Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge reports for Columbia-Greene Media that on Dec. 6 the Kinderhook town board voted against allowing cannabis lounges, but took no action on retail sales. New York legalized cannabis in April, and gave towns and villages until Dec. 31 to opt out of allowing sales or consumption lounges. The vote was unanimous, except for one absent board member, and the article does not say who was absent. Kinderhook residents have 45 days after the law was passed to gather signatures for a referendum that could overturn the decision. State officials have been saying the infrastructure will be in place next year for sales to begin, but Town Supervisor Patsy Leader implied it might be later. “The state doesn’t have everything done yet, which is normal,” Leader said. “but what they’re saying is this won’t even take place, or take precedence until at least 2024 if not later, because they haven’t settled on the price of insurance, the price of license.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

The latest round of applications for full-power, noncommercial radio stations is in at the Federal Communications Commission and the Hudson Valley only got one possible frequency filled. Radio Catskill, Inc., which runs WJFF 90.5-FM in Jeffersonville in Sullivan County, has applied to occupy another frequency, 89.5-FM near Livingston Manor. WJFF is attempting to enlarge its signal substantially, also applying for another frequency in Hamlin, Pennsylvania, near Scranton. Other than that there are 21 applications for new commercial radio stations in New York, almost all from religious groups and four from St. Lawrence University. None of the other applications are near the Hudson Valley besides the proposal from WJFF. The FCC is expected to award the new licenses next year.

Today's daily headlines.

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Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that Ulster County reported two more coronavirus-related deaths Dec. 7. That brings the total there to 304. Altogether, Ulster County has 964 COVID cases up from the 953 reported on Dec. 6. More troubling, Ulster County's positivity rate grew to 9.7 percent on Dec. 7, up from 5.8 percent the day before. Dutchess County, across the Hudson River, reported another 38 cases on Dec. 7. The county remained over 1,000 active cases for the first time since April with 1,065. Dutchess County currently has a 5.83 percent positivity rate. Meanwhile, Columbia County reported 55 more COVID-19 cases Dec. 6 and 59 more on Dec. 7. And Greene County reported 84 more cases on Dec. 6, and 23 more on Dec. 7, with 296 active positives.

Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media staff at the Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Philmont are keeping an eye on an outbreak of COVID-19 cases. The Columbia County Department of Health announced the positive cases at the facility on Fri., Dec. 3. “Nine residents and seven staff have tested positive, and all of them are vaccinated,” Pine Haven spokesperson Geoff Thompson said. “This week they will be getting their booster shots as well. A pharmacy is coming in to do that.” Two of the residents are in the hospital and six staff members are out because of their protocols, which specify how long after testing positive a staff member must stay out of the facility. “The symptoms seem to be less severe than in the past, now that people are vaccinated it’s kind of like a bad cold,” Thompson said. The facility believes the virus came in through a visitation a few days before Thanksgiving. Staff members and residents are tested weekly, Thompson said. Prior to this outbreak it had been several months since the facility had a positive COVID-19 case. “The vaccines really do appear to be having a positive effect, ...” Thompson said. “What they did, and what all the nursing homes are doing, is that anyone who ends up positive they are concentrated in a certain area,” Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb said. “So far so good. We haven’t had any additional positives over there.” The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Barnwell had two positive cases recently, Mabb said. The entire county has been experiencing an increase in the number of positive cases it is seeing. “We had 57 on Saturday, which is a big number for us,” Mabb said on Mon., Dec. 6. “And we had 52 today, which actually encompasses Sunday and today. I think this is Thanksgiving, we’re near the end now of the typical 11-day run." Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Kenneth C. Crowe II is reporting for the Times Union a carcinogenic chemical used in degreasing has been discovered in 12 residential wells in Nassau, Rensselaer Co., in a plume extending south of a state Superfund site heading toward Columbia County, Nassau Supervisor David Fleming said, December 6. “There’s one well above the state standard. They are currently on bottled water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun the process for an in-home treatment facility for that property,” Fleming said. The carcinogen TCE, or trichloroethylene, originated from the environmentally hazardous state Superfund site on Route 203; that site is connected to the federal Superfund site at the Dewey Loeffel Landfill, said Fleming. “Our immediate priority is the most rapid protection of human health possible. Our additional priority is the cleanup of this new contamination discovered along Route 203, just north of I-90 and the Columbia County border,” Fleming said. The EPA reported it collected tap water samples at 61 residences in October near the Route 203 site. There was no TCE detected in 48 residences, but it was found in a well nearby. EPA said it is working with the town, Rensselaer County, state Health Department and the state Department of Environmental Conservation when dealing with the Route 203 site. The Dewey Loeffel Landfill is labeled a toxic dump with approximately 46,000 tons of industrial waste. The toxic materials buried there include industrial solvents, waste oil, PCBs, scrap materials, sludge, and solids. “It’s going south toward Columbia County,” Fleming said about the groundwater pollution running from the Route 203 site. “It highlights the need to get a public drinking water source to these people,” Fleming said. “This has been my personal concern since we learned of the contamination.” Read the full story in the Times Union.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics New York state officials are providing up to $2 million to help with the resettlement of Afghan refugees following the U.S. evacuation this summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tue., Dec. 7. The state funds will be used for programs meant to provide health care and mental health, as well as services for language skills, job training and immigration legal assistance. "For generations, immigrants have come to New York and the U.S. seeking freedom and opportunity — their contributions defining and strengthening the fabric of our state and nation," Hochul said. "With Afghan evacuees fleeing widespread instability in their own country, New York State is proud to take a leading role in the massive resettlement effort, ..." The state funds are in addition to $3 million from the New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program, which will be administered through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance at the state level. New York is helping 1,790 people who evacuated from Afghanistan since September. They will be resettled at locations statewide, including 250 people in Albany, 495 in Buffalo, 190 in the New York City metropolitan area, 50 in Niagara Falls, 275 people in Rochester and 420 people in Syracuse. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

