WCDO Radio News

Children who lost food benefits due to COVID-19 school closures can access meals through the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer program. The benefits require no application and will be automatically issued to kids who would have received free or reduced-price meals through the federal school lunch. If a child is eligible but has not received a P-EBD card or benefits by the end of the week, more information is available at 1-833-452-0096 or hungersolutionsny.org.

Bassett Healthcare Network announced the opening of a new school-based health center at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School, serving pre-K through 12th grade students in that district.  This is Bassett’s 21st school-based health center, the program has been funded through a grant and money secured by State Senator Jim Seward, as well as by the Clark Foundation.   More information is available at 844-255-7242.

Day 2 of public hearings by Health, Aging, and Investigations & Government Operations Committees of the State Senate and Assembly were held yesterday, regarding the conflicting numbers of COVID 19 positive patients at nursing homes & hospitals in the early part of the pandemic.  There was conflicting testimony about whether or not there was sufficient personal protective equipment in nursing homes & whether or not they are ready for a 2nd surge of cases.  There was also a conflict earlier in the pandemic when nursing homes & hospitals would claim the same person as deceased during a transfer and other conflicts when such patients were not counted toward the COVID 19 deaths.  Testimony can be heard at nysenate.gov/calendar/public-hearings.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Local Sales Tax Collections across the state Dropped by more than 32% in the Month of May, from the previous year.  DiNapoli reported that Sales tax collections for counties and cities in May totaled $918 million, which was $437 million less than May of 2019, DiNapoli is one of many state leaders urging the federal government to make federal aid available to the states hardest hit by the pandemic.

The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced more than $100 million in additional emergency food assistance for New Yorkers adversely affected by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. About 750,000 low-income individuals and families enrolled in the SNAP will receive the maximum allowable benefit for June to help them avoid food insecurity.  For more information, please visit Frequently Asked Questions for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Food Benefits.

After having the highest rate of coronavirus transmission in the country in March & April, New York now has the lowest rate of all 50 states, and they continue with a phased in approach to re-opening.  Governor Cuomo said that New York does not want to be in a situation like Oregon or Utah where they opened to quick, saw a spike in virus cases & is shutting everything down again:

(Cuomo 6-15-20)

State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker announced that a decision has been made to prohibit overnight children’s camps:

(Zucker 6-15-20)

The state will allow for some low risk sports for children, with requirements regarding the number of spectators per child, the deadline to sign up for the New York State of Health Exchange has been moved to July 15th.

State Police today announced that the Trooper entrance exam that was scheduled to be held this October has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Applications for the exam will be suspended until a new date is announced. Those who have already signed up will have their applications canceled and will be issued a refund; they will need to reapply once the exam is rescheduled.

The Chenango County Department of Public Works announced changes to the solid waste department schedules effective May 12th.  The Brisben and North Norwich Transfer Facilities will both be Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8AM to 4PM for residents only; the Landfill in the Town of Pharsalia will remain Open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4PM to Residents and Haulers.  Saturday the landfill will be open from 8AM to 4PM for residential bagged garbage only, also they will be collecting clean items for recycling at all 3 facilities.  More information is available at 337-1792

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced that the Trump administration approved New York State’s request to operate the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program authorized under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  The program would permit New York State to provide benefits similar to SNAP benefits to more than 1.4 million children in the state who normally receive free or reduced price school meals and those who attend schools that offer free meals to all students.

New York State Empire State Development has updated their guidance on automotive sales, to allow for in-person showing of vehicles, by appointment only.  More information is available at esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026.

The State Department of Labor announced that over $5.8 billion in unemployment benefits have been paid to 1.5 million New Yorkers since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, they also identified over 470,000 New Yorkers who have completed claims, but did not receive some of their benefits in previous weeks because they did not submit weekly certifications, which are required by Federal law.  The Labor Department is launching a new, streamlined process to submit backdated certifications and get their back pay faster and easier.

Delaware County Public Health is reporting 1 new case of COVID-19 Wednesday, giving the County 9 active cases.  To date there have been 74 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Delaware County, 21 people are under mandatory quarantine,  12 confirmed cases have been transferred out of the county, 3 are isolated in a hospital, 6 are recovering at home, 4 people are deceased and 49 have fully recovered.