eedition The Daily Mail April 15 2020

CMYK

The Daily Mail Copyright 2020, Columbia-Greene Media Volume 228, No. 75

Trump for Trump President uses pandemic briefing to focus on himself/A2

The nation’s fourth-oldest newspaper • Serving Greene County since 1792

All Rights Reserved

Price $1.50

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

Cuomo: Trump not a king

nFORECAST WEATHER FOR HUDSON/CA TODAY TONIGHT THU

By Kate Lisa Mostly cloudy and cool

Mainly clear

Chilly with variable clouds

HIGH 50

LOW 31

48 29

Complete weather, A2

n SPORTS

Baseball families find bright side Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames (62) talks with New York Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar (41) PAGE B1

n REGION

Bicentennial for Irving The 200th anniversary of the publication of Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” underway PAGE A6

n WORLD School closings will affect girls Girls in poor countries will suffer the most from closing of schools during COVID-19 crisis PAGE A2

n INDEX Region Opinion State/Nation Obituaries Sports Classified Comics/Advice

A3 A4 A5 A5 B1 B4-B5 B7-B8

On the web www.HudsonValley360.com Twitter Follow: @CatskillDailyMail Facebook www.facebook.com/ CatskillDailyMail/

Johnson Newspaper Corp.

ALBANY — As the state’s daily coronavirus death toll sustains and hospitalizations decrease, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday he refuses to fight with President Donald Trump after Trump suggested governors were abusing their power to restart state economies ahead of federal orders.

Trump took to Twitter early Tuesday reiterating his claim of “total authority” over states about when to relax stay-athome and social distancing mandates that compared resistance from states to a “good

old-fashioned mutiny.”

“A good old-fashioned mutiny every now and then is an exciting and invigorating thing to watch, especially when the mutineers need so much from the captain,” Trump tweeted.

At a combative White House briefing Monday night, Trump expressed his eagerness to reopen the economy and said he had the power to dictate actions at the state level, though constitutional experts say the president does not have such authority. Trump directed his ire at New York’s governor in

Courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office

Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks about the state’s daily death toll and said he would not engage in a fight with President Donald Trump on Tuesday during a coronavirus COVID-19 briefing in the state Capitol.

See CUOMO A8

A shocking death, and then questions

By Sarah Trafton Columbia-Greene Media

GREENVILLE — Carolyn Dedie Myers believes her daughter Alyssa Pantilieris, 45, died from COVID-19, although at the time she did not meet the requirements to be tested.

Alyssa graduated from the Greenville Central School District in 1992 and worked as a special education teacher at PS/ MS15, Institute of Environmental Learning in the Bronx for 19 years.

In early April, Alyssa wasn’t feeling well, Myers said.

“She had bad stomach pains,” Myers said. “She couldn’t eat. She couldn’t drink.

She had a low-grade fever.”

When Alyssa contacted her doctor, she was told she didn’t have any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 and she didn’t need to get tested, Myers said.

Alyssa reported feeling some improvement between April 1 and April 3, Myers said.

“She said to me, I have my sense of smell and taste back,” Myers said. “At that point in time we realized those were huge signs of COVID virus.”

Alyssa had high blood pressure and asthma, Myers said, and as the weekend progressed, her condition deteriorated.

“Saturday she took a turn for the worse and started having pain in her chest,” Myers said. “I

Contributed photo

Alyssa Pantilieris and her daughter Emily Fournier.

Contributed photo

Alyssa Pantilieris, left, her daughter Emily Fournier, center, and her mother Carolyn Dedie Myers.

See QUESTIONS A8

Organizers hope public art exhibits raise spirits

By Melanie Lekocevic Columbia-Greene Media

Social distancing may be the new normal these days, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy beauty and art.

That’s the message from organizers of Greene County’s numerous public-art exhibits that will take to the streets in the next month or two. The exhibits will put large fiberglass, artist-decorated sculptures on public display — Catskill’s cats, Cairo’s bears, Coxsackie’s owls and, after a four-year hiatus, Greenville’s ducks.

Despite the coronavirus outbreak and the social-distancing regulations that have come with it, the exhibits are expected to go forward.

The Cat’n Around Catskill exhibit, in its 14th year, is the

Contributed photo

The four communities are “sharing” one sculpture with each other — a cat, bear, owl and duck.

longest-running public-art exhibit in the county.

“We are proceeding with caution, of course,” Karen

Robinson from the Heart of Catskill Association said. “We

did get many cats in before this all happened, but for those we don’t have yet, we are having the artists take photos and send them in so we can proceed with the brochure and the website. We hope the cats can be put up on time, by Memorial Day weekend, however, in these uncertain times we will certainly be paying attention to guidelines by the Health Department because we are concerned about the health and well-being of our community.”

There will be 59 cats on display throughout Catskill this summer.

The impact of this year’s exhibit could help ease the sense of isolation for

powered by Register-Star and The Daily Mail

Check us out on the go....www.hudsonvalley360.com

See SPIRITS A8

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

A2 Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Weather

Trump uses pandemic briefing to focus on himself Ashley Parker The Washington Post

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump stepped to the lectern Monday on a day when the virus death toll in the United States ticked up past 23,000. He addressed the nation during a period where unemployment claims have shot past 15 million, and lines for food banks stretch on toward the horizon.

Yet in the middle of this deadly pandemic that shows no clear signs of abating, the president made clear that the paramount concern for Trump is Trump - his self-image, his media coverage, his supplicants and his opponents, both real and imagined.

“Everything we did was right,” Trump said, in a sometimes hostile 2 1/2-hour news conference in which he offered a live version of an enemies list, brooking no criticism and repeatedly snapping at reporters who dared to challenge his version of events.

Trump has always had a me-me-me ethos, an uncanny ability to insert himself into the center of just about any situation. But Monday’s coronavirus briefing offered a particularly stark portrait of a president seeming unable to grasp the magnitude of the crisis - and saying little to address the suffering across the country he was elected to lead.

At one point - after praising himself for implementing travel restrictions on China at the end of January and griping about being “brutalized” by the press - Trump paused to boast with a half-smirk: “But I guess I’m doing OK because, to the best of my knowledge, I’m the president of the United States, despite the things that are said.”

The news conference began when Trump turned to Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease specialist, and asked him to “say a few words before we go any further.”

With that, Fauci stood and offered a not-quite-apology for

YURI GRIPAS/ABACA PRESS/TNS

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Coronavirus Task Force press briefing on Monday, April 13, 2020, at the White House in Washington, D.C.

comments he made over the weekend to CNN’s Jake Tapper, in which he confirmed that he and other health experts had made mitigation recommendations to Trump as early as the third weekend of February and said that earlier mitigation “could have saved lives.”

On Monday, Fauci tried to walk back his comments, saying he had been responding to a “hypothetical” and had not intended to criticize the president, who he praised for implementing the recommendations of public health officials like himself.

“That was the wrong choice of words,” said Fauci, whose relationship with the president has been tense at times.

One reporter asked him whether he was speaking “voluntarily” or at the behest of the president.

“Everything I do is voluntarily,” Fauci said. “Please don’t even imply that.”

Next, Trump played a propaganda-style video that he said had been pulled together

by White House aides earlier in the day. In a short hagiography more in line with a political event than a presidential news conference, clips critical of the media were interspersed with footage of loyalists praising the president.

“The president has been outstanding through all this,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, says in the video. “The vice

president has been outstanding.

Members of the coronavirus task force very responsive.”

Since the pandemic began, Trump’s almost daily news conferences have increasingly taken on the feel of campaign rallies - a simulacrum for the raucous, Keep-America-Greatfests he has had to forgo amid the global contagion.

And on Monday, he brought many of those trademark campaign moments into the briefing room.

“You know, I don’t mind controversy,” Trump said, offering something of a guiding life principle. “I think controversy is a good thing, not a bad thing.”

He also criticized “sleepy Joe Biden,” the presumptive Democratic nominee, because Biden, he said, had previously criticized him, and jousted with the “fake news.”

Shortly after Trump played the video, CBS’s Paula Reid pressed him on how his administration failed to use the month of February to ready itself for the coming virus, after sharply limiting travel from China.

“You didn’t use it to prepare hospitals, you didn’t use it to ramp up testing,” Reid said, before Trump cut her off, calling her “disgraceful.”

Reid forged ahead. “What did you do with the time that you bought, the month of February?” she asked, as Trump talked over her. “That video has a gap - the entire month of February

. . . What did your administration do in February with the time that your travel ban bought you?”

“A lot. A lot,” said Trump, without offering specifics, before turning his frustration back on Reid.

“You know you’re a fake,” he said.

At another moment, seemingly eager to assert his dominance over the nation’s governors, Trump declared incorrectly, “When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total.”

Later, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins followed up: “You said when someone is president of the United States, their authority is total. That is not true. Who told you that?”

The president declined to answer, saying “the governors need us” before abruptly silencing Collins with a sharp, “Enough.”

About halfway through, Trump finally departed, leaving the remainder of the briefing to Vice President Mike Pence and the public health professionals.

But the first hour of the news conference was a paean to the president and his ego, orchestrated by Trump himself.

For one fleeting instance, the president seemed poised to reveal a flicker of self-awareness. Asked why he shared a tweet from a supporter with the hashtag #FireFauci, the president said that while he personally thinks Fauci is “terrific,” not everybody is happy with him.

“Not everybody is happy with - “ Trump said, before pausing briefly. He seemed about to say himself; not everybody is happy with Fauci, and not everybody is happy with Trump.

But then, never one for selfcriticism, he concluded: “Not everybody is happy with everybody.”

The Washington Post’s Philip Rucker contributed to this report.

Why girls in poor countries will suffer the most from worldwide closing of schools during COVID-19 Valerie Strauss The Washington Post

The closing of schools around the world is sure to hurt most students in some way, but it is girls from marginalized countries whose education will be affected the most, experts say.

With some 1.5 billion students affected by school closures around the world, according to a U.N. agency, more than 111 million of them are girls who live in the world’s least developed countries, where education is already a struggle for them because of family and societal pressures.

And it they who are more at risk than boys of never returning to school, according to officials at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO. “We are only beginning to understand the economic impacts of covid-19, but they are expected to be widespread and devastating, particularly for women and girls,” Stefania Giannini, UNESCO’s assistant director general for education, and Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, chief executive for Plan International, a development and humanitarian organization, wrote in a paper.

“In the global south, where limited social protection measures are in place, economic hardships caused by the crisis will have spill-over effects as families consider the financial and opportunity costs of

educating their daughters,” they wrote. “While many girls will continue with their education once the school gates reopen, others will never return to school.”

A new report by the nonprofit international organization called the Malala Fund analyzed data from the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic in several African countries, and concluded that as many as 10 million secondary school-age girls who were in school before the coronavirus pandemic began this year will not return.

The fund was founded by Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient in history for her advocate of girls’ education, along with her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai.

“We find that marginalized girls are more at risk than boys of dropping out of school altogether following school closures and that women and girls are more vulnerable to the worst effects of the current pandemic,” said the report, titled “Girls’ Education and covid-19.

As an example, at the height of the Ebola epidemic, more than 10,000 schools, affecting nearly 5 million children, were closed in the African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. When schools reopened more than six months later, in 2015, students had lost an approximate 1,848 hours of education, ranging from 33 weeks in Guinea to 39 weeks in Sierra Leone, the fund said.

“Prior to the outbreak in Sierra Leone, girls’ education already lagged behind that of boys, with girls acquiring just 1.8 years of schooling on average in comparison to the four-year average for boys,” the report said. “Likewise, girls in Guinea completed only 0.9 years of schooling as compared to the 2.7-year average for boys.

“This gendered difference in educational attainment is a recurring theme in countries where girls face the greatest challenges,” it said.”Consequently, the simple loss of even six months of education as a result of covid-19 will have a proportionally greater impact on girls in low- and lower-middle-income countries; in some countries, they could lose 50% of their total years of education.”

Both Giannini and Albrectsen, as well as the Malala Fund report said that after schools reopened, many girls became the chief source of income for their families and could not attend school if if they had re-enrolled.

Giannini and Albrectsen wrote that during Africa’s Ebola crisis in Africa, girls not only saw

HUDSON RIVER TIDES Low tide: 3:58 a.m. 0.9 feet High tide: 9:45 a.m. 3.9 feet Low tide: 4:45 p.m. 0.5 feet High tide: 10:28 p.m. 3.4 feet

their education interrupted but also, some studies found, “that the closure of schools increased girls’ vulnerability to physical and sexual abuse both by their peers and by older men, as girls were often are at home alone and unsupervised.”

“Transactional sex was also widely reported as vulnerable girls and their families struggled to cover basic needs,” they said. “As family breadwinners perished from Ebola and livelihoods were destroyed, many families chose to marry their daughters off, falsely hoping this would offer them protection.”

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA • THE DAILY MAIL

CALENDAR EDITOR’S NOTE: Most events and meetings are being cancelled due to the virus outbreak. Please call ahead to confirm.

Wednesday, April 15 n Cairo Town Board workshop meeting 7 p.m. Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo n Catskill Library Board 6:45 p.m. at either the Catskill Library, 1 Franklin St., Catskill or Palenville Library, 3303 Route 23A, Palenville n Catskill Town Board Committee 6:30 p.m. Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill 518-943-2141 n Greene County Legislature regular legislature meeting No. 4 6:30 p.m. (via tel-com or Zoom - Instructions for audio/video conferencing to follow.) Note: Due to COVID–19 meetings will be tentative and subject to change Because of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency and State and Federal bans on large meetings or gatherings and pursuant to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 220.1 issued on March 12, 2020 suspending the Open Meetings Law, the Greene County Legislature Regular Legislature Meeting No. 4 scheduled for April 15 will be held electronically via Zoom Meeting instead of a public meeting open for the public to attend in person. Members of the public may View All Meetings on the Greene County YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UC0mwTvjUz_XyhJ83epMPFpQ/.

Minutes of All Meetings will transcribed and posted on the Greene County website upon completion

Thursday, April 16 n Coxsackie Village n Coxsackie

Village Budget Workshop 6:30 p.m.

Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie 518-731-2718 n Coxsackie Village Planning Board 7 p.m. Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie 518-731-2718

Monday, April 20 n Athens Town Board 6:45 p.m.

Town Hall, 2 First St., Athens 518945-1052 n Catskill Village Planning Board Stewart’s Public Hearing 7 p.m. Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill n Greenville CSD BOE/Budget discussion 5 6 p.m. Virtual Meeting only (see website for link) n Greenville Town Board 7 p.m.

Town Hall, 11159 Route 32, Pioneer Building, Greenville

Tuesday, April 21 n Athens Village Planning Board

6:30 p.m. Village Hall, 2 First St., Athens 518-945-1551 n Coxsackie-Athens Central School District Board of Education 6 p.m. (virtual meeting) n Greenville CSD BOE Meeting Questar III Annual Vote & Election 5 p.m. Virtual Meeting Only (see website for link) n Hunter Town Board 7 p.m.

Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville

Wednesday, April 22 n Athens Village Board 6:30 p.m. Village Hall, 2 First St., Athens 518-945-1551 n Catskill Village Board 7 p.m.

Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill 518-943-3830

Thursday, April 23 n Coxsackie Village 2020-2021 Proposed Tentative Budget Public Hearing 6:30 p.m. Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie

Monday, April 27 n Catskill Village Planning Board 7 p.m. Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill

Wednesday, April 28 n Catskill Town Planning Board cancelled 518-943-2141

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 A3

FEMA to reimburse for county coronavirus expenses

By Nora Mishanec Columbia-Greene Media

The federal government will reimburse Columbia and Greene counties for most COVID-19 expenses, but that may not be enough to forstall severe economic consequences, officials said Tuesday.

County expenditures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the purchase of personal protective gear for health workers, will be 75% reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA], said Stephen J. Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties. Costs incured by the health departments and emergency management operation centers will also be reimbursed.

“The local governments would submit expenditures to the state, and the state would then have to submit those costs to the federal government,” Acquario said at a press conference Tuesday morning.

“The county cannot submit directly to FEMA.” The Greene and Columbia county governments have each created a system to track expenditures for possible FEMA reimbusement, officials said.

“We set up our FEMA accounting procedures before an emergency declaration was made,” Greene

County Legislature Chairman Patrick Linger, R-New Baltimore, said.

“There are thresholds we have to meet in order to be reimbursed.”

Officials in both counties are awaiting further instruction from the state on how FEMA reimbursements will be approved and distributed.

“We don’t know the particulars other than that we have to keep track of expenses,” Columbia County Treasurer and EMS Coordinator P.J. Keeler said.

The reimbursements will not make up for lost revenue, which is an ongoing problem for counties all across the state, Acquario said.

As the COVID-19 shutdown enters its third month, lost tax dollars and a potential reduction in state aid could spell trouble for county finances.

“We could potentially have a pretty large budget hole,” said Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell.

Greene County, which had a budget surplus before the pandemic began, is also expecting a loss.

“I am estimating a 10-20% loss in the value of sales tax, which would result in between $3.4 and $6.8 million of lost revenue,” Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said.

“That is my intuition right now, but I have no data,” Groden said, noting that the crisis is only a few months old.

Thomas Cole featured in special issue of National Geographic CATSKILL – Thomas Cole’s role as an early environmental advocate – termed a proto-environmentalist because he preceded the modern environmental movement – is featured in National Geographic’s Special Issue for the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day (April 22, 2020), now on newsstands. The issue highlights Cole’s painting and his writing in an article on the emotional impacts of environmental degradation by writer and photographer Pete Muller.

Thomas Cole (18011848) is renowned as the artist who founded the nation’s first major art movement, now known as the Hudson River School of landscape painting.

The movement celebrates the American landscape, but Cole’s paintings also lament the industrialization of the American wilderness, with trees being cleared and railroads and factories encroaching on the land. These changes were especially alarming to Cole, who emigrated in 1818 from northern England, which was rapidly transformed by industrialization in the early 19th century.

The Special Issue of National Geographic prominently features one of Cole’s iconic paintings, known as “The Oxbow,” which depicts a bend in the Connecticut River viewed from a mountaintop – with the valley stripped of trees. Cole’s advocacy of the natural landscape extended beyond his paintings to his

writing, and the Special Issue also contains an excerpt from his 1836 “Essay on American Scenery.”

In it, Cole writes: “Yet I cannot but express my sorrow that the beauty of such landscapes are quickly passing away – the ravages of the axe are daily increasing – the most noble scenes are made desolate, and oftentimes with a wantonness and barbarism scarcely credible in a civilized nation.”

Cole also writes about the restorative power of nature, which is more relevant than ever in this difficult time: “And rural nature is full of the same quickening spirit – it is, in fact, the exhaustless mine from which the poet and the painter have brought such wondrous treasures – an unfailing fountain of intellectual enjoyment, where all may drink, and be awakened to a deeper feeling of the works of genius, and a keener perception of the beauty of our existence.”

The full Cole essay is available at https://thomascole.org/wp-content/ uploads/Essay-on-American-Scenery.pdf.

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark that presents Cole’s home and studios and the themes that Cole explored in his art and writings—such as landscape preservation and our conception of nature as a restorative power. Those themes are both historic and timely.

INGROWN TOENAILS!

We fix

SAME D A emergen Y appointm cy en available ts !

Our Board Certified podiatrists specialize in correcting painful ingrown toenails so they don’t come back!

Make your next step the first step to pain-free feet!

CALL HVFA TODAY! H U D S O N VA L L E Y F O OT A S S O C I AT E S

W. COXSACKIE (518) 731-5444

RED HOOK • HUDSON Toll Free: 1-877-339-HVFA

www.hvfa.com

KINGSTON (845) 339-4191

Columbia County officials are trying to be proactive in addressing the expected budget shortfall, Murell said.

“We are freezing hires unless necessary, we are asking departments to cut 20% out of their contractual budgets and we are taking out large equipment purchases,” he said.

The Columbia County Board of Supervisors formed a committee to address the anticipated revenue shortfalls, Murell confirmed. The committee will also be looking for ways of reducing expenses to try to meet the anticipated deficits, he said.

“We looked at the budget we passed in December to see what we can possibly hold off on,” Murell said. “There are some substantial items, for example heavy equipment for the highway department, reducing the number of vehicles, paving.”

Columbia County also expects to save on plowing, due to the mild winter this year.

“We guarantee that we will purchase a certain amount of sand and salt, that we didn’t use this year. That should help us next year because we will have that in stock at beginning of snow season,” Murell said.

Greene County has also instituted a hiring freeze to cut costs.

“Any hiring will need to go through the county administrator’s office

and be approved by the board,” Linger said. “We are looking at where we can cut costs for the rest of the year.”

Acquario said the newly-passed state budget gives the state budget director the power to cut reimbursements to counties, which would have a big effect on county budgets.

“The county governments are the only unit of local government providing state services locally, and those reimbursements would affect the counties mid-year,” he said.

In Greene County, the loss of state reimbursements could mean cuts to state-mandated services such as foster care, the department of aging, mental health and human services, Linger said.

With strict social-distancing restrictions still in place, Acquario said the Association of Counties is concerned about the timing of propertytax assessments, which are due to be filed by May 1.

“If these rolls were filed, would the public have the ability to aggrieve their assessment, both as a business and as a residential homeowner?” he said.

But the association is not recommending the May 1 filing deadline be changed.

“If that date were extended, it would push up towards the collection of school taxes and could create a fair amount of chaos,” he said.

OLANA STATE HISTORIC SITE

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Frederic Church’s designed landscape, including five miles of carriage roads, remains open 8 a.m. to sunset as a way to experience the natural world, relieve feelings of anxiety and stress, and find inspiration in Olana’s sublime views. Free audio tours offer a self-guided experience within Olana’s 250-acres and are available for download or streaming at OLANA.org /tourcategory/audio/. For the most up-to-date virtual events and offerings, check the website and follow them on social media @olanashs.

