MidHudson News is reporting Allegiant Air has announced it will add two more routes from New York Stewart International Airport later this year. Those flights are in addition to the current Myrtle Beach and Florida routes served from the Newburgh area airport. The Savannah, Georgia and Destin, Florida routes were originally scheduled to begin in 2020 but were put on hold because of the pandemic. Savannah, Georgia will be served via Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport beginning on May 26. Destin service via Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport will begin on June 13. The Destin flights will operate twice a week, while the Savannah service will operate four times a week. Allegiant was the only airline at Stewart to continue operations during the pandemic while the others suspended flights. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.

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Several folks from the Hudson Valley and Capital Region attended the riot at the U.S. Capitol last week, and at least two have faced repercussions for their actions. Lohud.com reports that a Metro-North Railroad employee from Brewster was suspended without pay, and then arrested Jan. 12 by the FBI after calling in sick to attend the riot. Previously, Sharon Pineo of Round Lake resigned from the zoning board in Malta in Saratoga County after news that she attended the riot got out. Liz Joy, the Republican candidate for Congress who lost to Democrat Paul Tonko in November said on Twitter she attended the rally that preceded the riot in Washington D.C. Joy said she rode on a bus chartered to take people from the Capitol Region to the rally. Joy Tweeted during the disturbance that, "Hundreds of thousands of people attended today’s rally to stand for Election Integrity." Orange County Assemblymember Colin Schmitt has been criticized not for attending the rally, but addressing attendees on one of two buses leaving from Monroe for the Capitol last week. A mother of three from Ulster County named Susan, who would not give her last name, did ride that bus, and told the Record Online that her group listened to the president's speech and walked toward the Capitol, but did not enter. "We were there to support him," she said. "We were not there to incite violence."

The Times Union is reporting a draft design for the renovation of Hillsdale’s Hamlet Park will be presented to residents during a Zoom meeting beginning at 7 p.m. , Wed., Jan. 13. The plan was created by Chazen Associates, a landscape design firm hired by the town to reimagine the park, located near the intersections of state Routes 22 and 23. The restoration is a project of the Hillsdale Hamlet Committee, which gathered input from residents through a survey and a public meeting held in October. Residents recommended a renovated village park that provides space for socializing, musical events, exercise, relaxing, picnics and play, for people of all ages, the committee said. After the meeting, the plan will be  presented to the Hillsdale Town Board for review and approval. The committee said it will then focus on fundraising. A link to the Zoom meeting can be found in the News and Notices section at hillsdaleny [dot] com.

Andrea Macko is reporting for Porcupine Soup the popular Slater’s Smart Stop in Cairo has been sold. According to a statement from longtime owners Justin Slater and Christie Slater, the sale includes Dalton’s Donuts and the Subway sandwich shop located inside the shop. “We have decided it’s time to focus our efforts on more family time and ...Slater’s Pellets,” they said. On August 6, the Cairo Planning Board approved a property subdivision request to separate Slater’s Smart Stop from Slater’s Pellets, located behind the convenience store. The Slaters declined to identify the new owner is, but sources with knowledge of the sale report it is Gas Land Petroleum, a fuel marketer for companies like Sunoco, Shell and Citgo. Gas Land was founded in the 1970s and is headquartered in New Paltz. As of 2018, it owned more than 60 gas station convenience stores in the Hudson Valley. Customers trying to buy lottery tickets at Slater's in recent days have been told Lotto is not available because the new owner is awaiting licensure from the state. “Please be patient with the employees and the new owner over the next few months as this transition unfolds,” the Slaters said. “It has not been easy for anyone and there are so many changes that need to be made. We are overjoyed for our new journey, but extremely sad at the [same] time. Please be kind,” they added. “It’s been a long hard journey and I just ask you to respect that.” Read more in Porcupine Soup.

