Joshua Solomon reports in the Times Union that New York's Legislature voted March 7 to let voters continue to request an absentee ballot on the basis of COVID-19 concerns in school district elections this spring. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the measure into law. "I have to believe that there are some people who appreciate their right to vote but still have not gone back to their church congregation yet because they're still concerned," Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, a Democrat from Buffalo, said on the chamber floor. Republicans disagreed, even as Greene County officials reported new COVID-19 deaths on March 3, March 4, and March 7. "There has to be an end point and we have to get back to the normal course of action," said Lawler, who touted his own vaccination status and the need for the state to continue to push for increased vaccinations among the public. "But let's stop using this as a bludgeon to change every law we don't like." School board and budget elections are May 18 this year. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Ted Remsnyder reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Patrick Ciccone, the chair of the Town of Durham Historic Preservation Committee, recently testified against the town board in a lawsuit about a proposed housing development in the town. said he was not reappointed to his post after he gave a sworn affidavit in a lawsuit against the town board and a proposed housing development in the town. Durham Town Supervisor Shawn Marriott then sent a letter to Ciccone on Feb. 27 telling him that his term on the Durham Historic Preservation Committee had expired at the end of 2019. “Effective immediately, that holdover status will not continue and you will not be reappointed,” according to the letter. “Please immediately return all town- and DHPC-related materials, etc., to the town hall within 24 hours.” Marriott, though, won't own up to why he removed Ciccone from the board. “I can confirm that he was not reappointed to the position,” Marriott said. “He was not fired, he was not reappointed to his position as chair. It was due to personnel matters that I cannot discuss.” Ciccone disagreed. “I was not an employee of the town,” he said. “I was an appointed expert on this commission. The town openly discusses all appointments in public, so they can’t hide behind calling this a personnel matter.” The lawsuit that Ciccone participated in was filed in November in New York State Supreme Court by the Cornwallville Residents for Rural Preservation, a group opposed to building 12 homes in Cornwallville. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Evelyn F. Preston reports for The Legislative Gazette that the Department of Environmental Conservation is warning New Yorkers that coyotes are now active. “This is the time of year when New York’s resident coyotes breed and set up dens for pups that will arrive in the spring,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “While conflicts with people and pets are rare, New Yorkers should remain alert and follow DEC’s common-sense guidelines to minimize the risk for potential conflicts with coyotes.” Like with bears, residents should secure garbage, and be careful with pet food. "If coyotes exhibit aggressive behavior and fail to show fear of people, or if it is spotted consistently in residential areas, people are urged to contact their Regional DEC Wildlife Office for assistance. In emergency situations, people are urged to contact the local police department," the DEC says. Read more about this story at The Legislative Gazette.

Today's daily news update.

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Patricia Doxsey is reporting for the Daily Freeman there are hundreds of charitable organizations collecting donations to help the Ukrainian people, but the situation has not surprisingly also created an opportunity for fraud. “Many New Yorkers are eager to do their part to help the Ukrainian people, but scammers often take advantage of crises to exploit our generosity and compassion,” state Attorney General Letitia James said in a press release last week. At Woodland Pond in New Paltz recently a number of the residents at the retirement community were targeted via email by scammers. Those efforts were thwarted by employees of the Sawyer Savings Bank, after residents approached them looking to withdraw money from their accounts. Sawyer Savings Bank CEO Doug Sturges said, “They came in with emails that basically were saying ‘my relatives are in Ukraine and they don’t have any access to money, but if you send the money to me, I can get it [to] them." Bank employees urged the customers to instead work through a national organization if they want to donate money. A flier has been distributed at the facility, advising residents to protect themselves by checking with staff or family members before sending any money even if seemed unkind to not respond to the pleas for help. Ulster County District Attorney David Clegg said his office has not received any complaints about scams involving the Ukraine crisis to date. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Cloey Callahan is reporting for the Times Union that Ulster County led the region in new Airbnb host income last year, with county homeowners who rented out their homes for the first time in 2021 collectively making more than $7 million, a 133 percent increase over 2019. It also represents a 6 percent share of the total new host market statewide. In the first six months of 2021, the Catskills and Hudson Valley region were among the top 10 most profitable areas for new hosts with one listing, according to an earlier report. New Airbnb hosts in Greene County, an especially popular skiing and snowboarding destination, earned more than $3.5 million collectively last year, while new hosts in Columbia and Sullivan made more than $2 million each. In Dutchess, where there are many hotels and where more towns are considering short-term rental regulations, income levels for new Airbnb hosts remained flat at $1.5 million. New York ranked fourth nationwide among the top five most profitable states for new host income in 2021. Suffolk County, home of the Hamptons, is one of the state’s biggest short-term rental markets recording $17 million in new host income in 2021, nearly as much as the entire Hudson Valley region. California leads the nation in new host income with Florida and Texas ranked second and third, respectively. According to market data from StayMarquis, a vacation rental company, there are currently nearly 8,000 available vacation properties across 10 Hudson Valley counties. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics Republican state Senator Jim Tedisco is pressing the office of New York Inspector General Lucy Lang for an update on the investigation into the 2018 Schoharie limousine crash that killed 20 people. Tedisco urged the office to provide more details into the probe so lawmakers and a limousine safety commission could possibly craft further legislation and regulation if needed. "We're talking about a new administration, new transparency," Tedisco said. "I'd like the inspector general to tell me did you complete that investigation? Did you not complete that investigation? Who was responsible for this? Was DOT responsible for this in some sense? Do we need more regulations?" The probe into the state's handling, oversight and potential responsibility for the crash has been underway for at least one year. Lang became inspector general in late 2021. Lee Park, a spokesman for Lang said, "The matter is under review." Tedisco had requested the inquiry in 2021 after the National Transportation Safety Board found the state Department of Transportation and the Department of Motor Vehicles shared blame along with the owners of Prestige Limousine for not removing the vehicle from the road. "We have to get to the bottom of this and figure out whose culpable and who caused this disaster," Tedisco said. Read more at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

