Coronavirus coverage

Plattekill man is Ulster's first COVID-19 related death

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan today confirmed the first death related to COVID-19 in Ulster County. For reasons of privacy, specific information cannot be provided. County Executive Ryan did confirm that the individual is a 76 year old male from the Town of Plattekill who passed away at Vassar Brothers hospital due to complications from COVID-19 on Sunday, March 29.
Ulster County Director of Emergency Services Steve Peterson (l) and County Executive Pat Ryan observe social distancing - note the tape measure on the desk - during Friday's town hall meeting.

Ryan discusses plans to increase hospital and treatment capacity in Ulster County

County Executive Pat Ryan held his seventh Facebook Live Town Hall alongside Ulster County Director of Emergency Services Steve Peterson today to update residents on Ulster County’s response to COVID-19. They received nearly 200 questions and directly answered residents' concerns ranging from protections for frontline healthcare workers to surge hospital capacity.
Times Hudson Valley Media, publisher of the Wallkill Valley Times, Mid Hudson Times, and Southern Ulster Times

Times to receive journalism grant to aid in pandemic coverage

Wallkill Valley Publications Inc., parent company of Times Hudson Valley Media, has been named one of six newspaper companies in New York State to receive a $5,000 grant to help offset the cost of COVID-19 pandemic coverage.
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan conducting a small business webinar on Thursday.

Ryan announces "Shop Ulster Saturday"

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan today held a small business webinar that was joined by nearly 400 business owners to update them on the County’s response to COVID-19 and support available for Ulster County small businesses. This is his second small business webinar since the outbreak of COVID-19. Ulster County Executive Ryan has also proclaimed this Saturday, March 28th, as “Shop Ulster Saturday,”...

The sign in front of The Falcon urges everyone to “stay healthy.”

Local businesses close amid COVID-19 pandemic

As the Coronavirus spreads across the country and around the world, its impact is being felt locally in the Highland and Marlborough communities. Carol Smith, who runs Frieda’s Bakery and …
In trying times people look for steady leadership to guide them through uncertain times and this is especially needed at the local level. The Southern Ulster Times spoke with the Supervisors of Plattekill, Lloyd and Marlborough to find out what steps they are taking to keep their local government running and the public safe during this national health emergency. Plattekill Supervisor Joe Croce said he has seen the executive order from the Governor about manpower on essential and non-essential employees. Croce said they stopped public access to Town Hall on March 16 and have posted signs on the message board out front and on the door, “that if someone does come here the door is locked there is information there on calling the Town Hall and we will accommodate them as much as we can.” Croce that the town website has forms the public may need, such as a building permit and the accompanying fee schedule that can all be mailed to Town Hall, “and we will get back to them as soon as we receive it.” Croce said all Planning and Zoning Board meetings have been canceled until further notice. Town Board meetings may be structured like a teleconference call, with the public being able to follow along and ask questions using their phone during the designated comment period of the meeting. Croce said the Town Court has also been closed since March 16 by order of the Office of Court Administration. He was particularly concerned about this because court nights typically bring the largest number of people into Town Hall. Croce said they have also closed Thomas Felton Park because the town does not have the ability to sanitize the playground and pavilion areas on a daily basis. He said the Easter Egg Hunt and a Senior Luncheon have been postponed out of concern for the welfare of the public. Croce said this time in our history is “unprecedented.” He added that moving forward, “we have to have a certain amount of trust in business owners and people in general that you’re trying to abide by all the recommendations that everybody has got to be aware of at this point in time. We reduced our work staff and are in compliance with the 50% recommendation – the Highway Department is bringing guys in on alternate days, four one day and four the next of his 8 man crew.” Croce said the town does not have the capability to have town employees work at home during this crisis, “but we’re working that out so it isn’t a necessity. I’m just concerned with trying to still serve the residents of the town, not have contact with them and provide services to the people.” Lloyd Supervisor Fred Pizzuto said after meeting with other Supervisors, mayors, the Highland School Superintendent and the Ulster County Executive and the County Health Department, along with daily conference calls, procedures are now in place if someone in the public believes they may have contracted the virus. “The county is handling the calls, there is an 800 number and a website and a mechanism on who to talk to and now there is information going out on steps to take,” Pizzuto said. Last Friday Pizzuto said County Executive Pat Ryan has confirmed that there are three cases of the Covid-19 virus in the Town of Lloyd. The Supervisor noted that the Governor has implemented a 100% non essential work force to stay home and work from there if possible. “I will repeat, if you feel sick self quarantine, maintain social distancing, wash your hands, cough into your arm and do not touch your face,” Pizzuto said. In response to the Covid-19 outbreak Marlborough Supervisor Al Lanzetta closed Town Hall until further notice. In addition Lanzetta stated that the Town staff will continue to assist the Community via the internet and messages left on the Town phone line at 845-795-5100 He can be reached by phone at 845-616-4799 or by email at alanzetta@marlboroughny.us. “We will try to serve the Community in a way that is safe for all concerned. We appreciate your patience during this difficult time,” he said. “We will all get through this by doing what Marlborough always does – watching out for our neighbors. Please be especially considerate of the needs of the elderly.” Lanzetta has asked the seniors to postpone their weekly Thursday meetings, their group trips and a planned corn beef dinner. “I was proactive with that and I brought it up at a meeting and they absolutely agreed. They took my guidance and they did do what I suggested,” he said. “I noticed that a lot of towns are starting to do that now.” Lanzetta said he and fellow board member Scott Corcoran are considering canceling the Easter Egg Hunt scheduled at the SportsDome in April. Residents who may be having symptoms can call the Ulster County hotline at 845-443-8888 for more information. Lanzetta credits County Executive Pat Ryan and his administration for their leadership and daily communication with town and school leaders and the Ulster County community on this ongoing crisis. “They are doing a lot there to ensure that all of the precautionary things that need to be in place are going to be in place as far as testing,” he said. Lanzetta said Marlborough is on the right path. “Right now we take it day by day and have a common sense approach to this whole virus. We’re not getting too hysterical about it but really paying attention to it. The county’s being prepared and all the towns in the county are being prepared about this virus. It’s nothing to joke about, people are losing their lives. Governor Cuomo is doing a great job by closing the CUNY and SUNY schools and opening different areas where people can be tested for the virus. I think all in all we’re in pretty good shape. I feel confident that we can address anything that’s going to happen in the Town of Marlborough.”

