P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-23-21

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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