Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media officials in the town of Coeymans are looking at implementing CodeRED, a mass communication notification system that would send alerts to the town's residents. Troy Harper, director of Government Strategy for OnSolve, presented the program to the town council at its June 23 meeting. CodeRED is a tool that allows government agencies to manage their communications, sending out alerts for everything from public safety emergencies to local concert events, depending on what the resident has registered for. OnSolve has more than 10,000 client communities in all 50 states and territories in the U.S. and it is the company that sends out Amber Alerts when children are reported missing, Harper said. Other communities that use the CodeRed system include Saugerties and the village of Coxsackie, among others. The cost to the town would be roughly $4,000 a year, Town Supervisor George McHugh said. The company does not sell the contact information and data it collects, Harper said. The system was first brought to McHugh’s attention by the town’s emergency management director, Bill Bruno. McHugh said it was a good way to reach more residents than through Facebook or other social media. Messages can go to either cellphones or landlines and with a landline a computerized voice would read the message to the recipient, Harper said. The town board has yet to make a decision on whether to implement CodeRED or not. Read the full story at TheUpStater [dot] com.

William J. Kemble is reporting for the Daily Freeman former Hudson school district administrator Steven Spicer has been elected president of the Kingston School Board. Spicer was chosen over serving president James Shuaghnessy on July 6, in a 7 to 2 vote. Shaughnessy has been a member of the board since 2006 and had served five non-consecutive years as president. Spicer served as the board's vice president for the past two years. He was unsuccessful in his bid for president last year. Spicer was first appointed to fill a board vacancy in February 2019, and three months later, he won a full term. He was then re-elected to a second full term in May. Spicer said the district needs to remedy the adverse effects of remote learning during the pandemic. “Our leading goal is serving the superintendent and his staff, the principals and the teachers toward closing the COVID-learning gap,” he said. Spicer said the major challenge lies mostly at the elementary and middle school level, adding that the high school graduation rate did increase in some demographic areas despite difficulties during the past two years. Spicer retired from the Hudson district in 2018, after 14 years of service. His job as principal of John L. Edwards Primary School was eliminated after that building was closed. Before serving in that role, he spent seven years as the principal of Hudson High School, from 2004 until 2011. Spicer has been a resident of Ulster County for more than 30 years. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

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The Times Union reports that Columbia County has issued a tick alert, as a resident there may have contracted Powassan virus, a rare and potentially dangerous disease. Symptoms of Powassan virus can range from a mild flu to life-threatening encephalitis, a brain inflammation. The last time there was a confirmed case in Columbia County was 2018, and there have only been 27 cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control from 2011 to 2020. “In Columbia County, we have learned through years of experience that a number of preventative measures can work together for protection against tick-borne diseases,” said Jack Mabb, county public health director. “It is important for residents to plan ahead before outdoor activities, be mindful of exposure while outdoors and to remain vigilant in checking for ticks both while outdoors and afterward for the best chance of prevention against tick-borne diseases.” Experts recommend light-colored clothing with a tight weave so ticks can be seen easily, and staying on cleared, well-traveled trails. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Ted Remsnyder reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the Catskill Town Board backed lies and propaganda July 5, approving a new 15-year contract with Mid-Hudson Cable. The local cable and internet provider airs lies about the 2020 presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic on entertainment channels OAN, Newsmax, and Fox. The board voted 4-0 to keep the contract with Mid-Hudson Cable. The Town of Catskill gets a three percent franchise fee from recurring cable subscriptions, cable pay-per-view purchases, and advertising sales. “It was the same standard franchise agreement we’ve had for the last 15 years,” Councilperson Jared Giordiano said July 6. “I don’t agree with raising the franchise amount, because it just makes the bills higher for the customers that have it.” In 2021 Catskill received $60,300 in franchise fees from its agreements with Mid-Hudson Cable and Spectrum. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Matt Spillane reports in the Poughkeepsie Journal that more people have voted in an online contest choosing a new design for an "I Voted" sticker, than voted in the June primary elections. Of course, anyone, not just registered Ulster County residents, can vote in this contest, and there seems to be much interest in the sticker designed by Hudson Rowan, a 14-year-old from Marbletown. Spillane describes it as "what looks like a human head on a spider's body," and the design has 94 percent of the votes so far. "It's a head with legs with colors," Rowan said, adding it has a "vibrant, psychedelic, happy, crazy theme." The contest also was held last year, but only 500 people voted then. This year Rowan's entry alone has 37,000 votes. Go to https://elections.ulstercountyny.gov/i-voted-sticker-contest/ to vote in the sticker contest. Read more about this story in the Poughkeepsie Journal.