This weekend there were pro-peace, anti-war rallies focused on Ukraine in Hudson, Albany, and Woodstock, and around the country. WNYT reported that hundreds of citizens turned out for a candlelight vigil in Hudson March 6. The Rev. Janusz Jedrychowski, of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hudson was at the vigil and talked with the television station. Click here to download or play short excerpt. In Albany, the March 5 rally at Townsend Park was sponsored by the Green Party along with Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. There, Peter Lavenia of New York's Green Party spoke, recorded by our partner station WOOC. Click here to download or play short excerpt. Photographs in The Daily Freeman also showed dozens rallying for peace in Ukraine on March 6.

Nick Reisman reports for New York State of Politics that seven members of New York's congressional delegation are endorsing tuition assistance for people in prison. But Reps. Antonio Delgado and Paul Tonko, who represent citizens locally, are not on the list to end a decades-long ban on tuition for prisoners. Reps. Ritchie Torres, Nydia Velazquez, Greg Meeks, Jamaal Bowman, Grace Meng, Hakeem Jeffries, Carolyn Maloney, and Mondaire Jones, are backing Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal to extend higher education courses for people in New York prisons. Proponents argue that re-establishing access for people in prison to the Tuition Assistance Program would reduce recidivism, increase the job opportunities out of prison, and help narrow a racial inequality gap. "Allowing incarcerated students to benefit from TAP is a long overdue and straightforward action that builds opportunity, promotes equity, strengthens democracy, and affirms our commitment to racial justice in New York state," said the lawmakers in a letter they all signed. Nationally, Congress has already lifted a ban on Pell Grant eligibility for people in prison after a 25-year ban. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Sarah Trafton reports for Porcupine Soup that the first 30 seconds of a song on The Lumineers album features a 30-second solo from the Palenville Firehouse siren. Palenville Fire Department President Blake Garrison recently got a call from management for folk rock band The Lumineers, asking for permission to use a recording of the fire house siren on the song "Remington" on the band’s new album, “Brightside.” “Wesley [Schultz] was walking by our firehouse one day and the fire siren goes off at 12 noon, as it has every day for the last 70 years,” Garrison said of the Lumineers’ founding member and lead vocalist who has a home in the Catskills. “He thought it had a really cool sound to it, so he recorded it with his iPhone.” The song's lyrics also reference the sound. “I awoke from the sleep of a hundred days. To the fire station bells,” in included in the song. producer and Palenville resident Simone Felice, well known locally as a member of The Felice Brothers and a Palenville resident, produced the album. “The Catskill Mountains and the wild ghosts of Rip Van Winkle and Henry Hudson’s crew were definitely infused into the spirit of this album,” he said in a statement. Here are the first 30 seconds of The Lumineer's "Remington" including the Palenville Firehouse siren. Click here to download or play the first 30 seconds of "Remington. Read more about this story at Porcupine Soup.

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Here is this week's WGXC Congressional Report, tracking the votes, statements, positions, and campaigns of the representatives and candidates for the 19th and 20th Congressional seats in New York. Current Democrat Reps. Antonio Delgado and Paul Tonko vote with the positions of President Joe Biden 100 percent of the time, according to the fivethirtyeight.com website. Click here to listen to this report.

On March 2, Rep. Antonio Delgado held a Tele-Town Hall meeting, answering questions from constituents over the phone. Here is an excerpt of the questioning. Click here to download or play an excerpt of Delgado's town hall meeting.

