Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Jan. 22 through Sun., Jan. 24

The Center for Disease Control's Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report reported New York has local outbreaks of flu, and at least one local school district is also reporting the transmission of influenza. The Cairo-Durham school district's website says, "We have received reports of flu like symptoms in the elementary school. We are asking for your help with reminding children to wash their hands frequently, cover their coughs and sneezes, and to stay away from others that are sick." A warning about cases of strep throat were sent home to Cairo Elementary school parents, as well.

Matthew Hamilton reported at Capitol Confidential upstate Republican, former and possibly future gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino said Sun., Jan. 24, he expects that an upstate political movement will mitigate the influence of the so-called liberal New York metropolitan area in the next election. “People...say ‘How are you going to deal with Manhattan? You’ve got all those liberals down there. How’s it going to happen?'” the Buffalo developer said on radio station New York's 970-AM, when asked if the message from his 2010 gubernatorial campaign might be more palatable in two years. He said the wave will come out of upstate, with not only Republicans and conservatives, but also independents and conservative Democrats. He said, "...that wave is going to overwhelm the New York City negative." Paladino’s comments were focused more toward the support he says his preferred presidential candidate, Donald Trump, will have in the upcoming presidential election. Paladino said he is considering a run for governor in 2018, but has also pitched himself as the perfect Trump running mate.

Michael Ryan reported in The Daily Mail Kinderhook Republican John Faso has received the support of the Greene County GOP in his bid for the 19th Congressional District seat, currently held by Chris Gibson. The former state Assembly minority leader and onetime candidate for governor was overwhelmingly chosen by the executive committee over Robert Bishop, at a meeting held in Catskill, Thu., Jan. 21. While local Republicans threw their support behind Faso, a primary is expected in June. Both Bishop and a third candidate, Andrew Heaney, have indicated their intention to compete for the Republican line on the November ballot. Heaney announced last week he would bypass the traditional committee selection process, while referring to Faso as a “political insider.” Greene County Republican Party Chairman Brent Bogardus chided Heaney, saying he went back on his commitment to honor the committee selection process.

Jillian Nadiak and Roger Hannigan Gilson reported in the Register-Star the Hudson City School District was the target of a phishing scam last week when two emails appearing to come from the district superintendent came through the school's email system. Phishing involves the use of fraudulent email messages and websites to trick a person into revealing valuable personal information. The emails sent to Hudson school personnel did request personal information, Superintendent Maria Suttmeier confirmed Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, she disclosed than an employee responded to the message, and as a result staff social security numbers were provided to the sender of the message. Suttmeier said she was aware of only one person who received the fake email, but she will determine if others were recipients as well, when she speaks with the staff this week. The incident was reported to local law enforcement and is currently under investigation.

The Daily Freeman reported the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority is requesting all water customers in the towns of Hyde Park and Rhinebeck immediately reduce water use until further notice. The restrictions affect the Hyde Park water system and the Staatsburg Water District. That includes areas in the southern part of the town of Rhinebeck, Zone L and the Harbourd Hills/Zone D water system. A restriction at the intake pipe in the Hudson River resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of water that can be treated at the Hyde Park Water Treatment Plant. Heavy ice in the river is impeding efforts to send divers in to clear the intake screens, according to officials. All customers are urged to eliminate any unnecessary water use, ensure all unused taps are completely shut off, limit or postpone use of dishwashers and washing machines, backwashing of filters and water softeners and washing of vehicles.

Melanie Lekocevic reported in The Daily Mail the Coxsackie-Athens Board of Education decided Thu., Jan. 21, to send district voters back to the polls in March to decide the fate of the district's capital improvement project. They will be asked to approve the same project, but with a different set of choices. In December, voters rejected the $17.9 million plan that called for classroom, library and athletic field renovations. After a review of exit surveys, the Board of Education chose to put forward the same project, but will give voters options on the some of the more controversial components of the plan. Proposition 1 will include the bulk of the project including classroom reconfiguration and improved security measures, such as new locks, surveillance cameras and better security measures at building entrances. Proposition 2 would allow for joining the middle and high school libraries. Proposition 3 provides for replacing the existing grass surface on a portion of the athletic field with synthetic turf. The vote will take place from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., March 22, at Coxsackie Elementary School and at E.J. Arthur Elementary School in Athens.