Today's daily news update.

Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Columbia Memorial Health hospital in Hudson is limiting visitation to one healthy person per patient at a time for up to 30 minutes only during one two-hour window a day. “It certainly coincided with, and was a result of, the increase in transmission of the omicron variant in the community.” Columbia Memorial spokesman Bill VanSlyke said. “So we went from — the hours were 2 to 6 p.m. — and now they’ve been reduced to 3 to 5 p.m., one visitor at a time for 30 minutes.” The Hudson hospital currently has 26 COVID-positive patients. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Jeanette Wolfberg reports for The Columbia Paper that the Hudson Housing Authority again needs a new executive director. In late October, the Hudson Housing Authority’s seven-member Board of Commissioners hired Nick Zachos, the former head of Hudson’s Youth Department, and Aiesha Davie as interim co-executive directors. But Davie only lasted about a week and a half, Mr. before deciding to quit, and Zachos now says he is leaving April 1. “I’ve been impressed by the way the staff has operated in the absence of a director,” Zachos said after being hired. Zachos outlined what issues the next executive director will face, saying both that he hears about most from HHA tenants about security and pest management, and also that over 75 percent of what he hears could relate to some aspect of mental health. The story does not give a timeline on when a new executive director might be hired. Read more about this story in The Columbia Paper.

Statement from Capital Area Relief & Liberation responding to video released by the @NewYorkStateAG depicting Catskill Village Police setting a man on fire after watching him douse himself in hand sanitizer, and running away instead of making efforts to extinguish the fire. pic.twitter.com/2dPFVHTRfs

— Chel Miller (they/them) (@MxChelMiller) January 10, 2022

The nonprofit activist group Capital Area Relief & Liberation condemned the Catskill Village police after a video was released showing officers shooting a man with a Taser who had just doused himself with hand sanitizer. The video shows Catskill police officers running and hiding instead of helping 29-year-old Jason Jones after they Tasered him and he burst into flames. Jones later died after an extended stay in the burn unit of a Syracuse hospital. The video shows two Catskill police officers running out of their station's lobby after he burst into flames, and another who instead of helping, stood "around the corner of an interior wall rather than rush to the aid of the man who was burning in front of him." Capital Area Relief & Liberation released a statement Jan. 10 that said, in part, "While we're disgusted beyond measure at the actions of the Catskill Village Police, we're not surprised.... The video shows absolutely no reason for Jason to die. Police tossed all training out the window, had multiple officers giving conflicting orders, and did not allow Mental Health Personnel to take the lead in a situation that absolutely didn't call for armed force. Last week, the Times Union quoted an anonymous police official who is not involved in the case saying that his officers are trained to never use a Taser on an individual who may have been recently exposed to a flammable liquid, including hand sanitizer, which contains alcohol. He also said officers should have helped the man immediately. "Once the threat has been stopped, you don't just say, 'I'm going to let that person burn,'" the official said. The attorney general's office said in a statement, "The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime."

Brendan J. Lyons reports in the Times Union that residents in just two communities affected by contaminated water from so-called forever chemicals, or PFOAs, can take part in a health study to monitor the long-term effects of exposure. That helps those drinking from polluted underground wells in Newburgh and eastern Rensselaer County, but not in Cairo in Greene County. The state is running an "invitation only" study that will include having participants provide urine and blood samples. “New York state is collaborating with some of the best researchers in the country to collect data from participants with common exposures,” said state Department of Health acting Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “What we learn by working with these researchers could provide important clues about the complex relationship between PFAS exposures through drinking water and human health outcomes.” The Hoosick Falls area in Rensselaer County, downtown Cairo in Greene County including the elementary school, and the city of Newburgh in Orange County have all been polluted with PFOAs. In Cairo, a fire-fighting training center, where firefighters practiced using PFOA-infected foam, is the source of the problem. In Hoosick Falls, manufacturing companies, including Saint-Gobain, caused to the problem. PFOA exposure has been linked to testicular and kidney cancer, and thyroid disease. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Today's daily headlines.