Visit us at www.HudsonValley 360.com

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA • THE DAILY MAIL

A4 Wednesday, April 15, 2020

THE DAILY MAIL Established 1792 Published Tuesday through Saturday by Columbia-Greene Media

ALEC E. JOHNSON

JOHN B. JOHNSON JR.

HAROLD B. JOHNSON II

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

CHAIRMAN

VICE CHAIRMAN AND CEO

HAROLD B. JOHNSON EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 1919-1949 MARY DEMPSEY LOCAL PUBLISHER

JOHN B. JOHNSON EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 1949-2001

JOHN B. JOHNSON JR. CO-PUBLISHER 2001-2013

One Hudson City Centre, Suite 202, Hudson, N.Y. 12534 Phone (518) 828-1616 Fax (518) 671-6043

JOHN B. JOHNSON CEO AND CO-PUBLISHER 2013-2019 MARY DEMPSEY EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Crisis has created a new and profound sense of solidarity Katrina vanden Heuvel The Washington Post

OUR VIEW

Hold your ground with economic revival plan Hope for a jump-start to the economy got a boost Monday when six states, including New York, announced the formation of an 18-member task force to develop a coordinated approach to slowly reopen businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Delaware Gov. John Carney and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo each plan to name a leading health official, head of economic development and each governor’s chief of staff to the task force.

If this means cutting through the petty political squabbles and fashioning a

development plan that will get business on its feet and people back to work, while protecting public health and safety, we’re all for it.

“You can’t do one without the other,” Cuomo said Monday in his daily coronavirus briefing in the state Capitol. “You have to do both and integrate them in one plan.”

States will coordinate which businesses to reopen, protocols for employees and restarting the economy in a slow, smart way, Cuomo said Monday.

“If you do it wrong, it can backfire,” he said. “[We are] doing it as a cooperative effort where we learn from each other where we share information and intelligence.”

The fly in the ointment is the Trump administration, which could declare an order about reopening state economies that could override the states’ task force at any time. President Trump has already said he wants to reopen businesses on a faster track.

“It is an interesting construct,” Cuomo said. “It wasn’t the federal response to close the economy, but it is the federal responsibility to open the economy?”

Cuomo and the other governors at least have a sound plan to kick-start the moribund economy, and it is smart. The Trump administration wants to impulsively rush in and roll the economy before it’s ready. This is not smart.

ANOTHER VIEW

Brazil sleeps through the virus The Washington Post

The novel coronavirus, which has now infected at least 1.8 million people in 185 countries, has become a global test of governance quality. The severity of the outbreak in many nations has depended on how well - or poorly - rulers have responded to it. The best performers so far have included New Zealand, Taiwan, South Korea and Germany, which have succeeded in greatly reducing infections and deaths through testing, contact tracing and lockdowns.

The bottom of the global barrel is pretty conspicuous, too: the rulers of Belarus, Turkmenistan, Nicaragua and Brazil have dismissed the seriousness of the virus and urged their citizens to carry on more or less as normal.

Belarus and Nicaragua are still staging professional sports; Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko has advised people to avoid contracting covid-19 by taking frequent saunas and drinking vodka. The case of Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortegais still stranger: He has not been seen or heard in public in a month.

By far the most serious case of malfeasance is that of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. As infections began to spread in a country of more than 200

million people, the rightwing populist dismissed the coronavirus as “a little flu” and urged Brazilians to “face the virus like a man, damn it, not a boy.”

Worse, the president has repeatedly attempted to undermine steps taken by the country’s 27 state governors to contain the outbreak.

Bolsonaro first issued a decree stripping states of the power to restrict movement. Then he sought to exempt churches and lottery parlors from restrictions on gatherings. Fortunately, in both cases he was overruled by courts. But the president has continued to campaign against social distancing; another judicial order was required to stop an ad campaign he launched under a Portuguese slogan that translates as “#Brazilcannotstop.”

State governors and Bolsonaro’s own health minister have urged the public to disregard him, and demonstrators in several cities have been banging pots and pans from their homes at night in protest. One poll showed 76% of people approve of the health minister’s conventional handling of the crisis, compared with 33% who support Bolsonaro’s.

But the president is having a baleful effect. In Sao

The Daily Mail welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must contain a full name, full address and a daytime telephone number. Names will be published, but phone numbers will not be divulged.

Letters of less than 400 words are more likely to be published quickly. The newspaper reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity and content.

Letters should be exclusive to this publication, not duplicates of those sent to other persons, agencies

Paulo, the country’s biggest city and the epicenter of its epidemic, mobile phone tracking showed that only 50 percent of its nearly 13 million residents remained home on Easter Sunday.

The predictable result has been a soaring rate of illness and death. As of Monday, Brazil ranked 14th in the world in infections, with more than 22,000, and 11th in deaths, with 1,245, according to the tracking site of Johns Hopkins University. Epidemiologists are predicting the peak of infections and deaths is still to come, thanks to the laxity in social distancing encouraged by Bolsonaro. One told the British newspaper the Guardian that he expected health services to be overwhelmed in three to four weeks.

While the United States has hardly been a world leader in stopping the virus, it has performed better since President Donald Trump set aside his own minimizing rhetoric last month and supported containment efforts recommended by health professionals. He could do Brazil a great favor by phoning Bolsonaro, who has been a political ally, and urging him to do the same.

or publications. Writers are ordinarily limited to one letter every 30 days.

In the 1960s, organizers from the United Farm Workers needed a way to communicate across language barriers. They created the “unity clap” — a tradition that’s used by activists, community organizers and labor movements to this day. It starts out slow, like a heartbeat, and picks up speed as more and more people join in, until everyone is clapping together. Most of the farm workers decades ago were Latinx and Filipino; many didn’t speak English - let alone each other’s languages. But all of them understood the meaning of the clap.

Every night recently, from my apartment in Manhattan, I can hear New Yorkers join in a unity clap of our own: a standing ovation for the doctors, nurses, first responders, custodians, cooks and other healthcare workers who are risking their lives to save ours.

This crisis has exposed many cruel weaknesses in our medical, political and economic systems. At the same time, it has generated a new and profound sense of solidarity. In the past few weeks, people around our city, our country and our world have gone to great lengths to support those around them.

New Yorkers, for instance, aren’t just applauding; they’re taking action. On Staten Island, undocumented women who’ve lost their jobs are sewing face masks for workers on the front lines of this epidemic.

Sikh temples have mobilized their communal kitchens to prepare thousands of healthy meals for seniors and other vulnerable populations. And restaurants around the city — many of which are financially struggling themselves — are donating pizzas, bento boxes

yourself.” In Libya, one fashion label has put their usual operations on hold to make medical gowns for hospitals, with some volunteers even sleeping in the factory to continue their work.

And in Pakistan, devout Muslims are offering zakat - the traditional charity tax that forms one of the five pillars of Islam — to support workers with no paid sick leave or health insurance.

The best of humanity is on full display. People everywhere are working across barriers of culture, class and language to do what needs to be done.

These swells of solidarity don’t come from nowhere. They’re inspired sometimes by our neighbors and sometimes by our leaders. Last week, in the final days of his campaign for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., raised more than $2 million for coronavirus relief efforts. And though his bid for the presidency is now over, Sanders and the movements that he and so many others have helped launch are mobilizing behind bold progressive policies and ideas that would support the most vulnerable as millions lose their jobs, while working to help prevent a disaster like this from happening again.

To be sure, people’s solidarity should supplement the vital role of government, not supplant it. But in the absence of compassionate leadership from the Trump administration, these grass-roots movements and shows of unity have never been more important — whether it’s an organized effort to feed a local community or a simple round of applause for the people risking their lives day after day.

Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of the Nation magazine.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We need a leader To the editor: Governor Cuomo’s daily COVID-19 press briefing starts with the sad and sobering truth about the loss of life in New York state. He expresses the grief and heartbreak publicly that we are all feeling privately. Then, on a daily basis, he reveals how we will move forward, with a plan of action addressing critical and immediate health needs, and future plans for antibody tests to allow us to get back to work to restore our economic well-being.

He praises the individual and collective efforts of all New Yorkers, the heroism of our first responders, hospital staff, bus drivers, train conductors, and workers keeping our essential businesses open providing food and medicine. He stresses that “we” are saving lives because “we” are acting responsibly. He implores us to stay home - stop the spread - save lives. His grace under fire, nationally recognized leadership, and clear conviction to put our health and humanity first helps us deal with our fear and anxiety.

Contrast that with the daily Pandemic White House press briefing at which the President

SEND LETTERS:

of the United States of America quickly goes off the rails, full of grievances, spending the majority of his time blustering, blathering and blaming others for his utter failure to lead in this crisis. He continues to polarize our country, and politicize the pandemic. Donald Trump seems to lack the understanding of cause and effect that babies develop as young as 3 months old. His failure to tell us the truth, create a plan, or accept responsibility for his administration’s unpreparedness of the United States to safeguard our health and safety during a pandemic has caused chaos, loss of life, and the loss of confidence in his leadership.

Throughout the crisis, the top priority of the President, his hollowed out neophyte administration and his allies has been the protection of Donald Trump’s ego, his insatiable need for flattery. He is an adulation addict. He withers under any criticism by abusing, insulting and name calling anyone who doesn’t praise him.

His press briefing, filled with denial and self-congratulation, diverge so far from reality that even his supporters are suggesting that he not appear

every day because it is hurting his re-election chances. David Frum, conservative political commentator, speech writer for President George W. Bush, author of “Restoring American Democracy” (2020), and current staff writer at the Atlantic recently wrote, “Trump has mouthed the slogan ‘America first’ but he has never acted on it. It has always been ‘Trump first.’ His business first. His excuses first. His pathetic vanity first.” All of his messages are “I” alone will know how to fix this.

This American catastrophe will forever be on his hands and on his head. After three and half years of this Trump presidency we have seen enough.

Donald Trump should not be re-elected. All voters need to ask themselves — Am I better off today than I was four years ago? The future of our democracy is in our hands. We are in control of our own destiny. Our next president must be a leader who accepts that the federal government is there to protect us through whatever future crisis we face as a country. In November, cast your vote as if your life depends on it — because it truly does.

STEPHANIE SUSSMAN CLAVERACK

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

n Mail: Letters to the editor

The Daily Mail 1 Hudson City Center Hudson, NY 12534 n E-mail: editorial@thedailymail.net

and more to health-care workers with no time to leave their hospitals for food.

New York may be our nation’s epicenter of this crisis, as the state now has more novel coronavirus cases than any country in the world. Still, the pandemic does, of course, touch the life of every American. Across the country, Americans are acting accordingly. In Michigan, school buses have become food trucks, delivering meals to students who used to rely on free school breakfast and lunch as their main source of nutrition. In New Jersey, college students are filling in for elderly Meals on Wheels volunteers who are now homebound themselves. In Texas, Chinese Americans — who have faced heightened violence and hostility since the pandemic began — are raising money for lifesaving medical equipment.

Americans aren’t alone.

Around the world, ordinary citizens are stepping up in extraordinary ways. A friend from the United Kingdom wrote to describe the nightly applause for the National Health Service and other activities there: “When the NHS asked for 250,000 volunteers, they received over 750,000 responses,” she said. “People want to help, to be useful, to have some sense of doing something meaningful.” NHS Charities Together is now urging the public to donate 5 million pounds (or about $6.25 million) through its One Million Claps appeal.

In Italy, local activists have repurposed a Neapolitan tradition - lowering food baskets from their balcony by rope to help feed the hungry while practicing social distancing.

These “solidarity baskets” come with simple instructions: “Those who can, put something in, those who can’t, help

‘Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.’

CORRIE TEN BOOM

MEDIA

Columbia-Greene

Columbia-Greene Media

The Daily Mail

MAIN NUMBER To place an ad, report news or contact us, call 518-828-1616 For contact by mail: One Hudson City Centre Suite 202, Hudson, NY 12534

DIRECTORY Mary Dempsey Publisher & General Manager Executive Editor - ext. 2533

NEWS EXECUTIVES Ray Pignone Managing Editor - ext. 2469

Sue Chasney Editorial Representative ext. 2490 Tim Martin Sports Editor - ext. 2306 Leigh Bogle Editorial Art - ext. 2470

BUSINESS EXECUTIVES Peter Dedrick Circulation Manager - ext. 2411 Tammi Ullrich HR/ Business Manager ext. 2402

COMMUNITY RELATIONS CGM Cares For information about Columbia-Greene Media’s role in the community, including charitable donations, sponsorships, and matching grants:

Contact Erica Izer at cgmcares@ columbiagreenemedia.com.

Erica Izer Promotions Manager - ext. 2468

ONLINE www.hudsonvalley360.com

CMYK

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 A5

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

How to submit obituaries and death notices Obituaries: Are paid notices. We reserve the right to edit all copy. Funeral directors may email us the information at obits@columbiagreenemedia.com anytime. Include life background information on the deceased, a full list of immediate survivors, services and the name of the funeral home. Any questions or for rate information, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2461.

Funeral notices: Are paid follow-ups to obituaries. We reserve the right to edit all copy. Funeral directors may email us the information at obits@columbiagreenemedia.com anytime. Any questions or for rate information, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2461.

Death Notices: Are free notices that don’t exceed 20 words. For more information, funeral directors may call 518-828-1616, ext. 2461.

In memorium ads: Are paid ads that are guaranteed to run. Call the Classified department at 518-828-1616, ext. 2461

Eugene Richard Braun August 25, 1928–March 29, 2020 Eugene Richard Braun, 91, died at home in East Chatham, NY, on March 29, surrounded by his family. Gene was born in Chicago to J.J. and Lucy Braun. He attended Elmhurst College, where he met his future partner, Helen Herrscher, and went on to obtain degrees in Agriculture, Latin American Studies, and Theological Studies.

After their marriage in 1953, Gene and Helen became agricultural and health missionaries in rural Ecuador. The successes, failures, and lessons of this experience influenced Gene’s thinking for the rest of his life, while the friendships made during this time will last across generations well beyond his life. After handing over all aspects of the mission work to the growing local Ecuadorian church, Gene did rural development work for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and later provided training services for Peace Corps Volunteers arriving in Ecuador. From the 1970s through the 1990s, Gene did consultancies around Latin America, served as pastor to an indigenous church, brought

the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) to Ecuador, and helped Helen and others establish a family counseling center in Quito and Master’s programs to train the counselors.

After over 60 years in Ecuador, Gene and Helen moved to East Chatham, NY, close to family.

Throughout his life, Gene read widely. Many friends and family remember him for his passing on just the right article or book to stimulate new realms of thought and action.

Gene had a wonderful sense of humor, was a great conversationalist, and was loved for his kindness and deep listening. In addition to his wife of 66 years, Gene is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Jens and Spee Braun and son Eric Harris-Braun of East Chatham, grandchildren Natalie (Aaron) Lindop-Braun, Lucas Braun, Caleb Braun, William HarrisBraun, and Jess Harris-Braun, and great-grandchildren Theo and River. His daughter Andrea (Andi) preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be planned once gatherings of large groups can again be held.

Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.

Gary E. Truesdell

Nancy Cutler Holsten Rumke

Gary E. Truesdell, “Alfie” 62 G. Truesdell and Sandra Martin, of Lexington passed away un- grandchildren Micah Truesdell, expectedly on the mountain Varick Knapp, Liam Truesdell, overlooking the family farm on siblings Alfred and Susan TruesApril 12, 2020. He was born on dell, Marilyn and Thomas Soule, May 16th, 1957 in Catskill, New Barbara Richrath, Jeanne and York to the parents of Herbert Jeff Countermine, twin sister and Elnora Truesdell of Lexing- Gail Maynard, and several niecton. es and nephews. Gary is predeHe attended Grand Gorge ceased by his parents Herbert Central School and graduated and Elnora Truesdell, mother inin 1975 with a high school di- law Louise Richards, and nephploma. Gary dedicated ew Micah Allen. his life to working on Family and friends the family farm. He was are welcome to attend a caring, loving, harda modified viewing working, honest and that will take place on fun-loving guy who Thursday, April 16th lived life to the fullest. at the Decker Funeral He always had a furry Home in Windham from companion by his side.

5-7pm. Due to the curYou never knew what rent circumstances that he was going to say are outside our control, Truesdell but one thing you did we will make every atknow as that it was going to be tempt to ensure everyone’s something to make everyone safety. It is recommended that if laugh. He was a man that you you plan on attending, that you could always count on. If you wear some kind of facial coverneeded something, he would ing. If you are unable to attend, be right there to help in any you can view Gary by attendway that he could. He was an ing an online Zoom meeting on avid outdoorsman, who loved to your computer (details follow). spend time with his family and Sandra Knapp is inviting you friends. Some of the things that to a scheduled Zoom meeting. you could find him doing were Topic: Viewing of Gary Trueshunting, fishing, four wheeling, dell Time: Apr 16, 2020 05:00 ginseng hunting, and blackberry -7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and picking, to name a few. When he Canada) Join Zoom Meeting was younger, he enjoyed bowl- https://zoom.us/j/6743486821? ing and as he grew older, he pwd=eC9VYnlOcldZT1haditpY found joy in playing cards with kxDQUgvdz09 Meeting ID: 674 his friends and family. In the last 348 6821 Password: 105141 If five years of his life, he would you would like to send a video spend as much time as he could or text message to the family, with his grandchildren or hang- you can text it to (518) 522-1233 ing out with his friends at his (Gary’s cell phone) or email it to cabin. His riches were not mea- deadle8@yahoo.com (Sandra’s sured in money, but in the many E-mail). A memorial service ways he touched the hearts of will be announced at a future so many people and for that, he date. In lieu of flowers, please will always be deeply missed. consider making a donation to Gary is survived by his wife the Lexington-Westkill United Barbara Truesdell, children Methodist Church, PO Box 248, Sandra and Brian Knapp, Gary Prattsville, New York 12468.

Germantown- Nancy Cutler Smith; the extended Holsten Holsten Rumke, 92, of German- family, Dale (Sonya) Hapeman town, New York, passed away and their children, Jessica and unexpectedly, yet peacefully on Douglas; Nancy Fedick and her April 7, 2020. Born November 7, children, Matthew, Christine and 1927 in Melrose, Mass. She was Julie; Martha Hapeman and her the daughter of the late Mryton children, Russell and Elizabeth Harris and Jeanette (Firth) Cutler. Bacon; David (Jill) Dutton and Nancy Rumke was a longtime their children, Christopher, Erin; resident of Germantown, NY. Brian (Julie) Dutton and their chilShe was a blessing to others dren, Jacqueline, Hillary, Branand a friend to all. Her dy, Brooke and Avery; door was always open; Douglas Dutton and his many stories and much children, Kevin, Darlaughter were shared ren, Jennifer and Caroaround her kitchen lyn; Dorothy Scott and table. She welcomed her son, Michael (Kelly) strangers, family, friends Scott and their children, and animals. She will be Erin, Shannon, Rebecca missed! Nancy worked Scott and her children, with her first husband, Shawn, Rhiannon, the late George Holsten, Shaina and Steven (Lori) Rumke in his leather working Scott and their children, business. After his passing, Nan- Courtney and Lauren. cy married Herman Rumke, and In addition to her parents and together they worked on their first husband, George, whom fruit farm in Germantown. She she married in 1954 until his was a member of the Jennings passing on December 24, 1988, Willet American Legion Auxiliary. she was also predeceased by Nancy is survived by her be- her second husband, Hermann loved brother, Richard Cutler, Rumke, whom she married in and his wife, Elizabeth Cutler, 1991 until his passing on Decemboth of Glenville, NY; her nephew ber 2, 2005; her nephew Daniel David Cutler and his wife, Heidi, Cutler, Magdalena and Theoand their children, Heather (Ri- dore Dutton, Theodore Jr., Mary ley), Nathan, Matthew and Nicole Dutton and Louise Hapeman. A and grandson, Ryder, all of Ver- graveside service will be held at mont; her nephew Daniel Cutler’s the Viewmonte Rural Cemetery wife Melody Cutler and their chil- sometime in summer of 2020, dren, Tonja, Jessica and Angela; followed by a gathering of family her nephew, Daryl Cutler, and his and friends In lieu of flowers, mewife, Debbie, of Ballston Lake, morial donations are requested NY, and their children, Jonathan to either the Germantown Parks (Kara), Nicholas and Brandon Commission, 50 Palatine Park (Melanie), and granddaughter, Road, Germantown NY 12526, Nora; her niece, Dianne Cutler- the Germantown Library, 31 Loeppke and her husband, Lt. Palatine Park Rd, Germantown, Col. Chris Loeppke; the extend- NY 12526 or a charity of one’s ed Rumke family; Nadine Rumke, choice. Arrangements are enCarise (Hank) Himelright and trusted to The White Funeral their children, James and Miran- Home, 264 N. Ballston Ave, Scoda; Dea (William) Archibald and tia and for those who wish, online their children, Jason and Kelly; condolences may be made to the Lali (John) Rumke; Kelly (Erich) family by visiting, www.sbfunerRemling and Daniel (Stephanie) alhome.com.

Elizabeth Haag Elizabeth Haag, age 95, of Mellenville, New York passed away on Monday, April 13, 2020 at Pine Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Philmont. She was born in Lusiana, Vicenza, Italy on October 17, 1924 to the late Alfonso and Caterina (Sciessere) Ronsani.

Along with her mother and brother, Angelo, she immigrated to the United States in 1930 to join her father in Columbia County, New York. She was a graduate of Hudson High School and married her late husband James Haag in 1949.

Their life centered on the family’s farm that she grew up on and they were life members of the Philmont Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was a

homemaker and enjoyed gardening, sewing and reading.

