Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Columbia County is currently recording near-record numbers of hospitalizations for COVID-19 cases. “We have seen the case numbers increasing over the last six weeks,” Columbia Memorial Hospital spokesperson Bill VanSlyke said Tuesday. “So what’s occurring nationally is in our community as well.” The hospital currently has 26 COVID-19 cases. “We had some days in the 30s back in January, February, but this is the highest since last winter,” Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb said. In January 2021 Columbia County has its highest numbers of hospitalizations with 36. “Interestingly enough, nine of the 26 are vaccinated people,” Mabb said. “I think there’s one individual under 60, but they’re all pretty elderly. We have one vaccinated individual in the ICU. He’s vaccinated but he’s got a lot of comorbidities.” Finding a booster shot in Columbia County is getting more difficult. “This morning we had a run on people who wanted boosters,” Mabb said. “It’s clear that there’s a certain urgency for them, they want that booster now and the assumption has to be that they’ll have some sort of immunity, which they would to some degree, improved immunity by Christmas time. I think that people are definitely hearing that information coming out of Washington.” Local officials have not confirmed any cases of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, but officials believe it is here. “We haven’t gotten any direct word from any laboratory that we have the new variant here,” Mabb said. “But, given that they are now claiming that it’s 75 percent of the cases out there, and that New York City is a hot bed for it, I think you have to assume it’s migrated its way up here.” The Omicron variant seems more easily transferred, but it was only discovered less than a month ago, and scientists continue to study results. Columbia County officials have not announced any new policies, or changes in policies, in the face of the rising case counts. Meanwhile, across the Hudson River in Greene County, officials are avaoiding taking efforts to slow the spread. Previously, Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said Dec. 13 that Greene County would not enforce the new state mask mandate. He said it was because the state was not providing money to enforce the mandate. But now that Gov. Kathy Hochul is giving counties millions of dollars to help, Greene County Legislature Chairman Patrick Linger is still letting Greene County citizens catch a deadly disease rather than take any efforts to stop it. “If they’re going to make things like PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) available like we had in the beginning of the pandemic where counties were handing it out, we’d certainly take that and give it out to our businesses,” he said. “But if this is a ploy to get people to go out there and enforce this at the county level, the resources just aren’t available. That doesn’t translate to money, that translates to people.” Hochul's offer does include masks for counties, and people can be hired with money. “We’re putting $65 million on the table to help counties associate with the costs for the protocols we put in place,” Hochul said in a press conference Dec. 20. “I’m ensuring there’s at least $1 million available for the small counties and up to $2 million for the larger counties. They will be able to use this for creative ways, either for enforcement, or masks, or signs. We want to make sure that we pick up the costs for this.” Linger also complained about a lack of testing. “I would love to run a vaccine booster clinic once a week or testing three of four days a week,” Linger said. “Those are all good things that we’d like to be able to do, but we don’t have the staffing for it.” President Joe Biden and Hochul have both recently announced funding for testing. Hochul announced 10 million tests for New Yorkers Dec. 20, and 26 million more on Dec. 22. That's because COVID-19 case counts are climbing everywhere. Albany County, for instance, reported 299 more cases on Dec. 22, up from 218 on Dec. 21, and some Albany schools shifted to remote learning this week. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Patricia R. Doxsey reports in the Daily Freeman that Ulster County legislators voted 16-6 Dec. 21 against a resolution that would have put the Ulster County Legislature on record opposing “COVID-19 vaccine mandates by any local, state or federal government that affects citizens’ rights to make their own health care choices.” Legislators Mary Wawro and Laura Petit sponsored the resolution. Currently, New York requires vaccines to attend school for Diphtheria and Tetanus; Hepatitis B; Measles, Mumps and Rubella; Polio; and Chickenpox. “This is about risk of harm to others,” said Eve Walter, D-New Paltz, who is an epidemiologist and senior research scientist with The Institute For Family Health. “The only way we are going to eradicate this virus is if we have full vaccination or close to full vaccination.... If we ever want to see this virus eradicated, we have to be OK with requiring everyone to be vaccinated,” she said. Legislators heard similar arguments about infringing on individual freedoms when the Ulster County Legislature voted to ban smoking in restaurants, Legislature Chairman David Donaldson said. Besides Wawro and Petit, other voting for the resolution against vaccine mandates included Thomas Corcoran, Craig Lopez, Kevin Roberts, and Herbet Litts. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Today's daily headlines.