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Every day recently local counties are reporting record numbers of new COVID-19 cases, and a rising number of hospitalizations and deaths. Columbia County broke its COVID-19 records with its Jan. 10 announcement, reporting 335 new cases and three more deaths. Columbia County has 18 people hospitalized with coronavirus, and three in intensive care. Across the Hudson River, Greene County reported 276 more cases on Jan. 10, and three more deaths. Currently, 41 Greene County residents are hospitalized with COVID-19. Mike Goodwin in the Times Union reported that Albany County is now averaging almost 1,000 new coronavirus cases a day. On Jan. 10, Albany County reported 1,115 new positive cases, making the county’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases 966. “This is the third consecutive day that I’ve had to report new daily COVID infections well above 1,000, a trend that is likely to continue.," Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said. "Unfortunately, we’re seeing hospitalizations moving in the wrong direction as well, and we now have the most county residents currently in the hospital with the virus since Feb. 4." Currently, there are 122 Albany County residents with the virus in the hospital, with 13 people in intensive care. Meanwhile in Ulster County, the Daily Freeman reported that almost a third of the Ulster County Jail’s 104 corrections officers, eight of the sheriff’s 57 full-time deputies, and 19 of the jail’s 152 inmates have COVID-19, as of Jan. 8. “It’s a petri dish,” Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa said of the jail, “It’s unfortunate, … sheriff’s offices throughout the region are going through this issue … (and) we just can’t move our inmates to any other locations.” Figueroa said he will cancel no-contact visits this week and is likely to close a special housing unit for inmates with opioid addiction. Correction officers who are not infected are working three or four double shifts in a row, according to the sheriff. Figueroa also said that inmates with underlying medical conditions who are within 30 days of the end of their sentences will likely be released early. “We are obligated, of course, and we will continue to do the job we are assigned to do with what we have,” he said. The correction officers there are not mandated to be vaccinated andFigueroa estimated that only 55 percent of Sheriff’s Office employees are vaccinated. By contrast, about 71 percent of Ulster County residents are fully vaccinated.

Pat Doxsey is reporting for the Daily Freeman Democratic lawmakers January 10, asked Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro to enforce the county’s COVID-safety guidance after Republicans, including Majority Leader Will Truitt and Legislature Clerk Leigh Wagner, declined to wear masks during the Legislature's January 4 organizational meeting. In their letter, the eight-member Democratic caucus asked the executive to enforce the CDC recommendation and the county’s own guidance urging that masks be worn in all indoor public places, including the county office building. That recommendation states that masks are recommended in substantial or high-transmission area — "...even if you are vaccinated.” The Dutchess County Health Department also recommends masks be worn in indoor public spaces. According to the press release, in addition to Truitt and Wagner, Republican Legislator Mike Polasek declined to wear a mask during the meeting. Chair Gregg Pulver, who was seated next to Wagner on the dais, did not direct the three to put on their masks and removed his mask while conducting the meeting. At the end of the meeting, Pulver was asked to address the issue of legislators and staff not wearing masks, and the chairperson said lawmakers should, “...use your common sense and don’t go within six feet of (those not wearing masks.” Molinaro spokesperson Colleen Pillus said questions about the Legislature’s actions should be directed to Pulver. But, she added: “My understanding is that legislators who attend in person for the Legislature’s upcoming meetings, with the next being the committee meetings on Thursday (Jan. 13) … will be wearing masks.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Andrea Macko is reporting for Porcupine Soup that Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl has taken legal action alleging trademark infringement, against the Mountain Creek Inn, which is also known as Hunter Mountain Resort. The matter was filed in December in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York against the resort, located on Route 23A in Hunter, and its owner Valentina Glebova. The ski resort alleges the defendants “provide low-budget and inferior lodging services comprised of a few small cabins” and “are offering such services under a name and sign that are virtually identical to the Hunter Mountain marks.” Hunter Mountain accuses the business of deliberately setting out to lead consumers into believing the inn is affiliated or associated with the ski resort, citing its use of a "confusingly similar" design mark on the inn's sign. According to court papers, the defendants failed to respond to two cease and desist letters sent in July and August of 2020. “Over the last year, there have been numerous instances of people arriving at plaintiff’s Hunter Mountain lodgings believing that they have reserved accommodations with plaintiff when in fact they have reserved accommodations for defendants’ facilities,” the lawsuit alleges. Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl opened in January 1960 and is now part of the Colorado-based Vail Resorts network. It is looking to recover damages, profits, as well as costs, attorneys’ fees and more, according to the complaint. Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl is represented by the Davis+Gilbert firm of New York City. Read the full story at porcupinesoup [dot] com.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics Rich Azzopardi, a longtime spokesperson and advisor to former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, announced January 10, the formal launch of his new public relations firm. Bulldog Strategies. The firm will handle "communications, crisis communications and policy advancement," according to the announcement. “I’ve never shied away from the tough challenges as few battles worth waging are easy,” Azzopardi said. “Experience and expertise matter and if you hire Bulldog Strategies, you will get a battle-tested, and relentless advocate who will fight tooth and nail for you.” Cuomo is expected to remain an Azzopardi client. He served as Cuomo's senior advisor and communications director for more than nine years. Since Cuomo's resignation in late August, Azzopardi has continued to work as the former governor's spokesperson. Before entering politics, Azzopardi was a reporter. His first job was with the Register-Star in Hudson, covering police and courts, writing on a variety of topics from sexual misconduct by priests and corrections officers, new restaurant openings, drug busts, the arrest of ALF's TV father. and others. He went on to write for The Berkshire Eagle In Great Barrington, Mass., and The Daily Gazette in Schenectady, before joining the state Senate Democratic Conference as an assistant press secretary to begin his political ascent. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

