districts statewide.
It's Primary Day, arrest in fatal stabbing, Albany DMV moving, looking for a few good trees
Primary Day
+ Today is primary day for state elections. Check with your county board of election website or the state Board of Election for polling places and sample ballots. [TU]
+ Chris Churchill on the reasons for low voter turnout in New York. [TU]
+ Getting out the vote among immigrants and minorities. [TU]
Arrest in fatal stabbing
A 21-year-old Troy man is a suspect in the fatal Lark Street stabbing of a 45-year-old Albany man in late July. [TU]
Countdown to primaries, advocates say report in Albany police involved shooting is flawed, Regeneron to add 1,500 jobs, telemedicine could help homeless patients in Schenectady
Primaries
+Thursday is primary day. Here's a rundown of local races. [Gazette]
+Chris Churchill takes Andrew Cuomo to task for opening the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge at the beginning of primary week. [TU]
+Campaigning around 9/11.
+Senator Jeff Klein's struggle to appeal to Democrats after leading the IDC. [NYT]
Questions in police involved shooting
Civil rights leader Alice Green and advocates for the Center for Law and Justice says the APD explanation of a police involved shooting of a 19-year-old suspect still leaves questions about how the teen was shot in the back. [Spectrum][TU]
Gubernatorial primary crunch time, shooting in Albany, planned makeover of Madison Theater delayed, lucky dog
Gubernatorial election
+ The drama over the (not) opening of Mario M. Cuomo Bridge across the Tappan Zee continued with the New York Times getting a hold of an internal document in which the Cuomo admin offered the bridge contractor potential enticements to get the bridge open by late August. [NYT]
+ The Cuomo campaign also continued its effort to distance itself from a mailer sent out by the state Democratic Party that tried to associate Cynthia Nixon with anti-Semitism. A Daily Gazette editorial on that effort: "But don't you believe them. They knew exactly what they were doing." [Politico] [Daily Gazette]
+ Arguing the case for and against a Cynthia Nixon win in the Democratic primary. [TU]
+ A look at the Cuomo campaign's rapid spending and flurry of announcements heading into the primary. [Politico]
+ Chris Churchill: "The end of the Democratic primary is bringing out the worst in Andrew Cuomo. What else would we expect?" [TU]
+ Zephyr Teachout was in Albany Monday and said that if elected state Attorney General, she would investigate the Cuomo admin on allegations of a misuse of public funds for campaign purposes. [Spectrum] [TU]
19th Congressional District election
Democratic challenger Antonio Delgado is accusing Republican incumbent John Faso of trying to avoid a one-on-one debate after two potential TV debates were canceled because of Faso's request for the inclusion of the Green Party candidate. [TU]
It's primary week, new Albany police chief sworn in, Troy police officer charged, big month for Schenectady casino
Gubernatorial election
+ In a Siena poll out Monday morning Andrew Cuomo continued to have big lead on Cynthia Nixon for the Democratic primary this week. [SRI]
+ But things didn't go so well for Cuomo over the weekend: After the grand opening of a span of the new Mario M. Cuomo Bridge across the Tappan Zee Friday, the new section did not open Saturday because of a "potentially dangerous situation" involving a section of the old bridge. Marc Molinaro is calling for a federal investigation of the bridge. [Politico] [NYT] [LoHud]
+ Also over the weekend: Cuomo tried to distance himself from a mailer sent out by state Democratic Party that attempted to connect Nixon with anti-Semitism. The Nixon campaign called for an apology from Cuomo. [NYT] [Politico]
+ And the New York Times published an analysis of Cuomo travel records concluding he took 195 trips on state planes and helicopters in 2017, more frequently than the governors of other large states. [NYT]
+ A look at the matchup between incumbent lieutenant governor Kathy Hochul and Democratic challenger Jumaane Williams. [TU]
New Albany police chief
New Albany police chief Eric Hawkins at his swearing in on Friday: "I'm here to help this police department move to that next level of cooperation, partnership and collaboration with the members of this community because challenges, like the challenges we've faced over these last two-three months, are best addressed when the members of the police department work very closely and collaboratively with the members of this community." [TU]
Police oversight
Chris Churchill on the friendship that developed between the mothers of two men who died during interactions with police in Saratoga County and the difficulty in finding out exactly what happened and why in the cases. [TU]
APD says detective's shooting of man was justified, conviction in retrial of 1986 fatal Troy fire, the state of the craft beer boom
Albany police commander Michael Basile.
Review of case involving man shot by Albany police
+ The Albany Police Department released the results of its internal investigation into the police shooting of Ellazar Williams behind the Tony Clement Center for Education in West Hill August 20. APD commander Michael Basile -- who was acting chief at the time -- walked through a presentation with surveillance cam stills and video, a 911 call following an incident near a shop on Central Ave in which the caller said they thought a man had a gun, and police radio calls. Basile said video indicated that Williams had been carrying a large knife and he still had the knife when detective James Olsen chased Williams behind the school building into a fenced-in area. Basile said Williams tripped, dropped the knife, then "rearmed himself and became an imminent danger" towards the detective. That's when Basile said Olsen feared for his safety and the detective fired two shots, hitting Williams once in a spot Basile described as the left rear shoulder. The incident appears in the background of a video and it doesn't show the detective's exact position at the time of the shooting. The detective wasn't outfitted with a body camera, nor did he have a taser. [TU] [CBS6] [Spectrum]
+ "Through our investigation it's been determined that detective Olsen's were consistent with his training and the policies of the Albany police department," Basile told the media. "We've concluded that his actions were justified at this point."
+ New Albany police chief Eric Hawkins, who will be sworn in Friday: "We always try to resolve these types of incidents as peacefully as possible. In this case, the use of force, per our internal investigation, was necessary. But it doesn't take away from the fact that it was a very traumatic experience for everybody involved and we're sensitive to that."
+ Alice Green, the executive director of the Center for Law and Justice, was briefed by the APD about the investigation. After the media presentation Thursday, she spoke with reporters outside police headquarters and said she hasn't come to a conclusion for herself about the shooting. "I'm not being critical of their report. I'm sure they did everything they could with the information that they had," Green said, noting that police didn't have access to Williams or his medical report. (His attorney recommended he not speak with police because he's facing charges.) She said one of the key questions for the community is how Williams ended up being shot in a spot that she described more as his back than his shoulder.
Two shootings in Troy, public hearing on marijuana legalization, Rensselaer County sheriff at the White House, too hot for school?
Troy shootings
Troy police are investigating a pair of shootings that injured three people in the city overnight. [TU][Spectrum]
Marijuana legalization
The first of 15 statewide listening sessions on legalization of marijuana was held last night in Albany. Most of the speakers at the two-hour session spoke in favor of legalization and questioned specifics and logistics involved. [Spectrum][TU][Gazette]
Protestors demand answers in police involved shooting, Albany attack labeled hate crime, 1st day for new APD chief, it's hot
Protestors seek answers in police-involved shooting
Nearly 100 community members and family members of Ellazar Williams, the man who was paralyzed after being shot by Albany police detectives last month, protested Tuesday night to demand answers in the shooting. [TU]
Video shows June shooting
Footage from a surveillance camera in front of Equan Fallen's Livingston Avenue home shows two men shooting Fallen to death in front of his door. [TU]
Albany attack labeled hate crime charge
Albany investigators believe an attack in the city over the weekend was a hate crime. Police say a man repeatedly stabbed a person and stomped on his head because the victim was homosexual. APD says the arrested man is also believed to be mentally ill. [WNYT][TU][Spectrum]
Continued questions about man's death in Schenectady group home, Nixon makes Capital Region campaign stops, Central Warehouse owner says he's working on the project
Investigation of man's death in Schenectady group home
Lauren Stanforth looks in the investigation of the death of a man with developmental disabilities in a Schenectady group home in July 2017 -- there are still few details about how he died and the situation surrounding the death -- and the state's overall process for reviewing these sorts of deaths. [TU]
Gubernatorial election
+ Cynthia Nixon made campaign appearances in Schenectady and Saratoga Springs Sunday, and she said the lack of upstate topics at the recent debate was a result of the moderators' questions. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
+ Where Nixon and Andrew Cuomo stand on potentially pursuing single-payer healthcare in New York State. [TU]
Crystal Run and the Cuomo admin
Chris Bragg continues to pull at threads related to the Crystal Run Healthcare -- a major campaign donor to Andrew Cuomo -- and state grants the Hudson Valley company has gotten, including $6 million in reimbursements for items such as office furniture. [TU]
APD says teen shot by police was wielding knife, Cuomo/Nixon to debate tonight, Spa City walk/vigil highlight contribution of immigrants
Albany police involved shooting
Albany police say Ellazar Williams, the teen who was paralyzed last week after being shot by officers, ran at them with a knife before the shooting and refused to drop the weapon. The officer who shot Williams was named in brutality claims in 2004 and 2005. Albany police apparently have video of the incident. [TU][WNYT]
Cuomo / Nixon
Cynthia Nixon and Andrew Cuomo are set to debate tonight. The debate will air on CBS.[TU]
Stephanie Miner
After three people with ties to the Democratic Party challenged her petitions to run on the Serve America Movement party, independent gubernatorial candidate and former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner is blaming Andrew Cuomo . [TU]
Layoffs at GlobalFoundries, questioning oversight of Saratoga Springs police, Pinhead Susan's for sale, George the turkey is missing
Layoffs at GlobalFoundries
+ GlobalFoundries is laying off hundreds of employees in Malta as part of a companywide strategy change on the manufacturing the next generation of computer chips. The Malta site has had about 3,300 employees recently. [Biz Review]
+ The company's direction change could also have implications for work -- and jobs -- at the SUNY Poly campus in Albany, Larry Rulison notes in a big-picture view of what's happening. [TU]
Saratoga Springs police and the death of Darryl Mount Jr.
+ Following the Times Union story this past weekend that revealed Saratoga Springs police didn't pursue an internal investigation of the death of Darryl Mount Jr. -- despite the police chief saying it did -- the city's public safety commissioner said a civilian review board was unnecessary and "would create another layer of bureaucracy that create more negatives than positives." [TU]
+ From a Daily Gazette editorial regarding the Times Union story and the case: "In a case like that, it's in the best interests of the citizens to take the investigation out of the hands of police and give it to an authority that isn't akin to allowing the fox to guard the hen house." [Daily Gazette]
+ Chris Churchill: "Call me naive, but I still like to believe that police chiefs should have more credibility than the average baby-kisser. When they speak, we should be able to trust what they say. We want to believe our police. [Police chief Gregory] Veitch has lost that trust, which makes it fair to wonder whether he can continue as chief." [TU]
Investigation into Albany police shooting of man
+ Acting Albany police chief Michael Basile said Monday there isn't an exact timeline for completing the investigation of the situation in which department detectives shot Ellazar Williams following a foot chase last week. Williams arraigned in the hospital Monday on charges of felony menacing a police officer and misdemeanor possession of a weapon. [TU] [Spectrum]
+ Center for Law and Justice executive director Alice Green, who's been critical of the department's transparency level on this case, after a meeting with police and community leaders Monday: "Having a meeting like this was very helpful and very useful." [News10]
Saratoga Springs police and the death of Darryl Mount Jr, tracking the life of Rayen Puleski, Kirsten Gillibrand town hall, Travers winner
Saratoga Springs police and the death of Darryl Mount Jr.
Following the injury and death of Darryl Mount Jr. following a foot chase with police in Saratoga Springs in August 2013, police and city officials in Saratoga Springs rejected calls for an outside investigation and pointed to an internal review that found no police misconduct -- but as Barbara Lombardo reports, the city's police chief admitted in a deposition that there was never any internal investigation. [TU]
Tracking the life of Rayen Puleski
Jake Lahut and Steven Cook attempted to the track the life of Rayen Puleski, the infant who had gone missing in July and whose suspected body was found behind a State Street residence in Schenectady. "Through more than a dozen interviews conducted by The Daily Gazette in the days since Rayen's body was found, a picture has emerged of his short life, which was marked by moves between motels, run-down buildings and multiple attempts, including at least two by Child Protective Services, to get help for the infant and his mother." [Daily Gazette]
Gun violence in Albany
+ Albany police say they're investigating the shooting of a 42-year-old man around the 200 block of Central Ave early Sunday morning. APD says the man did not have life-threatening injuries. It's asking anyone with info to call. [APD]
+ At an Albany NAACP forum on gun violence at the Albany Public Library Washington Ave Branch Saturday, panelists talked about the factors that feed into the violence, including poverty and hopelessness. [Spectrum]
Cynthia Nixon in Albany, police say robbery report that prompted manhunt was made up, $40 million for key Troy water pipe
Cynthia Nixon in Albany
+ At a campaign event in Arbor Hill Thursday, Cynthia Nixon talked about school funding and ending suspensions for grades K-3. [WNYT]
+ Nixon said she thinks Andrew Cuomo would rather run against Donald Trump: "I think frankly he's not interested in being governor of New York state anymore. He's sort of passed over this race." [Spectrum]
+ And when asked if Marc Molinaro would be a better governor than Cuomo: "I don't think Governor Cuomo has been a good governor because I think he has largely been someone who talks like a Democrat but governs like a Republican. I think having someone who talks like a Republican and governs like a Republican would be a step down." [Buffalo News]
+ In a meeting with the Times Union editorial board, Nixon compared Andrew Cuomo and Donald Trump as "a couple of alpha males who have turned a blind eye to sexual harassment and worse in their own administrations." [TU]
+ A wider-angle look at the Nixon campaign's efforts to attract people who don't typically vote. [NYT]
ICE detainees at Albany County jail
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple on the number of ICE detainees at the Albany County jail falling in recent weeks: "I would certainly hope that it's not because we're helping them. We're doing what we do for everybody. We're treating them with dignity." [TU]
Albany police detective retiring after complaints
"Two sources familiar with the matter" tell the Times Union an Albany police detective recently retired after at least one woman filed a complaint against him. [TU]
Albany police chief gets start date, State Tax Department subpoenas Cohen, gutter falls from Schenectady railroad bridge, remains of Delmar pilot return home from Vietnam
Police chief start date
Albany's new Police Chief will start work on September 5 and will officially be sworn in on Friday, September 7.[TU]
Railroad falls
A section of downtown Union Street in Schenectady was closed for a stretch on Wednesday afternoon after a gutter fell from the railroad bridge over the street. [Gazette]
State investigates Cohen
The NY State Tax and Finance department is conducting an investigation into Michael Cohen. Cohen was subpoenaed on Wednesday by the Tax Department for "documents and potential testimony" on the Trump Foundation.[TU][Politico]
Common Council approves Hawkins as Albany Police Chief, two pedestrian injured in hit-and-run, Tinning released from prison, Egg tagged
New Albany police chief
The Albany Common Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve Eric Hawkins as the city's new chief of police. Speaking at the meeting on Tuesday, Hawkins said he said communication and forming relationships are an important part of his vision for the force. And he said not opposed to working with groups like the Guardian Angels if they want "assist the city in a collaborative way." [News 10][TU][Spectrum][WNYT]
Albany police involved shooting
The man shot by an Albany police detective earlier this week has been identified as 19-year-old Ellazar Williams of Binghamton. Williams was in Stable condition on Tuesday at Albany Medical Center. Police found a knife at the scene of the shooting that is believed to belong to Williams. [TU][Spectrum]
Man shot by Albany police, reported indicated risk of fall rock at Thacher State Park, apology after Troy city employee took down church display
Man shot by Albany police
Albany police say a man was shot a detective Monday on Elk Street. Acting Chief Michael Basile said at a press conference that a group of detectives had responded to a report of fight on Central Ave involving a weapon. Basile the detectives saw a person who fit the description of a suspect with a gun, approached him, he ran over to Elk Street, and one of the detectives fired, hitting a man. Tuesday morning APD said the man was in critical condition. Basile said a large knife was recovered at the scene of the shooting, but no hand gun as of Monday evening. A rep from the state Attorney General's office was on the scene. Basile said the press conference that detectives are not yet outfitted with body cameras. [APD] [TU x2]
Next Albany police chief
The Common Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday evening on the appointment of Eric Hawkins as the next Albany police chief. The public safety committee meeting is at 5:30 pm, the full council's special meeting is immediately following the committee meeting. [TU]
Thacher State Park falling rocks
State parks had some idea about the risk of falling rocks on the Indian Ladder trail at Thacher State Park a few months before a Bethlehem woman was injured by falling rock there, according to a redacted report obtained by the Times Union via FOIL. [TU]
The Northway and Clifton Park, libraries responding to opioid epidemic, 300 land bank properties sold, "famous" lemonade stand returns
The Northway
The Times Union pulled together package of articles about the Northway's history, its effects, and the future:
+ How the Northway ended up taking the route it now follows. [TU]
+ A look at the huge effect the highway had on Saratoga County. [TU]
+ Why the highway probably won't be expanded any time soon. [TU]
Clifton Park
Fittingly, the Daily Gazette focused on Clifton Park this weekend:
+ How the Northway, a developer, and the presence of greenfields helped shape the Clifton Park of today. [Daily Gazette]
+ The homes built by that developer -- the Van Patten Homes -- continue to be a key part of the town's housing stock. [Daily Gazette]
+ A look at Clifton Park's attempt to zone and develop for a downtown-style town center. [Daily Gazette]
Albany landfill closure date extended and city trash plan on hold, Nixon pushes for universal rent control, Goldstock's closed
Albany landfill and trash collection
The projected closure date of the Albany landfill has been extended to 2026, and the city's new DGS commissioner tells Amanda Fries the transition to pay-as-you-throw garbage collection "is not dead, but it's not alive." [TU]
State money for Albany crime prevention
The Cuomo admin says it's directing $2.2 million toward anti-violence initiatives in the city of Albany, including money for job training, a mentorship program, State Police assistance on patrols, and crime analysis. [TU]
Albany County ADA resigns over freelance work
The Albany County prosecutor found out to be doing freelance appeals work for a prominent local defense attorney has resigned and is taking a job with the county public defender's office. [TU]
Mother arraigned on charges related to discovery of deceased infant, man injured in Grand Street shooting, protestors greet Spicer in Saratoga, French teen visits nurses who saved her life
Police: Addicted mother buried child
Heaven Puleski was arraigned on Wednesday on charges relating to the disappearance of her four-month-old-son Rayen, whose body was found this week in hole behind their State Street home in Schenectady. Police say Puleski was too high on heroin to care for the child, and admitted to wrapping him in plastic bags and hiding him behind the house after he died. The judge set her bail at $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond, and sent her to county jail.[News 10][Gazette][TU]
Baby safe haven laws
Sara Foss shines a light on the little known Baby Safe Haven laws that could have protected Rayen Puleski.[Gazette]
Cuomo's America was "never that great" comment
Firing back at Trump's "Make America Great Again" rhetoric, Andrew Cuomo said "We are not going to make America great, America was never that great." Donald Trump and other Republicans quickly took aim at Cuomo for the quote. The governor continued saying,"We have not reached greatness. We will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged." [Spectrum][WNYT][TU][NYT]
Mother faces charges connected to discovery of infant's body, state sues OxyContin makers, Rensselaer planners reviewing gondola plan
Investigation of infant death in Schenectady
Schenectady police have charged Heaven Puleski, the mother of 4-month-old Rayen Puleski, with a string of felonies related to the discovery of a body now believed to be her baby. The charges include one count each of tampering with physical evidence and concealment of a human corpse, felonies, as well as misdemeanor child endangerment but she has not been charged with murder. Puleski is in Schenectady city jail awaiting arraignment today. An autopsy on the child is expected to take a while. [Gazette][WNYT][TU][News 10][Spectrum]
Opioid suit
New York State is suing the maker of OxyContin for allegedly downplaying the risks and overstating the benefits of opioid products, helping to fuel an addiction and overdose epidemic. [TU]
Few new details in Schenectady missing infant case, Trump visits upstate, wanting to believe in bigfoot
Investigation of infant death in Schenectady
+ Schenectady police said Monday they need more time for the autopsy and identification process for the remains found behind a State Street residence, and did not indicate whether they think the remains are that of an infant whose mother had been living at the address. "Individuals familiar with the ongoing joint probe" tell the Times Union that the remains were badly decomposed, making the identification process difficult. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
+ The missing infant's mother's aunt said Monday she has hope the child is still alive, but worries the situation is too coincidental. She also said she thinks child protective services failed the infant by not following up on a claim about the infant's living situation. [Spectrum] [News10]
Albany County styrofoam ban
The Albany County Legislature voted Monday to expand the ban on the use of polystyrene (styrofoam) at food service establishments. (The ban previously had applied to chain restaurants.) [TU]
Donald Trump upstate
+ Donald Trump visited Fort Drum Monday to sign a military appropriations bill and told the crowd there that Elise Stefanik had "called me so many times" to make a stop there. In a tweet, Stefanik said
+ At a fundraiser for Republican Congress member Claudia Tenney -- who's facing a challenge from Democrat Anthony Brindisi -- in Utica later in the day, Trump criticized Andrew Cuomo and Kirsten Gillibrand. [Politico x2]
Two drivers charged in fatal I-90 crash, Trump visiting Upstate, figuring out the Excelsior Scholarship, complaints about Albany basketball court shutdown
Fatal I-90 crash
State Police a driver was killed when their car was struck on the eastbound side of I-90 in East Greenbush Saturday afternoon, ended up crossing the median, and was then struck again by a vehicle traveling in the westbound lane. State Police also say the drivers of both the eastbound and westbound striking cars were arrested on vehicular manslaughter and DWI charges, and the westbound driver had kids in the vehicle. State Police are asking any witnesses of the incident to contact them. [NYSP] [TU]
Investigation of apparent infant death in Schenectady
+ On Friday Schenectady police were still sharing few details about the investigation of the body "consistent with that of a child" found behind a residential building on State Street Thursday. And the family of the mother who lived at the building -- and whose infant was reported missing earlier in the week -- said they were frustrated by the lack of details. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
+ Sara Foss: "[I]f it takes a village to raise a child, we need to take a good, hard look at the village where the child's body was found, and ask some difficult questions." [Daily Gazette]
Donald Trump Upstate
Donald Trump will be signing a bill at Fort Drum Monday and then making an appearance at a private fundraiser in Utica -- it's his first visit to Upstate New York since taking office. [TU]
Four more NXIVM arrests, conviction upheld in deadly Troy fire, Capital Region unemployment drops again, Marry Me Mint
NXIVM
Four more members of NXIVM were arrested on Tuesday. Segram's heiress Clare Bronfman, NXIVM's president Nancy Salzman, her daughter Lauren and NXIVM bookkeeper Kathy Russell have been indicted for allegedly recruiting and grooming sexual partners for Raniere and of using "harassment, coercion and abusive litigation to intimidate and attack perceived enemies and critics of Raniere."Bronfman pled not guilty and was released on $100 million bond. [Spectrum][TU][NYT]
2nd conviction in Troy fire
Fifty-year-old Richard J. Wright who served three decades in prison for the fire that killed two teenage girls in Troy, was convicted a second time on Tuesday by State Supreme Court Justice Andrew Ceresia. [TU]
1970s murderer free
The man convicted of the murder of a 17-year-old girl in 1970 has been released from prison. [TU]
Sentencing in Schenectady Facebook Live standoff, local newspapers suffering large circulation declines, Esperanto eyeing doughboy bakery, 70 years together
Sentencing in Schenectady police shooting shown on Facebook
The man shot by Schenectady police during a standoff that was streamed on Facebook Live last summer was sentenced to 10 years in prison on a felony weapons charges and multiple misdemeanors. [Daily Gazette]
Parole denied for driver in fatal Northway crash
The driver convicted of causing the 2012 Northway crash that killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers was denied parole Monday. [Daily Gazette]
Justice Center
The state's Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs is now five years old, and critics say it's falling short of its purpose. [TU]
Albany County paid sick leave proposal
Advocates are continuing to push the case for Albany County to adopt legislation that would require employers to provide paid sick leave. The bill was recently amended to allow businesses with five or fewer employees to offer unpaid sick days. [TU] [Spectrum]
Local newspapers
Many of the biggest newspapers in the Capital Region have had large declines in the paid circulation for their paper versions over the last decade. [Biz Review]
Examining the context of Albany's rash of violence, fired Home Depot employee passes on job re-offer, state's bill for food truck fight, Grandma's is set to re-open
Recent rash of violence in Albany
+ Amanda Fries and a group of Times Union reporters looked at the 16 homicides in Albany over the last 19 months -- six are currently unsolved -- and talked with local law enforcement officials and experts about the patterns and context associated with the deaths. [TU]
+ Albany County DA David Soares on the recent uptick in violence in the city: "One of the things that we're also seeing that I will tell you is of concern to me is that an individual can be shot in the presence of 25 people and yet, no one knows or sees anything." Also: ""We have the means and the ability to move people and to protect the identification of people who come forward with information." [WNYT] [TU]
+ A group called Albany Concerned Citizens led a peace walk through the South End Sunday. [WNYT] [Spectrum]
Maurice Rucker
After the outpouring of public support for Maurice Rucker -- the employee at the Albany Home Depot fired after he stood up to a racist customer instead of calling for a manager -- the chain has offered him his job back. He's not accepting it: "I personally felt it was kind of disingenuous." He says he's gotten multiple job offers and has an interview Albany County exec Dan McCoy this week. [TU] [Spectrum] [TU]
New Albany police chief appointed, the experiences of detained immigrants, developer buys First Prize site, floating islands against river pollution
Next Albany police chief
+ Kathy Sheehan has appointed Eric Hawkins to be the next Albany police chief. He's currently the police chief in Southfield, Michigan, and in a statement Sheehan said he has "a firm commitment to community policing and 21st century policing strategies." (Interesting bio bit: He has a law degree.) The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Common Council. [Sheehan admin press release]
+ Hawkins is line to become the city's second African-American police chief and first since 1995. [TU]
Detained immigrants
+ A look at the complicated situation facing a Troy woman currently held in an ICE detainment facility near Buffalo. [The Alt]
+ A New York Immigration Coalition official praising the services the 300some ICE detainees are getting at the Albany County jail: "I have never experienced the level of cooperation and concern for the well being of the immigrant detainees that I have witnessed at the Albany County jail." [TU]
Q Poll: Cuomo has double digit lead over Nixon, Troy protests over grand jury decision in Dahmeek McDonald shooting, bullet holes found in Albany County Democratic headquarters
Justice for Dahmeek protest outside Troy Police Department
Protestors gathered outside the Troy police department on Wednesday to protest the grand jury decision not to prosecute the officer who shot Dahmeek McDonald in an incident last August.[Spectrum][TU]
Bullet holes at Albany County Dem headquarters
An Albany County Democratic Committee Employee discovered a series of bullet holes lodged in the building on Wednesday morning. No-one was in the building when shots were fired. Some of the bullet holes were new and others may have been fired as early as last week. [Spectrum][TU][WNYT]
Charges in Schenectady family shooting, Skelos & Son convicted in retrial, Guardian Angels plan Albany recruitment, gun show moves to Schenectady
Charges in Schenectady family shooting
Dushawn Howard was officially charged on Tuesday with three separate counts of second-degree attempted murder in last week's shooting of his former girlfriend and two of her children. Howard, who was also injured in the incident, was arraigned at his bedside in Albany Medical Center and was released into the custody of the Schenectady County Sheriff's Office.[Gazette][WNYT][TU]
Skelos and son convicted in retrial
Former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son, Adam, were convicted of all counts on Tuesday in their corruption re-trial.[NYT]
Albany continues to deal with rash of violence, no charges for Troy officer in 2017 shooting, reps reacts to Trump/Putin, possible repurposing for Troy pools
Albany violence
+ Albany police say they've arrested a man for the fatal shooting of Equan Fallen on Livingston Ave in West Hill in June. [APD]
+ The man accused of being involved in the fatal stabbing of Rashaun Byrd on July 5 has been indicted on charges that include murder. [TU]
+ The Albany Common Council voted to increase the police chief's salary to as much as $145k a year -- which prompted pushback from one of the candidates for the job. (See the tweets from Amanda Fries for a recap of the council caucus and meeting Monday night.) [TU] [WNYT] [@mandy_fries]
+ The council meeting also included public commenters urging action in response to the recent flare up of violence. [Spectrum]
+ Council member Joyce Love has issued support for curbing the hours of corner stores. [News10]
+ Despite not being welcomed the first time, the Guardian Angels say they'll be returning to Albany Tuesday. [TU]
No charges for Troy officer in shooting
+ Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney announced Monday, in his role as special prosecutor, that a grand jury has declined to file charges against Troy police officer Jarrod Iler in the August 15, 2017 shooting of Dahmeek McDonald. Here's Carney's statement. [TU] [Troy Record]
+ Mark Mishler, McDonald's attorney, in a statement: "We are dismayed but not surprised by the outcome of this investigation, which unfortunately fits into a now-standard pattern in this country by which police officers who use deadly force against unarmed civilians are rarely charged." [WNYT]
Another fatal shooting in Albany, Cuomo on Kaloyeros conviction, parole for Marybeth Tinning, naked in a cave
Albany gun violence
+ Albany police say 31-year-old Kahlil Barnes was fatally shot early Saturday morning near Quail and First in West Hill. His death is the 8th homicide of the year and third in July. [APD] [TU]
+ The funeral for Elijah Cancer -- who worked for an anti-violence initiative and was killed while trying to break up a fight in the South End -- was Saturday at Metropolitan Baptist Church. And on Sunday community members -- including the parents of Kahlil Barnes -- gathered Sunday in Arbor Hill Park to talk about the string of shootings. Barnes and Cancer were once members of rival groups back in the 00s, but Barnes's mother says they had since become friends: "Both of them came home and changed their life and were working to better the community." [Spectrum] [WNYT] [TU] [Spectrum]
+ The Albany Police Department says it's expecting to make arrests related to the recent string of violence. [WNYT]
+ Kathy Sheehan told CBS6 that her administration is looking at possibly limiting the hours of corner stores as an anti-violence measure. [CBS6]
Andrew Cuomo on Kaloyeros conviction
+ On Friday Andrew Cuomo tried to frame the situation surrounding the conviction of Alain Kaloyeros as one that pre-dated him and was distanced from him as part of SUNY. [Politico NY]
+ Chris Churchill on the state Department of Health report on marijuana legalization being released the day after the Kaloyeros conviction: "I'm half surprised the governor stopped short of handing out pot samples to fog everyone's memory." [Politico NY] [TU]
Pedestrian killed in crash
Saratoga Springs police tell WNYT that a pedestrian died on Route 9 during a crash early Monday morning. [WNYT]
Kaloyeros found guilty, Albany police officers union says it's not apologizing for statement, Albany neighborhoods continue to deal with storm flooding, scenes from the Build-A-Bear line
Kaloyeros guilty
+ A federal jury found Alain Kaloyeros and three development company executives guilty of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy related to the bidding process for projects connected to SUNY Poly in Syracuse and Buffalo. His attorney said after the verdict in Manhattan that "there's no way that Alain Kaloyeros is guilty" and that they're planning an appeal. [TU] [NYT] [Biz Review]
+ The verdict prompted another round of calls for corruption reform in state government. [Politico NY]
+ Assemblyman John McDonald says there should be a review of the contracts and the state comptroller's office should be involved. [WNYT]
Amazon warehouse
+ Schodack residents turned out to express their concerns at a Rensselaer County IDA hearing Thursday about possible tax breaks for the proposed warehouse project that would be occupied by Amazon. [TU]
+ A consultancy analysis concluded that the warehouse project would generate $31 million in revenue over 20 years for the town, school district, and other taxing districts. [Biz Review]
History of domestic violence in Schenectady shooting, Albany County considers sanctuary law, population growth in Saratoga County
Schenectady shooting update
+ Corrected The mother shot in the triple shooting in Schenectady this week has a history of being the subject of domestic violence. The victim told police she was afraid to leave Deshawn Howard, because she knew he had a gun and he threatened to kill her and her children if she left him. The woman had an order of protection against Howard, obtained earlier this year after he punched her in the face in front of her children. [WNYT][Gazette][TU]
+ Sara Foss on two domestic violence cases and the effect of domestic violence on children. [Gazette]
Response to Albany shootings
"I want to see the outrage. I want to see people angry" -- Acting Albany police Chief Bob Sears on the community outrage and response to the rash of shootings and violence in the city this summer. [TU]
Albany police chief issues pointed response to officers' union Facebook statement, the challenge for immigration detainees being held at Albany County jail, online comments and governments
Gun violence in Albany
+ In a statement Monday, and later press conference, acting Albany police chief Bob Sears issued a remarkably pointed response to the statement posted on the officers' union Facebook page over the weekend that had criticized city and department leadership as well as an anti-gun violence initiative in the city (the union unpublished the message Monday morning). And Sears called out a union VP by name for the statement. Said Sears at the press conference: "That comment completely unnecessary, inflammatory has the ability to undermine this whole department and this whole community and everything we've done in the one sentence over the last 10 years." [APD] [WNYT] [News10]
+ Albany Police Officers Union president David Verrelli told the Times Union the union Facebook page statement "was merely one person's observation" and "it was just poor timing" during the recent flare up of gun violence in the city. [TU]
+ Albany Common Council member Derek Johnson on the death of Elijah Cancer, who was killed in the South End this past weekend while trying to break up a fight: "I lost a mentee, I lost a little brother and I lost a friend ... I lost a whole bunch of things at the same time, and I know I'm not the only one feeling that way." [TU]
ICE detainees at Albany County Jail
An official with the the New York Immigration Coalition on the ICE detainees being kept at the Albany County Jail, where attorneys and orgs are offering them counsel and services, to the Times Union: "They don't know where they are, they don't know the day. No one has explained anything to them." [TU]
More shootings in Albany, community rallies against violence, criticism of Albany methadone clinic, Grandma's is closing
Gun violence in Albany
+ Albany police say one man was killed, and another injured, in a shooting early Saturday morning on Teunis Street in the South End (map). APD says man who died was 32-year-old Elijah Cancer, who was an outreach worker for the Albany 518 SNUG anti-violence program run by Trinity Alliance. APD says it appears Cancer was trying to break up a fight when he was shot. [APD] [TU] [Trinity Alliance]
+ Albany police say there were two separate shootings in the Arbor Hill / Sheridan Hollow area early Sunday morning. APD says three men are believed to have been shot around 1 am near Third and North Swan (map). And then at about 2:20 am officers responded to a report of shooting on the 300 block of Orange Street (block map) -- one man had been taken to the hospital in critical condition. APD says the men shot in the first incident "have been highly uncooperative with the police." And APD says it's unclear if the two incidents are connected. [APD]
+ There was a community rally in Arbor Hill Park Sunday to address the recent flare up of gun violence. Kathy Sheehan told the crowd: "I'm here to tell you, I need your help ... I'm here ready to do whatever it takes. We stand ready to do whatever it takes." [WNYT] [TU]
+ In a now-deleted post on Facebook, the union that represents Albany police officers said it's "fed up with the violence terrorizing the citizens of Albany" and then criticized Kathy Sheehan for policies and staffing and questioned the value of CURE Violence program (and made a reference to CURE staffers smelling like pot). In a Facebook post, Sheehan said she "will not be responding to the false claims made on social media by a member of the Albany Police Union against myself and APD command staff" and will "not ignore the disgraceful dog whistle language used by this same individual to describe Albany Cure Violence." [APOU Facebook (deleted)] [TU] [Kathy Sheehan office Facebook]
Frustration over Albany violence, flash flooding, Schenectady fireworks problems persist, lost in the woods
Flare up of violence in Albany
Officials, community leaders, and residents say they're concerned, frustrated, and baffled by the rash of shootings and other violence in Albany on July 4 that left one person dead and multiple injured. [TU]
Flash floods
+ The storm that dropped multiple inches of rain on parts of the city of Albany and Bethlehem Thursday caused flash flooding at many locations. [AOA] [WNYT] [TU]
+ Albany water department commissioner Joe Coffey to Spectrum: "This is a rain event that doesn't happen that often and when it happens, the pipes simply can't handle that kind of water in that short period of time." [Spectrum]
Albany fire chief
The Sheehan administration announced Friday morning that fire chief Warren Abriel Jr will be retiring July 28, and Kathy Sheehan will be announcing a new chief in the future. [City of Albany press release]
Fatal stabbing and four shot in Albany overnight, 5th grade teacher pleads guilty to rape, officer killed in motorcycle crash, helping people in need cool down
Albany homicide
Albany police are investigating the stabbing death of a 29 year old victim on Orange Street early Thursday morning. [APD]
Four shot in Albany
Albany police say four people who were shot early Thursday morning on Lexington Avenue are being uncooperative in the investigation into the shootings. [TU]
Albany shooting
Albany police are investigating a shooting that took place in the city's Ten Broeck neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon. The victim, a 40-year-old man was shot in the arm and treated at Albany Med. [TU]
APD mourns officer
The city of Albany is mourning Officer Dean Johnson, a 25 year old police officer who died this weekend in an off duty motorcycle crash. [Spectrum]
Murder charge in fatal Saratoga Springs stabbing, Kaloyeros rejects plea deal, recycling costs increase, affordable housing projects proposed, about that dead coyote...
Saratoga Springs stabbing
Saratoga Springs police say the 46-year-old man stabbed Sunday has died, and the 62-year-old man in custody is facing charges that include second-degree murder. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Kaloyeros trial
The feds offered Alain Kaloyeros a plea deal over the weekend -- and he declined. Prosecutors also got a chance to re-open their case to establish the the court in Manhattan was the proper venue for the trial by calling witnesses from Verizon and the parent company of AOL to testify about email routing. [TU] [Biz Review]
Amazon warehouse
The massive warehouse project in Schodack that would serve as an Amazon facility took a step forward in the town planning process Monday night -- over the objections of of some residents and a labor advocate. [WNYT]
Blue bin blues
Because of changes in policy by China, the economics of recycling materials have shifted -- and, in the city of Albany's case, that means a possible financial impact of $400k per year. [TU]
It's very hot, surveying effects of the Buffalo Billion, debate over longevity pay for electeds, the dreams of your ancestors
Heat
+ Today's forecast includes temperatures near 100, and the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning through Monday night as the heat index is expected to be 100. [NWS x2]
+ Here's a list of cooling centers around the region compiled by the state Department of Health. [NYS DOH]
+ Also: Some local municipalities are offering cooling stations not on that list. Call or check with your local city/town.
Gubernatorial election
+ Surveying the effects -- or lack thereof -- of the Buffalo Billion, one of Andrew Cuomo's signature economic development initiatives. [NYT]
+ The issue of Cuomo campaign contributions has mostly beenabsent from the Alain Kaloyeros trial -- with one brief exception. [TU]
+ Picking through Marcus Molinaro's time as Dutchess County exec, campaign spending and contributions, and county contracts. [TU]
Life in translation
A profile of an Afghan man who served as a translator for the US Army in Afghanistan and now lives in Albany -- he was injured while working with US forces, now works four jobs, and needs a new wheelchair. [TU]
How a Troy woman ended up facing deportation after traffic stop, prosecution stumbles in Kaloyeros trial, Breslin joins push for renewables for ESP microgrid
Every day local journalists work to find out what's happening and tell people about it. They're working longer and harder as news organizations contract, usually for not much money. And we'd all be worse off without their efforts. If you're not subscribed to a local news outlet, today's a good day to sign up.
Immigrants
+ The number of people now being held at the Albany County jail on immigration charges as part of a federal program is now 197 after a group of almost 100 arrived via airplane Thursday. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said this week the detainees will have access to immigration attorneys and other services at the jail. [TU / Brendan Lyons] [Spectrum / Evan Sery]
+ Charting how a Troy woman -- brought to the United States by her mother at age 17 -- ended up at a federal detention center in western New York after she was arrested for rolling through a stop sign. [TU / Steve Hughes]
Kaloyeros trial
+ The judge in the Alain Kaloyeros trial will allow the feds to re-open their case after the prosecutors failed to show that wire fraud took place in the area covered by Manhattan-based court for the Southern District of New York -- and the venue question may now hinge on... an AOL email address. [TU / Robert Gavin]
+ Judge Valerie Caproni also said Thursday that the prosecution's wire fraud case against two of the company executives on trial was "thin." [Syracuse.com / Julie McMahon]
Supreme Court and New York
Anthony Kennedy's retirement from the Supreme Court of the United States -- and its potential implications for the fate of abortion rights in the country -- has prompted a renewed focus on New York State passing the Reproductive Health Act, which would change abortion's place in the state's legal code. The legislation has faced a road block in the state Senate. [Spectrum / Nick Reisman] [News10 / Morgan McKay]
Delgado & Cobb take Congressional primaries, dozens of immigrants at Albany County jail, anti-semitic graffiti found on Albany rail trail, RPI steps back on Greek life ban
Congressional primaries
+ Former St. Lawrence County legislator Tedra Cobb will take on Elise Stefanik in November for the 21st Congressional District. Cobb ran away with 56% of the vote in Tuesday's Democratic primary. [Gazette]
+ Antonio Delgado emerged victorious in the 19the Congressional District Democratic primary and will take on Republican incumbent John Faso in November. Delgado received 22 percent of the votes to put him at the top of a seven candidate field. [TU][Spectrum]
Anti-Semitic graffiti
Bethlehem police are investigating anti-Semitic graffiti found under a bridge on the Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail on Tuesday. [TU]
It's Congressional primary day, charting effects of climate change, Kaloyeros trial, sentence in Remsen street fire, new roof for Egg
Congressional primaries
+ Today is primary day for New York's Congressional elections. Polls here are open from noon to 9 pm. Don't know where to vote? Check with the website for your county board of elections or the state board of elections.
+ In the Capital Region, the focus is on the Democratic primaries to pick challengers for Republicans John Faso (NY-19) and Elise Stefanik (NY-21). [Daily Gazette]
+ Congressional primaries in New York State tend to have very low levels of turnout -- so showing up to vote can have even more of an impact. [Politico NY]
Hoosick Falls
The Hoosick Falls village board approved a deal in which Saint-Gobain Performance Plastic and Honeywell International will pay almost $200k for lost sewer and water revenues because of the situation surrounding the PFOA contamination. It's the second settlement the village has struck with the companies and doesn't preclude additional claims. [Spectrum] [TU]
Immigration
+ A look at the efforts of family and friends to free a two-year-old Hungarian boy from the custody of a shelter in the Bronx after his parents were taken into custody by border patrol agents near the Canadian border in Franklin County last month. [TU]
+ Andrew Cuomo said New York State will provide services to children being kept in foster care in orgs in the state after being separated from their families at the border. [Politico NY]
Climate change
Highlighting some of the ways the climate has been changing in New York State over the past century. [TU]
Albany police fatally shoot man during stabbing incident, push for environmental review of Amazon warehouse, Barack Obama in the Adirondacks, lost emu found
Man fatally shot by Albany police during stabbing incident
+ Albany police say a man was fatally shot by an officer Friday night. APD says two officers responded to a report of a person with a weapon on the second floor of a Partridge Street residence and they found a woman at the bottom of a stairwell. They broke the glass in the door and determined she'd been stabbed. APD says a 20-year-old man, Schuyler Lake, then came down the steps with a knife, did not respond to officers' instructions to drop the knife, and then stabbed the woman again -- that's when APD says one of the officers fired, killing the man. APD says the woman at the bottom of the steps was Lake's mother, and a man found upstairs -- also injured -- is his uncle. APD says the mother was in critical condition Saturday, the uncle had non-life threatening injuries. Both officers are on administrative leave while the incident is investigated. [APD] [TU] [News10]
+ Acting police chief Robert Sears at a press conference Saturday: "Actions of officers saved a woman's life last night." [Spectrum]
Congressional election
+ An overview of the Democrats competing in Tuesday's primaries for the chance to challenge John Faso and Elise Stefanik for local Congressional seats. [TU]
+ Across New York State, there are 34 Democrats competing for a spot to challenge for nine Republican-held Congressional seats. [Politico NY]
Cuomo asserts right to know about migrant children being kept in New York, ICE active again in Saratoga, Albany tax dispute settled, Kevin Huerter picked in first round of NBA draft
Family separations and New York
+ Andrew Cuomo asserted Thursday that as governor he has a "legal responsibility for the health and welfare of children within our borders, whether they are citizens or non-citizens" and has the authority to require the federal government to disclose information about migrant children who have been separated from their parents at the border and are now being held in New York. [TU]
+ There are said to be approximately 700 such children in the state, and on Thursday the governor, accompanied by a New York Times reporter, toured an undisclosed facility that's caring for some of the children. [NYT]
ICE in Saratoga Springs
With the return of the summer tourism season in Saratoga Springs, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have again become active around the city -- a Skidmore professor say the agency is racial profiling people. [TU]
Kaloyeros trial
A former VP for LPCiminelli -- who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and is cooperating with the prosecution -- testified Thursday that the contractor had influence on the request-for-proposals process with a development arm of SUNY Poly so that company would be chosen for a contract. The exec also said Alain Kaloyeros had gone from being viewed skeptically by the Cuomo admin's inner circle to a "rock star" in part with the help of Todd Howe. [TU] [Biz Review]
Legislative session ends with much undone, Emails evidence in Kaloyeros trial, Dow drops GE, layoffs at GlobalFoundries, emu still at large
Kaloyeros
Federal prosecutors presented dozens of emails as evidence in the bid rigging trial of Alain Kaloyeros and his codefendants. It was revealed through emails that Kaloyeros threatened to quit his job back in 2013 when he was having trouble negotiating his goal of splitting the NanoCollege off from UAlbany, and prosecutors suggest he hired Todd Howe to help him gain the trust of the Cuomo administration. One of the witnesses testifying in the trial, Jerry Barber, a former top assistant to Tom DiNapoli hired by Kaloyeros to work at Fuller Road Management Corp, testified in federal court this week that he was never pressured in his job to approve any particular developers for SUNY Poly project. [TU][TU][TU]
Legislative session
The legislative session wrapped up on Wednesday but sports gambling, transparency requirements, requirements for reporting bullying at charter schools, and other high profile issues were left on the table. Opponents of Andrew Cuomo are blaming him for focusing more on his own political battle than legislative issues, while others blame the lack of a majority. Some lawmakers are saying they are dissatisfied with the way the session wrapped up.
Legislators rallied on the Million Dollar Staircase on Wednesday to call for an end to the Trump policy of separating immigrant children from their families.
eep the call for action alive.[TU][TU][Politico][WNYT][Spectrum]
New York to sue feds over family separation policy, prosecutors: private emails could be key to Kaloyeros case, Albany addresses recent violence, Capital Region unemployment drops, loose emu in Grafton
Cuomo says NY will challenge federal border policies separating families
Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that New York State will file a lawsuit over the federal border policies that have led to the "inhumane" separation of families and detention of children. [TU]
Kaloyeros
Federal prosecutors believe that private emails will prove Alain Kaloyeros and his co-defendants were part of a more than $850 million bid-rigging scheme. Prosecutors say Kaloyeros pushed for secrecy and private email to discuss alleged bid rigging for developers. [TU][TU]
Violence in Albany
After a spate of shootings and stabbings in the last several weeks, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Acting Police Chief Robert sears held a press conference on Tuesday to discuss plans to address the outbreak of violence, including a tip line and placing more officers in the city's highest crime areas. "There is not a single street in this city where it is acceptable for there to be gun violence," Sheehan said.[Spectrum][TU]
Amazon potential tenant of huge Schodack warehouse project, Kaloyeros portrayed as villain and hero at trial, state report to recommend marijuana legalization
Huge proposed Schodack warehouse
+ An attorney representing the potential tenant of the 1 million-square-foot proposed warehouse in Schodack revealed at a public meeting Monday night that Amazon is looking at using the facility as a fulfillment center. (Larry Rulison had put the pieces together earlier in the day by noting the facility shared the exact same square footage as other Amazon projects.) [TU]
+ The project has continued to get pushback from its immediate neighbors -- said one woman at the meeting of the relatively low wages the facility will pay for many of its 800 jobs: "We're told these workers will infuse money into Schodack. These warehouse workers will not have the time or money to buy a burger in Schodack, let alone buy homes here." [WNYT] [Biz Review]
Kaloyeros trial
+ In its opening statement Monday the prosecution said it was a case "about lying and cheating to get huge construction contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, all paid for by the taxpayers of New York" -- and that it has emails to prove that Alain Kaloyeros rigged the bidding process for contracts. [TU]
+ The defense portrayed Kaloyeros as "a hero in Albany" and didn't violate the law. [Politico NY]
+ Monday also include testimony from Andrew Kennedy, a former Cuomo admin official who's now the head of the Capital Region's Center for Economic Growth -- he said the Cuomo admin had viewed Kaloyeros with skepticism, but the relationship improved after the nano emperor hired longtime Cuomo associate Todd Howe. [Biz Review]
+ The trial was a focus of the gubernatorial election challengers who pushed the pay-to-play accusations against the Cuomo admin. [Politico NY]
Death in Lark Street stabbing case, Kaloyeros trial starting, Miner making independent run for governor, a tangled family tree
Death in Lark Street stabbing case
Albany police say one of the men stabbed during the incident near Lark Street and Madison Ave June 7 has died of his injuries. The death of 22-year-old Elijah Smith is the city's fifth homicide of the year. [APD press release] [TU]
Shootings in Albany
Albany police are investigating two shootings Saturday -- one on Clinton Ave in Sheridan Hollow/Arbor Hill, the other on Second Ave near Grandview Terrace. APD says it doesn't know of the shootings are connected. [TU] [Spectrum] [TU]
Kaloyeros trial
+ The federal trial of Alain Kaloyeros on bid-rigging allegations related to SUNY Poly projects is scheduled to start Monday. [TU]
+ Jimmy Vielkind: "Regardless of how the trial ends, it's certain to pose a larger question about Cuomo's efforts to revive the upstate economy: Did the big bets on high-tech projects, most of which were overseen by Kaloyeros, pay off?" [Politico NY]
NY Attorney General files suit against Trump Foundation, attorney accused of stealing from clients, jobs at risk from automation, the former mayor as Uber driver
NY AG files suits against Donald Trump and Trump foundation
State Attorney General Barbara Underwood announced Thursday that her office is filing a lawsuit against the Donald J. Trump Foundation -- and its director, which include the President and three of his children -- alleging "a pattern of persistent illegal conduct, occurring over more than a decade, that includes extensive unlawful political coordination with the Trump presidential campaign, repeated and willful self-dealing transactions to benefit Mr. Trump's personal and business interests, and violations of basic legal obligations for non-profit foundations." The AG's office also referred the case to the IRS and Federal Election Commission noting possible violations of tax and campaign law. [NYS OAG]
+ The suit alleges the foundation was co-opted by the Trump presidential campaign, specifically highlighting coordination in Iowa ahead of the caucuses there. [Politico NY]
+ On Twitter Donald Trump called the lawsuit an act of "sleezy New York Democrats." [NYT]
+ The former head of the IRS nonprofit division to the Washington Post: The lawsuit is" "an extraordinary catalogue of how not to run a private foundation. There's little else [Trump] could have done that would have made it worse." [Washington Post]
Immigration
+ A group gathered outside the federal building in Albany Thursday to protest the Trump administration's policies related to separating children from immigrant families trying to enter the United States or requesting asylum at border crossings. It was one of multiple rallies around the country. [WNYT] [TU]
+ Local immigration attorneys say the decision by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions to reverse a policy that allowed immigrants to request asylum because of domestic or gang violence makes those immigrants even more vulnerable. [TU]
Albany murder victim named, case tossed out again in Troy double murder, mother in Albany road rage case arrested for false statement, preliminary approval for SUNY tuition hike
Colonie road rage arrests
Police made two more arrests in an Colonie road rage case from last month, and one of the people arrested was the woman who claimed to be a victim. State Police say an investigation concluded that Natia Shim, the mother of the driver, who claimed she and her son were chased down by another vehicle and attacked physically and verbally, was not in the car when the confrontation occurred. Shim was charged with making a false statement to police. Four other arrests have been made in the case. This item has been corrected. [TU][Spectrum][Gazette][WNYT]
Case dismissed a second time in Troy murders
For the second time, a Rensselaer County judge has tossed out charges against two men who were charged with killing a pair of Troy roommates nearly two years ago, saying there was insufficient evidence to tie that crime to the men charged, and cited incorrect instructions given to the grand jury. The defendants will be held until the DA's office determines whether it will resubmit the cast to a new grand jury. [TU][Spectrum]
Cuomo out front in Siena poll, APD investigating homicide, NXIVM's Raniere denied bail, back and forth continues of Albany bill for protest
Siena poll puts Cuomo ahead
The latest Siena poll shows Andrew Cuomo with a 19-point lead over Republican Marc Molinaro and a 35 point lead over Cynthia Nixon. [Siena]
Albany homicide
A 25-year-old Albany man is dead following a shooting in the city's West Hill neighborhood on Tuesday. [TU]
NXIVM
A judge has denied bail to NXIVM founder Keith Raniere. Meanwhile NXIVM has announced it is suspending all operations and planned events in light of recent sex trafficking allegations. [Gazette][TU]
Criminal indictment of Rensselaer County DA dismissed, forum for NY-21 Democratic candidates, new Albany DGS commissioner, kids vs. robot
Criminal indictment against Rensselaer County DA dismissed
An acting state Supreme Court justice has dismissed the state Attorney General office's criminal indictment against Rensselaer district attorney Joel Abelove over the DA's handling of the grand jury review of the fatal shooting of Edson Thevenin by Troy police, concluding the the state AG's office doesn't have jurisdiction to prosecute Abelove for perjury in the case. [TU]
+ On Monday Abelove maintained he's done nothing wrong and said the indictment had been "a political hit job." [Spectrum]
+ The state AG's office, in a statement: "Our indictment detailed a disturbing pattern of misconduct that violated the law and undermined a criminal investigation. We respectfully disagree with the court's decision and are determining how best to move this critical case forward." [WNYT]
Lawsuit against Schenectady police over fatal shooting
The wife of a man fatally shot by Schenectady police in 2016 has filed a lawsuit against the city and police department in federal court alleging her husband was walking away from detectives when he was shot, and was shot in the back of the head. Schenectady police said at the time of the incident that Joshua Scism had drawn a gun from his waistband and pointed it the detectives police -- and an attorney for the city told the Daily Gazette this week police acted appropriately. [Daily Gazette x2]
Former town justice pleads guilty
Former Guilderland town justice Richard Sherwood pleaded guilty to state and federal charges related to stealing $11.8 million from elderly estate-planning clients. [TU]
Body found at Thacher State Park, Albany and Poor People's Campaign dispute over police bill, appreciating Central Ave
Body found at Thacher State Park
The Indian Ladder Trail re-opened at Thacher State Park this past weekend -- a hiker came across a body off the path. Officials say the items with the body point to it being a 71-year-old Guilderland man missing since February, and who was the subject of a search earlier this year. [TU] [News10]
Alain Kaloyeros
Surveying the legacy of Alain Kaloyeros and SUNY Poly as his trial is set to start this month. [TU]
Central Ave
Chris Churchill on Central Ave in Albany: "It is uniquely Albany. It is underappreciated." [TU]
Police release details of fatal Erie Blvd/I-90 incident, arrest in Madison Ave stabbing, Troy trying to catch up on trash fee, darn good revenue growth
Erie Blvd/I-90 deaths
Albany police released additional details about the incident Sunday afternoon on Erie Blvd and I-90 in North Albany that left two people dead. APD says an investigation concluded that 22-year-old Larnell Kennedy shot 21-year-old Nahjayyah Daise, his former girlfriend, in the head as she drove them down Erie Street to Erie Boulevard, and he then fled up to I-90 where he was struck by a vehicle. Police say they're not sure why Kennedy shot Daise, or why he ran into the highway. Daise had been arrested in May for allegedly stabbing a man outside the OTB in Delmar. [APD ] [WNYT] [Spectrum] [TU x2]
Arrest in Madison Ave/Lark Street stabbing
Albany police say they've arrested a 25-year-old Albany man in connection with the stabbing of four men on Madison Ave near Lark Street around 1 am Thursday. APD says all the people involved knew each other and it looks like the incident was the result of an argument that erupted inside Lark Tavern. [APD] [TU] [News10]
Albany mom charged after toddler ingests heroin, four men stabbed in Lark Street altercation, Maloney/Teachout kick off AG campaigns
Albany mom arrested after baby ingests heroin
An Albany mother is facing charges after her 1-year-old child ingested heroin while she was passed out on the drug and unable to care for the child. [TU][Spectrum]
Albany stabbings
Albany police say two people are under arrest after four men were stabbed in an altercation at the intersection of Madison and Lark streets overnight. [TU][Spectrum]
Days of our legislature
The Senate got back to work on Wednesday, but without Kathy Hochul presiding. The Lt. Governor was on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday in a failed effort to push through legislation in the politically tied Senate. A controversial women's health bill did not advance on Wednesday, and amendments that would codify Roe v. Wade into state law and guarantee that contraceptives are covered by insurance plans were voted down, but Democrats say they now have a record of Senate Republican votes on women's health issues. [TU][Politico]
Legislative drama continues, NXIVM leader seeks bail, sheriff's sergeant convicted on child porn, Capital Region radio veteran Chris Martin dies
NXIVM leader seeking bail
Calling the Justice Department "morality police" NXIVM leader Keith Raniere's lawyers are seeking bail for their client.[TU]
Former deputy convicted in of child porn
A former Saratoga County sheriff's department sergeant was convicted on child pornography charges Tuesday after more than 1,000 images of child porn were found downloaded on his home computer. [Saratogian][TU]
Piecing together fatal incident in Albany, standoff in Schenectady, tax breaks for Troy projects, cheese war, remembering RFK
Fatal incident near Erie Blvd in Albany
Albany police say they're working alongside State Police to figure out what happened Sunday during the incident -- or incidents -- near Erie Blvd and I-90 in North Albany that ended with two people dead. Acting Albany police chief Robert Sears says police found a gun on I-90 near the site of a crash. And police are waiting on autopsy results. [WNYT] [Spectrum] [TU]
Schenectady standoff
Schenectady police took a man into custody after a standoff at a home in the Vale neighborhood that lasted more than five hours and involved a police negotiator. Police say the man was taken to a hospital for evaluation, and they found weapons inside the home. [Daily Gazette] [Spectrum] [WNYT]
Health care
+ A look at the proposed increases in local premiums for health insurance on the individual market -- many insurers say the increases are prompted in part by the effects of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act's individual coverage mandate. [TU]
+ The Poor People's Campaign again rallied in Albany Monday, focused on environmental health and people who don't have health care coverage. [TU]
Two people dead following Erie Blvd/I-90 incident, perspectives on state's effort crack down on sexual harassment, shaking rocks loose
Two people dead after incident near Erie Blvd in Albany
Albany police say two people -- a woman and a man -- were dead following an incident in North Albany Sunday afternoon (map). APD says it was called to Erie Boulevard for an altercation where they found the woman, and then State Police were called for a man being hit on I-90 just above that spot. Police say the two deaths appear connected. [TU] [Spectrum] [WNYT]
New York State government and sexual harassment
+ Jimmy Vielkind: "While Cuomo advocated for and signed sexual harassment legislation, his opponents say he hasn't done enough to change Albany's patriarchal culture and hasn't been aggressive enough in cutting ties with known harassers." [Politico NY]
+ Vivian Wang: "[A]s the legislative session winds to a close, some lawmakers, activists and victims say Albany's expiation has been uneven, sparing some bad actors even as it has felled others. Some worry about a focus on appearances over substance. And attempts at reform have been shackled by the political calculations that accompany any effort to enact change in New York's famously byzantine Capitol." [NYT]
Marijuana legalization
Chris Churchill on what could or should happen in communities following marijuana legalization. [TU]
Latest episode of state Senate soap opera, NY-19 Democratic debate, advertising plan for Central Warehouse, Tommy from Upstate New York
State Senate soap opera
+ Time is running out on the current state legislature session, but the things in the state Senate are seized up as the chamber is split 31-31 because a Republican member is off serving with the Navy reserves and Republicans have pulled the legislative agenda rather than open the possibility of lieutenant governor Kathy Hochul casting tie-breaking votes. [TU]
+ To what extent does Hochul have power to cast votes in a tied-up Senate -- good question, because apparently that's not totally clear. [Politico NY]
Gubernatorial election
+ Former Syracuse mayor Stephanie Miner, a Democrat, has left the door open for running for governor as an independent. [TU]
+ Cynthia Nixon was on The Daily Show Thursday night -- she told Trevor Noah that Andrew Cuomo's record barely qualifies him as a Democrat. [TDS]
NY-19
The
Guilty verdict in death of infant, state official fired following harassment allegations, sign returned to Siena 50 years after prank
Guilty verdict in death of child
An Albany County jury found David Bridges of Troy guilty of manslaughter in the death of his girlfriend's 1-year-old boy. Bridges could face up to 25 years in prison for the abuse that led to the death of 1-year-old Luka Patrick. [WNYT][TU]
State official fired following complaints of sexual harassment
Jay Kiyonaga, the #2 official at the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, was fired on Wednesday, one day after a former lawyer for the state's Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special needs filed a discrimination complaint charging that the Cuomo administration covered up the fact that he had sexually harassed her -- the state Inspector General reported in a letter that Kiyonaga had a "history of improper and sexually inappropriate acts towards and comments to fellow staff members and subordinates" during his time as an official at the Justice Center. [TU] [NYT
Legislative session nears close, police investigate Pine Hills robberies, deliberations begin in child murder trial, police dog bites car wash employee
Federal complaint filed against New York State over handling of official alleged to be a serial sexual harasser
An attorney who says she was sexually harassed by an official who's now the #2 at the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities has filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against New York State and the Justice Center, claiming the official was never held accountable for treating women as sexual objects. [TU]
Legislative session to-do list
The state legislative session comes to an end in a few days. Issues that could still be addressed in this session include medical marijuana, sports gambling and the Child Victims Act.[Spectrum][TU]
Paid sick time
Albany County Legislators heard from members of the public on Tuesday on a measure that would require employers in the county to offer paid sick time. [Spectrum]
Investigation into how man's body was left undiscovered for a month at recovery center, remembering Kathina Thomas, the monument in Monument Square needs repairs
Investigation into recovery center death
The state Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs is investigating how a man's body was left to sit in a room at a supportive living facility in Troy for 39 days. The man's family says the facility told them the man had packed up his belongings and left -- only for a pest control worker to find the man's decomposing body more than a month later still at the facility. [CBS6] [TU]
Kathina Thomas
Chris Churchill talks with the brother Kathina Thomas now that a decade has passed after the 10 year old was killed by a stray bullet in Albany's West Hill neighborhood. [TU]
School districts
+ New York State has the highest per-pupil school spending in the country, according to Census data, and Capital Region school district property tax report cards indicate that per-pupil spending at 36 district the region has grown an average of 23 percent since the 2012-2013 school year. [Daily Gazette]
+ Looking at the number of school days teachers in Capital Region school districts were absent, according to federal data -- more than a third missed at least 10 days in the 2015-2016 school year. [Daily Gazette]
Cuomo easily defeats Nixon for Democratic convention nomination, government wants to seize NXIVM Halfmoon properties, final Saratoga gun show
Nixon loses convention vote
Andrew Cuomo had an easy victory over Cynthia Nixon at the state Democratic convention in Hempstead. Cuomo says he's taking his more than 95% victory as an affirmation of his accomplishments. (Nixon is still working to secure a spot on the primary ballot, which will ultimately decide who runs on the party's line in the November election.) Delegates also endorsed Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and NYC Public Advocate Letitia James got the nomination for state Attorney General. Former gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout has confirmed that she will challenge James. [TU][NYT][Politico][TU]
Republican gubernatorial candidate
Republicans on Wednesday, formally named Marc Molinaro their candidate for Governor. [Spectrum]
Underwood named Attorney General, Cohen associate pleads guilty in Albany, April unemployment up slightly from 2017, Albany Council bans conversion therapy
Attorney General Underwood
State lawmakers appointed Barbara Underwood as interim Attorney General on Tuesday. She is the first woman to hold the job. Underwood had been the state's solicitor general and became acting AG in the weeks after Eric Schneiderman's resignation following reports of domestic violence. Underwood will serve out the remainder of the year, and has decided not to run for the post in November. [Spectrum] [Politico] [NYT]
Cohen associate pleads guilty in Albany
An associate of Trump attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to tax fraud on Tuesday in Albany County Court. Evgeny "Gene" Friedman allegedly stole more than $5 million from New York State and evaded taxes. [NYT][TU]
Democratic convention
The NYS Democratic convention gets underway today, and Andrew Cuomo is expected to make a strong showing with support from Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden.
[NYT]
Troy police accused of using excessive force during arrest, women allegedly pointed gun at drive-thru workers, Clinton and Cuomo, the pull of history
Troy police accused of brutality
The attorney for a man arrested by Troy police in March alleges that officers inflicted a "savage beating" on his client during the arrest on Congress Street downtown, an allegation surfaced publicly by Luke Stoddard Nathan at The Alt. There is video of the incident, and the attorney played it for the Times Union -- Kenneth Crowe reports it "shows the officers kicking, kneeing and punching" the man after he was already on the ground. [The Alt] [TU]
Schenectady police handling of officer's DWI case
Sara Foss on the Schenectady Police Department's handling of a recent DWI case involving an officer: "We've been told time and again that the Schenectady Police Department's problems are in the past, that the department has turned over a new leaf, that recruits are held to a high standard and that officers who step out of line are held accountable. The Coppola case raises troubling questions that throw this narrative into question." [Daily Gazette]
Guns
Students and adults gathered in Albany's Washington Park Monday for a vigil for the people killed and injured at the school shooting in the Houston area last week. Said an 8th grader to the Times Union: "[Classmates are] afraid to go to school every day because we live with that fear of being shot in school." [WNYT] [TU]
Emergency department wait times, new state health labs site recommendation, tip credit debate, Great Danes headed to final four
Emergency department wait times
Emergency department wait times in the Capital Region are higher than the state average, and Albany Med and St. Peter's have among the longest wait times, according to an analysis by the Daily Gazette of federal data. (There's some interesting discussion in the article about why wait times are what they are and the role of urgent care facilities.) [Daily Gazette]
Wadsworth labs
A consultancy has recommended a site near New Scotland Ave and the Axelrod Institute in Albany for the Department of Health's new $750 million Wadsworth Center labs. The report also highlights the Harriman State Office Campus and UAlbany's campus in East Greenbush as possibilities. [TU] [Biz Review]
Facts don't match the claims
Brendan Lyons followed up on some of the remarkable stories and career claims made by a top official at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse -- including surviving a bombing in Afghanistan -- and found the facts didn't seem to match the claims. The official has now been placed on leave. [TU x2]
Mother says she feared for lives in reported Colonie road attack, pedestrian killed in Amtrak crash, Arch Park
Arrests in reported Colonie road attack
State Police say two people have been arrested in what the agency is calling "a reported road rage incident" May 10 on Alternate Route 7 and I-87 in Colonie. A woman tells WNYT that she and her teen son, who are black, were cut off by a truck with at least five people in it -- those people got out of the truck and started hitting the mother and son's car with bats while yelling racial slurs. Said the mother to the Times Union: "I thought they were going to kill us. They yelled, 'We're white supremacists. Go back to your country.' They used the N word." [NYSP] [WNYT] [TU]
Schenectady police discipline
+ The arrest this past weekend of an off-duty Schenectady Police Department officer for DWI involved a paperwork problem at the arraignment that a city court judge said prevented her from suspending the officer's license. [Daily Gazette]
+ The officer has not been immediately suspended because Schenectady is now operating under a state law that allows its public safety commissioner to handle police discipline, which officials say is a faster overall process. [Daily Gazette]
Fatal Amtrak crash with pedestrian in Castleton
Schodack police say a man was killed Thursday night when he was struck by Amtrak train while crossing the tracks near Main Street in Castleton. Officials the spot in a popular crossing point for pedestrians going to the river. [TU] [News10]
Albany Council approves bond for Dontay Ivy settlement, convicted rapist admits murder plot, police probe Troy shooting, black bear sightings
Dontay Ivy settlement
The Albany Common Council approved a $625,000 bond on Wednesday to pay the wrongful death settlement in the death of Dontay Ivy. Common Council member and Dontay Ivy's cousin, Derek Johnson voted against the settlement and told the TU, "If it had been $16 or a $116 million, it still wouldn't have been enough because you can't replace a human life with a monetary value."[Spectrum][TU]
Murder plot
A 20-year-old convicted rapist admitted in Saratoga County court on Wednesday that he tried to win his freedom by hiring someone to murder a witness in the case. The person he tried to hire was an undercover police officer. [Gazette][Spectrum][TU]
Possible Troy shooting
Police in Troy are investigating reports of shots fired near 4th Street and Congress Avenue at around 11 pm on Wednesday. [WNYT]
Capital Region school budgets pass, search for Schneiderman's replacement continues, RPI sues Amazon over Alexa technology, Erie Canal opens
Storms
Tuesday's storms downed trees in the Capital Region and left about 8,500 residents without power for a while. South of the Capital Region, in Newburgh, an 11-year old girl was killed by a falling tree. [Spectrum][TU][Spectrum]
School budgets
With the exception of Johnstown, all Capital Region school budgets passed on Tuesday. The Albany library budget was also approved by voters. [TU]
Replacing Schneiderman
Legislators began interviewing 12 candidates to replace Eric Schneiderman on Tuesday, including Acting state Attorney General Barbara Underwood Four Republican state senators have been added to the committee vetting the candidates. [TU][TU]
Feds looking into health care company that's been a large donor to Cuomo campaign, Troy seawall repair, New York eyes sports betting, Poor People's Campaign protest
Today is school budget, school board, and library budget voting day. Don't know where to vote? Check with your school board's website.
Crystal Run investigation
"People with knowledge of the matter" tell the Times Union that federal prosecutors are investigating Crystal Run Healthcare, a Hudson Valley medical group that's received in more than $25 million in state grants and Chris Bragg reports that "at least some of the grand jury activity is apparently focused on the campaign donations to [Andrew] Cuomo." [TU]
Replacing Schneiderman
+ A state legislature screening committee will start interviewing candidates today to serve out the rest of Eric Schneiderman's current term as state attorney general. [TU]
+ "A person familiar with his thinking" tells Bloomberg that Preet Bharara is considering a run for AG in the fall as an independent. [Bloomberg]
+ Chris Churchill says Preet Bharara should be the next AG, "but an independent AG is not what the state's political leaders want, not by a long shot. " [TU]
+ Lead (lede) of the day, from Bill Mahoney: "Not long after she finished unifying England and Scotland, Queen Anne made a decision that would bedevil Gov. Andrew Cuomo more than three centuries later." [Politico NY]
Troy seawall
Chuck Schumer was in Troy Monday to announce that FEMA is putting up $14.2 million toward the reconstruction of the seawall along the Hudson River in downtown Troy. The city says the all-in cost of the project -- including design and construction -- is $24 million. The wall has been in need of repairs for years and its potential failure, during an event like a large flood, would also threaten a major sewer line. [Chuck Schumer office] [TU] [Troy Record]
How the state handles sexual harassment complaints, homeless in Saratoga Springs, hiking Troy's emerald necklace
How the state handles sexual harassment complaints
Brendan Lyons looks at how the state has handled harassment complaints against a high-level agency executive at multiple stops in the bureaucracy, which a former affirmative action officer said points to a pattern of protecting appointees by moving them around. [TU]
Homeless in Saratoga Springs
Ann Friedman talks with a group of homeless people living in camps in Saratoga Springs about their daily lives and what they say is a lack of services in county services. [Daily Gazette]
Replacing Schneiderman
+ There are 16 people in the pool for consideration to finish out the term of former state attorney general Eric Schneiderman. [Politico NY]
+ Andrew Cuomo says he'll meet with candidates for the fall AG election and may endorse someone (or not). [TU]
Political calculation and maneuvering on Scheiderman replacement, guilty verdicts in Schenectady murder for hire case, new Madison Theater operator aiming for summer opening
Replacing Schneiderman
+ A peek into the political calculation and maneuvering going on among New York State Democrats over who should replaced Eric Schneiderman. NYC Public Advocate Tish James has been at the center of the speculation, but Carl Heastie said Thursday there's no deal in place. [Politico NY x2]
+ One idea that's been in circulation is that acting AG Barbara Underwood could hold the job until the election of new AG this fall -- Andrew Cuomo stopped short of endorsing that option. [Politico NY]
+ Preet Bharara said on his podcast this week that he doesn't know if he'd want the job of AG, but that he's sure he doesn't want to be part of the state legislature's process of selecting AG for the rest of the current term. [TU]
Prosecuting Scheiderman
Andrew Cuomo has appointed Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas as a special prosecutor to investigate the domestic violence and abuse allegations against Eric Schneiderman. Not publicly clear at the moment: Whether the women mentioned in the New Yorker article want to press charges. [TU] [Politico NY]
Schenectady murder for hire verdict
A Schenectady County jury returned guilty verdicts for the two men on trial for their connection to the 2016 contract killing of Charles Dembrosky in Schenectady. Joevany Luna was found guilty of first-degree murder and potentially faces life in prison, while Kyshaan Moore was found guilty of second-degree murder and potentially faces 25 years to life. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Effort to replace Schneiderman continues, Silver won't testify in retrial, two shootings in Albany, Schenectady County/GE to develop solar farms
Replacing Schneiderman
New York State lawmakers continue to search for a permanent replacement for Schneiderman.The state Assembly is expected to start interviewing candidates for the job next week. [TU][TU]
Schneiderman's temporary replacement
A profile of Eric Schneiderman's temporary replacement, Barbara Underwood.[NYT]
Preet for AG
Chris Churchill makes the case for former U.S. Attorney for New York's Southern District Preet Bharara to replace Eric Schneiderman as Attorney General. [TU]
Good riddance
Sarah Foss says "good riddance" to Schneiderman. [Gazette]
Eric Schneiderman resigning after abuse allegations, Albany settlement with family of Dontay Ivy, visit from GlobalFoundries parent company, the Blenheim bridge
Eric Schneiderman resigns following allegations of abuse
+ Late Monday after the New Yorker posted an article alleging that state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman had engaged physical and psychological abuse of four women. Two of the women -- who had longterm relationships with Schneiderman -- talked to the magazine on the record, their accounts detailed and corroborated by others. [The New Yorker]
+ Three hours later -- with prominent state leaders such as Andrew Cuomo and Kirsten Gillibrand calling for his resignation -- Schneiderman announced will be resigning the post of AG by the end of business on Tuesday: "In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office's work at this critical time." [NYT] [NYS OAG]
+ During his time as a state Senator and the AG, Schneiderman had introduced a bill to make intentional strangulation to the point of unconsciousness a violent felony, been hailed for work to protect women against domestic violence, and had spoken out against Harvey Weinstein. [NYT]
Replacing Schneiderman
+ "A source familiar with the transition process" tells the Times Union that New York's solicitor general -- Barbara Underwood --
+ The state legislature has the power to pick a new AG, who will serve through this November's election. Jimmy Vielkind, in a run-through of possibilities: "Albany is uniquely well-versed in filling the seats of disgraced politicians, and if past is prologue, senior, sitting legislators have a leg up in the appointments process." [Politico NY]
Spotlight on code enforcement staffing and training, Quackenbush Center developer says project being reformulated, boldly going to Ticonderoga
Building and codes inspectors
Lauren Stanforth in a large Times Union review of local building and codes inspection operations: "Code enforcement offices in local governments throughout the Capital Region are beset with low-paid workers, inspectors who face conflicts of interest and weakened state oversight of training and certification." [TU]
Drug addiction
+ A profile of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program -- LEAD -- which aims to divert people with addiction and mental health issues away from the criminal justice system. The city of Albany was an early adopter of the program and former police chief Brendan Cox is now part of the national org. [TU]
+ Local law enforcement agencies say they've seen an uptick in the number of people driving under the influence of opiates -- or even passed out at the wheel. [Daily Gazette]
SUNY Poly
A former GlobalFoundries CEO (and RPI grad) has been picked by SUNY to head up SUNY Poly's research operations and economic development projects as part of a new org called NY CREATES. [TU]
Quackenbush Center
The developer of the proposed mixed-use project next to Quackenbush Square in downtown Albany says construction bids were much higher than expected, but the company is still committed and is reformulating the plan. [TU] [Biz Review]
Gubernatorial campaigns jab each other over taxes and contributions, continued skepticism of Albany sewer facility plan, dressing for success
Gubernatorial election
+ Politico reports that "Cynthia Nixon has donated tens of thousands of dollars to several progressive groups that are now supporting her campaign for governor." [Politico NY]
+ Marc Molinaro released his tax return. Cynthia Nixon has yet to do so. [TU] [Politco NY]
+ Cynthia Nixon released a housing plan that includes a provision that would extend rent stabilization laws statewide. [Politico NY] [Nixon campaign]
+ Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Jumaane Williams laid out a plan to increase taxes and fees on things like stock transfers and large real estate transactions to raise $20 billion in new state revenue. [TU]
Lincoln Park sewer facility
The sewer facility proposed for a ravine in Albany's Lincoln Park continued to face skepticism at a public meeting Thursday evening. [TU] Earlier: The plan to fix a problem in Albany that's been a century in the making -- and the concerns about that fix
Albany school board election
There will be four candidates for three positions on the Albany school board for the May 15 election -- which will, oddly, involve two ballots. [TU]
Officers arrested after AG investigation of village police department, Albany County sick leave proposal, next Siena coach
Police officers arrested
Four law enforcement officers -- three of them from the Galway Police Department -- were arrested Tuesday on charges they falsified documents filed with the state related to officer training. The state Attorney General's office has been investigating the village police department for all sorts of alleged misconduct, including the falsification of training credentials for officers who have ended up taking jobs at other police agencies around the region. The village has a tiny police force with a tiny budget and the mayor says its main purpose is to deter speeding. [NYS OAG] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Sick days
There's a proposed Albany County law that would mandate paid sick time for the employees of private sector employers in the county. (Albany County exec Dan McCoy has supported this idea.) The Capital Region Chamber is opposing the legislation and sent out an email to members this week urging them to speak out against it. [TU] [Biz Review]
Siena coach search
A "source close to the situation" has been telling local media outlets that Jamion Christian will be the next Siena men's basketball coach. (Rodger Wyland has been saying this since last week.) He's currently the head coach at Mount Saint Mary's University in Maryland. Winthrop coach Pat Kelsey had also been a rumored candidate. [News10] [Spectrum] [@RodgerWyland] [TU]
Report shows cause of Schenectady landslide, opening statements in Silver retrial, Saratoga Racecourse to get new building, Mets to honor late trooper
Schenectady landslide report
A report released to the Daily Gazette on Monday shows water from a broken water service line that leaked into a dirt basement floor of a Barney Street home caused the Schenectady landslide earlier this year. [Gazette]
Silver trial
Sheldon Silver's retrial got underway on Monday with prosecutors claiming the former Assembly speaker abused his power for personal gain by taking bribes, while the defense told the court "Everything that happened in this case was not only legal...it was designed to -- and did -- help people."[TU][NYT]
Hochul
Kathy Hochul called rumors that she'll be dropped from Andrew Cuomo's democratic ticket a "non-story," but Cuomo has publicly suggested that she run for Chris Collins' House seat. [Politico]
Reducing barriers for opioid addiction treatment, scrutinizing school suspension disparities, Faso and food stamps, last shot for the Patroons?
Opioids
A look at the changing approach -- and barriers that still remain -- to offering immediate access to withdrawal medication for people suffering from opioid addiction, which could significantly reduce the number of overdoses. [TU]
Galway Police Department
Brendan Lyons reports that the state Attorney General's office has been investigating the Galway village police department for allegations of all sorts of misconduct. [TU]
Suspension disparities
Black students in many Capital Region schools districts are suspended at much higher rates than their white classmates, according to recently released federal data -- and parents say they're concerned their children have been treated differently. [Daily Gazette]
What happens when state employees report workplace harassment, Troy hit-and-run, sorting through responsibility for Normans Kill landslide, restaurant barge sold
Harassment in state government
Vivian Wang on three recent cases of alleged harassment involving state employees and the lack of a single investigative body or agency to handle complaints of harassment brought by people working for New York State: "The cases show that bringing a complaint in New York State government can be a clunky, unpredictable process. What policies do exist are not always followed. And for all the sleek uniformity that officials have promised in recent weeks, none of the new policies fully address how, in practice, it will be achieved." [NYT]
Race for governor
Marc Molinaro says he's secured enough endorsements to claim the Republican nomination for governor. [Politico NY]
43rd state Senate District
After Kathy Marchione's surprise announcement that she won't be running re-election, the field of candidates for the 43rd state Senate District is just starting to assemble. (It includes parts of Saratoga, Washington, Rensselaer, and Columbia counties.) [TU]
Marchione won't seek re-election, Cuomo urges Felder to rejoin Dems, donor reneges on Boyhaven purchase, WWII vet joins class of 2018
Marchione to retire
State Senator Kathy Marchione announced on Wednesday that she will not run for re-election. Marchione cited family reasons for stepping away from the Senate, but Democrats are buoyed by her decision to leave, combined with the results of this week's special election. [Spectrum][TU][Record][TU]
Cuomo/Felder
Andrew Cuomo reached out to Simcha Felder the Brooklyn Democratic Senator who has caucused with Republicans since getting elected, in an effort to gain Democratic control of the Senate. In a letter, Cuomo told Felder,"You have said that you act in the best interest of your constituents. For their benefit, now is the time that matters."[TU][NYT]
Senate Dems retake seats, Felder stays with Republicans, GOP appears to hold Assembly majority, Bail set for Mack in NXIVM sex trafficking case, Exit 4 coming in 2019
Special election results
+Senate Democrats regained two vacant seats in Tuesday's special election, but the newly unified party still falls short of a majority because Simcha Felder -- a Bronx Democrat who has caucused with Republicans since his election, has decided to continue his affiliation with the GOP. [TU][NYT][NYT][TU]
+State Assembly seats up for grabs in Tuesdays special election appear to have remained in Republican hands. [TU]
NXIVM
Smallville actress Allison Mack was released by a federal judge in Brooklyn on $5 million bond in her NXIVM sex trafficking / forced labor case. [Spectrum][TU]
Special elections today for local Assembly seats, holes in plastic bag ban, conviction in Troy stabbing death, touring the restaurant barge that's up for auction
Special elections
+ There are special elections today for the 102nd state Assembly District (which wraps around the southwestern part of the Capital Region) and the 107th state Assembly District (which includes most of Rensselaer County). Polls are open until 9 pm. Don't know where to vote? Check with the state Board of Elections or your county board of elections site. [TU]
+ A look at some of the security measures in place for voting machines and other election processes. [TU]
Proposed plastic bag ban
+ Environmental orgs say the Cuomo admin's proposed plastic shopping bag ban doesn't go far enough. And its fate in the state legislature isn't clear, in part because of a key swing vote in the state Senate. [Daily Gazette] [NYT]
+ Cynthia Nixon was in Albany Monday for the climate march -- just about the same time the Cuomo admin announced the plan. Chris Churchill commented that the bag ban is an example of Cuomo's "great Cynthia Nixon freak-out." [Spectrum] [TU x]
Police investigating Albany homicide, water leak alleged in Schenectady landslide, question Cuomo's claims, the queen of cookie sales
Albany homicide
Albany police say a 38-year-old man died after being shot multiple times near Clinton Street and Second Ave in the South End (map) Sunday afternoon. APD says it's investigating and asking anyone with info to call or provide an anonymous tip. It's Albany's second homicide of the year. [APD] [Spectrum] [TU]
NXIVM
Allison Mack -- the actress famous for her role on Smallville -- was indicted Friday along with NXIVM founder Keith Raniere on federal sex trafficking and forced labor charges. Federal prosecutors allege that Mack recruited women for what was described as a mentorship group but instead were sexually exploited. Mack had been previously listed as an unidentified co-conspirator. [US DOJ] [TU]
Schenectady landslide
In a notice of claim filed against the city of Schenectady, owners of a rental property on Nott Terrace allege that the city knew there was a water leak on the hillside above their property that was weakening hillside before the January landslide. The man was trapped in a residence by the landslide says he's been suffering from physical injuries and PTSD. [TU] [News10]
Albany behind schedule on trash plan, Saratoga Code Blue shelter gets permit, Niskayuna Holocaust memorial postponed, tulip watching
Cities and trash
+ The city of Albany is apparently behind schedule on mapping out a plan for how to handle its trash after the city landfill closes at the end of 2022. [TU]
+ People in Troy continue to be upset about the $160 per-unit trash fee, and Madden administration officials say they'll have a new trash plan by this October. [TU]
Sararoga Code Blue shelter
The Saratoga Springs planning board granted Shelters of Saratoga a special use permit for the proposed new Code Blue shelter. An attorney for neighbors who oppose the project says there may be further legal challenges. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Schenectady City Council president workplace violence allegation
Schenectady City Council president Ed Kosiur said in a letter that he raised his voice and was impolite during an exchange with city employees, but he strongly disagrees that he violated the city's workplace violence policy. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Sentencing in Mechanicville driveway murder, Car crashes into Schenectady porch, Cuomo signs order to grant voting rights to parolees, more student gun protests planned
Teens sentenced in Mechanicville murder
The 17 year old and 20 year old who admitted to robbing and fatally shooting a Mechanicville man last summer, were sentenced to 18 years to life and 20 years to life respectively. At the sentencing, Judge James Murphy called Nikolai Mavashev diabolical for plotting the murder of 19-year-old David Feliciano. [Spectrum][Saratogian][TU]
Sentencing in death of teen
Nineteen-year-old Christopher Miranda was sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison for the death of 16-year-old Zachery Brown, struck and killed on a Saratoga County roadside last year, driving at speeds of up to 104 miles per hour. [News 10]
Car crashes into yards, home and hydrant
A car crashed into the porch of a Schenectady home on Albany Street early Thursday morning, hitting three yards, a fire hydrant and flipping an SUV in its path. The driver and two passengers were taken to the hospital for treatment. [Spectrum][TU][Gazette]
Police gave protest video to RPI, IDC staffers face layoffs following unification, Cuomo releases tax return, Pulitzer winner has roots in Troy
Police taped RPI protest
Troy police officers hired by RPI videotaped a protest at the school last fall, and handed the tape over to institute officials, who used it to identify protest leaders. [TU]
IDC layoffs
IDC staffers are dealing with salary cuts and layoffs now that Senate Democrats have unified. [TU]
A middle class guy
Andrew Cuomo released his tax return on Tuesday, and declared himself a "middle class guy."[DN][Buffalo News]
State Board of Elections scrutinizes Sheehan campaign, Schenectady officials say building inspection process improved, billboard presses Amedore over Child Victims Act
Sheehan campaign complaint
The state Board of Elections has filed a complaint alleging Kathy Sheehan's mayoral campaign took contributions from donors that exceeded limits, filed late reports, and violated a law that forbids political parties from holding raffles -- a campaign spokesman said the campaign has been working with the state BOE "to amend filings and ensure compliance." [TU]
Race for governor
+ Andrew Cuomo leads Cynthia Nixon for the Democratic primary 58-27 in the Siena poll out Tuesday. [SRI]
+ It sounds like the Cuomo campaign is trying to drop Kathy Hochul as lieutenant governor. [Buffalo News]
+ The leadership of the Conservative Party is lining up behind Republican Marc Molinaro, which could mean an exit from the race for John DeFrancisco. [TU]
Schenectady code enforcement
Schenectady city officials told a city council committee meeting that the city's buildings department is more quickly addressing code violation reports, emphasizing training, and working toward other improvements. The department has been the subject of significant criticism following the fatal Jay Street fire. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Albany Med nurses vote to unionize, Cynthia Nixon gets key endorsement, Siena basketball coach out, $2 a bowling pin
Albany Med nurse unionization
Albany Med nurses voted to unionize with the New York State Nurses Association 1,161-582. Nurses there say they're seeking a voice in staffing decisions as well as fair wages and benefits. [TU] [News10]
NXIVM
Federal prosecutors allege in a lettered filed in federal court that NXIVM founder Keith Raniere "has a decades' long history of abusing women and girls." [TU]
Race for governor
+ The Working Families Party endorsed Cynthia Nixon over the weekend. Ahead of the announcement when it became apparent he wasn't going to get the endorsement, Andrew Cuomo said he wouldn't be seeking it. The last two labor unions that were part of the Working Families Party also exited. (The endorsement also possibly has some implications for future ballot lines.) [Politico NY x2] [NYT] [Politico NY]
+ Chris Churchill on Nixon's recent comment -- in jest or not -- about upstate starting around Ithaca: "We shouldn't laugh, because downstate myopia has real-world consequences. When upstate is ruled, as it usually is, by downstate politicians with so little understanding of its needs, wants and culture, the region can only continue to suffer and dwindle." [TU]
Cuomo continues call for study of marijuana legalization issues, Madison Theater sale complete, eating scorpions with Bear Grylls
Marijuana legalization
Andrew Cuomo on marijuana legalization: "It's not really 'legalize or not.' It's, 'do you not legalize when it is legal 10 miles from both sides of your border.'" (Cynthia Nixon called for legalization earlier this week.) [Politico NY] [NYT]
Schenectady police
Last year's Court of Appeals ruling that Schenectady's public safety commissioner can preside over police disciplinary hearings includes a provision that the trial portion of the process is open to the public -- though the three cases that come up since then have been resolved before reaching that point. [TU]
Former mayor pleads guilty
The former mayor of Stillwater -- Rick W. Nelson -- has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges. He's facing 5-15 years in prison. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Roger Stone and James O'Keefe at Siena
Siena is hosting a student-organized free speech conference this weekend that will feature many conservative political figures and operatives, including Roger Stone and James O'Keefe. [TU]
More than $500,000 seized in NXIVM raid, Schenectady man shot in head, Nixon focused on legalizing marijuana, Pastor sees Easter thefts as opportunity for forgiveness
NXIVM
More than half a million dollars in cash was seized from the home of NXIVM president Nancy Salzman during a federal raid last month, including $390,000 being held in a shoe box. NXIVM founder Keith Raniere is scheduled to appear in federal court in Brooklyn this week on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labor. [TU][Spectrum]
Schenectady shooting
A man was shot in the head Wednesday night outside Schenectady's Saw Mill Tavern. [Gazette]
Suspicious device removed from Ballston Spa railroad track
State, local and federal authorities safely removed what appeared to be a pipe bomb from railroad tracks in Ballston Spa on Wednesday.[TU]
NYS budget spokesman criticizes Albany funding, Raniere hires Albany attorney, hearing on controversial Holocaust memorial, sparkler ban upheld in Schenectady County
City of Albany officials were taken aback by a recent comment by the state budget division spokesman that the $12 million in additional aid the city has gotten from the state in recent years was "not fair to state taxpayers" because it had helped the city build its fund balance. (The city has been working with the state in recent years on its fiscal situation, submitting itself to a review by an outside firm at the state's request.) [TU]
Holocaust memorial
Niskayuna residents turned out Tuesday night to voice their opinions on a controversial Holocaust Memorial proposed for Route 7.[Gazette][TU]
Raniere attorney
NXIVM leader Keith Raniere has retained Paul DerOhannesian a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor from Albany to defend him against federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labor. [TU]
Troy considering size of police force, Miner says she's still considering gubernatorial run, focus returns to Albany County Legislature grants, more Troy parking meters
Troy police
Troy mayor Patrick Madden says the city should get an independent expert to assess the size of the city's police force with an eye toward expanding the force in order to purse community policing. [TU]
NXIVM
The state Attorney General's Office has temporarily suspended its investigation of a non-profit associated with NXIVM because of federal criminal case investigation of the org. [TU]
Siena coach investigation
A "person who witnessed the incident but is not authorized by the school to comment" tells the Times Union that they saw Siena men's basketball coach push a player out a chair during a team review session, an incident Brendan Lyons reports is now a subject of the investigation of Patsos. [TU]
Race for governor
+ Former Syracuse mayor Stephanie Miner -- a Democratic and frequent Andrew Cuomo critic -- has a registered a state-level campaign committee and says she's seriously considering a run for governor. [Politico NY]
+ Andrew Cuomo's formal campaign organization appears to be getting a slow start. [Politico NY]
Albany Med nurse unionization push, Greenfield woman shot in head, Siena coach plays defense on allegations, jobs now and in the future
Albany Med nurse unionization
A look at the heated situation surrounding the current unionization campaign among nurses at Albany Med. [TU]
Greenfield woman shot in head
The Saratoga County Sheriff's office says a Greenfield woman was shot in the head by her boyfriend during a domestic incident Saturday night, and was in critical condition. Neighbors said they heard yelling before the gunshot. The sheriff's office says the boyfriend has been charged with first-degree assault. [TU] [News10] [Saratogian]
Fatal industrial accident
Colonie police say a man working for a landscaping and excavation company died Saturday after he was pinned between by two pieces of equipment. [TU]
Stefanik faces tough questioning from crowd, investigation of Siena coach widening, Albany County Legislature leadership shuffle, Stewart's (on paper) millionaires
Elise Stefanik faces questioning from public
At a "Coffee With Your Congresswoman" event Thursday in Moreau, Elise Stefanik said federal EPA head Scott Pruitt should resign, and she tried to separate herself from Donald Trump on multiple issues. The capacity crowd of 200 people had a series of pointed questions for Stefanik, and some of her answers prompted derisive laughter and boos. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [NY Now]
Schenectady County jail employee resignations following raid
State Police say a former Schenectady County jail guard was arrested last week as part of a drug investigation, which prompted an internal investigation by the Schenectady County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Dominic Dagostino says four jail employees have resigned as a result. [Daily Gazette]
Troy police drug unit closed
New Troy police chief Brian Owens has closed the department drug unit that had included members now facing charges related to an alleged coverup of a warrantless search, and says he's focusing the department on community policing. [TU]
NXIVM
Brendan Lyons walks through the allegations connected to a Halfmoon townhouse raided by the FBI last week was allegedly used for sexual encounters with the NXIVM's leader and where the feds allege a woman became a victim of sex trafficking and forced labor. [TU]
IDC reunites with Senate Dems, Nixon blasts Cuomo on PFOA contamination, marches commemorate King anniversary
IDC
The Independent Democratic Conference has agreed to dissolve and reunite with the Democratic party.
Andrew Cuomo said the move would put Andrea Stewart-Cousins on track to be the first woman to lead a Senate majority conference, but Dems still have to pick up two Senate seats in special elections later this month for that to happen. [NYT][TU]
Nixon in Hoosick Falls
Gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon was in Hoosick Falls on Wednesday, where she met with residents and criticized the Cuomo administration's handling of the PFOA pollution situation. [Spectrum][TU]
Man killed on train tracks
Police in Colonie say a man was killed by an Amtrak passenger train after he appeared to purposely step out in front of the train. [TU]
Grand jury report critical of code enforcement in Jay Street fire, Molinaro officially declares run for governor, Greene County fire kills five people, pushback on plan for huge distribution center
Jay Street fire
A Schenectady County grand jury review of the situation surrounding the 2015 Jay Street fatal fire concludes that "the numerous failures of the Schenectady Bureau of Code Enforcement office ... directly contributed to the deaths and injuries which occurred." Mayor Gary McCarthy: "We're going to take it and study it and look to build on some of the changes we have already made." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Race for governor
+ Dutchess County exec Marc Molinaro formally announced in Tivoli that he's running for governor. He criticized Andrew Cuomo for "an administration focused inward, not on the people, but on self-preservation, political survival and presidential ambitions." Also: "We will change the way we do business in this very city to include more stakeholders and more citizens and finally end four men in a room." [TU] [NYT] [News10]
+ Molinaro said he didn't vote for Donald Trump. [New York Now]
+ Molinaro first faces a Republican primary and state Senator John DeFrancisco, but he already has the support of the majority of the party's state committee. [Politico NY]
Sizing up the new state budget, feds continuing NXIVM investigation, not lamenting the Amazon bid loss, coming out when you're a pro wrestler
State budget
+ The governor and legislative leaders reached a deal on the $168 billion million state budget early Saturday morning via the New York-typical closed-door process. [TU]
+ The budget includes a $995 million increase in school funding. [Politico NY]
+ Also in the budget: $12 million of the $12.5 million in funding the city of Albany had been seeking for its budget. Kathy Sheehan is continuing to push for the $12.5 million to be made permanent. [News10] [WNYT]
+ An overview of a bunch of items tucked into the budget, including provisions for menstrual supplies in schools and baby changing stations in renovated buildings. [TU]
+ Folded into the budget process:
+ Also passed concurrently with the budget: stricter gun control rules for domestic violence situations. [TU]
+ One of the frames for this budget was an effort on the part of the Cuomo admin to circumvent some of the aspects of the federal tax overhaul that caps state and local tax deductions. Experts say it's unclear the workarounds will work. [NYT x2]
+ Among the issues not addressed during the budget rush: the Child Victims Act. [TU]
Rush to finish state budget, allegations of bullying around Albany Med nurse unionization, sheriff proposes that deputies train pistol permit applicants, Church of Holy Innocents status
State budget
As of Friday morning there was
Nurse unionization at Albany Med
The Cuomo admin announced Thursday that the state Department of Labor will be investigating alleged "threatening and coercive behavior" at Albany Med being used against the campaign to unionized nurses there. Albany Med, in a statement to the Times Union, countered that it has "received numerous reports of our nurses who intend to vote no being subjected to intimidation and bullying by union supporters." [Cuomo admin] [TU]
Budget voting expected today, controversial items could be left out of spending plan, reporter arrested at Capitol, voter registration rising for area teens
Budget
State lawmakers are optimistic that budget voting could begin today, allowing them to approve the spending plan before the April 1 deadline and before the Passover/Easter session break. But several controversial policy issues may be left off the negotiating table, including early voting, tuition aid for undocumented immigrants, and a law that would make it easer for victims of child abuse to sue abusers. [WNYT][TU]
Effort to unseat IDC members
An effort is underway focused on unseating members of the Independent Democratic Conference.[NYT]
Cuomo on bailing out casino
In response to questions abou the struggling Del Lago casino, which is having trouble competing with the Seneca Indian Nation casinos, Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that he has no interest in bailing out private businesses. [TU]
FBI raids NXIVM buildings, budget deadline looms, Rivers asks to renegotiate, Capital Region unemployment rise
NXIVM
NXIVM co-founder Keith Raniere will remain in federal custody until he is returned to New York to face federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labor. The FBI raided the home of NXIVM President Nancy Salzman in Halfmoon on Tuesday. [TU][TU]
Budget
Legislators are scrambling to finish up the budget early so they can get home for Passover and Good Friday, and it appears a number of issues may be left out of the plan, including taxes, immigration policy, sexual harassment and the Child Victim's Act. The Assembly appears to have secured $9.8 million in the budget for an allotment to the city of Albany, but Mayor Kathy Sheehan says without the full $12.5 million, city services will have to be cut. [TU][TU]
NXIVM founder arrested, Nixon calls Cuomo a bully, crime numbers trending downward, cash still accounts for many CDTA fares
NXIVM founder arrested
The Department of Justice announced that Keith Raniere -- the founder of Nxivm, the secretive org based in Colonie -- is facing charges for alleged sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy and forced labor conspiracy. US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York says Raniere was arrested in Mexico Sunday and deported to the United States where he's scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Fort Worth. The feds allege that Raniere was part of an effort to form a secret slave-master sex club within NXIVM. The group is alleged to have branded women with a cauterizing device and required them to submit compromising material about themselves. [US DOJ] [TU x2] [NYT]
Race for governor
+ Cynthia Nixon appeared at an Alliance for Quality Education press conference about school funding in Albany Monday and went after Andrew Cuomo, calling him a bully and accusing of him acting like "a progressive Democrat leading the resistance" while handing over power to Republicans. She also the criticized what she described as the "the old boys' club" arrangement in state government. [TU] [Politico NY] [Spectrum] [NYT]
+ Chris Churchill on Nixon and Cuomo: "She's punching the bully in the nose." [TU]
+ A look at the behind-the-scenes efforts by the Cuomo and Nixon campaigns to win support from influential African-American figures around New York City. [NYT]
Considering the causes of threats made against schools, two shootings in Albany, crunch time for state budget, sharp downturn in number of refugees to Albany
Gun violence
+ There have been more than a dozen threats made against Capital Region schools since the school shooting in Parkland, Florida -- none of the reported threats have been deemed credible by officials, though charges have been filed in multiple cases, including the recent threat at Shenendehowa High School East. So drives these threats? [TU] [Daily Gazette x2]
+ Thousands gathered in Albany Saturday for the local March for Our Lives event. [AOA]
+ Following along with local students at the march in Washington, DC. [Daily Gazette]
+ Albany police are investigating a shooting on Clinton Ave near Swinburne Park early Sunday morning. APD said a man was shot in the leg and suffered non-life threatening injuries. [APD]
+ Albany police are investigating a shooting inside a room at the Motel 6 on Watervliet Ave overnight Sunday to Monday. APD said a man was shot in the leg and suffered non-life threatening injuries. It described the situation as "an isolated incident that occurred inside of a single room at the motel in which the victim and suspects were known to each other." APD says "a suspect believed to be involved" was arrested. [APD]
Rensselaer landfill
The commissioner for the state Department of Environmental Conservation says the agency is investigating the Dunn C&D Landfill in Rensselaer -- which takes construction debris, and has been taking in more tonnage that the Albany and Colonie landfills combined. [TU]
Arrest in Schenectady school crash, Gipson withdraws gubernatorial bid, Capital Region population grows while upstate shrinks
Charges in Schenectady school crash
A Schenectady man is facing charges for driving through a window into a classroom at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in the early morning hours on Wednesday. [Spectrum]
School threats
+An 18-year-old Colonie High School Student has been charged with making the weapons threat that caused an increased police presence at the school on Wednesday. The teen is charged with making a terroristic threat, which carries a maximum penalty of 2 to 7 years in prison. [TU]
+Police in Galway arrested a 13-year-old student in the central school district for allegedly threatening, in two social media posts, to shoot at the school. [TU]
Capital Region population growth up while upstate population declines
According to new census data, the Capital Region added nearly 17,000 residents since 2010, making it the only Upstate New York region to show population growth in that time period. [TU]
Car slams into Schenectady school, Nixon debuts gubernatorial campaign, judge won't toss charges against Silver, federal cuts could affect CDTA plan
School threats
+Police will be stationed at Colonie Central High School today following a threatening comment made by a student on a school bus on Tuesday. A letter to parents from the principal says that the threat was not credible but the district was still taking it seriously. [WNYT][TU]
+A 13-year-old Shenendahowa student has been charge with falsely reporting an incident after making a threatening Instagram post.[WNYT][TU]
+Cohoes High School went into lockdown on Tuesday after a student called in a shooting threat that turned out to be false. [TU]
Car slams into school
Schenectady's Martin Luther King Elementary School is closed today, after a car drove through a window and into a classroom overnight. [Spectrum][Gazette]
Shaping up the race for governor, Cuomo admin response to allegations of unaddressed misconduct at state agency, threat prompts students to stay home
Race for governor
+ The Cuomo campaign's response to Cynthia Nixon entering the race for the Democratic nomination: "Governor Cuomo has delivered more real progressive wins than any other Democrat in the country, including passing marriage equality, the strongest gun safety law in the nation, a $15 minimum wage, free college tuition, paid family leave, record setting funding for public education, expanding and protecting healthcare for our most vulnerable, and banning fracking." [State of Politics]
+ An overview of the politics of the Cuomo-Nixon matchup. [Politico NY]
+ Republicans seemed pretty happy about Nixon getting into the race. [Politico NY]
Niko DiNovo
Niko DiNovo -- the Colonie teen badly burned in the Blessings Tavern car crash in 2016 -- died Monday from injuries from the crash. [TU]
Allegations of harassment at state agency, Rensselaer community turns out to support families, the Skyway and cynicism, Orange madness
Abuse allegations at state agency
Brendon Lyons reports that a(n unreleased) state Inspector General's investigation found that a top official at the state Division of Criminal Justice Services threatened female employees and engaged in years of sexual harassment, racism, and ageism -- but the official was not disciplined and two women who testified as part of the investigation were punished. [TU]
Cole crash trial
From Friday: A Saratoga County court jury found John W. Cole guilty of felony assault, driving while ability impaired, and reckless driving -- and acquitted him of two other charges -- for the March 2017 crash in Halfmoon that left one of his passengers a quadriplegic. He faces two to seven years at sentencing. Scott Shapiro -- the husband of Deanna Shapiro, was seriously injured: "There are clearly no winners here, the impact on both my family and John's family cannot be understated." [Daily Gazette] [TU x2]
Rensselaer fatal fire
+ Rensselaer police say the cause of the Mann Ave. house fire that killed members of a family appears to have an electrical problem that was accidental. [News10]
+ There was an all-day community fundraiser in Rensselaer Sunday to benefit the Mann Ave family as well as the children of a Rensselaer woman who was recently found dead in the Hudson. [TU]
Sheriff: Plot against judge was made up, Cuomo questions school walkout discipline, name change for Troy's Riverfront Park
Sheriff: Plot against judge was made up
Albany County sheriff Craig Apple says it's been determined that the reported plot against state Supreme Court justice Thomas Breslin was made up by a county jail inmate in an effort to get a deal. [TU]
School walkouts
+ Andrew Cuomo issued a public letter requesting that state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia to look into reports that students around the state were disciplined for participating in walkout events this week to protest gun violence, including an alleged case in which a school blocked exits (an apparent reference to report about Schuylverville). [Cuomo admin] [TU]
+ In her own return public letter, Elia said NYSED will "investigate any reports where the safety of students was put in jeopardy, as we always do." [NYSED]
+ Talking with local students who face discipline for walkout events -- and the school officials who disciplined them. [Daily Gazette]
National Gride rate increase
The state Public Service Commission has approved a rate change for National Grid that will increase the average monthly bill for electricity and gas by about $16 over the next three years. [TU]
Capital Region students protest gun violence, guilty plea in Cohoes Fire, fatal crash on Cohoes-Waterford Bridge, Blenheim-Gilboa to get millions from NYPA
Guilty plea in Cohoes fire
John Gomes pleaded guilty to fourth-degree arson for starting the burn barrel fire that got out of control in November destroying a damaging numerous buildings in Downtown Cohoes. The blaze displaced 20 people and caused at least $4 million in damage. [TU][Spectrum]
Fatal crash on Cohoes Waterford Bridge
Police continue to investigate a fatal car crash that closed down the Cohoes-Waterford Bridget this morning. [News 10]
The Percoco trial and the Cuomo administration
The Percoco trial raised a number of ethics and transparency questions about the Cuomo administration. Andrew Cuomo says the suggestions he knew about Joe Percoco's actions are "political garbage." [TU][Politico]
Guilty verdict for Percoco, Coeymans police respond to outrage over raccoon incident, Stefanik and the House intelligence committee, leaving and holding a state job
Percoco trial verdict
+ The jury in the federal corruption case involving former top Cuomo admin official Joe Percoco found Percoco guilty on three charges for soliciting and accepting bribes from two companies in exchange for influence on business connected to state government. [US DOJ] [NYT]
+ An executive with the Syracuse-area company Cor Development was also found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. [Syracuse.com]
+ Andrew Cuomo called the verdict "personally painful" because of his longtime close relationship with Percoco, "however, we must learn from what happened and put additional safeguards in place to secure the public trust. Anything less is unacceptable." Cue speculation about to the degree to which the conviction hurts Cuomo's re-election campaign. [TU] [NYT]
+ State Senator -- and a Republican gubernatorial candidate -- John DeFrancisco: "With or without the conviction, this is a pretty good indication that we need a change at the top." [State of Politics]
Coeymans raccoon
+ From a Coeymans Police Department statement on the incident in which officers ran down a rabid raccoon in a shopping plaza parking lot: "We understand that this is not easy to watch, however The Town of Coeymans Police Department, and the Officers involved acted without malice or contempt, and without another remedy acted only with the Publics wellbeing in mind. Based on the above it was the safest way to remove the immediate hazard, given the circumstances presented." [CPD Facebook]
+ The state Department of Health says tests indicate the raccoon was rabid. [TU]
+ Mohawk Hudson Humane Society president Todd Cramer said he was "instantly sickened and appalled" by the video and said there were other options police could have used. The acting CPD chief said the department will work to develop different procedures for similar situations in the future. [Spectrum] [WNYT]
Oquendo sentenced, Judge orders PR campaign to shut down in DWI trial, Percoco jury still deadlocked, probe of police raccoon killing
Oquendo sentencing
A State Supreme Court justice sentenced Johnny Oquendo to 27 years to life in prison for the murder of his stepdaughter Noel Alkaramla. Oquendo, who represented himself at the sentencing, maintained his innocence in a statement to the court. [TU][Spectrum][WNYT]
Judge orders PR campaign to be shut down in DWI case
The Saratoga County judge in the DWI case agains businessman John Cole of Cole's Collision has ordered a stop to a public relations plan featuring ads where charity leaders highlight Cole's philanthropy.[TU][Gazette]
Percoco jury deadlocked
The jury in the corruption trial of Joe Percoco has again told a judge that it is deadlocked, but the judge in the case wants them to continue trying to reach a verdict.[NYT]
Rensselaer house fire kills three members of family, legal fight over video from police body cameras, criticism of PR campaign ahead of trial
Fatal fire in Rensselaer
Three members of a Rensselaer family -- a child, mother, and grandmother -- died in a house fire early Sunday morning. Two other children suffered injuries, one of them serious. Officials say it's not clear yet what caused the fire -- it gutted the entire home -- and it's under investigation. More than a hundred people gathered outside the house on Sunday for a vigil. [TU] [News10] [Troy Record] [TU]
Guns
+ The Saratoga Springs City Council has voted to ban gun sales at the Saratoga Springs City Center -- it looks like the recurring gun show scheduled for the venue in May will be the last there. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
+ Talking with Capital Region high school students about gun violence and walkouts planned for this Wednesday. [Daily Gazette]
Oquendo sentencing delayed again, Albany Capital Center funding questioned, shoveling out the neighborhood, windfall in CommerceHub sale
Oquendo sentencing delayed
Johnny Oquendo's sentencing for the death of Noel Alkaramla in Troy was postponed again -- to next Monday -- after the judge ruled the new sentencing report hadn't been made available with enough time ahead of the sentencing. The judge also ruled that Oquendo can now represent himself (with his most recent attorney on standby). [TU] [News10] [Troy Record]
Percoco trial
The jury in the Joe Percoco case is still deliberating, apparently to the chagrin of almost everyone involved. [TU]
Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office / ICE
The NYCLU is criticizing the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office's participation in a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement program in which Sheriff Patrick Russo says two corrections officers will be trained to check on immigration holds on prisoners in the county jail. [TU]
Snowstorm leaves thousands without power, Schenectady police officer demoted for alleged violence, Cuomo makes light of potential Nixon challenge, Stefanik challenger drops out
Snow
An estimated 7,000 Capital Region residents are without power after Wednesday's snowstorm. Twenty-eight flights were canceled at Albany International Airport. Amtrak will continue operating on a modified schedule on Thursday due to the storm.[Gazette][TU][TU]
Jay street fire
A survivor of the Jay Street fire comes to terms with the verdict in the David Tyree case, and with his own suffering.[Gazette]
Schumer's infrastructure plan
Chuck Schumer's proposal to improve infrastructure and create jobs by eliminating tax breaks from the nation's wealthiest individuals and corporations. [TU]
Tyree acquitted in Jay Street fire case, Percoco Jury deadlocked, more snow causing closings and cancellations, a lobster of a different color
Snow
New York State has issued a travel advisory and many schools are closed and events canceled due to winter storm Quinn. [Spectrum]
Tyree acquitted
A jury acquitted former Schenectady code enforcement officer Kenneth Tyree of four counts of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in connection with the fatal 2015 Jay Street fire. Tyree was found guilty on one count of offering a false instrument for filing for lying about past felonies on his job application to become a building inspector, and could face 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. [TU][Gazette]
Closing arguments in Jay St fire inspection trial, Washington Ave Armory suing Migos, CommerceHub acquired in billion dollar deal, pushback on Troy church conversion
Jay Street fire inspection trial
The trial of former Schenectady inspector Kenneth Tyree had closing arguments Monday. The prosecution argued Tyree didn't put in the necessary effort to do his job correctly and, if he had, the four deaths in the fire could have been prevented. The defense said that Tyree told his supervisor what he saw and argued Tyree is being scapegoated for the fire. [Spectrum] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Guns
The state Senate passed a group of bills Monday backers said would increase safety for schools from gun violence -- including allowing retired police officers to earn more as school resource officers without a waiver, requiring schools to hold two active shooter drills a year, and Jim Tedisco's vanity license plate for funding armed guards in schools. None of the bills deals directly with gun laws, which prompted sharp criticism from Democrats in the chamber. And Tedisco's bill in particular was mocked. [News10] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Washington Ave Armory suing Migos
The company that owns the Washington Ave Armory is suing Migos, alleging the hip hop group's actions encouraged and incited the brawling at their 2015 concert there. (The incident led to the venue being hit with a nuisance abatement order and it ended up surrendering its liquor license.) And a person who says he was seriously injured at the concert has also filed a suit against Migos and the Armory. [The Alt] [TU]
Troopers and tow truck operator injured in I-90 crash, new Republican in the pool for governor, Flag Day Parade ends
Troopers and tow truck operator injured in I-90 crash
+ State Police say three people -- two of them state troopers -- were seriously injured in a crash on I-90 in North Greenbush early Sunday morning. NYSP say two troopers had responded to a call for single-vehicle crash in the median. A two truck arrived with two operators. And then, with the scene marked off flares, State Police say another driver failed to move over, hit the patrol car, then hit both troopers and one of the tow truck operators -- all three suffered serious injuries and were hospitalized. The second tow operator and the driver of the second vehicle also suffered injuries. The second driver is facing DWI and "numerous others" traffic charges. [NYSP]
+ Said the other tow truck operator to News10 of the crash: "It was just terrible. It was like a hurricane coming through." [News10]
+ State Police Major Robert Patnaude on the setup of the scene before the second crash: "It was lit up like a Christmas tree. There's no reason why he shouldn't have seen it." [WNYT]
+ Patnaude remarking on both crashes, the first of which State Police say was the result of a driver distracted by a phone: "You're driving a 3,000-pound vehicle that is a dangerous weapon and people take it too lightly." [TU]
Schenectady police excessive force case
According to a Schenectady Police Department internal affairs reports, an SPD lieutenant who had been up for the job of police chief had shown photos of a woman whose head had been busted open when officers slammed her head into a bench and told other members of the force "this is what happens when someone hits one of my men" -- the report concluded that the officers hadn't followed training and the use of force was excessive. (The report surfaced in a federal court filing as part of a lawsuit filed by the woman.) [TU]
Guns
+ The former Columbia High School student who brought a shotgun to school in 2014 2004 -- and was tackled by the then-principal -- wrote a letter to the Times Union following Chris Churchill's recent column looking back at the incident hailing the principal as a hero, expressing regret for the pain he's caused, and praising the Parkland high school students for their advocacy. [TU]
+ Talking with local high school students about their plans to join nationwide walk-out events to protest gun violence. [TU]
It's snowing, Tyree cross examined in Jay Street fire inspection trial, Troy taking on trash problem, Albany Med buys two buildings in Albany
Snow
Things changed -- as the forecast probabilities suggested they might -- and we're getting a lot of snow. The NWS forecast as of 9 am is projecting an expected snowfall of 14 inches in Albany, with higher totals to the west. There are, of course, many cancellations and delays. Check before heading out. Even better, don't head out if you don't have to. And take it slowly with the shoveling -- it's wet and heavy snow. [NWS Albany]
Trial related to Jay St fire
The prosecution cross examined former Schenectady housing inspector Kenneth Tyree Thursday about his inspection of 104 Jay Street -- Tyree said he didn't have experience with alarm systems and was told to look but not touch the building's alarm system. At one point during the questioning, when the prosecution mentioned the victims of the fire, Tyree started sobbing. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Guilty verdict for man shot by Schenectady police
The man shot by Schenectady police last year -- an incident shown on Facebook Live by a bystander -- was found guilty on charges connected to the case, including criminal possession of a weapon. The weapon was a loaded sawed-off shotgun that police say the man threw to the porch of a nearby home, and prosecutors say his DNA was on the gun handle -- SPD has not said what the object was that the man was accused of pointing at police. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Local judge guarded after death threats, gun control stalls in NYS Senate, Tyree takes stand in Jay Street fire trial, Cohoes & RPI team up on smart mural
Prominent judge receives death threats
Death threats received by State Supreme Court judge Thomas Breslin have been deemed credible and police are guarding his home while an investigation is underway. [TU]
Gun control measures stalled in Senate
The Republican controlled NYS Senate refused on Wednesday to take up gun control measures proposed by Senate Democrats. [NYT][TU]
Cuomo on gun control
Andrew Cuomo is blaming members of his own party in Congress for failing to advance tough gun control measures. [Politico]
Hoosick Falls accepts PFOA payment, former priest convicted of abuse found dead in jail, gun control debate heats up in NYS legislature
PFOA payment
The Hoosick Falls Village Board voted on Tuesday to accept a $330,251 payment from Saint-Gobain and Honeywell to cover some of the costs from PFOA contamination of the village water supply. The resolution is not a settlement and won't release the companies from future reimbursement costs and damages. [WNYT][TU]
Former priest and abuser found dead in jail
A former Long Island Catholic priest who was arrested for child sexual abuse last year at a Washington County retreat, was found dead on Tuesday in a Saratoga County jail cell. The Sheriff's office says the death is believed to be a suicide. Michael Hands was slated to be sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty in January to two felony counts of sexually abusing a child. [TU][Saratogian][Post Star]
Focus on training in Jay Street fire trial, Supreme Court unions case of particular interest in New York, concern about potential Albany middle school plan
Trial related to Jay St fire
During cross examination Monday, the attorney for defendant Kenneth Tyree worked to portray for the former Schenectady inspector as poorly trained and cast doubt on some of the claims made by his supervisor. Tyree's inspector testified that he told Tyree to call him if he ran into any issues or anything he didn't understand while inspecting 104 Jay St. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Percoco trial
The defense in the Joe Percoco trial rested Monday after just a handful witnesses -- and without Percoco testifying. [NYT]
Supreme Court unions case
The Supreme Court of the United States heard arguments Monday in Janus v AFSCME, which could affect public sector unions ability to collect fees from employees who don't belong to the union but are still represented by it. The case is of particular interest in New York State, which has more than 1 million unionized public employees across the various levels of government. How much the case could affect the power of unions in New York is a matter of debate. [NYT] [TU] [Politico NY]
Incorrect report prompts scare at Colonie Center, Cuomo campaign collecting contributions from appointees, judge accused of stealing millions, the Power Breakfast Club
Scare at Colonie Center
An incident in the food court at Colonie Center late Sunday afternoon prompted word to circulate -- incorrectly -- in the mall that shots had been fired, leading people to take shelter or flee. Colonie police say there was no gun and no shots were fired during an argument between a customer and a clerk -- the man is alleged to have said he had a gun, apparently loud slaps on the kiosk had been interpreted as gunshots. CPD says the customer was arrested on charges that include criminal nuisance. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [Spectrum]
Guns
+ Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo says he's already been approached by three school districts about placing an armed officer in schools. [Saratogian]
+ Jim Tedisco is proposing a "Guardians For Schools" custom license plate to help fund armed officers and other security measures in schools. [TU]
+ Saratoga Springs mayor Meg Kelly says she's been talking with a church about conducting a gun buyback. [Daily Gazette]
Cuomo campaign cash
The New York Times reports that the Cuomo admin has "quietly reinterpreted" an executive order that bars most state appointees from donating to, or soliciting donations for, the campaign fund of the governor who made the appointment -- to the tune of $890k in contributions. [NYT]
New York part of new state coalition on guns, Mohawk ice jams breaking up, prosecution rests in Percoco trial, push for geothermal in ESP microgrid
Guns
+ The governors of New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Rhode Island say their states are forming a coalition -- States for Gun Safety -- to create a database to supplement the federal background check system, and along with sharing info related to gun law enforcement. [TU] [Politico]
+ Vermont's Republican governor and Democrats in its legislature said Thursday they're in favor of more stringent gun control laws in the state, which one legislator described as a "sea change." (The NYS Attorney General's Office reported in 2016 that Vermont was the #1 source state of "likely-trafficked" guns recovered in the Capital Region.) [Seven Days]
+ The The New York State Sheriffs' Association is pushing for the state legislature to provide funding for at least one armed officer at every elementary and high school. [TU]
+ The president of the Albany Public School Teacher Association on Donald Trump's proposal to arm teachers: "The answer just doesn't make any sense." [WNYT]
+ A 20-year-old Sage College student at a vigil Thursday on what she thought when the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting happened five years ago: "I was really shocked and I said to myself, 'This will never happen again. This is ridiculous.' And then over and over and over, this happened again." [TU]
Flooding concerns as ice jams break on Mohawk, pedestrian killed in Albany, former Troy councilman facing harassment charges in Reno, paid parking coming to downtown Saratoga
Mohawk Flooding
The warm temperatures have resulted in an ice jam break on the Mohawk that is beginning to flood the Stockade neighborhood. [Spectrum][Gazette]
Pedestrian death
Albany police are investigating the death of a 92-year-old pedestrian who was hit by a car as she stepped out from between parked vehicles near Washington and Quail Streets on Tuesday night. [TU]
Eye on potential flooding, mother charged following Troy fire, pressure on school budgets, together for 75 years
Ice jams and potential flooding
The rapidly warming weather this week is prompting concerns about potential flooding along the Mohawk River as ice jams thaw and move downstream. Meteorologists say it's hard to predict how the 17-mile-long ice jam in the Mohawk affect things. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Mother charged following Troy fire
Troy fire officials say it looks like the house fire on 4th Ave was caused by kids playing with matches or a lighter. The mother of the three children is alleged to have left them alone in the apartment and she's facing misdemeanor child endangerment charges. A passerby and neighbors came to the aid of the kids. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Guns and schools
+ One of the recent trends in school design being incorporated by Schenectady and other local districts: "secure vestibules" -- basically two sets of locked doors at school entrances. [Daily Gazette]
+ Talking with local high school students about the national student walkout against school gun violence planned for March 14. [Daily Gazette]
Former residents testify in Jay Street fire trial, should pardons of crimes committed as a teen be made public, communicating at the Olympics
Jay Street fire inspection trial
Thursday included testimony from former residents of the 104 Jay St apartment building, one who told the court upkeep of the building had fallen off in the months leading up to the fire and another who said city building inspector Kenneth Tyree didn't check the smoke detector in his unit during an inspection that was "real quick, about a minute." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Guns
+ Prompted by the school shooting in Florida this week, Andrew Cuomo has advocating for something like the SAFE Act on the national level. [Politico NY]
+ The Albany County Sheriff's Office says an Albany man was arrested for allegedly making a gun-related threat toward co-workers at the Albany County Nursing Home. [Spectrum]
+ The Berlin Central School District issued a notice parents Thursday about "a possible threat to the middle and high school." A 17-year-old has been arrested for allegedly making a comment deemed potentially threatening at lunch, which then ended up on Snapchat. [News10] [WNYT]
+ Schools and churches around the area say they're reviewing their plans for dealing with a shooter. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple: "This has become the norm. I never thought I'd say that about active shooter situations, but this is." [WNYT] [Spectrum]
Troy has a new police chief, former building manager testifies in Jay St. fire trial, landslide repair underway, Saratoga anti-KKK rally
Troy police Chief
The city of Troy has a new police chief. Brian Owens took command of the city's police force on Wednesday, promising to lead the city's police out of a tumultuous two years. [Spectrum][TU]
Jay street fire trial
The former building manager of the Jay Street apartment building destroyed in a fatal fire in 2015, took the witness stand on Wednesday, testifying against Kenneth Tyree, the Schenectady city inspector charged with failing to properly inspect the building. The testimony was part of a plea agreement for Sacks, who pleaded guilty last month to four counts of criminally-negligent homicide will spend 1 to 3 years in state prison.[TU][Gazette]
Mero sentenced for double murder, Testimony from Jay Street fire survivor, Anti-KKK rally planned today in Saratoga, lock of Washington's hair found at Union College
Jay street fire
A Schenectady County jury heard a tale of a narrow escape from a survivor of the 2015 Jay Street fire who leapt from a fifth floor apartment to escape the blaze. [Gazette]
Mero sentenced
Edward Mero was sentenced on Tuesday to 50 years to life for the murders of two woman whose deaths he tried to cover up in a Coeymans fire. [TU]
Percoco trial
Todd Howe was back on the witness stand Tuesday, following a weekend in jail after admitting to an act of fraud on the witness stand last week. Howe told prosecutors "I'm in a boatload of trouble." [TU][NYT]
Push back on hate group flyers in Saratoga, mayors seek more state aid, a skeptical eye on Troy's comprehensive plan, Captain Cuomo
KKK flyers in Saratoga Springs
A group called the Saratoga Peace Alliance distributed flyers around Saratoga Springs as a counter to this weekend's distribution of KKK flyers. And the city council issued a joint system condemning the flyers and asking anyone with info about them to contact police. The city's public safety commissioner says the distribution of the flyers violates city code, but isn't a criminal offense. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Spectrum]
Trial related to Jay Street fire
A review of video and 911 calls from the fatal Jay Street fire that have surfaced as part of the trial of former Schenectady building inspector Kenneth Tyree, which resumes Tuesday. [Daily Gazette]
Mayors push for more state aid
Members of the New York Conference of Mayors -- including Kathy Sheehan and Gary McCarthy -- were at Capitol Monday pushing for an increase in the state's Aid and Incentives for Municipalities, or AIM. (It's one of the main ways the state distributes financial aid to cities.) They also say the Cuomo admin's
What effect does Howe arrest have on Percoco trial, march calls for answers in death of man in Schenectady police custody, miles long ice jam on Mohawk, sliding to a silver medal
Percoco trial
+ It came out Friday that Todd Howe -- the star witness for the prosecution -- was arrested Thursday after admitting on the stand that he had tried to skip out on a $600 charge at the Waldorf Astoria by telling his credit card company he had canceled the reservation -- an act the feds decided was a violation of the conditions of his release. [WSJ] [TU]
+ What does the arrest mean for the trial? It's probably not good for the prosecution. [TU]
+ Also: Does Howe get to wear a suit in court now or will he be in prison clothing? [NYT]
+ Chris Churchill on ziti, both the literal and figurative types. [TU]
Review of death of man in Schenectady police custody
More than a hundred people marched in Schenectady Saturday calling for more information about the death of Andrew Kearse in police custody last May. Kearse's widow, Angelique Negroni-Kearse, says Schenectady police were slow to call for medical help after Kearse reported difficulty breathing following a short foot chase and arrest. Black Lives Matter of Greater New York is calling for video of the incident to be released to the public. (Negroni-Kearse says she was shown the video by the state Attorney General's office, which is investigating the death.) [TU] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
KKK flyers in Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs police say flyers for a faction of the KKK showed up on cars windshields on the city's north side Sunday morning. SSPD says the flyers were similar to ones distributed last May. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Opening arguments in trial connected to Jay Street fire, more cross examination of Todd Howe, new Troy police chief, remembering Edmund O'Neal
Jay Street fire trial
During opening arguments in the trial of former Schenectady building inspector Kenneth Tyree connected to the fatal Jay Street fire, the prosecutor said the fire alarm was not working properly two weeks before the fire and that "if the defendant had done his job properly" ahead of the fire four people wouldn't have died. The defense argued Tyree had not been trained for that sort of inspection and is being scapegoated. [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [News0]
Percoco trial
+ During cross examination of Todd Howe, an attorney for Joe Percoco laid out an argument that Percoco thought he was making money from a lobbying firm and Howe deceived him -- a charge that Howe denied. [TU]
+ Also on cross examination, Howe admitted that he had lied to his credit card company about racking up a $600 charge at the Waldorf Astoria in October 2016, which would appear to be violation of his cooperation agreement with the feds. [NYT]
+ Another angle to this whole situation: the use of private email accounts by Cuomo admin officials for government business, which Howe has testified was widespread. [TU]
+ The trial has also highlighted, again, the LLC loophole in the state's campaign finance rules. [Spectrum]
+ Andrew Cuomo again declined to comment on Thursday about the trial. [Politico NY]
Trial begins in Jay Street fire, Percoco defense takes on Howe's credibility, graduation rates up in NY but down in Schenectady
Snow
Wednesday's snowstorm Brought as much as a foot of snow to areas of the Capital Region, closing schools, canceling flights and keeping tow trucks busy. [Gazette]
Federal budget deal
Chuck Schumer on the bipartisan budget deal struck on Wednesday in the Senate: "The budget deal doesn't have everything I wanted; it doesn't have everything Senator McConnell wanted; but it has what New Yorkers need."[TU]
Teen pleads guilty to murder
One of the teens charged with a the shooting death of a Mechanicville man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to second-degree murder. [Saratogian]
Percoco and the ziti, Senate Dems unveil gun legislation, RPI administrator asked alumni association to send controversial email, it's snowing
Snow
The snow is underway and area closings have begun. [TU]
Percoco and ziti
Tuesday in the corruption trial of former top Cuomo aide Joe Percoco, star witness Todd Howe testified that he helped Percoco set up a no show job for Percoco's wife in something they called "operation fat man," and that Percoco referred to money as "ziti." [TU][Gazette]
Sheehan presses case for permanent increase in Albany state funding, Howe testifies at Percoco trial, sentencing in UAlbany rape case, bowling a farewell to the Playdium
State funding for Albany
Kathy Sheehan was back before state legislators Monday pressing the case for Albany's annual state aid to be permanently increased by $12.5 million (the city budget is counting on that money), citing the city's disparity in per capita state funding and the large portion of tax-exempt and state-owned land. Sheehan also delivered a letter to Andrew Cuomo that argues the case. [News10] [TU] [Sheehan admin]
Percoco trial
The much anticipated moment: Todd Howe took the stand for the prosecution Monday in the Joe Percoco trial. Howe, who's already pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, described Percoco as "the closest thing to a brother that I ever had," and detailed he said were efforts to trade Percoco's influence within the Cuomo admin for bribes, or "ziti." [Spectrum] [TU] [NYT]
Start of trial connected to Jay Street fire, Troy police detectives indicted, decision on Boreas Ponds use, tracking vacant buildings in Albany
Jay Street fire trial
Jury selection starts Monday in the trial of Kenneth Tyree, the former Schenectady building inspector facing charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the case of the fatal 2015 Jay Street fire. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Percoco trial
Todd Howe is scheduled to finally take the stand this week in the Joe Percoco trial -- and the defense attorneys in the case have been working to portray him as a liar. [NYT]
Troy Police Department
Two Troy police detectives were indicted Friday on charges related to an alleged covering up of a warrantless search executed by the TPD's drug unit. Their attorneys say they didn't do anything wrong. The special prosecutor in the case -- Columbia County DA Paul Czajka -- praised the TPD officers who spoke up about the situation. [TU] [Troy Record] [News10]
Madden: New leadership and training for Troy police soon, New York hit with $14 million penalty over highway signs, Republican challenger for Kirsten Gillibrand
Troy Police Department
+ A grand jury has handed up a second indictment in the case of an alleged illegal search, and cover up, by the Troy Police Department's drug unit -- it's scheduled to be opened Friday afternoon. [TU]
+ Mayor Patrick Madden says there will be new leadership of the police department by the end of February and it will be training to improve its interaction with the community. Said Madden in his state of the city address: "Policing isn't just about capturing and handcuffing people, it's about working with individuals in the community." [TU] [WNYT]
Schenectady County jail guard discipline
"People familiar with the situation" tell the Times Union that a Schenectady County jail guard is facing a range of sanctions, including early retirement, for allegedly sexually harassing several women on the jail's medical staff -- but he'll be allowed to stay on the job for another 20 months. [TU]
Percoco trial
A Competitive Power Ventures exec testifying Thursday about an arrangement to pay Joe Percoco's wife for "educational consulting services": "When the first answer out of somebody's mouth to a pretty basic question is 'there is nothing illegal about it,' it raises a red flag in my mind." [TU]
Faso, Stefanik safe following Amtrak crash, 20 years for Albany Father's Day shooting, prosecutors: Percoco used influence in "Albany game," William Kennedy celebrates 90 years
Faso/ Stefanik uninjured in train crash
Corrected Representatives John Faso was not injured when an Amtrak charter train carrying Congressional Republicans to a retreat crashed into a garbage truck on Wednesday. (Elise Stefanik was not a train.) [WNYT] [AP/TU] [@RepStefanik]
Percoco trial
Wednesday in the trial of Joe Percoco:
+ Prosecutors said Percoco used his close ties to Andrew Cuomo to give developers access to the "Albany game." [NYT]
+ The court heard testimony about an alleged "low show" job that prosecutors claim was arranged for Percoco's wife by lobbyist Todd Howe.[TU]
A rumble and then everything went black, sentencing in Blessings Tavern crash, imagining a Governor Trump, triple OT
Schenectady mudslide
+ One of the men trapped in an apartment by the Schenectady mudslide described the what happened from his point of view: "All of a sudden, we heard a rumble and the next thing you know, I woke up and everything was black. I woke up next to my nephew screaming." [News10]
+ Crews demolished two homes and a garage Monday, and officials are examining an apartment building. [Spectrum]
+ City officials say they're not sure yet what caused the slide. State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who's a civil engineer, said now could be a good time to do a wider review of potential problem spots. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Percoco trial
+ On Monday the prosecution showed emails it alleges indicate Joe Percoco intervened with Empire State Development so that COR Development wouldn't have to reach a labor peace agreement for a Syracuse-area project, and an FBI agent testified about a $15k payment from COR to Todd Howe's consultancy that appears to have then been funneled to Percoco's wife. [TU]
+ Also: The trial has raised questions about Percoco's use of state-funded office space while he was on leave as Andrew Cuomo's campaign manager. [TU]
Mudslide traps man in Schenectady, the business of local hospitals, teaching mental health in schools, trying out for the team
Schenectady mudslide
+ A mudslide early Sunday morning in the area of Barney Street/Nott Terrace in Schenectady (map) trapped a man in his home and prompted the evacuation of 11 people in nearby homes. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
+ The 19-year-old man who was trapped was taken to Albany Med and is "doing OK," his mother told WNYT. [WNYT]
+ Schenectady city officials say two homes and a garage will be demolished. [TU]
+ A similar Schenectady mudslide in 1996 killed a man. [Daily Gazette]
Complaints about Mechanicville mayor
Mechanicville's human resource officer says the city council is hiring an outside attorney to investigate allegations of boorish and harassing behavior by mayor Dennis Baker. [TU]
Percoco trial
Among the sharp directives issued by judge Valerie Caproni to attorneys in the Joe Percoco trial: "You're entitled to a vigorous defense. What you're not entitled to is a tedious defense." [TU]
Mechanicville police accuse mayor of boorish behavior, wilderness designations recommended for Boreas Ponds, counting Capital Center events
Complaints about Mechanicville mayor
Mechanicville police have filed a personnel complaint against against mayor Dennis Baker, accusing him of all sorts of intimidating, threatening, boorish, and generally cranky behavior. Among the specific allegations: Baker contaminated a potential crime scene, called police multiple times a day to report minor traffic violations (while sometimes following vehicles) as part of a campaign to get more tickets issued, and called an officer's transgender parent "disgusting, weird." [WNYT] [TU]
Guilty verdict in fatal stabbing
A jury found the man accused of fatally stabbing Marc Douglas on Grand Street in Albany last June guilty of second-degree murder. Richard Quinn -- who's 64 years old -- faces 25 years to life in prison at sentencing. Quinn had been picked up on probation violations in the months before the stabbing, but was allowed to remain free without bail. The Albany County DA's office is arguing that the case points to shortcomings in Andrew Cuomo's proposed bail reforms. [Spectrum] [TU] [Albany County DA]
Flu
Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order allowing pharmacists to issue flu shots to kids ages 2-18. The move was prompted by the strength of this year's flu season -- the number of lab-confirmed flu cases around the state continued to climb last week. [Cuomo admin] [NYS DOH]
Percoco debt over $1M, Cuomo signs Net Neutrality order, Albany could face subpoena over sanctuary status, Moody's report:casinos "cannibalizing revenues"
Net Neutrality
Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order on Wednesday prohibiting state government contracts with internet companies that do not adhere to the principals of net neutrality. [News 10][TU]
Percoco
Day two in the corruption trial of Joe Percoco: It was revealed that Cuomo's top aid and his wife were facing more than $1 million in mortgage and credit card debts in 2014, when he allegedly accepted payoffs from businessmen. [TU]
Sanctuary cities
Albany is one of 23 sanctuary cities around the country that could be served with a subpoena by the U.S. Department of Justice if it doesn't provide proof that it is complying with Federal immigration law. [TU][WNYT]
Opening arguments in Percoco trial, Kirsten Gillibrand's "no" vote, Kathy Sheehan v. Tucker Carlson
Percoco trial
Opening statements got underway Tuesday in the trial of Cuomo aide Joe Percoco. Prosecutors described Percoco as a powerful, but not wealthy man who traded on "the most valuable thing he owned -- his job, his power and influence in state government."[News 10][NYT]
GE
GE's Power unit in Schenectady is reporting that its profit dropped 88 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017.[TU]
Capital Region Unemployment
Unemployment in the Capital Region is up 0.3 percentage points to 4.2 percent. [TU]
Continued back and forth over Troy Police Department, SUNY chancellor proposes move to zero-carbon electricity, no show but a donation anyway
Scrutiny of Troy Police Department
+ Chris Churchill, in response to former Troy police chief John Tedesco's pushback on the state Attorney General's review of the Edson Thevenin shooting: "Taken together, [a series of brutality and corruption allegations] show a troubled department with a history of treating residents with aggressive disrespect. So I disagree with Tedesco. For the good of the city, Troy's next police chief should come from somewhere else." [TU]
+ City Council president Carmella Mantello's request for a meeting with the AG's office about the report has rankled the Troy Police Benevolent Association, which has accused of her setting up the meeting "for political points and headlines." Mantello: "I'm looking at this as a whole. No one is here to point fingers." [Troy Record] [Troy PBA FB] [Spectrum]
+ Local defense attorneys speculate on whether the AG's report will affect the way juries perceive the Troy Police Department. [TU]
Former TPD chief pushes back on criticism of shooting investigation, a guilty plea in Jay Street fire case, RPI alumni group pushes for change
Scrutiny of Troy Police Department
+ In a letter to the Troy Record, John Tedesco -- who just recently retired as Troy police chief -- called state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman a "political mad man" and pushed back on sections of the state AG's office report on the fatal police shooting of Edson Thevenin, arguing the AG's office was motivated to find fault so that it could pursue a case against Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove (Tedesco also took issue Times Union columnist Chris Churchill.) [Troy Record]
+ The AG's office will be meeting with the Troy City Council to discuss the report, at the request of council president Carmella Mantello. She said the meeting is part of the council pursing an oversight role of the TPD and the mayor. [TU] [WNYT]
Joe Percoco trial
The trial of Joe Percoco -- a longtime top aide to Andrew Cuomo -- on federal corruption charges starts Monday. It's expected to highlight the workings of the state's economic development efforts, and potentially complicate things politically for the governor. [TU] [Politico NY]
Call for Troy police reform, big shakeup in Albany County Legislature, Sheehan continues push for state funding, mermaid hair
Call for Troy police reform
+ Prompted by the recent state Attorney General's office report about the fatal police shooting of Edson Thevenin, activists gathered in Troy Thursday to call for a more active civilian police review board as well as officer body cameras. [Troy Record]
+ Former Troy city council member Anastasia Robertson: "We're not here to say all policemen are bad, or policewomen are bad, because that is not the case ... But everybody, regardless, deserves fairness and unbiased approach without prejudgment on how their case is handled." [News10]
+ The group is pushing for the state AG to also take over the investigation of the police shooting of Dahmeek McDonald. McDonald's attorney -- Mark Mischler -- said Troy mayor Patrick Madden's defense of the police department following the report on the Thevenin shooting is "nothing less than traumatic." [Spectrum] [TU]
Big shakeup in Albany County Legislature
Albany County Legislature majority leader Frank Commisso Sr. -- who held the position for 25 years -- resigned the leadership position Thursday ahead of an evening caucus organized to oust him. The new majority leader is Gary Domalewicz, a 25-year veteran of the legislature who represents a district adjacent to Commisso's in uptown Albany. The switch comes two weeks after the former chair of the legislature -- Green Island's Sean Ward, a Commisso ally -- was replaced by Andrew Joyce. [TU]
Cuomo calls budget a defense from "economic missile," reaction to AG's report on Troy shooting, Schenectady police lieutenant charged
State budget
+ Andrew Cuomo released his 2018 budget on Tuesday, calling it a response to Washington's "economic missile"
+ The proposal includes a plan that would allow businesses to assume their employees' income taxes as a payroll tax. [NYT][Spectrum]
+ There's also a plan in the works that could allow people to make deductible "charitable donations" to their local school districts in lieu of school property taxes.[TU]
+ Missing from the $168 billion spending plan: the $12.5 million in Albany "Capital City Funding." [TU]
Cuomo up 20 points in Siena poll
The newest Siena poll shows Andrew Cuomo's approval rating at 62 percent -- up 10 points from his November rating. [TU]
Arrest in Rotterdam crash that killed pedestrian, eye on river ice and flooding, Albany nearing contract with blue collar workers, remembering founder of Pine Hollow Arboretum
Pedestrian killed in Rotterdam hit-and-run
+ Police arrested a Schenectady woman in connection with the hit-and-run crash in Rotterdam Friday night in which 46-year-old Dramone Houston died -- 30-year-old Megan M. Alexandre of Schenectady is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Rotterdam police say surveillance camera video from nearby businesses played a key role in leading them to Alexandre's vehicle. [News10] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
+ Houston's wife, Yvette, to the Times Union: "What really hurts and bothers me is that he was lying there for hours in the sleet and freezing rain ... It just breaks my heart. I can't get it out of my head." [TU]
Recalling the Guilderland quadruple homicide
Guilderland police chief Carol Lawlor on the still-unsolved 2014 killing of a family of four: "Not one of us goes down Western Avenue without that coming to mind, because there it is -- it's right there ... I know that it still plays heavily on the minds and hearts of the community, and the police department." [TU]
Guilty plea in fatal Albany hit-and-run, concerns about flooding, South End residents question air quality study, weather prompting produce shortages
Guilty plea in fatal Washington Park hit-and-run
Jose Martinez -- accused of hitting Rajine Martinez while she was in a road in Washington Park last year, and then leaving the scene -- pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Which Results in Death Without Reporting. He faces 2-6 years in prison at sentencing. [TU] [Albany County DA]
Sentencing in Hadley murder
Michael C. Norton -- the Hadley man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for hitting his wife, Sherry Norton, with an axe last May -- was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. [TU]
Jeff Klein sexual harassment allegation
Jeff Klein has formally asked the state's Joint Commission on Public Ethics to investigate the allegation that he forcibly kissed a staffer outside a Lark Street bar in 2015. The head of the state Senate's Independent Democratic Conference stated in his letter to JCOPE, "The alleged incident did not happen, period." The request to JCOPE came after Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said the case didn't fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate's ethics committee. [Politico NY] [TU] [Politico NY]
IDC leader Klein denies sexual assault allegation, Saratoga County has state's largest gender pay gap, rain and higher temps prompt flood warnings
Jeff Klein denies sexual allegation
State Senate IDC Leader Jeff Klein is denying allegations that he forcibly kissed a female staffer outside Justin's on Lark Street in 2015. State Senator Diane Savino, who is dating Klein and was at the bar on the night in question, came to his defense. Savino says on the night in question, the staffer invited Klein to a Seder dinner, which he declined, in full view of herself and other colleagues. [TU][Huffington Post][Spectrum][Politico][NYT]
Saratoga county pay gap
Saratoga County has the largest pay gap between the sexes in the state, with women, on average, making $18,539 less than their male counterparts.[TU]
Hoosick Falls will sue over PFOA, Morse critic charged with harassment , Oquendo seeks new trial, Albany to Buffalo non-stop
Hoosick Falls PFOA
The Hoosick Falls Village Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to sue Saint-Gobain and Honeywell for the PFOA contamination of the village water supply and soil. [Spectrum][TU]
Hit and run trial
The defense attorney for Jose Martinez, the man charged with the hit-and-run death of a woman in Washington Park last year, slammed the case against his client based on the fact that two witnesses lied about which of them was driving the car that first struck the victim, then changed their story after a video surfaced. [TU]
Oquendo seeks new trial
Sentencing for Johnny Oquendo, who was convicted late last year for the murder of Noel Alkaramla, has been delayed while he seeks a new trial. [Spectrum]
ZBA decision opens way for Saratoga Code Blue shelter, taxi owners criticized proposed Capital Region taxi system, Playdium redevelopment seeking tax breaks
Saratoga Springs Code Blue shelter
The Saratoga Springs zoning board of appeals voted Monday that the city's proposed new Code Blue shelter can be designated a neighborhood rooming house, opening the way for the project to be built on Walworth Street. An attorney for neighborhood opponents of the proposed shelter site say they're considering whether to challenge the decision in court. The director of the shelter says its been housing 41 people a night for more than four weeks during the recent cold at its current location on Henry Street. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Malta Gardens water problems
Residents of Malta Gardens showed up at the Malta Town Hall Monday to focus attention on the fact they've been without consistent water service for a week -- a problem that management now says might be extend beyond a water main break. [Spectrum]
Memorial service honors victims in Troy murder case, Republicans concerned about finding strong Cuomo challenger, food pantries on campus, homeless Jesus
Troy quadruple homicide
+ A grand jury handed up indictments Friday against the two men accused of the Troy quadruple homicide, with charges including first- and second-degree murder, along with burglary and robbery. The indictments had been expected on Wednesday and the delay prompted procedural maneuvering from the DA's office and protests from the defense. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU]
+ At a memorial service in Troy Saturday, people remembered Shanta Myers, her 11-year-old son Jeremiah, and five-year-old daughter Shanise. Chris Churchill on the service: "If you're a person who tries to look for the good after a tragedy, you saw what you wanted there." [TU x2]
Review of Albany police handling of alleged rape case
Albany acting police chief Bob Sears says the department is reviewing the handling of a case in which, "sources briefed on the case" tell the Times Union, that officers responded to an Albany apartment about an intoxicated woman being abducted, left without making an arrest, and the women alleges she was later raped. [TU]
State of the State sets in a difficult financial year, Siena poll shows consumer confidence up, memorial service scheduled for slain Troy family
State of the State
In a 90 minute State of the State address on Wednesday, Andrew Cuomo laid out his plans for what is shaping up to be a very difficult financial year for the state. The agenda took aim at federal government policies like DACA repeal and tax reform, and included plans to get rid of the tipped wage for hospitality workers, battle sexual harassment, end cash bail for misdemeanors, make voting easier in the state -- setting Cuomo's platform for the upcoming gubernatorial race. Here's a closer look at six things mentioned in the speech, and here's the full text of the speech.[NYT][TU][AOA][NY.GOV]
+Chris Churchill on the State of the State, from the size of the podium("it makes the governor look like an immigrant from the isle of Lilliput.) to the content of the speech. [TU]
+Sara Foss on the things left unsaid in the 90 minute address.[Gazette]
Consumer confidence
A new Siena poll says consumer confidence is on the rise in New York. [TU]
State of the State and start of legislative session today, Troy quadruple murder suspects have violent pasts, councilman calls on Morse to quit in meeting turned shouting match
State of the State
Andrew Cuomo is slated to give his State of the State address at 1pm. Among the items on the agenda,
how to deal with the fallout from Federal policies like the new tax plan and the coming expiration of DACA, overhaul of sexual harassment policies, early election voting and ending cash bail for minor crimes. Here's a list of Cuomo's State of the State proposals.
The speech marks the start of the 2018 legislative session, which begins with a $4 billion deficit and the threat of losing billions more from Federal cuts.
[NYT][Gazette][TU][WNYT][NYT]]NY.gov]
Arrests but still few details about Troy quadruple homicide, inaugurations for local leaders, minimum wage increase and start for paid family leave
Troy quadruple homicide
+ Two Schenectady men were arraigned Saturday on charges related to the killings of Shanta Myers, Brandi Mells, Shanise Myers, and Jeremiah Myers in Lansingburgh. The men -- 38-year-old James W. White and 24-year-old Justin C. Mann -- were charged with one count of first-degree murder and four counts of second-degree murder. [WNYT] [Troy Record]
+ Law enforcement officials have continued to keep back many details of the investigation, including what led them to the two men or what the motive might be. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
+ The director of the City Mission in Schenectady told the Times Union that James White had been banned from the shelter several months ago because of his behavior. [TU]
+ A fundraising campaign for the Myers family has now raised more than $40,000. [TU]
Guilty verdict in fatal hit-and-run, APD officer arrested again, police search for Spa City bank robber, tax plan confusion begins
Guilty verdict in fatal hit and run
An Albany County jury found Brian Tromans guilty on Wednesday in the hit-and-run death of National Guard Master Sergeant Rudolph Seabron in Colonie in January. [Spectrum]
APD officer's 2nd arrest
APD officer Shawn Dixon was arrested for leaving the scene of a car crash on Wednesday, for the second time in eight months.[TU]
Attempted murder
Two Albany men are facing attempted murder charges for allegedly robbing and shooting a man on Old Hickory Drive in late November. [TU]
Republican tax plan
+ A look at some of the confusion and chaos anticipated as the new tax laws go into effect in less than two weeks. [Politico]
+ Capital Region tax advisers on what the new federal tax structure will mean for New Yorkers. [Gazette]
+ Chris Churchill on how the Republican tax plan will affect not-for-profits by removing some of the financial incentive to donate. [TU]
Stefanik/Faso vote "no" on tax bill, Mero found guilty on all counts in double murder, tax exemption questions on two more Albany properties, local car dealer taking Bitcoin
Tax bill
Both Elise Stefanik and John Faso voted "no" on the tax reform bill that passed in the House on Tuesday. The bill heads for the Senate today. Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that House Republicans will "Rue the day"the legislation was passed. [TU][Washington Examiner]
+Town and city governments are seeing a number of requests for people to pay their 2018 property taxes early, before the new law takes affect. [Gazette]
Two more Albany properties may have wrongly received tax exemptions
The Albany assessor's office says two downtown parking lots with ties to the Albany Convention Center may have wrongly been granted exemptions over the last seven years, but convention center authorities contend the exemptions are legal.[TU]
Morse accuser details alleged abuse, Stefanik to vote "no" on tax plan, school bus driver accused of being intoxicated on the job, Andrew Cuomo's ghosts
Allegations against Shawn Morse
Colleen Keller, one of the women alleged to have been abused by Cohoes mayor Shawn Morse, has issued a statement pushing back on Morse's claim there was no abuse: "The abuse started out with me being physically pushed, grabbed and verbally degraded. It escalated from there." [TU]
Saratoga Code Blue shelter
The Saratoga Springs zoning board of appeals heard arguments during a public hearing Monday night about whether the Saratoga Code Blue shelter should be allowed to operate at a location on Walworth Street. Opponents are arguing the shelter would violate the zoning for the property. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Republican tax plan
+ Elise Stefanik announced Monday she will vote "no" on the Republican tax plan, because "the final bill does not adequately protect the state and local tax deduction that so many in our district and across New York rely on." John Faso is also a "no" vote. [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette]
+ In her statement, Stefanik referred to "Albany's failed leadership and inability to rein in spending," which didn't go over well with Andrew Cuomo. [TU]
+ Cuomo said Monday that a shutdown of the federal government prompted by Democrats in Congress would be a justified move to fight to the tax plan. [Politico NY]
Casino revenue lagging far behind projections, questions about Albany org for homeless after death, Troy police chief retiring, whether to purse the farming life
Casino revenue
The actual revenues from the new casinos around the state -- and the resulting reductions in local municipal taxes -- are way behind the projections made when the idea was pitched to the public. [TU]
People who are homeless
+ The policies and management of the Homeless Action Committee in Albany are under scrutiny after a resident of the org's North Pearl Street facility was turned away for having alcohol one night earlier this month and was found dead outside in the cold the next morning. [TU]
+ A look at the Code Blue shelter in Schenectady and the efforts to meet the health needs of the people there. [Daily Gazette]
Missing woman found in ravine
North Greenbush police say a Troy woman last seen very early Sunday was found in a ravine Sunday evening. NGPD says she was found barely conscious and suffering from hypothermia. [TU] [Troy Record]
Deliberations in double murder trial, NY AG says he's suing over net neutrality rollback, Pearl St venue's liquor license suspended, the teen who saved his sister from a fire
Mero double murder trial
The jury is now deliberating in the trial of Edward Mero for the deaths of Megan Cunningham and Shelby Countermine. During closing arguments, the prosecution argued there are too many details pointing toward Mero for them to be coincidental. And the defense argued the prosecution lacks hard evidence connecting Mero to the deaths. [News10] [TU] [Spectrum]
Republican tax plan
+ John Faso is "likely a 'no'" on the latest version of the Republican tax plan being worked out between the House and Senate, while a spokesman for Elise Stefanik says she's "pleased it's moving in a positive direction." [TU]
+ The tax plan's cap on deductions for state and local taxes has some people in New York asking if they can pay their 2018 property taxes before the end of this year. [TU]
Albany police probe overnight shooting, Cohoes Dems back Morse, suspect in Blessings Tavern crash back in jail, $85M in REDC grants
Albany shootings
Albany police are investigating a shooting near Dove Street And Hudson Avenue that occurred late Wednesday night. The victim says he was attacked by four men who stole his wallet, punched him in the face and shot him in the foot and elbow. [WNYT][APD]
Albany man charged in shooting
Albany police have linked a Schenectady man to a Clinton Street shooting that took place on December 23 of 2016. [TU]
Morse
The Cohoes Democratic Committee is backing Shawn Morse in spite of allegations of domestic abuse against the mayor. Morse held a closed door meeting with committee members on Wednesday night to discuss the allegations as well as economic development issues. [WNYT][Spectrum][TU]
Gillibrand v. Trump, Morse denies new allegations and refuses to step down, David Sweat on hunger strike
Gillibrand and Trump
Kirstin Gillibrand called Donald Trump's Tuesday morning tweet about her a "sexual smear." Gillibrand has called on Trump to resign over allegations of sexual harassment, and Trump's tweet, some say, is giving her some useful limelight. [NYT][Specrtrum][TU]
Shawn Morse
New allegations of harassment and abuse against Shawn Morse have been leveled by the roommate of a former girlfriend.. Some officials are calling for his resignation, but Morse denies the allegations and he announced on Tuesday that he has no plans to resign. His announcement, met with applause from supporters. [Spectrum][Record][WNYT][TU]
[Spectrum]
Gillibrand calls for Trump to resign, Sheehan joins call for Morse to resign, ALB to BUF, the effects of expanding coverage for transgender people
Kirsten Gillibrand calls for Trump to resign
+ Kirsten Gillibrand on CNN Monday: "President Trump has committed assault, according to these women, and those are very credible allegations of misconduct and criminal activity, and he should be fully investigated and he should resign." She is now one of five Democratic Senators calling for the President to step down. [CNN] [Politico]
+ Cue the inevitable Twitter fight with Donald Trump. [Twitter]
Abuse allegations against Shawn Morse
+ On Monday Kathy Sheehan joined the chorus of local Democratic politicians calling for Cohoes mayor Shawn Morse to resign because of the domestic violence allegations against him. [TU]
+ Dan McCoy, to WNYT: ""Being a father of two daughters, being a husband, I can't condone any of this type of behavior. So if it comes out and it's true, for the people of Cohoes, the mayor should step aside." [WNYT]
+ From a statement released by Shawn Morse: "In the absence of a credible, sworn allegation that I engaged in wrongdoing, I respectfully request my fellow Democrats and the good people of Cohoes to keep an open mind and permit any such allegations to be resolved by the Courts, where I am entitled to the same measures of due process as any other citizen." [News10]
+ Chris Churchill on the prospects for Cohoes with Morse as its mayor: "Politicians will avoid Morse. Much worse for the city, businesses and developers may also stay away for fear of the damage that could come tying their reputations to the embattled mayor." [TU]
NY Governor 2018
State Assembly Republican minority leader Brian Kolb says he's into the pool for 2018 governor's race. [TU]
More allegations prompt call for Morse to step down, fatal shooting at downtown Albany venue, a year after an Adirondack rescue, UAlbany tops Siena in Albany Cup
Abuse allegations against Shawn Morse
+ Citing "three people with knowledge of the matter," the Times Union reports there are domestic abuse allegations against Cohoes mayor Shawn Morse that date back to the 1990s -- Morse did not comment on the allegations via an attorney, and his attorney said "it will be evident that the mayor did not engage in any wrongdoing or criminal conduct" in the recent incident involving his wife. [TU]
+ State Assembly member Pat Fahy on Twitter: "These are disturbing revelations from the @timesunion about a history of domestic violence and unacceptable behavior not becoming of the title "Honorable" from an elected official. Time for Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse to make an honorable move and step aside." Said Fahy to WNYT: "It is very upsetting and what bothered me the most is to see there's been such a strong history and such a disturbing disturbing pattern of violence and abuse." [@PatriciaFahy109] [WNYT]
+ Albany County Democratic Committee chair Jack Flynn to the TU: "If in fact, the allegations are found to be true, we ask that Mayor Morse resign from office immediately." [TU]
Fatal shooting in downtown Albany
Albany police say a man was fatally shot early Saturday morning at the Levels Banquet Hall on North Pearl Street. APD is asking anyone with information contact the department. (Steve Barnes on the backstory of the venue.) [APD] [TU]
Fights prompt closure of Albany High, waiting for word on GE cuts, Cuomo and the conference call, balancing the ballet at SPAC
Fights shut down Albany High
The Albany school district says there were several fights among Albany High School students during a fire drill toward the end of the school day Thursday and, as a result, the school will be closed Friday as staff review video. The district says 10 students were arrested and there could be additional arrests -- it also said there were no weapons involved. The incident prompted a large police response -- and many rumors about what did or did not happen. [Albany school district] [TU]
Double murder trial
The trial Thursday included testimony from a man who says he saw Edward Mero in the area where Shelby Countermine's body was found in Coeymans, and testimony from Countermine's father about exchanges he had with Mero around the time Countermine disappeared. [TU]
Sentencing in Rocks shooting
The man who pleaded guilty to the fatal shooting of Wendell Hill during a party at Rocks in Albany on Thanksgiving in 2016 was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Said Hill's mother at the sentencing: "Why did you take my baby from me?" [Spectrum] [TU]
GE Power may lose 12,000 jobs, Gillibrand & Schumer: Franken should resign, single vote decides Troy council race, Saratoga scraps two longtime festivals
GE Power to cut 12,000 jobs
GE Power may cut 12 thousand jobs in an effort to slash $2.5 billion in expenses. The reductions, account for about 18 percent of GE Power's workforce and are mostly expected to affect workers outside the U.S. [TU][Gazette]
Franken
Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer are among a group of Democratic senators calling for Al Franken to step down in light of harassment allegations. [NYT]
McGrath wins Troy council seat by single vote
Following the counting of three absentee votes, longtime Troy Councilman and Republican Mark McGrath beat Democratic challenger Cindy Blakely by a single vote.[TU][Record]
Shen land sale passes, Rotterdam police search for bank robber, 3 absentee ballots will decide Troy race, state of emergency lifted in Cohoes
Shen land vote
Voters overwhelmingly approved the $1.1 million deal for the Shenedehowa School District to sell 37-acres of undeveloped forest and wetlands to the town of Clifton Park.[TU][Gazette]
Mero murder trial
Employees of the Albany water department testified Tuesday that former employee Ted Mero, on trial for the Arcadia Avenue fire that killed 23 year old Megan Cunningham, boasted a few weeks before the blaze that he could burn a house down without getting caught. [TU]
Rotterdam bank robber
Police in Rotterdam are searching for the man who robbed the Altamont Avenue branch of the Pioneer Savings Bank on Tuesday afternoon. [WNYT]
Cuomo and other governors talk about suing over Republican tax plan, opening statements in double murder trial, treating kids suffering from trauma with care
Republican tax plan
+ Andrew Cuomo, California governor Jerry Brown, and New Jersey governor-elect Phil Murphy say they're looking at suing over the Republican tax plan that's moving through Congress because of it caps the exemption on property taxes and eliminates the deduction for state income tax. [TU] [Politico NY]
+ The exact effects of tax overhaul are still being sorted, but experts seem to be in agreement that it will have a significant effect on New York State, especially downstate. [TU]
+ The House version of the tax plan would count tuition waivers for graduate students as income, which an RPI official says would have a "chilling effect" on grad students. [Biz Review]
Body found in Delmar
Bethlehem police say they've identified the body found on the slope behind the Hoffman's car wash on Delaware Ave -- an adult woman -- and say there doesn't appear to be any foul play. [TU] [Spectrum] [WNYT]
The charges against the Rensselaer County DA, examining school segregation, perspectives on the rising minimum wage, 150 years in downtown Albany
Charges against Rensselaer County DA
+ From Friday: Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove was arranged on charges of felony perjury and two misdemeanor counts of official misconduct in connection with his handling of the fatal shooting of a man in 2016 by Troy police. The state Attorney General's office alleges that Abelove withheld evidence from the grand jury that initially reviewed the shooting case, "took the extraordinary step" of granting immunity to the police officer who testified before that grand jury, and then made a false statement to the grand jury reviewing his own conduct. [TU] [NYS OAG]
+ After the arraignment, Abelove said he's done nothing wrong and will not resign. [Troy Record] [News10]
+ The Cuomo admin says it's reviewing the situation, and while it's possible the governor could initiate a removal of the DA, experts say it's unlikely. [The Alt]
+ Independent of the charges on Friday, there are signs of problems in how the Rensselaer County DA's office is being run. [TU]
+ The office is up for election next year -- reviewing the the field of potential candidates. [TU]
Body found in Delmar
Bethlehem police say a hunter reported on Saturday finding human remains on the hillside behind the Hoffman's car wash on Delaware Ave. BPD says the body was decomposed to the point it was initially difficult to tell much about it. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. [News10] [WNYT] [TU]
Massive fire in Cohoes, absentee ballot allegations in Albany, layoffs at GE, so many apartments planned
Massive fire in downtown Cohoes
+ That huge fire on Remsen Street in downtown Cohoes Thursday afternoon and evening destroyed or damaged more 20 buildings. A resident told WNYT that the wind-blown fire looked like "a tornado fire" jumping from building to building. [TU] [WNYT]
+ Officials say no one was seriously injured, but approximately 20 people are thought to have been displaced by the fire. [News10] [Troy Record]
+ Crews totally more than 100 firefighters from fire departments around the Capital Region responded to the fire. [Spectrum]
+ A Cohoes man is accused of causing fire, and has been arraigned on arson and reckless endangerment charges. Authorities allege he was trying to bend metal for a sword in a fire in a barrel in his backyard and the fire got away from him. An assistant police chief called the fire "reckless arson." [Spectrum [WNYT] [TU]
+ Among the buildings affected is the historic Smith's Restaurant, which suffered heavy water damage. [Daily Gazette]
McLaughlin sanctioned in Assembly, Albany request $2 million for Cap Rep project,Troy seeks new Leonard Hospital proposal
McLaughlin sanctioned
Assemblyman and executive-elect Steve McLaughlin was sanctioned by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on Wednesday, for a June 2016 incident where he was alleged to have asked a female aide to give him nude photos. The sanction follows a 17-month ethics investigation into the incident. Chris Churchill makes the case that in this climate of famous and powerful men being called out for sexual harassment, McLaughlin, who won the race for executive before voters were told about the harassment allegations, is the luckiest politician around. [Spectrum][TU][TU]
Key theft leads to jail lockdown
The Schenectady County jail was locked down on Monday, after an inmate stole a set of keys in a sheriff's van. [TU]
Troy council rejects budget, Senate Dems may reunite, SUNY Poly bailout approved, Warren Buffett asked to remove oil trains from Adks
Troy budget
In a 7-2 vote, the Troy City Council rejected Mayor Patrick Madden's proposed budget on Tuesday and refused to move ahead on a $190 per residential unit trash fee that would be necessary to balance the spending plan. Without approval from the council, the mayor's budget will still technically take effect in December, and the gap would have to be addressed after the fact. [TU][Spectrum][WNYT]
Reuniting
Independent Democratic Conference leader Jeff Klein has reportedly agreed to a plan to reunite the conference with State Senate Democrats after nearly seven years apart. [Politico][TU]
Money for drinking water systems, the latest fight over the Troy budget, Schenectaday's plans for police body cameras, Phil Bayly is retiring
Drinking water
Albany, Schenectady, and Troy are each getting roughly $500k from the state to replace lead service lines in older sections of their drinking water systems. Joe Coffey, head of the Albany Water Department, says the money could cover the replacement 100-250 of the lines connecting homes to mains -- which he called "a good drop in the bucket." And Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy says the first step will be working to prioritize which pipes should be replaced. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Spectrum] [Daily Gazette]
State Senate
A group of top state Democratic Party officials are pitching a plan to re-unify the Democrats in the state Senate in order to regain a ruling coalition there. (The breakaway Independent Democratic Conference is currently aligned in a coalition with Republicans.) If that happens, it would make Brooklyn's Simcha Felder -- a Democrat who caucuses with the Republicans -- the 32nd vote in a chamber otherwise split 31-31. [TU] [Politico NY]
Albany double murder case
The man accused of killing Megan Cunningham in 2013 Albany fire and Shelby Countermine in 2014 allegedly talked with a date about getting "rid of people" and made other potentially incriminating statements to investigators and inmates, according to docs filed in court. [TU]
Tracking gun violence, Albany and density, what you know instead of who know, and state champs -- again
Gun violence
A look at every shots fired incident in Schenectady so far this year and efforts to gun violence. [Daily Gazette]
Absent teachers
Bethany Bump: "School districts in the Capital Region and beyond are increasingly having trouble filling classrooms with high-quality teachers, due to a growing shortage of substitute teachers and frequent teacher absences caused by illness, caregiving duties and required training, among other things." [TU]
Albany apartment projects
+ A development team is now proposing building 170 apartments on the Sandidge Way site near SUNY Poly in Albany. [Biz Review]
+ Chris Churchill on the recent mini-boom in apartment projects in Albany: "I get the complaints. It is hard for residents of established neighborhoods to welcome construction that may alter their ease of life. And it is certainly a good thing when residents want to protect their neighborhoods and demand quality from developers. But generally speaking, Albany should embrace this wave of new construction and the increasing population density it promises." [TU]
Accused shooter in Albany death arrested and dies later in the day, fight over Troy trash fee and budget, where Joe Biden ate after his Schenectady stop
Accused shooter in Albany death arrested, and dies later in the day
Albany police announced Tuesday that they had arrested Taron Robinson, who was accused of fatally shooting Christopher Hardy this past April near First Street and Quail Street. And Robinson -- who had been earlier diagnosed with terminal cancer -- died Tuesday night at Albany Med, according to Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple. Hardy was the biological brother of mayor Kathy Sheehan's adopted son, and Robinson was nephew of Common Council member Mark Robinson. [APD] [TU]
Troy trash fee
The Troy City Council rejected the Madden administration's proposed trash fee Tuesday night -- opponents called it a hidden tax and said the admin lacked a plan for moving the city toward pay as you throw. In a statement, Madden said the decision opens a $2.9 million hole in the budget. [Troy Record] [News10]
Schenectady police body cameras
Schenectady police are moving toward testing officer body cameras, maybe as early as February. [TU]
Fatal fire in Saratoga County, Albany budget passed, the Cuomo admin and Sam Hoyt, Joe Biden at Proctors
Fatal Saratoga County fire
A mother and daughter died in a house fire in Corinth Monday morning. Three other people, including two young children, were rescued and taken to the hospital. Officials have not yet indicated was caused the fire. [TU]
Albany budget
The Albany Common Council approved the 2018 budget 12-0 with a few changes, including a small reduction in the trash fee for multi-unit buildings and two-percent raise for council members. [TU]
Troy trash fee
Is a 17-year-old plan the way for Troy to move toward a pay-as-you-throw trash system? (A trash fee is currently a key issued for the Troy budget.) [Troy Record]
Reaction to guilty verdict in Troy murder trial, protest of police conduct in Troy, talking with Carolyn McLaughlin
Reaction to guilty verdict in the death of Noel Alkaramla
+ Debra Napoli -- Noel Alkaramla's mother, and Johnny Oquendo's former wife -- after Oquendo was found guilty Friday of murdering her daughter in Troy in 2015: "I'll never hold my child. I'll never be a grandmother. There's no time that can fill the empty space that he's left me in my heart ... Johnny, God's got a place for you and not in his kingdom. There's a place you will be going below, reserved in Hell." [Troy Record] [WNYT] [Spectrum]
+ Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove on Andrew Botts, the ADA who prosecuted the case and the subject of criticism from the trial judges for procedural issues: "He is the consummate professional, and this verdict bears out all the hard work he put into the case." [Spectrum]
+ Oquendo's attorney says he's planning to appeal. [TU]
Cuomo admin accused of not responding to sexual harassment complaint
The woman who's accused former Empire State Development Corp. regional president Sam Hoyt of sexually harassing her alleges in a lawsuit that the Cuomo administration exhibited "deliberate indifference" to her complaints about the state official. Cuomo admin counsel Alphonso David called the allegation "patently and demonstrably false." [NY Post] [NYT]
Local ethics boards
A Times Union review of local municipal ethics boards around the Capital Region "revealed many of the panels meet only 'as needed' and do not update their codes or proactively conduct investigations -- throwing them into a state of dormancy that can last years." [TU]
Jury deliberating in the murder of Noel Alkaramla, Gillibrand says Bill Clinton should have resigned, Bow Tie suing Troy over 1MSq
Trial in the death of Noel Alkaramla
The jury in now deliberating in the the trial of Johnny Oquendo -- accused of killing Noel Alkaramla in Troy, stuffing her body into a suitcase, and dumping it in the Hudson River. During closing arguments, the prosecution admitted its case was circumstantial, but pointed to testimony from neighbors about hearing a thud and seeing a suitcase at the bottom of the steps, video showing a shadowy figure heading to the river, and the testimony of Oquendo's former girlfriend that the suitcase belonged to him. The defense attacked the credibility of the former girlfriend, arguing her history of mental illness, work as a psychic medium, and possible axe to grind cast serious doubt on her testimony. [News10] [Troy Record] [TU] [Spectrum]
Republican tax plan
+ Five Republican members of New York's House delegation voted against the Republican tax plan that passed Thursday, including Elise Stefanik and John Faso. (Their objection was the removal of the deduction for state and local taxes.) [TU]
+ Andrew Cuomo said the four New York Republicans who voted for the plan are "treasonous" and tried to argued that John Faso's "no" vote wasn't enough -- that he should have resigned in protest. The state's Republican delegation pushed back on Cuomo's claims that he had been contact with them and that they told him their leadership were pushing them to vote "yes." [Politico x2]
Albany and sanctuary cities
Following the feds' warning this week that Albany's "sanctuary city" policies could endanger its federal funding, Kathy Sheehan appeared on Fox News Thursday night to spar with Tucker Carlson over the issue. [Fox News]
Faso/Stefanik to vote no on tax reform, Albany receives DOJ warning about sanctuary status, 50 foot spruce headed for ESP
Faso/Stefanik on tax reform
Both John Faso and Elise Stefanik have announced they will not support the House Republican tax reform legislation when it comes up for vote today. [TU][Stefanik.house.gov]
Albany receives DOJ warning
Mayor Kathy Sheehan has been warned by the Department of Justice that Albany's status as a sanctuary city puts the city at risk of losing federal grant funding. [TU]
Absentee ballots decide Troy races, Saratoga Charter reform may be defeated, star witness in Oquendo murder trail claims to communicate with the dead
Explosion causes fire at bottling plant
Fire officials say an exploding propane tank on a forklift at the Pepsi bottling plant in Latham is responsible for the fire that broke out at the plant at around 5 am. There were no injuries.
Oquendo murder trial
Tuesday in the Oquendo murder trial:
+Jurors saw the suitcase where prosecutors say they found the body of Noel Alkaramla. [WNYT]
+A star prosecution witness, Oquendo's former girlfriend, was expected to give testimony that would connect Oquendo to the suitcase, but but her credibility was called into question as the defense pointed out her admitted drug us, mental health problems, sexual contact with animals and claims that she communicates with the dead. [Record][TU]
Investigation of alleged Morse domestic incident turned over to State Police, change in leadership of Schenectady casino, school recess recession
Shawn Morse
Cohoes police say they're turning the investigation of the alleged domestic incident between mayor Shawn Morse and his wife over to State Police. "A person familiar with the case" tells the Times Union that the three Cohoes police officers who originally responded
Saratoga Springs charter vote and absentee ballots
Three members of the Saratoga Springs City Council voted Monday to authorize the city to spend up to $5,000 on an attorney to monitor the counting of absentee ballots for the charter change vote. The commissioners -- John Franck, Michelle Madigan, and Skip Scirocco, who have been opposed to the city changing its form of government -- didn't notify mayor Joanne Yepsen or fellow commissioner Chris Mathiesen of the meeting, and they faced an irked crowd of public commenters at the midday meeting. Bob Turner, who had been chair of the charter review commission, accused the commissioners of using public money to advance their own personal and political interests. The whole charter review process has been an ongoing drama. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Spectrum] [Daily Gazette]
Scrutiny of police response to Cohoes mayor's home, gaps in local infant mortality, proposed investments in Arbor Hill and Hamilton Hill, lost film wedding couple found
Shawn Morse
The Times Union reports that Cohoes police responded to the home of Cohoes mayor Shawn Morse Friday morning, and according to a police record, Morse's wife initially alleged to dispatchers that he had grabbed her by the throat and thrown her to the ground. From a statement released by Morse: "The claims made in the Albany Times Union are patently false." And in a Facebook post, Morse said he and his wife had been arguing "as we try to deal with the difficulties of raising our 15 year old." The Times Union reports that a photo posted on Facebook indicates that the Cohoes police captain who was dispatched to oversee the response at the Morse residence went on a social outing with his wife, Morse, and Morse's wife at the Rivers Casino Saturday night. [TU] [WNYT] [News10] [TU]
Gaps in infant mortality
Sara Foss is looking at infant mortality in the Capital Region, and notes that Albany County has the highest African-American infant mortality rate in the state -- 23.2 deaths per 1,000 live births compared to 4.7 deaths per 1,000 for white babies. [Daily Gazette]
Things get weird in Troy murder trial, talking with new Common Council members, video game makers call for tax breaks
Veterans Day is Saturday, but the federal observed holiday is Friday.
Trial in the death of Noel Alkaramla
+ Things got weird(er) Thursday in the trial of Johnny Oquendo for the death of Noel Alkaramla. Oquendo's attorney asked a prosecution witness -- who knew both Oquendo and Alkaramla -- if she and Oquendo had broken up because she had sex with a dog. The defense then alluded to mobile phone video and photos, the woman said any photos were made after they broke up, and the Oquendo's attorney asked if she needed to see the videos to refresh her memory -- and after a recess -- she ended up taking the 5th. [TU] [Troy Record]
+ Probably more important to the case is the issue of whether some DNA evidence will be allowed. (Geoff Redick has been posting detailed updates of the trial -- along with some explanations about procedure -- on Twitter.) [Spectrum] [@geoffredick]
AG review of Rensselaer County DA
It sounds like the state Attorney General's grand jury review of the Rensselaer County DA's handling of the fatal shooting of Edson Thevenin by Troy police is comparing that case with an earlier case that involved a much longer investigation. [TU]
Teen shot in Albany, Rensselaer County deputy fired after arrest, absentee ballots will decide Rensselaer races & Saratoga charter
Teen shot in Albany
A 17-year- old boy is recovering from an abdominal wound after he was shot on Hunter Avenue in the city at around 4 pm on Wednesday. [WNYT]
Active shooter training
The Clifton Park Library held an active shooter drill on Wednesday. [Gazette]
Guns
"All of these mass killings are senseless -- and yet they happen again and again"-- Chris Churchill on the Texas church shooting. [TU]
Absentee ballots will decide Rensselaer County races
Several Rensselaer County races, including the county executive race, will be decided by absentee ballots on Monday.[TU]
Saratoga Springs charter reform
Saratoga Springs residents will have to wait two weeks for a decision on reforming the city charter, while absentee ballots are counted. [Spectrum]
New Yorkers say no to Constitutional Convention, Albany's Sheehan will serve a second term, gorilla suit clad criminal attempts McDonald's robbery, six tons of turkey
Election results
+The proposed Constitutional Convention was soundly defeated in Tuesday's election.[NYT]
+Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan will serve another term.[TU]
+Paula Mahan will service a sixth term as Colonie supervisor. [TU]
+Democrat Meg Kelly will be the next mayor of Saratoga Springs. [Spectrum]
+Republican Steve McLaughlin declared victory in the race for Rensselaer County Executive, but with absentee votes not yet counted, and a less than 1,000 votes separating them, Democratic candidate Andrea Smyth is calling for a recount. [WNYT]
+Three Democratic incumbents on the Schenectady City Council held on to their seats. [Gazette]
+Democrats regained control of the Troy City Council with victories by Anasha Cummings, David Blissember, TJ Kennedy and Colleen Murtagh Paratore.[Record]
+Here are more results [AOA]
Moving election day to the weekend
Paul Tonko is one of the representatives behind a Federal effort to move election day to a weekend. [TU]
It's Election Day, many stories about guns, focus on suitcase in Troy murder trial, Chick-fil-A landing in the area
Election Day
+ It's today, of course. Polls are open until 9 pm. Don't know where to vote? Check with the state Board of Elections website.
+ A reminder that there are three statewide ballot questions on the backside of this year's ballot, including the question about a constitutional convention. So don't forget to flip the ballot over.
Guns
+ The Albany County Sheriff's Office says a Knox man is facing multiple weapons charges after authorities allege they found a collection of weapons at his home -- including grenades, a grenade launcher, and explosives. Albany County sheriff Craig Apple says the man's wife had called 911 worried he might kill himself, and authorities tracked him down at East Greenbush motel where he allegedly had an AR-15 and 50 rounds of ammunition. Apple on the collection of weapons at the man's home: "It was an insane scene." [Daily Gazette] [Spectrum] [TU]
+ Genville police say they've now arrested the second suspect in the Glenville gun shop burglary. Police also say the total number of guns stolen is thought to be 67 -- and about 20 of them have been recovered. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
+ Kirsten Gillibrand, on the floor of the Senate, on the mass shooting at a Texas church this past weekend: "Plain and simple, Americans are being slaughtered, and Congress is refusing to protect them." [TU]
+ Chris Churchill on the country's mass shootings: "They are weaklings who shoot to feel empowered. They are misanthropes jealous of happiness. The Sutherland Springs killer massacred children, for God's sake." [TU]
+ More than 80 people attended a Saratoga County Sheriff's Office workshop Monday about how to protect themselves during a mass shooting event. [Daily Gazette]
Election Day prep, concern about elimination of historic tax credit, arrest in Glenville gun store burglary, worms and cow-milking robots
Election Day
It's Tuesday, as you know:
+ A look at the three statewide ballot questions that will be on the back of everyone's ballots, including the question about whether to have a constitutional convention. [TU]
+ Election issue highlights from around the state. [Politico NY]
+ Saratoga Springs voters will choose whether to change the city's form of government. [Daily Gazette]
+ A profile of the race between Peter Crummey and Julian Schreibman for seven-county state Supreme Court judgeship that includes this area. [TU]
+ The fight over absentee ballots in the Albany's 11th ward has prompted a judge to order the ballots for the general election to not be counted until there's hearing about their validity. (It may not matter if the Common Council race isn't within the margin of the absentees.) [TU]
Republican tax plan
+ Local developers and officials say the potential elimination of the federal historic tax credit could have a big effect on this area, where the credit's been used to renovate many old buildings. [TU]
+ A proposed new tax on some private college endowments could hit schools such as Skidmore and Union. [Daily Gazette]
New York reaction to Republican tax plan, ICE arrest in Saratoga Springs, Rensselaer County exec debate, which jobs after learning to code?
Republican tax plan
Two provisions of the tax plan unveiled by House Republicans Thursday that will be get a lot of attention in here in New York: the elimination of the deduction for state and local taxes, and the capping of the property tax, and the capping of the mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes at $500k and property taxes at $10k. [NYT]
Reaction clips:
+ Elise Stefanik: "I will be working with my colleagues in the New York delegation to improve this plan to provide real tax relief for New Yorkers and to address the issue of state and local tax deductions." [Stefanik office]
+ John Faso: "I remain concerned about the elimination of the deduction for state income taxes and will continue to advocate for such a policy and ensure this plan works for New York middle class families." [Faso office]
+ Paul Tonko: ""While I am just beginning to analyze this 429-page tax bill, it is already clear that this would be a massive giveaway to corporations and the wealthiest families at the expense of America's middle-class and working families who haven't gotten a real raise in decades." [Daily Gazette]
+ Andrew Cuomo: "It affects about 12 states the hardest. All 12 states happen to be states that are so-called blue states. And not that I'm going to succumb to the conspiracy theory, but it's a heck of a coincidence." [Cuomo admin]
Trial in the death of Noel Alkaramla
Thursday included testimony from two prosecution witnesses -- and, a described by Geoff Redick, a "chaotic string of objections, private discussions, and long breaks away from the jury." [Troy Record] [Spectrum]
Skidmore alum killed in Monday's NYC attack, damaging testimony stricken in Oquendo murder trial, former Palace executive director to run Cohoes Music Hall
Schumer / Trump on NYC Attack
At a news conference on Wednesday, Chuck Schumer said Donald Trump should "stop tweeting and start leading" after Trump tweeted this week that the suspected NYC terrorist charged with killing eight people in lower Manhattan on Monday "came into our country what is called the 'Diversity Visa Lottery Program,' a Chuck Schumer beauty." An AP fact check reveals that the lottery program was a bipartisan effort. [TU][NYT]
Skidmore graduate killed in NYC attack
A 2016 Skidmore graduate who was working as a software engineer, analyst and web developer was one of the eight people killed in Monday's attack in lower Manhattan.[Gazette] [TU]
Siena Poll: 57% would vote against Constitutional Convention, opening statements in Alkaramla murder trial, retrial slated for Skelos and son
New Yorkers on Con Con
The latest Siena Poll shows 57 percent of likely voters across the state would say no to a Constitutional Convention.[TU]
Noel Alkaramla murder trial
A Rensselaer County Court jury heard the details of Noel Alkaramia's death as opening statements were made in the murder trial of her stepfather Johnny Oquendo. [WNYT][TU]
Allegations and counter allegations over absentee ballots in Albany, complications related to the Hilton Albany labor dispute, supervisor sues his own town, "avalanche of interest" in dough boys
Scrutiny of absentee ballots in Albany
A group of current and former local elected officials appeared outside the the state Board of Elections offices in downtown Albany Monday morning to call for an investigation of the use of increased use of absentee ballots in the Albany primary election -- a few of the political figures targeted in the accusations say they were making it easier for people to vote and the allegations are an attempt to suppress dissenting votes. [TU]
Gun shop robberies
+ The burglary of a Central Ave gun shop early Sunday morning in which five handguns were stolen took just 17 seconds. Police say they don't think it's connected to the recent gun shop burglary in Glenville. [WNYT x2]
+ A gun shop owner tells News10 it's not realistic to lock up a shop's guns every night. [News10]
Albany police and immigrant communities
An important question prompted by an incident in which an Albany police officer allegedly told a person while responding to a domestic violence call, "If you're going to live in this country, you need to learn to speak English": What is the APD is doing to make sure it can communicate with people among the city's diverse array of immigrant communities, some of whom speak languages for which finding a translator might be difficult? [TU]
Scrutiny of Albany absentee ballots, settlement in county jail death, potential path for convention center land development, $7 million for ASO
Scrutiny of absentee ballots in Albany
A group of forty current and former local elected officials is asking the state Board of Elections and the state Attorney General, and the Albany County DA to look into alleged "wrongful activity in the absentee ballot process" during this year's primary elections in the city and county of Albany. (See reporting by Amanda Fries last week about the allegations.) [TU x2]
Another gun store burglary
+ Colonie police say a gun store on Central Ave was burglarized early Sunday morning and the suspect took five handguns. It's the second gun store robbery in the region over the past week, following the burglary in Glenville. [TU] [News10] [Daily Gazette]
+ There's now a $15k reward offered for info leading to the arrest of two "persons of interest" in the Glenville case. [TU]
Settlement in Albany County jail death
A private medical contractor and Albany County have settled a lawsuit over the death of Troy man in the county jail in 2014 for almost $1.1 million -- a case in which a state commission that reviewed what happened determined the medical care provided to the man, who had suffered a stroke, was "so grossly inadequate ... it shocks the conscience." [TU]
Faso and Stefanik vote no on federal budget resolution, concerns about Sheridan Hollow microgrid project, shortage of substitute teachers, former brewery building sold
New York and the federal budget
John Faso and Elise Stefanik were among the 20 House Republicans who voted against the federal budget resolution that narrowly passed Thursday. Both cited the potential elimination of the tax deduction for state and local taxes as a reason for their "no" vote. (New York officials -- including Andrew Cuomo and Chuck Schumer -- have been pushing hard against this provision of the Republican tax plan.) [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Microgrid plant in Sheridan Hollow
The New York Power Authority says it will be doing a full environmental impact study on the proposed natural gas-fired cogeneration plant at the state's Sheridan Hollow steam facility that would be used to power a microgrid for ESP and other nearby facilities. The plan is meeting resistance from neighborhood and environmental activists worried about local pollution effects and the use of fossil fuels. Former regional EPA administrator Judith Enck says the use of natural gas for the plant is "a terrible mistake." [TU] [Politico NY]
Sex offender to stay confined
The man who tried to kidnap a Saratoga Springs High School cross country runner in 2005 -- and was set to be released from prison today -- will continue to be confined, the the state Corrections and Community Supervision announced Thursday. The state attorney general's office had filed Thursday morning for civil confinement for the man, and a state Supreme Court issued the order later in the day. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Cuomo retuning to Puerto Rico, parol for convict involved in grisly '93 murder, puppy stolen from Crossgates pet store
Cuomo will return to Puerto Rico
Andrew Cuomo is headed back to Puerto Rico today, the second time since the island was hit by Hurricane Maria. [TU]
Albany mayoral race
A look at the three challengers facing off against Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan in the upcoming general election. [TU]
State to study New York's cancer disparity
Andrew Cuomo was in Glens Falls on Wednesday to announce an effort to help reduce cancer in parts of the state where it is highest. Cuomo said cancer rates are 20 percent higher in Warren County than in New York City, and said researchers will be examining those trends to find the reason for the disparity. [News 10][Post Star]
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]
Schumer and Cuomo push back on Congressional tax plan, Bow Tie looking for refund on 1 Monument Square, fiber optic Saratoga?, designing the Cohoes riverfront
New York vs. the Congressional Republican tax plan
Chuck Schumer and Andrew Cuomo made a rare joint appearance Monday outside a home in Selkirk to push back against the tax plan moving through Congress that would remove the deduction for state and local taxes. Cuomo called it "an attempted death blow" to the state. And Schumer described eliminating the deduction as "double taxation on the middle class." The offices of John Faso and Elise Stefanik said the local Republican Congress members don't support the elimination of the deduction. [Politico NY] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
1 Monument Square
In its letter canceling its land development agreement for 1 Monument Square, Bow Tie is demanding the return of its $60k deposit and the reimbursement of $186k it says it spent on the project. [TU]
Teachers and students
There's research that indicates that students of colors perform better in school when they have at least a few teachers who are people of color -- yet people of color make up small percentages of the teaching workforce in districts such as Albany and Schenectady. [TU]
Cardi B booted by Albany hotel, congestion concerns in Colonie, ethics climate at Capitol "really is not good," work begins on River Street building conversion
Cardi B
Following her show at the TU Center Saturday, Cardi B and her associates were booted from the Hilton Albany after alleged complaints about noise and the odor of marijuana. The rapper said on Instagram that no one in her group was smoking, and attributed their removal to racism (she's since removed videos about the incident). Albany police say they could smell marijuana in the hotel, but there was no evidence it came from rooms connected to Cardi B and the decision to have her group removed was the decision of the hotel. [News10] [TMZ] [TU] [Spectrum]
Constitutional convention
Surveying the various perspectives on whether voters should vote yes or no on whether to have a state constitutional convention, and the "pretty strange bedfellows" created by the topic. [Daily Gazette x2]
Colonie supervisor election
+ An overview of the issues in the race for Colonie supervisor, in which incumbent Democrat Paula Mahan is facing Republican Albany County legislator Frank Mauriello. [TU]
+ Chris Churchill on the traffic, congestion, and development pressures that are the forefront of frustrations in the Capital Region's second most populous municipality. [TU]
Four Amazon bids from New York, questions about hiring of new Palace leader, pedestrian dies from crash injuries, use of elephants in circuses banned
Amazon bids
+ Here's a snapshot of the Capital Region's bid for Amazon's second headquarters. The pitch was hand delivered to Amazon in Seattle. [AOA] [Biz Review]
+ There were four bids from New York State: the Capital Region, the New York City area, Buffalo/Rochester, and Syracuse/Utica. [Spectrum]
Palace intrigue
Steve Barnes reports that sources tell him that the new head of the Palace Theatre "was hired without input from at least a third of its board of directors and without the outgoing director's knowledge that a search for her replacement had been conducted." [TU]
Sentencing in Albany murder
Gerard Burks -- the man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the beating death of Lori Milks outside the South Mall Towers -- was sentenced to 18.5 years to life in prison. [TU]
Cyclist dies in crash, Albany to begin search for police chief, pedestrian hit in Niskayuna, Palace names new executive director
Cyclist hit
A cyclist was taken to Albany Med with serious injuries after a crash with a vehicle on Washington Avenue Extension around 5:30 am Thursday. Update: Albany police say the cyclist has died. [WNYT] [APD]
Pedestrian hit in Niskayuana
A pedestrian is in critical condition after he was struck by a car on State Street near Balltown Road in Niskayuna on Wednesday night. [Spectrum]
Albany police chief search
Ten months after former Albany police chief Brendan Cox left his post, the city is hiring a search firm to find a new police chief. [TU]
Sorting the 1 Monument Square situation, DA calling 1995 Schenectady murder solved, local company says Uber/Lyft have taken almost half of its taxi business
1 Monument Square
+ Talking with a bunch of interests in downtown Troy about how to move forward at the 1 Monument Square site. [The Alt]
+ Sam Judge, the Troy developer and property owner whose lawsuit apparently tripped up the movie theater project, to the Business Review: "The suggestion that the site is doomed or no other reputable developer will develop the site is preposterous." Judge also alleges that Steve Strichman, Troy's commissioner of planning and economic development, threatened the developer's ability to do business in the city if he didn't drop the legal action -- Strichman denies the allegation. [Biz Review x2]
+ Judge to Chris Churchill: "I couldn't in good conscience sit back and watch while parking problems went from bad to worse." [TU]
+ The Madden administration says it's considering options for Riverfront Park access at the 1 Monument Square site, along with staged development. [Troy Record]
+ Cohoes is now trying to make a play for the project -- its director of community and economic development says the city has three sites downtown in mind. [WNYT]
Schenectady murder cold case closed
Schenectady County DA Robert Carney announced Monday that his office has closed the case on the 1995 murder of Suzanne Nauman. The DA says an examination of DNA evidence suggests that the perpetrator was Stanislaw Maciag, who killed himself in prison in 1997. State and city investigators were prompted to look at Maciag's potential involvement by a Daily Gazette editorial that noted the parallels of Nauman's murder to another case. [TU] [Spectrum] [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady police oversight
The state's highest court ruled Tuesday that Schenectady's public safety commissioner does have the authority discipline police officers. [Daily Gazette]
Looking at the state of assault weapons and the SAFE Act, Rensselaer riverfront part of local Amazon bid, SPAC to reduce ballet residency
Guns
Looking at the number of assault weapons in New York State, its laws about them, and the degree to which they're enforced. [Daily Gazette]
State AG review of Rensselaer County DA
A Rensselaer County assistant district attorney who was fired this month testified Friday before a grand jury as part of the state attorney general's office review of the Rensselaer County DA's handling of the fatal April 2016 fatal Troy police shooting. [TU]
Albany County Land Bank
A look at the progress of the Albany County Land Bank -- now the second biggest in the state -- and the challenges it faces in its mission to get vacant and foreclosed properties back into productive use. [TU]
Amazon
The Rensselaer riverfront is one of the sites highlighted in the Capital Region's bid for Amazon's second headquarters. [Biz Review]
1 Monument Square
ICYMI, as they say: The movie theater project for 1 Monument Square in Troy is off, the Madden administration announced late Friday afternoon. [AOA]
Guilty pleas in murder cases, more details in alleged Howard Johnson's harassment, talking about Troy trash fee
Guilty plea in Rocks shooting
The man accused of the fatal shooting at Rocks in Albany in the early morning of Thanksgiving last year has pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. He faces up to 25 years in prison. He had faced 25 years to life if convicted at trial of second-degree murder. [Albany County DA] [TU]
Guilty plea in Hadley ax murder
The Hadley man accused of using an ax to kill his wife at their home this past May has pleaded guilty second-degree murder. He faces 20 years to life in prison. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Sentencing in fatal crash
The Corinth woman who pleaded guilty in the fatal crash that killed her infant daughter -- prosecutors alleged she was under the influence of drugs at the time -- was sentenced to 4-12 years in prison. [Daily Gazette]
Register to vote
Today is the deadline to register to vote for the November election. It's also the deadline to switch your party affiliation if you want to vote in next year's primaries. [NYS BOE]
Lake George HoJo's operator charged with sexually harassing employees, Schenectady County approves budget with 1% tax cut, RPI students to protest for Union control at Homecoming alumni event
Howard Johnson's operator charged with sexually harassing employees
The operator of the Howard Johnson's in Lake George is accused of sexually harassing female employees over the past year. Jonathan LaRock is accused of sexually harassing approximately 15 current and former female employees, some as young as 17-years-old. [Spectrum][TU][Gazette]
Schenectady County budget
The Schenectady County Legislature voted on Wednesday to adopt a $319.83 million 2018 budget that, due to casino revenue, includes a 1 percent tax cut[TU]
Special session
Andrew Cuomo continues to threaten a special session of the legislature, and some legislators say they are good with that, as long as there is a clear agenda. [TU][Spectrum]
Shooting during neighbor dispute, criticism of coverage of hate group claims, dirt bikes on city streets, 90 years old and still cutting hair
Shot during neighbor dispute
State Police say a Moreau man was shot during a dispute with a neighbor Sunday night -- he was airlifted to Albany Med with serious injuries and is expected to survive. The neighbor is facing charges of first-degree assault and first-degree criminal use of a firearm. A neighbor says she heard five loud noises that sounded like fireworks. [NYSP] [WNYT] [Spectrum]
Albany police West Hill search
Albany police were searching the Central/Lexington area of West Hill Monday following an armed robbery at a mobile phone store (map) in the morning, and they were continuing to survey a nearby spot on Sherman Street where a man had been fatally shot Sunday. [TU]
Register to vote
The deadline to register to vote for the November election -- or to change your party enrollment for next year's primaries -- is this Friday. [TU]
Two decades for a crime he didn't commit, Cuomo says NY birth control coverage mandate will continue, bill proposes to change Columbus Day
Monday is Columbus Day. Some things are closed, some things are not. Check before you go.
Two decades for a crime he didn't commit
Brendan Lyons talks with Carl Dukes -- the man who served two decades in prison for a 1997 Albany murder he did not commit -- about how he was coerced into a statement by Albany police detectives, the despair he felt after being sent to prison, and how he eventually came to some sort of peace with what happened. [TU]
Albany fatal shooting
Albany police are investigating a fatal shooting on Sherman Street Sunday afternoon (map). A man told News10 that he heard four shots. APD is asking members of the public who might have info to come forward. [APD] [News10] [WNYT]
Cuomo seeks in-state tuition rates for students from Puerto Rico, Albany schools could take in students from Puerto Rico, Nobel prize work traced back to Wadsworth Center
Tuition for students from Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico
Andrew Cuomo is asking New York State colleges to offer in-state tuition rates for students from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. [TU]
Albany schools may take students from Puerto Rico
Officials from the Albany City School District say the district is prepared to take in some new students from Puerto Rico while the island rebuilds after Hurricane Maria. [TU]
Corruption retrials
Corruption retrials of Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver may end up playing out during an election year. [NYT]
Cuomo says now is the time to discuss gun control, student threat caused Ballston Spa School lockdown,30 year anniversary of October snowstorm
Guns
+In the aftermath of the Las Vegas shooting that killed 59 people and injured more than 500 others, Andrew Cuomo says Trump administration claims that "now is not the time to discuss gun control" are "ludicrous", and claims the administration is afraid to act because they don't want to upset the NRA. [TU]
+Chuck Schumer called on Donald Trump to work work with legislators from both sides of the aisle on gun control in the wake of the shooting in Vegas.[TU]
+A primer on New York gun laws[NYT]
Reaction to Las Vegas mass shooting, Albany snow shoveling law change approved, gondola project adds high-profile director
Las Vegas mass shooting
+ A Clifton Park woman who was at the concert on the experience of living through the incident, to the Times Union: "At one point, you're listening to a performer you love so much and then next you're on the ground fearing for your safety." [TU]
+ A local man who was at the hotel, to News10 up returning at ALB: "We thought it was a helicopter at first then all of a sudden we see people running and people were bleeding, it was just crazy." [News10]
+ At event in Colonie Monday, Kirsten Gillibrand said Congress hasn't passed a range "common sense" gun policies because it's "too weak and too cowardly" to stand up to the gun manufacturers. [WNYT] [TU]
+ Paul Tonko: "Congress has had many, many opportunities to take up common-sense firearms reform, hundreds of devastating attacks from Columbine to Sandy Hook, and has repeatedly failed to adopt any meaningful protections. That must change." [Daily Gazette]
+ A roundup of more reactions from New York Congressional delegation. [Spectrum]
Scanning municipal budgets, concerns among immigrants and farms about enforcement, local singer on The Voice
Municipal budgets
+ Kathy Sheehan's proposed 2018 Albany city budget (pdf) includes includes a decrease in spending of less than half a percent and an increase in the taxes of not-quite 1 percent. It also again relies on $12.5 million in "capital city funding" from the state. [TU]
+ Gary McCarthy's proposed Schenectady city budget includes a 1-percent property tax cut, and projects about $2.3 million in revenue from casino payments. The overall proposed budget is $85.24 million, an increase of not quite 1-percent from the 2017 adopted budget. [Daily Gazette] [Spectrum] [TU] [City of Schenectady]
+ Joe Landry's proposed Niskayuna town budget includes a 2-percent reduction in the tax rate and holds spending essentially flat compared to this year. [TU]
+ Homeowners in some sections of Guilderland were unexpectedly hit with double-digit percentage school district tax increases recently because of how the equalization rate was figured for the town. [TU]
Albany County DA
Chris Churchill argues the office of Albany County DA David Soares should show leniency to a veteran facing possible jail time for a burglary charge -- the man suffered from PTSD and substance abuse, and is now getting treatment. [TU]
Immigrants and farms
A look at how complications and uncertainty in the nation's immigration system -- and now concerns about immigration enforcement -- are squeezing New York farms and farm workers. [TU]
Questions following Glenville's plant's second explosion, Niskayuna students kneel during national anthem, conviction in Schenectady murder, giving random people $100
Glenville explosion
Glenville supervisor Chris Koetzle said the explosion at Mohawk Asphalt Emulsions Thursday morning -- the second major explosion in a year -- is evidence the facility should move from its location along the Mohawk River. The company says it's stopped manufacturing a kerosene solution that contributed to the blast. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Taking a knee
Six Niskayuna High School football players and one cheerleader kneeled during the national anthem ahead of their game with Guilderland Thursday night. Said one of the players to the Daily Gazette: "The reason is there are some social injustices happening in this nation. And, yeah, OK, I'm just 16, I'm just a high school senior -- but it's my job, just like it's anyone else's, to be a voice and to speak against those injustices. I feel like it's my job to speak." [News10] [Daily Gazette]
Taxes
The Cuomo has released projections of how much it figures the proposed Republican federal tax plan would cost New Yorkers if the deduction for state and local taxes is eliminated. In the Capital Region, the Cuomo admin estimates some 160,000 taxpayers would face an average increase of $3,088. [NYT] [Cuomo admin]
Explosion at asphalt plant, NY to send troopers to Puerto Rico, deer that attacked Troy man was rabid, CDTA plan for regional taxi system
Explosion at asphalt plant
Schenectady police blocked Freemans Bridge Road this morning after an explosion at an asphalt plant . Two men died last year in another explosion at the plant, and the company was fined by OSHA for safety violations in connection with that incident. [Gazette][WNYT][TU]
Puerto Rico
Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that one hundred New York state troopers will be sent to Puerto Rico and will be deputized to carry out law enforcement activities there. [WNYT][TU]
Cuomo on tax reform plan
Andrew Cuomo on Donald Trump's proposed tax reform: "It is the height of hypocrisy. You have an administration saying I want to cut taxes and now literally they want to tax you on the taxes that you pay." [Daily News]
Commisso Jr. won't campaign on Independence line, two displaced by Rotterdam fire, Schenectady County announces Street Crime Task Force,Troy man rescued from deer attack
Commisso
Frank Commisso Jr. announced Tuesday that he will not actively campaign for votes on the Independence Party line in the Albany Mayoral general election. [TU]
Two displaced in Rotterdam Fire
A two-alarm fire displaced two residents of an apartment complex and damaged a swimming pool installation business in Rotterdam
Street crime task force
Schenectady County leaders announced a Street Crime Interdiction Task Force, composed of officers from the Sherif's Department and municipal police departments, to focus on high crime areas in the county. ]Gazette][Spectrum]
Troy murder trial delayed over location tech evidence, Skelos conviction overturned , UAlbany as "an anchor institution for our community"
Trial in the death of Noel Alkaramla
The trial of Johnny Oquendo -- accused of killing Noel Alkaramla in Troy in 2015, putting her body in a suitcase, and dumping it in the Hudson River -- was set to start Tuesday, but it's been delayed until late October in order for the judge to hear arguments over the admissibility of mobile phone location data from a Google service. [Troy Record] [TU]
Crime
The FBI released crime statistics from its Uniform Crime Reporting program for 2016, and they indicate there was an uptick in violent crimes in the city of Albany compared to the previous two years. [FBI] [Daily Gazette]
Skelos conviction overturned
A federal appeals court has overturned the corruption convictions of former state Senate majority leader Dean Skelos and his son, Adam Skelos. [NYT]
New casinos lagging revenue predictions, alleged election shenanigans, the 1 Monument Square drama, a really big pumpkin
Casinos
+ All three of the new full casinos in New York State are behind projections for revenue -- and, as a result, also behind projection on the amount of money they'd be providing to municipalities. A breakdown of the numbers. [TU x2]
+ A few different views on the effect of the casino in Schenectady so far. [TU]
+ See also: The Daily's Gazette's tracking of Rivers revenue. [Daily Gazette]
Puerto Rico
New York State is coordinating a donation drive to assist Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday: "Look, to our colleagues in the federal government, I humbly suggest that at this time instead of arguing with football players, instead of obsessing about how to take health care from the poor in this country, why don't we put the politics aside and focus on helping Americans in desperate need." [TU] [NYS] [Politico NY]
South Glens Falls school bus incident
The South Glens Falls transgender teen who was ordered off a school bus last week after not complying with an order from the bus driver to sit with the girls: "I don't hate the bus driver for what he did ... I believe a lot of instances like this come from a place of ignorance." [News10]
Trucks destroyed in Voorheesville explosion, students defend transgender teens on school bus, charges in crash with cyclist, significant downtown Albany resident project facing redesign
Voorheesville explosion
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says an explosion at a state Department of Transportation site in Voorheesville Friday morning destroyed three dump trucks worth an estimated $500k. Neighbors reported hearing multiple explosions. The cause hasn't been determined, but investigators are calling it suspicious. [TU] [News10] [Spectrum]
South Glens Falls school bus incident
Students on a South Glens Falls school bus came to the defense of two transgender students this week when during an incident captured on video in which the bus driver kicked the two students off the bus. The district superintendent says the bus driver was wrong and "we're going to use this as a learning experience." [TU] [News10]
Puerto Rico
Andrew Cuomo, a group of state officials, and experts from the New York Power Authority are headed to Puerto Rico to survey damage from Hurricane Maria and offer assistance. [TU]
Albany assessment error cost $90 thousand, Father's Day shooting suspect arrested, pair of teens suspects in fatal Mechanicville shooting, Egg to get $4 M shell
Albany assessment mistake cost $90,000
A mistake by the former Albany assessor cost the city about $90 thousand. Investigation into the mistake showed 9 of 27 properties granted commercial or mixed use tax exemptions did not qualify for the exemption.
Algae in Albany reservoir
The Basic Creek Reservoir in Westerlo, which is Albany's backup water source, has been affected by an algae bloom that has been a problem in bodies of water around New York State. [TU][WNYT]
Albany mayoral primary breakdown
Kathy Sheehan took 12 of the city's 15 wards in last weeks mayoral primary, with Carolyn McLaughlin taking two and Frank Commisso Jr, winning just his own ward.
Cuomo blasts latest Obamacare repeal effort, New York grants $38 million to SUNY Poly, Shen agreement to sell controversial lot to Clifton Park
Cuomo blasts new Obamacare repeal effort
Andrew Cuomo voiced opposition on Tuesday to the latest Republican effort to repeal Obamacare and said if there is not replacement for the plan by October 1, New York stands to loose up to $2.6 billion in federal aid to hospitals that serve the uninsured. [TU]
$38 million for SUNY Poly
A week after it received a $25 million loan from the State University of New York, SUNY Poly's real estate arm will get a $38.5 million grant from New York State to help pay for its $324 million computer chip manufacturing research facility. [TU]
Meyer concedes Rensselaer County exec race, police department transparency criticized, arrest over dog left in hot car
Rensselaer County exec election
Christopher Meyer has formally conceded the Republican and Conservative primaries to Steve McLaughlin in the race for Rensselaer County exec. (Meyer would have needed an unusually large share of the outstanding absentee votes to make up the election day gap with McLaughlin.) McLaughlin will face Democrat Andrea Smyth and Green Party candidate Wayne Foy in the general election. [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Schenectady shooting
Schenectady police say a 15 year old was shot in the leg around 10 am in Hamilton Hill (map). SPD detectives were reviewing video from the multiple cameras in the area. The shooting was across the street from a new $18 million affordable housing development and it appeared a stray bullet had shattered window there. [Spectrum] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
Police transparency
The New York Civil Liberties Union reports that of 23 police departments around the state from which it requested records on topics such as use of force, just one delivered the info without an administrative appeal or lawsuit. That group of 23 included the departments from the four core cities of the Capital Region. [NYCLU] [TU]
Plea for info on serious downtown Albany hit and run, proposal to crack down on credit reporting agencies, Albany considering sale of Coeymans land, riding the rails in old-school style
Pedestrian injured in Albany hit and run
A 58-year-old man said he was hit by a vehicle while crossing Broadway in downtown Albany Friday afternoon -- then kept going. Albany police say they don't have many details, only that the vehicle was silver. The man who was hit -- Louis Sanford Jr., who works at the Pearl Street Diner -- suffered serious injuries. [News10] [TU x2]
Credit agency crackdown
The Cuomo admin is proposing stricter state rules for reporting agencies -- such as Equifax -- that would regulate the agencies more like banks and insurance companies. [NYT]
Cuomo trip to US Virgin Islands
+ Andrew Cuomo visited the US Virgin Islands Friday and said the state would be sending New York National Guard and State Police personnel there to assist with recovery efforts. [TU]
+ Jimmy Vielkind on Cuomo's trip: "Foreign travel is not an explicit part of governing a U.S. state, but upwardly mobile governors have frequently found reasons to venture abroad and gain some standing to talk about foreign affairs." [Politico NY]
+ Steve McLaughlin: "He'll spend more time on that airplane than he did in Hoosick Falls when we had a water contamination issue." [News10]
Lawsuit over Albany wrongful imprisonment, questions about inspector's whereabouts in Jay Street fire case, proposal to redevelop Playdium site
Lawsuit over Albany wrongful imprisonment
Two men wrongfully convicted of an Albany murder -- and who spent almost two decades in prison as a result -- are suing the city of Albany a group of former Albany police detectives alleging police used fabricated evidence and coercion to get incriminating statements. [TU]
Jay Street fire
Investigators have street surveillance video that allegedly shows Schenectady city code inspector Kenneth Tyree at a different location for some of the time that he's said he was at the inspection for 104 Jay Street -- and at a pre-trial hearing Thursday an agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives testified that Tyree told him didn't have an explanation. Tyree faces multiple charges related to the inspection of the Jay Street building and the fatal fire there. [Daily Gazette]
Watervliet firefighter and police officer facing possible discipline
A Watervliet firefighter and police officer are both facing possible disciplinary action -- and the firefighter a harassment charge -- after an incident involving a third man outside a Stewart's that allegedly involved a thrown cup of hot coffee. The third man tells News10 the dispute is a tangent (via Facebook) of the situation surrounding former Watervliet police officer Joshua Spratt. [Troy Record] [TU] [News10]
Schumer announces deal for "Dreamers", charges dropped for double homicide suspect, SUNY Poly gets $25 million bailout, water taxi coming to Schenectady
Schumer meets with Trump on DACA
Following a dinner with Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer announced a deal to protect nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as children.[TU]
Unsettled Albany council races
Judd Krasher is holding out for absentee ballot totals before admitting defeat in the 11th Ward primary election. Incumbent 3rd Ward Councilman Ron Bailey says he'll be continuing to the general election on the Working Families and Independence parties' lines. [TU]
Charges dropped in double homicide
A judge has dismissed all charges against the suspect who was alleged to be the ring leader in the killings of two Troy roommates earlier this year, saying there was not sufficient evidence to support the indictment of 27 year old Cresencio Salazar.
[TU]
Sheehan takes Albany primary, Schenectady D.A. named Troy special prosecutor, TU Center bans elephant acts
Primary results
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan easily defeated primary challengers Frank Commisso Jr. and Carolyn McLaughlin on Tuesday. Here's a look at more of Tuesday's Albany primary results. McLaughlin told a a crowd she still believed in a bright future for Albany but said it couldn't be business as usual. Commisso Jr., who has the Independence Party line, said he will make decisions about November over the next few days. Only two votes separated the candidates in Albany's Green Party mayoral primary. [Spectrum] [AOA] [TU] [TU]
Rensselaer County exec
Steve McLaughlin is ahead of Christopher Meyer in the Republican primary for Rensselaer County executive by 339 votes. McLaughlin declared victory Tuesday, but Meyer didn't concede. [Rensselaer County BOE] [TU]
Schenectady DA named special prosecutor in Troy case
Schenectady county DA Robert Carney has been named the special prosecutor in the investigation into the Troy police shooting of parole absconder Dahmeek McDonald in August. [TU]
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It's primary day, McLaughlin questions Albany mayoral poll, ICE resumes arrests in Saratoga, 1 Monument Sq project pulled from agenda
Primary Day
+ Polls are open from noon to 9 pm.
+ Don't know where to vote? Check with the state Board of Elections website.
+ Don't know which offices and candidates are on the ballot where you live? Check with your county Board of Elections website (here's Albany County).
+ Sara Foss: "We all want better political candidates and better politicians, but unless we turn out and vote we're never going to get them." [Daily Gazette]
Albany mayoral primary
+ Candidate interviews: Carolyn McLaughlin | Frank Commisso Jr. | Kathy Sheehan.
+ On Monday, Carolyn McLaughlin publicly questioned the methods used in the Siena poll that indicated Kathy Sheehan has a large lead over McLaughlin and Frank Commisso Jr. [TU] [Spectrum]
Preparing for Primary Day, push to reduce grace period for clearing snowy sidewalks, rising tide for Castleton?
Primary Day
Primary Day is Tuesday:
+ An overview of key races around the Capital Region, many of them in the city of Albany. [TU]
+ Kathy Sheehan continues to have a relatively large lead in the Albany Democratic primary for mayor, according to a new Spectrum/Siena poll. [Spectrum] [SRI]
+ A look at where the Albany mayoral candidates stand on the future of the city landfill, which is projected to close in early 2023. [TU]
+ An overview of the seven people running for three Albany city judge seats. [TU]
+ A look at the primaries in Schenectady County. [Daily Gazette]
Don't know what's on the ballot Tuesday for where you live -- or where to vote? Check with your county board of election website.
Steve McLaughlin
Another turn in the recent drama surrounding state Assemblyman/Rensselaer County exec candidate Steve McLaughlin and a staffer. [TU]
Response to Hurricane Irma, Habitat looking at West Hill project, state's highest court rules against assisted suicide, Amtrak upgrades
Hurricanes
+ Talking with local members of a New York State urban search and rescue team that's headed to Florida ahead of Hurricane Irma. [WNYT] [Spectrum]
+ A New York Air National Guard air rescue wing based on Long Island is headed to the Caribbean to assist with hurricane recovery. [Daily Gazette]
+ Direct flights from Florida to ALB are sold out through Sunday. [TU]
+ The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society has taken in a group of dogs from Texas to help open up room in shelters following Hurricane Harvey. [WNYT]
Rensselaer County exec election
The recently surfaced recordings of an argument between Steve McLaughlin and a member of his state Assembly staff were one of the big topics during a Spectrum-hosted Rensselaer County executive Republican primary debate between McLaughlin and deputy county exec Christopher Meyer. Other topics: infrastructure, Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh, the SAFE Act, and opioids. [TU] [Spectrum] [Troy Record]
Habitat looking at West Hill
Habitat for Humanity Capital District is looking at the possibility of a large mixed-use project in Albany's West Hill neighborhood similar to the recent Habitat project in Sheridan Hollow. [TU]
New York leads federal DACA lawsuit, SUNY Poly withholding lease information, final Albany mayoral primary debate
Schumer on DACA repeal
Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Donald Trump's decision earlier this week to repeal DACA, was "As heartless as it was brainless'', and expressed guarded optimism that congress would be able to come up with a legislative solution to avoid mass deportations. [TU]
NY leads lawsuit over DACA
A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday on behalf of government watchdog group Common Cause, alleges New York's longtime practice of purging voter roles to remove inactive voters is disenfranchising tens of thousands of voters.[TU]
SUNY Poly withholding lease information
Fuller Road Management-- the non-profit development arm of SUNY Poly, is refusing to release details of lease agreements with tenants at the ZEN building in Albany, despite acknowledging that it is subject to New York's Freedom of Information Law. The NYS Attorney General is investigating an alleged inflated lease for a company that later received some lucrative state contracts. [TU]
Siena poll: 59 percent of NY voters say confederate monuments should stay up, Cuomo on DACA decision:"feeding the beast of bigotry red meat", grand jury will examine D.A.'s handling of Troy police involved shooting
Siena Poll
A new Siena poll shows 59 percent of voters statewide believe confederate monuments should stay up. In the same poll, fifty percent of voters statewide gave Donald Trump an F for his handling of Charlottesville, and, by a slim margin, voters polled oppose giving neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups permits to hold marches, and shows him with a 29 percent favorability rate in NY. [TU][Spectrum][
DACA
Dozens of people rallied in Wallenburg Park on Tuesday to protest Donald Trump's decision to remind DACA. Andrew Cuomo called said the reminding DACA "is just feeding the beast of bigotry red meat."[WNYT][NYSoP]
Abelove
A grand jury will investigate Troy D.A. Joel Abelove's handling of the police shooting of Edson Thevenin following a car pursuit in April of 2016. Meanwhile lawmakers in Rensselaer County have rejected a measure to approve up to $50 thousand dollars to help cover Abelove's legal expenses in the case. [WNYT][TU]
New York State readying challenge to feds over DACA, talking with voters in Albany mayoral race, Saratoga Race Course posts record bet total
DACA
If the Trump administration proceeds with a floated plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program -- who covers undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as children -- Andrew Cuomo and Eric Schneiderman say that New York State "will sue to protect the 'dreamers' and the state's sovereign interest." [NYT] [Cuomo admin]
Stillwater mayor allegations
+ Stillwater village mayor Rick Nelson resigned Friday, the village announced this past weekend, after his arraignment on child pornography charges. [Daily Gazette]
+ Nelson's arrest was at least the fifth time he's faced some sort of charge or complaint alleging the victimization of children, the Times Union reports. [TU]
Steve McLaughlin
+ The Times Union posted audio of an argument between state Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin and a staffer in which she accuses him of physically hurting her -- but the unnamed staffer told the TU this week McLaughlin didn't physically harm her. [TU]
+ McLaughlin alleges the audio was leaked to damage him in the race for Rensselaer County executive -- his opponent, Christopher Meyer, says he wasn't involved. [Spectrum]
Troy police investigate pair of mysterious deaths, Albany's Democratic mayoral candidates debate, Union College president to step down
Harvey
+The Red Cross is training volunteers to head to Texas to assist the flooding victims.
+New York is sending additional Air National Guard members to Texas to respond to the flooding from Harvey
+Victory church is collecting funds to send a truckload of supplies and assistance to Houston.
+''When your neighbor's house is underwater, you don't haggle over the price to get into a rescue boat,'' -- Paul Tonko urging fellow Democrats in Congress to approve support for Harvey victims and not succumb to temptation for payback for GOP resistance to help for victims of Hurricane Irene and Sandy.
[Saratogian][TU][WNYT][TU]
Pair of mysterious deaths in Troy
Police found two men dead in a South Troy home early this morning.
An investigation is underway but police initially found no signs of foul play. [TU][WNYT]
Democratic Mayoral Debate
Albany's three Democratic mayoral candidates debated on Tuesday, covering issues like jobs, developing the city waterfront and property taxes for government and not-for-profit entities. [TU][News 10]
Local volunteers headed to help with Harvey relief, Hoosick Falls residents say they've been forgotten again, man accused of watching people sleep, more than a century of apples
Hurricane Harvey
+ The Red Cross is sending volunteers and supplies from the Capital Region to help with Hurricane Harvey. And it's holding boot camps for new volunteers. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
+ Talking with people who endured Irene flooding six years ago about recovering from such a disaster. [Daily Gazette]
+ Charity Navigator's page about charities and donations for Hurricane Harvey relief.
+ Pro Publica: 5 Tips for Donating After Disasters
Hoosick Falls
People in Hoosick Falls say they feel like they've been forgotten by the state -- again -- following the flooding there earlier this summer. [TU]
Education gaps
A look at the persistent disparities in test scores among groups of students on the state's grade 3-8 tests in the Capital Region's schools. [TU]
State Police: Glenville man was trying to commit suicide by police, investigation into Prattsville flood relief money, bike share memberships ahead of projections
Hurricane Harvey
+ Looking to help? Houston and Texas-based charities for donations. [Houston Chronicle] [@JiaTolentino]
+ Charity Navigator's page about charities and donations for Hurricane Harvey relief.
+ Pro Publica: 5 Tips for Donating After Disasters
____
Glenville police shooting investigation
State Police said Friday their investigation has concluded that the man fatally shot by police in Glenville July 28 was trying to commit suicide by getting police to shoot him. State Police say Brian Skinner had rushed at responding officers with a knife in a threatening manner, and when he didn't drop the knife after repeated orders, they fired. An officer was also hit in the gunfire, and State Police say it hasn't been determined yet which officer fired that shot. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Troy police shooting investigation
A group of African American pastors in Troy is calling for the Rensselaer County DA to recuse his office from the investigation into Troy police shooting Dahmeek McDonald August 15. [TU]
FBI to aid in Troy police shooting investigation, Troy police investigate overnight shooting, Coyote sightings in Loudonville, gun show returns to Saratoga with Hitler memorabilia
Troy police shooting investigation
At the request of Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, the FBI will assist in an investigation of the officer-involved shooting of a parole absconder in the North Central neighborhood last week. [TU]
Troy shooting
Police in Troy are investigating a Wednesday night shooting between Congress and Ferry Streets. [TU]
Coyote sightings in Loudonville
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is warning people about recent coyote sightings in Colonie after a Loudonville woman reported seeing a coyote near her home. [TU][WNYT]
Attorney calls for Abelove's recusal in Troy police shooting, storms lead to outages throughout the region, Albany judge rolls out program for homeless defendants
Abelove
The attorney for the 22-year-old man shot by Troy police last week says his client did not have a gun and is requesting that DA Joel Abelove recuse himself from the case because of an existing probe into his handling of a fatal shooting by Troy police last year. Abelove has issued a statement suggesting he does not plan to recuse himself from the investigation. [Spectrum][TU][TU]
Storms and outages
Tuesday's storms knocked out power to about 6,000 National Grid customers, most of whom are back on line by now. [TU]
State reading/math exams
While scores on New York's annual reading and math exams went up the Capital Region saw gains in reading but not in math. [TU]
Eclipse gawking around the region, Lark Street standoff, new horse safety measures at the Track, Kenwood campus sold
Eclipse
It happened, and people all around the region watched. More than a thousand people showed up at miSci for events there. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Troy police shooting investigation
The attorney for the man shot by Troy police week last week says his client didn't have a gun, and he's calling for the Rensselaer County DA's office to recuse itself from the review of the case. [TU]
Lark Street standoff
Albany police shut down the block of Lark Street between Washington and State Monday evening after a report that a man had shut himself in an apartment with a handgun. Police took the man into custody after about four hours and he was taken to the hospital for evaluation. No one was injured. APD was searching the apartment for a gun. [TU] [News10] [Spectrum] [WNYT]
It's eclipse day, the road to Canada and asylum, casino continues to lag payout projections to municipalities, possibly wild... something
Eclipse
Yep, the eclipse -- a partial eclipse, here, to be specific -- is happening Monday afternoon. It'll start at 1:22 pm and end at 3:56 pm, with the maximum eclipse at 2:42 pm.
There are viewing events around the region -- here are a few of them -- at which telescopes and other viewers will be set up. And a reminder to not look directly at the sun without the special eclipse-viewing glasses.
Seeking asylum across the border
Chris Churchil travels to the road on the New York/Quebec border where people worried about their US immigration/refugee status have been crossing into Canada illegally so they can request asylum. [TU]
Troy police shooting investigation
Reps for Andrew Cuomo and state attorney general Eric Schneiderman say they're monitoring the investigation of last week's shooting of man by Troy police. [TU]
Horse deaths
+ The current Saratoga Race Course season now includes 17 horse deaths. [WNYT]
+ What role do the track surfaces play in horse injuries? [TU]
Troy residents protest police shooting, not-guilty plea in double murder, Albany mayoral debate tonight, another equine death at Saratoga
Troy police involved shooting
Video has surfaced of the man shot by Troy police, bleeding on the ground as officers pushed him down and cuffed him, and witnesses say police had their guns drawn as they approached his vehicle, though he was only wanted for a parole violation. At a news conference on Wednesday, Troy Police Chief John Tedesco said authorities had been searching for Dahmeek McDonald for months after he violated parole by removing an ankle bracelet, and that he had "a history of weapons possession." More than 100 members of the community held a march to City Hall on Wednesday, to protest the shooting of the unarmed man. McDonald's uncle, Messiah Cooper, led the march, spoke with police and helped calm the crowd but called for better policing. He called on young people of color to take the exams to become police officers. He also spoke about discrimination against the poor, saying "They think poor people don't matter. They'd beat white people in the ghetto just like they'd beat me. We're in this together."[TU][Gazette][News 10][Spectrum][Record][WNYT][TU]
Other Troy police involved shootings
A look at some of the other police involved shootings in Troy in recent years, including the fatal shooting of Edson Thevenin -- D.A. Joel Abelove's handling of that case remains under investigation by the NYS Attorney General's office. [Spectrum]
Not guilty plea in double murder
Bryan Redden, the 21-year-old man charged with the double murder of a 33-year-old Glens Falls woman and her 4-year-old daughter pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including murder, grand larceny and tampering with evidence. [Spectrum]
Police involved shooting leads to standoff in Troy, Cuomo to push new hate crime provisions, date set for Silver re-trial, parts of Yaddo for rent
Police involved Troy shooting leads to standoff
Troy police shot a suspect in the North Central neighborhood Tuesday evening while attempting to stop him for alleged parole violations. The man, 22-year-old Dahmeek McDonald, was shot twice in the torso. One witness to the arrest of the shooting victim said police were cuffing him "rough-like, like he wasn't even shot." The incident sparked a confrontation between residents of the neighborhood and Troy police in riot gear, closing streets . [WNYT][Spectrum][TU][TU]
Grand jury empaneled in Troy police investigation
The Columbia County District Attorney is empaneling a grand jury to look into the case of several Troy detectives who are being investigated for entering the residence of a Troy woman without a warrant in June. [Spectrum]
Cuomo on Trump
Andrew Cuomo tweeted a response to Donald Trump's Tuesday afternoon press conference in which Trump made reference to "very fine people" on both sides of the events in Charlottesville this weekend, saying: "There are no "very fine" white supremacists, Mr. Trump"
Cuomo also said on Tuesday that he will push to strengthen the state hate crimes laws and stiffen penalties for rioting. [@NYGovCuomo][TU]
Responses to Charlottesville, company appeared in Start-Up NY ad but apparently didn't end up here, Commisso questions Siena poll
Charlottesville
+ The Capital Region's House of Representatives members universally denounced the actions of the white supremacist groups in Charlottesville. [TU]
+ After the CEOs of Merck and Under Armour announced their exit from the Trump administration's manufacturing council following the President's tepid response to Charlottesville, GE says chair Jeff Immelt will stay on the council. (As you know, GE employs about 6,000 people in the Capital Region.) [NYT] [TU]
+ Chris Churchill asks why Donald Trump won't call the Charlottesville car attack terrorism. [TU]
JCC bomb threats
Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation that increases the potential penalty for calling in bomb threats to community centers. The bill was prompted by the string of threats made against Jewish community centers around the state this year. [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Albany rally responds to events in Charlottesville, Sheehan leads in Democratic primary poll, from prison to small business owner
Rally against racism
Hundreds of people gathered in Albany's Townsend Park Sunday to rally against racism and white supremacy following the recent events in Charlottesville. The event was backed by multiple political, labor, and faith organizations. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Milton town supervisor complaint
Brendan Lyons: "The town of Milton took extraordinary steps to conceal the details of a 2016 harassment complaint filed against the town's supervisor, Daniel P. Lewza, who has publicly denied that
he was the target of the incendiary allegations made by his former secretary." [TU]
Albany mayoral election
+ In a new Siena poll, 50 percent of respondents said they would vote for Kathy Sheehan if the Democratic primary was held today (the poll was conducted August 2-7) -- 20 percent said they'd vote for Frank Commisso Jr and 13 percent for Carolyn McLaughlin. [Siena SRI]
+ Sheehan skipped a candidates forum with the union that represents the city's blue collar workers on Saturday -- her campaign manager said the union had already aligned itself with Commisso. [TU]
+ Sheehan loaned her campaign $162k in July, according to the latest filings with the state Board of Elections. [The Alt]
+ Chris Churchill offered some advice for Commisso about how to respond to stories like the recent TU story about public officials and unpaid parking tickets. (Commisso called it a "blatant hit job" on Twitter.) [TU x2] [@FrankCommisso15]
Gillibrand addresses health care, taxes and North Korea in town hall, arrests in Mechanicville shooting death, upstate casinos disappointed by slow business
Gillibrand town hall
Kirsten Gillibrand held a town hall meeting at Hudson Valley Community College on Wednesday evening, and focused largely on health care. Gillibrand singled out the Republicans who crossed party lines to kill the repeal of the ACA and called for a Medicare for all style solution.Gillibrand also addressed tax reform and Donald Trump's stance on North Korea. [TU][News 10][Gazette]
Mechanicville murder allegedly drug related
Two men have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old David J. Feliciano in his Mechanicville driveway on Monday. [TU]
Warren county murder suicide
Warren County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating an alleged murder suicide where a 76-year-old man is believed to have shot his 71-year-old brother and then turned the gun on himself. [TU]
Cuomo under pressure to reunify Senate Democrats, docs missing Albany tax break mistake, sentencing in Knowles murder, arrest in abduction attempt, $2.9 million overhaul for Peerless Pool
Updated
Cuomo under pressure to reunify Senate Democrats
Andrew Cuomo is under pressure to reunify the IDC with Senate Democrats, if he wants to heighten his national profile for a possible presidential run. [NYT]
Troy water line
Troy officials held a ceremony on Tuesday to mark the completion of the $3.2 million project to replace the water transmission lines that ruptured in January of 2016. [Record]
Docs missing in Albany tax break mistake
A FOIL request by the Albany Business Review revealed the many of the application documents related to the "485-a" tax break that was mistakenly issued to projects in the city of Albany are either missing or incomplete. [Biz Review]
Reports of shots fired and suspicious death in Mechanicville, questioning Cuomo's political prospects, Siena adjuncts push for contract
Suspicious death in Mechanicville
Police say officers responding to a home in Mechanicville Monday night for a shots fired called found a man dead in the driveway. But they've yet to release many details, including whether the man in the driveway had been shot. Police are calling the death suspicious. [News10] [CBS6] [Spectrum]
Albany County jail death autopsy
Sheriff Craig Apple says an autopsy of the woman who died in the Albany County jail in June concluded that she had been on a "deadly cocktail" of cocaine and fentanyl. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo, 2018, and 2020
+ Chris Churchill: "The potential [gubernatorial] challengers realize something about Gov. Andrew Cuomo. They realize the Democrat is vulnerable." [TU]
+ Jimmy Vielkind: "If Cuomo is serious about running for president in 2020, as many in New York political circles think, would he be better off not running for a third term of his own next year?" [Politico]
Schenectady County tops per capita crime rate list, Peerless Pool to close season early, Maccabi Games in town for the week
Schenectady crime
Schenectady County had the highest per capita rate of serious crimes in the state in 2016 among counties, based on figures from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services -- though the crime rate in the county has declined 16 percent over the last five years. (The crimes are what's known as "index" crimes.) [TU]
Settlement in Price Chopper overtime lawsuit
The Golub Corp. has agreed to pay $6.5 million to store department managers to settle a lawsuit that alleged the company improperly classified the managers in a way that made them exempt from receiving overtime. The company says it denies any wrongdoing. [Daily Gazette]
Alcohol treatment for state Senate majority leader
State Senate Republican majority leader John Flanagan said in a statement Sunday that had recently gotten treatment for alcohol dependency. [TU]
NY will provide voter info to Trump voter fraud commission, PA train derailment causes concern in Albany, Rensselaer/Hudson trolley line part of Empire State Trail plan
NY to provide voter info to Trump commission
Despite protests from Andrew Cuomo, the New York State Board of Elections has voted to provide some voter data -- names, birthdates, addresses and voting history-- to Donald Trump's commission investigating voter fraud.[Spectrum][TU/AP]
Train en route to Albany derails
A train carrying hazardous materials that was headed to Selkirk, derailed and caught fire in Pennsylvania --- which is causing concern among residents of Albany's Ezra Prentice apartment complex. [TU][News 10]
Albany Common Council president
As Carolyn McLaughlin runs for Mayor of Albany, a look at the three way race for Albany Common Council President. [TU]
Cuomo says he'll sue over Federal challenge to SAFE Act, Stefanik faces two new challengers, medical marijuana facility slated for Glenville
Cuomo will sue to protect SAFE Act
Representative Chris Collins, a longtime opponent of the NY SAFE Act, has introduced a Federal bill that would limit a state's authority to regulate gun sales -- which, if passed, would override the act. Andrew Cuomo announced he would sue to block any federal efforts to override the act, saying "the state has rights too." [TU][TWCN]
Stefanik
Elise Stefanik will face two more challengers in the race for the 21st Congressional District seat 00 one from the right and another from the left. If you're keeping score, that makes six people who have announced an intention to challenge Stefanik -- five Democrats and one Republican. [TU]
Meanwhile, Stefanik was in Saratoga County on Tuesday where she toured a shelter for homeless veterans and heard concerns from vets on health care and other assistance issues.[Saratogian]
19 arrests at Stephentown music festival
Police arrested 19 people on drug charges and confiscated
cocaine, hallucinogenic mushrooms, doses of LSD, Ketamine, MDMA pills, marijuana, prescription pills and gummy candies and lollipops laced with drugs. [Record][TU]
Federal Superfund designation for Hoosick Falls, takes on Trump's comment about Upstate, Cohoes fire called suspicious, topless in Saratoga
Hoosick Falls
The EPA has declared the Saint-Gobain plant in Hoosick Falls a federal Superfund site. The designation means federal resources can be put toward cleaning up contamination at the site, which polluted the village's drinking water supply. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Moving from Upstate
Three takes on Donald's Trumps comment about how people should move from Upstate New York if they can't get a job:
+ Chris Churchill: "When Trump suggested last week that upstate New Yorkers move to where jobs are more plentiful, he wasn't entirely wrong. In fact, that's exactly what many residents have been doing." [TU]
+ Sara Foss: "If anything, Trump's remarks suggest he believes upstate New York is so hopeless that the process of disinvestment and abandonment that began decades ago should be accelerated." [Daily Gazette]
+ Charlie Kraebel: "Too many people in power -- from the statehouse to tiny village boardrooms -- never want to give up their turf. But too many people, voters in particular, keep sending the same people back every time election season rolls around. How can you fix anything if you keep rehiring the people who broke the state in the first place?" [Troy Record]
Family suspects man shot by Glenville police was suicidal, focus on Schenectady code enforcement, Albany-Rensselaer gondola still up in the air
Glenville police shooting
+ The brother of the Glenville man who was fatally shot by police Friday night after the man allegedly charged at officers with knife tells the Times Union he thinks it's likely his brother was suicidal. [TU x2]
+ State Police say the Glenville police officer shot in the abdomen during the incident was hit by a bullet fired by an officer's firearm, though it was unclear which one. Glenville supervisor Chris Koetzle said that the officer, Ben Ferretti, was in good spirits at Albany Med Sunday and was on track for a full recovery. [Daily Gazette x2]
Fatal shooting in Schenectady
Schenectady police say two men were shot -- one fatally -- in an incident on Crane Street in Mont Pleasant early Saturday morning. SPD says a third person was stabbed. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Albany shooting
Albany police say two men were shot overnight Sunday to Monday night near Benson and Quail (map). [News10]
Cuomo blasts Senate Republicans on ACA vote, Log Bay Day officially canceled, public hearing today for Troy movie theater
Cuomo on health care vote
Andrew Cuomo blasted the Senate on Tuesday for a procedural vote to move forward with an effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, saying the Republican proposals put forward to replace the ACA would "devastate our health care system and have a disastrous impact on New York." [NYSOP]
Guilty plea in kayaking death
The woman charged with tampering intentionally drowning her fiancé by tampering with his kayak on the Hudson pleaded guilty on Monday to a lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide. [TU]
Log Bay Day officially canceled
Log Bay Day on Lake George was officially cancelled by the Lake George Park Commission on Tuesday, a year after the fatal boat crash that claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl. Warren County officials say they are monitoring social media efforts to move the party to another part of the lake, but they don't expect problems. [TWCN][TU]
Move toward paid family leave for state employees, Troy police turmoil, Commisso takes top spot in mayoral race fundraising period, the principal who was "the man"
Paid family leave
New York State's new paid family leave law takes effect in 2018 -- but it doesn't apply to public employees, though a benefit could be available through collective bargaining. The Cuomo administration says it will offer the benefit to state employees starting January 1 if their unions choose to opt in. [TU]
Troy police
+ A look at the administrative-, discipline-, and labor-related strife involving the Troy Police Department right now. [TU]
+ Citing crime in Troy, state Assemblyman (and Rensselaer County exec candidate) Steve McLaughlin is criticizing the Cuomo admin for deploying 200 state troopers to New York City, which he says could compromise coverage of areas upstate. [Troy Record]
State Police in Albany
The Albany Police Department/State Police joint patrols are set to start this week. [Spectrum]
Scrutiny of health care in Albany County jail death, arrest in fatal Troy stabbing, spotlight on buildings at former convention center site, a big lift
Scrutiny of Albany County jail death
Brendan Lyons looks into the 2014 death of a man in the Albany County jail in an episode in which representatives of the private contractor running medical services at the jail appear to have let the man's condition spiral downward over many hours. [TU]
Shooting in Albany
Albany police say responding officers found two men with gunshot wounds in their legs Saturday night just off Second Ave (area map). [APD]
Arrest in fatal Troy stabbing
Troy police say they've arrested a 51-year-old man for the fatal stabbing in a residence on Oakwood Ave earlier this month. An hours-long standoff preceded the Friday night arrest. [Troy Record] [TU]
Sentencing in murder of Troy official, fatal fire in Saratoga Springs, surge of applications for Excelsior Scholarship, a medium-sized key to the city
Sentencing in murder of Troy official
Joseph Vandenburgh -- convicted of fatally stabbing Troy city offical Bill Chamberlain near his home in North Greenbush -- was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison Friday morning. [TU]
Fatal fire in Saratoga Springs
One woman died, and a man suffered serious injuries, in a fire in a residence in the Geyser Crest section of Saratoga Springs Thursday. A Navy veteran who was staying a nearby home kicked down the door and rescued the man from the fire. The man's wife had a leg injury and had trouble moving. Four dogs also died. [Saratogian] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Spectrum]
Excelsior Scholarship
The deadline for applying for the new free-tuition Excelsior Scholarship is Friday night, and the state has already gotten more than 75,000 applications -- and more than 40,000 of the applicants have been notified they're eligible. The Cuomo admin budgeted for about 23,000 qualifiers -- and officials say they still think many who are eligible won't end up accepting. [Politico NY] [TU]
Cleanup/investigation continue in Madison Avenue fire, calls for GE to continue Hudson cleanup, dates set in for Kaloyeros/Percoco trials
Madison Avenue fire
Cleanup continues at the site of a fire that destroyed four homes on Madison Avenue in Albany on Monday night. Authorities have yet to determine a cause of the blaze but learned that one of the homes may have been renting without a permit. Efforts are underway to help raise money for the victims on the fire who have been displaced.
[Spectrum][TU][WNYT]
Troy arson investigation
Troy officials have declared a curfew for the city's North Central neighborhood while they investigate connections between a string of fires in abandoned homes in the area. Investigators think there could be a connection to arsons dating back to 2012 in the area, and are looking at some of the suspects in the earlier fires. [TU][WNYT]
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]
Large fire on Madison Ave in Albany, Saratoga talks about ICE arrests, man dies from stabbing injuries in Troy, casino payments continue to lag expectations
A photo from Monday night's row house fire on Madison Ave in Albany. / photo: Paul Gallo
Madison Ave fire
A large fire ripped through a string of row houses on Madison Ave between Lark and Dove Monday night in Albany (map). Sixteen people have been displaced from their homes. The Albany Fire Department says it's too early to determine a cause. [WNYT] [News10] [TU]
Saratoga Springs ICE arrests
A major topic of discussion at a Saratoga Springs community forum Monday night about recent ICE arrests in the city: Why the apparent focus on Saratoga? There were also questions about how community members could assist undocumented immigrants. People also talked about fear that's spread among immigrants in the county. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
Troy arsons
The city of Troy says law enforcement is investigating six recent fires in the city as arsons. And TPD John Tedesco says police will be enforcing a curfew in North Central. [City of Troy] [TU]
Job cuts at SUNY Poly, skepticism about job creation via tax breaks and incentives, huge crowd for Schenectady Summer Night
Job cuts at SUNY Poly
SUNY Poly has cut 38 support staff jobs at the Albany campus -- none of the cuts were in research positions. The cuts are part of a plan to trim $10 million from the school's budget. Interim president Bahgat Sammakia said SUNY Poly, which the Cuomo admin had used an economic development org, is focusing its direction and reviewing the economic development projects with which it's involved. [AP/NYDN] [TU] [Biz Review]
Shooting in Albany
Albany police say a man was shot Saturday afternoon on Clinton Ave near Swinburne Park made his way over to Central Ave for help. The Times Union reports witnesses saw the man run into the Burger King on Central requesting assistance. APD says it's investigating. [APD] [TU]
Another vacant building fire in Troy
Troy officials say they're investigating the cause of a fire at a vacant building in Lansingburgh early Monday. It's the fourth vacant building fire in two weeks. Officials say it's not determined whether the fires are connected. [News10] [TU] [Spectrum]
Watchdogs dismayed by Silver conviction being overturned, Colonie murder-suicide investigation closed, new housing construction in Schenectady
Reaction to Sheldon Silver conviction overturned
+ Good government groups and public ethics advocates were dismayed by Sheldon Silver's conviction being overturned by a federal appeals court, and fear his case is now evidence there's a legal open window for public officials to enrich themselves via corruption. [Politico NY] [NYT]
+ Local state Assembly member Carrie Woerner, a Democrat, on corruption and the earlier Supreme Court decision that paved the way for Silver's conviction to be overturned: "If it looks like a carrot and smells like a carrot and tastes like a carrot, it's probably a carrot." [TU]
+ Susan Lerner of Common Cause New York: "Sheldon Silver is absolutely guilty of corrupting his office and violating the public trust." [Daily Gazette]
+ Joe Bruno says he's "very happy" for Sheldon Silver. [Spectrum]
Colonie murder-suicide case closed
State Police have closed the investigation into the incident in which Colonie police officer Israel Roman killed his wife, one of their sons, set their home on fire, and then killed himself -- NYSP says it wasn't able to determine a motive. [TU]
1 Monument Square
The developers planning to build a movie theater complex at 1 Monument Square will be seeking tax breaks for the project. [Biz Review]
Silver conviction overturned, Q-poll: Cuomo approval numbers down, illegal marijuana growing operations in Selkirk home
Silver conviction overturned
A federal appeals court has overturned Sheldon Silver's 2015 corruption conviction.The ruling cited a recent Supreme Court decision narrowing the scope of public corruption. The judges ruled that in light of that decision, erroneous instructions were given to the jury and concluded that " it is not clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have reached the same conclusion if properly instructed, as is required by law for the verdict to stand."[NYT][TU]
Q-Poll shows drop for Cuomo
The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows 55 percent of voters polled say Andrew Cuomo should not run for president in 2020. The poll also showed a dip in Cuomo's approval rating. [TU][NYT]
Powassan virus
The NYS Department of health has confirmed a fatal case of Powassan virus in Saratoga County. [Spectrum]
Cuomo touts new Schenectady rail station, immigrants arrested in Saratoga to be deported, man charged with shooting at Schenectady police, Stiller casting for Danemora mini series
Cuomo visits Schenectady, touts train station
As crews began tearing down the old Schenectady rail station on Tuesday, Andrew Cuomo was in the Electric City touting the design for the new station. Cuomo pointed to the $23 million train station as an emblem of positive change in the city. [Gazette][WNYT][TU]
School board elections moving
Andrew Cuomo signed a bill earlier this week that will move annual school board elections from the November general election to the third Tuesday in May, when school districts in New York hold budget votes. [TU]
Opioid epidemic prompts counties to target drug companies, focus on combined sewer overflows, Central Warehouse contract off
Opioids
The Albany County Legislature has put its support behind a push for the county to recover damages from pharmaceutical companies related to the opioid addiction epidemic. Albany County is joining other counties a lawsuit. [TU] [WNYT] [Spectrum]
Sewage in the Hudson
Troy mayor Patrick Madden pushed back on the characterization of the large combined sewer overflow that sent sewage in to the Hudson River in recent weeks as a "spill," instead calling it a "discharge" and focusing attention on the infrastructure problem that caused it. Albany had a similar event last week -- and both cities failed to report to the DEC in the required timeframe. The DEC says it's investigating the situation. [Madden admin] [TU] [Spectrum] [New York Law Journal]
(Combined sewer overflows -- in which the old sewer systems that handle both storm water and sewage together become overwhelmed -- are a longrunning problem, and there's a 15-year plan in place among the communities of the "Albany Pool" to address the issue.)
Shooting in Troy
Troy police say one person was taken to the hospital following gunfire around 11 pm in North Central. [News10]
Big sewage spills in the Hudson River, affordable housing development floated for Albany, ViaPort aquarium expanding
Sewage in the Hudson
Heavy rain at the start of this month prompted large sewage spills into the Hudson from Albany and Troy -- the spills were combined sewer overflows -- and both cities were slow to report to the spills to the state. (Combined sewer overflows -- in which the old sewer systems tha handle both storm water and sewage together become overwhelmed -- are a longrunning problem, and there's a 15-year plan in place to address the issue.) [TU]
Gun violence
+ There was a stop-the-violence march in Albany's Arbor Hill and West Hill neighborhoods Saturday. [WNYT] [Spectrum]
+ A look at the tools local law enforcement agencies have for tracking crime guns. [TU]
+ Chris Churchill on the recent spike in homicides in the city and discussions about the size of the city's police force. [TU+]
Affordable housing in Albany
A Rochester-based developer is considering a plan to redevelop more than 70 properties along Clinton Ave in Albany into affordable housing. [TU]
Verdict in fatal stabbing of Troy official, "extraordinary" session wraps at state Capitol, all the Lyfting and Ubering, a reminder about fireworks
Trial in the death of Bill Chamberlain
Update: The jury found Vandenburgh guilty of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. [Spectrum]
____
The jury in now deliberating in the trial of Joseph Vandenburgh, accused of fatally stabbing former Troy city official Bill Chamberlain near Chamberlain's home in Wynantskill in 2015. The prosecution alleges DNA evidence links Vandenburgh to a large knife used in the attack. Vandenburgh's attorney argued her client had no motive. [TU] [Troy Record] [Spectrum] [WNYT]
Extraordinary session
+ The state legislature wrapped its "extraordinary" session (technical term) with the passage of a bill that includes sales tax extenders for counties and mayoral control of NYC schools. [TU] [Spectrum]
+ Also: There's a provision that names the new Tappan Zee Bridge after Mario Cuomo, which Andrew Cuomo said his father wouldn't have wanted (but the son pushed for it anyway). [Politico]
Special session underway, Schenectady man charged in multi-state prostitution ring, rare Colonial ledger found on eBay, it's Uber Day
Special session
After hours of what was described as dysfunction, the Assembly passed legislation that would, among other things, ensure mayoral control of NYC schools for two years, and extend sales taxes that are vital to the financial health of more than 50 counties. The Assembly also passed legislation that would rename the Tappan Zee Bridge after the late governor Mario Cuomo and provide a financial incentive package for the Vernon Downs racino/harness track. The legislation goes to the Senate on Thursday. [TU][NYT][Gannett][NYSOP]
Ride share day
You can officially take an Uber ride in upstate NY as of today. [Gazette]
Cuomo calls special legislative session, alleged murder was released by judge 5 weeks earlier , Albany Chiropractor allegedly abused patients, another rare lobster escapes the pot
Albany
For the second time in his tenure as governor, Andrew Cuomo is calling the legislature back for a special session. Cuomo says he wants lawmakers to vote on a bill to extend mayoral control of New York City's public schools and Cuomo included, "Such other subjects as I may recommend." One of the items that could come up in special session, a sales tax extender that could mean local tax increases if it goes unpassed. Some legislators are bemoaning the cost of a special session, which some estimate at hundreds of thousands of dollars. [TU][WNYT][NYT][WNYT][News 10]
Medicaid managed care provider legislation
Something that did pass in the legislative session -- a bill that would require Medicaid managed care providers to cover drugs from the two not-for-profit pharmacies in the state operated by the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. [TU]
Alleged murderer was released after recent parole violations
The career criminal charged with the murder of a homeless man last Sunday violated was released five weeks earlier after he was brought before a judge on parole violations. [TU]
Remembering man killed on Grand Street, fight over Saratoga Code Blue shelter, prepping for ride hailing, yoga with goats
Fatal stabbing in Albany on Grand Street
Albany police identified the man fatally stabbed early Sunday morning on Grand Street as 47-year-old Mark Douglas. He was homeless and a well-known figure in the neighborhood -- said one person to the Times Union: "He was as much of a neighbor as you could be, especially considering that he didn't have a residence." APD says the incident is still under investigation and asks anyone with info to call. [APD] [TU+]
Update: APD, crediting "many phone calls and cooperation from the community," says it's arrested a 64-year-old man who's been charged with second-degree murder. [APD]
Fight over location of Saratoga Springs Code Blue shelter
The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals ruled Monday that a challenge to a proposed Code Blue shelter on Walworth Street next to the Shelters of Saratoga had been filed past the deadline. One of neighborhood opponents to the shelter location opponents -- Robert Pringle, who's also CEO of Glens Falls Hospital -- told the Daily Gazette the plan is "toxic" for the neighborhood, and mayoral candidate Mark Baker weighed in against the plan. And it sounds like opponents are considering legal options. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Fall from Great Escape ride
A Warren County Sheriff's lieutenant said Monday it appears "human error" caused a teen to end up dangling -- and then falling -- from the Sky Ride at the Great Escape. [Post-Star]
Teen falls from Great Escape ride, sentencing in Crossgates gunfire incident, the frustration of small claims court, redevelop former convention center site bit by bit?
Fall from Great Escape ride
A teen fell 25 feet from the Sky Ride chair lift ride at the Great Escape Saturday evening, a incident captured on video. Before falling, the teen was dangling from the lift, her arm and neck stuck on the bar of the car. Bystanders gathered below and broke her fall. Warren County Sheriff's deputies say the teen did not suffer serious injuries. The park says the ride is close while it investigates what happened. [News10] [Facebook] [News10] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Post-Star]
Fatal stabbing in Albany
Albany police say a 47-year-old man died after being stabbed early Sunday morning near Madison Ave and Grand Street. APD is asking anyone with info to call. [APD]
State Police academy investigation
Brendan Lyons reports that State Police had been investigating whether there had been inappropriate interactions between training officers and female recruits at the at the State Police academy: "Nearly six months later, interviews with multiple people familiar with the investigation, and a review of internal State Police documents, raise questions about whether the agency fully investigated the allegations or may have sought to cover them up." [TU]
Reaction to Senate Republican health plan, multiple households displaced in Albany fire, from Pakistan to Schenectady to a diploma
Senate Republican health care plan
New York reaction to the Senate version of the Republican health care legislation:
+ Chuck Schumer said the Senate plan is "meaner" than House version, playing on Donald Trump's earlier comments about the House version being "mean." [TU]
+ From a Kirsten Gillibrand statement: "The Senate bill presented today, which was crafted behind closed doors by 13 men, would fundamentally harm Americans young and old, do severe damage to a fragile economy, and bankrupt state governments across the country." [Gillibrand office]
+ The Senate plan includes the New York-specific provision backed by John Faso that would shift more than $2 billion in Medicaid costs from counties to the state, and he said doing so would relieve a burden from property tax payers. [TU]
+ A spokesman for Elise Stefanik says she's reviewing the legislation. [Press Republican]
+ From a Paul Tonko statement: "This bill will lead to historic drops in coverage and major increases in premiums for those who can least afford them." [Tonko office]
North Manning Blvd fire
Multiple buildings in a row of homes along North Manning Blvd caught fire Friday morning, displacing as many as 30 people. AFD chief Warren Abriel said the fire started in a vacant building and spread. Workers at the nearby Bimbo bakery (formerly Freihofer's) are being credited with noticing the fire and alerting residents of the homes to get out. [News10] [@JohnCraigWNYT] [Spectrum] [TU] [@EmilyMasters]
Legislative session ends with business left undone, suspicious white powder sent to Harriman Campus, Adelphi selling memorabilia, Tappan Zee could be named for Mario Cuomo
Session ends
The legislative session came to a close late Wednesday night without resolving a sales tax extension for 53 counties, and the question of whether New York City can be allowed more charter schools -- two bargaining chips that were leveraged against each other. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says he won't bring the Assembly back into session to vote on mayoral control of charter schools. [Spectrum][NYT][TU][NYSOP]
White powder delivered to State Police
An envelope containing white powder was received in the mail at the Department of Correction and Community Supervision offices on the Harriman Campus. State Police are trying to determine what the powder is and who sent it, but say no-one has become ill. [TU] [Gazette]
Slocum guilty in triple homicide, woman drowns when car topples into creek, legislative session winds down, SCCC extends president's contract
Slocum convicted in triple murder
A Washington County jury convicted Matthew Slocum on all charges for the 2013 murder of his mother, stepfather and stepfather. [TU]
Fish Creek death
A 66-year-old Saratoga Springs woman drowned Tuesday evening after her car toppled off a one-lane bridge into Fish Creek. [Gazette]
Legislative session winds down
The state legislative session wraps up today. Still on the table -- a sales tax extension measure that is tied up in a dispute over NYC charter schools. Legislators don't think they'll be able to come to an agreement on the Child Victims Act before the close of the session. And Andrew Cuomo did signed the law officially raising the legal age for marriage to 17. [WNYT][TU][TWCN][TU]
Hoosick Falls contamination levels much higher than previously reported, indictment in Colonie fatal alleged hit and run, alcohol in movie theaters looks like a no-go
Hoosick Falls
A state Department of Environmental Conservation presentation Monday evening reported that testing of sites in Hoosick Falls indicated much higher levels of PFOA contamination than previously reported. And the DEC is referring to the sites as Superfund sites. Former regional EPA administrator Judith Enck said the levels may be the highest identified levels in the nation. And there's discussion about the possibility of connecting to the Tomhannock Reservoir as a new source of drinking water. [TU] [Spectrum] [News10] [WNYT]
Colonie standoff
Colonie police say a man had barricaded himself inside a home Monday evening, and neighbors were evacuated as part of the standoff. They say when they entered the home overnight, the man was found dead in an apparent suicide. [News10] [TU]
Troy police drug unit investigation
+ Officials say multiple agencies will be assisting the Troy Police Department to fill in gaps while the department's drug unit is on leave as part of an internal investigation. The city has yet to say publicly why the unit was was placed on leave. (Both the TU and News10 have reported there are allegations involving a warrantless search.) [TU] [News10]
+ Mark Robarge: "As a result, we in the media and the public are left to speculate on what really happened. We really have no clue whether this is a minor issue or a major scandal, beyond the fact that the suspension of an entire police unit is highly unusual and suggests a significant problem." [Troy Record]
Sources say alleged warrantless search at heart of Troy drug unit investigation, fatal shooting in Albany, study links between cancer and toxic sites, celebrating 180 years
Troy police drug unit investigation
"Several city government sources" tell the Times Union that the entire Troy police drug unit was placed on leave because of an allegation that the unit filed a false burglary repot to cover up a warrantless search of residence. News10 talked with a landlord who said it was her property that was searched -- and she said police admitted to her that they did the search without a warrant. City officials have yet to publicly address the specifics of the situation. [TU] [News10] [Troy Record]
Albany tax break mistake
Following the recent revelation that the city of Albany has incorrectly applied a state tax break program to residential projects, the city said assessor Keith McDonald -- who told the Business Review it was his mistake -- is retiring at the end of June. Mayor Kathy Sheehan told the Times Union the issue dates back to 2011 and the city reviewing the potential impact of the mistake -- she also said the assessor operates independently and she had not spoken with him about assessments. One of the properties to which the tax break was apparently applied incorrectly was the new 73-unit residential conversion at 20 Park Street near the Capitol, the developer of which said the break was key in making the project happen. A ribbon cutting for the project scheduled for Monday was cancelled. [Biz Review] [TU] [Biz Review x2]
Albany homicide
Albany police say a 46-year-old man was fatally shot Sunday afternoon in the South End. The man had been at a family Father's Day celebration, and police say an altercation preceded the shooting. It's the seventh homicide in the city since a period of 9 months without a homicide ended late last year. [APD] [News10] [WNYT] [TU]
Sentencing in UAlbany bus incident, guilty verdict in the death of Medina Knowles, Albany tax break mistake, treasurer reports Albany budget surplus, big cat -- or really big cat?
Updated
Sentencing in UAlbany bus incident
Ariel Agudio and Asha Burwell -- the two women found guilty of filing a false report as part of the UAlbany bus incident -- were sentenced to three years probations and 200 hours of community service Friday morning. [TU]
Guilty verdict in the death of Medina Knowles
A jury found Raekwon Stover guilty of all the charges against him, including second-degree murder, in the shooting death of 17-year-old Medina Knowles in her Schenectady home last year. He faces up to 25 years to life at sentencing. [News10] [Daily Gazette]
Troy police drug unit
The entire Troy police drug unit has placed on administrative leave, but no one from the city will officially say why. [News10] [TU]
Local reps react to Alexandria shooting, Wilton teacher charged with rape, Schenectady County sues opioid makers
NY Congress members react to shooting
Reactions from Elise Stefanik, John Faso, Paul Tonko and Chuck Schumer to Wednesday's shooting at a baseball practice for a Republican congressional team. [TU]
Schenectady County sues opioid makers
Schenectady county has joined a list of counties filing lawsuits against the manufacturers of prescription opiates. [TU]
Teacher charged with rape
A 5th grade teacher at Dorothy Nolan Elementary School in Wilton is facing rape charges for having an alleged sexual relationship with a student. [TU]
Testimony wraps up in Knowles murder trial, visa restrictions mean seasonal employee shortages, self-driving car tested on I-90
Knowles murder trial
Testimony wrapped up on Tuesday in the trial of Raekwon Stover, charged with the death of Medina Knowels wrapped up on Tuesday, with a neighbor who told the court she was awakened by screams and gunshots. [Gazette]
White Creek triple murder trial
Loretta Colegrove, the former girlfriend of murder suspect Matthew Slocum, testified at his retrial on Tuesday that she witnessed Slocum firing a shotgun at his stepbrother. [TU]
Saratoga inclusionary zoning vote delayed
Plans to vote on an inclusionary zoning proposal in Saratoga Springs have been postponed after a workshop on the proposal turned into a heated discussion between the city and developers who are concerned about costs and the vagueness of the wording. [Saratogian][Gazette][TU]
Sex trafficking sting nets 12 arrests, Albany County legislature votes down anti-nepotism proposal, Kirsten Gillibrand and the F word
Underage sex trafficking sting
Police say an underage sex trafficking sting operation based in Warren County netted the arrests of 12 men from around the region. The sting involved posting online ads with an undercover police officer posing as the contact person -- they men were arrested when they showed up and agreed to a price. The sting included the Warren County Sheriff's Department, State Police, and FBI. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [News10]
Trial in the death of Medina Knowles
A prosecution witnessed testified Monday that when he and Raekwon Stover were inmates at the Schenectady County jail, Stover admitted that he had fatally shot Medina Knowles (the witness is set to get a reduced jail term for his testimony). [Daily Gazette]
Albany County anti-nepotism proposal
The Albany County Legislature voted against a proposed resolution that would have imposed stricter rules for the hiring of former officials and the family of county officials to county jobs. [TU]
New head for GE, trial of the man charged with killing Medina Knowles, Albany school district settles harassment case, a century of outdoor movies
New head of GE
Jeff Immelt is stepping down as head of GE later this year to be replaced by John Flannery, current head of GE Healthcare. The conglomerate has more than 6,000 employees in the Capital Region. [Bloomberg] [TU]
Trial in the death of Medina Knowles
In opening statements of the trial of Raekwon Stover -- accused of fatally shooting 17-year-old Medina Knowles in a Schenectady residence last fall -- the prosecution alleged that Stover had been prostituting Knowles and killed her because he was angry she was going to stop. A former girlfriend of Stover testified that he had talked about becoming a pimp and later called her from jail asking her to delete photos of Knowles from his email. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Hiring relatives for Albany County government jobs
The Albany County Legislature is considering a resolution that would impose new restrictions on the hiring of people who have family who are elected county officials. [TU]
Congressional rep reaction to Comey testimony, former school board president sentenced, Uber tagged by state ethics commission, organizing the (maybe last) Flag Day Parade
Comey testimony
A roundup of reaction from New York/Capital Region Congressional reps about James Comey's testimony Thursday. [Daily Gazette]
Charges in Schenectady police Mumford Street shooting
Schenectady police say the man shot by officers during a standoff on Mumford Street is facing a group of charges that includes reckless endangerment and unlawful imprisonment. He was arraigned in his hospital room at Albany Med. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Former Saratoga Springs school board president sentenced
Former Saratoga Springs school board president Chip Locke was sentenced to six months in jail and $15k in restitution for stealing money from Greenfield Home School Association. Locke used the sentencing to criticize members of the association. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Experts question Hoosick Falls study, Schenectady police say shooting was justified in standoff, former Russian orphans graduate together from Ballston Spa High School
PFOA
Environmental health experts interviewed by the Times Union say the newly-released study that concludes there was no increase in cancer rates among Hoosick Falls residents in the last 20 years is flawed or "deceitful." Village residents questioned the results of the study at a meeting on Wednesday. [TU][Spectrum]
Schenectady police say shooting was justified
Schenectady police say the city man shot by officers during a standoff earlier this weekwas unarmed at the moment of the shooting, but police chief Eric Cliffordsays he believes the shooting was justified. [Spectrum][Gazette]
AG to investigate Schenectady police custody death
Eric Schneiderman's office is investigating the case of a New York City man who died in the custody of Schenectady police in early May. [Gazette]
Soares unveils juvenile clean slate program, report claims no elevated levels of PFOA related cancer in Hoosick Falls, Cuomo takes aim at Faso/Stefanik and other GOP congressional leaders, Shen art project attracts controversy
Cuomo takes aim at Faso/Stefanik
Andrew Cuomo took aim at six Congressional Republicans on Tuesday-- including John Faso and Elise Stefanik-- saying they've violated oaths and defrauded voters and pledging to see them ejected from office in the midterm elections. [NYT][TU]
Soares juvenile justice plan
David Soares has released details for Project Reclamation -- a three-pronged plan clean slate plan designed to allow non-violent felony defendants between ages 16 and 24 to resolve cases without jail time or a criminal record. [WNYT][TU]
PFOA
The Department of Health has released a new study that claims t PFOA related cancers were not elevated in Hoosick Falls over the last 20 years, compared to the rest of New York. [News 10][Spectrum]
Man shot by Schenectady police, sentencing in Lake George boat crash trial, plans for pedestrian safety in Albany and Cohoes, remembering Dan Lynch
Man shot by Schenectady police
Schenectady police shot a man during a standoff in response to a reported domestic situation Monday morning at a Hamilton Hill home (map). SPD said later on Tuesday the man was in stable condition at Albany Med. The incident was captured on a Facebook live video by a bystander, and police fired after the man appeared to make an abrupt pointing motion from a second-floor porch. SPD said they did not find a gun near the man. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU x2]
Lake George boat crash trial
Alex West was sentenced to 5-15 years in prison for his role in the fatal Lake George boat crash last summer. West was convicted on eight counts, including second-degree manslaughter, but the judge imposed concurrent sentences, shortening the overall length of time West will be in prison. The sentencing included victim impact statements from the family of Charlotte McCue, the 8 year old killed in the crash. And a statement from West: "I am haunted every day by it, knowing that I was part of something that took away a little girl." [Post-Star] [TU] [News10] [Daily Gazette]
Local orgs bracing for potential food stamp cuts, shooting in Cohoes, sheriff: driver in fatal ambulance crash fell asleep, cold spring holding back local farms
Food stamps
Local organizations that provide services to food-insecure people in the Capital Region are bracing for the possible effects of the Trump administration's proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- more than 70,000 people in the Capital Region were on SNAP this past spring. [TU]
Shooting in Cohoes
Cohoes police say a 19-year-old man was shot Sunday afternoon on Main Street, and a 24-year-old man has been arrested. The father of the 19 year old said his family knows the alleged shooter, and police said the shooting was not random. [News10] [WNYT] [Spectrum]
Opioids
The Daily Gazette has a series running about opioid addiction -- its local toll, and strategies for addressing it. [Daily Gazette x2]
New York to pursue climate coalition with other states, sale of old Troy hospital site for affordable housing fails, EPA says enough Hudson dredging for now, getting to age 106
Climate change
Following Donald Trump's announcement Thursday that the US would exit the Paris Climate Accord, the Cuomo administration said Andrew Cuomo and the governors of California and Washington are forming the United States Climate Alliance in an effort to bring together states committed to upholding the agreement. It's one of multiple similar efforts on the state and local level around the country. [NYT] [Cuomo admin] [AP/Troy Record] [NYT]
Sentencing in fatal Saratoga County crash
Maria Lentini -- who was found guilty of leaving the scene of a fatal crash with a pedestrian in Halfmoon and not reporting it -- was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison, but is out pending an appeal. One of Patrick Duff's family members said she had asked family and friends to pray for Lentini, only to find out "you left him on your windshield for over an hour to look out for yourself." [TU] [Spectrum] [Daily Gazette]
Leonard Hospital
The deal for the city of Troy to sell the Leonard Hospital property to a developer planning new affordable housing there has fallen through after a 4-4 city council vote, with councilman John Donohue
Cuomo urges Trump to stay in climate pact, Schaghticoke teen killed in crash, one plea and one sentencing in Schenectady fire perjury case, 90 mph microburst in Colonie
NY officials advise Trump on climate pact
State officials including Andrew Cuomo, Eric Schneiderman, Tom DiNapoli and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have all advised Donald Trump not to drop out of the Paris global climate change accord. [TU]
Schaghticoke teen killed in crash
Seventeen year old William Rowe -- a senior at Hoosic Valley High School in Schaghticoke-- died Wednesday morning when his pick up truck crashed head on into a motor home. The investigation into the crash continues. [TU][Spectrum]
Guilderland teen mourned
Guilderland is mourning the loss of 17 year old Alyssa Gelfand, who died in a crash on a stretch of road where another teen was 17 years ago [Spectrum] [TU]
Marquis Dixon charged for allegedly threatening mother, Guilderland teen dies from injuries sustained in crash, conflicting reactions to Albany budget report, Spa City mayor calls on voters to approve new charter
Guilderland student dies from injuries
The 17-year-old driver of a car that crashed on Hurst Road in Guilderland, has died. Police say rain and darkness were factors in the crash. [TWCN][TU]
Marquis Dixon arrested again
Marquis Dixon, the local teen who became the face of the local Raise the Age movement after being sentenced at age 16 to nine years in prison for stealing sneakers, has been arrested again, charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. Dixon, now 19, allegedly threatened his mother with a steak knife on Saturday, telling her he would kill her. A month ago Dixon, who was released earlier this year was arrested for allegedly trying to spend a fake $20 bill. [News 10][TU][TWCN][News 10]
Albany budget report
There were conflicting reactions from the mayoral candidates Tuesday to the recent state-backed consultants' report about how to fix Albany's budget situation -- ranging from "it validates the work we're doing" to "Albany is headed in the wrong direction." [TU]
Long-awaited report on Albany's finances finally out, DA rolls back Walmart theft case agreement, push for farm worker labor rights, more bits about possible new Cap Rep theater
Report on Albany finances
+ The long-awaited state-backed consultants' report on the city of Albany's finances was finally released late this past Friday afternoon -- among the many recommendations: fewer police officers and firefighters, higher taxes. [TU]
+ Reaction from the mayoral candidates. [WNYT]
State Senate stipend scandal
+ An overview and recap of latest scandalous situation involving the state legislature, involving the state Senate and the payment of committee chair stipends to members who didn't actually have the positions. [NYT]
+ "A source with knowledge of the decision" tells the Daily News that the Albany County DA's office will not be pursuing a formal investigation of the situation. [NYDN]
Rensselaer County and Walmart theft cases
+ After an agreement between the Rensselaer County DA's office and Walmart in which the chain was not to call law enforcement for thefts less than $100 -- a bid to reduce crowding local courts with cases over small thefts -- came to light in a Times Union report, DA Joel Abelove reversed course Friday. [TU x2]
+ Chris Churchill: "It all sounds like a madcap game show in which contestants run around a big-box store filling their carts -- but if they go over the $100 limit, they lose and don't get to keep the stuff. (Sad horn sound.)" [TU+]
+ From Bloomberg Businessweek last year: "Walmart's Out-of-Control Crime Problem Is Driving Police Crazy." [Bloomberg]
Siena poll:Cuomo's popularity jumps, NY lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have problems with Trump budget, an act of kindness revealed after graduation
Siena poll shows bump in Cuomo's popularity
A new Siena poll shows Andrew Cuomo's support among New York voters has jumped significantly, from 54% to 61%. But the poll shows some voters still think the governor is "under water" on six issues, including taxes and infrastructure. [Gazette][TU]
NY lawmakers on Trump budget
Chuck Schumer, Elise Stefanik and John Faso all say they have problems with the proposed Trump budget. [Hearst]
Stefanik
The DCCC is adding Elise Stefanik to a list of Republicans to target in the midterm elections. [Gazette]
Security stepped up after Manchester attack, alleged hit-and-run crashes in Schenectady, Albany seeks steep cut in valuation of Coeymans property
Manchester reaction
Following the bombing in Manchester, England, Andrew Cuomo said in a statement he's "directed state law enforcement officials to step up security and patrols at high-profile locations across New York, including our airports, bridges, tunnels and mass transit systems." [NYT] [Cuomo admin]
State Senate stipends
"Sources briefed on the meeting" tell the Times Union that one of the leaders of the state Senate Democratic conference and staffers were contacted by the Albany County DA's public integrity unit about the Senate stipends that have been paid to Republicans and members of the Independent Democratic Conference. [TU]
Schenectady alleged hit-and-runs
+ Schenectady police say a driver ran over a curb near an elementary school in Mont Pleasant Monday morning, hitting a high school student, and then drove off. SPD said it later arrested the alleged driver at her home. [Daily Gazette]
+ The man accused of a different hit-and-run in Schenectady Monday is facing a felony leaving the scene charge. [Daily Gazette]
Fatal stabbing in Albany, Troy pools not opening this summer, Saratoga Springs mayor not running for re-election, Oprah at Skidmore
Fatal stabbing in Albany
Albany police said responding officers found a man stabbed on Elk Street in West Hill early Saturday morning -- and he later died of his injuries. APD says it's investigating and asking anyone with info to call. [APD]
Man injured in Schenectady hit and run
Schenectady police say a pedestrian suffered a serious head injury in an alleged hit-and-run crash on State Street near Hulett Street (map) early Monday morning. SPD says it stopped a vehicle that matched a description reported by a witness and the driver has been charged with leaving the scene. [News10] [TU]
Charting the local government jobs of politicians' families
The Times Union continues its survey of the local government jobs held by the family members of local elected officials, specifically in Halfmoon. [TU+ x2]
Powerful storms knock out power to thousands, guilty plea in Albany murder case, law enforcement said to now be involved in state Senate stipends, UAlbany student a Youtube star
Overnight storms
+ The line of thunderstorms that rolled through the area Thursday night knocked out power to thousands of households around the region. [National Grid]
+ It appears lightning struck a house in Slingerlands, setting it on fire. [TU]
+ In Cohoes: "All of a sudden I saw this guy get struck by lightning and I was supposed to be studying for a quiz, like three quizzes, and this dude just gets hit by lightning." [WNYT]
Guilty plea in Albany murder case
The man accused of beating 63-year-old Lori Milks to death outside the South Mall Towers in Albany last November pleaded guilty second-degree murder and nows faces 19 years to life at sentencing. The attack was captured on video. The attorney for Gerard Burks was longtime local defense attorney Terry Kindlon -- he said of the case after the plea: "This is, without question, the most provable murder case I have ever seen." [TU] [Albany County DA] [WNYT] [Spectrum]
Chip fab yard sale
SUNY Poly is looking to sell tens of millions of dollars in specialized equipment after after a chip industry research consortium effort planned for the Albany campus -- the one that prompted the construction of the $365 million NanoFab X building -- fizzled out. [TU]
Mother and child hit by school bus, Senate votes to move up ride sharing, Saratoga citizens battle racist fliers with message of peace, Hollywood visits ALB
Hate crime victim not surprised by youth suspect
The father of five whose garage was burned down in an apparent hate crime earlier his week says he's not surprised a teen has been arrested for the crime, telling the TU "Children don't understand the actions that they take."[TU]
School bus hits mother and child
Police are investigating an incident in Schenectady where a city school bus hit a mother and child on Wednesday afternoon.[Gazette]
Ride sharing 10 days sooner
The NYS Senate has passed legislation that would allow ride sharing in upstate NY by the July 4th weekend. [TU]
Capital Region school budgets approved, teen arrested in connection with arson/hate crime, Albany parking tickets on the rise again, blind veteran athlete joins NY Veterans Hall of Fame
School budgets
School districts in the Capital Region approved their budgets and capital projects on Tuesday, most by large margins. The Albany Public Library budget was also approved by 76 percent. There were changes on a number of the region's school boards. [TU][TU][APL]
Arrest in alleged hate crime
Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with a Schodack fire being investigated as a hate crime. Charges can not officially be designated as a hate crime because of the suspect's age. [TWCN][News 10]
Confession in fatal crash
A Ballston Spa man has admitted that he left the scene of the crash that claimed the life of a pedestrian in Milton back in October.[TU]
Police investigating Schodack fire as a hate crime, Schenectady teen killed in Thruway crash, Capital Rep looking at potential new theater space
Polls are open today for votes on school district budgets, and in some places, also for members of school boards and library budgets. Don't know where to vote? Check with your school district's website.
Police investigating Schodack fire as a hate crime
Schodack police say a detached garage that appears to have been set on fire Sunday night had been spray painted with a swastika and a racial epithet. And the town's police chief says the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. An African-American family lives in the home -- said the father Monday: "It's not going to force me to move."
Death of man in Schenectady police custody
+ State Police say they're reviewing interviews, along with audio and video, from the recent incident in which Andrew Kearse died while in Schenectady police custody. Mayor Gary McCarthy on Monday: "The initial review seems to be that the officers acted appropriately, and (we're) looking to see what the exact cause of death was." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
+ Sara Foss: "One of the reasons Kearse's death deserves extra scrutiny is because there have been a number of troubling allegations of excessive force on the part of the Schenectady police." [Daily Gazette]
Questions about death of man in Schenectady police custody, getting ready for ride hailing, GlobalFoundries on a roll, victories that don't necessary show up on the scoreboard
Death of man in Schenectady police custody
A woman identifying as the girlfriend of Andrew Kearse -- the man who died while in Schenectady police custody last week -- said she saw police drag the man out of a police car, and that while he was on the ground and unresponsive, officers were joking that he was faking. And the man's wife, who's from the Bronx, tells News10 she questions how long it took for Kearse to get medical attention. SPD chief Eric Clifford in a statement: "Our agency is cooperating fully with this investigation and has every intention of being transparent to the community regarding all the facts related to this incident. The investigation needs to be completed and reported upon by the NYSP before any further comments can be made." [Spectrum] [News10] [Daily Gazette]
State Senate bonuses
+ An attorney for the state Senate Republican majority released a letter Saturday night pushing back on the allegation the majority had improperly directed bonuses to members of the Independent Democratic Caucus, arguing the dispensing of committee chair stipends was at the discretion of the chamber. A spokesman for the Senate's Democratic conference called the letter an "obvious after-the-fact effort to cover up for an outrageous misuse of taxpayer funds." [TU] [NYT]
+ "Insiders" explain to Ken Lovett why the bonuses came about. [NYDN]
Man dies in SPD custody, pedstrian struck in Colonie, Jimino not running for re-election, brewery planned for Albany
Man dies in Schenectady police custody
Schenectady police say a man apprehended after a short foot chase following a traffic stop died Thursday afternoon while in police custody. SPD said the man had complained of breathing problems and feeling dizzy while in a police car on the way to a station, became unresponsive, paramedics were called, and he was pronounced dead at Ellis Hospital. SPD says State Police have been called into investigate. [News10] [Spectrum] [TU]
Pedestrian struck in Colonie
Colonie police say driver struck a teen walking her dog along Albany Street Thursday afternoon -- the teen was taken to Albany Med and was in critical but stable condition, the dog died. CPD says the driver immediately stopped and called 911. CPD is investigating and asking any witnesses to call with info. [CPD press release] [News10]
American Health Care Act
+ Kirsten Gillibrand on the all-male group of Senators selected to work on the American Health Care Act: "We have 13 men writing this health care bill right now; I'd like to know what their personal experience is with women's health care." [TU]
+ More than 150 people lined a street in Schoharie Thursday to protest John Faso's recent vote for the American Health Care Act -- Faso was there to speak at the Schoharie County Republican Committee's Lincoln Dinner. [Daily Gazette]
KKK handbills found on cars in Saratoga, local reps on Comey firing, one step closer to driverless cars on NY roads
Hate speech in Saratoga
Handbills with hate messages seeking recruits for the KKK were left on car windshields in a Saratoga Springs neighborhood this week. Saratoga Springs Police Chief Greg Veitch describes the bills as amateurish, but says he is concerned that the sentiment is present in the community. [Saratogian][Gazette]
Child's death may bring new charges for imprisoned caregiver
The death of a 12-year-old child of complications from injuries sustained as a baby at the hands of a former caregiver, has Schenectady County prosecutors considering whether to bring stronger charges against the convicted assailant, who is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence for the assault. [TU[
Local reps on Comey firing
Representatives John Faso and Elise Stefanik expressed concern about the timing of the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. Kirsten Gillibrand, Chuck Schumer and Paul Tonko are among those insisting on the need for a special prosecutor in the investigation of potential Russian tampering in the 2016 presidential election.. [TU][Gazette]
Schumer warned Trump about the timing of Comey firing, husband pleads not-guilty to ax-murder of wife, Schenectady County reinstitutes fireworks ban
Schumer on Comey firing
Chuck Schumer says he warned Donald Trump that firing FBI Director James Comey now was a mistake, and would look like a cover-up. Schumer said he wants to see an independent prosecutor appointed to handle the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. [WNYT]
Alleged ax murder in Hadley
The woman whose body was found in her Hadley home last week, was the victim of an ax murder, and her husband is a suspect. Michael Norton pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife, Sherry Norton. Norton told reporters, "I love my wife. I didn't mean it to happen."[TWCN][Gazette][News 10][TU]
West found guilty in Lake George boat crash trial, Stefanik faces questions about health care vote, Mazzone empire getting international partner, Smith's Tavern is closing
Lake George boat crash trial
+ The jury found Alexander West guilty on 8 of 12 charges, including second-degree manslaughter, on Monday. He faces as many as 22 years in prison at sentencing. West's attorney says they'll be exploring a possible appeal. [News10] [TU] [Post-Star]
+ After the verdict, jurors said they wanted to take their time during deliberation and had been prepared to deliberate longer if necessary. [Post-Star]
+ Robert Knarr, grandfather of Charlotte McCue: "It's a big win, but I will tell you, every one of us here would trade this victory -- and probably our lives -- to have Charlotte back." [Daily Gazette]
American Health Care Act
Elise Stefanik faced questions about the recent American Health Care Act vote during a TV town hall meeting Monday evening hosted by Mountain Lakes PBS. Stefanik said she voted for the bill because of "reduced coverage and higher deductibles" under the Affordable Care Act. Many of the questions from the crowed were critical of her vote in support of the bill, citing concerns about loss of coverage, pre-existing conditions, and cuts to Medicaid. [Politico NY] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
Verdict in Crossgates gunfire trial, political fallout from Congressional health care vote, food banks in need as summer approaches
Crossgates gunfire trial
Friday afternoon a jury found Tasheem Maeweather, accused of firing a gun in the incident that prompted a lockdown at Crossgates, guilty of reckless endangerment -- but not guilty of attempted murder, attempted assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. He faces 3.5 to 7 years in prison -- but his attorney says they're planning an appeal. [TU] [Spectrum] [Daily Gazette]
American Health Care Act
+ Looking at the politics -- and potential electoral implications -- of the American Health Care Act in for Republican Congress members in two upstate districts. [Politico NY]
+ John Faso will not be appearing at a "Save our Healthcare Town Hall" in Kingston Monday evening -- but Sean Patrick Maloney, the Democratic Congressman from an adjacent district, will be there. [Daily Freeman]
+ A former aide to Andrew Cuomo -- and current Harvard Law student -- says he's planning a run against Faso next year. [Politico NY]
Stefanik and Faso address why they voted for AHCA, closing arguments in Lake George boat crash and Crossgates gunfire trials, 1 Monument Square plan takes step forward
American Health Care Act
+ Elise Stefanik and John Faso were both "yes" votes, Paul Tonko a "no" vote. How New York State's House delegation voted. [AOA]
+ Stefanik statement clip: "The American Health Care Act is not perfect, but it is an important step in reforming our broken healthcare system to help families in our district. As this legislation moves to the Senate, I will continue to work to strengthen the support for those with pre-existing conditions." [Stefanik office]
+ Faso statement clip: "The AHCA contains a provision I authored to eliminate the ability of New York State as of 2020 to impose Medicaid costs on county property taxpayers. ... The provision I authored will bring much-needed property tax relief and keep people and jobs in Upstate New York." [Faso office]
+ Tonko statement clip: "I can only hope Republicans come to their senses and stop this disaster in the U.S. Senate. I encourage everyone to keep up the calls, emails, tweets, posts, letters, etc. The fight to protect our care is not over." [Tonko office]
+ More reaction from New York officials. [TU]
Lake George boat crash trial
Thursday featured the closing arguments for both the prosecution and defense. Cheryl Coleman, Alexander West's attorney, tried to create an equivalency between West and the driver of the other boat, Robert Knarr, because he said he'd had wine with dinner that night. Warren County DA Kate Hogan, referencing West's alleged drug and alcohol use throughout that day: "What's good for the goose is good for the gander? Are you kidding me?" [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Crossgates gunfire trial
Thursday included the closing arguments in the trial of Tasheem Maeweather, accused of firing a gun in the incident that prompted a lockdown at Crossgates. Maeweather's attorney, Lee Kindlon, argued the the prosecution lacked evidence: "They want you to be afraid of a young black male walking through the mall." (Here's an overview of the trial.) [Spectrum] [WNYT] [Altamont Enterprise]
Faso and Stefanik will vote yes on AHCA, West doesn't testify in Lake George boat crash trial, off-duty officer says he saw Crossgates shooting
American Health Care Act
+ John Faso issued a statement Thursday morning saying that he will support vote for the amended American Health Care Act. [John Faso]
+ After initially decline to state her intentions this morning, Elise Stefanik told HuffPost she's also a "yes" vote. [@MEPFuller]
+ Paul Tonko on Twitter: "To be clear: despite what @POTUS & @HouseGOP say, #TrumpCare Does. Not. Protect. Those. With. Pre. Existing. Conditions. #VoteNoAHCA #AHCA" [@Tonko4Congress]
+ Andrew Cuomo trashed the legislation, saying it "is an assault on women and an assault on New York," and calling on New York's Congressional delegation to vote against it. [TU]
Lake George boat crash trial
The defense in the Lake George boat crash trial of Alexander West rested its case on Wednesday, without testimony from West.The defense decided against having West testify because it didn't want to risk having suppressed evidence from blood tests revealed on cross examination. West's father testified for his son, claiming that Alex West reacted with "utter disbelief" when he learned the crash resulted in the death of 8-year-old Charlotte McCue. [Spectrum] [Gazette][TU]
Witnesses didn't see Crossgates shooting defendant with gun, State Police to patrol Albany neighborhoods, Boy Scouts to close longtime local camp
Crossgates gunfire trial
Seven witnesses, including a mall Santa, testified on Tuesday that they did not see Tasheem Maeweather, the defendant in the Crossgates gunfire trial, with a gun at any point. [WNYT][TU]
State Police to patrol Albany neighborhoods
Andrew Cuomo was at the main branch of the Albany Public Library on Tuesday to announce a plan for State Police officers to patrol some violence plagued Albany neighborhoods in an effort to combat gang activity. [TU][Gazette]
Stefanik and Faso on health care bill
Both Elise Stefanik and John Faso say they are still undecided on the latest proposed Republican effort to replace the Affordable Care Act. [TU]
Defense expert witness testifies in Lake George boat crash trial, Crossgates gunfire incident trial starts, Lyft angling to pick up passengers at ALB, ghostly child or child-like ghost?
Lake George boat crash trial
Monday included testimony from Eric McCue, the father of Charlotte McCue, as the last prosecution witness, describing how he remembered the crash, seeing the other boat above him: "I noticed it was white, and then I watched it kind of traverse the rest of our boat and ultimately cross it up by where Charlotte and Courtney were sitting." There was also continued testimony from the prosecution's expert witness, and testimony from the defense expert witness, who said on cross examination that Alexander West's boat hit the boat that was carrying the McCues. [Daily Gazette] [Spectrum] [TU]
Crossgates gunfire trial
The trial of Tasheem Maeweather -- accused of firing a gun during the incident that prompted a lockdown of Crossgates -- started Monday with jury selection and discussions of the number and recollections of eyewitnesses. During opening statements, the prosecutor alleged the incident was the result of tension between two rival groups and accused Maeweather of going to the mall to settle a score. Maeweather's attorney told the jury that his client didn't fire a gun and "this case is about perception versus reality." [TU] [News10][ WNYT] [Spectrum]
Expert witness testifies in Lake George boat crash trial, differences in how restaurants are inspected, Lincoln Park pool to open this summer
Lake George boat crash trial
Friday included testimony from an expert witness for the prosecution who reconstructed the crash. The retired state trooper, who teaches marine law enforcement, testified that it appeared Alexander West's boat had been traveling 22-25 miles per hour just ahead of the crash, and the other boat was traveling 5-8 miles per hour. The defense tried to knock down the credibility of the witness and West's attorneys said they will put their own expert witness on the stand. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [Spectrum]
Crossgates gunfire trial
With the trial set to start Monday, the attorney for the man accused of firing the shots that prompted the evacuation of Crossgates last November says the DA's office offered a plea deal but he and his client aren't interested because the case is weak. [TU]
Restaurant inspections
There appears to be a divergence in how state and county health inspectors assess restaurant violations, according to an analysis by the Times Union. [TU]
Grandfather gives emotional testimony in Lake George boat crash trial, the push for police to use a "textalyzer," signs of a brewery project in Troy
Lake George boat crash trial
Robert Knarr -- Charlotte McCue's grandfather -- testified Thursday about the night of the crash, sobbing as recounted the events: "We were home, basically, and we were driving comfortably and then I heard a loud 'bang, bang, bang.'" The day also included the playing of video of a police interview with Alexander West in which he asserted he had only had two beers earlier in the day, a contention that's been disputed by testimony from earlier witnesses in the trial. [News10] [Spectrum] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Textalyzer
Legislators in the state Assembly and Senate are pushing a bill that would allow police to use a device to determine whether a mobile phone was being used during a crash -- without a warrant. Attorneys say use of the device would raise Constitutional and privacy questions. [TU] [News10]
A $2.55 million settlement and a mystery
The family of Slingerlands woman who suffered a serious brain injury at the Loudonville home of a prominent family has settled a lawsuit for $2.55 million -- but they say they still don't know what happened that night in 2011. [TU]
Split verdict in UAlbany bus trial, more drug testimony in West trial, $350 thousand price tag for unplanned Schenectady demolitions
UAlbany bus trial
The two former UAlbany students who claimed they were the victims of a racially motivated attack on a CDTA bus 15-months ago were found guilty on Wednesday of filing a false report, but were acquitted of assault and harassment charges. Asha Burwell and Ariel Agudio could each face jail time, and are currently under a 9pm curfew until their sentencing in June. Their attorneys say the case should never have come to court. [TU][Gazette][WNYT][Spectrum]
West trial
+Alexander West testified on Wednesday that he was aware there was cocaine on his boat the night he crashed into another boat, killing an eight year old girl. Attorneys for West worked out a deal for him to share the information, claiming the knowledge didn't amount to usage. Prosecutors also attempted to discredit a witness who had an on-again, off-again relationship with West and stated he was flirting with her and seemed drunk on the day of the crash.
+Sara Foss shares thoughts on the drug and partying subculture behind the Alexander West incident.
[TU][Gazette][Spectrum][Gazette]
Witnesses testify to cocaine use in Lake George boat crash trial, deliberations underway in bus attack trial, wreck claims life of 18-year-old Coeymans man, state delays Albany budget report again
Lake George boat crash trial
Jurors in the Alexander West trial on Tuesday heard from two women who testified they snorted cocaine on with West in the hours before the fatal boat crash that killed an 8-year-old girl, but it was left unclear how much cocaine West consumed or exactly how much he had to drink before the crash.[TU][Gazette]
UAlbany bus incident trial
Deliberations are underway in the UAlbany bus attack trial. In closing arguments the defense claims his clients, the women who claimed they were attacked, were acting in self defense, and asked the jury to remember the questions of racial bias in the case, while prosecutors say the video in the case shows it is not a question of racial bias, but truth.[Gazette][TU]
18-year-old killed in Albany County wreck
An 18-year-old man Coeymans man was killed and his passenger injured after their car crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a Freightliner tractor on River Road in Bethlehem. [Gazette][TU]
Defendants testify in UAlbany bus incident trial, emotional testimony in Lake George boat crash trial, giving birth along the Thruway
UAlbany bus incident trial
Ariel Agudio and Asha Burwell took the stand in the trial Monday and continued to stick with their version of events during the incident. And the connotation of the word "ratchet" continued to be at issue, with Agudio asserting it had a racist tone as used: "In that situation, I feel like she only said it because we were black." And Burwell said she heard someone use the "n" word. [TU] [Spectrum] [WNYT]
Lake George boat crash trial
Courtney McCue -- the mother of Charlotte McCue, the 8-year-old who died in the crash -- testified Monday and broke down while answering questions about that night: "I looked to my left and Charlotte wasn't moving. She wasn't responding. She was really hurt." McCue also detailed the serious injuries she sustained, including a fractured spine. And when she was shown a picture of her injured leg: "That's where my daughter's head was when it was crushed." [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU] [Spectrum] [Post-Star]
Reviewing allegations of police brutality in Schenectady, retail crunch ripples hit local municipal budgets, legislature looking at allowing booze at movie theaters
Schenectady police
Brendan Lyons reviews recent allegations of police brutality in Schenectady: "Interviews with people involved in violent encounters with Schenectady police, and a review of videos and court records, raise questions about whether the department began slipping back to its old ways in recent years." [TU]
Fatal Schenectady fire
The Schenectady Fire Department says one person died in a fire on Green Street overnight (map). Four others were able to escape. SFD is investigating the cause. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10]
UAlbany bus incident trial
Friday included testimony from two alleged victims in the bus incident, along with 11 other students who had been on the bus that night. [Spectrum] [TU]
Lake George boat crash trial
+ Friday included testimony from eight witnesses, including an off-duty detective who said he watched and heard the scene when Alexander West's boat docked following the crash. [Daily Gazette]
+ Robert Gavin considers the testimony of Cara Mia Canale -- "straight out of central casting -- from a 'Cheech & Chong' movie" -- and whether it helped or hurt the prosecution. [TU]
UAlbany bus incident trial focuses on the word "ratchet," remembering Sol Greenberg, AG says local architect wasn't actually an architect, a decade of the Veggie Mobile
UAlbany bus incident trial
+ A main topic of questioning and witness testimony at the trial Thursday: whether anyone heard racial slurs used on the bus, and what their understanding of the connotations of the term "ratchet" were. [TU] [Spectrum]
+ Among the witnesses called was a UAlbany police detective, who was asked by Aasha Burwell's attorney whether it was his job to "track down any aspect of the case to see if there was a racial component" and responded: "I don't know if it was my job. My job was to find the truth of what happened." [WNYT]
Lake George boat crash trial
Cara Mia Canale, a passenger in Alexander West's boat, testified for the prosecution Thursday that she witnessed West drinking and taking drugs throughout the day of the crash -- and that she had also taken drugs. And of the crash itself: "We hit something extremely hard...I remember kind of going airborne almost and coming down in the water." West's attorney challenged Canale on cross examination, asking her if she was on drugs at the moment -- Canale said no -- and questioning why she had changed her initial story from the day. [TU] [News10] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [Spectrum]
Sol Greenberg
Remember Sol Greenberg, the longtime Albany County DA who died this week at age 95. [TU]
Witnesses testify in UAlbany bus incident, testimony begins in Lake George boat crash trial, Anderson announces mayoral bid, letters from 1940s Albany
UAlbany bus trial
Jurors saw video of the UAlbany bus incident on Wednesday and heard from some of the people who recorded video of the altercation on their phones. Witnesses who testified said they could not tell if the fight was racially motivated. One juror had to be replaced by an alternate after he fell asleep twice during testimony, was an hour late to court on Wednesday, and two deputies had to bring him to the courthouse. [TU][TWCN][WNYT]
Lake George boat trial
Jurors in the trial of Alexander West on Wednesday heard the 911 tape from the night of the boat crash that killed 8-year-old Charlotte McCue in July of last year. They also heard testimony from McCue's step-grandmother in the case. In her opening statements, Warren County DA Kate Hogan said West drank throughout the day and snorted cocaine prior to the crash. [TU][Gazette][TWCN]
Opening arguments in UAlbany bus trial, jury in place for Lake George Boating trial,Emma Willard report on sexual abuse over 70 years
UAlbany bus trial
+Opening statements got underway on Tuesday in the trial of two women charged with falsely reporting an attack on a CDTA bus last year. The defense stated that racial bias was a part of the case, prosecutors told jurors" "You're not here to solve all the racial woes of society; your job is to decide this case based on the facts and the indictment."[TWCN][Gazette]
+Chris Churchill looks at jury selection and the question of race in the trial.
Lake George Boating trial
The trial of Alexander West, charged in the boating crash that claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl on Lake George last summer, gets underway today. [TU][Gazette]
Jury selection in UAlbany bus incident trial, TSA: pilot had gun in his bag at ALB, step forward for First Prize Center redev plan, Rue has been re-homed
UAlbany bus incident trial
+ Jury selection in the trial of the two women charged in last year's Albany bus incident took most of Monday. [WNYT]
+ Before jury selection, attorneys for the women argued that the intense public attention on the case had tainted the jury pool and asked for a change of venue -- a request denied by the judge. [TU]
+ The Albany County DA's office said four charges against one of the women were dropped because a witness was not available to testify. [News10]
+ Chris Churchill: "It won't be an easy or pleasant trial." [TU+]
Lake George boat crash trial
The first day of the trial in last summer's fatal Lake George boat crash focused on jury selection, with attorneys asking potential juries about how they view accidents. Many of the potential jurors said they didn't think they could objective about the case. [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [TU]
A look at a year of gun violence in Albany, Cuomo pushes back on free tuition plan criticism, a shortage of "starter" homes
Gun violence in Albany
The Times Union included an extensive look at the past year of gun violence in the city of Albany by Emily Masters:
+ There were 63 incidents of gunfire in the city in 2016 -- injuring 28 people and killing one -- and many of them were in West Hill. [TU]
+ The details of some of the those incidents. [TU]
+ A profile of Albany Cure Violence, the org trying to disrupt the pattern of gun violence in the city. [TU]
Halfmoon standoff
State Police used tear gas to end a standoff with a man in Halfmoon Monday morning. The standoff started Sunday, and police say one shot was fired at them and multiple shots were fired inside the home. [TU] [News10]
Health care big topic for Faso TV town hall, body found on tracks in Rensselaer, Schenectady County considers rolling back allowed fireworks
Faso TV town hall
+ A big topic during John Faso's TV town hall event on WMHT Thursday evening: health care, and his support of the effort to replace the Affordable Care Act -- "My approach with the ACA is keep what works and fix what doesn't." [NYSNYS/Daily Freeman] [TU]
+ The studio audience for the event was about 80 people, and a crowd of about 100 people gathered outside to protest. [News10]
+ Paul Tonko has a town hall-style event scheduled for next Thursday at Skidmore. [Daily Gazette]
School budgets
+ Because of an unusually large increase in state aid, the Albany school district is proposing a budget that adds multiple new programs -- but doesn't include a tax increase. [TU]
+ The Troy school district got less in state aid than officials were hoping, and its superintendent said the result was a "tough" budget. [Troy Record]
AG seizes Abelove's email, teen pleads not-guilty in Blessings Tavern crash, hundreds of pounds of bricks fall from Western Ave building, Cuomo signs free tuition legislation
Suspect in fatal Albany shooting may have City Hall connection
The Times Union is reporting that the nephew of Albany City Councilman Mark Robinson is a suspect in the shooting that killed the brother of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan's adopted son earlier this week. The paper cites "law enforcement sources" indicating an investigation into a potential retaliation scenario involving an early incident of gunfire. [TU]
Albany homicides
The murder of Christopher Hardy is Albany's fifth homicide since Thanksgiving. [TWCN]
AG's office seizes Abelove's email
The NYS Attorney General's office has seized the email of Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove as part of an investigation into Abelove's handling of Edson Thevenin by a Troy police officer.[TU]
Albany homicide victim connected to mayor, Chief Justice John Roberts visits RPI, Shen board asked to turn over land, Tuesday heat a Capital Region record
Albany homicide victim had a family connection to mayor
The 27-year-old father shot to death in West Hill on Saturday was the biological brother of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan's adopted son. "It's a call that I never thought I would ever get," said Sheehan. [WNYT][TU]
College tuition
The new plan for tuition-free state college tuition for qualifying New York State students would affect traditional students coming directly from high school who finish school on time -- something New York State students seem to be doing less frequently. [NYT]
Ethics
The New York Times on the state ethics legislation that didn't pass again this year. [NYT]
Free-tuition plan includes in-state live/work requirement, reviewing first year of Albany's LEAD program, celebrity rooster unconcerned by your schedule
State budget
Bits and reaction as people pick through the state budget...
+ On Monday Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation that raises the state's age of criminal responsibility for many crimes. [Spectrum]
+ Cuomo on the provision of the plan for free tuition at SUNY and CUNY schools -- the Excelsior Scholarship -- that requires recipients to live and work in New York State for the number of years they receive the scholarship: "Why should New Yorkers pay for your college education, and then you pick up and move to California?" [TU+]
+ A look how the school aid totals shook out for Capital Region school districts -- the Schenectady and Albany school districts got relatively large increases. Though, as Schenectady superintendent Larry Spring pointed out, the district still isn't getting the total it's marked for under the "Foundation Aid" formula. [TU] [Spectrum]
+ The new budget again includes a big barrel of pork that's distributed with little transparency. [TU+]
+ Business leaders seem relatively happy with many aspects of the budget glob of legislation, including ride hailing expansion and the re-privatization of NYRA. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
There's a state budget, ride hailing expansion part of budget deal, Nicholaus Building demolished, teen swept through sewer
State budget
There's now a $153 billion state budget -- about a week late -- after a deal announced Friday night on a bunch of different issues and rolled into a big package of legislation voted on this past weekend. Among those issues... [NYT] [TU]
Age of criminal responsibility
There's now a plan raise the state's age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 for many crimes, though advocates for the change say the plan is a half step. [Politico NY x2]
Free SUNY and CUNY tuition
There's a schedule to phase in free SUNY and CUNY tuition for students from families with incomes less than $125,000 a year. (The state's private colleges have been, and continue to be, critical of the plan.) [AP/Troy Record] [News10]
Ride hailing
There's a measure that allows services such as Uber and Lyft to start operating across the state later this year. [Daily Gazette]
School aid
The budget includes a billion dollar increase in aid for school districts -- Schenectady is getting another $15 million, and its superintendent is talking about a tax cut. [NYS DOB] [Daily Gazette]
State budget process inches ahead, larger budget surplus for Troy, Sheehan touts record ahead of formal announcement that's she's running again
State budget past deadline
The march toward a state budget continues a step or two at a time, though maybe not always forward...
+ The state Senate has gone home for the moment, but the state Assembly will be in session Friday "a long day" to take up more budget bills. [Politico NY]
+ Are leaders closer to a deal on the issues that are holding up the overall process? Maybe, who knows. [State of Politics]
+ One of the things still not nailed down is state aid for school districts, and the uncertainty is causing problems as local officials try to get district budgets set. [TU]
Troy budget
The projected general fund surplus for the city of Troy is $2.6 million, according to a report from the Madden admin, "derived from one-time unanticipated revenues, aggressive approach to revenue collection, non-recurring budgetary savings in expenditures, and tight spending controls." That's more than double the 2015 surplus. Patrick Madden: "I anticipate that there are going to be those who say, 'Well, great news, but why did you need a tax increase for 2017?' and there are going to be others who say, 'Excellent news. Now, we can fix the pools,' but I want to be careful. The factors that led to a surplus in 2016 are unique to 2016." [Madden admin] [TU] [Troy Record]
Budget negotiations slow as Senate leaves for break, fate of Schenectady's Nicolaus Building in legal limbo, Plug Power inks $600 M deal with Amazon
Budget
Budget progress made on Tuesday night slowed on Wednesday. Andrew Cuomo said there were three main sticking points on the NYS budget : affordable housing, charter schools and a deal to raise the age of criminal responsibility. Cuomo, who has pushed for on-time budgets in the past, says he is alright with delaying the budget until after the legislature's break -- which is scheduled to begin today-- because the state could use more time to get a sense of cuts that could be coming to New York from the federal government . He also reiterated an anticipated need for mid year budget adjustments in 2018. Senate has left for the break with a promise to return only for a complete budget agreement, but Assembly is expected to continue to work on Thursday. Lawmakers won't get paid until the budget is passed. [TU][NYT][CapCon][Politico][Spectrum][News 10][WNYT]
Flooding
The Capital Region is preparing for minor flooding stemming from rain this week and snow melt. [TU]
NY budget could happen this week -- or not, state spending plan includes $12.5 M for Albany, Shen voters reject proposed land sale, Sotomayor speaks at Sage and UAlbany
Budget agreement on the horizon
+ An agreement on raising the age of criminal responsibility ended a legislative deadlock over the state budget. Following the agreement, a half dozen bills were passed on Tuesday night and it's possible that a full spending plan could be passed by the end of the week. Earlier this week, legislators approved a budget extension measure -- and Andrew Cuomo says waiting until after the Easter break is fine, but Carl Heastie says he wants a spending plan passed before the break. [NYT][TWCN][WNYT][Politico][TU]
+ One of the bills introduced on Tuesday includes $12.5 million in aid for Albany -- and the money is not a "spin-up" payment on the Empire State PILOT. [TU]
Clifton Park land sale rejected by voters
Shen school district voters overwhelmingly rejected the district proposal pto sell 32 undeveloped acres of land to BBL Construction. Tuesday's final vote count was 5,442 to 2,323 against selling the land. [Gazette][Saratogian]
Legislature passes budget extenders, Sonia Sotomayor visits, concerns voiced about Rezone Albany, it's Free Cone Day
State budget past deadline
With the state now past its deadline for a new budget...
+ The state Senate and Assembly approved budget extender legislation Monday that will fund the government through the end of May. (And state employees will be paid this week.) [TU x2]
+ Though the government will keep running, the lack of a new budget creates significant uncertainty about aid for local school districts as they head toward budget votes later this spring. Also left hanging: The city of Albany and its push for $12.5 million in additional aid. [TU] [News10]
+ Legislators aren't happy about the situation -- and there's a lot finger pointing, especially at Andrew Cuomo. [Politico NY] [TU] [Spectrum]
+ The hang-up for the budget continues to be a handful of proposals that are not necessarily budget related, such as the push to raise the criminal age of responsibility. [NYT]
+ The budget extenders include almost $1.8 billion for Cuomo admin economic development projects. [Politico NY]
Sonia Sotoymayor
Sonia Sotomayor's visit to the Capital Region this week included a talk with Albany Law students Monday evening. She'll be at Sage Tuesday morning, and then at UAlbany Tuesday evening for an event open to the public. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
State budget past deadline, middle school space crunch in Albany, local history in mural form
State budget past deadline
The deadline for an on-time state budget was the end of Friday -- but as of Monday morning, there was no budget:
+ Andrew Cuomo is proposing a resolution that would extend the current budget through May and keep the government running -- though state legislators would not be paid while its in effect. The legislature can approve the extender in full or reject it outright, there's no in between. [State of Politics] [Politico NY]
+ The budget process is apparently hung up on outside issues that have been folded into the budget, notably the proposal to raise the criminal age of responsibility. [NYT]
Albany shootings
Albany police say they're investigating two shootings over the weekend -- the shooting of a 61-year-old man in the South End Saturday evening (map), and the shooting of a 29-year-old man Sunday afternoon in Pine Hills (block map). APD said Sunday it didn't know if the two shootings were related. [APD x2]
State budget deadline day, 30 days for strangulation death, debate over Saratoga Springs class, concerns about RPI's hockey program
State budget deadline
+ The state budget is due by the end of Friday, but it looks like it won't be done and the process is headed into into stoppage time this weekend. [TU] [State of Politics]
+ Among them major issues tangled in the budget process: The push to raise the state's criminal age of responsibility from 16 to 18. A done deal? Maybe -- maybe not. [State of Politics] [TU]
+ Another issue tacked onto the budget process: Legislation to allow companies such as Uber and Lyft to operated statewide. Is it going to happen? Probably, maybe. [Politico NY]
Sentencing in strangulation death
The Wilton man who pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in the strangulation death of neighborhood during a disagreement over loud music has been sentenced to 30 days in jail, five years probation, and restitution of more than $8k. The DA's office pointed to extenuating circumstances, including a heart condition, that contributed to the man's death. The victim's wife: "That was a sentence for a jaywalker." [News10] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU]
Ride sharing and college tuition still on the table as budget deadline looms, underground fire closes part of State Street near Proctors, Tony Soprano and the plan to memorize Pi
State budget
New York's budget is due Friday at midnight and legislators continue negotiations. Major issues still on the table include making college more accessible and expanding taxi ride-sharing upstate and raising the age of criminal responsibility. [TWCN][Politico][WNYT]
Schenectady underground fire
An underground explosion and fire has closed a portion of State Street in front of Proctors in Schenectady. [TU][Gazette]
Cuomo rating up in new Q Poll, federal cuts may affect NY budget plan, fewer local opt outs on state exams, fixing up FDR's Packard
Q Poll shows hike in Cuomo's approval
The latest Quinnapiac poll shows Andrew Cuomo's approval rating at a two year high of 52%, while Donald Trump's rating is at 29 percent. [Politico]
State budget
New York's budget deadline is three days away and Andrew Cuomo says deals are close on policy items like expanding ride sharing outside NYC and raising the age of criminal responsibility in New York. but Cuomo is concerned about the impact federal funding cuts could have on the state budget. Cuomo also said on Tuesday that he won't sign a budget without a wage hike for workers who care for workers who care for people with developmental disabilities. [TU][NYT][News10]
Albany budget
While New York State is concerned about the impact of the federal budget on New York's spending plan, Kathy Sheehan is concerned with getting $12.5 million from the state to balance Albany's budget.Sheehan is also concerned about the impact of Albany's sanctuary city designation and what that could mean for federal funding to the city, since earlier this week Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatened to pull funding for sanctuary cities -- but Sheehan reaffirmed that Albany will remain a sanctuary city. [TWCN][WNYT]
Extension for the state budget?, push for recorded interrogations, question incentives to keep jobs upstate, shooting in Albany, three minutes of alpaca
State budget
The state budget is due by the end of Friday -- but Andrew Cuomo is talking about the possibility of an "extender budget" that would continue the state's current budget, citing concerns about uncertainty in how funding for the state will shake out in the federal budget. (Is this just a negotiating tactic on the part of the governor? Maybe!) [TU] [Politico NY] [State of Politics]
Recorded interrogations
Advocates were at the Capitol Monday pushing for a requirement that all police interrogations in violent felony cases be recorded on video. And Adrian Thomas, who was eventually acquitted of killing his infant son in Troy in 2008 in a case that included a recorded confession that he says was coerced by police, was there to lend his support to the proposal. A bill passed by the state Senate and backed Andrew Cuomo would expand recorded interrogations, but advocates say it doesn't go far enough and wouldn't have required video in the case of Thomas. [Spectrum] [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [News10] [TU]
Peter Young
Peter Young Housing Industries and Treatment is asking a court to stop the state from cutting off the funding for its programs in the Capital Region, and accuses a state official of "egregious bureaucratic bullying." [TU]
Questioning the billions spent on upstate economic development, final stretch for state budget, point of contention for ride sharing, Union hockey crashes out of NCAA tournament
Jobs, jobs, jobs?
Job growth upstate has lagged the national average during Andrew Cuomo's administration. And a review by by a coalition of investigative reporting orgs of the billions spent by the state on economic development iniatitives concludes "the state's substantial investment in the upstate economy has not generated many jobs." [Investigative Post/TU x2]
American Health Care Act
Local Congressional rep reaction to the Republican health care bill crashing:
+ Democrat Paul Tonko, who had opposed the plan: "It's about life and death choices. Rather than victory laps here, we need to acknowledge that voices, email, social media across span of weeks is what saved health care for 24 million Americans." [TU]
+ Republican John Faso, who had supported the plan and been a backer of New York-only provision to shift Medicaid costs from counties to the state (the subject of much criticism from Andrew Cuomo), called for the two major parties to work together on health care "in an incremental way where we can find bipartisan consensus because it's clear we can't rely just on Republican votes to pass these reforms." [WNYT]
+ Republican Elise Stefanik, who didn't publicly state how she would vote on the plan, in a released statement: "I am committed to achieving a 21st century healthcare system and will continue to work to replace Obamacare with reforms that lower costs, increase access and improve quality for hard working North Country families." [Stefanik office]
Stefanik undecided on health care vote, crunch time for Albany state aid, ShopRite considering Clifton Park
American Health Care Act
+ A spokesman for Elise Stefanik said Thursday evening she's still undecided about how to vote on the American Health Care Act and was waiting to review the final text of the legislation. Earlier Thursday about a hundred people held a "die in" outside Stefanik's office in Glens Falls, urging her to vote no. [Post-Star] [News10]
+ Andrew Cuomo argued Thursday that a provision in the American Health Care Act that would shift Medicaid costs from New York counties outside NYC to the state -- and only do so in New York State -- is unconstitutional and said the state is considering a lawsuit if the provision becomes law. [TU]
Fatal Troy shooting
Troy police say the man shot Thursday morning near Prospect Park has died. TPD says it's looking for two men and the shooting does not appear to be random. [TWCN] [Troy Record] [News10]
State funding for Albany
With the state budget deadline approaching, Albany city officials say they're cautiously optimistic the city will get the additional $12.5 million in state aid on which the current city budget relies -- but are preparing for cuts if the money doesn't come through. [TU]
Abelove files civil suit over Cuomo order, Capital Region population rank drops, unattended cooking oil blamed for Colonie fire, Siena students create arm for 7-year-old Ugandan girl
Abelove
Less than a week after Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office seized the cellphone of Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove in an investigation into the death of a civilian in a confrontation with police, has filed a civil complaint in state Supreme Court seeking to overturn Andrew Cuomo's order giving the NYS attorney general authority to supersede local DAs in such cases. [TU]
Capital Region population
Fixed According to newly released U.S. Census data, Capital Region population rank relative to other metros slipped a few places. [TU]
NY Dems lobby against ACA repealing replace
Top state officials are doing some last minute lobbying to try to influence House Republicans from NY to vote against the measure to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. [Gazette][TU]
Faso/Collins ACA amendment causes uproar, Colonie apartment fire displaces 100, Child hit by school bus in Troy, PFOA troubled Hoosick Falls elects new mayor
Faso/Collins ACA amendment causes state concerns
An amendment to ACA legislation proposed by Congressmen John Faso and Chris Collins, that would only affect New York State, would relive counties outside of New York City of responsibility for Medicaid, shifting their portion of payment to the state. The plan, which also calls for a property tax cut, has angered Andrew Cuomo, and caused mixed reaction in both parties. [WNYT][Spectrum][Buffalo News][NYT]
Colonie apartment fire
Three people were hospitalized, one is seriously injured, and about 100 were left homeless after fire broke out in a kitchen of a Colonie apartment building. [Gazette][TU][News 10]
Child hit by school bus
A 6-year-old boy was hit by a school bus in Troy early Wednesday morning. The Child was sent to the hospital with lacerations and non life threatening injuries. [News 10][TU]
Police say man painted swastikas on his own house, New York-specific provision for Republican health care plan, prospects not good for Empire State Trail funding
Swastika graffiti
Remember that story from February in which a Schenectady man said he went outside and found that someone had spray painted swastikas on his home? Schenectady police say they now believe the man did it himself and he's been arrested on misdemeanor falsely reporting an incident charge. He's also been ticketed for harassment for allegedly threatening a person in February. [Daily Gazette February 2017] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Troy police officer charged with DWI
The off-duty Troy police officer accused of crashing into a Colonie police vehicle while driving drunk has pleaded not guilty. His attorney says he's been suspended from his job, which TPD didn't confirm Monday evening. [News10] [TU]
American Health Care Act
The Republican leadership of the House of Representatives has inserted a special New York-only provision into their chamber's version of the American Health Care Act in attempt to sway Republican House members from the state -- it would shift Medicaid costs from non-NYC counties to the state, a move that's been sought by many county officials around the state. Both John Faso and Elise Stefanik say they support the provision. [NYT] [The Hill] [HuffPo] [TU]
Fatal crash following chase, Tonko not a fan of health care bill, back-and-forth continues over Peter Young programs, 50 episodes about Steven Raucci?
Fatal crash after chase
State Police say one man died -- and two State Troopers were injured -- during an episode Saturday night in which the man led police on a high-speed chase from Schoharie County to Rotterdam, where he crashed his vehicle into dump truck hauling snow. State Police say the man had indicated in a call to his girlfriend that he intended to kill himself by crashing into something. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Police conduct
+ Brendan Lyons reports that a Schenectady police lieutenant was suspended following an incident "in which a woman's head was split open when she was picked up and slammed down onto a station bench by two officers, and then charged with a crime that portrayed her as the aggressor." He reports there's video of the incident. [TU]
+ An off-duty Troy police officer was charged with DWI following a crash into a Colonie police vehicle early Saturday morning in Colonie. Troy police say the officer has been "relieved of his duties" pending an investigation. [TU] [News10] [Troy Record]
+ An association that represents district attorneys statewide has decided to not file a brief in support of Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove's challenge of the Cuomo executive order giving the state Attorney General authority to review cases in which unarmed civilians die during interactions with police. (Investigators with the state AG's office recently seized a county-owned phone used by Abelove as part of their investigation into Abelove's handling of the grand jury review of the death of Edson Thevenin in Troy.) [TU]
Snow clearing continues, Rensselaer County DA's phone seized, New York pushback against proposed Trump budget, floating tiki bars
Snow clearing
Snow emergencies continue to be in effect in Albany and Troy.
+ In Troy, some residents they've been confused by the rules for the snow emergency. (Troy rarely declares snow emergencies.) And crews say they've been slowed by cars that haven't been moved. [WNYT] [Spectrum]
+ In Schenectady on Thursday, residents of Hamilton Hill were calling attention to streets that were still unplowed. Mayor Gary McCarthy said crews had been slowed by cars that were not observing parking rules. [News10] [WNYT]
+ Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan says crews have moved 25,000 cubic yards of snow to the city's snow dock in Glenmont. (By some back-of-the-envelope math, that's roughly equivalent to a football field piled almost 12 feet high.) [CBS6]
Rensselaer County DA's phone seized
On Thursday investigators from the state Attorney General's office seized a county-owned mobile used by Rensselaer County district attorney Joel Abelove as part of its ongoing investigation into the DA's handling of the grand jury review of the incident in which Troy police fatally shot Edson Thevenin. The judge who signed the search warrant for the phone was state Supreme Court Justice Richard McNally -- the former Rensselaer County DA against whom Abelove had run in a previous election -- a situation Abelove's attorney called "very disconcerting." Abelove's attorney also accused the state AG's office of pursuing the case for political reasons, "that it would polish [Eric Schneiderman's] credentials for higher office." [Troy Record] [TU] [Spectrum]
Snow emergencies in effect, police search for suspect in Schenectady shooting, cows rescued in barn collapse, RID founder dies at 90
Snow
+Snow emergencies are in effect around the Capital Region as efforts to clear streets after Tuesday's blizzard continue. In Albany cars need to be on the even side of the street until 8pm on Thursday, then they switch to the odd side. Tow trucks are out in the city to remove cars that do not comply. [TWCN][News 10]
+Troy has even instituted a rare snow emergency. [TWCN]
+Snow removal efforts will delay garbage pickup in Schenectady until Saturday. [Gazette]
+Snow days are starting to add up for some districts in the Capital Region. [Gazette]
Schenectady shooting
Schenectady police are seeking a suspect in the shooting of a city man in a busy area of State Street at 2pm on Wednesday. Police say the shooting took place near 787 State street. The victim was taken to Albany Medical Center. [TWCN][Gazette][TU]
Capital Region digs out after blizzard, snow emergencies announced, PFOA found in Cambridge, Cuomo on Bharara firing -"I haven't followed it"
Snow
+ The Capital Region continues to dig out after Tuesday's blizzard. As much as two feet of snow fell on parts of the region. Schools, malls, New York State offices and pretty much everything else closed on Tuesday. Tractor trailers were banned from I-87 and other area highways. All flights were canceled out of Albany Airport. Today airline service is starting to return, and Amtrak is working to get trains running again, but it's best to check the status of flights and trains before heading to your destination. [TU][WNYT][News10][TWCN]
+ Snow emergencies are in effect in communities around the region while crews attempt to clear the roadways. Albany's snow emergency goes into effect at 8 pm Wednesday. [WNYT][
+Schenectady used GPS to help them clear the streets more effectively on Tuesday. Gazette]
Blizzard warning issued, projecting Preet Bharara probabilities, expansion of Albany County styrofoam ban voted down
Blizzard
+ The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the area through Wednesday morning: "Extremely dangerous travel conditions due to snow covered roads, white-out conditions along with blowing and drifting snow." [NWS Albany]
+ Snow totals are now forecasted to be in the range of two feet. [NWS Albany]
+ The governor has declared a state of emergency in all counties and directed non-essential state employees in affected areas to stay home. [Cuomo admin]
+ Many local offices, businesses, and other places are closed today. If you're wondering if it's closed, the answer is probably yes.
+ CDTA says that, for now, it's running on its regular schedule today. (Though there are sure to be delays.) But keep checking for updates if you plan on riding. [CDTA]
+ The city of Albany has issued a snow emergency starting Wednesday at 8 pm with EVEN side parking. [City of Albany]
Preet Bharara is out as US Attorney, early look at casino revenue, Albany school district considers Muslim holidays, Troy as a software spot
Preet Bharara is out
+ On Friday The Trump administration asked for the resignations of the 46 US Attorneys that were holdovers from the Obama administration -- including Preet Bharara, whose office prosecuted Sheldon Silver, Dean Skelos, and as an active case against associates of Andrew Cuomo. And as the high-profile prosecutor declared on Twitter Saturday: "I did not resign. Moments ago I was fired." Bharara's ouster is a bit of a surprise because it appeared he would be staying on after a meeting with Donald Trump late year.
+ Why the change? Speculation includes that Bharara's ouster was a Trump shot at Chuck Schumer (Bharara once worked for Schumer). A group of ethics advocacy orgs had also recently asked Bharara to investigate where Donald Trump was in violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution, which was noted by the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. [Politico NY] [NPR] [ABC News]
+ Because New York and politics: "Preet Bharara is out of a job. Will he run for another?" [Politico NY]
+ Among the other US Attorney's let go: Richard Hartunian, whose district included the Capital Region. [TU]
Charge in fatal Washington Park incident
Albany police say the man accused of hitting Rajine Martinez with his SUV in Washington Park and then taking off has been charged with leaving the scene for the February incident. Martinez, who police have said had already been lying in the roadway, later died at the hospital. [APD FB] [TU February 13]
Forty years in prison for role in killing of Lansingburgh couple, Schneiderman to join challenge to Trump immigration order, Megyn Kelly at Albany Law
Sentencing in death of Lansingburgh couple
Daniel Reuter -- who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the killings of Allen and Maria Lockrow in Lansingburgh in 2014 -- was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday. As part of Reuter's plea deal, he testified against co-defendant Jacob Heimroth, who's serving 50 years to life after being convicted of second-degree murder. Said Allan Lockrow's brother afterward of the crime and extended case: "No family should have to go through this. This was brutal." [Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN]
Charges upgraded against Schenectady man accused of setting his wife on fire
The charges against Antonio Bargallo -- the Schenectady man accused of setting his wife on fire in their home Saturday -- have been upgraded to include a second-degree murder charge. [TU]
Police looking for adult who slapped child
Rotterdam police released a video Thursday of an adult forcefully slapping a 13-year-old boy inside a gas station, and they're looking for help in identifying the man. Rotterdam Police lieutenant Jeff Collins, to TWCN: "For a person to take out their frustration by striking a juvenile is completely unacceptable." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]
Commisso Jr officially declares for Albany mayor
Common Council member Frank Commisso Jr. formally announced Thursday that he's running for mayor of Albany. [TU]
Hochul: proposed health care plan would have "devastating consequences," body of Johnstown man found in suitcase in Arkansas, EBA theater building sells at auction
Hochul on health care
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said Wednesday that the new Republican health care plan would have "devastating consequences" for New Yorkers, particularly low-income residents. [TU]
Johnstown man's body found in suitcase in Arkansas
A elderly Johnstown man's body has been found in a suitcase in an Alabama field. An investigation is underway, but police believe the man died in Johnstown and the body was driven to Arkansas by people he knew. [Gazette][TWCN][TU]
Marquis Dixon
Marquis Dixon, the teen charged with stealing a pair of sneakers whose sentence was reduced when his case became the center of a high profile effort to gain him youthful offender status, is back in jail after two parole violations. Chris Churchill spoke with Dixon's mother, who says the violations were curfew violations.[TU][TU]
Capital Region representatives react to Republican health care plan, Troy building to be demolished after fire, Trump immigration polices could affect local tourism and racing industries
Health care
Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Paul Tonko came out in opposition to the health care overhaul plan released by Congressional Republican leadership and the Trump administration Tuesday. Republicans John Faso and Elise Stefanik appeared optimistic but say they are still looking at the plan. [TU][Gazette]
Abelove challenging Cuomo
Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove is asking the state district attorneys association to back him in fighting Andrew Cuomo's order allowing the NYS Attorney General to intervene in cases involving fatal encounters between police officers and unarmed civilians. [TU]
4th Street building coming down
A section of 4th Street in Troy will be closed today as crews tear down a building that was destroyed by fire on Tuesday. [Record]
Charges likely to be upgraded against man accused of setting wife on fire, Albany council approves Palace transfer plan, more Troy political drama
Charges likely to be upgraded for Schenectady man accused of setting his wife on fire
Antonio Bargallo -- the Schenectady man accused of setting his wife on fire in their home Saturday -- is being held without bail and is likely to face upgraded charges later this week (he's currently facing charges that include attempted murder). Said a neighbor of Elizabeth Gonzalez, who died of her injuries Sunday, to the Gazette: "She was a beautiful woman." And one of Gonzalez's sons of the situation, to News10: "That man took everything from me and my little brother that man took a lot. No matter how I want to turn it off, he's still my father." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Palace transfer plan approved
The Albany Common Council voted 12-3 in favor of a proposal to transfer ownership of the Palace Theater to the non-profit org that runs for the venue for $750,000 paid to the city over 30 years -- the proposal also calls for a community benefits plan to be included in the deal. (The Palace is planning a large renovation and expansion, and the org says it needs to have ownership of the building to move forward.) [TU]
March madness
+ The Siena men's basketball team narrowly missed out on a trip to the NCAA tournament, losing to Iona 87-86 in overtime in the MAAC tournament final at the TU Center Monday night. [TU]
+ The UAlbany men's team advanced to the final of the America East tournament with 63-56 win at Stony Brook Monday night. The Great Danes will face Vermont in Burlington Saturday morning with a spot in the NCAA tournament on the line. [UAlbany]
Schenectady woman dies after being set on fire, 16 agencies respond to bowling alley fight, remembering John Hedley
Police: Woman set on fire
Schenectady police say
Rape kit testing backlog
The Schenectady police department had a backlog of 75 untested rape kits during a recent review by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services -- the fourth highest total in the state. [TU+]
Schenectady code enforcement
Sara Foss reviews the many questions about the city of Schenectady's code enforcement following the charges against a building inspector related to the fatal Jay Street fire: "Frankly, I have a hard time believing that the conditions that existed at 104 Jay Street -- and the failure to fix them or order them fixed -- are unique." [Daily Gazette]
Focus on Schenectady code enforcement following Jay Street fire charges, Schumer and Gillibrand call for Sessions to resign, what are those tall poles in Troy for?
Jay Street fire
Said Schenectady County DA Robert Carney Thursday of Schenectady code enforcement officer Kenneth Tyree, who had been arraigned earlier in the day on charges including second-degree manslaughter in the 2015 Jay Street fire that caused the deaths of four people: "He just didn't do his job." The prosecution alleges that building manager Jason Sacks -- who was also charged with second-degree murder Thursday -- had allowed the fire alarm and smoke detection system at 104 Jay St. to be inoperable for five weeks leading up to the fire, and Tyree didn't flag the problem and make the necessary warnings. (A survivor of the fire had said from the start that he never heard a fire alarm.) [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [News10]
The charges against Tyree cast more questions about the state of Schenectady's code enforcement department, the head of which committed suicide last month and friends told the Times Union he had been demoralized about his job. (Carney said Thursd the department head wasn't a target of the investigation and knew that.) The department is set to be audited by the state comptroller's office. [Daily Gazette] [TU+] [TU]
High winds
The high winds Thursday contributed to 35,000 power outages around the region, including one side of Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. [Daily Gazette]
Charges in 2015 Jay Street fire, Albany council reviews Palace plan, Sage announces new president
Jay Street fire
A Schenectady city code enforcement officer and a property manager were arraigned Thursday morning on charges that include second-degree manslaughter in connection with the 2015 Jay Street fire that killed four people. Among the allegations in the indictments: the property manager "tampered with or otherwise disturbed" the fire and alarm system at 104 Jay St., and that code enforcement officer failed to take required action after "knowing the fire protective system was out of service." Schenectady County DA Robert Carney is expected to release a report on the investigation into the fire today as well. [TU] [Gazette x2]
Threats to JCCs
Andrew Cuomo visited the Albany Jewish Community Center on Wednesday, decrying the rash of bomb threats locally and nationally and promising New York is fully committed to seeing justice done in the case. Cuomo has also announced he'll be taking a trip to Israel. [TWCN][Gazette][TU][NYT]
Windy
High winds caused falling trees and power polls in the Capital Region overnight, resulting inpower outages, blocked roads and some school delays. High winds are expected to continue today. [TU][News 10][Gazette][WNYT]
Local representatives react to Trump speech, body found in Schenectady, Drue loses appeal in fatal crash, Capital Center set to open
Local representatives react to Trump speech
Donald Trump addressed the nation Tuesday night. Here are a few reactions from local representatives:
+Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the speech had an air of unreality, saying "What the president says and what the president does are almost at opposite ends." [Washington Examiner]
+John Faso was encouraged by Trumps talk about immigration while Paul Tonko believes "It's just smoke and mirrors masquerading as immigration reform,'' [TU]
+ Kirsten Gillibrand says she hopes Trump will support the FAMILY Act based on his acknowledgment of the need for paid leave. [Observer]
Capital Center opens today
The $78 million Capital Center at opens today in downtown Albany, just in time for the MAAC conference basketball tournament. [TU]
Cuomo on Albany spin-up
In a Q&A at the Capitol on Tuesday, Andrew Cuomo said again the the state is working to find a way to close the $12.5 million gap in the Albany city budget but isn't promising the whole total. [TU]
Not guilty plea in deaths of two women, Hoosick Falls board tables settlement offer, GE engineer held up by immigration order back in Niskayuna
Arrest in connection with deaths of two women
Edward Mero of Albany pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of two women: Shelby Countermine, whose body was found on land owned by the Albany Water Department in Coeymans in May 2015, six months after she was last seen in Schenectady; and Megan Cunningham, whose body was found after a house fire on Arcadia Ave in Albany in January of 2013. State Police said Monday it was only recently that they felt they had enough information for an arrest. Mero's attorney, Cheryl Coleman, pointed to leaks to the media ahead of the indictment being unsealed and criticized the prosecution's case: "[W]hat they did is they clearly opened an investigation where they had two weak cases, put them together and hoped to strengthen them both that way." [News10] [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU]
Hoosick Falls
The Hoosick Falls village board voted to table the proposed $1 million settlement with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International over PFOA contamination of the water supply. The meeting featured many speakers against the settlement. Resident Brian Bushner, who's running unopposed for a village trustee spot: "People here deserve better. We deserve to have our bills paid, but we also deserve not to give up our future." [News10] [WNYT] [TU]
Company records: State Senator Brad Hoylman, a Democratic member of the Senate's Environmental Conservation Committee, is pushing for the legislature to release to the public records subpoenaed from three companies involved in PFOA contamination of water supplies in Rensselaer County. [TU]
Man charged in deaths two women years apart, Gillibrand urges Hoosick Falls to hold off on settlement, how much blame does Albany deserve for its budget problems?
Arrest in connection with deaths of two women
An Albany man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of two women: Shelby Countermine, whose body was found on land owned by the the Albany Water Department in Coeymans in 2015; and Megan Cunningham, who died in a house fire on Arcadia Ave in Albany in 2013. An Albany County grand jury has handed up an indictment against 29-year-old Edward (Ted) Mero, who's been on paid leave from the city water department since May of 2015, and he was arrested Friday. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder Monday morning. [News10] [TU x2]
Man missing in Poestenkill Gorge
Troy officials say a man fell into the Poestenkill Gorge Saturday and has not yet been found. Mayor Patrick Madden said the man had been seen climbing rocks when he lost his grip, fell, and did not surface in the water. The Troy Fire Department said turbulent water has limited the search. [TWCN] [News10] [TU]
Gillibrand urges rejection of Hoosick Falls agreement
Kirsten Gillibrand has issued a letter to Hoosick Falls mayor David Borge urging the village board to hold off the proposed $1 million settlement with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International to cover costs associated with PFOA contamination of the village water supply. The US Senator expressed concerns about the size of the settlement and the restrictions it would place on the village taking further action in the future. The village board is scheduled to vote on the agreement Monday evening. [TU] [TWCN] [Troy Record]
Murder charge in Albany infant death, Troy officer honored for actions during shootout, a new life here and a new arm
Albany infant death
A Troy man has been indicted on charges that include second-degree murder in the death of an infant at a residence in Albany earlier this month. Prosecutors allege the man "recklessly engage[d] in conduct which created a grave risk of death that ultimately resulted in the death of a one year old infant". An Albany woman has also been indicted on charges of endangering the welfare of a child. Both people have pleaded not guilty. The infant's grandmother tells News10 that woman charged is the boy's mother. Albany police say officers had been called to the apartment on South Allen Street February 6 and found the infant unresponsive -- he as taken to Albany Med and later died. [Albany County DA] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TWCN]
Transgender students
Following a Trump administraion rollback of federal protections for transgender students this week, New York State officials -- including Andrew Cuomo, education commissioner MaryEllen Elia, and attorney general Eric Schneiderman emphasized state protections for transgender students. [Washington Post] [Politico NY]
Guilty verdict in Best murder, Hoosick Falls considers revised PFOA agreement, Stefanik/Faso constituents call for town halls, the choices that led to closure of Troy's pools
Guilty verdict in Best murder
After five hours of deliberations, a Schenectady jury convicted Bloods member Troy Saunders of first-degree murder, robbery and all other charges in the death of Wayne Best Junior. Saunders could face life without parole.[Gazette][TWCN][TU]
Hoosick Falls
Former EPA administrator Judith Enck is urging Hoosick Falls not to accept a
a newly revised settlement from Honeywell and Saint Gobain that would up compensation for contamination by $195 thousand to $1.04 million. [TWCN][Record][TU]
SUNY Poly
Former NYS Budget Director Bob Megan was appointed on Wednesday as the president of SUNY Poly's two nonprofit development arms. [TU]
New draft settlement for Hoosick Falls, no charges for firefighter who accidentally shot himself, transgendered woman assaulted at bus stop
Saint Gobain ups Hoosick Falls settlement
A new draft agreement between Hoosick Falls and Saint Gobain adds $195,000 to an original $850,000 agreement for expenses related to PFOA contamination. [TWCN][TU]
Meanwhile, Hoosick Falls mayor David Borge says he agrees with a recent statement by NYS Health Commissioner Howard Zucker that the village now has some of the cleanest drinking water in the nation. [Record]
Petersburgh air
Results taken from a test of the Taconic Plastics facility in Petersburgh show PFOA and other substances are being removed from emissions. [WNYT][TU]
Gibson on McMaster
Chris Gibson served under H.R. McMaster and has high praise for Donald Trumps choice for National Security Advisor. [TU]
Overflow crowd at local Congressional town hall meeting, opposition to Colonie landfill expansion, SUNY Poly said to be "rudderless," the sordid casino story that maybe wasn't so sordid
Tonko town hall meeting
An overflow crowd of more than 500 people turned out for a town hall-style meeting with Paul Tonko Monday evening in Schenectady. Among the topics: the Affordable Care Act, refugees, manufacturing jobs, and the environment. Said Tonko during the meeting: "When I have a chance to meet with the president, I will share some very strong feelings about climate change, about the environment, about public lands." The crowd appeared generally supportive of the Democrat. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TWCN] [WNYT]
Stefanik and Faso: Neither Elise Stefanik or John Faso have town hall-style meetings scheduled, a recent point of criticism for both Republican Congress members. [Saratogian] [TU]
Gillibrand on Russia and Trump foreign policy
Kirsten Gillibrand during a visit to 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base Sunday: "I am very concerned about another country trying to undermine our elections. Our democracy depends on free and fair elections and so I am concerned by these acts by Russia. I am concerned how the president is reacting to other foreign countries and positioning us in a more volatile way. I'm concerned about the country and our well-being and it's one of the roles I take very seriously on the Armed Services Committee." [TU] [TWCN]
Colonie landfill expansion
A look at the opposition organizing among nearby towns and residents against the proposed expansion of the Colonie landfill near the Mohawk River. [TU+]
Albany bracing for possibility state aid doesn't come through, push for money to fix sewers and water systems, he was cooking at home
Albany push for state aid
The $12.5 million in additional state aid the Sheehan administration included in the current city of Albany budget was not part of the state budget amendments released Thursday evening. At a press conference Friday morning Kathy Sheehan said she believes the Cuomo admin is "is convinced of our case" and the city would continue to press for the aid with members of the state legislature.
The money represents 7 percent of the current city budget and Sheehan said the city is preparing for the possibility it doesn't come through. She's instituted a hiring a freeze in which any new hire would have to be revenue neutral. And she said the city is reviewing every program -- including events such as Alive at Five, which is now at risk without the aid.
Said Sheehan of the city's request to the state in light of the relatively low amount of money the city gets through the state's regular aid program for municipalities: "The state capital is treated like no other large city in New york State. And I just want to stress that. We are not asking for something extra. We are asking for something that gets us a little closer to parity."
Here's a quick thread by Geoff Redick that includes some context and reaction. [@Redick_TWCNews]
Earlier: Does Albany get a fair share of state aid?
"That's a lurking monster right now"
Jim Tedisco and Phil Steck pushed the case for state legislation that would set up a regular stream of funding for local municipalities to address water and sewer infrastructure. Said Tedisco Thursday: "That's a lurking monster right now and we can pay now or we can pay later." Tedisco has promoted this idea in past years, but he says hopeful of seeing action this time around because he's a now in the state Senate and a member of the majority coalition. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]
Video admissible in Crossgates shooting, D.A. report: Rotterdam police shooting justified, fired Walmart employee sentenced in bank robberies
Video admissible in Crossgates shooting
An acting State Supreme Court judge has ruled that a videotaped conversation between police and Tasheem Maeweather -- the man accused of firing a gun during the November incident in Crossgates that prompted a lockdown of the mall -- will be allowed as evidence in his attempted murder trial. [TU]
Rotterdam police shooting declared justified
Schenectady County DA Robert Carney released a report on Wednesday, stating that the Rotterdam patrolman who shot and killed a knife-wielding veteran in April was justified in the shooting. The report calls the event "an unavoidable tragedy."[TU][TU][Gazette]
Inmate charged with murder
A prison inmate serving time for a non-fatal Hamilton Hill shooting is now facing murder charges in connection with the 2014 shooting death of Angel Carrion in Schenectady's Mont Pleasant neighborhood. [TU][Gazette]
Rocks suspect rejects plea bargain, Momentive strike ends after 15 weeks, possible Hoosick Falls air pollution, Spa City gets Code Blue shelter
Rocks suspect rejects plea
Kareem Blacknall, the man accused of the fatal shooting at Rocks night club in Albany last November, has rejected a plea bargain of 18 years to life in prison and will stand trial for murder, attempted murder and other charges. Blacknall's lawyers claim he was at the club but that he is not guilty of the shooting.Lawyers for Blacknall say their client is not safe in jail, claiming there is a bounty on his head inside the facility. [TU][TWCN][TU]
Momentive
After 105 days, the strike at Momentive has come to an end.
Union members have approved a new contract, but relations remain strained, particularly over the fate of 25 employees who were fired during the strike.
The union is now working to try to reinstate those employees. [TU][Gazette][Saratogian][WNYT]
APD: Suspect in fatal Washington Park hit and run, Albany officials explain plowing plan, AMC buys another Park South property, "This is not your fault"
Suspect in fatal Washington Park hit and run
Albany police a man now in custody on a parole violation is a suspect in the recent fatal hit and run in Washington Park -- they allege the Albany man rear ended a vehicle at Henry Johnson and Washington Ave, then fled through the park. APD says the woman killed in the incident, Rajine Martinez, had already been in the road semi-conscious before the crash and two bystanders where trying to help her. [News10] [TWCN] [TU]
Clinton Ave fatal shooting
Albany police have identified the man killed in the shooting in a Clinton Ave home early Sunday morning and say they believe it was not random. [TU]
Alleged safety violations at Warehouse District conversion
The developer behind the conversions of 960 Broadway and the Nipper Building is facing almost $170k in fines for allegedly allowing workers to be exposed to asbestos and lead as well as other safety issues at the 960 Broadway site. The developer is contesting the violations. [OSHA] [TU+]
Winter continues, fatal shooting in Albany, swastikas painted on Schenectady home, where not to park a school bus
It snow. Again.
+ Winter, it continues: Sunday's storm piled up another 7-8 inches of snow depending on location. [NWS Albany]
+ The city of Albany has declared another snow emergency starting Monday at 8 pm with EVEN side parking. It flips to odd side parking at 8 pm Tuesday. [City of Albany]
+ Albany towed 120 cars during the snow emergency last week. [News10]
Fatal shooting in Albany
Albany police say they responded to a home on the 200 block of Clinton Ave (map) early Sunday morning and a man had been shot in the torso. He was taken to Albany Med and died of his injuries. APD says it's investigating and has asked anyone with info to call the detective division. [News10] [APD]
Rallies for and against Planned Parenthood
A thousand or more people turned out for a rally in support of Planned Parenthood along Central Ave in Albany Saturday, which included appearances by Paul Tonko, Patricia Fahy, and Kathy Sheehan. That same day there was a rally in Troy for the federal government to defund the health care org. [TWCN] [TU] [WNYT]
Winter reasserts itself, tentative agreement on contract in Momentive strike, Schumer and Gillibrand vote "no", The Wine Shop reopens
Snowstorm
It snowed -- a surprising amount. Totals from around the area for Thursday's storm ranged from 6-18 inches. And the 11.2 inches recorded at ALB was the highest storm total since February 2015. [NWS Albany x2]
Snow emergencies are in effect in a bunch of municipalities, including Albany (where towing started Thursday night). But Troy continued its snow emergency-resistant ways. [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
Momentive strike
Officials from Momentive and the union representing striking workers at the plant in Waterford say they've reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, though few details were released. The approximately 700 union members will vote on the contract next week and could be back to work Wednesday. The strike has lasted more than three months. [Politico NY] [Saratogian] [News10] [TU+] [Daily Gazette]
Opening day for Rivers Casino, siblings shot in Albany home, car stolen with toddler inside, Matilda Cuomo to be inducted in National Women's Hall of Fame
Casino opening day
Rivers Casino opens today, and area residents have a mix of hope and concern for what the project will bring to the region. [WNYT][Gazette]
Albany shooting
A brother and sister were hospitalized after they were shot in a home on Washington Avenue in Albany on Tuesday, Albany police say. APD says a man walked into the house and shot the 26 year old man and 21 year old woman. The woman is in critical condition. APD says it's "confident that this is an isolated incident and not a random act." [WNYT] [News 10] [APD press release]
Expectations and hopes for the Schenectady casino, state Senate passes ride hailing bill, number of visitors up at Thacher Park
Schenectady casino
With the opening a day away:
+ A look at the community impacts of the Rush Street Gaming casinos in Pittsburgh and near Chicago, where the results have been something between predicted extremes. [Daily Gazette]
+ Schenectady officials are hoping the casino will be part of a broader upward swing in the city's fortunes. [TWCN]
Albany fatal hit and run
+ Albany police say they've found the vehicle involved in the alleged hit and run that killed a pedestrian in Washington Park Saturday morning, but aren't saying anything beyond that. [TWCN]
+ Remembering the woman who died, 21-year-old Rajine Martinez of Albany. [News10]
Schumer, Gillibrand, and the Trump cabinet
+ Chuck Schumer on Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump's pick for education secretary: she's "the least qualified nominee in a historically unqualified cabinet." [TU]
+ Kirsten Gillibrand on the recent upswell in activism and political engagement around the country in response to the Trump administration: "I know so many people have a feeling of a call to action so intensely that they are doing literally everything they can to be heard. I feel like we are watching democracy being enlivened like I've never seen before." [The Alt]
Pedestrian killed in Washington Park hit and run, continued confusion and uncertainty over immigration order, building the paper pantry
Fatal Albany hit and run
Albany police say they're investigating the death of pedestrian in Washington Park after she was apparently hit by an SUV and the vehicle fled the scene. APD says the woman -- 21-year-old Rajine Martinez of Albany -- was struck around 4 am on Washington Park Road near New Scotland Ave. Police have not commented on what factors may have been involved in the crash, but nearby residents say drivers often speed through the park. [APD] [TU] [News10] [TWCN] [WNYT]
Schenectady casino
+ A look at the many touted economic benefits of the Rivers Casino and Resort, which opens Wednesday in Schenectady. [TU+]
+ A look at some of the concerns people in/near Schenectady have about the project. [Daily Gazette]
Interfaith vigil for JCC after second bomb threat, Marchione pushes for tax cap that would always be 2 percent, ideas for the old Matten Shipyard
Interfaith vigil in support of Albany JCC
Hundreds of people turned out at the Albany Jewish Community Center Thursday evening for an vigil as a show of support following the second recent bomb threat made against the center this week -- and the event included speakers of many different faiths calling for peace and solidarity. [TU] [WNYT]
Niskayuna woman can't back into the US
The family and friends of a Niskayuna woman -- a French citizen born in Syria who's an electrical engineer at GE -- say she was traveling with her children when the Trump immigrant order was instituted and now can't get back into the US. [WNYT]
State of Troy
In his state of the city address Thursday, Troy mayor Patrick Madden touted new investment in the city and touched on the city's difficult budget situation: "My administration is committed to fact-based budgeting devoid of the political calculations that led us to where we are today." City council president Carmella Mantello said she wanted to hear more about addressing the fiscal challenges. [TU] [TWCN]
Cuomo authorizes Schneiderman to probe Abelove's handling of fatal shooting, Gillibrand will vote no on Gorsuch, underground blast in downtown Albany
Cuomo authorizes A.G. investigation of Abelove
Andrew Cuomo has issued an executive order giving Eric Schneiderman's office the authority to investigate Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove's handling of last April's case of the fatal shooting of Edson Thevenin by a Troy police officer. [TU][TWCN][WNYT]
Zemsky questioned by lawmakers
"You know, some people are very political and they want to call success failure" -- Empire State Development Commissioner Howard Zemsky on some of the grilling he took from state lawmakers on Wednesday about the states economic development practices, in the wake of corruption allegations and the arrests of ex-SUNY Poly President Alain Kaloyeros and former Cuomo aide Joe Percoco, on bid rigging charges. [TWCN][WNYT]
Gorsuch
+Kirsten Gillibrand says she's planning to vote no on Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch claiming he "has proven to have a judicial philosophy outside of the mainstream and time and again has subjugated individual rights to those of corporations." [Gazette]
+Attorney General Eric Schneiderman warned against those who are touting Neil Gorsuch as Scalia 2.0. [TU]
Schumer casts doubt on Gorsuch, local school districts oppose DeVos, Schneiderman joins ACLU suit against immigration restrictions, Momentive workers take strike to Capitol
Gorsuch
Chuck Schumer on Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch:
"Judge Gorsuch has repeatedly sided with corporations over working people, demonstrated a hostility toward women's rights and, most troubling, hewed to an ideological approach to jurisprudence that makes me skeptical that he can be a strong, independent justice on the court.'' [Gazette]
DeVos
Capital Region school boards in Albany, Bethlehem and Schenectady have gone public with their opposition to Betsy DeVos' for Education Secretary cleared the Senate.]TU]
In Schenectady, one parent was angered by an anti-DeVos flier sent home with her child this week. [Gazette]
Schneiderman joins ACLU suit over immigration
Eric Schneiderman will join the American Civil Liberties Union and others in their lawsuit against Donald Trump's recent executive order on immigration. [TU]
Continued reaction to Trump immigration order, Cuomo pushes to put abortion rights into state constitution, Ecovative caught in EPA grant freeze
Continued reaction to Trump immigration order
+ After saying he needed to learn more about the order over the weekend, local Republican Congressman called the Trump administration's immigration order "neither well-drafted nor well-implemented" on Monday. [TU]
+ Local Democratic Congressman Paul Tonko backed Democrat-drafted legislation in the House that would defund and rescind the executive order: "My colleagues and I steadfastly refuse to step aside to let this President throw peaceful, worthy and freedom loving people to the wolves and hand ISIS another recruiting tool in the process." [Tonko office]
+ Western New York Republican Congressman Chris Collins, a longtime Trump supporter, at a Conservative Party event Monday in Colonie: "The liberal media is going nuts over this. [Senator] Chuck Schumer is going nuts over this ... Well, wait a minute: This is a promise [the president] made, and he's doing it in a very sensible way." [TWCN]
+ Donald Trump accused Chuck Schumer of "fake tears" during Schumer's emotional denunciation of the White House's immigration order over the weekend: "I'm going to ask him who was his acting coach, because I know him very well." A Schumer spokesman when asked about what Trump said: "We are not going to dignify that with a response." [TU x2]
+ The president of the Masjid As-Salam mosque in Albany on the events of the weekend: "The Muslim community is very much uncertain and confused." [TWCN]
+ A Sage student from Togo in West Africa who's a practicing Muslim: "I'm scared that I'm going to lose the hope that I came to this country for." [TU+]
Reactions and pushback to Trump travel ban, Faso in leaked Republican recording of ACA discussion, ShopRite in the mix for North Greenbush plaza
Reaction to Trump travel ban order
Lots of reaction this weekend to the Trump administration's order temporarily blocking all refugees as well as the citizens of seven predominantly-Muslim countries from entering the US, and the resulting confusing situation as officials tried to figure out how to implement the order:
+ Chuck Schumer, with tears in his eyes: "This executive order is mean spirited and un-American. It was implemented in a way that created chaos and confusion across the country, and it will only serve to embolden and inspire those around the globe who will do us harm." (On Twitter, Donald Trump blamed a Delta computer program and "the tears of Senator Schumer" for problems at airports.) [CNN x2]
+ Andrew Cuomo in a statement: "I never thought I'd see the day when refugees, who have fled war-torn countries in search of a better life, would be turned away at our doorstep. We are a nation of bridges, not walls, and a great many of us still believe in the words 'give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses." The Cuomo admin also set up a hotline for people to report immigration problems at airports in the state. [Cuomo admin x2]
+ State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman called the order "unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful" and his office said it would be assisting attorneys representing people detained at airports. [Politico NY]
+ Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik called the order "rushed and overly broad" on Sunday, and Congressman John Faso, also a Republican, said he didn't yet know for certain how the order handled people with green cards. [TU]
+ Hundreds of people turned out at the Albany International Airport to protest the order. [TU]
Schumer vows fight on Trump cabinet picks, 1 Monument Square review committee public -- proposals still not, freedom of flamethrowers
Schumer on Trump nominations
Chuck Schumer speaking in Brooklyn Thursday night about upcoming votes on Trump cabinet picks: "We're going to do everything we can to not have [U.S. Sen. Jeff] Sessions, who's against voting rights and against immigrants, be AG. We're going to fight him and not let [U.S. Rep. Tom] Price, who wants to roll back Medicaid and Medicare, be the secretary of HHS ... We're going to fight them and make sure that they don't put a regressive person on the Supreme Court." [Politico NY]
Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand both said this week they'll be opposing President Trump's pick for Education secretary, Betsy DeVos. [HuffPo] [The Hill]
Earlier: How Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are voting on the Trump cabinet nominations
Judge adjourns sentencing in Wilton hit and run that injured boy
Saratoga County Court judge James Murphy adjourned the sentencing of the woman who pleaded guilty to hitting a boy with her SUV in Wilton last June and then driving off without reporting the incident because he said the six-month sentence in the plea bargain was insufficient given the impact the injuries have had on the boy. [TU]
Goodbye, Albany Devils
Albany County exec Dan McCoy on the reportedly impending move of the Albany Devils to Binghamton: "They haven't committed to leaving yet, but the [Binghamton] offer is better than what we can give. I anticipate that they will be leaving." [Daily Gazette]
Sheehan gives Albany's State of the City amid protests, APD investigates South End shooting, Schneiderman pledges to battle for "sanctuary cities,"
@alloveralbany the mayor has decided to proceed while the protestors chant pic.twitter.com/ZNbQZrOzuO
— All Over Albany (@alloveralbany) January 25, 2017
Albany State of the City
Kathy Sheehan's state of the city address Wednesday evening was interrupted by protesters chanting in support of a new contract for the city's blue collar employees -- they've been without one since 2013 -- and calling for the two police officers who stopped Dontay Ivy to be fired. The chants included "Sheehan's got to go!" and "Kathy Trump."
Sheehan eventually decided to deliver her speech anyway, and the protesters chanted during the virtually the whole address. Among the topics the mayor touched on during the speech: a new city courthouse, a new vacant buildings program, traffic safety, air quality concerns in the South End, praise the police department's efforts in community policing. Afterward [TU]
Said Sheehan of the protest in her post-speech comments to the media: "They made their point at the beginning of my speech. I heard them loud and clear. And I agreed with them -- they need a contract. I want nothing more than to have a contract, that's what negotiations are for. And I do believe that black lives matter. And I do believe that we need to reform policing. And so I'm doing that."
Sanctuary cities
stating sanctuary cities would not be eligible for federal funding, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said he would do everything in his power to fight Donald Trump's executive order denying federal funding to "sanctuary cities". [NYT] [TU]
Schenectady man injured in Union St. shooting, Brockovich at Capitol to discuss Legionnaire's, Trump/Clinton/Sanders owe Albany $80 grand
Sleet
Sleet and snow overnight caused power outages and left area walks and roadways slippery enough for more school delays on Wednesday morning.
[TU]
Schenectady shooting
Schenectady police say a city man was hospitalized on Tuesday after he was shot in the arm near the Union College campus. [TU][TWCN][WNYT]
Former Granville mayor facing charges
The former mayor of the Washington County town of Granville -- who is a high school track coach --was arrested this week for allegedly peeping on an underaged boy in the shower and inappropriately touching team members. [Post Star][WNYT][TU]
Slushy winter storm, remembering parents who died in I-88 crash, Momentive strikers rally in CEO's neighborhood, the state of Schenectady
Winter storm
The storm ended up being more ice and slush than snow. More than 2,000 National Grid customers lost power across Saratoga and Schenectady counties, and many schools are closed today. [TU]
Fatal I-88 crash
Two of the three people who died in a crash on I-88 in in Princetown were a married couple from Rotterdam with four children. Three of the kids were in the car, and were taken to the hospital with injuries. Police say the third person who died was the driver of a car that had crossed the median and struck the family's car. [News10] [TU] [TWCN]
Fatal Lake George boat crash
In a court filing, the Warren County DA's office says the driver of the boat in the Lake George crash last summer that killed an 8 year old girl tested positive for drugs -- but will not be introducing the tests as evidence because of a procedural problem. The prosecution says it does have witnesses who say they saw the driver taking drugs. [Post-Star] [TU] [TWCN]
Thousands at march in Albany, Cuomo issues state regulation for contraceptive coverage, two submissions for 1 Monument Square redevelopment
March and rally in Albany
The Inaugurate Resistance" march and rally in Albany this past weekend drew 7,000 people, according to organizers. Participants were there to support a range of causes, from reproductive rights to respect for Muslims to civic engagement. Jamaica Miles of Citizen Action, which organized the event, of the turnout: "It made me feel optimistic and inspired and motivated and proud of all the work that we did to make sure this event happened." [AOA] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
March in Washington
Riding the bus to the Women's March in DC on Saturday with a contingent of people from the Capital Region. [TU]
Chuck Schumer at the inauguration
From Chuck Schumer's speech at the presidential inauguration (he was in the lineup of speakers because of his role as Senate minority leader): "In such times, faith in our government, our institutions, and even in our country can erode. Despite these challenges, I stand here today confident in this great country for one reason: you, the American people." The Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin: "Schumer provided an inclusive portrait of America, but one that require we sacrifice to improve the country." [TU] [Washington Post]
Inauguration reactions, Sheehan: Albany is "committed to being a sanctuary city," remembering PK Miller
Inauguration
Many "New York Republicans at the presidential inauguration festivities" articles:
+ Local state Senator George Amedore on Trump: "We need a fighter in Washington to cut through the bureaucracy and the partisanship ... When you're in the ring and fighting every day tooth and nail because you got everything on the line, you may throw some punches or when a punch is thrown at you, you throw it back." [TU]
+ Chris Collins, the Congressman from western New York who was an early Trump supporter: "The inauguration tomorrow is really going to be the beginning of the change in this country." [TWCN]
+ State Senate majority leader John Flanagan on Trump being from New York: "Our new president! I don't know if I'm going to get tired of saying that. That's pretty cool stuff, right?" [TWCN]
Local protest
There's an "Inaugurate Resistance" series of events planned in Albany Saturday, including a march down Washington Ave to West Capitol Park. [Citizen Action]
Immigrants
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued "a legal roadmap for improving public safety by protecting vulnerable immigrant communities" for municipalities around the state. The AG's press release included a statement from Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan: "We are committed to being a sanctuary city and these guidelines will assist in our efforts to protect immigrants' rights and develop relationships that enhance public safety in our city." [TU] [NYS OAG]
Albany JCC evacuated after bomb threat, driver charged in fatal hit and run, Cuomo/Trump discuss ACA, homelessness
Bomb threat at Albany JCC
The Albany Jewish Community Center was evacuated and closed for several hours on Wednesday after a bomb threat. The threat, made by phone, turned out to be a hoax and one of many threats made on Wednesday to JCCs across the country. [TWCN][TU]
Hit and run driver charged
An Albany man could face up to seven years in prison for allegedly leaving the scene of the automobile accident that killed National Guard Master Sgt. Rudolph Seabron in Colonie earlier this month. 33-year-old Brian Tromans of Albany man pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to felony charge of leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident without reporting. [TU][Gazette][News10][TWCN]
State budget season starts with private presentations, no charges in odd incident involving Schenectady mayor, Toll Gate is closed and future is unclear
State budget
Andrew Cuomo is apparently skipping a public presentation of his proposed state budget in favor of separate private presentations for members of the state Senate and Assembly today. A look at the some of the key issues for this year's budget. [TU] [Politico NY]
No charges in odd incident involving Schenectady mayor
In a report released Friday afternoon, Saratoga County DA Karen Heggen concluded the actions of Schenectady police and mayor Gary McCarthy during a late-night episode this past May in which McCarthy was accused of confronting, and then following, two women he said appeared to be acting suspiciously raised concerns, but didn't rise to the level of a violation. Heggen also recommended Schenectady police should have called in an outside law enforcement agency to handle the situation because of the mayor's involvement. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Daily Gazette editorial: "[McCarthy] should have known better not to pursue the van. He should have called police from his home, given a description of the vehicle, and went to bed. He said he was potentially witnessing garbage-picking, not a murder." [Daily Gazette]
McLaughlin officially declares for Albany mayor
Albany Common Council president Carolyn McLaughlin officially announced on Saturday that she's running for mayor -- the first person to do so for this cycle. [AOA]
Chris Churchill on Albany's usual reluctance to change mayors, and why this time could/might be different. [TU+]
Caution urged on Hoosick Falls village settlement, proposal for transferring ownership of The Palace, big deal for big guns from Watervliet Arsenal
Hoosick Falls
The Hoosick Falls village board chose Thursday night to hold off on making a decision about the proposed $850k settlement with Saint Gobain and Honeywell for village costs associated with PFOA contamination of the drinking water. The meeting included many statements from residents skeptical of the settlement and urging caution. [Politico NY] [TU]
Palace expansion
The Palace announced it's reached a project labor agreement for its planned $65 million renovation and expansion. Theater officials say it can't move forward until the org that runs the venue gets ownership from the city -- they say that will also help with fundraising. The current proposed transfer deal: $750,000, paid to the city over 30 years. The Palace says the building also currently requires more than $4 million in maintenance/repairs. [Daily Gazette] [Biz Review] [TWCN] [TU] [WNYT]
Fatal Watervliet Shaker Road pedestrian crash
Colonie police say they've located the vehicle they believe was involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash with a pedestrian on Watervliet Shaker Road early Sunday morning -- in Melrose in Rensselaer County, on the property of a relative of the vehicle owner. They say they also have video of the vehicle. [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
Cuomo's last stop on State of the State tour, Saratoga High School probes Instagram hate speech account, dealers ready for Rivers Casino opening
State of the state
Andrew Cuomo gave his final State of the State address on Wednesday at UAlbany. Among the items he discussed : public corruption, a plan to cap skyrocketing prescription drug costs with the use of a price control board, and upstate ride sharing. Only three members of the state Legislature attended the address, and State Senator Jim Tedisco and assemblyman Phil Steck have formally filed legislation that would require the state of the state to be giving from the Capitol in the future.
[NYT][TU][Gazette][WNYT]
$15 million for Schenectady rail station
Also part of the Cuomo's 2017 plan -- $15 million for a new Schenectady train station. Albany International Airport is still waiting to see if it will receive funding for planned improvements. [TU][WNYT]
Cuomo to wrap up SOS tour at UAlbany, Albany voters approve school propositions, city bids farewell to police chief
State of the state
Andrew Cuomo will give the final speech State of the State roll out tour this afternoon at UAlbany. Cuomo is expected to touch on plans he's outlined in his recent speaking tour, including Upstate ride sharing, child care tax credits, voting reform and free tuition at state colleges. [TWCN][TU]
Power outages causing delays
Strong winds have resulted in a number of power outages which have led to some area school closings and delays. [TU]
Albany approves school propositions
Albany residents approved two school propositions on Tuesday -- a $6.5 million upgrade to a North Lark Street building to turn it into a middle school, and a plan to purchase the former Brighter Choice charter school for $4.1 million.[TU][WNYT]
Ride-hailing and the middle class among Cuomo State of the State topics, Colonie police searching for vehicle in pedestrian death, a pledge against hate
There is vote in the Albany school district Tuesday on plans for two buildings. Polls are open from 7 am-9 pm -- here's how to find out where to vote.