Kenneth C. Crowe II is reporting for the Times Union the Rensselaer County Republicans are engaged in an effort to move party supporters from the Independence Party into the Working Families Party hoping to offset Democratic strength in the coming local elections. In November, County Executive Steve McLaughlin will be a candidate for re-election, officials in the three parties confirmed this week. The move has angered Working Family and Democratic leaders. The Independence, Green and other minor parties failed to secure the required number of votes in the 2020 presidential election that would guarantee them spots on the ballot, thereby jeopardizing the county GOP's established policy of running its candidates on multiple lines. “We’re working on that now,” county GOP chair John Rustin said about the voter registration effort. Republicans at the local level said Independence voters with family and other ties to the GOP have already been approached by party operative Richard Crist and they completed change of registration forms to be filed with the county Board of Elections at a later date. The Independence Party line accounted for nearly 10 percent, or 2,008 votes, of the nearly 21,000 votes McLaughlin received in his 2017 win over Democrat Andrea Smyth. McLaughlin won the election by 1,090 votes. A change in a voter’s party enrollment must be filed by February 14, in order for the person to cast a ballot in the June 22 primary. Winning a Working Families Party primary by just a few votes can translate into more than a thousand in the general election, said Phil Markham, the Rensselaer County Working Families leader. The party’s progressive values are not shared by Republicans who use “a loophole in the election law to put their own candidates on the ballot,” Markham said. Read the full story in the Times Union.

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While county leaders around New York State called the coronavirus vaccine rollout "chaos," and said they did not have enough vaccine to give the first eligible their shots, New York expanded the eligibility list on Jan. 11 to those 75-years-old and older. New York also started a phone line to call in and register for vaccinations that was overwhelmed. So the next day the state further expanded the eligibility to 65 years of age and older, and to people with underlying conditions, even though no great new reserves of vaccine were discovered. On Jan. 12 Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said he was "making calls all weekend long" to try to get more doses of the vaccine. Ryan says about 15,000 Ulster County residents were eligible to receive the vaccine last week, but the county has received just 5,500 dosages over the past three weeks, including 1,200 so far this week. On Jan. 11 Greene County told people 75-plus not to call for appointments because they do not have enough vaccine to give everyone first eligible a shot. Now the state has twice expanded the number of folks who can now call and find out they are eligible to receive a shot, but they cannot actually get one, because there is not enough vaccine. Meanwhile, Greene County announced 22 more positive COVID-19 tests Jan. 12, and Columbia County announced 37 new cases. Albany County reported 351 new cases on Jan. 12, and a new temporary hospital overflow area. There were 74 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed to the Rensselaer County Health Department, and two more deaths. Ulster County added 103 new positive coronavirus tests Jan. 12, while Dutchess County added 574 over the past four days.

Natasha Vaughn is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado was one of more than 200 co-sponsors of the article of impeachment introduced in the Congress, January 11. Delgado is one of many representatives to call for the president’s impeachment following the failed January 6, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, as the Congress was certifying results of the November election. “On January 6, the President incited a violent insurrection of the Capitol while Congress sought to uphold its constitutional duty to certify election results,” Delgado said in a statement. “Today, I joined more than 200 of my colleagues in introducing an article of impeachment against President Trump. Protecting our democracy from ongoing threats requires swift action.” The resolution was introduced Monday and calls for the impeachment of the president for high crimes and misdemeanors. Delgado is one of 15 New York representatives to sign on as co-sponsors of the measure. The article states Trump incited an insurrection against the U.S. government and that before the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, he repeatedly issued false statements calling the election results fraudulent and stating they should not be accepted by the American people or be certified by state or federal officials. The article states that Trump's actions "...endangered U.S. security and its institutions." That the president has “demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law,” according to the resolution. Delgado also supported the impeachment of Trump in 2019. The Senate did not vote to convict in that case. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo January 12, delivered the second part of his week-long presentation of the 2021 State of the State address, saying New York must transition its economy to a post-COVID pandemic world. To do so, New York will rely heavily on rapid testing sites statewide. "This will afford us the means and guidance to reopen more businesses safely," Cuomo said. Cuomo also called for revitalizing the performing arts in New York, a center for filmmaking and live performances nationwide. Broadway went dark at the start of the pandemic last March. "These artists are part of what makes New York, New York," Cuomo said. The governor launched an arts revival program with plans for pop-up events across the state beginning February 4, including Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, Wynton Marsalis, and Hugh Jackman, among others. Cuomo called for improved broadband internet access and greater affordability as more jobs and schools turn to remote work and learning. He wants a measure requiring $15 per month broadband service for low-income families. The governor also called for setting aside empty retail space be converted into affordable housing in New York. The state's economy has been badly battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and joblessness remains higher than it was at this same time last year at more than 7 percent. Cuomo's speech was the second of four State of the State addresses he is giving this week. He laid out plans for a transitional economy in the new year as testing has been easier to perform and vaccines are still being distributed. "The reality is not all businesses will reopen and not all jobs are coming back as they were," Cuomo said. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Greene County's Mountain Top Cares Coalition has announced it is once again offering training to administer Naloxone, or Narcan, the life-saving drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. The medication is easily administered by a trained person. The training is virtual and takes approximately two hours. It will be held online from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thu., Jan. 21. All participants will be issued a Narcan kit upon completion of the training. To register, write naloxone [at] mountaintopcarescoalition [dot] com, or call 518-487-1788. The coalition is a nonprofit organization that serves people with substance use disorders and issues of addiction in the mountain top communities of Greene County. Its mission is to promote recovery and empower those we serve and their families through advocacy, referrals, education and peer support.

