Hurricane Henri: State Of Emergency Declared For 24 NY Counties Hurricane Henri: State Of Emergency Declared For 24 NY Counties
Hurricane Henri: State Of Emergency Declared For 24 NY Counties A State of Emergency has been declared for 24 counties in New York State as Hurricane Henri threatens to make landfall on Long Island Sunday morning, Aug. 22. The storm, which is expected to be near hurricane strength when it makes landfall, is forecast to affect coastal areas with dangerous storm surge, as well as heavy rainfall, dangerous surf conditions, and widespread power outages.  Related story: Here's Where Hurricane Henri Should Bring Widespread Power Outages, Strongest Winds, Most Rain Inland locations, including Westchester County and upstate areas, could also be affec…
NY Agencies Preparing For Rain, Flash Flooding Conditions Ahead Of Post-Tropical Cyclone Fred NY Agencies Preparing For Rain, Flash Flooding Conditions Ahead Of Post-Tropical Cyclone Fred
NY Agencies Preparing For Rain, Flash Flooding Conditions Ahead Of Post-Tropical Cyclone Fred New York State agencies are preparing for widespread rain and possible flash flooding conditions as Post-Tropical Cyclone Fred is set to move through the state. The storm is expected to begin moving through the area on Wednesday, Aug. 18, and exit by midday Thursday, Aug. 19. The State Department of Transportation is preparing to patrol areas that are susceptible to flooding, and personnel are set to respond with equipment to remove debris and set up temporary closures and detours. The state said the Department of Public Service has about 5,500 workers ready to engage in damage assessment,…
COVID-19: All NY Health Care Workers Will Be Required To Get Vaccines COVID-19: All NY Health Care Workers Will Be Required To Get Vaccines
Covid-19: All NY Health Care Workers Will Be Required To Get Vaccines All health care workers in New York State will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine, with only limited exceptions for those with religious or medical exemptions. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that staff at hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, adult care, and other congregate settings will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than Monday, Sept. 27. To date, 75 percent of the state’s estimated 450,000 hospital workers, 74 percent of the state’s 30,000 adult care facility workers, and 68 percent of the state’s 145,500 nursing home workers have compl…
COVID-19: 33 NY Counties Reach CDC 'High' Level For Community Spread COVID-19: 33 NY Counties Reach CDC 'High' Level For Community Spread
Covid-19: 33 NY Counties Reach CDC 'High' Level For Community Spread Two weeks ago at this time, just two counties in New York State -- Nassau and Suffolk -- were rated as having "high" COVID-19 transmission levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Now, the number is 33 amid an outbreak of cases connected to the highly contagious Delta variant. The CDC announced late in July that people should return to wearing masks indoors in areas with “substantial” and “high” COVID-19 transmission. That means masks should now be worn in a total of 54 counties. With a total of 62 counties, only eight have "moderate" spread. As of Saturda…
Hochul's Ascension To Governor Will Clear Way For New Lieutenant From Westchester Hochul's Ascension To Governor Will Clear Way For New Lieutenant From Westchester
Hochul's Ascension To Governor Will Clear Way For New Lieutenant From Westchester The leadership in Albany will have a brand-new look in two weeks when Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation takes effect and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul officially takes over on Tuesday, Aug. 24. Cuomo finally gave into calls for his resignation on Tuesday, Aug. 10, effective 14 days later, when Hochul takes over, opening the door for a new lieutenant governor to take over her position. According to the Associated Press, Hochul has tapped her successor in State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers), who is set to take over the duties of lieutenant governor once Hochul becomes govern…
New York State Police Investigators Association Demands Cuomo Resign Immediately, Issue Apology New York State Police Investigators Association Demands Cuomo Resign Immediately, Issue Apology
New York State Police Investigators Association Demands Cuomo Resign Immediately, Issue Apology An association representing about 1,200 New York State investigators has joined a growing number of voices calling for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign after the state attorney general’s office released a report that determined Cuomo had sexually harassed current and former state employees.  On Monday, Aug. 9, The New York State Police Investigators Association (NYSPIA) called on Cuomo to immediately resign and to issue an apology. "The New York State Police Investigators Association (NYSPIA) call on Governor Cuomo to immediately resign, and demand a public apology for his unprofessional and in…
