In this week’s edition of Hometown News, Gordon shares the latest on the region’s reopening from Warren County’s Ryan Moore, a county by county COVID roundup, the scoop on funding for Glens Falls Hospital, updates from the City of Glens Falls, and a chance meeting with JG3.
It’s Happening - The Latest on Reopening from Warren County’s Ryan Moore
The big news this week is that the Capital Region, which includes Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties, entered Phase One of reopening on Wednesday morning after the state adjusted its metrics.
Phase One allows “non-essential” businesses to gradually start reopening. Those businesses include construction; agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; retail (limited to in-store pick-up or drop off); manufacturing and wholesale trade.
We will be in Phase One for at least two weeks while data is monitored every day by county administrators. The earliest the Capital Region could enter Phase Two is Wednesday, June 3. The earliest we could enter Phase Three is Wednesday, June 17.
Phase 2 allows professional services, retail, administrative support, real estate and rental and leasing businesses to gradually reopen. Phase 3 includes restaurants and food service, and Phase 4 includes arts, entertainment, recreation and education.
“Now our control room focus is looking at the seven metrics and making sure we don’t slip back,” Warren County Administrator Ryan Moore told Glens Falls Living Wednesday morning. “We’ve had a couple of nice days and people have been out and about in Lake George and elsewhere, and we haven’t seen an uptick in cases. So far, so good.”
When can barber shops and beauty salons reopen? Some media reports have them reopening in Phase Two.
“That’s still unclear to me,” Mr. Moore said. “The details are not fully put together for Phase Two…If it can be done safely, it will be done in Phase Two. If it can’t, it won’t.”
He said his focus is on advocating for campgrounds and RV parks in Warren County as we enter the Memorial Day weekend.
“Those regulations for campgrounds and RV parks have been very confusing to many counties in the Capital Region,” he said. “We need some clarity. We’ve got to get everyone on the same sheet of music before Memorial Day weekend.”
He’s confident that will happen and is anticipating further guidance from the state.
COVID-19, County by County
Warren County now has seen 29 residents die of COVID-19, up nine from last week. Twenty-three of those deaths have been nursing home residents. Another four were residents of assisted living facilities. Two people remain hospitalized. There have been 223 cases overall in Warren County. 142 residents have recovered, and there are 52 active cases.
Washington County has reported 13 deaths and 192 total cases since the pandemic began. 163 residents have recovered, with 16 cases still active. No Washington County residents are hospitalized.
Saratoga County reports 15 deaths, up one from last week, with 318 residents currently in isolation or quarantine, 429 confirmed cases overall, and six people hospitalized as of Wednesday. 340 residents have recovered, and there are 74 active cases.
New York State reports through May 18 that 13 residents of Glens Falls Center in Queensbury have died, with another five deaths presumed to be related to the virus. Eleven residents of Fort Hudson in Fort Edward have died. Four residents of The Pines in Glens Falls have died, with two additional presumed cases.
At Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Fort Ann, the state reports that as of Monday at 3 p.m., a total of 37 inmates had been infected. 29 inmates have recovered, seven tested negative and one inmate is currently infected. Five test results are pending.
At Washington across the street, there are no inmates currently infected, with two having tested negative earlier this month.
Glens Falls Hospital Will Receive $21 Million in Funding
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced Tuesday night that she had secured $21-million in Medicare Advance Payments for Glens Falls Hospital. The hospital will be receiving the money in the next five days, she said.
A press release said “The hospital applied for this funding from the Medicare Advance Payment over a month ago. Their application was put on pause, and Congresswoman Stefanik’s office was able to work directly to resume their application process.
“Congresswoman Stefanik led calls with HHS Deputy Secretary Hargan and district hospitals and extensively advocated for the unique challenges faced by Glens Falls Hospital.
“Congresswoman Stefanik raised this issue directly with President Trump and the White House Chief of Staff over the weekend at Camp David and worked hard to deliver this significant result.
