Several districts in the Twin Counties have opted to go fully remote as they prepare for the possibility that the area may be labeled a microcluster.
Originally slated to return to in-person instruction Monday, Windham-Ashland-Jewett and Hunter-Tannersville will stay remote until after the Christmas break. Elementary students at Cairo-Durham will also switch to virtual learning until January, joining grades 6-12.
âIt is with a heavy heart to inform you that Hunter-Tannersville Central will go fully remote from Dec. 14-23,â Superintendent Nate Jones wrote in a letter to parents. âI am a true believer in the benefits of in-person instruction, and this decision has not been made lightly. We have thoroughly thought this through and believe this is in the best interest of Hunter-Tannersville Central.â
COXSACKIE â The New York State Correctional Officer and Police Benevolent Association is calling for a lockdown at Greene Correctional Facility, citing an uptick in contraband.
Security measures at the state prison have been lax during the pandemic, NYSCOPBA Mid-Hudson Vice President Chris Moreau said.
In November, seven cellphones and 17 makeshift weapons including weapons of the ice pick variety and two Sawzall blades were recovered.
Corrections officers also found synthetic marijuana, homemade alcohol and vials of septocaine, a local anesthetic often used in dental procedures.
âWith the pandemic, the frisking, the security aspects have become a little more lax as we try to keep distance between staff and inmates,â Moreau said. âUnfortunately, that comes at the detriment of security. Itâs become quite apparent the facility is absolutely littered with contraband.â