Editorial: Omicron’s Paradox A COVID-weary public confronts the conundrum daily: Is this good news? Is it bad news? We have to admit that we’re a little bit confused. The Omicron caseload is frightening on its surface — ridiculously high numbers on a daily basis, top-of-the-fold newspaper coverage, lead-story status. We’re so attuned to scary numbers and frightening graphs that when we hear about record-shattering daily positive tests coming back, the first thing we want to do is retreat to our…
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Governor calls for two-term cap for statewide elected officials Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2022 State of the State message calls for a two-term limit for New York’s four top offices – governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and comptroller. Her plan tracks a similar call from the state’s likely Republican candidate for governor in 2022, Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin. Rep. Zeldin’s plan, announced December 1, 2021, would affect only the governor’s office. Any term limit proposal would require an amendment to…
Octet challenge underway Otsego Outdoors presents a winter challenge to all adventure seekers looking for fun and exercise this winter. The Winter Octet Challenge, the fourth of its kind, consists of cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, and hiking to highlight accessible trails for those seeking outdoor activities. Participants choose 8 of 13 trails to complete at state parks, state forests, town parks, Otsego Land Trust properties, and private properties open to the public. A “Choose Your Own” option opens the door to…
Commission fails to agree on lawmakers’ district lines Outside temperatures might be hitting their January lows, but June’s heat and humidity aren’t too far away. Nor are June’s political primaries — those all-important preliminary contests that determine a party’s slate for next November’s ballots. Yet the boundaries of the congressional and state legislative districts remain a mystery for would-be candidates. That includes a measure of uncertainty for voters in the congressional contest that comprises Otsego County.…
Mayor Drnek’s ‘singular focus’ on City’s growth By Kevin Limiti The City of Oneonta welcomed its new mayor on New Year’s Day when former Eighth Ward Councilman Mark Drnek took the oath to assume his office. He already has changed City Hall: Mayor Drnek adopted City Administrator Greg Mattice’s plan to rearrange the office layout to “foster more coordination and collaboration” in the building. “I will always do what’s best for the business of organization or, in this case, the…
COVID Update January 5 The latest information from the Otsego County Health Department shows: 565 active cases 139 new cases 7 hospitalized 0 new deaths reported 13.6 percent seven-day average percentage positive Otsego County and all of New York State remains under an indoor-mask mandate from Governor Kathy Hochul, with exceptions under certain conditions when proof of vaccination is required for entry to an indoor public facility. Read more about New York State’s mask requirement at this link.…
Schools reopen, protocols in place School districts in Otsego County reopened on Monday, January 3, amid a continuing rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the country, with the Omicron variant chiefly responsible. But the response from the various superintendents was to stay the course and continue protocols that work for them, including guidelines such as mask wearing and social distancing. Cooperstown Central School Superintendent Sarah Spross said district protocol last changed in mid-December, with layered mitigation strategies provided by the Centers…
State Police seeking suspects of alleged burglary in Town of Hartwick that injured elderly woman At least one person allegedly entered the Poplar Avenue home of an elderly woman in the Town of Hartwick between the evening of Sunday, January 2 and the morning of Monday, January 3, and injured her, according to New York State Police. The victim was transported to Bassett Hospital where she remains in stable condition.…
Governor’s State-of-the-State speech a wish list for big election year By Ted Potrikus New York’s governor delivers a state-of-the-state address at the start of each calendar year; the speech a sitting governor gives at the onset of an election year is, however, always something a little different, a little more ambitious in scope. Such is the case today (January 5) with a brief-by-comparison speech from Governor Kathy Hochul – her first since assuming the mantle after disgraced ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo…
January 4 COVID Update The latest information from the Otsego County Health Department shows: 482 active cases 137 new cases 7 hospitalized 0 new deaths reported 12.8 percent seven-day average percentage positive Otsego County and all of New York State remains under an indoor-mask mandate from Governor Kathy Hochul, with exceptions under certain conditions when proof of vaccination is required for entry to an indoor public facility. Read more about New York State’s mask requirement at this link.…