She is survived by her daughter- Judith (Carmine) Pino of Martinsburg, WV, her son- Philip (Emilie) Haag of Claverack, NY, her grandchildren- James Pino, Kristy Haag, Leah Bliss, five greatgrandchildren, her brotherJoseph (Mary) Ronsani and her nieces and nephews. She is predeceased in death by her husband- James Haag (2004), her son- Richard (1967), her brother- Angelo Ronsani (1998), and her sister- Mary Delaney (2017).

Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com. A memorial celebration will be planned for a future date.

Richard Edward Keegan Richard Edward Keegan, City, Albuquerque, New Mexiage 69, of Shelton, CT, passed co and El Paso, Texas. He and away on April 12, 2020 in Der- his family settled in Connectiby, CT. Richard was born on cut in 2002.

October 28, 1950 in Brooklyn, Richard was happiest when NY to parents Edward spending time with his Keegan and Dolores family; he enjoyed tin(Amoroso) Keegan. kering, ghost hunting Richard leaves beand collecting antique hind his loving wife glass and stoneware.

Therese of 36 years Predeceased memalong with his children: bers of Richard’s famMary Ellen, Opal, Saily include his mother, mantha and Richard, Dolores Amoroso his granddaughter AlKeegan. exandra, his sisters Keegan Arrangements are Barbara Wyche and under the direction of Richards Linda Gasparini, their husbands and children, his brother Funeral Home, Cairo, NY and Lawrence and his father Ed- condolences may be made at ward. Richard worked as a Tool www.richardsfuneralhomeinc. and Die Maker in New York net.

Roslyn Bell Levinson Wellner Roslyn Bell Levinson Wellner died Wednesday, April 8 at her home at Renaissance Village in Manchester Township, N.J. She was 89 and had been suffering the aftereffects of a fall for most of the last year.

Roslyn Anne Bell was the third of five children of Max and Pauline (nee Schneck) Bell. She graduated from Lafayette High School in Brooklyn and got a Bachelor’s degree from New York University, with a year at the University of Chicago in between.

She is remembered for her piercing intelligence, an acerbic wit and a wicked backhand on the tennis court. She lived in Bergenfield, N.J. for 32 years, where she raised four children with her first husband, Abe Levinson (d. 1974). She married Kermit Wellner in 1977, adding skiing to her repertoire of sports.

They lived in Windham, N.Y. until his death in 2001. Her struggles with obesity led her to carve out a successful niche as a lecturer

on weight control issues in the 1960s and early ‘70s. She had a second career after the death of her first husband as an employment counselor in Hackensack, where she worked for Snelling and Snelling, and Ridgewood, where she headed her own firm.

Mrs. Wellner is survived by two sisters, Frieda Berkowitz of Belleville, N.J; and Cele Brateman of Boynton Beach, Fla; and a brother, Harold Bell, of Highland Beach, Fla; her four children, Warren Levinson of West Orange, N.J; Larry Levinson of Princeton, N.J; Susan Cramer of Granville, Ohio; and Caryn Breen of Fort Thomas, Ky., as well as seven grandchildren and two great grandsons, and Harvey Braaf of Manchester, who, in addition to being a loving and loyal companion for the last ten years, helped teach her golf.

She was interred at a brief private service at King Solomon Memorial Park Friday, April 10.

A memorial service is pending.

Shirley E. Ponkos Shirley E. Ponkos, 81, of Ponkos Jr. (Wendy) of KinderStuyvesant, NY, died Tuesday, hook and Randy Ponkos (Jodie) of Ghent. She was preApril 14, 2020 at Pine deceased by her brothHaven Home in Philmer, James Bessman. ont, NY. Private graveside Born May 5, 1938 in services at St. Mary’s Hudson, NY, she was Cemetery in Stuyvesthe daughter the late ant Falls will be held at Stanley and Helen (Pea later date. In lieu of ters) Bessman. Shirley flowers, contributions was a former President may be made to the of CSEA in Albany and Valatie Rescue Squad, worked as a Secretary Ponkos P.O. Box 242, Valatie, at Martin VanBuren School in Kinderhook, retiring NY 12184. Arrangements are in 1998. She is survived by her under the direction of the Rayhusband: Raymond J. Ponkos mond E. Bond Funeral Home, Sr. two sons: Raymond J. PO Box 246, Valatie, NY

Josephine M. Fuss Josephine M. Fuss passed away April 13, 2020 at Barnwell Nursing Home. Born September 7, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY she was the daughter of the late Jacob and Josephine Schlegel Bohley.

She came to Columbia County as a young lady with her parents. She would meet, and later marry, her husband John. Josephine worked doing title searching for Harold Hall in Ghent, and would work as a para legal for Rapport, Meyers Griffen & Whitbeck. Josephine was active in the Lutheran church in Ghent. She truly enjoyed spend-

Wells Fargo sets aside the most for loan losses in a decade Hannah Levitt Bloomberg

Wells Fargo’s credit costs surged in the first quarter, previewing a tough year at the helm for new Chief Executive Officer Charlie Scharf as the coronavirus pandemic brings the U.S. economy to a virtual standstill.

The firm set aside $4 billion in loan-loss provisions in the first quarter, almost five times what it allocated a year ago and the most in a decade. That contributed to a 89% drop in net income.

Bank earnings are being closely watched as investors assess the extent of the virus’s damage to the U.S. economy in the first month of nationwide lock-down orders. Wells Fargo is a top lender to consumers, smalland medium-size businesses, and commercial-property investors across the country, so its results offer a view into how bad things have gotten, and how much worse they may become.

“Wells Fargo plays an important role in the financial system and the economic strength of our country, and we take our responsibility seriously, particularly in these unprecedented times,” Scharf said in a statement Tuesday.

The lender joins JPMorgan Chase in having its profit hit by major provisions as the banks expect a spike in consumer and businesses falling behind on debt payments. JPMorgan posted its lowest net income since 2013 as it boosted reserves

by more than $11 billion.

Scharf said that commercial clients used over $80 billion of their loan commitments in March alone.

Provisions in the wholesale unit jumped 17 times from a year earlier, while the amount Wells Fargo set aside for the community bank more than doubled.

The total amount of provisions reflected “the expected impact these unprecedented times could have on our customers,” Chief Financial Officer John Shrewsberry said in the statement.

Shares were were up 2% at 8:27 a.m. in early New York trading. The stock is down 42% this year through Monday.

The San Francisco-based lender is constrained by a Federal Reserve order limiting assets to their endof-2017 level following a series of scandals at the bank, though it was granted a temporary break last week to expand lending to small businesses. Total assets were just above that level at the end of the first quarter.

Scharf said last week that Wells Fargo extended almost $70 billion in new and increased commitments and outstanding loans in March alone.

Wells Fargo has joined its peers in making a variety of promises to help keep customers afloat. The lender will offer grace periods to mortgage borrowers, pledged millions to charities and relief efforts, offered workers extra pay, and

said it paused new job cuts.

The bank’s loan-loss figure factors in an accounting rule that took effect in January requiring banks to recognize potential losses more quickly. The rule requires lenders to predict how a deteriorating economy will spark defaults even before borrowers stop paying.

Wells Fargo’s longer-term strategy has been in flux since former CEO Tim Sloan stepped down more than a year ago. Scharf has been conducting a wide-ranging review of the firm, and has warned that there’s still much to be done. Expenses — a sticking point for investors in recent years — fell 6% in the first quarter from a year earlier.

Also in Wells Fargo’s firstquarter results: • Net interest margin, the spread between lending rates and borrowing costs, widened to 2.58% from 2.53% in the last three months of 2019.

• Revenue fell to $17.7 billion, missing analysts’ expectations of $19.4 billion, the average of 18 estimates.

• The bank’s efficiency ratio, a measure of profitability, improved to 73.6% from 78.6% in the fourth quarter.

Wells Fargo has been beset by heightened costs stemming from its scandals. It had been targeting 55% to 59% in the long term, excluding litigation costs, though Scharf may set a different goal.

ing time on the beach in Maine, Facebooking with her friends, watching the boats on the river and gardening. She is survived by her husband, John Sr., sons, John Jr. and Steven, granddaughter Erin Nartowicz. She was predeceased by her son Michael.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Columbia Greene Humane Society.

Due to current circumstances services will be private.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS Copake, N.Y. (518) 329-2121 Pine Plains, N.Y. (518) 398-7777

VITO LAWRENCE SACCO Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home 700 Town Hall Drive Hudson, New York 12534 • 518-828-5000 e-mail: smvfh700@gmail.com

M. GRIMALDI FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES 25 Railroad Ave., Chatham, N.Y. (518) 822-8332 Mario A. Grimaldi, Manager

ATTENTION FUNERAL DIRECTORS Obituaries, Death Notices or Funeral Accounts Should Be Submitted Before 2PM Daily For The Next Day’s Paper.

Notices should be emailed to:

obits@registerstar.com or obits@thedailymail.net

Call Patti to advertise your funeral home: (518) 828-1616 x2413

For

CURRENT OBITUARY LISTINGS be SURE to CHECK our WEBSITE: hudsonvalley360.com

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA • THE DAILY MAIL

A6 Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Rip Van Winkle, the embodiment of the Catskills

By David Dorpfeld, Greene County Historian For Columbia-Greene Media

This year the 200th anniversary of Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” is being celebrated. In honor of the anniversary I am submitting the late Justine L. Hommel’s 1988 introduction to the Mountain Top Historical Society’s reprint of the story as a guest column.

It is available in season at the campus of the society in Haines Falls. Justine was the longtime Hunter historian, the librarian at the Haines Falls library for many years and a founder of the Mountain Top Historical Society. Shortly after her passing the portion of Route 23A through the Kaaterskill Clove was named the Justine L. Hommel Memorial Highway.

RIP VAN WINKLE

By Justine L. Hommel From his introduction, Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle became synonymous

with the Catskill Mountains.

Just as the figure of Uncle Sam personifies the United States, Rip became the embodiment of the Catskills. The classic illustrations of Rip Van Winkle by artists engender mental images of high, shadowy mountains and darkened, mysterious cloves such as seem unique to the Kaaterskill area of the northern Catskills.

Whether Washington Irving drew the character of Rip Van Winkle from the intrinsic nature of the mountains or whether the Catskill Mountains acquired the personality of Rip Van Winkle is irrelevant.

What is clear is that the arrival of Rip Van Winkle established the spirit of the Catskill Mountains firmly in the American imagination.

In the Nineteenth Century, visitors to North Mountain could stay at the Rip Van Winkle House. As their journey carried them up the steep road to the Catskill Mountain

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Alburtus del Orient Browere’s 1884 “Rip Van Winkle Leaving Home.” Gift from Raymond and Catharine Beecher to the Greene County Historical Society.

House, they could visit Rip’s Rock. Nearby was Rip Van Winkle Brook and Rip’s ledge.

Local stores and businesses were given his name, such as Rip Van Winkle Bazaar and Rip’s Lookout Point. A Hudson River steamboat carried

FOREST RANGERS ASSIST AT UALBANY

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Forest rangers assist at the new COVID-19 mobile testing site at the University at Albany campus.

DEC personnel from across agency divisions and regions statewide are supporting the state’s response to COVID-19. Personnel from more than 20 New York state agencies are working on response efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. DEC forest rangers’ expertise in the Incident Command System (ICS) and experience in applying ICS to wide area searches and large wildland fire have made them a key part of this statewide effort. Several DEC forest rangers are part of the New York State Incident Management Team, or IMT, an interagency team comprised of personnel from various state, county, and local agencies who represent a variety of disciplines. The IMT assists Incident Command personnel and emergency managers in ensuring a prompt, efficient, and organized response to complex incidents.

Climate Stewards Volunteer programs developed KINGSTON — Climate change is affecting communities across New York state, yet many communities lack the resources needed to adequately prepare for climate change even if they have the knowledge of what they should do, advocates say.

To address this need, The Cornell Climate Smart Solutions Program is partnering with New York Sea Grant to develop a Climate Stewards volunteer program modeled after the successful Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program.

Efforts are underway to develop the Climate Stewards curriculum with continued input from relevant stakeholders. Jessica Kuonen, Hudson Estuary Specialist for New York Sea Grant based in the Cornell Extension office in Ulster County, is currently working on a portion of the curriculum that teaches the basics of climate science and impacts. “I’m most excited to help bring together a network of volunteers that are passionate about helping their communities, and that we’ll be addressing a real need when it comes to climate action,” said Kuonen.

Jim O’Connell, Senior Agriculture Resource Educator for Cornell Extension of Ulster County, is a member of the Cornell Climate Smart Farming

Team and the team tasked with reviewing the curriculum. Previously, he had worked with Susan Hereth, an Adjunct Professor of Geography at SUNY New Paltz and Education Director of the Kingston YMCA Farm Project, seeking input from her students on climate change. O’Connell suggested that Kuonen reach out to the class to do the same.

On March 2, Kuonen visited Hereth’s class at SUNY New Paltz to receive preliminary feedback. “When communicating new information to diverse audiences it’s always important to test your messaging,” says Kuonen. “I’m hoping to gain feedback from the students about whether the content is clear, interesting, and engaging.” Kuonen anticipates that many of the future Climate Steward volunteers may not have a background in science.

“It will be important for them to learn the basics so they can understand how the actions they are taking will benefit their communities.”

The class is a senior seminar for geography students who are working as interns throughout the county. The students are interning for municipalities and organizations such as the Kingston Land Trust, Woodstock Land Conservancy, Mohonk Preserve, Department of Environmental Protection, City of Kingston, and the Ulster County

Planning Department.

The students were asked to share why they had decided to go pursue environmentally conscious careers. Most students said that they wanted to feel like they are making an impact.

The goal of Climate Stewards volunteers is to support their communities in planning and implementing climate change adaptation, education, and mitigation projects at the local level. Climate Stewards volunteers will complete a 12-week course through their local Cornell Cooperative Extension office, implement a project in their community, and serve as outreach to the general public.

The Climate Stewards volunteer curriculum will be completed for a train-the-trainer summit in the Hudson Valley in late summer 2020 and the first cohort of Climate Stewards training is planned for Spring 2021.

For more information on the Climate Smart Stewards program, contact Jessica Kuonen at jak546@cornell.edu or 845340–3983.

More information on the Climate Smart Solutions Program at Cornell can be found at climatechange.cornell.edu.

For information about Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s community programs and events go to ulster.cce.cornell.edu/.

his name as did the Rip Van Winkle Railroad and a lake in Tannersville. Plays were written about Rip Van Winkle, and Joseph Jefferson’s stage portrayal of the lead character commanded worldwide attention. Songs were sung and

poems written celebrating this legendary Catskill Mountain personage.

It would be impossible to estimate the number of figurines and souvenirs that perpetuated the story of Rip Van Winkle. Just assembling the postcard reproductions of the legend is a time-consuming task. Illustrations appeared everywhere and were used to promote everything from railroads to Cream of Wheat.

Then, after a period of more than 150 years, almost as quickly as Rip Van Winkle burst on the world scene, he disappeared.

But the pursuit of Rip Van Winkle has not ended, however – and possibly never will be. For many, there is even a determination to establish the legend as an actual event in American history. Visitors still ask, “Where did Rip Van Winkle really live?” Recently, five reporters from an Indonesian newspaper, determined

to authenticate the legend for their readers, stopped at the Haines Falls Library to request specific directions to Rip’s slumber spot, and I am uncertain whether they understood that Rip Van Winkle was a character of fiction.

For some, adults as well as children, Rip is real, of course.

On those summer afternoons when the wind blows a certain way and the skies hold the black look of secrets and ageold mysteries, those of us who live in the Catskills remember.

Each clap of thunder resounding through the mountain peaks reminds of Rip Van Winkle, of his 20-year sleep, of gnomes and the never-ending game of nine pins. We remember him, his sharp-tongued wife, his children, and even his dog, old Wolf. We remember.

Reach columnist David Dorpfeld at gchistorian@gmail.com or visit him on Facebook at “Greene County Historian.”

Thomas Cole National Historic Site publishes Cole’s Lecture on Art CATSKILL – The Thomas Cole National Historic Site announced that it has published, for the first time, Cole’s “Lecture on Art” – on the 175th anniversary of its writing.

Thomas Cole (1801-1848) is considered the founder of America’s first major art movement, the Hudson River School of landscape painting.

The latest research indicates he wrote the text in 1845 and intended to present it as a lecture; however, there is no record of his ever delivering it.

The “Lecture on Art” – now published as a 26-page paperback – is exceptional and timely. Cole does not simply reflect on art and its inherent values; he eloquently makes the case for art as a public entity, advocating for public art, for teaching art in all schools, and for the industrial arts as well.

Cole writes of art’s role: “Art—the Atmosphere which encircles the sphere of our humanity—kindles the dead soul and raises it above the dullness of mere animal existence to intellectual acquirement.” “Thus Art becomes the exponent of Nature’s highest qualities; she seizes the transitory forms of beauty, (for truth and beauty—in their highest sense identical—are but the passing visitants of this world) and embodies them in permanent forms for our contemplation.”

Regarding the teaching of art, Cole writes: “Drawing ought to be taught in all our Common Schools. It is not merely an agreeable accomplishment, but is positively useful; it gives precision to the eye and strengthens its perceptive powers. But as all cannot be Artists let those

whose inclination leads them to the admiration of the beautiful be lovers of Art and by studying Nature and the works of Genius—by esthetic culture take her to their arms with an abiding love. Thus they will open to themselves fountains of unalloyed pleasure. Art will be advanced through their knowledge…”

He advocates both the fine arts and the industrial arts: “The commercial value of the Fine Arts is one which in our community can scarcely avoid being recognized. …

In England, France and Germany Schools of “Industrial Art” as it is called, are established under the patronage of Government. In these Schools, Design and Color, as applicable to manufactures, are taught and any one who has observed the vast improvement that has taken place within a few years in the beauty of Furniture, Vases, Chandeliers Earthenware and in the patterns of draperies of all kinds cannot but be astonished; and all this is owing to the establishment of Institutions where Art is taught on true principles.”

Near the end of the text he asserts, “My earnest desire is …that Art shall be exposed— free as air—to every Citizen, high or low, rich or poor. Will it not readily be perceived that Public Art could be made the means of lifting the mind…?”

He ends with a call to action: “Let us endeavor then to lift up the prostrate standard of Art and make a stand against this headlong Utilitarianism which prevails. Let us try to convince our fellow Citizens that the pursuit of the beautiful is as essential to our well being as that of Gain. Gold can purchase

food, raiment, property, but Taste is that Gentle and refined Spirit which bestows on Elizabeth B. Jacks, Executive Director of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, states: “In these uncertain times, it is clearer than ever that art is a cornerstone of our society, enriching our personal lives, our communities, and our economy. Thomas Cole’s Lecture on Art is extraordinary in advancing a public vision for art becoming that cornerstone. While Cole is renowned for his paintings and his role in founding what we now know as the Hudson River School of painting, he is remarkably eloquent with words. Whether advocating for public art or the preservation of nature, his words are as timely today as they were 175 years ago.”

The text for the new publication, Lecture on Art, was transcribed by Peter Fedoryk, a member of the 2019 class of Cole Fellows, as part of his fellowship program at the Thomas Cole Site. The book is the second in an ongoing series of Thomas Cole’s writings published by the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. The first in the series is Cole’s “Essay on American Scenery,” which underscores his role as a proto-environmentalist – a role that is increasingly recognized in exhibitions such as “Thomas Cole’s Journeys” (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2018) and in recent publications, as the world confronts climate change and marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22, 2020).

Both books are available for purchase online https:// store.thomascole.org/collections/frontpage/products/ lecture-on-art.

College Corner SIMMONS UNIVERSITY CAIRO — Rhianna Stevens of Cairo was named to the 2019 fall semester dean’s list at Simmons University in Boston.

KAPPA DELTA PI INDUCTION SAUGERTIES — Krystyna Lilland of Saugerties has been inducted to the Elmira College Rho Mu Chapter chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. Recently, 13 members from education and speech

and language disabilities majors were inducted into the honor society.

ADELPHI UNIVERSITY GARDEN CITY — A select group of outstanding students has been named to the fall 2019 dean’s list at Adelphi University. Local students include Danielle Caprio of Greenville and Christopher Ricca of Greenville.

THE HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI

BATON ROUGE, LA — Sowmya Kanikkannan of Selkirk was recently initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective alldiscipline collegiate honor society. Kanikkannan was initiated at University of Massachusetts. Kanikkannan is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year.

CMYK

Senior Living

www.HudsonValley360.com

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 A7

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Why are our Medicare premiums different?

Dear Rusty: What is the Medicare monthly payment based on? I pay $139.60, my husband pays $144.60, a friend pays $136.60.

I receive $388 per month in Social Security, my husband receives $1,200, and my friend receives $1,000 per month.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason for the amount we pay.

Signed: Curious to Know Dear Curious: It may not seem so, but there is actually “rhyme or reason” to the amount of everyone’s Medicare premium. I’ll try to explain.

Each year Medicare determines a standard premium amount for Part B – coverage for doctors and other outpatient services. For 2020, the standard premium is $144.60; last year it was $135.50. Higher earners may even pay more, as a supplemental amount is added to the base Part B premium if someone’s income

SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS

RUSSELL

GLOOR exceeds certain high clip levels set by Medicare. In short, those with a high income pay a higher (than standard) Medicare premium. The rest of us pay the base $144.60 amount, unless the “hold harmless” provision is in play.

The “hold harmless” provision is a law passed by Congress to prevent Social Security benefit payments from decreasing as a result of an increase in the Medicare premium (most Medicare

premiums are deducted from Social Security benefit payments). The disparity in premiums you refer to results from the hold harmless provision, which also permits all or part of a Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) to be applied to your Medicare premium increase, instead of going to you. Here’s what can happen: If the Medicare premium goes up in any year, some (or all) of your annual Social Security COLA increase can be used to pay for your monthly Medicare premium increase.

