P.M. NEWS Wednesday 9-15-21
Governor Kathy Hochul said today that she will challenge a court order issued by a federal judge in Utica Tuesday, which temporarily bars the enforcement of the state’s medical worker vaccine mandate for those seeking religious exemptions in New York. The original mandate requires most medical workers statewide to get the first COVID-19 vaccine dose by September 27th, or risk losing their jobs. On Tuesday U.S. Northern District Justice David Hurd issued the restraining order after 17 Christian medical professionals sued state officials Monday, Judge Hurd gave state officials until September 22nd to respond to the lawsuit and set a court hearing for September 28th.
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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand continues to push for the implementation of the Health Force, a multibillion-dollar public health legislation passed in the American Rescue Plan earlier this year:
(Kirsten Gillibrand 9-15-21)
Gillibrand successfully secured nearly $8 billion for her Health Force legislation, to create a public health workforce to aid vaccine distribution and mobilize community leaders to improve health outcomes in their communities. Gillibrand said that New York is projected to lose about 39,000 nursing jobs by 2030.
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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a series of universal mask requirements that applies to New York State Office of Children and Family Services-licensed and -registered child care centers, home-based group family and family child care programs, after-school child care programs and enrolled legally exempt group programs during operational hours. New masking requirements will also apply to congregate programs and facilities licensed, registered, operated, certified or approved by the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, Office of Children and Family Services and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
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The Village of Sidney Clerk’s office is temporarily closed until further notice at the Sidney Civic Center, starting today. The drop box on their office door at the 1st floor Village office can be utilized; residents can also call 561-2339.
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The State DEC announced that the Berry Hill fire tower in the town of McDonough is now open to the public for recreation. About $125,000 was spent on upgrades to enhance safety and accessibility for the 59 foot tower which was originally erected in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps for fire protection.
A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 9-15-21
Chobani is helping families affected by Hurricane Ida and evacuees from Afghanistan, housed on U.S. military bases, by donating and delivering nearly 300,000 products. In the wake of Hurricane Ida, and to assist our troops who are caring for refugees evacuated from Afghanistan, Chobani is dispatching trucks full of food from the company’s Chenango County plant to the New York City area, Louisiana, Virginia and New Jersey.
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On September 13th, shortly before 8:00 PM, State Police at Oneonta responded to a report of a physical domestic dispute at a residence on State Highway 28 in the town of Meredith. During the physical dispute, one person was stabbed and later flown to Albany Medical Center where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The incident remains under investigation.
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The New York State of Health Enrollment continues to surge as more New Yorkers sign up for lower cost coverage following the American Rescue Plan and enhancements made to New York’s Essential Plan. The latest report shows that as of August 31, more than 6.3 million individuals; or 1 in 3 New Yorkers, are enrolled in health coverage through the Marketplace, Enrollment has increased across all marketplace programs since April when the state began implementing the changes. Enrollment continues through the end of this year, more information is available at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by phone at 1-855-355-5777.
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State Police arrested 45 year old Jeremy Barcoski of Lincoln Park, New Jersey for Petty Larceny, after Troopers were dispatched to a report of man who stole items from Speedway on State Route 8 in Unadilla and left in a vehicle. Troopers were able to locate the vehicle, troopers learned that Barcoski used a Lottery machine inside the store and it didn’t give him back the appropriate change, so he stole items from the store. Barcoski was arrested & he was released on an appearance ticket to the Unadilla Town Court on October 18th.
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