WCDO Radio News

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a plan to expand healthcare worker vaccine mandates to include employees that work in the Officer of Mental Health and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Employees in these agencies will need to show proof of a least 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by November 1st, they will not have the option to receive weekly COVID testing. The requirement will apply to all employees who work at psychiatric hospitals and those working at specialty hospitals. Tomorrow, a previously enacted vaccine requirement will take effect for personnel at adult-care facilities, long-term health care programs, AIDS home care programs, hospice care along with other similar programs.

State DOT is advising motorists of long term single lane closures and crossovers on Interstate 88 between Exits 17 and 18 in the Town of Maryland; and Exits 19 to 21 in the Towns of Worcester and Richmondville,  to accommodate pavement renewal and bridge rehabilitation projects. Construction is expected through November 15th, when normal traffic patterns will resume until construction begins again in the spring of 2022.   Up-to-date travel information is available at 511, 511NY.org, or the mobile phone App.

Today is the 8th annual National Forklift Safety Day, Michael Field, president and CEO of The Raymond Corporation in Greene will speak on how operations can use intelligent warehouse solutions to train operators and pedestrians in a warehouse setting, it will be held virtually at 9:00 AM this morning.

Crews in Oneonta were working to restore water service to businesses & residents along River Street, following a water main break this morning near 274 River Street.  Water color or pressure may be compromised for a brief period after service is restored.

State Police reported Sunday that a father-to-be was killed & his brother was injured involving an exploding device that was to be used in a gender reveal in Liberty. 28-year-old Christopher Pekny was killed in the blast while constructing the device in Sullivan County, 27-year-old Michael Pekny of Liberty was injured & was taken to an area hospital.  The investigation is continuing.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-22-21

The State Health Department statistics Saturday showed that the statewide positivity rate was down to 2.99% the lowest rate since November 23rd.   The state reported over 221,000 tested, with 6610 positive tests, patient  Hospitalization were down to 5,764, patients in an ICU Bed were down to 1,162 & the number on ventilators was down to 794, there were 75 deaths from COVID Saturday.

The State Health Department reported the 1st case of the South African variant has been identified in Long Island resident, last week, a Connecticut resident who had been hospitalized in New York City was found to have the South African variant.