eedition The Daily Mail January 21 2022

The Daily Mail Copyright 2021, Columbia-Greene Media Volume 230, No. 14

Serving Greene County since 1792

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2022

Active COVID cases trend downward in county

9 years in prison for child sex abuser

By Bill Williams Columbia-Greene Media

FILE PHOTO

The number of active COVID cases in Greene County is in decline, but the drop in attendance at vaccination pods worries county officials

By Ted Remsnyder Columbia-Greene Media

CATSKILL — COVID-19 cases began to trend downward in Greene County this week, with 79 new cases identified by the Greene County Department of Health on Thursday, delivering some badly needed good news to county officials.

The county now has 1,018 active COVID cases, down from the 1,375 active COVID positive cases recorded in the county a week ago.

The county’s number of positive

cases briefly fell to triple digits Wednesday, when the number dipped to 992 active cases as of Jan. 19.

The county first crossed 1,000 active cases on Jan. 5, when 1,135 active cases were identified.

“Certainly, the active cases are down but I would say we’re at a plateau, but we might not be falling yet,” Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said.

“We’re also getting less people testing, See COVID A2

FILE PHOTO

A COVID home-testing kit. Greene County officials are weighing their effect on the downward trend in active case numbers.

CATSKILL — A Greene County man will spend most of the next decade in prison for sexually abusing a child, Greene County District Attorney Joseph Stanzione said Thursday.

Thomas Higgins, 44, of Catskill, was sentenced Jan. 14 in Greene County Court by Judge Terry J. Wilhelm to nine years in prison plus 20 years of post-release supervision. He will also be required to register as a sex offender, Stanzione said.

Higgins pleaded guilty last Nov. 12 to a charge of course of sexual conduct against a child, a class B felony.

The crimes involved a child under 13 and occurred in various locations in the towns of Catskill and Cairo, Stanzione said.

Following a lengthy investigation, Higgins was arrested Aug. 10 by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and was charged with course of sexual conduct against a child.

The incidents occurred over a period of one year, beginning in December 2013 and continuing until December 2014, Stanzione said.

According to New York Penal Law, a person is guilty of first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child when, over a period of time not less than three months in duration, he or she engages in two or more acts of sexual conduct with a child under 13, with the defendant at least 18 years old.

Under the law, it is also an element of this offense that the sexual conduct was committed without the consent of the child.

It is not a defense to this charge that the defendant did not know that the person with whom he or she engaged in sexual conduct was under 13 years of age.

If convicted of first-degree course of conduct against a child in the first degree, the sentence is up to 25 years in prison.

The charge is also classified as a violent felony offense.

The defendant must serve at least six-sevenths of the prison sentence before he or she will be eligible to be released on parole, according to state Penal Law.

Firearms amendment weighed by Greene lawmakers

By Ted Remsnyder Columbia-Greene Media

CATSKILL — The Greene County Legislature is weighing an amendment to its administrative manual that would allow county legislators to carry firearms onto county property.

During the legislature’s first regular meeting of the year on Wednesday night, the board unanimously approved a resolution that amended the manual to specify that only members of the New York State Police, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office or any town

or village police department in the county be permitted to carry firearms onto county property.

At Tuesday’s Government Operations Committee meeting, Legislator Michael Bulich, R-Catskill, suggested the legislature craft an amendment to the resolution that would allow current legislators who are licensed to carry firearms to do so in county buildings.

The legislature is currently crafting such an amendment for introduction at a future committee meeting.

“That is the plan,”

Legislature Vice Chairman Matthew Luvera, R-Catskill, said after Wednesday’s meeting. “We hope to bring forth another amendment based on the recommendation of the county attorney after getting his input. Then hopefully at next month’s committee meetings we’ll bring that up again.”

The legislature’s next Government Operations Committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.

During Wednesday’s meeting, the Legislature

n FORECAST FOR HUDSON/CA

n WEATHER page A2 TODAY TONIGHT

SAT

Mostly sunny Partly cloudy Mostly sunny; and frigid and frigid bitterly cold

HIGH 15

LOW -3

19 9

See FIREARMS A2

TED REMSNYDER/COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Cairo resident Mary Finneran speaks to the Greene County Legislature on Wednesday evening regarding the county’s planned Exit 21 medical complex in Catskill.

n LOCAL

SPORTS Play-by-play announcers out COVID-19 protocols will keep play-by-play teams from reporting.