State of the State tour
Andrew Cuomo's State of the State tour stopped in NYC and Buffalo Monday:
+ Ride-hailing: The Cuomo admin released its proposal for opening the way for services such as Uber and Lyft to operate around the state. And in his Buffalo speech, Cuomo said it was unfair the services aren't currently available upstate. [Cuomo admin] [TWCN]
+ After-school programs: Cuomo proposed a $35 million pilot to expand after-school programs for students in high-need districts such as Albany and Troy. [Politico NY] [TU]
+ Child care: Cuomo has also recently proposed an expansion of the state's child care tax credit to include families with incomes up to $150k. [Daily Gazette]
+ Buffalo: Cuomo proposed another $500 million in economic development aid for the Buffalo area, as a follow up to the Buffalo Billion. [Politico NY]
+ Middle class: The governor argued the case that his recent proposals, such as the SUNY tuition plan, "will help alleviate the middle class anger" -- and though he didn't mention Donald Trump, the comments were scene as a response to the next president. [TWCN] [NYT]
+ 2020: Cue the talk about about a potential presidential run. [NYT]
Investigation of fatal Colonie pedestrian crash, Cuomo pushing for early voting, infrastructure wish list, remembering Capital Roots founder
Fatal pedestrian crash in Colonie
Colonie police say they're investigating the death of a pedestrian on Watervliet-Shaker Road near the I-87 overpass early Sunday morning as a potential hit and run -- and they're looking for a vehicle that may be a Mazda 6 with front-end damage. Police had originally thought the person had been lying in the road when a vehicle hit him and the driver called in the incident, but the presence of parts from a different car have led them to think there might have been an earlier crash. That stretch of road doe not have sidewalks. [CPD press release] [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
State of the State tour
Andrew Cuomo's State of the State tour starts today in New York City and Buffalo -- he's expected to push a plan to allow early voting and detail a proposal to open the way for services such as Uber and Lyft to operate upstate. (See also: A look at some of the labor issues surrounding the taxi app debate.) [TU] [Poughkeepsie Journal] [TU+]
Zooming out a bit: How Cuomo is shaping his agenda in light of the upcoming Trump administration. [Politico NY]
College tuition plan
A look at who will -- and won't -- be helped by Cuomo's proposed free tuition plan for SUNY and CUNY. [TU+]
And some of the pushback on the plan, including this from a UAlbany alum and partner at a large Albany law firm: "I would look less highly upon those resumes [of candidates from the state schools and community colleges] if I knew those schools and colleges were free" because, in his mind, students wouldn't be as committed to their education if it was free. [Biz Review]
Cuomo's State of the State tour, Troy keeping special police unit, odd dynamic between Trump and Schumer, designated drivers for hire
States of the state
The schedule for Andrew Cuomo's tradition-breaking, multi-stop State of the State tour -- which the admin says is an attempt to take the message "directly to New Yorkers" -- is out (sort of), and includes a stop at UAlbany next Wednesday morning. [TU]
Not attending the speeches: The leaders of the state legislature. But Chris Cox, the Republican state chair, is planning to a protest tour alongside the speeches. [Politico NY x2]
Free college tuition proposal
Leaders from local private colleges say they're skeptical of Andrew Cuomo's proposal to make tuition free at SUNY schools for many students. [TU+]
Taxi apps and driverless cars
A lobbying group that represents traditional taxi companies is pushing for any legislation that would open the way for services such as Uber and Lyft to operate upstate also include a provision that bans driverless cars. [TU]
Heimroth sentenced to max for Lockrow murders, state legislators debate cell phone recording in Senate chamber, Mohawk Hudson shelters displaced rats
Heimroth sentenced in Lockrow murders
State Supreme Court Justice Andrew Ceresia sentenced Jacob Heimroth on Tuesday to 50 years to life in prison for the murders of Allen and Maria Lockrow of Troy. "No mercy will be shown in this sentence," Ceresia said, imposing the maximum penalty, citing what he said was the "unspeakable and barbaric" nature of the crime. Prior to the sentencing the judge threw out a defense motion for a mistrial. Heimroth maintained his innocence, telling the court, "This whole incident is tragic however I refuse to take responsibility for something I played no part in." [TU][Record][News 10][WNYT]
NYS legislature returns
Wednesday marked the first day of the new legislative session. Among the first items taken up by the state senate , whether cell phones should be allowed to be used to record the goings on in the senate chambers. [NYT]
Climate Change protestors arrested
17 protestors calling on Andrew Cuomo to stand up to Donald Trump's denial of climate change were arrested outside the Executive Chambers on charges of disorderly conduct. [TU]
Legislative session set to begin, employee escapes explosion at Port of Rensselaer, Schumer says Dems will hold Trump accountable, Bethlehem's Megyn Kelly heads to NBC
Port of Rensselaer explosion
An employee of a truck repair business survived an explosion that blew the front and back doors off a garage at the Port of Rensselaer on Tuesday, destroying the building. Power was turned off in the area and authorities say there is no danger of further explosions. [WNYT][TU][TWCN][News 10]
Legislative Session to begin
The 2017 session of the NYS legislature is set to begin today. Among the items on the agenda for this season, ride sharing, the battle against opioids, and government ethics. [NYT][News 10]
Man wrongly accused of fatal arson sues police
Robert Butler, the man who faced the death penalty after being wrongly accused of arson in connection with the fire that killed David Terry and 3 of his children, and badly injured Sa'fyre Terry, is suing the federal agents and Schenectady detectives who were involved in his arrest.[TU]
Cuomo to float plan for free college tuition, how local police are trained, focus on Albany demolitions, first baby of the year
Free state college tuition proposal
Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to announce a plan Tuesday that would offer free tuition to SUNY and CUNY schools for students from middle- and low-income households. [NYT]
Cuomo vetoes plan for state to pick up costs of legals services for the poor
On Saturday Andrew Cuomo vetoed a bill that would have eventually had the state pick up the cost from counties for providing legal services to for low-income people. Pat Fahy, who represents Albany in the Assembly, was the sponsor of the bill -- she said remains "fully committed" to working toward a deal on the issue. [NYDN] [TU]
Minimum wage increase
As of New Year's Eve, New York State's minimum wage is now $9.70 per hour (up from $9) around Upstate, and higher downstate. The increase is part of a schedule that eventually will raise the minimum $15 downstate and $12.50 (or more) upstate. The Cuomo admin says it's put together a task force to provide information and enforcement for the increase. [NYS DOL] [TU]
Police officers ill after heroin exposure, bowling alley owner facing child porn charges, brokers offered drugs, prostitutes and Paul McCartney tickets as bribes
Bribes
A pair of Wall Street brokers allegedly offered drugs, prostitutes and Paul McCartney tickets, among other bribes, to a former top manager for the NYS retirement fund, in exchange for him steering about $2 billion in business their way. [TU]
Special session
Andrew Cuomo says any special session would be made up of straightforward votes on uncomplicated issues. [TU]
Heroin exposure
Watervliet police officers became ill after being exposed to fentanyl-laced heroin during an arrest at a Green Island donut shop. [TU] [TWCN]
Not guilty plea in UAlbany rape case, special legislative session still in question, Q-poll: Cuomo at 49% approval but don't run for president
Not guilty plea in UAlbany rape case
The Guilderland man charged in the rape of a UAlbany student pleaded not guilty to rape, burglary, attempted burglary and criminal trespass in Albany County Court Wednesday morning. [TU]
State says PCB cleanup failed
New York State officials told the DEC on Tuesday that the $1 billion PCB cleanup of the Hudson River was a failure and that more work needs to be done. [TU+][WNYT/AP]
Q-Poll
A new Quinnipiac Poll shows Andrew Cuomo with a 49% approval rating and that voters want him to challenge Donald Trumps polices -- but not run for president in 2020. [Quinnipiac]
Crawford sentenced to 30 years in domestic terrorism case, continued community policing in Albany, latest version of Uber/Lyft legislation
Crawford sentenced for "death ray" plot
Glendon Scott Crawford was sentenced in federal court in Albany to 30 years in prison for his conviction in a plot to use what he believed would be a radiation weapon against Muslims in Albany and Schenectady. Federal prosecutors said the Galway man was a self-professed member of the KKK and had sought funding from a North Carolina branch of the organization. Said US Attorney Richard Hartunian of Crawford after the sentencing: "He didn't seem to show any remorse whatsoever, and I think it's clear to me a person like this presents the ultimate danger to America. He is the classic domestic terrorist, and he deserves to be in jail for 30 years." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [US DOJ] [TWCN]
About the US Attorney: Hartunian said Monday he hasn't heard from the incoming Trump administration about whether he'll be asked to continue serving at the US Attorney for the Northern District of New York. [WNYT]
Electoral college vote
New York members of the Electoral College gathered in Albany Monday afternoon to cast their votes for Hillary Clinton. Among the electors was Bill Clinton, who said of Hillary Clinton's campaign: ""In the end, we had the Russians and we had the FBI ... She couldn't prevail against that, but she still won by 2.8 million votes." [TU] [TWCN]
Albany police chief exit
+ Even with Albany police chief Brendan Cox leaving, Chris Churchill notes the focus continues to be on community policing. [TU+]
+ What people are looking for in the next Albany police chief. [AOA]
+ A little more about ">the organization Cox will be working for after he leaves the APD. [TWCN]
Albany police chief leaving the job, multi-billion dollar Nano Utica deal off, the new push for Uber and Lyft
Albany police chief leaving
Updated: Word started circulating Friday that Albany police chief Brendan Cox will be leaving the department soon -- and the city confirmed it at a press conference Monday morning. Cox will be heading to a job with the LEAD program, which aims to divert low-level offenders suffering from drug addiction or mental illness from jail. On Friday, city and community leaders praised Cox for his efforts to expand community policing and open lines of communication with the community. [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
A look at recent turnover among top officials in the administration of Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan.[TU]
Crossgates gunfire incident
The man accused of being the shooter in the Crossgates gunfire incident was sentenced to nine years in prison for violating probation on an earlier charge. The Albany County judge in the case said it was "fundamentally clear that confinement is necessary for the protection of the public" after hearing testimony from an off-duty trooper about the Crossgates incident. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Nano Utica deal off
The Austrian company involved with the proposed multi-billion-dollar "Nano Utica" project -- which was to involve SUNY Poly building a chip fab -- has pulled out of the project. And officials are blaming the drama involving SUNY Poly and alleged bid rigging. [TU]+ [Politico NY]
It's cold, North Colonie schools building plan rejected, stabilizing the Church of the Holy Innocents, "food rage," remembering Betty Flood
It's cold
As you know, temps were in the single digits this morning and the projected high for Friday is 17, with sub-zero wind chills. [NWS]
Homeless in the cold
The at the near-capacity Saratoga Springs Code Blue shelter Thursday evening. And riding along with the Homeless Action Committee van during a Code Blue night in Albany. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
North Colonie school building plan rejected
Voters in the North Colonie school district rejected the district's $194.6 million building plan 54-46. There were more than 4,000 votes cast, which the district said was the highest turnout in decades for a school vote. Supporters of the plan cited overcrowded, and opponents cited the cost and tax burden. And some voters continued the criticism of the unusual date and single-location format of the vote. The district says it had scheduled the vote now in order to have contracts in place to meet a 2018 deadline for securing a higher level of state aid. [North Colonie CSD] [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU]
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]
Troy city budget approved, criticism of North Colonie schools vote, that actually wasn't the tax cap, tax breaks sought for Nipper Building
Troy budget crunch
The Troy City Council voted to override the tax cap and approve a budget with a 14.5 percent tax increase Monday evening in 6-3 vote. Republican councilman Mark McGrath switched his vote, opening the way for the approval. Council president Carmella Mantello again vote against the override, citing the eight layoffs in the budget. Madden after the vote: "I'm very pleased that a bipartisan majority of the council has approved my amended budget, but make no mistake, this budget erodes our ability to provide the services our taxpayers want." [TU] [WNYT] [News10] [TWCN]
Ahead of Monday's vote, Mark Robarge commented the whole political drama "truly has been a theater of the absurd." [Troy Record]
North Colonie building plan vote
Albany County comptroller Mike Conners criticized the timing and setup of this week's North Colonie school district vote on the $196.4 million building plan: "It creates a tremendous problem, with the appearance of voter suppression." A school district attorney was at the Conners press conference and asserted that state law requires the vote to be at one location because the district lacks voter registration -- a rule it apparently it had been breaking for years when holding votes at multiple locations. And district superintendent Joseph Corr pushed back on speculation about the district's motives: "What is concerning to me to ascribe arrogance and to ascribe a lack of concern for our voters as our motive is just a completely false mischaracterization of what happened." [TWCN] [TU] [WNYT]
The law that makes police oversight more difficult, North Colonie's big school vote, Palace expansion plans same even after missing on state money
Oversight of the police
The Times Union continues its look at how state law shields police personnel files, and in turn makes it harder for the public to hold police accountable:
+ The state Senator who sponsored the original legislation says the law was not intended to block the public from accessing records on police misconduct.
+ Citizen police review boards say the current interpretation of the law means they're often reviewing cases with key information missing.
+ It doesn't appear there's much momentum in the state Capitol to change the law.
Troy budget crunch
There's a Troy City Council meeting scheduled for Monday night that could include a vote to override the tax camp and approve the 14.5 percent tax increase now proposed by mayor Patrick Madden -- it seems the most recent snag is the set of layoffs in Madden's proposal. [Troy Record]
Uber and Lyft
An "administration source" tells Politico the Cuomo admin is working on proposal to open the way for taxi-app companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate upstate, and it's "something the governor will push to have addressed" if there's a special session of the state legislature. [Politico NY]
Sorting through regional economic development grants, Cuomo says he talked with the feds, questions about Albany trash fee, Amazon eyeing Green Island warehouse
Regional Economic Development Council money
+ Capital Region projects were awarded $83.1 million collectively in grants and other assistance -- here's a list of the projects. [AOA]
+ Since 2011 when the new arrangement for distributing state money started, Capital Region projects have been awarded $437.1 million -- the second-lowest total of any region. [TU]
+ A few more details on "The Mill Artisan District" mixed-use project in Schenectady that was awarded $2.3 million. [Daily Gazette]
+ Notably not among the Cap Region awards: money for the Palace's planned expansion. Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan said they need to find out what reviewers thought was missing about the project. [TU]
+ Albany Med president James Barba, co-chair of the Capital Region Economic Development Council, on how the council reviews projects: "There are three council priorities in this order; jobs, jobs, jobs." [TWCN]
Corruption investigation
+ Andrew Cuomo said Thursday following the REDC award announcements that he has talked with the feds as part of the corruption investigation involving former top aide Joe Percoco and former SUNY Poly president Alain Kaloyeros -- and a spokesperson said he had done so voluntarily. [TU] [TWCN]
+ Kaloyeros is still on unpaid leave from his faculty position at SUNY Poly -- and officials won't say whether they're moving to fire him. [TU+]
Regional Economic Development awards today, Troy mayor cuts proposed tax increase by half, historic Saratoga building set for demolition
Regional Economic Development Council awards
The winners of the annual Regional Economic Development Council grants are expected to be announced today. $750 million will be divided for projects around the state. Among other things, the Capital Region is asking for include an $4.24 million to help with the proposed $29.7 million expansion of the Palace Theatre and $4 million Albany's Health Sciences Campus in East Greenbush. [TU]
Troy
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden has submitted a new spending plan to the City Council , calling for a tax increase of 14.5 percent half the size of his original 28 percent proposed hike. Madden says the proposal is not something he's comfortable with, but he's suggesting it to scale back potential layoffs. [TWCN][TU]
Historic Saratoga building coming down today
Demolition is set for this morning for a 150 year old building damaged in a Thanksgiving morning fire. [Gazette]
APD: Rocks shooting suspect in custody, attorney says client isn't the Crossgates shooter, snags for residential redevelopments
Rocks shooting
Albany police say they have a suspect in custody for the fatal shooting at a party at Rocks early Thanksgiving morning, but are not releasing a name. APD says the person was picked up on an unrelated charge. [WNYT] [TU]
Crossgates gunfire incident
The man accused of firing a gun inside Crossgates -- Tasheem Maeweather of Albany -- pleaded not guilty to the charges against him on Monday -- including attempted murder. Lee Kindlon, his attorney, said Maeweather had been at the mall to buy sneakers and did not have a gun: "Tasheem went to the mall that day like everybody else: to do some shopping. To say he went there with that intent [to kill someone] is just ridiculous." Kindlon says Maeweather was part of a scuffle, got punched in the face, and ran when he heard gunfire. He also argued that because Maeweather was on probation and being monitored, it was unlikely he'd have a gun. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [TU] [WNYT]
Albany County budget
The Albany County Legislature passed a county budget that includes no change in the tax rate. [TU]
Charges in the death of Noel Alkaramla, update on investigation into incident involving Schenectady mayor, questioning red light camera's effect on safety
The death of Noel Alkaramla
Johnny Oquendo -- the stepfather of Noel Alkaramla -- is now being held on charges in her death last year, including murder. Alkaramla disappeared after shift at a Troy restaurant in November of 2015 and her body was later found in a suitcase in the Hudson River that December. [TU] [News10]
Rally against racism
Hundreds of people attended a rally against racism in Albany Sunday, prompted by the recent presidential election and the higher profile of white supremacist messages. Said Fazana Saleem-Ismail Capital District Coalition Against Islamophobia: "When you hear a presidential candidate, now, soon-to-be president making negative comments basically about every group possible, it gave the average individual the license to do that publicly as well and we're seeing that playing out." Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan: "We have to make sure that our voices are heard and that this president-elect knows that he needs to represent each and every one of us." [TU] [WNYT] [TWCN]
Police accountability
How a 1976 state law "has proven virtually impenetrable to the efforts" to open up records on police misconduct, and could even be interpreted in such a way as to close off access to officer body cam video. [TU+]
Troy sorting difficult budget options, the buzz from rescuing Buzz, sentencing in attack on Schenectady police officer, a more walkable Western Ave
Troy budget crunch
With the city facing a $5.8 million budget gap after all the recent budget/tax cap override drama, Troy mayor Patrick Madden says his administration is trying to figure out what options it has -- and how it might lay off as many as 90 city employees. [TU]
Crossgates gunfire incident
The Albany County DA's Office says the man accused of firing a gun in Crossgates -- 20-year-old Tasheem Maeweather of Albany -- has been indicted on a group of charges that include second-degree attempted murder. An off-duty state trooper testified during a preliminary hearing that he had witnessed the Maeweather get into an altercation outside the Apple store and that's when Maeweather allegedly fired a gun. [Albany County DA] [TU]
Rescuing Buzz
Lt. Colonel David Panzera, of the 109th Airlift Wing in Scotia on his unit's involvement in the medical evacuation of Buzz Aldrin from Antarctica: "We've made in essence a dangerous mission safe." Also: "A hero to both the Air Force and to the United States at the elevated level of Col. Buzz Aldrin, you bet it's exciting." [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
Neil Golub dismisses report of rumored Price Chopper sale, Albany passes 2017 budget, Troy mayor warns of layoffs, no Ballston Walmart, rescuing Buzz Aldrin
Price Chopper
+"I don't comment on stuff like that, when you see nonsense articles coming from halfway across the country," -- Neil Golub on a Reuters story about rumors that the Golubs are in advanced talks to sell Price Chopper to Albertson's. [TU]
+Chris Churchill laments the potential loss of the only locally owned grocery store in the Capital Region. [TU+]
Mayor warns of layoffs in Troy
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden warned city employees on Wednesday to be prepared for layoffs after the City Council failed to override the state tax cap, leaving the city with a $5.8 million deficit. [WNYT][TU]
Albany budget
Albany's Common Council approved a $180 million 2017 budget by a vote of 11-4[Correction: the vote was 10-4 with one abstention], but only after considerable debate over trash fees and a protest by some city employees who are still without contracts[WNYT]
Reuters rumors Price Chopper sale, Troy still without budget, teens arrested in Guilderland bomb threat, Mastroianni Bros. on auction block
Rumored Price Chopper deal
Citing confidential sources, Reuters reports that the national grocery store chain Albertson's is in advanced talks to purchase Price Chopper for $1 billion. Price Chopper and Albertson's are declining to comment. [Reuters]
Troy budget
Troy's City Council failed to override the state tax cap on Tuesday and did not adopt a 2017 budget. Mayor Patrick Made says the failure of the council to pass a budget will result in "fiscal Chaos" for the city. [TU][Record]
Elk Street shooting
An Albany man was hospitalized early Wednesday morning after a shooting on the 300 block of Elk Street in the city. [News 10]
Troy budget fight down to the wire, guilty plea in $3 million theft from company at Port of Albany, Rezone Albany and the Palais, another Clark House project in Troy
Crunch time for Troy budget
It appears Troy mayor Patrick Madden and the four members of the City Council's Republican majority steering committee are still far apart on an agreement about the size of the tax increase in the city budget ahead of Tuesday evening's scheduled vote. Madden says if the city doesn't override the tax cap, it's facing the layoff of 90 positions and elimination of certain services. Council president Carmella Mantello called Madden's current proposal of a 23 percent tax increase "unfair and unjust." And Madden said the council leadership has "demonstrated an unwillingness to accept the reality of costs associated with municipal operations and services." [Troy Record] [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
Rocks shooting
Albany police have identified the man fatally shot during a party at Rocks in the early monring of Thanksgiving 26-year-old Wendell Hill of Troy. APD also says it's identified a person it believes to be the shooter, but will not release name during the investigation. An APD spokesman says police think the victim and shooter knew each other and it was an isolated incident at a private party, though the motive is still unclear. Monday evening there was a Cure Violence rally outside the club. [APD press release] [TWCN] [WNYT] [News10] [WNYT]
$3 million theft
Federal prosecutors say an Athens woman who worked for Cargill at Port of the Albany pled guilty to stealing $3.1 million from the company over 10 years -- and causing the company at least $25 million in losses. She faces up to 20 years in prison and has agreed to pay restituion of at least $3.5 million. [US DOJ] [TU]
10 news stories from over the Thanksgiving break
Here are 10 stories (or groups of stories) from the over the Thanksgiving break.
Shooting at Rocks
Four people were shot -- one fatally -- at Rocks on Central Ave in Albany early Thanksgiving morning, according to Albany police. The bar's owner says the shooting occurred at a private party next door -- and officials say it doesn't appear the incident targeted the LBGTQ community. As of Sunday, APD had yet to release the names of the victims or a description of the suspect. [APD] [News10] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Crunch time for city budgets
+ Troy mayor Patrick Madden says his administration has gotten the tax increase in the proposed budget down to 23 percent. But the group of four City Council Republicans that's said they won't approve a tax cap override unless the increase is cut to 9.5 percent says it's not enough. [TWCN][News10]
+ Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan released a response to last week's letter from four Common Council members criticizing her proposed budget, providing counterpoints to the letter's argument and pushing back on its overall message: "Since engaging in meaningful dialogue clearly is not your intent or desire, this letter simply corrects, for the record, the falsehoods and misrepresentations in your letter." Frank Commisso Jr. -- one of the four council members, and a potential challenger for the mayor's office -- continued to criticize the mayor, saying her administration isn't taking responsibility for its actions. [Sheehan admin] [TWCN]
Hoosick Falls residents press the state over water contamination, stirring of the Albany mayoral race, Gaffney's is being sold
Hoosick Falls
A group of Hoosick Falls residents and advocacy orgs were at the Capitol Monday to continue criticism of the state's response to drinking water contamination in the village. Said one resident, Michele Baker: "We stand before you exhausted and angry, because New York state has failed us." From a joint statement by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health: "New York State has taken unprecedented action and spared no expense to secure clean drinking water for Hoosick Falls." [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN]
Albany budget and politics
The Common Council vote on the Albany budget has been pushed back to November 30 after members of the council push for more info. [TU]
Chris Churchill: The letter sent by four Common Council members this weekend criticizing the budget is a sign that the next mayoral race has started. (Judd Krasher, one of those council members, to TWCN about the letter: "We reject this budget in its current form. But moreover, we reject the now-three years into Mayor Sheehan's term of the failed budget practices, the failed economic development practices of this administration.") [TU+] [TWCN]
Schenectady homicide investigation
As Schenectady police say they're "aggressively" working leads in the case of a man found shot to death on outside his home in Bellevue, residents of the neighborhood are thinking about whether this incident and a recent murder-suicide are aberrations or representative of a trend. [TU+]
Winter's back, budget drama in Troy and Albany, monitoring domestic terror in New York, about giving the gondola a chance
Snow
Area at higher elevations got significant snowfall -- with reports of more than a foot in parts of Rensselaer County. [NWS Albany]
Troy budget
On Friday Troy mayor Patrick Madden pushed for the city council to approve a tax cap override for the city budget -- and criticized many of the budget cuts proposed by the four-coalition that's pledged to stop an override if its demands are not met: "The public should not be misled into thinking there are viable options to bring the tax increase down." Council president Carmella Mantello said Madden was wrong in how he described some of the cuts: "It comes down to different philosophies, different views of priorities." [TWCN] [Troy Record]
Albany budget
A group of Albany Common Council members -- Ron Bailey, Frank Commisso Jr., Judd Krasher, and Mark Robinson -- released a letter criticizing the composition and presentation of mayor Kathy Sheehan's proposed budget and accused her administration of having "gross inexperience with municipal finance." Sheehan called statements in the letter "reckless" and "irresponsible." [Scribd] [TU]
Trump University settlement
Donald Trump agreed to pay $25 million to settle lawsuits involving fraud allegations related to his for-profit Trump University. One of those lawsuits was filed by New York State attorney general Eric Schneiderman in 2013, who in a statement Friday called Trump's venture "a phony university" and said Trump will pay a $1 million fine for violation state education laws. [NYT] [TU] [NYS OAG]
Public comments on Troy budget situation, new oversight of SUNY Poly development arms, big mixed-use project floated for Green Island
Troy budget crunch
A city council budget hearing Thursday included many public comments about the Troy budget situation -- including those warning a big tax increase will prompt more vacant buildings, and others warning of the consequences of making cuts. The four member Republican council group that includes council president Carmella Mantello said this week it will not allow an override of the tax cap if the tax increase is more than 9.5 percent. [TU] [TWCN] [Troy Record]
SUNY Poly
The CEO of Empire State Development, Howard Zemsky, says his agency will have oversight of the two real estate arms of SUNY Poly that had been used to handle many economic development projects for the university. Zemsky also said companies had become "had grown very tired and very weary" of working with SUNY Poly because of delays in payments. [Biz Review] [TU]
Also: SUNY Poly's chief operating officer is stepping down from the role -- he's third high-level SUNY Poly official to leave during the past week. [Politico]
Student stabbed at LaSalle, State A.G. may investigate Abelove, Troy council members fight tax hike, Schumer new Senate Minority Leader
Student stabbed at LaSale
Albany police are investigating a student stabbing at LaSalle High School on Wednesday. Police say one student stabbed another between classes on Wednesday morning, sending he victims to Albany Medical Center. [TU][News 10]
Ethics
Andrew Cuomo has announced a new set of ethics reforms that would affect the State Legislature, SUNY and CUNYm including the creation of a new position -- Chief Procurement Officer -- to examine contracts for wrongdoing.[NYT] [WNYT][News 10]
Schumer
Senate Democrats have elected Chuck Schumer to be their new minority leader. [News 10]
Legislative pay hike nixed, police search for motive in fatal south mall beating, Spa City plans neighborhood watch, crow banishment begins
Legislative pay hike
The State Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation, on Tuesday, voted down a proposed pay raise for NYS legislators. Legislators have not had a pay raise in two decades, but members of the commission say ethics issues and limits outside income must be addressed before pay raises will be approved. [News 10][NYT]
Troy budget
A public meeting is slated for tonight on Troy's proposed budget which includes a 28 percent tax hike. Four Republican members of the City Council have suggested a plan to drop the tax hike to less than ten percent. [TWCN][Record]
Arrest in Crossgates gunfire incident, leaders around area to respond to racist speech, woman dies from injuries in South Mall Towers beating,
Crossgates gunfire arrest
An Albany man has been arrested in connection with the gunfire at Crossgates Saturday. Guilderland police say they focused on the man because of security video and a witness picking him out of a photo lineup -- police then surveilled his apartment and was taken into custody at a car wash. Albany police chief Brendan Cox said Monday police believe the man got out of the mall during the initial rush of people to the exits after the shot was fired. Guilderland police chief Carol Lawlor said again on Monday police believe the incident was an argument between two people and no victim has been located. [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [News10] [TU]
Lockdown drills: A look at some of the lockdown drills stores in the mall had practiced previous to Saturday's incident. [WNYT]
Racist speech
+ Swastikas were discovered on pavement in Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs in recent days. Politico leaders of both parties in Saratoga County denounced the acts -- though they disagreed on what might be prompting them. [Daily Gazette] [Saratoga]
+ Fliers advertising a website against "AntiWhite propaganda" were posted around UAlbany's uptown campus Monday morning. UAlbany says the fliers were taken down because their posting didn't follow university rules about signs. [@epoppp] [TU]
+ Shen school superintendent Oliver Robinson on his letter to parents about recent incidents involving students saying racist things -- and the pushback the letter got on the district's Facebook page, to TWCN: "My concern is not politics; I don't care who people vote for or don't vote for ... My concern is how do we ensure that we have a school community that every single child can come to every day and not fearful of, will they be deported? Will they be criticized?" [Daily Gazette] [Shen FB] [TWCN]
Search for suspect in Crossgates gunfire, Cuomo says New York is a refuge, Troy officials work to reduce tax increase, three legs and one new home
Crossgates gunfire
Guilderland police chief Carol Lawlor said Sunday that police are searching for one suspect in the Crossgates gunfire incident on Saturday, and there have been no arrests. Lawlor said there was one shot fired during the incident: "It wasn't somebody who went to shoot up the mall, it was an isolated incident between two individuals." As many as 16 different law enforcement agencies responded to the mall. [TU x2] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Guilderland police say anyone who might have left something at the mall during the lockdown and evacuation can get in touch with the department or the store they were in about retrieving their items. [News10]
Trump presidency
+ Andrew Cuomo in a Facebook post this weekend: "As New Yorkers, we have fundamentally different philosophies than what Donald Trump laid out in his campaign. So let me be absolutely clear: If anyone feels that they are under attack, I want them to know that the state of New York - the state that has the Statue of Liberty in its harbor - is their refuge." [Andrew Cuomo FB]
+ Prompted by Donald Trump's comments about abortion and his potential Supreme Court picks, state legislators are pushing for an update of New York's abortion law. [Politico NY]
+ The two local affiliates of Planned Parenthood say they've received an outpouring of support after last week's election. [TU]
+ There was an anti-Trump rally outside the state Capitol this weekend. [TWCN]
+ Shenendehowa school district superintendent Oliver Robinson: "[O]ver the past several days, seemingly emboldened by the Trump presidential win, I have been informed of an increasing number of cases of students demonstrating, in words and action, extreme bigotry - both racist and anti-Muslim. We are better than that as a school community and I am soliciting your assistance to ensure that remains the case." Jessica Córdova: Open letter to Shenendehowa schools about incidents at at Acadia Middle School and High School West. [Shen school district] [Jessica Córdova blog]
State and local reactions to Trump presidency, alleged hazing incident involving UAlbany students, call for lower speed limit on road where trooper was fatally hit
Today is Veterans Day. It's a federal holiday so some thing will be closed. Albany's annual Veterans Day parade starts at 11 am at Central Ave and Ontario Street and heads downtown.
Donald Trump
+ On Thursday Andrew Cuomo was using a gentler tone about Donald Trump's upcoming presidency, but Cuomo also told reporters: "I have grave philosophical differences with the positions that Donald Trump laid out in the campaign, and that is not going to change and that is not going to go away ... We won't allow a federal government that attacks immigrants in our state." [TU]
+ One issue on which New York State leaders and a Trump administration could be very much on the same page: big spending on infrastructure. [TU+]
+ Officials for RISSE, an org that assists refugees in Albany, say Trump's electoral victory has their clients worried about deportation and freedom of religion. [TWCN]
+ A political scientist's message to students at a UAlbany forum about Donald Trump's upcoming administration: "Organize, organize, organize." [Daily Gazette]
Rensselaer County jail harassment case
An order this week by the state Division of Human Rights brings the total that will be paid to a female former Rensselaer County jail sergeant found to have been harassed by co-workers at the jail to $2.15 million. [TU]
Alleged con involving Schenectady police officer
Colonie police lieutenant Robert Wynn on that case involving a con man, his boyfriend the Schenectady police officer, a possible luxury car scam: "The whole thing is a tangled web of deceit." (That article also includes mention of the sex party allegation that got so much initial attention -- Albany police chief says an investigation so far has concluded that claim "looks like a bunch of nonsense.") [TU+]
Crews battle Colonie house fire, sentencing in Saratoga County ATV death, Albany County charter revisions pass, six tons of turkey
Colonie fire
Crews are battling a major house fire in Colonie this morning. One person was injured, a dog died and a large snake is missing from the home.[WNYT][TU]
Sentencing in ATV crash
A Saratoga County Court judge sentenced Edward Wager to five to 15 years in prison for the alcohol related ATV accident that killed a passenger in June of 2015. [Saratogian]
County judicial race heads to state Supreme Court
New York's State Supreme Court will rule on the outcome of a race for Schenectady County Family Court Judge. [Gazette]
Clinton concedes, Republicans maintain control of NYS Senate, two sentenced in Porreca murder, alleged would-be vandal falls from roof of The Madison
Presidential election
The next President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. [NYT]
How New York Voted
Hillary Clinton won New York State. [Poughkeepsie Journal]
Faso-Teachout
John Faso won the election to replace Chris Gibson in the NY-19 Congressional District over Zephyr Teachout, 52-43.
Chuck Schumer
Chuck Schumer easily defeated challenger Wendy Long to hold onto his US Senate seat.[NYT]
It's Election Day, Stewart's called out over lack of accommodation for nursing mother, racism in the Adirondacks, James Franco at Union
Election Day
+ The polls are open until 9 pm Tuesday. Don't know where to vote? You can look it up on the state Board of Elections site.
+ Much of the attention today will be focused on the presidential election, of course. But on the state level here there will also be a lot of attention on how control of the state Senate shakes out (including the outcome of the George Amedore/Sara Nicolli matchup for the 46th state Senate district) and the close competition between John Faso and Zephyr Teachout to replace Chris Gibson in the 19th Congressional district. [Politico NY] [Daily Gazette]
+ Reviewing the New York's rules for taking ballot photos and ballot selfies. [Daily Gazette]
Calling out Stewart's over lack of accommodation for breastfeeding mother
A Stewart's employee says she had to close the Troy location she was working at Sunday for 15 minutes so she could breastfeed because the company didn't adequately staff the location (nor does it provide a place for her to pump). Her fiancee called the company out online. Stewart's blamed the situation on "a breakdown in communication" and said it regretted the situation. [News10] [Instagram] [TU]
Bust in alleged Albany County jail contraband scheme, years of losses projected at SUNY Poly-controlled Kiernan Plaza, why has the State Seal Spring stopped?
Arrests in alleged Albany County jail contraband scheme
Albany County sheriff Craig Apple said a longtime county jail employee was arrested Saturday as part of an investigation into an alleged scheme in which contraband was smuggled into the jail. Twelve other people -- including six inmates -- also face charges. Apple says the alleged scheme involved the jail employee taking items such as tobacco, marijuana, and mobile phones into the jail for a fee of $200. Said Apple at a press conference: "Everything that gets smuggled in is dangerous ... He jeopardized the life of every single employee in that facility." [TWCN] [News10] [WNYT] [TU]
Schenectady murder suicide
Schenectady police say they believe the gunshot deaths in a Shannon Street residence in the Bellevue neighborhood last week were a murder suicide -- they say 40-year-old Wayne Goodwin shot 39-year-old Desire Pagan multiple times before shooting himself. Members of Pagan's family tell News10 that Pagan and Goodwin had a child together. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10]
Albany truancy program
A look at how Albany's anti-truancy program -- which got national recognition -- has come apart, and in the words of the school district superintendent, needed "a reboot." [TU+]
SUNY Poly / Kiernan Plaza
SUNY Poly projections have its real estate arm losing money on Kiernan Plaza (the old train station in downtown Albany) for the next five years -- and the Biz Review reports there's no apparent effort to market the "Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center" space at the venue. [Biz Review]
Investigation of Schenectady gunshot deaths, Troy continues to scrape toward a budget, ban on ballot selfies upheld, last day of business after 96 years
Schenectady Shannon St. gunshot deaths investigation
Schenectady police have identified the two people found dead of gunshot wounds Wednesday night in a residence on Shannon Street -- but police still haven't publicly said what they suspect happened. "An official familiar with the investigation" has told the Times Union the case is being investigated as a murder suicide. [News10] [WNYT] [TU]
APD investigating allegation made against officer
Albany police chief Brendan Cox says the department is investigating the allegation -- made by the man at the center of that Times Union story earlier this week involving allegedly fake checks, a luxury car, porn, and a Schenectady police officer -- that one of its officers had a sexual relationship with a minor: "So far there's no corroboration for anything that's been alleged but I have to complete our investigation." [TWCN] [News10]
Troy budget
The state comptroller's office issued a letter
Two dead in Schenectady shooting, Multiple arrests in fatal hit and run, new NYS tourism highway signs may be illegal
Schenectady shooting
Schenectady police are investigating the shooting deaths of a man and woman in a Shannon Street home in the city's Bellevue neighborhood. Police say they believe the man and woman were a couple. [TU][WNYT]
Multiple arrests in fatal Milton Hit and run
Five people have been arrested in connection with a fatal Halloween night hit and run in Milton. [TU]
Schenectady police officer suspended
The Schenectady police officer under investigation for allegedly passing forged checks says he didn't know the checks were fraudulent.Sgt. Jonathan Moore has been suspended from his job while police investigate charges.
New poll shows Teachout leading Faso, Saratoga County budget to exceed tax cap, Franco movie continues filming in Troy
Teachout/Faso
A new poll shows Zephyr Teachout with a slight lead over John Faso in the race for the 19th Congressional District seat.[WNYT][TU]
Albany trash fee
A look at the proposals on the table for amending or eliminating Albany's trash fee.[WNYT]
Schenectady officer linked to gay porn films
According to a report in the Times Union, a counterfeit check has led authorities to investigate a Schenectady police officer's alleged connection to the gay porn industry and a forgery case. (This is a wild story. But the third and
fourth paragraphs are quite an accusation citing only a vague anonymous source.) [TU]
Fatal hit and run in Milton, attorney says his client was coerced in Hulett St fire investigation, price tag for 50 Hudson Ave demolition, James Franco movie filming in Troy
Fatal hit-and-run in Milton
The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office says a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle on Saratoga Ave in Milton early Sunday morning and died shortly after the crash. SCSO says the driver left the scene. And sheriff Michael Zurlo tells TWCN that when the vehicle was found, "It was in an area way off the road and you could say they were trying to conceal it." SCSO described the man who hit as homeless. [News10] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [TU]
Stabbing in Colonie
Colonie police say a 17 year old who was out trick-or-treating Monday night was stabbed during a fight (map). CPD says the teen was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. [WNYT] [News10]
Timothy Pratt funeral
Hundreds of people were in the church for the funeral of Timothy Pratt, the State Police trooper who died last week after being hit by a vehicle during a stop to help a tractor trailer in Wilton. His daughter, Sarah Pratt, described him as "the hero of heroes." More than 2,000 law enforcement members gathered outside the church during the service. [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Fiery crash at Colonie tavern, questions about Hulett Street fire investigation, Schumer and Long debate, can/should Albany treasurer salary be cut for other raises?
Colonie car crash, fire
Colonie police say a driver crashed his car into two other vehicles in the parking lot of Blessing's Tavern Friday night, and two of the vehicles went through the wall of the tavern and one of the vehicles burst into flames, and the building then caught fire. CPD says four people were injured -- the driver of the car, a cook, and a tavern patron were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The fourth -- a 16 year old who was a passenger in the first car -- suffered burns on more than 95 percent of his body, according to family, and was taken to a burn unit in Westchester County. He was in critical condition as of Sunday night. A witness tells TWCN he saw the teen running, "completely engulfed in flames." [CPD press release] [News10] [TU] [TWCN x2]
The driver is facing charges that include vehicular assault and driving while ability impaired by drugs. [CPD press release]
Hulett Street fire investigation
Brendan Lyons on the investigation into the Hulett Street fire in Schenectady that killed four people and seriously injured Safyre Terry: "A review of interview transcripts, court records and a copy of [Jennica] Duell's videotaped interrogation, which was recently made public by the U.S. Attorney's office, also raises questions about whether Schenectady detectives and federal agents manipulated the interviews that resulted in Duell and another man, Bryan Fish, who was 18 at the time, signing strikingly similar and detailed statements that implicated [Robert] Butler, who always maintained his innocence." [TU+]
A new snowfall record, sentencing in Lansingburgh arson, Marquis Dixon could be released soon, Caffe Lena renovations nearing end
It snowed
The NWS Albany recorded 1.7 inches of snow at ALB Thursday, a record for the date (by .1 of an inch). Totals were higher in outer areas -- Porter Corners in Saratoga County recorded 3.5 inches. And the high of 36 degrees was the lowest max temp for the date on record. [NWS Albany x2]
Sentencing in Lansingburgh arson
The three people who pleaded guilty in the May 2015 Lansingburgh arson that led to the death of Grace Halpin were sentenced to 22 years, 20 years, and 2 1/3-7 years in prison. Halpin's daughter read her victim impact statement at each of the sentencings Thursday. [Troy Record] [TU]
Prominent Albany pastor arrested
Edward B. Smart -- pastor of First Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a prominent community leader in Albany -- and his wife, Marion, are facing felony charges related to $12,000 in social services benefits they're accused of taking by understating their income. (The Times Union reported earlier this week that Smart is the subject of "a multi-agency criminal investigation" looking into allegations he improperly took money from a non-profit.) [TU] [TU+] [WNYT]
Trooper remembered for helping people, not-guilty plea in Lake George boating fatality, man survives fall from Dunn Memorial Bridge, Cuomo supports upstate ride sharing
Trooper Pratt remembered
Funeral arrangements are underway for NYS Trooper Timothy Pratt, who was killed early Wednesday when he was hit by a car while investigating why a tractor trailer was parked in a median in Wilton. Flags were lowered to half mast around the state and Pratt's Body was returned to South Glens Falls from Albany Med on Wednesday evening in a procession up the Northway. No tickets are expected to be issued in the incident. A colleague remembered Pratt on Wednesday, saying "He died the way he lived, helping people." [WNYT][Saratogian][TWCN][Gazette]
Not guilty plea in fatal boating incident
The driver of the boat that crashed into another boat on Lake George over the summer, killing a 7-year-old girl, pled not-guilty to a dozen charges on Wednesday, including manslaughter, assault and criminally negligent homicide and boating while impaired by drugs and alcohol. The judge in the case increased Alexander West's bail from $100 thousand to $300 thousand , but West's attorney expected he would make bail by the end of the week. [TU][Gazette]
Worker rescued from building collapse
A worker was rescued from a Colonie home on Wednesday when the home's foundation gave way trapping him in the building. [TU]
Calls to close Colonie landfill, state trooper dies from injuries in Wilton crash, 30 years worth of library fines
State Police trooper dies from injuries following crash
Update: State Police say the trooper, Timothy Pratt, has died. | A NYS Trooper has been hospitalized with serious injuries after he was struck by a car on Ballard Road in Wilton while attempting to assist a tractor trailer Wednesday morning. [NYSP] [News 10]
Colonie landfill
At a public meeting on Tuesday, residents of Colonie, Waterford and Halfmoon called for the closing, rather than the expansion, of the Colonie town landfill. [WNYT][TU]
Kaloyeros / Percoco
A federal judge is giving prosecutors two extra weeks to file an indictment against Joe Percoco, Alain Kaloyeros and six others in the bid-rigging scandal bribery scandal uncovered last month. [TWCN]
Another arrest in Rensselaer County homicides case, man accused of string of Albany bank robberies, CDTA gets bids for bike share program
Another arrest in Rensselaer County homicides case
Troy police say a fourth person has been arrested in the case involving the beating death of Javier Gomez in an apartment on Glen Ave. The men are accused of using a hammer and knife to kill Gomez. Police says Gomez's death is connected to the death of Christian Gonzalez-Hernandez, Gomez's roommate, whose body was found in Brunswick. But no charges have been filed in the death of Gonzalez-Hernandez. [TWCN] [TU] [News10] [Troy Record]
Hulett Street fire
The federal prosecutor in the Hulett Street fire case told a judge Monday that there is "significant evidence" that one of the men recently arrested on perjury charges in the case, Bryan Fish of Saratoga Springs, was involved with the fatal arson. The judge ordered Fish held pending trial. The 2013 Hulett Street fire killed four people and significantly injured Safyre Terry. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Arrest in Albany bank robberies
Albany police say they arrested 56-year-old Albany man Monday after a robbery at the Citizens Bank at 111 Washington Ave (map). And APD alleges the man is also responsible for two other bank robberies on State Street this month, along with a convenience store robbery on Quail Street. [APD]
More indictments in Hulett Street fire case, city of Albany and Albany County at odds over payments, arrest in alleged UAlbany rape, healing with horses
More indictments related to Hulett Street fire
Two more people have been indicted on federal perjury charges in connection with the 2013 Hulett Street fire in Schenectady that killed four people and seriously injured Safyre Terry. The feds accuse the one of the men of lying to a grand jury about events leading up to the fire, and the other is accused of lying about a car alleged to have been involved. Two other people -- Jennica Duell and Edward Leon -- are already serving time for perjury in the case, but no one has yet been charged with the deaths in the arson case. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]
Arrest in UAlbany rape case
A Guilderland man has been arrested after he allegedly entered a residence at UAlbany's Stuyvesant Tower early Sunday morning where a student was sleeping and had sex with her without her consent. The man, who is not a UAlbany student, is facing rape and burglary charges -- and was just recently released on parole. A university spokesman says they don't think the student knew the 25-year-old man. The university says it's investigating how he may have gotten into the building, which has a key card entry. [TWCN] [News10] [TU] [WNYT]
Conflict over veterans' school tax break
A state law passed in 2013 allows school districts to give a tax break to veterans -- which has put school boards in the uncomfortable position of choosing whether to extend the break and spread the cost to other tax payers, or face criticism that they're not supporting veterans. [Daily Gazette]
Murder charges in Rensselaer County homicides case, donations help football team after suspicious fire burns equipment, the Onrust says it needs help
Rensselaer County homicides
Authorities say the three men arrested in Virginia this week in connection with two separate homicides in Rensselaer County are facing second-degree murder charges in the death of Javier Gomez, the man found dead in a Troy apartment Monday. Gomez was roommates with Cristian Gonzalez Hernandez, whose body was found in Brunswich Tuesday. "Law enforcements sources with knowledge of the investigation" tell the Times Union that three suspects arrested had been at a Colonie motel with Hernandez when the situation became violent and they beat Hernandez, then drove him to Brunswick and and slit his throat -- the trio then went to the Troy apartment where Gomez was killed. A former co-worker at a Clifton Park restaurant tells News10 that Gomez and one of the men charged, Luis Monge Guevara, had both worked there and were good friends -- Guevara quit his job there Monday afternoon. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [TU] [News10]
High school field house burned
Schenectady police say a fire at the Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons field house overnight appears to have been arson. The fire destroyed all the equipment for the combined football team based there -- just ahead of its playoff game this weekend. Offers of donated equipment have already been rolling in and the team's coach says they will play the game. [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU]
Rensselaer Co. homicides may be connected, former MMA fighter convicted in police beating, Albany Med's PILOT payment to city
Rensselaer County homicides
Police say three persons of interest have been arrested in Virginia in connection with a pair of Rensselaer County homicides this week. Investigators believe the two incidents are connected. [WNYT][Record][TU]
Explosion victim dies
One of the victims of an explosion earlier this week at Mohawk Asphalt Emulsions in Glenville has died. [TU]
Albany Med
"What we all must be about is solving the problem in the place in which we reside" -- Albany Med CEO James Barba -- who presented Kathy Sheehan with a $500,000 check on Wednesday as a voluntary Payment-in-lieu-Taxes (PILOT) for the city's 2016 budget --on his efforts to get other not for profit institutions in Albany to step up and make similar payments to the city. [TU]
Kaloyeros
Former SUNY Poly head Alain Kaloyeros has received court approval to travel to Pennsylvania to interview for a consulting job. [TU]
Glenville explosion injuries three people, another large rate increase proposed for Troy, money diverted from funding for 911, ViaPort aquarium sets opening date
Glenville explosion
An explosion at an asphalt company on the Mohawk River in Glenville injured three people Monday and sent a plume of smoke into the air. The three people were taken to a hospital, one by helicopter. The Thomas Corners fire chief said it appeared the explosion happened while workers were
Troy death investigation
Troy police were investigating the death of a man in his Glen Ave apartment. TPD said Monday the night the death is suspicious -- and also appears to be an isolated incident. [TWCN] [TU] [News10]
Alain Kaloyeros
The total compensation for Alain Kaloyeros related to SUNY Poly/CNSE -- including salary and income from research grants -- totaled almost $12 million. [TU+]
Local cities struggle with budget crunch, APD says shot fired was "within policy," more lead found in school water, have you seen this monkey?
Budget-crunched cities
+ The process or reviewing Troy's proposed budget -- which includes a 28-percent tax increase -- is already at a standoff as city council president Carmella Mantello has asked mayor Patrick Madden to re-submit the budget as a version that includes the council's 16-point corrective action plan. Madden is continuing to assert his proposed budget is a realistic picture of the city's actual finances and doesn't overstate potential revenue and understate costs as in previous budgets. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
+ As Albany looks at another budget that depends on a special $12.5 million payment from the state, the question has again surfaced about how to get large non-profits such as hospitals and colleges to chip in. [TU+]
+ Chris Churchill on how high property taxes can contribute to a downward spiral for urban areas. [TU+]
Review of shot fired by Albany police officer
Albany police say an internal review of the actions of officers in an incident in which a detective fired a shot during the arrest of an alleged bank robbery suspect on Green Street in September "were within the policy of the Albany Police Department and the law." APD alleges the suspect had "accelerated his vehicle in reverse towards" the detective, and the detective "fired a single shot ceasing" the man's actions -- no one was hit by the shot. Alice Green of the Center for Law and Justice on the APD review, to the Times Union: "It doesn't provide the community with enough information about the incident and why it was necessary to fire the shot." [APD] [TU]
Lawsuit over fatal Troy police shooting
In the federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Edson Thevenin over the incident in which Thevenin was shot and killed by Troy police near the Collar City Bridge in April, an attorney for the city is arguing officers aren't to blame because of Thevenin's alleged actions. Police have said Thevenin pinned an officer between his car and a police cruiser and the officer responded by firing at Thevenin -- Thevenin's widow alleges the incident didn't actually play out that way and Troy police initially lied to her about how her husband died. [Troy Record]
Vehicular manslaughter charge in Route 7 crash, Faso and Teachout debate for NY-19, public comment on Troy budget's tax increase, James Franco in Albany
Charges in fatal Route 7 crash
The woman State Police say caused the fatal four-car crash on Route 7 this week was arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter and misdemeanor DWI. Jessica Bellerose of Troy pleaded not guilty and posted bail. Her attorney said she is "devastated" that the crash killed 18-year-old Paige Ahearn of Waterford. [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
Pedestrian dies in crash on 787
State Police say a 47-year-old pedestrian was killed Thursday night in a crash on I-787 just south of Exit 2 in the city of Albany. NYSP say they don't know why the woman, who's from Ghent in Columbia County, was walking on the highway. They're asking anyone who might info to call. [NYSP]
Schenectady police officer testified about attack
Schenectady police officer Mark Weekes testified in court Thursday about the attack on State Street in downtown Schenectady in which James Hilton is accused of assaulting him and knocking him unconscious. [Daily Gazette]
Long headlines Women for Trump rally, police investigating two fatal crashes,Albany will vote on New Covenant renovation plan, Marchione delivers petition to restore gun show
Women for Trump rally
"If women are so outraged, why were so many copies of '(Fifty) Shades of Grey' sold?" -- Yates County Republican chairwoman Sandra King at Wednesday's Women for Trump rally at The Desmond. Senate candidate Wendy Long headlined the rally that drew about 100 people, and Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara Trump also spoke. Speakers and attendees brushed off Trumps recent comments about women, insisting he still has a solid chance to win in November. Here's Chris Churchill on the event. [TU][News 10][TWCN][TU+]
Fatal crashes
Police are investigating two fatal car crashes this week -- one on Route 7 that claimed the life of an 18-year-old Waterford-Halfmoon High School graduate and another on Route 9 that killed a pedestrian. Police believe alcohol was a factor in the Route 7 accident, in which a car crossed a median after hitting two other cars[TU][TWCN][TU][WNYT]
Finding a replacement for Kaloyeros, pedestrian killed in Latham, Long stands behind Trump, controversy over Saratoga's Code Blue location
SUNY Poly without Kaloyeros
Finding a replacement for Alain Kaloyeros could prove challenging because of SUNY Poly's dual role as an academic institution and an integral part of New York's economic development efforts, but SUNY Poly officials say Alain Kaloyeros's replacement is expected to be more focused on running SUNY Poly and less focused on development. [Politico][TU]
Fatal accident in Latham
[Corrected from an earlier report] Police are investigating an accident on Route 9 in Latham on Tuesday night that claimed the life of a pedestrian. [News 10]
Kaloyeros resigns as SUNY Poly president, local Republican respond to Trump comments, Albany settles lawsuits over conduct of former officer
Alain Kaloyeros
"A source with knowledge of the situation" tells the New York Daily News that Alain Kaloyeros has resigned his position as president of SUNY Poly. (He had already been on unpaid leave.) His attorney confirmed the resignation, saying in a statement that the state and federal cases against Kaolyeros had become "an unnecessary distraction for the good people working hard at SUNY Poly." He also said in a statement that Kaloyeros is "innocent of the charges filed against him and looks forward to being exonerated." [NYDN] [Democrat & Chronicle] [Biz Review]
Responding to Trump
Many Republican elected officials around the Capital Region are criticizing Donald Trump's most recent comments about women -- but stopping short of saying they no longer support his election. Schenectady County Republican Republican Committee chair Michael Cuevas to TWCN: "I think it's our responsibility to support our nominee ... I just think the voters should not judge the rest of the ticket by the top of the ticket." [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
Joe Bruno
Excerpts of Joe Bruno's upcoming memoir are surfacing, touching on a variety of topics including Eliot Spitzer ("a spoiled brat with a chip on his shoulder") and how an end-of-budget process negotiation with George Pataki and Sheldon Silver ended with Silver getting money for a Brooklyn library and Bruno money for ALB. [NY Post] [TU+]
Civility in politics
During an on-stage conversation Monday evening at Skidmore, Chris Gibson and Paul Tonko both pointed to non-competitive Congressional districts as being partly to blame for the lack of compromise and bipartisan effort in Congress. They also lamented the tone of the current presidential election. [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Big tax increase in proposed Troy budget, state's high-speed rail plan still delayed, Halfmoon plaza would include Chick-fil-A
It's Columbus Day. Some things are closed, others aren't. It's a good idea to check before you head out.
Big tax increase proposed in Troy budget
+ Patrick Madden's proposed Troy city budget includes a 28 percent increase in the property tax rate. A home assessed at $100,000 would pay an additional $336 per year in city property taxes under the plan. Madden said the budget corrects for previous budgets that overestimated revenues and understated expenses. [Madden admin]
+ It would be the highest city tax increase since a 21 percent increase in 1996. [TU]
+ Said Madden of the budget, to the Record: "It really gives me great angst to propose something like this, and I wouldn't do it unless our collective back was against the wall." [Troy Record]
+ City council president Carmella Mantello: "The taxpayers of Troy cannot afford a tax increase of this amount." [TWCN]
Indictments in Troy 911 call leak
Indictments have been handed up against three people -- Ronald Fountain, Gary Gordon, and Shane Hug -- in the case of the Jim Gordon 911 recording that was leaked to the Times Union during the last mayoral race. [TU]
Two years since Guilderland quadruple homicide
It's now been two years since the murder of a family of four in a house on Western Ave in Guilderland -- and there's yet to be an arrest. [WNYT]
Preet Bharara speaks at Saint Rose, twist in Heimroth sentencing, former school board president indicted
Preet Bharara at Saint Rose
US Attorney Preet Bharara was at Saint Rose Thursday as part of a panel discussion about public corruption, and said he's confident the convictions of Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos will hold up during appeal -- despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that tightens the standard for public corruption cases. Bharara and prominent defense attorney E. Steward Jones also went back and forth on whether being a high-profile politician makes a person more or less likely to be a target of prosecution. [TU] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Late twist in Heimroth case
The sentencing of Jacob Heimroth -- found guilty of the beating deaths of Allen and Maria Lockrow in their Lansingburgh home -- was delayed Thursday after his attorney alleged the prosecution had held back info about the unrelated prosecution of the son of the key witness in Hemiroth's trial, Laurie Rist, which the defense argues is a Brady violation. Heimroth's attorney said the info would have changed how he cross-examined Rist. The prosecution said it didn't know about the relation between the man and the witness, to which judge Andrew Ceresia said: "It is not a defense to say I didn't know about it." [Troy Record] [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
Church lots lost
A look at how the Victory Church ended up owning 14 parcels of land scattered around the city of Albany -- and then letting those parcel fall into foreclosure. [TU+]
Cuomo denies Bridgegate connection, Shaker High teacher charged with endangering welfare of child, Matthew won't impact Capital Region
Cuomo denies Bridgegate connection
Andrew Cuomo, Wednesday, denied allegations that he and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie discussed using a false report to defuse questions about Bridgegate. [News 10/AP]
Alain Kaloyeros
"Sources familiar with the matter" tell Politico that SUNY leaders are attempting to permanently fire Alain Kaolyeros. [Politico NY]
Shaker High teacher charged with endangering child
A Shaker High School teacher is facing charges of endangering the welfare of a child in connection with alleged online contact with a student. The teacher, who was active with school clubs, is alleged to have requested and sent suggestive photos, and repeatedly requested in-person meetings. [Gazette][WNYT][TU}
Heroin
Police have arrested a Waterford man found passed out in the front seat of a car in a Latham parking lot, with his 7-month-old son in the back seat. [TWCN][Gazette]
Bridgegate witness says Cuomo was part of cover story, proposed Schenectady budget would keep taxes flat with casino money, Loudonville's 12211 the regions wealthiest zip code
Bridegate
A former top ally of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who admitted to orchestrating the lane closings in what is now known as Bridgegate, says Christie and Andrew Cuomo discussed releasing a false report to avoid questions over the closures -- something a Cuomo spokesman has denied. David Wildstein testified on Tuesday that Port Authority officials informed him that Cuomo told the Port Authority's executive director to "stand down" from trying to publicly blame Mr. Christie and his aides for the closings, at least until Mr. Christie had won re-election in November 2013. [TU][Politico][NYT]
Cuomo seeks zero budget growth again
For the sixth year in a row, Andrew Cuomo is asking state agencies for zero-growth for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. [TU]
Schenectady budget
Schenectady County's proposed budget would be balanced this year with the help of $330 million from Rivers Casino. [TU]
Details of proposed Albany budget, more clown drama, state official suspended after complaint to the feds, a look inside new distillery
Albany proposed budget
+ Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan released her proposed budget for the city, which her administration says includes a 2 percent reduction in spending. [Sheehan admin]
+ The proposed budget includes an increase in the tax levy, but small reductions in the residential and commercial tax rates because of a larger tax base.
+ The proposed budget also relies on another request from the state for $12.5 million in "Capital City Funding." Sheehan is asking the state for money straight out, not as a "spin up" taken from future planned payments for the ESP. Sheehan said the city has a "systemic gap" in its budget. [Politico]
+ Common Council member Frank Commisso Jr. criticized the lower tax rate/larger levy move as a camouflaged tax increase. And he also criticized a set of salary increases included in the budget (the Sheehan admin says the increases are a response to new overtime rules and an attempt to bring parity to salaries for similar positions). [TWCN] [TU]
+ Something not in the budget: revenue from red light cameras. [News10]
Stolen State Police car
State Police released a few more details about the situation in Schoharie County in which a woman -- who was said to in double-locked handcuffs -- allegedly was able to lock a trooper out of his car and drive off. Also: the Schoharie County Sheriff confirmed that a sheriff's deputy fired two shots when the trooper was allegedly being dragged the car (the sheriff says nothing was hit). [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Tangled knot of violence in Schenectady, State Police car stolen, proposed Schenectady budget includes tax cut
Rosh Hashanah started Sunday evening and continues until Tuesday evening.
Stemming violence in Schenectady
Sorting through the tangled knot of issues that underlies violence and crime in Schenectady neighborhoods such as Hamilton Hill and Mont Pleasant: poverty, guns, the drug trade, and a lack of programs for kids. [Daily Gazette]
Role of email in corruption cases
Looking at how public officials used private email accounts in the recent round of public corruption cases involving Andrew Cuomo's former top aide and SUNY Poly. [TU+]
Sure in gun permits
County sheriffs around the greater Capital Region say they're seeing a large spike in pistol permit applications, apparently prompted by the November election. [TU]
Stolen State Police car
State Police say a woman being transported by a state trooper in Schoharie County Sunday managed to climb into the driver's seat after the trooper had gotten out of the car -- and then drove off. (Apparently she had been in the front passenger seat.) That prompted a seven-hour hunt for the woman before she was taken back into custody. [NYSP] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Looking at crime numbers around the Capital Region, continued chatter about creepy clowns, toward a regional taxi system
Crime numbers
+ A look at 2015 crime numbers for Capital Region municipalities out this week from the FBI. [Daily Gazette]
+ Troy had a 22-percent increase in the number of reported violence crimes between 2014 and 2015. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
Creepy clowns
+ From the Daily Gazette: "Strange clown sightings abound in Capital Region" [Daily Gazette]
+ And from The Saratogian: "A local law enforcement press release on suspicious clown sightings in the southern part of Saratoga County has the area's professional clowns asking the public to take a step back." [Saratogian]
SUNY Poly allegations
Bits continues related to the state and federal allegations involving SUNY Poly continued to spill out this week:
+ A look at the situation surrounding the prominent architecture firm EYP and its tenancy at, and dealings with, SUNY Poly. [TU+]
+ Rensselaer mayor Dan Dwyer says Todd Howe tried to hit the city up for a $4k-per-month lobbying fee when discussions started about SUNY Poly developing a piece of land on riverfront. [TU+]
Cuomo to set aside developer contributions, Schumer's bid for NCAA in Albany, creepy clown or Halloween costume?
SUNY Poly/alleged bid rigging
Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that the state and federal complaints in the alleged bid rigging case were primarily about flaws in SUNY's purchasing and procurement systems, and were not due to unchecked corruption in his office. Meanwhile, Tom DiNapoli's office says the alleged bid rigging scandal shows the need for more state oversight of SUNY spending.[TU][TU]
SUNY Poly has removed photos of and links referencing Alain Kaloyeros from the school and its website. [TU]
Cuomo on alleged bid rigging
Chris Churchill on Andrew Cuomo's handling of the SUNY Poly scandal. [TU+]
Contributions
Andrew Cuomo says his re-election campaign will "set aside" the $350,000 in contributions it received from developers who are facing corruption charges in connection with the bid rigging scandal unveiled this week. Republican state Senate candidate George Amedore says he won't return the more than $30,000 in campaign contributions he has received from Albany developer Joe Nicolla , who is facing charges in the alleged bid rigging scandal. [WNYT/AP][TU]
No tax hike in Albany's proposed budget, National Grid truck pulled from Hudson, SUNY Poly's financial woes, Capital Region leads state metro areas in economic growth
Albany budget
Albany's proposed 2017 budget contains no tax increase, but Mayor Kathy Sheehan says she'll be looking to the state for more payments in lieu of taxes for state properties. [TU]
Truck in Hudson
Authorities are trying to figure out why a National Grid Truck crashed into the Hudson River in Troy overnight. It took three tow trucks to pull the vehicle out of the water. The truck was reportedly involved in a police chase just prior to crashing through the gate and into the river. Rescuers pulled a body out of the river. [TWCN][TU][WNYT][News 10]
Sorting through effects of SUNY Poly allegations, continued push to end violence in Hamilton Hill, sale of zombies prohibited by town
Alleged SUNY Poly bid rigging: Joe Nicolla
+ Columbia Development president Joe Nicolla pleaded not guilty Monday to the charge against him in the state Attorney General's case alleging bid rigging for a student housing project near SUNY Poly. Nicolla's attorney, E. Stewart Jones, called the allegation against his client "absolute nonsense" and predicted the charge would be withdrawn after more evidence is presented. Said Jones: "Joe Nicolla never ever would have to engage in bid rigging. He has never engaged in bid rigging. He's a remarkable businessman who plays by the rules every day of his life." [TWCN] [Biz Review] [News10] [WNYT]
+ One of the reasons this is such a big story is the scale of Columbia's businesses dealings within the Capital Region, especially within the city of Albany. [TWCN]
+ Chronicling how much money Nicolla (and those connected to him) has contributed to politicians' campaign funds over the years. [TU+]
SUNY Poly and Alain Kaloyeros
+ State Senate Republican leader John Flanagan says there should be "hard questions" about the Buffalo Billion following the federal charges filed against Alain Kaloyeros, Todd Howe, and a group of developers. [Politico NY]
+ Documents filed with the state Department of State indicate it was the large construction company M+W that was the unnamed contractor that supplied the $50 million loan for the NanoFab X building at the SUNY Poly Albany campus that was mentioned in the federal complaint. [TU+]
+ With its economic development duties transferred to Empire State Development, does this mean SUNY Poly will focus on tech alone? [TU+]
+ Chris Churchill on Alain Kaloyeros as the state's economic development star and a Capital Region celebrity: "With Kaloyeros, it became difficult to tell if he was still succeeding or if was all an illusion. Maybe it didn't matter. The boss had his back. That was then. Everything has changed." [TU+]
Cuomo comments on string of corruption charges, rally against violence on Schenectady street, next LarkFest to be alcohol free?
Cuomo on allegations against Percoco, Howe, Kaloyeros, developers
Said Andrew Cuomo of the string of charges filed last week alleging corruption tied to his administration during a public appearance in Buffalo Friday: "I had no idea about anything that was contained in that complaint." He also said the RFP process mentioned in the allegations was "tainted" and called it a "systemic issue." [TU] [Politico NY]
Cuomo also said he's looking to push ahead with a second phase of the Buffalo Billion initiative. [TWCN]
Joe Nicolla
Columbia Development CEO Joe Nicolla pleaded not guilty Monday morning to the charge against him in the allegations made by the state Attorney General's office regarding alleged rigging of the request for proposals process for student housing near SUNY Poly's Albany campus. [TWCN]
Here's a rundown of the many recent tax breaks and incentives Columbia Development has gotten from Capital Region economic development agencies in recent years. [TU]
Alain Kaloyeros
SUNY Poly president Alain Kaloyeros -- who's been suspended without pay -- pleaded not guilty Friday to the state charges against him. [Biz Review]
The Cuomo admin says the state economic development projects Kaloyeros was overseeing have been shifted to Empire State Development. [TU]
Reviewing the state and federal charges against Alain Kaloyeros, no allegations against Andrew Cuomo but there are questions, what do the charges mean for projects in Albany?
The big news is, of course, the announcement of charges against Joe Percoco (a former top aide to Andrew Cuomo), Todd Howe (another longtime Cuomo associate), Alain Kalaoyeros (the president of SUNY Poly), and a string of prominent developers across the state (including Columbia Development's Joe Nicolla).
Alain Kaloyeros
+ The feds allege Kaloyeros tailored the request for proposals process for SUNY Poly administered projects in the Syracuse area and in Buffalo (the much-touted Solar City factory that's part of the Buffalo Billion) to favor specific developers. Here's an overview of the allegations. [US DOJ] [Post-Standard] [Buffalo News] [AOA]
+ Kaloyeros is facing charges from the state Attorney General's office that he was engaged in a similar RFP-tailoring scheme involving a proposed dorm project on the Loughlin Street land in Albany and Columbia Development. The state AG's office also alleges Kaloyeros was involved in two other schemes, one involving the selection of a contractor for the construction of a research building at the Albany campus and the other involving the an arrangement in which SUNY Poly work would allegedly be funneled to a prominent architecture firm renting space on the SUNY Poly campus. [NYS OAG] [TU]
+ State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman called Kaloyeros's alleged actions "stupid" and "brazen." [State of Politics]
+ SUNY announced that Kaloyeros has been suspended without pay and SUNY Poly will under the direction of SUNY system executive staff. [SUNY]
+ Said an attorney for Kaloyeros in a statement: "Dr. Kaloyeros is innocent of the charges filed against him, and very much looks forward to being exonerated." [Biz Review]
+ Kaloyeros has been the key figure in many large tech/economic development projects both in Albany and across the state in recent years. And profile of Kaloyeros and his efforts at SUNY Poly from the NYT describes him as "a geek with big goals." [TU+] [NYT]
Percoco/Kaloyeros face criminal charges, State Ed suggests Common Core revisions, tax cuts coming to Schenectady
Percoco/Kaloyeros
Former top Cuomo aide Joseph Percoco and SUNY Poly President Alain Kaloyeros are among 8 people facing charges following a long-running federal investigation into the Buffalo Billion and other projects related to SUNY Poly in Syracuse. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is expected to hold a press conference at noon today to explain the charges. [Capitol Confidential][TWCN][NYT][News 10]
Common Core
New York State Education Department officials released proposed revisions to the state's Common Core on Wednesday. The proposal suggested changing 60 percent of the English standards and 55 percent of those in math.[TU][NYT]
Fiscal stress down for Albany County but up for city, Farrell next Albany City Court judge, $82 billion in student debt, the Everest of memorization tests
Fiscal stress in Albany
Albany County is now off the state's list of fiscally stressed locations but the city of Albany saw its fiscal situation get worse in 2015. [TU]
Farrell wins Albany city court seat
Forty absentee votes put Josh Farrell over the top Tuesday in the race for Albany city court judge.[TU]
Lawsuit in UAlbany bus incident
One of the three students who claimed to have been a victim of a racially motivated attack on a CDTA bus in January is suing the university over its decision to expel her. Ariel Agudio is arguing that the process used to expel her was unfair and unconstitutional. [TU]
Call to move residents from housing project near Port of Albany, officers suspended in connection with woodchuck death, the season of campaign sign stealing
Oil trains
Albany County exec Dan McCoy and environmental groups are cheering the recent decision by the state Department of Environmental Conservation to require Global Companies to submit a new application for an air emissions permit for its rail-to-river oil facility at the Port of Albany. McCoy is continuing to push for oil trains to moved off tracks directly behind the Ezra Prentice Homes. And Sierra Club president Aaron Mair is pushing for the residents of the housing project to be moved to a new location away from the Port of Albany. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU]
The death of Medina Knowles
Records from a 2015 menacing charge against the 19-year-old man accused of fatally shooting Medina Knowles include an allegation that he had threatened his then-girlfriend with a gun. The organizer of a youth program in Schenectady recalled memories of Knowles. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
Drinking water
Voorheesville school district officials say the source of the high levels of lead contamination at a kitchen faucet in the Voorheesville Elementary School was likely the solder used when installing new supply lines to the faucet earlier this year. Officials say families should have their primary care doctors do blood level tests of their kids for lead exposure -- the district will be offering reimbursement of the cost. [TWCN] [TU] [WNYT]
Arrest in fatal Schenectady shooting, supporters of Marquis Dixon appeal heartened by judge's words, body found in Colonie fire, fighting asparagus
Arrest in fatal Schenectady shooting
Schenectady police say they arrested a 19-year-old man Saturday in the shooting death of 17-year-old Medina Knowles in a Hamilton Hill apartment Thursday night. ReaQwan U. Stover was arraigned on charges that include second-degree murder Sunday and held without bail. Police say Stover had recently started dating Knowles, but has yet to release info on a possible motive. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10]
Marquis Dixon
During oral arguments Friday, the justice hearing the appeal in the case of Marquis Dixon -- the Albany teen sent to prison for nine years for stealing a pair of sneakers -- brought up, unprompted, the issue of whether Dixon had incorrectly not been considered for youthful offender status. And that might be a sign that's Dixon's appeal has a good chance of being successful in some way. Also from Friday's session: Dixon's case hinged in part on an accusation that he had a gun when stealing the sneakers from another teen, an allegation his defenders have said had little evidence other than the word of the other teen -- and the attorney representing the Albany County DA's office pushed back on that point. [TWCN] [TU+] [WNYT]
Harriman campus land sale
The state's request for bidders to develop a large chunk of the Harriman State Office Campus -- a plan that's intended to help the city of Albany by adding taxable land -- netted no proposals by the deadline last week. [Biz Review]
Fatal shooting in Schenectady, Faso and Teachout debate for NY-19, a day at dealer school
Fatal shooting in Schenectady
Schenectady police say a 17-year-old woman was fatally shot in the head in an apartment in Hamilton Hill Thursday night. SPD says it's investigating -- no one has been arrested. Neighbors say they heard gunshots and then the woman's mother screaming. It's the third shooting on the block in a year. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [News10] [TU]
Albany police Green Street incident
The man arrested Albany police say was arrested as a bank robbery suspect during an episode on Green Street that included an officer firing his gun is the same man whose story got local and national attention last year after he was fired from the East Greenbush Walmart for redeeming cans found in shopping carts. [TU]
Lawsuit filed in case of fatal shooting by Troy police
The family of Edson Thevenin -- the man fatally shot by a Troy police officer during an incident on Hoosick Street earlier this year in which Troy police allege Thevenin used his vehicle as a weapon against the officer -- has filed a lawsuit against the city and the officer arguing police were not in danger when the officer opened fire. [TU]
Suspect pleads not guilty in alleged Troy abduction attempt, officer fires in Albany arrest, UAlbany student who made attack claim brings dismissal to court
Attempted abduction
Police have arrested a Troy man in connection with two separate incidents in the city on Wednesday morning -- the attempted abduction of one teen and inappropriate touching of another teen. 25-year-old Joseph Badger pleaded not guilty on Thursday morning to multiple charges in connection with the incidents, including attempted robbery, endangering the welfare of a child, and unlawful imprisonment. [TU][WNYT]
Ex-Siena player charged with rape
A former Siena basketball player is facing rape charges in connection with an alleged incident in July. His attorney, Lee Kindlon says 23-year-old Evan Hymes is innocent and that the incident stems from a relationship that ended badly. [TU][TWCN]
Gun fired in arrest
An Albany police officer's gun was fired, but none was hit, during an arrest Wednesday on Green Street in the city. [TU]
Tesdisco and Walsh win primaries, absentee ballots to decide Albany judgeship, Troy police probe attempted abduction of teen, Schenectady has a new police chief
Primary
Here are a few of Tuesday's local primary results:
+Jim Tedisco is the winner of the 49th district Republican primary to replace longtime Senator Hugh Farley. Farley, who is stepping down, has served in the Senate for 40 years.
+Ballston attorney Mary Beth Walsh, a Ballston won the primary in the race to replace Tedisco in 112th Assembly District, a seat he has held for 33 years.
+Mechanicville's Chris Boyark declared victory in the Republican primary for the 113th Assembly seat.
+Absentee ballots will decide the outcome of Albany's City Court Judge race. Unofficial results show Joshua Farrell leading James Long by 96 votes.
[TU][TWCN][[Post Star][TU]
Attempted abduction
Troy police are investigating an alleged attempted abduction of a a 16-year old girl in Lansingburgh this morning, and a second report of a man inappropriately touching a 16 year old girl. They are trying to determine if the events are connected. [TWCN][TU][WNYT]
It's primary day, teacher accused of sex with student, downtown Albany bank robbery investigation, movie theater plan for Troy resurfaces
Primary day
It's primary day. Polls are open from noon to 9 pm. Don't know where to vote? Check with the state Board of Elections website.
Jennica Duell sentencing
Judge Gary Sharpe during the Monday morning sentencing of Jennica Duell to 11 years in prison for lying to a grand jury in the Hulett Street fire case: "I am certain that your lies forestalled the discovery of the truth." (There has yet to be anyone arrested and charged for the arson.) [Daily Gazette]
Marquis Dixon
The case of Marquis Dixon -- the Albany teen sent to prison for nine years on armed robbery conviction in which there was no evidence of a weapon other than the word of the robbery victim, another teen whose story changed -- is up for appeal this week. [TU+]
Duell sentenced for lying in Hulett Street fire case, two shootings in Albany, fate of Albany historic church in balance, commemorating 9/11
Jennica Duell sentenced
Jennica Duell, the mother of Safyre Terry, was sentenced to 11 years in prison Monday morning for lying to a grand jury during the investigation of the Hulett Street fire that killed three of her children, her former boyfriend, and severely injured Safyre. [TU]
Mother speaks of mental health issues in alleged Schenectady fire attack
The mother of the Schenectady man accused of setting his stepfather -- her husband -- on fire last month tells the Daily Gazette about her son's mental health problems and efforts to get her son help in the weeks leading up to the incident. [Daily Gazette]
Questions about Potsdam murder case
The trial of a man accused of killing a 12-year-old boy in Potsdam five years ago has become a topic of intense focus around the North Country -- and it's raised questions about whether the prosecution has been racially motivated and whether the State Police crime lab bent its own rules while analyzing samples from the case. [NYT] [TU+] [TU]
Talking trash in Albany, DWI charge after car crashes into home, checking on new Thacher Park visitors center project
Albany trash fee
Among the details that came out of an Albany Common Council committee meeting at which a proposal to spread the city trash pick-up fee for small apartment buildings to the city's single-family homes was tabled for the moment: The city's trash collection costs are more than $6.5 million a year. [TWCN] [TU]
Vanessa Milligan's family displaced by fire
The Cohoes apartment of Vanessa Milligan's father, Nathan, caught fire Thursday, forcing his family and the residents of another unit to evacuate. Said Milligan: "I just can't believe this is happening." [TWCN] [TU]
Asking for a lawyer
Using the case of Sean Moreland and his recent plea deal on charges related to the Jacquelyn Porreca murder as a example of how a clear request for a lawyer -- or lack of such a request -- during police questioning can play a big role in the outcome of a case. [TU+]
Second round of PFOA hearings, plea deal for alleged driver in Porreca killing, Halfmoon travel agent allegedly stole from clients
PFOA Hearing
The second round of legislative hearings on the Hoosick Falls PFOA contamination crisis ran for about 12 hours on Wednesday, and most of the Hoosick Falls residents that attended were not able to speak. The hearings were marked by heated exchanges and state officials continued to blame the EPA for confusion on how to handle the contamination crisis. The former DOH head of Environmental Health testified on Wednesday that the department had a tendency to downplay health risks. [TU][WNYT]pTWCN][NYT][TU]
Meanwhile the EPA has nominated Hoosick Falls as a Superfund site
and Andrew Cuomo is calling on the EPA to institute new water quality protection regulations and eliminate a loophole that doesn't require the testing of public water systems for contaminants. [TU][TWCN][
Plea deal in Porecca case
Sean Moreland, the alleged getaway driver in the murder of Jacquelyn Porreca agreed to a plea deal on Thursday morning that comes with a 2 to 6 year sentence. [TU]
Sinkhole repairs/upgrades top $1 Million, driver and pedestrian at fault in fatal Cohoes accident, NYRA reports highest attendance at Saratoga meet
Albany sink hole
Repairs on the South Lake sinkhole in Albany and infrastructure upgrades at the site are behind by about ten days and will cost the city more than $1 million.
[TU]
Driver & pedestrian at fault in Cohoes fatality
Cohoes police ticketed the driver of the car that killed a teen who was crossing I-787, but said the teen was also at fault. 48 year old William Lamb was ticketed for traveling 13 miles per hour over the speed limit, but police say the pedestrian was also crossing against the light. The city is fighting to get funding to redesign the section of roadway which has been the scene of accidents in the past. [Record][TWCN][News 10][TU]
Guilty plea in Jacquelyn Porreca murder case, investigation into Schenectady police conduct, Albany trying to cover budget gap
Jacquelyn Porreca case
The man accused of fatally stabbing Jacquelyn Porreca during a robbery at a barber shop in Colonie last year has taken a plea deal. By pleading guilty in the deal, Michael Chmielewski avoids a possible life sentence and instead faces a maximum of 22 years to life. The other man facing charges in the case -- Sean Moreland -- could accept a plea deal of his own later this week. [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU]
A year without homicides (so far)
Albany police chief Brendan Cox on the fact that there has yet to be a homicide in the city this year:
"I'm not about to declare victory when I've had 15 people shot this year ... A victory is zero people shot, and that's what we should expect as a society." [TU+]
START-UP NY
The number of new jobs in the Capital Region credited to the Cuomo admin's much-publicized START-UP NY program: 32. [TU]
Suspect's statements tossed out in Porecca case, more legislative PFOA hearings next week, six overdoses in 48 hours, Gold Star Families to get Albany monument
Statements tossed in Porecca case
Statements made to police by Sean Moreland -- the alleged getaway car driver in the Jaquelyn Porreca murder case-- have been ordered inadmissible by State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Breslin, because they were taken after Moreland requested to have his lawyer present. [TU]
EPA and Hoosick Falls
"We were in very close communication with the state Health Department.There was absolutely not confusion on the EPA numbers; there was disagreement about what to do about it." U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck on Capitol Press Room Wednesday, defending the EPA's response to the Hoosick Falls PFOA crisis. The Senate and Assembly will hold joint hearings on the PFOA contamination next week. [TU][TWCN]
Hearings in Hoosick Falls, third person pleads guilty in Lansingburgh arson case, how 'bout those (smaller) apples
Hoosick Falls
There's a state Senate hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Hoosick Falls about the contamination of the water supply there with PFOA:
+ A look at some of the key questions about the situation. [Politico NY]
+ Chris Churchill on skepticism with which some residents are viewing the hearings. [TU+]
+ State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin on the apparent delay in officials telling people to stop drinking the water: "It's crucial, I mean this is on a level of Flint, Michigan-type of a problem with government not letting folks know what was going on." [TWCN]
+ The creator of the PFOA Project Twitter account, ahead of the hearings: "Clean drinking water is necessary for survival, and we shouldn't have to fight our state to get it." [TWCN]
In the dumps
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has marked municipal landfills in Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh, and Berlin as "potential state Superfund sites" because of potential PFOA contamination. [TU]
Alleged Schenectady fire attack
The 29-year-old man accused of setting his stepfather on fire last Friday has pleaded not guilty and he's being held without bail. The man's mother tells News10 he suffers from bipolar disorder, and possibly schizophrenia, and had sought treatment in the days leading up to the incident. [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Marking the damage and recovery from Irene, man accused of setting stepfather on fire, search for bikini bandit, Travers victory in record time
The damage -- and recovery -- from Irene
It was five years ago that rain from Tropical Storm Irene caused major, destructive flooding across Schoharie, Greene, and Schenectady counties. So many local outlets looked back over this past weekend:
+ Visiting Prattsville, said to be the spot hardest hit by the flooding, to see how the recovery has gone. [TU+]
+ Recalling the surge of water the inundated Rotterdam Junction, where the rose to a level 14 feet high on a flagpole outside a house. [Daily Gazette] [News10]
+ Looking at the recovery and planning efforts of Schoharie Area Long Term as it looks to the future. Said the former Schoharie recovery director: "I want my son and the future generations of this county to learn from the stories of the resilience of the men and women who I saw achieve amazing things in the wake of disaster." [Daily Gazette x2] [TWCN]
Man accused of setting stepfather on fire
Schenectady police a 29-year-old man was arrested for allegedly throwing gasoline on his stepfather and lighting him on fire Friday. He's facing charges that include attempted murder. The stepfather airlifted to a medical facility in Westchester County for treatment. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10]
Vega sentenced to maximum, Troy man found not guilty in death of toddler, shift in APD recruit training to focus on community policing
Vega sentenced
Gabriel Vega -- convicted of killing Vanessa Milligan, pregnant with his child, in Lansingburgh in 2014 and then setting fire to her apartment -- was sentenced to the maximum, 50 years in prison. Said Rensselaer County Court judge Andrew Ceresia: "This defendant deserves no mercy from the court, and he will get none." Vega's attorney said his client maintains his innocence in the case. Said Milligan's father of Vega: "This should be his funeral. This should be his demise. This should be the last day that he ever sees Troy." [TWCN] [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Acquittal in Troy 2 year old's death
Michael Davis -- accused of causing the death of a 2 year old in Troy last year -- was found not guilty of all charges. The prosecution had argued that Davis had squeezed the girl, causing internal injuries -- but Davis's attorney argued his client found the girl unresponsive and tried to resuscitate her. And he credited Davis's testimony on the stand for convincing the jury. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Sheldon Silver
A federal judge's ruling Thursday allows Sheldon Silver to stay out of prison on bail while appealing his corruption conviction, which carried a 12-year sentence. [NYT]
Cuomo signs ethics reform, public weighs in on 1 Monument Square, Paul Ryan headed to Saratoga, the 38 second pint
Ethics reform
Without fanfare on Wednesday, Andrew Cuomo signed an ethics reform package that would impose tight restrictions on outside spending groups in an effort to curb the impact of the Citizens United decision, but critics say it is nowhere near strong enough, since it doesn't put restrictions on lawmakers outside income or affect the "LLC loophole."[WNYT][TU][TWCN]
1 Monument Square
The City of Troy is putting the brakes on the development of 1 Monument square after residents who came out for a public hearing about the space on Wednesday made it clear that any project there is developed slowly and correctly, with the city's future needs in mind. [TU]
Toxicology report shows drugs in Lake George boat crash, Albany sinkhole fix by Labor Day, Lake George beach closed due to coliform
Lake George boat crash
Results of a toxicology report released Tuesday by the Warren County Sheriff's department concludes that the operator of the boat involved in a fatal hit and run crash on Lake George this summer had two prescription drugs -- and one illegal drug -- in his blood. The report show no alcohol was found -- but none was anticipated since Alexander West didn't turn himself in until 14 hours after the crash. The results could influence the charges against West. [TU][Gazette][TWCN]
Sinkhole problems
How Albany's latest water main break is affecting the water supply of Guilderland and Bethlehem. Officials expect the sinkhole to be repaired by Labor Day. [TU][News10]
State DEC questions Hudson River dredging results, focus on state of the former Albany convention center site, potential expansion of medical marijuana
Hudson River PCBs
Said state Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner Basil Seggos during a press conference Monday at Corning Riverfront Park in Albany: "Unacceptably high levels of PCB-contaminated sediment remain in large portions of the upper Hudson River" -- and he called for the federal Environmental Protection Agency to review of the effectiveness of the Hudson River dredging project that ended last fall. And: "EPA must ensure the remediation conducted by General Electric is effectively protecting public health and the environment from exposure to PCBs." Some context on the possible politics at work between the Cuomo admin and the EPA and GE. From a GE statement Monday: "GE is confident that EPA's review will demonstrate that the project achieved the agency's goals of protecting human health and the environment." [Daily Gazette] [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [TU] [News10]
Questions about film hub
Following up on the Central New York Hub for Emerging Nano Industries -- a project near Syracuse connected to SUNY Poly and backed by $15 million in state money that the Cuomo admin initially projected would bring 350 jobs -- and, at least for now, appears to be virtually empty. (See also: The Syracuse Post-Standard's review of the situation from earlier this year.) [NYT] [Syracuse.com]
Downtown Albany
Chris Churchill on the way the former convention center site on the south side of downtown Albany has been allowed to sit and deteriorate by the the Albany Convention Center Authority: "This is not responsible ownership. It's pure neglect, really, and it makes the state and convention authority no better than the out-of-town slumlords who own too much of the city." [TU+]
Governor signs bill opening way for Capital Region taxi regulation, reviewing Hillary Clinton's time as a Senator from New York, an away home game
Taxi regulation
+ Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation that allows CDTA to act as a taxi regulator across Capital Region municipalities (if the municipalities sign on). [NY Senate] [TU]
+ The Schenectady City Council is considering whether there should be additional regulation of the city's medical taxis. [TU]
Albany sink hole
Repair work on the South Lake Ave sink hole in Albany continues into week four. The water department is making use of the situation to install a new liner in part of the trunk sewer line and replace a section of a water main. [News10] [TU]
Held hostage then, held back from compensation now
A man who grew up in Albany and now lives in Troy was one of the hostages taken at the American embassy in Iran in 1979 -- and is now in line to miss out on settlement money because of when he was released. [TU+]
Teen's mother says she wanted Albany officer arrested on higher charge, 50 Hudson Ave demolished, Glens Falls wins Capital Region's state downtowns award, assessing Colonie's library
Albany police officer/St. Anne Institute incident
The mother of the teen alleged to have been slammed to the floor at the St. Anne Institute by an Albany police officer says had hoped the officer would have been charged with assault instead of the lesser charge of harassment. The teen also told the Times Union she was choked during the incident. Albany police chief Brendan Cox says the video of the incident doesn't show that, and the evidence didn't add up to an assault charge. [News10] [TU] [WNYT]
Trial in Troy two year old's death
The trail of Michael Davis -- facing manslaughter and child endangerment charges in the February 2015 death of a Troy two year old -- started Thursday with opening statements. The prosecution alleges Davis squeezed the child to death -- the defense argues he found the child unresponsive and tried to revive her. [WNYT] [Troy Record]
50 Hudson Ave
50 Hudson Ave in downtown Albany was demolished Thursday, a process that accelerated because the building started collapsing further on its own. Albany's building and regulatory compliance director says 48 Hudson Ave -- the city's oldest building -- made it through the process OK. [WNYT] [TU]
50 Hudson demolition begins, EPA/DEC hear Ezra Prentice pollution concerns, Cuomo supports privatizing NYRA with regulations, Schenectady smiles
50 Hudson Ave
The building at 50 Hudson Ave began to collapse on Thursday morning as crews prepared to demolish it. It appears that 48 Hudson was not damaged. Demolition continues today. [TU][News 10]
Ezra Prentice pollution
Representatives from the EPA and DEC met with residents from Albany's Ezra Prentice housing complex -- which is located in a heavy industrial area -- to listen to their concerns about mounting health problems stemming from exposure to train and diesel emissions. Earlier this week the EPA sent a notice of violation to the nearby Global Partnersfor exceeding emissions standards at the Port of Albany crude oil terminal. The DEC says it plans to make $500,000 available for air monitoring and diesel emissions in the area of the Ezra Prentice apartment complex.
[TU][TU][TWCN]
Heimroth guilty in Lansingburgh murders, Siena poll shows Schumer far ahead, Lake George considers ending Log Bay Day
Conviction in Lansingburgh murders
After more than 9 hours of deliberation, a jury in Troy found Jacob Heimroth guilty of six of ten charges in connection with the deaths of a Lansignburgh couple. Heimroth was convicted on two counts of second-degree murder, burglary and grand larceny in the deaths of Allen and Maria Lockrow, and could end up spending the rest of his life in prison. [Record][TWCN][TU]
Environmental justice concerns at Ezra Prentice Homes
EPA regional administrator Judith Enck will be meeting residents of the Ezra Prentice Homes Wednesday evening to discuss longstanding concerns about effects of diesel emissions and other industrial activity near the public housing complex in Albany's South End. [TU+]
Poll shows Schumer with clear lead
A new Siena poll reports Chuck Schumer has a 58-percent favorability rating and would beat Republican candidate Wendy long 63-24 if the election were held today. The poll also reports that 62 percent of respondents believe Donald Trump will not help GOP Senate candidates, while 64 percent believe Hillary Clinton will help Democratic Senate candidates. [Politico][Daily Gazette][TU]
Albany City Court judge resigns, sentencing in Schenectady basement burial case, question about votes necessary for Palace sale
Albany City Court judge resigning after misconduct investigation
Albany City Court judge Thomas Keefe will resign his judgeship at the end of September as part of stipulation with the state Commission of Judicial Conduct. (His term was to run through 2022.) Keefe had been under investigation since 2013 after a string of complaints against him. In his resignation letter, Keefe acknowledged misconduct in four of the allegations. [SCJC] [TU] [News10]
Sentencing in Schenectady basement burial case
Harold Ortiz -- who pleaded guilty to killing one person, and attacking another with a shovel, and then buried them both beneath rubble in Union Street basement -- was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. Said Vanessa Washington -- the sister of Valerie Washington, who was killed -- at the sentencing: "The murder of my sister has left a deep hole in our souls..." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Sentencing in Schenectady shooting death
The man convicted of shooting LaSean Gause last summer on Albany Street while firing into a crowd -- prosecutors say Gause was a bystander in a dispute that didn't involve him -- was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. [Daily Gazette]
Heimroth case
The jury is now deliberating in the trial of Jacob Heimroth for his alleged involvement in the beating death of Allen and Maria Lockrow in Lansingburgh in 2014. The jury started deliberating Monday afternoon after closing arguments and had several questions. [TU] [Troy Record] [TWCN]
Siena poll: Clinton has big lead on Trump in New York, cleaning up after stormy weekend, CDTA aims for 2018 of Purple Line, Minnisale's closing its restaurant
Presidential election
The Siena poll out Monday morning reports Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump 57-27 in New York State. Clinton also leads Trump 48-37 among upstate respondents. And 24 percent of respondents in the poll who identified as Republicans said they would vote for Clinton. [Siena SRI]
Stormy weekend
Strong thunderstorms caused widespread damage across the region Saturday. Some places got more than an inch of rain -- Saratoga Springs got more than three, and the storm there prompted the cancelation of six races at the Saratoga Race Course and that evening's performance of the Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC. A burst at the campground in Fulton County snapped trees and destroyed vehicles -- eight people were injured there. [NWS Albany] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
Albany police officer suspended
One Albany police officer has been suspended and another place on administrative duty as part of an investigation into an incident at the St. Anne Institute in which it's alleged an officer slammed a girl to the ground. APD says the incident was captured on camera. [TU] [WNYT]
It's hot, alleged hit and run driver captured in foot chase, Raucci files for federal appeal, NYRA: hike in handle and attendance point to privatization
Heat wave
Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s for the next three days in the Capital Region, but the humidity will make it feel more like 100. Swimming pools at Mater Christi and will be open and busses will run to them from Lincoln Park, which is closed because of the South Lake Ave sinkhole. [NWS][News10][TU]
Alleged hit and run driver arrested after foot chase
Police arrested a Rotterdam man on Wednesday for allegedly hitting multiple cars and then abandoning his vehicle on Central Ave. The arrest followed a foot chase though the woods near Central Avenue. [TU][WNYT]
Raucci
Steven Raucci, the former facilities director for Schenectady schools who was sentenced to prison for arson and other crimes, has filed to appeal his case in federal court.[Gazette]
Flood warnings and sinkhole concerns, shortfall in Albany's projected red light camera revenue, 500 lb bronze gorilla returned
Red light cameras
Albany has collected $328,000 from its 35 red light cameras this year -- a significant shortfall from the $1.9 million projection for this year-- and all of the money must go to the vendor that rents the system to the city. [TU]
Flooding concerns
More projected storms in he Capital Region have raised some flooding concerns for the Albany area this week and slowed work on the week-old sinkhole on South Lake Ave in Albany. [TU]
Sinkhole
Work on the Albany sinkhole has prompted water restrictions in the town of Guilderland [TWCN]
Schenectady County raises age for cigarette purchase
Schenectady County legislators have passed a law making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. [WNYT]
The problem of paying for aging infrastructure, Reuter cross-examined in Heimroth trial, posing for Norman Rockwell, a pignapping in Guilderland
South Lake Ave sinkhole / water infrastructure
Work continues on the South Lake Ave sinkhole repair -- the current problem is removing debris deposited in a storm sewer line, reducing the capacity of the line. [TWCN] [TU]
Zooming out a bit: A look a payments the water department has made to the city in recent years, and the larger issue of how to fund repair and replacement of old water infrastructure. [TU]
Meanwhile in Schenectady: The city is planning a multi-million dollar project to upgrade parts of its wastewater treatment plan that are a more than a century old. [Daily Gazette]
Heimroth trial
On Monday during cross-examination, Daniel Reuter -- who's already pleaded guilty for participating n the beating deaths of Allen and Maria Lockrow in Lansingburgh and is testifying against Jacob Heimroth as part of his plea deal -- repeatedly said he didn't remember when asked about details of the case. The defense also pointed out a few parts of his story that didn't match the evidence. [TU] [Troy Record]
Golub Corp dismisses Price Chopper sale rumor, Albany sinkhole repair continues, Schenectady alligator gar captured
Price Chopper sale rumors
"Sources" tell the trade pub Supermarket News that Golub Corp. is considering a sale of the Price Chopper supermarket chain. Golub spokesperson Mona Golub says the story is "rumor and innuendo." But she said the company is looking for "capital partners." [Supermarket News] [Biz Review] [TU]
The Golub Corp is the Capital Region's third-largest private employer, with more than 8,000 employees, according to a recent list from the state.
Common Core
Looking some of the similarities among the local school districts that saw their grade 3-8 math and English language arts scores increase in the latest round of state tests. [TU+]
Preet probes
"A source close to the investigation" tells the NY Post that Todd Howe has signed a "cooperation agreement" with Preet Bharara's office as part of the federal prosecutor's investigation of Howe and fellow longtime Cuomo family associate Joe Percoco. [NY Post]
Testimony from alleged accomplice in Lansingburgh double killing, officers suspended as part of groundhog investigation, classification of pulley latest turn in ropes course saga
Heimroth trial
Daniel Reuter -- who already pleaded guilty to charges including first-degree manslaughter in the deaths of Maria and Allen Lockrow in Lansingburgh two years ago -- testified against Jacob Heimroth Thursday, describing how he says the two of them killed the Lockrows. Reuter said he didn't like that Allen Lockrow was dating his aunt while still married. Reuter's testimony against Heimroth was part of his plea deal. [TU] [TWCN] [Troy Record]
Schenectady hit-and-run trial
In her closing argument Thursday, the attorney for Adimu Goodwin -- accused of hitting a pedestrian with his van, fleeing, and then hitting and killing a second pedestrian -- argued that her client isn't second-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault because he feared for his safety and that's why he fled the scenes. (The prosecution says Goodwin fled because he didn't have a license.) [Daily Gazette]
South Lake sinkhole
+ The city of Albany has lifted the boil water notice for residents and businesses near the water main break on South Lake Ave. [City of Albany press release]
+ The med student whose SUV was swallowed by the sinkhole at the water main break says the city hasn't communicated with him about the vehicle. He says the amount he's likely to get from insurance won't be equal to value of the vehicle to him. [WNYT] [TU]
Sinkhole repairs/boil water alert, Defending START-UP NY, suspects sought in two Albany bank robberies, push for Albany taxi reform
Sinkhole
With the water turned off and the car out of the latest sinkhole in Albany crews are now working tostabilize a duct bank that holds all the power lines for Albany Medical Center and the VA Hospital to be sure power to those facilities isn't lost.
Meanwhile, the city has issued a boil water notice for the area of Madison Avenue from South Lake Avenue to Quail Street, Hudson Avenue from South Lake Avenue to Quail Street, and South Lake Avenue from Madison Avenue to Hudson.[TWCN][Gazette]
Defending the Startup NY program
The CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation defended the Cuomo administration's START-UP NY project before lawmakers on Wednesday. Howard Zemsky told legislators the program needs more time, saying "Everyone should take a deep breath. A lot of foundation has been laid and a lot of seeds have been planted. Let's give it a few years." The program has only created 408 jobs since 2013, but Zemsky told legislators it has sent a signal to the wold that "New York is open for business."[Business Review][TWCN][NYT]
Glenville teen hit and killed by Amtrak train, sinkhole repair may take over a week, abandoned buildings come down in Troy, longtime Schenectady activist and SCCC founder dies
Teen killed by Amtrak train
A 16 year old Glenville girl died on Tuesday when she was struck by an Amtrak train while
walking along the tracks in Scotia. The stretch of track is commonly used by teens as a shortcut, but trains come through the area at speeds of up to 100 mph.[Gazette][TU][TWCN]
Albany sinkhole
Officials say it may take as much as 10 days to repair the sinkhole that swallowed an SUV near Elberon Place off Albany's Washington Park on Tuesday morning. The hole left a nearby apartment building uninhabitable, and another building, occupied largely by seniors and people with disabilities without water and air conditioning on Tuesday. It took hours to turn off the water valves -- which were installed in 1931. [News 10][TWCN][TU][WNYT]
Heavy rain causes flash flooding, potential Palace sale debate, addressing vacant buildings in Troy, investigation into death of groundhog
Overnight downpour
Heavy rain overnight caused flash flooding in a few spots around the Capital District. The weather station at ALB recorded rainfall of more than a inch between 2 am and 4 am. [NWS Albany]
Potential Palace sale
Supporters of the proposal for the city of Albany to sell the Palace Theatre to the non-profit that runs the venue (for a small amount) showed up at Monday's Common Council meeting to offer arguments for the sale, framing it as a longterm play. Skeptics argued the sale of the theater for a small amount would short-change the city. [TU] [WNYT]
Renewable energy
The state Public Service Commission approved a plan in which the state will be aiming to get 50 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 -- one of the highest such goals in the nation. Environmental orgs praised the overall goal, but some took issue with a provision in the plan that includes subsidies for nuclear plants. A prominent state business org also criticized the plan, arguing it will increase costs and cut into jobs. [TU] [AP/Saratogian] [Biz Review]
Arrests in fatal Lake George boat crash, land near SUNY Poly in Albany sold, counting horse deaths at Saratoga, remembering Melville in Lansingburgh
Arrests in fatal Lake George boat crash
Friday afternoon five people were charged in connection with the boat crash on Lake George last week in which an 8-year-old girl was killed and her mother injured. The alleged driver of the boat is facing two felony counts of leaving the scene of an accident without reporting, and police allege the other four hindered the investigation of the crash. An attorney for Alex West, accused of driving the boat, said his client didn't know that anyone had been injured in the crash. Warren County Sheriff Bud York: "What we're getting from witnesses, they would've been deaf not to know they hurt somebody." [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10 x2]
Test scores
The state Education Department released
Presidential election
+ Donald Trump is scheduled to appear in Plattsburgh this Thursday. [News10]
+ And while polls are pointing to a Hillary Clinton victory in New York State, she has a historically-low favorability rating in the state for a Democrat appearing on a statewide ballot. [Politico]
Clinton accepts nomination for president, Cuomo speaks at convention, "ban the box" bill for Albany County, undersized lobsters seized, alligator gar still swims free
Clinton accepts Democratic nomination
Hillary Clinton accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for president at the party's convention in Philadephia. Said the former New York US Senator and US Secretary of State: "We have to decide whether we all will work together so we all can rise together." [NYT]
Earlier in the day, Andrew Cuomo spoke to the convention, invoking his father's memory and touting New York as a home of progressive ideas. [NYT] [TU]
Also: Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan on her convention experience in Philadelphia. [TU]
20 year to life for fatal Troy stabbing
The Troy man who pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing his wife in front of their children last November was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. Said David Campos at the sentencing: "I want to apologize to the court. I want to apologize to the city of Troy. I want to apologize to my wife's family for putting them through this." Said an aunt of Denise Gely: "We don't want to have hate in our hearts. Justice is justice, and we're happy that justice is still working." [TWCN] [TU] [Troy Record]
Cuomo to address convention, first PFOA personal injury lawsuit,Lake George fatality causes concern about festival, DEC searches for invasive fish in Schenectady Central Park
Cuomo to address convention
Andrew Cuomo has big shoes to fill when he addresses the Democratic Convention tonight.[NYT][NYT]
Schneiderman on Trump
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman spoke at the convention, calling Donald Trump "a guy who leaves a trail of broken deals, unpaid contractors, unpaid lawyers, unfulfilled obligations and ruined lives behind him wherever he goes."[TU]
Hit and run prompts look at festival
The hit and run boat crash that claimed the life of a 9-year-old girl on Lake George this week has prompted authorities to consider canceling Log Bay Day -- an annual informal party on the lake. The Warren County Sheriff's Office says 19 people were arrested at this year's festival, which attracted about 600 people. [TU][TWCN]
Dems nominate Clinton, police seek photos in boat accident, Erie Blvd to close for roundabout, new program puts cats in jail
Dems nominate Hillary Clinton
History was made at the Democratic Convention on Tuesday when former First Lady, NY Senator, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton became the first woman nominated by a major party for President of the United States. Andrew Cuomo, surrounded by state and local elected officials including Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Common Council member Leah Golby, announced New York's votes. [NYT][TU]
Police search for photos of Boat involved in fatal Crash
Police are searching for photos to help them determine if the boat they believe is responsible for the fatal hit and run that claimed the life of a 9-year-old girl on Sunday spent part of the day at the Log Bay Day boat party on the lake before the incident. [TU]
Questions about Palace sale, Schenectady casino construction ahead of schedule, Arts Center building deal off, L-Ken's demolished
Questions about potential Palace sale
The proposed sale of the Palace Theatre from the city of Albany to the non-profit that runs the venue needs a three-fourths majority of the Common Council to approve -- and multiple council members say they're skeptical of the initial proposal. [TU+]
Fatal Lake George hit-and-run collision
Police say one person was killed and another injured Monday night on Lake George when a boat went over the top of another boat at high speed near Cramer Point and then left the scene. [Post-Star]
The heat
On Monday the Cuomo admin triggered plans to reduce energy use in the state as the hot weather prompted the state's electricity consumption to approach peak loads. [Cuomo admin] [TU+]
State Police: abduction story not true, NIMBYism and a proposed apartment complex, hats hats hats hats
State Police: abduction story not true
State Police announced Saturday that Rachael Mattice -- who's disappearance this summer sparked a large search, and who later said she had been abducted and held by a man in Hamilton County for two weeks -- was arrested Friday on one misdemeanor count of falsely reporting an incident. State Police major William Keeler: "We're saying nothing she said happened. It was all made up." State Police say they have a witness who reported seeing Mattice during the period she claimed to have been held, and the Hamilton County sheriff says Mattice knew authorities intended to question her about an alleged theft of prescription drugs at her home health aide job. Said Mattice's mother to News10: "Until the day I die, I believe Rachael's story." [NYSP] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [News10 x2]
Emma Willard sexual assault allegation from 1998
A woman who attended Emma Willard in the late 1990s tells the New York Times she was raped by a history teacher at Emma Willard in 1998 -- and then sent away from the school. Her story appears to be the alleged incident that surfaced earlier this summer and prompted a letter to the school's community about efforts to investigate alleged incidents in the 1970s and 1990s. [NYT] [TU]
Legislation extends time to sue in situations like Hoosick Falls, questions about Troy property sale, remembering Nathan Lebron
Hoosick Falls
On Thursday Andrew Cuomo signed a bill extends the period in which people can file personal injury lawsuits related to pollution at Superfund sites to three years. The legislation was prompted by the situation involving the contamination of the Hoosick Falls water supply. [TWCN] [TU]
Farther afield: The city of Newburgh is pushing for the state to do blood tests of residents in order to determine levels of exposure to a chemical found in the city's drinking water that's similar the chemical in the Hoosick Falls water supply.
Hudson River PCBs
A year after the end of the Hudson River PCB dredging project, the federal Environmental Protection Agency says tests indicated that PCB levels in fish from river are declining. [TU]
Questions about Troy property sale
Troy City Council members are questioning why the city released the reverter clause on a city-owned property that was sold to a then-city employee in 2015 for $3,500 -- and is now listed for sale at $65k. [TU]
Home demolished after fatal fire, Hoosick Falls PFOA documents headed to Congress, another horse dies at Saratoga, a gift of tartan granite
Schenectady home razed
The remains of a Mont Pleasant home destroyed in a deadly fire this week were demolished on Wednesday. Family and neighbors mourned the loss of a six-year-old girl and a man with disabilities who lived in the house. [Gazette]
Delay on Crude oil heating plant approval
A State Supreme Court Ruling gives the DEC an indefinite extension on whether to approve a crude oil heating plant at the Port of Albany.[TU]
PFOA
New test results show seven of 20 wells in Petersburgh tested positive for PFOA contamination. Meanwhile, New York is set to begin sending documents on PFOA contamination in the area to Congress.[TU][TU]
Poll: state corruption is voter concern, two killed in Schenectady house fire, Saratoga council censures mayor
Quinnipiac Poll on corruption is an issue in NY
A new Quinnipiac University poll shows 87 percent of those questioned said government corruption is a serious problem in New York. 48 percent said Andrew Cuomo was part of the problem and 36 percent thought he was part of the solution. The poll also showed Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump 47 to 35 percent among New York State voters.[Politico]
[TU][TWCN]
Schenectady fire kills two people
A house fire in Schenectady on Tuesday claimed the lives of a 5-year-old girl and a 26-year-old man with disabilities.[Gazette][TU]
Two die in Schenectady fire, sentencing in crash that killed three, another under-1 percent tax cap, stolen phone story to become a film
Two die in Schenectady fire
Schenectady's fire chief says two people died in a house fire in Mont Pleasant Tuesday morning. Five others got out of the house, and and two of them were sent to the hospital with minor injuries. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Sentencing in crash that killed three people
Joseph Duffy of Amsterdam -- who pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide after prosecutors said he was driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he slammed into an oncoming car in Duanesburg last September, killing three people in the other vehicle -- was sentenced to 6-18 years in prison. Because of sentencing rules, Duffy will be serving the sentences for each count concurrently -- a fact that didn't sit well with the family of the three people killed. [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
Fatal wreck of stolen minivan
Police say driver who died in a minivan crash on Central Ave in Colonie over the weekend was a 17 year old from Schenectady, and the two people injured were both 15. Also: The van had been stolen from a Schenectady church pastor. Schenectady County sheriff Dominick Dagostino tells the Daily Gazette that a deputy had attempted to stop the van, then followed at a distance, and it appears the deputy did so "well within our protocol and policies." [News10] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
Fatal crash of reported stolen vehicle, carjacking reported at Colonie Center, health care costs complicate state employee contracts, she protested her own concert
One dead after Colonie crash of reported stolen vehicle
Police say a minivan that had been reported stole in Schenectady crashed on Central Ave near Route 155 in Colonie early Sunday morning -- one person inside the car was killed, and two others were injured. Deputies of the Schenectady County Sheriff's Office had reportedly tried to stop the car prior the crash. A witness says the minivan rolled over multiple times during the crash. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [News10]
Carjacking at Colonie Center
Colonie police say a 77-year-old woman reported that a man assaulted her and forced his way into her car in the Colonie Center parking lot Sunday afternoon, then
Fatal fire in Guilderland
One person died in a fire at Guilderland home with three units Sunday afternoon, according to the Guilderland Fire Department chief. Neighbors said they heard loud bangs, which the fire chief said were exploding oxygen tanks. [TU] [TWCN]
Alleged Albany drug operations busted, more calls to bridge racial divide, proposed ALB upgrades, last stop for the Peanut Land Express
Bust of alleged drug operations in Albany
The state Attorney General's office, State Police, and Albany police announced the indictments of 27 people alleged to have been involved with two drug distribution rings operating in Albany, one that transported heroin and other drugs, and the other that sold cocaine in the city. Albany police chief Brendan Cox on whether the busts represented a victory: "Closing the jail cell and hearing a click, that's not a win. That's a complete failure. A societal failure. ... We take one supplier off the market and someone else steps in because it's money." [NYS OAG] [WNYT]
Police/community relationships
More vigils and reflection on the recent deaths of African Americans during encounters with police around the country and the shooting of police in Dallas:
+ In Albany, pastor Charles Daniel: "I can't take another person of color becoming a hashtag on social media and then forgotten." [WNYT]
+ In Schenectady, Toshena Haynes, an African-American woman, on why she moved to sit near a white man when a speaker at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church noted the crowd was grouped by race: "No one wants to have conversations that are about real stuff when we don't really know them ... So we have to at least get past that part first." [Daily Gazette]
Search for two people missing at Lawson Lake
The Albany County Sheriff's Operation now considers the search at Lawson Lake for two missing people after a small boat capsized to be a recovery rather than a rescue. [News10]
Cuomo endorses Teachout, another water main break, HVCC plans tuition hike, Arms show to leave Saratoga
Cuomo endorses Teachout
Andrew Cuomo has endorsed 19th Congressional District Democratic candidate Zephyr Teachout -- who ran against him in the Gubernatorial primary in 2014 -- without actually mentioning her name. [TU]
Schneiderman subpoenaed
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has been subpoenaed by the House of Representatives' Science, Space and Technology Committee in an effort to obtain records related to a multi-state probe of Exxon. [TU]
House demolished
Crews have demolished the remains of a Colonie house where police officer Israel Roman killed his wife and son and then set fire to the home, killing himself. [TU]
Teen drowned in Hudson, arrest in death of Troy operations manager, Aide charged with abusing teen, Bier Abby seized for taxes
Arrest in Troy Operations Manager murder
Police have arrested a man in connection with the stabbing death of Troy operations manager Bill Chamberlin. Chamberlin's former neighbor, Joseph M. Vandenburgh, was arraigned Tuesday morning in on a grand jury indictment that included charges of second-degree murder and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. [TWCN][Record]
Teen drowns in Hudson
A teen who jumped from a Stillwater bridge with his friends on Tuesday, drowned in the Hudson. [TU]
Bier Abby seized
Corrected. Schenectady's Bier Abby has been seized by the state Department of Taxation and Finance for non-payment of taxes. [Gazette]
Vigil in Schenectady calls for building bridges between community and police, pedestrian safety goal of stepped-up 787 traffic enforcement, when a hawk flies into your house
Police/community relationships
+ People gathered at a Schenectady church Monday for a vigil in response to the deaths of Philando Castile near Minneapolis, Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, and five police officers in Dallas. Said Angelica Morris, exec director of the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission: "This is not about cops versus blacks or blacks against cops ... This is all about us as a race of people, people of faith. It's not about building walls to block a group of people. It's about destroying barriers and walls, and building bridges." A Schenectady police detective sergeant said recent events had drained him of energy and hope, but the optimism on display reinvigorated him. [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
+ After quotes in a Times Union story by an Albany police officer during a program with teens on Friday about how to deal with police -- "If you get all cocky and give me attitude, I am going to write you up for every possible ticket in the book ... And if you continue to argue and disobey my orders and fight, fight, fight, you could lose your life." -- prompted criticism of the message and tone, Albany police chief Brendan Cox posted released an open letter about the program and the comments. [TU] [WAMC] [APD FB]
Continued calls for better police/community relationships, extensive look at area's toxic sites, 101 apartments planned for downtown Troy
Police/community relationships
+ Hundreds of people turned out for a rally in Albany's Dana Park Friday evening to protest the latest deaths of African Americans during encounters with police around the nation, and express their opposition to violence in light of the Dallas police shootings. [News10] [TU] [WNYT]
+ Earlier Friday at the Capital South Campus Center in Albany a group of teens heard from police and attorneys about police stops during a legal rights workshop -- the police urged compliance, the attorneys pushed for the teens to know their rights. [TU]
+ A snapshot of the complicated situation in Schenectady's Hamilton Hill, where residents express respect for police, wariness of being stopped, and disappointment with how the neighborhood is policed. [Daily Gazette]
+ Alice Green of the Center for Law & Justice in Albany: "We've really got to do something about systemic racism and our fascination with guns." [WNYT]
+ Albany police chief Brendan Cox on Friday: "We can get past this by working together. We have to ... It's imperative for our entire country that we work together and solve our problems." [TWCN]
Toxic sites
The Times Union has put together "We've really got to do something about systemic racism and our fascination with guns." [WNYT]">a big package of articles looking at polluted sites around the Capital Region, and the problems involved in getting them cleaned up. [TU]
Siena poll shows low confidence in ethics legislation, HVCC president sets retirement date, CDTA plans to oversee taxi service
Siena poll: Voters have low confidence in ethics legislation
A new Siena College Poll shows 56 percent of voters do not believe that ethics reforms passed at the end of session will reduce corruption in state government, but 48 percent said they would re-elect their state senator and 42 percent said they'd re-elect their assembly member. The poll shows 33 percent give Andrew Cuomo a B grade on his effectiveness during the session. [Siena College]
HVCC president sets retirement date
HVCC President Drew Matonak has announced he will retire in 2018 -- allowing the college two years to seek his replacement. [TU]
Teachout/Faso will vie for 19th, teen drowns in Poestenkill, gun show may be City Center's last
Teachout/Faso will contend for 19th
Zephyr Teachout will run against John Faso in the race to replace Chris Gibson in the 19th Congressional District. Teach out and Faso-- who have both previously run for governor, won their respective primaries on Tuesday. [Gazette][TU]
Teen drowns in Poestenkill
A 16-year old boy drowned on Tuesday, while swimming with friends in the Poestenkill Gorge. Teams had a difficult time pulling the teen's body from the gorge because of a lack of access the site. The spot, which Troy Fire Chief Tom Garrett called "beautiful but dangerous," has been the site of many fatalities over the years. [News 10][TU]
It's federal primary day, Hoosick Falls residents testify, New York Brexit ripples, legal sales of sparklers spread
NY-19 primary
It's federal primary day in New York, and there are both Democratic and Republican primaries in New York's 19th Congressional District as candidates compete to replace Chris Gibson. (The NY-19 wraps around the southern end of the Capital Region, from Rensselaer County south to Columbia County and Greene County and out into Schoharie County and other counties to the west.) Polls are open from noon to 9 pm. Don't know where to vote? Check with the state Board of Elections website. [TU]
Hoosick Falls
A Hoosick Falls resident at a state Department of Environmental Conservation hearing about PFOA Monday: "You can't get away from thinking about the water. Every time you turn on the water, every day it is a constant reminder of how terrible this situation is." Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Chris Gibson are pushing for the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health to assist people affected by the situation in Hoosick Falls. [WNYT] [TU x2]
Burned trucks and possible gunshots
Two trucks caught fire overnight in Mariaville, and there were reports of what sounded like gunfire. State Police are investigating. [News10] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]
Big warehouse fire in Watervliet, Bharara says he believes there's corruption in NY exec branch, hopes for the Upstatexit
Watervliet warehouse fire
A large warehouse fire in Watervliet Saturday night took multiple departments and many hours to extinguish. Watervliet's fire chief says the cause of the fire is under investigation. The building has been demolished. [Troy Record] [News10] [TU] [News10]
Bernie Sanders in Albany
Bernie Sanders to the crowd at his appearance at The Egg on Friday: "Our ideas of economic and environmental and racial justice are the future, if we keep at it." Sanders also said his campaign is talking with Hillary Clinton's campaign about "whether or not they can come up with some very serious proposals which will help us transform America." Of the 162 people the Times Union talked to at the event, about half said they would not vote for Clinton or Donald Trump. [Daily Gazette] [Politico NY] [TU]
Preet probes
Preet Bharara to ABC News: "We have found that corruption is rife in a lot of institutions in New York and throughout New York. That's true in the legislature ... It's also the case that there's corruption, we believe, in the executive branches as well. And we'll ferret it out wherever we find it." [ABC]
Bernie Sanders back in Albany, LGBT flag burning being investigated as a hate crime, a commencement speech declaration
Bernie Sanders in Albany
Bernie Sanders is scheduled to give a speech at The Egg Friday -- his campaign is calling it a ""Where We Go From Here" speech. People were already lined up by 8:30 this morning for the midday event. On MSNBC Friday morning Sanders said he would vote for Hillary Clinton in the presidential election. [Sanders campaign] [TU] [NYT]
Rainbow flag burned at Damien Center
The Albany Damien Center reported Thursday that the LGBT rainbow banner in front of the church that currently houses the center was set on fire sometime overnight Wednesday to Thursday morning in an apparent act of vandalism. Albany police say department detectives and the FBI are investigating and they're treating the incident as a possible hate crime. The Damien Center provides services to people living with HIV. Said Perry Junjulas, its executive director, to the Times Union: "When I saw it, it was this automatic almost punch-in-the-gut feeling, like 'Oh my God, there are people out there who really do hate us, and they're right here.'" [Albany Damien Center FB] [APD] [WNYT] [TU]
Troy charter changes might not go through
Troy city officials are looking into whether the city charter changes approved by voters last fall -- including the elimination of two city council seats -- can go into effect as planned because it appears the city might not have followed the proper procedural steps for making the changes. [Troy Record]
Tonko joins House Dems in sit-in, couple injured in Albany County bobcat attack, Siena team prints Frozen hand for child
House Democrats stage protest
Representative Paul Tonko was among the Democrats who staged a protest on Wednesday in the U.S. House of Representatives in a push for a vote on gun control. Tonko says the protest stemmed from frustration over the refusal to hold votes on gun control in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando, "And you resort to the most extreme measures to draw attention to the fact that the silence is deafening.''[NYT][TU]
Special session not likely
Andrew Cuomo says isn't likely to call state legislators back for a special session to address ethics because "because the measures they didn't do, they don't want to do." Cuomo said he believes it could take a constitutional convention to get ethics laws changed.[TU]
Kamfer v. Cuomo
The Supreme Court declined to hear a Mayfield man's challenge to the NY Safe Act, but he says he's not done fighting. [TU]
Former UAlbany student admits to false claims about bus incident, pedestrian hit in Schenectady, new record for swimming Lake George
UAlbany student admits to false claims about bus incident
One of the three students who claimed to be the victims of a racially-motivated attack on a CDTA bus earlier this year, admitted in court on Tuesday that elements of the story were fabricated. In a plea deal, Alexis Briggs pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and will perform 100 hours of community service. The other two women in the case could face up to two years in jail.[TU][WNYT][TWCN]
Casino payouts
Schenectady, Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties along with the city of Schenectady, are among 22 upstate municipalities that are already getting millions in casino payouts. The Capital Region received $10 million from Rush Street Gaming.[TU][Gazette]
Pedestrian hit in Schenectady
A 57-year old Schenectady woman was treated at Albany Medical Center after being hit by a car as she tried to cross State Street late Tuesday night. [Gazette]
Supreme Court doesn't take on SAFE Act challenge, call for lower 787 speed limit in Cohoes, alleged cheese company investment scam
SCOTUS doesn't take up SAFE Act challenge
On Monday the Supreme Court of the United States chose not to hear a challenge to New York's SAFE Act and a similar law expanding an assault weapon ban in Connecticut. The choice won praise from gun control advocates -- and the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, which figured the current lineup of justices wasn't favorable to a challenge. [NYT] [TU]
Meanwhile: A gun shop owner in Glenville says sales spike after every mass shooting, such as the one recently in Orlando. [Daily Gazette]
School funding
School districts such as Albany and Schenectady are "way off track" in terms of getting the level of state aid owed to them under the 2006 Campaign for Fiscal Equity ruling, the Alliance for Quality Education argues in a new report. At a Monday event held by the advocacy org, Schenectady schools superintendent called the current funding allocation "egregiously discriminatory." [TU] [AQE] [Daily Gazette]
Pedestrian safety
Cohoes mayor Shaw Morse said Monday he'd like to see the speed limit on 787 in his city reduced to 30 miles per hour. The stretch of road has been under scrutiny recently after the death of a teen pedestrian at 787 and Bridge Ave last week. [WNYT]
Late night end-of-session crunch for state legislature, concerns about pedestrian safety along 787 in Cohoes, working in Schenectady but not living there
End of session flurry
The late-night flurry of activity in the state legislature Friday produced a bill that includes a few ethics-related measures and a package deal that includes many issues such as an extension of state control over NYRA and provisions for foreclosed "zombie" properties. [Politico NY] [TU]
Other notable end-of-session action:
+ A measure that would have the state eventually pay the full cost of legal representation for people who can't afford it (as opposed to have the counties pay) is headed to Andrew Cuomo after passing in the Assembly. [TU]
+ Both chambers passed a bill that opens the way for CDTA to oversee a regionalization of taxi service in the Capital Region. [Biz Review]
+ Both chambers passed a bill that would legalize daily fantasy sports games. [Politico NY]
+ Among the things that did not make it through: a bill that addresses the insurance issue currently blocking the expansion of companies such as Uber and Lyft throughout the state. [Biz Review]
Concern about pedestrian safety along 787 in Cohoes
The death of a teen pedestrian trying to cross 787 at Bridge Ave in Cohoes last week has prompted a renewed focus on the design of the road and its danger to pedestrians. Cohoes mayor Shawn Morse says he wants to talk with the state Department of Transportation about the corridor's design, and there have been calls for the construction of a pedestrian bridge. Residents of Cohoes have been expressing concern about the design of the corridor since at least 2000. [TWCN] [TU+] [News10] [WNYT] [TU+]
Overtime for state legislature, pedestrian dies in Cohoes crash, plea deals rejected in UAlbany bus incident, Niskayuna and its new breastaurants
Session overtime for state legislature
Thursday was the last scheduled day of the current state legislature session -- but the two chambers will be back on Friday, perhaps to take up a handful of high-profile issues. Apparently there's some sort of overarching deal the leaderships have worked out that includes some of these issues, including pension forfeiture for elected officials convicted of a felony. [TU] [Politico NY]
Amended, unamended
The state Senate unanimously passed a bill that would give people three years to file personal injury claims against the polluter at a Superfund site -- such as the situation in Hoosick Falls -- passed in the state Senate 62-0. (This was the bill that Kathy Marchione had amended -- then unamended -- this week.) [Politico NY] [TU]
Pedestrian dies in Cohoes crash
Cohoes police say a 16-year-old pedestrian died Thursday evening after being hit in a crash while crossing 787 at Bridge Ave (map). As of Thursday night, police were still investigating. [WNYT] [TWCN]
Police search for gunman in overnight Schenectady shooting, Marchione amends water legislation then changes it back, police purchase headstone for murdered child
End of session
The state Senate passed 100 bills on Wednesday
as the session winds to a close, but ethics legislation and upstate ride sharing services are among the items that are not likely to make it out of session this time around. [Politico][WNYT][Politico]
Marchione amends water contamination bill, then un-amends it
State Senator Kathy Marchione, who represents the PFOA-contaminated Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh, quietly amended water legislatio that would expand a citizen's right to sue for damage, and then quietly changed it back. The change, which effectively killed her own bill, removed reference to superfund sites, only citing "injury caused by contact with or exposure to ground water contaminated by substances, compounds or toxins." [TU][Politico]
Hoosick Falls residents rally
Wearing signs that indicated their place in their community or family, and a number that indicated their PFOA level, residents of Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday in an effort to get legislators to hold hearings into the state's response to the water crisis. [NYT]
Ethics agreement unlikely, push for police body cameras in Albany and Troy, Orlando night club hero is Niskayuna High School graduate
Ethics
In spite of back to back convictions of legislative leaders Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos, it appears legislators will close this session without an ethics agreement. [NYT]
Beagles
Legislators did find time to pass he Beagle Bill, requires state-funded research facilities to make the dogs and cats used for testing available for adoption.[TU]
Schenectady considers age hike for tobacco purchases
Schenectady County will hold a public hearing on a proposal to raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21. [Gazette]
Body cameras
The APD is ironing out the details for putting body cameras on every one of Albany's police officers. [TU]
Meanwhile Troy police chief John Tedesco is pushing to get his force equipped with body cameras.[TU]
Man shot and killed by Schenectady police, local vigils for Orlando, amended Uber/Lyft bill a sticking point, Puzzles owner thinking about second location
Fatal shooting in Schenectady by police
Schenectady police say an SPD detective shot and killed a man late Monday afternoon in Mont Pleasant (map). SPD says the man -- 33-year-old Joshua Sciscm -- had spoken briefly to two plainclothes detectives as they sat in a car, then lifted his shirt to show a gun in his waistband. Police say that's when the detectives got out of their car, identified themselves, and drew their weapons. They allege Sciscm then drew his gun, pointing it at the detectives -- and that's when the Schenectady police detective fired. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [TU] [News10]
Guilty plea in Schenectady basement burial case
Harold M. Ortiz -- accused of killing a woman, kidnapping and assaulting a man, and burying them both under debris in a Union Street basement -- pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and other charges Monday. He faces 30 years to life at sentencing. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Local reaction to Orlando shooting
+ About a thousand people gathered in West Capitol Park in Albany Monday evening as part of vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting, and a call for unity. And in Schenectady, about a hundred gathered at city hall for the same purpose. [TWCN] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
+ Chris Churchill: How Central Ave in Albany -- where gay nightclubs and a mosque coexist -- offers hope. [TU+]
+ A look at how local gay bars have served as community gathering spots -- and safe spaces -- for the local LGBT community over the years. [TU+]
+ A rundown of what local federal representatives have said about the Orlando shooting and their records on gun control. [Daily Gazette]
Local response to Orlando shooting, last week for legislative session, man allegedly tortured by co-workers, Madison Ave segment closed for week
Local vigils for victims of Orlando shooting
There were multiple vigils in Albany for victims of the mass shooting in Orlando over the weekend. Members of the LGBT community gathered outside Rocks. Members of Black Lives Matter gathered in Townsend Park. And members of the local Muslim community gathered outside the Masjid As-Salam mosque on Central Ave. [News10] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
On Sunday Andrew Cuomo said there was no intelligence linking the Orlando attack to threats in New York, but out of caution he said he'd directed additional security for key points around the state. [Politico NY] [Cuomo admin]
Saratoga Springs sidewalk sitting protest
A group of about 70 people gathered in front of Saratoga Springs City Hall Saturday to sit on the sidewalk in protest of a new ordinance that allows people to be fined, and eventually charged with misdemeanor, for sitting on the sidewalk. Protesters criticized city leaders for apparently targeting the problem of homelessness in this way. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
End of the legislative session
This is the last week of the current state legislative session, and there are many prominent issues that yet to be addressed. And things have been a bit tense in the Assembly. [NYT] [Politico NY]
Crunch time for state legislature, Schenectady tops local property tax rate rankings, Dairy Circus won't rebuild, the #3 overall selection, weather woof
Time running out for state legislature
There are just three days remaining in the current state legislature session and many issues still up in the air -- including bills that would address opiods, ride sharing companies operating outside NYC, and ethics reform. Assembly member Pat Fahy to WNYT: "Everything goes down to the wire here." [TWCN] [WNYT]
Albany police-community relations
A group of local clergy appeared at Albany City Hall Thursday to commend plans made by Albany police for increased training and use of body cameras, and urge continued effort to change. The event also drew activists who said Albany police haven't done enough to address systemic issues related to policing. [TU] [TWCN]
Taxes
The Empire Center has released its latest ranking of property tax rates around the state, tagging the city of Schenectady with the highest rate in the Capital Region. [Empire Center] [Daily Gazette]
McCoy signs 21+ law for Albany tobacco sales, Cuomo calls for campaign funding restrictions, Scrimshaw to step down from Sage, a Schenectady tradition returns
Albany Count tobacco law
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy signed legislation on Wednesday that officially raises the age for legal purchase of tobacco products in the county from 18 to 21. Albany County is one of only three New York state Counties that restrict tobacco purchases to people 21 and over. [TWCN]
Ethics
"This is Albany's Watergate moment and instead of the burglars getting arrested, and Albany's equivalent is to give them a parking ticket," NYPIRG Legislative Director Blair Horner on the lack of an agreement on ethics legislation among NYS lawmakers, with only four days remaining in the legislative session. [TWCN]
Campaign funding limits
Andrew Cuomo announced a late session push on Tuesday to tighten restrictions on laws governing money given to candidates through independent expenditure committees. Cuomo called for legislation to address what he says are problems caused by the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision that prohibits restrictions on independent political spending and allowing wealthy donors, organizations or candidates themselves to create independent groups that can skirt many campaign finance rules.[NYT][TU][WNYT]
Saratoga Springs council passes sidewalk sitting law, Hoosick Falls blood tests reveal PFOA levels, lawn signs combat anti-Muslim rhetoric
Spa City sidewalk sitting law
The Saratoga Springs City Council passed a law on Tuesday banning people from siting or lying on the city's sidewalks. The law passed by a vote of 4 to 1, with only Mayor Joanne Yepsen opposing it. Yepsen said the law, which calls for fees of $50 to $500 and possible imprisonment for repeat offenders was too harsh. Public safety commissioner Chris Matthiessen claims the law is not targeted at the homeless, but is a public safety measure meant to keep people from tripping over obstructions on the sidewalk. [Saratogian][News10][TU][TWCN]
Hoosick Falls
Residents of Hoosick Falls have begun to receive the results of blood tests that show PFOA levels from non detectable to more than 200 micrograms per liter, but as the legislative session is coming to an end, lawmakers are apparently not planning hearings or action on the Hoosick Falls situation. [TU][Politico]
David Sweat
The recently released Inspector General's report on last year's Clinton Correctional Facility prison break shows inmate David Sweat was unrepentant, smug, and eager to talk about the escape, and detailed factors that led to his successful escape plot. [Gazette]
Report cites complacency and systemic failures in Clinton Correctional Facility escape, Saratoga Springs considers fine for sitting on sidewalks, sprinting to the Olympics
Clinton Correctional Facility escape report
A new report from the state Inspector General's office concludes that "chronic complacency, complicit employees and myriad failures of even the most basic security procedures" contributed to the escape by David Sweat and Richard Matt from the Clinton Correctional Facility. The report touches on falsified records, faulty cell searches and bed checks, how the escapees acquired tools, the relationships cultivated with a guard and prison seamstress, and how Sweat and Matt plotted the escape. [NYS IG x2] [NYT] [News10] [TU] [TWCN] [Politico NY]
Wilton hit-and-run
State Police say they've arrested the alleged driver in the Wilton hit-and-run crash in which a 9-year-old boy suffered serious head injuries. She's facing a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident, police say she was also driving with a suspended license. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
Schenectady mayor incident
A State Supreme Court justice has selected Saratoga County DA Karen Heggen to serve as the special district attorney in the review of the incident involving Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy and two women. McCarthy and at least one of the women have given very different accounts of the incident. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Also: In an op/ed, Schenectady County DA Robert Carney -- who recused himself from the case -- addressed his office's reasons for not releasing possible surveillance camera video of the incident. [Daily Gazette]
Confession casts doubt on convictions in Albany murder, blood test results arriving in Hoosick Falls, worries about Lansingburgh, new lawn at SPAC
Confession casts doubt on convictions in Albany murder
The confession from a man in prison in Ohio to a 1997 murder of an Albany college student -- a crime for which two other men were convicted -- has, in the words of the Times Union's Brendan Lyons, "stirred the ashes of an era when the Albany police regularly built homicide cases in which their key evidence were the signed confessions obtained from suspects after lengthy interrogations." [TU+]
Hoosick Falls
Residents of Hoosick Falls have started to receive the results of tests for levels of PFOA in their blood -- and the average level there is 11 times higher than typical. And some people have gotten results indicating levels much higher than the village average. The test indicate exposure to the chemical, but not he likelihood of health effects -- and people say they're unsure about what to do next. [TU] [WNYT] [AP/Troy Record] [News10]
Child hurt in hit-and-run
State Police say they're investigating a hit-and-run in Wilton in which a 9-year-old boy on a bike suffered severe head injuries. Neighbors described the gruesome scene after the SUV alleged to have been involved left the area. [NYSP] [WNYT]
Decision on how to proceed on Schenectady mayor incident in judge's hands, "one of the worst public health epidemics we have ever seen," how the head of SUNY Poly gets paid
Schenectady mayor incident
Schenectady County DA Robert Carney says he passing the decision how about how to investigate the May 19 incident involving mayor Gary McCarthy to a state administrative judge, who will decide whether a special prosecutor should take up the case. McCarthy worked as an investigator in the DA's office for many years before becoming mayor, and Carney said putting the decision in a judge's hands would remove him from the decision making process. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Heroin and painkillers
Michael Botticelli -- director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, AKA, the nation's "drug czar" -- was at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Thursday for a forum about the rising tide of opioid abuse: "I would say this is one of the worst public health epidemics we have ever seen." [TU] [WNYT]
Also: A state bill sponsored by John McDonald that would limit physicians from prescribing more than five days of opioid painkillers for patients with acute pain is moving through the chamber after passing the state Senate. [TU]
PFOA in drinking water
Republican state Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, who represents Hoosick Falls, on his frustration that the Assembly hasn't had hearings on the PFOA contamination of drinking water supplies in Rensselaer County, on Capitol Tonight: "I will state that I believe that if this took place in Brooklyn, or the Bronx, or down in Queens or somewhere else in New York City that (the Rev.) Al Sharpton and company would be marching in the streets ... But this is a bunch of upstate people in a rural, remote area, and apparently they don't count." [TWCN]
Vega convicted of manslaughter, Schenectady City Council to request independent investigation of McCarthy incident, no more Uncle Sam parade
Vega convicted of manslaughter
A Rensselaer County jury did not convict Gabriel Vega of murder, but did convict him on charges him of first-degree manslaughter, second-degree arson, third-degree arson and first-degree abortion in the death of Vanessa Milligan and their unborn child. Vega is facing a minimum or 25 years in prison and could spend as much as 50 years for the crimes. Milligan's family held a vigil and released balloons to celebrate the verdict but her father told TWCN, " when the party's over and everyone goes home, I still gotta deal with the hurt. I still gotta deal with the pain."[Record][TU][TWCN]
Schenectady Council calls for McCarthy investigation
In a closed door meeting on Wednesday, Schenectady's City Council decided that the city should bring in an unbiased investigator to look into the confrontation between Mayor Gary McCarthy and a woman he followed in his car when he suspected her of trying to break into cars last week. The woman, Sarah Dingley of Rotterdam, told the Daily Gazette the mayor followed her, flashing his high beams, and that she pulled over because she thought he was a police officer. [Gazette][TU][Gazette]
Schenectady standoff
A nearly five hour standoff outside a James Street home in Schenectady ended with tear gas, but no shots were fired. Three people were arrested, including a man who was wanted on a parole violation stemming from a 2009 Schenectady drug bust. [WNYT][Gazette]
Verdict in Vega trial, SWAT team in Schenectady, council to meet on McCarthy incident, Patroon Island Bridge reconstruction complete
Verdict in trial for the death of Vanessa Milligan
Update: A Rensselaer County Court jury found Gabriel Vega guilty of first-degree manslaughter in the death of Vanessa Milligan in Lansingburgh in 2014. Vega was also convicted on charges of arson and abortion for the incident in which Milligan, who was pregnant with Vega's child, was killed and her home set on fire. The jury passed on convicting Vega on a second-degree murder charge against him. [TWCN] [Troy Record] [TU]
Schenectady SWAT
A SWAT team has responded to a James Street home in Schenectady. A man has apparently barricaded himself in the home. [Gazette]
GlobalFoundries
GlobalFoundries plans to set up a chip fab plant in China, but officials do not expect it to affect operations at its Malta plant, or its plan to open a second Malta plant. [TU][Gazette]
Fatal hit and run in Rotterdam, jury deliberating in Vega trial, questions about handling school bullying, one class at a time
Fatal hit and run in Rotterdam
Rotterdam police say a man was killed in a crash with an SUV Sunday night (map) -- and the SUV then took off. The family of the man says they're not sure why he was at that spot at the time, and a neighbor (or neighbors -- they're unnamed) tell WNYT and News10 that man said shortly before that someone was trying to kill him. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [News10]
Trial in the death of Vanessa Milligan
The jury in the trial of Gabriel Vega, accused of killed Vanessa Milligan and setting fire to her Lansingburgh residence, is set to return for a third day of deliberation Tuesday. Closing arguments were this past Thursday, an on Friday the jury requested to hear a read back of some testimony from the trial. [TU] [Troy Record] [TWCN]
Maximum in Schenectady arson case
The Schenectady woman convicted of setting fire to her bakery -- with a tenant in an upstairs apartment -- so she could collect insurance money was sentenced 25 years to life in prison. It's the maximum sentence and more than what the prosecution recommended. [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]
Call for external investigation of incident involving Schenectady mayor
Vince Riggi -- who's the only non-Democrat on the Schenectady City Council -- says that the State Police or some other outside agency should investigate the incident which mayor Gary McCarthy apparently followed a woman as she drove her van to Schenectady police headquarters. SPD has said it's found no criminal behavior by anyone involved in the incident. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Madison Avenue sinkhole reroutes traffic, family busted for allegedly running Niskayuna pot factory, closing arguments today in Vanessa Milligan murder case
Sinkhole
Madison Avenue in Albany is closed from South Lake to Willett Street while crews continue to work on a sinkhole over a 140-year-old trunk sewer . The slate and brick sewer dates back to 1870, further complicating repairs.. Officials say the hole is 20 x 20 feet and that repairs could take several days to complete. [TU][WNYT][TWCN]
Albany budget
The city of Albany spent about $4.7 million more than anticipated from it's reserves last year, leaving very little reserve funding for this year. [TU]
Milligan case
Testimony concluded on Wednesday in the trial of Gabriel Vega, charged with the 2014 murder of Vanessa Milligan. The County Medical Examiner testified that no soot was found in Vanessa Milligan's lungs, indicating she died before the fire started in her home. Closing arguments and jury deliberations are expected today. [TU][TWCN]
Vega's former girlfriend testifies he confessed to Milligan murder, woman survives 60 foot fall from Thacher Park cliff, Salvation Army closes Saratoga Code Blue shelter
Woman falls from Thacher Park cliff
Crews rescued a woman on Tuesday after she fell 60 feet from a cliff on Thacher Park Road after crashing her car into nearby guardrail. [TU]
Vega trial
The former girlfriend of Gabriel Vega testified on Tuesday that Vega told her he murdered Vanessa Milligan. Kim Virola testified that she kept the secret out of fear, and also admitted that she had threatened Milligan. [TU][Record]
Pedestrian identified
Police have identified the woman who was struck and killed on Tuesday while crossing Central Avenue as 62-year-old Borziloke Zakolli, who lived not far from the scene of the accident. [WNYT]
Pedestrian struck and killed on Central Ave, jail phone calls at issue in Vega trial, NYCLU protesting proposed law about ALB security screenings, she's leading the parade
Pedestrian death on Central Ave
Colonie police say a pedestrian died after being hit by a vehicle on Central Ave -- the force of the crash threw her into another lane where she was hit by a second vehicle. The crash prompted the closure of the westbound side of Central Ave at Tull Drive (map) and the off-ramps at Exit 2 of the Northway were closed. [TU] [News10]
Trial in the death of Vanessa Milligan
The admissibility of phone calls Gabriel Vega is accused of making from jail to his mother and a girlfriend in which it sounds like they're discussing the investigation of the case has become a point of contention between the prosecution and defense -- Vega's attorney says the calls shouldn't be allowed because they didn't get them until after the trial started. The prosecution says it discovered the calls last week and gave them to the defense this past weekend. [TU] [TWCN]
Also Monday, prosecutors played an interview in which investigators told Vega a DNA test had indicated he was the father of Vanessa Milligan's baby. [Troy Record]
April 17 fatal shooting by Troy police
The family of Edson Thevenin has filed a wrongful-death claim (the first step in a lawsuit) against Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove and members of the Troy Police Department. [TU]
Another turn in the investigation of the April 17 fatal shooting by Troy police, fire investigator testifies in Vega trial, a 350 percent tip
Investigation of April 17 fatal shooting by Troy police
"Two people briefed on the matter" tell the Times Union that Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove didn't get a waiver of immunity from the Troy police sergeant who shot and killed Edson Thevenin when the sergeant testified before a grand jury about the shooting -- as a result, Randall French now has immunity from prosecution for his actions during the incident. (The state attorney general's office is still reviewing the case.) [TU]
Schenectady officer back at work following traffic stop incident
The Schenectady police officer who had been suspended after leaving a traffic stop for which he was the subject is back on the job after pleading guilty to two traffic violations and doing 10 hours of community service. [Daily Gazette]
Trial in the death of Vanessa Milligan
On Friday a state fire investigator testified in the trial of Gabriel Vega that the fire in which Vanessa Milligan's body was found -- and destroyed two Lansingburgh homes -- had started on or near Milligan's body, which the investigator said had been soaked with gasoline. And the prosecution showed a photo of Milligan's burned body, pointing to burn patterns the investigator said indicated the fire was intentionally set. The trial is set to continue this week. [Troy Record] [TWCN]
Second day of testimony in Vega trial, feds issue lower limit for PFOA exposure, job count said to be off, trail safety upgrades for Plotter Kill
Trial in the death of Vanessa Milligan
During testimony Thursday in the trial of Gabriel Vega, firefighters talked about finding the body of Vanessa Milligan in the fire at her Lansingburgh apartment. A state fire investigator said that a trained dog detected accelerant in the bedroom where Milligan was found. There was also testimony Thursday from a neighbor who reported seeing a man staring at the fire, looking like he was ready to run, and a driver who said she almost ran over a man -- later identified as Vega -- on Fifth Ave. [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TWCN]
PFOA
The federal Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday a lifetime drinking water health advisory of 70 parts per trillion for PFOA -- the early advisory has been 100 parts per trillion -- and the water supplies of both Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh are over that limit. Petersburgh's town supervisor says more people will now qualify for home water filtration systems as a result of the new limit. [TU] [News10]
Also Thursday, the state Department of Environmental Conservation declared the Taconics Plastics facility in Petersburgh a Superfund site. [NYS DEC]
Testimony begins in Milligan murder case, SCCC president pleads guilty to DWAI, Silver gets two month reprieve, Sunday morning mimosas?
Milligan trial
Opening arguments and the first day of testimony were heard on Wednesday in the trial of Gabriel Vega, who is charged with the murder of Vanessa Milligan. Vegas' lawyers claim he was the victim of a vicious rumor mill. A key witness in the trial testified that she nearly ran Vega down with her car near the site of Milligan's murder shortly after the time it would have occurred, but admitted that she had been an acquaintance of Milligan's father for several years prior to that night. [WNYT][TU][Record]
Victims charged in Schenectady shooting
Four people are facing charges in connection with a Schenectady shooting on Monday -- including all three of the victims in the case. [Gazette][TU]
SCCC president pleads guilty to DWAI
SCCC's new president, Steady Moono, pleaded guilty to DWAI on Wednesday. The charge was reduced from DWI and stems from an incident in early May when Moono, and an aide, who was driving behind him, were both stopped on the way home from a fundraiser. [Gazette][TU]
Capital Region school budgets approved, injured man is suspect in Schenectady shooting,$23 M for Adirondack Rail Trail, lobbyists campaign to outlaw declawing
School budgets approved
School budgets in all districts around the Capital Region were approved overwhelmingly in elections on Tuesday. Of the more than 30 districts voting on Tuesday, Mechanicville was the only district to propose a tax increase. [TWCN][Gazette][TU]
Porecca case
A Judge int he Jaclyn Porecca murder case may suppress statements taken by one of the two defendants based on whether police knew he had a lawyer when they questioned him. [TU]
Schenectady Shooting
One of the three men shot in Schenectady on Tuesday morning is now a suspect in the shooting. Police say the man, 22 year old Pharoah Nisby, is a person of interest in a February shooting on Crane Street and went to prison in 2012 for a stabbing. [TU][Gazette]
Triple shooting in Schenectady, Heastie says no hearings on PFOA yet, the precarious state of Troy's finances, escaped zebra found dead
School budgets are up for vote today. Don't know where to vote? Check with your school district.
Triple shooting in Schenectady
Schenectady police say they're investigating the shooting of three men inside an apartment the eastern edge of the city (map) early Tuesday morning. SPD says all three were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Hulett Street fire
The mother of Safyre Terry -- Jennica Duell -- pleaded guilty to perjury charges Monday for lying to a grand jury in the case of the fatal Hulett Street fire that killed Terry's father and three of her siblings. She faces up to 15 years in prison. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Jacquelyn Porreca murder case
During a pre-trial hearing Monday, a Colonie police investigator testified that Sean Moreland told police he didn't know Michael Chmielewski was going to stab Jacquelyn Porreca during the robbery of a hair salon on Sand Creek Road and that he feared what could happen to his children. Attorneys for both men took issue with the testimony -- Moreland's over whether police had been honest when questioning his client, and Chmielewski's on whether there was any evidence that Moreland said what the investigator said he said. [TWCN] [TU]
Vanessa Milligan murder case
Jury selection in the trial of Gabriel Vega started Monday -- he's accused of killing Vanessa Milligan, who was pregnant with their child, and setting fire to her Lansingburgh home. The judge in the case banned three members of Milligan's family from the courtroom during the selection process after one of them was accused of telling a potential juror she'd like to harm Vega. [Troy Record] [TWCN]
Oil train protest in Albany, jury selection in trial for the death of Vanessa Milligan, dealing with vacant buildings, zebra on the loose
Oil train protests
More than a thousand people marched and sat on railroad tracks in Albany Saturday to protest the oil trains that travel to the city to the Port of Albany. The protest included advocates for people living near the port in Albany's South End. Also Saturday, five people were arrested in Guilderland for charges that included unlawful interference with a railroad train at a site near the Watervliet Reservoir. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10] [WNYT]
A statement from Global Partners, which runs the oil train hub at the port: "It's clear we take our jobs, and our responsibility to the community, to safety, and the environment, very seriously. We will proudly continue to provide critical services and supplies to the entire Northeastern United States, and play a positive role in Albany's future for years to come." [TWCN]
Trial in the death of Vanessa Milligan
Jury selection is scheduled to start Monday in the trial of Gabriel Vega, accused of killing Vanessa Milligan and then setting her Lansingburgh apartment on fire in 2014. Vega is facing murder and arson charges, along with an abortion charge because Milligan was pregnant. [Troy Record] [TU]
Dean Skelos and son sentenced to prison, Troy city finances described as "not well at all," the island of misfit vegetables
Skelos and son sentenced
+ Former state Senate majority leader Dean Skelos was sentenced to five years in prison (and a $500k fine) for his conviction on federal corruption charges. His son, Adam Skelos -- for whom Dean had helped arrange no-show jobs -- was sentenced to six and a half years. They'll also have to jointly forfeit $334,120. [NY Post] [TU] [NYDN] [NYT]
+ Dean Skelos' wife, Gail, to US Attorney Preet Bharara as she left the courtroom, according to Politico: "You can go to hell." A Skelos nephew is also facing a misdemeanor assault charge for grabbing a New York Daily News reporter during the press crush after the sentencing. [Politico NY] [NYDN]
+ Bharara released a statement Thursday about the Skelos sentencing, and Sheldon Silver's last week: "These cases show - and history teaches - that the most effective corruption investigations are those that are truly independent and not in danger of either interference or premature shutdown. That will continue to be our guiding principle in exposing and punishing corruption throughout New York." That "truly independent" line is almost certainly a reference to Andrew Cuomo's early shutdown of the Moreland Commission. [US DOJ] [Politico NY]
Afternoon shooting at Troy park, water main break costs Collar City $100K, car lands in Watervliet bedroom
Troy shooting
Police say a 20-year-old man was shot around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon near the 10th Street park in Troy. [TU]
Dredging deal
GE and Saratoga County's Water Authority have reached a tentative $5.3 million settlement in a federal lawsuit that claimed the costs for the county's water system were driven up by GE's pollution of the Hudson. [TU][Gazette]
Man believed to have jumped from car on Northway
State Police say they now believe the man who died after he was found on the side of the
North way on Friday, deliberately jumped from the car during a fight with his girlfriend. [TWCN]
Abelove may face misconduct review in investigation of alleged police shooting, Cuomo distancing himself from alleged fraud case, Music Mobile closing
Rensselaer County DA may still face charges in investigation of alleged police shooting
Rensselear County DA Joel Abelove may not be entirely off the hook regarding his investigation of an alleged police shooting in Troy. Eric Schneiderman said Tuesday that while his office dropped a lawsuit against Abelove after Abelove agreed to turn over files and records from the investigation of the April 17 Troy police shooting of Edson Thevenin to the AG's office, the agreement "does not exonerate D.A. Abelove for any potential claims of misconduct." [TU][NYT]
Cuomo distancing himself from fraud case
Andrew Cuomo attempted to distance himself on Tuesday from lobbyist and longtime associate Todd Howe, and the investigation of Howe and former Cuomo's former aide, Joe Percoco for fraud and improper lobbying. Cuomo told reporters on Tuesday that Howe was just a casual acquaintance and said he did not ask Percoco about any controversial consulting deals because ,"You're a state employee, you know the ethics rules; you know the legal regulations. The onus is on you to follow them, not for you to be questioned and then follow them."
Rensselaer County DA turns over Troy police shooting case to state Attorney General, principal says he has info that "will rock Bethlehem," Tedisco ready to run for Farley's seat
Investigation of April 17 fatal shooting by Troy police
Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove has agreed to turn over files and records from the investigation of the April 17 Troy police shooting of Edson Thevenin to the state Attorney General's office. The AG's office says the settlement moots its lawsuit against Abelove over the situation -- "does not exonerate DA Abelove for any potential claims of misconduct." An attorney for Abelove says it's possible the whole conflict over which office had authority to investigate the shooting was the result of miscommunication. [TU] [Troy Record] [TWCN]
Albany County tobacco sale age
The Albany County Legislature passed a bill that would raise the age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21. County exec Dan McCoy hasn't said publicly whether he'll sign it. [WNYT] [TU]
Bethlehem principal placed on leave
The principal of Bethlehem High School alleges he's been placed on leave because he uncovered "things that weren't lining up" about rigorous school-within-a-school program at the high school -- he tells the Times Union: "what I have will rock Bethlehem." [TU]
Emails detail interaction between Hoosick Falls and Saint-Gobain, suspicious fires inside the Daily Gazette building, the prison experiences of Sheldon Silver and Marquis Dixon
Hoosick Falls water
Via FOIL, the Times Union has gotten a hold of emails that detail close interactions between Hoosick Falls village government and Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, one of the company's that could be responsible for contamination of the drinking water supply, and a public relations firm hired to advise the village. [TU+]
Preet probes
"A person with knowledge of the subpoena" tells the Times Union that a subpoena issued by US Attorney Preet Bharara's office in April sought information on actions that Cuomo admin officials might have taken that would have benefited a group of major development companies that do work in New York State. A common connection between the major developers and other companies that have been connected to the investigation that also touches on the Buffalo Billion and SUNY Poly: they're Cuomo campaign contributors. [TU] [Politico NY]
Also: A profile of the "past littered with erratic behavior and litigation" of Todd Howe, the longtime Cuomo associate who has worked as a lobbyist for companies connected to the investigation and SUNY Poly. [NYT]
UAlbany president says two have been dismissed over bus incident, feds investigating wood chipper death, restaurant group sued over tips, caution urged for High Peaks hikes
UAlbany bus incident
In an email to sent the UAlbany community Thursday, university president Robert Jones said a student conduct board had dismissed two of the women charged in the bus incident from school, and suspended the third for two years. Said Jones in the statement: "I am sharing this information to reaffirm our institution's commitment to accountability and to providing a fair, safe, and welcome educational environment for all." The three women did not make an appearance at the student conduct board hearing citing an conflict of interest on the university's part -- and an attorney for one of the women said the testimony against his client there included "Trumpisms" and misrepresented witness interviews. [WNYT] [News10] [TU]
Also: Video is now out of campus police questioning the women about the incident. [WNYT] [TWCN]
Investigation of wood chipper death
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of a man who got caught in a wood chipper while working for a tree service Wednesday. Police say it was the man's first day on the job. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Not guilty pleas in UAlbany bus incident, worker killed in wood chipper accident, Rensselaer County hires outside council in fatal police shooting case, Steinmetz honor in Schenectady
Worker killed in wood chipper
A 23-year-old employee of a Guilderland tree care company died in a freak wood chipper accident on his first day at work on Wednesday. [TU]
UAlbany bus incident
The three women charged with assault and falsely reporting an incident in what they say was a racially motivated attack on them on a CDTA bus earlier this year, pleaded not guilty to charges against them on Wednesday. Newly released documents about the incident show that it may have started with one passengers singing of "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall."[Gazette][TWCN][TU]
Silver sentenced to 12 years, trailer park manager charged with choking tenant to death in music dispute, Spa City debates panhandling
Silver sentenced
As lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Tuesday,
former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was sentenced to 12 years in prison on corruption charges. He was also ordered to forfeit almost $5.2 million, and pay $1.75 million in fines. Silver apologized to the court but the judge in the case said though he was a gifted politician who went above and beyond, his actions were not those of a basically honest person, but a corrupt scheming politician.Silver is expected to begin his sentence on July 1, but a pending decision on a theft of honest services case currently before the Supreme Court, expected at the end of June, may have a bearing on the sentence.
[TWCN][NYT][WSJ][TWCN]
Troy shooting
According to a TU report citing "a person briefed on the investigation, but not authorized to comment publicly," a witness to the fatal shooting of a DWI suspect by a Troy police officer pinned by the suspect's car told investigators that it didn't appear to him that the officer was in danger. Meanwhile, in the wake of the shooting, the Public Safety Committee of the Troy City Council says it is working to get city police cars equipped with cameras. [TU][TU]
Schneiderman on Troy shooting case: "I have jurisdiction," indictments in UAlbany bus incident, investigation of former Cuomo aide's consulting, Clifton Park looks to CDTA
Investigation of April 17 fatal shooting by Troy police
State attorney general Eric Schneiderman spoke publicly about the case Monday: "The people in Troy, the family and the police, and everyone have a right to understand that this was done thoroughly and properly, and we're going to make sure that we get to the right results and do it as transparently as possible." Schneiderman also addresses the issue of whether Edson Thevenin's alleged use of his car that night could qualify as a weapon, meaning he was not unarmed, and thus the case wouldn't automatically have been subject to a review by the state AG's office: "Under some circumstances under our criminal law an automobile can be used as a weapon. The point of the executive order, and it's very explicit on this point, is that I have jurisdiction as Special Prosecutor to supersede a district attorney when a law enforcement officer kills someone who is armed or if there is a serious question as to if they were armed." [News10] [TWCN]
Also Monday, Troy police Sgt. Randall French, who police say is the officer who fired the fatal shots during the incident, appeared in Rensselaer County Court to testify in an unrelated case -- and the defense attorney in the case, who says he's seen video from the April 17 incident, attempted to ask French questions about what happened (the judge didn't allow it). [TU+]
The Record's Mark Robarge on the fight between Schneiderman and Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove: "There are times to play politics and there are times not to, and when you're trying to find out the truth about an incident that left a husband and father dead, it is definitely not a time for politics." [Troy Record]
UAlbany bus incident
The Albany County DA's office announced Monday that a grand jury has handed up indictments against the three women facing charges in the January 30 UAlbany bus incident. The charges include assault and falsely reporting an incident, though none of the charges rise above the misdemeanor level and some are violations. It is unusual for charges of that nature to go before a grand jury -- defense attorneys not involved in the case say DA David Soares could have taken the case before the panel in order to determine whether felony-level charges were warranted, and/or it could have even been an attempt to avoid a judge in city court with whom Soares has previously had a history of conflict. An attorney for Ariel Agudio, one of the women charged, said to News10 in a statement that "the actions of the district attorney's office in this case are unprecedented and unwarranted" and they expect their client to be cleared. [Albany County DA] [TU] [News10]
State AG specifically granted ability to investigate fatal shooting by Troy police, feds investigating the Buffalo Billion, pair credited with stopping to save father and son from burning car
Investigation of April 17 fatal shooting by Troy police
On Saturday Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order specifically granting state attorney general Eric Schneiderman the ability to investigated the fatal shooting of Edson Thevenin by Troy police on April 17. On Friday Schneiderman's office contacted both the Rensselaer County DA's office and Troy police demanding they turn over files related to the investigation. "A person briefed on the investigation" tells the Times Union that two people who say the witnessed the incident in which Thevenin was shot near the Collar City Bridge were not called to testify before the Rensselaer County grand jury convened by DA Joel Abelove five days after the shooting. [Cuomo admin] [TU x2]
Federal investigation of Buffalo Billion
Federal prosecutors are investigating whether there was improper lobbying and and undisclosed conflicts of interests related to the Cuomo admin's Buffalo Billion program. And "several people familiar with the matter" say key figures in the investigation include Joseph Percoco (a now former aide to Andrew Cuomo who's very close to the Cuomo family) and SUNY Poly's Alain Kaloyeros. Another key figure is a lobbyist who has a long relationship with the Cuomo family and has advised SUNY Poly. The Cuomo administration confirmed the investigation in a statement and says Andrew Cuomo has ordered a review of the Buffalo Billion. [NYDN] [NYT] [Politico NY] [Cuomo admin] [TU]
Former legislators in prison
A look at the "prolonged humbling" that convicted New York State legislators meet when serving time in federal prison. [NYT]
Family questions handling of Troy police fatal shooting investigation, Albany aiming to save $100k with new lights, the kindness of regular people
April 17 fatal shooting by Troy police (updated)
Friday morning the family Edson Thevenin -- the man fatally shot by Troy police during an incident near the Collar City Bridge -- spoke to the media about the case, saying Troy police have changed their story about what happened multiple times. Said Thevenin's wife, Cinthia, about the handling of the case: "They were just trying to wrap things up as quickly as they can and sweep it under the rung. They were hoping it would just go away and we wouldn't ask questions." [TWCN] [TU]
In light of the current dispute between state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove over who should have jurisdiction to investigate the case, a look at an opinion piece Abelove wrote for Times Union this past August about the Andrew Cuomo executive order moving the power to investigate deaths of unarmed civilians at the hands of police to the AG's office: "I remain committed to handling all cases, including those involving law enforcement officers, with impartiality, fairness and honesty, without fear or favor -- but in a lawful and transparent fashion." Abelove continued to decline publicly commenting Thursday. A question in the case: Could Thevenin's car -- which police allege he used to pin an officer against another vehicle -- be considered a weapon? [TU+] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Stabbing in downtown Troy
Troy police say they're investigating the stabbing of a woman near State Street and the Frear Alley (map) Thursday night. TPD says sounds of moaning led people to discover the woman -- she was taken to the hospital for surgery. [News10] [TWCN] [TU]
Albany apartment fire
A fire at multi-unit home in West Hill late Thursday afternoon has displaced 13 people. Residents say it appears a problem with electric wiring caused the fire. [News10] [WNYT]
Schneiderman sues Rensselaer County DA over handling of fatal police-involved shooting, 2nd Troy bank robbery this week, Jackson reverses plan to hire RPI activities director
AG's office sues Troy DA
Eric Schneiderman's office is suing to take over the recent Troy case of a fatal police-involved shooting of a DWI suspect. The suit claims Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove, rushed the case to a grand jury, in violation of Andrew Cuomo's executive order giving the New York attorney general broad powers to investigate and prosecute in deadly encounters between police officers and unarmed civilians. After hearing Abelove's case, the grand jury cleared Troy police Sgt. Randall French of any wrongdoing in the incident, which occurred five days earlier. In a statement on Wednesday, Schneiderman claimed "Abelove's actions not only violate the law but directly undermine the public's confidence in law enforcement." [Record][NYT][TU][Gazette]
Another Troy bank robbery
The First Niagara bank branch in Troy was robbed on Wednesday afternoon -- the second Troy First Niagara branch to be robbed this week. [TU][TWCN]
Alleged sexual assault at Saint Rose
Police say they have video of two suspects leaving a building around the time of an alleged sexual assault at a College of Saint Rose dorm. [TU]
Former JCOPE director to join Cuomo administration, Albany County hearing on proposed tobacco law, Earth Day oil spill on the Hudson
Former JCOPE leader joins Cuomo administration
The Former Executive Director of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics has quietly taken a job as a deputy commissioner at the state Department of Taxation and Finance, where she will lead the criminal investigation services division. [TU+]
Hearing on Albany County tobacco law
At a public hearing on Tuesday night, Albany County legislators listened to members of the public comment on the pros and cons of a proposed law that would raise the age for purchasing tobacco products to 21. [News 10][TWCN][WNYT]
Sentencing in Schenectady drug murder
Carlson Nunes was sentenced to 22 years to life in the 2015 murder of Carlos Figueroa. [Gazette]
Upswing in Capital Region home sales, bank robber with the sniffles?, details of deal for restaurant at TU Center
Upswing for home sales
Closed home sales in the Capital Region during the first quarter of 2016 were up 18 percent compared to the same period the year before (and pending sales were up 30 percent), according to numbers from the Greater Capital Association of Realtors. Among the reasons floated: increasing rental prices, relatively low interest rates, and a mild winter. [GCAR] [TU+]
Affordable housing in Troy
The residential conversion of the former Mooradians furniture warehouse in North Central will include units set aside for people in different income brackets. [TWCN]
April 17 fatal shooting by Troy police
The Record's Mark Robarge: There's no evidence the officer who fatally shot a man during the encounter near the Collar City Bridge did anything wrong, but the apparent effort by the Rensselaer County DA's office to quickly resolve the investigation into the incident "did [the officer] no favors by injecting more controversy into the case than it deserves, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to learn in short order that the grand jury's word is not the last in this case." [Troy Record]
Man fatally shot by police in Berne, chef pleads guilty in theft from restaurant, considering sparklers in Albany County
State Police fatally shoot man in Berne
State Police say two troopers responding to a call in Berne fatally shot a man Friday night when he "aggressively approached" the troopers while carrying a knife in each hand and did not comply with orders to put the knives down. State Police Major William Keeler says the man, 51-year-old Carl Baranishyn Jr., had called 911 and expressed "suicidal thoughts, homicidal statements, including two any responding law enforcement" -- and a coroner has ruled the death suicide by police. Keeler said it was his understanding the troopers had tasers, but the dark night conditions made would have made them difficult to use. He said the troopers gave Baranishyn "ample opportunity to surrender and drop his knife." [NYSP] [TWCN] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
April 17 fatal shooting by Troy police
A Rensselaer County grand jury returned a "no true bill" clearing Troy police sergeant Randall French of criminal charges in the April 17 incident in which he fatally shot Edson Thevenin after Thevenin allegedly pinned French against a car with a vehicle. It's not clear what sort of investigation -- if any -- the state attorney general's office will be pursing in the case under its recently granted power to investigation the deaths of unarmed civilians at the hands of police. [Troy Record] [TU]
February 9 Colonie murder suicide
State Police say they still don't know what prompted Colonie police officer Israel Roman to kill his wife, 10-year-old son, and himself and set their house on fire. [TU+]
Proposals for election reform, SUNY Poly looking for bids for Rensselaer riverfront project, Union pushes back on Schenectady request for payments
Addressing elections complaints
Among the proposed solutions following complaints about how the New York presidential primary was administered this week: automatic voter registration, same-day registration, and moving the deadline for switching party registration closer to the primary -- but the state legislature hasn't exactly seemed motivated to act on such reforms in recent years. [TU+]
Death in Albany fire
Albany officials say the man pulled from fire on South Pine Street this week has died. AFD says it appears the fire was accidental. [WNYT] [TU]
890 loop reconfiguration
Construction is set to start Monday on the reconfiguration of the I-890 Exit 4 loop in Schenectady. [Cuomo admin] [Daily Gazette]
2.65 million primary voters, Feds seek max for Silver, Kinder Morgan rethinking pipeline, Sage students stage topless protest
Primary voters
About 2.65 million New Yorkers cast ballots in this week's presidential primary elections. [TU]
Sheldon Silver
"What I have done, has hurt the Assembly, and New York, and my constituents terribly, and I regret that more than I can possibly express" -- Sheldon Silver in a apology letter to the judge who will sentence him next month. Federal prosecutors are arguing for a more than 10-year sentence for Silver. [NYT][WNYT]
Kinder Morgan suspends pipeline plan
Kinder Morgan has announced they are suspending plans to build the proposed $3.3 billion Northeast Energy Direct pipeline, which was expected to go from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts, passing through Schoharie and Albany Counties. [TU]
Clinton/Trump win New York primaries,former childcare worker charged with sex abuse, Attorney General will review fatal Troy shooting
New York Primaries
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump saw victories in Tuesday's New York primary. Initial results showed Clinton ahead of Sanders by 58 to 42 percent. In the Republican race, early results show that Donald Trump garnered 60 percent of the vote, while John Kasich took 25 percent, and Td Cruz just 15 percent. Bernie sanders won the Capital District and most of upstate New York by a slim margin. Trump was the clear victor in the Capital Region. Here's a quick scan of the New York Primaries. [NYT][TU][TU][AOA]
Attorney General will review Troy police shooting
The state attorney general's office will formally review the death of a man who fled a traffic stop last weekend and was shot and killed by a Troy police officer. [TU]
Childcare worker charged with sex crime
A former Guilderland school cafeteria aid who spent 30 years in the field of child has been charged with felony first-degree criminal sexual act, after allegedly committing a sex act involving a child under the age of 11 on the grounds of the Westmere Elementary School on Saturday. [TU][WNYT]
More details about fatal shooting of man by Troy police, it's presidential primary day in New York, Kasich in Schenectady, Dairy Circus destroyed by fire
More details about incident in which man was fatally shot by Troy police
Troy police officially released the names of the Watervliet man fatally shot by a police officer early Sunday morning, along with the names of the officers involved in the incident near the Collar City Bridge. TPD says Sgt. Randy French fired eight shots at Edson Thevenin after Thevenin allegedly pinned French against a patrol car with his vehicle. TPD chief John Tedesco: "It would appear that the actions of Sgt. French were in line with the law, our policy and department training, and we are fully supporting the sergeant." [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
Tedesco said police investigators have yet to interview French about the incident due to his medical condition (TPD says French suffered a leg injury). There have been somewhat conflicting reports on which agency will be investigating the shooting -- the Rensselaer County DA said the state Attorney General's office told them it would not be claiming jurisdiction, but a spokesman for the AG's office tells the Times Union that decision hasn't been made, yet. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU+]
It's presidential primary day
Polls are open in New York State for the Democratic and Republican party presidential primaries from noon to 9 pm today. Don't know where to vote? Check with the state Board of Elections website. (You must be a registered Democrat or Republican to vote in the primary.)
Delegates
The important results from Tuesday primaries will be how many delegates each candidate is able to pick up from the various vote totals in Congressional districts around the state.
+ There are 247 pledged Democratic delegates at stake in New York -- and Hillary Clinton currently leads Bernie Sanders by 1,307-1,094 in pledged delegates. [Politico NY]
+ On the Republican side, a key question will be whether Donald Trump can get a majority of the primary vote in Congressional districts, which would allow him to claim all three delegates from those districts. If he doesn't get past the 50 percent point, then the second-place finisher in the district gets one of the three delegates. [TU+] [FiveThirtyEight]
Man fatally shot by Troy police, Bill Clinton campaigns for Hillary Clinton in Colonie, new development planned for Albany's Park South
Man fatally shot by Troy police
Troy police say an officer shot and killed a man early Sunday morning during an incident that began with a traffic stop on 6th Avenue. TPD says the man, who has not been publicly identified by police, fled the traffic stop in his vehicle, eventually crashing it into a barrier at the westbound entrance to the Collar City Bridge. Police say the man was blocked in by two police cars when drove forward, pinning an officer who had been on foot against his own police car. The officer fired on the driver through the windshield, fatally wounding the driver. TPD says the officer, who has not been publicly identified by the department, was treated at a hospital and released, but will need further medical treatment. [TU+] [TWCN] [WNYT] [Troy Record] [News10]
Presidential primaries
+ Bill Clinton spoke to a crowd of about 600 at the Desmond Saturday in support of Hilly Clinton's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. Said former president of his wife: "She is not just the best change-maker now just in the race, but the best change-maker I've ever known..." [TU] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]
+ Hundreds of people gathered in West Capitol Park Saturday in Albany to rally for Bernie Sanders. [TWCN]
+ John Kasich to set to appear at a town hall-style event at the Schenectady Armory Monday evening. [Daily Gazette]
The New York presidential primaries are Tuesday. Don't know where to vote? Check with the state Board of Elections website.
New details in Jacquelyn Porreca murder case, recaps of Clinton-Sanders debate, video of Albany meeting between Sanders and BLM Upstate, Cuomo signs MMA bill
Jacquelyn Porreca murder case
A few new details in the Jacquelyn Porreca murder case surfaced Thursday during a pre-trial hearing: Colonie police say they were approached by an informant who said he'd heard Michael Chmielewski and Sean Moreland talking about the case, and police then bugged the informant's car to record later talk by the two suspects. A Colonie police sergeant also testified that Chmielewski showed police where he's alleged to tossed the knife and gloves used in the fatal stabbing into the lake at Washington Park. Chmielewski's attorney says he was pressured to make admissions in the case, and Moreland's attorney is trying to get his client's case separated from that of Chmielewski. [TWCN] [WNYT] [TU]
Clinton-Sanders debate
Ahead of next week's presidential primary in New York State, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders appeared in a feisty and pointed debate in Brooklyn Thursday night. Topics included banking regulation, gun control, climate change, and Israel. The $15 minimum wage -- and New York's recent move toward it -- also came up. Here's a TWCN live blog of the debate and here's AP fact check of some of the statements. [NYT] [TWCN] [State of Politics] [TWCN] [AP/Troy Record]
Police: fatal Rotterdam shooting justified, Bill Clinton reportedly headed to Albany, poll shows 55% approval for Cuomo
Rotterdam shooting update
At a news conference on Wednesday, police said the fatal shooting of a man in a Rotterdam home this weekend by a police officer was justified. Investigators say the shots were fired in self defense after an attempt at tasering the emotionally disturbed man failed and he lunged and police with a knife. [Gazette][WNYT][TU]
Bill Clinton
Several news outlets are reporting that Bill Clinton will be in Albany this weekend to stump for Hillary Clinton. [TWCN][Gazette]
Trump
Donald Trump told the Times Unionhe'll be the first Republican presidential candidate since Reagan to win New York.[TU+]
Siena poll: Clinton/Trump lead in New York, local employees join Verizon strike, NYRA may return to private control
Siena poll shows Clinton/Trump lead in New York
A new Siena poll reports Hillary Clinton ten points ahead of Bernie Sanders in New York -- a lead that has dropped by 11 points since March. Donald Trump leads John Kasich and Ted Cruz 50-27-17. [TU][Daily Gazette][News 10]
Details emerge in fatal Guilderland crash
Police say the car in the fatal crash near Schoolhouse Road and Western Ave earlier this week was reported stolen shortly before the crash by a man who says he left it parked and running on the 400 block of Madison Avenue in Albany. [TU]
State ethics
With the recent convictions of Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos complete, federal prosecutor Preet Bharara may be turning his attention to the executive branch of state government. [Politico]
JCOPE resignations
Two JCOPE commissioners -- one appointed by Andrew Cuomo and one by Dean Skelos-- quietly resigned recently. [TU+]
Trump, Sanders, and Kasich all make stops in Capital Region, investigation into fatal police shooting in Rotterdam, allegations that Cohoes in leaning on building owners
As you know, three presidential candidates -- Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and John Kasich -- were in the Capital Region Monday:
Donald Trump in Albany
A crowd of between 10,000-17,000 people* gathered at the TU Center for the Donald Trump rally. The Republican candidate criticized what he called the "rigged" structure of the primaries in both parties. He said he'd stop jobs being moved out of the country by using tariffs. He criticized Ted Cruz for the the fellow Republican's "New York values" comment. He called everything in Hillary Clinton's life "a big, fat, beautiful lie." And closed by telling the crowd: "We are going to win so much you may even get tired of winning, and you will say please, it's too much winning, we can't take it anymore." [TWCN] [Biz Review] [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
*Estimates in various reports ranged from "more than 10,000" to "just over 15,000" to "more than 15,000" to "almost full" 17,000-seat capacity of the TU Center.
Bernie Sanders in Albany
Bernie Sanders appeared before a capacity crowd (more than 4,000 people) at the Washington Ave Armory , and also made an appearance outside the nearby Albany Public Library for members of the crowd who couldn't get in. The Democratic candidate criticized the financial system, calling it a "rigged economy" and called for a $15-per-hour minimum wage in every state. He described the criminal justice system as "broken." (Before the rally, he met with two members of Dontay Ivy's family and representatives of Black Lives Matter.) He said he would ban hydro-fracking. And he criticized Hillary Clinton for her Iraq war vote. [TWCN] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU x2] [Politico NY] [Daily Gazette]
Man fatally shot by police in Rotterdam, presidential candidates all over the area today, Troy parking ticket amnesty program
Man fatally shot by police in Rotterdam
Rotterdam police say 30-year-old William Clark was fatally shot by a town police officer Sunday morning. RPD says officers responding to the house on Roberta Road (map) arrived to find the man armed with knife, and it says Clark slashed one of the officers, causing a non-life threatening injury -- the officer then shot Clark. Schenectady County DA Robert Carney says office is currently handling the case as if it will ultimately be his office's case -- not the state attorney general's office -- because the initial investigation indicates Clark was armed. [TU] [News10] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
Sanders, Kasich, Trump in town today
Three presidential candidates will be in the Capital Region Monday for appearances. Bernie Sanders will be at the Washington Ave Armory. John Kasich will be making public appearances in Troy and Saratoga Springs (and a private appearance in Albany). And Donald Trump will be at the TU Center (Pearl Street in front of the area will be closed to traffic all day). Jack McEneny on all the recent attention the area has gotten from presidential contenders: "This is completely unprecedented." [TWCN] [campaign event pages] [TU]
Ted Cruz campaigns in Scotia, results from Rupeka autopsy in Mexico, apartment complex planned near SUNY Poly, Terry Kindlon retires
Ted Cruz in Scotia
+ Ted Cruz made a campaign stop at a Christian school in Scotia Thursday as he tries to overtake Donald Trump for the Republican nomination for president. Said Cruz to the crowd of more than 1,000 people: "I want to ask every one of you if you don't see Donald Trump as the nominee, if you don't want to see Hillary Clinton has the next president, come out and vote for me 10 times ... Now I'm not a Democrat so I'm not asking you to do anything illegal. But if you go home, pick up the phone and call nine people, it will be like 10 votes." Cruz also talked about policy, including his support for a flat tax and the abolition of the IRS, repealing the Affordable Care Act, and pulling back on regulations of business. Earlier in the day, Cruz spoke with News10 and said in reference to his critical comment during a Republican debate about "New York values": "As I've toured the state, I've found people knew exactly what I meant ... People knew exactly what I meant by the liberal attitudes." [Politico NY] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [CNN] [News10]
+ The Cruz event also drew supporters of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, who gathered outside and engaged in their own discussion. [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]
+ It looks John Kasich will be in the area on Monday making at least one stop in Saratoga Springs. [TU]
The New York presidential primary is April 19.
Hoosick Falls
Michael Hickey, who played a key role in the discovery of the contamination of the drinking water supply in Hoosick Falls, has filed a class-action lawsuit against Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International. [TU]
Rupeka and girlfriend confirmed dead in Mexico, Cruz is in Scotia, Trump, Kasich and Sanders may be headed to the Capital Region
Rupeka
The State Department has confirmed that Adam Rupeka-- the Capital Region man with a history of baiting police officers-- and his girlfriend, Jennifer Ogburn, died in Mexico. A Tijuana based magazine is reporting that the two were found dead in a motel room,. Rupeka's estranged wife has confirmed the pair died of drug overdoses and Mexican authorities are investigating the case as a possible suicide. [TU][TWCN][Gazette][TU+]
Cruz
The Ted Cruz rally in Scotia today is sold out.[TU]
More presidential candidates headed to the Capital Region
Unnamed sources are telling area news organizations that Donald Trump has scheduled a rally in Albany next week. Both the TU Center and The Egg have been mentioned as possible sites for the rally. John Kasich is also expected to visit the region next week. Bernie Sanders has also reportedly reached out to the TU Center about a rally.
[TU][Gazette][News10]
Clinton/ Sanders
The New York Times asks if Hillary Clinton still depend on the supporters that sent her to the Senate. And Politico looks at how Clinton and Sanders would fare in different areas of New York. [NYT][Politico]
Cruz to stop in Scotia, 47 laid off at Price Chopper HQ, Rupeka suspected dead, State Street to reopen in front of Nicholaus Building
Cruz headed to Scotia
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz will speak in Scotia on Thursday at Mekeel Christian Academy in Scotia.[TU][Gazette]
Rupeka
Troy police are waiting for photos to determine whether a couple found dead in Mexico earlier this week are Adam Rupeka and his girlfriend, Jennifer Ogburn. A warrant was sworn out for Rupeka's arrest after he failed to show up in court to face a charge that he allegedly sexually abused a 15-year-old girl. [TU][TU]
Chopper
Price Chopper laid off 47 employees at its corporate offices in Schenectady this week.
Company officials say they are focused on a more lean and efficient administration, while focusing on their new stores. [Gazette][TWCN]
Hillary Clinton campaigns in Cohoes, planning for Northway Exit 4 reconfiguration, opening date for Albany convention center
Hillary Clinton in Cohoes
+ Hillary Clinton made a campaign stop in Cohoes Monday evening before more than a thousand people in a gym at Cohoes High School. She told the crowd she'd work toward "broad-based, inclusive prosperity" and bringing manufacturing back to upstate. Among the other topics she touched on: repairing infrastructure, college affordability, and immigration. [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
+ Earlier in the afternoon Clinton met with Democratic state legislators at the Renaissance Hotel across from the Capitol in a private event. Among the things she reportedly said: some of the guns used in crimes in New York come from Vermont. (Apparently Clinton has been trying to hammer Bernie Sanders on gun control issues.) [State of Politics] [Politico NY]
+ Also Monday: Supporters of Bernie Sanders rallied outside the state Capitol in Albany. Chris Churchill: "Bernie Sanders has a real chance to win the New York primary, an upset that would embarrass Hillary Clinton like no other defeat." [Daily Gazette] [TU+]
The presidential primary in New York State is April 19.
Airport Northway interchange
Bids for the reconfiguration of Northway Exit 4 to provide smoother access to ALB aren't expected to go out until 2019. The recent state budget included $50 million for the project. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
It's snowing, Hillary Clinton to appear in Cohoes, State Ed upholds Albany High School vote, UAlbany women's basketball coach leaving
It's snowing
The Capital Region is in line to get about 4 inches of snow (more in higher elevations) through Monday. April snow wouldn't typically be all that noteworthy, but this has been one of the least-snowy snowfall seasons on record here. [NWS Albany]
Hillary Clinton in Cohoes
Hillary Clinton is set to appear at Cohoes High School Monday evening for a public campaign event. Supporters of Bernie Sanders were out canvassing in the Capital Region over the weekend. Presidential primary day in New York State is April 19. [TU] [WNYT]
Nicholas Building
Work continues to stabilize the 196-year-old Nicholas Building in downtown Schenectady after people inside the building noticed shaking Friday afternoon. Road closures at the State and Erie are also continuing. The building is next the site where the former Olender building was recently demolished for a new mixed-use project -- the chair of the Schenectady Heritage Foundation says they had expressed concerns about the potential impact of the project on the Nicholas Building as far back as 2014. [Daily Gazette] [TU x2]
State budget
Here are some Capital Region-specific bits from the state budget that came together at the end of last week -- they include $50 million for reconfiguring the Northway interchange by ALB and $1.5 million for Albany and Troy in anti-poverty funding. [Cuomo admin] [TU]
Also: The increased school aid in the budget prompted double-digit aid increases for multiple Capital Region school districts, including Albany and Schenectady. [Daily Gazette]
State budget deal at the deadline, $15 minimum wage part of the deal -- but upstate on separate schedule, another record year for CDTA, first in line at 5:30 am
State budget deal
Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday night that his administration and legislative leaders had a reached a deal on the state budget, just a few hours before the midnight deadline. Both houses of the legislature were working on passing the budget bills into the night and earlier morning hours of Friday (with plans to finish up today), prompting complaints the process has been rushed. [TU] [Politico NY] [NYT]
Among the major provisions of the budget package: a paid family leave system starting in 2018, an eventual increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour, a tax cut for households making between $40k-$300k, and increased education funding. [Politico NY] [AP/Troy Record]
$15 minimum wage
The part of the deal getting the most attention is the planned increase in the minimum wage, which is set to go as follows (the current minimum wage is $9):
+ New York City's minimum wage will increase each year until reaching $15 on the last day of 2018. (Businesses with 10 or fewer employees will have until the end of 2019.)
+ In Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties, the minimum wage will reach $15 by the last day of 2021.
+ For the rest of the state the minimum wage will increase by 70 cents per year until reaching $12.50 an hour on the last day of 2020. After that the minimum wage will continue to increase toward $15 according to a schedule set by state budget director based on economic conditions
The separate schedules for NYC, the Long Island/Westechester, and upstate were part of a compromise between Cuomo and the state Senate Republican majority. Said Cuomo of the upstate schedule for increasing the minimum wage: "If the economy turns, we'll have the ability to suspend the minimum wage so we don't hurt a slowing economy ... We believe the increase in the minimum wage can help the upstate economy, but again, it's all about that calibration and this is the smartest, safest way to go about it in my opinion." [NYDN] [TWCN]
The upstate schedule appeared to irk both supporters and opponents of the minimum wage increase. [Citizen Action] [Unshackle Upstate]
Rupeka on the run, NYCLU: Ivy stop violated Fourth Amendment, budget creeps closer, Silver disbarred, winning lotto ticket sold in Latham
Rupeka
Adam Rupeka, the police critic charged with sexually abusing a 15-year-old-girl, may have fled the country for Canada with his girlfriend, who is also charged in the alleged incident. Rupeka's girlfriend, Jennifer Ogburn, did not show up for a Tuesday court appearance. Early Wednesday morning Rupeka posted a video on his Facebook page claiming they are in Canada. In previous videos, Rupeka claims he is on the run for his life, and that police are after him because he has exposed them in the past. [TWCN][WNYT][TU][Gazette][Record]
NYCLU: Ivy stop violated Fourth Amendment
Nearly a year after the death of Dontay Ivy, the NYCLU is charging the police stop that led to his death violated his Fourth Amendment rights protecting against an illegal search. [TU]
State budget
With two days left to the start of the new fiscal year, debate continues over the proposed $15 minimum wage hike. Cuomo says he still working toward the $15 minimum wage.
Capital New York reports it has learned the budget could include an income tax cut for those making less than $300,000 a year. [TU][TU][CNY]
Not-guilty plea in fatal Thruway crash case, negotiations continue on $15 min wage, Troy parking ticket amnesty planned
Charges in 2014 fatal Thruway crash
Tyler Pascuzzi -- accused of speeding on the Thruway between exits 24 and 25 while drunk and causing a crash that killed two people and injured another in 2014 -- pleaded not guilty to a group of charges that includes aggravated vehicular homicide and second-degree manslaughter. The mother of one of the people who died in the crash was in court with a large photo of her daughter and yelled at Pascuzzi to look at the photo. Pascuzzi's attorney said the case would "very, very hotly contested" and they intend for Pascuzzi to be acquitted. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU] [TWCN]
Adam Rupeka arrest
In a video posted to YouTube Monday, Adama Rupeka said he's "on the run for my life." Troy police say Rupeka and Jennifer Ogburn of Hudson were arrested over the weekend for an alleged incident of sexual abuse involving a 15 year old. A post indicated Rupeka and Ogburn may have gone to Canada. (Rupeka has made headlines in the recent past for the incident in which he flipped off a Saratoga Springs police officer and was then pepper sprayed, resulting in the officer's resignation and a settlement; and also for allegedly crashing a drone onto the Capitol.) [YouTube] [News10] [TU]
$15 minimum wage
As the state budget deadline approaches, negotiations at the Capitol continue over the proposed $15 minimum wage, which has been wrapped into the budget. Current points of friction: how long it would take to phase in the increase, and which regions of the state where the phase would be slower. [TWCN] [TU]
SPD: Shots fired near State Street in downtown Schenectady, refugees finding home in the Capital Region, Syracuse headed to the Final Four
Shots fired in downtown Schenectady
Schenectady police say three people were arrested in connection with an incident early Sunday morning in which shots were fired just off State Street downtown (map). SPD says officers had responded to a reported fight outside Nico's on the next block west on State Street -- the crowd dispersed, but a second fight started on Barrett Street, and that's when two men allegedly opened fire. [News10] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Adam Rupeka arrested
Adam Rupeka of Troy -- who's made headlines in the recent past for the incident in which he flipped off a Saratoga Springs police officer and was then pepper sprayed, resulting in the officer's resignation; and for allegedly crashing a drone onto the Capitol -- was arrested over the weekend for an alleged incident of sexual abuse involving a 15 year old. Also arrested was a woman from Hudson. Said Rupeka after being arraigned: "Another case of the police out to get me." [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Schenectady police officer arrested
Schenectady police say an off-duty officer, Aaron Zampella, was arrested Friday morning after he allegedly fled a traffic stop early Friday morning. SPD says alcohol or drugs were not involved. He's been suspended without pay. [TU] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
Sentencing in fatal slashing at B'nai B'rith apartments
From Friday: Sixty-one-year-old Robert Lake -- convicted of fatally slashing the throat of Latisha Alzaid in his apartment at the B'nai B'rith Parkview Apartments in Albany in 2014 -- was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison. State Supreme Court Justice Richard Mott described Lake as "a dangerous man, a man who should not have the opportunity to ever live in civilized society again." [TU] [WNYT]
Crunch time for $15 minimum wage, SPD: man tried to use a car to break up a fight, buildings on State Street in Albany being sold
$15 minimum wage
As the state budget deadline approaches, it's also crunch time for negotiations on the proposed $15 minimum wage:
+ Sorting through the various political angles for Andrew Cuomo, the state Senate, and the Assembly. [Politico NY]
+ Business groups are pushing for the Republican majority in the state Senate to pull the issue from the budget process. [TWCN]
+ One of the ideas that's bubbled up is setting different minimums for upstate and downstate. Local state Assemblywoman Carrier Woerner, a Democrat, is floating the idea of setting the minimum wage by region. Local state Senator George Amedore, a Republican, sounds skeptical of different rates. And labor groups are outright against it. [TWCN] [Biz Review] [TWCN]
+ A Columbia County dairy farmer on why he's skeptical of a possible exemption for the agricultural sector. [Biz Review]
+ Looking at who's backing the competing research on the minimum wage issue. [TU+]
Fight crash
Schenectady police allege a man stole a car and intentionally drove it a person in an attempt to stop a fight in the Vale neighborhood Thursday afternoon. SPD says the man hit the two men in the fight, along with woman who was a bystander -- the the men suffered minor injuries, and the woman a serious head injury. SPD says the man is facing charges including assault and grand larceny. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
Controversial sign scrapped from casino plan, Skelos and son request community service, how to outwit a brazen turkey
Controversial sign pulled from casino plan
Rush Street Gaming scrapped its plan to build a controversial 80-foot pylon sign at the Front Street entrance to the $330 million casino on Erie Boulevard.[TU][Gazette]
Skelos and son ask for community service
Lawyers for former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and his son Adam, who were convicted of all eight bribery, extortion and conspiracy counts against them late last year, have asked a judge to forgo prison sentences and sentence them, instead, to community service.
[NYT]
Plea/sentencing for slashing brother
The 20-year-old Saratoga man charged with stabbing his 10-year-old brother's throat last spring pled guilty to felony assault charges on Wednesday and was sentenced to time served. [TU]
Assembly approves Mixed Martial Arts fighting, Hoosick Falls water safe to drink, Palace Theater will manage Cohoes Music Hall
MMA Fighting
After years of debate the NYS Assembly has passed a bill allowing Mixed Martial Arts fighting. The measure, which has passed the Senate but failed in the Assembly many times, passed 113 -25. New York was the last state to prohibit the sport due to its bloody and dangerous nature. [TWCN][WNYT][NYT]
Hoosick Falls water
The governor's office has pronounced that Hoosick Falls tap water is safe to drink, following the installation of filters and several weeks of testing. [TU]
JCOPE director has ties to Cuomo
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics has again chosen someone with close ties to Andrew Cuomo as its leader. Seth Agata, a former l to Mr. Cuomo and the governor's pick last year to serve as chairman of the Public Employment Relations Board will be the new Executive Director of JCOPE. [NYT][TU]
Sentencing in crash that killed Skidmore student, Albany trash fee repeal rejected, Schenectady looking to Union to chip in
Sentencing in crash that killed Skidmore student
Thomas Gorman -- who pleaded guilty to driving drunk in the crash that killed a Skidmore student and injured two others last Halloween -- was sentenced to 5-15 years in prison. Some of the victim impact statements at the sentencing included grisly details of the immediate aftermath of the crash. Gorman asked for forgiveness: "If I could take it all back, I would ... If I could trade places I would." Said Saratoga County Court judge James Murphy: "This is no accident Mr. Gorman ... I don't think you can fully grasp the devastation you have caused by the choice of your criminal conduct." Saratoga County DA Karen Heggen said the students had been out the roadway at the time of the crash and Gorman didn't hadn't attempted to stop. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10] [Saratogian] [WNYT]
Albany trash fee
The attempt to repeal the new trash fee for multi-unit residential buildings (up to four units) failed to get enough votes at Monday's Common Council meeting. Critics of the fee continued to describe it as discriminatory and unfair to low-income residents. City budget director Rachel McEneny in a statement about the trash fee: "The Governor in his Executive Budget indicated that we must engage in developing a comprehensive long-term financial plan. This is a step forward in identifying sustainable revenue streams that are essential to getting Albany onto sound fiscal footing." [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU] [News10]
Woman and her service dog refused table
Hana -- the Guilderland restaurant where a woman who's blind say she and her service dog were refused a table -- has publicly apologized and said it's parted ways with the manager involved in the incident. [TU]
UAlbany run in NCAA tournament ends, woman says she and her service dog refused a table at restaurant, debate over Albany trash fee, remembering Mars Hill
UAlbany women in the NCAA tournament
The UAlbany women's basketball team fell to Syracuse 76-59 in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday. The Great Danes made it to the second round for the first time ever after a pulling an upset of Florida on Friday. Said UAlbany coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson after Sunday's game: "I don't want them to have their heads down. I don't want them to be sad. I want them to feel blessed that the things that we've done here are pretty amazing." (After five straight trips to the NCAA tournament, will Coach Abe be back for another shot next season -- or will she be hired away by a larger program? ) [ESPN] [News10] [TU]
New Board of Regents chancellor
The state Board of Regents has selected Betty Rosa as its next chancellor. Rosa is a former school superintendent in the Bronx, and has supported recent efforts by parents to opt-out of standardized testing. [TU] [WSJ]
Sentencing for ring of scammers
Five people who pleaded guilty to being part of a ring that scammed elderly people in Albany County were sentenced to prison Friday -- a 59-year-old man at the center of the ring got 8-16 years. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Woman and her service dog refused service
A Latham woman who's blind says she and her service dog were refused a table at Hana in Guilderland, in an apparent violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. [TU]
Second fatal shooting on Schenectady street this year, funding to address flooding problem in Albany, Great Danes in the NCAA tournament
Fatal shooting in Schenectady
Schenectady police say they're investigating the fatal shooting of a 30-year-old man on Germania Avenue in Hamilton Hill Thursday morning. Neighbors say they heard five gunshots. It's the second fatal shooting on the street this year -- SPD says it's looking into a potential connection between the two incidents. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TWCN] [TU]
Albany schools budget gap
The Albany school district is pushing for more state funding as it faces a $2.1 million budget gap. [TU]
NCAA tournament
The #12 seed UAlbany women's basketball team takes on #5 seed Florida in the first round of the NCAA tournament at noon today in Syracuse. The game is on ESPN2 and WatchESPN.
Syracuse: The #10 seed Syracuse men's basketball team faces #7 seed Dayton in the NCAA tournament first round today at 12:15 in St. Louis. The game is on CBS.
Maximum sentence for perjury in fatal Schenectady arson, police probe midday Albany shooting,$15 min wage opponents protest
Leon sentenced for perjury in Schenectady arson
Edward Leon -- who prosecutors say is now a suspect in the Schenectady arson that killed David Terry and three of his children, and badly burned Safyre Terry -- was sentenced to ten years in prison for perjury for twice lying to a grand jury about where he was on the night of the fire. Because of the nature of the crime he lied about, prosecutors asked for the maximum ten year sentence for Leon, while they investigate his connection to the crime. [TU][Gazette][TWCN]
Life without parole
After two trials and 12 years , a Troy man will spend life without parole in prison will spend life in prison without parole for the 2003 murder of a witness in a drug trial. [WNYT][Record]
Orange Street shooting
Albany police are investigating an Orange Street shooting that took place at about 2:30pm Wednesday and left a man wounded in the leg and hand.[TU][TWCN]
Ethics bill passes Assembly, Lobby Day at the Capitol, casino ahead of schedule, MMA legislation headed back to Assembly
Ethics
The NYS Assembly passed an ethics reform bill on Tuesday by a vote of 137-4. The bill would allow legislators to make no more than $69,600 in outside income -- 40 percent of the annual salary of State Supreme Court justices.[TU][NYT}
Lobby Day
The proposed $15 minimum wage was one of the main causes at this years lobby day at the NYS Capitol.[WNYT][TU]
Student teacher arrested on child endangerment charges
A 22-year-old student teacher from the College of Saint Rose was arrested on Tuesday, for allegedly pretending to be a talent scout and asking underaged girls as young as 10 to send him photos of themselves in bikinis and underwear. [TU][WNYT]
Large fire in Troy, TU Center naming deal extended, questions about Cohoes mayor's self appointment, spotting bobcats
Large fire on Congress Street in Troy
Two people were injured in a large fire in a multi-unit building on Congress Street in Troy (map) Monday night, the Troy Fire Department says. The fire also displaced 20 people. [WNYT] [News10]
PFOA
Of drinking water samples from 50 homes in Petersburgh recently tested for PFOA, 20 had levels above the EPA standard. The homes are within a half mile of the Taconic Plastics site. [TWCN] [News10]
TU Center naming deal
The Albany County Legislature approved a new deal that keeps the "Times Union Center" name on the downtown Albany arena -- and cuts back the amount the arena is required to spend on advertising each year with the paper. [TU]
Hoosick Falls filtration system now working, prosecutors point toward suspect in Hulett Street fire, remembering an extraordinary life
Hoosick Falls
Andrew Cuomo was in Hoosick Falls Sunday for the announcement that the system installed on the village water supply to filter out PFOA is now working. Officials say water from the tap should still not be consumed, though, because the filtered water needs time to flush the contaminated water. [NYT] [TU]
Hulett Street fire
In a document recently filed in federal court, federal prosecutors allege there's "significant evidence" of Edward Leon being involved with the Hulett Street arson in Schenectady that killed four people in 2013. Leon is soon facing sentencing for perjury for related to the investigation of case -- he hasn't been charged with involvement with the fire. [TU]
Schenectady casino
The city of Schenectady is in line to get $3.5 million this year related to the Rivers Casino project, even though the casino isn't set to open until next year. [Daily Gazette]
Also: A look inside the classes of SCCC's Casino and Gaming Management program. [Daily Gazette]
Trying to understand suspicious Schenectady fire, missing Wilton woman found dead, hit and run on Central Ave, UAlbany women playing for another trip to NCAA tournament
Parkwood Boulevard fire
Karen Kirsch, whom firefighters rescued from the fire that destroyed her Schenectady home on Parkwood Boulevard last wee, on the possibility that someone set it in connection with her son's shooting death in December 2014: "This really could be a wrong address, it could be some stupid maniac who just wanted to set a house on fire ... We've tried to play this over and over again and none of it makes any sense." [TU]
Missing Wilton woman found dead
Police say the body of a 20-year-old Wilton woman had been missing since last Friday was found in a wooded area off Route 9 Thursday. They say they're continuing to investigate, but the death does not appear suspicious. Police say the woman had left her mother's home in the early morning wearing nothing but pajama bottoms and there were indications she was under the influence of drugs. [Saratogian] [TU] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]
ID of body found in the Hudson
Troy police say an autopsy has concluded that the body found in the Hudson River near the Corning Preserve this week was that of a Poestenkill man who had been missing since Christmas, and they do not suspect foul play. TPD says the man was last seen on video on 4th Street in Troy toward the Menands Bridge in the early morning of December 25. [Troy Record] [TU]
Hoosick Falls
It appears that one of the components included in the filtration systems involved by the state and contractors in homes in Hoosick Falls was not to be used in systems processing water for human consumption -- DEC says it's working to replace the valves. [WNYT]
Paying for contaminated water, government groups say Cuomo is failing on ethics reform, January unemployment lowest since before recession
Petersburgh/Hoosick Falls water
Taconic Plastics will pay for a new water filtration system for Petersburgh. Hoosick Falls homeowners packed a village board meeting on Tuesday night, to argue they should not have to pay for contaminated water.Also, noted: Andrew Cuomo has yet to make an appearance in Hoosick Falls. [TU] [WNYT][Capital NY]
Cuomo and ethics
Three leading good government groups including NYS Public Interest Research Group, say Andrew Cuomo is not doing enough to deal with the state's ethics problem. [TU]
Unemployment down
January boasted the lowest January unemployment rates in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metro area since 2004.[Business Review]
Criticism of UAlbany's handling of bus incident, Troy council pushing for input on 1 Monument Square, a confusing winter for skunks
UAlbany bus incident
An attorney for one of the women charged in the UAlbany bus incident is pushing back on the way the university is handling the situation, arguing the timing of the school's student conduct hearing scheduled for this week potentially compromises the women's ability to defend themselves in criminal court -- and criticizes the university for arranging a list of witnesses for the hearing that doesn't include anyone said to have been on the bus. (Here's the full statement.) [TWCN]
Leaked Troy 911 call
Reaction to the news that a Troy police detective sergeant has been suspended, allegedly in connection with the leaking of the Gordon 911 call during last year's mayoral election:
+ Jim Gordon in a statement: "The attempt to over focus on a previously closed issue for the sole purpose of political gain has no role in our society, just as we have no use for those who committed these crimes" [News10]
+ Troy Republican committee chair Thomas Casey: "Unfortunately, it's par for the course for the Troy City and Rensselaer County Democratic committees ... None of this is for the betterment of Troy; it's basically for power and to line their own pockets." [TWCN]
+ Rensselaer County Democratic chair Tom Wade said he wasn't involved in the call's release. [WNYT]
Watervliet police
The city of Watervliet and its police union are fighting over whether former officer Joshua Spratt -- who pleaded guilty to a criminal sex act with a Watervliet High School student while he was the school's resource officer -- retired or resigned before pleading guilty; $20k in benefits are at stake in the distinction. [TU]
The Jay Street fire one year later, changes recommended for 1 Monument Square plan, a night of confessions, UAlbany women one game from NCAA tournament
Jay Street fire one year later
Marking a year since the fatal Jay Street, family and friends gathered at Schenectady City Hall Sunday for a memorial service. They also expressed frustration with the still in-progress Schenectady County DA's office investigation into possible code issues at the site. [Daily Gazette] [TU+]
Parkwood Boulevard fire
Fire investigators searched through the debris from the fire that destroyed a two-family home on Parkwood Boulevard in Schenectady Friday -- a fire that officials say they're treating as suspicious. The house had been the home of Wayne Best Jr., who was fatally shot near there in December of 2014. On Friday one of the suspects in that case was indicted on charges that included second-degree murder. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
1 Monument Square
The Troy planning commission is recommending multiple changes for the proposed project at 1 Monument Square downtown, including additional public parking and a pathway through the site that aligns with Broadway. [TU]
Leaked Troy 911 call
"Several police and city government sources" tell the Times Union that a Troy police detective sergeant was suspended for allegedly being involved in the leaking of the Gordon 911 call during the last mayoral race. [TU]
More water test results in Rensselaer County, presidents point to college affordability problem, taxi app legislation for upstate on hold
PFOA
Rensselaer County exec Kathy Jimino says the county's tests for PFOA on a handful of wells in Petersburgh and Berlin have returned results similar to tests conducted by the state (one was found over the guideline limit, another close to the limit) -- and it's waiting on tests for another 60 wells. Meanwhile over in Hoosick Falls, as residents are being instructed to flush the pipes and water heaters in their homes to clear them of contaminated water, distrust and skepticism of officials continues. [TU] [WNYT]
Also: The city of Albany reported Thursday that tests of its water supply revealed "no detectable levels" of PFOA. In a statement Kathy Sheehan said that was as expected, but the city water department did the tests because of what has happened recently in other communities. [Sheehan admin]
Rescue from fire in Schenectady
The Schenectady Fire Department says firefighters rescued a woman from a fire at a two-family home on Parkwood Boulevard. The fire destroyed the house. Public safety commissioner Wayne Bennett tells the Daily Gazette the fire "does have suspicious indications"; one of its former residents was fatally near the home in December of 2014 -- the arraignment for one of the men charged in the killing is set for today. [TWCN] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
Cost of college
A recurring theme at a public discussion with Capital Region college presidents Thursday: too many students are having trouble paying for college. Another prominent topic: the challenge of declining enrollments, prompted in part by demographic trends. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
On Friday an org called New York Students Rising is planning a walkout by SUNY students to protest increases in tuition. [TU]
Sheehan says she'll veto plans to scrap trash fee, committee to study purchasing a Troy City Hall home, 3 historic places on state preservation list
Narcan/opioids
Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that independent pharmacies as well as chain pharmacies can distribute the heroin antidote Narcan over the counter. Meanwhile, Kirsten Gillibrand is urging the Senate to pass legislation requiring the CDC to issue strict guidelines for prescribing opiates for pain. [WNYT] [News 10]
Trash fee
Kathy Sheehan has promised she'll veto a plan to scrap Albany's new trash fee on small apartment buildings if the plan gets to her desk. [TU]
New Red Light Camera
Another red light camera -- this one at the intersection of Washington and Quail -- went live at midnight. [TU]
PFOA
Less than a third of 145 wells tested in the town of Hoosick and village of Hoosick Falls, indicated a presence of PFOAs that exceeded the EPA safety threshold. Flushing of the water system in Hoosick Falls continues today, meanwhile, state legislators are considering a proposal to extend the statute of limitations so people who may have been harmed by PFOAs in the water can pursue lawsuits. [TU][WNYT]
Troy water main break repair estimated at $73,000, liquor store owners release robbery video,from the Ferua Bush to the canibus beat
Petersburgh water
Toxic PFOA levels in Petersburgh wells were as high as 152,000 parts per trillion back in 2004, according to a recent and by January of 2013 had dropped to the, still high, level of 7,500 parts per trillion. Water samples taken in January and February show 983 parts per trillion -- still well above the EPA advisory level. Water pick-ups -- where residents can get tickets and pick up one gallon of water per day -- have begun in the town. [TU][News10][TWCN]
McCoy calls for easier access to heroin antidote
In his State of the County address on Tuesday, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy called on the State Department of Health, to grant easier access to the heroin antidote Narcan by removing the need for a prescription. [TU][TWCN]
Wandering Dago
A federal judge turned aside every argument made by the owners of the Wandering Dago, who sued the state for being denied a permit to operated on the Empire State Plaza because the name on their truck is considered a racial slur. [TU]
Judge calls for quick resolution of UAlbany bus incident case, not guilty plea in Watervliet murder case, prayer and meatballs
UAlbany bus incident
+ Albany City Court judge Rachel Kretser at the arraignment of the three women Monday morning: "This case should proceed as quickly as possible. This case really has already done enough damage in our community. It's an open wound and I want it resolved." [WNYT]
+ Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration spokesperson Angelica Clarke: "I don't think there's any question that there's more video than was released to the public." [TWCN]
+ Unwinding the story of "Will," who according to rumors -- rumors repeated by local media outlets -- had dropped out of UAlbany because of blowback from the bus incident. It turns out the school says there's no record of him being enrolled this semester. [TU+]
Watervliet murder case
The Watervliet man accused of killing a neighbor -- and firing a shotgun at another friend -- this past January pleaded not guilty to charges including second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. [TU] [WNYT] [Troy Record]
Pedestrian hit on Central Ave
Albany police say a driver hit a pedestrian on Central Ave at North Allen (map) Monday night and then drove off. [WNYT]
Not guilty pleas in UAlbany bus incident charges, Safyre donation volunteer accused of theft, new Albany city property assessment, former Jillian's building sold
UAlbany bus incident
The three women charged in the UAlbany bus incident pleaded not guilty in Albany City Court Monday morning. [TU] [@RedickTWCNews]
Continued reaction:
+ Friday afternoon UAlbany president Robert Jones said he had no apology to make for his initial statements about the incident: "We took them as they were stated in the police report, and responded accordingly." [TWCN]
+ The org Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration released an open letter affirming its "unabashed and unwavering support" for the three women, and criticizing the release of the video as "incomplete." [CAAMI]
+ #BlackLivesMatter co-creator Alicia Garza was at Skidmore over the weekend and said in part of the UAlbany situation: "I think there are bigger things to address. And it sounds like to me, that the reason that the case got so much traction here, is because that's what black folks experience here." [WNYT]
PFOA
State officials say flushing of the water system in Hoosick Falls has started. And the Cuomo admin pointed a finger at the feds for inaction on PFOA contamination in Petersburgh. And just over the border in Vermont, PFOA contamination has been detected in wells in North Bennington. [TU] [Politico NY] [WNYT]
Pedestrian struck in Albany
State Police say a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on South Pearl Street and pinned against a building -- the driver and a passenger in the car both ran after the crash. [TU] [NYSP]
Reaction to charges in UAlbany bus incident, Albany High School project on hold, carjackers said to have posed as cops, Schenectady considers parking minimums
UAlbany bus incident
Reaction to the University Police Department's announcement of charges against the three women who had alleged they were the victims of an attack on a CDTA bus that included racial slurs:
+ Mark Mishler, an attorney for one of the women, in a statement: "It is also unfortunate that some in the media and public appear to have reached a conclusion as to what occurred in this incident without actually having the information needed in order to reach such a conclusion." [TU]
+ UAlbany president Robert Jones to WNYT, on his initial statements in response to the incident: "As I've said several times and I'll repeat it once more, we responded as quickly as we can, based on the information we had at the moment. And my instinct is always, anytime any of our students come forward with any kind of indication they've been hurt or harmed, we're always going to lead with compassion." [WNYT]
+ Alice Green to TWCN: "Justice demands that they be seen as innocent until proven guilty ... If someone makes a charge that's not true, we have to understand what would cause someone to do that. What can we learn from the relationships that might have existed on that bus?" [TWCN]
+ UAlbany student Sean Stone to WNYT: "It just makes it harder for if this thing actually happens. People will think that they're lying and look at this story with incredulity instead of taking this story as fact." [WNYT]
Time Warner Cable News has posted full-length versions of the CDTA camera video. And here are the 911 calls posted by News10. [TWCN] [News10]
Albany High School vote
The Albany school board has put the plan to renovate/expand Albany High School on hold pending a decision from the state Education Department about problems with the recent public vote on the project. At Thursday night's board meeting an attorney for the school district said that despite the problems at polling sites "there is no evidence that any voter was denied the right to vote or informed that they could not vote." He also said there's no evidence any of the polling site problems were intentional. [TU] [News10] [WNYT]
Superintendent(s) pay: Also Thursday in a vote near midnight, the school board approved a plan to pay former superintendent Raymond Colucciello $725 per day to serve as an advisor to current acting superintendent Kimberly Wilkins. [TU]
$15 minimum wage
Andrew Cuomo was in Albany Thursday to rally for a $15 minimum wage -- but he said he wouldn't threaten to hold up the state budget over the proposed increase. A top member of the state Senate Republican majority said there's "no support" for the $15 figure in his conference. [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN]
Class action suit over Hoosick Falls water, appeal to toss Albany High referendum, random acts of kindness expected in Saratoga on Monday
UAlbany bus accusers said to face charges
News10 and the Times Union, citing anonymous sources, report the three UAlbany students who said they were victims of an alleged racially charged attack on a CDTA bus will appear in Albany City Court to face minor charges in connection with the case. [News10] [TU]
Chris Churchill's call for patience in the search for truth in the case. [TU+]
Albany High School referendum
More than two dozen Albany residents have filed an appeal with the state Education Department in an effort to get the results of the Albany High School referendum thrown out. The vote is expected to be at the center of tonight's Albany School Board meeting. [TU][WNYT]
Hoosick Falls Water
Weitz & Luxenberg, the firm that employees Erin Brockovich, has filed a class action lawsuit against Saint-Gobain and Honeywell International over the Hoosick Falls water contamination. The suit was filed on behalf of four residents of the town and contends they were exposed to PFOAs and that their property values were diminished. Meanwhile, tests of private wells in Hoosick falls have been showing extremely high levels of PFOAs [Record][TU][WNYT]
UAlbany plans engineering school in former Philip Schuyler school, no timeline for Troy sinkhole repair, Cuomo giving no thought a 2020 presidential run
UAlbany plans engineering school at former Philip Schuyler
UAlbany has announced plans to open a school of engineering and applied sciences in the former Philip Schuyler school next to its downtown campus. UAlbany president Robert Jones is asking the state legislature for $20 million for the first phase of the overhaul on the building, which he believes will help drive economic development and neighborhood revitalization in downtown Albany.[TU][Gazette][WNYT]
Alleged bus incident prompts another UAlbany conversation
UAlbany president Robert Jones held another in a series of "critical conversations" with students, surrounding race and gender issues in the wake of the alleged racially charged incident that occurred on a CDTA bus several weeks ago. Jones told reporters that his initial statement about the alleged incident was one of compassion for students, saying "Any time something is reported that puts our students in harms way, you're always going to see me lead with compassion."He says the situation is providing a transformational moment for the campus.
[TU][TWCN][News10]
Looking into the Troy sinkhole, naming deal for TU Center extended, 147-year-old school closing, which Rush Street is that?
Troy sinkhole watch
Crews in Troy are trying to figure out what caused the large sinkhole on Campbell Ave. City firefighters first detected the start of the hole Saturday night when a firetruck hit what felt like a large bump in the road. [Troy Record] [TU]
Also: Chris Churchill on the challenge of being mayor of Troy right now. [TU+]
Schenectady shooting investigation
Schenectady police say they've identified a person of interest in the weekend shooting of a man in Mont Pleasant. [Daily Gazette]
Jay Street fire
Says the brother of one of the people who died in the Jay Street fire almost a year ago: "There is a lot of confusion and a lot of things that haven't been answered about the fire ... There's a lot that's unsaid. There is still tension." [Daily Gazette]
TU Center naming deal
Albany County and the Times Union have reached a deal to extend the paper's naming rights to the TU Center through 2020. [TU]
PFOA detected in another Rensselaer County drinking water supply, Route 5 continues to be dangerous for pedestrians, Trump says he's "most popular person that's ever lived" upstate
Another case of PFOA in drinking water
The town of Petersburgh in Rensselaer County announced over the weekend that state tests detected PFOA in water from one of the wells in the Petersburgh Water District at levels just below the cutoff considered safe for consumption. The town has started distributing bottled water as a precaution. State officials say the tests were prompted by a report from Taconic Plastics that it had found groundwater at its site was contaminated. Basil Seggos, the acting state Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner, said his agency believes the company site is the source of the PFOA contamination in Petersburgh. [Town of Petersburgh] [TU] [TWCN] [WNYT]
Hoosick Falls: A mechanical breakdown is slowing the implementation of a filtering system on the village water supply. [TWCN]
Shooting in Schenectady
Schenectady police are investigating the shooting of a man in Mont Pleasant Saturday morning -- and then another reports of shots fired at the same address Saturday night. SPD says the man shot in the morning was shot at close range in the head and was in critical condition Sunday. [Daily Gazette x2] [TU]
Route 5 pedestrian crashes
The Times Union's Tim O'Brien on pedestrian safety along the Route 5 corridor, where five people were killed last year: "Someone gets struck on average more than once a week while crossing the stretch of Route 5 between Albany and Schenectady, where it is known as State Street." [TU+]
Woman accused of setting fire to Castleton house, Schenectady appealing police discipline decision, dog stories both sad and happy
Alleged arson in Castleton
State Police say a Castleton woman has been arrested on charges including arson for allegedly setting fire to a home there. Two firefighters were injured fighting the fire. And State Police say three cats and a dog died in the fire -- the woman is also facing aggravated cruelty to animals charges as a result. [NYSP] [News10] [TU]
Hoosick Falls water
Citing the situation in Hoosick Falls and other spots around the state, Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of a "Statewide Water Quality Rapid Response Team" to address drinking water contamination. [TWCN] [Cuomo admin]
In Hoosick Falls, officials say a filter has been installed on the village water system, but it could still be several weeks for flushing the system and doing tests. [WNYT]
Schenectady police oversight
Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy says the city will take its fight to have the public safety commissioner be in charge of police discipline (rather than an arbitrator) to the state's highest court. [Daily Gazette]
Fisherman fishes skater out of the water
An ice fisherman on Collins Lake in Scotia rescued a skater who had fallen through the ice Thursday evening, using a rope, an ice auger, and a sled. [Daily Gazette]
$3 million plan to replace Troy water main, DMV outage caused problems statewide, Skelos/Silver pensions revealed
$3 million for water main replacement
On the heels of an announcement about a state audit that called it's financial situation precarious, officials in Troy are seeking grant money to help with a nearly $3 million plan to replace the damaged water main that caused widespread flooding in January, with a larger pipeline.[TU] [TU]
DMV outage
A problem with an electric transformer caused power outages at the DMV office on Swan Street on Wednesday that resulted in computer problems in department offices throughout the state. [TU][WNYT]
Conners planning appeal on Albany High referendum, DiNapoli audit reveals Troy finances "precarious", help for Saratoga Code Blue shelter, bill to make St. Patrick's Day school holiday
Effort to overturn Albany High School vote
"Gross incompetence is speaking very highly of the effort that was put out. This was an absolute sham of an election." -- Albany County Comptroller Michael Conners on the recent referendum on the proposed Albany High School renovation. Conners is investigating the vote and plans to file an appeal on behalf of a group of Albany residents who want to see the city throw out the vote and hold a new referendum in April. [TWCN][TU][WNYT]
Troy finances
Tom DiNapoli's office has confirmed the findings in a draft audit of Troy obtained last month by the Times Union, that show the city's finances are in a "precarious position" due to poor budgeting, overuse of emergency funds and insufficient funding for capital costs.[TU]
Hoosick Falls water
The EPA is testing baseball fields in Hoosick Falls today for the presence of PFOA.
The State Department of Financial Services and the EPA have set up a mobile command center to help answer the questions of homeowners in the village. [TWCN][WNYT]
State to pay for home filtration systems in Hoosick Falls, Troy officials show video of a fatal shooting, board supports Saint Rose president
Hoosick Falls water
The Cuomo admin announced that the state will be directing $10 million to install filtration systems in 1,500 homes in Hoosick Falls. It said the state is planning for a possible alternate water supply. More than 900 people in the village have signed up with the state for blood tests to screen for exposure to PFOA. The heads of the state Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Conservation were in the village Saturday at a blood testing event. [TU x2] [TWCN]
$12.5 million for Albany from state
Among the details about the $12.5 million in state funding for the city of Albany included in the Cuomo admin's budget amendments: It's a "spin-up" on the PILOT schedule for the Empire State Plaza (so the money is being peeled off the back end of the state's payments for the ESP), and it requires the city to develop a "comprehensive, long-term financial plan that is structurally balanced without reliance on continuing special state assistance..." [TWCN] [TU]
Video of fatal Troy shooting involving police
From Friday: The Troy Police Department released video of the incident in Lansingburgh last August in which Thaddeus Faison exchanged gunfire with two TPD officers, Joshua Comitale and Chad Klein -- Faison died from his injuries and the two officers were wounded. TPD chief John Tedesco said the video depicts the officers acting according to their training: "These are two officers who obviously paid attention to their training. There's no question it's that training that saved their lives. I have nothing to critique here." Cornelius Clark, pastor of Holy Serenity Church of God in Christ, appeared at the released with city officials: "Based on what we observed, everything went according to the way it should have gone, so we don't see any things that we could contradict here." [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Police looking for motive in Colonie murder/suicide, $12.5 million for Albany budget gap, to re-vote or not to re-vote, UAlbany president updates bus investigation
Colonie murder/suicide investigation
State Police said Thursday that an investigation has concluded that Colonie Police Officer Israel Roman shot his wife, his 10-year-old son, then started the fire at their Latham home, and then shot himself. Police say a motive in the case is still unclear -- and there was "no indication of anything strange going on" as of this past Monday. An unnamed friend of Deborah Roman tells the Times Union Deborah had told her as far back as 2009 that she felt oppressed and trapped in her marriage to Israel Roman. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [TU+]
Hoosick Falls water
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is pushing for Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International to pay for a Superfund cleanup of the groundwater contamination in Hoosick Falls. The DEC says the two companies -- along with possibly others -- are responsible for the PFOA in the drinking water supply. (A predecessor of Honeywell operated in Hoosick Falls during the 1980s and 90s.) Both companies said in statements they were looking to cooperate with DEC. [AP/Troy Record] [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
$12.5 million for Albany
The Cuomo administration's budget amendments include the $12.5 million Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan had been seeking from the state to cover a gap in the city budget. [TU]
Albany school board: referendum results will stand, police investigate possible Colonie murder/suicide, Assembly plans hearings on Hoosick Falls water, reasons to brush off snow
Albany High vote
The margin of votes by which the $180 million Albany High School referendum passed dropped from 228 to 189 on Wednesday, following the realization that some votes cast at the Arbor Hill polling place were counted twice. Calls for a third vote on the proposal and threats of a federal lawsuit have been mentioned, but they are not swaying the Albany School Board. School Board officials conceded that the vote was mishandled but said they won't put the project back on the ballot.Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan says she is concerned about the problems with the polls but believes that the people have spoken and hopes the referendum results hold up.[TU][TWCN][Gazette][TU][TU]
Colonie murder/suicide investigation
Investigators are still trying to piece together the details about the fire that may have been a murder/suicide in Colonie. The Times Union reports Colonie patrol officer Israel Roman loaded the family car with some of his 15-year-old son's clothing , money and valuables and moved the vehicle from the garage to the street before the fire broke out. Investigators believe Roman may have shot his wife and younger son before setting fire to the home.Family and friends have set up a fundraiser for Noah Roman, the family's older son, who was not at home when the incident occurred. [TU+][WNYT][News10]
Deadly Colonie fire possible murder-suicide, problems at polls in Albany High vote, two arrested in Best murder, Bharara on corruption
Fire kills three at home of Colonie officer
Police are investigating the cause of a house fire that claimed the life of Colonie police officer Israel Roman, his wife and one of his sons. Authorities say the incident may have been a murder-suicide. [TU][WNYT]
Albany High School vote
The referendum on the new $180 million Albany High School proposal passed by 228 votes on Tuesday. About 8,000 people turned out to for the re-vote, but problems--including polling places opening late and running out of ballots--were reported at some polling sites. Affidavit votes are being tallied today. [Business Review][TU][TWCN]
Hoosick Falls clean-up agreement pending
Hoosick Falls Mayor David Borge says an agreement is expected to be reached Wednesday with Saint-Gobain over the costs for cleaning up PFOA from the village water supply. [TWCN]
Preet Bharara in Albany, new $500 million deal for SUNY Poly, 20 years behind the store counter
There are school district votes today in Albany, Scotia-Glenville, and Troy. Don't know where to vote? Check with your district. Here's the where-to-vote info for Albany.
Preet Bharara in Albany
Preet Bharara appeared at WAMC's performance venue for an interview about his work prosecuting public corruption in the state as a US Attorney. Said Bharara: "People always know. You think no one knew Sheldon Silver was corrupt before he was put in handcuffs? Not a chance." Earlier in the day Bharara spoke before New York Conference of Mayors in downtown Albany: "The point is not just to punish politicians who have broken the law, but to help improve a political system that is broken down." [WAMC] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Meanwhile, it was seemingly business as usual around the Capitol. [Politico NY]
New deal for SUNY Poly
GlobalFoundries will reportedly set up a $500 million chip research center at the SUNY Poly campus in Albany. Officials say the center will add 100 jobs there. [TU+] [Daily Gazette]
UAlbany bus incident
Alice Green tells the Times Union that the group of local leaders shown video from the UAlbany bus incident by the district attorney also were shown statements from witnesses on the bus -- and those statements in part contradicted the allegations about what happened. On Monday at joint legislative hearing on the budget, UAlbany president Robert Jones declined comment, later citing the ongoing investigation. [TU+] [TWCN]
Chris Churchill on the situation: "What a mess. What a horrible, horrible mess." [TU+]
DA shows UAlbany bus incident video to group of leaders, charting the timeline on the Hoosick Falls situation, homeless shelters facing space crunch
UAlbany bus incident
Albany County DA David Soares showed video of the UAlbany bus incident to a group of community and university leaders Friday afternoon. Alice Green, executive director of the Center for Law and Justice, was part of the group: "It was very confusing, very difficult to tell what was going on, but we haven't heard, at least I haven't heard, any racial slurs." Albany Common Council president Carolyn McLaughlin was also part of the group and said the crowded bus made it hard to see what exactly happened. Soares on why he showed the video to the group: "There is a social media component here that is moving at a much faster clip than the actual truth-seeking, fact-finding investigation, and ... people are arriving at conclusions that are based upon the words and hearsay of individuals. We can't engage in that." [News10] [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU]
Hoosick Falls water
The Times Union reports that documents and emails indicate the state Department of Health had some of knowledge of PFOA contamination of the Hoosick Falls water supply as far back as August 2014 -- but unclear information and regulations contributed to a delay in the public being notified. [TU]
State and local officials -- including Congressman Chris Gibson -- were in Hoosick Falls Saturday to learn about the new water filtration system. Also: a survey of the various law firms currently vying for business in Hoosick Falls. [News10] [TU+]
Push for new Hoosick Falls water supply, "no secret spells" for Troy budget problems, railroad overpass as can opener
Hoosick Falls water
As fear and uncertainty wear on people in the Hoosick Falls, state Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin is pushing for a new water source for the village: "I don't think a permanent filtration system is going to satisfy the people of Hoosick Falls." [Politico NY] [WNYT]
Also: Charting the long history of manufacturing using PFOA in the village. [News10]
The state of Troy
Troy mayor Patrick Madden on fixing the city's financial problems in his state of the city speech Thursday: "There are no secret spells, incantations or silver bullets. We did not get here overnight, nor can it be fixed overnight. It will take some time to reclaim our fiscal health, but we cannot put this off any longer. The time to start this work is now." (Madden says the current year budget is balanced, but city council president Carmella Mantello says it's not.) He also floated the idea of a tax on hotel stays. [Troy Record] [News10] [TU]
Schenectady police discipline
A state appeals court has ruled against the city of Schenectady in its bid to have the city public safety commissioner oversee police disciplinary cases. Public safety commissioner Wayne Bennett says the city now has to decide whether it will appeal the case to the state's highest court. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Sweat sentenced for escape attempt, Albany County joins suit to stop oil trains, Rivers Casino breaks ground, no really-- it's still February
Sweat sentenced
David Sweat, the convicted murderer who, with his partner Richard Matt, escaped from Dannemora prison last summer, was sentenced on Wednesday to pay $79,841 in restitution and serve 31/2 to seven years in prison for the escape and a similar consecutive sentence for prison contraband. At the sentencing Sweat apologized for frightening people, but the New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott said she was convinced Sweat "would try it again if given the opportunity." [TU][TWCN] [TU]
UAlbany bus incident
UAlbany president Robert Jones released a video statement Wednesday asking people for patience on the investigation in the bus incident last weekend: "I ask all of us to not rush to judgment. We need to know all of the facts. We must get this right." Jones said university police had interviewed 29 people, and were reviewing video and audio. The incident is continuing to get attention beyond the Capital Region -- Hillary Clinton's Twitter account mentioned it Thursday. [UAlbany] [@HillaryClinton]
Saint-Gobain
"When all of the cameras are off and all the TV lights are down and all the microphones go away, we will be here." The President and CEO of Saint-Gobain, the company alleged to have released PFOA into the Hoosick Falls water system, on their commitment to the community where they have operated for years. [WNYT]
Video surfaces in CDTA bus incident, physician says public health study should include former Hoosick Falls residents, groundbreaking for Rivers Casino scheduled today, Senate approves MMA for the 7th time
Hoosick Falls water
A doctor who has been pivotal in uncovering the Hoosick Falls water contamination crisis says a state public health study of the long-term impact on village residents needs to include those who have moved away over the years. According to a new document, Hoosick Falls asked for the village water to be tested back in April of last year, but people were not instructed to stop drinking the water until November. [TU][News 10]
CDTA bus attack
Video has surfaced of the CDTA bus altercation in which a group of Ualbany students say they were the victims of a racially motivated attack. [TU]
Casino groundbreaking
The Rivers Casino groundbreaking is expected to take place today.[TU]
Rally at UAlbany in response to bus incident, guilty plea in death of Skidmore student, she was born when Taft was president
The rally Monday evening at UAlbany.
Incident on bus at UAlbany
A rally at UAlbany Monday evening to support the three African-American women who say they were attacked on a CDTA bus by a group using racial slurs drew hundreds of people to the uptown campus center. One of the women, Asha Burwell, told the crowd: "We are shocked, upset, but we will remain unbroken. We stand here with strength because we value our worth as black women and as human beings in general. I would like everyone to understand that more violence will not solve anything. It will not make us feel any better nor will it result in any justice for us." [TU] [News10]
Monday afternoon University Police Department chief J. Frank Wiley said in a statement that UPD has used video from CDTA and other sources to identify 34 persons of interest -- 16 of whom have been interviewed, with more interviews planned. TWCN has posted interview clips with an anonymous person who says she was on the bus early Saturday morning -- and she says her recollection of events differs from the details that have been made public so far. The bus was one of CDTA's new "accordion" busses -- and the transit org says the driver didn't know what was happening in the back of the bus. [UPD] [TWCN] [WNYT]
Hoosick Falls water
In Latham Monday, Chuck Schumer said of the situation in Hoosick Falls the public efforts say far by the company Saint-Gobain: "They've got to do more. Expressing sympathy and giving out filters is not enough. There's a cloud of fear and uncertainty hanging over Hoosick Falls." Residents of the village have been signing up for testing of their wells and blood, and some have already installed filtering systems in their houses. Said Brian Bushner, a village resident who's decided to run for the village board of trustees because of the situation, to the Troy Record: "What infuriated me the most -- and I think I speak for a lot of people here when I say this -- is the mayor saying it was a personal choice to drink the water until after the EPA said to stop drinking it. Think about that phrase for just a second. You can't live without water. Water, beside air, is the most basic thing you need to live. You're saying it's a personal choice to do the most basic thing for survival." [TU] [WNYT] [Biz Review] [Troy Record]
UAlbany students say they were assaulted on bus by group using racial slurs, possible new model for Albany trash collection, about those anti-corruption billboards
Investigation of incident on bus at UAlbany
Three African-American UAlbany students say they were assaulted by a group of 10-12 white people using racial slurs while on the #11 CDTA bus early Saturday morning. University Police Department chief Frank Wiley said in a statement to the campus community that UPD and Albany police are investigating the incident and reviewing video from both bus security cameras and bystanders. [statement by UAlbany president Robert Jones] [@AshaBurwell] [TU] [UPD statement] [WNYT]
There is a rally to support the three students planned for UAlbany's uptown campus Monday evening.
Hoosick Falls water
Erin Brockovich was in Hoosick Falls over the weekend as part of information session organized by a personal injury law firm. She told the crowd: "When you get together and you start being actively involved and getting involved, whether it be with your mayor or going to your city council, and asking questions and demanding answers and taking charge of your back yard, your town, you will make a difference." And residents say the contamination of the water supply casts doubt on the future of the village. [TWCN] [WNYT] [TU] [TU+]
On Friday DEC police were investigating an allegation of illegal solid waste dumping in the town of Hoosick. [TU]
The future of trash collection in Albany
With Albany's landfill set to close in the next few years, a detailed look at the possibility of the city switching to a "pay as you throw" model for trash collection. [TU+] Earlier: Talking trash in Albany
EPA issues new guidance for Hoosick Falls water, state attorney general investigates event ticket industry, the doctor will virtually see you now
Hoosick Falls water
The EPA is now advising residents of Hoosick Falls with private wells that they shouldn't drink their well water (or cook with it) if tests reveal levels of PFOA to be above 100 parts per trillion. The village is installing a filtration system on its water supply -- it's a few weeks away from being operational -- but some residents say they'll still be wary to drink the water because they don't trust officials now. [TU] [TWCN] [Biz Review] [News10]
Also: The law firm Weitz & Luxemberg (yep, the same one that Sheldon Silver had been directing asbestos cases to) is sending Erin Brockovich to the area to "discuss the legal options and remedies available to Hoosick Falls clients and other residents who seek assistance." [TU CapCon]
School district fiscal problems
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office released a list of school districts around the state that are in "fiscal stress." The Corinth School District in Saratoga County is in the category of "significant fiscal stress" -- and the Watervliet and Rensselaer school districts are in the "moderate stress" category. [NYS OSC] [TU+]
Schenectady demolitions
The Capital Region Land Bank wants to demolish 19 buildings in the city of Schenectady. [Daily Gazette]
APD investigating 2 shootings, Superfund site declared in Hoosick Falls, apartment building planned for DeLaet's Landing
Two Albany shootings
Albany police are investigating two shootings in the city on Wednesday. The first took place near 9am on Wednesday in West Hill, not far from Albany High School.
The victim was sitting in a car in front of a day care center - just a few doors away from the building where pastor Charlie Muller's gun buyback program is run.
Later in the day, in what is believed to be a related incident, a SWAT team closed down roads and entered a house on Judson Street and took two people into custody. Police found evidence consistent with gunshots. [TU][WNYT][TWCN][News 10][WNYT]
Hoosick Falls Water
Andrew Cuomo met with Hoosick Falls officials at the Capitol on Wednesday to discuss the contamination of the village's water.Shortly after the meeting The Cuomo administration announced it would declare the Saint-Gobain plastics plant that contaminated the Hoosick Falls water supply a Superfund site. The move will give the state the power to seek reimbursements for the cleanup costs from the source of the pollution. The state will list PFOA, the chemical that has been found in the village water supply, as a hazardous substance. Superfund money will be used to retest wells, conduct blood tests, install filtration systems at schools and establish a state hotline among other things. [TU][Record][NYT][TU][News10]
Plea deal rejected in Porreca case, Sheehan and Madden ask state legislators to assist cities, Bharara to visit Albany
Mayors seek assistance
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Troy Mayor Patrick Madden were among a group of Ne York State Mayors who addressed legislators on Friday for financial assistance. Sheehan is seeking $12.5 million from the state to close a hole in the city budget. Madden urged legislators to fully fund a proposal to use $250 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects around the state.
[TU][TWCN]
Plea deal rejected in murder case
Sean Moreland, who allegedly drove the getaway car
in the Jacquelyn Porreca murder case, has rejected a deal from prosecutors that would have required a 15 year prison term. [TU]
Hoosick Falls Water
A temporary water filter is being installed in Hoosick Falls to help filter out PFOA contaminants that may be responsible for elevated levels of cancers, thyroid disease and pregnancy problems in the town. A larger permanent filter is expected to be installed by October. Hoosick officials say state the Health Department asked them to keep quiet about toxic chemicals found in multiple private wells in the town . The investigation into the contamination of the water in Hoosick falls began after the son of a a 68 year old man who died from kidney cancer began asking questions two years ago. [TWCN][Record][TU][Record]
Protesters interrupt Sheehan's State of the City address, Hulett Street fire info reward increased, Albany teens win national song contest
Sheehan's State of the City address interrupted
Protesters calling for the firing of the police officers involved with the death of Dontay Ivy, as well as police chief Brendan Cox, interrupted Kathy Sheehan's State of the City address for about 20 minutes Monday evening at Albany City Hall. They also repeated the call for the city's police force to be disarmed. In her speech, Sheehan pointed to a city goal to implement better policing, including body cameras and implicit bias train -- an effort she said was working to "shake the legacy of racism that we have, that was earned and that was reprehensible." [News10] [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU]
The protest also marked a public announcement of the formation of an upstate chapter of Black Lives Matter. [Daily Gazette]
Albany schools
Acting Albany schools superintendent Kimberly Young Wilkins, a longtime principal in the district, on the situation she's facing: "I've been here for 25 years. We have weathered storms, and we're going to weather this." School board president Kenneth Bruce also addressed the ouster of former superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard last week: "This decision was based on merit. Job security is based on performance. When there's performance, there's security and when there isn't, there isn't." He also fell back on the "personnel decision" reason for not explaining the decision in more detail. [TU] [News10] [WNYT] [TWCN]
Bigger reward for Hulett Street fire info
The reward for info in the fatal 2013 Hulett Street in Schenectady is now $40,000. It's the fire in which a father and three children were killed -- and Sa'Fyre Terry was seriously injured. The now eight-year-old girl appeared at the warehouse where volunteers are opening the millions of cards and packages sent to her Monday to thank everyone for their efforts. Said Terry's aunt: "The outpouring of love for Sa'fyre has been absolutely amazing, but there's no gift that can beat the gift of justice that she so rightfully deserves." [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The events that led up to the Albany schools superintendent's ouster, three rescued from burning house, CDTA ready to move ahead with Troy transit center, man fights off rabid fox
Albany schools superintendent
Chronicling the events that led up to the ouster of Albany school district superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard last week -- though the school board has not detailed why exactly it decided to part ways with Vanden Wyngaard. As part of her separation agreement, she's set to receive a $90k lump sum, salary through this June, and medical benefits through June 2017. By the way: The vote on the reformulated plan to rebuilding/expand Albany High School is just about two weeks away. [TU+] [TU] [TU+]
Troy water main repair
The city of Troy says repairs on the large water main break are now finished and regular service levels have been restored to Halfmoon and Waterford. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Allegations against former Albany County Sheriff's sergeant
Brendan Lyons details the allegations against a former Albany County Sheriff's sergeant in a situation involving a former girlfriend -- including a voicemail to the woman's new boyfriend, attributed to the former sergeant, that states, "I will murder you where you stand." [TU+]
School board critics turn out after ouster of Albany schools superintendent, repair of Troy water main break nearing end, Hoosick Falls hired PR firm to help handle tainted water supply situation
Albany schools superintendent pushed out
The Albany school district announced Thursday that superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard would be resigning in an arrangement that includes her taking paid leave now through the end of her contract in June. Said school board president Kenneth Bruce in a statement: "the board and the superintendent have come to a point where we no longer can overcome our philosophical differences about how best to implement the change our district urgently needs." [Albany school district]
Supporters of Vanden Wyngaard have recently been pushing for the board to extend her contract and many people turned out at a tense board meeting Thursday night to criticize the panel for pushing the superintendent out. City Common Council president Carolyn McLaughlin: "You set her up for failure ... There was no support. You supported her for about 18 months and then you decided that all bets were off. I don't know who's coming in next, but what you did to Dr. V, you'll do it to them." Common Council member Vivian Kornegay: "The Albany public school district board is dysfunctional. It's dysfunctional, segregated and discriminatory." Bruce said race was not a factor in the board's decision. [TWCN] [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
Albany High School rebuild proposal: A PAC called Support Albany High School has formed to push for approval of the reformulated plan to rebuild/expand Albany High School at the February vote. [TU+]
Troy water main break
Crews worked Thursday to repair a second, small leak in the large water main that failed earlier this week. The city says the overall repair project should be finished by this weekend. [Troy Record] [TWCN]
Troy is seeking help from the state -- in the form of grants and a low-interest loan -- to cover the $2.7 million cost of installing 3,700 linear feet of larger pipe as an upgrade to the main. [Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN]
Supervisors in Waterford and Halfmoon -- where water service was disrupted by the Troy main break -- say they're not sure yet how much it's cost the towns to provide alternate water supplies during the episode. [TU+]
Troy water main repair continues, 19 citations but no charges for garbage truck driver in fatal accident, Silver keeps pension, New York considers new consequences for skipping tolls
Troy water main update
Work continues today on the water main break that has spilled millions of gallons of water into the streets of Troy and left thousands of people in the city and surrounding communities with limited water service for days. Paul Tonko toured the site of the break on Wednesday pointing out that it is a symbol of a national problem with aging infrastructure. Troy is seeking state and federal aid to repair the aging infrastructure problems that caused the break. The city council will hold a special meeting tonight in an effort to speed along a grant proposal to replace the aging water line. 25 Waterford homes had their water restored on Wednesday. Schools are open again in Waterford Halfmoon and Mechanicville school districts but water restrictions are still in effect in many communities, affecting residents and businesses. Meanwhile, Waterford and Halfmoon are considering new water sources to avoid similar problems in the future. [TWCN][Saratogian][Gazette][WNYT][News 10][TU+][TU]
Judiciary committee approves DiFiore
Cuomo appointee Janet DiFiore won the approval of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday,. A vote was delayed but DiFiore is expected to be confirmed as New York State's next Chief Judge. [TU][NYT]
Garbage truck driver cited in 2015 fatal accident
The driver of a garbage truck that struck and killed a 4-year-old boy at Central and Quail in Albany last year will not face criminal charges. James P. Kelly was issued 19 citations in connection with the incident, including failure to yield the right of way. [TU][Gazette]
Repairs continue on Troy water main,Women's Equality laws take affect, Stefanik kicks off reelection bid,overdue honors for WWII vet
Troy water main
Crews have been working round the clock to repair the water main break in Troy. The break is affecting the city of Troy and Nine municipalities outside Troy. The freezing temperatures and the fact that the main is steel and not cast iron are contributing to the difficulty. [TWCN][TU][Record]pTU]
Schenectady city phones
The city of Schenectady phone lines - including police and fire department, are not working and can't take incoming calls today. [Gazette]
NY Women's Equality Laws
Seven new laws that are part of Andrew Cuomo's Women's Equality Agenda take effect today, including equal pay and domestic violence legislation. [WNYT]
Troy works to repair large water main break, Teachout for Congressional run?, affordable housing crunch in Saratoga, the crow as painter
Troy water main break, and the problem of aging infrastructure
One of Troy's largest water mains burst Sunday, flooding an area near the break in Lansingburgh and prompting the city to ask residents to restrict water use. There have also beens service disruptions in some municipalities that draw water from Troy, including Mechanicville and Halfmoon. [TU] [News10] [TU]
The break highlights both a short term and long term challenge for Troy: A costly repair of the century-old main would be a strain on city finances because the city's water fund was used in recent years to balance the general city budget. And in the longterm, mayor Patrick Manning says the city has hundreds of miles of century-old water infrastructure. [TU+] [Troy Record]
Schenectady County jail death
The Schenectady County Sheriff's Office says a 53-year-old county jail inmate who had been treated at a hospital just before the entering the jail earlier this month died Sunday. The sheriff says jail medical personnel had been monitoring the inmate's treatment. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Teachout for 19th Congressional District?
Democratic county leaders in the NY 19th Congressional District (currently rep'ed by Chris Gibson) voted over the weekend to endorse Zephyr Teachout -- even though she's yet to officially toss her hat in the ring. [TU]
VanAlstyne sentenced for death of Kenneth White, packed meeting about Hoosick Falls water contamination, pedestrian killed in Route 9 crash, together to the end
Tiffany VanAlstyne sentenced
Tiffany VanAlstyne -- who pleaded guilty to killing her five-year-old cousin, Kenneth White, in Knox in December 2014 -- was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison. Judge Stephen Herrick noted that Van Alstyne had been diagnosed with mental illness, but had stopped taking her medication: "There were tell-tale signs that you were at risk. From what I've read, this was a time bomb waiting to go off." Said VanAlstyne at the sentencing: "I am so, so sorry for what I did and what happened to Kenneth. I wish I could take it back but I can't." Said Christine White, Kenneth's mother and VanAlstyne's aunt, outside court: "I love my son more than anything in this world ... But I also love my niece, and I know what kind of girl she was." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT] [TWCN]
Hudson Hoosick Falls water
Hoosick Falls residents packed a meeting Thursday night with EPA regional administrator Judith Enck about contamination of the village's water supply with a chemical called PFOA. Enck said agencies to need study the source of contamination (a nearby factory is suspected) and the extent of its spread in the ground water. [TWCN] [TU]
State school aid
Though Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget includes an almost-$1 billion increase in school aid for the next year, school funding advocates say the increased still lags behind the level the state should be at -- and a handful of Capital Region districts are even scheduled to receive less aid. [Troy Record] [TU+]
Albany $12.5 million missing from Cuomo budget, GE announces 100 jobs for Niskayuna - moves HQ from CT to Boston, opening 1.7 million cards and packages
State of the State
Andrew Cuomo's State of the State address: a look at ethics, local governments, big infrastructure, minimum wage, paid family leave, housing , homelessness and more. Here's some legislative reaction to the governor's plans.
Protestors lined the concourse, many advocating for the proposed $15 minimum wage. Some business groups are speaking out against the wage hike. [AOA][NYT][TU][TWCN][TU][News10]
Albany $ missing from budget
The $12.5 million that the city of Albany was looking for from the state to help balance its budget was not included in the governor's spending plan.[TU]
GE
General Electric announced 100 new jobs will be added to its Global Research Center in Niskayuna. Meanwhile, GE Affiliate Granite Services will close its operations in Schenectady and cut 41 jobs due to a loss of contract. GE also announced that it is moving its headquarters from Connecticut to Boston (New York officials had been trying to lure the company HQ to the state). [TU][Business Review][TU]
Cuomo to deliver state of the state today, Assembly votes down ethics proposals, vigil for Sherwin, four Canadian women charged with local "grandparent scam," if walls could talk
State of the State
Andrew Cuomo will deliver the State of the State address today. Here's a look at what he'll be talking about. [TU]
$15 minimum wage
More than 1,000 people are expected to show up at the State of the State to advocate for a $15 minimum wage. [News 10]
Ethics
The NYS Assembly voted down 13 Republican proposed ethics reforms, including term limits for legislators and televised hearings. [Daily Freeman][WNYT]
Clean Conscience pledges
The five members of the Senate IDC announced they have signed "clean conscience" pledges. [TU]
Feds: "insufficient evidence" of a federal crime related to state anti-corruption panel, former Watervliet police officer sentenced to prison, teacher accused of taking toys
Feds' investigation of Moreland Commission
A statement Monday from Preet Bharara's office about the federal investigation into Andrew Cuomo shutting down the Moreland Commission anti-corruption panel: "After a thorough investigation of interference with the operation of the Moreland Commission and its premature closing, this Office has concluded that, absent any additional proof that may develop, there is insufficient evidence to prove a federal crime." Andrew Cuomo's attorney: "We were always confident there was no illegality here, and we appreciate the U.S. attorney clarifying this for the public record." Not mentioned in the Bharara office statement: anything about the Buffalo Billion. [US DOJ] [NYT] [TU]
High school graduation rates
The state Education Department released high school graduation rates for the class that graduated in 2015, and statewide the rate was up almost two percentage points to 78.1 percent. Here's an easy-scan breakdown of rates for Capital Region districts. One bit from the Schenectady school district -- which, along with Albany, again had one of the lowest rates in the region: superintendent Larry Spring said that of the roughly 100 students in the graduating cohort who had been in the district since kindergarten, 97 percent graduated on time. [NYSED] [AOA] [Daily Gazette]
Robberies, assaults along New Scotland Ave
More details in the two separate robberies/assault along New Scotland Ave in Albany Saturday: Police allege the man arrested in the case -- Jose L. Marlett -- abducted the second woman near New Scotland Elementary, tied her up with a telephone cord in his apartment, and sexually assaulted her. After Marlett left the apartment, the woman was able to break free and News10 reports she ran naked down New Scotland Ave where she was able to get help at a restaurant on the corner of New Scotland and Ontario. Neighbors tell TWCN they had noticed Marlett acting strangely. [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
Former Watervliet police offer heading to prison
Former Watervliet police officer Nicholas Pontore -- accused of being involved with the Young Gunnerz gang, and buying drugs while on duty in his police car -- pleaded guilty in Rensselaer County Court to a drug charge and was sentenced to two years in prison. [TWCN] [Troy Record] [TU]
Man charged with murder in Watervliet death, allegations of abuse in state prisons, the Bob & Ron's sign has been sold
Homicide in Watervliet
A Watervilet man -- 49-year-old Michael J. Fox -- is facing a murder charge in connection with the death of a man in a residence on 4th Ave Friday night. Watervliet police say they responded to a call of shots fired, there was a evidence a shotgun had been used, and a standoff ensued. A woman tells News10 Fox had called her to the residence and tried to hold her there with the man who had been shot -- she said she escaped as Fox fired at her with a shotgun. Watervliet police say a tactical team eventually entered the residence and took Fox into custody. [TU] [WNYT] [News10] [TWCN]
Suspicious fire in Troy
The Troy Fire Department says an apartment building fire that displaced 10 people is a suspicious and neighbors are pointing the finger at a neighbor who recently moved in and they say had been acting strangely and had made threatening statements. [TU]
Allegations of abuse in state prisons
From a Brendan Lyons article about allegations of prisoner abuse in New York State prisons: "several inmates and prison employees interviewed" said the practice of guards putting plastic bags over the heads of inmates is "is routine in some prisons." [TU+]
Former Watervliet police officer sentenced, medical marijuana dispensaries open, Troy Bombers set to become a Wolff's
The tangled web involving police in Watervliet
Joshua Spratt -- the former Watervliet police officer who pleaded guilty to a criminal sex act with a teen he met as a city school resource officer -- was sentenced to six months in jail and 10 years probation. Said state Supreme Court Justice Thomas Breslin at the sentencing to Spratt in reference to Spratt's duty as a police officer to protect and serve: "you protected no one and you served yourself," and said he was reluctantly sentencing Spratt according to the plea bargain in the case. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Also Thursday: Former Albany County Sheriff's sergeant Martin F. Zaloga Jr. was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to texting a photo of his penis to a Watervliet teen -- an act that was discovered during the investigation surrounding Spratt. [TU] [TWCN]
And over in Rensselaer County, Daquan Murray of Troy was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his guilty plea to selling cocaine. Murray was alleged to be a leader of the Young Gunnerz gang, was the target of the state Attorney General's Operation Trojan Horse sweep -- the arrests for which included former Watervliet police officer Nicholas Pontore. And a recording Pontore handed over to Watervliet police prompted the investigation in Spratt. [TWCN] [Troy Record] [TU]
Medical marijuana
Thursday marked the first day medical marijuana dispensaries could be open in New York State, and the Etain dispensary in Albany's Warehouse District opened to the media for a tour. As of Thursday, the state Department of Health said there were just 51 patients statewide who had been registered to buy medical marijuana. [TWCN] [News10] [TU+]
Judith Kaye
Judith Kaye -- the first woman named to New York State's highest court, and the first to serve as the court's chief judge -- has died at age 77. [NYT]
Ethics dominate day one for legislators, Cuomo to propose Thruway toll freeze and $22 billion for roads & bridges, Vital Vio founders make Forbes list
New session opens with focus on ethics
Ethics discussion dominated the first day of session for New York legislators.
On day one of the first legislative session after the convictions of Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle pitched plans for ethics reform, while advocates for good government asked legislators to sign a three point "Clean Conscience Pledge". In addition to ethics reform, lawmakers say minimum wage and the heroin epidemic are issues they plan to address in the new session. [TU][TU][News 10]
School threat may be connected to bank robbery
Police believe a fake threat that put Mohonasen High School into a temporary lockdown on Wednesday may have been an attempt to divert them from a TrustCo bank robbery that took place ten minutes after the 911 call reporting the threat. Half an hour later an Albany NBT bank at 54 State Street was robbed. [TWCN][Gazette]
Legislators head back to work with ethics on their minds, frigid temperatures bring Code Blue alert, Albany marijuana dispensary to open this week
Lawmakers and ethics
Lawmakers are back at work at the Capitol and focused on ethics reform, but there is still a disagreement about what that reform will look like. [TU][TWCN][WNYT]
Legislative swipe cards
As the session opens, lawmakers will use swipe card devices to help prove they are in Albany. [TU]
Funeral directors, dry cleaners and vets
How some NYS legislators make their living when they're not legislating. [NYT]
$7 billion proposed for upstate
In what he is calling "the largest construction program in modern political history in the state of New York," Andrew Cuomo plans to introduce $7 billion in proposals for upstate, including transportation, energy and agriculture projects.[TU]
Code blue
Frigid temperatures on Tuesday meant Code Blue was in effect at homeless shelters in the Capital Region and around New York. In spite of Andrew Cuomo's recent executive order requiring all homeless people to go to shelters when the temperature is below freezing, some shelters are not forcing people to remain indoors. [WNYT][TWCN]
Questions about new state policy regarding shelter for homeless in the cold, Albany trash fee approved, alleged scheme to steal laptops from the state
The cold
Low temps dipped near zero overnight -- the coldest temps here since last March. And the high temp for Tuesday is forecasted to be in the low 20s. [NWS x2]
Homeless in the cold
Leaders of Capital Region governments and orgs helping the the homeless were trying to figure out the implications of the new Cuomo admin policy that calls for shelters to be open when the temperature drops below freezing -- and allows for people to be forcibly removed from the street in such weather. Among the questions: Is there currently enough capacity at local shelters, especially during the day. And whether it's prudent to force someone into a shelter who doesn't want to be there. [Daily Gazette] [NYT] [TWCN] [Troy Record] [News10]
The Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany had provided space for almost 200 people over night Monday to Tuesday. [News10]
Albany trash free
The Albany Common Council passed a measure allowing the city to assess a trash fee on residential buildings with 2-4 units (the fee is $180/unit -- buildings with more than 4 units are already required to hire a private trash hauler). Before the vote the fee continued to face opposition from council members argued the fee unfairly would burden low-income residents. [TWCN] [TU]
Pedestrian death
East Greenbush police say a pedestrian was killed Monday afternoon on Columbia turnpike when, witnesses told police, a vehicle "left the roadway, running over road signs and striking a pedestrian who was walking along the shoulder of the road." EGPD says the driver was taken to a hospital. And it's asking anyone who might have seen the crash to call the department. [EGPD press release] [News10]
Alkaramla's body found in the Hudson, Cuomo continuing push for minimum wage increase, who gets REDC money, first baby of 2016
Today's Morning Blend includes a handful of stories from the last week or so over the new year holiday.
Noel Alkaramla case
Troy police announced New Year's Eve that the body of Noel Alkaramla was found in a suitcase in the Hudson River near Albany last week. Alkaramla's stepfather is a suspect and is being held on a parole violation, but hasn't been charged in the case. Law enforcement originally had searched the Hudson near Troy for the suitcase, but an official tells the Times Union that tests involving suitcases dropped into the river and the aid of FBI experts led investigators to a spot near USS Slater. [Troy Record] [TU x2]
Minimum wage
Andrew Cuomo is set to announce today that he'll be adding state university employees to the $15-an-hour minimum wage schedule. Cuomo says an eventual $15-an-hour minimum wage for all workers will be one of his priorities in 2016. [NYT] [NYDN]
The state's minimum wage for all workers rose to $9/hour on January 1 under a previously scheduled increase, and $9.75 per hour ($10.50 per hour in NYC) for fast food employees. The minimum wage for tipped employees also rose to $7.50 per hour from $5. [NYS DOL x3]
Homeless in the cold
Andrew Cuomo has issued an executive order requiring homeless shelters around the state to extend hours -- and it authorizes law enforcement agencies to forcibly move homeless people inside who refuse, a measure some advocates are saying might not be legal. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [NYDN]
Guilty verdict in Schenectady murder, UAlbany purchasing nine acres in Guilderland, Lippmann relaxes courtroom camera laws, dreaming of a warm Christmas
UAlbany purchases bordering property
UAlbany has purchased about nine acres of property bordering its campus in Guilderland for approximately $600 thousand. [TU]
Saratoga woman charged in fatal hit and run
A Saratoga Springs woman is facing felony counts of reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident, in connection with a fatal accident that killed a pedestrian in the Spa City earlier this month. [TU]
Guilty verdict in Schenectady murder
After two days of deliberations, a Schenectady County jury found Jamel Johnson guilty of second -degree murder in the death of a Schenectady man who allegedly beat Johnson several weeks earlier.Johnson, a member of the Bloods gang from Brooklyn, faces 25 years to life in prison[Gazette][TU]
Schenectady casino gets formal OK, Cuomo to pardon 10,000 people, about naming things after people
Casinos moving forward
The state Gaming Commission issued licenses for the first batch of three upstate casinos, including the planned Rivers Casino in Schenectady, formally opening the way for construction to begin. The general manage for the Rivers Casino is projecting a possible summer 2017 opening for the facility. And Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy says the city is in line for a "host benefit fee" of roughly $4 million. [NYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Stabbing death of Troy city official
Hundreds of people lined up Monday to pay their respects to Troy city operations director Bill Chamberlain, who was fatally stabbed last week near his home in North Greenbush. And city officials are talking about honoring Chamberlain in some way. City council president Rodney Wiltshire on the 30-year city employee: "The reality is he always had the answers ... He just knew how things were done." [TWCN] [Troy Record] [News10]
The little town of Bethlehem
The town of Bethlehem's decision to not include a "Merry Christmas" sign at its Four Corners holiday display has prompted a response from an Arizona-based religious rights group. [TU+]
Suspect identified in fatal stabbing of Troy official, continued criticism for nursing home, she doesn't give a "rat's noodle" what neighbors say
Investigation of Troy official's death
North Greenbush police identified a suspect in the Thursday night stabbing death of Troy director of operations Bill Chamberlain: 28-year-old Joseph Vandenburgh of Wynantskill was being held on a parole violation. Over the weekend police searched the home of Vandenburgh's mother. Police say Chamberlain had been stabbed as many as 25 times and a knife was found near his body. [TWCN] [Troy Record] [TU x2]
Both city officials and Troy business owners remembered Chamberlain as a dedicated public servant who played a key role for the city. [WNYT] [TWCN]
Park Ave fire
Official determination of the cause in the Albany Park Ave fire that displaced 25 people: "undetermined but with accidental characteristics." [TU]
Troy police
Troy's police chief says the department is down 15 officers and it's having trouble attracting and retaining officers. [TU+]
Investigation of Troy official's death, new vote for Albany High rebuild plan, cards and packages for Sa'Fyre piling up
Investigation into death of Troy official
The Times Union and TWCN are both reporting that Bill Chamberlain, director of operations for the city of Troy, died Thursday night near his North Greenbush home -- the TU reports Chamberlin's wife found him after their dog returned alone from a walk, and TWCN reports "sources" tell them it was a stabbing. [TU] [TWCN]
Hoosick Falls water
The federal Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday that residents of Hoosick Falls should not drink the village's water because of levels of a toxic industrial chemical in the water -- both the state and village mayor had previously downplayed the risk of the drinking the water. [TU]
Troy City Council rejects health care deal for police
The Troy City Council unanimously voted against an agreement with the city's police union to offer lifetime health coverage after just 10 years of service. Council members also expressed frustration and anger that mayor Lou Rosamilia signed the deal 18 months ago and it was only now coming before the council. [TU] [Troy Record]
Albany High School rebuild
The reformulated plan for a rebuild of Albany High School -- now with a $180 million total project cost -- is set to go before voters in February. [Albany school district] [TU]
Accomplice sentenced in "death ray" case, New York to reform solitary confinement rules, longtime Capital Region broadcaster Ralph Vartigan dies
Eight years for death-ray accomplice
Eric Feight, the man convicted of assisting KKK member Glendon Scott Crawford in a failed plot to kill muslims with an "x-ray death machine" was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison. [TU][Gazette][TWCN]
New York to reform solitary confinement
As the result of an NYCLU lawsuit over the treatments of inmates, New York has agreed to overhaul the way it administers solitary confinement in state prisons.
[NYT][TU]
Sentencing in SCCC student stabbing
The former Schenectady County Community College Student
charged with stabbing two fellow students in a fight over a stolen banana earlier this year will was sentenced to ten years in state prison. [TU]
Police investigate Schenectady stabbing, Albany High and Schneiderman release anti-discrimination plan, fire safety lessons pay off for Schenectady girl, call for tax free Christmas trees
Schenectady Stabbing
Police in Schenectady are looking for a suspect after a man was stabbed in a State Street Apartment.[TU][WNYT]
Patrice Zimmerman
Colonie police have positively identified a body pulled from the Hudson on Tuesday as that of 59-year-old Patrice Zimmerman, who went missing earlier this week.. The Cause of death has been determined to be asphyxia due to drowning. Police say no new evidence suggests foul play. [Record][WNYT][TWCN]
Albany High agreement to avoid discrimination
Eric Schneiderman's office and the Albany City School District will announce a plan to make sure that minority and disabled students are no longer discriminated against, following a report that showed they were far more likely to be suspended than their peers in the years leading up to 2014. [TU+]
Search for missing Colonie woman, Troy council bristling over police retiree deal, stepped up security at TU Center
Missing Colonie woman
A search for a missing Colonie woman -- 59-year-old Patrice Zimmerman -- included a State Police helicopter Monday. CPD says there are some indications she might be injured. Her vehicle was found in Waterford late Monday afternoon. Security video shows the car being there early Monday morning. Tuesday morning divers were preparing to search for Zimmerman. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [WNYT]
Update: Colonie police say a Zimmerman's body was found in the Hudson River near Peebles Island Tuesday. [TWCN]
Troy police
The Troy City Council is bristling at being asked to approve an agreement with the city's police union that sets the amount of service necessary to qualify for retirement health coverage at just 10 years -- an agreement that mayor Lou Rosamilia apparently signed 18 months ago and didn't tell the council. The city is facing an arbitration case with the PBA over a claim to the health benefits by a former officer who left the force and pleaded guilty to tipping off drug dealers about a raid. [Troy Record] [TU+]
Wormuth second sentencing
Former Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth was sentenced to 10 months in prison in Saratoga County Court for stealing from her campaign account -- the sentence will run concurrently with her year-long federal prison sentence for taking a bribe as part of a sting. (Said her attorney Monday: "She was a small fish in a larger investigation.") Also: The remaining $20k in her campaign account will go to various charities. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [WNYT]
They're going to Disney World
Sa'Fyre Terry and her family are getting an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World and other Florida amusement parks from a charity org. And the Postal Service estimates there have been more than 175,000 Christmas cards sent to Terry. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Program and faculty cuts at Saint Rose, Christmas cards pour in for Sa'fyre, plans detailed for Hedley District, back to the sea
Saint Rose cuts
On Friday the College of Saint Rose announced it's cutting multiple academic programs and 23 faculty positions as part of its effort to put the college on firmer financial footing. The college says the eliminated programs have "low or no enrollment" and the cuts will affect about 4 percent of students. The Faculty Association of Saint Rose criticized the cuts, as well as the process leading up to them, and is talking about unionizing. [Saint Rose] [TU]
Hoosick Falls water
The story behind the discovery of the contaminant PFOA in the wells that serve Hoosick Falls -- the fight over the village's response to the situation. [TU+]
Bharara on Silver and Skelos guilty verdicts
US Attorney Preet Bharara after the guilty verdict in the Dean Skelos trial Friday: "The corruption in the State Legislature in Albany has not been episodic ... It's been systemic, and if nothing else, the trials revealed that there's a deep culture problem, and a matter-of-factness about how at least these two defendants, who've now been found guilty, went about their daily corrupt business with barely a thought about it." [NYT x2]
Christmas cards for Sa'fyre
Tens of thousands of Christmas cards have been sent to Sa'Fyre Terry following the call for cards for survivor of the Hulett Street fire. Also: A look at the network of friends, families -- and bikers -- that's grown to help support Terry and her family. [Daily Gazette x2]
The bright side of $98 million, jail sentence for Wormuth, task force suggests Common Core retreat, Uber meeting draws 150
$98 million
The Capital Region did not win a $500 million URI grant but it did get $98 million, and, as a top performer, is eligible for another $50 million for regional development projects. Mike Hickey, CEO of the Center for Economic Growth says the was disappointed the Capital Region didn't win $500 million in the REDC awards, but that $98 million "was a hell of a consolation prize." Co-chair of the Capital Region REDC, Ualbany President Robert Jones pointed out other upsides, including the fact that the Capital Region is now thinking like a region and that the plans will serve as the blueprint for development over the next decade [AOA][TU x 2][Business Review]
Evidence collected in Alkaramla case
Police collected evidence, including paint chips, clothing and muddy boots, from the home of Johnny Oquendo, the stepfather of Noel Alkaramla, who has been missing since November 22.[TU]
Task force suggests retreat from Common Core
A NYS Common Core task force formed by Andrew Cuomo in September is recommending that the implement its own set of standards as opposed to the the national standards in an effort to reduce testing and anxiety. The task force is also recommending that test scores not be used to evaluate teachers through 2019, to allow time for new standards and tests to be developed. [TU][NYT]
Regional Economic Development Council announcement today, Skelos trial goes to jury, NYRA expects $4 million profit
Regional Economic Development awards
The winners of the Regional Economic Development Competition will be announced this morning. Winners will divide $1.5 billion in economic aid. What should you expect? Here's a look.[Gazette] [TU][Business Review]
Skelos
Jury deliberations begin today in he corruption trial of Dean Skelos. In Closing arguments on Wednesday the defense claimed the prosecutions case was full of holes and based on mischaracteriztions snippets of conversations. In their rebuttal, prosecutors invoked Shel Silverstein.[Gazette][NYT][Capital New York]
$15 fast food wage upheld
A NYS Industrial Board of Appeals has upheld the coming $15 an hour minimum wage for fast food workers. The Restaurant associate, which appealed the wage hike to the board, issued a statement saying it is "extremely disappointed" in the ruling. [TU][WNYT]
Search for Alkaramla continues down river, Rosamilia vetoes council's budget cut, closing arguments in Skelos trial, AG's warning for Springsteen fans
Noel Alkaramla search
The Search for Noel Alkaramla will move further down the Hudson River today. On Tuesday police dropped a rolling suitcase in the river to see how a suitcase containing the eight of a body would travel. Earlier this week the Alkaramla's stepfather told police to look for a suitcase. [TU[WNYT][Record]
Missing Mechanicville man
Mechanicville police are searching for a 39 year old man who was last seen on Saturday.[TU]
Rosamilia vetoes budget cut
Troy Mayor Lou Rosamilia has vetoed the City Council's decision to eliminate the parks and recreation director position from the city budget - the only cut the council made to the 2016 spending plan. [Record]
Does a voice vote violate Freedom of Information law?
The Albany County Legislature voted to approve a $610 million budget with a voice vote on Tuesday -- where legislators as a group shout yay or nay -- rather than an individual roll call vote -- which means you can't find out how your particular legislator voted - which some say is a violation of the freedom of information act.
[TU]
Search of Hudson River continues in case of missing Troy woman, plan for apartments above Arts Center, gifts of meals and hats
Noel Alkaramla case
Police divers continued to search the Hudson River near Troy for evidence in the case of Noel Alkaramla, who's been missing since November 22. Alkaramla's girlfriend says a text message from Alkaramla indicated her stepfather had wanted to meet up to talk the night Alkaramla disappeared. The stepfather was picked up on a parole violation last week -- and "several sources with knowledge of the investigation who are not authorized to speak" tell the Times Union he allegedly told police he had info Alkaramla, specifically that they should look for a suitcase. Troy police say they can't comment on any potential connections between Alkaramla's disappearance and the stepfather being picked up -- and haven't said whether they've found anything in the river related to the case. [Troy Record] [News10] [TU] [WNYT] [TWCN]
Fred Drumm case
The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office says it's investigation into the disappearance of Saratoga town councilman Fred Drumm is continuing -- he's been missing since November 25. [Daily Gazette]
Dogs shot
The Albany County Sheriff's Office and the state Department of Environmental Conservation are investigating the deaths of two dogs found shot near the Albany/Schoharie county line. The dogs disappeared from their family on Friday and were found over the weekend. Albany County sheriff Craig Apple: "Somebody shot them for no apparent reason. Never called police. Never contacted DEC. And never contacted anybody in the area. Just left them there." [Daily Gazette] [News10] [WNYT]
Search continues for missing Troy woman, adjusted plan for Albany High rebuild, large underage drinking bust in Troy, how they got that seal out of the lock
Noel Alkaramla case
Police divers searched the Hudson River near Troy over the week for evidence in the case of Noel Alkaramla, who's been missing since November 23. Troy police say Alkaramla's stepfather was picked up on a parole violation Friday -- last week Alkaramla's mother told the Times Union she was worried the stepfather might be involved, and Alkaramla's fiancee told WNYT Alkaramla had planned to talk with the stepfather before disappeared. [TWCN] [Troy Record] [News10] [TU] [WNYT]
Pedestrian killed in crash
The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office says a Clifton Park man was killed in a crash with a car on Route 9 early Sunday morning. The sheriff's office says there's no evidence the driver was intoxicated or impaired and an investigation is in progress -- it's looking for a second driver who might have witnessed the crash. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]
Central Ave: Colonie police say a pedestrian was struck on Central Ave near Osborne Road Sunday night. [TWCN]
2-6 years: An Albany man was sentenced to 2-6 years in prison after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal crash with a pedestrian on Central Ave this past April and not reporting it. [TU]
Albany High School rebuild
The Albany School Board is considering a $180 million version of the plan to rebuild/expand the district's high school (the plan that narrowly was voted down in December was $196 million) -- and trying to figure out when the public vote on it should be. [TU+]
Also: It looks like the school district will need to add space for a fourth middle school in the future. [TU+]
Investigation into Park Ave fire, seal's visit to canal lock ending, two new residential conversions opening
Park Avenue fire
Albany fire officials said Thursday they're still investigating the cause of the Park Avenue fire, but it appears to have started on an enclosed rear porch and then burned for some amount of time before someone noticed. The buildings affected by the fire -- three of which were demolished -- housed 25 people. [WNYT] [TU] [TWCN]
Sheldon Silver
Sheldon Silver formally filed for his state pension this week -- which could worth something like $90k a year according to various estimates. [NYT] [TU]
Skelos trial
Among the issues surfaced during the Skelos & Son trial Thursday: You've given a job to the son of the the state Senate majority leader at the request of the legislator, the son doesn't show for the job, you don't fire him in order "to avoid the chance in Albany that, you know, that we would run into a problem with any legislation" -- then what do you put in his annual performance review? [NYT]
Seal relocation
The state Canal Corp is draining Lock 1 on the Champlain Canal in order to capture a seal who's been hanging out there since this past summer -- the plan is to relocate the seal to Long Island. [TU] Earlier: Odd and notable creatures of the Hudson River
Albany fire leaves 23 homeless, Silver planning appeals, NYS Labor Dept investigates Walmart firing, local film heads to Sundance
Cuomo calls for gun control
Following news of Wednesday's mass shooting in California, Andrew Cuomo called for strong federal gun control laws[TU]
Fire destroys Albany apartments
The Red Cross and New Hope Church are assisting 23 people left homeless by a fire that spread to four buildings on Park Street in Albany. The buildings were torn down by this morning. Fire officials have yet to announce a cause, but there is a press conference scheduled for later this morning. [WNYT][News10][TU]
Silver appeal
Sheldon Silver's attorneys are planning their first appeal, claiming prosecutors in the case failed to prove the existence of a quid pro quo relationship.[NYT]
Silver replacement
Silver's replacement in the NYS Assembly will likely be chosen by the Manhattan Democratic County Committee. [TWCN]
State ethics in the wake of Silver conviction, Former Watervliet officer pleads guilty in embezzlement case, Cuomo appoints former JCOPE head as chief judge, Nassau wants off the grid
Sheldon Silver
Some of the complications of separating ethics from business as usual in the NYS legislature in the wake of Sheldon Silver's conviction. [NYT]
Silver's conviction was yet another political earthquake, but is it enough to bring down the old ways of doing business and clean up state ethics?[TU+]
Will the former speaker be sentenced to 20 years in jail? [D&C]
For now, at least, it seems Silver is still eligible to collect his New York State pension. [WNYT]
A special election to fill Sheldon Silver's assembly seat will be held on April 19.[Newsday]
Sheldon Silver convicted on all charges, Troy council votes for tax cap override, Washington Ave Armory looking for new uses, Avery Moses Day
Sheldon Silver convicted
A jury found Sheldon Silver guilty on all seven counts against him in his corruption trial in federal court. With the conviction Silver was automatically removed from the state Assembly, where he was still a member after being replaced as speaker. After the verdict Silver's attorney said there would be a "vigorous" appeal of the conviction. [NYT] [TU] [NYDN]
Silver's defense had argued he had been operating according to the rules and culture of state government -- so now that he's been convicted, does anything change? Maybe not. [NYT] [Politico NY]
Albany budget
The Albany Common Council voted to pass the proposed 2016 budget -- without a decision on how to implement a proposed new trash fee for residential buildings with 1-4 units. [TU]
Troy budget
After mayor Lou Rosamilia revised his proposed budget to include a tax increase of just under 5 percent, the Troy City Council voted to override the tax cap for the budget Monday (an override vote for 9.3 percent increase failed last week). Incoming mayor Patrick Madden on the budget: "It looks like his budget works, if everything falls into place ... It works on paper, but we're going to have to deal with reality." [TU] [TWCN] [Troy Record]
Reviewing Capital Region crime numbers, protest over firing of Walmart employee, struggle over direction of Honest Weight
Crime
A look at 2014 crime numbers from around the Capital Region. [TU+]
Canned at Walmart
Protestors rallied outside the East Greenbush Walmart Friday calling for the company to restore the job of the man fired after he redemeed $2 in cans he found while collecting carts. Walmart has changed its story again about why Thomas Smith was fired -- it's now saying "he did not disclose certain serious criminal convictions during the application process." But Smith tells the Times Union he disclosed his conviction for a 2002 bank robbery on his application. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU]
Casinos
The current snag in the roll out of new casinos around the state, including in Schenectady: the State Gaming Commission has yet to license the new casino operators. [NYDN]
Cousin admits to Kenneth White murder, police search for missing Troy woman, Silver deliberation gets weird, Collar City boom
Van Alstyne admits to Kenneth White murder
Tiffany Van Alstyne plead guilty on Tuesday to the murder of her 5-year-old cousin Kenneth White. The 20-year old will face 18 years to life when she is sentenced - if she had been convicted by a jury that sentence would have been 25 years to life. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says he believes the boys death could have been prevented if Child Protective diagnosed problems in the family sooner. An advocacy group formed in Kenneth White's memory wants to see charges filed against Kenneth White's aunt, Brenda Van Alstyne. [News 10][TU][TWCN][Gazette]
Missing Troy Woman
Police are searching for a Troy woman who went missing after a co-worker drove her home from her shift as a hostes on Sunday. Documents with Noel Alkaramla's personal information on them were found in the street near her home on Washington Street in Troy.[Record][WNYT][TU]
Protestors call for police firings because of Dontay Ivy case, Liberty Ridge Farm challenging fine for refusing same-sex wedding, Lillian's Restaurant is closing
Dontay Ivy
Members of Dontay Ivy's family and Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration rallied at the Albany City Hall Monday, calling for the mayor Kathy Sheehan to fire police chief Brendan Cox and the three police officers involved with the incident in which Ivy died. Celinda Okwuosa, Ivy's aunt: "All this about police doing their job, following their policies -- well, those policies need to be changed because they're discriminatory." [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU]
Troy fatal stabbing
Police in New Jersey arrested the man wanted in the fatal stabbing of a woman in North Central Monday morning. Troy police say the woman had an order of protection against the man. And the man's brother tells News10 that the couple were married and had been scheduled to finalize their divorce that day in court. [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
Lillian's closing
Lillian's Restaurant, which has been on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs for more than four decades, is set to close at the end of this year. Owner Raymond Morris says he was recently approached with an offer to the buy building, and decided to sell. Morris said the next owner has retail and office space plans for the building. [Saratogian] [TU] [Biz Review]
Search following fatal stabbing in Troy, Walmart responds to can-redemption firing, South End Children's Café already a drawing a crowd
Fatal stabbing in Troy
Troy police say a woman was fatally stabbed early Monday inside a residence in North Central (map). Police are searching for a man they want to question in the case and they say could be armed and dangerous. Update: Police say the man was found in New Jersey. [Troy Record] [TU] [TU]
Canned at Walmart
A Walmart spokesman tells the Times Union Thomas Smith was fired from the company's East Greenbush store because he redeemed $2 worth of cans that had been left in a shopping cart inside the store, which the company determined to be "gross misconduct." Said the spokesman to the Washington Post about the situation: "Taking items that have been returned to the customer service desk is no different from stealing off our shelves or from customers." The GoFundMe campaign for Smith is up to almost $20,000 as of Monday morning. [TU] [Washington Post] [GoFundMe]
Albany High School
The Albany school board is split over how to proceed on another pitch to voters about renovating/expanding Albany High School. [TU+]
Protest over possible Saint Rose program cuts, vote on 1MSq tax breaks postponed, Bob & Ron's closes Albany location
Saint Rose
A look at the split between Saint Rose president Carolyn Stefanco and faculty over impending program cuts aimed at closing the college's $9 million budget gap. The expected cuts prompted protests Friday morning. [TU] [Biz Review] [@AylaFerrone/News10]
1 Monument Square
A key vote on tax breaks for the 1 Monument Square project in Troy originally scheduled for Friday morning has been postponed. And there's a push from within the city council for a new appraisal of the value of the land. Earlier this week the Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market announced it would not be occupying the street level retail space that had been designated for it since the project was first floated almost two years ago. [Biz Review] [Troy Record] [AOA]
Schenectady police officer returns
Mark Weekes -- the Schenectady police officer who suffered a fractured skull and other serious injuries during an attempt to make an arrest this past summer -- returned to work this week. [Daily Gazette]
Canned from Walmart
The story of the man allegedly fired from the East Greenbush Walmart for redeeming $5.10 in cans he collected from the parking lot has prompted a GoFundMe campaign and other donations. [TU]
Cuomo: "no specific terrorist threat" to New York, not guilty pleas in Porreca murder case, Troy City Council votes down tax cap override, six year old rescues residents from apartment fire
ISIS
Andrew Cuomo says that in spite of recent videotaped warnings about attacks on New York, "there is no specific threat to New York State at this time" . The mayor and police commissioner in NYC are telling people to ignore the video. A video released by the group Anonymous lists the Watervliet Arsenal as a potential target. [TU][NYT][News 10]
UAlbany terrorism program
UAlbany is creating a new a new College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity.[TWCN]
Six year old rescues residents from fire
A 6 year old Albany boy rescued residents of his Broad Street apartment building when he awoke smelling smoke early Wednesday, alerted his mother, and didn't give up when she tried to send him back to bed. [WNYT][TU]
Troy Council votes against tax cap override
Troy's city council fell one vote short in its effort to override the tax cap which could lead to layoffs and reductions in services like snowplowing and garbage pick up.[TU][News 10]
Cuomo:NY won't turn away Syrian refugees, 230 animals rescued in Westerlo hoarding case, Albany to annoy crow overlords
Cuomo won't turn away Syrian refugees
Andrew Cuomo questioned the authority of Republican governors who are vowing to keep Syrian refugees out of their states. Cuomo said said Tuesday that he has no plans to oppose allowing Syrian refugees into New York, saying that closing boarders to Syrian refuges would "defeat the American Dream" [TWCN][TU+][WNYT]
230 animals rescued in Westerlo
More than 230 animals were rescued from a hoarding situation in Westerlo. The homeowner has been charged with animal cruelty. Humane Society workers and sheriff's deputies went to the home for a welfare check and found cats, dogs, birds and goats without food or water in unhealthy conditions. The Hudson Mohawk Humane Society plans to nurse the animals back to health and prepare them for adoption. [TU][TWCN][WNYT][News10]
Local Congressional reps on Syrian refugee program, Troy police get riot gear, downtown residential development in Schenectady
Paris attacks reaction
In a statement Monday Chris Gibson said the US should suspend its refugee placement program for Syrians "until we know more about what happened in Paris and until we can assure the safety and security of our people." Paul Tonko said refugees should go through a screening process, "But I denounce the politics of fear currently being employed by those running for president, as well as those already in office at the federal, state and local level." [TWCN] [TU]
School funding
Among the topics that came up Monday during a state Board of Regents meeting about requesting an additional $2.4 billion in state aid for schools during the next budget cycle: What will school districts do if the next state tax cap is 0 percent, which is possible given the slow rate of inflation. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Troy police riot gear
The Troy Police Department got a $5k grant to buy riot gear for a dozen officers, and the city's proposed budget includes $75k to buy more riot gear. Troy police leaders framed the acquisition of the gear as a protective measure for officers. Alice Green of the Center for Law and Justice, to News10: "It's dangerous to militarize the police department. Especially in this time when they're having such difficulty getting the community to trust them." [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
Stockade house raising
Monday evening Schenectady's Historic District Commission voted to allow a Stockade homeowner to move and raise her nearly 200-year-old home out of the flood plain. Said homeowner Meredith Anker of the commission and the long approval process: "They didn't want it from the beginning and kept bringing up negative things. To have to fight so hard to save my house is very frustrating." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Reaction to Paris attacks, alleged problems at VA hospital, Skelos trial starting, Albany parking ticket amnesty extended
Reaction to Paris attacks
Among the stories of the mutiple people with connections to the Capital Region who were in Paris during the attacks Friday night: Skidmore students studying abroad and the Schoharie native who was in the city visiting friends. [TU+] [Daily Gazette]
On Saturday there happened to be a conference about Islamaphobia at the Muslim Community Center of the Capital District -- said a man from Virginia attending the conference in Colonie: "Anytime there's an attack, I pray for two things. One, I say, 'God, please take care of the families of the victims,' and I pray for the victims. But the second thing, I'll be honest with you, is 'I hope to God it's not a Muslim.'" [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]
Stratton VA Medical Center
The Times Union reports the director of the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany was suddenly placed on administrative leave last week, and current and former employees (some of the anonymous) allege there have been problems that range from patient care to staff management. [TU]
Albany school buses
School bus drivers who work for the company that contracts with the Albany school district are forming a union, which the say is a response to the company's lack of movement on concerns about safety and staffing. [Daily Gazette] [TU+]
Albany HS renovation falls after absentee count, public defender's office raided in unusual search, Washington County triple homicide conviction overturned, marijuana harvested -- legally
Albany High School vote
The proposed renovation/reconstruction of Albany High School fell by an unofficial margin of 103 votes after the counting of absentee ballots. Superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard said she thinks the district struggled to communicate some of the info related to the cost of the project and the resulting tax increase: "I wasn't able to get that message, for me personally it's a reflection of my leadership on this work." Vanden Wyngaard said the district is considering its options, which include sending the proposal up again for another vote, modifying the proposal before another vote, and taking up renovations one chunk at a time. [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
Guilty verdict in case related to Hulett Street fire
A federal jury found Edward Leon guilty of lying to a grand jury while he testified in connection the Schenectady arson case in which four people died in 2013 -- about his whereabouts at the time of the fire, and about threatening text messages sent to one of the victims. Neither Leon, nor anyone else, is currently charged with setting the fire. The family of the victim expressed frustration that Leon hasn't been charged for the fire. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]
Raid of Saratoga County public defender's office
The Saratoga County Sheriff's deputies raided the county public defender's office in September and seized a client's case file as part an investigation into an alleged case of child pornography, the Times Union reports. The judge who signed off on the unusual search was county judge Jim Murphy -- the former county district attorney. [TU+]
Suspect in Porreca murder former high school honor student/athlete, Gibson eyes gubernatorial run, Silver trial focused on definition of friendship, breaking down the Albany High vote
Porreca murder update
Police have ended their search of the Washington Park lake for the knife used to murder Jacquelyn Porreca. Just five years ago, one of the suspects in the murder was an honor student and star athlete at Colonie Central High School. Police say the suspects were looking for money to fuel their heroin habit. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says out of the 650 inmates in the county jail, more than two-thirds, are there because of heroin.[News 10][TU][WNYT][WNYT]
Friends with Shelly?
The outcome of Sheldon Silver's corruption trial may rest, in part, on how jurors perceive his friendship with a Columbia University doctor. [NYT]
Governor Gibson?
Chris Gibson is continuing to consider a run for governor. [TU]
Medical Marijuana
Andrew Cuomo has approved an Emergency Access Program to give some patients with serious illness faster access to medical marijuana.[TU][Gazette]
Marijuana harvest
The first legal marijuana harvest since the early 1900s will happen today in Perth. [TU]
Two charged in Porreca murder, guilty plea in fatal DWI, Albany high school still nine votes down, Vito Lopez dead at 74
Two charged in Porreca murder
Two men have been charged with the August murder of Jackie Porreca, the Colonie Salon employee stabbed at Recycled Salon on Sand Creek Road. Police say the men did not know Porreca and were looking for money for heroin. They left with between $500 and $800. This morning divers will continue a search of the lake in Albany's Washington Park for the knife used in the incident. [WNYT][TU][Gazette][TWCN][News 10]
Driver pleads guilty in fatal DWI
The 22 year old man charged with Aggravated Vehicular Homicide in the death of a local environmentalist has pleaded guilty. Prosecutors say Kadeem Fowler had a blood alcohol level of more than three times the legal limit and was going 75 miles per hour on Henry Johnson Blvd when he hit Amy Stock's car last July. [WNYT][Gazette]
Nine votes down
Absentee ballots will continue to be counted in the Albany School vote, on Thursday. Currently the referendum is losing by nine votes, with 412 ballots left to count. [TU][TWCN]
Large fire in Albany, search for driver in Cohoes hit and run, catalytic converters swiped, Henry Johnson's Medal of Honor on display
Large fire in Albany
A large fire on South Pearl Street Monday evening displaced 13 people, and the intersection of South Pearl and Fourth Avenue was closed. Albany's fire chief said it wasn't clear yet what caused the fire. [News10] [TWCN] [TU] [WNYT]
Search for driver in Cohoes hit and run
Cohoes police say they're looking for the driver who left the scene following a crash with a pedestrian downtown Friday night (map). The pedestrian's family says she suffered a broken pelvis, ribs, and vertebrae and is in critical condition. [TWCN] [WNYT] [News10]
Hulett Street fire case
The prosecution in the case against Edward Leon told the jury Monday that it intended to show that Leon not only originally lied to a grand jury about his whereabouts with respect to the Schenectady fire in which four people died, but that he also sent threatening text messages in the days leading up to the fire. [Daily Gazette]
No indictment for police officer in fatal Troy shooting, Albany trash fee debated, Troy Bombers closed as ownership changes
No indictment for police officer in Thaddeus Faison case
A Rensselaer County grand jury declined to hand up an indictment against Troy police officer Joshua Comitale for fatally shooting Thaddeus Faison during an exchange of gunfire that left both Comitale and officer Chad Klein with serious injuries. Authorities say Faison fired first, hitting Klein in the shoulder while he was sitting in his police vehicle. Said Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove: "My heart does go out to the family of Mr. Faison because they lost somebody as well. It's not their fault that they lost a loved one, but the culpability in this case lays at the feet of Mr. Faison. He fired first. He could have ended this when instructed to do so and he did not." Troy police say an internal affairs investigation of the incident is continuing. From a Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration statement: "We don't know exactly what occurred that night. We do know that the District Attorney and Police Chief collaborated to prematurely present a narrative of what they believed happened to the public well before any investigation had begun." [News10] [TWCN] [TU] [Troy Record]
Trial connected to 2013 fatal Hulett Street fire
The trial of Edward Leon is set to start in federal court Monday -- he's accused of lying to a grand jury about his whereabouts the night the 2013 Schenectady arson that killed a father and three children. Neither Leon or anyone else is currently charged with setting the fire. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Heroin
Chronicling the toll heroin has taken on young adults in and around Averill Park. [TU]
Former assistant police chief accused of theft, projections for impact of $15 min wage, mapping Albany High School votes
Former Watervliet PD assistant chief accused of theft
A former Watervliet assistant police chief has been charged with grand larceny and falsifying business records in connection with an alleged embezzlement scheme from Parker Brothers Memorial Funeral Home. Mark Fiet, who retired from the police department in 2003, is the second person to be charged in the case. The DA's office says the alleged theft was "in excess of $3000" -- a "a source close to the investigation" tells WNYT the figure is in the hundreds of thousands. [Albany County DA] [TU] [News10] [WNYT]
APD officer under investigation
The Times Union reports an Albany police officer has been placed on administrative duties while Colonie police investigate an incident in which it's alleged the officer "choked and punched a 12-year-old boy" while he was off duty Halloween night. [TU]
Body cameras
A look at how Saratoga Springs police are using new body cameras. [News10]
More details in Schenectady buried-in-basement case
Prosecutors say the man found barely alive under a pile of debris in a Union Street basement near the decomposing body of neighborhood had been there multiple days after being attacked. [Daily Gazette]
Columbia doctor testifies against Silver, Troy city council proposes budget cuts, Dannemora guard pleads not guilty, Revolutionary quarter
Silver Trial
A Columbia University doctor testified against Sheldon Silver on Wednesday, telling the court that he referred asbestos cancer patients to Silver's law firm so it could seek multimilion-dollar settlements from lawsuits. The prosecution pointed out that the doctor first lied about his involvement with the case and later signed a non-prosecution agreement in exchange for his testimony.[Gazette][NYT][TWCN]
Albany High
Albany school district and board officials discusswhy the Albany High School proposal is still in limbo. [TU]
Troy council suggests budget cuts
Troy's city council suggested $610,000 in spending cuts to the proposed $68.6 million 2016 city budget. The cuts would reduce a planned tax hike from about 9.3 percent to 6.3 percent. [TU][TWCN]
Madden elected Troy mayor, new Albany High School comes down to absentee ballots, Metroland seized for back taxes
Election results
+The decision on a new Albany High School is still too close to call. Unofficial results last night showed votes in favor of the project leading by 10 votes, but over 1,000 absentee votes are yet to be counted.[TU]
+A proposal to change the Albany city County charter failed on Tuesday as 59 percent voted against it. [TU]
+Patrick Madden will be the next mayor of Troy. Late results show the Democrat will be working with a republican city council. [TU][Record]
+Gary McCarthy won a second term as Schenectady's mayor. All incumbents running for the Schenectady council will also be returning to their posts, and they will be joined by newly elected Democrat John Polimeni. [TU][Gazette]
+The Saratoga Political Action Committee's candidates suffered defeat in most of the races they backed.Joanne Yepsen secured a narrow lead against Republican challenger John Safford. [Business Review][Saratogian][TU]
+Paula Mahan easily won another term as Colonie supervisor, but the Democratic supervisor may be have a town board that is half Republican.[TU]
+Unofficial late returns show the balance of power in the Albany County Legislature appears to be unchanged after Tuesday's voting, although in two cases, Republicans and Democrats exchanged seats. [TU]
A quick scan of other Capital Region election results from Tuesday night. [AOA]
Silver trial
In opening arguments in Sheldon Silver's corruption case, prosecutors pointed to Silver as a man who "used his law license to make nearly $4 million by disguising bribes and kickbacks as legal fees. Silver's team depicted him as a champion of affordable housing and cures for cancer who acted within the law. [Gazette][NYT]
It's Election Day, protest at Albany Common Council meeting over Dontay Ivy's death, Chris Gibson on Andrew Cuomo, that enormous plane
Election Day
It's Election Day. Many local races on our ballots around the Capital Region, among them: Albany County exec and legislature, Troy mayor and council, Schenectady mayor and council, Saratoga Springs mayor and council, Colonie supervisor, Guilderland supervisor. Also on the ballot: The proposed $196 million plan for a major renovation of, and addition to, Albany High School.
Polls are open until 9 pm. Don't know where to vote? Check with the state Board of Election website.
Dontay Ivy
Protesters calling for the firing of three Albany police officers and the resignation of Albany County DA David Soares over the death of Dontay Ivy made their presence felt at the Albany Common Council meeting Monday night. They also called for Albany police to stop using tasers. Said Ivy's sister, Aneisha Johnson: "He died because three men made a decision to stop him, to question him, to a point of escalation, ran and chased him down, (shocked him with a Taser) and took his life." [@JCEvangelist_TU] [News10] [TWCN]
Earlier Monday, David Soares told the Times Union editorial board law enforcement officials should consider the creation of a voluntary registry of people with mental illness so that police could know when they were dealing with a person with mental health issues. (Ivy suffered from schizophrenia and his family says he didn't like to be touched.) [TU]
Skidmore mourns student's death
Skidmore mourned the loss of the student killed by an alleged drunk driver while walking along a road in Greenfield near the college's campus early Sunday morning with two other students. In a statement made to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department, the driver said he had noticed people along the road before the crash. [TU] [TWCN]
Protest and calls for change in police procedure over Dontay Ivy case, pedestrian killed in alleged drunk driver crash, Sheldon Silver trial starts, miles of knitting
Dontay Ivy
There was a rally outside Albany police headquarters Friday evening to protest the grand jury's decision to hand up indictments in the case of Dontay Ivy's death. Protesters called for three officers involved in the incident to be fired, and the resignation of Albany County DA David Soares. [AOA] [TU]
Police release video
Earlier Friday Albany police released a few video clips depicting scenes from the incident in which officers stopped Ivy. Said APD chief Brendan Cox of that night: "We'll continue to give them our condolences to [Ivy's family]. Unfortunately, our officers were doing their jobs. Again, nobody wanted this to happen. Am I sorry this happened? Yeah, I'm sorry this happened. I don't want anybody to die. That's the last thing I want to have happen is anybody to die." [TU] [WNYT] [TWCN]
Calls for changes in police procedure
Also on Friday: African-American clergy members from Albany called for changes in police procedures, and pushed for community policing. (Chris Churchill on why he believes Albany police broke the law by stopping Ivy.) [News10] [WNYT] [TU+]
Cameras
The Albany police department's recording equipment -- and its policies for when and how that equipment should be used -- is under scrutiny because of the Ivy case. [TU]
Pedestrian killed by alleged drunk driver
One Skidmore student was killed, and two others injured, when an alleged drunk driver hit them early Sunday morning by the Greenfield/Saratoga Springs line near the college's campus, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department. The driver is facing vehicular assault and DWI charges, and Saratoga County DA Karen Heggen said "it's clearly evident there will be additional charges." [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [WNYT]
Dontay Ivy's family responds to grand jury decision, lead up to local elections next week, buyer of Washington Tavern/Gingerman says sale is off
Dontay Ivy
The family of Dontay Ivy responded publicly to the decision of an Albany County grand jury to not hand up indictments against the police officers involved in the incident in which Ivy died this past April. Said Ivy's sister, Aneisha Johnson: "I always tried to protect my baby brother and that one night I didn't. I keep replaying it in my mind. Why did he have to die? He was robbed of so much by his mental illness and then his life was taken by the police." Said Ivy's cousin, Tre Staton: "An innocent man walking down the street, who's mentally ill, who answers all your questions - why are you tackling him? Why are you Tasing him?" Said Ivy's aunt, Celinda Okwuosa: "At the end of the day, we gave (District Attorney) David Soares' office the opportunity to let justice have its course and we did ... but what did we get in return? Disappointment." [WNYT] [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
Lawsuits filed after prison suicide
The parents of a Selkirk man have filed wrongful death lawsuits related to the man's suicide in solitary confinement at at the Fishkill Correctional Facility -- the suits allege the man's mental illness was not properly treated in prison and that guards physically and verbally abused him. [TU]
Protest planned in Ivy case, leaders join forces for Hackett Middle School, jury selection begins in Silver trial, small quake in Fulton County
Dontay Ivy
Chris Churchill on the grand jury's decision not to prosecute the officers in the Dontay Ivy case. [TU]
The decision not to hand up indictments in the case was announced yesterday by DA David Soares. Some members of the community and the Common Council are calling for change including taking a look at how body cameras and recording equipment are used(police had them but were not required to use them when they stopped Ivy). The officers involved in the case are expected to return to work on the force. Ivy's family was in disbelief over the verdict. A protest rally at the APD headquarters on Henry Johnson Blvd is planned for Friday Night. [AOA][TWCN][News 10][TU]
Hackett Middle School
"OK, they're failing. But why? Some of these kids are lucky if they come to school with shoes on or jackets during the winter. Some of them come to school hungry. Or they don't show up at all. We can come together and help change that." Albany County Executive Dan McCoy on a new plan for parents, teachers and community members to come together to improve the situation at Hackett Middle School before an outside takeover of the school is forced.[TU][TWCN]
State Police: man arrested after making school shooting threat, Iron Gate Cafe owners say they're worried about new bus stop, Hatsgiving
Arrest after alleged school shooting threat
State Police in Queensbury say they arrested a South Glens Falls man after he allegedly "made credible threats to commit a mass shooting at an unknown elementary school." Authorities tell the Post-Star the man, who had been a student at SUNY-Adirondack, had given a note to an instructor there that he wanted to kill kids and the instructor notified campus security. He faces a felony charge of making a terroristic threat. [NYSP] [Post-Star] [TU]
Troy mayoral race
Among the topics discussed at the last Troy mayoral candidates debate/forum ahead of next week's election: development -- where it's happening, and how to encourage it. [TU]
State Board of Regents chancellor to leave board
State Board of Regents chancellor Merryl Tisch says she'll be exiting the job when her term ends next spring. Said Tisch Monday of the rollout of the controversial Common Core standards during her tenure: "Some people say it was implemented poorly. I say we disrupted stagnation. We disrupted complacency, and we tried to imbue the system with urgency." [TU] [NYT]
Cat hoarding
The Albany County Sheriff's Office says more than 40 cats were removed from a Westerlo home Monday. Sheriff Craig Apple said the home had become uninhabitable because of cat feces and garbage. Apple said the homeowner had said she had been partly living in a car: "So we got to get her out of here; we got to get her to a safe place and get her some help." [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
All that economic development money, Schenectady mayoral debate focuses on crime and neighborhoods, pedestrian killed in crash, new generation of activists
All that Regional Economic Development Council money
The Times Union takes a detailed look at where the $164 million in state grants awarded to the Capital Region via the Regional Economic Development Council process has gone, and what sorts of outcomes there have been so far. [TU+]
Buffalo Billion solar
A look at the Cuomo's admin's plan to revitalize Buffalo's industrial economy with the $750 million that's been pledged toward a Solar City solar panel factory. [NYT]
Campaign cash and contracts
Picking apart the the complex web of campaign contributions, tax breaks, and state contracts involving a Hudson Valley development firm and the Cuomo admin. [TU]
Schenectady mayoral debate
Among the topics discussed in the Sunday evening televised Schenectady mayoral candidates debate: crime and policing, as well as economic and neighborhood development. [TWCN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Cuomo orders extension of discrimination protections to transgender people, fatal crash involving pedestrian on Route 7, frequent Sheehan critic to leave Albany council
Protections for transgender people
Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that he's directing the State Division of Human Rights to extend protections against discrimination and harassment based on gender identity, transgender status or gender dysphoria. Cuomo's action bypasses the state legislature, where the Gender Expression Nondiscrimination Act (GENDA) has been stalled in the state Senate for years. The bill's sponsor in the state Senate, Daniel Squadron, says he'll continue to push for its passage. [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [TU]
Pedestrian killed on Route 7
Colonie police say a pedestrian died Thursday evening after being hit while crossing Route 7 near the intersection with Wade Road. The road was closed for about four hours during the response. CPD says speed and alcohol were not a factor and it's investigating. [News10] [TU] [WNYT]
New trial
A state appeals court has ordered a new trial for an African-American defendant in a Schenectady shooting case after ruling that the trial judge erred during the process in which the prosecution moved to have an African-American woman removed as a potential juror -- the jury in the trial ended up being all white. [TU]
Cuomo economic chief says Capital Region economy looks good, governor signs women's equality bills, Troy mayoral candidates debate, NYRA touts record Saratoga season
Region's economy good, chance of economic development prize, maybe not so much
Andrew Cuomo's economic development chief says the Capital Region's economy is already much better off than the rest of upstate NY, which is making some folks wonder about the region's chances in the race for one of three $500 million Upstate Revitalization prizes. [TU]
Women's equality bills
Andrew Cuomo signed eight bills on Tuesday that were part of his 2012 Women's Equality Agenda. Bills address issues like pay equity, employment discrimination based on pregnancy - missing was a provision on reproductive rights which is still being opposed in the state Senate.[TU][WNYT]
Silver/Skelos
Both Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos have had a list of pre trial motions denied in their respective corruption cases. [TU]
Troy mayoral debate
Troy mayoral candidates Patrick Madden, Jim Gordon and Rodney Wiltshirediscussed crime, budget and infrastructure issues in a debate on TWCN on Wednesday night.[Record] [TWCN]
Uber making its upstate pitch, Troy jazz club loses license, Capital Region jobless rate down, happy Back to the Future day
Uber
Uber launched an online petition drive on Tuesday as part of an effort to expand its service into upstate New York, including the Capital Region. In an announcement at the Capitol, Uber officials were joined by Capital Region business and political leaders and released The company projects its drivers projections on the number of jobs it says the service will create. [TWCN][TU][Gazette]
Woman killed in Troy fire
Fire officials in Troy are working to determine the cause of blaze that claimed the life of a woman with disabilities on Monday. They have identified the victim as 52-year-old Lisa O'Dell. A fund has been set up to help O'Dell's 19-year-old daughter, who was her caregiver.[Record][TWCN][TU]
$500 million pitch
The Capital Region Economic Development Council made its pitch for $500 million to state officials on Tuesday.[TU]
Club owner says her establishment wasn't involved with 4th Street confrontation with police, push poll in Troy mayoral race, hotel across from Capitol now open
Confrontation with Troy police on Fourth Street
The owner of the RBC Jazz Club says not only that her establishment wasn't involved in the confrontation between a group of people and Troy police early Sunday morning, but that the altercation also didn't happen in front of the club. Troy police chief John Tedesco said following the incident, in which the TPD said four officers were injured, that there had been repeated problems at the club and it's "a place that should have closed long time ago." [Troy Record] [TU]
Fatal fire in Troy
Troy fire officials say a woman was found dead after an apartment fire in South Troy (map) Monday afternoon. Officials say the woman had a disability that could have made it difficult to get out of the apartment. Four households were displaced by the fire. [News10] [WNYT] [TWCN]
Guilty plea in scam targeting Price Chopper
A third person has pleaded guilty to being involved with a counterfeit credit card plot in which the cards were used to purchase more than $400k in gift cards from Price Chopper locations around the Northeast. [Daily Gazette]
Troy police say officers injured during confrontation outside club, reward offered in Schenectady nailed cat case, Honest Weight considering changes
TPD: Officers injured during confrontation
Troy police officers were involved in a confrontation outside a Fourth Street club (map) early Sunday that the TPD says ended with four arrests and injuries to four officers. Part of the incident was captured on video and posted on Facebook -- the blurry video shows officers wrestling people to the ground while using batons. TPD chief John Tedesco tells WNYT he sees the video "as great evidence for the officers and prosecution against the people we arrested." [Troy Record] [TU] [FB] [WNYT]
Watervliet police
The Watervliet Police Department continues to be under scrutiny -- law enforcement searched a WPD sergeant's Latham home this past week as part of an investigation into the department's handling of sexual abuse case that involved a former officer. [TU]
NXIVM
The latest Brendan Lyons article about NXIVM is like something from a twisty TV drama -- it includes a dynastic family, an alleged email hack via virus, and an alleged plot to lure people to Mexico. [TU]
Local candidates stake out positions, cat found nailed to a tree, the best-dressed panhandler in Albany
Local elections
Schenectady mayoral election
A back-and-forth between incumbent Gary McCarthy and challenger Roger Hull before the Times Union editorial board included how each plans to lift the city's neighborhoods. [TU]
Schenectady City Council elections
Main topics of a Schenectady City Council candidates' forum: downtown development and how to create jobs. [Daily Gazette]
Troy mayoral election
Quick takes from three of the four Troy mayoral candidates on their ideas for economic development. [Troy Record]
Albany's bid for more state aid
"Several people familiar with the meeting" tell Politico that Alain Kaloyeros told Albany's state legislators that the city's request for an extra $12.5 million in state aid to balance its next budget might have a better chance if the city's large educational and medical institutions offered payments of their own. [Politico NY]
Blu-Bell motel demolished, Hometown Healthcare expands, church revives gun buyback, longtime local broadcaster Ed O'Brien dies
Blu-Bell demolition
The Blu-Bell motel in Colonie has finally been torn down.[TU]
Hometown Health Center Expands
Hometown Health Center in Schenectady , which provides care regardless of a patient's ability to pay, is planning a two-phase multimillion dollar expansion in an effort to better serve its community. Three multi family buildings have been purchased for the project and are expected to be razed for the expansion. [TU][Gazette]
Proposed penalties for delays in reporting Albany County oil spills
A proposed Albany County law could mean jail time and civil penalties for the operators of crude oil storage and transfer facilities that fail to swiftly report oil spills to county emergency management officials. [TU]
Crude oil fire/spill protection
Foam fire trailers will be placed in cities next to rail lines in the Capital Region. [TWCN]
Albany police chief addresses weekend of shootings, growing number of local tech jobs, tax breaks for residential conversions, a planned house made of hemp
Weekend of Albany shootings
Albany police chief Brendan Cox said Monday the four shootings in the city over the weekend "were not random acts." Also: "I have a very hard time believing that these are not connected ..." Common Council member Ron Bailey expressed frustration with what he says has been a lack of action on responding to gun violence. [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
Schenectady mayoral race
Challenger Roger Hull said Monday that he would move to eliminate the public safety commissioner position in the city, and forgo taking his mayoral salary, if an effort to add more police officers. Incumbent Gary McCarthy credited current public safety commissioner Wayne Bennett with helping prompt improvements in the Schenectady PD and called Hull's offer to forgo the mayoral salary "more of a political stunt than anything for good public policy." [TU] [TWCN]
Schenectady police discipline
The issue of the Schenectady public safety commissioner position goes beyond the cost of salary because the city has also been pushing for the commissioner to have the final say on police discipline, not an arbitrator. The city's police union has pushed back on that arrangement, and the case is scheduled to go before a state appellate court next month. [Daily Gazette x2]
GlobalFoundaries layoffs
GlobalFoundaries is moving to layoff some number of its employees in the United States (the company hasn't revealed numbers) -- including a "relatively small" number at the Malta fab. The move follows a buyout the company had offered to employees in an attempt to thin its workforce following the acquisition of IBM chip facilities in the Hudson Valley and Vermont. [Biz Review] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Weekend of shootings in Albany, Ivy case headed for grand jury, questions about One Monument Square project, large warehouse party broken up
We had some technical problems this morning, thus the delay.
Four shootings in Albany
Albany police say they're investigating four shootings over from this past weekend. APD says a man was shot Friday night on Clinton Ave (block map). There was another shooting near Sheridan Ave and Lark Street Saturday afternoon (map). Then another shooting Saturday night on Livingston Ave (block map), and then another overnight Saturday to Sunday near Jeanette Street and Second Avenue (map). APD says it doesn't know if the shootings are connected. [APD x2] [TU]
Troy shooting
Troy police say a person was shot Sunday night near Prospect Park (map). TPD says the man was taken to the hospital with what appeared to be a shotgun wound. [WNYT] [TWCN]
Stabbing in Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs police say a Schenectady man was stabbed multiple times early Saturday morning in the area of Lake Ave and Circular Street (map. SSPD says it believes the attack is related to an earlier incident in Schenectady. [TWCN] [TU]
Dontay Ivy case
The review of the April 2015 death of Dontay Ivy while in Albany police custody will apparently soon be heading to a grand jury. [TU+]
Plea deal for former Watervliet police officer, facebooking with Alain Kaloyeros, local FiOS rollout nearing finish
Plea deal for Watervliet police officer
Former Watervliet police officer Joshua Spratt pleaded guilty a third-degree criminal sex act, a felony, as part of a plead deal over charges that he engaged in sex acts with a 16 year old. He faces six months in jail, 10 years of probabation, and must register as a sex offender. Spratt met the teen -- and a 17 year old with whom he was also accused of having sexual relations -- through his job as a school resource officer. He could have faced as many as 16 years in prison if he had been convicted on all the charges against him. Albany County DA David Soares called the penalties in the plea deal "very appropriate sanctions." [Albany County DA] [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
$15 an hour
The impending minimum wage increase for fast food workers in New York State prompted talk at a state legislative hearing of people potentially leaving health care jobs, such as nursing home aide, for fast food jobs. And various players are gearing up for the fight in the state legislature over Andrew Cuomo's proposed $15-an-hour minimum wage across all industries. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
SUNY Poly
Gotham Gazette's David Howard King reports that Alain Kaloyeros said via Facebook messenger that he faced the "threat of jail" if he were to talk about US Attorney Preet Bharara's investigation of the Buffalo Billion. [Gotham Gazette]
Pipeline opponents seek water protection law, SUNY Poly extends Tokyo deal, Schenectady County opens solar farm, the view from Corinth
Pipeline opponents seek water protection
Dozens of pipeline opponents attended a Rensselaer County Legislature public hearing on the subject on Wednesday, and asked legislators to pass a Drinking Water Protection Law that would require water testing before blasting for the pipeline.[TU]
Beer, Wine, Cider and Spirits
More incentives for NYS distillers were announced at Wednesday's Beer, Wine, Cider and Spirits summit [TWCN]
Buffalo Billion
At the Beer, Wine, Cider and Spirits event, Cuomo faced a number of questions about the Buffalo Billion investigation.
Cuomo said federal investigators have not questioned or subpoenaed him in connection with the "Buffalo Billion" investigation. [TWCN][TU]
Albany teen stabbed, investigation continues a year after Guilderland homicides, heating costs expected to drop this winter
Booze summit
Another Beer, Wine, Spirits and Cider Summit is being held at the Empire State Plaza. [TWCN]
Albany teen stabbed Tuesday afternoon
A 16-year old Albany boy is recovering from a stab wound to the chest after being attacked at around 3pm Tuesday near North Manning Blvd. Police escorted school children to their homes for several hours after the incident.[WNYT][TWCN]
Anniversary of Guilderland homicides
"One of the most complicated set of circumstances that we've ever experienced in an investigation." -- David Soares on the brutal killings of the Chen family in Guilderland a year ago. The family of four - a mother, father and two boys ages 7 and ten, were murdered in their Guilderland, and police are still working to solve the homicides. [Gazette][TWCN]
Sentencing in Troy Halloween attack
Cody Santalucia was sentenced to nine months in prison for the Halloween 2014 attack on Raymond Felix outside of Bootlegger's on Broadway.[Record]
The bid for $500 million, GE says Hudson River dredging is finished, tour of medical marijuana production facility
Plan for $500 million
The Capital Region's bid for $500 million in the Cuomo admin's Upstate Revitalization Initiative competition has been posted -- its many proposed plans include talk of a major mixed-used development on the former convention center land in downtown Albany, expanding CDTA service, workforce training and development in technical fields, and creating a cluster focused on healthcare data analytics. [CREDC] [TU]
Hudson River dredging
GE announced Monday it's finished the long-running Hudson River PCB dredging project -- and environmental groups said they'd keep pushing for the project to be extended. [TU]
Indictment in death of Troy child
A Troy man has been charged with first- and second-degree manslaughter in the death of a 2.5 year old this past February. [Troy Record] [TU]
Questions about state police lab scandal, proposal to raise age for buying tobacco to 21, bear caught on video in backyard
New York State police crime lab scandal
From the latest Brendan Lyons article about the State Police forensic scientists accused of cheating on tests for a new DNA analysis technique: "...a year after the internal probe began, a review of documents from the investigation, including transcripts of the scientists' interrogations, raises questions about whether they were wrongly accused of cheating at the end of an aggressive probe led by a uniformed State Police captain..." [TU+]
Albany budget
JCE on the Albany budget and the $12.5 million in currently unallocated state aid the Sheehan administration is banking on: "The question now is what leads Sheehan to believe the state would make such a large financial pledge to Albany this year when it has repeatedly refused to do so in the recent past." [TU+]
Combined Thruway/DOT office building in Albany off
The Thruway Authority has canceled a plan to build a new office building in Albany that would have combined the headquarters of the authority and the state Department of Transportation. [Biz Review]
Hurricane projected to turn away from East Coast, proposed Albany budget leans on large chunk of new state aid, home at last
Hurricane Joaquin
The latest forecast now projects that Hurricane Joaquin will follow a path farther out in the Atlantic, missing the US East Coast. (Forecasts earlier in the week had projected a possible landfall along the upper East Coast sometime late this coming weekend.) [National Hurricane Center]
Albany budget
Kathy Sheehan released her proposed 2016 budget for the city of Albany, and it counts on an additional $12.5 million in state aid -- a plan already catching criticism from some Common Council members. The proposed budget would also add a per-unit trash collection fee for small apartment buildings. [Sheehan admin] [TU] [TWCN]
Troy budget
Lou Rosamilia's proposed 2016 budget for the city of Troy includes a 9.3 percent tax rate increase. [TU]
Schenectady budget
Gary McCarthy's proposed 2016 budget for the city of Schenectady includes a slightly lower tax levy. And McCarthy is projecting an across-the-board 10-percent tax cut in 2017 because of anticipated casino payments. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Rain causes more flooding, Cuomo advises preparation for Joaquin, forced prostitution arrest in Colonie, it's city budget time, the search for Peppermint the Parrot
Flooding
Heavy rains caused flooding and power outages in the region on Wednesday and sent sewage flowing into some area water ways.Homes in Colonie were flooded when a bridge shattered, causing some families to be evacuated from their homes for a short time. Meanwhile forecasters and the folks at National Grid are keeping an eye on Joaquin
and Andrew Cuomo is advising New Yorker's to stock up on supplies and be prepared. [TWCN][WNYT][TU][TU][TU]
Forced prostitution arrest
Colonie police arrested an 18-year-old Albany man for allegedly forcing a woman into prostitution . Police say the man had a handgun and a stun gun. [TU][TWCN]
Northeast Parent and Child lawsuit
The Northeast Parent & Child Society is being sued for the alleged abuse of a developmentally disabled child who lived in one of its facilities. [TU]
Heavy rain and some flooding around region, deadline for struggling schools, the ghost sign that disappeared
Rain, rain
Heavy rains and flash flooding are slowing commutes and causing problems around the Capital Region. [TU]
UAlbany/Albany Law agreement
A new agreement between Ualbany and Albany Law will allow students to take classes at either campus and allow the schools to share registration processes, research and grant-seeking opportunities and other services. [TU]
Deadline for struggling schools
Today is the deadline for struggling schools around the state, including three in the Capital Region, to submit plans for improvement. [TWCN]
Mitchell sentenced for role in prison escape, push continues for Uber/Lyft, more red light cameras online, the lingerie was literally hot
Joyce Mitchell sentenced
Joyce Mitchell, the Clinton Correctional Facility employee who admitted she helped Richard Matt and David Sweat escape, was sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison. Said Mitchell at the sentencing: "I live with regret every day and will for the rest of my life." [TWCN] [NYT]
SUNY Poly
More bits in the latest drama involving SUNY Poly and NYSERDA over the transfer of the Saratoga Technology + Energy Park: There's apparently some question whether the NYSERDA board knew that STEP was to be transferred to SUNY Poly as part of a larger deal. And the acting director of the state Authorities Budget Office says NYSERDA board members were right to question the deal if they felt they didn't have enough information about it. [TU] [Politico NY]
Common Core reboot
The Cuomo admin announced Monday a task force aimed at a "total reboot" the Common Core system and testing in the state. The task force includes multiple people who worked on a previous Cuomo admin educational reform panel. [Cuomo admin] [Politico NY]
Bits surfacing about feds' investigation into the Buffalo Billion, Troy taking crime reports online, arboretum proposed for casino site
Buffalo Billion/SUNY Poly
"People with knowledge of the subpoena to SUNY Polytechnic" tell the New York Times that the recently surfaced investigation of the Buffalo Billion initiative by US Attorney Preet Bharara's office is focused in part on whether requests for proposals were written in such a way as to narrow the field in favor of a construction company whose CEO has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to the Cuomo campaign. [NYT] [Buffalo News]
Part of the ripple from this story: The investigation apparently prompted a member of the NYSERDA board to call for a review of the agency's transfer of the Saratoga Technology + Energy Park to SUNY Poly for $1. A SUNY Poly statement described the board member's call "misguided." [Politico NY] [TU]
Analysis: Jimmy Vielkind observes that Bharara is "making war on campaign fund-raising as we know it" in New York State. [Politico NY]
Drinking water
The cost of maintaining/replacing the drinking water infrastructure in New York State over the next two decades is estimated to be between $22 billion and $39 billion (depending on who's estimating). Some cities in the Capital Region, such as Troy, have water infrastructure that dates back to the 19th century -- and much of it will be need to fixed in the near future. [AP/TU] [TU] Earlier: Cast iron and hollowed-out tree trunks
Fatal stabbing in Schenectady
Schenectady police say they've made an arrest in the fatal stabbing of a man at the Yates Village apartment complex Friday afternoon. SPD says the incident was a verbal argument that escalated. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Everett facing charges related to Troy Democratic mayoral primary, former APD chief cashed out a lot of vacation time, latest attempt to fix SPAC lawn
Troy mayoral race
Former mayoral candidate Ernest Everett pleaded not guilty to counts of felony forgery and offering a false instrument Friday morning. The charges are the result of allegations that Everett falsified his nominating petitions for the Democratic mayoral primary, in which he finished third. The top two vote getters -- winner Patrick Madden and Rodney Wiltshire -- were ultimately separated by 50 votes, and on Thursday they traded claims over whether Everett's presence in the race did, or did not, sway the results. There were also dueling statements between the Wiltshire, who's still running on the Working Families line, and county Democratic Party chair Tom Wade about alleged elections shenanigans. [TU x2] [TWCN] [Troy Record]
Next Schenectady police chief
Mayor Gary McCarthy says his priorities for the next police chief are that the person will live in the city, and that the chief will make use of data-driven policing. (Current chief Brian Kilcullen is leaving for a job in Vermont.) [TU+]
Former APD chief vacation buyout
Former Albany police chief Steve Krokoff cashed out $134,663 in unused vacation time when he left the APD this year -- Krokoff tells the Times Union "it was an occupational hazard to take time off" while he was a member of the department's command staff. [TU+]
Albany County retirement home head
County exec Dan McCoy is asking the county legislature to formally hire Larry Slatky as the head of the county nursing home (he's currently serving in the role as a consultant) -- at $325k a year. [TU]
Siena poll:voters support minimum wage hike, more details from "x-ray weapon" tapes, Troy moose euthanized, Schenectady's theme song
Poll shows support for $15 minimum wage
A new Siena poll shows New York voters are onboard with raising the minimum wage to $15 but do not support common core. [TU]
7-year-old rescues mom from attacker
"I just had him beat me up instead of you, Mom" - a seven year old A 7-year-old Rotterdam boy who authorities say rescued his mother from an attack. The alleged attacker, was arrested in North Carolina on Wednesday and charged with rape, assault and strangulation. [Gazette][TWCN]
Troy moose euthanized
DEC officials say the moose captured in Troy on Monday had to be euthanized because it had torn muscle in its rear legs and was unable to walk when it woke up. Officials believe the animal crossed the river from Watervliet to troy and may have torn the muscles slipping on wet rocks on the river bank. [WNYT][Record][Gazette]
"Death ray" tapes released, Albany is fiscally stressed, Capital Region unemployment drops again
"Death ray" tapes released
Tapes of conversations between Glendon Scott Crawford and FBI agents have been released in the "Death Ray" case. Crawford is heard saying things like "Look at us, we're killing people". Crawford was convicted by a jury last month after a deliberation of only three hours. [TWCN][WNYT][TU]
Albany fiscally stressed
The state comptroller's office is ready to declare that Albany in under "significant fiscal stress," a determination based largely on how much money a municipality has in its fund balance. [TU]
Albany Scofflaw
Lawmakers have unpaid parking tickets, too. [TU]
Albany gets money for police body cameras, moose roams Troy and Green Island, street performers rally in Albany
The moose captured in Troy Monday. / photo: NYS DEC
Police body cameras
The city of Albany is line to get $133k from the feds for body cameras for officers. The grant requires a 50/50 match from the local municipality either in kind or in cash. APD chief Brendan Cox to the Times Union: "Purchasing the body cams are the easy part; the implementation and training is the difficult part." [US DOJ x2] [TU]
SUNY Poly
In light of the news that the feds have subpoenaed SUNY Poly as part of a look into the Buffalo Billion initiative, Chris Churchill reviews a timeline of announcements for developments on the Albany campus and donations by Columbia Development (and its affiliates) to the Cuomo campaign. On Monday SUNY Poly released a statement calling its model "open, transparent, and successful." [TU+] [SUNY Poly]
Parking ticket amnesty
The Albany Common Council approved a plan to offer amnesty on late charges for outstanding parking tickets, of which there are some 60,000 dating back to 2010 -- and if people don't pay up, the tickets will be farmed out to debt collection agencies. [TU]
Also at Monday's meeting: The Common Council passed a resolution supporting the "Raise the Age" campaign, which aiming to get the state to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18. [News10]
Moose in Troy
The state Department of Conversation Conservation captured a moose in Troy Monday, after it apparently had wandered through the city, across the Hudson River to Green Island, crossed I-787 during rush hour, and then made its way back across the river to Lansingburgh (map). DEC says the moose was tranquilized and unharmed, and will be taken to a wildlife management area to be set free. It's mating season, so many young moose are, as a wildlife biologist told TWCN, "looking for love in all the wrong places." [NYS DEC] [Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN]
Fatal stabbing in Albany, question about policing of panhandling, award for Hudson the Railroad Puppy
We had web server problems this morning, thus the delay. Happy Monday.
Fatal stabbing in Albany
Albany police say two men were found with stabbing injuries overnight Saturday-Sunday on Elberon Place, near the western end of Washington Park (block map). One man was pronounced dead at the hospital, the other was treated for non life-threatening injuries. APD spokesman Steve Smith: "This appears to be an isolated incident between two groups who are known to each other." [APD] [TWCN]
Shooting in Albany
Albany police say a man was shot Saturday afternoon in West Hill (map). [TU]
SUNY Poly
"Sources" tell the NY Daily News that U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's office has subpoenaed SUNY Polytechnic Institute as part of an investigation of the Cuomo admin's "Buffalo Billion" economic development plan. [NYDN]
$15 minimum wage
In comments made Friday, Andrew Cuomo indicated he'd be seeking a business tax cut as part of a trade-off to get the proposed increase in the state minimum wage. [TU]
Troy police sorting through latest shooting case, plan for widening Normans Kill, GE looking at connecting factory to the Mohawk River
Troy shootings
In response to the two new shootings this week, Troy police say the recent rash of gun violence could be a result of a struggle to claim the space left vacant by the recent bust of a gang accused of drug activity in the state. There was also some question Thursday about the actual identity of one the most recent victims of gunfire -- and by Friday morning TPD said it had originally misidentified the person. The city of Troy has had 70 shootings -- and 30 victims of shootings -- over the past 21 months, according to a Times Union tally. [WNYT] [Troy Record] [TU x2]
Normans Kill landslide
The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced Thursday it's reached an agreement with the Normanside Country Club to widen the stream at the site of the landslide that blocked it this past April. The club will pay for the work and could still face penalties. [NYS DEC] [TU]
NXIVM
A federal judge has tossed the lawsuit filed by NXIVM -- the executive training program that's been accused of being a cult -- against a group of people accused of hacking its computers, among them a former Times Union reporter. [TU]
Gabay dies from shooting injury, two shootings in Troy, Madden takes Troy mayoral primary, Albany D.A. won't prosecute busker
Carey Gabay
Carey Gabay, the former aide to Governor Cuomo who was shot early on Labor Day, has died. Gaby was declared brain dead on Wednesday and died after being taken off life support. Andrew Cuomo remembered Gaby as "the epitome of an outstanding public servant," and said New York is undoubtedly better today because of his efforts. [TU][TWCN][NYT]
Troy Shootings
Troy police are investigating two shootings. A 19-year-old man was in critical condition at Albany Medical Center after he was shot on River Street in North Troy at about 4:40 Wednesday afternoon. A 22-year-old man was the victim of the second shooting, outside the Corliss Apartments, at about midnight. [TU][Record][WNYT]
Troy mayoral primary
Patrick Madden is the winner of the Democratic Mayoral primary in Troy. After absentee ballots and affidavit votes were opened, Madden beat City Council President Rodney Wiltshire by 45 votes. Wiltshire will actively campaign for mayor on the Working Families line. [TWCN][TU][Record]
APD officer moved to admin duty after video of interaction with busker, investigation into Niskayuna death, ring turns up almost 40 years later
Albany police busker incident
Albany police say an officer has been placed on administrative duty after a video surfaced on Youtube of the officer confronting a busker on Pearl Street downtown -- the officer appears to imply the busker needs a permit, appears to grab a phone being used to video the encounter, and the busker was cited for disorderly conduct. APD chief Brendan Cox to News10: "To my knowledge, there is no ordinance against busking." [YouTube] [TU] [News10]
Niskayuna death investigated
Niskayuna police are investigating what they're calling the "unattended death" of a man at a home on Union Street. NPD says officers had gone to to the home for a health and welfare check. On Monday State Police investigators were at the scene collecting evidence. [TU] [News10] [WNYT]
The Cuomo admin and women
Politico looked into gender breakdown among members of the Cuomo admin and concludes that "women still occupy a relatively small percentage of [the Cuomo] administration's top jobs." [Politico NY]
Large warehouse fire in Albany, Soares says he'd to turn resources away from low-level pot arrests, call for Cuomo to raise pay of state employees to $15 per hour
Warehouse fire in Albany
A large fire at vacant warehouse near the Albany Pump Station Saturday drew multiple fire departments in response. The building -- and two adjacent structures -- were demolished Sunday. A mixed-use development has been in the works for the site -- a demolition request for the site was pulled from the Albany Planning Board schedule last November after questions arose about the historic nature of some of the buildings. [News10] [TU] [Biz Review 2014 November]
Decriminalizing pot
Albany County DA David Soares told the Times Union editorial board he'd like to see police agencies in the county move away from putting resources into low-level marijuana arrests. [TU]
Local primary results, reaction to Cuomo's proposed $15-and-hour min wage, Soares talks about Ivy case, more red light cameras online
Local primaries
Thursday was primary day for the November elections. Among the highlights from the unofficial results:
+ Albany County exec Democratic primary: incumbent Dan McCoy beat Dan Egan 60-37. McCoy is now all but certain to be re-elected in November. [TU]
+ The Troy Democratic mayoral primary finished too close to call -- Patrick Madden (754 votes), Rodney Wiltshire (749 votes), Ernest Everett (246 votes). There are more than a hundred absentee ballots to be counted. [Troy Record]
+ Cohoes mayor Democratic primary: Shawn Morse beat Dianne Nolin 56-41. Morse is now in line to become the next mayor of Cohoes (he's the nephew of the current mayor). [Troy Record]
+ Rensselaer County sheriff Republican primary: Patrick Russo Jr. beat Scott Ryan 64-35. There's no Democrat on the ballot for November. [TU]
+ Saratoga Springs commissioner of public safety Democratic primary: incumbent Christian Mathiesen beat Sarah Burger 65-35. Mathiesen next faces Republican Richard Wirth, who had been the incumbent when Mathiesen won in 2011. [Saratogian]
Unofficial elections results for each county: Albany | Rensselaer | Saratoga | Schenectady.
It's primary day, DiNapoli warns NYS overtime over $700 million, power outage continues in Albany, legislature working on state pie
Primary day
Polls are open from noon to 9pm today for primary races throughout the region. [TU]
Minimum wage
Andrew Cuomo is expected to be joined by Vice President Joe Biden in New York City later today to announce his support of a $15 an hour minimum wage for all workers in New York State. Meanwhile, final approval for a plan to gradually raise minim wage for fast-food workers in New York to $15 is expected to get final approval from the state labor commissioner this week. [NYT][TU]
State overtime woes
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is again warning the state about overtime costs, which his office estimates will surpass $700 million in 2015.[TU]
Power outage
More than 100 Albany residents are still without power today. That's down from the more than 2,000 left without power late Tuesday and early Wednesday.
CDTA busses were brought in to chauffeur residents of a senior apartment building to a cooling station, and hundreds of students at The College of Saint Rose had to find alternate housing or sleep in the school gym. [News 10][TU][TWCN]
Former Cuomo aide remains critical, suspect in buried alive case was unsupervised after prison, National Grid deals with Albany outages
Carey Gabay shooting
Carey Gabay, the former assistant counsel to Andrew Cuomo who was shot in Brooklyn over the weekend, remained in critical condition Tuesday evening. Earlier Tuesday the governor publicly challenged federal lawmakers to pass stricter gun control laws. [TU x 2]
Schenectady buried alive case
The former inmate charged with attempted murder for allegedly burying a neighbor alive, spent 17 years in prison for murder, was only released two months ago, had been in his new apartment for two weeks and because of a legal loophole, was not under any type of supervision. [News 10]
Albany outage
Crews worked on Tuesday night to make repairs to an electrical problem that knocked out power to the 600-block of Madison Avenue on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning National Grid was working on another Albany outage.
Final stretch for local primaries, Cuomo calls for further gun control, Schenectady casino pylon sign could be back up for review
Local primaries
Party primaries for local elections are on a Thursday this year -- this Thursday. So there are a lot of surveys of local primaries:
+ The Democratic primary for Albany County exec between incumbent Dan McCoy and former Albany school board member Dan Egan.
+ The Democratic primary for Troy mayor between Ernest Everett, Patrick Madden, and city council president Rodney Wiltshire.
+ The Democratic primary for Cohoes mayor between city council member Diane Nolin and Albany County Legislature chair Shawn Morse.
+ The Republican primary for Rensselaer County Sheriff between current undersheriff Patrick Russo and Scott Ryan.
[Daily Gazette] [TU x4]
Guns
A Cuomo administration attorney, Carey Gabay, was critically injured early Monday in Brooklyn when was hit in the head by a stray bullet. Andrew Cuomo in response to the shooting, on gun control: "How many mentally ill people have to get a gun and kill children? How many criminals have to get a gun and kill innocent people before this nation is going to say we have to do something?" [NYT] [TU]
Union Street basement homicide
News10 reports the Schenectady man found buried in debris in a Union Street basement is out of the hospital and recovering at a rehab center. Last week Schenectady police identified the remains of the woman found near the man -- they say she was 55-year-old Valarie Washington -- and said they're treating her death as a homicide. [News10] [TU]
Arrest after man found buried alive with corpse in Schenectady basement, sketch released in connection with fatal Colonie stabbing, no tax increase in proposed Albany County budget
Disoriented man found with body in Schenectady basement
Police have arrested a Schenectady man for allegedly hitting a man over the head with a shovel then burying him in the basement of a Union Street apartment building under several feet of debris. The victim was found by police after people expressed concerned for the welfare of a resident. He was discovered in the basement along with the badly decomposed remains of a woman. Forty-four-year-old Harold Michael Ortiz of Schenectady is now charged with attempted murder and unlawful imprisonment for allegedly hitting the man and trying to bury him in the basement. An autopsy is being conducted to determine how the woman died. [TU][Gazette][WNYT][TWCN]
Cars crashing into buildings
The 87-year-old- driver of a car that crashed into the Blue Ribbon Diner in Schenectady has been sited for unsafe backing and imprudent speed. The 72 year old woman who was pinned between the car and the building was last reported to be in stable condition. The owners of the Tint King, down the road at 2167 Central Avenue say they will have to relocate after an out of control truck smashed through their building some 14 hours after the diner incident. [Gazette][TWCN][WNYT]
Sketch released in salon stabbing
Colonie police have released a sketch based on a description from someone who saw a man walking south on Russell Road shortly before the fatal stabbing of
a woman at a Sand Creek Road salon. [News 10]
Two separate cases of cars going through buildings, civil suit in Ivy death, Troy charter commission suggests smaller council, truck driver sentenced in trooper's death
Car goes through diner
Seven people were injured on Tuesday when a car went through the wall at Schenectady's Blue Ribbon Diner during the lunch hour. Police say an elderly man put his car in reverse, hitting a woman behind the car and backing through the wall of the diner - pinning the woman between the car and crash debris. [TU][Gazette][WNYT]
Car goes through window tinting building
A pickup truck on Central Avenue hit a utility poll and traveled about 100 yards before slamming through the wall of a window tinting business. Police fear removing the truck may cause the building to collapse. [TU][TWCN][WNYT]
Civil lawsuit in Ivy's death
The family of Donald "Dontay" Ivy has filed a federal civl rights lawsuit against the city of Albany and the three police officers who use a taser to subdue Ivy at a store near his home in April. Earlier this week Ivy's death was ruled a homicide in a coroner's report. [WNYT][TWCN]
Troy police officer released from hospital, muggings in Albany student neighborhood, possible parking ticket amnesty in a can, Rice Building sold
Lansingburgh police shooting
Troy police officer Joshua Comitale was released from Albany Med Monday -- a week and a half after the shooting in Lansingburgh in which he was hit four times in the legs. (The other officer shot in the incident, Chad Klein, was released last week.) TPD chief John Tedesco said the department expects Comitale will return to duty after rehab. In remarks to the media Monday Tedesco again mentioned that the TPD has surveillance video of the incident in which Thaddeus Faison was shot and killed -- and he said the video would be made public eventually. [TWCN] [TU] [WNYT]
Colonie salon stabbing
A group of 50 State Police recruits were deployed Monday to help search the area near the Colonie salon where police say Jacquelyn Porecca was fatally stabbed a week and a half ago. Colonie police say they didn't find anything new. [WNYT] [TWCN]
Muggings in Albany student neighborhood
Albany police say there was a string of street robberies over the weekend in the section of Pine Hills in which many college students live (map). (Students from both UAlbany and Saint Rose recently returned.) A UAlbany student tells News10 that he was assaulted by a group of 8-10 people who took his phone and tablet. APD says it's made one arrest in a another incident in which four people were allegedly attacked by a group that punched them in the head and robbed them. [TU] [News10] [APD FB]
Saratoga Springs hit and run
Saratoga Springs police say a Ballston Spa man is accused of hitting pedestrian on Broadway at Caroline Street Saturday morning then driving away. SSPD says the pedestrian suffered multiple broken bones and taken to Albany Med via helicopter. Police say a tip from a city employee led them the alleged driver. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
New details in Dontay Ivy case, no strike for Ellis nurses, American Pharoah finishes second, Ed Lewi remembered
Dontay Ivy case
There has yet to be an official, publicly-released report on the death of Dontay Ivy while in Albany police custody this past spring, but Brendan Lyons reports in the Times Union that a coroner's report designated the death as a homicide -- and a possible grand jury review of the case "has stalled." "A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation" tells Lyons of the incident in which Albany police stopped Ivy: "Everything that could possibly go wrong, goes wrong here." An attorney representing the police officers confirms to WNYT the homicide designation in the coroner's report, noting it's a medical rather criminal determination. [TU] [WNYT]
Ellis nurses
Nurses at Ellis Medicine cancelled their plan to strike later this week after the org representing them reached an agreement on a contract with the hospital group early Saturday morning. The agreement must still be voted on by the nurses. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
American Pharoah
American Pharoah did not win the much-anticipated Travers Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course this past weekend. The Triple Crown winner lost to a horse named Keen Ice in a close race. American Pharoah joins a string of star, undefeated horses to lose at Saratoga. [TU] [NYT] [Saratogian]
Huge crowd expected in Saratoga Springs this weekend, Saint Rose facing faculty and program cuts, the pigeon whisperer of Schenectady
American Pharoah/Travers
Saratoga Springs police say they're expecting more than 100,000 people in Saratoga Springs Saturday for the Travers, and multiple agencies have been drawn in to help handle traffic and crowds. There will also be increased security at the Saratoga Race Course, with hand-held metal detectors screenings at the entrances. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
American Pharoah's workout this morning at The Track drew an estimated 15,000 people. [@CBS6Torie]
Lansingburgh police shooting
Officials say Troy police Officer Joshua Comitale is now out of intensive care. Troy have said he was shot in both legs during the shooting in Lansingburgh last weekend. [TU]
Colonie Center shooting
Colonie police say they have a suspect in the shooting outside the mall, but have not made an arrest. [TU]
Faculty cuts at Saint Rose
Facing a structural budget deficit and operating shortfalls, the College of Saint Rose told faculty and staff members this week that the school is going into "retrenchment," which will include faculty layoffs and program cuts. [TU]
Controversy over Troy memorial, Pharoah arrives in Saratoga, Craigslist post gone awry
Controversial Troy memorial
There's been some controversy over a memorial to Thaddeus Faison, the man who died in the Troy shootout that injured two police officers.The memorial on 7th Avenue was constructed after the original one, near the site of the shooting was taken down at the request of the property owner. Faison's wife told News10 that the memorial is not a sign of disrespect abut a way for those who knew him to say goodbye, and assured people that no death threats were being sent to police. Graffiti commemorating Faison, who is being remembered by his friends as a man who was good to children and made a bad decision, was being cleaned up on Wednesday.[Chris Churchill][Record][News 10][WNYT][Record]
Police arrested a Troy man who had an AK-47 style assault rifle as he was headed toward the 7th Avenue memorial for Faison on Tuesday night.[WNYT]
Former Peter Young COO pleads guilty
The former CEO of the Peter Young Housing Industries and Treatment has pleaded guilty to filing false reports for claiming $600,000 in state funds would be used on a Brooklyn treatment center, but using the money instead to pay upstate employees and fund upstate projects. [TU][News 10]
Details slowly unfold in Lansingburgh police shooting, Pharaoh to land at Albany International, fishing for cars in the Hudson
Troy shooting update
Chad Klein, one of the patrolmen injured in the Saturday car-jacking in Troy, was released from the hospital on Tuesday. [TU]
Chris Churchill's column in support of the two officers injured in a shootout in Troy this week that killed Thaddeus Faison. [TU]
After police removed a memorial to Faison,, a second memorial has gone up near Faison's former home on Seventh Avenue, where neighbors remember him as a father who encouraged children to listen in school and do better. [Record]
Fatal salon stabbing
Police say they have no new leads but they continue to search for the person who stabbed Jacuelyn Porreca to death in her salon on Friday.[WNYT]
Dontay Ivy case
David Soares may have more options for stepping away from the Donald "Dontay" Ivy case if the case is not given to New York's attorney general as he requested. [TU]
A few more details about Troy police shooting, letter: Soares tried to get state AG to take on Ivy case, Saratoga Springs filling up for Travers
Lansingburgh police shooting
The two Troy police officers injured in the exchange of gunfire this weekend in Lansingburgh are continuing to recover -- Chad Klein, who was shot once, is expected to be released today, according to the Times Union and WNYT. Officials "familiar with details of the incident" tell the TU that Joshua Comitale was hit four times in the legs and will continue to stay in the hospital. On Monday TPD continued to survey the scene of the shooting and has so far declined to release the video it says it has of the incident. Two witnesses tell the Times Union they saw Thaddeus Faison fire first, watched the struggle by officers to subdue him, and then observed officers perform CPR on him. TPD removed items commemorating both the officers and Faison from the intersection near the scene on Monday, which upset people who had constructed the memorial for Faison. [WNYT] [TU x3] [TWCN] [WNYT]
Fatal Colonie salon stabbing
Colonie police said Monday that they're no closer to finding a suspect in the stabbing of death of Jacquelyn Porreca than they were on Friday. CPD says cash was apparently taken from multiple hidden spots in the salon. And it's looking at video from CDTA buses that may have passed through the area around the time of the attack. [News10] [TU] [TWCN]
Dontay Ivy case
Albany County DA David Soares asked the Cuomo admin to assign the investigation into the death of Dontay Ivy while in Albany police custody to the state attorney's general's office, according to a letter obtained by the Times Union. [TU]
Officers credit with saving shooting victim
Two Albany police officers are being credited with saving the life of a shooting victim in West Hill Saturday by applying a tourniquet to his leg. [TU]
Sorting through Troy incident that left one man dead and two officers shot, investigation in fatal Colonie stabbing, American Pharoah to run in Travers
Man fatally shot by Troy police, two officers shot
Troy police say one man is dead and two officers shot after an exchange of gun fire Saturday night in Lansingburgh (map). TPD says the officers -- Joshua Comitale and Chad Klein -- were responding to an alleged attempted car jacking when 39-year-old Thaddeus Faison, who TPD says had been identified as matching the description of the suspect, opened fire. TPD says about 20 rounds were exchanged between the two officers and Faison, and Faison was struck multiple times. TPD says Klein was hit in the shoulder while in his squad car, Comitale was shot in both legs. TPD says Faison was then tasered as officers restrained him -- he was later pronounced dead at a hospital. TPD says its response to the incident started when a report of the alleged attempted car jacking was called in by a friend of the driver. A friend of Faison tells the Times Union he had been at his girlfriend's home in Troy eating dinner shortly before the incident and had received a call from a friend who needed him. [News10] [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Fatal stabbing in Colonie
Colonie police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a woman working at a salon on Sand Creek Road Friday afternoon. CPD says it appears to have been a robbery because all cash was missing from the salon. But as of Saturday they reported they had no suspects or leads and were asking for the public to come forward with info. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Shootings, stabbings in Albany
Albany police say there were two shootings and two stabbings in West Hill overnight Sunday into Monday -- though they're not sure if they're related. [TU]
Troy anti-violence rally, x-ray weapon case headed for closing arguments, big chip fab project in Utica, another distillery plan
Troy anti-violence rally
Troy residents rallied against gun violence near the site of this week's fatal shooting, and there was talk of becoming proactive rather than reactive. The topic also came up at a forum for mayoral candidates earlier in the day, with candidates mentioning the need for jobs programs and diversity in the police force. [TU] [News10] [Troy Record] [TWCN]
Watervliet police
At a city council meeting Thursday night Watervliet residents pressed city officials for answers about the recent allegations involving city police officers, and officials talked about finding ways to restore trust. Also Thursday, the city was served with a notice of claim (the first step in a lawsuit) related to the situation involving a former school resource officer and allegations he had sex with two teens. [News10] [WNYT] [TU]
Glendon Scott Crawford trial
Update: The jury found Crawford guilty on all counts Friday. [TU]
On Thursday the prosecution played FBI video in which Glendon Scott Crawford talked about plans to use the would-be radiation weapon against a set of targets that included local mosques and the Governor's Mansion. The jury could go into deliberations today following closing arguments. [TU x2]
Possible nurses strike
The New York State Nurses Association announced nurses at Ellis Medicine are preparing to strike September 3 if there's not a contract agreement, and Ellis said it was preparing to lock out the nurses for five days if that happens. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Anti-violence rally planned for Troy, Ellis nurses could strike, Heastie visits Schenectady, bear wrestling Troy man reunites with dog
Search for alleged attacker
Police are looking for a man who was witnessed shoving the face of a teenaged girl into a car in the parking lot at Colonie Center, cracking the windshield of the vehicle. The girl then left with the man and a young boy, in a white Kia Sorrento SUV.[TU][Gazette]
Troy shooting update
Police continue their investigation into the shooting death of a Troy teenager earlier this week, meanwhile mourners set up a makeshift memorial for the teen. A Stop the Violence meeting is planned for 5:30 pm today at the site of the shooting at 6th Avenue and Hutton Street. [Record][WNYT]
UAlbany incident
An equipment malfunction in the Ualbany physics building caused a temporary evacuation of the building on Wednesday night. [TWCN][TU]
Potential nurses strike at Ellis
About 600 registered nurses at Ellis Hospital are planning a one day strike if a contract negotiation isn't reached within ten days. [Gazette][TU]
Three arrests in Troy shooting, guilty plea in Schenectady murder, Crawford recordings played in death ray trial
Arrests in Troy shooting death
Police have made three arrests in connection with a Monday night shooting in Troy that left one teen dead and another wounded. A fourth person who is under 16 was also allegedly involved in the incident. A Stop the Violence Rally is scheduled for Thursday near the site of the shootings at 6th Avenue and Hutton. [Record][WNYT][TU][News10]
Quail Street mugging
Police in Albany are looking for two people who robbed a man at gunpoint on Quail Street in Albanyearly Wednesday morning and beat him with a pistol. [TU]
Guilty plea in Schenectady murder
Jamell Modest of Schenectady pleaded guilty on Tuesday to second-degree murder in the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend and their 8-month old son. [TU][WNYT]
Fatal shooting in Troy, arrest in fatal Schenectady hit and run, Crossgates bowling alley project is off, how Aziz Ansari ended up in Albany
Fatal shooting in Troy
Troy police say two teens were shot overnight in the area just south of the Collar City Bridge (map) -- a 19 year old was pronounced dead at a hospital, and a 14 year old is expected to survive. TPD says there was a chase following the reports of shots fired and a vehicle -- allegedly containing firearms -- was stopped in Colonie. TPD chief John Tedesco told the Record that four people had been taken into custody for questioning as of Tuesday morning. News10 reports that a crowd had gathered overnight outside Samaritan Hospital "yelling and shouting at police officers" and units from multiple agencies responded to control the crowd. [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU] [Troy Record] [News10]
Shootings in Albany
Albany police say they're investigating two shootings overnight Saturday to Sunday, one in West Hill, the other in Arbor Hill. APD says it does not believe the shootings are related. [APD]
Arrest in fatal Schenectady hit and run
Schenectady police say they've made an arrest in the two hit and runs involving pedestrians -- one fatal -- on State Street Friday night. Adimu Goodwin, 41, of Schenectady is facing a group of charges that include second-degree manslaughter. SPD says it doesn't know what prompted the crashes. About an hour before the successive incidents, the coach of a Pop Warner football team says Goodwin had been at team practice helping coach. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TWCN] [TU]
Glendon Scott Crawford trial
The trial of Glendon Scott Crawford -- the Saratoga County man accused of building an x-ray device intended to be used against Muslims -- began Monday with opening statements in which federal prosecutors tried to depict him as a man with detailed plans to kill to people, and Crawford's attorney arguing his client had been pushed along by the feds. Day one also included testimony from two reps of local Jewish organizations that had reported Crawford to authorities after they say he'd approached them with the offer a plan he said would aid Israel. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Pedestrian dies after Schenectady hit and run, x-ray device plot trial set to start, police say 10-year-old was at the wheel, Travers Day sold out
Fatal Schenectady hit and run
Schenectady police say one person has died and another is injured after a van hit two pedestrians in two separate incidents around 9 pm Friday night on State Street (map). SPD says it found the van and located the registered owner, who's not suspected of being the driver. SPD is asking anyone with info to call police. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
Colonie Center shooting
Colonie police say it appears that dispute that led to the shooting of a man outside Colonie Center Thursday night
Watervliet police
The Watervliet Police Department has suspended its school resource officer program and other youth programs amid the multiple investigations into alleged drug connection and sexual misconduct within the department. Two of the officers that are under investigations were among the city's highest-paid employees last year. [TU] [Troy Record]
Troy police excessive force case
The city of Troy has a tentative agreement to settle a 2013 case of alleged excessive force -- that began with a jaywalking arrest and later involved a taser -- for $60k. [TU]
Shooting outside Colonie Center, man describes how he fought off bear, Cannon Building headed for foreclosure sale
Shooting outside Colonie Center
Colonie police say a man was shot outside Colonie Center around 10 pm Thursday in the area of the mall entrance near the Cheesecake Factory. CPD says the man and two other people had been "involved in an altercation earlier with another group" that included the suspected shooter. A search involving multiple agencies, including a State Police helicopter, didn't turn up the suspect. CPD says the man who was shot is from Schenectady -- he's being treated at Albany Med for a gun shot to abdomen and is expected to survive. The suspect is from the Albany area, according to CPD. A woman was in the parking lot at the time of the shooting tells the Daily Gazette that when she heard the multiple shots fired it sounded like it might be firecrackers -- she then saw three vehicles speed out of the parking lot and one man fleeing on foot. [CPD press release] [TU x2] [Daily Gazette]
Pedestrian hit on Central Ave
Albany police say a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle on Central Ave near the Westgate shopping plaza Thursday evening and suffered serious injuries. The street was closed for almost four hours as part of the crash investigation. [TWCN] [TU]
More than $3 million in harassment case
A state appeals court issued a ruling Thursday that opens the way for a payout of more than $3 million to a former Rensselaer County jail sergeant who was sexually harassed by a group of other jail employees. The state Division of Human Rights found that the female sergeant had been subjected to daily harassment and a supervisor had told her "let it slide." [TU] [Troy Record]
Bear attack
The Troy man who fought off a bear that attacked his dog while they were walking in Adirondacks earlier this week, to the Times Union: "There's a lot of people going around calling me a hero. I'm not a hero. I did it because I love my dog." [TU+]
Reid resigns as Rensselaer County chairman, 27 percent opt out of state tests in Capital Region, Travers expected to sell out
Reid resigns as Rensselaer County Legislature Chairman
Martin Reid stepped down on Wednesday as Chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature after he was arraigned on more than 41 counts for allegedly stealing more than $15,000 by filing for unemployment while earning $30,000 as legislature chairman between February and November of 2013. [WNYT][TWCN]
Common Core scores
About 20 percent of New York State students opted out of common core testing last term . That number is up 15% over last year and in the Capital Region the number was just under 27.5 percent. [NYT][TU]
Elementary math scores were up in the Capital Region. [Business Review]
Dannemora inmates claim abuse following escape, second Albany shooting in two weeks, Rensselaer County legislature chair charged with larceny, yearling sales top $46 million
Dannemora abuse allegations
A legal services group says inmates at Clinton Correctional Facility's honor block were beaten, stripped of privileges and confined to solitary following the escape of Richard Matt and David Sweat from the facility in June in an attempt to obtain information about the escape. In one case an inmate claims he was beaten by three guards without name badges who allegedly punched him, slammed his head against the wall , put a plastic bag over his head and threatened to water board him. [WNYT/AP][NYT]
Another Albany shooting
Albany police say a 24-year-old man who was shot on Orange street on Tuesday night is expected to survive . This is the second Albany shooting in as many weeks.[WNYT][TU]
Legislative chair arraigned on larceny charge
The Chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature was arraigned Wednesday morning for allegedly stealing more than $15,000 in state unemployment benefits while also collecting a government salary. [TU]
Pipeline opponents rally
Constitution Pipeline opponents marched on the state DEC office in Albany on Tuesday to urge the agency to deny final water permits for the gas pipeline which would carry gas from the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania through four NY Counties and finally to Schoharie County to connect up with existing pipelines. [Gazette]
Rally outside DA's office for Ivy and Dixon cases, Wormuth pleads guilty to federal charges, more tax breaks for GloFo, Peanut is saved
Dontay Ivy and Marquis Dixon
Activists rallied outside the office of Albany County district attorney David Soares to call for the DA to complete the investigation into the death of Dontay Ivy -- who died in Albany police custody four months ago -- and to protest the nine-year sentence given to Albany teen Marquis Dixon, who was convicted of stealing a pair sneakers, allegedly at gunpoint. Said Dixon's mother, Aisha Dixon: "I believe that the crime should fit the time and his crime is not fitting his time." [WNYT] [TWCN]
The rally also points to what one activist described to the Times Union as "disappointment" in Soares, whom many progressive groups have supported in past elections. [TU]
Mindy Wormuth
Former Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth pleaded guilty to two felony charges of extortion and lying to the feds. She faces up to a year in prison. Wormuth admitted to taking more than $5k in bribes that had been disguised as consulting fees. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Charges in fatal Albany crash
Albany police say the man accused of driving drunk in the crash that killed Amy Stock in July has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated DWI. [APD]
Sentencing in fatal Saratoga County crash
The driver who pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular manslaughter for driving drunk in the crash that killed pedestrian Jonathon L. Rogers in northern Saratoga County last September was sentenced to 2-6 years in prison. [Post-Star]
Justice Center accused of incomplete investigation and media seeking, allegation of "PILOT shopping" in Troy, high-end chains find their way here
Justice Center
Attorneys two women acquitted by a jury of charges brought in Niskayuna by the state's Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs in say the recently-created state agency investigated the case poorly, and they allege the agency was out for the media attention. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Development tax breaks
Troy's planning director described the recent decision by the developer planning a residential conversion of the former Record building to seek a better tax break deal from the county IDA after a smaller offer from the city IDA as "PILOT shopping." [TU+]
Watervliet police
Another Watervliet police officer has been
Dontay Ivy case
At a rally planned for Monday morning, activists are set to call for charges to be brought against police in the Dontay Ivy case. It's been four months since Ivy died while in Albany police custody, and officials say the investigation of what happened is still in progress. [TU] [News10]
Schumer and Gillibrand split on Iran deal, Travers attendance will be capped, residential conversion planned for Monument Square, the rescuer of bear cubs
Iran deal
Chuck Schumer announced he'll be opposing the Obama administration's proposed international deal on Iran's nuclear program, which could open the way for other Democrats in Congress to oppose the deal. Kirsten Gillibrand said Thursday before Schumer's announcement that she will be supporting the deal. [Medium] [NYT] [TU]
Travers attendance cap
NYRA says it will cap attendance for this year's Travers Stakes at 50,000. As of the Thursday, there were about 20,000 general-admission spots remaining. (The Travers is the biggest race of the season at Saratoga, but this year it's expected to be an especially big event because it's looking like Triple Crown winner American Pharoah could be running.) [TU] [TWCN]
Monument Square building sold
Developer Sonny Bonnacio is buying the the former Hendrick Hudson Hotel building on Monument Square in downtown Troy from Pioneer Bank (Pioneer is moving its headquarters to Colonie), with plans to convert much of the space to residential units. [Biz Review] [TU]
Police investigate Albany shooting, toxicology reports show Matt was intoxicated when apprehended,attendance and handle up at track
Albany shooting
Albany police are investigating a shooting that took place on Wednesday night on 1st street near Henry Johnson Boulevard. A 38-year-old man was taken to Albany Medical Center.[TU][WNYT]
Toxicology on Matt
Toxicology reports show Richard Matt, one of the inmates who escaped from Dannemora prison earlier this summer, had a blood alcohol level of at least 0.08 at the time of his death.[TU]
Gang arrests
Arrests in a Troy drug bust this week included eight members of the Young Gunnerz gang and 12 of their associates, who police say were responsible for a great deal of recent violence in the city. [TU]
Watervliet P.D.
The Watervliet police officer arrested as part of this week's Troy drug bust for allegedly buying cocaine on duty is the second Watervliet officer brought up on charges in a matter of months.[WNYT]
Also, a former assistant chief for the Watervliet Police Department and current employee of the Parker Brothers Memorial Funeral Home is under investigation in connection with the theft of thousands of dollars from the Funeral Home. [TWCN][Record]
Former Watervliet cop allegedly bought cocaine on duty, two more red light cameras activated, Warren County medical marijuana facility breaks ground
Former cop arrested in drug investigation
A Troy drug investigation has netted 20 arrests, including a former Watervliet police officer who allegedly bought cocaine while on duty. [TU][Record][News 10]
Red light cameras
Two more red light cameras in Albany turned on at midnight.
The cameras cover the north and southbound lanes at the intersection of Everett Road and Watervliet Avenue Extension.[TWCN][WNYT]
JCOPE
JCOPE met on Tuesday in an effort to select a new leader
and spent time arguing over the governor's influence in the hiring process.
A legislative aide on Tuesday's JCOPE meeting: "It's state government's version of 'The Office,'" said one legislative aide who watched the proceedings. "I'm uncomfortable, but I can't turn away."[TU][News 10][Capital NY]
Schenectady police officer released from hospital, state AG taking up civilian death investigation, larger project proposed for former Record building
Schenectady police officer injured
Schenectady police say officer Mark Weekes has been released from the hospital as he recovers from a skull fracture sustained during an incident on duty early Saturday morning on State Street. SPD officials say Weekes had been working without a partner, and backup had been dispatched from the other side of the city. A relative of James Hilton, the Glens Falls man accused of assaulting Weekes, tells the Times Union that Hilton is an Iraq War veteran suffering from PTSD, and an amateur MMA fighter. During a court appearance Monday Hilton told the judge he fears for his safety in jail. [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [TU x2]
Inmate death at Schenectady County Jail
The Schenectady County Sheriff's Office says an inmate died at the county jail Sunday night, and it's opened an investigation into the death. WNYT reports the inmate's fiancee said he had been suffering from cancer and sickle cell anemia. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Hamilton Hill
Schenectady police say they've increased patrols in Hamilton Hill in response to the string of recent shootings there, but police chief Brian Kilcullen told the city council Monday that the department needs more officers and is "operating with far fewer bodies than we ever had." [Daily Gazette]
Alleged spa prostitution case tossed
Three years after a raid on an Albany spa at which law enforcement officials alleged prostitution was happening, the case has been tossed by a judge citing a lack of evidence. One of the twists in the case was that the spa owner is married to a former Times Union editor, who had alleged the raid was retaliation for a series of investigative articles looking into the operations of a county sheriff drug unit. [TU]
Albany County in line for 3 medical marijuana dispensaries, outbreak of Schenectady gun violence continues, Washington Tavern/Ginger Man sold
Medical marijuana
The state Department of Health has announced the five organizations selected to manufacture and dispense medical marijuana around the state. Three of the companies have planned dispensaries in Albany County. The state's rules for medical marijuana required to the selected companies to manage the product from "seed to sale." And registered physicians will be required to take a four-hour course on marijuana as a medicine. Among the types of patients expected to be treated: an 8-year-old in East Schodack who has epilepsy. [NYS DOH] [TU x2] [NYT] [WNYT]
Schenectady gun violence
Schenectady police say a man was shot multiple times early Sunday morning in Hamilton Hill (map) -- on the same street where there have been two other recent shootings. And it was just a block from a community rally against violence Friday evening. After Sunday's shooting, rally organizer Marva Issacs told TWCN she's frustrated, but: "I'm not stopping." [WNYT] [Daily Gazette x2] [TWCN]
Schenectady police officer beaten
Schenectady police say an officer was beaten unconscious, suffering a skull fracture, while trying to arrest a Glens Falls man early Saturday morning on State Street. SPD says man was later arrested after being tracked a police dog. He's been charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Albany County sheriff's sergeant resigns
The Times Union reports an Albany County sheriff's sergeant has resigned after an allegation surfaced that he had inappropriate contact with a teen in Watervliet, the allegation spun out of the recent investigation of a Watervliet police officer accused having sex with a underage teen. [TU]
Outpouring of support after slur, looking toward a new Schenectady train station, Mission Impossible was possible
Community support follow slurs
People in Wynantskill have been rallying support for a couple whose house was vandalized with anti-gay slurs -- and a local hardware store offered free supplies to help fix the damage. Said John McEnerney to the Times Union: "They didn't just attack our house ... They attacked our whole neighborhood. This is a nice place and it made people angry." [News10] [WNYT] [TU+]
Stephentown dog death
A Stephentown farmer to the Times Union on the incident in he which he says he had to shoot a neighbor's escaped dog because it was menacing his horses: "I feel bad enough because I love animals and now this will get all over social media and make me look like a bad guy." [TU]
Troy mayoral race
An effort to get Ernest Everett bumped from the Democratic mayoral primary failed after a judge ruled Thursday the challenge missed a deadline for filing. [Troy Record] [TU]
Inmate found dead at Albany County Jail, anti violence rally planned in Schenectady, questions about Quirky, all over a Scooby Doo doll
Inmate found dead at Albany County Jail
A prisoner at the Albany County Correctional facility was found dead in his cell on Wednesday night, in what is believed to have been a suicide. The man was due to be sentenced next week on a conspiracy charge in a scheme to get an 80-year-old woman to turn over her home. [TWCN][TU]
Dannemora
David Sweat is still spilling information about his Dannemora escape. [TU]
Joyce Mitchell, the Dannemora prison employee who helped Richard Matt and David Sweat escape from the prison, will collect her state pension, even though she is forced to retire because she is going to jail for her role in the incident.[WNYT]
Sentences
Chris Churchill on the sentence 16-year-old Marquis Dixon received for stealing a pair of sneakers in Albany-- which is significantly longer than the one Jeffrey Mann got in Saratoga County for his role in the bar fight that killed Aaron Huggins. [TU]
Dannemora employee takes plea deal, Malta man sentenced in wife's murder, Quirky cuts jobs, goat rustlers sentenced
Dannemora employee pleads guilty to aiding escape
Joyce Mitchell, an instructor at the tailor shop at Clinton Correctional Facility, pleaded guilty Tuesday to aiding Richard Matt and David Sweat in their escape from the prison in June. Mitchell told a judge she "was caught up in he fantasy," and that she enjoyed the attention they gave her and the thought of the start of a different life. [TU][NYT]
Former cop sentenced in wife's murder
The Malta man and former Long Island cop convicted of killing his wife of 40 years was sentenced to 15 years in prison.[TU]
Schenectady shooting victim named
The 18 year old man shot on a Schenectady Street on Monday has been identified as Kusaan Tolliver. The shooting was the second in five days in the city. The president of the Hamilton Hill Neighborhood Association says the group is planning a march against violence with the help of the Southern Christian Leadership conference.[TU][TWCN]
Mann sentenced
A Lake George man was sentenced on criminally negligent homicide in connection with a fatal bar fight in Saratoga last September. At the sentencing Andrew Mann apologized to Aaron Huggins' family and to his own, saying " not a day goes by that I don't wish I hadn't put my hands on him." [WNYT][Saratogian]
Fatal shooting in Schenectady, allegations against arrested Watervliet police officer detailed, investigation into shooting of cat
Fatal shooting in Schenectady
Schenectady police say an 18-year-old man was shot and killed in Hamilton Hill Monday night (map). SPD says it's investigating. [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Watervliet police officer arrested
The Albany County DA's office detailed the charges against Watervliet police officer Joshua Spratt, who had been a school resource officer Watervliet High School -- he's accused of having a sexual relationship with two students, ages 16 and 17. He faces charges for alleged sex acts involving the 16 year old at multiple locations in Watervliet and Menands. Watervliet police chief Ronald Boisvert called the allegations "shocking." And school district superintendent Lori Caplan released a statement that said in part: "If the allegations are true, we are profoundly troubled that a trusted authority figure who served an important role in our district could betray that trust of students, staff and families of our school district in such an egregious way." [Albany County DA] [TWCN] [WNYT]
SUNY Poly
How SUNY Poly fits into the $600 million photonics center in Rochester that's being backed the feds -- research for the project will be done in Albany. [Democrat & Chronicle] [TU]
Also: SUNY Poly is involved with
Watervliet police officer arrested, focus on impending gap between fast food and other minimum wage employees, some sort of taxi plan in the works
Watervliet police officer arrested
A Watervliet police officer who had been assigned as a school resource officer was arrested over the weekend has been charged with a criminal sex act and endangering the welfare of a child. [WNYT] [Troy Record] [TU]
Sampson found guilty
State Senator John Sampson, the former head of the state Senate while it was controlled by Democrats, was convicted Friday of three charges related to hindering a federal investigation -- and a felony conviction means he's booted from the state Senate. If you're keeping score, he was the second former high-ranking state Senator to get the boot last week for a felony conviction, joining Republic Tom Libous. [NYT x2]
Minimum wage
The owner of the local Mr. Subb chain says he'll have to raise menu prices 20 percent to cover the scheduled fast food employee minimum wage increase -- the sandwich chain isn't subject to the planned increase (not enough locations), but the owner says he'll have to raise wages to compete for employees. The planned increase is also highlighting the impending gap between fast food employees and the many other workers in other industries that make minimum wage or close to it. [Biz Review] [NYT]
Fast food wage hike will take years to implement, Libous found guilty of lying to FBI, Planners approve new casino design, UAlbany designed app to increase voter turnout
Fast food minimum wage hike
Andrew Cuomo hopes other states will follow New York in raising the minimum wage to $15 for fast food workers.Reactions to the news of the wage board decision to hike the fast food minimum wage were mixed. But advocates for the wage hike were disappointed to learn that the wage hike won't go into affect for another six years. [NYT][TU] [TU]
Libous found guilty
State Senator Tom Libous - the deputy majority leader of the state Senate, was founded guilty on Wednesday of lying to FBI agents regarding his son's hiring at a politically connected law firm. Libous, who has prostate cancer that he says is terminal, forfeits his seat as a result of the conviction and will be sentenced in October. [NYT][TU]
New casino design approved
The newest version of a plan for the $330 million Rivers Casino has been approved by Schenectady's Planning Commission with the condition that the materials and color of the pylon sign used in the design are changed. [Gazette][TU]
Capital Region unemployment rate among lowest in NY, more charges for Skelos & son, 1 Monument Square goes back to the drawing board, Schenectady is counting dogs
Capital Region Unemployment
The Capital Region has some of the lowest unemployment rates in New York State. [Business Review]
New charges facing Skelos and son
A new indictment alleges that Adam Skelos, son of former State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, threatened to "smash in" the head of a supervisor at the malpractice insurance company where he allegedly had a no-show job. The new indictment includes two new charges of soliciting bribes.