But, if the COLA increase to your SS benefit isn’t big enough to cover the entire Medicare premium increase, your net SS benefit stays the same and your Medicare premium amount becomes whatever level your COLA increase brings it to (up to the base premium for that year).

That means your Medicare

Senior Menu CATSKILL — The following is the weekly nutrition menu offered by the Greene County Department of Human Services’ Senior Nutrition Program. Served daily with each meal are bread or alternative with Promise Spread; low-fat milk, coffee or tea.

All persons 60 and older and their spouses are invited.

The suggested donation for each meal is $4.

The menu will be the meal that is delivered to all Greene County home bound meal clients. Those wishing to receive lunch at a center are asked to call the respective location at least a day in advance.

Rivertown Senior Center, 39 Second St., Athens; 518945-2700.

Acra Community Center, Old Route 23B, Cairo; 518622-9898.

Jewett Municipal Building, Route 23C, Jewett; 518-2634392.

Washington Irving Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill; 518-943-1343.

Town of Coxsackie Senior Center, Mansion Street, Coxsackie; 518-731-8901.

For the foreseeable future, there will be no congregate meals at any of the Greene County Nutrition Centers, including Jewett. Home delivered meals will still be delivered, and if you want a meal, you can order the day ahead and pick it up at the center to take out.

APRIL 15 THROUGH APRIL 22 WEDNESDAY: Meatloaf with gravy, green beans almandine, scalloped potatoes, apple crisp.

THURSDAY: Low sodium baked ham with pineapple sauce, baked potato, carrots, fruited gelatin.

FRIDAY: Eggplant Parmesan, pasta, Italian green beans, fresh salad with chickpeas, fresh fruit.

MONDAY: Beef strips and broccoli, brown rice, mixed vegetables, pears.

TUESDAY: Chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, carrots, peach crisp.

WEDNESDAY: Salisbury steak with gravy, beet salad, broccoli, baked potato, tropical mixed fruit.

APRIL 22 THROUGH APRIL 29 WEDNESDAY: Salisbury steak with gravy, beet salad, broccoli, baked potato, tropical mixed fruit.

THURSDAY: Roast turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, Monaco mixed vegetables, cherry cheesecake.

FRIDAY: Whole wheat lasagna, fresh salad with carrots and chickpeas, Italian mixed vegetables, fresh fruit.

MONDAY: Quiche Lorraine, quinoa, hash browns, California mixed vegetables, fruit cocktail.

TUESDAY: Baked chicken quarters with gravy, mashed potatoes, Monaco mixed vegetables, pumpkin pudding

help to—their communities are empowered to engage.

In this unprecedented time, AARP remains committed to helping the 50-plus population, and AARP Community Connections is one more way we’re innovating to improve our communities.”

AARP Community Connections includes multiple resources to help those who are feeling isolated, depressed, overwhelmed or anxious. Users are able to: Request a call from an AARP volunteer, or a trained counselor; Easily create an account with Savo to make connecting with their families easier; Join “The Mighty,” a safe, supportive online community for people facing health challenges and their caregivers.

Social isolation was a common problem even before

especially those with a smaller SS benefit amount, paying a different (smaller than base) Medicare premium amount.

Here’s an example: If your husband’s SS benefit is $1,200/month, he got a $19.20 COLA increase for 2020 (1.6%).

The Medicare premium for 2020 went up by $9.10, which was taken from his COLA increase. The remaining $10.10 of his COLA increase was added to his SS benefit amount.

If your benefit is $388 your COLA increase was $6.20 (1.6%). That $6.20 COLA wasn’t enough to cover the $9.10 Medicare premium increase, but it was applied to your previous Medicare premium amount to bring you to a Medicare premium of $139.60.

Your net SS payment stayed the same because your current SS benefit cannot be used to pay for the rest of the premium increase. But $5 of any COLA increase you get next year will

go toward bringing you up to the base Medicare premium amount.

While this may not fit your idea of “rhyme or reason,” it is, nevertheless, based upon a well-intentioned “hold harmless” rule which protects your Social Security benefit from decreasing.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity.

To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.

New guidance about COVID-19 economic impact payments with granola topping.

WEDNESDAY: Shrimp scampi, brown rice, broccoli, pineapple delight.

APRIL 29 THROUGH MAY 6 WEDNESDAY: Shrimp scampi, brown rice, broccoli, pineapple delight.

THURSDAY: American goulash, fresh salad with chickpeas, wax beans, oatmeal raisin cookie.

MONDAY: Sweet and sour pork, brown rice, broccoli, mandarin oranges.

TUESDAY: Taco casserole, green beans, vanilla pudding w/ granola.

WEDNESDAY: Baked chicken w/gravy, mashed potatoes, carrot coins, mixed tropical fruit.

MAY 6 THROUGH MAY 13 WEDNESDAY: Baked chicken w/gravy, mashed potatoes, carrot coins, mixed tropical fruit.

THURSDAY: Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, Italian mixed vegetables, fresh salad w/ spinach and beans, fresh fruit.

FRIDAY: Swedish meatballs, noodles, red cabbage, fresh fruit.

MONDAY: Sloppy Joe, cauliflower and green beans mix, sweet potato, pears.

TUESDAY: Macaroni and cheese, 3 bean salad, stewed tomatoes, pineapple chunks.

WEDNESDAY: Meatloaf w/ gravy, mashed potatoes, spinach, apple pie.

AARP Innovation Lab launches ‘AARP Community Connections’ platform WASHINGTON, D.C. — AARP Community Connections, a new online platform launched by AARP Innovation Labs, allows users to organize and find local volunteer groups to help pick up groceries, provide financial assistance or lend emotional support to neighbors, friends and loved ones.

Across the country, these informal online groups — also called “mutual aid” groups — help communities stay connected at a time when people must practice social distancing to stay safe.

“We may need to be physically isolated, but we don’t have to feel alone,” said Andy Miller, senior vice president of AARP Innovation Labs.

“Through this innovative platform, people in need of help from—or who want to offer

premium could be lower than the standard Medicare Part B premium for the year.

Since the dollar value of a COLA increase varies according to the size of your Social Security benefit, those with a higher benefit may receive a COLA increase which more than covers the Medicare premium increase and the remainder is given as additional SS benefit.

But those with a lower SS benefit will get a smaller COLA, which may not be enough to cover the increase in the Medicare premium. In that event, the Social Security benefit stays the same and the COLA is used to bring the Medicare premium up to, or closer to, the base premium amount.

If the COLA doesn’t cover the entire Medicare premium increase, the premium stays at a lower-than-base number.

And this recurs every year, which results in many people,

the coronavirus pandemic: A study published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and supported by AARP Foundation reported 43 percent of adults age 60 or older said they had felt lonely. And, while social isolation and loneliness are serious health issues by themselves, they can also exacerbate existing health problems, such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes.

AARP Community Connections helps people reach out to volunteers in their community who are willing to help their neighbors with their unique needs.

AARP Community Connections is live and completely free to use, and AARP membership is not required. For information, visit www.aarpcommunityconnections.org.

REPORTERS, EDITORS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS CREATE REAL NEWS. JOURNALISM YOU CAN TRUST.

#SupportRealNews

WASHINGTON — New guidance is available with regard to COVID-19 economic impact payments.

Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul said, “The Treasury Department launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for eligible individuals who do not normally file a tax return, and also announced that it would begin making automatic payments. However, for some people receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration specifically those who have dependent children under the age of 17 - it is to their advantage to go to this portal to ensure they also get the $500 per dependent Economic Impact Payment. I encourage them to do this as soon as possible, and want to provide the following details.”

People who receive Social Security retirement, survivors or disability insurance benefits and who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying children under age 17 should now go to the IRS’s webpage at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/ economic-impact-payments

to enter their information instead of waiting for their automatic $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. By taking proactive steps to enter information on the IRS website about them and their qualifying children, they will also receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. If Social Security beneficiaries in this group do not provide their information to the IRS soon, they will have to wait to receive their $500 per qualifying child.

The same new guidance also applies to SSI recipients, especially those who have qualifying children under age 17. To receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments you and your family are eligible for, go to the IRS’s Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info page at www.irs.gov/ coronavirus/economic-impact-payments and provide information about yourself and your qualifying children.

Additionally, any new beneficiaries since Jan. 1, 2020, of either Social Security or SSI benefits, who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019, will also need to go to the IRS’s Non-Filers website to enter

their information.

Lastly, for Social Security retirement, survivors or disability beneficiaries who do not have qualifying children under age 17, you do not need to take any action with the IRS. You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS as long as you received an SSA-1099 for 2019.

“For SSI recipients who do not have qualifying children under age 17, we continue to work closely with Treasury in our efforts to make these payments automatically,” Saul said. “Please note that we will not consider Economic Impact Payments as income for SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months.

The eligibility requirements and other information about the Economic Impact Payments can be found at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/ economic-impact-paymentinformation-center. In addition, continue to visit the IRS at www.irs.gov/coronavirus for the latest information.

More information is available at www.socialsecurity. gov/coronavirus/, Saul said.

Alzheimer’s Association offers free virtual ed classes for all New York residents ALBANY — While the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the health of millions in this country and around the world, the novel coronavirus presents unique challenges for more than 5 million Americans, including 410,000 in New York, living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York chapter is offering free virtual education programs in the coming weeks to help all local caregivers throughout its 17-county area. The Alzheimer’s Association offers a number of education programs that can help those living with Alzheimer’s and their families understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead and live well for as long as possible.

“During this challenging time, it’s critical that all New York caregivers have access to Alzheimer’s Association resources even if they cannot venture out,” said Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York Executive Director Beth Smith-Boivin.

“The COVID-19 crisis is altering Americans’ daily lives, but

the needs of Alzheimer’s caregivers cannot be put on hold.

These online programs allow us to connect with caregivers and provide necessary information even amid the current crisis.”

Each virtual education program is approximately one hour and allows the audience to ask questions and engage with others going through the journey online.

Upcoming virtual education programs include: - 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s: 2 p.m. April 29.

- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tips for Dementia Caregivers: 11 a.m. April 16; 4 p.m. April 22.

- Dementia Conversations: 2:30 p.m. April 23.

- Effective Communication Strategies: 3 p.m. April 30.

- Living with Alzheimer’s: Younger Onset: 2 p.m. April 21.

- Meaningful Engagement, Activities at Home: 12:30 p.m.

April 24; 10 a.m. April 28.

- Recognizing and Coping with Caregiver Stress: 10 a.m.

April 17; 4 p.m. April 27.

- Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia: 3 p.m.

April 16; 2 p.m. April 23.

- Understanding Dementia Related Behaviors: 11 a.m.

April 15.

For a complete list of upcoming programs, or to register for a program, visit alz. org/crf.

In addition to the virtual education classes, the Alzheimer’s Association offers online community resources at alz.org including ALZConnected, a free online community where people living with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, family and friends can ask questions, get advice and find support.

More than 16 million family and friends, including more than 1 million in New York provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the United States.

To help family caregivers navigate the current complex and quickly changing environment, the Alzheimer’s Association has also offered additional guidance to families at alz.org/COVID19.

The Alzheimer’s Association free, 24/7 Helpline, 800272-3900) offers around-theclock support for caregivers and families impacted by Alzheimer’s and all dementia.

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA • THE DAILY MAIL

A8 Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Cuomo From A1

another tweet late Tuesday morning.

“Cuomo’s been calling daily, even hourly, begging for everything, most of which should have been the state’s responsibility, such as new hospitals, beds, ventilators, etc.,” Trump tweeted. “I got it all done for him and everyone else and now he seems to want independence!

That won’t happen!”

Cuomo responded Tuesday afternoon during his daily COVID-19 press conference in the state Capitol.

“We do not have a king in this country,” Cuomo said. “That has been a topic discussed since our founding fathers … we didn’t want a king, so we have a Constitution and we opted for a president.”

Trump is clearly spoiling for a fight, said Cuomo, who added

Questions From A1

talked to her not 20 minutes before she died. She kept saying, ‘I feel weird. I feel weird all over.’”

Alyssa lived with her 19-yearold daughter Emily, who called the rescue squad on April 5.

“They weren’t there very long,” Myers said. “They kept trying to get her to stay awake.

Emily was saying, ‘Mom, keep breathing, keep breathing.’ My daughter said, ‘I can’t.’”

Originally, the family had been thrilled to hear that Alyssa did not have COVID symptoms and did not need to be tested, Myers said.

“My doctor called me two days after Alyssa’s death and said these bad, bad stomach pains are only in 10% of the COVID victims and that when they have these pains the virus is so much worse than for other people,” Myers said. “My doctor said if

Spirits From A1

many people, Robinson said.

“I think we all need some fun and happiness in our lives, and we know how much joy these cats bring, not only to our local community, but to people around the Northeast and the country,” Robinson said.

In Cairo, the Cairo Bears are Back exhibit will put 50 bears on local streets. The artists’ deadline is April 30, so some have been completed and submitted, and others have not.

“We are going to try to keep on schedule and have them up from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but things are in flux,” said Christie Hicks from the Cairo Development Foundation. “We hope outdoor walking will still be a thing and the towns won’t feel like it’s bringing people out to congregate. We think it is uplifting and you can keep social distancing while on the street, so we hope it will still

he will not engage with the president, especially with American lives at stake.

“This is no time for any division between the federal and state governments,” Cuomo said. “If he wants a fight, he’s not going to get it from me — period.”

New York’s COVID-19 fatalities totaled 10,834 by Tuesday — up from 10,056 Monday. The state’s virus-related climbed to 778 Monday after a dip to 671 deaths Easter Sunday. New York surpassed 700 fatalities for a week, peaking April 6, 7 and 8.

The state tested 499,143 people revealing 202,208 positive cases of COVID-19 by Tuesday afternoon with 18,697 virus patients hospitalized statewide, or about 9.2%.

Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island announced a 21-member council Monday to develop a coordinated approach to slowly reopen the economy in

the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each governor will name a leading health official, head of economic development and each governor’s chief of staff to the task force.

The coalition was comprised of the seven states as of Tuesday, but other Northeastern states are welcome to join. The task force will work to slowly lift stayat-home orders by developing a joint public health and economic development strategy.

The federal government had states decide when to close businesses, implement COVID-19 mandates and how to acquire or purchase ventilators and personal protective equipment since the pandemic swept the nation last month, Cuomo said, so states continued to plan for the next phase of the pandemic.

Cuomo said it would take two parties to enter litigation with Trump’s administration over the fight for authority on state directives.

“It takes two to tango,” the

governor said. “It takes two to get into a fight. It takes two people to get into a litigation. I am not interested in fighting with the president.”

State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration Tuesday challenging its rule that unlawfully narrows workers’ rights to paid sick leave and emergency family leave during the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Department of Labor regulations contradict the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, James said in a statement, and risk denying vital financial support during this unprecedented crisis, which could expose workers, their families and communities to COVID-19.

Enacted March 18, the act includes key provisions requiring job-protected paid sick and emergency family leave for employees unable to work due to COVID-19. Up to 61 million employees are potentially eligible for paid sick or emergency

family leave under the measure.

“The paid sick leave and emergency family leave provisions of the FFCRA were enacted to protect public health and to provide economic security to working families,” James said in a statement Tuesday. “The Trump administration’s rule makes it harder for New Yorkers and Americans throughout the country to claim these paid benefits, which unnecessarily puts more workers at risk of exposure to COVID-19. I will fight to prevent that from happening.”

The availability of millions of rapid and antibody COVID-19 tests to test every New Yorker — about 19 million people — are critical to slowly restart the economy and cannot be done without federal help, Cuomo said. The state will be able to conduct about 2,000 antibody tests per day, or about 60,000 tests per month as it ramps up capacity over the next 10 days.

New York’s number of positive cases is plateauing and the

hospitalization rate is slowing because social distancing mandates are working. States are starting to explore how to gradually reopen schools, businesses and the economy, said Cuomo, who added the possibility for a COVID-19 resurgence as seen in Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong.

“The CDC was talking about projections that would have swamped the nation’s hospital systems, but it didn’t happen,” the governor said. “Why? Because of what we did. We changed the curve. Better said, we are changing the curve every day. We have shown we control the virus. The virus doesn’t control us.”

they had been called with those symptoms, they wouldn’t have sent her to be tested anyway.

It’s definitely not something they knew of as being COVIDrelated.”

Myers and her family were shocked by Alyssa’s sudden death, she said.

“A week before she died went and got all this food for this woman for her to feed her family,” Myers said. “She went to the food bank and got lots and lots of food for this woman and delivered it to her. She was always taking care of someone.”

Alyssa also took special care with her students.

“She was always taking care of her students,” Myers said. “If they needed food, she would feed them. If people were out on street, she was going and buying food and giving it to them.

She always had compassion for taking care of people and making sure there was equality in the world.”

Alyssa was also an animal

lover and rescued three cats, Myers said.

But one of her biggest loves was her daughter, Myers said.

“As a single mom, she went to the University of Phoenix and completed her Masters in Special Ed.,” Myers said. “She poured her whole heart and soul into her daughter Emily.”

Alyssa’s cousin, John Dedie, of Medusa, agreed.

“Her daughter was her life,” he said. “Everything she did was for her daughter.”

Matthew Dedie, Alyssa’s cousin, who lives in Dallas, Texas, admired her strength as a mother.

“The biggest thing I looked up to her for was the mother she was,” he said. Alyssa also treated Matthew’s three sons as if they were her own.

“I have a special-needs son,” he said. “He used to talk to her on Messenger all the time. If he was having a bad night, he would message her at 3 a.m. and she would message him regardless

of what she had going on.”

In addition to her mother and daughter, Alyssa is survived by her brother Tsao Pantilieris, his wife Hope, and their fivemonth-old daughter Evelyn.

Alyssa is also survived by a stepsister, Kristine D’Amato.

“She was the glue in our family,” Myers said of Alyssa.

Alyssa went above and beyond for her family, John Dedie said.

“She was, from my perspective, someone that would do anything for anybody,” he said.

“My wife and I wanted to take our kids down to New York City and she opened up her apartment to us, drove us all around the city showing us all the landmarks. It made her day to be able to help anybody or spend time with family.”

Although they were neighbors as children, once Matthew moved to Texas in 2008, he began taking annual trips to visit his family in New York.

“I took a trip this past winter

down to New York City to spend time with her,” he said. “What made me laugh was, I’m a big imposing 6-foot-5 guy and she was short but she didn’t let anybody push her around. I was following her through the crowd.

She was tough.”

Despite the miles between them, Alyssa and Matthew remained close throughout the years.

“To know her was to love her,” he said. “A lot of times I’d be having a bad day. I’d call her up and just talking to her she’d know what to say to make the day better and point me in the right direction. She was the type of person that if you saw a shirt at a store and you were telling her about it, she’d go out and get it. She wanted to see people happy.”

Alyssa was a spiritual person and taught Sunday school at Mamaroneck United Methodist Church.

“She had a strong faith and a strong spirituality,” Myers said.

“She believed that God was guiding her and helping her through all of that. When kids lost their house to a fire, she went all over the place networking to find clothes and food for these people. If kids weren’t going to have Christmas presents, she was buying Christmas presents out of her own money so their parents would have something to give them.”

Alyssa will be remembered for her bright and compassionate personality.

“So many people described her as being a light in their lives,” Myers said.

John Dedie said he will cherish the time he had with his cousin.

“If everyone in the world was like her, there probably wouldn’t be very many problems in the world,” he said.

Because nonessential gatherings are prohibited due to the virus, the Pantilieris family will hold a memorial service for Alyssa at a later date, Myers said.

happen.”

Like the cats project, Hicks is asking artists to take photos of their work and hold onto their bears for the time being. Working on the sculptures, Hicks said, has been helpful to many of the artists during the stay-athome order.

“Some people are relying on art to get them through,” Hicks said. “People are doing crafting, reading books, watching a lot of Broadway stuff that is now posting online. People are trying to stay sane by participating in things that make them feel good.”

In Coxsackie, the Hoot of the Owl exhibit has all 41 owls submitted, and they are headed to Martinez Auto Body to be clearcoated for outdoor display.

“We expect to put them up in the beginning or middle of May,” said Donna Gianola, chairwoman of the Hoot of the Owl Committee. “Hopefully social distancing will be done by the summer, but they will be out in the fresh air, so we are hoping people can still visit. People

are out walking now, and while they are doing that they can look at the owls, and it will be something positive to look forward to and raise their spirits.”

Coxsackie Mayor Mark Evans said numerous summer events are on hold for the moment, and the public-art exhibit is one of them.

“We have lots of decisions to make about all the normal summer events that we have, such as the summer recreation program, the farmers market, the Riverside Festival, yard-sale day — all of those things we have to put on hold and wait to see what the directives are from the state and the county, whether those things go forward and if they do, what will they look like?” Evans said. “I am very hopeful that the owl project goes forward.”

This year, Greenville is bringing back its duck project for the first time in years.

“We did Quack Quack Greenville in 2015, so this will be our second Quack Quack Greenville,” said Barbara Walter from the Greenville Beautification

Committee. “We are at the stage where the ducks have sponsors and the artists have been picked by the sponsors. The artists are painting the ducks, which they are doing in isolation, so they are proceeding with that. We have time to see how this plays out and what is recommended that people do or don’t do, so we think we have another month or two before we have to decide whether we have to revise our plans.”

The 33 ducks are expected to be installed around the community by the middle of June, Walter said.

“It might be something that is fun to do for people who have to maintain social distancing,” Walter said. “So if we put them out, maybe families can go out and visit the locations, and that would be good. It gives people something to do during a difficult time.”

All four exhibits will conclude in the fall with a gala and auction, with proceeds donated to local charitable organizations.

Artist Trisha Bone created a colorful duck as part of this year’s Quack Quack Greenville public art exhibit. The sponsor is Kelly’s Pharmacy.