Steve Hughes reports in the Times Union that Albany and Schenectady County officials issued a joint health advisory Dec. 7 asking residents to wear masks in public regardless of vaccination status. On Dec. 5 Ulster County officials also asked their residents to all wear masks indoors. These edicts come as locally COVID-19 cases counts are rising, and the new omicron variant is reaching New York. Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said they did not issue a mask mandate because of enforcement issues. "Just because there isn't a mandate doesn't mean you shouldn't do the right thing," he said. Recently there were eight deaths in six days in Albany County from coronavirus. While Ulster, Albany, and Schenectady are united in message, McCoy said he could not get other local counties to make the same announcement. "We haven't been able to do all that, to get everyone in sync to come up with same message," he said. "The only way new restrictions will work is if we do it on a regional-basis approach." Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Andrea Macko reports in Porcupine Soup that six small business and property owners in the Coxsackie Reed Street Historic District have been given $347,000 in state funding through the New York Main Street Program. The money will go to façade and building improvements to preserve the mid-19th-century storefronts. The awards include$150,000 for restoration of the Patrick Henry’s tavern, Dolan Block, and James Newbury Hotel Spa; $50,000 for the Lower Landing Restaurant; $47,000 for a proposed arts and community space; $47,000 for a proposed ice cream shop; $23,550 for the Manson Reed General Store; $16,715 for The Bottle Shop; and $12,735 for Heartland Realty Upstate and Pilot House Paper. "The Coxsackie Reed Street Historic District, once the doorway to Hudson River trade in the mid-19th-century, is a local gem that small area entrepreneurs are working diligently to revive with an eye on launching several new local businesses,” State Senator Michelle Hinchey said at a ceremony announcing the funding. Coxsackie is currently undergoing a bit of a state-funded makeover. In September, New York State announced a $3.2 million project to fix up the nearby Coxsackie State Boat Launch and Riverside Park on the Hudson River, and that construction is currently under way. “This is another recognition of what is happening in Coxsackie and the renaissance we are experiencing with the re-development of the downtown waterfront area,” Coxsackie Mayor Mark Evans said. Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

Noah Zweifel reports in the Altamont Enterprise that in the Town of Berne these days, all things are political, even the dog catcher. On Dec. 1, the Berne Town Board voted 3-0 to make Berne resident Donna Ferraino the dog-control officer. During the discussion on who to hire before the vote, Councilperson Leo Vane referred to the dog-control position as “political.” Deputy Supervisor Dennis Palow then argued that it’s not a political position. Then Vane said, “Of course it is,” and he asked whether the former dog-control officer didn’t resign over “political issues.” Palow said he was not aware that political factors were involved in Jodi Jansen's decision to resign in April. “I don't know of any political or unofficial reasons for his resignation,” Berne Supervisor Sean Lyons said. “Mr. Jansen and I have known each other our whole lives and I believe him to be trustworthy and honest and I don't believe any politics led him to resign.” Read more about this story in the Altamont Enterprise.

Today's daily headlines.