[WNYT][TU][NYT]
1 Monument Square
Troy's proposed 1 Monument Square project is going back to the drawing board for another redesign. [TU] Earlier: A look at the latest plan for the 1 Monument Square project in Troy
Percentage of kids in poverty up in both state and Albany area, Cox confirmed as APD chief, blood donors complain of frequent calls, Saratoga County Fair opens
Child poverty
The percentage of children living in poverty increased in New York State to 23 percent (from 19 percent) in 2013 compared to the 2010. In the Capital Region, the rate increased to 16 percent (from 14.3 percent) over the same period. [Annie E. Casey Foundation] [TU]
State tax cap
The property tax increase cap for local governments will be .73 percent in 2016, according to a report from the state comptroller's office. (The cap is set at the lesser of either 2 percent or the rate of inflation.) Orgs that represent municipalities and school districts are warning the cap's rate for next year could mean reduced services on the local level. [NYS OSC] [TU]
New Albany police chief
The Albany Common Council unanimously approved the appointment of acting police chief Brendan Cox to the permanent role as chief. [TU]
Albany red light cameras activated, casino job fair draws more than 1,000 people, Metroland for sale
Albany red light cameras
Albany police said red light cameras were set to become active at the system's first two intersections Monday morning: the eastbound approach of Shaker Road and Northern Boulevard, and the westbound approach of Washington Avenue and Quail Street. Warning letters will be issued for violations during the next days -- and after that period, a $50 fine. [APD FB]
Fatal crash in Albany
Albany police say they're investigating a crash at Henry Johnson Blvd and First Street in which one person died early Sunday morning. APD says a vehicle had struck several parked cars on First Street and failed to stop at a stop sign at Henry Johnson before striking a vehicle traveling along Henry Johnson -- the driver of that second vehicle died. APD says charges are pending. [APD FB] [News10]
$15 fast food wage?
"A person familiar with the board's plans" tells the Wall Street Journal that the state's fast food wage board is "expected" to recommend a $15/hour minimum wage for fast food workers at its meeting this Wednesday. (The state's current minimum wage is $8.75/hour, and is scheduled to increase to $9 at the end of the year.) [WSJ]
Schneiderman forms unit to review civilian deaths at hands of police, other kids on the playground turning on Andrew Cuomo, Proctors and Universal Preservation Hall partnering
Police oversight
State attorney general Eric Schneiderman announced the formation of the unit created to review, and potentially prosecute, cases in which unarmed civilians die at the hands of police. The unit is headed up by Alvin Bragg, a prosecutor and former federal attorney, and also includes former Albany County DA Paul Clyne. Schneiderman was empowered to start the unit via an executive order signed by Andrew Cuomo earlier this week -- the governor says a review of such cases on the state level helps address potential conflicts of interest involving police and county prosecutors. On Thursday Albany County DA David Soares advocated for opening to the public the grand jurying process in such cases rather than taking the authority away from local prosecutors. [NYS OAG] [TU] [CBS6]
Troy police settlements
The Troy City Council approved settlements totaling $89k in two lawsuits involving allegations that police used excessive force. [TU]
New Albany police officers
Fifteen new Albany police officers were sworn in Thursday. Said acting chief Brendan Cox, who's in line to become the permanent chief: "The mark of an officer, hopefully under my administration, will be that they understand the tenets of procedural justice and that we can solve problems outside the criminal justice system." [WNYT] [TWC]
Three charged in Schenectady murder, Albany Med mercury case appealed to U.S. Supreme Court, Dannemora escape resulted in $300 thousand in damage
Suspects in Schenectady shooting death
Schenectady police have charged three men--one of whom is 16-years-old - with second-degree murder for their alleged roles in the shooting death of a teenager outside a city convenience store last week. Police say it appears the victim was not the intended target. [TU][Gazette]
Mercury case appealed to Supreme Court
The man who spread toxic mercury on food and other surfaces at Albany Med last year has appealed his case to the U. S. Supreme Court, claiming he was charged federally for a local crime.[Gazette]
Attorneys want $7 million for redistricting suit
Albany County wants a federal judge to throw out the $7-million legal bill submitted by the attorneys who sued to invalidate the county's 2011 redistricting map.[TU]
Guilderland pedestrian struck by car
A pedestrian believed to be a 6-year-old boy was sent to Albany Med on Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the intersection of Route 155 and Brandywine Parkway in Guilderland with his grandmother on Wednesday.[News 10][WNYT][TU]
Cuomo names special prosecutor in police related deaths, former Dannemora prison superintendent resigns, rekindled fireworks cause truck fire, new life for old Harriman Campus building
Special Prosecutor named for civilian deaths involving police
Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order on Tuesday, naming the state attorney general as a special prosecutor for police-related civilian deaths. [NYT]
Dannemora
The prison supervisor accused of helping Richard Matt and David Sweat escape from Clinton Correctional Facility was transferred on Tuesday from Rensselaer County jail to the custody of the Clinton County Sheriff's Department. [TU]
Steven Racette, the former superintendent of the Clinton County Correctional Facility is planning to retire.
[WNYT]
Resignation of former SSPD officer
The Saratoga Springs City Council has accepted the resignation of Nathan Baker, the former city police officer who was videotaped pepper spraying a suspect who gave him the middle finger. Baker will receive $5,000 in back pay from the city and in return has agreed not to apply for a job with the city police force again. [TWCN][Gazette]
Albany red light cameras set to start soon, was this Fourth of July different for fireworks, update on one of the "Railroad Puppies"
Albany red light cameras
Albany's acting police chief tells the Times Union the city's new red light camera system will start coming online in the next few weeks -- with a few changes. [TU]
Fireworks
After a Fourth of July in which local counties (except Albany) allowed some types of fireworks, some people say
Saratoga Springs police
WNYT reports that the officer placed on leave following the middle finger traffic stop has submitted his resignation. [WNYT]
Sweat moved from Albany Med, review of next Albany police chief, "Bra Wars" in Guilderland
Dannemora escape
David Sweat was discharged from Albany Med early Sunday morning and moved to the Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus (in Seneca County), according to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. [NYS DOCCS]
+ Prison experts tell the Times Union that the review of security procedures at the Clinton Correctional Facility should focus on keeping contraband out of the prison and the relationship between staff and inmates. [TU]
+ The Buffalo News reports that, according to "information obtained" from "law enforcement officials," three days before the escape Richard Matt had sent his daughter a letter that said, "I always promised you I would see you on the outside. I'm a man of my word." [Buffalo News]
New superintendent and rules for Clinton County, Malcolm Smith gets 7 years, dog runs for mayor of Schenectady
Dannemora update
The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has announced that the Clinton County superintendent has been replaced with a former first deputy from Elmira Correctional Facility. Part of his job will be to enforce new rules, which include the closing of the honor block from which Richard Matt and David Sweat escaped. Meanwhile other inmates from Sweat and Matt's honor block are complaining about abuse in the wake of the escape. [TU][WNYT][NYT][WNYT]
David Sweat could be discharged from Albany Med by the end of the week[WNYT]
Richard Matt's family has finally agreed to claim the convicted killer's body. [WNYT]
How the search for Richard Matt and David Sweat helped the Dannemora economy. [NYT]
Smith gets 7 years
Former Senate Majority leader Malcolm Smith was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday for trying to bribe his way onto the Republican ticket for the 2013 New York City Mayoral Race. [TU][NYT]
Complaints about Cuomo
It seems NYC Mayor Bill DiBlasio isn't the only Democrat who is frustrated with Andrew Cuomo.[NYT]
A dozen employees suspended at Dannemora in wake of escape, Saratoga County shooting ruled suicide by police, planning ahead for Avian Flu
Dannemora suspensions
Twelve employees were suspended from the Clinton County Correctional facility, including Superintendent Steven Racette, two deputy superintendents and nine corrections officers.[TU]
More breakout details
+David Sweat has told authorities that he and Richard Matt were sawing through the cell walls for about six months before their escape from Clinton Correctional facility, and that he did a dry run of the escape the night before. [NYT]
+Sweat told police no power tools were used in the escape, just hand tools and a sledgehammer. [WNYT]
+Sweat also told authorities that police almost caught him twice in the three week search, and that one officer walked by a tree he was hiding in. [News 10]
+Five days after he was killed by law enforcement officials, Richard Matt's body has still not been claimed from the Franklin county Coroner.[TU]
Meanwhile, inside Dannemora
Some prisoners are claiming they were violently assaulted by authorities in an effort to obtain information about the escape. [TWCN]
One report now shows that Clinton Correctional facility has had a history of violence by staff. But some officers say the escape doesn't surprise them because a fear of lawsuits and a push for inmate rights has limited guards. [TWCN][TWCN]
Have a Nice Day:the movie
Chris Churchill is already planning the movie version of the escape.
More details on Dannemora escapees' flight and the search for them, "officer-invovled" fatal shooting in Saratoga County, long lines for Sonic
Dannemora escape
A few bits are surfacing about Richard Matt and David Sweat's time on the run. Andrew Cuomo said on the Capitol Pressroom that Matt and Sweat had split up days before they were captured, apparently because Sweat thought Matt was slowing him down. Cuomo also said the escapees' original plan was to allegedly meet Joyce Mitchell outside the prison and head for Mexico -- when Mitchell didn't show up, the plan changed to run toward Canada. [Capitol Pressroom] [TU]
+ Details are also emerging about the mechanics of the search for the two escapees, which the New York Times reports started off slowly, with a lack of communication and organization. [NYT]
+ "Law enforcement officials briefed on the probe" tell CNN, and "one official with knowledge of the matter" tells NYT, that the FBI has opened a corruption investigation into employees and inmates at the Clinton Correctional Facility. [CNN] [NYT]
+ "People briefed on the matter but not authorized to comment" tell the Times Union that the superintendent of the Clinton Correctional Facility and some other leaders of the prison have been placed on administrative leave. [TU]
+ Larry Levine -- who served 10 years in prison and is the founder and director of Wall Street Prison Consultants -- told TWCN he thinks "the staff at Clinton Correctional are sweating David Sweat" because the now-captured escapee knows about the inner workings and problems of the facility. [TWCN]
+ On Monday Albany Med announced that Sweat has been upgraded to serious condition, and doctors have determined he doesn't require surgery at this time. A Syracuse-area trauma surgeon tells the Times Union it's
Second Dannemora escapee captured, indictments in Lansingburgh arson case, skepticism about "Breathing Lights"
Dannemora manhunt
State Police say David Sweat was shot and captured Sunday in Constable, a town just south of the Canadian border. NYSP superintendent Joseph D'Amico said sergeant Jay Cook had spotted Sweat jogging down a road Sunday afternoon, stopped to question him, Sweat ran, and Cook fired when it looked like Sweat would be entering the woods. Sweat is now at Albany Med, where Sunday night officials say he's in critical condition. [NYSP] [NYT] [TU]
+ The capture of Sweat on Sunday follows the capture and death of Richard Matt on Friday in the nearby town of Malone. Officials say Matt, who was allegedly armed with a shotgun, was fatally shot by border patrol agents after he refused to raise his hands. State Police say an autopsy concluded Matt had died from three gunshots to the head. [NYT] [TU]
+ Constable resident Trevor Buchanan to the Times Union, in article about the relief felt by people in the area now that the hunt is over: "CNN called me yesterday. That's the only time I'm getting a call from CNN unless I make a series of bad decisions." [TU]
State legislature closes sessions with Whatever, prison contraband allegedly traded for art, Albany's middle schools struggling, longtime top editors at Record/Saratogian leaving
The Big Whatever
The state legislature finished its session Thursday night, a little more than a week past the originally scheduled end date, with a bill that included property tax rebates and a bunch of items of interest to New York City. In New York State government's typical commitment to openness, the text of the large bill was released Thursday evening and the three-day aging period was waived. The big was alternately tagged The Big Ugly, The Big Lovely, and The Big Whatever. [Capital] [NYT] [TU]
Dannemora manhunt
Update: Late Friday afternoon sources were telling media outlets that Richard Matt had been shot and killed by federal agents. [NYT]
____
Day 21: Still not captured.
The focus Thursday was on the prison guard who was arrested this week for allegedly helping Richard Matt and David Sweat obtain tools such as a screwdriver and pliers. Sources and court records indicate Gene Palmer told investigators he had traded the favors in exchange for paintings done by Matt and an intelligence on other inmates. [NYT] [TU]
Still no vote on legislative "framework" agreement, second prison employee charged in Dannemora escape, on racism and the Albany flag
Dannemora Manhunt
Day 20 and Richard Matt and David Sweat are still at large. State Police say one of the cabins linked to the two men is missing a shotgun and that many cabins in the area of the search keep guns and ammunition. [TWCN]
The second Clinton Correctional Facility prison employee arrested in connection with the escape is out on bail and is expected to return to court later today. He is facing charges of promotion of prison contraband and evidence tampering for allegedly delivering tools to the inmates inside frozen meat. His lawyers say he didn't know the tools were in the meat. [WNYT][NYT][TU]
Still no vote on framework agreement
Legislators are hoping to vote today on a framework agreement of end of the year legislation, but Assembly Democrats are hoping more can be done on issues like rent control. [TU][TWCN]
State Police: evidence prison escapees were at cabin, push for increasing fast food minimum wage, no free open house at Saratoga Race Course this year
Dannemora manhunt
Day 18: Still not captured.
+ The search is currently focused again in the area around Dannemora -- State Police say they recovered evidence indicating David Sweat and Richard Matt may have spent time at a camp to the west of prison. "A source with knowledge of the investigation" tells NBC News that DNA from both Sweat and Matt was found at the cabin. [TU] [NYSP] [NBC News]
+ WNYT talked with an Albany-area man whose family has a camp in the same area as the cabin apparently visited by the escapees: "It really, truly is the middle of nowhere." [WNYT]
+ Authorities have been sifting through hundreds of potential leads called in by the public, which have placed the men in widespread spots such as near the Pennsylvania border and Prince Edward Island in Canada. [NYT]
+ Lyle Mitchell -- the husband of Joyce Mitchell, the prison employee who's been charged with helping the escapees -- in an interview on the Today Show: "When it came down to her hurtin' me, that's when she said something was wrong. She said she was in too deep, she didn't know how to get out of it." [NBC News]
Dannemora manhunt shifts around state, lawsuit filed over Mount case in Saratoga Springs, digging into the Normanskill landslide timeline
Dannemora manhunt
Day 17: Still not captured.
+ The search temporarily focused on the town of Friendship in Allegany County, in the southwest of the state, on Saturday after a resident reported two seeing two men who said she saw resembled Richard Matt and David Sweat. By Sunday the hunt had shifted back to an area near Dannemora -- leaks to the media point to authorities having found some sort of indication the escapees might have been at a camp west of Dannemora. [TU] [TWCN] [TU] [WNYT]
+ On Friday state officials announced a corrections officer at the Clinton Correctional Facility has been placed on leave -- without mentioning details about how officer might be connected to the situation. An attorney for the officer said his client had worked on the block that housed Matt and Sweat, but he didn't know about the escape plan. [TU] [TWC]
+ New York Times: "No single lapse or mistake in security enabled the two men to break out of the Clinton Correctional Facility, long considered one of the most secure prisons in the nation. But it now appears an array of oversights, years in the making, set the stage for the prison break..." [NYT]
+ Also: NYT got a boilermaker to test how long (and how loud) it would take using various tools to cut through the sort of steam pipe that Matt and Sweat used to escape. [NYT]
State legislature slog continues, Dannemora manhunt continues, alleged Lansingburgh arson trio back in region, thought mining for mind grapes
State legislative session
Now past the scheduled end of the legislative sessions, the state Assembly and Senate are planning to continue the session next week after passing a five-day extension of NYC rent control. (The end of session has entered its Sartre period.) [Capital] [NYT]
Dannemora manhunt
Day 14: Still not captured. Richard Matt and David Sweat has been added to the US Marshals' 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list. And State Police say they have 160 troopers on patrol in communities near the Clinton Correctional Facility.
Also Thursday: An attorney for Lyle Mitchell, the husband of Joyce Mitchell (the prison employee who's been arrested for allegedly providing assistance to Matt and Sweat), on his client's stance toward his wife: "Lyle still cares but realizes he can't stand by her. She's kind of made her own bed. He has to distance himself." He also said his client is being "completely cooperative" with law enforcement. [US Marshals] [NYSP] [TU] [TWCN]
Legislative session in overtime, Cox named APD chief, casino designers will tweak the plan, manhunt for convicts expands
Legislative overtime
The legislative session was slated to end on Wednesday but lawmakers went into overtime today and the end does not appear to be in sight.
Among the items still to be decided: rent control legislation, pension forfeiture for corrupt officials, the property tax cap and education tax credits.But the bill to name the wood frog the official state amphibian squeaked past by one vote after a heated debate. [NYT][TU][WNYT][TU]
A vote on Mixed Martial Arts fighting may also get pushed to the floorin the Assembly today. Another bill winding its way to the close of the legislative session would require New york drivers to updated the photos on their licenses every eight years. [TWCN][TU]
New Albany police chief
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan has tapped former deputy chief and acting Police Chief Brendan Cox to be the city's new Chief. Cox will replace Steven Krokoff, who retired in April. [TU]
Designers to tweak casino plan
A designer for Rush Street Gamings's planned Schenectady casino told a group at a public comment session on the design that his team will go back to the drawing board. "We've heard you loud and clear," Mike Levin told critics of the new casino design, saying the team will work to strike a balance between a more traditional design and what he called the "cutting edge, contemporary,slick building" currently proposed.
Lots to wrap up as legislative session closes, manhunt for Dannemora escapees expands, Shop Rite is feeling the squeeze of competition, dining with dogs legislation passes Assembly
Extension likely for legislative session
The legislative session should be wrapping up today but lawmakers are preparing for an extended stay as they try to wrap up a number of issues like the just expired rent legislation.
Two bills that have made headway are Cuomo's "Enough is Enough" legislation to combat sexual assault on college campuses, and a plan to grant access to medical marijuana to seriously ill patients before the states official plan goes into effect in 2016. [Capital NY][Gazette][WNYT][TU][TWCN]
Dannemora manhunt expands
Eleven days into the manhunt for a pair of escaped prisoners from Dannemora, State Police have announced the search will expand beyond the 16 square miles of woods swamps and fields near the prison. State police are planning to expand the search for two escaped murderers. Police say the recent rain has cause problems with the search has been washing away any scent that dogs might pick up and has been interfering with devices used to detect body heat. [NYT
[WNYT]
Dannemora escapees still not captured, Dontay Ivy's family files notice of claim alleging excessive force, worries about Normanskill flooding
Dannemora manhunt
+ Search day 11: Still not captured. [Press Republican]
+ The search has included more than 800 officers and covered 13 square miles. [TU]
+ Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said Sunday that it appears Joyce Mitchell, the prison employee who's been arrested for allegedly aiding Richard Matt and David Sweat, got cold feet on aiding the prisoners as a getaway driver. On Monday he wouldn't address the allegation leaked by unnamed sources that there was some sort of plot to harm Mitchell's husband. (Unnamed sources are continuing to leak allegations.) [AP/Troy REcord] [TWCN] [News10]
+ State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott on the investigation into the prison break: "I will follow the evidence, wherever it leads." [TWCN]
Dontay Ivy
The family of Dontay Ivy has filed a notice of claim (the precursor to a lawsuit) alleging Albany police officers used excessive force, and it seeks up to $20 million in damages. Ivy died after being tasered by police April 2 in Arbor and the city has released few specific details about the situation. [TU]
Dannemora manhunt in 10th day, state Inspector General to investigation prison escape, teens in prison, concern over dollar stores
Dannemora manhunt
+ Search day 10: Still not captured. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday: "We don't know if they are still in the immediate area or if they are in Mexico by now." [CNN]
+ On Friday Joyce Mitchell, the Clinton Correctional Facility tailor shop employee who had been questioned by investigators multiple times last week, was arrested for allegedly providing the Richard Matt and David Sweat with hacksaw blades, chisels, and screwdriver bit. The Clinton County DA said Mitchell had also been set to drive the escapees, but backed out of that part of the alleged plan. Mitchell was housed at the Rensselaer County jail over the weekend in order to ease tensions, according to the Clinton County Sheriff. [News10] [TWCN] [News10] [Press Republican]
+ Unnamed sources continue to leak alleged details about the case. A "law enforcement source" tells the New York Daily News that allegedly Mitchell said during interrogation that Matt and Sweat had planned on killing her husband, and she would drive to an unknown location far away. A "law enforcement source" (The same person?) tells the Times Union that he/she heard secondhand that the plan included "possibly" killing Mitchell's husband. [NYDN] [TU]
+ The Times Union looks into the multiple alleged system failures that allowed the escape plan to go undetected. [TU]
+ Andrew Cuomo announced there will be a state inspector general's investigation into the situation surrounding the escape. [NYT]
Dannemora escapees still not captured, state legislation goes to the dogs, she's not dead
Dannemora manhunt
Authorities have yet to capture Richard Matt and David Sweat, who escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility last weekend. On Friday Clinton County DA Andrew Wylie told the media that the prison employee who's been implicated in the escape gave the two men contraband, but not power tools. The Times Union reports that "a State Police document" it obtained indicates the woman "admitted to providing power tools." And "sources" tell CNN the woman provided "hacksaw blades, drill bits and lighted eyeglasses" to the men. [TU] [TWCN] [TU] [CNN]
+ "Those close to the situation" tell the Times Union that a recent request to lock down the whole prison to search for weapons was turned down the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision "amid" concerns of overtime costs. [TU]
+ The manhunt, which includes more than 500 officers, has most recently focused on an area just to the east of Dannemora. [News10] [TWCN]
+ Residents of the area are starting to tire of the commotion and stress related to the hunt. [TWCN]
Search for escaped convicts heads into day six, Guilderland broker charged in alleged Ponzi scheme, zip line and aquarium coming to the region
Dannemora update
Police are in the sixth day of a search for two escapees from Dannemora. Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin joined Andrew Cuomo at a news conference on Wednesday where police announced they believe the two escaped convicts may be headed for Vermont . Overnight a large police response was underway east of Dannemora where Route 374 was closed and detours are set up. Police are questioning Joyce Mitchell, a civilian who worked in a tailor shop at Clinton Correctional facility in Dannemora, who is alleged to have helped facilitate the escape.[Gazette'[TU][TWCN][WNYT][NYT]
Alleged Ponzi scheme
A money manager and Senior Vice President of Capital Financial Planning in Guilderland is facing nine felony charges including first degree money laundering in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme. [WNYT][TWCN]
Fund for suspended officer
An online fund raising campaign has been established to help the Saratoga Springs police officer suspended after he was seen on video pepper spraying a man who gave him the middle finger. [Gazette]
Schenectady Taser incident
The Schenectady police department says they are investigating an allegation by a city man that police used excessive force when they pepper-sprayed and Tasered him in Mont Pleasant last week while arresting him for jaywalking. A teen who made one of the videos showing the arrest was also arrested on disorderly conduct charges for allegedly crossing against a light and causing a traffic hazard. [Gazette x 2]
Manhunt continues for Dannemora escapees, tornado hits Scotia, jail sentence in ongoing Greenfield horse farm case, Mr. Fredericks goes to the Capitol
Dannemora manhunt
The manhunt continues today for two convicted killers who escaped from Dannemora over the weekend. On Tuesday the hunt centered on the Essex County town of Willsboro after it was reported that two men were seen bolting into the woods.[TU][WNYT][NYT]
Questions about Andrew Cuomo's visit to Dannemora. [Capital NY]
Tornado hits Scotia
A tornado with winds of up to 80 miles per hour touched down in a Scotia neighborhood on Tuesday. The tornado was classified as an EFo, the lowest level on the scale, but it did its share of damage, downing wires and tree branches.[TU][Gazette][WNYT]
Legislative ethics
With six days left in the legislative session, there is still no agreement on ethics reform. The Assembly an Senate are arguing over language in a bill that would allow a judge to take away the pension of a politician convicted of a felony.[News 10][TU]
A state Supreme Court justice has ruled that former New York State Assemblyman Vito Lopez must pay a fine of $330,000 that was levied against him by the Legislative Ethics Commission. [TU][WNYT]
Hunt continues for escaped prisoners, first responders described devastation of oil train crashes, 1st round pick
Escape from Dannemora
The hunt for the two escaped prisoners from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora continued Monday as investigators focused on whether the convicted killers had help. A "person briefed on the matter" tells the Times Union that Richard Matt and David Sweat had been staying in an "honor block" that allowed more liberties -- and the investigation has focused on the possible role of an employee who worked the two men in a prison tailor shop. Said Andrew Cuomo Monday of the escape plan: "I don't think they could have acquired the equipment they needed to do this without help." The escape is said to be the first in the facility's more-than-150-year history. [AP/Saratogian] [TU] [NYT] [TWCN] [Wikipedia]
Histories of Capital Region/New York prison escapes: Times Union | Daily Gazette | News10.
Meta: From the New York Times: "For Mr. Cuomo, the escaped men represent both a genuine law-enforcement challenge -- how to chase down a pair of killers in a remote corner of the state -- and an unexpected break from the deepest political doldrums of his time in office."
News story quote or outtake from a comic book movie: "You can imagine the powers in that person to convince others of things when what really lurks within is quite evil." [WNYT]
Two prisoners escape from Dannemora, arrests in Troy arson case, thinking about the Stockade in a flood-prone future
Escape from Dannemora
State Police say two inmates escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora (map) sometime between Friday and Saturday. NYSP say the inmates -- Richard Matt and Donald Sweat -- were serving sentences for murder and are "very dangerous individuals." Authorities say the men used power tools to cut through a steel wall in their cells, got access to a catwalk leading tunnels and pipes below the prison, cut through the pipes, went through pipes, and emerged outside the prison through a manhole a block away. Officials say the men might have had help. On Sunday, Andrew Cuomo said the two men "could be anywhere in the state by this time" as well as in Vermont or Canada. The governor announced a $100k reward for information leading to an arrest. [NYSP] [TU] [NYSP] [Press Republican] [NYT] [TWCN] [TU] [Cuomo admin]
Arrests in Troy fire case
Troy police three people were arrested last week in North Carolina for the Lansingburgh fire in May that eventually resulted in the death of an elderly woman. The trio will face arson charges when they're returned to Rensselaer County. TPD has not publicly discussed a motive in the fire. [Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN]
Charges dropped in Saratoga Springs PD middle finger case, GlobalFoundaries adding jobs, apartment plan in the works for Rensselaer waterfront
SSPD middle finger case
Charges have been dropped against Adam Rupeka, the man who had been stopped by Saratoga Springs police, and sprayed with pepper spray, after flipping an officer the finger -- an incident Rupeka recorded on video. The officer -- Nathan Baker -- has been on administrative leave and SSPD chief Greg Veitch says the department is moving to fire him. Rupeka's attorney says he'll be pursuing a civil case against the city. [Saratogian] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Rally in Troy
There was a community rally Thursday near the spot where Tyreek Prince was fatally shot early Sunday morning in Troy. Said Prince's grandfather, James June: "There's a lesson in this and the lesson is not revenge or retaliation ... It's education. I don't want to see [other kid's] mothers going through what my wife, my children, Tyreek's mother and his family are going through." [News10] [TWCN]
GlobalFoundries
GlobalFoundries says it's planning to add 600 jobs at its Malta facility by the end of the year. [TU+]
Cuomo asks agencies what they think of Schneiderman, Albany/Troy police investigating Troy shooting death, NYRA has a new chairman, Henry Johnson honored at Pentagon
QPoll: Voters disapprove of Cuomo's education plan
A recent Quinnapiac poll shows 59 percent of voters disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling education, with 54 percent saying they trust teachers unions to improve schools more than the governor. [Capital NY]
Cuomo surveys state agencies about Schneiderman
Andrew Cuomo is surveying state agencies asking them to evaluate the performance of state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman -- something believed to be a first for a New York governor.[NYT][TU]
Sheehan meets with Harlem state Assemblyman
Harlem state Assemblyman Keith Wright met with Kathy Sheehan and acting police chief Brendan Cox to clear the air after Wright suggested in a recent speech that minority protestors should be concerned about getting arrested in Albany because there are "not a lot of people that look like us up there." [TU]
Arrests in rent protest at Capitol
Fifty-five people were arrested at a protest by tenants rights groups at the Capitol on Wednesday. Protesters were calling for strengthening New York City rent control laws. [TU]
Qpoll: Cuomo rating at new low, Jay Street building owner claims hydrants not functioning, Pioneer bank leaves Troy
Cuomo's rating drops again
The latest Quinnipiac poll reports Andrew Cuomo's approval rating have dropped to its lowest point, 44 percent, largely over low grades on his handling of ethics issues. [TU]
NYRA Chairman takes leave over Skelos scandal
NYRA's board chairman is taking a leave of absence following allegations his company provided a "no show job" to the son of former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. [WNYT][Saratogian]
Jay Street building owner says alleges broken hydrants
The owner of the Jay Street apartment building destroyed in a deadly fire in March alleges the hydrants near the building weren't working properly, which, he says, hampered the fire departments response. The Schenectady City Attorney says the hydrants were, in fact, working correctly.[Gazette][TU]
Schenectady officials are blaming the debris from the March Jay Street fire for flooding in city hall this week.[Gazette]
$14 million Hamilton Hill housing project
A $14 million project announced on Tuesday would create 50 new low-income apartments apartments in Schenectady's Hamilton Hill neighborhood, in an effort to revitalize the neighborhood. [TU]
White House ceremony for Henry Johnson, settlement in Troy police civil rights lawsuit, NYRA chair's company said to be connected with Skelos, who owns Washington Park?
Henry Johnson
Barack Obama is scheduled to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to WWI hero, and Albany native, Henry Johnson this morning. The top enlisted member of the New York Army National Guard will be accepting the award on Johnson's behalf. [TU]
The ceremony is scheduled for 11:15 am and will be streamed online. It will also be shown at Albany City Hall. [White House]
Troy fatal shooting investigation
Troy police have identified the young man killed in a shooting early Sunday morning near the Hoosick Street overpass as Tyreek Prince. TPD says there are currently no suspects and the investigation is ongoing. In April Albany police said Prince had been shot in the leg in the Mansion Neighborhood. TPD chief John Tedesco says the department will be talking with Albany police about the situation. Said a mother in the Troy neighborhood where Prince was shot to News10 on Monday: "I'm just tired of burying our kids ... I'm tired of our kids killing each other." [TU] [APD press release] [Troy Record] [TWCN] [News10]
Troy police civil rights case
The city of Troy reached a $39k settlement in the lawsuit in which a jury recently found that two police officers violated a man's civil rights by using excessive force during an incident at a hospital. Troy Corporation Counsel Ian Silverman continued to express city government support for the officers, to the Troy Record: "We think they behaved appropriately and reasonably that night." [TU] [Troy Record]
Fatal shooting in Troy, Troy officials treating May fire as a homicide, Brown's Beach opens to the public, Chebet wins third Freihofer's run title
Fatal Troy shooting
One person was killed and another injured during a shooting in Troy early Sunday morning near the Hoosick Street bridge underpass (map), Troy police say. [News10]
+ Schenectady police say one person was injured in a shooting in Hamilton Hill Friday afternoon (map). [Daily Gazette]
+ Albany police say two vehicles were struck by gunfire, but no injuries reported, Saturday night in West Hill (map. [TU]
Lansingburgh fire investigation
Troy police say they're treating the recent death of an 82-year-old woman from injuries suffered during the May 1 Lansingburgh fire as a homicide. Law enforcement officials say they're seeking three suspects in the case, and are asking for the public's help with information about the case. TPD chief John Tedesco said officials are "very confident" that the May 1 fire is not connected with the long string of suspected arsons in Lansingburgh. [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
Oil trains
Among the proposals in a pair of oil train reports issued last week by the offices of Albany County exec Dan McCoy and Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan: a wall along tracks in the South End to separate neighborhoods from the oil trains. [Capital] [TU]
Kenneth White's cousin said to have described his death on video, Dean Skelos and son indicted, yearbook giraffe photo criticized
Kenneth White case
Tiffany VanAlstyne -- accused of killing her 5-year-old cousin Kenneth White in December -- is described to police on video how she choked the boy and then dumped his body over a guardrail near their home in Knox, according to court documents obtained by the Times Union. [TU+]
Medical marijuana dispensary in Albany?
One of the companies trying to land a state license to sell medical marijuana wants to open a dispensary in Albany's Warehouse District, a plan that would require a zoning adjustment. [TU+]
Skelos and son
Dean Skelos and his son, Adam, have been indicted on six counts in the federal corruption case against them. The indictment includes a new accusation involving an alleged no-show job for Adam Skelos with a medical malpractice insurance company that was lobbying the former state Senate majority leader. [State of Politics] [NYT]
Pataki announces presidential run, Robinson gets maximum, land owner makes another bid for Bisco permit
Pataki 2016
Former NY Governor George Pataki has released a campaign video announcing his 2016 presidential campaign. [NYT]
Robinson gets maximum
Herman Robinson was sentenced on Wednesday to 100 years to life in prison for repeatedly raping a young woman and murdering the infant child she gave birth to. At the sentencing Herman maintained his innocence, while his victim, now a college student training to be a social worker, told the court,"I am strong." [TWCN][Gazette][TU]
Assembly passes single payer health bill
The State Assembly approved a bill on Wednesday to create a single-payer health system in NY. This was the first vote to occur on the issue since 1992, though it had been introduced every year since by Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried. It is not likely to clear the Senate. [TU]
Regents name new State Ed Commissioner, Schneiderman's plan to battle corruption, governors neighbor for 87 years
On corruption
A new Siena poll reports that while 90 percent of respondents think corruption is a serious problem, and 62 percent say it's serious among legislators, only 37 percent say they are less likely to re-elect their representatives. [TU]
Meanwhile, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has laid out his plan to combat legislative corruption, which includes a ban on all outside income, but makes the legislature full time and gives them a pay raise.[TU]
As the session ends
As the legislative session comes to a close, some of Andrew Cuomo's plans may not come to fruition. The NYT offered a suggested list of items to resolve before legislators go home. [NYT][NYT]
New State Ed Commissioner
MaryEllen Elia, a former Buffalo-area social studies teacher and was most recently a schools superintendent in the Tampa, Florida area, is the Board of Regents' unanimous choice for the next New York State Education Commissioner. Elia says she plans to do a lot of listening. Assemblyman Jim Tesdisco, a vocal opponent of Common Core, says the board "clearly jumped the shark" in its decision. [TU][CNY][WNYT]
Death following Troy arson fire, Normanskill fix could cost millions, Albany aquarium idea apparently still floating, words as colors
Death in Troy arson case
The 82-year-old woman who was pulled, unconscious, from the Lansingburgh arson fire earlier this month has died, Troy police say. The fire was the 14th suspicious fire in Lansingburgh since last July. [WNYT] [TU]
Troy police civil rights suit
John Larkins, whose lawsuit over an encounter with Troy police at a hospital in 2011 resulted in a jury finding last week that two officers had violated his civil rights by using excessive force, to the Times Union: "I don't want a buyout ... That's not justice. I want their badges to be taken away. The police are supposed to protect our civil rights, not trample over them. Chief Tedesco should also be prosecuted. Systematic injustice has been perpetuated by his officers." [TU]
Also: The Troy City Council's public safety committee recently reviewed the TPD's discipline policies, and the chair's report concluded the department's discipline processes are "routinely managed in an effective manner." [Troy Record]
Normanskill landslide
A state Department of Transportation memo provides a range of options for restoration work on the section of the Normanskill that was blocked by a landslide in April, with a rough estimate of price ranging from $1.4 million to $7.8 million. [TU]
Full environmental review for proposed Port of Albany oil heating facility, jury finds against two Troy police officers in civil rights lawsuit, passing on former convention center land
Oil trains
The state Department of Environmental Conversation announced Thursday that it's rescinding its earlier to decision to no require a full environmental review of Global Companies' plan to build a facility for heating crude oil at the Port of Albany. (Speculation is that the facility would allow the transfer of tar sands oil from Canada at the port.) DEC cited the nearby Ezra Prentice Homes, and the potential adverse impacts on the people living there, as a reason for the switch. Albany Common Council member Dorcey Applyrs to the Times Union, about the change and the addition of an air pollution sensor near the port: "This is what the community has been asking for. We want to know what is in the air that we are breathing." [NYS DEC] [Capital] [TU]
Troy police civil rights case
The jury in a civil rights lawsuit in US District Court Utica found that two Troy police officers violated a man's civil rights by using excessive force during an incident at a hospital in 2011. Troy's corporation counsel said the city disagrees with the verdict on use of excessive force and "we stand by our officers." [TU] [Troy Record]
Guilty plea in Malta death
Charles Wilkerson -- the 69-year-old Malta man accused of strangling his wife of more than 40 years to death a year ago in their home -- pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter Thursday. The plea deal includes an expected sentence of 15 years in prison. [WNYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Shooting death in Albany, planners give approval to Mohawk Harbor project, law enforcement agencies winners in international gambling ring
Albany shooting death
Albany police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 60-year-old man late Wednesday night inside an apartment on Judson near First Street. It's the third homicide in Albany in recent weeks. A frustrated Common Councilman, Mark Robinson, told the Times Union: "When you have bad housing stock on top of bad housing stock and absentee landlords who only care about getting their monthly rent check, it is easy for drug houses to get established in our communities." [WNYT][TWCN][TU]
Another step toward Mohawk Harbor
Schenectady's Planning Commission has approved the Galesi Groups 60-acre riverfront condos and retail project for the old Alco site. [Gazette]
Brendon Glenn
Chris Churchill looks at the questions surrounding the death of Brendon K. Glenn, the unarmed Troy man killed by Los Angels police recently. Funeral services for Glenn were held in Troy on Wednesday. [TU][Record]
Body of missing Schenectady woman discovered in Coeymans, alleged illegal boarding house raided in Colonie, new video surfaces in Saratoga police stop, no birds at the fair
Body of missing Schenectady woman discovered in Coeymans
The body discovered in a shallow grave in Coeymans has been identified as that of Shelby Countermine, a Schenectady woman who disappeared last December . The case is being treated as a murder. [TU][WNYT]
Illegal boarding house
The Colonie codes department is serving the owners of a Central Avenue home for allegedly running an illegal boarding house with 15 bedrooms, 40 beds, and only a half bathroom. [TU][TWCN]
School budgets approved
Capital Region school district budgets were all passed on Tuesday. In Albany, the school district budget was supported by 72 percent of the votes cast - the highest figure in district's history according to the district director of communications. [Gazette][TU]
More video in controversial Saratoga Springs police stop
A second video has surfaced in a controversial Saratoga Springs police stop. This video shows the officer pepper spraying the man who is sitting in his car after refusing to get out of the vehicle while asking what crime he had committed. [TU][Saratogian][Gazette]
Allegation of excessive force in Saratoga Springs traffic stop, Coeymans body being treated as homicide, Sawyer Fredericks finds out if he's won The Voice tonight
Today is school budget vote day. Don't know where to vote? Check with your board of education (it could be different from you vote for other elections).
Police/community relations
+ Troy: The trial for a lawsuit in which three Troy police officers are accused of using excessive force while arresting a man at a hospital in 2011 started in US District Court in Utica. [TU]
+ Saratoga Springs: The Saratoga Springs Police Department says it's placed an officer on administrative leave after an activist says excessive force, including pepper spray, was used on him during a traffic stop Saturday afternoon after giving the officer the finger. The incident was partially captured on video. (A "law enforcement source" tells WNYT there's also another video "that clearly shows the confrontation.") Adam Rupeka says he had gone to Saratoga Springs for the purpose of testing the police there. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YouTube] [WNYT] [TWCN]
Kenneth White case
Kenneth White's father pleaded guilty to a finding of neglect in Albany County Family Court Monday. Jason White said he's getting substance abuse treatment and ultimately wants to get custody of Kenneth's sisters. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Coeymans body
A "source close to the case" tells WNYT and News10 that there's evidence indicating the body found in Coeymans last week is a Capital Region woman who disappeared in December. Police say they're treating the case as a homicide. [WNYT] [News10]
Arrest in Schenectady arson cases, APD updated policy on taser use, superintendent alleges she was harassed after pregnancy, 400 points
Schenectady arson arrest
Schenectady officials announced Friday that they've arrested a man suspected of being responsible for five arsons in the Mont Pleasant neighborhood. Police credited an anonymous call and surveillance camera video for helping lead to the arrest. Officials did not address a possible motive for the fires. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Albany police tasers and body cameras
Acting Albany police chief Brendan Cox briefed a Common Council committee on the APD's new guidelines for taser use, including multiple categories of people for which officers would be restricted from using the stun guns. (It has now been a month and a half since Dontay Ivy died in police custody after being tasered.) [TU]
Oil trains
"Three meeting attendees" tell Capital that "state environmental officials have said in private meetings that it may be legally difficult for them to oppose construction of a heating facility at the Port of Albany that would allow tar sands crude to be transported through New York." [Capital]
Questions about train safety system, reaction to Medal of Honor for Henry Johnson, Start-Up NY's very slow start, buyer for Hoffman's Playland property
Train safety
The safety system that experts say could have possibly prevented the Amtrak crash near Philadelphia this week -- Positive Train Control -- is not yet in use on lines in New York State traveled by Amtrak. There's currently a fight in Congress over whether the deadline for implementing PTC nationwide should be pushed back to 2020. Amtrak officials said this week the railroad is close to testing its implementation of the system. [NPR] [TU x2] [NYT]
Henry Johnson
Albany WWI hero , the White House announced Thursday. Here's reaction from local historians, advocates, and officials. [AOA] [TU]
Derailed Amtrak train was speeding, teen dies following Plotter Kill fall, Wormuth in federal court, Fido on the patio
Derailed Amtrak train was speeding
The Amtrak train that derailed on a sharp curve between Philadelphia and NY on Tuesday night, killing seven people was speeding at more than 106 mph before it went off the tracks. The engineer says he has no recollection of what happened. Chuck Schumer is calling for Positive Train Control systems that would slow down trains when they are going to fast or when there is a car or another train on the track. [NYT][WNYT][News 10]
Teen dies following Plotter Kill fall
The Clifton Park teenager who fell 50 feet while hiking at Plotter Kill Preserve on Tuesday has died.[TU]
Wormuth in U.S. District Court
Former Halfmoon Supervisor Melinda Wormuth appeared in U.S. District Court on Wednesday. Wormuth's attorney E. Stewart Jones argued that Wormuth was not read her Miranda rights before making videotaped statements, claiming a longtime town attorney told her it would be alright to use her political connections to lobby on behalf of the MMA. [TU][Record][Gazette]
Flanagan now state Senate majority leader, Kenneth White's aunt denied custody of his sisters, past the freeze point
New state Senate majority leader
Dean Skelos is officially out as state Senate majority leader, and John Flanagan is in. Flanagan is from Long Island and had the backing of Skelos. He edged out John DeFrancisco, who's from the Syracuse area, for the Republican majority leadership. [NYT] [Capital] [TWCN] [TU]
More on Flanagan: He represents a district in Suffolk County on Long Island. He's 54 and an attorney. And he got his start in the state legilsature in 1986 when he jumped in an Assembly seat race shortly before an election after his father -- John Flanagan Sr., the incumbent -- died of a heart attack. [NYS Senate] [TU] [NYT]
Kenneth White's aunt denied custody of his sisters
An Albany County Family Court judge formally removed the sisters of Kenneth White from the custody of their aunt, Brenda VanAlstyne. The judge cited a string or reasons for denying VanAlstyne custody, including evidence of "their abuse and neglect" while they were in her care. VanAlstyne was removed from the courtroom during the hearing and yelled at the judge. The sisters will stay in foster care because the judge ruled their parents are also not currently suitable guardians. After the hearing, the mother of the sisters and Kenneth White told two reporters she was responsible for the boy's death -- a comment that Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says will prompt a conversation with her. [WNYT] [TU] [TWCN] [News10] [Daily Gazette]
Dean Skelos said to be on the way out of state Senate leadership, the former KGB agent in Schaghticoke, the snow that won't quit
Dean Skelos
"GOP sources" tell the Buffalo News that Dean Skelos will be out as state Senate majority leader today -- either by a vote of his conference, and or by his own decision. The behind-the-scenes scramble to succeed him has been in progress for days. [Buffalo News] [Capital]
More tangents of the Skelos story:
+ A look at the widespread influence exerted by Glenwood Management, the real estate developer that popped up in both the Skelos and Sheldon Silver cases, and how it's used the LLC loophole to become a top campaign contributor in the state. [TU]
+ Do the state's legislative leaders have too much power. [TU]
+ A survey of the many state Senate Republicans -- as well as lobbyists -- with second homes along a section of of the Florida coast. [NYDN]
Making bail (or not)
The Daily Gazette's Kathleen Moore looked into how even small amounts of bail can end up keeping people in jail -- a situation that even law enforcement officials says isn't necessarily helpful -- and how that can end up having longterm consequences. [Daily Gazette]
KGB
The odd story of the IT specialist who worked for multiple utility entities in New York who was also a KGB agent, and then became a consultant for the FBI and National Security Administration. The man now works for NYISO in North Greenbush and lives in Schaghticoke. [Capital] [TU]
Rensselaer waterfront potential SUNY Poly site, DA's office looking for person in Dontay Ivy case, state Assemblyman pleads guilty, a good way to go through life
Nano Rensselaer?
Alain Kaloyeros says SUNY Poly is looking at creating "an innovation and commercialization hub" at the De Laet's Landing site on the Rensselaer waterfront. Kaloyeros says the decision to focus on Rensselaer was at the urging of Andrew Cuomo. [Biz Review] [TU]
Dontay Ivy case
The Albany County DA's office is looking for a person who appears in a surveillance video from around the scene of the incident involving Albany police and Dontay Ivy. From the DA's office press release: "To be clear, this person is not a suspect, but may have information in relation to the investigation of the death of Donald 'Dontay' Ivy." [Albany County DA]
Schenectady fatal fire
A second person has died from injuries in the house fire in Schenectady Wednesday. [Daily Gazette]
Three arraigned in Lark Street fatal shooting, deadly fire in Schenectady, Skelos survives ouster effort by dems, the Patriots of corruption
Lark Street fatal shooting update
A pair of teenagers have been charged in the shooting death of a 27-year-old father of six on an Albany street corner earlier this week. A third suspect -- a 24-year-old Albany man -- was arraigned in connection with the case this morning. [TU][TU]
Skelos
State Senate Democrats made a failed attempt on Wednesday to remove Dean Skelos as majority leader. Skelos still has the support of the Republican majority -- but barely. Andrew Cuomo says if the charges against Skelos are true they are "deeply disturbing," but he stopped short of saying Skelos should step down. [TU][TWCN][TU]
One dead in Schenectady fire
One person has died and another was badly burned in an overnight house fire in Schenectady.[TU][WNYT]
Two charged in fatal Albany shooting, Skelos won't step down, "United Nations of workers" bringing FIOS to Guilderland
Two suspects in Albany shooting
Two men have been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the deadly shooting at Lark Street and Sheridan Avenue in Albany. [TU]
Skelos update
Dismissing a federal corruption complaint against himself and his son as "nothing more than a press release," Dean Skelos has decided not to step down as Senate Majority Leader. While Senate Republicans have stood behind Skelos, Assembly Republicans are calling on Skelos to step down from his leadership post. The cases against Skelos and Sheldon Silver involve some pretty powerful New York real estate names, including a major Albany political donor who has given at least $1 million to Andrew Cuomo. [TU][NYT][TWCN][NYT][CapNY][CapNY]
Schneiderman on Corruption
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman took the opportunity to point out that the state has two path's forward, "one path is further investigations and prosecutions and the erosion of public confidence. The other path is to enact comprehensive reforms far more serious than anything that has been or is on the table in Albany. "[Capitol Confidential]
Skelos holds onto state Senate leadership post, APD policy change on taser use, medical marijuana dispensary pitched for Clifton Park
Skelos and Son
+ Following the arrest of Dean Skelos and his son Adam Monday morning, state Senate Republicans decided Monday night to stick with Skelos as majority leader. (Ahead of the Monday night conference, George Amedore said Skelos should not keep the top spot, while Hugh Farley said Skelos should not resign the position if he doesn't want to.) [NYT] [Capital] [Daily Gazette]
+ A look at Glenwood Management, the development firm that's not been connected to both Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos, and its executive Charles Dorego. Said an unnamed lobbyist to Capital: "If Dorego is involved,then you can bet more trees are going to fall." [TU] [Capital]
Fatal shooting in Albany
Albany police say three people were shot -- one fatally -- early Tuesday morning in Sheridan Hollow (map). APD says it's taken two suspects into custody. The Times Union described the scene as "grisly with pools of dried blood on stoops, sidewalks and the street." [APD FB] [TU]
Albany police tasers
Albany police have a new policy that limits officers to using three bursts from a taser on a suspect. [TU]
Dean Skelos arrested, investigation into Lansingburgh fire, rally for answers in Ivy case, jarred in Rotterdam
Dean Skelos arrested
Dean Skelos and his son, Adam, surrendered on federal corruption charges this morning. "Multiple sources" tell NYDN that Skelos will try to make the case that he should hold onto his leadership of the state Senate. [NYT] [TWCN] [NYDN]
Lansingburgh fire
"Authorities familiar with the investigation" tell the Times Union that gasoline was used to start the apartment fire in Lansingburgh early Friday. Lou Rosamilia: "Just total disrespect for human life. We are going to work vigilantly to get that person or those individuals involved in this, and put an end to it. Once and for all." [TU] [WNYT]
Rally for answers in Dontay Ivy case
About 100 people rallied outside Albany police headquarters Saturday to push for answers in the death of Dontay Ivy. It's been one month since Ivy died in police custody after being tasered, and there has yet to be official word about why the Albany man was stopped by police. Masai Andrews of Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration: "People are anxious, they want to have answers." [TU] [TWCN]
Also: A look at how police use tasers, and the relative lethality of the weapons. [TU+]
Memorial for man fatally shot in West Hill, red light camera revenue projection cut, is there a way to avoid ticket scalpers?
West Hill shooting
Family and community members gathered at Livingston Park in Albany's West Hill neighborhood Thursday to remember the man fatally shot there this week, identified by Albany police as Latwan Hankins of Albany. (APD says the incident, in which two other men were also shot, is under investigation.) Common Council member Mark Robinson said the community needs to get a grip on what's caused recent violence, or the summer could be hard. Said Robinson: "We're in a struggling community ... We're in a community that lacks opportunities." [TU] [APD press release] [TWCN] [News10]
Suspicious fire in Lansingburgh
Troy fire and police officials are treating an overnight fire at a 6-unit apartment building in Lansingburgh as suspicious. A resident tells WNYT she saw two men throw something that exploded before the fire. [TWCN] [News10] [WNYT]
Shane Harding sentenced
Shane Harding, the Schodack man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping two women last September as part of a multi-day incident that snaked through multiple Capital Region counties and western Massachusetts before he was captured near Skidmore, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. One of the women who was kidnapped said the incident "changed me in ways I'm yet to figure out how to accept." Said Renssealer County judge Deborah Young: "I only wish I could give you more time." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [News10]
One dead in West Hill shooting, Cuomo unveils AIDS plan, education lobbies were biggest spenders, advice for living to 104
One dead in West Hill Shooting
Albany police are investigating a shooting in Livingston Park in West Hill overnight that left a 21-year-old man dead and two other men injured. [WNYT][TWCN]
Another suspicious fire in Mont Pleasant
Schenectady officials are investigating the third suspicious fire in the Mont Pleasant neighborhood this month. [TU]
Shooting prompts school lockdown in Schenectady
Elmer Avenue Elementary School in Schenectady was locked down for a while following a shooting on Wednesday morning. [TWCN]
Cuomo unveils AIDS plan
Andrew Cuomo has announced a plan aimed at ending the AIDS epidemic in New York State over the next five years. The plan is expected to cost billions of dollars, which still need to be found. [TU][CapNY]
Trial date set for Silver, Scarborough to plead guilty in travel voucher scam, fracking ban won't be permanent, something stinky in Watervliet
Silver trial date
Sheldon Silver pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, at his arraignment on charges he transferred more than $287,000 of what prosecutors say were the proceeds of his crimes into investments that were not available to the general public.Silver's trial has been set for November 1[NYT][Business Review]
One Western New York Democrat wants the Assembly to vote on expelling Silver. [TU]
Scarborough to plead guilty
Assemblyman William Scarborough says he will plead guilty to federal charges that he misused $40,000 in travel vouchers and accepted payment for the days he was not in Albany. The Queens Democrat will plead guilty to federal charges he submitted false travel vouchers, accepting payments for days hat he was not in Albany. Scarborough sent out a statement apologizing for his actions and blaming poor judgement and a difficult financial situation. [TU][TU]
Cuomo plan for police oversight
Meeting with lobbyists and family members of people killed by police, Andrew Cuomo said if lawmakers don't approve his plans for independent monitor to oversee such cases he will create a special prosecutor who would have the power to pursue charges against officers.[TU]
Plea deal in Lansingburgh beating deaths
One of the defendants charged in the beating death of a Lansingburgh couple inside their home last year has taken a plea deal and agreed to testify against his codefendant.[Record][TWCN]
APD acting chief addresses taser use, lower speed limit for oil trains -- but not here, questions about job creation numbers, red beards
Albany police taser
Acting Albany police chief Brendan Cox on the incident this past weekend in which a man said to be fleeing from police was tasered, and then apparently lost consciousness afterward: "Based on the totality of circumstances with Mr. Townsend he was certainly perceived as potentially carrying a deadly weapon. He was told give up, if you don't give up you're going to be tased and he chose to be tased." Cox said APD officers used a taser 62 times in the 283 "use of force" arrests in 2014 (there were 5,700 arrests total for the year). [WNYT] [TWCN] [News10]
Oil trains
The feds have issued a new order that limits oil trains to no more than 40 miles per hour in "high threat urban areas" -- a designation that doesn't include the Capital Region. [US DOT FRA] [TU]
West Wind Acres
West Wind Acres Joshua Rockwood was back in Glenville Town Court Monday for a hearing about how much might be owed for the care of horses taken from the farm in March -- the total floated was $7,600. Rockwood's attorney said afterward the animals had proper living conditions at West Wind Acres and never should have been seized. [TU] [News10] [Daily Gazette]
APD: Man "became unresponsive" after being tasered, Herman Robinson found guilty, reviewing the escaped bison situation, Lincoln's funeral train
Albany police taser
Albany police say a man "appeared to have a seizure and became unresponsive" after being tasered after an alleged attempt to flee and resist arrest. APD says officers began CPR, and the man regained consciousness before EMS arrived. Police say the man -- Jamarl Townsend of Albany, age 21 -- had been identified as a parole absconder and was wanted for questioning in a 2014 shooting. APD acting chief Brendan Cox to the Times Union: "(The suspect) decided to run. And based on all information, having been involved in a shooting and believed to have a gun, it was an appropriate use of the Taser." Townsend's sister, Ashante Boyd, to WNYT: "The reason he tried to run yesterday is because he was scared ... He don't want to go back to jail. Any person they don't want to be back in jail after they did time." [APD press release] [TU] [WNYT]
This most recent incident follows the death of Dontay Ivey on April 2 after he was tasered by Albany police -- officials have yet to publicly release specific information about why Ivey was stopped. And in September 2014 Daniel Satre died in Ballston Spa after being tasered by police. [Daily Gazette]
Herman Robinson trial
Herman Robinson -- the Schenectady man accused of repeatedly raping a young woman, impregnating her, and then killing the baby shortly after it was born -- was found by guilty Friday on the full range of counts against him, including second-degree murder, rape, and sexual assault. He faces 100 years to life at sentencing. Said Schenectady County DA Robert Carney of the young woman, who testified at the trial: "She's strong, she's bright, and she's very brave ... And despite what he did to her, she has a very promising future." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Shots fired in mall parking lot
Guilderland police say they're looking for two men in connection with shots fired in the Crossgates Mall parking lot Friday early evening during what was apparently an attempted robbery. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Keeping an eye on level of Normanskill, Comcast-TWC deal off, the old and new pot economies, bison on the run
Normanskill
Some residents along the Normanskill say they're still worried about potential flooding from the landslide this week. The city of Albany announced Friday morning that all 18 holes of the Capital Hills golf course, which borders the landslide area and has been used to access the blockage, will be open this weekend. [TU] [city of Albany press release]
See also: Some number of facts about the Normanskill
Ferguson looked to Albany
The city of Ferguson, Missouri has been in contact with officials in Albany to learn about Albany's experience with community policing, the chair of Albany's Citizens Police Review Board tells WNYT. [WNYT]
Plug pulled on Comcast-TWC merger
Comcast has called off its plan to buy Time Warner Cable after the federal government said it had "significant concerns" that the combined entity would control internet access for too large a portion of the country -- as much as 40 percent. (Consumer advocates had been against the deal from the start -- one had called a merger of the two companies with notoriously bad customer service "badness squared.") TWC has about 300,000 subscribers in the Capital Region. [NYT] [US DOJ] [NYT] [Washington Post 2014] [TU]
Sheehan wants "full reimbursement" for Normanskill repair work, more Common Core exams & more opt-outs, stolen phone leads to pop-star status in China
Reimbursement for Normans Kill
Mayor Kathy Sheehan's office says Albany plans to seek "full reimbursement " for its handling of the landslide at the privately owned Normanside Country Club that blocked the Normanskill earlier this week. So far the damage is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Normanside Country Club managing partner David Hostig says the landslide that blocked the Normanskill this week was an "act of god," but Bethlehem supervisor John Clarkson says the club began grading work on the slope before receiving a permit.[TU][CBS6][TU]
More Common Core, more opt-outs
Wednesday saw another round of common core exams and another round of boycotts. The overwhelming number of students who have opted out of Common Core testing has some legislators considering changes to the education section of the state budget. [TU][Gazette][TWCN]
Dontay Ivy's family still seeking answers
Albany Police Department has still not revealed why officers originally stopped Dontay Ivy, the mentally ill man who died after being tasered by police more than three weeks ago. [TU]
Autopsy shows narcotics in one-year-old
An autopsy shows a Washington County one-year-old who died in February had narcotics in her system [Post Star]
Albany County has state's second lowest unemployment rate, body found in Hudson River, federal judge approves Albany County political map, 45 years of Earth Day
Earth Day
Today is Earth Day. The first Earth Day was celebrated 45 years ago. That's also the day the first Earth Day legislation was signed in New York State, creating the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation -- one of the first government agencies specifically formed for the purpose of overseeing all environmental concerns through one organization.
Headlines
Federal judge approves Albany County political map
A federal judge gave his approval on Tuesday to the new district map for the Albany County Legislature, effectively ending a four year voting rights lawsuit stemming from the 2011 map, which was alleged to have violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of African-American voters.[TU]
Forensic scientists face termination
Fifteen forensic scientists with the State Police have been suspended without pay and issued termination notices following a six-month internal investigation that revealed unauthorized information sharing on training exams for a new computer-based form of DNA analysis.[TU]
Unemployment drops in Albany
Albany County had the second lowest unemployment rate in the state during March. (NYS Department of Labor press release.) [WNYT]
Water flowing again on Normanskill, more adjunct instructors unionizing, criticism of Albany codes office situation
Normanskill landslide
Water is flowing again past the Normanskill blockage caused by a landslide Sunday/Monday. Crews used pumps to keep the water level down above the blockage while a new trench was dug to divert the water. [TU] [Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple Twitter x2]
Herman Robinson trial
Herman Robinson's alleged suicide note -- which mentions the repeated rape of a young woman, her pregnancy, and the death of the baby -- was allowed into evidence at his trial. Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday. [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Adjuncts continue to unionize
The SCCC board of trustees voted to recognize a union representing the college's adjunct instructors. And now adjuncts at Siena are working to form a union. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Cuomo in Cuba, uncertainty about testing opt-outs, another into the pool for Troy mayor, duct tape as doctoring
Cuomo in Cuba
Andrew Cuomo and a trade delegation that includes New York State officials and business leaders is set to arrive in Cuba today. The goal is start laying the groundwork for businesses connections between the country and New York. [NYT] [TU]
Rotterdam police settlement
An attorney for the family who alleged their teen's arm was broken by Rotterdam police during incident on a school bus that was captured on video says their suit has been settled for $360k. [Daily Gazette]
Maestro's
Police say former Maestro's partners John LaPosta and Tina Kruger were arrested Friday morning on allegations they stole more than $50k from the Saratoga Spring restaurant. Their attorney says the situation is a business dispute that the pair thought had been resolved. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Two shootings in Troy, a loophole that can fit armored trucks of money, Air Force Something
Troy shootings
Troy police say they believe two shootings Thursday evening in North Central (map) are connected. Witnesses say a teen playing on a nearby basketball court was hit -- a witness tells WNYT there were 60-70 kids in the park at the time. [News10] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Guilty plea in Albany domestic shooting death
Damien Zervos of Albany pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Charee Akins-Maddox in their Lark Street home, while four children were there, in October 2013. [Albany County DA] [TU 2013 October]
Reviewing the police
A man says he had his hands "stomped on" by a Colonie police officer near the scene of the fatal train collision with a pedestrian this week. The CPD chief says the department is investigating. [News10] [TU]
In Troy: The city's Police Objective Review Committee doesn't have its required number of members, nor has it filed its annual report that was due in February. [TU]
Brush fire stops traffic on the Northway, Skelos & son under investigation, opt outs jeopardize Schenectady Common Core participation, Union bells toll for Lincoln
Forecast
97% chance someone will tell you how beautiful it is today.
40% chance of drinks on a patio.
News
Brush fire
A tractor trailer that caught fire on Wednesday iignited a brushfire along the Northway during rush hour last night, resulting in huge backups for commuters. The Northway was shut down between exits 10 and 11. [WNYT][TU][Gazette]
Skelos & son
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is now investigating State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son Adam.[NYT]
Colonie hit and run update
Police are examining a vehicle found near the site of Monday nights's deadly hit-and-run in Colonie that they say "has damage with is consistent with being in an auto/pedestrian crash." [TU][TWCN]
It's tax day, Common Core testing underway, environmentalists ask GE to expand dredging, Fight for $15 protests in Albany
The forecast
It's April 15. Expect long lines at area post offices today and exhausted accountants later this week.[TWCN]
Be careful filling out your forms, New York has already rejected $331 million in fraudulent refund claims this year. [WNYT]
Headlines
Common Core
Common Core testing is underway across the state for students in grades 3-8. Opt out rates in Capital Region schools range from 2 percent to 53 percent. [TU]
Herman Robinson rape/murder case
A disturbing day of victim and Public Defender sparing in the rape and murder case of Herman Robinson. [TU][TWCN]
Pedestrian struck and killed on Central Ave, funeral for Dontay Ivy, police/community forum in Schenectady, free ice cream cone day
Pedestrian death on Central Ave
Colonie police say a pedestrian was hit and killed while trying to cross Central Ave Monday night (map). CPD says the vehicle did not stop and they're looking for the driver. [TU] [TWCN]
Accuser testifies in Herman Robinson trial
The woman who prosecutors say was repeatedly raped by Herman Robinson in Schenectady testified Monday about the alleged abuse that started when she was 11 years old and continued over many years. Her testimony included many gruesome details and she described the episode in which it's alleged she gave birth and Robinson killed the newborn. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [TU] [News10]
Funeral for Dontay Ivy
Funeral services for Dontay Ivy were Monday in Albany. The services drew about 400 people, including Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan and acting police chief Brendan Cox. One of Ivy's cousins, Chamberlain Guthrie, to TWCN about the investigation into Ivy's death while in police custody: "We're not disillusioned to the process, we're not disillusioned to reality, we just want the truth to come out in the end." [News10] [TU] [TWCN]
Large fire in Troy, Sheehan talks about situation surrounding death of Dontay Ivy, points record for UAlbany's Thompson
Troy fire
A multi-building fire at Fourth Street and Washington Street in Troy (map) Friday evening displaced 25 residents. (Donation page for people affected.) There were no reported injuries. Fire officials are investigating the cause, but the TFD there's been no indication it was intentionally set. [Troy Record] [News10] [TU]
Kenneth White's aunt
An Albany County Family Court judge ruled that Kenneth White's sisters -- 4 and 5 years old -- had been neglected while in the custody of their aunt, Brenda VanAlstyne. The judge also ruled that one of the sisters had likely been abused while in the Berne home. A hearing set for May will determine VanAlstyne's potential custody and visitation of the children. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
The death of Dontay Ivy
Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan talked with the Times Union the situation surrounding the death of Dontay Ivy -- "That is not what the officers wanted to happen at the end of that stop ... We need to be careful and not jump to judgment." -- but did not share specific details about why Ivy was stopped by Albany police. Ivy's funeral is today. [TU] [News10]
Accuser testifies in Herman Robinson trial, push for federal transit funding, down on Start-Up NY, a kidney to spare
Herman Robinson trial
The woman prosecutors say was repeatedly raped by Herman Robinson took the stand Thursday for the first time in his murder and rape trial. Earlier in the day Dr. Jennifer Canter, a pediatrician who examined the woman, testified that she's performed exams in hundreds of sexual assault cases: "I haven't quite seen something that looked this disturbing." Canter also testified that there indications the young woman had given birth. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU]
Investigation into death of Dontay Ivy
The Albany Police Department issued a statement Thursday that it welcomes the independent investigation of the Dontay Ivy case by the Albany County DA's office. And continued: "In order to ensure a fair and impartial investigation by the District Attorney's Office the police department is unable to comment any further until the investigation has been completed." [APD press release]
Also on Thursday, a group of UAlbany students rallied for a better police/community relationship. [TWCN]
UAlbany students planning rally to protest Donald Ivy's death, lawsuit filed in Jay Street fire, $662 million in state overtime, Schenectady celebrates Steinmetz
Weather
If you're feeling kind of drab today, it's probably not you. It's probably this.
News
UAlbany students will rally for Donald Ivy
UAlbany students are planning a rally this afternoon to protest the death of Donald Ivy, the 39 year old paranoid schizophrenic man who was tasered by police last week. [TU]
Arrest in Schenectady shooting
Schenectady police have charged one man with attempted murder and assault in connection with a shooting outside Schenectady High School. A combination of video and witness accounts led police to 27 year old David J. Fyall who they allege "aided a third party" who fired the shot. The shooter is still at large. [WNYT][Gazette]
Judges disallow $600,000 in Bruno refund requests
State auditors say they are disallowing more than $600,000 of the $2.2 million in legal bills Joe Bruno submitted for reimbursement in connection with his public corruption trial. Among the bills disallowed -a public opinion poll and time spent on the phone with journalists[Cap NY]
Soares to investigate death of Donald Ivy, NYS budget includes corruption referendum, Schenectady High teacher nominated for a Tony Award, Happening today: baseball trivia and fish tossing
Weather
The first moment we almost considered just going back to bed? The one where we learned there was snow in the forecast today.
News
Soares to investigate Donald Ivy death
DA David Soares has announced his office will conduct an independent investigation into the death of Donald "Dontay" Ivy, the mentally ill man who died after being tasered in a confrontation with police last week. [TU]
Shooting outside elementary school
Schenectady police say a man was shot in the road outside Hamilton Elementary School on Tuesday. Said a neighbor of the school about the search for a shooter "We live by the no-snitch rule in the neighborhood, and one day, it'll be my little ones that get shot."[WNYT][Gazette]
Referendum on corruption
An item in New York's new budget would require voters to decide on whether to revoke the pensions of public officials convicted of corruption.[TU][WNYT]
Continued focus on police/community interactions, Chris Gibson for governor?, licensing of street musicians proposed in Saratoga Springs
Focus on police after Dontay Ivy's death
Monday's Albany Common Council meeting included many public comments from people concerned about the recent death of Dontay Ivy and police/community interactions. [TU] [CBS6]
Herman Robinson trial
The trial of Herman Robinson -- accused of serially raping a young woman in Schenectady, and killing a newborn he fathered with her -- started Monday. The prosecutor called the alleged murder "a display of unspeakable violence." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Attempt to prevent further domestic violence
The Schenectady Police Department is using a new "lethality assessment" in an attempt to identify high-priority domestic violence suspects. [Daily Gazette]
Rally for answers in death of Dontay Ivy, I-787 construction in downtown Albany, a life-changing month
Continued focus on the death of Dontay Ivy:
+ A group of approximately 200 people marched from the APD's South Station to City Hall Friday evening to call for answers in the case. Among the issues highlighted: Questions about Ivy stopped by police, and the use of tasers by police. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TWCN]
+ Derek Johnson, one of Ivy's cousins, to News10 about the investigation into Ivy's death: "We just want to do it the right way and you know we want to do it without breaking up our city." [News10]
+ Lois Christie -- the mother of Daniel Satre, the Ballston Spa man who died last year after being tasered by police -- to the Times Union: "I just hope that this family can get more answers than we could." [TU]
+ A look at how police departments train -- or don't -- their officers on how to deal with situation involving people with mental illness. [TU]
More details about death of man in APD custody, mixed-use project said to be planned for First Prize site, Passover starts this evening
A few more details about the situation surrounding the death of a man in Albany police custody this week:
+ The family of Donald "Dontay" Ivy sai he had schizophrenia and a heart condition. Said Ivy's cousin, Celeste Hightower, to the Times Union: "There's a lot of missing information right now ... We just want to wait until everything is presented to us and then maybe there will be satisfaction, maybe not. We don't know until it is all presented. So that's what we're waiting for." [TU x2]
+ Acting Albany police chief Brendan Cox said Ivy was stopped by officers "based on suspicious activity" -- the nature of which has not yet been disclosed -- and officers used a Taser, number of times not yet disclosed, after the situation became combative. Cox says APD is continuing to investigate. [Daily Gazette]
+ Albany police released a brief timeline of the incident, indicating officers performed CPR on Ivy and that an ambulance transporting him arrived at Albany Med roughly 35 minutes after the start of the situation. [News10]
+ The APD also identified the three officers involved: Joshua Sears, Michael Mahany, and Charles Skinkle -- they've been placed on administrative leave. [WNYT]
+ A friend who attended Albany High School with Dontay Ivy remembered him as a good student and good teammate. [TU]
Man dies in APD custody, Cuomo touts education reform, enrollment decline concern for UAlbany, Capital Region seeks infrastructure help from federal govt
Hi. We're continuing to try out a new format for Morning Blend. Thanks for the feedback so far, and we welcome continued suggestions.
What not to wear
Your winter coat. It's going to be 61. Also, we suggest a walk at lunchtime. This reprieve from the winter that wouldn't end isn't going to last for long.
Man dies in APD custody
Updated Albany police are investigating the death of a 39-year-old man who police say died after being tasered during a physical confrontation with officers near Lark Street early Thursday morning. Statement from Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan: "The Albany Police Department is investigating the death of a person in custody. The incident occurred on Lark Street near Second Street early this morning. I ask that everyone respect the process and await the results of the investigation. Our condolences go out to the family during this difficult time." [TU] [City of Albany press release]
News
Cuomo on education reform
Andrew Cuomo on his controversial education reforms in the 2015 budget - including the overhaul of the teacher evaluation system opposed by NYSUT: "Despite the trauma of change, that's going to be one of the greatest legacies for me in this state when all is said and done." [TU]
How old and broken down are Albany's water and sewer systems?
Paul Tonko referred to Capital Region water and sewer systems as "hidden spaghetti" and Kathy Sheehan pointed out that one of the many water pipe breaks repaired this year was installed when Ulysses S. Grant was president. [TU]
Travel ban affects UAlbany coaches
It looks like New York's ban on non-essential travel to Indiana will keep UAlbany's basketball coaches from going to the Final Four in Indianapolis this weekend. [TU]
142 billion budget agreement, McGinn and Smith order to pay $99 M, helping out Jay Street merchants, how not to celebrate April Fool's Day
Hi. We're continuing to try out a new format for Morning Blend. Thanks for the feedback so far, and we welcome continued suggestions.
Spring? Is that you?
45 today. 61 on Thursday. Not quite flip-flop weather, but promising.
Under the wire
Legislators raced the clock to get the $142 billion NYS budget passed by the deadline. . Ethics and education reforms that were deal-breakers for Andrew Cuomo ended up in the Education Labor & Family Assistance bill. A not so comforting thought from Assemblyman Dan Stec on the bills which were submitted with less than 12 hours until the budget deadline "I'm sure there isn't a soul in Albany that's read all of these." [WNYT][Gazette][TU]
$11.5 million
What Albany County gets to deal with debt that dates back to the construction of the Knickerbocker Arena, Pepsi, Times Union Center. Other local budget items include:
+ $152 million for projects at the Harriman state office campus.
+ $2 million appropriation for the Schenectady Metroplex redevelopment.
+ $42 million appropriation for the University at Albany Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Complex and other projects part of the SUNY 2020 challenge grant program.
[TU]
Silver's View
Sheldon Silver on budgets, from his new seat in the back row of the Assembly.
"Some are smoother, some are less smooth," he said. "We all hit bumps in the road at some point."[NYT]
State budget crunch time, SCCC adjuncts moving toward unionization, the naked female form, Albany from above back then
Hi. We're continuing to try out a new format for Morning Blend. Thanks for the feedback so far, and we welcome continued suggestions.
Many details are surfacing -- or not -- about all the various elements in the state budget that legislators are trying to cram together before the deadline Tuesday night:
+ Education funding and testing are a major issue: The Cuomo admin has tied an increase in education funding to a reform plan that would link tests intended to measure "student growth performance" to teacher tenure decisions. NYSUT has been pushing back on the reform package. [TU] [State of Politics x2]
+ Lead (lede) of the day, from Casey Seiler, about the ethics reform component of the budget: "Legislation designed to expand transparency in government remained under wraps a day before it was scheduled to be passed as part of an on-time state budget." [TU]
+ The budget doesn't include proposed cuts to VLT aid for Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County. It also codifies an expansion of the types of VLT games to include games such blackjack [Daily Gazette]. [TU]
+ Quietly tucked into the budget: a sales tax break for yachts. [Capital]
There's a state budget deal, Dinosaur accused of wage violations, job opening: Quidditch coach, new format for Morning Blend
Hello. We're trying something new with Morning Blend because the old format was starting to feel really stale. This new take still includes links to news stories (though there will be fewer of them) while mixing in other sorts of bits: quotes, facts, events. The new format is a work in progress and is likely to change.
Feedback? Please leave it in the comments, or email editors |at| alloveralbany |dot| com.
Just in time for the deadline, there's a state budget deal, or at least, the outline of one. What's in: a $1.6 billion increase (6 percent) in education aid, a plan for a new teacher evaluation system, increased disclosure requirements for state legislators, and the $1.5 billion in competitive upstate development grants. Among what's not included: an increase in the minimum wage. [TU] [Cuomo admin] [Capital] [State of Politics] [NYDN]
More testimony in hearing over custody of Kenneth White's sisters, state budget crunch time, an exit through fire, stolen wheel chair prompts many donations
On the second day of testimony in the Albany County Family Court case over whether Brenda VanAlstyne should be allowed to have custody of Kenneth White's two sisters the foster mother of the girls said one of them told her she had been hit by Tiffany VanAlstyne multiple times. The defense has argued that there's no evidence there was abuse by Brenda VanAlstyne. A judge is scheduled to rule on the case in April. [TU] [News10] [Daily Gazette]
There have been high levels of hunkering, behind closed dooring, and hashing out at the state Capitol as leaders negotiate the details of the state budget. If the budget is to be on time, and follow the typical rules of procedure, the budget bills will have to be ready by the end of Saturday to make the Tuesday deadline for a vote. [TWCN] [TU]
Education continued to be a big topic at the Capitol as the budget process headed into crunch time -- on Thursday there was another rally inside the Capitol to oppose education initiatives floated by the Cuomo admin. Also: "growing number of New York parents," according to the Times Union, are pushing for the state to stop student testing on the Common Core curriculum. [News10] [TU]
Albany County leaders have indicated the county won't appeal the federal court decision regarding redistricting and minority voting rights. [TU]
Skidmore has extended the suspension of a student accused of raping another student by two years, the accuser and her attorney reported Thursday. The accused hasn't been charged with a crime, but an administrative board found him guilty of violating the college's code of conduct. Reina Kiefer said the college should have expelled the student. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Wiltshire enters Troy mayoral race, Kenneth White's aunt in family court over abuse allegations, homeless services approved for New Scotland Ave church
Troy City Council President Rodney Wiltshire officially announced his bid for Mayor on Wednesday. At his announcement, Wilshire promised to create jobs, capitalize on he waterfront and make the streets safer. A Lansingburgh native and pharmaceutical sales rep says he also plans to throw his hat into the Troy mayoral race. [Record][WNYT][TWCN]
Carl Heastie says raising the minimum wage "absolutely has to be on the table" in budget negotiations as far as the assembly is concerned. [TU]
State Senate Republicans say they are close to an ethics agreement with Democrats. [CNY]
The aunt of Kenneth White, the five-year-old boy police say was killed in December by his cousin, Tiffany, was in court on Wednesday, attempting to clear herself of abuse charges. Lawyers for Albany County are arguing that Brenda VanAlstyne knew her daughter Tiffany was not in a proper state of mental health when she let her care for 5-year-old Kenneth White. Brenda VanAlstyne is trying to gain custody of Kenneth White's two sisters. [Gazette][TWCN][WNYT]
Troy city council president to announce mayoral bid, state of emergency lifted on Jay Street, pedestrian hit by train in Mechanicville, support for Schenectady County farmer
A federal judge ruled this week that Albany County's 2011 redistricting plan diluted minority voting power, and ordered legislators to rework the plan before this year's legislative elections. [TU]
Unlikely to be part of the state budget: raising the age of criminal responsibility and The DREAM Act.Still being discussed: ethics and an overhaul on plans to evaluate public schools.
[TU][NYT][CNY]
Troy City Council President Rodney Wiltshire is expected to announce his candidacy for mayor today. [TU]
A pedestrian was hit by a train in Mechanicville early Wednesday morning.[WNYT]
Rosamilia not running for second term, more VLTs where?, top judges wonder why they're even hearing Albany case
Lou Rosamilia announced Monday that he will not be running for re-election as mayor of Troy. Rosamilia's term has been marked by a series of challenges and controversies, including the city's shaky financial position, a federal investigation into demolitions, and the frozen water pipes situation in Lansingburgh. Said the mayor at the press conference: "Each night, before I go to bed, I look in the mirror and I ask myself: 'Did you do the best thing you could do for the City of Troy?' And I've gone to bed with peace of mind, and comfort that I did my best." [Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN]
Schenectady officials have identified the fourth victim of the Jay Street fire. The brother of Robert Thomas tells the Times Union his sibling was "loved by everyone who came in contact with him." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
"Several state lawmakers" tell the Times Union that they were pitched a plan to add 200 VLTs to the Capital District OTB location on Central Ave in Albany. Also: Some of the elected officials cited last week as supporting the proposed 1,000 VLT facility at DeLaet's Landing in Rensselaer tell the Times Union they don't actually support the plan. [TU x2]
Jay Street fire ruled accidental, VLT casino proposed for Rensselaer, questions about death of man tasered by police, together for 75 years
The investigation into the Jay Street fire has concluced that it was accidental, Schenectady officials announced Friday. SFD chief Ray Senecal said the investigation had determined the fire started in an upholstered chair -- maybe because of candles, incense, or cigarettes -- in the apartment of Harry Simpson, who then tried to drag the chair out of the apartment into the hallway, but it got stuck in a doorway. Simpson died in the fire, but officials say he managed to alert two other residents who escaped -- one of whom says he'd have died if Simpson hadn't woken him up. Schenectady County DA Robert Carney said the investigation is continuing into the specific circumstances related to the deaths of the four people who didn't make it out alive. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [WNYT] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU]
Schenectady police say two people were wounded in an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles Friday around noon in Mont Pleasant. The incident prompted a lockdown at several nearby schools. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]
Capital District OTB wants to open a video lottery terminal casino at de Laet's Landing in Rensselaer, a plan that has the support of Rensselaer's mayor of other local elected officials. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A spotlight on child poverty in some of the Capital Region's urban areas, specifically Schenectady and Troy. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The UAlbany men's and women's basketball team lost their NCAA tournament games. [TU x2]
Demolition at Jay Street fire site, 22 indicted in alleged drug ring, Troy avoids state financial oversight, NCAA tournament day for UAlbany
Demolition started Thursday at the Jay Street fire site. The demolition company says the process will take several days, with the hope it will allow investigators to examine the buildings floor by floor. Schenectady's fire chief says they think, but can't be absolutely certain, that they've now accounted for everyone thought to be missing after the fire. He also says they're hoping to get the site stabilized so nearby businesses can reopen. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TWCN] [News10]
The state attorney general's office announced Thursday the unsealing of indictments charging 22 people allegedly connected to a distribution ring for cocaine and heroin in the Capital Region. Albany police say the investigation into the alleged ring was set off by the stabbing death of the Takim Smith in Troy in 2013 and the violent back and forth in Troy and Albany that followed. [NYS OAG] [TWCN]
An attorney for the family of Daniel Satre says the autopsy in the case concluded the Ballston Spa man died of a heart problem connected to "excited delirium syndrome." Said Terrance Kindlon to the Times Union: "The question one must ask is would Daniel have had it if he didn't have a bunch of people shooting Tasers at him." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Both of UAlbany's basketball teams play in the NCAA tournament today. The #13 seed women's team takes on #4 seed Duke at noon on ESPN2. And the #14 seed men's team faces #3 seed Oklahoma at 7:27 pm on truTV. [ESPN x2]
Details on ethics agreement, Skelos says no deal yet, another body identified in Jay Street fire, grand jury clears officers in taser death, who owns the word moose?
The agreement between Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Democrats is nearly a carbon copy of the plan Cuomo laid out in February. Among other things it includes a requirement provision that would require a lawmaker to disclose the nature and source of his or her income if it is more than $1,000 and disclose client or customer names if the income tops $5,000 - with an exemption for lawyers working on things like wills or divorce cases .
The agreement also includes a verification system that would use attendance swipe cards to prevent lawmakers from claiming per-diem payments when they weren't really at the Capitol and constraints on the use of campaign funds.Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos says he wants better disclosure requirements for the Executive branch, including disclosure for domestic partners such as Governor Cuomo's girlfriend Sandra Lee, and the naming of campaign donors that are awarded state contracts. Skelos reinforced on the agreement between governor Cuomo and Assembly speaker Carl Heastie "All it is is a two-way announcement" - something that is a departure from Cuomo's usual approach .[TU][WNYT][TU][Gazette][Capital NY][TU][NYT]
Meanwhile State Senator Liz Kruegar and Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell are pushing Cuomo to drop the 90-day email purge policy. [TU]
There will be no charges in the death of Daniel Satre, who died in Ballston Spa in September after being tasered in a confrontation with six police officers. A grand jury has cleared the police officers involved in the case. [TU][WNYT][TWCN]
Cuomo and Dems reach deal on ethics reform, Qpoll shows Cuomo approval down to 50%, demolition company will take down Jay Street building, Shaker High student researching Alzheimer's cure
Andrew Cuomo and Democratic Majority Leader Carl Heastie have struck a deal on ethics reform, placing pressure on the Republican majority to sign on to the deal. Details are still forthcoming. Cuomo said the goal was for New York to have the strongest ethics laws in the nation. [News 10][TU][TWCN][NYT]
The latest Quinnipiac poll shows Andrew Cuomo's job-approval rating has dropped to 50% -- the lowest since he took office. The poll shows that Cuomo's education reform plans are part of the reason for the drop.[Politics on Hudson][Observer]
Legislators are considering a bill that would require schools to let parents know that their kids can opt out of the controversial Common Core tests. [Gazette]
Criminal activity not ruled out in Jay Street fire, Armory liquor license suspended, locking down legislator's tablets, remembering longtime owner of Famous Lunch
Schenectady officials say they have not ruled out criminal activity related to the Jay Street fire, and mayor Gary McCarthy says the Schenectady County DA's office has subpoenaed code inspection reports for the buildings. (The city has denied media org's FOIL requests for the docs citing "ongoing criminal investigation.") Schenectady police say demolition of the buildings will start Wednesday. The city has declared a state of emergency in the area near the buildings until noon Saturday. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
The State Liquor Authority has suspended the liquor license for the Washington Avenue Armory, citing the situation there this past weekend and previous incidents. SLA chair Dennis Rosen told TWCN the video from the fight Saturday night was "absolutely shocking." From an Armory statement about the suspension: "Through cooperation with state and city authorities, the Armory has been working to resolve management and security concerns to ensure patrons' safety is held at the utmost importance." A few of the music events scheduled for the venue have been working to get rescheduled at other venues in the city. [NY SLA] [TWCN] [Armory press release] [TU]
A bill inspired by the Kenneth White case passed in the state legislature Monday -- it would allow Child Protective Services to expedite the release records to law enforcement agencies during the investigation in a missing child case. The Cuomo admin says it's reviewing the bill. [TWCN] [WNYT] [TU]
Two more sets of remains found at Jay Street fire site, a decade after Aref-Hossain FBI sting, proposal deadline for convention center land extended
Officials say the remains of two more bodies have been recovered from the Jay Street fire site. The official number of deaths is now at 4 -- on Friday officials identified the first two sets of remains recovered. The investigation is entering its second week and officials say it's possible more remains could be found. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
One bit of good news from the Jay Street fire: A dog was rescued from a charred fourth floor apartment Saturday -- eight days after the fire. After noticing the dog poking his head out of a window, firefighters were able to lure him out with pizza. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
More than a hundred Skidmore students gathered Friday to protest the possible readmission of a student accused of drugging and raping another student last spring -- the student was suspended for one year after the school found him to be in violation of its campus sexual and gender based misconduct policy. Reina Keifer says she reported the incident to Saratoga Springs police this past fall -- she tells WNYT that she recently learned the SSPD won't be pursuing criminal charges. SSPD told media outlets it's investigating a reported sexual assault on campus from 2014 April. [News10] [TWCN] [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
NYT's Jesse McKinley on the Cuomo admin's approach to this year's budget negotiations: "Call it quid pro quo or tit for tat, but the prevailing mode of governance this year for Mr. Cuomo is tying appropriations to new policy -- or else." [NYT]
Remains of second person removed from Jay Street fire site, three arrests in Armory stabbings case, renewed push for GENDA, you've been trolled by Santa
Schenectady police say the remains of a second person have been removed from the Jay Street fire site. Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy said the "complicated" investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing. Many organizations have been working to help 60 people displaced by the fire. Business owners near the site say they've been looking for information from the city about when they might be able to reopen. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Albany police say they've made three arrests in connection with the stabbings at the Washington Avenue Armory this past weekend. Also on Thursday, the venue announced that it
The simmering situation surrounding the Cuomo administration and the 90-day email deletion policy has prompted Andrew Cuomo's office to propose a joint effort among the legislature, state attorney general's office, and state comptroller's office to develop a common email retention policy. [NYT] [TU]
19-year-old charged with stabbing 10-year-old brother, high winds temporarily halt Jay street recovery effort,police probe UAlbany muggings, longtime radio host Don Weeks dies
A 19-year-old in the town of Saratoga has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his 10-year-old brother overnight. Deputies say the boy had been slashed in the throat but that the injuries were non life threatening. [News 10][TWCN][TU]
Authorities in Schenectady say one body has been recovered from the Jay Street apartment building destroyed by fire last week, but the investigation was put on hold Wednesday due to wind gusts for 48 miles per hour and a shaky chimney, but is expected to continue today. [WNYT][TWCN]
The 26 year old Schodack man who faced abduction, weapons and rape charges stemming from a crime spree that spanned two states, and caused a lockdown at Skidmore College in september has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and will be sentenced to 25 to 30 years in prison. [Gazette][Saratogian][TU]
Police are investigating the robberies of two UAlbany students who were mugged late Wednesday on the uptown campus.[TU]
Remains recovered in destroyed Jay Street building, former Saratoga County sergeant recorded on cell phone pleads guilty to harassment, Rensselaer County Legislature to Troy: take action to thaw pipes
Investigators found several bodies in the burnt out apartment building on Jay Street on Tuesday. It's believed the bodies of three people who have been missing were discovered but the recovery teams are not saying for sure. The remains uncovered Tuesday were sent to a medical examiner . Investigators have returned to the scene today to continue their search. [TU][News10][Gazette][TWCN]
Former Saratoga County Sheriff's sergeant Shawn Glans plead guilty to midemeanor charges of official misconduct and harassment on Tuesday stemming from the November incident outside the Halfmoon Walmart where a confrontation between Glans and a Saratoga Springs man was reordered on a cell phone. Glans was discharged with no jail time or probation but has been ordered to pay $1,500 in fines and court fees.
Glans attorney maintains that what the video did not show was that the suspects were baiting Glans. [WNYT] [Saratogian][TWCN][Gazette]
Assembly has proposed $150.7 billion state budget it says will put families first and includes proposing larger increases in minimum wage and public school aid than the governors proposed budget. [Capital NY][WNYT]
Investigation continues into Jay Street fire, Sheehan addresses Armory incident, another candidate for Troy mayor?
Investigators are planning Tuesday to start searching the interior of the buildings destroyed in the Jay Street fire. Officials say it's unclear how many people might have been in the building -- reports from families indicate there might be 2 or 3 people unaccounted for. The fire displaced 60 people, and various agencies have been working to find them housing and services. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TWCN] [News10] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Kathy Sheehan on the incident at the Washington Ave Armory this past weekend: "The melee, and I think it is fair to call it a melee, demonstrates a complete lack of control inside that building, and it's something that we are focusing on and looking at our options." The Armory released a statement reporting that it had 35 private security guards, as well as five APD officers at the facility that night. Also from the statement: "The Armory aims on providing a safe environment for all its patrons. These types of artists, however, encourage the wrong behavior. As a result, Migos is now banned from the Armory and the Armory will not be hosting these types of artists in the future." [TU] [News10] [Armory statement]
An increase in the minimum wage to $10.50 would raise the hourly wages of more than 80,000 people in the Capital District, according to the Cuomo admin. Both Cuomo and the Assembly majority have been pushing for an increase (though for different amounts), but the idea appears stalled in the state Senate. [Cuomo admin] [TU]
Six stabbings at Washington Ave Armory concert, search continues in Jay Street fire wreckage, concerns about number of medical marijuana dispensaries
Albany police say six people were stabbed at a concert at the Washington Avenue Armory early Saturday morning. APD says another person reported being assaulted and robbed in a bathroom at the armory. An APD spokesman said over the weekend that suspects in the stabbings are unknown and the department is investigating. Video from the scene shows a metal barricade being lifted and thrown. A witness who didn't want to be identified described the scene to WNYT: "Just multiple large fights, people getting hit with like barricades, and people getting jumped, basically, multiple people beating up one person." The Armory released a statement about the incident, a clip: "The Armory is deeply disturbed and regrets the unfortunate incidents that took place at the concert on Friday night. While the majority of patrons come to the arena to enjoy a show, there are the few who come to the show with malicious intentions and clearly to ruin the experience for those who attend." Albany city officials say they'll be discussing safety measures at the venue. [APD FB] [News10] [TMZ] [WNYT] [Armory press release] [TU]
Officials are continuing the search for bodies in the wreckage of the Jay Street fire in Schenectady. The building is being demolished piece by piece in order to aid the search and investigation into the cause. Residents of the apartment buildings tell the Daily Gazette they didn't hear the fire alarms until they were outside the building, and recalled multiple unaddressed issues with the building. [TU] [Daily Gazette x2]
The SUNY Charter Schools Committee voted to close the Brighter Choice middle schools for boys and girls. The committee cited problems with both educational performance and finances, the executive director of the SUNY Charter Schools Institute accused schools officials of attempting to use misdirection to divert attention away from problems at the schools. A school official says the schools are considering their options. [SUNY Charter School Institute] [TU] [WNYT] [TWCN]
Colonie police say an 88-year-old pedestrian has died after being hit while crossing Central Ave near the Colonie/Niskayuna border Friday evening. [Daily Gazette]
Big fire in downtown Schenectady, Rosamilia leans on legal opinion to justify not unfreezing pipes, woman accused of keeping mother's dead body in house -- for 14 months
There was a large fire overnight in downtown Schenectady on Jay Street near City Hall (map). The fire was visible above rooftops. Officials say several people were taken to hospitals with injuries -- one person is said to have jumped -- and another person is currently unaccounted for. More than 25 people were getting help from the Red Cross. [Daily Gazette] [Instagram pinupjordan] [@PhotogChris10] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
Also overnight: A large fire at the Bethlehem Industrial Park in warehouse that, depending on the report, was either for a construction company and/or one that makes wooden crates. Officials say there were no injuries. [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia responded to calls for the city to unfreeze city-owned water pipes in Lansingburgh by citing an opinion by a city attorney that it's "not the city's legal obligation to pay for water lines to be thawed out." Rosamilia: "I'm a very compassionate person. When it comes to situations where people are in need of something, my tendency is to reach out and help them ... But as I said before, if I did that based on the legal response I've gotten, I would actually be stepping outside my authority." Members of the city council continued to criticize the mayor's stance -- councilman Ken Zalewski: "I feel like I'm in the twilight zone here. I can't even believe this is a debate we're having whether to thaw some pipes or not. It's obscene." And city council president Rodney Wiltshire: "It's horrible." The water is running again for one of the families after a plumber came to help -- at his mother's request. [Troy Record] [News10] [WNYT x2] [TU] [WNYT]
Thousands rally for charter schools on Lobby Day, 10 days without water for Lansingburgh neighborhood, marijuana arrests up 132 percent at UAlbany, Albany businesses hoping for MAAC bump, you could be the next Yolanda Vega
Chanting "Don't Steal possible", Thousands of people rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday in favor of charter schools. Speakers at the rally called for the governor and state legislators to raise or remove New York's self-imposed cap on charter schools. [TWCN][TU]
It's now ten days without water for the residents of a Lansingburgh neighborhood. Troy city councilman Jim Gordon is putting pressure on the city to help the residents. [TU][WNYT]
Cohoes City Hall is set to reopen today after a water main break flooded the building last moth raising air quality and asbestos concerns. Asbestos tests on the building have come back negative. [WNYT][TWCN]
The state Canal Corp issued a work permit for the Galesi Group, clearing the last hurdle for the developer to begin work on its Mohawk Harbor project. [Gazette]
Marijuana arrests were up 132 percent at Ualbany in 2014[TU]
Thousands converge on Capitol for Lobby Day, Troy tells neighborhood without water to fix the problem themselves, White's aunt denied custody of sisters, 70 years of love in the first degree
Today is Lobby Day at the State Capitol, when thousands of people from around the state will converge on the Capitol to lobby for funding in the state budget. An education rally will be held in West Capitol Park and nine thousand teachers, parents and students are expected to turn out to show their support for charter schools. Their rally will include a performance by Janelle Monae [TU][WNYT][NY1][Rolling Stone]
Brighter Choices Charter School makes its final bid to remain open at a public hearing this Friday. [TU]
Residents of one Troy neighborhood have been without water for eight days, and the city says those residents will have to hire plumbers and fix the problems themselves. [Record][TU]
A judge has ruled that the sisters of Kenneth White, the little boy who who is believed to have been murdered by his cousin late last year, will remain in foster care. The children's aunt, and the mother of alleged murderer Tiffany Van Alstyne, petitioned the court to get custody of the girls. [WNYT][TWCN]
Upgrades for state parks planned, Albany parking permit system going sticker-less, former county legislator accused of dumping kitty litter in yards
The Cuomo admin has unveiled a $900 million plan for upgrading state parks. In the Capital Region, it includes facilities improvements for Spa State Park, possibly adding the former Mt. McGregor prison forestland to Moreau Lake State Park, and the construction of the already-proposed Thacher State Park visitor center. [Cuomo admin] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record]
The backstory on a temporary state surcharge on health insurance that grew to collect billions and billions of dollars -- which was has been spent with little or no formal oversight, and ended up filling the slush fund from which Sheldon Silver is accused of granting money for his alleged asbestos case referral scheme. [Capital]
About that walkway connecting the TU Center, not-yet-built Albany Convention Center, and ESP: it's not currently clear from where the money for the walkway conversion/renovation/construction will come. [TU]
The Albany residential parking permit system is switching over to a sticker-less system that will include online registration of visitor passes. [TU]
Some context for the $200 million price tag on the proposed renovation of Albany High School. [TU]
Reasons for the Schenectady casino site selection, more ZIP code complaints, Albany cidery aiming to double production
Factors that played into the Schenectady casino site's selection, according to the Gaming Facility Location Board report released Friday: design and waterfront location, poverty rates for nearby areas, and perceived problems with other applications. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]
Court papers filed by the Albany County Sheriff's Office in the Kenneth White case indicate investigators have tried to link boots worn by Tiffany VanAlstyne with tracks in the snow found near White's body. [TU]
A persistent issue for homeless single mothers with young children: the cost of child care makes getting and keeping a job very difficult. [Daily Gazette]
The Albany Convention Center Authority is aiming to start construction on the new facility the week of March 16. The convention center also recently hired a sales director who will start recruiting potential events/shows for the center. [TU] [Biz Review]
Local schools on Cuomo admin's "failing" schools list, the Albany St. Patrick's Day parade drama, the thing about wild animals
The Cuomo administration released a list of 178 schools around the state it says are "failing." The list includes three schools in the Albany school district (including Albany High School), two in the Schenectady district, and one in Troy. Said Cuomo in a statement: "This is the real scandal in Albany, the alarming fact that state government has stood by and done nothing as generation after generation of students have passed through failing schools." Local school officials pushed back on the Cuomo admin's contention that they've been getting enough funding, and the threat of a state takeover. Schenectady schools superintendent Larry Spring: "It baffles me that the governor would systematically withhold money from poor schools that serve poor students, that he would wait for them to fail, and then say the state government is going to ride in to rescue them." Albany schools superintendent Margeurite Vanden Wyngaard: "The premise of receivership is that other folks can do that better ... And I understand that notion -- but we are not a business model. We are not creating a factory or parts; we are trying to develop human beings." [Cuomo admin] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
More banging on the drum for the Cuomo admin to release numbers on how much state aid schools will be getting so districts can plan budgets, this time from Assembly Republicans. [NYSNYS/Troy Record]
The proposed $200 million renovation of Albany High School will be up for a public vote on Election Day this November. [TU]
Colonie's town board approved new rules for motels that limit guest stays to 28 days if a motel doesn't have a restaurant or kitchenettes in the rooms. Also Thursday: The owner of 470 Troy-Schenectady Road reached a plea deal that includes the demolition of the building, which the town said had many code violations and was housing people upstairs. And the Alex Patel motel saga continued. [TU x2] [News10]
The Albany metro area has the highest per capita union membership in the nation, according to an analysis based on Census data. [TU]
Sheehan asks state for $17 million, Schenectady middle school students still failing in large numbers, Albany County Land Bank seeks owners with vision for 123 properties
Andrew Cuomo held a press conference on Wednesday to discuss pre-K andhis plan to fight sexual assault on college campuses, but instead he found himself dealing with ethics questions. Cuomo told reporters he has not been subpoenaed by federal investigators to this point. The press conference was called for the exact same time NYC mayor Bill De Blasio was set to make his budget pitch to legislators, which raised some eyebrows. [Daily News][TU][TU][NYT]
One day after Albany learned there would be few strings on its $5 million state Financial Restructuring Board grant, Kathy Sheehan appeared before state legislators on "tin cup day" to lay out a case for the city to get another $5 million to reduce its tax levy, along with a recurring $12 million grant. [TU]
After seeing that Albany got that $5 million from the Financial Restructuring Board, Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia is also looking for help from the board.[TU]
The Albany County Land Bank is soliciting proposals for 121 properties scattered throughout the city and two properties in Cohoes. [TU]
For a second year in a row, reports indicate Schenectady students are failing middle school in droves. [Gazette]
Silver pleads not guilty, Siena Poll: 92% of New Yorkers think legislative corruption is serious,Thelma Dooley-secretary to three Albany Mayors- has died
Lawyers for Sheldon Silver entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday and argued that the case against the former Assembly speaker should be thrown out because US Attorney Preet Bharara broke rules by offering uncensored views about Mr. Silver's guilt in public "always in inflammatory, over the top language that targets not just Mr. Silver but the entire New York State government."[WNYT][TWCN][NYT]
A new Siena poll reports 92% of New York voters think corruption is a serious problem in state government. [WNYT]
Tipped workers in New York State are getting an increase in their minimum wage to $7.50 an hour beginning December 31.[TU]
The state Financial Restructuring Board attached few requests to the $5 million it awarded the city of Albany. [TU]
An Albany Common Council committee debated proposed reforms for the coming red light cameras, but decided to postpone a vote on the reforms until more questions are answered. [WNYT][TWCN][
The Cuomo administration has begun to implement a 90-day deletion policy for email of rank and file state employees. [CNY]
Reaction to Krokoff's exit from APD, report highlights suspension rate disparities in Albany schools, more memories of Draven Rodriguez
Many of the reactions to the announcement that Albany police chief Steven Krokoff is leaving for a job in Georgia focused on the shift toward a more community-oriented approach and tone he had brought to the APD. (Krokoff apparently won out over 160 candidates for the chief's job in Milton, Georgia in part of because of his record making that shift.) Deputy chief Brendan Cox, who will be acting chief when Krokoff leaves: "We're going in such a good direction, I don't know that I see any need for changes." [TU x2] [News10]
A review by a research group at UCLA of school districts across the country concludes that suspension rates in the Albany school district are "troubling," and the gap is widening in the rate at which white and minority students are suspended. Albany's schools superintendent tells the Times Union the district is working to reduce suspension rates. [Civil Rights Project at UCLA] [TU]
The temperature in Albany dipped to -8 overnight. As the frigid weather goes on and on, many people are dealing with ice dams on the roof and frozen pipes. [NWS] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Krokoff leaving Albany Police Department, Cuomo attaches ethics reform to budget, remembering MLK Jr's speech in Albany
Albany police chief Steven Krokoff is leaving the department to take a police chief position job in Georgia, the Sheehan administration announced Monday morning. Krokoff says in the press release the move is about being able to spend more time with extended family. He's been chief since 2010, and during his term has pushed the APD to be more oriented toward community policing. Krokoff's last day -- he's technically retiring -- is set for April 1. Current deputy chief Brendan Cox has been named interim chief. [City of Albany press release]
Andrew Cuomo included his ethics reform plan with his budget amendments. The insertion of the plan into the amendments sets up a possible showdown with the legislature ahead of the April 1 budget deadline. [Cuomo admin] [Capital] [TU]
With a focus on the situation leading up to the death of Kenneth White, the Times Union reviewed child fatality reports filed with the state in the Capital Region core and found "often troubling circumstances in households where child-protective workers were monitoring living conditions." [TU x2]
Silver indicted on three counts, redevelopment plan for Kenwood property, Amedore proposes term limits, the springs in winter
A federal grand jury handed up a three-count indictment against Sheldon Silver. The counts in the indictment allege extortion, honest services mail fraud, and honest services wire fraud. The indictmentdoesn't include two of the five charges in the original complaint against the former state Assembly speaker. Silver's attorneys say they will fight for his "total vindication." [US DOJ] [Capital] [NYT] [NYDN]
Chuck Schumer says the oil tanker cars that derailed and caught fire in West Virginia this week wouldn't meet the proposed new federal safety standards, even though they were of a more recent generation of tanker car. Protesters held another rally against the oil train shipments outside Albany City Hall Thursday. [TU] [WNYT]
State Police say two Halfmoon have been arrested after one of them allegedly threw a flammable liquid on a dog and then set it on fire, and the dog was burned on its face and ear. [NYSP]
Developer Sonny Bonacio has floated a $30 million plan to convert the former Kenwood Convent property on Albany's southern edge into a mixed-use apartment complex. [Biz Review]
JCOPE wants Silver's financial statements, another Schenectady stabbing, Halfmoon seeks zip code, don't call it "Barbara's Law"
Andrew Cuomo claims the only thing standing in the way of disclosure laws are legislators that do not want to disclose their outside income.[TWCN]
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics has sent a notice of delinquency to Sheldon Silver for financial statements from 2011-2013 seeking information about non-state employee income. [TU]
Albany Common Council members could vote to include a grace period in red light camera plans tonight.[TWCN]
A stabbing near Van Voast Street in Schenectady sent an 18-year-old man to Ellis Hospital with multiple wounds.[TU]
A Glenville house fire left a family homeless claimed the life of a family dog .[News 10]
Activists call for ban on oil trains in Albany, cab driver robbed at gunpoint outside Crossgates, 90 water main breaks in Latham this year
In his State of the Judiciary address, New York's top judge, Jonathan Lippman, called the grand jury system "a relic of another time," and, in light of the case of Eric Garner and other deadly police encounters, called for judges to oversee the grand jury process in cases involving deadly and near-deadly incidents involving police and civilians.[NYT][TU]
Activists are asking the Albany Common Council to pass a resolution calling on the state Department of Environmental conservation to ban oil trains in the city following crashes and explosions in other locations around the country and Canada. [TU]
The Cuomo administration is proposing an increase in New York's oil spill fund. [WNYT]
In his State of the County address on Tuesday, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy called for more reforms in the transport of oil through Albany and said the county has been operating with a balanced budget for the last three years. McCoy also announced plans to provide primary medical care for the public out of a vacant space in the county nursing home and announced a new opioid addiction program coming to the county. [TWCN][TU][Record]
Police say a cab driver was held up at gunpoint outside Crossgates Mall by two men he drove to the mall on Tuesday night. Guilderland police arrested a 16 year old in connection with the attempted robbery. Another suspect is still on the loose. [TU][WNYT][News 10]
Double stabbing in Schenectady private student dorm, truck falls from Collar City Bridge, proposal for surveillance camera registry in Troy, ear muffs for calves
A Bronx man is accused of stabbing two people inside the privately-owned student dorm across from SCCC Sunday afternoon. Henzlee Miranda has been charged with attempted murder. The Times Union reports all three people attend the school. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [TU]
Schenectady police say a man was fatally shot Monday evening in Hamilton Hill (map). SPD says there have been no arrests. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A man arrested last year on drug charges has accused Albany police detectives of stealing more than $3k from his apartment during a warrantless search -- APD chief Steven Krokoff tells the Times Union he's confident an internal investigation will conclude the allegations of theft are false, but the detectives have all received "refresher training" on proper procedure. [TU]
The city of Albany is fighting $132,000 in legal fees it's been ordered to pay as part of a case dating back to 2006 in which city police confiscated an SUV during a drug investigation -- a case that was settled with the woman who owned the SUV for $10k. [TU]
A review of the state's Commission on Judicial Conduct by the New York World/Columbia Journalism School concluded that "the commission often does not remove judges even when they've violated the constitutionally guaranteed right to due process or manipulated the outcome of cases." [New York World/TU]
Troy police say two people escaped with minor injuries after the truck they were in fell off the Collar City Bridge and landed on 5th Avenue Monday. TPD says the pick-up truck hit a snow bank that acted like a ramp. [WNYT] [Troy Record]
Child dies after being hit by truck at Albany intersection, allegations of care problems at former Saratoga County nursing home, power shut off at mall, eight lives left
Albany police say a four-year-old boy died after being hit by a truck while crossing Central Ave at Quail Street (map). APD says the boy had been crossing with his mother, holding hands, and walking with the light -- an APD spokesman says that information is from surveillance video -- and the truck had been turning left on the green light. The garbage truck belongs to a private company, ICS Waste & Recycling -- a company spokesperson said in a statement that "The child had jumped over a snowbank and out into the road without warning." A crossing guard at the intersection told WNYT of traffic at the intersection: "They don't stop. They don't care. They never stop. They never stop. You gotta jump out of the way." An employee at the Subway on the corner tells the Times Union she saw someone hit at the intersection last summer. [APD press releases] [News10] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
City of Albany crossing guards say their push to unionize isn't just about better pay, but also better training and equipment. [TU]
A Vorheesville father is pushing for state legislation that would allow school bus operators to install traffic cameras on buses that could take photos of the license plates of vehicles that illegally pass school buses and law enforcement agencies could issue tickets based on the photos. [WNYT]
Anonymous family members and an employee tell the Saratogian the quality of care has declined at Maplewood Manor, the Saratoga County nursing home recently transferred to a private operator, and they allege residents' needs are being neglected. [Saratogian]
Cold snap prompts Code Blue alerts, VanAlstyne pleads not guilty in death of cousin, Albany council members seek red light camera changes
A drop in temperatures means a Code Blue will alerts be in effect in the Capital Region from Thursday through Monday. [Weather Underground][TU]
Four Albany Common Council members say they want changes in the upcoming red light camera enforcement , including an education grace period when the cameras are first activated and a four second yellow light duration so nobody accidentally runs a red light.[TWCN][WNYT]
Two hundred cars were towed in Albany as part of the most recent snow emergency.[News 10]
Tiffany VanAlstyne was arraigned on murder and manslaughter Wednesday in the death of her 5-year-old cousin Kenneth White. VanAlstyne pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Albany County Sheriff says VanAlstyne is a security risk and is in danger of being harmed by other inmates. [WNYT][TU][Record]
Term limits & ban on outside income being proposed for legislature, water main breaks becoming a problem, Liquor Authority sides with Saratoga bar
A new bill suggesting term limits of eight years for New York legislators is headed for the senate floor. Meanwhile the IDC is set to introduce a plan that would ban outside income for legislators. Senate Republicans are not in favor of the ban. Lawmakers are also openly discussing whether to make legislating a full time job in New York.[TU][TU][WNYT][CNY]
The State University of New York and its students are spending a combined $170 million a year to fill gaps left by secondary education.[TU]
Rensselaer Mayor Dan Dwyer is hoping the state will help foot the bill for infrastructure repairs in the city after two water main breaks in three days. [News 10]
Albany has suffered nearly 20 water main breaks so far this year.[WNYT]
A stretch of Broadway in Schenectady has reopened after National Grid repaired a gas leak at Broadway Lunch.
Snow emergencies, feds reportedly investigating systemic state corruption, supplies of road salt are tight, Troy Atrium courtyard for sale
Both Albany (starting 8 pm Tuesday) and Troy (8 am Tuesday) have declared so emergencies, along with a handful of other local municipalities. [City of Albany] [City of Troy] [TU]
A federal Department of Justice official tells WSJ that federal prosecutors are working a wide-ranging investigation of corruption involving state politicians and could end up issuing a report on systemic corruption. [WSJ]
Prominent Halfmoon developer Bruce Tanski was sentenced to three years probation and 200 hours of community service as part of the deal for his guilty plea to charges that he funneled campaign contributions through other donors in order to exceed contribution limits. The community service is connected with a charity to which Tanski is already associated, and for which his daughter is listed as the president. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Schenectady City Council approved zoning changes for the Mohawk Harbor casino site that allow increased building heights and larger signage. Councilman Vince Riggi abstained from the vote, repeating his objection that the council didn't have enough info about the building designs involved. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Troy officials are looking into another suspicious fire in Lansingburgh. Officials say the fire fits the pattern of suspected arsons in the neighborhood. The city's arson task force is now investigating 13 fires. [Troy Record] [TU] [News10]
Troy club owner arrested for shooting, cousin indicted in death of Kenneth White, Post Silver Stress Disorder?, 600 pounds and counting
There's a winter storm warning in effect through Tuesday morning -- total accumulation could be as much as 14 inches. [NWS]
Troy police say the owner of the now-closed Kokopellis has been arrested in connection with a shooting at the club during a private event January 11. Joseph Glick has been charged with first-degree assault for allegedly shooting a man in the leg. Troy police say they believe the shooting was intentional, but Glick's attorney says witnesses report it was accidental. [Troy Record] [News10] [TWCN] [TU]
Tiffany Van Alstyne has been indicted on charges that include second-degree murder in the December death of her cousin, five-year-old Kenneth White. [Albany County DA] [TU]
Schenectady police say a man was arrested Friday after he allegedly barricaded himself in a Central State neighborhood apartment with his girlfriend and her child -- while the apartment was burning (map). Rogers Jackson is facing charges that include attempted murder and arson. SPD says seven officers were injured during the incident, six of them with smoke inhalation. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]
An Ohio man's claim of culpability in the 1997 murder of a UAlbany student in Arbor Hill has cast doubt on the convictions of the two Albany men currently in prison for the crime -- at the time police say the men confessed after several hours of interrogation without attorneys present (they both later recanted). [TU]
Malcom Smith convicted, state settlement in Vito Lopez sexual harassment lawsuit, school district "flying blind" without state aid info, former CDTA mechanic alleges co-workers hazed him
Malcolm Smith, the former majority leader of the state Senate, was convicted on federal corruption charges Thursday. The feds say Smith, a Democrat, tried to bribe his way onto the Republican line in the NYC mayoral election. Said US Attorney Preet Bharara in a statement, of the case: "And sadly, this was just one of many pockets of corruption this Office has uncovered in New York, which has become the 'show me the money' state. It should not be asking too much to expect public officials at least to obey the law." [NYT] [Buffalo News] [US Attorney Southern District of NY]
Two former state Assembly staffers who accused former Assemblyman Vito Lopez of sexually harassing them have reached a $580k settlement -- $545k from the state, and $35k from Lopez. Said the women in a statement: "We hope our ordeal will serve as a strong reminder to New York's legislators that they are accountable for their behavior. All women should be treated with respect and dignity, not as sex objects or as problems to be handled and silenced." It's the second such settlement the state has made regarding Lopez and sexual harassment allegations -- it settled for more than $100k with two Assembly staffers in 2012. [NYT] [TU] [NY Post]
Andrew Cuomo, talking with the Syracuse Post-Standard editorial board this week, on Sheldon Silver: "This was a 20-year senior state official. If you can't trust him, who can you trust?" [Syracuse Post-Standard]
The massive Anthem data breach might also include information for members of the Empire Plan. [TU]
Metro North investigators asking why SUV was stopped on tracks, Troy police investigate Wednesday afternoon shooting, plans revealed to improve I-890
The investigation into the fatal Metro North crash on Wednesday is now focused on why the driver of an SUV stopped on the train tracks between the lowered crossing gates. [TU]
The truck driver involved in the fatal accident that killed Trooper David Cuniff had allegedly been on the road for more than 14 hours at the time of the accident according to an indictment released this week. [TU]
Representatives from one of the five companies vying for the contract for red light cameras in Albany, were in the city last night to answer questions at a public hearing. [WNYT]
Police in Troy are investigating a shooting that occurred on Tuesday afternoon at around 2:50pm on 7th Avenue in Troy. [TWCN]
Metro North train collides with car- six killed, Heastie elected Assembly Speaker, renewed effort to move up last call in Saratoga,from prison to state park
Six people were killed in Westchester County on Tuesday night when a Metro North train hit a car in Valhalla. [TWCN][NYT]
Carl Heastie has officially been elected Speaker of the NYS Assembly. Heastie is the first new speaker in 21-years. At a press conference on Tuesday he told the chamber,"The resignation of the previous speaker has brought about change in the leadership of this house. And this change in leadership will bring about much needed reform." But for a speaker, he appears to be a man of few words. Meanwhile former speaker Sheldon Silver took a desk in the back of the chamber. Most Republicans voted for Brian Kolb, and one cast his vote for Preet Bharara, the federal prosecutor who had Silver arrested.
[TWCN][TU][NYT][CNY][Record]
State Police arrested the Canadian truck driver involved in the fatal accident that killed Trooper David Cunniff a year ago. Officials allege 66-year-old Gary Blakely was negligent behind the wheel, citing unsafe lane changes, reckless driving and operating over allotted hours. He's in the Montgomery County Jail on several charges including aggravated manslaughter and aggravated criminally negligent homicide.
Five companies -- two of the largest-- are vying to get the contract for Albany's red light cameras.[TU]
Heastie set to be next Assembly speaker, Cuomo says no budget without ethics reform, Hello Kitty's alleged secret message, Ecovative opening factory in Troy
Sheldon Silver was set to resign the state Assembly speakership just before midnight Monday night. And Bronx Assemblyman Carl Heastie is set to be elected to the new speaker Tuesday morning. (Comments from a handful of Capital Region Assembly members.) The speaker vote had been scheduled for February 10, but was moved up. Assembly Democratic majority leader Joe Morelle defending the compressed schedule: "There has been a public airing. There's been a lot of news articles about the various candidates. We've gone through and talked to our colleagues. We've done this in a way that has always been done." [TU] [NYT] [Daily Gazette] [State of Politics] [TWCN]
In a speech Monday Andrew Cuomo said he would not sign the state budget this year without the passage of a five-point ethics reform plan. Among the provisions of the plan: increased disclosure about outside income for public officials. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [NYT]
Troy has declared its first snow emergency in many years. [City of Troy] [WNYT]
The Albany snow emergency starts at 8 pm Tuesday with even-side parking, and flips to odd-side parking at 8 pm Wednesday. [City of Albany]
Next speaker kind of like the old speaker, suburban school districts seeing increase in poverty, evidence that stuck, the TU Center 25 years later
As you know, it's snowing. The Capital Region is expected to get 10-14 inches. Many things are delayed or canceled. Call ahead, take your time. You know how this works.
With Bronx state Assemblyman Carl Heastie poised to become speaker, the are reports the new boss is like the old boss. [NYDN] [Capital]
Sheldon Silver's exit as speaker transfers power over many aspects of the operation of the Assembly, including parking spaces and who gets new computers. [TU]
Preet Bharara's "stay tuned" comment at the press release announcing the arrest of Sheldon Silver has people at the Capitol waiting for the other shoe -- or many shoes -- to drop. [Capitol]
The number of children qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch has been rising in suburban school districts in the Capital Region. [Daily Gazette]
The SUNY Charter Schools Institute announced it will not be supporting renewal of the charter for the Brighter Choice middle schools in Albany. The schools currently include about 450 students. [TU] [WNYT]
Bronx Assemblyman seen as frontrunner for Assembly speaker, Repp sentenced to 40 years to life, disruptive pile driving, family birthday x3
The scramble to become the next speaker of the state Assembly is now down to three, and it looks like Carl Heastie of the Bronx is the frontrunner. [TU] [State of Politics]
"People familiar with the investigation" tell WNBC that the feds are looking into state Senate majority leader Dean Skelos and his sources of outside income. Skelos's office released a statement calling the report "irresponsible, and does not meet the standards of serious journalism." [WNBC] [NYDN]
Anthony Repp, who pleaded guilty to killing his mother and stepfather with a rock at their Schaghticoke home in 2013, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison. Rensselaer County ADA said audio of the attack could be heard on a 911 call, with Repp saying at the end, "Bye-bye mom, gone forever." Repp's attorney, Terrance Kindlon, said his client suffers from mental illness, but the specifics of the case didn't fit a defense on those grounds. [Troy Record] [TU] [News10] [WNYT]
Potential successors line up for Speaker, two die in separate Capital Region fires, man jailed for hitting mother, 72 year old lays down fitness challenge for Jimmy Fallon
Several Democratic lawmakers are already vying to replace the speaker. Here's a look at who they are, and a breakdown of the six days that resulted in Silver's demise. Meanwhile lawmakers are working on the budget without Silver. [TWCN][NYT]
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara has reportedly lined up cooperating witnesses in the corruption case against Sheldon Silver. [TU]
Sheldon Silver is taking a leave of absence from the Manhattan personal injury law firm where he works outside of the legislature. [NYT]
Reconsidering how things get done in the legislature in the wake of the Silver controversy. [TU]
Dems will replace Silver as speaker, Capital Region unemployment reaches seven year low, virtual snow days just aren't the same
After ten hours of deliberations Assembly Democrats announced on Tuesday that Sheldon Silver will be out as speaker as of Monday. It's still not clear if Silver will resign or be forced out of the speaker's post, but he told reporters, "I will not hinder the succession process." Silver did say he had no plans to resign his seat in the Assembly. [TU][WNYT][TWCN]
Silver's temporary replacement will be Rochester Assemblyman Joseph Morelle. Morelle, who will be speaker until at least February 10, when a special election will be held, is a business friendly Democrat.[NYT][News10][City&State][CapNY]
Unemployment dropped to a seven year low in December with a local jobless rate of 4.5 percent. [TU]
The Capital Region only got a few inches of snow on Tuesday, but it was enough to make commutes slippery.[WNYT]
Rensselaer is going ahead with plans for a waterfront esplanade, even though the city lost its bid for a casino at DeLaet's Landing. [TU]
Local cancelation for snowy apocalypse, Assembly Democrats pushing on Silver to resign speaker post, Glenville restaurant fire called suspicious
The icy, snowy apocalypse for the Capital Region was canceled, as the Nor'easter took a track farther to the east. The new snowfall projection for the Capital Region core: something like 3-6 inches. [AOA] [NWS]
Momentum in the state Assembly appears to have shifted against Sheldon Silver and his continued reign as speaker after a Monday night meeting of the Assembly majority Democrats asked Silver to resign his leadership post. Earlier Tuesday Democratic Assemblyman Keith Wright of Manhattan, a possible successor to Silver as speaker, criticized the placeholder group of five proposed to handle Silver's budget negotiation duties, and called for Silver to step down. Said Silver as he left the Capitol Monday night: "I am the speaker ... I'm standing. And I'm going to be standing for a long time." [TWCN] [NYDN] [TU] [Capital] [NYT]
The Troy City Council report on the King Street and King Fuels demolitions, as well as the 51 3rd Street code crackdown, concludes that there were "a systemic and integral set of failures and patterns" that led to the situations. Council president Rodney Wiltshire says the council has pushed the city administration for changes, but nothing has happened. Mayor Lou Rosamilia said Monday he couldn't comment on the report because he hadn't read it yet. But he continued to back up the actions of the city administration regarding the two demolitions, to TWCN: "Based on the information I received and heard, people exercised what they believed was in the best interest of the city and the building in both locations." [Troy City Council report] [TU] [Troy Record] [TWCN]
Silver said to be handing off some power in the Assembly, Bharara questions "three men in a room" setup, Albany parking enforcement reportedly fighting tech glitches
Yep, it's going to snow a lot -- probably about a foot here in the Capital Region. [NWS]
Sheldon Silver will be handing the state budget negotiations over to a five-member group of Assembly members as he faces federal corruption charges. Silver is not resigning his post as speaker, and will continue to get the $41k leadership stipend. [NYDN] [TU]
Joe Bruno, commenting on the Sheldon Silver situation Friday on TALK 1300: "My experience with the feds. You are guilty from day one. When they start looking at you and then you better be able to prove that you're innocent." [WNYT]
US Attorney Preet Bharara speaking Friday about state's government's longstanding "three men in a room" power structure: "There are by my count 213 men and women in the state legislature, and yet it is common knowledge that only three men essentially wield all the power. ... I must confess a little bit of confusion about this: When did this come to pass? Why has everyone just come to accept it?" [Capital]
Police and community org officials say the effort to get more minority police officers needs to include persistent recruitment and more minority community members taking civil service tests. [Daily Gazette]
Chris Churchill: The case of an Albany teen sent to prison for 9 years on a conviction connected to the theft of a pair of sneakers highlights the role of poverty in the criminal justice system's inequities. [TU]
All Sheldon Silver all the time, push for state to help pay for legal defense for the poor, JetBlue scheduled for November arrival, learning to walk again with an exoskeleton
Sheldon Silver was released after posting a $200k bond in federal court Thursday afternoon, and afterward said: "I am confident that when all the answers are aired I will be vindicated." [State of Politics] [NYT]
A quick scan of what the feds allege Sheldon Silver did. [AOA]
Andrew Cuomo, to the New York Daily News editorial board, about the Silver situation: "Obviously it's bad for the speaker, but it's also a bad reflection on government and it adds to the negativity. And it adds to the cynicism and it adds to the 'they're all the same,'" (The governor did not say whether he thinks Silver should resign his leadership spot.) [NYDN]
The state Assembly session scheduled for Thursday was cancelled, and Assembly Democrats huddled up before announcing their continued support for Silver as speaker. Said Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle: "We believe he can carry out his duties as speaker and we are standing side by side to do our responsibilities and do our job so we can advance forward." Capital Region Democratic Assembly members all had pretty much the same take: they're waiting to see how things play out. The Republican Assembly Minority Leader, Brian Kolb, said Silver should step down as speaker. [State of Politics] [TWCN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Despite the Democrats' efforts to insist that the Silver situation wouldn't be a "distraction" from business of the legsislature, Silver's arrest could signal a massive shift in the fundamental political calculus of the Capitol. [State of Politics] [NYT]
Education policy -- including funding, teacher evaluations, and other hot topics -- are set to be a key part of the legislative session, and the Silver arrest could tilt things toward Andrew Cuomo and state Senate Republicans. [Capital]
The feds allege Silver racked up millions in income from his legal work -- yet by public appearances, Silver is said to have lived a relatively modest life (including stays at the Red Carpet Inn in Albany). [NY Post]
Sheldon Silver arrested on corruption charge, Cuomo lays out $141 billion "opportunity agenda", Albany lawmakers consider residency requirement, new redistricting plan for Schenectady schools
State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested today on corruption charges. The charges stem from allegations that Silver took payments from a small law firm that he failed to list on his annual financial disclosure filings. [AOA][NYT]
Andrew Cuomo laid out a 141.6 billion budget plan on Tuesday for the upcoming fiscal year. What Cuomo called his "Opportunity Agenda" included plans to tie $800 million in school aid to an 11 point list of school reform that includes incentive pay for teachers, tenure reform and an increase in charter schools. The plan also calls for cutting more than 2 million in aid to communities with VLTs, which could mean a hit of half-a-million dollars to Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County. Cuomo also announced a proposal to better protect students from sexual assault on college campuses and $500 million for broadband access in rural upstate areas. Reactions to the plan were mixed. Here are a few take away items from the speech [TU][TU][TWCN][TU][Saratogian][Gazette][WNYT][Record][AOA]
Twenty-two protestors were arrested outside the entrance to the convention center during the speech.
Protests outside the address were smaller than in recent years, with some anti fracking advocates holding up thank you signs. Others work "I Can't Breathe" sweatshirts and carried signs that read Black Lives Matter. [TU][WNYT][CNY]
State of the State/budget address today, Cuomo approval rating highest since summer, minimum wage and poverty themes in People's State of the State, significant cutbacks at GE battery plant, when Santa beat Mario Cuomo at checkers
President Obama laid out an ambitious agenda in Tuesday's State of the Union address. [NYT]
Andrew Cuomo gives his combined budget and State of the State address today. In a preview on Tuesday, said "This is probably the most robust State of the State I've done." Expect to hear about tax cuts for small business, property tax relief, funding for bridges and subways and improvements for public schools.[WNYT][TU][TWCN]
On the eve of the state of the state address a Siena poll showed Andrew Cuomo's favorability rating is up to 60 percent-- the highest since the summer. [TU]
Parents and teachers gathered in Valatie last night to send a message to Andrew Cuomo to drop common core.[TWCN]
Anti-poverty groups, labor leaders and others had their say on Tuesday at the 25th annual People's State of the State at the Capitol. [TWCN][WNYT]
More than 80 legislators have signed a letter to Andrew Cuomo requesting $2.2 billion in additional state aid for schools, including $250 million in pre-kindergarten.{TU]
Previews from State of the State include juvenile justice reform and potential Harriman campus private development, task force for Lansingburgh fires, push to delete license plate scanner data
With the State of the State/state budget presentation scheduled for Wednesday, the Cuomo admin has been previewing a bunch of different plans/initiatives/programs:
+ A report from a juvenile justice panel recommends raising the cut-off age for juvenile jurisdiction from 16 to 18. [TU]
+ A proposal to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.50 per hour ($11.50 per hour in New York City). [TU]
+ Andrew Cuomo announced plans for a commission to study, and possibly raise, the pay of state legislators -- and restrict their outside income. [NYT]
+ "Cuomo administration officials" tell the Times Union the state budget proposal will include a plan to dedicate a chunk of the Harriman State Office Campus in Albany to private development that would have provide PILOTs to the city of Albany. [TU]
The city of Troy has put together a task force to investigate the alleged arsons in Lansingburgh. There was another suspicious fire this past Sunday. [TU] [Troy Record]
NYRA and the Wandering Dago food truck have reached a settlement over the truck being bounced from the Saratoga Race Course because of its name. The Times Union reports the settlement is for $68,500. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Upstate regions to compete for $500 million, clarification of SUNY Poly payment to Albany, shadow could dim prospects of parking garage, too tall
The Cuomo admin's new upstate economic development funding initiative: Having seven regions compete for three $500 million awards. It's a follow-up of sorts to the "Buffalo Billion." [TU] [State of Politics]
Some clarification on the $1.9 million that SUNY Poly will be contributing to the city of Albany. [TU]
The family of Trevor Duffy, the UAlbany student who died from an alcohol overdose last fall at what's alleged to have been underground frat off campus, has filed the initial paperwork for a lawsuit against UAlbany, SUNY, and the city of Albany seeking $55 million. [TWCN] [TU]
Cold snap continues, Schenectady man shot and robbed while taking out trash, SUNY Poly to pay city of Albany--but how much?
Yep, still cold.[Weather Underground]
In her 2015 State of the City address on Wednesday, Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan focused on bringing new revenue into the city. Sheehan announced that SUNY Polytechnic will pay the city of Albany $500 thousand a year for three years in lieu of taxes, but it's not clear if that is new assistance or part of a previously announced grant. [TWCN][WNYT][TU]
A Schenectady man was taking out his trash and warming up his car near the intersection of Broadway and Ceder on Wednesday morning, when thieves allegedly shot him in the leg and stole the vehicle.
Police have recovered the car, but the suspects are still at large.[TWCN][WNYT][TU]
A few early details on Andrew Cuomo's 1.6 Billion proposal to cut property taxes for low and middle income New Yorkers. [TU]
Albany rezoning process starts, Kaloyeros named SUNY Poly president, still cold, NYS snacks at the Exit 9 rest stop
The city of Albany has has hired a consulting firm to help work on the city's zoning code to promote "a more walkable, sustainable, vibrant urban development."[TWCN]
Alain Kaloyeros, former CEO and officer-in-charge at SUNY Polytechnic has been named the school's first president.. [Business Review][TU]
The state Gaming Facility Location Board voted Tuesday to open another round of bids for a fourth casino license in the Southern Tier. The board will not be reevaluating any casino bids in the Capital Region, including Rensselaer County. [TU][WNYT]
A Department of Corrections employee outlined the alleged sexual harassment and bizarre behavior of his supervisor, James Ferro, which he claims were not taken seriously by the department.[TU]
Saratoga County Sheriff's deputies may soon be wearing body cameras. County officials formed a subcommittee on Tuesday to study the possibility of using the cameras in the wake of an incident where a sheriff's deputy was filmed trying to search a vehicle without a warrant. [News 10][Saratogian]
Former DOCCS official accused of harassment, push for increases in school funding, upgrades for TU Center, thirst for malt barley
The state Attorney General's office announced a former top official with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has been arrested and charged in connection with allegations of sexual harassment of a subordinate at the DOCCS office at the Harriman campus. The Times Union reported last year that the former official, James Ferro, was also facing accusations of harassing another DOCCS employee, apparently different from the one in the situation cited by the current charges. [NYS OAG] [TU]
A "Moral Monday" rally in the Capitol that includes representatives from the state teachers unions pushed for increased state aid for struggling school districts, such as Schenectady. [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [TU] [News10]
The state Senate has passed eight parts of the Women's Equality Act -- but not the abortion rights provision. Sheldon Silver says the package of bills is a no-go in the Assembly without abortion rights bill. [TU] [State of Politics]
Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy's state of the city address focused on progress made in downtown development, demolishing problem buildings, and the upcoming casino. Also, no surprise: McCarthy's said to be thinking about a second term. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Authorities say Guilderland quadruple homicide investigation is ongoing, TPD: shooting at Kokopellis, study of downtown Troy parking
"Sources involved in the investigation" of the Guilderland quadruple homicide tell the Times Union investigators are looking into alleged "large amounts of off-the-books cash that flowed through undocumented Chinese restaurant workers in a shadowy underground economy that runs from New York City to the Capital Region and beyond." [TU]
Troy police are investigating a shooting reported to have happened early Sunday morning inside the night club Kokopellis. TPD says the man who was shot was treated and released. TPD says the club owner was there at the time of the shooting, but has been "uncooperative." Police says witnesses have been cooperating. Kokopellis recently announced it had closed -- the owner cited the case of alleged police brutality at the club a year ago, and continued problems with police as reasons -- but apparently it was hosting a private party Saturday/Sunday. [Troy Record] [News10] [TU] [TWCN]
Albany has released the request for proposals for the red light camera system -- it includes a request that the system would allow remote access to live video streams from the cameras. [TU]
It's still cold, sheriff pushes easier information sharing in missing child cases, Glenville gearing up for casino changes
It is still cold. The temperature dipped to -1 overnight. Today's forecasted high: 27 degrees. [NWS]
The director of the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society said Wednesday night was the busiest night in 4-year history of the Code Blue shelter program -- more than 350 people. [TU] [News10]
Prompted the death of Kenneth White, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple is pushing for a law change that would make it easier for law enforcement agencies to get information from child protective services about histories of abuse in missing child cases. Apples says hold up on info in the White case hindered his department's investigation. [News10] [WNYT]
A state appellate court has reversed the conviction of Tina Karuzas -- the Schenectady woman convicted of manslaughter for allegedly fatally stabbing her neighbor in 2011 -- citing problems with the prosecution being allowed to cross examine her about a prior harassment conviction. [TU]
A state appellate court has ordered a new trial for Lydia Ann Salce -- the Halfmoon woman convicted of attempted murder for allegedly attacking her husband in their home in 2011 -- citing a denial of a defense witness and problems with an explanation given to the jury. [TU]
Legislative session gets underway, Albany County bans toxic toys, arson ruled out in latest Troy fire, It. Is. Cold.
Today's high will be about 17 but the wind chill will make it feel much colder. The cold is causing school closings and delays throughout the Capital Region. [TWCN][TU]
The state legislative session began on Wednesday, in spite of the delay in the State of the State address. The Senate session of 2015 convened pretty calmly under new leadership.Things got off to a rough start in the Assembly where desk mics were cut off after several members criticized Sheldon's Silver's reelection as speaker. [WNYT][TU][Record]
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy signed a first-in-the-state ban on children's products containing a range of toxic substances. The new law bans children's products and clothing containing benzene, lead, mercury, antimony, arsenic cadmium and cobalt from being sold in the county. [News 10][TU]
Mario Cuomo laid to rest, legislators return to Albany, Code Blue alerts in force around the region, remembering the day Troy got its name
Mario Cuomo was laid to rest on Tuesday , following a service at St. Ignatius Loyola in Manhattan. Andrew Cuomo eulogized his father, friend and political advisor as a humanist whose politics were "more of a personal belief system."Cuomo called his father the "keynote speaker for our better angels." [TU][NYT][WNYT]
Legislators are arriving in Albany to begin the first session of 2015, despite the delay in the State of the State address. [WNYT][TWCN]
In a pre-session vote, assembly democrats voted for Sheldon Silver to continue on as speaker. [TU]
Code Blue alerts are in effect throughout the Capital Region due to the cold temperatures. [TWCN]
Gibson says he won't run for re-election to House, state high court case about notification over kept brain, $34 million Adelphi renovation planned
Chris Gibson announced Tuesday morning that he will not run for re-election to the House of Representatives after the term that starts today. From a press release:
As I stated shortly after retiring from the US Army and first pursuing a seat in Congress in 2010, I planned to self-impose term limits. Accordingly, after much reflection and consultation with my family, this will be my third and final time taking the oath of office as a Representative in the US House. I thank the voters of Upstate NY for this privilege to serve and pledge to continue to work tirelessly on their behalf in this final term.
A Republican Party "source" told Roll Call ahead of the announcement that Gibson is interested in running for a statewide office in 2018. And from Gibson's announcement press release: "Moving forward, I will be committed to building a stronger team so that the GOP can compete and win statewide in 2018, including the possibility of being a candidate in that cycle." (Among the offices up fro election that year: governor.) [Chris Gibson's office] [Roll Call]
The funeral for Mario Cuomo is today in New York City. Monday afternoon more than a thousand people attended people attended calling hours for the former governor, including Vice President Joe Biden. [TU] [TWCN]
Joe Bruno's memories of Mario Cuomo. [NYSNYS/Troy Record]
Troy police have a released a photo of a person they say they're attempting to find as part of the investigation into the alleged arson in Lansingburgh last week. [Troy Record]
A dozen news stories from the winter break
A lot of people -- us included -- try to unplug a bit during the time between Christmas and the start of the new year. So, we're doing something a little different for Morning Blend today. Here are a dozen notable news stories from that period. Some of these are big stories that got a lot of attention, others less so but are still noteworthy/interesting. (This isn't a comprehensive list.)
Mario Cuomo
As you no doubt heard, Mario Cuomo died this past Thursday. He was 82. Here's the NYT obit and the Times Union obit. Of course there have been many pieces about memories of the former governor: The famous 1984 Democratic National Convention speech, stories about his competitive nature and work habits, about some of his frequently visited spots in downtown Albany. [NYT] [TU] [Washington Post] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
The funeral for Mario Cuomo is scheduled for Tuesday. As a result, Andrew Cuomo's State of the State address has been rescheduled from Wednesday to January 21. [NYT] [TU]
Vigil for Kenneth White, developer says de Laet's Landing plans moving ahead, real estate agents report increased interest in Schenectady
There was a vigil honoring Kenneth White at at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Elementary School Monday evening. The school's principal described the boy as "a dear and bubbly little guy." Said the boy's mother, Christine White: "It's hard to grasp the fact that one of my loved ones did this to my precious little boy." Kenneth White had been living in the home of his aunt, Brenda VanAlstyne. She tells WNYT that her daughter -- 19-year-old Tiffany, who's been accused of killing Kenneth White -- had been suffering from mental illness. A fund set up by the Albany County Sheriff's Office is collecting donations for Kenneth White's siblings. [News10] [TU] [WNYT] [WNYT] [TWCN]
The SUNY Charter School Institute has issued a preliminary recommendation that two Albany charter middle schools be closed. [TU]
The president of U.W. Marx Construction says plans for a $20 million, 96-unit luxury apartment development at the de Laet's Landing site on the Hudson River in Rensselaer will move head this spring, even though the site wasn't picked for a casino. [Daily Gazette]
Cousin charged with murder in death of Kenneth White, Schenectady mayor projects property tax reduction because of casino, plans for new amenities at Thacher State Park
On Friday Tiffany VanAlstyne -- the 19-year-old cousin of Kenneth White -- was charged with second-degree murder for the death of the 5-year-old boy. Authorities allege she strangled the boy, carried him down the road, and in the words of Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, threw his body over a guardrail "like a piece of trash." The situation surrounding White's death was originally reported as a kidnapping, but Apple says investigators responding to the case started getting indications the pieces didn't fit that story -- and a police dog found White's body about 40 yards from the home where he was staying. That home has been shut for code violations and two other small children have been placed in foster care, according to authorities. Brenda VanAlstyne -- mother of Tiffany, aunt of Kenneth -- tells News10 that they're fixing the code violations and referred to the boy's death as an "accident." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
Rotterdam police say they're investigating the death of a 20-month-old boy in September as a homicide after autopsy results indicate the child died of asphyxiation. RPD say the boy's mother and her partner are not cooperating with police. [TWCN] [TU]
Schenectady police say a pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle on Albany Street near Fairview Ave Saturday evening (map). It's the fourth incident in the Capital Region in the last month in which a pedestrian has died after a crash with a vehicle. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Sheriff: Body of Berne 5 year old found, kidnapping story was false; state committee recommends opening police records, CDTA adding accordion busses
The body of 5-year-old Kenneth White was found by a K-9 unit near the home where he had been staying in East Berne, according to Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple. The sheriff says White was initially reported missing by a caretaker who said the boy had been taken by two masked men -- a report that Apple says was false. Apple says he expects a suspect to be charged in the case today. Update: Authorities say 19-yr-old Tiffany VanAlstyne -- White's cousin, and the person who had reported the kidnapping -- has been arrested and will face a murder charge. [WGY] [WNYT] [TWCN] [News10] [TU]
In a letter to the chancellor of the state Board of Regents and the state education commissioner, the Cuomo admin indicated (through a series of questions) it will be pushing for a slate of reforms, notably to the teacher evaluation system. NYSUT called the letter "clueless." [Cuomo admin] [TU] [NYSUT]
The Cuomo admin has released draft rules for the medical marijuana program. Medical marijuana advocates say the rules are too restrictive. [Cuomo admin] [Capital]
Reactions to casino & fracking decisions, Feds seeking money from Saratoga drug bust, tickets to visit Cuomo
Andrew Cuomois headed to Schenectady today to congratulate the city on winning the bid for the Rivers Casino. [TU][AOA]
Some reaction to the casino decision:
Schenectady is celebrating its win in the casino competition.[TWCN]
Rensselaer Mayor Dan Dwyer on losing the proposal for a Hard Rock Casino: "I don't have $40 or $50 million. We're in trouble. Our system is collapsing like a lot of cities are. I was hoping to really use that money for development,"[TWCN]
The developers for the planned Rivers Casino in Schenectady say the prep work that went into making the site shovel ready was a main reason they project won its casino bid. [Gazette]
Opponents of the proposed East Greenbush casino are celebrating the casino decision. [TU]
Glenville officials say they will need infrastructure improvements to prepare for the effects of a Schenectady casino. [Gazette]
Union College is concerned about having a casino so nearby. [Gazette]
Casino decision expected today, man who reported Hudson Avenue murder now a suspect, pot wrapped as Christmas presents mailed to Desmond, Pataki 2016?
The decision on where a new casino will be built in the Capital Region is expected to come down later today. [WNYT][TWCN]
A man who walked into the Albany VA Medical Center and informed them that there was a body in his Hudson Avenue apartment on Sunday is now a suspect in the murder. Robert Lake is in police custody and charged with the murder of Latisha Alzaid. [WNYT][TU]
The uncle of a Schenectady woman who was murdered on State Street over the weekend called police to his home and threw a bottle at an officer's head in an attempt to get arrested so he could got to jail and seek retribution against the man charged with her death. The victim's father was pepper sprayed by police when he charged at the alleged killer during a court appearance on Monday. [TU][Gazette]
A Colorado man was arrested at the Desmond Hotel after postal inspectors in Colonie found more than 16 pounds of marijuana, wrapped up as Christmas presents, addressed to himself at the Desmond.[TWCN][WNYT][Saratogian]
APD investigating death of woman at senior apartment building, father charges at suspect accused of killing his daughter, Cuomo admin trying re-classify a thousand PEF employees
Albany police say a 56-year-old woman was found dead, with stab wounds, in an apartment at the Parkview Apts senior housing (map) Sunday evening. APD says a suspect is in custody, and as of yesterday the suspect was admitted at Albany Med for non-life-threatening injuries -- investigators are trying to figure out if the injuries were sustained during the same incident in which the woman died. APD says the woman and suspect knew each other, but the nature of the relationship is unclear. Tenants tell TWCN that the two had been in a relationship. Another neighbor told WNYT that the suspect had talked about the "rocky" relationship: "He kept coming to my apartment and talking about it. Harping on two subjects, sex and betrayal and I just told him let it go and he didn't listen to me." [APD FB] [News10] [TU] [TWCN] [WNYT]
In court Monday the father of the Markia Booth/Harris, found shot to death in Schenectady Saturday afternoon, charged at Jamell Modest, the man accused of killing his daughter -- he was tackled by court officers and hit with pepper spray. After order was restored, Modest pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, including second-degree murder. (Also: The Times Union is now referring to Booth/Harris as "Markida" -- other outlets are continuing to identify her as "Markia.") [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU]
Among the groups pushing for a piece of the state's $5 billion surplus: a coalition called Rebuild New York Now, which includes leaders from the Capital Region, wants the money put toward fixing infrastructure such as roads and bridges. And the state Board of Regents is looking for more than $300 million of the surplus for a range of programs. [TWCN] [TU x2]
Andrew Cuomo said in a statement released Monday that the state's targeted inspection program of oil trains and rail continues to find "critical safety defects that put New Yorkers at risk." Among the most recent batch of identified problems: a faulty switch on a line at the Northeast Industrial Park near Vorheesville. [Cuomo admin] [TU]
Schenectady woman fatally shot with infant nearby, questions about enforcement of toxic toys law, bill would ban pet tattoos
Schenectady police say a 30-year-old woman, Markia Booth (also known as Markia Harris), was fatally shot on State Street in the Central State neighborhood Saturday afternoon with her infant child nearby. SPD says 46-year-old Jamell Modest has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. SPD says Booth and Modest had at one point been in a relationship, but it was unclear if that was still the case. Booth had been working as a counselor at a homeless shelter for teens, and the executive director there described her as "a lovely woman and will be greatly missed." The shooting, along with other recent fatal shootings in the city, prompted neighborhood residents to call for a greater police presence. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say they're investigating two separate shootings -- one Friday night, the other early Sunday morning -- in the Mansion/South End area. [APD FB]
There's evidence pointing to the conclusion that the GlobalFoundries chip fab in Malta will be making chips for the iPhone and iPad. [TU]
Reaction to Capital Region's $60 million in REDC awards, 20 years to life for death of Lansingburgh woman, NAACP pushing for data from Albany schools, 1,399 light bulbs
Capital Region projects got $60 million from the state Regional Economic Development Awards (link includes the full list), the second-lowest amount among the state's 10 regions. Counting all four years of the program, the Capital Region has received the second-lowest total of awards of any region, behind only New York City. [AOA] [TU]
Among the high-profile projects: The Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market project in downtown Troy got the largest award of any single project in the Capital Region -- $1.5 million. The market's manager says they're hoping to be in the space by 2016. (Plans for the overall mixed-used project on the site of the former city hall have still not been released or approved.) And the planned "Robinson Block" mixed-use development on lower State Street in Schenectady got $1.2 million -- officials say the project could start next year. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
Alexis Torres -- who pleaded guilty to killing Amber Lynne Fernald in Lansingburgh in June -- was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. Said Fernald's teen son at the sentencing: "I hope that for the rest of your life that you are haunted by the images of what you did to the woman you said you loved ... We hope you burn in hell." Said Shane Hug, the ADA who prosecuted the case, about the Fernald's death and other incidents of domestic violence: "All too often things are happening behind closed doors where people are being abused -- women, children -- and we need to stand up together say 'enough.' Not just the police, not just the DA's office, not just the courts." [WNYT] [TU] [Troy Record]
The snow storm this week resulted in a wide range of snowfall totals around the region, including 2 feet of snow in Duanesburg. [TU]
King leaving State Ed. for Obama administration, toddler dies after drinking liquid nicotine, snow forces cancelations and messy commutes, reasons not to mess with Nipper
It snowed, and that made for some long and messy commutes on Wednesday night. The snow knocked out power to thousands of people in the Capital Region and has caused another day of closings and delays for area schools. [TU][WNYT]
State Education Commissioner John King is stepping down to become a senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education. King will be succeeded by Elizabeth Berlin, the executive deputy commissioner of State Ed.[TU][TWCN][WNYT]
A 1-year-old died in Fort Plain on Tuesday after swallowing liquid nicotine.The incident occurs as state lawmakers are making a push to tighten safety regulations on liquid nicotine products, including child protective packaging.[TWCN][TU][News 10]
A report by Tom DiNapoli's office suggests there is a budget crises at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation that may threaten the department's ability to carry out its functions due to decreased staffing and increased responsibility.[TU]
More snow on the way, pedestrian struck and killed on 787, Saratoga County considering body cams for sheriff's deputies, stolen goats returned
Another round of snow is expected in the Capital Region today, resulting in more closings and delays. [TWCN][WNYT]
Saratoga County is considering equipping its sheriff's deputies with body cameras.[Gazette]
Police say a woman died on Tuesday night when she was struck by a car as she walked to work along 787. [TU]
Schneiderman asks for authority to investigate cases involving unarmed civilians killed by police, state investigation into Saratoga Springs water fee breaks, remembering Brother Yusuf
State attorney general Eric Schneiderman is asking Andrew Cuomo for the power to investigate and prosecute cases involving unarmed civilians who are killed by police officers. Said a Schneiderman statement: "Nothing could be more critical for both the public and the police officers who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe than acting immediately to restore trust and confidence in the independence of reviews in any case involving an unarmed civilian killed by a law enforcement officer." The Cuomo administration didn't commit one way or the other to the request. (Schneiderman and Cuomo apparently have a strained relationship.) And similar efforts in the legislature have stalled in the state Senate. [NYS OAG] [TU] [NYT]
Schenectady police say a man was fatally shot in Schenectady on Parkwood Boulevard (block map) early Tuesday morning. SPD says it's looking for two suspects. A resident of the area tells TWCN that neighbors had been trying to get an increased police presence in the neighborhood. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TWCN]
The state's hospitality industry is pushing back against the possibility of abolishing the "tip credit" for tipped employees, in which a portion of tips can be used as credit against the minimum wage. [TWCN] [TU]
Clifton Park man shot by state trooper sentenced, allegation of excessive force in death of Ballston Spa man, state ethics loopholes persist, an impromptu chorus of 300
Douglas Stewart III was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison Friday for the incident in which he pointed a loaded rifle in the direction of a state trooper, and then was shot by the trooper, in Clifton Park in August 2013. Said the trooper, Miguel Orabona, at the sentencing: "Never in my 38 years on this planet have I ever been so scared in my life." Stewart's attorney says his client was depressed and drunk and had been planning to take his own life at the time of the incident. The attorney also alleged that Stewart was struck in the back by the trooper's shot, and that trooper could have diffused the situation without firing. [News10] [WNYT] [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
The family of Daniel Satre -- the Ballston Spa man who died after being tased during a encounter with police in September -- say they believe Satre was the victim of excessive force used by police. [TU]
Citing wiretap transcripts, the Times Union reports that the gambling operation run by two former Albany County corrections officers involved the former superintendent of the jail. [TU]
A group of protesters presented a list of demands to the US Attorney's office in Albany Friday related to inequality and injustice in the treatment of people of color. [News10] [TU]
Continued protests over Brown/Garner deaths, Cuomo calls for review of justice system, state appellate court rules chimp doesn't have rights of a person
There were more local protests in response to the grand jury decisions in the Michael Brown and Eric Garner deaths -- rallies temporarily shut down Henry Johnson Blvd and Madison Ave in Albany. Said Albany Common Councilman Ron Bailey, to TWCN: "The justice system is failing us. It's supposed to be justice for all, not justice for some." Said protestor Amani Oluglbala, to News10: "It's getting to a point where people are finger pointing at individuals and not really realizing that it's a systematic problem, that takes us all to dismantle." Albany police deputy chief Brendan Cox, to WNYT: "We are part of the community here so it's important for us to work together and again, let's sit down, let's talk about the issues and build those bridges." [TU] [News10] [TWCN] [News10] [WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo said Thursday the state needs a "comprehensive review" of its criminal justice system, including possible reforms to the grand jury process. Said Cuomo: "When you have a situation where a significant portion of the population that feels the justice system is not working you have a problem. And we have a problem and let's acknowledge it." [TU] [TWCN]
Troy city budget saga: The City Council passed the tax levy for next year (not doing so would have left a 30 percent hole in revenue). And mayor Lou Rosamilia is talking about making $1 million in cuts next year. [Troy Record] [TU]
Brown/Garner decisions spark local protests and talks, Capital Region leaders turn out to support Rensselaer casino plan, NYRA to finish in the black after 13 year decline
Albany police and minority community members met on Wednesday for a discussion of relations between the police and people of color in the city. Several people at the meeting shared personal stories of racial profiling . [WNYT][TWCN]
A group of around 75 Ualbany students shut down a section of Washington Avenue on Wednesday afternoon with a protest against the decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson.[WNYT][TWCN]
A group calling themselves "We Can't Breathe- Justice for Eric Garner," has organized a rally tonight to protest the New York City grand jury decision not to file charges against the police officer charged with choking the unarmed black man to death. [TU]
Troy's City Council will hold a special meeting tonight to resolve the budget dilemma that has left the city with a $66.1 million budget but no way to fund it. [TU]
Albany signs $11 million casino agreement with Rensselaer, Shen approves transgender bathroom/locker room plan, Feds to probe Schenectady schools funding discrimination claims, SUNY system adopts new sexual consent policy
The city of Albany, which already has an $11 million dollar deal in exchange for support of the proposed East Greenbush casino, has signed an $11 million agreement with Rensselaer in return for support of the proposed Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.[TU]
Faced with action by the NYCLU the Shenedahowa School Board voted to change its bathroom and locker room policies to allow transgender students to use the facilities where they feel most comfortable.[Gazette][TWCN][WNYT]
Troy's City Charter doesn't include a plan to adopt a tax levy when a city budget is adopted but not approved by the City Council, as was the case this year , leaving the city with a $66.1 million dollar 2015 budget and no way to fund it. [TU]
Where will Albany's red light cameras go? [AOA]
Red light camera violations will not come with license points.[TU]
Review of situation leading up to homeless woman's death, budget drama plays out in Albany and Troy, on bans of foam cups and plastic bags
Bits of info from various agencies are forming a picture of the situation that led up to the death of Htee Paw, the 23-year-old homeless woman found dead near the State Museum. Paw, an immigrant from Myanmar, was apparently struggling with medical problems and alcohol addiction as well as a language barrier. Said Liz Hitt from HATAS, to TWCN: "We need to not judge people because of their disease ... We wouldn't do this with cancer, we wouldn't do this with diabetes; we shouldn't do it with alcoholism." [TU] [WNYT] [TWCN]
The contentious Albany city budget process ended with the $176 million budget passing 11-4 -- and continued criticism of the plan from some members of the council. It includes a 5 percent tax increase for residential property owners, which will be rebated as part of the state "tax freeze." [TWCN] [TU] [News10]
The Troy city budget process ended with the mayor's budget being adopted -- because the city council voted not to vote on it. The $66.1 million budget includes a $30k deficit. And there was much finger pointing.
Woman found dead near State Museum, club owner alleges police conducted improper search without a warrant, problem with foam cup ban, punk rock library director
State Police say a 23-year-old woman was found dead near the State Museum early Sunday morning. NYSP say the woman was known to be homeless and her death has been attributed to a chronic liver disease -- no foul play is suspected. Said Liz Hitt, from the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society, to WNYT of the situation: "Absolutely tragic ... I'm stunned. This was a young woman, 23 years-old, struggling with alcoholism." The woman is the second homeless person found dead in that area in the last three months. [NYSP] [WNYT] [TU]
The owner of the Buddha Tea House night club in downtown Albany alleges that Albany police searched the club without a warrant and provided the State Liquor Authority with an incident report that doesn't match what actually happened the night of two stabbings in the area of the club. [TU]
The daughter of Daniel Satre, the Ballston Spa man who died after being hit by a police Taser four times in September, says she'd like to know why it took a group of six officers to subdue her father and whether their actions contributed to his death. [Daily Gazette]
The Albany city budget -- the subject of much drama this year -- is headed for a vote by the Common Council Monday night. [TU]
March in Albany protests Ferguson decision, Schenectady neighborhood residents clamor for crime solutions, ownership fight over cupcake bakery
Hundreds of people marched from Albany City Hall to the O'Brien Federal Building to protest the recent grand jury result in the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Speakers also called for changes and greater awareness in the Albany area. Said Angela Clarke of Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration: "We see constantly these cases where people are killed in very public ways and nothing comes from it. From our perspective, that's why the entire system doesn't work for us and that's why we're protesting today." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record]
Albany County DA David Soares on how officials handled the situation in Ferguson, to the Times Union: "Throughout this entire process it has just been one big example of mismanagement to another and I don't know why I expected anything differently on the day that the grand jury decision was publicized." [TU]
From Capital: "Respected Albany reporter James Odato has taken a leave of absence from the city's Times Union newspaper -- a move that appears to be related to a lawsuit involving his in-depth coverage of a secretive personal development organization [NXIVM]." [Capital]
Fatal shooting in Schenectady, budget drama in Albany and Troy, proposed Shen policy for transgender students draws criticism, public transit facing funding gap
Schenectady police say one man was fatally shot -- and his brother stabbed -- in Mont Pleasant Monday evening. Witnesses reported hearing 10-15 shots. SPD was investigating and as of Monday night no arrests had been made. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TWCN]
The man convicted of stalking a woman from Albany to Colonie where he attacked her and stabbed her this past August was sentenced 18 years to life in prison. The attack left the woman, a Gulf War veteran, blind in one eye. Said the woman at the sentencing: "My concern both during the attack and now is that this individual never again has the opportunity to victimize anyone else." [TU] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]
It looks like December 17 could be the day the Gaming Facility Location Board releases the recommended casino sites. [TU]
A "a rally, march and speak out for justice" is scheduled for 5 pm outside Albany City Hall Tuesday in response to the grand jury decision to not indict in the Ferguson, Missouri case involving the death of Michael Brown. Alice Green, from the Albany-based Center for Law & Justice, on Ferguson situation: "The case has helped a lot of people understand the historical problems African Americans, especially African American males have had." [press release] [TU] [News10]
Cuomo tries to blame NWS for snow forecasts, pedestrian killed in Colonie, water main break affects busy restaurants
On Saturday Andrew Cuomo blamed the National Weather Service for not forecasting the massive lake effect snow that hit the Buffalo area last week. Except the NWS did forecast multiple feet of snow and the possibility of a "historic" lake effect snow event. Cuomo walked some of his comments back Sunday, but still used the events to tout a planned state-run system of weather sensors. [TWCN] [Gawker] [Buffalo News]
The new weather concern in the Buffalo area: flooding, as warm weather melts the multiple feet of snow. [Buffalo News]
Colonie police say a 66-year-old pedestrian was killed Friday night in Colonie in a hit and run. CPD says the driver was an 88-year-old woman and she was unaware she had hit the man. [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
The city of Troy is looking at eliminating 27 full-time positions in an attempt to address its budget situation. Of those positions, 18 are in the police and fire departments. [TU x2]
Body identified as missing Saint Rose student, Ballston boils over proposed Walmart, judge contest decided by .5 percent of the vote
Officials say the body recovered near the Hudson River in Coeymans this week was that of missing Saint Rose student Connor Trapatsos. Coeymans police say injuries indicate the 17 year old had fallen from a railroad bridge. Police say they're not sure why Trapatsos was on the bridge, but they don't suspect foul play. He had been missing since October 15. Hundreds of people gathered at Saint Rose Thursday night for a prayer service honoring the student. [Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN] [News10] [TWCN]
About 600 people packed a Ballston planning board meeting about the proposed Walmart store on Route 50 just south of Ballston Spa. The crowd included both opponents and supporters of the proposed store. It's the company's second attempt to build a store in the town in a decade. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10]
Albany High School officials say four white students have been suspended for online harassment aimed at the school's senior class president, who is African-American -- the parents of one of the suspended students says their son didn't do anything wrong. [TU]
Thirteen deaths have now been attributed to massive lake effect snow that hit parts of the Buffalo area. Roofs are caving in under the weight of as much as 7-feet of snow. A section of the Thruway is still closed. And Chuck Schumer is calling for federal aid. Resources from other parts of the state -- including trucks from Albany County and the city of Albany -- have been dispatched to the Buffalo area to aid snow removal. [Buffalo News x2] [AP/News10] [TWCN] [WNYT]
Body discovered in Coeymans, special prosecutor appointed in Glans case, $61k in tax breaks for Playland project
CSX railroad employees discovered a body near a bridge in Coeymans.
An autopsy is scheduled for today and police are still trying to identify the body. [News 10][TU][WNYT]
The Albany County IDA and the Capital Resource Corporation have approved $61,000 in tax breaks to move the Hoffman's Playland rides to the Huck Finns Warehouse property. [TU]
The locations of up to 20 red light camera intersections in Albany will be released by the end of the year.[TU]
Plans to vote on Troy's proposed budget have been canceled yet again while the City Council continues to work on changes to the spending plan. [TU]
Man suing Saratoga County over alleged deputy's slap facing charges over Wilton Mall incident, more blighted buildings to be demolished in Schenectady, code blue shelters open as temperatures drop
Five people have died in the snowstorm that dumped four feet of snow on Buffalo yesterday. Amtrak service west of Albany is on hold because of the snow. [TWCN] [TU]
One of the men who is suing Saratoga County after he was allegedly slapped by a Sheriff's deputy earlier this month is now facing charges for allegedly nearly running over a security guard in the Wilton Mall parking lot as the guard was investigating reports of someone trespassing at the mall. [TU][News 10]
A decision on the placement of casinos in New York is expected sometime next month. The NYS casino siting board is expected to meet on Friday. [TWCN][TU]
Sheldon Silver is trying to add an infrastructure investment package to the pre-holiday legislative session that would dip into a $5 billion state surplus to pay for mostly one-time infrastructure expenses. [TU]
Nine more blighted buildings will be torn down in Schenectady, and $7 million has been amassed to help knock down about 150 abandoned buildings in the next year. [TU][WNYT]
Investigation into death of UAlbany student, another building for the NanoCollege, the ongoing soap opera of Troy politics
Albany police say they're investigating the situation surrounding the death of Trevor Duffy, the 19-year-old UAlbany student who died from what appears to have been excessive alcohol consumption during a gathering at a house on Hamilton Street. "A source who knew [Duffy]" tells the Daily Gazette that Duffy had been pledging an underground frat. Students tell TWCN that the house is the "known headquarters" of the unsanctioned frat. APD chief Steven Krokoff said it appears there was some sort of organization, but said it hasn't been determined if there was hazing. [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [News10]
State Senate Republican majority leader Dean Skelos said he supports a vote on a pay raise for state legislators before the end of the year -- but he won't trade it for legislative items sought by Democrats. [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [TU]
Among the topics at the public Q&A with Alain Kaolyeros at the Nano College: the new building planned for the Fuller Road campus, plans for more space in downtown Albany, and architecture. [TU] [Biz Review] [Troy Record]
Food pantries say high demand continues despite economic recovery, the "living hell" of heroin addiction, three casinos instead of four?
Officials at local food pantries says demand continues to increase as the economic recovery hasn't spread to all parts of the income spectrum and many people with low-wage jobs continue to struggle to afford basic necessities. [Daily Gazette]
Two Guilderland parents on the "living hell" of watching their son descend into heroin addiction. Also: A Colonie woman has gotten the attention of state legislators in her push for a state law that would allow family members to petition for involuntary addiction treatment for addicts. [TU x2]
Halfmoon developer Bruce Tanski pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor election law violation Friday for funneling contributions to the campaign of former town supervisor Mindy Wormuth through other people. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
After the uproar about the "Ghetto Chopper" t-shirts, the shirt's creators say Price Chopper has issued a cease and desist letter. The artists also apologized and said the shirts were meant as satire. [Ken Screven/TU] [News10] [Smallbany FB]
____
Update: Albany police say one of the college students to taken to the hospital this weekend for "treatment related to excessive alcohol consumption" has died. APD had responded to call on Hamilton Street early Sunday morning -- it says officers found an unconscious individual along with four other 19 year olds who were also treated for excessive alcohol consumption. [APD press release] [TU] [News10]
Skepticism over Port of Albany oil facility plans, Colonie fight over motel demolition headed to judge, principal defends his side job as a sports agent
Representatives of Global Partners fielded questions about the company's plan for an oil heating facility at the Port of Albany from a skeptical crowd of South End residents Thursday night. Global has yet to comment on whether it will be transporting tar sands oil through the facility. Also: How a vote in North Dakota could end up making oil trains that pass through the Capital Region a bit safer. [TU] [News10] [TU]
A new topic that surfaced during a Troy City Council discussion about the city's budget problems: layoffs and furloughs. [TU]
State Police were investigating a report of shots fired on the ramp from Route 7 to I-787 northbound Thursday: "The incident occurred just prior to 1 pm and involved two dark colored vehicles of unknown make and model, wherein a passenger of one of the vehicles was observed by witnesses to fire multiple shots from a handgun in the direction of the other vehicle." A NYSP spokesman says witnesses reported the cars were on the side of the road at the time. [NYSP] [Troy Record]
SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher has declined the pay raise for her that had been floated by the system's board of trustees. [TU]
Full house at Troy budget hearing, mother charged with lying to grand jury in fatal fire denied bail, Capital Region mayors announce plans to battle veteran homelessness
Rumors that the Troy's Engine 4 Fire Station was being considered for closure brought a large turnout to a public meeting on the city's budget on Wednesday, but city officials say there are no plans to close the station. The City Council was expected to vote on the $66.1 million city budget today but has rescheduled he vote for next Thursday .The budget, which is under scrutiny after state evaluations resulted in a warning that the state may take over financial control if it runs a one percent budget deficit, will be fine tuned this week before the vote. The city is dealing with an $800,00 deficit in 2014. Troy business owners say they are concerned that proposed cuts to the Troy BID will hurt downtown businesses. [TWCN][News 10][TU][WNYT][WNYT][TWCN]
The woman charged with lying to a grand jury about the Schenectady fire that killed her former boyfriend and three of their children was denied bail. A judge deemed that Jennica Duell is a danger to the community, including potential witnesses in the case. Prosecutors have suggested that Duell may be connected to the crime. [TU][Gazette][TWCN]
The alleged rapist captured in Fort Edward after what police describe as a cross country crime spree will remain incarcerated until his trial. [TWCN][TU]
At Wednesday's meeting about relocating Hoffman's Playland rides to land near Huck Finns's Warehouse, one environmental activist questioned whether it is wise to relocate the rides near liquefied propane storage facility. [TU]
Men suing Saratoga County over deputy's alleged misconduct, Liberty Ridge fined $13 thousand in discrimination case, signing off after 52 years
The two men who videotaped their encounter with a Saratoga County Sheriff's deputy that resulted in the deputy resigning and being brought up on charges, are gearing up to sue the county over the incident. [TU]
Liberty Ridge Farm has paid a $13 thousand fine for refusing to host a lesbian wedding on the farm. The farm's owners are appealing the ruling by the Division of Human Rights that they violated the state's anti-discrimination law. [WNYT]
The 85 year old man who was rescued after plunging his car into the Hudson River at the Corning Preserve on Monday night, has died. [TU]
The 63-year-old former Schenectady man whose body was discovered under Freeman's Bridge Road last weekend and is believed to have been there for more than two years, had never been reported missing.[TU]
Sheriff's sergeant in video resigns and is charged with misconduct, tax breaks for Playland move to Huck Finn's, memories from local veterans
Today is Veterans Day.
The Saratoga County Sheriff's sergeant shown in a video swearing at two men and apparently slapping one of them during an encounter Friday in a Halfmoon parking lot resigned Monday morning. And in the afternoon he was arraigned on an official misconduct charge and a harassment violation. Said county sheriff Michael Zurlo at a press conference: "His actions both as a police officer and a sergeant were completely inappropriate." The sheriff's office also released more details about the situation that prompted the encounter. Zurlo said an internal investigation will look at the actions of two other deputies on the scene who allegedly didn't report anything about the encounter. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Two people have been charged with perjury for allegedly lying before a grand jury about the 2013 Schenectady arson that killed a father, three children, and badly burned another. One of them has been a subject of the investigation in the case, which is still not solved. The other is the mother of the children. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]
Albany officials say an elderly man was pulled from the Hudson River at the Corning Preserve Monday evening after he drove his car into the river. Authorities say the man was still alive after being pulled from the car after 15 minutes. Albany's fire chief says they got a report that someone saw the man rev the engine before driving into the river. [TWCN] [TU] [News10]
Sheriff's sergeant suspended after incident caught on video, man shot five times in Colonie, internal PEF drama, the binary of jumping from a plane
The Saratoga County Sheriff's Department says a sergeant has been suspended after video (embedded above) surfaced of an incident Friday in a Halfmoon parking lot in which it appears the sergeant slapped a man (off camera) and swore at him while trying to get the man to open his car for a search. The man's friend tells News10 the sergeant gave his friend "a good whack to the back of the head." Saratoga County sheriff Michael Zurlo tells the Times Union: "I don't condone activity as it's portrayed and we're going to look into it and we'll handle this quickly and swiftly." The man who says he was slapped tells WNYT that he had a rifle in the back seat of his car that he uses for target shooting. [Post-Star] [News10] [TU] [WNYT]
Colonie police say a man was shot five times Saturday night near the border with the Albany landfill. The man who was shot said he recognized the shooter and Colonie police made an arrest nearby. CPD hasn't shared any info on potential motive. Police say the man is expected to survive.[TU] [Troy Record] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say a man was shot early Saturday morning in West Hill in what was reported to be a drive-by shooting. [TU]
Authorities say an autopsy on the body found near Freemans Bridge Road is that of a 63-year-old Schenectady man who had not been reported missing. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Authorities hoping to identify body found in Glenville today, Colonie pushing for demolition of Central Ave motels, details on new SUNY chancellor's residence in Albany
Update: Pablo Cruz, convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for striking and killing cyclist Paul Merges in Albany in November 12, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. [Albany County DA]
Authorities are hoping an autopsy of the body found near Freemans Bridge Road in Glenville scheduled for Friday morning will lead to an identity. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Colonie police say a woman was fatally struck by a car on Broadway in Menands late Thursday afternoon. Police say it appears the woman had been attempting to cross the street with a shopping cart. Police say it appears the driver had slowed down for another pedestrian but didn't see the woman. [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
The town of Colonie is pushing the owner of the Skylane and Blu-Bell motels, currently closed for code violations, to demolish the properties by offering to drop $750k in fines the owner faces. The owner would also have to agree to not build another motel or boarding house at the sites on Central Ave. [TU] [TWCN]
State Police say five people have been charged with 106 counts each of failure to provide food and water in the case involving the Schaghticoke house alleged to contain more than 150 cats. The Humane Society says it's still in the process of gathering the cats from the site. [NYSP] [TWCN]
Man charged with killing mother allegedly heard voices, body found under Glenville bridge, Troy gets $300k for anti-gun violence program
The brother of the man charged with killing his mother in their Quail Street home this week says the man had been hearing voices and was released from the Capital District Psychiatric Center the day before the alleged murder. [TU]
Authorities are working to identify a dead body found partially submerged under a bridge in Glenville earlier this week. [News 10]
State Police are distributing fliers written in Chinese and English in an effort to find the people who murdered a Guilderland family of four in their Western Avenue home last month. [TU][WNYT]
Troy will get $300,000 in state funding to implement a SNUG program to combat gun violence in the city. [WNYT]]
Police have arrested a UAlbany student who allegedly threatened to "blow up the school" Tuesday on the anonymous social media app Yik Yak.[TU]
Cuomo to New Yorkers "You ain't seen nothin' yet," GOP wins sole control of NYS Senate, Albany man charged with murdering his mother, blogger pleads guilty to hacking NXIVM computers
Andrew Cuomo easily won another term as governor of New York. In his acceptance speech, the governor told a crowd of state Democrats in Midtown Manhattan, "You ain't seen nothin' yet."[NYT][TU]
Republicans gained sole control of the NYS Senate in last night's elections.[TU]
Here's the quick scan of the general election results. [AOA]
An Albany man has been charged in the murder of his mother at a home on Quail street in the city of Albany on Monday. [News10]
A 21-year-old inmate and former Eagle Scout from Selkirk took his own life while in solitary confinement at Fishkill state prison. [TU]
It's Election Day, APD investigating homicide, record ridership for Amtrak Empire Service, made in Cohoes and sold at Trader Joe's
Today is Election Day. Polls are open until 9 pm. Don't know where to vote? Look it up via the state Board of Elections site.
Ballots statewide include three ballot question on the back the ballot (so be sure to turn the ballot over). [State of Politics]
The Democratic and Republican parties are bracing for potential recount fights in a handful of close state Senate elections around the state (including the 46th here in the Capital Region) that could decide control of the chamber. [TU]
Among the preparation by the Albany County Board of Election for the polling place on UAlbany's campus today: an attempt to figure out which students live in Albany and which in Guilderland -- the line in some cases runs through individual dorm suites. (The BOE is trying to avoid the problems it experienced at the during the 2012 election.) [TU]
Update: The TU reports a man, the woman's son, has been charged with stabbing her to death. | Albany police say they're investigating the death of a middle-aged woman in a Quail Street residence (map) Monday afternoon, and it's being considered a homicide. APD isn't releasing other details, though a spokesman Steve Smith said detectives were talking several people and "we are confident that there is not reason for the public to be alarmed at this point." Family and friends of the woman gathered for a vigil near the residence Monday evening. [TU] [APD FB] [TWCN] [TU]
Developers pushing campaign cash through loophole, state eyeing Troy's finances, Vega denied bail in Milligan murder case, so many campaign profiles
A look at how a handful of prominent developers in the Capital Region use the "LLC loophole" to get around, and far exceed, political campaign contribution limits. [TU]
More than $5 million has collectively been spent on the state Senate 46th race, a rematch between incumbent Cecelia Tkaczyk (D) and George Amedore (R ). A Siena poll out this past weekend has Amedore ahead. [Daily Gazette] [Siena SRI]
The state comptroller's office has told Troy leaders that a state control board could take back oversight of the Troy's finances if the city doesn't close a budget deficit projected to be $800k. [TU]
"Multiple sources" tell the Times Union that NYRA's executive committee had been considering extending the season at the Saratoga Race Course to two full months, but push back from some groups has prompted them to not follow through on the idea. [TU]
Numbers point to local rise in poverty, food truck owners file second suit against state, SUNY chancellor in line for big raise, goal for year 101
The Albany metro area "registered a significant uptick in the number of residents living below the poverty line" between 2012 and 2013, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Brookings Institution. Local charity organizations say they've been feeling the trend. [Brookings] [TU]
The state Gaming Commission released some previously redacted info regarding the casino applications, including some details about Hard's Rock's arrangement with the proposed Rensselaer casino. [Daily Gazette]
The Democratic Party in New York has sent out letters to about a million registered Democratic voters telling them: "We will be reviewing the ... official voting records after the upcoming election to determine whether you joined your neighbors who voted in 2014." [AP/Daily Gazette]
The owners of the Wandering Dago food truck have filed a second lawsuit against the state arguing that co-owner Andrea Loguidice was inappropriately fired from a position with the state DEC because of her association with the business. They allege DEC officials were wary of her connection to the truck because Andrew Cuomo had expressed criticism of the name. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Schaghticoke cat house condemned, AG candidates debate tonight, Bethlehem police warn against grandparent phone scam, you can't put campaign signs outside the Governor's Mansion
The fugitive arrested in Hudson Falls on Tuesday had jumped bail and escaped from house arrest where he was awaiting trial on rape charges. Police believe he was headed east to try to kill his first victim. [TWCN][WNYT]
The Schaghticoke building where 150 cats were found earlier this week has been condemned and the four people who lived there have been offered housing and medical assistance by the county. Charges against the residents are still pending. Crews are still attempting to rescue cats living inside the walls of the home and trying to determine whether some of the cats actually belonged to other people. [TWCN][TU][Record][WNYT][News 10]
On the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, Andrew Cuomo visited Staten Island where he announced an Upstate Strategic Fuel Reserve system in response to fuel supply disruptions that occurred during the event. One of the locations where fuel will be stored for the initiative will be in Rensselaer.[TU][Record]
Andrew Cuomo says allegations that he spent Superstorm Sandy recovery money on television ads are "political baloney." [TU]
The NYT suggests that the handling of Superstorm Sandy and the handling of Moreland Commission have something in common. [NYT]
Alleged serial rapist captured following Fort Edward chase, 80 cats removed from "giant litterbox" in Schaghticoke, meeting on gun violence in Albany, Morette's reopens in Schenectady
An alleged serial rapist was captured overnight in Fort Edward, ending a multi state manhunt. Police say 26 year old Gregory Lewis was wanted in eight states for raping women he has arranged to meet through escort services. Police attempted to pull him over for driving without a license plate when he led them on a high speed chase that ended when he crashed into the Hudson River. [TWCN][WNYT][TU][News 10]
Troopers removed 80 of 150 cats from a Schaghticoke home one trooper described as "a giant litter box." The homeowner and her family were identified as having been involved in three previous cat hoarding incidents.[TU][WNYT][News 10]
A detailed account of the New York State quarantine order for travelers from West Africa - which goes beyond federal recommendations but would seek to allow people to choose where to spend their time under quarantine-- has been released by the Cuomo administration. [NYT]
A West African family in Schenectady County has ended their voluntary 21 day in home stay and has been shown free of Ebola symptoms. [TU][Gazette]
Cuomo/Christie and CDC differ on Ebola policies, police say Albany shootings not connected, former police officer accused of stalking attorney, the ring wanted to be found
The Ebola quarantine policies announced by Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey governor Chris Christie on Friday -- and then adjusted over the weekend -- caught criticism for being more motivated by politics than science. On Monday the CDC announced new guidance to states on how to handle people who might have been exposed to Ebola, and it's not as restrictive as the policies announced in New York and New Jersey. Said Cuomo Monday: "I disagree with the CDC, and at the end of the day, I'm the governor of the state of New York, and my No. 1 job is to protect the people of the state of New York." [NYT] [NPR] [AP/TU]
Albany police chief Steven Krokoff says the five shootings in the city this month are not related, nor are they gang related. Said Krokoff: "These are people that have some level of connection and in some way, shape or form got into an argument, and it resulted in gun violence." There's a community meeting at the Capital South Campus Center Tuesday evening about gun violence. [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
NYPIRG's Blair Horner on the public campaign financing pilot in the state comptroller's race: "It was designed to fail, and it has." [TU]
APD investigating two shooting incidents, video in Mount case released, push for lower speed limits, Castleton Stewart's closes
Albany police say they're investigating two separate shooting incidents from over the weekend in which three people were apparently shot. APD says two people were shot during an incident in the South End Saturday night. And Sunday afternoon officers found a man who had been shot while responding to a call in West Hill. It's the second time in recent weeks there's been at shooting near South Pearl Street and Alexander Street in the South End, and Common Council president Carolyn McLaughlin says residents would like to see a stronger police presence in the neighborhood. Five people have been shot in Albany during October. [APD FB] [TWCN] [TU]
Saratoga Springs police have released surveillance camera footage from the start of the chase involving Daryl Mount Jr. The video was released at 5 pm on Friday. The city's police chief said the video was finally released 14 months after the incident on "advice from legal counsel." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
A Colonie woman whose 18-year-old daughter died of heroin overdose is pushing for a state law that would increase penalties for drug dealers when a sale leads to a fatal overdose. [TU]
On Friday Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey governor Chris Christie announced a mandatory 21-day quarantine for anyone returning to JFK and Newwark airports from West Africa after having direct contact with anyone infected with Ebola. That resulted in a nurse returning from Sierra Leone being put in an isolation tent at a Newark hospital, despite not showing any symptoms, and testing negative for Ebola -- and she hired a civil rights attorney. After urging from the Obama administration, Cuomo said the policy would be adjusted and health care workers who didn't exhibit symptoms would be allowed to stay at home. [Cuomo admin] [NPR] [NYT]
Man arraigned in death of Vanessa Milligan, Ebola case in NYC, llamas on the lam
Gabriel Vega -- accused of killing Vanessa Milligan in Lansingburgh this past April -- was arraigned on charges that included murder, abortion, and arson. The unusual abortion charge is for the baby Milligan was carrying -- she was due to give birth the next week. Police and prosecutors have not said how Milligan was killed. At press conference Troy deputy police chief Richard McAvoy called Vega "a classic sociopath." Vega's attorneys said in a statement that their client maintains his innocence. Said Milligan's father: "I wanted to jump over the banister and just go to jail, but I knew I wouldn't be able to get to him and my cousin was holding me tight. And I just, just wanted to die. Just wanted to cry." [Troy Record] [TWCN] [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU] [News10]
The state Department of Transportation has concluded that the derailment of 18 train cars in Selkirk rail yard this week was due to a piece of safety equipment that had been left on a track. Albany County exec Dan McCoy is pointing to the incident as an example of a need for direct communication between rail companies and the county when an accident happens. [TU] [TWCN]
A New York City doctor who recently returned from Guinea where he had been working with Doctors Without Borders treating Ebola patients has tested positive for the disease. Public health officials have been working to trace his potential contacts in the city. The doctor is being treated at Bellevue Hospital in NYC, one of the hospitals designated in the state's Ebola response plan. [NYT x2] [Cuomo admin]
Suspect arrested in Vanessa Milligan's death, tentative agreement to save Ladder No. 1, Malta businessman honored by White House
Police arrested the former boyfriend of 19-year-old Vanessa Milligan in connection with the death of Milligan and her unborn daughter in Lansingburgh. Gabriel Vega is expected to be arraigned this morning in Rensselaer County Court.[Record][WNYT][News 10]
Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan and the Albany firefighters union have struck a tentative deal that would keep Ladder No. 1 open in exchange for help cutting $1.2 million from other parts of the fire department. [TU]
Somewhere between 18 and 25 freight cars derailed Wednesday night in Selkirk. One car was a propane tank, but that does not appear to be a danger. [TU][WNYT][TWCN]
Andrew Cuomo and Rob Astorino met Wednesday, along with third party candidates Howie Hawkins and Michael McDermott, in what is expected to be their only debate of the gubernatorial campaign. Cuomo and Astorino traded barbs about support for fracking and women's issues. [TU] [NYT]
Siena Poll reports Cuomo still ahead but with highest unfavorables to date, Capital Region's first START-UP NY designee, Schenectady knocks down the first of 80 buildings
The newest Siena College poll reports Andrew Cuomo and Eric Schneiderman both more than 20 points ahead of their challengers. Still, Cuomo had his highest unfavorable rating since becoming governor.[NYT][TU]
WMHT will televise what it appears will be the only debate between Andrew Cuomo and Rob Astorino, tonight at 8pm.[TU]
Andrew Cuomo's reelection campaign rented its email list to Harper Collins to promote the governor's new memoir.[TU]
An "eTextbook delivery" company that currently employs 11 people is the Capital Region's first tax free START-UP NY designee. ClassBook.com expects to move into downtown Albany and create about 70 new jobs. [TU][WNYT]
A Green Island man is dead after his car crashed into a school bus on Route 7 in Rensselaer County on Tuesday morning. No serious injuries were reported among the 26 children onboard the bus. [TWCN][Record]
Albany red light camera ordinance passed, Kaloyeros says IBM-GloFo will lead to more jobs at NanoCollege, artists' lofts proposed for Troy
The Albany Common Council passed the red light camera ordinance 11-4 during Monday night's meeting. We'll have a lot more about the vote a little later today.
Alain Kaloyeros says he expects that GlobalFoundries taking on IBM's chip fab's in the Hudson Valley and Vermont will result in more jobs for both companies in the Albany area. (IBM is one of the research partners at the NanoCollege.) He also touted investment at the NanoCollege as key part of the deal: "The governor is calling it 'mAlbany' -- a combination of Malta and Albany -- because in his mind investments have been made for a high-tech mall at CNSE." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan on the fight over her proposed budget closing the Ladder No. 1 company: "Firefighters are out there telling people that they're not going to be safe, and that's just patently wrong." [TU]
Albany police say the man shot on South Pearl Street in the South End last Thursday morning died over the weekend. APD took a suspect into custody, but no charges have been filed yet. APD says it's investigation continues and it's looking for tips from the public. [APD FB] [TU]
GloFo taking over IBM chip fab plants, more than 30k tagged by state as too mentally unstable for a gun, neighborhoods that lack access to food stores
GlobalFoundries is taking over IBM's chip fab facilities in the East Fishkill, New York and Essex Junction, Vermont. More than 5,000 IBM employees will become GloFo employees. IBM says it's continuing its research investment at the NanoCollege. [Bloomberg] [TU] [IBM]
About 34,500 people in New York State are tagged as being too mentally unstable to have a firearm as part of a databased compiled by the state under the SAFE Act, according to documents acquired by NYT via FOIL. Andrew Cuomo responded to criticism that the number is too high by stating there are concerns that the number is still too low. [NYT x2]
Schenectady police say a man was shot Friday afternoon in Hamilton Hill. SPD says the incident was caught on a surveillance camera, and are investigating. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [News10]
Albany police are investigating a stabbing in West Hill early Saturday morning. They're also investigating another stabbing in West Hill from Friday afternoon. [APD FB x2]
Shooting prompts manhunt in the South End, Cuomo addresses state's prep for potential ebola cases, residents rallying to save their Stewart's
A part of South Pearl Street in Albany's South End neighborhood was closed Thursday as police hunted for a suspect in a shooting outside a pharmacy that morning (map). APD says the man shot was in critical condition. Police ended up surrounding a building and using tear gas and a robot to flush out a man who was taken into custody. [TU] [News10] [WNYT] [@Redick_TWCNews] [TWCN]
Commented Andrew Cuomo Thursday during a public briefing of the state's plans for handling potential ebola patients: "The anxiety is higher than the probability right now." Schenectady County officials followed their protocols for dealing with a potential case this week after a woman in a Schenectady reported that she wasn't feeling well and it was determined she had been to west Africa -- there was some confusion about which country she had been in, and after straightening it out officials determined ebola was not a risk in the case. [TWCN] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A televised debate between Chris Gibson and Sean Eldridge for the NY 19th Congressional District included a number of jabs at each other, and touched on topics such as energy and the environment. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Public meeting heats up over Ladder No. 1, AG's office says many Airbnb listings in NYC are illegal, Rembrandt uncovered at The Clark
Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan is standing by the decision in proposed budget to cut Ladder No. 1 from the South End fire station. Residents turned out at a public meeting to protest the move. The meeting was cut short by councilwoman Vivian Kornegay, who said the gathering was too unproductive to go on.[WNYT][News10][TWCN]
Cecilia Tkaczyk and George Amedore squared off in a debate for the 46th state Senate seat on Wednesday in Altamont, at which they discussed jobs, school funding and the NY SAFE Act.[TU]
Chris Gibson and Sean Eldridge will debate Thursday night on WMHT.[TU]
Land banks in Troy and Schenectady have received grants totaling $4 million to help rehab or demolish buildings. [TU][Gazette][WNYT]
Saratoga Springs mayor Joanne Yepsen wants the state comptroller's office to review water connection fees that were waived by the city's DPW for developers after it was revealed that more than $900k in fees were waived over the last four years. [Gazette]
Former home health aide sentenced in murder of client, Zoning board of appeals approves East Greenbush Casino plan,Albany Law president to step down, warm morning sets record high, flames extinguish controversial mascot
The East Greenbush Zoning Board of Appeals voted on Tuesday that the proposed casino is allowed under the town's zoning code.[TU]
Former home health aide Sara Moore was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years to life for killing her 79-year old client. [TWCN][WNYT]
A convicted sex offender has been arrested again for allegedly attempting to rape a woman
who was walking on the Mohawk Hudson bike bath in Menands.[TWCN][TU]
Kathy Sheehan is standing by her decision to close the Ladder One fire station. [News 10]
In an interview with Charlie Rose, Andrew Cuomo downplayed the Moreland Commission controversy as a "political dispute more than anything."[CNY]
Investigation continues in Guilderland quadruple homicide, figuring casino site odds, a ton of history missing and presumed stolen
State Police said Monday that forensic work at the scene of the Guilderland quadruple homicide was almost complete. And NYSP said they were working with the US State Department to follow up on some of the potential leads. Officials continue to hold back many details about the case, and unofficial details continue to circulate. "Two separate law enforcement officials" tell News10 that investigators are "working on a theory that illegal gambling may have played a role in the killings." And "officials familiar with the case" tell the Times Union that one of the adults killed "allegedly handled large amounts of off-the-books cash that flowed through undocumented Chinese restaurant workers in a shadowy, underground economy that runs from New York City to the Capital Region and beyond" -- and the Times Union has drawn a line connecting that bit to the wider problem of labor trafficking. [TWCN] [WNYT] [News10] [TU] [TU]
Albany police say they're still looking for tips from the public about the fatal shooting of Jorge Falu-Garcia October 2 in West Hill. [TU]
A lawsuit from a man in state prison for a drug conviction alleges that injuries caused by officers from multiple agencies during an arrest in Albany last year following a chase, and then inadequate jail medical care, resulted in his leg being amputated. [TU]
Unofficial details spreading about Guilderland quadruple homicide, bear killed in Rotterdam, NYSP: trooper vehicle hit by wrong-way driver
Officially-released details continue to be sparse about the investigation into the Guilderland quadruple homicide. Friday afternoon State Police released the names of the adult victims. Jin Feng Chen, age 39, and his wife, Hai Yan Li, age 38. And the names of the two children were released later in the weekend -- the Guilderland school district called them "kind, gentle and joyful boys." Law enforcement agencies working the case locally have been in contact with the NYC police department -- a "source close to" the investigation says the NYPD contact is with a task force specializing in gangs. The lack of official information has opened the way for the circulation of many unofficial details and speculation, such as the "trusted source" that told WNYT that "hammers and knives were used in the murders." In New York City, Chen's family announced a $5000 reward for information leading to an arrest. [TU] [NYSP] [News10] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10] [WNYT] [WNYT] [TWCN]
Said the mother of two kids who attended school wit the two boys killed in the Guilderland case of the white ribbons she was tying on poles near the scene as a memorial: "I went by earlier and I just saw one bouquet of flowers on the lawn ... I just thought there needed to be more." [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say a man was stabbed just outside the Washington Ave Armory early Sunday morning. APD says it couldn't confirm whether the man had attended the foam party event at the armory that night. [TWCN] [TU]
The state Department of Environmental Conservation says a bear was killed in Rotterdam Saturday when it "exhibited aggressive behavior" after coming down from a tree. The bear had been hit with tranquilizer darts, and fireworks had apparently also been used to get the bear to leave the tree. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Officials ask for info about Guilderland quadruple homicide case, wine store alleges state agency is out for it, apology for mascot backstory
Law enforcement officials are asking the public to share any information that might help the investigation into the Guilderland quadruple homicide. Thursday morning police were stopping traffic on Western Ave to ask drivers if they might have seen something. Officials are continuing to hold back many of the details related to the case. Said Albany County DA David Soares: "We are in the infancy state of the investigation ... We don't know what the motives are. However, at this point we don't believe that the neighbors have much to fear." [TU] [News10] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]
The Cohoes fire chief says his department is investigating the cause of the large fire on Saratoga Street Wednesday night. And Cohoes police are looking for a person in connection with the situation. [Troy Record] [TU]
Among the contentious topics during the NY 20th Congressional District debate between incumbent Paul Tonko (D) and challenger Jim Fischer ( R ): the Affordable Care Act and immigration. Another focus: the economy. [NYSNYS/Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Quadruple homicide in Guilderland home, Cuomo leads Astorino by 20 points in latest Q-poll, Hoffman's take a final train ride at Latham park, arguing personhood for a chimp
Guilderland police have confirmed four homicides at a home on Western Avenue on Wednesday. The victims are believed to be a husband and wife and two children and were killed in the home. Police have been at the crime scene all night but so far no suspects or motive have been released. [TWCN][TU][WNYT]
The couple charged with kidnapping and sexually abusing a pair of Amish sisters in August is now facing additional federal charges involving more child victims. [NYT]
The latest Quinnapiac Poll puts Andrew Cuomo ahead of Rob Astorino, 51-31.
The Schenectady Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year old girl was fined $1,000 and ordered not to have any contact with the girl for five years. Bishop Sharfenberger has removed Michael Taylor from the ministry.[WNYT][Gazette]
Albany Public Safety Committee green lights red light cameras, Cuomo/Astorino debate planned, Cuomo will be less like Thoreau if re-elected
The Albany Public Safety committee voted Tuesday to send the controversial red light camera bill to the full Common Council for consideration. The full council is expected to take up the measure later this month. [WNYT][TWCN]
A Cohoes man is facing felony arson charges for allegedly starting a fire at the former Remsen street market that caused twelve people to be evacuated from their apartments. Police are investigating whether the man may have been involved with recent fires in Lansingburgh. [TU][News 10][Record]
Half of Andrew Cuomo's more than $44 million in campaign funds came from 331 big money donors. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo and Rob Astorino are expected to have only one debate before the election.[News10]
More bits about the Hoffman's Playland to Huck Finn's plan, investigation into Cohoes fire, postal carrier attacked by dogs, 107 years old
Details about the plan to move the Hoffman's Playland rides to a site near Huck Finn's Warehouse in north Albany: The projected is said to ost $1.8 million and Huck Finn's owner is asking for a bundle of grants totaling $650k from the Albany County IDA. Said Huck Finn's owner to the Times Union in an email: "We are trying desperately to save the Playland for the Capital District ... To my knowledge, there are no other options to keep these beloved rides in the area." [Biz Review] [TU]
Saratoga Springs mayor Joanne Yepsen has called for a "forensic investigation" into water system connection waivers granted to developers in the city. [TU]
Troy officials say the city is investigating a personnel complaint made by councilwoman Anastasia Robertson against police sergeant Thomas Hoffman, head of the PBA. (It was Hoffman who accused Robertson of trying to incite a crowd against two TPD officers during an incident in August -- Robertson produced video indicating that wasn't the case.) [TU] [Troy Record September 5]
Cohoes fire and police officials are treating an early Monday morning fire on Remsen Street as suspicious. Police have released surveillance video hoping for info from the public. [Troy Record] [TWCN]
Rallies against violence in Albany and Troy, the challenge facing low-income school districts, raising money for the "Banjo Man"
On Sunday there was a rally against violence in nearby West Hill, where a man Jorge Falu-Garcia of Albany was fatally shot last Thursday. Police are still looking for the shooter in the case. Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan, at the rally: "This neighborhood is just as important as any other place in this city and we are working to make sure that the people who live here are safe." [TU] [WNYT] [News10] [TWCN]
At a rally Friday in Troy the family of Vanessa Milligan expressed frustration that six months have passed since her death and there's still not been an arrest in the fatal arson case. Said Rensselaer County first assistant district attorney Carmelo Laquidara to the Record: "[W]e're confident that we're gonna get the right person, it's just gonna take time to do that. Time is winding down, we're getting closer." [TU] [Troy Record]
There are questions -- and accusations, and counter accusations -- in Saratoga Springs over the waiving of water connection fees to some developers, including $810k in fees that were waived for prominent developer Sonny Bonacio. [TU]
According to Capital review: "A federal water study commissioned by the Cuomo administration as it weighed a key decision on fracking was edited and delayed by state officials before it was published." [Capital]
Fatal shooting in Albany, sale of One Monument Square site approved, should chimps be considered persons under the law?
Albany police say a man has died from injuries after being shot Thursday afternoon in West Hill (map). Witnesses tell TWCN they heard four shots. A search for a suspect led officers to a building on Clinton Ave -- it was surrounded for two hours and then entered, but the suspect was not found. Friday morning police were back in the area responding to a report of a person with a gun, but found neither the person or a gun. [APD FB x2] [TWCN] [News10] [TU]
At the direction of Andrew Cuomo, the SUNY board voted to adopt "a comprehensive system-wide uniform set of practices to combat sexual assaults on SUNY campuses." Cuomo said the set of policies could be turned into state law that could also apply to private colleges. [NYT] [SUNY] [TU]
The Troy City Council unanimously approved the proposed sale of the One Monument Square site to developers for a new mixed-use project. [TU] Earlier: The latest One Monument Square plan evolves
Budgets proposed for Albany, Troy and Schenectady, Queens assemblyman charged with stealing $80,000, Mike's owner pays up, how much to move Hoffman's to Albany?
It's budget time again in the Capital Region. Albany's proposed budget, presented to the Common Council on Wednesday by Mayor Kathy Sheehan, calls for a 1.4 percent tax increase as well as budget cuts, in an attempt to close a $15 million deficit. Firefighters booed a decision to eliminate Ladder No. 1 in the new budget. Sheehan says she expects $2 million in income from the proposed red light cameras. The proposed Troy budget calls for spending cuts, but a 3.8 percent tax increase. Schenectady's proposed budget calls for a 3 percent tax increase and $1million in additional spending on the city's police department.[TWCN][TU][TU][[Gazette]
Queens Assemblyman William Scarborough is facing 23 state and 11 federal charges for allegedly stealing $80,000, by submitting 174 fraudulent per-diem vouchers. [TU][TU]
A retired NYC police officer who was raised in Colonie is suing Colonie police for $15 million , claiming he was illegally tased by police while visiting his parents home in July, when police came to break up a family argument. [TU]
Sex offender captured following lockdown at Skidmore, Sheehan and McCoy call for slower train speeds, Schenectady hot dog biz may close due to back taxes
A registered sex offender accused of violating his parole was arrested near Skidmore College Wednesday morning following a manhunt that put the college in lockdown. [TU] [TWCN] [Saratogian]
Kathy Sheehan and Dan McCoy sent a letter to the secretary of the federal Department of Transportation, asking him to immediately mandate slower speeds on oil trans passing through local cities. [TU][TWCN]
National Grid announced Tuesday that home heating bills are expected to be about 10 percent lower this winter. [TU]
Cuomo admin seeking waiver to import marijuana, questions about parking at One Monument Square site, RPI professors developing assistance robot
The Cuomo admin is asking the feds for a waiver that would allow the state to import certain types of marijuana to be used medicinally as treatment for a seizure disorder in children. (Transporing the drug across state lines is considered illegal by the feds.) New York's request to the feds is being backed by Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. [Buffalo News] [TU] [Buffalo News]
State investigators recovered and disbursed $16.4 million from wage theft cases during the first half of 2014, according to the state Department of Labor. [WNYT]
Based on comments from "several people familiar with the matter" and internal documents, the Times Union reports that PEF leaders "shielded a downstate council leader from potential prosecution after she allegedly used a union debit card to make at least $20,000 in questionable purchases." [TU]
UAlbany president Robert Jones says his school and Albany Law are moving toward some sort of affiliation that could include the law school becoming part of UAlbany. [Biz Review]
The anonymous donor who gave $10 million to St. Peter's Health Partners has been revealed as Heinrich Medicus, a 95-year-old retired RPI professor who credits his longevity to wine and chocolate. [TU]
Questioning numbers from local IDAs, Cuomo visits Afghanistan, tenants caught in landlord-city situation over water bill
A Times Union review of data from local industrial development agencies -- the orgs that hand out many tax breaks to businesses and property developers -- concludes almost a third of projects haven't met their promised levels of job creation (or the reported numbers are somehow flawed). [TU]
Consensus from local law enforcement officials: this area is experiencing a spike in heroin trade and use. A ride-along with the investigation and bust of an alleged heroin distribution operation in Colonie. [TU x2]
The new Albany County land bank has an executive director, $500k to start, and 83 properties. (And Troy also recently got the OK for a land bank.) [TU] [Troy Record]
Andrew Cuomo made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan this past weekend as part of a delegation of US governors. Cuomo said the trip was related to learning about counterterrorism efforts: "I'm doing my job as governor of New York, that's exactly what this is about." [NYT] [TU]
Man injured in Caroline Street bar incident is now dead, state tax rebate checks going out, Troy starts new comprehensive plan process
Saratoga Springs police say Aaron Huggins -- the man injured in a Caroline Street bar last Friday, allegedly when he was slammed into the ground face first by another bar patron -- has died. Acting Saratoga County DA says her office is waiting on additional investigation before deciding whether to file additional charges against Jeffrey D. Mann Jr of Wilton. Police say it appears the incident was touched off when the two men brushed against each other and there was some sort of brief verbal exchange. Said Saratoga Springs public safety commissioner Chris Mathiesen regarding the incident and the bar scene on Caroline Street: "We need to start addressing what's going on down there." [Saratogian] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The state comptroller's office new list of fiscally stressed municipalities has Mechanicville pegged as being under "significant stress." An audit of Mechanicville by OSC last year concluded the city's financial records were in an "extremely poor state" and the city had adopted "unrealistic budgets." The city's new mayor says his administration is trying to get Mechanicville's fiscal house in order. [NYS OSC x2] [Daily Gazette]
The state has started sending out $350 tax rebate checks to qualifying families with children and will continue to do so over the next few weeks. And, oh, did you hear Election Day is coming up? [TWCN] [TU]
Cuomo and Christie upgrade security at transportation hubs, Albany teen charged with attempted murder,CDTA seeks funds to upgrade Albany/Troy route, Albany High band to march in Dublin parade
Andrew Cuomo joined with Chris Christie on Wednesday to announce an increase in security at airports, train stations and other transportation hubs in light of recent terrorism and international conflicts. [NYT]
CDTA is seeking federal funds to upgrade bus services between the Port of Albany and Troy to a Bus Plus rapid transit line. [TU]
Halfmoon Democrats are demanding that Town Republicans cut their ties with controversial developer Bruce Tanski and return more than $138 thousand dollars in campaign contributions received from him, including over $126 thousand he contributed to Kathy Marchione's campaign for state senate. [TU]
Cameras are coming to the streets of Albany and Troy, but how effective will they be at reducing crime. [TU]
FBI Director says Albany corruption is nothing special, Cuomo approval ratings slip to lowest yet,Tkaczyk/Amedore debate gets heated
FBI Director James B. Comey was Albany on Tuesday. Comey praised the relationships between police agencies in the region, said we're safer than we were on 9-11. And according to him, Albany is nothing special in the corruption department: "I don't want to burst Albany's bubble in any way," Comey said, "but there are lots of state capitals in this country where we're doing lots of public corruption work. So it doesn't stand out in my mind."[TWCN][Saratogian][TU]
Andrew Cuomo's job approval rating has slipped to its lowest point since taking office, but he still has a wide lead over challenger Rob Astorino.[WSJ]
Cecilia Tkaczyk and Republican George Amedore had their first debate of 2014 on Tuesday night at Proctors. The debate got heated and personal at times, and touched on local control of casinos, the Moreland commission, women's equality and chocolate or vanilla. [News 10][WNYT][TU]
Public comments on Capital Region casinos apps, focus on police stun gun policies, red light camera plan robocalled
The state's Gaming Facility Location Board -- AKA, the group that will pick which sites get casinos -- were in Colonie Monday for 12 hours of public comments about the Capital Region casino applications. Apparent trends in the comments: much support for the Howe Caverns proposal and much opposition to the East Greenbush proposal. Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan was one of the few speakers to support the East Greenbush casino (the project has pledged $11 million to Albany's economic development org) -- and her comments prompted boos from the anti-casino group. The day also included dueling accounts from Rush Street employees about how the casino company treats its casino employees (Rush Street is part of the Schenectady application). And there were just a few comments about the Rensselaer proposal. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU] [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
Following the death of Daniel Satre after being shocked multiple times with a stun gun Saturday in Ballston Spa, a look at law enforcement policies (or the lack thereof) for using the weapons. Acting Saratoga County DA Karen Heggen says her office is waiting for results of a police investigation, including an autopsy, before deciding how to handle the case. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A Times Union review of recent developments points toward the possibility that tar sands oil from Canada could soon be shipped through the Albany area via rail. [TU]
Man dies after being tasered by police, casino app public comment day, Latham building shut for "really horrible" conditions, Huck Finn's Playland?
Ballston Spa police say a man died Saturday night after being tasered by police. Police say they had responded to a call about a "suspicious and disorderly subject" and found Daniel Satre, who they said was combative with police. Police Satre was warned he was about to be stunned and when he didn't comply, he was tasered. Police said he was unresponsive after being tasered and was later pronounced dead at Saratoga Hospital. Said a neighbor of Satre's behavior: "It was like a switch (flipped) ... Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He was ranting and raving and making no sense at all." [News10] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Today is the public comment event for the Capital Region casino applications. (Live video stream.) [Daily Gazette] [NYS Gaming]
Saratoga County DA resigns, big tax breaks for Park South redev, investigation into death of man found behind State Museum
Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy resigned from office Thursday (press conference video), after 17 years in the position -- and 27 years working in the DA's office). He's running unopposed for a Saratoga County judgeship this fall, and his resignation allows his first assistant, Karen Heggen, to takeover the office as interim DA. Murphy, a Republican, framed the decision as a choice to support continuity of staffing in the DA's office. If Murphy had stayed in office past this week, Andrew Cuomo (a Democrat, of course) would have been allowed to appoint an interim replacement until a special election in 2015. It also prompts an election this fall and Heggen has been endorsed by the county Republican committee. Another Republican, David Harper, is also considering a run for the office. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [TU] [Saratogian] [Saratoga County DA] [WNYT] [Saratogian]
The Albany IDA approved $32.5 million in tax breaks for the Park South redevelopment project, one of the largest such package of tax breaks on record for the area. Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan said the scale of the project -- $110 million and 268 new residential units -- make the breaks worth the risk. [TU] [Biz Review x2] Earlier: Park South redevelopment plan gets final OK
The Troy City Council finance committee unanimously supported the plan to sell the One Monument Square site developers or $650k for the currently proposed $25 million plan for two mixed-use buildings on the site. (It still requires a final vote of the full council.) [TU] Earlier: The latest One Monument Square plan evolves
Amsterdam supports Schenectady casino, former SPAC president Chesbrough has died, 677 Broadway sells for $33 mil, Luuuke--I am the giant floating head of your father
Casino opponents and supporters are gearing up for next week's public comment hearings. [TU]
The Amsterdam city council has voted to throw its support behind the plan for a Schenectady casino.[WNYT]
The 38-year-old Schenectady man facing rape and murder charges in the case prosecutors says involved the serial rape of a teen and murdered baby waived his right to a jury trial on Wednesday in favor of a bench trial. [TU]
Nearly 60 people turned out on Wednesday for Take Back Troy's first public meeting in response to the recent spate of violent crime in Lansingburgh. [Record]
Former SPAC president Herb Chesbrough has died at age 67 -- he was a key figure in building the arts venue into what is today. [TU]
Pioneering former APD chief dies, dashboard cam shows teen tasered after surrender, Astorino's kid to Cuomo: stop cutting up our family photos, Schenectady laser cat yearbook picture settled
Former Albany police detective John Dale, a Korean War veteran and the city's first and only black police chief in Albany history, has died at the age of 80. [TU][WNYT]
An Albany County jury convicted 42 year old Oscar Valcarcel of mmurdering a 27-year-old Albany man while burglarizing his home in December. [TU][WNYT]
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says he wants Sgt. Vincent Igoe fired after video was released showing Igoe tasering a teen who had surrendered and was on his knees following a high speed chase in August. Igoe's attorney says the video vindicates his client. [TWCN][WNYT] [TU]
The newest plan for the mixed use project at the former site of City Hall at Monument Square in Troy is estimated at $25 million and includes more than 80 apartment units, restaurant space and a permanent home for the Troy farmers' market. [TU][Record]
Home health aide pleads guilty to murder of man she'd been hired to care for, focus on pedestrian safety on Central Ave, restored Proctors marquee unveiled
Sara Moore -- the home health care aide accused of killing the man she'd been hired to care for at home off New Scotland Ave in Albany this past February -- pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Moore had been charged first-degree murder and facing possible life in prison without parole. She's now up for 25 years to life. [Albany County DA] [TU]
The state Department of Transportation announced a range of safety measures aimed at making Central Ave/Route 5 safer for pedestrians from the Albany city line to the Schenectady city line. The DOT is also pushing a campaign to raise awareness among both drivers and pedestrians. Eight pedestrians died on the stretch between 2009 and 2013. [NYSDOT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Question before the Cuomo admin's Wage Board: Should the minimum wage for tipped employees be raised from $5 to $8 per hour? [TU]
The mother of the Rensselaer man arrested last week for jumping the fence at the White House says her son has been suffering from mental illness. She says her son had apparently been turned away for mental health treatment at an out-of-state hospital because of a coverage problem and he had gone to the White House thinking he could take up the issue the president. [TU] [Troy Record]
Hoffman's Playland closes for final time, report concludes state's "restacking" saved money, over the White House fence with Pikachu
Hoffman's Playland closed for the season for the final time Sunday after more than six decades -- a few hours later than usual. The owners say it looks like they have buyers lined up for the park's rides who intend to keep the equipment in the area. [TU] [Biz Review] [News10] [WNYT]
A Times Union investigation looks at what motivated a shake up of the State Police's governor's protective unit ahead of the start of the Cuomo administration: Was it housecleaning following scandal, or race based? [TU]
The state Department of Health reports there have been more than a dozen confirmed cases of enterovirus EV-D68, a respiratory infection that can seriously affect children. Ten of the children have been treated at Albany Med. DOH says people should take the same prevention steps around children and people with compromised immune systems as they would during influenza season. [NYS DOH] [TU]
Troy councilwoman responds to accusations made over Lansingburgh incident, 35k E-ZPass users overbilled, push continues for Medal of Honor for Henry Johnson
Troy City Council member Anastasia Robertson said Thursday she had been "slandered and defamed" by comments made by Sgt. Thomas Hoffman, the head of the Troy Police Benevolent Association, at a city council meeting last week. And she asked for an ethics investigation of Hoffman. The PBA head had accused Robertson of inciting a crowd that had gathered around police during an incident in Lansingburgh in August, but a video indicates she had been trying to calm the crowd. [TU] [TWCN] [News10] [WNYT]
A casino employees unions has sent a letter to the state Gaming Commission alleging that managers for Rush Street Gaming -- which is aiming to open casinos in Schenectady and Newburgh -- have been harassing employees the union is trying to organize at the company's other casinos. The company has settled labor charges in the other city, and points to multiple "best workplace" awards for the casinos. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The East Greenbush Zoning Board of Appeals has set a date for a public hearing on the planned development district being sought by the proposed Capital View casino project. [TU]
The Thruway Authority says about 35,000 E-ZPass users were overcharged because of an error at the Harriman toll barrier on I-87. The authority says users will be credited the overcharges. A spokesman declined to state the total amount of the overbilling. [Thruway Authority] [TU]
Capital Region commemorates 9/11, McCoy vetoes law to prevent cigarette sales in stores with pharmacies, post-game on Cuomo victory, the awesome photo that won't be among the senior portraits
Commemorating 9/11 in the Capital Region on the 13th anniversary.[TU]
A look at why Andrew Cuomo did so poorly in the Capital Region primary. Or was it low turnout? [TU][TU]
Tuesday's election brought the lowest voter turnout in nearly a decade - only about 9.3 percent of registered 5.8 million Democrats showed up to vote. [CNY]
Cuomo on the narrower than expected margin of victory: ""Was this an opportunity for the groups that had an ax to grind to come together? Yes, I'm fine with 60 percent."[NYT]
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy vetoed legislation on Tuesday that would have banned the sale of tobacco products in stores with licensed pharmacies, claiming that the law is flawed because it lacks and enforcing agency, and a procedure to collect fines and a licensing law to allow the county to regulate cigarette sales. McCoy has directed the county attorney to instead draw up legislation to band the display of tobacco products in stores with pharmacies.[TU][WNYT][Record]
Cuomo wins primary but loses in Capital Region, Capital Bank to move HQ to Wellington Row, downstate casino pitches, SUNY Polytechnic is official
Andrew Cuomo defeated Zephyr Teachout in Tuesday's Democratic primary. Teachout conceded on Tuesday saying that though she won't be the Democrats choice for Governor, "Democrats of this state have been heard. Cuomo did not do well in the Capital Region, losing to Teachout in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties, which former state Operations Director Howard Glaser blames on disgruntled state employees.[TU][TWCN][TU][TU]
Kathy Hochul beat Tim Wu for the Lt. Governor slot, but Wu got over 40 percent of the vote statewide. Cuomo did not make an appearance on Tuesday night, but issued a statement congratulating Teachout and Wu "on running a spirited campaign, engaging in the democratic process and having the courage to make their voices heard."[TWCN]
Most incumbents in the state Legislature won their primary races. Democratic Conference leader Jeff Klein defeated Oliver Kopell. State Senator Malcolm Smith, who allegedly tried to bribe his way onto the NYC mayoral ballot as a Republican, lost his primary race.[TU][NYT]
From the NYT, county by county election results. [NYT]
It's primary day, small plane crash kills two people, revised Monument Square plan, $6 million beach
It's primary day. Among the questions for today: How many people will turn out to vote? (Probably not many.) And how well will Democratic challengers Zephyr Teachout and Tim Wu fare against Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul? (Don't know where to vote? Check with your county board of election.) [Daily Gazette] [State of Politics]
Capital Region casino presentation recaps: Times Union | Daily Gazette | Biz Review | Troy Record | TWCN | AOA.
A small plane crashed in the Selkirk Rail Yards later Monday afternoon, killing the two people aboard -- a flight instructor and a student. Police say the student was at the controls at the time of the crash. Officials say the plane had taken off from the nearby South Albany Airport and was only in the air a short time. (The airport is adjacent to the rail yard.) The airport's manager says federal investigators have taken over the review of the crash. [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU] [News10] [TU]
Long range projections filed with the state Public Service Commission by National Grid predict that the average residential electric bill will rise 15 percent (inflation adjusted) over the next 15 years, in large part because of rising wholesale electricity prices. [TU]
Casino app presentations today, shooting in downtown Troy, tomb stone falls on boy, Albany council to take up red light camera bill
Applicants for the state casino licenses will start making their public presentations today at the ESP. The Capital Region presentations are scheduled to start at 1:15 pm. They're open to the public and will be streamed online. [NYS Gaming]
A Capital analysis of state teacher evaluation data concludes that there's a wide gap between wealthy and poor districts when it comes to how many teachers were rated as "highly effective." [Capital]
In some of the Capital Region's largest city police forces minorities are underrepresented relative their percentage in the cities' populations, but leaders say they're trying to increase the number minorities among their ranks. [Troy Record] [TU]
New York State currently allows audio and video coverage of court proceedings only by special permission of a judge, but the state's chief judge is pushing for expanded access. [Daily Gazette]
A profile of an Altamont man's downward spiral into heroin addiction -- and his struggle to climb back. [TU]
Investigation into afternoon shooting in Lansingburgh, Hoffman's Playland owners entertaining offers for rides equipment, 60 years of regulars
Troy police were investigating reports of shots fired in Lansingburgh Thursday afternoon. TPD said it got reports that people saw a man step out of a green SUV and fire into a crowd. News10 says one of its crews heard the shots around 2:30 pm as it interviewed people nearby about the recent violence in Lansingburgh, was able to grab a shot of the SUV as the vehicle left the scene. A state police helicopter assisted in the search. It appears no one was injured in the shooting. [TWCN] [TU] [News10] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
At Thursday's Troy City Council meeting the president of the Troy Police Benevolent Association accused councilwoman Anastasia Robertson of inciting a crowd against two TPD officers during an incident Saturday. Robertson says she has video that contradicts the allegation. Earlier in the meeting Robertson addressed the online comments she made about the situation in Ferguson, Missouri that have since drawn attention, saying she hadn't meant to offend anyone: "I'm an African American, as you're all more than well aware, so my experiences may be different from some other people and that's okay ... all I'm asking is that you respect that I do come from a different experience than you." [TU] [CBS6] [Troy Record]
The city of Saratoga Springs' sale/swap of the Collamer parking lot on Broadway for land to build a new public safety facility has prompted allegations among current and former city politicians that the deal undervalued the lot and the RFP was so narrow as to favor one buyer. [TU]
The owners of Hoffman's Playland have postponed the auction of the amusement park's equipment as they entertain offers from companies that would keep the rides in this area. [Biz Review] [TU]
Search for Schenectady gunman continues, Rensselaer mayor says gaming commission shouldn't consider federal probe in casino decision, Marriott planned for former Alco site, Albany Bishop's chosen pizza
Police continue to search for the suspects in the shooting of a Brooklyn man who was visiting friends in Schenectady over the weekend. [TU]
One of the men charged this week in the murder of a Troy couple in August was a key witness in what was considered a weak Albany murder case. [TU]
The Mayor of Rensselaer says the State Gaming Commission should not consider a federal probe into Och-Ziff Capital Management, the financiers behind the Hard Rock Casino Proposal, when considering the application for the proposed casino.[TU]
Arrests in two Troy homicide cases, man accused of spreading manure on vehicle, Instagramming for Schenectady
Troy police announced arrests in two separate homicide cases from Lansingburgh this summer: Daniel Reuter, who police say is homeless, and Jacob Heimroth, of Troy, have been arraigned on first- and second-degree murder charges in the August 20 deaths of Allen and Maria Lockrow. And Jeffrey Brown of Cohoes has been charged with second-degree murder in the June 30 death of Robert Rivera. [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
Schenectady police say a man was fatally shot in the Vale Neighborhood Monday night. As of Tuesday morning SPD hadn't released any info about possible suspects. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The parent company of the financiers behind the Hard Rock casino proposal in Rensselaer is under investigation by the feds. The backing company -- Och-Ziff Capital Management, a mammoth hedge fund -- has been involved with investments related to the regimes of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe and Muammar Qaddafi in Libya. [TU] [Bloomberg Businessweek]
With casinos closing in Atlantic City, and new casinos planned in other states, potential operators in New York have focused on facilities of a relatively more modest scale -- and drawing gamblers from their local markets. [AP/Troy Record]
This year's Saratoga Race Course season that ended Monday had the highest attendance since 2009, according to unofficial attendance numbers. Eleven horses died the meet. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Sheehan reaches $11M casino support agreement to with East Greenbush, dogs who killed terrier will be put down, public paid security costs for Cuomo
Mayor Kathy Sheehan has committed to an $11 million deal to support the East Greenbush casino. According to the terms of the agreement Albany would get $11 million over ten years and an effort would be made to try to steer at least 25% of jobs to Albany residents. The deal allows Albany to support other casino proposals, unlike the offer made by the developers of the proposed Hard Rock Casino in Rensselaer, which was an exclusive offer.The proposal has been passed along to the Common Council for review. [Business Review][TU][WNYT][Saratogian]
The public covered the cost for thousands of dollars in security money for the State Police detail that accompanied Andrew Cuomo to Israel. [TU]
The two dogs that leapt out a window in Schenectady, attacking and killing a smaller dog, will be put down and their owner will have to pay $2,000 and do 75 hours of community service after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge.[TWCN] [News 10]
Body recovered from Poestenkill Gorge, private student housing proposed near UAlbany, charges in case of stinky meat
Emergency services crews
John Halacy, the Rensselaer man who had escaped a rape charge because of a paperwork problem last year, was sentenced in Rensselaer County Court to four years in prison for second-degree rape. He'll serve the sentence concurrently with the 5 1/2 years from a sentence in Albany County Court for a burglary in Colonie. [TU] [Troy Record]
The boyfriend half of the couple who pleaded guilty to stealing the identities of at least 50 Albany Med patients has been sentenced to 7.5-15 years. The man's girlfriend, who was a nurse at the medical center, is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday. [TU x2]
A developer is proposing a for-profit dorm for UAlbany students on Washington Ave near the uptown campus (map) -- and there are plans for more private student housing on Fuller Road. [TU]
Reward offered for info about deaths of Lansingburgh couple, Rensselaer makes written offer to Albany for casino support, developer accused of using straw donors for campaign cash
Three Troy officials are collectively offering $1,500 for info leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the deaths of Allen and Maria Lockrow in Lansingburgh last week. A brother of Maria Lockrow was critical of Troy police after he says he was questioned by TPD about the case. As of the weekend, Troy police said they had no new developments to report. Prompted by recent events -- and the still unsolved death of Vanessa Milligan -- there was a stop-the-violence rally in Troy on Saturday. [TU] [TU] [Troy Record/Saratogian] [News10]
The city of Rensselaer has delivered a written version of its proposal seeking the city of Albany's exclusive support for the Hard Rock casino project -- but Kathy Sheehan notes there are "so many open questions" about the proposed agreement. [TU]
The state Inspector General has issued a report on the situation in which NYRA overcharged bettors by $7 million in "takeout" fees -- and it concludes there's a lot of blame to go around. [NYS IG] [TU]
The old Wellington Hotel annex was imploded as planned on Saturday -- here's video and a collection of pics. [AOA]
Teachout survives residency challenge, Troy citizens rally against crime,Port of Albany oil spill quickly contained
A couple of hundred people showed up at a Take Back Troy anti-violence rally on Wednesday, following a double homicide in Lansingburgh this week. Meanwhile, police continue to search for the suspects in the recent murder. [TU][Record][TWCN]
A state appeals court upheld a ruling on Tuesday allowing Zephyr Teachout to remain on the Democratic primary ballot. Cuomo backers went to court in an effort to halt Teachout's bid for governor by claiming she was in violation of required residency rules. [TU]
Time Warner Cable News has invited Andrew Cuomo to debate Teachout, but Cuomo's campaign says the governor has no plans to debate Teachout. Meanwhile, Rob Astorino has offered to debate Teachout[CNY] [Record]
Following a heated discussion at a meeting attended a standing room only crowd including many anti-casino advocates, the East Greenbush town board voted 3 to 1 to advance the Capital View Casino & Resort proposal to the Planning Board. [WNYT][TU]
Couple beaten to death in Lansingburgh home, Wellington implosion postponed until Saturday, Q-poll: Cuomo part of ethics problem but still ahead, 999 turns around a traffic circle
Police are looking for two men who broke into a Lansingburgh home and beat a man and woman to death overnight. The suspects are believed to have escaped in the victim's SUV.[TU][Record]
Troy residents are holding a meeting tonight to launch a neighborhood watch to combat the recent outbreak of violence in the city. Troy City Councilman Jim Gordon is personally offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and convictions of the perpetrators of recent shootings in the city.[TU][Record][WNYT]
The implosion of the Wellington building has been postponed until Saturday in an effort to limit disruption downtown. [TU]
Nearly half the voters questioned in a new Quinnapiac poll think Andrew Cuomo is a part of the state's corruption problem, but he maintains a 56 to 28 lead over Republican challenger Rob Astorino in the same poll. [Qinnipiac][TU]
Albany council issues support for Rensselaer casino -- with conditions, armed escorts for some mail carriers in Troy, woman awarded damages for tainted mozzarella stick
At its meeting Monday evening the Albany Common Council passed a resolution generally supportive of a Rensselaer casino -- with some conditions, such as the city getting a written agreement from Rensselaer for a series of $1 million payments. Even as Rensselaer's deadline for an agreement approached Monday evening, mayor Kathy Sheehan said Albany hadn't received a written offer from Rensselaer. [TWCN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Four USPS mail carriers operating in Lansingburgh and Troy's North Central neighborhood are being accompanied by armed escorts because of concern for their safety, according to the postal service. [TU]
A profile of Preet Bharara -- the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, and self-described dork -- who's been pursuing political corruption cases in New York State and investing the Cuomo administration's role in the Moreland Commission. [NYT]
How nearby businesses and offices are preparing for the Wellington annex implosion. [Biz Review]
Albany facing deadline from Rensselaer over casino deal, downtown Albany building implosion scheduled, 100 years for Perecca's
Rensselaer mayor Dan Dwyer says the city of Albany is facing a Monday deadline to accept to a proposed agreement that provide Albany with $1 million a year for 10 years from the proposed Hard Rock casino development in Rensselaer. [TU]
Columbia Development's plan to implode the Wellington annex in downtown Albany received the OK from the city and is scheduled for Thursday morning. [TU]
Albany police say they're investigating the events surrounding a police officer crashing a patrol car through a fence in West Hill -- resulting in the car getting stuck between two trees -- Saturday night. The roof of the patrol car had to be cut off to remove the officer. [TU] [WNYT]
Troy's fire chief says a fire in vacant building in Lansingburgh Sunday is suspicious and similar to the suspected arsons in July. There have been no arrests for the July string of fires. [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
TU: sources say Rensselaer casino partners seek $10 million deal for Albany support, Schenectady judge orders dog euthanized, Cuomo expresses "total solidarity" with Israel
"Two people familiar with the proposal" tell the TU that the partners behind the proposed Rensselaer casino are offering Albany $1 million a year for 10 years in exchange for Common Council support of their $280 million riverfront project.[TU]
Tioga and Vernon Downs harness track/racino owner Jeff Gural on his concerns about the possible addition of four new casinos and the health of the industry: "This year has been a turning point. Everywhere you go casinos are down, all over. It's scary. If I was investing in casino stocks I'd really think twice."[Saratogian]
A study that concluded a $12.2 million hotel at the Rensselaer rail station would likely do well has apparently "faded out of sight" since the discussion of Rensselaer as a casino site. [TU]
Cuomo heads to Israel, flood warnings continue though rain prediction scaled back, runaway bulldozer rides Albany rails, where did the Pollock go?
Andrew Cuomo is in Tel Aviv to express support for Israel in the Gaza conflict. Cuomo has declined an invitation to visit Palestinian territories on his visit to the region. The trip is being paid for with funds from his reelection campaign. [WSJ][NYT][Capitol Confidential]
A Schenectady judge has denied Michael Briggs' request to take back his guilty plea in the case of a murdered nun. [TU]
The Capital Region remains under a flash flood watch today, though forecasters have backed off early predictions and are now expecting about an inch or two of rain. [TU]
Train service was interrupted on Tuesday after a bulldozer caught fire at a construction site near 8 Railroad Avenue in Albany, then rode the tracks all the way to the First Prize Center after the operator escaped. [TU][WNYT][News 10]
Albany County legislature passes pharmacy tobacco ban, downtown Albany building could be imploded, Schenectady reviewing policies after house explosion
The Albany County Legislature has passed a bill that would ban stores with pharmacies from selling tobacco products. County exec Dan McCoy's office didn't say whether he intends to sign it, but says there will be a public hearing about the bill. [TU] [News10]
Ryan Place -- the Milton man convicted of kidnapping and tormenting his former girlfriend near Saratoga Lake last summer -- was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Said Rebecca Lefevre in court: "There's a sense of right and wrong and remorse that separates monsters from men. And this is something that Ryan Place inherently seems to lack." Place continued to assert that he did not kidnap Lefevre. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
In a change of course, Columbia Development tells the Biz Review it's considering implosion for the demolition of the old Wellington annex building in downtown Albany. The building is being demo'ed for the Albany convention center project. (And apparently official word on the possible implosion is being closely held.) [Biz Review] [TU]
New York State's policy on which emails employees should retain or delete is 118 pages long -- and open government advocates say in many cases it's probably too quick to order deletion. [Pro Publica]
House explosion in Schenectady, old infrastructure blamed for water main breaks, 35 years of Bob's Diner
A vacant house in Schenectady's Hamilton Hill neighborhood blew up Sunday afternoon (map), apparently because of a gas leak. The home was thought to be vacant, but neighbor sightings of people going in and out of the house prompted a K-9 unit search of the debris -- no one was found. Neighbors say they had smelled gas in the days before the explosion -- and some have told media outlets they called National Grid to report the smell, but the utility says there are no records of calls about the property. [Daily Gazette] [TWCN] [News10] [TU] [WNYT]
Paul Nicholson II, the man who pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter as part of a plea deal for driving drunk and hitting and killing a pedestrian on Ballston Ave in Saratoga Springs last summer, has been sentenced to 3-9 years in prison. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Rotterdam's supervisor says the age of the town's water mains is to blame for the string of breaks this summer, including one that flooded streets on Saturday. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
At the start of next year it will be illegal for landfills in the state to accept CRTs (the old tube displays for TVs and computers) -- and electronics recyclers say they're being crushed by the number of CRTs people are trying to pitch. [TU]
Cleanup continues after Tuesday's storms, missing juror faces contempt charge, NYRA is out of the red -CEO gets $250K bonus, Amsterdam casino could be disqualified, horse sales net 33 million
A pair of Albany police officers saved two women who were trapped on the trunk of a car on Hackett Boulevard by chest high water during the flash flood on Tuesday evening. The city is still cleaning up after what Mayor Kathy Sheehan called a 100 year event in which 3 inches of rain was dumped on the city within 45 minutes. Albany Water Department Commissioner Joe Coffey told WNYT that although the infrastructure is a century old, "When you get a hundred year storm event when you had three inches of rain in 45 minutes, there's no way our system, whether it was five years old or 105 years old could handle that quantity of water."[TWCN][WNYT][Record][TWCN][TU][WNYT]
Chuck Schumer, memorializing the late Major General Harold J. Greene, the former guilder land resident, and RPI grad who was killed this week in Afghanistan: He didn't ask for accolades. He just did his job and protected us.While the nation mourns an officer, a father mourns his son.[TU][Gazette]
A judge has declared a mistrial in a Schenectady murder case after a jury forewoman did not showing up for court on Tuesday. The missing juror was brought into court on Wednesday and is facing contempt charges that could send her to jail if an investigation finds that she willfully disobeyed court orders. [WNYT][Gazette]
NYRA CEO Christopher Kay will get a 3 percent raise and a $250,000 bonus, putting his total compensation at more than $550,000 this year. Kay's plans for NYRA may include closing one of the downstate tracks. NYRA's board announced a surplus at the meeting after overcoming a 13-point-one-million dollar deficit last year. [TU][Gazette][WNYT]
Two star general with ties to Capital Region killed in Afghanistan, Soares to put Backpage Johns on Frontpage website to combat sex trafficking, flash flooding leaves cars submerged, 9 year old Albany chess champ to represent U.S.
A two-star general and Albany native was killed in Afghanistan this week. Major General Harold J. Greene, a graduate of Guilderland High School and RPI,
is the highest-ranked military officer to be killed in combat since Vietnam. Greene died
from gunshot wounds sustained in an attack at the Marshal Fahim National Defense University. Andrew Cuomo has ordered flags at half staff in honor of Major General Greene.[TU][TWCN][WNYT][TU]
Storms caused flash flooding in Albany on Tuesday downing trees and leaving cars underwater in sections of the city. More than 5,300 people lost power due to the storm
Hundreds of National Grid customers were still without power on Wednesday morning.[TU][AOA][WNYT][News 10]
David Soares announced Frontpage on Tuesday -- a website dedicated to combating sex trafficking in Albany County--where he promised to post a photo of every person convicted of paying for sex in the county. [WNYT][TWCN][TU]
Albany Common Council passes parks smoking ban, bizarre episode involving Albany woman and snake in Long Island, rally for Aref and Hossain
The Albany Common Council has passed an ordinance that would ban smoking in all areas of city parks -- it now heads to mayor Kathy Sheehan for a signature. [News10]
The chairman of Hard Rock International, James Allen, was in Rensselaer Monday to bang the drum for the proposed casino there and announce its name would be the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Rensselaer. Allen said the company would make use of the site's riverfront location with a boardwalk and outdoor restaurant seating. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Because of several large settlements, New York State is looking at a $4.2 billion in unexpected surplus -- and people are lining up with ideas about how to spend it. [TU]
Locals, farther afield: Police in Long Island allege an intoxicated Albany woman crashed her Prius into a fire house in Nassau County, hitting two fire trucks -- and firefighters found a ball python, apparently stolen from a nearby pet store, wrapped around her neck. [Newsday]
Investigation into plane crash in Saratoga County, lawsuits criticize jail medical services, Albany council to vote on parks smoking ban, biking with Bernie
Federal and local officials are investigating what prompted a small airplane to crash in northern Saratoga County Saturday, killing the two men on board. Officials say the plane had picked up an advertising banner shortly before veering off course and crashing. Said a witness to WNYT: "I seen the plane hit the top of the trees and then nose-dive into the ground." [TU] [TWCN] [Post-Star] [WNYT]
Troy police say a Putnam County 18 year old has been arrested for a fatal stabbing in South Troy this past March. [TU]
Charles Wilkinson -- the 68-year-old Malta man accused of fatally strangling his wife of 46 years in their home in May -- pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder on Friday. [Daily Gazette]
A former Albany County jail inmate has filed a lawsuit alleging the company that provides medical services at the jail put off providing the proper treatment for a knee injury for weeks and the man has now suffered a permanent injury. That same company, Correctional Medical Care, is also the target of a suit in Schenectady County alleging it mishandled the care of a woman suffering from heroin withdrawal -- the woman later died in a hospital. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Police investigate shooting near Albany's Washington Park, Coeymans man pleads not guilty in mother's death, Churchill Downs buys 25% of Racino
A 39-year-old man was injured in an Albany shooting on the 500 block of Madison Avenue near Washington Park and Knox Street just before 10pm on Wednesday.The victim was described as "a great guy, a quiet guy, who didn't have an enemy in the world. "[TU][WNYT]
The COO of the Father Peter Young Foundation was arrested on Wednesday by the Attorney General's office on 15 felony counts, including grand larceny, for allegedly sealing over $1 million in state funds and falsifying time sheets for a former senator who allegedly had a no-show job at the organization. Jacquelyn Gentile pleaded not guilty.[TU] [WNYT]
A Coeymans Hollow man charged with murdering his mother pleaded not guilty to second degree murder charges this morning.[TWCN]
Andrew Cuomo apparently never rescinded the executive order that established the Moreland Commission, and 23 of its members are still deputy attorneys general, but a spokesman for Cuomo's office says the administration believes no official order was required.[TU]
U.S. attorney Preet Bharara sent a letter threatening to investigate the Cuomo administration for possible obstruction of justice or witness tampering in its handling of the Moreland Commission. [NYT]
Sheehan names panel on rail safety, Troy officer charged with tipping off drug suspects, hundreds line up to meet Clinton in Saratoga, billboard ad nets three kidney offers
Kathy Sheehan named a 15- member panel on Tuesday to investigate rail safety in Albany, in response to last week's call from County Executive Dan McCoy to relocate residents from the Ezra Prentice Homes , which border the rail yard. Albany County has also established a hotline for people with crude oil train concerns. [TU][WNYT]
Fans waited for up to five hours to meet Hillary Clinton sign their copies of her book at Northshire Books on Tuesday.[TU][Saratogian]
The NYS Attorney General's office is alleging that a Troy police officer tipped off suspects in a drug ring about pending search warrants, allowing them time to hide evidence. [WNYT]
Cuomo pushes back on Moreland interference accusations, prostitution stings in Saratoga County, just ducky
In Buffalo Monday, Andrew Cuomo pushed back -- he was "feisty and unrepentant", in the NYT's words -- on the accusations that his administration had interfered with the Moreland Commission set up to investigation corruption in state government. Cuomo continued to assert that his involvement didn't extend beyond advising the panel. [NYT] [TU]
Rensselaer authorities say one person was found dead in an apartment fire Tuesday morning. Another person was taken to the hospital with significant injuries. [TWCN] [TU]
Recent stings set up by law enforcement in Saratoga County have resulted in 21 prostitution arrests. The stings were set up via online ads. And officials say they were surprised by the volume of responses. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Why it's taken decades to implement safety system for trains, news crew threatened with arrest, landmark status for Yaddo
Oil trains: A Hearst investigation looks at how the railroad industry has blocked/slowed the adoption of a safety system called Positive Train Control for decades. [TU]
A group of families is planning to file suit today in Albany in an attempt to challenge teacher tenure in New York State. Teachers union and other advocacy groups have been gearing up for the fight. [NYDN] [TU]
The town of Colonie is among a few local municipalities that have been reporting police income from private duty jobs as eligible for pension system consideration -- something the state comptroller's office has said should not be done. [TU]
Schenectady's property value are already above the market value of many properties, apparently -- the system appears to be warping further because large property owners have been more likely to successfully grieving their assessments. [Daily Gazette]
Burned body may be connected to Peace Pagoda fire, Lansingburgh residents raise concerns over violence and fires, Cuomo gives OK for Albany red light cameras
he burned body found in cohoes was determined not to be connected with recent Lansingburgh fires, but they now believe the man may be connected to a recent fire at the Grafton Peace Pagodaa. The investigation has shown that the man recently had a disagreement with the management of the Peace Pagoda
[WNYT][TWCN][Record]
More than 200 people showed up for a community meeting on a recent outbreak of violence in Troy, including suspicious fires and a stabbing in the last week.Among the complaints was a call for a crackdown on the landlords of vacant buildings in the city. [WNYT][News 10][Record]
Victory church is offering a reward for information on the fires and the homicide. [WNYT]
Jury deliberations got underway on Tuesday and will continue today in the Pablo Cruz case. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation allowing red light cameras in certain sections of New York State, including Albany. [TWCN]
Cuomo also signed a law on Tuesday that will officially extend Albany's residential parking system. [TU]
No arrests in suspicious Troy fires, Cuomo continues big lead on Astorino, uproar over coach's firing, another brewery
No arrests have been made in the
Troy police have yet to make an arrest in the fatal stabbing of a teen at a birthday party in Lansinburgh Friday night. A church is offering $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. [TWCN x2]
Pablo Cruz -- the man accused of drunkenly driving into a cyclist in Albany, killing the man, and leading police on a high-speed chase -- testified Monday: "It wasn't me. I wasn't in that truck on the 24th. They made all this (expletive) up!" Cruz's attorney told the judge his client testified against his advice. [TU] [TWCN]
Continuing nano drama: After NanoCollege allegations of "disgusting politics" and "misinformation" in the media, the city of Albany is apparently now trying to get a financing deal back together with the NanoCollege for the ZEN building -- while the county tries to poach the deal, and the approximately $1.9 million fee that goes along with it. [TU]
Suspicious string of fires in Troy, "disgusting politics" and "misinformation" alleged after NanoCollege pulls financing request, "net zero" apartments proposed
The Troy Fire Department says a string of six fires in short succession early Monday morning is suspicious. The fires were at multiple locations in Lansingburgh. Said mayor Lou Rosamilia: "I want to ask our residents to be our eyes. I don't want people to be nervous. I want them to be vigilant". [News10] [TWCN] [TU]
Troy police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 16 year old Friday night in Lansingburgh (map). The stabbing apparently occurred during an altercation at a backyard birthday party. It was Troy's sixth homicide of the year. Said the teen's mother a vigil Sunday: "Everybody is just beefing over nonsense." [Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN] [WNYT]
A resident of the Ezra Prentice Homes on concerns about possible mishaps involving oil tanker cars at the nearby Port of Albany: "If there is an explosion and anything happens to me, I want someone charged with first-degree murder." There have recently been a range of new safety procedures implement for the oil trains, though some have been applied unevenly. [TU x2]
A NanoCollege spokesperson initially cited "disgusting politics" as the reason the org pulled its request for $186 million in bonds for the in-construction ZEN building to be issued via an arm of the city of Albany. (Questions had arisen over why a fee associated with the project had been cut.) The next day the org pointed the finger at "misinformation in the media" about the situation. [TU x2]
Albany police probe four weekend robberies, VA nurse blows whistle on hospital, groom charged with assault in wedding brawl, Cuomo sitting on $35 million
Albany police are looking into four weekend robberies where groups of three to five people allegedly attacked and stole money from pedestrians. [TU]
Opening arguments in the trial of a Schenectady man charged with hitting a bicyclist and dragging the man along on the back of his truck as he tried to escape the scene, paint a very different picture. Prosecutors say Pablo Cruz was drunk and speeding while the defense in the case blames the victim for being drunk . [ News 10 ] [TU][WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo is sitting on $35 million in campaign funds,while his opponent Rob Astorino has about $2.4 million on hand.
Andrew Cuomo says he's not concerned about Moody's recent downgrade of the gaming industry from stable to negative and the news that Trump Plaza casino will likely be shutting down. [TU]
A nurse at Albany Stratton VA Medical Center is filing a whistle -blower complaint against the hospital after she was disciplined for removing restraints from a patient who been left restrained for hours. [TU]
Trial begins for driver accused of killing cyclist in Albany, another attempt at cyberbullying law, a city cemetery not in the city
Pablo Cruz, the driver accused of hitting and killing a cyclist in Albany and leading police on a high speed chase, was warned by Albany County judge Andrew Ceresia that he could be removed from court (or gagged) if he acts out during the trial, as he apparently has during earlier hearings. [News10] [TU]
After Albany County's cyber bullying law was struck down by the state Court of Appeals recently, the county legislature is working on a new, narrower version of the law. [TU]
From a Times Union report about an Albany County legislature vote on a procedural step for proposed veterans housing on the site of the former Ann Lee Home: "At one point, an angry veteran -- one of dozens who spoke -- brandished a box of enemas and a can of fiber supplement for lawmakers continuing to oppose the vote." [TU]
A nurse at the VA hospital in Albany alleges she was demoted after unshackling a patient in the psychiatric ward who restrained for hours, a violation of hospital policy. [WNYT]
State: crude oil train info should be open, more details on Schenectady casino proposal, rotting meat on roadway mystery
The state Division of Homeland Security has decided railroad company reports to the state about the frequency and volume of Bakken crude oil shipments should be made available for public disclosure (the railroads had tried to keep the info protected). [TU]
A Times Union look at how the state makes available -- or doesn't -- reports of abuse at day care centers. [TU]
With the season at the Saratoga Race Course opening later this week, a look at how relatively new NYRA leadership team -- which came to the job with very little horse racing industry experience -- is trying to point the org in the right direction. [Daily Gazette]
A trial involving rape charges in Rensselaer County Court, in which both the accuser and defendant speak the Burmese dialect Karen, was declared a mistrial over translation issues. [Troy Record]
IBM pouring billions into chip research, Albany councilman says he was confronted by police, details on fatal Crossgates off-ramp crash
IBM says it will spend $3 billion on chip research over the next five years, which is good for the company's operations at the NanoCollege and other sites in the region. [TU]
A spokesman for the state Gaming Commission on the recent Moody's downgrade on the outlook for the casino industry: "Based upon the fact that well over a dozen international entities just applied for four available casino licenses, we are confident in the state of the market in New York." [TU]
Albany Common Councilman Mark Robinson says he was confronted by Albany police officers and told to move along while he was sweeping up in front a building he owns in West Hill the night of the Fourth of July. [TU]
The new Price Chopper built on the site of the former St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet opens today. [Troy Record]
More storms, flooding & power outages, Saint Rose adjuncts seek to unionize, 200 arrests at Phish weekend
Visiting Smithfield, New York where a tornado killed four people and destroyed a handful of homes earlier this week, Andrew Como called extreme weather events the "new normal " in New York State. [Post-Standard]
More flooded streets and power outages from the latest round of local storms. [TU][TWCN]
Adjunct professors at The College of Saint Rose are planning to file paperwork for a vote on whether to unionize. [TU]
Zephyr Teachout says she has collected 40,000 signatures from voters -- nearly three times the amount needed -- to get her on the ballot to run against Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for governor. [Record]
Thousands without power after storms,driver charged with vehicular homicide in Thruway crash, WSJ poll puts Cuomo way ahead of Astorino, Hoffman's ferris wheel may be headed to Troy Riverfront
Storms overnight knocked out power to more than 47,000 National Grid customers throughout upstate New York. [TU]
A Wall Street Journal poll shows Andrew Cuomo with a 35-point lead over Republican candidate Rob Astorino. [WSJ]
Astorino is calling for a "Stop Common Core" ballot line. [Gazette]
Democrat Brian Howard, a retired school superintendent and first time political candidate, has announced plans to run against Kathy Marchione for the 43rd State Senate Seat she narrowly won from Roy McDonald in the 2012 primary. [WNYT]
Millions spent by casino backers on lobbying, Troy gets money for new seawall, Daisy Baker's not re-opening
ICYMI: The owners of Hoffman's Playland tell the Biz Review they'll be closing the amusement park for good this fall. [Biz Review]
Casino gambling interests have spent more than $11 million on lobbying and campaign donations over the last two years, according to a NYPIRG analysis of lobbying reports filed with the state. And: The board responsible for picking which casino applicants will get licenses got two new members. The head of the state Gaming Commission says the selection process is still on track for announcements of winning applicants this fall. [Capital] [NYPIRG] [Daily Gazette] [NYSNYS/Troy Record]
Andrew Cuomo publicly signed the the Compassionate Care Act on Monday, which makes New York the 23rd state to allow medical marijuana. It will take about 18 months before the limited system will provide the drug to patients. [Capital] [News10]
A Scotia family is buying Morette's in Schenectady and hopes to re-open the restaurant this September. [Daily Gazette]
State close to moving ahead on medical marijuana, collapse highlights vacant building issue in Albany, life of a dairy princess
Andrew Cuomo is set to sign the medical marijuana bill, which sets up a limited system for growing, distributing, and administering the drug (example: it's not to be smoked). New York's tightly focused system contrasts with some of the more wide open approaches that other states have taken in the past. [Syracuse Post-Standard] [TU]
There was a rally Sunday at the Ezra Prentice Homes in Albany's South End to protest the trains transporting crude oil through the Capital Region. (Ezra Prentice is near the Port of Albany, which is a major node in the distribution network of the oil.) It also marked a year since the huge oil train explosion in Lac Megantic, Quebec. [TU x2]
The building that collapsed on Clinton Ave in Albany (map) Friday had been caught in a foreclosure process that lasted 3-4 years. The family that lives next door said they had complained to the city multiple times about the building, but mayor Kathy Sheehan said the city was limited in what it was allowed to do about the building. [TU] [News10] [TWCN]
In which James Odato figures the odds for the competition to be granted a casino license in the Capital Region (and other regions). [TU]
High court strikes down Albany County cyberbullying law, Libous pleads not guilty to tax charges, Convention Center Authority closes land purchase deal, Slater returns to Albany
In a 5-2 ruling on Tuesday, the New York State Court of Appeals struck down Albany County's cyberbulling law, overturning the conviction of a Cohoes High School student who created a Facebook page with posts about some of his fellow students -- some claiming the students had multiple sexual partners or were gay. [TU]
Binghamton senator Tom Libous, known as one of the most powerful lawmakers in the Capitol, has pleaded not guilty to federal indictment that claims he made false statements to the FBI in an investigation into how his son Matthew Libous obtained a job with a well connected law firm. [TU][NYT]
Joe Bruno has officially submitted paperwork with the Attorney General's office requesting that the state cover the $2.4 million dollar legal bill from his fraud trial.[Gazette]
The Albany Convention Center Authority has closed on the $4.05 million deal to purchase the land to build the center. [TU]
Police: Woman killed her two children and herself, casino applications filed, widespread water service outage in Rotterdam
East Greenbush police say
Backers of casino proposals for Amsterdam, Cobleskill, East Greenbush, Rensselaer, and Schenectady filed their casino license applications (by the box-load) with the state Gaming Commission by the Monday deadline. In all, 16 bidders filed applications for 17 casino projects around the state. Among the details to surface were details about the proposed waterfront casino at DeLaet's Landing in Rensselaer. The developer behind the Howe Caverns casino proposal in Cobleskill is a Michigan-based developer, and the operator's board includes Lee Iacocca. In Amsterdam today there's expected to be a parade in support of the proposed casino there -- and anti-casino rally. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The state's highest court ruled 5-2 that local municipalities are within their rights to ban hydrofracking via zoning. More than 80 towns in the state have already banned fracking through zoning, and more than a hundred others have issued moratoriums. [NYS Court of Appeals] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Someone or some organization is trying to buy up houses adjacent to the NanoCollege. [TU]
Deadline for casino license applications, oil spill at Port of Albany, studying spread of Lyme disease in Adirondacks, stolen and found 13 years later
Today's the deadline for casino license applications -- here's a rundown of the five proposals for the Capital Region. One last(?) odd twist in the process: An outspoken opponent of the Schenectady proposal has sent a letter to the state attorney general arguing that efforts by a coalition of local entertainment venues to reach a deal with casino operators violates anti-trust laws. [Daily Gazette x2]
About 100 gallons of crude oil were spilled from an oil train at the Port of Albany Sunday, according to a port official. The spill is being described as relatively minor, but Albany County officials are upset they weren't notified. [WNYT] [TU]
The president of the Empire State Association of the Deaf, on audism and a lack of services for deaf people: "New York state is one of the worst states as far as deaf services go ... There's no oversight, there's no monitoring, there's no grievance process, there's nothing." [TU]
Troy police are investigating the death of a man in Lansingburgh early Monday (map). The TU is describing it as a "deadly shooting," but TWCN and WNYT both report the reports of gunshots and the death haven't been officially connected. [TU] [TWCN] [WNYT]
Law suit filed over proposed East Greenbush casino, construction worker death at GlobalFoundries, Colonie center wants to add more parking spaces
The group Save East Greenbush has filed suit in an attempt to block the proposed Capital View Casino & Resort. Among the allegations in the suit: that the town resolution supporting the casino was passed at a meeting that violated the state's Open Meetings Law. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
As the deadline for filing casino license applications approaches, talks are still going on between a coalition of regional entertainment venues and casino backers. [Daily Gazette]
A construction worker at the GlobalFoundries site in Malta died in an "industrial accident" Thursday evening, according to State Police. GlobalFoundries says construction work at the site has been halted after the accident. [NYSP] [TU]
Colonie police say they're waiting on autopsy results before declaring what killed an elderly couple found dead inside their Latham home Thursday -- but it appears they were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning because CO levels in the home were 10x the lethal limit. Police say a car was running in the garage when they arrived and the garage door was too hot to touch. [TU] [TWCN] [TU]
Schenectady police say a man was fatally shot in Mont Pleasant (map) early Friday morning. Neighbors said they heard what sounded like a gunshot and screams. It's Schenectady's first homicide of the year. [News10] [TWCN] [TU]
IDC ends relationship with Senate Republicans, Chopper to lay off 80 employees, floods cause state of emergency in Mechanicville, Olaf is missing
According to Senator Jeff Klein, the Independent Democratic Conference will rejoin the Democrats in the State Senate, but not until after the November election. The arrangement
Citing increasing competition, rising costs and a reduction in Federal aid to low-income people, Price Chopper has announced it will lay off 80 employees in management, field, clerical and support positions .[TU][WNYT]
A state of emergency has been declared in the Saratoga County town of Mechanicville after heavy rains and a broken water main soaked the streets. [TU][TWCN][News 10]
Stefanik wins GOP primary, Victory Mills teen cleared in death of mother's fiance, Albany bear incident prompts rescue of 6 bears
Elise Stefanik, a former White House staffer, beat businessman Matt Doheny in Tuesday's Republican primary for the NY 21st Congressional District seat. This was Doheny's third run for the seat, and he blasted Karl Rove's national PAC American Crossroads for attack ads they aimed at him during this campaign.[News 10][NYT][TWCN]
A Saratoga County grand jury chose to not indict the 18-year-old Victory Mills man who was charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother's fiancé. Matthew Brown's attorney said the teen had been protecting his mother from Derik Clark, who was being abusive. The Saratoga County DA's office says Clark attacked Brown after Brown called police, and DA Jim Murphy described the situation as self defense. Said Murphy in a press release: "Domestic violence homicides are often the most complicated and emotionally charged cases. There is never a good outcome. I can only be thankful that the criminal justice system functioned in the way it was designed and I have faith in the work of the grand jury today." Said Brown's attorney, Terry Kindlon, of the decision, "He's not the kind of kid who goes to jail. He goes to church." [WNYT] [TU] [TWCN] [Saratoga County DA] [Saratogian]
Greenwich residents voted 281-203 this week against dissolving their 205-year-old village. The plan to dissolve was originally proposed as a way to reduce property taxes.[WNYT][News 10][TU]
High school graduation rate up slightly, study points to multiple infection risk from ticks, casino wheel continues to turn, remembering Judy Sanders
The statewide high school graduation rate was up slightly -- to 74.9 percent -- for the class that finished in 2013. In a released statement, the state's education commissioner said "far too many students, even if they graduate from high school, still haven't completed the advanced and rigorous course work to be ready for college or the workplace." [TU] [NYSED]
A study by group of scientists that included researchers from Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in the Hudson Valley highlights another risk related to ticks: a single bite could transmit not just Lyme disease, but multiple infections. [PLoS One] [TU]
Albany police say a 19 year old was shot in Sheridan Hollow (area map) Sunday night and was in critical condition. The anti-gun violence group Cure Violence is planning a rally at North Lake and Second Street Tuesday evening. [APD FB] [News10]
The two people accused of stealing the identities of patients at Albany Med, and then using those identities to apply for credit cards, have pleaded guilty to a group of felony charges, according to the Albany County DA's office. They both face as much as 15 years in prison. This past May the Albany County Sheriff's Office said materials for 50-60 identities were found at the couple's home. [Albany County DA] [TU]
Today is the Republican primary in the 21st Congression District (map), which pits Elise Stefanik against Matt Doheny. (Democrat Bill Owens, the incumbent, is not running for re-election.) [Post-Star]
Number of homeless children almost doubles, legislature passes Albany parking permit and red light camera bills, if a plane crashes in the forest and no one hears it...
The number of school age children classified as homeless has almost doubled in New York State over the last five years, a trend that has played out in Capital Region as well. [TU]
The state Senate passed bills for an extension of the Albany residential parking permit system and red light camera authorization in the final hours of its session. (The bills had already passed in the Assembly.) [TU]
Casino news:
The state Gaming Commission has turned down the request from backers of the Montgomery County proposal to have the $50 million license fee cut in half in return for higher slot machine revenue tax rates. Backers say the proposal isn't dead, yet. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Howe Caverns casino proposal is reportedly "moving full steam ahead," though details won't be shared until after the application is submitted. [Daily Gazette]
The groups competing to land the Capital Region casino license are already in talks with a labor union that could represent their employees, a requirement of the application of the process. [TU]
The group behind the East Greenbush casino proposal has reached an agreement with the TU Center and Palace Theatre that would limit an entertainment venue at the casino to 1,000 seats or fewer. [Daily Gazette] Earlier: A look at the size of Capital Region concert venues
Chris Churchill: If East Greenbush town officials think supporting the casino proposal there will lead to their ouster -- why are they supporting it? [TU]
Late deal on medical marijuana, Hard Rock connected to Rensselaer casino proposal, questions about for-profit biz in non-profit real estate, roundabout for Schenectady
The state legislature was cramming in legislation as it approached the end of its session Thursday night. There were two major deals by state leaders as the legislature's session headed for its end Thursday night: medical marijuana, and an adjustment to the system of teacher evaluations. [NYT] [TU]
The medical marijuana bill includes a wide range of restrictions on how the drug can be sold, prescribed, and administered -- for example: it won't be allowed to be smoked. The state Assembly passed the bill overnight. And state Senate is expected to vote on the bill this morning. [State of Politics] [AP/Troy Record] [WBNG] [State of Politics]
As the state legislature careened to the finish, it was unclear what would happen to the city of Albany's request for an extension of its residential parking permit system and a bill that would open the way for red light cameras in the city. [TU]
Hard Rock International -- the company behind the Hard Rock Cafe and casino chain -- announced that it's involved with the proposed casino at DeLaet's Landing in Rensselaer. But many of the details related to the project won't be released until after its application is submitted to the state Gaming Commission. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
A few of the communities in the running for a casino, including the Amsterdam/Florida proposal, have made an appeals to the state Gaming Commission based on the depressed states of their local economies. [TU]
Last day of the legislative session, still no agreement on medical marijuana, Rensselear casino plans to be unveiled tonight, NYCLU calls for Spa City police review board, legislature outlaws pet tattoos/piercings
Today is the last official day of the legislative session. Among the items still undecided, the Compassionate Care Act, which would legalize medical marijuana. The latest version of the bill was rejected by Governor Cuomo earlier this week because it still allows for smoking the drug. Medical marijuana advocates rallied in Albany for the passage of the bill. [CNY][WSJ][TWCN]
Andrew Cuomo announced an agreement, Wednesday on a series of bills that are geared toward fighting heroin addiction in New York State. [NYT][WNYT][TWCN]
The Senate has passed the bill to allow Schenectady, Troy, Albany and other small cities around the state to hold night courts, but with an amendment giving authority over where the night courts go in the hands of the Office of Court Administration. [TU]
Plans for a proposed Rensselaer casino at DeLaet's Landing are expected to be unveiled at meeting this evening. [TU]
East Greenbush Casino opponents spoke out at a public meeting on Wednesday claiming the approval process has been secretive and unfair. One East Greenbush Councilwoman, blaming the state for the lack of time to have more than one community meeting on a proposed casino in the town: "Like the army tank in Tiananmen Square, this thing was coming,The predisposition to make it happen and not find out if the community supported it was born at the state level when they rolled out a time line that made it impossible to to a public referendum."[TWCN][TU]
If East Greenbush gets a casino, Mazzone Hospitality has agreed to create a high end dining facility on the property. [WNYT]
Cuomo rejects medical marijuana bill, red light cameras and downtown Albany residential parking permit stuck in end of session scramble, it's now legal to spend eternity with Fido
Overnight storms caused power outages and downed trees around the region -- including a massive tree that fell on a house and van in Saratoga County. [TWCN]
Andrew Cuomo has rejected the "Compassionate Care Act", intended to legalize medical marijuana in New York. The act was revised by the legislature earlier this week, but Cuomo rejected it because it still doesn't include a ban on smoking the drug or a provision to evaluate the program in five years. But lawmakers still believe a compromise can be reached in time for the bill to pass by the end of session. [WNYT][News10][TWCN]
With only two days left in the legislative session there are a number of items the legislature is trying to plow through, including a deal on a package of bills intended to curb heroin addiction in New York State. [Buffalo News]
The fate of items like Albany's residential parking permit system and red light cameras is also still up in the air. A bill that would mandate teaching CPR in NYS schools has passed in the Senate and Assembly and is now on Andrew Cuomo's desk for approval or veto. [TU][TU]
The Assembly passed a bill that would allow night courts in cities like Schenectady, Troy and Albany, in order to cut costs.[TU]
A Schenectady police officer suspended after road rage allegations in Saratoga Glenville last year has taken a plea deal allowing him to retire with full pension and avoid misdemeanor menacing charges if he stays out of trouble for six months, does community service, surrenders all weapons and agrees to anger management treatment. [TWCN][TU][News 10]
A FOIL request filed by a leader of group opposing the East Greenbush casino netted documents that indicate East Greenbush leaders planned to have just one public meeting on the project to discourage discussion of the "negative side" of a casino. [TU]
Casino process continues to spin, Andrew Cuomo catching criticism from left and right, swanning around Central Park
The rendering released by the East Greenbush casino proposal, the Capital View Casino & Resort.
Casino news:
In Montgomery County the Florida town board voted unanimously Monday night to support the proposed casino project there. The casino would also partly be in the city of Amsterdam -- the economy there is struggling and people are "taxed up the ying-yang," and there appears to be widespread, if cautious, support for the casino proposal. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
+ The proposed East Greenbush casino project now has an official name: Capital View Casino & Resort. And backers released a rendering of the proposed facility, a design said to "reflect the architectural vision of early European settlers, who dreamed of a New Netherland." [Biz Review] [TU]
An addendum to the Albany convention center project: Albany County is expected to borrow as much as $15 million for improvements to the TU Center associated with the project. (The TU Center and Albany Capital Center will be connected by a walkway.) [TU]
The body of the woman missing after her raft overturned in the Kayaderosseras Creek in Milton on Friday was found Monday in Malta, about four miles from she entered the water. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
The man accused of kidnapping his former girlfriend, forcing her to dig a grave in the woods, and threatening to kill her last year near Saratoga Lake has been found guilty on multiple charges. Ryan Place of Milton faces 10-25 years in prison. [Daily Gazette] [Saratoga County DA]
Arrest made in Troy fatal stabbing, Amsterdam casino proposal to ask for reduced license fee, the scrap metal magnate and his pottery collection
Troy police say they've made an arrest in the fatal stabbing of Amber Lynne Fernald in a North Central apartment early Friday morning. Alexis Torres of Troy has been indicted on charges that include second-degree murder. [Troy Record] [TU]
The driver accused of hitting and killing Jamie Jo McBride as she crossed Ballston Ave in Saratoga Springs in a crosswalk last June has pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving. The incident was caught on a video camera from a nearby school bus. The Saratoga County DA's office says it expects Paul E. Nicholson II to be sentenced to 3-9 years in prison. [Saratoga County DA] [Daily Gazette]
Casinos:
+ The team behind the proposal for a casino near Amsterdam will ask the state to cut the casino license fee in half, and request an extension for its application. [TU]
+ A concern about the proposed casino at the former Alco site on the Mohawk River in Schenectady: flooding. [Daily Gazette]
Local state Assembly members Pat Fahy, John McDonald, and Phil Steck have proposed a group of bills related to the transport of crude oil. (As you know, the Port of Albany has become a major node in the rail distribution network for crude oil.) [TU] [TWCN]
One of the takeaways from a Times Union/Siena College poll of upstate residents on education issues: more than 80 percent of respondents said they agreed the implementation of the Common Core has been rushed. The poll also reported 94 percent of respondents were in favor of increasing vocational training. (The crosstabs are worth reading through -- 27 percent of respondents in the poll had children in public school.) [Siena SRI] [TU x2]
Thomas found not guilty in retrial, East Greenbush board passes casino resolution, Cuomo cites "serious questions" about medical marijuana bill, defenestration alleged
Adrian Thomas was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the 2008 death of his infant son. Thomas had been found guilty in 2009, but a retrial of his case was prompted by a state Court of Appeals decision earlier this year that Troy police had used "a set of highly coercive deceptions" during their interrogation of Thomas to prompt him to talk and incriminate himself. In the new trial the jury did not see video of the police interrogation of Thomas or evidence/testimony from the detectives who questioned him. Said Thomas after the verdict of the interrogation: "It was a heartbreaking moment for a long time ... And at least for five years, I still have a lot of emotions for what they did. There's nothing I could say that could bring back five years ago. I'm ready to move on." [Troy Record] [TU] [News10]
Trinity Copeland -- the Troy teen found guilty of second-degree murder for the shooting death of her father -- was sentenced to 25 years to life, the maximum sentence. Copeland testified that her father told her to kill him and would have killed her if she hadn't -- she said at the sentencing: "I'm so sorry for what I did ... I know what I did was so unforgivable, but I just feel that no one understands what happened." Said judge Andrew Ceresia: "I didn't get any sense at all even here today that she accepts responsibility for what happened." [TU] [Troy Record] [News10]
The East Greenbush town board unanimously voted in favor of a resolution supporting the proposed casino on Thompson Hill Road. The special meeting included an overflow crowd and public comments critical of the proposal. Board members cited the potential tax revenue and economic benefits from the project for their support. [Biz Review] [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady County legislators support casino plan, 25 arrests in Capital Region drug ring investigation, groundbreaking today for Shoppes at Latham Circle
Schenectady County legislators unanimously voted to support the $300 million plan for a casino and resort at Mohawk Harbor after only a 15-minute public commentary period and few comments from the floor. [TU][Gazette][TWCN]
Deliberations get underway today in the Adrian Thomas murder trial. On Tuesday a pediatric neuroradiologist from Stanford Medical Center testified Thomas' 4-month old son died of an aggressive bacterial infection. [WNYT][TWCN]
The father of Vanessa Milligan, the 19-year-old pregnant woman who was found dead on April 3 after a Lansingburgh apartment fire, is planning to hold a press conference today to discuss his frustration with the slow pace of the investigation.[TU]
A 10-month investigation has shut down an alleged Capital Region drug ring in which prosecutors say dealers referred to the drugs they were selling by the names of pop stars like Christina Aguilera and Britney.[WNYT][TU]
Schenectady City Council passes casino resolution, fatal stabbing in Troy, Saratoga County Airport runway expansion blocked
The Schenectady City Council voted in favor of a resolution supporting the proposed casino at the former Alco site 5-2. The vote was preceded by three hours of public comments about the topic. Supporters cited the potential jobs and tax revenue for the city. One of the council members who voted against the resolution said he didn't think the city had enough info yet. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [Biz Review]
A few more details about the proposed casino near Amsterdam at Exit 27. [TU]
Troy police say a woman is dead and a man injured following a stabbing early Tuesday morning in North Central (map). TPD says the man is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries and it's waiting to talk with him. A neighbor tells News10 they called police after hearing children screaming and running out of the residence. [TU] [TWCN] [Troy Record] [News10]
CSX is asking the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to sign a non-disclosure agreement for federally-required reports the railroad must file related to shipping Bakken crude oil. [TU]
More details about proposed Schenectady casino, homelessness linked to trauma, highest paid CEOs, the selfie has run its course
The Schenectady City Council is set to vote on its casino resolution Monday night. Details of the proposal are emerging -- the developers/operators say casino would have one full restaurant and no entertainment venue. Some perspective on the potential operator, from other cities where the company runs casinos. And this past Saturday there was anti-casino gathering in the nearby Stockade neighborhood. [TU] [Daily Gazette x3]
A foundation study of homeless families in the some of the largest upstate cities -- including Albany -- concluded that a large majority of homeless mothers had experienced multiple and traumas and half met the criteria for PTSD. [Wilson Foundation] [TU]
Times Union investigation/analysis: Dairy farming can be dangerous work, and oversight by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is limited. Elsewhere: The last dairy farm in Clifton Park. [TU] [Saratogian]
The bicyclist struck during an accident in downtown Troy last week -- whom police had said was dead when he was still alive in the hospital -- has now passed away. [Troy Record]
Cyclist said to be dead after accident is alive, First Amendment challenge to Albany County cyberbullying law, recalling the experience of D-Day
The cyclist who Troy police said had died in a collision with a vehicle near Federal and King streets downtown Monday night is actually still alive and in the ICU at Albany Med. [Troy Record]
Adrian Thomas retrial: A medical expert appearing for the defense testified that Thomas's infant son had died of a sepsis, a body-wide infection, not a head injury. A medical examiner appearing for the prosecution had testified earlier in the day the infant did have sepsis, but also had a serious brain injury. (The trial was also temporarily held up by a poster attached to a mailbox outside the court.) [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
The state Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday over the constitutionality of Albany County's cyber-bullying law -- attorneys for a now-former Cohoes High School student who charged (and pleaded guilty) for comments made on a Facebook page argue the law violates the First Amendment. [TU]
Rensselaer mayor Dan Dwyer says David Flaum's recent track record on casino proposals is not a concern. [TWCN]
Rensselaer council votes to give Flaum casino approval, Sheehan has no regrets about how Albany approached E-23 proposal, more Whole Foods coming to the Capital Region
Less than a day after word spread that that developer David Flaum was pulling out of the E23 casino proposal for the city of Albany, the Rensselaer Common Council voted 6-1 to give Flaum's group the necessary approval to compete for a casino that would go on the DeLaet's Landing site on the Rensselaer waterfront. [TU][TU][News 10]
Kathy Sheehan said Wednesday that she believes the Albany Common Council took the correct approach to the question of the E23 casino proposal.[TU]
More than 700 people gathered at Genet Elementary School Wednesday night for a public hearing on the proposed Casino at East Greenbush. Developers introduced a new traffic plan for the proposed casino.[WNYT]
[TWCN]
A new television ad suggests a casino would reduce taxes for East Greenbush homeowners by 30 percent -- but will it? [TU]
About 30 people turned out in Saratoga Springs Wednesday for a special meeting on the racino expansion project, which turned out to be mostly a debate among council members. [Saratogian]
Andrew Cuomo has announced the first dozen Start-Up NY tax free business sites, none of which are in the Capital Region. [TU]
TU: E23 casino developer may move plan to Rensselaer, state comptroller's report: city of Albany facing financial challenges, rice cakes and hockey pucks
"Rensselaer County political sources familiar with casino developments in East Greenbush and Rensselaer" tell the Times Union that David Flaum, the developer pushing the proposed E23 casino project in Albany, is "moving toward making" the de Laet's Landing site in Rensselaer his preferred site for a casino. [TU]
A new report from the state comptroller's office detailed some of the financial challenges facing the city of Albany -- among them: 60 percent of its land is not taxable, its landfill is scheduled to close, and a third of its children live in poverty. But the city's financial state did not land it in the comptroller's category of cities under "fiscal stress." In an OSC press release, mayor Kathy Sheehan again stated that city is facing a $10 million deficit in its next budget. [NYS OSC] [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [NYS OSC]
The state Assembly transportation committee unanimously voted to move along a two-year renewal of Albany's residential parking permit system -- the first step in renewing the pilot program that is set to expire in February. (The renewal would also have to pass in the state Senate.) [TU]
A Schenectady man has been arrested in connection with last week's bomb scare in Niskayuna's Mohawk Commons shopping plaza. [WNYT]
Schenectady police are looking for burglars who broke into three separate homes overnight, making off with wallets, purses, money and video games. Residents of the neighborhood say a pedestrian tunnel under I-890 made it easy for burglars to escape their neighborhood, and have been asking the city to seal the tunnel off. [WNYT][TWCN]
Support lining up for Schenectady casino, car pulled from middle of lake, fatal collision with bicyclist, Palace suing Engelbert Humperdinck
A majority of the Schenectady City Council has apparently decided to back a resolution supporting a casino in the city -- without a formal public hearing on the topic, though there was a presentation by the developer and operator pushing the project. A majority of the crowd at a Schenectady County Legislature hearing on the topic also appeared to be in favor of the casino, according to a Gazette estimate. And in the neighborhoods right near the proposed site? It might depend on which side of the tracks you're on. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Charles L. Wilkinson, 69, has been charged with second-degree murder for the death of his wife, Kathleen Wilkinson, at their Malta home, according to the Saratoga County DA's office, which alleges the woman was strangled to death. Law enforcement officials allege Wilkinson, a former police officer on Long Island, stayed in the house with his wife's body for as long as a day and a half. County sheriff Michael Zurlo said had deputy had stopped at the house for a welfare check on Kathleen Wilkinson after a call from family. [Saratoga County DA] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
An inmate testified Monday during the Adrian Thomas retrial that Thomas told him in jail that he'd caused the death of his infant son by bouncing the boy off a bed. [TU]
A car that had been reported stolen last November was pulled from Iroquois Lake in Schenectady's Central Park -- police aren't sure exactly how it got there, but one theory involves the car being driver out onto the frozen lake and then falling through the ice. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Man accused of killing his wife and staying in house with her body, casino focus turns to Schenectady, where the rock stars fly into
A Malta man is accused of killing his wife -- and then staying in the house with the dead body for several days, according to the Saratoga County DA's office. [TU] [Saratogian]
Schenectady police two men were shot early Saturday, reportedly on State Street in the Vale neighborhood (map). The injuries weren't considered life threatening. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Albany police say an Altamont man was shot Saturday evening in West Hill (map). His injuries were not life threatening, and APD says it's investigating. [APD FB]
Committees for the Schenectady City Council and the Schenectady County legislature will be hearing pitches about the casino proposed for the former Alco site tonight. [Daily Gazette]
Andrew Cuomo secured the Working Families ballot line for governor after a challenge from Fordham law professor Zephyr Teachout. The challenge against Cuomo for the spot was seen as pushback by the more liberal side of the Democratic Party, and losing the line could have changed the gubernatorial race by introducing a third candidate -- to Cuomo's left -- with support downstate. (Though Teachout might not be finished leaning against Cuomo.) In return for the party's support, Cuomo has apparently also agreed to help put the state Senate back in control of Democrats. [TU] [Capital] [NYT] [State of Politics]
Opening arguments in Thomas retrial, new building for state DOT and Thruway Authority, spelling bee rep exits on velvety word
During opening arguments of the Adrian Thomas retrial, the prosecution argued the death of Thomas's infant son was "inflicted trauma" rather than "the result of any type of accident." The defense argued the prosecution has a weak case, and the plan to call Thomas's former cellmate to testify is a sign of "desperate measures." Thursday also include testimony from Thomas's stepdaughter, who yelled an obscenity at Thomas as she ran from the courtroom. [Troy Record] [News10] [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU]
The Cuomo admin has announced a plan to relocate the state Department of Transportation from its Wolf Road offices to a new building that the agency would share with the Thruway Authority. The new facility would be on the site of the current Thruway building near Exit 23 in Albany (map, and the former DOT building on Wolf Road would be sold. The move would also represent a not-quite merger between the DOT and Thruway Authority. [Cuomo admin] [TU]
The featured speaker at a community meeting to oppose a casino in East Greenbush -- Les Bernal of the Stop Predatory Gambling Foundation -- told the crowd that casinos are about draining money out of a community: "You know, there's no new money being created by casinos. It's just a transfer of money from the have-nots to the haves." [Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN]
Schalmont state tests compromised, Senate proposes 25 anti-heroin bills, possible new witness in Thomas re-trial, Bethlehem votes against Capital Region Casinos
The State Education Department has invalidated sixth grade and eighth grade state tests in the Schalmont School district after the tests were somehow compromised by being shown to students in advance. Officials say they believe the problem was caused by "miscommunication" and that there was no deliberate attempt to compromise the exams.
Students will not have to retake the tests but the incident could affect state aid. [WNYT][TU][News10]
Bethlehem's town board voted against the Exit 23 casino project on Wednesday -- and against a casino located anywhere in the Capital Region, claiming they are concerned with the impact such a project would have on the welfare of the community.[TU]
The jury has been seated and opening statements are expected today in the re-trial of Adrian Thomas, charged with killing his infant son in 2008. Before the trial can start today, the judge must decide whether a new witness -- an inmate who claims Thomas told him he killed the child-- can take part in the trial [News 10][WNYT][TU]
At Troy's third hearing on emergency demolition on King Street, the owner of the 4-6-8-10 King Street building claimed miscommunication on the part of the city was a big problem, saying he wanted to get the city to condemn the building but wasn't able to do so, and that the city engineer didn't return multiple phone calls. But former Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian said the owner -- Donald Boyajian-- had been denied an emergency order to tear the King Street building down, an order Boyajian says he never asked for. [TWCN][TU][WNYT]
Albany bear still up a tree, Jury selection underway in second Thomas trial, Bruno "coming out party" at anti NY SAFE rally
DEC officials were looking for ways to save the black bear who climbed up a tree on Whitehall Road in Albanyyesterday. Officials have been watching the bear overnight and planned to try to save it if it came down before daylight. If not, they say they might be forced to kill the animal in the interest of public safety. [TU][AOA][TWCN][News 10]
Eleven days after being acquitted by a federal jury, Joe Bruno spoke at an anti NY SAFE Act rally in Brunswick on Tuesday night, advising a crowd of about 300 to stand up and speak for their rights. Bruno called the event his "coming out party," and told the crowd "It's time to push back because our liberties have been eroded over the years. It's wrong in every way."[TU][WNYT][TWCN][Record]
Police say the 64-year-old man who was found dead in the woods near Halfmoon on Monday was trying to get off his ATV with a loaded shotgun when the weapon accidentally went off, killing him. [TU]
Jury selection got underway on Tuesday in the retrial of Adrian Thomas, accused of killing his 4-month-old son six years ago. A high court tossed out Thomas' original sentence because police had lied to him to coerce him into confessing. Jury selection is expected to wrap up and opening arguments are slated to begin today. [TU][WNYT][Record]
Man accused of his killing his mother, aquarium feasibility study being floated, future of tiny nuclear reactor uncertain, words as colors
Coeymans police say a man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother. Police say officers responding to a domestic disturbance call Sunday found 50-year-old Theresa Michelli dead. The attorney for 24-year-old Brendon M. Biers said his client has a self-defense case. [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
Omni Development has started circulating the aquarium feasibility study it commissioned in an effort to generate support among local leaders for the project. [TU]
The National Weather Service has declared that the tornado that hit Duanesburg was an EF3 tornado. (More about the Enhanced Fujita scale for tornadoes.) [Daily Gazette]
The Schenectady school district is reporting dramatic increases in attendance rates this year, perhaps because of expanded free meal programs. [Daily Gazette]
NWS looking at whether tornado ripped through area, Cuomo calls to "double down" on upstate investment, author criticizes casinos
The National Weather Service says a survey team is looking at whether the powerful storm that blew through parts of Schenectady and Albany counties Thursday afternoon was a tornado. Much of the damage was along a path in Duanesburg that cut across Route 20, Route 7, and I-88. The storm destroyed one house and damaged other buildings, though no one was reported hurt. [NWS] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10]
The main topics mentioned during Barack Obama's 15-minute speech at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown Thursday: jobs and tourism (including long waits at airport security lines). The President's visit also prompted a protests against hydrofracking. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
In his acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination for governor, Andrew Cuomo said, "We're going to double down on our investment in upstate NY." Thursday night Republican candidate Rob Astorino was in western New York criticizing the "Buffalo Billion" plan. [TU] [State of Politics]
Former Buffalo Congresswoman to be Cuomo's running mate, passionate supporters and opponents at East Greenbush casino meeting, Obama in Cooperstown
Former Buffalo Congresswoman Kathy Hochul will be Andrew Cuomo's 2014 running mate.[TU][NYT]
Cuomo is expected to be nominated for re-election later today. [TWCN]
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and state comptroller Tom DiNapoli were nominated by the Democratic party to run for another term. [Daily Politics][WSJ/AP]
Andrew Cuomo named former Governor David Paterson chairman of the state Democratic Party. [TU]
A large and passionate crowd packed East Greenbush Town Hall on Wednesday night , with arguments both for and against a proposed casino in the town. [WNYT][Record]
President Obama is scheduled to visit Cooperstown today.[TWCN]
School budgets pass but turnout low, Q poll shows Cuomo with substantial lead, choice for Lt. Governor remains a mystery, operator announced for proposed Schenectady casino
All local school budgets were passed on Tuesday, but turnout was low in elections across the state. Here are results in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties. [TU][TWCN][TU][TU][TU][TU]
As the Democratic convention opens, a Quinnapiac poll shows Andrew Cuomo leading Rob Astorino by 29 points. But a Liberal third party candidate could make a big difference. [WNYT][Daily News]
The Mayor of Buffalo does not want to be Lt. Governor of NYS.Who will replace Lt. Governor Robert Duffy on the ticket is a "genuine mystery."[Buffalo News][NYT]
The Troy woman who plead guilty to stealing $480,000 from a charity established to help victims of the Boston Marathon bombing will spend up to three years in jail. [TU][Record]
The defense attorney for the 18 year old Victory man who is charged with the murder of his mother's abusive fiancé says it is a clear case of self defense. The case has been handed over to a grand jury[TU] [Saratogian]
Rivers Casino announced on Tuesday that they are behind plans to build a casino in Schenectady as part of the $450 million project at the former ALCO site [WNYT][TWCN][Gazette]
Casino developments turning up around the region, Bruno seeking legal fee reimbursement, backyard chickens issue pops up
Today is school budget vote day. Don't know where to vote? Check with your school district.
Capital Region casino developments:
+ The backers of "The Casino at East Greenbush" presented plans for the proposed gambling facility at a community meeting Monday night. One of the backers called it "an economic game-changer" for East Greenbush -- it projected to include 1,700 jobs. One resident opposed to the project compared the casino to the tobacco industry. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT] [TWCN]
+ The casino operator lined up for the E23 project in Albany is apparently Global Gaming Solutions, which is owned by the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma. The company runs 19 other gambling facilities, including a casino in Texas said to be the world's largest. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
+ The Galesi Group appears set to announce today its plans for a casino at the former Alco site in Schenectady, with Rush Street Gaming of Chicago as the potential operator. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
An attorney for the Victory teen charged with second-degree murder after allegedly fatally stabbing his mother's boyfriend at their residence Friday night says the teen had acted in self defense after seeing his mother abused by the boyfriend. Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy says it's likely a grand jury will consider a lesser charge. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
The Washington County Sheriff's Office says the two people killed after apparently being struck by a train in Kingsbury Sunday were an adult and a six year old. The sheriff says the two had been on a train trestle fishing, and based on train video, it appears they didn't realize the train was coming until it was very close. [Post-Star] [TU]
The Albany Common Council approved a resolution asking the state legislature to give it the authority to install red light cameras. (The state legislature still needs to grant permission, and then the issue would go before the Common Council again.) [News10]
Bruno retrial verdict reaction, fatal stabbing in Victory, Obama to visit Cooperstown, horse killed by arrow, Schenectady fire survivor recovering and adapting
Joe Bruno retrial reaction after Friday's not guilty verdict:
+ Bruno: "It's hard to describe the feeling when the United States of America has been after you, how it weighs on your mind." [Daily Gazette]
+ Many local officials cheered the verdict. [TU]
+ Brendan Lyons: The 2010 SCOTUS ruling on the theft of honest services law was "a central factor" in Bruno's acquittal. [TU]
+ The state could end up paying Bruno's legal fees. [TU]
+ Jimmy Vielkind: "State lawmakers, exhale: Joe Bruno, and the system as you know it, has been acquitted." [Capital]
An 18-year-old high school student in Victory has been charged with second-degree murder after Saratoga County Sheriff's Office says he fatally stabbed his mother's boyfriend Friday night. Police say that Matthew J. Brown had called 911 to report a disagreement between his mother and the boyfriend, and when law enforcement arrived at the residence Derik K. Clark was dead with knife wounds in his neck. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU] [TWCN]
One of the hurdles for the city of Albany as it looks at possibly using red light cameras: a Common Council resolution asking the state legislature to allow the city to use the cameras -- a move that one council member says is being rushed. (If the resolution is passed, the state legislature would still have to OK the city's request, and then the Common Council would have to approve the use of the cameras if city decided it wanted to use them.) [TU]
Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia has vetoed a City Council ordinance to subpoena city officials as part of hearings on the King Street and former King Fuels site demolitions. [Troy Record]
Barack Obama will be visiting Cooperstown Thursday to highlight the tourism business. [Obama admin]
Joe Bruno retrial now with jury, Albany officials push for red light cameras, review of Saratoga racino expansion, seeking the supermarket good samaritan
Joe Bruno retrial: The case is now with the jury. Said federal prosecutor Elizabeth Coombe during closing arguments: ""You've heard the story of a very powerful man and how he exploited his office for personal gain." Bruno attorney E. Stewart Jones: "They want Senator Bruno's scalp ... That's all they care about, truth be damned." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
The state Republican Party has nominated Rob Astorino as its candidate for governor. Among the many issues Astorino mentioned in his speech after accepting the nomination: term limits for state elected officials. [TU] [State of Politics]
Speaking at UAlbany Thursday, a climate scientist who was part of the recently released National Climate Assessment said the Northeast appears to be facing the prospect of more storms like Sandy, Irene, and Lee. [TU]
Albany officials stressed that safety -- not revenue -- is the motivating force behind the push to get the legislature to approve the option of using red light cameras in the city. Kathy Sheehan: "Implementing red light cameras as a way of generating revenue is a mistake." [TU] [WNYT]
Closing arguments expected in Bruno trial, Albany Planning Commissioner to depart for Columbia Development, kids injured in bounce house incident in stable condition
Closing arguments are expected today in Joe Bruno's trial. On Wednesday the defense called an accountant who worked for the state Senate from 2003 to 2009, who testified that Bruno was a long-time supporter of racing and was concerned for the financially-strapped NYRA, as well as a lobbyist and attorney who discussed how lobbying works in Albany and said it's not uncommon for consultants not to file written reports.[TU][WNYT]
A badly decomposed body was found near a dam on the Mohawk River in Waterford on Wednesday. [News 10]
Albany city planning and economic development Commissioner Mike Yevoli will be leaving the city to join Columbia Development as a project manager.[TU]
The case for a "road diet" that would include timed red lights on Madison Avenue in Albany.[TU]
State names minimum investments for casinos, railroad fined after oil tank car derailment in Albany, guilty plea withdrawn in murder case, kids these days
The state's required investment for a full casino in the Capital Region: at least $182.25 million. The proposed casinos in Albany and East Greenbush would both appear to clear that hurdle based on what's been floated so far (though there's still no announcement about an operator for the Albany casino). There is a wide range of required investment among the state's different regions: from $472.5 million in Dutchess or Orange counties, to as little as $94.5 in some Southern Tier counties depending on the awarding of other licenses. [Biz Review] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [NYS Gaming]
Another casino bit: the heads of Proctors and SPAC have approached potential casino developers in the region about agreeing to limits on the size of entertainment venues at the gambling sites. [TU]
Joe Bruno retrial: two former CEOs for companies that contracted with Bruno for consulting work set up via Jared Abbruzzese testified they weren't sure what work Bruno had done for the $20,000/month payments. And the former attorney for the state Senate majority testified that Bruno had not disclosed his race horse ownership connection with Abbruzzese, or that one of Abbruzzese's company had gotten a state grant. The judge in the case also denied a defense motion for a mistrial over the inclusion of evidence related to Abbruzzese's campaign contributions. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
The Troy City Council approved a process for issuing subpoenas about the recent demolitions on King Street and at the former King Fuels site. There was also some squabbling over whether the council knows -- or doesn't know -- who wants to subpoena. [TU] [Troy Record]
Four tank cars carrying crude oil derailed in the Kenwood Rail Yard near the Port of Albany early Monday morning, according to state Department of Transportation. NYSDOT says the cars remained upright and did not spill oil -- but Canadian Pacific Railroad will be fined $5k for not reporting the incident to NYSDOT within one hour. The company says the incident involved no injuries or public safety issues. [NYSDOT] [TU]
First week of Bruno retrial, bill would allow red light cameras in Albany, sour creaming alleged, Durkin retiring after this horse racing season
Joe Bruno retrial: Pork was the subject on Friday -- and whether the consulting payments made by companies associated with Jared Abbruzzese to Bruno had any connection with two pieces of it. A former Bruno aide testified one grant was disbursed not because of influence, but because a business associate of Abbruzzese had grown "impatient" and had persistently asked for it. The trial continues to this week. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]
The city of Albany's state legislative reps have introduced a bill that would allow the city to install red light cameras. The bill would allow cameras at 20 intersections. Mayor Kathy Sheehan says the desire to consider the cameras is a public safety issue, not an attempt to generate revenue. [TU x2] [News10]
Albany police say a man was fatally shot Sunday morning in the area of South Pearl Street and Madison Ave (map). APD says its investigating. [APD]
Abbruzzese on the stand in Bruno retrial, another pedestrian hit on Thruway, Bonacio buys Daisy Baker's building in Troy
Joe Bruno retrial: Jared Abbruzzese -- the Loudonville businessman whose dealings with Bruno are at the center of the trial -- was on the stand Thursday and denied trying to bribe the former state Senator. When Bruno's attorney asked him if the $20,000/month consulting fees paid to Bruno were intended to buy Bruno's influence in state government, Abbruzzese responded "Not a dime! Zero!" Abbruzzese also had trouble explaining what exactly Bruno did for that money, citing the arrangement of one meeting -- with Donald Trump -- over a two-year period with different companies. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN] [Troy Record]
An engineer hired to consult on the demolition work at the King Fuels site in South Troy testified at a city council hearing Thursday that it appeared his recommendations for how a building on the site could be safely demolished were not followed. On Thursday Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia criticized the hearings, calling them "political theater" and a "witch hunt." [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
The city of Albany's reps in the state legislature are pushing for the legislature to renew the city's parking permit system. [TU]
State Police say another pedestrian was hit on I-87 near Albany, this time early Friday morning in the southbound lane south of Exit 23. NYSP say the man was taken to the hospital in critical condition. It's the second accident involving a pedestrian on that general section of the Thruway in a week -- in both cases, police are investigating why the pedestrians were on the interstate. [NYSP] [WNYT] [TU]
Abbruzzese to take stand in Bruno retrial, Duffy says he won't run for re-election, Albany Med nurse charged with patient identity theft
Citing personal reasons, Lt. Governor Robert Duffy has informed Andrew Cuomo that he will not seek reelection. [Democrat and Chronicle]
Jared Abbruzzese, the businessman at the center of Joe Bruno's retrial, is expected to take the stand today. On Wednesday the court heard from two witnesses -- Abbruzzese's business partner Wayne Barr and Jerry Bilinski, a veterinarian and former trustee for the NYRA Racing and Wagering Board. A prosecutor in the case suggested that Bruno was behind an attempt to get rid of a member of the State Racing and Wagering Board, to make room for one who would support privatizing racetracks, which she argued was in step with the agenda of Jared Abbruzzese.[TWCN][TU][Record]
An Albany Medical Center nurse is charged with stealing the identities of patients and using them to set up fake credit card accounts online, with the help of her boyfriend. [TU][News10]
At a march down Fifth Avenue in Troy on Wednesday, pastor Willie Bacote called on the public to share information regarding the fire that killed 19-year-old expectant mother Vanessa Milligan in April. [WNYT][Record]
An Albany woman who police say had been stopped for speeding in East Greenbush, but drove off, led police from several agencies on a 10 mile chase on Wednesday before she was stopped and arrested in Watervliet. [TU][TWCN]
Joe Bruno retrial starts, charter school fighting order to close, yet another Troy investigation, a long bike ride
Joe Bruno retrial: During opening arguments the prosecution cast consulting payments Bruno received from Loudonville businessman Jared Abbruzzese a "a quid pro quo bribery scheme" for Bruno's actions or influence in state government. Bruno's attorney called the prosecution's argument "hogwash" and argued it was "picking facts out of midair." (And there are court sketches.) For day two: the first evidence and testimony. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record] [News10] [TWCN]
The board of the Ark Community Charter School in Troy has decided to file a lawsuit over the state's decision to close school. The SUNY Board of Trustees Charter School Committee cited poor performance in ordering the school closed, but the charter school's board says the decision was "arbitrary." Said the school's board chair: "Our school is way out performing any of the schools that have been re-chartered." Said the mother of one of the school's students: "If Ark were to close, it would be a hole in the city." [TU] [News10] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TWCN]
A Schenectady city firefighter has filed a notice of claim for a potential lawsuit alleging she has been subject to multiple incidents of sexual harassment on the job as well as two death threats. [Daily Gazette]
Bruno retrial starts today, pedestrian killed on I-87, two bars on Pearl Street pegged as trouble spots, tons of pasta
Joe Bruno's retrial starts today in federal court. This time around, the focus of the prosecution will be on "consulting fees" paid to Bruno by a Loudonville businessman. Bruno was, of course, once one of the most powerful politicians in the state and very influential in the Capital Region. [TWCN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
State Police say a pedestrian on I-87 in Albany was killed Sunday night after being hit by a tractor trailer. NYSP say an initial investigation indicates the man "was alone in the center of three southbound lanes" when he was struck. That section of I-87 -- southbound, between exits 23 and 24 -- was closed for a time during the response to the incident. [NYSP]
Reports the Times Union: "Whether it's witnesses or grand juries, social media sites are now clearly the chief tools used to expose and threaten witnesses." [TU]
The scene at the Schenectady convenience store to which police have been called more than 1,000 times over the last two years. [Daily Gazette]
Fatal shooting in Albany, Troy police stepping up presence downtown, focus on future of Saratoga racino, alleged restaurant burglar arrested
Albany police say a man was fatally shot in the South End neighborhood shortly after 6 pm Thursday (map). APD says it's investigating and no arrests had been made. [TU] [News10]
APD says the shooting on Elk Street in West Hill (map) Wednesday afternoon appears to have been a robbery. [News10]
Schenectady police say it appears an argument prompted at least one shot to be fired on a Mont Pleasant street Thursday afternoon (map), but no one was injured. No arrests were made. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Following the shooting of five people early Sunday morning on Fourth Street in downtown Troy, on Thursday mayor Lou Rosamilia announced the Troy Police Department would be increasing its presence in the area this Saturday night, and increased patrols would also be targeted to areas where data indicate there's a crime hotspot. TPD chief John Tedesco says the department believes the Fourth Street shooting was connected to an ongoing feud between groups in Albany and Troy. [TU] [TWCN] [Troy Record]
Troy police say there was a stabbing on River Street in North Central (map) Thursday afternoon. [News10]
Three Capital Region counties are getting state money for anti-gun violence efforts: Albany ($858k), Rensselaer ($594k), and Schenectady ($744k). [TU] [Cuomo admin]
Troy officials to respond to weekend shooting, mandatory meeting for casino hopefuls yields questions, AHL hockey team may be headed for Glens Falls
More than 100 members of casino development teams and dozens of lobbyists attended Wednesdays mandatory bidder's conferenceheld by the NYS Gaming Commission. But the conference was brief and apparently just a space to ask questions which will be answered on the Gaming Commission website on Friday. [TU][WNYT]
Several CSX train cars carrying crude oil caught fire and derailed in Virginia on Wednesday just hours after Andrew Cuomo sent a letter to President Obama and issued a report on how the shipment of crude oil could be made safer.[TU][AOA]
Still no arrests in a weekend shooting on Fourth Street in Troy that left five people with gunshot wounds. Police and city officials are have announced a press conference for this morning to discuss safety measures and a response to the shooting. [TU][TWCN]
Two Albany men were arrested on attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting a man near Delaware Avenue earlier this month.[TU]
Former Troy engineer testifies on demolitions, Senate Dems propose six anti-heroin bills, substitute teacher fired for retweeting racial slur, mandatory conference for casino applicants today
Democrats in the State Senate have proposed six bills aimed at combating the growing use of heroin in New York. [TWCN]
Senator Cecelia Tkaczyk says Senate Republicans have killed her bill to ban the shipment of hydrofracking waste from other states from being brought to New York for treatment or disposal, as a favor to the oil and gas industry.[TU][Saratogian/NYSNYS News]
A softball coach and substitute teacher in the Albany school district was fired for retweeting a post that contained a racial slur.[TU][WNYT]
Troy's former engineer Russ Reeves testified under subpoena on Tuesday night at a public hearing organized by the city council on demolitions that took place in the city -- one on King Street next to Bombers while there were patrons in the restaurant and another at the former King Fuel site. He claims both demolitions were uncontrolled, carried out with a disregard for safety and without his approval.
[WNYT][TWCN][News 10]
The State Gaming Facility Location Board is holding a mandatory conference today for casino applicants. The conference will be streamed live on their website. [Saratogian/AP ][Gamingny.gov]
Municipalities consider casino resolutions, focus on Troy block after shooting, FBI to use Crossgates for drill
The Schenectady city council has tabled a resolution about a potential casino in the city until it sees a formal proposal. The Cobleskill town board has passed a resolution in support of a casino at the proposed site near Howe Caverns. [WNYT][TU] [Daily Gazette]
Surveying the residents of the East Greenbush road on which the proposed casino there would be sited. [TU]
An attorney for the mother and grandfather accused by State Police of withholding food from two five year olds were not abused, but rather were facing some medical issues. [TU]
Question that's surfaced after the shooting in downtown Troy this past weekend: Is that block of Fourth Street a persistent problem area, or has it just had an unfortunate streak? [Troy Record]
Five hit in downtown Troy shooting, mother and grandfather accused of withholding food from kids, don't take the dead deer
Troy police say five people were shot early Sunday morning on Fourth Street in downtown Troy (map), apparently by one gunman who is still at large. TPD says all five were hit in their legs and injuries don't appear life threatening. TPD say two men who were shot were apparent targets, and the three women shot were bystanders. The shots apparently caused a chaotic scene, with crowds trying to take cover. The shooting was on the same block as the incident involving Kokopellis back in January, and business owners say it's concern over such incidents is hurting their business. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
Two Albany men face a murder charge for what "people with knowledge of the situation" tell the Times Union was a hit-for-hire that killed a man last October. [TU]
The Albany anti-gun violence program SNUG has changed its name to Cure Violence. [TU]
More casino details and reaction, mother charged for allegedly leaving baby in car for 3 minutes, PETA wants monument for cows killed in crash
The identities of prospective operators for casinos in Albany and Schenectady are still unclear, even after the filing of the $1 million fees with the state this week. (Reps for the E23 project in Albany said again Thursday night at a community meeting that they have an operator in place and are currently blocked from disclosing the name by a non-disclosure agreement -- but they said the identity would be revealed soon.) And some of the entities that filed the fee don't have specific sites (publicly) associated with them. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Public comments at a community meeting in Albany's 1st ward about the E23 proposal frequently focused on jobs -- and how to hold the project's backers to their promises to make those jobs available to city residents. There are appears to be a wide range of initial reaction to a possible Schenectady casino. And opposition is organizing against the East Greenbush casino proposal. [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Noted: The state Gaming Facility Location Board says a casino located on a docked boat would be allowed. [Saratogian]
The Troy City Council has subpoenaed city engineer Russ Reeves and an engineering staffer to testify at a hearing about recent demolition work in the city. (Reeves recently submitted his resignation, apparently out of concern for how the city was handling engineering issues.) [TU]
Saratoga racino owners turn attention to East Greenbush for potential full casino, Troy city engineer resigns, Francesca's is closing
The owners of the Saratoga Casino and Raceway (AKA the racino) said Monday they have decided to not pursue a full casino for the Saratoga area -- and instead will focus on trying to build a casino in East Greenbush. The owners tell the Times Union that they've bought land in the town near the FedEx distribution center off Route 4. Saratoga had been looking like a bad bet because the Saratoga Springs city council had voted against a resolution in favor of a casino -- but the East Greenbush board recently passed a resolution generally in favor of a casino, and the town supervisor said the potential revenue is a consideration. The reaction around Saratoga: a little bit of everything. [Saratogian] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Albany Common Council president Carolyn McLaughlin on the council's consideration of a resolution supporting the proposed E23 casino project in the city, in light of the East Greenbush news, to the Biz Review: "To know there is definitely a proposal coming out of East Greenbush, to me that should spark some urgency among council members ... We have to shake the dust off our feet and keep moving. We've got to get some answers here." (Speaking of E23 -- Chris Churchill wonders about the trustworthiness of the developer pushing the project.) [Biz Review] [TU]
The city of Schenectady is looking at possible zoning changes necessary if a casino is proposed there. [Daily Gazette]
Troy's city engineer, Russ Reeves, is resigning, a move prompted in part by recent demolition work at the former King Fuels site -- near a gas line -- that wasn't reviewed by his department. The city has also been the subject of recent FBI review of multiple projects, including the emergency demolition of the building next to Bombers. Said Reeves of his decision to leave the city job: "I've got to protect my license." [Troy Record] [TU]
Does he say that to all the potential casino sites?, shootings in Albany and Schenectady, errant check mark keeps man out of jail, a week of solitude in Scotia
A profile of David Flaum, the developer who's been pushing the E23 casino proposal in Albany -- and, apparently, pursuing a handful of other casino sites around the state. [TU]
In other casino related bits: A partnership between two large gambling companies is reportedly ready to put down $1 million as a placeholder for a potential casino bid in the Capital Region. And the East Greenbush town board voted to support a casino project there -- if one is proposed. [TU x2]
David Paterson papers recently sent to an archive at Columbia University shed light on the process his administration used to pick someone to replace Hillary Clinton in the US Senate -- an appointment that went to Kirsten Gillibrand, in part because of something she said to Paterson following an SNL skit that had made fun of him. [Capital]
Schenectady police say a 60-year-old woman who had been missing for a week told them she had gone to Scotia for "solitude and rest" -- and ended up living outside in an "igloo" of vines and brush near the Mohawk River. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Copeland trial continues, GloFo to make chips for Samsung, alleged expectoration ends in felony charges, parade for Union hockey team
Trinity Copeland trial: The attorney for the Troy teen accused of fatally shooting her father in 2012 tried to push back on the prosecution's assertion that her alleged calm demeanor following the incident is an indication of her guilt. [TU] [Troy Record]
Clifford Burns, the Niskayuna man accused of fatally stabbing his wife at her home in Lake Luzerne on Christmas Eve, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He faces 23 years to life. [Post-Star] [TU]
There is apparently a rift between Albany County's health commissioner and other top county officials over how to go about studying the health and environmental risks posed by the crude oil operations at the Port of Albany. [TU]
GlobalFoundries will be making chips for Samsung -- and possibly the iPhone. [TU]
Supporters/opponents at E23 casino forum, FBI raids Malta home, $15 an hour "fair wage" proposed, Union hockey victory parade today
Both proponents and opponents of the proposed E23 casino project showed up for a public forum on the project at Giffen Elementary School Wednesday evening. [TU] [News10]
Saratoga Springs mayor Joanne Yepsen says the city will get to have some say about Saratoga Casino and Raceway's proposed a 134,000 square foot expansion -- but it's unclear to what extent. [TU]
On the first day of the murder trial for Trinity Copeland, her defense attorney argued the teen had no choice but to shoot her father. The prosecution told the jury Copeland talked about TV shows and Ramen noodles on the night of the incident and asked an officer, "Is he dead yet" twice. [WNYT] [Record]
A state Supreme Court justice has rejected a lawsuit that argued the NY SAFE Act shouldn't have gotten the "message of necessity" that allowed the legislature to pass it without the usual three day waiting period. [TU]
A pilot program component of the NY SAFE Act meant to update handgun licenses is on hold. [TU]
E23 Alliance forms to support Albany Casino, 18 wheeler tips and kills cattle, Schumer pushes to improve Troy seawall, Cuomo's memoir advance higher than his salary
The E23 business alliance, a group of more than 40 business owners who support a proposed Albany Casino, has formed in the city.[Record]
A public hearing on a proposed Schoharie County casino got heated. And personal. [TWCN]
A public hearing on the Albany Capital Center's draft environment impact statement was held on Tuesday -- another step toward construction of the conventions center which is slated to begin in June. [TU]
Fallout from the Takim Smith murder is partially fueling a gang feud between Albany and Troy that resulted in an unusual increase in shootings over the winter.[TU]
A two-level 18-Wheeler hauling about 100 cattle rolled over in Berne on Tuesday morning, killing several of the animals. [TU]
Momentive files for bankruptcy, severe weather and flooding expected to increase, off-duty officer fires gun to break up dog attack
Momentive Performance Materials has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (the reorganization kind of bankruptcy). Momentive employs about 900 people at a plant in Waterford -- none of those jobs are expected to be cut. The company, which makes silicone and quartz products and had been part of GE, was bought by a private equity firm in 2006. [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazete]
A Rensselaer County Court judge has ruled that the confession from Trinity Copeland -- the Troy teen accused of fatally shooting her father in 2012 -- will not be allowed at trial because police didn't properly warn her of her Miranda rights. [TU] [Troy Record]
Albany Common Councilman Ron Bailey on the promises of jobs for city residents at a possible casino in Albany: "That needs to be locked down ... I've seen so many projects where our people are left standing on the corner watching as people from out of town come in to work. We can no longer stand for that." [TU]
Apparent consensus of experts at an extreme weather conference at UAlbany: flooding is becoming more frequent in the Northeast. [WNYT] [TU]
Union wins hockey national title, Troy police treating death of pregnant woman as a double homicide, second spike of flu season
The Union men's hockey team won the national title this past weekend with a 7-4 victory over Minnesota. It's the school's first hockey national title. The team returned to a cheering crowd at Messa Rink Sunday afternoon, and Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy says a parade is in the works. [NCAA] [Daily Gazette x2]
After the team's victory Saturday night, Schenectady police say a crowd of about 400-500 people on Union Avenue got out of hand and some people threw beer cans and glass bottles at an officer. Five students ended up getting arrested. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Troy police say the death of Vanessa Milligan, the pregnant woman whose body was found in the Lansingburgh fire April 4, is being investigated as a double homicide. TPD hasn't released details about how or when Milligan died, but "a person familiar with the case" tells the Times Union the woman was murdered and the fire was set in an attempt to cover it up. [Troy Record] [TU]
The E23 casino proposal in Albany includes Capital OTB as some sort of partner -- but the nature of that partnership is unclear, as is the question of whether an OTB can be involved with a casino. [TU]
Federal prosecutor and Cuomo trading comments over corruption panel, new Albany Catholic bishop ordained, dogs accused of killing chickens, CDTA pay-by-smartphone on the way
US Attorney Preet Bharara, about how the state's Moreland Commission ended: "The sequence of these events gives the appearance that investigations potentially significant to the public interest have been bargained away as part of the negotiated arrangement between legislative and executive leaders." Andrew Cuomo pushing back on Thursday: "I don't believe we needed another bureaucracy for enforcement ... We needed laws changed and that's what Moreland was about." [TU] [State of Politics]
The Troy police department says the FBI has decided not to take action on alleged civil rights violations involving a TPD officer accused of brutality. This week TPD chief John Tedesco detailed some of the ways he says the department is changing how it handles incidents involving the use of force and its review of them. [TU] [Troy Record]
Edward Scharfenberger was ordained as the bishop of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese Thursday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. He replaces Howard Hubbard, a Troy native, who had been bishop since 1977. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
Scharfenberger to be ordained bishop today, U.S. attorney criticizes disbanding Moreland, state police crackdown on distracted driving
Edward Scharfenberger will be ordained Bishop of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese today at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in a ceremony at 2 pm. There will be parking restrictions and traffic delays in the area surrounding the cathedral. Bishop Howard Hubbard says that even though he's stepping down from leading the diocese he will continue to serve as a priest. [TU] [TWCN] [TU]
A US attorney is criticizing Andrew Cuomo's decision to disband the Moreland Commission and is taking possession of all of the panel's case files. [NYT]
New York State health commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah will step down in June to take an executive position with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan in California. During his tenure, Shah found himself at the center of the fracking controversy. [TU][Gazette]
The head of the state Gaming Commission said at a public hearing about problem gambling that the commission would be focused on the issue and will "foster a responsible environment for the gaming industry." Said the the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling: "We can't wait for casinos to expand before pumping money into the [anti-addiction] programs." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Sentiment at a Bethlehem public meeting on the proposed E23 casino ran against the project. [TU]
Albany County is suing three furniture stores that allegedly provided unsanitary mattresses to the poor through county programs. Said Albany County executive Dan McCoy: "When you opened them up, it looked likes someone was killed on the mattress."[TWCN][TU]
Fire destroys Cohoes fish fry, Troy woman rejects plea deal in alleged Boston Marathon fraud, Cuomo rolls out $6 million promotional plan at booze summit
Matt's Fish Fry in Cohoes was destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning. [TU]
A fund has been set up to help the family of the pregnant woman who died in what police are calling a suspicious fire in Lansingburgh last week. [TU][Record]
An anti-bullying rally was held at a Rensselaer playground in support of a developmentally disabled girl who was beaten with a baseball bat by a group of kids under 14 after she told them to stop cursing around young children. [WNYT]
At the second New York State Beer, Wine and Cider summit held on Tuesday at The Egg, Andrew Cuomo announced he would push for legislation to clear the way for more growth in the brewing, distillery and cider industries and rolled out a $6 million marketing plan to help reach consumers. But some local distillers say they'd like to see the state relax some regulations that restrict sales for products that require purchase of out of state ingredients. [TU][Record][TWCN]
Albany council considers resolution supporting casino, Amedore back in the pool for state Senate, Troy police review committee to see all civilian complaints
A spokesman for the developer hoping to building a casino in Albany says about 10 casino operators have been in contact about possibly running the gambling facility. The Albany Common Council is considering a resolution in support of the project. Monday's council meeting included some public comments concerned about the potential effects of a casino in the city. (Current tentative schedule for the council's consideration of the resolution, including public meetings.) [TU] [TWCN] [WNYT] [Councilwoman Leah Golby FB]
A Troy police captain says investigators are "still knee-deep in the investigation" of the Lansingburgh fire in which a pregnant woman, Vanessa Milligan, was found dead. Also still not clear: how the fire started and how the woman died. [TWCN] [WNYT]
George Amedore is officially into the pool for a rematch with Cecilia Tkaczyk for the state Senate 46th. Amedore, a Republican, lost by 18 votes to Tkaczyk, a Democrat, in the newly-created district during the last election. (district map) [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Wait for answers in fatal Troy fire, big wagers in the casino application process, school districts considering hard budget cuts
Troy officials say the cause of the Lansingburgh fire in which a pregnant woman was found dead Thursday is still under investigation and currently considered suspicious, and officials are waiting on autopsy results. City officials have yet to name the woman, but her family has identified her and there was a memorial service in the neighborhood Saturday. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU]
A Rensselaer County Court jury found Brendan Hoffman guilty of vehicular manslaughter and DWI for the car crash that killed one of his friends in Stephentown in 2012. [TU]
A walk through of the application process for a license to operate a Capital Region casino, and some of the hopefuls. [Daily Gazette]
How a woman convicted multiple times of financial fraud could end up working for the state's tax department, according to state officials. [TU]
A look at cigarette smuggling -- both big and small -- in the New York State, which is said to have the highest percentage of illegally trafficked cigarettes. [Daily Gazette] [Mackinac Center for Public Policy]
Troy council rejects Scolite site deal, fatal fire in Lansingburgh, plans for Mohawk Harbor development in Schenectady
The Troy city council voted against the sale agreement with the Valente Companies for the former Scolite site in South Troy. Among the concerns cited: increased truck traffic through the nearby neighborhood and the terms of the agreement. [Troy Record] [TU]
Momentive Performance Materials is apparently headed toward filing for bankruptcy. The company employs about a thousand people in Waterford. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Troy Fire Department says a woman died in a fire in Lansingburgh overnight (map). Officials aren't releasing the woman's identity. Willie Bacote tells the Times Union the woman's family goes to his church and she was soon due to give birth. Investigators from the Office of Fire Prevention and Arson were on the scene. [TU] [WNYT] [TU] [TWCN]
Michael Anderson of Albany -- convicted of the stabbing death of Tonette Thomas in Albany in 2012, along with the stabbing of two other women -- was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison Friday morning. [Albany County DA]
Anti/pro SAFE Act rallies draw thousands to ESP and Capitol, Cuomo brings baseball bat to "grand slam" budget signing, Capital Region unemployment drops, Lincoln or not?
Thousands of people -- including both anti and pro SAFE Act -- were at the ESP and Capitol Tuesday. Among the speakers at the rally against the gun control law: Donald Trump and Rob Astorino, the Westchester County exec who's running for the Republican nomination for governor.[WNYT][TU][AOA]
Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino told the crowd of gun enthusiasts at Tuesday's rally: "Rob Astorino is a good man, but we need someone who is going to get elected." Astorino says he doesn't need endorsements from Paladino or Donald Trump. [TU][State of Politics]
Andrew Cuomo brought a baseball bat with him when he signed the state budget bils Tuesday, and called the document a "grand slam." Astorino said the budget may have been on time, but it didn't address the cause of high property taxes. [WNYT][TU]
A hike in state aid means Troy's city school district can bring its proposed $106.8 million budget under the state tax cap.[TU]
Albany County has submitted an application to the the Empire State Development Corporation to create application for a land bank to combat blight by acquiring properties from the county foreclosure list for development. Albany County exec Dan McCoy says the county is committing $1 million to the bank over the next two years. [TU][WNYT][McCoy admin]
The director of operations for the inspector general's office of the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has been put on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted into allegations of sexual harassment complaints. [TU]
State budget passes, Gaming Commission releases RFA for casinos, questions ahead of Scolite site vote in Troy
The state legislature passed the package of legislation for the new state budget and it now heads to Andrew Cuomo for his signature. As part of increased education funding, the Albany school district is scheduled to get $8.7 million more, and Schenectady's superintendent says full-day kindergarten is no longer in line to be cut. Among other the local angles: no provision for the proposed new state lab on the Harriman campus, and increased VLT money for Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County, a tax incentive for Broadway-style shows at upstate theaters such as Proctors. [TU] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
The state Gaming Commission has released the request for applications for up to four full casino licenses upstate. The application fee is $1 million and a Capital Region casino would require at least a $50 million licensing fee. The commission's acting director said local support from a range of groups for a casino application will be "essential", along with a resolution of support from the local elected body. So does that mean Saratoga Springs is out? [NYS GC] [Biz Review] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Global Companies, which operates the crude oil transport facility at the Port of Albany that's been the subject of so much attention lately, is facing fines in Oregon after that state's Department of Environmental Quality accused the company overrunning the amount of crude the company was permitted for at a terminal on the West Coast. [TU]
Donald Trump, Carl Palladino, and Rob Astorino are expected at a gun rights rally in West Capitol Park by the State Museum today. [TWCN]
State budget deal, heroin problem continues to grow, Troy suspect found (again) in Florida, demand for downtown Schenectady residential
There's a deal on the state budget, and the legislature is scheduled to vote on the necessary bills today ahead of tomorrow's deadline. Part of the budget: the Cuomo administration's property tax "freeze" plan. Also: Andrew Cuomo said he will end the Moreland Commission if ethics legislation in the budget passes. Sort of in the budget: public financing of campaigns in the form of a pilot program for the state comptroller's election (to the dismay of good government groups that wanted a broader public financing system). Not part of the budget: the proposed construction of a new public health lab at the Harriman campus that would have consolidated labs currently located around the Albany area. Said a Hofstra professor of the budget to Capital: "This was the perfect election year budget. Everybody won ... and the full bill doesn't come due for years." [TWCN] [AP/Saratogian] [State of Politics] [Capital] [TU] [Capital]
The FBI has been interviewing Troy city officials about development projects in the city, including the emergency demolition on King Street, the Times Union reports. [TU]
The manager of an addiction recovery center in Saratoga County on the rise of heroin addiction in the area: "This is not going away. I don't see it trending down at all. I don't think it's peaked. I think it's going to continue to grow." Faced with a lack of insurance coverage for drug treatment for her heroin-addicted son -- a probably many families face -- a Rensselaer County woman lured him to steal so he would end up in drug court and receive mandated treatment. [Saratogian] [TU]
Local suspect found in Florida let go because of paperwork problem, mental illness defense leads to not guilty verdict, two bank robberies, annual story goes meta
Troy police say the man wanted for allegedly sexually abusing children -- and taking photos of himself while doing so -- was found in Florida Thursday -- and then let go by police there because of a paperwork problem. [News10] [TU] [Troy Record]
The Gloversville woman on trial for stabbing a Schenectady cab driver was found not guilty due to mental illness. There will now be a hearing to determine whether she should be sent to a mental hospital for treatment. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Four Men in a Room are closing in on a state budget agreement -- or they're not. [TU]
A state inspection sweep of oil tanker cars at local rail yards found a range of minor problems. [TU]
How Quirky ended up in Schenectady. [TU]
Police chase ends with suspect jumping from Dunn Memorial Bridge, FBI raids home/office of Queens assemblyman, St. Patrick's is gone but lawsuit is still alive, Queensbury ice cream truck driver sorry for aggressive sales tactics
A car chase that began in Troy on Wednesday afternoon ended on the Dunn Memorial Bridge where police arrested three men who ran from the car. One of the suspects jumped off the bridge. A contractor working nearby chased a suspect and held him until police arrived. Police say the car involved, which had Florida plates, matched the description of a vehicle connected to a Tuesday night shooting in Albany. [Record][WNYT][News10][Gazette][TU]
FBI agents raided the local hotel room, office and home of Queens Democrat William Scarborough as part of an investigation into his use of the legislative travel voucher system. Scarborough claims he is innocent
and says the raid may have stemmed from what he calls "a tabloid hit job." [TU][WNYT][CapitalNY]
A look at what some legislators do to squeeze the most out of their per diem pay, , and a proposed $9 million legislative dormitory. [NYT]
Kathy Marchione says the land purchase being investigated by the FBI was legal and says she feels like the FBI and Attorney General are "on a witch hunt."[WNYT]
Troy police officer suspended amid investigation of off-duty conduct, push for increased education funding in state budget, questions about mass of dead birds, church gives away another gun
A Troy police officer has been suspended without pay for 30 days because of an investigation into off-duty conduct. The TPD wouldn't confirm the reason for the suspension, but "sources with knowledge of the investigation" and "officials briefed on the matter" tell local media outlets the officer had accompanied and his brother and woman to Hudson where the woman was arrested for allegedly buying heroin. Hudson's police chief says the officer was at the wheel of a car when it was pulled over in the city March 10. [TU] [Troy Record] [News10]
As the state budget process heads into crunch time, advocates were at the Capitol Monday pushing for a $1.3 billion increase in funding for school districts. Advocates say the currently proposed budget is short about $500 million in needed funding. [TU] [TWCN]
The company that runs the Knolls Atomic Power Lab says federal budget cuts could result in the shutdown one of the nuclear reactors at the Kesselring site in Milton at which the Navy trains reactor operators. A Navy commander says the cut could mean significant reductions in the number of staff and students at the site. Economic development officials in Saratoga County say the training site has an important, if perhaps not necessarily prominent, role in the local economy because of the jobs there. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU]
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has asked Global Companies to answer 29 questions about its crude oil operations in the state (including at the Port of Albany) as the agency reviews the company's permits. [Capital]
Initial reactions to proposed Albany casino, Troy church gives away AR-15 rifle, advice from centenarian: avoid canned soup
A Times Union survey of every member of the Albany Common Council concludes that council members appear open to considering the idea of the casino proposed for city's southern edge. [TU] [AOA]
A look at the two men behind the Saratoga Casino and Raceway -- the "silent half" says the racino hasn't yet decided whether it will apply for a full casino license. [TU]
The Times Union obtained Schenectady city surveillance camera images that it says show a St. Johnsville man's van headed toward, and then away from, the area near the house where a fire killed a father and three children in May 2013 -- the man had previously told the TU he had driven to the Schenectady that night, and Brendan Lyons reports the man is "under intense scrutiny from police and federal agents." [TU]
Property owners in flood-prone areas throughout the region are bracing for an increase in flood insurance premiums. [Daily Gazette]
Allegations of "disturbing and disgusting" horse training practices, new Albany casino plan floated, out Wegman-ing Wegmans
The state Gaming Commission says it's investigating allegations of horse abuse by a prominent trainer at the Saratoga Race Course. The allegations surfaced as part of a PETA undercover investigation at Saratoga and Churchill Downs in Kentucky. Among the allegations: horses were given unnecessary drugs and forced to race while in pain, and electrical devices were used to shock horses to run faster. The trainer highlighted the PETA investigation, Steve Asmussen, has trained horses that have won more than $200 million in prize money. Said the equine medical director for the state Office of Veterinary Affairs in a press release: "The behavior depicted in the undercover video and supporting materials is disturbing and disgusting." [NYS Gaming Commission] [PETA] [NYT] [TU]
The latest possible entry into the pool for the Capital Region casino: a $300 million project on land near Thruway Exit 23 in the city of Albany. [TU]
The UAlbany men's basketball team lost to Florida 67-55 in the NCAA tournament -- but the Great Danes put up a good fight in their second consecutive year in the tournament. The TU's Pete Iorizzo: "Probably [UAlbany head coach Will] Brown has been underappreciated too long." [AOA] [TU]
SUNY board approves Nano College merger with SUNY IT, Rosamilia pushes for Scolite redevelopment, feds keep mum about death ray plans, Albany Academy alum on Shark Tank
SUNY's Board of Trustees unanimously approved the merger between the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNY IT in Utica. [TWCN]
The Patroon Island Bridge will get a $146 million upgrade over the next two years, including replacing and repairing decks, substructure and ramps. [TU]
Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia wants the city council to pass an ordinance allowing a developer to move ahead with the $1 million purchase of the former Scolite property on Madison Street along the Hudson so it can begin redevelopment. [TU]
Troy police are asking for the public's help in tracking down a Troy man who allegedly produced child pornography involving at least one victim under age 5. [TWCN][TU]
Shuffle of potential casino sites, Global Partners says it's adjusting crude oil facility plan, Cuomo bangs drum for consolidation, bitcoin for burgers
The developer who was interested in a possible casino at the First Prize site on the Albany/Colonie border has moved on in favor of considering other local sites. The newest spot in the pool for a casino: Howe Caverns in Schoharie County. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A key part of the redevelopment of the former Alco site in Schenectady, which has also been floated as a potential casino site: remediating solvents in the soil and groundwater there. [Daily Gazette]
Global Partners says it's adjusting its proposal for a facility for heating crude oil at the Port of Albany. The company had proposed constructing a new building for the facility -- but on Monday it pulled its application for the building from the Albany planning board agenda for this week's meeting. [TU] [City of Albany]
North Greenbush police say a man is facing second-degree murder and other charges after he allegedly stabbed his wife multiple times in their home in Wynantskill Monday (map). NGPD says the investigation of what prompted the incident is ongoing and is asking anyone with information to contact the department. [TU] [News10]
Albany police say they're investigating a shooting/an attempted robbery at a store on Lexington Ave (map) Monday. APD says the victim reported that two men entered store, demanded money, and one of the suspects fired a shot that hit the man in the foot. [APD FB]
Global Partners says moratorium on crude oil facility at Port of Albany is "unlawful," Astorino in Saratoga Springs, regional high school robotics competition
Global Partners sent Albany County exec Dan McCoy a letter calling the recent county moratorium on the expansion of crude oil facilities at the Port of Albany "ill advised, unnecessary, unlawful, and prejudicial to the company" and criticized the county for not consulting the state Department of Environmental Conservation. McCoy replied via statement: "Instead of Global Companies using its resources to cooperate with efforts to prevent catastrophic public health and safety risks, Global unleashes a cadre of lawyers in a transparent maneuver to intimidate and bully the County from safeguarding the public health. We will not be intimidated." The company and the county disagree over whether the county has the legal authority to issue the moratorium. [Troy Record] [Albany County] [TU]
Albany County's laws aren't cataloged in any one place -- and a Times Union review of county legislation concluded many commissions, panels, and initiatives have apparently been left to drift or have been forgotten. [TU]
At a gun show in Saratoga Springs Sunday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino said he'd repeal the NY SAFE Act if he's elected. A separate event in Saratoga Springs over the weekend focused on how people could circumvent provisions of the NY SAFE Act that are scheduled to take effect soon. [Saratogian] [TU]
City of Albany pushes for Harriman PILOT, kindergartner spends day at wrong school, some sort of minor goat miracle
Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan was joined by local state legislators and business leaders Thursday to call for the state to arrange a PILOT with the city for the Harriman State Office Campus. (PILOT = payment in lieu of taxes. The campus is tax exempt because it's owned by the state.) The Cuomo admin said it was too early to consider such payments, and the city should wait until after the financial restructuring board returns its recommendations. Jack McEneny, Albany's former rep in the state Assembly, said getting a payment will be a struggle: "I think what the legislature sees is this enormous subsidy to Albany in the form of state workers' jobs." Also notable from Thursday press conference: Albany Med president Jim Barba was there and said the city's non-profits should look at contributing to the city government in some way, either via payments or in-kind services. [Troy Record] [TU] [TWCN] [News10]
After the announcement of the Albany County moratorium on the expansion of crude oil handling facilities at the Port of Albany, an official with Global Partners -- the company proposing to building the facility for warming crude oil at the port -- tells the Times Union the company's project "does not seek to expand the permitted storage capacity or total volume of petroleum products received at the facility and transported from the facility." (The fact that Global actually said something in the media is sort of notable on its own.) [TU]
The state Court of Appeals -- New York's highest court -- has rejected Steven Raucci's request to have the appeal of his criminal case heard by the court. [Daily Gazette]
A Schenectady kindergartner ended up at the wrong school Wednesday and apparently no one noticed until her mother didn't find her at the bus stop in the afternoon. The school district says when the student arrived at the wrong school, she was asked if she was a new student the school was expecting -- she reportedly said yes, and even signed that name to papers during the day. Said the girl's mother in response: "Ok, so blame her, she duped you, that's one up on her, not on you. That's all I can say, and I'm being cocky about it now because they don't know what I went through." Said a district spokesperson: "We are not placing blame on a 5-year-old. We were pointing out how her response and behavior contributed to the confusion and how she managed to be in the wrong school for the day." Said district superintendent Larry Spring: "While the student did impersonate another student, which didn't raise any red flags, the situation has brought to light some other serious issues that need to be addressed on our end." [WNYT] [TU] [TWCN] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Albany County issues moratorium on expansion plans for crude oil at port, Assembly budget doesn't include money for Harriman lab, medical marijuana would cost more in New York
Icy roads are causing delays and closings around the Capital Region. [TU]
Albany County issued a moratorium on the proposed expansion of facilities for heating and transferring crude oil at the Port of the Albany. And county exec Dan McCoy also directed the county health department to "examine, investigate, and report" on the potential health threats posed the proposed Global Companies facilities. Tweeted McCoy: "The moratorium will remain in place until we have all the answers. Right now there are too many questions about possible health risks." The moratorium was cheered by environmental orgs. If the moratorium survives a legal challenge, it could supersede any state permits that Global is seeking to expand its facilities in Albany. [Albany County] [Albany County] [Albany County] [@MCCoyCountyExec] [TU] [NYT]
Sheldon Silver has confirmed that funding for a new public health lab on the Harriman State Office Campus is not in the current Assembly budget.[TU]
Clifton Park's planning board voted against a plan for development that would include a new Price Chopper, retail and restaurant space at the intersection of routes 146 and 46A. The developer is planning to revise the plan and resubmit it to the board.[TU][Saratogian]
Regents reelected in spite of Common Core controversy, Troy rolls out snow emergency plan in time for spring, Olympic medalist visits Watervliet
New language added to the Assembly's budget would require the state to pay a PILOT for upgrades on the Harriman campus. [TU]
The latest discussion about where to locate a casino in the Capital Region centers on Schenectady, where a developer is planning a $100 million project to transform the former American Locomotive Company site into "an urban-style walkable" development with condos, a supermarket, movie studio, hotel and retail space. [TU]
Three members of the Board of Regents were reelected on Tuesday amid controversy over the Common Core implementation -- a fourth regent decided to retire and was replaced by a Sullivan County lawyer. [TU][WNYT]
Just weeks before the start of spring, the city of Troy has posted its new snow emergency plan. [Record]
Common Core discontent puts focus on Board of Regents, McCoy pushes for styrofoam ban at all businesses, UAlbany women headed to NCAA tournament
The latest turn in the ongoing drama over the state's implementation of the Common Core standards:
A Rensselaer County Court jury found Ariel Myers guilty of assault for the shooting of Robert Guynup near the Griswold Heights apartments in 2009. It was the third time Myers had been tried in the case. [Troy Record] [TU]
Herman Robinson -- the Schenectady man accused of serially raping a young woman for years, impregnating her, and then killing the baby shortly after it was born -- pleaded not guilty Monday to a group of charges that included second-degree murder. Robinson faces 25 years to life if convicted. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Law enforcement officials say the credit/debit card skimming case at an Asian buffet in Glenmont appears to be part of series of cases through the Northeast in which an organized crime ring is training people to get jobs in restaurants in order to steal the card info. [TU]
Long look into GE and PCBs, fatal stabbing in Troy, Schenectady church damaged by fire, surprise find: a bowling alley
From a long Times Union artilce by Brendan Lyons about GE and PCBs, based on documents the paper obtained through FOIL:
[N]ewly uncovered documents reveal that as early as the 1960s -- decades before the government ordered GE to undertake the [Hudson] river dredging that is scheduled to resume this spring -- company officials were warned of the potential serious health threats of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which their engineers described in confidential memos as "hazardous waste."
The documents also indicate that GE flushed far more PCBs into the river than government regulators have estimated, and that nearly a million pounds a year of additional PCBs were carted away by scavenger crews, dumped with an attitude characterized by a GE engineer in 1970 as "out of sight, out of mind."
More materials related to the article. [TU] [TU]
Troy police say a man was fatally stabbed in an apartment in South Troy Sunday morning (map). [Troy Record]
During a 2012 deposition as part of a civil suit, Troy police chief John Tedesco said the TPD's Internal Affairs Bureau hadn't been thoroughly investigating complaints of excessive force going back as a far as a decade. [TU]
The Cuomo admin is pushing for the proposed $600 million state public health lab building on the Harriman office campus to be privately financed, built, and maintained under an arrangement in which the state would pay lease-like fees to the private builder -- yet the building would be totally exempt from city taxes and zoning. [TU]
Prosecutor: "This is one of the most heinous crimes I've ever seen," Gillibrand's push for reform of military's handling of sexual assault cases hits roadblock, lawsuit over K-cup ingriedents
Schenectady County prosecutors said Thursday that a medical assistance call this past December prompted the unraveling of the case in which a Schenectady man, Herman N. Robinson, is accused of serially raping a girl since 2006 when she was 11 years old, impregnating her, and then killing the baby shortly after it was born. "Individuals who requested anonymity because the investigation isn't over" tell the Times Union that Robinson allegedly left a suicide note in which he said he had buried the body of the baby in a local park (the baby hasn't been found). Schenectady County ADA and special victims bureau chief Tracey Brunecz: "This is one of the most heinous crimes I've ever seen," Brunecz said the young woman's family was "shocked" to hear about the allegations. And she said the woman, now in college, is "a remarkably strong young lady." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN] [WNYT]
The Troy City Council voted in favor of a resolution seeking an outside review of the Kokopellis incident. [Troy Record]
UAlbany's site plans for the Cuomo admin's Start-Up NY program have been approved. (Start-Up NY is the program in which companies locating on site connected to colleges or universities can get a range of incentives, including paying no taxes for 10 years.) [TU]
The state's unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in January, the lowest level since December 2008, the state Department of Labor reported. But the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metro was down 1,700 non-farm jobs in January 2014 compared to January 2013. [NYS DOL]
Astorino running for governor, church raffles gun in effort to gain parishioners, please don't feed the vultures
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, has announced he's running for governor. Astorino made the announcement on Wednesday in a six-minute video in which he charges that Cuomo is the manager of New York's decline. [WNYT][Capitol Confidential]
Troy City Council Public Safety Committee chair Robert Doherty says that under an ordinance created by the committee, city police officers who try to stop people from filming or photographing them would face a fine and jail time. [TU]
What the unanimous vote by the Saratoga Springs City Council opposing expansion of casino gambling in the city actually means for the expansion of casino gambling in the city depends on where you stand. Opponents of a full casino say they are confident the vote shows there is not support for gambling expansion in Saratoga. Casino advocates say they supported the council's vote because it could help reserve judgement on the casino until more details are revealed in a final bid. [Saratogian][TU][NYT]
A Schenectady man is charged with raping a girl over the course of six years, from the time she was 11 years old, fathering a child with her, and then killing the baby. [Gazette]
The Times Union reports that the new suspect in the Schenectady house fire that killed a father and three children has told them he was in the vicinity of the home on the night of the fire. [TU]
Saratoga Springs council votes no on casino, charter schools and pre-K draw thousands for Lobby Day rallies, Kokopellis owners planning to sue Troy and police, 100 years of Thacher Park
In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the Saratoga Springs City Council opposed casino expansion in the city. Nearly 400 people attended the council meeting, which included a heated 90 minute public comment period. Mayor Joanne Yepsen says there is still room for negotiation on the issue if there is a willingness to address the city's concerns and build partnerships with the community. [TU][TWCN][Saratogian]
State Senator Kathy Marchione, whose district includes Saratoga Springs, won't say whether she believes a proposed host community should have a say in the siting of a casino.[Capitol Confidential]
Tuesday was lobby day at the Capitol, with thousands of supporters of pre-K expansion and charters schools holding huge rallies. Andrew Cuomo spoke at the charter school rally, telling the crowd "You are not alone; we will save charter schools." Meanwhile, at the Washington Avenue Armory, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appeared at a rally to fund universal pre-K with a tax surcharge on the wealthy. [Record][TU][CNY]
Also on Lobby Day, organizations representing small municipalities, mayors, and school boards expressed concerns about what they say is Andrew Cuomo's "flawed" proposed property tax freeze.[TU]
Legislators, concerned parents, and drug treatment professionals were also at the Capitol on Tuesday, asking for $15 million in additional funding to help fight the growing heron and prescription drug problem. [WNYT]
Bail set for sheriff's deputy snagged in cocaine sting, a hope to extend the focus on Solomon Northup and Saratoga Springs, even the grouchy people liked him
A federal judge set a $25,000 bond for Charles Fuller, the Saratoga County Sheriff's deputy accused by the feds of aiding the transportation of what he thought was cocaine. The US Attorney on the case said the FBI has audio and video from both trips Fuller is accused of taking. Fuller's attorney said Monday that there were indications the confidential informant used in the FBI sting of Fuller had been pressured to participate and that might result in "significant issues." [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
The planned sentencing of Michael Anderson for the killing of Tonette Thomas in Albany in 2012 turned into a bizarre episode Monday when Anderson tried to reverse his guilty plea and accused his attorney of misconduct. [TU]
Lewis Wood, the Albany man initially rejected by the Albany Fire Department because an investigator had tagged his app for "deceit" because of an undisclosed traffic ticket, was sworn in Monday as an AFD recruit -- becoming one of 13 African-American members of the 243-member fire department. [TU]
Solomon Northup researchers are hoping the Oscar win by 12 Years a Slave will continue to highlight Northup's story and his place in Saratoga Springs history. Said Solomon Northup Day organizer Renee Moore to the Gazette: "I think the awards will bring more attention to the autobiography and more attention to the descendants, and I'm hoping that it increases the attendance by the Saratoga community, and particularly that the African-American community will come out and embrace it as well, because they have a story to tell. There has been more than just Solomon's story here." The day honoring Northup -- July 19 this year -- will now be hosted by Skidmore. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Crude oil car derailment in Selkirk, sheriff's deputy nabbed in cocaine sting, roundabout protest in Malta
Thirteen tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed at a rail yard in Selkirk Friday evening -- though both the railroad and state officials say no oil was spilled. The incident continues the focus on shipments of crude oil through the Albany area -- said Albany Common Council member Dorcey Applyrs, who represents the neighborhood near the Port of Albany: "This should be a wake-up call for residents in the Capital District and residents throughout the state of New York. We have had so many incidents in a short period of time, and my question is, 'what is it going to take?'" On Friday the Cuomo admin announced an "inspection blitz" -- "a series of inspections at the Port of Albany and its adjacent rail yard, as well as inspections in Albany and Buffalo along rail tracks and in rail cars." In response, Environmental Advocates of New York said the inspections should be occurring on a regular basis. [TU] [TWCN] [Cuomo admin] [TU]
A Saratoga County Sheriff's deputy was arrested on charges that attempt to aid the distribution of cocaine. Federal prosecutors say Charles E. Fuller of Corinth was snagged in an FBI sting involving a confidential informant and the transportation of more than a kilogram of a substance purported to be cocaine from Albany County to Warren County. Fuller, who is president of the Saratoga County Deputy Sheriff's Police Benevolent Association, has been with the sheriff's department for 24 years. [US DOJ] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan says she'd like to adjust a compensation system in which city employees who retire or resign can cash out unused vacation and sick time -- some cash out more than 1,000 hours in leave when they go, prompting the city to be on the hook for unplanned costs. [TU]
Land purchase for Albany convention center approved, another bomb threat at Mechanicville High School, cold storage wars
The Albany Convention Center Authority approved the purchase of the bulk of land for the proposed convention center at Eagle Street and Howard Street in downtown Albany. [TU]
With the aim of reducing surprise medical bills, the Cuomo administration is proposing an expansion of out-of-network coverage requirements for emergencies and specialists for all health insurers in the state. [AP/Daily Gazette]
A state attorney general's review of telemarketing operations that collect money for charity concludes that more than 60 percent of the money collected goes to fees rather than the charities. [TU]
Saratoga in Decline blogger arrested for child porn, , Proctor's Theater building in Troy gets tenant, cold snap freezing sap
John Tighe, the blogger behind Saratoga in Decline, was arrested on child pornography charges Wednesday after an investigation allegedly found evidence of child pornography on his computer. Tighe has been an outspoken critic of NXIVM, and has used his blog to speak out against a number of people in power. His attorney, Lee Kindlon has questioned the manner in which the investigation has progressed and told the Gazette: "Anytime someone wants to speak truth about powerful people and that speaker is then silenced, it has broad implications for how our society functions." [TWCN][TU][Gazette]
The State Financial Restructuring Board has accepted Albany's request to review the city's books. [Capitol Confidential]
One-time Albany Republican mayoral candidate Nathan Lebron is seeking to run for Governor on the Libertarian line.[TU]
Queens state Senator Tony Avella has switched from the Senate Democratic Conference to become the fourth member of the Independent Democratic Conference. [TU]
The Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce is moving into new office space in the Proctor's Theater building in downtown Troy, which has been vacant for decades. [TU]
Siena Poll reports Cuomo rating drop and desire for a delay in Common Core implementation, Exit 4 bridge work may take up to 7 years, bobsled medalist lands in Albany
The latest Siena Poll reports Andrew Cuomo's rating has dropped six points to 60 percent favorable, and that half of New Yorkers polled want a two year moratorium on Common Core implementation. [WNYT]
New York met the February 22nd deadline for submitting a plan to the federal government to crack down on welfare abuse.[TU]
Plans to replace deteriorating bridges near Northway Exit 4 may take up to five years because the state only has $14 million of the estimated $58 million the project would cost. [TU]
The engine of a empty oil train derailed in Ulster County on Tuesday.[TU]
The SUNY Charter Schools Institute will vote today on whether to close the Ark Community Charter School in Troy based on what it says is a decline in academic performance and a lack of instructional leadership.[TU]
State looking at Harriman campus for new $600 million lab, it's unclear how many votes are a majority in state Senate, cow-milking robots
"A person briefed on the plan" tells the Times Union that the $600 million plan to consolidate the state's public health laboratory facilities is focused on building a new facility at a site on the Harriman State Office Campus in Albany. A state budget amendment released last week by the Cuomo admin asserts the state's current lab facilities associated with the Wadsworth Center -- which are at a handful of sites around the Capital Region, including at the ESP and the Axelrod Institute on New Scotland Ave in Albany (map) -- are "functionally obsolete and deteriorating." (Question: What does this mean for private development -- and expansion of the city of Albany tax base -- at the Harriman campus?) [TU] [NYS DOB]
The Cuomo admin announced an agreement between IBM and the NanoCollege to "maintain 3,100 high-tech jobs" at sites around the state through the end of 2016 -- though the details of the agreement aren't clear, at least publicly. (IBM is one of the NanoCollege partners in semiconductor research at the NanoCollege campus in Albany.) A rep for an IBM employees union says the agreement "still leaves room for further job cuts, considering the total employee population." [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A civil trial began Monday in yet another case of alleged police misconduct in Troy. [TU]
A Saratoga Springs resident says it took six months (and reporter's phone call) for the the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority to respond to his FOIL request -- and then the agency dumped hundreds of unrequested documents on him, charging him almost $400. [Saratogian]
Safety upgrades for crude oil trains proposed, concern about crimes against seniors, blood donations needed
Major freight railroad operators have announced an agreement with the feds to increase some safety measures for trains carrying crude oil. But critics -- among them, Chuck Schumer -- says the measures aren't enough, in part because they don't include addressing problem tanker cars. The Port of Albany has become a major node in the distribution of crude oil from North Dakota to refineries on the East Coast -- which has people worried about potential accidents. [Capital] [TU]
Albany police say a man was found shot in the arm at Delaware Ave and Magnolia Terrace early Friday morning (map). It's the city's fourth shooting in a week. [APD FB] [TU]
The recent death of an elderly man -- allegedly caused by his home health aid -- has spotlighted what local law enforcement officials say is a persistent problem with crimes, especially thefts, against seniors. [TU]
A UAlbany student from Iran and his wife are stuck in a precarious position because their visas are about to expire and they face imprisonment in Iran after the husband's name surfaced in one of the diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks. [TU]
State's highest court overturns Troy murder conviction, Albany plowing through snow removal budget, fire truck catches fire
The state's highest court has overturned the 2009 murder conviction of Adrian Thomas for the death of his 4-month-old son in Troy. The decision, written by chief judge Jonathan Lippman, concludes that Troy police used "a set of highly coercive deceptions" during their interrogation of Thomas to prompt him to talk and incriminate himself. Acting Rensselaer County DA Arthur Glass says his office is planning a retrial. [AP/Troy Record] [NYS Court of Appeals] [TU]
Among the new slate of cases selected by the Troy ethics commission: two cases related to the Kokopellis situation -- one of which arose because of an allegation made on Facebook. [TU] [Troy Record]
The city of Albany of Albany has already spent almost 70 percent of its snow removal budget for 2014. [TU]
SNUG rally in response to weekend shootings, police seek suspect in East Greenbush bank robbery, Doheny says he'll run for Owens' 21st Congressional seat, dead bug collection seeks good home
The SNUG anti-gun violence activist group rallied in Albany's South End on Wednesday night in response to two separate shootings there this weekend--one of which was fatal. [WNYT]
Republican Matt Doheny says he will launch a primary bid against Elise Stefanik, who has received Republican party support for a run to replace Democrat Bill Owens in the 21st Congressional District seat. [TU]
Police are looking for a suspect who robbed the Troy Road branch of the TD Bank in East Greenbush early Wednesday morning. A North Greenbush police officer responding to the incident was involved in a two car crash and had to be pulled from a wrecked squad car. [Record][TU]
According to a resolution drawn up in advance of a cancelled Albany Convention Center Authority meeting last week, the Authority is expected to approve spending up to $4.05 million to purchase four properties that make up most of its construction site off Eagle Street.[TU]
Another arrest in Kokopellis case, Spa City businesses opposed to casino, Colonie motel closed due to violations, Malta to use eminent domain for more traffic circles
Troy police have arrested another person in connection with the Kokopellis Night Club brawl. 30-year-old Kerif Hassan Burns is facing attempted robbery and obstruction of government administration charges for allegedly trying to pull a night stick from a police officer. But Burns claims he was shooting video of the scene when he was hit with the nightstick before he grabbed it. [TU][WNYT]
A former HVCC student is planning to sue the city of Troy, claiming he was slammed against a truck, punched and tasered by police for jaywalking. [TU]
The Albany County Jail officer charged with promoting gambling for taking bets at the jail as part of an internet gambling ring pleaded guilty on Tuesday and will have to forfeit $25,000. Timothy Robillard will be sentenced on April 15th and is expected to cooperate in an ongoing state and federal case. Robillard is the fifth person to plead guilty in connection with the gambling ring. [TU][WNYT]
Amsterdam's common council voted in favor of putting a casino in the city. [TWCN]
A survey of Saratoga Springs businesses showed that a majority of those surveyed are against putting a full -fledged casino in the city. [WNYT]
OTB is planning to file an ethics complaint against a Rochester developer who wants to build an Indian Casino near Rochester and a commercial casino in the Capital Region, alleging the developer of violated state lobbying laws by engaging in lobbying activities without being registered as a lobbyist.[TU]
Questions about investigation of Schenectady fire that killed four people, two shootings in Albany, an attempt to crack down on zombie properties, a game of thrones
From a Times Union article by Brendan Lyons about the investigation of the fire in Schenectady last year that killed a father and three children, and the recent release of the man originally accused of arson: "[A] Times Union review of the case, including interviews with witnesses, attorneys, investigators and law enforcement officials, raises questions about whether [Robert] Butler's arrest was the product of a hasty or misguided investigation in which police and federal agents disregarded leads about a second man who may have had a grudge against [the father, David] Terry." [TU]
Albany police say three people were injured -- one fatally -- in two separate shootings early Sunday, in West Hill (map) and the South End (block map). APD says an officer responding to the West Hill shooting found two people, ages 16 and 20, shot -- they were taken to the hospital and listed in stable condition. APD says the report of the South End shooting came in about 1.5 hours later -- officers found a man shot. He as transported to the hospital and pronounced dead. The anti gun violence org SNUG has rallies planned for both locations this week. [APD FB] [TU]
"Department sources" tell the Times Union that the Troy Police Department has given the FBI additional case files as the feds review allegations of police brutality. TPD chief John Tedesco says the city will be reviewing legal cases that include police officers in attempt to see if any patterns emerge. The city is currently facing a handful of potential lawsuits related to alleged police misbehavior. [TU] [TU] [TU]
Albany police say an officer, just recently graduated from the police academy, is credited with helping to save the life of a man by performing CPR last week. The officer, Luke Deer, is a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. [APD FB] [TU]
That was a lot of snow, commission: Albany County charter a "ramshackle mess," Alton Brown's captive audience
The city of Albany has declared a snow emergency starting at 8 pm Friday with even side parking. It flips to odd at 8 pm Saturday.
It snowed. A lot. The National Weather Service in Albany was reporting 17 inches of snow as of 7 am this morning. Snow totals around the region had a wide range, with some totals close to two feet. The NWS forecast includes another 1-3 inches of snow for today, with mid-30s and some strong wind gusts. If you're wondering if (something) has been delayed/snow emergencied/buried, the answer is probably yes. [NWS FB] [NWS]
Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy, a Republican, is set to officially announce that he's running for Saratoga County Court judge. Murphy would not have to step down from the DA's office to run for the seat. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
With Troy police commissioner Anthony Magnetto ending his one-year term today, police chief John Tedesco will once again be in control of the department -- and it sounds like support for naming another commissioner has waned. (The police commissioner position has been an ongoing drama in Troy over the past year.) [TU]
Among the conclusions made by the commission reviewing Albany County's charter: the document is a "poorly organized, difficult-to-read, ramshackle mess." [TU]
Quinnipiac poll: Cuomo has high approval, big turn out for public hearing on Port of Albany oil boilers, arrested for allegedly skipping out on lunch tab at ESP
The impending storm has caused a number of early closings and cancellations and plane and train service interruptions. Andrew Cuomo is urging people to prepare for the storm and avoid unnecessary travel today. The state has 1,789 plows, and 291,000 tons of salt to use. [TU][WNYT]
A new Quinnipiac poll reports 59 percent of New Yorkers say Andrew Cuomo deserves to be re-elected. The Q poll also reports Cuomo would beat either Donald Trump or Rob Astorino by a very wide margin. [TU]
Several hundred people showed up Wednesday night for a more than three-hour public hearing on the Global Companies request to build boilers for heating crude oil at the Port of Albany. More than 70 people spoke out against the plan, some accusing the state of dropping the ball on regulating the Global Companies operation at the port.[TU][WNYT]
The Cuomo administration obtained a waiver allowing Jerome Hauer, the head of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, to carry a handgun at work -- four days after the Times Union ran a story about Hauer using the laser sighting attachment on his gun as a pointer in a meeting with a Swedish delegation. [TU]
Kathy Sheehan formally submitted Albany's application to the New York State Financial Restructuring Board, part of her administration's effort to close the city's $16 million deficit. [TU]
Troy police release new Kokopellis video, prospective casino site in Amsterdam gets attention, one of the secrets to being married for 72 years
It's really cold. Still. [NWS]
Troy police released new video of the January 25 incident at Kokopellis night club in Troy. In a press conference on Tuesday, TPD officials played the video and explained their take on officers' actions the night of the incident. [TU][Record]
After a stinging response from Andrew Cuomo earlier this week, the state Board of Regents has approved changes to the implementation of the Common Core, but has backed off a plan to delay controversial teacher evaluations.[WNYT][TU]
The latest spot drawing attention for a potential Capital Region casino: a 51-acre field along the Thruway near Amsterdam in the town of Florida.[TU]
In response to NYC mayor Bill DeBlasio's request that New York City be allowed to set its own minimum wage, Andrew Cuomo said on The Capitol Pressroom on Tuesday that local control of minimum wage could lead to a cannibalistic competition between communities that would not be productive.[NYT][TU]
How exactly does the Cuomo tax break plan work?, the $300k clerical error, speculation about IBM stake at NanoCollege, push for JetBlue at ALB
Among the people apparently not entirely clear on the mechanics of the Cuomo administration's property tax "freeze" and "circuit breaker": the commissioner of the state Department of Taxation and Finance. [TU]
The state Board of Regents plan to "adjust" the implementation of the controversial Common Core standards. Among those not happy about the proposed adjustments: Andrew Cuomo. [TU] [State of Politics]
The city of Troy overpaid the Troy Public Library by more than $300k in tax revenue in what the city calls a clerical error -- and what the library is apparently considering to be at least partially rightful compensation. [WNYT] [TU]
The Roman Catholic Church has picked a priest from Brooklyn -- who's also an attorney -- to head up the Albany diocese. [TU]
A new proposal for an Albany County land bank prompted some heated comments and criticism. [Troy Record] [TU]
Federal charges dropped in fatal Schenectady arson case, push for earlier last call in Saratoga, Spector's closing after almost a century
Federal prosecutors have dropped all charges against Robert A. Butler, the man who had been accused of starting the fire that killed David Terry and three of his children in Schenectady last year. The US Attorney's office says it will continue the investigation of the case. "Those with knowledge of the case" tell the Times Union investigators are now focused on different man who's alleged to have sent a text message threatening to kill Terry. [Daily Gazette] [US DOJ] [TU]
A few more details of the death of Richard Englander, the elderly man Albany police say was killed last: Sara Moore, a home health aide, has pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge. Albany police say Moore had tried to cash one of Englander's checks at a local bank, the bank called Englander, and there was an altercation -- the bank called police after hearing the struggle. APD says Englander suffered blunt force trauma to his head and cuts on his head and neck. [TU] [News10] [WNYT]
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has reversed an earlier decision and will now require the company hoping to build a heating facility for transferring shipments of crude oil at the Port of Albany must follow guidelines for informing the nearby neighborhood of its plans. [TU] Earlier: Why Albany is playing a major role in the transportation of oil, and why that concerns some people.
An unreleased report evaluating the state's response to Superstorm Sandy obtained by the Times Union criticizes the Cuomo admin for setting up a state command center in Manhattan, instead of working from the long-established bunker at the Harriman State Office Campus, stretching the state's the emergency management staff. [TU]
One of the owners of the Saratoga Casino and Raceway has taken a look at other potential Capital Region casino sites as part of possible consideration of a Plan B. [Capital New York] Earlier: Capital Region casino site odds
Police investigating death of elderly man, Troy City Council calls for outside investigation of Kokopellis incident, Albany County bans use of e-cigarettes on its property
Albany snow emergency continues with even side parking. It flips to ODD side parking at 8 pm Friday, and ends at 8 pm Saturday.
Albany police say they're investigating the death of a 79-year-old man as a homicide. APD says officers responded to a report of a disturbance Thursday afternoon at a town home on the city's southwestern edge (map) and found the man unresponsive. One suspect is in custody. "Sources" tell WNYT that police had gotten a tip from a bank related to checks belonging to the man. Many details of the situation are still unclear. [APD] [WNYT] [WNYT] [TU]
The Troy City Council is asking the mayor Lou Rosamilia for an outside investigation of the Kokopellis incident. Meanwhile, the State Liquor Authority has been reviewing Kokopellis for potential violations. In his state of the city address Thursday, Rosamilia said in reference to the recent incident at the club: "I believe all people should be treated fairly, equally and with respect. Whenever those liberties are seemingly disregarded, it demands action." [TU] [Troy Record] [Troy Record] [TU]
On Thursday, in a separate case that also includes alleged use of excessive force by a Troy police officer, the opening arguments at trial depicted two very different version of events on a South Troy sidewalk. And in another separate case, a former HVCC student has filed a notice of claim against the city alleging he was assaulted by police officers after being confronted for jaywalking. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Albany Common Council approved mayor Kathy Sheehan's request to go before the state Financial Restructuring Board in an attempt to get a chunk of state aid -- though there were a few reservations. [TU]
Two more arrests in Kokopellis incident, Troy First Niagara robbed again, Knox man allegedly burns down own home, State Police to start social media "Warrant Wednesday"
Albany snow emergency starts at 8 pm Thursday (February 6) with EVEN side parking. Flips to ODD at 8 pm Friday.
