Click above to download or play today's "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.

Today's daily news update.

Andrea Macko reports for Porcupine Soup that Greene County has a skeleton crew of 911 operators, as unemployment continues to drop locally and nationally. On Aug. 3, at the Greene County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee, Emergency Services Director John P. Farrell, Jr. said the county has four vacant positions for 911 operators, and is not able to have its normal three dispatchers on duty each shift. “So, they have been running two per shift for the last five weeks,” said Farrell. In July, the reduced staff of dispatchers answered 656 EMS calls, 230 fire calls, 1,412 police calls, and 885 miscellaneous calls. “It was a pretty busy month to say the least,” Farrell said. “They are doing a heck of a job.” Legislator Daryl E. Legg, a Democrat representing Hunter, Lexington, and Halcott, said, “We have to offer these people a better living and more incentives." Currently dispatchers in Greene County begin at $37,867 per year and earn $40,872 after training. Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said the contract for dispatchers is up for renewal soon, so it would be a good time to discuss salaries. Read more about this story at Porcupine Soup.

Lorna Cherot Littleway in the Columbia Paper previews the August 19th Congressional District elections. There is one contest for all voters, and another for just Democrats. Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Democrat Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan are running for fill the final weeks of Democrat Antonio Delgado's term, as he abandoned the post to become lieutenant governor. The other election is a primary vote for the new 19th Congressional District that goes into effect in January and does not include Dutchess County but does extend the district west to include Broome and Tioga counties. Democrat Jamie Cheney is running against Democrat Josh Riley in the primary election. In both elections, voting begins Aug. 13 and ends Aug. 23. In Columbia County, voting from Aug. 13 to Aug. 21 is only at the county office building at 401 State Street, Hudson and the Martin H. Glynn Municipal Building in Valatie. In Greene County, voting Aug. 13-21 takes place only at the Greene County Office Building in Catskill. Read more about this story in the Columbia Paper.

Ryan Whalen reports at New York State of Politics that state Supreme Court Justice Patrick McAllister on Aug. 4 ordered that any change of political party enrollments received on or after Aug. 12 in New York will not be effective until Aug. 30, closing a loophole in the unusual election this summer. When McAllister scheduled the August elections after quashing the redistricting plan set by legislators, his wording was not completely exact, and he left a loophole that would allow voters to switch parties up to and the day of the election. "There still are shenanigans that can occur within the next week. I would have preferred that the judge both for technical reasons to give the boards of elections time to prepare and to stop any type of party raiding. I wish he would have picked an earlier day that August 12," Erie County Republican Elections Commissioner Ralph Mohr said. Election officials will now have to update the poll books the night before voting begins. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Today's daily news update.

Click above to download or play today's "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.

Bill Williams is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media residents of Stockport are being advised to boil their water until further notice following a large water main break on Wed., Aug. 3, according to Stockport officials. Department of Public Works and Water Department crews located the break in the area of Route 9 and County Route 22. The impacted areas were north of the white water tank on Route 9, where homes had low pressure or no water at all. The crews working on the break encountered difficulties in making repairs, which required shutting down the entire system. When water service returned, it was then necessary for customers to boil their water before drinking it or using it for cooking. The break was repaired by late Wednesday and all homes should have their water service restored. A boil water order was immediately put into place, until further notice. The Centers for Disease Control issued guidelines for making water safe: If the water is cloudy, first filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter or allow it to settle. Then, draw off the clear water and bring that water to a rolling boil for one minute. Let the boiled water cool; and, then store it in clean sanitized containers with tight covers. The boil-water order will remain in place until test results return from the state laboratory, town officials said. Read more at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Liz Montgomery is reporting for Porcupine Soup the GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare division is now officially an independent company following the completion of a demerger in July from the multinational pharmaceutical giant. The new company known as Haleon, pronounced "Hay-Lee-On,” produces a variety of products including Sensodyne, Voltaren, Panadol and Centrum, among others. All GlaxoSmithKline facilities that produce consumer healthcare brands are now under the Haleon logo. This includes the plant on State Route 145 in Oak Hill that manufactures oral care products. GlaxoSmithKline has not provided details on how the $36 billion demerger will impact plants like Oak Hill, but company sources say business is expected to continue as usual. The Oak Hill facility employs approximately 300 people. Headquartered in England, GlaxoSmithKline officially introduced Haleon to investors in late February. The company is keeping a 20 percent ownership stake in the spinoff with its shareholders receiving the remaining 80 percent. GlaxoSmithKline will maintain the vaccine and pharmaceutical divisions. The Oak Hill properties are still owned by GlaxoSmithKline. Its Consumer Healthcare Holdings division is currently challenging the town of Durham on the assessed value of the 71-acre parcel that includes the 85,000-square-foot plant. The company took legal action on July 27 in Greene County Supreme Court arguing that the $39 million assessed value of the property should be reduced to $10.2 million. Read more at porcupine soup [dot] com.

The Daily Freeman is reporting U.S. Route 9W will be closed in both directions between Dock and Main streets in Saugerties, beginning Mon., Aug. 8, through Fri., Sep. 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The closure is necessary to accommodate a gas main installation, weather permitting. Motorists should expect delays and follow the posted detour using Washington Avenue, and Division and Cedar streets, the New York State Department of Transportation said. Drivers are advised to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones, where fines are doubled for speeding. Information is available online at 511NY [dot] org. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Today's daily news update.