Bloomberg

Boeing lost orders for 150 of its beleaguered 737 Max aircraft last month as travel bookings plunged amid the covid-19 pandemic, squeezing airlines and aircraft lessors.

Half the cancellations were previously announced by Avolon Holdings Ltd., the world’s No. 3 jet lessor. In addition, Brazil’s Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes trimmed 34 planes from an earlier deal. Smartwings Slovakia SRO scrapped orders for five aircraft, while unidentified customers opted out of 35 sales of the Max, which has been grounded for more than year after two fatal crashes.

Boeing’s order book for the Max is shrinking as the planemaker works with global regulators to clear its best-selling jetliner to resume commercial flight by midyear. The company couldn’t face worse timing for

the comeback effort, as airlines that had until recently clamored for the single-aisle aircraft are now fighting for their financial lives.

The shares fell 2.3% to $143.90 at 11:31 a.m. in New York after climbing earlier in the session amid a broad market rally. Boeing tumbled 55% this year through Monday, more than doubling the decline of a Standard & Poor’s index of industrial companies.

Boeing suspended output of the Max in January, and plans to slowly restart manufacturing soon to stress-test its supply chain and avoid flooding the market with unneeded planes.

In all, the backlog of 737 orders shrank by 314 jets during the first quarter, according to Boeing’s website. Of those, 191 were sales that were canceled or converted into orders for other Boeing jets. Another 141 were taken off the books under an

accounting measure aimed at measuring impaired orders, although the contract remains intact. Also, Boeing won 18 orders for a military version of the 737.

While demand for twin-aisle aircraft has been particularly hard hit as the viral outbreak saps long-range travel demand, Boeing still managed to garner 29 orders for its carbon-fiber 787 Dreamliner during the first quarter. That included 12 firm sales to Japan’s All Nippon Airways last month.

But Boeing’s net orders plunged to minus 307 during the quarter ended March 31.

That’s because the company removed 163 sales of all jets from its backlog due to the accounting adjustment, which includes an assessment of a customer’s financial health and contractual rights.

The total order backlog shrank to 5,049 from 5,351 at the end of February.

The Tribune News Service contributed to this report.

Contributed photo

Pizza Party

Boeing lost orders for 150 Max jets in March Julie Johnsson

To see the complete county breakdown of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths statewide, view the COVID-19 map and tracker at hudsonvalley360.com/site/covid19.html.

HudsonValley360.com

Delivered by Bill Williams

Congratulations Laura Mastrantuono and the crew at Catskill Ambulance!

Enter for your chance to win an office pizza party from Scali’s Pizza & Pasta for you and your coworkers.

Every Tuesday Bill Williams will be delivering pizza to one lucky business in Columbia/Greene County.

www.hudsonvalley360.com/pizzaparty

CMYK

Sports

SECTION

NFL Draft

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B

NFL draft is loaded with talented wide receivers. Sports, B2

& Classifieds

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 B1

Tim Martin, Sports Editor: 1-800-400-4496 / sports@registerstar.com or tmartin@registerstar.com

Offensive line a Giant priority for Gettleman in NFL Draft Pat Leonard New York Daily News

Giants GM Dave Gettleman confirmed on Monday that he is keenly focused on upgrading his offensive line in next week’s NFL Draft.

Gettleman made clear in his first on-record interview with local media since the NFL Combine that signing free agent

Cowboys backup Cameron Fleming was only one piece of the puzzle at improving his tackle position.

“Part of the unrestricted free agency piece is we’re also looking at the draft, you know what I’m saying? So you kind of marry the two,” See NFL B3

KIM KLEMENT/USA TODAY

New York Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames (62) talks with New York Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar (41) at Tropicana Field on June 24, 2018.

Baseball families find bright side to coronavirus shutdown Kristie Ackert New York Daily News

When he’s not checking in with Mets pitchers on Zoom these days, Jeremy Hefner takes the hard math problems and comes up with the recreational activities. Before Marcus Thames goes in to work with Yankees hitters, he helps get the day started at his house these days, rousing the students, err, his children early in the morning to help them keep some semblance of structure and a regular schedule. While J.A. Happ is still trying to keep his throwing arm built up, he is getting used to more time at home with his young kids.

A month into baseball’s shutdown and players and coaches are settling into new roles. The coronavirus pandemic has not only put MLB on an uncertain hold, but shut down schools and most of society across the country. In the last month, the Mets pitching coach (Hefner), the Yankees hitting coach (Thames) and Yankees veteran left-hander (Happ) are not only adjusting to life away from the precise schedules of the game that have dominated their lives for decades. And just like

NOAH K. MURRAY/USA TODAY

NBA former player Charles Oakley court side at the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets basketball game at the Barclays Center.

Charles Oakley rips ‘high-maintenance’ Patrick Ewing, says he ‘wanted to smack’ Bernard King Kristian Winfield New York Daily News JIM RASSOL/USA TODAY

New York Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner (left) works with pitcher Jacob deGrom during a spring training workout on Feb. 12.

everyone else have quarantined with their families and are getting used to a whole new, smaller world.

While they have the same challenges as everyone who is stuck at home as the country tries to slow the spread of the virus, for guys who spend

most of six months a year at the ballpark, there is a silver lining.

“I know my wife has a hard time because there’s four kids in the house and it can be tough at times with four kids.

We have three older kids who are doing online schooling

and one little guy who’s just tearing up the house,” Thames said. “It’s challenging, but it’s also rewarding because the kids see, at the end of the day, that mom and dad are there to help them out with their See BASEBALL B3

Add Patrick Ewing and Bernard King to Charles Oakley’s hit list.

Oakley, who already has an ongoing feud with Knicks owner James Dolan, switched gears to focus his disdain on two Hall of Famers, one of which he played with during the franchise’s last glory days in the 1990s.

Oakley spent 10 years in New York and was an integral piece to the puzzle of one of

the best teams in franchise history. But in a recent interview, Oakley said that Knicks team didn’t win a title because of Ewing.

“We were held back because we had to wait for him,” Oakley said on CBS Sports Radio. “ Every superstar in this league, if you don’t go through adversity, if you try to duck and dodge it, it’s gonna damper your team. And we got dampered See OAKLEY B3

Kyle Larson, suspended by NASCAR, issues apology for using racial slur Alex Andrejev The Charlotte Observer

NASCAR has indefinitely suspended Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro, for saying a racial slur during an iRacing event on Sunday evening. The sanctioning body issued the penalty on Monday morning.

“NASCAR has made diversity and inclusion a priority and will not tolerate the type of language used by Kyle Larson during Sunday’s iRacing event,” the statement from NASCAR said.

“Our Member Conduct Guidelines are clear in this regard, and we will enforce these guidelines to maintain an inclusive environment for our entire industry and fan base.”

In addition to suspension, NASCAR is requiring that Larson attend sensitivity training under its Member Conduct Guidelines. Larson has also been indefinitely suspended from using the iRacing platform, and condemned by at least one major sponsor.

“Last night I made a mistake and said the word that should never, ever, be said,” Larson said in an apology video posted on Twitter shortly after noon Monday. “There’s no excuse for that; I wasn’t raised that way. It’s just an awful thing to say.”

According to the NASCAR rule book, “Member actions that could result in a fine and/or indefinite suspension, or termination” include a “Public statement and/or communication that criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.”

In 2013, NASCAR suspended Xfinity driver Jeremy Clements for using the same racial slur as Larson during a conversation

CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES

Kyle Larson stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 7 in Avondale, Arizona.

with a reporter. Clements was reinstated after completing sensitivity training.

In addition to sanctions from iRacing and NASCAR, Larson’s Chip Ganassi Racing team said it is suspending him without pay, while one of the his team’s biggest sponsors, Credit One Bank, said in a statement that it “support(s) the quick actions taken

by NASCAR and the Chip Ganassi Racing Team to suspend Kyle indefinitely.”

“We are extremely disappointed by what Kyle said last night during an iRacing Event,” a statement from CGR said. “The words that he chose to use are offensive and unacceptable. As of this moment we are suspending Kyle without pay while we work through this situation with all appropriate parties.”

During the “Monza Madness” exhibition race at Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Italy on Sunday night, Larson appeared unaware his microphone was being picked up on the stream.

“You can’t hear me?” Larson said to his spotter. “Hey, (Nword).”

Other drivers immediately erupted in shock.

“Kyle, you’re talking to everyone, bud” Xfinity driver Anthony Alfredo said.

“Yep, we heard that,” iRacing driver Aron MacEachern said.

“Yikes,” IndyCar driver Conor Daly said.

Larson, who is half-Japanese, is a graduate of NASCAR’s “Drive for Diversity” program, which was established to attract minority individuals and women to the sport. Larson is the only driver of Japanese descent to win a major NASCAR race.

“I feel very sorry for my family, my friends, my partners, the NASCAR community, and especially the African-American community,” Larson’s said in the apology video. “I understand the damage is probably unrepairable, and I own up to that. I want to let you all know how sorry I am.”

Larson, 27, is in his final contract year with CGR and was set to become a highly sought-after free agent after the 2020 season.

He has won six Cup races during his career and finished sixth in See NASCAR B3

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B2 Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Sports Flashbacks BASEBALL 1910 — After William Howard Taft becomes the first president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch, Washington Senators hurler Walter Johnson one-hits the Philadelphia A’s on Opening Day. 1911 — An overnight fire destroys much of the Polo Grounds, leaving the New York Giants temporarily homeless. The crosstown Highlanders offer to share Hilltop Park until repairs are completed.

1917 — Eddie Cicotte pitches a no-hitter as the Chicago White Sox trounce the St. Louis Browns, 11-0. Cicotte, who will later be implicated in the 1919 “Black Sox” scandal, will win 28 games in 1917.

1925 — The Cleveland Indians set an Opening Day record for runs scored, clubbing the St. Louis Browns by a 21-4 margin. The Indians score 12 runs in the eighth inning alone.

1931 — At age 47, Jack Quinn becomes the oldest pitcher to start an Opening Day game when he takes the mound for the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 7-4 loss to the Boston Braves.

1949 — Bobo Newsom becomes the first player to ever join the same team five different times when he signs with the Washington Senators.

1955 — Elston Howard becomes the first black player to suit up for the New York Yankees.

Howard will play in nine All-Star Games and win the 1963 American League MVP award.

1967 — 21-year-old Boston Red Sox lefty Billy Rohr is one out away from beginning his major league career with a no-hitter before New York’s Elston Howard singles on a 3-2 pitch in the ninth inning.

1969 — The first regular-season game ever played outside of the United States takes place at Montreal’s Jarry Park, where the expansion Expos top the St. Louis Cardinals, 8-7.

1993 — Just one day after breaking the major league record, St. Louis closer Lee Smith sets a National League mark for saves with 301.

1999 — Tampa Bay’s Jose Canseco becomes the 28th player in major league history to hit 400 career home runs, reaching the mark in a 7-6 loss to Toronto.

2001 — A record 11 one-run games are played in the same day (six in the American League and five in the National League), breaking the mark of 10 set on May 30, 1967.

2004 — New York Yankees pitcher Kevin Brown wins his 200th career game just one day after teammate Mike Mussina reached the same mark, a major league first.

2004 — Colorado’s Aaron Miles becomes the fifth player ever to hit his first two career home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game.

BASKETBALL 1962 — Elgin Baylor scores 61 points to set a still-standing NBA Finals record as the Los Angeles Lakers post a 126-121 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead.

1975 — Rick Barry set a then-playoff record with eight steals and the Golden State Warriors racked up a still-standing record 22 while routing the Seattle SuperSonics 123-96 in the opening game of the first-round series.

1980 — Boston’s Larry Bird scores 34 points and the Celtics complete a first-round, four-game sweep of the Houston Rockets with a 138-121 victory.

1988 — Utah’s John Stockton registers 26 assists but the Jazz suffer a 128-123 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

1990 — New Jersey’s Chris Dudley misses his first 13 free throws and goes 1-of-18 overall as the Nets lose 124-113 to the Indiana Pacers.

1994 — The Seattle SuperSonics became the second team in NBA history at the time to have 10 different players score in double figures while routing the Los Angeles Clippers 150-101.

1998 — Atlanta’s Mookie Blaylock accumulates 10 steals and falls two rebounds shy of a quadruple-double as the Hawks edge the Philadelphia 76ers 95-94. Blaylock had 14 points and 11 assists.

2002 — Ray Allen ties an NBA record with eight 3-pointers in one half while scoring 47 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 98-91 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Allen makes 10 3-pointers overall.

2006 — Kobe Bryant scores 50 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 110-99 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

2008 — Milwaukee’s Ramon Sessions dishes out 24 assists but the Bucks fall 151-135 to the Chicago Bulls.

2012 — Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant pours in 43 points and Russell Westbrook scores 35 as the Thunder record a 115-110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

HOCKEY 1928 — The New York Rangers shade the Montreal Maroons 2-1 to capture the Stanley Cup in just their second year of existence.

1948 — The Toronto Maple Leafs thump the Detroit Red Wings 7-2, finishing a four-game sweep en route to their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.

1960 — The Montreal Canadiens secure their fifth straight Stanley Cup title with a 4-0 whitewash of Toronto. Beloved Canadiens forward Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard retires following the game.

1974 — Tim Thomas is born in Flint, Mich.

Thomas emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the top goaltenders of the postlockout era, leading Boston to a Stanley Cup title in 2011.

1978 — Mike Bossy becomes the first rookie in NHL history to reach the 50-goal plateau, turning the trick in a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals.

1996 — The Detroit Red Wings establish a new NHL record with their 62nd victory of the season, defeating the Dallas Stars 5-1.

1996 — The Buffalo Sabres play their final game at the Memorial Auditorium, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Hartford Whalers. The Sabres move to Midland Marine Arena the following season.

2008 — The Vancouver Canucks fire general manager Dave Nonis after the club misses the playoffs for the second time in three years. Nonis is replaced by former player agent Mike Gillis.

Pro football 2020 NFL DRAFT April 23-35 Remote locations Round 1 1. Cincinnati 2. Washington 3. Detroit 4. NY Giants 5. Miami 6. LA Chargers 7. Carolina 8. Arizona 9. Jacksonville 10. Cleveland 11. NY Jets 12. Las Vegas 13. San Francisco f/IND 14. Tampa Bay 15. Denver 16. Atlanta 17. Dallas 18. Miami f/PIT 19. Las Vegas f/CHI 20. Jacksonville f/LAR 21. Philadelphia 22. Minnesota f/BUF 23. New England 24. New Orleans 25. Minnesota 26. Miami f/HOU 27. Seattle 28. Baltimore 29. Tennessee 30. Green Bay 31. San Francisco 32. Kansas City Round 2 33. Cincinnati 34. Indianapolis f/WAS 35. Detroit 36. NY Giants 37. LA Chargers 38. Carolina 39. Miami 40. Houston f/ARI 41. Cleveland 42. Jacksonville 43. Chicago f/LV 44. Indianapolis 45. Tampa Bay 46. Denver 47. Atlanta 48. NY Jets 49. Pittsburgh 50. Chicago 51. Dallas 52. LA Rams 53. Philadelphia 54. Buffalo 55. Baltimore f/NE via ATL 56. Miami f/NO 57. LA Rams f/HOU 58. Minnesota 59. Seattle 60. Baltimore 61. Tennessee 62. Green Bay 63. Kansas City f/SF 64. Seattle f/KC

NFL draft is loaded with talented wide receivers Adam Kilgore The Washington Post

Aside from the sudden ubiquity of Zoom calls and the occasional tone-deaf grumbles of personnel executives over work-from-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic, the abundance of promising wide receivers has the chance to define the 2020 NFL draft.

Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta identified 25 wide receivers the team would be happy to draft. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah graded 27 worthy of being taken in the first three rounds.

“It’s definitely going to be a legendary class,” Colorado wideout Laviska Shenault Jr. said.

The depth, variety and projected excellence of this year’s wide receiver prospects, though, are not a blip or a coincidence.

They’re a continuation of what trends in the sport have created.

“It’s a great group,” Seattle Seahawks General Manager John BUTCH DILL/USA TODAY Schneider said at this year’s NFL scouting combine, “but it seems LSU Tigers cornerback Jay Ward (16) tries to bring down Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Henry like the last several years it has Ruggs III (11) after a reception during their Nov. 9 game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. been like that.” rule changes, wide receivers are extra work you can do,” said to play in the NFL has remained Schneider is right: NFL teams reaching the NFL ready to excel former NFL wide receiver Miles static, the pool of potential NFL drafted 13 wide receivers in in unprecedented numbers. Austin, now an assistant with wide receivers has expanded. All the first three rounds last year, There has never been a better the 49ers. “It’s getting special- the wide receivers who would and while many regretted their time to be a wide receiver - or, ized in a way, especially the re- have suffered career-altering inchoices, a gaggle of wideouts juries or who wouldn’t have the made an immediate impact. if you’re an NFL team, to need ceiver position.” one. nerve to play the position can Drafted in 2003, Justin Gage A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel, TerThe preponderance of wide now become top prospects. played wide receiver for eight ry McLaurin, DK Metcalf and receivers starts at football’s Certainly, wide receivers still seasons for the Chicago Bears Darius Slayton (a fifth-rounder) lowest levels.

Spread offenses absorb vicious hits. “There’s still and Tennessee Titans.

He now became crucial parts of their featuring three or four widefear,” Austin said. But the curtrains receivers at Elite Football teams’ offenses. Nine rookie Academy in suburban St. Louis. rent crop of draftees has played outs have predominated long wide receivers gained at least “In my generation coming up, their entire career under the enough that players now com500 receiving yards. we didn’t really have training,” present rules, meaning they’ve ing out of college were playing This year’s wide receiver class Gage said.

“It was just, ‘Get outnever played with the risk wide in them in Pop Warner.

The will be at the top of the curve.

Jerry Jeudy has the footwork of a available pool of wide receivers side and play.’ “ He now helps receivers from previous generaveteran all-pro, Henry Ruggs III started larger than ever before. kids learn how to control their tions confronted.

“Absolutely,” Gage said. will instantly be one of the fast- Plenty of kids who would have bodies using intricate footwork played running back have been “There’s a bigger list of guys that drills. est men in the NFL, and CeeDee lining up out wide since they couldn’t do it than could do it.

“Once you figured your body Lamb could catch an ice cube out - how do I decelerate and ac- From the early 2000s, you’ll get covered in olive oil. That’s just first put on pads.

Those same kids came of celerate, turn left and turn right? that same answer from a lot of the start. Shenault can be used age with seven-on-seven pass- - once you start mastering those those guys. . . . You end up playlike a running back, Jalen Reagor ing leagues and sophisticated techniques, then the route run- ing against guys like Sean Taycan take the top off the defense, and Justin Jefferson can line up training facilities and camps ce- ning becomes easier to teach,” lor; you knew every time you stepped on the field running mented into the youth football Gage said. anywhere.

Rule changes have expanded across the middle, you knew “You can kind of get whatever landscape. Advances in trainflavor you like,” 49ers General ing help all positions, of course, the number of receivers who there was a chance he could Manager John Lynch said at the but wide receivers are uniquely can benefit from better develop- decapitate you. There’s no fear combine. “If you like smaller, situated to benefit. Offensive ment. It was once a requirement there now going across the midquicker guys, those guys are linemen can’t participate in for wide receivers to conquer dle.”

As receiver-heavy college ofthere. If you like the big guys that seven-on-seven leagues. Defen- the physical danger of running can move, those guys are there. sive players can’t practice tack- patterns across the middle of fenses have taken over the NFL, If you like speed, that’s there. If ling all offseason. Wideouts can the field, where linebackers and defenses have responded by you like separators - so I think hone footwork and run routes safeties could drill them - in the putting more speed on the field. the whole league’s kind of smil- as much as they want, and their head or elsewhere - with impu- Facing smaller, quicker defenoffseason practice more closely nity. The NFL - and every other sive backs, receivers who previing about that.”

But the class is not neces- mimics what they do in games level of football - has eliminated ously would have been considthose hits. ered undersized can now play sarily an outlier. Owing to en- than any other position.

“The football players are getIf the number of wide receiv- major roles. The first receiver hancements in development, offensive evolution and even ting better because of all the ers with the athletic capability drafted last year was Marquise

Brown, listed at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, whose speed helped transform Baltimore’s offense.

NFL teams are already adjusting to the surplus of qualified receivers. Many receiver-needy teams, such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders, sat out free agency and the trade market knowing they could bolster their wide receiving corps in the draft. A similar dynamic could play out in the draft, with teams addressing other positions with their top picks, knowing highly regarded wideouts will still be available in later rounds.

“There will be through round four some top, top guys that are still left,” Arizona Cardinals Coach Kliff Kingsbury said at the combine.

The Los Angeles Rams face a salary cap crunch, and they used the draft’s wide receiver depth as a solution. Last week, they traded Brandin Cooks (and a 2022 fourth-round selection) to the Houston Texans for a second-round pick. They could use that choice to add a receiver who can replace Cooks at a fraction of the price.

Even with all the receiving options in the draft, choosing one still presents risk. Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock, a former NFL Network draft expert, said at the scouting combine that he had graded between 20 and 25 wideouts good enough to be picked in the first three rounds. But he tempered his enthusiasm by saying his research suggests first-round receivers bust at a rate similar to quarterbacks, a notoriously challenging position to draft.

Even as college offenses have seeped into the NFL, college defenses still employ far less man-to-man coverage than NFL schemes, especially press-man coverage in which a defensive back crowds a receiver and challenges him immediately at the snap. One of the most important skills for an NFL receiver is battling a cornerback at the line of scrimmage, and evaluators can only project who might be any good at it.

“You don’t get to see a lot of one-on-ones, how they beat man coverage,” 49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It’s always a guess.”

