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COVID-19: First Spread In US Due To New Sub-Variants Of 'Stealth Omicron' Reported In NY COVID-19: First Spread In US Due To New Sub-Variants Of 'Stealth Omicron' Reported In NY
Covid-19: First Spread In US Due To New Sub-Variants Of 'Stealth Omicron' Reported In NY Two new sub-variants of BA.2. or the so-called COVID-19 "Stealth Omicron" strain, could be considerably more contagious, say health officials who are reporting a surge in cases in Central New York State,  the first such outbreak in the nation. The New York State Department of Health on Wednesday, April 13 announced the emergence of the two Omicron sub-variants: BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1.  BA.2 now accounts for more than 50 percent of COVID cases nationally and 80.6 percent in New York.  The sub-variants have been estimated to have a 23- to 27-percent growth advantage above …

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
New Hudson Valley Business Offers 'Core Cocktails' Using Local Ingredients New Hudson Valley Business Offers 'Core Cocktails' Using Local Ingredients
New Hudson Valley Business Offers 'Core Cocktails' Using Local Ingredients A new Hudson Valley business is offering a unique selection of canned cocktails made with locally-sourced ingredients.  Liquid Fables opened in Dutchess County in late July, according to owner Matt Green. The business offers a selection of "Core Cocktails" at its tasting room at 1 East Main St. in Beacon. The company currently serves up four "Core Cocktails," two of which are vodka-based, one made with rye whisky and one with gin. "Being in Beacon, there are a lot of people who come up from Westchester and the city," Green said. "It’s a lot of people who stumble upon us, and the…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Over 100 Violations Under Investigation At Property In Hudson Valley Over 100 Violations Under Investigation At Property In Hudson Valley
Over 100 Violations Under Investigation At Property In Hudson Valley The investigation into a fire that left several people trapped - including a 2-year-old child - led to the issuance of more than 100 violations to a Hudson Valley real estate agency. On Wednesday, March 9 in Rockland County, a fire broke out inside an apartment on the 7th floor inside the building at 101 Kennedy Drive in Spring Valley, resulting in multiple people being trapped inside, officials said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials said, however, the immediate inspection of the building in the aftermath of the blaze led to the Rockland County Office of Building…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Ukraine Crisis: NY Lawmakers Push To Suspend Gas Tax Ukraine Crisis: NY Lawmakers Push To Suspend Gas Tax
Ukraine Crisis: NY Lawmakers Push To Suspend Gas Tax With gas prices at the pump surging to record highs, some New York lawmakers are proposing a temporary suspension of the statewide gas tax to provide some financial relief to motorists. Upstate New York Sen. Peter Oberacker and Sen. Senator Fred Akshar announced that they are jointly proposing the New York Gas Tax Relief Act to combat the increased costs that have spiked due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. If approved, the legislation would suspend the state gas tax through Thursday, Sept. 1, “in an effort to combat the increased costs that have burdened New Yorkers over the past two …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
21-Year-Old College Student To Run For Assembly Seat In Hudson Valley 21-Year-Old College Student To Run For Assembly Seat In Hudson Valley
21-Year-Old College Student To Run For Assembly Seat In Hudson Valley A college student who calls the Hudson Valley home has potentially historic ambitions for his post-graduation career. SUNY Albany senior Zak Constantine, a 21-year-old Orange County resident now living in New Windsor, announced that he is planning to run for the 99th New York State Assembly District in his hometown Hudson Valley. The 99th District includes parts of Rockland and Orange counties. It is currently represented by Republican Assemblyman Colin Schmitt. Constantine announced his campaign earlier this week and hit the ground running, collecting signatures and passing out fliers to …

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by Zak Failla
News
Cashless Tolling Starts At Bridge In Hudson Valley Cashless Tolling Starts At Bridge In Hudson Valley
Cashless Tolling Starts At Bridge In Hudson Valley A new cashless tolling option has been implemented for drivers traveling on a busy Hudson Valley bridge that connects Dutchess and Ulster counties. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday, March 1 that the Mid-Hudson Bridge connecting Highland in Ulster County and Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County has become the latest in the region to go cashless. Related story - New Cashless Tolls Coming To Westchester: Here's When, Where Motorists will no longer have to wait at the gate to pay or scan their E-Z Pass. Instead, sensors will read the car’s EZ-Pass, or a photo will be taken and …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Here's How Hochul Stands Against Primary Field, Brand-New Poll Reveals Here's How Hochul Stands Against Primary Field, Brand-New Poll Reveals
Here's How Hochul Stands Against Primary Field, Brand-New Poll Reveals With the Democratic primary rapidly approaching, incumbent New York Gov. Kathy Hochul continues to be the runaway favorite, according to a newly released poll. Five months out of the primary, Hochul has taken a commanding lead of more than 30 points over her closest Democratic candidates in a field that has seen some high-profile names drop out in recent weeks. Earlier story - Letitia James Drops Out Of Governor's Race, Will Seek Reelection As NY AG According to a brand new Siena College poll, Hochul is enjoying the support of 46 percent of Democrats, compared to just 12 percent for former…

