MidHudson News is reporting that state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos is reminding anglers that the new catch-and-release trout stream season begins October 16. “New York State’s new catch-and-release season in trout streams expands opportunities for anglers so they can enjoy the state’s trout stream fishing resources year-round,” Seggos wrote in a statement. The new catch-and-release trout stream season is part of the department's Statewide Trout Stream Management Plan, developed to improve and modernize New York’s management of its trout stream fishing resources. The new season runs from October 16 through March 31, and it requires anglers to use only artificial lures and to immediately release the trout they catch. The catch-and-release season applies to trout streams only. Fishing for trout in lakes and ponds is generally prohibited after October 15. Before fishing, anglers are advised to consult DEC’s regulations associated with lakes and ponds that harbor trout. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.

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Kenneth C Crowe II reports in the Times Union that first the Albany Medical Center discovered that Rensselaer County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Sikirica was not vaccinated for COVID-19, and said he could not do autopsies there. So Rensselaer County officials announced Sikirica and everyone needed for autopsies would travel to the Glens Falls Hospital to do autopsies there. But that hospital is affiliated with Albany Med, with the same policies that bar the unvaccinated Sikirica from doing autopsies there. Then on Oct. 5, Dutchess County stepped in, and will allow him to work there, despite his unvaccinated status. Who runs Dutchess County? Moderate Republican Marc Molinaro is County Executive, but recently announced he is running for Congress, hoping to take away Democrat Antonio Delgado's 19th Congressional District seat. But first Molinaro must win a primary election next year, and he could face a challenge from a more conservative Republican. Molinaro said the move is an example of county governments working together, but the other regional counties were not letting Sikirica work there because of his lack of vaccination. Sikirica has been refusing any comment to the media during all of this. County officials have not yet said how much it will cost Rensselaer County to do autopsies in Dutchess County. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Voting this year begins Oct. 23, and ends Nov. 2, with town posts, countywide positions, and a few state Supreme Court seats at stake. In Greene County, the Board of Elections office on the fourth floor of the Greene County Office building in Catskill is the only polling station Oct. 23 through Halloween. This year Columbia County has two sites to vote between Oct. 23 and 31: the board of elections office in the Columbia County Office Bldg. in Hudson, and also the Martin H. Glynn Municipal Center in Valatie. The so-called early voting hours in both counties change every day, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., October 23; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun., October 24; noon-8 p.m. Mon., October 25; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue., October 26; noon-8 p.m. Wed., October 27; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thu., October 28; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri., October 29; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., October 30; and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun., October 31. Then traditional local voting spots are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 2. The risk of exposure to COVID-19 is still a valid reason to obtain an absentee ballot in this year's election, and those ballots can be mailed in through Nov. 2. One change in this election: A new state law passed in 2021, restores the right to vote for a person convicted of a felony upon release from incarceration, regardless of if they are on parole or have a term of post-release supervision. If a convicted felon is not incarcerated, they are now eligible to register to vote in New York.

William J. Kemble reports in the Daily Freeman that there are four first-time candidates competing for two seats on the Saugerties Town Board this fall. Democrats Kevin Freeman and Kayleigh Zaloga, and Republicans also on the Conservative line Mary “Peg” Nau and Zachery Horton are running for four-year terms on the board. This may be the first election for Nau but she was appointed to a vacancy on the board in 2020 and is running for a full term. Board member John Schoonmaker is not seeking re-election. Freeman, 62, is a baker with the Hudson Valley Dessert Co., who has lived in Saugerties for seven years. “I think that housing is the number one issue,” he said. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. On the table would be regulation of short-term rentals and looking at zoning to maybe increase density for availability of accessory dwellings.” Horton, 28, is a public safety representative for the state Division of Homeland Security and a lifelong resident of Saugerties. “I would like to play a role in making sure that [Saugerties-based] Diaz Ambulance receives the funding that they need,” Horton said. “It seems that with the increase in our population, our emergency services are really going to need to make sure that their equipment is up to date and that they are properly staffed. Nau, 75, is a also a lifelong Saugerties resident and previously served as town tax collector. “I do see a need to have a property maintenance law,” she said. “I was not happy with the first draft. … It was too detailed, it was too strict, it just wasn’t a good mix for rural and residential.” Zaloga, 31, is a legislative aide for state Assemblyman Richard Gottfried of Manhattan and has lived in Saugerties for five years. Zaloga said her priority is revising the town’s land-use regulations so that “businesses will hire locals for living-wage jobs and will produce goods or services that will serve our community.” Running unopposed for new terms in Saugerties are town Supervisor Fred Costello (two years), Town Clerk Lisa Stanley (four years), Receiver of Taxes Julie Dunn (four years) and Highway Superintendent Raymond Mayone (two years). Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

