December 30, 2015

What stands between you and your ultimate dream?

The Writing Assignment That Changes Lives
Updated July 10, 20159:19 AM ETPublished July 10, 20158:03 AM ET

Why do you do what you do? What is the engine that keeps you up late at night or gets you going in the morning? Where is your happy place? What stands between you and your ultimate dream?

December 29, 2015

Violent collision on Interstate-90

Corrections officer killed on his way home from work in Rensselaer County
Updated: 12/29/2015 12:24 PM Created: 12/29/2015 7:37 AM WNYT.com WNYT Staff

Police say a corrections officer was killed during a violent collision on Interstate-90 in Rensselaer County.
It happened at a time when the roads were extremely slippery, around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

December 22, 2015

Another business gives Schodack a pass.

Looks like Project Red is Dead

Food distributor drops plans for large Schodack distribution centerReporter Albany Business ReviewDec 16, 2015, 3:00pm EST Updated Dec 16, 2015, 4:35pm EST

McLane Foodservice is dropping plans to build a large grocery distribution center east of Albany, New York, in the town of Schodack, but isn't shutting the door on possibly pursuing the project in the future.

December 18, 2015

Dog walk ends in death for Troy official

(Skip Dickstein / Times Union)
Police say Bill Chamberlain, city's director of operations, died from stab wounds; military-style knife found near body.
By Bob Gardinier and Kenneth C. Crowe II
Updated 12:55 pm, Friday, December 18, 2015

NORTH GREENBUSH — The wife of Bill Chamberlain, Troy's director of operations, found him dying on a lawn near their home after the family dog, Otis, a small terrier he took for a walk late Thursday, came home alone, a neighbor said.

December 16, 2015

'Commander Ralph', dead at 89

Ralph Vartigian, Albany TV's 'Commander Ralph', dead at 89By Jordan Carleo-Evangelist Updated 9:29 am, Wednesday, December 16, 2015
North Greenbush- Ralph Vartigian, the TV newscaster-turned-politician who delivered the morning news to a generation of Capital Region kids as "Commander Ralph" with an assist from an energetic puppet meteorologist named Mr. Monkey, died Saturday at home. He was 89.

December 11, 2015

Skelos, son guilty on all charges

Former Senate leader falls less than two weeks after Silver verdict

By Matthew Hamilton Updated 2:30 pm, Friday, December 11, 2015 Times Union

Former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son were found guilty on all eight federal charges stemming from the lawmaker's efforts to secure income and benefits for his 33-year-old son, Adam, from politically connected businesses.

Two additional charges of extortion and solicitation of bribes related to Adam Skelos' no-show employment by a medical malpractice insurance company, a job secured at the request of his father, were added in a superseding indictment handed down in July.


Some of the most damning evidence against the father and son were drawn from wiretaps.
Read more...
The company you keep

Cuomo: Skelos Conviction Should Be a ‘Wakeup Call’ for the Legislature

By Ross Barkan • 12/11/15 3:40pm OBSERVER News
In the brief statement, Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, also said the conviction of Mr. Skelos, along with former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver last month, “should be a wakeup call” for lawmakers.

“There can be no tolerance for those who use, and seek to use, public service for private gain. The justice system worked today,” Mr. Cuomo said.

Read more...