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Steve Hughes is reporting for the Times Union the Albany city and New York State Police are preparing for possible armed protests in the week leading up to the presidential inauguration. An FBI internal bulletin dated January 10, warned that protests were possible at all 50 statehouses and in Washington D.C., according to two law enforcement officials who read details of the memo to The Associated Press. Investigators believe some of the people are members of extremist groups, the officials said. State Police spokesman Beau Duffy said the agency is aware of reports regarding possible protests ahead of the inauguration and is in touch with federal law enforcement. “Given recent events in Washington and across the country, the New York State Police has, out of an abundance of caution, taken steps to harden security in and around the State Capitol in Albany,” Duffy said in a statement . “These restrictions are in place until further notice.” On January 6, a double stabbing took place outside the state Capitol when suspected Antifa supporters clashed with members of the right-wing Proud Boys during a pro-Trump rally in Albany, as the state Legislature opened its first session. Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s office said the city police department is working with state and federal law enforcement to monitor threats of violence and residents are urged to sign up for the department's Nixle alerts for updates. After the violent siege of the U.S. Capitol last week, concrete barriers were placed around the state Capitol in Albany to block off vehicle traffic. Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, said authorities in state capitals and other major cities besides Washington should prepare for the possibility of violent protests in the coming week. Posts on social media have promoted a “Million Militia March” on January 20, inauguration day. Pitcavage said the event, apparently organized by a promoter of the pro-Trump “QAnon“ conspiracy theory, appears unlikely to draw a massive crowd. Read the full story in the Times Union.

New York State Senator Daphne Jordan January 12, announced her committee appointments for the 2021 Legislative Session. Jordan was once again named the Ranking Republican Member on the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee. In addition, Senator Jordan was named the Ranking Republican Member on the Senate Libraries Committee, the Senate State-Native American Relations Committee, and the Senate Women’s Issues Committee, respectively. She will also continue serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, and begin serving on the Senate Procurements and Contracts Committee. Additionally, Jordan remains a member of the Senate Legislative Women’s Caucus. “Between the COVID-19 pandemic, continued economic downturn that’s hurt countless small businesses, families and local communities, and the state’s multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall, there’s no shortage of challenges facing us. We need to meet and solve these critical challenges on behalf of the hard-working New Yorkers we are honored to serve and represent,” Jordan said in a statement. The second term Halfmoon Republican represents the 43rd Senate District, which includes all of Columbia County, and portions of Rensselaer, Washington and Saratoga counties. Read more at nysenate [dot] gov.

