The Otsego County Board of Representatives asks the public to protect themselves and others during COVID 19 saying the Health Department doesn’t have the resources to enforce the state mask mandate. The Board is also working with the state to establish a free COVID-19 testing site by Jan. 3. Source: https://www.facebook.com/cityofoneonta/posts/286598333514429
Road and bridge construction projects on State highways will be suspended beginning today through Monday at 6:00 a.m. Construction will also be suspended from Thursday, December 30 at 6 a.m. through Monday, January 3 at 6 a.m. Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. Source: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-suspension-construction-related-lane-closures-during-peak-holiday
Applications are now accepted for the state’s “Nurses For Our Future” Scholarship. It covers tuition for 1,000 new or current healthcare workers to earn an Associate’s or Bachelor’s in Nursing at a two-year or four-year New York State public college or university. Application deadline is Feb. 5. Source: https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/nurses-our-future-scholarship
The State Education Department cancels the January Regents exams because of the COVID-19 case increase. Officials say no decisions have been made regarding the June and August Regents Examinations or any other State assessment programs. The Department will ask the Board of Regents to modyfy rerquirements to earn high school diplomas, credentials, and endorsements. Source: … Read more
Thosee enrolled in the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for September. Households already receiving the maximum monthly benefit, and those that had been receiving an emergency allotment of less than $95 per month, will receive a minimum supplement of $95. Source: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-230-million-additional-food-assistance-new-yorkers-december
New York makes $65 million available to help all counties with the costs associated with administering vaccines and boosters and enforcing the mask-or-vaccine mandate for indoor public places that went into effect last week. Up to $1 million will be available for most counties, with larger counties eligible to receive up to $2 million. Source: … Read more
It took firefighters around 2-1/2 hours to put out a blaze at an Unadilla apartment building Monday night. Officials say at least 2 families are getting help from the American Red Cross for temporary shelter and other necessities. Crews had to remain on scene to put out hotspots. Source: https://www.wktv.com/content/news/Fire-destroys-apartment-building-attached-garage-in-Unadilla-575954021.html
The Otsego County Correctional Facility suspensds inmate visitation due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. Officials say the situation will be closely monitored, and inmate visitation will resume as soon as possible. Visitation at the Chenango County Jail was suspended last week. Source: https://www.facebook.com/OtsegoSheriff/posts/4696380233777593
Bassett Healthcare Network announces non-essential procedures are suspended at the Cooperstown Medical Center and Cobleskill Regional Hospital because occupancy is at 90% or more. Elective procedures are still discontinued at A.O. Fox Hospital. Those affected by these changes are being notified directly by your practicioner. Source: https://www.bassett.org/news/bassett-healthcare-network-offers-updates-elective-procedure-postponements-visitation
The Village of Cooperstown will permit recreational marijuana sales but onsite consumption is not allowed. Accor5ding to All Otsego the Board of Trustees didn’t vote on allowing sales which means they automatically opt in. The vote was 5-2 to not allow consumption. The opt-out deadline is Dec. 31. Source: Village splits on dispensaries, lounges