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Harrison Gereau is reporting for News10 Albany in the United States, energy costs account for between 5 and 22 percent of a family's after-tax income, with the poorest Americans paying the highest of that range. To better understand the impact of energy costs relative to location and consumption habits, the personal finance website WalletHub compared the monthly energy bills in 50 states and the District of Columbia. New York was ranked 41st overall for total energy costs, with an average monthly bill of $441, according to the study. The state ranks near-dead last, coming in at number 50, in both motor fuel consumption and electricity consumption per consumer. The price of gas, on the other hand, was the eighth highest in the country. Near the top of the list was the state of Massachusetts, which ranked fifth overall, behind Connecticut, North Dakota, Alaska and Wyoming. The study found that consumers in the Bay State spend, on average, $577 per month on energy bills. Vermont came in seventh. Its residents spend around $571 a month in energy costs. The state made the top 10 for monthly natural gas costs, which racked up a price tag of $91. Read more at News10 [dot] com.

Ariél Zangla is reporting for the Daily Freeman Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said he has changed the line of succession for his office to establish the public trust and to make sure there is a clear separation between government and politics. Ryan said he amended the line of succession on July 1, placing Deputy County Executive Johanna Contreras at the top of the list to succeed him if, for any reason, he could not fulfill the duties of his office. In line behind Contreras on the amended list is Deputy County Executive Christopher Kelly, followed by county Director of Economic Development Tim Weidemann. The previous line of succession started with Deputy County Executive Marc Rider. Rider recently expressed an interest in securing the Democratic endorsement in the race for county executive if Ryan is successful in his Congressional bid. Ryan said, "...I wanted to make sure that no one who’s expressed interest in pursuing the office, were it to be open, would be in that line of succession so that the public could have confidence that the one and only goal of county government is to serve the residents of the county and that there’s no other agenda.” County Comptroller March Gallagher and former state Sen. Jen Metzger have also expressed an interest in serving as county executive should Ryan be elected to Congress. Ryan is running in a special election on August 23, against Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro for the 19th Congressional District seat vacated by Democrat Antonio Delgado. The winner of that race will serve through the end of the year. Should Ryan win that election, a second special election would be held in late December to fill the remainder of Ryan’s term as county executive, which expires December 31, 2023. Win or lose in August, Ryan will run again in November to represent the newly drawn 18th Congressional District. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Ted Remsnyder is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media that a group of Hudson residents will soon receive a $500 payment every month as the newest participants in the Hudson UP program. The universal basic income lottery to constitute the newest program cohort opened June 22, and when it closes on September 22, 53 city residents will be randomly selected to receive $500 per month for the next five years. The program started in 2020 with 25 residents and expanded to 50 recipients in 2021. After the third group is complete, the number of participants will reach 128. The program is funded by The Spark of Hudson Foundation. Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson is a supporter of the initiative and also serves with the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income network, a group of 30 mayors nationwide studying data and initiatives on universal basic income programs. Johnson said Spark of Hudson first reached out to him two and a half years ago. “... The first cohort was a joint initiative between the city and Spark. So myself and [former presidential primary and gubernatorial candidate] Andrew Yang got on a call and did a town hall for the residents about the educational component of the program. So now we’re here two and half years later in our third cohort. So we’re pushing to get as many residents as we can get registered,” the mayor said. Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood administers the Hudson UP program. Greater Hudson Executive Director Joan Hunt said people can enter as long as they meet three criteria — they live in the city of Hudson, they are over the age of 18 by September 30, and make under the median annual income of $39,346 per year. Johnson is encouraging all eligible city residents to sign up for the lottery as there’s no downside to entering. “It’s like literally winning the lottery,” he said. The lottery application is available at HudsonUP [dot] org. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

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Andrea Macko reports for Porcupine Soup that New York's Department of Health has shut down the former Acra Manor Hotel a year after it was sold to a New Jersey-based non-profit organization. “Acra Manor Resort is currently not permitted to be occupied because it has a failing wastewater disposal system,” the Department of Health said in a statement. “Sewage from the facility’s onsite wastewater treatment system was observed on the ground several times in 2021.” A Jewish organization that holds a 501c3 tax status, Tiferes Chaim, Inc. of Lakewood, NJ purchased the 16.5-acre property and resort on Old Route 23 in 2021 for $1,960,000. At the time of the purchase the new owners said they would make it a summer camp. The new owners did not respond to Porcupine Soup's request for comment. “Before the facility will be permitted to be occupied, the owner would need to have a new wastewater disposal system designed, approved, apply for a State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit from DEC allowing the discharge of treated wastewater, and construct/install the new disposal system,” the DOH said. Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

