Morning Blend
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"