From the Troy Record

Schodack Central School District's energy savings rewarded with grant

The Schodack Central School District is one of 12 across the state to receive a portion of a $9 million grant as a reward for finding $9 million in energy savings.

School districts across the state were invited to apply for the grant by demonstrating how innovative cost-savings were implemented in their districts. The dozen schools found efficiencies and savings in their district’s operations, in areas such as transportation, maintenance staff, and administrative support. As models, these districts will serve as roadmaps for other districts to follow when containing costs which continue to escalate every year.

“Our education system must become more efficient and direct spending away from the bureaucracy into the classroom,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “The 12 districts we are awarding today stand out as leading examples and will serve as models for other districts across the state.”

Schodack was awarded $298,761 over three years for identifying a total of $331,956 in eligible savings by consolidating and reducing central office administrative responsibilities and positions and installing solar panels.

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Police search for man who stole tip jar

EAST GREENBUSH - Police have released surveillance pictures of a man they say was really determined to get his hands on a tip jar.

The man is seen here trying to break down the door at Grand Premier Tire on Columbia Turnpike, last Thursday.

Police say it took several tries, but he finally got in.

The stolen jar had several hundred dollars inside.

Anyone with information is asked to call East Greenbush Police.

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For Immediate Release

   Photo and press opportunity                                             

Major General Donald L. Rutherford

23rd Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army to Address Wounded Warriors in Troy, NY

Troy, NY- STRIDE Adaptive Sports welcomes 21 Wounded Warriors with their families to the Capital Region for a weekend of healing through sports. Arriving in Troy, they will spend four days touring the capitol of New York State, and then join STRIDE team of instructors at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort learning how to ski and snowboard Saturday and Sunday. 

Perv Patrol?

East Greenbush PD attempting to identify a man accused of forcible touching

Posted: Mar 06, 2013 4:41 AM EST 

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y.--The East Greenbush Police Department is attempting to identify the white male depicted in the photo wearing a blue colored jacket and tan pants. The victim reported the suspect to have forcibly touched her buttocks while she was shopping at the East Greenbush Wal-Mart store early Tuesday morning. She was in the presence of her 18-month-old son at the time of the reported incident. The suspect then fled the store in the white vehicle also pictured.
Anyone who is familiar with the subject is encouraged to contact the East Greenbush Police Department at (518) 479-2525.

Headlines that caught my eye

Police: Parent had gun at school

RENSSELAER — Police on Monday arrested a Hudson man they say displayed a concealed handgun to Doane Stuart School officials inside the school Monday.

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Overlooked evidence leads to mistrial

Roberts asked Judge Andrew Ceresia to declare a mistrial with prejudice, alleging prosecutorial misconduct had permanently tainted his client's case.

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Hugo Chavez Dead: Venezuela's President Dies At 58, Vice President Nicolas Maduro Says

Chavez had been fighting cancer since 2011, and had chosen Venezuelan Vice President Nicolás Maduro as his heir-apparent when it became clear that health concerns might force him from office.

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106-year-old Mass. man gets high school diploma

BEVERLY, Mass. (AP) — Fred Butler was married for 65 years, raised five children, served in the Army during World War II and worked for years for the local water department, but the fact he never earned a high school diploma always bothered him.

Not anymore.

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State Trooper Stabbed At Empire State Plaza

Sunday, March 3 2013, 04:33 PM EST

Updated: Sunday, March 3 2013, 11:15 PM EST

UPDATE : 9:45 p.m.
ALBANY - A state trooper patrolling the concourse of the Empire State Plaza was stabbed in the neck Saturday afternoon after a man approached him and began a conversation.
State and local police, including police dogs, were searching for the man.

According to state police, the attacker struck Trooper Rodney Smith with a steak knife several times around 3:15 p.m. while he was checking the man’s identification.

Smith was cut on the left side of his neck, his face, arms and hands. After a brief struggle the man ran off with Smith’s radio.

Police say Smith called for help on a phone and was rushed to Albany Medical Center where he had surgery and is expected to fully recover.

"Our troopers can find themselves in dangerous and sometimes life threatening situations on any given day,” said State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Smith’s family."

Trooper Smith is a 15-year veteran of the New York State Police.

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ALBANY - Police and K-9 units are searching for a homeless they believe stabbed a State Trooper with a large kitchen knife.

It happened on the Concourse level of the Empire State Plaza this afternoon.

Police say the Trooper, identified as Rodney Smith, is out of surgery.

He's listed in stable condition at Albany Medical Center.
Officers believe the homeless man has the Trooper's radio in his possession.

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ALBANY - State Troopers and Albany Police have closed the Concourse at the Empire State Plaza after a state trooper was stabbed in the neck. 

He has been transported to the emergency room. His condition has not yet been released.

Albany Police are investigating. Extra officers have been called to the scene to assist. 

Jennifer Lewke is on the scene. You can follow her on twitter at @CBS6Jennifer

State paid $1M to settle gov't sex harassment cases

Posted: Mar 04, 2013 5:25 PM EST

Updated: Mar 04, 2013 5:25 PM EST

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Records obtained by The Associated Press show that state officials spent more than $1 million in public money over the past four years to settle sexual harassment claims against state workers.

Almost half of the cases were settled in court last year as Albany was embroiled in a scandal over a $103,000 settlement paid to women who accused Assemblyman Vito Lopez of sexual harassment. Lopez has denied harassing anyone and was easily re-elected to his Brooklyn seat in November.

The records obtained under the state Freedom of Information Law show 13 women and one man brought cases against several agencies.

The largest payout was for $650,000.

Records from the state comptroller show millions more in cash settlements, but don't identify which cases involved sexual harassment claims.

Film Screening: The Economics of Happiness

Thursday, March 7 at 7 PM @ the Castleton Library

"The Economics of Happiness describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. On the one hand, an unholy alliance of governments and big business continues to promote globalization and the consolidation of corporate power. At the same time, people all over the world are resisting those policies, demanding a re-regulation of trade and finance—and, far from the old institutions of power, they’re starting to forge a very different future. Communities are coming together to re-build more human scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm – an economics of localization." 

Visit www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org for more information about the film.