PAGE B1

n INDEX

Keller tribute Meeting dedicated to fallen lawmaker PAGE A3

Region A3 Opinion A4 Local A5 State/Nation A6 ObituariesA6 Sports B1 Classified B4 Comics/Advice B7-B8

On the web www.HudsonValley360.com

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COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA • THE DAILY MAIL

A2 Friday, January 21, 2022

COVID

Weather

From A1

FORECAST FOR HUDSON/CATSKILL

TODAY TONIGHT

SAT

SUN

Mostly sunny Partly cloudy Mostly sunny; Mainly cloudy and frigid and frigid bitterly cold

HIGH 15

19 9

LOW -3

MON

TUE

Cold with some sun

Cloudy with snow showers

23 11

32 19

28 4 Ottawa -1/-19

Montreal 0/-14

Massena 1/-19

Bancroft 6/-12

Ogdensburg 0/-23

Peterborough 8/-8

The county had 1,268 active cases as of Jan. 18, before dropping below 1,000 on Wednesday.

Groden said the decrease in testing in the county might be attributable to residents growing weary of the pandemic.

“Anyone who’s an antivaxxer might say, ‘I don’t need to get tested,’” Groden said. “It might be more philosophical for a lot of folks. Also Coxsackie is not the center of the county, so that’s difficult as well. So then we have to make a decision about whether to go back to the mountaintop for testing. The last two times we did that, we hardly had anybody. So are people

Iowa, Texas Republicans hail benefits from Biden infrastructure bill they opposed

Burlington 4/-13

Lake Placid 6/-17

Watertown 6/-10

Mariana Alfaro Rochester 13/-3

The Washington Post Utica 10/-8

Batavia 15/-5

Buffalo 15/0

Albany 13/-5

Syracuse 12/-8

Catskill 15/-3

Binghamton 11/-7

Hornell 15/-9

Hudson 15/-3

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

SUN AND MOON

ALMANAC Statistics through 1 p.m. yesterday

Temperature

Precipitation

High

Trace

Low

Today 7:18 a.m.

4:56 p.m.

8:46 p.m.

9:38 a.m.

Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset

Yesterday as of 1 p.m. 24 hrs. through 1 p.m. yest.

Sat. 7:18 a.m.

4:57 p.m.

9:53 p.m.

10:01 a.m.

Moon Phases 38

Last

New

First

Full

Jan 25

Feb 1

Feb 8

Feb 16

24 YEAR TO DATE NORMAL

Forecasts and graphics provided

by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022

1.16 1.73

CONDITIONS TODAY AccuWeather.com UV Index™ & AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature®

1

1

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1

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-11

-8

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The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. 0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme. The patented AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature is an exclusive index of effective temperature based on eight weather factors.

NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY Winnipeg 22/-8

Seattle 47/36 Billings 40/28

Montreal 0/-14 Toronto 13/6

Minneapolis 14/12 Chicago 25/17

San Francisco 62/50

Detroit 24/12

New York 22/13 Washington 29/17

Denver 38/20 Kansas City 28/20

Los Angeles 74/54 Atlanta 40/28 El Paso 51/33

Miami 79/69

Monterrey 53/37

Firearms

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showers t-storms

Honolulu 81/68

Fairbanks 17/16

Hilo 81/65

Juneau 41/37

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NATIONAL CITIES City Albuquerque Anchorage Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Birmingham Boise Boston Charleston, SC Charleston, WV Charlotte Cheyenne Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus, OH Dallas Denver Des Moines Detroit Hartford Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Knoxville Las Vegas

Today Hi/Lo W 49/33 pc 37/34 c 40/28 c 28/23 pc 28/14 pc 40/28 c 40/22 c 38/25 pc 21/13 pc 42/27 r 24/5 c 32/21 sn 34/15 sf 25/17 s 26/12 s 20/5 c 25/8 s 44/24 s 38/20 c 17/15 s 24/12 s 21/4 pc 81/68 s 47/29 c 27/13 s 28/20 s 32/18 c 61/43 s

Republican Reps. Ashley Hinson of Iowa and Kay Granger of Texas voted against the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal that President Joe Biden signed into law last November, criticizing it as “spending at its worst” and arguing that it was emblematic of a socialist push by the Democratic Party.

