Category Archives: News

Read the latest local news from Columbia County and surrounding areas.

CC DOH: Did you attend this funeral?

by STAFF

HUDSON—Anyone who attended a funeral at the Sacco Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive off Healy Boulevard in Greenport, Monday, November 9, should monitor their health for symptoms of the Covid-19 virus.

A person who attended the funeral has since tested positive for the virus, Columbia County Department of Health (DOH) Director Jack Mabb said in a press release November 12.

“The funeral home has indicated that all individuals who attended wore masks and social distancing was encouraged. Because of this, the Health Department considers the risk to the more than 100 attended to be low, nonetheless, the risk remains,” Director Mabb said.

Symptoms of a Covid-19 infection include fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, chills, new loss of taste or smell, or extreme headache. The DOH can be reached at 518-828-3358.

Virus spikes spur village to resume remote operations

by EMILIA TEASDALE

CHATHAM—Mayor John Howe announced at the Village Board meeting November 9 that as of Wednesday staff in the clerk’s office will return to working remotely and the Department of Public Works staff will go back to a Covid plan that includes not sharing village trucks.

Mayor Howe said that looking at the increase in Covid-19 cases in the county, he felt that “it’s a matter of when do we pull the trigger” on closing the clerk’s office and having employees work from home. He said he thought that time had arrived and he stressed a few times during the meeting that he wanted to be proactive and not reactive.

On Wednesday, the Village posted a statement on their Facebook page saying, “The office of the Village Clerk will be closed to the public until further notice due to the rise in Covid-19 cases in Columbia County. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 518 392-5821 ext. 2 or 3 and leave a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Garbage Stickers are still available at Citgo, Stewart’s, and Sunoco. You are also able to receive your trash stickers via mail if you leave a check in the lock box at the Village Clerk’s office along with your name, address, the amount of stickers and whether they are $2 or $3 stickers.” Read more…

Chatham marks a double ribbon cutting day

by DAVID LEE

Two ribbon cuttings were held at Crellin Park in Chatham Saturday, October 31—one to mark the official opening of the new Crellin Park Pavilion and one for the upgrades to the Chatham Skate Park. Town Supervisor Donal Collins (pictured l in group photo) made introductory comments at the pavilion ribbon cutting, but gave credit to his predecessor, Maria Lull (second from l) under whose administration the pavilion was planned and funded. Town Councilman Kevin Weldon (center), who is co-chair of the town Parks and Recreation Department, cut the ribbon. The Chatham Skate Park completed its first phase a decade ago. Over the summer, the skateboard park had several modifications, including new features, more surface area and lighting. The work was done by a group of skateboarders who call themselves T.I.T.T.E. or Throw In The Trowel East. Trying out the newly expanded park is skater and park constructor Tiger Coleman, bottom. Photos by David Lee 

County helps with some vets’ funeral funds

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

GREENPORT—The Columbia County Veteran’s Service Department has continued to provide services for and keep in touch with veterans throughout the Covid crisis, Gary Flaherty, its executive director, reported by phone October 20.

Mr. Flaherty keeps lists of hundreds of veterans and survivors of veterans in Columbia County, plus about a dozen in Greene and Dutchess counties. These individuals, he said, have sought or received help for psychological issues, usually Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mr. Flaherty said he called everyone on the list since the crisis began. He makes several calls a week and calls some multiple times as needed.

In addition, the Veterans Services Agency office on Fairview Avenue in Greenport, which also has recreational facilities, has stayed open throughout the crisis, Mr. Flaherty reported. He said to date no veterans on his list or any of their family members have had the coronavirus. Read more…

Kinderhook, Chatham face cloudy town revenue forecasts

by EMILIA TEASDALE

GHENT—The towns of Kinderhook and Chatham have been putting together their 2021 budgets. Towns finalize budgets in November and file them with the county. The spending plans will then take effect as of January 2021.

Chatham will hold a public hearing on the town’s preliminary budget November 5 at 6:30 p.m. The board is proposing about a $3 million budget for the general and highway funds. The proposed budget is on the town website, www.chathamnewyork.us .

Kinderhook, the most populous town in the county, held a public hearing October 21 on the 2021 proposed budget. There was no public comment on the plan. The proposed budget is on the town website, www.kinderhook-ny.gov . The total proposed budget is about $2.6 million. Read more…