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The Daily Freeman is reporting that Greene County will receive up to $1.2 million, and Columbia County up to $965,000, to combat opioid abuse, state Attorney General Letitia James announced October 5. James said the money is coming from settlements her office negotiated with opioid manufacturers and distributors after lawsuits were filed in March 2019. The companies are Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health, Amerisource Bergen, and Endo. The attorney general said the companies, “were responsible for heavily marketing opioids to doctors, hospitals, health care systems and others, which led to the overprescription of the drugs across New York and the rest of the nation over the last two decades.” James said the money will help, “turn the tide on the opioid crisis” and “be vital in helping to prevent future deaths.” Ulster County will receive up to $3.6 million and Dutchess County will receive up to $6.4 million. The statewide distribution of settlement money could reach $1.5 billion. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics that Republican Marc Molinaro's congressional campaign on October 5, reported it had raised more than $350,000 in the 10 days since announcing his bid for the 19th Congressional District seat currently held by Democrat Rep. Antonio Delgado. "What an incredibly exciting outpouring of support from family, friends, and supporters young and old," said campaign spokesperson Connor Smith. The boundaries of the 19th Congressional District are expected to shift once redistricting is completed in early 2022. On October 4, Delgado's campaign reported having $5 million in cash on hand. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Rebekah F. Ward is reporting for the Times Union that during its first meeting October 5, the five members of the state Cannabis Control Board voted unanimously to confirm Jason Starr as the Office of Cannabis Management's first chief equity officer, as well as 21 other unnamed hires for senior agency positions. Starr is an attorney with experience in civil rights and social justice policy. He has worked for the New York Civil Liberties Union, the governor’s office and the Human Rights Campaign. Control board chair Tremaine Wright also announced a series of changes to the medical cannabis program, effective immediately. Those changes include permitting the sale of whole flower; allowing any medical provider who can prescribe controlled substances to certify patients; increasing the disbursement of medical cannabis to a 60-day supply; and permanently waiving the $50 registration fee for patient certification. The law that defines the board’s role set a deadline of six months for medical cannabis patients to be able to grow marijuana plants at home, but that deadline was not met. Wright said she expects that issue to be an agenda item at an upcoming board meeting. In his update to the board, OCM head Christopher Alexander also acknowledged that the new institutions were starting from behind. “...[W]e were not able to begin the work of establishing New York's cannabis market until September 22, when the full cannabis control board was appointed,” he said. “As such, we have a six-month delay to make up.” Board members approved the 21 new OCM staff members, but an OCM spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request to review the list of new personnel. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo failed to appoint board members, and but new Gov. Kathy Hochul has got the wheels moving now to implement the recreational cannabis legalization that the New York legislature approved six months ago. Read more in the Times Union.

The Times Union reports that on Oct. 5 Albany County officials unveiled a plan to switch to all electric vehicles by 2030. The plan has them partnering with Westchester and Suffolk counties, to combine their buying power as they replace their fleet of gas guzzlers. “Through this plan, all three counties will be able to transition to 100 percent electric fleets no later than 2030,” Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said. “Not only will we cut our emissions through this plan, we will also be cutting the price tag, which ultimately benefits our taxpayers. It’s my hope that more counties will partner with us, and this progress will encourage those in the private sector to follow suit.” Besides buying the cleaner vehicles, Albany County will also add seven new dual-port public charging stations at six different locations. “We are in the midst of a climate crisis right now,” said Albany County Legislature Chair Andrew C. Joyce. “We have an opportunity here through this partnership to be good stewards of the environment and to also save taxpayer dollars.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Today's daily news update.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that two more Dutchess County residents have died from COVID-19, the county announced Oct. 4. That makes 492 since the pandemic began, and 27 coronavirus-related deaths since the beginning of September after having only 22 during all of June, July, and August. Albany County also reported another COVID-19 death on Oct. 5, a resident in their 50s and the county’s 407th since the pandemic began. Columbia County reported 19 new coronavirus cases on Oct. 4. Columbia County Health Department's Tuesday vaccination clinics from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Columbia County Human Services Building at 325 Columbia St. are now by appointment only. Call (518) 828-3358, option #4, to make an appointment. Ulster County reported 24 more cases Oct. 4 than it had on Oct. 1. Greene County did not report any COVID-19 information on Oct. 4, but on Sept. 30 had 27 new cases, and on Oct. 1 announced 15 new cases.

