Man attempts to evade police
A man wanted on a warrant for a rape charge was shot and wounded by East Greenbush police after a brief chase Monday afternoon.
State Police spotted Shane I. Harding, 19, of Troy, driving his blue Chevrolet pickup truck near the corner of Blooming Grove Drive and Route 4 around 4:15 pm; however, when they tried to pull him over, Harding allegedly refused and drove south on Route 4 for two miles, forcing several cars off the road and hitting at least one.
Harding attempted to make a U-turn in front of the W.F. Bruen Rescue Squad, where East Greenbush Police Officer Peter Partak slammed his police cruiser into the passenger’s side of Harding’s pickup in an attempt to stop the chase.
Harding, who police said was wearing a vest full of ammunition, then allegedly reached for a .410-gauge shotgun. An officer then drew a gun on Harding, the suspect was struck in the arm and dropped the gun. He surrendered to officers and was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital on Monday night.
Upstate colleges receive awards
The National Science Foundation has awarded $3 million over five years to an alliance of upstate colleges and universities—including RPI—to enroll and graduate more minority students from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degree programs.
The Upstate Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program will achieve its goals through a two-pronged approach that includes enhancing recruitment of both first-time freshmen and transfer students, and providing new opportunities to enhance the graduation rate of the targeted populations.
RPI will receive $420,000 over a period of five years. The funding will support a comprehensive array of academic, research, and support programs for undergraduate students. Specific initiatives include funding to attend and participate in various national and regional conferences, stipends for undergraduate research and related supplies, and test preparation. The grant will allow students to attend a residential pre-college summer enrichment program at the Institute.