Heather Bellow is reporting for The Berkshire Eagle the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has ordered the Housatonic Water Works Co. in Great Barrington, Mass., to present by April 4 a proposal for reducing levels of a disinfectant byproduct linked to cancer in its drinking water. If the company fails to meet the deadline or secure an extension, legal action, “including, but not limited to, criminal prosecution, court-imposed civil penalties, or civil administrative penalties,” could follow, according to a March 3 notice from Deirdre Doherty, with the Western Regional office of the DEP. The utility could also be added to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s list of water systems that have not fixed problems requiring action. In the last half of 2021, the company reported elevated levels of haloacetic acid, a chlorine byproduct also known as HAA5, and neglected to notify the public of some of the test results within the required 30 days. In addition, the company was late with some reports to the DEP. Waterworks co-owner and Treasurer James Mercer said the company plans to fix the problem. “All we’re looking to do is follow the science on this and get the levels under control,” he said. “We fully intend to meet all the requirements.” Customers have complained of periodic bouts of discolored water and sediment for the past 10 years. Pressed by residents, town officials are considering a takeover of the company, and residents are asking top state officials for help. Read more in The Berkshire Eagle.

Valerie White is reporting for Porcupine Soup the Greene County Sheriff’s Office is looking to reopen its shooting range in Cairo. The facility has been closed for four years, but officials are hoping to see it open again so members can train locally. The range is located on approximately 50 acres of county-owned land near the Emergency Services Center. At the March 2 meeting of the Greene County Legislature Public Safety Committee, representatives of the department spoke with lawmakers on plans for the range. The work required would include the recovery of lead that accumulated over years of shooting, as the shooting range was closed without properly cleaning the environment. Sheriff Peter Kusminsky said the agency is in talks with remediation companies in search of the best solutions. Sergeant Shawn Marriott suggested that a range services firm would be able to remove lead from the hillside. Once the lead is removed, Marriott said, the rear embankment could be reshaped and reangled. In the future, the county could install special boxes to catch the lead. “I think DEC would like that better,” said County Administrator Shawn Groden. “...But if boxes cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, the budget may not allow us to do something like that." Legislator Harry Lennon, who represents Cairo said he has not received any complaints about the range returning. He said in the past there were complaints of excessive noise when outside agencies used the range. If it were to reopen, Lennon said, he would like to see the range used only by the county sheriff's office. Kusminsky said, “We have to have firearms training somewhere, so we are trying to accommodate those needs. The department is looking for the most cost-effective way to do this.” Read the full story at porcupinesoup [dot] com.

Noah Eckstein is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media that the Hudson Industrial Development Agency unanimously agreed last week to pay the Columbia Economic Development Corporation 10 percent of each potential project fee, a maximum of $10,000 per project, to help with administrative costs. This is different from a previous agreement where the IDA paid only $10,000 in total to the CEDC per year. “The economics of the new deal is far more equitable. We are effectively ensuring a fairer deal helping us bring greater projects to Hudson,” said Third Ward Alderperson and IDA chair Ryan Wallace. The IDA says it promotes, encourages, attracts and develops job opportunities, commerce and industry in Hudson. The CEDC’s stated goal is to attract economic growth to Columbia County. The original purpose of the recent IDA meeting was to review a proposal for a new hotel at N. 4th and Warren streets. However, the Galvan Foundation, the organization funding the project, needed more time to prepare. The foundation submitted a site plan application to the Hudson Planning Board in January, and that board is expected to discuss the project on March 8. The IDA will hear presentations from representatives of two hotels at its meeting in April. F. Michael Tucker, CEO and president of the CEDC, said depending on what the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals decides, the group behind the potential conversion of the former Elks Lodge at 601 Union Street into a 30-room hotel may also give a presentation. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for the Capital Region Independent Media the Coeymans Town Board met Fri., Mar. 4, for a special meeting called for the purpose of making various personnel changes. On the agenda: the appointment of a new police chief, and the resignation of Deputy Town Supervisor Daniel Baker, who is expected to soon step into the position of highway superintendent following the retirement of Highway Superintendent Scott Searles. Marc Tryon, a veteran of more than 30 years with the New York State Police, was appointed police chief. He replaces Douglas Keyer, who resigned abruptly from the office on February 11. Keyer did not provide a reason for stepping down, but the announcement came during a budget battle between the town board and the police officers’ union. Tryon served 32 years as a state trooper, until his retirement in 2013, reaching the ranks of sergeant, zone sergeant and first sergeant, Town Supervisor George McHugh said. Tryon's appointment is effective March 7 and he will be paid a salary of $80,000 a year. Tryon is the brother of Coeymans resident William Tryon, who pleaded guilty to charges filed in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol . William Tryon was sentenced in January to 50 days in jail, along with a $1,000 fine and $500 in restitution for damages caused to the Capitol building during the riot. McHugh said Marc Tryon’s brother did not factor into the board’s decision. “Marc’s resume and distinguished career speaks for itself,. The town board and I believe that each person should be judged on their own individual acts and merits.” Baker submitted his resignation from the town board and he will be named special assistant to the highway superintendent. Searles' retirement, after 30 years of service, is effective March 31. Assemblymember Chris Tague was on hand to present Searles with a citation from the state Assembly honoring his service to Coeymans. McHugh said that Baker will undergo some on-the-job training for the next three weeks and "...then it is my belief that the town board will appoint him superintendent after Scott retires.” Read the full story at TheUpStater [dot] com.