Picking the right receiver, then, is no guarantee. But there are plenty of options to choose from, and that is not likely to change any time soon.

In an NFL draft like no other, UConn tackle Matt Peart’s dream is within arm’s reach Dom Amore The Hartford Courant

Matt Peart was looking across the line of scrimmage, looking at the fronts of the jerseys and seeing Florida, Auburn, Alabama.

“My mindset was proving that I had a right to belong,” Peart says. “It’s top-tier competition across the country. The guys I went up against had a rap sheet that allowed them to be there. My mentality was to prove I belonged, prove I could be a dominant tackle.”

When the Senior Bowl was over, Matt Peart was a name to know. By April 25, Peart, a ray of pride and positive thinking through such a dark period of UConn football, will get the chance to prove he belongs in the NFL. He put in the work, stayed the course in Storrs, and now he’s here: “I’ve been singing the praises of Connecticut left tackle Matthew Peart since the start of this draft process,” writes Jonah Tuls of The Draft Network. “I just can’t see how a player of his physical gifts and year-to-year improvement on tape falls out of the second round.”

Like so much else this spring, this NFL draft, April 23-25, will be like no other, staged virtually. No crowd of fans ready to boo Roger Goodell or (over) react to their favorite teams’ picks. No “war rooms.” And Peart cannot be surrounded by an entourage as he waits for his name to be called. He and his mother, Faith, will be on the couch in their home, an hour north of New York City, with as many family and friends as possible connected digitally.

But in one sense, this will be a typical draft — “The Dance of the Elephants.”

That’s what the late George Young used to call it when he was Giants GM. Teams will always be looking for offensive linemen with size and agility, and

most mock drafts have Peart coming off the board on Day 2, by the middle of the third round.

So all the disappointment, frustration, snark that shades UConn football can be forgotten for a moment. Another Husky is heading to the league, to join Byron Jones, the highest paid cornerback in history, Anthony Sherman, Super Bowl champ, Jets tight end Ryan Griffin and half a dozen others.

“Just to be in the conversation with those guys is awesome,” Peart says. “I just want to be added to that list, coming from the brotherhood that UConn has.”

Former teammate Foley Fatukasi, drafted by the Jets in 2018, told Peart the pre-draft process wouldn’t be easy, and he needed to treat every part of it like he would only get that one shot. Little did either know how true that would be in this year of the coronavirus. Peart followed up his Senior Bowl performance in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 25 with a strong showing in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis at the end of February.

At 6 feet 7 and 318 pounds, Peart ran the 40-yard dash in 5.06 seconds, made a vertical leap of 30 inches, a broad jump of 113 inches. Then they measured his arms — 36 5/8 inches, longer than any other tackle. That set the scouts and analysts abuzz.

“I knew I had long arms,” Peart says, with a belly laugh, “but when they came up and said I had the longest, I was like, ‘Oh. ... Really?’ I couldn’t help but laugh and smile. I thought I’d be middle of the pack, but to have the longest? That’s pretty good.”

Then the process was swept into this uncharted territory. There was not to be a Pro Day at UConn, no visits or workouts for individual teams, few chances to work out at conventional facilities.

Instead, Peart has spent the last month lifting weights in his basement, marking off his quiet street to run sprints and “gassers,” uphill, to the wonderment of neighbors out walking their dogs. Distance runs, up to 3 miles, not his favorite thing, are keeping him in shape, and he has had virtual interviews with numerous teams assessing his football IQ and upbeat disposition.

“It goes from just getting to know you as a person,” he says, “to them showing you a play and having you tell it back to them in their lingo that they taught you, or putting up your game film to see how well you know your own playbook. Your resume is what you put on the field.

That’s who you are on the field, and you have to show how well you understand football. They go in tandem.”

Peart fielded one question he couldn’t answer. And no answer was the right answer.

“Three or four different teams asked, ‘What do I hate about football?’” Peart says. “I just couldn’t answer the question. You really couldn’t hate anything about the game. Even from the lowest lows, and the injuries, you fight back from that tenfold and it shows who you are as a person. That was the one that stumped me a lot and they were laughing at because I couldn’t find an answer for that one.”

Now, he is a project for sure. Peart will need to get stronger, improve the footwork and learn to use the long arms to his advantage. He’s working on his “punch” at the line. This comes with drafting raw O-line talent. “Peart is a very intriguing tackle who has the tools to be successful in the NFL,” says ProFootballReady.com. “But he needs a lot of work in order to fully reach his potential.”

Peart was born in Jamaica, moving

with his family to the Bronx when he was about 3. He spent most of his youth on the basketball courts, where the wingspan made a difference. That’s the sport he planned to play at Governor’s Academy north of Boston, where he was a Giants fan in the heart of Patriots country. Coach Jim O’Leary convinced him to play football.

“He really was the spark that influenced me to start playing,” Peart says, “and once I started playing, I really fell in love with it.”

UConn was the best college offer Peart had, and he arrived on campus, bought into coach Bob Diaco’s system and vision, redshirted a year — and never left, despite the coaching turnover and the difficult seasons. He started 48 games, every one across four years, and graduated in December 2019 with a degree in allied health science, a concentration in occupational therapy.

“I really felt like I found my place at UConn,” Peart says. “I really believed in the brothers I had around me. Those five years helped me grow as a football player and as a man. I learned life lessons. There were tough times there, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world because it’s made me the person I am. I’m happy that I was a Husky.”

Before Peart was honored on Senior Day, Randy Edsall, who knows how to prepare players for the NFL, said, “The good thing is, he still has room to grow and room to get better. He hasn’t tapped out yet. He’s allowed himself to be coachable.”

In limited glimpses during this spring like no other, the NFL’s talent assessors seem to see the same things. Nothing in his football life has dimmed the emojilike smile on Peart’s face, nor satisfied the hunger he feels to prove he belongs.

And now he’s here.

CMYK

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 B3

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Tarvaris Jackson, former NFL quarterback, dies in car crash Mark Craig Star Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS — Tarvaris Jackson, who started 21 games at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings from 2006-10, was killed in a one-car crash on Sunday night. He was 36.

Jackson, who was the quarterbacks coach at Tennessee State, died near Montgomery, Ala., when his car left the road, struck a tree and rolled over, ESPN reported.

“Most of all, he was a great young man — great person,” said former Vikings coach Brad Childress. “I think to be able to spend 10 years in the National Football League when the average is whatever it is kind of speaks to him being a great teammate, a good player. ... It’s just a reminder that we’re not here for long.”

Childress drafted Jackson out of Division II Alabama State with the final pick in the second round in 2006. He helped the Vikings into the playoffs in 2008, and started in a wild-card playoff loss to the Eagles before backing up Brett Favre in 2009 and 2010.

“My time with the Vikings was very special because the team embraced and welcomed me as one of their own,” Favre said in a statement issued by the team. “Tarvaris could have been anything but welcoming, but (instead he) was pure class and as good a teammate as any I’ve played with.

(I’m) proud to call him friend!! Such sad news.”

Said Matt Birk, the Vikings center with Jackson from 2006-08: “That’s tragic. It puts things in perspective. You put as much into your career as

NFL From B1

Gettleman said in a joint conference call with assistant GM Kevin Abrams. “With the depth of the tackle class in the draft, we just felt like this was the best way for us to go.”

Gettleman also admitted he is scouting the college centers in depth, which the Daily News has reported for months, a process that also included fruitless free agent interest in veterans Joe Looney (Cowboys) and Ted Karras (Dolphins).

“We’re working that group over pretty good in the draft,” the GM said.

Oakley From B1

that way.

“If you’re going to take 30 shots a game, you’ve got to put us on your back. And Patrick, he never put us on his back like he should have because any adversity, he ducked away from it,” Oakley said.

“Ask any beat writer, he basically gave the same answer for

Baseball From B1

education and to help them have fun through this hard time.”

As much as their wives have worked hard to keep family time “normal” for the children over the years, these are “baseball kids.” Hefner suggests that may give them something of an advantage as they adapt to this strange new reality.

“They were born into the not-sure-what’s-next life,”

www.facebook.com/ CatskillDailyMail

wrote, “TJack ... you will be missed. Praying for your family ... Love you man.”

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll tweeted, “So heartbroken by the news of his passing and sending our condolences to his family and friends. We love you forever 7tjackson.”

Childress said offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski flew to Alabama to scout Jackson before the 2006 draft.

State’s Keith Ismael.

ing his front five in the draft?

To make good on a promise he has failed to keep for two years: to both prioritize and solidify Big Blue’s O-line.

“History tells you the toughness of your team is really indicated by the toughness of your offensive line,” he said. “So we’re looking for that piece.”

(More Giants) Four players buzzing loudly around Giants’ 2020 NFL Draft pick at No. 4 “ That said, the Giants prefer to draft the best player available with their premium picks, not to draft for need when there are better talents on the board. So defense can’t be ruled out in the first and second rounds, such as Auburn DT Derrick Brown

80-f(ASTERISK)(ASTERISK) king-2 games a year.”

The Knicks team Oakley is referring to is the best thing the franchise has had in over two decades. It was a team that scrapped, clawed, defended and won basketball games, year after year from the late 1980s through the late ‘90s.

The Knicks took a trip to the NBA Finals in 1994 with Ewing at center, John Starks in the back court and both Oakley and Anthony Mason in the front court.

“He was a high-maintenance player,” Oakley said of Ewing. “Everybody in the world knows he was. You got to be special to play with Patrick. You had to do so much out of your ordinary just to be on the team, and that hurt us sometimes. As a team, we’re supposed to be close and together. It wasn’t that. We had to make sure he was happy. He didn’t care if we was happy or not. That’s a sad situation, and I see why the Knicks won’t give him a job. He treated them bad

— inside out. Chris (Childs) will tell you. He was tough to play with, but he wasn’t no problem to me because I understand. Mase (Anthony Mason) had a problem with it because Mase always hollered and cussed at him.”

Oakley also holds a grudge against the Knicks legends who went to Madison Square Garden and sat with James Dolan just four days after Dolan had him removed from his seats, arrested and banned from the arena. That includes

Bernard King, who Oakley said should have known better.

“I addressed it to him, too, at John Starks Foundation two years ago. He said, well you know, my wife wanted to go to the game. I said Bernard, this man made you turn off your Twitter account, and you’re gonna tell me that out of 41 home games, this is the game your wife wanted to go to?”

“I wanted to smack Bernard. Serious. I lost so much respect for him. I can’t even speak to him.”

As for his relationship with Dolan, Oakley says he doesn’t know what more he can do.

He said he tried to shake the Knicks’ owner’s hand in New Orleans, but Dolan wouldn’t extend the same courtesy back.

“I don’t know what the grudge is about me. He said it’s something I said in the paper. Every headline in the paper, I don’t write them. My story’s inside the paper, not the headline.”

Hefner said of his four children. “Our kids are mostly independent and do a great job of rolling with what life hands us. They’ve taken this in stride.”

So while their parents, like the rest of the country, are trying to adjust to quarantine and struggle to idle in the uncertainty of the future, they have also been impressed by how their children have adapted.

“We do our best to read with our kids as much as possible. Generally speaking we have well-mannered kids, so there hasn’t been anything too hard,” Hefner said. “The

coolest part is we really get to see their imagination and what they think is important.

Letting them be a part of the process is key, in our minds.”

Thames said his focus is to help his kids keep a balance between doing school work from home and still being kids and blowing off some frustration from being stuck at home for a month.

“The biggest benefit is being around my kids a lot more and being there with my wife to help with their homework and do more things with them in the yard, just trying to keep them active,” Thames said.

“The challenge is keeping them active. We’re fortunate enough to have a big yard and a pool in the back, so they can go out and go swimming and things like that. It’s tough, but we’re making it work.”

Happ said that for his young family, keeping connected has been important.

“The biggest challenge is mentally adjusting to the unknown timeline for the future.

We’ve stayed in touch with family and friends online,” Happ said. “The biggest benefit is the time spent together and enjoying zoom or FaceTime sessions with friends.”

And for Hefner, it’s been a chance to see his children as independent people.

“I didn’t realize how much social investment they had in their friends. They really miss them, mostly because they are stuck with Mom and Dad all day,” Hefner said with a laugh.

“Zoom/FaceTime/Xbox certainly help, but nothing replaces the in-person contact.”

That personal time is exactly what these guys will remember most about this time.

Normally, at this time of year, Thames and Hefner would be working and their kids would be finishing up school. There

would be long periods of separation. So they aren’t taking this time for granted.

“I really enjoy baseball. I love watching players make plays, learn new things, and being with them through the ups and downs of a season.

But, this time with my family has been a positive one,” Hefner said. “Normally we would be separated at this time; they would be finishing up school and I would be with the team.

I’m grateful for all these extra days I get with them.”

TREVOR RUSZKOWSKI/USA TODAY

New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center on Feb. 25.

Matt Hennessy or San Diego

The GM’s goal in address-

and Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons in the first.

Still, when Gettleman was asked if he filled enough holes in free agency to position the Giants to draft the best player available, his answer was tepid.

“Yeah. I think we’ve done a good job,” he said. “It’s not perfect. But I’m pleased with where we’re at going into the draft.”

Gettleman did sound like he’s not pursuing any big ticket pass rushers late in the free agent market when he said that you “can’t overpay” at that position and that the Giants’ 2020 pass rush is a “gonna have to come through scheme.”

NFL Draft to be on 3 TV networks, raise funds to fight COVID-19

From B1

www.facebook.com/ HudsonRegisterstar

you can, then you have this picture of when your career is over you can kind of be able to relax and live the good life. That’s sad.”

Jackson was the starting quarterback for Seattle in 2011 before being traded to Buffalo for a seventh round pick. He returned to the Seahawks to back up Russell Wilson from 2013-15. Jackson played briefly during the Seahawks’ 43-8 victory over Denver in 2014 Super Bowl.

Wilson tweeted a picture of a broken heart and

The 2020 tackle class, of course, is led by the foursome of Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. Some sources believe Thomas is the Giants’ preference, but they’re spending significant time on all of them.

Gettleman cited Nick Gates as a young tackle on the Giants’ roster that they have “faith in” and claimed Gates could be in consideration to compete at center, since he’s practiced there a bit.

But it would be an upset if the Giants didn’t draft a true center to anchor their O-line, such as Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz, LSU’s Lloyd Cushenberry, Temple’s

NASCAR the standings last season with his current team.

Prior to the Daytona 500 in February, Larson said he wanted to race for a competitive organization next year.

“I don’t know, obviously dirt racing is important to me and, also, just being with a competitive organization is the number one thing,” Larson said in February. “I want to be able to win races consistently, run up front consistently and battle for championships year-afteryear.”

OTTO GREULE JR./GETTY IMAGES

Former Vikings and Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson died in a car crash on Sunday at the age of 36.

“Kevin and Bev went down there and spent time with him. They came back obviously liking him. And I liked him too,” Childress said. “For a kid from the South to come up to Minnesota, that’s a whole different world. But he blended in seamlessly, and with adversity involved. He was there front and center when we brought Brett Favre to town, and was still a great teammate and as good a sponge and listened to everything Brett had to say about the game. He always dealt with the hand that was dealt to him.”

Jackson played in 59 NFL regular season games, starting 34. He was 17-17 as a starter. With the Vikings, he threw 24 touchdown passes and had 22 interceptions in 36 games, with a passer rating of 76.6.

“The one thing I’d say about Tarvaris is he always had a smile on his face,” said guard Steve Hutchinson. “He was a good locker room guy. ...

He was always a guy who had a pep in his step.

Never seemed down. And that’s a tribute to him because it seemed every time he had an opportunity to be a starter or contend for it, somebody else was brought in to compete with him or take it over.

“That being said, he always had a good attitude, a good smile and was a pleasure to be around.”

The Vikings lost to the Eagles 26-14 in a playoff game at the Metrodome on Jan. 4, 2009. Asante Samuel intercepted a Jackson pass and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown; Jackson was 15-for35 for 164 yards in the loss.

Chuck Barney The Mercury News

Like everything else affected by the coronavirus crisis, the 2020 NFL Draft is adapting amid challenging times.

The league announced on Monday that its highly popular offseason event will be a virtual affair showcased on ESPN, ABC and the NFL Network. Also, it will serve as a benefit for six charities battling the spread of COVID-19.

Organizers are hoping the draft will prove attractive to sports fans who have had no games to watch during the pandemic.

“We recognize the challenging times we are living in, but we are looking forward to presenting the 2020 NFL Draft and providing some hope for football fans everywhere,” said Seth Markman, production chief at ESPN. “We are also committed to

producing the ESPN/NFL Network and ABC shows in the safest possible environment for our announcers and production teams.”

ESPN and NFL Network will team to offer a singular presentation, while ABC will present its own primetime telecasts for Rounds 1-3, in addition to simulcasting the ESPN and NFL Network telecast of Rounds 4-7.

Round 1 is set for Thursday, April 23, followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on April 24, and the remaining four rounds on April 25. ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio also will cover the event.

In a bow to the times, the draft — which had been set for Las Vegas, new home of the Raiders — will see teams making their picks from remote locations. The telecast will be handled out of ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Conn. A limited number of

commentators will be in-studio while a majority of the analysts, reporters and other experts will contribute remotely from home studios.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will introduce the picks from his home.

As previously announced, the NFL Draft will also feature a “DraftA-Thon” which will pay tribute to healthcare workers and first responders in a variety of ways – including raising funds for the work being done to combat the impact of COVID-19.

Funds will help support six national nonprofits and their respective COVID-19 relief efforts.

Trey Wingo will host all three days of the draft on ESPN and NFL Network, while Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and Maria Taylor will lead ABC’s coverage.

“By bringing the exceptional on-air talent and production staffs of both ESPN and NFL Network together, we hope to deliver a unified presentation of the draft that not only helps raise awareness and funds for the COVID-19 relief efforts, but also provides entertainment that millions of sports fans have been craving,” said Mark Quenzel, an executive with the NFL Network.

Here is the TV schedule for the 2020 NFL Draft (all times ET): Thursday, April 23, 8-11:30 p.m.

Round 1: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio Friday, April 24, 7-11:30 p.m.

Rounds 2-3: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio Saturday, April 25, 12-7 p.m.

Rounds 4-7: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B4 Wednesday, April 15, 2020 Register-Star

•

The Daily Mail

•

Shop & Find

R e a c h o u r r e a d e r s o n l i n e , o n s o c i a l m e d i a , a n d i n p r i n t – R U N I T U N T I L I T S E L L S F O R O N LY $ 2 5 !

ClassiďŹ eds Place your classiďŹ ed ad onllne at: www.hudsonva1ley360.com

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(518) 828-1616 Please select option 5 Fax 315.661.2520 email: classiďŹ eds@registerstar.com legals@columbiagreenemedia.com

NOTICE TO ALL ADVERTISERS

5HSRUW HUURUV LPPHGLDWHO\ 7R HQVXUH WKH EHVW UHVSRQVH WR \RXU DG SOHDVH WDNH WLPH WR FKHFN WKDW \RXU DG LV FRUUHFW WKH ӞUVW WLPH LW DSSHDUV ,I \RX VHH DQ HUURU SOHDVH FDOO LPPHGLDWHO\ WR KDYH LW FKDQJHG :H FDQ FRUUHFW DQ\ HUURUV LQ WKH QH[W GD\¡V SDSHU H[FHSW 6XQGD\ DQG 0RQGD\ ,I &ROXPELD *UHHQH 0HGLD LV UHVSRQVLEOH IRU WKH HUURU ZH ZLOO FUHGLW \RX IRU WKH FRVW RI WKH VSDFH RFFXSLHG E\ WKH HUURU RQ WKH ӞUVW GD\ RI SXEOLFDWLRQ +RZHYHU WKH SXEOLVKHUV DUH UHVSRQVLEOH IRU RQH LQFRUUHFW GD\ RQO\ DQG OLDELOLW\ VKDOO QRW H[FHHG WKH SRUWLRQ RI WKH VSDFH RFFXSLHG E\ WKH HUURU DQG LV OLPLWHG WR WKH DFWXDO FRVW RI WKH ӞUVW DG 7KH SXEOLVKHUV VKDOO QRW EH OLDEOH IRU DQ\ DGYHUWLVHPHQW RPLWWHG IRU DQ\ UHDVRQ

APN ENVIRONMENTAL L.L.C., Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/31/2020.

Office loc: Greene County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 54 Maple Street, Cementon, NY 12414. Reg Agent: U.S. Corp. Agents, Inc. 7014 13th Ave., Ste 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

COLUMBIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Please take notice that there will be a meeting of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation Board on April 28, 2020 at 8:30am for the purpose of discussing any business presented to the Corporation for consideration.

This meeting will not be open to the public due to COVID-19, but they may attend and participate in the meeting via conference call.

Call in information: 800-245-9874 Access code 3180900 Dated: April 21, 2020 Sarah Sterling CEDC Secretary Columbia Economic Development Corporation Drayton Grove LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 3/25/2020. Office: Columbia County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 230 Allen St, Hudson NY 12534.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Due to public health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, the COLUMBIA ECO-

NOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE will not be meeting in-person.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 202.1, the THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE meeting will be held at 8:30 am via conference call, (CALL IN NUMBER 1-800-245-9874 ACCESS NUMBER 3180900) and will be recorded with a transcript provided at a later date. The public will have an opportunity to hear the meeting live and provide comments. Comments can also be provided via email before and during the meeting to mtucker@columbiaedc.com.

Please check the meeting Agenda posted on the CEDC’s website w w w. c o l u m b i aedc.com for further instructions to access the virtual meeting and for updated information.

Dated: April 15, 2020 Sarah Sterling Secretary Columbia Economic Development Corporation

is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

LEGAL NOTICE 2019-2020 District Special Transportation Run The Catskill Central School District requests sealed bids for a 2019-2020 Out of District Transportation Run. Sealed bids should be submitted to the Transportation Coordinator, William Muirhead, Catskill Central School District, 347 West Main Street, Catskill, New York 12414 until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read.

