WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-22-21

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on State highways will be suspended starting tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM, until Monday December 27th at 6:00 AM. Construction will also be suspended from Thursday December 30th to Monday, January 3rd to ease travel for motorists.   Motorists should be aware that some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that they are investigating a multistate outbreak of listeria infections connected to Fresh Express packaged salads, through the northeast states & into eastern Canada.  So far, 10 people have become ill, 10 have been hospitalized and 1 person has died across 8 states in the listeria outbreak. Fresh Express announced a recall Monday where they advised consumers not to eat, sell or serve a long list of its products with the codes Z324 to Z350 printed on the package.

Deposit Town Supervisor Thomas Axtell has declared a State of Emergency for Town roads in Deposit due to excessive rainfall and flash flooding. Supervisor Axtell has requested no unnecessary travel on Town roads until further notice. Also, Deputy Town Supervisor Patrick O’Brien from the Town of Hancock has issued a Travel Advisory for all town roads in Hancock until further notice due to excessive rain and flash flooding. No unnecessary travel is requested.

The State Department of Health confirmed the presence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in mosquitoes in Onondaga and Oswego Counties. EEE is a rare, viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can affect people and horses, people over 50 and younger than 15 are at greatest risk for acquiring the virus. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop any symptoms, severe cases begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting, approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die, while many patients who survive EEE experience neurologic impairment. There have been no human cases of EEE this year, there is no vaccine. Officials suggest keeping mosquitoes away, by eliminating standing water in yards& using Repellents that contain DEET, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Local animal lovers can drop off donations of pet supplies at Oneonta Bus Lines/Eastern Travel. Toys, cat litter, and pet beds will be accepted; donors will be able to select a gift certificate in return for the donation. Items can be dropped off weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oneonta Bus Lines/Eastern Travel offices at 41 Orchard Street, Oneonta.

Governor Cuomo today announced a new I Love NY advertising campaign to promote travel throughout the State’s 11 vacation regions. the campaign includes TV ads that are being aired in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, western Massachusetts, the eastern and central portions of both Pennsylvania and Ohio and in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa in Canada. The ads will run through the summer until August 7.

The Binghamton Mets announced that playoff tickets are now available for purchase.   Fans can buy tickets for the 2013 playoffs at the NYSEG Stadium box office, online at www.bmets.com or by calling 723-METS.  The Eastern League playoffs would start on September 4th.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli today issued a report on the New York State Power Authority which questioned the authority’s travel expenses, ownership of a plane, & that 35% of employees earned more than $100,000 annually, which accounted for almost half of the authority’s expenses.  New York power authority operated 16 power plants providing low cost power to business and utilities, and employs of 1600 people.