Governor Cuomo signed an executive order temporarily modifying election procedures to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. The order suspends the candidate petitioning process for the June primaries for Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly and Judicial races, it also modifies the signature requirements for ballot access; & modifies deadlines and procedures regarding absentee voting.
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Governor Cuomo announced 221 new cases of COVID-19 in New York, bringing the statewide total to 950, 1 New York City Department of Corrections officer has died from the Coronavirus, bring the state death count to 4. The governor also announced a tri-state effort to curb the spread of the virus. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont today announced that they will limit crowd capacity for social and recreational gatherings to 50 people, also restaurants and bars will close for on premise service and will have take-out and delivery services only, they also will be provided a waiver for carry-out alcohol. The 3 governors will temporarily close movie theaters, gyms and casinos, all of these restrictions go into effect at 8:00 PM tonight.
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Bassett Healthcare announced that their network is gearing up to take on the Coronavirus issue, which is something that is larger than anything they have dealt with before according to Dr. William Streck:
(Dr. William Streck 3-16-20
Bassett Hospital has launched a hotline for people who have questions or concerns about Coronavirus. The number is 547-5555; it will provide patients with up-to-date information 24/7 on the Coronavirus and tell patients what to do if they are concerned they are showing symptoms.
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State lawmakers are still in Albany this week, trying to wrap up the State budget early, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch Comments:
(Crouch 3-16-20)
2 members of the State Assembly, Helene Weinstein & Charles Barron, both of Brooklyn, have tested positive for the Coronavirus. The state Capital will be closed to visitors & all legislative buildings will be vigorously cleaned.
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19th District Congressman Antonio Delgado announced today that he will have to close his offices in Washington DC and in his home district. Public meeting & Town Halls will also be postponed. More information is available at Delgado.house.gov.
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State Senator Fred Akshar announced that he is postponing his March 18th Town Hall Meeting in Vestal. Decisions will be made regarding other public meetings at a later date.
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The Town of Unadilla announced that they are closing the Town Hall until further notice due to the Coronavirus situation. All court session are cancelled, any court payments can be made online, can be mailed or put in the drop box outside, Dog License & Handicapped applications can be mailed, the date for Dog Enumeration will be extended until the end of Aprils, and Tax payments may be mailed or put in the drop box. More information is available at 369-4922 or by email: unadillaclerk@stny.rr.com
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The Sidney Town Clerk’s office announced that they will be closed to the public for 2 weeks due to the ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Town Clerk Sheila Paul announced that she will continue to work, all payments, dog licenses, handicap placard applications, and any other services needed from the Town Clerk’s Office may be sent by mail or left in the drop box at the Town Office. More information is available at 561-2334, 237-6394 or by Email: Clerk@townofsidney.com
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The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced that they are closed to the public, in accordance with recommendations by the CDC to limit opportunities for large gatherings and the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Hall of Fame will provide updated information regarding this closure on each subsequent Sunday, at baseballhall.org and by social media channels. As a precautionary measure due to the COVID-19 virus, our 2020 Hall of Fame Classic Weekend events have been canceled.
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The State DEC announced that the statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins today and runs through May 14th, as conditions for wildfires are heightened in springtime. When temperatures are warmer and the past fall’s debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. More information is available at dec.ny.gov.
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Governor Cuomo announced that the statewide total of coronavirus cases has increased to 729, and 3 deaths have been confirmed. The deaths were an 88 year old woman in Brooklyn with emphysema, and a 65 year old man with many health problems & a 79 year old female with many serious illnesses. Governor Cuomo said that they are working on a plan regarding schools; he said that closing all schools brings up other issues:
(Cuomo 3-16-20)
Cuomo said that they are working to increase testing for the Corona Virus rapidly, they are trying to convince more businesses to have employees work from home, and they are trying to increase hospital capabilities rapidly.
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Delaware County Officials have declared a State of Emergency effective through Monday April 13, 2020. The order calls for the suspension of all classroom and extracurricular functions at all public schools, except for administrative and staff functions, the Order shall take effect Wednesday, March 18th & will remain in effect until April 14th. Also, the Delaware County Office for the Aging Senior Meal sites and Senior Transit have stopped operations until April 14th.
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Chenango County Officials announced Sunday afternoon that they have issued a State of Emergency. Chenango County Schools will be closed Monday, but staff must report. The state of Emergency will require all county schools to close from Wednesday, through April 14th. Unadilla Valley & Oxford Academy announced that they will close Monday & will remain closed Tuesday & then through April 14th.
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The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office announced that due to the increased cases of the Coronavirus, all visitation and programs at the Delaware County Correctional Facility will be suspended until further notice. More information is available at 832-5607.
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All Otsego, Schoharie, Broome & Tioga County Schools will be closed starting today. Many Delaware & Chenango County Schools will be closed today for students, but staff members must report, decisions on Tuesday for some of those schools have not been made, more information will be posted on each school’s website.
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Several Area Officials met Friday to decide how to handle the Coronavirus issue locally, Bainbridge Mayor Phil Wade comments:
(Phil Wade 3-16-20)
Wade said that those who would like to sign up for the Bainbridge, Sidney or Unadilla Email blasts known as Small Town Connects, should contact the village offices to sign up.
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