Specifications will be available on April 9, 2020 and may be obtained from the Business Office by calling 943-2300 ext. 1472 or 1413. The Board reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.

By order of the Board of Education Catskill Central School District William Muirhead, Transportation Director Holly Sanford, District FAIRVIEW Avenue De- Treasurer velopment, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. LEGAL NOTICE of State of NY (SSNY) COUNTY OF COLUMon March 18, 2020. BIA Office in Columbia Co. NOTICE TO VENDORS SSNY desig. agent of PLEASE TAKE NOLLC upon whom pro- TICE that sealed bids cess against it may be will be received for served. SSNY shall Meat/Meat Products, mail process to is Pier- Canned/Frozen Food, ro, Connor & Strauss, Low Sulfur Diesel LLC, 43 British Ameri- Fuel/Kerosene/#2 Fuel can Blvd., Latham, Oil, Gasoline and LiqNew York 12110. Pur- uid Propane pose: Any lawful pur- at the office of Columpose. bia County Central Services, 401 State HARUKI CONSUL- St., Hudson, New York TANTS LLC Articles of 12534 until 2:00 P.M., Org. filed NY Sec. of Friday. May 15, 2020.

State (SSNY) Bids shall be con03/09/2020. Office in tained in a sealed enColumbia Co. SSNY velope, clearly marked desig. agent of LLC “ Bid�. Bids will be whom process may be publicly opened and served. SSNY shall read at the Columbia mail process to 20 Hill County Office Building, N Dale Rd., German- Committee Room, 401 town, NY 12526, which State Street, Hudson,

New York, at 2:15 P.M., Friday, May 15, 2020.

Bid packages can be obtained by any bidder at the Columbia County Department of Central Services, 401 State Street, Hudson, New York, and shall be prepared in accordance with the forms contained in the bid package.

No bid may be withdrawn for a period of forty-five (45) days from the date of the bid opening.

The County of Columbia reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Bid#: 20-004 20-005 20-006 20-007 20-008 Dated: April 15, 2020 NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING COUNTY OF COLUMBIA PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Columbia County Board of Supervisors shall hold a Full Board of Supervisors meeting regarding COVID -19 Budget Overview on the 16th of April, 2020 at 6:00pm online.

Public can join at: h t t p s : / / y o u tu.be/OyZGQnJBntw Please note: We anticipate a motion to enter into executive session to discuss: personnel and staffing, public safety and security, contracts and information that is attorney client privileged and not subject to the public disclosure.

By order of the Clerk of the Board, Kelly S. Baccaro April 10, 2020 NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Board of Education of the Greenville Central School District will receive separate sealed bids for: REFUSE REMOVAL and RECYCLING For 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids and waive any informalities or defects in such bids.

Sealed bids will be received in the District Office of Greenville Central School until: DATE: Thursday, April 30, 2020 TIME: 10:00 a.m.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained on the District’s website www.greenvillecsd.org or at the Business Office, Greenville Central School, 4982 SR 81, Greenville, NY 12083.

Robyn Bhend Business Official Sealed bids will be received as set forth in instructions to bidders until 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 07, 2020 at the NYSDOT, Contract Management Bureau, 50 Wolf Rd, 1st Floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly opened and read. Bids may also be submitted via the internet using

www.bidx.com. A certified cashier's check payable to the NYSDOT for the sum specified in the proposal or a bid bond, form CONR 391, representing 5% of the bid total, must accompany each bid. NYSDOT reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

Electronic documents and Amendments are posted to w w w. d o t . n y. g o v / d o ing-business/opportunities/const-notices.

The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all Amendments are incorporated into its bid. To receive notification of Amendments via e-mail you must submit a request to be placed on the Planholders List at w w w. d o t . n y. g o v / d o ing-business/opportunities/const-planholder. Amendments may have been issued prior to your placement on the Planholders list.

NYS Finance Law restricts communication with NYSDOT on procurements and contact can only be made with designated persons.

Contact with non-designated persons or other involved Agencies will be considered a serious matter and may result in disqualification. Contact Robert K i t c h e n (518)457-2124.

Contracts with 0% Goals are generally single operation contracts, where subcontracting is not expected, and may present direct bidding opportunities for Small Business Firms, including, but not limited to D/W/MBEs. The New York State Department of Transportation, in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation and Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Title IV Program and Related Statutes, as amended, issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all who respond to a written Department solicitation, request for proposal or invitation for bid that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award.

BIDDERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT AWARD OF THESE CONTRACTS MAY BE CONTINGENT UPON THE PASSAGE OF A BUDGET APPROPRIATION BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Please call (518)457-2124 if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the letting.

Region 01: New York State Department of Transportation 50 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY, 12232 D264243, PIN 10PS02, FA Proj ZS30-10PS-023, Albany, Essex, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington Cos., Pedestrian Safety Upgrades to Signs, Signals, etc. throughout Region 1., Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $125,000.00), Goals: DBE: 6.00%

Extend Your Reach Classified Line Ads appear on the World Wide Web at www.nnyads.com

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Chittenden Falls Hydropower, Inc. Project No. 3273-024 NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, SOLICITING COMMENTS, AND MODIFICATION OF PROCEDURAL SCHEDULE (April 13, 2020) Take notice that the following settlement agreement has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection. a. Type of Application: Settlement Agreement b. Project No.: 3273-024 c. Date filed: April 10, 2020 d. Applicant: Chittenden Falls Hydropower, Inc. (Chittenden Falls Hydro) e. Name of Project: Chittenden Falls Hydropower Project f. Location: On Kinderhook Creek, near the Town of Stockport, Columbia County, New York. The project does not occupy federal land. g. Filed Pursuant to: Rule 602 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.602. h. Applicant Contact: Mark Boumansour, Chief Operating Officer, Gravity Renewables, Inc., 1401 Walnut Street, Suite 420, Boulder, CO 80302; (303) 440-3378; mark@gravityrenewables.com and/or Celeste N. Fay, Regulatory Manager, Gravity Renewables, Inc., 5 Dartmouth Drive, Suite 104, Auburn, NH 03032; (413) 2629466; celeste@gravityrenewables.com. i. FERC Contact: Monir Chowdhury at (202) 502-6736 or monir.chowdhury@ferc.gov. j. Deadline for filing comments: Comments on the Settlement Agreement, and comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions in response to the Commission’s February 21, 2020 Notice of Application Ready for Environmental Analysis (REA Notice) are due on Monday, May 4, 2020. Reply comments are due on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments using the Commission’s eFiling system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.

Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp.

You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY).

The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project.

Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. k. Chittenden Falls Hydro filed an Offer of Settlement (Settlement Agreement) on behalf of itself, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (New York DEC), and the United States Department of the Interior – Fish and Wildlife Service. The Settlement Agreement includes protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures addressing run-of-river operation and allowable impoundment fluctuations, a minimum bypassed reach flow, fish passage and protection for American eel, and by reference, management plans for northern longeared bat and bald eagles (Appendix A), and invasive species (Appendix B). Chittenden Falls Hydro requests that the measures in the Settlement Agreement be incorporated as license conditions in any new license issued for the project. The signatories to the Settlement Agreement also request a 40-year license term for the project. l. A copy of the Settlement Agreement is available for review on the Commission's website at http://www.ferc.gov using the "eLibrary" link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits, in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

All filings must (1) bear in all capital letters the title "COMMENTS," "REPLY COMMENTS," "RECOMMENDATIONS," "TERMS AND CONDITIONS," or "PRESCRIPTIONS;" (2) set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the filing; and (4) otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, recommendations, terms and conditions or prescriptions must set forth their evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 4.34(b).

Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from the applicant. Each filing must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed on the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and 385.2010.

Register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. m. Procedural Schedule: The Commission’s February 21, 2020 REA Notice established April 21, 2020 as the deadline for filing comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions regarding Chittenden Falls Hydro’s license application. In order to allow adequate time for stakeholder comments regarding the license application and the Settlement Agreement, we have modified the comment period to allow stakeholders to submit comments on the Settlement Agreement and comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions regarding the license application on the same date, and allow Chittenden Falls Hydro sufficient time to submit reply comments. The application will be processed according to the following revised Hydro Licensing Schedule. Revisions to the schedule may be made as appropriate.

MILESTONE TARGET DATE Filing of comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions (per the REA Notice) and comments on the Settlement Agreement May 4, 2020 Reply comments due June 17, 2020 Commission Issues EA October 2020 Comments on EA November 2020 Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary

Buy It, Sell It, Trade It, Find It - In The Classifieds

CMYK

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 B5

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Services 514

Services Offered

COMPUTER ISSUES? FREE DIAGNOSIS by GEEKS ON SITE! Virus Removal, Data Recovery! 24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE, Inhome repair/On-line solutions . $20 OFF ANY SERVICE! 844-892-3990 DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote.

Some restrictions apply. 1888-609-9405 Get DIRECTV! ONLY $35/month! 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies On Demand (w/SELECT All Included Package.) PLUS Stream on Up to FIVE Screens Simultaneously at No Additional Cost. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918 Lung Cancer? And Age 60+? You And Your Family May Be Entitled To Significant Cash Award. No Risk.

No Money Out Of Pocket.

For Information Call 877225-4813

564

Services Wanted

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for [350] procedures.

Call 1-866-679-8194 for details. www.dental50plus.com/416118-0219

Merchandise 730

Miscellaneous for Sale

ATTENTION: Have you or a loved one used Juul or another e-cigarette vaping device & developed a serious health condition such as stroke, seizure, convulsions, lung damage, pulmonary issues including heart attacks? You may be entitled to compensation!

Call now: 1-888-989-5818.

Denied Social Security Disability? Appeal! If you're 50+, filed SSD and denied, our attorneys can help! Win or Pay Nothing! Strong, recent work history needed.

866-979-0096 [Steppacher Law Offices LLC Principal Office: 224 Adams Ave Scranton PA 18503] DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote.

Some restrictions apply. 1888-641-3957

Earthlink High Speed Internet.

As Low As $14.95/month (for the first 3 months.)

Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic Technology. Stream Videos, Music and More! Call Earthlink Today 1-877-933-3017 HOME SECURITY - Leading smart home provider Vivint Smart Home has an offer just for you. Call 877-480-2648 to get a professionally installed home security system with $0 activation.

INVENTORS - FREE INFORMATION PACKAGE Have your product idea developed affordably by the Research & Development pros and presented to manufacturers. Call 1-855414-6881 for a Free Idea Starter Guide. Submit your idea for a free consultation.

LIVE PAIN FREE with All Natural CBD products from AceWellness. We guarantee highest quality & most competitive pricing on CBD products.

Softgels, oils, skincare & more. 1-877580-4641.

LIVE PAIN FREE with CBD products from AceWellness.

We guarantee highest quality, most competitive pricing on CBD products.

Softgels, oils, skincare, Vape & more. Coupon Code: PRINT20 1-844-5322950 Looking for self storage units? We have them! Self Storage offers clean and affordable storage to fit any need. Reserve today! 1888-735-6734 OXYGEN - Anytime. Anywhere. No tanks to refill. No deliveries.

The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds!

FAA approved!

FREE info kit: 888-7444102 SAVE ON YOUR NEXT PRESCRIPTION! World Health Link. Price Match Guarantee!

Prescriptions Required. CIPA Certified.

Over 1500 medications available. CALL Today For A Free Price Quote. 1-866569-7986 Call Now! SAVE ON YOUR NEXT PRESCRIPTION! World Health Link. Price Match Guarantee!

Prescriptions Required. CIPA Certified.

Over 1500 medications available. CALL Today For A Free Price Quote. 1-866886-8055 Call Now! Stay in your home longer with an American Standard WalkIn Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation!

Call us at 1-877-772-6392

**STOP STRUGGLING ON THE STAIRS** Give your life a lift with an ACORN STAIRLIFT! Call now for $250 OFF your stairlift purchase and FREE DVD & brochure!

1-855482-6660

VIAGRA & CIALIS! 60 pills for $99. 100 pills for $150.

FREE shipping.

Money back guaranteed! 1-855419-2255

240

Farms for Sale

255

Lots & Acreage

VIAGRA & CIALIS! 60 pills for $99. 100 pills for $150.

FREE shipping.

Money back guaranteed! 1-855579-8907

795

Wanted to Buy

Buying diamonds, gold, silver, all fine jewelry and watches, coins, paintings, better furs, complete estates. We simply pay more!

Call Barry 914-260-8783 or e-mail Americabuying@aol.com

FREON WANTED: We pay CA$H for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call 312361-0601 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

Transportation 995

Autos/Trucks Wanted

CASH FOR CARS! We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled - it doesn't matter!

Get free towing and same day cash! NEWER MODELS too! Call 1-833-258-7036

DONATE YOUR CAR TO UNITED BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION! Your donation helps education, prevention & support programs. FAST FREE PICKUP - 24 HR RESPONSE - TAX DEDUCTION 1-844-9230880

MINI FARM: Livingston, NY. Includes farm house with new heating system and electric, new roof, appliance upgrades, breezeway with carport, barns, sheds, four electric fenced pastures, 2 car garage, and two rental units. All on 12 acres with stream. Price $575,000. Call for details 518-822-1970

250 Summer Property Sebastian, Florida (East Coast) Beach Cove is like paradise; 55+ Community with maintenance-free living, where friends are easily made. Sebastian is an "Old Florida" fishing village: quaint atmosphere, excellent medical facilities, shopping, restaurants. Direct flights from Newark to Vero Beach. Custom manufactured homes from $114,900.

772-581-0080; www.beach-cove.com

Selling exclusively 91 Acres of pristine land in the process to be subdivided in Athens NY Greene County.

The land is relatively flat, partially wooded no wet land, exclusive high end location, near schools and all the shopping.

The owner is also considering partnership with a builder-developer, and he will consider any decent offer.

We anticipating to have approved in 2 to 3 months between 170 to 200 lots, all with municipal water and sewer, Electricity is on site already. We also offering 70% financing and we also have a Bank ready to fun this deal offering 75% financing at prevailing rate of interest.

We willing to talk to any developer who has a good track record feel free to contact us any time: 646-552-0455 or email us at :contraabc.yahoo.com; looking forward to hear from you soon we have many other sites ready approved,any size, any budget, simply inquire within......

Danny Odato the Land Specialist and Construction loan funding including land acquisition for 25 years.

425

Oxford Property Group USA Note: We expecting a boom of new homes buyers here upstate as peoples they escaping the congestion of the city right after the virus just like happened on 9-11 when we couldn’t build homes fast enough, it will happen exactly the same so let’s plan now to build new homes our economy can use it big time…..and we here to help !!!!!.

435

Rentals

Help Save A Life Today.

Real Estate

322

Recycle

Professional & Technical

JOB OPPORTUNITY 18.50 P/H NYC $16 P/H LI Up to $13.50 P/H UPSTATE NY CDPAP Caregiver Hourly Pay Rate! Under NYS CDPAP Medicaid program you can hire your family or friends for your care.

Phone: 347-713-3553

Reuse

Please Donate Blood

Sales Help Wanted

COLUMBIA-GREENE Media Corp. is seeking a full time Newspaper and Digital Advertising Sales Account Representative. Come join our multi-media sales team serving Columbia and Greene Counties.

Join our team of professionals who assist local businesses with their marketing goals utilizing the latest digital solutions as well as traditional print. Qualified candidate should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and have a proven successful sales record. Media sales experience preferred.

Candidate should be self-motivated, goal oriented and assertive. We offer base pay plus commission, 401K, health insurance, vacation and sick days. Valid clean NYS Driver's License required. Please send resume with 3 references to mdempsey@registerstar.com or cgmjobs@columbiagreenemedia.com

Reduce

DONATE YOUR car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Call (518) 650-1110, (914) 468-4999 Today!

DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-866-947-9103

Ichabod Crane Central School District Valatie (Columbia County) Maintenance Dept. is seeking three full-time permanent positions: Custodian General Building Mechanic Head Building Mechanic These are civil service positions open to Columbia County and school district residents. Visit our website at www.ichabodcrane.org for a complete job description.

Please send your letter of interest, resume and three (3) letters of recommendation by Friday, April 17, 2020 to: Steven Marotta Facilities and Operations Supervisor Ichabod Crane Central School 2910 Route 9 Valatie, NY 12184

Houses for Rent Columbia Co.

CLAVERACK, overlooking creek. 3 bdr, 2 ba. 3 occupant limit. No pets. Hudson CSD. $1400/mo. Ref, sec, lease. Call 518-828-1110

Employment 415

TRAIN AT HOME TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855543-6440. (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

General Help

For Emergency WEB SAVVY 18+ Environmentalist to place entries on chat sites. Resume to; lilysang2015@gmail.com

Dial 911

U.S. Olympic team hopefuls Ajee’ Wilson and Raevyn Rogers coping with postponement Joe Juliano The Philadelphia Inquirer

PHILADELPHIA — The coronavirus pandemic deprived them of the opportunity of competing in this summer’s Tokyo Olympics, meaning that Ajee’ Wilson and Raevyn Rogers have no competitions for the foreseeable future in what should have been a busy year.

Now the nation’s two best 800-meter runners – both of whom train in Philadelphia with Juventus Track Club and coach Derek Thompson – have time on their hands, trying to find a way to prepare for an undefined future.

Still, there is little disappointment or frustration. They feel the International Olympic Committee’s call last month to set back the Games for a year was the right call.

“When the announcement was made, it was kind of a relief just to know that we didn’t have to seemingly choose the health of ourselves and others in going after our Olympic dream,” Wilson, 25, the U.S. record-holder in both the indoor and outdoor 800, said in a recent interview.

MARTIN RICKETT/PA WIRE/ABACA PRESS “I was just kind of thinking about big picture USA’s Raevyn Rogers, left, after winning silver and USA’s Ajee Wilson after winning bronze in the – risks involved during the Games and all that women’s 800 meters final during day four of the IAAF World Championships on Sept. 30, 2019 at jazz for sure. So I’m looking forward to rework- The Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar. ing, replanning and we’ll have the framework hopefully to still be as prepared and ready Temple. The 2016 Owls graduate set a nation- trails along Wissahickon Creek and a dog park when it comes around again.” al indoor record of 1 minute, 58.29 seconds in in Wyncote. Rogers, who lives in Center City, Rogers, 23, a Houston native who moved east February at the Millrose Games, and her out- likes Kelly Drive and tries to practice social dismore than 18 months ago after a stellar colle- door U.S. record of 1:55.61 is almost three years tancing but admits she gets “a little paranoid giate career at Oregon, said the postponement old. She is a 10-time indoor and outdoor U.S. about passing people.” gave her peace of mind. champion in the 800.

“We’ve kind of gone back to a fall-based “I just feel like everything happens for a reaRogers competed through her junior sea- training schedule of mostly runs,” Wilson said. son,” she said. “I know this is something that’s son at Oregon before joining the professional “We’re just getting some distance training – fit, just devastating to others but I feel like it’s a big- ranks. She was a six-time NCAA champion with maintaining, not as focused on being sharp beger picture than just what’s in front of us. The the Ducks and won the 2017 Bowerman Award cause at this point, there is no need for the uppeace of mind part comes from my belief, my as the nation’s top female track and field ath- coming future. But for the most part, I’m just faith. Religion and my faith is something that lete. She also won two watches at the 2017 Penn logging miles.”

Rogers said she’ll get together with her I’m built on, so the fact that this is happening Relays, being part of carnival record teams in friends on Face Time to do workouts but she the sprint medley and 4x400 relays. hasn’t really shaken me up.”

Right now, the athletes’ training consists of knows it’s time for a run “when I’ve been in the Wilson has compiled a long list of achievements since turning pro right out of high school maintaining fitness and running on their own. house too long.”

“It’s been ranging from every other day to in Neptune, N.J., and training while attending Wilson, of West Oak Lane, sometimes runs on

REPORTERS, EDITORS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS CREATE REAL NEWS. JOURNALISM YOU CAN TRUST.

maybe every two days or so,” she said. “I try to get running in but I try to make sure that I’m still maintaining my strength in other areas, not just running-wise. So I just try to work on little things. I do abs. I try to stretch, and I need to do that a little more.”

Wilson, who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and Rogers engaged in a spirited duel at last year’s World Track and Field Championships where Rogers, with a time of 1:58.18, edged Wilson for second place behind champion Halimah Nakaayi of Uganda. Wilson took the bronze medal in 1:58.84.

Rogers said the performance boosted her confidence, that it was “encouraging, and gets me excited about what’s to come.”

Thompson’s core training group consists of seven women and one man. Wilson said she was excited when Rogers joined the group because of her speed in the 400, and that she’s fun to work with.

“My weaknesses are her strengths, and my strengths are her weaknesses,” she said. “So we’re training with each other in that way. Off the track, she’s super caring and sweet. I think the best word to describe her is a sweet person, to just support each other as we go through these journeys.”

Rogers said Wilson has become more of a sister to her.

“She’s just a genuine person,” she said.

“She’s done more for our relationship just by being herself, being the Ajee’ that people see on the track. We train but our practices are filled with fun and just normal things. It’s more of a friendship, a sisterhood type of thing.”

While the urgency to train may not be there, the dream remains.

“I still have the same goals this year and next year, it’s just that this year is what it is,” Rogers said. “We’re going to have to delete this year.

But I’m just going to restart everything next year with the same mindset, the same goals, the same everything.”

#SupportRealNews

CMYK

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B6 Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Why a return to sports from coronavirus could be farther off than we realize Mark Dent Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dennis Perrotta, a retired state epidemiologist, went to the Spurs-Mavericks game on March 10 in San Antonio. He’s had partial season tickets for about the last 10 years and makes a 200-mile round trip from his ranch in Bastrop County to the AT&T Center every few weeks.