Towns deal with statewide ‘pause’

In trying times people look for steady leadership to guide them through uncertain times and this is especially needed at the local level. The Southern Ulster Times spoke with the Supervisors of …
Fred Callo, Director of the Food Service, is assisted by Kathy Schaeffer (L) and Cindy Jennison.

Marlboro Snack Shack provides for the community

While the schools are closed, Marlboro is still providing food to families in their district. Fred Callo, Director of Food Service for the district, oversees the “Snack Shack” that is …

12 things to do at home

After a few days at home, you may be searching for new ideas to occupy your family. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Get moving!Don’t forget to stay active! A few minutes of activity can …

Ryan announces the opening of first COVID-19 testing site in Kingston

County Executive Pat Ryan announced information about Ulster County’s first drive-through mobile COVID-19 testing site located at Tech City (Kingston).
Congressman Antonio Delgado, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan

Ryan and Delgado hold live Facebook Town Hall

County Executive Pat Ryan and Congressman Antonio Delgado (NY-19) held a Facebook Live Town Hall Thursday, reaching over 5,000 participants to update residents on how Congress and Ulster County are responding to COVID-19. County Executive Ryan and Congressman Delgado answered questions ranging from SBA loans to the testing process for COVID-19.

Ulster DMV office to close

Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack has announced that the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Recording & Filing counter will be closed to the public for health and safety reasons.  This closure will begin immediately and is in effect until further notice.  Drop-boxes will be available at the Ulster County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston, on the back side of the building, facing the parking lot.
Top Stories
Lloyd Police Chief James Janso [R] presented Lifesaving Awards [L-R] to Officer Michael Henry, Officer Darrell Day and Sgt. Philip Roloson for coming to the aid of a senior who was choking.

