After 18 months into the COVID 19 pandemic, the public is asking questions regarding quarantine rules regarding the vaccinated & the unvaccinated, Isaiah Sutton of Chenango County Public Health explains:

(Isaiah Sutton 9-23-21)

Sutton said that the advice is consistent with the State Health Department & CDC Guidelines & they recommend that people follow the State health department guidance on all COVID-19 protocol.  Chenango County reports 140 active cases with 41% vaccinated, 339 are quarantined & 6 are hospitalized, 2 of those are vaccinated.

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The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for our region through late tonight; local Meteorologist Rich Townsend told WCDO News what he predicts regarding today’s predicted thunderstorms:

(Townsend 9-23-21)

Townsend said that the chance for Flash Flooding in the WCDO listening area is about 10% today & into tonight.

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The Otsego County Department of Health reported that a bat has test positive for Rabies on Wednesday in Oneonta.  Officials said that 1 person has started rabies post exposure treatment; more information about rabies is available by calling 547-4230.

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State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker has tendered his resignation to Governor Kathy Hochul today, and she has accepted the resignation.  Dr. Zucker has presided over the State Department of Health for almost 7 1/2 years; a search for his successor will begin shortly.

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The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment will meet on Tuesday, September 28, at 10:30 A.M., in Albany. On the agenda for that meeting is the application of Bluestone Wind, LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Construction of their proposed Wind Farm Project in the Towns of Windsor and Sanford.  The meeting is available online at dps.ny.gov/Webcasts.

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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, announced support of the bipartisan Senior Financial Empowerment Act, to protect seniors from fraud and targeted financial scams, and is urging the Federal Trade Commission to strengthen protections for seniors:

(Gillibrand 9-23-21)

Gillibrand said that Millions of seniors have been victims of financial scams and abuse every year, with a noticeable increase in those scams throughout the pandemic, in New York State alone, seniors are estimated to lose as much as $1.5 billion per year to financial fraud and abuse.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-23-21

Governor Kathy Hochul announced Ubiquity Solar will establish its U.S. solar photovoltaic manufacturing operations at the former IBM site in Endicott.  The company expects to repurpose 800,000 square-feet of space at the former campus, representing an approximately $61 million investment, Ubiquity Solar expects to create up to 150 highly skilled jobs, they expect to be fully operational at the Endicott campus by the end of 2022.

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Delaware County Public Health continues to see an increase in COVID 10 cases, with 29 new cases in the last 2 days for an 8.9% positivity rate, they have 196 active cases, 5 hospitalized and 383 quarantined.  50.1% of the total population is vaccinated, 73% of the positive cases are unvaccinated, and 27% of the positive cases are Pre-K-12th students/employees.

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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce announced that tonight’s Annual Recognition Dinner has been moved to Club 55 on Union Street, starting at 5:00 PM.  This year: The Citizen of the Year’s Award goes to Erin Insinga of Delaware Valley Humane Society; Business of the Years is East Main Lanes Organization of the Years goes to the Sidney Memorial Library & the Better Together award goes to Sidney School District Superintendent Eben Bullock.

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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli identified 19 local governments this year that are in fiscal stress, including 6 counties, 4 cities, and 9 towns. The report is based on financial information of local governments operating on a calendar year basis from January 1st to December 31st, locally, only Broome County was listed as “susceptible to fiscal stress”.

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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new measures for mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated public and charter school employees, and to establish a vaccination requirement for all staff at state-regulated facilities and congregate settings. The state Health department reported over 95,000 COVID tests were conducted on Monday, with a positivity rate of just under 4%, patient hospitalizations were up to 2234, the number of ICU patients went up to 484, & the number of ventilators increased to 247, 22 new COVID deaths were reported.

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The Delaware County Landfill has been approved for a variance by the State DEC to expand & improve its viability for many decades; County Public works Commissioner Sue McIntyre told WCDO News how the plan will work:

(Sue McIntyre 8-31-21)

McIntyre said that the plan was about 8 years in the making, makes sure that the landfill has the latest double lined protection to prevent environmental issues, and should add 40 to 60 years of life at the existing landfills Walton site  

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Chenango County Public Health reported their 82nd death from the COVID 19 virus.  Officials reported 92 active cases, 24 of those are vaccinated.  They have 189 active quarantines, 5 are hospitalized, and 3622 have recovered out of 3872 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

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Delaware County Public Health announced that the State Health Department has authorized a 3rd COVID 19 Vaccine, but it will only be for people with specific issues, according to DCPH Spokesperson Heather Warner:

(Heather Warner 8-31-21)

Warner said that the people with those issues should take the Moderna 3rd shot if they have had the 2 previous Moderna vaccines, or the 3rd Pfizer shot if they have had the first 2 Pfizer shots.

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Counseling services have been set up at the Worcester Central School district, following the death of 7 year old Hunter Hornbeck Saturday.  Hornbeck was injured while riding an ATV Saturday in Decatur; he succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted to Albany Medical Center.

