A resolution regarding a Wastewater Surveillance Pilot Program passed 16 to 2 in the Chautauqua County Legislature Wednesday night. Legislator and County Board of Health member Liz Rankin said the program is not mandated and the county had … [Read more...]
Legislature’s Human Services Committee Approves $2 Million Grant for Fellowship Program
The County Legislature's Human Services Committee approved a $2 million grant to hire fellows to work with the County Health Department. Department of Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler said the two-year grant is through the … [Read more...]
State Audit: State Department of Health Unprepared to Respond to Disease Outbreak
An audit by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli states the New York State Department of Health (DOH) was unprepared to respond to infectious disease outbreaks in nursing homes even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. DiNapoli said a lack of funding for … [Read more...]
Masks are Optional in Jamestown Public Schools Starting Wednesday
Jamestown Public Schools staff and students will not be required to wear masks in school starting Wednesday, March 2. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker said, following the updated guidance from Governor Kathy Hochul, Chautauqua County government … [Read more...]
Not Enough Signatures Block Motion Supporting Best Practices to Overcome COVID-19 From Coming to Floor
While a motion in support of best practices to overcome COVID-19 failed to receive enough signatures to come to the floor, it garnered an hour's worth of public comment at Wednesday's Chautauqua County Legislature meeting. The motion proposed by … [Read more...]
Mask Mandate Struck Down in Nassau County State Supreme Court
Nassau County State Supreme Court has struck down Governor Kathy Hochul’s statewide mask mandate as unconstitutional. WETM reports Judge Thomas Rademaker wrote that the governor does not have the authority to impose the mandate since emergency … [Read more...]
Governor Hochul Signs Bill Allowing Remote Meetings by Government Bodies
Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation last Friday extending the authorization for government bodies to hold remote meetings until the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. The bill extends previous modifications to the Open Meetings law and … [Read more...]
Jamestown School Board Begins Discussions on Whether to Implement “Test To Stay”
The Jamestown School Board discussed whether to implement "test to stay" in the district following updated guidance from both the Chautauqua County Health Department and State Department of Health. The "test to stay" program is where an … [Read more...]
Falsifying COVID-19 Vaccination Record a Crime in NYS
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a law making it a crime to falsify COVID-19 vaccination records. Falsifying a vaccination record will now be considered a class A misdemeanor. It also creates a new E felony of computer tampering in the third … [Read more...]
Statewide Mask Mandate in NYS Begins Monday
A statewide mask mandate begins Monday for most indoor activity. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the new mandate will require anyone over the age of two to wear a mask covering their face and nose at all times while in an indoor public space. … [Read more...]