Troy police have made two more arrests in connection with the incident at Kokopellis last week. Two city men were arrested, one for allegedly throwing a garbage can lid through the window of a city police car and another is accused of disorderly conduct. [WNYT][TU]
A breakdown of the cases stemming from the Kokopellis nightclub incident. [TU]
And a look at Willie Bacote, the Troy pastor back in the spotlight as he leads protests related to the Kokopellis situation. [TU]
Police are investigating a robbery at the First Niagara Bank on Third Street in Troy that occurred Wednesday morning. The same First Niagara branch was robbed in December. [TWCN][Record]
A Knox man is in police custody today after allegedly burning down his own home overnight -- and blocking access to fire crews. According to Albany County sheriff Craig Apple, the man told a sheriff's department captain, "I know I'm in a lot of trouble in the morning. I want this house to burn down." [WNYT][TWCN][TU]
Troy protest and meeting on alleged police brutality, Niskayuna school gets one year reprieve, Tkaczyk proposes bill to give municipalities a say on casinos, it's snowing
It's snowing. Most area schools have a snow day today, and so does the state legislature. ALB is open but there are some cancellations and delays. Andrew Cuomo has closed I-84 from the Pennsylvania to the Connecticut state lines because of the snowstorm.[Weather Channel][TU][News 10][TU]
Several dozen people protested against police brutality Tuesday night ahead a Troy City Council public safety committee hearing about the incident last week at Kokopellis. At the packed gathering there were renewed calls for an external investigation of the night club incident and calls by some to drop the charges against those arrested and suspend officers who used batons, pending further investigation. [TWCN][TU][Record]
The state Senatepassed a bill Tuesday that would ban the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for the purchase of cigarettes, alcohol, lottery tickets and ban recipients from using the cards to get cash at ATMs in bars and strip clubs. (The bill has previously stalled in the state Assembly.) [Capitol Confidential][News 10]
Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver are both calling on the state Education Department to delay the rollout of Common Core standards for at least two years. Andrew Cuomo says it would be premature to consider the change before a panel he recommended to examine Common Core completed its work. [WNYT][NYT]
Cecilia Tkaczyk and state Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) have proposed a bill that would give municipalities the final say over whether a casino can be located in their community. [Saratogian]
The Niskayuna school board tabled a vote on closing Birchwood Elementary School Tuesday, allowing the school to remain open at least one more year.[TWCN]
Hearing in Troy on allegations of police brutality, student reports waking to unknown man in her room, new owners for Peter Pause Restaurant
The Troy City Council's public safety committee is scheduled to hold a hearing this evening on allegations of police brutality in the city, including the Kokopellis incident. The Troy African American Pastoral Alliance is planning a march ahead of the hearing. [TU] [TWCN] [TU]
The two vacant buildings on 5th Ave in downtown Troy (map) damaged in a fire Sunday were demolished Monday. Troy's fire chief says the fire appears to be arson. [News10] [Troy Record]
Michael Anderson -- who was facing charges, including second-degree murder, for the stabbing death of Tonette Thomas in Albany in November 2012 -- has pleaded guilty, and faces up to 45 years in prison, according to the Albany County DA's office. [TU] [Albany County DA]
At a legislative hearing Monday the state health commissioner wouldn't answer questions about when the review of potential health impacts from fracking would be finished. (The Cuomo admin has said its decision on fracking is awaiting the review.) [TU]
Another redevelopment plan for Monument Square site, family suing for $1 million alleging excessive force in Rotterdam, coffee for bitcoins
The city of Troy is scheduled to announce details this morning on the latest redevelopment plan for the former city hall site on Monument Square. [Troy Record] [TU]
Local school officials, already crunched for funding, say they worry the Cuomo admin's push to fund pre-K will end up pitting pre-K against K-12 for money. [TU]
An environmental advocacy org is arguing the state's Department of Environmental Conservation didn't follow its own policies properly in dealing with requests from a company using the Port of Albany to transfer crude oil shipments. [TU]
Two facts set up side by side by the Times Union: 1) Albany County legislature chair Shawn Morse "spearheaded" legislation that pardoned county employees who had violated the county's residence requirement 2) The day before the legislation's passage, Morse received $11k in political donations from a union that represents county corrections officers -- Morse and the union say the two actions aren't connected. [TU]
UAlbany president Robert Jones said in an email that "it is very premature at this time to be considering" expansion of UAlbany's new football stadium. Jones was responding to a Times Union story reporting that athletic department officials were already looking at expansion. [TU] [TU]
Forum calls for more school aid, Kokopellis owners criticizing TPD, some Thruway toll plazas could be totally automated
School district officials, teachers, and students criticized the current level of state education funding at a forum at Colonie Central High School Thursday evening that drew hundreds of people. Officials detailed many of the cuts they've had to make because of the elimination of a chunk of their district's funding. The Albany schools superintendent said her district is getting 64 percent of the aid it should be getting under the state's formula for school funding. [TU] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
The owners of Kokopellis are disputing the Troy Police Department's characterization of the situation when officers arrived at the club early Saturday morning: "There was a scuffle in our stairway and our security had already restored order and had the situation under control ... before the police arrived." (TPD has released 911 call transcripts this week indicating there was a large fight at the club when officers were called.) The club owners also accused the TPD of trying to "spin" the story to deflect allegations that officers acted inappropriately. The chair of the Troy city council's public safety committee says a meeting next week will examine a range of topics related to the Kokopellis incident -- from whether the club is hosting events it can't handle to whether the police department needs to change how it responds to complaints. [TU] [News10] [Troy Record]
Colonie officials searched a second Central Ave motel -- the Blu-Bell Motel (streetview) -- for code violations and concluded 80 percent of its rooms are uninhabitable. It's owned by the same person as the recently shutdown Skylane Motel. Colonie has been trying to crack down on what the town considers problem motels along Central Ave in recent years, which has contributed to putting one motel property -- with an owner who wants to renovate -- in a sort of limbo. [TU] [Troy Record] [TU]
State Police say two men were injured at the Harriman State Office Campus Thursday night when a tank of a fire suppression substance exploded. The men suffered chemical burns, and one of them had a broken leg. The Albany Fire Department says the tank being removed was part of an outdated fire control system. [NYSP] [TWCN] [News10]
Troy PD releases audio & 911 transcript from Kokopellis incident, National Grid to defer hike in electric bills, new supermarket proposed for Clifton Park, Watervliet company helps the USA luge team go faster
The Troy police department has released 911 transcripts and radio transmissionsfrom the incident at Kokopellis on Saturday. The recordings indicate a bartender called and reported people were fighting before police arrived. (The 911 transcripts are posted below.) Also: Troy city council president Rodney Wiltshire posted security video from the club on YouTube -- said Wiltshire to the Times Union of the video: "It raises questions and provides some answers." [WNYT][TWCN][Troy PD]
Andrew Cuomo has directed multiple state agencies to look at ways to strengthen state oversight of oil trains. [TU][TWCN]
Union leaders, workers, and lawmakers rallied on Wednesday against Andrew Cuomo's plans to close disability centers, psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the state. There was a fair amount of name calling at the rally, with the CSEA president Danny Donohue referring to Andrew Cuomo as a moron and a monkey. Assemblyman Jim Tedisco said that Cuomo presides over "a government in darkness, government by fiat, government by coercion - a government where you would see in a state where they have a dictator, a totalitarian state." [TU][News 10][NYSNYS/Saratogian]
National Grid says customers can expect a 20-30 percent increase in electric bills this winter,
but the company has gotten permission from the New York Public Service Commission to defer the increase until later in the year when bills will be lower, to spread payments out for customers. [WNYT]
Troy police chief says he won't resign, Yepsen calls for more local input on potential casino, King says universal pre-k could cost $1.6 billion, Troy's first mayor gets a statue
Troy police chief John Tedesco says he has no intention of resigning amid calls for him to
step down over the weekend incident at Kokopellis on 4th Street. Troy police commissioner Anthony Magnetto says the current investigation of the situation is not looking into the allegations of police brutality, only the alleged assault on officers, damage done to any city property, and reckless endangerment to people in the area -- but an investigation into possible excessive force is not off the table. Incident reports and 911 calls shared by the TPD with the Times Union indicate there was fighting going at the club before officers arrived. [WNYT][Record] [TU]
The unemployment rate in the Capital Region hit a six-year low in December: 5.4 percent.[TU]
About two hundred people showed up for a Niskayuna school board meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the possibility of shutting down Birchwood Elementary School in an effort to close the district's $2.6 million budget gap. In the end, the board decided to postpone a vote on the closure until next week. [Gazette][News 10][TWCN]
In her state of the city speech on Tuesday, Saratoga Springs mayor Joanne Yepsen renewed a call for a more moderate-sized casino in the city, that would not take business from existing establishments, and touted the need for transparency in government. [TU][Saratogian]
According to state comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office, state overtime rose 16 percent in 2013 to $611 million. [TU]
Tom DiNapoli acknowledged a "special obligation" on the part of New York State to the city of Albany, one day after Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan announced she would be going to the state's Financial Restructuring Board for $5 million to upgrade the city's IT, part of a plan to close city's $16 million budget gap. [Capitol Confidential]
Reaction to incident at Kokopellis in Troy, Sheehan wants to take Albany before state's restructuring board, informant headed to prison for trying to frame shop owner
Said Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia in response to the incident at Kokopellis this past weekend, in which the TPD says six officers were injured and mobile phone video shows officers hitting a man while he's on the floor: "preliminary evidence indicates that our police department, in an effort to gain control of an out-of-control situation, used necessary force in order to make arrests and protect themselves and others." Said police commissioner Anthony Magnetto of the video of the situation in the club: "I don't see anything where the officers acted inappropriately or used excessive force." Police chief John Tedesco urged calm: "Let us look at all the relevant evidence and we'll go from there." City council president Rodney Wiltshire also called for caution as the facts are investigated, but about the video: "I'm not happy with what I saw ... It's hard for me to watch." At a community meeting in North Central, Willie Bacote, a pastor, called for immediate changes in the TPD, including the resignation of Tedesco. And Alice Green, from the Center for Law and Justice in Albany, talked to the crowd about racial discrimination in policing. [TU] [WNYT] [Troy Record] [TWCN] [Troy Record]
As skepticism/opposition continues to organize toward a plan to build a facility for heating crude oil at the Port of Albany, more than a hundred people attended a community meeting about the project Monday evening in the South End. [TU]
Said Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan to a state legislature committee on her plan for the city go before the state's Financial Restructuring Board in an attempt to get $5 million to update the city's IT systems:
"We have no choice. We have a $16 million deficit ... If we can't make that investment ... we're just going to continue in the spiral that we're in." [TU]
Anthony Collins, the accused of trying to abduct a UAlbany student at knifepoint from bus stop near the university's downtown residence halls last fall, has pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping and faces up to 12 years in prison. Collins had been the subject of a documentary project about his struggles with mental illness. [TU] [Albany County DA] [AOA]
Focus on TPD actions while breaking up nightclub incident, concerns about oil shipments, brawl after Union-RPI hockey game
Troy police say six people were arrested in connection with an incident in which "numerous persons were engaged in arguments and physical confrontations" early Saturday morning at Kokopellis on Fourth Street downtown. TPD says six officers were treated at a hospital for injuries, and the rear window of a police car was broken. TPD also says "officers were subject to kicking, punching, pepper spray and a fire extinguisher being completely emptied via the spraying of the powder content on the officers." Here's a walkthrough of club surveillance video from WNYT. A mobile phone video from inside the club shows officers subduing a man with what appears to be a baton, including after the man is on the floor. A TPD spokesperson described the officer's actions as "pain compliance techniques." The Troy City Council's Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet with police officials Monday evening to discuss the incident and the events depicted in the video. Said council president Rodney Wiltshire: "We will accept nothing less than a full and complete investigation into this and are prepared to conduct our own investigation into this." TPD says officers were initially called to the scene after the nightclub decided to shut things down because of people smoking pot. [TPD] [WNYT] [YouTube] [WNYT] [TU] [News10] [TU]
SPAC, the Saratoga City Center, and downtown Saratoga Springs business owners say they're concerned a full casino in Saratoga Springs would draw events and traffic away from the city's downtown. [TU]
Here's a closer look at what the Cuomo admin's proposed two-year "property tax freeze" could actually involve, using Schenectady and Colonie as examples. [TU]
Many Capital Region school districts aren't happy with their state funding in the Cuomo admin's proposed budget. [TU]
Local officials -- and residents of Albany's South End -- are expressing concerns about the plan to build a facility for heating crude oil for loading at the Port of the Albany. (The port has become a major node in the distribution network for crude oil from North Dakota.) [Troy Record] [TU]
Cold pushing heating bills higher, Sheehan says Albany budget gap could larger than expected, century-old gravestones damaged
The cold continues, though the high temp forecasted for Saturday is a tropical 27 degrees. Wholesale prices for natural gas and electricity are both up significantly because of demand. And the long string of "Code Blue" nights is straining resources at the Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany. [NWS] [Troy Record] [TU]
Transportation safety agencies in both the US and Canada are recommending new safety rules for the rail shipment of crude oil, following fiery crashes in both countries during the past year. The Port of Albany has become a major node in the distribution of crude oil from North Dakota to refineries on the East Coast. [AP/TU]
Cecilia Tkaczyk is co-sponsoring a bill in the state Senate that would add an element of local influence to the casino siting process -- it would require the passage of a local law or resolution in support of casino by both the host municipality and county. Tkaczyk said the bill would "ensure that the casinos are good neighbors and sited only in those municipalities that want them" -- "I think it's really important to have that local community buy in." A spokesperson for Andrew Cuomo said the governor's administration opposes the bill, and said it isn't necessary because the siting process will take into account local support. (Question: What is the mechanism for gauging local support or opposition?) [NY Open Senate] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Gannett Albany] Earlier: Focusing on support for a possible Capital Region casino, town by town
Topics from Kathy Sheehan's first state of the city address: the budget gap, which could be bigger than expected; and bringing a customer service approach to city hall. [TU] [TWCN]
Pleas entered in "death ray" case, push back on Cuomo budget begins, foreclosure proceedings had begun before Villa Valenti fire
Still cold. [NWS]
The two men allegedly involved in a plan to construct a "death ray" X-ray weapon to be used against Muslims were in court on Wednesday. Eric J. Feight of Columbia County pleaded guilty to domestic terrorism-related charges and faces anywhere from time served to 15 years in prison. His co-defendant, Glendon Scott Crawford of Saratoga County, pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to produce and use a radiological device, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, and distribution of information relating to weapons. [WNYT][TU][Saratogian]
One day after Andrew Cuomo announced that his proposed budget would set aside $608 million for an increase in education aid, the Alliance for Quality Education and a group of Capitol Region state legislators held a press conference asking for $1.9 billion.[TU]
A coalition of progressive groups has announced it will launch a grassroots fight against Cuomo's proposed budget.[WNYT][TU]
Just weeks before the fire that destroyed Villa Valenti Restaurant a Pennsylvania-based mortgage company started foreclosure proceedings against the restaurant over more than $16,000 in back payments. [Record]
Tax cuts and universal pre-k part of Cuomo's proposed 2014 budget, Rotterdam Square Mall sold, 11-year-old arrested for allegedly assaulting bus driver, it's cold
Yep, it's cold out there. [NWS]
Andrew Cuomo outlined his proposed $142.1 billion 2014-15 state budget on Tuesday. The plan would hold the growth in spending below 2 percent. It also calls for funding for universal pre-k, a $2.2 billion tax cut plan, and an $807 million increase in education spending -- much lower than the $1.3 billion increase recommended by the state board of regents. Also included in the budget: a plan to establish a panel of legislators and education experts to review the Common Core and make some adjustments. [TWCN] [TU] [TU] [News 10] [TWCN]
Rotterdam Square Mall has been sold to an owner who has a history of controversy and legal battles with other malls he owns . Also, because the mall sold for< a href="www.dailygazette.com/news/2014/jan/21/rotterdam-square-sold-85-million/">less than a third of its assessed value, the property could generate less tax revenue than in the past. [TU] [Gazette]
The Saratoga Springs City Council heard more casino arguments at a meeting Tuesday, but the usually vocal SAVE Saratoga anti-casino group announced via press release that it would sit the meeting out this time. [TWCN][Saratogian]
Cuomo budget presentation today, multiple shootings but locations unclear, Albany Med interested in medical marijuana program
Andrew Cuomo will present his proposed 2014-2015 budget this afternoon. Among the main questions: The next budget was projected to have a gap, so how is the Cuomo admin finding money for the tax cuts it's been touting? [TU]
Friday on the Capitol Pressroom, an Andrew Cuomo riff on what he called a "schism" in the Republican Party included this statement: "Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay? Is that who they are? Because if that's who they are and they're the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York, because that's not who New Yorkers are." Republicans -- and Fred Dicker -- jumped on the statement, expressing outrage. The Cuomo admin released a letter Monday in response to the uproar: "The Governor was making the point that he makes often: New York is a politically moderate state and an extremist agenda is not politically viable statewide." [TU CapCon] [NY Post] [TU CapCon]
The $10 billion slated for investment at the GlobalFoundries site in Malta is currently aimed at upgrades to its existing facilities, not a second fab, according to the company. [TU]
The fields that will include the most job growth in the Capital Region, according to state Department of Labor short-term projections: food service, retail, medical. [TU]
The superintendents of the Albany and Schenectady school districts both make more than $180k a year. [TU]
Two local school districts tagged as facing "significant fiscal stress," plan to reduce sewer overflows into the Hudson, communication mishap resulted in unintended release from jail
In a "fiscal stress" analysis of school districts in the state by the state comptroller's office the the Watervliet school district topped the list of districts facing "significant stress." Said Watervliet's superintendent to the TU: "We're strapped ... The comptroller knows it, the state knows it and now the whole world knows it, but no one will help us do anything about it." Also among the top tier of districts facing "significant financial stress:" Schenectady. Said superintendent Larry Spring to the Daily Gazette: "They only give us 54 percent of the aid we're supposed to get, and then they issue a report saying, 'You're in fiscal stress?' Yes, because you made that happen. I don't see the purpose of the report except to say, 'You're successfully strangling us.'" [NYS OSC] [NYS OSC] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced a $136 million plan involving six Capital Region municipalities in "The Albany Pool" aimed at reducing the amount of sewage that pours in the Hudson River during heaving rains. A key part of the plan: a disinfection system for a pipe called "Big C" near the Port of Albany, which accounts for about half of the "combined sewer overflows." [NYS DEC] [TU] Earlier: Something stinks about the Hudson near Albany
Colonie supervisor Paula Mahan on the possibility of a casino at the First Prize Center: "Personally, I don't think that's the right location for it ... It's right smack in the middle of a neighborhood." [TU]
A federal judge has ruled that the Wandering Dago's lawsuit against the state -- over the food truck being rejected from vending at the Empire State Plaza and Saratoga Race Course because of its name -- can proceed. [TU]
Shooting on Central Ave in Albany, investigation continues in Villa Valenti fire, Cuomo sitting on $33 million, ice jams continue to cause flooding concern, kittens in prison
Albany police say a man was shot around 5 pm Wednesday outside of the CVS on the 100 block of Central Avenue (map). Later that day activists gathered a few blocks away to try to find solutions for Albany's gun violence problem. [TU] [TWCN]
The Niskayuna man charged with killing his estranged wife at her Lake Luzerne apartment on Christmas Eve pleaded not guilty to a charge of second degree murder on Wednesday. Clifford R. Burns told police he "snapped" over the fear he was going to go to jail over missing two child support payments.[WNYT][TWCN][Post Star]
Andrew Cuomo reported having $33 million in his re-election coffers. According to the New York Public Interest Research Group, that exceeds the total he spent on his 2010 gubernatorial campaign ($28 million). [TU][NYT]
Stewart's Shops is facing a class action lawsuit that argues the company violated wage and hour laws, failed to compensate employees for all hours worked, routinely deprived employees of mandatory meal breaks and failed to effectively record time worked by employees.[Saratogian][TU]
Fire destroys Villa Valenti, police search for Delmar bank robber, Owens won't seek re-election, more animal abuse charges on Greenfield horse farm, budget woes may cause Alive at Five cutback
Investigators are looking for the cause of a quick-moving fire that destroyed the Villa Valenti restaurant in Wynantskill Tuesday night.[TU]
Police are investigating an armed robbery Tuesday morning at the Citizens Bank in Delmar. [WNYT]
Bill Owens has announced that he will not seek re-election for the 21st Congressional district seat (which includes parts of Saratoga and Washington counties), leaving Democrats concerned that the party's chances of gaining in the House in November may be hurt. [TWCN] [NYT]
The Rensselaer County legislature overwhelmingly passed a referendum to support a casino being built in the city of Rensselaer. [TWCN]
Employees of the Saratoga Casino & Raceway held a press conference on Tuesday to show their support for a full casino in the city. [WNYT]
Snags (and progress) for the state's implementation of Obamacare, shooting in downtown Troy, Victory Mill residential conversation tax breaks approved
A state Senate hearing with the head of the NY State of Health -- the state's health exchange for the federal Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) -- detailed some of the snags and problems with the program so far, included slow-arriving ID cards and confusion over which doctors are in network. One of the things more or less on track: New York has enrolled a relatively high percentage of young people (getting young people into the pool is forecasted to be a key part of keeping premiums down). [TU] [Capital] [NYT]
A consequence of the recent upswing in natural gas prices: a sharp jump in electricity prices in the state. [TU]
Cecilia Tkaczyk is among the 83 state legislators pushing Andrew Cuomo to for a $1.9 billion increase in state school aid. [TU]
Kathy Marchione is part of a group of state Senators pushing for an overhaul of business regulations in the state. [TU]
State Senator Diane Savino -- who's been an advocate for medical marijuana in the chamber, where previous bills on the subject have been roadblocked -- said new medical marijuana legislation isn't ready yet. Medical marijuana advocates say Andrew Cuomo's plan for a limited trial program at a handful of hospitals doesn't go far enough. [TU] [TWCN]
Ice jams continue to prompt flooding concerns, free breakfast touted as reason for surge in school attendance, variance sought for pet funeral facility
Ice jams on local waterways continue to prompt concerns about potential flooding as snow melts and more rain is in the forecast. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Mohawk River at Schenectady, with "minor flooding" in the forecast, for today. Communities along the Mohawk have been watching the ice jams and water levels, which -- so far -- haven't caused much trouble. On the other side of the region, an ice jam in Rensselaer County caused some minor flooding. [TU] [NWS] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
In Waterford there's concern that drastically higher flood insurance premiums will price people out of the village. [TU]
Question: Should the number of seats in the Albany County legislature -- one of the biggest and most costly in the state -- be reduced? [TU]
Local school officials and sexual assault prevention educators say networks such as Facebook and Instagram are being frequently used as a tools of harassment, or as Schenectady schools superintendent Larry Spring says of Facebook: it's "a gift from the devil." [Daily Gazette]
What apparently prompted a surge in attendance at Schenectady public schools this year: free breakfast and lunch for everyone. [Daily Gazette]
Cold weather prompts higher natural gas prices and ice jams, Schdy schools superintendent continues push for large state aid increase, SUNY Upstate doc warns of "stupid stoners"
The recent very cold weather has prompted an upswing in the price of natural gas. And the state power grid set a record for peak winter demand on Tuesday. (Much of New York's electricity comes from natural gas-fired power plants.) [TU] [NYISO] [US EIA]
Large chunks of ice on local waterways from the long, deep freeze + warmer temperatures and rain this weekend = concerns about possible flooding caused by ice jams. Said a Ballston Spa man of the ice jam that caused flooding in his basement this week: "It looked like a big glacier." The Coast Guard has been running an ice breaker up in the Hudson out of the Port of Albany to keep the shipping channel open. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [WNYT]
Many of the proposals in Andrew Cuomo's State of the State address might sound familiar -- because they've been proposed before, by other governors. [TU]
As the Schenectady school district looks another budget gap, superintendent Larry Spring continues to bang the drum for a large shift in state aid for the district: "[Andrew Cuomo] really should be thinking of increasing aid to Schenectady by 20 percent a year for the next three years." [Daily Gazette]
State of the State topics include education and tax cuts, fracking protests outside SOTS but no mention inside, Clifton Park woman won't be the biggest loser
Among the topics in Andrew Cuomo's State of the State address: universal pre-k, "smart" classrooms, the state of education, ethics reform, government consolidation, and medical marijuana. Here's a quick scan of the speech. [NYT][WNYT][News 10][AOA]
While some were encouraged by the speech, others are skeptical about how the state will pay for some of the governor's initiatives.[Capitol Confidential][Record]
Hydrofracking wasn't mentioned in the State of the State address, but anti-fracking advocates protested outside the Capitol on Wednesday. Among the anti-fracking activists: a Buddhist nun who was the force behind the Grafton Peace Pagoda and led a 50-mile anti-fracking walk from Sharon Springs to the Empire State Plaza in the frigid temperatures.[WNYT][TWCN] [TU]
Saratoga Springs police are investigating the death of a local man found at the Hilton Garden Inn who may have overdosed on heroin.[TU]
A Niskayuna man pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to the Christmas Eve murder of his estranged wife in Lake Luzerne. [TU]
State of the State today, fracking and gun protests expected at SOS address, shouting and obscenities at Paul sentencing, Saratoga simmers over casinos
It's expected to warm up -- to around 19 degrees -- today. [NWS]
Andrew Cuomo will deliver his fourth State of the State address today. Among the items he's expected to mention: medical marijuana, and a $2.2 billion plan to cut taxes. [TWCN][News10]
Hundreds of anti-fracking activists and opponents of the NY SAFE Act are expected to protest at the State of the State address.[TU]
About 75 protestors gathered in the frigid temperatures outside the Capitol on Tuesday for the annual People's State of the State, an anti-poverty protest, on the day before the governor's State of the State. Income disparity was a big focus of the protest on Tuesday.[TU] [Record]
Vice President Joe Biden joined Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday as the governor outlined a plan to spend $16 billion in federal disaster aid on 1,000 separate projects that will help make New York better prepared for future storms. Here's a quick scan of details and quotes. [NYT][TWCN][AOA]
An obscenity-laden shouting match broke out as sentencing was about to being in the case of Joey Paul, the Stillwater woman who shot her boyfriend to death with his own AK-47 in his Schuylerville apartment in 2012. The shouting began when Paul screamed "Who are you to judge me?" as the victim's mother read an impact statement. Paul was escorted from the courtroom after the shouting match broke out. When she returned, Paul was sentenced to 18 1/2 years on manslaughter charges.[TU][Saratogain][News 10][TWCN]
It's cold, Cuomo details tax cut plans, questions about oil facility proposal at Port of Albany, sheriff's office joins the 1990s
You might have heard: It's cold. After hitting 50 degrees early Monday, the temperature dropped to 6 degrees overnight. Today's high is projected to be 10 degrees, with wind chill values as a low as -10. Albany city schools were closed because of the cold, and other districts delayed the start of the their school day. [NWS] [NWS] [ACSD FB] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo shared some details on the $2 billion in tax cuts he's proposed, including the elimination of the corporate income tax rate for manufacturing companies upstate. The governor said the state could afford the tax cuts because his administration had controlled spending and there were projected surpluses, though he did not share specific details about how they would be financed. Cuomo also set up the package of cuts -- which include a potential two-year upstate property tax freeze -- as a way to pressure to local governments to "take concrete steps vis-a-vis shared services and consolidation." [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [TU]
Joe Biden is scheduled to be in Albany today for an event with Andrew Cuomo. They'll be in the Red Room at the Capitol to "discuss infrastructure and other investments in the wake of Hurricane Sandy." It's not open to the public, but it will be livestreamed online. [Daily Gazette] [Cuomo admin]
Becky Goodermote -- who pled guilty to multiple charges after she struck Matthew Ratelle, a bicyclist, on Route 22 in Rensselaer County in September 2012, the injuries from which led to the death of the Ratelle -- was sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison. Said Ratelle's father at the sentencing: "You hit Matt so hard he landed 30 yards off the road ... And you left him there like roadkill." Said Goodermote: "I will have to live with this for the rest of my life ... I pray that one day they will find it in their hearts to forgive me." [Troy Record] [TWCN] [TU]
Cuomo to push forward on limited medical marijuana legalization, Joe Biden to visit Albany, fatal fire on Dove Street in Albany, all that and the wrong person
"State officials" tell the New York Times that Andrew Cuomo will announce during his State of the State address Wednesday that he will open the way for limited use of medical marijuana in the state via an executive action. (Bills to allow medical marijuana haven't been able to make it through the state Senate.) The move will rely at least in part on provisions in a 1980 state law, though the legislature may still have to get involved in some way. Supporters of pot legalization were chuffed by the news, but the floated 20-hospital limit for the program muted some of the excitement. [NYT] [State of Politics] [TU]
Joe Biden will be in Albany Tuesday for an event with Andrew Cuomo, according to a White House press release, though there weren't many details about the visit. "Sources familiar with the event" tell the Times Union the Vice President's visit will touch on the use of federal disaster aid for rebuilding infrastructure. [WH press release] [TU]
A look at how Massachusetts has gone about the casino siting/selection process -- and how New York's process is (or isn't) shaping up. [TU]
Despite efforts to diversify the Albany Fire Department, the ranks of city fire fighters are still overwhelmingly white and male -- among the reasons cited by people inside and outside of the department: criteria used during the screening process and the composition of the civil service exam. [TU]
This just in: it's snowy and very cold, federal safety warning about crude oil shipments, McLaughlin leaning away from gubernatorial run, dog rescued from the Hudson
It snowed a lot. And it's cold. The storm dropped 10-12 inches of snow around the Capital Region, and overnight temps dipped below zero. The Thruway was closed between Exit 24 and New York City over night because of the snow (it re-opened this morning). [NWS] [NWS] [TU] [Cuomo admin]
Today's forecast: high temperature of 7 degress, low tonight of -11. [NWS]
Many municipalities around the Capital Region have declared snow emergencies, including Albany (starts 8 pm Friday night with even side parking). The city of Troy, which often faces criticism for not having a snow emergency plan, is still working on formulating such a plan, according to a city spokesperson -- and a snow "push back" was planned for the central business district early Friday morning. [City of Albany] [Troy Record] [News10]
Federal regulators have issued a warning that Bakken crude oil -- for which the Port of Albany has become a major node in its shipping network -- "may be more flammable than traditional heavy crude oil." A train carrying the oil crashed in North Dakota this week, sending a fiery plume into the air. [TU] [US PHMSA] [ABC News]
Moreau's town board is supporting a push to site a casino at the Mount McGregor Correctional Facility, slated for closure later this year. The Saratoga racino (er, Saratoga Casino and Raceway) is thought to be the frontrunner if a Capital Region casino is sited in Saratoga County -- but Moreau's supervisor points out that a majority of his town's resident voted to approve full casinos in the state, and a majority of Saratoga Springs voted against it. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Kathy Sheehan is mayor of Albany, Troy police investigate NYE drive-by shooting, teen accused of stealing police car
Kathy Sheehan became Albany's first new mayor in 20 years on Tuesday.
For the first time in 20 years, Albany has a new mayor. Jerry Jennings walked out of City Hall as mayor for the last time on Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning about 600 people were on hand to witness the inauguration of Kathy Sheehan. The new mayor was sworn in at Kiernan Plaza in downtown Albany, where she told the crowd that she wants to make sure each neighborhood in the city is represented.[TWCN][Record][TU][News 10]
Saratoga's new mayor, Joanne Yepsen, took the oath of office on Wednesday. Yepsen says her first order of business is to open government and transparency in the mayor's office. While Yepsen said she isn't opposed to a casino in Saratoga, she said on Wednesday that a casino with a Vegas-type atmosphere "does not have a place in Saratoga Springs," and said she would oppose a casino event space that would cut into bookings for the City Center in downtown Saratoga Springs. [TWCN][Saratogian]
In Schenectady, Democrats John Mootooveren, Carl Erikson and Marion Porterfield took the oath of office for city council. [TU]
Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan will be sworn in for her new term later today.[TU]
A Queensbury couple is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly illegally neutering a dog and cat for friends who didn't want to pay for surgery.[Post Star]
Many local bridges in less than good condition, fatal shooting on Grand Street in Albany, new plan for Troy snow removal
A Times Union analysis of state bridge data concludes that more than a third of the bridges in the Capital Region are rated as being in less than good condition -- but many of them are owned by local governments and money to fix the spans is hard to find. A small union rally in Clifton Park Sunday was intended to draw attention to "the state's crumbling infrastructure." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A Times Union analysis of campaign contributions made by engineering firms to local politicians concludes that many firms donate to the party in the power, apparently in an attempt to maintain consulting contracts with towns -- a situation that has created close ties between some firms and local governments. [TU]
Prompted by the recent death of a homeless woman, apparently from exposure on a cold night, there's now a plan in Saratoga Springs for a "Code Blue" program -- an emergency shelter for homeless people will be opened on very cold nights, with free transportation available. The plan was headed up by mayor-elect Joanne Yepsen and local aid orgs. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
A local emergency department physician on the apparent recent surge in heroin use: "It's dropped in cost, the cost of [prescription] pills have gone up in cost and the access to pills has gone down." [Daily Gazette]
Colonie police say a standoff Friday night on Consaul Road (map) was prompted by a domestic violence call, a report that a man had stabbed a woman, was armed with a gun, and was threatening to kill people. CPD says the man exited the home and pointed a gun at officers and an officer fired at the man, missing. CPD says there was a shot inside the home after that. The woman, who suffered stab wounds to the leg, was able to escape with her father. Police eventually forced the man out of the house with tear gas. Timothy Anatriello Jr., 24, now faces a string of charges. [CPD] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TWCN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
More than a thousand attend memorial for State Police trooper, another state Assemblyman accused of making sexual comments to staffers, Troy towing snowbound cars
More than a thousand people attended the wake for State Police trooper David Cunniff at his Watervliet church on Thursday. Cunniff died from injuries after he was hit by a tractor trailer on the Thruway during a traffic stop near Amsterdam -- State Police say charges are pending and have told the truck driver, a Canadian, to stay in the country. [Troy Record] [TU]
Said one attendee at the memorial service for Nancy Pitts, the homeless woman who apparently died from exposure last week in Saratoga Springs: "It makes me really sad the way Nancy died ... More than that, it makes me angry." Pitts' death has focused attention on the lack of an emergency homeless shelter in the Saratoga Springs area. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The attorney for Damien Zervos, accused of shooting a mother of four in the back of the head in an Albany apartment in October, said his client will use the insanity defense because of "a preliminary indication" that his client has schizophrenia. [TU]
Said Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy of the 17-year-old Shen student accused of injecting a 15-year-old with heroin: "He's a deeply troubled kid ... There are issues here both criminal and social." The judge in the case said his hope is to get the teen into a rehab program. The 15-year-old has said the alleged injection was not forced. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Flags at half staff for Trooper Cunniff, alleged Toys for Tots theft a misunderstanding, CDTA on track for highest ridership since 1980s
Flags around New York State will be flown at half staff today in honor or State Police trooper David Cunniff, who died earlier this week when was hit by a tractor trailer on the Thruway near Amsterdam during a traffic stop. Services for Cunniff will be held on Thursday and Friday at his church in Watervliet. The investigation into the crash continues and no charges have been filed yet. [TU][TWCN][WNYT]
A feasibility study emphasizing the commercial benefit of moving and scaling back the proposed Albany Convention Center is apparently what changed Andrew Cuomo's mind about the project. [TU]
Rensselaer County clerk Frank Merola is among the first to publicly object to a proposal to provide drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants, saying he will not issue the licenses in the county. [Capitol Confidential]
Saratoga Springs mayor Joanne Yepsen will hold an emergency meeting this week to work on a "Code Blue" plan to shelter homeless people during the winter. [News 10]
It turns out the Toys for Tots collection box outside the Glenville Walmart was not stolen on Tuesday night, as originally reported. The box belonged to another charity and the woman who picked it up had permission to remove it. [TU][WNYT]
Death puts focus on resources for the homeless in Saratoga County, big turnout for casino meeting, Colonie trying to shut down "disgusting" motel
Police say it appears Nancy Pitts, the homeless woman found dead behind the Saratoga Senior Center last week, died of exposure, though that has not yet been confirmed by autopsy (map). Her death has focused attention the extent of facilities for the homeless in the Saratoga area. Saratoga Springs has a shelter, but it's for temporary drop-ins, there are no emergency shelters in all of Saratoga County. Said an official from Shelters of Saratoga about the situation: "I don't think any of us should settle for the fact that folks are going to die out there." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TWCN]
Temperatures dipped below zero overnight and forecasted lows for tonight are in the teens. [NWS] [NWS]
In the "top tier" of Andrew Cuomo's agenda for next year: the proposed two-year property tax freeze, jobs, ethics reform. [State of Politics] [TU]
Also from the Cuomo cabinet meeting: the state health commissioner said the review of hydrofracking is still ongoing and, "The process needs to be transparent at the end, not during." Cuomo on the long-delayed review: "I want the right decision ... Not necessarily the fastest decision." [State of Politics] [NYT]
More than a thousand people showed up for a panel about a potential full casino in Saratoga Springs -- a plan with few specific details, apparently. Among the skeptics: Saratoga Springs mayor elect Joanne Yepsen. Among the arguments from those opposing a casino: a majority of voters in Saratoga County voted against the amendment to allow full casinos in the state. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [News10]
It snowed, Schenectady officials deliver school funding complaint to the feds, another Uncle Sam beheaded, Albany chess queen headed to international competition
The Albany area got about a foot of snow over the weekend. It was the fourth-highest storm total in the period since 2010. [NWS] [TU]
Schenectady school officials delivered the district's discrimination complaint -- which alleges the state's funding formula shorts districts with many minority students -- to a federal Department of Education office in New York City Friday. Said superintendent Larry Spring: "They told us, 'we're interested in the case, we like that this has not been brought before,' and that they think they had a role to play." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
One member of the state's Board of Regents explains her opposition to the way the Common Core standards are being implemented -- she alleges state education officials are using "false information to create a crisis." [TU]
A homeless person was found dead outside near the Saratoga Senior Center last week. [Saratogian]
Occupancy rates are high in new residential units either being built or converted in Capital Region downtowns. [TU]
There are now at least 35 roundabouts in the Capital Region -- to the joy of traffic engineers, and apparently to the dismay of others. [Daily Gazette]
Waite sentenced to 25 years-to-life, State Police: Shen student injected another student with heroin, man dies while trying to save horses, package thefts in Colonie
Gary Waite, the Glens Falls man convicted for the murder of his 15-month-old son, was sentenced to 25 years-to-life in prison. [Post-Star] [WNYT]
A Brooklyn man, Rodney Davis, was sentenced to 50 years-to-life in prison for the shooting death of Rashad Robinson outside a bar in Schenectady's Mont Pleasant neighborhood in 2011 (map). Two other people were also injured in the shooting. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Quintril Clark, accused of planning the murder of Sha-kim Miller in Troy in 2012, was found not guilty of second-degree murder. [Troy Record]
The state's highest court has ordered a new trial for Ariel Myers, who was convicted of first-degree assault for the shooting of Robert Gunyup in Troy's Griswold Heights housing complex in 2009. The court ruled that testimony about Myers allegedly having a gun at a different time should not have been allowed in the trial. [NYS Court of Appeals] [TU]
State Police say a 17-year-old Shen student has been arrested for allegedly injecting a 15-year-old student with heroin at Shenedehowa High School on Tuesday. The 17 year old has been charged with felony criminal injection of a narcotic drug and a handful of misdemeanors. [NYSP]
Albany County exec Dan McCoy signed the bill banning the use of polystyrene containers by chain restaurants. The ban takes effect July 1 after a six month transition period. The chain maybe most affected by the ban: Dunkin' Donuts. McCoy says he will "call for all Albany County biz to follow Styrofoam ban within 3 yrs." [@McCoyCountyExec] [Albany County] [WNYT] [TU] [@McCoyCountExec]
Documents from the Federal Railroad Administration obtained by the Daily Gazette detail the events involved with a train derailment in Glenville this past February -- in one letter a railway company official comments that it was "miraculous" that the accident wasn't more serious. [Daily Gazette]
Bomb threat at GloFo site, midday bank robbery in downtown Troy, huge former Beech-Nut plant sold, a Cracker Jack buffet
Construction at the GlobalFoundries site in Luther Forest was temporarily stopped Monday -- and 3,000 construction employees sent home -- after a note was left at the scene claiming there were bombs at the site. (WNYT reports the note was left "on toilet paper in a portable bathroom stall.") Police say no explosives were found. State Police say a Glenville man -- working at the site as an electrician's apprentice -- was arrested for allegedly writing the note. An investigator said police aren't sure what prompted the threat. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [YNN] [NYSP] [Saratogian]
Said the sister of man who was fatally shot early Monday on First Street in Albany (map), to the Times Union, as she watched a firefighter hose her brother's blood off the pavement: "I don't want to live without my brother. I didn't even get to say goodbye. ... I may never leave this scene." An APD spokesman called the case "a very active and ongoing investigation" and urged the public to call with any information it might have. [APD] [TU] [News10]
Albany fire chief Robert Forezzi is retiring after 39 years with the department, almost eight of those as chief. [TU] [WNYT]
Continued focus on train safety measures, NYSP: customers restrained alleged robber, Grammy nom for ASO, to school on a unicycle
After the Bronx crash, the feds have ordered Metro North to overhaul its signaling system and to temporarily have two people in the driver's cab during stretches that include speed changes. MTA says its signal network will now warn operators of the sharp bend in the tracks and trains will automatically break brake if they're traveling faster than the speed limit through that stretch. Chuck Schumer and Connecticut US Senator are pushing for the installation of audio and video recorders in trains that would focus on engineers and the tracks. [AP/TU] [NYT] [AP/TU]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli said his office will be auditing the state Division of Criminal Justice Services' oversight and management of hate crime reporting across the state. The announcement follows concern raised by a Manhattan state Senator that some hate crimes in the state are being missed. [NYS OSC] [TU]
Many newborn blood samples aren't making it from hospitals to the state lab in Albany within the two-day window mandated. [TU]
Schenectady schools superintendent Larry Spring says he will personally travel to New York City this week to deliver the school district's civil rights complaint against the state to federal Department of Education investigators. (The district argues that it's not getting the state funding it deserves, and alleges the state's formula has ended up being discriminatory against districts with large minority populations.) [Daily Gazette]
Updated: Albany police responded to a reports of gunfire in West Hill (block map) overnight and found a man with a gunshot wound. APD says the man later died of his injuries. APD says an investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the Albany Police Detective Division at 462-8039. [WNYT] [APD press release]
Dennis Drue sentenced, investigation in apparent Albany homicide, resident permits for downtown Troy off-street parking, Siro's for sale
Dennis Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years in prison for his guilty plea to more than 50 counts related to the fatal Northway crash last year that killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers. At the sentencing Bailey Wind -- one of the two teens who survived the crash, but were seriously injured -- told Drue repeatedly to look at her while she spoke and called him a "murderer" and said, "You're drenched in their blood forever." Stewart's mother spoke of how many of her son's things still sit where he left them, including his toothbrush: "I hope every time you pick up your toothbrush in your jail cell, you think of my son and my grief ... I hope it inspires you to do bigger and better things with your life, and I hope it gives you perspective to see things from someone else's eyes." In the five years leading up to the crash, Drue had been ticketed 22 times, had his license suspended, and was involved in four accidents, all reported to be his fault -- and prosecutors said he was drunk and had marijuana in his system at the time of the fatal Northway crash. Just before the sentence was announced, Drue apologized for the first time publicly: "I never meant to hurt anybody ... I take full responsibility. I'm so sorry, I really am." Rivers' father expressed disappointment in the length of the sentence: "We feel that someone who takes two lives by committing this type of reckless crime should receive more than five to 15 years in prison." [TU] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [News10] [YNN]
Shanikqua Thomas -- who pleaded guilty to assault for running over six people on Elk Street in Albany in August -- was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Said a woman whose pelvis was broken during the incident: "I try not to think about that day but am constantly reminded because of the physical injury and emotional scars I carry." [News10] [Albany County DA] [TU]
Albany police say they're investigating what appears to be a homicide in an apartment on Western Ave near to the Saint Rose campus (map). APD says officers responding to a call about a broken window Wednesday found a deceased man, apparently from a physical altercation. APD says it's arrested a man in connection with an alleged burglary, but any possible involvement in the death is still under investigation. [APD]
Part of the recent haul in what's reported to be the Capital Region's largest-ever drug seizure: more than 500 pounds of pot and more than 130 pounds of cocaine. [TU]
Former Albany Common Council candidate arrested in drug bust, Global Foundries announces layoffs, NYRA hikes track admission, Trump for governor. Or not.
According to a Moreland Commission co-chair, the ethics panel did extend its probe to the offices of Andrew Cuomo and Eric Schneiderman, but they didn't find any wrongdoing. [Capital]
The Metro North engineer who was driving the commuter train that derailed last weekend has been suspended without pay. [WNYT]
Dennis Drue is expected to be sentenced today for his role in the Northway crash that killed high school students Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers last year.[TU]
About 30 jobs, mostly support roles, are being eliminated at the Global Foundries Luther Forest computer chip plant.[Gazette][Record]
A former candidate who narrowly lost a primary for Albany Common Council was arrested in a drug bust on Tuesday. Police arrested Sam Coleman in a raid on a Washington Avenue apartment where police say crack was cooking on a stove. [WNYT][TU]
The home of the man who was recently freed from rape charges due to an error in the Rensselaer County District Attorney's Office was raided by police on Thanksgiving Day in connection with a recent burglary. [WNYT][TU]
Attorneys for Albany imam pin hopes to new policy, Moreland report highlights "payback culture" in Albany, SCCC President leaving for Pennsylvania
Attorneys representing the engineer who was driving the Metro North commuter train that ran off the rails in the Bronx say the man nodded off at the controls just before the wreck and caught himself too late. [AP/TU]
Attorneys for Yassin Aref, the Albany imam convicted in 2006 of laundering money from a terror plot that turned out to be an FBI sting operation, are hoping a recent policy change in US attorney general Eric Holder's office may lead to their client's release. At a rally for Aref on Tuesday, attorneys said the policy would require that previously withheld evidence in the case be released. Supporters of Aref at the rally included Albany Common Council member Dominick Calsolaro, who said: "We have people who were prosecuted based on evidence that the defense never got to see." [TU][YNN][Record][WNYT]
The Moreland Commission report released this week highlights what's described as a "payback culture" in Albany between elected officials and campaign donors, but did not name names about which elected officials or political donors might face prosecution based on evidence uncovered in the panel's investigation.[NYT]
There appears to be a lot of overlap between Andrew Cuomo's recent legislative platform recommendations and the findings of the Moreland Commission. [Capital]
Moreland Commission delivers report on corruption, APD changing strip search policy, hate crime charge withdrawn, the Infamous Frozen Turkey Chase of 1987
The Andrew Cuomo-created Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption delivered its preliminary report on corruption Monday evening, urging changes: "The commission's preliminary observation is that both the general state of our political system, and the way business is transacted within it, cry out urgently for reform." Among the recommendations: a public system for matching small political campaign contributions, though that idea was opposed by some of the commission's members. [State of Politics] [NYT] [TU]
Federal investigators said the Metro North train that crashed in the Bronx Sunday was traveling 82 mph into a curve rated for 30 mph. "Law enforcement sources" tells the New York Daily News that the train's conductor didn't remember how the train had picked up such speed, and described the conductor as "consciously asleep." Experts say proposed safety technology for trains could have slowed the train before the curve. [NYT] [NYDN] [TU/AP]
Schenectady County DA Robert Carney says the man held on previous charges following the fatal car-to-car shooting near Mont Pleasant Middle School in Schenectady last month has been charged with second-degree murder in the case. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Traci Briskin -- convicted of manslaughter and driving while ability impaired for running a stop sign in Charlton last year, causing a crash that fatally injured a man -- has been sentenced to 2.5-7.5 years in prison. [Saratogian] [TU]
The Saratoga Springs school board voted to accept to a recommendation from a hearing officer that a middle school math teacher be fired over an accusation he made sexual advances toward a student. The teacher was a acquitted on a charge related to the alleged incident earlier this year, and he said Monday that the student's story was "riddled with inconsistencies." [TU] [Saratogian]
Investigation into fatal Metro North derailment, state tax credits for businesses up sharply, NanoCollege planning chip foundry for Utica, they were first in line
Investigators are looking into why a Metro North train derailed Sunday near the Harlem River in the Bronx, killing four people and injuring many others. Andrew Cuomo said on the Today Show this morning that early indications are that the train's speed appeared to be a factor. Amtrak service from Albany-Rensselaer to NYC was halted for a few hours Sunday, but has since been restored, though at slower speeds near the crash site. Said an Albany woman whose train had passed by the crash site Sunday, to WNYT: "There were a couple of cars really turned on their side ... There was one (that was) feet from the water. It was really bad. It was scary." [NYT] [NYT] [AP/ABC News] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office says a pedestrian who hit and killed by a vehicle on Route 29 in Milton Saturday morning. The sheriff's office said the driver reported briefly losing sight of the road before hitting the pedestrian. The driver has been charged with failure to use designated lane. [News10] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The cost of state tax credits for businesses have been on a sharp upswing over the last handful of few years, rising from $673 million in 2005 to an estimated $1.7 billion in 2003, according to a report prepared for the New York State Tax Reform and Fairness Commission. [TU] [Capital New York]
The county jails for Albany and Rensselaer counties generate millions in revenue each year from boarding prisoners from other counties. [TU]
Bailey Wind on her ongoing recovery -- both physical and emotional -- from the fatal Northway wreck a year ago: "Every day is definitely different. Some days are better than others. I'd say more are better than worse. But when the days are bad, they're really bad. I have a few bad days every week." And Regina Stewart, Chris Stewart's mother: "There are moments that take me off my feet... Then it's literally time to rest -- to let the sadness and anguish happen. And eventually it subsides." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Schumer supports Schenectady demolition and rehab plan, Halfmoon supervisor-elect to replace Wormuth, Ellis nurse charged with recording women in bathroom, weather delays ESP rink opening
Chuck Schumer was in Schenectady on Tuesday to lend his support to a plan to get a $3 million loan to tear down about 80 blighted buildings and rehab others. [YNN][TU][Gazette]
Halfmoon's Town Board unanimously appointed supervisor-elect Kevin Tollisen to fill the remainder of supervisor complete Melinda Wormuth's term. Wormuth resigned earlier last week and is under is under indictment by federal and state authorities.[WNYT][Saratogaian]
On Tuesday's Capitol Pressroom Andrew Cuomo said he's anticipating some form of property or business tax cut in the coming fiscal year that will be paid for by an expected surplus.But the division of budget contends that there will be a 1.7 billion deficit, [TU][Daily News]
An Ellis Hospital nurse has been fired and is facing felony charges for allegedly using a surveillance camera to secretly record women in a hospital bathroom.[YNN][TU]
Residents of the 1600 block of Van Vranken Avenue say a decision to cut mail delivery to the area after a BB gun was shot at a mail carrier on the block last week, is causing a hardship for some in the neighborhood.[Gazette]
Potential casino sites that are not Saratoga, allegation of excessive force against Troy police, new community owners for Open Door Bookstore
Increasing talk about the potential Capital Region casino not ending up in Saratoga -- maybe instead sites in Rensselaer, Albany, or Schenectady. [TU]
State Police say the Schoharie County home in which an 8 year old's adult teeth were allegedly pulled with a pair of pliers was "in an advanced state of disarray" and "in terrible condition." The girl's legal guardian is facing assault and child endangerment charges. [TU] [WNYT]
A Saratoga Springs man has filed a lawsuit alleging Troy police used excessive force against him -- including tasing him in the head -- during an arrest in 2011. Also: A separate allegation of excessive force against TPD officers has become the latest focus of the ongoing fight between Troy police chief John Tedesco and the city administration. [TU] [Troy Record]
Democrat Cynthia Young has filed paperwork that's the first step in appealing a decision by a state Supreme Court justice to toss two absentee ballots in the Malta supervisor election, giving the win to incumbent Republican Paul Sausville. The judge, a Republican, disqualified the ballots because the voters had written on the back of the ballot in the section for the state constitutional amendments. From a message posted on Young's campaign FB page: "It is a long shot, but the outrage over the disenfranchisement of voters needs to be addressed." [TU] [Saratogian] [Cynthia Young campaign FB]
The US Postal Service has suspended mail service to a section of Van Vranken Ave in Schenectady (block map) after postal officials say a mail carrier was targeted by someone with a BB gun last week (the carrier wasn't hurt). [Daily Gazette]
Prosecutor resigns after paperwork error in Rensselaer County alleged rape case, new plan eyed for Albany convention center site, that's old news
Rensselaer County DA Richard McNally says the ADA responsible for the paperwork mishap that allowed a man accused of raping two teens to walk without a trial has resigned. McNally told the Record last week that the paperwork error was caused by the ADA's heavy workload and noted his previous requests for funding for two more ADAs had been denied. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Albany County DA's office says Leonard Spence pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Darzee Reid at Central and King avenues in Albany last April (map). He faces up to 21 years in prison. Reid's death was the first homicide of 2013 in the city. [Albany County DA]
The Troy-Waterford Bridge has re-opened after emergency repairs. The bridge, which carries Route 4 over the Hudson, was closed ahead of rush hour Friday after an inspection found a crack in a beam. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Albany Convention Center Authority is planning to an issue a request for proposals for a mixed-use development on the land on the south side of downtown Albany originally gathered for the convention center project, which now appears to be headed for a scaled-down version closer to the ESP. [TU]
NYSUT and PEF aren't happy about about a team of analysts in the state education department that are funded by private donations and are, depending on who's doing the describing, either advising or directing the department's education reform efforts. [TU]
Wormuth resigns, winner in Malta supervisor race after two ballots tossed, Guilderland teens charged under cyberbullying law, lighted tractor parade
Mindy Wormuth has resigned as Halfmoon supervisor, though "a person with knowledge of the matter" tells the Times Union the early exit is not part of a plea agreement for the multiple charges she's facing. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Republican Paul Sausville has won the race for Malta supervisor by one vote after State Supreme Court Justice Robert J. Chauvin, also a Republican, disqualified two absentee ballots cast for Democratic challenger Cynthia Young. Even though the ballots included clear votes for Young, they were tossed because the voters had written on the back of the ballot in the area for state constitution amendments. Said Young: "I feel pretty strongly that those two voters were disenfranchised, I think anybody that has seen the ballots can see quite clearly that that voter intended to vote for me." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian] [WNYT]
GE made it official Thursday: It's shutting down its plant in Fort Edward and moving the operations to Florida. The closure of the plant will result in the loss of about 200 jobs. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
New York's highest court has rejected the "too intoxicated to be charged with murder" defense, upholding the convictions against three people for "depraved indifference murder" in their drunken driving cases. [AP/TU] [NYS Court of Appeals]
Waite found guilty of murdering son, rape charges dropped on technicality, local trooper dies in training accident, judge to rule on two votes in Malta Supervisor race today
A jury in Queensbury found Gary Waite guiltyof murder for killing his 15-month old son in February.[TU][YNN]
John Halacy, the man charged with the alleged rape of two teenage girls, had felony rape charges against him dropped in Rensselaer County Court on Wednesday, due to a paperwork error by the Rensselaer County District Attorney's office. Halacy was arraigned on charges of attempted rape, unlawful imprisonment and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and pleaded not guilty . The mother of one of the girls involved in the case was at the arraignment and promised "street justice".[Record][WNYT][TU]
A veteran state trooper died on Wednesday after falling 30 feet into a creek during a high angle rescue training in Letchworth State Park in western New York. [TU]
A State Supreme Court Justice is expected to decide this afternoon whether to count two votes on contested ballots that will decide the Malta town supervisor's race. [Saratogian][TU]
State on track to spend $600 Million in overtime, charges expected to be dropped against alleged rapist today, secretary to three Albany mayors to retire at 89
Andrew Cuomo's office is not pleased with a recent report that shows state workers have logged about $462 million in overtime this year and that the state is on track to spend $600 million in overtime by the end of the year. The State Division of Budget says the report by the State Comptroller's Office has a "shocking lack of content" and points out that the report fails to mention Superstorm Sandy, a Long Island blizzard and flooding in the Mohawk Valley, which would have been responsible for a great deal of the overtime. [YNN][TU][WNYT]
The Rensselaer man who, due to a paperwork error by the DA's office, escaped charges alleging he raped two teenage girls, will appear in court today to officially have charges dropped. Family members of the alleged victims plan to be in court today when John Halacy appears. [TU][Record][News10]
Jury deliberation resumes this afternoon in Glens Falls, in the trial of 30-year-old Gary Waite, charged with murder and manslaughter in the February death of his 15-month-old son. On Tuesday, Waite's attorney called only one witness - Waite's sister, and Waite himself did not take the stand.[TU][WNYT]
The Albany Police officer charged with DWI testified on Tuesday that he suspected he was the victim of a set-up by a police union leader who advised him not to take an alcohol test.[TU]
A State Supreme Court Judge says there will be no recount in the race for an at-large seat on the Troy City Council. [TU]
A State Supreme Court judge will hear arguments over whether 23 disputed paper ballots in Malta should be counted in the race for Malta town supervisor.[TU][WNYT]
State Police on fatal shooting: troopers believed man had weapon but no gun found, opposition organizing against Saratoga casino, I-87 project declared complete
State Police say the man shot and killed by troopers in Rensselaer County Sunday evening in Berlin State Forest -- 38-year-old Steven J. Bell -- had disregarded commands to stop and show and his hands, and then "made threatening statements and motioned as if he was bringing a weapon up." And that's when troopers fired on Bell. But police say no weapon was found at the scene. Some members of the law enforcement group looking for Bell had been wearing night vision goggles, but a NYSP captain says the troopers who fired were not, and whether they had flashlights trained on Bell at the time is under investigation. NYSP says troopers and other law enforcement agencies were looking for Bell after a 911 call reporting a domestic incident in which the man was said to have discharged his rifle. Police say there had been multiple calls in the past about domestic disputes. "Sources" tell YNN that earlier on Sunday there had been an argument between Bell, his wife, and his girlfriend. [NYSP] [TU] [WNYT] [Troy Record] [YNN]
A group that included parents and students gathered outside the State Education Building Monday to protest the Common Core standards and the frequency of testing. The protest highlighted the unusual ideological mix of opposition against the standards that includes both conservatives and progressives. [News10] [YNN] [TU]
One example of some of the frustrations with the current situation in education: The state teacher of the year for 2012 -- who's a second grade teacher in the Schenectady school district -- says she fell short of the highest ranking on her state teacher evaluation, and she says getting that highest ranking would have, in part, required "an incredible feat of magic" on a student's test. [Syracuse Post-Standard]
The federal government is phasing out subsidies for flood insurance, which could affect thousands of properties in the greater Capital Region (example from that linked article: the insurance for a home in Waterford will jump from $2,100 a year to $9,700). [TU]
A Rensselaer man who had been facing charges that he allegedly raped two teens was released from jail and will not face trial for the charges because of a paperwork mistake by the Rensselaer County DA's office. [TU]
State Police: man shot and killed by police in Rensselaer County, outlook not good for GE plant in Fort Edward, remembering JFK's visit to the Capital Region
State Police say a suspect was shot and killed in Berlin, in Rensselaer County, by troopers Sunday evening. NYSP says the person was wanted for questioning in a criminal investigation and the shooting happened when the person was confronted by troopers. NYSP says there will be more details today. [NYSP]
Friday night into Saturday in Troy: reports of shots fired and an alleged hit-and-run with 60 mph chase through downtown. [Troy Record] [News10]
"People with knowledge of the situation" tell the Times Union that the apparent deal for the GlobalFoundries chip fab in Malta to serve has a secondary site for making chips for the iPhone and iPad involved, at various points, Al Gore, Andrew Cuomo, and Chuck Schumer. (Also: Schumer still uses a flip phone.) [TU]
It appears the GE plant in Fort Edward is heading for closure after the 60-day negotiating period with the union ended Sunday night. GE announced in September a plan to close the plant and move operations to Florida, eliminating 200 jobs in Fort Edward. The company said the union's concessions plan "falls short of achieving the savings and efficiencies that would be generated by the proposed move." And the union says a request to continue negotiating for another 30 days has been rejected. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [WNYT] [Post-Star]
Police: arrest in connection with fatal Schenectady shooting, veto casts doubt on Schenectady film studio, proposed state ban on youth tackle football
Schenectady police say they've made an arrest in connection with fatal shooting near Mont Pleasant Middle School late Tuesday night. Police say the suspect is being held on unrelated charges while the investigation continues. [TU] [YNN]
Albany police officer Brian Lutz testified in his DWI trial Thursday that when he first awoke in his vehicle on I-787 he thought he was at home in bed and the Menands village police officer talking to him was in his bedroom. (Lutz's attorney has asserted that his client was not drunk not that night, but rather had suffered a seizure from taking pain medicine.) [TU]
The teen convicted of the stabbing that eventually caused the death of then-15-year-old Adeujuan Adams during a bike robbery in Albany has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. [TU]
After an investigation of the circumstances of a Schalmont High School student's suicide -- there were allegations that he had been bullied at school -- Rotterdam police have concluded no behavior rose to a criminal level. [Daily Gazette]
The underground fire in downtown Troy Thursday that blew the cover off a manhole and prompted evacuations was apparently caused by a water main break that resulted in an electrical short. [Troy Record] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo's veto of a bill that would have extended a state film production tax credit to the Capital Region has cast doubt on plans for the proposed TV and film studio facility in Schenectady. [Daily Gazette]
Man shot near Schenectady middle school dies, mother charged with hiring stripper takes plea deal, stories of bullying at Schenectady school forum
The Albany man found shot near Mont Pleasant Middle School in Schenectady died Wednesday morning at Albany Med. [TU]
Stories of fighting and bullying were recounted at a forum held by the Schenectady City School district on Wednesday. The meeting was set up in an effort to help deal with problem behavior, including bullying and fighting and attacks on students, parents and teachers at Mont Pleasant Middle School. Among the revelations at the meeting - a fight club at Mont Pleasant Middle School is recording fights and posting them on YouTube in an effort to get ad revenue from the site. [News 10][Gazette]
The mother charged with hiring strippers to perform at her teenage son's birthday party at a South Glens Falls bowling alley has accepted a plea deal that will drop charges in exchange for fifty hours of community service and staying out of trouble for six months. [YNN]
On day two of the DWI trial of an Albany police officer, three longtime fellow officers testified that he appeared to be intoxicated on the morning he was discovered behind the wheel of an SUV, parked in a driving lane on 787 and drove away during a police stop. [TU]
Police investigate overnight shooting near Mont Pleasant Middle School, Albany County bans styrofoam take-out containers from chain restaurants, it's pretty cold
Update: Police say the man has died. | Schenectady police are searching for the person who shot a 24-year-old man near Mont Pleasant Middle School overnight. The victim is in critical condition. Police say the incident began with a two-car accident near the school on Norwood Avenue, and is not connected with the school. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT][News 10]
"I never meant for this to happen. I'm sorry for what I did. I hurt some decent people." Eric Aaron "Boogz" Mallard to Takim Smith's grandmother as he was sentenced in Rensselaer County Court for Smith's murder. Mallard received a 20 year prison sentence for stabbing Smith to death. [TU][Record][WNYT]
The trial of the Albany police officer charged with DWI after he was allegedly found passed out behind the wheel of an SUV parked in a driving lane on 787 got underway yesterday. His attorney says the officer had a seizure induced by pain medication. [News10] [TU]
The Albany County legislature approved a ban on polystyrene (styrofoam) take-out containers for businesses with at least 15 locations. [YNN]
Anonymous sources: GloFo will make chips for Apple in Malta, APD: arrest made in string of burglaries, Schenectady couple donates tree for the ESP -- again
A "person with knowledge of the deal" tells the Times Union that chips for the iPhone and iPad will be made at GlobalFoundries fab in Malta. A "source with knowledge of the deal" tells News10 the same thing, that GloFo will be manufacturing the chips from designs by Samsung. [TU] [News10]
Officials with Luther Forest Technology Campus and Saratoga County are pushing the town of Malta to change zoning laws for the Luther Forest tech park and open the way for a wider range of development incentives. (Though GlobalFoundries is located at Luther Forest, officials have struggled to draw any other companies there.) [Daily Gazette]
Colonie police say a Troy man has been arrested in connection with the shooting at a club -- Shenanigan's -- on Central Ave early Sunday morning, though CPD says there's no indication he was present for the shooting. CPD alleges the man lied when reporting his SUV stolen after it was allegedly involved in the shooting. CPD says it appears there was an altercation and then shots were fired from the SUV, hitting a club bouncer in the leg (though he probably was not the intended target). [CPD] [News10] [TU] [Troy Record]
The domestic worker at the center of the Llenroc case has filed suit against Annie George, her former employer, alleging she was "subjected to involuntary servitude, forced labor and was grossly underpaid." [Daily Gazette]
Nelligan sentenced in death of grandson, orgs say demand for assistance for the homeless rising, shooting in Colonie, UAlbany takes Albany Cup again
Today is Veterans Day.
From Friday: Gloria Nelligan -- convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in the death of her grandson, Sha'hiim -- was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Nelligan's attorney read a letter from his client, which included multiple Bible verses -- "My way of maintaining my household was with God's laws" -- but not remorse. Said judge Karen Drago: "I can't get over what you did to Sha'hiim. It was torture. It was brutal." [Daily Gazette] [News10] [WNYT] [TU]
A NanoCollege VP says the Cuomo admin's Start-Up NY program is "really expanding the CNSE model throughout the state." (Does that mean that Albany loses?) [TU] [TU]
Saratoga has gotten all the regional attention as a possible casino site -- but what about other sites, such as the DeLaet's Landing project in Rensselaer? (And some local business owners in Saratoga are uneasy about the prospect of a full casino.) [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
Federal authorities say the illicit cigarette trade costs New York State hundreds of millions of dollars in uncollected taxes each year. [TU]
Local organizations that provide assistance to the homeless say the number of people needing help has been rising over the last year years -- while funding has been declining. [TU]
Guilty plea in fatal Schuylerville shooting, ESP food service employees face uncertain job status, focus on "Slap a Butt Friday" and other problems at Schenectady middle school
Joey Paul -- accused of fatally shooting her boyfriend with an assault rifle during an argument in Schuylerville in July 2012 -- pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter Thursday. She faces 18 1/2 years in prison. Said Paul's attorney: "This is not murder. This is a tragedy that was occasioned by drug abuse, domestic abuse and the presence of a fully-loaded AK-47 assault rifle in that house." [Post-Star] [Saratoga County DA] [TU] [WNYT]
Attorneys for Joe Bruno have asked a federal judge to further delay his re-trial to April as the former state Senator recovers from cancer surgery. [TU]
The Troy city council voted to approve funding for the installation of surveillance cameras at nine intersections. [TU]
Liberty Ridge Farm gay marriage case goes before state judge, teen pleads guilty to negligent fatal shooting of his friend, low voter turnout in Albany
The dispute between a lesbian couple who wanted to be married at Liberty Ridge Farm and the farm's owners -- who turned the couple down, citing a religious belief against same-sex unions -- went before a state Division of Human Rights judge on Wednesday in what turned out to be a tearful day of testimony.[YNN][TU]
Andrew Cuomo praised the passage of the casino proposition on Wednesday at an appearance in Sullivan County, calling it a "game changer" for the Catskills. [YNN]
Now that casino amendment has passed,the process for siting casinos will begin. [Saratogian]
A 14-year-old Fort Edward boy pleaded guilty on Wednesday to criminally negligent homicide in the 2012 shooting of his 13-year-old friend Gary Cota as part of a plea deal that will give him 18 months of probation.[TU][YNN]
A Saratoga Springs man was indicted on Wednesday on four counts of vehicular manslaughter for allegedly hitting and killing a woman with his car while driving drunk back in June. [TU]
The odd case of a court officer in Rensselaer County allegedly falsely imprisoned and illegally forced to turn over handguns she legally owned. [TU]
Sheehan wins Albany mayoral race, Yepsen wins in Saratoga Springs, SUNY investigating president of SUNY Upstate Medical
Albany has elected its first new mayor in 20 years. Kathy Sheehan handily defeated the rest of the field with 83 percent of the vote. Sheehan is will become one of three female mayors leading some of upstate New York's most populous cities. [TU][YNN][TU]
Paula Mahan (D) easily defeated opponent Todd Drake (R) to win her fourth term as Colonie town supervisor. [WNYT]
Democrat Joanne Yepsen won the Saratoga Spring's mayoral election and promised to "take back City Hall for the people."[Saratogian]
Republican Michael Zurlo won the race to replace longtime Saratoga County Sheriff Jim Bowen. Zurlo will become the county's first new sheriff in forty years. [Saratogian][News 10]
Here's an overview of results from other local elections. [AOA]
New York voters approved the state constitutional amendment ("proposal one") that would allow up to seven full casinos in the state. The amendment passed about 57% to 43%. [NY Times][TU]
Voters around the state defeated a proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age for some state judges to 80, but passed all the other proposals on the ballot on Tuesday. [NYT]
It's election day, asbestos removal at emergency demo site in Troy, local Medal of Honor recipient to be depicted as part of new USPS stamp sheet
It's election day. While there aren't Congressional or major state-level elections -- for say, the state legislature -- there are a bunch of local elections for positions such as mayor or council member in municipalities all around the area. Also: There are six state ballot questions -- one of which is about whether full casinos should be allowed in the state. (These ballot questions are apparently on the back of ballots, so don't forget to check for them.) Don't know where to vote? Here's how to look that up. You can also check with your county board of election.
An Andrew Cuomo robocall has been urging people to vote in favor of allowing full casinos in the state. [TU]
The man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend in an Albany apartment last week was arrested earlier this year for allegedly beating the woman's former boyfriend -- including hitting the man with a hammer -- during a confrontation. [TU]
Asbestos removal has started at the demolition site on King Street in Troy (map) near the Green Island Bridge -- the building there were taken down in an emergency demolition ordered by the city fire chief, a decision that's been the subject of much finger pointing and controversy. [Troy Record]
In what appears to be a grassroots effort, a group is pushing for the re-election of the town of Ballston's supervisor -- who's not running. (There's one candidate on the ballot, running unopposed). [Saratogian]
Schenectady school district preparing federal complaint over state aid, Albany doctor at center of Lyme controversy, rash of car vandalism Halloween night in Albany
Schenectady schools superintendent Larry Spring is seeking parent support before he files a civil rights complaint with the feds arguing the state's school funding formula discriminates against districts with large minority populations. [TU] [SCSD] [Daily Gazette]
Tracey Zetzsche -- who pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in case in which she apparently beat her adult son, who had a disability, to death in a Westerlo apartment in 2012 -- was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Friday. Zetzsche has said she doesn't remember the incident, a claim supported by psychologists who've examined her. She said at the sentencing: "I do know that my son is gone. And whatever sentence you believe is necessary I'll abide by it ... the worst punishment is that I may have caused my son's death. I have to live my life without my child." [WNYT] [YNN] [TU]
A federal judge has ordered the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany to turn over almost four decades of clergy abuse files to a man who's suing the diocese alleging he was raped by a priest as a child. [TU]
A Times Union analysis of records from related to a discretionary fund at the SUNY Research Foundation concludes SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher has made "extensive" use of outside consultants during her tenure. [TU]
An Albany pediatrician is at the center of what the Times Union calls a "polarizing controversy" -- "whether doctors who treat chronic Lyme are saviors or quacks." [TU]
There's a plan to install disinfection technology on one sewer pipe in Albany -- called "Big C" -- that's responsible for almost half of the raw sewage discharges into the Hudson River during combined sewer overflows (when storm water overwhelms the sewer system). [TU]
Man charged in Albany shooting death, parents trying to raise awareness against bullying, Red Sox items make stop in Colonie before heading to Baseball Hall of Fame
A Guilderland man -- 32-year-old Damien Zervos -- has been charged with second-degree murder for the shooting death of Charee Akins-Maddox in an apartment on 100 block of Lark Street (map) overnight Thursday. Zervos has pleaded not guilty. Police say Akins-Maddox was shot in the back of the head with a rifle. Neighbors said they heard yelling before the shooting. APD says Zervos and Akins-Maddox were in a relationship, and four children were in the residence at the time of the shooting. Akins-Maddox's aunt told the media Thursday she had received a call from the woman's daughter overnight: "I think my mommy's dead." [APD FB] [YNN] [WNYT] [News10] [TU]
The Saratoga County DA's office says a Milton man is accused of assaulting and kidnapping his former girlfriend this past July. Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy: "This was his effort to try and re-connect the relationship." Prosecutors say the woman escaped by convincing the man she would resume the relationship. [TU] [Saratogian] [News10]
Fire officials say a 71-year-old man died of injuries sustained in a Rotterdam house fire (photo) Thursday afternoon (map). [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Says one of the parents of the 14-year-old Schalmont student who killed himself recently about the persistent stories -- unconfirmed by the school -- that he had been bullied: "Right now we're in a battle not only advocating for our son but bringing awareness to the school." [Daily Gazette]
The Cuomo admin is pushing for the creation of the "Upstate New York Flood Warning System" for better forecasting, mapping, and modeling of flooding. The proposed system would cover 13,000 square miles and three river watersheds: the Mohawk River, the upper Hudson River, and the Oswego River. The state is trying to get $8.5 million from FEMA to build the system. One of the envisioned benefits of the system: more warning time for people to evacuate. [Cuomo admin] [Daily Gazette]
Feds: Schenectady school district disciplined some students differently by race, Troy adding private Washington Park to tax roll, TU Center says it's ready for foam party
Updated
Albany police say a 33-year-old woman was killed overnight in her residence on the 100 block of Lark Street (map) overnight after officers responded to a call for a shooting. APD says it has a person in custody and is investigating. [APD] [TU]
Investigators with the federal Department of Education have concluded that African-American and Latino children who misbehave in some Schenectady school district classrooms are treated more harshly than their white counterparts -- the district says it's making a series of changes to address the issue. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A newly released audit from the state comptroller's office concludes the Albany Community Charter School could have saved between $200k and $2.3 million by purchasing its building on Krank Street rather than renting it from the Brighter Choice Foundation, and questioned fees the school has paid to the foundation. [WNYT][TU]
"Two people familiar with the matter" tell the Times Union the FBI has expanded its probe of Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth. Candidates for Halfmoon supervisor debated on Wednesday night, and though they never mentioned her by name, Wormuth was alluded to in comments about stopping corruption and writing a new chapter.[TU][TU]
Fourteen residents of the Martin Luther King apartment complex in Troy were displaced when fire broke out in a kitchen after a resident forgot to turn off an appliance.[Record]
Officials say the new $8.6 million co-generation plant at the Albany County sewer treatment facility in Menands -- the one that burns sewage to produce heat for power generation -- could save the county $480,000 a year. [TU] [Capital] [Record]
After a tax reassessment, the gated Washington Park in Troy has been placed on the tax rolls, and the city is moving to charge Washington Park Association members.[Record] [TU]
Capital Region denied state land bank cash, Saratoga row house fire declared arson, Holloway hopes to buy back Stephentown home, Capitol bathroom set free -- again
The Capital Region was one of two regions in the state that did not get any of the more than $12 million in state land bank funding. The region did get $150,000 to help reapply next year for the grants, meant to come up with creative ways to steer foreclosed properties toward redevelopment.[TU][Daily Gazette]
Police say the fire that destroyed several Woodlawn Avenue apartment buildings in Saratoga Springs in August was a case of arson. After a three-month investigation, officials concluded that flammable liquid was used at two points -- 106 and 108 Woodlawn -- and say they have people of interest in the case. [WNYT][Saratogian][News 10]
Fire that damaged the newly-expanded Wilton YMCA has been called "very, very suspicious" by the Greenfield fire chief. [Saratogian]
Schenectady's City Council has come to agreement on a $79 million 2014 budget, which includes a 0.96 percent tax increase. [Daily Gazette]
Marking a year since Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast. [AP/TU]
Troy police chief at odds with city administration, smoking highlighted as health problem in Schenectady, Holloway house sold
Troy police chief John Tedesco -- who recently notified to the city that he plans to sue over the appointment of a police commissioner, positioned in the city hierarchy above him -- says that all of his duties have been taken over by the commissioner, and alleges the department's police officers' union was behind the creation of the commissioner's job and that it is now running the department. Tedesco: "If you don't like the fire chief or the police chief, then fire them. But they don't have grounds to do that so they effectively dismissed me by failing to allow me to do my job." [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [YNN]
Members of Halfmoon's town board have gone to court in an effort to remove supervisor Mindy Wormuth from office. Wormuth is facing state and federal charges. [WNYT] [TU]
During a public hearing Monday the state Moreland Commission grilled reps from the state Board of Elections about its lack of enforcement. [TU]
Good-government groups are continuing to push against the description of -- and the campaigning for -- the state ballot question that would open the way for full casinos in the state. [TU] [State of Politics]
Now that a citywide health survey has identified top health priorities in Schenectady, work groups will focus on cutting down on health disparities and addressing preventable health conditions. One target issue: the survey concluded that 37 percent of the adults in the city smoke. [News10] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Some frustrations with state's new health exchange, state ed commissioner says some standardized tests will be eliminated, the parrot that barks like a dog
Among the complaints from Capital Region users of the state's new health exchange: the process takes too long, and some functions of the website don't work. New York's exchange was having trouble processing applications Sunday because of a problem with a federal data network. [TU] [TU]
As the "Albany Pool" municipalities face a $130something million project to upgrade sewer systems so raw sewage stops getting dumped into the Hudson, one of the state ballot questions up for a vote next week could affect the accounting of money borrowed for sewer projects. [TU]
Stating that "a variety of pressures at the state and local level may have resulted in more testing than is needed," the state's education commissioner says there some standardized tests will be eliminated. [AP/Daily Gazette]
Troy police chief John Tedesco has informed city officials he plans to sue the city over the creation of the part-time police commissioner position, which oversees the chief. [TU]
Schenectady orgs that provide food assistance are preparing for the upcoming cut to federal SNAP (food stamp) benefits that could mean two or three fewer meals a week for a family. [Daily Gazette]
State and local fire officials are focusing on what they say is an increasing trend of kids playing with fire. [TU]
Much criticism of Common Core at Albany forum, state food lab looking to problems with dog treats, Bow Tie Cinemas apparently interested in local expansion
Hundreds of people turned out for a forum in Albany about the new Common Core standards with state education commissioner John King. More than 60 people spoke, many of them parents and teachers expressing frustration with the program and standardized testing -- though there were also supporters of the program. King the state is willing to make adjustments, but it will continue to move forward with the program. [YNN] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [News10]
State Police say the driver of a tractor trailer is dead after
Saratoga Springs police say a man was arrested after he allegedly fired a rifle at another man early Thursday morning on Phila Street (map). No one was injured. Police arrested the man after surrounding his residence. [Saratogian] [News10] [TU]
Question: Did lieutenant governor Bob Duffy violate any ethics rules by interviewing for a job heading the Rochester Business Alliance, an economic development org? [TU]
Four arrested in Troy drive-by shooting, officials say hoarding contributed to fire, communities share flood protection plans one year after Sandy, prize for Ecovative
Troy police say a drive-by shooting on Tuesday has led to four arrests. TPD says one of the suspects reported living at the Lavin Court home that was shot. Police say they found the suspects in a gold sedan that matched the description of a car involved in the shooting and discovered drugs and a fully-loaded semi-automatic handgun in the vehicle. [YNN][TU][Record]
Albany fire officials say hoarding contributed to the fire that destroyed a home on First Street on Tuesday night. AFD says the homeowner was out at the time of the fire but two dogs are still missing. [WNYT][TU]
A year after Hurricane Sandy, Andrew Cuomo took part in a symposium on Wednesday on how communities are recovering from flooding due to storms Sandy, Irene and Lee. Local planners offered progress reports and ideas for protecting their communities from future flood damage as part of Cuomo's New York Rising initiative -- a plan to have communities compete for funding to rebuild from flooding due to Sandy, Irene. and Lee. Four new laws have been designed to help victims recover from Sandy by offering tax breaks to homeowners and assistance to communities. [WNYT][TU][WNYT]
State education commissioner John King will be at Myers Middle School in Albany tonight for a forum on the Common Core Standards.[YNN]
According to the state Department of Health, 37,000 New Yorkers have successfully enrolled in health plans through the state-run online market and another 137,000 have gotten through the application and registration process but have yet to enroll in a plan. [TU]
Rivenburgh sentenced for Rotterdam murders, Siena poll: New Yorkers blame congressional Republicans for shutdown, federal government spied on Steinmetz during WWI
Brice Rivenburgh was sentenced to 45 years to life on Tuesday, for the murder of his ex-girlfirend and her mother in their Rotterdam home in April, but still offered no answers as to why he committed the crime.[WNYT][YNN][TU]
Albany firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire that destroyed a two story wood frame home on First street Tuesday night. Firefighters say the home, which had to be demolished, could have been saved were it not for an enormous amount of clutter that kept them from gaining entry to the rear of the building, where the fire began. [TU][YNN]
A new Siena poll reports 74 percent of New Yorkers surveyed think the country is headed in the wrong direction, but 55 percent give Barack Obama a favorable rating. 59 percent blame congressional Republicans for causing the recent government shutdown. [TU][Capitol Confidential]
On Tuesday's Capitol Pressroom, a member of the Moreland Commission said Andrew Cuomo is not trying to interfere with the commission's operations, and made claims of systemic corruption in the New York State legislature. [WCNY][Daily News]
A former top counsel to Sheldon Silver, who was later convicted of the rape of a legislative staffer and remains on the sex offender registry, served on a jury in U.S. District Court is served on a federal grand jury that convicted a man from the anti-government sovereign citizen movement of tax crimes.[TU]
State says its health exchange website is running smoothly, Oprah makes quick visit to Saratoga, a 40-year incumbent, more surveillance cameras for Schenectady, driving the stars
Despite problems at the federal level, New York State's website for its health exchange is now apparently running smoothly after an initial rush and its executive director says 150,000 people have already registered. [NYT] [TU]
"Sources close to the negotiations" tell the Times Union that the state Department of Environmental Conservation and local municipalities along the Hudson River are close to an agreement on plan to address the long running problem of combined sewer overflows -- when storm water causes raw sewage to be dumped into the Hudson. Presumably this is the same plan mentioned in the Business Review last month -- which, at the time, was reported to include a $131 million bond to be taken out by six municipalities, including Albany and Troy (and paid for by higher sewer rates). [TU] [AOA 2011] [Biz Review]
A former orthodontist from Columbia who tried to claim he was a "sovereign citizen" and thus not subject to the laws of the United States was convicted on a host of charges, including tax evasions -- as he watched from a jail cell. [TU]
Oprah was in Saratoga Springs Monday for dinner with two graduates of her academy in South Africa who are now attending Skidmore. The owners of the Crown Grill say Oprah's visit was focused on the young women. [Saratogian] [YNN]
Unexpected crowd floods downtown Troy, fatal shooting in Albany, NanoCollege finalist for new research center, what it costs to I (heart) NY
An estimated crowd of about 500 people -- said to be UAlbany students -- flooded Fourth Street in downtown Troy Saturday night after an event planned for the Atrium was cancelled and the crowd merged with the crowd for a party a nearby club. A Troy police captain described the scene as "organized chaos" and three blocks were closed for "unmanageable pedestrian activity" -- and a total of 11/10/8 police departments assisted (media outlets are reporting different numbers). TPD says were no injuries, no arrests, and no property damage. [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN] [News10] [WNYT]
Albany police say they're investigating a fatal shooting early Saturday morning -- after reports of shots fired near an intersection on Washington Ave near the downtown UAlbany campus (map), APD says Albany Med notified them a man with life-threatening injuries had been brought in and was pronounced dead. A neighbor tells YNN he heard five shots. APD says the man who died was 26-year-old Edward Maxim of Albany -- the man's aunt is vowing the person responsible will be brought to justice. [APD FB] [YNN] [TU]
Albany will be the first stop (this Thursday) in a series of reformulated forums for state education commissioner John King to talk with the public about the Common Core. The new series will be moderated by state legislators from the districts in which they're located. The < ahref="http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Another-try-on-education-forums-4908580.php">original series was cancelled after King encountered a vocal and critical crowd in Poughkeepsie. [NYSED] [Saratogian] [TU]
Some Albany County legislators tell the Times Union they're concerned about the expansion in scope of the duties for two county investigators originally hired to look into fraud and employee misconduct. [TU]
A coalition of arts/entertainment orgs around the state -- including Proctors, the Palace, and SPAC -- are says it's concerned about the potential effects of full casinos on its venues, and is pushing for restrictions that would include a 1,000 seat limit for entertainment venues at casinos. [Daily Gazette] [Poughkeepsie Journal]
Over the last decade colleges in the Capital Region have collectively spent/plan to spend more than $140 million on athletic facilities. [TU]
Halfmoon supervisors facing federal and state charges, Schenectady targets "problem bars," the Black Bridge once again open, grow room allegedly found in Albany house, invasion of the 8-inch worms
Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth turned herself in on federal and state charges Thursday, appearing in both federal and county court. Wormuth faces two federal charges -- prosecutors allege she took $7,500 in cash in "consultant fees" to lobby state legislators in her official capacity in favor of the legalization of professional mixed-martial arts bouts in New York State. She pleaded not guilty. The state charges are related to her alleged admission that she personally cashed checks worth thousands of dollars in campaign contributions without accounting for the money. The charges against Wormuth have prompted a call for her to resign, and accusations of "a bigger systemic issue" in the town. (Wormuth is already on 30-day leave from the supervisor's office, and her term ends this year.) [TU] [YNN] [US DOJ] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10]
Of the seven bars that prompted more than 1,000 police calls over the past two years, Schenectady police have gotten six of them shut down -- and the seventh could be closed soon. [Daily Gazette]
Among the issues discussed at a forum that included three of the candidates for Albany mayor: taxes, the landfill, and keeping graduates from local colleges. [TU]
Agreement ends federal shutdown, man sentenced for abuse of child in NYS Museum, lawsuit on casino ballot question dismissed
The federal government shutdown ended overnight with a bi-partisan agreement in Congress. Chris Gibson was one of 87 Republicans in the House to vote in favor of the deal. [NYT] [NYT] [Record]
The lawsuit attempting stop a ballot question on casino gambling from going before voters on election day -- it argued that the wording of the ballot question was too positive -- has been dismissed by an acting State Supreme Court justice on the grounds that it was filed too late. [NYT][News 10/AP]
The mentally-challenged man who sexually abused a six year old boy in the New York State Museum rest room will spend four years in prison for the crime. Edward Tubbs Jr. is also facinging a misdemeanor charge of forcible touching of a child in Rensselaer County. [TU][WNYT]
"Two sources familiar with the investigations" tell the Daily Gazette that Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth is planning to turn herself into law enforcement today as part of the federal investigation involving her. [Daily Gazette]
Moreland Commission to issue subpoenas, Collins pleads not guilty to attempted abduction, arson suspect is former firefighter
The Moreland Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to issue subpoenas to the employers of state lawmakers in an effort to get them to release the names of clients in their private law firms. The committee will also be investigating Democrats.[WNYT][TU][NYT]
The Guilderland man arrested on arson charges for allegedly burning down a home on Carman Road on September 30 is a former firefighter and served as assistant fire chief in Rensselaer County. [TU[[WNYT]
Anthony Collins pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to kidnapping and weapons charges in connected with the alleged attempted abduction of two women at a bus stop near UAlbany's downtown campus last week.[WNYT]
The three men who led police on a foot chase in the Lark Street area on Monday after their car crashed into a building are facing drug charges and one faces weapons charges for possessing a gravity knife. [TU]
Upset and accusations of manipulation over state forums about Common Core, crash and dash on Lark Street, local woman wants to be the Biggest Loser
State education commissioner John King said in a statement that the planned public forums about the new Common Core standards, including one in Clifton Park, were cancelled because the first such forum -- last week in Poughkeepsie -- had been "co-opted by special interests" attempting to "manipulate the forum." The Poughkeepsie meeting included, in the Poughkeepsie Journal's description, an "often critical and loud crowd." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Politics on the Hudson] [Poughkeepsie Journal]
A public forum in Saratoga Springs about the possibility of a full casino in the city included many people skeptical of expanding gambling. Statewide opposition to the ballot question that would approve full casino gambling in the state is, in Capital New York's description, "poorly financed [and] loosely organized." [Saratoga Wire] [Daily Gazette] [Capital New York]
Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson on the partial federal shutdown: it never should have happened. Gibson: ""When you take a look at where we're at, this is just wrong. I mean we can do so much better than this." A few more instances of how the shutdown is said to be affecting people in the Capital Region. [YNN] [WNYT] [TU]
Pushed toward crime by poverty, Giffords attends gun show in Saratoga, Schenectady tries to stem violence and disrespect at school, pull over -- deliver baby
Today is Columbus Day.
The director of the anti-gun program SNUG on what pushes many people toward selling drugs, carrying a gun, and crime: "It's a string of things that occur, whether it's throughout the span of a month, weeks, where you feel like you're in a desperate state and you do something that's illogical or reckless ... It's not drug-related. It's poverty-related." [TU]
Personnel files for Gary Mercure -- the Catholic priest from the Albany area currently serving 25 years in prison in Massachusetts for raping two boys he took across state lines -- outlines a history of abuse of boys stretching back to the 1970s. [TU]
Albany city court judge Tom Keefe -- who has a reputation for acting in ways for a typical judge -- is under investigation by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, the Times Union reports. [TU]
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords -- who was seriously injured in a shooting in 2011 -- visited the the Saratoga Springs Arms Fair Sunday. Giffords was there with state attorney general Eric Schneiderman, and her appearance was to highlight an agreement gun show operators made with the AG's office mandating background checks on everyone who buys a gun at a show. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
Sematech -- the chip fab research consortium that moved its headquarters from Austin to the NanoCollege Albany complex five years ago -- has agreed to a new 5-year, $350 million contract with the NanoCollege. And more nano news: the Times Union reports the Cuomo admin is looking to build a nanotech research and manufacturing center -- headed by the NanoCollege, like the one just announced in Utica -- in the Syracuse area. [TU] [TU]
A part of the tech business scene still largely missing in this area: venture capital and "angel" investors. [TU]
"Nano Utica" spreads chip focus beyond Capital Region, wild scene at court hearing, planning commission approves Troy adult boutique
The Cuomo admin announced the creation of "Nano Utica," a public-private computer chip partnership headed up by the SUNY NanoCollege that will include $1.5 billion in private investment and 1,000 jobs. The Utica plan is based on replicating the model at the NanoCollege facility in Albany, with the hope of eventually siting new chip fabs near Utica. The project is reportedly an effort by the Cuomo admin to spread out the concentration of chip research and production from the Capital Region. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Biz Review]
Said the grandmother of Takim Smith at the first sentencing of the group involved with his murder: "I want them to know that I forgive them. It still hurts and I feel this raw pain, but I forgive them." [TU]
Lawrence Ahrens -- convicted of planning the firebombing of his former girlfriend's new boyfriend's home and vehicle in Rotterdam -- was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He arrived in court wearing a "Snitches Get Stitches" t-shirt. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Schenectady public safety official say the house fire in Vale neighborhood Wednesday was set by a man who was arrested later that day. Officials credited a multi-agency task force for the quick arrest. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Cuomo: Federal default could cost New York $2 billion, Albany not-for-profits considering plan to help pay for services, more weirdness in Holloway house party case
Andrew Cuomo says a federal government default could cause a revenue loss of up to $2 billion for New York State. [Capitol Confidential]
Should Andrew Cuomo have taken a lesson from Mario Cuomo on how to handle the Moreland Commission? [TU]
More than half of the city of Albany's $11.7 billion tax base is exempt from property taxes, but a group of nonprofit organizations are working on a plan to voluntarily pay for some of the vital city services they use. [TU]
The man picked up by police on Tuesday for allegedly attempting to abduct two women in the area of UAlbany's downtown campus pled not guilty to charges of kidnapping, menacing and criminal possession. Meanwhile police have stepped up patrols in the neighborhood. [YNN][WNYT][Fox23]
Final guilty plea in Takim Smith murder, survey: Capital Region has some of state's wealthiest & poorest school districts, Moreland Commission may disband
Ninteen-year-old Eric Aaron "Boogz" Mallard -- the final defendant in the Takim Smith murder trial -- admitted in Rensselaer County Court on Tuesday that he fatally stabbed Smith while attempting to rob him. [Record][TU]
A new survey reports the Capital Region has some of the wealthiest (Niskayuna, Guilderlsnd, Voorheesville, Bethlehem and Shen) and poorest (Schenectady, Watervliet , Albany, Hudson and Troy) school districts in New York State. [TU]
Can you be too drunk to commit murder? In an effort to reduce their clients' driving-under-the-influence convictions from murder to manslaughter, attorneys for three drivers argued before New York's highest court on Tuesday that their clients were too drunk or drugged to be guilty of murder. [WNYT][TU]
Andrew Cuomo's Moreland Act commission may disband and suggest a constitutional amendment to allow public financing of New York political campaigns.[TU][CNY]
Police have arrested the man who allegedly attempted to abduct two women -- one of them at knifepoint -- near UAlbany's downtown campus on Friday. [WNYT][YNN]
Alleged meth lab found in Saratoga County, public comments about Park South redevelopment, town concerned about drinking water quality, a life that included exploring Antarctica
State Police say two women were arrested after a search allegedly found a meth lab in a mobile home park in Greenfield. Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy says the alleged operation was a "highly sophisticated" "active cook center" and neighbors were tipped off by fumes. The DA also alleges the women had set up the lab there to move production closer to a network of people or places in the area. A third person was also arrested, and all three are facing child endangerment charges because authorities say a baby and a teen were also at the mobile home. [NYSP] [WNYT] [@JimMurphyIII] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
A packed Albany Common Council meeting including public comments about the proposed changes to the Park South redevelopment plan -- among the criticisms voiced: concerns about an increased number of apartments, a larger parking garage, and increased building height. Officials say the plan's increased density will help support a walkable neighborhood. [daleyplanit Instagram] [YNN] [TU] [News10]
It pays (in campaign contributions) to be in a position to influence state casino legislation, according to a review of campaign finance reports by Common Cause. Among those benefiting: The review concludes Andrew Cuomo has received more more than $350k in contributions from gambling interests. [TU] [AP/Saratogian]
Chris Gibson says he thinks multiple provisions of the NY SAFE Act will be found to be unconstitutional. The Congressman had been scheduled to appear at a standing-room-only NY SAFE Act forum in Brunswick Monday (he had to stay in DC to vote). Among the officials who were there: Rensselaer County sheriff Jack Mahar, "Never in my 38 years of law enforcement, until recently, have we been asked to go after honest, law-abiding, good citizens." [Troy Record] [News10] [WNYT]
Niskayuna police say a 75-year-old pedestrian was killed as she crossed Nott Street Monday afternoon. No tickets were immediately issued to the driver and NPD says it's investigating the incident. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [News10]
UAlbany police say a man with a knife -- and wearing a Christmas sweater -- tried to abduct women at the bus stop on Western Ave near the downtown campus Alumni Quad on Friday (map). [TU]
Details in apparent Saratoga murder-suicide, Sheehan not a fan of proposed Albany city budget, what was that smell?, season of the skunk
Saratoga Springs police say a man killed his mother and then 12 hours later killed himself in their home (map). SSPD says 47-year-old John Ambrozak fatally stabbed his 75-year-old Patricia Ambrozak and then shot himself with a rifle. Police say it appears the deaths occurred on Monday -- they were found on Friday by an acquaintance. The Ambrozaks ran the Bayshores Tropic Hut on Saratoga Lake. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
As the state approaches the November election and a ballot question about approving full casinos in the state, a few profiles of people in the area who are addicted to gambling -- including a man who banned himself from the Saratoga Casino and Raceway, only later to sneak back in. A think tank -- the Institute for American Values -- has released a report critical of slot machines' effect on problem gambling and skeptical of the revenue gains casino supporters are touting in the state. [TU] [TU]
Many Capital Region municipalities haven't reviewed or updated their ethics rules for public officials since the 1970s, according to an analysis by the Times Union. [TU]
About 65,000 people used the state's new health exchange website to shop for health plan options in the four days since the website launched last Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health. [TU]
All around the Capital Region on Saturday: a mystery odor, which no one seems to have been able to identify. [TU]
Gazette articles continue be open-access because of a computer problem.
Murder mystery... never mind, Tonko and Gibson on the shutdown, new supercomputer for RPI, mobile home reported stolen, yellow submarine to investigate Lake George
The bones found in East Greebush that sparked speculation of a 75-year-old murder mystery turned out to be... deer bones. [TU]
An "official familiar with the case" tells the AP that the state Moreland Commission -- instituted by Andrew Cuomo with the stated goal of investigating corruption -- has issued subpoenas from Republicans, but no Democrats, so far. [AP/Saratogian]
More Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson on the federal government shutdown:
+ Tonko called the negotiating tactic being employed by House Republicans as "unheard of" and called for a straight up or down vote on a resolution to keep funding the government.
+ Gibson is pushing for a vote on the resolution -- with a repeal of a medical devices tax. [YNN] [TU Cap Con]
SPAC reports it expects to break even in 2013, for the ninth consecutive year. Also announced: the famous Bolshoi Ballet is scheduled to perform at SPAC next summer. (And the New York City Ballet will return for one week.) [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Gazette articles continue be open-access because of a computer problem.
Remains found in East Greenbush may be linked to 75-year-old cold case, Pataki &McCall named to Cuomo commssion, Wormuth won't step down
Human remains discovered in East Greenbush could help police solve a 75-year-old mystery connected to the disappearance of a woman whose husband returned to Nazi Germany shortly after she vanished. The remains were discovered in a basement crawl space during a home remodeling project. A medical examiner is expected to take a look at them today. One of the few leads in the case is an old book report from a ninth grader. [TU][WNYT][YNN][News 10][Record]
George Pataki and former state comptroller Carl McCall -- two of Andrew Cuomo's former political opponents -- have been named by Cuomo to his Tax Relief Commission, tasked with finding ways to reduce property and business taxes in the state. [TU]
Embattled Halfmoon supervisor Melinda Wormuth says she will not step down before the end of her term on December 31, in spite of the ongoing FBI investigation into her business dealings. [TU]
The state Division of the Budget has announced it anticipates $430 million a year in revenues should four new casinos be established in upstate New York. [Capitol Confidential]
Gazette articles continue be open-access because of a computer problem.
GE plans layoffs in Schenectady, Nelligan found guilty in beating death of grandson, proposed Albany budget holds residential taxes steady
GE says it will lay off as many as 200 salaried workers at its Schenectady operation between now and the end of the year as part of a restructuring effort. The company says it is not cutting hourly manufacturing employees.[TU][Gazette]
A judge found 43-year0old Gloria Nelligan of Schenectady guilty in the beating death of her 8-year-old grandson. Nelligan now faces 25-years to life when she is sentenced next month. [TU][YNN]
Former RPI business coordinator Christine Dickson pleaded guilty to grand larceny on Tuesday, admitting to charging $350,000 in travel and cash advances on a college credit card over six years. [WNYT][Record]
The New York State customer center for New York State of Health -- the state "health exchange" set up as part of the federal Affordable Care Act -- saw heavy activity on first day Tuesday -- with more than 2,500 calls in the first two hours. The rush caused some glitches in the website for the exchange. And this morning the website is encouraging "users who are unable to log in to come back to the site later when these issues will be resolved." [WNYT] [Saratogian]
Employees at military sites throughout the Capital Region have been sent home without pay due to the federal government shutdown. [Saratogian]
Gazette articles continue be open-access because of a computer problem.
Federal government shutdown, details of alleged beating at Schenectady movie theater, father attempts to shame son on Hoosick Street, moose shot in Colonie
Many parts of the federal government are shutting down as a bill continuing funding of the government is used as a ploy in a fight between the Republican-controlled House and the Democratic-controlled Senate over delaying the start of the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare . The local and state effects of the shutdown could depend on how long it lasts. One immediate sign: Saratoga National Historical Park will be closed during the shutdown. Recent statements from: Chris Gibson | Paul Tonko. [NYT] [NYT] [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [TU] [Saratogian] [Chris Gibson FB] [Paul Tonko office]
Closing arguments in the trial of Gloria Nelligan were Monday, with the defense framing Nelligan's actions leading up to the death of her grandson as "discipline" and the prosecution calling it "torture". The judge could return a verdict Tuesday. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU]
The Schenectady County prosecutors allege a man was seriously beaten -- and his daughter also assaulted -- at the Bow Tie Cinemas in Schenectady in June after he told a group to quiet down during a movie. Three teens have been indicted on felony charges and police allege as many as 15 were involved. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Students in Capital Region private schools didn't really do any better on the new state standardized tests than students in public schools. (Database of private school scores.) [TU] [Syracuse Post-Standard]
The father of a 17-year-old made his son stand on Hoosick Street in Troy Monday wearing a sign explaining that the teen had been involved in a theft, smoked pot, and disrespected adults. The father called it "tough love." [News10] [WNYT]
Gazette articles continue be open-access because of a computer problem.
Gibson one of two Republicans to vote against House bill in federal shutdown showdown, Cuomo vetoes commission for M/C raises, two Harriman campus buildings tagged for demolition
The federal government is heading toward a shutdown as the Senate is likely to reject a House bill that would avoid a shutdown -- but also delay the start of the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare/Whatever You Call It. Chris Gibson was one of just two Republicans in the House to vote against the Republican-backed bill on the Saturday. Gibson explained his vote in a statement on Facebook. [NYT] [NYT] [NYT] [Chris Gibson FB]
As with other states around the country, New York's new "health exchange" for health insurance starts Tuesday as part of the health care law. Q&A about it with a state Department of Health spokesman. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
Joshua McWain -- who pleaded guilty to killing his mother last October in Greenfield and then burying her body in a shed -- was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison. The sentencing include a victim impact statement from McWain's sister, who wrote that McWain
Two people -- a community activist and the organizer of a community program -- testified in defense of Gloria Nelligan on Friday. Nelligan may testify in her own defense today. Update: She did not. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [@ByStevenCook]
Aside from GlobalFoundries, there's little activity at the Luther Forest Technology campus -- prompting questions from officials about how they can spur development there. [Daily Gazette]
Gazette articles continue be open-access because of a computer problem.
Guilty verdict and guilty plea in pair of fatal accidents, arrests begin in Stephentown house party case, woman says her dog found rat poison near Washington Park
A Saratoga County jury found a Clifton Park woman guilty of second-degree manslaughter and driving while ability impaired for driving through stop sign in Charlton last year and crashing into another vehicle -- the driver of that vehicle later died from his injuries. Traci L. Briskin faces up to 15 years in prison. Her attorney said she had been looking for her GPS at the time of the crash. Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy in a statement: "You can't drive recklessly while you're impaired, take your eyes off the road, cross the center line and the fog line, run a stop sign, crash into a man and kill him and then say it's just a mistake, as the defendant claims." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian] [Saratoga County DA]
Becky Goodermote, accused of hitting a fatally driving into a bicyclist on Route 22 in Rensselaer County last year, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide. She said she was on a number of prescription drugs at the time. She faces up to seven years in prison. [CBS6] [TU] [YNN]
The Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office says six people have been arrested in connection with the unauthorized party at former NFL player Brian Holloway's house in Stephentown. The sheriff's office says it's identified more than 200 other people who were at the party -- and they're expecting to file charges against 100-200 people. [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
Passenger rail service in New York could be disrupted mid-October if Amtrak and the state Department of Transportation can't nail down an agreement on sharing costs by the beginning of the month. [TU]
Said Angela Weller, whose plan to open "an adult boutique" in Troy has raised some eyebrows, to the Record: "The whole point of the business was to open an adult store for women ... Others are directed towards men and can be kind of creepy. Here, there are no creepy guys in trench coats or peep shows." [Troy Record]
State budget director indicates 2014/15 spending plan will hold steady, Albany man arrested 10 times in two years, planned "adult boutique" upsetting Troy residents, last call gets earlier in Warren County
Omni Development will discuss a feasibility study today on a proposed aquarium in downtown Albany. [YNN]
A letter from the NYS budget director to state commissioners indicates that next year's state budget will be a tight one -- holding to a 2 percent tax increase. The letter asks agency heads to submit flat budget requests for the next spending year. [TU]
The Albany man arrested for allegedly exposing himself to a pair of middle school girls on their way to school on Tuesday is a repeat offender who has been arrested ten times in the last two years. [YNN][WNYT]
Former Albany City Clerk John Marsolais has ended his conservative bid for Common Council President to accept a post as Albany County's next civil service chief.[TU]
State representatives and jail guards rallied at Mount McGregor Correctional Facility to announce a plan to fight the proposed closing of the prison. [TU][WNYT]
New York State apparently never submitted a bid on the multibillion-dollar computer chip fab "Project Azalea" because the Cuomo administration did not believe that the project was real.[TU]
Movie studio considered for Schenectady, Latham Circle developers get variance for supermarket, Saratoga movie theater to open in October
A $68 million film and television studio with five sounds stages could be built on the grounds of the former ALCO site in downtown Schenectady. [TU]
The Latham Circle Mall (re)developers have gotten a variance that would allow them to bring a grocery store to the site. [TU]
The Capital Region's unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in August, according to the latest report from the state Department of Labor. That's down from 7.5 percent in August 2012, and one of the lowest rates in the state. And total number of people tagged as unemployed in August -- people actively seeking work, but who didn't have a job -- was the lowest August number for the Capital Region in five years. [NYS DOL] [TU]
Troy Police captain John Cooney on recent shootings in the city, to YNN: "Quite often, it's the victim of the shooting or the assault that tells the detective, I have no need to talk to you. I don't want to tell you what happened. I'll take care of it myself. We can't have that form of justice." (Albany's police chief said something similar recently.) The organizer of a community meeting in North Central Tuesday about the recent upswing in crime were disappointed that it drew only 14 people. [YNN] [TU] [Record]
An insurance company is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who stole five antique trophies from the National Museum of Racing earlier this month. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame reopened this week, after being closed for two weeks following the burglary. [TU] [YNN]
A fourth defendant got off without jail time in a gambling case in which Albany County jail officers took wagers at work.[TU]
Interview with grandmother accused causing grandson's death played in court, Cuomo on Wandering Dago situation, fried appliances in Scotia, forensic odontology
In recorded interview with police played in court Monday, Gloria Nelligan tells a Schenectady police detective that she had hit Sha'hiim Nelligan -- but that her 8-year-old grandson had also been hurting himself and wouldn't stop. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
State budget issue raised by a good-government group: up to $3 billion that's set aside in the budget and distributed in an "effectively opaque" process. [TU]
The Cuomo admin announced new minimum admission requirements for teaching programs at SUNY schools, including a minimum 3.0 GPA and GRE scores. About 25 percent of the state's teachers graduate from SUNY schools. [Cuomo admin] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo on the Wandering Dago situation: "I think if you had a state official that didn't see the name 'Wandering Dago' and a buzzer went off or a flag was raised, then you would say that person was asleep at the switch, right? ... The name is obviously offensive." [TU Cap Con]
Concern about debt collection company's foreclosures, court denies request to move Drue trial, cleanup/apology event at unauthorized party house draws few teens
The Daily Gazette reports "gloves have come off" in a private debt collector's pursuit of delinquent property tax bills in Schenectady -- in one case it's alleged a man paid the $900 he was told he was owed, and the company foreclosed on his house anyway. [Daily Gazette]
A state appellate court has denied a request from attorneys for Dennis Drue to to move his trial from Saratoga County. Drue is accused of causing the Northway crash that killed two high school students, and seriously injured two others, last December. Said Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy: "Our obligation is to seek justice, and that includes making sure we have an impartial jury." [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Capital Region law enforcement officials say there's been an upswing in recent years in heroin use, connected in part to the abuse of prescription painkillers. Also getting attention: officials say heroin and painkiller use is up among suburban teens. [TU] [Metroland]
The city of Troy has put out a new request for development proposals for the former city hall site in Monument Square. [TU]
APD looking for "community mobilization" on guns, arguments in Wandering Dago free speech case, fatal fire -- and then fatal crash -- for family, resistance to soccer complex next to cemetery
Albany police chief Steven Krokoff says the APD knows what's prompted a recent of cluster of shootings in the city, but: "The victim even tells us, 'I know who shot me, but it's an ongoing thing and I'll take care of it myself.' ... And I'm not just looking for more cooperation with police, I'm looking for community mobilization." [TU]
Martin Kimber -- the retired pharmacist who spread mercury around Albany Med on multiple occassions because he was upset about a bill -- was sentenced to 14 years in prison. He's also been ordered to pay $200k in restition (in addition to his still outstanding medical bill). Authorities say they found white supremacist materials at Kimber's home in Ulster County, but at the sentencing he disputed prosecutors' asserations that he was a Nazis sympathizer: "The exotic behavior I displayed ... I was intoxicated and it was done out of frustration." [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
During oral arguments in federal court Thursday for the Wandering Dago's lawsuit against the state alleging its free speech rights were violated after it was prohibited from vending at the Saratoga Race Course and Empire State Plaza, attorneys for NYRA and OGS argued that the race course and plaza are "nonpublic forums" that allow the agencies control some aspects of speech. The food truck's attorney argued the agencies actions were unconstitutional because they hadn't established clear codes of conduct for the spaces. A new detail from Thursday: the Wandering Dago's attorney shared an email that indicates Bennett Liebman -- the Cuomo admin's deputy secretary for gaming and racing -- was the state official who raised the issue of the food truck's name with NYRA officials. [TU] [WNYT] [TU CapCon] [Daily Gazette]
G.E. to close Hudson Falls plant, Kimber to be sentenced for Albany Med mercury incident,McCoy names new deputy executive
Painting him as a frustrated Nazi sympathizer and potential terrorist, prosecutors are seeking at least 19 years in prison for the man who spread mercury around Albany Medical Center when he became angry over a medical bill. Martin Kimber could face up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced today.[TU][YNN]
Halfmoon Supervisor Melinda Wormuth, the subject of an FBI investigation , did not attend a scheduled town board meeting last night. Deputy Supervisor Walter Polak said the town will "run business as usual every day," should Wormuth resign, as some town board members have requested.[WNYT][TU]
GE has notified employees at its Fort Edward plant that it plans to close its energy management facility and merge with a facility in Clearwater Florida by next September , a move that will affect 196 employees .[TU][Saratogian][YNN]
Daughters testify against woman charged in death of grandson, recent Troy shootings believed connected, Halfmoon supervisor won't resign over FBI investigation, Auggie's to reopen
The three young daughters of the Schenectady woman who is charged with beating her eight year old grandson, resulting in his death, testified against their mother in court on Tuesday. [YNN]
Troy police believe three recent shootings in the city are related and were committed by two groups of people targeting each other. Detectives were out in full force last night in an effort to find the people responsible for the shootings. [TU][YNN][WNYT]
Members of the Halfmoon Town Board want Supervisor Melinda Wormuth to resign over the ongoing FBI investigation into her business dealings. Wormuth says she won't step down and claims and says the chargesare false and she has not been charged or convicted of any offense.[Saratogian] [TU][YNN]
Trial of Schenectady grandmother accused of causing her grandsons death, investigation into weekend shootings in Albany, librarian departs after reading contest controversy
On Monday there were opening statements and the first witnesses in the trial of Gloria Nelligan, accused of beating her 8-year-old grandson to death in Schenectady in February. The prosecutor alleged that Nelligan had put Sha'hiim Nelligan through a series of escalating punishments for stealing a pack of gum, the final stage of which involved being tied to a chair and beaten over the course of hours. Nelligan's attorney said her client had hit the boy "four or five times" and never intended to injure or kill him -- and his death was instead caused by a fall in the bathtub. Nelligan's attorney also said the boy had a history of hurting himself. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [YNN] [News10]
A NanoCollege plan to build three chip fabs in the Utica area has prompted concerns from officials in the Hudson Valley that IBM could start to turn its back on its fab in East Fishkill. [TU]
The Albany County Board of Elections is looking into an affidavit ballot cast in last week's Albany 5th Ward Common Council primary by a person who claimed an address that appears to be a vacant building -- a building owned by one of the candidates' brother. [TU]
Flood recovery flagging, recent rash of shootings, "smash and grab" at museum, low primary turnout in Albany, it's the not-great pumpkin crop
Two years after flooding from Tropical Storm Irene, the Schoharie County recovery is, as the Times Union describes it, "running out of steam." [TU]
Albany police two men walked into Albany Med with injuries following what was apparently a shooting in the South End early Saturday morning (block map). And APD says one person was arrested after officers responded to a report of shots fired in the Ten Broeck Triangle neighborhood Saturday morning (map). Seven people have been shot in Albany since late August, according to police reports. [TU] [TU] [News10]
Ongoing problem for local police departments: pellet guns that look like real guns. [TU]
An upcoming Schenectady murder trial will hinge in part on DNA evidence technology that has never before been used in a New York court -- and which the defense the attorney in the case calls "voodoo." [TU]
"People with knowledge of the matter" tell the Times Union that Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth and her husband are the subject of an FBI investigation into their business dealings -- their attorney says they've done nothing wrong. [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say five gold and silver trophies were stolen from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame late Thursday. The museum's director calls the trophies "irreplaceable." SSPD says the trophies were worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
Storms flood roadways, amnesia cited in manslaughter case, climber found dead in Thacher Park, puppy arrives in N. Greenbush from Afghanistan
Thursday's storms dropped more than an inch of rain, and caused flooding that closed several main roads around the Capital Region. [NWS] [WNYT] [TU]
Tracey Zetzsche pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for the death of her adult son in their Westerlo apartment in July 2012. Prosecutors say she repeatedly stabbed her son with a knife and hit him with a hammer. In an unusual turn, he plea was an "Alford plea," in which she only admitted there was enough evidence to convict her -- mental health experts concluded that Zetzsche can't remember the attack because of amnesia. [TU] [Albany County DA] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
Rory Poulin was sentenced to 5-15 years in prison for killing his partner Margaret Jordan with a shotgun two years ago. Poulin's attorney had argued in the case that the shotgun had gone off accidentally -- and in court Poulin apologized for what he called "the terrible accident." [Troy Record] [TU]
The language of the referendum on this November's ballot for a state constitutional amendment allowing full casino gambling frames the amendment favorably. Blair Horner, now back with NYPIRG and regaining his form: "It has more spin than a roulette wheel." [TU] [NYSNYS/Troy Record]
Former RPI employee to face embezzlement charges, Woman charged in grandson's death slated for bench trial, absentee ballots will decide Saratoga County Sheriff primary, storms leave thousands without power
The former RPI employee arrested in 2010 for allegedly embezzling more than $350,00 with her college credit card will stand trial after a judge denied her attorney's request to throw out charges because prosecutors took too long to put the case before a grand jury. [TU]
Gloria Nelligan, the Schenectady grandmother charged with beating her 8-year-old grandson to death, will go to trial on Monday, before a judge, but no jury. [Gazette]
The state DOT and law enforcement officials are working to reduce the number of accidents on Central Ave with a combination of safety improvements and an education and enforcement campaign.[TU]
Lightning struck the bell tower of a Ballston church on Wednesday night, causing a fire. [TU]
Thousands of National Grid Customers in Saratoga and Washington county were still without power this morning after storms caused outages last night. [TU]
The Saratoga County sheriff's primary has come down to 547 absentee ballots.[TU]
Sheehan wins Albany primary, Rivenburgh admits to Rotterdam double murder, St. Patrick's site cleared for construction, summer for a day
Kathy Sheehan easily won Tuesday's Democratic mayoral primary in Albany and is now poised to become the city's first female mayor. (Some historical perspective from Paul Grondahl.) [AOA] [TU]
Sheehan ally Darius Shahinfar won the Democratic primary for city treasurer and six Common Council candidates who won or were leading in their races are allied with Sheehan. [TU] [TU]
As of Wednesday morning, the Republican primary for Saratoga County Sheriff was still too close to call, though Michael Zurlo has a tight lead and declared victory on Tuesday. (The winner will be in prime position to succeed current sheriff James Bowen, who's had the job for more than 40 years.) [YNN][TU]
More primary results highlights. [AOA]
Brice Rivenburgh took a plea deal on Tuesday morning, admitting that he killed his girlfriend and her mother in April at their home in Rotterdam. Under the terms of the agreement, he faces a sentence of up to 45 years to life in prison.[TU][YNN][WNYT]
A handful of 9/11 memorial events are taking place today around the Capital Region, but the event may be passing "from the sacred to the historic."[News10] [TU]
The last structure on the former site of St. Patrick's church has been removed to clear the way for a Price Chopper. [TU]
It's primary day, new tenants for Kiernan Plaza, local protests against Syria military intervention, another apartment conversion proposed for Troy
Today is primary day. Polls are open noon-9 pm. Don't know where to vote? Check with your county board of elections: Albany | Rensselaer | Saratoga | Schenectady.
Because of the overwhelming Democratic enrollment in Albany, the party's mayoral primary winner will almost certainly be elected the next mayor. Easy-scan-and-focus candidate interviews: Corey Ellis | Kathy Sheehan.
A quick overview of highlighted primaries around the region. [TU]
The Cuomo admin announced new tenants for the now-NanoCollege-owned Kiernan Plaza in downtown Albany: the headquarters of the credit union SEFCU and engineering firm CHA, as well as a regional operations center for telecom provider Windstream. The former train station/bank building is now being called the "CNSE Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center (SCiTI)" and described as a "technology hub." All three companies say they'll be creating initiatives to work with the "smart cities" focus. The tenants will move 130 jobs to the location, with the potential for more. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Troy Record]
Joe Bruno's re-trial is scheduled for December 2.
Focus on rape in New York prisons, GloFo tax credits expanding, pastor pushes back on Soares criticism, 10,000 dogs to go
From a Times Union report on rape in New York prisons: "It's a situation well-known to state officials for decades, yet New York state has continuously failed to implement policies used in other states to protect female prisoners from being sexually victimized by prison employees, usually correction officers." (Part 2 | Part 3) [TU] [TU] [TU]
The potential total of tax credits for GlobalFoundries, thanks to continued hiring and construction at the Malta fab site, is now $1.76 billion. [Biz Review]
A chip fab company consortium dedicated to increasing the size of the wafers used to manufacturer chips is based at the NanoCollege and has made Albany, the words of the Times Union, "the center of their collective universe." [TU]
Schenectady's fire chief says a man known to show up frequently at fire scenes has been charged with arson for a string of fires in the city dating back to 2010. [TU]
Gibson: don't strike Syria, Drue attorneys file motion to get case moved from Saratoga County, that's what almost $400k in cash looks like
Chris Gibson: "I would tell you, I am doing the very best I can to convince my colleagues and the administration that striking Syria will not resolve the matter." [NYSNYS/Troy Record]
Attorneys for Dennis Drue -- the driver accused of causing the Northway crash that killed two Shen high school students and seriously injured two other teens -- have filed a motion in state court requesting his trial be moved from Saratoga County, arguing the attention the case has gotten prevents him from getting a fair trial. Says Drue attorney Steve Coffey: "This tragedy absolutely consumed the entire county" and "The underlying passion in this case is sub-volcanic anger." Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy called the motion "without basis." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [Saratogian]
The head of the Albany NAACP -- Bernard Bryan -- criticized Albany County DA David Soares Thursday arguing that the DA "in trying to allay the fears of white suburbanites, has basically turned his back on his own community." Bryan also asserted that the recent handling of a drug case involving a county deputy exec indicates not everyone is treated the same under Soares' watch. Bryan's comments were made at a press conference to discuss a report from The Center for Law and Justice that concludes "much progress has been made" in developing mutual respect between the Albany police under chief Steven Krokoff and the community -- and argues there's more work to do. [TU] [WNYT] [CLJ] [YNN]
A look at the ongoing tension over the Central Ave motels in Colonie, which are used by social service agencies as housing. [TU]
Troy teen arraigned again in father's death, Albany plans crackdown on visitor parking abuse, photo of the guy who stole Uncle Sam's head
Tonight: a reminder that fall is on the way.[TU]
Albany is looking for ways to crack down on visitor parking permit abuse.[TU]
Albany International Airport is rolling out a pre-check program for frequent fliers that is expected to speed up security check lines. [TU]
The Troy teenager accused of killing her father in a dispute over a credit card was arraigned for a second time on Wednesday. Trinity Copeland pleaded not guilty to murder charges. Original charges against her were dropped due to a procedural error. [WNYT][YNN][Record]
A Fort Edward man is expected to be indicted later today in the death of his three-month-old son. [YNN]
Family of injured suspect wants investigation, Deputy Albany County Exec arrested on drug charges, Ellis/Sheehan spar at St. Rose, arrest connected to Uncle Rainbow decapitation
The family of a Malta man in a coma after being injured in a police chase in Saratoga, is calling for an outside attorney to investigate what happened. Dozens of people gathered on Tuesday at City Hall to protest what they claim was police brutality in the case. Police allege the man slammed his girlfriend's head into a brick wall before running off, but the girlfriend is is apparently not cooperating with police and is claiming the incident didn't happen the way police say it did. Police Chief Greg Veitch continues to deny officers caused the man's injuries. [WNYT][Saratogian][Gazette][TU]
Albany's Deputy County Executive was suspended on Tuesday without pay following her arrested on drug charges. Christine Quinn allegedly attempted to illegally obtain the prescription medication Ritalin. [YNN][TU]
A proposed aquarium for the city of Albany and the development of Albany's downtown were among the divisive issues in Tuesday's debate between democratic mayoral candidates Corey Ellis and Kathy Sheehan.[YNN]
An Albany Police and Fire dispatcher has been arrested
for allegedly assaulting his estranged wife and his 10-month-old child at the woman's home in Colonie. [WNYT][TU]
Tonko/Gibson expected to vote no on Syria strike, Trustco robbery suspect extradited from South Carolina, suspect critically injured in Spa City foot chase, attendance/handle down for Saratoga
Paul Tonko is suggesting that he will vote against military strikes against Syria, and Congressman Chris Gibson is a leading opponent of the plan. [Capitol Confidential]
A man who led police on a foot chase after allegedly shoving a woman's head into a brick wall on Caroline Street in Saratoga early Saturday morning, was later discovered unconscious, with serious injuries, outside a Caroline Street Bar. The suspect may have fallen from up to 20 feet of scaffolding after climbing up to elude police. Police unsuccessfully attempted to taze the suspect twice during the chase. Police chief Greg Vietch says an investigation is underway but he does not believe police did anything wrong. [TU][News 10][YNN][Saratogian]
The Canajoharie man picked up in South Carolina last week for allegedly robbing the Slingerlands Trustco last month has been returned to the area and is slated to be arraigned in Bethlehem Town Court today.[TU]
Admissions at Saratoga Racecourse were down 5 percent this season and handle was down less than 1 percent from last year. [Gazette]
Dozens of firefighters worked this morning to combat a house fire that broke out in Guilderland overnight. The mansion, which is vacant and for sale, was once considered for purchase by Evander Holyfield and the Olsen Twins. [YNN][TU]
Gibson and Tonko oppose military intervention in Syria, Great Escape not interested in Hoffman's Playland, mayoral candidate drops out and endorses his mom
Local Congressmen Chris Gibson and Paul Tonko both say they oppose US military intervention in Syria. Said Gibson, who served in Iraq: "I don't believe military action will help. In fact, based on my experience and my judgment, I believe it will make it worse." And Tonko, on responding to the use of chemical weapons by Syria: "There are ways to punish without going to an air attack and boots on the ground ... I still hope diplomacy can be the call of action." [News10] [WNYT] [WNYT]
NYRA's chairman says the racing org is aiming to get its budget to break even on racing revenue alone -- so it doesn't have to rely on VLT money, which the state could choose to take away. (NYRA would have posted a $10.3 million loss in the last fiscal year if not for money from the video lottery terminals.) [Saratogian]
After a significant fire at its house on South Lake Ave, the executive director of the Albany Damien Center -- which helps people living with HIV/AIDS -- says the center will get its services back and up running soon. [TU]
The president of the Great Escape says the amusement park's parent company is not interested in buying Hoffman's Playland. (Albany County exec Dan McCoy had been working to set up the two parties with each other.) [Biz Review] [Biz Review]
DiNapoli: Colonie's fiscal health improving, former corrections officer sentenced for role in gambling ring, plane makes emergency landing on Saratoga County field, RPI alum to join International Space Station crew
Tropical storms Irene and Lee hit the region two years ago today, and the rebuilding continues. [YNN]
One of the Albany County Jail officers involved in a high-profile gambling ring that was run, in part, in the jail, will not do any jail time himself. James Cerniglia will have to forfeit $5,000 and will never work for the jail again. Two other defendants in the case -- a well-known bookie and a Clifton Park carpenter -- also avoided jail time. [YNN] [TU]
Only months after he called Colonie one of the most fiscally-distressed municipalities in New York, state comptroller Tom DiNapoli visited the town on Tuesday to praise the steps supervisor Paula Mahan has takento improve its financial status. [TU] [News10]
DiNapoli's office announced on Tuesday that local governments' required payments toward public employee pensions will go down slightly next year -- payments had spiked after the stock market crash in 2008.[TU]
An experienced pilot safely made an emergency landing in Saratoga County field along Middle Grove Road in the town of Greenfield Monday afternoon after his plane suffered what he says was
Guynup sentenced for murder of Nikki Hart, philanthropist Carl Touhey has passed away, SSPD: bicyclist drifted into fatal collision, food truck rodeo canceled over insurance concerns
Jason Guynup -- who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for stabbing Nikki Hart, the mother of his two children, in Schodack last December -- was sentenced to 20 years to life. Said Hart's father at the sentencing: "I cry every day. It is a struggle to get through every day. I wake up with the pain, carry it through the day and take it to bed with me each night." Said Hart's sister of her recounting the events of Hart's death at the sentencing: "I wanted him to never have a doubt in his mind or try to say he didn't know what he did. I wanted him to relive it, as I do every day." [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
Larry Ahrens, the man accused of organizing a crew to throw explosive devices at the home of his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend in Rotterdam, pleaded guilty to charges that included second-degree arson. He faces 15 years in prison. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Prominent local philanthropist Carl Touhey died Sunday at age 95. Tuohey was the owner of the almost-century-old Orange Motor Co. in Albany, and
he once he even came close to defeating Erastus Corning for Albany mayor. Recipients of Touhey's philanthropy include the College of St. Rose, Albany Med, and WMHT. [Daily Gazette] [Biz Review] [TU] [YNN]
IG report: problems at state steam plant in Albany, earthquake near Glens Falls, no Sam the Bugler at the Travers, Albany Pro Music founder has passed away
A state Inspector General's report (not yet released?) paints a picture of a lax work environment at the state's Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant in Albany (which provides steam to the ESP) -- including an employee who was allegedly picked up by police after drinking on the job, and a "living room away from home" set up so an employee could watch Dancing With the Stars. [TU]
There was a small earthquake near Glens Falls Sunday morning -- magnitude 2.7. Shaking was felt in parts of Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties. People in Fort Edward and Hudson Falls reported hearing a noise associated with the quake. [USGS] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Saratoga Springs police say a bicyclist has died after being hit by a tractor trailer on Lake Ave Friday night (map). SSPD says neither speed nor alcohol appear to have been factors in the collision, and as of Saturday no tickets had been issued. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [News10] [WNYT]
Saratoga Springs police say one person died and three others were injured as part of a collision between two motorcycles and an SUV near one of the Broadway entrances to Saratoga Spa State Park Sunday night (map. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
A group of Schenectady landlords have banded together to write a strict, detailed lease that they could all use (example rule: no barbecues) -- a tenants group says it has multiple objections to the lease. [Daily Gazette]
Barack Obama makes stops in western and central New York, head of Troy Uncle Sam found in Mechanicville, where the bison roam
Barack Obama made stops in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse Thursday. At the stops he focused on the cost of college education and pitched his administration's plan to create a federal rating system for colleges. (Transcript from the president's speech at a Syracuse public high school.) Today the tour is scheduled to move on to Binghamton and Pennsylvania. [Buffalo News] [Rochester Democrat and Chronicle] [Syracuse Post-Standard] [TU] [NYT] [Post-Standard] [Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin]
Five firefighters were injured by falling bricks in a large house fire in Schenectady overnight -- they were treated and released. Fire officials say the apartment home, which housed two families, will be demolished later today. [YNN] [CBS6] [News10]
One firefighter was injured in a scrap metal yard fire in Rensselaer last night. [TU]
City of Schenectady employees have the highest average pay of any local public employees in the Capital Region, according to a report by the Empire Center. The highest-paid local public official in Capital Region: psychiatrist with the Rensselaer County Mental Health Department. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Schenectady school district superintendent Laurence Spring says poverty in his district "is the primary barrier that our kids have." [TU]
Nano college buys Kiernan Plaza, Obama to talk college access in Western NY, David Cassidy picked up for DWI in Schodack, good year for apples
The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering has closed on a $3 million dollar purchase of the Kiernan Plaza -- the former Union Station-- in Albany, avoiding the need for the Albany IDA to take the building through eminent domain. They plan to create a Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center and an incubator for tech companies at the site.[TU][Business Review]
President Obama plans to talk about access to college education on his visits to the University at Buffalo and Binghamton University.[TU]
If you're headed for the State Fair, the presidential motorcade may slow you down.[TU]
This happened: Tom Jones arrested David Cassidy for DWI in Schodack. Said the 70s teen idol to the police officer (not the 70s Scottish crooner) "What's new Pussycat?"Cassidy had a BAC of .10 and was charged with felony DWI [WNYT][TU][Record][YNN]
July unemployment rate lowest in five years, woman arrested for allegedly driving SUV into crowd, Cohoes home all abuzz
The Capital Region's unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in July -- down from 7.9 percent in the same period last year -- according to the state Department of Labor. It's the lowest July level in five years. [NYS DOL] [TU]
An Albany woman was arrested for allegedly running down six people with a truck during the incident on Elk Street Monday evening. Shanikqua Thomas has a history of arrests and outbursts, and told a judge she's been high on crack for two weeks.[YNN] [TU]
Anthony Walker -- convicted of animal abuse, including abusing the "Railroad Puppies" last September -- is being allowed to live in the same house as his mother's dog, in spite of the fact that the terms of his probation ban him from owning a pet for five years.[TU]
A 42 year old Albany man was found dead under the deck of a Provincetown hotel on Tuesday.[TU]
The Local Ocean indoor fish farm was sold back to the property's previous owner for $3.4 million. [TU]
Lawson Lake in Coeymans has been closed to swimmers because of a slime produced by algae. [TU]
Malta zoning changes open way for potential second chip fab, Green Island tables proposed pet limit, Albany mayoral candidate can't vote for himself, the ongoing trials of the Uncles Sam
The Malta town board approved zoning changes that clear the way for a potential second GlobalFoundries chip fab at Luther Forest. As part of the deal for the zoning changes, GloFo is helping to fund road projects, a study of a possible Exit 11A off the Northway, and donated $3 million for Stillwater to restore a beach area on Saratoga Lake. GloFo has not yet committed to building the new $14.7 billion fab, and it says it doesn't have a timeline for making the decision. [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [News10] [TU] [WNYT]
Douglas Stewart -- the Clifton Park man shot by State Police after they said he refused to put down a loaded gun outside his home earlier this month -- has been charged with menacing a police officer. He was arraigned in the back of an ambulance. Stewart's attorney to the Daily Gazette: ""We believe the evidence is inconsistent with the theory that is being alleged by the state police right now." [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
New state rule for healthcare workers: get a flu shot or wear a mask during times the flu is deemed "prevalent" in the state. [TU]
Green Island's village board has decided to table the measure that would limit residents to three pets per household. The measure met opposition from the public at a meeting Monday night. Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan argued the rule would be similar to already-existing laws in nearby municipalities. [Troy Record] [News10] [YNN]
Drue testifies at pre-trial hearing, Green Island considering limit on pets, towns say they'll fight Troy's land claim, developer argues Harriman campus was missed opportunity
In a bit of a surprise, Dennis Drue -- accused of causing the Northway crash that killed two high school students and injured two others -- testified at a pre-trial hearing Friday. Drue said statements attributed to him by police were fabricated. Testified Drue in response to a question from his attorney: "The only thing I stated was that it was an accident." [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU]
A lower rate of inflation is prompting a tightening of the state's property tax cap for municipalities. [Daily Gazette]
Green Island is considering limiting residents to three animals per household. Says mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan: "I can't possibly see why anyone would need more than three animals in their home." McNulty-Ryan says the potential law change was prompted by a case in which 10 dogs were found in an apartment. [Troy Record] [YNN] [News10]
Questions about further development at Harriman campus, free lunches for all in Schenectady school district, more Uncle Sam abuse
Current question: What exactly is the state's plan now for (re)development of the Harriman State Office Campus -- and what does it mean for Albany? On Thursday the state officially announced it will be renovating one of the building on the Harriman campus and moving employees to it. Lieutenant governor Bob Duffy on private development at Harriman: "I mean, look at this campus. It's immense and there's a lot of potential that's wide open, but it's probably best to make announcements when deals are finalized and not when they're being discussed or contemplated." [TU] [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [YNN]
Troy fire chief Thomas Garrett faced questions from the city council's public safety committee Thursday night about the emergency demolition of four buildings on King Street last week. One of the topics: asbestos in the buildings and how it was handled. Mayor Lou Rosamilia said the city needs to look at is process for emergency demolition: "That's the outcome of this. This should never happen again. This confusion that was created, we're trying to eliminate that." [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU] [YNN]
School lunches will be provided free to every student in the Schenectady school district during the upcoming school year -- about 80 percent of the district's student qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, but the district said many students weren't participating because of the stigma. [Daily Gazette]
A Schenectady man survived after a 40-car train passed directly over as he was lying in between the rails Thursday morning, according to Schenectady public safety commissioner Wayne Bennett. Police say the man had only minor injuries. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
State halts King St. demolition work, SPD officer accused of improperly sharing license plate info, renovation of vacant Harriman campus building, "total engine failure" brought down Uccellini plane
Following a complaint filed by Troy city councilman Mark McGrath, New York State has posted a stop work order at 4-10 King Street in Troy, the site of an emergency demolition last week that's drawn criticism. An asbestos assessment of the property must be completed, but the matter of who's the responsible party is still being debated. [WNYT][Record][TU]
Problems with a contractor resulted in $1,359,250 in overtime at the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance in the month of July, as staffers rushed to process a back-up of paper tax returns.[TU]
The man convicted of stabbing a state trooper at the Empire State Plaza back in March was sentenced to 30 years in prison. [TU]
"People familiar with the case" tell the Times Union it was a Schenectady detective with 20 years on the force who was suspended from his job last year after he allegedly looked up license plate info for a friend who's accused of using the information as part of a plot to firebomb the home and car of his girlfriend's new boyfriend. Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett says it doesn't appear the the officer knew how the information would be used. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The body of a 31-year old Woodstock man was pulled from Lake George on Wednesday afternoon. The man was reported missing and was found a short time later in 15-feet of water north of Clay Island in Lake George. [TU][YNN]
Further appeals and sequester delay Bruno trial, "Railroad Puppy"abuser gets time served, 10-year-old set fire to family home in Schenectady
The earliest it appears Joe Bruno's re-trial on corruption chargescould take place: November. Bruno's attorneys are making a last ditch effort to appeal last week's decision by federal appelate court that re-trying Bruno on honest services theft charges would not amount to double jeopardy. Bruno's defense intends to submit a request to halt the case to the U.S. Second Circuit Court and is requesting all of the district judges on the court preside over the trial. A U.S. District Court Judge in the case also says the federal sequester will slow jury selection in the case, further delaying the trial. [TU][WNYT][News10][Record]
Scott Walker -- the man convicted of abusing and abandoning the "railroad puppies" and leaving four dogs in the back of a U-Haul -- was sentenced to six months he'd already served in jail, along with five years probation during which he cannot own a pet. Walker maintained his innocence in statements made after the sentencing and says the case is not over. [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
A pair of brothers on parole for felony drug convictions are now facing more charges after the Albany County Sheriff's Office says more than 80 bags of heroine and $12,000 were found during searches of their homes. [TU]
A ten-year-old boy has admitted to starting a fire at his Schenectady home earlier this week that displaced his entire family. So far the boy has not been charged and is meeting with a juvenile specialist.[TU][YNN]
Wide range in SUNY graduation rates, audio from fatal Schenectady standoff, in labor and stopped for speeding
Across the SUNY system, 64 percent of undergraduates graduate within six years -- though there's a wide range from campus to campus. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo said Monday there's not an update about when the state Department of Health will finish its review of the potential health effects of fracking. Monday night the Albany County legislature voted to ban fracking waste from county water treatment plants and the use on salty fracking waste to de-ice county roads. [TU] [TU] [News10]
Audio from the May 2 situation on Balltown Road in which Schenectady police fatally shot a man holding a hostage at knife point includes officers repeatedly asking the man to drop the knife and the the man telling police he wanted them to kill him. [TU]
A foreclosure auction of the Local Ocean indoor aquaculture facility near Hudson is scheduled for next week -- and as of Monday, a state DEC officer said the fish appeared to be OK. [WNYT]
Lord & Taylor is returning to Crossgates. [TU]
Father accused in son's death, Albany mayoral candidates talk about city budget gap, chase through Saratoga Springs, apple crop looking good
A Fort Edward man has been arrested and charged with the murder in the death of his three-month-old son Sunday. [Post-Star]
Albany Democratic mayoral candidates Kathy Sheehan and Corey Ellis on one of the most important issues facing the next mayor: plugging the city's persistent budget gap. [TU]
A UAlbany grad student from Cameroon here on a Fulbright scholarship says he was searched, briefly detained, and treated harshly by Albany police -- without any reason given -- while walking to Washington Park for a cookout; all the APD would tells the Times Union is that it the alleged incident is ""the subject of an internal investigation." [TU]
The environmental org Riverkeeper alleges formerly-routine contact between it and state DEC employees has been cut off, perhaps because the Cuomo admin was irked by the org's criticism of the Tappan Zee Bridge project. [TU]
Criticism of process that resulted in Troy emergency demolition, what to do about apparently abandoned fish, concern about teacher evaluation system
Troy city officials faced criticism Thursday night of the process that resulted in the emergency demolition of four buildings along King Street this week. City councilman Mark McGrath has alleged "the administration's desire to develop that block resulted in their political greed and ambition surpassing their concern for public safety -- and for the law." And councilman Ken Zalewski requested to see a report from the fire chief about why the buildings had to come down. [YNN] [TU] [Troy Record]
Anthony Repp, accused of killing his mother and stepfather in Schaghticoke on July 4, was extradited from Massachusetts and has pleaded not guilty in Rensselaer County Court. [WNYT] [News10]
The state DEC says it will recommend that any market-sized fish from the apparently closed Local Ocean indoor aquaculture facility near Hudson be donated to a local food pantry. [TU]
New standardized tests had 31% pass rate, Poulin convicted of manslaughter, wife of man shot by State Police critical of response
State Education commissioner John King says the fact that there was only a 31 percent pass rate on the new standardized tests in math and English language arts in New York's schools for grades 3-8 -- compared to a 55 percent pass rate last year -- is more of a reflection that the bar was raised than of a decrease in student performance. In Schenectady, where only 5.7 percent of eighth graders were proficient in math and 10.8 in English, district superintendent Laurence Spring said the scores are a "clarion call" for the district. [TU] [Business Review]
Calling him "arrogant," a US district court judge sentence former stockbroker Tim McGinn to 15 years in prison for defrauding investors. McGinn's partner, David Smith, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. E. Stewart Jones, McGinn's attorney, says if the two had been "allowed to do what they did most of their professional lives, everybody would have been made whole by now." [TU] [YNN]
A Rensselaer County jury convicted Rory Poulin of second-degree manslaughter -- but acquitted him on murder charges -- in the shooting death of his girlfriend, Margaret Jordan. [TU] [Record]
The wife of a Clifton Park man shot by State Police on Tuesday when he refused to put down a loaded .30 caliber rifle after troopers responded to a 911 call to check on his welfare, says the officers acted too quickly. She says the officers did not attempt to talk to her husband, but ran toward him screaming. Tonya Stewart says her husband "wasn't wielding the gun, running around the house, or even sitting on the front porch." She said he was distraught, and she called 911 because she "was afraid he might think there were no more options."[TU][WNYT][Saratogian]
Appeals court says Bruno can be retried, state police shoot man in Clifton Park, Glenmont buffet employees charged with identity theft, attendance down at Saratoga
A federal appeals court rejected Joe Bruno's argument that facing a new trial would amount to double jeopardy. That opens the way for the scheduling of a second Bruno trial on charges of honest services mail fraud (this time around with a "a bribery and
kickback theory"). Bruno says he is disappointed in the ruling and is planning further appeals. [US Court of Appeals Second Circuit] [YNN] [TU] [TU CapCon]
State Police say a trooper shot a Clifton Park man Tuesday night while responding to a 911 call from the man's wife, asking them to check on his welfare. State Police say they found Douglas Stewart holding a rifle and shot him when he refused to lower the weapon. Stewart underwent surgery at Albany Med and is expected to make a full recovery. [NYSP] [TU] [WNYT] [YNN] [Saratogian]
Bethlehem police say they're investigating "numerous incidents of identity theft" allegedly related to the Golden Town Buffet in Glenmont. BPD says an investigation has determined that credit/debit card info was compromised. Police say four people have been arrested. BPD says there appear to be at least three dozen victims and $50k in fraud. The restaurant had been open as a buffet for about two months. Police are asking anyone who has used a credit or debit card there since June 15 to check their statements for fraudulent activity. [BPD] [YNN] [News10] [TU]
The jury in the trial of Rory Poulin -- charged with the murder of his girlfriend -- will continue deliberating today.
Former investment brokers Timothy McGinn and David Smith are expected to be sentenced later today for securities fraud. [WNYT]
Son pleads guilty to killing his mother, what food stamp cash bought, uncertainty about full casino gambling in Saratoga, celebrating Melville
Joshua McWain, the Greenfield man accused of killing his mother with a floor buffer and then burying her body in a shed under a "world's greatest mother" statue last October, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Friday. He faces 19 years to life in prison. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratoga County DA] [Saratogian]
Allan McBee, a 19-year-old from Watervliet , pleaded guilty to fatally shooting Ska-Kim Miller in South Troy in March 2012. He faces 15 years in prison. [TU] [Troy Record]
A Schenectady County grand jury has cleared Schenectady police in the fatal shooting of a man who was alleged to have been holding his roommate hostage at knife point in May. A report by the DA's office backs up the decision. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Daily Gazette tracked people who allegedly flipped their food stamps for cash as part of what authorities say was a large-scale scheme at a Schenectady grocery store and found that many people spent the money on items such as rent, utilities, and toilet paper. [Daily Gazette]
In Saratoga there's uncertainty and uneasiness about the possibility of full casino gambling -- and its effect on horse racing. Tangentially related: the new head of NYRA says expanding the season at Saratoga is a possibility. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Gruesome testimony in Poulin trial, Troy trying to claim properties from adjacent towns, chase ends in crash into bank building
From the testimony of Cheryl Pang-Born* at the trial of Rory Poulin, accused of murdering his longtime partner Margaret Jordan in North Greenbush: "She (Meg) had her head down and she had a beer in her hand ... Then I jumped up and saw her head was gone and I just started freaking out." On cross examination by the defense, Pang-Born testified that Poulin appeared to be in a "state of shock" about what had just happened (the defense has argued the shooting was an accident). *Her name has been spelled Pang-Born, Pangborn, and Pangburn in various reports. [Troy Record] [TU]
Attorneys for Timothy McGinn and David Smith, the Albany brokers convicted of defrauding investors, have asked the federal judge in the case for sentences of of less than 10 years Federal prosecutors have asked for life in prison. Smith's attorney noted in a sentencing memorandum that such a sentence would be much more than what Kenneth Lay and Jeffery Skilling got for the Enron case. [TU] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Massachusetts AG's office says Andrew Gause -- the Troy woman accused of defrauding the victims' fund for the Boston Marathon bombings -- has been transported to Boston and is scheduled to be arraigned today. [Troy Record] [TU]
Albany fire chief Robert Forezzi on the possibility of an oil tanker train crash in the area, like the one recently in Quebec: "I feel confident if we have an incident, we can handle and combat it." A handful of track-side residents expressed their safety concerns at a forum Thursday night. [TU] [WNYT]
Bruno's daughter and former boss face charges in alleged no show job, Sheehan leads Ellis in Albany mayoral poll, railroad puppy training as therapy dog
State AG Eric Schneiderman has filed charges against Susan Bruno and her former boss, the one time head of the SUNY Research Foundation, for allegedly filing time sheets showing Bruno was working when she wasn't. The charges allege this happened 47 times, and defrauded the public of $165,000. [TU][WNYT][Capitol Confidential]
An Albany County corrections officer was charged with harassment, coercion, and official misconduct for allegedly trying to blackmail the jail's former superintendent into changing his contract so he could save thousands of dollars in health care costs. Said Sheriff Craig Apple about the arrest: "We're not proud of the fact that we've had to arrest four or five of our own employees this year. It's disgusting. But I want to public to know that we're not tolerating it either."[TU][WNYT][YNN]
An overheated chemical tank was responsible for the foul odor that wafted through Cohoes late Wednesday night. The chemical, mercaptan, is used to add an odor to natural gas so people can smell a leak. The odor had subsided as of this morning and the mayor was advised that the smell did not create a health hazard. [TU][YNN]
A YNN/Siena poll of the Albany Democratic mayoral primary reports Kathy Sheehan leading Corey Ellis 54% to 23%. [YNN]
A 36-year-old Albany man who was born in prison will likely die there as well after being sentenced to 87 years in jail for dealing heroin. [TU]
The Troy woman accused of defrauding a fund for Boston Marathon bombing victims has waived extradition and will face charges in Boston.[TU]
Six arrested in Spa City prostitution investigation, body found in Queensbury reservoir, emergency landing at Albany International, DiNapoli questions $1 million in UAlbany leave
Police in Saratoga springs have arrested six women in a prostitution investigation. The arrests were part of a nationwide child sex trafficking crackdown, but no children were involved with the local arrests.[YNN][WNYT][Saratogian]
State Police say the body of a man was discovered in a Queensbury reservoir on Tuesday evening. Police do not suspect foul play.[YNN][Saratogian]
An autopsy has shown that local singer and actress Anna Kroup, whose body was found in the Hudson River on Monday, died from asphyxiation due to drowning. [TU]
Smoke spotted by a crew member caused a 39 passenger American Eagle jet to make an emergency landing at Albany International Airport on Tuesday afternoon. No fire was found and mechanics are still looking for the cause of the smoke. [TU]
On Tuesday Andrew Cuomo signed the Upstate NY Gaming Economic Development Act -- the blueprint that will guide the siting of four upstate casinos should voters pass a referendum in the fall. The act sets guidelines for regulation and selection of the proposed casinos and, among other things, lays out how to address cheating, problem gambling and distribution of education aid increases. [Capitol Confidential][State of Politics]
The Albany Landlord accused of forcing a fellow immigrant to work was cleared of labor trafficking charges on Tuesday, but convicted of grand larceny filing false statements and tax fraud for stealing security deposits that were supposed to go to the county Department of Social Serivces. Mala Kahn could serve up to 16 years in prison. Her daughter, Shereen Khan was cleared of all charges in the case. [TU]
An investigation by Comptroller Tom DiNapoli found UAlbany had more than $1 million in questionable paid leave expenses -- in one case paying $94,494 to an employee on a leave expected to lead to retirement.[TU]
Investigation into cause of big Saratoga Springs fire, body of missing woman found in the Hudson, Whole Foods planning for spring 2014 opening in Colonie
Investigators are looking into the cause of the big fire in Saratoga Springs over the weekend, though it may be slow going. An SSPD lieutenant explained the collapse the buildings' floors onto each other is making investigation difficult -- "It's like peeling an onion, one layer at a time." At this point officials don't believe the fire is suspicious. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Earlier this year the state Department of Environmental Conservation approved an oil company's application to double the amount of the oil and ethanol it handles at the Port of Albany. (The port has become a major node in the network that ships crude oil from North Dakota to refineries on the East Coast.) [TU]
Antonio Lopez-Bautista, convicted of dragging a woman from her vehicle and then sexually assaulting her in Saratoga Springs in May 2012, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Lopez-Bautista said in court Monday that he had been intoxicated and thought he was beating up a corrupt politician in his hometown in Mexico. Authorities say Lopez-Bautista is in the country illegally. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
Attendance at the Saratoga Race Course has been down this season compared to last year, maybe because of the hot weather. [TU]
Big fire in Saratoga Springs, officer testifies that Nelligan was trying revive grandson, Cherry Hill saved by donations
Five Victorian-style row houses in downtown Saratoga Springs (map) were destroyed Sunday morning in a massive fire that drew 15 fire trucks and almost 100 firefighters. It took five hours from the first call to get the fire declared under control. Thirty-two people lived in the homes -- police say 15 were home at the time and everyone there got out safely. Some of the row houses dated back to the 1800s.[Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [News10] [Saratoga Wire] [WNYT] [YNN] [TU]
The death of Gary Carpenter III, caused by injuries committed by his mother's boyfriend, has prompted the Warren County DA to call for an investigation of the state's child abuse reporting hotline. [TU]
The state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities says it's planning to close the O.D. Heck residential facility in Niskayuna in 2015. (Related: Who the heck was O.D. Heck?) [TU] [Daily Gazette]
In separate closure round announcement, the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision announced Friday that Mt. McGregor Correctional Facility in Wilton is slated to be closed. DOCCS reports that the number of inmates in state prisons is down 24 percent since a record high in 1999. [Daily Gazette] [NYSNYS/Saratogian]
The Hudson River near Albany continues to have high levels of microbial counts related to sewage discharges, according to Riverkeeper. [AP/Troy Record]
Reaction to downscaled Albany convention center, Troy installing surveillance cameras, Colonie approves tougher rules for Central Ave motels, the oldest man in the world
The proposal to build a smaller Albany convention center between the ESP and TU Center seems to be getting a cautiously warm reception from local officials. Said Jerry Jennings: "It's time for it. We've been talking about it for years and years." [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
From
The feds are seeking "very substantial" prison terms for Timothy McGinn and David Smith, the Albany-based brokers convicted of defrauding investors -- the max sentence is life in prison. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The city of Troy says it will be installing surveillance cameras at a handful of spots downtown. The city council president says there will be six cameras in the pilot program. [Troy Record] [YNN]
New direction for Albany convention center floated, community meeting about Park South redevelopment, "Ape's Law" signed, baseball hit king at Crossgates
New direction for the Albany convention center project: a smaller, two story building on a site between the ESP and the TU Center -- the idea is the facilitiy could be part of events that use all three venues. [TU] [Biz Review]
At a community meeting Wednesday night some residents of Park South expressed concerns about being displaced by the redevelopment plan. Said one resident: "They held the meeting and said 'we want you to feel a part of this process,' but it's gonna move along whether you agree with it or not." And another: "They're frustrated because they feel like they're not a part of it after contributing so much for so long." Said the head of Columbia Development at the meeting: "what we're trying to do is transform the community. You can't tell me what we're putting in there is not an upgrade." [WNYT] [News10] [YNN] [TU]
The attorney for Rory Poulin -- accused of shooting his partner of 30 years, Margaret Jordan, in North Greenbush last December after they had been drinking -- told jurors during opening arguments that Poulin accidentally fired the shotgun as he sat down. Prosecutors argued Poulin shot Jordan intentionally because he was mad at her. [TU] [Troy Record]
Park South redevelopment plan introduced, another state Assembly sexual harassment allegation, what's that floating in the pool... oh, no
Albany Med introduced its plan for the $110 million residential and retail phase of the Park South redevelopment. Said AMC's president James Barba: "We want to further enhance not just the neighborhood, but the city. And not just now, but for many, many years to come." The redevelopment plan includes relocation services for tenants in the affected area, but some said Tuesday they had hoped for more prior notice. There's a community meeting tonight (Wednesday) at AMC to talk about the plan. (And if you'd like the Quintessence diner building, it could be yours.) [AOA] [YNN] [TU] [Richard Conti FB] [AOA]
The mother of Gary Carpenter III, the Warren County boy who was killed by her boyfriend last November, was sentenced to 1-3 years in prison for her guilty pleas to charges of hindering prosecution and lying to police. Said Jennie Mattson in court: "I am ashamed of not protecting my son ... I think every day about Gary. I cry every night. I regret not protecting him like I should have." [YNN] [Post-Star]
The Troy woman accused of defrauding the victims assistance fund for Boston Marathon bombing has chosen to not waive extradition to Massachusetts. One of her supporters at a hearing Tuesday said the situation is "all a big mistake." [Troy Record] [TU]
The Scotia shop owner who was cleared after surveillance video appeared to show a police informant setting set him up has hired an attorney in an effort to clear his name and possibly file suit against two law enforcement agencies. [Daily Gazette]
How upstate cities are -- and aren't -- like the now-bankrupt Detroit. [TU] [YNN]
Boy accidentally shoots himself after finding gun, Schumer pushes for rail tanker upgrades, summer camp at night
Albany police say a 9-year-old accidentally shot himself in the hand Saturday in the Sheridan Hollow neighborhood (block map). The boy tells YNN he thought the gun was a toy, and told News10 he found it in a flower pot. In ensuing commotion, the boy's family says the gun wasn't picked up. And this morning an APD spokesman says police do not have the gun in possession, and an investigation is ongoing. Another question in the situation: whether the gun is a "community gun." [APD] [YNN] [News10] [WNYT] [TU]
Chuck Schumer was in Albany Monday to push for the feds to require freight railroads to phase out the use an older tanker car model that's said to be flawed for shipments of oil and ethanol. Schumer said his concern for the issue was prompted by the recent crash and explosion in Quebec, and the increased use of rail transportation for oil. The Port of Albany has become an active node in the network that transports crude oil from fields in North Dakota, and much of the oil transported through the port arrives in one of the older model tanker cars. (The TU's Chris Churchill has been focused on this issue recently -- see his report from this past weekend.) [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
The city of Albany and Albany Med are set to announce "an important project" late this morning in Park South -- expected to be plans for the residential and retail portion of the redevelopment of that neighborhood. [TU]
There was a large upswing in the number of building permits issued in the Capital District in 2012 compared to 2011. [Troy Record]
Massachusetts AG: Troy woman defrauded Boston bombing victims fund, concern about security of oil tanker trains, rally for Trayvon Martin in Albany, Cherry Hill mansion scraping for funding
A Troy woman was arrested Friday after she was accused of collecting a fraudulent $480k claim from the fund for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing -- the Massachusetts state attorney general alleges the woman had claimed a traumatic brain injury from the bombing. Troy police say Audrea Gause had the money deposited in a local bank account and withdrew $377k, which she carried in a paper bag, and talked about the money on Facebook. [Mass AG] [Troy Record]
Eric Green, accused of stabbing a state trooper in the neck at the Empire State Plaza in March, pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder on Friday. Green is facing 30 years in prison. [TU] [Albany County DA]
The Times Union got a copy of a report on a 2008 investigation of the State Police by the office of then-attorney general Andrew Cuomo -- among the details: Eliot Spitzer liked space from his State Police protection. [TU] [TU]
Watervliet's fire chief on discussions with railroad companies about security for oil tanker cars at a railyard that borders Watervliet and Colonie: "The feeling I got was that they didn't think anything's going to happen, and they have the insurance to cover it if it does." [TU]
The almost-century-old bulkheads along Troy's riverfront probably need to be replaced -- but the city doesn't have the millions of dollars necessary for the job. [TU]
It's still hot, opening day at the Track, unflattering picture of SUNY Cobleskill, cooking oil spill closes street, celebration of Jerry Jennings
The forecasted high for today: 99 (87 on Saturday). And Thursday set a record for the highest low temperature for the date: 77. Air conditioning is pushing the state's electricity usage toward near a record level, and on Thursday Andrew Cuomo asked New Yorkers to conserve electricity to avoid power outages. And National Grid has asked large users of electricity -- such as GlobalFoundries -- to pull back on their usage. The city of Schenectady is asking residents to conserve water. [NWS] [NWS] [Cuomo admin] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
Today is opening day at the Saratoga Race Course. And NYRA says the races will go on, despite the heat. How the Track is dealing with the heat for the horses: more water, more veterinarians. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
The state's unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in June, the lowest mark since February 2009, the state Department of Labor reported. The Albany metro area had more public sector jobs in June compared to the same month the year before -- the first time that's happened since 2009. [NYS DOL] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo is pushing a plan in which regions around the state would get to decide how to spend their portions of $500 million in federal disaster recovery funding. The local plans will have to take into account the threat of future flooding. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The graduation rate for Schenectady High School -- perennially one of the lowest in the Capital Region -- was up 7 percentage points for the 2012-2013 school year, and summer school Regents exams could push the rate over 60 percent. [Daily Gazette] Earlier: Capital Region high school graduation rates 2012
Cuomo signs order for $16 million for flood victims, Kerry will decide on extradition of marine,NYRA says heat won't stop opening day
The Capital Region is officially in the midst of a heat wave. [WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order on Wednesday freeing up $16 Million in state aid for flood victims around New York, after FEMA refused to offer individual assistance to homeowners earlier this week. The funding was released without a special session of the legislature because it will come from a "contingent appropriation" included in this year's budget for disaster spending. Cuomo plans to take part in a Storm Recovery Conference today.[TU][Capitol Confidential][WNYT][YNN][YNN]
A federal judge has cleared the way for the former U.S. marine, arrested in Clifton Park last month, to be extradited to the Philippines to stand trial in a double murder. Timothy Kaufman's case will now go before Secretary of State John Kerry for a final decision on the extradition.[TU][News 10][Saratogian]
A police detective testified in a pre-trial hearing in Troy Wednesday, that one of the three men charged with murdering rapper Sha-kim Miller in South Troy last year told police who the shooters were. But the suspect has requested his statement to police back in March be suppressed since his lawyer was not present when he gave it. [TU][Record]
NYRA says the races will go on at Saratoga on Friday, heat wave or no heat wave.[TU]
The new head of NYRA said Wednesday that the org and New York State may have had a difference of opinion in the past "but now their interests are aligned" and he is optimistic about NYRA's future. [YNN]
The water quality at the Saratoga Race Course, which was too low in chlorine for the last couple of days, is now back to normal.[News 10]
UAlbany and NanoCollege split, Cuomo seeks alternatives to special session to help flood victims,it's hot-- but you can't fry an egg on the tarmac
Yep, it's still hot, with temperatures expected to reach 93 today.[NWS]
SUNY Trustees voted to split the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering from UAlbany on Tuesday, but not all of the trustees were in agreement. Alain Kaloyeros, V.P. and CEO of the NanoCollege cited Andrew Cuomo's START-UP NY initiative to create tax free zones around universities as a major reason why the NanoCollege can't be tied to a local campus. Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said the two colleges will be "better off leveraging each others' strengths, calling the situation "a disruptive innovation." UAlbany will continue to offer support to the CNSE in the form of student housing, general education courses, and access to clubs, activities and dining facilities .
On Tuesday's Capitol Pressroom radio show, Andrew Cuomo said that while he'd prefer not to call the legislature back in a special session if he doesn't have to, he is looking into other ways to quickly get $10 Million in sate aid to assist nearly 400 property owners impacted by recent flooding across the state. Cuomo did say that if a special session is the only way, he will call one. [Capitol Pressroom] [Capitol Confidential] [YNN]
Also on Capitol Pressroom, Cuomo dismissed the idea that he is benefiting from Campaign Fiance loopholes that he's currently fighting to change, saying, they aren't loopholes, but the way the current law is written: " I want to change the campaign fiancé system," he said, "but in the meantime I have to live within the campaign finance system."[State of Politics]
An Office of Medicaid employee who sent records to a home computer may have compromised the security of some 18,000 Medicaid recipients. [TU]
Details in Scotia murder case, Schumer says GloFo asked for help developing relationship with Apple, live grenade removed from basement, Jennings Landing
It's hot. Today's forecast includes a high of 92. Municipalities around the area are opening cooling stations. (Locations in Albany.) [NWS] [TU]
Details in the case surrounding the death of Theresa Bernard in Scotia this past weekend: Scotia police say they apprehended Jeffrey Steele shortly after he allegedly stabbed his mother fatally in her bed, but didn't immediately realize who they had. Schenectady County DA Robert Carney says Steele was seen by police walking, covered in blood, carrying a military knife. Bernard appears to have endured "a brutal set of hardships throughout her life." [TU] [YNN] [News10] [Daily Gazette]
Though the state qualified for federal disaster aid to municipalities, FEMA has decided it will not be offering aid to individual homeowners in the upstate counties recently hit by flash flooding. Said Chris Gibson in a statement: "FEMA's decision is flat-out wrong." Said the mayor of Fort Plain to the Gazette: "This is just going to wipe their thoughts and future dreams of Fort Plain right off the map." [TU] [Cuomo admin] [Chris Gibson Facebook] [Daily Gazette]
About 60 people rallied on the steps of the state Capitol Monday morning to protest the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida. Said one mother at the rally of her 12-year-old son: "I don't feel safe. I feel like someone could take my son away just like (Trayvon Martin). I don't want my son to live in a cage, but I live in fear for my son." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The trial date for Dennis Drue -- accused of causing the Northway crash that killed two Shen students and injured two other teens -- is set for September 30. [Saratoga County DA]
The woman rallying support for the Albany Aquarium idea distanced her effort from that of Omni Development at an information session Monday night. [TU]
Scotia man accused in mother's death, another underground cable fire in Albany, SPD says bank robber got away on bike, new tune at ALB
A Scotia man has been charged with killing his mother at their home in the village. Scotia police haven't shared many details, but say 20-year-old Jeffrey Steele was arrested early Sunday morning. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Jennica Duell -- the mother of the three children who died in the Hulett Street fire in May that also killed a father and badly burned another child -- now tells the Times Union she wasn't at the scene of the fire, as she previously told a grand jury. Duell's now-former boyfriend, Robert Butler, is accused of arson and possibly facing a death penalty case in federal court. [TU]
After the recent train wreck and explosion in Quebec, concern about the railroad cars used to transport oil through the Capital Region. [TU]
The SUNY board of trustees will be considering a recent report that recommends spinning off the NanoCollege and the "Albany NanoTech Megaplex" into its own school, separate from UAlbany. [TU]
Warrington sentenced, state's new anti-corruption panel meets -- behind closed doors, collapse of beaver dam blamed for flooding
Brandon Warrington, convicted in Warren County of killing his girlfriend's 5-year-old son, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. At the sentencing, Warrington continued to profess his innonence. Afterward, the father of the child told the Post Star that he's been notifying friends in prison to look for Warrington, and "He's going to get justice the way I feel justice should be served." [TU] [Post-Star]
Trying to fill in the story behind the recent killings of a Schaghticoke couple. [TU]
The state's new Commission to Investigate Public Corruption -- the Moreland Commission instituted by Andrew Cuomo to investigate corruption in the state legislature -- met for the first time Wednesday. In closed session. Without public notice. [TU]
The attorney who heads up the public defenders for federal court in this district says budget cuts from the federal budget sequester are affecting their ability to defend clients. [TU]
More rain and flooding, Bisco begins, landfill issue rises in Albany mayoral race, TPD investigating whether man arranged hit on himself, Cannon Building for sale
A line of strong thunderstorms dropped a lot of rain in a short amount time Wednesday afternoon -- almost an inch in one hour -- prompting flash flooding in parts of the Capital Region. A few scenes from Albany: car-bumper-deep water at Sheridan and Chapel downtown, a geyser on Pearl Street, a flooded intersection at what looks like Ontario and Benson (map), flooding at the downtown campus UAlbany dorms, and water streaming into the lecture center at the UAlbany uptown campus. Rain also flooded streets in Troy. [NWS] [Dominick Purnomo] [Instagram tj_egan] [Instagram jmaine_ph] [Upstate Weather Examiner FB] [Albany Student Press YouTube] [Troy Record]
Camp Bisco begins: Fans were lined up outside Wednesday waiting for the gates to the music festival to open. Pushing back on recent media attention on drug use at the festival, organizers highlighted upgraded safety measures and medical facilities. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TU]
The father of the Vermont man who died at one of the Phish shows last weekend says the man did not overdose, contrary to earlier reports. His family says he died of a heart condition. [TU] [YNN]
GlobalFoundries and the town of Malta are close to finalizing agreements that would open the way for the zoning changes necessary for the construction of a second chip fab at Luther Forest. (GloFo has not yet said it will definitely be building the fab.) [Daily Gazette]
"People with knowledge of the situation" tell the Times Union that the recently-resigned chief attorney for the state Committee on Professional Standards, which fields complaints about attorney misconduct in this region, and two of his former employees are being investigated on allegations filing inaccurate time sheets. [TU]
Llenroc mansion owner gets house arrest, one death and more than 80 arrests over Phish weekend, traffic snarled by sneezing fit, Guilderland has Albany County's best water
Saying Annie George displayed "no respect for the truth whatsoever", a federal judge sentenced the owner of the Llenrock Mansion in Rexford to eight months house arrest and five years probation for lying on the witness stand during her trial for harboring an illegal alien. George has also been ordered to forfeit the mansion. [TU][YNN][WNYT]
Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy says one person died of a drug overdose and at least 80 arrests were made over three days at last week's Phish shows at SPAC. The arrests were mostly drug related. [TU][WNYT][Saratogian]
A lot of attention will be focussed on this weekend's Camp Bisco music festival in Mariaville in light of the death of a 20-year old volunteer at the festival last year. [YNN]
The Business Review reports that the Times Union Center is considering an expansion that could cost between $6 million and $11 million.[Business Review]
The mayor of Fort Plain says 87 businesses affected by last month's flooding do not plan to reopen, but some might reconsider if FEMA or other grant money becomes available. [WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that he's not optimistic about federal funding to help people in the flooded areas of the Mohawk Valley. [YNN]
Repp fighting extradition in Schaghticoke murder case, Skidmore student's harasser sentenced, Cuomo may call special session for flooding, Scotia diner/wedding chapel
More rain and flash flooding are expected today in the Capital Region. [TU]
Prosecutors will have to seek a governor's warrant to bring the suspect in the July 4th murder of a Schaghticoke couple back to New York. 22-year-old Anthony Repp is fighting efforts to extradite him from Massachusetts to New York to face charges in the beating deaths of his mother and stepfather. [TU][YNN]
The 49-year-old Massachusetts man who sent Skidmore College into lockdown last spring, when he threatened a student in a text message, was sentenced to five years probation, time served in jail and psychiatric counseling. Lance Leonard must also stay away from the victim for eight years. [TU][YNN]
The latest in the battle between the Albany County Legislators and Dan McCoy over the plan to privatize the County Nursing Home: McCoy is blasting legislators for planning to vote on pieces of their
own plan for the nursing home, without submitting the plan for public review. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo may call lawmakers back to Albany for a special session to help deal with the recent flooding in parts of the state. Fort Plain residents are hoping for federal aid to help with the flooding and Chuck Shumer is pressing to have parts of the state declared a disaster area to qualify for FEMA aid . [YNN] [WNYT][Capitol Confidential]
State Police: Schaghticoke couple died from blunt force trauma, Spitzer running for public office, 25,000 historical docs found in ceiling, remnants of industry are leather bikinis
State Police report the husband and wife killed in Schaghticoke on July 4 "suffered severe skull fractures and brain injuries due to blunt force trauma." The wife's son, Anthony Repp, was arrested Friday in Massachusetts in connection with the case after he allegedly fled the Capital Region by hopping a freight train. Authorities are working to have extradited back to New York. [NYSP] [TU] [News10] [WNYT]
Schenectady police have identified the body found Sunday afternoon in the eastern end of the city (map) -- they it was a 68-year-old woman who had been reported missing two weeks ago. SPD says foul play is not suspected -- she suffered from Alzheimer's and other medical conditions. [News10] [YNN] [WNYT]
Said the man accused of setting off fireworks in the crowd at the ESP Thursday, to WNYT: "I apologize if anybody got startled or anything. I didn't do nothing wrong. I just let off some fireworks." [WNYT]
The stretch of South Pearl Street in Albany where 7-year-old Qazir Sutherland was hit by a car -- and later died -- is getting new safety upgrades (map). [TU]
Eliot Spitzer says he'll attempt a run for New York City comptroller. He told NYT: "I'm hopeful there will be forgiveness, I am asking for it." [YNN] [NYT]
Suspect charged in murder of retired Schenectady nun, sentencing in railroad puppies case, Nikon to partner with Nanoscale College, Moreland Panel to include Soares
A 37 year old parolee has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of an 82 year-old retired nun who was found in her Schenectady home on New Year's Day. Michael Briggs, was jailed in January for a parole violation but was a suspect early on in the investigation. Briggs pleaded not guilty to charges.[WNYT][TU][YNN]
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says the newly formed Moreland panel will be empowered as deputy attorneys general and may have the authority to look into "every aspect of the state government," not just corruption in the legislative branch. The 25 member panel will include district attorneys from around the state, including David Soares, who has not prosecuted a politician on corruption charges in at least four years, and will have broad power to subpoena records and compel testimony from officials at various state agencies, as well as sitting legislators.[NYT][YNN][TU][WNYT]
The Albany man who abandoned three puppies on the railroad tracks and left dogs freezing in a u-haul will spend six months in jail on Animal Cruelty Charges and is forbidden from ever owning or living with another animal. Anthony walker pleaded guilty to felony Aggravated Cruelty to animals.[WNYT][News 10]
Nikon will partner with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering on a $350 million project to develop next generation lithography technology in a project expected to create 100 high tech jobs. [TU][News10]
Cleanup -- and flooding -- continue, Cuomo appointing commission to investigate corruption, youth baseball dispute allegedly resulted in tackled umpire, spray park a lotto win
Areas on the western side of the greater Capital Region are continuing to clean up from recent flooding -- while watching for even more rain. Monday night there was flooding in Herkimer County. Earlier in the day, Andrew Cuomo has asked the feds for a major disaster declaration in New York in order to get federal aid. And the body of the Fort Plain woman missing after flooding hit her mobile home was found. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [Cuomo admin] [News10]
The searches for two people missing after separate river incidents -- one in Warren County, the other in Washington County -- have been suspended because of high water levels. In the Warren County case, State Police say there's video of the man going over the Rockwell Falls on the Hudson in Lake Luzerne. [TU] [Post-Star]
Andrew Cuomo is ready to appoint a 25-member bipartisan panel to investigate corruption connected to the state legislature. Said Dean Skelos on the Capitol Pressroom Monday of a potential panel: "If this is just aimed at the Legislature, I think that would be inappropriate." [NYDN] [TU]
The processing of state income tax returns filed on paper apparently has a lot of problems this year. [TU]
Concerns about more flooding, call for investigation of manhole explosions, OK soon for OK Slip, the South End Tavern closes
Authorities say it looks like an elderly woman was killed when a flash flood carried away her mobile Friday in Fort Plain. Said resident of the flooding in the Montgomery County village, to the Daily Gazette: "I was upstairs sleeping and my husband came in and said we had a river on both sides of the house ... I mean, on both sides there was just water flowing and boats going up here trying to see if people needed help. It's kind of weird to see a boat floating on by your house." With more thunderstorms in the forecast today, the threat of flooding continues around the region. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
As part of a review of local elected officials' participation in the state pension system, the Times Union concludes that "records filed by elected officials in four local counties -- Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady -- shows that many county legislators have filed questionable, vague and, in some cases, illegible time sheets." [TU]
The state's new Justice Center -- created to investigate claims of abuse or neglect in the care of people with disabilities -- was scheduled to come online Sunday. [TU]
There was yet another report of manhole cover explosion in downtown Albany Friday. Albany County exec Dan McCoy is calling for an investigation by the state Public Service Commission. [News10] [Troy Record]
The city of Troy and Judge Development have ended talks on the redevelopment of the former city hall site. The city says it's now looking for other developers. [TU] [Troy Record]
Investigation into train derailment, suspect nabbed at ALB while waiting for flight, together for 60 years and two weeks
Officials say they're not sure yet what caused two trains to side-swipe each other, and then derail, in Montgomery County Thursday. The wreck closed a section of Route 5 and caused Amtrak to suspend train service west of Albany. Amtrak said a in statement late Thursday afternoon that "there is no estimate for track restoration at this time." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Amtrak]
A state appellate court has upheld the conviction of Steven Raucci. An attorney for Raucci says he will try to take the case before the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Saratoga Springs police say the man accused of robbing a CVS of 4,000 narcotic pills at gunpoint this week was apprehended at ALB Wednesday while he was waiting to board a flight to Florida. Police say he had gone to Boston after the robbery and then flew to ALB for a connecting flight, which was delayed by weather -- and apparently didn't suspect that police were looking for him. Said Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy about a rising number of robberies involving prescription drugs: ""It's something we're having to wrap our heads around and is, in fact, the new normal for this area." [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Saratoga Wire] [YNN]
A former Marine -- who had been living in Clifton Park when he was arrested for extradition to the Philippines on murder charges -- testified at an extradition hearing that he didn't commit the murders of which he's accused, and his attorney criticized the evidence in the case. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
Cuomo wants Assembly to return for Women's Equality vote, attorneys for former Albany imam request retrial,Lake George to become "smart lake," Cuomo's Harley at the ESP
Reaction to the Supreme Court's decision on DOMA from Andrew Cuomo, Kirsten Gillibrand, Paul Tonko, the Albany Pride Center. [YNN][Huffington Post][YNN][YNN]
Andrew Cuomo says he doesn't see the need for a special summer legislative session, but he want to see the Assembly return to the Capitol to vote on the split-up version of Women's Equality Act. [Capitol Confidential]
Amtrak has suspended service between Albany and Syracuse today, due to a 20 car train derailment in Montgomery County.[TU]
An acting State Supreme Court Justice is set to hear arguments on Friday in the case of four Occupy Albany protestors that DA David Soares has refused to prosecute. The outcome could not only affect the four protestors, but also, whether Soares can be held in contempt of court for not exercising his duties in the case. [TU]
Attorneys for the former imam of an Albany mosque, convicted in 2006 of laundering money as part of a fake scheme involving the sale of a shoulder fired missile,are seeing a new trial on the grounds that the FBI misidentified their client as a member of al-Qaida.[TU]
A National Transportation Safety Board report reveals some of what occurred before the single engine plane crash that killed developers Walter Uccellini and Jim Quinn.[TU][Record]
Three guilty pleas in Albany County Jail gambling case, armed robber gets 4,000 pills from Saratoga CVS, Google Glass in Schenectady
Albany County jail guard James Cerniglia pleaded guilty to gambling charges on Tuesday for his part in a multi-state sports gambling ring. Cerniglia told the judge that his gambling activities, conducted at Albany County Jail, provided "gas money... once in a while." He received a conditional discharge in exchange for forfeiting $5,000, agreeing never to work at the jail again and cooperating fully with an ongoing investigation into the case. Two others also pleaded guilty to gambling charges in the case.[WNYT][News10][TU][Record][YNN]
A man armed with a pair of revolvers held up a Saratoga CVS early Tuesday morning, making off with more than 4,000 hydrocodone pills.[Saratogian][TU]
A federal judge has postponed the extradition of a former marine who was arrested in the Capital Region in connection with a double murder in The Philippines.[WNYT][YNN]
Daquan Jones, who was acquitted of murder charges in February, plead guilty on Tuesday to second degree assault for shooting Isaiah Cooper in May over a dispute over a dice game. [Record]
A Schenectady woman, missing for over 24-hours, was located on Tuesday, not far from her home.[YNN]
Storm rips through Rensselaer, push to save Women's Equality Act, maybe a little to eager to move to Schenectady, three decades of bagels
A possible microburst during Monday's thunderstorms did some serious damage in Rensselaer and North Greenbush. Its sounds like there were a few intense moments. [TU] [YNN] [News10]
Andrew Cuomo and Dean Skelos are both suggesting/pushing the state Assembly to return to pass the nine non-abortion measures in the Women's Equality Act. (The Assembly passed all 10 measures as one bill -- the state Senate passed the nine as separate bills, thus the conflict.) The pass-the-nine option is also getting support from both anti-abortion and abortion rights groups. [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [TU]
This fall there will be six state constitutional items on the ballot -- ranging from whether to approve casino gambling to whether state Supreme Court justices should be allowed to serve until their 80. [TU]
Quietly removed from the state legislation that advanced the approval process for full casino gambling in the state: a provision banning orgs with a casino license -- or seeking a casino license -- from making state and local political campaign contributions. Theories as to why: 1) it might have been unconstitutional 2) its removal "basically created a whole new class of special interest money." [Daily Gazette] [State of Politics]
Federal prosecutors are not seeking prison time for Annie George, convicted of harboring an immigrant to work as a servant at the Llenroc mansion in Rexford. Instead, they're asking for home detention, probation, community service, and a fine. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
End of session flurry in state legislature, feds assert radiation weapon was viable, Troy farmers' market looking for permanent location
As the state legislative session closed, legislators passed bills for the Start Up NY/Tax-Free NY program and the upstate casino plan. But the 10-point Women's Equality Act stalled after an end-of-session flurry of meetings and legislative maneuvering couldn't get the bill through the state Senate, where Republican members continued to oppose an abortion rights provision in the act. (The Assembly had passed the 10-point plan as a whole -- the state Senate was taking it up as separate bills.) [State of Politics] [Saratogian/NYSNYS] [NYT] [TU CapCon] [TU CapCon]
"People familiar with the investigation" tell the Times Union that there was a "unanimous decision" on the part of the feds that the radiation device allegedly planned by Glendon Scott Crawford was a weapon of mass destruction and they dispute speculation that the device wasn't viable. And "sources with knowledge of the situation" tell the New York Daily News that Andrew Cuomo was a possible target of the alleged plot. In a Capitol Pressroom conversation, Cuomo responded by calling the alleged plot the work of "extereme right-wing nutsies." [TU] [NYDN] [State of Politics]
At local synagogues and mosques, the alleged plot prompted vows of interfaith unity -- and at the church Crawford attended, shock. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The real estate agent trying to sell the Schaghticoke garage where Crawford and Eric J. Feight were allegedly building the radiation weapon said something seemed amiss -- but figured it might be drugs. [TU]
Albany police say an Ulster County man has been arrested in connection with the death of a one month old last week. [TU]
Feds: mosque and Islamic center were "viable targets" in alleged radiation weapon plot, tension over Women's Equality Act on last day of legislative session, $1 million / 20
Federal prosecutors said Glendon Scott Crawford took undercover FBI agents to an Albany mosque and Schenectady Islamic center Tuesday as part of a scouting trip of "viable targets" in the alleged radiation weapon plot -- and then took the agents to the alleged device at former auto body shop in Schaghticoke before he was arrested. Attorneys for Crawford and Eric J. Feight argued there clients are not a threat, and weren't capable of building the weapon the feds allege was in the works. A federal district court judge ordered Crawford and Feight held without bail. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record]
Among the allegations against Crawford is that he had contact with the KKK -- law enforcement officials say they haven't seen indications that the KKK or other organized hate groups are operating in the area. [TU]
As the last scheduled day of the legislative session starts, the abortion provision of the 10-point Women's Equality Act continues to be a sticking point between the state Assembly -- which passed all 10 provisions as one -- and the state Senate, whose leaders are aiming to pass the other nine provision separately. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
With the fact that much of the city's property is already tax exempt in mind, the two presumptive frontrunners for Albany mayor -- Democrats Kathy Sheehan and Corey Ellis -- are watching closely what happens with the Cuomo admin's Start-Up NY/Tax-Free NY plan. [TU]
Sheila Abdus-Salaam was sworn in as the newest member of the Court of Appeals, New York's highest court. She's the first African-American woman to be appointed to the court. In attendance at the ceremony: US attorney general Eric Holder, a law school classmate of Abdus-Salaam. [TU] [WNYT] [NYDN]
Death of infant called homicide, Cuomo forming Moreland panel on corruption, women's equality bill could bring cliff-hanger, local Jewish orgs credited with helping nab terror suspects
Albany police are treating the death of a one-month-old boy from Kingston as a homicide. Albany Medical Center staff told police the baby died from a severe head injury on Monday. The child's mother says she sent him from her home in Kingston to Albany last week to be with his father.[TU][WNYT][YNN]
The state Assembly is poised to vote on the 10-point women's equality legislation as one bill, while the Senate is planning to work on the new version -- ten separate bills -- which could set up a legislative cliff-hanger. Andrew Cuomo warned yesterday that a non-vote on the abortion codifying section of the bill is equal to a no vote. Cuomo says everyone can be blamed if the 10-point women's agenda isn't passed before the end of this session. [TU][State of Politics][State of Politics]
New York's district attorneys are pressing lawmakers to pass dozens of yet-to-be-voted-on anti-corruption proposals. Andrew Cuomo says he is abandoning a legislative solution to the corruption in the state legislature. Cuomo says he is convening a commission under the Moreland Act to examine campaign finance law violations through the Board of Elections. [Capitol Confidential][Saratogian][Capitol Confidential][State of Politics]
An assistant US Attorney hinted that more arrests could be forthcoming in the case of the two men charged with attempting to build an x-ray weapon and sell it to Jewish organizations with the intent of killing Muslims. Prosecutors say local Jewish organizations, including the Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady were instrumental to catching the two suspects. The men are due back in court today.[Saratogian/AP] [AOA] [WNYT]
Women's Equality bill split ten ways, Cuomo and legislators reach casino agreement, Niskayuna school budget passes, Colonie among New York's most fiscally stressed communities
The legislative session is getting down to the wire. Last night Andrew Cuomo's proposed Women's Equality Act was split into 10 parts to separate the portion that clarifies state abortion law from the rest of the bill. Senate GOP leaders were refusing to vote on the original bill based on the abortion condition.[News10][TU][YNN]
Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have reached an agreement on proposed casinos. The arrangement would limit the number of Casinos to two per region -- and would call for four casinos in upstate NY -- two in the Catskills, one in the Capital Region and one in the Southern tier.[YNN][YNN][TU]
Revised budgets in Niskayuna and Middleburgh passed on Tuesday night.[TU]
Based on a 23 point examination, State comptroller Tom DiNapoli Colonie is one of the most fiscally stressed municipalities in the state. Paula Mahan doesn't disagree but says getting out of debt was the first priority for the town, and she'll now be focused on building a cash reserve. Albany and Saratoga Counties were listed as under "moderate stress" and Rensselaer County is "susceptible"to stress.[TU][YNN][Saratogian]
Funeral services were held in Guilderland on Tuesday for Lt. Col. Todd Clark, killed earlier this month in Afghanistan. Chidren from Pine Bush Elementary School lined the route to the church holding signs and American Flags for what
their principal called a "teachable moment." Clark's remains will be flown to his final resting place in Texas on an honor flight provided by Southwest Airlines. [YNN][TU][YNN]
Residents call for safer street after boy's death, thousands rally against fracking, McLaughlin "considering" run for governor, man says he was "just being an idiot"
Residents of the housing complex along South Pearl Street in Albany where 7-year-old Qazir Sutherland was hit by a car Saturday evening -- and later died from his injuries -- pushed for better safety measures along the street at Monday's Common Council meeting. Remarked a woman who said she saw Sutherland hit: "People are always just driving by here like crazy ... We got kids running around playing and there ain't a crosswalk or a stoplight in sight." Common Councilman Lester Freeman, who represents the South End, urged quick action: "There are children's lives in danger, right down there on South Pearl Street as I talk to you right now." Albany police are investigating the accident -- they say the driver stopped when it happened and was interviewed by officers. [WNYT] [TU] [YNN] [News10]
Mourners gathered along the route of the motorcade carrying the body of Army Lt. Col. Todd Clark, recently killed in Afghanistan, from ALB to Christian Brothers Academy Monday morning (photos). [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Timothy Kaufman -- who had been living in Clifton Park, and now sits in the Rensselaer County jail awaiting extradition to the Philippines on charges he killed two people -- writes in a letter to the Times Union that he's being set up and would not get a fair trial if extradited. [TU]
The issues apparently on the plate during this last week of the session for the state legislature: the university tax-free zones, casinos, binding arbitration for distressed cities, and privatizing the Long Island Power Authority. Apparently off the plate: campaign finance reform and Andrew Cuomo's 10-point women's agenda, of which state Senate IDC leader Jeff Klein says won't pass because of an abortion rights provision. That prompted blame of the IDC -- a small group of Democrats who controls the state Senate in coalition with Republicans -- from Cuomo and advocates. [TU] [NYT] [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
A Siena poll out Monday reports that Andrew Cuomo's favorability rating is at the lowest point of his term as governor, 58 percent. And 52 percent of respondents said Sheldon Silver should step down as speaker. [Siena SRI]
Family says boy struck by car has died, Cuomo adjusts casino plan, questions about housing as Park South redevelops
The family of the 7-year-old boy Albany police say was hit by a vehicle while crossing South Pearl Street (block map) Saturday night says the boy has died. [News10] [WNYT]
A motorcade will be transporting the body of Lt. Col. Todd Clark, recently killed in Afghanistan, from ALB to Christian Brothers Academy for calling hours today. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo is now proposing four -- instead of three -- upstate casinos as part of his upstate casino plan. The legislation necessary to move the process along is expected to a be a focus during this last week of the legislative session. Also: The Cuomo admin is apparently getting ready to flip the switch from "get along" to "kill" after a group of current VLT operators continued to oppose the administration's casino plans. [TU] [TU] [TU]
Residents of Schoharie County were cleaning up over the weekend from flash flooding on Friday, specifically in Middleburgh. Three inches of rain fell during just a few hours in some parts of the county. It was all too familiar. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TU]
Kirsten Gillibrand on the recent allegations by retired Lt. Col. Sharon Dwyer Stepp that officers in the 109th Airlift Wing in Glenville have covered up incidents of sexual assault: "Lt. Col. Stepp's remarks are consistent with what we have heard over and over again from the victims, the chain of command is failing victims of sexual abuse." (This issue has been a focus for Gillibrand.) [AP/Troy Record] [Capital New York]
Albany, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and Glens Falls are among the 60+ municipalities in the state that have courts specifically tasked with handling domestic violence cases, an arrangement said to do a better of job of holding abusers accountable. Also: An issue around New York State, if not necessarily the Capital Region: orders of protection being used to arrest not just the person they're directed at -- but also the person they're supposed to be protecting. [TU] [TU]
Eye on flooding, retired lieutenant colonel alleges sexual abusers in National Guard air wing not punished, report: increase in New York tornadoes
All the recent rain has prompted concerns about flooding along waterways. NWS has issued a flood warning for the Hudson River at Troy until Friday night. The Mohawk River was expected to crest at Schenectady just above flood stage early this morning -- SPD was going door to door in the Stockade Thursday night to give people the heads up. [NWS] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
A retired lieutenant colonel alleges in a letter to a US Senator that alleged sexual abusers in the Glenville-based New York National Guard 109th Airlift Wing were not punished, "but instead are promoted." [AP/TU]
The father of Army Lt. Col. Todd Clark, the Albany area native killed this past weekend in Afghanistan -- shared details of the attack by an Afghan soldier that killed Clark and two other men from the Hudson Valley. [TU]
An abortion rights amendment to the Cuomo admin's women equality bill aimed at getting state Senate Republican on board fizzled. A key supporter in the state Senate of the bill -- Diane Savino -- said Thursday the abortion measure should be set aside so it doesn't endanger the bill's other nine measures. [TU] [AP/Saratogian]
The head of The Prevention Council -- an org in Saratoga County aimed at preventing alcohol and drug abuse -- was arrested for DWI in Warren County in March. The org says Heather Kisselback has been placed on 6-month probation with counseling. Said Kisselback in an email to the Saratogian: "I understand why people are upset with me. I'm upset with me! I truly am sorry. All I can do now is try to make it right." [WNYT] [TU] [Saratogian]
The Fulton County sheriff says the body of the man missing since the volunteer medical flight carrying him and two others crashed in May had fallen on a freezer, crushing it around him, leaving the body hidden from searchers who passed within feet of it for weeks. [Daily Gazette]
Former RPI employee arraigned for embezzlement, suspicious packages at Albany FBI HQ, Round Lake librarian reinstated, Alec Baldwin wants to clean up Albany
All the rain we've had and the rain we're expecting, has prompted flood warnings for much of the Capital Region . [TU]
The State Police bomb squad was called to an FBI field office on McCarty Avenue in Albany on Wednesday afternoon when two suspicious duffle bags were discovered at the property. The building and a nearby apartment complex were evacuated. No word on what was in the bags but x-rays showed they posed no threat to the community [YNN][TU][News10] [Record]
A former business coordinator for RPI's School of Architecture, who was arressted in 2010 for allegedly embezzling more than $350,000 from the college, was arraigned in Troy on Wednesday. Rensselaer County D.A. Rich McNally says it took three years to arraign Christine Dickson because prosecutors were working to resolve the case out of court and determine how much of RPI's loss was covered by insuranceso they could determine a restitution figure.[TU][Record]
The lastest in the saga of the Round Lake library: The Women's Round Lake Improvement Committee selected a new Round Lake Library Board in an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening. The board reinstated long time librarian Theresa Marchione - who ws fired several weeks ago when she shut down the library 40 minutes early because of tornado warnings. Library Director Carol Sheffer, who fired Marchione, resigned from her post on Wednesday afternoon. [TU][WNYT][YNN]
Warrington found guilty of murder, Cuomo proposes Public Trust Act to curb legislative corruption, entire Round Lake Library Board resigns over fired librarian case
A Warren County jury found Brandon Warrington guilty of the murder of his girlfriend's 5-year-old son. Jurors deliberated for three-and-a-half hours on Tuesday before convicting Warrington of second degree murder in the death of Gary Carpenter in November. Warren County DA Kate Hogan said Warrington's own testimony "was a gift to the prosecution."[WNYT][YNN][TU]
The entire Round Lake Library Board resigned last night after deferring a decision on reinstating the village librarian who was fired for closing the building early due to tornado warnings. Board members resigned during an executive session on the matter, citing threats to their families over the issue. [YNN][Saratogian][TU][WNYT]
With just six days remaining in the legislative session, Andrew Cuomo is proposing the Public Trust Act to address corruption in the state legislature. The bill would create a new class of government corruption charges, including a misdemeanor for public officials who fail to report knowledge of bribery. [NYT] [TU]
Opponents of the NY SAFE Act rallied on the steps of the state Capitol on Tuesday afternoon. Following the rally protestors delivered petitions to legislators. [WNYT][TU]
A group called "New Yorkers for Life" are planning a rally at the Capitol today to protest the abortion provisions in Andrew Cuomo's proposed women's equality legislation.[YNN]
Remembrances of men killed in Afghanistan, auditor: Albany water department had lots of unpaid bills, push for Troy marina
Remembrances of the two men from the region killed in Afghanistan this past weekend: the wife of Joseph Morabito, from Greene County, recalled how her husband "couldn't just stay home and sit on the couch and watch TV and just be a regular citizen ... It just wasn't in him anymore. He had to do something. He had to make a difference, even if it was just a slight difference." And the former head of the New York National Guard remembered Todd Clark, an Army lieutenant colonel from the Albany area, as "a leader who took care of his men." [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
Saratoga Springs police have identified the woman hit and killed by a man accused of driving drunk Friday: 55-year-old Jamie Jo McBride, from Washington State. It's not clear why she was in Saratoga. [Saratogian] [TU]
A report from the Albany city auditor concludes the city's water department has "an excessive number of unpaid bills from 2010, 2011 and 2012" -- more than $1 million -- even though it has the money to pay them. The water department's CFO has resigned. Said an assistant commissioner to the Times Union: "The bottom line is, the bills weren't being paid. ... The mail was coming in and it was being put in a pile and not processed." [Albany city auditor] [TU]
Not surprisingly, tech is a growing part of the Capital Region economy, according to a Brookings Institution report. Also not surprising: the best jobs are going to people with more education. [Daily Gazette] [BI] [TU]
The group that oversees the the Round Lake Library Board of Trustees passed a resolution calling on the board to re-instate a librarian recently let go after she closed the library early because of a tornado warning -- and resignation of the library director who did the sacking. The issue apparently has the tiny village of Round Lake fired up, drawing more than 100 people to the meeting. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Soldier originally from Albany area killed in Afghanistan, rally against standardized testing, high school student arrested for alleged threat on Facebook, turtle crossing season
Todd Clark -- an Army lieutenant colonel, Albany-area native, and CBA graduate -- was killed over the weekend while serving in Afghanistan. Clark and two other Americans -- including a Greene County man -- were reportedly shot by an Afghan soldier following an argument. This was Clark's fifth tour overseas, and he had already been awarded a Purple Heart. "The worst day of my life," Clark's father, himself a veteran, told the Times Union of hearing of his son's death. [YNN] [WNYT] [NYT] [News10] [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say a woman died Friday night after being hit by a pickup truck while crossing Ballston Ave near the southern edge of downtown (map). The driver has been charged with first-degree vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated. SSPD says the woman was in a cross walk. It's having trouble finding family to notify. [TU] [Saratogian] [News10] [Saratogian]
An estimated 10,000+ people were at the ESP Saturday for a rally against standardized testing in New York schools -- or, as one person described it, "drill, kill, bubble fill." [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The state's tax code has so many tax exemptions that no one is sure exactly how many there are or how much they cost in tax revenue that would otherwise be collected. [TU]
More allegations against Lopez and Silver, driver in fatal hit and run sentenced, bed bugs in Schenectady, RPI part of suit against Apple
From the ongoing fallout of the Vito Lopez sexual harassment situation: two state Assembly legislative aides have filed lawsuits against Lopez, Sheldon Silver, and the Assembly. One of the suits alleges "Silver and his staff tried to cover up Lopez's actions and protect Lopez and the Assembly from public scrutiny" -- and "Silver was more concerned about avoiding adverse media attention than he was about protecting employees of the Assembly from sexual harassment." Another allegation: Lopez suggested one of the staffers have sex with a Cuomo admin official in order to get a bill passed -- and talked of a "naked" Executive Mansion overnight tour. A Cuomo admin spokeswoman said the idea of Lopez getting access to mansion for that "couldn't be more absurd." [TU] [State of Politics] [NYDN] [AP/Troy Record]
Anthony Gallo -- convicted of driving while under the influence of drugs and the fatally hit and run on Cassandra Boone, a pedestrian crossing State Street, in November 2011 -- has been sentenced to 15-32 years in state prison. He got the maximum sentence allowed by the law. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Robert L. Williams, charged with second-degree murder for the stabbing death of Sharene Wallace in an apartment in Albany's West Hill neighborhood, pleaded not guilty. Family members say Williams and Wallace were married under Muslim law, though it wasn't official with the state. [News10] [TU]
Albany police say a man was shot three times while sleeping on a couch in an West Hill apartment early Thursday morning. APD says evidence indicates the shots were "intentionally fired through a window from outside the residence." The man is in stable condition. [APD]
It looks like "moderate to locally heavy" rain over the next day or so as Tropical Storm Andrea travels up the East Coast. [NWS] [NOAA]
Cuomo releases casino plan, Williams charged with wife's murder, dogs accidentally dragged by patrol car, aspirations of re-striping a bridge
Andrew Cuomo officially released his Upstate New York Gaming Economic Development Act on Wednesday. Details include the establishment of a gaming commission, a $50 million minimum licensing fee for destination resorts, and approval from local governments. The plan still needs approval from state legislators and voters. [YNN][TU][WNYT]
A Quinnipiac poll released today reports two thirds of New Yorkers support Andrew Cuomo's plan to update New York's abortion laws. [TU]
Forty-one-year-old Robert Williams, the husband of Sharene Wallace -- who Albany police say was found stabbed to death in a closet in an apartment in West Hill last week -- was arrested Wednesday in New York City, and has been charged with second-degree murder. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN]
Katherine Seeber, the former Wilton woman who served 12 years in prison for her role in the murder of her 91-year-old step great grandmother and was released in July, has been stabbed to death by her boyfriend in Queens, police there say. [Saratogian] [TU][NYDN]
Max Etienne, a 10-year-veteran of the Albany Police Department, pleaded guilty to DWI on Wednesday. Police say Etienne left the scene after crashing into three parked cars near South Main and Hansen avenues, but later returned. Etienne will not serve any jail time, but accepted a plea deal that requires him to pay $1,000 fine and perform 60 hours of community service . [WNYT][YNN][TU]
Cuomo proposes "Bill of Rights" for women, poll: majority of New Yorkers think Silver should resign, arson suspect to face federal prosecution
Andrew Cuomo unveiled his proposed "Bill of rights" for women on Tuesday. The ten-point plan would toughen laws against human trafficking, domestic violence, gender-based discrimination and pay inequity as well as updating the state's abortion laws. The abortion language constitutes about five sentences at the end of the 56 page bill and would secure a right to late-term abortions when the health of the pregnant woman is at risk or when the fetus is not viable. State Senate Republicans argue wrapping abortion legislation in with the women's rights billis a political maneuver, and may keep the bill from reaching the floor. [TU][YNN][NYT][Capitol Confidential]
A new poll Quinnipiac poll reports New York voters believe Sheldon Silver should step down for his handling of the Vito Lopez scandal by a margin of 51 to 22. [NYT]
Lopez, the former Assembly member, is expected to be fined $330,000 by a legislative ethics panel for allegedly sexually harassing former employees.[NYT]
The prosecution of Saratoga man charged with starting the Schenectady fire that killed 32-year-old David Terry and four of his children will be handled by federal prosecutors in US district court, opening the possibility that he could face the death penalty if found guilty. [Saratogian] [TU] [YNN]
The former CFO of the Brighter Choice Foundation, convicted for stealing $54,000 from Key Bank in his previous job, will spend 5 to 10 years in prison for stealing nearly $203,000 from Brighter Choice -- money he says he believed was "owed" to him. [Record] [YNN] [TU]
An Albany man is facing charges for allegedly sexually abusing a kindergartner in the bathroom of the State Museum. The child was on a field trip with his class from Cambridge Elementary School and his mother was waiting for him outside the bathroom door. [TU][YNN][WNYT]
Cuomo to propose women's rights agenda legislation, no further charges for driver accused of hitting pedestrian after falling asleep, "complete streets" for Albany
The Cuomo admin is planning to formally propose a "Women's Equality Act" today, which includes a bunch of measures from the governor's women's rights agenda. A provision that would allow abortions after 24 weeks to protect a woman's health is shaping up to be a point of conflict in the state Senate. In an op/ed at the Huffington Post, Andrew Cuomo argues that New York's current abortion law is "outdated and inconsistent with federal law." [WSJ] [YNN] [Huffington Post]
The state Conservative Party is criticizing the Cuomo admin's plan for tax-free zones at SUNY campuses: "As we have noted many times government should not be deciding what business receives government handouts that give them advantages over other businesses." The idea has also been criticized by CSEA. On Monday Cuomo said the plan "levels the playing field overnight" for retaining startups upstate. SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher said Monday the she'd heard from university presidents that the proposed plan was already generating interest from companies. [State of Politics] [News10] [TU] [Troy Record]
A large group of state legislators, both Democrats and Republicans, are pushing for the restoration of $90 million that was cut from funding for non-profits that serve people with disabilities in the state. [TU]
The Saratoga County Sheriff's Department says the driver who's accused of falling asleep and fatally hitting a pedestrian in Halfmoon this past weekend will not face charges beyond a traffic violation because of a precedent set by the state Court of Appeals in a Saratoga County case that dates back 1985. [Saratogian]
The Albany Police Department released a few more details about the death of a woman in an West Hill apartment last week, which it's now calling a homicide. APD says the woman was found in a closet and had been stabbed. It also reiterated that it wants to talk with the woman's husband. APD hasn't called him a suspect, but chief Steve Krokoff called him "a person of interest." [APD] [YNN]
A Schenectady landlord was ordered to pay $85,400 in fines after a city court judge found him guilty of 254 code violations at an apartment building in the Vale neighborhood. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Sheriff's office: pedestrian killed after driver fell asleep and veered, NWS says there was third tornado, Uncle Sam loses his head
The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office says a Halfmoon man was killed early Sunday morning when he was struck by a vehicle as he walked along Route 4. SCSO says the driver of the vehicle had fallen asleep and veered off the road -- he's been ticketed for failure to keep right. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
A jury found Antonio Lopez-Bautista guilty of the attempted kidnapping and attempted rape of a woman on Saratoga Springs' west side in May 2012. He faces up to 15 years in prison. Lopez-Bautista is in the country illegally and could be deported after serving his prison sentence. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
Having the case against Robert Butler, accused of arson in the Schenectady fire that killed three children and their father, prosecuted by the feds as a death penalty case is a possibility the Schenectady County DA tells the Times Union. [TU]
The National Weather Service has concluded that a third tornado touched down in the Capital Region last Wednesday, in Clifton Park (map) -- NWS estimates the tornado was 200 yards wide and traveled a mile, with max wind speeds of 100 mph. [NWS]
The State Liquor Authority has significantly reduced the wait time for processing new liquor license applications. [TU]
NWS: two tornadoes touched down, state Senator: level of oversight of daycares "simply unacceptable," running to make a statement, a-p-o-r-i-a
The National Weather Service has concluded that two tornados touched down in the region Wednesday: one that traveled from the town of Florida in Montgomery to Rotterdam in Schenectady County (17 miles, top wind speed 125 mph), and another in Schoharie County (2 miles, top wind speed 100 mph). One man was injured when the first tornado ripped through his family's property in Mariaville -- the wind picked him up, six feet off the ground according to a witness, and blew him out of a barn. Said another Mariaville resident of the tornado: "it sounded exactly like a locomotive." Straight-line winds caused significant damage in Schenectady's Bellevue, Central State and Woodlawn neighborhoods. And in Troy, two large housing complexes were still without power Thursday afternoon after it was knocked out during the storm. [NWS] [NWS] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [News10]
Albany police say the death of a woman in a West Hill apartment Thursday is suspicious, though they have released few details. [YNN] [TU]
State Senate Independent Democratic Conference leader Jeff Kelin in a statement about an IDC report about daycare in the state: "The current state of oversight and enforcement at New York State day care centers is simply unacceptable." The Cuomo admin says the IDC report took information out of context and called it "alarmingly misleading." [State of Politics] [AP/TU]
Storm causes downed trees, outages and flooding, Assembly members call for Sliver's resignation, rape defendant blames alcohol and cold medicine, local spellers head to nationals
Crews are cleaning up debris, downed trees, and wires after last night's storms. Wind speeds reached almost 60 mph and rain caused flooding in parts of the Capital Region. Thousands of National Grid customers lost power and a number of schools around the Capital Region are closed today. [YNN] [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
A witness in the trial of Brandon Warrington, the man charged with the beating death of his girlfriend's five-year-old son, testified on Wednesday that he saw a dark bruise on the boy's forehead a day or two before he was hospitalized and said he told Warrington and the boy's mother that the child should go to the hospital. The jury also heard testimony from a witness who said he saw Warrington throw the child on a bed in a rough manner and say "Boys can handle it, boys can take it."[YNN][Post Star]
Another pedestrian was hit by a car on Hoosick Street in Troy on Wednesday, near the site of several recent serious vehicle/pedestrian accidents. Earlier this month the DOT and the city of Troy announced $100,000 of projects to make the roadway safer for pedestrians. [TU][Record][YNN]
Troy detectives are investigating the stabbing of a 12-year-old boy at a 4th Street residence. The boy's injury is described as serious, but not fatal. [Troy PD Press Release]
Albany police are searching for the person who stabbed a 24-year-old man in the abdomen on Monday night. [TU]
The case of the state worker who was fired after the State Police put a GPS device on his car to confirm that he was skipping work will be heard by New York's highest court next week. [WNYT]
Trial begins in death of Glens Falls 5-year-old, racino announces $30 million expansion,Bruno farm house for sale, Elvii return to Lake George
The trial of Brandon Warrington, the Glens Falls man charged with the death of his girlfriend's five-year-old son last fall, began on Tuesday in Queensbury. Prosecutors say Warrington repeatedly beat the boy, but the defense claims the child died due to his mother's negligence.[TU][YNN][News 10]
The Saratoga Casino and Raceway has announced a $30 million expansion that includes a hotel, spa, pool, upscale restaurant and events center. Raceway president Dan Gerrity said Tuesday that the expansion plans will move ahead, whether or not Saratoga is tapped to get one of three full casinos the Cuomo admin has proposed for upstate, but believes the expansion will put the city in a better position to be selected for a casino. The expansion work will start early next year and will take about a year to complete. [TU][YNN][Saratogian][WNYT][News10]
The Fulton County sheriff has confirmed that the two bodies found Tuesday in Sacandaga Lake are the father and son who were missing after a fishing trip nearly two weeks ago. It is believed that the equipment they were carrying was too heavy for the boat and the cold water made it too difficult for them to swim. [YNN][News 10]
The plane that crashed in a Fulton County pond last week as it carried a cancer patient and his wife home from a treatment in Boston, was raised from the pond on Tuesday. The patient is still missing, but the remains of his wife and the volunteer pilot have been recovered. [WNYT][TU][YNN]
The US Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights has concluded that Hackett Middle School was in the wrong when it address a race-related bullying case by removing the victim from the school rather than the bullies. [TU]
Search continues after plane crash, Cuomo admin vs. Canada, assault rifle being adapted to comply with SAFE Act, bow ties at the Capitol
The search continues for the body of the third person aboard a volunteer medical flight that crashed in Fulton County Friday evening. The "Angel Flight" was transporting a married couple from the husband's appointment with cancer doctors in Boston back to Utica. The bodies of the pilot and wife have already been found. Witnesses say there the plane broke apart in air before the crash. Albany attorney Terry Kindlon, also a pilot, had flown the first leg of the trip, and says the couple was "happy and optimistic." [AP/TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [News10]
A man from the Capital Region has been accused in a 2011 double murder in the Philippines and is currently being held in the Rensselaer County jail, facing possible extradition. [TU
The Cuomo administration has managed to pick a fight with Canada -- over the Peace Bridge. [NYT]
There isn't a process in place for formal, regular reviews of state legislators' travel expenses and they're very rarely audited. [TU]
The Schenectady school district has changed its sex ed classes as part a broader program to prevent teen pregnancies -- Schenectady County has one of the highest rates in the state. [TU] [NYS DOH]
Planning and criticism for no-tax zones, man says he lost his job because of mistaken arrest, attorney: charge should be dropped because of "hit like a girl" comment
Businesses and politicians are thinking up ways to use the no-tax zones attached to college campuses proposed by Andrew Cuomo -- even if it how it all would work isn't clear yet. The proposal would have to be passed by the legislature before taking effect -- and criticism from legislators is bubbling up. [TU] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
State Senate Republicans have a floated a plan for picking casino sites around the state. It would put the first casino in the Catskills, the second in the Southern Tier, and the third in the Capital Region. [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics]
A man wanted in connection with the shooting death of Darzee Reid in Albany in April -- the city's first homicide of the year -- was apprehended in Kentucky this week. [YNN]
A Schenectady man says he was arrested in a case of mistaken identity as part of a drug sweep coordinated by the state Attorney General's office in February -- News 10 reports the AG's office is moving to drop the charge, but the man has already lost his job. [NYS AG] [News10]
The principal of Cohoes High School is back at work after accepting an undisclosed penalty for buying ammunition in the parking lot of the school. The school board concluded he made a mistake in violating the code of conduct, but police say he didn't violate any laws. Joseph Rajczak said in a statement that he "used poor judgment and fully accept the district's consequences for my actions." [Troy Record] [TU] [CSSD]
Search crews are looking for a man who apparently fell into the Hudson Thursday evening near Rensselaer. [YNN]
Cuomo proposes tax free zones around SUNY campuses, RPI to partner with Mount Sinai, more heavy rain expected
Andrew Cuomo is proposing the establishment of tax free zones for businesses that set up near SUNY campuses. Under the plan, 120 million square feet of tax free space would be made available for companies to locate within the zones, in an effort to create economic hubs. [YNN][TU]
It rained. A lot. And it's going to rain more. [TU][WNYT][NWS]
Recent agreements between the Cuomo administration and the Mohawk and Oneida tribes to keep new casinos away from reservation gaming establishments have ruled out a Lake George casino, but made Saratoga a much more likely site for one.[TU][Saratogian]
Niskayuna's school board will propose another round of budget cuts that could include school closures, before putting a spending plan up for a vote again in June.[TU]
Niskayuna school budget rejected, state judge backs ban on Armory dance parties, historic house accidentally saved
School budgets in most Capital Region districts were approved by voters on Tuesday, but the Niskayuna budget -- which included a 5.76 percent tax increase that required overriding the tax cap -- was voted down. The district's superintendent said in a statement that official expected to adjust the budget and put it back up for re-vote June 18. [Record] [YNN] [TU] [NCSC]
John Davis beat self-proclaimed fascist, and reptile owner, Jose Lopez for a seat on the Albany Public Library Board of Trustees. [APL Press release]
Andrew Cuomo has reached a casino agreement with the Mohawk Tribal Council that will give the Mohawk's casino exclusivity in an 8-county region of northern New York in exchange for $30 million in back payments to New York State plus future revenue shares from the casino. The move eliminates the prospect of locating a casino in Lake George. [TU][Post Star][Gazette]
Two of Vito Lopez's alleged harassment victims are "actively considering" suing Sheldon Silver for negligence in light of recent reports that Silver covered up earlier harassment claims through confidential settlements. [NY Post]
A 26-year-old Albany man was shot in the leg early Tuesday near the intersection of 1st and Judson Streets in the city. [TU]
A New York State judge has backed a decision by Albany's Zoning Board of Appeals to block dance parties at the Washington Avenue Armory. The original decision was made, in part, by consulting the dictionary for a definition of auditorium. [TU]
The unemployment rate in the Capital Region was 6.5 percent in April -- down from 7.2 percent during the same period last year, according to the state Department of Labor. [NYS DOL]
Silver apologizes for handling of sexual harassment case, woman accused of soliciting donations for cancer she didn't have, 20 for $1 million
Today is school budget voting. Don't know where to vote? Check with your district's website.
An "uncharacteristically contrite" Sheldon Silver apologized for the handling of complaints of sexual harassment against now-former Assemblyman Vito Lopez. He also proposed a group of changes to Assembly sexual harassment polices, among them making all Assembly members and supervisory staff mandatory reporters of harassment. [TU] [NYDN] [NY Assembly]
Andrew Cuomo again criticized Silver's handling of the situation Monday. A Democratic Assemblyman from the Buffalo area took the rare step of announcing he was leaving the chamber's Democratic conference in protest. But Silver, "a master of wielding the levers of power at the Capitol," always seems to find a way to sail through the crisis. [State of Politics] [Buffalo News] [NYT]
The Chemung County sheriff says reps for county sheriffs around the state weren't summoned to the Capitol recently to discuss changes to the NY SAFE Act, as they thought -- but rather for Andrew Cuomo to tell to stop speaking against the gun law. [TU]
What's left of St. Patrick's in Watervliet: a pile of bricks. [TU]
Rensselaer County clerk sealing all pistol permits, Vito Lopez resigns, UAlbany students fighting suspensions over house parties
What remained of St. Patrick's in Watervliet Friday evening.
Citing cost and lack of staff, Rensselaer County clerk Frank Merola says he's sealing all pistol permit records in the county so that his office doesn't have to deal with keeping track of which people opted out of having a public record under the NY SAFE Act. Merola describes the opt-out provision as an unfunded mandate from the state. He says his office has received about 2,000 opt-out forms. [TU] [News10]
Niskayuna and South Colonie are among the few school districts statewide looking to get voters to approve a tax cap override Tuesday. Local school districts are
Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned effective this morning following multiple calls for his expulsion from the Assembly because of sexual harassment allegations. Lopez says his resignation is not an admission of wrongdoing and he did it for "for the sake of my family, for the sake of my close friends and for the sake of my own health." The situation has also cast a critical light on Sheldon Silver. [State of Politics] [TU] [NY Post] [NYT]
Said one of the attendees at the memorial service for the father and three children killed recently in a Schenectady house fire, which authorities say was arson, trying to make sense of the situation: "It's senseless." Said one of the service's speakers to the crowd: "It's a sad day for us when a child doesn't meet his first birthday. It shouldn't happen like that. But it does happen like that." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Cuomo: "zero tolerance" for Lopez, development planned for Wellington Row, Handy Andy severely damaged in fire
Andrew Cuomo on Assemblyman Vito Lopez, following the ethics report about allegations of sexual harassment against Lopez: "The reaction should be zero tolerance. If he doesn't resign, they should expel him." Cuomo also said the Assembly has handled the situation surrounding Lopez "poorly and terribly," though he didn't specifically single out Sheldon Silver. Thursday night Silver's office announced the speaker will introduce a resolution that could lead to Lopez's expulsion from the Assembly. [State of Politics] [TU] [NYT]
The state attorney general's office and NYPD say 16 people have indicted for an alleged "criminal ring that flooded New York City, Albany County and Schenectady County with more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes illegally imported from Virginia." State AG Eric Schneiderman says authorities aren't sure where all the money ended up, ""We know that some members of this group have ties to some very dangerous people." [NYS AG] [TU]
The Cuomo admin and the Oneida Indian Nation announced a deal that grants the nation exclusive casino rights (and settle some longstanding land rights disuptes) in Central New York in exchange for a 25 percent of the casino revenue. The deal takes a potential Syracuse-area casino off the table if/when the state approves full casino gambling. (Andrew Cuomo has proposed siting three casinos upstate, with a preference for one in the Capital Region.) [Cuomo admin] [Post-Standard] [TU] [Cuomo admin]
Columbia Development is planning to build office and condo space in portions of Wellington Row, the stretch of facades along State Street in Albany near the Capitol. [TU] [News10]
JCOPE report shows Silver's office shielded Lopez, Albany Dems endorse Sheehan, demolition of St. Patrick's tower underway
The long awaited JCOPE report on the Vito Lopez scandal was released on Wednesday. Among the details: Lopez told female employees to dress more provoctively, and asked them to do things like rub his hand or share an apartment with him, and threatened their jobs when they rebuffed his advances. The report also says the office of Sheldon Silver sheilded Lopez from public scrutiny and failing to investigate and refer initial harassment allegations . A special prosecutor in Staten Island who was conducting his own investigtion into the case found "no basis" for criminal charges against Lopez and also found Silver's office did not break the law, but "fell short of what the public has a right to expect." [NYT][WNYT][Capitol Confidential]
Albany's Democratic committee has endorsed Kathy Sheehan for mayor but not before Corey Ellis, who is also running for the seat, fought to table the motion to endorse Sheehan. [WNYT][YNN]
The 20-year-old son of the Schenectady woman charged with beating her 8-year-old grandson to death - who has been taking care of his three younger sisters while their mother is in jail - has been arrested for allegedly beating a pit bull with a shovel. [TU]
Demolition of the bell tower at the site of the former St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet was delayed again this week when someone vandalized the gas tank of a crane brought in to tear down the tower. Demolition has resumed this morning. [YNN][TU]
As crews tear down the last of St. Patrick's in Watervliet, a new Catholic church, formerly based in Troy, is opening in Watervliet. [News 10]
Reactions to Jennings decision not to run again, Cuomo to form "restructuring panel" to advise local governments, crews bringing in a big crane for St. Patrick's bell tower
Reaction to Jerry Jennings decision not to run again.[YNN]
Andrew Cuomo has announced a new panel that will hear from and advise cities that are seeking financial assistance from New york State. The "restructuring panel" will help "fiscally distressed" municipalities develop fiscal restructuring plans that could inlclude state money if the cities follow the recommended restructuring plans.[TU][WNYT]
The Cohoes High School principal who ordered ammiunition for a .22 caliber gun on campus will not face any criminal charges. [Record]
Contractors have given up on a cable and are bringing in a 200 ton crane to demolish the bell tower at the former St. Patrick's church site in Watervliet.[Record]
Rensselaer County legislators have approved the final payment for the special prosecutor in the Troy ballot fraud trial and are now considering a proposed law to control how the D.A. Seeks and pays for special prosecutors[TU]
Funding for buyout of homes in flood-prone areas, investigation of alleged ammo sale to principal in school parking lot, 60 years on the job
The buyout of more than 1,100 homes in flood-prone areas of the New York State following damage from Irene and Lee will cost $194 million -- 25 percent of that total was to be a non-federal match, but the Cuomo admin announced Monday the state will be using a portion of the block grant it got from the feds for disaster recovery to cover the portion. The money will enable homeowners to get the full pre-flood assessed values. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli reports the state pension fund hit an all-time high at the end of the fiscal year (March): $160.4 billion, with a rate of return of more than 10 percent. That will help local municipalities crunched by increased pension contributions -- eventually; contributions are calculated on a five-year average. The fund took a big hit in 2008 and 2009. [NYS OSC] [TU] [NYS OSC]
The state Assembly passed the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act Monday, though the bill hasn't been successful in many attempts over the years in the state Senate. The bill includes provisions for overtime and collective bargaining rights. The bill is opposed by the NY Farm Bureau. There was a rally for the bill outside the Capitol Monday. [TU] [open.senate.gov] [State of Politics] [News10/AP]
A third teen -- 17-year-old Ravenal Gregory Dunbar -- has pleaded guilty in connection with the robbery and fatal stabbing of Takim Smith in a Troy apartment in February. Dunbar faces a 10-year sentence for the robbery that got him $10. [Troy Record] [TU]
The mother-in-law of the man the Albany County Sheriff's Office says was found dead in his cell at the Albany County jail after he hanged himself says she'd like to hire an independent medical examiner because she doesn't believe he would have committed suicide. [TU]
Conflicting policies about search warrants, second teen pleads guilty in fatal Troy stabbing, police say death in UAlbany parking lot was accidental
There are conflicting, and often informal, policies about how judges around the area handle search warrants, making it difficult to review how warrants are approved and perhaps prompting "judge shopping." [TU]
Saratoga County DA James Murphy says there's a 4-6 month turnaround for some types of forensic evidence because of a backlog of work at the state crime lab. [Saratogian]
A second teen has pleaded guilty in connection with the murder of Takim Smith in Troy. Seventeen-year-old Keith Ferguson told a judge he acted as a lookout for the alleged scheme in which a group of teens lured Smith to an apartment and fatally stabbed him during a robbery. [TU] [Troy Record]
The adult son of Gloria Nelligan -- the Schenectady woman accused of beating her grandson to death -- alleges he was misled and manipulated by police and prosecutors as they worked to build a case against his mother. [TU]
The St. Patrick's bell tower, still standing as of Sunday night. Pieces of the tower were taken down on Friday. But complications have pushed the continuation of the demolition to Wednesday. [TU] [Troy Record] [YNN]
Cuomo presents casino plan for upstate, TFD: firefighter stabbed with used needle, developments in downtown Troy
The Cuomo admin unveiled its "comprehensive resort gaming destination plan" (or, as some people call them, casinos) for upstate. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday his preference would be to site casinos in three areas: the Capital Region, Catskills/Hudson Valley, and Southern Tier/Finger Lakes. Cuomo is also using the plan -- and the threat of possible competition -- to pressure Native American casinos to resolve unsettled "matters" with the state. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [State of Politics]
Shirley Huntley, the former state Senator who wore a wire to record other legislators for prosecutors, was sentenced to a year in prison for stealing from a non-profit. [NYT]
Question at the state Capitol: Has there been a racial bias in recent investigations of state legislators for corruption? [TU]
Troy's fire chief says a firefighter was stabbed with a used needle or lancet by a man being treated for a heroin overdose Thursday afternoon. Troy police say both the firefighter and man were taken to a hospital, from which the man allegedly fled and was later picked up in Schaghticoke. [News10] [TU]
The St. Patrick's bell tower was still standing early Friday morning. A snapped cable held up the planned demolition on Thursday. [TU] [Troy Record]
Former legislator secretly taped Senate colleagues, Cuomo promises $60 million for tourism, officers who died in the line of duty honored, St. Patrick's tower slated for demolition
In an effort to cooperate with federal law enforcement to ease a corruption case against her, a former member of the NYS Senate taped conversations with six Democratic colleagues and a New York City Councilman for the FBI. [NYT][TU][YNN]
Joe Bruno was in court on Wednesday to argue that he shouldn't be re-tried on federal corruption charges.[WNYT] [YNN]
At Wednesday's Tourism Summit in Albany, Andrew Cuomo announced $60 million to help grow the tourism industry throughout the state. He also announced the creation of a commission to attract major sporting events to the state. [TU][WNYT]
Police officers who died in the line of duty, including the Webster trooper who died in an attack on Christmas Eve, were honored in Albany on Wednesday.[YNN][TU]
The bell tower at St. Patrick's in Watervliet is expected to come down later today.[YNN]
Troy man to be charged under NY SAFE Act, driver accused of stopping to attack high school student, Sondheim on theater
A Troy man accused of running from police Tuesday night will be charged under the NY SAFE Act after the TPD says officers found the man was carrying a "fully loaded" hand gun with a 13-round magazine (above the limit under the new law). [TPD]
A Clifton Park man is accused of attacking a Schenectady High School student Tuesday morning. Schenectady police he stopped his car after students yelled at him for driving erratically -- it's alleged he then choked the 17-year-old girl and pushed her into bus. [WNYT] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
Not allowed in at a state Senate public hearing Tuesday about public financing of campaigns : the public. So advocacy groups for public financing passed dollar bills through the hearing room window. A spokesman for Senate Republicans said the room was at capacity, the advocacy groups were attempting to disrupt the hearing. [NYT] [TU] [State of Politics]
A NYPIRG analysis of a state Board of Elections database concludes there have been more than 100,000 violations of the state's campaign finance laws over the last two years (many of the violations are small). [TU CapCon]
Airfares out of ALB were the highest in state during the 4th quarter of 2012 -- though the cost per mile flown on the busiest routes is relatively low compared to other airports -- according to federal data. [TU]
Feds detail charges against former leader of state Senate, National Grid trying to pin down cause of underground fires, conflicting views of building demolitions in Albany
Federal prosecutors say Democratic state Senator John Sampson -- once the leader of the majority caucus in the chamber -- has been indicted on charges that include embezzlement, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to the FBI. The feds allege Sampson embezzled $440k from foreclosure sales in Brooklyn in his role as a court-appointed foreclosure referee. The indictment also alleges that Sampson, talking about a list of potential witnesses in a case involving a developer connected to Sampson, said that he would "take them out." (Allegations flow chart.) On Monday Sampson's attorney argued that none of the allegations "indicate any misuse of his office as a New York state senator." [USDOJ] [State of Politics] [TU] [YNN] [Capitol Tonight]
Andrew Cuomo on the Sampson allegations, on the Capitol Pressroom: "It made a bad situation worse ... In some ways provided more clarity and more certainty that this is the moment. This does give us a moment of reform, an opportunity." [State of Politics]
Virginia J. DeCapria -- the former treasurer for Charlton Fire District No. 1 who pleaded guilty to stealing almost $500k from the volunteer fire company over six years -- was sentenced to 3-9 years in prison and paying back the money. Among the items prosecutors say DeCapria bought with the money: iPods, laptops, plastic surgery, cigarettes, and delivered frozen food. [Saratogian] [TU] [Saratoga County DA]
Jerry Jennings after yet another fire in downtown Albany's underground electrical infrastructure: "I'm sick and tired of hearing that it's so old. If we know it's so old, fix it." A National Grid spokesman says the recent string of underground fires -- and explosions that have dislodged manhole covers -- "is certainly concern for us," and the utility is working to figure out what exactly is causing the fires. [YNN] [News10] [TU]
Police: man stabbed himself to cover up stabbing of roommate, yet another state politician arrested, parents: teacher made son lick his desk
Watervliet police say Brandon Burritt has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of his roommate during a fight April 21. When police arrived at the scene Burritt was also injured -- but WPD now says they believe Burritt stabbed himself in an attempt to cover up what allegedly happened. [Troy Record] [TU]
One of the teen girls charged in the death of Takim Smith at Troy's Corliss Park Apartments has taken a plea deal that includes testifying against the other six teens. Originally charged with second-degree murder, 17-year-old Mariyah Zeigler pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and faces six years in prison. [TU] [Troy Record]
State Senator John Sampson -- former head of the Democratic conference in the chamber -- was taken into custody by the FBI Monday morning as part of a public corruption investigation. The news follows word late last week that yet another state legislator -- convicted former state Sen. Shirley Huntley -- had worn a wire as part of an corruption investigation by the feds.
A part of State Street in Albany was closed Monday morning because of yet another underground electrical fire. [YNN]
Man charged with arson for fatal Schenectady fire, man shot and killed by police in Schenectady, an 11-year-old's birthday wish
A Saratoga Springs man has been charged with arson for the Hulett Street fire that killed four people in Schenectady Thursday. SPD says additional charges are possible pending autopsies. The fire killed a father and three children -- a fourth child who was pulled from the fire was in critical condition at a Westchester County burn unit Thursday afternoon. Investigators from the SFD, SPD, and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms were working the case Thursday. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Schenectady police say a sergeant shot and killed a man Thursday while responding to a call involving an alleged fight between two men at an apartment complex on Balltown Road (map). SPD says the man had already stabbed the other man when officers arrived, and was fired upon when he again lunged at the other man with a knife and then lunged toward the sergeant. [TU] [News10] [Daily Gazette]
The Court of Appeals -- the state's highest court -- has ordered a new trial for Christopher Oathout, convicted of murdering an elderly man in Albany in 2006, ruling that his trial attorney "showed an unfamiliarity with or disregard for basic criminal procedural and evidentiary law." That attorney -- John Aretakis -- has since been suspended from practicing for an unrelated situation. In a fax to the Gazette on Thursday, Aretakis accused police and prosecutors of framing Oathout. [NYS Court of Appeals] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A state appellate court has ruled that local governments can ban hydrofracking within its borders. Specifically, the court ruled that a state oil and gas mining law doesn't "pre-empt, either expressly or impliedly, a municipality's power to enact a local zoning ordinance banning all activities related to the exploration for, and the production or storage of, natural gas and petroleum within its borders." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A state appellate court has ruled that victims of Steven Raucci can't garnish Raucci's public employee pension, which is currently being paid to his wife. [TU]
Cuomo suggests postponing casino referendum, gun rally at Moreau arraignment, Confectionery owners to open Troy grocery store
At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Andrew Cuomo suggested postponing a public referendum on casinos until election day 2014, in part because a lack of statwide races this November could reduce voter turnout..[TU][WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo is planning a tourism summit next Wednesday - like the recent beer and yogurt summits.
[Saratogian]
The owners of The Confectionery wine bar in Troy are opening up a small grocery store near Monument Square.[TU]
A Cohoes man is facing weapons charges after a police chased him on foot and two bystanders helped catch him.The police officer involved is being praised for using excellent communcation to avoid what could have been a violent situation.[TU][YNN][News 10]
A grassroots coalition of NY SAFE Act opponents held a gun rally this morning outside the Moreau courtroom where a Saratoga County man was being arraigned for allegedly trying to sell an assault weapon on Facebook.[TU]
Three college friends of Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev have been arrested for allegedly trying to protect him.[News 10/AP]
State employee overtime at 5 year high, JCOPE wants Lopez report released, Spa City producer backs Tony nominated "Kinky Boots"
A report from Tom DiNapoli's office shows overtime among state employees reached a five year high in 2012, at $529 million. That's a $52 million increase in overtime spending from 2011. [TU][YNN]
Members of JCOPE want their report on the Vito Lopez harassment case released to the public, but a Staten Island DA conducting his own investigation into the case has a block on the report. If it isn't released soon, JCOPE says it will release the info on its own once a 90 day waiting period has expired. [NYT][Capitol Confidential]
Warren County officials trying to decide whether to get in the running for one of three casinos expected to locate in Upstate New York. A standing room only crowd gathered at Fort William Henry to learn what a casino might mean for them.Public opion seemed split on the issue, though the speakers were all pro casino.[WNYT][YNN][Saratogian]
Governor Cuomo has released an anti-corruption bill that would ban those convicted of bribery, as well as their firms or companies from doing business with the state. [News 10/AP]
Multi-million dollar judgment for harassment at jail, driver accused of hitting pregnant woman charged with DWI, book contract for Andrew Cuomo, the Colossal Colon
The state Division of Human Rights has awarded a former sergeant at the Rensselaer County jail a judgement that could be worth more than $1.8 million after a judge concluded jail leaders didn't take action to stop years of mental and physical harassment of the woman. [TU]
The fourth season of the Hudson River PCB dredging project started Monday -- about the halfway mark for the project. Also: GE has filed a lawsuit looking to get National Grid to help cover costs because Niagara Mohawk (now part of National Grid) removed a dam in the 1970s that allowed PCB-tainted sediment to go downstream. [NYSNYS/Saratogian] [TU]
The Cuomo admin has floated language for the "Public Trust Act," aimed at bribery and fraud by people in public office. [State of Politics]
Report: Cuomo admin used economic development org to provide jobs for the connected, investigation into death of man in Albany, Coccadotts on Cupcake Wars
A NYT investigation concludes that the Cuomo admin has used the Empire State Development Corporation to provide jobs for the politically connected (or their children) -- the admin says the investigation was an attempt to "create a scandal." [NYT]
With all the talk about ethics and reform in state government, many reforms that could cut deeply into the problem aren't on the table. [AP/Troy Record]
Despite frequent talk about municipal consolidation in New York State, the idea usually faces strong opposition when it comes to specific consolidations. [TU]
Bethlehem police say a car plowed into a Delmar apartment building early Sunday, just missing a couple as they slept in their bedroom. BPD says the 18-year-old driver had been drinking. [News10] [WNYT] [TU]
A small plane crashed in a backyard in Hoosick Falls on Sunday afternoon. A witness says the plane landed nose down. The pilot -- the only person on board -- suffered head and neck injuries, and eventually was transferred to Albany Med in critical condition. [TU] [YNN] [Troy Record] [News10]
A Scotia smoke shop owner has been cleared of charges he sold cocaine after the Schenectady County Sheriff's Office says video indicated the man had been set up by the confidential information working with the sheriff's office. [TU]
Cuomo talks about "restructuring" local municipalities, schoolwork cheating alleged at UAlbany, is he the sexiest vegan next door?
Andrew Cuomo hinted at some of the "restructuring" options his administration could propose for financially struggling local municipalities -- including changing the system of binding arbitration between municipalities and and police and fire unions. [State of Politics] [TU]
Environmental groups say two more consulting companies working on the state's environmental review of hydrofracking were listed as members in a gas lobbying group's letter -- and now fingers are pointing in various directions: environmental groups at the Cuomo admin, the consultancies at the lobbying group, the lobbying group at the environmental groups. [TU]
The attorney for state Assemblyman Steve Katz -- pulled over on the Thruway in Coeymans recently, allegedly in possession of pot -- has got an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal for Katz that involves community service and a parking fine (the ever popular ACOD -- if Katz stays out of criminal trouble, the case will be dismissed). Katz's attorney wouldn't address whether the Assemblyman actually had pot during the stop. [TU] [State of Politics]
After an Albany Student Press story reporting that "as many as 500 students" have been paying other students to do their school work, UAlbany says it's conducting an investigation. [ASP] [TU]
National Grid says it devoting six out-of-town crews to replace three miles of underground electrical cable in downtown Albany, part of an effort to head more manhole cover explosions. [WNYT]
Rivenburgh pleads not guilty, Assembly Republicans seek amendment allowing recall elections, Spa City police chief resigns
Relatives of Tammy and Jessica McCormack looked on in Schenectady County Court while Brice Rivenburgh was arraigned on Wednesday. Rivenburgh pleaded not guilty to 26 counts in connection with the murder of the mother and daughter in their Rotterdam home this month .[TU][YNN]
State Assembly Republicans are calling for a constitutional ammendment allowing recall elections for officials charged with corruption.[WNYT]
Saratoga police chief Chris Cole is retiring
after 23 years on the force--only 3 and a half as chief. Cole was suspended for a short time in 2011 for sending "racy" text messages to a woman he was dating. [WNYT][Saratogian]
Police in Albany and Colonie are warning residents to beware of scam artists claiming to be bank investigators after attempted scams were reported by elderly people in Loudonville and Albany. [TU][YNN]
Rivenburgh charged in Rotterdam double murder, Amtrak to step up security in Capital Region in wake of alleged terrorist plot, Uncle Sams to be unveiled Friday
Brice Rivenburgh, the former boyfriend of Jessica McCormack, has been charged with the murder of Jessica and her mother, Tammy McCormack, at their Rotterdam home earlier this month. A grand jury indicted Rivenburg on 26 counts including burglary and rape. A police officer found a shirt and papers with Rivenburgh's name on them burning nearby.[TU][YNN][WNYT][News10]
Amtrak is stepping up security in the Capital Regionafter police arrested two men in Canada in an alleged plot to blow up a passenger train. A CDTA spokesman says the heightened security measures will be more in line with airport security.[YNN][WNYT]
Hazmat teams were sent to the scene of a suicide at RPI, where a student used a combination of household chemicals to kill himself in a dorm room. [TU][WNYT][Record]
Malcolm Smith and six other politicians pleaded not guilty Tuesday in an alleged scheme to sell the Republican nomination for the New York City mayoral race.[NYT][YNN]
MMA promoters ran a clinic for young people at the TU Center on Tuesday, while opponents of the sport lobbied for legislators to extend the ban on professional MMA bouts in New York State. [YNN][TU][WNYT]
Police: fatal fight may have been over a phone, state Senator's torture comment gets him a lot attention, snack shack plan turns into "adult" business plan, Giant Voice
Possible cause of the knife fight that left one man dead and another seriously injured Sunday in Watervliet, according to the city's police chief: "the initial dispute was over the use of a phone." [Troy Record]
US Attorney Preet Bharara on his office's efforts against political corruption in New York: "We are redoubling our efforts and will seek to be even more aggressive than in the past." While not officially endorsing any anti-corruption measures, Bharara said "no single fix will get us far down the road to reform." [TU] [State of Politics]
The state Board of Regents is considering whether a 1,250-word research paper should become a graduation requirement for high school students. [TU]
One dead after knife fight in Watervliet, Troy planning commissioner suspended, suit against GloFo over overtime and vacation, world's largest cardboard fort
Watervliet police say one man is dead and another seriously injured following what appears to have been
When members of local police departments are stopped in drunk driving situations, things often don't go smoothly. [TU]
Albany's city clerk says misuse of visitor passes for the residential parking permit system has been "worse than what we had anticipated." [TU] Earlier: Observations on the Albany parking permit system so far?
Massive manhunt in Boston area for bombing suspect, Albany's first homicide of the year, dog found shot near UAlbany, temporary wall collapses at Crossgates
Authorities say one of two brothers from Chechnya suspected in the Boston Marathon bombings is dead following a gun battle with police in Watertown, Massachusetts that reportedly included the use of a bomb. Earlier in the night, authorities the brothers robbed a convenience store, fatally shot an MIT police officer, and carjacked an SUV at gunpoint. Much of the Boston area and its immediate suburbs are now in lockdown as part of a massive manhunt for the other brother. [NYT] [Boston Globe] [WBUR]
Albany police say one man was killed and another injured in a shooting on Central Ave early Thursday morning (map). The man killed -- Darzee Reid of Troy -- was a barbering student at the Austin School of Spa Technology just up Central and an aspiring rapper. Reid's sister says he and the other man had been at a nearby bar for an open mic night. His death is the city's first homicide of the year. It was the second shooting on Central Ave in the city this week -- two people were shot on the 300 block Monday afternoon. And the Central/King intersection was the scene of a fatal vehicle/pedestrian collision in February. Says a woman who lives near the intersection -- the aunt of the woman killed in February -- after Thursday's shooting: "I don't feel safe here anymore." But the general manager of the bar says the neighborhood has been on an upswing. [APD] [Troy Record] [YNN] [News10] [TU] [News10]
Troy police say a three-year-old died Thursday evening after a large TV fell on her. TPD says it was an old, heavy cathode-tube TV, not one of the lighter flat panel models. [TU] [Troy Record]
One of the men in the car that was allegedly stopped by an off-duty Schenectady detective in a fit of road rage says, as the detective allegedly pointed a gun at him, he told the detective "if you're going to shoot me, shoot me." Glenville police say John Hotaling admitted to confronting the other car, but has not admitted to pointing a gun at anyone. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Cuomo blasts US Senate on gun control legislation, NanoCollege to buy Kiernan Plaza, Glenville detective accused of road rage, $2 million to help Schenectady
Andrew Cuomo is calling the US Senate's failure to pass legislation expanding background checks for gun purchases,"a sad statement on the power of extremists to stand in the way of reason and common sense. " [Capitol Confidential]
A group of 50 students and gun safety advocates banded together to protest the Saratoga City Center's hosting of gun shows Wednesday, arguing the center doesn't have the proper insurance for the shows. [TU]
The Albany Police Officers Union has come out against the NY SAFE Act, arguing it "violates fundamental Constitutional rights." [Capitol Confidential.]
A recent Quinnipiac Poll shows Andrew Cuomo's approval rating is 57 percent, but he's less popular upstate than in New York city. The poll reported 9 out of 10 NY voters think corruption is a serious problem in New York, and three quarters of respondents say legislative leaders' efforts to clean it up are not so good or poor. [TU][NYT]
David Soares says he's encouraged that Andrew Cuomo has rolled out an anti-corruption package, but says local DAs will need resources to enforce the rules. [TU]
The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering is planning to buy Kiernan Plaza in downtown Albany in a deal that will make use of eminent domain. [TU]
Colonie native among Boston Marathon rescuers, Cuomo seeks to toughen election law, another manhole cover dislodged by fire in Albany, Pulitzer winners from Niskayuna and Scotia
Federal agents determined that the explosives used in the Boston Marathon incident were in kitchen pressure cookers along with nails and other objects intended to act as shrapnel. [News 10]
A Colonie High School/Siena College grad who is a Boston firefighter ran into the smoke at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday and is pictured rescuing a young girl from the scene in a photo that has been widely circulated.[YNN][WNYT][TU]
RPI's hockey coach and assistant coach were on the scene in Boston on Monday and describe what they saw. [YNN]
Andrew Cuomo says he'll seek to create an independent office to enforce state election law, including a plan to curtail the power of political party bosses.
[NYT] [YNN]
Another manhole cover in downtown Albany was dislodged on Tuesday by an underground utility fire, prompting National Grid and the city of Albany to step up inspection of underground cables. [WNYT] [TU][YNN]
Crews began tearing down St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet on Tuesday morning.[TU][YNN]
Investigation into Boston Marathon bombings, Capital Region runners at marathon OK, armed robberies reported in E. Greenbush, appliance repair shop unplugged
Three people are now dead -- and more than 130 wounded -- after the Boston Marathon bombings Monday afternoon. There have been no announced arrests so far. The FBI is taking the lead on the case and an agency official called it "a criminal investigation that is a potential terrorist investigation." [Boston Globe] [Boston Globe] [NYT]
From a statement by Barack Obama: "We still do not know who did this or why. And people shouldn't jump to conclusions before we have all the facts. But make no mistake -- we will get to the bottom of this. And we will find out who did this; we'll find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice." [White House]
More than a hundred people from the Capital Region ran the marathon Monday and it appears all of them are OK. [WNYT] [TU]
Albany police say two people were shot on the 300 block of Central Ave Monday afternoon (block map). APD says the incident appeared to be a confrontation between people who know each other -- and a "person of interest" was in custody Monday. The injuries injuries don't appear life-threatening. [APD]
District says teacher has been put on leave for Nazi writing assignment, Troy slow to pay for accident caused by city truck, Siena basketball player arrested
The Albany school district says the teacher who assigned the Nazi writing prompt for a persuasive writing exercise has been put on leave while the district considers disciplinary action. Said superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard at a press conference: "You asked a child to support the notion that the Holocaust was justified, that's my struggle ... It's an illogical leap for a student to make." One of the three classes assigned the exercise refused to do it. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Troy police say they're investigating a shooting early Saturday morning downtown (map) -- an SUV with people in it was hit multiple times. [Troy Record]
Local law enforcement agencies say a large recent upswing in demand for ammunition -- and the resulting surge in prices and shortage of supplies -- is straining budgets for training, and delaying shipments. [TU]
Proposal before the Saratoga Springs city council: installing surveillance cameras in the area of Caroline Street downtown. [Saratogian]
Demolition of St. Patrick's church in Watervliet started Saturday morning. [TU]
District apologizes for Nazi writing prompt, Investigation continues of deaths in Rotterdam, injunction against St. Patrick's demolition lifted
The Albany school district is apologizing for a high school English class persuasive writing assignment that included this prompt: "You must argue that Jews are evil, and use solid rationale from government propaganda to convince me of your loyalty to the Third Reich!" [TU]
Rotterdam police say Brice C. Rivenburgh -- the man arrested on a burglary charge connected with two women found dead Wednesday -- have not officially said he's a suspect in the deaths, but other charges are pending. Investigators were searching for evidence Thursday -- they collected a car from Rivenburgh's home and were seen searching a nearby garbage bin. [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [TU]
The seizure of assets connected to the multi-state gambling ring that authorities say included two Albany County corrections officers could end up netting the county $5 million. [TU]
A former server for the Mallozzi group alleges in a class action suit that the Rotterdam-based restaurant group kept more than $1 million in "service personnel charges" that should have been distributed to servers as tips. A Mallozzi co-owner tells the Gazette "this lawsuit has absolutely no merit, and we will vigorously fight it." [Courthouse News] [Daily Gazette]
Mother and daughter found dead in Rotterdam, Albany County corrections officers arrested in connection with gambling ring, large dogs maul small dogs to death in Albany
A 52-year-old-woman and her 23-year-old daughter were found dead in their Rotterdam home -- police are calling their deaths suspicious. A "a person with knowledge" of the investigation tells the TU the women were strangled. Rotterdam police say they've arrested a former boyfriend of the daughter and charged him with first-degree burglary for a break-in Wednesday morning. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Two Albany County corrections officers were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly taking part in anillegal bookmaking ring in which bets and payoffs took place at the county jail. The investigation into the national gambling ring has been going on for several years, and three local civilians were arrested for their part in the ring.[WNYT] [Record] [Saratogian] [TU]
On yesterday's Capitol Pressroom, Andrew Cuomo said New York's gun legislation goes far beyond the proposed federal legislation being discussed. Cuomo said the federal bill, which expands background checks but does not extend an expired ban on assault weapons, "is better than nothing, but it's still nothing." [Capitol Pressroom][WNYT] [TU]
Cuomo vetoed over 200 lines in the state budget on Wednesday -- the money not re-bury the bodies of 15 former slaves found during a sewer construction project in Albany was not vetoed. [Capitol Confidential] [TU]
Albany police say two large dogs -- each weighing more than 100 pounds --- crashed a fence in Arbor Hill and mauled a pair of small dogs to death in an alley where the owner of the small dogs was walking them. The owner of the large dogs, an English bull mastiff and a Presa Canario, was cited with six violations for each dog.[TU][YNN][APD Press Release]
Cuomo proposes corruption crackdown legislation, Rensselaer County ordered to pay special prosecutor, Saratoga man loses part of ear in attack
After last week's bribery allegations against two New York State legislators, Andrew Cuomo has proposed the Public Trust Act, which would require officials to report corruption and help district attorneys prosecute public corruption cases. Cuomo also said he'll seek to make it a misdemeanor for an elected official who witnesses bribery to fail to report it. [TU][NYT]
Hollywood may already be working on this: "A legislator working for law enforcement as a mole." [NYT]
About 50 state data facilities will merge and operate out of the SUNY NanoCollege -- a move that is expected to save the state $100 million in rental space over 20 years. [TU]
A visiting Supreme Court judge has ordered Rensselaer County to pay special prosecturer Trey Smith more than $508,000 for part of his work in the Troy ballot fraud case, and is considering how much of the rest of Smith's bill should be paid. [Record]
Capital Region has gained back jobs lost during crash, Cuomo talking about anti-corruption efforts, a whole of lot of Teddy Roosevelt
The Capital Region has regained just about half of the jobs it's lost since the financial crash in 2008. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo on ethics reform following last week's charges against two state legislators, on the Capitol Pressroom: "Never waste a crisis." A Cuomo spokesman says the governor will be "proposing a comprehensive anti-corruption package." [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
Cuomo also deflected a report in the NY Post (citing anonymous sources) that his administration was looking at how to oust Sheldon Silver. The report prompted pushback from Democratic members of the Assembly. [WCNY] [NY Post] [Buffalo News]
NYT's Danny Hakim on a recent rising level of criticism of Cuomo: "there have been indications that Mr. Cuomo is less invincible than he once was." [NYT]
Saratoga supervisor Joanne Yepsen, a Democrat, is formally into the pool for mayor of Saratoga Springs. Yepsen said she would aim to make city government more accessible, balance the needs of development and preservation, and make government more efficient. Current mayor Scott Johnson, a Republican, recently said he would not be running. The chair of the city's Republican committee says his party is still working on its slate of candidates. [Saratogian] [Saratoga Wire] [Daily Gazette]
Central Ave is dangerous corridor for pedestrians, Ellis officially into race for mayor, shooting an AR-15, the castle that's not complete
From 2009-2013, a pedestrian has been hit on Central Ave an average of more than once a week -- and eight people have been killed, according to a Times Union analysis of state data. Map of the accidents. [TU] [TU]
The state DMV is operating as if proposed tougher rules for people with multiple DWI convictions are already in effect, the Daily Gazette reports. [Daily Gazette]
Andrew Cuomo has nominated Sheila Abdus-Salaam for the state Court of Appeals. If confirmed, she would be the first would be the first African-American woman to serve on the state's highest court. [Cuomo admin]
Gloria Nelligan has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her in the beating death of her grandson Sha'hiim Nelligan in February. Schenectady County DA Robert Carney said Nelligan beat the eight-year-old with a wooden back scratcher and hair brush and other items over a 24-hour period. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Corey Ellis is officially into the pool for mayor of Albany. Among his ideas: a community college in downtown Albany. Ellis joins city treasurer Kathy Sheehan in the pool. Jerry Jennings hasn't said publicly what he plans to do. [Troy Record] [TU]
State Assemblyman had been working as informant for prosecutors, how many acres of porn is too much?, guilty verdict in fatal hit-and-run, a popular Death Wish
There's already been one announced Assembly resignation as part of the alleged bribery scheme involving Bronx Assemblyman Eric Stevenson -- though it's not Stevenson: Nelson Castro says he'll be resigning his seat Monday. Castro had been indicted for perjury in 2009 and worked out a deal with prosecutors to serve as an informant -- including his wearing of a wire -- which only came to light with the case against Stevenson. (Yep, federal prosecutors basically had a mole in the state legislature.) [TU] [State of Politics] [TU] [NYT]
Andrew Cuomo called the alleged corruption allegations against Stevenson -- and earlier in the week, state Senator Malcolm Smith -- "appalling." Sheldon Silver says he's encouraging Stevenson to resign. [Cuomo admin] [TU]
The name of Stevenson's campaign committee for his first run for the Assembly: "The Eric Stevenson Good Government Committee." [State of Politics]
Good government groups are using the allegations to push for campaign finance reform. A coalition of environmental groups are also pushing this issue, arguing the current system allows indusry lobbyists to block efforts to strengthen environmental protections. [TU] [TU]
The Troy city council rejected a proposal to create an adult entertainment district in South Troy by a 5-4 vote. Said councilman Rodney Wiltshire: "Seventy acres of pornography is too much." [TU]
Watervliet Arsenal machinists rallied outside the facilities gates Thursday against furloughs prompted by the federal "sequestration." The furloughs could cut their pay by 20 percent. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
Deadline to save Thruway jobs passes, Chopper corporate layoffs, Troy lawmakers consider adult business district for waterfront, St. Patrick's demolition starts...and then stops
The deadline to save 200 jobs at the NYS Thruway Authority came and went on Wednesday with no action. [YNN]
A few hours after demolition began on the rear boiler house at St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet, a state judge ordered the work halted until an appellate court can hear arguments from preservationists. [Record]
The theft of honest services law, narrowed by the Supreme Court in 2010, is at the center of a number of charges against Malcom Smith and his alleged co-conspirators. If it sounds familiar it's because theft of honest services charges against Joe Bruno were overturned over a year ago-- after the Supreme Courts ruling. [NYT]
More calls for campaign finance reform on Wednesday in the wake of the arrest of Senator Malcolm Smith for allegedly trying to bribe his way into a Republican run for Mayor of NYC.[WNYT]
The city of Troy is considering turning a 70 acre stretch along the waterfront, just west of First street, between the Postenkill and the Menands bridge, into an "adult business zone," clearing the way for strip clubs and adult book stores to open there.[TU]
Smith vows he'll be vindicated, GOP leaders say Amedore will run again,Thruway employees expect layoffs, reports: Loyola coach headed for Siena
Senator Malcolm Smith says he'll be "vindicated on all charges" connected with the alleged plot to bribe Republicans to support him as a Republican candidate for mayor of New York City. After he was arrested Tuesday, Smith was stripped of his legislative committee posts and IDC chairman Jeff Klein has suggested Smith consider resigning. Many of Smith's colleagues in the legislature seemed less surprised that he was arrested then by why he was arrested.[TU][NYT][Daily News]
Recent charges against Malcolm Smith have brought about more support for campaign finance reform in the state. Local legislators gathered with members of the public on Tuesday night for a previously scheduled meeting to discuss campaign finance reform.[WNYT][TU]
A "remember when" of other state legilsture corruption cases. [TU]
Ranking state Senate Republicans are saying that George Amedore is planning to make another bid for the Senate seat he narrowly lost to Cecilia Tkacyk a few months ago. [TU]
More than 200 NYS Thruway employees in the Capital Region are expected to be laid off when the new budget is adopted today in an effort expected to save $20 million.[TU][YNN]
The unemployment rate for the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metro was 7.9 percent in February -- down from 8.2 percent in February 2012 -- according to the state Department of Labor. [NYS DOL]
Malcolm Smith arrested for alleged bribery plot, passengers say allegedly drunk cab driver wouldn't stop, $60k to repair West Capitol Park lawn
State Senator Malcolm Smith was arrested by the feds Tuesday morning as part of an alleged plot to bribe Republican officials to let him run as a Republican for mayor of New York City. A handful of other officials have been accused, including Republican NYC councilman Daniel Halloran. From the press release from federal prosecutor Preet Baharara:
The complaint describes an unappetizing smorgasbord of graft and greed involving six officials who together built a corridor of corruption stretching from Queens and the Bronx to Rockland County and all the way up to Albany itself. As alleged, Senator Malcolm Smith tried to bribe his way to a shot at Gracie Mansion - Smith drew up the game plan and Councilman Halloran essentially quarterbacked that drive by finding party chairmen who were wide open to receiving bribes.
The Democratic state Senator from Queens is part of the Independent Democratic Conference that formed a majority coalition with Republicans. He also formerly headed up the state Senate from 2006-2009 while Democrats controlled the chamber. [NYT] [NYDN] [State of Politics] [US Attorney] [TU CapCon]
Among the names floated as a potential Republican challenger to Andrew Cuomo for governor in 2014: Chris Gibson. [Post-Star]
Saratoga Springs police say they don't know if three attacks on women on the street -- two recently, the third in September -- are related. SSPD says it's investigating and asking the crime lab if there's similarity in evidence from the three attacks. The woman assaulted and robbed over the weekend has been released from the hospital. [TU] [News10] [News10]
The caretaker of the hall that hosted party that prompted the parade of unruliness through north Troy Saturday night says the event was "a nightmare." [Troy Record]
Grandmother indicted on murder charge for death of grandson, concerns about medical care in county prisons, reported assault on street on Saratoga's east side, Cuse to the Final Four
Gloria Nelligan -- the Schenectady woman accused of beating her eight-year-old grandson to death in February -- has been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. Schenectady County DA Robert Carney alleges Nelligan's corporal punishment of her grandson amounted to "torture" and "she beat him to a pulp, literally." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A Times Union review of reports by a state board with oversight of prison medical care "revealed repeated instances of inadequate care" from a private medical services contractor currently with contracts for the Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady county jails. [TU]
A pedestrian was killed after being hit while crossing Union Street in Schenectady Friday after services at St. Kateri Takakwitha Church. Witnesses told police the man was in a crosswalk when he was hit by an 88-year-old driver. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A group of 100-150 teens reportedly caused "mayhem" through Lansingburgh and North Central Saturday night following a sweet sixteen party. There were four arrests. [Troy Record] [News10]
Assembly finishes up state budget, Troy residents push for more pedestrian-friendly Hoosick Street, temporary reprieve for Wash Ave Amory, Cuse beat Indiana
The state Assembly passed a group of budget bills Thursday, finishing off the legislatures part of the process (the Senate passed its bills earlier this week). It's the third on-time budget in a row. Among the points of contention during debate over the bills: a change to the NY SAFE Act involving the number of rounds in a gun magazine. Also: legislators from both parties criticized cuts to the Office of People With Developmental Disabilities. Legislators contrasted those cuts with tax credits in the budget for movie and TV productions and funding for the Buffalo Bills stadium. [TU] [State of Politics] [TU CapCon] [State of Politics] [NY Now] [AP/Troy Record]
Jim Tedisco on the state's school aid formula and the "bullet aid" to school districts that each chamber of the legislature gets to distribute at its discretion: "You don't use a flawed tool to fix an initially flawed tool." [Daily Gazette]
The Albany school district says its funding in the state budget was unexpectedly reduced by $4.2 million from the figure originally quoted to it by the state. The district says the state made an error in how it counted the city's charter school students. (The charter school situation in the city was already contentious.) [Albany school district] [TU] [TU]
Pablo Cruz -- the driver accused of hitting and killing cyclist Paul Merges in uptown Albany this past November -- has been indicted on a bunch charges, including second-degree murder. Cruz is also accused of DWI. [Albany County DA] [TU]
Ian Eckardt-Rigberg -- convicted for hit-and-run in Arbor Hill in 2011 that killed pedestrian Rozell Whitehead -- was sentenced to 3.5-10 years in prison. [TU]
Public comments at a Troy planning committee meeting Thursday pushed for ways to make Hoosick Street safer for pedestrians. Said one resident of the street: "It's a runway. If you look at the bridge it looks like an airport and people are like planes trying to take off." Another person said crossing the street is "like playing Russian roulette." The family of the mother and child hit while crossing Hoosick Street this week said Thursday the girl is still in intensive care. [Troy Record] [News10] [WNYT] [News10]
Assembly hopes to pass budget today, state aid boosted for most Capital Region school districts, mother and child hit by car on Hoosick St.
The Assembly returns to the Capitol this morning to tackle the 2013-2014 budget. Legislators are hoping to get the budget passed by the end of the day today, in time for the holiday weekend. [YNN] [WNYT]
With the exception of Voorheesville, all Capital Region schools would see significant funding restored under the state budget passed by the Senate this week. Albany's operating aid will rise 6.69 percnt.[TU]
A mother and her four year old daughter were hosptialized on Wedensday after they were hit by a car while crossing Hoosick Street in Troy. A rookie city firefighter is credited with reviving the little girl, who was not breathing when rescuers arrived. The accident has raised concerns about the busy intersection where it occurred -- the Mayor and state DOT reps about the issue and a meeting with residents about safety issues was already scheduled for tonight. [YNN][TU][News 10]
Police are looking for the man who robbed a First Niagra Bank in Lansignburgh just after it opened on Wednesday morning. The theif
got away with an undetermined amount of cash. [TU]
Budget passed in Senate -- Assembly up next, woman and child struck by car on Hoosick St., Twin Bridges construction to resume
The Senate passed budget bills in the early hours of the morning. The
budget includes a three-stage minimum wage hike, a renewal of higher tax rates for millionaires, cuts in funding for people with developmental disabilities, and a $350 rebate check for many families with kids. Up next: voting in the Assembly, where members are hoping to pass it on time, for a third year in a row. [YNN] [TU][NYT]
Sheldon Silver says the budget also includes $27.74 million for the first statewide electronic handgun permit database. [WNYT]
The former CFO of Brighter Choice Foundation pleaded guilty this week to grand larceny for stealing more than $200,000 from the foundation. [Albany County DA press release]
The man who shot and killed Richard Bailey has lost his final appeal on his 2010 conviction for first-degree murder, attempted robbery, and gun possession. [TU]
Weekend construction on the Twin Bridges is scheduled to resume on April 5 in the southbound lanes and is expected to end before Memorial Day. [TU]
A mother and child were struck by a car as they crossed Hoosick Street in Troy Wednesday morning. [Record]
Details on state rebate for families with kids, residents express complaints about police training operation, odd burglary case in Troy, her 100th birthday
There are now details on the $350 state rebates many families with children will be getting in 2014 (lots of details). The rebate checks are scheduled to arrive in October 2014 -- yep, right before election day. [TU] [YNN]
The observances of Passover and Easter this week complicated the budget process -- and gave legislators another thing to fight about. [TU]
That state budget includes increases in the amount of video lottery terminal money for both Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County -- though it's still short of levels from 2008. [Saratogian]
At a community meeting Monday night residents of the Ida Yarbrough Homes expressed their complaints about an Albany Police Department training exercise last week that used simulated ammunition and injuries. Some residents said they were confined to their apartment during the training, or blocked from getting to their apartment. And another resident said she worried about the effect the training had on kids in the complex. APD assistant chief Brendan Cox said there was "a lack of communication" about the training. [YNN] [TU] [WNYT] [News10]
State budget vote drawn out, more exploding manhole covers, APD training exercise criticized, UAlbany women's basketball team almost pull upset in NCAA tournament
Though the state Senate started passing budget bills Sunday, it looks like the budget won't be finished until the end of the week. The state Senate was in session Sunday, and is scheduled to do so again today -- and members were also irked that the Assembly has pushed its votes to a session scheduled for Thursday. (The deadline to get the budget done is April 1.) [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics] [TU]
The budget will include a minimum fine for texting while driving -- $50. [TU]
Dean Skelos says the budget will include an "indefinite" suspension of the enforcement of the NY SAFE Act provision banning gun magazines with more than seven rounds. Also: In which a "Cuomo administration source" starts trying to deflect blame for problems with the NY SAFE Act onto someone else. [State of Politics] [NY Post]
Many "temporary" taxes and fees in New York State are apparently temporary in name only. [TU]
Friday afternoon a jury convicted James Wells of fatally shooting Eddie Stanley at a Schenectady party in 2011. He faces 25-years to life. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Another underground fire in downtown Albany caused a manhole covers to fly Saturday morning, one of them damaging the Olde English Pub. Said Jerry Jennings: "We have to find out what's going on underneath these streets and what's causing this, what's happening here." [TU] [YNN]
Alain Kaloyeros says the recently announced deal between Israel and the NanoCollege will result in 1,000 new jobs for the area. [TU]
The rebuilding effort in Prattsville -- maybe the hardest hit place in the state during Irene -- has prompted accusations of cronyism. [TU]
Budget headed for weekend vote, the "Jimmy Fallon tax credit," court considers local fracking bans
The UAlbany men's basketball team faces Duke in the NCAA tournament today. Tip time is 12:15. The game is on CBS.
Details to fill out the "conceptual framework" for the deal on the state budget started to surface Thursday. It appears the budget is on track for the legislature start voting on it on Sunday -- there's a push to get the budget vote finished before Passover starts Monday evening. [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
Among the provisions tucked into the budget bills: "the Jimmy Fallon tax credit," which would give NBC a tax credit for bringing the Tonight Show to NYC when/if Jimmy Fallon takes over for Jay Leno. [NYDN] [NYDN]
A New York affiliate of the NRA has filed in federal court for an injunction to stop parts of the NY SAFE Act. The suit alleges the law violates multiple Constitutional amendments, restricts interstate commerce, and violates due process. Also currently irking gun rights supporters: a state tip line for reporting illegal guns. Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin -- who represents much of Rensselaer County -- says the program is a "gun-grab plan" and "seeks to turn neighbor against neighbor." [AP/Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Steve McLaughlin]
A state appellate court lifted the injunction preventing Lifetime from showing its Christopher Porco movie this weekend. Porco, representing himself, made his arguments before the court via telephone from prison. [AOA] [TU]
The Times Union has obtained dash cam video from the 2011 fatal shooting of Luis Rivera by Schenectady police officers -- a grand jury cleared the officers of wrongdoing. [TU]
Framework of budget hammered out, CNSE makes $3 billion nanotech deal with Israel, plans for Monument Square development in Troy
The framework of a conceptual state budget has been hammered out, though a number of details have yet to be worked on ,including reduce arrests for small amounts of marijuana and the proposed cuts to the State Office for People with Developmental Disabilites. Among the items that have been agreed upon in the estimated $135 billion spending plan: a minimum wage hike to $9 an hour in increments over 3 years, $350 tax rebate checks for middle class homeowners with kids and a school aid hike of $500 million over what was originally proposed by Governor Cuomo. This is the earliest an agreement has been reached in 30 years. Voting on the budget could occur as soon as this weekend.[YNN][TU][NYT][City&State][WNYT]
While defending a proposal to elminate a ban on the sale of 10-round magazines that was part of the New York SAFE law, Andrew Cuomo said the gun law was worked on "probably ten times longer than the budget will be" and that it was not hastily passed.[Capitol Confidential]
Israel has made a $3 billion dollar five year research and development deal with Albany NanoTech.[TU]
A Rensselaer County farmer has been sentenced to probation for buying poultry and repackaging it, and passing the uninspected meat off as organic. [TU][News 10]
Budget negotiations continue, another poll shows Cuomo approval drop, yep, it really is spring
Spring starts today, but you couldn't tell by looking out the window. The last day of winter brought as much as 12-inches of snow to parts of the Capital Region. [TU]
State legislators have approved Albany's $7.8 million spin-up payment in lieu of taxes for the Empire State Plaza.[TU]
Andrew Cuomo says the four men in the room may have "the general contours of a framework for an agreement," on a budget, but there's still no official deal. Under discussion --an amendment to the NY SAFE act that would allow people to buy 10-round magazines with seven bullets, and have fully loaded magazines in their home and at designated shooting ranges. Sheldon Silver says the change is one of several "mostly technical" changes to the law that are under consideration.[TU] [YNN][TU][WNYT]
Cuomo and legislative leaders are also hammering out an agreement to extend a high-tax bracket for the state's top incomes, which was slated to end in 2014, to help boost the state's finances and to avoid discussion of a tax increase in the midst of the 2014 election cycle. [NYT]
The budget plan being worked on will also include a $350 tax rebate to middle class homeowners with children.[Democrat and Chronicle]
Deal on raising minimum wage, tax breaks approved for GloFo, sad irony in DWI charge, prosecutors: pork buns had uninspected meat
It snowed. But not as much as forecasted yesterday. A dry zone of air in the system "greatly diminished the precip in the area," according to the NSW forecast discussion.
The Four Men in a Room have agreed on a deal that would phase in a minimum wage increase over the next three years, eventually up to $9 an hour. The deal does not include indexing the minimum wage to inflation. There's still not a deal on the state budget. [TU] [NYDN] [NYT] [State of Politics]
The Saratoga County IDA has approved $387 million in potential sales tax breaks for GlobalFoundries projects. GloFo says the two projects -- a research center and a possible second fab -- represent a potential $16.8 billion investment. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Paul Grondahl: the growth of the tech industry in the Capital Region "represents a sixth age in the ongoing reinvention of the region's economy." [TU]
Thirteen service members from the Capital Region have died in Iraq over the last 10 years, many of them members of the National Guard. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
State leaders cramming to finish budget, man accused of fleeing crash on foot -- while carrying toddlers, video of fight in West Capitol Park, Coeymans re-named for sandwiches
Negotiations continued through the weekend as The Four Men in a Room tried to settled on state budget, which could include a minimum wage increase. [TU] [State of Politics]
The eight counties of the greater Capital Region saw a 39 percent increase in pistol permit applications in 2012 compared to the year before. [Daily Gazette]
Alain Kaloyeros tells the Times Union there have been "very positive conversations" among SUNY leaders about the floated plan to spin off the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, but: "There has not been any model advanced to separate (the NanoCollege) from the University at Albany campus and all that has been reported is premature." [TU]
A seventh person -- a 16 year old -- has been arrested for the murder of Takim Smith. Chawn A. Sheares is charged with murder, robbery, conspiracy, and criminal possession of a weapon. [Troy Record] [TU]
Saratoga Springs mayor Scott Johnson says he won't run for re-election this fall. He says he and wife are heading for "another chapter" of their lives. [Saratogian] [TU]
Police say firebombing of chief's house was retaliation, charges dismissed for last two Troy ballot fraud defendants, BZA backs decision to stop dance music shows at Armory
Scotia police say they've arrested four men for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails into the then-police chief's home in 2010. Scotia's current police chief says the men -- then 17 and 18 years old -- were retaliating for what they regarded as harassment by police. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Said one Herkimer area resident in the aftermath of the shootings that left four people dead and two others injured: "It's going to take a while to recover." The motive for Kurt R. Myers' rampage is still unclear. [TU] [NYT]
Another casualty of the situation: Ape, an FBI tactical dog, who agents say was fatally shot while playing a key role during the operation to take down Myers -- an FBI agent says the dog's actions "prevented his teammates from being seriously wounded or killed." [TU] [Utica Observer-Dispatch] [NYT]
State attorney general Eric Schneiderman announced an agreement with a large majority of the state's gun show operators that includes new procedures for making sure there are background checks for gun buyers. The state AG's office says the agreement comes after undercover agents were able to buy guns at multiple shows without a background check. [NYS AG] [NYT]
A western New York is apparently the first person in the state to be arrested for violating the NY SAFE Act. [Buffalo News] [NYS AG]
The New York City woman who jumped to her death from an 8th floor window with her baby strapped to her body -- amazingly the child survived -- was the 1986 valedictorian at Colonie Central High School. [NYDN] [NYT] [TU]
NY SAFE injunction denied, officer and son of Rensselaer Police Chief charged with DWI in fatal accident, Northway crash victim identified, protests planned for Saratoga gun show
Farther afield: In a shootout this morning, police killed the gunman who allegedly killed four people in a rampage in Herkimer yesterday. In a statement this morning Andrew Cuomo commended the efforts of law enforcers who responded to the tragedy. [YNN]
An Albany County acting State Supreme Court Justice denied a request for a preliminary injunction against the NY SAFE act that was requested by activist Bob Schulz and a group of second amendment advocates. [Capitol Confidential]
22-year-old Mark Fusco, a Rensselaer police officer -- the son of Rensselaer Police Chief Rick Fusco, is charged with DWI in connection with a one car crash in East Greenbush yesterday morning that claimed the life of his passenger, 22-year-old Sean Murphy of Slingerlands. [YNN][TU]
The woman who died in the car/bus crash on the Northway in Clifton Park on Tuesday has been identified as 64 year old Barbara Weinstein of Saratoga. Her husband, Steve Weinstein, was driving the red porsche when it spun out of control hitting a busload of college students. Investigators are still looking for the cause of the crash. [Saratogian][TU]
The man who allegedly threatened a Skidmore College student last week, causing the campus to go into lockdown, has waived his right to extradition in New Jersey, where he was arrested, and will be sent to Saratoga Springs to face charges. [TU][Saratogian]
Fatal car/bus crash on Northway, video footage of Albany County jail beating, four sentenced in Troy ballot fraud case, police anticipate arrest in Rainwalker case
A 64-year old Saratoga woman is dead after the Porsche she was riding in spun out of control and ended up in front of a bus. The bus, carrying student athletes from St. Michaels College from Vermont to a meet on Long Island collided with the car and slid into a ditch off the southbound lane of the Northway in Clifton Park. The Northway was closed between exits 9 and 10 until after 5p.m. on Tuesday for clean-up and investigation. [TU][Saratogian][YNN]
Video footage of the beating of an inmate that was allegedly orchestrated by a guard at the Albany County jail has been made public by Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple. [TU]
Four men who took plea deals in the Troy ballot fraud case were sentenced on Tuesday in Rensselaer County Court. Former Troy councilman John Brown was sentence to six months in Jail in spite of the prosecution's request for a lighter sentence, Anthony Defiglio and Anthony Renna got 100 and 200 hours of communtiy service respectively, and former City Clerk Bill McInerny was sentenced to 90 days in a sheriff's work program.[TU][WNYT][Record]
Eric Green, the 18-year-old man facing a string of charges, including attempted murder, for allegedly stabbing a state trooper at the Empire State Plaza earlier this month, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Albany County. [TU]
VA says it won't comply with NY SAFE Act provision, two women shot, push to open casino siting process, recent college grad picked to head up animal shelter
The Veterans Administration says it will not comply with the provision of the NY SAFE Act that requires mental health providers to report people who are likely to act in way that would harm themselves or others. [New York World/TU]
As the state Senate and Assembly stake out their positions ahead of the push to finish the state budget, it looks like there could be some movement on raising the minimum wage. [TU] [NYT]
Albany police say two women were shot in West Hill just before midnight Monday (map). APD says it appears the shooting was "the result of an ongoing dispute" and it's investigating. The women's injuries are not life threatening, according to APD. [YNN] [APD]
The alleged collaboration between an Albany County jail corrections officer and two inmates to beat up a third inmate sounds like something from a TV drama. [TU]
What might be the $600 million projected to which the mayor Rensselaer alluded: a proposal to build at waste-to-energy plant at the Port of Rensselaer. (The same company proposed a similar project for the Port of Albany a few years back.) [TU]
Split verdict in Llenroc case, the formula almost no one understands, Wash Ave Armory and city at odds over dance parties again, 12 year old saves classmate
There was a split verdict in the trial of Annie George. The federal jury found her guilty of harboring an illegal immigrant at the Llenroc mansion. But it found her not guilty of doing so for financial gain, a more serious charge. She faces as much as five years in prison and a $250k fine. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN] [Saratogian]
The Albany County Sheriff's Office says a correction officer at the the Albany County jail was arrested Friday after he allegedly conspired with two inmates to assault a third inmate. Said sheriff Craig Apple: An incident like this casts a shadow over all our men and women at that facility ... It really is disappointing." [ACSO] [TU]
A Times Union-obtained federal review of the 2011 death of a French immigrant being held for deportation at the Albany County jail concludes that missed and incorrect dosages of the drugs used to treat the woman's cardiomyopathy contributed to her congestive heart failure and her death "could have been prevented." [TU]
An elderly Troy woman died in a house fire Saturday night in South Troy (map). Heavy smoke and fire forced firefighters out of the house on their initial entry, and Troy's fire chief says barricaded steel back doors also blocked firefighters efforts to get into the house. [Troy Record] [TU] [TU]
It snowed, PEF pushing for overtime pay, assessor says STAR exemption for state Senator was a mistake, proposed road diet for Madison Ave
It snowed, at least three inches. The snow is expected to continue through the early afternoon, with another 1-2 inches possible. [NWS]
One of the provision at issue in discussions of amending the NY SAFE Act: the 7-round limit on magazines. [TU]
PEF has filed suit against the state arguing that employees who worked more than 40 hours a week during the Sandy response should get overtime (the state is arguing the threshold is 47.5 hours for employee not usually eligible for overtime). The suit is seeking overtime pay for 14,469 state employees. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The jury in the trial of Annie George is now deliberating. Its decision in the case may rest of George's possible use of the term "the maid" in reference to Valsamma Mathai, who prosecutors say was held at the Llenroc mansion to work for little or no pay. The prosecution has introduced used recorded phone calls (translated) to argue that George knew of Mathai's immigration status -- but George said it wasn't her on the call. [News10] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Poll: Cuomo's high approval rating takes a small hit after NY SAFE, Assembly passes hydrofracking ban, Senate votes to legalizes MMA, Llenroc widow takes stand
A New Wall Street Journal/NBC NY/Marist poll still puts Andrew Cuomo's approval rating at 56%, but it's dropped a bit, especially upstate, in large part because of his support for the NY SAFE law. [WSJ]
The suspect who allegedly threatened a Skidmore College student earlier this week, resulting in a lockdown on the campus on Tuesday night, was arrested in Atlantic City. Forty-nine-year-old Lance Leonard is charged with coercion, accused of texting a female student and her father threatening to harm the student and himself. The Saratoga County DA's office says Leonard was in a relationship with the student, who was trying to break up with him. Leonard has a history of sex offenses in Nevada and Massachusetts.[TU][YNN][Saratogian] [WNYT]
According to testimony from an assistant director for the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor, Valsamma Mathai -- the Indian woman allegedly forced to work seven days a week by Annie George at the Llenroc Mansion --was cheated by George out of nearly $300,000 over five-and-a-half-years. But George estified in U.S. District Court on Wednesday that her late husband was abusive and made all of the decisions in the home and said she treated Mathai like family and that she was free to leave at any time. [TU][Saratogian]
The state Assembly has passed a two-year ban on hydrofracking. [YNN]
The Senate has approved a bill that would legalize professional MMA bouts, but the bill still has to get through the Assembly, where it has stalled before. If approved, tickets to the event would come with an 8.5% tax and broadcast rights would come with a 3% tax. [WNYT][YNN][TU]
Suspect in ESP trooper stabbing in custody, Skidmore lockdown lifted after suspect arrested, Assembly passes $9 minimum wage hike
Police apprehended Eric Green, the man who allegedly stabbed a state trooper at the Empire State Plaza on Sunday. Green was picked up at the intersection of Western and Washington Avenues in Albany on Tuesday afternoon. Green, a homeless man with ties to both Albany and Brooklyn, was jailed on charges of assaulting a police officer, robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. [TU] [NYSPnews] [WNYT]
Police have aprehended a Massachusetts man who allegedly threatened a Skidmore College student last night, causing the campus to go into lockdown mode. [Saratogian] [TU] [YNN]
The Indian woman allegedly forced to work to work in the Rexford home of Annie George testified in U.S. District court yesterday that a man who spoke her native tongue, Malayalam, coerced her to come and work for George's family. Valsamma Mathai testified through an interpreter that she was forced to sleep on the floor of a closet in George's home, and work from 5:30 am to 11pm without holidays, vacations or sick days, and told the court "I had to escape from there. I told her many times it was too much work." [TU] [Record]
The Assembly easily passed a $9 minimum wage hike on a mostly party-line vote Tuesday. The fate of the bill now rests with the Senate, where support is shaky . [YNN] [State of Politics] [TU]
Search continues in stabbing of trooper, school locked down after parent brings gun to school, trial starts in Llenroc servant case
State Police released a name and photo of a man they say they'd like to question about the stabbing of a state trooper at the Empire State Plaza Sunday. NYSP say they've found the knife used in the stabbing. And the trooper -- Rodney Smith -- continues to improve. There's a $10,000 reward for info leading to the arrest and conviction of the attacker. [AOA] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
Andrew Cuomo says it's "just not accurate" that a recent conversation with RFK Jr. prompted him to pull back from an imminent decision to approve test wells for hydrofracking. [AP/TU]
Dean Skelos says Senate Republicans are considering multiple changes to the NY SAFE Act. Andrew Cuomo says he's open to technical changes, but not substantial adjustments. [State of Politics] [YNN]
Colonie police say the truck driver who fatally hit a man on Central Ave over the weekend -- and then was assaulted when he stopped -- will not be charged. [Daily Gazette]
Pedestrian safety was a topic of discussion for Albany Common Council Monday. [WNYT] [News10]
Trooper stabbed at Empire State Plaza, man killed after being hit by truck on Central Ave, funeral for Sha'hiim Nelligan, dance marathon raises almost $500k
State Police say a trooper was stabbed during an attack at the Empire State Plaza Sunday afternoon. NYSP say the attacker had struck up a conversation with trooper Rodney Smith, while Smith was checking the man's ID, he pulled out a steak knife and stabbed Smith in the neck. There was a struggle, the man took Smith's radio, and ran off. Smith was taken to Albany Med and is expected recover. The incident happened on the concourse, just inside the doors that lead out to Madison Ave. The attack prompted a large manhunt in the area around the ESP -- the suspect has not been found. Said State Police captain William Keeler: "It's just the fact that this individual is still out there is disconcerting to anybody. This was not a rational act, and if somebody would stab an armed trooper then who knows?" [NYSP] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [AP/WNYT] [YNN]
Update: NYSP have released a name -- Eric L. Green, 18 years old -- and photo of the person they're searching for.
A man died on Central Ave in Colonie early Saturday morning after being hit by a USPS tractor trailer (map). A witness tells YNN that it appeared the man's body had gotten stuck in the wheels of the trailer. Colonie police say the driver stopped, and when he got out of the truck, he was assaulted by one or more people who then took off. CPD says the driver has not been charged. [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [TU] [WNYT]
Albany County sheriff Craig Apple is criticizing parts of the NY SAFE Act. [YNN]
UAlbany is requesting $293 million from the state for "critical maintenance" and upgrades to campus buildings. [TU]
Despite rally chances of NY SAFE Act repeal don't look strong, GloFo looking for $400 million in tax breaks, fast food flashing in Rotterdam, the 175-year-old law firm
The crowd outside the Capitol Thursday for the rally to repeal the NY SAFE Act was more than 5,000 people, according to a State Police estimate. Said David Keene, president of the NRA, to the crowd: "Your governor is willing to sacrifice the Constitution, your rights as citizens and the prerogatives of his Legislature on the altar of his own ambition and the ego of Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City ... We've lost battles before. We'll not lose this war." Kathy Marchione has introduced a bill to repeal many parts of the act -- though it doesn't appear to have much of a chance of making it through the legislature. Earlier: Scenes from the rally to repeal the NY SAFE Act. [TU] [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [NYT] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
With "the sequester" about to take effect, Chris Gibson said he's disappointed that Barack Obama "hasn't shown more leadership" on the issue, and Paul Tonko pointed the finger at Republicans in the House. [Troy Record/AP]
The sixth person accused in the fatal stabbing of Takim Smith at the Corliss Park apartments -- 19-year-old Eric Aaron Mallard -- was arraigned Thursday on charges that include second-degree murder. According to a police statement, a neighborhood told police that the apartment where Smith was killed was frequented by gang members. [Troy Record] [TU]
That review of the The Egg by the state Authorities Budget Office concludes that the performance venue's "financial position is weak" and "its current management structure is not working." It also recommends a look at whether The Egg would be better off under the management of the state Office of General Services instead of its own authority. The ABO's director framed the recommendations as part of the Cuomo admin's broader goals of "streamlining government, reducing overlap and elimination of redundant services." The Egg's executive director told the Times Union the org is still reviewing the ABO report and didn't have comment beyond its response in the report. [NYS ABO] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Three more teens arraigned in Corliss Apts murder, FBI investigates teens death on cruise ship, Tweets turn to fight among Shen/Saratoga students, Brinks rewards woman for returning $11,000
Andrew Cuomo and top state officials are considering ammendments to the NY SAFE legislation to allow movie producers to use prop weapons when filming in the state. [TU]
Three more teens arrested for the Corliss Park Apartments murder have been arraigned. In a statement to police, one 18-year-old woman said that she lured Takim Smith to her Corliss Park apartment, at the request of a friend, by telling him she'd have sex with him, then, once he'd disrobed, texted a friend to let him know Smith didn't have a gun. [Record] [TU]
The FBI is investigating the death of the Saratoga High School senior who died on a Carnival Cruise with his family last week, but foul play is not suspected. Carnival Cruiselines says Seth Younes died in his cabin at about 3 am, and denies he was served alcohol by any shipboard personel. [WNYT] [Saratogian]
What began with comments on Twitter ended with students from Shen and Saratoga high schools getting suspended for "hooligan like behavior" in a conflict at a hockey game. The fight began over comments made about Bailey Wind, who was injured in a car crash that claimed the life of her boyfriend and another friend in December, and who was in attendance at the game. [TU] [Saratoga Seen] [News 10]
The Wynantskill man who hit a pedestrian with his snow plow pick-up truck on Tuesday night was alledgedly drunk at the time and has been charged with felony vehicular assault.[Record]
Pedestrian hit by snowplow, Saratoga supervisors oppose NY SAFE Act, paintball and pellet guns lead to lockdown in Troy school, prime candidate for papacy studied in the Capital Region
North Greenbush police have arrested a man on DWI charges after he allegedly hit a pedestrian with his plow truck on Route 4 Tuesday night. [YNN]
Albany police have ticketed the driver of the car that struck and killed a 28 year old woman walking on Central Avenue on Thursday. Corine Edwards was charged with failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. [TU]
A 30-year old Troy man was arrigned on Tuesday in connection with a string of thefts from parked cars in the city in December and January. [TU]
A state arbitration panel has awarded Albany police sergeants and lieutenants raises of roughly three percent, retroactive to 2010 and 2011.[TU]
The Schoharie County woman found with 99 cats in crates and 67 dead cats in her freezer was charged with animal abuse this week.[TU]
Saratoga County Supervisors passed a resolution Tuesday night
opposing New York's new SAFE Act.[Saratogian]
Grandmother arraigned in death of grandson, Albany police chief says focus on pedestrian safety, legislature maybe closer to legalizing MMA bouts
In court papers filed with her arraignment in Schenectady City Court Monday, Gloria Nelligan is accused of repeatedly beating her 8-year-old grandson, Sha'hiim Nelligan, "over a prolonged period," ultimately causing his death. The alleged beating was apparently in response to the boy stealing candy from a neighborhood store. A family friend says the accusation is out of step with the person he knows. A 2007 Daily Gazette story about a support group for grandmothers raising their grandchildren in Schenectady included Nelligan, who's quoted as saying: "I didn't want to raise any more kids. I still don't ... But, I mean, when's it going to stop? I'm trying to break the cycle of abuse, of violence, for all my children." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
The "sequester" could mean a cut of $110 million for New York's colleges. Hospitals and health care orgs in the Capital Region are estimating it could mean a cut of $78 million for them. [TU] [Troy Record]
Albany police chief Steve Krokoff after two pedestrians were hit on Central Ave this past weekend, one fatally: "I really want to look at a new way to deal with vehicle traffic." Krokoff says the department is also looking at new tech, such as pedestrian-activated street lighting and traffic cameras. [WNYT] [News10]
The chair of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors says county leaders will push for the repeal of the NY SAFE Act when they meet with state legislators this week. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Grandmother arrested in child's death, pedestrian dies after being hit on Central Ave, very slow growth in local economy, light beer for a long life
The grandmother of an 8-year-old Schenectady boy who was found unresponsive at home Saturday (map) -- and later died at the hospital -- has been arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter. Police say there was a physical confrontation on Friday at the home. Said Schenectady police lieutenant Mark McCracken: "There was a dispute a day or two prior to his being found in an unresponsive state. That directly led to his death." McCracken says the results of an autopsy performed Sunday "suggested homicide." [TU] [News 10] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
The pedestrian hit by a vehicle while crossing Central Ave (map) Thursday night died Friday afternoon, Albany police say. The incident has prompted calls for a review of the intersection and the way traffic lights cycle there. During a vigil for the woman Friday night another pedestrian was struck by a vehicle a block down Central Ave (map). [APD] [TU] [News 10]
Albany police say officers found a man shot in Arbor Hill Friday night (map). APD says the man reported being shot by someone in a dark colored vehicle. APD says the man was treated and released. [APD]
A minimum wage increase appears to have the necessary votes in the state legislature, but Senate Republicans -- concerned about the effect of an increase on small businesses -- are holding up the bill. [TU]
The Obama admin has released a list of funding cuts to New York (and other states) if "sequestration" takes effect. [TU] [CNN]
Six now charged with murder in fatal Troy stabbing, spin-up for Albany, the wrong yard to run through, project to survey health in Schenectady's neighborhoods
A sixth person has been arrested and charged in the murder of Takim Smith. All six people -- all 19 years old or younger -- face charges that include second-degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy. Rensselaer County DA Richard McNally says, if convicted, the six could face a life sentence. Police allege the teens had lured Smith to a Corliss Park apartment in order to rob him. [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN] [News10]
The attorney for Becky Goodermote -- accused of hitting a cyclist on Route 22 in Rensselaer County last September, injuries from which later killed the cyclist -- says his client was not using her mobile at the time, nor was she on prescription drugs. Both allegations are part of the indictment handed up in the case. Said her attorney to WNYT: "She did not see him before she hit him, she didn't see him after she hit him. And because of that she thought she hit a deer or a sign. She wasn't certain. So she left." [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
The new group of state budget amendments includes the $7.8 million "spin up" in payments to Albany for the ESP. (The next city budget relies on that money to help close a gap, but the advance on the state's PILOT wasn't included in the original budget.) [TU]
One of Andrew Cuomo's top aides pushed back on the story about the state DOT engineer who said he resigned rather than be disciplined for talking to the press without permission. State operations director Howard Glaser alleged the engineer, Mike Fayette, misused state equipment and was engaged in a relationship with a subordinate. A 2011 DOT letter to Fayette (obtained by Capitol Tonight) said he was facing possible termination for misusing his department vehicle and "sexually explicit e-mails with a subordinate employee." And the letter sent to Fayette over the most recent situation (obtained by the TU) cites his past disciplinary record. Said Glaser on TALK 1300: "It is not the policy of this administration to terminate people solely for improper contact with the press ... If that were the issue here, the only issue, there would not have been a termination." [TU] [Adirondack Daily Enterprise] [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [TU] [NYT]
NYSUT files suit over tax cap, Cuomo budget amendments expected today, Albany child dies in NYC accident, proposed state ban on pub crawls
The New York State United Teachers Union filed a legal challenge yesterday to the state's 2% property tax cap law, arguing the cap is unconstitutional and has a dire effect on educational opportunities for poor and minority students. [NYT] [TU]
A number of Capital Region legislators called on Andrew Cuomo yesterday to increase education aid. [Capital Confidential]
Cuomo defended the property cap, saying "the answer can't always be putting your hand in the pocket of the taxpayer of the state of New York." [YNN]
Andrew Cuomo's last minute amendments to his proposed budget will be formally released later today, but among them will be a plan to reduce fees on hunting and fishing licenses and streamline the number of categories of hunting and fishing licenses from 17 to 7, language that would let state officials impose a teacher evaluation system in New York City and a requirement that gas stations near highways have power generators. No word on whether spin-up payment to Albany for the ESP PILOT, which was left out of the original budget, will be included in the amendments. [TU] [NYT][Capitol Confidential]
A 67-year-old Clifton Park man was assaulted by a stranger with a metal pipe on his doorstep on Sunday. [WNYT]
Schenectady police are warning residents to watch out for a man they say impersonated a Water Department employee to get into a home on California Avenue.[WNYT]
APD officer pleads not guilty to DWI, Green Island may get indoor shooting range, NYS Court of Appeals says Raucci can keep pension, bell removed from St. Patrick's
Max Etienne, the Albany police officer charged with DWI after allegedly slamming his vehicle into a row of parked cars in Pine Hills on Sunday morning and refusing a breathalyzer test, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.Two of the women whose cars were damaged say they believe Etienne may be getting special treatment because they've had a great deal of trouble getting information for insurance from the APD.[TU] [WNYT]
$33 million of the $50 million set aside for Governor Cuomo's competitive grant program for schools lat year went undistributed because many districts that chose to compete for the funding were not able to meet the requirements. [TU]
Green Island's Village Board voted on Tuesday to allow commerical indoor shooting ranges to operate in the village, helping to pave the way for a gun shop owner to open an indoor shooting range in his new facility. But the planning board tabled a necessary vote on the project until next month. [TU][WNYT][Record]
The NYS Court of Appeals has ruled that Steven Raucci will be able to keep receiving his monthly pension while in prison, reversing a lower court ruling that said Raucci's victims could sue him for the $5,800 monthly pension under the Son of Sam law - for now at least. [TU]
Police are looking for help in the search for a Waterford woman last seen outside her second Street home on Monday.[TU]
The bell from St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet was removed from the tower on Tuesday to prepare for demolition and the cross is being prepared for removal shortly - event though a lawsuit seekeing to stop the demolition is still active. [TU]
Cuomo pushes for minimum wage increase, frustration over youth violence in Troy, mom charged for son's stripper party, number of $100k Albany employees doubles
Andrew Cuomo on raising the minimum wage: "Minimum wage because if you work full-time you shouldn't be below the poverty rate. If you work full-time you shouldn't be poor, and if you work full-time you shouldn't have to choose between eating and paying your rent. That's why we have to raise the minimum wage." [YNN]
The Albany Police Department says one of its officers was arrested for DWI Sunday morning after a crash on S. Main Ave (map). APD says Max Etienne has been suspended without pay. This isn't the first time Etienne has ended up in trouble -- in 2008 he was ticketed for leaving the scene of a crash, and was the subject of an investigation in which it was alleged that he lost his gun on Lark Street. [APD] [TU]
"I am so sick and tired of burying our youth," said Rev. Willie Bacote at a community meeting, on the recent fatal stabbing at the Corliss Park apartments: "We're getting to a point where there won't be any youths left whatsoever." [WNYT] [Troy Record]
The mother of the Gansevoort 16-year-old who had strippers at his birthday party last November has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child for lining up the strippers. In November police said that "several" teens got lap dances at the party -- five of the party's attendees are alleged to have been under 17 years old. Here's the photo that surfaced on Facebook and seems to have set off the investigation. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Derek Cianfrance, the director of The Place Beyond the Pines, tells the Daily Gazette that there will be a premiere in Schenectady -- and the event was part of the deal when the film's distribution rights were sold to Focus Features. The when and where hasn't been announced. The Times Union reported Saturday that some local officials felt snubbed by what they regarded as Focus ignoring them. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TU]
Legislature reacts to $9/hr minimum wage proposal, parking permit grace period over, GloFo looking to pass by exit, releasing the inner salamander
The state Assembly has amended its minimum wage increase proposal to match the $9/hour rate proposed by Barack Obama in the State of the Union. Said spokesman for Dean Skelos on the proposed increased: "In light of President Obama's proposal and our intention to keep New York businesses from being put at a competitive disadvantage, it may be best to wait and see what the federal government does before the state acts." [TU] [State of Politics]
A Congressional panel has requested that federal auditors investigate New York Medicaid program (and the oversight agency for the program) after a committee concluded the program overcharged the feds by $15 billion. [TU]
A federal appeals court has declined to dismiss Joe Bruno's appeal, now scheduled for this spring. [TU]
The grace period for for the Albany residential parking permit system ends today. [TU]
Route 7 reopens following tanker explosion, 3 indictiments in Troy stabbing, Cuomo won't rush fracking decision
Andrew Cuomo says he won't rush anyone through the environmental impact process on hydrofracking, saying "This is too important to make a mistake."[YNN]
The driver of a tanker truck carrying 9,500 gallons of fuel was airlifted to Westchester after he lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road on Route 7 in Hoosick, causing the tanker to explode. The tanker apparently overturned after colliding with a guardrail and telephone pole and slid down a 30 foot embankment . [TU] [YNN]
A Rensselaer County grand jury indicted three suspects in the stabbing death of Takim Smith on February 4, but did not indict a fourth suspect. [Fox 23] [TU]
A 21-year-old Stephentown man was arraigned on manslaughter, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident in connection with a crash that killed his friend in September. [TU]
JCOPE referred violations in the Vito Lopez sexual harassment scandal to the Legislative Etihics Commission and the Assembly Ethics and Guidance Committee, but reports say no violations were found by Speaker Sheldon Silver or his staff. [NYT]
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli questioned portions of Andrew Cuomo's budget on Wednesday for for relying on $1.4 billion in temporary revenue. Di Napoli expressed concern that the budget relies on optimistic projections that could leave New York saddled with greater debt.[Fox23/AP][NYT]
Stabbing suspect's mother discovers alleged weapon, hydrofracking decision delayed, gun law opponents protest at Capitol, $180 box of chocolates probably won't help
The mother of one of the suspects in the stabbing death of a Troy man at the Corliss Park Apartments earlier this month discovered a knife under a mattress in the building where the murder took place. "Sources close to the investigation" say it could be the weapon used to kill Takim Smith. Smith's friends and family gathered at his funeral yesterday [TU] [Record][YNN]
It appears the Cuomo admin's decision on will be delayed again. The state health commissioner says his department needs more time to review the potential health impacts from fracking, which means the state won't be able to meet the February 27 deadline. But some are suggesting the delay
Opponents of New York's new gun laws, including 2010 Republican gubenatorial candidate Carl Paladino and some state Senate Republicans rallied outside the Capitol on Tuesday while supporters of the SAFE Act held a press conference inside the Capitol. [YNN] [TU][Capitol Confidential]
A Warrensburg woman is facing charges of attempted arson and grand larceny after she allegedly left a can of oil burning in her oven on Monday, used her boyfriend's IRS refund card to withdraw cash, and booked a flight to Florida for herself and her two infant children. [TU] [WNYT]
Common refrain: there's no money, McCarthy says Schenectady's looking for "urban pioneers," prime pope candidate studied in Rensselaer
Bob Duffy to mayors clamoring for more state aid: "The governor wants to give more. He would like nothing better than to elevate the AIM aid. But there just is no money. There is no money and the same situation that you are facing in your respective areas, he is facing statewide." [TU] [YNN]
SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher, testifying before a panel of state legislators, said the system needs hundreds of millions of dollars for its medical centers and other programs because it's "hemorrhaging money." [TU]
And more dire financial talk from schools: the executive director of the state Council of School Superintendents said at an event in Niskayuna about the fiscal crunch that school districts are "closer to their fiscal cliff today than ever before." Said another official from the org in urging people at the forum to push state legislators for more funding: "Observe what's happening in Albany -- all the time. It's your new part-time job." [WNYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state Senate confirmed the appointment of Jenny Rivera to the Court of Appeals (the state's highest court). Some Senate Republicans had pushed hard against Rivera's appointment, criticizing her lack of trial judge experience and voicing concerns "that she would be prone toward judicial activism." [TU] [State of Politics] [AP/Troy Record]
Not so much snow, shooting in Schenectady, trio accused of drilling into gas tanks, challenges from a rising Hudson River, farming is hard work
The Albany area got about 6.5 inches of snow from the weekend snow storm, according to the National Weather Service. Areas to the east got hit much harder -- parts of Connecticut got 40 inches. [NWS] [NYT]
Schenectady police say a man was shot Friday afternoon in apartment near Erie Boulevard. The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition. SPD says a baby was in the apartment at the time, and unharmed. SPD says it's looking for the shooter. [News10] [TU] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady police say an 18-year-old Gloversville woman has been arrested and accused of last week's stabbing of a cab driver. SPD says it appears the cab driver was stabbed at Nott Terrace and Eastern Ave -- where his car was found, still running -- and managed to get himself to the Schenectady County Public Library two blocks away (map), where staff called for help. He was airlifted to the hospital and is expected to survive. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
The Signature Compounding Pharmacy corporation -- the Orlando-based pharmacy that was part of the long-running and drama-filled steroids case pursued by the Albany County district attorney's office -- has pleaded guilty to illegally selling steroids, which gets its former operators off the hook. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Buffalo gets $600 per resident in state municipal aid -- Albany gets $150. [TU]
Robbery plot alleged to have drawn man to fatal stabbing, Columbia Development suing over payments on 677 Broadway, betting with Marylou's money
You might have heard: it's snowing. Here's the latest update to the icy, snowy apocalypse watch. If you have plan for tonight, check to make sure it's still on -- there are a lot of cancellations already.
A Troy pastor says the apartment at which Takim Smith was fatally stabbed this week had a bad reputation -- and Smith had been lured there for a robbery. TPD says that multiple teens were involved in the plot -- two more were arrested Thursday, bringing the total to six. Smith's family tells News10 he had grown up with the suspects. [TU] [Troy Record] [Troy Record] [News10]
Emphasis in Lou Rosamilia's state of the city address for Troy: public safety. [Troy Record] [TU]
One of the speakers at the Troy city council meeting confirming Anthony Magnetto's appointment as police commissioner: the wife of police chief John Tedesco -- and it sounds like she didn't hold back. (Tedesco has viewed the appointment of a commissioner as a political move against by the council.) [Troy Record] [YNN]
Albany brokers convicted of Ponzi scheme, two more arrests in Troy murder, Raucci appeals for new trial, Bow Tie to take over Regal Wilton
It's going to snow. And everyone from airlines to hockey teams are starting to prepare.[TU] [Fox 23] [TU]
Albany-based brokers Timothy McGinn and David Smith have been found guilty of scamming investors in a Ponzi scheme. A jury convicted McGinn on 27 counts, and Smith on 15, of the 29 counts. The pair could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. [TU] [WNYT][YNN]
Two more teens have been arrested in connection with the stabbing death of a Troy man this week. [Troy P.D. Press Release]
Steven Raucci's attorney argued on Wednesday that his client deserves a new trial because of what he called a "big pile of illegal hits". [YNN]
Cocaine ring bust nets 31 local arrests, Niskayuna may close school,Regal closing Latham & Wilton theaters
An uptick in violent crime and shootings at the end of 2011 led Albany police to bust a drug trafficking ring between New York City and the Capital Region, resulting in 226- indictments and 31 local arrests on charges ranging from drug trafficking to conspiracy to commit murder. [TU] [WNYT] [Saratogian]
The Troy man allegedly stabbed to death by a pair of teens on Monday may have been killed for $62,000 he received in a recent lead poisoning settlement. The teens were arraigned in connection with the stabbing on Monday are cousins of the victim, and allegedly murdered the man while he was visiting his infant son. [TU] [YNN]
The trial of two longtime Albany brokers charged with running a Ponzi scheme enters a fourth day of jury deliberations in U.S. District court in Utica today [TU]
In his annual State of the Judiciary speech on Tuesday, New York's top judge, Jonathan Lippman called for changes in the bail system, claiming it is unfair to the poor and allows dangerous suspects to go free.[NY Times]
A multi-million-dollar budget gap may force the Niskayuna School District to close a school. [YNN]
Fatal stabbing in Troy, anti-fracking rally at Capitol, child found wandering without coat or shoes, schnauzer is top dog
Troy police say a 21-year-old man was stabbed Monday evening in Lansingburgh and later died from his injuries (map). TPD says two teens have been arrested, and charged with second-degree murder. [YNN] [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
State Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner Joe Martens says there's no timetable for finishing hydrofracking rules. His appearance before a state Senate/Assembly joint committee prompted another anti-fracking rally at the Capitol. [AP/Daily Gazette] [State of Politics] [TU]
A state comptroller's office audit of Mechanicville's finances reports that the city's true financial condition couldn't be determined because of the "extremely poor state of the City's financial records" -- and the city council has adopted "unrealistic budgets over the past several years." Says the city's accounts commissioner to the Saratogian: "We are now headed in the right direction, but it's a couple years too late." [NYS OSC] [Saratogian]
Albany, Green Island, Schenectady, and Troy are considered "financially distressed" cities under the Cuomo admin's proposed plan to cap binding arbitration between such cities and labor unions. The mayor of those cities showed up at a press conference supporting the Cuomo plan. [TU] [YNN]
Pile up on Northway, guilty plea in fatal hit-and-run, dispute over what's a new tax, fatal Albany fire ruled not suspicious
A Saturday night wreck on the Northway near Wilton involved as many as 40 vehicles and shut down the Northway. Fifteen people were taken to the hospital, though apparently there were no major injuries. A snow squall appears to have been part of what caused the crash. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [Post-Star] [TU]
Ian Eckardt-Rigberg -- accused of a hit-and-run that killed a pedestrian in Arbor Hill in 2011 -- has taken a plea deal that includes 3.5-10 years in prison. [TU] [Fox23]
Joey Paul -- accused of fatally shooting her boyfriend in a Schuylerville apartment last summer -- has pleaded not guilty. Said her attorney: "She didn't shoot this guy on purpose." Paul is accused of firing a single shot from an AK-47. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A recent rash of crime in Lansingburgh has prompted wariness from longtime residents, community involvement, and the occasional Facebook fight. [Troy Record]
Gloom and doom predicted for school districts, push for an Exit 3 on Northway, principal answering student questions via text
Message from regional districts at a forum in East Greenbush: costs keep going up, funding is not. Another problem, according to the exec director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium: inequitable distribution of state aid. Speakers predicted some districts will be insolvent in the near future. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo, on the Capitol Pressroom, on the proposed plan for an independent gaming commission to pick site of possible upstate casinos: "I don't want to be involved in casinos if it's going to be politicized." Also: Proctor's Philip Morris says if the casinos are built, they shouldn't include large entertainment venues, because they'll hurt already-established venues. [TU] [TU]
Labor unions are pushing back against Cuomo administration plan to add an "ability-to-pay" cap to arbitration between municipalities and unions if the municipality is under fiscal distress. [TU]
Jerry Jennings' reformulated plan for the convention center is, publicly at least, not well defined at the moment. [TU]
Jury selection begins in murder of Schenectady teen, Thruway Authority to lay off 8% of workforce, poll shows New Yorkers split on fracking, gingers descend on Troy
Jury selection will begin today in the trial of a man charged with killing a 15-year-old Schenectady baskeball player in June of 2011.[TU]
22 year old Gavin Staulters was sentenced to two to six years in prison after admitting he was drunk when his car struck and killed Ballston Spa teenager Kari Liedel last sumer.[TU]
The New York State Thruway Authority will lay off 234 people, or 8 percent of its workforce. Thruway Authority spksman says the job cuts are not linked to the recent rejection of a toll increase for truckers. [TU] [WNYT]
A new Quinnipiac poll out today shows New Yorkers are about evenly split on hydrofracking, with 43 percent supporting drilling and 42 percent against. [News 10]
The same Quinnipiac poll showed 54 percent of New Yorkers support pay
equity for women .[Capitol Confidential]
Republicans in the State Senate have agreed to support Senator Kathy Marchione's efforts to repeal New York's recently passed gun control legislation. [Saratogian]
Representative Chris Gibson thinks the U.S. Supreme Court will rule that the state's new gun control laws are unconstitutional. [Record]
State Police spoke to an overflow crowd Wednesday night at the Schenectady's County Library in an effort to clear up confusion about New York's new gun laws.[WNYT]
Cuomo's approval drops 15 points after gun control passage, Jennings renews push for downsized convention center plan in State of City, Schenectady bank on "Pines" poster
According to a new Quinnipiac poll, Andrew Cuomo's job approval rating has dropped 15 points, from 74 percent to 59 percent, since the new gun control law was passed. [TU]
Gun rights activists are working many angles to get New York's new gun control legislation repealed. Locally the Saratoga County Sheriff's Deputies Union has come out in opposition to New York's new gun law, saying the speed with which it was passed is responsible for making some law officers and some citizens into criminals.The NY State Rifle and Pistol Association has filed the first court challenge to New York's new gun control legislation, claiming the law violates the U.S. Constitution's Commerce Clause, as well as violates due process and is unlawful seizure of property. Some mental health advocates are questioning whether the portion of New York's new assault weapons ban requiring mental health professionals to report patients they believe may be planning to "engage in harmful behavior" may violate current privacy laws.[NYT] [Saratogian] [YNN] [TU]
State Police and other officials will be in Schenectady tonight to hold a public meeting where they will explain the new gun control law. [YNN]
Jerry Jennings used his State of the City address on Tuesday night to renew his call for action on the Albany Convention Center project. The address was held at the Kiernan Plaza, which is slated to become a high-tech incubator for UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering -- Jennings said it would become an epicenter for smart cities technology that will benefit not just the Capital Region, but also "all of humanity." Jennings also said he wants to continue aggressive code enforcement to cut down on blight in the city and support community policing in the city. The mayor did not say whether he would seek another term. [TU] [YNN][News10]
The woman who died in Saturday's house fire just off Delaware Avenue has been identified as 23-year-old Megan Cunningham. Officials are still trying to determine if she was killed by the fire or died before it started. [TU]
Cuomo says upstate cities need "restructuring," club owner sues Albany over cabaret law, schools opt out of lunch program because kids don't like the food
The US Senate passed the $50 billion Sandy recovery aid bill, and it now heads to the President for a signature. [NYT]
Andrew Cuomo on the fiscal control board he's proposed to help economical distressed upstate cities, to the Times Union editorial board: "[I]f it was a corporation in a private-sector setting, you would be talking about restructuring. If the corporation does not restructure quickly enough, it goes bankrupt, and it goes to bankruptcy court. You need a restructuring here. The answer is not an additional, ongoing subsidy on a fundamental economic model that doesn't work." The Cuomo admin's pension smoothing plan continued to get a mixed reaction from mayors. [TU] [YNN]
Cuomo on the most recent Capital Region economic development grant application, which got a state-low $50 million, again to the TU editorial: "The Capital District's plan ... was siloed ... I think it was not as inclusive as other plans, and it showed." [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say they're searching for the man who robbed the Trustco branch on Congress Monday (map). The suspect implied he had a gun. [Saratogian] [WNYT]
One dead in fire, man charged in "railroad puppies" case charged again, charter school foundation CFO accused of stealing, SPD: stripper party was "poor judgment"
Albany fire officials say one person was found dead after an early morning fire just off Delaware Ave (map). They initially thought no one had been in the house fire, but later found the body during the final stage of knocking down the fire. Officials haven't released info on the person, and the fire is under investigation. Eyewitness account from across the street. [TU] [YNN] [News10] [DelSo]
Three buildings were demolished on Dove Street in Albany after a fire late Friday afternoon (map). AFD says it was a difficult fire to fight because it hard to get to the rear of the buildings. A tenant of one of the buildings tells the TU that he had been trying to thaw frozen pipes with a kerosene heater. Twenty-two people have been displaced. [TU] [@John_Eddy_] [@g_p_g] [@rjpalumbo24] [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
A Niskayuna man reported missing Friday was found dead in woods near Rosendale and River roads Saturday. NPD says it's investigating and an autopsy has been scheduled. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
The man recently charged in connection with the "railroad puppies" case has been arrested again -- Colonie police say the man has been charged with torturing and injuring animals after four emaciated dogs were found locked in a UHaul truck outside a motel on Central Ave. [TU] [News10]
Police: child reportedly forgotten in car for 8 hours, big crowd expected at ESP gun show, can principal search student's mobile?
Colonie police say a 1 year old was left in a car for almost 8 hours Thursday -- CPD says the father reported what had happened and said he had forgotten to drop the child off at day care. CPD says the child was treated at Albany Med and release -- he apparently wasn't exhibiting any signs of hypothermia. The father is not currently facing any charges. [CPD] [News10] [WNYT]
Skepticism is focusing on the Cuomo admin's plan to allow local governments to pay a constant rate for pension contributions. [TU] Earlier: A quick scan of Andrew Cuomo's 2013 budget
Also: skepticism of Andrew Cuomo's no-tax-increases statement about the budget prompts question of what the definition is of a tax increase. [YNN]
Andrew Cuomo's top aide says the $7.8 million "spin-up" on payments to Albany for the ESP was "inadvertently" left out of the the administration's proposed budget. [TU CapCon]
The New York Army National Guard will be part of a pilot program for the new policy officially allowing women in combat roles. [TU]
Cold snap continues, Tkaczyk sworn in as 46th District senator, cats found in Schoharie freezer, UAlbany welcomes new president, Jack's Oyster House celebrates 100 years
It's still cold. Really cold. And there's a frostbite warning in effect.[Weather Underground] [News 10] [YNN]
Cecilia Tkaczyk took the oath of office yesterday in the 46th Senate Dstrict. [TU]
Schoharie County sheriffs deputies found 100 cats and two dogs living in deplorable conditions at a residence, and 60 cats were found in a freezer. [YNN] [WNYT]
The parents of the 13-year-old Fort Edward boy who was shot and killed with his own gun last summer admitted to child neglect for allowing the boy access to the shotgun. [WNYT]
A look at how Andrew Cuomo managed to get gun legislation passed so quickly .[NYT]
Wilton's Republican Committee passed a resolution opposing New York's new gun law restruictions and they're expressing support for Senator Kathy Marchione's efforts to repeal portions of the law. [Saratogian]
Cold weather keeps shelters busy, reaction to Cuomo's 2013 budget plan, Tkacyzk to be sworn in today, sisters who were sisters die a day apart
It's really cold. The City of Albany has put an emergency Code Blue outreach program into effect. One man broke car windows in hopes of being arrested so he could get out of the cold. [YNN] [APD press release] [YNN]
Andrew Cuomo presented his budget yesterday. Here are a few of the highlights.
Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos said he's "encouraged by the plan", which he says " restrains spending, eliminates a manageable deficit without new taxes or fees, and invests in job-creation initiatives." [Capitol Confidential]
Senate IDC Conference Leader Jeff Klein says his conference will continue to push for mandate relief. [Capitol Confidential]
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco called a proposal for three upstate casinos listed in the budget a "death knell" for the historic Saratoga racetrack and casino, unless one of the casinos is located in the Spa City. [Saratogian]
Cohoes Mayor John McDonald says he's happy to see some relief for local governments which will be paying less into pensions under the new plan, but Senator Kathy Marchione criticized She criticized Cuomo's alternative pension plan suggesting that it isn't a real solution." [Record]
Cuomo officials will introduce an Open Budget website where New Yorkers can get specific information on the new budget plan. [NYT] [AOA] [State of Politics]
Cecilia Tkacyzk, newly elected Senator in New York's 46th District, will be sworn in today.[YNN]
State Police expect to add 330 new troopers in 2013. [WSJ]
Cuomo budget presentation, large gun rights rally at Capitol, a year later and driver in fatal hit-and-run still not found, new driver's licenses said to be very hard to fake
From the large gun rights rally at the state Capitol this past weekend -- photo by Tim Raab, who's posted large photoset from the rally on Flickr.
Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to present his 2013 budget Tuesday afternoon. And after relying business groups for support over his first two years, Cuomo is now looking for support from other groups for proposals such as a minimum wage increase. [TU] [TU]
On Saturday thousands turned out for a gun rights rally at the Capitol. Said local Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin at the rally of the state's recently passed gun control legislation: "This was abuse of power by a man [Cuomo] who wanted to be president but now never will." Said Jim Tedisco: "This week, representative democracy did not work." Said a man who attended the rally to WNYT of gun owners: "We're not a bunch of radicals out there to try to kill people." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [AP/Troy Record] [WNYT]
On the agenda for Cecelia Tkaczyk in the state Senate: pushing for a change in how state aid is distributed to rural and small city school districts. Tkaczyk is scheduled to take the oath of office Wednesday. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Jim Tedisco says Andrew Cuomo's casino plan is "more secret government" and, "It could very negatively impact Saratoga if it's not done properly." Also: the mayor of Lake George says Saratoga doesn't need a casino (but Lake George could use one). [Saratogian] [Saratogian]
The severe cold weather forecasted for this week has local shelters preparing extra room and relaxing some rules in order to get people out of the cold. [YNN] [TU]
Criticism and questions about new gun law, SCCC opening classroom space in Albany, plan to demolish Schenectady train station, weed dating
I-90 near Everett Road in Albany was closed for about an hour Friday morning because it looked like a man was going to jump from the Everett overpass, Albany police say. [TU]
Good government groups are criticizing the provision of the new state gun control law that allows people to request to have their gun license info withheld from being publicly available. [TU]
The new law has apparently prompted a lot of questions at gun stores. [Fox23]
Organizers of the Saratoga Arms Fair say the recent gun show had record-high attendance and sales. [Saratogian]
The Cuomo admin has hired an accounting firm to audit spending and procurement practices during the Sandy response. [TU]
Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia has officially appointed Tony Magnetto as police commissioner, and if confirmed, he'll oversee police chief John Tedesco. Though he didn't comment on the appointment, Tedesco has previously said the decision to re-institute the commissioner position is a political move (there's been friction between Tedesco the the Democrat-controlled city council). By the way: Magnetto was Tedesco's best man. [YNN] [Troy Record] [TU]
Schenectady County Community College is partnering with Albany County to build classroom space in a county building on State Street in downtown Albany (streetview) for courses that are projected to eventually draw 1,000 students. Students will be allowed to park in the TU Center parking garage, and they also get free bus passes. SCCC president Quinton Bullock says it's the first step to creating a formal extension in Albany County. County exec Dan McCoy framed the idea as a collaboration between communities and a convenience for students in the city. An undercurrent to this announcement: Albany County's reimbursement rate when students attend SCCC is much lower than when they attend HVCC. [Albany County] [YNN] [News10] [TU]
Siena poll: New Yorkers approve of gun control law, Marchione starts online petition to repeal gun control law, Senate 46th could be coming to an end
A new Siena poll reports that New Yorkers support a ban assault weapons 73-26. And they continue to support Andrew Cuomo -- his favorability rating was 71 percent. [Siena SRI]
The speedy passage of New York's new gun legislation has brought criticism of the use of the "message of necessity," the process by which a three day "aging" period can be waived before a vote on a proposed law. [TU]
State Senator Kathy Marchione has started an online petition to repeal the new gun control legislation. In less than one day the petition
The gun legislation passed on Tuesday includes funding for increased security measures at New York State schools, something Capital Region schools are already working on. [TU]
The State's highest court said it would not hear an appeal from George Amedore's campaign of a recent ruling ordering that 99 ballots be counted in the race for the 46th state Senate District . Thirty-seven votes separate Amedore and Cecelia Tkaczyk, though Amedore has already declared victory. [Record] [YNN]
New York adopts nation's strictest gun control, SUNY to add online degrees and 3 year programs, local legal doc company lays off 220 in Albany and prepares to close
It snowed. Drive carefully. [TU]
New York legislators passed the strictest gun laws in the nation yesterday. Andrew Cuomo signed the measure into law shortly after, saying "common sense prevailed." The state Legislature is touting the new gun law as proof of the effectiveness of the new coalition government. [AOA] [Capitol Confidential] [YNN]
Among the legislators to oppose the new gun control law, newly elected Senator Kathy Marchione, one of two Senators who spoke out against passing the
law and one of only 18 to oppose it. Marchione argued the new law would weaken the Second Amendment.[Saratogian] [Record]
The NRA issued a statement calling the new gun control law "draconian" [Capitol Confidential]
Customers lined up to by weapons and ammunition on Tuesday before the new gun law went into effect. [TU] [YNN]
The House of Representatives has finally passed a $50.7 billion Hurricane Sandy relief bill -- a vote that was postponed at the end of the last session a week ago. The measure moves to the Senate now, where it is expected to pass. [NYT]
Albany is learning to adjust to the new residential parking regulations. [TU]
Deal on new state gun control legislation, rush for flu shots, gun incidents in Troy prompt concern, grass-roots push for land bank headed off
The state legislature has reached a deal on broad, new gun control legislation. The state Senate passed the bill 43-18 Monday night, and the Assembly is expected to take it up Tuesday (and pass it easily). The foremost provision of the bill extends the state's ban on assault rifles to include any gun that includes a single characteristic on a banned list -- the current law bans guns with two of the those characteristics. Among the other provisions: a statewide database of pistol permits -- with the option for gun owners to petition to have their permit not subject to FOIL (this has been a hot issue lately because of map published by the Journal News of permit holders in a few Hudson Valley counties). [NYT] [NY Senate bill text] [State of Politics] [Buffalo News] [State of Politics] [Google News]
In an effort to stop a run on a assault rifles (and perhaps head of protest), Andrew Cuomo issued a "message of necessity" to waive the normally required three-day "aging" period for the bill. Said the governor: "If there's an issue that fits the definition of 'necessity' in the state of New York today, I believe it's reducing gun violence." [State of Politics] [TU]
If the bill is passed by the state Assembly Tuesday, New York would be the first state to pass new gun control legislation following the shootings in Newtown. And while Senate Republican conference leader Dean Skelos said the bill is "well-balanced" and "protects the Second Amendment," other Republicans criticized Cuomo's push to get the bill done before anyone else. Said state Senator Thomas O'Mara (Chemung County): "When we're dealing with issues of Second Amendment concern or any constitutional concern, we should be taking a greater and more thorough look at it with the opportunity for discussion amongst all interested parties." And Senator Greg Ball (Putnam County) accused Cuomo of pushing the legislation through quickly in order to build his resume for a presidential run. [Buffalo News] [Bloomberg] [Gannett] [NY Post]
Said a Schenectady gun store owner to the Times Union about a recent surge in sales: "It's been busy every day since our politicians started talking like the way they are. The politicians have put everybody into a buying frenzy." [TU]
Crowds and protests at Saratoga gun show, reports of shots fired in downtown Troy, public health emergency declared because of flu, squirrels are SOBs
This past weekend's Saratoga Arms Fair gun show included a big crowd and protests. Among the protestors: Albany County DA David Soares. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU]
Troy police say they arrested man early Sunday morning after a report that man had threatened to shoot people in the area of Broadway Brew downtown. TPD say it recovered a loaded handgun from the roof of a garage on Second Street after the man allegedly tossed it up there during a foot chase. TPD says there was another incident nearby in which shots were apparently fired -- and a gun found -- but but no one has been arrested. TPD says it doesn't believe the two incidents are related. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN] [News10]
Andrew Cuomo has declared a public health emergency for the state because of the flu. He also issued an executive order that allows pharmacists to administer flu shots to people between the ages of six months and 18 years. [Cuomo admin]
Schenectady police say the results of the autopsy of the woman found dead in an apartment last Thursday are "inconclusive" -- but Schenectady County DA Robert Carney says there are no signs of foul play. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany City Hall is closed today (Monday) because of a "plumbing and heating issue" (the city hall Twitter feed calls it a "flooding issue"). That means no parking permits will be issued today. The new permit system takes effect Tuesday -- with a one month grace period in which violators will be issued warnings instead of fines. [Albany city press release]
LuAnn Burgess sentenced, talk of second GloFo chip fab, legislature moving toward agreement on gun bills, major water main break in Niskayuna
Updated
LuAnn Burgess -- the woman who pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in the crash that killed three people at a Vorheesville church in 2011 -- has been sentenced to five years probation, community service, the forfeiture of her license. Said Burgess at the sentencing Friday morning: "I am so sorry to have caused your pain. Words can't express the sorrow I feel." [YNN] [TU]
The CEO of GlobalFoundries made comments at UAlbany CNSE Thursday that indicate the company is leaning toward eventually building another chip fab at Luther Forest. At some point. Ajit Manocha told the crowd the second fab would be a $10 billion project. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady police say a woman was found dead in an apartment Thursday evening -- neighbors had reported hearing her two children crying. The apartment building is the same one from which a "person of interest" in the death of Mary Greco was taken -- but SPD says the two incidents don't appear to be related. [TU] [News10] [Daily Gazette]
The counting of 99 ballots for the state Senate 46th election is on hold while the state Court of Appeals decides whether it will hear an appeal from George Amedore. The Republican leads Democrat Cecelia Tkaczyk by 37 votes -- the Tkaczyk campaign won an appeal to a lower court earlier this week to allow the uncounted ballots. The election may not be settled for at least another week. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
As the state legislature looks to be heading toward some sort of deal on gun legislation, one of the last issues contention could be a proposed restriction on the size of detachable ammunition magazines. [NYT]
Gun control, Sandy relief and min. wage highlighted in SOS, appellate court orders 99 discarded votes counted in the 46th Senate race, sale of Lincoln letter helps Albany neighborhoods
In Wednesday's State of the State address, Andrew Cuomo focused on gun-control, Sandy relief, raising the minimum wage, women's initiatives, and extended school days/hours. Cuomo called for New York to remain the "progressive capital of the nation." Some of the items in the speech fueled speculation about Cuomo's aspirations for a 2016 run for the White House. [AOA] [NYT] [TU]
On Wednesday, Sheldon Silver said Cuomo and legislative leaderswere 95% of the way to an agreement on gun control. [NYT]
The governor's proposal to raise the minimum wage is clearly dividing parties in the legislature. [News 10]
In a recorded response to Cuomo's speech, state Republican conference leader Dean Skelos emphasized recent cooperation between parties, but revealed differences of opinion on gun control and campaign finance reform. [Capitol Confidential]
Reaction to the State of the State from local leaders. [Saratogian]
Absent from the speech was any discussion of hydrofracking, but about 1,000 anti-fracking advocates protested outside of the the Empire State Plaza on Wednesday as lawmakers made their way to the State of the State address. [WNYT]
Gun control, minimum wage & Sandy relief to top State of the State mentions, Silver re-elected speaker, Saratoga Water to be served at inagural luncheon
On the list of things you can expect >pect to hear about in today's State of the State address:
+increasing the minimum wage
+Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts
+Toughening gun control measures, including an assault weapons ban and restrictions on high capacity magazines
Conspicuous by its absence: fracking is not expected to get much of a mention in today's address.[YNN] [YNN] [NYT] [TU]
Expect dioramas and power points. [Capitol Confidential]
Senate officials may have a compromise agreement worked out on gun control by later today. [YNN]
Sheldon Silver has been reelected Assembly Speaker. [YNN]
Police are looking for a set of silver and crystal rosary beads that were missing from the apartment of a retired nun who was found strangled to death in her home last week. Police are questioning a suspect in connection with the case - a man who is currently jailed for violating parole - but have not charged him with Greco's death. [YNN] [TU]
A Verizon employee was fired and is facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly texting himself a topless photo of a woman from the phone of a customer who brought it in to be repaired.
Alleged intoxication key issue in case against Drue, new Schenectady police chief, neighborhood concerns over Albany redistricting
What appears to be the key issue in the prosecution's case against Dennis Drue, accused of causing the December Northway crash that killed two Shen students and seriously injured two other teens: Was his ability to drive impaired by alcohol and/or pot -- and if so, to what extent? Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy and State Police have declined to release Drue's test results, but Murphy said at a press conference Monday they indicated the presence of alcohol and pot: "That was actively affecting his brain and that was actively affecting his ability to drive that motor vehicle." The prosecution's case is complicated in part because Drue's samples were taken some time after the crash, and it will have to use experts to try to establish what his levels might have been at the time of the crash. Said Drue's attorney, Steven Coffey: "They can charge him with anything they wanted. I have no reason to believe there were crimes committed, based on the info I have." Drue pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. Coffey also questioned whether Drue can get a fair trial in Saratoga County because of all the attention. [NYSP] [YNN] [Fox23] [WNYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Brian Kilcullen -- a 19-year veteran of the Schenectady Police Department -- is Schenectady's new police chief. Kilcullen lives in Milton, but says he'll be staying with his parents in Schenectady on work nights -- he says he doesn't want to move his family so his daughter can stay in her current school. From his backstory: Kilcullen once turned his wife into police for using drugs. [YNN] [TU] [News10] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette 2010]
Central question in arguments related to whether invalidated ballots in the state Senate 46th election should be counted: what is a "qualified" voter. It looks like 53 ballots case early by Ulster County poll workers could be counted. (George Amedore currently leads Cecelia Tkaczyk by 37 votes.) [Daily Gazette] [TU]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli says New York is approaching its debt limit: "This comes at a challenging time when our state needs to rebuild and repair critical infrastructure and has growing capital needs." [NYS OSC]
APD says community policing contributing to crime drop, gun legislation Cuomo priority, cause of fire that killed teen not yet determined, a movie about a hot dog
The number of violent crimes is dropping the city of Albany, and police chief Steve Krokoff is attributing the drop in part to the department's community policing initiatives and statistical analysis. [TU]
A Schenectady police lieutenant set a new department record for highest annual pay last year at $171,423, thanks to overtime. [TU]
A string of arsons this past summer -- and the Campbell Ave closure -- pushed Troy Fire Department overtime 41 percent higher than the amount budgeted for last year. [WNYT] [TU]
The number of full time, active members of the Saratoga Springs police department is down 25 percent since 2009. [TU]
After sifting through the Boy Scouts of America "perversion files" posted by the Los Angeles Times, the Times Union says it found records that include information on "more than two dozen leaders from Capital Region Scout troops." [LAT] [TU]
New gun legislation appears to be Andrew Cuomo's top priority. What looks like will be a contrast in between Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature: whether assault weapons should be banned. [TU] [TU]
Reports of violent incidents in New York State juvenile detention centers have quintupled over the last five years -- aides say it's a result of a new approach and a lack of resources. [TU]
Cuomo on Sandy aid: "Show me the money," two local cases before state's highest court, nursing home says it didn't know of employee's rape conviction, just married -- with separate planes to catch
Andrew Cuomo on the back-and-forth about when Congress will vote on billions in aid for Sandy recovery: "I'm at the point where it's simple for me: Show me the money." The House is scheduled to vote on the first part of that aid -- almost $10 billion for flood insurance claims -- today. Update: The bill passed the House 354-67 (vote breakdown). [YNN] [AP/USAT] [NYT] [NYT]
Among the measures floated as part of preliminary recommendations for the state's preparation for events like Hurricane Sandy: a strategic gasoline reserve, generators for gas stations, updated building codes, text message alerts, and a voluntary registry of vulnerable people. [NYT] [WNYT] [TU]
Arguments before the state Court of Appeals Thursday: whether money from Steven Raucci's state pension could be seized by Raucci's victims (at issue: does the state's "Son of Sam" law supersede laws protecting pensions); and whether a Shen school bus driver who tested positive for marijuana can keep her job (one of the issues: whether a zero-tolerance policy was in place). [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A decade-long federal investigation of the Schenectady Police Department has concluded that the SPD has fixed problems related to civil rights violations. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Local hospitals say they've seen a surge of of people with flu and flu-like illnesses over the last few weeks. (Flu shot finder.) [TU]
House will vote on part of Sandy relief package Friday, Schenectady ex-nun's death ruled homicide, Spa city council wants semi-automatic weapons banned from gun show, random acts of coffee
Following outcry from Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and politicians on both sides of the aisle who were furious about the delayed vote for $60 billion in aid for Hurricane Sandy recovery until the next session of Congress, the House will vote on part of the funding this week. After meeting with members of the New York and New Jersey Congressional delegations House Speaker John Boehner agreed to call a vote for $9 billion for emergency flood insurance on Friday and another on Jan. 15 for a remaining $51 billion in the package, but that will have to be passed by the Senate again, a task Chuck Shumer says was a challenge the first time it was passed. [NYT] [TU] [YNN]
The death of a retired Schenectady nun has now been ruled a homicide. [WNYT]
The Saratoga Springs City Council passed a resolution urging the organizers of the upcoming gun show at the City Center not to sell or display assault weapons or ammunition similar to those used in the Newtown shooting. Some city residents have collected more than 1,200 signatures in an effort to get the show canceled.[TU] [Saratogian]
Andrew Cuomo says the annual New York State Arms Collectors Association gun show planned later this month for the Empire State Plaza should be allowed to go on as scheduled. [TU]
Police in Hudson Falls held a news conference Wednesday to ask for help in locating the owners of as many as 30,000 items discovered at the home of a two-time felon charged with burglary. Police arrested John W. Suddard II after he allegedly burglarized a home and attempted to pawn stolen items at Olde Saratoga Coin on Central Avenue in Colonie. [Saratogian] [TU]
"Fiscal cliff" avoided, Schenectady police probe suspicious death of ex-nun, Jack Mac's final gavel, New Year's chase in Saratoga leaves Rensselaer County man in jail, chilly start to 2013 for "polar bears"
Congress voted late last night to head off the "fiscal cliff". Chris Gibson and Paul Tonko voted for the measure. [WNYT] [Capitol Confidential]
The House of Representatives did not, however, elect to vote on a bill that would have provided $60.4 billion in federal aid for Hurricane Sandy victims, a decision that angered representatives from storm ravaged areas. Without a vote by the end of session tomorrow, the measure will have to be reintroduced and voted on by both houses in the next session, delaying the aid. [NYT] [TU]
Schenectady police are investigating the suspicious death of an 82-year-old former nun whose body was found in her home. Her car had been stolen and was discovered in a church parking lot. [TU] [WNYT]
A Johnsonville man is facing a string of charges including felony DWI, felony reckless endangerment, and unlawful fleeing a police officer after police say he led them on a high-speed chase in Saratoga Springs early New Year's morning, damaging six vehicles and sending two people to the hospital. [TU] [WNYT] [SSPD Press Release]
State leaders discussing session to address gun laws, oil tanker damaged in Hudson River, First Night fireworks back on, gasoline price scuffle
Andrew Cuomo and Democratic leaders in the legislature have reportedly pushing for a special session next week to address the state's gun laws -- though when asked about getting a session before the end of the year, Cuomo told Fred Dicker: "I highly doubt it." The focus, according to Cuomo, when/if the legislature does end up taking on the issue: dealing with rumors of threats planned for today because of the end of the world stuff. Rumors have been circulating all week -- and school district officials say they've yet to find a credible threat. [Troy Record] [Fox23]
A nine-count indictment -- including one count of second-degree murder -- was handed up against Jason Guynup, accused of killing Nikki Hart in Schodack last weekend. He pleaded not guilty to all the counts. [Troy Record] [TU]
The Troy teen arrested this past summer in connection with her father's shooting death has been charged with second degree murder and first degree manslaughter. Police say Trinity Copeland told them she and her father had been fighting and he told her to shoot him. [Troy Record] [TU]
Edward Braim -- the Saratoga Springs police officer charged with misdemeanor assault in connection with an incident on Caroline Street -- has taken a plea deal that forces him to resign from the SSPD and take anger management classes. The charge will be dropped as part of an "adjourned in contemplation of dismissal" arrangement. [Saratogian] [TU]
The Saratoga County District Attorney's office has asked for a grand jury extension as it considers charges against Dennis Drue, the driver accused of causing the Northway crash that killed two Shen students and seriously injured two other teens. [TU]
Capital Region is last with $50 Million in NY economic development race, prosecutors say Anderson confessed to Thomas murder, child poverty in Schenectady up
President Obama appointed Joe Biden to head a gun violence prevention task force and reiterated his support for a ban on assault weapons. [YNN]
The Capital Region placed last in the competition for economic development funding from New York State.
At the awards ceremony Cuomo told a crowd "you can't expect the entire economy to turn around two years, but you can feel there's a different energy about New York."[YNN] [Capitol Confidential] [WNYT] [TU][YNN]
29 year old Michael Anderson pleaded not guilty to the murder of Tonette Thomas and the attempted murder and assault on her aunt and sister, but prosecutors say Anderson wrote a note where he confessed and apologized to Thomas' family and made a recorded confession to police. [News 10] [TU]
Newly released census data shows the child poverty rate in Schenectady rose from 29% to 40%, making it the 10th most impoverished school district in New York.[TU]
Parolee dies in Albany shooting, Demolition of Latham Circle Mall approved, Spa City and County pushing for full casino at "racino"
A 23 year old parolee was shot to death on Ontario Street after pulling an unloaded gun on his armed attacker during an argument. [WNYT] [TU]
New York's "restacking" process, which uprooted some state employees and moved them to new workspaces, is just about done, and will have saved about $21.5 million by the end of the fiscal year. [TU]
The Saratoga Springs public safety commissioner and other city residents want the city to insist that assault weapons are not sold at the gun show planned for the City Center next month.[TU]
Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County are pushing for the city's Racino to be one of seven full fleged casinos in New York, should the amendment allowing them be approved. Governor Cuomo told his cabinet on Tuesday that he doesn't want the locations specified in the proposed constitutional amendment [WNYT] [Gazette]
Colonie's planning board has approved a plan to demolish Latham Circle Mall to make room for the Shoppes at Latham Circle to replace the Latham Circle Mall. [YNN]
State leaders talk gun control, council votes against St. Joseph's brewery, Stewart-Cousins to head state Senate Dems, no Thruway toll increase, memorable experience
Said Andrew Cuomo Monday about gun control: "I think that it is fundamentally a federal matter because the guns easily transfer over borders. States can help and each state should look at their laws, we're looking at our laws but the most efficient, effective vehicle is a federal law," But Sheldon Silver indicated he thinks the state could be doing more: "The fact remains though that we should have legislation, we should ban all types of assault weapons. We should ban all types of magazines that go with them." And Silver pointed the finger at the state Senate for blocking more gun control in the state. A statement from Senate Republicans about Dean Skelos' position: "In New York State, the majority of gun crimes are committed by criminals who are using illegal guns, and therefore he believes we should take steps to curb illegal gun use by increasing penalties and enacting mandatory minimum sentences." The reaction to the idea of further gun control
State Police say Nikki Hart had an order of protection against Jason Guynup, who's accused of fatally stabbing her this past weekend. Noted, if not necessarily relevant: the Times Union reports Guynup is the brother of Robert Guynup, the man who suffered debilitating injuries when he was shot in Troy's Griswold Heights in 2009 after he complained to police about a group of noisy teens. [WNYT] [TU]
A Glens Falls man has been charged with manslaughter after police say he showed his mentally-ill wife how to use a gun so she could commit suicide. [Post-Star] [WNYT]
After the counting of challenged ballots in the state Senate 46th, George Amedore has declared victory with a 39 vote lead. But about 400 ballots were not allowed by the judge overseeing the count -- and Cecelia Tkaczyk's campaign is heading for an appeal. [TU] [Troy Record/Daily Freeman] [Daily Gazette]
The Albany Common Council voted 10-1 to issue a non-binding resolution opposing the proposed brewery project at the former St. Joseph's church (the decision is actually up to the Board of Zoning Appeals). Some council members expressed support for the efforts of Historic Albany, but said they didn't think the project was appropriate for the Ten Broeck Triangle neighborhood. [YNN] [TU]
President: "We can't tolerate this anymore," police say Schodack woman murdered, bachelorettes fight off alleged limo thief, 59 new citizens
Said Barack Obama at a memorial service in Newtown, Connecticut Sunday: "We can't tolerate this anymore. These tragedies must end. And to end them, we must change. We will be told that the causes of such violence are complex, and that is true. No single law -- no set of laws can eliminate evil from the world, or prevent every senseless act of violence in our society. But that can't be an excuse for inaction." [NYT] [White House]
School districts around the Capital Region say they're reviewing their safety policies. But leaders acknowledge policies can go only do so much -- said a spokesman for Scotia-Glenville schools to the Daily Gazette: "All schools follow these same procedures ... but the guy with the gun doesn't have to follow procedures." Said Schenectady superintendent Laurence Spring to Gazette about the fact that an event like a shooting can never be absolutely guaranteed to not happen: "Sometimes, really bad things can happen, so all we can do, all we can focus on with concerned parents, is that in general, schools are really, overwhelmingly pretty safe places." [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
Chuck Schumer is among the US Senators expected to push new gun control legislation in Congress. [TU]
The principal of Sandy Hook Elementary -- Dawn Hochsprung -- was a doctoral candidate in a program at the Sage Colleges. Said the dean of Sage's school of education: "She was a principal you'd want your children to have." Hocsprung was reportedly killed when lunged at the gunman. [Sage] [TU] [DFM/Troy Record]
A Glenville couple's granddaughter is a second grader at Sandy Hook -- she wasn't hurt. [TU]
Said a machine operator at the factory in Illion that now makes the type of gun reportedly used in the Newtown shooting, to the Times Union: "It upsets me a lot ... At the same time, we're making a living off this." [TU]
Police say Nikki Hart -- the owner of Hart Real Estate -- a woman was found with knife wounds at a home in Schodack early Sunday morning (map), and later was pronounced dead at the hospital. State Police say Hart's estranged boyfriend -- Jason Guynup -- has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The Times Union reports Guynup is father of Hart's two daughters (the Record reports they one child together). [Troy Record] [NYSP] [NYSP] [TU]
Police now investigating Rainwalker case as homicide, UAlbany gets grant toward new complex, company accused of price gouging post Irene
State Police say they are now treating the Jaliek Rainwalker case as a homicide investigation instead of a missing person investigation. Police say they've investigated almost 500 leads in the five years since Rainwalker disappeared. Said a State Police investigator: "This is not a cold case, it's a continuing case ... We've never stopped, we will never stop." An attorney for Rainwalker's adoptive parents said he was "dismayed" that investigators are calling the case a homicide without evidence to that effect. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Steven McComsey -- who pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in the propane explosion that killed six people in Salem, but did not admit to wrongdoing -- was sentenced to 1-3 years in prison. Said a sister of one of the people who died, "We didn't even get any closure ... We still wonder, did he do it or is he just accepting this?" [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
A state appeals court rejected an appeal by De Von Callicut, who was convicted of shooting and killing UAlbany student Richard Bailey in 2008. The presiding judge wrote in the opinion that Callicut committed "a heinous, senseless, murder." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Cuomo administration has approved a $35 million grant for UAlbany intended to help the university build a a $165 million "Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex" on the uptown campus. [TU]
Matt Hardy, one of the teens seriously injured in the Northway crash, on the driver police say caused the crash: "I just definitely want to forgive him. It's the right thing to do I think." [WNYT]
Federal judge won't dismiss Bruno charges, Greenfield man indicted in mother's death, Rotterdam arrest connected to alleged plot against Justin Bieber
A Saratoga County grand jury indicted a 27-year-old Greenfield man on second-degree murder and evidence tampering charges in connection with the death of his mother at their home on Daniels Road. [TU] [WNYT]
FBI agents and investigators from the state Attorney Generals office conducted a raid on Wednesday at three offices connected to a charity run by well known Albany priest Fr. Peter Young. No word yet as to exactly what they are looking for, but a lawyer for the organization believes it could be connected to an incident two years ago when an employee was found stealing large amounts of money. [TU] [WNYT]
A federal judge has refused to dismiss the two theft of honest services charges against Joe Bruno but the decision leaves room for Bruno's lawyers to appeal.
[WNYT] [TU]
A report by an Arizona TV station says Justin Bieber was the target of an alleged murder-for-hire plot that ended with an arrest in Rotterdam last month. [Fox 23] [Gazette]
A state Supreme Court judge has approved the sale of St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet, further clearing the way for a Price Chopper supermarket to be built on the property. [TU]
The Albany Zoning board of appeals heard two-and-a-half hours of testimony last night from residents of Albany's Ten Broeck neighborhood and members of Historic Albany Foundation both for and against the proposed Ravens Head Brewery proposed for the former St. Joseph's Church. Residents argued that the project would change the character of the neighborhood, proponents argued that it could bring young people to the area and that it might be the only way to save the building. [TU] [YNN]
Grand jury clears cops in Rivera shooting, Hevesi released, citizens share vision for Albany waterfront, State Police find Mrs. Santa
A grand jury cleared three schenectady police officers of wrong doing in the August 2011 shooting of Luis Rivera. Said Schenectady County DA Robert Carney: "They were justified in using deadly physically force, to defend themselves and others from what they perceived to be the use of deadly force against them." [TU] [YNN]
Former state comptroller Alan Hevesi is a free man today after spending the last 19 months in jail for accepting gifts and campaign donations from people trying to do business with the state pension fund. [YNN]
Yesterday in the ongoing Troy ballot fraud saga,. [TU]
Four men have been indicted in the November 2011 killing of an Albany man linked to the South End gang Original Gangsta Killas . [TU]
Police are looking for two men who robbed a Central Avenue gas station with a shotgun on Monday. [TU]
An off-duty Albany police officer arrested for DWI two years ago is asking the court to throw out surveillance video of him being coached by union officials to refuse an alcohol test, arguing the video violates state evesdropping laws. [TU]
Crowds line streets to honor Mechanicville Marine, Cuomo comments on Apple speculation, Bailey Wind recovering at home
The body of Anthony Denier -- the Marine from Mechanicville who was recently killed in Afghanistan -- was transported home Monday (photo gallery). People lined the streets of Mechanicville for the procession. Said one woman to Fox23: "I can't send money. I can't do stuff like that, but I can be here, and I can hold a flag. And I can be here for him, and I think that will say something." Denier is scheduled to be buried at Saratoga National Cemetery Tuesday. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette free] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN]
Albany police say an off-duty Coxsackie police officer was arrested early Monday on North Pearl Street (map) -- he's accused of menacing a person with a gun. Coxsackie's mayor says the man is a part time officer who's been on leave. [APD] [TU]
Eric Loeser -- the former EMT from Clifton Park who prosecutors say met a 15 year old on a call, then later abducted him and sexually abused him -- was sentenced to 20.5 years in prison. Loeser was convicted of abusing three boys. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
About 800 Albany residential parking permits have been sold so far. [TU]
$60 billion requested for Sandy aid, pedestrian critical after being hit in Albany, group says it's not trying to scrub Lark Street, amazing win for Beekman Boys
The Obama administration has requested a $60 billion appropriation from Congress for Sandy aid for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Many of the Sandy-related problems in NYC were predicted by a series of state reports that date back to the 70s -- but largely went unheeded. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
"Individuals familiar with the decision" says a Schenectady County grand jury has chosen not to indict three Schenectady police officers in the fatal shooting of Luis Rivera in the Vale neighborhood in 2011. "A source close to the investigation" tells WNYT that dashcam video of the incident was part of the evidence presented to the jury. [TU] [WNYT]
The Albany Police Department has conducted 655 strip searches since January 2009 according to records reviewed by the Times Union, a number the police chief calls "surprising" (the APD is the only local police agency that keeps track of such searches). People who have been searched in this way call it "degrading." [TU] [TU]
About 1,200 people attended the funeral for Chris Stewart, one of the teens who died in the Northway crash. [Saratogian]
Says a college classmate of Dennis Drue, the driver who's accused of causing the Northway crash: "He's smart, he's nice, he's caring, he works really hard. People are making him out to be a monster and I think it's sad." [Saratogian]
DA's office not publicly disclosing results of alcohol test in Northway crash, Albany parking permits start in January, city shuts down burlesque show
The Saratoga County DA's office said Thursday afternoon it had received the blood alcohol test results for Dennis Drue -- the driver police say caused the fatal crash on the Northway last weekend -- and it's waiting on further tests for other substances before making a charging decision. It says it's "ethically prohibited from disclosing the percentage of alcohol by weight in Drue's blood." But "two people briefed on the investigation" tell the Times Union that the alcohol test reported a "very low" level of alcohol -- a level "a law enforcement source" tells WNYT is not high enough for an arrest. Says Drue's attorney to WNYT: "Every piece of evidence that I have right now doesn't just suggest, but confirms to me that Dennis Drue did not commit a criminal act." Said Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy to YNN on Wednesday: ""We can't charge based on how we individually feel or might perceive these events. We have to charge based on facts, circumstances and proof." [Saratoga County DA] [TU] [WNYT] [YNN]
More than a thousand people were at the funeral Thursday for Deanna Rivers, one of the teens killed in the crash. Matt Hardy, who was seriously injured, was released from the hospital on Thursday. [Saratogian] [Fox23]
The funeral for Tonette Thomas, who killed in the Myrtle Ave triple stabbing, was Thursday morning. Said Thomas' mother of what she'd miss about her daughter: "Her smile, her smile. The joy that we were blessed to have her in our lives." [YNN] [News10]
The body of Anthony Denier, the Marine from Mechanicville who was killed in Afghanistan last weekend, is scheduled to be flown to ALB Monday morning and a motorcade will escort it from there to Mechanicville. Denier's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, after which he'll be buried at Saratoga National Cemetery. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
Albany's city clerk says the residential parking permit system will take effect January 15. [News10]
Driver in fatal weekend crash says he wasn't drunk, Saratoga County man pleads guilty in fatal July crash,Cuomo says Senate Dems "squandered opportunity" when they had control
The 22 year old driver involved in the accident that killed two Shenendahowa athletes this week told his lawyer, Steve Coffey, that he was not drunk at the time of the crash. Dennis Drue has a history of drug and disorderly conduct issues and traffic tickets and was arrested several years ago on charges of marijuana possession and resisting arrest.[WNYT] [TU] [Record]
Shaker High senior Bailey Wind was released from Albany Medical Center yesterday[YNN]
A Saratoga County man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to causing the crash that killed 14-year old Kari Liedel as she was walking on a West Milton roadside in July.
Gavin Staulters pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular manslaughter and admitted that he was driving drunk at the time. Staulters attorney told a judge that his client didn't want to put the Liedel family through a criminal trial[WNYT] [Saratogaian] [TU]
Police say the man charged with murdering Tonette Thomas and stabbing her sister and aunt last month made menacing phone calls to the house threatening to kill the women a few days before and had a history of arrests and domestic violence .[TU]
10,000 mourn Shen students at vigil, Cuomo reserves comment on Senate power sharing arrangement, Siena Poll reports New Yorkers would put Cuomo back in Governors Mansion but Hillary in the White House
In an unprecedented move, the NYS Senate will operate with two conference leaders heading up the chamber instead of a single majority leader. Republican Dean Skelos will share the responsibility with Jeff Klein, leader of the five-member Democratic Independent Conference. Angry Democrats, who could have majority of Senate seats, are calling the deal between Republicans and the new IDC a "coup" and a power grab. A spokesperson for Andrew Cuomo says the issue is an internal legislative matter" and says the governor will withhold judgement until he sees how it will affect how the Senate funtctions. [AOA][WNYT][NYT][Capitol Confidential]
According to a new Siena poll, NY voters seem to be OK with the Senate leadership arrangement. That poll also shows New York voters would re-elect Andrew Cuomo governor, but would prefer Hillary Clinton as the next president.[Capitol Confidential] [NYT] [Capitol Tonight]
An estimated 10,000 people turned out at a candlight vigil on Tuesday for the two Shenendahowa students killed in a car crash over the weekend. A meeting between prosecutors and the families of the students who were victims of the crash has been indefinitely postponed. The other driver in the crash, 22-year-old Dennis Drue, has been identified as a Siena College student with a difficult and somewhat traumatic past. Prosecutors are waiting for toxicology test results before they determine the charges he'll face.[Gazette] [TU] [YNN][WNYT] [TU][YNN]
Local Marine killed in Afghanistan, Cuomo in DC for Sandy aid, state Senate is endless source of drama, goose goose goose
A Marine from Mechanicville -- Lance Cpl. Anthony Denier -- was killed in Afghanistan by enemy fire this past weekend. He was 26. Said Denier's mother to Fox23: "He knew what he was getting into, and he knew the road he was taking. And he was proud to take it, and I'm proud of him." Denier will be buried at Saratoga National Cemetery. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [Fox23] [Troy Record]
Said a Shen student yesterday to the Daily Gazette, about the crash that killed two teens and left two others seriously injured: "It doesn't really register yet ... It feels like there has to be a rewind button somewhere that hasn't been pushed yet." [Daily Gazette]
Andrew Cuomo visited the White House and Capitol Hill Monday to lobby for the $42 billion in federal Sandy aid that he's requested. Among those he met with: John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and White House chief of staff Jacob Lew. Among those he did not meet with, apparently to much chagrin: Democratic House members from New York State. Also: the Cuomo-walking-into-the-White-House gif. [NYT] [TU] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
The Albany County legislature voted to override the tax cap and approve a budget that includes a 7.6 percent tax increase. [TU]
The Rensselaer County legislature approved a budget that includes a 1.25 percent tax increase, the smallest among Capital Region counties this year. [TU]
Two teens die in Northway crash, Troy looking for new proposals for old city hall site, UAlbany tops Siena
Two Shen high school students -- Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers -- died Saturday after police say their car was hit on the Northway by a driver who had been drinking. Two other high school students also riding in the car were seriously injured. State Police say the driver of the other vehicle -- Dennis Drue --
A chase that police say started in Troy (map) Friday night ended in Albany in a four-crash (map). [Troy Record] [TU]
Troy police chief John Tedesco on the current city administration: "They're trying to control me to the extent that I'm not able to do my job to the best of my ability." The city council recently voted to add a public safety commissioner to the new budget, a move Tedesco has alleged is "political retaliation." [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
The city of Troy is looking for new development proposals for the former city hall site (map) -- the mixed-used plan proposed last year has stalled, and one of the partners pulled out of the project. The Nigro Companies, which was part of the first proposal, says it's still interested in building a project with 100 market rate rentals, a restaurant, and small grocery store. [TU] [Troy Record]
Andrew Cuomo will be in DC lobbying the federal government Sandy recovery aid. (Cuomo's already asked for $42 billion.) [State of Politics]
Guilty plea in Albany Med mercury case, homeowner charged for water used against fire, Colonie company makes waves
Schenectady police say a man died early this morning after he was hit by a train on a downtown overpass (map). [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
Martin Kimber -- the retired pharmacist accused of spreading mercury around Albany Med -- took a plea deal yesterday. Federal prosecutors had surveillance video, E-ZPass records, canisters of mercury found in his home and car to use as evidence against him. Kimber apparently spread mercury around multiple spots in the hospital, including the cafeteria. Kimber's attorney says his client "just lost it" following a bill for $9000 from Albany Med, and the mercury was intended to "embarrass" the hospital. He also said Kimber was depressed and abusing alcohol. [News10] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [WNYT] [Fox23]
The owner of an Eagle Mills home destroyed by fire this week has gotten a bill from town of Poestenkill for the water used by firefighters in knocking down the fire. The Eagle Mills fire chief says news of the bill was a "shock." Poestenkill says 73,000 gallons were used -- and it's billing at $20/1,000 gallons because it's out-of-district use. Poestenkill's supervisor says it's the first time they've issued the charge since changing the rules two years ago. [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [News10]
Court arguments over disputed ballots in the state Senate 46th election will start next week. And with 877 disputed ballots, the process could go on for a while. George Amedore (R) currently holds a 110 vote lead on Cecelia Tkaczyk (D). Many of the ballot objections have come from Republicans. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [WNYT]
The owner of a towing company has sued Jerry Jennings and other city officials, alleging Jennings intervened on behalf of friends who were towed -- a city attorney says the owner is a "a disgruntled contractor" whose contract wasn't renewed because of predatory towing complaints. [TU]
Not guilty plea in Myrtle Ave stabbings, NY and NJ lobbying for Sandy aid together, plan for historic courthouse in Schenectady
You didn't win the Powerball jackpot. [AP/Troy Record]
Michael D. Anderson -- accused of killing one woman and serious injuring two others in the Myrtle Ave stabbing in Albany -- pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder charges. The arraignment was delayed after police Anderson banged his head against the bars of a holding cell so hard that he had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. Family of the women who were attacked say Anderson had been threatening them and the women had been trying to get an order of protection. Said the father of two of the women to the Times Union: "I want to kill him. I want to take his life ... Those are my daughters. How would you feel if somebody killed your daughter?" [WNYT] [Fox23] [YNN] [TU]
Gary McCarthy says the city of Schenectady is cracking down on problem-causing night clubs. Three of them have been shut down recently after stabbings or shootings.[TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Albany Common Council approved the city's 2013 budget, which doesn't include an increase in the tax levy but will result in higher taxes for homeowners. [TU]
A Schenectady school board member called the results of student progress reports from this year "disturbing." [Daily Gazette]
Albany stabbing suspect caught, 46th district count complete but race isn't over, Powerball brings a crowd to "lucky" store
Police have made an arrest in connection with a fatal stabbing in the city earlier this week. Michael D. Anderson was spotted by police on a fire escape on Lark Drive and arrested for allegedly stabbing three women -- one fatally-- on Monday night. Anderson is the ex boyfriend of one of the victims --Shaquasia Thomas. She and her aunt, Gwynn Carter are in critical condition at Albany Med. Thomas' sister, Tonette Thomas, died of her wounds. [APD Press Release] [TU] [YNN]
It's still anybody's guess who will control the NYS Senate in the coming session. Ballot counting is done in the race for the 46th Senate district and democrat Cecilia Tkacyk is behind by about 100 votes, but 800 ballots, mostly from the Amedore campaign,were objected to, so the race isn't over yet.
In the 41st district, Democrat Terry Gipson is still ahead of Republican incombant Stephen Saland.
Meanwhile, four Democrats in the Senate are trying to negotiate a power-sharing agreement with the Senate Republicans that would keep the Democrats from control.[WNYT] [YNN] [TU] [NYT]
The NYS Court of Appeals sided with David Soares on Tuesday in a ruling about the high-profile steroids case .The court unanimously voted that Judge Stephen Herrick exceeded his authority when he tossed out Soares 33-county indictment against the operators of an Orlando Compounding Pharmacy because the defendants had filed a federal civil lawsuit filed against Soares, creating a conflict of interest. [TU] [WNYT] [Saratogian/AP]
One dead in triple stabbing, Cuomo's request for Sandy: $42 billion, thread of bizarre plot picked up in Rotterdam, Schenectady's Dancing Lady has passed away
Update: APD says it arrested the suspect Monday evening.
Albany police say one woman died -- and two others were injured -- in a triple stabbing Monday in an apartment near Lincoln Park (map). Police say anyone harboring the suspect will be prosecuted. As of Monday night, APD says it was looking for the suspect and asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to call. APD was withholding many details related to the case -- including how the women may be connected to the suspect or to each other. [TU] [APD] [Fox23] [YNN]
Troy police say a high-speed chase Saturday on Pawling Ave included a hit building, a hit State Police car, driving on the sidewalk, a struggle with officers, and... the suspect's 7-year-old son (map). [Troy Record] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo says New York State will be requesting $42 billion in federal aid for Sandy recovery and measures to prepare for future storms. He also made the claim that Sandy has been "more impactful" than Hurricane Katrina, even though many more people died as a result of Katrina. [TU] [NYT] [State of Politics]
Albany man killed in hit-and-chase, many ignoring residency requirements, fire destroys historic buildings in Kinderhook, no more lion burgers
An Albany man -- Paul Merges Jr. -- died early Saturday morning after he was hit by a pickup truck while riding his bike in uptown Albany -- an incident that prompted a multi-town chase, according to the Albany County Sheriff's Office (map). ACSO says the pickup truck driver, Pablo Cruz of Schenectady, has been charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and parole violation. ACSO says Cruz had been speeding east on Central Ave when a sheriff's investigator tried to pull him over -- Cruz continued into Albany where he hit Merges. ACSO says the body of the bicyclist was pinned to the ladder rack on Cruz's truck -- and stayed there as Cruz was pursued through Colonie, Niksayuna, Schenectady, and Rotterdam at speeds approaching 100 mph -- evading at least one road block. Merges was a father of two and had worked for the state, most recently for the state Department of Taxation and Finance. [ACSO] [WNYT] [Fox23] [News10] [TU]
Schenectady police two people were stabbed during a large fight at a downtown club early Sunday morning (map). The fight included as many as 100 people, SPD says. A resident tells WNYT that they also heard what sounded like gunshots. Police are investigating the stabbing -- five people were arrested on charges not related to the stabbings. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT] [AP/Fox23] [YNN]
Guilderland police say a Virginia man led them on a chase Saturday night that allegedly included the man driving over spike strips laid down to stop him -- and hitting two police cars. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Troy police are looking for the driver involved in what appears to have been a hit-and-run involving a motorcyclist Friday evening (map)
"Dozens, possibly hundreds" of municipal employees around the Capital Region are ignoring residency requirements, according to Times Union reporting/analysis. [TU]
Mother and boyfriend plead not guilty in death of 5-year-old, St. Patrick's one step closer to demolition, UAlbany towers helped inspire Wicked
The mother of the five-year-old Glens Falls boy who died earlier this week, and her boyfriend -- accused of assaulting the boy -- pleaded not guilty on Tuesday. Police records and letters between the the couple indicate they kept changing their stories about how the child died. Medical records indicated the boy may have been sexually abused before he was beaten and that injuries may have occurred over a period of two days.[YNN] [TU] [Post Star]
Saint Patrick's in Watervliet is one step closer to being torn down after the City Council voted to rezone the area where the church sits from residential to commercial. A Price Chopper is planned for the property but a citizens group fighting to preserve the building says they're not done fighting yet. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN]
A string of witnesses testified on Tuesday in the second ballot fraud trial of Edward McDonough: A deaf man who lived in Griswold Heights testified that the signature on a voter registration card in his name was not his and that his vote was stolen. Another voter testified that a ballot with his name on it was not, in fact signed by him, had his name misspelled, his age wrong, and his workplace incorrect. [Record] [TU]
A NYS Comptroller's audit of a Latham Based company contracted to provide services to children with disabilities reports the company bilked taxpayers for more than $180,000 and used public money to pay for a Disney vacation, home entertainment center and otherwise "enrich themselves, family members and staff." [YNN] [TU]
Convicted Saratoga County horse abuser Ann Arnold was jailed on Tuesday for allegedly violating the terms of her parole -- which stipulated she was not to own horses -- after horses were found on her Greenfield farm. [Saratogian] [WNYT] [TU]
SSPD officer charged in connection with bar fight, count starts in state Senate 46th, Cambridge woman wins ANTM
Edward Braim, one of the three Saratoga Springs police officers alleged to be part of a bar fight on Caroline Street last week, has been charged with misdemeanor assault. His attorney says he was acting in self defense. Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy said Monday that the injuries sustained by the accuser don't rise to the level a possible felony charge. There are both criminal and SSPD internal investigations looking at the case. [Daily Gazette [TU] [TU] [Saratogian]
Updated: The two people already facing charges in connection with the death of a 5 year old in Glens Falls have been indicted -- the mother's boyfriend on murder and manslaughter charges, the mother for reckless endangerment. [Post-Star] [TU] [WNYT]
The counting of paper ballots has started for the state Senate 46th race between George Amedore and Cecelia Tkaczyk. The count will extend into next week. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Whatever happens with the county nursing home, it looks like the Albany County budget will include an almost 9 percent tax increase. [TU]
Housing authority pushes back on state audit, foam party fight compared to zombie apocalypse, languages diversifying in school districts
Said Saratoga Springs Housing Authority chair Eric Weller in defending the agency against a state comptroller's office audit of the agency. There's nothing actionable in this audit ... There's no policy that's been violated." The comptroller's audit criticizes the agency's handling of a bed bug problem and concluded it had a lack of control over travel expenses. [Daily Gazette] [NYS OSC] [TU] [NYS OSC]
Saratoga Springs public safety commissioner on the uproar over the SSPD's delay in notifying the public about a reported rape, to the Saratogian: "I apologize that we couldn't give out more information. I apologize for what this turned into. I don't think there is a reason to apologize for the whole incident." [Saratogian]
The Glens Falls five-year-old who police say was assaulted last week by an adult has died at the hospital. [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Guilty plea in house explosion that killed six, police looking for every angle of stripper story, sewage overflow plan criticized, Starlite Theatre torn down
Steven McComsey pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of criminally negligent homicide in connection with the 2011 home explosion in Salem that killed six people. He's expected to be sentenced to 1-3 years in prison. In an unusual twist, McComsey didn't actually admit he committed the crime to which he pleaded guilty as part of his plea. "I'm satisfied with the conviction," said the Washington County DA, explaining it was a difficult case because of a lack of evidence.[TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [Fox23] [WNYT]
A jury found Tina Karuzas guilty of fatally stabbing a a Schenectady neighbor in a fight over loud music last December. [TU]
An EPA consultant says the sewage overflow plan submitted by a group of Capital Region municipalities is flawed because it wouldn't reduce the number of sewage overflows into the Hudson River. Short background: when it rains a lot, the combined (storm water and raw sewage) sewer systems in many municipalities along the Hudson overflow -- into the river. [TU]
As part of Barack Obama's tour of parts of the NYC area hit hard by Sandy, White House officials were vague about Andrew Cuomo's request for $30 billion in recovery aid. [NYT]
The South Glens Falls police chief tells the Times Union his department is planning to interview every one of the people at the stripper teen birthday party -- which reportedly included 80 people. Unintentionally odd quote from the Saratoga County DA: "In these circumstances, we are not looking at Tops in Bottoms." (The name of the company for which the strippers reportedly worked.) By the way: the Post-Star says it passed on publishing the click-through crack party pics because they were "too risque." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
Charges of police racism in North Central Troy, why drivers licenses may soon be black and white, Bruno trial may be delayed, SGF parents may have hired stripper for teen birthday party
A well known pastor from Troy says the North Central neighborhood is "a powder keg with a very short fuse." At a community meeting last night about the relationship between police and citizens in North Central, Pastor Willie Bacote suggested that racism is a problem in the community, claiming some of the Troy police officers, "use the 'n' word to address some of the citizens in North Troy."[WNYT] [YNN]
New York drivers licenses may soon be in black and white, even though the tentative contract to produce the licenses went to the highest bidder -- a Canadian company -- and will cost $38 million more than the current contract. DMV commissioner Barbara Fiala issued a statement saying the company was one of only three that bid on the project and was selected because the other two companies produce inferior products. [TU] [WNYT]
Joe Bruno's retrial on theft of honest services charges could be delayed because his defense team is working on the criminal trial of longtime Albany brokers Timothy McGinn and David Smith, which has been delayed until January.[TU] [YNN]
Police in South Glens Falls are trying to determine whether the parents
of a teenager hired strippers to perform at his 16th birthday party at a bowling alley in the village. [WNYT]
Schenectady City Council overrides mayor's budget veto, $70M Regeneron Pharmaceuticals expansion in East Greenbush, 46th District recount underway, Albany County passes pawn shop law again
The Schenectady City Council voted 5-1 to override
mayor Gary McCarthy's veto of its 2013 budget, which cut $900,000 out of McCarthy's original spending plan. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo announced the $70 milion expansion at the Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in East Greenbush. The expansion will add 300 jobs at the facility that already employs 540 people. [TU]
GlobalFoundries and the Center for Economic Growth are parntering on a regional lab that will help students from more than 100 local school districts get involved in science and technology. [WNYT] [Saratogian]
Andrew Cuomo has created a Moreland Panel to investigate the "response and preparation management of New York's power and utility companies" in Superstorm Sandy and and tropical storms Irene and Lee.[TU]
The recount in the 46th state Senate district is underway. [TU]
In the wake of controversy surrounding a decision not to alert the public to an alleged rape in the city earlier this fall, Saratoga Police Chief Christopher Cole says he'll change the way rape cases are handled in the future.[Saratogian] [TU]
Hurdles in Congress for Cuomo's request of $30 billion for Sandy, petition against SSPD's handling reported rape, grilled cheese for the bear, prosthetic paw for puppy
The $30 billion in Sandy disaster aid Andrew Cuomo is seeking from the feds faces a lot of hurdles in Congress -- in part because some of the money would go for infrastructure upgrades. [State of Politics] [NYT]
A draft of the state comptroller's office audit of the city Schenectady obtained by the Times Union forecasts a grim financial picture for the city over the next few years. [TU]
UAlbany says it's taking immediate action against the students accused of hazing at an off-campus residence through its campus judicial disciplinary process. A school spokesman says the university "has a zero tolerance policy for any actions that are physically and mentally abusive to the well-being of another." A neighbor of the house tells Fox23 she's heard "yelling and screaming" during the middle of the night. And "students from the university" tell the Gazette the group was part of a frat that lost its recognition. [TU] [AOA] [News10] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say one man was shot Monday evening in the South End (block map). Police thought the shooter had gone into nearby home -- it was surrounded, but the suspect wasn't inside. APD says it's looking for the shooter. The victim's injuries don't appear to be life-threatening. [YNN] [WNYT] [News10] [TU]
State Senate 46th will take weeks to sort out, Cuomo to ask for $30 billion for Sandy, Albany County planning for campus to help veterans
Sunday was Veterans Day, but the federal holiday is being observed today.
The winner of the 46th state Senate race probably won't be decided for weeks. The absentee ballot count won't start until November 19 -- and some counties won't start until after Thanksgiving. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
No matter which party ends up controlling the state Senate, Andrew Cuomo is in a position to win. [AP/Troy Record]
Cuomo is expected to the ask the feds for $30 billion in disaster aid for Sandy. [NYT]
Late Friday afternoon Gary McCarthy vetoed the budget passed the Schenectady city council. Now the council faces the choice of overriding the mayor's veto -- or letting his budget, which includes a 4.2 percent property tax rate increase, take effect. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Albany police say man driving on Madison Ave ran a red light, hit a SUV crossing at Quail Street, and then the SUV rolled into the front windshield of a CDTA bus Sunday morning (map). Three people were treated at the hospital. [News10] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN]
Mystery billion dollar project scouting the Capital Region, Sandy cost to New York could be $33 billion, Schenectady superintendant says district being shorted millions
An unnamed corporation has been scouting the Capital Region -- and other sites around the world -- for what appears to be a multi-billion dollar chip fab project (AKA, "Project Azalea"). [Biz Review] [TU]
LuAnn Burgess -- who was the wheel of the SUV that plowed into a Vorheesville church last year, killing three people -- has pleaded guilty to three counts of criminally negligent homicide. [TU]
The total cost of Sandy to New York State -- including damage and lost economic activity -- could be $33 million, according to Andrew Cuomo. On top of that, Cuomo says the storm could result in tacking on another $1 billion to the state's budget gap. [AP/Saratogian] [TU]
New York City has started even/odd gasoline rationing because supplies still haven't been smoothed out. [NYT]
Cuomo says he has "no intention of getting involved" with what is looking like could be a political drama of the first order in the state Senate to determine which party -- or coalition -- controls the chamber. Democrats appear to have an advantage in absentee ballots in the two very close races: state Senate 46th (Amedore-Tkaczyk) and 41st (Saland-Gipson) -- though counting hasn't started, yet. [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
Too soon to determine State Senate control, Cuomo fires emergency managment director, snow complicates Sandy recovery in NYC, Glens Falls has one of the "coolest schools."
Right now it looks like the state senate is on track to go 33-30 to the democrats, but absentee ballots, anticipated storm-related challenges from districts in New York City, and the unresolved 46th district battle are just a few of the factors that will decide, and Senate Republicans still believe that when all is said and done they will retain their majority. [NYT]
One of the races in question - the 46th district race between George Amedor and Cecilia Tkaczyk has Tkaczyk ahead by 139 votes, and may take weeks to decide. There's also the unresolved race between Republican Steve Saland's and Democrat Terry Gipson in Poughkeepsie, and the question of victorious Brooklyn Democrat Simcha Felder, who has yet to decide which conference he'll join. [TU] [YNN] [Capitol Confidential]
Andrew Cuomo has fired emergency management director Steven Kuhr for diverting crews to remove a tree from the driveway of his Long Island home during storm Sandy.[YNN]
Obama wins second term, NY Senate control in question, Amadore & Tkacyzk both claim victory in 46th, Gillibrand wins 1st full term, confusion at UAlbany polling place
Barack Obama has won a second term. [TU]
Here are election result highlights for Capital Region races. [AOA]
It's not clear which party will control the state Senate because of a handful of close races. In the new state Senate 46th -- which includes the southwest part of the Capital Region -- both George Amadore and Cecelia Tkacyzk have declared victory (they're separated by a little more than a hundred votes). And in the Hudson Valley, Poughkeepsie Republican Steve Saland -- one of four Republicans to break ranks and vote for the Marriage Equality Act -- appears to have lost by a small margin to Democrat Terry Gipson. It could be weeks -- and lots of absentee ballot counting -- before it's clear which party will control the Senate. [YNN] [NYT] [Saratogian]
It appears that Democrats have picked up at least two US House seats in New York State. [NYT]
Voter turnout in the Capital Region was heavy this year. [TU]
A shortage of affidavits at UAlbany resulted in long lines and confusion at the university's polling place, where many students said they were voting because of Andrew Cuomo's last minute executive order allowing voters affected by storm Sandy to vote at any state polling place. The problems could contribute to the delayed result in the Amadore/Tkacyzk race in the 46th state Senate district. [TU] [TU]
It's Election Day, Cuomo leaning on utilities to restore power, man accused of shooting dog, too many bear cubs
Today is Election Day. Find out where to vote.
Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order allowing people in disaster-area counties to vote at any polling location -- the catch is that they'll only be allowed to vote for President, US Senate, and any other office that appears on both their home polling location's ballot and the ballot of the location at which they're voting. Explained the governor of the rules for "down ballot" voting: "If you vote in a different Assembly district, your vote will not count. If you vote in a different Senate district, your vote will not count." [Cuomo admin] [State of Politics] [TU]
Cuomo in urging utility companies to more quickly restore power knocked out by Sandy: "These utilities ... were not created in the Bible... They aren't in the Old Testament and they aren't in the New Testament. ... These are not God-given monopolies." And from the Cuomo admin's Twitter feed: "We give utilities a charter to perform a service, BUT you have to perform a service, if you don't, we'll find another provider." [TU] [@NYGovCuomo]
Local emergency services crews continue to bring back stories of the Sandy devastation after being deployed to help out downstate. [Troy Record] [YNN]
Local effects of the Sandy aftermath: local disaster restoration companies have headed south to meet tremendous demand for restoration services, and local hotels have been lodging people displaced by the storm. [TU] [YNN]
The big issue in Saratoga Springs today: a vote on whether to change the city's form of government. [Saratogian]
Thousands homeless because of Sandy, mother says she was deceived by social services, Farley compared to Jeter (in a bad way), flight of the butterfly
New York City officials estimate as many as 40,000 people in the city have been left homeless by Sandy -- and finding places for them to live will be difficult. Parts of the city are still without power, and people in those neighborhoods say they say it feels like they're being abandoned. [NYT] [NYT]
A group of Wilton firefighters recently returned from storm recovery deployment on Long Island. Said one to the Saratogian of the scene there: "It looked like a wasteland." [TU] [Saratogian]
Scientists say climate change should make New York State think critically about better preparing for extreme weather events -- as well as how and where to rebuild. [Daily Gazette]
The state Senate was thought to be more or less a lock to stay in Republican control, but recent polls -- and the after effects of Sandy -- are pointing to tight races in many key districts. As election day nears, campaigns around the region are focusing on turnout. [NYT] [TU]
The mother of the 3-year-old who died from injuries sustained during a fire on Benson Street in Albany last month accused social services of deceiving her when it took her other children away. Said an Albany County spokeswoman to Fox23: "When there are instances where the welfare of the children is in question, we do go to court. In this case, the judge agreed it was in the best interest of the children that they be placed in foster care." [TU] [Fox23]
Sheriff says man accused of killing his mother confessed, questions raised about Albany CIO hire, Troy discontinuing gunfire detection system
Saratoga County sheriff James Bowen says Joshua McWain, the Greenfield man accused of killing his mother, "admitted to everything" in a confession to authorities. Bowen says McWain told them he and his mother had an argument and then he "lost it." McWain has been charged with second-degree murder. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Martin Kimber -- the man federal prosecutors say spread mercury around Albany Medical Center -- is planning to plead guilty next, according to the Times Union. [TU]
The city of Albany was set to announce the hiring of George Ellis as its first chief information officer until it heard the news that an audit of Ellis' former org accuses him of questionable actions. [TU] [Washington Post] [Washington Post]
Frustration is growing in the New York City area as it slowly pulls itself out of the wreckage left by Sandy. Power is still out in large parts of Manhattan (Andrew Cuomo is leaning on utilities to move quickly) and gasoline has been hard to find. The death toll from the storm is now 95; 48 in New York State -- 40 of those in NYC, and 19 of those in Staten Island. The economic damage from Sandy is projected to reach $50 billion. (Ongoing updates from NYT.) [AP/TU] [State of Politics] [NYT] [NYT] [NYT] [NYT]
Cuomo applies for max federal aid, NYC transit opening limited and free service, Greenfield man charged with murdering his mother, final chapter in 72 year love story
Sheriff's deputies have charged a Saratoga County man with murder after finding the battered body of his mother buried under the shed in back of a home they shared in Greenfield. [TU] [YNN]
Governor Cuomo and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand surveyed the damage from Hurricane Sandy in NYC yesterday. Cuomo estimated the damage from the storm at somewhere around $6 billion and has already applied to the federal government for the maximum level of assistance for all the NY counties declared federal disaster areas.[NY1] [YNN] [Capitol Confidential]
Cuomo reiterated on Wednesday that climate change is a reality for New York. Experts are saying that extreme weather will become more likely in the coming years. [Capitol Confidential] [TU]
The death toll from storm Sandy in NYC is now at least 30. [News 10]
La Guardia Airport reopened this morning and JFK opened on Wednesday, but service at both is still limited. [NYT]
The MTA will have limited service as of today, and the Governor has waived all transportation fares for Thursday and Friday in an effort to help clear up traffic congestion. [YNN] [NYT]
Amtrak service remains suspended between Albany Rensselaer and Penn Station. [YNN]
Power restored to Capital Region, NYC slowly starting routine after Sandy, Cuomo suggests a levee for NY,Schenectady council approves budget but slashes tax hike, Halloween is on in the Capital Region
Nearly all power lost in Hurricane Sandy in theCapital Region has been restored. Albany International Airport had to cancel 49 flights because of the storm, but things are getting back to normal there, though there are still some delays and cancellations to deal with.