City and State previews New York's Congressional elections, with voting beginning Aug. 13 through Aug. 23. Locally, Democrats have four primary elections, while only one Republican is running for those seats. In the new 21st Congressional District, which now includes Rensselaer County, Democrats Matthew Putorti and Matt Castelli face off to take on incumbent Republican Elise Stefanik. In the 20th District, longtime incumbent Paul Tonko is against fellow Democrat Rostislav Rar, with the winner facing Republican Liz Joy in November. In the new 19th Congressional District which now stretches past Binghamton, Democrats Josh Riley and Jamie Cheney are competing to take on Republican Marc Molinaro. And in the 18th Congressional District, Democrats Pat Ryan, Moses Mugulusi, and Aisha Mills compete to take on Republican Colin Schmitt in November. There is also a special election Aug. 13 to Aug. 23 to fill the rest of this term after Antonio Delgado resigned to become New York’s lieutenant governor. Democrat Pat Ryan, the current Ulster County Executive, squares off with Marc Molinaro, the current Dutchess County Executive, to fill the final week's of Delgado's term in Congress. Read more about this story in City and State.

John Cropley reports in the Daily Gazette that on Aug. 3 New York State announced it was doling out millions of dollars to upgrade their emergency radio systems through state grants funded by cellphone surcharges. Counties are getting their shares of $90 million from the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant program, for large-scale projects, and $10 million from the Public Safety Answering Point program. "This funding is critical to strengthening New York's emergency response capabilities, in situations where every second counts," Governor Hochul said. "We are laser focused on making smart investments in public safety across the state and these grants will be a significant boost for local governments working around the clock to keep New Yorkers safe." Greene County gets $919,750 of SICG funds and $152,531 from the Public Safety Answering Point program, while Columbia County is receiving $899,384 and $163,362. Albany County gets $2,365,306 and $220,092; Rensselaer County receives $1,451,319 and $168,104; Dutchess County gets $1,110,478 and $163,057; and Ulster County receives $1,091,873 and $119,511. Read more about this story in the Daily Gazette.

Brendan J. Lyons reports in the Times Union that New York this week ratified a five-year contract with the Civil Service Employees Association that will provide two percent raises for the first two years of the agreement and three percent raise annually for the remaining three years. Workers will also receive one-time bonuses of $3,000 and "changes in longevity as a result of changes in the health insurance program that will encourage in-network employee utilization and help control health insurance costs," according to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office. The agreement was approved by more than 80 percent of the union's 52,000 members in four executive branch bargaining units. and it lasts through March 2026. "The passage of this contract demonstrates that CSEA members appreciate that they are valued, and their work is properly recognized by the governor and our employers," CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said in a statement on Aug. 4. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Click above to download or play today's "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.

Maura Rosner is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Athens Town Board decided August 1, to table a proposed eminent domain proceeding that would allow the town to seize a private home as part of a plan to move the Athens Town Hall out of the Community Center and construct a new building. The town had spent more than $20,000 on the proposal as of August 1. “So far, the town has spent $17,500 on an engineering firm and $2,900 on an attorney,” Athens Town Supervisor Michael Pirrone said. “In total, the town has spent $20,000 toward the eminent domain proceeding.” The town’s decision to table, but not close, the public hearing on the proposal, gives the board time to review the comments, statements, letters and other information submitted by the public. The town board may decide to more fully evaluate other options based on the public hearing, Pirrone said. The supervisor is calling on six architectural firms specializing in the adaptive reuse of historic structures to provide services. Three firms have given the board information about space planning and the cost to renovate the Athens Community Center. Residents of both the village and the town have voiced concerns about the eminent domain process. Specifically, how much has been spent on the plan to date, and what role has attorney Melissa Cherubino, of the Whiteman Osterman and Hanna firm in Albany played in influencing the board? “I’m concerned she’s advising the board on what to do or not do,” Sheila Brady said. “And may I ask, how much has been spent to hire an attorney? ...” Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

The Daily Freeman is reporting four employees at Coxsackie Correctional facility were hospitalized and several other people were injured after a fight at the maximum security prison August 1, according to the New York state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Authorities said the employees were treated for injuries ranging from head wounds to blood exposure; four other employees complaining of pain and swelling remained on duty. According to the department, at least 10 security personnel who responded to the incident were injured. The incident, as reported, failed to include an accounting of how many incarcerated men were involved and the nature of their injuries. According to the press release, “The department has zero tolerance for violence within our facilities and any individuals found responsible for this incident will be disciplined and be referred for outside prosecution.” The incident remains under investigation. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media Old Ravena Road in Albany County will be closed to traffic beginning August 8, for a bridge replacement project, according to county executive Daniel McCoy. The road, off Route 9W in the towns of Coeymans and Bethlehem, will be closed by the Albany County Department of Public Works beginning at 7 a.m. on August 8. The road will remain closed until further notice. No thru traffic will be allowed during the closure, including emergency vehicles, McCoy said. Vehicles will be rerouted onto Route 9W during the bridge replacement project. Information on the Old Ravena Road closure is available by calling the Albany Co. DPW at 518-765-2786. Read the full story at TheUpStater [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

CBS News reports that Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $1.3 billion in funding for bonuses for health care workers and plans to increase wages for home health care aides on Aug. 3. There are currently more than 9,000 health care job openings across the state. "Easier means relieving the financial crunch that is required to get the education necessary. So today, we're here to announce the 1,000 winners of our 'Nurses for the Future' program," Hochul said. Bonuses will be awarded to workers who make less than $125,000 annually and remain in their positions for at least six months. Lee Zeldin, the Long Island Republican Congressperson running against Hochul, responded to the announcement writing on Twitter, "Kathy Hochul can start by giving all the healthcare workers she fired their jobs back with backpay! Turning heroes into zeroes for not wanting to get the COVID shot is as wrong today as it was when she first fired these health care workers." Read more about this story at CBS News.