Brendan J. Lyons reports in the Times Union that two Republican members of the state Board of Elections cited investigations into Republican voter fraud in Rensselaer County as an example to criticize Gov. Kathy Hochul for recently signing two laws they say "are a direct threat to the integrity of the election process." Peter S. Kosinski and Anthony J. Casale, the Republican members of the Board of Elections released a statement Jan. 10 that said, in part, "The first bill allows third parties ... political operatives, to apply for absentee ballots for voters by doing away with the requirement that the voter sign the absentee ballot application prior to the ballot being sent to the voter.... We have seen in various parts of New York ... the manipulation of this process which was allowed by an Executive Order by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in response to the COVID-19 pandemic." The State Police and FBI are currently investigating allegations that political operatives in Rensselaer County manipulated the absentee voting process, with voters claiming absentee ballots were cast in their names without their permission in last November's election. So far, no charges have been filed as the investigation continues. Last month, State Police seized the mobile phone of Rensselaer Mayor Michael E. Stammel, as part of the investigation. While Hochul did not respond to the attack State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat said, they will continue to fight Republican efforts to restrict voting. "They are willing to put their money obviously into making sure people do not vote. We on the other hand will continue to educate. ... We must continue to push," she said. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Diane Valden reports in The Columbia Paper that the Ancram Town Board voted themselves raises at their Dec. 16 meeting. The board, “wishes to adjust certain elected officials’ salaries to reflect the 5.9 percent increases in the cost of living index between 3Q 2020 and 3Q 2021.” The Town Supervisor’s annual salary was increased from $4,950 in 2021 to $5,250 in 2022; Town Board members went from $2,875 to $3,050; the Town Highway Superintendent increased from $60,500 to $64,100; and the Town Clerk salary went from $32,000 to $33,950. And everyone on town payroll is getting a raise, though the amounts differ. Politically, the raises come at a good moment, as property taxes will go down by 5 percent in 2022 in Ancram. No citizen made a comment at the public hearing prior to the vote. But citizens still have time to challenge the raises with a permissive referendum. This means, if a petition requesting a public vote on the matter signed by 10 percent of the number of votes in the last gubernatorial election is submitted within 45 days of the vote, then a public vote must be conducted. Read more about this story in The Columbia Paper.

Scott Stafford reports in The Berkshire Eagle that Kimber Francoeur, 30, died Jan. 4 at the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort when the snowmobile she was operating collided with a snow groomer. “We are aware of what happened and a complaint officer is assigned to look into it,” said Mary Hoye, area director of the Springfield office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Hoye said it was not the first time she had heard of a snow-making death on a mountaintop. So far, the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office ruled Francoeur's death was an accident. The Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health issued a statement about the moutaintop death. “Although tragic events like this are most likely to occur at construction sites and loading docks, workers working around mobile equipment in any setting are at risk,” the agency noted. ”It is extremely important that employers train their employees to be aware of the paths of moving vehicles, backing vehicles, and blind spots, and implement safe equipment operation practices.” While safety experts warned of the dangers of snow making, Adrienne Saia Isaac, director of marketing and communications for the National Ski Areas Association, said ski area snowmobile deaths are “extraordinarily rare. The ski industry, as a whole, shares and highlights those rare incidents to help us all learn and protect each other.” Locally, besides the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Massachusetts, there is the Catamount Ski Resort on the state border in Columbia County, and resorts in Windham and Hunter in Greene County. Read more about this story in The Berkshire Eagle.