But now that money from the package is starting to reach their home states, the two Republicans are touting the achievements of a bill they vociferously opposed.

In a statement Wednesday, Hinson celebrated the allocation of $829.1 million in funding from the infrastructure deal - one of the Biden administration’s key achievements - for the modernization of locks and dams on the Mississippi River, which borders her Iowa district.

“This landmark investment will be game-changing for Iowans and communities along the Mississippi River like Dubuque,” Hinson said in a joint statement issued by a group of bipartisan lawmakers from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. “That’s why I helped lead a bipartisan group of my colleagues in urging the administration to prioritize funding for these essential upgrades. I’ll always fight to ensure Iowans’ taxpayer dollars are reinvested at home in Iowa.”

In a November statement, Hinson described efforts to

WASHINGTON POST PHOTO BY BONNIE JO MOUNT

Incoming GOP congresswomen pose for a portrait near the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Dec. 3, 2020. From left are Michelle Park Steel, Yvette Herrell, Victoria Spartz, Young Kim, Nicole Malliotakis, Ashley Hinson, Beth Van Duyne, Stephanie Bice, Kat Cammack, Lisa McClain, Lauren Boebert and Maria Elvira Salazar.

pass the infrastructure bill as having been “torpedoed by partisan politics.” The need, she said, to make “meaningful investments” in infrastructure “was sacrificed to advance a partisan, socialist spending spree.”

She also accused the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, namely Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., of hijacking negotiations and said the bill was “the biggest leap toward socialism this nation has ever seen.”

“It takes the Marxist ideology that once only existed in textbooks and makes it law in the United States of America,” she said.

In a similar statement Wednesday, Granger, the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee,

celebrated the news that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would spend $403 million for a flood control project in her home state. That funding was allocated as a result of the infrastructure bill, which in November Granger described as a “liberal wish list.”

“Instead of working together on a targeted infrastructure proposal focused on our nation’s true needs, [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi chose to pave the way for her nearly $2 trillion socialist plan full of crushing taxes and radical spending,” Granger said back then.

Ultimately, only 13 House Republicans voted for the infrastructure bill - and were heavily criticized by former president Donald Trump for doing so. Some, such as Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan,

of state officials.

The resolution follows a similar declaration from Delaware County and comes in response to concerns that New York City has aggressively bought up land in the watershed region over the past two decades in order to replenish its water supply.

At the beginning of Wednesday’s meeting, Cairo resident Mary Finneran spoke to the board about her concerns about a resolution on the evening’s agenda that would see the county spend $1.6 million in federal American Recovery Plan Act funding to extend natural gas service to a planned medical complex site at the Exit 21 West Business

Park in Catskill.

Finneran argued that the county should utilize geothermal technology instead of gas.

“I was just concerned about this thing with the medical facility that you’re going to be putting in a gas line for,” she told the board. “I’ve done research and found that a lot of hospitals just kind of prefer the old way, but economically it’s much more efficient to use geothermal. If you’re going to be digging lines for gas, you might as well dig for geothermal. It uses both heat and air conditioning and you get it all in one fell swoop.”

Later in the meeting, the Legislature unanimously approved the resolution for

received threatening messages after voting for the bill.

Hinson’s promotion of the funds earmarked by the bill did not go unnoticed by Democrats. In a tweet, Iowa state Sen. Liz Mathis, who is running against Hinson for the House seat, accused Hinson of “taking credit for work she didn’t do.”

“You voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill,” Mathis tweeted. “The bill clearly isn’t ‘spending at its worst’ now that you want to take credit for it.”

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also called out Hinson, with spokeswoman Elena Kuhn accusing her of trying to “rewrite her record.”

A spokeswoman for Hinson, Sophie Seid, explained that once the money was available from the law, the congresswoman was going to pursue it for Iowa.

“Since the bill was signed into law, this money was going to be spent regardless.

If there’s federal money on the table she is, of course, going to do everything she can to make sure it is reinvested in Iowa,” Seid said in a statement. “That’s why she worked with a bipartisan group of her colleagues in asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize NESP construction along the Upper Mississippi River.”

A spokesman for Granger did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

Houston 47/29

Chihuahua 58/29

Anchorage 37/34

just getting tired of it and they say ‘Screw it?’ That could be the case. People just want it to be over with. Everyone’s tired of it.”

Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-Schoharie, will host a COVID-19 test kit and KN95 mask distribution event in Coxsackie at the Greene County Jail at 45 Haverly Memorial Drive.

Supplies will be limited at the drive-through event, with a limit of one kit and one mask per person. All residents attending the event have been asked to remain in their vehicles throughout the distribution of the supplies, which will run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Jan. 22.

Plattsburgh 3/-17

Malone Potsdam -1/-21 1/-18

Kingston 5/-6

too. I just went up to Coxsackie and they had no line and there were just 47 people scheduled for today (Thursday).”

At the county-run COVID testing site at 370 Mansion St. in Coxsackie, 41 tests were conducted with seven positive results returned.

On Jan. 20, the percent of COVID tests that came back in the county stood at 14.6%, with a rolling seven-day average of 15.6%.

Greene County has identified 8,759 positive cases since

the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

As of Thursday, the county has 33 residents hospitalized from COVID-related illnesses, down from 46 two days earlier.

“That is a positive sign,” Groden said. “Maybe it’s running its course finally.”

The county has recorded 104 COVID-related deaths since the pandemic began nearly two years ago, with no new deaths identified in the last four days.

Greene County Public Health identified 173 new positive COVID cases Wednesday, a figure that fell by more than half 24 hours later.

Sat. Hi/Lo W 45/25 c 38/29 sn 46/27 pc 32/27 c 30/20 pc 44/34 c 45/22 s 37/24 s 26/20 s 42/25 c 33/20 pc 41/22 pc 39/26 pc 29/16 c 33/22 pc 28/21 pc 28/20 s 49/30 s 42/25 s 27/19 c 26/19 pc 26/15 s 80/67 pc 53/33 s 32/19 pc 41/29 pc 38/22 pc 63/40 pc

Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

From A1

unanimously approved a resolution to back the recommendations from a report that ice cold front warm front stationary front counseled New York City to reduce its future acquisition of land in the watershed region.

Today Sat. City Hi/Lo W Hi/Lo W The resolution, which asks Little Rock 37/18 s 46/25 s New York City to develop a Los Angeles 74/54 s 73/50 s Miami 79/69 t 78/65 sh new long-term land acquisiMilwaukee 24/17 s 29/14 c tion plan and to cease the Minneapolis 14/12 pc 16/1 pc practice of entering into any Nashville 33/18 pc 38/24 s new contracts in the county New Orleans 44/33 sh 49/32 s New York City 22/13 pc 26/22 s until the permitting process is Norfolk 30/27 sn 32/21 c completed, will be sent to Gov. Oklahoma City 37/19 s 47/25 pc Omaha 26/21 pc 35/23 pc Kathy Hochul, U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-19, and a raft Orlando 76/57 c 63/49 c 50s

60s

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Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Portland Portland Providence Raleigh Richmond Sacramento St. Louis Salt Lake City San Francisco Savannah Seattle Tampa Washington, DC

80s

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28/15 69/51 18/0 15/2 48/36 24/12 28/19 30/18 64/44 27/17 39/25 62/50 46/31 47/36 75/55 29/17

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31/21 67/48 25/19 18/10 49/33 29/18 37/18 35/19 64/36 38/25 38/23 63/47 43/24 47/35 61/47 32/23

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the gas infrastructure and to spend $174,800 of Recovery Plan funds to pay for professional engineering services for the planned Catskill medical complex.

The Register-Star/The Daily Mail are published Tuesday through Saturday mornings by Columbia-Greene Media (USPS253620), 364 Warren St., Unit 1, Hudson, N.Y. 12534, a subsidiary of Johnson Newspaper Corp. Periodicals postage paid at Hudson, N.Y., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Register-Star, 364 Warren St., Unit 1, Hudson, N.Y. 12534.

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Friday, January 21, 2022 A3

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA • THE DAILY MAIL

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

Monday, Jan. 24 n Catskill Village Planning Board

7 p.m. Robert C. Antonelli Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill 518-943-3830

Tuesday, Jan. 25 n Catskill Town Planning Board

6:30 p.m. Robert C. Antonelli Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill

Wednesday, Jan. 26 n Athens Village Board 6:30 p.m.