“‘I raised the importance of financial support for Glens Falls Hospital with President Trump and the White House Chief of Staff,’ said Congresswoman Stefanik. “In addition, I worked directly with HHS and Glens Falls Hospital to resolve the issue and ensure their funding of $21 million will be delivered in under a week. I will continue to work directly with hospitals, health departments, and struggling families to deliver much needed relief and results for my constituents.”
The Latest from the City of Glens Falls…
Attention Glens Falls Business Owners
The City of Glens Falls compiled a list of helpful information for city business owners in order to help them reopen swiftly and safely. Take a peek at the official letter from the Mayor here, as well as the City of Glens Falls Self-assessment and Affirmation of Compliance Form that businesses are required to fill out here.
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Lawn Pickup
The City of Glens Falls has started open pickup of lawn and yard waste. It will continue through Friday, May 29.
Due to the late start, DPW crews will only be passing through the city once, officials report. “Please separate all bags, brush and branches as best as possible. Grass clippings must ALWAYS be bagged,” says a press release.
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Hydrant Flushing
The City of Glens Falls will also begin its water main and fire hydrant flushing program on Monday, June 1st. Water service should not be disrupted, and it usually lasts 10 to 15 days.
If you notice your water is discolored, run several cold-water faucets at the same time until the water runs clear. Avoid using hot water if the water is discolored. Avoid doing laundry until you’re sure the water is clear. If laundry becomes stained by discolored water, do not dry or bleach the laundry, call the office for assistance: (518) 761-3850.
How ‘Bout Horse Racing?
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has given the green light to horse racing at Saratoga Race Course this summer, but at this point with no fans. Wagering would still be allowed off-site. Last summer, horse racing fans wagered $558.7-million off-track on races at Saratoga. This year’s 40-day meet is scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 16, and continue through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7. For more info, click here.
Drive-Thru Food Pantry Event this Friday
There will be another drive-through food pantry event on Friday, May 22, starting at 11 a.m., at the Warren County Fairgrounds on Schroon River Road in Warrensburg. This event has been organized by The Salvation Army of Glens Falls in partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York along with Tri-County United Way and Comfort Food Community (with the support of Rotary Club of Glens Falls, Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls, Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center (SAIL) and other local organizations!). Here’s a link for all of the details.
Get Outside…But Do It Safely
The State Department of Environmental Conservation encourages responsible recreation during this public health crisis, and follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health.
Social distancing guidelines include:
• Stay Local: Stay close to home. Keep visits short. Avoid high-traffic destinations.
• Be Safe: Avoid crowds and groups. Recreate only with members of your immediate household. Keep a distance of six feet or more from others. Alert others as you’re about to pass, or step aside to let people pass. Wear a mask when you cannot maintain social distancing.
• Be Ready: Move quickly through parking lots, trailheads, and scenic areas. If crowded, choose a different park, trail, or time to visit.
• Stay Home: If you’re not feeling well, stay home. Anyone 70 and older or with a compromised immune system should postpone their visit.
For more information, head to their website here.
Ending on a High Note
Saturday, my father and I had a very pleasant surprise when we went to Queensbury Country Club for a late-afternoon nine holes.
As we made our way to the back window to pay, I heard, “Well, hello Mr. Woodworth!”
It was Joseph Girard III, the Glens Falls basketball legend and starting point guard for the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team!
JG3 was there with his boys Andrew Rizzo, Conor Schliff and Quinn Girard. They played in front of us, but not before we chatted about the season ahead and their golf games.
We ventured to the tee to watch them drive on the first hole. My observations: Joseph has a nice swing, but it’s too quick. He needs to slow it down. Andrew is a big man, and an athlete, and he’s got great potential. Connor and Quinn also have potential yet to be tapped. And they are all competitive.
Joseph didn’t hit his best drive. We urged him to hit another one, a breakfast ball, as it were.
He was having no part of it.
“That’s cheating,” he said. “No mulligans.”
And off they went, but not before I snapped a quick photo.
I texted the photo to Joseph’s dad, and remarked how polite and courteous they were. Andrew took the time to thank my father for his service to our country (Dad had his Korean War Navy veteran hat on). Joseph was engaged and funny and nice.
JG3’s dad responded, “Glad to hear and it better be that way!!”
Until next time…
Gordon
