P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 8-31-21

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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