Athens Fire Department, 39 Third St., Athens Consult the village website for updates the day of the meeting n Catskill Zoning Board of Appeals 6 p.m. Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill n Catskill Village Board of Trustees 6:30 p.m. Robert C. Antonelli Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill 518-943-3830

Tuesday, Feb. 1 n Durham Town Board workshop

meeting 7:30 p.m. Town Hall, 7309 Route 81, East Durham

Wednesday, Feb. 2 n Catskill Central School District Board of Education budget workshop 6:30 p.m. CHS Library, CHS Library, 341 West Main St., Catskill 518-943-2300

Thursday, Feb. 3 n Ashland Town Planning Board

6 p.m. Town Hall, 12094 Route 23, Ashland

FILE PHOTO

A Durham man was sent to the Greene County jail, following an outburst at Town of Coxsackie Court.

Police: Durham man held after several incidents

By Bill Williams Columbia-Greene Media

GREENVILLE — A Greene County man was taken to the Greene County Jail following a domestic dispute, a burglary and an outburst in Coxsackie Town Court, said Steven Nevel, public information officer for state police Troop F. The domestic incident occurred Jan. 5, at about 6:43 p.m., when Mark W. Denton,

Monday, Feb. 7 ens Volunteer Firehouse, 39 Third St., Athens 518-945-1052 Changes will be on the Town of Athens web page n Cairo Town Board 7 p.m. Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo n Greene County Board of Electrical Examiners 1 p.m. Greene County Office Building, 411 Main St., 4th Floor, Room 469, Catskill

Tuesday, Feb. 8 n Coxsackie Village Historic

Preservation Committee 6 p.m. Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie 518-731-2718

Wednesday, Feb. 9 n Athens Village Board 6:30 p.m.

Athens Fire Department, 39 Third St., Athens Consult the village website for updates the day of the meeting n Catskill Village Board of Trustees 6:30 p.m. Robert C. Antonelli Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill n Jewett Town Board 7 p.m. Jewett Municipal Building, 3547 County Route 23C, Jewett

Thursday, Feb. 10 n Coxsackie Village Workshop 6

p.m. Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie 518-731-2718

Monday, Feb. 14 n Ashland Town Board 7:30 p.m.

Town Hall, 12094 Route 23, Ashland n Catskill Village Planning Board 7 p.m. Robert C. Antonelli Senior Center, 15 Academy St., Catskill n Coxsackie Village Board 7 p.m.

Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie 518-731-2718

Tuesday, Feb. 15 n Athens Village Planning Board

6:30 p.m. Village Hall, Meeting Room, 2 First St., Athens 518-9451551 n Durham Town Board 7:30 p.m.

Town Hall, 7309 Route 81, East Durham n Hunter Town Board 7 p.m.

Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville

Wednesday, Feb. 16 n Catskill Central School Board

of Education District Public Hearing-Smart School Bond Act 6:30 p.m. followed by the board meeting High School Library, 341 Main St., Catskill 518-943-2300 n Catskill Library Board 6:45 p.m. third Wednesday of every month at either the Catskill Library, 1 Franklin St., Catskill or Palenville Library, 3303 Route 23A, Palenville

Thursday, Feb. 17 n Coxsackie Village Planning

Board 6 p.m. February 17 Village Hall, 119 Mansion St., Coxsackie 518-731-2718

By Ted Remsnyder CATSKILL — Four days before Greene County Legislator Jack Keller was scheduled to start his second term on the county board, the beloved public servant died at his Catskill home. At the first regularly scheduled legislature meeting of the year on Wednesday, the legislative body paid tribute to their departed colleague.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Legislature Vice Chairman Matthew Luvera, RCatskill, introduced a memorial adjournment in honor of Keller.

“Jack entered heaven on Dec. 30 the way he lived his life, with courage, dignity and grace,” Luvera said during the meeting.

Luvera noted that Keller, who died at 64, began a career as a teacher before finding his passion working in the advertising business in New York City. For the past decade he worked for the New York State Park Service as a member of the grounds crew that cared for the Olana State Historic Site.

“He loved his jobs and the people he worked with,” Luvera said. “He gave back to the community as a legislator and preserving Olana estate was very important to him. He served as a Town of Catskill Republican committee member for over 25 years. He worked on many local, state and federal campaigns over the years. In 2017, when no one in Catskill would step up to serve as legislator, Jack volunteered and campaigned and won.”