MidHudson News is reporting U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, standing at Plum Point facing the Hudson River January 11, touted federal legislation approved in a recent defense bill that will ban oil barge anchorages on the river between Kingston and Yonkers. “This will for all-time protect this beautiful stretch of the river from the dozens of oil barge anchorages that had been planned just a few years ago,” he said. “The federal legislation, which is now the law of the land, will permanently ban that from happening. My kids, your kids, your grandkids will never look out on this stretch of river and see a parking lot of oil barges. I am very proud of that.” Maloney shared his achievement with others, including Steve Neuhaus, the Orange County executive, who said the ban helps foster more recreational and economic activity, aimed at tourism and the quality of life of local residents. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.

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The Daily Freeman reported that Ulster County's primary COVID-19 vaccination center opened Jan. 11 in Kingston, with a location at Ellenville Regional Hospital, and three others in Dutchess County scheduled to open later in the week. The Dutchess County are at Behavioral & Community Health's Mental Health Campus on North Road in Poughkeepsie, which opens Jan. 13, and the former JCPenney store in the Poughkeepsie Galleria, which starts inoculating Jan. 15, and Dover Middle/High School in Dover Plains, which begins vaccine shots on Jan. 16. If eligible, Ulster County residents should go to covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/vaccine-resource-center to sign up for a vaccine, and Dutchess residents should go to dutchessny.gov/covidvaccine. But Dutchess County reported Jan. 11 that they have, "no appointments currently available at the points of dispensing established by Dutchess County government due to the limited number of doses made available to the county from New York state." New York State unveiled its "1b" vaccine plan Jan. 11. The state has been criticized for a slow vaccine rollout so far, and New York rolled out its new telephone line to sign up for vaccines on Jan. 11. To schedule appointments call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX or (1-833-697-4829), but on the first day there were many busy signals. And the Times Union reported that teachers in Rensselaer County and Westchester County got all the vaccine shots there Jan. 11, on the first day of the expanded eligibility. While the vaccines numbers are not large yet, the case count numbers continue to climb. Greene County reported 177 new COVID-19 positive tests Jan. 11, and four more deaths. Cairo-Durham schools announced three more cases: a high school student, and two staff members at Cairo-Durham Middle/High School. Columbia County reported 42 more coronavirus cases and one more death on Jan. 11. Rensselaer County confirmed 275 new positive tests. In Albany County there were 216 new cases, and four more deaths. There were also 21 inmates testing positive for COVID-19 at the Albany County jail. Ulster County reported 88 new cases of the illness, and two more deaths. Dutchess County reported three more deaths, and 259 newly diagnosed cases of COVID, on Jan. 11.

Jesse McKinley and Luis Ferré-Sadurní are reporting for The New York Times Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo January 11, unveiled his vision for New York in 2021, focused on improving the state’s finances and its citizens’ health. Speaking from a nearly empty room in the State Capitol, Cuomo unveiled a seven-point plan for the state, with many of the points touching on the coronavirus and its impacts. “We are hurt, we are frustrated, and we are in mourning, we are anxious, we are shocked that an invisible enemy could wreak such death and destruction,” he said. Cuomo unveiled a series of proposals to address the health care vulnerabilities, vowing to provide incentives for the manufacturing of medical supplies in New York to diminish the reliance on China. The governor also announced the creation of a state public health corps of 1,000 fellows and a program to train 100,000 citizens as health care emergency volunteers. Plus, expanding access to telemedicine services in the state, extending a moratorium on commercial evictions for businesses, and creating a new office to combat domestic violence, which has increased during the crisis. This year, the projected revenue shortfall of $15 billion is the largest in state history, amid widespread economic carnage, Cuomo said. The governor, a Democrat serving his 11th year in office, previously presented a package of initiatives, including election reforms, plus measures to legalize recreational marijuana and mobile sports betting, could potentially inject new revenue into the state’s coffers. New York officials are hoping the state’s dismal economic forecast will be reversed by a federal bailout and other friendly policies. The governor’s State of the State address was the first of four policy speeches he plans to deliver this week, and he promised to announce more details about economic stimulus soon. He promised a New Deal-style program to invest in infrastructure, including air, rail, and road projects as well as housing. Read the full story in The New York Times.