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William J. Kemble is reporting for the Daily Freeman the members of the Saugerties Town Board are asking residents to turn out for a new public hearing on December 29, and comment on whether the town should opt out of a state law permitting cannabis retail businesses and on-site consumption sites. Supervisor Fred Costello said the hearing was set after some board members said they wanted to make sure comments on the cannabis law were specific. “There is consensus among the board members to hear from people specifically on the question of opting out,” Costello said. During a November public hearing on where cannabis establishments would be allowed if the town does not opt out, only a few people spoke; most in opposition to sales do support sales for medical cannabis. A December 15, session drew about a dozen speakers, with everyone against allowing cannabis lounges. One person said they would be less opposed to retail sales than lounges. Costello said a vote on opting out could still occur following the hearing next week, which is taking place only two days in advance of the state deadline for board action. Costello noted that board members have not indicated whether they would vote to opt out of the state law and that his position has evolved during the past two hearings. Many of the concerns that emerged at the previous hearing focused on the perception that cannabis sales sites would change the community character. “Do you really want to be known as a destination for pot?” resident Suzanne VanWagenen said. “Do we really want to take down our ‘Welcome to Friendly Saugerties’ signs and replace them with ‘Let’s Get Stoned in Saugerties’ signs?" Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Mike Goodwin and Rachel Silberstein are reporting for the Times Union.State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa announced December 21, that the Regents examinations scheduled for January have been canceled because of the worsening pandemic. "New York set a daunting record last week with more COVID-19 cases reported in one day than ever before," Rosa said. "Once again, the January Regents exams cannot be safely, equitably, and fairly administered across the state. We will continue to work with our schools, districts, and stakeholders to ensure they have what they need to provide academic, social and emotional, and mental health supports for our students." The Education Department says no decisions have been made about the exams scheduled for June and August or any other state assessments. In light of the January test cancellation, the Education Department will ask the Board of Regents to modify the assessment requirements students need to earn diplomas, credentials and endorsements. NYSED is also developing additional guidance in the form of an FAQ and will issue that guidance in early January to address topics such as safety net options, mastery, honors, and technical endorsements so that schools may determine which diplomas to grant to their graduates. Read more in the Times Union.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics census data released December 20, found that New York experienced the steepest annual population decline in the country from July 2020 to July 2021, losing more than 1.5 percent of its people during that 12-month period. The news raised concerns among business organizations who have been anxious about the stagnant population growth in parts of the state during the last several decades. The state's population decreased by 319,020 people in a 12-month period coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. New York in the last year also recorded a net loss of 352,185 of its population due to domestic migration, the Census reported. The state's nation-leading decline was greater than the decreases in population seen in Illinois, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Michigan, New Jersey and Ohio, combined. Texas saw the largest increase in population, growing by 1.1 percent or 310,288 people. New York has seen an extended period of population loss, especially in upstate counties, over the last several generations. Business organizations usually blame the trend on the high tax climate in recent years relative to other parts of the country. The state is set to lose a congressional seat next year in the House of Representatives because its population over the last decade failed to increase as fast as the rest of the country. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Hudson Industrial Development Agency voted unanimously December 20, to approve the pocketbook factory redevelopment project. The proposed renovation of the former factory building at 549 Washington Street on the city's north side, is estimated to cost $25.6 million. The planned transformation of the late 19th century industrial structure will include a hotel with 40 guest rooms, a wellness center, a restaurant and bar, a public indoor lounge and outdoor courtyard as well as commercial spaces for the arts, retail and creative office, and nonprofit uses. A group called the Hudson Community Benefits Alliance submitted a letter to the IDA, communicating a number of requests for the project. Columbia Economic Development Council President and CEO F. Michael Tucker said he encouraged the group to meet with the IDA and its consultants. Tucker said he also encouraged the group to meet with elected city officials and the city planning board because a several of the requests fell outside the scope of the IDA. Construction is expected to start in 2022 and conclude in September of 2024, according to IDA documents. The financial benefit for Hudson is significant, Tucker said. It is about eight-to-one times greater than the cost of the payment in lieu of taxes for the project. The 10-year PILOT for the project would begin in the first year after the first year of completed construction, according to the approved resolution. Full taxes on the entire property would begin in year 11. An economic and fiscal impact study of the project found the estimated value of the tax exemptions for the project is about $1,354,099. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

