Time to buy a house, get a haircut

by STAFF

HUDSON—“The Capital Region remains on track for Phase 2 reopening on Wednesday, June 3,” Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said in the Friday, May 29 county-issued Covid-19 update press release.

The Capital Region is composed of Albany, Rensselaer, Greene, Columbia, Saratoga, Schenectady, Washington and Warren counties.

According to New York State’s New York Forward website (https://forward.ny.gov), businesses allowed to begin the process of reopening are offices; real estate; essential and Phase 2 in-store retail; vehicle sales, leases and rentals; retail rental, repair and cleaning; commercial building management; and hair salons and barbershops. Read more…

County building closure extended

by STAFF

HUDSON—The closure of county buildings to the public has been extended through Friday, June 5, Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Murell announced in the May 28 county-issued Covid-19 update press release. Departments deemed essential will continue to be staffed and will accept appointments from the public.

The following departments are considered essential: 911, Communications, Sheriff, Corrections, Public Health, Office for the Aging, Highway, Solid Waste, MIS, Board of Elections, DSS, District Attorney, County Clerk and Facilities.

A state of emergency remains in effect in Columbia County until June 15. Read more…

Hundreds line up for food help

by DAVID LEE

CHATHAM—The free food distribution that was conducted at the Chatham Fairgrounds Tuesday morning, May 26 was the result of a partnership between the Northeast Regional Food Bank, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany and the Chatham, Ghent and Valatie food pantries.

The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York is based in Latham and serves 23 counties in New York from the Canadian border to New Jersey. The organization covers about a third of the New York land mass and provides food for approximately 1,000 local pantries.

Susan Lintner, who is the director of Community Impact for the Regional Food Bank was at the fairgrounds Tuesday to observe, help out and answer questions from the media. Read more…

Chairman says reopening guidance lacking

by STAFF

HUDSON—As Phase Two of the Capital Region’s reopening appears on track to begin next week, guidance from the state remains sketchy at best.

“This is a frustrating time for everyone, and we recognize that. While we are all glad to see the economy beginning to reopen under the four-phase New York Forward plan, I have definitely encountered a degree of frustration among business owners and those of us in local government as we attempt to navigate reopening guidance offered by New York State,” Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said in the county-issued Covid-19 update press release Wednesday, May 27.

“It seems that detailed guidance shows up right before the opening of a phase. Believe me, we in local government are just as frustrated with this as business owners are. Businesses are trying to prepare when there’s nothing much to prepare with in terms of guidance. It makes an already difficult situation that much harder,” Chairman Murell said in the release. Read more…

Remembering the fallen

by LANCE WHEELER

Hudson American Legion Post 184 Commander Ed Coons salutes as the colors are raised during Memorial Day ceremonies on the legion post grounds, 107 County Route 25 in Stockport, Monday, May 25. Mr. Coons called the present situation an “unprecedented time” but urged everyone to remember those who have fallen while abiding by the Governor’s orders. The gathering was sparse, with onlookers maintaining space between themselves and everyone wearing a mask. The ceremony included prayers, a flag-raising, the Pledge of Allegiance, the playing of the National Anthem and Taps and a gun salute. Photo by Lance Wheeler

More Hudson American Legion Post 184 Memorial Day photos by Lance Wheeler follow…

Read more…