Albany County sees most COVID-19 hospitalizations since June 1

Eight Albany County COIVD-19 patients hospitalized overnight as surge continues
Steve Hughes

ALBANY – The county health department is dealing with a coronavirus outbreak among its staff, as hospitalizations in Albany County hit their highest level since June 1.

The news comes as the University at Albany and other local colleges also prepare to deal with any large Halloween parties in hopes of preventing a late semester outbreak before students head home for Thanksgiving.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy speaks at a briefing on the increase in COVID-19 positive cases on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union

Four health department employees have tested positive, pushing the county to cancel clinics and sending the remainder of its staff home to work remotely for the next two weeks, County Executive Dan McCoy and County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen said Thursday.

        “This is an example of our employees doing the right thing- wearing a mask, social                 distancing, frequently sanitizing their hands and still contracting the virus," McCoy said.

The county did not say what role the staffers played within the department, or if it has been able to trace the transmission source.

The news came as eight more Albany County residents were hospitalized overnight after contracting COVID-19.

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More COVID

Three more COVID-19 cases tied to North Colonie elementary school

Rachel Silberstein

COLONIE — The North Colonie Central School District has confirmed three new COVID-19 cases tied to the Boght Hills Elementary School, bringing the total number of infected students, teachers and staff associated with the school building to nine.

The individuals who tested positive have been placed in isolation and will not return to school until they are cleared by the health department, school officials wrote in a note to families.

Contact tracing is ongoing.

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Albany Planning Board rejects proposed Stewarts

The company’s first application was rejected in August.

Steve Hughes Oct. 29, 2020

ALBANY – The city Planning Board rejected a Stewart’s Shops application for a Washington Avenue store, 5-0, for the second time in three months earlier this week.

        “I believe you have a great product; this is just not the right location for that, said board                 Chairman Al De Salvo after the vote.

Neighbors had spoken out against the proposed store at the corner of Colvin and Washington avenues, arguing that it would increase vehicle traffic and didn't fit in with the character of the neighborhood. The proposal would also require demolition of two homes in the area.

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Car Show at WHO

Stephanie J Bartik

 was live — attending 

Fall Harvest Car Show

 with 

Vito Ciccarelli

 at 

Windy Hill Orchard- East

.

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State Police remind the public not to fall victim to common scams

State Police remind the public not to fall victim to common scams

State Police in Troop G would like to remind the public to be aware as we continue to receive reports of scams involving gift cards used as payments along with other common online scams.

If you believe you may be the victim of a scam, please contact the New York State Police or local law enforcement immediately.  If you suspect you are a victim it is important to remember that these cases are time sensitive and the sooner you report, the better chance police have of trying to recover funds.
 

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Prime Days

Amazon’s Prime Day event will take place October 13-14. Get a head start on your shopping by previewing some of the best Prime Day deals you can expect to see this year.

USS Slater reopens for public tours again

The USS Slater will once again open to the public at the Port of Albany.

The Slater returned to the port after undergoing repairs over the summer in dry dock at Staten Island. NewsChannel 13 visited the Slater twice, and was aboard as it made its way up the Hudson River back to Albany.

Admission is $9 for adults and $7 for children.

The Slater is the only remaining World War II Destroyer Escort still afloat in the U.S. This is the Slater’s 23rd season in Albany.

Copyright 2020 - WNYT-TV, LLC A Hubbard Broadcasting Company

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Take a hike… soon on Electric Trail

Take a hike… soon on Electric Trail
October 2, 2020 by EMILIA TEASDALE

Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail (CFET) held its first training session September 15 for a dozen volunteers who will mow and maintain the AHET when it opens. Pictured is CFET Board President Ron Rich (l) explaining details to the CFET Trail Crew at Samascott’s Orchards in Kinderhook. Photo contributed

VALATIE—According to the latest update from the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET), “There is no public access to the AHET Trail at this time.”

But that could change very soon. There is a lot of activity on the 36-mile walking and biking trail that runs through Columbia and Rensselaer counties, mostly along the old trolley rail bed now owned by National Grid
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