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A full day of events is scheduled today at the Friends of Recovery of Delaware & Otsego Counties, to coincide with International Overdose Awareness Day. Spokesman Kyle LaFever told WCDO News why it is important to have this commemoration:

(Kyle LaFever 8-31-21)

The Friends of Recovery of Delaware & Otsego Counties locations are 22 Elm Street in Oneonta or 84 Main Street in Delhi, more information is available at 267-4435 or friendsofrecoverydo.org

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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that applications are now open for the next New York State Police Trooper Entrance Exam. The exam will be administered from January through April of 2022, & will be given online at authorized testing centers for the first time in State Police history, part of an effort to make the exam more accessible to the general public. More information is available at joinstatepolice.ny.gov.

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Tonight’s series opener with The Binghamton Rumble Ponies & Richmond at Mirabito Stadium has been postponed to allow for additional testing and contract tracing of members of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Organization. The Rumble Ponies are adhering to Minor League Baseball’s health and safety protocols and will continue to practice caution and follow the guidance of medical experts. Further updates will be provided as soon as they are available.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 8-31-21

The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment will meet today at 10:30 A.M., in Albany and New York City; the meeting will be online at dps.ny.gov.  The Siting Board agenda includes Application of Bluestone Wind, LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Construction of the Bluestone Wind Farm Project in the Towns of Windsor and Sanford.

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(Cuomo 4-9-20)

Meanwhile, over 800,000 New Yorkers are filing unemployment claims in recent weeks, crashing the state labor department’s system, Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa said that the systems gets a reboot & new application tonight:

(DeRosa 4-9-20)

State Budget Director Robert Mujica said that the state will freeze the 2% increase in wages for state workers for 90 days, and they hope for Federal assistance:

(Mujica 4-9-20)

Governor Cuomo said that there are over 18,200 Hospitalized, the Number of people in ICU beds went up by only 60 Wednesday, the number of recoveries continues to increase.

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Chenango County Health officials announced Thursday that they have 53 confirmed Coronavirus cases, there are 62 Precautionary Quarantines, 358 Mandatory Quarantines,  9 people are being treated in Hospitals, 10 people have Recovered they have administered 265 tests.

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Delaware County Solid Waste Management Center & Compost facility is open but with reduced staff.  Spokesman Tyson Robb asks that County residents try to hold off on bringing recyclables to the Center at this time:

(Tyson Robb 4-9-20)

Robb said that hours are currently Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM, they also suggest that visitors to the Center try to get in & out as quickly as possible.

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Good Shepherd Communities Board and Senior Management announces $2 per hour differential for staff at their Binghamton Facility.  The Board reported that this is their way of thanking employees for the exceptional care they are providing to residents at all facilities during the Covid-19 crisis. All employees, except senior management, will receive a $2 per hour differential along with a free meal during lunch periods. 

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Caregivers at UHS Chenango Memorial are in for a sweet treat thanks to The Parson’s Daughter chocolate shop of Norwich, by donating their stock of Easter candy to the UHS staff.  The Parson’s Daughter will re-open as soon as it’s safe to do so.

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Broome County Health department announced that they have 93 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus.  Officials reported 6 deaths, 14 recoveries, 53 in Precautionary Quarantine, 194 in precautionary quarantine, they have conducted 700 tests.

Delaware County is reporting no new cases of the Coronavirus.  There are 42 confirmed positive cases, with 36 people under mandatory quarantine and 2 people under precautionary quarantine. To date 289 people have been tested, 5 confirmed cases have been transferred out of the county to where the person actually resides. Of the 37 confirmed positive cases, 6 are isolated in a hospital, 23 are recovering at home, 1 person is deceased and 7 have fully recovered.

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The Otsego County Department of Health is reporting a 2nd death from COVID 19, they currently have 35 confirmed cases, 5 are hospitalized, 12 have recovered, 94 people on mandatory quarantine, 4 people on precautionary quarantine, 46 people have been released from quarantine. 

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The State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment will meet today at 10:30 AM to consider petitions for rehearing of the Siting Board’s December 2019 approval of Bluestone Wind, LLC’s application for Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need to build and operate a 124-megawatt wind facility in the Towns of Windsor and Sanford.   The parties seeking rehearing are Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, Broome County Concerned Residents and a resident of the Village of Johnson City. Bluestone Wind applied to construct and operate 27 wind turbines & its associated network, to reduce the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, member of the public will be able to listen at dps.ny.gov/Webcasts.

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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a SPECIAL Board of Education Meeting  Today in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM with open session starting at 7:00 PM. Check the BGCSD website for information on on-line or phone-in options for public viewing that will be available or call the District Office at 607-967-6321.

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Due to the Coronavirus situation, The Village of Afton will be conducting their monthly board meeting through Zoom; the next meeting will be April 13th at 7:00 PM.

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The Sidney, Sidney Center & Masonville Libraries will remain closed through April 29th.

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