P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-21-21

The State Department of Labor released preliminary local unemployment rates for November. Locally, Chenango County had 3.4% unemployment, Otsego & Delaware Counties both had 3.5%, the State’s unemployment rate dropped 3/10th’s to 6.6% in November.

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Bassett Healthcare Network announced today that Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown and Cobleskill Regional Hospital have been placed on a state-wide list of facilities that currently have occupancies of 90% or more; A.O. Fox Hospital and Little Falls Hospital remain on that list. Those impacted facilities are also limiting non-essential elective procedures in accordance with an executive order enacted by the New York State Department of Health on December 3rd. Capacities at affected hospitals are being reassessed every 2 weeks. With rising cases of COVID-19 in the region, Bassett Healthcare Network will suspend visitation for the safety of patients and staff in all emergency departments across its network starting Wednesday.

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Chenango County Health Department reports the continued increase in the number of COVID 19 cases in the county. The county has 301 active cases with 2/3rds unvaccinated, 523 are quarantined, 13 are hospitalized, all are unvaccinated, and there have been 92 COVID related deaths since the start of the pandemic. Information about vaccine clinics are available at co.chenango.ny.us.

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Deborah Stanley has been named as interim SUNY Chancellor, after current Chancellor Jim Malatras resigns on January 14th. Malatras announced his resignation after disparaging text messages from Malatras were sent to then Governor Andrew Cuomo about one of Cuomo’s sexual harassment accusers.

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Otsego County Sheriff Rich Devlin announced the temporary closure of 2 housing units within the Jail today due to critically low staffing levels after consulting with the the State Commission of Correction, he talked to WCDO News about the need for positive changes coming from the Otsego County Board of Representatives:

(Sheriff Devlin 12-21-21)

Sheriff Devlin stated that this is the 2nd facility shutdown in as many years, and he hopes that next year will bring more realistic discussion about the future of the Department of Corrections.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-21-21

Firefighters from Unadilla, Franklin, Wells Bridge, & Otego responded to a fire last night at 10:30 PM, at 43 Watson Street in Unadilla. The House and garage were fully involved, adult and 2 children were being treated for smoke inhalation, the cause of the fire is under investigation. The Unadilla Fire Department has posted a list of items the displaced residents need following the fire, it is posted on the Unadilla Fire Department Facebook page.

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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that she is making $65 million available to counties across New York State to help with the costs associated with administering vaccines and boosters and enforcing the mask-or-vaccine mandate for indoor public places that went into effect statewide last week. Up to $1 million will be available for most counties, with larger counties eligible to receive up to $2 million.

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The State Health Department tested over 258,000, with 23,391 testing positive, for a Positivity rate of 9.04%. Patient Hospitalization are up to 4,020, with 769 in an ICU bed, and Patients on ventilators is up to 451, New deaths reported by healthcare facilities was 60 on Sunday.

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Delaware County Public Health reported 77 new cases of COVID 19 Saturday through Monday, there are 263 active cases, 4 hospitalized & 533 in quarantine.

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Visitation is suspended at Otsego County Correctional Facility until further notice due to the increase in COVID cases in the area, according to the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office. Otsego County Health Department reported 21 new cases Monday, there are 320 active COVID-19 cases, 12 people are hospitalized & there were 2 new deaths reported.

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Assemblyman Joseph Angelino announced $25,000 in funding to the Four County Library System to support libraries within the 122nd Assembly District. The most recent state budget allowed each legislator to submit aid requests on behalf libraries within their districts. The Sidney Memorial Public Library will receive $5,000, to purchase new technology items such as virtual reality headsets and a 3D printer. Other area libraries will receive $1,111 each, including Afton, Bainbridge, Deposit, Franklin, Gilbertsville, New Berlin, the Guernsey Memorial Library in Norwich, plus Oxford, South New Berlin, Unadilla, & the Ogden Free Library in Walton.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Deposit man on an arrest warrant issued by the Delaware County Family Court, for a violation of the Family Court Act. 47 year-old Patrick Stanton of Deposit was located On December 10th, by Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with members of the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, at a Village of Deposit location. Stanton was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail & is scheduled to appear at the Delaware County Family Court at a later date to answer the charge.

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