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Steve Hughes reports in the Times Union that there are now 12 cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 in New York. Two of those cases were in Oneida County and two in Suffolk County. As the new variant gets closer to the upper Hudson Valley,, three hospitals in the Capital Region were on a list of 32 hospitals now mandated by the state to limit non-essential surgeries because of limited bed capacity. Albany Medical Center and its associated hospitals in Glens Falls and Saratoga will have to reduce non-essential surgeries for at least two weeks beginning Dec. 9. "We expect any potential changes would be minimal in impact and limited in duration," Albany Medical Center spokesperson Matt Markham said just before the list of hospitals reducing surgeries was announced. There are many exceptions to the limits on surgery including procedures addressing cancer, including diagnostic procedures of suspected cancer; neurosurgery; intractable pain; highly symptomatic patients; transplants; trauma; cardiac conditions with symptoms; limb-threatening vascular procedures; dialysis vascular access, and patients that are at a clinically high risk of harm if their procedures are not completed. Meanwhile, Columbia County announced 51 new COVID-19 cases Dec. 6. Greene County announced 84 new cases Dec. 6.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics calls grew on Mon., Dec. 6, for State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras [Mahlat-ras] to step down after documents came to light that quoted him using profane language about a woman who would later accuse then-Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment. However, the chancellor continues to have the support of the Board of Trustees, as well as the backing of key labor unions like the Public Employees Federation, the Civil Service Employees Association and the United University Professions. State Assembly Higher Education Committee Chairperson Deborah Glick became the latest official to call for Malatras to resign or be fired by the SUNY Board of Trustees. "...It is important that the country’s largest university system search for a true academic leader who can set SUNY on a course to continue to attract a diverse and talented student body to its superb and varied colleges," Glick said. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the issue remains essentially up to the Board of Trustees, adding that she is planning to propose an overhaul of the SUNY system in her State of the State in January. "I will address what I can control," she said. Malatras, a longtime aide to Cuomo, was appointed to the lead the SUNY system in 2020. He previously served as state operations director and was involved in helping the governor to write his book about the pandemic. That book is now part of an investigation into how government resources were used. Documents released in the Attorney General's Office investigation of Cuomo included a text chain from 2019 in which Malatras and other aides to the governor were criticizing Lindsey Boylan, a former economic development official who was knocking the administration's child leave policies. In the chain, Malatras wrote, "Malatras to Boylan: Go f--- yourself." Malatras last week told reporters he should not have used the language that he did, adding he had no plans to step down. His office this weekend released a letter to Spectrum News 1 signed by several students in the SUNY Equal Opportunity Program and the leader of the SUNY BlacK Student Union in support of the chancellor. The SUNY-wide student government, meanwhile, has called on Malatras to resign. On Sunday, the students approved a vote of no-confidence in the chancellor. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Bill Williams is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media for the third time in five weeks, a pedestrian has been struck by a car in Greenport. On Sun., Dec. 5, a 15-year-old Hudson girl was airlifted to Albany Medical Center after being hit. Her condition was not immediately known. Police have not released the girl's name. The accident occurred about 6:38 p.m., when the girl’s dog got away from her in the parking lot of the Speedway market and gas station on Fairview Avenue, Lt. John Rivero of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said. The dog ran onto highway with the girl pursuing it close behind. At that moment, a 2005 Jeep was traveling north on Fairview, driven by Barbara Tetler, 86, of Hudson. Tetler swerved to miss the dog and struck the girl, Greenport Fire Chief John Onufrychuk Jr. said. Paramedics on the scene treated the girl and requested a Life Net helicopter, which airlifted her to Albany. Tetler cooperated with the police investigation, Rivero said. A portion of Fairview was closed for more than an hour as rescue crews worked, and while the accident investigation was taking place. The dog was later recovered and was unharmed, Onufrychuk said. On November 9, an 84-year-old Catskill man was killed, when he was struck by a car, as he attempted to cross Route 9G, just south of Middle Road. On October 31, a 4-year-old boy was struck by a sport utility vehicle, as the boy crossed Fairview Avenue, near Livingston Parkway, with his mother, while trick-or-treating. The SUV involved in that incident fled the scene. The driver of the car has not been located. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Sean Lahman is reporting for the Poughkeepsie Journal journalists with the USA Today Network have been gathering police disciplinary records, from departments throughout New York since the law was changed in June 2020, in an effort to make the documents available to the public for the first time in more than 40 years. The records were previously protected under Section 50a of the state Civil Rights Law. On Mon., Dec. 6, the USA Today Network shared the information compiled so far with the public in the form of a searchable database. The database uses records acquired through the state Freedom of Information laws, as well as those collected from records available on department websites. Some of the publicly available records are incomplete and omit references to serious reported incidents. Many of the 500 police agencies statewide, including those in Columbia and Greene counties, have not provided documents in response to requests and may not return results. The records that have been accessed provide a greater understanding of patterns of officer behavior within departments and insight into what constitutes internal disciplinary proceedings. Read more in the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Today's daily news update.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that Dutchess County reported on Dec. 6 that active COVID-19 cases there are now above 1,000. April 15 was rhe last time Dutchess County reported more than 1,000 active cases. Dutchess County officials report 5.57 percent of those tested there have coronavirus. Ulster County reported almost as many, with 953 active cases as of Dec. 6 and a 5.8 percent positivity rate. On Dec. 5, Ulster County Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith issued a public health advisory “strongly recommending” all residents wear masks in public spaces. A few days before Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan issued an emergency declaration because of the rising case counts there. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.