Kenneth C. Crowe II reports in the Times Union that Rensselaer County has no place to do autopsies because its chief medical examiner, Dr. Michael Sikirica, refuses to get vaccinated. He can't do them at Albany Medical Center Hospital, because they have a policy that mandates staff be vaccinated. For some reason, Sikirica said last week he would do autopsies at Glens Falls Hospital. But that hospital also has a vaccine mandate. “The bottom line is our policy is you have to be vaccinated to do work here,” Ray Agnew, a hospital spokesperson said Oct. 4. Rensselaer County is required by law to provide to do autopsies, and does between 100 and 120 a year. Currently, Rensselaer County has no plan for how they will do autopsies. “As we did several days ago, we are reacting and making adjustments to ensure our legal responsibility is fulfilled. We expect to be able to make an announcement in the near future," Richard Crist, county director of operations said. The Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office said it is waiting to, “understand what the options are based on the contract.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

The Altamont Enterprise reports that an anonymously-administered social media page that’s been heavily interacted with by Republican sympathizers has posts making unsubstantiated claims against two Democrats running for office in Berne, in southern Albany County. An Albany County Sheriff’s Office sheriff’s investigation into the allegations that Barbara Kennedy, the Democratic candidate for Berne Highway Superintendent, abused and neglected the animals that she keeps on her East Berne farm, found no evidence of any wrongdoing. “They said I run a good place here and all the animals are happy and in good shape,” Kennedy said. “They were just trying to ruin my reputation... And they can do whatever they want, but in the long run, I love all my animals.” The Democratic candidate for Berne Town Clerk, Jean Guarino, has been accused of other crimes, although again, without any proof, in what seems like an effort to sway voters towards Republicans. Read more about this story in the Altamont Enterprise.

Today's daily headlines.

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Sam Raudins is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Greene County is offering free COVID-19 rapid testing with its Emergency Services Mobile Command Center, beginning in the town of Catskill this week. Testing will be offered only to people with symptoms, people who have been in contact with person who tested positive seven to 10 days after contact and students in kindergarten through 12th grade who return to school after positive contact or symptoms, according to Greene County Public Health. The mobile unit will set up in different communities in the county to provide services. Testing is not available for work, travel, or voluntary reasons, Greene County Public Health said. The rapid tests give results in 15 minutes. Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said the mobile unit has been commissioned as a test. The converted recreational vehicle is equipped with four testing machines and it is staffed by public health’s core medical volunteers. Grodon said, "It’s going to be a very limited operation.” The tests to be administered include ID NOW, created by Abbott. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, point-of-care tests such as ID NOW have a moderate to high test sensitivity. The mobile unit is currently set up in the Lumberyard parking lot on Water Street in Catskill village, No appointments are necessary and testing is free of charge. Testing in Catskill will be offered through October 8. Groden said after a week in Catskill, the county will reassess mobile testing. As of October 1, the county reported 150 active, positive COVID-19 cases. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

MidHudson News is reporting Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and County Legislature Chair Gregg Pulver, October 4, proposed the elimination of sales tax on the purchases of clothing and footwear under $110, each in 2022 as part of a plan to provide sustainable tax relief for county residents. Molinaro will formally present his proposal when he submits his 2022 county budget on October 27. If approved, the plan would be submitted to the state and take effect in March. In New York, clothing, footwear, and items used to make or repair clothing that meets certain criteria are currently exempt from the state’s four percent sales tax and the three-eights percent MTA commuter tax. Molinaro said, “...[W]e continue to offer tax relief to our residents, and this exemption on clothing and footwear highlights our ongoing efforts to cut residents’ taxes and keep those dollars in their pocket.” Pulver said county residents “work hard for their money, and they deserve to keep as much as possible.” Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics New York Governor Kathy Hochul October 4, signed legislation that expands Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, to participating restaurants. The measure creates a statewide Restaurants Meals Program, and it has been combined with the launch of a $25 million program designed to help struggling restaurants. The fund would build on the Nourish New York program, and provide funding to the state's food banks and emergency food providers to purchase prepared meals from restaurants and deliver them to people in need. "It's unconscionable that in a state as prosperous as New York, many residents still struggle to get enough food to feed their families," Hochul said. "...This pandemic continues to impact the wallets and homes of a vast number of New Yorkers, and we're taking any and all actions to help them support themselves and their loved ones." Expanding SNAP to include participating restaurants must be approved first by the U.S. Department of Agriculture before the new law can take full effect. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.