Today's daily headlines.

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

The Troy Record reports that on Jan. 9 Albany County announced another record number of new COVID-19 cases, similar to what is going on throughout the Hudson Valley. Officials in Albany County reported 1,448 new cases on Jan. 9. Albany County’s most recent seven-day average of cases per 100,000 is up to 211.8 and the Capital Region’s average of cases per 100,000 is now up to 219.9, with 6,644 active cases right now in Albany County. There were 19 new hospitalizations for coronavirus in Albany County announced Jan. 9 and 116 county residents currently hospitalized with the COVID-19. And 14 of those in the hospital are in ICU’s. “We knew we would see increased positive cases after holiday gatherings and that is what is happening now with another record high today of over 1,400 new cases,” Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said on Jan. 9. “I hope that people have listened to what we have said about getting vaccinated and getting tested if they show signs or symptoms of the virus. There are many places to get a vaccination and local mass testing sites at Crossgates Mall and SUNY Albany to be tested. Please do the right thing to stop the spread and protect yourself, your loved ones and our community.” Only 72 percent of Albany County residents have been fully vaccinated. Read more about this story in the Troy Record.

Roger Hannigan Gilson is reporting for the Times Union that the Catskill Strategic Advisory Group is recommending a pilot reservation system for some trailhead parking lots. The group released its interim report January 6, recommending different ways to ease congestion on trails, roadways and parking lots, and to educate visitors about safety and respecting the outdoors. The group was formed in October 2020 by the Department of Environmental Conservation after pandemic closures pushed an unprecedented number of visitors to the Catskills, especially to areas in the Kaaterskill Clove. The biggest increase in visitors was at the Clove, and even though the pandemic-inflated numbers decreased in 2021, they remained high. Most of the recommendations in the report are tentative, including the suggestion of instituting a reservation system, but the report recommends immediate action in the Clove area. The recommended actions involve installing technology to track the capacity of parking lots and establishing a social media group to disseminate the information; placing informational message boards along Route 23A; installing wayfinding and interpretive signage along trails, and creating an informational Kaaterskill Clove website. The report also recommends the pilot reservation system, but does not identify where it should be implemented. Next year in Kaaterskill Clove, hikers will be able to take a shuttle up and down Route 23A and to the nearby North-South Lake. The service was created by businessman Ryan Chadwick and the town of Tannersville is using some of the money it received from a $10 million state Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant to construct stops for the service. Visitors would park in the village to access the shuttle, amongst the village's restaurants and shops, according to Chadwick. The shuttles would travel down the Clove, stopping at Haines Falls, Kaaterskill Falls, North-South Lake, the Fawn's Leap swimming hole and other locations before reaching Palenville and turning back, according to Chadwick's plan. Two shuttles would run the route, with one available every half hour. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media Coeymans Town Board member Daniel Baker has been appointed deputy town supervisor. The town has operated without a deputy supervisor for two years, during the first administration of Town Supervisor George McHugh. “This is something new,” McHugh said at the board's recent reorganizational meeting. “I didn’t do this the past two years,” McHugh said it was time to fill the position again. “When I first came back into office in January of 2020, I didn’t appoint a deputy town supervisor because I didn’t really know much about the board members at the time or who I would put in that position and if I in fact needed one,” McHugh said. As deputy supervisor Baker can fulfill the duties of supervisor in McHugh's absence. Circumstances convinced McHugh the deputy’s position was needed now. “Now that we have COVID and it’s ramping up even worse than it ever has been, there is no telling what might happen to the supervisor,” he said. “So I think it would be negligent on my part, as a supervisor, not to have a succession plan in place if, God forbid, I come down with COVID or something happens where I am out of the office and I am the only one who can sign checks or run the day-to-day operations.” The town board unanimously approved Baker's appointment. Read more in the Ravena News-herald.