Category Archives: News

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

Three dead of virus, county’s homeless numbers rise

by STAFF

HUDSON—The Columbia County Health Department reports three people have died of the coronavirus as of 2:30 p.m. April 5.

Columbia County has confirmed 69 positive cases of COVID-19. Five of the positive cases are hospitalized, two of those are in the ICU. We have received 468 test results completed for Columbia County residents. There are 68 under mandatory quarantine and 16 under precautionary quarantine. There are 4 residents with suspected, not tested cases. Twenty-five Columbia County residents have recovered from COVID-19.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the health department’s website at https://www.columbiacountynyhealth.com/home/coronavirus-covid-19/ Read more…

Pine Haven is coronavirus hot spot in county

by STAFF

Nursing home reports six new cases of COVID-19

HUDSON–Columbia County Department of Health (DOH) Director Jack Mabb said in a Sunday, April 5 press release that since Saturday, April 4 six additional residents of the Pine Haven Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Philmont have tested positive for COVID-19.

The six new positives bring to 17 the number of Pine Haven residents who have tested positive for the virus, which now affects all three wings at the facility. Read more…

County recommends following CDC mask-wearing guidelines

by STAFF

HUDSON—Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell and the county’s Department of Health Director Jack Mabb recommend that county residents follow the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidelines for the wearing of masks.

“We understand the situation on the wearing of masks during this crisis has been continually evolving, and may well change again as we go along, but the current CDC guidelines appear to represent our best defense in the coronavirus fight,” Mr. Murell said in his April 4 coronavirus update press release.

The CDC website can be located at cdc.gov. Read more…

Updated: How about take-out?

by STAFF

The Church Street Deli and Pizzeria in Copake is among the many eateries keeping the doors open for take-out and delivery with a reduced staff. On Sunday afternoon, pizza chef Rob Heeder sliced mushrooms while owner Dave Valden waited for orders. Photo by David Lee

GHENT—You can’t go out to dinner until the coronavirus subsides, but take-out meals can come home to you. Below is a list of some of the county’s many restaurants that have adapted their menus and their work schedules to offer good food at the recommended social distance, even if you are required to enjoy it at home.

The list is a free service of The Columbia Paper, and it’s far from complete at this point. We urge restaurants that aren’t yet on the list to email their name, street address, phone number, email and web addresses, plus a very few words about hours and services (delivery, for example). Our address is . There is no charge for the listings.

Be sure to call or digitally connect with these places before you decide where to get your tasty take-out.

Eat well. Stay safe. Read more…

New hotline established by sheriff, virus numbers updated

by STAFF

HUDSON—A new hotline for “the elderly and vulnerable in our county, including those with medical conditions or are disabled,” who would welcome a deputy checking on their well-being on a daily basis was established by Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett, Friday, April 3.

The number for the hotline is 518-828-0601 X 1400.

“Leave a message and someone will return your call. A time frame, morning or afternoon, will be established for when you would like the deputy to come to your residence. When the deputy comes by, he or she will knock on the door, then retreat to a safe distance and wait for someone to signal that all is well inside,” Sheriff Bartlett said in the coronavirus update press release issued by Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell, April 3. Read more…