P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-22-21

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on State highways will be suspended starting tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM, until Monday December 27th at 6:00 AM. Construction will also be suspended from Thursday December 30th to Monday, January 3rd to ease travel for motorists.   Motorists should be aware that some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.

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The American Red Cross & State Police announced that on Tuesday, December 28th, A blood drive will be hosted in memory of Trooper Christopher Skinner, who lost his life by a hit-and-run driver while conducting a traffic stop on I-81 in Broome County.  Blood Supplies are the lowest they have been during the holiday season, in 10 years, appointments are available at RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the free Blood Donor app or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS.  The Drive is being held on the 28th from 12:00 to 6:00 PM at 16 Crescent Drive in Kirkwood, More information is available at 607- 237-9747.

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The Unadilla Fire Department announced that they are collecting items for the families who lost everything to a fire at 43 Watson Street in the village earlier this week.  The Unadilla Fire Department has posted a list of specific items on their Facebook Page; the items can be dropped off at the Firehouse at 77 Clifton Street.

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Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state’s acting Health Commissioner, Dr. Mary Bassett, has tested positive for COVID-19.  Dr. Bassett reported that she tested positive after being administered a rapid test, she is asymptomatic & is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot.

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Employees of Health Departments around the state have put in a lot of overtime during the pandemic, and have also been the target of threats of physical violence, Otsego County Sheriff Rich Devlin told WCDO news that the local health Department received such threats, and that is unacceptable:

(Sheriff Devlin 12-22-21)

Sheriff Devlin said that no arrests have been made so far for the threats to Otsego County Health Department staff.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that they are investigating a multistate outbreak of listeria infections connected to Fresh Express packaged salads, through the northeast states & into eastern Canada.  So far, 10 people have become ill, 10 have been hospitalized and 1 person has died across 8 states in the listeria outbreak. Fresh Express announced a recall Monday where they advised consumers not to eat, sell or serve a long list of its products with the codes Z324 to Z350 printed on the package.

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A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-22-21

The State Health Department reports that the winter surge is continuing, after 214,165 were tested for COVID 19 Monday & 22,258 people were positive, for a 10.4% positivity rate.  Patient Hospitalizations went up by more than 300 to 4,328; almost 800 are in an ICU unit with 470 on ventilators, 57 died at hospitals & nursing homes Monday.

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The New York State Education Department is canceling January regents’ exams for the second year in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   The education department will ask the Board of Regents to approve changes to diploma requirements to accommodate students who were scheduled to take the January exams.

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Attorney General Letitia James said that her office has received complaints of price gouging on COVID 19 testing products around the state. A standard test kit at local pharmacies normally costs between $14 and $25 for a package of 2 tests, but some stores have sold the same product unlawfully for $40 up to $70, to report price gouging, go to formsnym.ag.ny.gov.

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The Village of Bainbridge announced that due to a water main break near Lambrecht’s Auction House on County Road 38, water service will be interrupted this morning starting at 7:00 Am, until the break is repaired.  Residents north of the Auction house on Route 38, Searles Hill Road, Bliss Road, Crest Drive and Williams Lane will be affected.  (The repair was completed at about 7:15 AM)

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