Amtrack is beginning to get service going but all service from Albany to NYC has been suspended until further notice. [TU] [Saratogian] [Gazette] [YNN]
In New York City it's a very different story. Routines are beginning to restart in NYC, though it may be days before public trasit is able to resume normal operations. As of yesterday afternoon Governor Cuomo said 90 percent of Long Island was still without power. Cuomo praised first responders but said climate change related storms are now a reality for New Yorkers. Cuomo suggested that New York should consider installing a levee or some type of surge protectors to keep the state safe in future storms and flood situations. He said New York needs to rebuild for a new reality. Governor Cuomo says the rebuilding of New York city will be a long term situation. State and local leaders assessed the damage from storm Sandy yesterday and estimate that recovery could cost as much as $50 billion. [TU] [YNN] [Saratogian/AP] [NYT] [Capitol Confidential][YNN]
National Guard members from the Capital Region and other parts of the state are headed to New York City to help rescue stranded people and transport local police and firefighters. [Fox 23] [TU]
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Red Cross is seeking blood donations.[TU]
Said the mother of the Nigerian immigrant and Saint Rose student at the sentencing of the driver who killed her son in a hit and run accident last year: "People should know that whatever decisions you make, you have to think properly and when you're behind the wheel you have to know that there are other people there and other lives out there and families." Edward Zwack was sentenced to 3 1/3 to 10 years in prison on manslaughter charges and 21/3 to 7 years for leaving the scene of an accident. [TU] [Fox 23] [Record]
New York City hit hard by Sandy, storm brushes past Capital Region, NY19 race narrowing, Schenectady council apparently considering public safety change
The New York City area suffered significant damage as Sandy passed through -- record storm surge pushed water
The federal government has declared NYC-area counties a major disaster area. [State of Politics]
The storm has caused at least 13 deaths, including five in New York State. [NYT]
About 1.94 million households are without power around the state -- many of those outages are downstate. [Cuomo admin]
Sandy just brushed past the Capital Region -- if the track had been another 30 or 40 miles north the damage would have been much more severe, a NWS meteorologist says. [TU]
Waiting on Sandy -- wind may be the biggest problem, shootings in Schenectady and Albany, app store planned for state, cows with good genes
The wind has already picked up, and rain from Hurricane Sandy is expected to start in the Capital Region sometime this afternoon. Forecasts are projecting about an inch of rain in the Albany area -- with more in the higher elevations, including the Catskills. There is a flood watch in effect from noon until late Tuesday night. [NWS] [NWS]
The biggest problem here may end up being the wind. There's a high wind warning in effect until late Tuesday morning. Winds of 30-40 mph are predicted, with some gusts possibly as strong as 75 mph across higher elevations. "The winds are easily the most problematic part of this storm for our area," an NWS meteorologist tells the TU. With all that wind, there's a good chance of power outages. "It's not going to be pretty," says another NWS meteorologist to the Daily Gazette. [NWS] [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Andrew Cuomo, yesterday in Cohoes: "This is going to be a serious situation, all the forecasts say that. Exactly how bad we don't know, but we know there's going to be a lot of rain and a lot of very very high winds, especially across Upstate New York." [YNN]
State officials say they've been lowering water levels in the Erie Canal system, as well as reservoirs in Schoharie County, in order to free up room for rainfall. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
The federal government has already declared New York State a disaster area (this allows the state to take advantage of various resources). The National Guard has mobilized. Local municipalities around the region are declaring states of emergency and readying disaster emergency plans. [Cuomo admin] [Cuomo admin] [Troy Record]
There are a bunch of school closings, and early dismissals, around the area. The Albany city school district cancelled classes today. [Saratogian] [ASD]
Airlines are canceling flights at ALB. Amtrak has suspended the Empire Service, Northeast Corridor service, and many other routes throughout the Northeast. [YNN] [Amtrak]
New York City is bracing for Sandy, especially what's expected to be a strong storm surge -- it suspended public transportation service Sunday night. NYSE and Nasdaq shut down today because of the storm. [NYT] [Forbes]
Too early to tell about Sandy, uncertainty at Washington Ave Armory, Proctors looking at potential UPH partnership, Don Rittner's job cut from Schenectady County budget
The short story on the potential local impact of Sandy: it's too early to know. The situation in the Northeast -- which could involve not just Sandy, but other systems as well -- is being called the "Frankenstorm" by by the National Weather Service. The state and National Grid are prepping for the storm. [TU] [AP/Saratogian] [YNN] [YNN]
City of Schenectady officials think a Court of Appeals ruling this week involving another municipality will allow it to directly, and more quickly, discipline police officers. Or, to put it another way, it allows the city to fire officers directly instead of going through an arbitrator. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Times Union says state agencies were unable to determine how many people from other countries are working for their IT contractors when asked via FOIL. [TU]
Robert Hayden -- the Troy man who pleaded guilty to smothering a 21-month-old Avery Cahn to death -- was sentenced to 25 years in prison. During her victim impact statement, the boy's mother says her other son still asks to set a place at the table for Avery. And said the boy's father (currently in custody in Albany County), "I don't want you to die in prison ... I want you to suffer for the next 25 years and when you get out I will finally have a chance to look you in your eyes, face-to-face, and ask you why." [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
Olympic wrestler Jeff Blatnick dies, Cuomo hosts NY "booze summit," Quintessence sold to Albany Med, cabbie sees Jesus in a greenhouse
At New York's first Beer, Wine and Spirits summit yesterday, Andrew Cuomo took suggestions from brewers, distillers and wine makers on how to create a more business friendly climate. Cuomo said he wants to put the promotion of New York's beer, wine and spirits industries in New York"on steroids." Cuomo held a tasting at the executive mansion as part of the "booze summit" and seemed down with a "major blowout" NYS beer, wine and spirits promotional party in NYC. [YNN] [WNYT] [NYT] [Capitol Confidential]
Police in Saratoga have arrested a man for allegedly beating a cab driver near the West Side Recreation Field in the city, and robbing him at gunpoint. [TU] [Saratogian]
A judge sent Jeremiah "Havoc" Hamilton to jail for 40 years to life for killing a childhood friend who was caught in the crossfire while trying to stop a dispute over a dice game in Schenectady. [TU]
Another chapter in the David Soares steroid investigation saga: Lawyers for an Orlando pharmacy that sued to have Soares disclose a letter of admonishment from a judge now say they want the Albany County DA to pay $35,465 in fees stemming from the suit. [TU]
Schenectady County budget has 5.9 percent tax levy increase, unemployment rate up, shooting in Troy, no superhero for comics store
The Schenectady County legislature has passed a 2012-2013 budget that includes a 5.9 percent tax levy increase -- that's down from the 7.49 percent originally proposed, but still above the state tax cap. Said the legislature only Republican after the vote: "I think we've gone way beyond what our taxpayers can handle." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
As both Albany and Saratoga counties contemplate privatizing their nursing homes, unions representing employees at both facilities are raising concerns about what might happen to employees -- and, ultimately, to residents. [TU] [TU]
The state Court of Appeals -- the state's highest court -- has decided not to hear a case challenging the Marriage Equality Act. [NYT]
As New York State redesigns its $54 billion a year Medicaid program, the state's decades long effort to secure huge Medicaid sums for the care of people with disabilities is under scrutiny. [NYT]
The Capital Region's unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in September, up from 7.1 in the same month the year before. [NYS DOL]
The mother of the child who died following a fire on Benson Street in Albany last week has turned over her other two children to social services. [News10]
Albany starting parking permit registration, Armory ordered to halt non-sporting events, daughter accused of stabbing father, ticket sales up for Albany Devils
The city of Albany will start taking applications for residential parking permits from two of the three zones this Saturday -- though the system's start date is still not determined. [TU] Earlier: Albany parking permit zones and streets
The city of Albany has ordered the Washington Ave Armory to stop hosting non-sporting events, alleging code violations and a lack of a cabaret license. The order follows last week's incident outside a foam party in which Albany police allege the crowd became "combative" -- it says three officers were injured and seven people arrested. [TU] [AOA]
The Albany school district has the second-highest median teacher salary in upstate New York, according to rankings from the Buffalo-based Business First publication (it's related to the Business Review). [TU]
Two super PACs -- one connected to George Soros, the other to a Facebook founder -- are dropping $500,000 to support Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk in the race for the new state Senate 46 race against George Amedore. The money drop is an attempt to make a point about... public financing of campaigns. (Amedore had a huge money lead over Tkaczyk.) [NYT] [TU]
A spokesman for Liberty Ridge Farm says it will contest the complaint filed with the state Division of Human Rights by a lesbian couple who were told they couldn't get married there. [WNYT] [Troy Record]
Thousand gather to celebrate new saint, Spitzer back in Albany, candidate pulls out of debate accusing opponent of "deceptions"
The mayors of Albany and Troy, as well as the Albany County exec, drive unmarked police vehicles -- with sirens and lights. [TU]
The biggest environment challenge facing the state, according to DEC commissioner Joe Martens: aging sewer lines, like the one that failed in Newburgh earlier this month. [Daily Gazette]
The Boy Scout of America files released last week as part of a civil suit regarding sexual abuse in the organization includes records of about two dozen leaders in the Capital Region being banned for allegedly abusing boys between 1969 and 2004. Some of the records include many details -- others just some tracking info. One of the detailed cases involved an adult leader from Troy. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
The proposed Rensselaer County budget includes a 2 percent tax increase. [Troy Record]
Thousands of people gathered in Auriesville (near Amsterdam) Sunday to celebrate of the canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha by the Roman Catholic Church. Kateri is the first Native American recognized as a saint by the church. Also canonized on Sunday: a woman who was raised in Utica. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN] [NYT]
Gibson/Schreibman debate, girl in Albany fire dies, NYRA re-org board picks, Rocky loved Oreos
A clip from yesterday's Gibson/Schreibman debate. Here's the full video from New York Now.
Yesterday's debate between incumbent Republican Chris Gibson and Democratic challenger Julian Schreibman for the 19th Congressional District was pointed -- with the two going at each other over a range of issues, including Medicare, energy, education and same-sex marriage. Another point of contention: the tone of the race. [TU] [Troy Record]
Among the issues on which Kathy Marchione (R) and Robin Andrews (D) disagreed during their state Senate 43rd candidates forum Thursday: a state spending cap and a minimum wage increase. But they also found agreement on a handful of issues. (Marchione also said she would have primary-ed Roy McDonald even if he hadn't voted for the Marriage Equality Act.) [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [WNYT]
The picks for the NYRA Reorganization Board were announced yesterday. Andrew Cuomo selected Cornell president David Skorton to chair the committee. Nine of the 17 members were already on the NYRA board (and a tenth had served in the past). Also among Cuomo's picks: Bobby Flay (he owns horses and frequently visits Saratoga during Track season). Four other Cuomo picks have contributed more than $250,000 in campaign money to Cuomo during the last decade. John Hendrickson -- Marylou's husband -- was named as "special advisor for Saratoga." [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
The three-year-old badly burned in an Albany house fire this week has died at a hospital in Boston. [TU] [WNYT]
Gillibrand/Long debate at Skidmore, Albany fire sends pre-schooler to Boston burn unit, 235 years since the Battle of Saratoga, newlyweds buy site of first date
In their only debate of he campaign, last night at Skidmore College, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and challenger Wendy Long took on foreign policy, the economy, fracking and abortion. Long called for Sheldon Silver's resignation for his handling of the Vito Lopez scandal and asked Gillibrand to do the same. She did not. What did they agree on? Banning large sugary drinks, Fifty Shades of Grey, and not describing Andrew Cuomo as the best governor in their lifetimes.
[Capitol Confidential] [YNN] [NYT]
Kirsten Gillibrand outraised Long 5 to one in the last financial filing period. [Capitol Confidential]
A pre-school-age Albany girl was flown to a burn unit in Boston on Wednesday morning after being rescued from a Benson Street house fire. Fire officials are still looking for the cause. [WNYT] [YNN]
A New Jersey woman was charged with DWI after she rear-ended an East Greenbush police cruiser. Field sobriety tsts show Valerie Kennedy had a blood alcohol of three times the legal limit. [WNYT] [TU]
Jennings: Albany may need to rethink convention center, Cuomo: no legislative pay raises until min. wage hike, Battle of Saratoga hero honored in NYC
At an address to the Albany/Colonie Regional Chamber of commerce on Tuesday, Jerry Jennings said the city may need to rethink the scale of the proposed convention center because, " It's unrealistic for us to think that the state is going free up a quarter of a billion dollars" for the project. [TU]
According to a soon to be released State Comptrollers audit of the SUNY system,
millions of dollars in Research Foundation money have been "mishandled,misspent or misused"- in one case, so badly that the Albany County D.A.'s office has been notified. [TU]
Last night's earthquake in Portland Maine was felt in parts of the Capital Reigon. [Fox 23]
Andrew Cuomo says there will be no legislative pay raises until there is a hike in the minimum wage. [Capitol Confidential]
Pro-fracking rally in Albany, New York's unemployment rate stands out -- in a bad way, large rock slide, back to Antarctica
A pro-fracking rally in downtown Albany Monday drew several hundred people. Among the concerns expressed over the possible rejection of the drilling method in the state: missed jobs and economic development opportunities, and the loss of property rights. Said one person to Fox23: "Why should we be paying exorbitant taxes, having people lose their jobs, cuts in services, when we can take what God's given underneath us?" Also: the best sign had to be the "pass gas" sign. [Politics on the Hudson] [TU] [TU] [Fox23] [@JonCampbellGAN]
Over the last year, New York is the only state in the nation with a statistically significant increase in its unemployment rate, according to federal stats. [NYT]
Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia is looking to get a police review committee reinstated. The word came during a meeting on police/community relations in North Central. Some residents alleged that TPD officers have been aggressive and/or rude toward people in the neighborhood. TPD chief John Tedesco said there had been problems with people resisting arrest: "The thing I wanted to get across here, and I don't know if we did...you know, comply with the officers, file a complaint later on. Because physical resistance is going to get you hurt." [Troy Record] [YNN] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Brent Dickinson -- the man who pleaded guilty to threatening to "torture and kill" school children in Saratoga County -- has been sentenced to up to three years in prison. Dickinson told the judge at his sentencing that he "was off my meds at the time because they weren't available to me." (The Saratoga County DA's office says a separate case involving threats Dickinson allegedly made against the President is being handled by federal prosecutors.) [Saratogian] [Saratoga County DA] [TU]
Criticism of Albany police review board, Republicans using photos with Cuomo in campaigns, Exit 3 maybe not, Carl Strock retiring
More than a decade after its creation, Albany's Citizens' Police Review Board is still drawing criticism for its lack of power. [TU]
State legislators aren't required to file receipts to claim the overnight per diem for staying in Albany -- and there are indications some legislators have collected overnight per diems when they might not actually have been in Albany. [NY Post]
Kathy Marchione says she's focused on the issues of "too much taxes, too much spending, too much debt, over-regulation." [TU]
Only about 30 percent of people in the state ordered to install an interlock device on their car because of a DWI conviction end up doing so, according to a Buffalo News analysis. In some cases these people have given up their cars -- and in others, they're driving other people's cars. [Buffalo News] [AP/Saratogian] Earlier: Taking away the driver's license of multiple offenders, permanently
The on-going saga of the Signature Pharmacy steroids case continues Tuesday when the state Court of the Appeals -- the state's highest court -- hears arguments about whether a defendant can sue the district attorney prosecuting them (in this case, David Soares) and have the prosecutor removed from the case because of conflict of interest. [TU]
There's a pro-fracking rally planned for outside the Capitol today. [Troy Record]
Debate for 20th Congressional District, new indictment for McGinn and Smith, suit alleges car dealership forged signature, possible case of hantavirus, Open Door Bookstore for sale
Topics discussed during Thursday night's debate between incumbent Paul Tonko (D) and challenger Bob Dieterich (R) for the 20th Congressional District: taxes, energy, health care, as well as the national budget and debt. [TU] [Fox23]
The Cuomo admin hit back against the Tax Foudnation's designation of New York as having the worst business climate because of taxes (even if the admin has cited the think tank's rankings before). [TU]
The state Racing and Wagering Board has adopted new rules aimed at increasing safety for horses and jockeys. The rules were prompted by a report released last month about horse deaths at Aqueduct. [NYS RW] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
A federal grand jury has handed up a new indictment against Timothy McGinn and David Smith, the two local brokers accused of stealing millions from clients. Federal prosecutors say the superseding indictment includes new charges related to diverting money from clients and fraudulent accounting. in They both pleaded not guilty at the arraignment on the new charges. [US DOJ] [TU]
Proposed Albany County budget includes 8.9 percent tax hike, rescued Columbia County hiker may face criminal charge, downtown Albany residential project proposed -- again
Albany County's proposed budget would raise property taxes by 8.9 percent and calls for privatizing the county nursing home. The plan would mean a $60 tax hike on a home assessed at $200,000. County Executive Dan McCoy says the tax increase is necessary to cover the cost of unfunded mandates. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN] [News 10]
The city of Cohoes's proposed budget includes a property tax increase.[Record]
In an effort to bring down a proposed 4.1 percent tax increase, the Schenectady City Council is considering cutting positions, overtime and jobs from the city's police department -including the job of assistant chief. [YNN]
The hiker rescued from Columbia County yesterday may face criminal charges and be forced to pay for the air and ground search, after it was revealed that he may have intentionally stayed in the woods. [WNYT]
Callicutt's lawyer seeks retrial in Richard Bailey shooting, health warning issued after MRSA found at Shen, Troy's "Father Christmas" has died
The Lawyer for De Von Callicutt, the 22 year who is currently serving life without parole for the murder of Ualbany student Richard Bailey, went before an appellate panel of the state Supreme Court this week to argue for a retrial. His argument, which focused on the Callicutt's intent when he robbed Bailey at gunpoint, did not appear to go over well with judges. [YNN] [TU]
Cash strapped Schenectady expects to be able to meet a $4 million deferred payment to city schools to cover property owners who didn't pay their taxes - by using funds from it's stepped u effort to collect delinquent taxes or foreclose on properties in the city. [TU]
Schenectady's proposed 4.18 percent tax increase is getting opposition from citizens.[Gazette]
A federal report on how the National Weather Service handled Tropical Storm Irene shows the agency needs to be faster and more accurate in determining inland flooding risks and needs to improve its communication with the media and the public. [TU]
A home health aide in Wilton is facing up to nine years in prison after admitting she stole more that $328,000 from an 82-year old woman in her care. [Saratogian]
Court to consider whether gang members can be charged with terrorism, Troy city hall moving, more residential plan for downtown Troy, 47 years as a Great Dane
New York's highest court -- the Court of Appeals -- will hear a case today in which it will consider whether gang members can be charged with terrorism. [AP/Troy Record]
Sales tax revenues in Albany, Saratoga, and Rensselaer counties are all on path to be up this year. [TU]
Many local school districts still have not submitted their teacher evaluation plans to the state. But some districts have submitted their plans -- and have even had their plans approved (example: Albany). [Daily Gazette] [Cuomo admin]
The Albany County Sheriff's Office inspector who appears to have moved to Florida -- but is still on the department's payroll -- has been asked to sign an affidavit that he still lives in Albany County. [TU]
A Schenectady County prosecutor says a Schenectady police surveillance camera "caught significant portions of what happened" during the fatal shooting in Hamilton Hill on Friday. [Daily Gazette]
The New York Civil Liberties Union says it opposes the (re)proposed Albany County pawn shop law because the requirement that sellers collect info on buyers is "an invasion of privacy." [TU]
Half of Schenectady kids living in poverty, fracking decision apparently delayed, professor argues number of Lyme cases is much higher than reported, 10 years of YNN
Today is Columbus Day. Banks, many schools, and the post office are closed.
A little more than half of children in the city of Schenectady were living in poverty in 2011, according to figures from the Census Bureau. [TU]
The Cuomo administration's decision on whether to allow frack is on hold, Fred LeBrun says. "Sources close to the Cuomo administration" tell Fred Dicker the study of potential public health effects of fracking could hold up a decision until January or later. Andrew Cuomo recently said there has been "no step back" on the process. [TU] [NY Post] [AP/Troy Record]
Says a family member of one of the people who died in the Salem house blast that killed six people of the plea deal of 1-3 years in prison offered to Steven McComsey, accused of causing the explosion: "This is an insult to the dead." McComsey rejected the deal. [TU] [News10]
Schenectady police say a man was shot multiple times Friday afternoon in Hamilton Hill -- and Charles Bowman later died from his injuries (map). SPD says it has arrested a man, Terell Bethea, for being the alleged shooter. Bowman's aunt says Bowman had been trying to calm down Bethea after Bethea was angrily looking for answers related to a robbery. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU] [TU]
Bruno attorneys call feds' case "fatally flawed," appeal filed in Richard Bailey murder case, investigation into Adirondack rafting company after death, printing skin
Attorneys for Joe Bruno have filed a motion for dismissal of the fed's new indictment of the former state Senator. In the motion, one of the Bruno's attorney argues the feds' prosecution is "fatally flawed." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The attorney for De Von Callicutt -- who was convicted of being the gunman in the murder of Richard Bailey -- has filed an appeal alleging problems with jury selection, judicial errors, and illegal interrogation. [TU]
Attendance for the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC this past summer was down a bit, but ticket revenue was up a bit. SPAC's board announced next year's ballet schedule -- which will include a shorter run by the NYCB -- will be supplemented by the National Ballet of Canada and the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. The board says it's trying to restore the NYCB's 2014 residency to two weeks. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
The state has paid more than $5 million over the last two years to settle multiple sexual harassment cases against state employees. Five of the 11 cases involved the state Department of Corrections. [AP/Troy Record] [NYT]
"Scores of medical professionals" have signed a letter urging the Cuomo administration to pursue an outside assessment of the potential public health effects of fracking. (The Cuomo admin has said the state Department of Health will be conducting the review.) [TU]
Westerlo mother pleads not guilty to son's murder, Fingerpaint Marketing signs lease on Saratoga Borders, $17,000 in school taxes paid in $1 bills
Fingerpaint Marketing has signed a 10-year lease on the former Borders building on Broadway in Saratoga.[Saratogian]
The Westerlo mother charged with murdering her 22-year-old disabled son pleaded not guilty in Albany county Court on Wednesday.[News 10]
A Clifton Park man is facing more than 20 years in state prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping and sexual abusing three boys between the ages of 9 and 15. [TU]
A Schenectady man pleaded guilty yesterday to detonating explosive devices on the home of the new boyfriend of his alleged accomplices ex-girlfriend last spring. [Gazette]
Lawyer for WashCo. man charged with blowing up home wants case dismissed, Schneiderman sues J.P. Morgan, MRSA case at Mohonasen High, Spa City's Broadway a "Best Street"
The lawyer for Steven McComsey, the Washington County man charged with blowing up his home, killing his girlfriend, her son and grandmother and three other people, wants the case dismissed due to lack of evidence. [TU]
The mother of a 22-year-old Westerlo man will be arraigned today on charges of second degree murder for allegedly stabbing him to death this summer. [YNN]
The 272-acre Cappiello Farm in Ballston has been sold to private buyers after the town board didn't move quickly enough on an opportunity to buy it and save it from development. [Saratogian] [TU]
Eric Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit against J.P. Morgan alleging it knowingly marketed and sold deficient mortgage packages as if they were sturdy investments. [TU]
Proposed budgets for Albany and Troy, 11-year-old dies trying to stop van, Schenectady getting aggressive about traffic fines, prosthetic paw for puppy
Jerry Jennings' proposed 2013 budget for the city of Albany doesn't increase the property tax levy -- but the residential tax rate will increase 3 percent. The budget also relies on a $7.85 million advance from the state on payments for the Empire State Plaza. Said Common Council president Carolyn McLaughlin of the advance: "Although in the past [the mayor's] been very successful at securing those funds for us, we have to go forward recognizing 'what do we do if we don't get it?'" The overall budget total is up about $2 million compared to last year, much of that in increased pension costs. [City of Albany] [News10] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]
Lou Rosamilia's proposed 2013 budget for the city of Troy would increase property taxes by 2 percent. It would also reduce the city's fund balance to $415,000. The overall budget total is up 1.7 percent compared to last year. [City of Troy] [TU] [Troy Record] [City of Troy]
The Schenectady County legislature approved an override of the tax cap, and the county manager proposed a budget that includes a 7.49 percent property tax increase. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
After the death of its longtime treasurer, the governing body for Capital Region high school sports isn't sure whether it's filed a tax return in more than 30 years. [TU]
State Police say an 11-year-old died Monday afternoon in Ballston after he tried to stop a van from rolling into a road. They say Lane Rowe saw the van -- with three children inside and no driver -- start rolling backwards down an inclined driveway and he got behind it in an effort to stop it. He was pushed to the ground and the van came to a stop on him. State Police say the boy was pronounced dead at the scene. [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [Saratogian]
Questions about SPD role in domestic dispute, trio of alleged spying cases, large downtown Albany residential development opens, Mrs. London?
A domestic disputed between a Schenectady police officer and his girlfriend allegedly resulted in Schenectady police breaking into the woman's apartment to arrest her without a warrant -- though "two authoritative city sources" say police had entered the apartment to check on the welfare of a baby. [Daily Gazette]
Albany County sheriff Craig Apple on the situation in which a sheriff's office inspector -- who's already getting a pension because of a waiver -- has been out on disability and allegedly has moved to Florida: "This is a complete abuse of the system." [TU]
Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy's proposed budget includes a 4-percent tax increase, which he says would fit under the tax cap, as well as job cuts and an increase in the garbage fee. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Now with Roy McDonald out of the state Senate 43rd race -- which most experts apparently McDonald would win -- attention has turned to the Democratic candidate, Robin Andrews. [TU]
Three recent cases of alleged spying: a 15-year-old boy accused of using a mobile phone camera to film women in the dressing room a the Sartoga Golf & Polo Club; a Central New York man accused of trying to take upskirt photos in a Colonie Hannaford; and an Albany man arrested for alleged unlawful surveillance of a 14-year-old girl. [Saratogian] [Troy Record] [TU]
Another manhole explosion, reaction to McDonald's decision, more residential development in downtown Troy
There was another manhole explosion caused by an underground electrical fire Thursday, this time in Troy. Said a nearby resident: "I was lying on the couch watching TV and all of a sudden ba-boom!" National Grid says the Troy incident isn't connected to the recent Albany incidents. And the utility says the two Albany incidents aren't connected to each other. Jerry Jennings on the underground fires: "It doesn't matter that they are two separate incidents, they are two incidents that could have hurt people." [Troy Record] [WNYT] [YNN] [TU] [WNYT]
If you missed it: Roy McDonald says he won't continue his campaign for the state Senate 43rd on the Indpendence line. People close to his campaign framed it as "unselfish decision" made to help Republicans keep control of the state Senate. to In a statement, Kathy Marchione called McDonald "a good man who works tirelessly for our community." Robin Andrews -- the Democratic candidate for the seat -- said in a statement that McDonald's exit "gives the voters of the 43rd Senate District a very clear choice." McDonald was thanked by the Empire State Pride Agenda, and called a hero by Log Cabin Republicans. Andrew Cuomo said he was "fully supportive of [McDonald], whatever he decides" and argued that McDonald's loss won't hurt the national push for same-sex marriage. McDonald declined requests for interviews. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU CapCon] [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [TU CapCon] [State of Politics] [TU]
A state comptroller's office audit concludes that were "maintenance deficiencies" and a lack of proper management oversight on elevators and escalators at the Empire State Plaza. Says an Office of General Services spokeswoman: "OGS has confirmed with an independent inspector that the elevators are in safe working order." [NYS OSC] [TU]
The state DOT will be stopping weekend construction work on the Twin Bridges at noon Sundays (instead of Monday morning) in order to ease the flow of traffic returning from the Adirondacks, the Cuomo admin announced. [Cuomo admin]
Cuomo vows to endorse McDonald -- but is McDonald running?, guilty verdict in Wilton road rage case, another manhole cover explosion in Albany
Update: Roy McDonald has reportedly decided to not continue his run, according to the Times Union, citing "two people familiar with this campaign."
Andrew Cuomo says that he'll endorse Roy McDonald for the 43rd Senate district seat should McDonald decide to run in the general election. In a letter to McDonald yesterday, Cuomo praised the senator for standing by his convictions on the Marriage Equality vote and offered his "full endorsement," saying, " It is now evident that you paid a political price for your convictions. You should not be left to stand alone now. [YNN] [TU] [NYT]
Democratic Candidate for the 43rd Senate Seat, Robin Andrews, says Cuomo's letter won't change her plans to run for the seat. [Capitol Confidential]
Saratoga County GOP Chairman Jasper Nolanhas called for McDonald to bow out of the race, but a poll backed by the gay rights group NY Unity PAC shows McDonald ahead with 45% of voters in a three way race for the 43rd Senate Seat. [Post Star] [Capitol Confidential ]
McDonald's camp put to rest rumors that he fired the Rensselaer County Republican Chair and rehired him on Wednesday, saying John Rustin's "employment papers ended on Sept. 26 and it was going to be extended all along."[Record]
Three more men -- all parolees -- have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of Alex Duncan, a 35-year-old father of seven, during an attempted robbery outside an Ontario Street barber shop. [APD Press Release (full release below)]
A Saratoga County jury convicted Frank Soriano of assault and weapons possession for attacking 43 year old Jeffrey Streicher in a fit of road rage in Wilton last year. [Saratogian] [WNYT]
Another manhole cover blew off in Downtown Albany overnight, leaving about 2,000 people in Arbor hill without power for a time. [TU] [YNN]
Republicans lining up behind Marchione,Global Foundries plans expansion in Malta, puppies abandoned in milk crate had to be put down
Republicans, including Saratoga County party Chairman Jasper Nolan, are beginning to line up behind Kathy Marchione for the 43rd district Senate seat, and are urging Roy McDonald to do the same. [Saratogain] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo says Republican "extremists" are punishing fellow party members who voted for gay marriage. [WNYT]
A Times Union analysis based on campaign finance filings shows Roy McDonald spent over $120 for every vote he received in the primary. [Capitol Confidential]
Two of the puppies abandoned in a milk crate in schenectady were sick with a contagious intestinal disease and had to be put down. A third puppy was already dead when the basket was discovered on a Schenectaday doorstep. [WTEN] [WNYT]
A state Department of Economic Development data specialist with no previous criminal record , apologized and blamed stress for crimes he descibed as "horrific" and "reprehensible," as he was sentence to 9 years in prison for distributing child pornograpy. [TU]
A man who was awaiting sentencing on a vehicular assault charge is now facing a new charge for grabbing the steering wheel of a moving car in which he was a passenger, and steering it into a Saratoga Springs police cruiser.">. [TU] [Saratogian]
A Guilderland man was picked up for DWI on his way to a court mandated DWI victim impact panel. [YNN]
The DMV has announced plans to keep people with five or more drunk or drugged driving convictions in 25 years off the road. [TU]
Marchione appears to have won Republican primary over McDonald, other side in alleged Wilton road rage trial, Fuller Road re-opening, great pumpkins
It appears that Kathy Marchione has won the Republican line in the state Senate 43rd over Roy McDonald. A counting of absentee votes in Columbia and Saratoga counties -- the last absentees to be counted -- resulted in a 100something vote margin for Marchione (every media outlet seems to be reporting a different number) with 50 votes set aside for possible review (which might not happen because of the vote margin). McDonald's campaign manager has said earlier that McDonald would run in the general election regardless of the Republican primary outcome (he has the Independence line) -- but on Monday he said McDonald's "considering all available options at this time" and they'll have a decision about how they're going to proceed by the end of this week/beginning of next. (The Democratic candidate is Robin Andrews.) [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [Post-Star] [State of Politics]
Marchione's challenge of McDonald was prompted in large party by his vote for the Marriage Equality Act. Stephen Saland -- a Republican state Senator from Poughkeepsie who helped write the religious protection clause of the act -- declared victory Monday after narrowly escaping a primary challenge for the Republican line in his district. Of the four Republican Senators who voted for the act, two have now won primary challenges (Saland, Grisanti), one lost (McDonald), and another didn't run for re-election (Alesi). [State of Politics] [NYT]
After the idea of the state contracting out the operations of NYRA and its race tracks (including the Saratoga Race Course) to a for-profit company while the racing org is under state control was leaked/floated/broken in the New York Post, state director of operations Howard Glaser said Monday all options are being looked at. Said Glaser on Fred Dicker's show: "One thing is clear: The functioning of NYRA is substandard." The Cuomo admin has yet to announce its appointees to the board that will oversee the state takeover of NYRA. [NY Post] [State of Politics] [Saratogian] [TU]
The federal HUD secretary was in town Monday for a panel discussion and meeting with the mayors of Albany, Schenectady, and Troy about foreclosures and strengthening the housing market. [Troy Record]
Fatal fire in Schenectady, weekend of stabbings, losing the fight against alien clams, Andrew Cuomo in a canoe
An 86-year-old man died in a house fire Saturday morning in Schenectady's Bellevue neighborhood (map). A person who lived upstairs in the two-family home said the fire took over quickly -- and the "wall of flames and smoke" was too much to reach the elderly man. Damage to the home was extensive, requiring demolition. [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU]
Schenectady police say a man was fatally stabbed in front of his home early Saturday in the Central State neighborhood (map). SPD hasn't released info about possible suspects. There have been multiple stabbings and fatalities on the man's street during the past year. [YNN] [WNYT] [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say
Troy police say a woman was stabbed in south central Troy Sunday night (block map). Police say the alleged stabber is a woman and is in custody. Update: TPD says the alleged incident involved a mother and daughter fighting over... doing the dishes. [YNN] [Fox23] [TU]
After a recanvassing of voting machines in Columbia County, Kathy Marchione still leads Roy McDonald by 110 votes. Absentee ballots for Columbia and Saratoga counties are scheduled to be counted today. [Troy Record] [TU]
Marchione's lead on McDonald widens, no word on cause of underground explosion, Cookie Factory looking to expand
After the counting of absentee and provisional ballots in Renssealer and Washington counties yesterday, Roy McDonald now trails Kathy Marchione by 110 votes for the Republican line in the general election for the 43rd state Senate seat. McDonald will now have to win about 59 percent of the remaining uncounted ballots -- from Saratoga and Columbia counties -- to win the primary. McDonald's campaign manager tells the Post-Star that McDonald will run on the Independence line in the general election if he loses the primary. Noted: the Marchione campaign's lawyer for the count/potential re-count: John Sweeney -- the McDonald campaign was questioning his tactics in Rensselaer County yesterday. (Flashback: Sweeney was called "Congressman Kickass" by George W. Bush for his actions during the 2000 presidential re-count in Florida.) [TU] [NYT] [Post-Star] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [Wikipedia]
The centerpiece of UAlbany's NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant proposal is the construction of a $165 million R&D center on the uptown campus it's calling the Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex. The Cuomo admin gets to make the decision on whether to grant UAlbany $35 million in seed money for the project. If approved and funded, the complex could be finished by 2017. [UAlbany] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation says the study of the potential public health effects of hydrofracking will be conducted by the state Department of Health -- not outside experts, for which some groups had been lobbying. Environmental groups aren't happy about the decision. [NYS DEC] [NYT] [TU]
National Grid says it's yet to determine what exactly caused the underground explosion in downtown Albany on Wednesday. [TU]
Cohoes warehouse blaze causes road closure, National Grid investigating underground explosions in Albany, Cuomo considers supporting McDonald & Saland, Balloons are back in Queensbury
A huge styrofoam fire in a construction company building in Cohoes is causing road closures and traffic tie-ups in the area. [TU] [YNN]
There are detours in the Pearl Street area of Downtown Albany as National Grid crews investigate what caused the fires and explosions that sent manhole covers flying in the area yesterday afternoon. [YNN] [AOA]
The 20-year-old driver charged in the hit-and-run death of a Saint Rose student James Oki last year pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter on Wednesday.[TU]
A 55-year-old former stockbroker from Voorheesville is charged with bilking customers out of as much as $2.2 million in a three year Ponzi scheme. Mark Casolo pleaded not guilty to a 15-count indictment that stemmed from a two year State Police investigation [WNYT] [TU]
High winds and rain cause flooding and power outages, McDonald /Marchione absentee ballot count starts Thursday, 3 bears killed in separate Saratoga County accidents, Emancipation Proclamation to be displayed in Albany
Tallying of absentee ballots in the McDonald / Marchione Republican primary battle will begin on Thursday in Washington and Rensselaer counties and on Monday in Saratoga and Columbia Counties. [Saratogian]
In a letter from State Budget Director Robert Megna, yesterday, State agencies and localities across New York were warned that they should not expect any budget increases in the 2013-2014 fiscal year. [TU]
Yesterday's storm brought high winds and record rainfall, causing flooding and road closure and leaving 18,000 businesses and residences without power for a time. [TU]
Coeymans police say they've identified the person who crashed an SUV into a vacant building this weekend -- and then, improbably, was able to leave the scene. The alleged driver is the son of an RCS school board member. [Fox23] [TU]
Albany County nursing home plan hits snag, APD: teens assaulted 70-year-old, apple cider prices up, Chuck Schumer's relaxed vacation look
A state panel will not recommend approval of of new Albany County nursing home. Reason: concerns about cost -- the most recent estimate figures an annual operating loss of more than $24 million. [Troy Record] [TU]
Just seven Capital Region school districts have gotten their teacher evaluation plans approved by the state. The state's education commissioner says the whole process has been slow going and can't promised it will be finished by the January deadline. [TU] [State of Politics]
Albany police say four teens assaulted a 70-year-old man in the Beverwyck neighborhood Saturday afternoon -- they allegedly spit on him, knocked him down, and hit him with a garbage can lid (map). [APD]
The small apple crop this year has led to higher prices for apple cider. [Daily Gazette]
Count/recount in McDonald/Marchione could start this week, police looking for driver in SUV vs. building crash, reward for info about puppies found on train tracks
A counting of absentee ballots -- and a recount of regular ballots -- could start this week in the too-close-to-call race between Roy McDonald and Kathy Marchione for the Republican line in the state Senate 43rd district (Marchione currently leads by more than a 100 votes). McDonald on his current plans for the general election: "I'm going to run; I'm going to run hard." The National Organization for Marriage -- an anti-same-sex marriage org -- has been claiming credit for Marchione's showing in the primary. (McDonald was one of the key votes in favor of the Marriage Equality Act.) [TU] [Saratogian] [State of Politics]
Albany police chief Steve Krokoff on the new alcohol policy at LarkFest this year: "I feel it's been a great success." Said a Chestnut Street resident of the situation: "It was an improvement ... A big improvement." [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Schenectady city councilman Vince Riggi on the city's financial condition, and impending increase in debt payments: "We're in deep doo-doo." [Daily Gazette]
McDonald/Marchione too close to call, more primary follow up, fatal shooting in Albany, Scotia Diner re-opens
Here are highlights of results from Thursday's state and local primary elections.
The primary for the Republican line in the 43rd state Senate District -- incumbent Roy McDonald vs. Saratoga County clerk Kathy Marchione -- is too close to call. Marchione appears to be leading by fewer than 150 votes. And there are more than 1,100 absentee ballots to be counted. Marchione, who has the Conservative line, says she'll continue to the general election if she loses the Republican primary -- McDonald hasn't committed to that. Marchione's challenge of McDonald was rooted in McDonald's vote in favor of the Marriage Equality Act. She said of her run for the seat Thursday night: "this was a campaign to hold politicians accountable for their votes and their actions. Don't lie to us, don't disrespect us, don't insult us." Another Republican state Senator who voted for same-sex marriage -- Stephen Saland, of Poughkeepsie -- is also in a too-close-call primary. [TU] [Daily Gazette [Saratogian] [NYT]
David Soares on prevailing in the contentious Democratic Primary for Albany County DA against Lee Kindlon: "I want to really thank voters of Albany County for really being able to see through a lot of the nonsense that was foisted at them throughout this event." [TU]
Phil Steck and Pat Fahy both credited grass-roots support for their victories in the Democratic primaries for the 110th and 109th state Assembly seats. [TU]
Cohoes mayor John McDonald -- who won the Democratic primary for the state Assembly 108th against Carolyn McLaughlin, and is now lined up to take the seat currently held by Ron Canestrari -- is Canestrari's neighbor and succeeded him as mayor of Cohoes. [Troy Record]
Neil Breslin framed his win in the Democratic primary for the state Senate 44th against Shawn Morse as a step toward bringing the four Independent Democratic Conference members of the Senate back into the Democratic conference (Morse had the backing the IDC). [Troy Record]
It appears Cecelia Tkaczyk won the Democratic primary for the newly created state Senate 46th, in which she'll face Republican George Amedore. On the district that was apparently tailored for Amedore: "Nobody owns this district." [Daily Gazette]
It's primary day, documents show comptroller's office helped draft Lopez harrassment settlement, report shows problems with NYS sex ed, wayward pig slows morning Northway commute
It's primary day. Here's a look at races in the Capital Region. [TU] [Record]
The State Comptroller's office has played down its involvement with the sexual harassment settlement package paid to the victims of Vito Lopez, but a lawyer for Sheldon Silver says documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show that the office helped to write the settlement. Attorney William Collins says the documents show the State Comptroller's office wanted to discuss the size of the pre-litigation settlement paid to two women who charged Assemblyman Vito Lopez with sexual harassment so they could "feel comfortable" with the size of the settlement.
[NYT] [TU]
Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard was sworn in as Albany's new school superintendent yesterday. Vanden Wyngaard,told a crowd at Hackett Middle School that she came to Albany because the student's have academic challenges and "it's what I'm called to do." She says she wants to raise Abany's 50% graduation rate to 90%. [TU] [YNN] [WNYT]
A former Ballston Spa elementary school music teacher will spend more than five years in federal prison after admitting that he downloaded child porn from the internet and videotaped some of his own students.[TU] [Saratogian]
McDonald/Marchione debate heats up, final arrest in Saratoga fake i.d. case a felony, abused puppies may have been nailed to tracks, DOT working to avoid Monday Twin Bridges construction backups
Senator Roy McDonald on his vote for marriage equality: "I'm in the party of Abraham Lincoln... I'm not in the party of a bunch of right-wing nitwits." McDonald debated Republican primary challenger Kathy Marchione at Russell Sage College on Tuesday, where Marchione attacked his record on social issues like marriage equality. [NYT] [YNN] [WNYT]
Citizen One bloggerTheresa Grafflin has apologized for making the social security numbers of 20 employees in David Soares' office public, but says it was an accident and that Soares' opponent Lee Kindlon had nothing to do with it. [WNYT]
JCOPEclaims to be back on track with their investigation of the Vito Lopez sexual harassment scandal after one commissioner resigned, alleging "steamrolling" by Governor Cuomo. [YNN] [Capitol Confidential]
After a six-month investigation police in Saratoga have charged the 15th and final teenager in connection with a fake id case. The first 14 teens were charged with misdemeanors, but police have charged this teen with a felony because of a lack of cooperation in the investigation. The teen's attorney says the felony charge is "a gross over reaction and completely baseless." [TU] [WNYT] [Saratogian]
Traffic mess on Northway, drama at Chaplin sentencing, police say jewel thief working Loudonville
Traffic was a mess on the Northway around the Twin Bridges yesterday because of delays in re-opening the northbound bridge following weekend repair work. Then in the afternoon, a lane on the bridge was closed because of a problem with one of the plates that transitions the new deck panels to the old. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
The state's ethics panel -- JCOPE -- publicly indicated that it is investigating... something -- and that something is "widely understood" to be the Vito Lopez sexual harassment allegations and the settlement paid out by the Assembly the to accusers. Sheldon Silver says the panel is conducting a "full" investigation, not just Lopez's alleged actions (Andrew Cuomo had threatened to intervene if there wasn't an investigation of the settlement). And, because this is New York, the whole situation has turned into a discussion about the ethics panel itself and how it works/doesn't work. [State of Politics] [TU] [State of Politics] [NYT] [AP/Troy Record]
Scott Chaplin, convicted of murder in the Rosemary Crosier case in Troy, was sentenced to 25-years-to-life in prison. The sentencing turned into a drama as Chaplin continued to profess his innocence, setting off of a heated exchange in the courtroom between Crosier's family and his own. And Chaplin was cuffed again after he yelled "false" during a victim impact statement. [Troy Record] [WNYt] [TU] [News10]
It appears Albany County is headed toward another budget that would require overriding the tax cap. [TU]
Also out of last night's Albany County legislature meeting: frustration over the lack of progress on the convention center -- and a call for a casino at the convention center site. [Troy Record]
Firefighters injured in Troy fire, construction delays rush hour traffic on Northway, campaign drama of all sorts, "Techneurial Valley"
Two Troy firefighters were injured while fighting a house fire in Lansingburgh Sunday evening (map). TFD says the firefighters were blown the down the stairs when gases inside the building ignited, causing what firefighters call a "flash over." [TU] [Troy Record]
Troy fire officials says another Lansingburgh fire -- early Saturday morning -- is considered suspicious (map). TFD chief Tom Garrett says they don't know if it's connected to the rash of suspicious fires in North Central. [TU] [Troy Record]
Schenectady police say a man has died from injuries after an apparent assault on State Street Thursday night -- but what happened is unclear. [Daily Gazette]
Construction delays from the weekend deck resurfacing project on the Twin Bridges kept the northbound side closed during rush hour this morning. [WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo is threatening to use special investigative powers to look at the situation surrounding the allegations of sexual harassment in Vito Lopez's office, if the state ethics panel only focuses on Lopez and not the Assembly settlement. A member of the panel has resigned as part of the drama. And Tom DiNapoli (state comptroller) and Eric Schneiderman (state attorney general) continue to basically say, "Don't look at me!" about the settlement. Good government groups say the Lopez situation is a sign that the problem of sexual harassment at the Capitol isn't being taken seriously enough by legislators. [TU] [State of Politics] [NYT] [Daily Gazette]
Woz fest around the Capital Region, candidates trying to differeniate themselves in crowded fields, police: teens burned down historic house, man killed by falling tree
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak was in town yesterday, making appearances at multiple events. He toured Tech Valley High School -- "I wish I were a high school student today. I would have given anything to get into a school like this." -- and talked about his philanthropy, "I'd prefer being the nice guy to people, and being thought of that way, much more than starting Apple." And he appeared on a panel at GlobalFoundries about the future of this region, "There's something really big going on here in Tech Valley." One of the current obstacles to growing the tech scene here, as identified by members of that panel discussion at GloFo: lack of a presence from large venture capital firms. Said Peter Schultz, one of the co-inventors of fiber optics: "I'm going to tell you this is just the beginning. It is not time to pat yourself on the back. There are a lot more things that have to be built to be able to make this thing really go." [Troy Record] [News10] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN]
Andrew Cuomo delivered a "stemwinder" to a crowd in Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention, and "sounded unmistakably like a man with ambitions well beyond Albany." The governor was at the convention for just one day, and otherwise kept a low profile -- a move that's parsed for potential presidential run implications. [NYT] [State of Politics] [TU]
Among the ways candidates tried to differentiate themselves in the field of eight for the 109th Assembly seat (to succeed Jack McEneny) at last night's forum: calling for an Albany/Lake Placid Olympic bid, calling for an outright ban on fracking, not supporting Sheldon Silver. With the crowded field, the candidates only got to answer a few questions. [TU] [WNYT]
Among the ways the four Democratic candidates for the 110th Assembly are trying to differentiate themselves: state legislature experience, lack of legislature experience, support for MMA, playing baseball with Mookie Wilson. [TU]
"People with knowledge" say the state ethics panel -- JCOPE -- has narrowed it focus on the Vito Lopez situation to the alleged sexual harassment by Lopez, and will not look into the actions of Sheldon Silver and the settlement reached with Lopez's accusers. [NYT]
Mathew Tully -- co-founder of the Tully Rinckey law firm in Troy -- was awarded a Purple Heart for being wounded during an attack in Afghanistan. Tully is serving with National Guard as a lieutenant colonel. [Troy Record] [Spotlight]
Soares office reportedly involved in Lopez harassment probe, Assembly/DA candidates square off in forums, strip club attorney says pole dancng is art and could become an olympic event
A number of candidate forums were held yesterday in the Capital Region:
+ Five of the candidates for the 110th Assembly district Five candidates for the 110th Assembly District took up a number of issues including fracking, jobs, health care and the tax cap. [TU] [Gazette]
+ The establishment of land banks to deal with vacant or tax foreclosed properties, the Albany Convention Center and hydrofracking were taken up by the candidates vying for the 108th Assembly District seat (there are two Democrats -- Carolyn McLaughlin and John McDonald -- for the 108th, not six as the article states). [Record]
+ Lee Kindlon and David Soares faced off in a debate in the Albany County DA race.[TU]
The AP is reporting that Albany County DA David Soares is joining a special prosecutor to help examine the sexual harassment case against Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez [AP/WNYT]
New York State Republicans are using the Vito Lopez scandal to leverage the upcoming election and push Sheldon Silver out of his speaker's post. [NYT]
A 20 year old Rensselaer County man is facing six charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, for allegedly leaving the scene of a deadly accident in Stephentown without telling anyone that there had been a passenger in his car who had been thrown from the vehicle. [WNYT]
A Hoosick Falls woman was charged with driving while impaired and leaving the scene of an accident, and may have been texting when she allegedly hit a bicyclist along Route 22 on Monday. The cyclist died after suffering severe head trauma. [TU] [News 10]
A 21-year-old Schenectady man was arrested for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident after hitting a roller blader with his car in Hamilton Hill. [Fox 23]
No BYOB at Larkfest, Lopez likely subject of a JCOPE executive session, Breslin/Morse debate highlights similarities, police dog named for former sheriff
In an effort to cut back on public drunkenness and other untoward behavior, the Lark BID announced Tuesday that coolers and BYOB will not be allowed at Larkfest this year. [TU] [ YNN]
The State's bi-partisan JCOPE commissioners held a special closed door meeting Tuesday, which is believed to have been about Vito Lopez. After a two and a half hour executive session the JCOPE panel said there was "no information being reported out." Sheldon Silver is being criticized for his role in authorizing a $135,000 settlement to two women who claim to have been harrassed by Lopez. Assembly candidate Frank Commisso Jr. said he won't support Silver in another term as speaker, and other assembly candidates are questioning his actions.
Meanwhile Vito Lopez has issued a statement saying the allegations against him are politically motivated and that he does not plan to step down but will let the voters decide in the upcomming election. Silver says expelling Lopez from the Assembly would require a criminal conviction. [YNN] [TU] [WNYT] [YNN] [Capitol Confidential] [NYT]
The family of a college student who died following a late night party in Saratoga in March of 2011 has dropped a $5 million lawsuit against the people involved with the party and is now offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of anyone who may have committed a crime in the young man's death. [Saratogian]
Rape reported in Albany student neighborhood, two men shot in Schenectady, family says child was bitten by camel, eight generations at one house
Albany police say an 18-year-old UAlbany student reported being raped early Saturday morning at Western and Quail in Pine Hills (map). APD says the student reported she was walking alone when she ended up inside a home and was raped. APD says it's trying to piece together details of the attack -- it's not clear whether the student was taken inside the home by force or not, or whether she knew the person who attacked her. It says it's trying to determine which house she was taken to. APD says the student was "highly intoxicated" and had become separated from a friend who was with her. [APD] [TU] [YNN] [WNYT] [New10] [Fox23]
Albany police say they were 16 arrests in Pine Hills over the weekend. [News10]
A passport and a backpack prompted a bomb scare in downtown Albany Monday night (map). There were evacuations of some nearby businesses and residences. The suspicious bag turned out to not be a threat. [YNN] [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Sheldon Silver says he's asked Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez to resign. Lopez is the Assemblyman accused of sexually harassing staffers, a situation that prompted the Assembly to pay out more than $100,000 in settlement money. Word of the settlement only got out after Lopez was recently censured (and not referred to the ethics committee) -- said Silver yesterday of the situation: "Ultimately, I'm the speaker and I'm responsible, and clearly mistakes were made." Last week state attorney general Eric Schneiderman called the Lopez settlement "wholly inappropriate and contrary to the public interest." State Democrats appears to still be supporting Silver -- he'll have the honor at the Democratic National Convention this week of announcing that New York's delegates are endorsing Barack Obama. [State of Politics] [NYT] [TU] [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
New York State has the highest per pupil spending in the country. [TU]
Local schools again tagged by state for lack of improvement, nothing definitive in death of teen, State Police pull thousands of pot plants, man found stuck in the mud
Schools in the Albany, Schenectady, and Troy school districts are on the state's "priority" list -- either for not making significant progress on raising standardized test scores or for having low graduation rates. Here are the "Accountability Designation Reports." [TU] [NYSED]
The state Department of Health says it's not sure what caused the death of 16-year-old Queensbury High School student Jonathan Vasiliou -- tests for the four most common types of bacterial meningitis were negative. Said a DOH spokesman: "That does not mean that we can rule out a communicable disease. But it's unlikely it is communicable." A physician for the school still suspects the original diagnosis -- "I do believe it was bacterial meningitis of some kind, but I cannot prove it." The school says it's been cleaning its athletic facilities (Vasiliou was a football player) and has switched from water bottles to paper cups. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [Fox23] [News10]
More back-and-forth in the Albany County DA race: Lee Kindlon on the DWI plea deal policies instituted by Soares, the Signature Pharmacies steroids case, and Soares on the investigation of Kindlon's county time sheets. [TU] [TU] [TU]
Gloria Allred says the settlement two of her clients agreed to over alleged sexual harassment by powerful state Assemblyman Vito Lopez did not preclude the Assembly from referring the case to an ethics investigation, as asserted by Sheldon Silver. In response to Allred, a Silver spokesman said: "At all times, the Assembly has acted to protect the privacy of the victims and has deferred to their preferences in this matter." Meanwhile, the state comptroller's office responded to questions about its role in paying out the settlement by essentially saying, "Not it." [TU] [NYT] [State of Politics]
Pilot in Clifton Park plane crash dies, doctors still searching for cause of Queensbury student's death, more Lopez employees allege harassment
A State Health Department investigations shows that the Queensbury High School football player who died earlier this week did not have meningitis, but the cause of the student's death is still unknown. More than 100 student athletes at Queensbury are taking preventative doses of the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin.[TU] [YNN]
The pilot of the small plane that went down in Clifton Park several weeks ago, has died. Jim Quinn suffered a head injury in the crash that also killed his passenger, local businessman Walter Uccellini. The two men were part of the company behind the new City Station development in Troy, part of which is officially opening today. [TU] [Record] [Fox 23] [YNN]
Prominent attorney Gloria Allred, who represented one of the alleged harassment victims who received a $103,000 harassment settlement in the Vito Lopez case,
says Sheldon Silver was wrong in his claim that the settlement precluded the Assembly from investigating the matter further. Silver says he welcomes an investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, five women who worked for Vito Lopez told the New York Times that Lopez requested they wear short skirts and high heels to work, berated them, made unwanted advances and used crude language. [NYT] [Capitol Confidential] [NYT]
Capital Region marks one year since Irene and Lee, Planned Parenthood allowed back into Shen schools, Queensbury H.S. football player dies of "serious infection"
Residents in Schoharie County, Waterford and other parts of the region gathered yesterday to mark the anniversary of tropical storms Irene and Lee. A year after the storms, some people in Prattsville are still living in FEMA trailers.
Other Irene and Lee related stories : FEMA will not cover the costs involved in replacing the historic Blenheim Bridge, destroyed last year in Hurricane Irene.
National Grid is finally catching up with reconnect and disconnect orders after the tropical storms.[WNYT] [Record] [WNYT] [WNYT] [YNN]
A Queensbury High School football player has died from a "serious infection." School and health officials are urging the rest of the team to take precautionary measures. There is still no word on what type of infection it was that killed the student. [ Post Star] [YNN] [TU]
The Shenendahowa school board voted to allow Planned Parenthood instructors back into health classes. Planned Parenthood volunteers had been teaching sex ed in Shen's health classes for about 20 years, but that arrangement was stopped last fall after a group of parents objected. [YNN] [TU]
Irene flooding pushed timeline for struggling towns, Schenectady bans smoking in parks, another state legislator in trouble, El Loco sold
State Assemblyman Peter Lopez on what Irene flooding did to many struggling towns: "It's like you were watching a DVD and hit the fast-forward button. Maybe it's like looking seven or 10 years into the future -- like this is what it would have looked like if the floods hadn't happened and these problems were not addressed. Now all these issues are in front of us." [TU]
Troy police have identified the man found shot to death in an apartment stairwell Sunday afternoon as Scott Danker. TPD says Danker was shot in the head. Police have announced a motive -- "a former neighbor and friend" says Danker "had some demons." [Troy REcord] [TU] [WNYT]
The Saratoga Springs employee who alleges that that accounts department was giving out preferential treatment in property tax assessment cases has been suspended, "pending a hearing to terminate." Mary Zlotnick alleges that condo owners represented by a consultant got a smoother path to having assessments changed. But accounts commissioner John Franck says the city had been assessing condos incorrectly, and many condos were changed outside the grievance process because the city knew they were wrong. [TU] [Saratogian] [Saratogian]
Schenectady's city council passed a ban on smoking in the city's parks and playgrounds. Schenectady police say enforcement will not be a priority. [YNN] [News10]
The city of Albany says it won't be enforcing its cabaret law for the moment in order to allow businesses to apply -- and appeal. [Fox23]
One year after Irene, man found shot to death in Troy apartment stairwell, Adelphi could open year round, Joe Bruno misses Shelly Silver
Coming up on the one-year mark of Tropical Storm Irene, there was a lot of Irene-one-year-later coverage this past weekend:
Times Union: After Irene | Irene photos then and now | Rebirth in Schoharie | Recovery celebrations
Daily Gazette: From ruin to recovery | Long term recovery is just beginning | Review of evacuation plans and shelters | Q&A about the status of the Gilboa Dam | Recovery and restoration in the Stockade | Recovery in Scotia | Recovery in Central Bridge | Recovery at schools | Damage in the Adirondacks | Damage to the canal system | Recovery of the Schoharie Creek ecoystem | Irene in their own words
Troy Record: Almost back to normal in Waterford | Still waiting for answers on landslide in Troy | Resilience in Rensselaer County rural towns | Disaster brought out the best in volunteers
NYT: Recovery and the ongoing challenges in Prattsville and other Catskills towns
YNN: Prattsville's supervisor: "I want to look forward. I don't want to keep dredging up the past."
Damage estimates for last year's tropical storms well over $1 billion, revised plan for St. Patrick's site in Watervliet, large pot bust in Schoharie County, DC water chief irked by Saratoga water
New York State damage estimates from tropical storms Irene and Lee have now reached $1.5 billion. A state report on the response storms figures the state has $574 million on aid to affected areas. The Cuomo administration has pledged another $500,000 for recovery efforts in Prattsville. [YNN] [TU] [News10]
Many streams and trails in the Adirondacks still carry significant damage from Irene flooding. [Daily Gazette]
The developer hoping to build a new Price Chopper at the site of St. Patrick's in Watervliet has released an updated plan it says it hopes will address some of the concerns about the project. The new plan includes architectural changes, more green space and sound barriers, and additional shops. Many speakers at the public presentation of the plan continued call for the preservation of the church building. The Albany Roman Catholic Diocese says it can't afford to restore the church. [Fox23] [YNN] [Troy Record] [TU]
The back-and-forth between David Soares and Lee Kindlon has gotten even more pointed -- Thursday's topic: ax murderers. [TU]
Schenectady among 10 NY districts with approved education plan, Glens Falls man gets 25 years for assulting infant,Cambridge woman named Top Model contestant
Schenectady is one of ten school districts whose education plan has been approved by the State Education Commissioner. Statewide, 700 districts must have approved plans in place by January 13th in order to get a portion of the $805 million increase in state aid. Schenectady's plan includes the ability to grade some teachers as part of groups.[News 10/AP] [TU]
A Glens Falls man received the maximum sentence of 25 years in prison for breaking the leg of a 7 week old baby. [YNN]
A 22 year old Albany man was killed on Wednesday morning when his motorcycle collided with an Albany Park, Ride, Fly van on Wednesday morning.[TU] [Record]
Latham family files $27 million suit in girl's death, Chaplin's lawyer says he has new witnesses in closed murder case, Schenectady's "Pizza King" has died
The family of the Latham girl who died when she was electrocuted on a mini-golf course at a Florida resort has filed a $27 million lawsuit claiming the "billion dollar company" hired an unlicensed employee who didn't get the proper permits or inspections for the work. [TU]
The attorney for Scott Chaplin, the man convicted last month in the 18-year-old murder case of Rosemary Crosier, says he has new witnesses and is appealing to have the case reopened. [TU]
A Schenectady jury convicted a Bronx gang member on Tuesday in a four-year-old murder case that started with a disagreement over a dice game [TU]
A new Siena poll shows New Yorkers are pretty evenly divided over hydrofracking. [WNYT]
Capital Region unemployment hit another two-decade high in July, reaching 8 percent. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo spoke at yesterday's meeting of New York's regional economic development councils. Cuomo is seeking changes in regulations, tax structure and what he called an attitude of arrogance toward business that he believes has led to stagnation in job growth, particularly upstate. [YNN]
Protest over Albany cabaret law, questions about assessments in Saratoga, shooting in Pine Hills, drought bad for pot crop, too many kittens
About 75 people turned up for a protest yesterday evening of Albany cabaret law, specifically a recent implementation of it that would make venues stop live entertainment at 2 am. An attorney representing Waterworks said he's looking at going to court over to stop the enforcement of the rule. Said Common Councilman Ron Bailey: "We're talking about a domino affect if we don't straighten this out, bars are going to close. People are gonna lose jobs." The law includes a provision for reviewing its implementation six months after its passage, which would be in October. [Troy Record] [YNN] [Fox23] [WNYT] [TU]
The state attorney general's office is reportedly investigating some property reassessments in Saratoga Springs after allegations surfaced that a consultant has been given the inside track on lowering assessments -- and, the allegation continues, she's been pitching that service to property owners. [TU]
Said pastor Willie Bacote at a North Central Troy neighborhood meeting about the recent rash of violence and suspicious fires: "The police are there to help us, police are there to further protect, but they can't solve our problems, we need to do the work." Frequent request at a at the meeting: more programs for young mothers and children. Troy police say they're still investigating the string of fires. [Fox23] [Troy Record] [YNN]
Questions about state's discipline of doctors, four arrested in multiple Niskayuna stabbing, huge number of apps for Schenectady teaching positions, wild boarpocalypse stalled
Even though the number of doctors in the state has increased over the last 20 years -- and the number of complaints have also increase -- the rate at which the state has issued the most severe disciplinary actions against doctors has decreased. [TU]
Question now circulating as municipalities in the state face even more difficult financial circumstances: should the state allow cities to declare bankruptcy, or have them taken over by a control board? [TU]
New York didn't ask the EPA to do testing for dioxins following the recent large fire at an electrical equipment recycler in Columbia County -- but Massachusetts did. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that allows the Albany County jail to house inmates from other states as a way of generating revenue. [TU]
The attorney for Annie George -- the woman accused of keeping an illegal immigrant from India at the Llenroc mansion in Rexford as a servant -- alleges the Indian woman is cooperating with federal prosecutors in an attempt to get legal residency in the United States. [AP/Saratogian]
Investigation into Clifton Park plane crash, Albany bar owners fighting cabaret licensing, land bank proposed for Albany County, rogue pig apprehended
Investigators from the federal National Transportation Safety Board say it may be a year before there's an official conclusion about what caused a small plane to crash in Clifton Park this week. Investigators were at the scene yesterday collecting evidence. They say they're hoping some electronic instruments include data that will help them understand what happened. The wreckage of the plan is being transported to a facility in Connecticut for further study. Walter Uccellini -- founder of the Troy-based United Group development company -- died in the crash, and the other man aboard -- James Quinn -- is still hospitalized. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [YNN] [Fox23] [Fox23]
Albany bar owners say they're planning to fight the city's cabaret licensing system after a batch of new permits required bars to stop live entertainment at 2 am. [TU]
People living near that large fire at chemical recycling company in Columbia County earlier this month are still uneasy about the possibly toxic after effects. The DEC says tests of the soot have been negative for PCBs. As for getting the word out about evacuations: "Plain and simple, there's no other way to put it, we dropped the ball," said a Columbia County Sheriff's Office lieutenant. Representatives from the company -- TCI -- did not attend the meeting. [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT] [News10]
Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia says the the police department's Street Crimes Unit "has not, and will not, be reinstated." (Supporters of the unit have been calling for it again because of the string of suspicious fires.) [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Well-known local developer killed in plane crash, NY could become the "silicon valley of yogurt," RPI students to aid in Mars rover Curiosity research
Yesterday's plane crash on a Clifton Park lawn killed well-known Troy developer Walter Uccellini. The developer behind Troy's recently completed City Station project was a passenger in the six-seat plane flown by Jim Quinn. Quinn was injured in the crash. The two were believed to be traveling on a business trip when Quinn radioed the tower that they were experiencing trouble and he was looking for a place to land the plane. State Police say Quinn's piloting skills helped avoid even more damage. [Record] [WNYT] [YNN] [TU]
Legislators, dairy farmers, and yogurt makers are working to make New York "the agricultural version of Silicon Valley." At yesterday's Yogurt Summit Andrew Cuomo announced that the state plans to ease regulations for dairy farmers, boosting the maximum allowable herd size -- a move that has environmental activists concerned about things like manure run-off. [NYT] [TU]
Police discovered the body of a woman in Green Island last night, but say they don't believe the death was suspicious. [TU]
Albany club and bar owners who hold newly-issued cabaret licenses are upset that the documents say they have to stop live music and DJs at 2 am. The city's cabaret law passed earlier this year doesn't have a stop time and many of the venues fear cutting off two hours early will hurt business. [TU]
Plane crash-lands in Clifton Park, admissions drop may cause layoffs at HVCC, Cuomo to host "yogurt summit"
A plane crash landed near the Colonie Reservoir at around 7:30 this morning. One person is dead and the pilot is injured. [TU] [WNYT]
A 13 year old bicyclist was hit by a car near the Northway entrance by Stuyvesant Plaza on Tuesday. Folks who live and work on Western Avenue say the ramp is dangerous it was only a matter of time before someone was injured there.[TU] [Fox 23]
Governor Cuomo will host a "yogurt summit" in Albany today to bring dairy farms together with yogurt producers and state officials to discuss how government to help encourage the industry, now that it has reached critical mass in New York. [YNN]
Police patrols are up in Troy while the department tries to determine who is responsible for a spate of suspicious fires in the city.Demolition crews took down the last four homes destroyed by the fire on Sunday in Troy's North Central District. Police believe the target may be a woman who lived in two of the buildings where the fires occurred. [YNN] [WNYT] [News 10]
Troy stepping up efforts on suspicious fires, three stabbed in Niskayuna, another county another nursing home problem, rabid beaver attack
Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia says two police detective are working the suspicious fires case full time, additional officers are being added to patrol, and firefighters will patrolling North Central during early morning hours. Councilman Mark McGrath says the rash of fires is the result of "a street fight that escalated." One of the fire victims says the fires are targeting a man involved in an earlier drug-related shootout -- and/or a woman may be the target. There's now a $2,000 reward for info about the case. This buildings hit on Sunday have been demolished. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT] [News10] [Troy Record] [YNN]
Niskayuna police say three people were stabbed Sunday night in a park near Mohawk Commons (map). NPD says the stabbing was not random. Teens in the neighborhood say there was a fight involving four people. [Saratogian] [YNN] [WNYT]
Brent Dickenson -- the man arrested for threatening to "torture and murder" school children in Saratoga (and allegedly threatened Barack Obama) -- has pleaded guilty. [Saratogian] [TU]
More fires in Troy, apple crop way down this year, vacant houses a problem all over, state historic artifacts on display at Capitol, the Giants eat a lot
Two fires on the same block in Troy's North Central neighborhood early Sunday morning have displaced about two dozen people. The first fire was at a house already vacant because another fire a month ago. Crews responded to the second fire -- with flames 20 feet above the roof tops of multiple houses -- about four hours later. Fire officials say the buildings will have to be demolished. Troy's fire chief says the first fire was "definitely suspicious." It's the latest in a string of suspicious fires, and Troy police reportedly have a team of detectives working the case full time. [News10] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN] [Troy Recod] [WNYT]
This year's weird weather has had a severe effect on the apple crop both in the Capital Region and the state -- some orchards won't be offering pick your own as a result. Some trees have very few or no apples on them. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Said two women to police of the tractor trailer that flipped off I-88 in Schoharie County onto Route 7 below on Sunday: "The truck fell out of the sky!" The driver of the truck died, and the women are being treated for serious burns. [News10] [TU]
The way state Supreme Court judges angle for ballot spots is secretive, complicated, and odd. [TU]
Push back on comments about downtown Albany and crime, rash of thefts in Niskayuna, man killed after being swarmed by bees, boofing the money, how Steinbrenner tried to pick up women in Troy
The Jennings administration assembled a bunch of downtown Albany business owners and economic development officials yesterday to counter the assertion by Jillian's owner that people are afraid of crime in the area. And Albany police chief Steve Krokoff says crime is down in that neighborhood. The friction between Jillian's owner Ralph Spillenger and officials was apparent, with a prominent economic development official basically saying Jillian's failed because it wasn't good enough. Spillenger's son said the assembled group didn't represent business owners who operated after dark, and that's when the problems occur. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [WNYT] [TU] [YNN]
The three men on trial for allegedly being involved in the kidnapping and killing of an Albany drug dealer (and then dumping his body in sewer) have been found not guilty. [TU]
Most of the Democrats running to succeed Jack McEneny in the state Assembly support the Albany Convention Center (to some degree). [TU]
Burgess charged in fatal Voorheesville crash, Queensbury love triangle shooting victim hit by eight bullets, Jennings calls Pearl St. safety meeting, hot dry weather is bad for bears
An Albany grand jury has indicted the Voorheesville woman who lost control of her car, killing three women outside a church last year. LuAnn Burgess was indicted on five felony charges, including criminally negligent homicide and vehicular manslaughter. D. A. David Soares calls the case " one of the most tragic and complex motor vehicle crashes in this country's history. A nearly year long investigation into the incident focused on whether Burgess should have been driving while under the influence of medication she was taking to treat her Parkinson's disease. She had Xanax, Wellbutrin and Seroquel in her system at the time of the incident. Burgess' attorneys say it was an accident, not a crime. [TU] [Saratogian] [YNN] [Record]
Sheriff's deputies in Queensbury say Ralph Runnalls, the man killed in the Bay Road "love triangle shootout" earlier this week, was struck by eight rounds in his head torso and arms and died of a bullet wound to the head. Police say shooting appears to have been in self defense. [Saratogian] [TU] [Record]
The owner of Jillian's, who is closing the night club this week, says he's been approached by prospective buyers who are considering using the first floor of the club as a food market. [TU]
At a meeting with downtown business owners Wednesday, Jerry Jennings took suggestions on how to improve conditions near Pearl Street, but pointed out that a great deal is spent on police protection in the area. Jennings is expected to announce plans for the area later today. [Fox 23] [City of Albany Press Release]
New details in "love triangle" shooting, Troy housing officials investigated for double dipping scheme, Olympian's relative apologizes for pot brownies, Queensbury prepares for Spider Pig
Updated
New details in the "love triangle" shootout in Queensbury are surfacing: Ralph Runnalls, the man killed in the exchange of gun fire, married Jackie Kegan, the woman injured in the incident, just a few weeks ago. Kegan had a child 18 years ago with the other man involved -- Paul Wells, who was also injured in the incident. The incident involved a .357 Magnum, two other handguns, as many as 22 shots and zero gun permits. [WNYT] [Post Star ] [Fox 23]
Jah-Lah Vanderhorst -- the 17-year-old convicted of manslaughter for the death of Tyler Rhodes in an Albany park -- was sentenced to 25 years in prison this morning. Vanderhorst also got married shortly before the sentencing. Albany County DA David Soares called the nuptials "poor form." [YNN] [@RobertGavinTU] [@RobertGavinTU]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office says the Troy Housing Authority comptroller conspired with his boss so he could double dip. DiNapoli charges that Roger Rosenthal of Latham collected salary of $200,000 while also collecting a $50,000 state pension and alleges that Rosenthal submitted false documents when investigators questioned him about the arrangement. [WNYT] [TU] [Record]
Regulatory documents show that in the last year about 50,000 pounds of oil with relatively high levels of PCBs was frequently moved through the Columbia County transformer plant that caught fire last week -- but a former plant employee says that kind of material would only be stored at the plant for days at a time and is not a hazard and the state officials have released the results of safety tests that show there is no public health danger stemming from the fire. [TU] [WNYT]
A Troy police officer went into a burning building and carried out an 80-year-old disabled woman who was trapped in her 4th Avenue apartment. [TU]
Man beaten in South Troy now dead, apparent love triangle shooting in Queensbury, pawn shop law vetoed, police say 13-year-old stole car
The man who was apparently beaten on a bridge over the Poestenkill in South Troy this weekend has died. Troy police say the man was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, and they believe everyone involved with the incident is undocumented. TPD says it appears there was some sort of argument that escalated and the man was hit with a blunt object. [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN] [News10]
One person was killed and two others injured in a shooting in Queensbury Monday afternoon. The Warren County sheriff described the situation as "some sort of apparent love triangle." The sheriff says it appears Ralph Runnalls confronted Paul Wells and Jacqueline Keegan* with a handgun -- and Wells then got a shotgun and fired back, fatally injuring Runnals. The sheriff says the 18-year-old son Wells and Kegan witnessed the incident. (*Some outlets are reporting that as "Keegan," others as "Kegan.") [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [News10]
The DEC says tests did not find PCBs in the soot spread by the large fire in Columbia County last week. The agency says it tested within a 15-mile radius of the fire. [TU] [YNN]
If not necessarily agreeing with Jillian's owner that "people are afraid to come to downtown Albany," other bar/restaurant owners there say business has been down significantly this summer. [TU]
State makes big addition to Adirondack preserve, mother hugs driver sent to prison for her daughter's death, police investigating beating in South Troy
The state has bought 69,000 acres of land in the Adirondacks, which it says is the biggest land addition to the Adirondack State Forest Preserve in more than a century. The land formerly belonged to Finch Pruyn paper company and the Nature Conservancy. It will be open to the public for the first time in 150 years. Much of the land is in Essex and Hamilton counties (map) (map), but the deal also includes a few tracts of land in Saratoga County. [Cuomo admin] [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette]
Brian Vecchio -- the 18 year old who pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide for the crash that killed Noelle Johnsen this past January in Saratoga County -- was sentenced to 1 and 1/3-to-four years in prison. Said Johnsen's mother at the sentencing to Vecchio: "I cannot honestly say that I forgive you right now at this very moment, but I will not hold a grudge, Brian." She then hugged him, explaining to the media: "Because if it was my son, I would want him to be safe. And I just felt like a mother and I just wanted to protect him ... told him to keep his chin up and I'd be here for him if he needed to talk to me and that I know that he was sorry and I was sorry." [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Schenectady police say a man was shot Sunday afternoon on a street in Hamilton Hill (map). SPD is looking for a suspect and examining surveillance camera video. [YNN] [Fox23] [News10]
Almost a year after a woman lost control of her SUV and plowed into a Vorheesville church, killing three people, the Albany County DA's office has yet to announce whether it will pursue charges or not. [TU]
Focus turns to cleanup after massive Columbia County fire, customers get lei'ed at supermarket opening, yogurt summit planned for Albany
The massive fire at an electrical disposal company in Columbia County was "virtually out" by Thursday afternoon. Now officials are trying to figure what was in all that heavy smoke -- experts say that highly toxic substances could have been created and spread by the fire. the company processes old electrical transformers and related equipment, which often contain PCBs. Officials say initial tests did not indicate the presence of PCBs in soot spread by the fire -- tests for the presence of dioxins should be back today (dioxins are especially nasty pollutants). TCI -- the company that owns the Ghent facility -- said in a statement that "minimal regulated material was stored" in the building at the time it caught fire. Officials have issued a list of recommendations for how nearby residents should clean up the soot. One resident says he found an oily substance on his car, lawn, and pool. [TU] [TU] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [WHO] [Fox23] [Fox23] [News10]
An expert witness in the trial of three men accused of killing an alleged drug dealer and dumping his body in an Albany sewer testified yesterday that a body could in fact "disarticulate" in a sewer. [TU]
More than 300 people lined up ahead of the opening of Trader Joe's on Wolf Road this morning. The line was wrapped around the parking lot. The first person in line showed up at 10 pm last night. TJ's employees handed out leis to people in line. [TU] [JenIsGreen] [Fox23] [News10]
Evacuations and state of emergency declared after Columbia County recylcing plant fire, Richard Bailey's murderer suing Albany police, Clifton Park olympian loses in first round, Super Bowl trophy at Albany City Hall
A State of Emergency has been declared for the area surrounding around TCI of New Yorkin the Columbia County town of Ghent. A fire that began shortly after 10 pm on Wednesday at the hazardous waste disposal business, continues to burn into this morning and residents within a half-mile of the site are being evacuated. [YNN] [WNYT] [TU
Police say believe Tracey Zetzche, the Long Island woman who allegedly murdered her son to murder her 22 year old son in their Westerlo apartment earlier this week, had been suffering from financial problems.Zetzche apparently lived in the apartment with her son's body for several days before she was discovered on Tuesday. [TU] [Saratogian]
The man convicted of murdering Ualbany student Richard Bailey is suing six Albany police officers for $160,000 alleging they beat, pistol-whipped and Tasered him into unconsciousness. [TU]
A report by comptroller Tom DiNapoli shows local governments across New york State are burning through cash reserves and running up deficits in an effort to make ends meet. [NYT]
Westerlo woman charged with son's murder, driver charged with manslauter in Milton teen's death, Colonie braces for Trader Joe traffic, Godzilla returns to Voorheesville
The Westerlo woman whose 22-year-old disabled son was found dead in their home earlier this week, has been charged with his murder. Tracy Zetsche was charged with second-degree murder after an autopsy revealed that Gabriel Philby-Zetsche was killed by a stab wound to the chest and multiple skill fractures. [TU] [YNN] [WNYT]
The 21-year-old Rock City Falls man charged with driving drunk when his car struck and killed a teen on West Milton Road last month has now charged with vehicular manslaughter in the case. [Record] [TU]
911 tapes reveal that Robert Kowalik, the man dragged by a pick up truck this week hung on to the exterior of the truck, telling 911 dispatchers over his cell phone, "I can't hold on much longer." Walmart surveillance video shows that Kowalik was dragged by the truck. The driver of the truck -- the current boyfriend of the victims ex-girlfriend-- claims he stopped the vehicle several times and each time he tried to leave Kowalik jumped back on the truck. [TU] [News 10] [YNN]
Police in Waterford have arrested a man for robbing the Pioneer Savings bank on Saratoga Avenue yesterday. [TU]
A natural gas drilling company says local bans on fracking are illegal in New York State and plans to sue unless bans enacted by New York municipalities are reversed. [Record]
Police are warning residents of Albany's Washington Park neighborhood about a rash of recent car burglaries. Over the last two months 29 cars have been broken into - 10 on Monday night alone. [News 10] [YNN]
Sheriff's office says Westerlo death is suspicious, tax breaks for downtown Saratoga movie theater, field narrows for UAlbany president job, Capital District Community Gardens picks new home
The Albany County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a 22-year-old man whose body was found in a Westerlo apartment Monday morning. Sheriff Craig Apple says the man's aunt stopped to check on the man, who had a physical disability, after seeing his mother sitting on the steps outside the apartment. The man's body was found in a bloody scene, and Apple says the case is being considered suspicious. [YNN] [News10] [Fox23] [TU]
More unraveling of what allegedly happened (or didn't happen) during then-state attorney general Andrew Cuomo's 2009 investigation of possible political interference with the State Police. The latest bits: Cuomo allegedly discouraged State Police from obtaining legal representation during the investigation, according to "interviews with former officials and claims made in documents" (the Cuomo admin denies this). And David Paterson's administration allegedly tried get white state troopers on the then governor's security detail replaced with African American and Latino state troopers, which the acting State Police superintendent refused to do (a Paterson aide denies much of the allegation). [TU] [NYT] [NYT]
The alleged dragee in the Troy pick-truck dragging incident Sunday night says the alleged driver was giving him a ride home from the hospital -- but they got in a fight over a woman. [Troy Record]
The Saratoga IDA has awarded more than $950k in tax breaks to developer Sonny Bonacio for the proposed movie theater project at the site of the former Price Chopper in downtown Saratoga. Bonacio has yet to line up a theater operator for the project. [TU] [Saratogian]
Troy police investigating odd incident, Schumer and Gillibrand support minimum wage increase, pawn shops trying to head off new rules, flood prompts man to find lost family
Troy police are investigating an incident in which a man allegedly was dragged by a pick-up truck -- maybe by choice -- for three miles while he called police for help from his mobile. The alleged driver has been arrested. TPD says there are reports the man who was allegedly dragged had at one point tried to get into the window of the driver's door. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [YNN] [News10]
Saratoga Springs police are looking for help in figuring out what events led up to a man being found unconscious and not breathing on the street near the Beekman Street district early Saturday (map). Police say the man was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Noted, if not related: this incident isn't the man's first brush with death. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU]
State Police say the man who allegedly fled a traffic stop in Glenville early Friday and then jumped into the Mohawk River was found dead in the river -- and it appears he drowned. They say they're not sure why the man ran. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Testified one of the men who was allegedly involved in the death of an alleged pot dealer in Albany of what happened when they allegedly decided to dump the body in a sewer in West Hill: ""He was stiff and knew from, like, watching movies that meant he was dead ... We thought we'd hear something, but there was no splash, and we didn't hear nothing at all." [TU]
WXXA -- Fox23 -- has been sold and apparently will be sharing some services with WTEN. [Business Wire] [TU]
Severe storms miss Capital Region, Guilderland bank robbed again, suspect allegedly flees traffic stop and jumps in river, healing with horses
The severe thunderstorms forecasted for Thursday passed to the south of the Capital Region -- this area only got about 1/10 of an inch of rain (and some ominous cloud formations). Parts of the Southern Tier were not so lucky. A tornado touched down in Elmira, accompanied by heavy rain, causing widespread damage. The Binghamton area also suffered significant storm-related damage, with three unconfirmed reports of tornadoes. As of last night, about 97,000 utility customers statewide were without power because of storm damage. [TU] [NWS] [Albany Weather Examiner Facebook] [Elmira Star Gazette] [Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin]
Quinnipiac poll: 80 percent of respondents oppose increasing the pay for New York State legislators. Both Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos say the issue hasn't been discussed. [Q Poll] [TU]
"People with knowledge of the matter" says Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy has talked with Schenectady County sheriff Dominic Dagostino about taking on the role of city police chief. Current police chief Mark Chaires says he intends to retire before the end of the year. [TU] [TU]
The attorney for Annie George, accused by the feds of keeping an illegal immigrant under arduous working conditions for little pay at the Llenroc mansion in Rexford, says George didn't know about the woman's immigration status nor did she know how much was being paid. [Daily Gazette]
Albany picks school superintendent but there's a catch, New Yorkers like Cuomo as governor but for president--not so much, Saratoga County woman re-indicted for harboring illegal, planning board approves Spa City movie theater
The Albany school district's choice for its new school superintendent - currently a deputy superintendent in New Jersey-- must first obtain a waiver from the State Education department, since she isn't certified to be a superintendent in New York. [TU] [YNN]
A new Quinnipiac poll shows New Yorkers are happy with the job Andrew Cuomo is doing as governor, but don't think he should run for president. [WNYT]
Albany County has spent more than $75,000 defending the new redistricting plan in a voting rights lawsuit. [TU]
Only two days after charges against her were dismissed, Annie George has been re-indicted on one count of harboring an illegal alien for financial gain. The owner of Llenroc mansion is expected back in court today to be arraigned on charges of harboring an illegal alien in her home for nearly six years. [Saratogian] [TU]
The list of nine finalists vying for the UAlbany president's post includes the university's current provost, and a former RPI provost who stepped down in 2011.[TU]
GloFo expanding at Malta fab, Troopergate memo posted, teen suspect in fatal shooting to be tried as adult, former state police investigator accidentally shoots own knee in Sears dressing room, sold: one armory
GlobalFoundries marked the third anniversary of the groundbreaking for its Malta plant on Tuesday by announcing plans for a new $2.3 billion clean room expansion project. The company is also paying Malta the final $2.8 million of a $5 million donation. [TU] [Saratogian]
The TU has posted a Troopergate investigation memo from the office of then Attorney General Andrew Cuomo summarizing the investigation -- the Cuomo administration has argued the memo shouldn't have been made available in the state archives. The memo has been at the center of the question of whether the administration is editing Cuomo's A.G. records before sending them to the state archives. [TU] [NYT]
The 15-year old Montgomery County teen charged in the shooting death of two other teens will be tried as an adult. [TU]
A pair of Schenectady cousins purchased the city's 65,000 square-foot Armory building for $260,000. The owners of a local construction company with experience restoring old buildings say they'd like the building to house indoor sports programs. [TU] [Gazette]
Andrew Cuomo signed a new law that will provide incentives for film companies to do post-production work in the Empire State in an effort to attract the film industry to do more work in Upstate New York and help "make New York the television and film capital of the world. "
[WNYT] [YNN]
A retired police investigator accidentally shot himself in the knee while trying on clothing in the dressing room at the Colonie Center Sears. [YNN]
That was a lot of lightning, police looking for help in identifying body, jail plans video visitation system, mobile vet addresses "redonkulous" cat situation
Yesterday's thunderstorms dumped more than half an inch of rain (could be more of less depending on location). And at one point last night, there were about 100 lightning strikes every five minutes in the area. The area is still almost 2 inches short of rain compared to a typical summer. [NWS] [TU]
Bethlehem police are hoping the public can help them identify the man whose body was found in a wooded area off Route 9W in Selkirk this past weekend. They've released an image of a tattoo from the body. Authorities says the body may have been at the spot for as long as six months. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]
NYT follows on the TU's story about Cuomo aides editing the collection of files sent to the State Archive from Cuomo's time as state attorney general -- and it includes allegations from the Cuomo admin that the TU is trying to "create controversy." [NYT]
A judge has dismissed the federal case against Annie George -- accused of keeping an illegal immigrant at the Llenroc mansion in Rexford for arduous working hours and little pay -- because prosecutors hadn't brought the case to trial in time (George isn't necessarily off the hook, though). [TU]
"Multiple sources" say the Albany school board's top choice for the superintendent is a deputy superintendent in New Jersey with a Phd -- but she might not be able to land in the job because she's not certified to be a superintendent in New York State. [TU]
Two Montgomery County teens charged with murder, rash of suspicious fires in Troy, Chaplin found guilty in Crosier murder, farms feeling effects of dry summer, an answer from afar
Two Amsterdam teens -- 16 and 15 -- have been charged with murder for the deaths of two teens -- 13 and 16 -- whose bodies were found in the Town of Florida. Authorites says the two bodies were found shot in a field. One of the victim's grandfathers says the two boys were last seen being dropped off at the house of on the suspects. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Fox23]
There were two fires in Troy's North Center neighborhood early Sunday, part of a rash of recent fires the Troy Fire Department says have either been deliberately set or are suspicious. It says there have been five such fires in the past week. One of the fires displaced a family that had already been displaced by one of the earlier fires. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [WNYT]
On Friday a Rensselaer County Court jury found Scott Chaplin guilty of the 1994 murder of Rosemary Crosier in Troy. Said Chaplin's father of the verdict: "They let the murderers walk and they hang an innocent guy!" -- referring to George Mott, who was acquitted in January. Chaplin's attorney says they're planning an appeal. Said Crosier's sister: "There were others involved and I hope they get justice as well." [Troy Record] [Fox23] [TU] [YNN] [TU]
The Cuomo administration's tight control on the flow of information and access extends to records from Andrew Cuomo's term in the attorney general's office -- the admin sent staffers to review and remove documents after the Times Union requested access to documents in the State Archives. [TU]
The state still doesn't technically own the Empire the State Plaza, even though its 40-year lease from Albany County -- which was planned to result in the state taking ownership -- ended almost eight years ago. [TU]
Opening day at the Saratoga Race Course on Friday was included a few problems -- example: overflowing toilets -- but they seemed to be mostly worked out by Sunday. [TU] [TU]
Blame the jet stream (and Canada) for no rain, overdose death at Camp Bisco, insurance company says it won't cover fracking land, 80 year old wins for life
The meteorological region for the long dry spell: a shift in the jet stream that's allowing dry air from Canada to move south, instead of the normal pattern in which wet air moves north from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. Increased water system usage -- as much as double the usual usage -- has caused problems in Niskayuna (stirred up sediment) and Rotterdam (pump gave out after two weeks working non-stop). [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
State Police say a man was found dead in his tent at the Camp Bisco site this week -- apparently of an overdose. The Schenectady County Sheriff's Department says at least six people at Bisco have been treated for overdose as of Thursday evening. Also: professional traffic engineering apparently solved most of the traffic problems for this year's festival (and Skrillex is happy to be back). [TU] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette]
Troy police are investigating the death of a man from a gun shot inside a North Central residence early Friday morning (map). [News10]
Former Troy city clerk William McInerney took the stand in the ballot fraud trial of former city councilman Michael LoPorto and testified that LoPorto was aware that absentee ballot forging was happening. And he said he placed forged ballots in an envelope that ended up with LoPorto. [TU] [Troy Record]
A man who says he was a pot friend of Scott Chaplin testified yesterday that after the murder of Rosemary Crosier, Chaplin told him that Crosier's purse "would never be found." Witnesses in an earlier case -- which co-defendant George Mott was acquitted of murder charges -- testified they heard that the purse had been thrown in a South Troy canal. [Troy Record] [TU]
Affair revealed in day one of Chaplin trial, father of 13 year old killed with shotgun thinks killingwas intentional, Albany gets cable access channel
The trial of Scott Chaplin, charged with the 1994 murder of Rosemary Crosier, got underway yesterday with opening arguments. Chaplin's attorney surprised the courtroom, admitting that Chaplin, then 17, was having an affair with the 43 year old Crosier. F. Stanton Ackerman told the jurors that DNA and bite marks on a paper towel roll being used as evidence did, in fact, belong to Chaplin ,and that his client was with Crosier the night of the murder, but he didn't kill her. [YNN] [TU] [News 10]
Testimony got underway on Wednesday in the voter fraud retrial of former Troy City Councilman Michael LoPorto. In an opening argument, LoPorto's new attorney, Cheryl Coleman, claimed there is no evidence to prove LoPorto knew ballots were forged. [TU] [WNYT]
The father of the 13-year-old who was killed when a shotgun when off in a room where the teen and another boy were playing, says he believes his son was shot intentionally. [TU]
Albany is launching channel 18, a new public access cable channel, where residents will be able to submit their own programming. [TU]
Second Troy ballot fraud trial to begin, 11-year-old faces felony charges for killing puppy, ShopRite to open Central Ave gas station
Opening statements are expected to begin today in the second ballot fraud trial of former Troy City Councilman, Michael Loporto. [News 10]
The trial of Scott Chaplin, the man accused of murdering Rosemary Crosier in 1994,is expected to begin this morning. [YNN] [Record]
An 11-year-old Lake George girl is facing two felony charges for allegedly killing her foster mother's cocker spaniel puppy out of spite after the woman refused to drive her somewhere. [YNN] [WNYT]
G.E. CEO Jeffrey Immelt says Schenectady's new $100 million battery plant already has $80 million in orders and he expects it to be a billion-dollar business by the end of the decade. [Gazette]
Shop Rite will open a 16-pump gas station on Central Avenue and is planning to offer discounts on fuel to people who shop at the chain. [TU]
GE unveiling Schenectady battery factory, naked woman falls from light pole, firefighter alleges he's being pushed out because of PTSD, cherry crop took huge hit this year
GE is unveiling its new battery plant in Schenectady today -- CEO Jeff Immelt will be in town for it. The company says it's investing $70 million more in the factory -- bringing the total to $170 million -- to double production capacity and will eventually employ 450 people there. [TU] [GE]
The Albany County legislature has passed legislation that requires secondhand goods dealers to be licensed and file with police a photo and written description of items bought. The legislation is intended to make it harder to move stolen items. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Schenectady city council is considering a law that would make it illegal take items that have been set out for garbage at the curb. [Daily Gazette]
Among the usual drug confiscations and mishaps from Phish weekend at SPAC: a naked woman, apparently drunk or high, climbed to the top of a 25-foot light pole in the parking lot and fell. [Saratogian] [TU]
St. Peter's Health Partners announced that its longtime CEO, Steven Boyle, is retiring in October. The health care group become the region's largest following its recent merger with Northeast Health and Seton Health. [St. Peter's]
Woman saves baby from fire, teen pedestrian allegedly killed by drunk driver, Cambridge to Guantanamo, wily woodchuck pegged for flag caper
Troy public safety officials say a woman ran into a burning apartment at Griswold Heights to rescue a baby early Sunday morning. The baby only suffered minor injuries and has been released -- but the woman suffered serious burns. Said a TPD captain of the woman: "Her actions were beyond heroic." Troy's fire chief says the baby had been left unattended -- the person who was supposed to watch the baby was next door. [Troy Record] [News10] [TU] [WNYT]
A 14-year-old pedestrian was hit and killed in Milton Saturday by an allegedly drunk driver, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office. The teen was pronounced dead at the scene. Neighbors say the driver, 21 years old, was coming home from a graduation party. He's been charged with DWI. [TU] [Fox23] [News10] [Saratogian]
The Saratoga County Sheriff's Department says a man died Saturday after a tree fell on him while he was using a homemade zip line. [Saratogian]
The Albany County legislature is looking at a possible county hiring freeze because of the county's faltering finances. The county recent sent out notices of possible layoffs. [TU] [Troy Record]
Mario Cuomo reportedly spoke openly about Andrew Cuomo running for president recently during a gathering at the Executive Mansion. [NYT]
GloFo appears to be expanding at Malta fab, school district says more votes cast than signatures registered, early sweet corn season, Bill Clinton dined in Chatham
It looks like GlobalFoundries is planning to fill out its manufacturing space at the Malta fab in what would be a $2 billion project. [TU]
A state oversight board has criticized NYRA for leaning heavily on revenue from video lottery machines, and using the VLT funding not to right the ship, but rather to just spend more. [Daily Gazette]
State officials in charge of scoring grant apps for economic development money concluded in a memo that the Capital Region has not done enough planning for what might happen if the state workforce is downsized. [TU]
Mark Richardson -- who pleaded guilty to beating an elderly man, John Siakala, to death during a robbery at a Cohoes apartment complex, as well as severely beating an elderly woman, in December -- has been sentenced to 30 years to life. Said Siakala's son in a victim impact statement read in court: "I'll never be able to forget, but I'm trying to find forgiveness." [Troy Record] [Fox23]
SPAC has announced that the New York City Ballet's season there next season will be one week instead of two. Said SPAC president Marcia White in a press release: "We are all operating in an environment where funding from both public and private sources is more scarce, while the costs of doing business have continued to rise." Ticket sales for both the ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra only cover about a third of the cost of each residency. The ballet has had a summer residency at SPAC since the venue's founding in the 1960s. [SPAC] [TU] [Saratogian]
Unruly passenger denied boarding at ALB, Guilderland passes fracking ban, 50 new citizens sworn in, Fuller Road reconstruction finished
A Wynantskill man who allegedly was drunk and unruly at Albany International Airport was not allowed to board his plane and is facing charges of felony assault, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest. [Record] [TU]
The Guilderland Town Board unanimously passed a ban on hyrdrofracking on Tuesday night. [TU]
The attorney for the Schuylerville woman who shot and killed her former boyfriend says the killing was an accident. [Post Star]
A father and son in Rensselaer County are facing charges for illegally possessing a machine gun after a three-month investigation led State Police to a cache of guns-- including sawed off shotguns , hand guns, long guns and high-capacity ammunition magazines -- at their Nassau home. [TU]
More details in Schuylerville shooting, big plans for Albany riverfront park, man accused of repeatedly hitting police horse, that's a lot of toe shoes
The woman charged with fatally shooting her (perhaps former) boyfriend Sunday in Schuylerville allegedly did so at point-blank range, according to Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy. The DA says Joey M. Paul has not claimed self defense and Matthew Furlani was not armed. "Friends" tell WNYT that the gun used was an AK-47. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [WNYT]
Colonie police say they arrested a mother for allegedly leaving her toddler alone in a car outside a store Monday afternoon. The windows were down and the temperature was 81 degrees. Police say the child was in the car for about 10 minutes. A passerby noticed the child and called police. The child ended up being OK. [WNYT] [TU] [News10] [YNN] [Fox23]
A Saratoga County Board of Supervisors committee has effectively stopped Saratoga Springs' bid to roll back last call to 2 am. [Saratogian]
The city of Albany bid for state economic development money includes plans for a big makeover of the waterfront park at the Corning Preserve. [TU]
It will take until the middle of next year for all the restaurants in Albany County to get new health inspections that will prompt the public display of the results. An Albany County law requiring restaurants to post health inspection results near the front door took effect on Sunday. [TU]
Gen. Martin Dempsey -- the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the nation's top military leader -- was in Troy Monday for a Wounded Warriors fundraiser. [Troy Record]
Fatal shooting in Schuylerville, Albany County restaurant inspection posting takes effect, Saratoga brew pub aims to open this summer
A Schuylerville woman has been charged with second-degree murder after she allegedly shot and killed her boyfriend Sunday. State Police said there apparently had been some sort of dispute in the couple's apartment. Troopers said the woman -- Joey M. Paul -- called the shooting accidental. A neighbors says Paul ran outside and yelled "I shot him. I shot him," and was covered in blood. [YNN] [TU] [Saratogian] [Fox23]
An Albany County Sheriff's Office employee has been collecting his public pension and sheriff's office salary under a waiver for 21 years -- the longest of any current public employee in the state, according to state records. The second longest: an NYPD retiree working hired by the state AG's office, but currently protecting the state commissioner of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. [TU] [TU]
Aircraft (not) Used in Speed Enforcement: New York State police haven't ticketed anyone for speeding based on airplane surveillance since 2005. [AP/TU]
The Albany County law requiring to restaurants to post the results of their new health inspections took effect on Sunday. [News10]
A large fire Sunday in Rensselaer eventually spread to five other buildings (map). Six fire departments responded to the scene. Two buildings are reportedly a total loss. The fire apparently started on the back deck of the apartment building. A resident of the building says he had been using a charcoal grill on the deck earlier in the day. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [News10] [TU] [WNYT]
Reaction to SCOTUS health care ruling, body found hours after car wreck, county spent $50k on low turnout primary, lobster prices down
New York State is already relatively far along in implementing its parts of the federal Affordable Care Act. Local reaction roundup to yesterday's Supreme Court ruling upholding much of the health care reform legislation. Reaction from Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson. [TU] [Troy Record] [Tonko's office] [Gibson's office]
The ruling was a campaign focus point last night for Republican Bob Dietrich, who's running against Paul Tonko for the new 20th Congressional District (Dick Morris was in Saratoga to campaign for Dietrich). And Democrats are going after Chris Gibson for his votes to repeal to the legislation. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [State of Politics]
Rensselaer County sheriff Jack Mahar says the man driving the car in a fatal wreck in Stephentown early Thursday morning left the scene -- the passenger who was ejected from the car and died wasn't found until several hours later. The man's body was found more than 100 feet from the crash. [YNN] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
A medical examiner in Florida has concluded that 11-year-old Ashton Jojo from Latham was accidentally electrocuted at a mini-golf course -- and a building inspector reported that it appears the wrong type of electrical breakers were used in the pond. [TU] [Orlando Sentinel]
Latham girl dies on Florida mini-golf course, Albany sheriff takes down attacker, parakeets removed from utility pole nest in Watervliet
Emails obtained from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation show the department laid out details of proposed fracking permits and regulations for industry representatives before those regulations were presented to the groups with concerns about fracking. [TU]
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple stopped an attack on a Court of Appeals security guard in a downtown garage on Eagle Street Wednesday evening, wrestling the apparently drunk attacker to the ground. [YNN] [TU]
After her complaints were dismissed, a former GE employee has filed a $50 million civil rights lawsuit against the company alleging bigotry, racism and sexism in her former schenectady workplace. [TU]
Authorities in Florida are trying to determine how an 11 year old Latham girl died on a time share mini golf course. Police believe she was electrocuted when she reached into a small pond to retrieve her golf ball. [TU]
Long will face Gillibrand in November, PEF president voted out, Guilderland library expansion denied, samaritan replaces stolen bike
Republican Wendy Long , a Manhattan attorney, will challenge Kristin Gillibrand for the U.S. Senate in the fall. Long defeated Nassau County comptroller George Maragos and U.S. Representative Bob Turner in Tuesday's Republican primary. [YNN] [TU]
In the 19th Congressional district Democrat Julian Schreibman will challenge Chris Gibson for his seat in the fall. [YNN]
After the Public Employees Federation agreed to a contract last year that included no raises and other concessions to Cuomo administration to avoid 3,500 layoffs, PEF president Ken Brynien
Voters in Guilderland defeated a $12.95 million proposal to expand the library by a margin of 3 to 1. A record 25.8 percent of voters weighed in on the issue.[YNN] [TU]
State police say an Averill Park man was under the influence of drugs when he drove 103 mph through a work zone in Halfmoon. Ryan K. Spiak was arrested after he crashed his car in Troy and tried to flee on foot. [TU] [WNYT]
Damaging our faith in human nature: Troy police have arrested one of four men who threatened a 13-year-old Rensselaer boy and stole his new bicycle.
Restoring our faith in human nature: Adam Coonradt, who helped the boy when he saw him crying by the side of the road, delivered him a new bike last night. [TU] [Record]
It's Congressional primary day, new principal at Albany High School, rash of burglaries in Albany, NYRA announces Saratoga giveaways
It's Congressional primary day in New York -- a lot earlier than primaries past (June vs. September). The unusually early date has prompted concern that turnout will be very low. Polls are open from noon to 9 pm. [TU] [NYT]
+ Three Republicans are vying to face Kirsten Gillibrand for the US Senate. [AP/Troy Record]
+ Two Democrats are competing to face Chris Gibson in the new 19th Congressional District -- which includes large parts of Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, and Schoharie counties. [Troy Record]
+ Two Republicans are competing to face Bill Owens in the new 21st Congressional District, which includes northern Saratoga County. [Post-Star]
An audit by the state comptroller's office has concluded that a special education contractor in Troy inappropriately billed more than $830k "for services for no-show executives, inappropriate staff bonuses and other costs." The audit focused in part on an executive it said spent most of her time in South Carolina (she says she's done nothing wrong). Said another of Capital District Beginning's co-director in response to the audit: "We challenge the comptroller's findings and maintain there has been no misuse of public funds." Capital District Beginnings provides services to many school districts and educational programs in the area. [NYS OSC] [TU] [WNYT] [YNN] [Troy Record]
CDTA has installed 12 video cameras at BusPlus stations along State Street in Schenectady as part of a collaboration with the Schenectady Police Department. The SPD has 109 cameras around the city -- and 40 more will be added over the next year. Schenectady County DA Robert Carney says a camera on a CDTA station captured video of an alleged bank robber in a currently pending case. [CDTA] [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [TU]
The Albany school district has named a new (interim) principal for Albany High School -- Cecily Wilson is a 1995 AHS grad and has degrees from Princeton and NYU. "Inside sources" tell the TU that the school's current principal, David McCalla, is being reassigned because officials aren't happy about the pace of improvement at the school. Superintendent Ray Coluccielo highlighted the high school's low graduation rate -- 52 percent -- "This has got to be 60 [percent] and it's got to be 70 and it's got to be 80 and that can happen." Wilson said her top priority is increasing the graduation rate. And what she says she can bring to the school: "My connection and history with the district gives me some insight into what we struggle with from elementary school to secondary school." [Albany school district] [TU] [YNN] [News10] [Fox23]
Earlier: Capital Region high school graduation rates 2011 -- AHS had the lowest rate in the area.
Restaurant owner dies in freak elevator accident, movie theater proposed for downtown Saratoga, HVCC returns money to Bob Barker
A co-owner of the Bangkok Bistro in Schenectady was killed early Saturday morning after his head got stuck in an dumbwaiter used to move food from the basement. The man apparently was loading food into the small elevator when an employee activated it from the floor above and the man's head was trapped in the elevator, according to Schenectady police. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Health Administration (OSHA) will be investigating the death. [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [Fox23] [TU]
Developer Sonny Bonacio submitted plans for a movie theater multiplex on the site of the former Railroad Place Price Chopper in downtown Saratoga Springs. Bonacio tells the Gazette he doesn't have a theater operator lined up, yet. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Drivers who stopped to help a man who had run off the road in Westerlo Saturday ended up blocking the man's car and taking his keys after suspecting he was driving drunk, according to Albany County sheriff Craig Apple. The sheriff's office says the man's BAC was 4.5 times the legal limit. It also says the man's license had been revoked because of a previous DWI conviction. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]
In a statement to Colonie police, a 14-year-old who ran away for a home for girls in Albany says a man helped her prostitute herself at a motel on Central Ave. [WNYT] [TU]
Legislature passes restrictions on teacher eval disclosure, Vanderhorst found guilty of manslaughter, alt plan for St. Patrick's floated, thieves apparently posing as city employees
On its last day of the session, the state legislature passed a bill limiting public disclosure of teacher evaluations. The bill restricts the disclosure of the evaluations to parents and guardians of students in a teacher's class. But the bill does not restrict those parents from then releasing the info to other people. Andrew Cuomo introduced the bill just this past Monday, and said it "strikes the right balance between protecting teacher privacy and a parent's right to know." A lobbying group for school boards said it was worried wide disclosure of the info would lead to "teacher shopping." Cuomo's last-minute move with the bill prompted grumbling in the legislature -- but not enough to stop the bill. [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [TU] [Cuomo admin] [WNYT] [State of Politics]
If the legislature doesn't return for special sessions, it will have passed the fewest number of bills in almost a century. [NYPIRG's Bill Mahoney, via State of Politics]
Thursday marked the last day of regular session for local Assemblymen Ron Canestrari, Jack McEneny, and Bob Reilly -- they're all leaving office. [TU]
A jury found Jah-Lah Vanderhorst guilty of manslaughter, not murder, in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Tyler Rhodes in Albany's Hoffman Park last summer. The decision indicates the jury believed Vanderhorst intended to cause serious injury to Rhodes, but not death. Vanderhorst faces up to 25 years in prison. [Fox23] [TU] [YNN]
An anonymous "supervisor for an Albany-based bus company" says the type of harassment captured on video of a school bus monitor near Rochester "happens every day." [TU]
NYRA takeover, minimum wage, teacher evaluations still up in the air on last day of legislative session, day 4 of deliberations in Vanderhorst trial, still hot.
It's still hot. [WNYT]
Legislators are racing to get to the end of the legislative session today. [TU]
Yesterday the Senate and Assembly passed Governor Cuomo's bill to create a justice center to protect disabled people from abuse and neglect and a plan to change the organ donation process on drivers license applications to raise the number of organ donations. [NY Times]
On the list of items that may or may not come to a vote today: Cuomo's plan to restrict viewing of teacher evaluations to parents and a vote on the takeover of NYRA and a plan to raise the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour. [YNN] [WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo says the Republican State Senate was too conservative for not taking up his plan to decriminalizeze small amounts of marijuana in an effort to reduce "stop and frisk arrests." [YNN]
The jury is entering day four of deliberations in the second degree murder trial of Jah-Lah Vanderhorst. Yesterday, jurors requested testimony readbacks from three witnesses and asked the judge to redefine "intent to cause serious physical injury.[TU] [YNN]
G. E. has reached a ten year agreement with the town of Rotterdam, Schenectady County and Shalmont School District that includes a $49 million payment in lieu of taxes in exchange for lowering the assessment on the Rotterdam portion of the main plant from 138 million to $132 million. [YNN]
It's hot, Troy man arrested with shotgun and 313 bags of heroin, Rosamilia signs Troy smoking ban, Bruno to throw 1st pitch at The Joe
It's the first day of summer - and mother nature has made the adjustment all at once. [TU]
A one month investigation led to the arrest of a convicted felon found with 313 bags of heroine and a rifle in the Troy home where he lived with a woman and her 9 and 17 year old daughters. Police say 49 year old James Hull was also found with over 50 grams of marijuana, a number of prescription meds, hypodermic needles, and scales.[YNN] [TU] [News 10]
The shotgun that killed 13-year-old Gary Cota at his home in Fort Edward earlier this month is undergoing forensic testing to help determine who shot him and if anyone will face charges. The gun was given to Cota as a Christamas gift last year. [TU]
Albany council approves streets for parking permits, Cohoes installing surveillance cameras, report: inmate got "flagrantly inadequate" medical care, a century-old day care
The Albany Common Council unanimously approved the list of streets to be included in the residential parking permit plan, opening the way for implementation of the system to begin. The system is scheduled to take effect October 1. [TU] [YNN]
Jah-Lah Vanderhorst testified Monday that he stabbed Tyler Rhodes last summer in Albany's Hoffman Park -- but he did so in self defense. The prosecution argued that the mobile phone video of the incident shows that Vanderhorst was the aggressor. Jurors were deliberating into the evening and were scheduled back this morning. [TU] [YNN] [News10]
Schenectady police say a man was shot near Jerry Burrell Park in Hamilton Hill Monday evening (map). The nearby playground and basketball courts were busy when multiple shots were fired. There have been multiple shootings near the park over the last few years. [Fox23] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
After Andrew Cuomo said Monday afternoon that a deal on if/how teacher evaluation info should be made public was probably not going to happen during this legislative term, his administration introduced a bill for it early Tuesday morning that would keep the evaluations from being subject to FOIL. A statement from Cuomo with the bill noted the teacher evaluation system doesn't start until next year -- so there's time to work things out in the next session. [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [NYDN]
It looks like the Cuomo administration's push to decriminalize the public possession of small amounts of pot won't make it out of this legislative session. [NYT]
Albany County exec Dan McCoy and sheriff Craig Apple have been pushing for the state legislature to allow the county jail to hold inmates for up to two years so the county can generate revenue by taking prisoners from Vermont. [TU]
State leaders reach agreement on agency for the protection of people with disabilities, dogs found locked in a storage container, wild parakeets in Watervliet
There's a lot of dealmaking going on at the Capitol ahead of the end of the legislative session this Thursday. Foremost among the deals: Andrew Cuomo, Dean Skelos, and Sheldon Silver announced an agreement on legislation to create the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, the new agency proposed to investigate cases of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities. The creation of the new agency was one of Cuomo's foremost goals for the current session and he said it was possible he would keep the legislature late in order to pass it. Critics of the plan say such cases should be handled by outside law enforcement, not by the state. [TU] [Cuomo admin] [State of Politics] [NYT]
Other deals among the Three Men and the legislature: a bill for the temporary state takeover of NYRA, a bill to make all viewing of online child pornography illegal, and cyberbullying legislation. [NYDN] [AP/Troy Record] [AP/TU]
After passing on a plea deal earlier last week, John Batease pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for the death of toddler Asiah Maxam in Schenectady last summer. Batease told the judge he had thrown the child against his crib twice, and then tossed him into the air and watched him hit the floor. Batease was supposed to have been taking care of the child, the son of his former girlfriend. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Fox23]
Medical marijuana is already legal in New York State under certain circumstances because of now largely-unkown law dating back to 1980. [TU]
Charges in fatal Salem house explosion, deal for ban on teen tanning, NYRA to announce Track giveaways differently, Cambridge Hotel bids farewell
A former Salem man has been charged with six counts of manslaughter for the house explosion there last summer that killed six people, including his girlfriend and her son. Prosectors allege Steven McComsey
Andrew Cuomo was noncommittal on whether the recent NYT report about a plan to allow fracking in some parts of the state was accurate. He said the DEC still needs to finish its review process. [TU] [YNN]
It's looking like the state legislature will pass the indoor tanning ban for teens under 17. And it apparently has the support of Andrew Cuomo. [NYT] [AP/Troy Record]
Neil Breslin is pushing a bill that would make dog owners financially responsible for the first bite by their dog. [WNYT]
The State Police Emergency Response Team was deployed in Cohoes (map) Thursday to apprehend three people suspected of being involved with the robbing and beating an elderly man early Thursday morning. Two men and one woman were apparently taken away as "people of interest." Neighbors of the house where the trio was nabbed say bad stuff is always going down there. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [WNYT] [News10]
Albany parking permits expected Oct. 1, defense claims Rhodes stabbed in self defense, toddler drowns in East Greenbush
Downtown Albany's long awaited permit parking plan is expected to go into effect on October 1st.
A pair of Gilboa teens were killed when their ATV collided with a dump truck on a busy section of Route 30.
Races for 8 of New York's 27 Congressional races are expexted to be competitive thanks largely to the new redistricting map.[NYT]
Hours after yesterday's NY Times suggested Andrew Cuomo had a plan to allow limted hydrofracking in specific parts of NY, a group of assembly democrats sent the Governor a letter registering their displeasure. [TU]
With the clock running down on the legislative session, Assembly democrats moved to pass bills on medical marijuana and microstamping bullet shells - but those bills don't have a lot of hope of getting through the republican controlled state senate. [YNN]
NYS fracking plan could require town approval, another Troy shooting arrest, 81 fake ids seized at DMB show, app to cut down wait for hot dogs at Valley Cats Games
A State DEC official says fracking would be limited to counties in the deepest areas of the Marcellus Shale region and would be subject to town approval, under a plan being pursued by the Cuomo administration. [NYT]
Troy officials say the city's PEACE initiative played an important role in the arrest of a city man in connection with a May shoorting on Sixth Avenue.U.S. Marshals arrested 18 year old Daquan Jones last night and charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting Isaiah Cooper. [TU] [YNN]
81 underaged drinkers may lose their drivers licenses after they were caught using fake ids at SPAC's beer garden at last weeks Dave Matthews Show. Many of the ids were purchased from a Malaysian website.[YNN] [TU]
Agreement to strengthen domestic violence laws, sheriff: jail escape attempt was "a total breakdown," CEO accused of raiding pension fund, upset over possible knockdown in Troy
Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders announced a deal to strengthen the state's domestic violence laws. The measures are intended to better protect victims of domestic violence and increase penalties for repeat offenders. Among the measures: people accused of murdering their spouse will not be allowed control of their spouse's burial. [Cuomo admin] [Fox23] [AP via State of Politics]
The state legislature unanimously approved a bill creating a statewide tracking system intended to crack down on people who go doctor shopping for prescription drugs. [TU]
The Albany County Sheriff's Office says a county jail inmate was able to get through three unsecured doors and change out of his jumpsuit before being caught during an escape attempt last Friday. The inmate was out of the jail's control for two hours. Sheriff Craig Apple called the escape attempt "a total breakdown on our part." One corrections officer has been suspended without pay. Said Apple of the officers on duty: "... basically a couple of our officers had a flagrant disregard for our policies and procedures and, needless to say, they will pay the price for that." [ACSO] [Troy Record] [TU] [News10] [Fox23]
The Albany County legislature has approved the purchase of the county family court building for $22.8 million -- the purchase is projected to eventually save the county $1 million a year over what it would have been paying on the lease. [TU]
The Albany County legislature has passed a two-year ban on fracking on county-owned land. It prohibits the county from leasing county-owned land to gas companies intending to use hydrofracking. [YNN] [TU]
Colonie police say three homemade explosive devices were left outside a home in Latham -- apparently part of a series of vandalism (map). One device had already exploded. The explosive devices were two-liter bottles containing acid. [TU] [WNYT] [Fox23]
More focus on lobbying group backing Cuomo, guilty plea in fatal beating at Cohoes senior apartments, long allergy season, Post-It prank results in suspensions
The Committee to Save New York -- the lobbying group formed to support Andrew Cuomo -- is being described as being like a super super PAC. It recently came out that the gambling industry had contributed $2 million to the group -- on Sunday Cuomo said it wasn't his place to tell the group to disclose its contributors. [AP/Troy Record] [NYT]
In the Siena poll out today Cuomo's favorability rating has hit 70 percent again. [State of Politics]
There's some dispute over whether the Troy city council's recent smoking ban vote was legal. [Troy Record]
Mark Richardson, the man accused of beating a retired Cohoes man to death and robbing another woman at an apartment building for seniors, has pleaded guilty. He faces 30 years to life in prison. Said the son of the man who died: "I am sure my father is happy up there now that he got justice." [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23]
Troy city council passes smoking ban, Raucci's pension frozen, roundabout proposed for end of Green Island Bridge, maybe he wasn't a Titanic survivor
The Troy city council passed an ordinance banning smoking in city-owned playgrounds, pools, and other places children gather. The ordinance pass by a 5-4 vote after much discussion. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [News10]
A state appellate court has ruled that Steven Raucci's pension is not exempt from a state law that prohibits criminals from profiting off publicity from their crimes. The ruling opens the way for Raucci's pension to be frozen, and his victims to potentially get access to the money if they win lawsuits against him. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Marci Webber, the Nassau woman who killed her young daughter while visiting family near Chicago in 2010, was found not guilty by reason of insanity this week. Webber apparently had become gripped by severe paranoia and killed her daughter because she thought she'd otherwise fall victim to sex traffickers. [TU] [Chicago Tribune]
The assault case against former Albany County prosecutor William Conboy III has been dismissed after his wife, a top aide for Neil Breslin, refused to appear at trial -- and a recording surfaced in which it appears she threatens to frame him. [TU]
The state Assembly passed a bill this week that would require anyone under the age of 18 to get parental consent for piercing. [TU]
Plan to decriminalize small amounts of pot too vague for Senate Republicans, Troy arrest could lead to breaks in four shooting cases, Chopper gets funding for electric car charging stations
The Republican majority in the State Senate is not happy with Governor Cuomo's proposal to decriminalize open possession of small amounts of marijuana. Claiming the proposal is too broad, Majority Leader Dean Skelos said, "Being able to just walk around with 10 joints in each ear, and it only be a violation, I think that's wrong." [YNN] [NYT]
The idea for the Malaysian-financed convention center was first passed to Governor Cuomo by senior Genting executives at an October fundraiser in Westchester. The Cuomo administration maintains that more than $2 million in funding from gambling interests, including Genting, channeled through the lobbying group Committee to Save New York, did not influence policy making in the state. The Joint Commission on Public Ethics, headed by a Cuomo appointed chairwoman, says six and seven figure donors to the Governor's campaign may not be required to be revealed.[WSJ] [NYT] [WNYT]
The arrest of a Troy man for allegedly shooting a high school basketball standout may help Troy police wrap up four other recent shootings, including one that injured an innocent 15 year old girl. [TU] [YNN]
Albany police are looking into an early morning shooting on the 500 block of Washington Avenue this morning. [Fox 23]
Fort Edward 12-year-old fatally shot, mixed reaction to proposed St. Joeseph's brewery/pub, Spa City Council votes to move last call
A 12 year old Fort Edward boy was fatally shot on Tuesday. Police believe the shooter may have been the boys 13 year old friend. [WNYT] [TU]
Residents of Albany's Ten Broeck neighborhood had mixed reactions to a plan to turn the former St. Josephs church into a brewery and pub. [TU] [AOA]
After months of discussion, Saratoga's City Council voted last night to send a recommendation to the county to move last call for city bars from 4AM to 3AM. If the county approves the decision it moves on the State Liquor Authority Board which has already ruled that the city can't have a different last call time than the rest of the county. [ Saratogian]
Crime is up 26.5% in the city of Troy in the first quarter of 2012 over the first quarter of 2011. [Record]
Cuomo pushes private pot possession de-criminalization, Five Guys says debit card info exposed, odds changing on gambling expansion?, Ecovative expands in Green Island
Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that he's pushing the legislature to decriminalize the public possession of small amounts of marijuana. Holding small amounts of pot (just under an ounce) in private -- say, in your pocket instead of out in the open -- was already just a violation. This proposed legislation eliminates the public/private difference. (Smoking it publicly would still be a crime.) The change is being framed as an issue of fairness. Cuomo and Democratic legislature members point out that the people tagged under the current law are disproportionately young and either African-American or Hispanic. It's also largely a New York City issue -- 94 percent of such arrests in the state occur there, according to the Cuomo admin -- a product of the city's "stop and frisk" policies. There were 47 such arrests in Albany County last year, and just a few in other Capital Region counties. Said Rensselaer County DA Richard McNally of the proposed change: "I don't anticipate this affecting our area to a large degree." The legislation is likely to hit a speed bump in the state Senate. Dean Skelos wasn't at the announcement -- and members of the Republican conference are already saying they're skeptical. [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [TU] [Troy Record] [@thomaskaplan] [Albany Watch]
Troy police sergeant Patrick Rosney allegedly was talking about sex within 15 minutes of starting an online conversation with a person he allegedly thought was a 14-year-old girl -- and later exposed himself on a webcam, according to a deposition released by the Queens district attorney. The DA's office says Rosney was arrested before a meetup was arranged because NYC police were concerned about setting up a meeting with someone who could have been armed. [Troy Record] [TU]
Five Guys says it wasn't just Trustco customers whose debit card data was exposed during a security breach late last year. [TU]
A former Albany man was fatally shot by police in Florida last month in a case that's drawn a lot of attention there. [TU]
Apple crop significantly damaged by weird spring, Troy police sergeant arrested, Jim Coyne in the pool for state Assembly, Palace says it's aiming to book twice as many shows
A large share of the state's apple, grape, peach, and cherry crops have been significantly damaged by the odd spring weather, according to a recent estimate. One Capital Region orchard says it's lost 75 percent of its apple crop. A group of state legislators -- including Jim Tedisco, Hugh Farley, and George Amedore -- are pushing for a tax credit they say would help farmers cope with this year's losses. And Kirsten Gillibrand is asking for the USDA to declare 34 New York counties as disaster areas in order to allow affected farmers access to federal assistance. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Kirsten Gillibrand]
Andrew Cuomo reportedly will be announcing a push to change state law to de-criminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in public view. [NYT]
A Troy Police Department sergeant was arrested by NYC police for allegedly trying to solicit sex from a person he thought was a minor during an online sting. Patrick Rosney was arrested in uniform when he arrived for work on Friday. He's a 26-year veteran of the police department. The TPD was not part of the investigation, and it's now looking into whether there should be any local charges. [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT] [Troy Record]
Trustco alleges in a lawsuit that Five Guys didn't do enough after customers' debit card information was stolen and used to make almost $90,000 in fraudulent purchases. [TU]
Albany metro among nation's leaders in residents with grad degrees, court orders DA's office employee reinstated, school board president arrested, firefighters lift SUV off man
The Albany metro area ranks #8 in the nation for the percent of residents who have a graduate degree (among the largest 100 metros), according to data from the Brookings Institution. Yes, that's a good thing. [TU] [Brookings] [NYT]
A state appellate court has ordered former Albany County DA's office director of administration Richard Arthur re-hired with back pay and benefits in ruling he was ousted in a process that included multiple procedural errors. Arthur was fired in 2009 following a county audit that concluded he had displayed a "total disregard for fiscal management." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Jerry Jennings says he had discussions with Albany police about the spa busted for an alleged act of prostitution -- but he didn't know the spa was owned by the wife of Times Union investigations editor Bob Port, and "I didn't even know the guy's name. I never heard of him." (Port alleged in the New York Times last week that the spa was targeted by law enforcement and Jennings' administration because of TU coverage.) [TU] [NYT]
The Cuomo admin announced it's getting rid of "outdated, obsolete and non-functioning trains that have been sitting idle in a weed filled industrial park in Glenville," as well as millions of dollars worth of unneeded train equipment being stored in a Rotterdam warehouse. The admin says the state was spending $150k a year to store the stuff. The trains are leftover from a $70 million Albany-to-NYC high-speed rail plan started in the late 90s that never panned out. Some of the warehoused parts for the special trains were never even opened until last month. Said state operations director Howard Glaser: "These trains may be the most expensive planters in the world." [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
SPAC and law enforcement officials reiterated the ban on bringing alcohol to the venue and say they'll be patrolling the parking lot for people drinking ahead of shows. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Troy officials affirm current approach to violence, chair of state ethics panel being investigated, Schenectady taking crime reports online, 193 mph on Thruway, Philly Dake passes away
Following the recent rash of gun violence in the city, Troy police chief John Tedesco and mayor Lou Rosamilia say they don't support re-instituting the TPD's Street Crimes Unit. Former mayor -- now county legislator -- Harry Tutunjian has been pushing for SCU to be started up again.[Troy Record] [News10]
Colonie police are asking the public for help in shaking loose leads in the hit-and-run that killed a pedestrian last week on Central Ave near New Karner Road. Police say they haven't found a witness, yet, though they think they've spotted one on surveillance video. [Troy Record] [TU]
Another public meeting on the proposed Price Chopper at the site of St. Patrick's in Watervliet. Church officials say the property is just too expensive to fix and maintain. Opponents of the project cited the historic value of the property. Said developer John Nigro: "No one's come up with an idea except to stop the project, stop the razing. That doesn't solve anything." [Fox23] [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
The State Liquor Authority has ruled that any rollback of the last call time in Saratoga must also occur across the whole county. [Saratogian]
The Albany County Sheriff's Office alleges an Albany woman being admitted to the county jail tried to smuggle in hundreds of prescription pills and heroin. In a condom. Hidden inside her... well... you can probably guess. The condom apparently broke and spilled the pills on the floor of a holding cell. Sheriff Craig Apple said the situation highlighted why jail staff need to be able to strip search people. [YNN] [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
The chair of JCOPE, the state's new ethics panel, is reportedly being investigated for allegedly trying to line-up welfare benefits for her family's live-in maid. Janet DiFiore was Andrew Cuomo's pick for the panel -- and he said yesterday he was confident in selecting the Westchester County DA. [NY Post] [State of Politics]
Storms cause damage and power outages, another shooting in Troy, Albany charter school closing, fishermen help save woman from Mohawk, spelling runs in the family
Yesterday's violent thunderstorms knocked down power lines and trees, and stranded motorists around the Capital District. More than 21,000 National Grid customers were affected by power outages. [TU] [WNYT]
Troy police are looking for a suspect in a shooting on 10th Street on Tuesday night. A man was shot in the leg. The shooting occurred while power was out in the neighborhood. Troy Councilman Mark McGrath used the incident to again call for the city to renew is street crimes unit. [WNYT] [Fox23] [@kimmieoftroy] [Troy Record]
Katherine Seeber was sentenced to 14.5 years in prison for manslaughter in connection with the murder of her step-great-grandmother twelve years ago in Saratoga. This is Seeber's second conviction for the crime -- her original conviction was tossed by an appeals court -- and with time already served, she could be released as soon as July. [WNYT] [Saratogian] [TU]
Schenectady police have arrested a 15 year old for allegedly setting two fires on Monday. The SPD is looking into whether the teen is connected other recent suspicious fires. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Joe Bruno is scheduled to be retried on fraud charges on February 4, 2013. [AP/Saratogian]
The weekend in violent crime, GloFo pushing for infrastructure upgrades, head of Palace Theatre resigns, biker nabbed for allegedly going 150 mph, gold watch returned -- 45 years later
The weekend in violent crime:
+ Albany police say a 15-year-old was found stabbed Friday night in a yard in the South End (map). APD says he was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition Saturday. [APD]
+ Albany police say a Schenectady man was shot early Saturday morning in West Hill. APD says it's the third time this man has been shot -- he was also hit in 2010 and 2007. [APD]
+ Albany police say a man was shot Saturday night on Washington Ave near the downtown UAlbany campus (map). APD says he was shot in the foot, treated at the hospital, and released. [APD]
+ Schenectady police say there was a shooting at a banquet hall Sunday night in the Central State neighborhood, one man was hit (map). [YNN]
+ Schenectady police say a 17-year-old was found with a gunshot wound Monday afternoon in Hamilton Hill (map). SPD says it doesn't know if the shooting is connected to the banquet hall shooting. SPD says the teen wasn't cooperating with police. [CBS6] [Fox23] [New10]
+ Albany police say they made six gun-related arrests Friday and Saturday in multiple incidents. [WNYT] [TU]
In Troy, neighborhood activists pushed for attention to stopping violent crime. See Kim's Soapbox: "What to do about the guns" [Troy Record] [AOA]
Albany's Citizen's Police Review Board doesn't have the authority to directly listen to audio or or view video recorded by the Albany Police Department. [TU]
There were two fires in two nearby abandoned buildings Monday in Schenectady (map) -- and as with many of the recent fires in the city, they're being considered suspicious. Schenectady's fire chief says the first part of 2012 has seen fires "probably about twice the normal rate of previous years." [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [WNYT]
GlobalFoundries' CEO, Ajit Manocha, said Friday that upgrades in public infrastructure for the Malta chip fab -- including a backup water supply and new a gas line -- threaten future development there. "I'm not disappointed but I'd like to see more speed in infrastructure support. So far so good." [TU] [WNYT]
TU editor alleges wife's business targeted because of coverage, Soares censured by state court, 74 State remaining open through foreclosure, big semiconductor conference in Saratoga
Times Union investigations editor Bob Port alleges that a spa owned by his wife was targeted by local law enforcement in "a carefully planned plot to retaliate against me and my newspaper and my reporters for many stories we have done in recent years about the Albany police and the sheriff's office drug enforcement unit." The Times Union reports that the spa was the subject of an undercover investigation that resulted in an arrest of a woman (not Port's wife) working at the spa for alleged prostitution. [NYT] [TU]
Albany County DA has been censured by a state appeals court for comments he made about an Albany judge as part of the high profile prosecution of an alleged steroids ring in 2010. Soares called the words he used about the judge's decision "regrettable." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [State of Politics]
The proposed Albany convention center project is apparently still kicking -- the Albany Convention Center Authority recently acquired another parcel. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo in a speech before the Democratic State Committee: ""At the end of the day, after 18 months, people believe in state government once again. ... That is everything, and that is everything for us politically." [TU]
Alleged Ballston Spa bank robber nabbed after car crash, APD officers cleared in February shooting, AC Dems won't endorse candidate to replace McEneny, Spa City parade back on
A Ballston Spa man is facing a second degree robbery charge after allegedly robbing a branch of the Adirondack Trust Company. Nigel Guy was arrested after crashing his car in a getaway attempt. Ballston Spa Central School District schools went into lockdown mode during the attempt to apprehend Guy. [WNYT] [TU] [Saratogian]
Lincoln Elementary School in Schenectady went on lockdown for a short time Wednesday after shots were fired nearby. Police are investigating where the shots came from.[News 10] [TU]
Albany County Democrats decided last night not to endorse any of the candidates bidding for Jack McEneny's Assembly seat. Frank Commisso dropped out of the race earlier this week, but his son, Frank Commisso Jr is apparently considering a run and three more Democrats are officially in the race and another is expected to enter the race soon [WNYT] [TU]
Police say they're close to making an arrest in the shooting of a 15-year-old girl in Troy this week. City councilman Mark McGrath has ask the Mayor and the Troy P.D. to reinstate the city's Street Crimes unit. Troy police do say they're stepping up patrols in the city after the shooting. [WNYT] [Record] [News 10]
Troy teen shot on River Street, NYRA cedes control to NYS, Milton man tries to save Spa City Memorial Day Parade
A 15 year old girl was shot in the leg on the 700 block of River Street in Troy on Tuesday night. The girl sustained a non-life-threatening injury.Police do not believe she was the intended victim. [TU] [Record] [YNN]
A 19 year old Mechanicville woman died last night after the car she was driving veered into the path of an oncoming SUV on Route 146 in Halfmoon.[YNN]
Andrew Cuomo has selected Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner and Assemblyman Keith Wright of Manhattan to be the new leaders of the state Democratic Party. [ TU]
The State Senate unveiled a counter measure to the effort to raise the minimum wage -- a $450 million business tax cut and incentive plan -- but Andrew Cuomo says he doesn't think it will fly in the Assembly and Sheldon Silver is already saying the plan is too costly. [YNN]
The state senate passed a law yesterday that would make the murder of an EMT, firefighter or other medical responder in the line of duty a murder-one offense -- carrying a mandatory life sentence with no possibility for parole. [YNN]
Fatal hit-and-run in Colonie, Cuomo says minimum wage increase a no-go politically, suspicious fires in Schenectady, vandal apparently unhappy about "The Joe"
Colonie police say a man was killed in a hit-and-run on Central Ave at New Karner Road Monday night. They say they're not sure where the man was crossing the street when hit or knocked into the street. Witnesses say a male driver in a green four-door sedan hit the man and then took off. [YNN] [Fox23] [News10]
Andrew Cuomo said on the Capitol Pressroom Monday that he supports "the concept of a minimum wage increase," but a bill wouldn't make it through the Republican-controlled state Senate. [Capitol Pressroom] [AP/Saratogian]
More Cuomo on Capitol Pressroom: Cuomo said the state's new ethics panel -- JCOPE -- needs fine tuning. The panel has been criticized most recently after it came out that state Senate deputy majority leader Tom Libous is under investigation. [AP/Saratogian]
Sheldon Silver is raising concerns about oversight of the new agency proposed to watchdog the treatment of people with developmental disabilities. Silver says there needs to be a non-state entity that can hear allegations of abuse or neglect. [NYT] [TU]
Fourth Albany shooting in 8 days, Cuomo pressuring NYRA, investors allegedly bilked by McGinn Smith revealed, SUV crashes through Congress Park, as common as a pink unicorn
Albany police say a man was shot three times near Swinburne Park Sunday afternoon, while families played in the nearby playground (map). The man was shot in the neck and survived, but his family says doctors say he'll likely be paralyzed. APD says it's looking for two men, one who reportedly left the scene on a bike, and says it's looking for tips from the community. It's the city's fourth shooting in 8 days. Another man was shot Friday night in Sheridan Hollow (map). [TU] [WNYT] [YNN] [Fox23] [YNN] [News10]
Albany police say a man fled from a traffic stop at State and Pearl early Saturday morning, ran into two women with his car, and then drove off again. APD says it caught him shortly after that. The women's injuries were not life threatening (though they sound serious, read the comments). [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [News10]
By all accounts, Andrew Cuomo is seriously irked by recent problems with NYRA -- and "people close to those in the room" say that Cuomo told the NYRA board in a recent secret meeting to fix things or face state control or the racing org. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The city of Schenectady is essentially reducing all its property value assessments by four percent. [Daily Gazette]
The regional trash authority idea that was pitched as a potentially comprehensive solution to the trash problem faced by the city of Albany and other local towns: not moving. [TU]
Missing teen's body found in the Hudson, bear killed on UAlbany campus, driver who smashed car into New World sentenced, in the nude at SPAC
The body of Jesse Cale, the Schuylerville High School student who disappeared during a camping trip last week, has been found in the Hudson River near Greenwich. A friend said he spotted the body yesterday. Police aren't sure what happened to the teen, who disappeared after going to look for firewood. His body will be autopsied. His family said the teen had a history of seizures. [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [YNN] [Fox23]
The DEC says it killed a bear on the UAlbany uptown campus Thursday. It says it's the same bear that was captured in south Albany a few weeks back. The bear had also had to be removed from Coeymans last week and was transported to Delaware County. It traveled 90 miles from the relocation spot to the UAlbany campus. DEC says the bear had become a public risk because it wouldn't stay away from urban areas. [YNN] [News10] [AOA] [Saratogian] [WNYT] [Fox23]
DEC says the bear captured in North Greenbush this week has been relocated. [YNN]
Martin Kimber, the retired pharamcist accused of spreading mercury around Albany Med, has been indicted by a federal grand jury. Two of the counts against Kimber involve a law that prohibits "possessing, stockpiling, or using a toxic chemical as a weapon." Kimber allegedly released mercury at the hospital on four occasions since 2011. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
The Wateford man convicted of raping his former girlfriend in order to infect her with HIV has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. The woman doesn't know yet whether she's been infected -- and in a statement read in court, described the torture of not knowing. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
Saratoga man arrested for kidnapping, Senate approves org to protect developmentally disabled and mentally ill,no shirt or shoes or other clothes--no service
The Senate unanimously passed legislation Wednesday to approve the creation of the Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs, to help protect vulnerable people who are mentally ill or have developmental disabilities and Assembly Democrats say they plan to pass the bill with a few changes. [NYT]
Under a new Cuomo administration proposal, executives who make more than $199,000 at human health care services and health care agencies funded by New York State will have to sign a waiver to justify their compensation. [TU]
In keeping with a pattern seen around New York State local school budget votes passed by some very wide margins.
Officials in Stillwater, the only Capital Region district whose budget didn't pass, are considering their next move.[NYT] [TU] [Saratogian]
A Saratoga Springs woman is facing public lewdness charges and could spend up to 90 days in jail for going shopping at Curtis Lumber and Stewarts, but leaving her clothes at home. [Saratogian] [TU]
A Saratoga man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping his girlfriend and their two sons with a gun and forcing them into the back of a stolen box truck. [Saratogian]
Nearly all Capital Region school budgets approved, DEC preparing to remove bear from North Greenbush,Silver seeks public support for min wage, last call in Toga won't change for now
Nearly all of the Capital region school budgets that went before voters on Tuesday passed. Stillwater's $21.2 million spending plan, which would have decreased spending, needed a 60 percent super-majority because it exceeded the state budget cap, but only got 56 percent.[Record] [Post Star]
Albany voters also approved the more than $9 million library plan. [TU]
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is calling for public pressure to persuade members of the State Senate to pass the minimum wage increase. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos blasted the $1.25 raise at a press conference on Tuesday, but refused to rule out an increase altogether. [News10] [Capital Confidential]
Mark Ruffalo, Melissa Leo, Natalie Merchant, Jon Sebastian and other famous names performed at last night's Anti-Fracking concert at The Egg, following a New Yorkers Against Fracking rally on the grand staircase at the Capitol. [News 10]
DEC officials are preparing to remove a bear from a tree on Meadow Drive in North Greenbush. [TU]
Minimum wage increase said to be "dead," Schenectady less broke than previously thought, state retirement fund invests in local social media company, LaFrate has stopped watching
It's school budget vote day. Don't know where to vote? Check your school district's website.
The state Assembly is expected to pass a bill today that would increase the state's minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50. But "officials" say the increase is dead because the state Senate has no plans to take it up. Earlier: a recent Siena poll reported strong support for a minimum wage increase. [YNN] [AP/Troy Record]
A federal jury has found former state Senate majority leader Pedro Espada guilty of stealing half a million dollars from his Bronx-based non-profit healthcare org. The jury didn't reach reach a verdict of a handful of other counts against Espada, after what sounds like some unusual discussion in the jury room. The verdict quickly became grist in the local Senate race between Neil Breslin and challenger Shawn Morse. [NYT] [TU] [YNN] [State of Politics]
An independent audit of the city of Schenectady's finances concludes that the situation isn't as bad as previously described. "The city is not anywhere near a position of being broke," said McCarthy after the new audit. But the audit also concluded that the city has been using budgets that planned to spend more than they bring in. One of the ways the city is planning to bring in more money: squeeze people behind on their property harder in order to get them to pay up. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
The Saratoga-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, recently accused by the state attorney general's office of not properly caring for its horses, says the AG's complaint is "a product of misinformation and incompetence." The AG's office says it's received additional complaints about TRF since filing the lawsuit. [Saratogian] [TU]
First homicide of the year in Albany, Cuomo admin reportedly pushed for Obama visit at UAlbany instead of GloFo, Fuller Road re-opens, hey -- that's Christopher Plummer
Albany police say a 22-year-old man was shot in the Mansion neighborhood Saturday night and died from his injuries (map). There were apparently multiple shots fired. It was the city's first homicide of the year. [APD] [Fox23] [TU]
The APD says two teens were shot in Arbor Hill Sunday night (map). They were shot in the leg and they're injuries don't appear to be life-threatening. [APD]
Tuesday is school budget vote day. About 475 education jobs will be cut by local school districts under proposed budgets, according to a Times Union analysis.
"A person involved in the presidential visit" says the Cuomo admin pushed the White House to move the recent visit from the GlobalFoundries chip fab to Albany NanoTech. [TU]
Saratoga Springs police allege a woman drove her car into two houses, poured lighter fluid on three people, and threw knives at them, and then struck four cars with her vehicle on Saturday (map). [Saratogian]
There was a bear in Schenectady, tax cap quirks, removal of town justice recommended for allegedly fixed speeding tickets
Live local eyewitness action on your side team coverage alert: a black bear roamed around Schenectady yesterday before finally ending up in a tree in the Stockade. Schenectady police had been searching for the bear and called DEC officers when they found it. The DEC hit the bear with two tranquilizer darts before he fell about 50 feet (or 30 feet) from the tree. He's being kept for observation and will be released if he checks out. The scene turned into a bit of a zoo with a large of group of onlookers -- including Jim Tedisco -- live TV coverage, and his own Twitter hashtag. (photo gallery) [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [AP/News10] [YNN] [Fox23] [@JamesTedisco] [Daily Gazette]
Three Capital Region school districts are asking voters to override the tax cap next week. The cap has resulted in some perhaps surprising results -- including an allowable double digit rate levy increase in Green Island, and a required decreases in Stillwater and Ballston Spa. [TU] [TU]
A state appellate court has ruled that five Capital Region counties must pay millions in fees levied upon them by the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District (a flood control district) -- just not as much as originally levied. The court also ruled the state must chip in, too. [Post-Star] [Troy Record] [TU]
The state's Commission on Judicial Conduct has ruled that East Greenbush Town Court justice Diane Schilling should be removed because she allegedly fixed a speeding ticket for wife of another judge and allowed one of her own tickets to "disappear." Schilling's attorney called the commission's decision "dead wrong" and said she's considering an appeal. [NY SCJC] [Troy Record]
Cuomo praises Obama's same-sex marriage support, Attorney General's office raids Saratoga Nissan dealership, ballet may cut back to 1 week at SPAC, Scotia's LaFrate in ANTM top three
Andrew Cuomo says President Obama's announcement that he supports same-sex marriage is a "major advancement for this country" . But Cuomo says he did not make a pitch for same sex marriage when he met with President Obama earlier this week. [NYT/CityRoom] [YNN]
Investigators from the Attorney General's office and the State Police raided the Saratoga Nissan dealership on Wednesday and removed business records. The investigators are not disclosing the reasons for the raid, but are asking anyone with complaints against the dealership to step forward. [TU] [Saratogian]
The NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities may fire as many as 200 employees with "substatianted allegations of abuse," as part of an effort to protect people with disabilities. [WNYT]
Jurors in the embezzlement trial of Pedro Espada told the judge they'd reached an impasse on Wednesday, but were told to keep deliberating. [NYT/ City Room]
The second ballot fraud trial of Troy City Councilman Michael Loporto is on hold until July so LoPorto's lawyer can have more prep time.
Meanwhile a key witness in the original trial, former Working Families Party Employee Sara couch, wants to add some words to her testimony which could change the meaning of her statements.[TU] [Record]
The day after DA candidate Lee Kindlon announced he'd walked into the Albany County Jail many times without signing in, security measures were stepped up at the facility, but Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple those measures were planned and the timing is just coincidental. [TU]
Obama lauds Albany at NanoCollege, Rosamilia wants Hedley Building for Troy City Hall, Marylou's Whitney Ball days are over
The President was in town yesterday. In a speech at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Barack Obama lauded the Capital Region as an example of a place where jobs are being created. "Now I want what's happening in Albany to happen all across the country," he said. NanoCollege CEO Alain Kaloyeros, thinks the presidential visit could eventually mean funding to expand the school. [AOA] [TU] [NYT/The Caucus] [TU]
At Tuesday's event President Obama laid out a "to-do list" for congress --including plans to eliminate tax incentives for companies to send jobs overseas, offer incentives to bring jobs back to the U.S. and cut red tape so homeowners can refinance their mortgages easily. [WNYT]
Meanwhile:
+A few people got to check out Air Force One[YNN]
+One Obama Fan was disappointed when the motorcade didn't pass her by. [TU]
+Jerry Jennings rescued some umbrellas.[WNYT]
A bit about how all that gets to be news.[AOA]
New York law enforcement agencies remembered their fallen comrades in a ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial at the Empire State Plaza onTuesday[TU]
Hundreds of gay, lesbian and transgender people were at the Empire State Plaza on Tuesday to lobby legislators for transgendered rights and the passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act.[TU]
Troy Mayor Lou Rosamilia and his administration are working on plans to make the Hedley building the new home of Troy City Hall.[Record] [TU]
After more nearly 40 years , Marylou Whitney has announced they're calling an end to the traditional Whitney Ball. Whtiney and her husband John Hendricksons say instead,they'll focus on efforts to help racing's backstretch community. [TU] [Saratogian]
Obama Obama Obama, Cuomo admin pushes new agency to protect people with developmental disabilities, dog owner insurance requirement floated in Schenectady
You might have heard: Barack Obama is visiting UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering today. The venue for this visit was originally the GlobalFoundries chip fab in Malta, and the switch has prompted speculation about the change of venue: Was it because GloFo is owned by Abu Dhabi? Or maybe Saratoga County is too Republican? Or maybe it was just because Albany NanoTech is closer to the airport, and there wasn't enough parking and event space at the chip fab.
The President's remarks at the event are expected to cover proposals he'd like to push through Congress in an effort to help the economy. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo on what the Obama visit will say to the rest of the country: "There's something called upstate New York ... New York is not just New York City, but New York is also upstate New York, and it's also Albany and Syracuse and Rochester and Buffalo, and they're doing very cool, exciting things. Nanotech in Albany. Who would have believed it?" And Ron Canestrari on attending his third presidential visit during the past few years: "I'll be there. I'm a regular." [NYT] [Troy Record]
Because of the presidential visit, Monday and Tuesday are ending up as paid days off for the construction crews building the new NanoFab building. [TU]
Look ahead to Obama visit, Troy City Center project stalled, NYRA president fired, state workforce aging and shrinking, parents upset school didn't stop bully's beating of 11-year-old
Barack Obama's visit to Albany isn't officially a campaign stop, and New York isn't a swing state -- but highlighting advanced manufacturing fits with the administration's theme of transforming the economy. And, of course, there are influential politicians from New York -- Andrew Cuomo and both Clintons. The POTUS visit will also continue to focus national attention on the growing tech scene in this region. [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
The NYRA board fired president Charles Hayward and general counsel Patrick Kehoe Friday afternoon because of the scandal in which the racing org allegedly knowingly withheld millions from bettors. Hayward says the report indicating NYRA knowingly held back the money "badly misinterprets documents and was prepared without interviewing me or any other individuals relevant to their investigation." A tax examiner for the state Department of Taxation and Finance, the last on-track parimutuel monitor, who might have caught the problem was encouraged to retire shortly before NYRA allegedly started withholding the money. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TU]
The City Center project in downtown Troy is stalled after it came to light the project included subsidized housing -- the city has bounced the plan back to the developer to be reformulated as fully market-rate housing. [TU]
A partnership called The Albany Promise, modeled on initiatives such as the Harlem Children's Zone, is aiming to create a comprehensive support system for kids in Albany's poorest neighborhoods. [TU]
The workforces for the "bureaucratic cores" of state agencies have contracted by about 18 percent over the last three years because of early retirements, regular retirements, and cuts, according to a Times Union analysis. [TU]
The Cuomo admin is planning to propose a new law enforcement and oversight agency to oversee the care of people with developmental disabilities. [NYT]
Obama to talk about economy at GloFo, Bruno attorneys hit back at indictment, problems at nursing home "very troubling," hundreds ticketed for talking or texting while driving
There are still few details about Barack Obama's planned visit to the GlobalFoundries chip fab in Malta next Tuesday, which is expected to include a tour of the facility and a talk about the economy. Paul Tonko called the presidential visit "a powerful statement" that "acknowledges the investment we have made in this region and the attention we are garnering in this region." [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Joe Bruno didn't make a public statement yesterday after pleading not guilty to the new federal indictment against him, which accuses him of taking bribes and kickbacks. But his attorneys hit back, arguing Bruno never took a kickback or bribe and alleging federal prosecutors are essentially using the same case against Bruno again. William Dreyer called the new indictment "a gross miscarriage of justice." Said E. Stewart Jones: "Seven years, tens of thousands of man hours wasted on this, tens of millions of dollars spent by the government of taxpayer dollars on this, and for what? To harm an 83-year-old man?" [TU] [AOA] [NYT] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
The state Court of Appeals -- the state's highest court -- has ruled that state Senate Republicans were within their constitutional right to add a 63rd state Senate district. [TU]
State attorney general Eric Schneiderman announced yesterday that he's suing the directors of the Saratoga-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation for allegedly "driving TRF into insolvency and failing to provide the funding that needed to care for the 1,100 horses in its herd." An investigation by his office allegedly found that horses were neglected and not given adequate feed. The org released a statement defending its operations, saying it "vehemently denies all the baseless allegations included in the Attorney General's complaint, which is replete with false statements, rash generalizations, distorted representations and facts manipulated and taken out of context." Its chairman says the org has veterinary reports "from every farm that the herd is in excellent condition." The group cares for more than 1,000 horses. [NYS AG] [TRF] [Saratogian] [TU]
NYS bishops lobby for minimum wage hike, Morse says mandates made him run, motorcycle clocked by police at 170 MPH, 2nd Bruno indictment may come today, legislature may consider state dog
Saying "it is becoming increasingly difficult for the working poor of our state to make ends meet" Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the New York State bishops had published a statement in the New York Times urging Albany lawmakers to raise the minimum wage. Sheldon Silver is proposing a minimum wage increase from $7.25 to $8.50. On Wednesday's Capitol Pressroom, Andrew Cuomo said he thought "a minimum-wage increase would be in order." [NYT] [Capitol Pressroom ]
Another problem from the NYS Pearson tests has been thrown out -- this one asked fifth graders to find the perimeter of a trapezoid that could not exist within the bounds of mathematics. And it turns out that the "correct" answer -- according to the Pearson test -- was not correct.[NYT]
A report by the Boston Globe shows six nursing homes in the Capital Region are giving antipsychotiic medications to patients who aren't diagnosed with a need for the drugs. [TU]
Albany County Legislative Chair Shawn Morse says state mandates that drive up property taxes are among the reasons he's primarying Neil Breslin. Morse announced his candidacy yesterday, telling supporters that Breslin has "lost sight of what residents in the district are struggling with."[WNYT] [TU]
An Albany man convicted of rape in March, claims his lawyer -- Albany County D.A. candidate Lee Kindlon, was so preoccupied with the race for D.A. that he didn't put forth enough effort on his case. [TU]
When state police finally caught up with a Saratoga County man they'd been chasing on a motorcycle from Ravena to New Paltz they clocked him going 170 MPH. When asked about his excessive speed he allegedly told police the bike can easily exceed 190 mph. [WNYT] [TU]
Arrests at Occupy Albany May Day return, two bank robberies in one day, Watervliet Church could be designated historic place, elephants return to Albany
In a first of its kind requirement, lawyers will soon have to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono legal work before they can be admitted to the New York State Bar. New York's top judge unveiled the new requirement at a Law Day ceremony yesterday, saying it could add up to as much as half a million hours of free legal advice a year for New Yorkers in need. [NYT] [TU] [Capitol Confidential]
Twenty Occupy Albany protesters were arrested in Lafayette Park late Tuesday night after protesting after hours. Earlier in the day three OA protestors were arrested for allegedly trying to erect a shelter in the park. They were charged with second degree obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct. DA David Soares says he won't prosecute protesters for non violent offenses. [TU] [News 10] [TU]
Only days after winning a long struggle for a new trial in a 12 year old murder case, the defendant, Katherine M. Seeber pleaded guilty to the crime. Under what is called an Alford plea, Seeber maintained that she did not strangle her set-great-grandmother to death in February of 2000, but admitted the charge could probably be proved by prosecutors. She is facing up to 17 years in prison, 12 of which she has already served. [Saratogian] [TU] [Post Star]
Troy police say the shooting outside a 6th Avenue home yesterday afternoon was not a random act, but rather "a targeted conflict." Four shots were fired with a semi-automatic handgun, hitting an adult but sparing some kids who were at the home. [Record] [TU] [YNN]
Two Capital Region bank robberies occurred within hours of each other on Tuesday. Police in Colonie arrested a man for allegedly robbing the Citizens Bank at Northway Mall. And in Troy, police expect that surveillance video will lead them to the man who robbed the First Niagra Bank at the Hudson Valley Shopping Plaza. [WNYT] [TU] [Record]
NYRA president placed on leave, Occupy Albany planning "re-emergence," holiday restrictions on Schenectady County alcohol sales removed, Herkmier diamonds pitched as state mineral
NYRA's president and general counsel have both been placed on leave as the racing org's executive committee looks into allegations that NYRA knowingly withheld millions from bettors (it had previously said the withholding was an unintentional oversight). Said a NYRA exec committee member: "We as a board couldn't be more embarrassed and sorry to have had this happen on our watch." The state report alleging NYRA officials knowingly withheld the money cites an email from from NYRA president Charles Hayward to the Daily Racing Form in which Hayward says NYRA was going to disclose the problem earlier "but political forces intervened" and the org held off because it was being "smacked around by Cuomo." Andrew Cuomo said yesterday the report is "shocking." NYRA operates the Saratoga Race Course, as well as Belmont and Aqueduct. A lot of the money owed to bettors is apparently still stuck in the system and getting it distributed could be complicated. [TU] [State of Politics] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [State of Politics] [Fox23]
The Cuomo admin has formed a commission it says is "bringing together nationally-recognized education, community, and business leaders to recommend reforms to the state's education system in order to improve performance in the classroom." It will be headed by former Citibank and Time Warner head Richard Parsons. At the announcement, Andrew Cuomo argued that an ongoing focus on education funding had warped the education discussion, calling it "a debating-society-meets-lobbying-society." Said Parsons: "We're going to be trying to figure out: How do you make excellence systemic reality across the board, as opposed to the exception?" [Cuomo admin] [TU] [NYT]
Occupy Albany is planning a return today to Academy and Lafayette parks in Albany with events ranging from noon until midnight. The group is touting the events as a "re-emergence." Albany Police chief Steven Krokoff says the department plans to enforce the 11 pm curfew in Academy Park. [Occupy press release] [TU]
A car crash into a power substation in Menands temporarily knocked out power at the Empire State Plaza this morning -- and caused the power to flicker in parts of eastern Albany County. [WNYT] [TU]
Report: NYRA knowingly withheld money from bettors, program allegedly placed kid in cardboard box, frost concern for fruit crop, Cuomo makes history all the time
The "unintentional oversight" that resulted in NYRA withholding $8.6 million that it owed bettors actually was intentional, alleges a report by the state's Racing and Wagering Board obtained by the New York Times -- and state budget director Bob Megna says report calls into question "the 'character and general fitness' of NYRA executives." [TU 2011-12-22] [NYT]
The BOCES system is intended to save school districts money by by sharing resources -- but an audit by the state comptroller's office concludes it actually ends up costing more. BOCES supporters say the audit's methodology for making comparisons between district and BOCES-provided services was flawed. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Around the state, 49 of 671 school districts are trying to override the new tax cap. [AP/Saratogian]
Though police are often called to Schenectady High School, few of the calls are for alleged crimes. [Daily Gazette]
A special needs program in Troy is being criticized for allegedly putting a 5-year-old in a cardboard "comfort box." [Troy Record]
The new "Price Chopper Limited" store -- a first of its kind small store format for the company -- has opened in downtown Saratoga Springs. [Saratogian]
Federal charges against man in Albany Med mercury case, state troopers suspended amid prostituion ring allegation, jet-threatening geese given to food banks, you're not too old
Federal prosecutors have filed charges against Martin Kimber, the retired pharmacist from the Hudson Valley who's accused of spreading mercury around Albany Medical Center. The feds allege Kimber was involved with four mercury incidents -- involving pounds of mercury -- at the hospital dating back to March 2011, including one incident in which a person ended up ingesting mercury. They also allege they found a book at his home "reflecting a sympathy for domestic terrorism." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record]
Three state troopers in Western New York have suspended as part of an investigation into whether one (or more) was promoting a prostitution ring. The trooper at the center of the investigation is the son of a retired State Police colonel and had been assigned to Albany from 1998 to 2010. [TU] [Buffalo News]
The Court of Appeals -- the state's highest court -- heard arguments yesterday in the suit challenging the expansion of the state Senate to 63 seats. The court could rule on the case within a week. [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
Eight of the nine men being sued by the family of Alexander Grant -- the college student who died after an odd, apparently drunken night Saratoga in March 2011 -- are currently Skidmore students. [Saratogian]
Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy wants RPI to remove the tiny nuclear reactor it owns at the former Alco site. [Daily Gazette]
Hayden allegedly told police he covered toddler's mouth, Cuomo trying to avoid presidential talk, next BusPlus plan: Albany to Troy, complaint about Mr. Ding-a-Ling
Robert Hayden -- the Troy man accused of suffocating a toddler he was supposed to be caring for -- pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges. Court documents indicate Hayden told police he had covered the boy's mouth to get him to stop crying. He also allegedly told police he performed two hours of CPR on the boy -- and then, after realizing the boy was dead, traded a rosary for pot and smoked it. [Fox23] [Troy Record] [New10] [TU]
The Albany man convicted of making hundreds of threatening, racist phone calls to African-American households and real estate agents in the New Scotland Ave neighborhood was sentenced to 1-3 years in prison. James Hennesey apparently tried to convince a probation officer that the calls were "almost like a teenage prank thing" -- the judge wasn't having any of that. [Fox23] [News10] [TU]
The parents of Alexander Grant -- the Boston College student who died of hypothermia in Saratoga after an odd series of events while visiting friends at Skidmore -- have filed suit against nine of Grant's friends. [Daily Gazette]
The city of Watervliet stripped its director of planning and community revitalization of her duty of representing the city at planning board and zoning board of appeals meetings -- just a few hours before the proposed Price Chopper at the site of the former St. Patrick's Church was due to be discussed at the planning board. Supporters of the development are touting the increased tax revenue the new supermarket would bring. [Troy Record] [YNN] [Fox23]
Andrew Cuomo is trying to not to get pulled into "Will he run for president in 2016?" speculation. He said yesterday at the Capitol: "All I'm working on is being the best governor I can be. That's where I am, because that's where I am -- that is really, really where I am in my heart. And that's where I'm going to stay." He also said such discussion risks upsetting collegiality at the Capitol. The situation has people hearing echoes of Mario. [TU] [NYT] [YNN] [Buffalo News]
Low local turnout for GOP primary, Jennings won't veto fracking law a second time but won't sign either, police recognize con-man's voice, jilted boyfriend allegedly hires guy to lob explosives at new boyfriend's house
An example of the low local turnout for Tuesday's Republican primary: In one Ward, as of 7PM, nobody had shown up to vote. [TU]
Jerry Jennings isn't planning to veto the Common Council's ban on fracking for a second time, but he says he won't sign it either. Jennings says his objection to the ban is the same as it was in October when he vetoed it -- that the question of fracking should be decided at the state and federal level. [TU]
Senate Democrats are holding a public forum on fracking today.[YNN]
Sheldon Silver has introduced a campaign finance reform bill that would establish a taxpayer funded system for state-level candidates. But he says he doesn't hold out much hope that republicans will embrace the plan. [Capitol Confidential] [State of Politics]
In a story that sounds like it belongs on a one hour TV police drama, a career con artist from Albany was caught in an alleged scam of his landlord when police recognized his voice-- mid scam-- on the phone. [TU]
What not to do when you don't like your ex girlfriends new boyfriend: hire someone to throw explosives at his home. Larry Ahrens of Rotterdam allegedly paid a guy $100 for each time he lobbed an explosive at the home of his ex's new boyfriend. Police arrested Ahrens for hiring Michael D. Chambers to throw the devices, Chambers for throwing them, and Chamber's girlfriend Amy L. Brzoza for driving the getaway car. [YNN] [TU] [Gazette]
It's Primary Day for NYS Republicans, Albany to host international conference on electornic governance, Morse wants county employeers to stop asking for Facebook passwords, HVCC earns top two year college award, Avett brother reads Bill Kennedy
It's Primary Day for New York State Republicans [TU]
The Cuomo administration may hand over some of the responsibilities for oversight and monitoring of vulnerable populations to a nonprofit advocacy group. In light of a recent NYT investigation into alleged patient abuses and sexual assaults in group homes, Senator Roy McDonald held a roundtable to discuss legislative options to prevent similar problems in the future. Jeffrey Monsour, a whistle blower from the embattled NYS Office of People With Developmental Disabilities was told that superiors in the department said he was not allowed to attend the hearing. That decision was reversed after the NY Times found out and was preparing to reveal it to the public. [NYT] [Fox 23] [TU] [Record]
In an effort to preserve and restore some programs lost or threatened by recent budget cuts, the State Education Department is considering a plan to merge certain school districts to create centralized regional high schools. [TU]
The Board of Regents is also considering making Global history and Geography regents exams optional for students focusing in on Science, Engineering and Technology. [News 10] [YNN]
County legislative chair Shawn Morse is planning to introduce legislation to keep county employers from asking for the social media passwords of prospective employees. [TU]
Albany will be the first U.S. city to host the International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance.[YNN]
The Castleton woman who was driving while intoxicated when she crashed her car early Monday morning could face felony manslaughter charges in the death of her passenger. [TU]
Fight over reform of state care for people with developmental disabilities, power congestion said to cost Capital Region $100 million, this old house won't sell, man benches 900 pounds
The state's Office for People with Development Disabilities says it's making changes to better ensure the safety of people in state care -- but not fast enough, according to one critic. And a state Senate panel discussion on the topic scheduled for today has already turned into drama after another prominent critic was dis-invited -- and the re-invited. [TU] [NYT]
State attorney general Eric Schneiderman has chosen to pass on pursuing charges against former state wildlife pathologist Ward Stone based on the allegations in a recent state inspector general's report. [TU]
Democrat Angelo Santabarbara has officially tossed his hat into the ring for the 111th state Assembly seat (currently George Amedore, who's running for state Senate). If you're scoring at home, here's the scorecard for all the potential players for the three local state Assembly seats that will open in this year's election. [TU] [TU]
The drunken driving charge against a Schenectady police officer has been dismissed because protocol wasn't followed in giving a field sobriety tests to the off-duty officer. [TU]
The Saratoga County sheriff's department say it's identified the body found in the Mohawk River near the Rexford Bridge last week, and the death has been ruled a drowning. The man had a history of run-ins with the law. [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A babysitter is being credited with saving twin one-year-olds from a house fire in Colonie Saturday (map). [WTEN]
Opposition to proposed new Price Chopper in Watervliet, police say intruders shot dog, public bath completely stripped of copper, he saw her skating and said he'd marry her
Almost 200 people showed up for a meeting in Watervliet last night about the proposed demolition of the former St. Patrick's church in order to build a new Price Chopper. Golub CEO Jerel Golub told the crowd the company has been wanting to build to a larger, modern supermarket in the city, but it hadn't been able to find another suitable location. Among the concerns expressed by residents: traffic, noise, light pollution, and lower property values. One woman said she'd stop shopping at Chopper if the company built on the site -- and turned in her AdvantEdge card to Golub. [Troy Record] [WTEN] [YNN] [TU]
Economic indicators viewed as positive: there's been an upswing in in home sales and the number of jobs in the area. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
State attorney general Eric Schneiderman has filed suit against Sprint, alleging the mobile phone carrier underpaid its taxes by more than $100 million over seven years. In the case of Albany County, the AG says the county lost out on more than $500k in tax revenue because of the alleged underpayment. [NYS AG] [TU]
Neil Breslin is officially back into the pool for re-election to the state Senate. Albany County legislature chair Shawn Morse is continuing to circle the race. [Troy Record] [TU]
Body found in Mohawk, pawn shop tips lead police to suspects in church robbery, Albany man charged in $2 million California real estate scheme, woman charged with animal cruelty after dog dies in hot car, Sweeney shares the tale of his spiral with addicts
The Saratoga County Sheriff's office is looking into the discovery of a body in the Mohawk River near the Rexford Bridge on Wednesday.[TU]
Tips from pawn shops in Albany and New Haven Connecticut helped lead police to two suspects in the theft of silver from St. John's Episcopal Church last weekend. One of the men charged in the crime is also accused of robbing Glennpeter Jewelers in Colonie.[TU] [WNYT]
Schenectady police are reviewing surveillance footage in an effort to find the person who stabbed a man in the chest at the corner of State and Hulett streets on Wednesday night. [TU]
Albany police arrested a city man wanted in California for his alleged involvement in a more than $2 million real estate scam. [APD] (Press Release below)
The State senate voted overwhelmingly to legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York, The bill now goes to the Assembly, where MMA legislation has met with opposition before. [Fox 23] [TU]
Cuomo's tax bill nearly $50k, 3-year-old left on school bus, UAlbany breaks ground on sports complex, little leaguer rescued after cardiac arrest, rats on cocaine and Miles Davis
Andrew Cuomo paid more than $46,000 in taxes on his $230,000 in income in 2011 -- a tax rate of just under 18%. Lt. Governor Bob Duffy and his wife reported a gross income of $238,00 in 2011. Oh, and if you happen to run into Bob Duffy at the Saratoga Racecourse this summer, ask him for a hot tip. [NYT] [YNN]
Two school bus company employees are facing charges after a three year old was left unattended on a bus for nearly three hours. The two men, a bus driver and a monitor, didn't notice that the child failed to get off the bus at a special needs program at Capital District Beginnings in Berlin. The child was treated for dehydration but was otherwise alright.[TU] [News 10] [WNYT]
Troy police have arrested two people in connection with the theft of valuable artifacts from St. John's Episcopal Church that took place over the weekend. [TU]
A 22 year old Rensselaer man is facing attempted murder charges, weapons and reckless endangerment charges in connection with an Albany shooting at Swinton and Thorton Streets last September. [APD] (Press release below)
Two Albany teens were charged with Robbery for allegedly punching a man in the face and attempting to steal his laptop computer. [APD] Press release below
A repeat felony offender from Albany was sentenced to three consecutive 16 year to life sentences for burglarizing three homes over the summer. [TU]
More beat cops will be walking the streets of Troy as part of the Collar City Peace Initiative, which pairs officers with community leaders who can help point out neighborhood hot spots and ease mistrust between police and the community. [YNN]
Albany council approves parking permits, another twist in Troy ballot fraud case, valuable items robbed from church, Cohoes toddlers apparently have problems staying clothed and at home
Yep, today is the last day to file your 2011 taxes.
The Albany Common Council approved the legislation creating a residential parking permit system near the Empire State Plaza in a 14-O vote. There was plenty of discussion before the vote, though, with arguments that the $25 fee for a permit was either too low or too high. The council must still approve parking spot designations, which could happen in May, with possible implementation of the system in the fall. [@RichardConti2] [TU] [WTEN]
The Albany Common Council also passed an ordinance banning hydrofracking in the city. [YNN]
The official high temp Monday: 91. That's a new record for the date (old record: 89 in 2002) -- and 32 degrees above than the normal high. The rest of the week is forecasted to be warmer than usual, but by only a few degrees (and then cool and rainy for the weekend). [NWS] [NWS]
Big fire in Albany's Mansion neighborhood, Schenectady police chief (maybe) not retiring, arrest for shots fired at drive-in, possible Schenectady food co-op
A large fire in Albany's Mansion neighborhood last night destroyed five historic row houses and displaced more than 20 people (map). The flames and smoke prompted an evacuation of the area surrounding the scene of the fire. A witness says (on Twitter) it appears the fire started on a back porch. Photos: intense flames | porch engulfed in flames | fire fighters trying to knock down the fire | aftermath, the next morning. [TU] [WTEN] [Fox23] [@_1134 (Abraham Hmiel)] [@DJTrumastr] [@YNNAlbany] [@patrickdodson] [@dylanboyce]
Contrary to what "sources" told the Times Union last week, Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy tells the Daily Gazette that police chief Mark Chaires does not intend to retire this summer -- and Chaires "wants to fight the article." Not necessarily making things clearer: the police department issued a statement Friday that Chaires would not confirm or deny rumors. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Marra's Pharmacy -- the drugstore run by Cohoes mayor John McDonald and his family -- is fighting a $1.46 million fine levied against it by the state for alleged Medicaid violations. [TU]
Among the names circulating for a possible run at the state Assembly seat currently held by the retiring Ron Canestrari: Cohoes mayor John McDonald, former Mike McNulty chief of staff Charlie Diamond, and Albany councilman Dominick Calsolaro. [Troy Record]
The Albany 12-year-old accused of being involved with yet another stolen car this past week was sent to a juvenile detention center. [TU]
Cuomo orders creation of healthcare exchange, Price Chopper wants to build new store in Watervliet, pot case involved buried treasure, Honest Weight looking to move forward on location
Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order to create a healthcare exchange for the state. The exchange is part of the health care reform package pushed by the Obama administration. Republicans in the legislature had blocked legislation that would have created the exchange. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [NYT]
Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy says an investigation by his office into the sale of two properties by Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth and her husband to a developer were made at market value. Murphy acknowledged to the Times Union that his office has potential conflicts of interest in the case. [Saratogian] [TU]
"Sources" say Schenectady police chief Mark Chaires is planning to retire this summer. [TU]
The developer looking to knock down the former St. Patrick's church in Watervliet has confirmed that Price Chopper would like to build a new supermarket on the site. The new store would be almost double the size of the current Chopper in the city. [Troy Record] [TU]
As part of a plea deal, a Wilton man involved in a large interstate marijuana operation (the one that also involved Missy "The Missle" Giove) revealed that $2 million in gold bars was buried in an empty lot in Queensbury. The seizures in the case -- which also included $2.5 million in cash -- could net Warren County $750k. [Post-Star][WNYT]
$61 million in state funds will help local governments recover from flood, residential parking for downtown Albany expected to pass, Levinson Ali film shooting in Albany, Scotia woman makes the next Top Model cut
Andrew Cuomo vetoed 122 items in the the state's $132 billion spending plan. He says the items, totaling about $640,000 in spending were "legislative pork" that slipped by in the voting process, but a speaker for Sheldon Silver's office says they're "not even bacon bits". [TU] [YNN] [Buffalo News]
Cuomo visited a Middleburgh firehouse to announce that New York State has put aside $61 million to help cover local governments share of rebuilding costs from tropical storms Irene and Lee. Cuomo said the money is for repair costs not covered by Fema. [Gazette] [TU]
A group of wealthy people, including one of the founders of Facebook and George Soros' son, are pledging to spend up to $1million to push campaign finance reform efforts in New York. [NYT]
Downtown Albany's residential parking permit system is expected to become law on Monday night but it will take a little time to put it in place. [TU]
The Desmond Hotel is getting criticism for its handling of a security breach that allowed a hacker to gain access to the credit card information of guests. [News 10]
A Troy judge convicted a former Albany cop and DARE officer for the repeated sexual abuse of a 16 year old boy. Paul Pierce faces up to four years in prison and is still facing a similar charges in Warren County involving the same boy and the boys 16-year-old sister. [TU]
After racking up more than $60,000 in legal bills, former Troy City Councilman Michael LoPorto is asking Rensselaer County for a public defender for his retrial. [TU]
High speed chase that ended in crash started with fight, expert witness from Casey Anthony case to testify at Albany trial, changing last call rules in Toga mean changing them for the county,alleged cat hoarders appear in court, Sinise will play Armory
Many Public Employees in Albany and other New York cities and counties are getting raises while working without contracts. Negotiations between the union and local governments are stalled in part because the local governments can't afford the raises -- but a state law called The Triborough Amendment protects longevity-based salary hikes until a compromise can be reached. [NYT]
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has created a Conviction Review Bureau, tasked with investigating potential wrongful convictions in questionable cases across the state.[NYT]
The announced departure of Ron Canestrari, Jack McEneny and Bob Reilly will make eight Democrats with over 15 years experience that have the assembly since 2010 and is fueling rumors that Sheldon Silver may step down by the end of the year. [TU]
The new state budget includes provisions to speed up teacher disciplinary hearings in an effort to cut costs. [TU]
Police say the high speed chase that ended in a fiery one car crash in Wilton yesterday, began with an argument in Dutchess County. Matthew Ripo of Wappingers led police on a 60 mile chase through four counties that reached speeds of 120 miles per hour after he allegedly tried to run over his girlfriend. Ripo was hospitalized when his car slid off the side of the Northway on Monday night and hit a tree. Ripo is facing a string of charges, including DWI and fleeing a police officer. [TU] [Saratogian] [Post Star]
An expert on body decomposition who testified in the Casey Anthony case will testify in an Albany murder trial. A judge will allow William Rodriguez III to testify in the trial of three men charged with killing a high level drug dealer in 2010. [TU]
Reports: Canestrari not running for re-election, another gruesome find in cat hoarding case, sections of state parks going smoke-free, man allegedly recorded people in CVS bathroom
Ron Canestrari told colleagues at the Capitol yesterday that he will not be running for re-election -- and he's expected to make an official announcement this morning. That means three of the Assemblymen from the Capital Region's core -- Jack McEneny, Bob Reilly, and now Canestrari -- are not running. [State of Politics] [TU CapCon]
Suspended Albany police officer Robert Schunk was fired Monday after a ruling by an arbitrator, the APD announced. Schunk had been involved in a string of incidents, most recently a domestic incident in Halfmoon in which he was found guilty of harassment and criminal mischief. Said Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy following the announcement
A state Supreme Court has ruled that the Colonie's landfill privatization deal didn't require an opportunity for the deal to go up for a public referendum. An attorney for Albany County comptroller Mike Conners, who challenged the deal, says an appeal is expected. [TU] [Troy Record]
State Police say 44 dead cats found in Rensselaer County are linked to the recent animal hoarding cases in Halfmoon and Schaghticoke. The Mohawk Hudson River Humane Society says it found 42 ziplock bags containing the decayed bodies of kittens, as well as two adult cat bodies wrapped in towels. Said Mohawk Hudson executive director Brad Shear: "The entire situation is extremely disturbing. We've never really run into a hoarding case like this." [Troy Record] [Mohawk Hudson Humane press release, below] [TU]
Large apartment fire in Halfmoon, supporters of legalizing MMA reorganizing, Troy officers credited for rescuing woman from river, Bob Reilly raises turkeys
A large apartment fire in Halfmoon early Sunday morning destroyed 10 units, displacing more than a dozen people. One woman says she probably would have slept through the fire if not for a neighbor who pushed open her unit's door and dragged her family to safety. [WTEN] [Fox23] [WNYT]
There were three overnight brush fires in Saratoga County. [WNYT]
Supporters of legalizing professional mixed-martial arts bouts in the state are regrouping in the state legislature. [TU]
State researchers are looking into ways other fungi could be used to control the spread of the fungus causing White Nose Syndrome in bats. [TU]
A former state employee alleges he was pushed from his job at the state Office For Technology because he complained the other people he worked with weren't being productive. [TU]
Among the popular changes made during the first year of Gary McCarthy's tenure running the city of Schenectady: the fire department now knocks down buildings that are a total loss from fire before environmental regulations -- or negligent owners -- can hold up the process. [Daily Gazette]
Union bounced from Frozen Four, state panel holds go-ahead for Albany County nursing home, Schenectady witness intimidation plot alleged, warm spring weird for wild animals
Today is Good Friday. Passover begins at sundown.
The Union College men's hockey team lost 3-1 to Ferris State in the Frozen Four yesterday afternoon. The game was tied until Ferris scored the go-ahead goal with 4:43 remaining in the third period. About 1000 people filled Messa Rink on the Union campus to watch the game. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
A state appellate court has ruled that Saratoga Citizen's petition to change the the city of Saratoga Springs' form of government should be on the ballot this November. Saratoga Citizen is pushing to change the city government from a commissioner-led model to one in which a city manager oversee operations and report to a council. The decision follows a long-running fight over the effort, for which the city has spent almost $50,000 on legal fees. City officials sound like they're ready to get it over with. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
A state Department of Health committee voted to hold off approving Albany County's bid to build a new county nursing home while it waits for more info about the project's finances. [TU]
The city of Troy has place economic development coordinator Vic Christopher on 30-day unpaid suspension . The unofficial word on why: allegations of building material theft from the city. [Troy Record] [TU]
The State Police bomb squad removed eight 1950s-era tank shells from a Ravena basement after the homeowner found them. His first call wasn't to police, though -- it was to the cable show Sons of Guns to find out if the shells were worth anything. Producers for the show told him to call the police immediately. [YNN] [Fox23] [WTEN]
Marchione to primary Roy McDonald, Amedore running for Senate, poll: New Yorkers think backroom budget meetings unnecessary, budget cuts may jeopardize Troy Flag Day parade
High winds contributed to a Rensselaer fire that destroyed three buildings, killed a dog and chased eight families from their homes. [WTEN]
Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione will challenge State Senator Roy McDonald in a primary for his 43rd Senate District seat. Marchione has the endorsement of the Republican Committees in both Saratoga, where McDonald Resides, and Wilton, where he served as supervisor for 23 years. Marchione claims that McDonald's decision to break with the party and vote in favor of marriage equality, was only part of her decision. [YNN] [Record] [WNYT]
Republican State Assmeblyman George Amedore kicked off his campaign for the New York State Senate's 46th district yesterday. [YNN]
Sheldon Silver and other legislative leaders think state lawmakers have earned a pay raise -- while it's not necessarily on the table right now, it hasn't been ruled out. [YNN] [TU]
A new Quinnipiac poll Wednesday shows 55 percent of voters said closed-door negotiations weren't necessary to finalize New York's budget. The poll also shows Kirsten Gillibrand with a comfortable lead in her bid for reelection. [Record] [State of Politics]
The Albany City School District Board of Education has approved a $207.7 million budget plan that includes a 1.5 percent tax levy and calls for the elimination of 40 jobs. The plan goes before voters on May 15. [YNN]
Drug sweep in Schenctady nets 13 gang members and 23 arrests, Saratoga Springs students and a parent arrested in connection with fake IDs from China, LoPorto and McDonough will be retried separately,WNYT's Wyland wins 10 grand in hoops contest
Twenty-three people were arrested and four are still on the loose in a large scale drug sweep yesterday in Schenectady. Thirteen of the people arrested are allegedly involved with the Uptown Gang, or Gunners Gang. The gang is said to be a rival of the Four Block Gang, which was taken down in a sweep of Schenectady last spring. Last week, a probe by the state Attorney General resulted in dozens or arrests. [YNN] [TU] [Gazette]
Saratoga Springs police arrested 15 people --11 of them high school students-- for having sophisticated fake IDs from China. Among those arrested was a parent who allegedly helped his daughter pay for one of the fake IDs . The ID cards were so good that one police Lt. said they could fool police scanners in a routine traffic stop. [TU] [WNYT] [Saratogian]
A State Supreme Court judge has decided that Edward McDonough and Michael LoPorto will be retried separately in the Troy ballot fraud case. [Record]
Albany police arrested a Level 3 sex offender on charges of public lewdness and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly masturbating on the street in front of children in a school bus. [TU]
Supreme Court passes on hearing Porco appeal, Albany Common Council approves borrowing for landfill, historic cemetery damaged by vandals, welding is a hot job, raccoon knocks out power
The Supreme Court of the United States has chosen not to hear Christopher Porco's appeal. Porco's attorney, Terry Kindlon, says he's planning one more appeal, in federal court. Said Kindlon: "We're not going to stop until there are absolutely no possibilities for further action. And I'm not sure that we ever reach that point." Said DA David Soares, who declared the case closed: "For Mr. Kindlon to continue to harp on the [Joan Porco's] head nod, as if that was the thing, the one fact that our entire case hinged on, is just to make light of the entire case that was put on by the people." (A key part of the case involved a head nod police say Porco's mother made indicated Porco was the attacker -- she later said she didn't recall indicating that.) [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN] [WTEN] [Fox23]
The Albany Common Council approved $9.3 million in borrowing for the Albany landfill after a deal with Jerry Jennings to set some of the money aside for future expenses. [TU]
The new court-drawn Congressional maps for New York State have put a handful of incumbents, including Chris Gibson, in what could be difficult races. [NYT]
The Saratoga man accused of threatening local school children and Barack Obama has pleaded not guilty to the local charges. [Saratogian]
State budget wrapped up, McEneny wants successor to support to convetion center, man allegedly chomps bartender's finger, no deodorant in the clean room, Albany mummies scanned
The state budget was wrapped up late Friday afternoon, ahead of the Saturday night deadline. [TU CapCon]
The new state budget included a provision that cancels the $25 charge for individuals who use tax prep software but still file paper forms. [TU]
Jack McEneny says he would oppose any successor for his seat that would do the job part time or oppose the Albany Convention Center. [State of Politics]
An update from Friday: Matthew Slocum was sentenced to 88 years in prison Friday morning for killing his mother, stepfather and stepbrother last summer in Washington County. [Post-Star]
Glens Falls police say a man bit off the finger of a bar employee Sunday night while he was being booted from a bar. The was getting booted for allegedly having sex in the bar's smoking room. [Post-Star] [TU]
No jail time for father in Wilton accidental shooting, CDTA cutting positions and trimming routes, Gibson one of few Republicans to vote against Ryan budget, a more walkable Bethlehem
Update: Matthew Slocum was sentenced to 88 years in prison Friday morning for killing his mother, stepfather and stepbrother last summer in Washington County. [Post-Star]
Edward O'Rourke, the father of the boy who accidentally shot and killed 12-year-old Nicholas Naumkin in Wilton in 2010, pleaded guilty yesterday to endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. He will not serve jail time. "We don't feel as if there was any justice served," said Naumkin's mother, who along with the boy's father had been pushing for jail time. Saratoga County DA James Murphy says the endangering the welfare charge was the highest charge possible. Said Oksana Naumkin of O'Rourke: "He didn't say one word. He didn't even look our way, not once. We don't even think he feels any remorse because the only reason he pleaded guilty is because he wanted to avoid jail sentence." [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]
David Soares met with a a skeptical group of community members in Albany's South End neighborhood last night to talk about the Nah-Cream Moore shooting. Among the comments from the crowd: "There's just too many holes in the story ... At the end of the day it all comes down to race" and "You have to stop hunting our kids." Soares responded to some of the rumors about the case: "When you say it could have been candy, it was not candy ... Once Mr. Moore had been shot, the revolver that had been identified as the revolved used in the home invasion was the revolver on him and in his hand." Concluded one woman about violence in the neighborhood: "The community can't do it by themselves and clearly law enforcement can't do it by themselves so we have to collaborate." [WNYT] [TU] [YNN] [WTEN] [Fox23]
The state Department of Health has ordered a ban on the sale of synthetic marijuana. Law enforcement officials had been pushing for the ban. And the number of incidents reported to the Upstate Poison Control Center have been trending upward. [NYS DOH] [Post-Star] [TU]
Brent Dickinson, the man accused of threatening elementary schools in Saratoga and the White House, has been indicted on charges of making a terroristic threat for the alleged threats against school children. The alleged threats against Barack Obama will be handled by federal prosecutors. [Saratogian] [TU]
McEneny won't run again, suspect arrested in Albany shooting/robbery, Albany teen stabbed in Swinburne Park, state clothing tax hiatus begins Sunday, Schumer to chair inauguration, Jumpin' Jack's opens today
Assemblyman Jack McEneny declined the democratic party endorsement and officially announced last night that he will not run again. After 40 years in government and 20 years as an Albany assemblyman, McEneny says he feels it's time to "pass the torch". "Younger people are going to have different priorities for a different generation. The longer you hang on, you're denying them that opportunity," he told reporters yesterday. As many as sixteen people have expressed an interest in succeeding McEneny. Albany County Democratic Party Chairman Matt Clyne says the race to replace McEneny will be "A three ring circus." [YNN] [WNYT] [TU] [CBS6] [Capitol Confidential]
A plan to consolidate "back office" functions for state agencies (like purchasing office supplies, operating toll free information lines and buying vehicles) that is part of the soon to be passed state budget is expected to save nearly $1 billion in the next five years. The plan will put the Office of General Services in charge of purchasing for most state departments. [TU]
Senate Republicans say they won't challenge Andrew Cuomo's plan to establish a statewide health insurance exchange via executive order, even though they did not include the measure in the 2012-13 budget. [YNN]
State Legislators began voting on the $132.5 billion dollar state budget on Wednesday.The budget is still on track to be passed by Friday, two days ahead of the deadline.[Fox 23]
The Albany Common Council Finance Committee is recommending that the council not back a plan to borrow $9.3 million in new bonds for the city landfill.
An Albany teen was stabbed following an after school argument in Swinburne Park on Wednesday. The teen was taken to Albany Med with two stab wounds and a collapsed lung.[YNN] [News 10]
Budget agreement reached early, 52 arrested in massive Capital Region drug sweep, 135 cats found in Halfmoon trailer, plans for Colonie Shop Rite approved, Spa City bar owners fight to keep 4AM last call,Indian Ladder Trail open for season
Governor Cuomo and the legislature agreed last night on a $132 billion budget. They're expecting to start voting today and enact the new spending plan on Friday -- two days early. Cuomo says the spending plan is all about jobs. A few key points included: the New York Works Task Force to oversee investment in projects and facilitate job creation, a $1.2 billion plan to rebuild roads and bridges, $102 million in flood control projects and challenge grants for state economic councils and SUNY schools. Absent in the budget is a state health insurance exchange program that would comply with the federal health care overhaul -- a plan Cuomo says he'll enact through executive order. [NYT] [WNYT] [TU] [Capitol Confidential] [YNN]
A $7.8 million dollar "spin up" payment promised to Albany by Andrew Cuomo has been reinstated in the budget after being pulled as a bargaining chip earlier this week. The payment is advance on a payment in lieu of taxes on the Empire Plaza that the state must pay Albany in 2032 and it was considered a crucial to balancing the city budget.[TU]
Lobby groups spent more than $220 million in New York last year -- a $7 million increase from the year before. Leading the pack with $12 million is The Committee to Save New York, which has strongly supported Andrew Cuomo. [NYT]
52 suspects in the Capital Region and Vermont, including members of the gangs The Bloods and Orinial Gangsta Killas, were indicted Tuesday in the largest crackdown in the history of the Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said the drug ring "primarily supplied other drug dealers." Arrests were made in connection with a total of 261 drug related charges including the sale of heroin, cocaine and prescription drugs. One of the defendants was allegedly involved in a murder plot to avenge the Death of Richard "Shaddi" Gibbs, who was shot on November 29th. Another started working as an outreach worker form the SNUG anti-violence program on Monday.[WNYT] [YNN] [Record] [TU]
Nineteen of the 135 cats taken from a half-moon trailer park had to be euthanized after the trailer where they resided was declared unlivable. The director of the Saratoga County Animal shelter, where the cats were taken, says it's the most cats they've ever gotten at once.[YNN] [Gazette] [TU]
Concerns about city of Albany money in state budget, Troy police respond to rash of violence, massive gang bust in Albany, man arrested for 59th time, worry about apple crop
The provision for a $7.8 million "spin up" on the state's payment in lieu of taxes to the city of Albany for the ESP is not in the current version of the state Senate's budget bills. Without the advance on the state's payments, the city would be facing a significant hole in its budget. Update Tuesday afternoon: Albany councilman Richard Conti reports the money has been restored in a new bill. [TU] [@RichardConti2]
It looks like voting on the state budget bills could start Wednesday, meaning the budget could be wrapped up by the April 1 deadline (or earlier). One potential roadblock to getting the budget finished -- the establishment of a federally mandated health insurance exchange -- is being sidestepped and could be established by an executive order. If the budget is finished by the deadline, it would be just the 8th on time budget since 1975. [TU] [NYT] [YNN] [AP/Troy Record]
The Troy Police Department says it's addressing the recent surge in violent crimes with an increased emphasis on community policing -- including more officers on foot patrol and increased deployments in crime hot spots. The TPD is also filling out its tactical team and adding a K-9 unit. [WTEN] [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23]
Law enforcement agencies were in the process of arresting more than 50 alleged gang members in Albany Tuesday morning. The arrests are targeting drug operations in the South End. [WTEN] [TU]
State budget could be finished this week, Hudson among most polluted rivers, teller allegedly stole $95k from Trustco, man charged for drinking officer's water, woman celebrates 109th birthday
It looks like the state budget could be finished this week (the deadline is April 1). One of the remaining hold ups: details of the health insurance exchange required by federal healthcare overhaul. [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
Jack McEneny tells the Times Union that's he considering not running for re-election to the Assembly this year. [TU]
The Hudson River is the 24th most polluted river in the country, according to report by Environment New York. The biggest single source of pollution in the river: a paper plant in Glens Falls. [Saratogian] [TU]
More than a hundred people marched in a "Hoodies in the Hood" event in Albany Saturday protesting the killing of Trayvon Martin in Florida. Said an organizer to the crowd: "They think it's drama. We got drama for them. They think that this is sensationalism. Oh well, I'll get more sensationalistic. I'll give them whatever they need to hear so that they can understand that life has value, regardless of the color of your skin." [TU] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette]
A member of the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk school board has declared himself a "sovereign citizen", a declaration that others have used in an attempt to exempt themselves from the government's laws (or taxes, apparently -- he owes tens of thousands in back taxes). [TU]
Grand jury clears police in Moore shooting, former Golub employee gets jail for massive gift card theft, neighbors sue for $1 million over solar panels, killer skillet lightning
An Albany County grand jury cleared Albany police in the shooting of Nah-Cream Moore during a traffic stop in the South End last December. Said DA David Soares at a press conference: "We have a very accurate picture of what transpired on that evening." Soares said officers Gregory Mulligan and Jason Kelly tried to disarm Moore after spotting a gun, and Mulligan fired after Moore had turned in a way that exposed the officers to being shot. Soares says the situation presented "no other alternatives, other than deadly force" for the officers. The DA's office also released the police car dash cam video of the incident, though the struggle and shooting happened out of frame. In a statement, APD chief Steve Krokoff called Mulligan's actions "heroic" and said he likely saved Kelly's life. Said Common Council president Carolyn McLaughlin: "Nobody is winning in this situation ... The facts are what they are and we gain nothing dragging it out. We need to think positive and let Nah-Cream Moore's death not be in vain." [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU] [WTEN] [YNN] [APD press release] [Fox23]
Christina Pagano, the former Golub employee who pleaded guilty to stealing more than $300,000 from the company via gift cards, has been sentenced to 1-3 years in prison. Pagano still owes the company more than $140k in restitution. She stole more than 6000 gift cards over 10 years. She had worked for the Price Chopper parent company for 34 years. Said Schenectady County DA Robert Carney: "It's just not enough to pay it back and say I'm sorry and it won't happen again when it's a theft of that magnitude." [Daily Gazette] [WTEN] [YNN] [TU]
The Saratoga Springs Housing Authority board voted to not renew embattled exec director Ed Spychalski's contract. It's a five-year rolling contract, so Spychalski still has four years on the deal. The board's chair said they'll be re-evaluting Spychalski's salary. He makes significantly more money than the housing directors in Albany, Schenectady and Troy -- all of whom oversee significantly more units. [WTEN] [Fox23] [WNYT]
The Troy city council voted to not fund the raises mayor Lou Rosamilia gave to four top members of his administration without council approval. [Troy Record] [TU]
Teen shot in Troy dies, Rensselaer County won't pay McDonough's legal bills, LoPorto's attorney files for dismissal, suspicious package causes evacuation at SCCC, redistricting expert to review new legislative lines, bluesman Ernie Williams has died
The Troy teen who was shot in the head in the North Central neighborhood on Tuesday night has died. Phillip McMillan was the victim of a drive-by shooting. A dark-colord Chevy Impala connected with the shooting was discovered a few blocks away after it struck at least two parked cars. Phillip McMillian was recently released from jail and family members say he was trying to get his life back together. [YNN] [Record] [TU] [WNYT]
A Troy man was robbed and shot in the leg in Arbor Hill Tuesday night. The assailant got away with a gold necklace and earring, and fired three shots as he ran away from the scene.[TU]
Rensselaer County won't be paying Elections Commissioner Edward McDonough's legal bills incurred in his ballot fraud trial. The county is also looking into whether McDonough should be paid compensated for time he spent in trial. Meanwhile co-defendent Michael LoPorto's attorney filed yesterday to have charges against his client dismissed based on the fact that a mistrial was declared after eight days of deliberation. [TU] [Record]
Kevin McGrath, the Troy City Councilman who received immunity from prosecution in exchange for testimony in the Rensselaer County ballot fraud trial says he won't step down from his office. [TU]
The three-judge panel overseeing legislative redistricting has ordered the state to pay for a redistricting expert to review the newly drawn lines and make sure no further action is necessary. [Via State of Politics]
Record highs continue, Troy teen shot, prosecutor seeks to split LoPorto & McDonough's ballot fraud cases, 911 audio released in Frank Adams robbery, self-proclaimed "best dressed man in the world" shops Albany thrift stores
Record highs are expected to continue on this first full day of spring.[NWS]
A 17 year old Troy man is in critical condition after he was shot in the head on Ninth street in the city last night. Police are searching for a dark colored sedan in connection with the shooting. [Record] [YNN]
The special prosecutor in the ballot fraud case of Michael LoPorto and Edward McDonough has filed a motion that would allow the two men to be tried separately. Jurors told Smith that the case resulted in a mistrial because it was too long with too many counts to consider. [TU]
Police have released the audio of the 911 call from the Frank Adams Jewelers robbery in Stuyvesant Plaza last week. In addition, pictures of the suspects faces, taken from surveillance video, are up on a bulletin board on I-90 which has produced a few leads in the case. [WNYT] [TU]
Crossgates Mall will institute a ban on smoking outside the mall on May 3. (As reported earlier.) [TU] [KAB]
Occupy Albany protestors took aim at The New York Postyesterday, and parent company News Corp, owned by Rupert Murdoch. [News 10/AP]
Judges approve new Congressional districts for New York, new head of RensCo jail a first for Capital Region, new airlines express interest in ALB, military dog to retire with former handler
It's the first day of spring. Today's forecast: sunny and 78. [NWS]
A panel of federal judges has approved the lines for new Congressional districts for New York State (interactive map). The lines, drawn up by a federal magistrate, had been criticized for not protecting incumbents -- to which the judges essentially said, "too bad." The greater Capital Region will now be included in three districts. Noted: the cities of Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, and Troy are now all in the same district (NY-20 / currently rep'ed by Paul Tonko). [NYT] [NYT] [State of Politics] [TU] [Saratogian]
Irked by the new "Tier VI" pension reform, CSEA says it's decided to "immediately suspend all state political endorsements and contributions" in order to "re-evaluate our political relationships and make judgments about the criteria we use in determining who has earned and deserves our support." The public employees union has been one of the bigger donors to the state legislators' campaigns. Sheldon Silver was typically unimpressed with the situation. [CSEA] [TU] [State of Politics]
An org that represents county governments is pushing for the state to give counties the power to set their own sales tax rates without approval from the state legislature. [Saratogian]
David Cook -- the Glens Falls man accused of sexually assaulting a 7-week-old baby -- has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Court documents include statements allegedly made by Cook in which he describes how he had abused the child after he'd been drinking. He also reportedly wrote to the baby's mother apologizing, and asking her to stay with him. [WNYT] [YNN] [Post-Star]
Relatively calm St. Patrick's Day, police: hidden camera snapped pic of installer, challenger for Roy McDonald, last Catholic elementary in Schenectady to close, early end for maple season
St. Patrick's Day was relatively tame this year in Albany. Police were noticeably present in the Pine Hills neighborhood, and were active on the Pearl Street. Some businesses on Pearl Street said the adjusted parade route cut in their business. [WNYT] [TU] [Fox23]
Last week's middle-of-the-night deals at the Capitol bolstered Andrew Cuomo's rep for getting things done -- but the deals used a shortcut that's only supposed to be used in emergencies. Jim Tedisco is pushing legislation that would invalidate bills passed between midnight and 8 am. [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [Jim Tedisco]
As the state takes one step toward legalizing full casino gambling, powerful interests on all sides are lining up to influence the outcome. [TU]
The variables involved in the setting the state tax cap for school districts means that some districts -- such as Ballston Spa this year -- could be required to cut their tax levies. Economic development officials in Saratoga County say the tax cap is messing with their ability to use PILOTs to draw new businesses. [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Troy police say the motion-activated camera hidden in the women's locker room at an RPI pool caught the man who allegedly installed in an image. Thomas McMartin pleaded not guilty after turning himself in on Friday. [TU] [Fox23]
Reaction to late night dealmaking at the Capitol, man convicted of trying infect woman with HIV by raping her, jewelry store at Stuyvesant Plaza robbed, camera found in RPI locker room
Albany police say this man is a person of interest in the Albany Med cafeteria mercury case.
Reaction of the middle-of-the-night dealmaking at the Capitol on redistricting, public employee pensions, the DNA database, and casinos:
+ Andrew Cuomo said he failed on reforming redistricting in the current cycle, but won on other issues. + Mike Bloomberg called the pension reform package (Tier VI) "a huge victory for the taxpayers of New York."
+ State comptroller Tom DiNapoli said Tier VI is "no quick fix."
+ CSEA president Danny Donohue: "Tier 6 shoved down the throat of state legislators fixated on their own self-preservation, will be devastating to 99 percent of New Yorkers."
+ The League of Women Voters' Barbara Bartoletti on the late night legislative action: "The day goes on and at night like the pole dancers, legislators begin to do their work."
[TU] [NYT] [TU CapCon] [State of Politics] [CSEA] [WTEN]
The deal includes the first step toward opening full casino gambling at seven sites around the state -- though the specific sites haven't been identified. Saratoga Casino officials say they're "confident" their facility will be one of the sites -- and they're already pitching area businesses on the new crowd a full casino could bring to the region. Says Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president Todd Shimkus of the potential: "This is something that could have a significant positive impact on Saratoga and it could have a significantly negative impact on Saratoga, depending on how all the details shake out." [Saratogian] [Fox23] [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
An HIV-infected Waterford man was found guilty of trying to infect his former girlfriend out of revenge by raping her. Saratoga County DA James Murphy says his office will push for the maximum sentence -- 32 years in prison. He called the man's actions "diabolical." [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU]
Dhoruba Shuaib, the 19-year-old convicted of being involved with the fatal stabbing of Tyler Rhodes in Albany's Hoffman Park, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison. Shuaib apologized to Rhodes' mother at the sentencing. Stacey Rhodes is speaking at local schools as part of an effort to turn her son's death into a lesson for other kids about bullying and violence. [YNN] [TU] [TU]
Redistricting, DNA database, Tier VI and other major policy decisions reached in legislative all-nighter, ballot fraud mistrial cost county $150 grand, APD arrests family while searching for armed 15 year old
Legislators were up all night hammering out a handful of major policy decisions. The legislative all-nighter involved some Albany style backroom dealings. Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign off on the legislative redistricting maps approved by the Senate and Assembly last night. Cuomo, who has promised since his campaign that he would veto any maps that were gerrymandered, softened his position in exchange for a constitutional amendment that would restructure the process after the next census in ten years. Lawmakers reached a deal on the maps and the amendment, though Senate democrats walked out in protest first. Legislators also approved a deal to to expand the states DNA database to include nearly every convicted criminal, an amendment that will allow up to seven full-fledged casinos on non-Indian land, teacher evaluations and a slightly modified version of Cuomo's proposed Tier VI pension plan. [TU] [Record] [NYT] [Fox 23] [Record] [CBS6] [Capital Confidential]
The Rensselaer County ballot fraud trial has already cost the county more than $150,000 already. The case resulted in a mistrial earlier this week. Jurors told Special Prosecutor Trey Smith that the case resulted in a mistrial because of a lone juror who refused to convict Edward McDonough and Michael LoPorto, but they also said they were overwhelmed by the number of counts. [YNN] [WNYT] [TU]
Albany police went searching for a 15 year old boy with a handgun on Lark Street and ended up arresting an entire family. The 15 year old was found under a bed in 53 year old Salah Osman's apartment. Osman jumped on a detectives back and his daughter, 18 year old Aia Osman tried to keep them out of the room. Osman's two sons were in the bedroom helping to hide the handgun. [APD] [TU]
An Army National guardsman will face charges today for allegedly going door to door in uniform to solicit money for the troops, then spending it on himself. [TU] [YNN]
Mistrial declared in ballot fraud case, hit and run injures five in Niskayuna, Espada allegedly used embezzled funds for birthday pony and Bently, Hollywood Drive-in goes digital
After eight days of deliberation the Troy ballot fraud case has resulted in a mistrial. Things apparently got ugly over the course of the deliberations, at times devolving into personal attacks. before the judge declared the jury deadlocked.[T.U.] [Record]
Governor Cuomo may be willing to accept the latest legislative redistricting proposals with conditions attached.[News10/AP]
The plan to require everyone convicted of a crime in NYS to provide DNA samples for a DNA database appears close to passing.
A financial executive who once served as treasurer for Senator Ruben Diaz's campaign has been charged with stealing as much as $400,000 from the church-related charity group he helped run. The Group, Christian Community Benevolent Association, was supported in large part through state grants arraigned by Senator Diaz. [NYT] [TU]
Former Senator Pedro Espada Jr. is facing charges for allegedly embezzling money from his health care clinics and using it for, among other things, a downpayment on a Bently and a birthday party pony. [NYT] [News 10]
The Bethlehem man who allegedly beat a 61 year old Albany man who tried to get him to stop selling drugs on his brother's stoop is now in the Albany County jail facing felony gang assault charges. Nasir Stratton has been in trouble with the law before. He took a a plea deal in an unrelated robbery case in 2007 when a defendant recanted his testimony. [AOA] [TU]
A hit and run in Niskayuna injured two adults and four children on Tuesday night. Police are looking for a black or gray pickup with extensive front end damage. [Gazette] [T.U.]
Police say a Union College student was driving a car that struck a pedestrian on Seward Place in Schenectady Tuesday. [T.U.]
Redistricting drama continues, Bob Reilly won't run for re-election, support for new Albany County nursing home re-affirmed, Dick Hill is really popular
There are new state Senate and Assembly maps from the state task force in charge of drawing new districts -- the Senate lines still include a new 46th district that would run through the southwest corner of the Capital Region. Despite earlier threats to veto the new lines, Andrew Cuomo appears to be leaning toward supporting them if they're paired with a constitutional amendment that would reform the redistricting process. The amendment has the support of some -- but not all -- good government groups. The whole process has been dysfunctional, as usual. [TU] [State of Politics] [NYT]
The federal magistrate who's now handling the drawing of the state's Congressional district lines has released her final proposed maps. [State of Politics]
The budget proposals from state Assembly Democrats and state Senate Republicans don't include the pension reform items favored by Andrew Cuomo, potentially setting up a budget deadline showdown between the governor and legislature. Cuomo is threatening to stuff pension reform into a budget extender, which would force the legislature to accept the reforms or shut down the government. [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
Colonie state Assemblyman Bob Reilly has announced he won't run for re-election. Said Reilly of his decision: "I get in, do my thing, and I get out ... That's what I'm doing, getting out. There's a difference between what I see as a citizen legislator and someone who makes a career of it. It's not a bad thing, it's just not me." Already into the pool to replace him: Kevin Frazier, an aide to Ron Canestrari, and Phil Steck, Albany County legislator -- both Democrats. [WNYT] [Troy Record] [TU CapCon] [WNYT]
There was a lot of criticism for the insurance industry at a state Senate committee hearing yesterday about insurance problems following Irene flooding. A Schoharie County man -- who had flood insurance -- recounted how he had to fight his insurance company issue by issue, through a series of insurance adjusters. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
There's still no verdict in the Troy ballot fraud case -- the jury is apparently stuck on some of the counts and asked yesterday if it could reach a "partial verdict." The judge said yes, but urged the jury to keep working. [Troy Record] [TU]
Redistricting drama plods along, arrest in South Troy shooting, police say man hid stolen money up there, clerk's office sends condelence notes to dog owners, it's tournament time
The state task force in charge of redistricting is expected to release revised maps for the state Senate and Assembly districts today -- even though it hasn't reached an agreement with Andrew Cuomo, who's been threatening a veto. [State of Politics] [TU]
One the potential state budget battles is over $200 million in aid for schools -- Andrew Cuomo wants to be distributed as competitive grants, but the legislature wants it go into general support for schools. [AP/Post-Star] [TU]
The Cuomo administration -- which touts itself as being a paragon of transparency -- takes seemingly forever to respond to FOIL requests. [TU]
Troy police say they've arrested the shooter in the fatal Thursday afternoon South Troy shooting -- but have only charged him with weapons charges while they gather more evidence. Police say they found Allen McBee of Watervliet hiding under a bed in a residence three blocks away following the shooting (map). Police say there were many witnesses to the shooting. [TU] [YNN] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
Suspended Albany police officer Robert Schunk was convicted of misdemeanor harassment and criminal mischief for his involvement in a domestic incident with his former girlfriend in her Halfmoon home two years ago. Saratoga County DA James Murphy alleged Schunk had crashed through a locked bathroom door and "pounced on" the woman. Said Murphy: "I don't think he should be a police officer." [Saratogian] [WNYT] [TU]
Slocum found guilty of murder, afternoon shooting in South Troy, push to post taxes on gas pumps, students: we'll walk for Latin, steeplechase coming to Saratoga
Matthew Slocum -- the Fort Edward man accused of murdering his mother, stepfather, and stepbrother, then their house to the ground -- was found guilty on all charges, including three counts of second-degree murder. The jury took just two hours to return a verdict. Slocum faces as much as 75 years to life in prison. After the verdict was read, the brother of Slocum's mother yelled "Rot in hell you coward." [Post-Star] [TU] [Saratogian] [WTEN]
Troy police say a man was fatally shot on the street in South Troy Thursday afternoon (map). The man -- Sha-kim "Pacino" Miller -- reportedly was confronted by three men in front of his house before they exchanged gun fire. A witness says she heard as many as six shots fired. Miller was a rapper who had recorded a track that
A budget deadline showdown between Andrew Cuomo and the legislature could be shaping over the proposed new public employees pension tier now that it looks like the Assembly won't include the "Tier VI" proposal in its budget bills. Cuomo appears to be somewhat less than interested in negotiating. [TU] [State of Politics]
The latest guess about what might have caused the odd medical symptoms in two Saratoga County teens: Lyme disease. The suggestion to investigate the possibility of Lyme came from a biologist at SUNY Adirondack who had seen their story on TV. [WNYT] [TU]
Slocum blames girlfriend on stand, juror illness threatens outcome of Troy ballot fraud trial, Troy Chopper robbed at gunpoint, alleged Schenectady bank robber tries get away in cab, school psychologist cleared of drug charges
Alleged murderer Matthew Slocum took the stand in his own defense yesterday. The Fort Edward man charged with murdering his mother, step father and step brother, then setting their home on fire blamed his girlfriend for the killings but admitted to setting the fire. [YNN][Post Star] [TU]
The health of a juror may jeopardize the Rensselaer County ballot fraud trial. One of the jurors was taken from the courthouse in an ambulance yesterday and the rest of the jury was dismissed for the day. If the juror can not return, it could result in a mistrial, as alternate jurors were released earlier in the trial. [TU][WNYT][Record]
Schenectady police caught a city man who allegedly robbed the Key Bank on Broadway and tried to escape in a cab. The suspect has also been connected to an October robbery at an Erie Blvd Sunoco.[TU][Fox 23]
Police are searching for a man who robbed a Troy Price Chopper at gunpoint on Wednesday night .[TU]
Bruno won't get $2 million in legal fees from NYS --yet, legislators using redistricting plan as template, DOT wants to clear up Northway traffic, gas station at proposed Colonie Shop Rite a deal breaker, guard says Slocum told inmates "I'm a murderer."
Legislative leaders are using the state redistricting proposal handed down by a federal magistrate this week as a template from which they'll make "the necessary deals." A three judge panel is expecting to see a final proposal by Monday. [NYT]
The Attorney General's office says Joe Bruno won't get reimbursed for more than $2 million in legal fees -- yet. Bruno's attorney has filed for the reimbursement under a public officers law that allows state employees to be repaid in criminal cases resulting in acquittal or dismissed charges. Eric Schneiderman's office has rejected the request deeming it premature. [TU]
A day after 2,000 state employees turned out at the Capitol to meet with legislators about Governor Cuomo's proposed Tier VI pension cuts, there may be signs of compromise on the issue. [TU]
New York State's Department of Transportation is looking for ways to clear up some of the traffic congestion on the Northway. On the list of options: widening the twin bridges and rerouting traffic with message boards. [YNN] [News10]
Under a newly hammered out plan Global Foundries would pay $12 million a year in taxes through 2059, making it the largest private property taxpayer in the Capital Region.[Gazette]
Deliberations continue today in the Troy ballot fraud case. Yesterday the jury requested a 40 minute read- back of the testimony of city councilman John Brown and Kevin O'Malley and asked to look at handwriting samples. [Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Eleven people testified yesterday in the murder and arson trial of Matthew Slocum. Slocum's cousin said he heard Slocum threaten to burn the house down the day before the murders. A guard from the Washington County jail said that when other inmates were taunting Slocum, he yelled back that they didn't know who he was and shouted "I'm a murderer." [YNN] [WNYT] [TU]
Proposed Congressional district would include Albany-Schenectady-Troy, cabaret law passes in Albany, man arrested for White House threats allegedly visited schools, duo busted for cannabis hard candy
The US magistrate trying to settle the New York's Congressional redistricting has released a proposed version of the district lines, which would spread the Capital Region over three Congressional districts. But it would also place the cities of Albany, Schenectady, and Troy in the same district. [State of Politics] [TU CapCon]
The Cuomo administration has told health plans serving people on Medicaid that the plans would lose state contracts if they deny women their choice of contraceptive until cheaper methods fail. [AP]
Said Albany County exec Dan McCoy during his first State of the County address of the county's fiscal situation: "The reality is, the county is close to running out of money." One of the cost-cutting options floated: privatizing the county nursing home. Also floated during the speech: the possibility of creating a community college for Albany County. [WTEN] [TU] [Troy Record]
The Albany Common Council passed the much-debated "cabaret law" last night -- though there was still criticism the rules are too complicated and don't do enough to exempt religious orgs. (earlier) [WTEN] [TU]
Glens Falls police say a man has been arrested for allegedly injuring and sexually abusing a 7-week-old baby. The man allegedly told police he abused the baby on three separate occasions while drinking. The baby was airlifted from Glens Falls Hospital to Albany Med and is listed in critical but stable condition. Police say the baby's mother left the child in the man's care. Police have not disclosed the man's relationship to the baby. [Post-Star] [WNYT] [YNN] [TU] [Fox23]
Healthcare workers acquitted in Northwoods case, mercury found in Albany Med cafeteria, Saratoga man arrested for allegedly threatening White House, the weekend in brawling
The four defendants in the Northwoods nursing home trial were acquitted by the jury on Friday. One of the defendants, a physicians assistant, said afterward that the state attorney general's office should have gone after the management of the facility instead of frontline health workers. [Troy Record] [TU]
Albany police say an Albany Med employee found mercury on a food tray in the hospital's cafeteria Friday, prompting a temporary shutdown of the food facility. A search then found mercury in other opened-container foods. The APD says the investigation is being treated as a criminal matter, and the State Police and FBI are assisting. [Fox23] [WTEN] [TU]
The Saratoga County DA's office says a Saratoga Springs man has been arrested for allegedly sending two threatening communications to the White House message board, one against the President and another against an unspecified elementary school, via email on Friday. The owner of the motel where the man was staying said the man had appeared "very frustrated ... talking bad about everybody." [Saratoga County DA] [Saratogian]
Albany County DA David Soares says he did allow a NXIVM rep to work with the DA's office developing a case against a business consultant to the group -- but says he resisted "tremendous pressure" from NXIVM and its allies to purse a second indictment against the man. [TU]
A study done for the state Department of Transportation concludes that traffic on the I-87/Route 9 corridor in Saratoga and Albany counties will "grow to intolerable levels" without some sort of new plan. More than 100,000 cars a day travel the Northway each day in the corridor. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Man apparently died in Schenectady fire while trying to alert neighbors, Troy ballot fraud trial nearing end, Niskayuna school district facing possible teacher layoffs, snag over new Lark Tavern sign
Schenectady fire officials and neighbors say the man found dead in the large apartment fire in the Central State neighborhood this week was an elderly man who was alerting neighbors about the fire. Schenectady Fire Chief Michael DellaRocco says they found the man's body near the door a second floor neighbor, whom he apparently had alerted. Said city public safety commissioner Wayne Bennett of the man: "You have to give him a tremendous amount of credit he could have just ran out the door and his concern was for his neighbors." [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [WTEN]
The attorney for Annie George, the Rexford woman who allegedly had kept a woman in service at the Llenroc mansion without pay or a proper visa, says his client denies the allegations -- and that "several allegations in the complaint are gross mis-statements." The Department of Homeland Security complaint alleges the woman, who's from India, worked for George's family from 2005 until May 2011, when she was removed from the house. [Daily Gazette] [CBS6] [TU]
Halfmoon supervisor Melinda Wormuth has resigned from the Saratoga County board of supervisor's public works committee following a Times Union report raising questions about two properties that she recently sold to a developer. Board of Supervisors chair Thomas Wood said he doesn't think Wormuth has done anything wrong and praised her integrity. Wormuth called the TU's original story a "smear campaign." [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
On the last day of testimony in the Troy ballot fraud trial, a State Police DNA expert testified that the adhesive trip of three absentee ballot envelopes had DNA that matched Ed McDonough. Neither McDonough nor Michael LoPorto ended up testifying in their defense -- though LoPorto apparently had to think about it until the last moment. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Matthew Slocum's girlfriend testified yesterday that she saw Slocum shoot his stepbrother and set fire to their home. [Post-Star]
Bloomberg adds support for pension reform, McDonald faces loss of support for Marriage Equality Act vote, trooper says Slocum confessed to murders, charges that a witness lied in ballot fraud trial, fire temporarily closes Corning Tower
Leap day snow caused a sloppy commute and resulted in school closings, but with temps of 40-50 degrees anticipated, it's not expected to stick around long. [TU]
Mike Bloomberg joined a group of leaders from municipalities around the state at the Capitol yesterday to support Andrew Cuomo's pension reform plans. Bloomberg pointed out that the more than $8 billion NYC is spending on pensions this year is more than it will spend on police, fire and sanitation departments combined. [TU] [NYT]
A State Police investigator -- the first person to testify in the Trial of Matthew Slocum yesterday -- told the court that Slocum confessed to the murder of his mother, stepfather and stepbrother in July. The defense told the court that Slocum's girlfriend was responsible for the murders. [TU] [Post Star]
A defense attorney in the Troy ballot fraud case says longtime Democratic operative Anthony Renna lied on the witness stand when he testified he watched elections commissioner Edward McDonough forge votes. Renna says his statement that he watched Edward McDonough cast fraudulent ballots in front of him was "a mistake" and that he was the one who filled the ballots out. [TU] [Record]
The teen driver charged with the hit and run death of an Arbor Hill man this weekend pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges. [TU]
A fire in the Wadsworth Lab at the State Department of Health resulted in a precautionary evacuation of the basement and first five floors of the Corning Tower. [TU]
Albany's proposed cabaret law has been reworked to include an expansion on exemptions for religious or education performances. [TU]
Alleged driver in Henry Johnson hit-and-run turns himself in, gambling org says casinos would bring jobs, car salesman arrested during test drive
It's February 29 -- leap day.
Albany police say the 19-year-old Bethlehem man who is the alleged driver in the Henry Johnson Blvd pedestrian hit-and-run turned himself in. The APD says Ian Eckhardt-Rigberg will be charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury auto accident resulting in death, which is a felony, as well as "several other" traffic violations. State Police say they were pursuing a speeding car on I-90 that night before the car exited at Henry Johnson. The APD says troopers stopped pursuit at the point, but allege Eckhardt-Rigberg went through the Henry Johnson/Livingston intersection at "a high rate of speed." Eckhardt-Rigberg had gotten three speeding tickets in a six-month period and was driving on a restricted license, according to the state DMV. [APD press release] [YNN] [WNYT] [TU]
Two of the accusers of former Syracuse basketball assistant coach Bernie Fine were at the state Capitol yesterday to push for a bill that would extend the statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases. The bill has faced opposition from the Conference of Catholic Bishops because of a provision that would open a one-year window for alleged victims to sue regardless of the statute of limitations. A spokesman for the Catholic org says it doesn't oppose an extension of the statute of limitations, just the one-year window. [Fox23] [TU] [WTEN]
The latest drama over the state's new public ethics panel: whether the panel is under subject to oversight by the state Inspector General, which part of the executive branch (in other words: will legislators be subject to a watchdog ultimately controlled by Andrew Cuomo). Ellen Biben -- head of the panel and until just recently the state IG -- argued the panel would be independent. [TU] [State of Politics]
A gambling org study projects that full casino gambling will generate $3.3 billion in "economic output" for the state. It also asserts casino gambling would create about 400 jobs at the Saratoga racino. [State of Politics] [Post-Star]
"Governor Gumby" says he's flexible on pension reform, Federal judge takes control of legislative redistricting, teen chased for speeding before hit and run, another Albany bleach attack handwriting expert "virtually certain" some Troy ballots forged
Andrew Cuomo says he's flexible --like Gumby on pension reform. Cuomo made the reference while urging New York's mayors to contact their legislators to express support for his pension reform plan. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli also spoke to the mayor's conference about Cuomo's proposed tier VI pension reform-- telling the mayors the plan wouldn't save NY enough money and could could leave future retirees with very little.[Daily News] [Bloomberg] [WNYT]
Cities across NY are borrowing $750 million dollars from the state's pension system to finance their contributions to --- the state's pension system.[NYT]
Legislators couldn't agree on where lines should be drawn for New York's new congressional districts, so now a federal judge will decide. [TU]
Albany police are looking into the third bleach attack in a month. A 15 year old boy allegedly threw bleach in the eyes of his 15 year old girlfriend on Third Street in Albany. [YNN] [TU]
The trial of Matthew Slocum, the Fort Edward man charged with killing his mother, her husband and her husband's son and setting their home on fire last summer, is underway. Jury selection began yesterday after the judge rejected a defense request to postpone the trial. [TU] [YNN]
The Troy man accused of sexually abusing five teenage boys pleaded not guilty yesterday.
[Fox 23]
Pedestrian killed in hit and run, police say BB guns hard to distinguish from regular guns, trying to find 51 percent of a bridge, don't hold a grudge
There's still no agreement on redistricting for the state's Congressional districts. Candidates have to start circulating nominating petitions in March -- but until the lines are settled, they can't be sure about the shape of the districts. [TU] [NYDN]
Albany police say a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run on Henry Johnson Blvd Saturday evening (map). A witness says the driver's car hit the man, then "busted a U turn and turned down Clinton and kept going." The father of the 19-year-old from Bethlehem who was allegedly behind the wheel says his son told them man appeared from behind a parked car and there wasn't enough time to stop. Given the set up of the street, neighbors said they figured a pedestrian would be hit there "sooner or later." [YNN] [Fox23] [TU] [WTEN]
The employment contract for Saratoga Springs Housing Authority director Ed Spychalski includes a rolling extension and what could be a $600,000 buyout clause. [TU]
Prompted by a recent local court decision in another part of the state, Albany Common Council supporters of a city ban on hydrofracking now appear to have a veto-proof number of votes. A spokesman for Jerry Jennings, who vetoed an earlier resolution banning fracking in the city, says the mayor's stance hasn't changed. [YNN] [TU] [WNYT]
The state Inspector General's office is expected to soon release what apparently is a very critical report of former state wildlife pathologist Ward Stone. [TU]
Apparent murder-suicide in Schenectady, Albany council passes ban on smoking in playgrounds, Campbell Ave in Troy closed again, early start for maple syrup season
Schenectady police are investigating what apparently was a murder-suicide in the Vale neighborhood (map). It appears that a man stabbed a woman and then hanged himself. The woman's ex-husband says he had talked to her that morning and she had been fighting with the man, with whom she had been in a relationship. Neighbors say the man had threatened to hurt the woman last week. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Former Troy city clerk William McInerney testified during the ballot fraud trial yesterday about his role in the alleged scheme to control the Working Families Party line via forged absentee ballots. He admitted to forging many of the ballots himself. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
The Albany Common Council passed a ban on smoking in city playgrounds. The measure's sponsor, James Sano, says it could be a step toward banning smoking in all parts of city parks. Said a woman opposing the measure during a public comment: "You're trying to put us in a corner where we can't move, we can't breathe ... Every time you look around, there is a law for this and a law for that." [TU] [Fox23] [WTEN]
State Police say a man used an ID with his brother's name when he was pulled over for DWI last May in Halfmoon -- and was processed through the Saratoga County system under that name. [Saratogian]
Cuomo stands firm on pension reform, Albany and Schenectady school aid restored, state selling 500 cars on ebay, Schenectady man dies after being dragged by train, council delays caberet law vote, regional home sales up, salamanders get help crossing road
The Cuomo administration continues its push for pension reform to be included in the April budget. In a cabinet meeting yesterday Andrew Cuomo said the power struggle over reform in New York is not between the executive and legislative branch, but between special interests and the people. [Record/AP] [TU]
Millions of dollars in State Improvement Grant funding has been restored to Albany and Schenectady school districts after unions reached teacher evaluation agreements. [TU]
Gas companies and hydrofracking opponents are trying to figure out what this weeks ruling that allows individual towns to decide whether they'll permit fracking, means for them. [NYT] [Record/AP]
Law enforcement agencies in New York state have seized more than 60,000 cartons of Indian-made cigarettes discovered during traffic violations over the last eight months, but the state hasn't done much more to enforce a claim that it has the right to tax Indian made cigarettes that are sold to non-Indians. [NYT]
In an effort to pare down, New York State will be selling about 500 surplus vehicles on its ebay page. Among the items up for sale -- a $180,000 recreational vehicle intended for use as a DEC command center -- that the DEC commissioner didn't know he had. [Fox23] [TU]
The Albany Common Council will not be voting on the proposed cabaret licensing law tonight. The vote is being postponed so more work can be done on the wording in an effort to eliminate confusion. The council will hold a public comment period before its meeting tonight on another issue -- a proposal to ban smoking at city sports fields, swimming pools and playgrounds. [TU]
[YNN]
In an effort to ward off a county law suit, the Schenectady City Council has agreed that the city will pay delinquent county tax bills on property owned by city residents .[Gazette]
Redistricting challenge won't be dismissed, Schenectady mother faces arson and endangerment charges, mom's ex charged with death of baby, contractor faces nearly 400 counts for allegedly cheating workers, Jumpin' Jack's on schedule to reopen
A federal appeals court has refused to dismiss a challenge to New York State's proposed legislative redistricting plan.[CBS6/AP]
Hydrofracking opponents scored a victory yesterday in the town of Dryden when a state judge ruled that town officials can ban hyrdrofracking there. [NYT]
A second gas company is considering running a gas pipeline through Schoharie County to transport gas obtained through hydrofracking in the Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale. [Gazette]
New York prosecutors have secured the 40th conviction in Operation Blood Trail, a seven month drug investigation that led them to 41 members of the gang The Bloods from NYC through Albany Clifton Park, Watervliet, Schenectady, Troy and Cohoes. [TU]
The mother of two children who were found unattended by Schenectady firefighters earlier this week,has been charged with arson and child endangerment for allegedly setting a pile of clothes on fire after a fight with her boyfriend, and then leaving the children at home while she went to look for him. [TU]
A Troy man is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting more than five minors. [TU]
Schumer says flood recovery money held up by Congress, Saratoga WWII hero remembered, Albany considering ban on playground smoking, student accused of backing over safety officer
Chuck Schumer says $200 million in federal aid for Irene flood recovery is stuck in Congressional committees. He pushing members of the committees to move the money along. Paul Tonko says it's been difficult getting members of the House to approve flood recovery money because they've demanded budget cuts to balance the disaster aid spending. [WTEN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany County DA candidate Lee Kindlon is pushing for an investigation of why David Soares' office allegedly allowed a top NXVIM aide to work with the DA's office in compiling a case against a NXVIM critic. Kindlon alleges the NXVIM aide "manipulated the grand jury process for her own ends." [TU] [Fox23]
Saratoga Springs public safety commissioner Chris Mathiesen is continuing the push for an earlier last call in the city to curb violence downtown. Says Mathiesen of the situation on Caroline Street around closing time: "It's out of control ... People have the right to feel safe on the streets 24/7, and that is not the situation right now." [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Clarence Dart, one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen and a Saratoga Springs resident, died Friday -- he was 91. He flew 95 missions during WWII -- and was shot down twice -- earning numerous honors. But one of his sons said Dart didn't talk much about the war: "He was a quiet, humble guy. He didn't brag about the things he did, he just did them." And said one of his daughters: "I said, 'dad I heard you got shot down twice and he said yea I got shot down twice,' and that's all he said." Said Congressman Chris Gibson of Dart: "Here is truly an American hero." [TU] [WNYT] [Saratogian] [WTEN] [Daily Gazette]
Deal on teacher evaluation system for the state, SCCC president apologizes for Chevrolet remark, group concerned about bobcat population, citywide open house in Schenectady
The Cuomo admin and the teachers unions have reached a deal on a teacher evaluation system for the state. The broad outline of the system: 60 percent of a teacher's rating will be based on direct evaluation of teachers, and 40 percent on the performance of a teacher's students. The lowest-rated teachers could be fired if they don't improve. The agreement moves the state closer to holding onto $700 million federal education aid. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [NYT]
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is calling for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to investigate the situation at the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority. And the chair of the authority's board said yesterday it will be re-evaluating executive director Ed Sypchalski's salary. [TU] [Saratogian]
A former Working Families Party employee testified in the Troy ballot fraud trial yesterday that former councilman Michael LoPorto gave her about 30 sealed absentee ballots wrapped up in a newspaper (complete with a line about there being "some really good article in there"). She also testified that Democratic operatives suggested trying to make a secret deal with Republican operative Bob Mirch to make the scandal go away. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
As Albany County moves toward purchasing its family court building from a developer, there's some significant disagreement over how the building should be valued. [TU]
Minorities in Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady Counties are arrested, convicted, and sent to prison at rates much higher than their representation in the general population, according to a report from the Albany-based Center for Law and Justice. [TU]
State comptroller to audit Saratoga Springs Housing Authority, SCCC president says new job would be upgrade from Chevy to Cadillac, Brad Pitt producing film about Saratoga story
The state comptroller's office will be auditing the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority to "help provide the transparency and accountability" to the situation surrounding the recently embattled agency. Said SSHA executive director Ed Spychalski of the audit: "I think it will clear up a lot of misconceptions about the Housing Authority." [TU] [Saratogian]
The pest control company brought in to deal with the bed bug problem at the Saratoga springs Housing Authority's Stonequist Apartments says almost 25 percent of the building's units had bed bugs. [Saratogian]
Testified Democratic Party operative Robert Martiniano yesterday during the Troy ballot fraud trial: "We didn't want to know [if] they had a legal excuse because it was a common culture in Troy to collect ballots so they could be controlled." [Troy Record]
The Schenectady school board has picked Laurence Spring to be its next superintendent. Spring is currently the superintendent of the Cortland, New York school district. Said Spring of the job ahead: "We've got work to do with the community, trust to build." Interim superintendent John Yagielski says the district is currently facing a $7 million budget gap. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]
Deadline for teacher evaluation plan is tomorrow, New Yorks's top judge proposes special youth court, NY legislators won't honor Houston,Councilman knew ballot fraud actions were wrong but not illegal, Selkirk dog Best in Breed at Westminster
Tomorrow is the deadline for teacher's unions and the State Education Department to come to an agreement on teacher evaluation plans before Governor Cuomo puts his own plan into play. [YNN]
New York's chief judge said he would ask the legislature to create a new Youth Court to handle nonevent offenses committed by 16 and 17 year olds. In his annual judiciary speech yesterday, Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman also voiced his support for videotaping interrogations of criminal suspects and expanding DNA collection for all felonies and penal misdemeanors in an effort to prevent wrongful connections. [TU] [NYT]
New York legislators have decided not to pass a resolution to honor Whitney Houston. [Daily News]
"I knew it was wrong, but I did not think it was illegal," Troy councilman Kevin McGrath said yesterday about his efforts to get voter registrations and later have those voters sign absentee ballots. The Troy councilman,who was granted immunity for testifying in the election fraud trial of Michael LoPorto and Edward McDonough, said he took the applications to McDonough and watched him fill in the excuse boxes. [TU] [WNYT] [Record]
The 11 year old arrested for stealing a car and, earlier, for breaking into vehicles and a store in Albany allegedly stole wallets, purses and cell phones from other vehicles before making off with the Mercury Grand Marquis. [AOA] [TU]
A 15 month old Glens Falls boy is in Albany Medical Center with a critical head injury and his father is in the Warren County Jail facing assault charges for tossing the boy when he wouldn't stop crying. [YNN]
The Occupy Albany protestor who got in the way of a DPW worker attempting to break down a platform with an electric saw at the OA eviction in Decemberpleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge in a plea deal yesterday. William Preston is the first OA protestor that David Soares office has agreed to prosecute. After reviewing video Soares office decided not to prosecute two other OA protestors saying their behavior fell in the guidelines of a peaceful protest. A fourth protestor arrested that the same night has had his case adjourned for six months. [AOA] [TU]
Albany legislature confirms Marcelle as county attorney, Immelt says GE Schenectady is on "upswing," Cuomo says it's not love but tension, Amazing Wok building former home of Nuremberg prosecutor
Albany County legislators confirmed Thomas Marcelle as county attorney last night, in spite of protests from people concerned about Marcelle's connection with a conservative Christian group.[TU]
GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt says the Schenectady plant is on an upswing and the corporate labs in Niskayuna are at a "highpoint."[TU]
Andrew Cuomo says his relationship with the legislature is not based on love, but on tension [State of Politics] [via Capitol Pressroom]
The company that administers the GED exam is hiking its rates, prompting the state to
search for other ways for New Yorkers to obtain high school equivalency degrees. [TU]
Police around the state have given out about 7,500 tickets for texting while driving since the law was instituted in July. The federal National Traffic Safety Board is pushing for a ban on the use of all personal electronic devices in cars. [AP/Troy Record] [YNN]
Troy ballot fraud trial slows over inconsistent testimony, UAlbany football stadium reportedly moving ahead, family wants officer fired for shooting dog, Flavour Cafe rebuild stuck
An inconsistency in a witness' testimony has slowed the Troy ballot fraud trial. [Troy Record]
The Irene flooding has left behind people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illness. [TU]
The state Department of Health says the odd illnesses of two girls in Corinth are not connected to illnesses of a group of teens near Rochester. The DOH apparently reached this conclusion without directly investigating the the cases of the two Corinth girls. [Saratogian] [TU]
A Schenectady 18-year-old has admitted to killing 19-year-old Terrill Reese Jr. with a shotgun in the Central State neighborhood in September 2010 (map). He said he pulled the trigger because had "problems" with Reese. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Construction on the UAlbany football stadium will begin in April, according to "multiple sources." [WNYT]
Former clerk says public housing residents were targeted in alleged ballot fraud, Tedisco pushes for 9/11 license plate, Saratoga County government not exactly a tech leader
Anthony DeFiglio, the former Troy Housing Authority clerk and Democratic Party operative, testified yesterday during the Troy ballot fraud trial that he and other party members targeted people in public housing for the alleged absentee ballot scheme because they figured the residents would be less likely to report the crime. DeFiglio also alleged that former city clerk Bill McInerney was involved in the alleged scheme because he'd lose his job if Democrats lost a majority on the city council. DeFiglio said it was "very stupid" for him to get involved with the scheme. [WNYT] [Troy Record] [TU]
The attorneys for the employees of the former Northwoods nursing home in Schaghticoke accused of not providing proper care for a patient argued yesterday that whatever mistakes may have been made were not criminal. Each employee has her own defense attorney, which resulted in a string of objections during the testimony of the facility's director of nursing. [TU] [Troy Record]
North Greenbush officials disputed the scathing state comptroller's audit of town finances last night -- said supervisor Al Spain: "We now have accurate information and we know exactly where we stand financially." He said the town ended last year with a surplus, but he didn't know the exact amount, yet. Officials say the town cleared up its record keeping problems after bringing in a new comptroller last year. [NYS OSC] [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Bethlehem police say a spat over a paintball fort ended in a teen driving his car into three other teens in Selkirk, hitting one of them (map). Police say the driver apparently didn't intend to hit anyone, just scare them. [YNN] [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Former clerk says absentee ballot application were collected "so we could win the line," boy allegedly sprayed with bleach, Caffe Lena planning renovations
Former Troy city housing authority clerk and Democratic party operative Anthony DeFiglio testified yesterday in the ballot fraud case that he helped former city clerk William McInerney collect absentee ballot applications at a city housing complex -- and that they never intended to give the residents their ballots. When accused by the special prosecutor why they were collecting the applications, DeFiglio testified, "So we could win the line, win the election." [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU]
The former heads of the the Sheriffs Employees Association of Rensselaer County apparently spent tens of thousands of dollars of the union's money at restaurants and a strip club, according to bank documents obtained by the Times Union. A group of union members alleged last year that the union's leaders were involved in misconduct, including having "looted or wasted the corporate assets." [TU] [Troy Record 2011 November]
Saratoga and Schenectady counties saw job growth last year thanks to the tech and advanced manufacturing industries. [TU]
Albany police are investigating an incident in which a girl allegedly sprayed a teen boy's face with bleach last week outside the Arbor Hill branch of the Albany Public Library. The girl allegedly had bullied the boy inside the library before they were kicked out. Police say the boy was temporarily blinded in one eye, but is expected to recover. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN]
Appellate decision on teacher evaluations could run way past Cuomo's stop clock, felon faces 15 years for causing fatal car crash,police search for missing Petersburg woman, Mother of baby left at church facing endangerment charge, gas prices near $4
A State Supreme Court Appellate decision over teacher evaluations may be as much as two months away, even though Governor Cuomo wants a resolution by next week.
[TU]
An advisory panel made up of environmentalists, lawmakers and business people that was formed to help draft regulations in case New York legalizes hydrofracking is on hold until Department of Environmental Conservation officials review tens of thousands of comments on the draft environmental impact statement. [State of Politics]
NYS DEC has lost over $100 million in funding and about 650 staffers since 2008, and the Adirondack Council fears that those cuts could endanger the Adirondack Park. [CBS 6]
A $240,000 ad campaign to promote legalizing casino gambling in the state has begun with 60 second radio ads in Western NY. [NYT]]
The mother of the four month old baby dropped off at a local church by a man earlier this week, will answer to charges of child endangerment in Schenectady today. [YNN]
A convicted felon will spend up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing a car and leading Albany police on a high speed chase that led to a crash that killed a Voorheesville man. [TU]
The cause of death on certificates of four of the victims of a Salem explosion last summer has been changed from accidental to homicide, but no suspect has been named. [TU]
New Yorkers like Cuomo but not legislative pay raises, Occupy Albany protests at budget hearing, Gillibrand visits Cohoes buisiness, man who died in high speed chase stole two cars, Giants fans awaiting the parade
Governor Cuomo is getting criticism from legislators for agreeing to give the Inspector General's office access to the tax returns of state workers who are under investigation. Legislators concerned that it will compromise privacy. [YNN] [TU]
Occupy Albany protestors staged a protest at a joint legislative hearing on the executive budget on Monday. About two dozen protestors showed up, chanting and waving banners, but as the hearing began only 3 of 207 legislators were present. [Capital Confidential] [NYT]
A new Siena poll shows New Yorkers are happy with Governor Cuomo and Kirsten Gillibrand, but not the idea of taxpayer funded raises for legislators. [YNN] [NYT] [Capital Confidential]
Kirsten Gillibrand oured Precision Valve and Automation-- a small business in Cohoes that ships worldwide. Gillibrand talked about boosting American competitiveness and bringing jobs to the Capital Region.
Auditors from the State comptrollers office say North Greenbush's finances were "so poorly maintained that the town board has no idea of the town's true financial condition." [TU]
Troy police are investigating an alleged child luring incident where a man allegedly tried to lure a 9 year old boy to get into his van. [YNN]
The Rochester man who died in a Thruway crash following 40 mile a high speed chase by police early yesterday was a convicted was a convicted felon driving a stolen car. [TU]
Police arrested a man for flashing a knife in a Road rage incident. [TU]
A recent parolee who spent 37 years in jail for murder was acquitted on charges related to a June burglary in Schodack . [TU]
Missing baby dropped off at church, man says he left dog duct taped so it would get help, 91-years-old and still skiing
The Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl 21-17. [ESPN]
Police say the Schenectady infant who had been missing was dropped off by an unidentified man at a church on Central Ave in Albany on Saturday. Police are investigating how the baby ended up missing -- her mother has been charged with perjury for allegedly denying that she is the mother. The father is also facing charges. Said the priest of the man who dropped off the baby: "He looked kind of weather beaten and anxious ... he also looked sincere and serious about accomplishing this task and I give him credit for making the right decision." [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [WNYT]
A jury found Dhoruba Shuaib guilty of first-degree manslaughter Friday afternoon in the stabbing death of Albany teen Tyler Rhodes -- prosecutors had argued Shuaib had restricted Rhodes' movements before he was allegedly stabbed by another teen in Hoffman Park last April. Prosecutors had introduced mobile phone video of the incident as evidence, and Shuaib's attorney says the video was probably key in the jury deciding to convict her client. Said Rhodes' mother after the verdict: "I don't want any retaliation against those kids in the video ... Tyler was against it, he wouldn't want that." [TU] [Fox23] [WTEN]
The Saratoga Springs Housing Authority is now bringing in a professional exterminator to deal with the bed bug problem at the Stonequist Apartments. [Daily Gazette]
The state inspector general's office now has the power to look at the tax returns of state employees and others potentially connected to investigations, an arrangement that might be illegal. Update: The state Department of Taxation and Finance and the state Inspector General's office released a statement today calling the TU's article "misleading and inaccurate." [TU] [NYS DTF, NYS IG press release]
Loss of public sector jobs holds back local economy, youth club director accused of rape, problems for a winter carnival during the non-winter, sir -- is that a cattle prod?
The Capital Region's job market has been slow to bounce back from the recession in large part because of a loss of public sector jobs, according to a state comptroller report out this week. [TU]
State inspector general Ellen Biben has been picked to head the state's new Joint Commission on Public Ethics. Her selection came during a closed-door meeting and was only officially confirmed publicly two days later after it was reported by the New York Times. Biben has close ties to Andrew Cuomo and her selection has prompted questions about the independence of the new panel. A Cuomo spokesman argued Biben is "the most successful public integrity prosecutor in modern political history." [TU] [NYT] [YNN] [State of Politics] [AP/Troy Record]
A couple of voters witnesses in the Troy ballot fraud trial testified they never saw the absentee ballots that were allagedly intended for them. [Troy Record]
There were six cases of Legionnaire's disease connected to the Best Western hotel near UAlbany, according to the state Department of Health (map). DOH says there were higher than normal levels of the bacteria that cause the disease in the hotel's water system. The hotel says it's fully cooperating with DOH. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WTEN]
Calls for mistrial in Troy voter fraud trial, state employees leaving Schenectady reportedly will be replaced by greater number, mobile phone video submitted as evidence in fatal stabbing case
Two voter witnesses in the Troy ballot fraud trial testified yesterday that the signatures on the affidavits submitted to the grand jury in lieu of their in-person testimony are not their signatures. That prompted the defense to ask for either the indictments to be dismissed or a mistrial declared. [TU] [Troy Record]
Andrew Cuomo described the push for his proposed budget as the "Battle of Albany," pitting him against teacher unions, "wholly unacceptable" legislative redistricting, and "a system that for 15 years has been dysfunctional." One of the weapons in Cuomo's arsenal: Photoshop. Also yesterday: education lobbyists continued to press their case that the state's education aid is falling short. [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics] [Fox23]
The state has recovered 46 percent of the jobs it lost during the recession, according to a report from the state comptroller's office. [State of Politics] [NYS OSC]
The 240 state DOT employees moving from a downtown Schenectady office building will reportedly be making way for as many as double that number of employees to be moved in. [Daily Gazette]
Senate approves DNA samples for all convicted criminals, DOT moves 240 workers from Schenectady to Colonie, Jar of bed bugs at housing authority workshop,voters testify in Troy ballot fraud, national show features Rainwalker case tonight
The Senate has approved Governor Cuomo's proposal to require everyone convicted of a crime -- from felonies to misdemeanors -- to submit a DNA sample. Currently the law only requires DNA samples from those convicted of felonies and certain violent misdemeanors. A similar bill died in the legislature last year over democrats demand for a stipulation that would make it easier for defendants to get access to the information. [YNN] [Reuters] [NYT]
Senate Democrats filed suit yesterday in an effort to block the newly proposed legislative redistricting plan. [Newsday]
The Chairman of the board of commissioners of the Saratoga Springs Housing Committee said Tuesday that the Authority's embattled executive was doing the work of three people and tripled his salary through merit raises. The city held two meetings yesterday to look into allegations of mismanagment and a bedbug problem in the city's public housing. At a public workshop, residents spoke out in favor and against Spychalski -- and one Stonquist resident showed up with a jar of dead bedbugs he collected from his apartment. [Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
240 DOT workers will be moving from their offices in Schenectady to the DOT headquarters in Colonie as part of a cost saving "restacking" plan. Schenectady city officials are hoping another state department will move into the offices. [Gazette] [TU] [YNN]
A dozen voters testified in the Troy ballot fraud trial of Ed McDonough and Michel LoPorto yesterday, some claiming they were asked to fill out absentee ballot info, others claiming signatures on ballots with their names were not theirs. [Record]
,
Testimony has begun four weeks early in The Matthew Slocum murder trial. The gravely ill grandmother of one of the victims in the case was allowed to submit her testimony yesterday. Slocum is charged with murdering his mother, step-father and step-brother and setting fire to their home. [YNN] [WNYT] [Fox23]
One of defendants charged in the fatal stabbing of Tammi Washington in Schenectady on Monday served 60 days in jail for stabbing someone with a steak knife in Downtown Schenectady 3 years ago. [TU]
Police are searching for the man who robbed the Sunoco station across from UAlbany's downtown campus at gunpoint Monday night. [TU]
Silver proposes minimum wage hike, Common Cause proposes alternative redistricting plan,Saratoga Mayor calls for state audit of City Housing Authority, murder/suicide in Saratoga County, suspects arrested in fatal Schenectady stabbing
Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver says his proposal to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 is "a matter of human dignity." Silver proposed the minimum wage hike yesterday, but not everyone is happy about it. [Capitol Confidential] [WNYT] [YNN]
The group Common Cause New York has proposed an alternative legislative redistricting map. Assemblyman Jack McEneney says the former is being called the "incumbant protection program" and the later "the incumbent destruction program." [Common Cause][WNYT]
Spa City mayor Scott Johnson has asked the New York State comptroller to audit the city housing authority. A public hearing is slated for tonight
about concerns of nepotism and questionable financial practices in the housing authority.
[Saratogian]
Two people have been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a woman in broad daylight in downtown Schenectady yesterday. [ YNN] [TU]
Saratoga County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a murder/suicide. An 85 year old man apparently shot and killed his wife, and then himself on Sunday in their Porters Corners home. [YNN] [TU]
A 19 year old Albany man who passed the exam the Albany police officer exam last spring has been charged in the murder of Albany High School Student Tyler Rhodes. [TU]
A State Police investigator testifying in the Troy ballot fraud trial says former City Clerk William McInerney admitted to forging absentee ballots in the 2009 primary when he was questioned over the summer. Later, Working Party members whose absentee ballots were turned in to the County Board of Elections testified that they never cast ballots [TU] [Record]
Cuomo says he'll veto redistricting lines, talk of primary for McDonald because of same-sex marriage vote, Cops-like incident in Albany, fist bump for the record
Due to problems with our hosting company, AOA's website was offline Monday morning. So things were a bit (or a lot) delayed. Sorry about that.
Andrew Cuomo said Friday that he will veto the proposed plans for redistricting, which will most likely prompt negotiation over changes to the maps. In an op-ed in the Times Union Sunday, Neil Breslin argued the creation of a new state Senate district that would cover the southwest part of the Capital Region is unconstitutional and "outrageous": "... Albany County as we know it would be drastically distorted, separating communities and disenfranchising voters."[AP/WSJ] [TU] Earlier: The Capital Region's legislative districts, before and after proposed new lines.
Sheldon Silver is reportedly going to introduce a bill today that would increase the state's minimum wage to $8.50 and include yearly increases for inflation. [NYT]
Records indicate the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority has spent tens of thousands of dollars over the last two years on travel so employees could attend conferences around the nation. Among the reported expenses: more than $5000 to send a receptionist to conferences in Vegas and DC. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Schenectady County SPCA says a Great Dane was found tied to a tree near the Mohawk by SCCC, malnourished and shivering Friday night. It says it appears the dog wouldn't have made it through the night. Two people have claimed ownership of the dog. [TU] [WNYT] [WTEN]
Look for To Catch a Test Strip Black Marketeer, hosted by Paul Grondahl, next fall on a TV schedule. [TU]
Proposed legislative districts released to criticism and veto threat, brokers indicted on charges of stealing millions, idea for bank robbery allegedly started as joke, that's not a real diamond
The state task force in charge of drawing new legislative districts for the state released its proposed maps for the state Senate and Assembly. The lines immediately drew criticism. Said a spokesman for Andrew Cuomo: "At first glance, these lines are simply unacceptable and would be vetoed by the governor." And NYPIRG called the proposed districts for the state Senate "clearly the most gerrymandered lines in recent New York history." Said the League of Women Voters: "This was a partisan process, has been for decades, and it produced extraordinarily partisan lines where incumbents continue to have the upper hand ... they are designer districts done by partisans who want to select voters before voters get to select them." Said Jack McEneny, who served on the task force, when asked if he though the proposals are non-partisan: "No. I think it was done by people who are very much in politics and know exactly where they're drawing the lines." [LATFOR] [TU] [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics]
As proposed, the districts would cause a significant shake-up in the Capital Region. A new state Senate district -- NY Senate 46 -- would include large parts of Albany County (currently represented by Neil Breslin) and counties to the south and west. There's been speculation this district was created for current Assemblyman George Amedore, who said yesterday when asked whether he would run for the seat: "I've got a lot to think about." Other big changes: the Senate district that includes Roy McDonald would lose a large part of Troy. And in the Assembly, Jim Tedisco would no longer represent Saratoga Springs. [LATFOR] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [Saratogian]
Said George Mott III following a jury finding him not guilty of being involved with the 1994 death Rosemary Crosier, about the fact members of his family testified against him: "[T]he story my mother gave was the worst. It killed me." Mott also says that if he had been sent to prison, "I wouldn't drag my wife through that so I would have to tell my wife she has to go on her way, we would have to split up." Mott and his family were confronted by a group of men at their home following his acquittal, and one was arrested. A Troy police report said there's "no reason to believe this is connected to the Mott trial." [Fox23] [TU] [Troy Record]
Albany investment brokers Timothy McGinn and David Smith have been indicted by the feds on allegations they took millions from investor accounts and used it for their own expenses. The attorney for one of them men argues they weren't skimming money from accounts, but rather the losses were the result of the economy tanking. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The federal government has issued restraining order to the stop the Double Happyness busline from operating after it allegedly continued to do so following orders to shut down because of safety violations. Yesterday in Albany, buses were still showing up at the stops that have been served by Double Happyness. Though it's not clear which company is operating the buses. [CBS6] [TU] [WNYT]
Mott found not guilty in Crosier death, criticism continues over redistricting, CDTA head for near-record ridership year, Gordon Ramsay sighting
A jury has found George Mott III not guilty in the 1994 death of Rosemary Crosier in Troy. The jury reached the verdict around 9:40 pm, after three days of deliberations. Said Mott's attorney after the verdict: "It's not something to be happy about. Someone has died here. It's something to be relieved." Scott Chaplin, the co-defendant in the case, still faces trial, which is expected to start in April. [TU] [CBS6] [Troy Record] [YNN] [WTEN]
The new state Assembly and Senate district lines are expected to be released to the public sometime today (probably). The early word is that they include some significant shuffling of the districts in the Capital Region, including a new Republican-leaning district supposedly created for George Amedore. That district is expected to take a chunk of Neil Breslin's current district and he's already calling the new district's creation "illegal and unconstitutional." Breslin says his current district -- which is Albany County -- is "as close to a Senate district as you could draw, if you were drawing it properly." [State of Politics] [TU CapCon] [State of Politics] [CBS6] [AP/Saratogian]
Members of the state legislature seem less than enthused about the proposed new "Tier VI" for the state employee pension system. [TU]
A grand jury has started hearing evidence for the potential re-trial of Joe Bruno. [Troy Record]
Obama names Schneiderman to head mortage crisis investigation, Bloomberg praises Cuomo in Albany visit, Comptroller blasts NYRA, New York ranks 13 in teacher quality,judge rejects two mistrial motions in Mott murder case,movie to be filmed at T.U. Center
Andrew Cuomo called President Obama's SOTU message "a bold vision to strengthen the national economy, grow America's middle class, and protect consumers." [Record]
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will chair a Mortgage Crisis Unit, announced in President Obama's SOTU last night, which will investigate risky lending and mortgages that led to the housing crisis. [Fox 23]
Michael Bloomberg came to Albany yesterday and had all kinds of good things to say about Andrew Cuomo -- especially about his budget. [NYT]
A legislative redistricting proposal to create a 63rd district would divide Albany County.[News 10]
A report report from the National Council on Teacher Quality ranks New York 13th in the nation in teacher quality. [TU]
New York State DEC wants to fine Buffalo Based U.S. Energy for allegedly polluting a brook in Alleghany State Park as a result of hydrofracking efforts in Pennsylvania [TU]
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli blasted NYRA yesterday saying the organization says has failed to implement 9 recommendations from two previous audits and would squander casino gaming revenue. [Saratogian]
Cheating on the SAT would be a felonly under a new law proposed by a downstate legislator. [Fox 23]
Authorities have dropped charges against the man alleged to have started the massive gasoline leak that led to fires and explosions in Fort Edoward last month. [CBS 6]
New state Senate district includes part of Capital Region, Albany treasurer sounding like a mayoral candidate, Beverly's in Saratoga is closing
The state task force in charge of redistricting is planning a new state Senate district that will include parts of Albany and Schenectady counties, according to "an official briefed on draft maps." [TU]
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled yesterday that law enforcement agencies need a warrant before they can place a GPS tracker on a person's car. New York State's highest court made a similar ruling 2009 regarding a case in which State Police had placed a tracker on the car of a man was convicted of burglary in Latham. There was a similar situation involving the car of a state employee at the Department of Labor in Albany who was accused of filing false time sheets. That situation resulted in a civil suit filed by the NYCLU, which called yesterday's SCOTUS ruling "encouraging." [NYT] [TU] [AOA] [WNYT]
More than 500 people showed up for an anti-fracking rally inside the Legislative Office Building yesterday. The rally was part of a push for legislation that would ban the method of extracting natural gas in the state. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
The city of Albany has agreed to pay $200k to settle a civil suit filed by the family a 17-year-old who was killed in 2007 when his car was struck by a woman fleeing police. [TU]
The head of the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority has responded to many of the allegations against him, arguing he did nothing wrong in hiring and promoting his children and addressing a bed bug problem. The housing authority has also hired a PR firm to help it respond to the allegations. [TU] [Saratogian]
Yet another criticism of state's redistricting process, settlement in Troy free speech suit, Clifton Park parents present alternative sex ed curriculum, "Hotel Hell" in Cambridge
Yet another criticism of New York's re-districting process: the dragged-out effort gives incumbents even more of an edge. [NYT]
At a community forum hosted by Paul Tonko, residents of Schoharie County expressed extreme and continued frustration in dealing with FEMA and insurance companies for flooding recovery. [Daily Gazette]
Twenty percent of Albany High School's teachers have already missed seven more days of school this year, according a district internal report. [TU]
The lawsuit involving the Sanctuary for Independent Media, the city of Troy, and former public works commissioner Bob Mirch has been settled. The org's suit alleged its free speech rights had been violated when it was temporarily shut down for code violations they day after a Mirch-led protest of Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi" exhibit. [Troy Record] [TU]
In case you somehow missed it: the Giants will be playing the Patriots in the Super Bowl. [AP/SI] [AP/SI]
Jennings calls for creation of world-class high school, Double Happyness still running, Cuomo says massive convention center would cost state "bupkes," a long-developing talent
In his state of the city address, Jerry Jennings called for a new high school for the city and said the presidents of both UAlbany and St. Rose would be working to help the city create a world-class institution -- whether it's at the Harriman Office Campus or its current location. Jennings also reiterated his support for the convention center downtown, calling it a "transformational project." [YNN] [TU] [WNYT] [CBS6]
With the town of Colonie's deficit squared away following the leasing of the town landfill, supervisor Paula Mahan says she's now focused on creating a rainy day fund for the town. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The bed bug problem at a Saratoga Springs Housing Authority highrise has set off multiple complaints and inquiries into how the org is managed. The city's accounts commissioner is questioning why housing director Edward Spychalski's salary has increased 110 percent since 2006 -- he apparently makes more than the Albany housing director, who manages four times as many units. And the feds are now investigating the hiring of Spychalski's children by the authority. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU]
The Double Happyness bus line is still running between Albany and NYC, even though the feds ordered it shut down for safety violations. [CBS6]
Local Congressmen say they oppose SOPA, family files notice of suit in Latham gym death, Saratoga resident was a Tuskegee airman
Both Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson say they oppose SOPA, the proposed anti-piracy legislation that prompted online protests yesterday at websites such as Wikipedia. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both co-sponsors of the bill, released a statement: "We will continue to work with our colleagues to ensure a proper balance between stopping the theft of intellectual property and copyright infringement, and doing so without the unintended consequence of stifling or censoring the internet, which we strongly oppose." [Troy Record] [NYDN]
Jerry Jennings says he's "had some discussions with people about us having a [casino gambling] presence here," and revenue from such an operation could help fund the planned convention center in downtown Albany. [TU]
The Albany school district's business superintendent on the effect of lower-than-expect state aid for the district in Andrew Cuomo's proposed state budget: ""It's going to be harder than it ever was in history. We have to pull a rabbit out of the hat for the fourth year in a row." [TU]
Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order yesterday that places a $199,000 limit on the amount of state money that can be used to fund the salaries of executives at organizations that contract with the state to provide health or other similar services. The order also directs that 75 percent of public money must be used for services and not administration. [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [TU]
The mother of the Chad Brothers, who died following the incident at the Latham Gold's Gym, has filed notice that she intends to sue the town of Colonie and its police department. The notice alleges police "negligently and carelessly utilized excessive and unjustified force" in subduing Brothers. [Fox23] [TU]
Cuomo 2012 budget won't raise taxes-- ties education money to teacher evaluations, Teen charged in hit and run death of St. Rose student, jury selection begins in Troy ballot fraud case, Voorheesville teacher charged with biting student pleads not guilty
Governor Cuomo issued his $132.5 billion 2012 yesterday. The plan closes a $3.5 billion budget gap and includes no new fees or taxes. Cuomo called the proposal a "budget and reform plan." It includes a 4% education increase that requires schools to come up with a new teacher evaluation system within 30 days or Cuomo says he'll devise his own. Cuomo's spending plan also proposes a new pension tier --a portable defined-contribution option a la TIAA-CREF-- for new state employees. [AOA] [TU]
The spending plan does not include any money for hydrofracking. [CBS6]
The budget also includes plans to speed up a $7.8 million payment in lieu of taxes to the city of Albany for the Empire State Plaza. [TU]
Tuesday was day one of jury selection in the election fraud trial of Michael LoPorto and Edward McDonough, but no jurors have been selected yet. McDonough's lawyer has suggested that his client can't get a fair trial in Rennsselaer County because of the high profile nature of the case. [Record] [YNN]
19 year old Alfred Zwack Jr. was indicted by a grand jury in the hit and run death of 29 year old Saint Rose student James Oki. Charges include manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.[TU]
Cuomo releases budget proposal today, local family returns after surviving cruise ship wreck, Black Bridge to be rehabilitated by fall, airlift wing helps with Antarctic evacuation
It's a big day in state politics: Andrew Cuomo will present his budget proposal at 2 pm this afternoon. (Video will be livestreamed from the Cuomo's administration's site.) Cuomo's $130something billion proposed budget arrives as state revenue hasn't bounced back as much as originally forecasted last year -- and there's still a $2 billion budget gap. Of particular interest to the city of Albany: $7.85 million in advance PILOT money for the ESP that the city is hoping to use to balance its budget. [State of Politics] [AP/Troy Record] [AP/Post-Star] [TU]
At a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration yesterday, Cuomo said disparities in the education system are a civil rights issue and instead of being "the great equalizer," education has become "the great discriminator." Cuomo has been critical of teachers' unions and school administrators, and yesterday said again he's pushing for a statewide teacher evaluation system. [TU] [NYT]
The Duanesburg family that was on the Costa Concordia cruise ship that crashed off the coast of Italy Friday is now back home. Says Joan Fleser of the moment the ship hit rocks: "There was this big lurch in the ship and I don't know if you ever saw the Titanic, but it was a scene like right out of the movie." The family says the most helpful cruise line employee during the panic and chaos of the evacuation was a showgirl. [CNN] [YNN] [WTEN] [WNYT] [TU]
The Saratoga County Water Authority has reached a deal to sell water to the GlobalFoundries chip fab in Malta. GloFo will be buying 4 million gallons of water per day. The company is the water authority's biggest customer. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
Feds question whether state has resources for fracking oversight, overflow crowd for GloFo jobs, religious leaders push for anti-gun program, hidden kidney beans and Buffalo crunchers
The Albany area got 2.6 inches of snow yesterday. That brings this snowfall season's total to 9.1 inches -- about 14 inches less than normal. [NWS]
A federal EPA response to the state's environmental review of hydrofracking questions whether the Department of Environmental Conservation has the resources necessary to oversee the drilling. [TU]
How has Malaysian gambling giant Genting gained a foothold so quickly in New York State: high-profile lobbyists and lots of them. [NYT]
An overflow crowd of more than 1,000 people showed up for the GlobalFoundries job fair. The company is looking to fill about 300 jobs this year. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state is investigating whether NYRA allowed people to bet on credit. [TU]
Thousands of public comments on fracking, prosecutors allege Moore had involved with home invasion, inmates staffing DMV call center, the "sturdy farm girl" defense
The state Department of Environmental Conservation got more than 20,000 public comments on hydrofracking. DEC commissioner said in a statement that if fracking its approved for the state, "it will move forward with the strictest standards in the nation." [NYT] [NYS DEC]
An indictment has been handed up against an Albany teen who was allegedly involved with a home invasion/robbery in the South End that include Nah-Cream Moore as an accomplice the day before Moore was shot and killed by an Albany police officer (map). Albany County DA David Soares says Moore was found carrying the same revolver was that used in the alleged home invasion. Says Soares of the two cases: "Although two separate incidents, the facts and narrative are inextricably intertwined." [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [YNN]
What appears to have been a stray bullet hit an East Greenbush family's home, riccocheting inside before putting a hole in their TV. The family says they think the bullet came from a neighboring property. Police say there may be no charges because it appears the shot was fired at least 500 feet from the house. [WNYT] [WTEN] [YNN]
Neighbors of the GlobalFoundries chip fab say they continue to be bothered by a high-pitched noise from the factory, despite efforts by the company to dampen the noise. One neighborhood said she slept in a closet in an effort to get away from the noise. [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
Cuomo will seek legislative blessing in convention center decisions, 200 show up to speak on Shen Board of Ed's Sex Ed program, opening arguments today in '94 murder trial, Gold's Gym rage video released, "gentlman journalist" Viggluci dies at 84.
New York may be in danger of losing hundreds of millions in federal Race to Education aid because it's lagging behind in teacher evaluation systems. [WNYT]
Governor Cuomo informed legislators yesterday that he'll be seeking their blessings on any deal he makes with Malaysia's Genting Group regarding a $4 billion convention center at Aqueduct Race Track. [TU]
Today is the last day of the public comment period on the DEC impact statement on hydrofracking in New York State. Yesterday fracking opponents and supporters brought boxes filled with tens of thousands of letters to the NYS Capitol [YNN] [TU]
The Shenendahowa board of education says they're still reviewing their decision to pull Planned Parenthood sex ed classes. Last night about 200 people showed up for a public comment period on the issue. [TU]
A jury has been selected and opening arguments are slated to start today in a 1994 murder case. George Mott III is faces charges of second degree murder in the 1994 beating death of Rosemary Crosier. [TU]
SUNY chancellor: "systemness" is the word, downtown Troy bar threatened with shutdown, Occupy Albany shifts focus, Meals on Wheels unexpectedly benefits from theft
GlobalFoundries announced it's started making chips about the new chip fab in Malta. [GloFo] [AOA]
In her State of the University address, SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher said "systemness" is the key to the higher education system's success. One result: SUNY will be regionalizing some administration tasks (like payroll) in an effort to save money. And, yes, apparently she (or someone) made up the word "systemness." -- said Zimpher: "If Stephen Colbert can do it with 'truthiness,' so can we." [SUNY] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The pedestrian hit by a pickup truck on upper Washington Ave in Albany last month has died -- and police have yet to find the truck (map). [TU]
The 18-year-old driver of the pickup truck involved in the crash that killed a Ballston Spa High School student has been cited for a handful of violations -- including driving without a license. His father -- who owned the truck -- has also been cited for allowing unlicensed operation. [Saratogian] [Fox23]
Both the city of Troy and Troy police are threatening to get Broadway Brew shut down because of a string of violent incidents connected to the bar. [WTEN] [Fox23]
Troy police investigating toddler's death, plan to expand state Senate, outgoing director says morale is very low at State Museum, a cup of coffee goes a long way
Troy police say a toddler was found dead in an apartment at Griswold Heights Saturday evening (map). A TPD captain says a man who was apparently taking care of the child left the apartment and there was "a several hour gap between the presence of the caretaker and the discovery of the deceased." Police say they're not sure what happened to the child and are waiting on a toxicology reports. The caretaker was questioned and released, though the TPD captain says "Charges likely will be addressed in the future." [Troy Record] [YNN] [Troy Record] [WTEN] [CBS6] [TU]
Occupy Albany was back with more than 200 people in Academy Park Saturday for a rally (or maybe it was 100 people). MoveOn.org was also part of the rally. Said one protester: "I work nine to five, I am a single mother, I work to support two young daughters, I pay taxes, I go to PTA, I am not the stereotype that has been cast about occupiers, that we don't have jobs... " [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [Fox23]
The task force in charge of drawing new legislative districts for the state has floated a plan to add a 63rd state Senate seat. [State of Politics]
Complaints about handling of a bed bug program were just the beginning of the criticism of the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority director, who's now facing allegations of nepotism and a too-high salary. [TU]
APD chief directs scorching comments at Common Council, school psychologist arrested after babysitter allegedly stole pot, the Price Chopper "store of the decade"
Albany police chief Steven Krokoff appeared before the Common Council caucus last night to talk about the APD's actions during the removal of Occupy Albany -- and aimed a series of scorching remarks toward members of the council. Apparently also alluding to the recent situation surrounding the police shooting of Nah-Cream Moore, Krokoff specifically called out Anton Konev and Lester Freeman: "Shame on Councilman Konev and Councilman Friedman who seemed at every turn so willing to distort the truth of any situation, no matter how tragic and use it for their own personal gain." Konev accused Krokoff of having "selective hearing" and burning bridges. The struggle and pepper spraying at issue came after the APD grabbed the last Occupy tent -- Krokoff said officers moved in to take tent because they didn't want the tent to shut down traffic by taken through the streets again. [TU] [TU Local Politics] [WTEN] [@JessicaLayton13] [Fox23]
Hundreds of people attended the funderal for Nah-Cream Moore yesterday. Preached a pastor to the young men in the audience: "Instead of letting your pants hang beneath your behinds, get something in your minds. You're not lost yet. Don't let nobody tell you you're lost. You've still got breath in your body." [WTEN] [TU]
The woman who was injured during the murder/invasion/robbery at a Cohoes senior apartment complex has been re-admitted to the hospital. Residents of the complex say they want to see upgraded security there. [TU] [Troy Record]
Local State of the State reaction, Soares grand jury will examine police shooting, woman says barking dog alerted neighbors to home invasion
State of the State reaction from local reps -- Jack McEneny: "There's an awful lot people can agree with. But the State of the State is always a very positive time, and then the devil in the detail comes during the budget." Jim Tedisco on Andrew Cuomo's "compelling argument" for casino gambling: "At present, people are getting on planes, trains and automobiles and going to casinos outside New York. We're losing that revenue." Rensselaer county exec Kathy Jimino on Cuomo's call for a commission to look at mandate reform: "If we're going to live within the tax cap, which is something that we want to do, and also continue to provide local services, then we need relief from the growing costs of the state mandates." [TU] [Saratogian] [Troy Record]
Albany County DA David Soares says a county grand jury will examine the police shooting of Nah-Cream Moore and there will be a "resolution in the not-too-distant future." Soares responded to calls for the an independent investigator for the case: "They've got an independent investigator here in Albany County and that's my office." The DA also said people spreading "misinformation" about the situation "will be caught and be put under oath and asked to discuss what they've observed." [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette]
An explosion leveled a house in Schenectady's Northside neighborhood yesterday, and damaged adjacent homes (map). The Schenectady Fire Department says it appears to have been a gas explosion -- a contractor reportedly had ruptured a gas line while trying to make an electrical repair. Said a neighbor: "It was like a bomb." [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [TU] [Fox23]
Troy police say an officer was stabbed in the leg while pursuing two suspects last night in North Central (map). The TPD says the officer fired several shots in self defense, but didn't hit the suspects. State Police helicopters were called in to assist in the search for the suspects, which is still ongoing. The TPD says the injury to the officer was not life-threatening. [Fox23] [WTEN] [Troy Record] [@TroyNYPolice]
State of the state today, APD guarding homes of officers connected with shooting, Albany and Schen school districts have 30 days to save millions, Cohoes robbery/assault suspect blames crack binge, Andrew Cuomo wants you to connect with him
Governor Cuomo's State of the State address is scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon. One of the things he's expected to announce -- a new statewide commission to examine education issues, including improving student performance and school accountability. Cuomo is expected to make his second year about making government agencies run more efficiently and cheaply. [NYT] [TU]
Albany and Schenectady have 30 days to request a hearing to reclaim millions in State Education grant funds. The districts are among 10 who lost funding for missing an application deadline. It could potentially mean about $3.3 million for Albany and as much as $6 million for Schenectady. State Ed says the most important requirement the districts still need to complete: create a system for teacher and principal evaluations. [TU] [News10]
Two internal memos from the Albany County Crime Analysis Center suggests gang members may be planning retaliation against police for the death of 19 year old Nacream Moore, who allegedly pulled a gun on officers during a traffic stop last week. The memo lists 19 gang members and friends of Moore, suggesting officers use caution in dealing with them. The APD is guarding the homes of the officers involved in the incident. [YNN] [WNYT] [TU]
The man charged with breaking into a Cohoes apartment building and assaulting two people -- one fatally, told police "I hurt those people, and I shouldn't have." Mark Richardson blamed his drug addition, claiming he'd been on a three day crack binge when the incident occured. "[T.U.]
Police arrested an Albany man this weekend after DNA evidence connected him to the assault and attempted rape. [TU]
Krokoff calls for patience on shooting investigation -- and defends tactics used to remove Occupy, man accidentally falls off bridge to his death, mind your old TVs and bear gall bladders
This just in: it's cold. Today's forecasted high is 20, with a low tonight near zero. Somewhat warmer temps are ahead Thursday. [NWS]
Says a pastor and community leader about the investigation into the incident in which Albany police shot and killed Nahcream Moore in the South End last week: "Just because we are patient doesn't mean we are going to let this die." Last week Albany police chief Steven Krokoff said officer Gregory Mulligan fired on Moore after Moore allegedly pulled a gun on two officers during a traffic stop, and an investigation by both the department and the district attorney's office is in progress. Common councilman Lester Freeman, who represents the South End, says he'd like to see an independent investigator examine the case. [TU] [TU] [YNN]
Krokoff yesterday defended the APD's actions during the removal of Occupy Albany last week, alleging protesters were trying to provoke a confrontation with police in order to raise their profile. [TU] [AOA]
An elderly man died following a home invasion at an apartment complex for seniors in Cohoes Friday night. Cohoes mayor John McDonald says the suspect arrested for the attack allegedly had been knocking on doors throughout the complex looking to rob residents and had also assaulted an elderly woman. Police say he appeared to be high on crack when he was arrested. McDonald says it's unclear how the man got into the locked building. [YNN] [TU] [WTEN] [Troy Record]
Occupy Albany's permit expires, police say grandmother sold presents for crack, gym employee accused of groping teen, meatball sub involved in pizzeria fight
Occupy Albany's permit allowing it stay overnight in Academy Park expired this morning. But the the group says it's planning to keep a 24/7 presence in the park -- and for the moment it doesn't appear the city will be booting them. [YNN] [Fox23] [TU]
Documents filed by the prosecution in the Troy voter fraud case includes evidence that suggests the absentee ballots of 49 voters were altered. [TU]
The plea deal offered to the owner of the two dogs that mauled a Schenectady woman in August includes jail time. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state Racing and Wagering Board ordered NYRA to refund overcharges it made to bettors on some "exotic" bets. NYRA says the $8.6 million in overcharges were an "unintentional oversight." [Saratogian] [TU]
Troy city council president charged in voter fraud case, majority of new ethics commission first meeting closed to public, as many as 500 spots in planned Saratoga parking garage
Troy city council president Clement Campana was charged with five felonies and one misdemeanor related to the Troy voter fraud case. Campana pleaded not guilty. Democratic councilman John Brown and two party political operatives pleaded guilty to the charges against them. Campana's attorney says he was offered a plea deal, but "he would not accept it because he cannot plead to something he didn't do." [Troy Record] [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
Now-former state Senator Carl Kruger pleaded guilty to multiple felony bribery and corruption charges. The plea deal includes a recommendation for many as a little more than 11 years in prison. Kruger's situation was odd -- or, as it was described in NYT: "one of the more bizarre domestic tableaux -- even by New York standards -- ever uncovered by F.B.I. wiretaps. " [NYDN] [YNN] [NYT]
The majority of the new state ethics commission's first meeting was held in executive session, with the public closed out. After being challenged about it by the AP's Michael Gormley, the chair of the commission said the org would be trying to follow "the spirit of the open meetings law." [TU] [YNN]
Woman charged with child endangerment after leaving kid in car -- which was then stolen, Gibson says he'd vote for temporary payroll tax cut extension, Native American from Mohawk Valley approved for sainthood
Albany police say an SUV with a 3-year-old boy apparently still inside was stolen in Arbor Hill yesterday -- the boy was found by a mail carrier not long after and the SUV had been abandoned. The boy's aunt said she had left the kid in the running vehicle while she had gone into the house for a few minutes. APD says it's unclear if kid was actually in the SUV when it was stolen, or whether he had wandered off. The woman has been charged with child endangerment for leaving the kid in the SUV. [YNN] [CBS6] [TU] [APD press release] [WNYT]
Schenectady's city council is considering charging a fee for inappropriate or frivolous 911 calls. One example cited: a woman pulled a fire box alarm because her husband had been suffering from a toothache for four days. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Albany common council passed an ordinance that would require vacant building owners to post a $10k bond -- it's intended to keep speculators from buying cheap buildings and not maintaining them. [TU]
Chris Gibson says he'll vote for the temporary extension of the payroll tax cut, if/when it comes up in the House. He also says the the House and Senate should work out a way to extend the tax cut for a full year. An apparent deal between the Senate and House on a package including the tax cut extension is in doubt after some Republican rank and file members of the House said they wouldn't support the deal. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN]
The six-year, $53 million renovation of the Albany County courthouse was officially unveiled yesterday. The project ended up being $18 million over its original budget. The building was first dedicated in 1916. [TU] [WNYT] [Troy Record]
Occupy Albany says it will be publicly presenting a demand this afternoon. Albany police say a protestor was attacked in his tent over the weekend. [OA press release] [TU]
Concerns about parking for consolidated state office space, "layaway angels" make local visit, primary care doctors harder to hire, snowy owl spotted
As the state consolidates office space and moves as many as 3,000 employees to downtown Albany, where are they all going to park? (And/or is it an opportunity for public transit and car sharing?) Related: more state office space and agency shuffling. [TU] [State of Politics]
The city of Albany has said that Occupy Albany needs to be out of Academy Park by Thursday -- but it doesn't appear the occupiers have plans to leave. Says Bradley Russell (he of the "Freedom Fort"): "Short of them physically removing us, I'm pretty sure everyone has intentions of remaining right in this spot." [TU] [Fox23]
Albany police say two men were shot on South Pearl Street early Sunday in what appear to be related shootings (map). The first shooting apparently happened inside the Simply Fish and Jazz restaurant -- and the second on the street down the block. There have been 49 people killed or wounded by gunfire in Albany this year. [APD press release, pasted below] [YNN] [WNYT]
"Layaway angels" have visited local KMart locations, paying off almost $2000 in merchandise. The manager of the Colonie store says the people paying off the layaway totals wanted to be anonymous. There have been similar stories all over the nation. [Fox23] [CBS6] [Google News]
Man allegedly said girlfriend dared him to pull the trigger, highway superintendent snagged in drug bust, Hannaford ground beef recall
Rory Poulin, the Wynantskill man accused of killing his girlfriend with a shotgun two weeks ago during a domestic dispute at their house, allegedly told police he had shot her after the woman dared him to pull the trigger. When North Greenbush police arrived at the house, Poulin allegedly told them, "I shot my girlfriend." Poulin's attorney argues his client never said he was guilty: "Admitting that he fired a weapon and that someone may have died from it does not make him guilty or that he may have caused that." [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Schenectady police say two people were shot on a street last night in Hamilton Hill (map). Police responded and surrounded a house in search of a suspect, but didn't find they person they were after. The SPD says it doesn't know of a link between the two people shot. Their injuries are not considered life threatening. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [YNN] [WTEN]
Two convicted killers from Schenectady are accused of conspiring to have two witnesses who testified against one of them killed. [TU]
The Albany County Sheriff's office says a Rensselaer man has been arrested for allegedly raping a woman in his car at the observation parking area at ALB. East Greenbush police say the man is also a suspect in the Walmart groping case. Update: the woman who was groped wasn't able to identify the man as the groper. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [WTEN]
Albany County legislature overrides budget veto, Saratoga County property tax increase first in a decade, USPS says it can't maintain footprint in Albany, learning to make butter beer
The Albany County legislature voted to override outgoing county exec Mike Breslin's veto of the budget. The version of the budget approved by the legislature includes an 8 percent tax increase. Breslin had warned that wouldn't be enough because the legislature was counting "on unrealistic savings and overly optimistic revenue estimates" -- specifically increased sales tax revenue. Incoming county exec Dan McCoy voted for the override, though he admitted the legislature had made a similar mistake in the past. Said Chris Higgins, the only Democrat to vote against the veto override: "We need to change the way this county does business. The county executive last year proposed layoffs, proposed closing the nursing home. These are issues that we as a governing body have to take a hard look at." [Troy Record] [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT] [WTEN] [YNN]
The Saratoga County board of supervisors made a few more cuts before approving its budget -- which will still includes a 3.5 percent property tax increase. It's the first property tax increase in the county in 10 years. Saratoga County's rate of $2.23 per thousand dollars of assessed property value will still be the lowest in the state. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [YNN] [TU]
The state Department of Criminal Justice Services has a launched a new database that will pull together domestic violence incidence reports across jurisdictions -- so law enforcement will be able to search for incident info regardless of where it happened in the state. Prior to this database, domestic violence incident reports -- which police are required to file with the state -- were collected on paper and put in storage. Saratoga County DA James Murphy says the previous setup made it hard for law enforcement officials to get details when people were involved in incidents in multiple counties. [NYS DCJS] [TU] [Fox23]
Erin Loffredo, the former Albany County Sheriff's office employee sacking for using false addresses to meet a residency requirement, alleges in court documents that former sheriff James Campbell and her supervisor both knew about the false addresses and had directed her to use them. [TU]
State spending on home care for people with developmental disabilities soaring, conservancy upset about lights display in Washington Park, video released of alleged Walmart groping
The state's spending on home care for people with developmental disabilities has soared, even as the number of people receiving care has increased only modestly, thanks in part to reimbursement rates that far exceed what in-home workers are receiving as pay. [NYT]
Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that prohibits most insurance plans from requiring members to get their prescription drugs through mail-order pharmacies (often touted as a cost saving measure). The governor's signature came with came with an agreement that the legislature would pass a bill requiring regular pharmacies to match the mail-order prices if they wanted to be included. [NYT] [State of Politics]
Among the cost-saving measures proposed by the state's Medicaid Redesign Team: not paying for human growth hormone injections for short children. [TU]
Saratoga County is looking at what revenue it might be able to generate from its never-used landfill. The county legislature has been looking for budget cuts after a plan to increase the sales tax rate fizzled. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Upset about what it says is physical and aesthetic damage to the park, the Washington Park Conservancy the annual Holiday Lights in the Park display moved from the park. [TU]
Price Chopper has announced that Neil Golub will be stepping down as CEO at the beginning of the year, to be replaced by Jerel Golub. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Altamont fire officials say an elderly woman was found dead following a fire at her home yesterday morning. They say the woman was found laying inside the door. [TU] [YNN]
Breslin vetoes Albany County budget, alleged mugger chased by store employee, police investigating gropings at Walmart, longest tenured state trooper retiring
Outgoing Albany County exec Mike Breslin has vetoed the budget approved by the county legislature. Breslin says the budget puts the county's fiscal stability at risk because "by counting on revenue that won't be there." Of the revenue assumptions in in the budget, the chair of the audit and finance committee says: "... when we present something, it's factual, not a guess." Incoming county exec Dan McCoy, who's currently chair of the legislature, has scheduled a meeting of the legislature this week to consider an override of the veto. The budget as passed included an 8 percent tax increase. [TU] [Fox23] [YNN] [WTEN] [Troy Record]
Rensselaer County exec Kathy Jimino says her county budget has taken effect, despite the unanimous objection of the county legislature. [Troy Record]
Schenectady mayor-elect Gary McCarthy on his decision to collect his pension and receive his mayoral salary: "It's a loophole in the pension system, and I'm using it to minimize the city's contribution" [because the city won't have to contribute to the pension system for him]. McCarthy also said Jerry Jennings was doing something similar -- Jennings says he's not. [Daily Gazette] [TU Local Politics]
The members of the new state ethics commission have been named. And, of course, there's some controversy. [NYT] [State of Politics]
Six-year-old helps save mom, Occupy given partial credit for Cuomo change on taxes, popular music teacher charged with child porn possession, Christmas tree ticks
A six-year-old boy helped save his mother from a car wreck in Berne on Saturday. After swerving to avoid a truck and rolling down an a bank, Aaron Wright's mother was trapped in the overturned car -- so he found her mobile phone, climbed out of the car through the trunk, up a snowy bank in his socks, and called 911. Said acting Albany County sheriff Craig Apple of Wright: "He's a smart little fella." [Fox23] [WTEN] [YNN] [TU]
Says former state Assemblyman Richard Brodsky of the Cuomo's administration's decision to change course on income tax increases for the rich: "Time was austerity and tax cuts were the only acceptable place to be. Now, income inequality and the 99 percent dominate practical politics. [Occupy Wall Street] paved the way; Cuomo and [California governor Jerry] Brown seized the moment." Said an Occupy Albany protestor this weekend: "It's pretty obvious that the politicians are listening and they know we're here." [AP/TU] [WNYT]
Free pigs-in-a-blanket and bite-sized spanakopita are back on the menu for legislators after a change in ethics rules has re-opened the way for catered legislative receptions. [TU]
Schenectady mayor elect Gary McCarthy says he's filing for retirement from his investigator position with the Schenectady County DA's office -- which means he'll be collecting a pension in addition to his mayoral salary. [TU]
The city of Troy has submitted an offer for the former Verizon Building, which is currently the temporary (and perhaps future) city hall. [Troy Record]
The aftermath of Irene flooding has led to abundance of flood-damaged homes being put up for sale. [Daily Gazette]
DA's office: gym death not result of tasering, Cuomo told legislators to vote for tax bill or else, crime down in Troy, talk of commuter line from Saratoga to Albany
The Albany County DA's office and Colone Police say toxicology reports indicate that Chad Brothers -- the man who died after being tasered following a rampage at a Colonie gym -- had steroids and PCP in his system. The DA's office says Brothers died from "agitated delirium," a condition associated with drug use, and not from being tased multiple times. The DA's office says Colonie Police "acted appropriately and professionally under the circumstances and therefore no criminal liability exists." Earlier: Firsthand accounts of the Latham Gold's Gym struggle and death [WTEN] [Fox23] [TU] [Troy Record]
Says one of the leaders of the Capital Region Economic Development Council say on the Capital Region's non-win in the grant competition: "We absolutely wish that we came in on top, but we cannot complain about $62 million." One of the local projects that did get funded is a new maintenance hangar at ALB, which an official says will allow a company there to hire 30 new people. Among the projects that didn't make cut for the Capital Region's grants package: a $25 million supercomputer for RPI. (Post-Star headline for this story: "North Country beats Capital Region in competition for state economic funds.") [AOA] [Fox23] [TU] [TU] [Post-Star]
Andrew Cuomo reportedly called Assembly Republicans 30 minutes after the tax code restructuring bill was printed to tell them to unanimously vote for the legislation -- or else he would campaign against members who voted no. Eight Assemblyman voted against the bill. Among them was minority leader Brian Kolb, who said of the process: "I think it was rushed and I don't think it was open and transparent at all." Cuomo says the tax restructuring legislation essentially finished 50 percent of the next budget. [TU] [State of Politics] [YNN] [NYT]
The director of the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority says officials didn't a call a pest control company to handle for reports of bed bugs at the Stonequist Apartment high rise "because we didn't feel a need to address the issue." Officials say there's not a widespread infestation at the 176-unit building. But a pest control company says the whole building must be treated -- not just the handful of apartments where the bugs have been found. [TU] [Saratogian] [WNYT]
Legislature passes tax plan, thousands left without power, Saratoga housing projects residents say there's a huge bedbug problem
The state Assembly and Senate passed the state tax code restructuring bill during the night. Said Andrew Cuomo of the new tax brackets: "The more you make the higher rate you pay. That I believe is fair." The bill moved with unusual speed from announcement to passage, raising criticism about a lack of transparency. Some legislators said they had little time to examine the legislation, commented Jim Tedisco: "Pretty soon they'll just say, 'Stay home, and just send in your votes when we bring the bills out.'" [NYDN] [TU] [State of Politics] [NYT]
Occupy Albany has received a permit to stay in Academy Park for 24 hours a day until December 22. [TU]
Though there wasn't much snow to yesterday's storm, it left about 3,700 people without power around the region. [Daily Gazette]
Reaction to state tax restructuring, RPI board backs Jackson, four get prison for mortgage fraud, chainsawing as personal expression
Andrew Cuomo said in a recorded video message that "gridlock" in Washington prompted the tax restructuring deal announced yesterday (he didn't talk with the media, or take questions). [State of Politics]
Local legislator reaction: Said Ron Canestrari of the deal: "If this is the way to do it and equalize some of the other brackets and maybe give relief to some others where there are inequities, and of course there are inequities, then I'm all for it." Jim Tedisco said deal lacks a "long term solution to curing New York's chronic spending addiction" (he'd like to see a state spending cap). The deal also includes a pledge to push for a constitutional amendment to allow full casino gambling -- Roy McDonald says he's concerned that expanding casino gambling in the state could hurt Saratoga. [Fox23] [TU CapCon] [TU CapCon]
Good government groups criticized the way the deal came together, calling it "a continuation of the backdoor-deal making that has defined Albany culture." Sheldon Silver disputed that there wasn't enough public debate: "I think there has been open debate for a year and a half now on what we put forth in a millionaire's tax. There have been no secrets about it." [TU CapCon] [State of Politics]
The parents of a soldier from Clifton Park who was killed in a brawl outside a McDonald's in Washington D.C. last month are upset that no charges will be filed in the case. Sources said his death was ruled a "justifiable homicide." [TU] [Fox23]
Occupy Albany is waiting for the results of a visit from a code inspector yesterday to see if its violations were remedied. [TU] [YNN]
The RPI Board of Trustees voted in support of president Shirley Ann Jackson one week after the Student Senate passed a resolution for Jackson to be replaced if changes aren't made at the school. [Troy Record] [TU]
Cuomo's tax plan shifts more of burden to rich, Albany County legislature votes to override tax cap, armed intruders reportedly tried to enter dorm, Saints edge Great Danes
Andrew Cuomo's new tax plan calls for more income brackets, which would push more of the tax burden on the rich and less on the middle class. [TU] [Fox23]
The Albany County Legislature voted tooverride the 2 percent tax cap, and approved a budget with an 8 percent tax increase. [YNN] [TU]
For the third time in a year, the Albany common council has failed to override a mayoral veto -- this time, the council failed to override the veto of fracking ban. The council was one vote short of the 10 votes needed. [TU] [YNN]
The proposed Saratoga County budget cuts funding as of midnight on January 1, meaning that Saratoga's big fireworks display could be in danger. [Saratogian]
Cuomo pushing tax restructuring-casino-jobs plan, a look at the lives of transgender people, fatal shooting in North Greenbush
The Cuomo administration is putting together a package of legislation that includes changes to the state tax code, casino gaming in the state, infrastructure spending, and jobs initiatives. The administration is apparently hoping the legislature will take up the legislation this week. Says the Empire Center's EJ McMahon of the legislation: "It's about a tax increase. The rest of the stuff is to shift the talk." [State of Politics] [NYDN] [TU]
The city gave Occupy Albany protestors a cease-and-desist letter based on "health and safety concerns," but officials may be willing to issue the protestors a permit. OA could have until December 22. [YNN] [WNYT] [Fox23]
David Soares says the report about his romantic involvement with a staffer in the Albany County DA's office is "not newsworthy" and "clearly a political effort to malign my reputation." (Lee Kindlon officially announced last week that he'll be challenging Soares for DA.) The relationship was reported by ACO. [TU] [ACO]
A Times Union package looked at the lives of transgender people, exploring the lengthy process a local transgender woman took to go from male to female, and looking at the psychological process they go through. It also explored the number of LGBT people in the US and locally. [TU]
Gary McCarthy will be new Schenectady mayor, challenger criticizes DA for "cookie-cutter justice," emergency hotline for new mothers only staffed on regular working hours
A court has rejected a plea for another recount, making Gary McCarthy the official mayor-elect in Schenectady. [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
The woman who was struck and killed while walking on the ramp to the Northway Monday morning had been arrested a few hours earlier by Colonie police for allegedly being high in her car and possessing marijuana and was trying to walk back to Clifton Park. [YNN] [TU]
An appeals court ruled that a Shenendahowa bus driver who was fired two years ago after testing positive for marijuana should be given her job back because the district has no policy for firing employees for having drugs in their systems. [Daily Gazette]
The Rensselaer County Legislature unanimously voted against the 2012 budget, but it is just a symbolic measure. [Troy Record] [TU]
Shortage of ADHD meds, Troy approves 2012 budget, Rotterdam teens launch balloon camera
The Capital Region is facing a severe shortage of Adderall and other ADHD drugs. [TU]
After a long wait, the winner in the Schenectady mayor race may actually be announced today. Democrat Gary McCarthy is ahead by more than 80 votes. [YNN] [Fox23]
The FBI is looking into a threatening fax that sent to David Soares' office, apparently over the Albany County DA's decision to not prosecute Occupy protesters arrested in Lafayette Park. [TU]
The Troy City Council unanimously approved a 2012 budget that does not change the tax rate. [TU]
Friends and family of the woman who was struck and killed while walking on a ramp to the Northway near Wolf Road Wednesday morning say it was completely out of character for her to be walking on the highway in the dark. [TU]
More local school children living in poverty, uproar over Albany County proposed budget, high school students building political networking site
The percentage of students living in poverty in many local school districts has increased by double digits during the recession. [TU]
At an Albany County Legislature hearing last night, heads of municipalities said they are concerned that cuts to services could negatively affect their communities. Many are also upset over the proposed 19.2 percent increase. To pass the budget as is, the county will have to override the 2 percent tax cap. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]
The Capital Region Economic Council made another pitch for its plan to spur development in the area economy yesterday, and focused on plans that would not require funding from the state (unlike items such as the $25 million supercomputer for proposed for RPI). [Daily Gazette]
A pedestrian was struck and killed near Exit 4 of the Northway and police are trying to figure out what happened. [TU] [Fox23]
A pizza delivery guy saves woman from burning home, recession has cost New York high-paying jobs, ski slopes are losing money because of warm weather
A pizza delivery guy saved an 83-year-old woman from her burning Clifton Park home. Said the 20-year-old: "I just did what anyone would have done in that situation." [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Roger Hull wants a hand recount of the more than 9,000 ballots cast in the Schenectady mayoral race. [Daily Gazette]
The League of Women Voters is pushing to stop the new Albany County nursing home, saying the funds are better spent on at-home nursing services. [TU]
A man was shot and killed early this morning in Albany's South End (map). He was found inside a crashed car, but police are unsure of the sequence of events. [YNN] [WNYT]
The RPI Student Senate has voted to request a formal review of president Shirley Ann Jackson, and her removal if changes in governance and strategy aren't made. The resolution says the Student Senate is "concerned by personal accounts from students, faculty, staff, and administrators, of President Jackson's leadership techniques, including top down leadership, abrasive style, existence of fear among staff and administrators, and lack of engagement on campus." [Troy Record] [Reddit RPI]
Local food pantries facing increased demand, search for car in fatal hit-and-run, stabbing outside Northern Lights, Occupy Albany shifting focus
Local food pantries are finding that they have to serve a larger demographic on a more regular basis because of increased unemployment and the number of emergencies the area has seen the past year. [TU]
Albany police are searching for a green Honda that allegedly hit and killed a man walking on Quail Street in Albany Saturday morning and then fled the scene. [WNYT] [WTEN]
The disputed ballots in the tight Schenectady mayoral race will be before a judge this morning. There are currently more than 100 contested ballots in the race. [YNN] [TU]
Rather than accept a bid from one of two companies to redo the state's troublesome Medicaid computer system, the state has instead extended the contract of the company that created an outdated, flawed system that cost the state millions in the first place. [TU]
Syracuse University has fired assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine after a third man reportedly stepped forward to accuse Fine of molesting him as a child. Head coach Jim Boeheim, who had earlier issued strong statements of support for Fine, called the firing "appropriate" and said "I deeply regret any statements I made that might have inhibited that from occurring or been insensitive to victims of abuse." [Syracuse Post-Standard] [Syracuse Post-Standard]
Meals on Wheels org says it needs help after van stolen, McCoy threatens closures and layoffs if no tax cap override, odd theft attempt thwarted by stop for soda
The Albany org whose Meals on Wheels van was stolen this week says it's looking for help to deliver its special Thanksgiving meals this year. And if someone has a vehicle to donate: 465-3322. [Spotlight] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
Albany County exec-elect Dan McCoy says the county will have to close its nursing home and layoff other county employees if there's not an override of the 2-percent tax cap. [TU]
Five Albany Diocese priests who were all accused of sexual abuse by the same man were were cleared of the allegations by the church after it says its investigation, overseen by a retired state Court of Appeals judge, found "no reasonable grounds." Says the head of a group that advocates for people who say they've been abused by priests: "I question how an organization can clear its own employees." [AP/Fox23] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Saratoga Springs got 5 inches of snow last night. Thanksgiving forecast: sunny with highs in the upper 40s. [TU] [NWS]
Shock over terror suspect's connection to Schenectady, council funds anti-gun program, first batch of arrested Occupiers have cases bounced
While he was living in Schenectady, terror suspect Jose Pimentel was arrested for a credit card scam and was cited for failing to pay child support. The man's former neighbors said they were shocked to hear about his arrest and said they were scared to learn that someone so close to them could have been involved in making bombs. A tip from Albany police had led the NYPD to keep tabs on Pimentel. [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [TU]
In passing the city budget, the Albany Common Council voted unanimously to match $150,000 for the anti-gun violence program SNUG, but Jerry Jennings has said city funding for the program is not sustainable. The budget also added five more firefighter positions. [TU] [YNN]
As the first batch of Occupy Albany protestors had their cases dismissed, city judge Thomas Keefe said he hadn't seen many motions to dismiss made by prosecutors during his career. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
State Attorney General Eric Scheinderman said he's sought to increase his office's jurisdiction to include state corruption cases, but was denied by the Cuomo admin -- a former aide for Cuomo said the conversation never happened. [TU]
Former Schenectady man held in terror plot, Occupiers concerned arrests are becoming "redundant," man accussed of blinding girlfriend's baby, possible secret to long life: lager
A former Schenectady man was arrested in New York City this weekend for allegedly building pipe bombs and planning to attack members of the police force and postal service, as well as military personnel returning from active duty. Police say he's an Al-Qaida sympathizer. His family members at Mont Pleasant home where he used to live said he was easily influenced and got in with the wrong crowd. [TU] [YNN] [WYNT] [Daily Gazette]
An attorney who worked with Albany Count exec-elect Dan McCoy's transition team was given an $84,000 job with the county last month. [TU]
Kathy Jimino's budget for Rensselaer County funds all non-mandated services until April 1 -- if the budget doesn't find emergency funding by then, those services would be cut. [Troy Record]
More than 500 protestors march with Occupy Albany, state reps won't support Saratoga County sales tax increase, man arrested for fatal crash had many license suspensions
A photo from yesterday's Occupy protest, from Tim Raab's photoset.
More than 500 people protested at Occupy Albany as part of an international day of Occupy actions across the nation. They marched to Andrew Cuomo's office in the Capitol chanting "Hey you, millionaires, pay your fair share." There was only one arrest for violating curfew last night. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [YNN]
The man arrested for allegedly hitting and killed a 19-year-old woman with truck in Schenectady, and then fleeing the scene has 10 suspensions on his driver's license. He's already been charged with a variety of offenses, and police are awaiting the results of toxicology reports to see if he should be charged with DWI. [YNN] [Fox23] [TU]
Many absentee ballots in the Schenectady mayoral race were left uncounted because of simple errors. [Daily Gazette]
The proposed Saratoga County sales tax increase is apparently facing long odds after the county's state reps said they don't think it would be approved the state legislature. Both Roy McDonald and Hugh Farley said they wouldn't sponsor the legislation necessary for the increase. [Saratogian] [TU]
Joe Bruno likely to face another trial, Colonie town supervisor results could be known today, woman looking for husband's teeth and glasses
A federal appeals court vacated the conviction of former state Senator Majority Leader Joe Bruno, but he will now likely have to face a second trial for taking kickbacks from a friend to whom he had directed state funds. [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
The final result of the Colonie town supervisor race could be known today. [Daily Gazette]
On the first day, the team scrutinizing the absentee ballots for the Schenectady mayor's race made it through only 136 of the 631 ballots. That's about 10 ballots per hour. Taking into account those votes, Gary McCarthy's lead over Roger Hull widened slightly. [TU] [YNN] [WNYT]
Police are searching for an older Dodge Dakota with a missing tailgate that fled the scene of a crash that killed a 19-year-old woman at the corner of State Street and Erie Boulevard in Schenectady. Local streets were shut down for hours after the 7:30 pm crash as investigators searched for clues. [TU] [Fox23] [CBS6] [Daily Gazette]
Call for special prosecutor for Occupy arrests, nanotech wants to take over old train station, mall accused of allowing "suburban slum," two banks robbed
Occupy Albany protestors say the crackdown on Occupy sites across the country has only strengthened their resolve to stay through the winter. There was another round of arrests last night in Lafayette Park. Said the head of the Albany County Republican Party yesterday of David Soares' decision to not prosecute people arrested for breaking curfew in the park: "The State Police are being basically laughed at by the local DA. We have a curfew, we have a set of laws, and we should abide by it." The party chairman is calling for a special prosecutor. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [TU] [AP/WNYT]
UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering wants to use the former train station in downtown Albany -- now called Kiernan Plaza -- as incubator space for startups. [TU]
The sixteen state Office of Family Services employees who are accused of spying on their co-worker after she was arrested say they wanted to know if she had been placed on a register for suspected abusers. [TU]
The Saratoga Race Track brought between $186 million and $213 million into the regional economy, but that number is down from the impact the track had in 2006. [WNYT] [TU]
Cuomo could appoint special prosecutor for Occupy Albany, state budget gap is growing, Albany airport scanners won't be able to see you naked
Occupy Albany protestors were arrested for a third night (tweet-by-tweet by @InnaePark), and the state could appoint state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman as a special prosecutor to supersede Albany County DA David Soares, who has refused to prosecute protestors. This news comes as Occupy Wall Street has been raided and cleared. [YNN] [TU] [YNN] [TU]
The state Division of the Budget says the current year budget gap has grown to $350 million due to a drop in tax collections. Andrew Cuomo says he's considering options and may call the legislature back to address the gap. [AP/YNN] [TU]
The Capital Region Economic Development Council's strategic plan aims to make the area a "destination of choice" by creating coalitions that help industries work together and share resources. Also: there's proposed funding for waterfront development in Troy and Rensselaer. [CREDC] [YNN] [TU]
Prosecutors plan to throw out Occupy Albany arrests, multiple shootings in Albany and Schenectady, record finishers in the Stockade-athon
The Albany County DA's office says it will not prosecute the Occupy Albany protestors arrested this past weekend for trespassing in the state-owned Lafayette Park because the protestors have remained peaceful. (Protesters say they were having a "meditation flash mob.") In addition to the two dozen Saturday night arrests, State Police arrested 13 more protesters Sunday night. [TU] [YNN] [AOA] [Fox23]
The counting of the approximately 530 absentee ballots in the Schenectady mayoral race will start today (Democrat Gary McCarty leads the Alliance Party's Roger Hull by 77 votes). In Colonie, there are still 950 absentee ballots to be counted in the still unsettled supervisor race (Democrat Paula Mahan leads Republican Denise Sheehan b 260 votes).[Fox23] [YNN]
There were two separate shooting incidents in Schenectady this weekend:
+ A man was killed outside of a bar in Mont Pleasant on Saturday morning, and two others were injured (map). [YNN]
+ A man driving through Hamilton Hill was shot in the leg Sunday as a bullet passed through his car door (map). [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say two people were shot in the Mansion neighborhood early Saturday morning -- one of whom appears to have been a bystander (map). APD says it responded to a call about multiple shots fired at Madison and Pearl at 3:15 am and found one victim, a man. About an hour later, they got a call that a woman had gone to the hospital after she had heard shots while on the corner of Madison and Trinity (a block up Madison from Pearl) and then felt a stinging in her upper thigh, and realized she had been shot. [APD press release, pasted below]
600 state jobs moving from Troy to Albany, a pro-hydrofracking coalition has been formed
The state has confirmed that 600 state Department of Health workers will be moved from Troy to the Corning Tower.. Says a rep from the one of the companies that owns the office space the employees currently occupy: "It's going to really have a negative impact on everything that Troy is trying to accomplish." [Troy Record] [TU]
A local man, who was one of the first African-American members of the U.S. Marine Corps, has found a renewed sense of connection with his service brothers. [TU]
Races for Schenectady mayor and Colonie supervisor won't be settled this week, Saratoga County sales tax increase proposed, grocery shopping after alleged kidnapping
The results of a handful of close local political races are still up in the air pending absentee ballot counts, including the Schenectady mayoral race and the Colonie town supervisor race. Absentee counting in the Schenectady race could start Monday. Absentee counting and machine recounts will start in the Colonie race next Wednesday and Thursday. Both the Saratoga Springs mayoral race is also technically still not settled and the Malta supervisor race are technically not settled, though it appears the incumbents in both races have comfortable leads. [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [TU] [Troy Record] [Saratogian] [Saratogian]
The League of Women Voters' Barbara Bartoletti called voter turnout in this election cycle "abysmal." [WNYT]
The ongoing ballot fraud case apparently has not hurt Troy Democrats at the polls in two consecutive elections now, as the party has taken back the mayor's office and possibly built its council majority to 8-1. On mayor-elect Lou Rosamilia's agenda Wednesday morning: teach a managerial accounting class. [TU] [TU]
The state Department of Health is planning to move 600 employees from Hedley Park Place and Flanagan Square in Troy to the Corning Tower, prompting concerns about the effect the loss of people will have on downtown Troy (map). [TU]
The proposed Saratoga County budget would increase the county's sale tax rate from 7 to 8 percent in order to help fill a budget gap. Saratoga County is currently one of only five counties in the state with a 7 percent sales tax. (Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer counties are all 8 percent.) [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
An Occupy Albany protestor says he plans to dare State Police to arrest him by staying in the state-owned Lafayette park past curfew (it's adjacent to the Albany-owned Academy Park where protesters have been staying). [TU CapCon]
Election results are in, town board member delivers baby at poll, carbon monoxide poisoning in Glens Falls, Troy family said city is "holding dog for ransom"
The election results are in for races all over the area. Here are a few of the biggest races:
Lou Rosamilia won the Troy mayoral race. [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
Incumbent Colonie supervisor Paula Mahan claimed victory by a close margin, but her opponent has not yet conceded. With absentee ballots not yet counted, Mahan has a 296-vote lead. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
The race between Schenectady mayoral candidates Roger Hull and Gary McCarthy is too close to call. The outcome won't be known until all the absentee ballots are counted. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Jack Mahar won reelection for Renssaeler County Sheriff. [YNN]
Democrats won big in the Schenectady County Legislature. [Daily Gazette]
It's Election Day, Schenectady cop arrested for DWI, teen shot in Troy, man hid a lot of meat in his pants
It's Election Day. Many news outlets ran voter's guides. Some commentators cited mayor and town supervisor races as the most important locally. Others hoped people would find their way to the polls. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
A Schenectady police sergeant was placed on 30 days of unpaid suspension after being arrested for drunk driving and could be fired if he loses his driver's license. [Daily Gazette]
A teen was shot during a fight last night in Troy's North Central neighborhood (map). The boy was taken to the hospital -- his injuries do not appear life-threatening. [TU] [YNN] [Troy Record]
A state DEC worker allegedly spent more than $38,000 worth of salaried time drinking at a bar. The 43-year-old biologist admitted that he went to the bar two or three times a week during working hours. [YNN] [Troy Record]
Woman who drove into river died of heart attack, student injured in bike accident wasn't wearing helmet, veterans finally receive medals
An autopsy revealed that an 84-year-old woman who was pulled from the Mohawk River this weekend died of a heart attack. The woman and her car ended up in the river after she called 911 to say that she was lost. Authorities and the woman's husband believe she had the heart attack before she was in the water. [YNN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The new city rules laid out for Occupy Albany include allowing only three portable toilets, two propane heaters, one generator, and no clotheslines. [TU]
Concludes a NYT analysis of records relating to the deaths of people with developmental disabilities in state care, including some here in the Capital Region: "it is unusually common for developmentally disabled people in state care to die for reasons other than natural causes." [NYT]
"Two well-placed public officials" say Global Foundries is looking to trade future state tax incentives for cash now, reportedly raising concerns about GloFo's financial situation. [TU]
PEF approves contract, drugs allegedly found in Gold's Gym man's home, sheriff's candidate accused of ticket fixing
Andrew Cuomo on why the PEF membership approved the revised contract: "Cooler heads prevailed. You bring down the heat, bring down the partisanship, bring down the rhetoric and have a dialogue." About 3,500 who had received layoff notices will now keep their jobs. More than 70 percent of PEF members voted to approve the contract. [AOA] [State of Politics] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
"Three people with knowledge of the matter" say that what appeared to be cocaine and steroids were found in Gold's Gym man's Troy apartment. [TU]
Rensselaer County Sheriff candidate Gary Gordon was heard on phone conversations seeming to make deals to fix tickets for relatives of officials. Sitting sheriff Jack Mahar has asked the governor's office to have the state attorney general's office investigate the calls. [TU] [Troy Record] [YNN]
Cuomo hoping people want to work less, PEF vote results will be revealed today, counterfeit items seized from Crossgates
Cuomo is hoping that seven percent of the state workforce would like to work -and get paid for -less than five days a week. [TU]
The results of the latest PEF vote will be released today and those who have already received layoff notices will know if they are losing their jobs. [YNN] [TU]
Colonie Town Supervisor Paula Mahan and her rival Denise Sheehan debated last night about town finances, development and the landfill. [YNN] [TU]
Family says Gold's Gym man had no history of violence, FBI in on investigation into threatening videos, Colonie street usual target for Halloween pranksters, kids get anti-bullying measures and new urgent care center this week
The family of a man who turned violent at the Latham Gold's Gym and then died after being restrained by police said he was a nice man who had no history of violence. An autopsy into what caused his death is still inconclusive and investigators are still trying to determine if police used appropriate force against him. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
The FBI has been brought into an investigation into videos posted on YouTube that threaten Niskayuna students and town cops. The FBI is getting a subpoena to force YouTube to turn over the IP address of the poster. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Colonie street where a couple hundred teenagers went on a Halloween rampage, egging cars, spraying shaving cream and throwing empty cans at responding police, has been a popular target for years. [TU]
Police responded to gym rampage with multiple taser shots, Albany has no precedent for removing protestors, infamous pink building coming down in Latham
The "burly, incoherent" 32-year-old man who died after police Tasered him at the Latham Gold's Gym yesterday had thrown dumbbells and increased the speed of another customer's treadmill and punched him in the face. When police arrived, he continued to throw gym equipment and lifted an officer off his feet. Police said they tasered the man about four or five times with the weapons on stun mode. Earlier: Firsthand accounts of the Latham Gold's Gym struggle and death [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
Since Albany has never before enforced a curfew at Academy Park, law experts say officials are in the right for not enforcing it now. [TU]
Jack Cox Jr., who was bounced from Troy mayoral ballot by a judge but had planned to run a write-in campaign, has dropped out of the race and will instead back Democrat Lou Rosamilia. [Troy Record]
FEMA has extended its deadline by which people affected by storms Irene and Lee can apply for assistance. [YNN]
Near miss on huge snowfall totals, teen shot in Albany, man dies during struggle with police at Gold's Gym, local scientists develop more efficient process for popular drug
The snow storm this past weekend dropped a record amount of snow for the date -- 3.8 inches. Other nearby areas got much more -- western Mass saw more than two feet of snow. [TU] [Saratogian]
A 15-year-old boy was shot in the shoulder and knee on Friday night in Albany's South End neighborhood in Albany (map). [TU] [Fox23]
A man died during a struggle with Colonie police -- which reportedly included use of a taser -- at the Gold's Gym in Latham this morning. [TU]
A police chase ended in a five-car crash in near St. Rose in Albany Sunday night, including one vehicle that crashed into a house (map). [YNN]
Record snow for the date, NYSUT officials get big raises, Sneaky Pete's alleges racism in zoning rejection, Ken Jennings visits RPI
It snowed 1.6 inches yesterday, a record for the date. And now more might be coming. People are not to happy about it. [NWS] [TU] [Fox23]
As thousands of teachers around the state were laid off this year, top officials for NYSUT -- the big teachers union -- got large raises this year. [TU]
The Albany zoning board of appeals rejected Sneaky Pete's request for a variance in order to build a new night club in the warehouse district. An attorney for the club alleged it was "a patently racist decision." [YNN] [TU]
Schenectady police say a man was shot in the back while fleeing from a group attempting to rob him. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
Cold weather comes to Occupy Albany, Crossgates evicting residential tenants, job openings are way down
The cold weather seems to have followed Occupy Albany into town. Will the protestors stick it out? Meanwhile, the state changed the curfew in the park to 11pm in response to the occupation, but there have still been no arrests made. And local union members are jumping on the Occupy Albany bandwagon. [TU] [TU] [Fox23]
The mass eviction of tenants living in homes owned by Crossgates has led to speculation that the mall is considering another expansion. [TU]
Inspectors are looking at a suspicious fire that started in the basement of Trader Ed's Nautical Pub and Restaurant in Troy. [Troy Record] [TU]
Doctor charged with forcibly touching patients, old school likely coming down to make way for Mormon chapel, mock rape trial in Troy
A Waterford doctor arrested on charges of forcibly touching his patient wants to be able to go on a religious pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The doctor claimed he was only patting down addicted patients who brought in urine samples. [Fox23] [Post-Star] [TU] [YNN]
A judge has ruled that there's nothing "unique or significant" about the old St. Teresa of Avila Middle School in Albany. The building will likely come down to make way for a Mormon chapel. [TU]
Colonie Town Supervisor Paula Mahan is demanding a retraction on what she says are false statements made by her opponent, Denise Sheehan, regarding the sale of the landfill. [YNN]
Occupy Albany in for the long haul at Cuomoville, some groups want a no vote on the PEF contract, guy gets 15 minutes for making Altoids flashlight
With no arrests planned, Occupy Albany is planning to stay for the long-term. Meanwhile, some protesters have dubbed Occupy Albany "Cuomoville." [YNN] [YNN] [TU]
The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities is trying to fire 130 people for abuse or neglect of clients. [TU]
While the PEF president is urging the membership to approve the new contract, some splinter groups are campaigning for a "no" vote. [YNN]
A new report on a crash last winter between a state trooper car and a cab contradicts many of the details the troopers gave of the incident. [TU]
Occupy Albany made it through its first weekend as officials debate arrests, man dies while on a ladder, alleged drug dealer goes free after evidence lost
As Occupy Albany had its first full weekend, police and politicians were reportedly at odds over whether to arrest the protestors -- with the Cuomo administration reportedly pushing for arrests. Jerry Jennings said the arrests would open the city up to "civil liability." David Soares on the situation: "The backdrop to this is that on Friday we had three kids shot and you are going to try and tell [APD] Chief Krokoff to take his officers off those cases to arrest people who are playing the guitar and eating cider donuts?" The movement intends to remain camped out despite the cold weather. [TU] [Troy Record] [Gazette] [TU] [NYPost] [Gotham Gazette] [YNN]
The 10 candidates running for four Schenectady city council seats all have the same goals, but different methods on how to make them happen. [Daily Gazette]
A man working on his house in Troy died after the ladder he was on fell onto a live power line. [YNN] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
Occupy Albany starts today, local folks reacted to the death of Gadhafi, many more housing units coming to Albany
People from around the Capital Region reacted to news of Gadhafi's death with satisfaction and hope for Libya's future. But his death reminded some of old wounds. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
The coverage of Occupy Albany was, in some cases, straightforward, while other stories tried to suss out the occupiers' game plan and the nuances of camping at parks. Where they set up camp could decide who foots the bill. [YNN] [Fox23] [Tu] [TU]
A man in Schodack was charged with animal cruelty and had his house condemned after police found several starving dogs and three others that were already dead. [YNN] [TU]
Schenectady mayoral candidates remained civil, laid off teachers could be getting their jobs back, a woman is accused of stealing half a million from a blind woman
Growth in sales tax, business tax and income tax is lagging -- and the state comptroller warning of possible shortfalls. [TU]
The Schenectady candidates for mayor talked about city finances, dealing with distressed properties and abuses of power. The debate was surprisingly civil. [YNN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Troy mayor race is still neck and neck. [Troy Record]
A federal bill would return about 7,500 teachers to their jobs, including many locally. [Troy Record]
NYCLU: police misusing tasers, county legislator's daughter charged with social services fraud, bored scratch-off pays off
The NYCLU says many police forces, including Albany, engage in unwarranted, improper and poorly documented use of tasers. [TU]
Prosecutors have decided to drop the child endangerment charge against Joseph McElheny. [Troy Record] [TU]
The daughter of Albany County Legislator Wanda Willingham has been charged with defrauding county social services over childcare. Willingham's husband was arrested last week for allegedly being paid to care for the children while their mother (his daughter) was not at work. [Fox23] [TU]
After New York's highest court upheld his conviction, Christopher's Porco's attorney says they'll apply to get his case heard by the Supreme Court of the United States. [TU]
The last student to plead guilty in the Troy High School gang assault received a summer vacation jail sentence. [TU]
New PEF contract goes to membership, Albany High School might move, Porco appeal denied,
The new PEF contract has been approved by union's board and will now go to the membership for a vote. If this contract is not approved, layoffs will go forward. [YNN] [Saratogian] [TU]
There is a plan to move Albany High to the Harriman state office campus, and tear down the old high school for a new college dorm project. [TU]
The Albany City Council has passed a ban on hydrofracking in the city. The ban passed 8-5, which leaves it vulnerable to a veto. [YNN] [Fox23] [TU]
The state Court of Appeals -- New York's highest court -- has upheld Christopher Porco's conviction. It ruled Porco's 6th Amendment rights were not violated by the admission of the Joan Porco's head nod, and "overwhelming evidence placed defendant at the family home." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [NYS Court of Appeals]
A driver fleeing from police in Albany hit a car and then crashed into a bus shelter in Albany that had a person in it. Both the driver and the person in the shelter were taken to the hospital. The shelter was badly damaged. [YNN] [TU] [@JCEvangelist_TU]
New PEF contract on the table, can region's city benefit fro tech growth, train station taxi company lowering fares
The PEF contract that the board will today decide whether to put before the membership for a vote runs four years instead of five, includes one two percent raise and nine furloughed days will be reimbursed. If the new agreement is ratified by the PEF membership, the 3,500 layoff notices will be rescinded. But just in case the new contract doesn't pass, PEF members are planning what they are going to do after they are laid off. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN] [TU]
The Albany County Legislature is having little luck finding ways to lower the county's proposed massive tax increase. [TU]
Question for Capital Region urban centers regarding the construction of GlobalFoundries and the expansion of the Albany NanoTech: Can they capture new arrivals coming to the region to work at those jobs? [TU]
Capital Region doesn't get GE solar plant -- is getting PhDs, man arrested in case of trash bin cats, bus driver fired for snack stops, the apparently taser-proof woman
One hundred GE jobs planned for Schenectady and Niskayuna will include positions for ""Ph.Ds, scientists, high-end jobs, headquarters management jobs." This came after the Capital Region lost out on a bid to put a GE Solar Panel plant here. [YNN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A Nassau man has been arrested and sent to jail after police say he admitted to sealing a mother cat and her babies in a box and throwing them in a trash bin. Police are not sure if Ryan Dorr is also the person who shot and paralyzed the mother cat. [Fox23] [TU] [YNN]
The heating assistance program HEAP is being delayed and funding cut for this winter. [Post-Star]
Father acquitted of killing his baby, state offices 25 percent vacant downtown, Troy LIbrary cutting services, Union College hockey coach appears in ESPN's Body issue
After a month-long trial and four days of jury deliberations, a Rensselaer county father was acquitted of killing his baby daughter.After being released last night, Joseph McElheny called the experience "surreal." [Troy Record] [YNN] [TU] [WNYT] [YNN]
After years of attrition, about 25 percent of the state's downtown office space is now vacant. [TU]
Those opposed to the relocation of Sneaky Pete's nightclub in Albany say the bar won't be able to control hundreds of patrons after they leave for the night. [TU]
The Troy Public Library's Board of Directors has decided to cut services rather than try to pass another tax hike. [Troy Record]
PEF accuses Cuomo off "walking away" from negotiations, animal abuser registry approved, Troy drops college requirement for new police officers, bee caused truck crash
PEF says there have been no new developments in its negotiations with the Cuomo admin -- and on Tuesday the union's president accused Andrew Cuomo of "just walking away from the negotiating table." PEF has been polling members about which concessions they might be willing to make. About 3,500 PEF members could be laid off without a contract deal. [TU] [State of Politics]
Supporters of the anti-gun violence program SNUG rallied near the Governor's Mansion yesterday in an effort shake loose funding for the program (map). The Cuomo admin has been silent on the matter -- and though Jerry Jennings says he thinks there will be money, but there are still no details. [WNYT] [TU]
The Albany County legislature unanimously approved the creation of a registry for animal abusers. The registry will include names, addresses, and photos of convicted abusers. The bill also includes a provision that requires anyone selling or giving away an animal to check the registry before handing over the animal. Supporters say the registry will help prevent abusers from abusing again. [YNN] [WTEN] [Fox23] [TU]
Albany International has moved its remaining manufacturing jobs in the area to Mexico -- and says it's "considering" it's options about its offices in Menands. [TU]
PEF has eight days to make a decision, a mother cat and three kittens were found in a trash bin, zombies in Troy
PEF has until October 19th to ratify an altered contract, or thousands of layoffs will move forward. Meanwhile, PEF members and their families are planning a rally this morning. [TU] [Fox23]
The jury in the case of the father charged with his infant daughter's death is going into its third day of deliberations. [Fox23] [YNN]
A mother cat and three baby kittens were found in a duct taped box in a trash bin in Nassau. The mother had been shot with a pellet and is now paralyzed. [TU] [YNN]
The Albany County Jail conducted a more-thorough-than-usual contraband sweep yesterday, and came up with a pile of illicit goods. [Fox23]
Strange case of attempted "suicide by cop" at newspaper offices, towns using their surplus to balance budgets, Angry Birds and Charlie Sheen popular Halloween costumes
The Daily Gazette is reviewing building security after a man attempted "suicide by cop" in the newspaper's offices over the weekend and was shot three times by police. The 21-year-old man's aunt said she'd tried to get him help in the days before the incident. Meanwhile, police are trying to figure out what led the man to the Gazette's offices. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette]
A Schenectady shooting victim who tried to drive to the hospital didn't make it very far. The driver was one of two men shot in that incident. [TU] [YNN]
Of the $1.4 billion taxpayers gave to the upstart of the GlobalFoundries chip fab plant, tens of thousands of dollars went to luxury expenses such as apartment rentals and executive lunches. [TU]
The SUNY Research Foundation reached a $30,000 settlement with a former employee who alleged she had been fired after blowing the whistle on alleged alterations made to Medicaid data. [TU]
Albany County looking at nearly 20 percent tax hike, Cuomo might ask PEF to accept shorter contract, woman grateful that authorities took away her animals, Wilton might get a horse park
Albany County may face a tax increase that's nearly ten times the cap. In the past two years, the county has lost $17.6 million in sales tax revenue. During the same period, state funding has also tanked. [YNN] [WNYT] [TU] [Troy Record]
Cuomo pondered whether PEF members would accept a shorter version of a contract similar to the one they rejected. [TU] [YNN]
A Rotterdam woman said she was relieved when authorities showed up to take away her house full of cats. The house was covered with feces and fleas. The woman was charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [YNN]
Students protest tuition hikes and budget cuts, defense rests in trial of father accused of killing infant, Schenectady cops are looking for customer comments
The PEF leadership met Tuesday evening to determine whether to bring a new contract to a vote. [TU]
Students protesting at UAlbany on Wednesday won the promise of an upcoming town hall meeting to address concerns over rising tuition and budget cuts. The UAlbany contingent was one of many student groups that protested around the state. [WNYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
A passenger was killed in a one-car crash in Colonie. The driver, who police do not believe was drunk, was also injured. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
The defense rested in the case of a father accused of killing his infant daughter. [Troy Record]
Burglars are targeting Albany restaurants, more subpoenas in election fruad case, food pantries need help, Latham history is in demand
Burglars have hit at least a dozen Albany restaurants since last week. In most cases, they are breaking in through windows and taking money from cash registers. [TU] [Fox23] [YNN]
While sentencing a caseworker to probation for failing to check up on a child, Judge Karen Drago said the system is failing children. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A number of Board of Elections employees have been subpoenaed in the Troy election fraud case as accusations continue to swirl. [Troy Record] [TU]
A Schoharie rancher hasn't found any of the 22 horses he lost during Irene - but he's still looking. [TU]
Many of the jobs facing lay off from the state are local, the Occupy protest movement has arrived here, family fights off a home invasion in Cohoes, a 95-year-old drummer is still hitting the skins
About a third of the people who might be laid off in the PEF vs. state battle are Capital Region residents. [TU]
Keeping the new Schenectady County budget under the tax cap involved cutting about 200 positions and consolidating departments. [Daily Gazette]
The Occupy protest movement, quickly spreading across the U.S., has made it to Albany. [Saratogian] [[TU] [TU]
The Albany Common Council has proposed a ban on hydrofracking. [YNN]
Eliminated state jobs could be outsourced, FEMA housing has finally arrived, the new ShopRite was mobbed, the Albany High football team is really down on its luck
The steps thus far in in the contract battle between Cuomo and PEF have created a delicate game of chess - and both sides have a lot to lose. If those workers are officially laid off, the jobs will likely be outsourced. [TU] [TU]
The first wave of FEMA housing has arrived in the Mohawk Valley. Also, the FEMA assistance deadline has been extended. [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
Most Watervliet homeowners will be paying either higher or lower taxes by next year. [Troy Record]
The new Niskayuna ShopRite was mobbed on its first weekend. The ShopRite, Price Chopper, Hannaford price battle could mean good things for shoppers. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [TU]
PEF would like to work it out, woman accused of killing man says he wanted it, convict wanted to pay debts by getting the band back together
PEF is still hoping to go back to the negotiating table with the state and avoid some layoffs. [YNN] [WNYT]
A Herkimer woman who is accused of running over a man who had his hands and feet bound claims that he paid her money to kill him. [TU] [WNYT]
An Army colonel from Malta has been promoted and will now be second-in-command at Gitmo. [TU]
A Slingerlands woman faces a long recovery road after suffering a brutal head injury -- but she's alive. [TU]
The family of a Rotterdam man who was run over and killed by a man driving away in his repossessed truck won a $1.2 million settlement. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Father accused of causing daughter's death takes the stand, $100 counterfeits in Troy, kitten being treated in oxygen chamber
The Troy father on trial for killing his baby daughter took the stand yesterday, testifying that he never abused the girl, and that she had health problems. [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
Local flood victims expressed anger at a meeting with FEMA officials last night. Complaints include slow processing of paperwork and strict guidelines for aid. [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
Heavy rainstorms are closing roads and snarling commutes. [TU]
The federal government is providing funds to hire more police officers in Albany and Troy. Albany's application cited a surge in quality of life crimes in the student ghetto. The APD says the money will enable it hire 16 new officers. [AOA] [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
PEF layoffs could begin immediately, fewer can afford community college, nano business is growing, it's been a month since Irene
The first wave of layoff notices are expected to come down immediately after PEF voted down a proposed union contract. PEF President Ken Brynien said the cuts the membership were expected to absorb were just too much. Meanwhile, Cuomo tried to blame the no vote on the union's leadership. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN] [Troy Record]
Fewer people can afford to go to community college. [Daily Gazette]
With the new nano businesses, the chips keep getting smaller and faster. And these tiny pieces will hopefully mean a giant boost to our economy. [TU] [YNN]
The Troy library vote failed by only 20 votes. [Troy Record] [YNN]
PEF is counting votes, town of Colonie still facing budget deficit, that wine store isn't a drive-thru
PEF members are anxiously awaiting the result of the contract vote count. A "no" vote could mean thousands of layoffs. [TU] [YNN]
The cash payment for the privatizing of the Colonie landfill should cover the town deficit until the end of the year, but will not stop the 2012 tax rate from increasing. [TU]
A man has been charged with attempted kidnapping and assault for attacking a woman at a Greenfield gas station. He allegedly got into the woman's car, assaulted her and then fled when she fought back. [YNN] [TU] [Saratogian]
Motions are still going back and forth in the Katherine Seeber murder case - 11 years after Seeber's grandmother was killed. [TU]
Engineers are working on fixing Schoharie County's flood sirens - many of which have been broken since the floods began. [Daily Gazette]
State preparing for layoffs, man shot and killed by troopers, gun violence up in Albany, Roger the cat wants to be mayor
State bosses are getting their layoff lists ready. If the PEF contract is rejected, layoffs could begin. [TU]
A man was shot and killed by state troopers in Schoharie County after firing a shotgun at them. Police called to scene found 27-year-old Richard Welden sitting in a car with his girlfriend, holding the loaded gun. [TU] [YNN] [WTEN] [WNYT]
A man sitting on the tracks in Albany was hit by a slow-moving train and suffered non-threatening head injuries. [WYNT] [TU] [WTEN]
Albany gun violence is spiking just as anti-violence programs may lose funding. [TU]
Two people were stabbed in separate incidents along Main Street in Cohoes last night (map). [YNN]
Median income levels down, convicted child molester will get to see his daughter in prison, man nabbed for alleged lewd check out at library, Pines crew had to save film by canoe
The median income in all four core counties of the Capital Region was down in 2010 compared to the year before, according to data from the Census -- and only Saratoga County had a median income level higher than 2006. The percentage of residents living in poverty in the city of Albany grew from 22.9 percent to 28.2 percent (though there are some caveats for those numbers). [TU] [TU]
The House of Representatives passed a bill that would provide new funding to FEMA -- though there's some doubt as to how it will match up with the Senate's preferred version of the legislation. The House bill had been voted down earlier this week, which prompted criticism from New York leaders -- including Andrew Cuomo -- who are looking to the federal government to help provide disaster recovery funding for Irene and Lee flooding. [NYT] [TU]
A man convicted of molesting eight boys in a Clifton Park classroom will get visitation with his young daughter in prison after the state Court of Appeals rejected an effort by his ex-wife to block the visits. [TU]
Some landowners around the state who have signed hydrofracking leases are reportedly now having second thoughts. [NYT]
West Nile virus in Albany, woman almost passed on winning lottery ticket, this summer's weather wasn't all that
Albany County reported its first case of West Nile virus in a human. All the recent flooding has led to a mosquito boom. [YNN] [WNYT]
Alexander Grant, the college student who was found dead in a Saratoga creek this past March, did not have drugs in his system -- but he was legally drunk. Authorities are still hoping for more information to help them complete the picture of what happened to him. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A doctor testifying as an expert witness in the trial of Joseph McElheny said yesterday McElheny's daughter had been abused before her death last year, and would have been screaming out in pain every time she was picked up during the last month of her life. [TU]
The family of Jonathan Carey, the autistic boy who was smothered by an aide from a state center in Schenectady in 2007, will get a $5 million settlement from the state. [NYT]
There was a vigil outside the state Capitol last night for Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis in the moments before he was executed. [YNN] [WTEN]
Many flood victims are still homeless and without aid, CTDA may face service cuts, New Yorkers favor casinos
Many people from along the Mohawk River are still homeless, as are many pets.[Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Victims are wondering what could have been done to stop or mitigate the floods. [Daily Gazette]
State government can't decide how to deliver disaster aid. But some in the state are hoping to absolve those flooded from having to pay sales tax. [TU] [YNN]
An off-duty trooper who ran over a man lying in the road and then drove away has had all charges dropped. There appears to be no law against driving away and reporting an incident hours or days later when the only person at the scene is dead. The state trooper's girlfriend called emergency services from the road after her boyfriend had driven away. [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Bus riders and folks from CDTA held a rally to protest federal budget cuts for transportation. If the cuts go through, about 10 percent of CDTA service will have to be eliminated. [TU] [YNN] [WNYT]
The toxicology report for Alexander Grant, the college student who was found dead in the Putnam Creek in Saratoga this spring, indicates there was no evidence of drugs in his system. Grant was tracked through an odd series of events before he went missing. [TU] [Skidmore Unofficial]
Sheriff's office says skydiving death was suicide, new state initiatives for flood recovery, big development project in Bethlehem close to getting go-ahead
The Saratoga County Sheriff's office has ruled the skydiving death in Northumberland a suicide. An investigator says the Duanesburg man left behind a note, and a skydiving instructor who saw the fall says the man intentionally disconnected himself from his parachute. In 2008, a Schenectady man committed suicide by jumping out of a plane without a parachute -- he landed on a house in Duanesburg. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette 2008]
Andrew Cuomo announced a group of new initiatives aimed to help recovery efforts for Irene and Lee flooding. Among them: a temporary jobs program that will deploy people to assist with cleanup efforts. Cuomo says the statewide damage estimate from the storms is $1 billion -- and could go higher still. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Fox23]
Cuomo's handling of the flooding situation has pushed his popularity to its highest level yet in the Q Poll. Despite 70 percent of people in a recent Siena poll saying they're concerned about future storms, more than 60 percent say they haven't done anything to prepare better for next time. [State of Politics] [TU]
Classes have finally started in the Middleburgh school district in Schoharie County. Five feet of water and mud caused more than $4 million in damage at the district's middle and high school. The Windham-Ashland-Jewett school district in Greene County still hasn't started its year, and is now aiming for next week. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
A Troy Record/Grammercy poll reports that Democrat Lou Rosamilia and Republican Carmella Mantello are essentially tied in the race for Troy mayor -- with almost a quarter of voters still undecided. [Troy Record]
Skydiver falls to his death, four shootings in a week, neighbors say pit bulls haven't been properly trained, Andrew Cuomo can't help not touching shiny things
The Saratoga County Sheriff's office says a man fell to to his death while skydiving after it appears his parachute detached Sunday afternoon. They say the 60-year-old man from Duanesburg landed in a farm field in Northumberland (map). The sheriff's office says it's not sure what happened exactly -- the owner of the skydiving company said the man was an experienced skydiver with more than 9000 jumps. Update: The Saratoga County Sheriff's office has ruled the death a suicide. [Saratogian] [CBS6] [Post-Star] [Fox23]
The candidates for Schenectady mayor are taking different approaches on neighborhood revitalization: knock down vacant buildings vs. trying to find new owner occupants. [Daily Gazette]
The candidates for Colonie town supervisor are going back and forth over whose ideas are best for developing business in the town. [TU]
Albany police say a man was hit in the face with bullet fragments after his car was shot at Thursday night in West Hill -- the city's fourth shooting in a week (map). [TU]
Cohoes' police chief says he's "baffled" why he can't get a copy of the train video from the fatal crash at a crossing in August. [WNYT]
An attorney in the state attorney general's office in Manhattan has been suspended, apparently because it came to light she'd been moonlighting as a dominatrix (the dominatrix-ing doesn't seem to be the problem, per se -- it's having an undeclared outside job). [NY Post]
FEMA distributing aid throughout region, Lark Tavern expansion approved, jewelry store chain hit twice in two days, bear sighting in North Greenbush
FEMA has distributed more than $40 million in recovery money to New Yorkers affected by Irene -- though the average award has been a little more than $5,000. FEMA teams have been going door-to-door in Schoharie County and other spots that were especially hard hit. Aid groups in Schoharie County say the need from flood victims is ongoing, and supplies are often distributed as fast they come in. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
The Senate and House haven't worked out a deal yet to replenish funding for FEMA, which is running out of money. [TU]
The state Department of Health says it's seen an increase in calls about mosquitos since Irene. And the Columbia County Department of Health reports a crow with West Nile was found there. The cold weather forecasted for the next few days is expected to knock down the mosquito population. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [TU]
Wilton, Clifton Park and Ballston have stopped using water from the Saratoga County water system because of increased levels of a chlorine byproduct. The county water authority has been looking at the problem since at least last month. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
Albany's zoning board of appeals has given the go ahead to the expansion of the Lark Tavern. The operator of "Flo's Lark Tavern" says he could open by November. [YNN] [TU]
The suicide crisis center opened in Schenectady following the suicides of four teen girls is slated to close because of a lack of funds. [Daily Gazette]
UAlbany says the alleged camera incident in an academic building's bathroom involved a mobile phone being held under a stall -- not a hidden camera, as originally reported. [YNN] [TU]
Costs piling up for flood damage, four officers injured during chase, third Albany shooting in a week, hidden cam found in UAlbany bathroom
The state's estimated costs for damage from tropical storms Irene and Lee is now close to $100 million (that's just costs directly covered the by state). The state has $150 million set aside for emergency management costs and FEMA might cover some of that, too. [TU] [State of Politics]
The 13-year-old Wilton boy who accidentally shot and killed his friend last December has been sentenced to two years of probation. The family court judge in the case said a psychiatric report concluded the boy is a "loving son" who is not a danger to the community. Said the mother of Nicholas Naumkin, the boy was killed: "We're just hoping that going forward we could make a difference, and change some laws regarding gun ownership." [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
Colonie police say four officers were injured Wednesday morning while chasing a suspect by car and on foot from Latham to Albany (map). The officers got hurt while jumping over a retaining wall that led to a six-foot drop. The string of events began when the suspect allegedly showed up with a gun at the Latham house of a man who owns a music production company (the suspect is apparently one of the company's artists) (map). Says a Colonie police lieutenant of the recent rash of violent incidents in the town known for having a low crime rate: "It's definitely been an anomaly." [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [CBS6] [TU]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli detailed how the former treasurer of the Charlton volunteer fire department in Saratoga County allegedly stole as much as $500k from the department over five years (map). A comptroller's office audit concluded the Charlton fire district "exercised virtually no oversight role" over the former treasurer. DiNapoli called the case "a classic fraud." The woman's attorney says his client is being scapegoated for the fire district's poor record keeping. [NYS OSC] [Saratogian] [TU]
Cohoes police say the driver at the wheel of the car struck by a train in August was blinded by the sun as he drove through the crossing. [WNYT]
UAlbany officials say hidden camera was found in a women's bathroom stall in one of the academic buildings on the downtown campus. [YNN]
The primary results are in, mold has become a huge problem, Chris Porco had an appeal hearing, apple crop expected to be huge
Yesterday was primary day and most of the results are in. [TU] [YNN]
John Clarkson defeated Kyle Kotary in the Democratic primary for Bethlehem town supervisor. [TU]
Robert Doherty ousted an indicted incumbent for Troy council. [TU[
In Troy, a write-in campaign prevailed. [Troy Record]
Many schools in the Mohawk Valley are still scrambling to clean up and open for classes. [Daily Gazette]
Mold is taking over the carpets and walls of buildings recently underwater. [TU]
The Erie Canal may be closed straight through the winter. [YNN]
In Rotterdam Junction, life is finally returning to normal and volunteer workers are leaving town. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Chris Porco's lawyers are arguing on appeal that his badly injured mother's nod should have been inadmissible evidence because she later had no memory of the ax attack or conversation. The prosecution is claiming that both sides have a right to confront a witness, even if the witness remembers nothing. Chris Porco stayed in prison during the hearing, but Joan Porco was in the courtroom. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN]
Push for federal aid for flooded areas, bus driver accused of duct taping girl's mouth, pit bull owner already faced dangerous dog charge, national recognition for Saratoga Farmers' Market
Today is primary day for the handful of elections this fall. Polls are open from noon-9 pm.
Rebuilding after the flooding continues. Route 2 in Rensselaer County is now open again -- as is Route 73 in the Adirondacks, which leads to Lake Placid (map). And schools are opening in Schoharie and Greene counties. [TU] [TU] [TU] [Fox23]
While in Amsterdam yesterday, Chuck Schumer said he'd push the US Senate to move quickly on authorizing funding for FEMA (the federal disaster agency is more or less out of money). As he said after taking a call from the head of agency: "We are going to need lots of help from FEMA." [TU] [State of Politics]
Flood damage along the Erie Canal between Waterford and Utica is so severe that the waterway has been closed indefinitely, probably until next spring. Brian Stratton -- who's now head of the state canal agency -- says its the worst flood damage the canal system has ever seen. The closed waterway has trapped boaters. The lock at Troy that connects the Hudson to the canal system is re-opening after divers cleared debris from the area. [TU] [Fox23] [TU] [CBS6]
Paul Tonko is pushing for the 4-year-old state taskforce charged with examining flooding issues along the state canal system to actually meet -- for the first time. [Daily Gazette]
An electrical transmission tower near Amsterdam fell into the Mohawk this past weekend after the river "basically rerouted itself" around the tower's abutment (the tower's fall is part of what knocked WEXT off the air). A helicopter was part of the effort to install a temporary fix yesterday to bring power back to 20,000 National Grid customers. [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
A bus driver in northern Saratoga County has been accused of duct-taping the mouth of a girl with a developmental disability. Police allege the driver abused the girl on multiple occasions this past winter. [WTEN] [WNYT]
9/11 rememberances led to reflection and soul-searching, Porco is up for appeal, it's almost bear hunting season
There were 9/11 memorials everywhere yesterday and people stopped to remember how that day changed their lives. [YNN] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
Vendors in NYC sold tawdry souvenirs. [TU]
Ten years later, Muslims still face fear and prejudice. [Saratogian]
That giant 9/11 memorial sculpture in Saratoga still hasn't found a home, but the new monument in Troy has been revealed. [Saratogian] [YNN]
Chris Porco's murder appeal will be partially based on statements his critically injured mother made to paramedics and police. [TU]
More flooding and concerns that structures could give, 9/11 remembrances start, former cop charged with sex abuse
The Capital Region scrambled to deal with even more flooding that washed out bridges and flooded homes. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
The Route 103 bridge to Rotterdam Junction is in danger. [YNN] [WNYT]
The soil around Lock 9 washed away, creating fears that Schenectady could be hit with even more water. [TU]
The Capital Region got its second federal emergency declaration in as many weeks. [YNN] [TU]
Some roads reopened this morning. [TU]
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que hopes to stay open through more flooding. [YNN]
A bunch of 9/11 remembrances have started throughout the area. Many who were there or worked there afterward talked about their experiences. [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [TU]
More rain and more flooding, bridges in region are "in intensive care and getting worse," discussion about casino gambling in Saratoga
It just keeps raining, and with that rain comes more flooding. There have been mandatory evacuations issued in parts of Schenectady County (Rotterdam Junction, Pattersonville) -- and evacuations are being encouraged in others (the Stockade). All roads in Montgomery County were closed overnight because of concerns about flooding. There's been more flooding in the Albany County Hilltowns and Clarksville. And there are road closures in Rensselaer County, [NWS] [YNN] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN] [WNYT] [Troy Record]
The village of Cobleskill in Schoharie County was cut off yesterday by flooding -- preventing anyone from entering or leaving the village. The elementary school there held students into the evening because of flooding -- and eight students stayed at the school overnight. SUNY Cobleskill said five of its dorms were affected by flooding. [Fox23] [WTEN] [CBS6]
People have had enough. Says a Cobleskill resident: "I think this is just ridiculous, and nature needs to stop." In Rotterdam Junction, where a wall of water inundated the hamlet last week like something from a movie, a resident says of the ongoing nightmare there: "Just pinch me. Pinch me and wake me up" [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [WTEN]
FEMA is building a command center in Colonie. Donations and help have been pouring into aid drives. And a local group that normally provides aid in other countries is sending aid to Schoharie County. [TU] [TU] [TU]
Chuck Schumer says the state's already deteriorating bridges have been hit hard by the all the recent flooding. Schumer says bridges in the eastern part of the state "are a patient in intensive care and getting worse." Schumer says he's also pushing for Congress to allocate $5.8 billion to fund FEMA, which has been running low on money. [State of Politics] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has released a draft study on the potential social and economic affects of hydrofracking. It concludes fracking could generate tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue -- but it would also include "significant negative fiscal impacts." (Interesting: almost every story about this report includes different totals for potential jobs and revenue.) [NYS DEC] [NYT] [TU] [Post-Star/AP]
More flooding possible, man in campground kills daughters and then self, Schenectady official wants to ban pit bulls
The Schoharie Creek and other bodies of water may flood again because of this new heavy storm. So far, only some minor street flooding has been reported in the Capital Region. This comes as people are still cleaning up from Irene and trying to make their homes habitable again. Supply centers have been set up to help move the process along. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]
A man camping with his two young daughters in Lake George killed them and then himself. The mother of the older daughter had reported her missing earlier in the week. The owner of the campground found the bodies after he noticed the car hadn't moved in a while. Each of the girls had been shot more than once. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [Fox23]
Schenectady's corporation counsel wants to ban all aggressive dog breeds, including pit bulls. Other ideas to control potentially violent dogs in the city include a public list of registered dogs and a hotline for people to call about scary animals. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
An old city firehouse may have collapsed in Albany. [TU]
A man who was killed by a car while he was crossing Central Avenue to get back to his hotel was wearing dark clothing in the rain at night.The woman who was driving the car probably will not be charged. [YNN] [WNYT]
Tornado confirmed near Amsterdam, question of whether towns should rebuild, price tag for UAlbany's non-stadium stadium, man found dead said to climb buildings for fun
The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado ripped through parts of Montgomery and Schenectady counties on Sunday (video). NWS rated the tornado as an EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with winds as strong as 110 mph. The hamlet of Cranesville suffered the most damage (map). Said a woman who was a nearby restaurant: "Everyone was scared, I never saw or heard any noise that bad." [NWS] [NWS] [TU] [Fox23]
Andrew Cuomo says 2,000 people signed up to volunteer as part of the "Labor for Your Neighbor" volunteer effort for Irene recovery (and the state suspended signups after it hit that mark). The governor and First Lady-friend Sandra Lee were in Margaretville Sunday helping with the cleanup (map). [YNN] [NY Post]
The cleanup continues in hard-hit areas such as Rotterdam Junction, where some cellars are filling with water even as they're pumped out because of rising groundwater from rain (map). Chuck Schumer was there Sunday pledging he'd push for federal aid: "You can't ask a small community like Rotterdam Junction to pay millions and millions of dollars." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
For some towns in the Catskills devastated by Irene flooding, the question some are asking is not whether they can rebuild -- but should they? [NYT]
Rensselaer County designated for individual FEMA aid, assessments of farm damage bleak, call for info about fatal police shooting, big crowd for Saratoga lip dub
Rensselaer County residents are now eligible for individual aid from the feds after FEMA made the county eligible Thursday. Montgomery County still hasn't been eligible. [Troy Record] [YNN]
The head of the state's financial services watchdog agency warned insurance companies to not try to get out of paying by telling state residents that damage from Irene doesn't qualify as flood damage. Kirsten Gillibrand also says she watching her insurance companies, pointing to the experience of a woman in Middleburgh: "She spent $5,000 a year so she would have very complete coverage and her insurer literally told her, oh, it's not a flood, it's a hurricane. I'm sorry, seven feet of water in your home is a flood." [NYS DFS] [WNYT]
The Cuomo admin says 140,000 acres of farmland in the state have been affected by Irene flooding. It's calling the situation an "agricultural crisis" and is asking the feds for $45 million in aid. The timing of the flood has hit some farmers especially hard as they were just about to harvest large amounts of produce. In Schoharie County, a state official estimates 40 percent of the corn crop was lost -- which will now leave dairy farmers short on feed. And the owner of the Kilpatrick Family Farm in Washington County says it could lose as much as $100,000 in revenue from damaged crops -- and "It was such a beautiful crop." [CBS6] [State of Politics] [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
Andrew Cuomo's handling of the Irene response is drawing praise from both Democrats and Republicans. [TU]
Part of the cleanup process: dealing with the possible pathogens and toxics in all that flood mud. [TU]
Troy officials flooding on the Poestenkill caused the the stream's dam to shift, potentially opening the way for it to fail. They say it's being monitored and there appears to be no immediate flood danger. Some residents along the creek are criticizing the recent water flow management. [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Some residents in Rotterdam Junction say the official evacuation order didn't come soon enough -- and they wonder if the Canal Corporation could have done more. [Daily Gazette]
Wateford's mayor was hit by a car while overseeing cleanup in the village. [TU]
In one devastated neighborhood in Montgomery County they've found a porch -- but no one knows where the house went. [Daily Gazette]
Guy Park Manor, the home of the Elwood Museum in Amsterdam, was hit very hard by flooding. [NYT]
FEMA will tour Troy, roads reopen, schools open late, Troy evacuates for non-Irene reason, it's fair season
FEMA will be in Troy today to look at houses threatened by a series of storm-related mudslides.Rensselaer County was not one of those that received a disaster declaration, but there's still a lot to clean up and it could be added to the list soon. [Troy Record] [YNN] [TU]
The section of Route 2 between Brunswick and Grafton has reopened. Closed sections of the Thruway also reopened. [TU] [YNN]
Many schools are starting late, including RPI and Schenectady County Community College. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Some animal shelters inundated with lost pets will hold onto them for longer than usual to give people affected by the storm time to come looking for them. [YNN]
The state's effort to respond to Irene will likely create more public jobs than it will cost. [TU]
Aqua Duck tours are back. [TU]
Surveying damage as flood recedes, top federal officials to tour damage, Schoharie and Greene counties hit especially hard, another pit bull attack in Schenectady
The flood waters receded in much the greater Capital Region -- and people began to survey the extensive damage. National Grid says it's hoping to all have power restored to customers in the area by Thursday. [TU] [TU]
President Obama has declared a major disaster to 8 counties in New York: Albany, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Ulster. Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano, FEMA director Craig Fugate, and Andrew Cuomo will be touring Prattsville in Greene County today (map). Cuomo has been pushing for an expedited delivery of federal aid to the state: "Economically, that's the only bank for us to go to. Local governments are stretched, the state is stretched, we just went through a very tough budget process, but the federal help is going to be critical to us." [State of Politics] [WTEN] [TU]
Cuomo has been getting praise for his handling of the disaster -- he says he has a lot of experience dealing with disaster response from his time working in the federal government. The governor toured parts of the North Country yesterday that had bee hit by flooding. [NYT] [TU]
Irene could be end up being among the most costly natural disasters in the nation's history and private insurance may end up covering only about 40 percent of the damage because much of it is the result of flooding -- and many people don't have flood insurance. Locally, it appears very few people have flood insurance. [NYT] [TU]
In Montgomery County, a man was killed Monday after driving into the Schoharie Creek in an attempt to reach his business. [Daily Gazette]
As roads in Schoharie and Greene Counties opened back up, people started to assess the damage there and it's severe -- especially along the Schoharie Creek. Prattsville was almost completely destroyed. Windham's main street has been wrecked. And in other towns neighborhoods have been destroyed. People are vowing to rebuild. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette] [Reuters] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Freeman]
The Albany County Hilltowns -- Berne especially -- also got hit hard. [Fox23]
Widespread flooding from Irene, Cuomo says state will need help from feds, Catskills and Vermont devastated, farms swamped
The Albany riverfront along I-787 Monday evening.
Officials and residents started to survey the damage yesterday caused by flooding from Irene -- common comment from people: we've never seen the water this high -- in the Stockade, in Waterford, in Troy, around Lake George, in Greene County. Well, except for one woman who's lived in Green Island for 57 years and says she's seen higher, "But "I've never seen so much junk in the river before. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [Troy Record] [Post-Star] [YNN] [Troy Record]
Andrew Cuomo took a helicopter tour of areas to the west and south of Albany -- and brought along an official from FEMA: "I wanted to have FEMA see this firsthand, because we're going to need federal assistance." Areas all along the Hudson River valley experienced once-in-a-century to once-in-25-year rainfalls. [State of Politics] [TU] [NYT]
Schenectady County officials were advising Niskayuna residents near Lock 7 to evacuate because of concerns the lock could fail. Officials say they're monitoring -- and trying to repair -- erosion around the lock, but the dam there appears to have no structural problems. [CBS6] [Daily Gazette]
A couple was rescued after clinging to a tree in the Normanskill for 2.5 hours Monday after official say they ignored a cordon on Krumkill Road and tried to drive their car through the swollen creek. [TU]
The Twin Bridges were closed for a while Monday after a barge carrying a 30-foot crane got loose on the Mohawk and officials were worried it would slam into the bridges. The barge was secured before that happened. [WTEN] [WNYT]
The Green Island Bridge is still closed, and will be until possibly sometime Tuesday. [@TroyMayor]
The Thruway from Duanesburg to Herkimer is closed because of flooding. [TU]
Hurricane Irene aftermath, boy injured in alleged hit-and-run, lamentably ironic stabbing of the year, Stay Thirsty wins Travers
Chuck sent along this photo this morning from Green Island. He writes: "Normally that sign along the Green Island shore is about 10 feet above the water level. Now, as you can see, it's partially submerged. This photo was taken at approximately 6:45am this morning. The mayor of Green Island, Ellen McNulty-Ryan, has requested an evacuation of the Village for the day. Workers have already laid sandbags along the shore of Heatly School."
The storm that started as Hurricane Irene dropped 4.69 inches of rain in the Albany area Sunday (a record for the date). That's prompted a lot of flooding around the region -- notably along the Mohawk in Schenectady and the Hudson/Poestenkill in Troy (previous updates about flooding and evacuations). The flooding was initially expected to much worse (record levels), but projections have been downgraded. Acting Schenectady mayor Gary McCarthy says he was hoping the flooding would turn out to be "an inconvenience as opposed to a major catastrophe." New concern: high water levels hydroelectric dam at Johnsonville in northern Rensselaer County have prompted evacuations (map). [NWS] [TU] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
The Albany County Sheriff's office says a New Scotland woman was killed when she was swept away by the Onesquethaw Creek behind her home. The normally small creek was "a raging river" yesterday. [TU] [WNYT]
A mudslide did "significant damage" to multiple buildings in Troy near the Poestenkill (map). Said a resident of one of the buildings: "My kids were playing their games and all of a sudden I heard a bunch of screaming and then the house just started shaking, the walls started cracking, the windows started, like, tilting - they didn't bust or anything - and the floor started to, like, slide forward." [Troy Record] [CBS6]
A group of runaway boats floated down the swollen Hudson last night and tumbled over the Federal Dam. [@TroyMayor] [@TroyMayor]
Flooding along the Mohawk has prompted drinking water conservation advisories in Glenville, Scotia, Niskayuna, and Rotterdam because of concerns about potential damage/impairment to water treatment facilities. [WTEN] [WTEN] [WTEN]
There has been very serious flooding in Schoharie County, the Catskills, and Vermont. [Watershed Post] [Watershed Post] [NYT]
Fatal shooting in Latham, state looking into non-profits' exec salaries, concern about drinking water in Saratoga County, lesson: hurry up and wait
Hurricane Irene is projected to plow through New England sometime Sunday afternoon into the evening. [NWS]
Colonie police say a man was shot and killed at a house in Latham near the border with Watervliet last night (map). Police say they've arrested the man's girlfriend for allegedly being the shooter. They say the man was shot with a rifle while other people were in the house, including children. [Troy Record] [CBS6] [Fox23]
Shirleen Lucas, the Schenectady woman who was mauled by three dogs early Monday morning, said she prayed and screamed, "I'm not going out like this," during the attack (map). Lucas says her plastic surgeon is "very optimistic" about repairing her ears, parts of which were bitten off by the dogs. The Schenectady County SCPA is asking the city of Schenectady to allow it to start ticketing the owners of unlicensed dogs running loose. [TU] [CBS6] [Daily Gazette]
The attorneys for the LuAnn Burgess, who lost control of her SUV before it struck and killed three women outside a Vorheesville church, say their client has Parkinson's and was only taking prescribed levels of medication for the condition. [TU]
Schenectady police have identified the two men arrested for allegedly being involved in a 2008 murder in the Central State neighborhood (map). One of the men was arrested yesterday shortly after being released from prison on an unrelated conviction. [TU]
George Pataki has reportedly decided to not run for the Republican nomination for president (yes, of the United States). A "source close" to Pataki says the decision not to run was based on family concerns. [CNN] [State of Politics]
State prepares for Hurricane Irene, murder in Schenectady, shootings in Albany, robotic heart surgery
No one's sure how severe Hurricane Irene will be, but Andrew Cuomo is telling state agencies to coordinate and prepare. The hurricane plowed over the Bahamas today is expected to hit North Carolina Saturday and move up the East Coast Sunday -- with some forecasts predicting a second landfall in the New York City metro area. [YNN] [NYT] [CNN] [NYT]
Neighbors who witnessed the pit bull attack in Schenectady said the dogs were dragging the woman and tearing at her head. The attack left 58-year-old Shirleen Lucas with parts of her ears and scalp chewed off. Two of the three dogs have been euthanized. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN]
There was gunfire and then a police chase in Albany's West Hill neighborhood Wednesday afternoon. A man in his 20s was found outside of a Second Street house with multiple gunshot wounds. Albany police says they're not sure if the shooting and the men apprehended after the chase are connected. The APD also says the Trustco bank on Northern Blvd was robbed yesterday afternoon. [YNN] [TU] [WNYT] [APD press release below]
A Schenectady man has been arrested for a murder in the Central State neighborhood (map). [Daily Gazette]
The earth shook, woman mauled by three dogs, trouble checks in at Colonie motels, Albany County exec candidate will be unopposed, not so great year for local corn
You might have heard: there was an earthquake yesterday. The quake, a 5.8 magnitude with an epicenter in Virgina, was one of the strongest to hit the East Coast during the last century -- yet there appears to have been little damage. Andrew Cuomo said in a teleconference that the state had inspected both the Indian Point nuclear plant (see previous seismic concerns) and the Tappan Zee Bridge (old, already falling apart) -- and both were found to be undamaged. (There was some damage to landmarks in Washington, DC.) A geologist at the State Museum says the shaking in the Capital Region was the equivalent of about a 4something magnitude quake. The shaking prompted many buildings in the Capital Region to temporarily evacuate yesterday. One person who didn't reportedly evacuate -- the person working the crane about the state Capitol. Communications networks all along the East Coast were congested and slow for about 20 minutes following the quake. [AOA] [NYT] [State of Politics] [AP/Troy Record] [WNYT] [Troy Record] [State of Politics] [Fox23]
The unemployment rate was 7 percent in the Capital Region last month, according to data from the state Department of Labor. It's the lowest July rate since 2008 -- though the area had fewer jobs last month than July 2010. [NYS DOL] [TU]
The trial of parole officer Nicholas Kordas for allegedly raping one of his parolees was declared a mistrial yesterday after the jury decided it couldn't reach a verdict. [TU]
Former Troy city clerk William McInerney is scheduled to plead guilty Friday as part of the Troy ballot fraud investigation, "two people with knowledge of the matter" tell the Times Union. [TU]
Schenectady police say a woman lost both ears while being seriously mauled by three dogs in Hamilton Hill early Monday morning. [TU]
State report: women continue to be threatened by domestic violence, Gibson pulls back on push for nuclear plant, rash of street sign thefts in Guilderland, look -- it's Ray Liotta
The number of domestic homicides increased 10 percent last year, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services. DCJS reports that 44 percent of adult female homicide victims in the state last year were killed by an intimate partner (versus just 1.7 percent of male homicide victims). [NYS DCJS]
Colonie police say Rupert Alberga has been charged with the fatal stabbing of Mary J. Fyvie at a Central Ave motel this past weekend. They say Alberga was also injured during the incident -- police had been waiting to question to him. Police say Alberga had been Fyvie's boyfriend. [CBS6] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The sister of the woman who died in the alleged Day murder-suicide said the woman had stayed married with her husband because of their children. [TU]
You might think that local public employee unions would be offered the same relatively lean deal offered to the big state employee unions -- you might also be wrong. [TU]
The Troy public library board will have to re-vote on the proposed 15 percent tax increase because its previous vote didn't meet the threshold necessary for an override of the new 2 percent tax cap law. [TU]
Yesterday's storms took a toll, a woman was stabbed to death at the Super 8, murder-suicide in the Adirondacks, lederhosen in Albany
Yesterday's thunderstorm caused downed trees and power lines all over our area. Lightning struck a man riding his ATV in Schenectady County. Power was out all over the North Country, but it's mostly been restored. [YNN] [WNYT] [Saratogian]
A woman was stabbed to death and her male companion injured Sunday morning at the Super 8 Motel on Central Ave. in Colonie. The two lived locally and were only checked into the motel for one night. Other guests staying at the hotel said they didn't see or hear anything unusual. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN]
A man strangled his wife and then shot himself in the tiny Adirondack town of Day. Their bodies were discovered by a family member. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Verizon workers who have been out on strike for the past two weeks are coming back to work today, now that contract talks are productive. Workers had accused the company of unfair bargaining. The biggest sticking points have been pension freezes and health care contributions. [WNYT] [YNN]
State Police: fatal home explosion caused by spark and propane, woman falls off roof, both hands on the wheel please, Duffy cracks about Jennings' tan
State Police say the Salem home explosion that killed six people was caused by a spark from a switch on the home's water heater ignited propane in the house. Police say there were two propane tanks that served the house -- but couldn't say from tank the gas had escaped. The water heater was located in the basement and it's likely the escaped gas settled there before being ignited by the spark. People in the house reported smelling gas before the explosion. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
A man drove his car into Saratoga Lake yesterday as he allegedly ran from police who had been responding to a call about a domestic incident at The Track. The flaw in this plan: the man didn't know what to do after reportedly "flooring" the car into the lake (the reader-submitted photo to the Saratogian of the man standing on his car while police watch is photo of the day). According to the witnesses, the man -- who's from Kentucky -- said to police: "I can't swim a lick. I'm going down with the car." The man was arrested after being pulled from the lake. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star]
The school tax rate in Albany will actually be going down for 2011-2012. [TU]
More arguing and finger pointing among leaders in Troy over where city hall will end up (still not settled). Said Harry Tutunjian to the city council at one point during the meeting: "You can't do anything right." [Troy Record] [TU]
The Troy library board has proposed a 15 percent tax increase. [TU]
Guilderland High messes up regents, locals see more gloom in future home sales, Flo's Lark Tavern hits a snag
Guilderland High School students who mistakenly thought they passed their Regents exams due to teachers' scoring error won't have to take the tests again.Errors were found in more than 500 of the 3,163 exams that were given at the school. [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
A fake email claiming to be a ticket from the state DMV is actually a computer virus. [YNN]
Local home sellers don't believe Barack Obama's assertion that home sales will be back up in a year. Meanwhile, a homeowner in Troy is facing the city's wrath after his home became a money pit, forcing him to move out. [Fox23] [Troy Record]
The renovation of the Lark Tavern, which will now be called Flo's Lark Tavern, is moving along, but there are zoning issues. [TU]
The state has created "health homes" to save money on its most expensive and high-need Medicaid patients. [TU]
Road planners compelled to consider non-drivers, high mercury levels in Ravena, NAACP takes on Schenectady, Mendes serves up some tuna melts
Cycling and pedestrian activists are applauding a new state law that requires road project designers to consider non-motorists. [Daily Gazette]
A dozen employees of a state watchdog group have been given pink slips [TU]
Residents in Ravena are dubious of the Department of Health's declaration that some people living near the Lafarge cement plant have elevated but non-toxic levels of mercury in their bodies. [TU]
The NAACP is questioning the Schenectady police department about its use-of-force policy in the wake of the fatal shooting of a man last week.