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by Zak Failla
News
Central Hudson's Rollout Of New Billing System 'Flawed, Disturbing,' Dutchess County Exec Says Central Hudson's Rollout Of New Billing System 'Flawed, Disturbing,' Dutchess County Exec Says
Central Hudson's Rollout Of New Billing System 'Flawed, Disturbing,' Dutchess County Exec Says Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro is speaking out against Central Hudson’s price hike for utility customers in the region. On Thursday, Feb. 10, the utility company advised its customers that there will be an increase in prices for both electricity and natural gas. According to the company, natural gas bills are expected to be increased by approximately 19 percent, electricity bills are going up around 46 percent, and 29 percent for combination electric and natural gas bills. Earlier story - Central Hudson Alerts Customers Of Higher Energy Costs In a statement issued Wednesday afte…

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by Zak Failla
News
Hudson Valley Man Pleads Guilty In Child Starvation Death Case Hudson Valley Man Pleads Guilty In Child Starvation Death Case
Hudson Valley Man Pleads Guilty In Child Starvation Death Case A Hudson Valley man has pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in connection with the starvation death of his 7-year-old son. Orange County resident Arturo Cuacuas, age 54, of Newburgh, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Feb. 2, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. An Orange County grand jury previously charged the boy's primary caregiver, Leticia Bravo, age 39, of Newburgh, with murder in the death of Peter Cacuas who prosecutors allege was kept secreted inside Bravo's City of Newburgh apartment, while he starved to death.  Arturo Cuacuas did not live with Bravo dur…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
NY Officials Urge Caution As Storm Expected To Bring Snow, Freezing Rain NY Officials Urge Caution As Storm Expected To Bring Snow, Freezing Rain
NY Officials Urge Caution As Storm Expected To Bring Snow, Freezing Rain New York state officials are urging residents to prepare as a winter storm is expected to bring snow and freezing rain to parts of the state. The storm is set to impact the region beginning the night of Thursday, Feb. 3, through Friday, Feb. 4.  Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Hudson Valley and downstate regions are expected to see freezing rain and icy conditions. She said parts of the Hudson Valley region may receive up to four inches of snow and up to two-tenths of an inch of ice. Parts of Central New York, the Southern Tier and the Finger Lakes could receive as much as 18 inches of sno…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: NY Rolls Back Contact Tracing Requirements For Local Health Departments COVID-19: NY Rolls Back Contact Tracing Requirements For Local Health Departments
Covid-19: NY Rolls Back Contact Tracing Requirements For Local Health Departments New York State will no longer require local health departments to perform contact tracing of positive COVID-19 cases amid the rise of the Omicron variant that has been rapidly spreading in record numbers. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and acting Department of Health Commissioner Mary Bassett announced on Tuesday, Jan. 11 that with the recent unprecedented rise of new infections, it has become impractical for officials to allocate resources toward contact tracing. Previously, New Yorkers who tested positive for COVID-19 were contacted by state or local health officials who questioned them about…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
New Details Released On Horrific NY Fire Claiming Lives Of At Least 19, Including Nine Children New Details Released On Horrific NY Fire Claiming Lives Of At Least 19, Including Nine Children
New Details Released On Horrific NY Fire Claiming Lives Of At Least 19, Including Nine Children Update: Death Toll Adjusted - New York City Mayor Eric Adams said a total of 17 people, including eight children, died in an apartment fire over the weekend, revising the initially reported higher death toll of 19. --- New details have been released on a historic, devastating fire in which 19 people in a New York City apartment building. The New York City Fire Department reported on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 9, that about 200 of its members responded to the five-alarm fire at 333 East 181 St. in the Bronx. Approximately 200 FDNY members are operating on scene of a 5-alarm fire at …

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by Nicole Valinote