That night the sports fan in Perrotta was having a good time: The Spurs beat the favored Mavs, a high note in a lackluster season. But the public health expert in Perrotta was starting to worry.

He was inches away from other fans who were touching each other while yelling and cheering.

“When I came home,” Perrotta said, “I talked to my wife and said, ‘I’m not really comfortable going to the games anymore.’”

The NBA postponed its season the next night.

Since then, the coronavirus pandemic has shut down the sporting world. The last major athletic event held in Fort Worth was a TCU men’s basketball game against Oklahoma on March 7. Globe Life Field’s scheduled Opening Day, for March 31, has come and gone. The PGA has not postponed the Colonial, but the Masters, which was supposed to end on Easter Sunday, was moved to November. Texas Motor Speedway won’t host its IndyCar race in June if fans can’t come.

Yet as the cancellations continue and coronavirus deaths multiply, calls to resume sports have hastened. Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy suggested players should return to campus May 1 because they would “have the ability to fight this virus off.” Major League Baseball leaders have proposed hosting all 162 games in Arizona with the players isolated at hotels. President Donald Trump predicted on a conference call with professional sports commissioners the NFL would begin on time in September. He said in a White House briefing, “I want fans back in the arenas.”

Without sports, salaries, TV contracts and ticket revenues worth billions of dollars could disappear. But bringing back sports too soon risks the health of athletes, coaches, referees, athletic trainers, security guards and concession stand workers, not to mention tens of thousands of fans — who, as Perrotta realized in San Antonio, literally bump elbows inside America’s stadiums — and the thousands of others they come into contact with when the game ends.

The tug of war between caution and a willingness to quickly return to normal has pitted some sports leaders against each other and against public health officials. Experts insist sports — at least in the way we’ve known them — are unlikely to come back soon, even in time for football season. “My crystal ball, which is not infallible, says we’re not going to be there in the fall,” said Catherine Troisi, PhD, an infectious disease epidemiologist at UT Health School of Public Health in Houston.

The NFL’s in-house doctor is a skeptic, too.

Allen Sills, who is in charge of the league’s coronavirus response, is not sure the league will be ready by fall, for spectators or players. “The

TOM PENNINGTON/GETTY IMAGES

An aerial drone view of AT&T Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys play, on April 1 in Arlington, Texas.

reality is none of us know those facts for certain right now,” he told NFL.com. “We hope and pray for the best and prepare for the worst, realizing that is one potential outcome that we will be back fully in business playing games as normal in front of fans on schedule. But it’s certainly not the only outcome.”

Like Major League Baseball, NFL, NBA and NCAA leaders have discussed ideas to hold games without fans. Even those scenarios would require testing capabilities that are not yet available at a widespread level: rapid diagnostic tests or, better, serological tests that tell whether players have developed immunity to COVID-19. Sills told NFL. com that tests would have to be administered frequently.

Other countries have found difficulties ramping up team sports. China, despite reducing its lockdown measures, delayed plans to restart its basketball league. South Korea, which has superior testing and contact tracing compared to the United States, has started playing intrasquad baseball games with an eye toward starting the regular season without fans in May. A player told the Los Angeles Times he believed one positive test of a player could postpone games for a month.

During a conference call with reporters Friday, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith questioned how games could be safe for athletes, if they weren’t deemed safe for fans. “I struggle with that concept,” he said. “When I first heard that, I said, ‘OK that could work.’ But I figured if we don’t have fans in the stands, we’ve determined it’s not safe for them in a gathering environment.

So why would it be safe for the players?”

Diana Cervantes, a professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at UNT Health Science Center, said she could see an event like the Colonial returning sooner because of the lack of contact in golf. It would still require social distancing between golfers, no fans and an assurance the area

is cleared. Public health officials would have to work with the PGA to ensure rapid testing and the ability to track whether any players or personnel involved showed symptoms in the days afterward, she said.

For fans to attend games in massive stadiums, Troisi said we would likely need a vaccine or herd immunity (where enough of the population has developed immunity to the virus for the rest of the population to be protected). Neither is likely in the next few months.

“The other concern is that if the virus does wane during the summer there’s a big possibility it will come back in the fall,” she said.

Plenty of high profile sports figures have expressed similar doubts about a quick return. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said via email he doesn’t think sports can come back until the science is “in place giving us the ability to assure the safety of all those required to put on a game.”

ESPN college football broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit said he would be shocked if the NFL or the NCAA had a season this fall.

For many involved in athletics, even before decisions have been made about the fall season, the pain has already begun. College football coaches, notorious micromanagers, already missed spring practice. Their players are miles away, studying and working out on their own.

“Right now, no one in athletics has control.

Nor should they,” said Wren Baker, the athletic director at the University of North Texas. “But I think some people have adjusted to that better than others. The thing I’ve been really proud of my coaches with is their perspective. They miss competing, they worry about the fall, they know we have budget concerns if this thing continues to linger. But they’ve always maintained the perspective of the health of the campus community and society.”

College football, unlike professional sports, faces an added obstacle: If campuses aren’t

open to regular students, players might not be allowed back either. Before the season can begin, said Ross Bjork, Texas A&M’s athletic director, the players would likely need 45 to 60 days of practice. Baker, who used to be athletic director at Division II Northwest Missouri State, said the FBS level could modify its timeline: Other college divisions spend four weeks practicing before the season starts.

By canceling the NCAA Tournament in March, the NCAA lost nearly $1 billion, nearly $600 million of which would have been distributed among 300-plus schools. A canceled football season would be worse. TCU, for instance, made $65 million in revenue off football in 2018, accounting for two-thirds of its total athletic revenue. The loss of football could mean reductions in scholarship aid, layoffs for athletic department employees and cutting of non-revenue sports.

Baker said North Texas has spent hours every day talking about the budget. “We could be taking a haircut, which we will almost certainly be doing, or having limbs amputated. That spectrum is very broad,” he said. “But if we don’t play football and don’t resume classes in the fall it would have some devastating consequences. There’s no other way to put that.”

Jane McManus, the director for The Center of Sports Communication at Marist College, was reporting for The Journal News in September 2001 and covered a high school soccer game the afternoon of 9/11 in suburban New York City. The community featured many parents who were first responders. They wanted things to be normal and to press on. To McManus, the presence of sports, normally a fun, comforting activity, felt awkward. “It was really the oddest thing to know what was going on,” she said, “and to have people playing a soccer game as though it were a normal day in a normal world.”

She said the consistency of sports has conditioned athletic personnel and fans to think of sports as a necessity when in reality they’re a luxury we get to enjoy when everything else in society works. Games, she noted, involve coordination that goes beyond the stadium: trucks transporting food and equipment, employees cleaning hotels, airplanes flying athletes.

“Sports is actually what comes after we have a functioning society, not what’s happening before,” McManus said. “We’ve been so interested in setting things back to normal that we haven’t thought through what needs to be there for us to be normal again.”

Perrotta understands why people want sports to come back quickly. Like many fans, his connection to his favorite team evokes nostalgia and family memories. He used to go to Spurs games with his late father, who had tickets as far back as the George Gervin era in the 1970s.

Last week, he had to decide whether to reapply for partial season tickets for next season. The epidemiologist in Perrotta knows it is unlikely he will be back watching the Spurs in a few months, unless a vaccine or herd immunity is developed.

But the sports fan won out. He renewed his season tickets.

KU’s Dotson declares for NBA Draft, will pursue ‘lifelong goal of being NBA player’ Gary Bedore The Kansas City Star

LAWRENCE, Kan. — University of Kansas sophomore point guard Devon Dotson has decided to make himself eligible for the 2020 NBA Draft.

Dotson, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound native of Charlotte, North Carolina, made the announcement Monday, issuing a letter to KU fans at KUathletics.com.

“After talking it over with my family and full support from my coaches, I’ve decided to enter the 2020 NBA Draft and pursue my lifelong goal of being an NBA player,” he wrote. “In basketball this has always been my ultimate dream and my time at KU has prepared me. Although I intend to sign with an agent and remain in the draft, this is not a good-bye as I will always be a Jayhawk. Thank you to God, my parents, coaches, support staff, teammates, Jayhawk nation, and everyone for making these last two years extremely special.”

Dotson led the Big 12 in scoring at 18.1 points a game (on 46.8% shooting) for the 28-3 Jayhawks, who won the Big 12 regular-season title and were primed to land the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament before the cancellation of the tourney because of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Dotson hit 38 of 123 threepointers for 30.9% accuracy this season. An 83% free-throw shooter, he also had 120 assists

(4.0 per game), second-best on the team to Marcus Garrett’s 144. Dotson had 73 turnovers and 63 steals, the most steals of any Big 12 player. He was named first-team all-Big 12 and second-team AP All-American.

Dotson scored 986 career points in his two seasons at KU. In his letter to fans, he also wrote: “What’s up Jayhawk Nation. I hope everyone is being safe and healthy as we navigate through this COVID-19 pandemic.

“This past week has brought out a lot of emotion. When I chose to return for year two, my team’s goals were to win a Big 12 and a National Championship. I truly believe this past Monday we would have been competing in Atlanta for the 2020 National Championship, and it hurts that we did not get a chance to bring the trophy back to Lawrence. We had the talent, players, coaches and support staff to get it done and I would have given my everything to try to not let us lose.

“Although the season had to end abruptly, I will always cherish the memory of winning the last 16 games and finishing the season as the consensus No. 1 team in the country. I’ve grown tremendously these past two years with the help of Coach (Bill) Self and the entire coaching staff. They pushed me to be the very best on and off the court as a player and a person.

“During my recruitment, they painted a vivid picture of

their plan for me — from how I fit and would grow with the team to how hard they would push me — and it all happened just as they said it would. For that I will always be grateful and I cannot thank them enough.

Also, I would like to thank my teammates. I achieved many personal accolades, however, I know without their play, support, and push from each and every one of them, none of it would be possible. They will be my brothers for life.

“I cannot end without thanking the best fans in college basketball. There is no place like Allen Fieldhouse. The energy that 16,300 fans bring every single game is unmatched. I will miss running out that tunnel on game day and hearing the Rock Chalk Chant. From New York to the unforgettable trip in Maui to Big 12 cities, to watching at home, KU fans show up and show out. I love you all and cannot thank you enough for embracing me. Lawrence will always be a second home.”

KU coach Self had expected Dotson to turn pro.

“This decision came about from what Devon’s goals were last year and what he was told

by NBA personnel on what he needed to improve on,” Self said Monday. “And then he goes out and has an All-American year. I believe this was going to be a decision he made regardless of NBA feedback, but the NBA feedback he has received has been positive and I

concur with him that this is the right time to pursue a professional career.

“We are all so proud and happy for Devon and what a year he had,” Self added. “We support and believe this is the correct decision for him to make. Although we only got two years from Devon, all Jayhawk fans should be very appreciative and wish him all the best moving forward.”

Self at the conclusion of the season called Dotson “the best point guard in the country. He’s tough and he’s a winner. To think he scored 18 a game, and the Big 12 by far is the best defensive conference in the country, is great. He certainly improved this year over last year and he was good last year. He had a good year on both ends, not just offensively.”

Dotson arrived at KU two years ago as a highly recruited McDonald’s All-American.

“But people didn’t project him to be a one-and-done guy,” Self said. “His freshman year he had a very good year, solid, but there were still some things he needed to do to tighten some things up and he worked really hard.

“He is an unbelievable competitor. He liked it when it counted the most and was the hardest. I respect him for that.”

Self noted that, “If this year had ended the way we all hoped it could have, I think you could make a case he’s the best we’ve had (at lead guard in 17 seasons

at KU).”

Self also said: “Devon and Tyshawn (Taylor) and Frank (Mason) would be three of the fastest (guards) we’ve had. You look at all the different ways Frank scored. He would be more versatile than ‘Dot’ but it didn’t matter. ‘Dot’ still got where he wanted to go regardless of how you defended him.

That was what to me was amazing about him, no matter what you tried to take away he still got there. I think that’s something God-given — speed. His natural ability to put both feet in the paint, I think, will do wonders for him moving forward.”

The 2020 NBA Draft remains scheduled for June 25, although it could be pushed back, maybe until August, because of the coronavirus outbreak. The NCAA deadline for a player to withdraw from the draft if he wishes to return to school is 11:59 p.m. on June 3. Players are allowed to hire agents to explore the draft but then still return to school if they opt to pull out, as part of new rules passed last year.

Dotson, though, has made it clear he is in the draft to stay.

A year ago, Dotson declared for the draft and attended the NBA Combine and one-on-one workouts for eight teams. He ultimately decided to return to school when he learned he’d likely be a second-round pick.

“It helped a lot,” Dotson said of the process of testing the

waters.

“They open your eyes,” he added of the countless NBA team officials he spoke with after his freshman season, including several at the combine and more at an NBA Pro Day in Los Angeles attended by representatives from all 30 teams.

“It’s a real job. It’s a business on that side each and every day.

Going through that process really helped me a lot. It takes a lot to get there (pros).”

In two scrimmages at the 2019 NBA Combine in Chicago, Dotson totaled 18 points on 8-of-19 shooting. He dished out 10 assists, grabbed 10 rebounds and had two steals in 42 minutes of playing time.

He went 0 for 5 from beyond the three-point line, with one airball.

“There were different things (he was told) I need to work on, shooting, understanding the game,” Dotson said.

After indicating his intentions to return to KU for his sophomore season at the end of May, Dotson went to work on his game, not just to better prepare himself for the pros but in hopes of having a breakout sophomore season.

“Every aspect of my game I tried to work on this offseason,” Dotson said, “whether it’s defense, IQ wise, shooting, different reads on the court, just trying to be the best player I can be.”

CMYK

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 B7

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

New boyfriend keeps neighbor up at night Dear Abby, I live in a densely populated luxury highrise apartment building in a busy downtown neighborhood. I have lived here for four years and have never really had many issues, until recently.

My next-door neighbor DEAR ABBY works in the medical field that at times has very late or early hours associated with it. I also work in a field that has odd hours, so I am empathetic. My issue is, she has a new boyfriend she is intimate with anywhere between 2 and 4 a.m. I am a light sleeper and get awakened by their sessions together.

I have thought about telling the building management, but it would be obvious that the complaint would have come from me, and I don’t want that. I also don’t want to cause embarrassment to either of us. How can I address this delicately, without causing embarrassment?

Sleepless In Chicago

JEANNE PHILLIPS

Write your neighbor a sweet note explaining the problem and ask if there is anything she can do to muffle the sounds you are hearing. (It might be something as simple as moving her bed away from the wall or placing it against a different one.) However, if she’s uncooperative, as a last resort, do discuss your problem with the building manager.

Dear Abby, I suffer from a moderate to severe case of

social anxiety. I’m now in my first relationship with a partner who tends to move fast, and whose parents have recently been asking to meet me. This has caused tension in our relationship as well as in his relationship with his parents.

Because of some past experiences with previous partners, his parents have preconceived notions about me, which makes me feel all the more reluctant to meet them. I don’t like feeling vulnerable, especially with people who don’t know me. One counseling session with a boss, a professor, someone in authority, etc., and I’m on the verge of tears or already crying.

I know I’ll have to meet his parents someday, but I don’t know how to approach it. I feel overwhelmed just thinking about it. Please help.

Socially Anxious I hope you are receiving professional help for your social anxiety. You should not approach meeting your partner’s parents with a negative attitude. Smile, put your best foot forward and try to make a good impression.

Keep in mind that this is not a performance review, a professor you need to give you a good grade or anyone in authority. They are parents of a son whose past judgment about partners may have been less than stellar, and of course they have concerns.

Hold a good thought and stop hiding out.

How dangerous is secondhand vape smoke?

I am a nonsmoking woman living with a smoker. He smoked cigarettes outside. Now he is vaping, but inside. How dangerous is secondhand vape smoke? I am having a problem finding any information on the subject. Could you please inform me?

You can’t find much because TO YOUR there is little known. It is known GOOD HEALTH that vape “smoke” contains nicotine, and evidence for nicotine exposure can be found in the blood of people who are around those who vape. Other compounds that are released from vaping and can be found in the air include small aerosol particles and volatile organic compounds, although at a lower level than in cigarette smokers.

Until better information is available, I would say that secondhand vape exposure has health concerns, and although they are likely not as bad as secondhand tobacco smoke, the magnitude of the harms are not well known.

DR. KEITH ROACH

I am a 79-year-old male who had a stent placed three years ago because of an 80% blocked left anterior descending coronary artery. Ever since then, I have been watching my diet carefully with the help of a hospital dietitian, trying to walk about a mile a day, three to four days per week, and doing cardiac rehab two days per week.

My fasting blood sugar (glucose) level for the past year is in the high 90s. My A1C has varied from 6.2 to 6.7 over the past three years (taken at six-month intervals) with the most recent at 6.5. It has been in this range for the past nine years with a peak reading of 6.8 in 2011. My family doctor insists I am diabetic and wants to

put me on metformin; my cardiologist feels as long as I keep my A1C at current levels he would hold off on the medication.

I am confused about which advice I should follow and if there is any downside to taking the metformin. What is the A1C really measuring? I have been told the A1C is measuring my blood sugar over an extended period of time. With blood sugar levels like I have, is there a conflict between the two measurements? What average instantaneous blood sugar reading would equate to an A1C below 6?

There is disagreement about the optimum blood glucose level in a person with diabetes, and my opinion is that there is no one answer that is right for everyone.

You are diabetic, by definition, having had two A1C readings of 6.5 or above. The diagnosis of diabetes is considered stable; that is, once diabetic, you are always considered diabetic, even if your blood sugar becomes normal due to diet, exercise, weight loss, medication or some combination.

The ACCORD study looked at people at high risk for heart attack, such as those who had existing heart disease. In that group, medicine to lower the A1C below 6% resulted in a higher risk of heart disease than those who had an A1C goal of about 7%. Based on this study, and considering your known blockages in the heart, I would tend to agree with the cardiologist that medication is unlikely to help you live longer, and your A1C level right now is well controlled with the healthy lifestyle choices you’ve made.

Horoscope

By Stella Wilder Born today, you are never afraid to say what is on your mind or propose an idea that is different in order to move the world forward even an inch. Progress to you is the name of the game, and if you’re not a part of unveiling the future, you feel you are complicit in holding people back in some way — and that will never do! You may come to a turning point in your life, however, in which you are compelled to choose between a “right” way and a “wrong” way of proceeding — and if you cannot recognize which is which, you may well fall into a trap.

You don’t have to strut your stuff in any obvious way to attract the attention of others. Indeed, there may be times in which you do nothing whatsoever to get people to notice you — and that in itself will be noticed! You are quite magnetic.

Also born on this date are: Emma Watson, actress; Leonardo da Vinci, artist; Seth Rogen, actor; Emma Thompson, actress and screenwriter; Roy Clark, TV host and musician; Elizabeth Montgomery, actress.

To see what is in store for you tomorrow, find your birthday and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 ARIES (March 21-April 19) — You are able to stay at least one step ahead of the competition throughout the day — but after dark, there may be difficulties to address.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — You’re eager to see what the future holds, but before it reveals itself to you, you are going to have to take a few steps backward, perhaps.

Family Circus

Classic Peanuts

Garfield

Blondie

Hagar the Horrible

Zits

Baby Blues GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — An introduction today opens your eyes to something that is developing quickly behind the scenes. It’s time to make a few key decisions.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — You may be faced with a choice today that you are loath to make, as one option will set you back, and the other may threaten someone else.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — You needn’t subscribe to anyone’s idea of right and wrong today — as long as what you do is respectful of those around you at all times.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — You may be struggling with a decision that is long overdue. By day’s end, much will be happening that sets the tone for the days to come.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — You can have a big impact on another’s day simply by implementing one small change to your routine. Things progress smoothly for a while.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — You must trust your instincts today as you face a situation that was created by someone whose perspective is very different from your own.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Difficulties arise today when you refuse to talk about what’s bothering you. You don’t have to share with everyone — just a choice few.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — A close look at the fine print today reveals something you never suspected — and may prompt you to call off something that’s been in the works.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — You’re getting hooked on something that could be either good or bad for you, depending on how indulgent you become. Discipline is key!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — You will want to think twice today before accepting a challenge presented by a rival — even though this is a very friendly competition.

COPYRIGHT 2020 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.

Beetle Bailey

Pearls Before Swine

Dennis the Menace

CMYK

B8 Wednesday, April 15, 2020

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

SUPER QUIZ

Close to Home

Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.

Classic monopoly (e.g., Monopoly is derived from what other game? Answer: The Landlord’s Game.)

Freshman level 1. How many railroads are there in the game?

2. In the latest editions of Monopoly, what has replaced the railroads?

3. What are the two utilities?

Graduate level 4. How many Chance spaces are on the board?

5. The two sets of cards on the board are Chance and _____.

6. Name the two most expensive properties.

PH.D. level 7. In 1991, which company acquired Monopoly from Parker Brothers?

8. The name of which yellow property was a misspelling of its actual name?

9. What are the four corner squares named?

SUPER QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Four. 2. Airports. 3. Electric Company and Water Works. 4. Three. 5. Community Chest. 6. Park Place and Boardwalk. 7. Hasbro. 8. Marvin Gardens (actual name Marven Gardens). 9. Go, Go to Jail, Free Parking, In Jail/Just Visiting.

Heart of the City

18 points — congratulations, doctor; 15 to 17 points — honors graduate; 10 to 14 points — you’re plenty smart, but no grind; 4 to 9 points — you really should hit the books harder; 1 point to 3 points — enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0 points — who reads the questions to you?

Mutts

Dilbert

Pickles For Better or For Worse

Hi & Lois

Get Fuzzy

Crossword Puzzle Mother Goose & Grimm

Bound & Gagged

Non Sequitur

Rubes