Luis Rivera's sister-in-law witnessed the shooting and said "his lips were kissing the floor and his back was full of blood." [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
A rape suspect on trial in another courtroom helped catch a defendant who was attempting to escape from Albany County Court. That same day, Nicholas Kordas' defense suffered a blow when the judge ruled that it could not talk about the fact that the woman who was allegedly raped spent time in prison with famous murderer Pamela Smart. [TU]
Albany police are looking for two women who assaulted and robbed another woman last night. They stole the woman's purse and some money in the area around Lincoln Park. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
CSEA approves contract, witnesses say cops shot man in the back, The Track is filled with animals that aren't horses
The five-year state employee contract approved by members of Civil Service Employees Association yesterday calls for a three-year wage freeze, furloughs and increased health care costs, but will also save hundreds of jobs from potential layoffs. The vote was about 60 percent in favor of the new contract and 40 percent opposed. [YNN] [Fox23] [TU]
Some eyewitnesses claim that Luis Rivera, who was fatally shot Friday by three Schenectady police officers, was shot in the back. Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney says prosecutors are looking at video that captured much of the incident. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The woman who crashed into a Voorheesville church last week, killing three people, has hired a legal team that includes retired Albany County Judge Larry Rosen. Meanwhile, Carol Lansing, one of the people killed in the crash, was remembered at her funeral Monday as a generous woman who volunteered her time to a number of organizations. [TU] [YNN]
Police say a man took a 19-year-old woman to an Albany hotel room and held her captive in an attempt to force her into prostitution. The woman said she thought she was being taken to a party in New Paltz. Henry Douglas allegedly put photos of the woman online to advertise her services. [YNN] [Fox23]
Conflicting reports of what happend during Schenectady police shooting, Cuomo reportedly used state aircraft to commute, grenade found in Albany yard, Cinderella gets engaged
There are conflicting reports about what happened before Schenectady police shot and killed Luis Rivera Friday afternoon just off State Street (map). Schenectady police say Rivera had been robbed in Hamilton Hill Thursday night and had returned to the Hamilton Hill/Vale area Friday. They say they responded to a call that Rivera had a gun, and after trying to subdue Rivera told him to get down, he instead motioned the gun toward the officers and they fired 14 shots, killing him. People who say they witnessed the shooting report a sequence of events that disputes the SPD's version of events. The SPD says it has dashcam video, still unreleased, that backs up its version. Nearby residents say they're concerned police opened fire on a street where children were reportedly playing -- and that shots fired by officers ended up lodged in nearby porches. [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [WNYT] [TU] [Fox23]
Troy police say an Albany man has been arrested for allegedly running over a 3-year-old Saturday night in North Central -- and then pulling a handgun when confronted by the child's father (map). The child reportedly suffered internal injuries that are not life-threatening. [Fox23] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
Data from the "black box" on the SUV that hit and killed the three women in Vorheesville last week indicates the Toyota Highlander had been traveling 38 mph shortly before the crash -- and then accelerated to 46 mph without braking just before the moment of impact. Albany County's acting sheriff says it's still unconfirmed that the driver had been taking prescription drugs. [WNYT] [TU] [WTEN]
The AP reports that Andrew Cuomo has used state aircraft to commute to/from his Westchester County residence after official state trips, which could be a violation or ethics rules. The Cuomo admin has been something less than forthcoming about records regarding the use of state aircraft. [AP] [TU]
Surprise -- Albany's been using single-stream recycling since July. [TU]
Investigation continues into crash that killed three, APD looking for public's help in assault investigation, meals could be happy for New York apples, she's from the place beyond the pines
The Albany County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate why the driver of the SUV in the fatal Vorheesville church crash lost control of the vehicle. The sheriff's office says Toyota is assisting the department in pulling data from the SUV's "black box." Also being investigated: whether prescription drugs played a role, and to what degree a possibly over-sized flip-flop might have gotten caught on the gas pedal. [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [YNN]
"John Doe," the boy accused of accidently shooting and killing 12-year-old Nicholas Naumkin in Wilton last December, told a Saratoga Family Court judge yesterday that he was holding the gun when it went off. The boy also told the judge he understood that the gun could be dangerous. The admission was part of a plea deal -- the Saratoga County attorney handling the case said he expected the boy to be sentenced to probation. Said Naumkin's mother of Doe after the hearing: "We're happy with the fact that he finally manned up." [Saratogian] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WTEN]
Philemon Chavis -- the Albany man convicted of brutally attacking and kidnapping his wife -- was sentenced to 19 years in prison. [TU]
A memo from Harry Tutunjian to the Troy city council describes the recently authorized $2.2 million in bonding to renovate the Dauchy Building to become a new city hall as "fatally flawed since it is crafted to bond for a water project, not a rehabilitation/renovation project." Though Tutunjian hasn't formally vetoed the authorization yet, city council president Clement Camapana described the mayor's memo as being essentially that. [Troy Record] [TU]
Three friends killed by SUV, gas rupture in Guilderland, 9/11 artifacts on exhibit
A woman lost control of her SUV Wednesday morning, careening into a Voorheesville church, killing three friends who were standing out front. The three women, Fran Pallozzi, 81, of Waterford, Carol Lansing, 66, of Green Island, and Rosemarie Hume, 79, of Waterford, were members of a walking group that had stopped at St. Matthew's Catholic Church so that a friend could use the restroom. Another woman was also injured. The driver, Luann Burgess, had just dropped her foster child off down the road when she says her flip-flop got caught in the gas pedal, causing her to lose control of the vehicle. Police have not ruled out that she may have been using her cellphone or may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Albany County Acting Sheriff Craig Apple called the scene one of the worst he's witnessed in his career. [TU] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
Police went door-to-door evacuating people from Guilderland neighborhoods after a work crew burst a natural gas line along the Thruway Wednesday morning. Residents said they feared for their lives as they heard and smelled gas "spewing" throughout the area. [TU] [WNYT]
A man was killed in Troy Wednesday afternoon when his motorcycle hit the side of a minivan. Police have not ruled out speed in the accident that took the life of William Brennan Jr., 39. [YNN] [WNYT]
Jessica Thompson of Rensselaer was arrested this morning in connection with a bank robbery yesterday. Police say she robbed the School Systems Federal Credit Union in North Greenbush Wednesday afternoon and then sped off on a bicycle. [TU] [YNN] [WNYT]
Private casinos could be coming to state, fugitive siblings are driving car from Troy, man finds reel-to-reel of MLKJr. memorial service
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed his staff to develop policy recommendations for possibly allowing private casinos in the state. The administration is viewing casinos as a possible way to make money in a time of massive spending cuts to spare the deficit. [TU] [Fox23]
UAlbany's pitch for the NYSUNY challenge grant program: almost 200 new faculty, 1,350 more students, and $150 million biomedical research plaza. [TU]
A trio of fugitive siblings, who are wanted for a crime spree in Georgia and Florida that includes shooting at a cop, are driving a car registered to a Troy address.
Police believe the three, who were spotted making a purchase at a sporting goods store, may now be camping out in Colorado. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Rensselaer County legislature voted Tuesday night to remove the Hudson Valley Community College as a county agency, stating that a previous Democratic administration had added the school in an overreach of duty. Earlier this year, the legislature had appointed then-chariman Neil Kelleher to the HVCC board of trustees in violation of ethics laws. Kelleher chose to keep the trustee post and resign as county chairman. [Troy Record] [TU]
Prosecutors contend that a 51-year-old parole officer asked a young parolee what her freedom was worth to her before forcibly raping her during an unannounced visit to her Guilderland home last year. [TU]
An old reel-to-reel tape discovered by a Schenectady man turned out to have a memorial service for Martin Luther King Jr. given in an Albany church just months after he was shot. [TU]
Members of Troy City Council implicated in ballot fraud, "smart grid" could lead to lower light bills, Milton supervisor under investigation again, Gavin DeGraw attacked by mob
As former Troy City Clerk William Mcinerney was arrested on ten felony counts on Monday, many more people were also implicated in the scheme, including members of the Troy City Council. [YNN] [TU]
Officials are hoping a new $75 million "smart grid" plan by the New York Independent System Operator will lead to lower electricity bills. The NYISO broke ground on a new, $35 million control center in Rensselaer yesterday. [Daily Gazette] [WTEN]
The gap between white students' and black students' achievement on state proficiency tests has remained large, despite efforts to close it. In general, inner-city school districts fared far worse than those in suburban areas. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A fellow state trooper who purchased a GPS system that was allegedly stolen from the State Police Aviation Unit has testified against State Police Maj. Robert U. Kreppein, stating that he purchased the tool for $1,600 and had no reason to believe it was stolen. [TU]
Milton Supervisor Frank Thompson is now being investigated for failing to fill out an ethics form indicating that his wife, Deborah, is the building manager for a company that owns apartment buldings for elderly tenants. Deborah Thompson has been charged with grand larceny for allegedly stealing $35,000 from a resident of one of those buildings. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Hugh Carey passes away, APD investigating whether attacks are related, "wealthy welfare mom" gets 2-6 years, the 4-year-old trash man
Former New York governor Hugh Carey has passed away Sunday -- he was 92. He's remembered for helping to keep New York City solvent as the city faced bankruptcy during the 1970s. Said Andrew Cuomo in a statement: "[Carey] was tough, he was smart, and he was the person our state needed to see us through crisis." Said Jack McEneny of Carey's administration: "To this day, a lot of people don't realize they were saved (by Carey)." (More reaction from current leaders.) [NYT] [AP/Post-Star] [Cuomo admin] [TU] [State of Politics]
Jack McEneny on all the controversy surrounding the redistricting in the state: "I think we could get to the point where we have it drawn up by Canadians." [TU]
The president of NYSUT, the powerful teachers' union, says recent developments in the state education policy have contributed to a "a conservative, right-wing agenda that is using a sort of hostage-terrorist approach to public service." [AP/TU]
One person was killed and another injured Friday night when a train struck a car at a crossing in Cohoes -- and then pushed the car for quarter mile. A witness says it didn't appear that the train's conductor immediately recognized that the car was being pushed by the train. There are conflicting reports about whether the gates were down at the crossing. [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Albany police say they're investigating the mugging and attempted sexual assault of a woman on Yates Street early Saturday morning (map). It says detectives are looking into whether the attack is related to the one on Hamilton last week. Says a manager at Bogies, which is just down the block: "The later it gets, the more creeps come out it seems." [APD - press release after the jump] [Fox23]
A stretch of State Street in Schenectady and some adjacent streets will be closed today because of Place Beyond the Pines filming. [CBS6]
Albany and Schenectady schools get millions intended for fixes, bandage reportedly found in ice cream, make sure to warm up before sprinting toward the stars
The state Education Department announced yesterday that the Albany and Schenectady school districts will be getting millions in funding to improve "persistently lowest achieving" schools. The Albany school district will be getting $3.3 million to put toward implementing the "transformation" model at Albany High School and Hackett Middle School -- the district's superintendent says it's focusing on a new teacher evaluation system and "changing the way instruction is delivered." The Schenectady school district is getting $2 million for it high school -- its superintendent says the district's efforts will include identifying students are struggling in earlier grades. [NYSED] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state legislative task force in charge of drawing legislative districts says it will be counting prison inmates with the communities from which they came -- not the communities in which they're imprisoned (this issue has been the subject of a lawsuit). Also: Albany common councilman Anton Konev testified before the task force, arguing that the city of Albany should be covered by just one Assembly district, instead of its current two. [TU] [YNN] [TU]
The Troy city council voted 7-1 in favor of borrowing $2.2 million to convert the Dauchy Building into a new city hall. Though it may have been a vote of principle more than a step toward action. [TU] [Troy Record]
Green Island police say a 29-year-old woman drove her teen nieces to a park so they could fight another teen girl with whom they had been feuding on Facebook. Police allege the woman also encouraged them to fight at the scene and then jumped in herself. Is there mobile phone video? Of course. Cue the video of the girls fighting? Of course. [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT]
A woman says she found a bandage in ice cream she was served at a newsstand in downtown Albany. (Be sure to read the quote at the end.) [TU]
Urban middle schools are failing, "Taj McCall" repair bill is huge, Cohoes man arrested in massive porn bust
Of the five district middle schools in Albany, Schenectady and Troy, four have not met state benchmarks, and risk being taken over and restructured by the state. [TU]
It looks like Troy's city council will hold off on a vote to authorize the $2.2 million in bonds to transform the Dauchy Building into a new city hall. Yesterday, a group of downtown business leaders said they were opposed to moving city hall to the Dauchy because of concerns about taking away potentially valuable commercial real estate and parking problems. [Troy Record] [TU]
A proposed felony agreement for former Troy city clerk William McInerney has fallen apart because the FBI refused to promise that he wouldn't face federal charges in the case. McInerney is accused of fixing ballots over several years, including during the 2008 presidential election. [TU]
The nearly $2 million taxpayers will pay to fix up the already-deteriorating Comptroller's building known by some as "Taj McCall" will largely go toward replacing the 820,000 bricks on the façade. [TU]
Carolyn Lorrain Wilson, the 55-year-old Guilderland women who calls herself a reverend, is scheduled to be back in town court today on charges that she sexually abused an 11-year-old girl. Police are now also looking into a second abuse complaint against Wilson, but no charges have been filed yet in that alleged incident. [YNN] [Fox23]
Gillibrand breaks with party on debt ceiling vote, cash crunch at Brighter Choice, traffic stop nabs driver with 40 license suspensions, 11-year-old competing for world championship - in Pokemon
Kirsten Gillibrand was one of only six Democratic US Senators to vote against the debt-ceiling bill. In Saratoga, a crowd including both supporters and opponents of Chris Gibson's "yes" vote on the deal had "a discussion" (the kind with signs and chanting). Earlier: What local Congressional reps said about the debt ceiling deal. [NYT] [Post-Star]
There's apparently some concern among state employees that the no-layoff deals struck by CSEA and PEF could be circumvented by "reorganizing" state agencies. [TU]
The family of the woman who died recently at the Albany County jail while awaiting deportation alleges she was not given the proper medication to manage a heart condition. [TU]
The latest Troy Record/Gramercy poll for the Troy mayor's race has Republican Carmella Mantello up on new Democratic candidate Lou Rosamilia 53-47. [Troy Record]
Andrew Cuomo signed a bill yesterday that will allow the State Museum to be open on Sundays (in exchange for closing on another day of the week). A law dating back to the 19th century had required the museum to be open during normal business hours every weekday. [Cuomo admin] [Daily Gazette]
The family of the the 13-year-old who drowned in backyard pool in Colonie this past weekend says the girl had been playing a game to see who could hold their breath the longest underwater. [TU]
Local reps split on debt ceiling vote, shovel that sidewalk or else, new body scanners coming to airport, Troy ballot fraud case could involve feds
The House passed legislation that would raise the federal debt ceiling, 269-161. Chris Gibson voted "yes," Paul Tonko voted "no". Gibson said he voted in favor of it even though he thinks the the deal doesn't do enough to curb the deficit, and Tonko said cuts place too much of a burden on the middle class. People on the street in the Capital Region were irked that politicians seemed to be playing games with the situation. [NYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
The First Niagara purchase of HSBC's upstate locations will more than double the Buffalo-based bank's market share and will also most likely lead to some job cuts as the branches are consolidated. But the purchase means that the majority of the 1,900 jobs upstate now held by HSBC employees will be spared, which they would not have if the branches had simply closed down. [TU] [YNN]
The Albany Common Council passed an ordinance that will allow for fines of up to $300 for property owners who don't shovel snow from sidewalks. [TU]
The new body scanners coming to the Albany International Airport are meant to show less and preserve some of a traveler's privacy. A TSA official at ALB said people actually prefer the scans to full-body pat downs. [YNN] [TU]
Leaders at odds over landfill deal, totem pole given temporary extension, accused deacon still in post at church, 105 years and 87 seasons at The Track
It's the first day of August.
Jerry Jennings is apparently irked about the deal to privatize the Colonie landfill because he says it will make it harder to form regional garbage consortium. "We're doing what's best for the taxpayers of Colonie," says town supervisor Paula Mahan of the potentially $100 million deal that would wipe away the town's budget deficit. [TU] [WNYT]
Democrat Lou Rosamilia officially announced he's into the pool for Troy mayor. Rosamilia is the Democratic replacement candidate for Clement Campana, who left the race because of allegations related to a few different scandals. [Troy Record] [TU]
Former NYSTI head Patricia Snyder has settled her case of alleged nepotism and misuse of taxpayer funds with the state attorney general's office by paying $200,000. Snyder neither admits nor denies guilt as part of the settlement. [Troy Record] [WTEN] [TU]
The people with the totem pole on Jefferson Street in Albany have been given an extension of 30 days to make their case for why they should be able to keep the pole. Said Jerry Jennings of the situation: "We can't just say, 'They're nice people' and let it go ... There's a process." [Fox23] [TU]
RPI's Jackson and SEFCU CEO to head up economic development council, Crowne Plaza looks for tax break, Gibson says he'd vote for debt ceiling plan, Gosling Gosling Gosling
Andrew Cuomo announced that RPI president Shirley Jackson and SEFCU president and CEO Michael Castellano will head up the Capital Region's economic development council, along with a smattering of other prominent business people from the area. There are 10 regional councils around the state -- each team now has 90 days to submit an economic recovery plan for a chance at part of $1 billion in state funds. [YNN] [TU]
The Colonie Town Board approved the lease of the town landfill to a California waste management company in 6-1 vote last night. The lone "no" vote came from the board's only Republican, who argued the deal would cost the town in the long run. The vote came after a public comment period in which many Halfmoon residents urged Colonie to close the facility they say has led to bad odors and decreased property values. [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The owners of the Crowne Plaza hotel in Albany are seeking a tax break deal that they say will help the hotel hold onto its franchise, which is probably necessary to keep the hotel open. [TU]
After being closed for two weeks, the South Mall expressway will reopen today. The state Department of Transportation added new supports to the cracked beams holding up the elevated highway -- permanent repairs on the highway will begin next year. [CBS6] [YNN]
Cuomo to name local economic development council, Colonie landfill vote tonight, 91-year-old grandmother entering World Series of Poker, scooter riding dog in Niskayuna
A new Capital Region economic council will compete for a share of $1 billion in state funds. Representatives from SEFCU, Albany Medical Center, RPI, and the University at Albany are expected to be part of the council, which Andrew Cuomo will announce this morning. The council will cover the counties of Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Warren, Columbia, Greene, and Washington. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Colonie Town Board is expected to vote tonight on a plan to privatize the town landfill. The town has refused requests to release the full contract ahead of tonight's vote. The $100 million deal would help close the town's budget deficit. [YNN] [TU]
CDTA is attributing a 7 percent increase in ridership this past spring to higher gas prices. Local scooter and motorcycle dealers also say they've seen an increase in business because of gas prices. [CBS6] [Fox23]
Airfare prices at ALB were up 11 percent last quarter compared to the year before -- to an average of more than $400, according to federal Department of Transportation. [TU]
Several area post offices face possible closure, the state tax system is confusing, Saratoga County's strict sex offender law struck down, sweet corn season
Fourteen Capital Region post offices are on a list of possible closures -- including locations in Albany, Schenectady, Lansingburgh, Coeymans and north and south Bethlehem are on the possible chopping block. (One of the Albany locations was cited by the USPS as an alternative to city locations that were closed in the last round.) The postal service says it will be notifying residents of public meetings regarding possible closures. Nationwide, the Postal Service is considering shuttering more than 3,200 of its 36,000 locations in a effort to cover an $8 billion loss last year. [Fox23] [WTEN] [TU] [WNYT] [NYT]
Capital Region residents followed Barack Obama's suggestion and deluged local Congressional reps' offices with calls about the debt ceiling and federal spending. Chris Gibson's office says it needed 12 people answering phones to handle all the calls. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state's tax system is "inefficient, confusing, unfair and outdated," according to a survey by an org that studies tax issues for businesses. The survey granted granted New York a grade of F -- above only Delaware, Illinois and Pennsylvania. [TU]
The city of Albany is forcing a couple to remove a totem pole from in front of their Jefferson Street house because the city says it's on the city's right of way (map). [TU]
Lawsuit filed over same-sex marriage, plane crashes near Berne, county exec candidate's campaign fund built with developer money, "vegetarian piranha" caught in the Hudson
The first lawsuit over same-sex marriage has been filed -- a group called New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedom is arguing that the state Senate violated open meeting laws before passing Marriage Equality Act. (The suit may not make it far because of... Fred Dicker.) An informal survey indicates that more than 1,200 same-sex marriage licenses have already been issued across the state. [AP/Troy Record] [TU CapCon] [NYT]
Troy city clerk William McInerney announced that he's resigning. The special prosecutor in the Troy ballot fraud cause reportedly had offered McInerney a plead deal earlier this month that would have required his resignation. [Troy Record] [TU]
The potentially $100 million plan to privatize Colonie's town landfill -- and wipe out the town's deficit -- could be voted on this Thursday. Denise Sheehan, the Republican challenger to supervisor Paula Mahan in the fall election, is calling for the plan to be put on hold so it can be examined more thoroughly. [TU] [YNN]
Colonie police say two recent armed robberies in Latham appear to be connected -- and the escalation in violence from the first to second robbery is "troubling." Police say the three men who robbed the Friendly's on Loudon Road early Sunday morning had a gun and used duct tape to bind five employees. The first robbery was at a Domino's, also on Loudon Road. [Fox23] [TU] [YNN]
The pilot who died when his Piper Cherokee crashed into the hills near Berne Monday was in cloud cover so severe that a state police helicopter would not fly in it. Acting Albany County sheriff Craig Apple said it appeared the plane had hit tree tops. [TU] [YNN]
Same-sex couples get married all around New York, man found shot in car, mayor says allegations of racism are "totally irresponsible," suddenly underwear everywhere in Saratoga
There were same-sex marriages across the state Sunday as the Marriage Equality Act took effect. Albany city hall was opened just before midnight Saturday for ceremonies -- six couples got married there. (We'll have a speed read of all the coverage a little later today.) [NYT] [TU] [CBS6]
A Schaighticoke man faces aggravated vehicular manslaughter charges after a car crash Friday night that killed his son and son's girlfriend. State Police allege he was driving drunk. [Troy Record] [YNN]
Albany police say an officer responded to the sound a gunshot early Saturday morning in the South End and found a man shot in a car (map). They say he was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead. Witnesses say the man's car had crashed into a building. [APD] [TU]
Colonie police say Agostino Jubrey, the suspect shot twice in the head by police during the shootout last week, died Friday afternoon. [WTEN]
Attendance on opening day at The Track Friday: 25,155, up about 2,000 from last year. [CBS6]
Still hot, more details on Colonie shootout, Saratoga club owner says his bar was targeted because of race, Colonie Extreme Makeover house for sale
(Cue the bugle) Today is opening day at the Saratoga Race Course.
This just in: it's hot. Today's forecast: a high temp of 93 and lots of sun. [NWS]
The high temperature Thursday was 99 degrees -- just short of the record for the date (101 in 1930). It was the hottest day here in 16 years. The tarmac at ALB reportedly reached 131 degrees. Demand on the upstate New York electricity grid set a new record. And it appears demand caused a transformer and power lines in Saratoga to overheat. [NWS] [Fox23] [WTEN] [Fox23] [Saratogian]
More details about the Colonie shootout: Police say a total of 13 shots were fired as officers and Agostino Jubrey, who was shot twice in the head, were just 10 feet from each other. Officials say it's unclear if Jubrey will survive. State Police allege Jubrey had been coming back from a drug lab in Columbia County. [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT]
Two same-sex couples were waiting at the Albany city clerk's office Friday morning to get a marriage license ahead of Sunday. Said one woman: "Through all of this advocating I never really saw the end of it. It was just like let's get through today, let's get through this goal, let's get through sitting and waiting for 12 hours so now it's like, I do like you. I'll keep you." [WNYT] [Fox23]
Shootout in Colonie, excessive heat warning issued, Cuomo says regions will compete for $1 billion, server saves choking diner
Colonie police say an officer shot a man in the head after the man allegedly fired on officers Thursday evening (map). Police say the officer and a Columbia County sheriff's deputy had gone to see Agostino Jubrey about a hit-and-run accident in Kinderhook earlier in the day. Police say Jubrey had already shot his stepfather in the hand during an argument. They say he then fired on the officers' vehicles, got into a car, and continued firing. Colonie police say they're not sure exactly what started the shooting. Police say Jubrey was in stable condition at Albany Med. [TU] [WTEN] [WNYT] [CBS6] [Fox23] [YNN]
The National Weather Service has issued an "excessive heat warning" for today. Temps are expected to reach the upper 90s, with high humidity. [NWS] [NWS]
The heat has prompted talk of possibly canceling the first day of racing at the Saratotga Race Course on Friday. Trainers don't seem to be too worried, though. The only time racing has been canceled in the 142-year history of The Track was August 2, 2006 when the heat index (a combination of air temp and relative humidity) was expected to his 110 (that is, it would feel like 110). [TU] [Daily Gazette] [AP/USA Today]
Tapes of conversations with Albany County sheriff's office officials were allegedly found in the office of Leonard Crouch, the recently fired head of the county's anti-DWI program. [TU]
Cuomo says focus is on creating jobs, wedding prize taken away because of contest mishap, cheaper food prices at The Track, Gosling "inundated" with fans at the Van Dyck
You may have noticed that it's hot. Act accordingly. [standing outside]
Andrew Cuomo says the next phase of his administration will "operationalize" his plans for state government and focus on creating jobs, especially upstate. (He also apparently will have a focus on using consulting buzzwords.) [State of Politics] [NYT] [TU]
The contract deals reached with CSEA and PEF amount to just about a third of the workforce savings for which the Cuomo admin had been aiming. [TU]
The state Department of Labor will be assessing businesses up to $21.25 per employee to cover the cost of interest payments on the state's unemployment insurance fund. [TU]
Troy Democrats are backing county legislator Lou Rosamilia as their candidate for Troy mayor, now that Clement Camapana is out of the race. [Troy Record]
One of the new Schenectady police recruits sworn in this week was let go Tuesday after the Daily Gazette raised questions about the credits he received from an online college alleged to be a diploma mill. Schenectady's police chief says the recruit, a Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, did not attempt to mislead city and SPD officials. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Emails evidence that Raucci was a huge jerk, Albany parking permit ordinance introduced, Bradley Cooper in Schenectady, deep-fried Kool-aid
Internal Schenectady school district emails released to the Times Union and Daily Gazette pretty much confirm that Steven Raucci often acted like an enormous jerk at work. In one of the emails Raucci tells a person with whom he's annoyed: "I should also inform you that I know where you live, what you drive, what you do after you leave work and what you had for dinner last night." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Albany County sheriff's office anti-DWI program employee who allegedly used false addresses to claim she lived in the county was recently suspended because she allegedly secretly recorded conversations with recently-retired sheriff James Campbell, according to "people with knowledge of the matter." [TU]
The proposed Albany residential parking permit plan has been introduced as an ordinance to the Common Council. [TU]
Neil Breslin on the contract deal the Cuomo admin reached with PEF: "I don't think anybody is happy with the contracts. It's a very difficult economic time and I'm delighted there are no layoffs and the people in my district will continue to have a job." [TU CapCon]
Another town clerk, this time in Central New York, has resigned because she doesn't want to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Says the clerk: "I know what the Bible says. My conscience, my faith, my God says I can't sign these licenses." [TU] [YNN]
Layoffs averted in Cuomo admin-PEF deal, donations pour in for McDonald, another movie to shoot locally, purple bookmobile sold
The Cuomo admin and PEF announced this past weekend that they have reached a contract deal that heads-off planned layoffs. The deal is similar to the one worked out with CSEA a few weeks back -- it includes no general salary increases for three years, furlough days, and increased employee contributions for healthcare. It also includes "broad layoff protection" for PEF members through April 2013. Said PEF's president in a statement: "This was a difficult agreement to reach, but with our members' jobs in peril and the state's fiscal hardship we've stepped up and made the necessary sacrifices." The contract still has to be approved by the PEF membership. [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [TU] [PEF]
Leonard Crouch -- the Albany County sheriff's office anti DWI program coordinator -- was "separated" from the department on Friday. Crouch had been under scrutiny after the Times Union reported that a program employee he supervised had allegedly been using fraudulent addresses to claim she lived in the county. [WNYT] [TU]
Roy McDonald has seen a surge of campaign donations following his vote on the Marriage Equality Act. The chairman of the Saratoga County Republican party says he doesn't "want to speculate" at this point whether McDonald will get the committee's endorsement next year. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Bar and restaurant owners on Pearl Street in Albany say business is down -- perhaps because of public perception that the area is a hotspot for drunken rowdiness. The business district's BID has launched a marketing campaign and promotions in an attempt to fight the perception. [Fox23] [WNYT] [TU Table Hopping]
Once thought to be headed in the right direction, residents say Schenectady's Hamilton Hill neighborhood is sliding backward as muggings and larcenies are increasing. [Daily Gazette]
Dealing with the aftermath of a gruesome day, S Mall Expressway to stay closed until at least August, escaped horse hit by tractor trailer in Saratoga
Matthew Slocum, the man police had wanted in connection with a fatal fire Wednesday in Washington County, has been charged with murder and arson. Police allege Slocum shot three people -- his mother, stepfather, and stepbrother -- and then set their house on fire. Said a victim's family member of Slocum outside town court: "I hope he rots in hell." [Post-Star] [TU] [Saratogian] [Fox23]
State Police say a fifth person -- an infant -- has now died from injuries from the explosion that leveled a house in Washington County Wednesday. The father of three people who died in the explosion alleges that residents had complained to the landlord about leaky gas stove for months. One of the victims was a promising young pastry chef-in-training on a scholarship at the Culinary Institute of America. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
After such an unusual and gruesome day -- an alleged murder/arson, a house leveled by an explosion, eight deaths -- emergency responders in Washington County are getting counseling. [WNYT]
Albany County undersheriff -- and, as of now, sole candidate for county sheriff -- Craig Apple resigned yesterday so as not to violate federal law that prohibits local public officials from running for political offices. Apple's resignation leaves the sheriff's office in a bit of a situation -- Apple had been running the office after the former sheriff retired and it now has no one who can sign paychecks or other contracts. But Apple's attorney is asking a county court judge to appoint Apple to fulfill the duties of sheriff. Update: And the request was reportedly granted Friday morning. [WNYT] [TU] [Troy Record] [@JCEvangelist_TU]
Tragic and weird day in Washington County, Campana out of Troy mayoral race, Guilderland clerk says faith prevents her from performing same-sex marriages, few details on UAlbany football stadium
A tragic and weird day in Washington County yesterday: State Police say an explosion at a house in Salem killed four people and injured seven others (map). Police say the cause of the explosion is under investigation, but it appears to have been a gas leak. The explosion completely leveled the house (the photos are remarkable -- it's like tornado hit the site). [CBS6] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Meanwhile, police were searching for a man wanted for question in a White Creek house fire that killed three people (map). The man -- and his girlfriend and child, who may have been held against their will -- later turned up in New Hampshire. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Fox23]
Clement Camapana announced last night that he's dropping out of the race for mayor of Troy. The Democratic candidate, and Troy city council president, had been facing controversies over his father's placement in a publicly subsidized apartment and a possible connection to a ballot fraud case. Said Campana in a statement: ""When I decided to run for Mayor I expected attacks against me, I expected a lively debate about the issues facing this city. What I did not expect was such ruthless, politically motivated attacks against my family." [Troy Record] [TU]
Colonie supervisor Paula Mahan says a proposal to privatize the town landfill could bring the town as much as $100 million, wiping away the town's deficit. Denise Sheehan, a Republican running for supervisor, says she's skeptical of the proposed deal. [TU] [YNN]
Guilderland's town clerk says she's resigning her status at the town's marriage officer because her Catholic faith prevents her from performing same-sex marriages. [TU]
Mosely sentenced to life in prison, Albany metro ranks highly for green jobs, UAlbany says plan to build football stadium moving forward
Michael Mosley was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2002 murders of Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley in Troy. Said Schneider's father during his victim impact statement: "Every time I use a household knife, I see it being plunged into my daughter." Mosley continued to profess his innocence at the sentencing. Rather than a harsh denunciation of Mosley, judge Robert Jacon delivered a subtle -- and perhaps more stinging -- message. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [TU] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that makes texting (or using some other handheld electronic device) while driving a primary offense, meaning drivers can now be pulled over specifically for that. The law takes effect immediately. Cuomo also announced that getting caught texting while driving, or talking on a mobile without hands-free device while driving, will now be three points on a license. Said Cuomo of what he's noticed while teaching his daughters to drive: "If their thumbs aren't moving they don't know if they're alive. And they get in the car and that device bings and bongs and vibrates or whatever it does and you can see that they have to answer that device now." [Cuomo admin] [Fox23] [YNN]
The Albany metro area near the top of national rankings for the number of "green" jobs, according to a Brookings Institution report. It calls the metro area "a surprise leader in the green economy." [Brookings] [TU]
Guilderland soldier remembered, arrest in Eddie Stanley shooting, Duffy pays almost $2k/month for his Albany apartment, Ken Bruno is selling cars
"His smile. That's what I'll always remember. He had the biggest smile," says one of the sisters of Army spc. Rafael A. Nieves Jr., the Guilderland High School graduate who was killed in Afghanistan Sunday. The husband and father of two would have turned 23 next week. He graduated from Guilderland in 2008. [TU] [DOD] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Schenectady police say a Brooklyn man has been arrested for allegedly shooting 15-year-old Eddie Stanley at a party in June. They say James Wells was nabbed by federal marshals and the NYPD in Brooklyn. Police allege that Wells shot Stanley five times -- "Kind of hard to say it was not intentional," said Schenectady public safety commissioner Wayne Bennett. Bennett says they're looking for more people connected to the case. [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [Fox23] [TU]
The chairman of the Rensselaer County Democratic Party is calling for Clement Campana to drop out of the Troy mayoral race. [Troy Record]
Albany County legislators and law enforcement officials are pushing a bill that would require secondhand shops in the county to photograph items they buy, record descriptions of the item and seller, send the info to police, and hold the items for 10 days in an effort to crack down the sale of stolen items. The head of a local business group says the law would "have no effect at all" other than slowing business and causing some shops to close. "We don't want to put anyone out of business, we just want to make sure we recover stolen property," says the bill's sponsor. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT]
Albany city hall will be open for first day of same-sex marriage, Cuomo and PEF at odds over contract, murder-suicide in Lake George, Giants not coming to UAlbany this year
Albany officials say the city clerk's office will be open on Sunday July 24 in order to issue marriage licenses on the day the Marriage Equality Act takes effect. Officials from other local municipalities -- including Troy, Watervliet and Cohoes -- have said they will not be open that day. Municipal clerks around the state are still waiting to get the proper forms and instruction from the state Department of Health. [TU] [Troy Record] [Poughkeepsie Journal]
The family of Rafael Nieves, Jr., a former Guilderland High School student, says the Army infantryman was killed in Afghanistan Sunday. [YNN]
Andrew Cuomo said Friday that his administration offered the same contract deal to PEF that it offered to CSEA, and now "it's up to them." Cuomo said "the fact that CSEA accepted the contract adds to the credibility of the offer that's not going to change" and PEF can accept the deal or have layoffs. PEF says Cuomo "must have been misinformed" because the offered contract "differs significantly." [TU] [Fox23] [State of Politics]
GlobalFoundries says it would like to build an R&D center, as well as a second chip fab, at Luther Forest if it can work out a deal with the state. It appears that New York is in competition with sites in Asia for the second fab. [TU] [TU]
GloFo says negotiations for second incentive package are less than fab, jumping off a bridge when they get to it, Andrew Cuomo's future foreshadowed by washing machine
Somewhat conflicting reports on the situation surrounding the possibility of a second GlobalFoundries chip fab at Luther Forest. The Saratogian reports "multiple company officials" say GloFo is in "preliminary discussions" with the Cuomo admin about a second massive package of incentives for a second fab. (The package for the first fab is worth about $1.37 billion.) But a GloFo spokesman tells the Times Union that there had been a "window of opportunity" to negotiate a deal with the state and the "window has passed." GloFo says it has already started installing tools at the Luther Forest fab, two months ahead of schedule. The company says the fab will create 6500 jobs, directly and indirectly. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Post-Star] [Fox23]
An official with the development company behind The Alexander, the large apartment complex that's seeking a big tax break from the city of Albany, says it's seeking the break in part because it made a mistake in its earlier requests for tax help. [TU]
PEF says some of its members were originally given just an hour to make bumping decisions following layoff notices from the state this week. [TU]
Two federal agencies are pushing for the Hudson River PCB dredging project to include more parts of the river than originally planned because they say contamination is higher than previously expected. A regional official for the EPA, which has been the federal agency coordinating the project, says the agency is "not inclined" to change the cleanup agreement it has with GE. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
GloFo looking for state cash for second chip fab, Mosley ladyfriend says marriage would preserve their family, alleged poker operation busted in Colonie
GlobalFoundries has reportedly approached the Cuomo administration about landing another huge incentive package for the construction of a second chip fab at Luther Forest -- but state officials are apparently less than enthusiastic about giving the company another massive bundle of cash. [TU]
The company that owns the The Alexander, the huge apartment complex at Patroon Creek in Albany, is looking to score a PILOT that would mean more money for the city upfront -- and much less in the long term (map). [TU]
A national group opposed to same-sex marriage says it will spend $2 million in New York campaigning against Republican state Senators who voted for the Marriage Equality Act, including Roy McDonald. [YNN]
The first wave of layoff notices went out to state employees yesterday, many of them PEF members. (The union hasn't reached a contract deal with the state, yet.) [TU]
Michael Mosley's longtime lady-friend says she and the convicted killer are trying to get married ahead of his sentencing in order "to preserve our family." A spokesman for the state Department of Correctional Services says Mosley could still get married after he's sent to prison -- even with a life sentence. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Property tax cap concerns, convicted murderer wants to get married before sentencing, Gibson calls US involvement in Libya "illegitimate," one of CDTA's "best ever" drivers retires
The property tax cap passed by the state legislature last week has local municipal leaders talking (even more) about the burden of state mandates. In Albany, taxes for homeowners could still end up increasing by more than the capped amount (yep, it's complicated). [YNN] [WNYT]
NYSUT, the big teachers' union, has filed suit against the state over the new teacher evaluation system, arguing it places too much emphasis on standardized test results. [TU] [YNN]
State Police say the woman injured in a car crash with a state trooper car this past weekend in Malta has died from complications that arose during surgery to replace a hip damaged in the crash. The trooper had reportedly swerved to avoid a different car pulling out and ended up slamming into the woman's car in the oncoming lane. [TU] [WNYT]
A State Police helicopter hovered over Albany's Pine Hills neighborhood yesterday and police flooded the area looking for a 3-year-old who was reported missing. It turns out the kid had been with a family friend the entire time. Apparently there was some miscommunication. [Fox23] [TU] [YNN]
Michael Mosley, recently convicted for the murders of Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley, wants to get married before his sentencing in July. Among the possible reasons to get married while facing what could be a life sentence: conjugal visits. [Troy Record] [TU]
Clerks trying to figure out start of same-sex marriage, Saratoga club was under investigation before brawl, Cuomo says he won't "fuel" speculation about 2016
City clerks are waiting to hear from the state about the start of licensing for same-sex marriages next month. The law takes effect on a Sunday (July 24), and there's uncertainty about whether clerks will be able to issue licenses ahead of that date (their offices are closed on Sundays) -- which would be necessary for couples to get married on that day, because there's a 24 hour waiting period. If nothing can happen until the next business day, the first same-sex marriages would be on July 26. [YNN] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Sararoga Springs law enforcement officials say State Liquor Authority allegedly found numerous alcohol-related code violations Friday night at Club Shadow, the bar at which the big Caroline Street brawl started early Sunday morning. They say they had asked the SLA to investigate the club. Said public safety commissioner Richard Wirth of Club Shadow: "If it keep's going this way, it shouldn't be operating." Club Shadow's owner says he'll stop serving beer in bottles (a thrown bottle allegedly set off the fight). A manager at another Caroline Street business says the lower half of the street, where the club is located, "is generally more where the larger fights happen." A man who says he witnessed the fight this past weekend alleges that Saratoga police harassed people taking mobile phone video of the brawl and resulting arrests. [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [WTEN] [YNN] [WNYT]
There was a shooting reported in Albany's West Hill neighborhood overnight (map). There aren't many details, but reportedly one person was shot. Update: Police say shots were fired from the backyard of a house a bullet grazed the nose of man inside, causing a minor injury. [YNN] [Fox23] [CBS6] [TU]
Huge brawl spills onto Caroline Street, Cuomo's national profile rising, study recommends regional garbage authority, Schenectady police getting tasers, even Jimmer's a little tired of Jimmer Mania
In case you somehow missed it: the state Senate passed the Marriage Equality Act Friday night and Andrew Cuomo signed it just before midnight. The law takes effect July 24. [AOA]
Also passed Friday in the end-of-session flurry: a property tax cap, NYC rent control, and a bill allowing SUNY to raise tuition. [TU] [AP/Saratogian] [AP/Saratogian]
Cuomo was hailed as a hero at the pride parade this past weekend in New York City. And his string of victories over the first six months of his administration has prompted admiration from members of both major parties. A that's prompting talk (already) of a run for the White House in 2016. Cuomo is reportedly trying to shut down that talk. [NYT] [NYDN] [Washington Post] [NY Post]
Saratoga Springs police say a riot/brawl/melee involving 40-50 people spilled out of a Caroline Street club early Sunday morning into the street (map). Despite having 15 SSPD officers on the scene, backup had to be called in -- 10 county sheriff's officers, four state troopers, and two officers from Ballston Spa. Police say four officers were injured responding to fight. They say four people were arrested. [Saratogian] [TU] [CBS6] [WTEN]
There could still be 4,700 state employee layoffs from PEF's ranks if the union can't reach a contract with the Cuomo admin. [TU]
State Senate stalls on same-sex marriage and other major issues, pedestrian killed in Schenectady, video exposes fraud attempt, RPI experiment on last shuttle mission
The state Senate adjourned last night without taking up the high profile bills -- including same-sex marriage. The Marriage Equality Act is stuck in a tangle of late-session legislation that doesn't appear to clearing as fast as many had predicted. Democrats accused the Republican majority of "a complete work stoppage." The Senate is expected back in session this morning, to what effect is anyone's guess. Dean Skelos says the same-sex marriage bill won't be brought up until all the other major issues (tax cap, mandate reform, rent control) have been addressed. Liz Benjamin on the scene at the Capitol: "It doesn't help matters that the Capitol is increasingly feeling like a small country under siege, with poor ventilation, insufficient food stocks and overflowing garbage cans." [TU] [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics] [State of Politics]
Schenectady police say pedestrian was killed in Schenectady yesterday after a two-car collision caused the vehicles to veer off the street in Hamilton Hill (map). Another pedestrian was also hit and suffered minor injuries. [Fox23] [TU] [YNN]
Yesterday was Albany County sheriff James Campbell's last day on the job after 21 years. Undersheriff Craig Apple is taking over for the retiring sheriff on an interim basis -- and he's also the Democratic Party establishment's pick to run for the job in the fall. [CBS6] [TU]
The former pastor at a church in Albany alleges that the parents of a deacon accused of engaging in sexual conduct with two boys are blocking efforts to remove the deacon (map). [TU]
Legislative session grinds slowly ahead, CSEA reaches contract deal that includes no layoffs, rabid kitten found in Rensselaer County
Bills covering many high-profile issues continued to be caught in the state legislature's end-of-session tangle. A deal to finally move on the tax cap, rent control, and a SUNY tuition increase reportedly is near (sounds familiar). The same-sex marriage bill continues to be stuck, waiting for a vote in the state Senate -- apparently talks over religious exemptions are still continuing. Andrew Cuomo called for patience. [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [NY Post] [AP/Post-Star] [YNN]
One thing that did shake loose yesterday: an agreement between the Cuomo admin and CSEA on a new contract that would protect the state employee union from layoffs for the next few years. The deal includes a three-year wage freeze and furloughs this year and next. PEF, the other large state worker union, says it's still waiting to hear from the Cuomo admin on its contract offer. [TU] [NYT] [YNN]
The horror: legislators and lobbyists -- unfamiliar with the strange ways of laundromats, dry cleaners, and non-designer underwear -- are running out of clothes as the extended session drags on. [NYT]
Adam Croote, the man accused of raping and attempting to kill a 10-year-old girl in Berne, has a complicated, troubled past -- a story that includes an appearance in the Oval Office at the White House. An anonymous relative described him as "a monster." [TU] [CBS6]
End-of-session deal but still no movement on same-sex marriage bill, questions about NYRA's books, babysitter accused of "brutal, horrific attack," fox that bit woman was rabid
The Three Men in a Room said yesterday that they had reached agreement on a deal that would open the way for a property tax cap and the extension of NYC rent control. Also part of "The Big Ugly" end of session deal: no new pension tier for state employees and a $300/year tuition increase at SUNY schools for the next five years. [TU] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics]
A vote on the same-sex marriage bill in the state Senate is not part of that deal, though there were some indications it could come up soon (which is what they've been saying for days now). Andrew Cuomo says he thinks the Senate will bring the bill up for a vote and is "cautiously optimistic" about its chances of passing. Sheldon Silver indicated the Assembly, which has already passed the bill, is open to amendments that would provide protections for religious orgs -- an apparent sticking point for the Senate. [TU] [Daily Politics] [AP/Troy Record]
There are signs that GlobalFoundries is strongly considering building a second chip fab at Luther Forest, though the company won't confirm or deny it. One issue that still hasn't been resolved for the already-committed fab: a backup water supply. GloFo has been moving employees into the facility over the last week. [TU] [Post-Star] [Post-Star]
The separation agreement between superintendent Fadhilika Atiba-Weza and the Troy school district will pay Atiba-Weza $250,000 this summer -- plus provide health insurance for the rest of his life after retirement. [Troy Record]
Little movement on same-sex marriage, police say toddler's death was homicide, film crew setting up in Schenectady
Protesters at Monday's PEF rally against planned state employee layoffs. (Here are more photos from a set by Rob Gierthy.)
There was little or no movement on same-sex marriage legalization yesterday at the Capitol as the issue has gotten stuck in a late-session tangle of issues, most notably NYC rent control. Also holding up a Senate vote on same-sex marriage: the ongoing concerns about protections for religious groups that don't want to participate. After a meeting of the Three Men in a Room, Dean Skelos nothing seems close at the moment -- and Sheldon Silver said frustration had set in. [NYT] [NY Post] [AP/Troy Record] [Fox23] [YNN]
While the politicians frustrated each other, protestors -- for and against same-sex marriage -- protestors jammed the Capitol, chanting and singing. Some of the interactions were heated -- in one case two rabbis were seen yelling at each other. [AP/Post-Star] [WNYT]
Outside the Capitol, thousands of state employees rallied against the plan to layoff 9,800 state workers. The Cuomo admin says it still plan to start issue the first round of layoff notices this Friday. [Troy Record] [TU]
Schenectady police say they're investigating the death of 20-month-old boy as a homicide (map). Neighbors in the Northside neighborhood say the boyfriend of the boy's mother had brought the child across the street looking for help because the boy had stopped breathing. The boy's mother says she wasn't home at the time, but says her boyfriend told her the child had fallen out of a crib. The boy's father says he had asked the mother to not leave the children alone with the boyfriend. No one has been charged, yet. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [WTEN] [YNN]
Same-sex marriage bill part of end-of-session rush, plans for Exit 3 are off, man allegedly rams police car with tractor, no Whitney Gala this year
Today is the last scheduled day of the state legislature's session, but there's a clog of late-developing legislation that could extend the session later into the week. Caught in the end-of-session rush: the Marriage Equality Act. The sticking point still appears to be Senate Republicans' worries about protections for religious groups that refuse to participate in same-sex marriages. Said Dean Skelos on Friday: "There is a concern right now as to the unintended consequences of some of the religious clauses, carve outs, protections, and we're reviewing that." That review is reportedly almost finished and a deal is said to be close. [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [TU] [NY Post]
Andrew Cuomo's prominent support of same-sex marriage legalization is raising his profile around the country. On Friday, Cuomo tried to emphasize that the Marriage Equality Act applies to "marriage in a civil context," not a religious one. [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics]
There was an interfaith rally for same-sex marriage this past weekend in Troy. [Fox23]
A federal appeals court heard arguments Friday on whether federal prosecutors should be allowed to re-try Joe Bruno. Bruno says the whole process has been "exasperating." [Troy Record] [TU]
Same-sex marriage bill stuck in Senate, GloFo bumps CEO, keghead sentenced to jail, yearbook photo girl debuts song, too many cats
The Marriage Equality Act is currently stuck in the state Senate as the Republican majority has yet to decide if/when the bill should come up for a vote. It seems one of the main sticking points is still exemptions for religious orgs that don't want to participate in same-sex marriage. Andrew Cuomo met with three Republican Senators yesterday, possibly about that topic. There appear to be two or three potential swing votes. Mike Bloomberg met with the Republican conference yesterday and afterward said he thinks the bill will pass if it comes to the floor. [TU] [State of Politics] [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [NY Post] [NYDN]
Not making things any easier: the NYC rent control issue is holding up pretty much everything else. [TU]
Saratoga Springs' public safety commissioner says the investigation into the police chief sexting situation is continuing. The attorney who had been representing Laurie Masi, the woman who's accused Christopher Cole of sending her unwanted texts, is no longer her attorney after "We just decided the best thing to do was go our separate ways." [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette]
GlobalFoundries bumped its CEO, named an iterim, and is looking for a new one. The company says it's still committed to the Luther Forest chip fab. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Assembly passes same-sex marriage bill, alleged cocaine ring busted after anonymous letter, yearbook picture student says story is over
The bill that would legalize same-sex marriage passed in the state Assembly yesterday (as expected). How local Assembly members voted:
Yes: Canestrari, McEneny, Reilly
No: Amedore, Jordan, Tedisco, McLaughlin
Said Jim Tedisco after the vote: "I think it's going to really lead to us having legislators look at the dictionary, look at concepts, look at words and say, 'let's do an omnibus bill, there's a lot of words here and concepts that I want to change to fit my lifestyle.'" [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [Fox23]
What's going to happen in the state Senate on this issue continues to be unclear. The Republican majority conferenced for four hours yesterday without coming to a conclusion about whether to bring the bill to a vote. One the apparent sticking points is that some Republicans don't think the bill includes enough exemptions for religious orgs that don't support same-sex marriage. It looks like the bill is still one vote short of being able to pass. [NYT] [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
A group of state and local law enforcement agencies say they've busted an alleged drug ring that had been a major supplier of cocaine to the Capital Region. Albany police chief Steve Krokoff says an anonymous letter sent to him by a parent set off the investigation. Officials say 37 people have been arrested so far as part of the bust. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [CBS6]
Records indicate that Laurie Masi, the woman who's accused Sararoga Springs police chief Christopher Cole of sexting her after she asked him to stop, allegedly threatened the career of a Schenectady police officer after a disagreement in 2008. There were other complaints filed against -- and by -- her in Rotterdam and Scotia. Yesterday in an on-camera interview with WNYT, Masi accused Cole of "texting in his office half the day and going on dates in his city-owned car." [TU] [Saratogian] [WNYT]
McDonald: "let's all just live our lives," alleged police chief sexts released, Albany schools head "very disappointed" about grad rates, yellow teeth prompt SSHS admin to take scissors to yearbook
Roy McDonald on his decision to vote "yes" on legalizing same-sex marriage: "I'm not out to hurt some gay guy, gay woman. Live your lifestyle. That's not my lifestyle, but God bless 'em -- it's America. Be nice to people, and let's all just live our lives." McDonald represents the 31st vote for the legislation (32 needed to pass), and the second Republican state Senator in the "yes" column. A handful of other Republican Senators are reportedly also considering a "yes" vote. It's looking like the bill will come up for a vote on Friday. [TU] [NYT] [NYDN]
Hugh Farley reiterated yesterday that he plans to vote "no" on legalizing same-sex marriage. [Saratogian]
There's a knot involving multiple bills -- notably rent control extension -- that's starting to clog the final days of the legislative session. That could lead to an end-of-session rush known as "the big ugly." [NYT] [TU]
The attorney for Saratoga Springs police chief Christopher Cole released a series of text messages allegedly exchanged by Cole and Laurie Masi that indicate their sexting was consensual. In one of the alleged exchanges, Masi asks for Cole to send her an explicit pic. (Also: the exchanges are extraordinarily cheesy.) [Saratogian] [WNYT]
This morning Schenectady police raided a house across the street from where Eddie Stanley was shot and killed this past weekend (map). They say the raid was related to Stanley's death. One person was taken into custody. [CBS6] [WTEN] [TU]
Same-sex marriage closer to getting enough votes, Saratoga police chief put on leave, more tax breaks for GlobalFoundries, 108-year-old woman in Saratoga County
Four state Senators have publicly switched to "yes" votes for legalizing same-sex marriage. That leaves the measure two votes short of the 32 needed to pass. Among the four switching to yes Monday was Jim Alesi, the first Republican to publicly state he'll support the measure (remember, Alesi was the Senator who seemed to agonize over casting a no vote the last time). With 29 of 30 Democrats in the Senate now supporting it (Ruben Diaz is the one who doesn't), two more Republican would have to switch -- though it may actually have to be four Republicans so that none of them gets tagged as the deciding vote. Dean Skelos says the Senate could vote on the measure this week. Said Hugh Farley, who's against the measure: "Everybody is voting what they believe in." [NYT] [AP/Saratogian] [TU] [New York Now YouTube] [YNN] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics] [Fox23]
The state ethics reform legislation passed both the Senate and Assembly yesterday. Among the provisions of the bill: greater disclosure of outside income by legislators. A New York Times analysis concluded that the state has awarded $7.4 billion in contracts over the last five years to clients represented by law firms that employ state legislators. [WNYT] [TU] [NYT]
Saratoga Springs has placed police chief Christopher Cole on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the sexting situation. Richard Wirth, the city's public safety commissioner, says there's no timeline for the investigation. The attorney for Laurie Masi, the woman who had been exchanging texts with Cole, said his client has Cole to stop sending her messages on "several occasions." Cole's attorney says that's not true. [Saratogian] [YNN] [TU] [Post-Star]
Schenectady police say there was a shooting this morning in Hamilton Hill (map). They say it appears to be related to a domestic dispute. [YNN] [CBS6]
Schenectady police say they're trying to track down about 40 people who were at the party where Eddie Stanley was shot and killed over the weekend. The SPD says it's trying to figure out what exactly happened -- and it's yet to make an arrest. One of Stanley's cousins say witnesses haven't been talking. A $1000 reward has been put up for info about the case. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [TU] [YNN] [WTEN]
Teen shot and killed in Schenectady, pressure builds on same-sex marriage, UAlbany grad student back after being imprisoned in Iran
A 15-year-old was shot and killed early Sunday morning in Schenectady's Mont Pleasant neighborhood (map). A witness reported hearing "at least five or six" gun shots after some sort of altercation at a house party spilled into the street. It's Schenectady's first homicide of the year. The teen, Eddie Stanley, was a rising basketball star at Schenectady High School. Police haven't made an arrest yet. [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Albany police say there was a reported shooting in West Hill Friday night (map). They say the victim reported being robbed and shot in the leg. The APD says it's investigating. [TU] [Fox23]
The eight state Senators who are publicly undecided on legalizing same-sex marriage are feeling pressure on all sides. Andrew Cuomo is reportedly pulling marriage equality supporters in for a strategy meeting today ahead of a possible vote this week. Roy McDonald says Cuomo asked him not to publicly state his position until talking with the governor again this week. [NYT] [NYT] [Post-Star]
The woman in the Saratoga Springs police chief sexting situation has hired a lawyer, who says the woman "wants justice" (not specified: what justice would entail). He says the woman asked the chief to stop sending her messages, but alleges the chief continued. City officials say they woman never filed an official complaint against the chief. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [TU]
Cuomo proposes SUNY tuition increase, exotic dances ruled taxable, alleged one-handed bank robber nabbed
The Cuomo admin has introduced legislation that would allow all SUNY schools to raise tuition five percent a year for the next five years -- and it allows the large universities, including UAlbany, to tack another three percent onto that increase. Sheldon Silver has been the main obstacle in the legislature to allowing SUNY to raise tuition -- his office didn't comment on Cuomo's plan. Senate Republican spoke in favor of the plan. [State of Politics] [Cuomo admin] [TU] [NYT]
State agencies have been asked to submit lists of positions that could be eliminated in layoffs by Monday. CSEA's president called the threat of layoffs "obscene." [TU] [YNN]
Saratoga Springs public safety commissioner Richard Wirth said "everything is on the table" for possible disciplinary action against police chief Chris Cole following Cole's admission that he sexted from his city hall office. Wirth says Cole has been an "excellent" chief. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [WNYT]
Clement Campana says his father will have to move out of his publicly subsidized apartment in Troy after his father was found to be $111 over the income limit. [TU] [Troy Record]
A state appeals court has ruled that exotic dances are not art, and as a result, a Latham strip club must pay sales tax. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Cuomo admin reportedly planning layoffs for July, driver in Troy hit-and-run pleads guilty, another bust for Elza, more trouble at Troy co-op?
This just in: it's hot. Wednesday's high temp was 93, which tied the record for the date (normal high temp: 76). Thursday's forecast: highs near 90 with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. (Here are a few hail pics from Wednesday's storms.) [NWS] [NWS] [AOA]
The Cuomo admin is planning to start the first round of state employee layoffs on July 15, according to a memo obtained by the Times Union. The admin and the unions have yet to reach a deal on a new contract, and Cuomo has said 9,800 layoffs could be necessary without cost-savings from a new contract. [TU]
The Cuomo admin also released legislation that would create a new pension tier for new state employees (we're up to Tier VI if you're counting at home). Among the provisions: increasing the retirement age from 62 to 65, ending early retirement, and excluding overtime from the calculation determining average salary. The bill would not shift the system toward a 401(k)-type of plan. The admin says the plan would save the state $93 billion over 30 years. Advocacy groups for local municipalities gave the plan a thumbs up. The state employee unions were annoyed -- the words "grandstanding" and "draconian" were both used. [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [TU] [State of Politics]
Roy Sanders, the man who drove the pickup truck that hit Jahvion Perez in Troy, pleaded guilty at his arraignment yesterday. Sanders told the judge that no one had coerced him into pleading guilty, but the mother of his children told the media they had been threatened. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
It's hot, Sanders says he's sorry about fatal hit-and-run, Tedisco and Reilly at odds over MMA, police searching for alleged bank robber who's missing part of an arm
The forecasted high for today is 95. [NWS]
There are more details about the bill that would reform state ethics rules -- and questions about odd provisions in the bill. [TU] [NYT]
The state Conservative Party is trying to flex its (small, but influential) muscles against legalizing same-sex marriage. [State of Politics]
Update: Sanders pleaded guilty today at his arraignment (no, that doesn't often happen). | Roy Sanders, the man accused of being the driver in the hit-and-run that killed Jahvion Perez, in an interview with Fox23: "I'm sorry that their little boy had to go like that. If I could take it back, I would. I swear I would. And God knows it was only an accident, and I'm so sorry." Both Sanders and his parents say he didn't stop after the accident because people were throwing stuff at him. [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Turning the former Cinema Arts theater into a meeting space for a new Troy city hall at the Dauchy Building is now apparently off the table for the moment after Tuesday's city council meeting. Earlier in the day, Republican mayoral candidate Carmella Mantello again said the city shouldn't take over the space on River Street because it could become taxable prime real estate. [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
Arrests in 1994 Troy murder cold case, jewelry stolen from Cinderella project, law firm falls for email scam, do androids dream of electric golf?
Troy police say they've made two arrests in a 1994 murder case that had gone cold. Police say Troy residents Scott Chaplin and George Mott will both be charged with murder in the death of Rosemary Ellsworth Crosier. She had been found beaten to death and robbed at the home for people with disabilities which she had been working in Sycaway (map). Police say Chaplin and Crosier knew each other from working together in the mailroom at the Troy Record. A special prosecutor has been named for the case because Rensselaer County DA Richard McNally worked in the public defender's office when it represented Chaplin during a previous inquiry into the case. [TU] [WNYT] [WTEN] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
The proposed state ethics overhaul includes a provision that would allow just three of a proposed commission's 14 members to block an investigation from going forward. Good government groups call the proposed system flawed, but an improvement over the current situation. [NYT] [TU]
Follow-up from the NYT article this week about the treatment of people with disabilities in state-run facilities: Jonathan Carey's father is pushing for state legislation that would cap the number of overtime hours employees could work at state-run facilities for people with developmental disabilities. And a large advocacy org is pushing to make it easier to fire employees who participated in substantiated cases of abuse. [NYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state Assembly passed a bill that would extend the moratorium on fracking until 2012. It might not make it through the state Senate, though. [State of Politics] [TU]
Ethics deal would require legislators to disclose outside income, police officer kicked by horse, thousand turn out for Schenectady movie audition, backhoe used to rescue kitten
The Three Men in the Room announced a deal on new state ethics laws late Friday afternoon. The "Clean Up Albany Act of 2011" would require legislators to disclose outside income, create of database of who's appearing before the state, could take away the pensions of officials convicted of felonies. It would also create a new commission to enforce ethics laws for the legislature, executive branch and lobbyists. Andrew Cuomo called the plan "tough and aggressive." The provision for disclosing outside income reportedly caused some rank-and-file members of the legislature to "freak out" as the deal was coming together Friday, with some telling leaders that they wouldn't run for re-election. [NYT] [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [Daily Politics] [State of Politics]
Of particular interest to local food businesses: the proposed ethics law would up the allowed value of meal given to legislators from the value of a cup of coffee to $15. [TU]
The SUNY board of trustees accepted the "voluntary separation" of John O'Connor from his job both as head of the SUNY Research Foundation and vice chancellor on Friday. (Remember, O'Connor had been the one accused of giving Susan Bruno an alleged no-show job.) Shortly after that announcement, the system released a report describing the billion dollar Research Foundation as "flawed at both the governance and operational levels." The state Commission on Public Integrity says it will continue to investigate O'Connor. [TU] [TU CapCon] [TU]
Roy McDonald continues to publicly say he's undecided on same-sex marriage legalization, despite lobbying efforts both overt and subtle. [Troy Record]
The plan for a parking permit system around the ESP in Albany is coming together. [TU]
Reaction to Mosley trial guilty verdict, Albany County sheriff retiring, bill would allow SUNY tuition increases, Karner Blue season
Reaction to the guilty verdict in the Mosley trial: Said Arica Lynn Schneider's father: "There's no winners here today. They lost a son, we lost a daughter. His kids lost their father." Said Samuel Holley's brother: "Yeah we have closure, we know who did it, but still it ain't gonna bring him back, or her back." Said Terry Kindlon, Mosley's attorney: "I think, at the end of the day, the DNA evidence proved impossible to overcome." [TU] [Fox23] [YNN] [Troy Record]
Albany County sheriff James Campbell announced yesterday that he's retiring. Campbell says he supports current undersheriff Craig Apple to replace him. Campbell has held the position for 21 years. Campbell said the death of Gene Eaton, the former Rensselaer County sheriff and a close friend, last winter helped prompt his decision to leave. Among his retirement plans: "I would imagine we're going to be doing some traveling because the furthest I took my wife was to Green Island once." [TU] [Fox23] [Troy Record] [CBS6] [YNN]
Andrew Cuomo lobbied Roy McDonald one-on-one yesterday, trying to gain McDonald's vote in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. McDonald says he's still undecided (he voted "no" in 2009). A billboard urging McDonald to vote "yes" started displaying on I-787 yesterday. Troy's city council unanimously passed a resolution supporting same-sex marriage legalization yesterday. [TU] [YNN] [AOA] [Troy Record]
Clement Campana's father's income was $111 over the limit to qualify for a subsidized apartment from the Troy Housing Authority, according to income tax returns. Campana, a Democrat, continued to assert his dad didn't get special treatment from the Republican controlled agency: "There's no way they would do favors for me, believe me." [TU] [Troy Record]
Rensselaer County man shot and killed by State Police, state leaders leaning toward SUNY tuition increase, Albany charters sue school district, Clifton Park looking to put there there
State Police say a sergeant fatally shot a Poestenkill man Tuesday night after he pointed a gun at the sergeant (map). They say troopers had asked the man to drop his rifle, and he then pointed the gun along the beam of the sergeant's flashlight. Police had gone to the man's house after getting a call from his sister that he was armed and threatening to kill himself. A neighbor says the man had been acting strangely that day. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [YNN] [TU]
The man who owns the truck that allegedly hit and killed Jahvion Perez in Troy told police in a statement that he had allowed Roy Sanders, the alleged driver, to use the vehicle in return for crack. Sanders turned himself in yesterday after being convinced to do so by his mother, according to police. There were two warrants for his arrest, one for leaving the scene of a fatal accident and the other for driving with a suspended license. Neighbors near the scene of the accident are pushing for a lower speed limit. [TU] [Troy Record] [YNN] [WNYT]
Mosley trial: the jury is now deliberating the case. The defense and prosecution made their closing arguments yesterday (link includes video). The prosecution focused on the DNA evidence, the defense on the lack of an identified motive. [Fox23] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU]
Clement Camapana's father is not financially eligible for the subsidized apartment he got through the Troy Housing Authority, according to a letter from the feds to the THA that was obtained by the Times Union. Campana, who's city council president and running for mayor, again said yesterday that the scrutiny of his father's placement is politically driven. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Three Men in the Room seem to be leaning toward approving a five percent tuition increase for SUNY. Also: both the state Comptroller's office and the state Inspector General have started investigations into the SUNY Research Foundation. [TU] [TU]
Alleged driver in fatal hit-and-run arrested, investigation into how council president's dad got subsidized apartment, Schumer: something "rotten" about gas prices, SUNY impact pegged at $20 billion
Update: Roy Sanders surrendered to police Wednesday. Sanders reportedly said "I'm sorry. I didn't know." while sobbing as he was led away. [TU] [@nicolon10] [@WMcClureFOX23]
Neighbors along the Troy street where 6-year-old Jahvion Perez was killed after being struck in a hit-and-run say drivers often speed along the street and they'd like to see speed bumps and more speed limit signs. Troy police have yet to arrest Roy Sanders, the person allegedly driving the pick-up truck that hit Perez. Sanders had been charged with allegedly shooting a man earlier this year, though it appears that case won't move forward. Said a man who said he witnessed the collision: "He just hit him, stopped for a second, then kept going." A neighborhood said Sanders had "waved to me and next thing I knew he was hitting the little boy and it was like just crazy." [WNYT] [Troy Record] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [CBS6]
Mosley trial: Jurors took a field trip yesterday to visit the Poestenkill Gorge, where Michael Mosley said he had injured his hand snowboarding the evening before the murders. The prosecution has tried to the make the case that there wasn't enough snow for snowboarding. Closing arguments are scheduled for today. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
The Troy Housing Authority is investigating how the father of city council president -- and mayoral candidate -- Clem Campana ended up in a subsidized apartment ahead of others on a long waiting list. Campana says his father "got no breaks or bargain." [Troy Record] [TU]
State attorney general Eric Schneiderman announced he's suing the federal government "for its failure to commit to a full environmental review of proposed regulations" of fracking. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to release its rules for fracking by the beginning of July. A top Cuomo admin official recently told the DEC to review what happened during fracking accidents in Pennsylvania before completing the New York rules. [NYS AG] [TU] [State of Politics]
Stewart's says its recent ice cream recall was prompted by bits of Teflon and metal that may have broken off a machine. Inspectors were at the plant yesterday and gave it the OK to continue production. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Six year old killed in hit-and-run, woman falls 75 feet into Plotterkill gorge, another measles case, Siro's opening a second location
Troy police say a six-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run accident Monday evening (map). The TPD has identified a Troy man as a suspect. Troy police say they've recovered the pickup truck allegedly involved in the incident. Harry Tutunjian has put up a $500 reward for info leading to the suspect's arrest. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [CBS6]
Troy police say four people were injured during a shooting early Monday morning in South Troy (map). The TPD says found no victims -- only empty cartridges -- at the scene, but then the injured started showing up at local hospitals. Police say they're searching for the shooter(s). [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [YNN]
Officials from the federal Department of Justice say they haven't heard of anything like the teen suicides linked to a Schenectady gang and will add the info to its body of gang statistics. The parents of the girls who killed themselves say their daughter had been tormented by members of the gang. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Mosley trial: On Friday during cross examination Michael Mosley repeatedly denied murdering Arica Lynn Schneider an Samuel Holley. Prosecutors also called former local TV weatherman Howard Altschul, now a forensic meteorologist, as a witness to challenge Mosley's assertion that there had been enough snow to snowboard the day before the murders. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
More alleged details are leaking out about the situation surrounding SUNY Research Foundation head John O'Connor and the alleged no-show job Susan Bruno once had at the org. SUNY has apparently hired a law firm to look into its relationship with the Research Foundation. [TU] [TU]
Prosecutors say gang linked to teen suicides, Mosley testifies in his own defense, mugging in Center Square, ultimate frisbee rising
Federal prosecutors announced the arrests of 35 people they say are connected to a Schenectady gang that controlled a section of Hamilton Hill. Authorities say they started investigating the gang after there appeared to be a connection between it and a string of suicides by teen girls in the neighborhood. They allege three suicides were directly connected to harassment by members of the gang. Parents of the teens describe a toxic social environment that gradually destroyed their daughters' lives. [WNYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
Michael Mosley took the stand in his own defense yesterday. He testified he did not kill Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley. He said he found their bodies the next morning when he stopped to pick up Holley -- but didn't say anything to anyone because, "I didn't want someone who did this to think I knew something, so I just let it go." He also explained that his blood got on a bed when he reached his injured hand in after he heard a phone ring. [YNN] [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Roy McDonald is among a small group of state Senators who haven't taken a public stance of legalizing same-sex marriage and thus have become the focus of lobbyists on the issue. Joe Bruno, who previously held McDonald's seat, said in an interview on TALK 1300 yesterday that he now supports marriage equality (Bruno also said he considers himself an "Andrew Cuomo Republican"). [TU] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
The Troy city council saw proposed designs for the possible move of Troy city hall to the Dauchy Building. Among the concerns about moving to the River Street location: parking. Mayor Harry Tuntunjian says he's opposed to moving city hall to the Dauchy Building. [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
DA says no more plea deals after skipping breath test, Mosley's mother says he was home the night of murders, Albany library will try again with smaller tax increase, two years for punching a man four times his age
Albany County DA David Soares says DWI suspects who refuse the breath test will no longer be offered plea deals for DWAI, a lesser charge. Asked by Fox23 whether the change in policy was a result of the James Miller case, Soares said: "I think, with respect to the last several cases that are very high-profile, it's just amplified the existence of that loophole." [TU] [Fox23]
Albany police chief Steve Krokoff said yesterday that spokesman James Miller was allowed to come back because of his experience with the department and his guilty plea to a misdemeanor. The APD released the dash cam vide of Miller's arrest. And Miller was apologizing on every local TV news outlet. [TU] [YNN] [YNN] [Fox23] [CBS6] [WNYT] [WTEN]
Michael Mosley's mother testified yesterday in her son's defense that he was home with her the night Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley were murdered. And she testified that Mosley hurt his hand snowboarding with his son. Prosecutors noted that weather reports indicated there was no snow on the ground that day. [Fox23] [TU] [Troy Record]
Two Momentive employees were airlifted to a hospital in Westchester County early yesterday morning after a flash fire at the plant in Waterford. The company says it's investigating the cause of the fire. Said a union rep: "We've been filing complaint after complaint about safety. Unfortunately, this was coming. I hope our issues will now be addressed. Everything can be prevented." And Waterford's supervisor accused the company of not communicating well enough about what was going on. [TU] [Fox23] [Troy Record] [YNN]
State leaders say there's a tax cap deal, Miller returning to work with APD, GloFo challenging property tax assessment, would you buy a car from Al Jurczynski?
The Three Men in the Room announced that there's a tentative deal on a property tax cap. The two percent cap includes exceptions for some pension costs and capital projects. What seems to have prompted Sheldon Silver to move forward on the cap in the Assembly was a deal to link the cap with an extension of rent control regulations. Dean Skelos said a sunset provision for the cap is still not worked out. Said Andrew Cuomo of the cap: "I think when you put the budget together with a property tax cap in this state, it's going to be a game-changer and it's going to change the trajectory of this state." Interest group reaction roundup. [NYT] [TU] [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics] [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics]
Mosely trial: Michael Mosley's attorney cross-examined the prosecution's blood stain expert witness for almost 4.5 hours in an attempt to poke holes in the expert's polished, TV-like presentation. The final prosecution was Mosley's former boss, who testified that Mosley took six days off from work sick following the date of the murders. He said Mosley returned to work with cuts and bruises on his hands -- and a doctor's note. [Troy Record] [TU] [TU] [Fox23]
The Albany Police Department announced that suspended spokesman James Miller will be back on the job this Friday. Miller will lose his designation as a detective. And though he's returning as spokesman, his duties will including training a replacement. He told WGY that he plans to retire from the department at the end of February 2012. Miller pleaded guilty to DWAI and internal administrative charges. [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23] [WGY] [CBS6]
Fulton County: a state trooper accused of fatally hitting a pedestrian with his car in Broadalbin and then leaving the scene of the accident has turned himself in. He's been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and has been suspended. Fulton County law enforcement officials say an autopsy concluded the man had been run over by a vehicle -- and his blood and tissue were on the undercarriage of the trooper's personal pickup. [Fox23] [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
Expert witness: murders were "sloppy" attack by one person, "bath salts" banned in the state, kegs and eggs legal cleanup, buidling collapse in Troy
A blood-stain evidence expert brought in from North Carolina for the Michael Mosley trial testified yesterday that the evidence pointed to an "unplanned," "sloppy" attack out of anger by a single person. (This expert had reportedly formed this theory back when prosecutors originally planned to charge two other people with the crime.) She also laid out a possible sequence of events before and after the killings. And she cast doubt on the Mosley team's assertion that the defendant's DNA was left at the scene from a previously bandaged hand. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [Fox23] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo posted a video message supporting same-sex marriage. "When it comes to fighting for what's right, New Yorkers wrote the book, and marriage equality is the next chapter of our civil rights story," said Cuomo. There's anti-same-sex marriage rally planned for outside the Capitol today. [Cuomo admin] [CBS6]
The state Senate voted to legalize mixed-martial arts bouts. MMA's toughest legislative fight will be in the Assembly, where's its push for legalization has failed before. [YNN] [Daily Politics]
Education reform cross fire: state officials and school district officials argued at a state Senate hearing yesterday that it's too hard to fire bad teachers -- while NYSUT, the big teachers' union, argued the new teacher evaluation system places too much emphasis on test scores. [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
The Nigro Companies has apparently been picked to redevelop the former Troy city hall site. [TU]
Soares won't prosecute Paterson as part of Yankee ticket scandal, restaurants say ethics rules are hurting business, IBM donates supercomputer to Union College
Albany County DA David Soares won't charge David Paterson with perjury as part of the Yankees World Series ticket situation. Even though a previous ethics investigation found it "reasonably likely" that Paterson had lied, Soares said in a letter that there wasn't enough evidence to pursue a criminal case. [NYT] [NYDN]
A Times Union FOIA request for FBI documents related to the late-1980s investigation of former Albany mayor Thomas Whalen turned up a few bits. [TU]
The Albany and Schenectady school districts include about the same number of students -- but Albany spends $53 million more per year. [TU]
Albany police say a man was shot in the leg early Sunday morning in downtown Albany (map). The APD says the victim is not cooperating and they currently don't have a suspect. [Fox23] [CBS6]
Recordings submitted as part of a pretrial hearing include alleged Albany gang members talking about how they "take out" people accused of snitching. [TU]
The "most potent" obstacle to same-sex marriage in New York State, bar employees chase alleged tip jar thief, boom chicka-wah-wah added to soundtrack of Troy city hall space hunt
Conservative Party chairman Mike Long is "the single most potent -- and immovable -- obstacle to the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York," according to NYT's Nick Confessore. Andrew Cuomo is reportedly working behind the scenes to provide political cover to state Senators looking to defy Long. Meanwhile, Republican state Senator Marty Golden introduced a bill that would stop the state from recognizing same-sex marriages from other states (the bill has basically no chance of making it through the legislature). [NYT] [YNN] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics]
It looks like the Albany library board will probably a new budget back to voters this summer -- perhaps with the tax increase reduced from 25 percent to 18 percent. Said one board member of the originally proposed 25 percent increase prompted by the demands of the library's new branches: "Did we miscalculate? I don't think so. Did anyone ever build a house and then realize I need a new couch it doesn't fit. We thought it was going to fit." [WNYT] [TU] [Fox23]
After repeatedly denying having a role in the murders of Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley, Michael Mosley told police on tape: "If I go to trial, it's going to be very simple to explain." Mosley's attorney has said his client is expected to testify in his own defense. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
Employees and patrons of the Bombers on Lark Street chased a guy through the surrounding neighborhood who had allegedly stolen the bar's tip jar. They caught him as he tried to jump a fence. Police say there had been about $140 in the jar. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Possible movement on property tax cap, SUNY police officer busted for alleged pot grow house, Kaczynski says Unabomber auction is "profoundly troubling"
There appears to some movement on a property tax cap in the legislature, with Dean Skelos saying he would look at proposed adjustments to the cap. The Assembly has not taken up the bill -- and Sheldon Silver says "there are a few minor details that have to be changed" for the cap to move forward. [TU] [State of Politics]
Silver and Skelos traded shots on the revived millionaire's tax. Silver: "The moral imperative is that Senator Skelos stand up for 99 percent of the taxpayers, not the 1 percent he's protecting who are millionaires and multi-millionaires about to get yet another tax windfall in six months." Skelos: "It's over with. There's not going to be a millionaire's tax." [State of Politics] [YNN]
Andrew Cuomo yesterday on the push for same-sex marriage: "I'm doing everything I can." [Daily Politics]
A lawyer for John O'Connor, the SUNY official who recently took a leave of absence after accusations that he gave Joe Bruno's daughter a no-show job, says the commission that investigated O'Connor has swipe card records for Bruno's daughter and 30,000 emails from her that show she was working. [AP/Troy Record]
The few local school districts whose budgets did not pass are working through their options (put a new budget up for vote, go with a contingency budget). The Rensselaer school district budget, which failed by 7 votes, will be modified and put back up for a vote. Averill Park's school board hasn't decided which direction to take, yet. [Troy Record] [TU]
The Albany library board is hoping a re-canvassing of voting machines will result in a passed budget -- and if not, it's not sure yet what direction it will take. [TU]
A SUNY police officer assigned to the UAlbany campus was busted this week after state police allegedly found about 100 pot plants growing in a heated barn on her Duanesburg property. [TU]
Most school budgets pass -- Albany library budget maybe not, financial backers push Republicans on same-sex marriage, Joe Bruno sighting, measles case at RPI
Almost all of the local school budgets passed (as did 93 percent statewide). Those that didn't: Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, and Averill Park. The result in Rensselaer is unclear. [TU] [State of Politics] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [TU]
The Albany school district's budget passed by fewer than 200 votes. Records obtained by the Times Union via FOIL revealed that the anonymous direct mail campaign against the budget was sponsored by a group with ties to the city's charter schools. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
As of Wednesday morning, it appears the Albany library budget -- which included a 25 percent tax increase -- had failed to pass by 28 votes. [TU]
Potential new source of school revenue: ads on school buses. [YNN]
Mike Bloomberg was at the state Capitol yesterday lobbying Republican senators to support the legalization of same-sex marriage. Bloomberg has been big financial backer of state Republicans -- and donors are starting to line up to support Republicans who are in favor of marriage equality. [NYT] [TU]
Sheldon Silver has re-introduced the "Millionaire's Tax" -- this time as an actual millionaire's tax. [NYT] [State of Politics]
New state pension tier would reportedly raise retirement age, new teacher evals place greater emphasis on test scores, body found in Mohawk, Guilderland post office could close
Voting on school budgets is today. Don't know where to vote? Check your school district's website.
Word is leaking out that Andrew Cuomo will propose a new pension tier for new state employees that would include a defined contribution option (like a 401(k)) and attempt to end pension padding. It would also raise the retirement age to 65. The two big public employee unions are irked. [TU] [YNN] [State of Politics]
The state Board of Regents has approved a new teacher evaluation system which includes a greater emphasis on the use of standardized test scores. Andrew Cuomo had been pushing for the greater use of test scores. NYSUT -- the big teachers' union -- is reportedly "furious" about the testing provision. [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [NYT]
The new state education commissioner is John B. King Jr, who's been serving as a deputy commissioner. Before joining NYSED, he had been involved with the creation of charter schools. He's also a graduate of Harvard, Yale, and Columbia. [TU] [NYT] [Troy Record]
John O'Connor, the SUNY vice chancellor who also heads up the SUNY Research Foundation, is taking a leave of absence following the allegation that he gave Joe Bruno's daughter, Susan, a no-show job at the foundation. Top SUNY officials say they're cooperating with an investigation into the matter. O'Connor said in a statement that he's "extraordinarily distressed" that his integrity is being questioned and said he's filed a complaint with the state Inspector General over the Public Integrity Commission's handling of the situation. [TU] [Daily Politics] [State of Politics]
A movie starring Ryan Gosling -- and Bradley Cooper, perhaps -- will reportedly be shooting in Schenectady this summer. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Commission: Bruno's daughter had no-show job, Schenectady's roads in bad shape, use of "Schenectadoid" apparently on the decline
The state Commission on Public Integrity alleges that John O'Connor, the head of the SUNY Research Foundation, set up a no-show job for Joe Bruno's daughter, Susan -- she left the job in 2009, a few months after a Times Union story about the situation. O'Connor's attorney released a statement saying the commission has "eviscerated its reputation by leaking information to the press and failing to safeguard the rights of those under its jurisdiction." [Daily Politics] [TU] [State of Politics]
Andrew Cuomo continues his public campaign to poke the legislature into doing what he wants. Said Sheldon Silver of Cuomo's campaign: "Members [of the legislature] would like to get things done rather than listen to speeches." [TU] [NYDN]
Cuomo says the state should make more use of test scores to evaluate teacher performance -- the chair of the state board of regents says she agrees. The teachers unions aren't happy about that. [Cuomo admin] [NYS Board of Regents] [TU]
Recently released Albany police department documents about the chase that preceded a fatal crash in 2007 indicate officers may have continued to chase the suspect after being told stop the chase. [TU]
Cuomo rails against "bloated" school district management, man dies in wreck right after buying motorcycle, woman accused of embezzling $100k from employer, sex ed -- opt-in or opt-out?
Andrew Cuomo continued his criticism of school districts for "bloated management." [TU]
Dan McCoy, chair of the Albany County legislature, formally announced he's running for county exec. Most of the county Democratic establishment has lined up behind him to replace Mike Breslin. [Troy Record] [TU]
Testimony at the Michael Mosley trial focused on the alleged state of Samuel Holley's drug business at the time of the murder (not good because of an alleged falling out with some bikers), and DNA evidence. [TU] [Troy Record]
Colonie police say a man who had just bought a new motorcycle died in a crash on Central Ave right after the driving the bike off the lot. [Fox23] [YNN]
Bethlehem police say a Delmar couple was arrested for allegedly having a greenhouse with 92 pot plants (map). Cue the shocked neighbor soundbite: "I had no idea. I'm surprised. This is a pretty quiet street, there's a lot of kids. I had no idea, I'm very surprised." [CBS6] [Fox23]
The Albany County sheriff's office says a New Scotland woman embezzled $100,000 from the carpentry company for which she worked. (The best line about this story, from CBS6's Chris White: "She was supposed to be keeping the books, but investigators said she was cooking them, too.") [Fox23] [CBS6]
Cuomo and legislature poking each other over ethics, "wealthy welfare mom" pleads guilty, reports of big season for ticks, ice cream prices rising
Andrew Cuomo says there's "no war against lawmakers," but his public campaign to push the legislature toward his agenda is getting more pointed. Said Cuomo in a video message released yesterday: "the legislature doesn't want to pass real ethics reform." Dean Skelos responded by suggesting that ethics laws for the executive branch could also use some attention -- and said Cuomo's tactics are starting to appear Sptizer-like. [WNYT] [Cuomo admin] [State of Politics] [AP/Troy Record]
Cuomo says he doesn't want a same-sex marriage to come up in the state Senate unless it's sure to pass. Opponent seem to think passage is becoming more likely -- they're ramping up efforts against legalization. [NYT] [TU]
On negotiations for a new contract with the state's biggest public employee unions, Cuomo said things are close, but: "It really is very easy to get close. It's the last few inches that are the problem." [Fox23]
Clement Campana, president of the Troy city council and a Democrat, formally announced he's in the pool for mayor of Troy. Among his pledges: that city hall will move to the Dauchy Building. Camapana made the announcement in front of the partly-demolished former city, of which he said: "I didn't want the demolition of this building. There was no council approval and [Harry Tutunjian] went ahead and did it anyway."" [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
Cuomo campaigns for property tax cap, Schenectady County legislature adopts weighted voting, mountain bikes banned from "wild" part of park, Wilma's back home
Said Andrew Cuomo yesterday in Syracuse on the first stop in campaign for his remaining legislative goals (tax cap, ethics reform, same-sex marriage): "Tell your legislators it's very simple: pass the bills or don't come home." Cuomo said the property tax cap is "job one." This being New York politics, though, nothing is straightforward. [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
There's now a bill in the Assembly for marriage equality -- but it's not, as expected, a bill from the Cuomo admin. The Cuomo admin's top economic development official yesterday framed legalizing same-sex marriage as an economic competitiveness issue. And a national org pledged $1.5 to fight same-sex marriage in the state. [State of Politics] [TU] [Daily Politics]
Polling data points to Andrew Cuomo being one of the most popular governors in the country. [NYT]
The contract Andrew Cuomo said he hoped would serve as a model for other contracts with state employee unions has been rejected. The state's two big public employee unions had lobbied members of Council 82 to reject the deal. [TU] [State of Politics]
The prosecution in the trial of Michael Mosley, accused of killing Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley in Troy in 2002, showed a gruesome video of the crime scene yesterday in court. And a friend of Holley's testified that Mosley had run drugs for Holley. Another bit from the friend's testimony: he said he and Holley would "flip" money for people -- basically investing it in drugs -- including $10,000 from a college professor. [Troy Record] [YNN] [TU]
The man who pleaded guilty to attacking a Skidmore student last spring in downtown Saratoga Springs has been sentenced to 18 months in prison and is scheduled to be deported afterward. The woman bit the man in her effort to escape -- she said in a statement read at the sentencing: "You chose to mess with the wrong person." [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
Attorney says Mosley arrived at crime scene after victims were killed, county redistricting prompts allegations of hoodwinking and bamboozling, man pleads guilty to crushing puppy with couch
The attorney for Michael Mosley, the Averill Park man on trial for the 2002 murders of Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley in Troy, argued yesterday that Mosley didn't kill them -- but rather found them dead upon arriving at their apartment, briefly touched the phone (prosecutors say Mosley's DNA was found at the scene), and then exited the apartment. The prosecutor described a grisly scene in the apartment -- "like a horror movie," in the words of a police officer. [TU] [CBS6] [Troy Record]
Albany school district officials are irked about the "Albany School Taxes Are Too Damn High" mailer that was recently sent out to homes in the district. The district says the mailer's claim of a 20 percent tax increase over the last two years is incorrect. The mailer was sent via a company that's worked with the org that backs the Brighter Choice charter schools -- but both Brighter Choice and the org denied involvement. [WTEN] [WNYT] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo's "People First" campaign starts today in Syracuse -- Cuomo will be campaigning around the state in support of ethics reform, a property tax cap, and same-sex marriage. [Cuomo admin]
A federal appeals court has ruled that the state can collect taxes on cigarettes sold on Native American reservations. The Seneca Nation president vowed to continue fighting the tax collection, and the issue may end up at the Supreme Court of the United States. The new state budget included $130 million in expected revenue from taxing cigarettes sold on nation land. [TU] [Buffalo News] [YNN]
Schumer proposes "no ride" list for trains, too many chiefs in Colonie?, Pastor Charlie's church expanding, the new Tulip Queen
Chuck Schumer is proposing a "no ride" list for train travel in the country (you know, like the "no fly" list for air travel). Evidence from Osama Bin Laden's compound had pointed toward Al Qaeda thinking about targeting US trains. Schumer says Amtrak carried 28.7 million passengers in 2010. [NYDN] [LAT] [NY Post]
There's a rally for same-sex marriage today at the state Capitol, with lieutenant governor Bob Duffy, Miss New York Claire Buffie and a bunch of other officials scheduled to appear. [State of Politics]
The Town of Colonie has 12 fire districts; more fire department vehicles than Albany, Schenectady and Troy combined; and it's all-volunteer districts spend more than Schenectady's professional fire department. [TU]
After sensor reported a sudden drop in pressure on the dam that holds back the Great Sacandaga Reservoir, officials say a faulty reading may to be blame -- not impending disaster. The reading had prompted a reverse-911 call to nearby residents warning of a "potentially hazardous situation." [Post-Star] [YNN]
GloFo looking for more tax breaks for possible expansion, another medical campus planned for southern Saratoga County, precocious kid longs for fast food job
GlobalFoundries says it may eventually add a $2 billion expansion onto the fab in Malta -- and ask for another $300 million in tax breaks as part of it. [TU] [Post-Star]
Bill Clinton is giving his support to efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in the state -- and Chelsea Clinton is reportedly going to be an involved with a phone bank on the effort. As supporters ramp up to make another push on the issue, opponents of same-sex marriage are reportedly getting "fired up." [HRC] [Daily Politics] [NYT]
More than $213 million was spent on lobbying in the state last year, according to data from the Commission on Public Integrity. That's up almost 8 percent from the year before. Wilson Elser reported the highest take at $10.6 million. There was a big jump in spending on advertising, thanks in large part to the American Beverage Association spending $12.4 million to fight the proposed soda tax. [NYS CIP] [Daily Politics]
The documents and emails related to the Steven Raucci case that the Schenectady school district announced it will release will only be made available to the Times Union and Daily Gazette. [Daily Gazette]
The two men accused of killing a man across the street from the Executive Mansion in 2009 were given plea deals that include just a a few years in prison because of "severe evidentiary problems." [TU]
Worries about PCBs in flood sediment, bill would ban indoor tanning by minors, brake for beavers, from homeless shelter to college
As flood waters recede along the upper Hudson, there's a new worry: the sediment deposited by the water could have PCBs in it. GE says it's collecting samples from multiple locations to test for contamination. The US Geological Survey says many gauges in the Adirondacks and upper Hudson recorded record-high levels recently. And flooding shut down Amtrak service between Albany and Montreal. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [AP/YNN]
Andrew Cuomo is planning to tour the state to campaign for a tax cap. [YNN]
A state Assembly bill would ban indoor tanning by minors. If passed, New York State would be the first state to do so. [AP/WTEN] [Fox23]
A conservation easement being drawn up by the state Department of Environmental Conservation could effectively close off future expansion of the Albany landfill. [TU]
Questionable decision of the week: Rensselaer police say a man ran from police and jumped in the Hudson yesterday because he thought there was a warrant out for his arrest -- but there wasn't. [TU] [Troy Record]
APD fires officer arrested for DWI, bill would ban neck ties on doctors, Clifton Park teen named a Presidential Scholar
The Albany Police Department announced yesterday that it's fired Brian Lutz, the officer who was arrested for alleged DWI in Menands last December. The APD say Lutz was fired because his driver's license was revoked following the arrest because he refused an alcohol test -- and you need valid driver's license to be an officer. But what about spokesman James Miller, who also refused the test? Chief Steve Krokoff says because Miller pleaded guilty to DWAI (a violation) he was able to apply for a conditional driver's license. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo says a new plan for the Capitol restoration project will cut two years from the timeline and save $2.3 million. (The project started in 2000 and was projected to finish in 2014 at a cost of $48.7 million.) Said the governor of the long timeline: "It shouldn't take 15 years. When a project takes that long, I think it's problematic from a project management point of view." Cuomo called the changes to the project a metaphor for the "new attitude we want to bring to state government.". [Cuomo admin] [TU] [State of Politics]
The state Senate has passed a bill that would make texting-while-driving a primary offense -- meaning drivers could be pulled over just for that. The offense would also add two points to a license. [Daily Politics] [YNN]
Keith Dare, the convicted rapist accused of attacking a woman in her apartment on Dove Street in Albany last November, has pleaded guilty. He faces 25-years to life in prison. [TU] [YNN]
Reaction continues to Bin Laden's death, Albany teachers agree to pay freeze, Dague says he doesn't think he made a difference
Of Osama Bin Laden's death, said Kay Canty of Schenectady -- whose son died when the World Trade Center collapsed: "We are very happy for America and the world that bin Laden is now gone. But it does not bring closure. Nothing will bring Mike back." Said the father of Lake George native Benjamin Osborn, who died serving in Afghanistan last year: "He's (Bin Laden) brought a tremendous amount of misery to a lot of individuals as well as our country as a whole. He was not a good man. He deserved this." [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
The Cuomo admin said yesterday that it's been working to make sure all arms of the state government "are properly coordinating with each other" and federal and local agencies to evaluate security needs following the death of Bin Laden. Andrew Cuomo said officials currently don't have any evidence of a specific credible threat at the moment. (Also Cuomo said he first heard about Bin Laden's death last night the Executive Mansion from... "a member of the media.") [Cuomo admin LiveStream]
Andrew Cuomo and SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher unveiled the "NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant Program," which will make $35 million in capital funding available to SUNY's four research centers -- Albany, Buffalo, Binghamton, and Stony Brook -- if the schools meet a list of criteria. Cuomo also said he supports allowing the four flagship campuses to charge higher tuition than the other schools in system (SUNY's undergrad tuition is currently about $5k a year). The NYSUNY 2020 plan follows concerns that UAlbany was being relegated to a "second tier" because it was left out of a summit at Buffalo. [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [AP/Saratogian] [TU]
Albany police say two teens have been arrested for the stabbing death of 17-year-old Tyler Rhodes near Hoffman Park Saturday night. Police allege one of the teens held Rhodes in place while the other stabbed him in the chest. [CBS6] [TU]
New York leaders hail death of Bin Laden, police dog sinks teeth into suspect who allegedly fired at her, alleged kidnap scheme was over $100
Farther afield: The United States has killed Osama Bin Laden. [White House]
Andrew Cuomo on Bin Laden's death: "New Yorkers endured Bin Laden's most devastating and destructive attack, and his death brings back the horrific images and emotions of that terrible day. However, his death also reminds us of our strength, courage, and unity as a people in our response to his actions." Chuck Schumer: "This is a thunderous strike for justice for the thousands of my fellow New Yorkers -- and citizens from all over the world -- who were murdered on 9/11." Chris Gibson: ""I appreciate the detailed planning, hard work and discipline that goes in to executing a mission such as this and I commend our service men and women and our counter-terrorist specialists on this monumental achievement." [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [email press release]
Albany police say a 17-year-old was fatally stabbed Saturday night near Hoffman Park (map). The APD says the teen was stabbed during a fight with an unknown attacker. [TU] [Fox23]
Albany police another 17-year-old was stabbed about two hours later Saturday night across town in West Hill (map). His injuries are reportedly not life threatening. The APD says it's unknown if there's a connection between the two stabbings. [TU] [Fox23] [CBS6]
Troy police say two men were arrested after a chase during which one of the men allegedly fired shots at a police dog and, possibly an officer, Friday evening (map). The suspect who allegedly fired the shots was taken into custody without pants because police say Elza -- the police dog -- bit him and shredded the pants. [TU] [Fox23]
Flooding on the Hudson, longtime Albany city official retiring, punches thrown during road rage blowup, the fountain will be turned on
Rain and snow melt have caused flooding in Warren County and along the upper Hudson. Flood water has covered many roads and fields from Schuylerville to Stillwater. Residents say the water hasn't been this high for at least a decade. The river is expected to keep rising through tonight. So far, the Mohawk is still below flood stage. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Fox23] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
The head of Saratoga Springs' water plant says the system handled the extraordinarily high turbidity caused by the collapse of a nearby pond into the city's drinking water supply "like a champ." [Saratogian]
A group of prominent business leaders in the state is releasing a letter urging the legislature to support same-sex marriage -- because it will help companies attract and retain talent. Meanwhile, the state public policy arm of the Catholic church is raising doubt that the votes to pass same-sex marriage still exist in the Assembly. [NYT] [TU]
The nation's 15 highest taxed counties are in New York State, according to an analysis by a tax policy org. [TU]
The Federal Trade Commission has approved the merger of St. Peter's, Northeast Health and Seton Health. [TU]
Cuomo says "time is getting short" on negotiations with state employee unions, concerns about UAlbany slipping to second-tier status, Chipotle for Niskayuna
The thunderstorms that rumbled through the area this morning.
Today's forecast: showers and thunderstorms, cloudy, highs around 75. [NWS]
Andrew Cuomo on negotiations with state employee unions, and possible layoffs: "We're in the middle of those conversations now, and we don't have any conclusion at this time. But time is getting short ... and the decision will be coming shortly." [TU]
Cuomo on the proposed two percent property tax cap: "The answer can't always be: more money, more money, more money. And if you say 'here's more money,' do you know what a school district is going to say? Do you know what a government is going to say? Do you know what a person is going to say? 'Give me more money!'" Critics say a cap won't work if it's not also coupled with mandate reform that would stem rising costs for local governments. [Fox23] [YNN]
NYT's Thomas Kaplan on yesterday's Cuomo admin cabinet meeting: "In a bizarre spectacle even by Albany standards, the governor's cabinet members emerged one at a time from Mr. Cuomo's ceremonial office into a scrum of television cameras. Each time, they refused to discuss the meeting. And then, as if reading from the same Hallmark greeting card, they praised Mr. Cuomo." Brian Stratton's post-meeting explanation: "Everybody's happy." [NYT] [NYDN]
The state Department of Taxation and Finance has issued guidelines in an attempt to clear up the ever-confusing issue of whether a bagel (or other food) should be taxed. [TU]
Capital Region officials are irked that UAlbany wasn't invited to a higher education summit being organized by the Cuomo admin in May. The conference will focus on a plan that could give the University at Buffalo more freedom to set tuition and develop public-private collaborations -- and the worry is that if UAlbany is left out of such a deal, it could slip to second-tier status in the state. [TU] [YNN] [WNYT]
McCarthy officially into the pool for Schenectady mayor, mixed-use proposal for former Troy city hall site, alleged communication with inmate was "classified"
Schenectady city council president -- and acting mayor -- Gary McCarthy has officially declared he's running for mayor of Schenectady. McCarthy says neighborhood revitalization would be one of the priorities of his administration. Also: "I'm not an academic. I find solutions to problems" (a shot at Roger Hull, the former Union College president who's also running). [Fox23] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
GlobalFoundries employees will start moving into the Malta complex in May. Full volume production is expected to start in 2013. [Post-Star] [YNN]
An influx of out-of-staters moving to the area because of the chip fab and nanotech is pushing up the rental market in the Saratoga area. [Saratogian]
Different takes on local results from an air quality report: "Strict rules lift air quality" | "Region's air quality not up to snuff" [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The FBI is reportedly investigating the allegations of voter fraud in Troy. [TU]
Sister says convict doesn't want heart transplant, Hull says McCarthy shouldn't be council prez and acting mayor, recipe for Lake George: smothered clams
Today's forecasted high: around 75. [NWS]
The sister of Kenneth Pike -- the convicted rapist who's serving time at the state prison in Coxsackie and is being considered for a heart transplant -- says the man does not want a transplant. [Fox23]
The new contract the Cuomo admin has proposed to Council 82 -- which Andrew Cuomo says could be a model for the larger public employee unions -- is facing heavy criticism from within the union. [TU]
Albany police say they've arrested a downstate man for allegedly stabbing a man near the scene of the kegs and eggs riot the morning of March 12 (map). Police say the man stabbed the victim because he wouldn't allow him into a party. [WNYT] [TU]
The case involving the Albany man who allegedly tortured his wife and tried to ransom her to family appears to be even weirder than first described. [TU]
Guilderland police say vandals tagged the Christ the King Catholic church Easter night (map). The vandals Some of the messages refer to the holiday, and there are obscene markings on a statue of Jesus. [Fox23] [YNN]
Police say man was abducted because he owed money, former UAlbany president passes away, local redistricting moving slowly
Troy police say the man abducted from his South Troy home Saturday night allegedly owned money and was taken to an ATM so he could pay up (map). The TPD says the incident was not drug related and not random. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [CBS6]
Albany police say a man was shot in the leg early Sunday morning in Arbor Hill (map). The APD described it as a drive-by shooting. [Troy Record] [TU]
Albany police say they've arrested the man who allegedly robbed the Citizens Bank on Washington Ave on Friday (map). The APD says the man was picked up in the South End after an officer recognized him from surveillance video. [Troy Record] [TU] [WTEN]
Suspended Albany police spokesman James Miller is back on the payroll and the state DMV has granted him a conditional license (his future with the department is still unclear). [TU]
Former UAlbany president Vincent O'Leary has passed away. He was 86. [UAlbany]
Two guilty pleas from kegs and eggs, electric car pilot program in Albany, pizza king pleads guilty
Two of the men arrested for being involved with the kegs and eggs riot have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges. Both face 60 days in the county jail. One man was a UAlbany student (now expelled), the other was here visiting friends. [CBS6] [Fox23] [TU]
New York State has the highest level of income inequality in the country, according to Census Bureau data. [TU]
An 11-year-old from Schenectady was shot in the face Wednesday while visiting family members in Rochester. A family members says she's doing well and has been released from the hospital. [WHAM] [Rochester Democrat and Chronicle] [Fox23]
The Albany Common Council approved a temporary exemption of the city golf course, and the Washington Park and Buckingham lakes, from an (ignored) ban on certain pesticides. [TU]
The City of Albany will be involved with a pilot program for electric vehicle recharging stations. The project will eventually include 15 stations around the city. The $200k project is being supported by the state and city, as well as a local car dealership and engineering firm. [Fox23] [YNN] [TU]
IG: OGS worker went to bars while on the clock, Benson found guilty, worries about ability to respond to chemical spills related to chip fab
The state inspector general alleges that Gregory Ruth, a building construction manager for the state Office of General Services, "routinely" spent afternoons at bars, not on the job as he reported on time cards. Documents filed with the Ruth's arraignment allege his supervisor signed off on the time cards even though he knew the Ruth had been at bars. Ruth was allegedly spotted at taverns in Colonie while when he was supposed to be on the clock. He's been suspended. [NYS IG] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN]
Ayerious Benson, the Troy teen accused of fatally shooting Tunham Tate, was found guilty of second-degree murder. Jurors deliberated for more than 16 hours, reportedly stuck on whether emotional distress from an earlier confrontation with Tate had caused Benson to snap (as his attorney had argued). Benson could get 25 years to life. [Troy Record] [YNN] [WNYT]
Saratoga County honored Clarence Dart yesterday -- he's a 90-year-old WWII veteran and was part of the Tuskegee airmen. Dart flew 95 missions over Europe and was shot down twice. Said Jim Tedisco to Dart: "You stood up for the United States of America when in some instances it wouldn't stand up for you." Said Dart's wife of her husband's service in the war: "He's so quiet. We brag more about it than he does." [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
Albany County had the highest number of foreclosures in the state last month. [Daily Gazette]
The Capital Region housing market continues to be slow. [TU]
Police say kids left in car while parents were in bar, state backs off designating wiffle ball as dangerous, parents say students humiliated by school discipline
Colonie police allege that two parents left their toddlers in the car outside a bar so they could go inside and drink. Police say a man heard the kids crying in the car and called police. Upon arriving at the bar, police allege they found the parents drunk. The father told CBS6 that they were in the bar for 10 minutes. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [CBS6]
The Cuomo admin announced its picks for the Spending and Government Efficiency Commission (SAGE) that will work to "right-size" state government. The panel is being described as "very business-heavy." Many of the members were big donors to the Cuomo campaign. The admin says state government hasn't has a major reorganization since 1927. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Gannett via State of Politics]
The state Department of Health says it's dropping the list of games -- including wiffle ball and kickball -- that were said to pose a "significant risk of injury" and would trigger additional regulation for community programs. [TU]
The DEC says it's removing the trap from the yard of the Greene County woman who was knocked by a bear last week -- because it hasn't caught a bear. [TU]
The campaign for legalizing same-sex marriage in New York is ramping up again. [NYT]
State to study possible effects of former weapons factory in Colonie, Cuomo made about $200k in 2010, says still-working 90-year-old: "just keep going"
The state health department will be study records of residents near the site of the former NL Industries weapons plant in Colonie, which is contaminated with depleted uranium (map). The plan reportedly released at least five tons of depleted uranium dust during its 24-year operation. [TU] [UAlbany 2007]
Andrew Cuomo had income of about $200,000 last year, according to the tax return his admin released. About 70 percent of that came from his salary as state attorney general -- the rest from interest and dividends. Lieutenant governor Bob Duffy reported about $123k from his job as mayor of Rochester and another $70k from his police pension (not including his wife's income). [NYT] [TU] [AP/WSJ]
Richard Ravitch, who served as lieutenant governor under David Paterson for no salary, was told by the state that he'd have to pay taxes on about $9,500 in fringe benefits he's said to have received while performing the job. [NYT]
Judges in New York State haven't gotten a raise since 1999 -- but they do get a $10k expense allowance, which they spend on items such as iPads and GPS units. [Gannett via State of Politics]
State Police: police car ran light in Albany crash, police say teen had sawed-off shotgun at mall, Pig Pit says Dino has been good for business
State Police released a statement about the state police car / taxi cab crash in uptown Albany this past February -- and it was the police car that actually ran a red light before the collision (map). The initial statement by the State Police following the crash indicated that the taxi cab was at fault. An attorney for the taxi driver says his client, who was ejected from the cab by the crash, suffered serious injuries. State Police released this new statement on the crash early Friday evening, after the troop spokesperson and commander had left the office for the weekend. [Fox23] [TU Feb 2011] [CBS6 Feb 2011] [WNYT] [TU]
The Albany County sheriff's office has bought expensive "take home" vehicles for investigators using seized money. [TU]
Guilderland police say they arrested a teen at Crossgates Mall Friday for allegedly carrying a loaded sawed-off shotgun in backpack. They say the picked up the teen because of a shoplifting accusation. They say the teen didn't threaten anyone. [Troy Record] [YNN] [Fox23]
The Saratoga County sheriff's office says the woman who reported being attacked by a man at the Vischer Ferry nature preserve made up the story. It says the woman has been charged with falsely reporting a crime. [Saratogian] [YNN]
Former state comptroller Alan Hevesi was sentenced to 1-4 years in prison Friday for the "pay to play" scandal involving the state pension fund.
Officials allege Albany markets part of multi-million dollar scheme, Savage stepping down, man jumps from bridge after chase, more residential development for downtown Albany
Officials say four Albany markets were involved in schemes in which they would give people cash for credits on food stamp debit cards -- for a total of more than $6 million fraudulent in transactions. It's alleged that two markets -- Frank and Giovanni's (La Marqueta) and Franze's Market -- both took in more than $2 million through the scheme. Albany County DA David Soares says officials were tipped off by transactions that were, on average, $100 higher than a typical transaction. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [TU] [YNN]
Schenectady County legislature chairwoman Susan Savage has announced that she's leaving office to take a job with the Cuomo administration in the Department of Taxation and Finance. The salary in her new job: $106,000. The county legislature's vice chair, Judy Dagostino, will become the new chair. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN]
As the two major state employee unions prepare to negotiate with the Cuomo admin on new contracts, a Times Union story asks: Would older union members rather see younger ones laid off than take a freeze which they believe could hurt their retirement? Andrew Cuomo said the pay freeze included in the contract reached with a different union this week "recognizes the economic realities that we're in." CSEA and PEF are reportedly working behind the scenes to get the membership of that union to reject the contract. [TU] [State of Politics] [NY Post]
An audit returned to the Troy Housing Authority reports the agency had $3.8 million in operating losses in 2008 and 2009 because of a lack of budgeting. [Troy Record]
Former UN weapons inspector -- and Delmar resident -- Scott Ritter was convicted on six counts in Pennsylvania yesterday related to an online underage sex sting. [AP/Troy Record]
Cuomo admin pushing for concessions from state employee unions, DMV supevisor accused of helping son cheat on driver's test, details on proposed Saratoga brew pub, bear attack
The Cuomo administration touted concessions it got in a new contract with a union that reps some state law enforcement employees -- notably a salary freeze, no step increases, and increased employee contributions to health care premiums. Andrew Cuomo called it "a model the other unions negotiating with the state can follow." -- that could head off a potential 9,500 layoffs. PEF says it was offered a similar contract, but says it turned because it "would impose an unfair burden" on union members and "would not ensure PEF members would not be laid off anyway." [Cuomo admin] [TU] [PEF]
A Menands police station video obtained by the Times Union shows how two Albany police union reps counseled an APD officer during his arrest for DWI last December -- among their advice: don't take the alcohol test. [TU]
The state Inspector General's report alleges that a Rensselaer County DMV supervisor helped her son and a friend cheat on the written exam for a commercial driver's license. The woman has been charged with three felonies -- she pleaded not guilty yesterday. Said Rensselaer County clerk Frank Merola: "... Lori was a great employee. She just made one mistake." [NYS IG] [TU] [WNYT]
An Albany man (and substitute teacher) has pleaded guilty to giving indecent material to a minor. He was arrested last year after State Police say he tried to meet two 14-year-olds for sex. State Police say they had received complaints that had been contacting minors via Facebook. [TU] [CBS6] [Fox23]
Officials say Tulip Fest alcohol restrictions not a reaction to riot, three man tango over property tax cap, school boards cut to make budgets, fracking is gassy
Jerry Jennings says the new, stricter alcohol rules for the Tulip Festival are not a reaction to the kegs and eggs riot -- but rather an attempt to the make the event more "family-friendly." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany County exec Mike Breslin announced he's not running for re-election when his term is up at the end of this year. A spokeswoman says Breslin has no current plans to join the Cuomo administration (as has had been speculated) -- at least, not yet. Speculation now turns to possible candidates for the county exec job. [Breslin admin] [TU] [Troy Record]
The Three Men in a Room are engaging in the ever popular three man tango as they negotiate/talk past each other/whisper sweet nothings/feint on a property tax cap deal. Republicans are trying to cast Sheldon Silver as the one holding up the process -- but Silver says he's open to it, with some exceptions. Dean Skelos says the Senate has passed Andrew Cuomo's tax cap bill and has no interest in watering down the bill. Silver, in turn, says Skelos actually wants the Assembly to "to do a better bill that takes into consideration certain things that have to be taken into consideration." Where's all this heads (aside, perhaps, group therapy): a trade of rent control renewal for a tax cap. Maybe. [NYT] [YNN] [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [AP/Troy Record] [Buffalo News] [TU]
State legislators are making noises about restricting the sale of "alco-pops" -- sugary malt liquor beverages such as Four Loko. [YNN]
The 13-year-old witness who allegedly saw Ayerious Benson shoot Tunham Tate seven times broke down on the stand yesterday while recalling the series of events. Tate's fiancee testified that Benson told her, "I'm going to go get a gun and shoot him." [TU] [Troy Record]
Farther afield: Newburgh police say a woman drove her minivan into the Hudson River with three of her children inside -- all four died. [Poughkeepsie Journal]
Enviro groups rally against fracking, Mantello officially running for Troy mayor, from police chief to big house to pancake house
The anti-fracking rally at the Capitol -- here's a photoset.
About 500 people showed up at the Capitol yesterday for anti-fracking rally organized by environmental groups. The natural gas industry is pushing for the state to speed up its review process of the extraction technique. The state DEC commissioner has said a decision could come by the end of the summer. (Here's a photoset and post about the rally, which includes some good background, by Bennett.) [YNN] [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
Is passage of a property tax cap tied to passage of rent control renewal for NYC? Maybe. [YNN]
Republican Carmella Mantello is officially into the pool for the Troy mayor's race. Mantello is the former head of the state canal corp, and ran for mayor in 1999. She appears to have the backing of the Republican establishment. Five Democrats have expressed interest in running for the office. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT] [YNN]
The attorney for Ayerious Benson, the Troy teen accused of fatally shooting Tunham Tate last year, told jurors yesterday that Benson did shoot Tate -- because he "snapped" after Tate allegedly threatened him. Benson's attorney says his client has an IQ of 66. [Troy Record] [TU]
A Saratoga County family court judge has ruled that the media will be allowed into the proceedings involving the 12-year-old accused of fatally shooting his friend in an accident. Among the restrictions: the boy's name can't be used in the coverage. A county attorney, as well as the attorney for the child's family, had opposed the motion to open the proceedings to the media. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU]
The Schenectady County legislature is considering a plan that would weight legislators' votes based on how many people they represent. [Daily Gazette]
Three weekend shootings in Albany, Cuomo's political role model is Bill not Mario, local colleges report record-high application totals
Police say there were three shootings in Albany over the weekend. The APD says a man was shot while entering his West Hill home Saturday night -- they say he's not cooperating with the investigation (map). Early Sunday morning, the APD says a man and woman were assaulted/robbed on the street in the West End neighborhood (map) -- and the man shot in the head, though the wound was not life threatening. And then around 10:30 am Sunday morning, the APD says another man was shot in West Hill (map). All three shooting occurred within a half-mile radius. [WNYT] [Fox23] [TU] [TU] [Fox23] [Fox23]
State officials have confirmed that the body found on Peebles Island Friday was Nadia A. Trinkala, an artist and former business owner in Cohoes and Troy. Police say they don't suspect foul play. (Matt Baumgartner's memories of "Trink.") [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT] [Friday Puppy]
Albany police say two men were arrested early Saturday morning after they allegedly beat a man unconscious near the intersection of Quail and Madison (map). Both the arrested men are UAlbany students. [Troy Record] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo's apparent political role model: not his father, but rather Bill Clinton. [AP/Troy Record]
There's an anti-fracking rally at the state Capitol today. [EANY]
Focus at Capitol shifts to property tax cap, lawsuit alleges kids were subjected to unnecessary dental work, the allure of the Ken Griffey Jr rookie card, class ring turns up 50 years later
The next fight at the state capitol: the property tax cap. [YNN]
Andrew Cuomo: pragmatic centrist or progressive turncoat or aspiring presidential candidate (or all three)? [NYT]
The five local counties -- Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren and Washington -- that filed suit to avoid paying $4.5 million to a Hudson River flood control district will have to pay the levy, after a state supreme court justice tossed their suit. The flood control district had never levied the counties during its almost nine decades of existence until it lost the ability to charge hydroelectric dam operators. Albany and Saratoga counties are both on the hook for more than a million dollars. Rensselaer County exec Kathy Jimino says the counties will likely appeal. [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Troy Record]
Proposed state legislation would require the use of biometric scanning devices in an attempt to cut down on Medicaid fraud. For example, a palm scan would be required for a prescription to be filled. [State of Politics] [TU]
A lawsuit filed this week in Schenectady County accuses the local office a national dental chain of subjecting kids "to an emotional and physical nightmare" by doing unnecessary dental work on them so the office could meet quotas. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
At issue in Saratoga County family court: should the proceedings involving the Wilton 12-year-old who allegedly shot and killed his friend be open to the media (a group of local media outlets are arguing they should be open)? Family courts aren't like regular courts. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
Funding for solar energy center prompts talk of sunny future, bill would require answer about organ donation, onion as state vegetable?
UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering is getting a $57.5 million grant from the feds to set up a solar energy research consortium (this is the grant Chuck Schumer had been in town pushing for this week). UAlbany and the University of Central Florida are partnering with Sematech, the semi-conductor research org now based on Albany Nanotech, on a consortium for research into materials for generating solar energy. The consortium has already lined up $400 million in other funding. [Chuck Schumer] [TU] [Troy Record]
The Albany Police Department says officer Josiah Jones was suspended after an investigation determined he had allegedly acted inappropriately during a traffic stop (there was no further explanation). [TU]
The state DMV has suspended the driver's license of Albany police spokesman James Miller for one year because he refused a blood alcohol test during his arrest (Miller pleaded guilty to DWAI last week). Miller can apply for a license that would allow him to drive for work. The APD says Miller will be suspended without pay until mid-April, at which point he'll be able to start collecting salary again. [YNN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Andrew Cuomo's newest stick for waving at the legislature: the threat that he'll institute ethics investigations if it doesn't make progress on ethics reform. [TU]
There's proposed state legislation that would require people renewing their driver's license to answer whether or not they'd like to be an organ donor. [TU]
A Bethlehem man was convicted of felony assault for throwing a plastic beer mug at a woman at Wolff's after the USA-Ghana World Cup game last year. The trial included a subplot in which the man's attorney -- Terry Kindlon -- wore his Purple Heart during closing arguments. [TU] [TU]
Push for federal solar energy and high-speed rail funding, girl in fight video: "people should just let it go," shooting in Troy, 0-60 in three seconds
A state task force has formulated a new plan to evaluate teacher performance in the state, in part based on students' scores on standardized tests. [TU]
Chuck Schumer is pushing for UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to get $100 million from the feds for a new solar energy research consortium. Albany Nanotech emperor Alain Kaloyeros says there's another $400 million in private and state funding available if the federal money comes through. If successful, the project could bring thousands of jobs. [Chuck Schumer] [TU] [Fox23]
The Cuomo admin is pushing for $517 million in federal funding that would be put toward the state's high-speed rail efforts. Among the projects to be funded, if the money's granted: final construction of a fourth track at Albany-Rensselaer and "major upgrades" at Schenectady's station. The money would come from the $2.4 billion in high-speed rail funding that Florida returned. [Cuomo admin]
Saratoga County officials are considering legislation that would limit protests at military funerals in the county. County leaders have taken up the issue after the recent Supreme Court decision that such protests are protected speech. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [NPR]
The girl who says she was the victim in the Shen fight video that surfaced recently, to Fox23: "I think people should just let it go. It should have been erased last year. The issue is done with, and it's old news and it had nothing to do with them, and I think just the fact that they're putting it out there on TV and all over the internet, it's just not right." The district says the assistant principal shown shoving a student in the video "acted appropriately." WNYT tracked him down -- he had no comment. [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT]
Rotterdam police say the 13-year-old who was tased at the Rollerama Friday night was warned "four or five times" before being zapped. [Daily Gazette]
Miller pleads guilty to DWAI, 13-year-old tased during fight, another Albany post office to close, construction starts again on Fuller Road
Albany police detective James Miller -- the department's spokesman -- pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired by alcohol Friday afternoon. DWAI is a violation -- Miller will have to pay fines, attend a victim's impact panel, and drinking and driving program. The APD says Miller is still on unpaid suspension and an investigation into the case is ongoing. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Rotterdam police say they tased a 13-year-old during a fight at the Rollarama Friday night. A police department lieutenant says the boy was out of control: "They say he came out of the door swinging. He was just swinging punches at everybody. He was screaming off the top of his lungs." [Fox23] [WNYT]
"Insiders" say Andrew Cuomo's aides are pushing for the admin to next focus on getting a property tax cap in order to avoid backlash from "Cuomo hikes" -- increases in local taxes because of state budget cuts. But The next item on Cuomo's legislative agenda reportedly is ethics reform. By the way: Cuomo is apparently looking to former governor Al Smith for inspiration. [NY Post] [NYDN] [TU]
A Times Union story reports: "State email records suggest a top Health Department official used the agency's influence in her mother's bid to obtain a kidney transplant at Albany Medical Center Hospital." The Department of Health says it did not happen -- and AMC says it manages its transplant list "according to the highest ethical and medical standards." [TU]
Brian Stratton's last day as mayor of Schenectady was yesterday. City council president Gary McCarthy now takes over as interim mayor (officially a part-time job). The first item on the city council's agenda for tonight: selling the city-owned SUV that Stratton drove. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [TU]
Snowy apocalypse fizzles, Cuomo takes victory lap, Albany planning board sued over church, peace sign billboard mystery revealed
Mother Nature was just joking about the Icy, Snowy Apocalypse. The forecast for the rest of today calls for... rain. [NWS]
Following passage of the on-time state budget, Andrew Cuomo took a video victory lap. The thing about making budget cuts, though -- there's less money to go around. [State of Politics] [NYT]
Good government groups are irked about the way public access to the Assembly and Senate chambers was closed off during the budget protests this week. One group is considering filing suit over the matter. [Daily Gazette] [State of Politics]
The man accused of hitting a Senate staffer with a cymbal during the protest has been told to never re-enter the Capitol. [Fox23] [YNN]
The final version of the state budget includes about $2 million in VLT aid for Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County. [Post-Star]
The former New York State prisons official accused of skipping work on Fridays for 17 years taken a plea deal that will that includes six months in jail. The official headed up the system's food program -- so, uh, bon appetit. [TU] [Daily Politics]
Cobleskill police say they haven't identified a specific cause of death for Elizabeth Corneilus, a SUNY Cobleskill student and 2009 Saratoga Springs High School grad -- but they don't believe foul play was involved. [TU] [Saratogian]
State budget passes on time, Bethlehem latest district to close a school, a couple all the way to the end
With protesters outside the chambers, the state legislature passed the budget late last night/early this morning. And, for what's it worth, it's on time (the deadline was the end of today) -- the first such budget in five years. The $132.5 billion budget represents a spending cut of about two percent from last year. In a released statement, Andrew Cuomo called the budget "historic and transformational." Sheldon Silver called the final budget "sobering" in a statement. Said Dean Skelos: "People did not want to have taxes raised and we did what we had to do." [AOA] [NYT] [NY Post] [AP/Troy Record] [Cuomo admin] [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics]
The budget cuts about $700 million from aid to school districts. The cuts for each school district are now out. Capital Region school districts will see cuts ranging from about one percent (Albany) to about 10 percent (Niskayuna). Said Silver of the cuts to district aid: "It's raining in New York. It's been raining now for two years. Whatever you have put aside now is the time to use it." Said Roy McDonald: "Everybody's taking a hit. We don't have the money." [Fox23] [State of Politics] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]
State employees will get step increases this year -- there was apparently some though the Cuomo admin might try to hold them back as part of negotiations with the unions for a new contract. [TU]
A SUNY Cobleskill student was found dead in her apartment Tuesday evening. Said the Cobleskill police chief: "Obviously a young lady found to be deceased causes us to be suspicious." The woman is a 2009 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
State legislature working through budget bills as "camp-in" planned, two more alleged keggheads arrested, Bob Barker donates to HVCC
The state legislature is working through the budget bills ahead of the Friday deadline (Will it be early? Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion.) Advocacy groups opposing budget cuts have planned a large "camp-in" tonight at the Capitol -- apparently there will be pizza and s'mores. [YNN] [TU]
State cuts in education funding may just bump large tax increases down to the local level -- especially with a possible property tax cap in the future. [TU]
There is no funding allocated in the state budget for SNUG, the anti-gun violence program that's been operating in Albany and other cities. [TU]
Officials say the danger from the overturned propane tanker on Route 7 in Rensselaer County has largely passed -- and the road should re-open in the next day or so. [YNN] [Troy Record]
The state lottery says the winning Mega Millions ticket sold in downtown Albany has been turned in -- and it hopes to reveal the winners soon. [TU]
Census data indicate the Capital Region has become more diverse over the last decade. [TU]
Concern about possible explosion in tanker crash, state budget details being worked out, Albany considers smaller common council, could an Exit 3 be on the way?
A portion of Route 7 in Rensselaer County is still closed because a propane tanker trunk rolled over and caught fire yesterday near Hoosick Falls (photos) (map). Officials are concerned about possible explosions, including "an extreme fireball," and have evacuated the surrounding area in a one-mile radius. They say it could be two days before the stretch of road is open again. [Troy Record] [CBS6] [Fox23] [YNN] [TU]
State legislators are still finalizing details on the budget deal announced Sunday. Among those anxiously awaiting the details: school districts, which still don't know how the deal will affect their funding levels (aside from being lower). Education groups say they will keep pushing for an extension of the income tax surcharge in an attempt to restore some funding. [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Apparent conventional wisdom on this budget process: Andrew Cuomo played the game expertly, and Sheldon Silver's power is diminished. For now. [NYT]
The winners of the $319 million lottery ticket sold in downtown Albany have not yet claimed the prize -- but the seven state employees who apparently have the ticket reportedly did not show up for work yesterday. [Fox23]
There's a state budget deal, $319 million lottery ticket sold in Albany, focus on code enforcement following riot
The Three Men in a Room have announced there's a state budget deal. The plan closes the $10 billion gap and includes no new taxes. It also cuts spending about two percent compared to the year before -- the first such rollback since the mid-90s. If the legislature approves the budget this week, it would be the first early budget since 1983. [NYT] [TU] [WSJ] [NYDN]
The budget ended up not including some contentious provisions: the income tax surcharge extension ("millionaire's tax"), a property tax cap, rent control extension, or the medical malpractice cap. [State of Politics]
Andrew Cuomo hailed the budget -- and the process the led up to it -- as "a new day for New York." And Cuomo is being hailed as the big winner in the budget game -- "the true steamroller." [AP/Post-Star] [NYDN]
The winning ticket in Friday night's $319 million Mega Millions lottery was sold at Coulsen's in downtown Albany. The winners can't claim the prize until today -- but the word circulating is that a pool of seven state employees have the winning ticket. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
Officials say a Milton man killed his wife -- and then killed himself -- Friday. Police say the couple had been separated. A joint funeral is planned for this week. [Saratogian] [TU] [TU]
Feds want to re-try Joe Bruno, Krokoff says alcohol in law enforcement is issue, GE innovations include tax avoidance, buzzer sounds on Jimmer's college career
Federal prosecutors have asked a federal appeals court to vacate Joe Bruno's conviction and allow a new trial on three fraud counts. One legal expert says a new trial is "almost a certainty." The appeal was prompted by the Supreme Court of the United States decision last year that the law under which Bruno was convicted -- the "theft of honest services" law -- is "unconstitutionally vague". In May 2010, Bruno was sentenced to two years in prison, a term that has yet to start. [Troy Record] [TU]
The word of the day at the Capitol yesterday with regard to the budget process: "optimism." There's was even talk of a hand-shake deal before the end of today. Even Sheldon Silver expressed "cautious optimism." One thing that reportedly won't be in the deal: the extension of the "millionaire's tax" for which many groups have been pushing -- Dean Skelos said the provision is "dead." [TU] [State of Politics] [Fox23] [YNN]
A man who grew up in Colonie alleges that three Catholic priests used him "pretty much like a child sex slave" starting around age 9. [TU]
Albany police chief Steven Krokoff yesterday on TALK 1300 about James Miller: "I think the bigger question is the alcohol involvement in law enforcement. It has become an issue and been an issue in our department. I think it is coming more towards the forefront now because of what is coming an intolerance amongst the rank and file for that kind of conduct amongst the rank and file." [YNN]
Says a woman selling her house in Albany's student ghetto: "I really feel bad for leaving the people that are still there ... I had sworn that they would take me out of there in a pine box, but I just couldn't do it anymore." Residents say a big part of the problem in the neighborhood is absentee or neglectful landlords. APD chief Krokoff also called attention to landlords in the neighborhood yesterday. [TU] [TU] [Fox23]
Cuomo waves stick around, "tipping point" on student drinking in Troy, aggressive driving blamed for running tanker off Route 7
Andrew Cuomo released a video message in which he said: "I am working very hard to cooperate with the Legislature, but in the end, I will not compromise the important work you elected me to do, and I will not back down from my promise to the people of this great state" (translation: if I don't get what I want, I'm going to ram it through using budget extenders). The message prompted consternation among legislative leaders, who accused Cuomo of unnecessary stick waving. Legislators say the budget process is on track to finish by the April 1 deadline. [Cuomo admin] [TU] [WNYT]
One potential sticking point on the budget: whether a renewal of NYC rent control laws should be rolled into the budget. [State of Politics]
Thirty-three members of the union that reps CUNY faculty and staff were arrested at the Capitol yesterday during a protest of state budget cuts. The members, whom state police described as "very cooperative" were arrested for blocking a hallway with a sit-in. [TU] [Troy Record]
Troy police say they'll be cracking down on student drinking and vandalism in the Beman Park neighborhood because the situation there has "reached a tipping point." Said a neighborhood resident: "When I saw what happened in Albany, I said, 'We're not far behind.'" [TU] [TU]
Schenectady police say it appears $70,000 worth of tree grates and tree fences have been stolen from around the city. [CBS6]
A Schenectady police officer has been suspended after being arrested for a "domestic incident" last week. The man and his brother are both fourth-generation Schenectady cops. [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
Deal could return some VLT aid to Saratoga, Cuomo pushes for Indian Point closure, Troy elementary school recommended for closure, Billy Fucillo really is huge
Hugh Farley and Roy McDonald say a state budget deal on video lottery terminal aid to municipalities will result in Saratoga Springs getting about $1.5 million, and Saratoga County about $500k. The provision still has to be approved as part of the larger state budget. The last time Saratoga got state money for hosting a racino was 2008. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo is continuing to threaten the use of extender bills to push through "a good budget" on time. The budget deadline is April 1 -- and there's been talk that it might even come in early. [State Politics] [AP/Troy Record]
The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission says a review of the Indian Point nuclear power plant's ability to withstand an earthquake is its top priority. Andrew Cuomo yesterday again said he's pushing for the plant to close. (Indian Point is about 30 miles from NYC, 100 miles from Albany -- and roughly 12 miles from Cuomo's residence in Mt. Kisco.) [TU] [NYT]
Said Chuck Schumer said yesterday "there is no dobut" that Henry Johnson should receive the Medal of Honor. Schumer says three new pieces of evidence turned up by his staff are "monumental" and make the case for the WWI hero. [TU] [Troy Record]
Following the recent arrest of department spokesman James Miller for alleged DWI, the Albany police department says its reviewing its policy on officers who refuse alcohol breath tests at traffic stops. [Daily Gazette]
It appears that someone stole a bunch of the grates that protect sidewalks from tree roots in Schenectady and sold them to a scrap yard -- and "sources" say the person was driving a city vehicle. [CBS6]
APD spokesman pleads not guilty to DWI, Schumer pushing for Henry Johnson to get Medal of Honor, Gibson opposes Libya intervention, couple says hole in the road looked like a puddle
Albany police department spokesman James Miller appeared in court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to the DWI charge against him. Miller also released a statement to the media that said, in part: "I would just like to say that I am saddened and regret the negative publicity that this situation has put on my family, the entire Albany Police Department and the citizens of Albany." People "familiar with the case" tell the Times Union that the officer who arrested Miller had seen him shortly before the traffic stop and told him not to drive. Because of Miller's position, a local defense attorney says she expects to the DA's office to go "after him harder than they would come at a regular citizen." [Troy Record] [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT]
UAlbany's student association president urged students to not attend the unsanctioned Fountain Day events being organized because "it sends the wrong message and makes matters worse." Also: "If you look on Facebook right now, people who are complaining about President Philip have misspelled his name. That does not help our message." [WNYT] [Fox23]
A survivor's group for people abused by priests is questioning why the three Catholic priests who were placed on leave by the Albany diocese this past weekend were cleared during an investigation seven years ago. The group says the new allegations match those made by another alleged victim in 2003. [WTEN] [TU] [Fox23]
Chuck Schumer will be in Albany today to push for Henry Johnson to posthumously receive the Medal of Honor. Schumer's staff has reportedly turned up documents that support the WWI veteran's case. [Fox23] [TU]
UAlbany suspends Fountain Day because of kegs and eggs riot, "disturbing" case of animal cruelty in Schenectady, alleged burglar gets the shaft
UAlbany has cancelled Fountain Day this year because of the kegs and eggs riot. Said university president George Philip in a letter to students: "I regret that this action will punish students who had no role in the disturbing events of March 12. But the need to proactively respond and to uphold our reputation has never been greater." Remarked a UAlbany senior to the Gazette: "There's 18,000 students on campus. Everyone is getting punished for the stupidity of 40 kids." Inevitable Facebook protest page. [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
UAlbany also announced that will be moving next year's spring break up a month so that it covers St. Patrick's Day. Another student was arrested last week for allegedly being involved with the riot. [TU] [Troy Record]
About 150 UAlbany students turned out for the neighborhood cleanup on Friday. Said student association president Justin Wax Jacobs: "We're going to own up to it and clean up the mess."
James Miller, the spokesman for the Albany Police Department, was arrested for alleged DWI Friday night in downtown Albany while allegedly driving an unmarked department car (map). As per what apparently is standard operating procedure for cops arrested for DWI, he allegedly refused an alcohol test. The APD says Miller has been placed on unpaid leave. Said chief Steven Krokoff of the arrest: "It definitely makes a strong statement that officers are not conducting business on any differentiated scale." (It appears Miller did not appear in the APD's mugshot release for Friday arrests.) [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [APD via @g_p_g]
How well protected from earthquakes are the two nuclear reactors at the Kesselring site in Saratoga County? Good question. [TU]
Cuomo and school districts at odds, police surge in student neighborhood, Watervliet officials using iPads, a whole lot of corned beef
Andrew Cuomo and school district officials from around the state were odds yesterday as the governor reiterated his cry for districts to reduce spending by cutting administrators' salaries, finding efficiencies, and reducing waste and abuse. Cuomo accused the groups protesting cuts to education aid of using threats to distract people from a political game. Shen superintendent Oliver Robinson called Cuomo's remarks "absolutely obscene." One of the main points of contention: whether districts should use fund balances to fill budget gaps created by cuts to state aid. [Buffalo News] [AP/Troy Record] [TU] [State of Politics]
Said a project manager at the Knolls Atomic Power Lab during a meeting with irked Niskayuna residents last night about the problems with a radioactive cleanup at the site: "We shouldn't have had the errors we did have last fall." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
This just in: St. Patrick's Day can be celebrated without rioting. [TU]
Albany police and code inspectors have surged into the student ghetto following the kegs 'n eggs unpleasantness. An officer said almost every house they visited with code enforcement had some sort of violation. [WTEN] [TU]
Albany County DA David Soares on whether Albany police should crack down more on public drinking: "Pulling people away from managing crowds and dealing with abusive individuals to write General City Ordinance Violations would not be the most appropriate use of those resources." [WNYT]
Optimism for on-time state budget, student turns himself in after riot wanted poster released, ballistic squirrel terrorizes Bennington
The Three Men In a Room say they're optimistic the state budget will be finished by the April 1 deadline (there was even a suggestion it could be early -- gasp). It sounds like Sheldon Silver is still pushing for an extension of the income tax surcharge, which Andrew Cuomo opposes. Cuomo also reiterated that he's preparing to force his version of the budget through extenders if there isn't a deal among the Three Men. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Politics] [Saratogian] [State Politics]
After much mystery (well, among the press) about Andrew Cuomo's whereabouts on Tuesday, the governor turned up in Saranac Lake pumping gas while wearing jeans and "a rather sporty pair of sunglasses." [ADE] [NY City Room]
A rally against state cuts to education drew about a thousand people to Albany's Hackett Middle School yesterday. Organizers say about 700 Capital Region school jobs are at risk and they called for an extension of the income tax surcharge to help cover the cuts. [WNYT] [WTEN] [Fox23] [CBS6]
The Albany police department posted a bunch of still images pulled from the kegs and eggs riot video in an effort to get help identify alleged rioters. The APD says an 18-year-old turned himself in after the images were released. Police and college officials went door-to-door through the neighborhood yesterday trying to turn up info on rioters. That apparently didn't go over well with some of the students living there. [AOA] [CBS6] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
The kegs and eggs riot has dampened bar owners' enthusiasm for St. Patrick's Day -- though they're not so eager to use the term "kegs and eggs" now. [TU]
SUNY students rally against cuts,Legislators to probe abuse in state homes for disabled, Troy riverfront developement plans announced, Giants bring World Series trophy to Troy
Both the Senate and the Assembly passed their budgets yesterday. Only a few hundred million dollars stand between their budgets and Governor Cuomo's proposed spending plan.[NYT]
State legislators will hold hearings into abuses in group homes for people with developmental disabilities. [TU]
The Capital Region's economic recovery has been slowed by the loss of more than 5 thousand state jobs, according to a Brookings Institute report. [TU]
The attorney for the Troy election commissioner charged with voter fraud thinks the special prosecutor is conducting the case "Campaign Style." Attorney Brian Premo is asking for a gag order to prevent anyone from speaking publicly about the case against Edward McDonough. [Troy Record]
SUNY students rallied against cuts to the system at the Capitol yesterday. The protests took place just days after the Kegs and Eggs Riot in Albany's "education district." Students at the protest say this weekends rioters are a small section of the student population at SUNY. [YNN]
Stern message for kegs and eggs rioters, Albany man accused of grusome plot, Carl Kruger made to sit in the corner
More than 40 people have now been charged in connection to the kegs and eggs riot. And the incident prompted a stern response from law enforcement officials DA David Soares said more arrests are coming, and promised "who felt or believe now that you've gotten away with something": "The pain is forthcoming, you will be held responsible." UAlbany president George Philip issued a letter apologizing for students' conduct and said the school would help law enforcement identify students in the videos. A UAlbany spokesman says the school also won't wait to discipline students who were involved. (There's a neighborhood cleanup being organized for Friday.) [TU] [Fox23] [CBS6] [YNN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Earlier: Scanning reaction to the kegs and eggs riot.
Albany police have arrested a Center Square man for allegedly trying to ransom his wife to her family for $100,000 this past weekend (map). The ransom attempt allegedly followed a gruesome attack on the woman that involved him slamming her head into concrete, pouring bleach on her, and choking her. The woman is in critical condition. As police approached the man, he allegedly said: "I guess I'm going to have to switch over to the dark side." [CBS6] [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
In the face of the ongoing nuclear energy emergency in Japan, Chris Gibson says he still supports the construction of a new nuclear plant in his district. He told the media in a conference call: "We have to understand what happened in Japan and incorporate it into what we build." Scientists say the threat of earthquakes here is not big enough to endanger a nuclear plant (probably). There are already three small nuclear reactors in the Capital Region. [NYT] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
The state Assembly and Senate have released their official responses to the Cuomo administration's proposed budget -- and they're largely similar to Cuomo plan, though they call for more education spending and the Assembly is pushing to extend the income tax surcharge on people making more than a million. [YNN] [TU]
Kegs and Eggs rioters to appear in City Court today, parking fees on the rise in Capitol Complex, Dog pulled from the Mohawk,Schuylerville debates its existence, teens take over the Capitol
Dozens of people will appear in Albany City Court today on appearance tickets connected with the Saturday morning riot in Albany's student ghetto. The riot broke out early Saturday morning at Hudson and Ontario streets. [ YNN ] [AOA] [CBS6]
It's going to cost more to park in the state garages at the Capitol Complex. [Capitol Confidential]
Governor Cuomo has forced two top officials at the Office of Developmental Disabilities to resign after a New York Times investigation revealed employees have not been disciplined for abusing residents in group homes. [NYT]
Governor Cuomo thinks the public should know who is funding lobbyists in New York. [Daily News]
One of the newest Cuomo administration hires is a former speechwriter for Bill Clinton. [NY Post]
Flooding forecasted, state Senator allegedly piled up $1 million in bribes, man guilty of harassment via IM, laptop explodes
Elsewhere: A huge earthquake, and resulting tsunami, hit Japan today. A tsunami warning has been issued for a long list of nations that border the Pacific, including the the west coast of the US and Hawaii. Photos from Japan. [NYT] [CNN] [The Atlantic]
The Mohawk River is expected to hit flood stage at Schenectady late tonight or tomorrow morning. [Daily Gazette]
In the complaint against Carl Kruger, federal prosecutors allege the Democratic state Senator piled up at least $1 million in return for political favors. Said the federal prosecutor in a statement about the charges against Kruger, state Assemblyman William Boyland and others: "Every single time we arrest a state senator or assemblyman, it should be a jarring wake-up call. Instead, it seems that no matter how many times the alarm goes off, Albany just hits the snooze button. Maybe this time they will get the message." [NYT] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo used the accusations against Kruger to again push for ethics reform. Sheldon Silver called the charges the "deplorable" actions of "a few bad apples." And the head of the state Republican Party, who apparently has a selective memory, called corruption "definitely a Democratic problem". Kruger has already been crossed out of his position in Senate minority leadership. [State of Politics] [TU] [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics]
A man who says he was abused by convicted priest Gary Mercure is pushing for the elimination of the state's statute of limitations for sexual abuse. He also criticized the New York public policy arm of the Catholic church working to keep the statute of limitations in place. [TU] [YNN]
Threat of flooding, Cuomo reportedly to push for same-sex marriage, scraping the bottom of the salt pile
The weather forecast includes rain all day (and tomorrow). And with all that rain, plus snow melt, plus frozen ground, plus the possibility of ice jams and blocked drains -- there's a threat of flooding. [NWS] [NWS]
Carl Kruger -- a Democratic state Senator from Brooklyn (you may remember him from the "four amigos" drama) -- reportedly will turn himself in this morning on federal corruption charges. "Sources" say Kruger will be charged with allegedly trading political favors for money. Said a "Democratic political operative" to the Post: "Everyone knows that Carl has been using his post to take money for years, so this isn't surprising. What's more surprising is that it didn't happen 10 years ago." [TU] [NYT] [NYDN] [NY Post]
During a closed-door meeting with same-sex marriage advocates yesterday, Andrew Cuomo reportedly said he was planning to give the issue his "full attention" this spring. The discussion reportedly focused on how to move a same-sex marriage bill through the state Senate, where it was voted down in 2009. [NYT] [State of Politics]
An Albany County sheriff's clerk has been arrested after it came out that he allegedly forged military documents to cover up a prior conviction for sexual contact with a minor. The sheriff's office says the clerk never would have been hired had it known of the man's past. The clerk's situation came to light after the sheriff's office got a complaint accusing the clerk illegally accessing the email account of a Little League with which he had been involved. [TU] [WNYT] [Troy Record]
Saratoga Springs police say they don't suspect foul play in the death of Alexander Grant. The Saratoga County coroner says Grant was suffering from the effects of hypothermia before his death, and police are investigating whether that might account for Grant's actions (people suffering hypothermia sometimes experience a condition known as "paradoxical undressing"). [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU]
Saratoga Springs police investigating death of college student, Cuomo reportedly planning push on same-sex marriage, arrest in Center Square attack, two alleged grocery robberies
Saratoga Springs police say they're investigating how the body of Alexander Grant ended up submerged in four feet of water in the Putnam Creek. The 19-year-old was last seen early Sunday morning on security video at a nearby medical office wearing just shorts, a long-sleeve t-shirt and one sock after he reportedly left a house party earlier in the night. The SSPD says Grant had probably been drinking, but toxicology reports will take a few weeks. Police say the case is not closed and they haven't ruled anything in or out. Said chief Chris Cole: "Bottom line is we need to find out what kind of condition he was in that caused him to act like he did." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [WNYT]
The body of David Mark, an Albany resident who had been missing in Boston, was found on the shore of a river in East Boston. His parents said he was headed to see a sister in Boston, but never met up with her. He was last seen at bar new Fenway last Wednesday. [Boston Globe] [Newton Patch] [Boston Herald]
The EPA announced it's adding the Dewey Loeffel Landfill site in Rensselaer County to its Superfund National Priorities List (map). The site is contaminated with PCBs (and other toxic stuff). The first order to clean up the dump came in 1968, and the state took over the project in 1980. Says a member of a grassroots group pushing for a cleanup of the site: "... the EPA has more teeth so hopefully they will bite a little harder." [EPA] [EPA] [TU] [Troy Record]
Andrew Cuomo is reportedly holding a "confidential" session with gay-rights activists today to plan strategy on a push for same-sex marriage in the state. [NYT]
As for governor-Food Network star marriage, Albany's Catholic bishop says it's a private matter between individuals and pastors. [NYT]
Search continues for teen missing in Saratoga, region's electricity prices among the highest in the state, Van Dyck to brew beer
There's more snow forecast for Wednesday night, changing over to periods of heavy rain on Thursday, with more rain on Friday. It sounds messy and wet. [NWS]
Update Tuesday afternoon: Authorities say the body of Alexander Grant has been found in a creek off Route 9N. The Saratoga County DA says there will be an autopsy and the investigation is ongoing. [Post-Star] [@JimMurphyIII]
____
The search continues for the 19-year-old Alexander Grant who went missing Saratoga Springs this Sunday after he allegedly broke into a medical office wearing only a pair of shorts, a long-sleeve t-shirt, and one sock. As many as 50 people have been involved with the search, using helicopters and snowmobiles. Police say friends reported last seeing Grant around 11:30 leaving a house party. Police say Grant is a Boston College student from Westchester County who was in Saratoga to visit friends at Skidmore. [Saratogian] [Fox23] [TU] [YNN] [Post-Star]
Albany police say a woman was sexually assaulted early Sunday morning while walking on Hudson Ave, just off Lark Street (map). They say the attacker pushed the woman into the vestibule of her apartment and assaulted her. They say she was able to get away when he looked in her wallet for cash. The suspect was last seen running up Hudson toward Washington Park. Update: APD says it's made an arrest. [Fox23] [WTEN] [TU] [WNYT] [WNYT]
The prices paid for electricity in the Capital Region are often among the highest in the state. [Saratogian]
The East Greenbush school district administration says it must make a series of budget cuts -- except to administrators' salaries, which are slated to increase. [WNYT]
Colonie police say a man was holding a rifle while watching his neighbors shovel snow because he was upset shoveled snow was getting on his property. [WTEN]
Winter still making an effort, Sweeney says he's deserved what's happened to him, Clinton speaking fee was $200k, fire hits family of 18
This just in: it's snowing, and icing, and generally being wintry. The snow is forecasted to continue through the morning and end around noon. Total accumulation in the Capital Region is expected to be 3-7 inches, with as much as half-inch of ice -- though areas to west and north are expected to end up with totals as high as 1-2 feet. The National Weather Service is predicting travel as "treacherous." Rensselaer County has declared a state of emergency. [NWS] [NWS] [Troy Record]
The Cuomo admin is looking at how it might reduce how the amount of money state employee retirees can knock off their health insurance premiums by using unused sick time. [TU]
There are indications voter fraud may have been going in Troy before the 2009 events that prompted the recent indictments of two officials. [Troy Record]
John Sweeney on the damage caused by his drinking: "Losing a seat in Congress wasn't my biggest loss. It was the loss of myself and the loss of everything that went with it, the harm and hurt I created for people around me who I love and love me." [TU]
The Schenectady woman recently picked on her 9th arrest for DWI can't have her license permanently suspended because her prior convictions are spread out over too long a period. [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say they're looking for a 19-year-old who allegedly broke into a medical office early Sunday while wearing only a pair of shorts, one sock, an a long-sleeve t-shirt. They say they found a broken window and large amount of blood. Police say friends of the teen, Skidmore students, reported him missing yesterday after last seeing him at a party. [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
UAlbany's student association paid $200k for Bill Clinton's talk at the school last week. [ASP]
Big fire in Green Island, Albany school board asks for pay freeze, 9th DWI arrest for woman
There was a huge fire at the R.K. Freedman scrap yard in Green Island yesterday evening. The building that caught fire is an old railroad building that dates back to the 1870s -- it was currently being used for office space. There was a fire "as big as a football field" at the scrap yard this past fall. At the time, Green Island's fire chief said they're called to the site about three times a years for fires. [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN] [Troy Record 2010] [TU 2010]
A former Troy city council candidate alleged a city councilman John Brown intended to forge voters' signatures on absentee ballots in 2009, according to an affidavit filed in court this week. The councilman denies ever saying would do so. Democratic elections commissioner Edward G. McDonough and city councilman Michael LoPorto have already been indicted as part of the investigation into alleged voter fraud. The special prosecutor in the case says has not ruled out more indictments. [Troy Record] [TU] [Troy Record]
The Albany school board approved a motion asking district employees for a pay freeze, and approved an extension of the contract for superintendent Raymond Colucciello. A charter school advocacy group had been running radio spots criticizing the school board for what the org says was a "sneaky vote" to extend Colucciello's contract ahead of a possible superintendent salary cap. But the district says Colucciello contract is being extended at the rate of $170k/year -- $5k less than the proposed cap limit. The advocacy group shares connections with the Brighter Choice Foundation, whose non-profit status is now being questioned because of the huge signs it hung on school buildings criticizing Albany's city treasurer.. [YNN] [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT] [TU]
Brian Stratton's last day as mayor of Schenectady will be April 3. [Daily Gazette]
Seventeen arrested at Capitol, state Senator goes shopping for gun accessories, Sage to continue mission of NYSTI
City's lesson for school: that sign is too big.
A Cuomo admin official said yesterday that planning for state employee layoffs would begin if a deal isn't reached with unions by April 1. [TU]
State police say seventeen protesters were arrested at the Capitol yesterday for blocking an entrance to the building. A group of about 150 were protesting budget cuts and the end of the "millionaire's tax." It appears that getting arrested might have been part of the plan. [AP/Post-Star] [TU] [Fox23]
Critics of Andrew Cuomo's proposal for new statewide teacher evaluations say the actual legislation wouldn't repeal the "last in, first out" rules as Cuomo seemed to promise. [NYT]
It appears the Cuomo administration traded a medical practice damages cap for hospitals' support on the Medicaid redesign -- and the state's trial lawyers are lining up for a fight. [NYT]
State Senator Eric Adams is pushing for a state ban on gun clips that hold more than 10 rounds. A loophole allows larger clips to be sold in the sate -- and to demonstrate, Adams bought such a clip in Rensselaer this week and brought it, along with an assault rifle, to the Capitol. [TU] [YNN] [NYDN] [Fox23]
During his talk last night at UAlbany Bill Clinton emphasized what the privilege that education represents, and the interconnected nature of the modern world. (photos) (video clip) (tweets) [TU] [Troy Record]
The city of Albany says the large signs criticizing city treasurer Kathy Sheehan that the Brighter Choice Foundation hung on some of its school buildings violate city code and must be taken down. (photo above) [TU]
Cuomo floats new teacher evaluation system, clearing snowy sidewalks for scofflaws, bricks from town hall crash into cars, back from New Zealand
Andrew Cuomo is proposing a new statewide evaluation system as an alternative to "last in, first out." Cuomo's announcement came shortly after the Republican-controlled state Senate passed a bill that would end the use of seniority as the determining factor for layoffs in the New York City public schools (Mike Bloomberg has been pushing hard for the bill). Cuomo's proposal might be better received in the Democrat-controlled Assembly. [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [NY Post] [TU]
It sounds like the property tax cap Andrew Cuomo is pushing will have a tough time in the Assembly. [TU]
In a turnabout, Sheldon Silver says the Assembly will pursue an extension of the "Millionaire's Tax." (Andrew Cuomo has opposed an extension.) [NYT]
Ed Koch says Dean Skelos has gone back on a pledge he made to adopt independent redistricting. Koch rolled up (and in) to the Capitol in an electric car to scold Skelos on the issue. Skelos says he still support redistricting reform, but prefers to do it via constitutional amendment. [TU] [NYT] [State of Politics]
The city of Albany has spent almost $13k this winter on clearing snow from the sidewalks of scofflaw property owners. Map of the properties. [TU] [TU]
School superintendent cap would affect about half of districts, Schenectady fires another cop, performances now free of popcorn noises
Andrew Cuomo released his proposal to cap the salaries of school district superintendents. The size of the cap would slide according to the district's enrollment. About half of the current superintendents in the state would be affected if the cap is approved. It would save about $15 million total. Said Shen superintendent Oliver Robinson ($198,689 in 2009, according to SeeThroughNY) in response to the proposal: "I put 150 percent of my job, my time, my effort into my job, and I don't apologize for that because I was hired to do that, and quite frankly I think should be appropriately compensated for that." [NYT] [Daily Politics] [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [YNN]
Jerry Jennings on a property tax cap: "Two percent would allow us to raise two million dollars more, when I'm facing a 20 million dollar deficit next year. I've used most of my surplus last year. We eliminated about 150 positions last year. We're talking, probably, 250-300 positions in order to balance a budget with a tax cap." [WNYT]
Brian Stratton announced that Schenectady has fired another police officer. The termination process against Darren Lawrence started after a 2006 incident in Colonie where he was accused of driving drunk and crashing a car (he was acquitted of the criminal charges). He was then allegedly involved in a bar fight in 2008. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
The Town of Bethlehem's bid for the Normanside Country club was not successful. The bank that controls the property won't say who was the winning bidder. And the town won't say how much it bid in case it gets another chance at the property. [YNN] [Fox23] [TU]
The UAlbany student association says the final fee for Bill Clinton's appearance this week hasn't been nailed yet. The former president often gets more than $100k for a speech. [Daily Gazette] [Washington Post]
Cuomo expected to push for school superintendent salary cap, odd case involving stolen safe, advice: kick the butt of those who are not the best
Andrew Cuomo reportedly will push this week for legislation that would cap school district superintendents' salaries. The governor criticized superintendent salaries during his budget presentations earlier this month. He's also praised district administrations that have taken pay cuts or canceled scheduled pay increases. [WSJ] [NYT] [NYT]
Cuomo's fill-in-the-blanks approach to budget cuts appears to be working so far -- to the surprise of many, including him. In spite of -- or perhaps because of -- that, he's sounding a bit steamroller-ish on the budget process. [NYT] [TU]
As in last year's budget, the Cuomo budget does not include funding for "member items" -- and it turns out people are starting to miss the pork. [TU]
The Albany school board will reportedly ask the teachers union to accept a wage and benefit freeze. [TU]
Dhanashar Persaud, the Schenectady man accused of killing Ganesh Ramgoolam on Maple Ave last year, has pleaded guilty. Prosecutors say the killing was the result of a feud between two Guyanese groups. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Saratoga County sheriff's office says a safe with more than $35k stolen from Northern Lights two weeks ago was found in the Hudson near Pougkeepsie. They say two suspects from Rensselaer County were arrested in New Jersey with $33k of the money. And a club employee who was questioned about the theft -- and said he wasn't involved -- has committed suicide. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Fox23] [TU]
It's snowing -- more than expected, Cuomo's Medicaid redesign team releases cuts, Schenectady's fill-in mayor will be part time
It's snowing. And it's forecasted to keep snowing (or some sort of precipitation) all day.
Noted: you can be fired for not showing up to work because of weather. [Daily Gazette]
The Cuomo admin's "Medicare Redesign Team" approved a package of recommendations yesterday that are intended to save $2.3 billion over the next fiscal year in the massive state program. The package includes a 4 percent annual cap on increases in the state's contribution to the program, as well as what are basically concessions from both the hospital lobby and health care employee unions. The panel approved the package ahead of schedule, which some criticized as rushing the process. [TU] [NY Post] [State of Politics] [NYT]
A State Police car was involved in a wreck with a cab in uptown Albany on Washington Ave early this morning (map). There have reports that four people were taken to the hospital. [TU] [CBS6]
After Brian Stratton leaves office, Schenectady city council president Gary McCarthy says he will take over the duties of the mayor's office on a part-time basis (by law, he can't be paid a full-time salary for the job). [Daily Gazette]
It appears that flu season has hit its peak locally. [TU] [Google Flu Trends]
Snow and rain on the way, Bethlehem bids on bankrupt country club, Stewart's sales top $1 billion again, incubator idea pitched for Kiernan Plaza
There's snow moving in tonight, with accumulation of a few inches possible -- and a few more inches tomorrow. Temps are predicted to be relatively warm, though, so the snow is expected to switch over to rain. If it doesn't, accumulations will be higher. Whatever happens, Friday just looks generally wet and sloppy. [NWS]
The Cuomo admin is expected to propose a yearly cap on Medicaid increases that would prompt millions in cuts at hospitals, nursing homes and other health care outlets. [NYT]
Albany Med will pay $4.5 million as part of a settlement in a lawsuit that alleged the medical center and a group of other regional hospitals had conspired to fix wages for nurses. AMC says it denies any wrongdoing and settled to "limit the expense and distraction of additional court proceedings." Three other hospitals had settled in 2009. The suit against Ellis is still pending. [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [TU] [WTEN]
Bethlehem town leaders announced during last night's town board meeting that they have submitted a bid in for the bankrupt Normanside Country Club. The town supervisor says it's their desire to "operate it as a public course at break even or better." The town board says it won't release how much it bid -- or how board members voted -- until the bank-administered bidding process is over because with such disclosure "there is a substantial possibility that the cost of any town acquisition would have rapidly increased." That led to frustration among critics at the meeting. [YNN] [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT] [Spotlight]
North Greenbush's former town comptroller criticized the recent audit that reported a $3 million account had been opened without the town board's consent or knowledge -- and said he was never given a chance to respond. A councilman says the town will be pursuing a "a more in-depth forensic audit." [Troy Record] [TU]
Adrian Parbhudial, the Schenectady man accused of firing on officers as they raided at home on Maple Ave last year, was convicted of attempted aggravated murder. The raid was connected to an investigation into a murder for which three of Parbhudial's relatives are now charged. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Questions about Cuomo adviser, big donation for RPI, North Greenbush's unknown $3 million account, airlift wing members OK after NZ quake
Jeffery A. Sachs, an influential Cuomo administration health care policy adviser and reportedly Andrew Cuomo's best friend, is also a consultant who represents many large health care clients -- and NYT reports that "state officials have made decisions that surprised many in the health care industry but were favorable to Mr. Sachs's clients." (By the way: this Jeffery Sachs is not the Colubmia Jeffery Sachs -- he's Jeffery D. Sachs.) [NYT]
Despite the Cuomo administration's call for a state employee wage freeze, the proposed budget does include fundings for step and longevity increases. [TU]
New York Congresswoman Louise Slaughter on what the state should do about the string of sex scandals involving politicians over the last few years: "I think the answer to that is to elect more women." [State of Politics]
Two of the Skidmore students involved in the Compton's incident have pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct -- a violation, instead of a misdemeanor -- as part of a plea deal. An attorney for one of the students says the outcome is "the equivalent of a dismissal." Attorneys for the students say witness statements collected after the incident were inconsistent with those collected by police (the statements aren't being released). [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Albany city treasurer Kathy Sheehan says she voted against the Brighter Choice Foundation's application for tax-free financing for buildings not because of a position in the charters vs. public school debate, but rather because she says the city has too much classroom space. [TU]
An RPI alumnus has donated $1 million to the school. [RPI]
Details on the new GloFo building planned for Malta, legislation would freeze charter school funding in Albany, not just another clown
Details on the office building that GlobalFoundries announced late last week that it's building at the site of the chip fab in Malta: 450 jobs (maybe 1,500 eventually), the building will be the size of three Walmart supercenters, construction cost is in the $20-$30 million range, completion in summer 2012. GloFo says construction on the fab building itself is about 75 percent complete -- chip manufacturing is expected to start in 2013. After touring the site yesterday, the scale of the project left Chuck Schumer in a very unusual state: almost speechless. [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [YNN] [Fox23] [WNYT] [TU]
State workforce contracts with CSEA and PEF end April 1, but the Cuomo the administration has yet to open formal negotiations with the unions -- and with the admin looking for $450 million in workforce savings, union leaders are reportedly getting "antsy." [TU]
Chris Gibson voted for the federal budget amendment that cuts off funding to Planned Parenthood. Said a Gibson spokesperson: the "Congressman voted in support of the Pence amendment because he believes that no taxpayer funds should be used to perform abortions." [Saratogian] [NYT] [WNYT]
State legislation sponsored by Neil Breslin and Jack McEneny would freeze reimbursement levels for charter schools in the city of Albany at 2008-2009 school year levels (the Albany district is currently withholding funding beyond that level from the charters). The Brighter Choice foundation, which backs the city's charter schools, says the schools are legally entitled to the funding. [TU] [WNYT]
The Albany fire department says one person died in a large fire on Grand Street last night (photos)(map). Three other residents were injured -- two of them jumped from an upper floor to escape. [YNN] [Mr. Slow Loris] [Troy Record] [TU]
The Albany police department has started an investigation related to the photos the Times Union turned up of APD officers drinking in uniform at a party. The head of the police officers' union says the officers were off duty or relieved, and the photos were "stolen." [TU] [CBS6]
Cuomo pushes for independent redistricting, another post office closure in Albany, Harmony Mills developer looking in Troy, come on down!
Andrew Cuomo has introduced legislation that would create an independent commission to draw the lines for Congressional and state legislature districts, which advocates say would help end gerrymandering. Democrats have argued that Republican control the state Senate not because they got more votes from the public, but because of the way the districts are drawn. Dean Skelos said in a statement yesterday that redistricting reform is important -- but not currently a priority. [NYT] [TU] [State of Politics]
Observers say Cuomo is trying to expand the powers of the state's executive branch. [WSJ via State of Politics]
Pedro Espada's state Senate office spent $1.2 million from April to September last year, the most of any senator (by about $300k). The now-indicted former senator had a staff of 50 people working for him. [TU] [NYDN]
The state Public Service Commission approved a plan to build a new high-voltage transmission line from from northern Saratoga County to Rotterdam. Many property owners along the path of the line opposed the project. The $66 million line will help power the GlobalFoundries fab in Malta. [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Said a GloFo spokesman yesterday about the fab's economic impact on this area: "We think it's going to lead to very positive impacts, (but) we don't have a crystal ball into the future." Economic development officials say they're already seeing interest from companies looking to do business with the fab, but there's a lack of suitable office/warehouse space currently available. [Troy Record] [Post-Star]
The US Postal Service say it's closing the Patroon Station post office in north Albany (map). The USPS says it still hasn't made a decision about the Pine Hills Station on South Allen. [TU] [Fox23]
A Brighter Choice Foundation bid for financing through an economic development arm of the city of Albany was rejected, a decision some are placing in the larger context of the ongoing charter school debate. [TU]
Mercure sentenced to 20-25 years in prison, is that cocaine in your underwear or are you just happy to see me, Tedisco wants to save money and trees
Gary Mercure, the local priest convicted of raping two boys in Western Massachusetts during the 1980s, was sentenced to 20-25 years in prison. Said the judge: "You're not a priest. You're no more than a common thug ... You preyed on these boys not with weapons, but with the very tools you were given to help them." Mercure reportedly smiled broadly as he left the court room. He had served as a priest at a handful of Capital Region parishes, most recently in Troy. Mercure was suspended from acting as a priest in 2008 -- the Albany diocese says it now has asked the Vatican to formally remove him from the priesthood. [Fox23] [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
Colonie police say they've arrested an Albany man for the shooting in a bowling alley on Central Ave earlier this week. The victim has been released from the hospital. [CBS6] [Fox23]
The Saratoga Springs police officer who resigned this week after an investigation began into whether he had been targeting friends of an ex with traffic tickets will not face criminal charges. [Saratogian]
A convicted sex offender in Clifton Park has filed a suit against Saratoga County arguing that a county law restricting where sex offenders can live is unconstitutional. [Saratogian]
The Albany County sheriff's office says it nabbed a guy at the Albany bus station who allegedly had $170,000 worth of cocaine sewn into his underwear. They say the man told him he was being paid $1,000 to transport the coke from Arizona to Lake Placid. [WNYT] [TU]
The Saratoga Springs Borders store, slated to be closed, had been paying about $60k/year in school and library taxes. [Saratogian]
Saratoga police say they're still investigating McCormick cold case, push for greater fines for unshoveled sidewalks, tough guys don't eat cupcakes
Saratoga Springs police say they're not declaring the deceased man whose name surfaced this week as a "person of interest" in the Tammie McCormick cold case as a killer. They say the investigation has taken them to western New York and out of state, and it's still ongoing. They say they didn't want to release the man's name because they feared it could jeopardize the investigation. [Saratogian] [WNYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A Saratoga Springs police officer resigned yesterday after the department started an investigation into allegations officer had used police records to identify the cars of his ex-girlfriend's friends so he could pull them over and ticket them. The officer was charged with misdemeanor stalking of the former girlfriend last summer. [Saratogian] [WNYT] [TU] [Post-Star]
Andrew Cuomo continued his campaign against public school bureaucracies yesterday. Bob Duffy picked up the ball during a legislative budget hearing, arguing "so much" of the money spent on education in the state "gets invested in areas that do not touch the lives of children." [CBS6] [TU]
State comptroller says the Cuomo admin's proposed budget includes $4 billion in unspecified "placeholder" savings. [State of Politics]
The Cuomo budget includes a measure that would give the executive branch wide ranging investigative powers over the financial industry. [NYT]
A property developer was awarded $40k in damages after a contractor working for the city of Albany made a demolition mistake in 2007 that resulted in the developer's Sherman Street property also having to be razed. (The demolition contractor is the same company currently knocking down Troy's old city hall.) [TU] [Troy Record]
It's cold again, diocese first heard accusations against priest eight years earlier than previously disclosed, suspect in 25-year Saratoga cold case, car crushed by falling snow
Yesterday's high temp was 53. Today's high is forecasted to be 22. [NWS] [NWS]
The Albany diocese said yesterday that it had gotten a complaint about now-convicted priest Gary Mercure in 2000 -- it had previously said it heard the first accusations of abuse in 2008. The diocese says it didn't follow up on the 2000 accusation because the accuser didn't want to follow through and Mercure denied the accusation. [YNN] [TU] [WNYT]
A programming error at the state Department of Taxation and Finance resulted in some families being told they no longer qualify for the STAR property tax exemption. [TU]
The Schenectady city council approved an overtime payout of almost $73k to fire chief Robert Farstad when he retires this spring. Council members say they were "stuck with" having to give the payout because of an old contract. The city's top lawyer cited a letter from the state comptroller's office reporting the payout won't affect the chief's pension (there had been accusation the payout was pension padding). [CBS6] [YNN] [TU]
Republican Peter Guardelli has decided to not run for mayor of Schenectady, and it looks like Republican support could be lining up behind Alliance Party candidate -- and former Union College president -- Roger Hull. Guardelli ran against Brian Stratton in 2003 and came up 300 votes short. [Daily Gazette] [Marv Cermak] [TU]
The Albany police officer accused of DWI after he was allegedly found sleeping in his car on I-787 in December has his license back after the arresting officer didn't show up for a DMV hearing. [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say they've identified a suspect in the disappearance of Tammie McCormick, a 13-year-old who was last seen in 1986. [WNYT]
First homicide of the year in Albany, Cuomo at home at the Executive Mansion, Bethlehem residents upset about cell tower, will Buddhists return to Amsterdam?
Albany police say a man was killed after being stabbed in the stomach during a 50th birthday party at a private club in Arbor Hill early Sunday morning (map). Another man was hospitalized after being stabbed in the head. The APD hasn't reported any arrests and says it's investigating. It's the city's first homicide of 2011. [YNN] [TU] [Troy Record] [WTEN] [Fox23]
Colonie police say there was a shooting at a bowling alley on Central Ave just past midnight Monday morning (map). They say it appears there was a fight during a party and a man was shot in the chest. Police say they're still looking for the shooter. [YNN] [Fox23] [WNYT]
New York State's chief judge is expected to announce new rules this week that would bar judges from hearing cases in which the lawyers have made significant contributions to their campaigns. [NYT]
Some of the interests affected by the budget increase formulas Andrew Cuomo has framed as a "sham," say the budgeting was neither secret nor imprudent. [AP/Troy Record]
Dean Skelos' response to whether the Republican majority in the state Senate will support independent re-districting: "We'll see what happens." [AP/Troy Record]
Andrew Cuomo seems happy to be living in the Executive Mansion -- and in Albany itself -- again. [TU]
The apparent consensus on Brian Stratton's tenure as mayor of Schenectady: he successfully took on the police force, and got the city's finances back on track. [Daily Gazette]
Priest convicted of rape, SUNY chancellor calls for tuition increases, hoping to catch the wave of Jimmermania
Gary Mercure, a Catholic priest from the Albany Diocese, was found guilty of raping two boys in Berkshire County in the 1980s. Mercure was also accused of abusing the boys in Warren County, but the statute of limitations had run out in New York -- so prosecutors referred the case to Berkshire County, where Mercure was accused of rape during trips to Western Massachusetts. Mercure spent time at a handful of parishes around the Capital Region. The diocese removed him from service in 2008. [TU] [Troy Record] [Berkshire Eagle/Post-Star] [CBS6] [YNN]
Robert Schunk, the Albany police officer accused of domestic violence, was found not guilty on all count against him in Albany County court. He still faces charges in Saratoga County. [TU] [WNYT]
During her recent parole hearing, Marybeth Tinning -- the Schenectady woman convicted of killing one of her children, and suspected of killing seven others -- said she was "a very damaged and just a messed up person." Of her time in prison, she said: "I have tried to become a better person while I was here, trying to be able to stand on my own and ask for help when I need it, others when they need it." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher yesterday called for modest and predictable tuition increases for the system. She told legislators: ""What we're trying to do is level out the expectation for the cost of college so that people can be painful so they aren't a freshman at one point price and at the sophomore year they have a huge hike in tuition..." [NYT] [YNN]
The owner of a car that was allegedly wrecked after a Rensselaer police cruiser crashed into it says the department told him the officer had fallen asleep at the wheel. [WTEN]
Stratton move sets off speculation in Schenectady and Troy, Cuomo says he'll push for same-sex marriage vote, Ballston Spa wants you to b there, p-e-c-u-n-i-a-r-y
The selection of Brian Stratton to head up the state canal corporation has prompted speculation about what's next for Schenectady -- and Troy. Stratton says he's aiming to leave the mayor's office in mid-March. Schenectady city council president Gary McCarthy would then assume the duties of mayor -- but by law the city won't be able to pay a mayoral salary, nor can the council appoint him to the job. [TU] [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
So, why is Stratton leaving? He says he didn't push for the job, but two unnamed city officials say Stratton's head hadn't been in the game recently and that he was probably looking to make more money. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette]
What expertise does Stratton bring to the canal job? "Water goes in, boats go down. Water goes in, boats go up." [Fox23]
So, what's this got to do with Troy? The current head of the canal corp is Carmella Mantello, who ran for mayor of Troy in 1999 and there's now speculation she'll run again. Mantello said yesterday she wouldn't rule out a run for the job. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo said yesterday that he would push the legislature to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage during this session. [NYT]
Farther afield: Christopher Lee, a Congressman from the Buffalo area, resigned yesterday after Gawker exposed that he had tried to pick up a woman on Craigslist by claiming he was a 39-year-old divorced lobbyist (he's actually 46 and married) and sending the woman a topless photo of himself. And, of course, you knew this was coming: Lee warned about the potentially "serious consequences" of using the internet in a 2009 op/ed. [NYT] [Gawker] [State of Politics]
Stratton reportedly leaving mayor's office for job with Cuomo admin, letter says Skidmore students "repeatedly misrepresented" after alleged assault, crows know the schedule
The Times Union reports that "two people familiar with the mayor's plans" say Brian Stratton will resign as Schenectady mayor to take a job with the Cuomo administration. An official announcement is expected today. Stratton's position with the state has not been disclosed, but "two sources with knowledge" say he's been picked to head up the state canal corporation. Stratton's up for re-election this November. City council president Gary McCarthy would take over as mayoral duties if/when Stratton resigns. [TU] [State of Politics] [TU CapCon] [WNYT] [CBS6]
Jim Tedisco says Andrew Cuomo told legislature Republicans at the Governor's Mansion yesterday that if the legislature hasn't passed a budget by April 1, he will then employ the "Paterson school of budgeting" and stuff his proposed cuts into a budget extender -- which the legislature could approve, or let the state government shut down. [NY Post] [Saratogian]
There's criticism rising that Cuomo's proposed budget is so vague about what to cut that legislators can't figure out what actually will get axed. [Buffalo News]
You know that "SAGE" panel that Andrew Cuomo has been saying will find efficiencies through state government? It's yet to meet and hasn't even been filled out yet. [TU]
The owners of the Kings Ransom dairy farm in Saratoga County say they could end up losing 100 cows as a result of the barn roof that collapsed under weight of snow. Collapsed roofs have apparently become a problem throughout the Northeast this winter. Four local counties are seeking a disaster designation so farmers can get federal assistance. [Saratogian] [NYT] [Daily Gazette]
Many of state's high school graduates not ready for college, contractors busy with roof snow, St. Rose looking to buy piece of dead-end street, Mr. DeFazio passes away
Only 41 percent of New York State's high school graduates in 2009 tested at levels that indicate they were ready for college-level course work, according to data released by the state Department of Education. [NYT]
Sheldon Silver says he now supports new ethics rules that would require state legislators to disclose their outside income with narrow ranges, and also require legislators who are lawyers to disclose their clients (Silver's past unwillingness to disclose his clients has been an ongoing criticism of the speaker). Andrew Cuomo has reportedly been pressing the legislature behind the scenes to take action on new ethics rules. [TU] [NY Post]
The City of Albany has already plowed through its budget for snow removal. And local contractors say they've been busy clearing roofs of snow. [WTEN] [TU]
Troy is looking for more developers to submit proposals for the redevelopment of the old city hall site. It's already gotten three "request for quotes" responses. [Troy Record] [TU]
Cuomo's proposed budget more or less well received -- so far, snow continues to cause roof problems, outhouse team finishes number one
The general concepts in Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget appear to be going over well -- at least until people figure out what exactly is going to be cut. Informal, "back-channel" talks have reportedly started between the Cuomo admin and the state employee unions about ways to achieve the $450 million in workforce savings in the proposed state budget. (Andrew Cuomo has said if the target can't be reached, layoffs of as many as 9,800 people are possible.) [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
Located just across the border in Western Mass: lower taxes. [Buffalo News via State of Politics]
The $23 judges "hotel" being built for members of the Court of Appeals in downtown Albany reportedly includes Carrera marble and cherry furniture. [NY Post]
With Republicans now controlling the state Senate, the passage of a medical marijuana law seems less likely. [Daily Gazette]
A "person with knowledge of the matter" alleges that Robert Schunk, the suspended Albany police officer who goes on trial today for domestic violence, and "some" members of a now-disbanded patrol unit "occasionally" drank and played cards at Schunk's residence while on duty. [TU]
One possibility for the Albany landfill: "gasification," a process which supporters say could turn trash into energy. The landfill has struggled to capture and make use of the methane it already produces. And while it's not methane (which is odorless), neighbors say much stinkiness currently escapes from the landfill. [TU] [TU] [TU]
Callicut gets life in prison for Bailey shooting, snow collapses barn with 250 cows inside, ticketing and towing threatened in Troy's voluntary snow emergency, cat returned after five years
Devon Callicut, who was convicted of killing UAlbany student Richard Bailey, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Said Bailey's mother after the sentencing: "Actually, life in prison is not enough for me. I don't think any sentence would ever have been enough. He's breathing and my son is not..." Said Callicut's attorney of her client's life: "I know everyone feels good about him going away, but in reality he had about as much chance of making it as an elephant has passing through the eye of a needle." [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo and Bob Duffy were on the road yesterday in an attempt to sell the Cuomo admin's proposed budget to voters (strategy -- try to use public opinion as leverage against the legislature and lobbyists). Cuomo said yesterday that reform of public employee pensions is his next goal after the state budget. [YNN] [AP/Fox23]
Education, public employee unions and advocates for the poor have banded to together to push for an extension of the "millionaire's tax," which was not included in Andrew Cuomo's proposed state budget. [State of Politics]
State parks have seen rise in attendance in recent years, but their funding has been reduced in the Cuomo budget. [Post-Star]
Snow collapsed a barn at one of Saratoga County's largest dairy farms, killing 25 cows (or more) (250 cows were in the barn). More than 200 community members turned out to help remove wreckage and tend to the cows. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
"Blockbuster" storm kind of a dud, Cuomo says budget will "shake up" the establishment, Niskayuna couple continues to push chicken issue, that's a lot of... shoes
The combined snowfall total from Tuesday and Wednesday: 10.8 inches -- quite a bit less than had been forecasted (30 inches?). [NWS]
In a video message posted online yesterday, Andrew Cuomo said his proposed budget "will shake up the Albany establishment, but that is exactly what we must do." Earlier: Speed reading the coverage of Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget. [Cuomo admin]
There's a campaign calling for changes at the state agency that disciplines judges. [NYT]
Albany police say a man was shot in the leg Wednesday afternoon in Arbor Hill (map). [YNN]
The person with the winning $48 million Powerball ticket sold on Christmas day in Wilton has finally come forward. Also: a Cohoes woman won $3 million from a scratch-off ticket -- and, more importantly, she'll get to meet Yolanda Vega. [TU] [CBS6]
Icy, Snowy Apocalypse falls a bit flat, Cuomo presents budget proposal, DA says Saratoga assault wasn't a hate crime, woman arrested for allegedly making up story about ex threatening mayor
This just in: it continues to snow. Though the Icy, Snowy Apocalypse hasn't quite lived up to the hype (yeah, not 30 inches), another 3-5 inches are expected the rest of the day, with sleet. As for closings: if you think it could be closed or delayed, it probably is -- call ahead if you're not sure. [NWS]
Andrew Cuomo presented his proposed $132.9 billion budget yesterday, which represents a 2.7 percent decrease in total spending from the year before. We'll speed read details and reaction a little later today. [Cuomo admin]
The Skidmore student accused of assaulting a man in Compton's Diner in what police originally called a hate crime has pleaded guilty misdemeanor assault. The Saratoga County DA said after further examination of the case, the incident didn't warrant the hate crime tag. The DA says there's no evidence that the group of students questioned why an African-American man was sitting with a white man, as had originally been alleged. [Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star]
The recession has resulted in a high office space vacancy rate in downtown Albany. [TU]
It's snowing -- a lot, Cuomo budget proposal lands today, bald eagle recovering local animal hospital
This just in: it's snowing. And there's a whole lot more on the way.
Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to release his budget proposal this afternoon. In an op/ed release to the media yesterday, Cuomo described the state's budget process as a "sham" and he criticized formulas that automatically increase spending each year. The op/ed was read as an opening shot at the legislature. As usual, Sheldon Silver seemed unimpressed. [NYT] [Troy Record] [TU] [State of Politics]
The Cuomo budget proposal is expected to include 10,000+ state employee layoffs, which is casting a cloud over the Capital Region's economy. [TU]
The state Senate passed the property tax cap bill that Cuomo's been pushing. All the local state senators voted for it -- including Neil Breslin, who was one of 9 members of the Democratic conference to do so. [NYT] [State of Politics]
The unrest in Egypt has local media outlets looking for local connections: rally in Albany, an Egyptian UAlbany professor, the Saratoga shop keeper from Egypt, the Altamont native now reporting in Egypt. [TU] [Fox23] [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette]
The Capital Region has one of the tightest rental markets in the nation -- and even upscale apartment buildings are full. [TU]
Wheels turning on tax cap bill, Colonie-based org allegedly looked into setting up own country, soaked by a back water bill, Schenectady man a thousandaire
Andrew Cuomo has submitted a property tax cap bill to the state Senate -- and the chamber is expected to pass the bill this afternoon. The surprise move is apparently a bit of political strategy aimed at the cap-skeptic Assembly. [NYT] [TU] [State of Politics]
Cuomo is scheduled to release his budget proposal -- the one that reportedly includes 10,000+ layoffs -- on Tuesday. [NYDN]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli has proposed a bill that would revoke the pensions of state officials who are convicted of a crime related to their public office. For example, former state comptroller (and convicted felon) Alan Hevesi receives an annual state pension of more than $100k. [NYS OSC] [TU]
Among the allegations made during testimony in a lawsuit related to NXIVM, the Colonie-based "executive success" program: the org was looking into whether it could set up its own sovereign country. [TU]
Two Troy politicos up on forgery charges, UAlbany students skip class over state cuts, it's "so long" for Channel 10's McLoughlin, fake ID's are a no-no
Councilman Michael LoPorto and Rensselaer County Democratic Elections Commissioner Edward McDonough were indicted Friday morning on charges they forged absentee ballots in the city Working Families Party 2009 primary. The indictments were handed down from a county grand jury, and were the result of an investigation launched in October 2009, alleging that Democrats were forging voters' signatures and casting fraudulent primary ballots. [TU] [Record]
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has picked the head of the state Business Council to lead the
Empire State Development Corp. The governor described his choice of Kenneth Adams as a step toward changing the state's business climate. The appointment requires approval by the state Senate. [TU] [Post Star] [YNN] A Marist poll shows Cuomo with a 71 percent approval rating. [WRGB]
UAlbany students staged a walkout Thursday to protest funding and program cuts at the university, including the elimination of five humanities programs. The students are planning a Capitol march next week. Gov. Cuomo's budget plan, to be released Feb. 1, is expected to contain further cuts. [TU] [YNN] [WRGB]
New Yorkers want it both ways, long-range plan for Albany's garbage, threats against mayor allegedly a plot against ex-boyfriend, he wants to be a millionaire
It was that close.
The Capital Region just missed on the big storm that dumped snow along the East Coast -- including 15 inches in Central Park. [NYT]
In polls, New Yorkers say they'd like to balance the state budget through cuts instead of taxes -- but they don't seem too interested in actually making cuts. Andrew Cuomo is expected to reveal his budget next Tuesday. [TU] [TU CapCon]
The final draft of the long-range plan for Albany's (and many other communities') garbage includes an expansion of recycling, composting, and a new regional authority. [TU]
The president of Troy's city council has filed a complaint with the state attorney general's office against mayor Harry Tutunjian over the demolition of the old city hall. [Troy Record]
The Colonie man who police say met underage girls on Facebook and then raped two of them has taken a plea deal that includes 12-13 years in prison. Police say the man had friended more than 700 teens and young women. [YNN] [TU]
Troy cited for not removing asbestos from former City Hall, UMass basketball players make emergency landing at ALB, NY may ban electronic cigarettes, Proctor's buys Muddy Cup
No mention of Schenectady in the president's State of the Union address, but lots of talk about innovation, similar to what we heard in the Electric City last week. Everyone is giving their post game today. Here's reaction to the speech from our legislators. [Record]
The State Labor Department issued three violations against the city of Troy for failing to remove asbestos from the former City Hall building before it began demolition. Mayor Tutunjian says the city has not violated any laws, since the demolition hasn't officially started yet, only "exploratory excavation." [Record] [YNN]
The UMass men's basketball team's plane made a emergency landing at Albany International yesterday after pilots noticed smoke in the cockpit. [TU]
New York may become the first state to ban electronic cigarettes. [WTEN}
Focus forming around property tax cap, senators squabble over seating arrangements, cable rates increasings, that's a lot of laundry
Yep, it's still cold. But today's high is forecasted to be in the upper 20s (heat wave). And there's a chance of snow. [NWS]
The various actors at the Capitol now appear to be pointed in the direction of a property tax cap -- and the push back is now focused on getting a "circuit breaker" provision (ties a property tax rebate to income) and stronger rent control. Andrew Cuomo said yesterday he's not on board with a circuit breaker. [YNN] [TU] [State of Politics]
The big drama at the Capitol yesterday: the seating arrangement in the state Senate. [State of Politics]
A study of a potential consolidation of police services in Schenectady County concludes that the various agencies are not willing to merge -- but they are open to sharing some administrative services, which could save the City of Schenectady as much as $560k/year. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
It's really cold, Stratton flying high from AF1 trip, Gibson pushing for nuclear power plant, Alternate Route 7 just keeps rolling
This just in: it's cold. Last night's low was almost -12. At 10 am this morning, it was -4. And today's forecasted high is 7. [NWS] [NWS]
The Capital City Rescue Mission says the shelter has been "packed" the last few nights as people look for refuge from the extreme cold. The Saratoga Springs school district canceled classes because of the cold. [Troy Record] [Saratogian]
Still NOT a good idea: using a blow torch to melt ice on your house. [Daily Gazette]
It sounds like it's going to take Brian Stratton a while to come down from the high of hanging out with Barack Obama on Friday. The Schenectady mayor met with the President in the Oval Office, rode with the him from the White House via helicopter, and then aboard Air Force One up to the Capital Region. Stratton called the experience "surreal." He also scored some presidential M&Ms. [TU] [CBS6] [Daily Gazette] [WTEN] [Fox23]
One of Chris Gibson's top priorities is getting a new nuclear energy plant built in the region. [Post-Star]
Obama visit to Schenectady today, Cuomo says there will be pain, Albany fiscal outlook "bleak," hospital offering "warranty" on heart surgeries
Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Schenectady today (you may have heard). The President will be appearing at the GE campus with CEO Jeffery Immelt. The White House announced yesterday that Immelt will head up its panel of outside economic advisers. All sorts of local and state officials will also be there, some of them accompanying the President on Air Force One. [AOA] [NYT] [Saratogian]
The Secret Service reportedly talked with the Niskayuna Five Guys about a potential POTUS lunch stop. [Daily Gazette]
Though he wouldn't attach a number to the reports of plans for state employee layoffs, Andrew Cuomo did say yesterday of the next budget: "There is going to be, no doubt, a period of short-term pain." There have also been reports that Cuomo is threatening to shut down the state government if he doesn't get the cuts he wants -- yesterday he said that was "possible" but "I don't believe there will be a shutdown." [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
Jack McEneny says the number of layoffs being talked about would be an "absolute disaster" for the Capital Region. [State of Politics]
In his state of the city speech, Jerry Jennings said Albany's fiscal outlook is "bleak" if it doesn't get more funding from the state (this is an ongoing issue -- the city has contended it should receive more money because so much of its land is tax exempt state property). Without the funding, the mayor says there will be significant cuts to services such as fire, police, and trash collection. Says Jennings of his friend Andrew Cuomo: "His leadership of our state gives me cause for hope because I know he is committed to the continued revitalization and success of our capital city." [WNYT] [CBS6] [TU]
The Buddhist org that's talked about investing $1 billion in the area around Amsterdam now says it's fed up with the way it's been treated -- and it's thinking about leaving. The World Peace and Health Organization invited to the media a tour of a property were piping and wiring had been removed -- the org says the theft was a hate crime (Amsterdam officials say the theft was probably just a regular robbery, not a hate crime). Prior to this incident, valuable Buddha statutes have been stolen from the org and it was the target of a weird road block allegedly constructed by a pizza chef. [CBS6] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU] [Fox23]
Reports: Cuomo looking to cut as many as 15k state jobs, plan would have SUNY campuses compete for funding, county legislator accused of felony forgery
Two reports this morning that the Cuomo administration is considering a plan that would cut as many as 15,000 state jobs. There's also talk of a "Tier VI" pension plan that would be more along the lines of a 401k than the current state employee pension. Also reportedly on the table: big cuts to public school funding and Medicaid. [NYT] [TU] [WSJ]
There continues to be talk that Cuomo is threatening to shut the state government down if he doesn't get the cuts he wants. [NY Post]
The state Senate passed a bill that moves the ball ahead (a little bit) on putting a spending cap into the state constitution. It also approved a bill that would require 2/3 vote in the legislature for new taxes. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli said this week that the state could be facing an $11 billion budget gap. [NYS OSC]
In the first-ever "State of SUNY" address, chancellor Nancy Zimpher unveiled a plan in which campuses for would compete for some types of funding, based on criteria such as research, student retention and degree completion. She also said the university system has the potential to create 40,000 jobs. [SUNY] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]
Albany beat patrols begin, Schenectady trying to rally support for taxing non-profits, cows roaming free in Glenville
The Albany Police Department's new neighborhood beat patrols began yesterday. Chief Steven Krokoff said in a statement that the beat officers "will be instrumental in reconnecting with the citizens of Albany." Here's a map of the beats. There are no beats west of Manning Blvd. [TU] [APD] [@TULocalPolitics]
The City of Schenectady is sending out a letter to other cities in the state in an effort to see if there's interest in mounting a campaign for state legislation that would cities to tax non-profits (this has has been an ongoing issue in Schenectady -- the mayor talked about imposing a "curb fee" on non-profits last year). [TU]
A handful of Saratoga County municipal entities will be getting money from a payment in lieu of taxes from the federal government for the Kesselring nuclear facility. [Daily Gazette]
The Committee to Save New York, the coalition of business leaders which has apparently been working in some sort of conjunction with Andrew Cuomo, will register as a lobbying group after all. [TU]
Whatever small sting Andrew Cuomo's top advisors felt from their five percent pay cut was probably soothed by the big bonuses he awarded them from his campaign fund. [State of Politics]
David Park's widow tells the TU she had filed her now-withdrawn lawsuit against the Buffalo-area homeowner who fatally shot her husband in order to get "access to information to understand and piece together the final minutes of my husband's life." [TU]
The Albany woman who suffered a heart attack the day after her husband and dog died in a house fire has passed away. [TU]
Snow and ice, Gibson says he'll vote to repeal health care reform, maybe your environmental issue needs more Ruffalo, company leaves newlyweds without wedding photos
The snow arrived early and now it's turning to sleet. Leave early. Take it slow. Icy, Snowy Apocalypse Watch | NWS radar
Andrew Cuomo, preaching transparency, has been not so transparent about the level of coordination going on between his administration and the group of business leaders he's helped assemble to push back against other interest groups in the state. [NYT]
Chris Gibson says he will vote Wednesday in the House to repeal the health care reform act. He says there are aspects of the legislation he'd like to keep -- and would have preferred a replacement bill would be ready for an immediate vote. [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette]
The widow of David Park, the Albany teacher shot and killed when he entered the wrong house in a Buffalo suburb last year, has dropped her wrongful death lawsuit against the homeowner. [Buffalo News]
The City of Albany has settled recently reached a $39k settlement in a civil rights lawsuit related to a 2007 arrest. [TU]
Obama visit to Schenectady rescheduled for Friday, Albany police sergeant accused of interferring with DWI stop, store accused of charging extra sales tax
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Update: Details on Obama's visit to Schenectady.
Barack Obama's visit to Schenectady has been rescheduled for this coming Friday. As in the previous plan, the President will tour the Schenectady GE site. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Andrew Cuomo is reportedly threatening to shut down the state government if the next state budget doesn't include a $10 billion cut in spending. [NY Post]
Albany police say a sergeant has been suspended after he allegedly interfered in a DWI stop early Saturday morning. The off-duty sergeant allegedly arrived on the scene of the stop and instructed the suspect to not cooperate with the arresting officer. The suspect allegedly refused field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer. [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23]
A statement given to Troy police by the Price Chopper employee who was allegedly groped by a Troy police officer details the alleged incident. The officer was off-duty at the time -- but wearing his Troy police uniform, which the department says he wasn't approved to do. [TU] [Troy Record]
A man and dog died in an Albany house fire late Friday afternoon (map). The next morning, the man's wife suffered a heart attack. [TU] [TU]
A Schenectady city councilman says he opposes the "I am gay" billboards that have gone up around the Capital Region because "This kind of billboard is putting the stamp of approval on a gay lifestyle." [TU]
The head of Albany's parking authority is talking about the possibility of allowing residential parking permits to be sold. [TU]
State Police dodge questions about raises, Troy police officer arrested, more plans for residential development in downtown Albany, someone's missing out on almost $49 million
The Albany snow emergency ended early -- it was canceled at 8 am this morning. [City of Albany]
A top State Police official dodged questions yesterday about the raises that he and other top officials got at the end of last year. [WNYT]
A Troy police officer has been arrested on charges that he inappropriately touched an employee at the Price Chopper in Lansingburgh while working there off-duty -- in uniform (the TPD says he wasn't authorized to do that). Troy police are moving to fire the officer. The head of the Troy PBA says the officer denies the charges. [Troy Record] [YNN] [WTEN] [Fox23]
An Albany man has been arrested on allegations he hired two men to abduct Steven Jackson, the man authorities say was kidnapped from a residence off New Scotland Ave so he could be interrogated about information related to a drug deal (in this case, reportedly 500 pounds of pot) (map). [TU]
Rensselaer County exec Kathleen Jimino says mandate reform has to be part of a property tax cap. She says 89 percent of the county's tax revenue goes toward state-mandated programs. [TU] [Troy Record]
Cuomo "shocked" by State Police raises, Gillibrand visits Giffords, Union College chips in, traffic stop allegedly turns up 27 jars of shrooms
Andrew Cuomo called the raises given to top State Police officials last month "problematic" and "insensitive." He said he was "shocked" when he heard about them. [WNYT] [TU] [Fox23]
We have now apparently entered the "muscle-flexing stage" of the state budget process. [TU]
Operators of the state's racinos -- including the one in Saratoga -- say they want the planned Catskills casino blocked because it will cost the state tax revenue and "may well spell the end of the New York horse racing industry." [TU] [Saratogian]
Kirsten Gillibrand was reportedly holding the hand of Gabrielle Giffords when the injured Arizona Congresswoman opened her eyes yesterday for the first time after the shooting. Gillibrand had flown to Tucson with Barack Obama and other officials for the memorial service. KG told reporters on Air Force One that she and her husband are friends with Gifford and her husband -- and recently went on a double date with them. [AP/CBS6] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
The state Board of Regents is changing curricula all the way down to the kindergarten level in an attempt to get high school students in the state better prepared for college. [TU]
The plan to re-organize Albany High School has prompted concerns that the school's honors classes will be watered down. [TU]
It snowed, Schumer says Capital Region is a "high-risk area" for terrorism, chicken law discussed in Albany, nation a Twitter about Jimmer
This just in: it's snowed. The snowfall total forecast for the Capital Region has been revised upward -- we're now looking at 10+ inches by the time the storm moves on (probably sometime this afternoon). A snow emergency has been declared in Albany, starting tonight (Wednesday) at 8 pm with parking on the EVEN side. Parking flips to the odd side Thursday at 8 pm. [NWS] [City of Albany email press release]
While appearing in Albany yesterday to push for increased domestic security funding, Chuck Schumer said the Capital Region is "a high-profile and thus high-risk area." Schumer criticized a cut in funding that would have helped pay for a radio system to allow emergency responders across the region to communicate with each other. [WTEN] [Troy Record] [TU]
State Police top brass got pay increases of as much as $28,000/year late last year in order to address a "pay inequity" caused when a union member achieved the rank of major, and thus would have made more than his supervisors. [WNYT]
Beth Whitman-Putnam was sworn in as fire chief in Gloversville last night -- she's the first female fire chief in the history of New York State. [WNYT] [Fox23]
Rotterdam police say a longtime Golub Corp. employee stole $300k from the supermarket company over the course of a decade. They allege the woman, who reportedly was in charge of the employee rewards program, skimmed extra gift certificates from the program. Investigators say they were able to pull data from the woman's use of her AdvantEdge card that allowed to them bring the alleged plot to light. [WNYT] [TU] [Fox23]
The Three Men discuss property tax cap, Clifton Park neighbors not so sunny about solar array, special delivery in Stillwater
"Collegiality" was the word of the day yesterday for Andrew Cuomo, as The Three Men convened in the Governor's Mansion for lunch. Though on his push for a property tax cap, Cuomo's collegial approach seems to be his way -- or else. Publicly, at least, that had Sheldon Silver retreating from his vow to link a tax cap with stronger rent control in NYC -- though it sounds like the Assembly is trying to influence the specifics of the cap. [State of Politics] [NYT City Room] [NYDN] [NY Post] [AP/Troy Record]
The highest-paid person in the Governor's office is not the governor, but Larry Schwartz -- the former top aide to David Paterson, who was not required to take the 5 percent pay cut. [TU]
The Capitol's newest greeter: Andrew Cuomo. [NY Post]
Neil Breslin is now the deputy leader of the Democratic minority in the state Senate. [TU]
The State Police say they won't release the record(s) they have related to Breslin's traffic stop last October. [TU]
King Modest, one of the lookouts during the Richard Bailey shooting, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Modest had taken a plea bargain and testified for the prosecution during the trial of the shooter, De Von Callicut. [YNN] [TU]
Obama visit to Schenectady postponed, 25 Troy employees make $101k or more, so much snow -- not enough tickets
The planned Barack Obama visit to Schenectady this Tuesday has been postponed because of the shooting in Arizona. The White House says it expects to reschedule the trip (a possible new date hasn't been released). Local officials were supportive of the decision -- and both Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson issued statements of sympathy for Gabrielle Giffords, their House colleague. [White House] [TU] [YNN] [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
Giffords' chief of staff, Pia Carusone, is a 1999 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School. She was in DC at the time of the shooting. [TU] [Troy Record]
The possible trade-off for getting the state Assembly to support a property tax cap? Stronger rent control in NYC. [NYT]
The median Capital Region rent was $833 in 2009 -- up 12 percent from 2007, according to Census Bureau data. [TU]
Thanks to overtime, the City of Troy had 25 employees that made more than 101k last year -- the mayor not among them. [TU]
Still few details about Obama's visit to Schenectady, first settlement in Raucci case, three accused of kidnapping man who's still missing and presumed dead
There are still few details about Barack Obama's visit to Schenectady next Tuesday, though the White House has now confirmed that he's actually coming. (Brian Stratton says he got the official word that President Obama would be visiting via a call on his mobile from the White House yesterday at 2 pm.) "Sources" are telling news outlets that the President will be visiting the GE campus, specifically the new battery plant being built there. Whatever the reason, local officials are chuffed. [WNYT] [YNN] [TU] [State of Politics] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Saratoga County Water Authority has filed a $27 million lawsuit against GE, arguing the PCB contamination of the Hudson River made the authority's construction of a new water system more expensive than it otherwise would have been. [TU] [Post-Star]
The Schenectady school district approved a $250k settlement for one of the former employees who says he was harassed by Steven Raucci. The district will pay 60 percent of that, insurance will cover the rest. There could be as many as five other cases up for settlement. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health report that almost 10 percent of the people near the LaFarge cement plant in Ravena had mercury levels that exceeded state and federal guidelines. The cement plant is one of the state's largest sources of mercury emissions, though the researchers say the can't yet say that the mercury in the study participants' bodies came from the plant. [Fox23] [TU]
Paul A. Walker Jr., the man convicted of shooting a pizza shop manager in Troy in 2009, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. [Troy Record]
Cuomo's State of the State gets positive reaction, Schenectady officials say they did what they could in fatal fire, SUNY schools praised for being good values
Andrew Cuomo's State of the State speech, described as both "emphatically pro-business and centrist" and "sobering - and occasionally soaring," appears to have been generally well received. [NYT] [NYDN] [TU]
The secondary storyline at the Capitol yesterday was the formation of an independent caucus by four Democratic senators who say they can't "in good conscience" support the current Democratic leadership in the chamber. (Republicans hold a 32-30 majority.) Jeff Klein, one of the breakaway senators, said Andrew Cuomo is "supportive" of the move. [TU] [AP/WNYT]
Schenectady public safety commissioner Wayne Bennett on how the body of Patrick Sheehan sat in a burned out house for weeks: "When four of the residents say we have no indication anyone else is in there, nobody is reported missing for at least two weeks and the property owner is saying the third floor is vacant, what other conclusion should we have made?" The landlord now denies that he ever told fire crews the third floor of the apartment building was vacant. Sheehan was reported missing when his brother came to the apartment on Christmas Day and saw that the building had been destroyed. Says Sheehan's brother: "Whether they could have saved him in time or not, I don't know. But they should have found his body much earlier." [YNN] [Fox23] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
State police say two of the five gunshot wounds on the man at the center of the hostage situation in Albany last month were self-inflicted (it appears state troopers hit him three times after he lowered his gun at them). [TU]
State of the State this afternoon, Saratoga family dealing with two tragedies, bars react to early close request, gravity -- and maybe vandals -- got the ball rolling
The State of the State speech is this afternoon at 1:30. Andrew Cuomo will deliver the speech not in the Assembly chamber, but in the ESP's convention center -- which some are reading as a Cuomo message to the legislature that he's now calling the shots. One other apparent addition to this year's speech: "a unique audio/visual presentation utilizing state-of-the-art graphics projected on at least three large screens." [Cuomo admin] [TU] [NY Post]
The Cuomo administration announced that it's picked Joseph Martens to head up DEC. Martens is presdent of the Open Space Institute and chair of the Olympic Regional Development Authority. Environmental groups seem happy with the pick. [Cuomo admin] [TU]
Cuomo has still not named a budget director -- and his administration seems to be slow in making selections for many top posts. [NYT]
State police say the pedestrian killed on the Northway Monday night in Wilton was Oleg Moston -- the grandfather of Nicholas Naumkin, the 12-year-old killed in an accidental shooting just before Christmas. Moston's daughter -- the boy's mother -- says Moston and his wife had visited the boy's grave shortly before the accident on the Northway. She said her parents don't drive, and they had been out running errands on foot. Police say they're not sure why Moston tried to cross the interstate, but it doesn't appear he walked into traffic on purpose -- they say he might have been disoriented. Moston was an accomplished professional pianist who had played at many institutions, most recently Skidmore and the Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Company. Said Moston's daughter after her father's death: "I don't know why this is happening to my family." [Post-Star] [CBS6] [TU] [Saratogian] [WNYT] [Fox23] [GFBD] [Daily Gazette]
Albany bar owners say they're reluctant to go along with Jerry Jenning's request to close at 2 am because the move will cause them to lose a significant amount of business. Meanwhile, it seems the APD is willing to name names about which establishments are regarded as problems. (And the story has prompted a whole lot of puns to be spilled.) [WNYT] [Fox23] [YNN]
Cuomo and other top officials taking pay cut, Jennings pushes for bars to close earlier, Sandra Lee visits local foodbank, cop accused of calling in false report, Troy time capsule missing
Andrew Cuomo announced that he's cutting his own pay by five percent -- that's almost $9k before taxes (and just a tiny speck in the $9 billion budget gap). Lieutenant governor Bob Duffy and other senior administration staffers will also take a 5 percent cut. New state AG Eric Schneiderman and comptroller Tom DiNapoli also say they'll follow suit. Cuomo said the state needs to cut spending and he wanted to lead by example. Said Dean Skelos of Cuomo's cut: "It has to be more than symbolism, it has to be action and results." [Cuomo admin] [TU] [Buffalo News] [NYDN] [NYT] [State of Politics]
Of course, this is all ahead of negotiations with the state employee unions about a pay freeze. Cuomo says he's "looking forward to sitting down at the table in a cooperative way with labor leaders all across the state." The union at least seem willing to talk -- said a CSEA spokesman: "Quite frankly, for the last two years, New York has really had a leadership vacuum in the Governor's office, so I see this as a very positive thing that he's trying to set a good tone." [YNN] [State of Politics] [WNYT]
State police say a pedestrian was killed last night while apparently trying to walk across the Northway between Exits 14 and 15 (map). They say the man was reportedly hit by a car, which stopped, then by two tractor trailers. The trucks reportedly kept driving. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [CBS6]
State police say a woman walking her dog in Nassau found the body of a man hanging from a tree. The man hasn't been identified, but East Greenbush police say there's a suspicion it's the man who's been missing since an alleged hit-and-run on 9 and 20 last September. [TU] [Troy Record]
Schenectady police have identified the body found by a demolition crew in the apartment building that burned down in December as Patrick Sheehan, the building tenant who had been missing. The SPD says it's treating the case like a possible homicide. Said Sheehan's brother: "I just want to know why he was dead on the couch for 21 days and no one knew. It's gross. It's just not right to die that way." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [WNYT]
Jerry Jennings is pushing for bars and restaurants in Albany to voluntarily close at 2 am. [TU]
Cuomo expected to push for state worker pay freeze, demo begins on old Troy city hall, 103 mph on the Northway, the Capital Region's first baby of 2011
New York State has a new governor: Andrew Cuomo (you may have heard of him). He took the oath of office New Year's Eve. In his inaugural address on New Year's Day, Cuomo said he approaches his job with "constructive impatience with the status quo of Albany" and:
"New York faces a deficit, a deficit that we talk about all day long: the budget deficit, the budget deficit. But it's actually worse. The state faces a budget deficit and a competence deficit and an integrity deficit and a trust deficit. And those are the obstacles we really face."
After the inaugural, Cuomo said he will carry through on the 900 state employee layoffs initiated by the Paterson administration and declared there will be "no new taxes, period." The Cuomo administration is requiring ethics training for staff members. And, in somewhat symbolic move, Cuomo has ordered the concrete barriers removed from the Capitol's south entrance and the opening of a hallway in the Capitol's executive suite. [NYT] [Cuomo admin] [TU] [State of Politics] [AP/Post-Star] [TU] [NYT]
Cuomo's first state of the state speech is this Wednesday. He's expected to push for a pay freeze for state employees and a property tax cap. [NYT] [NYDN]
While Cuomo has named a handful top administration officials, many top positions are still unfilled. Jerry Jennings was MC of the Cuomo inaugural -- and though there's speculation the longtime Cuomo friend will take a position in the administration, Jennings said last week: "I'm staying where I am." [NYT] [Fox23] [TU]
Saying a million dollar state grant was at risk, Harry Tutunjian pushed ahead with the demolition of the old Troy city hall Friday. The demolition defies an order by the city council to delay the action. [Troy Record] [TU]
Demolition crews discovered the body of a man Friday while taking down a Schenectady apartment building damaged by fire December 10 (map). The family of a building resident who's been missing fears the body is that of their missing brother. The building's landlord said he had originally been told that everyone made it out of the fire safely. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
There were a combined total of 12 homicides in Schenectady, Albany and Troy in 2010 -- 8 in Schenectady, and two each in Albany and Troy. [TU]
The number of hate crimes was down slightly last year in the Capital Region, compared to the year before. [Daily Gazette]
NYSTI board votes to close theater institute, GE says it will go along with phase 2 of dredging, demand up at local homeless shelters, Siena tops Georgia Tech
Aggregated links for the Albany hostage situation.
The NYSTI board voted unanimously to close the theater institute at the end of this year. The acting head of NYSTI had asked the board to allow the org to pursue a line of credit to keep it running with the hope that it would get funding in the next state budget. The chair of the board (who's also David Paterson's top aide) says NYSTI's assets will be put in escrow until the new administration decides what to do with them -- or the legislature dissolves the org. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
Andrew Cuomo has picked Joseph D'Amico, currently the head investigator in the state attorney general's office, to be the next State Police superintendent. [NYT]
GE says it has decided move along with the second phase of the Hudson River PCB dredging project under the guidelines recently laid out by the EPA. [AP/CBS6]
Concessions made by Schenectady firefighters in a new contract will head off 14 planned layoffs. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Western New York eyed for loss of House seats, police say students accused of racially motivated attack were drunk, police looking for another alleged big box store purse snatcher
After the Census Bureau reported yesterday that New York State will be losing two House seats, the talk is that the two seats will come from the western half of New York -- because the population in that part of the state is shrinking. The state legislature is in charge of drawing the districts -- and the fighting has already begun. [AOA] [NYT] [TU] [TU CapCon]
The campaign account David Paterson's been using to pay his legal fees (including his almost $1000/hour attorney) is almost empty. [NY Post]
Saratoga Springs police say the four Skidmore students accused of assaulting a man, in what police say was a racially-motivated attack, were intoxicated at the time of their arrest (they're all underage). Two of the students are members of the Skidmore basketball team. The students declined to comment after their arraignment yesterday. [Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star]
The Troy man accused of being involved in a stolen car chase last year that resulted in one person dying and two others being seriously injured has pleaded guilty. He faces 9 years in prison. [Troy Record] [TU]
Albany police say a five-year-old got away from his daycare center yesterday morning by unlocking a door (map). He was found wandering the neighborhood in his Sponge Bob Squarepants pajamas. Police say he was only gone for about 10 minutes. The owner of the daycare reportedly said she didn't know the boy had wandered off. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN] [Fox23]
More details in alleged Saratoga assault that police say was racially motivated, Paterson fined for Yankees tickets, proposal submitted for ShopRite on Central Ave
More details in the alleged assault in Saratoga Springs over the weekend that police say was racially motivated. Saratoga Springs police say four Skidmore students assaulted two men in Compton's around 5:30 Saturday morning. Police say the students -- all African-American or Hispanic -- questioned "why a black man was sitting with a white man and began taunting them and making racially derogatory statements toward the two" (not clear is what prompted this alleged exchange). One of the students is facing two felony charges, both marked as hate crimes, for allegedly smashing a plate over the head of one of the men. Police say the student told them after he was arrested: "Yeah, so I hit him with the plate. It's not like if he had the chance he wouldn't have hit me with the plate." There are conflicting reports about whether Skidmore is suspending the students. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [YNN] [CBS6]
David Paterson was fined a little more than $62k by the state Commission on Public Integrity for soliciting and accepting free Yankees World Series tickets. The commission says Paterson gave "false testimony" in the case, and that he "set a totally inappropriate tone by his dishonest and unethical conduct." An attorney for Paterson says the commission "wildly misrepresented the facts." [NYT] [TU] [NYS CPI] [Fox23]
An Albany Common Council override vote of the veto to funding for Public Bath No. 2 failed 8-6, during a sometimes heated meeting. Councilman Anton Konev -- a supported of the pool -- was not present because he was visiting family in Russia, and his request to vote via Skype was rejected. [Fox23] [WNYT] [TU]
The Saratoga County IDA has approved $111 million in sales tax exemptions for a possible future expansion of the GlobalFoundries chip fab. It seemed reluctant to offer tax exemptions to a "flex space" project in Malta that's apparently aiming to house GloFo suppliers. [Post-Star] [Post-Star]
Paterson worries about post-office life, possibility of state worker pay free raised, zoo sounds like it's been a zoo, mysterious green mist in Colonie, warning about foxes with distemper in Troy
David Paterson says he's concerned about how he'll make a living -- and how he'll generally get around -- after he leaves office. [NYT]
There's talk about the possibility of a pay freeze for state employees. [AP/Post-Star]
There's growing pressure for the City of Albany to cut back on the health benefits provided to police and fire department retirees. [TU]
Rules issued by the EPA for the next phase of the Hudson River PCB dredging project are aiming for more precise dredging and fewer re-supsended PCBs. If GE agrees to the rules, the project starts up again in May. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say man was shot multiple times Saturday night on Elk Street (map). The APD says the shooting appears to not be random and they're looking for two suspects. [Fox23] [CBS6]
Luke McDermott, a Marine from Westerlo, returned to a big welcome at ALB this weekend. McDermott lost parts of two legs during a roadside explosion in Afghanistan this past summer. [YNN] [Fox23]
Cuomo inauguration to be low-key, bar owner found not guilty in organizing Barnes attack, trash truck drivers looking out for crime
The Cuomo administration is planning a low-key inauguration. Andrew Cuomo and Robert Duffy will take their oats of office in private New Year's Eve and there will be a small swearing-in ceremony New Year's Day in a chamber at the Capitol known as "The War Room." Said a "Cuomo ally" about the plans: "They don't do anything without a message tied to it." [NYT] [TU] [NYDN]
The Cuomo administration has made its first agency head appointment: Dr. Nirav R. Shah will be the next state health commissioner. The press release describes Shah as an "expert in use of systems-based methods to improve patient outcomes." [NYU] [AP/CBS6] [State of Politics]
Former Union College president Roger Hull announced yesterday that he's running for mayor of Schenectady. Hull will be running with the support of the newly formed Alliance Party, which bills itself as an effort to end one-party Democratic Party rule in the city. As president of Union, Hull declined to make payments in lieu of taxes to the city because he said the school couldn't have been sure that money would have been spent wisely by the city. Current mayor Brian Stratton released a statement saying, basically, that it's too early to start talking about next year's mayoral race. [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [CBS6] [WTEN] [TU]
A jury found Timothy Rankins, the owner of Envy Lounge, not guilty of organizing the attack on Steve Barnes and a friend at Stuyvesant Plaza in 2008. Both of the men who admitted to carrying out the attack aren't getting jail time because of prosecutorial errors in one case, and in the other case, a deal cut for testimony in the Rankins case. Wrote Barnes on Table Hopping last night: "The most important and disturbing principle of this matter, of course -- whether the attacker was a pro fighter trying to impress friends by taking initiative or had been commissioned to do it -- is that someone judged violent reprisal to be the appropriate response to truthful journalism." Here's the post that apparently prompted the attack. [TU] [WNYT] [Table Hopping]
Paterson making the rounds in last days as governor, police warn of purse thefts in parking lots, rumors of Proctors/Cap Rep merger denied
David Paterson on his unplanned ascension to the governorship in 2008: "Next time I'm going to know when I become governor, and next time I want to be a governor with money rather than without it." He says becoming governor was the "Most exciting thing that happened to me in my life. Something that I never expected. And, a challenge, difficult, acrimonious at times, always a struggle." And on his record: "People may not agree with everything I've done, but I think we have governed carefully and expeditiously." [Troy Record] [YNN] [Daily Politics]
A state archivist says Paterson could have sent his papers to the state archive for free -- instead of spending $250k in state money to give them to Cornell. [TU]
The head of NYRA says NYC OTB's collapse could end up being good for horse racing in the state over the long term. At an Assembly hearing yesterday, there was discussion of consolidating the state's various OTBs in an effort to create efficiencies, though some say they're concerned about a loss of local control. [TU] [YNN] [Saratogian]
A former chef at Envy Lounge testified yesterday that owner Timothy Rankins had made threatening comments about Steve Barnes -- and said she called investigators a day after the attack. [TU]
Guilty verdict in Bailey murder trial, Saratoga County reportedly in talks to buy Luther Forest tech park, NYRA head says horses will run at Saratoga next season
A jury found De Von Callicut guilty in the murder of UAlbany student Richard Bailey. Said Bailey's father after the verdict: "A little closure came today ... I mean, it's never going to bring Rick back, but I guess that justice prevailed and we're ecstatic. We really are." [link digest] [TU]
Albany County exec Mike Breslin is now supporting the construction of a new county nursing home -- he had been pushing to permanently close the facility -- after reaching a deal with the county legislature. Breslin also rescinded an unannounced veto of the county budget. [Troy Record] [TU]
Saratoga County reportedly has "the framework of a deal" to buy the Luther Forest tech park, which would head of a state takeover of the campus. [Daily Gazette]
The state attorney general's office and the feds announced a criminal indictment of state senator Pedro Espada and his son for allegedly "stealing in excess of half a million dollars from Bronx clinics." The pair is accused of embezzling money to pay for a string of personal expenses and extravagances. The Espadas say they're innocent. Said Neil Breslin: "It's a reflection on us all [in the state Senate] and it's a sad day." Said state senator Liz Kruger: "I sometimes wonder how the criminal justice system can take so long when it all seems so obvious." Andrew Cuomo told reporters he "couldn't leave [the AG's] office on a better note." [NYS AG] [NYT] [State of Politcs] [WNYT] [NYDN] [State of Politics]
The mixed martial arts fighter accused of attacking Steve Barnes in 2008 testified yesterday that the hit was his idea -- and not that of bar owner Timothy Rankins. [TU]
A Schenectady family has boarded up its house after it's been serially terrorized by people shooting at their home with paint ball and BB guns. [Daily Gazette]
Jurors deliberating in Bailey murder case, Troy council overrides budget veto, museum says rare hood ornament stolen, police dog hears call of the shopping plaza
Richard Bailey murder trial Jurors will be back for another day of deliberation today. During closing arguments yesterday, prosecutor David Rossi cited boasts about the crime that De Von Callicut allegedly made in letters sent from prison. Callicut's attorney continued to try to cast doubt on prosecution witnesses, whose testimony she argued had been "bought and paid for." [YNN] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Troy city council voted to override the Harry Tutunjian's budget veto. The mayor had rejected the budget because of concerns it drained the city's contingency fund too low. Said Ken Zalewski, one of the council members who voted to override: "Residents in the city don't care about the contingency fund. They care about taxes and this budget keeps taxes as low as possible." [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Capital Region police officers have a go-to move after being pulled over for suspected DWI: refuse the blood alcohol test. [TU]
The criminal trial has started for Timothy Rankins, the Albany bar owner accused of setting up the attack on Steve Barnes at Stuyvesant Plaza in 2008. [TU]
The Paterson administration has confirmed that former top aide David Johnson, who's been accused of domestic violence, has been fired. Payroll records indicated Johnson was let go in mid-November. [NYT] [AP/YNN]
Closing arguments today in Bailey murder trial, Colonie salon's alleged recidivism rubs cops the wrong way, Albany schools face $5 million gap
Richard Bailey murder trial A handwriting expert testifying for the prosecution said the letters allegedly sent by De Von Callicut from prison did match Callicut's handwriting. Callicut's attorney called Ricardo Caldwell -- whom prosecutors said served as a lookout -- back to the stand as she argued that Caldwell and King Modest -- another alleged lookout -- were actually responsible for the shooting. Closing arguments in the case are scheduled for today. [TU] [Fox23] [Fox23]
A Rensselaer County court jury convicted Paul Walker Jr. for the shooting of a Hoosick Street pizza shop manager in June 2009. He faces up to 30 years in prison. [TU] [Troy Record]
The final list for state employee layoffs includes 891 people -- though not all of them will end up being let go. Both PEF and CSEA were predictably irked. [TU] [PEF] [CSEA]
Jerry Jennings vetoed the Albany budget amendments that funded Public Bath No. 2 and would have cut $95k in overtime. Of the public pool, the mayor said: "We're talking over $225,000 a year. And that's too much money to spend on a very small number of people that use it." [TU] [YNN]
A Colonie massage salon was busted for the third time on allegations of prostitution. Police say they're frustrated because the salon's owner managed to get out of the previous arrest with a $375 fine -- only $55 more than what cops spent on massages as part of a sting operation. Colonie officials say they're trying to figure out if they can shut the operation down some other way. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
Questions about why sex offender was released, letters at issue in Bailey murder trial, teen gets "bionic" hand, Andrew lives in Sandra's house
Keith Dare, the convicted sex offender accused of the Dove Street rape, was referred to the state's Office of Mental Health for review for possible civil confinement (holding a sex offender beyond their sentence). State officials say they can't release the reasons why Dare ended up getting released. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Richard Bailey murder trial Prosecutors called state prison officials to the stand as they prepared to introduce letters allegedly written by De Von Callicut in which he admits to the shooting. Callicut's attorney tried to raise doubts about the authorship of the letters -- and accused prison officials of tampering with evidence. [Fox23] [WNYT] [YNN] [TU]
While testifying in his defense yesterday, the man on trial for allegedly shooing a Troy pizza shop manager during a robbery last year said the idea that he would come to Troy from Queens to rob the store "doesn't even make any sense." [Troy Record]
Citing a steep reduction in the city's contingency fund, Harry Tutunjian has vetoed the budget passed by the Troy city council. Democrats on the council -- who have a 7-2 majority -- are expected to vote to override the veto. [Troy Record] [TU]
Rensselaer County exec Kathleen Jimino says the county will have to lay off 40 employees after the public employees union rejected a change in health insurance carriers. [WNYT] [YNN]
After its high school was tagged as a "persistently lowest achieving" school by the state, the head of the Schenectady school district says changes are already underway at the school. Albany High School was also on the list (again) -- the Albany schools superintendent says reforms at the school have already resulted in better attendance and grades. [AOA] [Daily Gazette] [CBS6]
Top state aide says closure of Saratoga is "definite possibility" because of NYC OTB mess, arrest in Dove Street rape, Jimmer doesn't disappoint in homecoming
State horse racing industry officials were scrambling yesterday in reaction to the closure of the NYC OTB. Top Paterson admin aide -- NYC OTB chairman -- Larry Schwartz said the closure of the Saratoga Race Course is a "definite possibility" because of the OTB failure. NYC OTB represented almost half of the amount bet in the state on horses -- and contributed about half of NYRA's purse money. Hugh Farley said state Senate Republicans are working on a bill that will "take care of the OTB in New York City, the OTBs in upstate and it will take care of NYRA." Of course, Farley also said this week he would have "probably voted for" the NYC OTB bill that failed in the state Senate, but he didn't cast a vote because he was late. [TU] [TU CapCon] [NYT] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [State of Politics]
Albany police say they've arrested a convicted sex offender for last week's Dove Street rape. They say DNA evidence on file connected Keith Dare to the crime. Dare was convicted of raping a woman in 1989 and served a full 21 year sentence -- he was released this past June. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [WNYT]
Richard Bailey murder trial: the two alleged accomplices to De Von Callicut testified yesterday about their recollection of the events the night Bailey was murdered. Callicut's attorney suggested that one of the alleged accomplices was actually the shooter. Another prosecution witness, who said Callicut showed up at his house the night of the murder and admitted to firing a shot, offered inconsistent testimony. [TU] [WNYT] [TU]
Worries about state racing industry after NYC OTB bill fails, survey concludes cars on many streets around ESP are from commuters, it's Jimmer time
The measure that would have propped up NYC OTB failed to pass during a vote in the state Senate yesterday. The vote tally was 29-21 against -- and if you're scoring at home, that means 10 senators did not vote. Among the non-votes: Hugh Farley, who said he was "a little bit late" because he had been talking to Dean Skelos. The chairman of the NYC OTB said the org is "out of business" because of the vote and could leave the state on the hook for the org's $600 million in liabilities. An official with state racing and wagering board described the effect of the OTB's closure on the state's racing industry as "a boulder hitting the pond" and every part of the state's racing industry will experience adverse impacts. The OTB owed NYRA more than $25 million. Senate Democratic majority leader John Sampson called the bill's failure "the nail in the coffin for the racing industry in the entire state of New York." [TU] [State of Politics] [TU CapCon] [NYDN] [NY Post] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [State of Politics]
During opening arguments of the Richard Bailey murder trial, the attorney for De Von Callicut -- the alleged shooter -- tried to cast doubt on the truthfulness of the prosecution's witnesses, which include three associates of Callicut. Her opening statement was also interrupted by the prosecution with an objection after she said that Albany police department's investigation of the case considered "every criminal in the Albany area, who was also black, a suspect." During its opening the statement, the prosecution said Callicut had gone on a robbery spree for "free money" after losing money playing dice. [WNYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
An APD spokesman says "stranger on stranger" rapes, such as two recent crimes on Dove and Quail, are "very, very rare" in the city. [TU]
During the trial of one of the men accused of robbing a Troy pizzeria at gunpoint last year, the shop's manager described being shot a combined six times by the two assailants -- including four times in the eye. [Troy Record] [TU]
A survey of streets around the ESP by the City of Albany Traffic Engineering Division concludes that many of the cars parked there during the day belong to commuters. On some streets, more than half cars were tagged as belonging to commuters. [TU] [ACO]
Grad student accused of having dangerous chemicals says he had nothing to hide, trial starts in Bailey murder, Soares sued for $75 million, did Cuomo eat a piece of New York?
Jason Sanchez, the RPI grad student arrested last week after Bethlehem police said they found dangerous chemicals in his apartment's basement, took the Times Union on a shopping trip to Lowe's to demonstrate that he had "nothing to hide" and that the chemicals were easily obtainable. [TU]
The Albany County legislature approved a budget that includes a five percent property tax increase and 33 layoffs. Legislators also approved a bill that would move the ball forward on building a new county nursing home (county exec Mike Breslin has been opposed to building a new facility). [TU] [Fox23]
The union that reps Albany police officers has gone to court against the city to protest a shift in work schedules related to the department's new community policing initiative. Officers were scheduled to start walking new beats this Friday. [TU] [CBS6]
Opening arguments are scheduled to start today in the trial of De Von Callicutt, the man accused of killing UAlbany student Richard Bailey in 2008. The jury consists of 10 women and 2 men. [TU] [YNN]
Albany police say a UAlbany student was raped by an unknown attacker early Sunday morning on Quail Street (map). An APD spokesman says there's "not enough to go on" to believe this attack is connected to last week's rape on Dove Street. He also urged people to be cautious: "Trying to reinforce, 3:30 in the morning, 21-year-old female should not be out walking alone." [CBS6] [WNYT] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [YNN]
Republicans appear to have taken back state Senate, shooting in night club on Pearl Street, bells ring after a ton of crap, UAlbany tops Siena in OT
It appears Republicans will take back control of the state Senate during the next session. The Republicans are claiming a 32-20 majority after a judge denied the request for a recount in a Long Island race. The new apparent organization of the legislatures has prompted speculation that Andrew Cuomo will now have an easier time pushing his budget plans with Republicans controlling the Senate. Dean Skelos -- the will apparently be the once-again majority leader -- basically said as much this weekend: "Cuomo and I are in synch ... His issue is going to getting Speaker Silver on board." [NYT] [State of Politics] [NYT] [NY Post]
A "source close to Cuomo" says the administration is planning an "austere" inaugural ceremony. [NY Post]
Last week while he urged the legislature to make cuts to close the current year budget gap, David Paterson was approving more than $16 million in state grants. [TU]
As the economy continues to scuffle, local counties are seeing big increases in the number of people relying on Medicaid and other public assistance. [Troy Record]
Albany police say two people were shot in the leg early Saturday morning in a Pearl Street night club (map). Police say there was one shooter. No arrests have been made. [Fox23] [WNYT] [WTEN]
Schenectady pension reforms proposed, GloFo pushing for more tax breaks, Corning Tower observation deck to close Saturdays, Don Weeks signs off
Brian Stratton says overtime payments for Schenectady city managers have been frozen and he's proposed a plan to reform the city's pension system. Stratton also says fire chief Robert Farstad will retire with the pension he was originally scheduled to receive (it was a plan to pad Farstad's pension that set off this whole episode). [YNN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Jerry Jennings said today on TALK 1300 that he would probably veto some of the amendments to the budget approved this week by the common council. [TU Local Politics]
GlobalFoundries is trying to get more substantial breaks on sales tax for machinery at the Luther Forest chip fab. This week a GloFo rep said: "We're constantly looking at our global options and taxes are a huge issue when it comes to cost competitiveness." [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Mary Jane Vautrin, the Ballston Spa woman convicted of stabbing her husband while he slept last year, was sentenced to nine years in prison. During his statement in court before the sentencing yesterday, her husband said he still loved her and asked: "Why would you want me dead?" The attack was allegedly part of a plot to cash in on a life insurance plan. [Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star]
Said John Pikus, who's retiring from heading-up the local FBI field office, of the sting against Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain: "We had to do whatever we can to identify if this individual was a threat to the United States." He said the number one issue in the area his office covers is public corruption. [YNN] [CBS6]
Grad student arrested in Delmar hazardous chemicals case, disputed budgets in Rensselaer County and Troy, state projected to lose Congressional seats, Hannah's Hope alleges fraud in grant voting
Bethlehem police say they've arrested Jason Sanchez following the discovery of a group of dangerous chemicals in the basement of his Delmar apartment building Tuesday. Police say experts told them the chemicals "represented an extreme danger to people." They say they also found a commercial-grade vacuum chamber in the basement. Sanchez is a grad student at RPI. His brother was badly burned in an explosion at a house in Delmar last December. [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT] [Troy Record] [CBS6]
The long-term unemployment benefits of 9,000 people in the Capital Region will run out at the end of December. [TU]
Yesterday on WFAN, David Paterson said being governor has been "very challenging, very difficult, very painful at times." And he said of the legislature: "I think the caliber of people I work with in Albany 25 years ago, and I am sorry to say this, is far superior than it is now." [Daily Politics] [State of Politics]
Paterson reportedly looked into bringing a bill to legalize same-sex marriage up during the recent lame-duck special session, but apparently couldn't find enough support in the legislature. [NYT]
Kirsten Gillibrand says WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange should be "thrown in jail for a very long time." [State of Politics]
The Rensselaer County legislature passed a 2011 county budget that includes a 2.5 percent tax increase last night -- but the minority is arguing the budget didn't get enough votes. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Troy City Council approved a budget that includes 1.9 percent tax increase -- and the last minute "stealth" re-allocation of $300k from the city's contingency fund. [WNYT] [Troy Record]
WTEN reports Jerry Jennings will veto the budget passed by the Albany Common Council because it includes funding to keep Public Bath No. 2 open. [WTEN]
Cuomo says legislature "failed the people of New York," hazmat team called for chemicals at Delmar apartment, Albany school district now advertising for students, fish eggs in spaaaaccceee
After apparently making nice with Assembly Democrats during lunch, Andrew Cuomo then told reporters outside that the legislature "failed the people of New York" for "kick[ing] the can down the road" by not doing anything at this week's special session about the $315 million current year budget gap. [Daily Politics] [TU] [YNN]
The hazmat team was called to an apartment complex in Delmar yesterday after "suspicious-looking" chemicals were found in the basement (map). A "law enforcement sources" say that the older brother of the teen burned during a house explosion last December in Delmar was experimenting with the chemicals in the basement. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT] [Fox23]
Albany police say they're investigating the rape of a woman in her apartment Monday morning around 9:30 on Dove Street near Washington Ave (map). They say the woman reported answering her door and the man pushed his way into her apartment and attacked her. The APD says there doesn't seem to be a previous connection between the woman and the attacker. [WTEN] [YNN] [Fox23]
The EPA is investigating whether there was an "air release" of radioactive material during a demolition project at the Knolls Atomic Power Lab in Niskayuna in September. [TU]
The Saratoga Springs city council passed a budget that includes a 4.45 percent property tax increase. [Saratogian]
State legislature doesn't take up deficit reduction, Albany Common Council passes budget, judge says alleged admission in Bailey murder should be tossed, woman has 300+ Barbies
The state legislature did not take action to close the $300something million current year budget gap during yesterday's not-so-special session. Senate Democrats blamed the lack of action on the Paterson administration, saying they didn't have enough time to review the deficit reduction bills. The Paterson administration said the legislature was just "making excuses to push this year's responsibility further into the future." Said Roy McDonald of the failure to act: "... if I were the public, I would say to us, 'Don't go home. Stay right here. Work through the holidays. Welcome to the real world!'" [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [NYT] [Fox23]
Also not taken up during the special session: a measure to prop up the bankrupt NYC OTB. The betting operation could shut down as early as Friday -- and could result in a significant loss of revenue for the state's horse racing industry. [State of Politics] [NY Post] [TU]
After a marathon session, the Albany Common Council passed a budget that includes a 2 percent tax increase includes a 7.5 percent tax increase, 34 projected layoffs and saves Public Bath No. 2. Jerry Jennings has said he'd veto the budget if it includes funding for the public pool. [ACO] [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23] [@TULocalPolitics]
Special session expected to be anything but, Colonie EMS improves heart attack survival rates, push to finish projects for tax credits, a proposal in lights
The legislature is back today for the special session called by David Paterson to address the $300something million current year budget gap. Another issue up today: the impending shutdown of NYC OTB. It sounds like not much will come of the session, though. (In part because so many legislators are irked at Paterson.) [TU] [AP/CBS6] [State of Politics] [NYDN]
Andrew Cuomo and Sheldon Silver have reportedly been holding "several" "peacemaking" meetings. [NY Post]
Jonathan Lippman -- the state's top judge -- is expected to push for a $100 million increase in the budget for providing legal services to the poor in civil cases. [NYT]
Colonie EMS has increased its heart attack survival rates over the last few years by incrementally introducing new techniques, including therapeutic hypothermia. [TU]
Paterson and Cuomo appear to be collaborating, another turn in Schenectady overtime story, dogs found in Troy apartment appear to have been invovled with fighting
The weather forecast over the next few days: now through Thanksgiving day looks to be cold, but OK. Thanksgiving night through Saturday morning includes a chance of rain mixed with snow. Traffic info from 511. [NWS] [511NY]
Based on his agenda for the upcoming special session of the legislature, it appears David Paterson is collaborating with Andrew Cuomo. (He is "almost Mr. Cuomo.") [TU] [State of Politics]
State racing industry officials say they're concerned about what effect the proposed Catskills casino could have on the Aqueduct racino, which is project to provide a stream of funding for the state's racing industry. [Saratogian]
Albany County legislators say they've found a way to cut the proposed tax increase from 15 percent to 5 percent -- though county exec Mike Breslin questions the numbers. [WNYT]
Members of Schenectady's city council say it appears many past top officials in the city's police and fire departments routinely increased their pensions through extra overtime in the year ahead of retirement. Of the recent council outrage about overtime for the current fire chief, Brian Stratton says the city council had been notified about the extra time (the council says it didn't know). [Daily Gazette] [WNYT]
Cuomo says staffed-but-empty facility is symbol of state's problems, alleged hydroponic pot operation busted in Albany, retail stores opening on Thanksgiving this year
After touring the empty -- but still staffed -- state Tryon Residential Center for boys in Johnstown yesterday, Andrew Cuomo called the facility a symbol of the state's problems. "We're paying 30 staff people to babysit an empty building," he said. The facility is still staffed because of a state law that requires a one year closure notice for such facilities -- a law that Cuomo says needs to be changed. [TU] [YNN] [NYDN] [NY Post]
Cuomo on next year's state budget, projected to have a $9-$10 billion gap: "All the choices will be hard choices next year." [YNN]
A federal draft report obtained by the Times Union concludes that workers for the contractor at the Knolls Atomic Power lab that was allegedly responsible for the radioactive spill into the Mohawk felt pressured to ignore safety issues in order to get their work done faster. Federal officials say the contractor could be fired. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Chuck Schumer on getting federal approval for the deal that would open the way for a proposed casino in Sullivan County: "I will use what clout I have in Washington to make them say yes." [TU]
Layoff letters go out to state employees, Cuomo pushing for current year cuts, Dino founder says opening in Troy was a delight, baffling beavers
Layoff letters have gone out to almost 900 state employees whose positions are scheduled to be cut at the end of this year. [AP/Post-Star]
Andrew Cuomo will reportedly press the legislature to approve David Paterson's plan to cut $315 million from the current year state budget. [NY Post]
Nearly two-thirds of New York State's natural gas transmission lines were installed before 1970 using a lower-quality welding technique no longer widely used. [TU]
An increase in the Albany County sales tax appears to be off the table -- though the legislature and county exec Mike Breslin are still have significant differences on the budget. [TU]
GlobalFoundries continues to make unhappy noises, Stratton trieds to defend chief's overtime, rumors of more Chipotles and Fresh Markets
The Empire State Development Corporation has released more than $8.5 million for infrastructure at the Luther Forest tech park. The money was originally slated to go to the org that runs the tech park, but the state instead redirected the money to the Town of Stillwater in order to "allow for the completion of these critical infrastructure projects at the campus and the GlobalFoundries project to move forward." The ESDC recently moved to take over the park after GloFo raised concerns about infrastructure delays at the site. The company is now making noises that the delays, and issues related to taxes and inspections, could lead it look elsewhere if it decides to build two more chip fabs. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo -- in his role at state attorney general -- announced two lawsuits against high profile hedge fund manager Steven Rattner, as part of the investigation into the "pay to play" scandal with the state pension fund. Cuomo said Rattner "is in many ways the worst example of this fraud." A Rattner spokesman alleged that Cuomo has been spinning the press on the case through "continual improper leaks." Rattner headed the federal task force that re-organized GM and Chrysler. [TU] [State of Politics] [NYT]
Former state DEC commissioner Pete Grannis got a hero's reception a state assembly committee yesterday, with one assemblyman saying Grannis was "fired for telling the truth" in a leaked memo about the consequences of job cuts at the agency. The new acting head of DEC also testified, saying that two years of jobs cuts at agency will result in slower responses. [WNYT] [TU] [YNN]
Brian Stratton says he instituted the now-cancelled overtime pay plan for Schenectady fire chief Robert Farstad, without the consent of the city council, to "provide equity and fairness to the chief." Stratton said he intended to give the chief $117,000 over the next year because he said that Farstad wasn't in line to get what he was actually owed because of the setup of the pension system. One city council member called it "a dirty, secret deal and nothing more than pension padding." [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [CBS6] [WTEN]
Delmar doctor to get Medal of Freedom, ALB could get full body scanners next year, Paterson calls legislature back, new supermarket chain reportedly headed to Albany
Tom Little -- the Delmar optometrist who was killed in Afghanistan while doing humanitarian work -- will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama. It's the nation's highest civilian honor. This year's group of recipients also includes Warren Buffett, Maya Angelou, George H. W. Bush, Bill Russell and others. [TU] [CBS6] [Whitehouse]
The National Weather Service says a tornado touched down in Ghent in Columbia County Wednesday morning. The NWS says the storm was an EF1 on a the scale for tornadoes (that's on the low end). A woman in Ghent says it sounded like a jet engine or a freight train. [TU] [Fox23] [YNN]
Albany County prosecutors allege a Colonie woman fraudulently received $100,000 in welfare and social security benefits. She showed up for her arraignment with a LV purse and told reporters she didn't do anything wrong before riding off in a Lincoln Navigator. [CBS6] [TU] [YNN]
The gang database that the City of Albany's gang prevention specialist said he created... apparently does not exist. [TU]
The org that backs Albany's charter schools wants to rearrange its finances using tax-free public financing. [TU]
ALB could get the new full-body scanners sometime next year. [Troy Record]
Federal prosecutors aim for new trial for Bruno, state's high court hears case about golf etiquette, Troy taking bids for city hall demo, again no skating at ESP
Federal prosecutors said in a letter to Joe Bruno's attorney that recent Supreme Court rulings make a reversal of Bruno's conviction "appropriate." But they also indicated they could attempt to re-try Bruno, arguing there's enough evidence to convict him -- even under the new interpretation by the Supremes. The feds are asking Bruno to drop his appeal and head straight to a new trial -- a move Bruno's camp has already turned down. [State of Politics] [NY Post] [TU] [NYT] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
An Indian tribe from Wisconsin is reportedly close to deal with the state to open a full-fledged casino in the Catskills. The deal could mean hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue each year for the state. [NYT] [TU]
More than 200 state DEC employees have received letters warning of potential layoffs. [TU]
Saratoga County DA James Murphy has turned down the role of special prosecutor in the Signature Pharmacy steroids case. An Albany County court judge had tried to appoint Murphy to the role after disqualifying Albany County DA David Soares. [YNN] [TU]
The state Court of Appeals heard a case yesterday in which the question was whether a golfer should be liable if he doesn't yell "fore" before taking a shot and the ball hits someone. Oral arguments yesterday included a discussion of what constitutes a shank. [TU] [WNYT]
Soares bumped from steroids case, state budget gap widens, State Museum to close on Sundays, men accused of stealing from Holiday Lights in the Park display
An Albany County judge has dismissed the indictment against the five pharmacy operators from Florida involved in the Signature Pharmacy steroids case -- and ruled that Albany County district attorney David Soares should be bumped from the case because the defendants' federal civil case against Soares created a conflict of interest. The judge named Saratoga County DA James Murphy as special prosecutor for the case. In a statement, Soares said the judge's decision is "a get out of jail free card for every criminal defendant in New York State. His message to defendants is: 'if your DA is being too tough on you, sue him, and you can get a new one.'" An attorney for the defendants says the case was a publicity stunt that shouldn't have been prosecuted in New York. [NYT] [TU] [CBS6] [YNN] [WNYT]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli reports that the state's current year budget gap is almost $1 billion -- three times the size projected by the Paterson admin. And his office figures next year's budget gap is about $9.5 billion. Next year's budget puzzle is even harder to put together because of the loss of federal stimulus money. [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics] [TU]
The State Museum will be closed on Sundays next year because of budget cuts, according to a memo obtained by the Times Union. [TU]
The family of the RPI student found dead in his Troy apartment from a gunshot wound in 2008 are suing city police for details from the still-open investigation. [TU]
Four Loko is reportedly "flying off the shelves" of local stores after word of the impending voluntary ban in the state. Stewart's says it pulled the beverage from its stores Tuesday morning. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Cuomo names RFK Jr. to transition team, Jackson no longer highest paid president, money stolen for scholarship in honor of fallen soldier
Andrew Cuomo has named his former brother-in-law, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to his transition team. [State of Politics]
Chuck Schumer is calling for a federal investigation into the lead content in reusable grocery bags. [AP via WTEN]
New York won't be prosecuting Joe Bruno for allegedly using state employees for personal business, in spite of a proposal by the U.S. Attorney's office.[TU]
40 New York State security guards will lose their jobs as part of state worker layoffs. [The State Worker]
The absentee ballots have been counted in the race for the 109th Assembly seat and Bob Reilly held on to his job by 542 votes. [TU]
Newly elected Congressman Chris Gibson is preparing to represent the 20th congressional district. Among other moves, Gibson hired a former aide to Jerry Solomon -- who held the 20th Congressional District seat for 20 years. [TU]
Mario Cuomo won't go on CNN because of Elliot Spitzer. [NY Observer]
Cuomo names transition team, Mark Ruffalo leads anti-fracking rally at UAlbany, Pastor Charlie gets $30 thousand from Sears, Two Saratoga Co. Soldiers honored, 109th Assembly results expected today, " Taps composer Union alum
Andrew Cuomo named his Lt. Governor elect to lead his transition team. Robert Duffy will lead a bi-[artisan team that includes former Comptroller Carl McCall and Republican Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney. Cuomo also named members of a new committee to advise him on the budget. That team includes Home Depot Founder Ken Langone -- a guy Elliot Spitzer allegedly told he wanted to "drive a stake" through his heart."
Cuomo also named all four leaders of the state legislature to a committee for personnel search committee. [CBS6, AP, NY Observer, ]
On a NYC radio program yesterday Andrew Cuomo said he would support hydrofracking if it was safe for the watersheds and created jobs. [Fox23]
Meanwhile here in Albany, vocal anti-fracker, and Western NY native, actor Mark Ruffalo held a Fracking Awareness rally at UAlbany.[YNN]
Kirstin Gillibrand was in Afghanistan yesterday, talking about women's rights with Hamid Karzai. [CBS6]
Crime may be up in Albany, but in some neighborhoods, violent crime is down.[TU]
Two fallen soldiers were honored yesterday in Saratoga County. The names of David Taylor Miller and Major John Paul Pryor were added to the Saratoga County Veterans monument at the Saratoga National Cemetary. [YNN]
Victory Church Pastor Charlie Muller got a $30 thousand check from Sears yesterday for the Albany Boys and Girls Club on Delaware Avenue. [CBS6]
Cuomo says state can't employ workers "who literally have no function," syndrome continues to devastate bat populations, alleged theft of pricy cat reportedly the result of valium
Today is Veteran's Day.
In a video message scheduled to play around the state today, Andrew Cuomo reiterated many of his familiar talking points (clean up government, no higher taxes) and said he would "lift the veil of secrecy that is now around Albany." [embedded above]
After touring a prison yesterday, Cuomo said: "I understand the economic consequences of losing state jobs. The answer can't be we are going to employ state workers who literally have no function." The state's prison population is declining and Cuomo is expected to push for the closing of some facilities. [AP/WSJ] [NYT]
The uncertain balance of the state Senate is casting doubt (well, even more) on the outcome of David Paterson's proposed special session to close the current year budget gap. [TU]
With David Paterson on his way out and shifting majorities at the federal and state level, some African-American Democrats in the state are lamenting what they see as a loss of influence. [NYT]
As absentee ballots were county in the Assembly race between incumbent Bob Reilly and challenger Jennifer Whalen, it appears that Reilly will hold on for the win. [WNYT]
Yesterday during the trial of Bruce Vroman, the man who allegedly threw him into a bonfire in East Greenbush, Derek George testified that Vroman said before the alleged incident: "I'm a crazy redneck. We do crazy s..." [Troy Record]
Records and interviews suggest that Marci Webber -- the Nassau woman accused of killing her four-year-old daughter in Illinois -- suffers from mental illness. [TU]
Cuomo calls for "re-design" of state programs, questions about radioactive spill, an upgrade to "reverse 911," Malta looks to control growth, where's the pumpkin?
During a joint appearance with David Paterson yesterday in Manhattan (live blog), Andrew Cuomo reiterated that he does not see higher taxes as a way out of the state's budget problem: "You have no economic future if New York is the tax capitol of the Nation. It's that simple. Raise taxes, raise revenues, that's not the answer." Instead, he called for "program re-design," asserting that "there's plenty of waste and there's plenty of fraud and there's plenty of abuse" in the operation of the state. Paterson said he was confident Cuomo would do a good job as governor: "If he had walked in with a baseball bat, I might've thought a little differently." [David Paterson Flickr] [Daily Politics] [YNN] [TU CapCon] [NYT]
The judge in the evidence tampering case against Jeffrey Hampshire, who was allegedly involved in the fatal hit-and-run in downtown Saratoga on St. Patrick's Day, has declared a mistrial after a police detective mentioned a prior investigation of Hampshire during her testimony. Saratoga County DA James Murphy says his team made it "crystal clear" the detective was not to mention to Hampshire's history. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU]
Detectives from Illinois were in Rensselaer County on Monday searching for evidence as part of the investigation into Marci Webber, the Nassau woman accused of killing her daughter in a Chicago suburb. They left yesterday after reportedly collecting evidence at the woman's home. [Troy Record] [TU]
Cohoes mayor John McDonald says the city wasn't alerted by officials about the radioactive spill into the Mohawk River from the Knolls Atomic Power Lab. An official with the federal Department of Energy says the contractor working to decommission the portion of the KAPL site from which the spill originated could be fired. [TU] [NYT]
Cuomo says raising taxes not on the table, Albany County considers sales tax increase, reported abduction attempt near RPI, 96-year-old donates e-readers to fellow nursing home residents
The official snowfall total yesterday: 1.3 inches. [NWS]
At a conference in Puerto Rico, Andrew Cuomo said raising taxes is not an option for closing the state's $9 billion budget gap. [NY Post]
Swirling rumor at the conference: that an attempt to overthrow Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver might be simmering (with or without Cuomo's hand at work). Silver seemed unimpressed by the rumors. [NY Post] [NYT] [NYDN]
David Paterson line at the conference: "Before we hear from the governor-elect, we will hear from the 'governor reject.'" [YNN]
The DEC says more than 600 gallons of radioactive water spilled from the Knolls Atomic Power Lab site in Niskayuna into the Mohawk last month. [TU]
Up for discussion at the Albany County legislature meeting: a potential .5 percent sales tax increase. Legislators say the increase would fill $28 million of the county's $40 million budget gap. The bill was sent to committee where it could sit for months. [WTEN] [CBS6] [TU]
In the face of a "mountain of proof," 13 alleged members of one of Albany's most notorious gangs are expected to plead guilty. [TU]
Troy police say a woman reported that two men tried to abduct her near the RPI campus early Sunday morning (map). They say the woman was able to get away and run for help. [Troy Record] [YNN]
The Greenfield man charged with stabbing his mother and brother in January has taken a plea deal and expects to get 7 years in prison. [Post-Star]
Rensselaer County woman charged with daughter's death in Illinois, report concludes excavation caused Albany row house collapse, Cuomo a tough boss, local chef comes up just short on Food Network
A Rensselaer County woman has been charged with the murder of her four-year-old daughter in Illinois. She's accused of stabbing the child and then trying to kill herself last week. Prosecutors say the woman told police she killed her daughter to keep from being sold as a sex slave. [TU] [Troy Record] [Chicago Tribune]
The state Commission on Judicial Conduct found that former Saratoga County Family Court Judge Gilbert Abramson demonstrated "profound disregard for the rule of law" and "continuing insensitivity to the overriding importance of protecting the rights of litigants." In one case, the commission says a man served 268 days in jail after being sentenced by Abramson without counsel and without a hearing. Abramson resigned last month after losing a Republican party primary for the position. The commission says he would have been removed if he hadn't resigned. [NYSCJC] [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette]
Troy police say they're investigating an apparent shooting in South Troy early Saturday morning (map). Police say they had gotten a tip that something was about to go down in the area. [Troy Record] [WTEN]
Saratoga County DA James Murphy says law enforcement officials were able to bust a ring allegedly responsibly for more than 60 burglaries in the Capital Region. He says police got their break when a 62-year-old Ballston Spa woman followed a man who allegedly broke her house. As the woman said: "He was surprised that I was chasing him." [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT]
An engineering report on the collapse of the row house on Madison Ave in Albany this past August concludes excavation for construction on the adjacent lot was responsible for the collapse. Earlier: photos from the collapse [TU]
Notification letters have started to go out to state employees about layoffs. [TU]
Cuomo aims to change tone at Capitol, state Senate situation could be "interesting," GloFo worried about backup water supply, Albany neighbors concerned about new dorm
In his first interview since Election Day, Andrew Cuomo told Fred Dicker on Talk 1300 (mp3) that his priority is to change the "rampant negativity and dysfunction" at the Capitol. But: "If someone wants to say everything should change on day one, I'm going to say, 'Been there, done that.'" (Spitzer dig) Dicker also asked about Jerry Jennings as a potential OGS commissioner (Jennings and Cuomo are friends) -- Cuomo said Jennings is a "very talented guy" who "could do anything he wants to do" -- but probably wants to stay mayor. [TALK1300] [NYDN] [Fox23] [CBS6] [WTEN]
Control of the state Senate is still up in the air, although it looks like the chamber could be headed for a 31-31 tie. That situation could lead to quite a bit of chaos as each side tries to pull members from the other. Said Ruben Diaz, who caucuses with the Democrats (well, usually), to Jimmy Vielkind: "It's going to be very interesting to see what Senator Diaz will do. Believe me." (Also, Carl Kruger: apparently no longer an amigo.) The potential tie also has both sides reading up on the tie breaking rules. [State of Politics] [TU CapCon] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
The state is facing a $315 million gap in the current year budget, and David Paterson wants to bring the legislature back to fix it -- but legislators seem less than enthusiastic about taking it up the cuts before Cuomo becomes governor. [CBS6] [TU]
The Troy city council's override of a mayor veto sets them up to again have to the power to block demolition of the old city hall. The move prompted accusations of thumb twiddling and stubborness. Harry Tutunjian says he's still going to solicit bids for the building's demolition. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [YNN]
Also up for discussion at last night's Troy city council meeting: the ongoing Facebook page drama, which prompted dueling accusations of shame and a post-meeting confrontation that had to be broken up. [UStream] [TU]
The Colonie town board approved a budget that includes a 7 percent tax increase. [TU]
Cuomo transition underway, control of state Senate unclear, complaints about privacy in new voting setup, deer crashes through window of vet's office
The Cuomo administration transition is already underway. The governor-elect has said his administration would make a big push on many of its initiatives during its first six months. [NYT] [TU]
The makeup of the state Senate -- and who controls it -- won't be known until at least next week. It looks like Republicans could very well take the majority, or at least tie with the Democrats. [TU] [NYT]
Even though the smaller "third" parties got many more votes this year, only the Green Party was able to secure the 50k need for an automatic ballot spot. Warren Redlich and the Libertarians fell just short. [NYT] [TU]
Bob Reilly's lead on Jennifer Whalen for the 109th state Assembly district is 577 votes (unofficially) -- and the race will be settled by absentee ballots. [Troy Record]
Says Albany County elections commissioner Matthew Clyne: "No question there was more privacy with the lever machines." On the whole, optical scan voting seemed to go smoothly. [TU] [Saratogian]
Albany police say an off-duty Colonie police officer was stabbed seven times outside a bar near the intersection of Ontario and Madison last night (map). They say a friend of the officer was also stabbed. One report indicates the off-duty officer was trying to break up a fight. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
Cuomo says "mandate is to clean up Albany," balance in state Senate not yet clear, Gibson beats Murphy, owner of Miss Albany Diner passes away
Here's a quick scan of statewide and locally-relevant election results.
Said Andrew Cuomo last night following his big win in the race for governor: "The mandate tonight is to clean up Albany and to have elected officials who represent the people of this state and not the special interests, and not the lobbyists." Cuomo's margin of victory -- roughly 27 points -- ranks among the largest in state history. Cuomo becomes the first son of a New York governor to also be elected to the job. Last night Mario said his son is facing a serious challenge: "I can't imagine this being any harder than it's going to be." [NYT] [TU] [NYT] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics]
Carl Paladino said during his concession speech that he won't be running for office again, but "You have not heard the last of Carl Paladino." And he offered Andrew Cuomo use of his baseball bat. [Buffalo News] [State of Politics]
The makeup of the state Senate is unclear as the outcome of a few races in the closely split chamber were still undetermined this morning. An even 31-31 split is possible. [NYT] [TU]
Chris Gibson (R) beat incumbent Scott Murphy (D) in the NY20 Congressional District. In his victory speech, Gibson said he would be pursuing fiscally conservative, business-friendly legislation in Congress. And he threw a bone to Murphy: "Scott was a very successful businessman and, come January, he is going to part of the vanguard of small business owners that are going to be part of the solution." [TU] [YNN] [Saratogian]
The Republican Party picked up five (possibly six) Congressional seats in New York. [State of Politics]
Campaigns make final push ahead of Election Day, state budget gap wider than projected, cops now walking beat in downtown Troy, whooping cough case in Saratoga County
It's Election Day. Here's how to find out where to vote.
Candidates were all over the state yesterday in the final push. Andrew Cuomo hopped around the state, including a stop in Buffalo and a moment of giddiness in Albany. Carl Paladino stuck to western New York for a handful of "mad as hell" rallies and said the Siena poll that has him behind 25 points is "garbage." Paladino also released a somewhat somber 13-minute video message invoking the memory of his son, who passed away last year. [NYDN] [YNN] [State of Politics] [YNN] [NY Post] [TU] [YouTube] [NYDN]
George Pataki endorsed Carl Paladino. You might remember that Paladino called Pataki "a degenerate idiot." [State of Politics] [Daily Politics]
Rick Lazio says he has no regrets about dropping out of the race for governor. [State of Politics]
How a big win for Cuomo could help set up his agenda as governor (though it didn't seem to help Eliot Spitzer). [NYT]
What could be the two closes statewide races: attorney general and comptroller. [YNN] [State of Politics]
Bill Clinton stops in Saratoga, the big push ahead of Election Day, family says they were treated harshly because they're Muslims, Mr Food's "ooh, it's so good" career
Bill Clinton made a stop in Saratoga this morning in support of Scott Murphy. [Post-Star]
A bunch of other notable politicians made a swing through the Capital Region this past weekend as part of the final push before Election Day. Carl Paladino stopped in Albany and Saratoga on Friday. Andrew Cuomo was in Ballston Lake on Saturday in support of Murphy. And on Sunday, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand stopped in Albany for pie. [TU] [Saratogian] [TU CapCon] [YNN]
Despite Andrew Cuomo's big lead in the polls, state Democrats don't seem to be feeling a very strong pull from his coattails. [TU]
Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Warren Redlich was the target of an attack flyer sent out in the Capital Region recently, apparently by one of the other "third" parties. His wife called it a "horrific smear." [TU] [State of Politics]
Luther Forest officials respond to state takeover move, Paterson details layoffs, Bill Clinton scheduled to appear before sunrise
Speaking publicly for the first time since the state announced its intention to take over the Luther Forest tech park, Michael Relyea -- the head of the tech park -- said: "We're the experts on this. We know how to get this done." He said the org was surprised by the state's takeover move. And he said two of the incomplete infrastructure projects at issue could be completed relatively quickly -- if the state puts up the money for them. But how to resolve the issue of a backup water supply is unclear. GlobalFoundries says regardless of whether the tech park becomes state owned or not, it's not looking to get out of paying property taxes. [WNYT] [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU]
David Paterson detailed the 898 state employee layoffs he says his administration will be pursuing before the end of the year. They includes cuts of 150 at DEC and 140 at DOT. Andrew Cuomo has said he supports the layoffs. Both the big civil service unions were predictably irked. In turn, a Paterson statement criticized the unions for their "alarmist rhetoric, intransigence and excuses." [CBS6] [WNYT] [AP/Post-Star] [PEF] [CSEA] [Paterson admin]
Contrary to what a state Senate spokesman said earlier, Neil Breslin says he did have a few drinks the night he was stopped by a state trooper (he passed a field sobriety test). [State of Politics] [TU]
A YouTube video has been circulating this week that shows state senator Hugh Farley saying "same-sex marriage is an abhorrent situation." Farley says he "may have chosen the wrong word." [YouTube] [WNYT]
Cuomo continues to hold big lead, state workforce smaller than last year, incumbent as a dirty word, Mexican Radio's spot in Schenectady
Andrew Cuomo continues to hold a big lead on Carl Paladino, according to a Q Poll out Wednesday. It reports Cuomo is up 55-35. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand also had a big leads in their races. [Q Poll]
It sounds like Andrew Cuomo and Bill Clinton have a bit a of a bromance going on. [NYT]
Noted: if we're elderly and in failing health, we won't allow Carl Paladino to manage our finances. [NYT]
The state workforce is down about 5,000 employees from this time last year -- but layoffs could still be on the way. Update: David Paterson says there will be 898 state employee layoffs. [TU] [TU CapCon]
GlobalFoundries showed off its new test lab at the Saratoga Technology + Energy Park yesterday. The lab will be used to test processes and train workers for the full-scale fab being built at Luther Forest. [TU] [WNYT]
About Luther Forest... the head of the org that runs the tech park is expected today to speak publicly for the first time about the state's announced intention to take over the park. The chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors said he had a "very productive" meeting about the situation with officials from the state's economic development arm (what was productive about it wasn't clear). Local officials have said they're concerned what a state takeover might mean for taxes and zoning. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
The TU declares that "bedbugs have officially infiltrated the Capital Region." [TU]
Cuomo prepares for three-dimensional chess and weathervanes, police say man used Facebook to meet and exploit teens, replacements planned for Latham Circle bridges, class is on the ball
Andrew Cuomo tells the Times Union editorial board that he will play the budget process as a "three-dimensional chess game" and legislators will be "weathervanes." [TU]
Has Andrew Cuomo done a good job as state attorney general? Depends on who you ask. [NYT]
With the early gubernatorial exit of Elliot Spitzer in mind, maybe it's a good idea to know a little bit more about the lieutenant governor candidates. [TU]
After the Siena poll reported Chris Gibson was up 9 points, Scott Murphy's campaign says its internal polling has it up by three. [AOA] [Post-Star]
The proposed Saratoga County budget includes no property tax increase. Spending is up five percent. The chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors called the county "an oasis" of fiscal calm. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [YNN]
About 100 people showed up for the anti-hate rally in Albany's Townsend Park yesterday. There's still a dispute over whether the incident that prompted the rally -- the alleged assault of a gay man in a Central Ave pizza shop -- was actually motivated by an anti-gay sentiment. [Fox23] [WNYT]
Central Warehouse fire considered suspicious, local officials upset about state takeover of Luther Forest tech park, crazy about Halloween
Officials say the fire at Central Warehouse is mostly out. And they say a search of the building found no bodies. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Jerry Jennings says officials consider the fire suspicious -- and he says the people reportedly working in the building with torches the day of the fire did not have permission to be there. For now, it appears the fire hasn't changed the building's prospects: too expensive to demolish, but too difficult to redevelop. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [TU] [CBS6] [WNYT] [TU]
The chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors called the state's plan to take over the Luther Forest tech park "heavy handed" and said no one from the state alerted local officials. He and other local leaders say they're concerned a state-operated tech park would be exempt from local zoning. The state's move was prompted by GlobalFoundries' concern about the
All this was going on while the federal Secretary of Commerce was visiting the GloFo site yesterday to tout high-tech manufacturing in the US. [Saratogian]
After a 90 minute interview, NYT's Nicholas Confessore remarks that Carl Paladino sounds "more like a small-business technocrat than a right-wing ideologue." [NYT]
Neither Paladino nor Andrew Cuomo have many women in top positions for their campaigns. [NYT]
The two candidates for state attorney general debated yesterday. The Aqueduct racino mess was one of the main topics. [YNN] [WNYT]
Central Warehouse fire still smoldering, state moves to take over Luther Forest tech park, the last place Carl Paladino still polls well, Snooki in Wonderland
The fire at Central Warehouse is still smoldering this morning. Officials say they're no longer concerned about a possible collapse, but it's still not safe to send firefighters into the building. So far, air quality tests from the site have not indicated there's a danger to people in the area. Fire investigators say there were workers in the building on Friday, though it's unknown whether their presence has any connection to the fire. [CBS6] [Troy Record] [TU] [TU]
Earlier: a whole bunch of photos from the Central Warehouse fire. [AOA]
The state's economic development arm has moved to seize the Luther Forest Technology Campus because of concerns over infrastructure delays that reportedly have the potential to jeopardize the GlobalFoundries chip fab project. A GloFo spokesman says "nothing is off the rails," but says the company is concerned about the slow pace of development for a road and utilities. The tech park has also reportedly fallen behind on paying back loans to the state. The president of the tech park says the org's board hasn't decided yet whether to fight the takeover. [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette]
Andrew Cuomo says his effort to transform the state will include a permanent campaign against the state's labor unions and interests groups -- and a soft touch with the legislature. [NYT]
The gubernatorial debate has raised the profile of Libertarian candidate Warren Redlich, who's from Guilderland. [Daily Gazette]
Bill Clinton will be campaigning for Scott Murphy next Monday in Saratoga Springs. [Post-Star]
An Albany man alleges the owner of a pizza shop on Central Ave assaulted him and used homophobic slurs early Saturday morning (map). In the man's version of events, the incident was set off when he accidentally spilled parmesan cheese. The shop's owner says he never called the man any names and alleges the man hit him in the face with a slice of pizza and the owner responded by hitting the man once. [YNN] [WNYT] [Fox23]
Murphy-Gibson and Gillibrand-DioGuardi debates, DEC commissioner fired, APD adopts neighborhood policing plan, squabble over Troy Facebook page
Among the topics covered in the debate between Scott Murphy and Chris Gibson: health care reform, the economy, energy policy, taxes, the Hudson River dredging project and Don't Ask, Don't Tell. [Post-Star] [Troy Record] [TU]
In the debate between Kirsten Gillibrand and Joe DioGuardio, the challenger said Gillibrand has "flunked" her two-year tryout for the job. Live blog: one, two, lightning round, three. [Troy Record] [State of Politics x4]
Andrew Cuomo released his "urban agenda." The 200something page pdf is posted on his website. [TU] [Cuomo campaign]
People in Buffalo on Carl Paladino now: yeah, maybe not so much. [NYT]
The Paterson administration has fired DEC commissioner Pete Grannis over a leaked budget memo that was critical of cuts at the agency. Grannis says the memo was leaked without his knowledge and that administration wouldn't let him meet with Paterson before he was axed. [AP/Post-Star] [TU]
The Albany Police Department has a new plan for community policing. The "Neighborhood Engagement Unit" includes beat cops for neighborhoods. [TU] [Fox23]
All sorts of political campaign back-and-forth, woman reportedly gets 22 years to life for fatal fire, Boom Boom Brannigan signs off
Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino have very contrasting plans for improving the state's economy. [TU]
The Cuomo campaign reportedly will release its "urban agenda" today in an attempt to appeal African-American and Latino voters. [TU]
The unluckiest guy this election season? It could be Carl Paladino's running mate. [NYT]
The debate between incumbent state senator Neil Breslin (D), Bob Domenici (R) and Michael Carey (Reform) kept coming back to morality and social issues. [TU] [WNYT]
Angelo Santabarbara, the Democrat challenging George Amedore for the state Assembly, alleges that Amedore tried to lean on Santabara's employer in an attempt to keep him out of the race. [Daily Gazette]
The campaign for state Assembly candidate Steve McLaughlin posted video that apparently shows incumbent Tim Gordon pulling McLaughlin's yard signs from a stretch of Krumkill Road in Slingerlands. Gordon admits to pulling up the signs. He says they were placed on his property and that of a neighbor who didn't want them. [YouTube] [CBS6] [WTEN] [TU]
And when the two candidates aren't talking about yard signs and video recording, what's the the main topic: jobs. [TU]
Murphy and Gibson differ on range of topics, new ballots are cramped, National Grid getting heat for expenses,
During a debate last night in Queensbury, Scott Murphy and Chris Gibson differed on the role of the federal government in education, the health care reform law, and the federal stimulus. There were also accusations of the dreaded flip-flopping. The two candidates will be debating again on WMHT Thursday night. [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Carl Paladino says the format of the gubernatorial debate was "terrible" and is pushing for a one-on-one debate between him and Andrew Cuomo. But Cuomo says he won't debate again. [AP/CBS6] [AP/Post-Star]
Rick Lazio, watched the gubernatorial debate on his computer after the fact. [NYT]
The two challengers to Neil Breslin for the state Senate have criticized the incumbent for going along with the a downstate Democratic establishment that hasn't done enough to reform the state. [TU]
Dan Donovan, the Republican running for state AG, says his Democratic opponent Eric Schneiderman is a "card-carrying member of the Albany cesspool." [NYT]
It sounds like the new optical scan ballots are rather cramped, which is leading to some confusing alignments. [TU] [YNN]
Gubernatorial debate recaps, UAlbany president defends cuts, improvements at The Track still around the bend, FiOS TV on its way
Last night's gubernatorial debate was more entertaining than edifying. Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino basically ignored each other during the 90 minute debate. Cuomo cruised through his answers. Paladino struggled at times to deliver his answers and looked nervous. The most pointed attacks on Cuomo came from Charles Barron, the Freedom Party candidate and a NYC councilman. He actually provoked a response from Cuomo at one point. Libertarian candidate Warren Redlich came across well -- he criticized Cuomo directly and was a better advocate for the conservative viewpoint than Paladino. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins got his points in. Anti-Prohibition party candidate -- and former madam -- Kristin Davis cracked some zingers and was composed. The breakout "star" of the debate, though: Jimmy McMillan from The Rent is Too Damn High Party. [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [Fox23] [TU] [Daily Politics] [YouTube]
Live blogging from the debate: State of Politics (one, two, three) | NYT City Room | Daily Politics | AOA | debate video via YNN
A NYT poll reports that Kirsten Gillibrand is leading Joe DioGuardi 50-25 among likely voters. [NYT]
Hugh Farley and Susan Savage debated yesterday. [Daily Gazette]
Jack McEneny on Carl Paladino, who he says has shifted the state's political landscape toward Democrats in an otherwise tough year: "... we should give him an award." [TU]
The state DEC is telling the Paterson admin it won't be able to cover all of its duties if it has to follow through on requested job cuts. An oil and gas industry group is also calling for a halt to the DEC cuts (it's worried about getting permits on time). [TU] [AP/CBS6]
Albany's city treasurer reports that the city has collected about $900k more this year in parking ticket fines compared to last year thanks to a new computerized ticketing system. [TU]
UAlbany president George Philip defended the recently announced program cuts before a school senate meeting packed with faculty and students. Said Philip: "I understand the importance of having languages on campus. I just need to have a plan in place that addresses the fiscal circumstances we are in." In addition to the cuts to foreign language and drama, it appears the school is also cutting into programs such as journalism. [YNN] [Fox23] [TU]
Bouncers hired for tonight's gubernatorial debate, the weekend in crime, reward for info on dog shooting now $2k, final whistle for Bob McNamara
Ahead of tonight's gubernatorial debate, people are asking how the campaign ended up so... muddy. A NYT poll of likely voters released Sunday reported Andrew Cuomo leading Carl Paladino 59-24. [AP/Troy Record]
With seven candidates lined up for the debate, no one seems sure what to expect tonight. Andrew Cuomo has reportedly been pre-occupied with prepping for the unpredictable exchanges. And organizers of the debate have hired bouncers to wait in the wings, ready to break things up on stage. [NYT] [NYT] [NY Post]
The state attorney general's office has been slow to release records of Cuomo's schedule. [TU]
Kirsten Gillibrand and Joe DioGuardi traded attacks about their respective records in a debate Friday night. Said DioGuardi while going after KG for changing positions on issues after becoming a senator: "I haven't changed my views on anything in my whole life." [YNN] [Saratogian]
Chris Gibson on why he decided to run for Congress against Scott Murphy: "I wasn't going to sit around and complain. I was going to do something about it." [TU]
Steve McLaughlin, the Repulican challenger to state assemblyman Tim Gordon, on the state's current leadership: "This is the Empire State, but they've turned it into the Vampire State." [Troy Record]
State Senate candidate Susan Savage, who's challenging incumbent Hugh Farley, has $70,000 of credit card debt. [TU]
The race for state attorney general has focused on abortion issues. [YNN]
Election season heating up, power plant in Rensselaer up and running, frat's purchase of former church OK'ed, protecting kid critic from spotlight's glare
The two candidates for the 21st Congressional District -- incumbent Democrat Paul Tonko and Republican Ted Danz -- debated last night on WMHT. They differed on a range of issues -- the stimulus bill (Tonko: it helped locally; Danz: it didn't), the health care reform bill (Tonko: aiming for perfection, got progress; Danz: what a bunch of baloney), the economy (Tonko: "failed policies brought this economy to our knees"; Danz: "We don't even have knees anymore.") [WMHT] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [TU]
Whoever's elected governor, it looks like state spending cuts are on the way. [Bloomberg via Daily Politics]
Andrew Cuomo's business and political relationship with Andrew Farkas, a businessman investigated by HUD when Cuomo was housing secretary, is continuing to draw attention. [NYT]
Chris Gibson, the Republican challenging Scott Murphy for the 20th Congressional District, has suggested that unemployed people might be steered toward farm work. [TU CapCon]
State senator Hugh Farley and challenger Susan Savage continue to sling mud at each other, somewhat awkwardly. [WNYT]
Bob Domenici, the Republican challenger to Neil Breslin for the state Senate: "I'm not for gay marriages because I'm Catholic, but, dammit, you know I had people in my unit who were gay. I never turned them in because they were the best damn soldiers I ever had." [TU]
The two candidates for the 105th state Assembly district -- incumbent Republican George Amedore and Democrat Angelo Santabarbara -- seem to agree on most topics (well, except for who should be elected). [TU]
A TV spot for incumbent Democratic assemblyman Bob Reilly (Colonie) touts how his donated legislative salary is helping "find a cure for cancer." [TU CapCon]
Update: Due to Greg's inability to copy and paste correctly, the rest of today's Morning Blend was lost. A few of the links have been added after the jump.
All Carl all the time, more patients allege dentist touched them inappropriately, Sage dropping the SAT, alleged burglar calls 911 for help
The orthodox rabbi who arranged the event at which Carl Paladino made his now apologized-for remarks about homosexuality has pulled his endorsement from the gubernatorial candidate. He accused Paladino of having "chickened out" and said Paladino's family had urged the candidate to make the apology because of Paladino's nephew (who's gay). A representative of a New York rabbinical org said the ultra orthodox rabbi's viewpoint "doesn't represent the flavor of Judaism for me and for most of the Jewish people in the world." [NYT] [YNN] [NY Post] [State of Politics]
WNYMedia has turned up more lewd emails it says were forwarded by Carl Paladino (definitely NSFW). His campaign released a statement attacking the site and said of the email: "none of it is relevant." [WNY]
The overriding theme of this year's state legislature elections, regardless of party: legislature bad. [WNYT] [TU]
Two more patients have alleged that a Rotterdam dentist touched them inappropriately while performing dental work. Court papers indicate the dentist is accused of touching the female patients' breasts. [YNN] [Daily Gazette]
Saratoga Springs police say a man robbed a bank on Broadway yesterday with a note that read: "Give me all your money and God will love you." The teller handed over almost $7,000 -- and then the man allegedly left the money on a counter before exiting the bank. Police say they arrested the man was on a bike three blocks away when he was arrested. The man is scheduled for a court-ordered mental health evaluation. [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU] [WTEN]
Paladino apologizes, dentist accused of touching patients inappropriately, witnesses report fireworks shot at house that caught fire, early end to apple picking
Carl Paladino released a statement yesterday apologizing for his Sunday remarks about homosexuality. (Democrats called Paladino's statement a "non-apology.") "I am 100 percent in favor of gay rights, as I've been my entire life, my entire career has been to fight discrimination of any type of minority group -- including the gays," he said while talking with the press outside a fundraiser in Colonie. The statement his campaign released also reiterated that he does not support same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, Paladino's gay nephew -- whom Paladino has referenced and who had been working on his uncle's campaign -- has been trying to stay out of the spotlight. [State of Politics] [Buffalo News] [TU] [Daily Politics] [NYDN]
During a candidates forum last night in Saratoga County, Hugh Farley criticized Susan Savage for her "little miracle called Schenectady" commercial and Savage criticized Farley for supporting Carl Paladino. The forum also included Jim Tedisco and challenger BK Keramati. [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [Saratogian]
State police say a Rotterdam dentist has been arrested for allegedly touching several female patients inappropriately while they were under his care. They say the group of patients includes teens and one adult woman. [CBS6] [YNN]
Police say a Ballston Spa man has been arrested for allegedly beating his girlfriend and killing her dog. They say the man threw the 3.5 pound Chihuahua to the floor and then tried to hide the body behind his house. He's being charged with a felony under Buster's Law. [TU] [YNN] [Saratogian] [WTEN]
Response continues to Paladino's comments about homosexuality, Albany County proposed budget includes big tax increase, police say two dogs shot, really big pumpkins
Carl Paladino continued to respond to the outrage over his Sunday remarks about homosexuality. He said yesterday during the Columbus Day parade in Manhattan that he "unequivocally" supports gay rights, but, "The one thing that I don't [support] is [same-sex] marriage, all right?> I'm a Catholic." And he appeared frustrated by the continued focus on the issue. Meanwhile, other Republicans tried to distance themselves from Paladino. The remarks appears to have fired up Democratic constituencies. Andrew Cuomo called Paldino's comments "reckless" and "divise." And responding to Paladino's criticism of having taken his daughters to a gay pride parade, Cuomo said: "He's probably the last person I'll take advice from on how to raise my daughters." [State of Politics] [State of Politics] [NYT] [Daily Politics] [TU] [Daily Politics] [State of Politics]
Paladino has said he would like to cut the state gas tax, which funds infrastructure projects around the state. [TU]
Cuomo was paid more than $1 million from 2004-2005 while working for a company whose owner had been investigated by HUD while Cuomo was the federal housing secretary. [TU]
Scott Murphy has voted the same way as Nancy Pelosi 85 percent of the time -- and 63 percent of the time with John Boehner. [NYT]
The Albany County proposed budget includes 14.9 percent tax increase -- and the elimination of 511 jobs. [TU]
Gubernatorial candidates -- all of them -- to debate, man accused of Bailey murder allegedly admitted to it in letter, push to block buying of soda with food stamps, a whole bunch of bugs
Carl Paladino's three minute televised "special message" Thursday evening was a reiteration of his clean-up-state-government platform. And he tried to explain his altercation with Fred Dicker in Bolton Landing. And, in reference to the attention on his personal life, Paladnio wondered why the media hasn't focused on Andrew Cuomo's past, dropping this bizarre line: "Andrew's prowess is legendary." [YouTube] [TU] [NYT] [YNN] [Daily Politics]
Paladino also asked why Cuomo wouldn't agree to debate with the other candidates for governor, but Cuomo outmaneuvered him by announcing shortly before Paladino's recorded message that he would be debating five of the other candidates -- except for Paladino, who hadn't yet agreed. Paladino's campaign accused Cuomo of "playing games" and agreed to join the October 18 debate on Long Island. (In other news, it looks like that debate is going to be a circus.) [State of Politics] [Buffalo News]
The man accused of killing UAlbany student Richard Bailey in 2008 allegedly admitted to the crime in a letter he sent from prison in 2009, according to court documents turned up by the Times Union. [TU]
A report prepared for the City of Albany by a consultancy concludes that the city lags way behind other upstate cities in the amount of state aid it gets. And considering that 60 percent of the land in the city is tax exempt (much of it state owned), the report argues the city isn't receiving an appropriate amount of state aid. [TU] [YNN]
The Troy City Council voted to block the awarding of any contract to knock down the old city hall without the council's approval. But mayor Harry Tutunjian says he's moving ahead with the process unless the council comes up with a way to move city government back to the former city hall. [TU] [Troy Record]
Hevesi expected to plead guilty, Paladino to make some sort of announcement, officer talks man off ledge, state employee accused of using state credit card at casino
Former state comptroller Allan Hevesi is expected to plead guilty today to a felony charge connected to the "pay-to-pay" state pension scandal. He could get as much as four years in prison. Hevesi had previously pleaded guilty to a charge related to having state employees chauffeur his wife. [NYT] [Daily Politics] [State of Politics]
Carl Paladino is scheduled to deliver some sort of message this evening around 5 pm on TV across the state. There's no word on what the message is going to be about. (It's not to announce he's dropping out, apparently.) [NYT City Room] [Daily Politics] [State of Politics]
NYT reports that a significant portion of the money spent by Paladino's campaign has gone to companies connected to... Paladino. [NYT]
The Business Council of New York State has endorsed Andrew Cuomo -- which is unusual in that it's usually a Republican-leaning group, and it doesn't usually endorse gubernatorial candidates. [TU]
Both Cuomo and Chuck Schumer appear to have no interest in debating their electoral opponents -- to the chagrin of the challengers and good government groups. [AP/Post-Star]
Public safety officials in Saratoga Springs are criticizing the plan to merge the city's emergency dispatch with that of the county. And the head of the Saratoga Springs police union says his members are "adamantly opposed" to the plan. Officials say city dispatchers are currently responsible for more than just responding to calls -- and county dispatchers wouldn't cover those duties. [Saratogian] [TU] [YNN]
Paladino interrupting his own message, Saratoga Springs proposed budget includes 8.5 percent tax increase, congregation goes Martin Luther, Albany looking to rebrand neighborhood
Carl Paladino seems to be trying to talk about policy issues -- but, well, then he says something else. Yesterday he called Sheldon Silver "a criminal," a statement that turned off even the groups that might be most amenable to his ideas. And now David Paterson is taking shots at him. [NYT] [YNN] [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics]
The proposed 2011 budget for Saratoga Springs includes an 8.5 percent property tax increase and several cuts. It also calls for the city's emergency dispatch department to be merged with the county dispatch system. Finance commissioner Ken Ivins said it was the hardest city budget he's put together. [Fox23] [TU] [Saratogian]
The Schenectady County legislature approved a 2011 budget that lowers taxes by 0.2 percent -- but also uses $9.6 reserve funds. The lone Republican present voted against the budget, criticizing it for having "a lot of holes" and arguing it was just kicking a big tax hike down the road. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Non-profits in the City of Schenectady seem resigned to the "curb fee," essentially a new tax in the proposed city budget that would charge property owners based on their property's frontage. The city's two biggest non-profits -- Ellis Medicine and Union College -- both indicated some acceptance of the idea. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Jennings administration argues that if the City of Albany got the average amount of per capita state funding given to other large upstate cities, it would get $33 million more next year. [TU]
That task force in charge of developing a residential parking permit system for the area around the ESP in Albany got together for the first time to consider its options. The director of the city's parking authority encouraged the committee to think creatively and even floated the possibility of allowing people to sell their permits on a secondary market. One of the foremost issues, though: what area exactly will be covered by the system. [WTEN] [TU] [YNN]
Schenectady budget would "severely" cut into services, criticism of UAlbany's plan to cut language programs, family says dog was shot in their backyard
Schenectady's proposed budget includes a 4 percent tax increase, a "curb fee" that would apply to property owners (including non-profits), and would "severely" cut into city services. Among the cuts: 19 fire department positions and a fire house. The cuts could also keep city parks closed. Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton says it's the worst budget situation he's ever seen. [Daily Gazette] [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23]
The two candidates running for state comptroller -- incumbent Democrat Tom DiNapoli and Republican Harry Wilson -- focused on their respective backgrounds in last night's debate. DiNapoli defended his time spent as a state legislator and Wilson defended his experience as a hedge fund manager. Live blog: one, two, lightning round, three. Debate video. [TU] [NYT] [YNNx4]
Local leaders say it's hard to say exactly how many jobs were created by local projects funded by federal stimulus money. [Troy Record]
Local auto dealers say "Cash for Clunkers" did stimulate sales of cars. (A recent working paper reported that the program simply moved up many car purchases nationally.) [Troy Record] [Marginal Revolution]
Non-profits -- including the Veggie Mobile -- are feeling the pinch from delayed funding from state agencies. [TU]
Proposed Albany budget includes 7 percent tax increase, state police say man tried to have pregnant woman stabbed, report says many Troy elevators not properly inspected
The proposed 2011 Albany city budget includes a 7 percent tax increase and numerous cuts -- including the elimination of 155 positions. The city is facing a $23 million budget gap. [City of Albany] [TU] [Fox23]
The proposed 2011 Troy city budget includes a 5.5 percent tax increase. The budget expects a 41 percent increased in pension contributions. [TU] [Troy Record]
State police have accused a Schenectady man of paying $500 -- and a pressure washer -- to an undercover officer in an alleged plot to abort his former girlfriend's pregnancy by having her stabbed in the stomach. They say the man appears to be the father of the child. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [CBS6]
Unexpected analogy: Carl Paladino as Harry Truman and Andrew Cuomo as Thomas Dewey. [AP/Post-Star]
Unnamed sources say Cuomo's campaign suffers from "paralysis by analysis" because Cuomo is a micromanager. [NYT]
UAlbany president George Philip has announced that the school will be cutting 160 positions by 2012 -- some of them through layoffs. It also appears to be headed toward eliminating its programs for classics, French, Italian, Russian, and theatre. [UAlbany] [TU]
A whole lot of rain, reaction to Paladino vs. Dicker, boy hit by bus, research continues at disease that's killing of bats
The glob of rain (technical term), as depicted by the NWS radar.
It's raining. And it has been raining. A lot. Yesterday's rainfall totaled 2.68 inches, breaking a 90-year record for the date. Today's forecast includes more rain into the afternoon. There are flooded streets around the Capital Region, in many of the usual spots. [NWS] [CBS6]
Following the Bolton Landing Brouhaha, Carl Paladino said Thursday that he was not accusing Andrew Cuomo of having had affairs -- though he still used the "furnishing [the evidence] at the appropriate time" line last night on Capital Tonight. And the New York Post's editor-in-chief denied allegations that his paper had sent photographers after Paladino's 10-year-old daughter -- Paladino's campaign stuck to its claim that a Post reporter and photographer "lurked" outside the girl's home. Fred Dicker said yesterday that the Bolton Landing altercation started after "just a normal kind of questioning that got heated as the Paladino people and Carl Paladino himself became increasingly aggressive." [Buffalo News] [State of Politics] [Politico] [State of Politics] [CBS6]
The Albany school district announced that Albany High School will be split into four "themed academies" next fall. The transition will be funded with $7.5 million in federal money. Albany High's principal says the reformulated school will produce significant academic improvement in within three years. The state has labeled AHS as a "persistently lowest achieving" school. In 2009, its graduation rate was 53 percent. [Albany school district] [YNN] [TU]
The four percent state sales tax on clothing under $110 starts back up again today. [YNN]
Paladino gets conservative party nod, Ward Stone retires, body discovered in Saratoga, Glenville coach accused of having sex with teen
Now that Rick Lazio has bowed out of the race for governor, the state conservative party has given its endorsement to Carl Paladino. Seventeen members of the nominating committee either abstained or voted against the endorsement. [TU] [WTEN]
The pro-choice group NARAL has endorsed Andrew Cuomo. [NY1]
The Cuomo campaign is charging that some of Paladino's top aides "couldn't pass a simple background check for state employment." [NYT]
State wildlife pathologistWard Stone has retired. Stone took the early retirement incentive offered to state workers. Of the scandal that broke in the Times Union last spring, Stone says he "may have violated some insignificant rules" but that his science has been untouchable. [Fox 23] [TU] [CBS6]
A hiker discovered human remains in the woods off Route 50, just south of Spa State Park in Saratoga. [TU]
Damian Burkett was sentenced to 25 years to life, the maximum, for the murder of his girlfriend in Troy. [Record]
A volunteer coach for the Scotia-Glenville girls hockey team is facing charges for allegedly having sex with a 15 year old girl. [TU]
Cuomo says voters have "very stark choice," deputy cleared in shooting near ALB, truckers upset about rest stop closings, exec assistant no longer in danger of being crushed
Andrew Cuomo campaigned in western and central New York yesterday in an effort to highlight what he called the "very stark choice" voters have between him and Carl Paladino (he continued to call Paladino's ideas "extreme"). Cuomo called the "beast" of state politics and corruption "disgusting" -- and blamed a whole range of state officials from over the years (well, except his dad). [YNN] [TU] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
The New York Times reports that top officials in the Paladino campaign are "plagued by brushes with the law and allegations of misconduct" -- and Paladino's campaign manager responded by saying: "This is a campaign of junkyard dogs, not pedigreed poodles." [NYT]
A Marist poll reports that the more people see of Paladino, the fewer who think he's fit to be governor. [NYDN]
Nate Silver's polling data model still gives Paladino almost no chance of winning. [FiveThirtyEight]
A grand jury has cleared the Albany County sheriff's deputy who fatally shot an undocumented immigrant from Mexico along a dark road near ALB in March. Police say the immigrant had thrown a chunk of concrete at the deputy and acted aggressively. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Aaron Dare, the former Albany community leader convicted of fraud and larceny, was sentenced to another 8-24 years in prison. Albany County judge Thomas Breslin called Dare a thief "of a magnitude that's rarely been seen in this court." [CBS6] [TU]
State police say an elderly man died in Brunswick Tuesday after crashing his car into a house on Pawling Avenue. They say it appears he suffered some sort of medical problem before losing control of the car. [Troy Record] [TU]
Prominent local developer dies, Cuomo calls Paladino views "extremist," man accused of being married to two women, early foliage change
Donald Led Duke -- the chairman of owner of BBL Construction services, the Capital Region's most prominent developer -- was found dead Monday morning. He was 64. Led Duke was highly connected and BBL has been involved in many projects around the region, especially in the City of Albany (Led Duke was a longtime friend of Jerry Jennings). A former mason, he's remembered for building BBL into a very effective company. [Troy Record] [CBS6] [TU] [YNN] [Post-Star]
Andrew Cuomo said yesterday that Carl Paladino has "extremist" views. [NYT]
There are questions about why Cuomo's cousin was involved in a setting up a meeting for a firm looking for investment from the state pension fund. As state AG, Andrew Cuomo has been investigating "pay-to-play" arrangements involving the fund. [NYDN]
The Paterson administration has announced that Genting, the winning bidder for the Aqueduct racino project, has delivered its promised $380 million upfront payment to the state. Some of the money is slated to go toward propping up horse racing in the state -- including a bunch of improvements at Saratoga. [Paterson admin] [WTEN] [Saratogian]
Schenectady police have a man will be charged today with the fatal shooting of a customer at a deli on Eastern Avenue last year (map). They say he was found in Kentucky, where he was being held on a federal parole violation. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Scrutiny of Paladino's policy positions, district fires bus driver after girl allegedly left on bus, woman crashes car into apartment, prodigy now potty trained
Carl Paladino is long on anger, but short on policy details -- especially when it comes to his pledge to cut the state's Medicaid program by 40 percent. [TU] [Buffalo News]
Some African-American leaders say Andrew Cuomo not done enough to reach out to minority voters. [TU] [NYT]
Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino said they support David Paterson's plan to lay off 2,000 state employees by the end of the year. [AP/Troy Record]
SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher says she's giving up her $90k housing allowance to pay for the $30k raises she gave to three top system officials. [TU]
A federal jury has found that three Troy police officers did not violate the civil rights of two men arrested in Menands in 2008. [Troy Record]
Harry Tutunjian and the Troy city council are squabbling over the proposed demolition of the former city hall building. [Troy Record]
The Albany school district says it's fired a bus driver after a six-year-old girl was left on his bus and ended up wandering onto Central Ave. [TU]
UAlbany's NanoCollege is being used as a blueprint for economic development across upstate New York. [TU]
State planning to cut 2000 jobs, polls provoke response from Cuomo, car chase burns through Albany and Rensselaer
State budget director Robert Megna sent out a memo yesterday to state agency heads indicating the state will cut 2000 jobs by the end of this year. There's some question as to whether there's enough time to go through the complex state employee layoff process. The head of PEF says it's possible the jobs cuts will come through attrition. [State of Politics] [TU] [CBS6]
Apparently prompted by the polls this week showing Carl Paladino closing in, Andrew Cuomo's campaign released a TV ad attacking Paladino for getting "insider deals from Albany." That led to dueling assertions about who's being a hypocrite. And on Capital Tonight, Paladino called Cuomo a "nasty, nasty man." [NYT] [State of Politics] [TU] [State of Politics]
Eliot Spitzer, talking on CNN about Andrew Cuomo: "... the problem that Andrew has is that everybody knows that behind the scenes, he is the dirtiest, nastiest political player out there..." [Daily Politics]
Despite the recent shooting on State Street in downtown Schenectady, police department stats indicate the area is among the safest in the city. [Daily Gazette]
Colonie police say Shen bus driver was arrested for driving while under the influence of drugs. They say they got a call that the bus was swerving over the double-yellow line and had hit a mailbox. There were four students on board the bus. Police say the man said he had taken prescription drugs. The school district says on its website that the driver will be "removed from his driving responsibilities" until an investigation is complete. [Fox23] [TU] [Troy Record] [YNN] [Shen]
Saratoga Springs police say they're halting the intensive ground search for Ellie Adams, the 69-year-old woman who's been missing since September 12. They say they haven't found any sign of Adams and haven't ruled out any possibility. [Saratogian]
Alleged local gang network busted, Lazio not saying what he's going to do, the ladies love Brett Michaels
The state attorney general's office announced that 41 alleged members of the Bloods who were operating in the Capital Region and beyond have been indicted -- and 32 are in custody. The AG's office alleges that gang was involved in "a massive and violent drug operation." Officials say the alleged local leader of the network was
David Paterson said again Thursday morning that state employee layoffs would start before the end of the year -- but it doesn't sound like much is actually being done toward that end. [State of Politics] [TU]
Carl Paladino said the Q Poll reporting him to be just six points behind Andrew Cuomo shows that Cuomo can be beaten. Cuomo said he takes the poll results "with a grain of salt." The poll reportedly has some Democrats calling for Cuomo to, as one person put it, "Stand up and fight the guy -- do something!" [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics] [NYT]
One important factor in the race for governor: Rick Lazio, and whether he'll continue his run on the Conservative Party line. He wouldn't say yesterday what his plans are -- though he did say he has "every intention of being a strong voice for the next six weeks." [State of Politics] [TU]
Rudy Giuliani was in Schodack yesterday to campaign for Chris Gibson. Giuliani framed the race between Gibson and Scott Murphy as "a vote against Chris is a vote for Nancy Pelosi." [Saratogian] [TU]
Porco to get appeal before state's highest court, questions about Albany's gang prevention program, elderly women busted for allegedly growing pot
Christopher Porco has been granted an opportunity to appeal his conviction to the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court. The appeal centers on the head nod prosecutors say Porco's mother gave indicating he had been the person who assaulted her and killed her husband (Joan Porco has since said she believes her son did not the commit the crime). Porco's attorneys have argued the nod should be inadmissible. There are conflicting opinions on whether disallowing the nod would have affected the case. It could be seven months before oral arguments are heard in the appeal. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [YNN] [Fox23] [Troy Record]
Leaders of the state Republican Party have asked Rick Lazio to not run for governor on the Conservative Party line. [TU]
New York State currently pays Carl Paladino's companies about $5 million/year in rent for offices in Buffalo -- and Paladino says, if he's elected governor, he'll push for lower rents (the businesses would have to be turned over to a trust). [TU]
Local African-American community leaders protested Paladino's racist and sexist email forwards. [CBS6]
Albany common council members pressed Faye Andrews, the city's Youth and Workforce Services Commissioner, for evidence that the efforts of city gang prevention specialist Ron "Cook" Barrett have been successful. (Barrett has been on administrative leave after the the TU reported he had been using sick time to take outside speaking gigs.) They didn't get many answers -- and a few council members openly doubted Barrett's work. [TU] [CBS6] [WTEN]
Race for governor getting dirty, Albany school taxes up 10 percent, search continues for Saratoga woman, summer was hotter and drier than normal
The race for governor has already turned into a bit of mud fight, with dueling photoshopped images of the candidates. Carl Paladino's current strategy seems aimed at annoying Andrew Cuomo into responding -- and Cuomo is reportedly wondering if he can just call Paladino an ---hole. [Daily Politics] [TU] [NYDN]
Noted: Paladino loved the The English Patient and has a soft spot for Kristin Scott Thomas. [NYT]
The biggest potential roadblock to reforming New York State's $50 billion Medicaid program? The legislature. [TU]
Voters in the Albany school district approved a tax levy increase of 3.87 this year. But when school tax bills went out this mont, the district's tax rate went up 10 percent. [TU] [Fox23]
The Albany Common Council has given the final go-ahead to the Albany Med expansion project, which will now keep Myrtle Ave open during construction. The medical center's expansion is expected to include 1,000 new jobs. [TU]
Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton is pushing ahead with a study of the possibility of consolidating police services in Schenectady County. A research group from Columbia University will take up the project. It sounds like officials from Niskayuna -- including county legislature chair Susan Savage -- aren't so happy about the idea. [CBS6] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
David Paterson signed a bill that allows unmarried couples -- including same-sex couples -- to adopt a child in New York. [AP/CBS6]
Two shootings in Schenectady, Paladino taunts Cuomo, reports of bed bugs in Capital Region, State Museum acquires rotting whales
Schenectady police say an 18-year-old was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in the Central State neighborhood (map). They say they're looking for the shooter, who used a shotgun. Early Friday morning, a man was shot in the leg across the street from Bombers in downtown Schenectady -- police say the shooting followed an argument. [YNN] [TU] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say they arrested two women for allegedly assaulting and robbing a woman uptown of the St. Rose campus in Pine Hills early Sunday morning (map). [Troy Record]
Albany police say four men assaulted and robbed three people at gunpoint early Sunday morning near the Delaware Ave Price Chopper (map). [CBS6]
Albany police say they've arrested a man for allegedly trying to rob a UAlbany student by placing a gun to the student's head early Friday morning in Pine Hills (map). [TU]
Carl Paladino, in a letter to Andrew Cuomo: "Come out and debate like a man." [NYT]
Lt. Governor Richard Ravitch is scheduled to release a report today that recommends significant changes to New York's $50+ billion Medicaid program. [NYT]
Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton says the city has spent $1.23 million to fire eight cops. [Daily Gazette]
Albany Med was included on a "watch list" for "below-average safety performance" in a patient safety analysis. [TU]
Paterson: state employee layoffs coming, the "little miracle" of Schenectady, Lady Gaga calls Schumer and Gillibrand, family accused of jumping troopers
David Paterson says state employee layoffs will start before the end of this year because the early retirement incentive didn't result in large enough savings. CSEA and PEF were predictably irked. [TU] [YNN] [TU CapCon]
Paterson also said yesterday of Carl Paladino: "I don't think he is fit for public service." The media pressed Andrew Cuomo for his take on Paladino, but the Democratic nominee dodged. [AP/Post-Star] [NYT]
Meanwhile, Paladino's campaign manager says his candidate is "willing to put in whatever money it takes" to win the governor's race. And Republicans are wondering what Paladino's ascent means for the status of their state party. [Buffalo News] [TU]
The two candidates for state attorney general -- Eric Schneiderman (Democrat) and Dan Donovan (Republican) -- are already going at each other. [TU]
A TV spot for state Senate candidate Sue Savage (currently Schenectady County legislature chair) touting the "little miracle" of Schenectady is raising eyebrows. [TU CapCon] [TU]
Residents of Cambridge lined the streets for the procession carrying the body of Philip Charte, the Marine who was killed in Afghanistan. Said one person: "It's a dose of reality, and shows you what can really happen when you're at war." [YNN] [Post-Star]
Race for governor re-organizes around Paladino, questions about design of new ballot in Albany County, the $800k laptop
It appears that relatively large turnout upstate pushed Carl Paladino to his big win over Rick Lazio in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Democrats and the Cuomo campaign are already trying to define Paladino as a "wacko." And a pundit described a potential Paladino governorship as the state "moving from dysfunction to psychosis." Paladino -- with his black belt duck -- doesn't seem worried about what people are saying. [TU] [NYT] [Buffalo News] [NYT]
There was an usually high number of write-in votes cast in Albany County on primary day -- and it sounds like ballot design could be the reason. (See Terry's comment here on AOA about what might have been the problem.) [TU] [AOA]
Three top SUNY officials have gotten $30,000 raises -- along with other benefits, even as other system employees are being forced to take furlough days. [TU]
Global Foundries is slated to get another chip in Abu Dhabi -- which the company says is a good thing for the Malta fab. [WSJ/Post-Star] [TU]
Saratoga Hospital and Albany Med say they're teaming up to open an urgent care facility in Malta near Northway Exit 12. The facility would be open 24/7. They're aiming to open in 2012. [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [TU]
The City of Troy and the Albany and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany are in a dispute over whether the diocese should have to pay property tax on closed churches in the city. [Troy Record]
Judge approves warrant for DNA samples in Troy ballot fraud investigation, go-ahead for new development at Harriman campus, fade out for Harold Gould
Carl Paladino won the Republican primary for governor. More about Paladio's win -- and other primary results highlights.
A judge has approved a search warrant that allows State Police to collect DNA samples from Troy city councilman Michael LoPorto and city clerk William McInerney as part of the investigation of alleged ballot fraud in the city. Attorneys for both men have described the DNA requests as "fishing expedition." [TU] [Troy Record]
Nine former nurses at Northwoods nursing home in Troy were indicted on charges related to allegations of neglect and falsifying medical records. The indictments stem from a state attorney general's investigation. [Troy Record] [Troy Record March 2010]
The state's economic development arm has approved $921k in funding for the demolition of the former Troy city hall. [TU]
The board of directors for the Harriman State Office Campus in Albany has given Columbia Development the initial go-ahead to construct new office buildings at the site, despite the objections of Jerry Jennings. [ESD] [TU]
Final approval for Aqueduct racino deal, church group says 88-year-old woman's family prompted eviction notice, driving-while-talking ticket cancelled for amateur radio operator
Today is primary day. You can look up your polling place on the NYS Board of Elections site.
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli has signed off on the Aqueduct racino contract. That was the last step in the approval process. Genting, the winning (and, in the end, only) bidder, says it will be sending New York State its $380 million upfront payment this month. Among the planned uses of the money: propping up the faltering horse racing industry in the state. The president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association says he's not ready to pop the cork on the champagne yet, "but at least you could probably chill it now." Saratoga Springs supervisor Joanne Yepsen called the deal "a huge win for our local and state economy." [NYS OSC] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Ariel Myers, the Troy 19-year-old convicted of shooting Robert Guynup, got the maximum sentence -- 25 years in prison. Guynup suffered brain damage from being struck in the head and, in her victim impact statement, his wife said she now hugs "the shell I call my husband" and remembers when he could hug her back. Myers said he felt bad for what happened, "But at the same time, I'm just an innocent kid. I didn't have anything to do with it." [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
The body of Marine Cpl. Philip Charte is scheduled to return to Washington County today. Community members, with 1000 American flags, will be lining the streets of Cambridge for the procession this afternoon. [TU] [Post-Star]
Momentive merging with Ohio company, relative few tickets for texting while driving, Albany native commands rescue of ship from pirates
Momentive Performance Materials, the big silicones manufacturer with a plant that employees 1000 people in Waterford and another 100 in Colonie, announced today that it's merging with an Ohio-based company. The company says it will maintain a "significant presence" in in the Capital Region. [TU] [Momentive]
Albany police radio broadcasts indicate at least one person was shot last night in West Hill (map). [TU]
Albany police say they've arrested two men who allegedly were involved in recent acts of public lewdness. They say one man was picked after exposing himself to a woman on Washington Ave Friday (map). And they allege the other man was exposed himself in two separate incidents in Arbor Hill at the end of August (map). [TU] [Fox23] [WTEN]
A Schenectady man convicted of almost strangling his then-12-year-old son to death was released on Friday -- after serving a little more than a year, as opposed to the eight year minimum he was facing -- because a judge reduced the charges against him from felonies to misdemeanors. [Daily Gazette]
The Albany County district attorney's office has filed a motion that seeks to uphold the Signature Pharmacy steroids indictment -- and responds to the recent criticism of the case from a federal judge. [TU] [earlier NYT]
State budget "precariously balanced," flaming rum shots and sparklers blamed for house fire, panel picked for residential parking permit plan, dryers texting Siena students
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli's final analysis of this year's state budget concludes the plan is "precariously balanced using $16.7 billion in temporary and non-recurring resources, most of which will disappear within three years." The Paterson admin accused DiNapoli of Monday morning quarterbacking. [NYS OSC] [Daily Politics]
A Rensselaer County court jury found Daiman Burkett guilty of killing Des-Hawn Parker. Prosecutors had argued the Troy woman had been a victim of domestic violence and was trying to cut all ties with Burkett when he strangled her to death in February 2009. [TU] [YNN] [Troy Record]
Hudson police say they've arrested three men for allegedly being the vandals who spray painted an ethnic slur on the side of a mosque. People in the increasingly mutli-cultural city said they were upset and disgusted by the act. [CBS6] [TU]
The man shot in the leg in Schodack Monday is criticizing the Rensselaer County for charging the alleged shooter with assault instead of attempted murder. [Troy Record]
Troy's fire chief says college students drinking flaming shots of run and using sparklers indoors accidentally caused the fire that displaced a group of RPI students from an off-campus house. The union that represents Troy firefighters is apparently going to use the incident to push its case that too-low staffing levels near the campus resulted in a delayed response time. The fire chief says the fire had a head start on the department because the students tried to put the fire out themselves before calling for help. [TU] [YNN] [CBS6] [Troy Record]
Fight over DNA sample in Troy ballot fraud investigation, as many as 500 turn out for Dino jobs, Green Island mayor takes War on Crows into her own hands
Seven of the nine people who have been asked for DNA samples as part of the investigation of the alleged Troy ballot fraud have said they'll turn over sample. The attorney for Michael LoPorto says the city councilman will fight the request -- and the attorney for city clerk William McInerney says his client hasn't decided, yet. [Troy Record] [TU]
Whether because of anti-incumbent sentiment or something else, an unusually large amount of money is being spent on primaries in New York State this year. [TU]
Raymond Van Clief, accused of fatally shooting a man in Schenectady's Hamilton Hill neighborhood this past December and then waiting for police to arrive on the scene, will get 23 years in prison as part of a plea deal. [TU]
The two brothers who pleaded guilty to the fatal Aquarius bar shooting last year in Schenectady each got 18 years to life. [Daily Gazette]
A mosque in Hudson was vandalized with an ethnic slur. [Fox23]
Marine from Washington County killed in Afghanistan, frat gets OK to take over former church property in Troy, Dinosaur now eyeing late October opening
A Marine who grew up in Washington County was killed in Afghanistan. Philip Charte had lived in Cambridge before moving to New Hampshire in 2007 -- he has family in Salem. [Union-Leader (NH)] [Fox23] [TU]
The City of Saratoga Springs has settled a lawsuit over the assessment of David Silipigno's mansion and will give him $180,000 in property tax refunds and credits (map). The house reportedly has seven bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. [Saratogian] [Zillow]
Troy's zoning board approved an RPI fraternity's application to use the former St. Francis de Sales Church property on Congress Street as a frat house. Phi Sigma Kappa is a dry frat because of an alcohol violation six years ago. [Troy Record] [Fox23]
NYRA's president says the first priority in the $100 million-worth of improvements slated for the Saratoga Race Course is upgrading accommodations for backstretch workers. The conditions for backstretch workers have been described as "hidden shame of Saratoga." [Saratogian] [NYDN]
Schenectady woman accused of stabbing teen, Albany police investigating flashings/burglaries, Route 9P bridge closed, local centenarian credits exercise for her longevity
Schenectady police say they've arrested a woman for stabbing a 14-year-old boy early Saturday morning (map). They say they had responded to the scene after multiple reports of a fight. [Daily Gazette] [WTEN]
Schodack police say a man was shot in the knee during an argument last night. [CBS6]
Albany police say there's been a string of burglaries in which a suspect has climbed in through a window. In one of the cases, a
A federal judge in Florida has harshly criticized Albany County DA David Soares for his role in the prosecutions of people connected to the Signature Pharmacy steroids case. [NYT]
Neil Breslin, on running for re-election to the state Senate amid the strong anti-incumbent sentiment: "I think I can differentiate myself from the rascals." [TU]
Pension problems could mean higher taxes, falling tree kills woman, Troy ramps up for the War on Crows
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that a big jump in state pension fund contributions will be necessary to keep the fund afloat. He says state and local government will need to come up with $1.3 billion more next year. And you know what that means: budget cuts, higher taxes -- or both. Local leaders are irked. Harry Wilson, the Republican candidate for comptroller, argues the state's pension situation is even worse than what DiNapoli describes. [NYS OSC] [YNN] [TU] [WTEN] [Wilson campaign]
A federal grant will allow Saratoga Springs to fill seven vacant fire fighter positions. The city cut the positions earlier this year to cover a budget hole. [Saratogian] [YNN]
A multiple-car crash on alternate Route 7 killed one person and shut down the road in both directions Thursday evening. [TU] [CBS6]
It's hot, Breslin and Martland debate term limits, underwear blamed for Cohoes sewage pump failure, 28 cats dropped at shelter in boxes, a Bombers for Troy?
This just in: it's hot. Today's high is forecasted to be 93. There's an air quality alert for ozone. [NWS] [NWS]
Term limits were one of the most-discussed issues at the debate between Democratic state Senate debate between Neil Breslin and Luke Martland. Said Martland of the incumbent: "If you believe that New York state is on the right track and that the status quo is working, then you should vote for Neil Breslin." Said Breslin: "... when people see the accomplishments, that I've had, see what I've done in terms of reform and cleaning up the Senate, I'm sure I'll be re-elected." [YNN] [TU] [WTEN]
Cohoes mayor John McDonald says the city has fixed the pumps whose failure had resulted in sewage being discharged into a tributary of the Hudson. He says the rags that damaged the pumps have been identified as children's clothing and underwear -- and police are investigating where they came from. [CBS6] [Troy Record]
Troy police say a man died yesterday after being hit by a car while crossing River Street (map). They say the man may have walked into the street from between two parked cars. [YNN] [Troy Record]
The Troy Fire Department says an elderly man died during a fire in his apartment early Wednesday morning. They say the fire may have been started by a cigarette. [Troy Record] [TU]
Pump failure causing sewage to be dumped into Hudson tributary, Breslin calls Paterson "an absolute, total failure," Saratoga Spring Water's blue bottles catching eyes in China
The state DEC says the failure of pumping station in Cohoes has led to thousands of gallons of raw sewage being dumped into a tributary of the Hudson. Cohoes mayor John McDonald says that rags "that should not have been disposed in the system" caused the pumps to break. [TU] [Troy Record]
The former director of the state prison system's food production operation -- and his staff -- "routinely traded favors and gifts with favored businesses that were rewarded with millions of dollars in state purchases," according to report from the state comptroller and state inspector general. The former director, who's since retired, has previously been accused of taking every Friday off for 17 years. [NYS OSC] [TU]
Neil Breslin says David Paterson "has been an absolute, total failure" as governor. Luke Martland, Breslin's Democratic primary opponent, says the state legislature "doesn't do what's right by anybody" except themselves. Breslin and Martland debate tonight at St. Rose. [TU CapCon] [Troy Record]
A gambling police expert on New York's use of racino money to prop up horse racing: "For New York, the public policy question comes down to this: Should we spend $400 million to save racetracks or to save education and other things that are also in great need?" [NYT]
Allegations of excessive force in RPI student arrest, collapsed row house owner says he'll rebuild, state's first all-girls charter high school opens in Albany
Witnesses to the arrest of an RPI student Saturday night in Troy allege that police used excessive force in subduing the man, who's accused of pushing an officer. What's said to be video of the incident is on YouTube, but it's blurry. The student who shot the video says he was arrested after he was seen recording the incident (the TPD says he was arrested for allegedly not leaving the scene and for allegedly having an open container). TPD chief John Tedesco said the officers acted appropriately: "They acted in self-defense and just because you have a badge on does not mean you are a punching bag." [Troy Record] [YouTube] [TU] [YNN]
David Paterson signed the Albany residential parking permits bill yesterday. The city's Common Council now has to take up the process of establishing a system. Common councilman Richard Conti says he'd like to see a system in place "before this year is out." Earlier: Details on what the bill allows [YNN] [TU] [WTEN]
Paul Tonko is one of the eight New York Congressional reps who are receiving public pensions in addition to their congressional salaries. Tonko says he filed for his state pension after resigning from NYSERDA to run for Congress because I didn't know if I would have another job." The spokesperson for a budget watchdog group says the arrangement doesn't violate any rules. [NYDN] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Nine day manhunt ends in Rensselaer County barn, investigation into row house collapse, $150 for premature bike path ride, adios Willie Colon
State police say they found Abel Jimenez, the undocumented farm worker accused of injuring a state trooper in Washington County, Sunday morning hiding behind bales of hay in a barn in Brunswick in Rensselaer County. A group of law enforcement agencies had been searching for Jimenez for nine days -- using more than a hundred officers, helicopters, an airplane and dogs. [TU] [Troy Record] [Post-Star]
Troy police say an Albany man died in police custody Saturday after a traffic stop. They say it appeared the man had a white powder around his mouth and then vomited and went into convulsions in the back of a police car. They say they found a white powder and crack in the man's car. They say they suspect he overdosed. [YNN] [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23]
Albany fire chief Robert Forezzi says the department is still investigating what caused the collapse of the row house at 600 Madison Ave. [TU] [AOA]
The Army report that concluded Colonie soldier Amy Seyboth-Tirador committed suicide said she appeared "different and defeated" in the weeks leading up to her death. [TU]
Independent counsel: Paterson was "inaccurate and misleading" about Yankee tickets, bomb squad called in Saratoga, local apple crop coming in early
David Paterson was "inaccurate and misleading" during the investigation into whether he had intended to pay for tickets to a World Series game at Yankees Stadium last year, according to a report from independent counsel Judith Kaye. The report concludes that the evidence "warrants consideration of possible criminal charges" against the governor. It leaves that decision up to Albany County DA David Soares, whose office said the matter is "under review." Paterson's lawyer says the governor "did not lie when he testified about the Yankee tickets." NYPIRG's Blair Horner says Paterson apparent actions in the case have "made what was an ethical molehill into an ethical mountain." [NYT] [YNN] [NYS AG] [TU] [NYT] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics] [Fox23]
Scott Murphy and Chris Gibson met in a debate last night in Glens Falls. The economy was foremost in the discussion. They differed on the recent federal stimulus package (Murphy: in favor, Gibson against) letting some of the Bush tax cuts expire (Murphy: yes, Gibson: no) and the recent health care reform legislation (Murphy: improve it, Gibson: repeal it). The debate was closed to the general public, but organizers say the video will be posted on YouTube. [CBS6] [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [Fox23]
In a letter to his mother, Army Staff Sgt. Derek Farley -- the Rensselaer County soldier who died in Afghanistan while defusing a bomb -- wrote of his work: "... I keep fighting because there are thousands of mothers out there just like you who want to see their sons and daughters again." [TU]
Town lines streets for return of fallen soldier, horse puncher gets 30 days, alleged indoor pot farm busted in Delmar, local outbreak of Bieber Fever traced to hair
Residents of Nassau lined the Rensselaer County town's streets yesterday for the motorcade carrying the body of soldier Derek Farley, who was killed in Afghanistan while trying to defuse a bomb. Said one sign: "Ssgt Derek Farley, Everyone's Son." [YNN] [TU] [Troy Record]
The father of Colonie soldier Amy Seyboth-Tirador -- who the military says died in Iraq from a self-inflicted gunshot (an assertion her family has disputed) -- says he and Seyboth-Tirador's husband had her body exhumed in May so famed medical examiner Michael Baden could perform a second autopsy. Seyboth-Tirador's mother said yesterday she didn't play a role in the exhumation and the secrecy made her suspicious. The Army said yesterday Seyboth-Tirador's death was ruled a suicide and her case is closed. [TU] [YNN] [YNN]
The search for Abel Jimenez, the man State Police allege dragged a trooper with his pickup truck last week in Washington County, has widened to include part of Rensselaer County. The police have been using dozens of officers, dogs, helicopters and an airplane in the hunt for the undocumented immigrant. There's now a $1000 reward for information. [Troy Record] [Post-Star] [TU]
The Saratoga County sheriff's office says sergeant Brent Dupras has been suspended after he was arrested for allegedly breaking into a former ladyfriend's house in Halfmoon. Fox23 reports the Dupras had been charged with harassment several years ago, but the charges were dropped. Say's the man's attorney: "Mr Dupras has a story to tell and he's looking forward to telling it." [TU] [Post-Star] [Fox23] [WTEN]
The man Saratoga Springs police say punched a police horse on Caroline Street pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. [Fox23] [Saratogian]
New York wins federal education money, man accused of punching police horse, man allegedly stole puppies at gunpoint
The feds awarded New York State almost $700 million in "Race to the Top" education funding yesterday. New York's application was apparently aided by a deal with teachers' unions to incorporate standardized test scores into teacher evaluations. And to emphasize that the US Secretary of Education -- Arne Duncan -- will be appearing at NYSUT headquarters in Latham on Monday. The state education director said more than half of the federal money will got directly to local school districts -- though it could be a while before local districts know what they're getting and when. (Also: Which race was this, governor?) [NYT] [TU] [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [Saratogian] [WNYC]
The three Republican candidates vying to challenge Kirsten Gillibrand for the US Senate debated last night in Schenectady. Recap: one, two, lightning round. The three candidates generally agreed that the federal government is spending too much money. Bruce Blakeman caught attention for saying KG is an "attractive, bright woman, who I believe is a good mom" when asked to say something nice about her. She's apparently clairvoyant, too -- her "reaction" statement was released before the debate. [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics x3] [TU] [YNN] [State of Politcs]
Saratoga Springs police say a man punched a police horse in the face two weekends ago on Caroline Street. They say Jupiter, the horse, is OK after the alleged punch. [TU] [Saratogian]
Services for Rensselaer County soldier this week, sheriff's office says teen got special delivery from California, Schenectady teacher swapping jobs with Englishwoman
Officials say the body of Derek Farley, the Rensselaer County soldier who died while trying to disarm a bomb in Afghanistan last week, will travel in a motorcade from ALB to the town of Nassau on Wednesday. There will be calling hours on Thursday in Rensselaer. Farley was ABC News' person of the week last week. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [ABC News]
The infant injured when she was hit by a car -- along with her mother and a sibling -- on Broadway in Menands this weekend has died. Colonie police say the driver didn't have time to stop when the family darted into the street -- and will not be charged. [YNN] [TU]
State police say an Albany man -- and substitute teacher -- was arrested for allegedly trying to meet two teen girls for sex. They say the man has taught in several local districts. There are also indications he worked at a local camp. [TU] [CBS6] [Fox23]
An administrative law judge for the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that Hearst, the Times Union's parent company, broke the law when it laid off 11 TU employees last year -- and ordered the employees re-hired. The TU's publisher says "we strongly disagree with the judge's decision" -- and, pending an appeal, the paper won't re-hire the employees. The newspaper guild's president says the appeal is "meant only to drag the case out." [Albany Newspaper Guild] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
The New York State health plan for people with pre-existing conditions, who haven't had health insurance recently, is starting to take applications. [AP/CBS6]
Final tally on state budget, police say man stabbed over gas grill, Washington County Fair opens
The final tally on the 2010-2011 New York State budget: $135.5 billion. The projected budget gap for next year's budget: $8.2 billion. [NYS DOB] [TU]
Because of the late state budget -- and the still unallocated federal aid -- local school districts don't know how much state aid they'll be getting this year. [TU]
Compared to their counterparts in other local counties, Albany County legislators aren't shy about passing local laws aimed at issues such trans-fat, sex offenders and sippy cups. [TU]
Opposition to the proposed Muslim community center and mosque near the World Trade Center site has become a centerpiece of Rick Lazio's gubernatorial campaign. [NYT]
Carl Paladino on New York State politics, during an interview with the Troy Record editorial board: "It's a minefield of disloyal, distrustful people all interested in themselves. It doesn't matter what the party label is. It's a ruling class. We have to take out the ruling class." [Troy Record]
Schenectady school district officials say they're revising district policy to allow students to wear rosaries. The school board president says the new policy will focus on what students do, not necessarily what they wear. The district had been sued earlier this year after it middle school student was told to stop wearing his rosary outside his clothes. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Two children were still in the hospital Sunday night after they -- and their mother -- were hit by a car on Broadway in Menands on Saturday. Police say the family was waiting for the bus when one of the children ran into the street. They say the mother, carrying the other child, went after the kid and they were all hit by the car. [YNN] [WTEN] [WNYT] [Fox23]
David Paterson on Larry King, Nassau soldier killed in Afghanistan, highest paid Schenectady cop resigns, DEA bust in Saratoga County, rabid fox bites woman in Warren County, the Guv's dinner with Pink Floyd
David Paterson appeared on Larry King Live last night to talk about the proposed Islamic Cultural Center two blocks from the world trade center site. The Governor referred to the situation as a "Greek Tragedy" where right is facing right and offered to sit down and talk with both sides to help broker a solution. [CNN]
Four NY State House Democrats have come out against the building of the cultural center. [State of Politics]
Today's Village Voice has an expose on Rick Lazio, which probes the relationship between Lazio and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation head Charles Millard. The piece suggest Lazio used influence to obtain a lucrative contract that would sink retiree benefits into risky investments and to try to help to get Millard a job. Lazio's campaign is trying to play down the charges. [Village Voice] [Capitol Confidential]
A 24 year old Rensselaer county man was killed attempting to disarm a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Tuesday. Flags are being flown at half mast today in honor of Army Staff Sgt. Derek Farley. [YNN]
The remains of a WWII veteran were flown to Albany International Airport yesterday. 1st Lt. Ray Fletcher had been considered missing in action since 1944. He'll be burried near his home in Vermont. [WNYT]
Paterson's free tickets may cost 93 grand, Albany Crime Analysis Center opens, 90 cats rescued from condemned building, 2nd trial begins in Saratoga Winners arson,Seneca Indian Nation sues Paterson, Fresh Market opens in Latham
Five free NY Yankees tickets may end up costing Governor David Paterson $93,000 . Yesterday the Public Integrity Commission recommended its highest fine yet for Paterson, for allegedly wrongfully acquiring the free tickets. . The Governor did not show up for the Public Integrity Commission hearing yesterday, but his former top press aid, Peter Kauffmann was there. Kauffmann testified that he urged Paterson to pay for the tickets. The final decision on the civil penalty for Paterson won't be made until October. [TU] [YNN] [NYT]
A new Siena poll says that while Carl Paladino has closed the gap against Rick Lazio, they'd both still get pretty well thumped against Andrew Cuomo. [Capitol Confidential]
Surpise! Andrew Cuomo and Rick Lazio don't really get along so well. Here are some of the reasons why. [NYT]
The Seneca Indian Nation is suing Governor Paterson over cigarette taxes at Native American stores. [Capitol Confidential]
Governor Paterson wants to talk with the developers of the proposed Islamic Cultural Center near ground zero.
Albany County has a new crime fighting tool. The Albany Crime Analysis Center --a countywide database, open since April --was formally dedicated Tuesday. The database will help authorities share the latest information across municipal boundaries and track crime trends. [YNN]
In a rescue effort reminiscent of the Berlin Airlift, Albany animal control and volunteers violated condemned property laws to rescue 90 cats and two dogs from a condemned building on Orange Street back. They're now looking for homes for the animals. [TU] [WNYT]
Panel recommends longer PCB dredging project timeline, attendance down at the Track, police say mustard marked alleged serial burglar
A draft report from the panel of experts reviewing the Hudson River PCB dredging project concludes that the process should be slowed down so efforts could be more precisely targeted. The panel says complications arising from inaccurate or incomplete surveys of the contamination led to higher than expected levels of PCB re-suspension (in other words, more of the PCBs were stirred up into the water than expected) -- and "substantive changes" need to be made for the next phase of the project. GE says it's already spent about $561 million on the project. [EPA] [TU] [Saratogian] [NYT] [AP/Post-Star]
The Schenectady police department says car break-ins have reached "epidemic levels" (heat map). A crime analyst for the city says there appears to be an upswing in Rotterdam and Niskayuna, too. The SPD says the thieves are after items such as iPods and GPS units. [CBS6] [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23]
Jerry Jennings said yesterday that an independent counsel will look into allegations that Ron "Cook" Barrett, the city's gang prevention specialist, was using sick time to do paid speaking gigs elsewhere. Jennings says Barrett seemed to be doing a good job with the city's kids, but common councilman Dominick Calsolaro said last night he was concerned about a lack of results. [TU] [WTEN] [CBS6]
Albany police say they've made an arrest in the June 27 fatal stabbing in Arbor Hill. They say the man arrested was found shot that same morning. The victim's mother says as many as 30 people witnessed the stabbing, but police have had trouble finding cooperation. [CBS6] [WNYT] [Fox23]
Rensselaer County man charged with murder of infant daughter, man allegedly went nuts at ALB parking gate, veteran awarded Purple Heart 65 years after earning it
A Rensselaer County man has been charged with killing his infant daughter earlier this year. Joseph McElheny has pleaded not guilty to the charges. State police say the girl had broken bones and showed signs of blunt force trauma. A note taped to the family's front door said the state had made "the process of grieving impossible" and "We are confident the whole world will soon know what a loving wonderful father Joe is." [TU] [WTEN] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
A Times Union investigation has raised questions about whether the city of Albany gang prevention specialists has been doing outside speaking gigs while claiming sick time. [TU]
The Albany police sergeant who allegedly tried to cover up a detective's drunk driving was "untruthful" about the events surrounding the incident and showed no remorse for his role, according to an arbitrator's ruling. [TU]
There's now a general road map for the Albany Police Department's community policing effort. [TU]
The former CEO of a Catskills gambling/resort company is trying to cast doubt on the trustworthiness of Genting, the company close to securing the deal to develop a racino at Aqueduct. There's hope among local officials that the almost-finished Aqueduct deal will bring stability and much-needed upgrades to the Saratoga Race Course. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Albany County Sheriff's office say a man who apparently couldn't pay the $5 to exit ALB's economy lot on Friday jumped out of his car, tried to commandeer a fire truck by asserting that he was an air marshall, then stripped off his clothes and yelled that he had a bomb in his car. [WNYT] [TU] [WTEN]
Woman fights off alleged kidnap attempt, car drives through wall of restaurant, casting agent says word's getting around about Albany
Colonie police say they arrested a man for alleging trying to a rob and kidnap a woman at a Wolf Road office yesterday while wielding what turned out to be a BB handgun. Witnesses say as the man tried to force the woman into her car, she hit the man with her purse and then ran to safety at Professor's Java's. A co-worker told WTEN that the woman knew from watching Oprah that she should not get in the car with the man. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [WTEN]
If the Aqueduct racino deal goes through -- as it appears it will now -- it will splash money all over the racing industry in New York State. The president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce said the impact in Saratoga is "huge." [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
The feds are reportedly now investigating whether someone illegally accessed Sherr-una Booker's medical records the day after NYT asked David Paterson about the alleged incident of domestic violence involving Booker and now-suspended aide David Johnson. Johnson was arraigned on five charges yesterday related to the alleged incident. When asked about the case yesterday, Paterson didn't say much. [NYT] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics]
The Albany County sheriff's office says it arrested a 62-year-old man at his South Mall Towers apartment in Albany yesterday for allegedly having heroin, cocaine and oxycontin. They say residents had complained about the man dealing drugs. An inspector said it's not often they bust someone that age for dealing. [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [YNN]
Aqueduct racino deal moving forward, roundabout causing frustration, cigarette sales reportedly way down since tax hike
Sheldon Silver has given his OK to Genting's Aquaduct racino project bid, opening the way for a final contract. Money from the deal will go toward propping up NYRA, which operates Saratoga. The org has $150 million in improvements it would like to make at The Track. [State of Politcs] [TU] [TU]
David Paterson says the legislature must return soon to decide how to distribute the recently passed federal aid to schools. There are two formulas from which the legislature can pick. [State of Politics] [WTEN]
Paterson aide David Johnson is expected to be charged today with misdemeanor assault for the alleged incident of domestic violence involving Sherr-una Booker. An independent counsel recently concluded that evidence in the case warranted "consideration of possible charges" against Johnson and that the governor made "errors of judgment" during the situation surrounding the alleged assault. [NYT] [AOA]
The state budget wasn't actually finished when everyone thought it was -- because the Assembly sent the wrong bill to the governor and he signed it. [Buffalo News]
Bethlehem police say they've arrested a 17-year-old for allegedly setting fire to a house in Delmar August 4. They say the teen knew the family that lived in the house (they were away at the time). [YNN] [WNYT] [Fox23]
An Albany County official asked people to be patient with new Maxwell Road roundabout in Colonie (map). The construction around the new intersection has been causing long backups -- and frustrating drivers. [TU] [WTEN] [YNN]
Federal aid headed for local school districts, indicators of domestic violence up, state moving some employees out of downtown Albany
Capital Region school districts are in line to get about $44 million from the $26 billion package of aid for states passed by the House of Representatives passed yesterday. Before the money reaches districts, the state legislature has to decide how to distribute it. And local districts say it's unclear whether the money will arrive in time to save the jobs of laid off teachers. [Schumer press release] [NYT] [State of Politics] [Daily Gazette]
The federal aid bill has become a topic in the the race between Scott Murphy and Chris Gibson for the 20th Congressional District. Murphy praised the bill for helping school districts and Medicaid while closing what he called tax loopholes. Gibson called the bill "new spending we simply cannot afford." [Post-Star] [TU] [Gibson email press release]
Genting's Aqueduct racino bid has gotten the OK from the state Senate. Sheldon Silver still has to OK the deal before it moves forward. Money from the deal would be used to prop up NYRA, which operates Saratoga. [Saratogian] [TU]
State officials say indicators of domestic violence have continued to increase for the third year in a row. There were 89 people killed by intimate partners last year, according to a state report. [NYS DCJS] [Daily Gazette]
The Troy neighborhoods up for residential parking permit consideration are downtown, Beman Park and Hillside. [TU]
Albany County has notified three bakeries that they were found to be in violation of the trans-fat ban. [TU]
Aqueduct racino final deal close?, county legislator calls for anit-smoking ad to be yanked, developer surveying interest in downtown apartments
There appears to be support in the state Senate the Genting's Aqueduct's racino bid -- that doesn't necessarily mean the deal is close to being finished. Money from the deal will be used to prop up NYRA, which runs Saratoga. [Saratogian] [NYDN]
Both attendance and the amount bet are down at the The Track over the first two weeks of this season compared to the same period last year, according to NYRA. [Saratogian]
The TU reports that at least 12 state legislators have hand gun permits. There's been a debate lately over whether the state's hand gun permit database should publicly available in whole. [TU]
State senator Diane Savino and Assemblyman Matt Titone called state senator Ruben Diaz "a media whore" yesterday while waving a wig and a high heeled shoe at him. Really. There's video. [State of Politics]
The Troy school district has fired a district official whose doctorate was revoked after it was alleged he plagiarized parts of his dissertation. [TU] [Journal News]
The chairman of the Rensselaer County legislature is upset about the anti-smoking ads being run by the state health department that depict a child crying because he's been left by his mother. Martin Reid says the ads should be taken off the air. The producer of the ad has said the kid really was crying. [Troy Record] [WTEN] [Today Show/YouTube]
Schenectady is recycling less of its garbage now than it was in the early 1990s. Schenectady is thinking about moving to "single stream" recycling, which appears to be working in places such as Watervliet. [TU] [Troy Record]
Delmar man killed in Afghanistan, the weekend in crime, Marylou's numerous admirers
An optometrist from Delmar was one of the 10 aid workers killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan last week. Tom Little and his wife Libby had spent much of their lives doing humanitarian work in Afghanistan, providing eye care to people in poor and remote areas. It's estimated he treated about 250,000 people there. Members of local congregations that helped support their work remembered Little as dedicated and humble. Libby Little wasn't with her husband on this latest expedition because she was here in the Capital Region with one of their daughters, who's expecting a child. She's heading back to Kabul for his burial. [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [CBS6]
Schenectady police say they've arrested a man for the fatal shooting in June on Crane Street. The people who drove the victim of the shooting to Ellis Hospital crashed their car into the emergency department doors. [Daily Gazette] [YNN]
Albany police say they're arrested four teens for allegedly throwing a man through a basement window on Washington Ave Saturday evening (map). They say they don't know what prompted the altercation, which appeared to be unprovoked. Another victim says they were walking their dogs when the teens approached them. [TU] [Fox23] [YNN] [WNYT]
Albany police say a teen was shot in the arm Saturday night in West Hill (map). [WNYT]
Capital Region in line for millions in federal aid, APD sergeant fired, Pastor Charlie wins $30k prize, ice cream trucks return to Niskayuna
Capital Region counties are in line to get millions in Medicaid funding as part of the $2.6 billion in federal aid that it appears New York State will be getting (pending approval by the US House of Representatives). Aid for school districts is also part of the package, though there are some questions about how much the money will help local districts. And the state's budget directors says the money won't head off the planned state employee layoffs. [Troy Record] [TU] [TU]
It sounds like the state Senate is in no hurry to sign off on the Genting New York bid for the Aqueduct racino project. The deal also needs the OK from David Paterson and Sheldon Silver. (Money from the deal would be used to prop up NYRA, which runs the Saratoga Race Course.) [Daily Politics] [Saratogian]
The City of Albany fired police sergeant Peter McKenna yesterday after an arbitrator found him guilty on multiple disciplinary charges. The charges were related to the events surrounding the arrest of an off-duty detective for DWI in 2009. [YNN] [TU] [CBS6]
Michael Mosely, the North Greenbush man accused of killing Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley, has pleaded not guilty. Said Mosley's attorney after the arraignment: "Simply stated, he didn't do it, and we don't know who did. I dare say, neither does the Rensselaer County District Attorney's office." Two other men had originally been charged with the crimes. [Fox23] [Troy Record]
Boat erupts into flames on Hudson, state comptroller says budget "was not worth the wait," breathalyzer tests for jockeys
A 34-foot boat caught fire on the Hudson near Troy yesterday and burned before sinking (map). The vacationing couple on the boat jumped into the water and were rescued by a passing boat. The fire, which burned for hours, produced bright orange flames and a tower of black smoke (lots of photos). The Troy Fire Department waited until the boat drifted toward shore before hitting it with foam and water. As it happens, the TFD has a firefighting boat on order -- scheduled to arrive at the end of this month. [YNN] [Fox23] [CBS6] [TU] [WNYT] [Troy Record]
Albany police say they drained Tivoli Lake as part of investigations into multiple cases, including Ashley Carroll -- and say there was no evidence found "relative to the investigation" (which investigation was not specified). [WTEN] [TU]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli, in a statement: "this budget was not worth the wait."
There's no guarantee the budget process under Andrew Cuomo, were he elected governor, would go any more smoothly next year. [NYT]
The clothing tax restored by the state budget won't start up until October 1 -- and is scheduled to eventually be phased out again. [TU]
New York State is in line to get $2.6 billion in federal aid after the US Senate passed a package of aid to states and school districts (it still has to pass in the House). [WSJ] [NYT]
State budget finally finished, APD drains pond for investigation, horse sells for $1.2 million, war temporarily declared on Troy
The state budget is essentially finished. The state Senate passed the final revenue bill 32-28 along party lines last night with little debate. (David Paterson still has to sign the bill, which he's expected to do.) The final bill includes a handful of tax increases, including the restoration of sales tax on clothing items under $110. The overall state budget is projected to total $136.5 billion, up 2.4 percent from last year. [TU] [NYDN] [Fox23] [YNN] [NYDN] [NYT]
Not a part of the final budget deal: a bill that would allow SUNY campuses to set their own tuition rates. A Buffalo-area senator had been holding out for the measure, but relented after a "framework" for the issue was announced. Neil Breslin called the SUNY act's failure to move "a huge disappointment." [Buffalo News] [State of Politics] [AP/Post-Star]
The state lottery division has recommended that Genting New York win the rights to develop a racino at Aqueduct. Genting's bid includes an upfront $380 million payment to the state, some of which would go towards propping up NYRA (the org that runs the Saratoga Race Course). Genting was the only remaining bidder in the process -- and it's unclear whether David Paterson and legislative leaders will all provide the necessary OKs. [Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star] [YNN]
Albany police drained Tivoli Lake yesterday as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Ashley Carroll -- though the APD says it has no information she was located in the pond. The only thing they reportedly found yesterday was an old car. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Another attempt at finishing state budget, ALB fares highest in state, police say kids tried to mug man using BB gun, woman credits "hot sex" for longevity
The legislature is back today in an attempt to finish off the budget -- and state Senate Democrats say they'll have all their members in attendance this time. Legislators are now blaming David Paterson for holding things up. [AP/Fox23] [State of Politics] [YNN]
Despite the stuck budget, legislators have found time to play golf and raise money. [NY Post]
State police major Charles Day, the head of David Paterson's security detail, is being transferred to the state police's traffic services division. Day was criticized in the Kaye report on David Johnson situation. [NYDN]
David Paterson signed a bill yesterday that bans the use of the chemical BPA in plastic baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers and straws. He vetoed a bill that would have required sippy cups to come with warning labels about tooth decay. [TU] [AP/WNYT]
Albany police say they're investigating a reports of racist, threatening phone calls to families. Last week an Albany family said someone was faking caller ID to make threatening calls. [WNYT] [WTEN]
The Albany International Airport had the highest average fare of any major airport in New York State during the first quarter of this year, according to data from the federal Department of Transportation. The average fare at ALB was up 14.6 percent over the last year. [TU] [USDOT]
Budget approaching latest-ever, Albany close to winning one from Austin, state worker says office made him depressed, huge act of kindness
State budget status: still not finished. The main players are apparently now focused on whom to blame for the stalled process. And it's approaching the date for the latest-ever budget, August 11. [NYDN] [NY Post]
Carl Paladino appears to be gaining on Rick Lazio for the Republican nomination for governor. [TU]
A negotiated-but-not-yet-finalized deal would move the remaining operations of Sematech, the semi-conductor research consortium, from Austin to Albany in a $100 million deal. [TU]
Following last week's fatal wrong-way driver on I-787, the fourth in four years, are the signs for the interstate's on-ramps clear enough? [TU]
"Sources briefed on the investigation" say federal prosecutors allege that officials from the state health department and the SUNY Research Foundation may have collaborated to influence audits of the state's Medicaid program. [TU]
The final cost of the Schenectady school district's settlement with former superintendent Eric Ely: $144,500. [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say four teens were stabbed in a parking lot near Westgate Plaza Friday night (map). They say the stabbings followed a nearby party. [TU] [WNYT]
Police say medical condition may have disoriented wrong way driver, Paterson pegs layoff number at 1000+, more funny money
State Police say the man who drove the wrong way on 787 and died in a crash with an oncoming tractor trailer may have been disoriented because of a medical condition. They say it appears the man entered the interstate at Exit 2 and headed north in the southbound lanes all the way past I-90 overpass (that's about 3 miles). They say about 80 calls were made to 911 reporting the wrong-way driver. The tractor trailer was carrying almost 20 tons of paper products -- and burst into in a flames. Said the driver of the truck, who was not seriously hurt: I don't think I will function correctly for a while." [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [CBS6] [Daily Gazette] [WTEN]
David Paterson said yesterday there will be "at least 1000" state employee layoffs. [TU CapCon]
One of the big holdups on finishing the state budget is ongoing struggle among Democrats in the legislature over the proposal to allow SUNY campuses to set their own tuititons (with limits). One of the meetings about the issue yesterday reportedly included a senator storming out of the room. [TU [State of Politics]
A state Supreme Court jude has tossed AEC's challenge to the Aqueduct racino bidding process. For now, that leaves a Malaysian firm as the sole remaining bidder for the project. The state Lottery Division is expected to make a recommendation next week. Money from the deal will be used to prop up NYRA, which runs the Saratoga Race Course. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
GlobalFoundries is taking its Town of Malta property tax assessment challenge to state court. The company says the project should be assessed based on what it would currently sell for, not how much has been spent on construction. GloFo and Malta are separated by $104 million. [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
The not-so-special session, nasty wreck closes 787, Saratoga Springs soldier buried, Daisy Baker's building for sale
Yesterday's "extraordinary" session of the legislature was less than special. Nine state senators -- including five from the Democratic majority -- weren't even there. The sessions in both chambers lasted only a few minutes. And now David Paterson is threatening to sue the legislature in an attempt to get to it do something to finish off the budget. [TU] [Troy Record] [YNN] [State of Politics]
The state Education Department reports that a little more than half of students in grades 3-8 were proficient in English and 61 percent were proficient in math. That's down significantly from last year -- NYSED says the drop is attributed an adjustment in the "cut scores" that made the tests harder to pass. The Shen school superintendent called the change "unfair to kids at best." And the Guilderland school district sent a letter to parents that said "the results released by SED today do not reflect the ability of Guilderland students to learn or Guilderland teachers to teach." [NYSED] [NYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
State police investigators are seeking to get DNA samples from nine people alleged to be involved in a Troy voting fraud scheme during last year's Working Families party primary. The TU reports the list includes the Democratic elections commissioner for Rensselaer County, three Troy city councilman and the city council president. [Troy Record] [TU]
Update: One person has died in the crash. A nasty-looking crash and fire on 787 this morning closed the interstate in both directions. A car reportedly drove the wrong way and hit a tractor trailer. [CBS6] [CBS6] [TU]
And independent film shoot will close a few streets in Arbor Hill today (map). [CBS6]
Legislature back for not-so-special-sounding extraordinary session, Niskayuna approves ice cream truck trial, Soares says surveillance video supported Van Plew, Saratoga Springs policia
The legislature is back today for the extraordinary session David Paterson called in an attempt to finish off the budget -- but it doesn't sound like much is going to get accomplished. One stumbling block (of many): there's some question as to how many Democratic senators will show up. (Senate president pro tem Malcolm Smith is reportedly on vacation. We kid you not.) [TU] [State of Politics] [NY Post]
You know how David Paterson has been talking about how state employee layoffs might be necessary to close the budget gap? NYT reports that it's hard to say exactly how many people work for the state -- and no one knows for sure. Also: it looks like a chunk of state workers won't be eligible for one of the early retirement incentives. [NYT] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo's gubernatorial campaign is focusing on a proposed two percent property tax cap. [State of Politics]
The Troy teen charged with the stabbing death of a man in North Central on Father's Day turned himself in -- and was out on bail a few hours later. Both the teen's attorney and the Rensselaer County DA say the case will be challenging for the prosecution. [Troy Record] [TU]
The Niskayuna town board voted 3-2 to allow ice cream trucks to operate in the town for a monthlong trial. The trucks have been banned for more than three decades because of safety concerns. Said the eight-year-old whose petition prompted the vote: "I think it's a great idea because kids love ice cream and everyone likes a nice summer treat every once in a while." Said one of the residents who opposed lifting the ban: "It's a diabetes truck." [Daily Gazette] [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23]
Paterson renews talk of layoffs, backstretch worker accused of stabbing, plans for solar energy facility, ice cream truck vote tonight
David Paterson renewed the possibility of state worker layoffs yesterday, saying the planning "is going to have to begin immediately." Said the governor: "Since the work force would not negotiate lag pay, which would have been a shared sacrifice for everyone, or a furlough, in which everybody would give a little, some unfortunate people who don't deserve it are going to get laid off and it burns me to have to say it because I don't think its fair to them." The state employee unions were annoyed. The head of PEF it was "unconscionable for the governor to continue scapegoating state employees" for the state's fiscal problems and the head of CSEA reiterated the unions' position that they have a binding no-layoffs agreement with the governor for this year. [TU] [WNYT] [PEF] [CSEA]
Rensselaer County DA Richard McNally said yesterday that a 16-year-old suspected of fatally stabbing a man in Troy's North Central neighborhood in June was expected to turn himself in today. [TU] [Troy Record]
Saratoga Springs police say a backstretch worker was arrested yesterday for allegedly stabbing another backstretch worker multiple times Saturday night near the Oklahoma Training Track. They say the man is in the country illegally from Guatemala. [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
The management of an apartment complex in Scotia denied allegations made by the state attorney general's office that the complex discriminates against potential renters who are African-American or have children. The AG's office says it has audio recordings of the allegedly discriminatory actions. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN]
Paterson reportedly "fed up" with budget delay, no prosecution for pranked Bethlehem man, Murphy officially running for re-election, Lazy Dog busy
A spokesman for David Paterson says the governor will call the legislature into extraordinary session Wednesday -- and possibly beyond -- in an attempt to get the budget finished. A "source close to the governor" tells the Post that Paterson is "fed up" with the legislature and plans "to make their lives miserable" if there isn't progress. Paterson's agenda for session includes all the familiar items: a property tax cap, the SUNY tuition bill, Medicaid contingency funding, and the return of the soda tax. [Paterson admin] [NY Post] [State of Politics]
Ding-dong drama It appears that Albany County DA David Soares' office will not prosecute Daniel Van Plew for allegedly tackling one of the teens allegedly involved in the prank. Said the attorney for the teen's family to the TU: "This all seems political to me and it doesn't pass the smell test." [WNYT] [TU]
Police say a Troy woman was arrested after the three-year-old she was caring for was found wandering the neighborhood around Stowe Ave Saturday morning (map). They say three hours went by before the woman noticed the child was missing. The woman told WNYT that the child probably unlocked a door and wandered off. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [WNYT]
A Troy police officer is being credited with saving a choking baby. Jeff Combs was following up on a complaint at a nearby address when the baby's mother frantically approached him to to help the baby, who was choking on a staple. [Troy Record] [TU] [WTEN]
The Albany school district says it has changed its form and will update its website after the NYCLU said the district's policies appeared to unlawfully discourage the enrollment of immigrant students. [TU] [AOA]
The Track opens today, family's attorney says Bethlehem homeowner should face additional charge, neighbors lift car that was crushing man's leg
The season at the Saratoga Race Course opens today, under clouds both literal, financial and legal. This year's meet will be 40 days long, the longest season in more than a hundred years. [NWS] [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Ding-dong drama The attorney for the family of the teen allegedly tackled by a Bethlehem homeowner after a prank this past weekend says not only is the family not dropping the charges -- but the homeowner should face additional charges for detaining the teen. "The child was significantly injured," contends the attorney for the family, who says they're not condoning their son's actions. There are also now significant differences in the versions of events being described by the attorneys from both sides. [WNYT] [WTEN] [CBS6] [YNN] [TU]
Carl Paladino's campaign is touting a poll that reports him running more-or-less even with Rick Lazio against Andrew Cuomo. Paladino has recently been speaking out against plans for a mosque near the World Trade Center site, saying -- as governor -- he would use eminent domain to block the project. NYC mayor Mike Bloomberg's response: "Huh? He's not going to get elected, so let's go on to the other topic." [State of Politics] [Daily Politics] [TU] [Daily Politics]
The early-retirement option for state workers apparently has some public employees making the case that their jobs could be eliminated. [TU]
Pranked Bethlehem man says he feared for his family's safety, planning for state worker layoffs could start soon, Albany city hall clocktower fixed
Said Daniel Van Plew, the Bethlehem man arrested for tackling a teen who was part of a group that pranked his house this past weekend, "I was afraid. I thought I was being robbed. I have two kids. Put yourself in my shoes." Said Rob Madeo, the father of the teen, "I don't condone [my son's] actions under any circumstances and we'll deal with this in the harshest possible way" (yep, the Rob Madeo). With the police standing in his living room and his son looking roughed up, Madeo says he was asked if he wanted to press charges and he said yes. Bethlehem police say Van Plew should not have pursued the teens. [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT] [WTEN]
Robert Megna, the state budget director, tells New York Now that planning for possible state worker layoffs will begin soon, after the results of the early retirement incentive are known. Megna said layoffs would be "a lengthy process" that would stretch into next year. [New York Now] [TU]
With the state budget still stalled short of the finish line, David Paterson took steps toward calling another special session of the legislature. "It is clear to me that this Legislature would rather play parliamentary games than finish a budget that is fifteen weeks late due to their inaction," said Paterson in a statement. The leaders of the state Senate and Assembly say they've been meeting on their own -- without Paterson. [State of Politics] [Paterson admin] [TU]
Shooting in Albany, commissioner says more budget cuts needed in Saratoga, rash of daytime robberies in Rotterdam
Albany police say a man was shot in the head in West Hill Tuesday afternoon (it reportedly hit him in the ear and grazed his head) (map). Police say the man was conscious when he was taken to the hospital. They say the shooter may have been in a maroon Honda. [YNN] [TU] [WTEN] [Fox23]
State police are searching the Hudson River near the Congress Street bridge for a swimmer who went missing yesterday evening. Another man who was with the swimmer was pulled from the river last night -- the two men were reportedly swimming near the Troy side of the river. A helicopter and divers were reportedly part of the search last night. [TU] [Troy Record] [YNN] [@TroyMayor]
Saratoga Springs police say a man robbed the Saratoga National Bank & Trust Co. branch on West Avenue Tuesday afternoon -- and was caught almost immediately after (map). [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
A Bethlehem man was charged with endangering the welfare of a child after he was accused of tackling a teen who allegedly was part of group that allegedly pounded on the man's door and "skulked" around his property Saturday night. [TU]
A Poestenkill man alleges that a Rensselaer County sheriff's deputy ignored his testimony that an off-duty Troy police officer was driving the car that plowed into his fence and a utility pole early Sunday morning. [Troy Record]
Selection of Krokoff for Albany police chief confirmed, state says bar was set too low on standardized tests, bank robbery in East Greenbush, new owners for Siro's
The Albany Common Council unanimously confirmed the selection of Steven Krokoff for police chief. The confirmation marks the first time the council has had official input on the selection of a chief. After the vote, Krokoff continued to stress the idea of community policing: "We're going from a team that was 338 [officers] to a team of 95,000 [city residents] as we work together with the people in this city." Krokoff is 40-years-old, making him possibly the youngest police chief in the city's history. [YNN] [WNYT] [Fox23] [TU]
New York State's general fund ended the first quarter of the fiscal year in the red, according to state comptroller Tom DiNapoli. It's only the second time in "modern history" that's happened, DiNapoli's office says. [NYS OSC]
The state Department of Education says the "bar was set too low" on the state tests for English and math that are given to students in grades 3-8. Said education commissioner David Steiner: "The word 'proficient' should tell you something, and right now that is not the case on our state tests." NYSED says it will change the "cut scores" used to classify a student's proficiency, and as a result, more students will end up being classfied as not meeting or partially meeting learning standards. [NYSED] [NYT]
Rick Lazio on the huge gap between his campaign fund total and that of Andrew Cuomo: "It's an election, not an auction." [State of Politics]
Double shooting in downtown Troy, Cuomo makes local campaign stops, rabid fox attacks man, cricket feud in Schenectady
Troy police say two people were shot Sunday morning on Congress Street between 3rd and 4th streets (map). They say both victims are expected to survive. The TPD says it's looking for a black Cadillac with chrome wheels that may have been involved with the shooting. [YNN] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Andrew Cuomo's RV campaign tour stopped at the Albany Democratic Party picnic on Saturday (Jerry Jennings called him "a great friend of mine for many, many years.") Commented Cuomo on the huge pile of campaign cash he's pulled together, to Jimmy Vielkind: "One of the opponents is a multi-millionaire who has said he can put his hand in his own pocket and spend millions of dollars ... And if you don't have the money to run a campaign you're not competitive." (That "multi-millionaire" opponent to whom he refers is Carl Paladino.) Cuomo also stopped at the Troy Pig Out. [Fox23] [TU] [TU CapCon] [Troy Record]
The two Democratic challengers to Mike Neil Breslin for the state Senate are hoping to ride an anti-incumbent wave. Also: is this the "year of the woman" in elections for the state legislator? [TU] [TU]
David Paterson's campaign fund has paid $700k over the last four months for legal bills related to the three public integrity investigations currently in progress that involve the governor. [Fox23]
Charges have been dropped against Bryan Berry and Terrence Battiste, the two men originally accused of killing Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley in Troy in 2002. A different man, Michael Mosley, was recently accused of the crime after prosecutors say his DNA matched a sample found at the crime scene. Berry and Battiste are currently in prison on unrelated charges. [TU] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
A man who says he was present at the attack on Steve Barnes and a friend at Stuyvesant Plaza two years ago has pleaded guilty and says he will cooperate with the case against Timothy Rankins, the bar owner who allegedly organized the attack. [TU]
Said the mother of the two boys shot near Schenectady's Jerry Burrell Park recently of the alleged shooter, a 17-year-old: "I was looking for a monster, like I said, and I saw a baby." [Fox23]
APD says video shows shooting was justified, Cuomo piling up the campaign cash, Price Chopper says it's also getting on sustainable seafood boat
Said Albany police spokesman James Miller of the video showing the fatal Quail/Spring Street shooting in February: "I think it's pretty transparent that [the officers'] actions in that case were justified." He also said: "If you don't have that video all you rely on would be TV and newspaper reports and people would have to draw their own conclusions by what they're hearing. Now, they can draw their own conclusions by what they're seeing." The video came from two sources -- the dashboard camera from the patrol car and a nearby surveillance camera. [TU] [WNYT] [TU]
John Tinkler, the Troy man convicted of killing three-year-old Zoey Sandercox, was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. Said Sandercox's mother during her victim impact statement: "No 3-year-old deserves to be beaten on because a grown man cannot control his anger." [Troy Record] [TU]
The brother of Anthony Delgado, the man shot in the Poestenkill triple shooting, says his brother tried to wrestle the gun away from Robert Pryor, Sr. He says his brother is recovering. [Fox23] [WNYT]
Yelled the mother of the two kids shot near Jerry Burrell Park in Schenectady at the arraignment of the alleged shooter: "You shot my sons. You shot my mother-[expletive] sons. They're waiting for you upstate you mother [expletive]." [Daily Gazette]
Investigation continues into Poestenkill shootings, two-thirds of Albany city payroll goes to non-residents, Paterson turns to kabbalah, another cupcake truck
The son of the man who shot two people and then himself in Poestenkill this week had called 911 after a talking with his father on the phone shortly before the incident -- but by the time the call was transferred to Rensselaer County, it was too late. The Rensselaer County sheriff says investigators are looking into whether Robert Pryor Sr. was suffering from mental health problems. Pryor's cousin says he was on a lot medication for various health problems. The two people Pryor shot are still hospitalized. [TU] [Fox23] [Troy Record] [YNN]
One of the rejected bidders for the Aqueduct racino contract has been granted a restraining order that could hold up the already drawn-out process. State lottery officials say they'll continue to push the process forward until they're officially served with the order. Money from the Aqueduct deal will be used to prop up NYRA, the org that operates the Saratoga Race Course. [TU] [Daily Politics] [Saratogian]
Schenectady police say they've arrested a 17-year-old for the double shooting near Jerry Burrell Park last month. The victims in the shooting were brothers, age 18 and 11. [Daily Gazette] [WTEN]
Rensselaer County's 911 dispatch center was damaged by lightning Tuesday. A Troy Police Department mobile command center has been helping keep the center fully operational. [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Almost 2/3 of the Albany city payroll goes to employees who live outside the city, according to a report from the city treasurer. [Troy Record]
Three shot in Poestenkill home, municipal budgets in bad shape, Fresh Market aiming for August opening in Latham
Police say an elderly man shot two people at his home in Poestenkill yesterday afternoon then turned the gun on himself (map). They say the
In attempt to unstick the stalled state budget process, David Paterson offered a revised revenue bill yesterday. The bill included a property tax cap and the provision that would allow SUNY campuses to set their own tuition (with limits). The legislature refused to formally accept the bill for consideration. [YNN] [Buffalo News] [TU]
Chris Gibson, the Republican challenger to Scott Murphy, has reportedly had a strong fundraising quarter -- but Murphy still holds a big lead in overall money. [Politico] [TU]
The budgets for many for Capital Region municipalities are in bad shape. [TU]
State comptroller: NYRA on very shaky financial ground, Albany police chief pick stresses engagement, could Sarah Palin be coming to Saratoga?
NYRA is in financial jeopardy for next year because of a lack of revenue and continued mismanagement, according to an audit released by state comptroller Tom DiNapoli. He says the horse racing org, which runs Saratoga, will need revenue from the still-not-completed Aqueduct racino deal to stay afloat. Only one firm remains in the bidding process for that contract. And AEG -- the group that won, then lost, the contract in a previous bidding process -- has filed a lawsuit that could stall the process the again. In NYRA's response to the audit, it notes that it's managed to cut costs 2.2 percent over the last two years. [NYS OSC] [Saratogian] [TU] [NYS OSC]
Albany police chief pick Steven Krokoff stressed community involvement during last night's hearing before the common council's public safety committee. He said there's a "reassurance gap" in the city -- that is, a gap between what crime stats report and citizens' perceived levels of crime. Said Krokoff of his aim to create greater engagement between police and neighborhoods: "We have to tailor our community policing services towards the neighborhood... not the neighborhood towards the community policing." [YNN] [TU] [Fox23]
Brian Stratton on Schenectady city worker layoffs: "[They're] probably going to be necessary." [Daily Gazette]
One of David Paterson's thousands of recent budget bill vetoes could result in the Albany school district distributing as much as $7 million more to charter schools than originally budgeted. [TU]
Bakeries in Albany County are continuing to push for an exemption from the county's ban on using trans-fats. [TU]
Officials say kid set fatal Schenectady fire, Saratoga woman killed by falling tree, poop scooping a growth industry, fourth grader fights ice cream truck ban
The Schenectady Fire Department says the house fire that killed two people last week on McClellan Street was set by a child, who caught a box of pancake mix on fire and then dropped the box on a bed (map). Authorities say they believe the child set the fire intentionally, but didn't intend to hurt anyone. [WNYT] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [YNN]
A ">Saratoga Springs woman was killed this weekend when a tree fell on the tent she was sleeping in while camping near the Hudson in the Warren County, according to the county sheriff's office. The woman's boyfriend, who was also in the tent and managed to free himself, reportedly cut the fallen tree with an axe in an effort to save the woman. [WNYT] [Post-Star] [TU]
The state budget is now
The New York Post reports that the Paterson administration awarded a $297 million no-bid contract to the health plan that employs the governor's wife. [NY Post]
As of mid-June, 248 people have been arrested in the first six months under New York's Leandra's Law, which made it an automatic felony if a driver is busted for driving drunk with kids in the car. Just this past weekend, state police say they arrested a man in the Town of Scotland under the law. [NYDN] [Fox23]
Stillwater police say they arrested a mother this weekend for allowing her toddlers to wander the village. They say the woman was arrested for the same thing back in April. Neighbors say they've often seen the kids outside unattended. [Fox23] [CBS6] [Fox23]
State budget hits more snags, APD says safety plan for Center Square is in early stages, push to increase state unemployment benefits, it's lonely at the top
The state budget is still not finished. The latest hang-up to passing the final revenue bill: the state Senate has now decided there needs to be a contingency plan for the possible loss of $1 billion in federal Medicaid money (David Paterson has been pushing this for sometime). Another snag: whether SUNY and CUNY "flagship" campuses should be allowed to set their own tuition rates -- Neil Breslin apparently was willing to his withhold his vote from the majority when UAlbany wasn't included in the pilot program. [TU] [NYDN] [Fox23] [AP/Post-Star] [TU]
David Paterson is scheduled to start vetoing all 6,900 of the legislature's appropriation bills today -- a task that could take him 29 hours. [CBS6] [NY Post]
The budget snags aren't stopping a "veritable flotilla of special-interest bills" from moving through the legislature as the session nears its end. [NYT]
Proposed Albany police chief Steve Krokoff says the APD is in the early stages of developing a new safety plan for Center Square. Appearing at the same press conference on Lark Street (along with Jerry Jennings), David Soares said the assault and mugging of a man following the Capital Pride festival were "crimes of opportunity" -- and not hate crime. Police allege the three people arrested for that attack were also involved in a mugging on Lancaster Street. [TU] [Fox23] [YNN]
Albany police say a man was shot in the leg early Wednesday morning in the South End (map). Police say the man told them he was fired at from a car. [CBS6] [Fox23]
State budget maybe close to finished, water main break closes Hoosick Street, support for changing racinos to full casinos, wall lettuce
The state budget is maybe close to being finished. David Paterson is still peeved the legislature hasn't planned on how to deal with a possible $1 billion shortfall in federal Medicaid funding -- and he's threatening to call the legislature back into session during this fall's campaign season. [TU] [NYT]
Schenectady's school board voted to accept the resignation of superintendent Eric Ely. The district's settlement with Ely could pay him more than $200k in cash and benefits depending on what kind of job he gets next and when. News of the settlement prompted shouting from the some of the public at the board meeting. The word going around is that former Shenendehowa Superintendent John Yagielski will be hired as interim superintendent. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [WNYT] [CBS6]
A water main break has closed Hoosick Street between 15th Street and Burdett Ave in Troy (map). There's also a boil water advisory for people near the break. [Troy Record] [@TroyMayor] [City of Troy Facebook]
Revenue from the Albany landfill will increase more than $800k during the next year after the city renegotiated contracts with trash haulers. [TU]
Albany police say two of the three people arrested for allegedly attacking a man after the Capital Pride festival are also accused of being involved with a recent mugging on Lancaster Street in Center Square. [TU]
Paterson vetos budget bill, Ely to resign from Schenectady schools, bad day to be a drug dealer in the Capital Region, General Petraeus contacts family of fallen soldier, NYRA cautiously approaches Saratoga meet, Scotia woman wins HGTV Green Home
The state legislature passed its budget plan, which included hundreds of millions of dollars that David Paterson had tried to cut. And then, as promised,Paterson started vetoing the new appropriations in it. Paterson apparently plans to use his line item veto on 6,900 different appropriations. The most significant:$420 million in education aid the legislature added back into the budget. Also on the slate for a veto: member items (you know, pork). Paterson scolded the legislature for using what he called http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/06/gov-paterson-vetos 419-million.html that has characterized fiscal management in this state for far too long." The legislature can now
try to override the vetoes, but that could be a tough task in the Senate because of the close split between Democrats and Republicans. [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [State of Politics] [TU] [TU][Daily Politics] [State of Politics]
Rick Lazio says if he were Guv., he wouldn't get himself into the the current budget predicament. [NYT]
Schenectady school district superintendent Eric
Ely is resigning, effective Wednesday. Ely had been facing criticism for the Steven Raucci situation -- and had openly been seeking other jobs in other school districts. The school board hasn't released details of its settlement with Ely -- he still had two
years left on his contract. [SCSD] [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Federal prosecutors announced they busted 22 people on drug-related charges as part of a region-wide sweep yesterday. They say they seized thousands of dollars worth of heroin, cocaine and pot, along with 14 guns. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
General David Petraus sent a letter to the parents of a Lake George man killed in combat earlier this month in Afghanistan. General Petraus expressed his condolences to the parents of Benjamin Osborne, and urged them to listen to the opening statement at his confirmation hearing today where he'll address their concerns about Rules of Engagement. [WNYT]
A lawsuit filed against the use of electronic voting machines in New York State suggests the machines are flawed and could lead to thousands of votes being thrown out. [WTEN]
Budget drama continues, car delivering gunshot victim crashes into ER, bear sighting in Guilderland
Something's going to happen on the state budget today -- although no one seems sure what exactly that is. In an attempt to end the budget game, David Paterson stuffed a bunch of provisions (including a property tax cap and wine in grocery stores) into the extender for this week. The legislature responded over the weekend by putting together
The Albany man stabbed on Morris Street Thursday has died. The APD has arrested an 18-year-old for the crime. They allege the teen attacked the man over some stereo equipment. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [TU]
Albany police say a man died -- either of a stab would or gunshot -- after a fight in Arbor Hill early Sunday morning (map). They say the man managed to drive himself to the hospital before passing away. They also say another man was shot, apparently as part of the same incident. [TU] [Fox23] [CBS6]
Schenectady police say a man was shot and killed early Sunday in Mont Pleasant (map). They say the car driving him to Ellis Hospital's McClellan campus crashed through the doors of the emergency department in its attempt to deliver him. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Travis Carroll, the man who pleaded guilty to hitting Ryan Rossley with his car St. Patrick's Day night in Saratoga, was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison on Friday. [Saratogian]
Question of kickbacks could affect Bruno case, car-train collision, "huge narcotics market" around Saratoga
Whether Joe Bruno will be let off the hook by yesterday's Supreme Court decisions could hinge on what's considered a kickback. The US attorney for Northern New York says the effect of the ruling on Bruno's case is "being carefully considered and will be addressed in future court filings." There were hints that prosecutors might argue that some of the payments Bruno received could qualify as a kickback. Said Bruno in a statement: "I have maintained my faith and trust in the justice system since the very start and the Supreme Court's decisions reaffirm that belief." [TU] [Troy Record] [NYT] [WTEN]
John Tinkler, the Troy man accused of causing the death of three-year-old Zoey Sandercox, was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter and endangering a child -- but was acquitted of a second-degree murder charge. He faces a possible 5-15 year sentence. [TU] [Troy Record] [YNN]
The Albany County sheriff's office say a car carrying two people was struck by a train this morning just off New Scotland Rd (photos) (map). The New Scotland fire chief says teens in the car had minor injuries after trying to beat the train at a crossing. [WNYt] [CBS6] [YNN]
Albany police say a man was stabbed last night on Myrtle Ave near Lincoln Park (map). Update: the APD says the address was actually 118 Morris Street, in Park South (map). [YNN] [Fox23] (Thanks, LG)
State Police say a trooper was injured at Fuller and Washington in Albany yesterday when his car was struck by another car. They say the trooper was stopped in the intersection with his emergency lights on to assist a large truck making a left-hand turn. [YNN] [WTEN]
The brother of the man originally arrested for the attack on Steve Barnes and a friend has been arrested after being indicted for allegedly being involved with the attack. [TU]
Brothers -- 11 and 18 -- shot in Schenectady, budget gap could be partially plugged with sales tax, woman bitten by fox in Albany
Schenectady police say two brothers -- one 11-years-old, the other 18 -- were shot yesterday near Jerry Burrell Park (map). The SPD said it had a suspect in custody last night. Police say they're not sure if the brothers were the intended targets. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [CBS6]
The latest turn in the state budget drama: the
Chuck Schumer has recommended Albany attorney Mae D'Agostino for a judgeship in the New York's Northern District of federal court. She would be the first woman from Albany to serve as a federal judge in the district -- and would be the only woman on the federal bench in upstate New York. D'Agostino went to Siena and Syracuse law. Her law practice has been focused on representing doctors, hospital and insurance companies in medical malpractice cases. [Schumer release] [TU]
As he rails against "special interests" in gubernatorial campaign, Andrew Cuomo has been racking up campaign cash from... special interests. [NYT]
Albany police say they've arrested a NYC cop for allegedly trying to lure a 5th grader into his truck yesterday morning on Washington Ave (map). They say the man allegedly asked the girl repeatedly if she wanted to "make some money." [CBS6] [TU] [WTEN]
Saratoga Springs grad killed in Afghanistan, Paterson continues threats he'll force the budget situation, bears!