The Berkshire Eagle is reporting a new Massachusetts state program is providing financial support to restore rivers and wetlands in the Hoosic, Housatonic and Farmington River watersheds. The Housatonic Valley Association, a nonprofit citizen’s environmental group, has received a grant of $59,085 to restore aquatic ecosystems and boost climate change resiliency in those watersheds. The funds come via a new program under the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game's Division of Ecological Restoration intended to expand local and regional planning capacities, according to a press release. Another Berkshire County project is one of 12 new projects designated as a priority, meaning they become eligible to receive technical assistance from the Division of Ecological Restoration staff and/or direct funding. Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington is named as the partner for the Long Brook Pond Restoration and Dam Removals project. That project will reconnect Long Pond Brook with Seekonk Brook and Green River, thereby expanding the coldwater habitat and improving the movement of aquatic organisms into the brook. Read more in The Berkshire Eagle.

Mark Wozniak is reporting for WBFO-FM State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli Mon., Dec. 20, reported that local sales tax collections in New York during November were up 17.5 percent from November 2020. The total collected last month was almost $1.6 billion, an increase of $235 million over the year before It was also an increase of 9.2 percent, or $133 million, when compared to the pre-pandemic month of November 2019. In a press release, DiNapoli said November collections may have benefited from early holiday shopping, but most receipts from holiday spending will likely be reflected in the December numbers. Read more at wbfo [dot] org. 

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Joshua Solomon reports in the Times Union that as COVID-19 case counts skyrocket locally and nationally, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Dec. 20 $65 million for masks, public awareness, and to enforce the state's mask mandate. Smaller counties can get up to $1 million, and larger counties up to $2 million, Hochul said, to make sure everyone in New York is wearing a mask when in public indoors. But only counties that "participate in the enforcement" can get the money. State inspectors will conduct "spot checks" to find out where masks are not being worn indoors. Several counties, including Greene and Dutchess counties locally, said previously they would not enforce the mask mandate because they did not have the money. Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said last week that in his county, "we will not escalate tension or conflict or further burden our local small biz by allocating resources we do not have to this impractical and unenforceable measure." Now, though, Molinaro could get the funds for enforcement, but instead he has moved the goal posts, saying Dec. 20 that, actually, his lack of enforcement is not a question of money but whether it is "appropriate, justifiable, something we can engage in." Molinaro makes that statement with many COVID-19 deaths in his county, and four-and-a-half times higher infection numbers in Dutchess County than at the start of November. The current coronavirus count in Molinaro's county is similar to the end of 2020, even though COVID vaccines are now widely available. On Dec. 20, New York broke its own single-day pandemic case record for a fourth straight day, with nearly 23,400 new cases. And New York state's vaccinated health commissioner, Dr. Mary T. Bassett, tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 20. Hochul also announced on Dec. 20 that ten million additional COVID-19 tests are coming for New Yorkers, including five million before the new year. Hochul implored anyone gathering for the holidays to get a test first. "If it can be done," Hochul said, "we highly encourage it for sure." Meanwhile, there were 63 more COVID-19 cases announced Dec. 20 in Columbia County, and 95 new cases in Greene County. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Porcupine Soup is reporting Questar III BOCES has announced the launch of a new Agriculture Science Program to begin in September 2022. “We look forward to preparing the next generation of animal and plant science professionals to support these important economic sectors in Columbia and Greene counties,” said Questar III District Superintendent Dr. Gladys Cruz. The program will be housed at the former Durham Elementary School building, and will be open to high school students in Greene and Columbia counties, providing them with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of plant and animal science. The two-year program is based on the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education, or C.A.S.E. program, and will be split into two sections. In the animal science portion students will study animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, and nutrition. In the plant science section students will study plant taxonomy, reproduction, and pest and disease management. Students who complete the program will receive college credit through SUNY Cobleskill in preparation for careers in various fields including food engineering, veterinary medicine, food science, and farm production management. The former elementary school in Durham is also home to Questar III’s Columbia-Greene Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance program that launched in 2018. Current high school sophomores interested in the new program should speak to their school counselor. Read the full story at porcupinesoup [dot] com.

