In their prayers

by LANCE WHEELER

 Members of the Rock Solid Church in Hudson gathered outside the Pine Haven Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Philmont over the weekend for a prayer vigil. The nursing home has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus. At last report from the county Health Department, 17 nursing home residents had tested positive for Covid-19 and two had died. Church members stood around the outside of the building, maintaining social distancing. Some carried signs saying, “We are praying for you” or “God bless you.” Photo by Lance Wheeler

Cuomo extends state ‘Pause’ to at least April 29

by EMILIA TEASDALE

GHENT–Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday, April 6 that all “NYS on Pause” functions will be extended for an additional two weeks amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The governor also directed schools and nonessential businesses to stay closed for an additional two weeks through April 29. The state will re-evaluate after this additional two-week period.

In March the six school districts in Columbia County announced they would be closed until early April and then announced the schools and school grounds where closed until April 15. That date affected spring break, which was supposed to start on April 10. The state also canceled the 3rd-to-8th-grade assessment tests.

According to a press release from the Ichabod Crane School District, the state Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa announced on Monday that June 2020 Regents Examinations are canceled. The email from the school district says, “They will issue further guidance on how this impacts high school students tomorrow (April 7).” Read more…

Salvation Army seeks support to meet increasing need

by STAFF

HUDSON—The Salvation Army, 40 South Third Street, is stretching its resources to meet the dramatic increase in the needs of those economically-impacted by the recent novel coronavirus pandemic, according to a press release issued by the organization April 6.

The Salvation Army Service Center operates the only soup kitchen in Columbia County that serves daily lunches. It also provides a food pantry three days a week. Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, the Salvation Army in Hudson will continue to ensure that low-income individuals and families have access to desperately needed resources like food.

Within just two weeks of the coronavirus impacting New Yorkers, the center saw a dramatic increase in the community’s use of services. Read more…

County orders virus test kits, drug overdoses spike

by STAFF

HUDSON—Suppliers have been identified and an order for coronavirus test kits is being prepared.

Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb made that announcement April 6 following extensive research into commercially available coronavirus test kits.

“Picking out the legitimate suppliers and choosing the test kits that not only meet our needs, but that can be handled by a Capital District-area laboratory, was an intensive process. We are confident we have arrived at several good choices. It’s good to know we’ll have the kits on hand relatively soon,” Mr. Mabb said in the April 6 coronavirus update press release issued by county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell. Read more…

Chatham, via YouTube, mulls summer camp’s future

by EMILIA TEASDALE

CHATHAM – The Town Board held an emergency meeting Monday afternoon, March 30. The board members used a video conference call so they did not have to be in the same room. The session was streamed live on YouTube for residents to watch.

Supervisor Donal Collins said the board would not have public comment during the meeting, which was attended remotely by all the board members, Town Attorney Tal Rappleyea, Town Clerk Beth Ann Rippel and Tammy Shaw, the administrative assistant to the supervisor.

The board passed a motion to authorize a freeze on all nonessential spending starting March 31. Spending requests will go to the supervisor, who will decide whether the funds are for an essential service. Read more…