The family of David Taylor Miller, a 2009 Saratoga Springs High School grad, says the Army soldier was killed this week in Afghanistan. Said the superintendent of the Saratoga Springs school district: "We graduate young men and women to be courageous and of good character. David Miller's service to our country has humbled us." [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
David Tinkler, the man accused of killing three-year-old Zoey Sandercox, testified that he didn't hurt the child and didn't know how she sustained the injuries that pathologists say caused her death. [Troy Record] [TU]
The bill allowing the City of Albany to set up a residential parking permit system around the ESP passed in the state Senate yesterday. Assembly majority leader Ron Canestrari predicts the bill will pass the Assembly this week. [WTEN] [TU]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli says all of the state employee payroll will go out on time this week, despite the budget extender missing the deadline. [State of Politics]
David Paterson is continuing to threaten he will attempt to force an end to the state budget process by stuffing a bunch of measures into next Monday's extender. Administration sources say the all sorts of stuff the legislature doesn't like could be in there: the soda tax, wine grocery stores, a tax on hospitals. Sheldon Silver seemed unimpressed by the threat. [State of Politics] [NYDN] [Daily Politics]
The biggest sticking point to actually finishing the budget is apparently cuts to education spending (the governor wants about about three times the amount the legislature wants). Another apparent sticking point: Paterson wants legislature to give up control over SUNY tuition increases. [TU] [NYT]
David Johnson, the former Paterson aide accused of domestic violence, has reportedly taken the Fifth in the investigations into his behavior and his alleged role in the Yankees tickets mini-scandal. [NYT]
In his first public comments following his nomination for Albany police chief, Steve Krokoff said he was "thrilled" to get the nomination and said he's aiming for the department to better embrace the community. He said: "It's more than just beats, it's more than seeing an officer on a bicycle. It's the interaction between the police department and the community it serves. It's group problem-solving. It's getting to the root cause of problems and fixing those problems instead of triaging them." [Fox23] [WNYT] [WTEN]
Legislature passes another extender and higher taxes on tobacco, Phish scene reportedly calmer this year at SPAC, Troy businessman indicted for alleged Ponzi scheme
The state legislature passed two emergency budget extenders last night, keeping the government open for another week. One of the bills included a tax increase on tobacco products -- the state tax on a pack of cigarettes will go from $2.75 to $4.35. The bill also includes a provision that would attempt to collect taxes on cigarettes sold on Native American lands -- a Seneca leader said recently such a move would be considered "an act of war" (when the state tried this in the 90s, a group of Native Americans shut down the Thruway in western New York). The other budget extender was an appropriations bill -- Roy McDonald was the sole Republican state senator to vote in favor. The bill was passed after the deadline for ensuring state employee paychecks will go out on time, so some state workers could see a delay. [NYT] [TU] [Daily Politics] [Fox23] [Buffalo News] [WNYT] [WTEN] [AP/TU]
A Watervilet man has charged in the stabbing deaths of his child and former girlfriend in Bath, New York. An order of protection had been issued against Bryan Ashline in Watervliet last year after a string of domestic incidents. He had been a star basketball player at Watervliet High School. [Fox23] [TU] [Troy Record]
Albany police say two men were shot in West Hill last night (map). [WTEN]
Albany police chief pick praised, another budget extender, fatal stabbing in Troy, former RPI employees allege age discrimination
Reaction to Jerry Jennings' pick of Steve Krokoff for Albany police chief seems to be generally positive. Multiple members of the common council have expressing their support, praising Krokoff for his efforts to push the department toward more community policing. The council must still sign off on the pick -- council president Carolyn McLaughlin says she expects "unanimous confirmation." Jennings said this weekend that Krokoff's performance as acting chief prompted the pick. [TU] [YNN] [CBS6] [WTEN] [Fox23] [WNYT]
There's another state budget extender up for a vote today in the legislature. The latest bill includes a big increase in taxes on tobacco -- taxes on cigarettes would go from $2.75 to $4.35/pack, the highest in the nation. On Friday, the legislature passed a bunch of budget bills -- but the "big ugly" cuts to education aid still remain. The state budget is now more than 11 weeks late. [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [CFTFK] [TU] [YNN]
Troy police say a man was fatally stabbed near a bike path early Sunday morning in North Central (map). [Fox23] [TU]
Albany police say a man was shot in front of his house Friday night in the South End (map). [Fox23] [WTEN]
There have 10 muggings in Albany's Center Square neighborhood over the last five weeks. The latest: five people were charged with mugging two women on Lancaster Street last week (map). [WNYT] [TU]
Albany County could run out of cash, alleged exotic sports bar visit gets city workers in trouble, bogus Benjamins in Bethlehem, peripatetic peacock captured
Albany County's budget director has said in a letter to other officials that the county could run out of cash before the end of this year. [TU]
The Saratoga Springs man convicted of stabbing his mom last year was sentenced 15 years in prison. The man has a history of mental illness and his mom said a better mental health care system might have helped prevent the incident. She said she would "never give up hope for him." [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
The medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Zoe Sandercox, the Troy three-year-old prosecutors allege was killed by her mother's former boyfriend, testified yesterday that the girl's injuries were consistent with abuse. [Troy Record]
Attorneys for the two men originally charged with the 2002 murders of Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley in Troy say the case against their clients was built on unreliable witnesses who were looking to cut deals with prosecutors. Another man, Michael Mosley, was arrested Monday after prosecutors said his DNA matched a sample found at the crime scene. [TU]
A homeless man from Schenectady was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison for having sex with an underage teen from Connecticut. Prosecutors say the man had been living in a baseball dugout at SCCC and used a library computer to meet the teen. They say he stole a car in Schenectady, drove to Connecticut and brought her back. [CBS6] [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Two Troy city workers were reportedly suspended this week after they allegedly took a city vehicle to an "exotic sports bar" in Watervliet. [Troy Record]
GE is contesting the assessment on its plant in Schenectady and Rotterdam. [Daily Gazette $]
Paterson sets budget deadline, Queensbury soldier dies in Afghanistan, MMA legislation advances, teens rescued from river island
David Paterson told legislative leaders yesterday that if the budget isn't finished by June 28, he's going to stick his remaining budget measures into a budget extender. (That would force the legislature to either pass the measures or shut down the government.) Said Paterson at yesterday's public leaders' meeting: "I'm not threatening anyone; I'm just making a promise." Sheldon Silver said after the meeting he thinks a budget deal could be done before the deadline. One potential stumbling block: borrowing, which John Sampson is still pushing (when he's not at the Yankees game). [NYT City Room] [TU] [Daily Politics] [NYT] [NYDN]
Benjamin Osborn, a Army specialist from Queensbury, was killed this week in Afghanistan. His father says Osborn shot during a Taliban ambush. [Post-Star] [WTEN]
Neil Breslin says he's "very optimistic" the bill allowing Albany to start a residential parking permit system near the ESP will become law. [WNYT]
The state Senate passed a bill that would legalize mixed martial arts fighting in New York State. [TU]
Prosecutor says DNA links man to Troy murders, earlier bar closing time measure fails, yet another attempted bank robbery
Prosecutors allege that DNA evidence connects Michael Mosely to the scene of the 2002 murders of Samuel Holley and Arica Lynn Schneider in Troy. Prosecutors say a state database matched his DNA after he submitted a sample in December after pleading guilty to different crime. Two other men were scheduled to go on trial the murders -- the Rensselaer County DA wouldn't comment on the status of those trials. [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN]
The public employee unions continued to assert they have a binding no-layoffs agreement with David Paterson for this year, after the governor said yesterday that he may pursue layoffs in 2010. Said a CSEA spokesman: "It's a non-issue and he should stop talking about it in public." [TU] [AOA via Capitol Pressroom] [Fox23]
The state Senate passed legislation that would allow no-fault divorce in the New York. An odd couple opposing the legislation: both the National Organization for Women-NYS and the New York State Catholic Conference. New York is the only state without such a measure. [TU] [State of Politics] [WNYT] [WTEN]
The measure that would roll last call in Saratoga Springs back to 2 am failed to pass the city council last night. The vote was 2-2, with mayor Scott Johnson abstaining because of his business interest in two downtown restaurants. Family members of Ryan Rossley, the man killed during a hit-and-run downtown the night of St. Patrick's Day, pushed for the council to approve the earlier closing time. [Fox23] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [WTEN]
The revised Schenectady school district budget was voted down in yesterday's re-vote. Said a school board member: "We've got to get faith back in the district." That means the district will go to a contingency budget. (The revised Cohoes school budget passed.) [Fox23] [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Troy Record]
No state government shutdown, police investigating muggings around Washington Park, flag and flagpole stolen, Don Weeks retiring
The state budget extender passed -- and, as a result, the government did not shutdown. As promised, Democratic senator Ruben Diaz voted "no." But three Republicans voted "yes" -- including Hugh Farley and Roy McDonald. Both Farley and McDonald said the voted for the extender out of concern for constituents who work for the state or rely on state contracts. On the Senate floor, Farley said his vote shouldn't be counted on for future budget extenders. And said McDonald of the overall budget situation: "We have lost the respect of real people in this state." [TU] [Fox23] [YNN] [WNYT] [NYT] [AP/Post-Star]
So what is the status of the overall budget? David Paterson and the legislature are still somewhere between $2 billion and $1.3 billion apart, depending on who's talking. [Buffalo News]
Ward Stone on allegations he dropped the ball during the West Nile virus outbreak in 1999: "I didn't blow anything, that is totally bull." [TU] [YNN]
There are school district budget re-votes in Schenectady and Cohoes today. [TU] [Troy Record]
Troy police say they've made a third arrest in the 2002 murders of Arica Schneider and Samuel Holley. [Troy Record]
Albany police say they're investigating a string of late night muggings in the greater Washington Park area. They say many of the victims were intoxicated or walking alone. [TU] [WNYT]
State government shutdown vote today, high schoolers arrested for pranks, police say driver hit pedestrian and fire hydrant and utility pole
Will the state government shutdown? The state legislature votes on the next budget extender today, which includes more than $300 million in cuts. "Insiders" say the bill is expected to have enough votes in the state Senate to pass (the Assembly has been passing the bills easily). After making noises about voting "no," Pedro Espada says he'll vote "yes." But Ruben Diaz continues to say he won't vote for the bill. That means at least one Republican will have to vote "yes." Roy McDonald says that vote could come from him. There are indications Hugh Farley might also vote "yes." [YNN] [AP/Troy Record] [TU] [State of Politics] [NYDN] [NY Post]
So, where are things at on the whole state budget? Negotiations have apparently broken down as Paterson and the legislative leaders are still $2 billion apart. [NYT] [WTEN]
A grand jury has cleared the two Albany police officers involved in the fatal shooting of the man who pinned an officer against a fence with his car on Quail Street in February. [TU] [YNN]
Former Schenectady police officer John Lewis has been arrested. Again. This time he's accused of assaulting his wife. [TU] [Fox23]
Schenectady officials say there's a new culture in the city's police department after the firing of five officers (including Lewis). [Daily Gazette $]
Is state shutdown ahead?, Flabby Tabby adopted, cab ride vouchers for Alive at Five, David Paterson is not a first-time caller
State Senator Ruben Diaz, a Democrat, says he's planning to vote "no" on the next budget extender, which could send the measure to defeat -- and, as a result, shut down the state government. Pedro Espada has also indicated he might vote "no." John Sampson, the head of the Senate Democratic conference, downplayed the shutdown threat. (If Diaz and Espada follow through, a few Republicans would have to vote "yes" to pass the extender. So far, state Senate Republicans have all voted "no.") Without a budget extension, state agencies wouldn't be funded and state employees would be working unpaid. [AP/TU] [State of Politics] [Buffalo News] [NY Post]
The Warren County sheriff says there are indications the boat involved in the fatal capsizing of a Peter Snyder's kayak on Lake George struck the kayak. The driver of the boat has been charged with reckless operation. The sheriff says Snyder and his wife, who was in another kayak, put up their paddles in an attempt to signal their presence -- but the boat driver didn't see them. Snyder had retired as the head of residence life at RPI in 2007. [Post-Star] [WNYT] [TU] [YNN] [Troy Record]
A Troy middle school teacher has been charged with having child porn on his work laptop. The district says the teacher was reassigned from classroom duty after the material was allegedly found last year. [WTEN] [TU]
The Albany school district says it "failed" by taking more than three weeks to notify the mother of a six-year-old North Albany Academy student that a classmate allegedly stuck his/her hands down her daughter's pants. [YNN]
First Lt. Joseph Theinert, the 2008 UAlbany grad who died last week in Afghanistan, is being credited with saving the lives of soldiers under his command during the incident in which he was killed. [TU]
Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the Sage Colleges' debt to junk status. [TU]
The Flabby Tabby has been adopted -- to a family that's going to put him on a diet. The humane society says it turned down five potential adopters before finding the right family. (Earlier on AOA: The Secret Photostream of the Flabby Tabby) [WTEN] [CBS6] [TU]
Officials preparing for government shutdown, kid found wandering along Route 7, cemetery ownership mystery, king and king of the prom
State officials are reportedly preparing for a possible shutdown of the government next Monday in case the next budget extender doesn't pass. It's unclear whether the situation is actually headed that way. Yesterday's public leaders' meeting at the Capitol on the budget was filled with bickering. But Dean Skelos says some Senate Republicans could vote for the extender if there are "real cuts" in it. And Democrats Pedro Espada and Ruben Diaz backed off their threats (sort of) to vote against the extender. (So far, the extenders have passed on party line votes of 32-30, so if any Dems jump ship and no Republicans switch, the up-or-down bill would fail). The state budget director said yesterday that a shutdown of the state government would have "disastrous consequences." [NYT] [TU] [TU CapCon] [NY Post] [AP/Saratogian] [Buffalo News]
The state Senate passed a measure that requires health plans to cover treatment for autism. Neil Breslin and Roy McDonald have both been pushing for the bill. [NY Senate] [WNYT] [TU]
The head of state Senate's Racing and Wagering Committee has proposed legislation that would allow full casinos to operate at some of the state's horse tracks -- maybe the ones in Saratoga. [TU]
Schenectady police say a seven-year-old was found walking along Route 7 yesterday after wandered off from school. They say there were notified by concerned passers-by. They say the school did not contact them, but was following its protocol. [Fox23] [WTEN] [CBS6]
State police are investigating the prank that spread oil around the Berne-Knox-Westerlo secondary school yesterday, canceling classes. The district's interim superintendent called the prank "devastating." [TU] [YNN]
Judge says Raucci took pleasure in victims' suffering and fear, progress on budget?, police say man posed as state trooper, school closed because of prank
In sentencing Steven Raucci to 23 years to life, judge Polly Hoye told Raucci the evidence against him was "voluminous and convincing and, at times, even overwhelming." And she said, "You took pleasure in [your victim's] suffering and fear." She also said: "I hope you spend up enough time incarcerated to understand the destructive path your life has taken." Raucci's attorney read statement written by his client which said of the sentence: "As far as I'm concerned, this is a death sentence for something I did not do." Schenectady County DA Bob Carney said it's unlikely Raucci will get parole after 23 years. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN] [CBS6]
David Paterson's inclusion of $775 million in health care cuts in the last budget extender appears to have maybe prompted some overall action on the delayed budget. Paterson, Sheldon Silver and John Sampson had what the governor described as a "very productive conversation" yesterday. And while he apparently plans to include more cuts in the next budget extender, Paterson reportedly won't include cuts to school aid. But, wait: Pedro Espada and Ruben Diaz are making noises about not voting for the next extension (which, if the Senate Republicans also vote no, would shut down the state government). [TU] [Daily Politics] [NYT City Room] [AP/Troy Record]
The investigation into David Johnson, the Paterson aide accused of domestic violence, is slow going. [NYT]
The family of the man who died in the St. Patrick's Day hit-and-run in Saratoga has filed papers to reserve its right to sue the city on the allegation that it did not provide adequate police protection in the area that night. [TU]
Legislature passes budget extender with health care cuts, LarkFest stabber sentenced to 65 years, sixth grader is kickass
Steven Raucci's sentencing is scheduled for today. [Daily Gazette $]
The legislature passed the budget extender that included $775 million in health care cuts. Legislators were not happy that David Paterson put the cuts in the vote-up-or-shut-the-government-down bill -- Jack McEneny called it "gubernatorial blackmail." And Republicans said they were left out of the process. Paterson is expected to include other cuts to future extenders. [NYT] [Buffalo News] [TU] [Fox23] [NYDN]
Also passed yesterday: a measure backed by Neil Breslin that requires health plans to get approval from the state insurance department before raising rates. [NY Senate] [WTEN]
Albany police say a 19-year-old was shot in the leg during a robbery of his Delaware Ave neighborhood apartment early Monday (map). Police say the apartment may have been targeted because of a possible connection to pot sales. [YNN] [TU]
The man convicted of stabbing three people last year at LarkFest was sentenced to 65 years in prison. [TU]
GlobalFoundries has convinced to the state keep secret how it will be spending state subsidies in order to protect "trade secrets." [TU]
The chairman of the state Racing and Wagering Board says New York needs to look at allowing casinos at places other than race tracks. [Saratogian]
A subsidiary of the Galesi Group has bought a large portion of the former ALCO site in Schenectady. A big mixed-use development is planned for the brownfields site. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Paterson putting cuts in budget extender, peace group kept out of parade, bat in the bedroom leads to rabies treatment, silly for Silly Bandz
David Paterson has included $385 million in healthcare cuts in the budget extender up for a vote by the legislature today (the hospital lobby says the cuts would reduce funding for hospitals in the Capital Region). A "source close to the administration" told the NY Post that the administration will continue to insert cuts into the up-or-down votes, adding "We're not afraid; we have a big pair of balls." [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [NY Post]
State Park Police says they were 17 arrests and 175 tickets given out at the Dave Matthews Band concerts this past weekend at SPAC. Law enforcement officials apparently followed through on the promise of stepped-up enforcement of alcohol rules at the park. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU]
A DMB fan was struck and killed by a car while trying to cross Route 9 Friday night. [Saratogian]
Albany police say a teenager was shot multiple times Saturday night in West Hill (map). [Fox23]
The Saratogoa-Wilton Elks Lodge won't let the local chapter of Veterans for Peace carry a banner during the upcoming Flag Day parade. "If you want to protest the flag, you have 364 days a year to do it," a parade organizer told the TU. [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
GOP primary for Gillibrand Challenger, Cuomo not accepting WFP nomination-yet, Paladino will attempt to challenge Lazio, Troy City Council tables vote on moving to Proctor's, Stratton fires another Schenectady police officer, Changes at Rev. Hall
One of the activists killed in the Israeli military raid in Turkey this week was born in Troy. 19-year-old high school student Furkan Dogan moved to Turkey with his family at the age of 2. [TU] [Troy Record]
Andrew Cuomo is not accepting the Working Families Party nomination for Governor-- yet. But he wants the option. Cuomo wants the WFP to name a "placeholder" candidate who could be replaced with his name after the Primary in September. [Daily Politics] [NYT]
Buffalo Businessman Carl Paladino will attempt to collect the 15 thousand signatures necessary to challenge Rick Lazio in a Republican primary. [WBFO]]
There will be a Republican primary to determine who will challenge Kirsten Gillibrand in November. Former Nassau County legislator Bruce A. Blakeman will face off against David Malpass, a former chief economist at Bear Stearns [NYT]
On the list of people who won't challenge Kirsten Gillibrand in November -- Mike Bloomberg's "companion" Diana Taylor [NJ.com]
Jeb Bush tried to spread a little Florida Sunshine at the NYSGOP convention
Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton has fired another Schenectady Police officer. Andrew Karaskiewicz used "excessive force" in the arrest of a DWI suspect in 2007.
Troy city council withdrew a resolution to make Proctors in Troy the new city hall after learning they can't use a $4 million restore new york grant to help pay for the project. [Troy Record] [YNN]
Republicans give Lazio nod for governor, rash of muggings in Saratoga Springs, local Marine back after being wounded in Afghanistan
Rick Lazio got the nod as the preferred candidate for governor at the state Republican Party convention. Neither Steve Levy nor Carl Paladino had enough support to force a primary, though Paladino is talking about petitioning his way onto the ballot and Levy hasn't ruled out a third party run. [NYT] [Buffalo News] [TU] [State of Politics]
The Republicans picked Staten Island DA Dan Donovan to run for attorney general. [Daily Politics]
The pun of the Republican convention: "Reject the status Cuomo." [State of Politics]
David Paterson on the stuck budget: "I'm taking over." The governor says he will start inserting cuts into the weekly budget extenders. That could cause drama because the legislature has to vote those bills up or down with no modification. [WNYT] [TU]
Police say there's been a rash of muggings and burglaries in downtown Saratoga Springs. Police say they've arrested two suspects for one of the muggings. A police lieutenant says the cluster of crimes in a short period of time "does raise our concern a little bit." [Saratogian] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [YNN]
The attorney for Chad Rubin, the bank robber who pleaded guilty to a proposed plot that involved kidnapping former Rensselaer County DA Patricia DeAngelis, says he will try to have his client's plea revoked. Rubin's attorney is upset that the judge gave Rubin a longer sentence than the one in the plea deal. And he contends that DeAngelis' "If you come near me or my family, I will kill you" victim impact statement was "inflammatory" and "prejudicial." [TU] [Troy Record] [YNN]
Tess Collins says the Lark Tavern will be back -- but maybe not at its original location. [TU]
Paterson confirms state worker layoff planning, judge blocks student from being suspended for rosary, pro poker player folds on pot delivery
David Paterson confirmed that his administration is planning state worker layoffs for the start of next year. Paterson won't be governor then, but he said, "...I want this ready to go on January 1st so that the next governor has this option should the next governor choose to use it." The governor also didn't rule out layoffs that could come earlier -- he said he thought the no-layoffs agreement he has with the state employee unions could be broken because the state's increasingly dire fiscal outlook. The state's budget director said the number of layoffs would depend on how many employees take the "25/55" early retirement option. The state worker unions accused Paterson of engaging in "threats and counterproductive rhetoric" and alleged he is "less interested in savings and more interested in getting a pound of flesh from state employees." Paterson said he got the "sinister feeling" that the unions were actually pushing him to layoff workers -- instead of furloughs or salary freezes -- because laid-off workers don't vote in union elections. [AP/Post-Star] [YNN] [NYT City Room] [TU] [CSEA] [PEF] [Daily Politics]
Robert Megna, the state's budget director, says the state was carrying a negative balance of $500 million to start June. [TU]
Raymond Hosier, the Schenectady middle school suspended for openly wearing a rosary after being asked to tuck it inside his clothes, will be back in school today after US District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn issued a temporary restraining order preventing the school district from suspending him. The American Center for Justice and Law said it filed a lawsuit on behalf of Hosier yesterday. The district said Tuesday it hadn't been served, yet. [Fox23] [ACLJ] [ACLJ] [Daily Gazette $]
The TU reports that toxicology tests on Marcos DeJesus Alvarez, the man and killed by an Albany County sheriff's deputy near ALB, indicate the undocumented Mexican immigrant did not have drugs or alcohol in his system. [TU]
The Troy Record reports that the special prosecutor investigating allegations of voter fraud in last fall's Working Families primary in Troy is seeking DNA samples to test against saliva taken from absentee ballot envelopes. [Troy Record]
GlobalFoundries will be getting as much as $15.8 million more in state aid -- and possibly hundreds of millions in tax breaks -- for the planned expansion of its cleanroom facility at the Luther Forest chip fab. [Post-Star]
Report: Paterson admin planning state worker layoffs, questions over banned pesticide use in Albany, how to be arrested, bumper crop of farmers markets
A "senior administration official" tells NYT that the Paterson administration is preparing a plan to lay off thousands of state workers January 1. That date marks the end of Paterson's term and the end of his no-layoffs pledge with the state worker unions. [NYT] [NYDN]
The state legislature has approved a measure that would create a "55/25" early retirement option for state workers. [TU]
A former contractor from Loudonville who's serving a 25-year sentence for violating asbestos laws has asked a federal judge to temporarily let him out of prison so he can donate a kidney to his son. [TU]
Albany's parks and rec commissioner says he didn't know about the ban on the pesticide that was being sprayed at Ridgefield Park. City agencies also haven't been filing required reports on their use of less toxic pesticides. [TU] [TU]
SUNY's top attorney apparently hasn't been showing up for work -- but he's still getting paid. [TU]
Smoke from a large cluster of forest fires in Quebec hung over large portions of the North Country this weekend, including Lake George. [Montreal Gazette] [Fox23] [WTEN]
Parks deal may really be in place this time, former DA threatens man who plotted to kidnap her, employees credited with foiling alleged bank robbery attempt, lucky guy
There appears to be a deal to open the closed state parks, including Thacher Park. The Assembly passed the measure during the night -- and the state Senate is expected to pass it this morning. [TU] [YNN] [State of Politics]
Andrew Cuomo accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for governor yesterday. In his speech, Cuomo said he would be building an army "ready not just to win an election in November, but to turn this state around in January." Apparently it wasn't all rah rah rah -- from NYT: "there was lingering unease in some party circles about [Cuomo's] ascension, partly by Mr. Cuomo's own design." Said the chair of the state Republican Party: "He's talking like a Republican." And there was this sideshow. [TU] [New York Now] [NYT] [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics]
At the sentencing yesterday for the convicted bank robber who pleaded guilty to plotting to kidnap her, former Rensselaer County DA Patricia DeAngelis said: "If you come near me or my family, I will kill you." The judge sentenced the man to a longer sentence than the one proposed in the plea deal. The man's attorney argued that DeAngelis' victim impact statement influenced the sentence. [TU] [YNN] [Troy Record]
After residents complained about chemicals being sprayed in an Albany park, officials found out the herbicide being used is banned in the City of Albany. [WNYT]
Deal reportedly in place to open parks, GloFo says fab worth much less on open market, former RPI employee arrested for alleged embezzlement, "an old-fashioned scorcher"
David Paterson and the legislature have apparently reached a deal that would allow the closed state parks to open in time for this weekend. David Paterson said this morning on a radio show that the deal still involves a cut to the state's Environmental Protection Fund. [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics]
US District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn heard arguments yesterday in the challenge to the state worker furloughs. The judge said he expected to have a decision "in the next few days." [State of Politics] [NYT]
SUNY System Administration has announced that it will be furloughing management/confidential employees. [CBS6]
In talking about Robert Duffy, his pick for lieutenant governor, Andrew Cuomo said: "We're going to be tangling with public employee unions going forward." [NY Post]
In its challenge to the tentative property assessment of the Luther Forest chip fab, GlobalFoundries is arguing that it could sell the facility for only a small percentage of the money spent so far on its construction. If the fab is assessed at the level for which GloFo is pushing, it would mean about $2 million less in property tax revenue for the surrounding municipalities and school districts. [Post-Star] [TU] [Saratogian]
Cuomo picks Rochester mayor as running mate, GloFo fighting tax assessment, residents worried about UAlbany dorm expansion, remembering Jay Gallagher
Andrew Cuomo is expected to announce today that he's picked Rochester mayor Robert Duffy to run alongside him for lieutenant governor. Duffy was re-elected to a second term as mayor last fall; he was previously Rochester's police chief. He's being described as "squeaky clean" and "well-suited to the number-two position." While in Troy yesterday to pick up the Independence Party nomination, Andrew Cuomo said of his then-unnamed pick: "I'm looking for someone who is prepared to be governor." [NYT] [City of Rochester] [State of Politics] [TU CapCon] [Troy Record]
David Paterson and the legislature say they're talking about possible ways to free up money for to open the closed state parks. Assembly minority leader Brian Kolb said the parks issue is "about posturing more than anything else." [TU] [WNYT]
A early retirement measure that would allow state and local government employees to retire at age 55 with 25 years on the job is moving through the legislature. [TU]
There are calls for the state Office of Children & Family Services commissioner to resign after a tape surfaced that reportedly shows sex acts at "a social" for inmates at a prison for teens in Columbia County. A whistleblower alleges the party was just one of many problems at the facility. [TU] [NY Post] [Times Herald-Record]
GlobalFoundries is reportedly looking to get the $160 million assessment for the Luther Forest chip fab reduced to $55 million. [Daily Gazette $]
Sematech -- the chip research consortium -- is reportedly moving one of its institutes to Albany from Austin, along with possibly 60 jobs. [Austin American-Statesman via TU]
Legislature approves loan to save Saratoga season -- parks money blocked, Schenectady rosary student suspended again, bank robbery in Saratoga
It looks like the racing season at Saratoga will go on this summer after the state legislature approved a budget extender bill that includes a $25 million loan for NYRA. Some legislators criticized how the deal came together. Said Ron Canestrari after the vote: "All of the scare tactics going on, well, they may have worked." Roy McDonald said the money is "only the first step" to stabilizing the state's racing industry. [Saratogian] [TU] [CBS6] [WTEN]
The state legislature did not approve a measure that would have allocated money to open the state's closed parks, including Thacher Park. The measure would have pulled $110 million from the Environmental Protection Fund -- even though only $6 million was needed to open to the parks. Sheldon Silver called the Paterson administration's attempted re-allocation "inappropriate" and said "the governor never should have closed the parks." [TU] [State of Politics] [CBS6] [YNN]
Spa State Park says it's already raised half of the $250k in private money it needs to renovate its Geyser Park area. [Saratogian] [TU]
Raymond Hosier showed up at Schenectady's Oneida Middle School yesterday again wearing his rosary -- and he was suspended again. His mother said they planned to send him to school again today. The American Center for Law and Justice says it will sue the district if it doesn't allow the boy to openly wear the rosary. [WNYT] [Fox23] [TU]
Andrew Cuomo will be in Troy today to accept the nomination of the Independence Party's executive committee. [Daily Politics]
Paterson admin says parks could be opened, nervous over fate of Saratoga season, Savage to challenge Farley, school bans hugging, growling over dogs in downtown Saratoga
As has been reported everywhere: Andrew Cuomo is running for governor. Officially. (We'll speed read the coverage later today.)
The Paterson administration says the state's closed parks -- including Thacher Park -- could be opened for Memorial Day weekend if the legislature passes a measure expected to be introduced today. The bill would pull $6 million from the state Environmental Protection Fund to cover the costs of operating the parks. [AP/TU] [AP/Fox23]
NYRA says it will stop racing and layoff 1400 employees if the state doesn't come through with the money it's promised the horse racing org by June 9. David Paterson says assistance is forthcoming. The situation is making people nervous about the season at Saratoga. [TU] [Saratogian] [TU] [Saratogian]
The TU reports that a ban on the use of coal fly ash (which contains mercury) at the LaFarge cement plant in Ravena has been stuck in a Paterson administration office since 2008. The air pollution permit for the LaFarge plan is up for review and a community group has been investigating the extent of contamination related to to the plant. [TU]
The last two emergency state budget extenders included money to temporarily fund construction projects such as the Exit 6 SPUI. [Daily Gazette $]
Albany police say a man was shot three times Friday night near Swinburne Park (map). The APD says the victim told him he was shot by a group of six men. [Fox23] [YNN]
Troy police say a man was found shot on 9th Street Saturday morning after the gunfire was picked up by ShotSpotter (map). [Fox23] [YNN]
Suspended student says he'll keep wearing rosary, Jennings for Lt Gov?, Troy considering more parking meters, Saratoga girl to dance with NYC Ballet
Raymond Hosier, the Schenectady middle school student who was suspended for wearing a rosary at school, says he will return to school from suspension on Monday -- wearing the rosary. His mother says the issue has become one of freedom of religion and speech and "I will take this as far as it needs to go." The school district says students are allowed to wear beads or rosaries if they're hidden underneath clothing. But public display of beads is forbidden because of their possible use as a gang sign. A school official says gang members often try to say their beads are a religious display. Hosier's mother says the rosary honors the boy's brother and uncle, who have both passed away. [CBS6] [WNYT] [WTEN] [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [Fox23]
WTEN reports "Word is that Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings is under consideration as [Andrew] Cuomo's running mate for lieutenant governor." Jennings' office says it's not commenting on the rumor. [WTEN] [CBS6]
Jack McEneny says he'll quit the Assembly if Thacher Park it still closed after the state budget is passed. [TU]
The state Inspector General alleges that a former Department of Taxation and Finance employee was selling cocaine and marijuana to co-workers at the Harriman State Office Campus. The IG's report says the transactions were often coordinated over office email using code words such as "cheese" and "crackers." The DTF declined comment about the situation. The Department of Labor says it's "actively and aggressively pursuing disciplinary action" against one of the employees who's alleged to have bought the drugs. [NYS IG] [CBS6] [TU]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli says the financial condition of the state's regional OTB operations has "substantially deteriorated over the last five years" and "the current business model just doesn't work." His office reports that the net amount bet at Capital OTB is down 10 percent over the last five years, operating revenue is down 12 percent and the payouts to local governments are down 34 percent. [NYS OSC] [NYS OSC]
Stabbed Troy teen was to testify at trial, overtime for state workers stopped, student says he was suspended for wearing rosary, hoarding case in Troy, Sandra Lee's a hugger
The school boards in Schenectady, Troy and Cohoes are trying to figure what path to take after their budgets were voted down. The two new members of the Schenectady board are pushing for more cuts. [TU] [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette $]
Troy police say the teen stabbed outside the Boys & Girls Club this week had been subpoenaed to testify in the Ariel Myers trial -- and the hit doesn't appear random. The Rensselaer County DA and Myers' public defender are continuing to squabble over who's responsible for the mistrial in the case. [Fox23] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
In a bid to save money, David Paterson has stopped state agencies from paying overtime. [NYDN]
The Paterson administration is now pitching the soda tax with a twist -- the elimination of sales tax on diet soda and bottled water. [NYT]
Rick Lazio has picked Gregory Edwards, the Chataqua County exec, as his potential running mate for lieutenant governor. [NYT]
Carl Paladino started an Erie Canal campaign tour yesterday in Albany. Paladino said if he doesn't win the Republican or Conservative nominations, he'll form his own party to run for governor. [TU] [State of Politics]
School budget vote results, Paterson says state will come up with money for Saratoga season, mistrial in Troy shooting case, breeder gets two years for starving horses
All but seven school district budgets were
Among the budgets that did not pass: Schenectady, where record voter turn out also bounced the school board president. Troy's budget failed by 58 votes. And Cohoes' budget was voted down for the first time. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
Steve Valente, the Averill Park school board member criticized for photos and comments on his Facebook profile, was voted out. [Troy Record]
The Albany school district's budget passed by a wide margin. An increase in the library tax levy also passed. [WTEN] [APL]
NYRA says it will run out of money before the season at Saratoga starts if it doesn't get help from the state. The racing org says it needs $20 million. David Paterson says the state will come up with the money. [Saratogian] [TU] [AP/Saratogian]
During yesterday's apparently fruitless state leaders meeting on the budget (the lowlights), David Paterson said he would call a special session next week to keep legislators at the Capitol all five days. That would keep Democrats from their party convention. [NYT City Room] [WTEN] [TU]
Paterson calls talk of layoffs "speculation," police union leaders sue over "mental anguish," body pulled from Hudson, big fire in Schenectady,
It's school budget vote day.
David Paterson said yesterday that talk about state worker layoffs is "more speculation" rather than a decision he's made. He said earlier in the day that if the furloughs are permanently blocked, "we have other plans" to get $250 million workforce savings. And he said he might not have to adhere to the no-layoffs pledge his administration signed with the unions last year. [YNN] [Daily Politics] [Buffalo News]
Paterson and legislative leaders are scheduled to have a public budget meeting this morning. A meeting last night between Paterson and Assembly Democrats apparently made little progress. One major point of contention is whether the state should borrow $2 billion for this year's budget. Said Richard Ravitch last night on what it would take to get the budget done: "I do not know at this point. I wish I did." [TU] [Fox23] [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics]
Bethlehem state assemblyman Tim Gordon showed up at the now-closed Thacher Park yesterday to mow the overgrown grass. His photo op was interrupted by electoral challenger Steve McLaughlin, who called Gordon's mowing an act of "grandstanding." [WNYT] [YNN]
By the way: the state parks office says it would take $250,000 to open Thacher Park this summer. [TU]
The heads of the union and umbrella union that rep Albany police officers have sued Albany County DA David Soares because they say they suffered "mental anguish" after Soares implied that they lied while campaigning against him in 2008. [TU]
The Albany Common Council approved the borrowing necessary to proceed with the Albany landfill expansion. [TU]
State worker layoffs reportedly "on the radar," Thacher and other parks now closed, man gets almost six years for trying to buy a child for use as slave, car on airplane hit-and-run
With state worker furloughs off the table (for now), the New York Post reports that state worker layoffs are now "on the radar screen" for the Paterson administration. State budget director Robert Megna says the four percent raises for state workers are included in the next budget extender -- but only for the most recent pay period. (The temporary restraining order blocking the furloughs also ordered the Paterson administration to stop withholding the raises.) Megna also says the administration could hold back another $1.5 billion in school aid next month in order to keep the state solvent. [NY Post] [TU] [NYDN]
Forty-one state parks -- including Thacher Park -- are now closed because of budget cuts (though it sounds like maybe Jack McEneny is organizing a picnic). The closings are saving $11 million. [TU] [YNN] [WTEN] [CBS6]
NYSTI producing director Patricia Snyder has retired. She sent her letter in last week on the same day David Paterson called for the theater org's board to quit. [TU] [CBS6]
Paterson criticizes judge for blocking furloughs, school board member defends Facebook photos, kidnappers called "as low as it gets," 50 years of Caffe Lena
David Paterson criticized US District Judge Lawrence Kahn's decision to grant a temporary restraining order blocking the state worker furloughs. And he accused Kahn of hindering his ability to act as CEO of the state. [State of Politics] [WTEN]
Jimmy Vielkind calls Neil Breslin's anti-furlough resolution a "classic political defense for a legislator stuck between a rock and a hard place" (Breslin voted for the budget extender). Jack McEneny told WNYT he voted for the furlough-including extender because "I felt in confidence the courts would reverse it." [TU] [WNYT]
Paterson says he won't take a pay cut this year, but a furlough... [NYT City Room]
So why is the budget process stuck? Perhaps because the legislature is bad at playing tennis. [YNN]
The state's 2007 ticket scalping law is about to expire -- which could mean no more sites like StubHub in New York. [NYDN]
The TU reports that the Facebook page for a 23-year-old Averill Park school board member includes photos of keg stands and other potentially objectionable content. The man told CBS6: "Every meeting I come to I'm clear-headed and what I do on the weekends to socialize with my friends has nothing to do with my fiscal responsibility." [TU] [CBS6]
Reaction to furlough block, Jack McEneny leads Trojan Horse of a tour, dog torturer gets two years, Kayaderosseras has rock snot
A spokesman for the Paterson administration said it's "disappointed" with the decision by a federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order against the state worker furloughs (the decision allows temporarily blocks the admin from holding back the scheduled four percent raises). The unions were chuffed -- and asserted the furloughs would be permanently blocked after a hearing this month. [Paterson admin] [AP/Post-Star] [CSEA] [PEF] [UUP]
After the restraining order, Paterson told reporters it was "unfortunate" that for the moment "the state work force will not be making any sacrifice in our deficit-reduction plan." He also asserted that everybody would eventually participate in the plan -- "Because if these individuals are frustrated now, they have no idea how angry and anxious they'll be if the state runs out of money and you start having first-come-first-serve payments and difficulties all over the place." Paterson wouldn't address Richard Ravitch's earlier claim that layoffs could be ahead. [NYT] [TU CapCon] [TU]
Adding even more drama (or comedy) to yesterday afternoon at the Capitol, a group of Assembly members led by Jack McEneny staged a sit-in in Paterson's office. Said sitter Tim Gordon of Paterson: "He's not engaged. He likes to talk on the television and the radio, but he won't talk to the Assembly." Paterson later tried to put the blame back on the legislature. McEneny called the impromptu meeting with Paterson "cordial" and "productive." So how did McEneny get the group of Assembly members into Paterson's office? He acted like he was giving them a tour. [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics] [State of Politics] [Fox23] [State of Politics]
Almost all of Thacher Park will soon be closed to the public. [TU]
Unions sue over furloughs, outrage over Paterson staff raises, cathedral to reopen after massive restoration
CSEA, PEF and United University Professions have all filed suit in an attempt to stop the state worker furloughs. Legal experts say the unions' legal case is strong. Lt. Gov Richard Ravitch said if the courts bounce the furloughs, layoffs may be next. [TU] [Buffalo News] [YNN]
Of the challenge to furloughs, David Paterson said: "We're asking everybody for their fair share of sacrifice in a recession." And then word got out that five of Paterson's staffers are getting pay raises. Four of the staffers are in the press office and Paterson's spokesman says the staffers are taking on more responsibility because of departures (the administration says total salary for the office is down $300k). A PEF spokeswoman said the raises are a "slap in the face to state employees." Update: The administration says the raises have now been withdrawn. [AP/Post-Star] [CBS6] [NYDN] [Fox23] [NY Post] [TU CapCon]
The non-union management/confidential state employees will get their scheduled step raises this month. [TU]
By the way: there's still no state budget. Speaker Sheldon Silver says it's not the Assembly's fault. And John Sampson, the head of the majority Senate Democrats, is in... DC. [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics]
The wife of the man shot in the head after trying to quiet down a fight in Troy's Griswold Heights last testified yesterday that she and her husband had called 911 five times before the shooting. She says her husband will likely full-time care when he comes home from the hospital. [TU] [Troy Record]
Legislature passes budget extender with furloughs, police say abduction was made up, Troy's most wanted
Both the state Senate and Assembly passed the budget extender that includes furloughs for state workers. Said David Paterson in a statement:
"I commend the Legislature for approving my emergency appropriations legislation, which will ensure the continued orderly operation of government and achieve necessary workforce savings through State employee furloughs."
CSEA says it's already filed for a temporary restraining order in federal court. PEF says it's doing the same. Sheldon Silver said he believed the courts would overturn the furloughs. [NYT] [Paterson admin] [CSEA] [PEF] [Daily Politics]
The budget extender vote was along party lines in the Senate (Democrats for, Republicans against), but some Democrats in the Assembly also voted against the measure. Among local reps, Republicans voted against the budget extender and Democrats generally voted for it (exceptions: Bob Reilly and Tim Gordon). Ron Canestrari said the alternative to voting for the budget extender -- shutting down the state -- "could have been uglier." Said Jim Tedisco: "I think maybe it's time to look at shutting down state government and telling them to do their job if they're serious about their constituents." [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics] [TU] [WNYT] [WTEN] [Fox23]
State workers were fired up before the vote at yesterday's protest at the Capitol. Said CSEA president Danny Donohue of the giant inflatable rat at the rally: "Somebody said the rat is a good symbol of the governor. I say that's an insult to a rodent." Other messages for the governor were more succinct. [Troy Record] [AOA] [Rob Gierthy] [NYT City Room] [State of Politics]
If the one-day-a-week furloughs stand the court challenge, they're scheduled to start next week. [AP/Post-Star]
State worker furlough vote today, Bruno continues defense in media, father allegedly let nine-year-old drive
As promised, David Paterson included furloughs for state workers in the budget extender bill up for a vote today in the legislature. The bill includes a measure that would eliminate the furloughs if other savings could be negotiated with the state worker unions. In an interview that aired Friday on New York Now (embedded above), Paterson said he'd prefer to lag the pay of state workers rather than furlough them. The unions say Paterson is negotiating through the media, instead of directly with them. They've planned a protest at the Capitol today at noon. [TU CapCon] [TU] [TU CapCon] [WTEN] [CBS6]
This morning, Paterson predicted "gloom and doom" if the budget extender is not passed and the state government has to shut down. He also described himself as a "free duck" (as opposed to a lame duck) because he doesn't "have to placate anybody." And he says he doesn't know if he's invited to President Obama's appearance in Buffalo this week. [TU CapCon] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
Lt. Gov Richard Ravitch on the budget process: "This is like slow strangulation." [NYT]
Joe Bruno in an interview with the Troy Record: "If you're a moral person who wants to do the right thing, as I believe I was, you'll do your best not to break the law. I did my best not to break the law." [Troy Record]
Horse breeders and business leaders in Saratoga County say they'll sue the state if it doesn't agree to a $17 million loan to keep NYRA afloat. They say the state should loan the racing org the money because state leaders botched the awarding of the contract for the Aqueduct racino. A NYRA board member says the org is scheduled to run out of money before the season at Saratoga starts. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
Most of the NYSTI board members have resigned. David Paterson told them last week to quit -- or he'd fire them. [Troy Record]
Owner of Lark Tavern says she'll rebuild, Paterson tells NYSTI board to resign, family says strangers saved father from burning wreck, raccoon knocks out power
Joe Bruno was sentenced to two years in federal prison, with three years of post-release supervision and $280,000 in restitution. He's allowed to stay out on bail until the Supreme Court rules on theft of honest services cases before it. (A speed-read all the coverage.) [AOA]
Investigators are still looking into what started the fire at the Lark Tavern. Firefighters say the fire started in a back kitchen prep area. Albany's fire chief credited the building's 1877 construction for holding up to the fire. The kitchen and bar apparently can be saved, but everything else was ruined. Tess Collins says she's planning to rebuild: "A lot of the things that people came in here to see have been ruined, but we'll make something else that's just as cool." The community is rallying support for Collins and her staff. Matt Baumgartner reports that the Lark Tavern Fire Fund has already raised more than $10,000. [WTEN] [WNYT] [Fox23] [CBS6] [YNN] [TU] [Friday Puppy]
David Paterson is threatening to (maybe) keep the legislature in special session until it passes a budget. [Daily Politics]
Paterson sent a letter to the NYSTI board telling the members to resign -- or he'll fire them. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Chris Gibson, the Republican challenging Scott Murphy for the NY 20th Congressional District, says the Department of Homeland Security should be eliminated. [TU]
Bruno sentencing scheduled for today, Paterson says lag pay could stop furloughs, fares flying lower after Southwest
Joe Bruno is scheduled to be sentenced today. If he's sent to prison, he'd be one of the oldest inmates in the federal prison system. [NYT]
Democratic state legislative leaders say they won't stop the proposed state worker furloughs. Hugh Farley says Republican senators plan to vote against the budget extender if it includes a furlough. Local assemblyman Bob Reilly -- a Democrat -- said he also said he would vote against it if it included furloughs. There are still a lot of questions about the details of the proposed furlough. The state labor department says furloughed employees wouldn't be eligible for unemployment. [NYDN] [AP/Daily Gazette $] [TU CapCon] [TU] [CBS6]
David Paterson said yesterday that the state worker unions could avoid the furloughs if they accept five days of lag pay. [TU CapCon]
By the way: there's still no budget. And the legislature has gone home. [YNN] [State of Politics]
The consultancy hired to help Troy site a new city hall has recommended either the former Verizon Building (currently serving as the temporary city hall) or the old Proctor's Theater. [TU]
Reaction to Paterson furlough proposal, powerful storm blows through, Ponzi scheme alleged, heated discussion about Saratoga bar closing time
Said David Paterson yesterday of the promise to include state worker furloughs in the next budget extender: "We're taking an extreme effort to make sure we reach a solution." And on the possibility of being sued over the furloughs: "I've been sued before." State Senate majority conference leader John Sampson says he thinks Paterson's proposal is illegal, but "I'm not going to shut government down" -- and his conference will vote for the extender. Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver wouldn't say whether he would support the measure. As expected, the two major state worker unions were irked. The head of CSEA accused Paterson of "creating more chaos and crisis" -- and PEF's president says the union has offered Paterson cost-saving suggestions but "he's decided to do is take it out on us." [AOA] [State of Politics] [YNN] [Daily Politics] [State of Politics] [NYT] [CSEA release] [Fox23]
The short, powerful storm that ripped through the area yesterday afternoon included gusts as strong as 60 mph, knocked out power thousands of households, uprooted trees, crushed a house in Lansingburgh (via a tree), and made kittens cry in Schenectady. (The Gazette had the best photo of the aftermath.) [Daily Gazette $] [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette $]
For a moment yesterday, it appeared the Troypocalypse was upon us. The huge snake had something to do with it. [Troy Record] [@esposj]
Jerry Jennings called the Albany Common Council's rejection of a bonding measure necessary to expand the Albany landfill "very irresponsible." [TU]
The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused a businessman with offices in downtown Troy of running a Ponzi scheme. The SEC complaint alleges the man raised more than $6.5 million as part of the scheme. The man's attorney says his client denies the allegations. [Troy Record] [SEC] [SEC] [TU]
More talk about state worker furloughs, panel says NYSTI board should be swept, challenger calls for Breslin disclosure, kiwis can be hard to peel
David Paterson continued to threaten that state worker furloughs are a possibility if the state budget isn't finalized. And there continue to be questions about whether such a move would actually be legal. Paterson also raised the possibility of a government shutdown, a situation in which "nobody gets paid." [YNN] [TU] [WTEN]
Paterson says he's creating a panel to review pardon requests by legal immigrants facing deportation. The idea could put New York at odds with the feds. The panel would apparently be the only of its kind in the country. [Paterson press release] [NYT] [TU]
The state Authorities Budget Office is recommending that David Paterson suspend or dismiss the NYSTI board due to "a persistent pattern of neglect." The ABO says it based its conclusion on the state Inspector General's report and "additional information we have at our disposal." [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [Daily Gazette $]
The state Inspector General's office says it has started an investigation of state wildlife pathologist Ward Stone. [AP/Post-Star]
The CSEA regional president says the union heard about concerns related to Steven Raucci -- but she says no one ever came forward with specific information. [Fox23] [TU]
The Albany Common Council again voted down a bonding measure necessary for the expansion of the Albany landfill. [TU]
Guilty verdict in Saratoga kidnapping, GloFo fab assessed at $160 million, man accused of killing puppy with shovel, Charles Grodin doesn't want Joe Bruno to go to prison
Victor Hernandez-Perez, the man accused of kidnapping a woman in Saratoga Springs last summer, was found guilty on 13 counts Friday evening. He faces 8-25 years in prison -- the Saratoga County DA says he'll ask for the maximum. Hernandez-Perez's attorney says they'll appeal. Hernandez-Perez is in the country illegally -- and the woman he kidnapped told WTEN that she hopes "he does his time and when its over that he leaves this country and doesn't have the chance to do it to someone here again." [TU] [Saratogian] [TU] [WNYT] [Fox23] [WTEN]
Andrew Cuomo told a Democratic Party gathering this weekend that this year's election is "the most important election for the State of New York in my lifetime." David Paterson says he'd vote for Cuomo. [State of Politics] [Daily Politics]
A group of contractors is suing the state over the withheld state funding for road projects. [TU]
The value of GlobalFoundries' Malta chip fab has been assessed at $160 million for tax purposes. [Daily Gazette $]
Albany police say two men were shot in the South End Friday night (map). [TU] [Fox23]
Police say DNA pulled from a mobile phone has connected a NYC man to last summer's shooting at a pizza place in Troy. [Troy Record]
Paterson admin says no decision on furlough, Wash Ave Y transferred to church, county expands sex offender website, armed robber chased off with stick
A spokesman for David Paterson says "no final decision has been made" on whether the governor will include the proposed state worker furlough in the next emergency budget bill. Yesterday, Richard Ravitch said the administration is trying to get people to focus on how serious the budget situation is -- or as he put it, the state has "no fairy godmother." Ravitch also said the soda tax is dead (unless it's not). [TU] [State of Politics] [YNN]
John Sweeney was scheduled to be released today from jail this morning. He'll have served 17 days of his 30 day sentence. [CBS6] [Saratogian]
The state attorney general's office has accused a former state Department of Health mailroom supervisor from Delmar of stealing more than $16k in postage to mail items he sold on eBay. If convicted, he could get up to seven years in prison. [Fox23] [TU]
State police say the former head of the scandal-plagued state Institute for Entrepreneurship tried to pass himself off as a state official while allegedly trying to get out of a speeding ticket in Colonie. [TU] [CBS6]
The Washington Ave YMCA in Albany is now closed -- and the building is being transferred to the First Israel AME Church on Hamilton Street. The church's pastor says the building will be turned into a community center for kids. Jerry Jennings had been trying to work out a deal to turn the building over the Albany Police Athletic League. [CBS6] [WNYT] [TU]
Albany common councilman Anton Konev is pushing a measure that would ban entertainment acts using exotic animals (for example, the circus). Animal advocates such acts are cruel. [TU]
Paterson threatens to force legislature's hand on furloughs, Snyder taking leave from NYSTI, researchers studying Berne earthquakes, shop's bid to sell adult items bounced
David Paterson said yesterday that he's prepared to include the proposed state worker furlough in next week's emergency budget extender. If the legislature balks at the move, it would lead to the shutdown of the state government. Says Jack McEneny: "We'd probably have to vote for the furloughs, rather than shut down the state." There's some question as to whether the furlough would be legal (the unions say it's not). Ron Canestrari called the situation surrounding the budget negotiations "very disheartening." And, by the way: the legislature has gone home for the week. [NYDN] [TU] [WTEN] [State of Politics] [Fox23]
Andrew Cuomo announced the he's suing Pedro Espada for violating labor laws "by creating a sham job training program that cheated workers and shortchanged State coffers." The suit alleges that Espada ran the training program out of a for-profit company that provides janitorial services to his Soundview health care non-profit -- and paid "trainees" as little as $1.70/hour. Cuomo's office alleges that Espada's son made $150,000 heading up the company in 2008. Espada denied the allegations and accused Cuomo of "political assassination." [NYS AG] [NYT] [AP/Troy Record]
Patricia Snyder is taking an unpaid leave of absence from her position at NYSTI. Snyder said in a statement that the absence "will allow time for a clear response to the false allegations" (that would be the allegations raised by the state Inspector General). A spokesman for the NYSTI board says the panel "will continue to look at specific issues raised in the report to make corrections where they believe it to be appropriate." [TU] [WNYt] [Troy Record]
It appears that the plan for the old Proctor's Theater in Troy now does not include demolition of the theater itself. [TU]
Paterson says state worker furloughs possible, new parking ticket system for Albany, hockey team close to moving to TU Center, snow in Adirondacks
David Paterson said yesterday he will introduce a measure that furlough state employees one day a week until the new budget is passed. Paterson said health and safety employees would be exempt, as would management confidential employees because their annual raise has already been eliminated. The state budget director said about 100,000 state workers would be subject to the furlough. The move would save the state $30 million a week. The Paterson administration says it plans to introduce the furlough measure as stand alone legislation -- but said it also could be tacked on to an emergency budget bill. PEF's president called the proposal "illegal" and the head of CSEA issued a response to the idea that simply read "Nuts" (he also said the union wouldn't "just roll over and play dead"). It doesn't sound like the legislature is too keen on the idea, either. [Paterson press release] [TU] [NYT City Room] [PEF press release] [CSEA press release] [WTEN] [Fox23]
Paterson is also asking the legislature to vote his most recent budget proposal up or down. [YNN]
A state Assembly bill would make New York a "presumed consent" state for organ donations. That is, everyone would be presumed to be an organ donor unless they had specified otherwise. [TU] [AP/WNYT]
The City of Albany has a new computer system for handling parking tickets. The city treasurer says the new system will be more accountable. Among the details that can be stored in the system's database: images of the parking violation. [TU] [Fox23] [WTEN]
The chairman of NYSTI's board says "we believe in according Dr. Snyder a measure of due process as we fully evaluate the Inspector General's findings." A letter sent to the board from 24 NYSTI employees expressed "unqualified support" for Patricia Snyder. [Daily Gazette $] [Troy Record]
Police say an Albany woman set fire to an apartment in alleged attempt to get back at another woman. Everyone got out safely. [TU] [YNN]
Alleged kidnap survivor testifies, Paterson calls for NYSTI head to be fired, new details in fatal police car crash, deer causes trouble in Troy
The woman prosecutors say was kidnapped in Saratoga Springs last year testified yesterday at the trial of her alleged attacker, Victor Hernandez-Perez. She said the man who abducted her hit her in the head, put her in a van and told her to strip at gun point. She said he told her he was going to rape and kill her and "He asked me if I had ever seen a crazy person. I said no. He said I was going to see one tonight." The woman said she escaped by jumping from the moving vehicle. Said the woman in an interview with WTEN yesterday: "I'm not even close to over it. I just kind of deal with it everyday." [Daily Gazette $] [Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star] [WNYT] [WTEN]
David Paterson has written a letter urging the NYSTI board to fire producing director Patricia Snyder. A report out last week from the state Inspector General accused Snyder of nepotism and improper spending. [TU CapCon] [AOA]
The FBI and IRS raided the offices and homes of people connected to Albany investment firm McGinn, Smith and Co. last week. An SEC complaint filed last week accused McGinn, Smith of investment fraud. [TU] [SEC]
The EPA has announced that will cover the extra costs associated with Halfmoon and Waterford using the Troy drinking water system because of the Hudson River PCB dredging project. The agency had been previously only been paying when PCB levels spiked. The EPA's announcement could collectively save the two towns as much as $800k/year. As part of yesterday's announcement, the agency also reported that some sensors used to monitor PCB levels had been "covered with mud and vegetation" -- and that may have affected recent readings. [EPA] [Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star]
There is still no state budget. But there is squabbling. [TU] [AP/Post-Star]
Feds want to send Bruno away for 8 years, Martland to challenge Breslin, burglars stole while homeowners slept, Paladino forwards because he cares?
Federal prosecutors have recommended that Joe Bruno be sentenced to eight years in prison because, in their view, "the nature and circumstances of this offense are particularly egregious." Bruno's attorneys have asked for no prison time and a fine. The judge in Bruno case could issue a sentence ranging from no jail time to up to 10 years. Sentencing is scheduled for May 6. [TU] [NYT] [AP/Saratogian] [Daily Gazette $]
In an op/ed for NYT, David Paterson criticized proposals for the state to borrow money to solve the budget gap: "It only imposes a burden on future generations without a corresponding benefit." The budget fix worked up by lieutenant governor Richard Ravitch includes $2 billion in... borrowing. [NYT]
Roy McDonald called the state's cutoff of funding to construction project such as the Exit 6 SPUI "dangerous" and "financially stupid." McDonald is also proposing that NYRA be allowed to borrow $17 million against the money it's scheduled to get from the (proposed, possible, theorized, maybe someday) Aqueduct racino deal. [Saratogian] [Saratogian]
Luke Martland has officially announced that he's challenging Neil Breslin for the Democratic nomination for the 46th state Senate district. Said Martland in a statement: "Someone has to stand up and say 'enough,' and fight to end the dysfunction, corruption and incompetence that is crippling New York. I am running because I decided to stand up and say 'enough.'" At an event on Sunday, he criticized Breslin for having "done nothing to stop the politics-as-usual, pay-to-play ethical corruption and dysfunction." [Martland press release] [Martland press release] [TU]
Warren Redlich, an attorney from Guilderland, has been nominated as the Libertarian party candidate for governor. [TU]
According to the SEC complaint against Albany-based investment firm McGinn Smith and Co., president David Smith allegedly wrote in an email to an investor: "We purposefully make the accounting confusing so that you never really know where you are. Not as devious as Bernie M, but fairly efficient." [Daily Gazette $]
Cuomo investigation of Espada continues, turmoil in Troy over alleged drug investigation, indictment for shooting death near governor's mansion, Dino delayed
Andrew Cuomo has subpoenaed the state Senate for work records from members of Pedro Espada's staff. Said Cuomo: "We want to know where these people worked and when." "Sources" say the AG's office is trying to determine if Espada staffers were double dipping by working for both the Senate and Espada's Soundview health care org at the same time. [TU] [NYDN] [NY Post]
Economic indicator: the amount spent on lobbying at the state Capitol fell last year -- by 3.5 percent. That almost never happens. [TU] [NYT City Room]
Troy officials say they plan to bring in outside investigators to look into allegations of drug use by city employees. Harry Tutunjian said Troy PBA president Robert Fitzgerald's public disclosure this week of an ongoing investigation "warrants review." Fitzgerald says the investigation is "far and wide known throughout the City of Troy." Police chief John Tedesco says he can't confirm or deny the investigation. [Fox23] [Troy Record] [YNN] [WNYT]
When confronted with criticism at at school board candidates forum last night, Schenectady school district president Maxine Brisport blamed former president Jeff Janiszewski for creating the current "situation" at the district. [Daily Gazette $]
New Troy police chief emphasizes community policing, still no state budget, Cannon Building owner files for bankruptcy
Troy's new police chief says he's looking to emphasize community policing efforts across the department -- a re-organization that will draw responsibilities away from special units in department units. The local PBA president alleged the re-organization is actually retribution to a unit that he says is investigating alleged drug use by city employees. The PBA president says they're also concerned about overtime. [Troy Record] [TU] [CBS6] [WTEN] [YNN]
Police say a Schenectady woman used her car to hit another woman -- and the stroller carrying the woman's baby -- and then backed up to allegedly hit the woman again. [Fox23] [TU]
The Saratoga Springs man accused of stabbing his mother last year has pleaded guilty to all the charges against him. He's expected to get 15 years in prison. The man was originally found to be unfit for trial because of his psychological condition. [Post-Star] [TU] [Saratogian]
There is still no state budget. [YNN]
Neil Breslin says Pedro Espada should step down from his leadership post in order to "bring some dignity and respect back to the New York State Senate." [State of Politics]
The Warren County sheriff's office says a motel owner in Queensbury used almost $20k in food stamps to buy supplies for the free breakfasts at the motel. [Fox23] [TU]
Espada lashes out at Cuomo, allegations of nepotism at NYSTI called "bogus," smoking ban extended in Schenectady, upset over Chipotle
State Senate majority leader Pedro Espada called the civil suit filed against him for allegedly "looting" his health care non-profit by Andrew Cuomo's office "simple political payback for what the establishment likes to call the Senate coup" and "the steamroller approach." He also asserted that Cuomo had supported the Senate coup as a means of weakening David Paterson and presented a flow chart to accompany his argument. Cuomo said yesterday that "criminal charges are a very real possibility" in the case. The offices of Soundview, Espada's org, were raided this morning by the feds and investigators from the state AG's office. [AOA] [Daily Politics] [TU] [WTEN] [Fox23] [NYT] [NYT City Room]
The attorney for NYSTI director Patricia Snyder said the nepotism allegations in yesterday's state Inspector General's report are "bogus" and called the investigation a "hatchet job" and said the report is "mean-spirited and short-sighted and ignores policies, practices and traditions well established in this industry." NYSTI's chairman says the board is "deeply concerned" about the allegations. [AOA] [NYT] [TU] [Troy Record]
Jim Coyne has been hired to manage Sandy Horowitz's troubled properties in Troy (Horowitz owns a large chunk of downtown Troy, including the Cannon Building). Coyne, a former Albany County exec, helped develop the Knickerbocker Arena (now TU Center) and redevelop the Washington Ave Armoy. He also was convicted of a taking a bribe from the architect of the Knick. [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette archive]
Charlie Muller says a loaded assault rifle was turned in to the Albany gun buyback. [WNYT]
Questions about moving Saratoga bar closing time, council votes down prayer before meetings, state high-speed rail program off the tracks, Funny Cide turns 10
There's some question as to whether Saratoga Springs could legally move the bar closing time to 2 am. Business owners don't seem to be too keen on the idea, either. [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Albany police say a man arrested last week for allegedly possessing heroin has a rap sheet 58 pages long. Since 1974 the man the has faced 123 charges and been convicted 48 times. [TU] [Troy Record]
A non-governmental oversight body has accused Albany brokerage firm McGinn, Smith & Co. of securities fraud. The org alleges that the firm sold fraudulent securities connected to companies managed by the firm's president. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Congratulations, Charlton -- you have the Capital Region's highest census response rate. (The census is publishing this data on the web.) [TU]
The Albany Common Council voted down the prayer-before-meetings measure. [TU]
There's still no state budget. [YNN]
Surprise guilty plea in Saratoga hit-and-run, Raucci report release, state high-speed rail director quits over "lies," stranded in Paris
Travis Carroll, the alleged driver of the car that hit and killed Ryan Rossely in downtown Saratoga Springs, unexpectedly pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter Friday (the case had been scheduled to go to a grand jury this week). He faces 5-15 years in prison. Carroll's attorney said his client pleaded guilty so he "move on with his life." The Saratoga County DA said witnesses interviewed said it didn't look like Carroll aimed to hit Rossley. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [Post-Star] [TU]
Police arrested the 18-year-old who allegedly shot and killed Tunham Tate at the Corliss Park Apartments in Troy last week. Ayerius Benson was arrested in Menands in an effort that involved five departments and a helicopter. Police say Benson had been upset because he thought Tate had embarrassed him during an argument. Benson has been charged with second-degree murder. [Troy Record] [TU] [TU] [WTEN] [Fox23]
Troy police say one man was shot during a shoot out in North Central Friday afternoon. Both men reportedly fled and the TPD apprehended the man who was shot after a chase. [TU] [Troy Record]
Schenectady police have arrested a suspect for one of the fatal shootings on Hulett Street last month. They say Dashaun Terry is the brother of one of the victims in double shooting. The SPD says it picked up Terry while he was at class at SCCC -- they say they found a gun in his backpack. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [CBS6] [WTEN]
The Schenectady school district has posted the internal report on Steven Raucci (response from superintendent Eric Ely). The school board president says the district is working on implementing recommendations from the report. The report doesn't include many details that were made public at Raucci's trial. [SCSD] [SCSD] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette $]
Paramedic service response times in Rensselaer County could be longer because of a policy change. [Troy Record]
Man shot and killed in Troy, Raucci report leaked, the next Troy police chief, early tick season
Troy police say a man was shot and killed at the Corliss Park Apartments yesterday. They say the suspect is still on the loose. For a while yesterday afternoon police thought the suspect was in an apartment at the complex and the department's Emergency Response Team was called to surround the building. It turned out the only person inside was an elderly woman who police say is the suspect's grandmother. [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN] [WTEN] [WNYT]
The State Police SWAT team responded to a call of a man holed up with a gun in a Halfmoon yesterday. Police say the man did fire the gun, but he was taken into custody without injury. [Fox23] [WNYT]
The Times Union says it's gotten of a copy of the Schenectady school district's internal report on Steven Raucci. The school district had previously released the report, but it was heavily redacted. [TU]
David and Michelle Paterson's income was $328,284 last year, according to their tax return. That's up about $50k from the year before largely because of a raise Mrs. Paterson received at her job. [TU] [Daily Politics]
Still no budget, town supervisor accused of arson, Sweeney goes to jail early, RPI construction is a blast, lottery winner tired of being told he's a fool
There is still no state budget. There is squabbling, though. And legislators have gone home. Said David Paterson: "We're going to have to exert a greater effort to get this budget done." [TU] [Fox23] [WTEN] [YNN]
State leaders couldn't work out a plan to save New York City OTB -- and the betting operation could close on Sunday. NYRA, which runs the Saratoga track, is funded in part by NYC OTB -- and businesses in Saratoga say they're starting to worry about this year's season. [Daily Politics] [YNN] [TU] [Post-Star]
One measure that legislators have found time to work on: a bill that would regulate the sale of returned underwear. [CBS6]
Henry Traver, the Coeymans town supervisor, was arrested yesterday on the charge that he burned down his own house in 2008. The Albany County DA's office says the house wasn't insured and Traver never filed a claim. An investigator said there had been no apparent motive at the time -- but an unnamed person stepped forward with info this week (a "source" tells WNYT it may have been... Traver). Traver's only been supervisor for three months. [WTEN] [YNN] [TU] [CBS6] [WNYT] [Fox23]
John Sweeney reported to the Saratoga County jail yesterday to start serving his 30-day term for DWI. Sweeney wasn't due to report until at least next week after his scheduled sentencing. Sweeney's attorney says the former Congressman wanted to get on with his life. With good behavior, Sweeney could be out in 20 days. [TU] [Saratogian] [WNYT] [CBS6]
Investigation reports $500k fraud by former state prisons worker, Paladino un-invited by local Republicans, paper streets at issue in Cohoes
The state comptroller and inspector general report that a former Division of Corrections director engaged in fraud that cost taxpayers $500,000. They say an investigation concluded that the man, who headed up a food production center in Oneida County, didn't work Fridays for 17 years and submitted fraudulent travel vouchers and hotel invoices. They say the audit also revealed that supervisors "looked the other way." The Oneida County DA is now reviewing whether criminal charges should be filed. [NYS OSC] [NYS OSC] [YNN]
The Paterson administration is reportedly preparing early retirement incentives for state workers. Yesterday CSEA filed a formal contract grievance over the withheld four percent raises for state workers. [TU] [WTEN]
David Paterson's office says an operator for the planned Aqueduct racino will be selected by the time the Saratoga track opens for the season. A group of Republican state legislators -- including Roy McDonald and Tony Jordan -- are pushing for an outside accounting firm to vet bids for the racino. They say the plan would open up the process to the public and more bidders. McDonald called the selection process so far "embarrassing." [Saratogian] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN]
Local Republican leaders un-invited Carl Paladino to a forum scheduled in Colonie on Friday. A Tea Party organizer said at yesterday's rally that Paladino is "incompatible with anything we stand for." And a bomb threat was reportedly called in to Paladino's headquarters in Buffalo. A Paladino spokesman said the developer is continuing his gubernatorial campaign. [TU CapCon] [AOA] [Buffalo News] [YNN]
Schenectady police say the man found dead in a house on Wendell Ave is a victim of homicide. It's the city's fourth of the year. [YNN] [TU]
State workers to get step increases, Troy school district considering cutting sports, law would require fryer oil disclosure, warm weather could be bad for apples
It appears that state workers will still be getting their "step" increases in salary (the incremental raises that come along with working a certain amount of time in a pay grade). The Paterson administration announced last week that it's withholding the four percent annual raise for all state workers that's part of the union contract. [TU]
Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton announced yesterday that the city has officially fired suspended cop John Lewis. Stratton said that Lewis is "exactly the opposite of what the people of Schenectady expect and deserve in their police officers." Lewis was one of a handful of cops the city's been trying to fire. The city estimates it's spent $1 million dealing troubled officers. [TU] [WTEN] [Daily Gazette $] [Fox23]
The woman police say was attacked while walking home Saturday in Saratoga Springs credited her self defense training for helping her fight off her attacker. Officials say the man arrested for the attack is in the country illegally and he's already been deported to Mexico twice. [Saratogian] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette $]
After a meeting with the Albany police chief search committee yesterday, Jerry Jennings said he hopes to have a final selection by the end of May. One of the search committee members says the panel didn't rank the four finalists so as not to "tie the hands" of the Common Council (which gets to sign off on the mayor's choice) or the new chief. [YNN] [TU]
The Troy school district says it's now considering cutting extracurriculars -- including sports -- instead of closing its elementary school in North Central. [Troy Record] [CBS6]
Carl Paladino was criticized by both Democrats and Republicans yesterday for racist and sexist emails that he forwarded. He told the Buffalo News that he "shouldn't have sent [the emails], no question about it." Said Paladino during a press conference: "I'm not a racist, and I say that even in some of the e-mails that they hacked from my computer." And one of Paladino's campaign staffers alleged that Andrew Cuomo's campaign was responsible for the leak. [NYT] [WNY Media] [Buffalo News] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
State could run out of cash by June, police say man was dragged by stolen SUV, Schumer protesting carry-on fees
Robert Megna, the state budget director, says the state will probably run out of cash in June. David Paterson is reportedly willing to wait that long to get a "fiscally responsible" budget. [TU] [NY Post]
The Schenectady school board president says the district should release an un-redacted version of the report from its internal Steven Raucci investigation. [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say a man was arrested early Saturday morning after he allegedly assaulted a woman walking up Circular Street and forcibly kissed her (map). They say the woman was able to fight off the alleged attack and ran to a firehouse. [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Schenectady police say the owner of an SUV was dragged for a block after his vehicle was jacked from the parking lot of a deli on Crane Street Sunday night. [CBS6] [YNN]
Albany police say a group fight on South Pearl Street early Sunday morning ended in three people being stabbed. [Fox23] [YNN]
Paterson holding raises for state workers, police say parents let toddlers wander off, criticism of APD chief search
David Paterson says he's withholding the four percent raises that state workers were scheduled to get starting April 1. The administration is holding back the raises by not including funding for them in the next temporary budget extender -- it says the raises will proceed when the state has finalized budget. CSEA said that it will "have to take some sort of legal action because the Governor is breaking our contract." Paterson said earlier this week that the unions "want to avoid making the same sacrifices that everyone else is making." [NYT] [NYDN] [TU] [YNN] [Capitol Pressroom]
The state parks commissioner said yesterday that without funding in place, her office has to operate as if the 55 parks slated for closure will stay closed. The National Parks Service has notified the state that the parks closures could threaten money from the feds. The late state budget is holding up general maintenance work at all the state parks. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [YNN]
Stillwater police say two parents have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child after their two toddlers allegedly wandered off -- into traffic. Police said the parents didn't know the kids were missing. Police say one child was found wearing only a diaper and the other didn't have shoes. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [CBS6]
Two people died in a car wreck on Route 40 in Rensselaer County yesterday. State police say the car the two had been riding in was driving erratically and passing in no-passing zones before it hit a pick-up truck head on. The driver of the pick-up had minor injuries. [YNN] [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23]
Four finalists for Albany police chief, apparent murder suicide in Columbia County, RPI refinancing almost hundreds of millions in debt, the next Siena basketball coach
The Albany police chief search committee has submitted the names of four finalists to Jerry Jennings. APD depty chief Steve Krokoff, who's been heading up the department, is among the finalists. Jennings says he will interview the four finalists during the next few weeks. He'll then submit his pick for confirmation by the common council. [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN]
There's still no state budget. Senate Democrats offered a plan for reforming the process, which prompted Republicans to point out that maybe they should focus on the late budget first. David Paterson is now saying legislative leaders won't meet with him. And there was a six-foot-tall beaver roaming the halls of the capitol. [Daily Politics] [YNN] [TU] [Daily Politics] [TU CapCon]
Apparently some public employee union locals are willing to forgo this year's raise. [AP/TU]
Police say it appears a father killed his five-year-old son and then himself in southern Columbia County. [CBS6] [TU]
A man's body was found in the Hudson River near Hudson yesterday. [Fox23]
Schenectady police say a man was shot in the foot during an incident in which several shots were fired last night near Central Park (map) [WTEN] [TU]
Troy hoping to talk with RPI about loudspeaker, Paterson says Aqueduct deal by June, name change proposed for North Central, Sinus Buster creator is back
Troy police say they're still looking for the suspect who robbed a check cashing store on Hoosick Street yesterday. City officials said they're hoping to to talk with RPI about its use of the loudspeaker during the campus lockdown that was prompted by the hunt for the suspect. The siren reportedly could be heard as far away as Watervliet and Menands. Said a TPD sergeant to Fox23: "RPI really has a sacred obligation to take care of their students and if they need to do that, we support that." Earlier on AOA: A few thoughts about campuses communicating with their surrounding neighborhoods [Troy Record] [Troy Record] [YNN] [Fox23]
David Paterson said yesterday on The Capitol Pressroom that there would be a new winning bidder picked for the Aqueduct racino project by June (money from the deal is expected to keep the horses running at Saratoga). He also said yesterday that the winning bid will be chosen according to the state procurement guidelines -- and he will make the final choice. The legislature is back in session today. [Capitol Pressroom] [YNN] [YNN]
Carl Paladino stopped in Albany yesterday as part of his bus tour. In declaring his frustration with the situation at the capitol, Paladino told reporters: "I have my own sandbox, I have my own toys from my own sandbox, and I'm not inviting any of the current players to play in it." He also blamed Andrew Cuomo for policies that contribute to the housing meltdown (Cuomo was HUD secretary in the Clinton administration). [TU] [TU CapCon] [WTEN]
Saratoga Springs finance commissioner Ken Ivins reported last night that the city has an unexpected surplus of $2.3 million, thanks in part to higher-than-expected sales and property tax revenues. Ivins says layoffs are still on the table, though. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [Saratogian]
Paladino officially enters gubernatorial race, hunt for stick-up suspect in Troy, poor sap, from Bethlehem to Fox News
Carl Paladino formally announced that he's running for governor. His announcement was preceded by the "mad as hell" clip from Network. Said Paladino during his speech: "the Albany ruling class will soon learn the strength of our movement." He also mocked Andrew Cuomo. Earlier on AOA: Who is Carl Paladino? [YNN] [NYT] [YouTube] [TU] [NYDN]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli says no one really knows the size of the state budget deficit. David Paterson, Richard Ravitch and John Sampson talked about the budget at Peter Luger yesterday. [NYT] [NYT]
New York State has the highest rates in the country for health plans bought on the individual market, according to a trade group. [TU]
Troy police say a man stole $40k-$50k in a stick-up of a check cashing store on Hoosic Street this morning. The suspect reportedly was sighted near RPI's linear accelerator facility and the school issued a campus alert urging people to stay in their building with windows and doors locked. There were also reports of the suspect being sighted near the east campus athletic village. [TU] [RPI Alert] [Troy Record]
State police say a mother and daughter died afer their car was rear-ended on the I-90 Berkshire bridge over the Hudson. Police say the car was stopped because of flat tire. [CBS6] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
Paterson says he never promised to not lay off state workers, Paladino into the pool for governor, police officers suspended, local family going to White House for Easter egg roll
David Paterson on the deal he struck with the state worker unions last year to trade the new, cheaper pension tier for a no-layoffs pledge: "I never promised I would not lay anyone off." Appearing at an Easter egg hunt in Albany Sunday, the governor said: "it's time for everyone to make a sacrifice." [TU] [WNYT]
Buffalo-area real estate developer Carl Paladino is scheduled to announce this afternoon that he's running for governor as a Republican. He says he's willing to spend $10 million of his own money on the campaign. If he elected, he said: "I will chop and I will chop their budget until they stop their nonsense." The Buffalo news describes Paladino as "outspoken" and "a man of contradictions." [YNN] [AP/Troy Record] [AP/Troy Record] [Buffalo News]
An employee of the state Department of Labor has apparently been assigned to sit at home and call into the office twice a day -- at a salary of $115k/year. [TU]
A Rotterdam family has reached a $5.2 million settlement with two obstetricians and Albany Med over a mother's death following a Caesarean section. The family's attorney said the death was caused by a "cascade of errors." As part of the settlement, Albany Med is funding a 20-year lecture series on patient safety and is investing in equipment for additional training. More than a third of births in New York State are via C-section. [Daily Gazette $] [WTEN] [TU] [TU]
The 12-year-old girl authorities said was forced by her mother to climb through pet doors to assist in robberies, in her victim impact statement: "Tell my mom that I will never forgive her." [TU]
Raucci faces possiblity of 100 years to life, Paterson asks state workers to forgo raises, Troy reassessment bond approved, new license plates now available
Schenectady County DA Robert Carney says Steven Raucci now faces as much as 100 years to life for the 18 counts on which he was convicted Thursday. A juror said that the undercover recordings of Raucci "pushed a lot of us over." The jury foreman said the panel struggled over the terrorism charge, ultimately deciding Raucci not guilty on that charge. Raucci's attorney said it was his client's choice to not take the stand in his own defense -- and they plan to appeal 14 of the counts. [Daily Gazette $] [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Fox23] [CBS6]
Carney said after the trial that Schenectady schools superintendent Eric Ely's email to Raucci about the investigation didn't appear to be criminal, but "but we're not closing the door to anything." Ely said his "heads up" email was his way of confronting Raucci about the allegations -- and he said he "never had any idea [Raucci] could commit those kinds of crimes." The school board president said the district needs to restore the public's trust by making "personnel changes." [TU] [Fox23] [WTEN] [Daily Gazette $]
The Raucci case has raised questions about the role of CSEA leadership. [Daily Gazette $]
Raucci's conviction doesn't affect his $79k/year pension. [Daily Gazette $]
David Paterson released a statement publicly urging the state worker unions to forgo their scheduled raises. CSEA said Paterson's actions demonstrate "the governor's total lack of credibility." [Paterson admin] [CSEA]
State budget officially late, Gibson to challenge Murphy, Troy schools hoping for funding Hail Mary, investigation into drive-thru stick-ups
The state budget is now officially late. David Paterson released a video statement about the budget yesterday in which he said:
"I cannot overstate the magnitude of the fiscal problems confronting this State. So I will continue to stand up for the taxpayers even if it means that our budget is late, because a responsible budget is more important than what time it is actually passed."
The legislature isn't due back in session until next week. [NYT] [PatersonTube] [YNN]
The state worker unions say the Paterson's administration's leak/threat of "massive" layoffs is attempt to distract people from the administration's "incompetence and inability to address the budget situation." And they say they won't open their contracts for re-negotiation. [Fox23] [TU]
The state budget extension in place doesn't include funding for construction projects such as the Exit 6 SPUI, which contractors say is hitting them as just about the worst possible time of the year.
The state attorney general's office announced that 14 employees of a nursing home in Troy have been charged with neglect and falsifying documents. The AG's office says the investigation of the charges includes hidden camera surveillance. The nursing home was temporarily barred from receiving money from Medicaid and Medicare last year after allegations of neglect. [NYS AG] [TU]
Police in the Buffalo suburb where David Park was shot say it appears the Albany teacher entered the wrong house through an unlocked door. The attorney for the man who shot Park says his client fired from the second floor, after repeated warnings, when Park appeared at the bottom of the stairs. [Buffalo News] [TU]
Chris Gibson will be the Republican candidate to challenge Scott Murphy in the NY 20 Congressional District. In a press release, he said his endorsement by county chairman is "proof that a message of reducing taxes, curbing government spending, eliminating onerous regulations and reducing health-care costs resonates with the citizens of the 20th District." At a press conference yesterday, he said "This campaign represents a chance to renew our republic and enact policies to make us feel safe." Republicans at the appearance invoked the name of Jerry Solomon -- but made no mention of John Sweeney. [email press release] [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
State delays billions in school aid, noises about state worker layoffs, naked man at center of police standoff, another bank robbery
The Paterson administration announced yesterday that it's delaying $2.1 billion in aid to school districts. The money was scheduled to be distributed today -- though the administration says it's not required by law to send it out until June. Local school districts were expecting millions in funding -- the Albany school district alone was scheduled to receive $8.7 million. The Shenendehowa school district was expecting $6.3 million -- and its superintendent says the short notice has the district hurrying to find a way to cover its bills. [Paterson press release] [TU CapCon] [Fox23]
The Empire Center think tank reported yesterday that school districts around the state have added more than 20,000 employees over the last decade -- even as enrollment has dropped by more than 120,000. NYSUT -- the big teachers union -- responded that thousands of retired teachers have not been replaced. [Empire Center] [AP/Saratogian]
The Paterson administration also announced it was stopping construction on projects not funded by stimulus money. That includes the SPUI at Exit 6 in Latham. [AP/Saratogian] [TU]
And an unnamed Paterson administration source says state worker unions are risking "massive" layoffs because they're not willing to make budget concessions. [Buffalo News]
Steven Raucci trial The jury is still deliberating. Raucci was briefly on suicide watch yesterday. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Students at Schenectady High School were asked to turn t-shirts memorializing a gunned down classmate inside out yesterday. At a community vigil for the two recent shooting deaths in Hamilton Hill, a mother said the streets are full of guns. [Daily Gazette $] [Fox23]
Many questions in teacher's death, deliberations start in Raucci trial, what happens in Vegas stays on Facebook
Police near Buffalo say there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the shooting death of Albany elementary school teacher David Park. The attorney for the homeowner who fired the shot said his client and wife were "terrorized" during the episode and were protecting themselves. The principal at Arbor Hill Elementary, where Park taught, said he "exemplifies everything you're looking for in a teacher." One of Park's co-workers said the "whole faculty is devastated." [Buffalo News] [WTEN] [TU] [YNN]
Steven Raucci trial Jurors have begun deliberations. During closing arguments, Raucci's attorney used a bag of plastic Easter eggs to represent doubts about the prosecution's case. Schenectady County DA Bob Carney urged jurors to send the message that "street justice is no substitute for real justice in a court of law." [Fox23] [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
The stepson of Virginia Gratto Utigard told WTEN that his stepmother "is wound differently than anyone I've ever met and I wish I'd never met her." [WTEN]
The SUNY Board of Trustees voted again to close the New Covenant charter school in Albany, this time 6-0 with four abstentions. Four hundred students about $3 million in funding could be headed back to the Albany school district. [SUNY] [TU]
This week in Which Way Northway? State police say a man led troopers on a chase from Exit 13 to Exit 8 Saturday night. And on Sunday, state police say a man drove south in the northbound lane at Exit 10 and hit a tractor trailer. Police say the man's blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit. [TU] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN]
Local elementary school teacher shot and killed in Buffalo, McCaffrey leaving Siena for Iowa, state budget will almost certainly be late, a seven-year-old philanthropist
An Albany elementary school teacher was shot and killed in a Buffalo suburb this past weekend. Police there say the man appears to have gone into the wrong house and was shot by the homeowner -- though they some of the details are unclear. The Albany school district says the man was "a loved and respected teacher with a strong commitment to his students and their families." [TU] [CBS6] [Buffalo News] [Fox23]
Schenectady police say two men were shot and killed in Hamilton Hill Friday night (map). The SPD says there was a crowd on the scene and it appears there had been some sort of argument -- though it's not sure whether the victims were at odds or on the same side. [Daily Gazette $] [WNYT] [TU]
Siena men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery is leaving to become the head coach at Iowa. McCaffery's teams were 112-51 at Siena and went to the NCAA tournament three times. [Iowa press release] [TU]
Local state legislators says GlobalFoundries request for another $300 million in state subsidies for the Luther Forest chip fab will have a tough time. GloFo says it wants expand capacity at the not-yet-open facility to include the world's largest clean room. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Steven Raucci Trial Closing arguments are expected today. On Friday, a CSEA union leader took the stand as a defense witness. The testimony continued didn't seem to help the union get out from under the negative light cast by the case. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [TU]
A daughter-in-law of Virginia Bellerose Gratto Utigard, the sole survivor of a Cohoes fire that killed eight people 32 years ago, says Gratto Utigard went to Washington State a few weeks post-fire after receiving a sympathy card from a man there. She ended up marrying the man's brother a week later. Gratto Utigard's brother said last week that his sister was "absolutely not" capable of setting of fire. [TU] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
Attorney says hit-and-run suspect feared for his life, possible development in decades-old arson case, GloFo looking for more state money, warm spring tough on maple syrup producers
The attorney for Travis Carroll, the man who allegedly drove the car involved in the fatal hit-and-run on Henry Street in Saratoga, says his client was fleeing the situation because he feared for his life after a fight. Carroll's attorney says his client had been beaten with a belt buckle and threatened with a knife. Saratoga Springs police and Carroll's attorney differ on the amount of time that separated the fight and the car collision. Police alleged that Carroll removed the damaged windshield from his car shortly after the collision in attempt to hide the evidence. Carroll's been charged with two felonies -- leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence. [Post-Star] [Fox23] [Saratogian] [TU] [WNYT] [YNN]
Local investigators are reportedly in Washington State to pursue leads in a suspected case of arson that killed seven children and a father in Cohoes in 1978. The lone survivor of that fire -- the mother and wife of the victims -- now lives there and says she was questioned by investigators. The woman, Virgina Utigard (formerly Virginia Gratto), told a Spokane television station KXLY that she was pressured into a signing a confession. Utigard reportedly told KXLY that her relationship with her first husband had been abusive. [TU] [Daily Gazette archive] [Troy Record] [KXLY] [WTEN]
Steven Raucci trial Day 18 A state police forensic scientist testified that DNA found one of the unexploded bombs matched DNA collected from Steven Raucci. And FBI employees testified that devices allegedly used by Raucci were much more powerful than firecrackers. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
David Paterson reportedly was involved with drafting a statement the he hoped would be issued by the woman who accused his former aide of domestic abuse. The woman reportedly refused to go along with the statement, which indicated the incident was non-violent. [NYT] [NYDN]
GlobalFoundries is reportedly asking New York State for $300 million more in incentives so it can add extra capacity to the Luther Forest chip fab. [TU]
Paterson says budget will be late, Jennings says Wash Ave Y will become community center, woman turns 107, DiNicola passes away
David Paterson said yesterday that he and the legislature are "too far apart" and the budget will most likely be late. The legislature's two budget plans are about $2 billion bigger than Paterson's proposed budget. The Paterson administration has put together emergency appropriation bills to keep the state running after the April 1 budget deadline. [NYT] [TU] [Daily Politics]
State Senate Democrats apparently offered labor unions special access -- for $50,000. NYPIRG called it a brazen example of pay-to-play. Said Senate Democratic conference leader John Sampson: "Nobody's twisting anybody's arms." [NY Post] [AP/YNN] [Daily Politics]
The YMCA and Jerry Jennings announced the Washington Ave location will now stay open until May 1 -- and after that the city will work to turn the location into some sort of community wellness center. Jennings says the city will have to find money to keep the facility open. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN]
Steven Raucci trial Day 17 A state police investigator testified that an explosive device was found in Raucci's school district office. And a state police sergeant testified that the explosive devices used in the incidents allegedly connected to Raucci were not firecrackers, as the defense has argued. The judge also ruled that she would allow attorneys in the case to review portions of the school district's internal investigation of the situation surrounding Raucci. At last night's school board meeting, board president Maxine Brisport said she was "stunned that any of these alleged events were so safely guarded for such a long time." District superintendent didn't say much when questioned about the allegations last night. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say they've arrested a man for the fatal Henry Street hit-and-run. [Post-Star]
SUNY board votes to close New Covenant, senators says parks will stay open, Baden reportedly will perform autopsy on Colonie soldier, woman's engagement is a Good Thing
The SUNY Board of Trustees voted yesterday to close the New Covenant charter school in Albany. The vote was 4-1 -- with six abstentions. The school had argued that it had made significant progress in recent years, which the board acknowledged -- but concluded it wasn't enough. New Covenant's principal also argued that a vote to close the school would remove the students from the "stability" of the school and subject them to "the chaos that exists at the Albany district." The Albany school district says it has enough capacity to absorb the New Covenant students. The students will bring more than $3 million in funding to the district. [SUNY] [WNYT] [WTEN] [YNN] [Fox23] [TU]
Steven Raucci trial Day 16 Testimony focused on two bombings from the early 1990s -- incidents that prosecutors argue Raucci was behind, but weren't connected to his job with the school district. The prosecution alleges both incidents were retribution for perceived wrongs against Raucci friends. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Fox23]
Both Neil Breslin and Roy McDonald say the state won't be closing any of its parks this year because of budget cuts. [WTEN] [Saratogian]
The NAACP is calling for an investigation of allegations that Troy police used racial slurs and undue physical contact while interacting with some teens. The alleged incident apparently involved a snow ball being thrown through the window of a police car. The city says it's looking into the allegations. [YNN] [WTEN] [WNYT]
The Troygle Google Fiber rally in Monument Square yesterday evening drew about 100 people -- including Harry Tutunjian on a Segway. The group touted Troy as "an ideal partner" for the high-speed internet project. (Lou's take on the pitch) [Troy Record] [LouTube] [TU]
Authorities say man shot by deputy was here illegally, Murphy defends healthcare vote, charges against alleged Barnes attacker tossed because of mistakes, man says he stumbled over human remains
Albany County sheriff James Campbell says the man shot and killed by a deputy this past weekend near ALB was in the country illegally from Mexico. The sheriff's office says the earlier arrest of three other illegal immigrants helped them track down the man's identity. Authorities say the investigation led them to an apartment on Central Ave near Henry Johnson in Albany where the man apparently had been staying (map). Undersheriff Craig Apple said rapid escalation of the encounter justified the deputy's use of deadly force. Apple says the deputy spoke to the man in Spanish and identified himself as police and told the man to put his hands up. Authorities aren't sure why the man was walking down the road. [TU] [WNYT] [YNN] [Fox23] [WTEN] [Troy Record]
Scott Murphy was making the virtual rounds yesterday to explain his "yes" vote on the healthcare reform package. Murphy was touting the bill as being "truly fiscally conservative." National Republicans apparently are planning to try to portray him as a flip-flopper who voted for "a government takeover of health care." Chris Gibson, one of the two Republicans looking to challenge Murphy in this fall's election: "We clearly need health care reform but we went about it wrong in this bill." [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Gibson email release]
Steven Raucci Trial Day 15 Prosecutors played audio -- recorded by an informant wearing a wire -- in which it sounds like Raucci discusses or refers to his involvement with the acts of vandalism and terrorism at issue in the case. He also says at one point that he had been "tormenting" two vandalism victims and "making their lives miserable." Raucci's attorneys tried to portray the informant, a former cop who's testifying under an immunity agreement and intentionally blew a different undercover case, as unreliable. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
The state Senate passed a budget "road map" resolution yesterday that would cut school funding by $1.4 billion. The plan doesn't include the soda tax or a tax increase on cigarettes. It would keep the state parks open. The resolution passed on a party line vote -- Republicans complained they weren't included in the process. [NYT] [AP/WTEN] [NYDN] [AP/CBS6] [TU] [YNN]
Murphy and Tonko vote for healthcare reform bill, man shot and killed by sheriff's deputy by airport, man arrested for walkin dogs with overweight chains, RPI going smoke-free
Both Scott Murphy and Paul Tonko voted for the healthcare reform package that passed in the House this past weekend (by a seven vote margin). Murphy had voted against the previous version of the bill -- he said he voted in favor of the new version after concluding it's "much more fiscally conservative" and will "slow the growth of out-of-control health care costs." Murphy's vote will almost surely be one of the main issues in the NY 20 election this fall. There are now two Republicans in the running to challenge Murphy. [Scott Murphy] [Paul Tonko] [NYT] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU]
The Albany County sheriff's department says a deputy shot and killed a man early Saturday morning after the man allegedly made a threatening motion toward the deputy. The sheriff's department says the deputy had stopped to ask the man, who was walking a long a road near ALB, what he was doing. The sheriff's department says that's when the man threw a chunk of concrete at the deputy and then raised his arm from behind his back and the deputy fired two shots at the man. Officials haven't been able to determine the identity of the man. The sheriff's office says it will release the identity of the man this afternoon. [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23] [YNN] [WNYT] [WNYT]
Schenectady schools superintendent Eric Ely sent Steven Raucci a "heads up" email about allegations that the former facilities head was the subject of an ongoing investigation, according to evidence presented by the prosecution on Friday at Raucci's trial. A former school board member says she doesn't recall the email being mentioned in the report from the district's internal investigation of the situation. The president of the school board says information coming to light as part of the trial "may mean making some drastic changes at various levels of the school district." Two district employees who worked under Raucci testified on Friday that they had seen Raucci with explosive devices. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [Daily Gazette $]
Man dies after hit-and-run, woman dies in Saratoga Springs jail, alleged nude photo shoot in cemetery, Whitney gala to return
Saratoga Springs police say a man was struck by a car on Henry Street near the library early Thursday morning and later died of his injuries. They're calling the incident a hit-and-run -- and are looking into whether it was carry over from an earlier fight. Police are looking for the driver. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [TU] [Fox23]
Two men pleaded guilty yesterday for their involvement in the bizarre and brutal safe theft/kidnap incident that spanned Albany, Troy and Schenectady last year. The woman was kidnapped and tortured during the incident told her harrowing story yesterday during a public meeting with the woman who helped save her. Said Albany County DA Soares of the series of events: "It was literally something out of a Quentin Tarantino movie." [Troy Record] [WTEN] [Fox23] [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say a woman died in their lockup yesterday after being picked up on a bench warrant by county sheriff's deputies. They say the women "appeared normal" when she was put in the cell. An autopsy is being performed as part of the investigation. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette $] [Post-Star]
As David Paterson's World Turns The governor said yesterday during a radio interview that he was the person who told the media about his call to the woman who was seeking a order of protection against one of his top aides. The New York Times, which was first to report the call, said Paterson's statement is "not accurate." It sounds like the investigation into the situation surrounding the alleged incident of domestic violence has a lot of calls to sort out. [YNN] [NYT City Room] [NYT]
Suffolk County exec Steve Levy's expected announcement that he's switching to the Republican Party and running for governor is driving a wedge into the state GOP. Rick Lazio -- who is/was the presumptive Repbulican nominee -- called Levy a "rank opportunist" yesterday. [YNN] [TU] [NYT]
One in five living in poverty in Albany, Schdy, Troy; pressure on Murphy from all sides, state running out of cash, North Greenbush kid gets lead role on Broadway
New York State's poverty rate is 14 percent, according to a report from the New York State Community Action Association. More than 20 percent of the people in Albany, Schenectady and Troy live in poverty. And about one third of children in those cities live in poverty. Of the four core Capital Region counties, Saratoga had the lowest poverty rate at 6.9 percent. The poverty line for a family of four is $22,000. [NYSCAA] [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Troy Record] [YNN]
As David Paterson's World Turns The governor said yesterday that he did not try to convince Sherr-una Booker to drop her domestic violence case against David Johnson. Paterson also said Kirsten Gillibrand threw him under the bus when she said he should resign if the allegations against him turn out to be true. Also yesterday: Marissa Shorenstein, Paterson's press secretary, resigned. "Due to the circumstances that have led to my unwitting involvement in recent news stories, I can no longer do my job effectively," she wrote in her resignation statement. Translation: I didn't know what Paterson might really have been trying to do when he told me to get in touch with Sherr-una Booker. [AP/YNN] [Fox23] [NYT] [Daily Politics] [NYT March 1]
Raucci Trial Day 12 Deborah Gray testified that her family's house and cars were vandalized on multiple occasions after Steven Raucci accused her of writing an anonymous letter to unions officials complaining about his leadership. Gray also testified that a former friend told her that Raucci was going to "take care of things" after the former friend told Raucci about her friends with a former partner (an unexploded device was later found at the former partner's house). A former co-worker of Raucci also testified that his vehicles were vandalized after he filed a sexual harassment claim after Raucci played the "man game" with him. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [WTEN] [YNN]
Ron Canestrari says talk of a cancelled racing season at Saratoga is a pressure ploy by NYRA. Roy McDonald and Tony Jordan have written a letter to David Paterson urging to review the already-existing bids for the Aqueduct racino (money from that deal was going to prop up racing in the state). [WTEN] [Saratogian]
The Schenectady man accused of killing two dogs and torturing another has pleaded guilty. The plea deal includes two years in prison. [YNN] [Daily Gazette $]
State delaying refund checks, Save the Y rally, father of American Idol judge to challenge Kirsten Gillibrand, Hasbrouck makes NBA
From yesterday's Save the Y rally -- here's a photoset from Sebastien B.
David Paterson says the state is delaying the distribution tax refund checks in order to keep the state afloat. Paterson and legislative leaders are finally meeting to negotiate the budget. [TU] [TU]
Paterson said yesterday that "we wouldn't project that the Saratoga racing season is in jeopardy at this point." Members of the racing industry have said recently the Saratoga season could be in doubt because of problems with New York City OTB and the stalled-again Aqueduct racino. [YNN]
Paterson signed The Family Health Care Decisions Act yesterday, which allows family members and close friends to make decisions on behalf of a patient who lacks capacity. The law has broad support, but was hung up in the legislature for 17 years. [YNN] [TU]
More than 100 people showed up yesterday for the Save the Y rally outside the Washington Ave location in Albany (photo above -- more photos here). Protesters criticized the Capital District YMCA and city officials for their handling of the location's now-imminent closure. A spokesman for the Y says it "just wasn't possible" to keep the location open. [Fox23] [Sebastien B] [TU] [YNN]
Day 11 of the Steven Raucci trial focused on testimony by former Schenectady school district athletic director Gary DiNola, who testified that an un-exploded device left on his car and vandalism of his house had "terrorized" his family. The testimony featured a heated exchange between DiNola and Raucci's lawyers, who objected to his characterization of the situation. Emails introduced as evidence indicated Raucci at one point wrote to DiNola: "I'm not a tolerant person to begin with. I'm even less tolerant of people who show me disrespect." In an email from DiNola to district superintendent Eric Ely, DiNola said that he had "learned to park my beat-up Volvo in front of the security cameras near the loading dock." [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Fox23] [CBS6]
Little hope for on-time budget, pressure on Murphy over healthcare vote, soda tax flat, Capital Region spelling bee winner
Neither David Paterson nor the legislature seem to have any hope of getting a budget done by the April 1 deadline. Paterson said yesterday that he's "not optimistic at all about it." And Ron Canestrari says there's been a "shocking" lack of activity. [YNN] [NYDN] [TU] CapNews9 is now YNN
The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on the healthcare reform package Thursday -- and Scott Murphy says he's still not sure how he's going to vote (he voted "no" the first time around). He says he won't make a decision until he reads the final language of the bill. Murphy reportedly talked about the bill with President Obama last week. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [Politico via Daily Politics]
Much of the testimony yesterday at the Steven Raucci trial came from Harold Gray -- a former employee of Raucci's who prosecutors allege was the target of multiple acts of vandalism. Raucci allegedly retaliated after he thought Gray's wife wrote a letter to union leadership challenging Raucci's position. Raucci's former secretary also testified that she saw with explosive devices. [TU] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette $]
Said North Greenbush's police chief of the teen party that allegedly trashed an unoccupied home: "If it could be damaged, they damaged it." Some of the damage, according to police: holes in walls, broken chandeliers and urine on the carpet. [WTEN] [Fox23]
Washington Ave Y closing, track season at Saratoga threatened, little hope for on-time budget, police say teen party caused $200k in damage
The Washington Ave YMCA will close March 31, according to a letter dated March 11 from Capital District YMCA president David Brown. The letter cites the $400,000 annual loss from the Washington Ave location and calls the decision to close the branch "very painful and difficult." The Y has said the location has been losing money for the last two decades. [Save the Y Facebook] [TU] *
A state police report on the fatal police car crash on Madison Ave in Albany last summer concludes that both drivers were at fault, according to the APD. The primary fault was laid with the civilian driver, who the report concludes failed to yield to the oncoming police car. The driver has said she didn't hear the car's siren (the report concluded the car's siren was on). The report says "secondary contributing factor" to the crash was the "failure to drive with reasonable care for all persons using the highway" on the part of APD officer Christopher Orth. [Troy Record] [WTEN] [TU] [Fox23]
Leaders of New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc say "there will be no Saratoga race meet this summer" if that state doesn't find a way to get $15 million to NYRA -- either by fixing the bankrupt NYC OTB or finding a new winning bidder for the Aqueduct racino contract. Saratoga business owners are anxiously watching the situation. [NYTB] [TU] [WTEN]
Potential bidders for the Aqueduct racino apparently believe that the contract is step towards the legalization of casino gambling in New York State. [NYT]
Troy police say they're investigating the shooting of a 14-year-old Saturday night. They say the gunfire was picked up by the ShotSpotter system. [WTEN] [Fox23]
State police say a man pulled over for driving the wrong way on 787 Saturday afternoon had a blood alcohol level almost three times the legal limit. [WNYT] [YNN] CapNews9 is now YNN
Cuomo hands off Paterson investigation, movie theater planned for Troy, Porco conviction upheld, bizarre chase ends in tasering
Andrew Cuomo has handed off the investigation of the Paterson administration to former chief judge Judith Kaye. Cuomo said a "preliminary review" of the situation concluded "there are credible issues to be resolved." He said he was turning the investigation over to Kaye because of an "abundance of caution, or a zeal to ensure that the public has total confidence in the investigation." (The sharp drop in Cuomo's approval rating in a recent poll might also have had something to do with that.) Kaye has never worked as a prosecutor. She won't be paid to head up the investigation. [NYT] [TU] [Daily Politics] [NY Mag] [NYT] [Daily Politics]
The Paterson administration announced that the tentative agreement with AEG to run a racino at Aqueduct is now off the table. The deal would have paid the state $300 million and revenue from the racino would have helped fund NYRA -- including improvements at Saratoga. That has some now saying that this year's season at The Track could be in jeopardy. [NYT] [TU] [Saratogian] [Saratogian]
Testimony in the Steven Raucci trial yesterday focused an explosive device that attached to the door of a Rotterdam home in 2001. Prosecutors allege that Raucci planted the device in attempt to retaliate over a union matter -- but they say he put it on the wrong house. [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
The Saratoga County sheriff's deputy accused of forcing four women to perform sex acts on him while he was on duty took a plea bargain yesterday. The deal includes six months in jail and a resignation from the sheriff's department. He won't have to register as a sex offender. [Daily Gazette $] [CBS6] [WNYT] [Saratogian]
A $160 million development proposed for the Congress-Ferry corridor in Troy includes a movie theater. The city's planning board also gave the official OK to the new Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, which is now expected to open in August. [TU Places and Spaces] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Ravitch says budget gap too big for one year, man accused of stabbing puppy, Pataki endorses Lazio, it's a belt buckle - it's a gun -- it's both
While presenting his budget process reform plan yesterday, Richard Ravitch said the state's budget gap is too big to tackle in one year. The lieutenant governor's plan includes up to $6 billion in borrowing over the next three years. Depending on who you read, the legislators either "reacted with cautious interest" or "were hesitant to embrace" the proposed reforms. [Daily Politics] [NYDN] [TU] [NYT] [AP/Troy Record]
"Sources" tell the NYDN that Sherr-una Booker, the woman who sought an order of protection against Paterson aide David Johnson, told investigators that she didn't feel threatened when David Paterson called her just before the hearing for the order. Booker didn't show for the hearing. [NYDN]
One place where David Paterson appears to still have strong support: his old street in Guilderland. [TU]
Witness testimony continues to portray Steven Raucci as just about the last boss for whom you'd want to work. Among the allegations: Raucci liked to be referred to as "God." [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
A Schenectady man has been accused of fatally stabbing a puppy, allegedly as retaliation against his girlfriend. The man has been charged with a felony under Buster's Law. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Fox23]
Ravitch plan would reform state budget process, calorie counts coming to Schenectady County, another state police official resigns, pair arrested for allegedly switching drivers while speeding
Lieutenant governor Richard Ravitch is proposing a five year plan to fix the state budget process. Among the set of reforms: moving the budget deadline to July 1 and a panel that would decide whether the budget passed by the legislature is balanced according to generally accepted accounting principles. The plan also includes borrowing money to cover holes in upcoming budgets. [NYT] [AP/Post-Star] [TU]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli floated his own plan for changing the budget process. It would give more power to... the state comptroller. [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Hoping to help fill a budget gap, Jerry Jennings argued before a state Senate committee yesterday that the state should pay more upfront in its payments in lieu of taxes to the City of Albany. [TU]
The Schenectady County legislature has passed a bill that will require calorie counts on menus at chain restaurants -- much like the law taking effect in Albany County. The Schenectady County law will take effect late this year. [Fox23] [TU]
Renssealer County exec Kathy Jimino is projecting a $14 million budget gap next year. She said the gap is being created by state mandates. [Troy Record] [TU]
Witnesses at the Steven Raucci trial testified yesterday about tactics and planning Raucci used to rise to head of the district's buildings and grounds department. The district's business manager, whose testified yesterday, also is retiring at the end of this school year. [Daily Gazette $] [Daily Gazette $]
It looks like the relationship between the YMCA and the group trying to save the Washington Ave location has come apart. [TU] *
Siena headed to the NCAA tournament, Colonie soldier's death ruled a suicide, rabbi sentenced to 60 days in jail, man accused of trying to sink state-owned boat
The Siena men's basketball team is heading to the NCAA tournament after beating Fairfield 72-65 in overtime in the MAAC tournament final. The Saints trailed by 11 at halftime -- but as coach Fran McCaffery said after the game: "We were phenomenally resilient in the second half." [ESPN] [TU]
A former Schenectady school district carpenter and co-worker of Steven Raucci testified yesterday that Raucci told him "I can get even with you and your family anytime I want" after an argument in 1995. The carpenter also testified that he saw Raucci in a school office with an explosive device in 2008. (The carpenter's testimony was for background --it wasn't related to any specific charge against Raucci.) A former elementary school principal testified that he complained, with seemingly no effect, to school district leaders about Raucci ordering a janitor to distribute flyers before school board elections. [WNYT] [Daily Gazette $] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
Colleen Murphy, the mother of Amy Seyboth Tirador, says military investigators have officially concluded that the Colonie soldier's death in Iraq was a suicide. She says the family has hired its own attorney and investigator to pursue the case. Of the case, Murphy says "someone is covering something up." [Fox23] [CapNews9] [TU]
Albany Med is getting $10 million in federal and state stimulus money to increase its research capacity. The money will be spent on new lab space and 20 new employees. It's the biggest grant in the medical college's history. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Fox23]
Albany county exec Mike Breslin warned yesterday that the county is facing a projected budget gap of $35 million next year -- which could involve a 50 percent property tax increase. [WNYT] [TU]
The idea of higher taxes and fees came up repeatedly in discussions yesterday about how to close Saratoga Springs' $2.2 million budget gap. [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Paterson say continues to say he's staying, state stepping up tax audits, another Republican into NY 20 pool, pay by mobile in Saratoga, Dickens letters found
David Paterson told a Brooklyn congregation on Sunday that he will "keep governing till the end of the year." He also said that finishing the term would "fulfill the mission in which God placed me." [NYDN] [NYT]
It's not clear which agency will end up investigating the allegations that Paterson perjured himself during questioning about the Yankees tickets. [TU]
If Paterson were to leave office, lieutenant governor Richard Ravitch appears to be widely respected at the Capitol for his competence, experience -- and bluntness. Of course, that would mean another lt gov appointment, which could be tricky. [TU] [TU]
During opening statements in the Steven Raucci trial, prosecutor Robert Carney alleged that Raucci planned his alleged attacks for night so as to maximize their impact. Carney also alleged the Raucci's actions stole his alleged victim's "peace of mind, their comfort, their security." It also came out on Friday that a key undercover witness for the prosecution is a former cop whom Raucci's attorney called a "crook.". [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [Daily Gazette $]
Fred Lebrun says he thinks the state legislature will find a way to keep the state parks open. [TU]
The state has stepped up the number of audits in an effort to find more tax cheaters. [Daily Gazette $]
The state Board of Regents is reportedly considering cutting some Regents exams in order to save money. [TU]
One man died and a car hit a house as part of a two-car crash in Colonie Saturday. The driver who survived has been charged with Driving With Ability Impaired (drugs). Residents who live near the crash site say the residential intersection is notoriously dangerous because drivers often go through the stop sign there. (map). [CapNews9] [Troy Record] [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23]
Paterson now snagged in Yankees ticket flap, new Troy city hall won't be cheap, Proctors expanding, cookies for Oscar
The state Commission on Public Integrity announced yesterday that it's asked prosecutors to look into whether David Paterson should be charged for giving false testimony during an ethics inquiry about Yankees World Series Tickets. The commission says it found:
"... there is reasonable cause to believe that Governor Paterson solicited, received and accepted an unlawful gift; and falsely testified under oath that he had always intended to pay for the tickets for his son and his son's friend when, in fact, the Governor's intention was to receive and accept the tickets without paying for them until a press inquiry caused him to submit a backdated check as payment for the tickets."
When asked yesterday whether he lied during the ethics investigation, Paterson said: "No." Paterson's story about how he ended up with the tickets has changed multiple times. In response to one of the Paterson administration's versions, the president of the Yankees told the NY Post the governor was "a liar." The Paterson aide who reportedly approached the Yankees: David Johnson. [NYS COPI] [TU] [NYT] [NY Post] [NYDN]
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio was in Scotia yesterday and told a gathering of Republicans that "the people of New York deserve better than what they've been getting." He also criticized Andrew Cuomo for "ducking and bobbing and weaving - avoiding taking positions." [CapNews9] [Daily Gazette $] [Fox23]
"Several hundred" people showed up for yesterday's state parks rally outside the Capitol. Jack McEneny said he's been getting more mail about the parks closures than all proposed budget cuts combined. [TU] [Troy Record]
The 12 jurors for the Steven Raucci case have been selected. Potential jurors were screened for their thoughts on firecrackers and the use of informants. As part of jury selection, potential witness lists surfaced -- and many current and former top officials for the Schenectady school district are on the lists. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette $]
Consultants for the City of Troy report that building a new city hall could cost somewhere between $21 million and $25.5 million. Here's a live blog transcript from last night's meeting. [TU] [City of Troy]
Conflicting reports about what Paterson said, Sararoga paid parking off the table, another potential Gillibrand challenger drops out
The friend David Paterson allegedly enlisted to talk with the woman who sought an order of protection against a top aide reportedly has told investigators that Paterson asked to pass along this message to the woman: "Tell her the governor wants her to make this go away." A Paterson spokesman said last night that it was not the message the governor sent -- and when he did talk with the woman, it was about getting the media off her back. [NYT] [TU]
Harry Corbitt, the New York State Police superintendent, announced last night on Capitol Tonight that he's retiring -- he said the "media fire storm has really disrupted my ability to function in that capacity." Denise O'Donnell, the state official who oversaw the state police, resigned last week after saying she couldn't "in good conscience" remain a part of the Paterson administration. The head of the State Troopers Police Benevolent Society released a statement yesterday trying to distance rank-and-file troopers from "the reported actions of a few people in higher positions." [CapNews9] [TU CapCon] [CapNews9]
David Paterson has called a cabinet meeting this morning at the Capitol. [Daily Politics]
Saratoga Springs' finance commissioner says downtown paid parking is now "off the table at this point." The city's budget had included $1.35 million in revenue from parking. [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Paterson reportedly directed contact with aide's accusor, first Exit 6 ramp closure this weekend, NYRA wants to dump maitre d's at track, brothers out of running for smartest siblings
"Two people close to" David Paterson say the governor directed two state employees -- his press secretary and a friend who's a state worker -- to contact the woman the who had accused Paterson aide David Johnson of assaulting her. The state worker, Deneane Brown, reportedly spoke with the woman and urged her to talk with Paterson (which she apparently did before the hearing on her request for an order of protection). Paterson's press secretary, Marissa Shorenstein, reportedly called the woman to ask her to issue a statement on Paterson's behalf, apparently never ended up talking to the woman. Attorneys say Paterson's alleged actions may attract attention from prosecutors. [NYT] [NYDN] [NY Post] [Politico via Daily Politics]
The first stage of jury selection for the Steven Raucci trial was slow going yesterday. Potential jurors who said they had read about the case and formed an opinion were excused. The judge has forbid newspapers from being taken into the courtroom. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [CapNews9]
The state DOT will be closing the on/off ramps at Exit 6 on the Northway this Saturday at 10 pm until 6 am Monday. Best line about the traffic mess: "Better than the bridge collapsing on us." [Troy Record] [CapNews9] [Fox23]
Weird and difficult budget process could be ahead, jury selection in Raucci trial, RPI knocking down presidents house, man robs supermarket with a note
Pundits say David Paterson's now-lame duck status could be the beginning of a very weird and difficult state budget process. That has some people -- notably Sheldon Silver -- calling for lieutenant governor Richard Ravitch to handle the budget negotiations. Meanwhile, the head of the state Democratic Party called Andrew Cuomo "all but the presumptive nominee" for governor. [AP/Post-Star] [NYDN] [TU]
John Sweeney pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DWI Friday afternoon. As part of the deal, he's up for 30 days in jail -- and he'll have to wear an alcohol monitor on his ankle after he's released. He'll also have to do 300 hours of community service. [Daily Gazette $] [Saratogian] [TU] [WNYT]
Jury selection is scheduled to start today in the trial of Steven Raucci. The pool of potential jurors for Schenectady County Court has been doubled to 675 this week. Raucci faces 26 criminal charges, including arson and terrorism. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [Daily Gazette $] [CBS6]
Schenectady police officer Kyle Hunter pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal contempt -- and part of the plea deal, he's resigning from the police force. [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
Paterson out?, state to withold payments, Amtrak service limited, DWI charge for snowmobiler
Update: Both NYDN and NY Post are reporting that Paterson will announce this afternoon that he's dropping out of the gubernatorial race.
The full video of Paterson's press conference. [via NYO]
Pressure is growing for David Paterson to drop out of the race for the governor. Paterson said at a press conference last night that he's still running -- but he's "listening" to "a number of elected officials around the state" and has "an open mind about this thing." A "source familiar with the discussions confirmed" says "We're taking it as a given that he has no chance in hell at getting elected to anything." [NYT] [NYO] [NYDN] [Daily Politics]
Andrew Cuomo's office announced yesterday that it is "proceeding to determine if criminal or other wrongdoing is involved" with respect to the alleged involvement of Paterson and the State Police in an alleged incident of domestic violence between Paterson aide David Johnson and a woman. Sheldon Silver called for the investigation to clear up the who, what and when of the situation. The head of the state Republican Party says Cuomo should recuse himself from the investigation. [NYS AG] [TU] [Daily Politics]
The state budget directors says the Paterson administration is planning to delay $1.4 billion in March payments to help keep the state afloat. [TU]
While the central Capital Region got mostly rain yesterday, areas to the south and west continued to get pounded with snow. The Albany County hill towns and Schohairie County got another foot. Said one snow plow contractor in the hill towns: "There is no way to keep up with it." [TU] [WTEN] [Fox23]
Cuomo to investigate Paterson, Bruno sentencing pushed back, guily plea for mom accused of using daughter in burglaries, big snowfall totals in spots
Andrew Cuomo has reportedly agreed to David Paterson's request that the AG investigate Paterson aide David Johnson, the actions of the state police and the governor himself. Paterson announced last night that he had suspended Johnson after the New York Times posted an article in which it reported that a woman had sought an order of protection against Johnson -- and both the State Police and Paterson intervened in some way. [NY Post] [Paterson press release] [NYT]
Joe Bruno's attorney have reached an agreement with the feds on how much money the former state senator will have to forfeit as part of his sentencing. The figure hasn't been released, but it will probably be some portion of the $240k he was accused of receiving fraudulently. Bruno's sentencing has also been pushed to May 6. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [Troy Record]
The state Senate passed the Family Health Care Decisions Act yesterday. The bill allows a surrogate to make decision on behalf of patient whom doctors have determined lacks decision-making capacity. The bill has already passed the Assembly -- and David Paterson reportedly will sign it. [NY Senate] [TU]
Albany County DA David Soares told the TU's editorial board yesterday that the Albany Police Department is "doing greater work in that department without the former chief there." At a community forum last night, residents suggested interview questions for the eight police chief candidates. [TU] [CapNews9]
Snow emergencies taking effect, brake on paid parking in Saratoga, medical marijuana comes up in legislature, rabid raccoons in Rensselaer County
Around 4:30 pm on Tuesday.
We got more than six inches of snow yesterday, according to the National Weather Service (obviously, there's been more since midnight). More snow is forecasted for today. Many cities and towns have declared snow emergencies (including Albany and Saratoga Springs). National Grid was reporting on its web site this morning that about 15,000 customers were without power in the Capital Region. [NWS] [CapNews9] [National Grid]
Rochester's police chief, who was a finalist to head up the Albany police department, has pulled his name from consideration -- somewhat to the annoyance of the search committee. [TU] [CapNews9]
A SUNY committee has voted to recommend closing the New Covenant charter school in Albany. The final vote on the matter is next month. [TU] [Fox23]
The advisory panel for paid parking in downtown Saratoga Springs voted to reject all four of the plans submitted by contractors. One panel member called all the plans "totally flawed." The proposed 2010 budget for the city includes $1.35 million in revenue from parking. [Daily Gazette $] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Troy's city council voted 4-4 on the sale of the Uncle Sam parking garage -- which pretty much kills the deal. The developer who wanted to buy the garage now says he might pull out of the city. [TU] [Troy Record]
Arrests in Schenectady shooting, Albany police chief search narrows, corporate sponsorships proposed for parks, CO detectors a hot item
Schenectady police say they've arrested three men for the fatal shooting in the Vale neighborhood over the weekend. The SPD says the shooting doesn't appear to have been related to drugs. Police say they've also arrested a man for firing at police as they executed a search warrant near the site of the shooting Sunday night. The SPD says it's investigating an exchange that same night at the police station in which officers allegedly yelled at members of the victim's family who had come to report information about the original shooting. [TU] [Fox23] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette $] [CBS6]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli is projecting that the state's budget gap will be $2 billion. [NYS OSC]
The state comptroller's office released county sales tax collections figures for 2009. Compared to 2008, Albany was down 7.8 percent, Rensselaer down 3.3 percent, Saratoga down 8.3 percent and Schenectady down 6.7 percent. A Saratoga county administrator said he doubted the number were accurate. [NYS OSC] [Saratogian]
The state AG's office announced that County Waste, a private trash hauler, will pay almost $1 million to settle allegations it was underreporting the amount of trash it was dumping in Colonie's landfill. The company had been facing a claim of $15 million in the case. As part of the settlement, the company neither confirmed nor denied the allegations. A whistleblower will get more than $160k. [NYS AG] [Daily Gazette $] [Troy Record] [TU]
The Albany police chief search committee has reportedly narrowed down the list of candidates to nine. The only internal candidate to make the cut is deputy chief Steven Krokoff. There will be two public forums about the search, one this week and one the next. [CapNews9] [TU] [CapNews9]
Suffolk County executive -- and possible statewide candidate -- Steve Levy has proposed keeping state parks open with corporate sponsorships. [AP]
Weekend of shootings, Victoria Pool on secondary closure list, college student killed on Thruway
Schenectady police say a man was shot five times and killed on Maple Ave in the Vale neighborhood early Saturday morning (map). It's Schenectady's first homicide of the year. The SPD says two officers were injured by a ricocheting bullet as the SWAT team executed a search warrant on the same street Sunday night -- one of the officers was reportedly saved by his bulletproof vest. Police aren't saying whether the warrant is connected to the earlier shooting. The SPD says eight people were detained. [Fox23] [CapNews9] [Daily Gazette $] [CBS6] [CapNews9] [TU]
Albany police say a man was shot four times while walking between apartment buildings near Tivoli Park in Albany Friday night (map). And a teen was shot in the leg Thursday night in south Albany (map). There were a total of five shootings last week in Albany. [WNYT] [TU] [WTEN]
The Victoria Pool, Grafton Lakes and Peebles Island are on a secondary list of state parks and facilities slated for closure, depending on whether the legislature allows the state parks office to use capital funds for operational costs. The planned closure of Thacher Park -- which was officially announced on Friday -- is expected to save $255,000. If the budget plan is approved (a big "if"), parks on the first list would start to close April 1. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [AOA] [TU] [Troy Record]
David Paterson officially announced his gubernatorial candidacy Saturday on Long Island. In his speech, he tried to position himself as the anti-establishment candidate and said, "I've done more in my two years as governor that most governors have done in two terms." Perhaps a bad sign for the governor: getting more than 100 people to show up at a campaign stop is described as "beating expectations." [NYT] [Daily Politics] [NYO] [NYDN]
Second teen pleads guilty in Bailey case, Paterson says he gets advice from Spitzer, Murphy talks about Afghanistan trip, appeals court ruling in mall peace tshirt case
Ricardo Caldwell, one of the three teens accused of being involved in the shooting death of UAlbany student Richard Bailey, took a plea deal yesterday that requires him to testify against the alleged shooter, De Von Callicut. The third teen that was charged -- King Modest -- took a similar plea deal in January. [TU] [Troy Record]
Albany police say investigators have not yet met with the two officers involved in the fatal shooting this week on Quail Street. [TU]
A group of citizens -- including UAlbany students -- testified at last night's Albany common council meeting that they don't think the police chief search has been open enough to public input. [WTEN] [WNYT]
A spokesman for David Paterson called the New York Times' latest profile of the governor (perhaps the article that had been the subject of so many rumors) a "gossip-laden, subjective, and poorly-sourced narrative." [NYT] [press release]
David Paterson says he talks to Eliot Spitzer "from time to time and get[s] advice from him." [NY Post]
Two people have filed a lawsuit against the Schenectady school district alleging that top district did nothing after being warned about Steven Raucci. [Daily Gazette $]
APD says officers acted "appropriately" in shooting, not-so-happy ending for massage parlors, GE and EPA differ on dredging, he's best of breed
Albany deputy police chief Steve Krokoff said yesterday that a preliminary investigation indicates the two officers involved in the fatal shooting of a driver at Quail and Spring this week "acted appropriately." Police say the driver, Howard Tucker, tried to speed away when the officers noticed a gun in his car during a traffic stop -- but Tucker lost control of the car in the snow. In the ensuing rush, Tucker allegedly ran over one of the officers and eventually pinned him against a fence. That's when the one (or at least one) of the officers started firing on Tucker. Krokoff says the officers' car did have a camera and the video will be used in the investigation. [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [CapNews9] [WTEN] [CBS6] [Fox23]
Colonie police say the arrested five women this week for allegedly offering "additional manual stimulation" at two massage parlors -- "happy ending" was the term allegedly used by the women. One of the businesses was busted during a sting last year. Actual massage therapists say they now have to work to screen out clients looking for "release." [CapNews9] [TU] [WTEN] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette $]
An East Berne man has been charged under Buster's Law for allegedly leaving two dogs outside without food. The Albany County sheriff's department says one dog died and it looks like the other ate parts of him. The man's attorney says the dogs were not neglected. [TU] [WTEN] [CapNews9] [Fox23]
Suspended Schenectady cop John Lewis was acquitted on DWI charges yesterday by a city court judge. The case has raised questions about how police handled the 2008 incident. Lewis still faces charges from other incidents. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [WNYT]
Suspect shot during traffic stop dies, state refund checks could be delayed, scientists say don't worry about earthquakes
Update: The TU reports that unnamed sources in the APD say the suspect allegedly had the injured officer pinned against a fence with the car.
Albany police say one person was shot by police during a traffic stop near Quail and Spring streets last night (map) -- and the person later died after being taken to the hospital. The APD also says an officer was injured during the incident. Witnesses reported hearing multiple shots fired and seeing police swarm the area. (Here's the brief press conference with the APD spokesman last night.) [ASP] [CBS6] [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT] [@PatrickDodson]
The president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association says his org opposes public funding for the Albany gun buyback because he doesn't "think this program curbs crime at all." Responded Charlie Mueller, the pastor who runs the program, "I know we've stopped quite a few shootings." [WNYT] [CapNews9] [Fox23]
The state Division of the Budget says a delay in sending out state tax refund checks is up for consideration. (That may be a reason to file early.) [AP/Post-Star] [Fox23]
The Paterson administration released documents related to the selection of AEG to run the proposed Aqueduct racino. The documents reveal that AEG significantly increased its revenue projections during the second round of the selection process (the company says it had updated its analysis). AEG also touted its ability to reel in the "the 50+++ demographic" to the racino. Money from the Aqueduct deal is slated to help fund NYRA -- and the Saratoga Race Course. [ny.gov] [TU] [NY Post] [NYDN] [NYDN] [Saratogian]
In a statement released early this morning David Paterson defended David Johnson, the advisor at the center of the much-anticipated New York Times story that posted last night. [Daily Politics]
Multiple shootings over the weekend, stats indicate drop in Troy crime, Tedisco calls for tougher animal laws, big research grant for Siena
Schenectady police say a woman was shot in the face Sunday morning in her apartment in Mont Pleasant (map). Police say witnesses reported that a man had been ringing the woman's door bell repeatedly and then kicked in her door. The SPD says it's looking for the suspect. [Fox23] [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Albany police say a woman was shot yesterday evening on Broad Street. [Fox23]
Albany police say a teen was shot in the face early Monday morning in West Hill (map). The APD is looking for the suspect, whom the teen said he didn't know. [TU] [Fox23]
Colonie police are investigating the death of a man found outside a muffler shop on Central Ave Saturday (map). The man's body was reportedly leaning against a building. Police say no cause of death was found during the initial autopsy -- foul play is not suspected. [CapNews9] [CBS6] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
The City of Troy reported that federal stats indicate the city's overall crime rate was down 2.5 percent last year compared to the year before -- and violent crime was down 11 percent. [City of Troy Facebook]
An arbitrator has ruled that an Albany cop accused of pointing a gun at a clerk should serve a 30 day suspension. [TU]
Racino deal stumbling, Momentive headquarters at tech park, Schenectady schools chief up for another job, crack bust in Malta, Martina Hingis to play in Albany
The selection of AEG to run the Aqueduct racino continues to stir things up at the Capitol. The feds have reportedly subpoenaed member items given out by state Senate president Malcolm Smith to a non-profit with indirect connections to AEG. And Sheldon Silver called for the state inspector general to investigate David Paterson's role in supporting AEG's bid. A "source close to Silver" says the speaker may now pull his approval of the deal, which is required for the project to proceed. Revenue from the Aqueduct racino -- whenever/if the project moves ahead -- is slated to support horse racing at tracks around the state, including Saratoga. [TU] [NYT] [NY Post] [NYDN] [WTEN]
David Paterson said yesterday on Larry King that he thinks the Spitzer scandal has created an environment in which "people would tend to believe anything they hear these days." Gawker has a number of clips from the interview, in which -- we kid you not -- Larry King ask Paterson if his blindness makes it hard to respond to all the rumors because "people have to read these headlines to you." [NYDN] [Gawker]
In case you were wondering: Elliot Spitzer says he will not run for office this year. [CapNews9]
Momentive Performance Materials says it will start building its new global headquarters and technology center at the Rensselaer Technology Park later this year. The North Greenbush site apparently won out over sites in Atlanta and Raleigh. (Momentive already has a large manufacturing facility in Waterford.) [Daily Gazette $] [WTEN]
Questions about racino selection, Albany police chief task force criticized, inmates clearing snow in Schenectady, that goat will need a permit
The selection of AEG to manage the not-yet-open racino at the Aqueduct race track has apparently set off a flurry of inquiries. Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating David Paterson's involvement with the selection. The feds have also apparently subpoenaed the state Division of the Lottery for information about a non-profit connected to both state Senate president Malcolm Smith and Rev. Floyd Flake, one of AEG's principals. After AEG's selection, Paterson apparently "sounded out" Flake, who's a former Congressman and very influential in New York City, on whom he'll be supporting for governor. Of the reported federal investigations, a spokesman for the governor says "to the best of our knowledge, no such investigation into this selection exists." [WPIX] [TU] [NYT] [NYT] [Saratogian]
Jersey Shore, or New York Senate? [Daily Politics]
David Paterson got $25k in campaign contributions from the liquor distributors shortly before proposing the legalization of wine sales in supermarkets. [TU]
Troy voters approved the school district's capital improvement plan. The $56 million project will primarily focus on renovating Doyle Middle School. The athletic fields at Troy High School will also get an upgrade. [@TCSD] [Troy Record] [TU]
If attendance for the River Rats was low -- and the team wasn't making money -- why would a new team locate here? [TU]
Monserrate expelled, Paterson says he'll only leave office "in a box," the center of the nanotechnology universe, horse breeders say they're leaving
It's snowing. React accordingly.
The New York Senate voted to expel Queens senator Hiram Monserrate last night. The expulsion followed Monserrate's conviction on misdemeanor charge for dragging his bleeding girlfriend through the lobby of an apartment building -- though Monserrate alleged in a 16 minutes speech last night that political fallout from his role in last year's Senate coup was actually motivation for the vote. Eight senators voted against expulsion, including Monserrate. David Paterson says there will be a special election for Monserrate's seat on March 16. Monserrate is vowing to challenge the expulsion in court and may run in the special election. [TU] [NY Senate YouTube] [Daily Politics] [CBS6] [NYT]
Said David Paterson yesterday at a press conference: "The only way I'm not going to be governor next year is at the ballot box and the only way that I'll be leaving office before is in a box." Paterson also said he had met with NYT reporters and the much-buzzed-about piece that apparently is in the works is a "profile piece." The Paterson administration also sent a letter to NYT's public editor "to communicate our deep disappointment in the approach taken" to compiling the article. [CapNews9] [TU] [CBS6]
The Paterson administration's revised budget plan is banking on $1 billion in federal stimulus money. It also includes a proposed redistribution of funding between the Egg and NYSTI. [AP/Saratogian] [TU]
The five Albany plastic surgeons, a nurse and an administrator who pleaded guilty to giving unapproved off-brand Botox to patients were sentenced to community service and fines. They were also ordered to pay restitution to the patients who got the knock-off de-wrinkler. The attorney for the medical practice told the judge yesterday that it was on his advice that the practice kept quiet about the product's use when it first came to light. [Daily Gazette $] [CapNews9] [TU]
The public vote on the Troy schools capital project is today. [CBS6]
Paterson attacks rumors, police say listening system reported gunshots first, county sending out prescription discount cards
In an interview with the AP, David Paterson defended himself against the still-unknown accusations that may or may not be included a New York Times article that may or may not be published. The frenzy of anticipation has led outlets to print all sorts of rumors. Rick Lazio called out the NYT yesterday in a letter, writing that if it doesn't have a story, it has "a moral obligation to stop the drama and the psychological warfare" on the governor. Neither NYT officials or reporters are commenting. And now some are saying Paterson might even come out ahead in all this. [AP/Post-Star] [NY Post] [Daily Politics] [Fox23] [NYO]
The bid to override David Paterson's veto of the ethics reform bill failed yesterday in the state Senate. Twenty-five Republicans and one Democratic voted to sustain the veto. Hugh Farley and Roy McDonald both voted to override. [TU] [NYT] [Daily Politics]
Troy police say a man was shot in North Central Friday night -- and they first heard about the shooting via the city's ShotSpotter system. The TPD says the system alerted officials 10 minutes before the first call related to the incident. [TU] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
A 19-year-old from Troy has been arrested for allegedly shooting an 18-year-old last week in north Albany. [TU]
During his State of the City address, Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton said last night that the city is freezing hiring and cutting other expenditures in an attempt to cover an upcoming $12.8 million budget gap. The city council also voted yesterday to move toward freeing itself from being responsible for taxes not paid to the school district. [WTEN] [Daily Gazette $] [CBS6] [Daily Gazette $]
The construction company that's building the GlobalFoundries chip fab at Luther Forest is moving its headquarters to the Watervliet Arsenal. Also: ATIC, the investment company funded by the government of Abu Dhabi, now owns 66 percent of GloFo. [TU] [Post-Star]
Two Ballston Spa teens were charged with felonies over the weekend for sending explicit text message pics. [WNYT]
Rumors swirl about Paterson, Bruno bacon not delivered, clerk and robber crash through window, a Schenectady gift basket for Stephen Colbert
The big news at the state Capitol is... a NYT story about David Paterson... that hasn't been published yet... and no one seems to know when it will be. The story is rumored to include some sort of bombshell -- though that, too, is currently a mystery (Gawker commenters had some ideas). The governor reportedly met with Democratic party leaders over the weekend to discuss whether or not he will follow through on his vow to run for election this fall. And there are rumors about serious discontent within his administration. A spokesman for Paterson called all the recent rumors "a new low even by the standards of planet Albany." [TU] [Gawker] [AP/Post-Star] [NY Post] [CBS6]
Harold Ford accused Kirsten Gillibrand of using "underhanded tactics" in her attempt to gather early endorsements from county Democratic Party leaders around the state. Gillibrand is calling for Ford to disclose whether he got a bonus from Bank of America. [NYT] [NYO]
Much of the $75 million in state money promised by Joe Bruno just before he left office hasn't made it through. [TU]
The chairwoman of an inspector general's panel charged with tracking stimulus money says much of the federal funding distributed to New York State has yet to be spent. [TU]
The man accused of stabbing three people near the intersection of State and Henry Johnson following LarkFest last year was convicted on Friday on three counts of assault. He could get 25-50 years in prison. The victims said the man ran at them, shirtless, and yelled "I live for this, this is what I do!" during the attack. The man had been up for trial in 2008 for another alleged stabbing in Troy in 2007, but a judge tossed the case for procedural reasons. [CapNews9] [Troy Record] [CBS6] [Troy Record] [TU]
A Schenectady man died from carbon monoxide poisoning in his apartment after turning on his stove to keep warm because the apartment's thermostat was malfunctioning, keeping the heat down. [Daily Gazette $]
Violent crime down in Albany, horse killer sentenced, State of Troy, Zankel Center opens
Crime stats from the state indicate that violent crime was down in the City of Albany last year. Jerry Jennings said the numbers show that "The city is indeed safer than it was four years ago." Property crimes were also down. [Fox23] [TU] [WTEN]
The committee in charge of the search for a new Albany police chief says it expects to have nominations by mid March. [CapNews9]
The Albany school district says it's facing a $10 million budget gap. [TU]
Colleen Murphy -- the mother Amy Seyboth-Tirador, the soldier from Colonie who died in Iraq -- continued to assert yesterday that her daughter did not commit suicide. She said yesterday that she doesn't trust the military investigators looking into the case -- and is considering exhuming her daughter's body. The military says it hasn't complete its investigation, yet. [Troy Record] [CBS6] [WNYT] [TU]
The Rensselaer County man who admitted stabbing a horse a year ago was sentenced to 3.5-7 years in prison. [Troy Record]
Paterson says budget gap growing, Gillibrand asks Obama question, rabid kitten found, another escaped dog
David Paterson says the state is now facing an $8.2 billion budget gap -- that's up about $750 million from the previous estimate. The state's budget director says the widening gap is the result of smaller than expected tax revenue from Wall Street bonuses. In the increased estimate had member of the legislature criticizing the governor for not providing an "accurate picture" in his proposed budget. [TU] [AP/Post-Star] [NYT] [Daily Politics]
Kirsten Gillibrand got to ask a question at yesterday's Q&A with Barack Obama. That might not be a good sign for her. [NYDN] [PolitickerNY]
The Greenfield man accused of stabbing and killing a tenant last year during a fight pleaded guilty to manslaughter yesterday. The case ended up being a bizarre tangle of allegations. [Saratogian] [TU]
No jail time for pedestrian death, RPI mansion zoning app bounced, Ford and Gillibrand race for donors, Schenectady beckons to Stephen Colbert
The woman who pleaded guilty to hitting and killing a pedestrian -- and then temporarily driving away -- on Madison Ave in Albany a year ago was sentenced to probation, restitution and community service. The victim's family said justice was not served by the sentencing. The judge presiding over the case said the misdemeanor plea deal "on its face, does not look right." Prosecutors say the evidence didn't support a felony charge. [Troy Record] [WTEN] [TU] [Fox23]
Congress Street in Troy between 15th Street and Brunswick Ave will be closed today from 10 am - 4:30 pm for what the city says is the emergency demolition of a building (map). The city's engineer says the front wall of the former Industrial Tool and Die building "could rupture at any time." The building had already been slated for demo. (CBS6 says it will be streaming video of the demolition.) [@TroyMayor] [TU] [Troy Record] [CBS6]
Troy's Zoning Board of Appeals has bounced RPI's application for a height variance for the new president's mansion. [Troy Record]
David Paterson the vetoed the legislature's ethics reform package. The governor said the bill didn't go far enough. Legislative leaders are now talking about trying to override the veto. [TU] [NYDN] [NYT]
Snowfall total way behind, Republicans lining up behind Lazio, shooting in north Albany, Brunomobile still parked
This winter's snowfall so far is about a foot less than typical totals. By the way: Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today. [TU] [CNN]
Brian Stratton says Schenectady is facing a budget gap of almost $13 million in 2011. One possible way to help cover the gap: start charging non-profits such as Union College and Ellis Hospital for police and fire services. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
It's looking like the state Republican Party is lining up behind Rick Lazio as its choice for governor. Lazio was in Colonie yesterday and called out Andrew Cuomo, saying that Cuomo has "locked himself in his office and watched as Albany burned." A spokesman for Cuomo said yesterday that the AG is currently "focused on his public service." [CapNews9] [TU] [NYT] [Fox23]
Skidmore's president announced yesterday that the college will not have to go through with planned layoffs. He said the college's financial is improved because of an upswing in the endowment, as well as the results of attrition and a hiring freeze. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Post-Star]
Holiday work for SPD union head, bar busted for being jammed with underage drinkers, dog granted order of protection, telethon raises $1.9 million
The head of the Schenectady police union worked for the department on just three days last year -- all of them holidays at 2.5 pay. [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
A state Supreme Court judge has denied the FOIL request submitted by the Daily Gazette and TU for the Schenectady school districts internal report on Steven Raucci. The judge ruled the report was not subject to FOIL and its release could be an invasion of witnesses' privacy. [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
Schenectady County legislature chairwoman Sue Savage is proposing legislation that would require calorie counts on the menus of chain restaurants. Five NY counties -- including Albany County -- and New York City already have such a law. The law would only apply to restaurants with 15 or more locations in the county. [WNYT] [TU] [CapNews9]
The Paterson Administration has finally picked an operator for the Aqueduct racino -- the revenues from which should help fund a bunch of improvements at Saratoga's track. That is, if the money actually comes in. [Paterson] [Saratogian] [NYT]
David Paterson has just $620k on hand right now to spend in a Democratic gubernatorial primary -- Andrew Cuomo has $12 million. But Paterson says he'll raise a lot more. [NYDN] [NY Post]
The smoke-filled room -- which was in Albany this past weekend -- appears to be leaning heavily toward Andrew Cuomo. [WNYT] [TU]
An assemblywoman from Long Island topped the legislature's travel reimbursement list for last year at more than $41,000. [TU]
Saratoga Springs' police chief says budget cuts will make it hard to assign officers to efforts that led to many arrests last year. [Post-Star]
The State Liquor Authority has suspended the liquor license of The Garage, a bar at the corner of Western and Quail in Albany, after a raid last week allegedly found 500 people -- "most appearing to be underage" -- jammed into a space certified for 250. The SLA says the bar had so many it customers it drafted some to be "guest bartenders." The bar's owner wasn't commenting publicly on the raid. The bar is located in the middle of the "student ghetto" -- and the previous operations there have also been tagged for serving minors . [NYSLA] [TU] [Dowd on Drinks]
Details about Harriman redevelopment, Clinton endorses Gillibrand, college endowments take hit, burglaries in Manning Blvd neighborhood
The two state officials in charge of redeveloping the Harriman State Office Campus in Albany say the redevelopment plan will be incremental. The Harriman Campus board also now says it will release Columbia Development's proposed plan for the site. [TU] [HRTDC]
The US Census will be hiring 1,500 people in the Capital Region. The temporary jobs will be part time and pay about $15/hour. [CapNews9] [Fox23] [Troy Record]
While New York did score some of that federal rail funding -- other states got a lot more. [TU]
Laws banning driving-while-cellphoning don't appear to be reducing the number of accidents. The number of tickets issued in New York State for violating the ban has been increasing steadily. [NYT] [TU]
Bill Clinton has endorsed Kirsten Gillibrand. [NYDN]
Catholic Charities is starting the Capital Region's first needle exchange program in Albany. [TU]
Cold snap, New York rail funds request stops short, low number of home foreclosures, surgical robot unveiled
Today's weather forecast includes a steep temperature drop, the possibility of strong wind gusts and some snow. [NWS]
Chuck Schumer says New York State is in line to get $151 million from the $6 billion the feds have pledged for high speed rail. Part of that money will go toward constructing a second track at the bottleneck between Rensselaer and Schenectady. It will also pay for signal upgrades and engineering studies. New York State had been hoping to get billions, not of this money. [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette $] [CBS6] [TU]
The state Department of Taxation and Finance is looking to step up its tax collection enforcement efforts. [TU]
Friends and family of Joe Bruno have been writing letters urging the judge presiding over his case to go easy on his sentencing. [TU]
Schenectady's sewer maintenance supervisor was the city's highest-paid employee in 2009 -- mostly because of overtime. [TU]
Schenectady man accused of torturing dogs, soda tax falling flat, proposal for prayer before common council meetings, family raises $1 million for research
A Schenectady man has been charged with felony animal cruelty after police say he killed two dogs and burned another. Thomas Hendricks is also accused of assaulting his wife -- and police say the alleged violence against the dogs was the an attempt to hurt his wife. Hendricks has denied the allegations. [WTEN] [TU] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
During his state of the city speech last night Saratoga Springs mayor Scott Johnson criticized the "dysfunctional" state legislature for stripping the city of $4 million in VLT money. He said the city would fight new plans to keep the racino open 24/7. Johnson also said that paid parking downtown would start in May. And floated the idea of sharing services with surrounding municipalities. [CapNews9] [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Saratogian]
There was some flooding in Schenectady's Stockade neighborhood yesterday as ice jams broke the Mohawk. People in the neighborhood seemed unimpressed. [WTEN] [WNYT] [TU]
The woman who died after apparently jumping from the Berkshire Spur overpass on the Hudson this week was an Albany High School teacher. The interim Albany schools superintendent says the woman was "an excellent teacher." She had been teaching math in the district since 1984. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Ford takes shot at Gillibrand and Schumer, TU Center turns profit, second ESP man caver sentenced, Phillip Livingston school up for sale
Harold Ford was in Albany yesterday to make the rounds at the Capitol and ESP -- and take shots at both Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer. Ford said on Talk 1300 that both senators were elected to be independent and not act like a "parakeet" for for the Democratic Party. A Gillibrand spokesman shot back: "The notion that [Ford] is independent is completely contrived." Said one legislative intern to the TU after meeting Ford on the ESP concourse: "He should really look into getting a New York accent." [AP/Troy Record] [NYO] [NYDN] [NYT] [TU]
David Paterson said yesterday that his potential gubernatorial campaign opponents shouldn't be hiding in the "candidate protection program." [NYDN]
Annoyed that the governor keeps calling them back for special sessions, the legislature has decided to just not adjourn -- basically blocking more special sessions. [Daily Politics]
Albany County announced that the Times Union Center, which it owns, turned a profit of almost $1.8 million last year -- up from about $900k the year before. That's the second-highest profit in the facility's 20-year history (not adjusted for inflation). [Albany County] [TU]
Suspended Schenectady cop arrested again, Cuomo to declare in March?, man arrested for 65th time, local pilot flies supply missions to Haiti
Suspended Schenectady police officer John Lewis has been arrested. Again. It's his sixth arrest in the last two years. In this most recent case, he's accused of causing a car accident in the Ellis Hospital parking lot after he allegedly left the emergency department drunk. The SPD first tried to fire Lewis in 1998 for allegedly using a racial slur. The department's waiting for a decision on its most recent attempt to terminate him. [WNYT] [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Fox23] [CBS6]
A "source close to [Andrew] Cuomo" tells the Daily News that Andrew Cuomo will officially announce he's running for governor in March. David Paterson's campaign manager says "it's clear Mr. Cuomo is running for governor." [NYDN] [NYDN]
David Paterson is apparently going to try again to get the state worker unions to give up their raises this year. [TU]
Colonie assemblyman -- and outspoken MMA critic -- Bob Reilly says he's willing to support a compromise bill that would legalize ultimate fighting in the state if certain restrictions were placed on the sport. [TU]
UAlbany cancelled a cage fighting match scheduled for the SEFCU Arena this past weekend after a state commission said the event appeared to violate state law. [@albstudentpress] [Daily Gazette $]
Options considered for Albany High, Fort Orange Club gets demolition permit, liquor stores upset about supermarket wine, Colonie "actively pursuing" redevelopment of First Prize Center
After Albany High School was as identified as one of the state's "persistently lowest achieving" schools, interim schools superintendent Raymond Colucciello says the "transformation" option is being strongly considered (the state has laid out four options for reorganizing schools on this list). [AOA] [TU] [NYSED]
The Albany city planning board has granted the Fort Orange Club a permit to demolish two buildings on its property. Preservationists had argued the buildings were historically significant. [TU]
Timothy Rankins, the owner of downtown Albany bar Envy Lounge, was arrested yesterday on charges that he didn't pay almost $200k in sales taxes. The allegedly unpaid taxes are from the operation of the Pearl Restaurant and Lounge, which Rankins once owned (the Pearl was shut down after an underage drinking raid there -- it's since reopened under new management). The TU has recently chronicled Rankins allegedly close ties with police and city officials. [Troy Record] [CBS6] [WNYT] [TU]
The Capital Region's unemployment rate was 7 percent in December, according to the state labor department. The state's overall rate was 8.8 percent -- the highest in 26 years. [AOA] [Troy Record]
Police say home invasions linked to drugs and gambling, Cuomo could wait until April, a familiar robbery attempt
The Albany Police Department said yesterday that the shooting of two men in a Pine Hills apartment last week appears to be connected to sales of pot. The APD said there have been 23 reported "home invasions" in the city over the last year and "illegal activity such as drug sales or gambling." [APD]
An Albany common councilman is proposing a law that would require new city employees to live in the city. The rule wouldn't apply to police and firefighters. [TU] [CBS6]
The Schenectady County DA is backing efforts to keep emails related to the Steven Raucci case from being made public. [Daily Gazette $]
Both houses of the state legislature passed a package of ethics reforms -- and shortly thereafter, David Paterson vowed to veto the bill. The governor says the package doesn't go far enough. [NYT] [Daily Politics] [TU]
Chilly reaction to Paterson budget, shooting near school in Troy, mop protests at Bruno fundraiser, prof accused of growing pot
David Paterson's proposed budget doesn't seem to have gone over well with state legislators, some of whom are already vowing to make significant changes the proposed cuts in education and health care spending. Local elected officials also seemed cool to the budget plan. School district officials also weren't happy. Andrew Cuomo: good start, let's see it actually happen. And the conservative-leaning Empire Center said Paterson's budget didn't cut enough. One person who did seem enthusiastic: SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher (the Paterson plan would give SUNY more control over its tuition rates). [NYT] [TU] [Troy Record] [Saratogian] [Daily Politics] [Post-Star] [CapNews9]
The state legislature didn't vote yesterday on a plan to lift the cap on the number of charter schools in the state. The legislature had been bouncing the plan around because of a deadline yesterday afternoon to file for federal education money. [TU] [NYT]
Troy police say a man was shot in the back yesterday afternoon in North Central, just a block from a school. (map). A witness said he saw two men run from the scene and drive off. [TU] [CapNews9] [Troy Record]
The woman who was driving over the Dunn Memorial Bridge in 2005 when a section dropped two feet has settled with the state Department of Transportation for more than $100k, according to her attorney. The lawyer says her client has suffered from PTSD because of the experience. [TU] [Fox23]
Paterson to propose budget today, questions about APD chief salary, protest planned for Bruno fundraiser, the "conscious" candy machine
David Paterson is scheduled to release his 2010-2011 budget proposal today.
Last night's special session of the legislature didn't include action on the proposal to increase the state's cap on the number of charter schools (though senators did find time to squabble over parliamentary procedure). The state has until 4:30 today to file its application for $700 million in federal funding -- and removal of the charter school cap is seen as a key part of that application. [AP/Post-Star] [TU] [Fox23] [TU]
Jerry Jennings is hoping to a close a gap in the next Albany budget by getting the state to advance almost $40 million in PILOT money for the ESP. [TU]
As Albany searches for a new police chief, the question has come up: does the job pay enough? [TU]
Teen accused in Bailey shooting pleads guilty, Walmart heirs backing local charter schools, rash of car break-ins in Colonie
King Modest, one of the teens accused of being involved with the killing of UAlbany student Richard Bailey in 2008, has agreed to a plea deal that involves him testifying against the other two accused teens. If convicted on the original charges, Modest faced 25 years to life -- he's now expected to get 10 years in prison. Statements the three teens allegedly made to Albany police indicated that Modest was a lookout during the robbery-turned-shooting. The attorney for the teen accused of pulling the trigger tried yesterday to cast doubt on Modest's version of events. [CapNews9] [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23]
Albany police say the shooting of two men in an apartment near the St. Rose campus this week appears to have been a targeted robbery attempt. The APD says it's searching for five suspects allegedly involved in the crime. [APD] [TU]
The state Senate committee investigating Hiram Monserrate has recommended "expulsion or in the alternative, censure with revocation of privileges" for the Queens senator. Monserrate was convicted of misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend last fall. A state Senate vote on whether to expel him is expected to come in the next few weeks. Neil Breslin and Roy McDonald are both expected to vote for expulsion -- Hugh Farley says he's undecided. A political scientist says Monserrate's expulsion could throw the chamber into "chaos and deadlock." [Daily Politics] [NYT] [CapCon] [TU]
Delmar resident Scott Ritter, the former UN weapons inspector and outspoken Iraq war critic, has been accused of being caught in a online sex sting. Police in Pennsylvania allege that he exposed himself via webcam to a undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old girl. Ritter faced similar charges in 2001 from a sting here in the Capital Region -- those charges were dropped. Ritter did not comment to reporters who knocked on his door yesterday. [AP/Saratogian] [CapNews9] [TU] [WNYT]
Two men shot in Pine Hills, legislators propose new ethics oversight, alleged horse slasher pleads guilty, struck Saratoga pedestrians ticketed
Albany police say two men were shot on Ontario Street near St. Rose yesterday evening (map). They say how the shooting went down was unclear. The two men's injuries were not considered life threatening. St. Rose security said the campus was locked down temporarily while police searched for suspects. [CBS6] [TU] [CapNews9] [ASP]
The Troy police overtime was almost double the amount budgeted for last year. The city's highest paid employee last year was a police sergeant who made $140,738.10 -- almost half of that overtime. [Troy Record] [TU]
State legislative leaders introduced a package of ethics reforms that would create new watchdogs for the legislature, the executive branch and lobbyists. David Paterson said the plan isn't enough because it doesn't require legislators to disclose their outside business clients. A "top aide" said the governor won't sign the bill in its current form. [TU] [NYT] [Daily Politics]
Documents filed by Andrew Cuomo's office in state supreme court allege that Pedro Espada may have violated tax, election, labor law -- and committed fraud, too -- as head of a Bronx health care group. Espada called the investigation by the AG a "witch hunt driven by his political ambitions." [NYT] [TU]
Legislature is back, concern for natural childbirth program, possible challenger for Tedisco or Farley, Luna found
The legislature is back in session today. Among the topics that may -- or may not -- come up: lifting the cap on the number of charter schools in the state, which would open the way for $700 million in federal education aid. [CapNews9] [TU]
The bankruptcy attorney for Sandy Horowitz says the Troy landlord intends to keep all his buildings in the city. Horowitz owes the city more than $600k in taxes on his properties, which include the Cannon Building. [TU]
The St. Peter's/Northeast Health/Seton Health merger has prompted questions about the future of Seton's natural childbirth program. [TU]
The Loudonville rabbi accused of inappropriately touching two boys has pleaded guilty to child endangerment. He admitted to a judge that he had inappropriate physical contact with the boys and told one of them to lie about the incident. As part of the plea deal, he could get 60 days in jail and three years of probation. [TU] [CapNews9] [WTEN]
Landlord owes Troy more than $600k, man arrested for allegedly stabbing mother and brother, wettest decade on record, renovations begin on Dinosaur building
Companies owned by landlord Sandy Horowitz owe the city of Troy more than $600,000 in back taxes, according to his bankruptcy filing. Horowitz owns the Cannon Building, which was recently shut down temporarily because of code violations. [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
A Greenfield 20-year-old has been charged with stabbing both his brother and mother Friday. Saratoga County DA James Murphy said "every major organ except the heart was punctured or injured" in the brother during the attack. [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Troy police say a man was shot multiple times Saturday night in South Troy (map). The TPD says it's arrested a Schenectady man. [CapNews9] [Troy Record]
The state will be spending $5 million to replace the bridge that connects Niska Isle -- and its nine households -- to the rest of Niskayuna. (Niska Isle is actually a peninsula.) [TU]
State now has glut of H1N1 vaccine, increase in heating oil prices, Olmert to speak at Union, suspect accused biting man in the neck
Apparently there is now a glut of H1N1 flu vaccine in New York State. [TU]
Prompted by the promise of federal money, David Paterson is now in favor of lifting the state cap on charter schools. [TU]
Schenectady County prosecutors allege that a Schenectady man accused of sexually abusing two girls offered to pay the girls' mother if they didn't testify against him. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
The cold weather has prompted a rise in home heating oil prices. [WTEN]
State of the State reaction, Cuomo continues to dodge, APD looking for community input, fire at firehouse
In his State of the State speech yesterday, David Paterson proposed a bunch of ethics reforms and economic development initiatives (full text of Paterson's speech). He also openly scolded the legislature and interest groups for creating a culture of "addiction to spending, power, and approval." That didn't seem to go over well with the audience. [TU] [Daily Politics] [NYO] [NYT]
Reactions to Paterson's speech:
+ Dean Skelos: "Governor Paterson talked a lot about fiscal restraint, but we've heard that speech before." [CapNews9]
+ Sheldon Silver seemed to be on board with some of Paterson's ethics reforms, but not others. [NYO]
+ Andrew Cuomo: the outline for spending and ethics reform is right, but "we've had trouble in the past is actually getting it done." [NYO]
+ Jim Tedisco: "You have to take what he says with a grain of salt until you see that positive action which he hasn't illustrated so far." [Fox23]
+ Roy McDonald: "I'm tired of these stupid budgets that don't work and of upstate getting the short end of the stick." [Saratogian]
+ Jack McEneny: "The proof is going to be in the [next] budget." [Troy Record]
+ Baruch College prof Doug Muzzio on the proposed ethics reforms: "Ain't going to happen." [AP/Post-Star]
+ George Pataki: "I thought it was exactly the right message." [NYO]
State of the State today, hundreds show up for save-the-Y meeting, Some Girls "in jeopardy," Murphy says he was "clotheslined" in the House
David Paterson is scheduled to deliver his State of the State address this afternoon at 1 pm (webcast). He's expected to propose a set of reforms aimed at fighting political corruption. Among the proposals: terms limits for legislators and a requirement that legislators disclose their outside income. [NYT] [TU]
The executive director of the Capital District YMCA said last night at a community meeting that the Washington Ave location -- which is on the verge of closing -- lost almost $400k last year. He said the location currently has 1800 memberships -- and, to stay open, needs 2500 by April and 3500 by the end of the year. About 400 people showed up for the meeting. [TU] [@sebastienbarre] [ACO]
The Duanesburg Central School District announced yesterday that almost $3 million had been stolen from its accounts electronically last month. The district says about $2.5 million has been recovered. The theft came to light after the district's bank flagged a transaction to an overseas bank account. A district official says they thought they had "the proper safeguards in place" to prevent such a crime. The FBI and state police are investigating. The district says it does not believe the theft was an inside job. The district has a budget of $15 million. [Daily Gazette $] [CapNews9] [CBS6] [WTEN] [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT]
After years of planning, the Albany Police Department recently installed cameras in its patrol cars. Here's press release explaining how the system works. [TU] [APD]
Mayor says Albany faces "financial tsunami," ESP man caver gets a year in jail, Skidmore moves into new Zankel Center
During his state of the city speech last night, Jerry Jennings said Albany is facing the possibility of a "a financial tsunami" in 2011. The mayor said the city will be bringing in outside financial consultants to help develop a plan. He also continued his call for "appropriate equitable state aid" to the city. [WTEN] [TU] [CapNews9]
The janitor who pleaded guilty in the ESP Man Cave case was sentenced to a year in jail and scolded for bringing "contempt and ridicule" on state workers. [CapNews9] [TU]
Parts of the Cannon Building on Monument Square in Troy have re-opened after the building inspectors shut it down for code violations. Harry Tutunjian tweeted yesterday that the building is still without water. [TU] [@TroyMayor]
The new president of the Schenectady city council is calling for voters to dump the city's school board members in the spring elections. [TU]
Thruway tolls increase, Albany schools to use lottery, the weekend in crime, the first baby of 2010
Thruway tolls went up five percent on Sunday, for both cash and EZ-Pass. State comptroller Tom DiNapoli criticized the increase, calling it "the last thing New Yorkers need now." [AP/Saratogian] [Fox23] [NYS OSC] [WNYT]
A 78-year-old woman was killed in Schenectady Saturday night after she was struck by a pick-up truck while crossing State Street near Proctors. The woman had been volunteering at the theater. The SPD says it's investigating the accident. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Troy police say a man stole an idling SUV -- with two kids in it -- from outside a grocery store Friday morning. The TPD says the kids were found 45 minutes later, unharmed, along with the SUV. They say the suspect was arrested later that day. [Troy Record] [TU] [Troy Record]
Officials from the YMCA will be holding a meeting with the public this week to talk about what might be done to save the Washington Ave location in Albany. [Troy Record]
The Albany school district will be switching to a lottery system for filling slots in its pre-k programs. The old system was first-come-first-pick-wait-all-night. [TU]
Fatal shooting in Schenectady, kids credited with saving horses from fire, Cannon Building shut down, push to redevelop First Prize Center
Police say a man was shot and killed yesterday in Schenectady -- allegedly by his girlfriend's former husband. Police say they've arrested the alleged shooter, who they say is an active duty serviceman who was on holiday leave. [CapNews9] [TU] [Fox23] [WTEN]
Schenectady cop Dwayne Johnson pleaded not guilty yesterday to the 15 counts in his indictment, which include four felonies. Prosecutors allege that Johnson defrauded the city by working as a security guard at a gas station while he supposed to be on duty. Johnson topped the pay chart for Schenectady cops last year thanks to overtime pay. [Daily Gazette $] [CapNews9] [TU] [WTEN]
A group of "kids" is being credited with helping to save a bunch of horses* from a big barn fire in Colonie. A 12-year-old was apparently among the first to smell smoke and take action to evacuate the animals. All the horses were saved. The Gazette has a remarkable photo of the fire, which firefighters say was stoked by strong winds. [CBS6] [WTEN] [CapNews9] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Three adults and one teen in Knox pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges they tortured and blew up a turtle last year. Police say they found video of the alleged turtle bombing this year during a raid for an Internet scam case. [Troy Record] [CapNews9] [TU]
State comptroller says Medicaid is "leaking" millions, 89-year-old accused of attempted murder-suicide, electricity rates going up, The Missile pleads guilty
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli reported yesterday that New York's Medicaid system is "leaking" millions of dollars. He says the program lost $92 million over the last five years to errors, improper payments and poor record keeping. Among the improper payments cited by the comptroller: $196,000 in cab rides for a woman to travel daily from Dutchess County to Albany to visit her son. [NYS OSC] [NYT] [TU]
The Troy city council and mayor Harry Tutunjian were in court yesterday in an attempt to resolve their budget dispute. They didn't -- and now a judge will rule. [Troy Record] [TU]
Niskayuna police say an 89-year-old man tried to kill his 87-year-old sister as part of an attempted murder-suicide last week. He's been charged with attempted murder. [TU] [CapNews9]
Real estate agents say the federal first-time home buyer tax credit led to a surge in closed sales in the Capital Region last month (up 36 percent from last year, though only about 2 percent from 2007). There's still a lot of inventory. [TU] [AOA]
Former judge sentenced to prison, Paterson criticizes Shen superintendent, NYRA president says racing at Saratoga threatened, the 25-pound chocolate Santa
Former state Supreme Court judge Thomas Spargo, whose chambers were in Albany, was sentenced to more than two years in prison yesterday for trying to shake down attorneys. Spargo's attorney had argued for no jail time, but Judge Gary Sharpe said, "We can't ignore what happened here." (And, yep, Sharpe is also the judge in the Joe Bruno case.) [Daily Gazette $] [Troy Record] [TU]
New York State comptroller Tom DiNapoli said yesterday that the state's school districts will face a $2 billion funding gap when federal stimulus money runs out in 2011. He says that could mean a property tax increase of 8 percent. [NYS OSC] [TU]
David Paterson criticized Shen schools superintendent Oliver Robinson yesterday for Robinson's "complaining" (Paterson's word) about delayed state aid to schools. Paterson said he didn't know why Robinson was complaining about $180,000 when Shen has $3.8 million in reserve. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Rudy Giuliani is expected to announce today that he won't run for office in 2010 -- not even US Senate. He's expected to endorse Rick Lazio for governor. [NYDN] [NYT] [AP/TU]
The first person in Albany County charged under a new state law that makes it a felony to drive drunk with a child in the car is an obstetrician from Vorheesville. Guilderland police say she was pulled over on Route 155 Saturday night. The child in the car belongs to a colleague, who was also riding in the car. [TU] [CapNews9] [Fox23] [WTEN]
Delmar house burns to ground after explosions, DA says city worker chased down alleged mugger, gun buyback out of money, mansion a bargain?
An explosion badly burned a teenager in Delmar and burned his house to the ground on Saturday (map). Firefighters say they heard two explosions after arriving at the scene. Neighbors say they could feel the explosions. Bethlehem police say they're investigating the possibility that rocket fuel was involved in the explosion. The teen was taken to a burn unit in Westchester County -- an EMT says the teen lost a hand in the explosion. A web site has been set up to help organize aid for the family. [TU] [Fox23] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU] [CapNews9] [CBS6]
David Paterson says New York would be "punished" under the health care reform bill moving through Congress. [Daily Politics]
The jurors in the Joe Bruno trial say the experience convinced them that the state needs stronger ethics laws. [TU]
Saratoga Springs' outgoing public safety commissioner is calling for the city attorney to resign after the attorney allegedly threw a folder full of resignation notices at the head of the public works commissioner. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Investigation finds fraud at state forensics lab, Paterson talking about layoffs again, homeless shelters jammed, another bank robbery attempt
A investigation by the state inspector general concludes that Gary Veeder, a former state police forensic scientist, "routinely" failed to conduct a required test on fiber evidence and then lied about performing the test in case records. Twenty-six of the cases were from the Capital Region. State police say it does not appear the fraudulent testing affected any convictions. The IG's report also concludes that Veeder was able to get away with the fraudulent work for years because "laboratory staff's technical, or peer, reviews of Veeder's fiber examinations were substandard, overlooking obvious indications that Veeder had omitted the required fiber test." State police say they're bringing in an outside consultant to address the problem. Veeder is now dead -- he committed suicide at his home in Vorheesville last year. [NYS IG] [Fox23] [WNYT] [NYT] [TU]
The Saratoga County sheriff's deputy accused of forcing an acquaintance to perform a sex act on him while he was on duty has been indicted on 11 new charges. Saratoga County DA James Murphy says three more women have stepped forward to accuse the deputy of similar crimes. [TU] [Saratogian]
Federal prosecutors are predicting jail time for Joe Bruno. [NYDN]
David Paterson says state worker layoffs will be back on the table if state revenues continue to drop. [NYP]
Steven Raucci will stay in jail after a state appeals court affirmed a lower court's decision to deny him bail. The TU and the Daily Gazette are now suing the Schenectady school district for access to its investigation of Raucci. The district has already released a version of the report -- but it was heavily redacted. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
State DEC scientists report that bat populations are down 90 percent in caves where they're studying "white nose syndrome." "We don't have a lot of years to figure this out," says a DEC scientist. [NYS DEC] [TU]
Education groups sue over state aid, Schumer apologizes to flight attendant, police say stolen Timberlands kicked off chase, Albany councilman calls for cancellation of "Jersey Shore"
A coalition of education groups -- headed by NYSUT -- filed suit against David Paterson yesterday in attempt to eliminate the delay in education aid payments. The coalition argues that Paterson has overstepped his authority -- and the uncertainty created the action is making budgeting difficult. Paterson accused the coalition of trying to be "extra special" interest groups. [TU] [NYT] [Fox23] [Daily Politics]
Saratoga Springs' finance commissioner says the city may have to borrow money to cover the gap created by delayed state aid payments. [Saratogian]
Democrats in the Rensselaer County legislature says three incoming Republicans should not be allowed to serve in both the county legislature and their town boards. One of the incoming Republicans called the practice "totally legal." [TU] [Troy Record]
Richard Daines, New York's health commissioner, got an H1N1 shot during a photo opp yesterday. Even though flu activity in the state is decling, Daines called the flu a "tricky virus" and urged people to still get vaccinated. [CapNews9] [TU] [Fox23]
Chuck Schumer apologized yesterday for calling a flight attendant a "bitch" after she told him to stop talking on his mobile phone. Kirsten Gillibrand was sitting next to him on the plane (and apparently did end her call) and Republicans are now criticizing her for not publicly condemning Schumer's actions. [NYDN] [Politico] [NYT] [Daily Politics]
State school aid cuts detailed, state police report on I-90 shootout, town's bond rating downgraded to junk, the $40,000 tree
The state Division of Budget released a breakdown of how much funding would be held back from each school district as part of David Paterson's cut-for-solvency. Among the Capital Region districts, Albany took the largest hit (in absolute terms) -- $744,643. Albany's interim superintendent says the district had been anticipating the cuts and had already started trimming its budget. David Paterson said this week that the districts could eventually receive the delayed money if the state's fiscal condition improves. NYSUT is leading a coalition that plans to file suit over the delays/cuts. [Daily Politics] [CapCon] [TU] [NYT] [WTEN]
The state Board of Elections has finally approved new voting machines. [TU]
David Paterson is expected to extend anti-discrimination protections to transgender state employees today. [NYT]
A State Police investigation reports that the man at the center of January's shoot-out on I-90 was probably high on PCP and yelled for police to shoot him (which they eventually did -- he later died). They also released video of the incident from a camera in a state trooper's car. State Police say it appears the man was on the run from crimes in Connecticut. One effect of the shoot-out: the state police troop based in Loudonville is now equipped with 48 patrol semi-automatic rifles. [Daily Gazette $] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [WTEN] [CapNews9] [TU]
Troy budget veto overridden, APD leaning toward community policing, Paterson looking for a "hand back," trailer runs into overpass
The Troy city council voted to override Harry Tutunjian's budget veto last night -- and now Tutunjian says he'll take the issue to court. The mayor says he would go jail before certifying what he calls an "imbalanced" budget. He also accused members of the city council of lying and distorting the truth. Council president Clement Campana said the council was within its rights to adjust the mayor's budget. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [@TroyMayor] [CapNews9]
The Albany police department appears to be leaning toward an embrace of community policing again. (Question: Why are fundamental policy decisions being made before a new chief comes on board?) [TU]
Now that Colonie has tightened its rules on motels that house sex offenders, Albany County Social Services has been placing them in homeless shelters and apartments in the city of Albany, according to a county spokesperson. [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say they're still investigating an incident last Friday that resulted in a man being shot in the leg. [Saratogian] [TU]
Paterson says he's cutting local aid to keep state solvent, downtown Albany Y could close, yet another bank robbery, sinkhole swallows car, more quakes in Berne
David Paterson announced yesterday that he's unilaterally withholding $750 million in aid to local governments and schools in order to keep the state solvent. Said Paterson at the announcement, "I can't say this enough: The state has run out of money. We are $1 billion short." He also blamed the legislature, again, for not addressing the state's budget gap. A spokesman for the state Senate majority called Paterson's action "self-indulgent theatrics." [TU] [NYDN] [NYO] [NYT]
A state panel's draft report, obtained by NYT, says that New York State's juvenile prisons are in such bad shape that family court judges should stop sending all but the most dangerous offenders to them. [NYT]
The lawyer for De Von Callicut, the teen accused of firing the shot that killed Richard Bailey, is trying to get Callicut's statement to police tossed because he didn't have an attorney present. [TU]
A state lawyer told a state Supreme Court judge that the planned expansion of the Albany landfill would be its last -- probably. [TU]
Saratoga Springs are investigating an early Friday morning shooting. [Saratogian]
Albany police are investigating a car-to-car shooting around noon on Saturday near Hoffman Park (map). [WNYT] [Fox23]
Pension system for new state workers adjusted, NYRA aims to stop horse slaughter, another bank robbery, Albany Institute scraping financially, dog rescued with help of plumbing camera
David Paterson signed legislation that creates a new tier -- "Tier V" -- for the state employee pension system raises the retirement age and requires workers to contribute more. It's being touted as the biggest change to the pension system in 25 years. Paterson says the change will save New York State $35 billion over the next 30 years. [TU] [Fox23] [Paterson op-ed in TU]
The federal officials who handled the investigation and prosecution of Joe Bruno say they will continue to focus on ethics violations at the state capitol. [TU]
The state is no longer limiting distribution of the H1N1 flu vaccine to people in priority groups. Albany County has scheduled times next week for residents to get the jab. [AP/TU] [Albany County]
According to court documents obtained by the TU, the three teens accused of murdering Richard Bailey allegedly gave police detailed -- and different -- accounts of the night of the murder. [TU]
NYRA announced yesterday that any horse owner who sells their horses to slaughter -- "either knowingly or for lack of due diligence" -- will have their stalls revoked at Saratoga and the other NYRA tracks. [Saratogian] [CapNews9] [Post-Star]
Record snowfall yesterday, Paterson defends Wall Street, parking ticket plan approved, new license plates still on the way, again no ice skating at ESP
We got just about 7 inches at the uptown office.
Yesterday's storm dropped 7.3 inches of snow on the Capital Region, according to the National Weather Service (forecasts on Tuesday had been predicting 2 to 5 inches). That's a record for December 9 (the previous high mark was 6.3 inches). Parts of Saratoga County reported getting as much as 10 inches. [NWS] [Saratogian]
A freight train hit a snow plow at a crossing in Northumberland yesterday morning, killing one of the the men on the plow truck and injuring the other (map). The crossing doesn't have gates or signals. [Post-Star] [CapNews9] [Saratogian]
Albany County's public works commissioner says yesterday's short, strong blast of snow made it hard to keep the roads clear during rush hour. Troy somehow found a way to clear its streets without Bob Mirch. [TU] [Troy Record]
David Paterson again vowed to hold back aid to local governments in order to keep the state solvent (his budget director compared the fiscal situation to driving in the snow). The chair of the state Senate finance committee says Paterson will be sued it he tries to do that. [NYO] [Daily Politics] [TU]
During the same speech yesterday, Paterson also defended Wall Street -- calling it the engine of New York State's economy. Said a state Senate "source" of the speech: "I half-expected to see Michael Douglas come out and reprise his role as Gordon Gekko." [NYT] [NYDN]
Winter storm warning, Bruno Bruno Bruno, Troy budget vetoed, Saratoga schools change bike policy, Proctors is a powerhouse
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning this morning. It lasts until 7 pm. Snowfall totals are now expected be in the 5-10 inch range. [NWS]
The Supreme Court of the United States heard arguments yesterday in two cases involving the federal theft of "honest services" law under which Joe Bruno was convicted. The justices appeared to be leaning toward the view that the law is too vague. Bruno's camp is hoping a SCOTUS ruling on the law will aid their case. [TU] [NYT] [Troy Record]
Bruno could be in line for somewhere between 2-3 years in prison, according to federal sentencing guidelines -- though the judge has wide discretion. The forewoman of his jury says she'd hate to see him go to jail. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Bruno conviction has people around the state capitol talking about ethics reform. Two senators are already floating a bill written to close the "Bruno gap." [NYT] [Daily Politics]
Bruno resigned from his job as CEO of the Latham IT consulting firm CMA yesterday. CMA does a lot of business with governments and Bruno's continued employment could have jeopardized millions of dollars in contracts. [Troy Record] [TU]
Don't expect to see Bruno's name taken off any thing in the Capital Region anytime soon. [NYT]
Joe Bruno convicted, state managers upset they're not getting a raise, another bank robbery, cash for clunker appliances, crackdown on deer jacking
A federal jury convicted Joe Bruno on two felony counts of mail fraud. (here's a breakdown of the counts). "It was very hard to convict him when he's done so much for the area," said the juryforewoman to the TU. As he exited the courthouse, Bruno said to reporters: "It's not over till it's over and I think it's far from over." It sounds like Bruno is already planning an appeal. He faces up to 40 years in jail and $500k in fines -- though the judge has broad sentencing discretion. [TU] [Troy Record] [TU] [Troy Record] [Buffalo News] [NYT]
The Albany County legislature has approved a budget that includes a 5.9 percent tax increase* -- and keeps 100 jobs that were slated to be cut. (*The Record says the legislature approved a budget with a 5.4 percent tax increase, as opposed to county exec Mike Breslin's proposed 5.9 percent.) [TU] [CapNews9] [Troy Record]
Schenectady police say a man was shot on Hamburg street early this morning (map). [TU]
State management and confidential employees are upset that they're not getting raises -- even though the unionized people they supervise are. [TU]
Still no verdict in Bruno trial, new Saratoga police chief named, man allegedly walks out of jewelry store with $29k necklace, light rail for Saratoga?
Joe Bruno Trial: still no verdict. Jurors will be back for a seventh day of deliberations today. [TU] [CapNews9]
Christopher Cole will be Saratoga Springs' next police chief. He's a 20-year veteran of the force and the son of a Saratoga cop. Incoming public safety commissioner Richard Wirth, who had protested a chief being picked before the start of his term, appeared to be happy with the selection. Ed Moore, the current chief, announced his retirement in order to save the department money -- and perhaps layoffs -- though it's unclear how much money will actually be saved. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
RPI celebrated the the ten year tenure of president Shirley Ann Jackson this past weekend. In a speech Saturday, Jackson said the school had become "re-enrgerized, reinvigorated and refocused." And Aretha Franklin's performance at EMPAC Friday night was fantastic, apparently. [WNYT] [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
Rivers Cuomo -- of Weezer fame -- was apparently hurt when his tour bus rolled over on the Thruway near Amsterdam Sunday. The TU seems have gotten some indication that Cuomo was eventually taken to Albany Med. The bus apparently skidded after hitting some ice. [Fox23] [TU] [CapNews9]
Day six in Bruno trial, marriage equality vote protest, details in Colonie soldier's death, residents weigh in on APD chief, Albany in-flight
Last night's marriage equality protest at the NYS Capitol
Day six of deliberations is underway in the trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. Yesterday jurors heard a three hour read-back of testimony from former Senate attorney and current judge Francis T. Collins. Collins testified early in November that he had sparse information on Bruno's outside business dealings when he was asked to give an ethical opinion about them. The jury has reached a verdict on two counts, but is still considering six counts. Bruno was optimistic enough about his own situation yesterday to comment on someone else's problems. [TU] [News9]
About 150 people showed up last night to protest the senates vote against gay marriage. Eight Democrats joined all the Senate Republicans in voting against the Marriage Equality Act this week. Governor Paterson is a strong proponent of marriage equality, but there's some question as to how involved he was in lobbying Senators to pass the act. Paterson's sagging popularity may be the reason same-sex marriage advocates did not seek his support for a final push. [AOA] [NYT]
The debate over how to close the NYS budget gap continues. Governor Paterson claims the legislature's efforts to close the gap this week don't go far enough. Paterson continues to claim he'll cut spending further, saying "I'm going to do it even without their permission, and if they want to take me to court, they can sue me, but I will not let this state run out of money on my watch." [WXXI via DailyPolitics]
Former State comptroller Alan Hevesi may have accepted bribes from a California investment banker who pleaded guilty in Andrew Cuomo's Pension Fraud investigation. Hevesi is believed to have taken 75 thousand dollars in luxury vacations for himself and his family while he was in office. Also named in the investment banker's confession -- former "Mod Squad" actress Peggy Lipton. [NYP]
State Senate votes down same-sex marriage bill, Bruno trial still deliberating, alleged elderly safe robber arrested, Albany school district considers mid-year job cuts
The state Senate voted down the same-sex marriage bill 38-24. Supporters of the bill apparently thought the vote would be closer. Eight Democrats joined every Republican in the chamber in voting "no." Here's a listing of how each senator voted. [TU] [NYT] [NYDN] [CapCon]
The state Senate passed the $2.7 billion deficit reduction bill. David Paterson criticized the legislature's cuts for falling "well short" of what's actually necessary to cover the budget gap. The Senate also passed bills that reform the state's public authorities (such as the Thruway Authority) and change the pension rules for new state employees. [TU] [Daily Politics] [NYT] [NYT]
Joe Bruno Trial: the jury is still deliberating. The jury asked to have testimony read back yesterday from Jared Abbruzzese, the Loudonville businessman who bought an overvalued horse from Bruno apparently to make up for a canceled consulting contract. Oh, no: the trial seems to be affecting Uncle Joe's perma-tan (if not his loquaciousness). [TU] [Troy Record] [NYT]
After the Saratoga Springs' police and fire chiefs announced their retirements this week, Ron Kim -- the outgoing Saratoga Springs public safety commissioner -- says he's moving to hire their replacements. That's not going over well with Richard Wirth, who become public safety commissioner on January 1. [TU] [Saratogian]
Movement on state budget gap, Bruno trial jurors say they're stuck, Saratoga chiefs retiring, still no public release of plan for Harriman, police say guard was tied up during safe robbery
The state Assembly passed a deficit reduction bill during the middle of the night -- the bill falls short of making all the necessary cuts, though. The state Senate is scheduled to vote on a budget gap bill today. [NYO] [Daily Politics] [TU]
The Assembly also passed the same-sex marriage bill again. Who knows if the Senate will vote on the bill. [NYDN] [NYO]
Joe Bruno Trial: The jury said yesterday that it had reached a verdict on two counts (which ones and what verdict unknown) -- but was stuck on the six other counts. Judge Gary Sharpe then basically told them to keep trying. The Bruno camp appeared to be heartened by the development. [Troy Record] [NYT] [TU]
Saratoga Springs' police and fire chiefs announced yesterday that they're retiring. The chiefs say they hope their retirements will helps save the jobs of younger members of their departments slated for layoffs. Both chiefs make about $100k. [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
The SUNY central office says it will not be investigating allegations that SUNY Cobleskill allowed unqualified students into the school just so it could get their tuition money. The allegations are part of a suit filed by a former dean, who alleges that the school discriminated against African-American students from NYC by lowering its admission standards in order to balance its budget. [TU] [CapNews9]
Porco appeal focuses on nod, state budget gap deal could be close, job cuts at Skidmore, police say 11-year-old called 911 on alleged robbers, CDTA bus bursts into flames
The judges hearing Christopher Porco's appeal in a Brooklyn state appellate court yesterday focused on the admissibility of the nod that detectives say Joan Porco made indicating Christopher was responsible for the attack. Joan Porco says she has no memory of the crime -- and the defense argued that prevented Christopher from being able to confront his accuser. The prosecution argued that the defense just missed its chance to have Joan Porco testify that she didn't remember. Christopher Porco is currently serving 50 years in state prison for the murder of his father and attempted murder of his mother. [TU] [Fox23] [CapNews9] [Troy Record]
A deal to close the state budget gap could be near. Or not. Members of the legislature indicated last night that they had put together a plan to cut $2.8 billion (from the $3+ billion gap), which borrows almost $400 million federal education aid from next year for this year's budget. David Paterson said that wasn't good enough -- and announced that he would move to withhold payments to local governments in order to keep the state solvent. [TU] [NYDN] [Daily Politics] [NYT]
Joe Bruno Trial: still no verdict. The jury heard read backs of testimony from two witnesses yesterday, which could be helpful to Bruno. [TU] [Troy Record] [NYT]
Skidmore says it could eliminate as many as 70 jobs as it tries to cover a $12.6 million gap in next year's budget (about 8 percent). [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
The board overseeing redevelopment of the Harriman State Office Campus announced yesterday that Columbia Development has been picked to develop the site. Officials with Columbia have close ties to Jerry Jennings, which prompted a competing developer to accuse the board of making a politically motivated choice. [CapNews9] [TU]
Paterson addressing budget gap by himself, Porco appeal expected today, glut of apples this year, Salvo has to hire bell ringers
David Paterson said yesterday that he's decided to act unilaterally to save the state $1.6 billion through a series of cuts, transfers and accounting maneuvers. He also continued to blame the state Senate for the lack of progress on a deal that would close the state's $3+ budget gap. Paterson might also be considering declaring a "fiscal emergency," a move floated by John Faso. The legislature is expected to be back for a another budget gap special session today. The state is projected to have just $36 million in cash by the end of the year (the state comptroller says even less). [NYO] [Daily Politics] [NYDN] [TU] [CapNews9] [NYT] [NY Post]
Joe Bruno Trial: Jury is back for deliberations today after a break for the holiday. [CapNews9]
Christopher Porco's appeal is expected to be heard today before a state appellate court in Brooklyn. Porco's attorney recently said prosecutors in the case "took a blow torch to the constitution." [CBS6] [CapNews9]
Kirsten Gillibrand, in the area to announce an initiative aimed at protecting seniors against fraud, said the Army has not been forthcoming about details surrounding the death of Colonie soldier Amy Seyboth Tirador. [WNYT] [TU]
Paterson proposes unilateral authority cut budget, Troy residents irked by parking ticket sweep, reward grows for info about duct-taped dog
David Paterson introduced his own deficit reduction bill yesterday -- and said during a webcast that if the legislature wouldn't make cuts, they should give him the temporary authority to do it unilaterally. That second proposal didn't go over well with the legislature. One assemblyman said, "What's next, martial law?" And others, including Neil Breslin, questioned the constitutionality of the arrangement (though apparently some think it might fly). Ron Canestrari praised Paterson's attempt to move the budget ball. Paterson's speech did appear to make some progress -- in further uniting the state Senate against him. The legislature won't be back in session until next week. [NYO] [Daily Politics] [NYDN] [NYT] [Daily Politics] [NYO] [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [Daily Politics] [Fox23]
Joe Bruno Trial: day one of jury deliberations passed without a verdict. The jury will take a break for Thanksgiving and resume deliberations next Monday. [TU] [Troy Record]
One thing that was apparent from testimony in the Bruno trial: his second office was the golf course. [NYT]
Colonie police say a man died this morning when the pickup truck in which he was sitting exploded (map). [TU]
Jury starts deliberations in Bruno trial, lack of oversight allegedly "enabled" ESP man cave, Saratoga budget includes paid parking, post office off consolidation list, bar's TV is huuuuge
Joe Bruno Trial: The prosecution and defense delivered their summations yesterday -- which cast Bruno as a schoolyard bully and Uncle Joe, respectively. The jury will begin deliberating today. The TU's James Odato has put together a helpful breakdown of the case's main points and the arguments on each side. [TU] [NYT] [Troy Record] [TU]
There was little or no apparent progress on a state budget gap fix at the Capitol yesterday, as both the Assembly and Senate quickly gaveled in and out for the special session. The biggest road block appears to still be the Senate's refusal to make cuts to education and health care funding. That's led to talk that the Assembly and David Paterson would work out their own two-way deal. [TU] [CapNews9] [NYDN] [NYO]
An audit by the state comptroller concludes that the Schenectady school district paid Steven Raucci $50,000 in overtime -- with no confirmation that he actually worked those hours. Said a district attorney of the audit: "The Comptroller can't realistically expect that every supervisor will actually physically be with an employee when they're performing overtime." [NYS OSC] [TU] [Fox23]
The state inspector general alleges that "a lack of supervisory control" at the ESP "enabled" the creation of the infamous Man Cave. The Office of General Services said it would "take action" against any supervisor who was "derelict in his or her duties and/or contributed to the misconduct." The IG report also alleges that one of the cavers, a cleaning crew chief, discriminated against African-American workers -- his attorney says the claims are false. [NYS IG] [Troy Record] [CapNews9] [TU]
Legislature back for another try at budget fix, demand up at food banks, local venture capitalists criticized for not taking enough risks, the weekend in crime
The state legislature is scheduled to be back in town today for another special budget session. David Paterson continued to sound the alarm about the budget gap, warning of "furloughs, layoffs, borrowing, downgraded credit ratings" and a range of delayed payments (including to state workers). He also has continued to blame the legislature -- especially the state Senate -- being in "denial" about the problem. It seems the legislature's not a huge fan of him, either. [CapNews9] [Daily Politics] [NYDN] [NY Post]
Summations in the Joe Bruno trial are expected to start today. On Friday, Jared Abbruzzese, a longtime Bruno friend and business associate, testified that he had hired Bruno has a consultant for the senator's contacts and "aura." He said the $80k he paid Bruno for a horse was payment to settle a "a moral obligation" for canceled consulting contracts. And Abbruzzese also said Bruno introduced him to Donald Trump, who -- in Abbruzzese's words -- "walked over me." Even though Abbruzzese was the prosecution's last witness, he may have been most helpful to the defense. It was also announced on Friday that Bruno will not be testifying in his own defense. [TU] [TU] [Fox23] [NYDN] [NYT] [TU] [Troy Record]
Kirsten Gillibrand has been calling state senators in an effort to get "yes" votes for the same-sex marriage bill. [Daily Politics]
Food banks and pantries report that demand for help is up this year, especially among people with jobs. [Troy Record] [TU]
Legislature goes home with no budget deal, state worker buyout extended, all sorts of rumors about Rudy, student accused of lighting firecrackers in school cafeteria
The state legislature has gone home -- and there's no deal to fix the budget gap. David Paterson said he and the state Senate are still stuck on proposed cuts for health care and education funding. Some senators are floating a plan that would "spin up" money for this year's budget, which is apparently just another way of saying borrowing from next year's budget. It looks like the legislature will be back on Monday. [NYO] [TU] [Daily Politics] [Susan Arbetter] [NYO]
The Paterson Administration is extending the $20,000 state worker buyout. [TU]
Joe Bruno Trial: A Senate aide testified yesterday that Bruno allocated "member items" (you know, pork) to other senators based on political considerations (this was apparently something akin to actually acknowledging the elephant in the room). NYT has strung together bits of info from the trial that it argues provide "vivid and sometimes captivating detail how easily official duties and private business can overlap for lawmakers in Albany." [TU] [NYT]
One side effect of the Bruno trial: the Senate is apparently now short on computers. [NYO]
The Albany Convention Center Authority released plans and renderings for the facility this morning. [TU]
Movement at the Capitol, executives said they didn't know why they were paying Bruno, woman charged for not getting treatment for her dog, school district denies Whalen's appeal
There was movement on legislation at the Capitol yesterday -- just not on the deficit reduction plan. The Assembly passed -- and the Senate apparently is about to -- a bill that reforms the hundreds of quasi-independent state authorities (such as the Thruway Authority). Richard Brodsky, the assemblyman behind the bill, says the authorities have been "rogue institutions" that resembled "Soviet-style bureaucracies" and called the the bill "the most fundamental reform of Albany in decades." [TU] [NYT] [NYO] [NYDN]
And in a display that the Capitol can move quickly, the Senate passed and David Paterson signed a bill called "Leandra's Law" yesterday (the Assembly passed it on Tuesday) that makes it a felony drive drunk with a child in the car. The law also requires that anyone convicted of DWI to have an interlock device installed in their car. The new rules have been described as the toughest DWI law in the country. [NYT] [CNN] [CapNews9] [Wikipedia] [CBS News]
Not present for the last two days of the special session: Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr, who says he's been in the Bronx distributing turkeys. [NYO]
Joe Bruno Trial Day 12: Prosecutors focused on hundreds of thousands of dollars in consulting fees that a series of telecommunications companies paid Bruno -- even though executives for those companies apparently didn't know why they were paying the senator. It also came to light that Bruno helped steer $500k in state grants to a Troy firm connected to two longtime friends/associates, one of whom apparently had a deal with the company to get paid stock in return for helping to score the money (he says Bruno's consulting wasn't connected to the money). A former attorney for the state Senate also testified that he had a "CYA" file to keep notes of his dealings with Bruno regarding ethics issues. And Judge Gary Sharpe scold of the day: "Let the record show the witness made a disgusted glance." [NYT] [NYDN] [TU] [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23]
Bruno trial focuses on disclosure forms, progress -- or not -- on state budget gap, contractor dies on dredging project, the crow wars continue
Joe Bruno Trial: Much of the testimony yesterday focused on how Bruno's financial disclosure forms had been compiled. Ken Riddett, the former counsel to the Senate majority, testified that state senators were instructed to hand deliver their financial disclosure forms because of "concerns with federal mail fraud statutes." Also: Bruno's former executive assistant continued her testimony yesterday. She recounted the time Bruno sent her to the bank to get a $1000 bill for his wife -- and she says Bruno got "very angry" with her when she returned with ten $100 bills instead. [NYT] [TU] [Troy Record]
What's the state of discussions on how to close the state's budget gap? It depends on whom you ask -- though count David Paterson as one who's not optimistic, calling the situation a "prelude to what will be continued unhappiness." The governor also said he wouldn't rule out state worker furloughs if a deficit deal doesn't come about. [Daily Politics] [TU] [NYO] [NYDN]
Amy Seyboth Tirador, the Colonie soldier who recently died in Iraq, was buried in Saratoga National Cemetery yesterday. About 300 people attended her funeral in Colonie. Military officials in Iraq told the TU via email yesterday that "we do not know if her death was accidental, a suicide or a homicide." Seyboth Tirador's family has said the soldier was shot in the back of the head. During the funeral yesterday her grandfather said, "Whoever did this crime, I hope they rot in hell." [WTEN] [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
Former assistant says she balanced Bruno's checkbook and stole from him, special budget session stumbles, council approves demolition measure, ski resorts hoping to make snow
Joe Bruno Trial: Patricia Stackrow, Bruno's longtime executive assistant, testified yesterday the she "did a lot of his personal business" while working in his state Senate office -- including balancing his check books and shopping. Stackrow also admitted, under immunity from prosecution, that she stole money from Bruno, as she told a grand jury, in "retaliation for the way he treated me at times ... demeaning and very degrading." It is possible Bruno's use of Stackrow as a personal assistant may have violated state ethics laws. Bruno told reporters yesterday the he always wanted to stay a businessman -- "If [the Senate] was full-time, I never would have run in the first place." [NYT] [Fox23] [Troy Record] [TU] [TU] [WTEN]
Yesterday's special budget gap session of the legislature didn't accomplish much. David Paterson and key members of the state Senate continue to be at odds (Carl Kruger, specifically) -- and everyone else kind of seems to be in the dark. And wn what's quickly becoming a tradition, Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr is threatening to go home. Paterson said yesterday he'll continue to call the legislature into special session until there's a deficit reduction deal. [NYT] [TU] [NYDN] [Fox23] [Daily Politics] [AP/WNYT]
Rensselaer County health officials say a county resident has died from H1N1. The person was apparently not in a priority group, nor did she/he have underlying conditions. [TU] [Troy Record]
Troy animal control says a kitten was found last week shot by a BB gun, with a leg broken and left in a trash can. The cat has since died. It's the third case of cat abuse in Troy during the last 1.5 years. [WTEN] [Fox23] [TU]
Leaders hit the brakes on license plate fee, sewer system fix could be very expensive, controversial church returning to protest Albany HS play, "angel" gives $40k to restaurant owners
It looks like the $25 fee for new license plates is dead. David Paterson reiterated on Sunday that he would consider eliminating the fee if the legislature can come up with a way to replace the revenue generated by the new plates. And now legislators in both the Assembly and Senate say they'll work toward repealing the fee. More than 100k people have reportedly signed the "No New Plates" petition organized by the St. Lawrence County clerk. [TU] [Fox23] [AP/Troy Record]
The state legislature is back for another special session today to work on budget cuts. The two groups who appear to be most at odds right now are the Paterson Administration and state Senate Democrats. Senate finance chairman Carl Kruger is vowing to block any cuts to health care and eduction. Kruger is reportedly pushing to raise $1 billion from new taxes on health plans. [Bloomberg] [NYDN] [NYT] [NYDN]
Joe Bruno Trial Day 10: A construction company owner testified on Friday that he hired Bruno as a consultant because, "To get to the top people ... you needed somebody to open the door." Also: a handful of witnesses have testified that aspects of Bruno's private business were being conducted in his Senate offices -- an apparent violation of ethics rules. [TU] [TU]
The big Albany County H1N1 flu shot clinic at the TU Center on Sunday filled only about 2,900 of its 4,500 open appointments. A county official said it looks like many people were able to get a shot at their doctors' offices instead. Sunday's clinic was only open to priority groups, but county officials say they expect to open the flu shot clinics to more people as vaccine supplies increase. [TU] [CBS6] [Troy Record]
Heated exchange between Bruno and judge, guilty pleas in man cave case, Intel settlement could be good for chip fab, Schenectady Armory off the auction block
Joe Bruno Trial Day 9: Judge Gary Sharpe angrily scolded Bruno for making a comment to his attorney after Sharpe allowed prosecutors another chance to question a witness at the end of the day. "For once in your life you don't control something - I do," said the judge. Bruno then reportedly responded with borderline sarcasm, "I understand very clearly what is happening here, Judge, very clearly." The exchange apparently prompted Bruno's team to file for a mistrial this morning -- the motion was denied. Earlier in the day, two top officials for Wright Investors Services testified that Bruno helped them land contracts with 10 labor unions. [Troy Record] [NYDN] [NYT] [Daily Politics] [TU]
Adrian Thomas was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the death of his infant son. He's also been barred from contacting his wife or other children. Thomas' attorney says they'll be filing an appeal. [TU] [Troy Record] [CapNews9]
The two men accused of running the "man cave" in the ESP have pleaded guilty. As part of the plea, one guy is going to jail for a year and the other has to do community service -- and they both have to pay a combined $3,500 in restitution. The state AG's office has also released video of the two men kicking back in the man cave. [Troy Record] [CapNews9] [NYS AG] [TU]
An anonymous donor is offering a $10,000 reward for info leading to the conviction of the person who duct-taped and bagged that beagle in Saratoga County. The dog is now back with its owners, who live about five miles from where the dog was found. [WNYT] [CapNews9] [Post-Star] [TU]
Bruno speaks out about case, dog found duct-taped and bagged, another student mugging in Pine Hills, Albany High production prompted by protests
Joe Bruno called into Talk 1300 yesterday to complain about the federal case against him. During the segment, Bruno said of the federal investigation of him: "I wasn't a terrorist.... I never abused the public trust that people put in me. I never, never used politics to make money. I just didn't do that." Bruno's comments may not go over well with the judge presiding of his case, who has warned both sides in the trial about speaking outside of court -- and just the day before said scolded them in court: "This is not an election campaign." [NYDN] [TU] [TU] [NYT]
About Gary Sharpe, the judge in the Bruno trial: An op-ed in the Troy Record this past weekend questioned whether the judge had a conflict of interest because his son works as a prosecutor in the Albany US Attorney's office -- the same office that's prosecuting Bruno. The head of that office told the NYDN yesterday that Sharpe's son has had no involvement with the case. [Troy Record] [NYDN]
David Paterson said he will pull the $25 fee for the new "EmpireGold" license plates -- if someone can come up with a way to replace the $129 million the fee is projected to contribute to the state budget. [NY Post]
The Paterson Administration projects that increases in the fee that retailers pay to be sellers of tobacco products will reduce the number of tobacco retail outlets by 40 percent. [TU]
A group of hunters in Saratoga County say they found a dog wrapped in duct tape and stuffed in a garbage bag. [WNYT]
Extraordinary legislative session very ordinary, Army still investigating Colonie soldier's death, judge blocks Fort Orange Club demolition, prisoners to make new license plates
Today is Veterans Day.
Yesterday's "extraordinary" session of the state legislature produced rather ordinary results -- there was no agreement on cuts to close the state budget gap and no Senate vote on the same-sex marriage bill. Late yesterday afternoon David Paterson said he will call the legislature back next Monday and Tuesday. He also said the Senate would vote on same-sex marriage "at a date not certain between now and the end of the year." [TU] [NYT] [Daily Politics] [NYO]
Joe Bruno trial Day Seven: the business manager of a Saratoga County plumbers union testified that Bruno recommended Wright Investment Services -- and didn't mention that he was a consultant for the firm. The union also got two state grants, perhaps at Bruno's discretion, around the time it invested $4 million with Wright -- and the timing of those came up yesterday during testimony by state Senator Betty Little. After one of Bruno's attorneys tried to introduce five years of member items as evidence, Judge Gary Sharpe scolded both sides. "This trial has lost its way for a long time. This is not an election campaign," he said. [Troy Record] [TU] [Fox23] [NYT]
The Army says "the facts and circumstances" surrounding the death of Colonie soldier Amy Seyboth Tirador in Iraq are "still under investigation." The military has called Seyboth Tirador's death "non-combat-related" -- her family has been telling the media that she was shot in the back of the head on a base in Kirkush. [TU]
The condition of 12 bridges in the Capital Region -- and 110 upstate bridges in total -- scored lower on state inspections than the now-closed Champlain Bridge, according to an analysis by a group of upstate legislators. There was a rally outside the Capitol yesterday calling for more state funding for upstate bridge maintenance. [TU] [Fox23]
The Troy city council has proposed budgets cuts it says will hold next year's tax increase to 2.2 percent. The slate of cuts includes the elimination of a handful of city jobs, including the commissioner of public works and the mayor's spokesperson. [TU] [Troy Record]
Paterson says state is running out of money, witness says investments were made to gain favor with Bruno, Murphy explains health care vote, Townsend Park makeover
Said David Paterson during his address to a joint session of the state legislature yesterday: "Frankly, we are running out of money." Of his plan to close the budget gap: "I will mortgage my political career on this plan, but I will not mortgage the fate of the State of New York." [TU] [NYO] [Daily Politics]
The legislature is scheduled to take up the budget gap in a special session today, but all the players can't agree on the size of the gap (estimates range from $2.9 billion to $4.1 billion). And Carl Kruger, the chair of the senate finance committee, disputed Paterson's assertion that the state is running out of money, saying: "There are huge pots of money that are available." After meeting with legislature staffers yesterday, Paterson's budget director said he was "more depressed than when I walked in." [TU] [CapNews9] [NYT]
Paterson has also called for same-sex marriage to be on the state Senate's agenda today, though it doesn't looks like that will not happen. By the way: Ruben Diaz Sr, maybe the state Senate's most prominent opponent to same-sex marriage, has two gay brothers and a lesbian granddaugther. [AP/Troy Record] [NYDN] [NYT]
A former union official, who's currently serving prison time, testified yesterday during the Joe Bruno trial that his former boss "felt that the more money we gave to [the investment firm Bruno worked for] the more help we were going to get from Sen. Bruno." (As you would imagine, Bruno's lawyers questioned this witness' credibility.) A state senator also testified that he was not sure he would have recommended that a union invest with Bruno's firm if he had known Bruno was involved. [TU] [Fox23] [Troy Record]
Legislature back today, Tonko and Murphy split on health care vote, the weekend in stabbings, police chase half-naked suspect through Watervliet
The legislature is back this week for at least a few days. Today's schedule includes a joint session this afternoon in which David Paterson will speak about the state budget gap (whatever size it may be). A special session is schedule tomorrow to take up measures to address the gap -- and, maybe for the state Senate to vote on the same-sex marriage bill. [Fox23] [TU] [NYDN] [Daily Politics]
The two local House members split on the health care reform vote his past weekend. Paul Tonko voted "yes" -- in a statement he said the bill will provide coverage to 22,000 people in his district. Scott Murphy voted "no" -- in a statement, he said the bill didn't do enough to curb costs. Murphy was one of 39 Democrats to vote against the bill -- and one of three from New York. [TU] [Paul Tonko] [Scott Murphy] [NYT] [Daily Politics]
The Army has called the death of Colonie solider Amy Seyboth Tirador "a non-combat related incident" in Iraq. But her family says the staff sergeant was shot in the back of the head -- though beyond that, they say the military hasn't given them any more details. [Fort Lewis press release] [CBS6] [Fox23]
Week two of the Joe Bruno trial begins today. On a Friday Leonard Fassler, a longtime associate of Bruno, testified that the senator set up meetings with government officials, including then-Governor Pataki, for companies which were paying him consulting fees. Fassler said the consulting fees were paid to Bruno because he helped Fassler become a "better executive." [CBS6] [TU] [Troy Record]
Paterson calls special session to address budget, Colonie solider dies in Iraq, Schenectady County ranks high for domestic violence reports, more H1N1 vaccine arriving
David Paterson has officially called a special session of the legislature for next Tuesday. Among the issues on the slate for the session: budget cuts to close the $3.2 billion gap and same-sex marriage. Paterson has also called for a joint session on Monday so he can he address the legislature about the budget gap. It sounds like many Senate Democrats won't attend, though -- a "senior official" called the session a "photo op" for Paterson. Neil Breslin says he intends to attend. [NYO [TU] [Daily Politics] [AP/Saratogian] [CapNews9]
Joe Bruno trial Day 4: labor union officials testified that Bruno approached them about using the investment firm for which he consulted to manage their pensions -- but they said there was never an exchange of legislative influence or favors for the business. A TU analysis indicates that unions that did business with Bruno's firm did get grants from the state labor department directly or indirectly through Bruno. [Troy Record] [TU] [TU]
The family of an Army soldier from Colonie says she died in Iraq this week. Amy Seyboth Tirador had been serving as an Arabic-language interpreter. [TU] [WTEN]
It sounds like the Rensselaer County DA's office and the Troy Police Department were not on the same page for the arrest of the suspect in the Second Street homicide. The suspect was released on his own recognizance this week after the DA's office said it wasn't ready for a preliminary hearing. [Troy Record] [Fox23]
Bruno trial Day 3, shouting over post office closures, seasonal flu still on the way, "water celery" snags development plans, school lunches go local
Joe Bruno trial Day 3: a former official with a Connecticut investment firm testified called Bruno an "introducer" and said the senator brought $140 million worth of investments to the firm. And an attorney for the investment group, testifying with an immunity deal, said Bruno relationship with the firm wasn't vetted by the ethics committee because it was "commonplace." Yesterday also included testimony by NY Daily News columnist Bill Hammond and SPAC president Marcia White, who was once Bruno's spokesperson. [TU] [CapNews9] [Fox23]
Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday that his office has filed an anti-trust suit against Intel for allegedly abusing its monopoly power to keep AMD down. Any penalties assessed against Intel could help AMD, which is the biggest customer of GlobalFoundries -- Cuomo says the GloFo chip fab project in Malta had nothing to do with the suit, though. [NYO][NYT][TU]
The man accused of being the shooter in Troy's Second Street homicide was released on his own recognizance yesterday after the Rensselaer County DA's office wasn't ready for a preliminary hearing. [TU]
More than a hundred people showed up for the public info session about the potential closures of the Pine Hills and Delaware Ave post offices. The crowd included Jerry Jennings, and Common Council members Shawn Morris and Cathy Fahey. The exchanges between the crowd and USPS officials apparently got a bit heated at times. [TU] [CapNews9] [Fox23]
First witnesses in Bruno trial, doctors flooded with requests for flu shot, public info meetings on post office closures, Thriller dance cancelled for lack of space
Here's a rundown of notable election results from yesterday. In some of the highest profile races: Jerry Jennings cruised to victory in the Albany mayoral election, Paula Mahan beat Mike Hoblock for Colonie supervisor, Republicans swept the contested seats on the Saratoga Springs city council, Republicans Bob Mirch and Neil Kelleher were both bounced from the Rensselaer County legislature. [AOA] [TU] [TU] [Saratogian] [Troy Record]
The new optical scan voting machines seemed to work out OK yesterday. [TU]
The first witnesses in the Joe Bruno trial took the stand yesterday. The head of an Albany investment firm testified that his consulting payments to Bruno increased after the senator became majority leader -- and that Bruno was responsible for bringing in $400,000 in revenue from labor unions. A former Bruno staff attorney testified that he "was not involved" in Bruno's business ventures, but did say he provided legal advice about agreements between Bruno and clients. [CapNews9] [Fox23] [TU]
Local doctors' offices say they've been deluged with patients calling for the H1N1 vaccine. [TU]
Opening statements in Bruno trial, Aretha Franklin coming to RPI, investigation into Paterson World Series tickets, cops say man was wearing a Breathalyzer costume, naked sprint around the Nott
A jury was selected for Joe Bruno's federal trial yesterday. Each side also delivered its opening statement. The prosecution said Bruno used his influence at the capitol to rake in more than $3 million from clients. Bruno's defense said he's "a hardworking, honest public servant" and the feds had made a mistake. As he entered the courthouse yesterday, Bruno told reporter he had been "looking forward to this day." [CapNews9] [NYT] [Troy Record] [TU] [NYSNYS via Daily Politics]
GlobalFoundries has announced that Hector Ruiz is stepping down as chairman of the board. The WSJ reported in October that the feds had identified Ruiz as the AMD executive who leaked news of the impending formation of GlobalFoundries to a hedge fund last year. The new chairman will be Alan Ross, who had been the CEO of another semi-conductor company. GloFo says Ruiz's exit will have no effect on plans for the Luther Forest chip fab. [NYT] [San Jose Mercury News] [TU] [Saratogian]
The Albany County Department of Health reported its first death associated with the H1N1 flu. The ACDoH says the teen had a "longstanding underlying medical condition." The county health commissioner said the news was not cause for alarm and "the vast majority of individuals" will recover. [TU] [WTEN] [Troy Record] [CapNews9]
The Albany County Department of Health says the death of a county resident has been associated with the contaminated ground beef that was recently recalled. The beef was produced by a company in western New York and distributed throughout the East Coast. Locally, the beef had been available at Price Chopper, which has been contacting people to notify them of the recall. [Fox23] [NYT] [TU] [@ChrisRooney]
Aretha Franklin and Joshua Bell will performing at EMPAC in December as part of a celebration of Shirley Ann Jackson's 10 years at RPI (or, as @supraphonic @timesunion called it yesterday; Shirleystock). The performances will not be open to the general public. (Earlier on AOA: RPI's Jackson tops compensation chart) [RPInsider] [TU] [AP/CBS6]
Bruno trial starts today, homicide in Albany, speculation about connections between deaths in Greenfield, toddler found because of lights on his shoes
Joe Bruno's federal trial starts today. The feds are prosecuting him under a "theft of honest services" statute -- the feds allege that Bruno made more than $3 million in consulting fees from groups who benefited from his influence in state government. The case is expected to shine a light on the many of the gaps in New York State's ethics laws. Apparently some people are saying the case is almost like putting the entire culture of the capitol on trial. Bruno has already spent more than $600k on his defense. [TU] [AP/Saratogian] [TU] [NYT] [AP/Troy Record]
Albany police say a man was killed on Saturday in an Eagle Street apartment just down the block from the Governor's Mansion (map). The APD says there are no suspects, yet. [Fox23] [TU]
Troy police say a man has been arrested and charged for the murder on Second Street two weeks ago. They didn't release info about a motive. Police say information from people in the neighborhood helped lead them to the suspect. [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
The Schenectady city council approved a budget that does not include a tax increase. The originally-proposed budget had included an almost six percent increase. [TU][TU]
New York State's texting-while-driving ban took effect yesterday. [Fox23]
Bone fragments identified, big gang bust in Albany, state of emergency declared over flu, pizza delivery guy fights off attackers
Saratoga County DA James Murphy announced yesterday that a state forensic expert had concluded the skull fragments found near Greenfield belong to Jennifer Hammond, an 18-year-old from Colorado who disappeared in 2003. The ID was made using dental records, though investigators say they're going to follow up with DNA testing. Hammond was last seen at a Milton trailer park while working for a magazine subscription business. The site where the skull fragments were found is about 20 miles from there. [TU] [CapNews9] [WNYT] [Saratogian]
Federal prosecutors say they busted 24 members of one of Albany's most violent gangs yesterday. The roundup included 14 arrests yesterday morning (10 alleged members are already in jail and another investigators are still looking for another man). Law enforcement officials say the gang, known as the Original Gangsta Killers, has been responsible for a string of shootings, assaults, drug dealing and robberies. A federal prosecutor said gang members bragged about the crimes in videos posted online. [TU] [CapNews9] [Fox23] [WTEN]
David Paterson said yesterday during a state leaders' meeting that this year's budget gap is now $3.2 billion -- that's $200 million more than previously announced. A special session of the legislature is set to address the gap November 10, though it doesn't appear Paterson and the state Senate are on the same page. [NYO] [TU]
A report from state comptroller Tom DiNapoli says the state has diverted billions of dollars away from the trust fund responsible maintaining the state's roads and bridges. DiNapoli says the reduced funding may have contributed to the problems with the Champlain Bridge, which was recently closed after an inspection. "I think outrage and anger is certainly appropriate," he said yesterday about the situation. [NYS OSC] [AP/WYT] [NYO] [Reuters]
Investigators hope to pull DNA from bone fragments, big development planned for Troy, Paterson's deadline could be January, police car license plates stolen
Law enforcement officials say they found a jaw bone containing teeth near the site of the skull fragments in Greenfield. The hope is they'll be able to extract DNA evidence from the teeth. Forensic testing is expected to take weeks. Officials say the child-sized skull could be evidence in a handful of missing persons cases -- but they say it's unlikely the fragments belong to Jaliek Rainwalker. [Saratogian] [TU] [CapNews9] [WNYT] [Fox23]
Jerry Jennings has put together an eight member search committee for a new chief of police. The Albany mayor says the panel has no timeline. [CapNews9] [TU]
The union that represents Troy firefighters is using a house fire this past weekend to continue its push for more staffing at the station on Boulton Road (the station near RPI). They say it took crews an extra three minutes to respond to the fire because they were short staffed -- and that delay may have resulted in a firefighter sustaining minor injuries. The union would like to see two more firefighters added to the crew at the station. [Troy Record] [TU] [WTEN] [WNYT]
A developer is proposing a $160 million mixed used project in Troy at Ferry, Congress and Eighth streets (map). [TU]
Human skull fragments in Saratoga County, flu hitting some schools, school board hears Whalen appeal, Rensselaer stations Amtrak's 10th busiest
State police say fragments of a human skull were found in a wooded area in Greenfield (map). They say it appears the skull belonged to a child 10-12 years old. The state police lab will be testing the fragments for DNA. [TU] [Fox23] [Saratogian] [CapNews9]
The Empire Center reports that 1.5 million New Yorkers have moved out of the state since 2000. The one area to show a population gain: the Capital Region. [Empire Center] [CapNews9] [Post-Star]
A spokesman for the state Office of Court Administration says judges are leaving the bench because "they can't make ends meet" on their $136,700 salary. The state's judiciary has been pushing for a pay raise for years. [TU]
Albany police say four men, armed with guns, invaded a house on Washington Ave yesterday (map). Police say the it appears the house was targeted. They say the robbers used zip-ties to tie up seven people in the house. [Fox23] [CapNews9] [TU]
Some Capital Region schools are reporting higher than usual rates of absenteeism because of the flu. Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons cancelled classes yesterday because so many students were sick. [TU] [WTEN]
State running short on cash, bottled water deposit starts soon, plane crashes near Bennington, construction mess at Exit 6
The state Division of Budget says New York State will be operating with a negative cash flow next month -- that is, the state won't be able to cover its expenses with money from its general fund. David Paterson has called a special legislative session on November 10 to address the budget gap -- though it sounds like he and the legislature are not on the same page. [TU] [CapNews9]
The five cent deposit on bottled water will start October 31 after a judge lifted an injunction on the "bigger, better bottle bill." [AP/WNYT]
Joe Bruno continued to profess his innocence after a pre-trial hearing yesterday ahead of the start of his federal trial next week. The judge warned both sides to watch what they say publicly about the case. [TU] [WTEN]
The ongoing political/legal fight over allegations of absentee ballot fraud in Troy reportedly involved shoving at a wake this past weekend. [TU]
Thomas found guilty, guilty plea in 40 year old murder, home sales falling through, upstate teaching jobs in high demand, busy beavers causing trouble
A jury found Adrian Thomas guilty of second-degree murder in the case of his infant son's death. The jury reached the decision Friday afternoon after 25 hours of deliberation. Thomas' stepmother says the verdict was influenced by race -- eleven of the jurors were white and one was African-American. Sentencing is scheduled for November 12. Thomas' attorneys say they will appeal. [Troy Record] [TU] [WTEN] [Fox23] [WNYT] [CBS6]
Nelson Costello, the man accused of killing David Bacon 40 years ago in Waterford, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday. Recordings of phone conversations between Costello and witness apparently helped prompt the plea. Costello's attorney says his client is remorseful and "almost wants to be punished." Costello has apparently agreed to help officials find Bacon's body in Virginia. [TU] [Saratogian] [WTEN] [WNYT]
There's been yet another report of an attempted abduction, this time in Albany (map). [Fox23] [WNYT]
Archaelogists have found the skeleton of an infant at the former grave site turned up during the Delaware Ave reconstruction in Albany. The remains will be re-buried at a cemetery in Glenmont. [CapNews9] [TU]
David Paterson has scheduled a special session of the legislature for November 10 to address the budget gap. He also wants a joint session on November 9. [NYO] [CapNews9]
State flu shot mandate cancelled, charges over ESP man cave, Paterson says Obama Admin cost state $1 billion, a big year for lady bugs
The state Department of Health has rescinded the flu shot mandate for health care workers. The DOH says there isn't enough vaccine to go around and the state would rather see the vax go to at-risk populations (young people, pregnant women). The Paterson Administration said the move was not related to the group of lawsuits filed over the mandate. [TU] [NYT] [NYDN]
The two men accused of being involved with the alleged "man cave" in the ESP have been hit with a bunch of charges that make the cave sound like some sort of stoner's paradise. Both men have pleaded not guilty. The attorney for one of the men said they were "shocked" to face charges over the cave "when there was actually a more publicized and egregious waste of tax money last spring as our state Senate sat around proud doing nothing while Rome burned." [Daily Politics] [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
A special meeting of the Troy city council turned into a bit of display as Democrats refused to show up and people ended up yelling at each other in front of TV cameras. Harry Tutunjian had called the meeting in an attempt to suspend three Democratic appointees accused of being involved with recent case of alleged voter fraud. [Troy Record] [TU]
Two alternate jurors from the Adrian Thomas trial say they would have voted "not guilty." [Fox23]
Official warns that state won't be able to pay bills, flu shot shortage, Troy will get money for homelessness after all, airlift wing headed for Antarctica
The state budget director says the state may not have enough cash to cover all its scheduled payments in mid-December. David Paterson and the legislative leaders met yesterday about covering the $3 billion budget gap, though it doesn't sound like they made much progress. Paterson said that the state is facing an economy that he believes will be "the worst we will see in our lifetime." [TU] [Daily Politics] [WTEN]
There was another mugging in downtown Troy. The TPD says its planning more community meetings about crime after a tip from the one this week lead to a drug bust. [Troy Record] [Fox23]
A judge has denied Save the Pine Bush's request for a restraining order that would have prevented the Albany landfill expanding from proceeding. [TU]
Public clinics and doctors' offices say they're having a tough time getting enough doses of seasonal flu vaccine. Saratoga County had to cancel its upcoming flu shot clinics because it couldn't get sufficient supplies. There have been flu shot shortages all around the US because of increased demand and the need to concurrently manufacture the vax for H1N1. [TU] [Post-Star] [NYT]
Troy police find guns during raid, suit filed over landfill expansion, local company dumps chamber of commerce over climate change legislation, sole tenant leaving Kiernan Plaza
Troy police say they found a shotgun and an assault rifle during raid connected to the investigation of last week's fatal shooting in south Troy. They also arrested a man. But they say the guns weren't used in the crime nor is the man a suspect. [Fox23] [CapNews9] [TU]
Save the Pine Bush is suing the City of Albany and the DEC in attempt to block expansion of the city landfill. A volunteer for the environmental org says the city "needs to adopt a rational solid waste policy that does not include destroying 15 acres of rare Pine Bush ecosystem." [AP/CBS6] [TU]
The judge in Adrian Thomas case has ruled that the jury will not hear testimony from dueling expert witnesses about the possibility of a coerced confession. Closing arguments are scheduled to start today. [Troy Record] [TU]
David Paterson said yesterday that he will be including the soda tax in next year's proposed budget. The Paterson Administration also said same-sex marriage will be on the agenda for next week's planned special legislative session. [WNYC] [NYDN]
Public voices concerns about Troy crime, questions about Paterson's budget cutting plan, supervisor race includes accusations of illiteracy, high demand for flu vaccine
More than a hundred people showed up last night at Troy City Hall for the public forum about a recent streak of crime in the city. Both mayor Harry Tutunjian and police chief Nicholas Kaiser stressed that crime is down for the year. Citizens said they were concerned about gangs in Lansingburgh and a lack of officers walking beats. [Troy Record] [CapNews9] [CBS6] [Fox23]
Saratoga Springs police say they're investigating a report from a Skidmore student that she was nearly assaulted by a taxi driver early Saturday morning. The student says she was able to escape when the cab stopped near campus. The SSPD says it hasn't identified the company that owns the cab. [Saratogian] [Fox23] [TU]
Critics of David Paterson's proposed $3 billion in budget cuts say the list includes a bunch of one-time shots and some questionable assumptions. It appears that Democrats in the Assembly are leaning toward along with Paterson's plan. It doesn't look like the state Senate is all that interested, though. [TU] [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics]
Both Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand released statements yesterday calling for state senator Hiram Monserrate to resign. Gillibrand said Monserrate doesn't leave soon, the state Senate should bounce him. State Senate majority conference leader John Sampson is expected to announce the formation of a committee that will look at what to do about Monserrate. [Daily Politics] [CapNews9] [NYO]
Court halts mandatory flu shots for health workers, stabbing in Glenmont, small pumpkin crop, Paterson-Schwarzenegger friendship
A state Supreme Court judge has issued a temporary halt to the state-mandated flu shots for health care workers. A handful of lawsuits, including one filed by three Albany Med nurses, argue that state Department of Health overstepped its authority in requiring the vaccinations. The state health department says it's "confident that the regulation will be upheld." [NYT] [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [WTEN]
Neil Breslin and a group of other state senators are calling for Hiram Monserrate, recently convicted of misdemeanor assault, to quit -- or get kicked out of the Senate. Breslin said that Monserrate's exit is a necessary step toward the state Senate earning back the public's trust. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
Shop owners and residents near Hackett Middle School in Albany say students have been causing a bunch of problems right after school as they walk through the neighborhood (map). [TU]
Investors with an Albany investment company currently under federal investigation say they raised red flags about the operation more than two years ago. [TU]
Reaction to Paterson's proposed budget cuts, investigators say RPI student's death was homicide, state says it didn't know hotel owner was behind on taxes, Saratoga sued over Taser info
David Paterson has proposed $3 billion in cuts to this year's state budget. He said yesterday that "all of us will have to sacrifice to save the state." Sheldon Silver said Paterson "took the bull by the horns" -- but the governor's proposals were met with skepticism by state senators, and outrage from interest groups. [AOA] [Daily Politics] [NYT] [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics]
The man who was stabbed in Albany's Grand Street neighborhood last week has died -- the city's 8th homicide of the year. [CapNews9]
Private investigators hired by the family of the RPI student found dead of a gun shot in a Troy apartment last year say they have concluded the student was murdered. Troy detectives have said the case was a suicide -- but the private investigators accused the TPD of coming to that conclusion in "a rather imaginative way." [TU] [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
The state's Division of Human Rights has ruled that Saratoga Springs must pay 8 city employees damages of $10k each because the city had not provided sufficient facilities for female employees of the city's police department. The decision prompted squabbling between mayor Scott Johnson and public safety commissioner Ron Kim (who are both running for mayor this year) over who's to blame for the situation. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Saratogian]
State budget widens and Paterson warns of pain, Raucci to get pension even if convicted, Gillibrand pushes repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, goat kidnapped
New York State comptroller Tom DiNapoli now says the state's budget gap could be as big as $4.1 billion. David Paterson has said that he will release a slate of proposed budget cuts that would involve "pain." LG Richard Ravitch, who's helping Paterson with budget issues, says the plan will be "asking every agency in the government to cut back significantly." As bad as things might be this year, apparently the real problem is next year when the federal stimulus money ends. As one anonymous legislator told Liz Benjamin: "Then we're in deep sh*t." [TU] [NYT] [CapNews9] [Daily Politics]
Adrian Thomas, the Troy man charged with causing the death of his infant son, took the stand in his own defense yesterday -- and testified that he had lied during his videotaped interrogation by police. Thomas said he admitted to police that he slammed the child down so he "could go to the hospital and see my son and my wife." [Troy Record] [TU]
The Troy man shot in the head earlier this week has died. It's the third homicide of the year in Troy. The TPD says it's following leads. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Albany police have arrested two men -- one already in prison, the other 18 years old -- for a 2007 murder on Second Street. [TU]
The Lansingburgh High School student suspended for having a pocketknife in his car says he's been contacted by West Point and told the incident won't have any effect on his application to the service academy. [WTEN]
Steven Raucci, the now-retired Schenectady school district employee accused of arson, intimidation and harassment related to his former job, will receive a pension of $79,067 -- even if he's convicted. [TU]
Shooting in Troy, school board revises bike-to-school ban, state's high court hears same-sex marriage cases, state grants millions for Albany hotel redevelopment
Troy police say a man was shot in the head last night in South Troy (map). They say they're looking for a male suspect. The victim was in critical condition last night. [CapNews9] [Troy Record] [CBS6]
An indictment against Chad Rubin, the convicted bank robber accused of plotting to kidnap former Rensselaer County DA Patricia DeAngelis, alleges that the man planned a robbery of the same bank to finance his alleged plot. He's also accused of plotting to kill bank employees and members of the prosecutor's office. An attorney from outside the public defender's office had to be found to represent Rubin because the indictment alleges that he made threats against people in that office, too. The current Rensselaer County DA said yesterday that he thought Rubin probably wouldn't have been able to carry out the alleged plot. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT] [Fox23]
Matthew Whalen, the Lansingburgh High School honors student and Eagle Scout who was suspended for having a pocket knife in an emergency kit in his locked car in the school's parking lot, appeared on Fox News yesterday. The Lansingburgh school superintendent said yesterday that he thought Whalen's 20-day suspension was "appropriate and fair." The district says it has a "zero tolerance" policy on weapons. [WTEN] [FoxNews] [TU] [Troy Record]
The New York Civil Liberties called for the state Department of Health to suspend the requirement that all health care workers get flu shots. The four nurses suing the state over the issue are planning a protest at the Capitol today. The state health commissioner said yesterday that the flu shot mandate is in the interest of patients, communities and health care workers. [NYT] [Troy Record] [WTEN]
The Saratoga Springs school board has revised its ban on biking to school. The new rule allows kids to ride to school, though with a number of qualifications. That didn't go over well with the mother of the boy who's been riding to school in protest of the ban. [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Nurses say they're suing over flu shot requirement, couple accused of abandoning dogs, car registration stickers not sticking, cities try to solve crow problem, fish pedicure ban proposed
Four Albany Med nurses are filing a lawsuit against the state health commissioner over the state's flu shot requirement for health care workers. The nurses say the requirement is a violation of their civil liberties. One of them says they "don't believe in" the vaccine. The nurses could be suspended -- and later fired -- if they don't get the shot. Their attorney says they'll quit if the state doesn't drop the requirement. [TU] [CapNews9] [WNYT] [WTEN] [Troy Record]
An East Greenbush woman says the incident in which a teenager was allegedly thrown onto a bonfire last week is just part of a string of ongoing violence between two rival groups in the town. The mother of the burned teen says the alleged attack was racially motivated. [WTEN] [WTEN]
State police have arrested two people in Rensselaer County for allegedly abandoning their dogs with no food or water in a house. Police accuse the couple of moving to a new house -- and leaving the dogs behind. The dogs were found -- hungry and thirsty -- last week after a neighbor noticed them. Police say the couple had moved out weeks before. Shelter workers say it looks like the dogs will be OK. [Fox23] [CapNews9] [CBS6] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
Two Delmar women are pushing for a Bethlehem town law that would require cat owners to keep their pets in doors. The women say their neighborhood as become overrun with cat poop -- "You can't even walk around the circle without the scent of cat urine and feces knocking you down," says one of them. [TU] [Spotlight]
DA says recent attempted abduction reports not unusual, man accused of throwing person into a fire, police taser man in Schenectady, David Hyde Pierce returns to Saratoga
Despite a recent string of reports, the Schenectady County DA says he doesn't believe there's been an unusual number of attempted abductions. [TU]
The state Department of Transportation says there's been an increase in the number of fender benders on Route 85 in Slingerlands where the roundabouts have been installed -- but fewer accidents involving injuries. The DOT reported a similar trend for the Malta roundabouts last year. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
State Democrats have reportedly given David Paterson until December to turn his poll numbers around ahead of next year's gubernatorial race. [AP/TU]
The state has spent $19k to install hand sanitizer dispensers in state buildings -- including the Capitol -- around Albany. [PolitickerNY]
East Greenbush police say a man threw an 18-year-old into a bonfire during a party early Friday morning. The alleged victim reportedly suffered second degree burns on many parts of his body. The alleged tosser has been charged with first degree assault. [Fox23] [WTEN] [WNYT]
Paterson and legislature fighting over budget proposals, state police confirm investigation into plot against former DA, Gingrich weighs in on Saratoga school bike ban
David Paterson and the state legislature are not fighting over what should be cut from the state budget, but rather over who should propose possible cuts. That job has traditionally fallen to the governor, but Paterson's administration has asked the legislature to submit its budget-cutting plans by next Wednesday. [TU] [Daily Politics]
State legislators are getting an extra $11/day in their Albany per diems. [TU]
State police have confirmed that they've been investigating an alleged plot to kidnap former Rensselaer County DA Trish DeAngelis. Anonymous "sources" say the suspect at the middle of the investigation is an inmate at a state prison in Dutchess County. The alleged plot reportedly came to the notice of authorities two years ago. [WTEN] [TU] [CBS6]
Albany County exec Mike Breslin's proposed budget includes a tax increase of almost 6 percent, along with more than 100 layoffs and the elimination of 130 open jobs. Many of the job cuts would come from the county nursing home, which Breslin has recommended closing. [TU] [CapNews9] [Fox23]
An honors student -- and West Point hopeful -- at Lansingburgh High School says he's been suspended for 20 days after school officials searched his car and found a pocket knife. [WTEN]
Jurors watch video of father's admission, teacher alleges assessment test cheating, reported indictment in alleged plot against former DA, bank moves to foreclose on Cannon Building
Jurors in the trial of Adrian Thomas, the Troy man accused of causing the death of his infant son, watched video of his interrogation yesterday in which he demonstrated how he threw his son down on a bed. The demonstration came after hours of interrogation and a good cop/bad cop routine by Troy police detectives. Thomas' defense is arguing the admission was coerced. [WTEN][TU] [Troy Record]
NYRA has extended next year's Saratoga racing season by four days -- for a total of 40 days. The extended season will include a Grade 1 stakes race that was previously held at Belmont. Saratoga business owners seemed pretty happy about the longer season. [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Downtown Saratoga business owners aren't so happy about the proposed plan for paid parking. [Saratogian]
One of the teachers who alleges that she was being secretly videotaped at an Albany charter school has accused the school of letting students cheat on assessment tests. The executive director of the Brighter Choice foundation, which backs the school, says they're looking into the "serious allegations." [Troy Record] [CapNews9]
Albany police say a 19-year-old was stabbed in the Grand Street neighborhood yesterday afternoon (map). The man was reportedly in critical condition last night. Police say it appears the stabbing was part of a street fight. Neighbors held a peace vigil near the scene of the crime yesterday evening. [CBS6] [CapNews9] [Fox23] [TU]
Paterson order state agencies to cut back, proposed Saratoga budget includes paid parking, natural gas prices down, teachers say they were secretly videotaped
David Paterson has ordered state agencies to cut their non-personnel expenses (travel, equipment, office supplies) by about 11 percent -- a move that his administration says will save the state $500 million. Paterson has been projecting that the state will face a $3 billion budget gap this year. He's been criticized for not setting an overarching lists of cuts -- but the governor says he's letting the legislature "participate in formulating that menu." [NYS DoB] [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
The witness lists for both the prosecution and defense in the Joe Bruno trial include more than 100 names (with a lot of overlap). The lists include current state senators, current and former state officials, legislative staffers and two journalists. [Troy Record] [TU] [NYT]
The budget proposed by Saratoga Springs' finance commissioner includes a 7.8 percent tax increase, 50 job cuts and a plan for paid parking on city streets and lots. [Saratoga Springs] [Fox23] [TU] [Saratogian]
The first batch of H1N1 vaccine arrived in the Capital Region yesterday. Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties have all received limited quantities (in the hundreds of doses). Albany Med received 1000 doses. The focus on flu this year has apparently prompted a lot of interest in flu shots -- and local doctors' offices report that they they're having trouble getting shipments of the regular seasonal flu vaccine. [Daily Gazette $] [Fox23] [Saratogian] [Schenectady County] [CapNews9] [WTEN] [WNYT]
Finger pointed at "chief finger pointer," Luther Forest reportedly beat out Brazil and China, Schumer and Gillibrand hedge on Paterson, microloans in Watervliet
A ceremony commemorating the 180th birthday of President Chester A. Arthur yesterday at his grave in the Albany Rural Cemetery. (Photo: Matt Ryan)
Democrats in Rensselaer County have hit back at allegations of absentee ballot fraud by accusing Republicans of similar electoral wrongdoing. The Dems are focusing their attention of Republican Bob Mirch, who they're calling -- we kid you not -- the "chief finger pointer." [TU] [Troy Record]
Brian Stratton's proposed Schenectady budget includes an almost 6 percent tax increase. Stratton says the city is facing "challenging times," which include big increases in pension and healthcare costs. [TU] [Fox23]
Albany police say a 16-year-old girl reported being temporarily abducted on Second Street yesterday. It's the second reported abduction attempt in the city in a week. [CBS6] [Fox23]
GlobalFoundries chairman Hector Ruiz told the National Press Club that Luther Forest beat out sites in Brazil, China and Russia for the new chip fab. [TU]
Reaction to APD shame sign, man found dead near the Egg, Paterson and Ravitch reportedly at odds, Other Guys shoot wraps, local woman on Jeopardy tonight
A spokesman for the APD says the light-up sign on Central Ave that's set to display the names of people arrested for soliciting prostitute is no different from mug shots appearing in the local news. The spokesman says city attorneys don't foresee any legal issues with the sign. Defense attorneys aren't so sure about that. [CBS6] [WNYT] [Fox23] [TU]
A state Supreme Court judge has thrown out 39 of the allegedly fraudulent Troy absentee ballots. [TU]
A man was found dead Saturday morning at the foot of the ESP wall below the Egg near Lancaster Street. Police say they're investigating, though it appears the man fell. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [WNYT]
GlobalFoundries' "Fab 1" in Dresden, Germany -- which was built by AMD in 1998 -- is now at the center of a cluster that employs 35,000 people. [Saratogian]
Voters testify about alleged ballot fraud, man arrested for shooting dogs, Troy police set trap for suspected muggers, live poultry market opens
A string of Troy residents testified in court yesterday that that their absentee ballot applications contained fraudulent information. And the voters mentioned that a handful of Troy city and Democratic officials had approached them with absentee ballots. A state Supreme Court judge will decide whether the ballots should be tossed from the recent Working Families primary election. [CapNews9] [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU]
The allegations of ballot fraud spilled over into last night's Troy city council meeting. Democrats and Republicans squabbled over a proposed resolution that would suspend two city marshals who have been accused of being involved with the alleged scheme. [CBS6] [Troy Record]
And handful of local municipalities released proposed budgets: Jerry Jennings' Albany budget keeps the tax levy the same, but shifts more of it onto residential tax payers; Harry Tutunjian's proposed Troy budget includes a 4.25 percent property tax increase; the proposed Colonie budget keeps the tax levy the same, but shifts a little more on commercial property owners; Clifton Park's proposed budget uses $900k from its reserve fund to balance the budget. [TU][Troy Record] [TU] [TU]
The Albany County sheriff's department announced yesterday that it had arrested a man for shooting those two dogs in Berne. Police say the man told them he killed the dogs because they were killing his chickens. The man's attorney says the dogs also killed two calves and threatened the man's family. The sheriff's department says the man isn't being charged under Buster's Law because he didn't kill the dogs in a "depraved or sadistic manner." [TU] [WNYT] [CapNews9] [Fox23]
Call for suspensions in alleged Troy ballot fraud, shame shame shame, CDTA exec director named, kangaroo meat prompts fine
Troy Republicans are calling for city employees who might have been involved with the alleged absentee ballot fraud to be suspended. A state Supreme Court judge will hear arguments today about whether some of the ballots should be thrown out. [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
Local officials are waiting for the feds to show up so they can move forward on those caskets found during the reconstruction of Delaware Ave in Albany. The coffins have not been opened -- and their presence there is still a bit of a mystery. [TU] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Saratoga County sheriffs say they've identified the woman found dead floating in a creek just off Saratoga Lake yesterday. A crew team found the body. [CBS6] [WNYT]
A husband and wife from Schenectady have been indicted on federal charges that they were involved with a scheme to launder millions of dollars through a local Hindu temple. [TU]
Mechanicville police allege that a woman was using her five-year-old son's room to dry marijuana. Police say they found pot scattered around the kid's bedding and toys. They say they seized more than three pounds of pot from the operation. [Fox23] [CBS6] [Troy Record]
The Albany Police Department says it will be using a flashing road sign to shame people arrested for buying drugs or soliciting prostitutes on Central Ave. [CBS6]
First H1N1 shots on the way, more concern about mercury near LaFarge, man accused of trying to force snot burger, Troy library district approved, reward increased for dog shooting info
Upstate New York will be getting 100,000 doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine next week. More doses will apparently be on the way later this year. [AP/TU] [Saratogian]
Several hundred healthcare workers were at the Capitol yesterday protesting state regulations requiring them to get a flu shot. They said they're worried about having to serve as "guinea pigs" for the new flu shot against their will. Richard Daines, the state's health commissioner, says the H1N1 vaccine has been prepared the same way as the regular seasonal flu vaccine -- and healthcare worker vaccination is a matter of patient safety. [Troy Record] [CapNews9] [Fox23] [CBS6]
State wildlife pathologist Ward Stone reported yesterday that tests he performed on soil samples from the neighborhoods near the LaFarge cement plant in Ravena indicate elevated levels of mercury. Stone says much of the mercury is from the plant. (Previous studies have reported that the plant is one of the state's biggest emitters of mercury. Erin Brockovich was recently in Ravena on behalf of a law firm to talk with residents about mercury pollution.) Stone did not conduct the study as part of his job with the state -- and the DEC says it will review the results. [CapNews9] [Fox23] [TU] [WNYT] [TU]
Crews working on the Delaware Ave reconstruction project turned up what appears to be five coffins from the 19th century. Archaeologists will be checking out the site today. Jack McEneny says the coffins are probably left over from an old cemetery that was moved in 1910. [Fox23] [CapNews9] [TU]
Schenectady police say a man has been charged with child endangerment after an incident in which he allegedly tried to make his girlfriend's daughter eat a hamburger with his snot on it. [TU]
Special prosecutor appointed for Troy absentee ballot case, Breslin reportedly calls Espada a crook, healthcare workers protest flu shot requirement, brown bats threatened by fungus
A special prosecutor has been appointed to look into the allegations of absentee ballot fraud in Troy. The city housing authority has also locked down the office an employee accused of participating in the alleged scheme, which would have benefited Democrats. Democratic city councilman Clem Campana said yesterday he's "done nothing wrong." And the Rensselaer County Democratic chairman struck back at Republican Bob Mirch, who brought the alleged to scheme light, saying, "Mirch wrote the book on absentee ballot corruption." [Troy Record] [TU] [CapNews9] [WTEN]
Neil Breslin reportedly told a church crowd in Bethlehem this past weekend that Pedro Espada is a "crook" who "should be in jail." He also apparently told the crowd that Espada doesn't actually live in his Bronx district. Breslin has been talking recently about organizing a reform group in the state Senate because he's "embarrassed" by what's gone on in the chamber. [PolitickerNY] [Jay Gallagher] [Daily Politics]
De Von Callicutt, the 19-year-old accused of firing that shot that killed UAlbany student Richard Bailey, showed up in court yesterday without a lawyer. That's the second time his arraignment has been delayed for that reason. Callicutt is already in state prison for a different crime. [TU] [WTEN] [CapNews9]
Schenectady police have arrested a man for last September's Albany St. murder. [TU]
Personal information for 300,000 state and local employees could be at risk because of a security breach at Express Scripts, the company that manages pharmacy benefits for the Empire Plan. Hackers apparently stole the information last year and have been trying to extort the company. Letters notifying people of the breach went out to some local state workers during the past two weeks. [TU] [CNET] [Fox23] [CBS6]
Saratoga Springs' school superintendent says the district may reconsider its ban on elementary and middle school students biking or walking to school. [TU]
Voter fraud alleged in Troy, VFW punishes alleged flag burner with duct-taping, big chunk of downtown Albany for sale, mass Thriller dance planned
Thirty-four people in Troy have filed sworn affidavits alleging that absentee ballots were fraudulently cast in their name during the recent primary election. The ballots were handled by or prepared for officials of the Democratic and Working Family Parties. The Rensselaer County DA is asking for a judge to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate. The affidavits were collected by private investigators working for Republican Bob Mirch, who says he will call for a federal investigation. [Troy Record] [TU] [TU] [CBS6]
Troy police have arrested a suspect for the shooting that hit a man in the head two weeks ago. The victim, who witnesses say had told a group of teens outside his house to quiet down and then was taking pictures of a fight that later broke out, is still in the hospital. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Members of a VFW in Rensselaer County say they duct-taped a man to a flag pole for six hours as punishment after the man allegedly burned the American flag flying at their post. The man reportedly had gotten angry after he was denied a drink at the post's bar. The post's commander says the man was given three options for punishment: being turned into police, a one-on-one fight with a veteran or the duct-taping. [WTEN] [Troy Record] [TU]
Jerry Jennings has proposed using land from the Harriman State Office Campus to allow a buffer zone between the dorm UAlbany wants to build on the east side of its campus and the residential neighborhood next door. Many of the residents of the neighborhood are not happy about the proposed dorm and have been posting developments about the project to a blog. [TU]
Fight over funds for homeless in Troy, Ellis to continue mayoral run, attempted abduction reported in Schenectady, Cohoes goes flashy
A spokesman for Harry Tutunjian says the Troy mayor's move to turn down $845k in federal money aimed at helping the homeless was "politically courageous." The mayor's administration has said the city doesn't have the money necessary to hire someone to administer the funding -- though critics have suggested the move is political payback. [TU] [Troy Record]
It appears that Corey Ellis will continue his Albany mayoral campaign on the Working Families in the general election. Ellis lost the Democratic primary to Jerry Jennings 56-44. [TU]
Leif Engstrom has come out as the winner the Democratic primary for the newly created job of Albany city auditor. There's no general election opponent, so the job is his. [TU]
A Marist poll reports that a majority of New Yorkers don't want David Paterson to run for governor -- but they also would rather not have Barack Obama be the one to push Paterson out. [Marist] [Daily Politics] [PolitickerNY]
In a radio interview yesterday David Paterson basically said that Andrew Cuomo would have bad poll numbers, too, if he were governor right now. [PolitickerNY]
PEF -- one of the two biggest state worker unions -- says it will be lobbying David Paterson to approve more $20k buyouts for its members. [TU]
RPI says it now appears five students have come down with the H1N1 influenza. The school has set up 90 isolation rooms to handle a potential flu outbreak. In an email, the school's medical director said "the number of cases could change very quickly." Sage also reported this week that two of its students have H1N1. [CapNews9] [Troy Record] [RPInsider] [CBS6]
Paterson says he never expected to be Gov, another person arrested for turtle bombing, chief suspended for slur, Schenectady overrun with kingergartners
Yesterday wasn't exactly a day of ringing support for David Paterson. Of Paterson's vow to run for governor in 2010, Sheldon Silver said, "I think, right now, I support him for governor." And at a Capitol leaders meeting, Senate leader John Sampson publicly doubted Paterson's estimate of a $3 billion midyear budget gap by saying his conference "doesn't believe in government by guesswork." Paterson says he'll be calling the legislature back at some point to address the gap. [AP/Troy Record] [PolitickerNY] [TU] [WTEN]
Paterson said yesterday in Syracuse that he never thought he'd be governor: "I did not sign up for this ... I wanted to be lieutenant governor. I had this grand plan that Hillary Clinton was going to become president. Maybe the governor would appoint me to the Senate." But he said he's still planning to run next year -- probably. [NYT] [NYDN]
The Schenectady County legislature has approved a county budget that will cut taxes a little more than two percent. Republicans -- who are in the minority -- criticized the cut as an election year ploy. [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
A group of Albany County legislators is proposing that the county build a new nursing home to replace the current facility. County exec Mike Breslin has been pushing to close the existing home in favor of placing residents in private facilities and in-home care. [TU]
Source says alleged Bailey shooter talked about crime, Paterson says he's still running, big tax increases looming for Saratoga, police say isotopes point to local crime connection
A "person familiar with the investigation" says the alleged shooter in the Richard Bailey murder had been telling a bunch of people about his alleged involvement in the crime -- and that led investigators to him. [TU]
Police say a Saratoga Springs man stabbed his mother multiple times yesterday. A city court judge has ordered a mental health evaluation of the man. Police say neighbors came running to the woman's aid after hearing her scream -- and probably saved her life. [Saratogian ][TU] [Post-Star]
After the drama with Obama on Monday, David Paterson said yesterday: "Clearly I'm running for re-election." [PolitickerNY]
After yesterday's Court of Appeals ruling affirming Richard Ravitch's appointment as lieutenant governor, a top Republican in the legislature says the state's constitution should be changed to address LG succession. Now that Ravitch's job is official, he says "my golf game is going to go to hell in a basket." [CapNews9] [Daily Politics]
Rick Lazio officially declared that he's running for governor -- even Rudy Giuliani jumps in the race. Lazio said yesterday that it's time to "replace state government with a government that this state needs." [Daily Politics] [PolitickerNY]
Filming on that Will Ferrell movie starts in downtown Albany today -- here's a list of street closings and parking restrictions. [AOA] [AOA]
Arrests in Bailey murder, local officials stoked after Obama visit, national attention on Obama and Paterson, road rage blamed in triple stabbing
Albany police announced the arrest of three teens for the murder of UAlbany student Richard Bailey last year in Pine Hills. All three have pleaded not guilty. Police have accused the alleged shooter, who's already in prison on a separate charge, of robbing another person just seven minutes after Bailey's death. Officials wouldn't say what led them to the three suspects, but did say the case came together during the last few months. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [WTEN] [TU] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Said Richard Bailey's father after the arrests: "It was shocking to see how young the individuals were." [TU]
One of the suspects -- King Modest -- was the subject of a Metroland cover story in 2007. [Metroland]
President Obama highlighted the role of education in building the "new generation of American manufacturing" during his speech at Hudson Valley Community College yesterday. He also said Upstate New York has been suffering through a "permanent recession for years." (Full text of the prepared speech.) [TU] [Saratogian] [AOA]
(There's a lot more about the Obama visit after the jump.)
Obama at HVCC today, Bruno not invited, Paterson told to drop out, transcript indicates chief used slur, men accused of blowing up turtle
The scene this morning before the event.
President Obama's appearance at HVCC today is scheduled for 11:30 am. There were no tickets made available to the public. Video from the event will be streamed on HVCC's web site. Update: Lou's posted details about how to get the stream working. [HVCC] [HVCC]
Obama's speech is expected to focus on the economy and industries such as alternative energy. HVCC was likely chosen because the Obama Administration has been touting the potential of community colleges to train workers for these industries. [Troy Record] [TU]
The usual assortment of state and local politicians will be at the Obama event -- including Paul Tonko, who's flying in on Air Force One with the POTUS. [TU] [Fox23]
Not on that list of officials: Joe Bruno, who says the White House told him specifically that he was not invited -- and told WNYT that he's "hurt by it." Bruno's pork prowess helped fund many of the projects Obama will be highlighting. [WNYT] [TU]
The White House has reportedly asked David Paterson to drop out of the 2010 gubernatorial race. Paterson says he's still planning to run. The President is expected to meet with Paterson today during his visit to the Capital Region -- and with gubernatorial candidate state attorney general Andrew Cuomo. [NYT] [AP/Troy Record] [NYDN]
Obama to visit Capital Region, man accused of carjacking in Troy, pilot hailed for emergency landing, he's a LEGO weirdo
President Obama will be speaking about the at HVCC on Monday about the economy. He's expected to highlight the college's role in training workers for high tech jobs. HVCC has a special program set up to train workers for the GlobalFoundries chip fab. There had been rumors Obama would appear at the GloFo site, but apparently time constraints ruled that out. (The president has to make it NYC later that afternoon so he can appear on Letterman.) Apparently Paul Tonko and Scott Murphy have been lobbying for Obama to make a visit here. There are no details on tickets for the event, yet. [TU] [TU] [Troy Record] [Post-Star] [CBS6] [Fox23] [WTEN]
Kirsten Gillibrand is catching criticism for her vote to continue federal funding of ACORN. The org has been in the spotlight after its employees were caught telling people how to cheat the tax and mortgage systems. A pundit says Gillibrand's support of the org is probably intended to help her win votes in New York City. [TU] [NYDN] [Fox23]
In a new Marist poll, 70 percent of respondents said David Paterson was not a viable candidate for governor in 2010. [Daily Politics]
Troy Police say a man fleeing from a thwarted home robbery hijacked a car from a woman at a car wash in Brunswick. A resident of the house where the alleged incident began said he chased the suspect off with a baseball bat. The suspect then allegedly ran to the car wash, told the woman -- who was vacuuming her car -- to get her young son out of the back, and then sped off. Police say they caught him in Troy. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [TU] [CBS6]
Jennings wins Democratic mayoral primary, Joe Bruno takes a turn on the swings, plane headed for Saratoga crashes, dogs found shot
Jerry Jennings topped Corey Ellis in the Albany mayoral Democratic primary with 7,615 to 5,971 (that's 56 percent to 44 percent). At his victory party, Jennings told the crowd he "wasn't going to walk away from this city in a very challenging time." Ellis told supporters that he would "continue to fight for this city" and that "this fight is just beginning." Ellis also said problems at polling sites held down his vote total. [CBS6] [TU] [CapNews9]
In other Albany primary results: Carolyn McLaughlin beat Lenny Ricciuti for Common Council president, Kathy Sheehan won big over incumbent Betty Barnette for treasurer and Leif Engstrom holds a 225 vote lead over Darius Shahinfar for city auditor. [CapNews9] [TU]
The whole list of primary results: Albany County | Rensselaer County | Saratoga County | Schenectady County
As the jury selection process started for his federal trial, Joe Bruno took a turn on the swings at a new playground in Troy that was built with Bruno Bacon. [TU] [CapNews9]
Rumors of Obama visit to the area, Paterson says layoffs on the table, more complaints about student behavior, a big garage sale mistake
It's primary day. Polls are open from noon to 9 pm. If you're not sure where to vote, you can look it up at the State Board of Elections site.
Rumors are swirling that President Obama will make an appearance the site of the GlobalFoundries chip fab project in Malta. A source tells the TU that the Obama Administration is "considering" it. WNYT reports that the Secret Service has been doing advance work. A source tells CBS6 that the White House has been interested in the chip fab and how community colleges are involved in training workers. A spokesman for GloFo told the Post-Star that he didn't know "anything definite." [TU] [WNYT] [CBS6] [Post-Star]
Troy Police say they're still trying to piece together the details of the incident that led to a man getting shot in the head. Neighbors say the man had told the group of teenagers in the street to quiet down before the shooting. One neighbor says the shooting "could have been prevented" because residents called police before it happened. Six teens have been arrested for fighting outside the house. [Troy Record] [TU] [WTEN] [WNYT]
The man police say was the shooter in the Second Street murder last month in Albany says he heard shots at the party and ran away. [TU]
David Paterson said yesterday that "everything is on the table" -- including state worker layoffs and furloughs -- in the discussion about how to close the $2.1 billion midyear budget gap. He's called a leaders meeting to work on the cuts. [PolitickerNY] [Daily Politics]
Man shot in head, mother and son defy bike-to-school ban, state investigating suspicious fires, odd math on state test, ghost cats
Troy police say a man was shot in the head Sunday morning during a fight (map). The man is expected to survive. Police say the man may not have been the target of the shot -- though neighbors say the man, who lived on the street, was fired at for taking pictures of the scrum. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
Albany police have arrested a Troy man for the August 30 Second Street murder. Police say there may have been a confrontation between the two men before the shooting. The APD says witnesses at the party where the shooting occurred were initially reluctant to cooperate with the investigation. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
Schaghticoke fire officials say there was another suspicious fire this weekend. The state is now organizing a task force to investigate a string of 10 suspicious fires around the town. [Fox23] [TU]
A Troy City Hall inter-office memo warns of big tax increases in the city next year if it can't find a way to make budget cuts. [Troy Record]
The Saratoga mother and son who got in trouble for biking to school last spring defied the districts' no-biking-to-school rule by pedaling to the first day of class last week. [Saratogian]
State Senate back to squabbling, gun violence team coming together, Troy shoot and kill dog, seniors say vultures weird them out
Yesterday's state Senate session fizzled as Democrats and Republicans fought over a new system for policing ethics. Democrats blamed Republicans for being obstinate and Republicans said Democrats were trying to design the system to their advantage. [TU] [NYT]
The squabble over ethics reform kept other issues off the Senate plate -- including the bill that would create a residential parking permit system for Albany. [PolitickerNY]
The implementation team for Albany's Gun Violence Task Force is coming together -- both the Common Council and Jerry Jennings announced their picks yesterday. The school district and the police department have yet to announce their selections. [TU] [CapNews9]
Two Schenectady women have been charged after police say they signed a contract to allow a 19-year-old guy to date a 13-year-old girl. [Fox23]
Police say shooting wasn't random, residential parking permits probably won't pass, Erin Brockovich coming to talk about mercury, quarters to depict Battles of Saratoga
Albany police say the shooting death of a man on North Pearl Street this week does not appear to be random. Albany County DA David Soares told residents of the apartment complex where the man was shot that the APD has its "best and the brightest working on this." A resident of the apartment complex said the APD used to have more of a presence in the neighborhood -- and she'd like to see it return. [Fox23] [TU] [Fox23]
In response to this latest shooting -- the fourth in a month -- mayoral candidate Corey Ellis said: "The City of Albany is under seige and we are in crisis." An APD spokesman asserted that the city is safe, though he said "when you have violent crimes that occur of this magnitude it gives you the perception that the streets aren't." [CBS6] [WTEN]
It appears that now-retired former APD chief James Tuffey has landed in a soft spot: BBL Construction -- the city's dominant construction company, whose owner is friends with both Tuffey and Jerry Jennings. [TU]
The state Senate is back in session today and is expected to take up ethics reform. Though it originally was scheduled to be on the slate, it now appears that a residential parking permit law for Albany will not come up. [CapNews9] [PolitickerNY] [TU]
Shooting death in Albany, Bruno says he feels vindicated, sheriff says DWI sweep netted mother with kids, forklift used for robbery
Albany Police say a man was found shot and killed at an apartment complex on North Pearl Street late last night (map). There have now been three shooting deaths in Albany during the last 11 days. [TU] [WNYT]
Prompted by the recent spike in violent crime, three Albany Common Council members -- including mayoral candidate Corey Ellis -- called on the city yesterday to implement the recommendations of the Gun Violence Task Force, which issued its final report in January. Jerry Jennings said yesterday that he was tired of people "politicizing the tragedies we are having in the city." [TU] [CapNews9]
While Andrew Cuomo's investigation of the State Police (pdf) did not find evidence of special political unit, the AG's office says it found "several troubling situations in which, at the highest levels of the State Police, political considerations played an improper and determinative role." In a letter, David Paterson said he was concerned about "troubling politicization of certain actions and decisions that occurred at highest levels of the State Police." This investigation grew out of the "Troopergate" scandal -- in which Joe Bruno accused the Spitzer Administration of using state police to spy on him. Bruno said yesterday that the report makes him feel "totally vindicated." [NYS AG] [TU] [NYT] [CapNews9]
The state Committee on Open Government has concluded that the Schenectady School District should have released the entire report produced by its Steven Raucci investigation. [Daily Gazette $]
Teen shot while riding bike, council president candidate accused of sexual harassment, attendance down slightly at Track, demolition begins on Wellington
Police say a teenager was shot in the leg as he rode his bike through Albany's West Hill neighborhood on Saturday (map). Police say they don't have a suspect. [TU] [Fox23]
Lenny Ricchiuti -- head of the Albany Police Athletic League and a candidate for Common Council president -- has been accused of sexual harassment by a former PAL employee. Ricchiuti is running against Carolyn McLaughlin for the Common Council presidency. [TU] [TU]
The Bethlehem police officer who's accused the town's police chief of using a racial slur has had his service weapons taken away -- the town cited the officer's "emotional state.". [TU]
Critics of Albany's charter schools say the schools score better on state tests because they have lower numbers of special education students. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo is expected to announce that his office has not found any evidence that a special unit of the state police had been assembled to gather information about politicians. The issue rose out of the "Troopergate" dispute between Joe Bruno and Eliot Spitzer. [NYT] [AP/Troy Record]
Police say Albany shooting was accidental, Paterson says same-sex marriage bill will come up, more controversy for Tuffey, royalty coming to Albany
Police say the teen shot and killed Wednesday night in Albany appears to have been the victim of an accidental shooting. A teen -- a relative of the victim -- has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. [TU] [CapNews9]
Charlie Mueller is trying to rally support for the Albany Gun Buyback. [Fox23]
New York State comptroller Tom DiNapoli says municipalities' will have to chip in more to the state's pension funds because of stock market losses. For example, the City of Albany's contribution is expected to increase $4.5 million. Many municipalities will probably have to raise taxes to cover the increase. The current situation is inverse of a decade ago when the rising stock market reduced towns' contributions significantly. [NYS Comptroller] [TU] [Troy Record]
Scott Murphy says he would not vote for the current version of the health care reform bill that's before the House -- but might with a few changes. Earlier this week MoveOn was leaning on Murphy to support a "public option" in the bill -- and now the National Republican Congressional Committee is robo-calling his district to attack that provision. [Post-Star] [PolitickerNY]
David Paterson say he anticipates that the same-sex marriage bill come up when/if he calls the legislature back for a special session to address the budget gap. [The Advocate via Daily Politics]
Shooting in Albany, Jennings and Ellis debate, rolling billboard targets police chief, snakeheads!
Jerry Jennings and Corey Ellis just before the start of last night's debate
Police say a 19-year-old man was shot and killed last night in Albany's Delaware Ave neighborhood, just a few blocks from the Spectrum (map). There weren't a lot of details -- the APD was canvassing the neighborhood for info. The police say they're not even sure the man was shot at the location he was found. The shooting pushes Albany's murder count to six this year. Update: Police now say the shooting appears to have been an accident. [TU] [CapNews9] [CBS6] [WNYT]
Jerry Jennings and Corey Ellis debated last night in front of an overflow crowd at the Albany Public Library's main branch. Jennings said his top priority is the city's children and economic development -- Ellis said transparency and public safety. The exchanges were mostly calm. One exception: Jennings got a little stirred up when Ellis said he had been ignoring the city's gang problem. There was only one mention, by Ellis, of retiring police chief James Tuffey. The candidates answered a wide range of questions that had been written on notecards by the audience before the debate -- a format that didn't allow follow-up questions. [CapNews9] [Fox23] [TU] [AOA was also there]
For a quick read through of the debate, here's the stream of live tweets from AOA and the TU. Also, CBS6 has posted video, helpfully broken down by issue.
At last night's Schenectady school board meeting, the board president briefly addressed the now infamous graduation kegger, saying it demonstrated "a lack of parental boundaries." James Casino, the board member shown taking a Jager shot from an ice luge in one photo, was not at the meeting. [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
Speculation about Tuffey's resignation, state Ed Department looking into kegger, Bethlehem cops go weeding, new row houses planned for Center Square
Speculation continues about the departure of Albany police chief James Tuffey. His retirement announcement -- by many accounts sudden -- came after a group of department commanders retained legal counsel and told city hall they would not deny a incident in which Tuffey is accused of using a racial slur. Mayor Jerry Jennings says he did not ask Tuffey to resign. The union that represents Albany police officers is saying that the resignation was forced with the help of the department's command staff -- and is accusing the city of using Tuffey's departure to stall contract negotiations with the union. [TU] [CapNews9] [WNYT] [Fox23] [Troy Record]
Jennings says there will be a "national search" for a candidate to replace Tuffey. Because of a charter change in 2007, the Common Council will have veto power over the mayor's choice for the position. Common Council president Shawn Morris says she wants Jennings to talk with the council about criteria for the candidate search. Citing Jennings' five other picks for chief, Morris said, "It's time to broaden the search." [CapNews9] [TU] [CBS6] [CBS6]
The New York State Education Department now says it will be looking into photos that popped up on Facebook of a Schenectady school board member and his wife -- a teacher -- at a kegger celebrating their son's high school graduation. Schenectady's schools superintendent says the district is "looking at [the situation] internally." [WTEN] [Upstream] [TU]
School board member party photos draw interest from police, DMV fees going up, Albany FreeNet expanding, cutbacks come to David Paterson's face
The Schenectady County DA says police will be looking into photos (originally posted on Facebook) that show a Schenectady school board member and his wife -- who's a teacher -- drinking from a Jagermeister luge and doing a keg stand at their son's high school graduation party. [TU] [WTEN] [Daily Gazette $]
DMV fees go up today -- the cost of renewing a driver's license is going up $14.50. Next year, car registrations will require a new license plate ($25) -- and keeping the same license number will cost an extra $20. Jim Tedisco called the higher fees a tax increase. Rensselaer County's clerk said the state legislature is treating the DMV like "a cash cow." [TU] [Saratogian] [WNYT] [CapNews9]
David Paterson and other state officials were at a middle school in Albany yesterday to raise awareness about prep for flu season. Officials say the recently emerged H1N1 flu is likely to flare up in schools. Local school districts and colleges say they're getting the word out about preventive measures to parents and students. [CapNews9] [Fox23] [TU]
A state comptroller's report indicates that county sales tax receipts in the Capital Region are down more than six percent this year. In Saratoga County, which the report indicates is down 12 percent, officials said the numbers seemed off the mark. [NYS Comptroller] [Saratogian]
Second murder in Albany this month, Summer Bird wins Travers, hospital employees required to get flu shots, party invitation causes kerfuffle
The scene outside 327 Second Street in Albany, where police say a man was shot and killed this past weekend during a party. (Photo by Paul Esmond)
Albany police say a Troy man was shot and killed in a basement apartment in West Hill early Sunday morning (map). There apparently had been a party at the house. Police say they don't have suspects or a motive, yet. It was the fifth murder in Albany this year. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23 [WNYT]
Police have arrested another suspect in this month's Western Ave murder in Albany. This second suspect, who's been charged with second degree murder, just turned 16. [WNYT] [TU]
Summer Bird won the Travers by 3.5 lengths on Saturday. The horse also won the Belmont and is the son of Marylou Whitney's Birdstone, who also won the Belmont and Travers in 2004. Rain kept attendance to 34,221 -- the smallest crowd in 30 years. Among those in attendance: David Paterson. [CapNews9] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [CapNews9]
Backstretch workers at The Track still haven't seen most of the money a state investigation concluded is owed to them by horse trainers. [TU]
Schenectady High "persistently dangerous" again, Ellis says people don't feel safe in Albany, state texting while driving ban signed, parking permits for Troy?, Paterson finds catharsis and a milkshake
Schenectady High School made the the state Department of Education's list of "persistently dangerous" schools for the second straight year. Superintendent Eric Ely says the district didn't ask to have the school removed from the list because "We're not happy with what we're seeing." Ely also Schenectady is reporting all of its incidents to the state -- he said other districts are not doing that. [NYSED] [TU] [Fox23]
Former state Supreme Court judge Thomas Spargo, whose chambers were in Albany, was convicted yesterday of trying to shake down attorneys with cases before him. The prosecution alleged that Spargo was soliciting the bribes so that he could pay for his defense in an ethics investigation. Spargo was booted from the bench in 2006. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
Saratoga Springs police say two people were arrested yesterday after it appears that one of them accidentally shot himself at the Adelphi Hotel in downtown Saratoga. The woman staying with him, who's from New Jersey, was charged with felony weapon possession because she doesn't have a permit for New York. The cops say they were tipped off when the man, who's been charged with reckless endangerment, showed up Saratoga Hospital and wouldn't say how he'd gotten the wound in his leg. [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Albany mayoral candidate Corey Ellis said yesterday during a campaign appearance that there "far too many violent crimes in this city, and that too many people don't feel safe in their neighborhoods." Jerry Jennings' campaign has been touting statistics that indicate crime has been dropping in the city. [Ellis press release] [TU]
Jennings held a campaign fund raiser at Michael Bloomberg's home in Manhattan earlier this month. [TU]
State AG's office investigating Espada, man pleads guilty to killing son, CDTA trimming routes, Mine That Bird out of Travers
Andrew Cuomo's office is investigating whether Pedro Espada was something less than forthcoming when filling out a form for a $3 million state grant for his Bronx health care org. [TU]
David Paterson signed a bill that makes it illegal in most cases to shackle a prison inmate during childbirth. [AP/CBS6]
Glenn Vosburgh, the Coeymans man accused of killing his son last spring, pleaded guilty to manslaughter yesterday in a deal that will send him to prison for 19 years. Vosburgh said he was intoxicated when he shot his son in the back. [TU] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Last night's Schenectady school board meeting included pointed criticism from the crowd as Linda Bellick, who lost in the last board election, was appointed to fill a recently vacated spot. Bellick's remarks during the meeting were stopped by the district's attorney after Bellick started talking about the not-publicly-released Steven Raucci report. [WNYT] [TU]
Health care forum raises blood pressure, arrest in Albany murder, plan proposed for Troy Proctors, Green Island Bridge up and down today
About 1,500 people showed up for Paul Tonko's health care bill public forum last night in Bethlehem. Both supporters and opponents of the Obama Administration's health care reform plan were there -- and it led to some heated exchanges. When one speaker asked Tonko about where Congress gets the authority to pass health care reforms, Tonko pulled out a pocket constitution and started reading from Article I. [TU] [CapNews9] [Lydia Kulbida] [WNYT]
Schenectady police say a man was shot three times on Park Place last night -- just a few blocks from Union College (map). The shooting appeared to be the result of some sort of argument. No arrests have been made. [Fox23] [CBS6] [WNYT]
Albany police have made an arrest in the Western Ave murder earlier this month. Police say the shooting was part of a robbery. The suspect told police he didn't pull the trigger, but he says he saw who did. [CapNews9] [TU]
The Court of Appeals, New York's highest court, will take up the dispute over Richard Ravtich's appointment as lieutenant governor next month. [CapNews9]
Rudy leaning toward run for governor, attorney accused of ripping off clients, Giants could be leaving for good, Rachel Alexandra will race at Saratoga, fire truck for sale
People "close" to Rudy Giuliani say the former NYC mayor is leaning toward a run for governor. Giuliani has apparently told "associates" that he'll make up his mind within the next two months. Giuliani trails Andrew Cuomo 53-40 in a hypothetical gubernatorial matchup, according to the latest Siena poll. [NYDN] [NYT] [AOA]
The head of the state Republican Party is stepping down. Giuliani apparently was one of the people who pushed him out, which is another reason observers think Rudy is planning a run for governor. [Daily Politics] [NYT]
The federal Department of Justice says New York State's four juvenile prisons routinely use excessive force on their residents. That approach has led to an "alarming" number of injuries, according to the DOJ report. [NYT] [TU]
A Saratoga Springs attorney was arrested yesterday on charges that he ripped off more than $400k from clients. Police say he took the money as part of two real estate transactions. The attorney has pled not guilty. [TU] [Saratogian] [Fox23]
A Colonie lawyer says he was fired from his job with state Senate Democrats after decided to run for town justice on the Republican ticket. [TU]
Shooting in uptown Albany, Paterson lashes out at media, concerns about pollution at Cohoes factory, GloFo tapping local firms
Albany police say man was shot outside his apartment on Manning Blvd in uptown Albany last night (map). The man reportedly was sitting in car when he took multiple shots in his upper body. A neighbor drove him to the hospital. The APD says it hasn't identified a motive. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
The Albany cop car involved in last week's crash that killed a man in a civilian car on Madison Ave did not have an installed video camera. In fact, none of the APD's cars have cameras even though chief James Tuffey said more than a year ago that the squad's fleet would be getting them. [TU]
The median price for single family homes in the Capital Region was down 10 percent in July compared to the same month last year (median prices are down 5 percent for the year). The number of closed sales was about the same, though. That has real estate agents speculating that the market has reached its bottom. [GCAR] [TU]
David Paterson said on Friday that media has treated his administration unfairly because of his ethnicity. Later in the day Paterson said he hadn't accused the media of being racist, but rather said "certain media outlets have engaged in coverage that exploits racial stereotypes." In his original comments, Paterson the press would next go after Barack Obama for the same reason -- and apparently that assertion didn't go over well with the White House. [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics] [NY Post]
A Democratic state senator from Staten Island says David Paterson's impaired vision is making it hard for him to be an effective governor. [SI Advance]
Jennings and Ellis spar over vacant buildings, state Senate paying lease on empty offices, Joe Bruno still alive, socialite's tiny dogs on display
Jerry Jennings and mayoral candidate Corey Ellis went back and forth yesterday over vacant buildings and the city's plan to paint boarded up windows to look like real windows. At a press conference on Henry Johnson, Jennings said the painted boards will help deter crime. At his own presser nearby, Ellis said "There's not enough paint in this city to solve these problems." [TU] [WNYT] [CitizenAction YouTube via PolitickerNY]
A former state Senate employee has alleged that David Paterson was having an affair with a staffer while he was lieutenant governor. That prompted a lawyer for the alleged mistress to call the former staffer "a lying weasel." [NYT]
The state Senate is paying $1.5 million on a lease for empty office space near the Capitol. [TU]
The Schenectady Free Health Clinic is on the verge of closing after its state funding didn't get renewed. [TU]
Saratoga public safety commissioner -- and mayoral candidate -- Ron Kim says the Saratogian has been too lax in allowing what he calls racist comments to be posted on its web site. (Kim is part Korean and apparently some of the comments make references to him being like Kim Jong Il). The Saratogian says Kim didn't report the offensive comments to the paper. [TU] [Saratogian]
Espada's son resigning from Senate job, sheriff's deputy arrested, council members got ghost tickets, Novella says she's changed, Skidmore's rep up in smoke
Pedro Espada says his son will be resigning the $120k/year state Senate job that was created for him. The resignation comes after Andrew Cuomo's office said it was looking into whether the hiring violated state ethics laws. It also came out yesterday that Pedro the Younger apparently had not been showing up for his new job. Big Pedro said last night the resignation was "appropriate," though he continued to insist the hiring had not been nepotism. [TU] [NYT] [NY Post] [Daily Politics]
Also among the state Senate Democrats' recent hires: a former member of the governor's staff who was let go after the state Inspector General's office described him as "immature," "irresponsible" and "ill-suited." [TU]
A Saratoga County Sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday night after a woman accused him of forcing her into a sex act with him. The sheriff's department says the deputy was on duty in his uniform -- and the woman in his patrol car -- when the alleged act occurred (the Gazette says it was oral). The deputy and woman apparently already knew each other. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
Colonie supervisor Paula Mahan says the town's $19.5 million deficit has almost been cut in half. The special one-time deficit reduction tax accounted for $5.5 million. Mike Hoblock, Mahan's Republican opponent for the supervisor position, questioned whether the town was really that far in the hole to start. [CBS6] [CapNews9] [TU]
Dredging starts up again, Espada says no quid pro quo for son's job, rally for post office, horse prices up at Saratoga sale
The Hudson River PCB dredging project has started up again. Officials say they'll be working slowly in an attempt to prevent PCB levels from spiking. The PCB spikes have prompted some "told you so" from dredging opponents. [NYT] [TU] [CapNews9]
The Schenectady County legislature has voted to ban BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups. Albany County passed a similar ban earlier this week. [TU]
Pedro Espada said yesterday that the $120k/year state Senate job created for his son (Pedro G. Espada) is "not the result of a quid pro quo or a contingency to my ending the Senate stalemate." An unnamed state Senate Democrat called the younger Espada "lazy and not so smart." Big Pedro, who's know the Senate majority leader, apparently tried to hire his son directly, but ethics rules prohibit senators hiring family members. [PolitickerNY] [NY Post] [TU]
New York State will be giving people on welfare $200/child to help with back-to-school costs. A total of 800,000 kids will get grants. The cash comes from federal stimulus money snagged with the help of $35 million from George Soros. Dean Skelos called the plan "ripe for fraud and abuse." [CapNews9] [Fox23] [AP/Troy Record]
The number of new homes being constructed in the Capital Region is way down -- because of the economy, but maybe also because of changing buyer preferences. [TU]
Albany County closer to requiring menu calorie counts, state facing huge infrastructure costs, call for community policing, new state tax credit for home buyers, Dubai ruler sheiks up yearling sale
The Albany County legislature has passed a law requiring that chain restaurants post calorie counts on menus. If county exec Mike Breslin signs the bill, it would take effect next February. New York City already has such a law. [TU] [CapNews9] [CBS6]
The Albany County legislature also passed a bill that bans Bisphenol A (BPA) from baby bottles and sippy cups. [Troy Record]
The state comptroller says New York is facing $250 billion in infrastructure repair costs over the next two decades -- and where all the money will come from is unclear (controller's office report). [CBS6]
State Senate majority Democrats have created a $120k/year job for Pedro Espada's son. [NY Mag]
Scott Murphy has been holding "Congress on Your Corner" meetings with constituents around his district to talk about health care reform -- he was in Saratoga and Rensselaer counties yesterday. Murphy says he's in favor of a health insurance mandate. [CapNews9] [Post-Star]
Hoping to make use of David Paterson's low poll numbers, national Republicans have been referring to Kirsten Gillibrand as "Paterson-appointee Kirsten Gillibrand." [NYT]
Murder in Albany, Schenectady cops could get tasers, Hudson river dredging stopped again, Cohoes considers closing barn door
Albany police say a man was shot and killed in his apartment on Western Ave Sunday morning. They say they don't have a suspect, but it appears that shooter was someone the man knew. The location of this shooting, 158 Western Ave, is less than half-a-mile from where UAlbany student Richard Bailey was shot last year. [CBS6] [TU] [Google Maps]
Among the details from the state auditor's Albany ghost ticket report: a former Albany cop was put on the VIP list after he complained about getting tickets while working at his job at the state Education Department -- he then racked up 573 no-fine tickets. Jerry Jennings released a statement Friday that said his administration would be working with the Common Council to "quickly adopt a corrective action plan" for the city's parking ticket system. Said mayoral candidate Corey Ellis in statement released Friday: ""This report clearly shows that Mayor Jennings' administration is incapable of properly managing the issuance and collection of parking fines, a system that should be simple and straightforward." [AOA] [TU] [CapNews9] [Ellis press release not online]
Schenectady police chief Mark Chaires says he pushing for the department's officers to get tasers. The family of the man shot and killed by the SPD last week questioned why a non-lethal measure wasn't used in that situation. [TU] [CapNews9]
The state announced it will be building a new $40 million food safety lab at the Harriman State Office Campus. Where that leaves the plan to turn the campus over to private development is apparently anyone's guess. [Troy Record] [TU]
Authorities say alleged kidnapper knew gang members, Paterson hires friend despite hiring freeze, USPS says closure list is A STUDY, Unhappy Meals distributed
Authorities say the man accused of kidnapping a woman in downtown Saratoga Springs recently did know the two alleged Salvadoran gang members arrested this week. The Saratoga DA is asking people to take photos of unusual graffiti and send them to police so the tags can be investigated for connections to gangs. [Saratogian] [Saratogian]
Colonie's town council has approved a measure that would limit the number of sex offenders who can reside in a single hotel or motel. Leaders were concerned that a strip of motels along Central Ave had become a hot spot for sex offenders -- one motel reportedly has 25 sex offenders staying at it. [CapNews9] [CBS6]
David Paterson signed an executive order that sets a state goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels. New York's current level is 290 million tons -- 23 million tons more than in 1990. [TU] [AP/Saratogian]
Despite a state freeze on hiring, David Paterson added a longtime friend -- and fellow club partier -- to a $88k job in a state office in DC. The woman was reportedly "imposed" on the office. [NYDN] [NYP]
GE officially announces new plant in Schenectady, Ellis calls for review of ambulance service, feds say Central American gang members picked up, toward nanobioscience
GE has officially announced that it will be building a new battery plant at the GE Energy campus off Erie Blvd in Schenectady. The plant is expected to cost $100 million and create 350 jobs. GE is getting a package of grants and incentives worth $20 million from New York State and Schenectady Metroplex. The plant will make batteries based on technology developed at the company's research center in Niskayuna. [Daily Gazette $] [CapNews9] [TU] [Fox23]
Albany police detective George McNally pleaded guilty yesterday to drunk driving and reckless driving. McNally careened through Albany and Delmar after leaving a bar on New Scotland Ave this past January. As part of the plea deal, he'll pay a fine, do community service, and his license will be revoked -- though he'll be able to drive for work. [TU] [CapNews9]
Albany mayoral candidate Corey Ellis has called for a review of ambulance service in the city. Ellis says the review is necessary because of Mohawk Ambulance's delay in arriving at the scene of the fatal crash involving a kid on a bike and a car. Jerry Jennings accused Ellis of politicizing the tragedy. [Ellis press release not online] [TU]
The state Senate will be back in session today for what's expected to be a short, "very vanilla" session. [TU]
Friend says man killed by police suffered from mental illness, unease over state worker buyouts, judge pleads guilty to DWAI, big year for apples
A family friend says the man shot and killed by Schenectady police this past weekend suffered from mental illness. The man's brother says the SPD should have used non-lethal force. [Daily Gazette $] [CapNews9]
Workers at GE Energy in Schenectady approved a new contract with the company that includes no layoffs for two years -- and clears the way for a new battery factory that could add 350 jobs. In return, the union is forgoing cost of living raises for the next two years. [WNYT] [CapNews9] [TU]
The Hudson River dredging project has started up again after tests indicated that PCB levels in the water had dropped below the set limit. The EPA is blaming fast-moving currents for the spike. Officials from some downstream communities say the EPA was slow to notify them of the test results. [Troy Record] [TU] [Post-Star]
New York State has finally paid the property taxes it owed on The Track -- almost $478k. The payment was six months late. Apparently the state is exempt from having to pay late fees. The state started paying property taxes on The Track after it took ownership of the property from NYRA. [Daily Gazette $] [Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star]
Lack of information about the $20k retirement buyout is upsetting state workers. [TU]
Council report on ghost tickets released, CDTA bus catches fire, RPI frat buying church, torched car rolls down street, blame the trough
The Albany Common Council released the report about its ghost ticket investigation -- it concludes the police union was out of line when it started the bullseye ticket system and also criticizes the city treasurer's office. [TU] [Fox23]
Police are investigating a car explosion that killed a man in Schenectady over the weekend. The man's family says the car blew up a few hours after the man had reported a drug deal to police. [TU] [CBS6]
Schenectady police have identified the man shot and killed by a police officer on Saturday after he allegedly threatened people with a knife. The SPD says it's reviewing the shooting and the Schenectady County DA says the case will eventually be presented to a grand jury. The incident was apparently captured on a patrol car's video camera. [Fox23] [TU] [Daily Gazette $]
The Hudson River dredging project has been paused again because of fast-moving currents and a spike in PCB levels over the EPA's limit. [Troy Record]
Albany mayoral candidate Valerie Faust has been bounced from the Democratic primary ballot for not having enough valid signatures. Supporters of Corey Ellis challenged the signatures. Faust called the challenge "low-down dirty" and vowed to contest the ruling in court. [Fox23] [CapNews9] [TU]
A CDTA bus caught fire on I-90 yesterday evening between Everett Road and Corporate Woods -- the bus was not carrying passengers. (Pictures and video) [CapNews9] [WNYT]
Man shot to death by Schenectady police, no more Bruno bacon, conflict over dredging dump site, artist accused of stealing his own paintings
Schenectady police say an officer shot and killed a man wielding a butcher knife Saturday afternoon. Schenectady's public safety commissioner says the man moved quickly toward the officer -- and there's "nothing that indicates" the officer did not comply with department's laws and regulations. The Schenectady County DA's office says it will investigate. The officer who fired on the man had been shot in the line of duty ten years ago. Saturday's shooting was the first by an officer in Schenectady since 2002. [Daily Gazette] [CapNews9] [CBS6] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A state panel has concluded that the City of Albany's refusal to release "fixed" parking tickets could be a violation of state law. [TU]
With Joe Bruno no longer sending this bacon this way, the Capital Region's haul of state Senate pork is down 76 percent. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo has apparently "begun to embrace the possibility of a run for governor." [NYT]
It sounds like Carolyn Maloney is now leaning against challenging Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate Democratic primary. [Politico]
Another gap in the state budget, foreclosure rates stay low, authority moves to buy Albany's oldest building, big plans for bus rapid transit
The state Division of Budget is projecting that New York will be short $2.1 billion during this fiscal year. The reason: less-than-expected revenues from both income and sales taxes. The projected gap will probably bring the legislature back into session in September. [NYS DoB] [NYT] [TU]
A state appeals court has ruled that Richard Ravitch can serve as lieutenant governor until the legality of his appointment is argued in court August 18. One catch: he's not allowed to preside over the state Senate or cast tie-breaking votes in the chamber. Ravitch says he been working on budget issues in the administration. [Daily Politics] [Biz Review] [Fox23]
A handful of state governors will be in Saratoga this weekend for eating, drinking, horse racing and partying a conference hosted by David Paterson. [Daily Politics]
Albany police say a man -- dressed as a woman -- stabbed a stylist at a salon on North Lake in yesterday. Police say the man then ran off with the woman's purse before being arrested. [CapNews9] [CBS6]
Anger over accident that killed child, Albany County budget gap grows, DA says alleged kidnapper had forged passport, Guilderland horse wins race
Troy police say they're investigating the accident that killed a five-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon -- but they're already saying the detective driving the unmarked police vehicle was not speeding. The boy's family isn't so sure -- and says it's waiting for an apology. The president of the Troy police union questioned why the child was crossing the street alone. [CapNews9] [Fox23] [Troy Record] [TU]
Severe thunderstorms dropped as much as 4.5 inches of rain on parts of Columbia and Green counties yesterday, causing flooding which led to road closures. States of emergency were declared in Kinderhook, Stuvesant and New Lebanon. Rail service to-and-from NYC has been suspended until at least noon. [TU] [CBS6] [WNYT] [CBS6]
Attendance -- and the amount bet -- at The Track were both up yesterday compared to last year's opening day. The totals fell short of 2007 numbers, though. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Albany County is facing a budget gap of $19 million, according to a letter sent out by county exec Mike Breslin. [TU]
Opening day at The Track, child dies after being hit by police vehicle, bill would allow supermarket wine sales, Schenectady could turn down money for cops, tanker spills milk on I-90
It's opening day at The Track. Racing starts at 1 pm.
The state Department of Labor says it will be continuing to scrutinize whether trainers are paying overtime and minimum wage to backstretch workers. An investigation the agency conducted last year found that adequate records were not being kept and many workers were not getting full compensation. [Fox23] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Many businesses in Saratoga are pulling for a strong track season -- the city's finance commissioner said the season is "like our Christmas." Hotels in Saratoga are apparently almost completely booked up for this weekend. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A child died in Troy yesterday after being hit by unmarked police vehicle. Police say the vehicle was not responding to an emergency. There are reports the child might have entered the street between two parked cars. The city says it's conducting an investigation. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [CapNews9] [TU]
A bill has been proposed in Albany County would require chain restaurants to post calories counts on menus. One of the supporters of the bill is Panera -- the chain says its local restaurants already have plans to post calorie counts. [Albany County] [TU] [Fox23]
Arrest in Saratoga kidnapping case, suit alleges Raucci cut off heat to classroom, assemblyman says four day week a "no-brainer," Union disputes party school tag
Saratoga Springs police say they have arrested the man whom they allege is responsible for the kidnapping and attempted rape of a woman last Thursday night (map). The man -- who's an illegal immigrant -- has been charged with felony kidnapping and felony robbery (he's accused of taking off with $500). Police continued to praise the woman for her moxie in being able to escape from the attack. Authorities say they're investigating whether the man was involved with another similar crime in Lake George. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [CapNews9] [Post-Star] [TU]
Yet another lawsuit filed over the alleged conduct of Steven Raucci accuses the former Schenectady school district employee of cutting off the heat to a teacher's classroom after her husband -- who worked for Raucci -- indicated he might challenge Raucci for a union leadership position. [Daily Gazette]
David Paterson has requested that the USDA declare 17 counties, including the Capital Region, agricultural disaster areas. The damp, cloudy summer has been miserable for farmers. [CBS6] [Daily Gazette]
New York State's new education commissioner is David Steiner, who was a dean at Hunter College in NYC. He said yesterday that he will focus on improving teacher performance. [NYT] [TU]
Report: ambulance delay a result of "human error," state AG's office takes up ESP man cave case, GE reportedly building new plant in Schenectady, it's huuuuuge
The city report on the delayed ambulance response to the scene of a fatal crash between a car and a child on a bike in Albany in May concludes that "a single human error" was responsible for the delay. The dispatch error held up the city from calling another service, said the chair of the report task force. The report also concluded that a faster response would not have saved the child. [TU] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Police are looking for a man who allegedly kidnapped a woman in Saratoga Springs Thursday night and attempted to sexually assault her. The woman, who had been forced at gunpoint to strip, escaped. Police credited her with being "brave and resourceful." The SSPD says it will release a statement about the case today. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
The ESP Man Cave case has been turned over to the state attorney general's office -- and felony charges are possible. [TU]
It seems that David Paterson's gubernatorial campaign is something less than fiscally disciplined, spending lavishly on consultants, hotels and -- in one case -- joke writers. That largesse apparently did not extend to reimbursing the state for airfare, though. [NYT] [TU]
Arrest in Schenectady fire attack, Luther Forest chip fab breaks ground, body found in burned out car, more barking about dog parks, Stillwater all mixed-up
Schenectady police say they've arrested the man who allegedly lit a woman on fire Wednesday night. He's been charged with first degree assault. The attack, which involved lighter fluid, apparently came after a series of arguments between the two. Police credited the arrest to an outpouring of tips from neighbors. [TU] [CBS6] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
The median sale price for homes in the Capital Region was down 6 percent in June compared to the same month a year ago, according to the Greater Capital Association of Realtors. The number of sales was up, though. And agents say houses under $200k are selling relatively quickly. [GCAR] [TU]
The guidelines for the $20k state worker buyout have been released. For state employees to be eligible, they must be in a job slot slated for elimination -- and have 10 years of service time or be retiring. [TU]
Today is the official groundbreaking for the Luther Forest chip fab. The GlobalFoundries plant is expected to cost $4.2 billion. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
George Pataki, in town for the GloFo groundbreaking, said he's interested in returning to politics. [CapNews9]
Ravitch appointment temporarily unblocked, Schenectady woman set on fire, New York State owes back taxes on The Track, man saved by Pork Chop
A state appellate judge has temporarily blocked the injunction that blocked Richard Ravitch from acting as lieutenant governor. Republicans get a chance on Monday to argue that Ravitch should be re-blocked. The fight over the constitutionality of Ravitch's appointment could drag on for months -- and will probably end up in the Court of Appeals, New York's highest court. [AP/CapNews9] [NYT] [NYDN]
Schenectady police say a woman was set on fire last night during what appears to have been an argument. Police say the woman was in so much pain that she wasn't able to give them any details about the attack. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [CBS6]
Said Ron Kim during his announcement yesterday that he's running for mayor of Saratoga Springs: "There is nothing wrong with this city that can't be fixed." Kim says his administration would focus on open government, fixing the city budget and a new public safety building. Kim, a Democrat, will face Republican incumbent Scott Johnson. The two candidates were already doing some trash talking yesterday. [Saratogian] [TU] [CapNews9]
The three Democrats running for mayor of Albany will be at a candidate forum tonight at St. Sophia's. The forum will focus on senior citizens issues and will include a Q&A session. [TU] [CapNews9]
Ravitch appointment blocked, motivational event jams traffic, Schenectady SD paid $13k for Raucci report, Troy dog park drama continues
A state Supreme Court justice in Nassau County has issued an injunction stopping Richard Ravitch's appointment as lieutenant governor. The justice also ruled that Malcolm Smith -- who's (again) the state Senate president -- would take over the role of governor if something happened to David Paterson. A spokesman for Paterson says the administration will appeal in the ruling. Despite the injunction, Ravitch says he'll be showing up for work today. [NYT][NYDN] [Daily Politics] [Fox23]
The "Get Motivated" event at the TU Center yesterday contributed to a big traffic jam in downtown Albany yesterday morning -- I-90 and I-787 had mile-long lines of standing cars. The event featured motivational speakers -- including Colin Powell and Rudy Giuliani -- pitching optimism, faith, skepticism of government and motivational products. Powell's speech was apparently the highlight of the day. (Question for another day: if having this gathering during a weekday snarled traffic so badly, what will happen if/when there's a convention center downtown?) [Fox23] [TU] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
Albany police say two banks -- one on New Scotland and another on Delaware -- were held up yesterday within a span of 15 minutes. And they say it looks the same person was involved in both. The guy apparently got frustrated during the first robbery attempt -- so he left without money and headed for the second bank. [Troy Record] [TU] [CapNews9]
The chairman of the Troy City Council's public safety committee says RPI needs to "bring more to the table" in assistance for fire department coverage of the campus. The union that reps Troy firefighters has been lobbying for RPI to pay a "public safety fee" to help fund firefighter staffing near the campus -- and it appears the union is going to keep pressing the issue. [TU] [Troy Record]
Attorney calls ESP man cave allegations overblown, SPAC ticket surchage floated, Tedisco proposes "Madoff Bill," DEC building urinals criticized for backsplash
An attorney for one of the men accused of setting up a "man cave" in the ESP for smoking pot instead described the space as "a break room" and called the allegations "overblown." One of the accused men has a criminal record -- and there are some questions about whether the state knew that before hiring him. [TU] [CBS6]
The Albany Common Council has passed a resolution that calls on public agencies to not ask a person about his/her immigration status if that person is "not posing a threat." The resolution is non-binding. [TU] [CBS6] [Fox23]
Saratoga Springs' finance commissioner has floated the idea of tacking on a $2 surcharge to rock and pop concert tickets at SPAC. The fee could bring in as much as $500k. SPAC's executive director said the venue is "firmly opposed" to the proposed fee and called it "an onerous tax." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
The Troy Fire Department says mayor Harry Tutunjian has asked it to tour the RPI campus -- EMPAC in particular -- to get a better sense of the layout of campus buildings. The TFD has been lobbying for RPI to pay a public safety fee to fund additional fire coverage of the campus. [TU]
Raucci report won't be released, cool summer may be setting up cold winter, Tedisco hints at run for different office, alleged cold cut heist leads to pepper spraying
The Schenectady school district's internal investigation into Steven Raucci -- the former district employee who's been accused arson and intimidation -- will not be made public. The district says its lawyer "strongly advised" it to not release the report. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The package of state incentives for the Luther Forest chip fab project is actually closer to $1.37 billion -- and could be more if GlobalFoundries expands at the site. [TU]
A guy who was forcibly sedated at the direction of Albany County law enforcement so they could search his body for drugs in 2006 has settled his lawsuit for $125k. The search included a camera being put up his rectum. [TU] [AP/CBS6]
There's some historical data that indicates we could be in for a cold, snowy winter. [TU]
The Capital Region's tick population -- and the incidence of Lyme disease -- appear to be on the rise. [Daily Gazette]
Strong thunderstorm sweeps through area, unemployment rate highest in more than two decades, Cheerio Paterson is a biter, his name really is Harry Potter
The severe thunderstorm that swept through the area yesterday evening dropped hail and more than half an inch of rain very quickly. More than 40,000 National Grid customers lost power -- many of them in Saratoga County. The power at Crossgates was also knocked out for a few hours. There was flash flooding in Schenectady County (photos). Some of the hail in Albany County was 1.75 inches in diameter. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [WNYT] [CapNews9] [kmg] [@tcrpmg]
The Capital Region's unemployment rate hit 7.4 percent in June, according to the state Department of Labor -- that's up from 4.8 percent during the same period a year ago. An analyst with the labor department that could be the highest local rate since 1977. The two job categories that took the biggest hits were government and construction. [NYS DoL] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Shawn Morris dropped out of the Albany mayoral race yesterday. She said in a press released that she didn't think it was possible to beat Jerry Jennings in a three-way race (the other person being Corey Ellis). Morris told the TU no deal had been made between her and the Ellis campaign. [AOA] [TU]
The bill that would allow the City of Albany to create a residential parking permit system near the state capitol was set aside in the state Senate after not enough Democrats were present to push it through. The bill has already passed in the Assembly. [TU]
State Senate portions pork in the middle of the night, more investment at Albany Nanotech, questions about near-drowning in Troy, common councilman owes back taxes
The state Senate was in session until 3 am this morning. It ended up passing a package of rules reforms for the chamber, including new guidelines for the distribution of pork and staff funding. The session was anything but smooth -- and the long delay prompted a few senators to leave. [Daily Politics] [TU] [Daily Politics]
Hiram Monserrate -- one of the state senators in the middle of the recent mess -- has been restored to his position as chair of Consumer Protection Committee and given his $12,500 stipend. Monserrate's chairmanship was taken away earlier this year after he was charged with slashing his girlfriend. [TU]
David Paterson's 2010 gubernatorial campaign racked up a $1000 bill for a campaign meeting at a bar in Jersey City. [NYT]
New York State announced that it will be spending $50 million on a "packaging" facility for computer chips at Albany Nanotech -- IBM is also part of the project and it will be putting up $75 million. Also part of the announcement: a new facility at SUNY IT (near Utica) that will work with Albany Nanotech. [Biz Review] [TU]
Game on in state Senate, documents indicate district officials may have known about Raucci, police say man used child as shield, popular Phish camp closed
The state Senate is back in session today, though it seems no one really knows what's going to happen. The session could take up NYC-related legislation -- or it could focus on reforming pork distribution. One possible complication: Democrats will only have a 31-30 majority because one of their members is on his honeymoon. [AP/Troy Record] [TU] [NYP]
David Paterson apparently wasn't a fan of the Democratic leadership signing Happy Birthday at their post-game press conference last week. Maybe he's just annoyed that he had to take time out from fund raising because of the Senate mess. [Daily Politics] [NYT]
Longtime Capital Region car dealer Ken Gowey says he's running for governor. His platform includes big tax cuts and belief that "man-made global warming" is a "boondoggle." [TU]
Documents filed as part of a lawsuit against the Schenectady School District indicate that district officials may have known about Steven Raucci's alleged acts of harassment as early as 2005. The documents include handwritten notes from the district's HR director that originally appeared as part of a workers compensation claim against the district. That claim alleged that an employee who worked under Raucci suffered emotional harm because of harassment. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A state Supreme Court judge has struck down Albany County's sex offender residency law because it's superceded by state law. A similar law in Rensselaer County was tossed recently for the same reason. [TU]
Not much has changed in state Senate, Gillibrand cut off at Sotomayor hearing, judge admonished for not getting work done, pair accused of using kid to aid burglaries
Now that the state Senate leadership mess has been resolved, the chamber can move on to the really important stuff: staffing budgets. Oh, and Pedro Espada says was made majority leader because senators "trust" that "I can lead that house." [AP/Troy Record] [CapNews9]
Already bolstered by the state Senate's "extraordinary" sessions, downtown Albany restaurants are pulling for a special session. [CapNews9] [TU]
Chuck Schumer (video) and Kirsten Gillibrand (video) introduced Sonia Sotomayor at her Supreme Court nomination hearing yesterday. KG went on so long that she had to be cut off by Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy (the first gavel comes at 6:25 in her video). Gillibrand does have a reputation for being loquacious. [SchumerTube] [GillibrandTube] [TU] [NYT]
Joe Bruno has already spent more than $450k on lawyers this year as part of his defense against federal corruption charges. [Daily Politics]
CSEA members showed up at last night's Albany County Legislature meeting to protest the planned five-day furloughs of county workers. The union says workers found out about the furlough via the media. Albany County exec Mike Breslin says the county is facing a $20 million budget gap. [Fox23] [CBS6]
Everyone seems upset in Senate mess aftermath, Albany says sewer failure wasn't its fault, bar owners brought SLA with check of a box, rain leads to exploding cherries
David Paterson says the caucus switching that's been going on in the state Senate is "so blatantly quid pro quo that it borders on the boundaries of illegality." Jim Tedisco says that the recent mess has prompted him to work on introducing legislation in the Assembly that would allow elected officials to be recalled -- he singled out Pedro Espada for "selling his office." Roy McDonald says the legislature is "evolving into a branch of the New York City Council." And Neil Breslin says the recent events have him "less excited about being a senator." [AP/TU] [TU] [Fox23] [Saratogian] [AP/Troy Record]
Friday's special session of the state Senate was canceled and the body is next scheduled to meet on Wednesday. [PolitickerNY]
One thing the Senate ovethrow/unthrow didn't stop: big pay raises for a bunch of Senate staffers. [TU]
A hearing on the constitutionality of David Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch to the post of lieutenant governor has been scheduled for Wednesday. Even with the state Senate mess resolved, both Paterson and Ravitch say there's still a need for a lt governor. [AP/TU] [PolitickerNY]
Lawyers for Joe Bruno are arguing that his trial for "theft of honest services" should be delayed until the Supreme Court of the United State rules on a pair of similar cases. [TU]
They City of Albany has denied almost $300k in claims related to the flooding last August. The city says the deluge "exceeded all levels for which municipal storm sewers or municipal combined sewers are designed." [TU]
State Senate gets back to work, Biden in Clifton Park, Salvation Army says it didn't blow the whistle, chip fab has 20 year lifespan, good year for apples
The state Senate, with Pedro Espada caucusing with the Democrats, had a real session last night -- 135 bills were passed. The session was not without drama. Republicans held things up for about two hours because they said Democrats weren't supporting agreed-upon reforms -- Dean Skelos called Democrats "a bunch of phonies." The session got back on track shortly before midnight when both sides announced they had agreed to "a framework" for reform. [Biz Review] [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette] [Daily Politics]
The session also included Espada's installation as majority leader, though it wasn't by a vote because apparently some of the Democrats refused to directly vote for him. [Daily Politics]
David Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch to lieutenant governor is basically on hold until the courts review it. The first hearing is today. [TU]
Joe Biden touted the Obama Administration's stimulus program yesterday during his speech to about 600 people in Clifton Park. The VP announced that New York was getting another $275 million for unemployment insurance. And he said 6,800 jobs would be coming to the state. Among Biden's comments: he would never take the job of Mayor of Albany because it's too hard. (video from the event) [Post-Star] [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
Ravitch appointment becomes its own drama, people line up for Biden, man accused of intentionally running over woman with car, tomato blight, commuter buses get wi-fi
As expected, David Paterson's appointment (or attempted appointment) of Richard Ravitch to the post of lieutenant governor has set off its own complicated drama. Senate Republicans got a Nassau County judge to issue a temporary restraining order during the middle of the night. For what it's worth, Ravitch says he's already been sworn in. [NYT] [Daily Politics] [Newsday]
In a released statement, Paterson said he made the appointment because "the situation we face in the Senate is nothing less than a Constitutional crisis." Whether he can legally do what he did is unclear -- some say maybe, others say no. [CBS6] [TU]
Whatever the legality of the move, Paterson is trying to use it score points with voters. His 2010 campaign was touting the appointment last night in a robocall. (His campaign might need to work on its spelling, though.) [@pattigibbons] [@Mrs_Misanthrope] [@tomnardacci]
Funding for an anti-gun program in Albany has been held up by the state Senate mess. [TU]
People lined up for hours yesterday in an attempt to score tickets to see Joe Biden this afternoon in Clifton Park. Between 400 and 500 tickets were given out, apparently. The first person in line: a 17-year-old who had to get special permission for a ticket because he wasn't 18. By the way: the VP's appearance is being billed as "A Recovery Act Event" -- no word on whether Biden will personally be providing stimulus to the local economy. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
State Senate break reportedly near, Biden coming to area, layoffs at the TU, mouthwash defense surfaces, liquor license denied because of Salvation Army
It's now been a month since the state Senate upheaval started. The two sides are reportedly nearing some sort of resolution. The Democrats known as "The Three Amigos" (that includes Pedro Espada, who's sided with the Republicans) are threatening to do something (it's not clear what) if there isn't a deal by Thursday. Two of the Amigos plus another senator walked out of the Dems' session yesterday -- and apparently other rank-and-file members are feeling "frisky." [Daily Politics] [PolitickerNY] [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
It does seem like something is up -- David Paterson has requested statewide TV time for 5 pm this evening. That's prompted speculation that he might try to dislodge the situation by appointing a lieutenant governor (which would, in turn, probably set off legal throwdown). [Daily Politics] [TU]
If it's any consolation, the senators' pay has been stopped. [NYDN]
Joe Biden will be in Clifton Park tomorrow to tout the federal stimulus effort. He'll be speaking at Shenendehowa High School. This will be the first Vice Presidential visit to the area since 2000. [TU] [WTEN] [Daily Gazette]
Plotting and scheming in the state Senate, vote on landfill delayed, Lake George beaches closed, bowling-spectator cop promoted
Today's forecast includes the possibility of severe weather this afternoon and evening. The chance of rain is 80 percent and conditions could include "penny size hail or greater and wind gusts 58 mph or stronger." [NWS] [NWS]
Monday in the state Senate: lots of talking and plotting, but little action. An Assemblyman and a few good government groups are saying that David Paterson could fix the situation by simply appointing a lieutenant governor, and thus giving the Senate a tie breaker. Republicans -- and AG Andrew Cuomo -- say Paterson can't do that. [TU] [NYDN] [Daily Politics]
On a different front, one of the senators has sued the Assembly in an attempt to get it to accept the bills "passed" by the Senate during last week's V8 quorum -- though David Paterson has said he won't the sign the bills even if the Assembly accepts them. [Daily Politics]
Another potential solution that bubbled to the surface yesterday was the idea of co-leadership of the Senate. But it seems the Democrats can't agree with each other, nevermind the Republicans, because many now despise Pedro Espada. And speaking of Espada, he was apparently plotting with the "four amigos" yesterday over lunch at Bongiourno's. [TU] [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics]
The Albany Common Council delayed its vote on the bonds that would fund the landfill expansion. Apparently there's some question as to whether there are enough vote to approve the debt. The landfill could be full as soon as the end of this year. [TU]
No progress in state Senate, mid-year budget change could be necessary, alleged pharmacy robber nabbed, stimulating the sign economy, hunting for what's left of Henry Hudson
The state Senate had two more in-and-out sessions this past weekend. Negotiations are apparently going on behind the scenes. The big sticking point remains leadership of the chamber -- specifically Pedro Espada's role as president pro tem. David Paterson is reportedly telling Democrats they may just have to get over it. [Newsday] [Daily Politics] [Buffalo News] [NYDN]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli says it's looking like the state will be short on money later this year -- and a mid-year budget adjustment will probably be necessary. Of course, the would be virtually impossible with the state Senate locked in its current mess. [NYDN]
A state audit of the Schenectady Metroplex Authority reports that the org isn't tracking whether its investment projects are meeting job creation targets and that it's leaving parking money on the table. The authority disputed many of the findings -- and said it's purposefully not charging for parking. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Is it a coincidence that the owner of the construction company with a virtual lock on big projects in the City of Albany is BFF with the mayor and police chief? [TU]
State comptroller says he'll stop senators' pay, officials say fatal Schenectady fire was arson, Troy's Cannon Building could be closed, WTEN going up for auction
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli says he will withhold state senators' pay because of the Senate standoff. There's some question as to whether DiNapoli can legally do that -- and a spokesman for Senate Democrats has already said they'll sue if the comptroller actually goes through with it. [NYT] [NYDN] [TU]
There didn't appear to be an significant progress toward a resolution of the state Senate mess yesterday, though the two sides did talk. David Paterson asked the public for ideas about how to fix the situation. [Daily Politics] [Capitol Tonight]
One group that's made OK in all this: lawyers. [Capitol Tonight]
With another "extraordinary" session planned for tomorrow, senators were making Fourth of July plans. Among them: conjugal visits, fireworks at the ESP, laundry and reading "computer mail." [NYDN] [NYT]
Schenectady County DA Robert Carney says the fire that killed a 10-year-old girl in Schenectady last month was intentionally set by woman who was upset with the girl's mother. The woman has been charged with murder and arson. Carney says he doesn't think the woman intended to kill the child. The girl's mother was not home at the time of the fire -- she's been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Three firefighters were injured while trying to save the girl. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [CBS6]
That was a lot of rain, state Senate will meet on 4th, RPI disputes fire department accusations, Rudy Giuliani wants to motivate you, ALB says show up earlier
Yesterday's severe thunderstorms dropped more than three inches of rain in some places (the official NWS tally of 2.76 inches was a local record for July 1). Latham and Cohoes seemed to get the worst of it. There were reports of flooding all over the area. [TU] [NWS] [Fox23] [Twitter]
The state Senate held another of its "extraordinary" in-and-out sessions yesterday. The big issue of the day seemed to be the question of whether the Assembly would accept the bills "passed" by the Senate in Tuesday's V8-fueled session. It looks like the senators will be spending the Fourth of July at the Capitol -- David Paterson has ordered them into session every day through Monday. [TU] [Daily Politics]
Both Senate factions are expected to turn in per diem requests for the last two weeks today -- though whether they'll be paid is apparently up in the air. [NYDN]
Guilderland's supervisor says the town will be pulling its garbage business from the Albany landfill because of concerns about the facility's expansion into the Pine Bush. [TU]
RPI says that its public safety office called the Troy Fire Department just 32 seconds after the first report of a fire at one its chem labs this week -- not 12 minutes as the department has alleged. The TFD says RPI's delay created a more dangerous situation for firefighters. [Troy Record]
Beverage run sends state Senate into a tizzy, Troy fire fighters at odds with RPI, bankruptcy filings up, grenade threat used to rob drug store, police srsly hope catch you txting
State Senate stand-off Day Number OhSomeoneKillUsNow: The Senate met three times yesterday. Two of the sessions, ordered by the courts, were in-and-sessions. The third involved the Democrats trying to call quorum when a Republican senator, Frank Padavan, briefly walked through the chamber in search of beverage in the Senate lounge. Democrats proceeded to pass a bunch of bills, but David Paterson says he (probably) won't sign them. There have been various reports about the beverage Padavan was seeking -- Coke, coffee -- but Padavan says he ended up drinking a V8. [TU] [NYT] [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics]
Why has the state Senate become such a fight to the death? Republicans say they realize this may be their last shot at being in the majority for a long time -- and they want to make sure things are set so that being in the minority doesn't totally suck. [NYT]
The Troy Fire Department and RPI are squabbling again. The latest flare up was sparked by Monday's fire in a chemistry lab -- the TFD says the school waited to too long to call in the fire, and as a result, firefighters faced a more dangerous situation. There's also the ongoing issue about whether RPI should pay a "public safety fee" to help support coverage of the campus. [TU] [Troy Record]
Two Albany Common Councilman say they're upset that the bond used to pay for the Albany landfill expansion won't be funded by an increase in the fees paid by companies that dump garbage. [TU]
Judge orders state Senate back to work, Paterson warns of another fiscal shortfall, trans-fat ban adjusted, police get DNA evidence from soda bottle
A state Supreme Court judge ordered the state Senate -- both caucuses -- into session today. The judge scolded senators for their behavior and said they risked appearing "rude, inconsiderate and egotistical." Democrats say they'll show up for the session (though they're promising not to take up anything controversial) and the Republicans have already filed an appeal. If the Senate doesn't take action a handful of measures will expire tonight, including sales tax extensions in many counties. [NYT] [Daily Politics] [NYDN] [TU]
If it seems like the Senate mess would put incumbents at risk of being thrown out of office... well, behold the power of pork. [TU]
At the NY Conference of Mayors meeting yesterday in Saratoga, David Paterson said that state tax revenues "may be down 35 percent this year from where they were projected." [Post-Star]
Police say two men were shot on Kent Street in Albany yesterday afternoon (map). Witness says four people jumped out of car, ran up to a porch and started shooting. [TU] [Fox23]
State Senate still stuck, Novello to do community service at Albany clinic, political spat over playground, Miss New York crowned, angry penguin in Waterford
The state Senate is still stuck. The two caucuses repeated their parallel in-and-out sessions over the weekend. David Paterson, who's suing the Senate over the quickie sessions, met with the Democratic caucus over the weekend -- though there aren't any details about whether they decided to hug it out or to continue hating each other. Yet another "extraordinary" session is planned for today. The two sides appear no closer to working out a power-sharing deal. [CapNews9] [Daily Politics] [AP/TU]
One of the background issues to the Senate mess is the 2010 redistricting. Demographers say population shifts are pointing toward a sizable Democratic majority -- though that depends on how districts are drawn. [NYT]
The state comptroller's office has cancelled $3 million in state funding for Pedro Espada's Bronx health care company. The comptroller says Espada, the disputed Senate pro tem, neglected to report that his org owed back taxes. [TU]
Even though New York State pays some of the lowest unemployment benefits in the nation, the state's unemployment insurance fund will be $2 billion short by the end of the year. [TU]
Albany County will be furloughing employees one day per month over the next six months. County exec Mike Breslin says the plan will save $1.4 million (the county faces a $20.5 million budget gap). Breslin says he'll be taking part in the furlough. [TU] [Troy Record]
State senators agree to hate on David Paterson, landfill expansion gets official OK from DEC, Troy dog park becomes political squabble, Dino looking for big tax breaks, rabid fox alert, gastropub opening in Saratoga
The state Senate's two caucuses held separate, brief -- and pointless -- sessions yesterday. The two sides apparently are close to working out some sort of deal to share power -- and asked for more time to negotiate. David Paterson essentially told them to stuff it and called another "extraordinary" session for today. He also directed the state treasurer to withhold senators' per diems. [Daily Politics] [NYT] [PolitickerNY]
One thing senators of both sides can apparently agree on: they're annoyed with David Paterson. Brooklyn Dem Kevin Park even called Paterson a "coke snorting, staff-banging governor" (he later retracted his comment -- at least he didn't hit the governor). Paterson said it's not him versus the legislature, but rather "governance versus chaos." [Newsday] [PolitickerNY] [NYDN] [TU]
It looks like the Senate chaos has put the same-sex marriage bill on hold indefinitely. [AP/Daily Gazette]
Former state health commissioner Antonia Novello has pleaded guilty in the case that alleged she used her state employees as personal assistants. She's getting off with no jail time, but will have to do community service, pay $22,500 in restitution and pay a small fine. [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette]
A spokesman for Rick Lazio says the former Long Island congressman and US Senate candidate "fully intends" to run for Governor of New York. Lazio has called for New York to replace the Assembly and Senate with a unicameral legislature. [AP/TU] [Daily Politics]
A draft of the Albany Common Council's ghost ticket investigation report concludes that the "intent of the system itself was not bad ... it was the impropriety in how the benefit was granted that is a cause for concern." One version of the draft report also apparently includes sharp criticism of city treasurer Betty Barnette's office. [TU]
Paterson threatens state Senate, landfill expansion needs another permit, Troy dog park controversy, another pizza person mugged, gourmet market coming to Latham
The state Senate was in session for all of five minutes yesterday -- and the Republicans weren't even there. [Daily Politics]
David Paterson has called another "extraordinary" session for today. If senators don't show, he says he'll move to withhold their pay. He's also threatening to send the State Police after missing senators. A Brooklyn senator responded to Paterson's threats by calling him a "coward" who "will not be returning as governor." Leaders of both caucuses say their memberships will be at the Capitol today. [TU] [Daily Politics] [NYT] [Buffalo News]
A business run by Pedro Espada, one of the senators who set this whole circus in motion, owes almost $350k in back taxes. In 2007, Espada made almost $460k at the org, which gets funding from the state. [TU]
Even if the DEC approves the Albany landfill expansion, the project will still have to get the OK from the Army Corps of Engineers (though it won't stop the landfill from being piled higher). [TU]
Special state Senate session a disaster, landfill expansion could be approved soon, home prices holding steady, new music venue for Saratoga
Yesterday's special state Senate session was a mess. Among the absurdities: Democrats entered the chamber early in some sort of attempt to call "first!"; each side held its own concurrent session (with their own gavels) and tried to call the other out of order; no one knows if any of the voted-on bills were legally passed. [TU] [Daily Politics] [CapCon] [NYDN] [NYT]
David Paterson has called the Senate back for another session today -- with the same-sex marriage bill on the agenda. The inclusion of that bill could prompt Democrat Ruben Diaz Sr. to switch allegiance to the Republicans, giving them a majority. [Daily Politics]
Jerry Jennings' chief aide says the city's application to expand the Rapp Road landfill could be approved by the DEC as early as this week. At its current size, the landfill is projected to be full later this year -- six years ahead of schedule. Common Councilman -- and mayoral candidate -- Corey Ellis called for "a comprehensive audit of the Rapp Road landfill by a truly independent body" yesterday. [TU] [Ellis press release]
The median price for homes in the Capital Region more or less held steady last month compared to the same period last year -- though the number of transactions was down. Median prices were up in Schenectady County, flat in Albany County and down in Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. Homes priced under $200k are apparently selling well. [Daily Gazette] [GCAR/Post-Star] [TU]
Paterson calls special Senate session, twins die in accident, lottery winner allegedly sold crack, man accused of syruping gas tanks
David Paterson is calling the state Senate into special session this afternoon. Whether anything of actual substance will happen is uncertain, though -- in large part because it's not clear who will be running the chamber. Paterson can set the agenda -- and he's putting up 90 largely uncontroversial bills for consideration (he can't make the senators vote, though). When/if the bills are voted on, Paterson says he'll keep the Senate in session for bills related to "reform, fiscal discipline and also civil rights." One of those bills is probably the same-sex marriage bill, though Paterson didn't say that exactly -- probably because Democrat, and outspoken same-sex marriage opponent, Ruben Diaz has been threatening to switch parties if the bill is brought up. [TU] [NYDN] [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics] [PolitickerNY]
While the Senate drama lurched forward yesterday, the Assembly finished its session. [AP]
Twin teenage brothers died Sunday in Rensselaer County after the ATVs they were driving collided head-on. A teen girl was also seriously injured. The teens were not wearing helmets (the TU story says state law requires helmets, the Gazette story says it does not helmets are required). [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
Police say a Schenectady man stabbed his adult step daughter and her friend after the man got into an argument with his wife at a Father's Day party on Sunday. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Paterson says he will force Senate into session, judge snagged in DWI sweep, bristling at being New York's pay toilet, vinyl records store opens in Schenectady
David Paterson says he will call the state Senate into special session tomorrow if the body doesn't get to work today. Said Paterson yesterday of all the drama: "Over the last couple of weeks, the senators' conduct has been laughable." Paterson says Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman would preside over the special session -- a provision that some say could be unconstitutional or create a conflict of interest. The session would focus on "emergency" issues such as the sale tax extension for some counties. Not on that list: same-sex marriage, though Paterson says he intends for the Senate to vote on the bill before the summer break. [TU] [NYDN] [PolitickerNY] [Daily Politics] [NYT]
Two things that might prompt Senators to start moving: they can't hook up their cronies with patronage jobs until the situation's resolved; and all their pork is currently locked in the barrel. [TU] [TU]
A man was stabbed to death in Schenectady Saturday morning. Police say they haven't identified a motive. [TU] [Fox23]
Police say an Albany County family court judge was snagged as part of the county-wide drunk driving sweep last Thursday. Green Island police say the judge tried to evade a checkpoint at the Troy-Green Island Bridge and led police on a short chase. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Albany Police Department is reportedly trying to fire two members of the force -- the detective accused of driving drunk through Albany into Bethlehem in February; and the sergeant who's been accused of trying to cover for the detective. [TU]
Democrats stuck on Espada, unemployment up slightly, influenza still kicking thanks to H1N1, snake head case has gone cold, Dinosaur looking for Troy incentives
The state Senate: still borked. Republicans and Democrats were working on a deal yesterday to share power, but the Democrats reportedly backed out because they didn't want to accept Pedro Espada as Senate president pro tem.
Democrats have been attacking Espada in robocalls to voters in Republican districts. Espada says the calls are "playing the Latino race card." The calls don't mention Espada's ethnicity -- they described him as "indicted Democrat from the Bronx." [CapNews9] [Troy Record]
The state Department of Labor reports that unemployment in the Capital Region basically held steady in May at 6.8 percent (it was up .1 percent). But the unemployment rate was way up compared to the same month last year (4.7 percent). The region's unemployment rate is still lower than that of the state (8.2 percent) or country (9.4 percent.). [NYS DoL] [TU] [NYS DoL]
An investigator with the Albany County DA's office says the checkpoints set up to catch DWI after Alive at Five this week snagged a whole bunch of other violations, including "drugs, warrant arrests, unregistered, uninspected, switched plates." [CBS6]
Senate is still stuck, big drug bust in Wilton, Alive at Five DWI crackdown planned, man accused of impersonating a cop, another local moose sighting
The state Senate is still borked. Local elected leaders are getting nervous because the Senate hasn't passed bills that would extend special sales taxes (this group includes Rensselaer and Columbia counties). Also held up: the new pension tier that was part of David Paterson's deal with the state worker unions. And the lid on the pork barrel is also shut. [TU] [CapNews9] [Buffalo News]
Republicans and Democrats are apparently trading ideas for power-sharing agreements. They're also starting to throw mud at each other. A sample exchange: Pork-throwing adulterer! Liar! [PolitickerNY] [NYP]
Pedro Espada, the lone Democrat in the Republican "coalition," has been reiterating his claim that his position as Senate pro tem gives him two votes -- not just in the event of a tie, but also to establish a quorum. An expert from the the Rockefeller Institute said Espada's claim "just might be correct." But the case law would seem to indicate otherwise. If Espada tries to act in this manner, the Democrats will almost certainly sue. [Daily Politics] [AP/Troy Record] [TU] [NYT]
The revised Schenectady schools budget did pass after all. A re-check of the numbers found a mistake that had resulted in almost 50 fewer "yes" votes. Had the budget not passed, the school district was going to impose an almost 16 percent tax increase as part of a contingency budget. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
State Senate frozen with no end in sight, local orgs lack pandemic plans, abandoned high-end homes in Saratoga, DEC hoping for hot turtle action
The state Senate is basically frozen right now. Yesterday a judge dismissed the Democrats' suit seeking to void last week's takeover by the Republicans + Pedro Espada. The Republicans claimed victory and tried to go into session -- but with only 31 senators present, they couldn't form a quorum. [NYT] [Daily Politics]
David Paterson again called on the Senate to work out some sort of power sharing deal, perhaps bringing someone such as former chief judge Judith Kaye to preside over the chamber. He also said the line of succession to the governorship is in dispute. [TU]
If the state Senate ever does back into session, Espada is arguing that he should have two votes -- his regular vote plus one as acting lieutenant governor. Apparently there's no precedent for that, though. [NYP]
By the way: the Assembly has been working while all this has been going on. [Daily Politics]
State Senate paralyzed by drama, plane plucked from Mohawk, Albany sewers maxed out, moose on the loose
As had been rumored, Hiram Monserrate switched back to the Democratic caucus yesterday and now the state Senate is split 31-31. Result: no one knows what the hell is going on. The two parties discussed a power-sharing arrangement, but couldn't come up with a deal. They're now looking to the courts to settle things> -- and it sounds like the judiciary would really rather not do that. [NYT] [NYDN] [NYT]
The situation puts the state in a "constitutional crisis" as there's no clear way for the Senate to function. Also muddled: the line of succession to the governorship. [Buffalo News]
The Republicans + Democrat Pedro Espada showed up in the Senate chamber yesterday, but couldn't do anything official because they were one short of a quorum. Democrats are now threatening to sue Espada because, they say, he violated a court-issued injunction against acting as Senate pro tem. [Daily Politics] [CapNews9]
John Sampson, the new leader of the Senate Democrats, is being credited with bringing Monserrate back into the caucus. [TU]
A crew pulled the small private plane that crashed into the Mohawk near Glenville out of the river yesterday. The victims were also identified -- one was a former Bollywood actor turned real estate developer. Officials aren't sure what caused the crash. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Senate drama twists again, small plane crashes into Mohawk, firefighters pull unconcisous girl from fire, Whole Foods reportedly scouting area
The state Senate drama took another twist over the weekend when Hiram Monserrate -- one of the Democratic switchers -- said he's returning to caucus with the Democrats. Apparently one of Monserrate's demands for returning to the Dems' caucus was that Malcolm Smith had to go as majority leader. Brooklyn senator John Sampson is reportedly going to take over as head of the Democratic caucus -- but Smith might stay on as leader-in-name-only so the Democrats can pursue their case arguing that the Republican takeover was illegal. [NYDN] [NYDN] [NYP] [TU]
If Monserrate really does switch back, it would leave the Senate split 31-31 -- and that could mean epic gridlock. Dean Skelos and Pedro Espada -- the (new, former?) Senate leaders -- would stay in charge of the body. Typically in a 31-31 split the lieutenant governor would cast the deciding vote -- but New York is currently without a lt governor. Republicans are apparently arguing that Espada -- who's the Senate pro tem -- should get two votes. That's not going over well with the Democrats. [Buffalo News] [NYDN]
By the way: Espada still hasn't settled his numerous campaign disclosure violations, as he promised to do. [TU]
Two people are dead and another missing after a small plane crashed into the Mohawk shortly after take-off from the Mohawk Valley Airport in Glenville yesterday afternoon. Witnesses say it appears the plane didn't get enough speed to take off. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Troy pizza shop worker who thwarted a robbery last month was shot four times Saturday in another hit on the shop -- he's expected to live. Police say the man confronted the shooter(s) in front of the store because he thought something was up. The shop is a Domino's -- the company is offering a $5000 reward for info. [TU] [Troy Record] [CapNews9]
Senate drama staggers forward, calls for Tuffey to be fired, APD starts rewards for tips program, it's DMB weekend in Saratoga
The state Senate -- or, at least, part of it -- went into session yesterday... for about 20 minutes. Hiram Monserrate -- one of the Democratic switchers -- walked out, bring the session to a halt. Monserrate said he's trying to bring more Democrats into the coalition -- but other suspect he's playing both sides in an attempt to the score the best deal. [TU] [NYT] [NYDN] [NYP]
Another hold up in the Senate yesterday: Democrats locked the cabinet that holds the bills.
Most of the action yesterday was in court, where Democrats tried to challenge the overthrow. The didn't win much -- and they'll be back in court today. However, they did get an order blocking Pedro Espada, who's (maybe?) the new Senate president pro tem, from becoming acting governor were something to happen to David Paterson. Apparently some are concerned that Espada could issue pardons if Paterson traveled out of state -- even a pardon to... himself. [AP/Daily Gazette] [Daily Politics] [TU]
Espada is apparently trying to pull other Democrats into the coalition by pushing for a vote on the same-sex marriage bill. [Daily Politics]
The big issue in the background of this whole struggle: redistricting. [Newsday]
Now that Albany police chief James Tuffey is back at work in an administrative role, Shawn Morris and Corey Ellis -- both mayoral candidates -- are calling for him to be fired. Tuffey said he's not going anywhere. Jerry Jennings says he still supports Tuffey: "I run this city. They don't run this city. I made this decision, I'll stand by it." [TU] [Fox23]
Senate drama grinds on, land deal closed for chip fab, Tuffey back on the job, man tasered in burning house, winery planned near Saratoga
The state Senate stayed locked -- literally -- yesterday as the Republican led coalition tried to solidify its backing and Democrats tried to regain the upper hand (it looks like they'll be challenging the takeover in court). Pedro Espada, the possibly-new Senate president pro tem, said the chamber would open today -- and he proudly displayed the key to the locked room (though he wouldn't say how he obtained it). David Paterson scolded the Senate yesterday, urging its members to "to act like adults." [TU] [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette] [NYDN]
The senator-of-the-moment is Hiram Monserrate, the other Democratic switcher. It seems he might be playing both sides in a bid to get the best deal. Said one unidentified legislator: "Hiram is driving the train. God help us all." Monserrate seemed to indicate yesterday that he's sticking with the Republican-led coaltion. One apparent undercurrent to this drama is increasing friction between Latino and African American legislators (both Espada and Monserrate are Latino). [NYT] [Newsday] [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics] [NYT]
Part of yesterday's proceedings outside the Senate chamber: a clown -- who was apparently hired by the New York Post. [PolitickerNY]
GlobalFoundries closed on the land for the Luther Forest chip fab yesterday. GloFo bought 223 acres for $7.8 million. Land clearing is scheduled to start next week and construction in late July. The signed deal had Saratoga County officials celebrating what one person described as a "10,000-piece jigsaw puzzle". Others were a bit more in-your-face. Said the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president: "To everyone who said it wouldn't happen: 'See you, suckers!'" [Daily Gazette] [Biz Review] [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Drama continues in the state Senate, NYCLU sues Troy over "Virtual Jihadi," FBI raids downtown Saratoga office
The new leadership of the state Senate says it will go into session this afternoon -- whether it has access to the Senate chamber or not. Democrats have literally locked the chamber and are holding the keys. Possibly-new majority leader Dean Skelos says there's nothing that requires the Senate to meet in its chamber -- and the body could go into session in a park if need be . [TU] [NYT] [NYDN]
Democrats say Pedro Espada -- one of the two Dems who are now caucusing with the Republicans -- switched because the leadership denied him almost $2 million in pork for two new, possibly shady, non-profits. They're also focusing attention on accusations that Espada's been involved with campaign finance mishaps -- and may not live in his district. Espada says Democrats are engaging in "character assassination." [TU] [NYDN]
Republicans are reportedly trying to recruit more Democrats to their coalition, including the sponsor of the Senate's version of the same-sex marriage bill. Meanwhile, Democrats are trying to get Hiram Monserrate -- one of the two switchers -- to flip back by threatening to primary him. [NYT] [Daily Politics]
When/if the Senate goes into session, Skelos says there is "going to be a new way of governing." Good government groups say the reforms already presented by the coalition are a step in the right direction. [Fox23] [CapNews9]
And in non-Senate news...
Conflicting stories about Troy girl's death, GloFo commits, trans-fat bakery exemption falls, Troy library auctioning art for cash, big pile of money at Albany NanoTech
Here's a digest of all the drama in the state Senate yesterday.
The Troy man arrested this past weekend for the death of his girlfriend's three-year-old daughter says the girl hit her head in the bath while he was watching a show about cheetahs on TV. But a coroner's report says the child died from internal injuries consistent with being hit in the abdomen. [Troy Record] [TU]
Global Foundries sent its Luther Forest chip fab commitment letter to state officials today -- that unlocks $650 million in state incentives. Crews are scheduled to start clearing the site for the fab on Monday. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Police say a person was shot in the arm in north Troy last night -- the injury apparently wasn't life-threatening. [CBS6]
FBI director Robert Mueller yesterday defended his agency's use of mosque informants to investigate potential terrorists. Such an informant was used in the case against the two Albany men arrested -- and convicted -- for their role in a fictional plot to kill a Pakistani official. [AP] [TPM]
The proposed Albany County trans-fat ban exemption for bakeries failed in a vote of the county legislature last night. [TU]
Jerry Jennings apparently held a telephone town meeting last night. Among the topics discussed: litter. (If anyone has audio of this, we'd love to hear it.) [@Mrs_Misanthrope]
Woman killed in Schenectady deli stick-up, Tonko endorses Morris, Paterson reaches out to Bruno on same-sex marriage, Price Chopper alleges grocery espionage, plane lands on Route 9
A woman was shot and killed in a deli on Eastern Ave in Schenectady Friday night (map). Police say it appears the woman got caught up in the middle of a robbery -- but they're not sure whether the she was intentionally shot. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A Troy man has been arrested for the death of his girfriend's three-year-old daughter. Police haven't said yet how the girl died. [TU]
Paul Tonko has endorsed Shawn Morris in the Albany mayoral race. Responded Jerry Jennings: "... the people behind me are the people that live in this city, that work in this city, and that will vote in this city." [TU] [CapNews9]
David Paterson has reached out to Joe Bruno to help him lobby Republican state Senators to support to the same-sex marriage bill. [Liz Benjamin]
The Obama Administration has found many of its appointees in New York State. [TU]
Another New Yorker the Obama team has leaned on heavily -- whether they like it or not: Chuck Schumer.
Deal to avoid state worker layoffs "expected" today, Albany landfill expansion approval could come soon, Rensselaer County computers being de-wormed, UAlbany getting new building
The announcement of a deal between the state worker unions and the Paterson administration to avoid layoffs is "expected" to come today. The deal will reportedly include $20k buyouts for employees eligible for retirement -- which has some observers asking where the money is going to come from. The deal also apparently includes a new, less generous tier in the state pension system. [NYDN] [TU]
It's looking like the state DEC could approve the expansion of the Albany landfill soon. The dump is projected to be full before the end of this year -- six years sooner than originally planned. [TU]
The search has been called off for the man who went missing in the Mohawk on Sunday. A friend who accompanied the man that day said strong currents tipped their canoe. Rains earlier that week had increased the Mohawk's flow that weekend. [Troy Record] [TU] [USGS]
Among Scott Murphy's first slate of requested Congressional earmarks (pork): $2 million for a new Saratoga Springs public safety building. Murphy has posted his full list of requested earmarks online. [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
Another potential 2010 primary challenger to Kirsten Gillibrand has announced she won't be running against KG. [NYDN]
David Paterson's new top advisor described himself as being "like the 300-pound offensive tackle blocking for the quarterback called Governor David Paterson." [NYT]
Deal to avoid state worker layoffs reportedly coming together, police say men posed as cops, questions about Alive at Five alcohol testing, McCafe coming soon
"People briefed on details" tell the TU that the state worker unions and the Paterson administration are working on a deal that would avoid the planned layoffs -- by offering $20k buyouts to employees near retirement and adding a new tier to the state pension system. [TU]
A bill that would legalize mixed martial arts fighting in New York State made it of Assembly committee yesterday, despite the opposition of local Assemblymen Bob Reilly and Jack McEneny. "Violence begets violence," said Reilly. A vote in the full Assembly is expected this session. [TU] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
The "project labor agreement" that will guarantee union wages on the Luther Forest chip fab construction was officially announced yesterday. The agreement includes a no-strike pledge from local unions. GlobalFoundries has said it was waiting for such an agreement to be in place before starting construction. The project could include as many as 1,900 construction jobs. [Daily Gazette] [Biz Review] [Post-Star]
Troy police say two men posed as cops and used a starter's pistol to briefly kidnap two teenagers yesterday. The incident might have had something do with the men having their supply of free coffee at a Dunkin Donuts cut off. One of alleged kidnappers once posed as a cop back in the 90s -- for altruistic reasons. [Troy Record] [Fox23] [CBS6] [TU]
Chip fab construction could start soon, bottle bill postponed, new principal for Albany High, fee going up for flying out of ALB
GlobalFoundries and labor unions have reportedly worked out a deal that includes the payment of union wages at the construction site of the Luther Forest chip fab -- whether workers are union or not. GloFo has been waiting to close on the land for the fab until it had such a deal in place. The agreement is apparently not officially a done deal -- though both the company and the unions say they're "very close." If the agreement does comes together, the initial stages of construction at the site could begin in a few weeks. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [Biz Review]
The emergency preparedness drill involving that low-flying helicopter started yesterday in Albany County. The drill's scenario includes the "detonation" of two radioactive "dirty bombs" in downtown Albany. About 600 people from local, state and federal governments are involved in the training. [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
A federal judge has postponed the start of New York's "better bottle bill" (which adds bottled water to list of beverages that require a 5 cent deposit) until next April. The judge also tossed the bill's New York State-specific bar code provision. [AP/TU] [NYT]
It sounds ethics reform for the state legislature is going to stall because Sheldon Silver is not on board. [NYT]
The two largest state worker unions say they're in "discussions" with the Paterson administration about the planned layoffs. [CBS6]
Police say kidnapping and car chase shooting were linked, crackdown planned for Alive at Five, new Spitzer details, badass of the week
Police say last week's multi-city kidnapping and the car-to-car shooting in Troy were all part of the same story -- a twisted, violent story like something out of 24 or a mob movie. Police say the woman abducted in Albany last week was tortured -- including the use of bleach and salt in her wounds -- in Troy as part of an attempt to extract information from her about a safe her brother allegedly stole. The brother then allegedly went to Troy to swap the safe for his sister, but not trusting the captors, police say he opened fire on them as they drove -- with the man's sister in the trunk of one of the cars -- through the streets of Troy. [TU] [Troy Record] [WNYT]
The City of Albany says it'll be cracking down on drunk people at this summer's Alive at Five concerts. Among the methods: the use of a sensor to test drinks -- and people -- for alcohol. [Troy Record] [TU]
Scores on state math tests given to grade school students were up statewide this year -- including local school districts. The results prompted the head of the state Board of Regents to ask if the test was too easy. [NYSED] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
State Senator Tom Duane, the sponsor of the Senate same-sex marriage bill, says the measure has enough votes to pass the state Senate. Senate majority leader Malcolm Smith says he doesn't think that's true -- and says he won't bring the bill to a vote if he thinks it will fail. [NYDN] [Buffalo News] [TU]
State concludes Tuffey's police officer certification expired, murder on Central Ave, student sues former Union roommate for $1 million, Friday's biz reportedly down after snakehead
A state agency has concluded that Albany police chief James Tuffey's certification as a police officer has expired. Tuffey can still serve as an "administrative" police chief -- but he can't carry a firearm. (Tuffey turned in his department-issued gun last week.) Common council president -- and mayor candidate -- Shawn Morris has called for mayor Jerry Jennings to fire to Tuffey for carrying a gun without a permit. [TU] [CapNews9]
A man was shot and killed Saturday morning at a club on Central Ave in Albany (map). Police say they have no suspects or motive. It was third time this man had been shot in his life -- he'd been hit by bullets twice as a teenager. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
That state pension fund dropped almost 29 percent during the last fiscal year and that will probably mean... wait for it... higher taxes. [TU]
The state budget crunch hasn't stopped David Paterson from making frequent use of state aircraft. [TU]
Albany cop testifies he was yelled at over accident involving chief's niece, Kathina Thomas killed a year ago today, Albany Med gets big gift, Saratoga bike-to-school ban protested
Albany police officer Daniel Condon testified under oath before the Common Council last night that he felt "intimidated" after police chief James Tuffey "yelled" at him over the radio at the scene of a 2007 car wreck involving Tuffey's niece -- Condon ended up not issuing a ticket. Condon was testifying as part of the Common Council's investigation into the ghost ticket scandal. Retired commander Leonard Crouch -- a former head of the police union -- also testified, and accused the council of pursuing the investigation "for no good reason other than personal or political gain." [TU] [CapNews9]
Police say an Albany woman was abducted from her apartment on Elk Street, transported to Troy where she was beaten, and then transported to Schenectady in a car trunk. They say the woman escaped in Schenectady after managing to get the trunk opened from the inside -- a passing driver picked her up and took her to the hospital. Three women have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping. A spokesman for the Albany police said the case is like something "right out of a movie or a TV show." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [Fox23]
Kathina Thomas was killed by a stray bullet in West Hill one year ago today. There's a memorial for her this evening. [TU] [WNYT]
Home prices slide a little bit more, new bottle bill put on hold, bus ridership dips after fare increase, police look for Panera pickpockets, farmers' markets vie for farms
The Capital Region's median home price was down three percent in April compared to the same month a year ago -- and the number of sales was down 23 percent. Around Saratoga, sales of big homes have slowed considerably. Against the regional trend, Albany County saw a median price increase -- though April's $196,000 was still below 2007's mark. Local real estate agents say they're hoping that first-time buyers will be drawn into the market by the federal government's $8k tax credit. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU] [Troy Record]
The Troy man picked up earlier this month for being an escaped fugitive from Tennessee says he believes he had a pardon -- because his family paid $20,000 for it. One of the Tennessee's governors in the late 1970s has been accused of running a money for pardons scheme -- he was never convicted of it, but his aides were. [Troy Record] [Saratogian] [Troy Record]
Court filings by people looking to sue the Schenectady School District allege that district officials knew of allegations against Steven Raucci, the former district employee accused of arson and terrorism, as far back as 2005. [Daily Gazette]
A federal judge has issued an injunction against the start of New York's new bottle bill. The judge concluded that June 1 was too early to start the 5 cent deposit on bottled water -- and the NY-only bar code rule for redeemable bottles probably violates the US Constitution's commerce clause. (Earlier on AOA: Better bottle bill bad for beer choice?) [TU] [NYT]
Tuffey going on paid leave, warnings about ambulance coverage, triple murderer sentenced, the "lucky" Stewart's in Clifton Park
Albany police chief James Tuffey announced yesterday that he's going on paid vacation (for an undetermined amount of time) while his certification as a police officer is investigated. Tuffey says he doesn't believe his status as a sworn police officer has expired and he vowed to return. Tuffey attributed the "leak" to the TU that set off this story to members of the police department who don't like that he's "holding people accountable." Mayor Jerry Jennings said Tuffey didn't have to take the leave and called Tuffey "a good administrative leader." Common Council president Shawn Morris said yesterday that if she's elected mayor in November, she will not keep Tuffey as chief. Council member Corey Ellis -- who's also running for mayor -- said allowing Tuffey to go on vacation "sends a bad message to the city of Albany." [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT] [CBS6] [Fox23]
An April memo from an Albany Fire Department lieutenant warned that Mohawk Ambulance's coverage of the city was spread too thin. Mohawk's service has been under scrutiny after it took 25 minutes for an ambulance to arrive at the scene of the fatal crash between a car and a kid on a bike. [TU]
An Albany County bill that would require ammunition shops to record who buys what ammo drew about 200 protesters at last night's county legislature meeting. Among the protesters: "one farmer who isn't gonna take crap." The bill's sponsor, Phil Steck, argued that people didn't understand that the measure would enforce already-existing law. [TU] [Fox23] [WNYT]
People waiting for hours yesterday in Schenectady to "grieve" their property tax assessments complained of a badly-designed system that lacks transparency -- one person compare it to "a war of attrition." Some people reportedly were waiting six hours to have their grievance heard. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
More criticism of ambulance response times, Tuffey's credentials quesitoned, fewer state worker layoffs predicted, students not allowed to ride bikes to school, bear sightings in Troy
The head of the Albany firefighters' union says his members have complained "several times" about slow response times for Mohawk Ambulance. The service is under scrutiny after it took 25 minutes for an ambulance to show up at the scene of a fatal crash between a kid on a bike and a car last week. [TU]
A TU review of records indicates that Albany police chief James Tuffey is not actually licensed to be a police officer -- though, by law, the doesn't preclude him from being chief. Common Council president Shawn Morris -- who's also running for mayor -- says there's "a strong expectation across the board that the police chief is a police officer" and has called for Tuffey to go on leave while the matter is investigated. That TU investigation also turned up questions about whether Tuffey has a permit to carry a gun. [TU] [Fox23] [TU]
"Experts" say only a few hundred state workers will actually be laid off as part of the state budget cuts. The state Department of Budget reports that 1,200 of the 8,700 planned job cuts have already happened because of the hiring freeze and retirements. [Newsday]
A Greenfield landlord has been charged with murder after police say he stabbed a tenant last week. [Saratogian]
Ambulance crew was going to take even longer route, H1N1 case in Albany County, Bronx terror informant was also Albany informant, turkey hunter charged, Troy co-op nears first goal
Recordings of dispatch communications indicate that the ambulance sent to transport the Albany boy who ran his bike into a car -- and later died -- had originally planned to take an even longer route to the scene of the accident. As it was, the Mohawk ambulance arrived on the scene 25 minutes after the call. Mohawk has yet to address why it didn't call for outside help in making the transport. [WNYT] [TU]
The state Department of Health reports that there's been a confirmed case of the emerging H1N1 flu in Albany County. The case, apparently a relatively mild one, is an adult who works in New York City. [NYS] [TU]
The Capital Region's unemployment rate was 6.7 percent last month -- that's up from 4.4 percent a year ago, but down from 7.3 percent in March. [TU] [NYS DoL]
The Saratoga Springs man arrested this week on charges he had a grenade is now under federal investigation after authorities say they found "anti-government materials" in his apartment. "Sources" say the material included a cover a Barack Obama Newsweek cover with a bull's eye on it. The father of the man's girlfriend called the guy "a psychopath." [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [TU]
Federal stimulus money will be used to fund reconstruction of Route 5 (Central Ave) between Albany and Schenectady. Stimulus money will also fund reconstruction of Rt 2 in Watervliet. Along with other projects, $51 million of federal stimulus spending has been announced for the Capital Region. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [Biz Review]
Troy police intervened with a possibly suicidal man after the Los Angeles Police Department alerted them to threats the man made on his MySpace page. [Troy Record]
Ambulance delay questioned, Paterson pessimistic about state finances, Rensselaer council doesn't show for no-show vote, Listerine blamed for failed sobriety test, surge of interest in home gardens
Albany mayor Jerry Jennings says he's putting together a task force to investigate why it took 25 minutes for an ambulance to show up at the scene of a fatal crash between a kid on a bike and a car. A spokesman for the ambulance company, Mohawk Ambulance, said "extraordinary circumstances" required the company to pull an ambulance from Troy to make the run. Firefighters who first responded to the scene reportedly called dispatch twice inquiring about the location of the ambulance. The boy -- who wasn't wearing a helmet -- later died at St. Peter's. The site of the crash was a little more than two miles from the hospital. [CapNews9] [TU] [Fox23] [Google Maps]
David Paterson is warning that $3 billion may have to be cut from this year's state budget -- though it seems that prediction isn't based on much more than his own hunch. Paterson's own budget office gently disputed the claim yesterday. [NYT] [NYDN]
Paterson made his comments about the budget at an appearance yesterday to sign a bill that uses federal stimulus money to extend a person's possible collection of unemployment benefits to 72 weeks. [TU]
State leaders are trying to work out a fix for the new bottle bill. It looks like a revised version will not include the New York-only barcode that bottlers said was going to be so much trouble. [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say they found a grenade and a bunch of guns during a domestic violence call yesterday. SSPD -- along with the ATF -- later arrested a man who lived at the residence. The bomb squad was called to remove the grenade. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
School budgets pass with a few notable exceptions, state budget might have to be cut again, state driving while texting ban proposed, SPAC tax might help Saratoga close gap
Most school budgets in the Capital Region passed yesterday -- but the budgets for Schenectady and Troy did not. Schenectady's schools superintendent blamed recent negative media coverage (Raucci, suicides) for the defeat. Troy's budget was narrowly defeated and its schools superintendent says he thinks the budget would pass on a second attempt. County round-ups: Albany, Schenectady, Rennselaer, Saratoga. [TU] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [Saratogian]
State revenues are falling significantly behind last year's pace and it looks like this year's budget will have to be cut again, according to a report from the state comptroller. [NYT]
It doesn't look like caps on state spending or property tax increases currently have any chance in the state legislature, but municipal consolidation is getting attention. Also (sort of) surfacing again: the soda tax. [TU] [Daily Politics]
A state Assemblyman from the Bronx has proposed a bill that would ban texting while driving. The bill is currently being blocked by a Rochester legislator, but it apparently has some support from Sheldon Silver. [CapNews9] [Buffalo News]
The bottled water industry has filed suit in federal court arguing that the new bottle deposit bill is unconstitutional because it violates the commerce clause and the equal protection clause. [TU]
Earth gently relieving its stress, Paterson calls for calorie counts on menus, Golisano says state bailed on us, Pink Palace sold, guy wins car with hold-in-one
Today is school budget and school board voting day. [CapNews9]
A geologist at the State Museum says the recent string of small earthquakes in Berne is a good thing because stresses in the earth are being released gently. [AOA] [TU]
Police are continuing to investigate the former doctor who's accused of torching Saratoga Winners for the insurance money. Among the points of interest: alleged paycheck irregularities at his staffing firm and a burned-down hair salon. [TU]
Republican Mary Ann McGinn -- an attorney with an MBA -- says she's running for Albany City Treasurer. The current -- and embattled -- treasurer, Democrat Betty Barnette, is also facing a primary challenge. [TU]
Sixteen schools in New York City have now been closed because of the recent flare up of the emerging H1N1 flu. Public officials aren't sure if the school closings actually help, though. The state health department is trying to get a centralized system together to track student illnesses -- the hope being such a system would help officials identify an outbreak earlier. [NYT] [NYT] [AP/CapNews9]
David Paterson has proposed state legislation that would require chain restaurants to post calorie information on their menus. The rule might even apply to places such as Stewart's. [TU] [Troy Record]
Police say Saratoga Winners fire was arson, earthquake near Berne, two men Cheney'd while hunting turkey, time capsule found
Colonie police say the owner of Saratoga Winners set the club on fire so he could collect the insurance money. The owner is a former gynecologist -- his medical license was revoked 2006. [Troy Record] [TU]
The USGS reports there was a magnitude 3 earthquake near Berne last night -- people report that it woke them up. [USGS] [CBS6]
Stillwater says water usage in the town is down 2 million gallons (no time frame given)-- perhaps out of concern about PCB contamination from the Hudson seeping into the town's wells. [CapNews9]
One of the highest-profile potential primary challengers to Kirsten Gillibrand says he won't run for the Senate. Steve Israel, a Congressman from Long Island, says President Obama asked him to not challenge Gillibrand. [TU] [NYT]
A man in New York City died last night from complications related to the emerging H1N1 influenza -- New York's State's first reported death from the virus. NYC has closed 10 schools in an effort to keep a lid on another flu flare up. [NYT]
Hudson River dredging starts today, no pork for Tedisco, Brown's new brews held up by barcode confusion, prom dress rugby
The Hudson River PCB dredging project finally starts today. Years in the planning -- and fighting -- the project is
A fourth Skidmore student has been charged in the alleged assault of a fellow student in April. The four students -- all seniors -- are accused of breaking down multiple doors to reach the sophomore, who -- according to his attorney -- says the alleged attack was like something out of The Shining. The four seniors reportedly had a dispute with the sophomore over a woman.[Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star]
Jim Tedisco didn't take any pork this year for his Assembly district. Last year he gave out more than $400k in "member item" money. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
David Paterson vetoed legislation that would have fined local governments for not complying with the state's open meetings law. He said the law was "problematic" because the $500 fine would have been assessed to the governmental entity -- not the officials. [AP/TU]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli issued a report recommending that the state adopt a two-year budget cycle and voter-approval of new state debt. [Biz Review]
State ethics panel slammed for being unethical and ineffective, UAlbany gets new president, Saratoga Springs mayor running for re-election, giant sinkhole opens in street
After a report from the state inspector general blasted the state Commission on Public Integrity -- an ethics panel -- for leaking info about its investigation of the Spitzer Administration, David Paterson called on all of the commission members to quit. The commission's response: no. Leaks or no leaks, there no indications the commission might not have exactly been doing a great job. [NYT] [TU] [NYDN] [NYDN]
UAlbany has a new president: George Philip, who's been serving as the school's interim president. The university's presidential search took three years and cost $300,000. The selection of Philip -- who had been there all along -- had at least a few students scratching their heads. [TU] [ASP]
GlobalFoundries says the EU's fine of Intel for anti-competitive practices will help the Luther Forest chip fab project -- because Intel's main rival, AMD, is currently GloFo's only customer. An Intel spokesperson says the ruling won't be sorted out for years and probably won't have any impact on the Luther Forest project. (some broader perspective) [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star]
The week in murders and shootings: Two brothers have been charged with the murder outside a former night club in Schenectady last month. A man was indicted for the stabbing murder on Bradford Street last week in Albany. And federal marshals in Georgia picked up the guy accused of shooting a woman outside the Playdium in March. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TU]
Assembly passes same-sex marriage bill, GE battery plant coming to Capital Region, NY's top court says no police GPS without warrant, condo slump in Saratoga, the $500 wedding
The state Assembly passed a bill that would allow same-sex marriage. The vote was 89-52 -- that's four more "yes" votes than in 2007. Five members who had voted "no" two year ago voted "yes" this time around. The lobbying focus now shifts to the state Senate, where there's currently no vote scheduled on the bill. The Senate sponsor of the bill said last night the he thinks he has enough votes to pass the measure. [TU] [Daily Politics] [NYT] [Planet Albany]
GE announced that it will build a plant to manufacture special rechargeable batteries somewhere in the Capital Region. The plant will employ 350 people and will cost $100 million -- $15 million of which the state is chipping in. The exact location of the plant has yet to be determined. Saratoga County officials are hoping the plant will land at the Luther Forest tech campus or NYSERDA's Saratoga Technology & Energy Park. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Former state health commissioner Antonia Novello was arraigned yesterday in Albany County Court on 20 count indictment that alleges she took advantage of her staffers while she headed up the health department. She could get as many 12 years in prison. An earlier state inspector general report concluded that Novello had run up almost $50k in staff overtime for things such as driving her to the mall, watering her plants and arranging her furniture. Novello's case is being compared to former state comptroller Alan Hevesi, who resigned after it came out he had been using state employees to chauffeur his wife. Novello's lawyer she's being targeted for political reasons. [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette] [NYP] [NYDN]
Same-sex marriage vote today in Assembly, two confirmed cases of H1N1 in Capital Region, Saratoga Springs facing big budget gap, Rachael Ray back at her alma mater
The state Assembly is expected to pass a bill today that would make same-sex marriage legal in New York (no vote is scheduled in the Senate). One of the leading advocates of the bill in the Assembly is Daniel O'Donnell, the first openly gay person to serve in the Assembly -- he's also Rosie's brother. [NYDN] [TU] [NYT]
Former state health commissioner -- and US Surgeon General -- Antonia Novella was arraigned this morning in Albany County court on charges she defrauded the state by taking advantage of her state staffers. [TU]
There are now two confirmed cases of the emerging H1N1 influenza in the greater Capital Region. Officials are saying very little about the case in Saratoga County -- they do say that it's a 12-year-old. The other case is in a Washington County student -- Cambridge Central School officials say they've been disinfecting high traffic areas of the school every night. There have now been 196 confirmed cases of the new strain of H1N1 in New York State -- 38 of them outside NYC. [Post-Star] [Fox23] [NYS DoH]
The Schenectady County DA says investigators have matched DNA from a fork used by Steven Raucci to DNA found on a cigarette used as part of an explosive device. The former Schenectady school district employee was arraigned yesterday -- he's under indictment for 26 felony counts that include terrorism and arson. Raucci's attorney said yesterday that prosecutors have put together "a case full of exaggerations." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Friday's asks state police to look into snake head, parking official's wife's car got ghost tickets, landfill fined for stinkiness, Skidmore students accused of beat down, rooster finds new home, Tulip Queen crowned
TGI Friday's says the an independent lab has concluded that the snake head found in a side order of broccoli at its restaurant in Clifton Park was added after the veggies were cooked. The company says it's asked the State Police to open a criminal investigation. [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette]
GlobalFoundries says it won't buy the land for the Luther Forest chip fab until it can work out an agreement with construction unions -- and David Paterson's office is participating in the negotiations. Even with all the recent hype, the project still has some doubters. [TU] [Biz Review] [TU]
The vehicle registered to the wife of Albany's Parking Violations Bureau director received 70 ghost tickets, according to documents obtained by the TU. Albany treasurer Betty Barnette has said that her office, which includes the parking violations bureau, had no knowledge of the ghost ticket program. [TU]
A federal appeals court has upheld the $265,000 in damages awarded to a man who says an Albany cop violated his civil rights during an arrest in 2002. The cop -- who's had numerous complaints filed against him -- is still on the job. [TU]
Advocates for same-sex marriage have put together a coordinated campaign to lobby potential swing votes in the state Senate. Many senators have yet to say publicly how they'll vote on the issue. [NYT]
The state Senate and its slim Democratic majority have been quite the drama lately as small groups of senators have tried to get theirs by holding out on various bills. And now this: Kevin Parker, a senator from Brooklyn, has been charged with a felony for allegedly wailing on a New York Post photographer -- Parker is, perhaps fittingly, also the sponsor of legislation that would legalize ultimate fighting in the state. [NYT] [NYT] [NYP] [NYP]
Chuck Schumer has asked the Federal Trade Commissioner to look into those "your car warranty is about to expire" scam telemarketing calls. Apparently Schumer had had enough after he got a fourth call on his mobile last week. [AP/TU] [NYT]
City treasurer received ghost tickets, it's good to be a lobbyist, problems at the Muddy Cup, Chopper uses AdvantEdge cards to notify of recall, Fallon was quizzed for final credits
Albany city treasurer Betty Barnette has testified that she had no knowledge of the ghost ticket system until she read about it in the news -- but the TU has obtained copies of seven no-fine tickets given to... Barnette. She says she has no memory of receiving the tickets. [TU] [CBS6]
Firms that lobby the state billed their clients almost $174 million last year. NYSUT spent $4.4 million -- the most of any single group. [Biz Review]
Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are apparently becoming BFF. He's even memorized her mobile number. [NYT]
The Saratoga County towns that had sued to hold up the Hudson dredging over concerns about their drinking water supply have dropped their suit. The dredging project is scheduled to start this month. [Daily Gazette]
Dalai Lama visits, murder in Albany, too many recyclables in landfill, Friday's says it's investigating snakehead, Sage graduation won't shake on it, fiddlehead rustlers
The Dalai Lama speaking in the New York Senate.
The Dalai Lama spoke -- very softly -- to a crowd of about 2500 people at the Palace Theater yesterday afternoon. About the controversy surrounding his off-then-on visit, the Tibetan spiritual leader said: "I had an invitation, so I accepted." -- he also implied that negative media reports about the World Ethical Foundations Consortium, the event's sponsor, were not truthful. Earlier in the day, the Dalai Lama spoke before the state Senate and joked that he felt an affinity with Republicans at the Capitol because he knows what it's like to be in the minority. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record] [NYS Senate YouTube]
The Albany County budget is facing a $20 million gap because of falling sales tax income and cuts in state aide. County exec Mike Breslin called the gap -- which represents about 30 percent of the county budget -- "an emergency." [TU]
Police say a man was stabbed and killed on Bradford Street in Albany yesterday evening (map). A suspect is in custody. Another man was shot twice on Third Street later in the night. [CapNews9] [TU] [CapNews9]
A Schenectady County grand jury handed up a 26 count indictment against Steve Raucci, the former Schenectady School District employee accused of arson and terrorism. The indictment alleges Raucci was involved in 14 separate incidents. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Dalai Lama in town today, Republican steps into Albany mayoral race, KG introduces first Senate bill, famous shotgun wielding-grandma dies
The Dalai Lama is appearing at the Palace Theater in Albany at 2 pm today. He's also scheduled to stop by the state Senate. A critic of the Clifton Park executive training program that's connected to the event's sponsor organization says Dalai Lama's association with the org is "a mistake." [Palace Theater] [Liz Benjamin] [CapNews9]
There's now a Republican in the race for Albany mayor. Nathan Lebron, an IT exec who lives in the Whitehall neighborhood, says the city's Democratic machine is broken and needs to be replaced. [TU]
Troy police say a man was shot and beaten in his home last night (map). His injuries aren't considered life-threatening. [TU]
David Paterson has ordered state agencies to stop buying bottled water for environmental reasons. The ban covers both indivdual bottles and the standup water cooler bottles. [NYT]
Paterson also announced that the state would be spending $25 million on battery research. The center for that research may not be located upstate, as had originally been announced. [TU] [Gannett/TU]
Paterson proposes spending cap, man arrested after 29 years on the run, more suspected H1N1 cases test negative, Schenectady's empty neighborhoods
David Paterson has proposed capping increases in state spending at the average rate of inflation over the previous three years. Paterson says a cap "will force government to live within its means." The Governor says that if such a cap was already in place, the state would have spent $17 billion less over the last five years. A spending cap would probably have to be added to the state constitution to have any real effect. [AP/Saratogian] [NYDN] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [NYT]
Police arrested a Troy man yesterday who had escaped from a Tennessee prison 29 years ago. Robert T. Henry had been serving a 15 year sentence there for robbery. Henry apparently saw that Tennessee officials were looking for him as part of a sweep of old fugitive cases -- and he contacted them to proclaim his innocence. Henry says he was pardoned, though there doesn't seem to be a record of it. Though he apparently kept an apartment, police say he told them he'd been living in Prospect Park. [Troy Record] [TU] [Tennessean] [CapNews9] [Fox23]
The sister of Albany police chief James Tuffey testified before the Common Council last night that her daughter's car did not carry a bull's eye sticker when it was involved in a 2007 crash. The TU has reported that Albany cops didn't ticket the chief's niece for the crash because she had a sticker. [TU]
Officials expect H1N1 flu in every county eventually, first local stimulus project starts, mixed-use development planned for downtown Albany, Dr. Z gets stiffed, the weekend in chase and taser
There were 96 confirmed probable cases of the emerging H1N1 influenza in New York State as of Saturday night, according to the state department of health. Seventeen of the those cases were outside NYC -- and the state health commissioner says they expect that the virus will pop up in every county at some point. Three suspected cases from Schenectady and Albany counties have tested negative -- a suspected case in Saratoga County has gone for testing. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the virus is now "circulating all over" the country. [NYS DoH] [NYT] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [NYT]
The Capital Region's first stimulus-funded project -- the reconstruction of Delaware Ave in Albany -- starts today (map). [TU]
The final tally for spending in the Tedisco-Murphy special election: $3.6 million -- $2.05 million by Murphy and $1.55 million by Tedisco. [TU]
Scott Murphy opened an office in Saratoga Springs Friday (it was Kirsten Gillibrand's old office). Murphy mentioned KG at least six times during his public comments. Apparently the biggest complaint at Murphy's first "Congress on Your Corner" event: Murphy supporters were blocking the nearby drive-up mailbox. [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
A state commission is looking into whether the ghost parking tickets given to some state officials in Albany violated a ban on gifts. [TU]
Suspected case of H1N1 tests negative, Salt filming continues, acre of garbage revealed, cop crashes through storefront window, bakeries call for cupcake exemption
One of the local suspected cases of the emerging H1N1 influenza has already tested negative. Samples from as many as six suspected cases in the region are still being tested. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo says his office is widening its investigation of kickbacks and other fishy stuff going on with the state pension fund. Andrew Cuomo says "a national network of actors" was involved in defrauding the fund. A handful of people with connections to former state comptroller Alan Hevesi, who ran the fund, have already been indicted. Allegations of wrongdoing at the fund stretch back to at least 2002. [TU] [NYT] [Daily Politics]
A group of politically-appointed attorneys that allegedly maneuvered their way into protected jobs at the state Department of Taxation and Finance have been told by civil service that they need to explain why their jobs shouldn't be revoked. [TU]
The state recently settled a civil rights lawsuit filed by a Schenectady man who said he was fired from his job as a photographer for the state Senate in 2003. The man, who's white, alleged that he had been fired by then-Senate minority leader David Paterson's staff because he wasn't an African-American. [NY Post]
Albany Common Councilwoman Barbara Smith says she wants to know whether it was just a coincidence that a former Albany cop was picked for child porn shortly before he was scheduled to testify about the ghost ticket scandal. [TU]
Filming for Salt continues today through Monday in downtown Albany. Traffic was reportedly all tied up downtown yesterday after filming started again. [TU] [@rmadeo]
Officials urge calm on emerging flu, CDTA consolidating routes, Albany getting grant for anti-violence program, old Saratoga Winners destroyed, no Shakespeare in the Park this year
New York State has now had 54 confirmed cases of the emerging H1N1 flu -- including three cases outside NYC. Samples from five suspected cases in the greater Capital Region (two each in Schenectady and Washington counties, one in Albany County) have been sent for testing -- officials say they're not sure when results will be back on those samples. David Paterson reiterated his call for people to stay calm and said the state is prepping for a worst-case scenario. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Albany city treasurer Betty Barnette now says she will release copies of dismissed parking tickets to the Common Council -- if the council agrees to not share the info with anyone else. Barnette had initially balked at the council's request, which is part of the ghost ticket investigation, citing HIPAA -- even though the medical privacy law doesn't apply to her office. [TU]
CDTA ridership was up 11 percent to record levels during the fiscal year that ended in March. The transit org says it's still short on money, though, and will be changing, consolidating and eliminating routes to save money. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Police used a state police helicopter, a K-9 unit and a lockdown of schools yesterday during a manhunt in Schenectady. Police were looking for a man they suspect has information about the fatal shooting outside a club this past weekend. They didn't get him. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Officials expect statewide spread of swine flu, Murphy to be sworn in, Vick offer "a big mistake," paid parking proposal for Saratoga, ice cream truck pulls crazy U-ee
State health commissioner Richard Daines says he expects swine flu to eventually spread to every part of the state -- and DoH is already testing suspected cases in a handful of upstate counties. There have been 45 confirmed cases in New York State so far -- all of them in NYC. Said David Paterson yesterday: "This not time for alarm, but it's time to be alert." [WXXI] [TU]
State budget director Laura Anglin says this year's budget is on track to stay even -- if the planned state worker job cuts go through. The next few years aren't looking good, though. [NYS DoB] [TU] [NYT]
About 8,700 state worker job cuts, the Division of the Budget says it's still reviewing plans submitted by various agencies. [TU]
Scott Murphy is scheduled to be sworn in today at the US Capitol. [Daily Gazette]
The Albany Firebirds say the team's contract offer to Michael Vick was a marketing ploy -- and, in the words of the team's owner, "a big mistake."