The Daily Freeman is reporting four area bridges and culverts will be replaced through the Bridge NY program, which is allocating $216.2 million in funding for 109 projects statewide. The funding supports bridge and culvert repair and replacement projects that reduce the risk of flooding, improve the resiliency of the structures, and facilitate regional economic competitiveness, according to local officials. In Ulster County, $4.095 million will be provided to replace the County Road 54 bridge over the Beaver Kill in the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest and $1.999 million to the town of Rochester for the replacement of the Boice Mill Road bridge over Falls Mill Brook. The town of Red Hook will receive $1.603 million to replace the Saw Kill Road bridge, while the town of Catskill will receive $985,000 to replace the Game Farm Road culvert over the tributary to the Kiskatom Brook. Awards through the Bridge NY program are made through a competitive process and support all phases of project development, including design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Luke Parsnow is reporting for State of Politics outgoing SUNY Oswego President Deborah Stanley has been appointed interim SUNY chancellor, effective January 15, the State University of New York Board of Trustees announced December 20. Stanley has led the Oswego college for 25 years. She replaces James Malatras who resigned December 9, in the wake of controversy stemming from testimony into allegations of sexual harassment by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “SUNY has a long and rich history of providing students the opportunity and access to the highest quality education at our premier colleges and research institutions, and President Stanley is the right educator at the right time to lead this prestigious university system,” said SUNY Board Chair Dr. Merryl H. Tisch. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

Sonia Moghe reports for CNN former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization are under a civil fraud investigation from New York Attorney General Letitia James. So he filed a lawsuit in federal court in Northern New York Dec. 20, asking a federal court to halt or limit her office's investigations. James' office seeking to depose Trump Jan. 7 as part of its civil fraud investigation into the Trump Organization. The lawsuit claims James has abused her investigatory powers, targeting her political adversaries and attempting to advance her career. James is running for reelection as attorney general. "Since taking office, she has tirelessly bombarded him, his family and his business, Trump Organization LLC, with unwarranted subpoenas in a bitter crusade to 'take on' the President," the suit claims. James sees the lawsuit as Trump attempting to alter her investigation. "To be clear, neither Mr. Trump nor the Trump Organization get to dictate if and where they will answer for their actions," James said in the statement. "Our investigation will continue undeterred because no one is above the law, not even someone with the name Trump." The investigation largely centers on whether the Trump Organization manipulated the value of its properties, reporting lower values to tax officials, and higher values to investors and the public. Read more about this story at the CNN website.

Pete DeMola reports about three more deaths from COVID-19 in Albany County announced Dec. 20. That makes 18 deaths from coronavirus in December in Albany County. Schenectady County also reported one new dead from COVID-19 on Dec. 20. Meanwhile, Columbia County reported 57 more coronavirus cases Dec. 17. Greene County announced 97 new cases on Dec. 17. Of those, 54 were in correctional facilities within Greene County. The Daily Freeman reports that Dutchess County on Dec. 19 had 1,696 active cases of the illness, 49 more than the total reported Dec. 18. That number of active cases is four-and-a-half times higher then at the start of November, with the current numbers similar to the end of 2020, even though COVID vaccines are now widely available. Mid-Hudson News reports that a case of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 was discovered in Dutchess County. “We must stay vigilant against the winter COVID-19 surge by taking the proper precautions against the spread of this virus,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “This is not March of 2020, we are not defenseless. We have the tools to protect ourselves and the vulnerable loves ones in our families: Get vaccinated, get the booster and wear a mask when indoors or in large gatherings. Don’t take a chance during the winter surge.”