Lloyd Police Chief presents lifesaving awards

At the March 18th Lloyd Town Board meeting Police Chief James Janso presented Sergeant Phillip Roloson, Officer Darrell Day and Officer Michael Henry with Lifesaving Awards for coming to the aid of a …
Lloyd grants waivers to developers
For the past few months the Lloyd Town Board has received a number of requests from developers seeking waivers from the town’s six month building moratorium targeting large projects that was …
Picture (from left to right): Chuck Khoury, District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer, Ulster BOCES, County Executive Pat Ryan, Ulster County Commissioner of Health and Mental Health Dr. Carol Smith
State of Emergency With each passing day, new information is posted online and in the print media about closings taking place across the Hudson Valley as well as the country due to the rapid spread of the Coronavirus; …
Renae Martin and her daughter Emily Rose are shopping for seniors at Hannaford to allow them to be safe in this age of the coronavirus.
Helping hand Emily Rose Martin has been helping her grandmother Valerie, who lives in the Golden View complex, by shopping for her groceries because of the impact the coronavirus has had on the senior …
DA Clegg reflects on bail and discovery reforms Ulster County District Attorney David Clegg spoke with the Southern Ulster Times on the recently enacted New York State Bail and Discovery Laws. “Both reforms were attempting to do the right …

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Local News

Mobile coronavirus testing center opens at Anthony Wayne

On Wednesday, New York State opened a drive through novel coronavirus [COVID-19] testing center at the Anthony Wayne Recreation area, off the Palisades Parkway. This Bear Mountain testing site is one aspect of the state’s efforts to expand COVID-19 testing.
Libraries respond to COVID-19 While all libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System have closed the doors to their facilities in response to the public health crisis of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), most through the end of the month, all are still actively serving their communities thanks to well-developed digital collections and innovative approaches to delivering programs and services online and in non-traditional ways.
Left to right) Ulster County Commissioner of Health Dr. Carol Smith, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan.
Ryan announces Project Resilience to help distribute food Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a groundswell of support and outreach from residents looking to find out how they can help vulnerable members of our community. In response, Ulster …
County court schedules also affected by closures
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced on March 17, how the District Attorney’s Office will continue to perform its essential functions during the current corona virus …
Residents advised to call ahead before heading out
As of Tuesday morning, Orange County had 18 confirmed positive Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases Pursuant to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Order, in-office staffing is being reduced across the State …

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Other News
Professor Steven Schimmrich, in front of a slide showing the interior of a Rosendale cement mine, as he speaks on The Geology and History of Rosendale Cement at the March program of the Town of Lloyd Historical Preservation Society.

400 million years of Rosendale Cement

Most local history presentations cover about 300 years – maybe a little more or less. But at the March program of the Town of Lloyd Historical Preservation Society, Professor Steven Schimmrich …

Help us help you get vital information to the community

There’s so much going on at once. We’re working hard to keep the community as up to date on the latest COVID-19 information as we can.We are fortunate to be able to offer information to a …

Plattekill seniors off to Broadway

Join the Plattekill Golden Seniors on May 13 for our first trip of 2020 to the Westchester Broadway Theater to see Roger’s & Hammerstein’s Tony Award winning “Cinderella” …

Gardiner Library events

Hearing loss support group to meetThe Hearing Loss Group at the Gardiner Library will meet Thursday March 12 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This month’s topic is: American Sign Language. Jeanine …

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Other local news

Controlled burn set for Shawangunk Grasslands

Marlborough Town Hall closed until further notice

Area schools to be closed for 14 days

Clintondale hosts installation banquet

Cancellations

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Events
Sunday, March 29
Bliss Body Yoga with Linda: Gentle, Therapeutic Yoga for Every Body Sunday Mornings
Sunday, March 29
Plattekill Spring Events ON HOLD
Sunday, March 29
Temple Sinai Free Prom Dresses & Young Men's Formal Attire Giveaway & Adult Men's & Women's Fashion Show
Sunday, March 29
Temple Sinai Present Supermarket Sweep
Monday, March 30
Tai Chi Classes

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Arts & Entertainment
Frank Shuback has a new solo show in the Mindy Ross Gallery.

Paper Works opens at Kaplan Hall

Life presents many challenges and opportunities which lead to new interests and conceptualizations. With each new timeframe of life, visual artists may approach ideas and express themselves through …
Russell Ger conducts the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra. Saturday's concert has been moved from Mount Saint Mary College to the Motorcyclopedia on Lake Street
GNSO changes venue for Saturday concert The Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra (GNSO) has changed the site of its March 14 concert to the Motorcyclepedia Museum in Newburgh from Aquinas Hall on the Mount Saint Mary College campus. The concert will take place at 7:30, as originally scheduled, at the Museum located at 250 Lake Street.

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