Officials say they're prepping for swine flu, more ghost ticket testimony, ACP student's skull cracked in assault, phoning while driving sweep nets hundreds, rock snot
There have now been 28 confirmed cases of swine flu in New York State -- all of them in NYC. The state Department of Health says it expects to see more cases emerge. State and local officials say they're prepping in case the influenza strain spreads elsewhere in the state. The state has set up a swine flu hotline and info page: 1-800-808-1987. [NYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [NYS DoH]
The head of the Albany police union testified under oath last night before the Common Council about the ghost ticket scandal. Christian Mesley reiterated his earlier assertion that APD chief James Tuffey wasn't totally forthcoming in his comments about the tickets. Mesley was testifying as an officer -- not as union head -- and some council members say they suspect they didn't get the full story as a result. [TU] [Fox23]
David Paterson says he's issuing an executive order requiring that any need state mandate on local governments will have to include funding the new rule. Paterson says the order should help slow the increase of property taxes. The governor also said yesterday that state's fiscal outlook later this year "may not be as bad we first thought." [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
County sales tax revenues were down in the first quarter of 2009 -- both locally and across the state. And that could mean... higher property taxes. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
State is monitoring swine flu situation, murder in Schenectady, Angelina makes shows up, baby born on Thruway, Fountain Day draws record crowd
David Paterson says the state is monitoring the swine flu situation, but doesn't see "any real danger ahead." There have been eight confirmed cases of swine flu in Queens. (Some perspective.) [Fox23] [NYT] [NYT]
The 911 call in which an off-duty Schenectady cop followed an allegedly drunk off-duty Albany police detective driving through Albany and Delmar indicates that the APD may have held off on pursuing the detective. According to the off-duty Schenectady cop's comments on the call, the APD detective could barely stand and almost hit cars coming in the opposite direction. [TU]
"Several" Albany Common Council members tell the TU that Jerry Jennings' executive assistant has been trying to convince them to drop the council's investigation of the ghost ticket scandal. [TU]
A man was shot and killed in the parking lot of
Scott Murphy said Jim Tedisco concession was a "very gracious" end to the special election. With about 700 ballots still uncounted, Murphy was up 399 votes on Tedisco Friday afternoon. Murphy got a congratulatory call from President Obama. Republicans, wondering how they lost again in a district with more enrolled Republicans than Democrats, pointed to a lack of party unity and backfiring negative ads as contributing factors to Tedisco's loss. There's speculation now that Tedisco could be on his way out of the Assembly. Murphy wouldn't say on Friday whether he plans to run again next year. [Daily Gazette] [NYS BoE] [Saratogian] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [PolitickerNY]
Angelina Jolie was in town yesterday to shoot scenes for Salt (video -- pics of the crew and shot setup). It seems locals can't get enough of gawking at the scene. Apparently the paparazzi prefer NYC, though. Oh, Brad Pitt was not here -- he was in Niagara Falls. [TU] [TU] [CBS6] [Troy Record] [TU] [Telegraph UK] [TU] [Buffalo News]
Home prices down, gawking slows traffic, reward offered for info about RPI student's death, the doctor will text you now
The media sale price for a home in Albany County was down two percent in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period a year ago, according to figures from the Greater Capital Association of Realtors. Rensselaer County was down six percent, Saratoga nine percent and Schenectady 12 percent. The number of sales in the Capital Region was down 29 percent compared to last year. [TU] [Biz Review]
The are still as many as 900 absentee ballots to be counted in the NY20 special election. The unofficial count has Scott Murphy up 401 votes on Jim Tedisco. County elections officials were in Albany yesterday at the state Board of Elections to go over contested ballots. Noted: writing "Go (name of your preferred candidate)" on your absentee ballot will get your ballot tossed. [Daily Gazette] [NYS BoE] [Saratogian] [TU]
The slow paper ballot count in the special election has people thinking about reforming the state's procedures and rules for absentee ballots. One proposed bill would allow voters to use their middle initial when signing an absentee ballot -- that's currently grounds for tossing a ballot. [Post-Star]
Gawking -- not road closures -- seemed to be most responsible for slowing traffic near the Salt shoot yesterday. Also: "a person familiar with the planning" tells the TU that Angelina Jolie will be in town on Sunday. [TU]
Former state tax worker accused of stealing identities, Jennings officially running for re-election, Troy and Albany among highest spending districts, DA wants meeting about Skidmore pot, woman wants to clean up the crap
A retired employee of the state Department of Taxation and Finance was arrested yesterday on accusations that he had used stolen taxpayers' person and financial info to open credit cards and other accounts. He's accused of running up $200,000 in fraudulent charges. Authorities say they found more than 2000 post-it notes with taxpayer data in the man's Troy home. [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
The NY20 special election inched forward yesterday a judge ruled on how some of the absentee ballots should be assessed. The latest unofficial numbers from the New York State Board of Elections has Scott Murphy leading Jim Tedisco by 365 votes. [TU] [NYS BoE]
Tedisco was facing a sticky situation in his current job -- in the state Assembly -- yesterday after someone anonymously sent documents to the TU and various other offices that indicate Tedisco's top staffer had his personal legal bills paid by Repbublican Assembly campaign money. [TU]
Jerry Jennings has officially announced he's running for re-election as mayor of Albany. [TU]
Filming starts today on that Angelina Jolie movie -- here's a listing of the road closures. [AOA]
UAlbany students say alleged "Craigslist killer" was nerdy and nice, Barnette rebuffs request for dismissed parking tickets, building inspector says he was fired over rec center, Potato Playground closes
UAlbany officials say there are no indications that Philip Markoff, the alleged "Craigslist killer," was involved in any criminal cases during his four years as an undergrad at the school (he graduated in 2007 with a degree in biology). One of Markoff's lab partners at UAlbany called him "a nerdy science lover." A person who says he was one of Markoff's best friends at UAlbany called him "a great guy" who was "an intellectual, nice, friendly guy." Though one of Markoff's lab partners at Boston U's school of medicine said Markoff had exhibited extreme mood swings and she was "not even remotely surprised" that he'd been charged with murder. [AP/Daily Gazette] [TU] [MSNBC] [Boston Globe]
Albany city treasurer Betty Barnette says she can't comply with the Common Council's request for copies of all the parking tickets dismissed in 2008 because doing so would violate HIPAA. Yep, the medical privacy law. Council president Shawn Morris said the explanation is "absurd." [TU]
Columbia Pictures is paid just $25 for the permit to rent I-787 and ramps to/from the ESP for the filming of that Angelina Jolie movie. The production company is also paying for costs associated with the necessary detours. A state official estimates the production will inject $500k into the local economy. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Benzie Johnson, a resident of Pine Hills, says he's running for mayor of Albany. Johnson is a registered Democrat but says he'll be seeking nomination on another party's ticket -- he says he doesn't think any Democrat can beat Jerry Jennings in the primary. [TU] [CapNews9]
Alleged "Craigslist killer" went to UAlbany, Schenectady HS fight reportedly over suicide taunting, police say bus driver may have been at wheel drunk, smokin' at Skidmore
Philip Markoff, the Boston U medical student accused of being "the Craigslist killer" by police, is reportedly a 2007 UAlbany graduate. The man's fiance, who also reportedly attended UAlbany, told ABC News that police have the wrong guy. Markoff is the fourth former UAlbany student to be charged with murder during the last five years. [Boston Globe] [AP] [ABC News] [Albany Student Press]
Three teen girls were charged after a fight at Schenectady High School yesterday injured two teachers. One of the girl's mothers said her daughter did throw the first punch -- because she was being taunted about the recent suicide of her cousin. Students said yesterday that bullying is an ongoing problem at the school. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
Rudy Giuliani was in town last night for the Albany County Republicans' annual Lincoln Reagan dinner. Guiliani said state leaders should be "ashamed" of the New York's current "anti-competitive position" and he criticized the size of the recently passed state budget. Guiliani said he hasn't made his mind up about whether he'll run for governor next year and isn't sure when he will. [NYDN] [CapNews9] [AP/Newsday] [PolitickerNY]
There are still about 1500 disputed absentee ballots still to be counted (or not counted) in the NY20 special election. Scott Murphy's unofficial lead over Jim Tedisco is at 273 votes -- and Democrats are starting to make noises about the race being over. [TU] [CapNews9]
State worker unions confront Paterson at Gideon Putnam, Murphy lead over Tedisco widens, why the Dalai Lama reconsidered, bank knocked over with electric drill, Saratoga grid could get smart, Dr. Wow
The state worker unions protested the planned job cuts outside the state Democratic Rural Conference Friday evening at the Gideon Putnam. David Paterson stopped outside the meetings to talk with the protesters -- though one union rep called the impromptu session "absolutely unproductive." Paterson later told a news conference that the unions haven't been willing to "any sort of effort that would help us balance our budget." The unions say the state save money by cutting the use of outside contractors. [Post-Star] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Police say the gunman in the Union St. shooting last week was the boyfriend of the murdered man's estranged wife. Police say the shooter shot himself in Niskayuna after he saw police at his apartment. They say they're not sure what motivated the incident. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The unofficial count from the New York State Board of Elections has Scott Murphy up 273 votes on Jim Tedisco in the NY20 special election. [NYS BoE]
A rep for the Dalai Lama says the Buddhist spiritual leader has decided to come to Albany because he "feels committed to supporting the expression of worthy ideals." The Dalai Lama had cancelled an earlier appearance because of the negative publicity associated with the Ethical Humanitarian Foundation, the sponsoring organization. EHF is connected to a Clifton Park executive leadership program that's been accused of cult-like tactics. [TU] [Forbes]
A plant that processes hazardous waste in Cohoes was grossly under reporting its emissions for years, according to an analysis of EPA numbers by the TU. [TU]
Police say the human skeleton found in Rotterdam near the Mohawk last week belonged to a man who was reported missing in 2005. They say they're not sure what caused the man's death. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
State police say the guy who robbed the Key Bank on Hoosick St in Troy on Friday might have used to an electric drill for the stick-up.
New York State's unemployment benefits are not indexed to inflation -- and have not been raised by the state legislature for more than a decade. [NYT]
An Albany police commander says a small group of young people are responsible for about 75 percent of gun violence in the city. [TU]
Paterson introduces same-sex marriage bill, two shooting deaths in Schenectady, high-speed rail gets Presidential attention, Troy might bring in The Pothole Killer
David Paterson officially introduced a bill yesterday that would make same-sex marriage legal in New York State. Paterson framed the measure as a civil rights issue: "We have a duty to make sure equality exists for everyone." This same bill passed the Assembly in 2007, but failed in the state Senate. Majority leader Malcolm Smith wasn't at yesterday's announcement, though he says he's "fully committed to the process of securing the votes" necessary to pass the bill. State Senator Ruben Diaz -- a Democrat who's against the measure -- called the bill "a challenge the governor is sending to every religious person in New York." [NYT] [AP/TU] [Daily Politics] [NYP]
The state Department of Labor reported that the Capital Region's unemployment rate was 7.3 percent in March -- that's down from 7.6 percent in February, but up from 5 percent a year ago. A labor department analyst says the numbers may indicate that unemployment has hit a bottom -- maybe. [NYS DoL] [TU]
Authorities say two shooting deaths in Schenectady last night may have been a murder-suicide -- though the Schenectady County DA says "there's still a lot of legwork to be done." The first shooting was on Union St, about a block from the Union College campus (map). The Schenectady PD reported the incident on Twitter. [Daily Gazette] [TU] (Earlier on AOA: Schenectady mugshots on Twitter)
Absentee ballot counting in the NY20 special election has slowed over the way disputed ballots are to be counted. It also probably didn't help that some elections officials in Dutchess County decided to go to the Yankees game yesterday. The unofficial count at the end of yesterday from the New York State Board of Elections has Scott Murphy up 178 votes on Jim Tedisco. [TU] [PolitickerNY] [NYS BoE]
Special election probably headed to judge's hands, "tea party" draws thousands, car flips on 890, what keeps Schenectady's toilets working, no dogs allowed in Troy's dog park
The unofficial count from the New York State Board of Elections for the NY20 special election had Scott Murphy up 86 votes on Jim Tedisco at the end of yesterday. Saratoga County finished its counting yesterday -- and didn't provide the windfall of votes for which the Tedisco campaign had been hoping. It looks like the election's final count will be in the hands of a state Supreme Court judge as thousands of contested ballots will ultimately be included/kicked by his decisions. [NYS BoE] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
More than 2000 people showed up for the "Tax Day Tea Party" event at the Corning Preserve yesterday. Many of the people there seemed to just be generally upset about the state of government. Photosets of the event from Flickr users chimpmitten and the.bnut. [TU] [Troy Record] [Flickr] [Flickr]
The state AG's office filed more charges related to corruption in during term of former state comptroller Alan Hevesi. You've heard this story before -- politically connected friends are accused of getting huge kickbacks for not really doing anything. [TU]
It seems the rejected plans for the Saratoga City Center expansion were even uglier than the one approved. The rejected designs had nicknames such as "the bunker" and "Home Depot." [Post-Star] [Saratogian]
Paterson to introduce same-sex marriage bill, Gillibrand's absentee ballot challenged, Dalai Lama visit back on, "tea party" in Corning Preserve, local professor salaries ranked
David Paterson reportedly plans to introduce legislation on Thursday that would make same-sex marriage legal in New York State. Paterson says allowing same-sex marriage is "the only ethical way to treat people who want to live together in peace under the civil law." A similar bill has passed the Assembly in previous years, but stalled in the state Senate. Democrats now hold a 32-30 majority in the state Senate, but four Senate Dems say they won't support the bill. The state Senator who plans to sponsor the bill says he thinks some Republicans may cross the aisle to support the measure. [NYT] [AP/Daily Gazette] [NYP] [TU]
The Tedisco campaign has challenged Kirsten Gillibrand's absentee ballot for the 20th Congressional District special election. A Tedisco campaign lawyer said Gillibrand, who appeared in the area with Scott Murphy, should have voted at her polling place in Columbia County. Gillibrand called the challenge "frivolous and without merit." The Tedisco campaign has been focusing their ballot challenges on people who may live part-time in the district, including students from schools such as Skidmore. A attorney for the Murphy campaign says the Tedisco campaign is basing its challenges on whether "the person is likely to vote Democratic." [TU] [Saratogian/Troy Record] [HuffPo] [PolitickerNY] [NYT]
The unofficial count from the NYS Board of Elections had Murphy up 47 votes on Tedisco at the end of yesterday. [NYS BoE]
Albany mayor Jerry Jennings says rumors that he was not going to run for re-election this year were "wishful thinking." He's expected to officially announce his re-election bid next week. [TU]
It looks like the Dalai Lama is coming to Albany, afterall. The Buddhist spiritual leader is now scheduled to appear at The Palace Theater on May 6. [Metroland] [TU]
State worker unions say they're trying to make Paterson unpopular, texting while driving ban passed, Saratoga Rec center moving forward, man accused of stuffing video games into stroller
The state worker unions say they're trying to use condemnation and negative ads to push David Paterson's approval numbers down so that he changes his mind about the layoffs. Note to the unions: Paterson's approval ratings are already about as low as they can go. [YouTube] [NYT] [Q Poll]
The Paterson administration is looking to extend the time people in the state can receive unemployment checks. The "first wave" of people seeing their unemployment benefits expire is scheduled to arrive next month. [TU] [Troy Record]
Scott Murphy is up 25 votes on Jim Tedisco in the 20th Congressional District special election, according to the latest unofficial numbers from the New York State Board of Elections. The Tedisco is campaign is asking the state to extend the deadline for military ballots another 15 days (the deadline was yesterday) -- 205 of the 998 military ballots mailed out have been returned so far. The special election saga took another turn yesterday when the state Supreme Court judge who will rule on disputed absentee ballots was out yesterday for medical reasons. [NYS BoE] [Planet Albany] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Albany County legislature passed a ban on texting while driving by a vote of 31-1. The bill won't take effect until six months after it's signed by Albany County exec Mike Breslin. The fine for violating the ban is $150. [TU] [CBS6]
State worker union says it rejected another no-layoff deal, horse breeder charged with animal cruelty, whupping charges lessened, bakery's sales up with help of cupcakes and Facebook
Note: the TU's site was loading erratically, if at all, for us this morning.
One of the state worker unions says it rejected a deal offered by the Paterson administration in which the creation of a new pension tier would guarantee no layoffs. According to many reports last week, the Paterson administration has offered a handful of deals involving cuts in raises or other concessions in return for a no-layoffs guarantee. The unions have rejected these deals. [TU]
As of Friday afternoon the unofficial count from the New York State Board of Elections has Scott Murphy up 35 votes on Jim Tedisco in the 20th Congressional District special election. The counting of absentee ballots continues this week. Democrats in Columbia County accused Republicans participating in the count there of "acting in bad faith." What happens if the election ends up in a tie at the end of all this counting? You guessed it: we get to do it all over again. [NYS BoE] [TU] [Troy Record]
The horse breeder accused of not providing proper nourishment to horses on a farm in Coxsackie was formally charged with animal cruelty on Friday. A human society official described the farm as a "puppy mill" for horses. [AP/Saratogian] [TU]
The four Schenectady teens who recently committed suicide were linked by a common leader of sorts who was the the first to kill herself. [Daily Gazette]
State worker union turns down no-layoff deal, Paterson pushes for same-sex marriage bill, Hearst cancels guild contract at TU, rescued animals pack humane society shelter
CSEA says it has rejected a deal offered by the Paterson administration in which state workers would give up this year's scheduled three percent raise in return for a no-layoffs guarantee. Liz Benjamin reports there may be a "pay lag" agreement coming together behind the scenes, though. Also: as promised, David Paterson has sent 10 percent of his salary ($18k) back to the state. [AP/TU] [Daily Politics] [TU]
David Paterson said yesterday he thinks the public will accept same-sex marriage and he wants to see a same-sex marriage bill come up for a vote in the state Senate -- whether it's guaranteed to pass or not. That call didn't go over all that well with same-sex marriage advocates. [NYT] [Daily Politics]
The state budget has lead to cuts in open hours at state parks this season. The local regional state park director calls the cutbacks "fairly unprecedented." Among the local consequences: the Peerless Pool will be closed on Tuesdays (the day it gets the smallest number of visitors, according to officials) and the beach at Grafton Lakes will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. [TU] [Troy Record] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette]
As of this morning, the New York State Board of Elections was reporting that Scott Murphy had an eight vote lead over Jim Tedisco in the 20th Congressional District special election. The count of absentee ballots will continue today. The NY 20th may be missing out on federal stimulus money because it doesn't have a House member right now. [NYSBoE] [AP/TU]
State worker unions talk trash about Paterson, special election absentee ballot count starts, big new contract for Siena basketball coach, Troy dog park become partisan issue
The heads of the two biggest state worker unions, CSEA and PEF, met with David Paterson yesterday about the planned layoffs and it appears not much happened -- except for some trash talking. CSEA president Danny Donohue said the governor "needs a good psychiatrist or at least he should share the drugs that he's on because he's not making any sense to any of our members." Paterson's people called Donohue's remarks "inappropriate" and said they "reflect a lack of respect for the taxpayers of New York." The two unions are also upset that Paterson tried to go over their heads by sending a letter directly to state workers. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [Biz Review]
The "long, tedious" count of the absentee ballots in the 20th Congressional District special election has started. Every ballot is being examined by an election worker and observers from both campaigns. An elections commissioner says the process could take as long as three weeks. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Post-Star]
State police and animal protection groups raided a horse farm in Coxsackie yesterday and found 177 malnourished horses. The animals belong to trainer Ernie Paragallo, whose horses have won more than $20 million in purse money over the last 12 years. The condition of Paragallo's horses has been a concern of animal groups since at least 2007. [TU] [NYT] [NYT]
David Paterson says he's planning to introduce legislation that would make same-sex marriages legal in New York. Previous bills have passed in the Assembly, but stalled in the state Senate. [Gannett/TU]
Paterson administration details state worker layoffs, two banks robbed, popular track coach officially fired, common council urges census recognition of same-sex marriages
The Paterson administration released a list detailing how many jobs are to be cut at which state agencies as part of the state worker layoffs -- the biggest cuts are at Corrections and OMRDD. The governor also announced that no management/confidential employees will be cut because they're raises have been canceled, thus saving the state money. Paterson sent a letter to unionized state workers yesterday calling on them to urge their unions to accept wage concessions as a way to avoid layoffs. [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [WNYT]
The Tedisco and Murphy campaigns have been calling absentee voters in the 20th Congressional District in an attempt to find out how they voted in the special election. The count in the race is currently at Tedisco +17. The counting of absentee ballots will start today. [TU] [CapNews9]
A national suicide expert told a community forum in Schenectady last night that kids in the city have told him that they feel anxious and have problems at home. Said one teen who spoke up at the forum, "We need help." Four Schenectady High students have killed themselves during the last five months. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Two Key Banks in Albany were robbed yesterday, apparently by two different people. Cameras in the Key at Washington and Lark caught a picture of the robber's face. [TU] [Troy Record]
Conviction in triple murder case, special election absentee ballot counting starts this week, Albany Med expansion on hold, woman arrested for false mugging report, bobblehead lineup announced
Jovan Underdue was convicted yesterday of the triple murder in Albany last January. Underdue now faces life in prison without parole. His attorney says they will appeal. [TU]
The Albany Common Council voted unanimously last night to issue a subpoena to the president of the Albany Police Officers Union as part of the ghost ticket investigation. It's the first the time the council has issued a subpoena in 80 years. [TU]
A state Supreme Court judge ruled Monday that the count of paper absentee ballots in the 20th Congressional District special election will start Wednesday. After a re-check of voting machines in Saratoga County, the state Board of Elections reports that Jim Tedisco leads Scott Murphy by 97 votes. But a more up-to-date unofficial count has Murphy up by 83 (the numbers will keep changing as more votes re-checked and/or counted). [TU] [Saratogian] [PolitickerNY]
Central New York Assemblyman Brian Kolb officially replaced Jim Tedisco as state Assembly minority leader yesterday. Tedisco stepped down/was pushed from the position because of his involvement in the special Congressional election. [NYT] [TU]
According to state police, John Sweeney told troopers he was in "big trouble" during his traffic stop for suspected DWI this past weekend. The Saratoga County DA says he expects Sweeney to enter an inpatient treatment program for alcoholism. [TU] [Troy Record]
Dalai Lama visit cancelled, Sweeney picked up for DWI again, Tuffey's niece had bull's eye sticker, another Schenectady HS suicide, school district ordered to pay for not preventing beating, Albany Freenet expanding
A representative for the Dalai Lama tells the TU that the Buddhist spiritual leader will not be coming to Albany as planned. It seems concerns surrounding the sponsor organization's ties to NXIVM, the controversial "personal growth" training org, caused the Dalai Lama's people to reconsider. [TU]
The state Senate finished passing the budget bills Friday night. Assessments of the budget differed greatly between the two parties. Even with passage in both houses, the contents of the budget aren't entirely clear -- and it may have to be revised later this year. [TU] [Daily Politics] [NYT]
At the least for the moment, the vote totals for Jim Tedisco and Scott Murphy are exactly tied. That number is almost sure to change as five counties have yet to finish re-checking the numbers on their voting machines. Tedisco announced Friday that he was stepping down as Assembly minority leader to "focus on his transition to Congress" -- though he also said he's not declaring victory. It seems Assembly Republicans were also keen to push him out of the position. The Saratoga Springs regional office for the 20th Congressional District has temporarily re-opened with its old staff while the election is sorted out. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [NYT] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
Former Congressman John Sweeney was arrested early Sunday morning for allegedly driving drunk on Route 9 in Clifton Park. This is Sweeney's second DWI arrest, which bumped the charge up to a felony. Earlier in Sweeney's career he served as Rensselaer County's STOP-DWI coordinator. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record]
Among those who had a bull's eye sticker: the niece of police chief James Tuffey (another one of her uncles was also police chief for a time). An unidentified source tells the TU that Tuffey's niece didn't get a ticket for a 2007 crash because of the sticker. [TU]
Special election vote totals shifting, Morris says Albany treasurer lied, arrest in Barnes assault, Shen coach suspended after old accusations come to light, state budget leading to Saratoga paid parking?
The vote totals for the 20th Congressional District special election keep shifting as voting machines and emergency ballots are "re-canvassed." What appears to be the latest tally has Jim Tedisco now ahead of Scott Murphy by 12 votes. The election will ultimately be decided by the count of the absentee ballots -- which won't start until Monday at the earliest. Both campaigns continue to express confidence that they'll come out ahead. [Troy Record] [PolitickerNY] [TU]
The Saratogian reports that Jim Tedisco will be stepping down as state Assembly minority leader on Monday so he "can focus on this congressional district." The TU reports that Tedisco is facing a no-confidence vote on Monday because members of his caucus are annoyed that he's spent so much time on his Congressional campaign during the state budget process. [Saratogian] [TU]
The state Senate has continued its debate of the budget bills, though a vote could be coming soon. The Senate voted to allow Democratic Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, who's been in and out of the hospital with pneumonia, to vote "yes" on all the budget bills ahead of time. The majority Dems didn't have enough votes to pass the bills without Hassell-Thompson. [TU]
Albany Common Council president Shawn Morris says she thinks city treasurer Betty Barnette "flat-out lied" when Barnette testified earlier this week that her office doesn't "fix" parking tickets. The Common Council is now seeking copies of every parking ticket dismissed in 2008. [TU]
Guilderland police have arrested a mixed-martial arts fighter for the assault of the TU's Steve Barnes and a friend last year in the parking lot outside Creo. According to the TU, the police are investigating "connections" between the fighter and an unnamed Albany restaurant that Barnes wrote about. [TU]
State budget voting held up, Murphy's lead down to 25 votes, TPD split over whether RPI student was murdered, bathtub full of drugs allegedly found in doctor's home
Voting on the state budget bills hit a snag yesterday when Democratic Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson had to return to the hospital because of pneumonia (the Dems need her vote for the required 32 "yes" votes). The Assembly finished passing all the budget bills yesterday morning -- though a handful of Democrats, most of them from upstate, voted "no." State comptroller Tom DiNapoli, also a Democrat, publicly criticized the budget for relying too much on federal stimulus and other temporary money. [TU] [AP/Saratogian] [NYT] [Biz Review]
There still seems to be a lot that's unknown about the 8,900 state worker layoffs David Paterson has ordered. [Saratogian]
Scott Murphy now leads Jim Tedisco by just 25 votes in the 20th Congressional District special election after a re-check of some voting machines. Counting of absentee ballots won't be begin until Monday at the earliest -- Republican hold an enrollment edge in the pool of absentee ballots. About 165,000 people voted in Tuesday's election, the largest turnout in a US special election in two decades according to a Skidmore prof. Both campaigns are saying publicly that they'll come out on top. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU]
Albany Common Councilman -- and mayoral candidate -- Corey Ellis has called for the council to issue subpoenas as part of its ghost ticket investigation. [CapNews9]
Special election not over yet, state budget hits snags, doubts about Tuffey's ghost ticket testimony, CDTA fare hike takes effect, milk spilled in Troy
The special election in the 20th Congressional District isn't over. Initial tallies indicate that Scott Murphy leads Jim Tedisco by as few as 59 votes and as many as 65 votes. Here's a county-by-county breakdown of the totals. There are about 6000 absentee ballots that need to be counted -- they've been impounded and won't be counted until Monday at the earliest. As you might expect, both campaigns think they'll come out ahead in the final count. There are some indications the parties are already gearing up for a Coleman-Franken-like recount. [TU] [Daily Politics] [WNYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Daily Politics]
Voters told reporters the top issue in the race was, surprise: the economy (great quote about Tedisco: "He's like a little bulldog."). There was a little bit of drama for voters on the Skidmore campus. And apparently some people in Schenectady showed up at the polls looking to vote -- except that Schenectady's not in the 20th (for what it's worth, Tedisco wasn't able to vote either). Many voters said they're just happy the TV ads, polling and robocalls are over. [Post-Star] [TU] [TU] [Saratogian]
The state budget isn't wrapped up yet (the official deadline was midnight last night) -- in part because Republican Senators, upset about the budget, stalled for a while yesterday and a Democratic Senator had to be taken to the hospital. [TU] [Daily Politics]
Three state Senators, including Neil Breslin, have asked David Paterson to meet with the state worker unions about the layoffs Paterson says are on the way. [Biz Review]
Still stung by the cut to Saratoga County's VLT aid, political leaders there seem to be missing Joe Bruno. [TU]
Special election day, Paterson defends budget, APD chief testifies about ghost tickets, more criticism of Saratoga City Center design
The polls are open until 9 pm today for the special election in the 20th Congressional District. Not sure where to vote? Here's how to find out. Among those who won't be voting: Jim Tedisco -- because he doesn't live in the district. [NYSBoE] [NYT]
The state Legislature will start voting on budget bills today (here's a breakdown of the major provisions). David Paterson defended the budget yesterday, arguing that much of the budget's 8.7 percent increase is made up of federal stimulus money. Others weren't having any of it, calling the budget "reckless," "irresponsible" and "devastating." [TU] [TU] [NYDN] [Biz Review]
Among the local effects of this budget: Saratoga Springs is losing $1.8 million in funding under a new formula for distributing VLT money. [TU] [Post-Star]
Albany police chief James Tuffey and city treasurer Betty Barnette testified under oath in front of the Common Council last night about the ghost ticket scandal. Tuffey said he had known about an earlier sticker distributed by the police union, but he said he didn't know about the newer "bull's eye" stickers that apparently signified a no-fine ticket car. Barnette said she didn't know about the ghost tickets until reading about them in the TU and said the city's parking ticket system won't process no-fine tickets. [TU] [Fox23]
State budget agreement includes big increase, more trouble for Schenectady cops, IBM to continue investing at Albany NanoTech, forest kindergarten planned
The Three Men in the Room have agreed to a state budget totaling almost $132 billion -- yep, that's $10 billion more than David Paterson's proposed budget and almost 9 percent bigger than last year. Direct spending by the state, not counting federal money, is increasing one percent. (Look how the Three Men buried the budget total in the 7th paragraph of the agreement's press release.) The budget includes a bunch of new taxes and fees, including hikes in the income tax for higher income households. It also kills the STAR rebate checks. The legislature still found room to keep a combined $170 million in "member items" (you know, pork). This budget was composed in "profound" secrecy. State Senate Republican minority leader Dean Skelos called it "the height of irresponsibility." [AP/Daily Gazette] [PolitickerNY] [Buffalo News] [Newsday] [TU] [NYT] [NYDN]
State Senate majority leader Malcolm Smith says the proposed reforms of the Rockefeller Drug Laws will save the state $250 million in expenses. [TU]
Yet another Schenectady cop is in trouble. A patrolman was charged Friday night with taking his girlfriend's car without her permission. The officer was already under investigation for abusing sick time and once lost his gun. "We need to bring the hammer down," mayor Brian Stratton said of the city's troubled police force. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The APD detective accused of driving drunk through Albany and Delmar in January has pleaded not guilty. The detective is currently suspended with pay. [TU]
The Dalai Lama's emissary says he's OK with the fact that his leader's Albany visit is being sponsored by an organization that's been accused of being cult-like. [TU]
Unemployment rate continues to rise, state budget deals, another into the Albany mayoral pool, mom accused of helping daughter fight, excused for Jumpin' Jacks
The Capital Region's unemployment rate hit 7.6 percent in February, according to the state Department of Labor. (The overall state rate was 7.8 percent.) That's up half a point from the month before and 2.1 points compared to the same month last year. A labor department analyst says the rate is probably the highest it's been since the early 80s. The region's job losses appear to be hitting people without college educations and easy access to transportation the hardest. [AP/Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TU]
The state's Three Men in a Room have a reportedly reached an agreement to raise taxes on households with incomes of $300,000 and up. It also appears that wine sales in supermarkets won't be approved. But who knows -- all the negotiations are going on in secret. The Three Men apparently want the budget bills printed this weekend so they can be voted on before the budget deadline Tuesday night. [TU] [NYT] [NYDN]
The former head of a state-funded institute who was convicted of ripping that state off for more $100,000 was sentenced to house arrest and probation. [TU]
Schenectady County leaders balked at Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton's proposal to dissolve the city's troubled police force and form a new countywide department. The chair of the county legislature said the city needs to do a better job disciplining its officers. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Stratton talks with Cuomo about getting rid of police force, father charged after whupping, Sundwall off the ballot, CDTA packs 'em in
Brian Stratton met with Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday about the idea of dissolving the Schenectady's troubled police force. Stratton says the AG "wants to help in every way possible." He says one of the options they discussed was the creation of a countywide police force. (Cuomo has lately been pushing for municipalities to consolidate services.) [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
The Albany police detective accused of driving drunk through Albany and Bethlehem in January has been indicted on charges of drunken driving and reckless driving. [TU]
Albany schools superintendent Eva Joseph announced yesterday that she's retiring -- she had more than a year left on her contract. [TU]
Albany's city treasurer, Betty Barnette, says the common council's investigation of the ghost ticket scandal is a "witch hunt." Barnette is scheduled to testify before the council next week. [TU]
A Schenectady father has been charged with felony assault after he, in his own words, "whupped" his serially misbehaving 13-year-old son. The father says he "tried the Dr. Phil method," but when that didn't work he "flashed back to old school." [Daily Gazette]
The Three Men in the Room have a reportedly reached an agreement on reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws. The new laws would give judges the authority to send first time offenders to treatment instead of jail. [NYT]
State worker layoffs planned as budget gap grows, Tedisco-Murphy debate, Wellington demolition begins, converting ounces to grams
There were two (gulp!) developments yesterday regarding the state budget. First, state leaders announced the projected budget gap for the next fiscal year is now $16.2 billion -- $2 billion more than earlier projections. And then the Paterson administration announced it plans to cut nearly 9,000 state jobs in an effort to save almost $500 million over two years. [TU] [TU]
A state Inspector General's investigation has concluded that a group of Pataki political appointees in the state Department of Taxation and Finance got themselves into protected civil service jobs by tailoring tests and job requirements specially for their own resumes. [TU]
Andrew Cuomo says he's planning to run for re-election as state Attorney General next year -- not governor. "I'm very happy being the attorney general," Cuomo told the crowd last night at a public forum in Schenectady. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Jim Tedisco and Scott Murphy argued about the definition of pork during their debate last night (full video). (Debate analysis from Bob Conner at Planet Albany.) Earlier in the day they were talking up voters in Saratoga County. And in an email that went out this morning, Barack Obama endorsed Murphy. [TU] [WNYT] [Saratogian] [HuffPo]
State budget talks appear to be stalling, police commander: no-fine stickers date back 17 years, home prices down again, school district worried about backyard wrasslin'
The Three Men in the Room say they're struggling to reach consensus on the state budget. (Of course, it's hard to tell if that's true or not because all the negotiations are going on behind closed doors.) The budget is due April 1. [NYT]
State Senator Hiram Monserrate, a Democrat from Queens, was indicted yesterday on charges that he slashed his girlfriend with a broken glass. Monserrate says he's innocent and will not resign. The Democrats hold a two seat majority in the Senate. [TU][NYT]
Chuck Schumer says he now supports gay marriage. The New York US Senator had been a supporter of civil unions and vote for the federal Defense of Marriage Act (which forbids federal recognition of gay marriages) in 1996. [AP/NYT]
An Albany police commander testified before the Common Council last night that the "bull's eye" no-fine parking stickers date back to 1992 -- and were administered by the Albany Police Officers Union. The head of the APOU at that time: current police chief James Tuffey. [TU]
The median sales price for a home in the Capital Region fell five percent (to $176,000) in February compared to the same period last year, according to the Greater Capital Association of Realtors. [TU]
Siena leaves its mark on the NCAA tournament, Morris calls for more community policing, stabbing in Ballston Spa, baracking
Siena put up a good fight against #1 seed Louisville in the second round of the NCAA tournament, but ultimately lost 79-72. After trailing at halftime by five, the Saints took the lead a little more than 10 minutes into the second half and held it until about four minute mark. [TU] [ESPN]
The org that runs New York's electricity market says an arrangement in which buyers of electricity pay more than the lowest bid is a feature, not a bug. [TU]
A study sponsored by a free market academic center concludes that New York State has the lowest level of personal and economic freedom in the country. [TU]
A 2005 report about then-state Senate minority leader David Paterson's office describes an operation with problems very similar to those exhibited during Paterson's first year as governor: chaos, indecisiveness and jumbled communication. [NYDN]
Albany Common Council president -- and mayoral candidate -- Shawn Morris says the APD has shifted its focus away from community policing -- and that's contributed to a recent surge in crime. [TU]
Forty percent of children in Albany County live in poverty -- as do 25 percent of people in Schenectady -- according to a report out from an advocacy org. [Daily Gazette]
The manager of the TU Center says he'd like to see mixed martial arts fighting legalized in New York State. He estimates ultimate fighting could sell out the arena and generate $1 million to $2 million in economic activity. [Daily Gazette]
After two of the three finalists for the job of UAlbany president dropped out, a source tells the TU the search will likely be reopened. UAlbany has been looking for a new president for more than two years. [TU]
Feds recommend smaller landfill expansion, advocates say budget process too opaque, unions upset about chip fab jobs, bank robber injures teller, call it a reverto
Two federal agencies are urging the Army Corps of Engineers to scale back the proposed expansion of Albany's landfill. The recommended smaller addition would only add 2.5 years worth of capacity to the dump. It's projected that the landfill will be full by the end of this year. [TU]
Good government groups say this year's state budget process is one of the most opaque since the 1980s. [TU]
Behind those closed doors, leaders are trying to cover a $14 billion budget gap -- and new taxes on households making more than $250,000 is apparently on the table. Opponents of the new tax have argued that the higher taxes will cause rich people to flee the state, but a demographer from Princeton says there's little evidence that would actually happen. [NYT]
A survey of CEOs ranks New York among the worst states in which to do business. Among the reasons: high taxes. [Biz Review]
Schenectady's bid to fire some of its cops could end up being very expensive -- the city's had to hire outside counsel to pursue the termination cases. Mayor Brian Stratton says the city has now added a sixth officer to the list. [Daily Gazette]
The Schenectady School Board has accepted the retirement of Steven Raucci, the district employee accused of arson and terrorism. The board's president said firing Raucci was not an option. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Special election candidates fight over what's pork, SPAC director's salary in spotlight, man accused of threatening garbagmen with cleaver, new job for McNulty
The two major party candidates for the 20th Congressional District, Jim Tedisco and Scott Murphy, went back and forth at each other yesterday over the federal stimulus bill. The super condensed version -- Tedisco: it's pork; Murphy: no, it's not. Tedisco, who said this week that he would not have voted for the stimulus bill, also said he would have voted for it -- if he could have amended it. [CapNews9] [Troy Record]
Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton says he wants to fire five of the city's cops. The city hasn't successfully fired a cop since 1982. [Daily Gazette]
Organizers of the Dalai Lama's visit to Albany say the event will "change the face of Albany if the population of Albany embraces it and gets excited about and really understands the fortitude of something like this coming to this city..." The organizers of the visit are connected to a Clifton Park management training program that's been accused of being a cult. [TU]
Steven Raucci, the Schenectady School District employee accused of arson and terrorism, has filed an application for retirement. He's currently on suspension without pay. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The salary for Marcia White, SPAC's executive director, is catching criticism after a survey revealed that the leaders of other local arts organization make much less. White was paid $244,865 in 2006. [Daily Gazette]
Soares says crime will increase, man accused of killing son, woman says no one would call for help, Center Square parking garage sold, dead fish are stinky
Albany County DA David Soares says the number of crimes will rise as the economic downturn continues. There's been a rash of shootings, assaults and robberies lately in the City of Albany. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A Coeymans man has been charged with the murder of his teenage son. Police say the man shot his son late Sunday night. The man's attorney says his client came home and found his son already dead. [TU] [Fox23]
Officials from AMD and GlobalFoundries say they're not too worried about Intel's threat to cancel a key technology sharing agreement. A spokesman for GloFo says the news "changes nothing." [TU] [Post-Star]
The design for the expansion of the Saratoga City Center was unveiled yesterday -- it changes the look of the building considerably. The expansion will increase the convention center's square footage by more than 40 percent. The project is expected to start in late Spring and take 14 months to complete. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
The economy sucks, shooting in Pine Hills, garbage threatens to topple Schenectady hill, RPI officials in Africa
This just in: the economy really sucks at this moment. [TU] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Saratogian] [SRI]
State Senate Democrats are reportedly willing to support raising taxes on households making more than $250,000 as a way to cover the budget gap (they also apparently support an increase in the sales tax). There's already support for the measure in the Assembly. David Paterson has said such move should be a last resort. [NYT]
An Albany man has been charged with the murder of the man found dead in an abandoned Albany building in February (the city's first homicide of the year). Police say the suspect shot the man in a parked car on Lark Street and then dumped the body. Police say the suspect denies being involved, instead saying that he was smoking pot in Troy with a random woman he met that day. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [TU]
More violence in Albany's Pine Hills neighborhood: police say a woman was shot in the arm outside the Playdium bowling alley early Saturday morning (map). Police say the woman told them her sons know the shooters. There was also a reported mugging at the corner of South Main and Myrtle this weekend (map).[Troy Record] [CapNews9] [TU]
The number of bridges in New York State that have been "red-flagged" has more than quadrupled between 2002 and 2007, according to a report from the state Department of Transportation. [TU]
School board says it will investigate Raucci, RPI and Skidmore pass on Dalai Lama, donations poured in for cat surgery, Guilderland politicians flaming each other, Smith's reopens
The Schenectady School Board has decided to pursue its own investigation of Steven Raucci, the district employee accused of arson and terrorism. The board says the investigation will only focus on allegations of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct. District officials have said they didn't know about Raucci's alleged behavior. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Paul Tonko said yesterday in DC that the federal agency responsible for assessing the health risks of the former depleted uranium plant on Central Ave has "failed the people of Colonie and Albany who live near the site." An outside expert has recommended that the agency pursue a comprehensive medical study of people living in the area surrounding the former plant. [TU]
The lawyer for a suspended Albany police sergeant says his client never told Bethlehem cops to back off an APD detective suspected of driving drunk. [TU]
An arbitration report says a now-former Albany police officer admitted to coming to work high on pot and using cocaine at a bar on New Scotland Ave. [TU]
Paterson says stimulus money will prevent soda and iTunes tax, salt water may have caused manhole explosions, police say guy had pot farm in attic, Troy corned beef factory closes
David Paterson says federal stimulus money will cover the budget hole that was to be filled by new taxes on items such as soda and digital downloads. Of course, now that money won't be able to cover other holes -- and it appears chances are now greater that there will be new taxes on households making at least $250,000. [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette]
The Schenectady School District superintendent says district officials never knew about a letter Steven Raucci, the district employee charged with arson and terrorism, allegedly sent to an employee urging her to be "attractive, sensitive and classy with a touch of sexiness." A lawsuit by a former district employee alleges that Raucci was a friend of the district's HR director. The city's board of education will meet tonight to talk about Raucci's future with the district. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
National Grid says salt water runoff may have corroded the underground transmission lines that caught fire this week in Albany. [TU]
According to the NYCLU, three Albany neighborhoods with six percent of the city's population accounted for 25 percent of the adults sent to prison in 2005 -- and almost half of those people were convicted on drug crimes. The org was publicizing the data to protest the Rockefeller Drug Laws. [TU] [TU] [NYCLU]
State tax refunds a little slow this year, number of prostitution arrests up, accused horse stabber offered plea deal, clerk pleads guilty to ripping off city, there's a new Miss Limerick
The state Department of Taxation and Finance says state tax refunds have been a little slower to go out this year because it's screening refunds more carefully. [TU]
A deal between David Paterson and the leaders of the legislature is reportedly in the works that would kill the proposed taxes on soda, digital downloads and a bunch of other "fun" transactions. [Daily Politics]
The company that said it would run the racino at Aqueduct has told the state it now can't get financing to pay the contract fee. That means less revenue for the state -- and for less money for NYRA, which uses racino money to prop up racing at Saratoga and the state's other tracks. [NYT] [Saratogian]
Two unnamed sources tell the TU that an Albany police sergeant told Bethlehem cops to back off an APD detective the night the detective is accused of driving drunk from Albany into Delmar. The sergeant has been suspended, though the reason has been made public. [TU]
Apparently the Capital Region is a "fertile" area for prostitution -- and, in part as a result, arrests are up. [TU]
DA says scratched car prompted bombing, new rail plan for state, Siena's going to the NCAA Tournament, Breslin warns of budget deficit, big plans for Troy Proctors
A Schenectady County judge denied bail yesterday for Steven Raucci, the school district employee accused of arson and terrorism. In arguing against bail, the Schenectady DA said Raucci bombed a person's car after the man scratched Raucci's car in a parking lot. The DA says Raucci has continued to make threats since being taken into custody. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Underground explosions blasted four manhole covers off the ground yesterday afternoon in downtown Albany. National Grid says burning cables may have caused a build up of gases. Power near the site of the explosions will be shut off as investigators try to figure out what happened. [AOA] [TU] [CapNews9]
David Paterson and seemingly every other upstate elected official were at the Rensselaer train station yesterday to announce a new state rail plan. State officials hope the plan will increase New York's chances of scoring federal stimulus money for rail projects. As part of the plan, officials would like to spend $3 billion on somewhat higher speed rail service throughout the state. [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
As David Paterson announced that he's freezing the pay of some 160 of aides, it came out that he just re-hired his recently fired top aide for $170,000. [Newsday] [NY Post]
The Albany Common Council chose not to issue subpoenas last night after the heads of the unions that represent Albany police officers chose not to testify under oath as part of the investigation in the ghost ticket scandal. The council has gotten 5,000 documents from the APD as part of the investigation. [TU] [CapNews9] [Fox23]
The Siena men's basketball team is going to the NCAA tournament. The Saints beat Niagara 77-70 last night in the MAAC Tournament final. Kenny Hasbrouck, playing with an injured calf, led Siena with 19 points. The tournament set a conference record for attendance, drawing almost 51,000. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
One Schenectady suicide reportedly prompted chain of attempts, Morris officially in the pool for Albany mayor, parents sue bars for $12 million, UAlbany student robbed at gunpoint
The suicide of a 17-year-old in Schenectady last fall appears to have started a chain reaction of five other suicide attempts -- two of which led to deaths. All five of the teens who subsequently attempted suicide apparently used the same method as the first teen. [Daily Gazette]
The heads of both the Albany Police Officers Union and the union's parent organization say they will not testify under oath about the ghost ticket scandal at tonight's meeting of the Albany Common Council. That may lead the council to take the unusual step of issuing a subpoena to the APOU's president. [TU]
Albany Common Council President Shawn Morris officially announced on Sunday that she's running for mayor. Morris says she wants to "open up City Hall to the people who own it." Morris has served on the council for 15 years. [Fox23] [TU] [CapNews9]
Rumors have apparently been circulating that Schenectady officials are talking about dissolving the city's troubled police force. After a Schenectady police sergeant reportedly left work during a shift to go to the dentist this past week, mayor Brian Stratton says he personally told two shifts of SPD officers that it was time to get their act together. [TU]
Timmons gets maximum sentence, Westboro protesters in town, APD fires a cop, national experts to assess Schenectady High suicides, lucky shot was insured
Jermayne Timmons, the teen convicted of firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas, got the maximum sentence today -- 15 years to life. [TU]
Five members of the Westboro Baptist Church showed up this morning at Albany High School to publicize the church's anti-gay message. A counter protest of 300 people was also there. Rev. Charlie Muller, one of the counter-protesters, told Capital News 9 he was there to make the point that "Jesus never hated -- he loved." [TU] [CapNews9]
The head of the State Insurance Fund resigned yesterday, reportedly after the Times Union told him it was preparing a story about why his compensation ($185,400) was way higher than the level set by law ($120,800). The state inspector general this week announced that the agency is under investigation because of a whistleblower's accusation that the org had become have for political patronage. (Earlier on AOA: The $94,000 secretary.)
State Senate Republicans have proposed an alternative budget to David Paterson's plan. The Republicans' plan leans heavily on using federal stimulus money to cover the budget gap -- and doesn't include many of the tax and fee increases in the Paterson budget. [TU]
David Paterson said yesterday he will in fact take a 10 percent pay cut -- but he won't ask anyone else in state government to do so. Ten percent of Paterson's salary is $17,9000. [AP/CapNews9]
The attorney for Steven Raucci, who's now been charged with crimes in three different counties, says he will argue on Monday that his client should be allowed to go free on bail. Local law enforcement authorities have kept Raucci in jail by charging his serially on counts including arson, criminal mischief and terrorism. The Gazette found out via FOIL this week that Raucci made $129,364 with the Schenectady School District last year. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
Chip fab company says it's committed, Paterson says he'd take a pay cut, DA says frozen man may have overdosed, Albany High to be delayed for protest
While the paperwork hasn't all gone through, officials from GlobalFoundries -- the new AMD spinoff -- say they are committed to building the new chip fab at Luther Forest. "I don't know how much more formal of a commitment we can make," said the new company's president. GlobalFoundries says it expects to be turning out chips at full capacity by 2012. [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [TU]
David Paterson told a crowd in Buffalo yesterday that he would consider taking a 10 percent pay cut -- and he said he doesn't think a similar cut for the Legislature is a bad idea. Paterson also reiterated his support for a high-speed rail connection between Buffalo and Albany. (Earlier on AOA: High-speed rail? Maybe not so fast.) [Buffalo News]
Competition for federal stimulus money is fierce at the state Capitol as the team led by New York's stimulus czar -- AKA Captain Asphalt -- sifts through more than 7,500 projects. Local officials have proposed almost $42 billion in stimulus-funded projects -- the state has been given $4 billion. [NYT]
A bill that would reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws was passed by the state Assembly yesterday. Such reforms have been passed many times by the Assembly, but always died in the Senate. But now that Democrats control both chambers, the odds of passage seem higher -- though it's far from a done deal. [TU] [NYT]
A bunch of downstate Democrats are lining up for a potential primary challenge to Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010. [NYT]
RPI President Shirley Jackson announced yesterday that she will be taking a five percent pay cut. [AOA]
Tedisco and Murphy debate, Raucci charged with terrorism, Schenectady school district struggles with teen suicides, chip fab company gets new name, UAlbany student sues Facebook
Jim Tedisco and Scott Murphy found a lot to agree about during their debate yesterday in Saratoga Springs. One point of departure: the federal stimulus bill, which Murphy said he supports and Tedisco said had enough pork to "create trichinosis for most of us in this room." They also disagreed on union "card check" -- Murphy supports it, Tedisco doesn't. The debate drew an overflow crowd of more than 250 people to the Saratoga Springs Public Library. [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [TU]
Police say a woman walking her dogs in Spa State Park yesterday morning found a partially frozen body (it seems her dog was the first to find it in the tree line). There are conflicting reports on whether authorities consider the situation suspicious -- "unusual" seems to be the word being used. The man was found fully clothed and dressed for winter. Witnesses says the body was covered in vomit. An autopsy is scheduled for today. [Saratogian] [Fox 23] [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Steven Raucci, the Schenectady school district employee accused of arson, was charged with terrorism yesterday -- the state's highest felony. Officials say they've been filing charges against Raucci sequentially so they can keep him in jail. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state's inspector general has ordered an investigation of the State Insurance Fund because of accusations of mismanagement by a whistleblower. The whistleblower came forward after the story of the guy making $94k/year to do nothing came to light in the TU. Noted: John Sweeney's first wife, Elizabeth, works at the Insurance Fund as a secretary and makes $94,000 a year. [TU] [SeeThroughNY]
Debate today for special Congressional race, man charged with Troy murder, bankruptcy filings up, Luther Forest spinoff company a done deal
The latest from the very special election to fill Kirsten Gillibrand's former House seat: Jim Tedisco and Scott Murphy will debate today at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 1:30 pm. Yesterday, Rudy Giuliani campaigned with Jim Tedisco in Dutchess County. And Scott Murphy was endorsed by the AFL-CIO. [CapNews9] [Fox23] [Saratogian]
Albany Common Councilman Corey Ellis officially announced that he's running for mayor yesterday. Here's his web site.
Joe Bruno was taken to the hospital yesterday after he was involved in a car wreck on Rt. 7 in Colonie. A spokesman for Bruno says an oncoming car jumped the median and hit Bruno's car. The spokesman says Bruno is sore and slightly bruised, but otherwise OK. [TU] [Troy Record]
A Schenectady cop was arraigned yesterday in Colonie on charges of DWI and leaving the scene of an accident. The Schenectady police chief says the officer has been suspended 30 days without pay. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Winter storm will mostly miss us, Ellis to run for Albany mayor, Porco's lawyers appealing conviction, alternate side parking grace period proposed, Saratoga Rec Center saga continues, Siro's for sale
It looks like the storm moving up the East Coast today will mostly miss us here in the Capital Region. Snow accumulation is projected to top out at around 4 inches, but it will be cold -- with temps around 20. Noted: March is still winter. [NWS] [TU]
The Saratoga County DA says terrorism charges are being prepared in Schenectady County against Steven Raucci, the Schenectady School District employee accused of arson. [Daily Gazette]
Albany Common Councilman Corey Ellis is expected to announce today that he's running for mayor. Council president Shawn Morris is also expected to announce soon that she's officially in the running. [Facebook event page] [TU]
Scott Murphy will be on the Independence Party line for the upcoming special election to fill Kirsten Gillibrand's old House seat -- the first time a Democrat has been on the line in the district. In other Murphy news: he says he's good at simple arithmetic. And in case you hadn't heard: his wife has a bid family. [Daily Politics] [Post-Star] [Post-Star]
Jim Tedisco, Murphy's opponent in the special election, says it shouldn't matter that he doesn't actually live in the Congressional district that he wants to represent. [AP/TU]
The man who police say threatened them with a knife at the scene of the murder in Troy last week has previously served time on assault and unlawful imprisonment charges -- as of Friday he still wasn't officially tagged as a suspect, though. Troy police have called in the State Police to help out with forensics at the "gruesome" murder scene. [TU] [Troy Record]
Christopher Porco's attorneys have filed an appeal seeking to overturn his conviction. The appeal focuses on the nod that police say his mother gave when asked if he had been involved in the attack. Porco is currently serving 46 years to life in prison. [TU]
More charges for alleged arsonist, woman found guilty of lying about cops, pearl found in clam, Jerry Jennings will mess up his hair
The Schenectady County DA, says Stephen Raucci, the Schenectady School District employee who's been accused of arson and intimidation, was indicted yesterday by a grand jury on sealed charges. And the Saratoga DA says State Police have charged Raucci with unsuccessfully trying to bomb a car in Clifton Park. That means Raucci has now been charged with crimes in three different counties -- Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga. [CapNews9] [TU]
A Lansinburgh woman is dead after police found her fatally wounded in the basement of her house yesterday morning. Authorities says the woman's boyfriend had to be tasered after he threatened police and firefighters who arrived at the scene with a knife. Police found two kids in the house, unharmed. A spokesman for the TPD says it was a "gruesome crime scene." [Troy Record] [TU]
The Ravena woman who accused Albany cops of doing a cavity search on her during a traffic stop in late 2007 was convicted yesterday on charges that she lied about the incident. The woman had rejected an earlier plea deal that would have required her to admit that she had lied. [TU] [Troy Record]
A crowd of about 400 RPI students rallied yesterday outside a Board of Trustees dinner on campus. The students were protesting "the manner in which recent administrative actions and policy decisions have been executed." According to that TU story, its reporter -- Marc Parry -- was asked by the administration to leave the demonstration. Apparently it was OK for the Troy Record to be there -- it even shot video of the rally. And here's a photo of the scene (more photos of the rally and the board here). [TU] [Student Senate] [Troy Record] [Troy Record] [unknown]
Towns sue EPA over dredging, stimulus money headed for local schools, comptroller takes up ghost ticket investigation, big hospital merger, home prices down
A handful of municipalities in Saratoga County -- including the county itself -- have sued to stop the EPA's Hudson River dredging project. The governments argue the feds have not adequately guaranteed people in the county will have a safe supply of drinking water during the project, which is scheduled to start in May. State senator Roy McDonald told a meeting last night that the EPA is "taking advantage of us" and said people should tell the feds to "go to hell." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]
Chuck Schumer says about $50 million in aid for schools is headed to the Capital Region from the federal stimulus bill. The Albany ($6.3 million) and Schenectady ($4.8 million) school districts are getting the biggest chunks of that money. Schumer also says $3 billion is on its way to help New York State cover planned cuts in aid from the state to local schools. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
David Paterson has replaced many of his top advisors. On his new communications director's resume: experience with "strategic and crisis communications work." [NYT] [TU]
The state comptroller has informed the City of Albany that his office will be conducting an audit of the city's "ghost ticket" system. [TU]
Paterson aide: staff is a disaster, Albany County moves toward texting while driving ban, teacher accused of selling pot, modern dance at SPAC
With poll numbers sliding, David Paterson says he will be addressing "structural problems" on his staff. A "a source close to the governor's staff" tells the TU that Paterson's office is currently a "disaster." Adds an ex-aide: "Under David there was a 'Lord of the Flies' environment where you claim your territory and hold on to it." [AOA] [TU]
The state's leader all agree: the budget gap could top $14 billion. [Biz Review]
Yesterday during the course of a trial for an unrelated case, an Albany police officer testified that he had bought one of the infamous (and illegal) APD machine guns from the head of the Albany Police Officer's Union. [TU]
Albany police say they've id'ed the body found in an abandoned building on Broadway this past weekend as Ruel Torak of Schenectady. Police are treating the case as a homicide -- they say they're not sure if Torak was murdered at the location or taken there afterward. [TU] [Troy Record]
Steven Raucci, the Schenectady School District employee accused of arson and intimidation, was released on bail yesterday -- and then picked by Schodack police on new arson charges related to a separate incident in 2007. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Facing down the "doomsday budget," sometimes-cop says no one wants his job, Morris says she's running for Albany mayor, police say woman went on rampage
At a meeting yesterday between state legislators and economists, the coming fiscal year's budget gap was projected to be as high as $14 billion. One senator said the state was facing a "doomsday budget." [TU]
The reconstruction of Delaware and Madison Ave in Albany will be one of the first projects in the state to proceed with federal stimulus money. A pedestrian described the pavement and sidewalks at that intersection as "awful." [TU Cap Con] [Fox23]
Stephen Raucci, the Schenectady School District employee accused of arson and intimidation, has been suspended with pay. Superintendent Eric Ely says he never witnessed out-of-bounds behavior from Raucci, but a former subordinate alleges in a lawsuit that Raucci created a hostile work environment. Raucci's father pleaded guilty to attempted murder and manslaughter after the death of his wife and 6-year-old son in 1986. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Schenectady police lieutenant who worked all of 12 days last year for the department -- at 2 1/2 times pay -- because of his union duties says his job is "terrible" and no one wants it. Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton says the lieutenant's assertion that he's been spending all that time on union business is "crazy." [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady police chief Mark Chaires said yesterday that some officers will be fired because of the absent-officer scandal. [Daily Gazette]
School district employee accused of arson and intimidation, first homicide of 2009 in Albany, crowds gets testy at "super" sale, looking for council candidates on Craigslist
The Schenectady County DA says investigators think a Schenectady school district employee engaged in "systematic acts of intimidation" -- including arson -- against people who had "crossed" him. The man has been charged with arson for blowing the door off a Rotterdam home in 2001. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A body was found in an abandoned building on Broadway in Albany over the weekend. The APD says it's treating the case as the city's first homicide of 2009. [TU] [Fox23]
The president of the Schenectady police union only worked for the city 13 days last year -- yet the city paid him $129,908. Mayor Brian Stratton says the arrangement is "crazy." [TU]
A stun gun, tucked in a stroller, made it through the security checkpoint at ALB a week ago. A gate worker found the stun gun as he was putting the stroller into the baggage hold. [TU]
David Paterson and his entourage charged the state more than $23,000 for their trip to the inaugural. [TU]
Pataki to take on Gillibrand?, Albany council pursuing ghost ticket scandal, Troy could be among first for stimulus money, cable bills going up, crustacean capers hot right now
The head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee has reportedly approached George Pataki about running against Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010. [AP/Troy Record]
State Democrats "familiar" with the situation say David Paterson is considering the return of Charles O'Byrne, who was his top advisor until O'Byrne resigned over tax problems. Paterson is reportedly frustrated by accusations that his administration is coming apart. [NYT] [NYP]
The Albany Common Council has scheduled sworn testimony in March from police department and union officials about the ghost ticket scandal. Officers called to testify will have to be paid three hours of overtime if the hearing doesn't occur during their regular shift. [TU]
The Schenectady police officer accused of being serially absent from patrol has been suspended without pay for a month. The officer topped the department's pay list last year after racking up enormous amounts of overtime. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
One of the Albany River Rats says "guys were flying around like ping-pong balls" as the team bus rolled over on the Mass Pike during its crash early Thursday morning. Four players and one of the team's broadcasters were hospitalized overnight. A spokesman for Yankee Trails, the company that owned the bus, says the driver at the wheel yesterday is an "exceptional" operator. Mass state police are investigating the cause of the crash -- ice appears to be the leading candidate. The Rats' game scheduled for tonight has been postponed. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record]
Planning for stimulus funds, River Rats bus flips on Mass Turnpike, restaurants cutting prices, no Whitney Gala this year
Sadly, the state's war room doesn't look like this. Remember: you can't fight in the war room.
The Paterson Administration has set up a "war room" to coordinate the state's administration of the roughly $25 billion in federal stimulus money headed this way. [TU]
Buried among the list of new taxes and fees in the Paterson budget proposal: a $10 fee for filing your state tax return on paper. More than 40 percent of state tax returns in New York State were filed on paper last year. [TU]
The Capital District Transportation Committee has put together a list of local infrastructure projects that should qualify for stimulus funding -- a group that totals about $87 million. Among the projects on the list: the reconstruction of Delaware Ave in Albany and the replacement of the Bridge Street bridge in Cohoes. [TU]
Three people from the Albany River Rats were seriously injured this morning after the team bus rolled over on the Mass Turnpike. The team was returning from a game in Lowell. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
From the very special election to fill Kirsten Gillibrand's old House seat... Republicans are criticizing Scott Murphy for not voting in eight primary and general elections between 2000 and 2003. And Jim Tedisco participated in a "tele town hall meeting" yesterday -- basically, the campaign robo-called 30,000 people and told them if they held on, Tedisco would speak and answer questions live. The campaign says it had as many as 6,000 people on the line at one point. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [CapNews9]
Top Schenectady city officials are demanding to know how the cop accused of serially spending hours in an apartment when he was supposed to be on patrol could have gotten away with it. This latest scandal is just the latest in a long list of Schenectady Police Department screw-ups. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Cities line up infrastructure projects, Schenectady cop suspected of catching Zzzz instead of crooks, Saratoga rec center project moves forward, delivery driver plows into strip mall
Local leaders say much of the federal stimulus money headed this way will be spent on infrastructure projects. Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian noted that much of the infrastructure in his city is 120-years-old. [Troy Record] [Saratogian] [TU]
The Daily Gazette reports that Schenectady's highest-paid police officer has been spending a chunk of each Tuesday's shift inside an apartment, possibly sleeping. The Gazette's observation was confirmed by department records from the GPS unit in the cop's car. Said Schenectady's police chief: "How dumb can you be? You know you have a GPS in your car. Why would anybody do that?" The officer in question made $168,921 last year -- that's about triple his base salary -- because of enormous amounts of overtime. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
An Albany police sergeant has been suspended pending the investigation into the possibly delayed arrest of an APD detective who allegedly had been driving while intoxicated. [TU]
The plane that crashed last week in Buffalo had been in Albany the day before. A witness says he saw a crew performing an engine test on the plane as it sat at the gate at ALB. [TU]
Paterson under fire from every direction, Gillibrand says guns no longer under her bed, job cuts at GE Research, Rensselaer waterfront developer says if they come -- they will build it
David Paterson is catching criticism from what seems like every direction right now. State worker unions are wailing at the news that many aides in the Paterson administration have gotten pay raises since last summer's hiring freeze and spending cuts. The proposed "iTax" on digital downloads is being criticized by conservatives because it potentially could tax pornography downloads (they say taxing it legitimizes it). And in response to the barrage of TV ads criticizing his proposed healthcare cuts, Paterson said this past weekend: "I don't care how many blind people in wheelchairs you roll out. I'm going to get this budget balanced and I'm going to get it balanced by April 1." [NYP] [NYDN] [AP/TU] [Newsday]
A spokesperson for Kirsten Gillibrand says the senator has moved the guns out from underneath her bed now that everyone knows that's where she stored them (because, you know, she told everyone). Also: Gillibrand says her mom has eight guns. [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette] [AP/Troy Record]
Chuck Schumer endorsed Scott Murphy yesterday in the race to fill Gillibrand's former House seat. He and Murphy also made pretzels. [Saratogian]
Roy McDonald (the guy who replaced Joe Bruno in the state Senate) says Saratoga County's share of money from a state road maintenance fund could be cut more than 25 percent in the next state budget. Saratoga County got more than $2 million from the fund last year (as did Albany County). [Saratogian] [NYDOT]
Here comes the stimulus money, APD says Bailey case isn't cold, jailhouse marriages, TV station's parent company files for bankruptcy, the flamingos are back
New York State is in line to get almost $25 billion in federal stimulus money, according to an analysis by the state. Among the many projects that could get funding in the state: high speed rail service from Buffalo to NYC. Local municipalities have also been getting their wish lists together. [AP/TU] [Troy Record]
The two candidates in the race for Kirsten Gillibrand's former House seat are in a race to see who can smear the other guy first. The mud boiled down: Jim Tedisco's campaign says Scott Murphy is a light-weight and tax dodger, Murphy's campaign says Tedisco is a career politician who's milked taxpayers for car costs. In a more positive direction, Murphy is hoping to get his wife's large extended family -- many of them Republicans -- to vote for him. And Tedisco is picks up his dogs' poop. Also: Kirsten Gillibrand and Paul Tonko were in Albany over the weekend to endorse Murphy (no, Albany is not in the 20th Congressional district). [TU] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
The Albany Police Department says the murder of UAlbany student Richard Bailey "is absolutely not a cold case." Bailey's father, a retired NYC cop, says he has faith in the APD's ability to find the murderer. [TU] [TU]
The vast majority of restaurants in Albany County did OK on county health inspections in 2008, according to a Times Union analysis. Among the few that didn't: Tandoor Palace on Lark Street, the Corner Food Court at the corner of Lark and Washington, and the Metro 20 Diner on Western. [TU]
Scramble on for stimulus money, Paterson says soda tax has gone flat, big condo project put on hold, Dunn Bridge closing temporarily, Springsteen tickets are pricy
Local officials are scrambling to line up for the some $20 billion of stimulus money that's probably headed toward New York. Albany, Schenectady and Troy have already proposed projects worth a combined $600 million. Now Saratoga Springs is asking for about $17 million -- $10.7 million of which would go toward the construction of the new police station. Chuck Schumer said yesterday that the Capital Region would be getting $108 million for Medicaid from the bill. [TU] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Albany Common Council has decided it will ask city and police officials to answer questions about the ghost ticket scandal under oath. It won't be issuing these people a subpoena -- at least, not yet. [TU]
David Paterson says the state legislature will probably not pass his proposed soda tax. [AP/TU]
State Senate Democrats says they will not be using the recently discovered "Brunomobile." The custom van gets 8 miles per gallon and reportedly has "retained a ghost of its new-car smell." [TU]
Jim Tedisco and Scott Murphy, the two candidates in the race to fill Kirsten Gillibrand's former seat in the House, are arguing over whose job creation number is bigger. Neither candidate will say whether they would have voted for the stimulus bill that's moving through Congress. It sounds like Murphy, the Democrat, has the support of his in-laws -- even though they're Republicans. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [Saratogian]
State facing even bigger budget gap, politicians fight over printer, food bank demand up, garbage workers told to take it easy,
A budget analysis from the state Assembly projects that the state's budget gap for the next fiscal year is actually a billion dollars bigger than originally thought. Sheldon Silver says the growing gap increases the need for higher taxes on high-earning households. David Paterson says he's still resistant to the idea. [Biz Review] [NYDN] [TU]
Jonathan Lippman was confirmed yesterday as the new chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court. Lippman says getting state judges a pay raise will be among his first priorities. Also: he apparently looks a little like Bernie Madoff to some people. [TU] [CapNews9]
A city attorney has told the Albany Common Council that its subpoena powers probably do not allow it to question the head of the police officers' union about the ghost ticket scandal. Councilman Corey Ellis has been pushing for the council to directly investigate the matter. [TU]
The woman police say hit a pedestrian along Western Ave near St. Rose and then drove off was charged yesterday with leaving the scene of an accident. The family of Stanley Brown, the man hit and killed in the accident, says he loved to walk. [Troy Record] [TU]
Stimulus stimulates budget talk, chip fab deal hits snag, guilty verdict tossed over racial remark, candy maker expects subdued Valentine's Day
Both Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand voted for the federal stimulus bill yesterday -- they say New York State could be getting about $20 billion from the bill. That has state leaders thinking about the impact on the state budget. David Paterson says the state still needs to make significant budget cuts. He also said he wouldn't support the proposed tax on high-income households -- unless the Legislature could come up with $11 billion in budget cuts. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [NYDN]
The AMD shareholder vote on the spin-off that would own the Luther Forest chip fab was delayed yesterday after the company couldn't get enough votes together for an official decision. The vote was rescheduled for next week -- both company and local officials seemed confident the deal would still go through. AMD's stock dropped 12 percent on news of the delayed vote. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
The FBI and State Police raided tenant offices at the Port of Albany yesterday. The raid is part of an ongoing investigation into extortion and bid-rigging among businesses there. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Joe Bruno's federal trial has been scheduled for November of this year. His attorney says they'll be trying to get charges dismissed before then. One complication for the trial: finding jurors with an open mind about Bruno's guilt or innocence. [TU]
Common council pushes for ghost ticket investigation, new SUNY chancellor, pistol whippings in Center Square, official urges shopping and prayer, Brian Stratton hops a horse in Albany
Four members of the Albany common council say they want to pursue a full investigation of the city's "ghost ticket" scandal. Mayor Jerry Jennings says the city is correcting the problem and would rather see the state comptroller handle the audit. [TU] [Fox23]
The SUNY Board of Trustees is expected to name University of Cincinnati president Nancy Zimpher the next SUNY chancellor today. Zimpher has a reputation has a tough, effective leader. She says she'll open her tenure as chancellor by personally visiting all 64 of the SUNY campuses. [Newsday] [TU] [NYT]
In somewhat gubernatorial fashion, New York AG Andrew Cuomo was making the rounds yesterday in Albany to push for consolidation of the state's many and varied local governments. After meeting with the New York Conservative Party, one member said, "I think we've got a kinder, gentler Cuomo with this guy." [TU] [NYP]
The idea of a tax hike on households making $250,000 and up is gaining momentum in the state Legislature. A similar hike was passed last year in the Assembly and a bill will be introduced in the Senate today. [NYT]
Local governments line up stimulus projects, sniping in the Governor's office, DA says 40-year-old case will be hard to prosecute, group trying to raise money for cat's heart surgery
Local governments have quite the wish list lined up for the federal stimulus money that could be on they way. The cities of Albany, Schenectady and Troy combined have more than $600 million of proposed projects. On the list: a new city hall for Troy, money for the Albany convention center, and a new rail line connecting Schenectady and Albany. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
As Kirsten Gillibrand becomes more of a "Democratic team player" in the Senate, constituents around Saratoga say they feel betrayed. [Newsday] [NYT]
The state worker unions have been meeting with the Department of Civil Service to discuss procedures for layoffs. There has been no official word that mass layoffs are in the works. [TU]
The chatter around the Capitol: David Paterson's staff is incompetent, fighting with itself over stuff like office space.
Albany's ghost ticket scandal widens, Tutunjian plans for new city hall, mud flying in Gillibrand replacement race, UAlbany narrows list of potential presidents,
The roster of vehicles eligible for "ghost" parking tickets apparently extends to a "VIP" list of 270 vehicles owned by the government and private citizens. Among those with a park-for-free pass: the head of the Downtown BID, who has previously said that people should expect to pay for parking. Albany police chief James Tuffey says the program has been shut down. [TU] [CBS6]
Nelson Costello, the man accused of murdering David Bacon 40 years ago in Waterford, was indicted yesterday on charges or murder and witness tampering -- he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. Authorities say Costello and Bacon were involved in a rivalry over Bacon's then-fiancee -- the woman now lives in Schaghticoke. The Saratoga County DA says Costello was arrested last week in Cohoes after crashing a rental car and then trying to cover up the location of the accident. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record]
Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian announced during his state of the city address last night that the city would seeking $22 million of federal stimulus money to build a new city hall on the site of the old one. [TU] [Troy Record]
The council meeting after Tutunjian's address turned into a verbal spat as the council argued with Troy deputy mayor Dan Crawley over the implementation of a new landlord registration law. After a council member accused Crawley of not responding to email, Crawley reportedly shouted: "Not from you. Approach me like a man and quit hiding behind your computer." [Troy Record]
Special election candidates could spend $4 million total, state worker says he gets $95k for nothing, new baggage scanners at airport, ice cream recall
One expert predicts each candidate in the special election to fill Kirsten Gillibrand's former House seat could end up spending $2 million on the race. The chairman of the Republican National Committee was in Albany yesterday to meet with Jim Tedisco about the race. Scott Murphy, the Democrats' candidate, was in DC earlier this week to meet with Nancy Pelosi and Kirsten Gillibrand. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
The Siena Research Institute reports that consumer confidence in New York State was up a bit last month. The state's consumer confidence is a little lower than the national mark. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
CDTA could get about $14 million over two years from the stimulus bill that's passed the House of Representatives. But the transit org says it's experiencing a "revenue crisis" and the stimulus money would only be a short-term help. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A state worker with the State Insurance Fund says he's been relegated to a do-nothing $93,803-a-year job because he sued the Pataki Administration 10 years ago. The man says he sued because he was being discriminated against for being a Native American. [TU]
Deal closes this year's state budget gap, Waterford site "a significant threat," quadriplegic bookie going to prison, ducks love french fries
A deal to close the $1.6 billion gap in the state's budget for this fiscal year passed both houses of the Legislature last night. The plan makes up the money by trimming a number of items, "sweeping" money from various accounts and raising a tax on health insurers. The current Three Men in a Room (Paterson, Silver, Smith) put the deal together behind closed doors -- and it was voted on by legislators before they had much of a chance to read it. Republican Senate minority leader Dean Skelos criticized the process, "Don't just push us out the door, shut the door and have three Democrats in a room from New York City make a determination on the economic policy of the state." The state still faces a $13 billion gap in next year's budget. [TU] [NYT] [CapNews9] [NYDN]
Both national Republican and Democratic parties are expected to focus on the special election to fill Kirsten Gillibrand's former seat in the House. Jim Tedisco officially began his campaign yesterday with a flurry of basketball metaphors. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
The state Department of Environmental Conservation recently told Waterford that a site in the town "presents a significant threat to the environment and public health." The site, on which an old barrel cleaning business once operated, had been identified as dangerous years ago -- but a miscommunication between the federal EPA and the state DEC led to an 8-year delay in further testing. [Troy Record]
An anonymous source tells the TU there may have been an accomplice involved with the that 40-year-old murder case -- but the statute of limitations on the crime have expired. State police arrested a 62-year-old man last week after a tip re-opened the case last year. As the Saratoga County DA's office prepares for the case, it's been studying old cases because the man would have to be prosecuted under the laws in place four decades ago. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Arrest in 40-year-old murder case, AMD hopes for June start on fab construction, subpoena debated for "ghost tickets" scandal, buzzer sounds early on Patroons' season
State police have arrested a man for an alleged murder from 40 years ago. Investigators say Nelson Costello murdered David Bacon over a woman. Costello, who most recently has been living in Arizona, was a part-time cop in the Town of Waterford in 1969. Bacon's disappearance had been deemed a missing persons case four decades ago. Officials haven't said what led them to treat the case as a murder, but they say they will probably release details later this week. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Troy Record]
The state's political leaders are lining up to push for a high-speed rail line connecting cities along the old Erie Canal. [TU]
Former Schenectady police chief Greg Kaczmarek was sentenced to two years in prison yesterday for his involvement with a drug ring. Kaczmarek's wife, Lisa, was also sentenced yesterday -- she got six months. That sentence has drawn criticism for being too light, but Judge Karen Drago told Lisa Kaczmarek, "your culpability with respect to getting illegal drugs on the street was far less than your co-defendants." The busting of the organization has led to convictions for 24 people. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
AMD says it wants to start clearing the land for the Luther Forest chip fab in March and start construction in June. But first its board has to approve the spin-off of the company that will actually own the fab. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Dems pick candidate for Gillibrand replacement race, stabbing in downtown Saratoga, RPI involved with Africa education intiative, local sales of YakTrax up
The Democrats have picked Glens Falls venture capitalist Scott Murphy to run in the special election for Kirsten Gillibrand's seat. Murphy emerged as the choice after former TV anchor Tracy Egan and AFL-CIO official Suzy Ballantyne dropped out. The 10 Democratic county chairman made their pick yesterday at the Gateway Diner in Albany (no, that's not in the district) while, apparently, wearing lots of Gillibrand flair. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [TU] [@pattigibbons]
Murphy will face Jim Tedisco in the special election -- and people are already lining up to replace Tedisco should he win. [Saratogian]
Police say a man was stabbed multiple times early Sunday morning at Club 388 on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. The victim was airlifted to Albany Med. Police arrested two men shortly after the incident -- the cops had been on patrol in the area. [CapNews9] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Saratoga Springs mayor Scott Johnson says the city's council "has already embraced the concept, but not the details" of paid parking downtown. That's not going over well with downtown business owners. [TU]
As David Paterson's public profile has taken a hit (or, hits) over the last few weeks, it appears that Sheldon Silver is controlling the agenda at the Capitol. [AP/Saratogian] [TU]
Joe Bruno, who's under federal indictment, in a recent memo to employees at the consulting firm he now heads: "If there was ever a time to be righteously indignant, that time is now." [TU]
Job openings attracting many applicants, tax trouble for legislators, wig-wearing would-be test taker won't be charged with felony, libel suit against TU dismissed
Local employers say they're seeing a flood of applications for open jobs. [Daily Gazette]
The former state employee who blew the whistle on Antonia Novello says he was framed for speaking out against the former Department of Health commissioner. [TU]
A Schenectady police officer topped the list of the city's highest paid employees last year. His $168,922 in gross salary was a department record. Mayor Brian Stratton's $97,000 ranked him 74th on the highest-paid list. [TU]
It seems that members of the state legislature have trouble paying their taxes. Twenty current members have had "tax warrants" issued for them at some point. [TU]
During the first 12 hours of this most recent snow emergency, 226 cars were towed in the City of Albany. [Fox23]
A jury convicted an Albany woman of conspiring to murder her ex-husband in 2007. The woman is now facing 25 years to life in prison. [TU]
Stimulus includes millions for local schools, snow totaled about six inches, new name for MapInfo, dude looked like a lady
Chuck Schumer says the stimulus bill currently moving through Congress includes $84 million for schools in the Capital Region. The Albany City School District will get the biggest chunk of that -- $12.7 (full breakdown). Local counties will also get almost $43 million to help cover Medicaid costs. The stimulus bill passed the House yesterday (Tonko voted for it) -- it's yet to be voted on in the Senate. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [NYT] [CapNews9]
Officials from school districts, teachers unions and advocacy groups testified yesterday before the state legislature that the almost $700 million in school aid cuts in the proposed state budget would lead to thousands of layoffs and service cuts. (By the way: Schumer says that stimulus bill includes almost $2.5 billion in education aid for New York State.) [TU] [AP/Newsday]
The final tally on yesterday's storm: about six inches of snow and ice, a bunch of wrecks, some cancelled Regents exams and more snowblowers sold. [TU] [Troy Record] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady police say they're increasing patrols of city neighborhoods that have high levels of gun crimes. Three people have already been arrested, include a young man who has been charged with wearing an illegal bulletproof vest. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Ice and freezing rain on the way, budget process again focus of Capitol, Bruno calls indictment "garbage," texting gets UAlbany teams in trouble, don't be a spigot pig
The storm that's moving the through the area today has already glazed large portions of the South and Midwest. Ice and freezing rain are expected here this afternoon. [AP]
With the Senate selection circus over, things returned to normal at the Capitol -- which is to say, gridlock and complaining about the budget. [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
New York State comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says year-end bonuses on Wall Street were down 44 percent this year -- and that will cost the state $1 billion in tax revenue. [Biz Review]
David Paterson says he won't pursue the source(s) of the leaks about Caroline Kennedy from his administration. That's created a weird situation where many members of the press know who the leaker (or leakers) is -- and the governor's telling them not to tell anyone. [AP/Troy Record] [NY Post]
Kirsten Gillibrand officially became a US Senator yesterday (99th on the seniority list), as she continued to take heat over her views on guns and immigration. [NYDN] [Daily Gazette] [NYT]
After officially being tapped as the Republican candidate in the upcoming special election to replace Kirsten Gillibrand, Jim Tedisco said his focus will be "jobs, jobs, jobs." Tedisco doesn't actually live in the Congressional district (he's not required to), but says he'll move there. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Local home prices hold steady, former NYS health commissioner accused of abusing staff, Bruno says they've messed with the wrong guy, Honest Weight sales up
Median home prices in the the Capital Region fell one percent last year, according to figures from the Greater Capital Association of Realtors. The number of transactions did slow considerably -- down 15 percent. In the four core counties of the Capital Region, median prices held steady -- and in Albany County the median sales price actually went up one percent. An economics consultancy is projecting that home prices here will fall two percent this year. [Biz Review] [TU]
Kirsten Gillibrand is scheduled to take the oath of office for the Senate today. At 42-years-old, she'll become the nation's youngest US Senator. [AP]
As many as 25 Democrats are hoping to snag the nomination to run for Gillibrand's soon-to-be old House seat. There are also a bunch of Republicans in the scrum, though it seems three frontrunners have emerged (Tedisco, Little, Faso). [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Former New York State health commissioner Anotonia Novello "shamelessly and blatantly exploited and abused her staff, adding a new dimension to the definition of 'arrogance' and 'chutzpah'," according to the NYS Inspector General's office. Among Novello's alleged transgressions: she commandeered state staff and vehicles for frequent shopping expeditions. Novello's lawyer says the former commissioner didn't do anything that "calls for criminal prosecution." [NYT]
Everybody into the pool for Gillibrand's seat, first homicide of the year in Schenectady, apartments planned for downtown Albany, chicken wing prices up
Kirsten Gillibrand's now-former seat in the House is attracting the interest of, well, everyone. All sorts of candidates are either already in the race or are having their names floated. Among them: Betty Little, Jim Tedisco, John Faso, Sandy Treadwell, Tracey Brooks, former TV anchor Tracy Egan and former NY Rangers goalie Mike Richter. [TU] [Saratogian] [CapNews9] [TU]
A Schenectady man died this weekend after being shot in the head Saturday night at a party. A woman was also shot -- her injuries aren't considered life-threatening. Schenectady police say they don't have many leads -- and they say witnesses are not cooperating. This was the city's first homicide of the year. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
CDTA's planned route cuts and consolidations began Sunday. The transit org is paring back service as part of its plan to cover a multi-million dollar budget gap. [TU]
Saratoga Springs mayor Scott Johnson delivered his state of the city address yesterday. He called for "fiscal conservatism" and pushed for paid public parking. (By the way: how many people were there? The TU reports 75, the Gazette 100 and the Saratogian 200.) [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Paterson to appoint Gillibrand to Clinton's seat, unemployment rate jumps, state employee accused of loan sharking, woman profits from lucky mistake
An aide to David Paterson has confirmed that the governor will appoint Kirsten Gillibrand to Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. Paterson's office has been contacting local elected leaders to assemble them for a press conference this afternoon. And Gillibrand returned to the Capital Region last night. [AP] [TU] [CBS6]
Names are already surfacing of people looking to take over Gillibrand's seat in the House. Sandy Treadwell says he'll run again. State senator Betty Little is apparently interested, as are Jim Tedisco and John Faso. Former Saratoga Springs mayor Val Keehn and current city public safety commissioner Ron Kim also say they're interested. [CapNews9] [NCPR] [TU] [Saratogian]
The Capital Region's unemployment rate in December hit 5.9 percent, that's up almost two points from the same period a year ago. It's now at its highest point since 1991. An analyst with the state Labor Department says the region's unemployment rate could surpass 7 percent by the end of this year. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Albany County Sheriff's Department busted a handful of prostitution operations around the area yesterday. Four of the people arrested were 19-years-old or younger. One of the operations was based in Colonie right near the Crossings park -- cue the "we never thought it would happen here" soundbite from the neighbors. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
Caroline's officially out, unemployment rate projected to climb, group calls public health students' confession "tainted," geese block traffic
Caroline Kennedy released a statement early this morning announcing the she has dropped out of the contention for Hillary Clinton's (now former) Senate seat for "personal reasons". Kennedy withdrawal from the process seemed a little haphazard -- and media reports about her intentions were all mixed up last night. [NYT] [AP/TU] [NYDN] [AOA]
With Kennedy out of the race, the attention is turning primarily to Andrew Cuomo and Kirsten Gillibrand. News crews were reportedly seen setting up outside Gillibrand's house in DC last night. [Politico]
An economics consultancy is projecting that unemployment in the Capital Region will hit 7.2 percent this year. [Biz Review]
According to APD dispatch records, the detective accused of driving drunk through south Albany into Bethlehem two weeks ago was observed along the way by an off-duty Schenectady cop. But police never caught up to the detective's truck until after he arrived home. And by the time they got there, officials from the police officers' union were already there. [TU]
People gather to watch inauguration, Paterson keeps everyone guessing, Alaei brothers sentenced, hot fudge business is sweet
People got together in places all over the Capital Region yesterday to watch the inauguration, including living rooms, restaurants, senior citizen homes, Proctors Theater, fraternal organizations, a think tank and a lot of schools. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Saratogian] [Troy Record] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
There were also a bunch of local people at the actual event, some with better spots to view the ceremony than others. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [Saratogian] [Fox23]
Hillary Clinton was not confirmed by the full Senate yesterday as Secretary of State. The vote on her confirmation was held up by Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who expressed concerns about donors to the Clinton Global Initiative. [NYT]
David Paterson told reporters yesterday morning that he had a "good idea" about who he's going to pick to replace Hillary Clinton. Then he told Katie Couric and Bob Schieffer later that he's "not totally sure who I'm going to appoint yet." (video) He also told Couric and Schieffer that Andrew Cuomo is among the people he's considering. [Daily Politics] [CBSNews] [Buffalo News]
Paterson says he's narrowed the field for Clinton's seat, storms straining snow removal budgets, shootout in Schenectady, dry cleaner closing stores
David Paterson says he's narrowed the field of candidates to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate, but says he still hasn't made up his mind -- though he expects to do so by the end of this week. Paterson says he hasn't yet gone through all the questionnaires submitted by the hopefuls. [TU] [NYT]
One way you might have scored an inauguration ticket from Kirsten Gillibrand: promise to "love you so much" in a handwritten letter. It probably helps to be 10-years-old, too. [TU]
A rapid exchange of gunfire yesterday afternoon in Schenectady left bullet holes in cars and sent neighborhood residents diving for the floor. The shooters got away before police arrived. [TU] [Fox23]
Increased prices for salt -- and a series of weekend snow storms -- are straining the snow removal budgets of local municipalities. [Daily Gazette]
Catholic diocese closing many churches, Timmons' mother says they will appeal, Troy cracking down on ticket scofflaws, jewelry store gets liquor license, Circuit City closeout mobbed
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany has announced that will close 17 churches in the Capital Region (33 in total across the 14 county diocese). Six churches in Troy are closing, three in both Schenectady and Cohoes will close and two in Albany are being merged with other churches. Of the consolidation, bishop Howard Hubbard said, "I feel in the depths of my heart a deep sadness." (Complete list from the diocese.) [Troy Record] [TU] [TU] [RCDA]
The mother of Jermayne Timmons, the teen convicted last week of firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas, says her son was "railroaded." Timmons' attorney says they plan to file an appeal. [TU]
An APD detective accused of driving into a parked car will not automatically lose his license for a year after refusing to take a breathalyzer test (as the law requires) -- because the cops who arrested him didn't follow protocol. Attorneys who specialize in DWI cases say it does not look like they screwed it up on purpose, though. [TU]
There were 42 collisions between aircraft and birds reported at ALB last year -- despite escalating efforts to keep birds off the runways. [TU]
It's cold, emergency landing at ALB, Soares calls for video of interrogations, Dalai Lama coming, state threatens bingo in Troy, Obama-Osama mistake strikes again
Note: the TU's site, in a stripped-down version, seems to be up again. Sort of.
Newsflash: it's cold. Temps this morning were below freezing zero and today's forecasted high is 16 degrees, with a wind-chill of as low as -9. [NWS]
ALB was closed for about an hour yesterday after a flight from Canada had to make an emergency landing. The Toronto-to-Manchester (NH) flight asked to make the emergency landing at ALB after it reported engine problems. The commuter plane's tires blew out during landing -- no one was injured. [Biz Review] [AP/Troy Record] [TU]
After this week's conviction of Jermayne Timmons, Albany County DA David Soares says he will push for the Albany Police Department to start videotaping interrogations. A key part of the Timmons case was a statement the APD extracted from the teen about the shooting of Kathina Thomas. APD chief James Tuffey says there's isn't money available to record the sessions, but Soares says the department has failed to take advantage of state money for the project. [CapNews9] [WNYT]
The Saratoga County sheriff's office says the driver who's accused of injuring a garbage man in Wilton after rear-ending a garbage truck was driving without a license. The garbage man was still in critical condition yesterday. [Saratogian] [Saratogian]
Timmons found guilty, Gillibrand says she is a candidate for Clinton's seat, Jackson talks with RPI faculty about recent layoffs, local foreclosures up in 2008
Note: the TU's site was down this morning
A jury found Jermayne Timmons guilty yesterday of firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas. The teen could now get 15 years to life. Timmons' lawyer says they plan to appeal. Thomas' mother says she hopes Timmons is sent away for life. Charlie Muller, who runs the Albany gun buyback program, says both Thomas and Timmons are victims of the situation. [AP/Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Kirsten Gillibrand said yesterday that she is a candidate for the Hillary Clinton's Senate seat and she has interviewed with David Paterson about the job. [CBS6] [Post-Star]
The City Mission of Schenectady says demand for meals and a place to stay was up signficantly last year. And the recent cold weather is also increasing demand -- the shelter laid out mats for extra people last night. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
It appears that the Albany area is currently the top candidate for a new IBM research center that would employ 675 people. [EETimes] [Daily Gazette]
Jury deliberating Kathina case, selection process for Hillary replacement criticized, crash closes major intersection, new life for vacant anchor space at Crossgates?
The jury in the trial of Jermayne Timmons, the teen accused of firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas, heard closing arguments yesterday before going into deliberations. The jurors were sent home at 9:30 pm and will continue deliberating today. [TU]
The gunman in the I-90 shootout had been on probation after pleading guilty to a handful of charges related to a 2006 robbery in Connecticut. He died Monday night after being taken off life support. [TU]
Jim Tedisco says Hillary Clinton's replacement in the US Senate should be picked by voters in a special election. It would seem that the chances of that actually happening are extremely small. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
The New York Daily News reports that Andrew Cuomo has interviewed with David Paterson for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat -- though Cuomo's people called the story "factually inaccurate." [NYDN]
More details about I-90 shootout, Paterson criticized for Clinton replacement process, federal money could stop new taxes, elderly clerk staves off robbery with phone
Updated at 11:50 am
State police released more details about the I-90 shootout yesterday. They say the gunman yelled at police, urging them to kill him -- though they're still not sure what prompted the incident. They also released video from the police car that made the original traffic stop -- the video shows the man firing through the back window of the taxi. State police say the man, who was eventually taken out by a police sharpshooter, is not expected to survive his injuries died Monday night. [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette] [CapNews9]
Jermayne Timmons, the teen accused of firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas, took the stand at his trial yesterday. He testified that he did fire a shot that day, but not with the type of gun police say he used. [TU]
Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearing for Secretary of State is this morning. [USA Today]
David Paterson is being criticized for keeping secret the selection process for Clinton's replacement in the Senate. Paterson says he's interviewed 15 people for the job -- including Caroline Kennedy, of whom Paterson said he was "impressed." [AP/Daily Gazette] [NYDN]
Shootout on I-90, Paterson meets with Kennedy, four day state work week?, former police chief admits to gambling, recession means red sauce
A traffic stop on I-90 in E. Greenbush on Saturday turned into a shootout. Police say Darryl Brown, who's from Hartford, opened fire on police with an AK-47 after the taxi he was riding in was stopped for speeding. The incident closed the interstate and sent as many as 100 motorists "running down I-90 for my life." Apparently the only person hurt in the exchange was the gunman himself, who's now in critical condition with at Albany Med with multiple gunshot wounds. (Video from the scene.) [TU] [WTEN] [TU] [Troy Record] [WTEN/CNN]
David Paterson met with Caroline Kennedy on Saturday for a formal discussion about her interest in Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. [NYT]
An assemblyman from Queens has proposed that non-essential state employees start working four-day weeks to help the state save money. [NYT]
A economics consultancy projects that prices in the Capital Region's housing market will fall by three percent this year. Compared to other places, that's actually pretty good -- and it's landed the region on a Forbes list of the 25 strongest real estate markets. [TU] [Forbes]
Job anxiety at Capitol, Albany Med planning more development, cell phone prompts school evacuation, NYSTI fighting merger with Egg
The change in control of the state Senate is causing a lot of anxiety for staffers -- many of their jobs are up in the air as resources are being re-apportioned. The state Senate has 1,300 staffers. [NYT]
Albany Med is looking to build an office building, hotel and parking garage on land owned by the VA across New Scotland Ave. The plan would also reconfigure that part of New Scotland into a four-lane street. [TU]
A chunk of ice flew off the back of a tractor trailer yesterday and smashed through the windshield of a Ballston Spa woman's car. (The picture is remarkable.) She says she'd now like to see a state law to making it illegal to drive with ice on your car. [CBS6] [CBS6]
Local auto repair shops say business is booming as people look to hang on to their cars longer because of the economy. [TU]
Police say they're not sure what led to the death of a man found along the side of the road in North Greenbush on Sunday. [Troy Record]
Reaction to State of the State, rally in downtown Albany, more weird twists in Kathina trial, sewage might have ended up in vegetable compost, pet deer attacks man
Elected state leaders praised David Paterson for being direct about the state's situation in yesterday's State of the State speech. (They also apparently envy his memory.) But some said the speech was short on specifics. (The Record has put together an extensive compilation of reaction from interest groups and local elected leaders.) [Fox23] [Troy Record] [CapNews9] [Troy Record]
About 4,000 people got together in downtown Albany before the speech for a protest organized by the civil service unions. They turned out to oppose Paterson's proposed budget -- to the sounds of Twisted Sister. [Troy Record] [NYT]
After control of the state Senate passed to the Democrats yesterday, Dean Skelos' name was scratched off the door of the majority's office space. [Daily Politics] [TU]
Paterson's proposals for more research into renewable energy and efficiency could benefit the Capital Region. [Daily Gazette]
State of the State today, Democrats organize control of state Senate, unemployment claim system crashes, two-year-old found wandering snowy streets
David Paterson will deliver the state of the state speech today at 1 pm. A group of labor unions representing state, local and healthcare workers is planning a march through downtown Albany before the speech -- traffic is being re-routed as thousands are expected to take part. Paterson has largely been out of sight the last few weeks because he's needed the time -- some 60 hours -- to memorize his speech. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [CBS6] [Daily Politics] [ABCNews]
It appears the Democrats have worked out an arrangement to take control of the state Senate. The deal may -- or may not -- have included an agreement to block a vote on same-sex marriage. Malcolm Smith will become the state's first African-American Senate majority leader. And with the change of party control, there are a bunch of new committee chairs -- including the guy who was recently charged with felony assault. [NYT] [TU] [NYDN] [Daily Politics] [NYT]
On the first day of testimony in the trial of the teen accused of firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas, a prosecution witness admitted he had lied during his testimony. The girl's mother also testified yesterday and her account of the incident was heartbreaking. During opening arguments, the attorney for the accused teen said his client did fire a shot that day -- but not with the type of gun police say killed Thomas. [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette]
Trial begins for teen accused of killing Kathina Thomas, state Senate Dems still haven't worked things out, father-son duo accused of stealing tombstones, pot eater tasered by police
The trial of the teenager accused of firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas last May starts today. Albany County DA David Soares has asked local media outlets to not identify witnesses in the trial because of worries about witness intimidation. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Our famously dysfunctional state legislature opens its new session tomorrow. Will the Democrats be able to organize control of the state Senate? Maybe. Maybe not. [TU] [NYDN] [NYT]
The SUNY Research Foundation is reviewing the resume of Susan Bruno -- Joe Bruno's daughter -- after the TU reported it may have included questionable claims about her education and credentials. Susan Bruno currently holds an $84k/year job with the foundation. [TU]
A company-funded study reports that the Lafarge cement plant in Ravena is the second largest emitter of mercury in the state. The reported levels are half of what they were two years ago, but one prominent expert says it's still "a heck of a lot of mercury." [TU]
Joe Bruno's daughter under scrutiny, Thruway toll hike kicks in, local t-shirt biz hopes to help kids in Africa, ice fishing heats up,
The TU reports that Susan Bruno -- Joe Bruno's daughter -- has come under scrutiny as part of the long-running federal investigation into her father. At issue: whether Susan Bruno was given a high-paying job at the SUNY Research Foundation, but not really required to do much. Also: her spelling skills apparently need some work. [TU]
Filings at the Albany office of federal bankruptcy court were up more than 20 percent in 2008 over the year before. [TU]
Gun sellers at a show in Saratoga Springs say business is way up this year. They cite concerns among gun owners that the Obama Administration will push for stiffer gun control laws. [Saratogian] [CapNews9]
A five percent increase in Thruway tolls took effect on Sunday. [Fox23]
Paterson annoyed by Senate chatter, horse found murdered, mortgage rates way down, shoe repair business way up
David Paterson says the chatter about who will get Hillary Clinton's Senate seat has "reached a new high and new low in areas of gossip, speculation, mind-reading." A Q poll reports that the public thinks Paterson will appoint Caroline Kennedy -- a conclusion that apparently frustrates the Gov. [TU] [Quinnipiac] [NYT]
The attorneys for a Troy man accused of killing his infant son in September say charges against their client should be dropped because the child named in the indictment is actually the deceased infant's twin brother -- who's still alive. [TU]
The chairman of CDTA's board says he realizes the 50 cent fare hike will be difficult for some people, but the transit org had "no other alternatives." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A horse in Hoosick Falls was found dead this week, its throat slashed during what appears to have been an attempted robbery. [Troy Record]
Standoff ends in suicide, vote today on bus fare increase, Saratoga recreation center drama continues, a low-key bank robbery
US marshals say a man accused of multiple rapes in Pennsylvania killed himself in Cohoes yesterday after a standoff with police. The man, who had once run for Congress, jumped bail last month after he was accused of posing as a cop in order to take advantage of prostitutes. His had recently been featured on America's Most Wanted. Police say they aren't sure what brought the man to the Capital Region. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
The CDTA board is scheduled to vote on the proposed 50 cent per ride fare increase today. A coaltion of riders, advocates and politicians is protesting the increase, arguing that that increase would disproportionately hurt low-income people. The transportation org recently scaled back the proposed fare hike for commuter lines that run along the Northway. [CapNews9] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
More than 300 cars have been towed during Albany's snow emergency. Apparently even/odd can be tricky. [CBS6] [WNYT]
It snowed, pharmacy held up with a grenade, man stewed before bank heist, Paterson in Iraq, hope for ESP skating rink?
It snowed. The National Weather Service estimates the Capital Region got between 14-20 inches over the course of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A snow emergency is in effect in Albany until 8 pm Tuesday -- and in Troy, you can park free in downtown city lots and garages until Monday at 8 pm. [Daily Gazette] [City of Albany] [City of Troy]
After the recent ice storm and power outages, the state Public Service Commission says it will be watching how well utilities keep trees trimmed around power lines. One potential culprit for some of the downed trees: the white pine weevil, a beetle that weakens otherwise ice-resistant pine trees. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Police say a man robbed an uptown Albany CVS of narcotics Friday night using the threat of a grenade. [Daily Gazette]
Police say yet another pizza delivery guy was robbed in Albany in apparent setup. This is the third time that's happened in the last few weeks. In this most recent robbery, it seems the muggers only got away with pizza and chicken wings. [CBS6] [CapNews9] [TU]
Bank robbery involves chase, fake beard and -- possibly -- gunfire, local unemployment rate up again, DA says RPI student's death a mystery, that's not Jimmy Tedisco
State police say a man, wearing a "a fake Abe Lincoln-style beard," robbed a bank in Latham at gunpoint yesterday afternoon before leading cops on a high-speed chase up the Northway and into Saratoga. They say the man the sped down Rt. 50 before striking another vehicle and flipping his SUV. Police are also investigating whether gunfire was exchanged -- there are indications a state trooper did fire his weapon. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU]
The Capital Region's unemployment rate hit its highest point for a November (5.2 percent) since 1992's November. Retail jobs have been among the hardest hit. A state labor department analyst says he expects the numbers to get worse, but compared to the rest of the country, they're not that bad. [Biz Review] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The number of calls last month to the state's unemployment insurance call center was almost triple that of the same period a year ago -- and as a result, about 40,000 calls went unanswered. Things are so bad the head of the center asked the TU not to reveal its location for fear that angry people would show up at the building. [TU]
Plug Power laid off 90 workers yesterday, most of them at its Latham headquarters. [Biz Review]
More budget reaction, power almost completely restored, Kennedy goes upstate, Pine Hills residents upset about crime, police say penis guy wasn't wearing shirt or shoes
A Siena poll reports that 78 percent of people polled support raising taxes on people making $1 million a year or more as a way to help cover the state's budget gap. The Paterson budget plan currently doesn't include such a tax. [SRI]
There's some question as to whether the Luther Forest chip fab would still qualify for all its tax breaks under the Paterson budget plan's proposed adjustment to the Empire Zone program. Yesterday the state approve the transfer of $650 million in incentives from AMD to the spin-off company that will be building the fab. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Proposed cuts to state subsidies for Amtrak could halt service between Albany and Montreal. The line that runs between Rutland and Albany could also be in jeopardy, which -- when combined with the possible cut of the Montreal route -- would mean the station in Saratoga Springs would be left with no trains. [TU]
Liquor store owners are upset by David Paterson's proposal to let supermarkets sell wine. They say rules prohibiting them from owning more than one location and from staying open late will hurt their ability to compete with the supermarket chains. [TU]
Almost 2,000 homes in the Capital Region are still without power. A National Grid spokesperson said the ice storm was like "our version of a hurricane." [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
Caroline Kennedy made stops in Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo yesterday as part of her non-campaign campaign for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. She also may -- or may not -- have said she'd be running for the seat in 2010 if she's not appointed. [NYT] [AP/TU]
Paterson budget has everyone complaining, RPI layoffs start, Caroline headed upstate, student found dead, penis guy arrested again
It seems you can't throw a snow ball and not hit someone who's upset in some way about David Paterson's proposed budget. Everyone from hospital groups to beverage companies to county DAs to salon owners to environmentalists to unions to the suburbs took issue yesterday with some aspect of the budget. (A quick read of the proposed budget.) [TU] [TU] [Saratogian] [CapNews9] [Biz Review] [NYT] [NYDN]
About 10,000 homes in the Capital Region are still without power. National Grid is asking people still in the dark to call them. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The RPI layoffs started yesterday. It's unclear how many people have been let go. The school reported to the state Department of Labor that it would be eliminating 98 jobs -- but a source told the Troy Record the number is somewhere between 100 and 170. A hundred jobs would be about 5 percent of RPI's workforce. The layoffs have been sparking harsh comments about RPI president Shirley Jackson. [TU] [Troy Record] [AOA comments]
Caroline Kennedy will reportedly be in Syracuse today as part of a sort of upstate campaign for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. [Syracuse Post-Standard] [NY Mag]
Paterson budget proposal out today, thousands still without power, CDTA says rapid bus line moving forward, UAlbany plans to chill out
David Paterson is releasing his proposed 2009 state budget today -- and it's expected to include the elimination of 3,000 state worker jobs, some of through layoffs. The governor's people say many of the layoffs could be averted if the state worker unions agree to defer their raises next year and delay a week's-worth of pay. [TU]
Caroline Kennedy says she wants to succeed Hillary Clinton and is actively pursuing the seat. [NYT]
As of this morning, about 40,000 homes in the Capital Region are still without power. National Grid says it brought 900 line and tree crews into the region and they've been working 18 hour shifts to get things repaired. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Chuck Schumer and David Paterson are calling on the federal government to provide disaster aid to the area. [Troy Record]
Tens of thousands still without power, Paterson to propose "obesity tax," friend says Bruno indictment likely, SPAC renovation on ice
As of this morning, 75,000 homes in the Capital Region were still without power. National Grid says homes are being returned to the grid "every minute of every day." The utility company says it could be Wednesday before all the repairs are made -- and now there's concern that high winds today will set things back. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [TU]
A married couple in Glenville died this weekend from carbon monoxide fumes produced by their generator. At least 15 other people around the region were taken to hospitals for carbon monoxide poisoning caused by using grills inside. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
With no power at home, people flocked to stores and restaurants this weekend. An Italian restaurant in Schenectady was so busy it ran out of spaghetti. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Many of the Amtrak trains running between Rensselaer and NYC are still canceled. [CapNews9]
Ice storm knocks out power, violence at Albany High said to be out of control, Freihofers sold, alleged puppy-napping in Troy
Note: The Daily Gazette's website wasn't loading this morning.
Updated: 11:25 am
The ongoing ice storm has knocked out power for about 160,000 National Grid customers in the four core counties of the Capital Region (that figure is from National Grid's website this morning at 11:25 am). National Grid says it has 150 crews in the area working on repairs. [National Grid] [TU]
An anonymous Albany High School employee tells CBS6 that violence is out of control at the school. Among the incidents collected from police reports this school year: a teacher has been pushed to the ground and kicked, another teacher was punched repeatedly in the ribs, there was a three-on-one student beating, and two students hit another student in the back of the head with a padlock. [CBS6]
An anonymous source tells the TU that "ghost" parking tickets have been circulating in the City of Albany since the early 1990s -- and the stickers that marked a car as being eligible for the no-fine tickets were distributed by the Albany Police Officer's Union. Current police chief James Tuffey was president of the union in the early 90s, but he says he never knew about the stickers. [TU]
One upside to the slowing economy: the price of electricity and natural gas is falling. The price National Grid is charging for a kilowatt hour of electricity has dropped about 15 percent over the last year. [TU]
Former judge indicted for alleged shakedown, thousands of ghost tickets issued, police say dog starved to death, car smashes into florist
A former state Supreme Court judge from Albany County has been indicted on charges he tried to shake down attorneys appearing before him. Federal prosecutors say Thomas Spargo threatened to "harm" an attorney if the attorney didn't give him $10,000. Spargo was removed from the bench in 2006 after allegations of this behavior surface. He's recently been doing work for the City of Troy. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
An attempted murder case in Schenectady could be retried after one of the jurors told a prosecutor he based his decision on the defendant's race. The juror also told the prosecutor he was distracted during the trail by the prosecutor's "captivating beauty." The juror now says he was drunk when he made the statements. [Daily Gazette]
APD chief James Tuffey told the Albany City Council yesterday that 40 percent of the parking tickets given out in the city over the last two years have been "ghost tickets" (that is, the recipients didn't have to pay). [TU]
The Troy City Council now says it won't challenge the mayor's veto of its changes to the city budget. [Troy Record]
Deal for state Senate control crumbling, ban on texting and driving, Lydia Kulbida being let go, Tutunjian says he'll go to jail over budget, reps speak out against cow fart tax
That deal Malcolm Smith reportedly struck with the "Gang of Three" to solidify control of the state Senate appears to be falling apart. It seems the trio is upset that Smith was trying to strip many of the powers away from the majority leader title (under the reported agreement, Smith would become Senate president pro tem and one of the trio would become Senate majority leader). The Gang of Three seems upset, with one member blaming, among others, "The gays." [NYT] [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics]
A Marist poll reports that New Yorkers favor either Andrew Cuomo or Caroline Kennedy for Hillary Clinton's seat. Well, either them, or "unsure." [Marist]
The Schenectady County Legislature passed a ban on texting while driving last night. It takes effect next March. Getting caught violating the ban will cost $150. [Daily Gazette]
WNYT has decided to not renew the contract of popular anchor Lydia Kulbida. Her contract runs through mid January, though the station's not sure if she'll be back on the air again. Seventeen other people at the station are also being let go. [TU]
Budget drama in Troy, charges against Schenectady cops dismissed, Smith's leadership of Senate off to weird start, NYRA forecasts finish in the money
Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian has vetoed the 2009 budget passed by the city council. He says the council unlawfully shifted money into a contingency fund at the last moment. The council president says the shift was made to provide "oversight" of the contingency money. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Albany County legislature approved its 2009 budget, which includes a four percent tax increase. [TU]
A Schenectady County Court judge dismissed official misconduct charges against three Schenectady police officers yesterday. The trio had been charged with not turning on their patrol car's video camera and failing to fill out the proper paperwork following a DWI stop last December in which the suspect accused the officers of using excessive force. The officers have been on paid leave since then. [Daily Gazette]
A grand jury found that two Albany police officers were justified in firing their guns during a chase in September. Police say the suspect in the case pointed a gun at them. [TU]
New plan for Albany Convention Center, tech park for Arsenal, pepper spray fog sends six to hospital, ESP skating rink protests
The Albany Convention Center Authority has reformulated its plan for the project, separating the convention center, parking garage and hotel into their own parts. The new plan is expected to cut the cost of the project by about 40 percent. The authority says it won't be doing less, it'll just be "putting the pieces together differently." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A federal investigation and raid in Watervliet led to the arrest of three men on charges they were making bombs and growing marijuana. [TU]
The plan to turn a significant portion of the Watervliet Arsenal into a tech park was officially announced yesterday. Outgoing US Rep Mike McNulty says the site could eventually support 1000 jobs. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
The latest local layoffs at: WNYT | Albany International | Momentive Performance Materials. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Democrats strike deal for control of state Senate, Schumer touting Gillibrand, longtime Saratoga sheriff gets challenger, wrong way driver causes four accidents, students organize for french fries
Note: the TU's site wasn't loading this morning.
Democrats in the state Senate have worked out a deal with the "Gang of Three" senators who were threatening to side with Republicans in the upcoming leadership vote. As part of the deal, Malcolm Smith will become head of the state Senate (president pro tem), but Pedro Espada will become majority leader (no, it usually doesn't get split like that). Also apparently part of the deal: the chamber won't bring up a vote on gay marriage, which one of the Gang of Three opposes. [NYT] [NYDN] [NYP]
Chuck Schumer is reportedly encouraging David Paterson to pick Kirsten Gillibrand to replace Hillary Clinton. [NYP]
The solider from Rensselaer County accused of killing two superiors in Iraq was found not guilty by a military jury yesterday at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina. The judge had to clear the courtroom after the verdict prompted yelling from the victims' families. [AP/Daily Gazette]
Police say bystanders flocked to the aid of the family hit by a pickup truck on State Street in Schenectady Wednesday. An SPD spokesperson says the accident scene was one of the worst he's ever seen, with little kids "lying in the street screaming for their mother." [Daily Gazette]
Pickup plows into family of pedestrians, ESP skating rink won't open, Saratoga packs 'em in for Gillibrand, ghost ticket investigation urged
A pickup truck hit a family of seven as they were crossing State Street in Schenectady late yesterday afternoon. A police spokesmen said there were "bodies all over the street" and it was "the worst thing" he'd ever seen. Two of the injured children were airlifted to Albany Med -- they were in critical condition last night. [TU] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]
Opponents to the expansion of the Albany dump were out in force last night at a public comment meeting. One city resident called said the dump problems wouldn't be fixed until there's a new mayor. And Colonie residents complained about the smell. The dump is projected to be full by the end of next year. [TU] [WNYT]
The family of the man who was mistakenly identified by police as having died in a car wreck says the error was preventable. They say police didn't take notice that the body didn't match their son's license -- it was 200 pounds heavier and had different color eyes. They also say police never asked them to identify the body. [TU]
The skating rink on the ESP will not open this year. The state says it can save $150,000 keeping the rink closed. [TU]
Kaczmareks got "family plan" plea deal, early retirment incentives for state workers?, drug stores everywhere, bus fare price war
The attorney for former Schenectady police chief Greg Kaczmarek says prosecutors offered Kaczmarek and his wife the "family plan" plea deal in their drug cases -- and that Kaczmarek took a longer term in prison to shorten the term for his wife. As part of the deal, Greg Kaczmarek was sentenced to two years in prison -- but he could be out in 17 months with good behavior. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The state legislature is reportedly working on a plan that would offer early retirement incentives to state workers as a way of trimming the state payroll. David Paterson says he's not on board with the plan. [AP/TU]
David Paterson is currently being treated like the "prom queen" as people lobby him about the decision of whom to appoint to Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. [NYT]
Albany police say a group of "backpack bandits" (the TU's phrase) may be responsible for a string of muggings around the city. The group may have been in involved in a reported robbery late Monday afternoon in a which a man says five muggers stopped his car, bashed him in the head with a gun, and stole $2000. [TU] [Troy Record]
Former Schenectady police chief to plead guilty, chip fab clears another hurdle, Paterson "disturbed" by list, Jumpin' Jacks waterfront to get makeover
Both former Schenectady police chief Greg Kaczmarek and his wife are expected to plead guilty today to drug charges. The former top cop is expected to get two years in prison as part of the plea deal. [Daily Gazette]
State police incorrectly identified the victim in a fatal car crash over the weekend in Clifton Park. The mix-up led to the wrong family being notified. The situation was resolved after the grandmother of the man who actually did die noticed something was wrong. [TU]
Super Steel is closing its plant in Glenville. The manufacturer of train cars says it's seen "a steep decline in orders." The shutdown will put 175 people out of work. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Malta chip fab project cleared another hurdle yesterday. The Empire State Development Corp. approved the transfer of $1.2 billion in state incentives from AMD to the new spin-off company that will run the plant. [Daily Gazette]
New York needs a new senator, driver hit by trains charged with misdemeanor, ESP skating rink on ice?, Reilly has headlock on UFC, Troy officials fight over door lock, Garcia's closes
Hillary Clinton will be introduced as Barack Obama's nominee for Secretary of State today. That means, of course, that New York will need a new US senator (David Paterson gets to make the pick). Of interest: it came out this past weekend that Clinton had been offered the chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, which would have allowed her to direct loads of pork to NY. [NYT] [NYDN]
The man driving the SUV that was struck by two trains last week in New Scotland has been charged with a misdemeanor for not stopping at the rail crossing. Officials say a review of video and black boxes from the trains indicates the train operators did nothing wrong. [TU]
A 17-year-old was shot Friday night in the area of Clinton and Lark in Albany. Police say the shooter caught the young man in the face with a shotgun. [TU] [Troy Record]
Vandals spray-painted more than 50 cars in Lansingburgh Friday night. Residents say vandalism in the neighborhood is out of control. [Troy Record] [TU]
Paterson warns of "deeper" cuts in school funding, new budgets for Saratoga and Troy, new jobs at arsenal, turkey to go more popular
David Paterson sent out a letter to school boards around the state yesterday warning them that "deeper declines in funding" will be necessary next year because the legislature failed to act on mid-year budget cuts this year. [TU]
In a surprise, the Saratoga Springs city council approved a 2009 budget that does not include a tax increase. On Monday the city's finance commissioner had said the city would need raise taxes 3.5 percent -- but the budget was revised to use money from a contingency fund and reserves to cover the gap. The budget does includes some cuts to the public works department; the DPW commissioner said he would direct callers with complaints about the cuts to the council members who supported them. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
Troy's city council also approved a 2009 budget that doesn't include a tax increase -- but this being Troy, the mayor and the council still had to fight about it. [TU] [Troy Record]
A Congressional committee will be looking into allegations that the investigation that turned up Eliot Spitzer's involvement with prostitutes was politically motivated. [NYT]
Home prices holding steady, Jennings starts up re-election campaign, RPI center will focus on extraterrestrial life, family gets Oprah makeover
The median sale price of homes in the Capital Region is holding more or less steady, even as many fewer houses are being sold. The number of sales in October was down 16 percent over the same period a year ago. [Biz Review] [TU]
New York State comptroller Tom DiNapoli is predicting the state could lose 225,000 jobs during the next two years. DiNapoli says about 3/4 of the lost jobs will come from Wall Street -- which could take a big bite out of state revenue. About 20 percent of state tax revenue comes from the Street. [TU]
The Albany Common Council approved a 2009 budget for the city. The budget includes a tax increase of $96 for the average homeowner. [TU]
Saratoga Springs' finance commissioner has proposed a new 2009 budget that takes into account the proposed cut in VLT money from the state. The new budget includes a tax increase of 3.5 percent -- up from 2.7 percent in the previous version. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Jerry Jennings' 2009 re-election campaign is starting up, apparently with some haste. The Albany mayor's campaign will be holding a fundraiser at the Fort Orange Club in December -- $500/person for the cocktail reception, $1000/person for dinner. [TU]
Family's SUV hit twice by trains, proposals include paying for parking in Saratoga, road salt costs up, state saving money on tree lighting
A father and his two daughters escaped with just a few cuts and bruises after two trains hit their SUV. The father said he never saw the trains coming as he drove through a train crossing near their home in New Scotland Saturday morning. The two collisions knocked the front and back ends off the SUV. The crossing has no signals -- the father says he'd been pushing the town and the train company to change that. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [Fox23]
Two of the three development proposals for the new public safety building in Saratoga Springs include plans to charge for downtown parking. And it looks like those two proposals, which also include plans for a movie theater, are the two leading candidates. The president of the Downtown Business Association called the idea of charging for downtown parking "ridiculous." [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
There have been a lot of shots fired in Albany over the past few days. Last Thursday evening, police say a man fired a shot inside a neighborhood grocery on Ontario St. On Saturday, police say three men conducted a bike-by shooting on South Lake near the uptown end of Washington Park (the gunmen missed). And then on Sunday, a man was shot in the butt while he was standing at the corner of Lark and Livingston. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [CBS6]
Albany County officials are pushing for a 30 cent per month tax on mobile phones to help cover the cost of operating 911. Many other local counties already have such a tax. [TU]
Unemployment rate up over a year ago, Soares looks to crack down on DWI, Troy stores will be on Oprah, DiNicola has a brain tumor
The Capital Region's unemployment rate in October was 4.9 percent, up from 3.6 percent a year ago. [TU]
A Siena poll reports that a majority of New Yorkers are planning to spend less this year on holiday presents. [Daily Gazette]
A Thanksgiving food bank in Schenectady says requests are up about 20 percent this year. [Daily Gazette]
Albany County DA David Soares says his office will be cracking down on drunk drivers and will push to seize the cars of DWI suspects. [TU]
The mayor of Rensselaer says the city will not be prepared to handle snow removal this winter after the city council voted down a plan to use state money to replace equipment damaged during summer flooding. The council president says the city hasn't adequately documented what was lost. [TU] [Troy Record]
Paterson goes looking for help in DC, Gillibrand on list to replace Clinton, Albany gets an upgrade, infamous B&B gets new purpose
David Paterson and other top state officials were in DC yesterday lobbying for federal aid -- with little progress. Chuck Schumer said help -- if there is any -- would not arrive before there's a new Congress in January. [TU] [NYDN]
In what was perhaps not the best PR move during a budget crunch, the state's Office of General Services bought a $21,000 custom rug for the Governor's Mansion. Upside: Turkish rugs are apparently very much in style now. [TU]
Kirsten Gillibrand is reportedly on the list of people David Paterson is considering to replace Hillary Clinton -- if Clinton takes the Secretary of State job in the Obama Administration. Paterson apparently would like to appoint someone who's a woman or Latino or from upstate. [NYT]
Jerry Jennings said yesterday that he wants to "create a new template for urban education" in Albany. He didn't elaborate, though. [TU]
State leaders do nothing but point fingers, trouble counting ghost tickets, new city hall for Troy, big increase for bus ridership
Yesterday's special budget-cutting session of the state Legislature went no where as David Paterson frustatedly pointed the finger at Dean Skelos and the Senate Majority Leader responded with political passive aggressiveness. The day culminated in a bizarre public meeting of the state leadership described as "emotional, contentious and playful" and "near-farcical." (Fred Lebrun might have had the best line: "It was as if the leaders were playing themselves in a 'Saturday Night Live' parody.") Commented David Paterson yesterday, "If it looks like a dysfunctional government and it acts like a dysfunctional government, it may actually be one." Of course, this being the Paterson administration, the meeting ended with hugging. (Here's video of the leaders' meeting.) [TU] [NYT] [NYT] [TU] [NYDN] [NYP]
Faced with the prospect of losing VLT money that makes up 5 percent of its budget, the City of Saratoga Springs is trying figure out what to do about next year's budget. Mayor Scott Johnson is looking for city residents to email him suggestions. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Yesterday's special session cost the state at least $50,000 (and maybe much more) in expenses. [CapNews9]
The Albany Police Department says it might be hard to figure out just how many "ghost" parking tickets were issued -- even though they were computer-generated. [TU]
Budget session stalling before it starts, Albany ghost tickets stopped, murdered UAlbany student's parents call for info, Saints come out smoking
The Legislature is in town for the special budget session -- though it doesn't seem like anyone is very optimistic that anything will get done. The action -- or inaction -- started last night when Dean Skelos essentially threatened to have the Senate vote down all of Paterson's proposed cuts. Paterson was not happy, calling the move a "a political game." [TU] [NYT] [NYP]
A Siena poll reports that Paterson's approval rating is at highest point so far -- and New Yorkers would much rather see budget cuts than tax increases. [SRI] [TU]
Saratoga Springs city officials were at the Cap yesterday lobbying to keep their full allotment of VLT money, but they seem to think it's a losing cause. Among the obstacles: they don't have Joe Bruno pushing for them any more. [TU] [Saratogian]
After the TU reported that "ghost" (that is, no fine) tickets were being given out to police officers and other connected people in Albany, Jerry Jennings says he's stopped practice. The Common Council is upset and looking to investigate. [TU]
State leaders meet and get nothing done, Troy needs a fire truck, UAlbany students charged with rape, truck hits overpass
David Paterson, Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos met up on Sunday to discuss possible budget cuts ahead of tomorrow's special legislative session. And the result: nothing. [TU]
Saratoga Springs city officials say they'll be lobbying state leaders this week in an attempt to keep all of the VLT money originally allotted to the city. David Paterson's proposed budget cuts would cut $1.9 million from the city's share of VLT revenue -- that's five percent of the city budget. [Daily Gazette]
Seemingly half of New York's Congressional delegation -- not to mention a handful of other state officials -- could be in the running for an appointment to Hillary Clinton's Senate seat in the event she takes a post with the Obama Administration. Oh, and about that -- Clinton's not talking. [TU] [TU]
Troy's deputy mayor says the city's fire chief sent him a letter last week reporting that the city is in emergency need of a new fire truck after two of the trucks were recently taken out of service. [Troy Record]
APD searching possible Bailey murder witness, school districts says cuts will be hard to cover, union says layoffs will endanger public safety, bike registration proposed
Albany police are looking for what they hope is another witness to the murder of UAlbany student Richard Bailey. The APD says a white Volvo drove by the scene at S. Lake and Yates at about the same time Bailey was shot. The commander who's in charge of the department's detectives says the Bailey investigation is still a "very, very active investigation." [TU]
Local school districts say it would be difficult to cover the hole left David Paterson's proposed mid-year cuts in state aid to schools. [TU]
Democrat Doug Wait has been declared the winner in the race for Saratoga Springs city court judge. Wait topped Republican Matt Dorsey by a margin of 333 votes after all the absentee ballots were counted -- a margin made up mostly of votes from Skidmore's precinct. Wait is the first Democrat to ever be elected to the position in Saratoga Springs. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
The state Department of Transportation says it will close the Route 9P bridge across Saratoga Lake for 9 months starting in the Fall of 2010 so a new bridge can be built in its place. Closing the bridge -- as opposed to building next to it -- will save the project $5 million. Local business owners say closing the bridge will severely hurt their businesses. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Reaction to Paterson's proposed budget cuts, DA candidates broke rules, beer can DNA leads to plea, paying for horse retirement
A very quick overview of David Paterson's plan to cut $2 billion from this year's state budget. [AOA]
David Paterson's proposed budget cuts went over pretty much as you would expect with the state's various interest groups: not well at all. [TU] [Biz Review] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
Dean Skelos, the lame-duck state Senate majority leader, basically said the Senate wouldn't act on Paterson's proposals during next week's special session. Skelos also said he didn't "see anything creative" in Paterson's plan. [Daily Politics]
A big portion of the proposed budget cuts come from school aid. Among the proposed cuts for local districts: Albany $2.6 million (3.4 percent), Schenectady $2.7 million (3 percent), Guilderland $2 million (10 percent), Troy $1.4 million (3 percent). [TU]
Also among the proposed cuts: VLT money that goes to cities and counties. Saratoga Springs could lose $1.8 million next year under the Paterson plan. The city's finance commissioner says the city's going to plan on still getting the full amount. VLT money makes up about 10 percent of the city's budget. [Saratogian]
Paterson says budget cuts will involve "a big knife," state economy in recession, recycling urged in effort to save money, proposed Saratoga horse park would be pricey
At a town hall-style meeting yesterday Syracuse, David Paterson said of making cuts to the state budget: "We'll be using a big knife but trying to operate it like a scalpel." The Gov will unveil his plans for cutting $2 billion from the current state budget this morning. Reportedly among the proposals: across-the-board cuts for health programs, big cuts to public universities, a repeal of the gasoline tax cap and increase in fees for health plans. [NYT] [TU]
The leadership situation in the state Senate is still unsettled. One of the three Democrats who have not pledged their support to Malcolm Smith says he'd prefer to see a Latino Democrat be majority leader. [NYT]
An analysis from a University at Buffalo center has concluded that New York State has been in a recession since the second quarter of this year. [Biz Review]
Local retail stores are hiring extra help for the holidays shopping season -- and this year they have their pick of employees. [AP/TU]
Unions scoff at Paterson's suggestion, SUNY tuition increased proposed, cop accused of threatening to kill ex-wife, state holds back stem cell research funding
A trio of the state's most powerful public employee unions scoffed at David Paterson's suggestion that they might open their contracts for re-negotiation. A Paterson spokesman says "no area of state spending can be off the table." [AP/Newsday]
More than two dozen SUNY campus presidents have called for a 25 percent tuition increase ($1,090 tacked onto the present $4,350), half of which would be charged during the spring semester. SUNY's finance committee also approved a three percent cut in each campus's budget . [TU]
Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton approved the city council's 2009 budget, even though he called unachievable and irresponsible. The council had cut Stratton's proposed budget, which included a 2.9 percent tax increase, against his objections. The new budget does not include a tax increase. [Daily Gazette]
Paterson expects cuts to Medicaid and schools, food pantries running low, copper pipe ripped off from church, high-end development planned for Cohoes
David Paterson says cuts to Medicaid and school aid will probably be necessary to cover the state's budget gap. He said he also expected to be renegotiating contracts with the state worker unions. By the way: as of the Friday deadline set by Paterson, state legislative leaders offered the following proposals to help the state cover its budget gap: nada. [NYT] [AP/TU]
It looks like state Senator Malcolm Smith (a Democrat from Queens) has locked up the role of state Senate majority leader come January. Smith, accompanied by David Paterson, sealed the deal this past weekend in... Puerto Rico. [TU]
Albany County DA David Soares says the leaders of the union that represent Albany police are trying to smear him. He also says the leaders organized a protest outside his house. One the leaders is the guy who was accused this past summer of spitting on an officer because of a misappropriated shot of Jagermeister. [TU]
Local food pantries say demand is up and supplies are starting to run short. Local homeless shelters say they're also seeing increased demand. [Daily Gazette] [CapNews9]
Kenneth Lally has died. Along with his wife Thelma, he donated a bunch of money around the Capital Region -- most prominently to RPI (The Lally School of Management) and St. Rose (Lally School of Education). The Lallys also supported local hospitals and museums. [TU] [Troy Record]
Troy deploys gun shot detector, Albany targets blight, movies for gym class, poll worker says students weren't turned away, IMAX screen opens
The City of Troy demonstrated its new system for monitoring and locating gun shots. The "ShotSpotter" cost $250,000. So where's the coverage area? The location of the monitors is a secret. [TU] [Troy Record]
The Troy City Council voted unanimously to ask RPI to start paying a public safety fee to offset the costs of the emergency services coverage at the campus. Mayor Harry Tutunjian says he's already been talking with the school and is concerned the council is trying to negotiate the deal itself. [TU] [Troy Record]
The City of Albany says it's using mapping software and a multi-department effort to focus on cleaning up the 50 most blighted blocks in the city. The program is being coordinated by the city's police chief. [TU]
A woman climbed down a steep 75 foot embankment yesterday in Ravena to help the passengers of a pick up truck that had just slammed into the back of her car. The woman, a nurse, says "I like to help people." [CBS6] [WNYT]
Local voter turnout down, hundreds of Senate staffers looking for work, Gillibrand's national star rising, burned man set himself on fire
It looks like voter turnout in the Capital Region actually declined this past Tuesday, in part because of Republicans who stayed home. One hot spot for increased turnout: Schenectady. [Daily Gazette]
Local Republican state reps warn that downstate, Democratic control of the state legislature and governorship will be bad for the Capital Region. First casualty: Hugh Farley's sleep. [Daily Gazette]
With the Democrats probably taking over leadership of the state Senate, hundreds of staffers will be out of a job. [TU]
The Saratoga Springs City Court judge election won't be decided to until at least next week. Democrat Jeffrey Wait leads Republican Matt Dorsey by 242 votes, with more than a 1,000 absentee ballots still to be counted. If Wait holds on to win, it will be in large part because of overwhelming support in Skidmore's precinct. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Election results digest, Democrats have tentative majority in state Senate, burned body found in street, express train plan stopped
Here's a rundown of noteworthy election results:
+ Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand won re-election over Republican Sandy Treadwell in the 20th Congressional District. In one of the nation's most expensive House races, Gillibrand was outspent by Treadwell -- she credited her campaign's outreach efforts for overcoming the difference. Treadwell said he felt good about the campaign he ran. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
+ Democrat Paul Tonko easily topped Republican Republican Jim Buhrmaster in the 21st Congressional District. The seat has been held by Democrats for the past 50 years, the last 20 of which by Mike McNulty. Tonko says his focus in Congress will be on health care, energy and withdrawing troops from Iraq. Buhrmaster said he's disappointed that the district will be getting a "career politician" representing it in Washington. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
+ Republican Roy McDonald beat Democrat Mike Russo in the race to replace Joe Bruno in the state Senate. McDonald spent more than three times as much as Russo. [TU]
+ Republican Tony Jordan beat Democrat Ian McGaughey in the 112th Assembly race -- the seat McDonald had been in. [Daily Gazette]
+ Republican George Amedore topped Democrat Mark Blanchfield for the 105th Assembly district (Tonko's old seat -- Amedore first won it in a special election in July 2007). Amedore attributed his win in part to what he described as a positive campaign "based on the issues and my record." Blanchfield, a Schenectady city councilman, called the campaign a learning experience. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
+ Albany County DA David Soares easily won relection over Republican/Integrity candidate Roger Cusick. Soares racked up almost three times as many votes as Cusick. [TU]
+ The race for Saratoga Springs City Court judge isn't over. Democrat Jeffrey Wait led Republican Matt Dorsey by about 108 votes, but more than a 1000 absentee ballots still needed to be counted. [Daily Gazette]
+ Democrat Patrick McGrath topped Republican incumbent Anthony Carpinello for the state Supreme Court. The position has a 14 year term. Carpinello said he was "a victim of the Obama landslide." [Troy Record]
+ The Troy charter proposal pushed by Mayor Harry Tutunjian failed to pass by a wide margin. A Tutunjian spokesman attributed the failure to rival Democrats "spreading complete lies" about the proposal. [Troy Record]
Record voter turnout expected, ballet season shortened, flooding in Monument Square, airport getting new eateries
Boards of election around the region say they're expecting record voter turnout today. One of the Albany Count election commissioners says he expects between 75 and 88 percent of registered voters to cast a vote. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
David Paterson says he's worried that if Barack Obama becomes president, he will ignore the needs of New York because he coasted to such an easy victory in the state. [AP/TU]
Paterson says borrowing money to cover the state's $12.5 billion project budget gap next year is "off the table." [Newsday]
An Albany man has pleaded guilty to torching two apartment buildings he owned this past summer in order to get the insurance money. But wait, there's more -- the guy is a former Trustco bank manager who needed the money to pay restitution on $40k he had stolen from the bank. [TU]
The New York City Ballet's residency at SPAC next summer will be two weeks long, instead of the usual three weeks. The shortened schedule is expected to save about $800,000 -- SPAC and the ballet lost a combined $2.3 million on the three week schedule last summer. Officials hope the shortened schedule will increase attendance at each performance. SPAC says another dance company might be brought in for what would have been the ballet's third week. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
No tax increase for Schenectady?, cop gets backup from passerby, Saratoga mini-Chopper food won't be pricy, a bounty from tainted Booty
The Schenectady City Council passed a 2009 budget that does not include a tax increase. The budget proposed by Mayor Brian Stratton had called for a 2.9 percent hike. Stratton has said he would veto the budget if the council made significant cuts. [Daily Gazette]
At a John McCain rally in downtown Albany on Saturday, Jim Buhrmaster -- the Republican running for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat) -- said "the silent majority" will push McCain over the top in the presidential race. At a nearby Barack Obama rally, Paul Tonko -- the Democrat running for the seat -- said the opportunity to elect Obama is "a great fortune." [Troy Record]
After an Albany police officer got tangled up in a fight Friday night with a teenager, whom police say was carrying a shotgun, a passerby went into the cop's patrol car and called for backup. (Apparently the battery in the officer's mobile radio had died.) The APD says it hasn't been able to find the anonymous person who helped the officer. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette]
A car running a red light at Quail and Madison in Albany early Sunday morning hit an ambulance, causing it to roll over. The ambulance, which had its lights and siren on, then hit another car waiting at the light. No one was seriously injured. [WNYT] [TU]
Albany Common Councilman Glen Casey says his car should't have been booted for unpaid parking tickets. "Somebody needs to do a better job," he told the TU. The city treasurer says Casey still has outstanding tickets. [TU]
Husband charged with wife's murder, downtown Saratoga Chopper sold, DMV clerk accused of stealing inspection stickers, common councilman gets the boot for unpaid tickets
Schenectady police have charged the husband of the woman murdered in her home over the weekend with the crime. The couple were immigrants from Guyana and police say the two had been fighting over whether to move back therer. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say a new witness has reported seeing a third teen on a bike ride away from the scene of Richard Bailey's murder. (Two earlier witnesses reported seeing two teens on bikes.) The APD says it still doesn't have any solid leads in the case. [TU]
Local police departments say they're stepping up patrols tonight for Halloween. Apparently stores will also be watching for teens with shopping carts full of "trickster items." [TU]
A local developer has announced he's bought the Price Chopper in downtown Saratoga Springs -- and promises the site will continue to have a grocery store. Whether it will be a Price Chopper is unclear. An announcement on that part of the plan is scheduled for later today. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Paterson warns Congress of "impending calamity," police say soph threatened school with data release, Stratton asks for raise, CDTA increasing swiper prices, fares up at ALB
David Paterson told Congress yesterday that New York needs federal assistance to "stave off an impending calamity." The Gov also invoked The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. [NYT] [NYP]
Sales tax data indicates that local consumers are continuing to spend. Sales tax revenue during the first three quarters of this year for Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga counties was up 5 percent over the same period last year. [Daily Gazette]
The company hired by the state to test its new voting machines has been suspended by a federal oversight board. That won't affect things this year, but it could mean the old lever machines will hang on through 2009 and possibly into 2010. [TU]
State Police say the Shen sophomore who discovered unsecured employee data on a district server had uploaded the data to his own web account -- and issued vague demands to the district for its return. "He knew exactly what he was doing when he did it," a state police investigator said. [TU]
Paterson looking to DC for budget help, it snowed, Gillibrand and Treadwell debate, "madhouse" on election day, romance lives in Troy
David Paterson is in DC today looking to turn up federal aid for New York State. The Gov says the state needs federal assistance because it's "the epicenter" of the financial meltdown. Paterson announced yesterday that the state is facing a $12.5 billion budget gap next year. [NYDN] [NYT]
How'd the state end up facing such a gaping hole in its budget? A loss of revenue from Wall Street is part of it. But the state has also been increasing spending much faster than inflation. [NYT]
Yep, it snowed yesterday. The Catskills and the Albany County hill towns saw some significant accumulation. The snow didn't stick in most other places. [Fox23] [Daily Gazette]
Albany police chief says the city will provide "the same police service in 2009 that we do in 2008" -- even though the city's budget includes money for 10 fewer officers. [TU]
State facing huge budget gap, Gillibrand-Treadwell race one of nation's most expensive, cop dragged by truck, Schenectady OK with "arcane" reference
David Paterson will be presenting a mid-year budget plan for the state today -- the projected budget gap for 2009-2010 is expected to be a record $12.5 billion. [NYDN]
The candidates for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat), Paul Tonko and Jim Buhrmaster, met for another debate last night. Here's the full video. [WNYT]
The Congressional race between Kirsten Gillibrand and Sandy Treadwell is the nation's second most expensive, according to FEC data. The two campaigns have spent a total of $9.2 million so far. [Daily Gazette]
This year's campaigns for the state Senate are shaping up to collectively be the most expensive ever, according to an analysis by NYPIRG. Campaigns have already spent $40 million and are on pace to surpass the $43.6 million spent in 2006. [NYT]
AMD is looking to get an exemption for the sales taxes it would have to pay on construction materials for the Luther Forest chip fab. If the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency approves the exemption, it could save AMD almost $28 million. The exemption is expected to be approved. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Paterson's top advisor quits, woman murdered in Schenectady, local home prices steady, gambling with sick days, upside to global warming?
David Paterson's top advisor, Charles O'Byrne, resigned Friday because of the furor over him not paying taxes between 2001 and 2005. O'Byrne had been described as "the second-most-powerful man in New York" while working for Paterson. [NYT] [TU]
Police say a woman was murdered in her Schenectady home over the weekend. They say it appears Jaiwanti Mangar, a Guyanese immigrant, was killed after being struck in the head. [Daily Gazette]
Despite the stepped up police presence in the neighborhood following the nearby murder of UAlbany Richard Bailey, a man was stabbed four times at the corner of Madison and Ontario in Albany early Saturday morning. The attack was related to a fight over a woman, apparently. [Fox 23] [TU]
The president of the Pine Hill Neighborhood Association says there's been "an outpouring of outrage" in the neighborhood after Bailey's murder. APD chief James Tuffey says he's "certain" his department will find the murderer. [TU] [TU]
Gillibrand and Treadwell talk about economy, texting while driving ban proposed, Saratoga shops concerned about police overtime, a new supermarket moving in?
Much of last night's debate between Kirsten Gillibrand and Sandy Treadwell focused on the economy. Gillibrand said insufficient government regulation played a role in the financial meltdown (video clip) -- she also talked about why she didn't support the bailout bill (Treadwell says he didn't, either). Also discussed: Gillibrand's involvement with Altria dating back to her time as a corporate lawyer. Treadwell said Gillibrand's involvement with the tobacco company "is a question of judgment" (video clip). [TU] [WMHT] [WMHT]
The chairwoman of the Schenectady County legislature has proposed a ban on texting while driving in the county. Three other NY counties currently have such bans. [TU]
Albany police say they're making "slow progress" on the investigation into the shooting death of UAlbany student Richard Bailey. The two young adults seen riding away from the scene on bikes apparently are now considered to be involved, but not suspects. [TU]
The APD says a group of teens has been behind a string of car break-ins throughout the city's Pine Hills neighborhood. There have been 100 of these break-ins since the summer, including 12 this week. [TU] [FOX23]
Search continues for UAlbany student's killer, number of local foreclosures jumps, push to register organ donors, ready for NANOvember?
Police say there are still no leads in the murder of UAlbany student Richard Bailey. But another person has said he saw two people on bikes hurrying away from the scene. "Those guys were in a hurry to get somewhere," the neighbor told the TU. A woman driving by the scene said earlier this week she believed the two bikers were somehow involved. The APD says it's looking for the pair, but also says they're not suspects. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [CBS6]
A lawyer for Charles O'Byrne, David Paterson's chief of staff, says his client suffers from "late-filing syndrome." Yes, he really did say that. No, it's not a recognized psychological condition. O'Byrne owed almost $300,000 in back taxes, penalties and interest after not filing a return between 2001 and 2005. Paterson aides attribute O'Byrne's filing problems to bouts of clinical depression. [NYT] [TU]
The number of home foreclosures in the Capital Region more than doubled last quarter from the same period a year before. Even so, the region has one of the nation's lowest foreclosure rates. [TU]
A former Saratoga Springs employee is suing the city for racial discrimination. The man says he was passed over for promotion because he's an African-American. The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled in 2007 that the city had discriminated against the man. [Daily Gazette]
No leads in UAlbany student shooting, probable safety violations at site of ditch death, Paterson dials wrong number, spellcheck blamed for Obama/Osama mixup
Richard Bailey, the UAlbany student shot in the head Monday night, died yesterday afternoon. He was from Long Island and planned to become a cop. The APD hasn't identified a motive for the shooting. It says it's looking for two people who were riding bikes past the intersection of South Lake and Yates at the time of the shooting. Police say the two bike riders aren't considered suspects, but a woman who was driving past the same point that night says she thinks the they were involved. [TU] [NYDN] [Daily Gazette] [CBS6]
Kirsten Gillibrand and Sandy Treadwell met for their first debate / candidate forum last night in Poughkeepsie. The main exchange between the seems to have been of the "Yes, you did/No, I didn't" variety on tax increases. [TU] [Fox23]
OSHA says the death of a construction worker after a ditch collapse in Clifton Park this week was "preventable." An official says a complete investigation could take several weeks. An attorney representing the contruction contractor says it appears the man who died did not follow instructions on how to properly dig the ditch. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Leaders of the state worker unions met yesterday with David Paterson to talk about ways the state could cut costs. Layoffs did not come up in the discussion, though the Gov reportedly did say "there are no sacred cows." [TU]
Construction worker buried alive, UAlbany student shot in the head, falling oil prices a sting for some, forced time off for city employees?
A construction worker died yesterday in Clifton Park after the walls of a ditch collapsed on him, burying him alive. Co-workers didn't notice the mishap at first, thinking the man might have gone inside to have coffee. The man had been digging the 8-foot-deep ditch for a home addition (pictures of the site). An OSHA official says there "clearly" were violations of safety regulations at the site. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [Troy Record] [TU]
A UAlbany student was shot in the head last night at the intersection of South Lake and Yates St in Albany (map). He's on life support at Albany Med. Police are looking for the shooter -- they say a motive isn't apparent right now. [CBS6] [TU]
It seems absentee ballots in Albany County were more screwed up than originally thought. Not only was David Soares not listed on all the appropriate lines, but neither were assemblyman Jack McEneny and state senator Neil Breslin. Also, some ballots apparently listed the wrong assemblyman for the district to which they were sent. One of the county's elections commissioners say the board is understaffed. [TU]
Both Governor Paterson's top advisor, Charles O'Byrne, and the state's top cop, Harry Corbitt, have yet to get security clearances from the FBI -- even though their applications have been in for six months. That means the two officials aren't allowed to view or handle secret intelligence from the federal Department of Homeland Security. [TU]
Top Paterson aide didn't pay taxes, Barnes believes he was targeted, chip fab company to get new name, Little League bleachers stolen
David Paterson's top advisor, chief of staff Charle O'Byrne, admitted this weekend to not paying his federal or state taxes from 2001-2005 after the TU reported there were warrants out for his back taxes. O'Byrne says he neglected to pay because he was clinically depressed. O'Byrne was $200,000 behind his taxes. The Gov has said O'Byrne did disclose the problem, though it's unclear to what to extent. The conventional wisdom seems to be that O'Byrne won't lose his job over this. [AP] [TU] [TU] [NYT] [Newsday]
Albany County DA David Soares says he'll meet with Steve Barnes to talk about the attack on the food writer and his friend Friday night. According to the TU, Barnes believes he was specifically targeted. [TU]
Rensselaer County's proposed 2009 budget does not include a tax increase. County executive Kathleen Jimino says the county's expanding tax base made an increase unnecessary. [TU]
As many as 7,500 absentee ballots in Albany County did not correctly list David Soares as a candidate on the Independence Line in the district attorney race. The board of elections says it was a simple oversight and new ballots will be ready this week. [TU]
Local unemployment rate hits 13-year high, candidates debate energy issues, pharmacy college changes its name, yet another new hotel
The Capital Region unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in September -- that's up from 3.8 percent a year ago. It's the highest unemployment rate for the area in 13 years. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Jim Buhrmaster and Paul Tonko, the two candidates for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat), talked a lot about energy during their debate last night. Both have experience on the topic -- Buhrmaster's family owns a heating oil company and Tonko was head of NYSERDA. Buhrmaster said new drilling for oil should one of the first priorities in a national energy plan and Tonko said it should be one of the last. [TU]
Still to come in the race between Kirsten Gillibrand and Sandy Treadwell for the 20th Congressional District: a lot of TV ads. [Daily Gazette]
A former deli worker at the Sam's Club in Latham is suing Walmart (Sam's parent company) for $1 million. The man says he was fired because he's a Catholic who wanted Sundays off to go to church. He says Walmart told him he was being fired for misconduct. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Local economy OK... for now, Gillibrand talks about tobacco industry work, bridges described as "structurally deficient," neighbors fight over tree
How's the local economy? Not so bad, say business owners and other experts. But the future may be another thing. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Kirsten Gillibrand addressed her time as a lawyer representing tobacco company Philip Morris yesterday. Campaign finance records indicate she's received at least $16,700 from executives connected to the company (which is now called Altria) -- Gillibrand says she wasn't aware the company had contributed. Gillibrand's history with the company has been publicized recently by a former Pataki aide on a blog and in comments on other blogs (including here on AOA). Gillibrand's opponent in this year's election is Sandy Treadwell, who served as NY secretary of state during the Pataki administration. [TU] [OpenSecrets]
Those 4-foot by 8-foot Treadwell campaign signs are OK as long as they're on private property, according to Clifton Park's director of building and zoning. Democrats there had complained the signs violated zoning rules. [Daily Gazette]
A memo released by federal prosecutors alleges that former state assemblyman Chris Ortloff said "... honestly I don't have a moral problem with this ... " about his desire to have sex with tween girls. The now former member of the state parole board was arrested in Colonie this week after a sting operation. [TU]
Former state assemblyman nabbed in Colonie in sex sting, new steroid rules for horse racing, campaign signs too big?, hiring freeze at RPI
State police say former state assemblyman Chris Ortloff tried to set up a sexual encounter with two tween girls at a motel in Colonie on Monday (there were no girls -- it was a sting). The police say Ortloff was "buck naked" when they nabbed him. Ortloff had been serving on the state parole board. [TU] [AP/DG]
Police say two men robbed a bank in Schaghticoke yesterday afternoon. The pair then led a high-speed car chase through Clifton Park, which ended in a five car wreck. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [Saratogian]
The proposed 2009 budget for Cohoes includes an almost 4 percent tax increase. Water and sewer fees would increase 8 percent. [TU]
New York is tightening the rules for steroid use in race horses. "Steroids are no better for four-legged athletes than they are for two," said the chairman of the state's racing and wagering board. [Saratogian] [AP]
Local gas prices drop, dog saves elderly couple from fire, Schenectady cops to be re-organized, local company develops fungus insulation
Gasoline prices have dropped below the $3 mark in some parts of the Capital Region -- though there's still wide variation between different neighborhoods. And gas here is still more expensive than it was last year at this time. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [Saratogia]
The two candidates running for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat) debated last night. Paul Tonko, a Democrat, called himself "a problem solver by profession" (he was an engineer). Jim Buhrmaster, a Republican, touted his "real world experience" and the fact that he's a parent (Tonko doesn't have children). Top issue, according to each candidate -- Tonko: energy; Buhrmaster: the size of government. [CapNews9] [Fox23]
The executive committee of SUNY's Student Assembly is a supporting a resolution that calls for modest annual tuition increases. Tuition hasn't gone up since 2003. The system is facing a budget gap of as much as $210 million. [TU]
Firefighters say an elderly couple in Malta were able to escape their burning house early this morning after their dog alerted them to fire. The dog didn't make it out. [CBS6] [TU]
Investigation into Obama-Osama mixup, enrollment surges for local community colleges, fire wood in high demand, opossum knocks out power in Troy
The Rensselaer County legislature has decided to investigate how absentee ballots in the county ended up listing Barack Obama as Barack Osama. [TU]
Albany County's proposed 2009 budget includes a 4 percent property tax increase, the first in four years. [TU]
Malta, Malta, Malta:
+ The transfer of AMD's state incentive package to its spinoff depends on a vote by the Empire State Development Corp. And that spin-off company will be organized in the Cayman Islands -- though it will pay US taxes on operations in this country. [TU]
+ AMD doesn't think its technology sharing agreement with Intel will pose any problem. At all.
+ The new chip fab won't be turning chips until 2012. [Daily Gazette]
+ Malta has a couple of "new urbanist" developments in the works for its downtown -- but some, including the town supervisor, worry the developments will be too dense. [TU]
Both HVCC and SCCC are reporting surges in enrollment, probably because of the weakening economy. Hot program of study at HVCC: overhead electric line worker. [TU]
Another potential snag for AMD, Treadwell says he'll donate salary, psychologist throws herself on the mercy of the court, museum officials say they're not prudes
Another potential snag in the deal behind the Luther Forest chip fab project: AMD has a technology sharing agreement with rival Intel that prohibits sharing the technology with a third party. So, does AMD's spin-off corporation count as a third party? AMD says it's not concerned. [TU]
Sandy Treadwell has announced that, if elected to Congress, he'll donate his salary to charity (roughly $165,000). Treadwell is, as they say, independently wealthy. He's already donated $2.5 million to his campaign. [TU]
Sheldon Silver apparently loves the frequent flyer miles. He's recently been criticized for booking flights from NYC to Albany through DC so he can rack up miles. Silver's people say the Assembly speaker will now be taking cheaper direct flights. [AP/TU]
Schenectady police say a woman was carjacked Wednesday night after the perp faked being run over as the woman backed out of a parking spot. The woman got out to see if the man was OK and that's when he made his move. [Daily Gazette]
More chip fab talk, Skelos says Paterson acting like Spitzer, UAlbany parts with search firm that couldn't find, Van Dyck gets a new owner
Local real estate agents and developers say the Luther Forest chip fab project will probably have some effect on home values -- but not a huge one. [Daily Gazette]
The chip fab's first product: gloating. [TU]
State Senate majority leader Dean Skelos says state worker layoffs should not be part of the budget cut discussion. He also says David Paterson is starting to act like Eliot Spitzer. [TU] [CapNews9]
The state DEC has decided to review Albany's landfill expansion proposal now that the city is considering more stringent recycling requirements and charging residents by the bag for garbage. At its current size, the Rapp Road landfill will be full by the end of next year. [TU]
Local boards of election are trying to keep up with a surge in voter registrations, which appear to be leaning Democratic. [Daily Gazette]
Lots of chip fab details, Paterson looks for "hand back," Saratoga Springs looks at cutting city jobs, Albany High scheduling mishap blamed on training
Even with the state facing a seemingly ever widening budget gap, David Paterson says the state will follow through on its pledge of $1.2 billion in incentives for the Luther Forest chip fab project. [TU]
The chip fab project isn't officially a done deal, yet. One of the remaining hurdles: the federal Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has to sign off on the deal because the AMD spin-off building the plant is being funded by the government of Abu Dhabi. [TU]
The fab is expected to directly generate about 1,500 jobs. The Malta town supervisor says he's heard that 60 percent of the jobs will pay between $40k-$70k -- and the rest will probably be worth more than $100k a year. [Daily Gazette]
David Paterson says he'll be meeting with state worker unions to discuss how "we can work together" to address the state's budget gap for next year, which now projected at $8 billion. The Gov wouldn't say whether layoffs were on the table. [AP/TU]
More budget gap talk: Paterson says the federal government should send some of the taxes New Yorkers pay back to the state to help cover the deficit. Paterson says the state should get the "hand back" after years of sending more to Washington than it's gotten back. [Newsday]
Luther Forest chip fab a go, Conners and Soares squabble over audit, parking prices going up at airport, Sam the Bugler returned home
AMD says it is going ahead with the chip fab plant at Luther Forest. The chip company is spinning off a new company focused on manufacturing (with $6 billion from Abu Dhabi), and that company (called Foundry) will actually be building and operating the plant. The Luther Forest chip fab is not a completely done deal, though. AMD says a few things still need to happen for it to be official, including having New York State transfer its $1.2 billion in incentives to the new company. It looks like that will happen -- there's a press conference with David Paterson and the AMD people this afternoon. [NYT] [WSJ] [TU]
An audit released yesterday by Albany County comptroller Mike Conners concludes that about $6,000 is missing from a safe in DA David Soares' office and criticized the DA's office for spending seized money on things like parking and community anti-crime initiatives. (Though there appears to be a shifting standard for what's considered an allowed use of seized money.) Soares says the audit is politically motivated (he's up for re-election next month). Conners says he hoped to conclude the audit earlier this year, but received "little help" from Soares. [TU] [TU] [Troy Record]
The state legislators who represent Schenectady told the city council last night that it shouldn't look for more state aid this year because there just isn't any money. But getting rid of unfunded mandates might be an option. One idea: get the state to allow Schenectady to open a night court so it doesn't have to build more court space. [Daily Gazette]
Paterson: cut another $2 billlion, Gillibrand votes no again, two Broadway shops closing in Saratoga, pumpkin prices up, tapas in Cohoes
David Paterson says he will call the state Legislature back after the November election so they can work on making another $2 billion in cuts from the current budget. At a leaders meeting on Friday, Paterson said the Leg doesn't understand how bad the situation is, to which Dean Skelos said: "I don't need to be lectured." [NYT]
Kirsten Gillibrand voted against the Wall Street bailout bill again on Friday -- her second no vote on it. She said the plan was "could be dangerous." Mike McNulty voted "yes" on it for the second time. [TU] [CapNews9]
National Grid says natural gas prices will be up 11 percent this winter. [TU]
Many of Schenectady County's top managers are getting a raise in next year's proposed budget. That's not going over well with some people because the budget also includes a 13 percent tax hike. [Daily Gazette]
Lots of cats and explosives found in home, artifact thief sentenced, Obama opens big lead in NY, graduation prankster wants his costume back
Animal control investigators found about 60 cats -- three of them dead -- in a house in Ravena yesterday. They also found grenades, land mines and a laser-guided rocket (it's unclear whether explosives were live or not). Police described the home owners as collectors of war memorabilia. [TU] [CBS6]
Jerry Jennings' proposed budget for the City of Albany has people thinking he will almost certainly be running for re-election next year. As one council member noted: the amount budgeted for street and sidewalk repair was tripled for next year. Jennings has been mayor since 1994. [TU]
Schenectady County is no longer in the top 10 nationally for highest taxes as a percentage of home value -- it's now 12th in the nation, according to a tax think tank. Homeowners in the county pay 2.3 percent of the value of their homes in taxes. (Of note: the county's proposed budget for next year includes 13 percent tax increase.) [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
Daniel Lorello, the guy who stole artifacts from the NYS Library, was sentenced to two to six years in prison yesterday. He also has to pay $125,000 in restitution and give his personal collection to the library. [Daily Gazette]
Proposed tax increases for City of Albany and Schenectady County, proposals for Harriman development, crystal balls at ESP trouble some, the Knicks drink coffee in Saratoga
Jerry Jennings' proposed 2009 budget for the City of Albany includes a 4.9 percent tax increase. (That's a projected $100 increase for the owner of a "average" home.) The almost $161 million budget is actually smaller than last year's by about $1 million. Among the cuts this year: 20 firefighter and 10 police jobs will be left vacant. [TU]
In Troy, Harry Tutunjian's proposed budget is four percent bigger than last year's, but it doesn't include a tax increase. The plan aims use to reserves and state aid to cover the increase. [Troy Record]
Schenectady County's proposed budget for 2009 includes a 13 percent tax increase. The county manager, a Democrat, says the cost of state mandates is forcing the hike. County Republicans say the majority Democrats have mismanaged the county's finances through their "out-of-control patronage and liberal programs." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Banks with local branches say they're in pretty good shape, despite the ongoing banking/Wall Street meltdown. They credit their stability to not being involved with shaky subprime mortgages. [TU] [Saratogian]
Albany could charge for garbage by the bag, state to consider privatizing assets, cops in dispute over shot of Jagermeister, buzz and grumbing about EMPAC, Weathervane closes
The City of Albany could be moving toward a "pay as you throw" arrangement for garbage collection -- that is, people would be charged by the bag for their trash. (Trash pickup is currently not a separate charge for residents.) The proposal is part of the city's draft plan to the state DEC for its dump, which will be full by next year if it's not expanded. [TU]
David Paterson is setting up a commission to study ways the state could form public/private partnerships to help steady its finances. One such idea would be privatizing the state lottery, which reportedly could bring in as much as $4 billion up front and $200 million annually. [NYT] [AP]
The Albany gun buyback program has been extended to Schenectady. (Earlier on AOA: The Albany gun buyback: buyer's remorse?)
Niskayuna's town supervisor has proposed a five percent tax increase for next year. He says the money's need to cover increasing costs for materials such as asphalt and road salt. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Local House members split on bailout, kid curfew in Albany?, state workers could get four day work week, Gov involved in local septic tank dispute
The Capital Region's two members of the House voted differently yesterday on the Wall Street bailout bill. Kirsten Gillibrand voted against, saying in a release that the bill was "fundamentally flawed." (Sandy Treadwell, her Republican opponent in the November election says he also opposed the bill.) Mike McNulty voted for the bill. (His probable replacement, Democrat Paul Tonko, said he hasn't read the bill.) Incidentally, yesterday was supposed to be McNulty's last day in DC as a Congressman -- though now it looks like he'll be going back for another vote. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
New York State's comptroller says it now looks like the Wall Street meltdown will cost the state $3.5 billion in lost tax revenue over the next year-and-a-half. He's projecting the state will lose $1.75 billion just from decreases in year-end bonues given out by financial firms. [Biz Review]
Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton has proposed a budget for next year that would raise taxes 3 percent and increase water and garbage fees. It would be the first tax increase in three years for Schenectady. It was also the first time in three years no one clapped at the budget unveiling. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany County comptroller Mike Conners says his most recent audit of the DA David Soares' office will include allegations "more serious" than money missing from a safe -- though Conners won't say what until October 6. Also present at this announcement: Soares' opponent in the November election, Roger Cusick. [TU]
Albany Common Councilman Glen Casey is proposing a curfew for kids under 17 as a way to reduce crime. Troy and Schenectady already have curfews. [TU]
Money reportedly missing from DA's safe, Malta roundabout accidents up, mystery illness killing off local bats, libraries are hot
An audit by the Albany County comptroller has reportedly concluded that as much as $7,000 is missing from a safe in the Albany County DA's office. A 2005 audit of this same safe reported $25k missing -- but it later turned up in a safe deposit box. [TU]
A survey of residents in Albany's West Hill neighborhood, where Kathina Thomas was shot earlier this year, reports that more than half of the people there believe the area is unsafe and growing more violent. Seventy-five percent of the people surveyed had lived in the neighborhood less than three years. [TU]
The number of accidents along the stretch of five roundabouts in Malta is up, according to the state department of transportation. The number of serious injuries is down, though -- and rush hour travel times are a third of what they had been. A DOT official attributed the rise in accidents to people adjusting to the circles. [Daily Gazette]
Attendance for the ballet and orchestra at SPAC this past summer was down 9 percent, leaving the org $375,000 short of its budgeted goal for those performances. (Pop music attendance was up 27 percent.) Ticket sales for the ballet and orchestra don't even cover half the expense of hosting the two series. SPAC did end the season in the black, though, thanks to advertising and endowments. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Former Schenectady police chief indicted, Governor talks of more budget cuts, huge reptiles rescued from house fire, UAlbany home to largest death penalty collection
Former Schenectady police chief Greg Kaczmarek and his wife, Lisa, were both indicted yesterday on drug charges. Among the allegations: that Kaczmarek provided strategic advice to the drug ring's leader during a meeting at DiCarlo's, the strip club on Central Ave. There have been suspicions about Kaczmarek and drug use dating back to the 1990s. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
A clerk for the Saratoga Springs department of public works has been arrested on charges she was skimming money from the sale of trash bags. Police say she might have stolen as much as $21,000. The head of the DPW says a lot of people were "very surprised" by the allegation. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [Saratogian]
David Paterson said yesterday that it's "very likely" he'll call the Legislature back for another special session to possibly make more cuts to the state budget. Paterson seemed to indicate that state worker layoffs are not on the table. [TU]
The steel suspension cables on the Twin Bridges are being replaced. The current cables are showing signs of rust and fraying. [Daily Gazette]
Former police chief accused of drug ring involvement, Grandma's gets a new owner, UAlbany nanotech aims for another building, giant pink bike rider assaulted
Former Schenectady police chief Greg Kaczmarek is scheduled to appear in court today where he will reportedly face charges for his involvement with a drug ring. Kaczmarek's wife and stepson already face charges for being involved with the same operation. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The media sale price for a Capital Region home was down 2 percent last month from the same period last year. Albany County median prices saw the biggest local drop -- 6 percent to $202,500. [Daily Gazette]
One of three developers pick to submit proposals for the redevelopment of the Harriman Office Campus has dropped out of the process. One of Harriman's board members says tightening credit markets and competition from other tech park developments could slow the project. [TU]
Grandma's Country Restaurant on Central Ave has been sold to the owner of Ralph's Tavern (also on Central). The new owner says Grandma's gift shop will be closing, but says everything else -- including the pies -- will remain exactly the same. [Daily Gazette] [Biz Review]
Father to be charged with murder of child, Rensselaer DA watching money evaporate, neighborhood wants to go after negative news coverage, where's Beboy?
A four-month-old baby, who was beaten by his father in Troy, has died. Authorities said yesterday they would charge the father with murder if the child died. [TU]
A replica of a WWII plane crashed yesterday afternoon at the Schenectady County Airport during a test flight. The test pilot, who's from Saratoga, is in critical condition. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The New York State comptroller's office has extended its OpenBook New York database to local governments. [Biz Review]
George Amedore, the Republican incumbent in the 105th state Assembly district (Tonko's old seat), says his opponent, Democrat Mark Blanchfield, has unfairly taken his words about how he views his Assembly job out of context in a radio spot. Blanchfield's sticking by the ad. [WNYT]
The Rensselaer County District Attorney's office is watching almost half of its budget disappear as grants it's relied on run out. The $1 million in grants fund the salaries of five ADAs and four investigators. [Troy Record]
Soldier buried in Colonie, scientist wins "genius" grant, observatory looking for place to set up its telescope, are Schenectady's street lights too dim?
A US soldier killed in Afghanistan was buried in Colonie yesterday. Mohsin Naqvi, a first lieutenant in the Army, was a Muslim born in Pakistan -- his family came to the US when he was 8-years-old. Naqvi's father said his son gave his life for the United States. A member of the Army honor detail called Naqvi "a real patriot." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Sally Temple, a biologist who heads the New York Neural Stem Cell Institute on UAlbany's east campus, has been awarded one of this year's MacArthur "genius" grants. The prestigious award is $500,000 -- with no restrictions. [TU]
The price of road salt has gone up as much as 50 percent from last year. Local public works departments say that means they'll probably be spreading more sand than they'd otherwise like to. [TU]
It looks like the plan to knock down two buildings along Washington Ave in Albany so the Fort Orange Club can build a new parking is off. Maybe. [TU]
Colonie facing a lot of red ink, smoking ban proposed around hospitals, Schenectady looking at slick solution for graffiti, chowderfest winners
Auditors for the Town of Colonie report the town is facing a $19.5 million deficit -- that's even bigger than the previous estimates that prompted finger wagging by the state. Town supervisor Paula Mahan says the town is still looking to collect a one-time deficit reduction tax next year. A plan to do that earlier this year was blocked by the state legislature. [TU]
John McCain said last night on 60 Minutes that Andrew Cuomo, who's currently the New York attorney general, would make a good head of the federal Securities and Exchange Commission. [Daily Politics]
Capital Region colleges say they're seeing jumps in enrollment and financial aid requests, possibly because of the state of the economy. [Daily Gazette]
An Albany common council member says he's going to propose a ban on smoking within 100 feet of hospitals. It's not the health effects that have him bothered -- it's the litter. [TU]
Wall Street meltdown could hit NYS even harder, local unemployment rate up, bomb threat at supermarket, graduation crasher writes more sincere apology letter
A not-officially-released projection concludes that the Wall Street meltdown could now cost New York State as much as $3 billion in revenue over the next two years. David Paterson had predicted earlier this week that the hit could be as much as $1 billion over the next year. [AP]
With Wall Street institutions crumbling, local Capital Region banks say they're seeing an influx of deposits as people look to keep their money closer to home. [Daily Gazette]
The total number of jobs in the Capital Region is at its highest-ever point, but the unemployment rate still hit 5 percent last month. The highest the rate has been here in 16 years (it was 3.7 percent a year ago). Analysts say the picture isn't really all that bad and the area is doing better than a lot of other places. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Among the recently unemployed: eight Daily Gazette staffers. It's the second job cut this year for the paper. [Daily Gazette]
CDTA is facing a budget gap and a 50 cent fare increase might be one of the ways to cover it. [TU]
APD reviews shooting, Schenectady getting a new police chief, luxury condos planned for Union St, SPAC still trying to revise stack of pancakes, legendary Cohoes restaurant sold
The two Albany police officers who fired three shots at a suspect Tuesday night are now on administrative leave while the APD investigates the episode. The department says a loaded gun and some crack were found in the alley where the shooting went down. Police chief James Tuffey says it appears the officers followed protocol. It's the first time the APD has fired shots on duty since a bystander was killed by a stray police bullet on New Year's Eve in 2003. [TU] [CapNews9]
A report from the Troy Police Department has criticized a "no-knock" police raid that busted down the door of an innocent women this summer and tossed a "flash bang" grenade into her apartment. The woman's attorney says the raid "scared the hell out of her." The report recommends re-organizing the unit that conducted the raid. [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
Mark Chaires will reportedly become the next police chief in Schenectady. He'll be the first African-American to hold the post. His father, Arthur Chaires, was the city's first African-American officer. The soon-to-be chief has a masters in criminology and is working toward a PhD. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The principal of Guilderland High School has resigned. He had been on leave after accusations he had made inappropriate jokes about sexual-orientation and race. He'll be paid through the end of the year. [TU]
State finances hit by Wall Street meltdown, health plan accuses competitor of stealing, early SPUI construction starts, the luckiest place in the Capital Region
David Paterson says the recent investment bank meltdown on Wall Street will cost the state $1 billion in tax revenue, more or less wiping out the gains made by last month's budget-cutting special legislative session. The Gov says further budget cuts -- possibly into aid for hospitals and schools -- may be necessary. [Newsday]
Yesterday's debate between Paul Tonko and Jim Buhrmaster for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat) was something less than friendly. The issues covered ranged from energy to universal health care to spending. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say an officer shot a suspect last night in West Hill after the suspect pointed a gun at the officer. [TU]
CDPHP has filed a lawsuit against MVP alleging that a former employee, who now works for MVP, illegally took sensitive company information with him to his new job. CDPHP is suing for $10 million in damages. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady's seventh homicide, Clifton Park tightens leash, Clinton and Schumer both in town, Troy firefighters irked, stripclub gets timeout
The 20-year-old shot in Schenectady over the weekend died Sunday night. Police say they have few, if any, clues about why he was shot. It's Schenectady's seventh homicide of the year. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Clifton Park town board approved a measure that requires all dogs in the town to be on leashes except on private property and in two town-managed parks, Mary Jane Row Dog Park and Kinns Road Park. To let dogs off leash at the those parks, owners will have to buy a $30 permit (which covers all of a person's dogs) . Only Clifton Park residents will be allowed to buy permits for the Mary Jane Row. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
David Paterson says the ongoing implosion among Wall Street firms could force the state re-evaluate its budget -- again. The Gov says 20 percent of New York State's revenue comes from taxes paid by Wall Street. [TU] [TU]
A Siena poll reports that Barack Obama is leading John McCain in New York by just five points. The Democratic nominee had been up by as many as 18 points earlier this summer. [Biz Review]
Wind knocks out power, Schenectady relatively bad at solving crimes, Assembly candidate pledges to term limit himself, local wait for a Prius, stickball champions
Last night's strong winds knocked out power for 15,000 people in the Capital Region. [TU]
It looks like Saratoga Springs might be getting a new public safety building after all. In a surprise, the city council approved a $3 million portion of the city's capital budget for the construction of a new building. That's only about half of the total expected cost. The city is now looking for ways to "creatively" finance the rest of the project. [TU]
According to city records and the federal Department of Justice, Schenectady solves relatively few burglaries, muggings and rapes. A councilman called the stats "an embarrassment." The city does do well solving murders, though. [Daily Gazette]
Jerry Jennings and Albany police chief James Tuffey met with school superintendent Eva Joseph Friday about last week's fighting. [WNYT] [CBS6]
Cops crack down on another Albany HS brawl, NYRA bankruptcy ending, airport asks if you're experienced, Alive at Five alcohol ban proposed, something stinks at Yaddo
There was another throwdown among Albany High School students yesterday along Quail Street. The cops were waiting this time -- with pepper spray, batons and horses. It looked like a crazy scene. (AOA's gotten email from witnesses that this is the third time this week these fights have erupted.) So what's going on? "It's a little bit of everything," one teen told the TU. [CBS6] [CBS6] [TU]
It looks like NYRA will emerge from bankruptcy today. New York State will be giving the racing org $105 million in return for the deeds to the Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct tracks. [Saratogian] [TU]
There's a new color-coded security line set-up at the airport, with separate lanes for families, "casual" travelers and "expert" travelers. The sorting is supposed to help move people through the security line faster. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Remember that big steroids investigation being prosecuted by David Soares and Albany County prosecutors? Seventeen people have pled guilty in that investigation, but yesterday a judge tossed the indictments of five people at the center of the drug ring. [TU]
Parents steamed about scheduling mix-up, Troy water's brown color "natural," Saratoga brands itself, plastic bag ban falters
Parents continue to be upset about the scheduling mix-up at Albany High, which is apparently still not completely cleared up. District superintendent Eva Joseph says there will be a "full accounting" of what caused the problem -- eventually. [WNYT] [TU]
Meanwhile, off campus, a group of about 25 Albany High students reportedly brawled at the corner of Central and Quail yesterday. One kid got a gash on his head. [TU]
The water coming out of taps in Troy and other supplied towns is still orangish-brown and officials say it's still safe to drink (though not to wash white clothes in). The head of Troy's water operation says the high level of dissolved iron and manganese from the Tomhannock Reservoir is "natural," though he's "never seen anything like this" in his 28 years there. There's speculation the heavy rain this summer might have something to do with it. [TU] [Troy Record] [CapNews9]
How NOT to resolve your disputes with the neighborhood kids: firing a shotgun at them. [Daily Gazette]
Primary election results, state police show off a bunch of weed, SUNY officials get swank stays for cheap, another horse sculpture vandalized in Saratoga
Paul Tonko won the Democratic primary yesterday for NY's 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat). He'll face James Buhrmaster, who won the Republican primary, in November. Tracey Brooks was the runner-up to Tonko by about 3,000 votes -- she said "The glass ceiling got a little bit thinner today but not quite thin enough this time." Phil Steck finished third among Democrats and Darius Shahinfar fourth. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
Roy McDonald won the Republic primary for Joe Bruno's state Senate seat. He'll face Mike Russo, who beat out Brian Premo in the Democratic primary. [Daily Gazette]
Incumbent Neil Breslin easily won the Democratic primary for the state Senate's 46th District. There are no Republicans up for that spot. [Daily Gazette]
Elections officials said local voter turnout yesterday was moderate. [TU]
Kaz, a company that makes vaporizers, says it will be closing its plant in Hudson and letting 300 people go. The company is outsourcing its manufacturing to another company with plants in Mexico. [TU]
Albany HS still working on schedules, did Paterson "spitzerfy" himself?, Saratoga Lake park plans revealed, talk of Troy Proctor's rebirth, meeting Sarah Palin
Albany High was still trying to straighten out scheduling issues yesterday, its second first day of the school year. [TU]
David Paterson called some state legislators "bloodsuckers" yesterday. Dean Skelos called the comment "Spitzeresque." Richard Brodsky, an Assemblyman, said he's worried Paterson is trying to "Spitzerfy" himself. [TU] [NYDN] [NYT]
The company that owns the Lafarge Cement plant in Coeymans, the state's single largest emitter of mercury, thinks it should get a million dollar tax cut because it's pledged to reduce its emissions. [TU]
The City of Saratoga Springs released plans for a new public park and beach on Saratoga Lake. There are currently no public beaches on the lake. [Daily Gazette]
Bethlehem police are investigating whether a woman was assaulted Friday night for wearing an Obama button in Delmar's Four Corners neighborhood. [TU]
Candidates stretch for primaries, Albany High schedules still not totally fixed, new details in UAlbany roof stabbing, parking fees at airport might be going up, train runs over man
The Democratic candidates vying to replace Mike McNulty in Congress are stretching toward the de facto finish line -- tomorrow's primary. Phil Steck took out a home equity loan worth almost $100,000 to fund his campaign and Tracey Brooks has loaned her campaign $50,000. [Daily Gazette]
Waterford and Halfmoon are fighting with the EPA over how and when they should get water during the Hudson PCB clean-up. The federal agency is now threatening the towns with $32,500 a day in fines if they don't allow access for the construction of a back up water pipeline. The towns say they have no problem with the pipeline -- they just want a guarantee the pipeline will be ready when dredging starts. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
No one seems to know which way heating prices are headed this winter. That hasn't stopped state politicians from making them an issue. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Albany High is scheduled to start its school year, again, today. It still hasn't completely fixed its scheduling problems, though. [TU]
Albany HS schedule mix-up "not acceptable," Troy tap water orange, two "thin, bald white guys" fight over slogan, the Choppinator
The president of the Albany school board says the scheduling screw-up at Albany High is "not acceptable." The computer problem behind the mix-up has apparently been a known issue since early last month. Classes are now slated to start on Monday. [TU]
Neil Kelleher -- former Troy mayor, longtime Republican member of the state Assembly, WWII veteran, and barber shop quartet singer -- died yesterday. He was 85. Both Republicans and Democrats hailed him as a friend. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
Harry Tutunjian says there's "absolutely no health risk involved" with the discolored tap water in Troy. The water's orangish tint is apparently the result of higher levels of iron and manganese dissolved in the water. [TU]
A special prosecutor says he will not bring charges against two Troy cops accused of using excessive force after a January car chase that ended up in Menands. There's still a civil case in progress. [TU]
Unscheduled days off for Albany High, Rensselaer gets money for flood recovery, auto dealer closing because of high gas prices, RPI kicks retired prof's email because of criticism
Classes have been canceled this week at Albany High School after a computer problem messed up students' class schedules. [TU]
The state Senate is giving the City of Rensselaer $1.1 million to help with recovery from the flooding in August. Mayor Dan Dwyer says "hardly anything has been fixed" since the heavy rains. Residents say they're worried about the water rising again. [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]
The City of Troy is considering the purchase of a system that can listen for gunfire and then triangulate the point from which the shots were fired. It costs $200,000 for the system to cover one square mile. [TU]
A Rensselaer police car was rear-ended on the Dunn Memorial Bridge while it was stopped to issue a traffic violation. The collision pushed the cop car into the back of the car that had been pulled over. [Troy Record]
Schools crunched by costs, Saratoga cops ticked off at Skidmore students, Rock Hill Bakehouse temporarily out of commission, Little Miss Albany
Most local school districts are back in session this week and they're dealing with rising costs for everything from lunches to field trips. [TU] [Saratogian]
Albany police say the suspect in last weekend's Washington Ave homicide told them he was provoked by the victim staring at him. The suspect did not admit to stabbing the victim, though. [TU]
The shots that killed a Schenectady man this past weekend were apparently fired through a door. The Schenectady PD says it isn't sure whether the victim was the intended target or not. [Daily Gazette]
A Saratoga Springs cop was injured while trying to break up a Skidmore student party Monday night. It's the second time in a year that an officer has gotten hurt on such a call. The Saratoga PD says Skidmore needs to bring the hammer down on underage student drinking. [Saratogian] [TU]
Track numbers a little damp, two homicides over the weekend, Live Nation blames the fans, Rt 7 construction gearing up, Albany TV market slips
Attendance at The Track this year was down almost 10 percent from last year and the amount bet was down a little more than 7 percent. [Daily Gazette]
There were two homicides over the holiday weekend. On Saturday, a 17-year-old was fatally stabbed near Beverwyck Park in Albany. It was Albany's eighth homicide of the year. On Monday, a Schenectady man was shot and killed inside a house. It was Schenectady's sixth homicide of the year. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Live Nation, the company that runs the pop music shows at SPAC, says fans are partly to blame for miserable conditions on the lawn there. Live Nation's last concert of the year at SPAC was Crue Fest on Friday -- four people were arrested being a bit too motley. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Local counties won't get flood money from feds, fingers already pointed in DA race, pit bull ordred put down and another banished, horse betting on the Blackberry
It looks like local counties will not be getting money from FEMA for recovery after the flooding late last month. Apparently area wasn't damaged quite enough -- the region's tally of $18.2 million fell about $5 million short of FEMA's cut-off. The mayor Rensselaer, which suffered $3.5 million of damage, says he's "heart-sickened" over the situation. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
One of the workers overcome by toxic fumes earlier this week in Schenectady has died. His co-worker's condition has been upgraded to good. [Daily Gazette]
The almost-race for Albany Count DA has already descended into finger pointing and cries about conflicts of interest. [TU]
Funding for the much argued about new Saratoga Springs police station was taken out of the city's capital budget during a closed-door meeting yesterday. [Daily Gazette]
AMD still won't commit, some backstretch workers only make $5 per hour, woman hit by car while sitting in office, Schenectady has its pick of teachers, Saratoga restaurants short-handed
The chairman of AMD was in Malta yesterday to tour the site of the proposed chip fab plant (also there: Joe Bruno). Hector Ruiz said a decision on the project is likely to come by the end of the year. Later at a private gathering in Saratoga, Ruiz reportedly said the company is hopeful it will commit to the Malta project. [TU] [Saratogian]
The New York Department of Labor figures that 80 percent of backstretch workers at The Track have been shorted on pay. Some have been making as little as five bucks an hour. The president of a trainers association says he and other trainers thought they were in compliance with labor laws. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Albany Police Department detective say the suspect in the January Delaware Ave triple murder confessed to the crime and then hugged him. The suspect's attorney is trying to get the statement thrown out. [TU]
A concrete septic tank has blocked two lanes of traffic on southbound 787 at exit 9 this morning. [CBS6]
Something stinks on the backstretch, workers overcome by fumes, schools big into bilingual, scholarship participation yanked over scuffling football coach, paying more at the dollar store
As if shoveling horse manure all day wasn't bad enough, the New York State Department of Labor says many backstretch workers at The Track are not only not getting paid overtime, they're not even making minimum wage. The labor department says horse trainers, who employ the backstretch workers, are engaged in "widespread violations labor law." [TU]
Two workers for Precision Industrial Maintenance in Schenectady were overcome by toxic fumes yesterday when they stepped inside a tanker truck used to collect raw sewage. Both were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Precision was cited for violating workplace safety rules on a different project earlier this year. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A plan to turn an apartment building in Troy's Little Italy neighborhood into housing for homeless people with mental illnesses is catching flak from residents of the area. They say they're worried the building could hold back the neighborhood's revitalization. [TU]
Two crime reports from locations you don't normally see them from: a stabbing in Niskayuna and shots fired in Glenmont. [CBS6] [TU]
Malta clears way for AMD chip fab, infamous Schenectady B&B sold, brewery scolded for serving too-big samples, the best milk in New York, horse to get key to city
The Malta Town Board approved zoning changes that clear the way for the construction of the AMD chip fab in Luther Forest. The company still hasn't officially committed to the project, though. [TU]
The infamous sex party B&B in Schenectady's Union Ave neighborhood sold yesterday at auction for $201,600 (just $33 per square foot). The new owner is a psychiatrist who will use the house for offices. The old owner is headed off to Florida in his party bus, which is equipped with a stripper pole. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A Colonie police car was torched in the driveway of an officer's house early Monday morning. It appears some kind of flammable substance had been poured over the car's exterior. [TU]
The number of Capital Region home sales in July was down 20 percent from the same period a year before -- but the median sales price was up 2 percent to $210,000. [Biz Review]
Colonel John wins Travers, Democratic candidates for McNulty's nod heads, local sewer systems need help, California produce shipments to start soon, Round Lake protects its organ
Colonel John won the Travers this past weekend, beating out Mambo in Seattle by a nose. The canoe in the infield pond has already been painted the colors of Colonel John's silks, green and white. Almost 41,000 people showed up for the Travers this year, and bet almost $8.3 million (the total with off-track betting $37 million). [TU] [Saratogian] [CBS6]
The Saratoga PD had double the normal number of cops on the street Saturday night to handle the post-Travers crowd, in fine form after 12 hours of drinking. One guy pushed a police horse several times before being arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. [Daily Gazette]
The Democratic candidates for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat) agreed on many topics last night at a debate: opposition to off-shore drilling, investment in renewable energy, sign stealing is bad. They disagreed on: a carbon tax, whether Tonko supported energy deregulation, whether Tracey Brooks was a lobbyist. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The US Olympic synchronized swimming team, co-captained by Troy's Kim Probst, finished fifth in Beijing. [Troy Record]
Troy prostitution sting, local synchro swimmer competing today at the Olympics, on the trail of a campaign sign thief, Mr. Subb goes upscale
The Troy police busted 16 men this week during what they've described as an undercover prostitution "reverse-sting." As you might expect, there were some complaints from the busted. One guy says he didn't actually ask the undercover policewoman for, um, service (police say the same guy was arrested on the same charges last year). And another says he had a stick stuck up his nose during the arrest. [TU] [Troy Record]
After having their Schenectady store broken into eight times over three years, the owners of Funn Electronics and Keys World say they're moving back to Brooklyn, where they didn't have any trouble. They say they might stay if the city would allow them to install a metal gate that could be pulled down over the business while it's closed -- but the city doesn't allow them. [Daily Gazette]
Troy native Kim Probst is competing in synchronized swimming today at the Olympics. She's co-captain of the US team. [Troy Record]
Final tally on budget cuts, Troy City Hall moving, Schenectady HS pegged as dangerous, cemetery ordered to bury woman in five days, visiting frat brothers may or may not have peed on couch
The final tally on the state budget cuts made by the Legislature for this year: $427 million. Combined with the $630 million already cut by David Paterson, the state budget is now $120.9 billion -- that's about $1 billion from where it started. [TU]
The Troy City Council has approved the plan to lease the Verizon Building as a replacement city hall (the current city hall is slated to be torn down for a waterfront park). Troy could be moving its offices by the end of the year, pending a study of how its new digs should be arranged. [TU] [Troy Record]
The state Ed Department has tagged Schenectady High School as "persistently dangerous." The Schenectady school school president called the label "an outrage" and said the methodology used is flawed. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Legislature cuts $1 billion, many in Rensselaer didn't have flood insurance, rider dies at The Track, Troy official's ability to spell questioned, adults argue over basketball hoop, OMG! Brian Stratton loves texting
The state legislature has agreed to cut about $1 billion from the state budget over the next two years, including a little more than $400 million from this year's budget. That falls short of David Paterson's $600 million goal. The cuts include $50 million in member items (that would be pork). [TU]
Paterson will be speaking at the Democratic National Convention next week in Denver. [NYT]
FEMA maps indicate that most of the City of Rensselaer is in a flood zone, but only six of the 60 homes and business affected by the recent flooding have flood insurance. One resident says no one told them they were in a flood zone. [WNYT]
An exercise rider at The Track died yesterday after being thrown from a horse Monday. [Saratogian]
Local colleges and universities are facing a housing crunch. Students are being forced to live in lounges and tripled up in rooms intended for doubles. [TU]
Legislature back for special session, Clifton Park residents want dog park to themselves, charter high school opens, woman wins $1 million from scratch-off, Crazy Legs buffaloed in hot dog eating contest
The State Legislature is back today for its special "holy moly, the state is going broke" session. There isn't a whole lot of consensus about how to make cuts, though. [TU]
The Route 9P bridge that goes over Saratoga Lake has been narrowed to one lane after inspectors found that two of the bridge's floor beams had been falling apart. Repairs are expected to take two weeks. [TU]
Judging from the comments made at a public hearing last night, it sounds like Clifton Park residents aren't so keen about sharing their dog park with people not from Clifton Park. [Daily Gazette]
The City of Troy would like turn the site of the Rensselaer Iron Works, which burned down earlier this year, into a park. It would use pieces of the old iron works in the landscape and call the place Artifact Park. The city needs about $300,000 from the state to make it happen. [TU]
The Green Tech Charter School opened this week in Albany. Green Tech is an all-boys, college prep school. It's only the nation's third all-boys charter school. [TU]
Soares says DWIs should lead to Alive at Five re-evaluation, charity shipments ripped off, CDTA has big plans for Schenectady, more people deciding pet care too expensive, Knicks going to Skidmore, how Marylou exercises
David Soares says Albany should "re-evaluate" the Alive at Five events after a bunch of people were arrested for DWI following last week's event. Thirty-two people were arrested during a four hour sweep following the Thursday night concert. A state police deputy says that's the highest number of arrests he can remember in such a short period of time. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The CEO of Ellis Hospital says his org wasn't prepared for St. Clare's to be shut down two months ago. The lack of readiness has led to long waits in Ellis' emergency department. [Daily Gazette]
Three men have been charged with ripping off charity shipments from the Target in Wilton that were intended for volunteer fire companies and charitable organizations. [Daily Gazette]
CDTA says it has a plan to revamp service in Schenectady pretty much all ready to go, but it needs about $3 million from the state to make it happen. The transit org figures the expanded service will increase ridership about 40 percent. [TU]
Rensselaer flood damage adds up, Dare gets five years in prison, unemployment rate up, horse escapes from The Track, big year for mushrooms, Larkfest grows
The mayor of Rensselaer says the city suffered more than $20 million in damages during the flooding on Monday. He says the city doesn't have the money to cover the damages and it's looking for help from the state and federal governments. [TU]
One-time Albany community leader Aaron Dare was sentenced to more than five years in prison yesterday for his involvement in a string of fraudulent real estate deals. [TU]
The Capital Region's unemployment rate hit 5 percent in July, that's up from 4.1 percent over the same period last year. The area has had a net loss of 1,000 jobs over that period. [TU] [Biz Review]
The Governor's state police security detail will now be allowed to stop supervision of the Gov only after getting a signed order from him. The new rule was prompted by Eliot Spitzer's verbal dismissal of his security detail during his rendezvous with a prostitute in DC. [NYP]
Too much rain in Rensselaer, Bruno will be interfacing with officials, YouTube vigilante, tunnel found in Stockade, Curlin owner issues challenge to Big Brown
State DEC officials say it looks like the recent flooding in Rensselaer was just the result of too much rain in too short a period of time. Rensselaer city leaders had been questioning whether development in the Greenbushes had overwhelmed the area's drainage system. The National Weather Service in Albany estimates Rensselaer got up to 6 inches of rain on Monday. [TU]
Joe Bruno has registered as a lobbyist with New York State. By law, he's not allowed to lobby the legislature for two years, but he says he will be "interfacing" with officials in the executive branch for his job as CEO of a computer services company. [TU]
Time on the $100 million Blue Gene supercomputer at RPI will be available free to New York State businesses -- if they can figure out how to use it. [Biz Review] [Daily Gazette]
State agency commissioner's husband fired for fraud, RPI professor helping Olympic swimmers, more roundabouts planned, infamous bed and breakfast going to auction
The husband of a state agency head has been fired from his state job after investigators reported that he took almost $20,000 in pay for work he didn't actually do. Larry Ritter had been an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action officer at the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. His, wife, Diana Jones Ritter, is the commissioner for the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Investigators say they didn't find any wrongdoing on her part. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Saratoga Springs School Board has officially fired the English teacher who had been found by state ed officials to be having a platonic, but inappropriate, relationship with a student outside of school. [Daily Gazette]
An RPI engineering professor has been working with the US Olympic swimming team to refine swimmers' techniques. Timothy Wei's research has been credited with helping a US swimmer set a world record in the backstroke earlier this year. [TU]
Malta and Colonie are among the towns planning new traffic roundabouts. [CBS6]
The Schenectady bed and breakfast infamous for its swingers parties is going up for auction and everything -- yes, even the, um, equipment in the basement -- is up for sale. [TU]
Paterson proposes $1 billion in cuts, more flooding, track season all wet, principal arrested, permits for off-leash dogs, Giants coming back
David Paterson has proposed a plan to cut $1 billion in spending from the state budget. Half of that would come from Medicaid funding, $250 million from aid to local governments, and $100 million from legislative pork projects. As you might expect, legislators and lobbyists are already protesting. Local governments are also worried -- for example, Schenectady figures Paterson's plan could cut $700,000 in funding for the city. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
North Greenbush and Rensselaer were the latest parts of the Capital Region to get swamped by rain. The Amtrak line between Hudson and Rensselaer had to be closed for a while because the tracks were underwater. The 74-year-old mayor of Rensselaer said yesterday's flooding was the worst he'd ever seen in the city. A Rensselaer County legislator says the drainage systems there just haven't been able to keep up with the pace of development. [TU] [Troy Record]
Both attendance and the amount bet at the Track are down from last year at the season's midpoint. Attendance is down more than 16 percent and the "handle" is down 8 percent. [Saratogian]
Sewer system overloaded, trans-fat ban detailed, two kids use knife to rob Crossgates kiosk, light rail for Capital Region?
The flooding in Albany last week was just a matter of the city's sewer system running out of capacity. Parts of the system date back to the Civil War. Also: the flooding on South Pearl was a secondary effect of the Hackett Blvd back-up. [TU]
Albany County officials have announced that all restaurant food in the county will have to be trans-fat free starting January 1. And by June 2009 all desserts and baked goods will have to be, as well. The ban has some critics calling it an expansion of the "nanny" state. The trans-fat ban was approved in 2007, but the rules were only announced last Friday. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state Senate has passed a four percent cap on yearly property taxes increases. David Paterson supports the cap, but Democrats in the Assembly aren't fans. [TU]
A foundation says New York State has the nation's second-highest tax burden. [Biz Review]
Harry Tutunjian has called a special meeting of the Troy City Council to discuss a plan to lease the Verizon Building for use as city hall. (The current city hall is slated to be knocked down.) One city councilman says the mayor's moving way too fast. [TU] [Troy Record]
Albany under water in two different ways, who knows how much mercury, AMC gets money for merging computers and humans, it's like Trenton
Jerry Jennings says the City of Albany may have to lay off people now that it won't be getting that $5.5 million state aid payment (and $11 million in years after). Richard Conti, the Common Council president pro temp, says big tax increase may also be necessary. The city's projected budget deficit for 2009 is more than $14 million. [TU]
Albany's projected budget shortfall won't make infrastructure improvements easy -- no matter how badly they might be needed. See yesterday's flooding, which turned the lower end of Hackett Blvd into a lake. "Too much rain -- in too short a time. It's an older system. This is what happens," said a water department employee to the TU. There were also reports of raw sewage backing up into yards. [AOA] [TU] [CapNew9]
A state Supreme Court judge has ruled that Saratoga Springs -- and former public works commissioner Tom McTygue -- violated the constitutional rights of two developers by blocking access to their land with a dump truck. Both compensatory and punitive damages could be awarded. The original building permit had been issued in 1997. The developers sold the land earlier this year and the new owners have started construction. [TU] [Saratogian]
Officials from the Lafarge Cement plant in Ravena said at a public forum last night that they don't know exactly how much mercury their plant is currently releasing into the environment. A 2004 review reported that the plant was New York State's single largest emitter of mercury. [TU]
New York State has the nation's highest closing costs for home sales. [Daily Gazette]
Paterson says no to money for Albany, state archivist pleads guilting to ripping off artifacts, jobs and schools draw Asian-Americans to area, how not to fraudulently report your car stolen
David Paterson has vetoed the legislation that would have paid the City of Albany $5.5 million this year and $11 million for the next 29 years. The money was supposed to help compensate the city for state-owned property that can't be taxed, such as the Harriman Office Campus. Albany is facing a budget deficit of more than $14 million next year -- and the city comptroller says it may have to lay off people. [TU]
A fire burned through 22,000 square feet of warehouse space at the Rotterdam Corporate Park yesterday. It took more than 100 firefighters to put out the flames. A fire department official says the warehouse's fire walls and doors -- left over from the building's original use as an Army depot -- helped save the rest of the facility. [Daily Gazette]
The Saratoga Springs school superintendent says the school board will fire that teacher who had been emailing, texting and IM'ing one of his students about poetry and other topics that, in the words of the teacher, his wife found "very disturbing." [TU]
Daniel Lorello, the state archivist who had been accused of stealing state artifacts and selling them, pleaded guilty yesterday to second-degree larceny. He could get two to six years in prison. He's also been ordered to pay more than $100,000 in restitution. [TU]
SCCC will start construction on a $20 million dorm next month. The five story building will go up on Railroad Ave next to the Armory. [Daily Gazette]
Asian-Americans have been the fastest growing ethnic population in the Capital Region since 2000, according to census data. Community members say tech jobs and educational opportunities are behind the growing numbers. [TU]
Tip: if you and a friend decide late one night to smash the windows out of your car, push it into the Hudson and then report it stolen -- it helps to not be drunk and bleeding when the cops show up to take your statement. [Daily Gazette]
Soares dumps Spitzer-Bruno documents, state official recommends firing Saratoga teacher, buried in the backyard, a two million dollar horse
David Soares' office released more than 8,000 pages of documents from the investigation into the Spitzer administration's "Let's get Joe Bruno by tracking his travel on state aircraft" plot. The short story: the Spitzer admin tried to hatch the plan while keeping the former Gov publicly out of it (though he was involved behind the scenes). Also: Spitzer didn't like Bruno, which probably comes as a surprise to, well, no one. [TU]
A hearing officer for the state Department of Education has recommended that a tenured Saratoga Springs teacher be fired for having what was apparently a platonic, though weird, relationship with one of his students. The 36-year-old teacher and 14-year-old emailed, texted, and IM'ed each other about poetry and met up at places such as Uncommon Grounds. No criminal charges have been filed. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
The Albany Airport Authority moved a historic house, intact, more than 200 feet yesterday in order to clear it from a safety zone. [TU]
A woman who recently moved to Schenectady's Hamilton Hill neighborhood was flipping over old patio stones in her backyard and one turned out to be... a grave stone from 1849. A local historian says most of the neighborhood was once a cemetery. Said the historian to the Gazette: "It's a great little piece of Schenectady history. I think a lot of people didn't realize they're living in a former graveyard." No, that probably wasn't in the MLS listing. [Daily Gazette]
A horse went for $2 million last night at the Fasig Tipton Selected Yearling Sale. That was the highest price paid at this year's sale. The horse has bloodlines that run back to Secretariat. [TU]
Tom Roohan -- of realty fame -- would rather you steal his horse and admire it rather than kick it. [TU] [Saratogian] [Fox23]
Fall election picture coming into focus, Schenectady hopes to turn gas into savings, Saratoga cops take on hulk, Walgreen's not getting a warm welcome, million dollar horses
It looks like Albany County DA might face opposition in the November election, after all. County Republicans are working to have attorney Roger Cusick -- who ran against Soares in 2004 -- run on the Integrity Party line. The what? Republicans waited too long to put someone on their own line, so they had to create a new one, thus Integrity. [TU]
The field of Republican candidates for the 20th Congressional District (Kirsten Gillibrand's seat) has thinned. The petitions for Mike Rocque and John Wallace were tossed, leaving Sandy Treadwell as the sole Republican. [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady is looking to generate power from methane at its sewage treatment plant. It figures the generator could cover 30 percent of the plant's power needs and save the city $282,000 on its yearly electricity bill. The city's also looking to build a $20 million dollar Department of Services (plowing, etc.) building -- the old one is literally falling down. [Daily Gazette]
ALB says a decline in flights and passengers has put the airport more than a million dollars in the hole so far this year. [TU]
Three men from downstate have been charged with ripping off 45 catalytic converters from an auto dealership in Colonie. The converters contain expensive metals such as platinum. [TU]
It took eight Saratoga cops and a tasering to subdue a guy on Caroline Street early Sunday morning. An officer's hand was broken during the scuffle. [TU]
Walgreen's is looking to expand in the Capital Region, but it's facing some opposition. Its plan for a new store at Brandywine and State in Schenectady has been criticized as too "suburban" by city officials. And after hearing about the pharmacy giant's plan to open a new store in Lansigburgh, one resident there said "Tell Walgreens to shove it." [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
Boscov's has filed for Chapter 11 -- it doesn't look like either of the two local stores will be closing. [TU]
Two horses went for more than a million dollars last night at the Fasig Tiption Selected Yearling Sale. [Saratogian]
Albany's sixth homicide of the year, July historically rainy, Tiffany's of horse sales starts tonight, Funny Cide stable looking for investors
Police say they don't have a suspect or motive for Albany's sixth homicide of the year. Nathan Walcott was shot and killed Sunday morning in West Hill. [TU]
Saratoga supervisor Joanne Yepsen has come up 32 signatures short of the 1,000 she needs to get on the ballot to replace Joe Bruno. Yepsen says she thinks the signatures will ultimately be approved and blames fellow Democrat Mike Russo for challenging the signatures, which she called "a less than admirable tactic." [TU]
Joe Jennings, the brother of Albany major Jerry Jennings, died Sunday from cancer. He was 61. [TU]
July was the 10th rainiest ever recorded in the Capital Region. The month's 6.94 inches was almost double the average for July. [Daily Gazette]
The Fasig Tipton "select yearling sale" starts tonight in Saratoga -- it's described as the Tiffany's of horse sales. [Saratogian]
Sackatoga Stable, the owner of Funny Cide, is looking for investors so it can buy another group of horses. [Biz Review]
If you've ever wanted to see Marylou Whitney ride in a rickshaw with Susan Lucci -- and we know you do -- here's your chance. [Daily Gazette]
Who's buried where?, biz owners circle wagons over roundabout, food pantry demand up, first local Persian restaurant planned
A woman has sued the Albany Catholic Diocese because, she says, someone else was buried in the plot intended for her mother at St. Agnes Cemetery. Just last week, a different local cemetery was found negligent for burying six people in the wrong spot. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A group of 30 business owners in Schenectady has gotten together to fight the roundabout planned for Erie Boulevard. They're worried the roundabout will make it hard people to reach their businesses. This is the same roundabout plan that an adult bookstore owner claimed was intended to kill of his store. [Daily Gazette]
A Schenectady food bank reports that more people are visiting the pantry in need of food. It says the increase in demand seems to be related to rising prices and the slowing economy. [CBS6]
A developer is planning a roof-top Persian restaurant on the top of a 5-story building at 1 State St. in Schenectady. The developer says it will be the Capital Region's first Persian restaurant. [Daily Gazette]
The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall's main chandelier is getting an overhaul. In addition to cleaning and rewiring, workers are also installing a motorized winch to raise and lower the 800-pound lighting fixture -- it previously had to be lowered by hand every time it was cleaned. [Troy Record]
Marylou Whitney's annual ball is tonight at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga. This year's theme is "A Night in Old Hong Kong." And, you guessed it, Whitney will be arriving in a rickshaw. [Saratogian]
No consensus on how to fix budget gap, NY officially in a recession, Amedore to run again, Guilderland principal put on leave, plastic bag ban proposed, parking harder to find in Saratoga
While most public officials seemed to applaud David Paterson for emphasizing the state's fiscal problems, there isn't consensus about how to cover the budget gap. [TU]
Lunching state workers don't seem too worried about the threat of layoffs. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
And one more thing about the state fiscal situation: Paterson's budget director says the state is officially in a recession. [Biz Review]
The chairman of the SUNY Board of Trustees says the state's financial problems are an opportunity for the university system to "secure a rational tuition policy." And by "rational tuition policy," he means being able to raise tuition regularly. [TU]
George Amedore has officially announced he's running for re-election in the 105th state Assembly District (the city of Schenectady and surrounding areas). The Extreme Makeover home builder, a Republican, replaced Paul Tonko, a Democrat, last year in a special election after Tonko left to head up NYSERDA. [TU]
The woman who accused Albany police of conducting a cavity search on her during a traffic stop earlier this year has been charged with lying about the incident. The woman's friends and family say the APD's story doesn't match up. [TU]
What's going on at Guilderland High School? First the "culture climate inquiry" that led to two popular teachers being re-assigned. And now the school's principal has been put on administrative leave after he allegedly made racist and homophobic comments. [TU]
An Albany Common Councilman has proposed a ban on plastic shopping bags in the city. [TU]
Security cameras recently installed at a soup kitchen in Troy have made some of the regulars nervous. The org that runs the kitchen says the cameras became necessary after attendees were seen passing something other than the salt at meals. [Troy Record]
The number of parking spaces in downtown Saratoga is decreasing -- and it doesn't look like a trend that's going to stop anytime soon. [Daily Gazette]
Three guys were arrested in Cohoes for trying to sell stolen manhole covers and sewer grids for "a lousy $54" at a scrap yard. [Troy Record]
Earthly Delights Natural Foods on Jay Street in Schenectady is closing. The store has been open since 1974. The owners say they can't compete with larger food stores. [Daily Gazette]
Paterson says worst is yet to come, Stratton flouts residency rule for city employees, a "piddling" amount of money for butterflies, a long trip home
In his "live at five" speech yesterday, David Paterson reported that the state is now facing a $6.4 billion budget deficit -- that's up about $1.4 billion from previous estimates. The Gov also said things will get worse before they get better. So, what to do about it? Paterson didn't offer many specifics, but he did mention cutting spending at state agencies and reducing the state workforce. There are already reports that thousands of state jobs could be cut. Paterson also announced he's calling the legislature back into session on August 19 to focus on the problem. [TU] [NYT] [NYDN]
The EPA has announced that it will not pay for an alternative drinking water source for Stillwater and other communities worried about PCB levels during the upcoming Big Dredge -- or, at least, it won't as long as levels stay within established limits. Either way, the mayor of Stillwater says his town won't be drinking the water. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Schenectady City Council is annoyed that Brian Stratton is apparently ignoring the city's residency law for city employees. The mayor says he's just trying to hire the best people available. The council's in a tough spot here because the person in charge of carrying out city law is... the mayor. [Daily Gazette]
Albany County is looking to fire the contractor it hired to renovate the county courthouse. The project, which is two-and-a-half-years-old, is already two years behind schedule. [TU]
A fight over the Karner Blue butterfly is continuing to hold a hotel project near Crossgates Mall. The developer has agreed to pay as much as $382,000 over 50 years to help protect the butterflies, but a Save the Pine Bush advocate says that's a "piddling" amount of money. [TU]
What does it take to get a lost dog from Albany back from Montana? About $400, a good travel agent, and a lot of patience. [AP/Daily Gazette]
Paterson live at five, car falls off parking garage, attendance down at The Track, candidate says he'll donate salary, UAlbany off the party school list
David Paterson will be making a live, televised address late this afternoon (5:10 pm). The message: the state budget is in bad shape. "There will be no confusion about the gravity of the situation," the Governor said yesterday. By some estimates, the state will come up $5 billion short this year. [TU] [NYT]
A woman drove her car off the second level of a parking garage in Menands yesterday. Even though the car flipped over during its 20 foot fall, the woman was able to crawl away from the wreckage. [TU]
After tests turned up low levels of PCBs in its drinking water, Stillwater is looking around for other options. The town currently gets its water from the Hudson and it's concerned the dredging project will increase PCB levels. Kirsten Gillibrand says if an alternative can't be found, the dredging project should be delayed. [Daily Gazette]
Both attendance and the amount bet at The Track are down from the same period last year. Attendance is off about 25 percent and the handle (the total amount bet) is down more than 12 percent. NYRA officials blame rain and a lack of bobbleheads. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Ian McGaughey, a Wilton Democrat running to fill the state Assembly seat currently held by Roy McDonald (who's running to replace Joe Burno in the state Senate), says he'll donate his entire Assembly salary to charity if elected. That would be $79,500. [Saratogian]
UAlbany has dropped off the list of the Princeton Review's top party schools. Students may have been missing reasons to party. The school still ranked highly in a group of unflattering categories, including a second-place finish for "Least Beautiful Campus." [TU]
Will IBM follow through, pile up at the ER, eyes for Schenectady Big Brother, more people biking to work, enormous houses on Lake George
You know that big deal the state recently announced with IBM to invest in research capacity and new jobs? It appears that Big Blue doesn't always follow through on its word. [TU]
The merger between Ellis and St. Clare's hospitals has led to long waits at the Ellis emergency department. The hospital is planning to expand, but in the meantime it's encouraging people with minor injuries to go to emergency department at the former St. Clare's (now Ellis McClellan Campus), which is still open. [Daily Gazette]
The head of the Albany Convention Center Authority has quit. George Leveille says it was a good time to leave because there's a "lull" in the action. That lull would be uncertainty about whether there will be enough state funding to complete the project. [Biz Review] [TU]
Schenectady's crime surveillance cameras now have people watching the feeds from them, at least part of the time. [Daily Gazette]
An Albany County legislator wants to pass a law that would make adults responsible when they knowingly allow minors to consume alcohol on their property, even if they didn't serve it. [TU]
The rewards for information about the two recent cat abuse cases in Troy have grown again. [TU]
Cycling groups and bike shops report that more people are biking to work because of high gas prices. [Daily Gazette]
There's a gas price war going on just off the Northway at Exit 10 in Clifton Park. [TU]
Yep, those were two F-15s flying over the area this past weekend. They were on a training mission from Massachusetts. [CBS6]
A breeding program is helping to prop up the local population of Karner Blue butterflies. [Daily Gazette]
The rich are different from the rest of us. One more reason: they have bigger houses on Lake George. [TU]
Spitzer aides accused of breaking ethics laws, gun buyback in Troy, Colonie EMTs upset about being grounded, lower gas prices if you pay cash
A report from the State Commission on Public Integrity says four former Eliot Spitzer aides violated state ethics laws while taking part in the "Let's get Joe Bruno by using the State Police to track his travel on state aircraft" plot. The report left the former governor off the hook, a move that some are calling a "whitewash." [NYT] [TU]
Dean Skelos, the new State Senate leader, was at The Track yesterday and said he gives his "commitment" that he would continue Joe Bruno's upstate economic development projects, including the proposed AMD chip fab at Luther Forest. [Daily Gazette]
The Albany gun buyback program is being expanded to Troy. (Earlier on AOA: The Albany gun buyback: buyer's remorse?) [TU]
The Troy police chief is in the running to head up the police force in Marco Island, Florida. [TU]
Colonie EMTs are protesting the town's decision to discontinue the medics' participation with State Police rescue flights around the region. Paula Mahan, the town supervisor, says Colonie needs the resources focused on the town. [WNYT]
Gas stations around the region are starting to offer lower prices to people who pay with cash. The stations says credit card transaction fees are taking a big bite out of their revenue. [Daily Gazette]
The head of the Metroplex Development Authority in Schenectady says the Big House night club project is back on track. [Daily Gazette]
Flooding from all the recent rain damaged the wood floor at the HVCC sports complex, probably closing the facility for the rest of the summer. HVCC is hoping it can save the floor -- a replacement would cost about $200,000. [Troy Record]
Rain and lots of it, shots fired near Union College, Saratoga cops accused of "inhuman" treatment, Albany DA's office threatened with having allowance taken away
As much as three-and-a-half inches of rain have dropped on parts of the Capital Region over the last day and a half. Schenectady County has declared a state of emergency because of flooding. High water closed the Thruway between exit 25 and 26 (the 890 exits) for a few hours. [Daily Gazette]
An 18-year-old has been charged with attempted murder after police say he fired shots yesterday at the intersection of Union Avenue and Union Street in Schenectady -- just outside the gate to Union College. [Daily Gazette]
The Saratoga Springs police department has been accused of "cruel and inhuman" treatment after it allegedly left a guy handcuffed to a ring in the holding area for eight hours. The Saratoga police haven't able to use their holding cells since last October because of renovation work. [TU]
The Albany County comptroller has recommending taking the Albany County DA office's petty cash away until it can prove it can handle the money better. [TU]
Local heating oil prices could be up 25 percent this year. [Saratogian]
After replacing a water fountain they'd vowed never to repair again because it had been broken so many times, Schenectady parks officials have been amazed to see it's gone undamaged for a whole month. Thirsty children and basketball players rejoice. [Daily Gazette]
CEO Bruno, legislator uses "judo hold" on tenant, commissioner says Schenectady cops need their gas guzzlers
Today's the opening day at The Track. Bring an umbrella.
Papa Joe's got a brand new bag. As expected, Joe Bruno has taken a job with CMA Consulting, an IT company. He'll be the CEO of the company. CMA has done millions of dollars of business with New York State over the last few years -- and watchdogs are saying Bruno should get "ethical guidance" from the Commission on Public Integrity. But Bruno says his goal at CMA is to expand the business and doesn't plan to focus on drumming up new contracts from the state. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [NYT]
Brian Scavo, the Albany County legislator who's been charged with stalking a woman, will be appearing in court this week after an alleged scuffle with a tenant. Apparently one man's "judo hold" is another's "choking." [TU]
Wayne Bennett, the Schenectady Public Safety Commissioner, has put the brakes on a recommendation that the city replace some of its Crown Vic police cruisers with more fuel efficient cars (the current cruisers get 8 mpg). Bennett says the cars get terrible gas mileage because they're always idling in order to provide power to officers' laptops and radio. He also says alternative cars aren't big enough. [Daily Gazette]
Wall Street trouble could lead to state shortfall, Schenectady to buy back guns, UAlbany student held in Iran, express train to NYC could be arriving soon
David Paterson issued another warning that the state will be facing a significant financial shortfall this year because of the slowing economy. Problems in the financial sector, and thus Wall Street, are expected to take a big bite out of state revenues. [TU]
Schenectady will use state money to fund a gun buyback program that will also offer reward money for tips leading the seizure of illegal guns. The buyback program will give people $100 for every illegal gun turned in. [Daily Gazette]
NYRA is still in bankruptcy and it sounds like it won't be emerging any time soon. The org was just granted its sixth temporary racing extension by the state. [Daily Gazette]
A UAlbany public health student and his brother -- both doctors -- have been detained in Iran. The brothers had been working on HIV/AIDS prevention programs in their home country. [TU]
An express train from the Rensselaer station to New York City could begin service this fall. [TU]
The rewards for info leading to the arrest of the people involved in two brutal cat killings in Troy are growing -- they're now at $4,500 and $2,000. [Troy Record]
According to a state report, second home buyers and "suburban gentrification" are pushing up home prices in Saratoga, Washington, Warren and Greene counties. The report also says the biggest real estate issue facing Troy, Schenectady and Albany are the cities' abandoned buildings. [TU]
An energy expert has told the City of Schenectady that it should dump its Crown Victoria police cruisers for more fuel-efficient cars. The Crown Vics currently in use get just 8 miles per gallon. [Daily Gazette]
AMD chip fab "full steam ahead," violent crime in Schenectady down, Bruno takes victory lap, horse slaughter protest planned
The AMD chip fab project proposed for Luther Forest appears to still be on track despite a change in leadership at the company and a huge quarterly loss. Chuck Schumer says the both the old and new CEO told him the Luther Forest project is "full steam ahead." Of course, AMD has still not definitively committed to the project, yet. [TU]
Violent crime is down in Schenectady over the last two years. Officials are attributing the decline to a state program that's put up money for more patrols and intelligence gathering. The city's about to get $900k more from the program. [Daily Gazette]
Two people were sent to the hospital by a lightning strike Friday evening at the Saratoga County Fair. It looks like the lightning hit a pine tree under which they were standing. [Daily Gazette]
Joe Bruno led a bus tour/victory lap around the Capital Region Friday afternoon for the media. Among the stops: Joe Bruno Stadium and the Joe Bruno bust at ALB. The very last scrap of Bruno bacon may have come in the form of an ice cream the now-former state Senator bought for a little kid at the Rennselaer train station. [TU]
A group opposed to horse slaughter for human consumption is planning to protest at the opening of The Track on Wednesday. [Saratogian]
Two Starbucks in the Capital Region will be closing: 1818 Central Ave. in Colonie (near Kohl's) and 2441 Watt St. in Schenectady. [Business Review]
The Capital District Federation of Ideas is giving up Point 5, its headquarters on Madison Ave in Albany. CDFI has been having trouble covering the rent. It's hoping to use the money it had been putting toward rent into other projects. [TU]
Troy City Hall to be knocked down, Bruno says Spitzer was "nuts," something may be rotten at Colonie's dump, local unemployment rate up
A $6 million slab of Bruno bacon, probably the last of his pork, will be put towards a project that includes the demolition of Troy City Hall. A riverfront park and underground parking garage are slated for its place. There doesn't appear to be a solid plan for where the new city hall will go, but Harry Tutunjian and the city council -- who have been fighting over this for months -- are vowing to work together on the relocation. [TU] [Troy Record]
Joe Bruno will officially resign from his state Senate seat at midnight tonight. In an exit interview of sorts with the Troy Record, Bruno says he'll miss the power that comes with being one of the The Three Men in the Room. He also says that he "knew there was something wrong with" Eliot Spitzer after their first meeting, describing the former gov as "certifiably nuts." [Troy Record]
The Town of Colonie, the state DEC and the AG's office are investigating whether a trash hauler defrauded the town landfill of $15 million in revenue. The company has been accused of working with landfill employees to systematically underreport the amount of garbage it's been dumping. In May, a former employee reportedly complained that they had been fired for not going along with the alleged scheme. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]
The candidates for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat) got together last night to talk about their positions on a range of topics. "Change" was apparently a popular topic. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
The head of AMD, the company talking about building a massive chip fab plant at Luther Forest, stepped down yesterday. Hector Ruiz had been under pressure after the company reported losing more than $1 billion last quarter. The new CEO is reportedly a star engineer who's respected on Wall Street. AMD has still not officially committed to the Luther Forest project. [TU] [NYT]
The Capital Region unemployment rate hit 4.9 percent last month, that's a full point higher than the same period last year. [TU]
Don't you just hate it when your star artist neighbor won't quit bugging you about that 90 acre parcel of land in Rensselaerville until you sell it to him? [TU]
Campaign cash totals, cat abuse investigation, Thruway traffic down, Saratoga convention center expansion
The campaign fundraising filings are in for the last quarter. In the 21st Congressional District race (to replace Mike McNulty), Democrat Tracey Brooks was way out in front with more than $200,000 raised -- that's about $75k more than fellow Dem Paul Tonko's second-place total (though Tonko only recently officially jumped in the pool). In the race for the 20th (Kirsten Gillibrand's seat), Republican Sandy Treadwell raised $1 million -- about $900k of which he donated to his own campaign -- far outpacing the other Republicans running for the nomination. Gillibrand already has $2.8 million in the bank. [TU] [TU]
Troy police are looking into whether two grisly cat killings over the last month are connected. In the most recent incident, it appears that someone shot the cat with a nail gun. [CBS6] [Troy Record]
The Thruway Authority reports that traffic levels have taken historic drops over the first half of this year. The resulting drop in revenue could affect maintenance projects. [TU]
A $6 million slice of Bruno bacon will be put towards expanding the Saratoga Springs City Center. The expansion plan includes moving the front wall of the convention center closer to Broadway and then using the new space for conference rooms that will overlook the street. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
The Albany County legislature is considering a voluntary four-day work week for non-essential county employees. [TU]
The guy who ran across the stage in a penis costume at the Saratoga Springs High School graduation has been sentenced to offering three apologies: to the students, to the principal, and to the public in the Saratogian. The paper's editor says she's willing to print the letter. [TU] [Saratogian]
Bruno's leaving this week, concrete drivers back behind the wheel, poster board broken out in Saratoga public safety building fight, Peerless Pool opening soon
Joe Bruno has announced he will officially leave his state Senate seat this Friday. Bruno says he's not "the kind of guy to retire and just play with horses and golf and whatever else is there" -- he will reportedly take a job with CMA Consulting Services, a firm whose clients include many New York State agencies. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
One more detail about that $1.5 billion IBM chip fab research deal: RPI and its $100 million supercomputer will be involved with research into how to encase the chips and connect them to computers. [Daily Gazette]
A group of concrete truck drivers have ended their strike after their union agreed to a new four year deal. The drivers had been out for a week, which put a snag in a handful of construction projects. [TU]
The owner of steel manufacturing company in Schenectady says a proposed roundabout for Erie Blvd might bump him from the city because his adult video bookstore owning landlord -- who says the roundabout is a plot to get him -- would be forced to take over his space. [Daily Gazette]
Ron Kim, the Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner, has unveiled what he calls a "failure-o-meter" to keep track of how long it takes the city council to issue bonds for the new public safety building. The city's finance commissioner, who ultimately must issue the bonds, says Kim hasn't provided him with all the necessarily details about costs. [Saratogian]
CDTA will stop exchanging tokens at the end of this month. The authority stopped accepting the tokens for fares in January. [TU]
The Peerless Pool at Spa State Park is expected to open Friday, three weeks after its originally scheduled opening. [Daily Gazette]
Big investments for research facilities, Guilderland teachers' transfers upheld, gun buyback in Troy, Tedisco getting married
An IBM plan to invest $1.6 billion toward chip fab facilities in New York State will reportedly include at least 325 new jobs at the UAlbany nanotech center. [TU]
UAlbany and Albany Med are teaming up to build a new research center in E. Greenbush focused on cancer, cardiology and neurological disorders. The two institutions hope the new center will enable them to attract more money from the National Institutes of Health. The center will be funded by a $42 million slab of pork secured by Joe Bruno. The headed-for-the-door state Senator says another $25 million in state money will go toward building a new neonatal intensive care unit at AMC. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Guilderland School Board voted yesterday to uphold the transfer of two popular teachers from the high school to a middle school. The board also released a copy of the "culture climate report" that led to the transfer, though one board member described the released report as "useless" because it had been stripped of many details. One of the two transferred teachers says she's still not sure exactly what she's been accused of doing wrong. The board president says the district will be conducting more such inquiries. [TU]
A $25,000 slice of Bruno bacon will help fund a gun buyback program in Troy. (Earlier on AOA: The Albany gun buyback program: buyer's remorse?) [Troy Record]
Prompted by cases such as that of Jermayne Timmons -- the 15-year-old accused of firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas -- advocates are arguing that New York State should require that any suspect under the age of 16 have an attorney present during questioning by police. Timmons reportedly confessed to the shooting without representation. [TU]
The Knicks are looking at the possibility of moving their training camp to Skidmore. [Daily Gazette]
The new Hampton Inn on High Rock in Saratoga opened yesterday. Apparently "new hotel smell" is that of "freshly cut lumber." [Saratogian]
Jimmy Tedisco is marrying his long-time lady friend, Mary Song. [Daily Gazette]
Guilderland "culture climate inquiry" to go public, Congressional candidate stops to help, Paterson rakes it in, mega-mansions in Saratoga, urination leads to struck pedestrian
The Guilderland School Board will release the "culture climate inquiry" today that led to the re-assignment of two popular high school teachers to a middle school. The situation has prompted protests by parents and students -- and even led to the school board walking out of an earlier meeting when the topic came up. [TU]
A Schenectady murder suspect led police on a chase from the city into Clifton Park this past weekend. They finally nabbed the suspect after he stopped to eat at a fish fry. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23]
Congressional candidate Michael Rocque was one of a group of people who stopped Saturday night on the Northway to help two people get free from a flipped-over car. Rocque is a Republican in the running for the seat currently held by Kirsten Gillibrand. (Earlier on AOA: A resumé that reads like a character from an action movie.) [CapNews9]
A state legislator is floating the idea of a four-day school week to help school districts save money on heating and transportation costs. Local school officials don't appear to be warm to the idea. [Daily Gazette]
David Paterson has already raised more than $3 million for a potential re-election campaign. Observers say the the haul is a good indicator that Paterson does intend to run in 2010. [AP/TU]
The City of Saratoga Springs is trying to figure out how to tax two "mega-mansions." For at least one of the properties, there's a bit of a gap between the city's assessment and the owner's number -- the city says $25 million, the owner says $6 million. [Saratogian]
See if you can keep this straight: police say a Rotterdam man hit a pedestrian with his car while fleeing from a group of men that had attacked him because he yelled at them for urinating on his grandmother's house. The alleged urinator is still on the lam. [Daily Gazette]
The US Water Ski Show Team (the team that practices by Jumpin' Jacks in Scotia) has had to cut back on the number of boats it uses because of high gasoline prices. The team says it uses about $500 of gas during each show. [Daily Gazette]
The Houston Astros' number one draft pick from this year's draft will make his debut for the ValleyCats tonight. [WTEN]
McDonald officially in, Lyme disease settling in here, financial trouble ahead for SPAC?, here she is -- Mrs. New York America
Republican Roy McDonald, currently an state assemblyman from Wilton, has officially jumped into the pool for Joe Bruno's state Senate seat -- with Bruno's support. And it looks like Tony Jordan, an attorney from Washington County, will be the Republican candidate for the seat McDonald's vacating. That race already has a Democrat -- Wilton councilman Ian McGaughey. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A federal court rejected an appeal by Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain, the two members of an Albany mosque caught in the federal sting involving a fake plot to buy a shoulder-fired missile. [TU]
A state review of the Albany Police Department has concluded that there is "no evidence of systemic abuse of citizens' rights" by department. The review had come at the request of six Common Council members. [TU]
Lyme disease appears to be establishing itself in the Capital Region and north. [Daily Gazette]
SPAC officials are worried that financial troubles for Live Nation, the company that produces all the pop music concerts there, will end up hurting the venue. SPAC currently gets $1 million a year from Live Nation, but that contract is up next year and officials seem to think renewing the deal for the same amount will be tough. [Saratogian]
The Peerless Pool at Spa State Park still isn't ready to open. Wet weather has kept the pool's new surface from curing properly. Officials hope the pool will be able to open in a week or so. [Daily Gazette]
The new Troy Orchestra debuts tonight with a concert behind city hall. [Troy Record]
The new Mrs. New York America is Kerry Lyn Boettcher, a teacher from Schenectady. She'll go on to compete for Mrs. America in September. [Daily Gazette]
Field for Bruno's seat coming together, Pataki snubbed, local bankruptcies up, dude - where's her car?
Mike Russo, who works for Kirsten Gillibrand, has officially announced that he will seek the Democratic nomination in the race for Joe Bruno's state Senate seat. He joins Brian Premo and Saratoga Springs supervisor Joanne Yepsen. The Republicans still don't have any official candidates, but that should change tomorrow when Wilton assemblyman Roy McDonald is expected to officially announce. Ray Seney, a councilman from the town of Nassau, is also circulating petitions in a bid to run. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
George Pataki will not be a delegate at the Republican National Convention later this year, even though the former governor was on John McCain's list of preferred delegates. The dis is apparently payback from state Republican committee chair Joseph Mondello after Pataki pushed to replace him. [AP] [NYDN]
Bankruptcy filings in the Capital Region are up from the same period last year and local bankruptcy lawyers report they're swamped with cases. [TU]
Three weeks ago, Kerri-Ann Vincent drove a stabbing victim to the hospital in Troy. And she hasn't seen her car since. Troy police are holding the vehicle as evidence. Vincent says she can't get to work without her car. The TPD has basically told her to deal. [CBS6]
Two apparently popular Guilderland High School teachers have been relegated to the middle school after a "culture climate inquiry" inquiry. The two teachers, one of whom is out on maternity leave, are accused of contributing to a "locker room" and "boys' club" atmosphere within the school's social studies department. [TU]
The stock of Feldman Mall Properties, one of the co-owners of Colonie Center, has been delisted from the NYSE. The company lost $17 million last year. [Daily Gazette]
Keehn not running for Bruno's seat, whither all the Bruno pork?, new high school has leaky roof, live grenade found
Val Keehn is now saying that she will not run for the Democratic nomination in the race for Joe Bruno's state Senate seat. The former mayor of Saratoga Springs will instead support Joanne Yepsen, who's currently Saratoga Springs town supervisor. Keehn says she decided not to run after hearing that Mike Russo, who currently works for Kirsten Gillibrand, is considering a run. Russo has not officially declared yet. There's already one Democrat who has -- Brian Premo. [TU] [Saratogian]
Now that Bruno's no longer leader of the state Senate, will the Capital Region go back to getting pretzels (Joe Bruno's word) from the state. Dean Skelos, the new majority leader, says no. Others aren't so sure. What is certain: Joe Bruno brought home a lot of pork -- and his name is on a bunch of stuff. So many things bear his name that his staff has lost track. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Sixteen hours after a community anti-violence meeting in the neighborhood, two men were shot on the north end of Lark Street in Albany. [TU]
The new Rensselaer High School, just six months old, already has a leaking roof. And it smells weird. [Troy Record]
A construction worker found a live grenade while sifting top soil at a construction site in Milton Friday afternoon. The bomb squad destroyed it. Officials aren't sure where the grenade came from. [Daily Gazette]
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (the big church at Madison and Eagle in Albany), will soon be closing for 18 months of renovations. [WNYT]
Get your hands in the air, Duanesburg. Snoop Dog is coming to town. [Daily Gazette]
Keehn says she's in the running, Jimino says she's not, Timmons case criticized, gun buyback expanding, when is a massage more than a massage?
Valerie Keehn, the former Democratic mayor of Saratoga Springs, has confirmed that she is collecting signatures in order to run for Joe Bruno's seat. Kathy Jimino, the Republican Rensselaer County executive, says she will not be getting into the race. [Saratogian] [Troy Record]
An advocacy group says the case of Jermayne Timmons, the 15-year-old who allegedly fired the shot that killed Kathina Thomas, was mishandled by police and prosecutors. It says Timmons waived his Miranda rights without a lawyer. [Daily Gazette]
The organizer of the Albany gun buyback says the program will be expanding to Schenectady. (Earlier on AOA: The Albany gun buyback: buyer's remorse?) [WTEN]
Believe it or not, people advertise "massages" and other similar services on Craigslist that are actually a bit more than that. And as local law enforcement found out, sometimes you to have experience it firsthand to confirm that. [TU] [Troy Record]
A Dubai firm has bought the Fasig-Tipton riding stable, auction house and other land in Saratoga for $5.7 million. [Business Review]
Legislative session ends with whimper after fireworks, Keehn to run for Bruno's seat?, American to stop flight to ALB, Peerless Pool opening delayed
All the drama aside, this state legislative ended this week with most of the big issues -- including the state's ballooning budget deficit -- unresolved. [NYT]
One bill that did make it through: a measure that would have the state pay the City of Albany $5.5 million dollars this year as a sort of tax payment on the Harriman office campus (the technical term is payment in lieu of taxes). The city could use the money -- it's facing an $8 million budget gap. David Paterson is expected to sign the bill. [TU]
One of the issues lost, or whacked, in the legislative shuffle: Colonie's special mid-year deficit reduction tax. Town officials say they can't figure out why it failed in the Senate. Sen. Neil Breslin, a Democrat, says it died because town Republicans asked party members in the Senate to block it. [TU]
Former Saratoga Springs mayor Valerie Keehn says she's "considering the possibilities" of a run for Joe Bruno's soon-to-be-former state Senate seat. The Saratoga County Democratic Chair says Keehn has already decided to run. [Saratogian] [WNYT]
American Eagle, the regional carrier for American Airlines, will stop service to ALB on November 1. American and its predecessors had been serving the airport since 1929. American Eagle carries only three percent of the passengers in and out of ALB. [Daily Gazette]
The Troy Housing Authority is moving to kick out six tenants who haven't performed the required eight hours of community service. [TU]
The Fort Orange Club plan to demolish two buildings along Washington Ave in downtown Albany continues to draw criticism from neighbors and preservationists. The plan is now in front of the city's Board of Zoning and Appeals. [TU]
The pipe organ at the Round Lake Auditorium could be named a national landmark by the feds. [Daily Gazette]
The Peerless Pool at Spa State Park will not be opening this weekend as planned. Rain has kept a sealant from setting up. Victoira Pool will open, though. [TU]
The Siena men's basketball team will be playing at Kansas this coming season. The Jayhawks are the defending national champion. [Daily Gazette]
Skelos takes over, Bruno endorses McDonald, AMD CEO stops by but still no word, Colonie tax put on hold, Ethan Allen settlement
State Senate Republicans "formally elected Dean Skelos to replace Joe Bruno as majority leader. Skelos, who's from Long Island, says his top three priorities are reducing property taxes. [TU]
Bruno has endorsed Wilton Assemblyman Roy McDonald as his successor in the 43rd Senate district. [Daily Gazette]
The CEO of AMD, the company with tentative plans to build a chip fab plant in Luther Forest, was at the Capitol yesterday to make the rounds. The company says its leader was not here to ask for more money. AMD still has definitively committed to the project. [TU]
At least for the moment, it looks Colonie will not be able to levy its special mid-year deficit reduction tax. The town needs the permission of the state to collect the money, but the measure died in the Senate yesterday (it had already been approved in the Assembly). The tax would have collected about $7 million toward the town's estimated $18 million deficit. [TU]
A confidential settlement has been reached with some of the defendants in the Ethan Allen case (the foliage tour boat the tipped over on Lake George). [Daily Gazette]
The plan to create a downtown Troy business improvement district is encountering friction from people worried about the tax needed to fund the BID. [Business Review]
The owners of the Saratoga Polo grounds are hoping to build an $80 million luxury time-share (er, um, "fractional ownership) resort there. Their waiting on the state AG's office to approve the ownership arrangements. [Daily Gazette]
A teenager recently stole a car in Waterford, but only made it as far as Troy in the ride -- because that's where he ran out of gas. Police nabbed him at a Stewart's. [TU]
Joe Bruno leaving state Senate, adult bookstore owner says roundabout is plot to get him, new food at The Track, Travers chases Big Brown
Joe Bruno has announced he's not running for re-election. His decision is being described as "unexpected and stunning." In a statement, Bruno said it was "time to move on." It looks like Assemblyman Roy McDonald, who represents an area around Wilton, is the leading Republican choice for Bruno's seat (Brian Premo, a Democrat, is already in the race). Capital Region leaders are already mourning the loss of all the pork Bruno sent in this direction. [TU] [NYDN] [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics] [AOA] [TU]
The Albany County Board of Elections is cutting the number of polling places from 72 to 49. An elections commissioner says the consolidation will reduce the cost of new federally-mandated voting machines. Critics say the reduction will make it harder for elderly and people without cars to vote. [TU]
The owner of the Dewitt Clinton (the building just across from the capitol at State and Eagle) is continuing its push to evict tenants so that it can redevelop the building into a hotel. One of the tenants is the State Room, a banquet hall, which has been getting calls from worried couples who have made wedding plans there. [TU]
The owner of an adult bookstore in Schenectady says the plan for roundabout on Erie Boulevard is just an attempt to get rid of his store. His building would have to be demolished in order to contstruct the traffic circle. [Daily Gazette]
Five Saratoga restaurants will be selling food at The Track this summer: Hattie's, Brindisi's, Grey Gelding, Panza's, and 1 Caroline Street/Mouzon House. [Saratogian]
NYRA is trying to convince the owners of Big Brown, the horse that won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, to run in the Travers. [Daily Gazette]
Wellington work to start, cops can make a lot of cash, Troy looks for RPI to chip in, more hybrid buses, stack of pancake panned at SPAC
Work to demolish, renovate and rebuild at the site of the Wellington Hotel on State Street in Albany is scheduled to start today. The development company behind the $65 million project says it will be taking apart the historic facade "stone by stone," so that it can be preserved and used on the new building. The project is scheduled to be finished by 2011. [Daily Gazette] [Business Review]
Thanks to overtime, you can make a lot of money as cop in the Capital Region. Example: a Schenectady officer made $115,359 last year. [TU]
The City of Troy is looking to get RPI to pay $200 per student per school year to help fund public safety coverage of the campus and surrounding neighborhood. And it almost sounds like the city's making a veiled "pay up or else" threat related to EMPAC. [TU]
There's a plan in the works for a downtown business improvement district in Troy. [Troy Record]
Ninety percent of graduating seniors from Albany and Troy high schools are headed to some kind of college, junior college or university next year. [TU]
CDTA is buying 21 more hybrid buses, which get an extra 1 mpg (total fuel efficiency: 4.8 mpg). [TU]
The new facade proposed for SPAC could be changed after public complaints that it looked like a stack of pancakes. [TU]
One of the Sculpture in the Streets pieces was moved from the HSBC bank building on Pearl after people noticed that the sculpture was both anatomically correct and not shy about it. The offending statue is now in front of Capital Rep. [TU]
Big rigs roll at capitol, gun buyback to expand, stop that bat, Schenectady decides downtown is electrifying
More than 100 big rigs made a loop around the capitol as part of a protest against high taxes, tolls and diesel prices yesterday. And this being Albany, the event featured its fair share of political name calling and finger pointing. And Joe Bruno drove a big rig. [TU] [Saratogian]
The church running the Albany gun buyback says it's collected 17 guns. And now it looks like Albany County DA's office will start a similar program. [CapNews9] (Earlier on AOA: The Albany gun buyback: buyer's remorse?)
The state Department of Health is urging people to capture any bats that may have come in contact with people or pets. There's a nationwide shortage of human rabies vaccines and public health officials want to make sure it's only used for people who have come in contact with a rabid animal. [Daily Gazette]
The CEO of NYRA says the racing association will be profitable by 2010. It lost $34.4 million last year. And its franchise agreement with the state still isn't finalized. [Saratogian]
Troy has approved an installment plan for Rensselaer to pay off the rest of its $2.1 million water debt. [TU]
Schenectady leaders have decided to call the city's downtown entertainment and arts district around State and Jay ElectriCity. [Business Review]
There won't be a bobblehead giveaway this year at The Track. [Saratogian]
Colonie dirt deal wasn't, trucker protest rolling through town, job cuts at Fox23, Japanese steakhouses suddenly everywhere
The state comptroller says a public works project in Colonie that ended up dumping tons of dirt at a private club wasn't the deal it was originally made out to be. In fact, it appears to have cost the town $42,000 more than other ways of getting rid of the dirt. So, why dump it at the club? Would it suprise you to know that a handful of town officials are members of the club? [TU]
The truckers' protest will be rolling through downtown Albany this morning. The organizer says they're not intending to tie up traffic, but he says it will probably happen anyway. The truckers are protesting high diesel prices and increases in Thruway tolls. [CapNews9]
Another upscale apartment complex is in the works for Wilton. [Saratogian]
The parent company of Fox23 has cut a bunch of jobs, including 11 at the local station. [TU]
Japanese food -- that's not sushi -- isn't much of a trend across the country, but it's become big here. Or, at least, the owners of all those new Japanese steak houses hope it is. [TU]
Trey Anastasio -- of Phish fame -- graduated from Washington County drug court. And he invited the cop who arrested him to the ceremony. [WNYT]
Lots of illegal guns, corroded wires caused manhole cover explosions, water stays on for Rennselaer, damaged apples, a really big wind turbine
According to federal stats from last year, the number of seized illegal guns per resident in Albany and Schenectady was higher than that of New York City. There are two ways to look at this. Half-full: police here are getting better at finding illegal guns. Half-empty: there are a lot of illegal guns on the streets. [TU]
Prosecutors say Jermayne Timmons, the 15-year-old accused of firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas, wrote an apology letter to Thomas' mother. From the letter Timmons allegedly wrote: "I am so sorry that the gun I shot is the gun that could have takeing your baby girl away from you." [Daily Gazette]
An aide at a state facility in Schenectady has been charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly punching a blind autistic woman after the woman spilled the aide's salad. [Daily Gazette]
The Troy city engineer says the manhole-cover-popping explosions earlier this year were caused by arcing underground cables that had been corroded by road salt and water. [TU]
The City of Rennselaer has paid Troy for its water use over the last two years, and Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian is no longer threatening to cut off Rennselaer's water supply. Still at issue: years of unpaid water bills from before 2006. [TU] [Troy Record]
Saratoga Springs is renovating its jails cells and needs someplace to put prisoners while the work is being done. The current solution: handcuffing the arrested to hooks in the booking area. [Daily Gazette]
Thomas D'Ambra, the CEO of Albany Molecular Research Inc, was the Capital Region's highest paid CEO last year. [TU]
The hail storm this week damaged apple crops. One farm in Columbia County says it suffered $1 million in damage. [Fox23]
GE wants to build a 400-foot-tall wind turbine just of I-890 in Rotterdam. [Daily Gazette]
It looks like Saratoga Springs will not be getting its first roundabout just yet. [Saratogian]
Soares wants to hunt for guns, New Yorkers say state is on wrong track, St. Clare's officially gone, last Hall of Fame game.
Albany County DA David Soares wants the landlords of vacant buildings to give law enforcement the OK to search their properties for stashed guns. Soares' plan was prompted by the claim that the stray bullet that killed Kathina Thomas came from a "community gun." The alleged shooter, a 15-year-old, was indicted Friday. He could get 15 years to life. [TU] [TU]
A New York Times poll reports that 60 percent of respondents think New York State is on the wrong track. Even so, people seemed to have a generally favorably view of David Paterson (if they have an opinion on him... a third didn't). And Barack Obama is heavily favored against John McCain. [NYT]
National Grid says it's finished its investigation into what caused the explosions that sent manhole covers shooting into the air in Troy. But the final report won't be ready until July. [TU]
St. Clare's Hospital has been officially merged into Ellis Hospital. Its new name: Ellis Hospital McClellan Campus. [Daily Gazette]
Based on the quadrupling of calls to the state smokers' quit line, it seems that New York's now highest-in-the-nation cigarette taxes are prompting people to think about quitting. [AP]
It appears that more people are looking to carpool in the Capital Region. CDTA says it's working on a new web site that will make it easier to find people headed your way. [Saratogian]
Today is the last Hall of Fame game involving major leaguers in Cooperstown. MLB says the travel involved in getting two teams to the middle of upstate New York during the season is too much trouble. [TU]
Rowdiness and vandalism close schools, Colonie hopes to one-time its deficit, Niskayuna bans smoking in parks, whistle blown on scuffling football coach
Classes were South Colonie schools are also out today after vandals sprayed fire extinguishers all over the inside of the district's buses. [TU] [TU]
A 17-year-old was shot in the leg last night at the corner of Central and Lake in Albany. The police are looking for two men, who reportedly took off on bikes after firing the shot. [WNYT] [CBS6]
The Colonie Town Board has approved a one-time tax aimed at helping the town dig out of its $18 million deficit. Most homeowners there would end up paying less $250. Now the state Legislature has to approve the tax. [TU]
The Niskayuna Town Board voted to ban smoking at pretty much all of its outdoor facilities. The ban takes effect July 1. [TU]
The Schenectady High head football coach pleaded guilty yesterday to beating a man in an Italian restaurant. It appears that name calling started the scuffle between the two men, who are both in their 50s. [Daily Gazette]
The Daily Gazette is laying off six people, three of them in the newsroom. [Business Review]
Note: the web sites for the Troy Record and Saratogian were off-line this morning.
Teen says he used community gun, big drug bust, Sweeney under investigation, Albany addicted to garbage money, black bear sighting
In a statement to police, the teenager accused of firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas said he did use a gun that "everyone in the neigbhorood uses" the night Thomas died. Police haven't found the weapon. Why Jermayne Timmons fired the shot isn't clear, though there are suspicions it might have had something to do with some kind of gang issue. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Law enforcement officials announced that they've busted another big drug operation that had been moving cocaine and pot from downstate. The total haul in seized drugs is worth an estimated $1.7 million. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Federal investigators are looking into whether John Sweeney was funneling campaign cash into his personal accounts by paying it to his then wife for her work as a "fundraising consultant." There's also some question about whether Gayle Sweeney's job at a lobbying firm was connected to the former Congressman steering money toward the firm's clients, a list that included Siena College and the Shaker Museum. [TU]
The City of Albany's dump has filled up faster than expected because the city was taking in as much garbage as it could in order to generate cash, according to a former commissioner. The dump in its current configuation will fill up by the end of next year. [TU]
A four-story building with 17 residential units is planned for the spot across from the Olde Bryan Inn in Saratoga. [Saratogian]
A black bear was sighted on the campus of Holy Names yesterday in Albany. [TU]
Teen charged in Kathina Thomas shooting, school tax cap going nowhere, Schenectady cops to get a coach, a good year for syrup
Police have arrested a 15-year-old for firing the shot that killed Kathina Thomas. Jermayne Timmons, an Albany High student, was charged Tuesday night. No one from his family accompanied him to the arraignment. As person said to the Gazette of Timmons, "He's only a kid himself." And what about the more than $20,000 in reward money? APD chief James Tuffey says it didn't play much of a role. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Oscar Mora, ane of the organizers of that big drug operation in Schenectady (the one with wich the former police chief Greg Kaczmarek's wife was allegedly involved), accepted a plea deal yesterday and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Schenectady County Judge Karen Drago scolded Mora for "polluting" the community. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
It looks like a state cap on school property taxes isn't going to happen during this legislative session. [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady is going to spend $40,000 over the next year-and-a-half to hire a wellness coach in an attempt to help its cops lose weight. [TU]
The Town of Malta is trying to sort out whether it's OK to keep a pet horse in your backyard. [Daily Gazette]
This year apparently had a great maple syrup season. The weather was "just right" according to one producer. [Daily Gazette]
Hundreds mourn Kathina Thomas, skydive suicide pilot didn't have correct license, families could get boot for not doing community service, step right up to tour cramped police station
Hundreds of people showed up for the funeral of Kathina Thomas. The APD says it's making progress on finding who fired the stray bullet that killed her, though it hasn't released any additional new details. [TU]
The FAA says the pilot who flew the plane from which Sloan Carafello jumped didn't have the right kind of license to be taking skydivers up in the air, though an agency spokeman says that probably had nothing to do with Carafello being able to make it out of the aircraft without a parachute. Carafello's twin brother says the family doesn't blame the pilot. [TU]
Four aides at a state care facility in Niskayuna for people with development disabilities have been put on leave after accusations that one of their clients was assaulted in the parking lot of a McDonald's. Spilled food seems to have set off the alleged assault. [Daily Gazette]
The Troy Housing Authority says it has plans to evict families from it public housing if the residents don't complete eight hours of community service by next month, as required by federal law. Almost 100 families are on the list. [Troy Record]
The New York Civil Liberties Union has formally filed a notice of claim against the City of Troy over the code enforcement at the Sanctuary for Independent Media. The notice is the first step toward suing the city over claims it closed the arts space because it displayed Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi" exhibit. The space has since re-opened. [Troy Record]
The parent company of WTEN/Channel 10 is on the verge of being delisted by Nasdaq. [Business Review]
If you'd like to see for yourself why Saratoga Springs needs a new police station, the cops will be happy to show you. [Saratogian]
A Colonie five-year-old's lemonade stand helped raise $10,000 for a neighbor's cancer treatment. [TU]
Man jumps out of plane without parachute, state says Albany landfill plan stinks, new mosque in Latham
A Schenectady man killed himself Saturday by jumping out of a skydiving plane -- without a parachute. The pilot says Sloan Carafello had said he just wanted to go up to take aerial pictures. Co-workers at Price Chopper described him as very quiet and said he sometimes asked people whether they'd prefer to die by jumping off a building or from a plane with no parachute. Carafello's body hit a house in Duanesburg, punching a hole in the roof. No one was home at the time. [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The funeral for Kathina Thomas, the West Hill girl killed by a stray bullet, is today. A handful of her relatives from Guyana won't be there becuase their visa requests were denied. [TU] [TU]
The state DEC has called the expansion plans for the City of Albany's landfill "deficient" and says the city must now work up a contingency plan in case the expansion doesn't get approved. The landfill is expected to be full by the end of next year. [TU]
After freedom of information requests from a handful of news orgs, Albany County DA David Soares says he will be releasing documents related to his initial investigation of Eliot Spitzer's involvement in the effort discredit Joe Bruno by leaking the state senator's travel records. That original investigation had concluded the former governor wasn't involved -- but a second look at the matter determined just the opposite. One issue with the planned relased: Soares says many documents may not come to light because of deals he cut with members of the administration in return for testimony. [NYT] [NYDN]
Redevelopment plans at the Harriman State Office Campus have slowed and some people -- including Jerry Jennings -- say the project is headed in the wrong direction. [TU]
Construction is scheduled to start next month on a new mosque in Latham. [TU]
"The Gut" in Saratoga Springs is getting a historic marker. [Saratogian]
State workers nabbed for snooping, trucker protest rolling, how much college basketball is too much?, burglar might consider going barefoot next time
Three state workers -- all of them from around here -- have been accused of accessing confidential child abuse files and then using that information for personal purposes. [TU]
It looks like that big rig protest planned for later this month at the Capitol will go ahead now after the truckers worked out a deal with the Albany PD to provide them with an escort. The organizer of the protest say the APD are "good people." [TU]
As you might expect, the HR discussions in drug operations tend to get a little extreme. [Daily Gazette]
The MAAC -- that's Siena's conference -- is moving its 2009 basketball tournament to the TU Center after the conference couldn't work out details with the previously scheduled site. That means both the MAAC and America East (UAlbany's conference) will be holding their basketball tournaments in Albany on the same weekend. [Daily Gazette]
The Fourth of July fireworks in Watervliet have been canceled. City officials say the display cost too much -- and most of the people who watched them weren't city residents. [Troy Record]
A Dunkin Donuts, Subway or Bruegger's could be landing at ALB. [Business Review]
After muddy footprints led to his conviction for an earlier burglary, it looks like a guy in New Scotland tried to avoid the same fate on a second job by leaving his shoes outside the house. One problem: he forgot to take the shoes with him and police used DNA evidence from the footwear to nab him. [TU]
Secret gambling clubs that may not be so secret, no challenge from Clyne, guy robbed for bag of clothes, Woodlawn Preserve not actually off-limits, extreme road rage
We're shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in this town! Gambling? No, no, no, it's just a Roman Empire history club. [TU] [TU]
Former Albany County DA Paul Clyne says he won't be challenging current DA David Soares this time around. The race between between the two got pretty nasty four years ago when Soares beat Clyne -- his former boss -- in the Democratic primary, and there had been speculation Clyne was looking to make a comeback. [TU]
Jimmy Tedisco is one of five state lawmakers who have sued David Paterson over his directive to state agencies that they recognize same sex-marriages from other states. The suit is being back by an organization from Arizona that works to oppose same sex-marriages around the country. [NYT]
A guy got robbed -- and shot in the chest -- this week near Lincoln Park in Albany for the bag of clothes he was carrying and $200. [Daily Gazette]
St. Clare's Hospital will stop taking on many types of cases next week as it prepares to merge with Ellis and Bellevue. [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady's Woodlawn Preserve nature area has been closed to the public for the last six years. Or, at least, that's what everyone thought. It turns out that those "No Trespassing" signs probably should have said something else. [Daily Gazette]
After being cut off in traffic, who hasn't yelled a pointed phrase or gestured emphatically at the offending driver. Nothing wrong with that. But pointing an assault rifle at your fellow commuters on I-90 is probably over the line. [CBS6]
Kathina Thomas reward increases, Schenectady cops have a lot of arresting to do, Paterson supports tax cap, Bruno gets a challenger, testy judge rebuked
The reward for information on the shooter in the Kathina Thomas case is now $17,000. The APD says it's made the case a top priority, but there's nothing to report so far. [TU]
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, whom should the Schenectady police arrest today? It turns out they have a lot of options -- about 1000, in fact. That's how many unexecuted arrest warrants -- 200 of them for felonies -- have piled up with the SPD. Part of the problem: your email program has better sorting functions than the department's warrants database. [Daily Gazette]
David Paterson says he'll push for the four percent school property tax cap proposed this week by a state commission. [Daily Gazette]
Brian Premo has officially announced that he will challenge Joe Bruno for his state Senate seat. Premo, running as a Democrat, says the state has to stop being run by "three men in a room." The Bruno people had talking points at the ready, calling Premo "inexperienced" and a "flip-flopper." [Troy Record] [TU]
Joseph Sullivan has announced he's running for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat). Sullivan will be running as a Democrat -- he ran for Albany mayor as a Republican two years ago. (AOA's Local Congressional Race Scorecard) [Daily Gazette]
The new public safety building proposed for Saratoga Springs could cost as much as $11.7 million. [Saratogian]
You know how judges on TV shows are always scolding people and holding them in contempt of court? Apparently that doesn't go over so well in real life. [TU]
School tax cap recommended, cigarette taxes jump today, truckers want to roll through Albany, pothole for paychecks
A state commission has recommended capping school tax increases at four percent a year. It also suggested that the STAR exemption be linked to income so that high earners wouldn't necessarily get a break on their property taxes. NYSUT, the politically powerful teachers union, opposes the tax cap (that's what those NYSUT billboards with kids in graduation caps are referring to). New York property taxes are 79 percent above the national average. [TU]
New York's cigarette tax jumps $1.25 today to $2.75, the highest in the nation. [AP]
A group of truckers wants to ring the capitol with big rigs to protest rising Thruway tolls and high diesel prices. The City of Albany hasn't decided yet whether to issue the protest a permit -- though one organizer says the truckers will roll into town regardless. [TU]
A plan is coming together to reshape the intersections around Northway Exit 9 in Clifton Park. Among the goals: to put some "there" there. [Daily Gazette]
The Van Dyck will be going up for auction July 2. It's estimated to be worth about $1 million. A bank foreclosed on the building last year. [Daily Gazette]
KEM Cleaners has bought a new, somewhat more environmentally friendly cleaning machine -- and is changing its name to Greener Cleaners. It seems that "environmentally friendly dry cleaning" is a relative term, though. For example: there's nothing really organic about "organic" dry cleaning. [TU]
The pay check process at the Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works has hit a pothole. The DPW's office manager retired last week -- and with no replacement, there's now no one who can legally process the payroll. [Saratogian]
Reward for identity of West Hill shooter, teen saves baby, a challenger for Amedore, homecoming queen election intrigue
An Albany church is offering $1000 to anyone who can identifiy the person who shot and killed 10-year-old Kathina Thomas in West Hill Thursday night. Police think Thomas was hit by a stray bullet. [Daily Gazette]
An 18-year-old was shot twice in the head near Schenectady's Central Park Saturday. The teenager, who was visiting from Maryland, is Schenectady's third homicide this year and the seventh for the Capital Region. [Daily Gazette]
An Albany teenager saved a baby from being run over by a bus Friday afternoon. Tyler Purvis-Mitchell, who's 14, spotted the five-day-old baby after it had fallen out of its carriage while being loaded onto the bus. [TU]
Police say a guy robbed a bank at Stuyvesant Plaza the Town Center Plaza in Guilderland (the plaza at Johnston Rd across from the mall), was then chased through Colonie and Menands, and then nabbed in the parking lot of the VA hospital on Holland Ave. in Albany. [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady city councilman and Democrat Mark Blanchfield announced he'll challenge Republican George Amedore for the 105th Assembly District seat (that's Paul Tonko's old seat). Amedore was elected in a special election last year after Tonko left to head up NYSERDA. [Daily Gazette]
RPI will knock down 13 buildings in the neighborhood surrounding EMPAC. [TU]
Benita Johnson won her third consecutive Freihofer's Run for Women Saturday -- and then found out her dad had just died. [TU]
Was an openly gay student elected homecoming queen at Hudson High? Students say yes, the administration says no. [TU]
A fifth-grader in Saratoga has raised $650 to buy mosquito nets for people in Africa. She decided to raise the money -- she's aiming for $1000 -- after seeing a segment about malaria on an "Idol Gives Back" episode of "American Idol." [Saratogian]
10-year-old shot and killed, Skidmore students busted for drugs, Bruno is running again, money for hybrid buses
A 10-year-old girl was killed last night in Albany by what looks like a stray bullet. A ward leader from the neighbhorhood (the area around Bleecker Stadium) says she hears about shots being fired "every night." [TU]
Police busted a Saratoga Springs drug operation that they say included eight current or former Skidmore students. The college has a bit of a rep as stoner school -- it was 14th in the Princeton Review's "Reefer Madness" rankings and the Saratoga DA says his office had been receiving phone calls from parents concerned about drugs on campus. [Daily Gazette]
It sounds like state Republicans are preparing for a fight with David Paterson over his directive that state agencies recognize same-sex marriages from other states. [NYT]
All but official: Joe Bruno is running for re-election. When asked about it directly, though, Bruno responded with his usual charm. Brian Premo, a Democrat who's been saying he would run against Bruno, is apparently now ready to officially announce next week. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
If you had been waiting for the coveted Ron Paul endorsement before picking your guy in the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's current seat) Republican nomination, wait no longer. The Ron Paul Revolution has gotten behind Steven Vazquez. [TU]
Bethlehem police arrested a man yesterday on charges that he attempted to pay two teenage girls for the chance to smell their feet. [CBS6]
CDTA scored $2 million from the feds to put toward buying diesel-electric hybrid buses. [Business Review]
State agencies told to recognize same-sex marriages, college campus goes completely smoke-free, more development in Troy, trolley tours for Schenectady
David Paterson has directed state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. The directive is said to be an indication that the governor will at some point push for legalization of the marriages here in New York. [NYT]
Five years ago a safe with thousands in cash, rare gold coins and $2 million in bearer bonds was stolen from an office building near the Port of Albany. An arrest in the case was finally made last week just before the statute of limitations kicked in. Police picked up one person, though they believe three more are at large. A guy who reportedly helped open the safe says it -- and the millions in bonds -- ended up at the bottom of the Hudson. [TU]
Maria College is going to a totally smoke-free campus. It will be the first college or university in the region to do so. [Daily Gazette]
That huge building across the street (444 River St) from the outdoor farmers' market site in Troy is being developed into apartments, live/work spaces and retail spots. [TU]
SCCC wants to take over the castle-like Schenectady Armory after it's vacated by the New York National Guard. The school would use the space for athletic facilities. [Daily Gazette]
The Capital Region's carbon footprint per person ranks right in the middle among the nation's 100 biggest metros, according to the Brookings Institution. [TU]
The company that runs the Albany Aqua Ducks will start trolley tours of Schenectady this summer. [TU]
Gambling joint knocked over, texting while driving ban proposed, MoveOn in town, nanoeconomics
A couple of things about the local gambling scene have to come to light over the past month. The first: people have been playing poker at illegal clubs around Albany, including a "members only" club on N. Allen. The second: it looks like a group is knocking over these clubs, in robberies like something out of a movie. [TU]
The state Senate has passed a bill that would make it illegal to text while driving. The bill now heads to the Assembly. [Daily Politics]
MoveOn will be in Albany and Saratoga Springs today campaigning in a somewhat unusual way against John McCain. [Saratogian]
A road reconstruction project has downtown Chatham closed to traffic, maybe for months. [TU]
RPI is moving toward letting students use their school IDs to spend their "Rensselaer Advantage Dollars" at off-campus businesses. UAlbany, Siena and St. Rose already such arrangements. [Troy Record]
UAlbany recently awarded the world's first PhD in "nanoeconomics." [Daily Gazette]
Clifton Park is looking at opening a second the dog park -- and hiking fines for not leashing dogs in its other parks. [Daily Gazette]
Truckers protest, cotton candy guy situation gets stickier, Schenectady hires former cops for Big Brother duty, stickball in Troy
Truckers protested high diesel prices yesterday by... burning diesel on a big rig drive from Northway Exit 17 to Exit 16. [Saratogian]
Remember that guy in Colonie who had been accused of handing out cotton candy that, probably unknown to him, was tainted with ant poison? Well, the cotton candy situation led police to search his home and they say they found pot and an illegal knife. The cotton candy guy says he's being smeared for his criticism of town government. [TU]
Schenectady has hired a trio of retired cops to monitor surveillance camera feeds from around the city. [Daily Gazette]
Trey Anastastio, of Phish fame, apparently was a star student in Washington County drug court and will graduate next month. That means he'll avoid jail time. [TU]
Break out those pinkies and cut down that broomstick, stickball is back in Troy. [Troy Record]
Congressional race drama for Albany Dems, Troy mayor says Rensselaer's all wet, something's rotten in Clifton Park, the neighborhood where you gotta pick up your own pizza
The race for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat) has Albany County Democrats divided. The party committee endorsed Phil Steck last night, but only after about half of the members walked out of the meeting. The walk-outs, most of them from the City of Albany, didn't want to endorse anyone ahead of the primary. There are eight Democrats running for the nomination. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The mayor of Rensselaer is offering to settle the city's water deb with Troy by sending a check $1.59 million and $150,000 each year for the next seven years. Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian says Rensselaer owes a lot more than that and called the neighboring city "deadbeats." [TU]
It seems that a composting facility in Clifton Park really stinks -- in more ways than the obvious (though the obvious seems pretty bad). [TU]
Sections of Spa State Park will be allowed to grow wild in an effort to reduce costs and "improve sustainability." A member of a park advocacy group called the plan "ridiculous," though a park naturalist contends the wild areas will be pretty. [Saratogian] [TU]
The Mont Pleasant neighborhood in Schenectady is apparently the Bermuda Triangle of pizza deliveries. Many pizzerias have stopped delivering there after multiple robberies and weirdness. Just this week a delivery guy was robbed at taser-point (taser-prong?). [Fox23]
Thumbelina, the world's smallest horse, and her Thumbymobile visited the Children's Hospital at AMC yesterday. [Daily Gazette]
Paterson has surgery, school budgets pass, NanoCollege joins up with Army, talented dog adoption gets more expensive
The "migraine" that sent David Paterson to the hospital yesterday was actually a buildup of pressure in his left eye. The governor had laser surgery yesterday to relieve the pressure, which is a form of glaucoma. Doctors will repeat the procedure on his right eye -- the one in which he still has some vision -- as a preventive measure. [NYT]
School budgets passed in almost everywhere yesterday, including Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Bethlehem, Guilderland, Shen and E. Greenbush. The Albany library budget also passed with an increase that will allow for a new branch in Arbor Hill and expansion of the Pine Hills branch. [TU]
UAlbany's NanoCollege announced it will be working with the US Army to develop technologies like tiny sensors, "smart" bandages and (gulp) nanobots. [Daily Gazette]
New York State has recommended that Saratoga Springs pay female employees $2000 in compensation for, among other things, not having a women's bathroom at the city's police station. [Saratogian]
How does the Larfarge cement plant in Ravena, the state's largest mercury polluter, win an environmental award? Having a company VP sit on the environmental group's board probably doesn't hurt. [TU]
Saratoga County is studying the possibility of a horse park. [Daily Gazette]
The Albany Common Council raised many administrative fees, including the one paid for adopting a "talented" dog. The fee for taking in such a dog is increasing from $50 to $65. Adoptions of "other dogs" will be $15. [TU]
Paterson in hospital, Albany to expand dump, Tonko officially in, knockoff handbags busted, TU cuts staff
David Paterson was taken to the hospital this morning with a severe migraine and is reportedly now doing fine. It's also his birthday -- he's 54. [Capitol Confidential] [Newsday]
The Albany Common Council has approved a plan to borrow almost $7 million to expand the city's Rapp Rd. landfill. The facility as currently configured will be full by next year. The city makes $13 million a year -- 10 percent of its budget -- taking trash from other municipalities. [TU]
Paul Tonko says he's now officially in the race for the 21st Congressional District. He will formally announce today. Tonko becomes the 10th person to jump in the pool, which includes eight Democrats and two Republicans.[CapNews9]
Stop the count, we may a winner for Creep of the Year and it's only May. Police have accused a Latham man of drugging an eleven-year-old girl, taking explicit picutres of her and then sending the pictures to other people. And get this: this same guy has been fighting lymphoma -- and people in the community have been raising money to help pay for his treatment. [TU]
Wait, keep the contest open: in something like an outtake from the Jerry Springer show, two adult women -- a mother and an aunt -- in Mechanicville have been accused of egging on their teenage daughter/niece in a fight against another teenager. The whole scene was apparently caught on video and posted on the web. [Daily Gazette]
State police have nabbed a Troy couple for trying to sell $50,000-worth of counterfeit handbags and jewelry, including knockoffs of Louis Vitton, Kate Spade, Burberry and Prada. The bust also snagged a trio of "Pocketbook Party" planners. [Daily Gazette]
The TU is looking to cut 30 people from its staff. It will try a round off buyouts first, but enough people don't bite it might have to resort to layoffs. [TU] [Business Review]
Graduations, school budget increases, discounts on heroin, bickering in Troy, dress codes at The Track
UAlbany, RPI, Skidmore and Siena all held gradations this past weekend. [TU] [TU] [Saratogian] [Troy Record]
Stillwater police have accused a Watervliet man of holding a woman captive for three weeks. [WNYT]
On average, proposed school budgets in the Capital Region are up more than 6 percent from last year. Proposed property tax increases aren't quite as high, though, because some of the new spending is being offset by money from the state. The vote on school district budgets is tomorrow. [TU]
The Schenectady drug operation that allegedly involved the former police chief's wife continues to provide story fodder. The latest details: dealers worked on schedules and argued whether it was fair that one dealer got one of the ring's phones every weekend, sales locations changed frequently, and you had to buy five bags of heroin to get a discount. [Daily Gazette]
A developer says the seemingly constant fighting between Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian and the city council is hurting economic development in the city. The developer says government officials need to start acting like "gentlemen." (No, there aren't any women on the Troy City Council.) [Troy Record]
Apparently any reference to 9/11 is off-limits when making a custom New York license plate. References to Osama Bin Laden are also a no-no. [TU]
Dress codes at The Track might be easing. A little. The new rules will be announced in June. [Daily Gazette]
The shelf-stocking kingpin, "rapidly" improving schools, Saratoga surplus, old-school pumps can't count high enough
Wiretap transcripts are painting a more detailed picture of the guy police say was behind the drug operation that allegedly involved the former Schenectady police chief's wife and step-son. Kerry "Slim" Kirkem is described as a part-time supermarket stocker, concerned parent, and philosopher. Among his pearls of wisdom on why you should fear no one: "Because you do (expletive) on earth, then you die." [TU]
The state Department of Education released report cards for schools across the state. Many of the districts in area suburbs were on the "high performing district" list. The Brighter Choice charter school in Albany also made that list. Eight schools in Schenectady and Albany were described as "rapidly improving," which apparently means "better, but not there yet." Or as the superintendent of Albany schools put it to the TU, "We're not just improving, we're rapidly improving." [Daily Gazette] [TU]
In what's being described as a bit of a surprise, Saratoga Springs had an almost $4 million surplus last year. [Daily Gazette]
The woman who fell through a man hole on the Union College campus five years ago had her pain and suffering award cut down two-thirds by a state appellate court. Unless she appeals, the woman will now receive $450,000 on top of the $3.36 million previously awarded to her for future medical expenses. [Daily Gazette]
An old-school gas station in Troy has pumps that can't sell gas for more than $3.99 a gallon, which has become a bit of a problem lately as premium prices have shot above $4. [Troy Record]
The Gazette has a picture of Kirsten Gillibrand's new son. [Daily Gazette]
Local congressional candidates talk and point, suggestions for downtown Saratoga, big expectations for AMD plant, who needs trays?
The eight Democratic candidates running for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat) showed they could wait their turn Wednesday night. It seems they can also point fingers. [TU] [CBS6]
A group that represents businesses along Broadway has suggested a bunch of improvements for downtown Saratoga. Among them: more trees, more parking, public bathrooms, heated sidewalk, and pocket parks. [TU]
Expectations for the proposed AMD chip fab plant in Malta are becoming, let's say, exuberant. The latest claim: the project could spur the area's population to grow by 400,000 over the next 10-15 years. [Saratogian]
The Troy fire deparment has called off its overtime boycott of RPI's commencement after the school agreed to talk about the department's concerns. [TU]
Two brothers are opening a Vespa dealership in Schenectady. (Yes, someone did that in Saratoga awhile back. No, it didn't make it.) [Daily Gazette]
Among the local measures taken in the struggle against rising food costs: "Trayless Tuesday" at the RPI dining halls. That doesn't seem to have worked out very well.
Cracking jokes not a crime, food costs strain charity, ticked off firefighters, combative legislators, senate-raised pork
Legal experts say it's unlikely that former Schenectady police chief Greg Kaczmarek will face charges related to the busted drug operation in which his wife and stepson were allegedly involved. It seems that cracking jokes about your spouse's drug shipments isn't actually a crime. [TU]
A guy in Halfmoon was sentenced to 60 days in jail for neglecting to treat an inch-deep wound around his dog's neck. Apparently one of his children had put a rubber band on the dog, which led to the injury. (PS: Snowball -- a purebred Samoyed -- is now available for adoption.) [TU]
High food costs and slow business have prompted half of the restaurants originally slated to participage in today's Hunger Action Networks' Feast for Famine to back out. [Daily Gazette]
The firefighters union in Troy has asked its members to not work overtime for RPI's commencement ceremony. The union is ticked off that RPI president Shirley Jackson hasn't met with them to discuss concerns about fires that could pontentially involve lab chemicals or tight spaces. [TU]
Local legislators -- they're just like us! They bicker over money! They call each other names! (OK, on second thought, maybe they're not like us.) [Troy Record] [Troy Record]
Pork is being served up this week by the New York Senate. Among the items once described by Eliot Spitzer as "dripping with fat": $4 million for Skidmore's Zankel Music Center and $6 million for semiconductor training at HVCC . [TU]
SPAC is getting a new $2.5 million facade for its ampitheater. [Saratogian]
Meat recall, sick leave that never ends, affordable housing friction, capitalize that Capital
Price Chopper has recalled packages of its store-brand ground beef patties because hard plastic pieces may have fallen into the meat. [TU]
Details continue to surface about the drug ring that allegedly involved the former Schenectady police chief and his wife. It seems the ring had some operational issues. Police were were able to lift a shipment from one of the operation's mules -- without her even realizing it at the time. She thought she was just getting a field sobriety test, apparently. And that drug transporter's boyfriend? He got nabbed by the cops when he showed up to visit her in jail this past weekend. [Daily Gazette] [Daily Gazette]
A Schenectady cop has been calling in sick for the last two years, which apparently he is well within his rights to do. Now the city council is appealing to the state legislature to allow them to offer the officer a retirement deal. [Daily Gazette]
A plan to build affordable housing in Saratoga Springs is meeting opposition. [Saratogian]
The number of available seats on flights departing from ALB has fallen 10 percent from a year ago. That means crowded planes and higher fares. [TU]
A private Montessori grade school is opening this Fall in Schenectady. [Daily Gazette]
A "superhero of language" visited the Capital Region Monday and found residents a little cool to his grammatical assistance. (He also doesn't seem to know that "Capital Region" should be capitalized.) [TU]
Birthday cocaine, crime in the student ghetto, the gas tax and Plato, the new Tulip Queen
What do you get for that special ex-police chief in your life on his birthday? A shipment of cocaine, apparently. [Daily Gazette]
A map of crimes involving UAlbany students compiled by the TU paints a not-so-pretty picture of life off campus. [TU]
Using the obligatory "Look, I'm at a gas station because we're talking about gas prices" photo op, state assembly minority leader Jim Tedisco announced he's (or someone) collecting signatures for a petition supporting the "gas tax holiday." Sheldon Silver and David Paterson both oppose the temporary suspension of the tax. [Troy Record] [TU]
Speaking of Paterson, he gave the commencement speech for the College of Saint Rose this past weekend because "the lieutenant governor couldn't be be here." The governor also told the crowd that people pushing the gas tax holiday are following shadows instead of light. (Yep, that's a Plato reference.) [Daily Gazette]
The mysterious collapse of honey bee colonies is making things tough for apple growers around the area. It seems there were just enough bees to go around this year to pollinate the apple trees. [Daily Gazette]
Sarah Volk is the new Tulip Queen. [WNYT]
Former Schenectady police chief named in drug indictment, Buzz dumps Schenectady, Siena and UAlbany keep rivalry alive, Saratoga horses in the big city
The name of former Schenectady police Gregory Kaczmarek has come in a drug operation indictment. Kaczmarek himself wasn't indicted, but his wife was. And in the indictment, authorities allege that Kaczmarek's wife told an associate that the former chief would serve as a drug mule and "flash his badge" if necessary. Kaczmarek's stepson was also indicted as part of the operation. The former chief has been the subject of drug-related rumors for years, which prompted him in 1996 to announce at a press conference before he became chief that he didn't use drugs. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The New York Buzz, the World Team Tennis club that's brought stars like Serena Williams and Anna Kournikova in for matches, has broken up with Schenectady -- by letter -- after a 13 year relationship. It seems the Buzz now fancies Albany and its Washington Avenue Armory, which doesn't have weather issues. "I'm only the mayor, not God, I can't guarantee the weather," said Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton after getting dumped. [Daily Gazette]
Siena and UAlbany have renewed their agreement to play their annual basketball game for another three years. Under the new deal, UAlbany gets 500 more seats -- some of them pretty good -- at the TU Center. [TU]
Seven of the painted fiberglass horses that had been placed around Saratoga will be displayed outside New York City's Museum of Natural History this summer. [Daily Gazette]
Hillary Clinton narrowly edged Barack Obama in a local pre-school election. It seems Senator Clinton can thank a bloc of young lady voters for the win. "I wouldn't vote for the other two -- they're boys. I'm not a boy," said one three-year-old to the Troy Record. Barack Obama ran a close second on the strength of having a name that starts with "B," which polled very well with the electorate. [Troy Record]
New Scotland says no to big boxes, tough spring for allergy sufferers, spud gun cop quits, Jennings sleeps fast
The Town of New Scotland has passed a moratorium on construction of commercial projects larger than 30,000 square feet. A developer had planned to build a big box strip mall (rumored to include a Target) at the intersection of Rt 85 and 85A. [TU]
This is the worst spring in five years for people with pollen allergies. [TU]
The state Department of Transportation is now offering local traffic camera updates for mobile phones -- and urging people not to check them while actually driving. [Daily Gazette]
The Glenville cop who used a potato gun to shoot out a street light has has quit the force after pleading guilty to three spud-gun-related misdemeanors. [Daily Gazette]
Rensselaer County is looking to settle a dispute with Price Chopper over item pricing. The county says the supermarket has rung up $39,000 in fines for not following a law that stipulates that certain items should be invidvidually tagged with a price. [Troy Record]
The first block of renovated apartments in Albany's Park South neighborhood will soon be up for rent. The units, a block and a half from Washington Park, have been tagged as "affordable housing." [TU] [WNYT]
Just in case you had wondered, no, Jerry Jennings says he isn't planning a run for Congress. As he told the Rotarians, "I sleep faster than they [Congress] work there." [TU]
A man reportedly robbed a gas station in Schenectady last night and then took off... on a bike. The suspect is said to have been wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt, black T-shirt, jeans, Timberlands and -- it seems -- no helmet. [TU]
NY's doctor watch list, synthetic track at Saratoga?, lots of repaving projects, graduation ceremony headliners
More than two percent of practicing doctors in New York State were on a watch list last year because of problems such as drug use or professional misconduct. New York's rate is twice the national average and ranks it seventh highest. Some -- including the state health commissioner -- say the high number is evidence the state is actually doing something about the problems, but watchdogs say public still isn't getting info about their docs. [NYT]
NYRA will be holding a forum this summer about whether the state's horse tracks -- including Saratoga -- should switch over to synthetic surfaces. A NYRA spokesman says it's "seriously interested" (the Gazette's phrase) in making the switch. Synthetic tracks have been touted as a way to reduce horse injuries, but a lot of horse people and bettors don't like them. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
A "throng" of south side Saratoga Springs residents are exercised over a plan to convert play fields on Vanderbilt Avenue into an indoor rec center. Mayor Scott Johnson is pushing for the site, saying the Vanderbilt location will make it easier for kids in downtown to use the center -- and he says the fields are currenlty only used for "random unstructured play." [Daily Gazette]
It seems like half of Albany's roads are getting repaved this year. [TU]
David Paterson, David Gergen and, um, Jeanine Pirro -- yep, that Jeanine Pirro -- headline (so to speak) the list of Capital Region graduation speakers this year. [TU]
Schenectady surplus, cotton candy man quits, parking meters for Troy?, clown class graduates
The City of Schenectady has a budget surplus for the third consecutive year, ending up with more than $8 million left over from last year. As recently as 2004 a state auditor had warned the city it would run out of money mid-year. [Daily Gazette]
The glitch that kept people from placing Kentucky Derby bets at local Capital Region OTBs has been blamed on "operator error" at the company which totals up the number and amounts of bets for the system. OTB -- and the municipalities with which it shares revenues -- will be reimbursed for the lost revenue. [TU]
A community board has called for the Town of Malta to keep a close eye on the environmental regulation of the proposed AMD chip fab plant. The company has asked for a zoning change that would decrease the town's involvement with environmental monitoring for the project. [Daily Gazette]
The guy who's been accused of making cotton candy laced with ant poison (unintentionally, it seems), says he'll no longer make the sticky stuff. [TU]
Troy is considering parking meters for downtown. [Troy Record]
A one dollar surcharge has been approved for taxi rides from the airport -- if gas prices drop below $3.25, the surcharge goes away. [TU]
Saratoga Springs city council meetings are going paperless. The agenda and associated documents will be available to council members on laptops. The city's commissioner of accounts says city hall used 475 cubic feet of paper last year. [Saratogian]
A class of clowns graduated from HVCC yesterday.
Big Fuller Road makeover planned, local Derby bettors tripped up, Albany Med prize awarded, bad cotton candy
A plan to completely reconstruct Fuller Road in Albany includes three roundabouts, medians, bike lanes and the possibility of moving the intersection with Washington Ave north to provide more room for Albany NanoTech. [TU]
Bettors at Capital Region OTBs had a little trouble getting into the gate before the Kentucky Derby. A computer glitch an hour before post time kept people from placing bets on race. Capital OTB says the hiccup wasn't its fault. It looks like about $500,000 less was bet this year on the race than last year, possibly because of the hold-up. [Daily Gazette]
The Albany Medical Center Prize went to UCSF's Elizabeth Blackburn and Yale's Joan Steitz this year for their work on RNA. They're the first two women to win the award, which is $500,000 -- the largest cash prize for medicine in the country. [Daily Gazette]
An Albany County legislator is proposing that sex offenders be prevented from staying in the same emergency shelters as everyone else. [TU]
The Fort Orange Club wants to knock down a couple of office buildings on Washington Avenue so it can build a parking lot. It seems people in the neighborhood aren't too happy about that. [TU]
The City of Saratoga Springs is holding a class to teach people how to "grieve" their property tax assessments. [Saratogian]
You know what's a bad flavor for cotton candy? Ant poison. [CapNews9]
Tonko's in, state lawyer accused of getting paid without working, Troy-Sanctuary dispute continues, tulip forecast looking good
Paul Tonko said Thursday that he is running for the 21st Congressional District (Mike McNulty's seat), though he hasn't officially declared, yet. The longtime state legislator has a lot of support within the Democratic party and immediately jumps toward the head of the race's pack of candidates. [Daily Gazette]
The state inspector general says a lawyer with the Department of Correctional Services has been getting paid for time he wasn't actually working. According to the report, some of the charged time was spent at a country club. [TU]
The squabble between the City of Troy and the Sanctuary for Indpendent Media over code enforcement has prompted the New York Civil Liberties Union to file the preliminary paperwork needed for a suit against the city. The arts space claims the city temporarily shut it down for public gatherings because it exhibited Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi." Troy mayor Harrty Tutunjian said Thursday, "The city of Troy has nothing to apologize for." [Troy Record]
A barn collapsed yesterday at the Track. Six people suffered injuries, the worst of which was a broken arm. No horses were in the barn when it fell down. [Daily Gazette]
Next weekend's tulip forecast: plentiful. [TU]
A guy who stole more than $4500 last year from Mrs. London's plead guilty yesterday. He was nabbed after repeatedly calling police -- anonymously -- to ask if there was an arrest warrant out for his name. [Saratogian]
Governor seeing all sorts of red (ink), bids for Troy City Hall not so hot, home foreclosures up, brewery hopped up
David Paterson says the state is facing $20 billion in budget shortfalls over the next three years. As part of a plan to address the gaps, he's recommending that many local governments be consolidated. [TU]
Only two proposals were submitted to buy Troy City Hall -- and Harry Tutunjian isn't happy about it. The mayor says he's upset that the developer with whom he'd arranged the city hall for Verizon building swap didn't even submit a bid. That developer did send along a letter saying the fighting between Tutunjian and the city council over the plan made it "unwise" to pursue the project. [TU] [Troy Record]
The was a big jump in local home foreclosures during the first quarter of 2008. [Daily Gazette]
Decks of cards with the faces and profiles of missing persons are being given out in jails all over the state. The hope is the cards will generate leads on the cases. [CapNews9]
The main branch of the Schenectady County library system will be closed for a year-and-a-half for renovations. [Daily Gazette]
The City of Saratoga Springs is looking to build on a park on the shore of Saratoga Lake. [Saratogian]
Olde Saratoga Brewing Co. is expanding its capacity. In addition to producing its own beers, it also brews for other labels -- and it seems people can't get enough He'brew. [TU]
Second Szostak autopsy results, delinquent DNA, no Big House restaurant, setting Schenectady straight
A second autopsy on the body of Joshua Szostak -- performed by famed medical examiner Michael Baden -- has concluded that the college student died from an accidental drowning. Szostak had last been seen on Pearl Street in Albany in December before his body turned up in the Hudson last week. [Daily Gazette]
Albany County DA David Soares announced that convicted criminals who haven't submitted a DNA sample to law enforcement officials have two weeks to, um, cough up a sample -- or law enforcement will come to collect one. [TU]
The developer behind the plan to open a Big House restaurant in downtown Schenectady says that the restaurant isn't going to happen, though the plan for a nightclub is still on. [Daily Gazette]
An Albany common councilman is pushing for the city to delay the start of a law that would require second-hand shop owners to file electronic reports for police about what they buy after every transaction (they currently sumbit written reports twice a week). Shop owners say the new system will take too much time. [TU]
What does Schenectady need? A good spanking, apparently. [Daily Gazette]
New research center for Troy, vendettas in Schenectady, McNulty's regret, make that McDonald's a double
The state is putting up $10 million to help build a Hudson River research station in Troy. The project is part of a larger effort to monitor, model and forecast changes in the river. [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady's public safety commissioner says "personal vendettas" are behind the recent surge in gun violence there. He also said that recent reinforcements from the state police seem to be helping to calm the situation. [Daily Gazette] [CBS6]
Mike McNulty said yesterday that his vote in favor of authorizing the war in Iraq is one of his biggest regrets from his 20 years in Congress. He added that continuing the US's current policy in Iraq is "morally indefensible." [Daily Gazette]
People in Waterford are upset about a plan to have the town continue to draw its drinking water from the Hudson during the early stages of the dredging project. The town's supervisor says if the EPA doesn't listen, residents may have to "shut down" the agency's office in Hudson Falls for a few days. [TU]
Parents in Albany waited overnight in a park so they could be assured of getting a spot in the district's foreign language immersion program. [TU]
The Saratoga Springs planning board has told the owner of the McDonald's on South Broadway that the restaurant's new building should look more like a Big Mac than a regular cheeseburger. [TU]
Local Congressional race starts to focus, Troy has a concrete plan, rabid fisher prompts fear phobia, documenting Fountain Day
The Albany County Democratic Party has picked three front-runners in the race for the 21st Congressional District (Mike McNulty's seat): Tracey Brooks, Phil Steck and Paul Tonko. And what about Tonko, is he in or out? Well, he quit his job at NYSERDA on Friday, so it looks like he'll probably be jumping in. [TU] [TU]
Speaking of Congresspeople... Kirsten Gillibrand is nearing her due date and says she'll be back at work "as soon as I am physically able." Gillibrand will be just the sixth House member to give birth while in office. [TU]
Famous medical examiner Michael Baden will conduct a second autopsy of Joshua Szostak's body, which was found floating in the Hudson near Coxsackie. The original autopsy conducted at St. Peter's ruled that Szostak's death was an accident. [TU]
Troy is looking at repaving roads with concrete because of the rising cost of asphalt, which is made from oil. [Saratogian]
A Glenville woman says she can barely bring herself to pet a dog (because of the fur) after being attacked by a rabid fisher last year in her garage. [TU]
UAlbany held its annual Fountain Day yesterday and local media outlets made sure they were there to document the wet, half-naked college students. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [CapNews9] [Fox23] [Troy Record] [CBS6]
Woman charged with starving mother, bus fares probably going up, farmers market staying for now, Rats game goes on and on and on
An Albany woman has been indicted on charges that she allowed her elderly mother to starve to death. [TU]
Facing a budget gap, CDTA says it's very likely that fares will have to go up sometime during the next year. Bus fares haven't increased since 1995. (Does it pay to take the bus to work?) [TU]
The Town of Colonie is close to selling Heritage Park to Albany County for $2.7 million. The money would be used to pay down the town's $18 million budget deficit. [Daily Gazette]
The Troy Farmers Market will be staying in its regular location for at least the first few months of the summer. Construction of a hotel will eventually bump the market someplace else. [TU]
A developer is proposing to build a new five-story office building at the corner of New Scotland and Myrtle across from Albany Med. [TU]
It sounds like a N. Greenbush town "workshop" didn't work very well. The meeting ended with the town supervisor locking himself in a room and the town attorney storming off in his car -- all while a TV reporter chased after them. [Troy Record]
The River Rats lost last night in a game that went to five overtimes. It was the longest game in AHL history. [Daily Gazette]
Reinforcements for Schenectady police, local reps sticking with Hillary, better security for Hannaford, sort-of expensive air fare
Reinforcements from the state police are being called in to help Schenectady get a handle on gun violence. Shots have been fired there almost every day for a month. One official says "a handful of people in this city are out of control." [Daily Gazette]
Congressional reps -- and presidential super delegates -- Mike McNulty and Kirsten Gillibrand say they're sticking with Hillary Clinton. [Daily Gazette]
Hannaford says it's spent millions of dollars to upgrade the security of its credit card processing system after last month's breach. The supermarket is now encrypting credit numbers from the moment cards are swiped at registers. [Boston Globe]
The average fare out of the Albany International Airport was $330.83 last year, that's up almost three percent from the year before. Albany's average fare ranks as the 34th most-expensive in the nation. [Business Review]
The leaseholders of the long-promised pizza place on Broadway in Saratoga have been evicted. Apparently they had stopped paying both their rent and their contractor. [Daily Gazette]
A greyhound that had been missing for a month was found and returned to its family. "Prince" had lost more than half his body weight during his time away from home. [TU]
Housing market stable, pork off-limits, manhole cover mystery continues, dramas over water and hot dogs, warm weather beats Rats like a rented goalie
The median sale price for houses in the Capital Region rose in March compared to the same period last year. The number of sales was way down, though. [TU]
Even as the state goes looking through the couch cushions for extra cash, the money assigned to legislative member items -- you know, pork -- is still off limits. [TU]
National Grid still isn't sure what caused the manhole-cover-shooting underground explosion in Troy. [CapNews9]
A full-on political soap opera has emerged among Clifton Park Republicans over... the water board. [TU]
Speaking of melodrama... Saratoga Springs is watching one of it own. The center piece of this plot: hot dogs. [Saratogian]
The city of Schenectady says it can't afford a Big Brother, so one resident says he'll do it for free. [Daily Gazette]
Seniors riding scooters and their "accident-prone" behaviors have prompted Saratoga officials to get the word out about safer scootering. Among the tips: slow down, don't scooter while sleepy. [Daily Gazette]
In a face off with sunshine and warm weather, it seems the River Rats lose almost every time. [TU]
State cuts back on hiring, post carrier catches baby, big deal for small things, new paint job for "fagbug"
David Paterson has told state agencies to stop hiring for all but essential positions. The governor says if agencies don't meet cost-saving targets, he will institute a freeze on all hiring. [TU]
A postal carrier caught a baby falling from from a second-story window in Albany yesterday morning. As you might expect, the carrier says it's the weirdest thing that's ever happened to her on the job -- she's never even been bitten by a dog. [TU] [Troy Record]
Gary Mittelman has dropped out of the race for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat). The former Plug Power CEO says he has no interest in "horse-trading" his way into office. He'll spend his money setting up a foundation, instead. (AOA's Congressional Race Scorecard) [Business Review]
UAlbany's NanoCollege will be working with the feds to develop measurement standards for really, really small things. [TU]
Erin Davies unveiled her newly repainted "fagbug." The VW-funded paint job is a rainbow that wraps around the Beetle. Davies' documentary about her national tour against intolerance will debut in June. [Saratogian]
Burn bans, playing drive-by shooting, exploding manhole covers, Central Avenue construction, bobblhead mayors
Dry weather -- and dozens of brush fires -- have led to outdoor fire bans for Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. [TU]
What's the fun game to play in Schenectady's Hamilton Hill neighborhood these days? Drive-by shooting. [Daily Gazette]
Manhole covers exploded into the air again, this time in Albany. It doesn't look like they shot as high as the one in Troy, though. [TU]
Community activists are looking for the EPA to explain again how it is that more PCBs can be removed from the Hudson by dredging less sediment. [Daily Gazette]
Central Avenue is being rebuilt from New Karner Road all the way past Everett Road, possibly as far as Quail Street, in Albany. Improvements will include new sidewalks, crosswalks, "pedestrian refuges" and, presumably, fewer potholes. [TU]
A citizens' group is pushing Price Chopper to keep the Railroad Place store in Saratoga Springs open. There are some indications the company is planning to sell the site to a developer. (Check out the passionate comment left here at AOA about the importance of the Railroad Place Chopper.) [TU]
The mayors of Albany, Schnectady and Troy are being turned into bobbleheads. (Insert your own joke here: _______________________________.) [TU]
Wildfires, convention center cost questions, yet another Congressional candidate, are you ashamed of Eliot Spitzer?
State helicopters were used to dump water on a brush fire that burned almost 50 acres in western Albany County yesterday. Rennselaer County has also been dealing with grass fires and it's banned outdoor fires until next week. [TU]
Now that the price tag for the Albany Convention Center has doubled, the state has hired consultants to re-assess whether the project makes economic sense. [TU]
Yet another candidate has entered the race for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat). Craig Burridge, the head of the Pharmacist Society of the State of New York, makes it eight Democrats and two Republicans. (AOA's Congressional Race Scorecard) [Daily Gazette]
A Quinnipiac poll reports that 59 percent of New Yorkers are "ashamed" that Eliot Spitzer was their governor. Almost 70 percent say David Paterson was right to spill about his past affairs and drug use -- and even more say the media should stop asking him about it. [QPoll]
The Albany Airport is getting a Honda Jet dealership (yep, that's Honda like the cars). It's expected to open in 2010 when the small jets are expected to be approved by the FAA. [TU]
Candidates use own cash, Troy City Hall still standing, traffic circle skepticism, no more hot dogs in Congress Park
Many of the local Congressional candidates are spending their own money to run for office. Republican Sandy Treadwell, who's running for the chance to take on Kirsten Gillibrand, has put up almost a million bucks of his own money. [TU]
This just in: Troy's City Hall probably won't fall down. As for its parking garage, well, we'll see. [Troy Record]
The developer looking to build on Broadway near Quackenbush Square in Albany has changed plans. The proposal now includes a 12-story apartment building, seven-story hotel and a four-story retail/office building. [TU]
It sounds like people are still skeptical about the plan to build a roundabout west of downtown Saratoga (map). [Daily Gazette]
The hot dog vendor has been bumped from Saratoga's Congress Park. And that means no knishes, either. [Saratogian]
Parts of Schenectady's Central Park will be no-smoking this summer. [Fox23]
The Great Escape has added an attraction called Wiggles World. (Yes, those Wiggles.) [Saratogian]
Convention center money sought, home foreclosures up, Colonie Center movie theater nears completion, horses back at Saratoga
The Albany Convention Center Authority is looking for the state to help pay another $190 million in expenses for the project. The price tag for the convetion center has almost doubled from its original projection. [TU]
The number of Capital Region home foreclosures continued a year-long upward swing. [TU]
Uri Kaufman, the guy who turned Cohoes' Harmony Mills into luxury apartments, has proposed doing the same for a former knitting factory in Amsterdam. Kaufman is also currently involved with a plan to convert the old Victory Mill in Saratoga into lofts. [Daily Gazette]
Public filings indicate that Feldman Mall Properties, which owns a piece of Colonie Center, has spent $110 million renovating the mall. The project was originally slated to cost about half that, but the cost of building a movie theater on the mall's roof has ended up being much expensive than originally projected. And what about that much delayed theater? The planned opening date is now May 16. [Business Review]
The parent company of The Saratogian and The Troy Record is being de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange today. Journal Register Company is straining under the weight of debt and some analysts are projecting the company is headed for default. [AP/TU]
About a third of shoppers at Railroad Avenue Price Chopper in Saratoga Springs walk there, according to a company survey. So, what? There have been rumors the Chopper at that location might close, which has prompted concern the city would no longer have a supermarket to which people could walk. [Saratogian]
Training season has opened at Saratoga. [Daily Gazette]
Worries about Troy's infrastructure, where was the SPD?, Hucktown at Union, new slogan for UAlbany
Troy's city engineer says two recent underground fires are a wake-up call that it's time to start worrying about the city's infrastructure. Over the last week, downtown Troy has seen a gas leak, a manhole-rocketing underground explosion, and another underground fire that caused carbon monoxide to build up in the homes of 40 people. National Grid says it's investigating whether the events are connected. [TU] [Troy Record]
You can add parking to the infrastructure checklist: Troy City Hall's parking garage has been closed because of falling debris. [TU]
The Schenectady police are supposed to have officers patrolling the city's Hamilton Hill neighborhood around the clock. So city officials are asking why there weren't any while while a man was beaten for 20 minutes by a group there Monday morning. [Daily Gazette]
The Albany County legislature is trying to spur the state legislature to keep moving the Albany Convention Center project forward. [TU]
The Schenectady bed and breakfast that hosted the, um, parties for groups of consenting adults is up for sale. [Daily Gazette]
Mike Huckabee encouraged personal responsibility during an appearance at Union College Monday night. The former presidential candidate also described a place called "Hucktown," where hard-working, educated people self govern. [Daily Gazette] [tU]
A student research group from UAlbany has recommended that Saratoga Springs start charging for downtown parking. City officials say it's something they might consider. [Saratogian]
UAlbany unveiled -- with a drum roll -- its new marketing slogan that was $260,000 in the making: The World Within Reach. There was no mention of its grasp. [TU]
Explosion in Troy, state agencies tightening belts, hitting water in Saratoga, responsible potato gun ownership
An underground explosion sent manhole covers flying 20 feet (or 30 feet, depending on the report) into the air and broke windows around the Market Block building in downtown Troy (map) Sunday morning. Officials think a high voltage power line caught fire and caused the explosion. Power is still out in the area and could be through Monday. [TU] [Troy Record]
Even though the state budget increased almost five percent, state agencies are looking at only a one percent increase for their operating budgets. A spokeswoman for a one of the state worker unions says the budget prohibits using layoffs to save money, but she said there is some concern about the possibilty of hiring freezes. [Daily Gazette]
Excavation for the construction of the Park Place condos in Saratoga Springs recently hit water. Engineers aren't sure where the water's from -- there's a possiblity it could be spring water. [Daily Gazette]
The Niskayuna school board is considering extending foreign language instruction to kindergartners. [Daily Gazette]
Noted: crimes committed with potato guns are still crimes. And make sure not to use your spudzooka in Albany's Washington Park. [TU]
Menands body ID'ed, top judge sues state, UAlbany AD says game not over for stadium plan, Fasig-Tipton sold
DNA tests indicate that the dismembered body found in Menands is, in fact, that of a Schenectady woman who's been missing since November. [Daily Gazette]
New York's top judge, Judith Kaye, has filed suit against the state after the legislature chose not to raise the pay of judges. New York judges haven't had a pay raise in 10 years. [TU]
UAlbany's athletic director says the school's plan for a new football stadium is still on track even though the state legislature allocate money for it in the budget. The stadium is expected to cost between $40 and $50 million. [Business Review]
A group of buildings at the corner of State and Clinton in Schenectady are scheduled for demolition tomorrow. The buildings are coming down so that a mixed-use development can go up. [Business Review]
The Fasig-Tipton company, which conducts horse auctions every year in Saratoga, has been sold to a company from Dubai. [Daily Gazette]
State budget finished, biting the bullet in Colonie, rebuilding Uncle Sam's house, UAlbany's hottest professor
The state budget is done. The final tally was close to $122 billion, up almost 5 percent over last year. That works out to about $6,400 for every person in New York State. Comments about the plan from budget watchers included the word "larding." [NYT]
The Town of Colonie is looking to take a big bite out of its state-scolded $18 million budget deficit by asking homeowners to chip in an average of $250 in a one-time tax. [TU]
Troy has hired an architecture firm to help plan a mixed-use development at the intersection of Congress and Ferry streets. One highlight of the tentative plan: rebuilding the house of Sam Wilson, the guy who inspired the character Uncle Sam. [Troy Record] [TU]
The Malta Drive-In is adding a second screen. The brothers who own it hope the addition will help them turn a profit for the first time. [Saratogian]
Michelle Mosier is apparently UAlbany's hottest professor. She attributes her title to great shoes. [TU]
Budget looking like its done, ethics commission not following rules, mobile police station, surfing in Waterford
It looks like the state budget will be wrapped up today. The last hang-up was a measure pushed by NYSUT that prevents teachers from being denied tenure because of their students' performance on standardized tests. The final version also includes $53 million for the planned AMD chip fab project in Malta. Money for a new UAlbany football stadium didn't make the cut. [AP/Newsday] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state commission set up to reform ethics in the legislature is -- surprise -- not doing what it's supposed to. [TU]
A plan to shut down the New York City OTB this summer would hit Saratoga County and the city of Saratoga Springs, which both share in money from the betting operation. [Saratogian]
South Broadway in Saratoga is getting a face lift, which officials hope will smooth the transition from the park into downtown. [Saratogian]
The Albany Police Department unveiled its new mobile police station in Arbor Hill. Local reaction seems to be something along the lines of: "Oh, great... you've parked a trailer here." [CapNews9]
The Doane Stewart School has a deal to buy the Van Rensselaer school building (the one right off I-90) in Rensselaer and hopes to move in a year. [Troy Record]
Apparently you can surf in Waterford. Sort of. [TU]
A Shenendehowa 9th-grader is mathmaticious and now everyone knows it. [Fox23]
Name calling over the state budget, APD's super-secret chase policy, developers plan for Harriman campus, Bibleman on his way
The state budget is still not done. Senate Democrats temporarily boycotted the proceedings yesterday, claiming the Republican majority wasn't allowing them to see the budget bills before votes. Joe Bruno called the Democrats "childish" and "very Spitzer like." But with NYC congestion pricing now dead in the Assembly, it looks like things might start moving forward again on the last handful of budget bills. [AP/Newsday] [NYT] [NYDN]
The Albany Police Department says that it has to keep criminals -- and the public -- in the dark about its high-speed chase policy. [TU]
A trio of development teams are in the running to build at the Harriman state office campus. One of the teams includes a major national homebuilder, suggesting its plan will include residential space. [TU]
Chip-maker AMD says it will cut 10 percent of its workforce this year because of lower sales forecasts. So what? AMD is the company looking to build the chip fab plant in Malta. [San Jose Mercury News]
Bibleman is coming to the Capital Region and he's bringing his breastplate of righteousness. [TU]
State budget still stuck, extreme fighting in NY?, potato gun cop, Saratoga seating lottery
The state budget is still not finished and it looks like today's legislative action (or lack thereof) will center around congestion pricing for New York City. [TU]
Extreme fighting -- or mixed martial arts -- has been banned in New York since 1997, but now there's a push at the capitol to repeal the ban. Said one legislator to the NY Post, "Initially, I thought it was gross. But I've learned that they are regulating themselves, so perhaps it's not as barbaric as it had been." Among the new safety regulations: no groin kicks. [NYP]
A Glenville cop has been charged with using a potato gun to shoot out a streetlight at department headquarters. He's also accused of setting a box of road flares on fire in the parking lot. [TU]
NYRA is opening applications today for the Saratoga seating lottery. [Daily Gazette]
A few of UAlbany's graduate programs ranked in the top 10 of their respective categories in U.S. News and World Report's annual rankings. [Business Review]
Call for Albany PD investigation, state budget still stuck, annoying football players, Troy farmer's market moving
Six members of the Albany Common Council have called on the state to investigate the Albany Police Department. The group says a string of incidents involving the department require investigation from outside. [TU]
The state budget is still not done, still not open. But it seems legislators are keeping themselves busy with other bills. [CapNews9] [NYT]
An official at the state Department of Health has billed the agency for more than $3000 in cab rides that she never actually took, according to the state's Inspector General Office. Apparently the official been driving herself to the train station and then filing an expense report for a taxi. [TU]
Chuck Schumer and Mike McNulty have seemingly gotten the Secretary of the Army on board with their plan to build a tech park at the Watervliet Arsenal. [Troy Record]
The state is after the former owner of the Big House for $44,000 in unpaid sales tax. The mix-up apparently involved confusion over what counts as a rooftop garden. [Business Review]
Law or no law, neighbors say the Union football team makes an annoying neighbor. A wide receiver attributes the sentiment to jealosy. Also noted: beer pong is a violation of Union's code of conduct. [Daily Gazette]
The Troy Farmer's Market will be moving its summer location because of a hotel construction project. Where? That's still TBD. [TU]
DNA testing for Menands body, cigarette tax increase, Ashcroft gets big crowd, teaching Arabic in Schenectady, a plan to stop to the phone books
Investigators say it could take two weeks for DNA testing to provide more info about the dismembered body found in Menands on Tuesday. They do know from an autopsy that it belonged to an African-American woman. [TU]
A state investigation has concluded that NYRA broke the law when it hired a firm to perform integrity reviews for $125,000 per month -- without bidding out the job. It doesn't look like there will be any consequences for the race track operator, though. [Saratogian]
It looks like that cigarette tax increase will go through. At $2.75-per-pack, New York will have the highest cigarette tax in the nation. [AP/Daily Gazette]
John Ashcroft drew a big crowd for his lecture at Skidmore. He seemed to welcome critical questions from students, "I'm in a target-rich environment. Take advantage of it." He also, seemingly by mistake, referred to Barack Obama as "Osama." And, unfortunately, he didn't serenade the crowd. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
The Schenectady school district will start offering Arabic classes next year. [TU]
Saratoga Springs' school district proposed budget has been chopped by $1 million. Among the cuts: an expanded foreign language program. [Daily Gazette]
An Albany common councilman is pushing a measure that could possibly slow the barrage of phone books. [TU] (AOA item about how to stop the phone book deliveries)
Budget process goes behind closed doors, investigating the investigations, school district budgets, extra security for Ashcroft
Surprise! The state budget process appears to have gotten stuck. Why? Well, people on the outside aren't exactly sure. One government watchdog said this year's budgetpalooza is the least transparent in 15 years. [TU]
It only sounds like an Onion headline: New York State is now investigating its investigations. [NYT] [NYT]
The Albany School District has proposed a budget that's more than 9.5 percent bigger than last year and includes an almost 2.5 percent property tax increase. Shenendohowa's proposed school district budget includes a tax hike of more than 3.5 percent. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A study funded by National Grid and a number of economic development groups reports that the state will get a big return on its potential investment in the AMD chip fab plant planned for Malta. [Daily Gazette]
A Schenectady city councilwoman wants the city to use a "grouper" law to crack down on students who go in together to rent houses in the neighborhood around Union. The city's attorney says that won't work because, for example, the Union football team house meets the law's requirements for being considered a family. [Daily Gazette]
Extra security will be in place tonight for John Ashcroft's appearance at Skidmore as officials expect some kind of protest. [Saratogian]
Of the 13,000 state employees who work in or near the ESP, only 40 take part in the carpool program that provides discounted parking spots. More than 2,000 people are on the waiting list for a spot. [TU]
Budget will be late, cigarette taxes probably going up, crashing the Palace, big ethanol plant planned for port
Today was the deadline for the state budget, but it looks like it won't be ready until Thursday (maybe). In the meantime, an interim $332 million budget extension will carry the state until then. [TU]
Whenever the new budget is ready, there's a good chance it will include a provision that will double the state tax on cigarettes to three dollars a pack. An average pack of cigarettes would then cost about seven dollars in New York. That state could raise as much as $325 million from the tax increase. [AP/Newsday] [TU]
A car crashed through the front doors of the Palace Theater yesterday. [TU]
The question is not who is running for the 21st Congressional seat (McNulty's current spot), but who is not. The latest to jump in: John Aretakis. The attorney made his name suing the Catholic Church over clergy abuse accusations. There are now nine people who have declared they're in this race, including seven Democrats. [Daily Gazette] [AOA Congressional Who's In, Who's Out Scorecard]
A plan to build a big ethanol plant at the Port of Albany is in the works. The port's commission voted to approve the lease for the plant and the developer is trying to raise $240 million to make it happen. [Daily Gazette]
New York's top judge, Judith Kaye, made another appeal Monday for a pay raise for state judges. They haven't had a pay raise in 10 years. [Business Review]
Spitzer "not truthful", the Penguin busted, return of the bottle bill, no styrofoam for Schenectady?, Albany's trees showing age
In a report released late on Friday, Albany DA David Soares reported that Eliot Spitzer basically lied about not being directly involved in the effort to stick to it to Joe Bruno over the state senator's use of state aircraft. Spitzer's "not truthful" statements won't lead to charges, though. [NYT]
Cops busted a local gambling ring that reportedly processed more than $50 million in bets during the last year and a half. The ring seems to have been run out of a club behind the Latham 76 diner. The arrested included guys with nicknames such as Waldo, Penguin and Bindy. [TU]
Talk of the "bigger, better bottle bill" is back after it was included in the budget proposals of both the governor and Assembly. Not on board with the plan to extend the 5 cent deposit to non-carbonated beverages and return unclaimed deposits to the state: Joe Bruno. Environmentalists say Bruno has been swayed by many, many nickels thrown his way by the bottle industry. [TU]
A Schenectady city councilwoman is talking about banning stryofoam cups in the city. If the ban comes about, Dunkin' Donuts would have to find new cups. [Daily Gazette]
It seems that Malta's request that town residents be first in line for jobs at the planned AMD chip plant was met with a "Ha, good one. No, really?" from the company. [Business Review]
According to a state DEC report, many of the city of Albany's maple trees will probably have to come down during the next few years because of old age. You can buy a new tree for in front of your house for about $60 -- if you get your request (pdf) in today.
The local women who connected via Craigslist for a kidney donation seem to be doing OK. The donated kidney is holding up "wonderfully" and the donor is still drinking Cosmos. [TU]
A rough plan for the state budget, unemployment rate up, APD to publish crime map, Lebrun into semi-retirement
Governor Paterson and legislative leaders announced that they have a rough outline for a state budget. The plan would increase state spending about 4.5 percent to about $124 billion and restores about $500 million in cuts that Paterson had recently proposed. It does not include the new tax on million dollar incomes that Sheldon Silver has been pushing. The completed budget is due April 1. [NYT]
Officials in Saratoga Springs are happy about the state budget plan because it looks like it will preserve the city's cut of VLT money, which makes up about 10 percent of the city's budget. Spitzer's plan would have taken much of that money away. [Saratogian]
Paterson says he doesn't think the state budget can include pay raises for legislators. But no worry, they can always just use campaign cash for seemingly whatever they choose. Falling under "whatever": Bills tickets, dinner at Jack's, a trip to Ireland. [AP/TU]
Kirsten Gillibrand made appearances through the area yesterday to talk about infrastructure, taxes and alternative energy. Not talked about: her pregnancy, though a constituent thinks the Congresswoman is going to have a boy. [TU]
The Capital Region's unemployment rate hit 5.1 percent (up from 4.4 a year ago), which was actually higher than that of the statewide rate (5 percent). That hasn't happened in a long time. [TU]
A state appeals court ruled that the town of Ballston was within its rights to change its zoning rules in order to keep a new Wal-Mart from being built. [Daily Gazette]
The Albany PD unveiled a system that will plot recent crimes on an online map. The system will also include the ability for the department to take tips via... email. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Roundabout fever is spreading! The latest to catch it? Scotia. [Daily Gazette]
Fred Lebrun is heading into semi-retirement. [TU]
Thousands of new cards because of Hannaford, Paterson says no more, libraries are popular places, dog story a fish story, Mangia closing
Local banks say they're in the process of replacing tens of thousands of debit and credit cards because of the Hannaford security breach. [Daily Gazette] (AOA item from yesterday about this)
David Paterson bristled yesterday when reporters continued to ask him about his private life. "I think that more than any elected official on this planet, and probably in outer space, I have discussed my personal situation over the last week," Paterson said. [AP/Troy Record]
Yet another Democrat has tossed his hat into the ring for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat). This time it's Arthur Welser, a real estate broker from Latham. There are now eight candidates for that seat, six Democrats and two Republicans. [Daily Gazette] (AOA's Local Congressional Race Scorecard)
Local libraries report that circulation numbers are up and librarians attribute the higher volume to people seeking cheaper entertainment as the economy slows. [TU]
That story about the dog left in the trash seems like it might be garbage. But the dog is still actually up for adoption and people are lining up for her. [TU]
The leader of the Northway Church says attendance keeps rising and it might already be outgrowing its newly opened third location. The minister, Buddy Cremeans, is described as having "awesome administrative abilities and a clear plan for growth." [Daily Gazette] (AOA item about the church's direct mail)
The Mangia in Clifton Park has closed and its parent company is planning to close the Stuyvesant Plaza location, too. The company says it will knock down the Stuyvesant building in order to build a new restaurant based on a different theme. An executive attributes the Stuyvesant location's failure partly to the opening of the Cheesecake Factory. [Business Review]
Appeal for Albany mosque members, more about Paterson's past, lawsuit over Great Escape illness, house prices up, a big bag of cash
The lawyers for Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain argued in federal appeals court yesterday that their clients were convicted with "prejudicial evidence." They're also pushing to have a secret court order from the case made public. They allege that order will show that the NSA illegally spied on the two members of an Albany mosque. [TU] [NYT]
David Paterson past-filter: he may have used state funds on a trip to South Carolina with his former lady friend to work for Hillary Clinton. And he says he used cocaine and marijuana decades ago. Oh, and he's apparently a fan of the 74 State hotel. [TU] [Newsday]
The body pulled from the Hudson near Troy over the weekend was apparently weighed down by concrete blocks and a lawn mower. [Troy Record]
The Great Escape reported illness count is up to 388. The norovirus has been confirmed as the culrpit. And now four of the people who got sick have filed suit. Their lawyer says the suit is "about keeping kids safe." [Saratogian]
The median sale price for homes in many parts of the Capital Region rose compared to the same period last year. But the number of houses sold was down. [TU]
A state supreme court has ruled that a bag with hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash does in fact belong to the owner of the house in which it was found. Despite all the money involved, the five-year case seems to have left a lot of people poorer. [TU]
Siena ends upset run, Spitzer story keeps turning, norovirus suspected at Great Escape, tournament pool busted, school fundraiser fatigue
Siena's NCAA tournament run ended Sunday with an 84-72 loss to Villanova in the second round. [TU]
It seems that word of Eliot Spitzer's call girl habit was circulating as early as last Fall. Republican political operative Roger Stone reportedly sent the FBI a letter accusing the former Gov of going to prostitutes. How did Stone find out? He heard it from "a social contact in an adult-themed club." [NYT]
Oh, and remember how Spitzer said he wasn't involved in the effort to catch Joe Bruno misusing state aircraft? According to testimony from a former aide, that seems to have been a lie. Spitzer was not just involved, he was coffee-spewing-from-his-mouth, calling-at-all-hours involved. [NYT]
The reported count of gastrointestinal illnesses from the Great Escape is nearing 200. The infamous norovirus is suspected to be culprit causing diahrea and "projectile vomiting." The park has now closed one of its restaurants in an attempt to stamp out the bug. [TU]
Yet another candidate has jumped into the race for the 21st Congressional District (McNulty's seat). The latest: Republican Steven Vasquez of Ballston Spa, which isn't even in the district. [TU] (AOA's Local Congressional Scorecard)
The breach of Hannaford's transaction system came after the network was certified to be in compliance with security standards. [AP]
An auction-style NCAA pool involving tens of thousands of dollars was busted in Warren County. Among those present at the private auction: Warren County officials. [Troy Record]
Suffering from fundraiser fatigue, Niskayuna School District officials are working on a new policy for school fundraisers. Don't worry, the junior prom seems to be safe. [Daily Gazette]
Everyone's job is under pressure these days. In Waterford, real border collies are being replaced by wood cutouts of dogs in an effort to chase away Canada geese. [Troy Record]
More water park illness, state worker fired, starter homes for downtown Saratoga, bobcat in Cohoes, shotgun-in-alligator guy sentenced
The reported count of people with gastrointestinal illness from the Great Escape water park is up to 143. The state health department says it hasn't found anything wrong at the park. [TU]
A state worker has been fired for running a private law practice while on the state clock -- for 20 years. [AP/CBS6]
Troy police say their crime mapping software directly led to an arrest this week. [Troy Record]
A developer plans to build "starter" town homes near downtown Saratoga. [TU]
A real estate brokerage reports that local demand for urban condos seemed to be strong last year -- and now there are going to be a whole lot more on the market. [TU]
A dead bobcat was found in Cohoes. It was probably hit by a car. [Troy Record]
Siro's will be open almost year-round. The owner says track season business just isn't sustaining the restaurant like it used to. [Daily Gazette]
Remember that guy who got nabbed for hiding a sawed-off shotgun in his stuffed alligator? He got nine years for that. [Saratogian]
Class action against Hannaford, more Great Escape gastrointestinal distress, a Republican for the 21st, attempt to attract young professionals
A Philadelphia law firm says it's filing a class action lawsuit against Hannaford over the company's security breach that exposed millions of customers' credit cards. [AP/Boston Globe]
The number of people reporting illness after visiting the Great Escape water park this past weekend keeps growing, according to the NY State Department of Health. More than 90 people have now reported suffering gastrointestinal distress. Many of the affected are diabetic kids who were visiting the park as part of program to learn how to control their diabetes. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A federal judge has ruled that a former Wal-Mart security guard can go ahead with her gender discrimination suit against the company. Shannon Kennedy says she was fired after she chased an alleged purse snatcher in her car. [TU]
The Averill Park school district has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by a former athletic director for $567,000. Lou Cioffi says he was fired after blowing the whistle on hazing in the district's football program. [Troy Record]
Republican Jim Buhrmaster officially announced that he will run in the 21st Congressional District (Democrat Mike McNulty's seat). Buhrmaster is the first Republican to officially declare. [Daily Gazette] (AOA's Local Congressional Race Scorecard)
Local business leaders are hoping to lure young professionals back to the Capital Region with advertising, a new website, and a kiosk at the airport. [TU]
State budget cuts proposed, Patersons talk about affairs, protest in Troy, water park illness
Governor Paterson has proposed a two percent cut at all state agencies plus another $800 million from the Spitzer budget proposal because of budget deficit concerns. [Daily Gazette]
Paterson and his wife addressed the story around their affairs. The governor says there were multiple women -- one of whom worked for the state. He also said the delay in him taking office was partially the result of him needing time to figure out how to address this issue. [NYT]
About 100 protesters showed up at Troy City Hall Tuesday evening to protest the code enforcement against the Sanctuary for Independent Media. The city says its enforcement action had nothing to do with the gallery showing Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi." [Troy Record]
Hannaford says it's still trying to figure out the extent of the breach of its credit card processing system. Customers have apparently deluged the company with calls about the lapse. [Daily Gazette]
The Spitzer-to-Paterson changeover may have set things back in formalizing the NYRA deal. [Saratogian]
The Albany School District is thinking about plan that would ship at least some of its students on long-term suspension to a farm in Columbia County. [TU]
The state health department says it's gotten reports from 27 people that they suffered vomiting and diarrhea after visiting the Great Escape water park this past weekend. [CBS6]
Paterson applauded, Paterson admits to affair, Hannaford credit card breach, another tech park plan, raw sewage is smelly
David Paterson took the oath of office for governor to much applause. Legislators say they're looking forward to working with the new governor. [TU]
Shortly after the swearing-in, Paterson admitted to having an affair earlier this decade. He and his wife say they've dealt with it an moved on. [NYDN]
A security breach has potentially exposed more than 4 million credit cards used at Hannaford stores across the Northeast. The company says every one of its stores has had a compromised card. (Hannaford statement) [Boston Globe]
Chuck Schumer and Mike McNulty are pushing for the Watervliet Arsenal to become... wait for it... a tech park. [TU]
A Democratic challenger is lining up to take on Republican George Amedore for Paul Tonko's old state assembly seat. [Daily Gazette]
A backed up sewer led to raw sewage spilling out into a street in Mechanicville and extreme smelliness ensued. "This is not sanitary," noted one astute resident to the Record. [Troy Record]
Skidmore is moving to close its University Without Walls program. The college says the distance learning program is losing hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. [Saratogian]
Day one for Paterson, Siena to face Vanderbilt in tournament, Schenectady goes to bed early, driver plows completely into store
David Paterson will be sworn in today as governor at 1 pm. [NYT]
The Siena men's basketball team got a #13 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Saints will face Vanderbilt in the first round on Friday in Tampa. [TU]
The Sanctuary for Independent Media has found a space to hold its Tuesday performance by The Yes Men. The City of Troy closed the gallery's regular space because of code violations after an exhibition of Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi."
Downtown Schenectady's population of residents is growing, but many shops and restaurants are still closing at 6 pm. Business owners say there still are enough people living in the neighborhood to making staying open later worthwhile. [Daily Gazette]
A drunk driver drove her car into a Stewart's in Troy Saturday night, stopping at the store's back wall. Three customers suffered non-life threatening injuries. The driver? Not hurt. [Troy Record]
It seems residents of Saratoga Springs are cool to the idea of a roundabout just west of downtown. An engineer planning the change says people fear change. [Saratogian]
Marino's Pizza in Saratoga is up for sale. Two-and-a-half million dollars and the popular pizzeria could be yours. [Saratogian]
Paterson says budget will be focus, Troy gallery vows to fight, free emergency contraception, white squirrels
Soon-to-be governor David Paterson said Thursday during a press conference that his first priority will be getting the budget together. After entering to applause from staffers, Paterson remarked, "If most of you weren't being paid, I'd be flattered." [TU]
But if something happens before Monday, Spitzer still really is in charge. [CapNews9]
One Monday, not only will Paterson become governor, but Joe Bruno will assume the duties of lieutenant governor. And what does that mean? Not much. One of the only real powers of the lt. governor is break ties in the senate, but Bruno won't actually have that power in his role. So who will? No one's sure. [Troy Record]
Just in case you're wondering, Paterson's neighbors in Guilderland are fans. And he takes out the garbage, apparently. [WNYT]
The $50 million redevelopment plans for the old American Locomotive plant in downtown Schenectady may have come off the rails. [TU]
The Sanctuary for Independent Media says it now has a lawyer and it will fight the City of Troy over code violations that closed gallery to public gatherings. [TU]
Local Planned Parenthood centers are giving out free emergency contraceptive pills today. [Troy Record]
It looks like the long-vacant restaurant building across Western from Crossgates will be turned into a Japanese restaurant. [Daily Gazette]
White squirrels have been popping up around the area. Make of that what you will. But know this: they like peanuts. [TU]
More turns in the "Virtual Jihadi" drama, Schenectady cops to be tracked, call for more depleted uranium testing in Colonie, good year for maple syrup
The Sanctuary for Independent Media is discussing whether it should file suit against the City of Troy after the city closed the gallery to public events because of code violations. The org says the action was politically motivated, a response to the gallery exhibiting Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi." [TU]
RPI has yanked the school-hosted site of the College Republicans after they called the art department a "terrorist safehaven" for its involvement with Wafaa Bilal. But the site that actually featured those comments is hosted off campus -- and it's still up. [TU]
Police cars in Schenectady will be getting GPS units so dispatchers can track their locations. The geographic info is supposed to help improve response times, but it would also help the department know when one of its cops has gone to Scotia to watch bowling. [Daily Gazette]
A group of activists is trying to get government money to do more testing of people who lived and worked near the old munitions plant on Central near the Albany/Colonie line. There's depleted uranium at the site and tests reported three months ago that some people who lived nearby were exposed to it. [TU]
RPI plans to give out $10 million more next year in financial aid. [TU]
Despite its currently decrepit state, architects and town residents are excited about what the plan to turn the Victory Mill (in Victory, outside Saratoga) into luxury condos. [Post-Star]
It's looking like a good year for maple syrup. [Daily Gazette]
Spitzer still the gov -- for now, Troy enforces code violations against "Virtual Jihadi" gallery, Albany Marines headed to Iraq, firemen remove man from tree, Schenectady cop takes time on the job to take in bowling
Will Eliot Spitzer resign today? Yes... or, at least, maybe. [TU] [NYT]
The City of Troy has shut down public gatherings at the gallery that was showing Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi" for code violations. The exhibition drew protests Monday -- and they were led by the city's public works commissioner, who also happens to be in charge of code enforcement. The gallery had been previously cited for violations, but the director of the gallery says the city is censoring the work. And he says the original code violations came after the gallery showed a film that was critical of the mayor's policies. [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
The Marine reserve unit based in Albany will be going to Iraq later this year. [TU]
The Schenectady fire department was called last night to remove a man from a tree alongside I-890. [Daily Gazette]
Malta is looking at plans to concentrate its new development into a walkable downtown. [Daily Gazette]
A Schenectady cop was caught watching his son bowl in Scotia while he was supposed to be on patrol. "No, that's not acceptable," mayor Brian Stratton told the Gazette with a sigh. [Daily Gazette]
Spitzer considering resignation, Siena headed to Big Dance, another endorsement for Brooks, a traffic circle for Saratoga?, spelling bee winner
After Monday's news that Eliot Spitzer did business with a prostitution operation, the governor is apparently now considering whether or not to resign. [NYT]
The Siena men's hoops team is headed to the NCAA Tournament. The Saints smoked Rider Monday night in the MAAC Tournament final 74-53. Siena's offense was as good as ever -- and it actually played some pretty good defense, too. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi" installation opened at the Sanctuary for Independent Media Monday night. About 100 people -- including protesters -- showed up. [TU]
Brian Stratton announced he's aiming to knock down the 50 worst vacant buildings in Schenectady. [Daily Gazette]
Jerry Jennings endorsed Tracey Brooks for the 21st District Congressional seat. [Daily Gazette]
Yassin Aref -- the Albany imam convicted of supporting terrorism after he was snagged in an FBI sting -- has published a memoir. Any profits from the book will go to support Aref's children. [TU] [Troy Record]
Saratoga Springs could be getting its first traffic circle. [Saratogian]
The Capital Region's first MRI for pets opened a few months ago in Latham. [TU]
A Bethlehem 8th grader won the Capital Region spelling bee. Dan LaChapelle took the title by spelling "gourami" after a competitor missed on "commissar."
Speeding crackdown on 787, congressional races get crowded and expensive, a challenger for Bruno, March really has been rainy, all sorts of college basketball
A crackdown on speeding along I-787 will start April 1. The target enforcement area will stretch four miles from Watervliet to Cohoes. [TU]
Democrat Darius Shahinfar officially announced that he's running for the 21st Congressional District, the seat Mike McNulty currently holds. That brings the count to five Democrats seeking the nomination (AOA's Local Congressional Race Scorecard). [Troy Record]
The race for New York's 20th Congressional District is shaping up to be one of the country's most expensive. Incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand has already raised more than $2.5 million. And Sandy Treadwell, who's running for the Republican nomination, has $1.24 million. [TU]
For the first time since 1995, it looks like Joe Bruno will have a challenger for his state senate seat. Brian Premo tells the NY Sun that Bruno "is not as well-liked as he would like to believe and as others in the political arena might presume." [NY Sun]
March is already on its way to local record levels for rainfall. [Daily Gazette]
The Chamber of Commerce decides to do something different this year, which apparently means no Summit in Tech Valley. [Business Review]
The Siena men are playing for the MAAC title tonight. The UAlbany men got bounced from their conference tournament by BU. And the St. Rose men got a #3 seed in the NCAA Division II tournament. [TU]
RPI pulls art work, Albany on the hook for judgement against cop, no-show crossing guards could get raise, assemblyman gives entire salary away
RPI has suspended the exhibition of a video work in which the artist cast himself as a suicide bomber on a mission to assassinate President Bush. The artist tells the TU that the school feels like "a military camp," while the College Republicans are calling the art department "a terrorist safe haven." [TU]
A federal jury awarded $200,000 in punitive damages to the plaintiff in the civil suit against Albany cop William Bonnani. If the award stands, the City of Albany will be on the hook for the money because of its union contract with the APD. Bonnani -- despite a string of complaints about the use of excessive force -- is still on the job. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Environmental groups are calling on the Spitzer administration to crack down on mercury emissions from a cement plant in Ravena. The plant is the single largest emitter of mercury in New York State, according to recently released data from the EPA. [Daily Gazette]
State police say there's evidence indicating that the crash that closed the Northway last week was an act of suicide. [AP/CBS6]
After reports that crossing guards in Schenectady weren't showing up in bad weather -- or were sitting in their cars as kids crossed the street, a councilwoman has proposed increasing the guards' salaries. "It's reprehensible we're only paying them $8.50 or whatever -- no wonder they're not showing up," she told the Gazette. [Daily Gazette]
The backers of a plan to open a food co-op in downtown Troy say it looks like the grocery store could open sometime this year, maybe as soon as the Spring. [TU]
For the third consecutive year, state assemblyman Bob Reilly (his district includes Albany and Saratoga counties) donated his entire after-tax assembly salary to charity. This year's total was $73,000. At a press conference introducing the recipients of the money, Reilly cracked that the people there were "the only group of people in New York who advocate salary increases for legislators." [Daily Gazette]
APD hot water continues to boil, Breslin gets a challenger, Big Brother looks to build cell tower in Rensselaer, principal duct taped to wall
More questions for the Albany Police Department... If a complaint is filed but no one else hears about it, does it really count? And, how long does it take for a cop to sober up before he punches the clock? [TU] [TU]
A state assemblyman has introduced a bill that's been dubbed "the Snowball's Chance in Hell Bill" -- it would require state legislators to disclose any source of income greater than $100. [NYT]
The former general manager of Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs (themselves formerly a baseball team) says he'll challenge Neil Breslin in the Democrat primary for the 46th State Senate district. [TU]
Rensselaerians (Rensselaerers? R-Towners?) are miffed that the city seems to be trying to use a new cell phone tower to connect surveillance cameras from around the city. [Troy Record]
Students at Troy High School duct taped an assistant principal to a wall yesterday -- with his permission. (It was a fundraiser for a family whose house was destroyed in a fire.) A dollar bought an arms-length piece of duct tape. [Troy Record]
Congressional race field still changing, challengers for Silver, Spitzer's shine dims, a bus full of teddy bears, Ed O'Brien to head for warmer climes
Republican Chris Callaghan says he will not run for the 21st Congressional seat. But Schenectady County legislator James Buhrmaster might. There are currently no Republicans officially in the field. [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
For the first time in more than 20 years, Sheldon Silver will have challengers in the Democratic primary for his state assembly district. [TU]
Eliot Spitzer is catching criticism for violating the spirit, if not the exact letter, of his campaign finance pledge. Spitzer's people say he's just doing what's necessarily to flip the state senate, while good-government groups are starting to think the Gov is just like the rest of them. [NYT]
Albany Common Councilman Corey Ellis is pushing for the city to have a residency requirement for city employees. [CapNews9]
A Clifton Park woman has gained fame with her teddy bear factory on wheels -- and fortune may be just down the road. [Daily Gazette]
Channel 6 morning news guy Ed O'Brien will be leaving the station in August. He says he wants to pursue a different kind of job -- maybe one involving baseball or horseracing -- somewhere warm. [Business Review]
Check the rep on your legislator, less $ expected for NY budget, take that Walgreens, man arrested for ramming patrol car
With about a month left until the budget deadline, New York legislators are looking at less money to divvy up than previously expected. Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco says legislators should think of it as an opportunity. [NYT] [Capital News 9]
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo wants to shed a little light on the reputations of NY state and local government officials. Project Sunlight is a website designed to make it easier for New York voters to find out about campaign finances, lobbying activities and voting records of their elected officials. [Troy Record]
Gas station owners say more people are filling up and taking off without paying. [TU]
Rite Aid has blocked Walgreens from putting up a store in Schenectady. The pharmacy chain bought the Brandywine Ave. lot where Walgreens was planning to put a new drug store. [Daily Gazette]
Voters in the North Colonie school district will decide on a 7 million dollar capital construction project today.
Warren County sheriffs officers arrested a man after he rammed their police car Sunday night. [Post Star]
The Siena men's hoops team beat St. Peter's 77-64 and won the MAAC regular season title, which assures them of a spot in the NIT. (To the make the NCAA tournament, they'll have to win the MAAC tournament.) [TU]
The UAlbany men's basketball team topped BU 76-64. The Danes will have the #3 seed in the America East conference tournament. [TU]
Albany Med expansion, insiders say Tonko will run, cable prices going up, pizzerias getting burned by flour prices
Albany Med plans to build a new six-story building at the corner of Myrtle and New Scotland. The project is expected to cost $360 million and will add 116 beds to the hospital. Albany Med says it's had to turn patients away during the last few years because it was out of room. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Local Democratic party insiders tell the Gazette that Paul Tonko is virtually certain to run for the 21st Congressional District seat (that's the one that's mostly made up of Albany and Schenectady counties). The former longtime assemblyman and current head of NYSERDA said publicly that he's "considering" a run. Meanwhile, Albany Democrat Lester Freeman announced he's getting into the race. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Time Warner is raising prices. Both standard and digital TV service will increase a little more than $2 a month. [TU]
The re-trial of Warren Powell has been postponed. [Troy Record]
Local pizzerias say rising flour prices are really squeezing them. The price of wheat -- and, in turn, flour -- has more than doubled in the last year. [Daily Gazette]
Niskayuna High School grad Andre Davis re-signed with the NFL's Houston Texans for $16 million dollars over four years. [Houston Chron]
Troy city hall up for sale, Soares to run again, big mercury polluter just outside Albany, Halfmoon wants attention, sportmanship gets a timeout after UAlbany game
Troy's city hall could be yours -- it's now officially up for sale. [Troy Record]
Albany County District Attorney David Soares is expected to announce today that he's running for re-election. So far, he's the only candidate in the field, though Paul Clyne -- the incumbent Soares beat four years ago -- is apparently considering a run. [TU] [Daily Politics]
State auditors wagged their fingers (so to speak) at the Town of Colonie for turning a $12.5 million surplus into a $10 million deficit in four years. Recently elected town supervisor Paula Mahan called the situation "sad." [Troy Record]
The Lafarge cement plant on 9W in Ravena was the biggest emitter of mercury in New York in 2006. Its 400 pound output was one-third of the state's total. [TU]
A 16-year-old Albany girl has been arrested for taking part in a group assault of two UAlbany students last month. [TU]
Schenectady wants Habitat for Humanity to build a "green" house with bamboo floors and solar panels -- and it wants to put up money to make it happen. But Habitat's saying "Thanks, but no." [Daily Gazette]
Halfmoon has had enough of being lumped in with Clifton Park. [Daily Gazette]
A firefighter candidate got bounced from the Saratoga probationary program because he has a fear of needles, which doesn't work out so well for paramedic training. He's now suing. [Saratogian]
There was a shoving match last night between the coaches after the UAlbany men's hoops team topped Binghamton 74-52 on the road. [Daily Gazette]
Republican state senate majority cut to one, AMD says it will do its best to be clean, district spends thousands to fire teacher, hunters bag more bears
In what's being described as an upset, Democrat -- and dairy farmer -- Darrel Aubertine won the special election for the 48th State Senate District yesterday. The win cuts the Republican majority in the Senate to just one seat. Joe Bruno says the Democrats used "dirty tricks" during the campaign, while the state Democratic Party chairwoman described the Republican campaign as "the dirtiest onslaught I have seen in 30 years in politics." They might just be warming up for November when the seat up for grabs again. [TU] [Daily News] [Daily Politics]
Not surprisingly, people seem to be happy that the special election is over. Capital staffers can return from the frozen reaches of NY to Albany. And the residents of the district around Watertown can stop being treated, in the words of a newspaper editor there, "like rubes and country bumpkins rather than the geographic descendants of Remington, Dewey, Woolworth, Lansing, Dulles and Rogers." [NYT]
AMD says it will be using state-of-the-art environmental controls at the chip fab plant in Luther Forest. Or, at least, it says it will be using state-of-the-art environmental controls IF the project goes forward. The company still hasn't said it's definitely building the plant. [Daily Gazette]
A teacher in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk school district has sued the district alleging there's been a conspiracy to oust him from his job. The district has admitted to spending $65,000 trying to fire the teacher -- which is more than he makes in a year. [TU]
Hunters in New York State killed 1,117 bears last year, including 12 in Saratoga County and six in Albany County. That state-wide total is up 40 percent over the year before. [Daily Gazette]
Housing market still cool, AMD plan sort of going forward, retired race horoses get task force, man has to sell his tigers
The local housing market continues to stumble and plod along. The number of single-family home sales in January were down 20 percent from the same period the year before. And the median sale price in January increased one percent to $191,750. [TU] [Business Review]
AMD still hasn't committed to building that chip fab plant in Malta, but it says it would like to get all the necessary permits together so that it could starting building next January. The proposed plan also now includes about 250 more jobs, bringing the total to 1,465. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The retrial of Warren Powell starts today in Hudson. The Halfmoon man was convicted in 1997 of strangling his pregnant wife and dumping her body in the Hudson River. An appeals court overturned the 1997 conviction because of problems with jury selection. [Saratogian]
New York State has formed the New York State Task Force on Retired Race Horses, which will look for ways to keep the horses from ending up in slaughterhouses. [Daily Gazette]
Now that he's been convicted of forging insurance documents, the owner of a private zoo in Greenwich won't be allowed to own leopards, tigers, lions or ligers. But he can keep his bears. [Saratogian]
Mare Ristorante in Saratoga is up for sale. List price: $550,000. [Business Review]
State politicians focus on... Oswego, another knifing at UAlbany, the bus to Saratoga is hot, Siena makes a stop in South Dakota
The focus of state politics is not on Albany this week, but rather the area around... Oswego. A special election there tomorrow for the 48th State Senate District has political types hopped up because the outcome could go a long way toward determing whether Republicans retain control of the state senate. [NYT]
Schenectady is looking to increase penalties for landlords who keep rental properties vacant. Albany passed a similar ordinance last month. [TU]
There was another fight between UAlbany students that involved a knife over the weekend. That makes two student-on-student stabbings or slashings in the last month. [TU] [Capital News 9]
The post office in downtown Saratoga Springs, described as a "treasure," will be getting some rehab, including a new skylight. [Saratogian]
The hot way to get to and from Saratoga? The bus. Yeah, CDTA was surprised, too. [TU]
If you can figure out who broke into the home of a Glen's Falls man, he'll give you a Corvette convertible. [Troy Record]
The Siena men's hoops team won its Bracket Busters game at Boise State on Saturday 93-70. The trip home wasn't so easy. The Saints made an unscheduled stop in South Dakota. [TU]
The 11th ranked UAlbany men's lacrosse team lost to No. 1 Johns Hopkins 10-5 Saturday in Baltimore. [TU]
Political antics on the web, probation for pharmacy college, eviction for Golden Fox, the guy in the picture didn't actually do it
Phil Steck, one of the candidates running for the Democratic nomination for the 21st congressional district, is accusing one of his fellow Democrats of "cybersquatting" domains that include his name. Steck says consultants connected with Tracey Brooks have snapped up PhilSteck.org and other similar urls. Apparently Brooks' people have also done this for variations on Paul Tonko's name, too. [WNYT]
Republicans in Guilderland have accused the town's economic development director of "fraud and abuse." Why? They say he posted comments to a TU blog while on the clock. (TU Local Politics has background -- it sounds a little like an outtake from the movie Mean Girls.) [TU]
The amount wagered at Capital OTBs was down about four percent last year from the year before. [TU]
The Albany College of Pharmacy has been put on probation after an accreditation organization said the school isn't moving quickly enough toward an interactive curriculum. (Apparently traditional lecture-type classes are, um, old-school.) [Daily Gazette]
The 10-story office building at 100 State in Albany sold for $3.5 million. The investors behind the deal plan to spend $1.3 million on renovations, including restoration of the building's clock tower. [Business Review] [Daily Gazette]
An eviction notice is on its way to the owner of the Golden Fox restaurant in Troy. The city says the owner is $27,000 behind on his taxes and it wants to secure the building's furnishing to help cover the debt. Apparently the plasma TVs have already found the exit, though. [TU]
A man convicted this week of burglary and menacing in Schenectady County Court tried to pass off the picture that came with a frame as a photo of the "real" perp. Prosecutors were suspicious of the photo, but weren't sure until an employee in the DA's office noticed the exact same picture on the shelf at a Wal-Mart. [TU]
New Price Chopper HQ, makeover for Pizza Block, Saratoga mayor asks what's the big deal, Skidmore scored big in 2007
The Golub Corporation got approval to move ahead with its plan to build a new headquarters for Price Chopper across the street from Union College in Schenectady. The $22 million project includes a number of design elements aimed at making it environmentally friendly. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The infamous "Pizza Block" in Schenectady (just down the street from Proctor's) is getting knocked down in order to build a new string of store fronts. The Pizza King had been the block's only tenant -- The Metroplex authority bought the owner out for $110,000. [Daily Gazette]
An Albany cop injured on the job in 2001 was awarded $3.1 million in a civil suit against the guy who hit his police cruiser and the guy's former employer. [TU]
The mayor of Saratoga Springs questioned why his choice to post bail for a local luxury home builder accused of fraud got so much attention. Scott Johnson told the Saratogian that bailing his family's friend out was "the most decent and compassionate thing to do." [Saratogian]
It looks like the developer behind Harmony Mills condos in Cohoes will get a shot to redevelop the Victory Mills building outside Saratoga. Fun fact about the Victory Mills building: they used to make the wrappers for the old Listerine glass bottles there. [Saratogian]
Skidmore scored almost $57 million in charitable contributions last year. That's tops among colleges and universities in the Capital Region and good for 8th in the nation. The bulk of the money came from a donation by Arthur Zankel. [Business Review]
Wind turbines in Adirondacks, NY Dems worried, mayor posts bail for friend, mom told to stop breastfeeding in public
A plan to build wind turbines in the Adirondacks is catching opposition from local environmental groups -- aesthetics and mountainside ecological damage are among the concerns. [Post-Star]
New York Democratic Party leaders are watching the Clinton-Obama race and starting to wonder if the two candidates should "get their act together" (Charlie Rangel's words) and work something out. [NYT]
Remember that story about the two guys who accused Troy cops of roughing them up unnecessarily after a chase into Menands last month? One of those guys got arrested again Monday night. [Troy Record]
The mayor of Saratoga Springs is defending his choice to post bail for a local luxury home builder who's been accused of fraud. (It seems the sons of the two men are friends.) One of the people who says they've been defrauded says the mayor's face will soon be meeting egg. [TU]
An Albany woman says an employee at the New York State Museum told her to stop breastfeeding in public there. It seems the employee doesn't actually know the rules, though -- the museum has no prohibition against breast feeding anywhere in the building. [WNYT]
Hard billing legislators, McCain pretty popular here, new security for Amtrak, phone trouble for Saratoga cops, Corning Estate for sale, Saints lose
Congratulations Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper (D-Long Island), you're the winner of this year's "Who among legislators can log the most in per diem expenses" contest! This year's winning total: $36,452. [NYT]
A Siena poll reports that both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are leading John McCain in New York -- but not by as much as you might have thought. [Troy Record]
Warren Redlich, one-time Congressional candidate and current Guilderland town board member, stirred the pot recently after he called two candidate's for the town's police chief job "political flunkies" in a comment on a TU blog. It turns his comments may be a violation of state law. [TU]
Amtrak will start randomly searching passenger bags this week. Also coming to train platforms this week: officers with automatic weapons and bomb-sniffing dogs. [AP]
Apparently the phones at police headquarters in Saratoga Springs have a problem: they sometimes just don't work. At all. [Saratogian]
The Corning Estate is up for sale. It can be yours for $2.2 million. [TU]
The Siena men's hoops team lost on the road to Manhattan 73-72. A win would have put the Saints in first place in the MAAC. [TU]
Report: STAR backfired, NYRA has big plans, watch that purse, lions return to Saratoga, sodium chloride
The STAR program was supposed to help ease the property tax burden on homeowners, but a think tank reports that the program really just kept people from noticing how fast taxes were rising. New York now has the highest per capita property taxes in the country. [Saratogian]
NYRA's planning improvements at New York's three race tracks -- there's just some question as whether it will actually have the money to pursue them. The issue: the when, where and how for those video slot machines. [Troy Record]
East Greenbush cops say there have been a string of purse thefts in supermarkets and big-box discount stores. [Troy Record]
Saratoga Springs' commission of public works has big plans for the front of the city hall -- granite stairs, radiant heat, maybe a bell tower and... lions. [Daily Gazette]
Almost everything you ever wanted to know about road salt. And, yes, it is basically the same stuff that we put on french fries. [TU]
College fund for girl has money -- but no girl, Northern Lights files for bankruptcy, The Police will play here, return of the flamingos
In 1997 a three-year-old girl saw her mother murdered in Troy. Shocked by how sad the case was, the Troy Police Benevolent Association started a college fund for her. The good news: the fund now has about $50,000. The unfortunate news: the PBA has no idea where the girl is now. [Troy Record]
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is buying a big chunk of land in the Adirondacks from the Nature Conservancy. The preservation group bought the land last year from a paper company for $110 million. [Post-Star]
The hot amenity for new condos: indoor parking. (By the way, the Mooradian Lofts project -- which didn't have indoor parking -- has been put on hold.) [TU] [Troy Record]
Northern Lights has filed for bankruptcy. The Clifton Park music venue filed Chapter 11 (that's the "reorganization" bankruptcy), so presumably it will try to stay open. [Daily Gazette]
The Police will play a show at SPAC on August 1. The message in the bottle: send money. The cheapest ticket will be $93. [Saratogian]
The carousel has re-opened at the New York State Museum. Four-year-olds voice approval. [Daily Gazette]
The flamingos have returned to Schenectady's Stockade. [Daily Gazette]
The UAlbany men's hoops team topped Maine 74-60 on the road. [TU]
NYRA deal set, road salt supplies low, builder accused of fraud, free wi-fi for Saratoga?
The NYRA deal is set. The state legislature passed a bill yesterday approving it. [TU]
Hillary Clinton helped snag more than $340 million in Congressional "earmarks" last year for New York State, according to a watchdog group. That made her one of the Senate's top 10 earmarkers. [Washington Post]
Road crews around the region report that they're running low on road salt -- and deliveries aren't arriving as expected. [Daily Gazette]
A local luxury homebuilder has been accused of defrauding customers of more than $200,000. [Troy Record]
Saratoga Springs is looking at the possibility of building a free wi-fi network in the city. [Daily Gazette]
On the south side of Troy, residents say they like to keep real estate sales in the neighborhood, somewhat to the chagrin of real estate agents. [TU]
NYRA deal comes together, Republicans back opponent for Gillibrand, landfill questions, Spitzer plan irks Amazon, will it flush?
It looks like a NYRA deal has finally come together. The short story: the state gets the deeds to Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct; NYRA gets a 25 year contract to run the tracks; NYRA also gets a three seat majority on its board; and the state comptroller will now get to look over the association's books. With word of the deal, Saratoga breathes a sigh of relief. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Republican establishment is backing Sandy Treadwell to run against Kirsten Gillibrand in the 21st Congressional District. [Post-Star]
The state DEC wants more details from the city of Albany about the plan to expand the Rapp Road landfill. If the DEC's questions slow down the expansion, the city could be in a tight spot because the dump's current capacity will be maxed out by the end of next year. Albany also makes about $13 million a year taking trash from a bunch of other municipalities. [TU]
Spitzer's budget includes another attempt to tax online sales -- and Amazon is not happy. [AP]
"Will it flush?" seems to be a favorite game for inmates at the Schenectady County jail. As a result, the facility is installing a "grinder" on its sewer line. Popular items to send down the toilet: blankets, uniforms, underwear, socks, shirts, plastic bags. [Daily Gazette]
No run for Stratton, NYRA deal stuck again, the Gov's text messages, buried cars could be towed, Danes win on the road
Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton says he won't run for the Congressional seat that Mike McNulty is leaving at the end of this year. Stratton's dad, Sam, had held the seat before McNulty. [Daily Gazette]
NYRA's chairman says negotiations over the racing franchise are now going backward. The racing operator is threatening to stop racing at Aqueduct on Thursday -- and there's some fear the season at Saratoga may now be in jeopardy. [Saratogian]
The New York State archivist worries we're losing out on important historical items by not archiving the governor's emails and text messages. [TU]
Cars buried in snow on Schenectady streets can now be towed -- whether there's a snow emergency or not. A new ordinance allows the city to bring out "the hook" if a care isn't cleared after 48 hours. [Daily Gazette]
UAlbany topped Vermont last night 64-61 in Burlington. The men's hoops team is now 12-12 overall, 7-5 in the America East. [TU]
NYRA deal still not done, Salvation Army kettles empty, eBay buying back stolen state documents, a very wrong number, big win for Siena
The Spitzer budget people are now projecting lower tax revenue for 2008-2009, but NYRA's bailout is still in the mix. Or at least, it's in the mix if they can work out a deal to extend the racing franchise, which apparently they still have not. [TU]
The Salvation Army has closed one of its local soup kitchens after its red kettle holiday fund raising campaign fell short. [TU]
eBay has agreed to buy back -- and then return -- many of the historic documents stolen from the New York State archives. [AP/Troy Record]
When you think a "couple of plants," how many marijuana plants might that be? To a guy in Hudson it means, oh, say... 89 of them. [Capital News 9]
A group in Mechanicville recently took out a newspaper ad with the names of everyone it could find who owes back taxes to the city, including the city's attorney (apparently he owes $129). [Saratogian]
The toll-free New York State Smokers' Quit Line phone number starts with 866. The same number starting with 800 or 888 goes to a phone sex service. As one woman who dialed the wrong number told the Gazette, "I thought New York had a new answer on how to quit smoking." [Daily Gazette]
Siena topped Rider 80-77 yesterday on a last second shot by Josh Duell. The men's hoops team is now 16-8 and 11-3 in the MAAC, which is good enough for a first place tie with Rider. [TU]
A possible NYRA deal, state of the city Troy edition, Schenectady reconsiders fluoride, shedding light on Troy
It looks like Spitzer, Silver and Bruno have more or less agreed on a new deal for NYRA. But apparently the racing association is not on board and it's still threatening to shut down Aqueduct next week. [TU]
During his state of the city address, Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian called for a city-wide property task assessment and continued his push to move city hall to the Verizon building on 6th. The word "boondoggle" also came up in reference to the Atrium. [Record]
Schenectady might stop putting fluoride in its water -- and dentists aren't too happy about it. [Daily Gazette]
A developer is looking to shed some light -- red and blue -- on the architecture in Troy's Hedley District (just north of downtown). [TU]
Record turnouts, potential pink slips and a $14 million shortfall
Tuesday's presidential primary brought out a record number of Albany democrats. Counting absentee ballots, it looks like about 40 thousand of the city's 90 thousand democrats voted Tuesday. That's in line with statewide numbers. Only 22 percent of Republicans turned out at Albany polls. [TU]
Some NYRA employees may be getting pink slips for Valentine's Day. The New York Racing Association is bracing for layoffs and cutbacks that could affect some of its Saratoga Springs employees. NYRA is preparing to halt racing at Aqueduct on February 13. Some folks at NYRA are holding out hope that an agreement may be coming soon. [Saratogian]
The town of Colonie is $14 million in debt. Supervisor Paula Mahan announced yesterday that it may take as long as ten years to make up the shortfall. Seven years ago the town had a 12 million dollar surplus . [Daily Gazette]
A former aide to Hillary Clinton is running for Mike McNulty's 21st Congressional District seat. Democrat Tracey Brooks has announced her candidacy. McNulty will retire in December. [TU]
Primary results, the Donald puts up cash against Gillibrand, glowing hot fork torture, Van Dyck headed for sale
Hillary Clinton got the most votes in yesterday's New York Democratic presidential primary. While the total vote count is important, the number of delegates won is even more so. The Democrats make figuring that number a little difficult, and the breakdown of how New York delegates will be allocated to Hillary and Barack Obama is still to be determined. As for the Republicans, John McCain won big and the GOP keeps things simple -- winner pretty much takes all. [NYT]
It seems that a lot of the area's prominent business people backed Rudy Giuliani, who didn't even make it this far in the race for the Republican nomination. [Business Review]
And don't forget about Congressional elections. New York's 20th district is sure to get a lot of attention. Republicans are already lining up to take on Kirsten Gillibrand. Donald Trump has even thrown some money behind one of the potential challengers. Gillibrand has raised the most money so far, though -- some of it coming from the Zagats (of guide fame). [Daily Gazette]
Two Watervliet men have been accused of torturing a witness with a glowing hot fork. [TU]
A law student is accusing an Albany County legislator of harassing her. The legislator denies the accusations, though he does acknowledge talking to her in the process of campaigning. "If it moved, I asked for their vote," said the legislator. [TU]
The court-appointed attorney handling the sale of the Van Dyck says he expects the Schenectady Stockade landmark to be sold within the next 90 days. [Daily Gazette]
Police chase, Ch 10 for sale?, big crowds expected for Giants training, Tulip Fest gets fired up
Police say a Troy man (and rape suspect) told his mom he was going to get police to kill him and on Monday afternoon he came pretty close to getting his wish. [Record]
The parent company of WTEN Channel 10 may be thinking about selling the station. [TU]
The Ballston Avenue Price Chopper in Saratoga is expanding -- and it looks like the Railroad Place Price Chopper may be closing. [Saratogian]
After the Giants Super Bowl win, UAlbany is expecting record crowds for this summer's training camp. [Daily Gazette]
If the Tulip Festival just doesn't seem to have the zing it used to, organizers are planning something new this year to spice things up: a $100,000 floating steel tulip and lilly pads that catch on fire. [TU]
Bruno investigation, UAlbany stabbing, Saratoga state of the city, tough weekend for Siena and RPI, Top Model tryouts
The feds have subpoenaed a handful of local unions as part of the investigation into Joe Bruno's work with an investment group in Connecticut. Bruno quit the job in December after the job got attention for its conflict of interest potential. [TU]
A UAlbany student has been charged after an argument early Friday morning in a cab ended up with another student getting stabbed. [TU]
Scott Johnson, the mayor of Saratoga Springs, called for keeping a closer eye on spending in his first state of the city address. He also pledged to start a series of townhall-type meetings around the city with citizens. [Saratogian]
Troy police shut down the Cloud 9 club (it's the one near the Troy-Green Island Bridge, by where the farmers' market sets up) on accusations of prostitution after an undercover investigation. [TU]
The Siena men's hoops team lost 89-75 to Rider in a game shown on ESPN2. [Daily Gazette]
RPI hockey's streak of 17 straight wins in the Freakout ended with a 4-0 loss to Princeton. [Daily Gazette]
Organizers of the America's Next Top Model tryouts at Colonie Center had to stop taking applications an hour before the event was over because of huge turnout. [Daily Gazette]
Statement in Albany triple murder, cemetery fails to bury man, secretary docked pay for mammogram hour, is that a shotgun in your alligator?
In a statement to police, the man accused of the Albany triple murder details a night of drinking, smoking pot, watching "Coming to America," and then anger about a life that seemed stuck. "I just lost control -- there is no sugarcoating it. ... took three lives. Just because I let the little things in my life ... I let it get the best of me," Jovan Underword reportedly told police. [TU]
After a cemetery being overseen by Waterford failed to bury a man's casket, his sister had to do the job. [TU]
A secretary in Saratoga Springs City Hall is suing the city after her pay was docked for the hour she took to get a mammogram. A state law requires municipalities to give their employees time off for mammograms and prostate screenings, but it doesn't say people have to be paid. [Saratogian]
A Schenectady man was convicted of having a sawed off shotgun in his stuffed alligator. [AP/WNYT]
An arrest in the Albany triple murder, cost of the conventer center doubles, upscale apartments for Schenectady, old but still good
Three men were found murdered Wednesday in an apartment on Delaware Avenue in Albany. The men were shot and the APD says it appears at least one of the men knew the shooter. The police have a suspect in custody and he'll arraigned this morning. [TU]
The Albany Convention Center Authority announced that the price tag for the project is now almost $400 million. That's about $200 million than the state has pledged to chip in. Jerry Jennings says he's not so sure about the project now. [TU]
The vacant Woodlawn School in Schenectady is being turned into upscale apartments. Eighteen units are planned for the building, with rents ranging $1000 - $1800 per month. [Daily Gazette]
A Clifton Park man redeemed a 41-year-old gift certificate at a Hot Dog Charlie's yesterday. He had won the certificate after pitching a no-hitter in the Albany Twilight Baseball League in 1967. [WNYT]
Something stinks in Schenectady, VLTs in Albany?, SUNY enrollment hits another record, big plans for Stewart
Schnectady stinks. No, really. The city's sewage treatment plant had to turn off blowers at its compost facility. City-wide stinkiness ensued. [Daily Gazette]
Jerry Jennings would like to see video lottery terminals in Albany, but others aren't so sure it's a good, um, bet. [CBS6]
SUNY's enrollment has hit a record high, the 10th consecutive year it's done that. [Business Review]
But a lot of those students aren't sticking around after graduation. Silda Wall Spitzer is trying to stem upstate's exodus of young professionals. [TU]
WTEN Channel 10 let a bunch of people go yesterday, including morning anchor Alyssa Van Wie, sports guy Brian Sinkoff, weatherman Chris Gloninger and reporter John Craig. [TU]
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has big plans for Stewart Airport. These plans don't include landing the space shuttle there, but apparently you theoretically could. [AP]
Home prices up just a little, a bathroom for the women of the Saratoga police, RPI rakes it in, a million dollar winner
Area home prices were relatively flat last year, with the median sale price up 2 percent from the year before. Saratoga County actually saw home prices fall 1 percent. [Daily Gazette]
The Long Island pharmacist at the center of the Soares steroid investigation has apparently killed himself.[AP/TU]
The 121-year-old headquarters of the Saratoga Springs police department is finally getting a women-only bathroom and changing area. [TU]
RPI's endowment grew more than $130 million last year. Now at $813 million, the Institute has the largest endowment among area schools. Union college is second at $370 million and Skidmore third at $287 million. [Business Review]
Saratoga is getting a Don Shula's -- sort of. The chain of high-end steak houses is opening a "Shula's 347," which is a mid-priced version of the restaurants named after the football coach. [Saratogian]
A retired woman from Stillwater bought a $5 scratch-off lotto ticket and won a million bucks, face-time with Yolanda Vega. [Record]
Stolen state artifacts on EBay, local film wins at Sundance, Thruway Authority scolded, the oldest house in Saratoga
An employee from the state department of education has been arrested on the accusation that she stole hundreds of artifacts from then New York State Cultural Education Center -- and then sold them on EBay. [CBS6]
"Frozen River," a film written and directed by Chatham's Courtney Hunt -- and shot in Plattsburgh, took the top prize at Sundance. It's already been picked up by Sony Pictures Classics. [TU]
The state comptroller says the NYS Thruway Authority shouldn't be raising tolls and that it "could manage its finances a whole lot better." [Business Review]
The McCain campaign has opened an office in Waterford. [Fox23]
The oldest house in Saratoga Springs is up for sale. The current owners say they'd like to find someone who will preserve the house. [Saratogian]
Siena came back from 14 to beat Iona 64-51 on the road. The men's hoops team is now 13-7, 8-2 in the MAAC. [Daily Gazette]
Presidential campaigns set up here, big development planned for Slingerlands, pay raises for legislators, the wrong campus
The Clinton and Obama campaigns have opened local offices as they look ahead to the February 5 NY primary. The Clinton camp set up on South Pearl in Albany, while Obama's people are in West Hill. Said Clinton supporter Mike Breslin: "This is not ceremonial; this is business, baby." [Daily Gazette]
Work could start as soon as this summer on a mixed-use development just of Rt. 85 near the Price Chopper in Slingerlands. Offices, banks, coffee places, a high-end restaurant, condos and an organic food store are all in the plans. [TU]
Word around the campfire at the state capitol is that that Governor Spitzer has agreed to support a pay raise for legislators. NY currently has the third-highest legislator salaries in the nation. Base pay is $79,500, but some earn more than $100,000. [NYT]
Spamalot didn't just draw big crowds to Proctor's -- it drew record-breaking crowds. The Monty Python musical sold more than $1.1 million in tickets. [Daily Gazette]
Siena got thwacked last night at Loyola 85-56. The Saints are now 12-7 and 7-2 in the MAAC. [TU]
Coming home from drinking downtown, a completely bombed UAlbany student smashed through a door at the Harriman state office campus and ended up sleeping in a second-floor hallway of the Department of Taxation and Finance Building. Police say the student was trying to get back to his dorm. [TU]
New tall building for Saratoga, Phish singer in jail, Rolex in the trash, UAlbany loses
It looks like a new four-story mixed use building will be going up right off of Broadway in Saratoga Springs. The development at 30 Lake Ave will include shops on the bottom two floors and condos in the rest of the space. [Saratogian]
Trey Anastasio, the singer for Phish, spent two days in a Washington County jail last week after he missed a drug counseling session. Anastasio got pulled over last December for DUI. [Post-Star]
Two Albany landfill workers found and returned a Rolex that had been accidentally dropped in the trash. [TU]
UAlbany lost at home to Maine 80-71. The men's hoops team is now 9-10 overall and 4-3 in the America East. [TU]
State budget, emailing clerk quits, something might stink, study abroad investigation
Eliot Spitzer proposed a $124 billion state budget, a little more than 5 percent increase over last year. Reaction ranges from "too much" (Bruno) to "generally pleased" (Silver). [TU]
That Schenectady city hall clerk who sent the nasty email to the mother of the child who died in a bike accident has resigned. [AP/CBS6]
The city of Mechanicville is threatening to cut off its own school district's sewer line. Apparently the city has wanted to inspect the school's sewer line for overflow problems, but the school has been unresponsive. [Record]
The New York State AG's office has subpoenaed Siena College as part of a larger investigation of a study-abroad business. It seems Andrew Cuomo's office thinks the relationship between the company and schools might present a conflict of interest. The investigation is focusing on more than a dozen schools, including Cornell and Harvard. [TU]
Albany DA to investigate Troy cops, the budget flu shot, easy win for Siena
David Soares' office says it will into the alleged use of excessive force by Troy police in Menands. The two men arrested Friday night are now being represented by Terry Kindlon, who calls the situation "a Rodney King-type incident." Kindlon asked Soares to get involved because of says he doesn't trust the Troy PD and, in a letter, called its investigation a "charade." [TU] [Record]
Governor Spitzer compares his proposed budget, which is out today, to a flu shot: "You know there's a momentary sting, but it's good for you in the long run." [WXXI Public Radio]
Siena took it to Canisus last night in a 77-49 win at home. The Saints are now 7-1 in the MAAC. [Daily Gazette]
Morning Blend: Troy cops taking heat, Rennselaer looking up, Wiiiiiii!
The Troy PD is investigating a claim that two of its officers used excessive force while arresting two men after a chase into Menands Friday night. The police say the men were considered dangerous, but people who witnessed the arrest -- including Albany-famous publicist Libby Post -- say the officers' treatment of the suspects appeared extreme. [TU]
The pastor of a Troy Catholic church has been accused of abusing a teenager in the 1980s. The priest has served at a handful of churches around the Capitol Region. [TU]
There's a sense in Rensselaer that things are looking up in the city... and not just because people are craning their necks to look at the Albany skyline. Of course, the view doesn't hurt. [Record]
Guitar Hero III was the best selling game of 2007, according to its publisher. Vicarious Visions, a game studio based in Menands, developed GH3 for the Wii. [Business Review]
Morning Blend: tasers, budget shortfall, RPI applications
Saratoga cops are getting tasers, looking to quell Caroline Street rowdiness with them. [Saratogian]
New York State's revenue projections for aren't looking so hot. Estimates are that the state will have more than a billion dollars less next year than it thought it would. "We're very nervous about next year," the governor's budget expert says. [TU]
A clerk in Schnectady's city hall has been supsended after accusing the mother of a boy who was hit and killed while riding his bike in 2005 that she wasn't watching her children. The accusation was sent via email -- from a city address -- after an exchange on Craigslist. [TU]
RPI reports that it's received a record number of applications for next year, more than 11,000 total. The school's application counts have doubled over the last decade. And the number of young women applying has tripled during the last three years. [Business Review]
Morning Blend: State of Upstate, Jeanne Neff retires, convention center cost, Saratoga botanical garden
Eliot Spitzer delivered the first "State of Upstate" speech yesterday in Buffalo. He said the the part of NY that's not the city is facing and economic storm. His solution? Take $1 billion and spray it all over upstate (OK, not literally, but close). Also part of the plan? Everyone's favorite economic development idea: tech parks! [NYT]
Jeanne Neff, president of the Sage Colleges, announced she's retiring in June. She's headed up the school for 13 years. [TU]
Remember that plan for a convention center in Albany? The projected cost is now $325 million -- that's $125 million more than the original estimate. [CBS6]
There's a small movement to build a botanical garden at Saratoga Spa State Park. An official says it's "a nice idea," but he's not sure where it would fit. [Saratogian]
Morning Blend: state cash, Saratoga rentals, fake helicopter pilots
New York State's Restore NY program announced it was dropping more than $13 million on projects around the region. Albany's getting $3.3 million to build a pair on buildings on New Scotland in the Park South neighborhood. Schnectady is getting $2.5 million to renovate the Center City Sports Complex. And Troy is getting the same amount to knock down city hall for river front development. [TU]
Colonie showed off its new system for videotaping interrogations in serious crimes. You might have thought that local law enforcement agencies are already doing that, but apparently they're not. APD chief James Tuffey says it's too expensive. [TU]
The state still hasn't worked out what's up with the New York racing franchise, but a real estate agent says that hasn't stopped the track season rental market from heating up in Saratoga. [Saratogian]
Thinking it might be cool to go around acting like you're a helicopter pilot for the state? Well, it turns out that's probably illegal. [CBS6]
Morning Blend: Barbara Bruno, cellphone drivers, Saratoga fountain makeover
+ Almost all the big names in state government were at Barbara Bruno's funeral yesterday. After "outvoting" his children, Joe Bruno gave the eulogy, recounting how his wife "really disliked politicians" and taught him how to speak proper English. He also reportedly hugged Eliot Spitzer. [NYT]
+ Troy police got $15,000 from the state to go after people who talk on their cellphones while driving. The Troy PD says it will be targeting areas around high schools and colleges. [TU]
+ City officials in Troy are fighting over how they should get Rennselaer to pay $3.5 million in unpaid water bills. [Troy Record]
+ The historic Morrissey Fountain in Saratoga's Congress Park is getting a makeover. [TU]
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?