COVID-19: 12 More NY Counties Reach CDC Level Recommending Indoor Mask Use In Public Settings COVID-19: 12 More NY Counties Reach CDC Level Recommending Indoor Mask Use In Public Settings
Covid-19: 12 More NY Counties Reach CDC Level Recommending Indoor Mask Use In Public Settings The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 12 more counties in New York state where masks should be worn indoors in public settings, according to new guidance prompted by a surge of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant. The CDC announced last week that people should return to wearing masks indoors in areas with “substantial” and “high” COVID-19 transmission. As of Monday, Aug. 2, the list of New York state counties where vaccinated people should resume wearing masks indoors is shown in the first image above - counties in either red or orange.  Putnam, Sulli…
COVID-19: NY To Close Four More Mass Vaccination Sites, Including One In Hudson Valley COVID-19: NY To Close Four More Mass Vaccination Sites, Including One In Hudson Valley
Covid-19: NY To Close Four More Mass Vaccination Sites, Including One In Hudson Valley New York State is closing more of its mass vaccination sites in an effort to focus more resources on areas where the rate of COVID-19 vaccination is lower. The state announced that the following sites will cease operations beginning Monday, July 26: The Diana Center at SUNY Orange Stony Brook Southampton Binghamton University at Gannett Drive Aviation Mall in Queensbury Earlier in the month, the state announced the closure of four other mass vaccination sites, including the one at Jones Beach. The state said it will evaluate whether it will close the remaining sites in the coming weeks an…
Matt Damon Endorses Candidate For Town Justice In Northern Westchester Matt Damon Endorses Candidate For Town Justice In Northern Westchester
Matt Damon Endorses Candidate For Town Justice In Northern Westchester A famous actor has endorsed a candidate running for a post in New York. Matt Damon, known for his roles in movies such as Good Will Hunting and The Martian, recorded a video sharing his endorsement of Clark Petschek for Bedford Town Justice in Northern Westchester County. Petschek is running against Jodi Kimmel for the position. Damon, a native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a longtime friend of Petschek, since they were roommates at Harvard University.  "He's one of the most exceptional people I've met in my life," Damon said. "I've followed his life and career closely since c…
NY Lawmakers Oppose Decision To Open Chick-fil-A Restaurants At State Rest Stops NY Lawmakers Oppose Decision To Open Chick-fil-A Restaurants At State Rest Stops
NY Lawmakers Oppose Decision To Open Chick-fil-A Restaurants At State Rest Stops Several New York legislators are speaking out in opposition as Chick-fil-A prepares to open restaurants at state highway rest stops. Construction is set to begin on the project to develop 27 service areas on the thruway on Thursday, July 29. The project plans to expand the food and drink options at rest stops to include a number of well-known restaurant chains. The project was announced earlier this month. In a letter addressed to New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew Driscoll, Assemblymember Harry Bronson, of Rochester, said the decision to include Chick-fil-A should …
COVID-19: Cause For Concern? NY Sees Rise In Infection Rate COVID-19: Cause For Concern? NY Sees Rise In Infection Rate
Covid-19: Cause For Concern? NY Sees Rise In Infection Rate Some alarms are being sounded as New York State is in the midst of a slight uptick in its COVID-19 infection rate over the weekend. Officials are encouraging unvaccinated New Yorkers to get a shot in the arm as the state’s positive infection rate rose to 1.10 percent for those tested for COVID-19 on Sunday, July 11. One new virus-related death was reported, bringing the total number of fatalities to 43,011 statewide since the pandemic began, and the seven-day rolling positive COVID-19 infection rate is at approximately 0.88 percent. The one COVID-19-related death in Queens County matches t…
COVID-19: New York Loosening Mask Restrictions On Schools COVID-19: New York Loosening Mask Restrictions On Schools
Covid-19: New York Loosening Mask Restrictions On Schools New York is loosening its mask-wearing restrictions for students and staff next week as the state continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning on Monday, June 7, masks will no longer be required indoors or outdoors in New York schools after seeing nearly two straight months of the COVID-19 positivity rate dropping. As of Monday, masks will be “strongly encouraged” for unvaccinated people, but not required. They will also not be needed outdoors, though people not fully vaccinated will be encouraged to wear them in high-risk circumstances. Anyone who is fully vaccinated will …