Leading off today: The announcement yesterday from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that there is a plan in place to reinstate the Empire State Games confirmed what was already reported earlier this month.

   But there are still quesions to be answered and obstacles to overcome, not the least of which is the fact that a state with an annual budget in excess of $100 billion remains unable to commit to the $3 million a year it would take to assure that the Olympic-style event thrives after a one-year hiatus caused by New York's severe financial problems.

   The 2010 summer Hugh L. Carey Empire State Games are scheduled for Buffalo next July. Part of the reinstatement plan, however, calls for a two-year, $1 million private fundraising goal "to put the Empire State Summer Games, Winter Games, Senior Games and Games for the Physically Challenged on solid financial footing, without relying primarily on taxpayer dollars," the statement said.

   State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash said the $1 million in private money "will establish the foundation to help keep the Empire State Games' flame alive for the coming years."

   The immediate question is, "How?" As a short-term bridge if the state budget situation doesn't improve, $1 million from naming rights and other deals doesn't go far. And it makes even less of a dent -- maybe $150,000 a year during a bull market -- if the idea is to create an endowment.

   The complete release, including details on relatively modest fees for open division athletes, can be found here.

   Police blotter: Senior guard Emanuel "Tiki" Mayben has been dropped from the Binghamton University basketball team following felony drug-sale charges against him in Troy.

   Mayben, who was fifth-team all-state in Class AA for Troy in 2005, was charged Wednesday by Troy police with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, all felonies, The Press & Sun-Bulletin reported.

   Troy police said Mayben was also arrested 10 days earlier on the BU campus for possession of marijuana, a violation, following a traffic stop.

   BU Athletic Director Joel Thirer called the arrest "shocking and disappointing. Our University and

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department will not tolerate this type of behavior." Mayben averaged 11.5 points and 4.7 assists a game last year.

   The charges in Troy stem from an extensive investigation. The paper reported Mayben was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly twice selling small quantities of cocaine on June 29, according to his attorney Gregory Cholakis.

   Mayben pleaded innocent during separate appearances in Troy City Court and Rensselaer County Court today and was freed on $30,000 bail.

   Sentenced: An Albany City Court jury found former assistant public defender Matthew Swedick, 39, guilty Tuesday of having sex with a client in return for promising to work harder on her case, The Times Union reported.

   Swedick was convicted of one misdemeanor count of official misconduct and acquitted on two counts of the same charge. The case stems from when he was assigned to represent Latoya Gorton on drug charges following an April 2007 arrest.

   The conviction carries a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail.

   When Swedick graduated from Johnstown on 1990, he was the state's career leader in football passing with 6,636 yards. The mark is now held by Greg Paulus (11,760).

   Extra points: All-star forward Stephen Baker scored all the goals as McQuaid beat Aquinas 3-0 in boys soccer. Baker is already up to 15 goals this season for the Knights (7-0-1). . . . Lyons lost in Wayne County girls volleyball for the first time since 2003 with a 21-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-22 setback at Gananda. The streak covered 82 matches.