Nick Reisman reports for New York State of Politics that progressive Democrat groups Empire State Indivisible and Rockland United endorsed state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi's campaign against incumbent Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, in the new 17th Congressional District primary election Aug. 23. "I am honored to be endorsed by Empire State Indivisible and Rockland United -- two progressive organizations that champion working people across the district and New York," Biaggi said in a statement. "For years, these grassroots groups have helped support and elect progressive candidates - knocking on doors, making calls, and mobilizing voters. Empire State Indivisible and Rockland United understand that with so much at risk, we can no longer afford the status quo. This grassroots support is how I will win no matter how much is spent against me." Biaggi was also the choice recently of the New York Progressive Action Network and Progressive Change Campaign Committee, who prefer her to Maloney, who is also the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair. In the Republican primary for the 17th Congressional District, Shoshana David, Charles Falciglia, William Faulkner, Michael Lawler, and Jack Schrepel are all on the ballot Aug. 23. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

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

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Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Columbia County Board of Supervisors has announced a $500,000 initiative to aid small businesses. The board launched Columbia Forward, designed to strengthen the business community as it emerges from the pandemic and encourage local economic development activities. Under Columbia Forward, the Columbia Economic Development Corporation and the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce will partner to implement and manage a three-year, $450,000 program intended to assist county-based small business and local economic development committees, Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chair Matt Murell said. The county will give the CEDC an additional $50,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to support a new small business grant program to which the corporation has committed $500,000 in new loan funds. Loans up to $25,000 will be made available to credit-eligible borrowers. There are approximately 1,750 businesses in Columbia County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with more than 78 percent employing 10 or fewer people. The program will target these small businesses disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, including businesses in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, Murell said. The program will also focus on Main Street retail, small manufacturing, and service businesses. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Vaughn Golden is reporting for WSKG-TV after a New York appellate court invalidated the lines for the state Assembly districts last month, a lower court is now moving forward with drawing new boundaries in preparation for the 2024 elections. However, the judge overseeing the matter has not decided on an exact process for doing so. In an order last week, Judge Laurence Love directed the attorneys who brought the original case challenging the Assembly lines to submit briefs on how to proceed. Aaron Foldenauer, an attorney for one of the petitioners, said one option available is to engage the services of a special master, as was done when the maps for congressional and state Senate districts were redrawn earlier this year. “Or there are other options to the court and we’ll be going through that in detail with the court in the next month or two,” Foldenauer said. In the same order, the judge cited a section of law suggesting the court may consider trying to revive the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission. To that, Foldenauer said, “... I do see a lot of practical problems as far as trying to get the IRC together again. I’m not even sure that the commission can be forced to reconvene or to work.” The judge is asking the attorneys to submit briefs on the issue by August 8. How the process will move forward from there is unclear. Read more at wskg [dot] org.

Liz Montgomery is reporting for Porcupine Soup Greene County Solid Waste Management will hold its annual household hazardous waste collection event on July 9, this year at the Windham Highway Facility at 83 County Route 21, also known as Mitchell Hollow Road. A second event is being planned for Athens in the fall. County residents are being directed to come to the site during the time period specified based on the first letter of their last name. The time periods are as follows: A to F, from 8 to 9 a.m.; G to K, 9 to 10 a.m.; L to P, 10 to 11 a.m.; Q to U, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and V through Z, 12 to 1 p.m. Participants are urged to separate and package the hazardous waste to prevent leakage during transportation. The county also asks that there be only one occupant per vehicle — and no children or pets — while transporting hazardous waste. Documentation of Greene County residency, such as a driver's license or utility bill, will be required. This event is for household hazardous waste only. Commercial or agricultural waste will not be accepted. Details are available at 518-943-4600 or solidwaste [at] discovergreene.com. The county is also reminding residents that beginning July 12, the Coxsackie Transfer Station will be temporarily relocated to 370 Mansion Street in Coxsackie while the existing transfer station is renovated. Only bagged garbage and recyclable paper, cardboard, cans and glass, will be accepted. Read the full story at porcupinesoup [dot] com.

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