Luvera said that after Keller’s first race, in which he won his seat by a slim margin, Legislator Charles Martinez, R-Coxsackie, gave Keller the moniker “The Landslide.” When Keller collected 1,380 votes last November to secure his second term on the council, Martinez amended the nickname to “The Avalanche.”

“Jack was delighted and was really looking forward to serving out his next term with his colleagues,” Luvera said. “Jack would want all of us to remember him with a smile. We’ll miss his sense of humor, his smile, his love of life and his willingness to help others in need.”

After Luvera’s remarks, Legislator Thomas Hobart, RCoxsackie, took the podium to

Monday, Feb. 21 n Athens Town Board 7 p.m. Athens Volunteer Firehouse, 39 Third St., Athens 518-945-1052 Changes will be on the Town of Athens web page n Catskill Village Hall will be closed in observance of President’s Day n Coxsackie Villages Offices closed in observance of President’s Day

23, of Durham, damaged property at a family member’s residence and became combative while speaking with arriving police.

Denton injured his hand when he used it to break a window at the residence. Denton was treated by Greenville EMS and was taken to Columbia Memorial Health for a mental health evaluation, Nevel said.

Family members declined

to press charges, but were informed by police that due to Denton’s history this was a mandatory arrest, Nevel said.

Denton has been arrested several times recently, according to police records.

Troopers obtained an arrest warrant for Denton, Nevel said.

On Tuesday, police responded to a reported burglary at a residence on West

Road in Greenville. The caller told police that it was Denton, who fled the area.

A short time later, Denton was arrested by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office following a traffic stop and turned over to the state police, Nevel said.

While Denton was being arraigned in Coxsackie Town Court, he became highly irate and agitated and attempted to

the flee the courtroom. Denton was secured in a chair by patrol where he continued to cause a disturbance and shout obscenities at patrol, the public defender and the judge, Nevel said.

Denton was sent to the Greene County Jail on $10,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Coxsackie Town Court on Friday at 1 p.m., Nevel said.

Legislature dedicates meeting to Keller tribute Columbia-Greene Media

n Athens Town Board 7 p.m. Ath-

FILE PHOTO

A Durham man is being held, following several incidents, including a domestic in Greenville.

Find us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/ CatskillDailyMail

remember Keller.

“He was a good colleague and he worked well with everybody here,” Hobart said.

“The best thing I still remember about Jack was going to get pizza after the meetings and he’d pick our brains and ask for advice.”

Hobart then recited a poem he had written in tribute to Keller.

“A friend like Jack is hard to find,” Hobart said. “One that touches you deep inside. When times were tough, we sent you there to offer your support and to show that you cared. You were there through good times and through the bad, be them happy or be them sad. Life goes on and some people change.

You were there as a partner and a friend to all in our county and to a much wider range.

Through it all your friendship was the same, always consistent, especially to me. That is such as life and how things come to be. I believe you left and went with the man above, he even knew the strength of your love. With this being said, and those you touched in many ways, may we all learn from you and learn something new each and every day.”

A vase of daisies that Greene County Legislature Chairman Patrick Linger, R-New Baltimore, had placed on Keller’s empty desk to mark his absence for the legislature’s Jan. 3 organization meeting remained at Wednesday’s meeting.

“Jack was a good friend and a great committee member in

the Town of Catskill Republican Committee over the years,” Luvera said after the meeting.

“He helped a lot of people get elected over the years and he worked hard as a legislator. He was very quiet, studied what he had to study and knew the issues and then voted. At the end of the day, he was a friend to everybody here. He was a great man. He’s going to be missed.”

TED REMSNYDER/COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Greene County Legislator Thomas Hobart pays tribute to late Greene County Legislator Jack Keller during the legislature’s Jan. 19 meeting.

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A4 Friday, January 21, 2022

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OUR VIEW

A modest but effective triumph Wednesday was a dreary day. It was cloudy, raw and windy, not a good afternoon for outdoor activities. It was a typical early winter day, the kind that makes you want to stay indoors.

That’s why it was a surprise that about 100 people from Chatham, Ghent and Nassau in Rensselaer County gathered in the village to show their opposition to a recent display of racism.

The rally was a response to four or five people, their identities concealed by masks, who unfurled a banner labeled “White Lives Matter” outside the gazebo in Chatham. Wednesday’s protesters carried signs, banners and flags of their own

to demonstrate in no uncertain terms their support for equality and tolerance.

In unison, the protesters sung verses of “We Shall Overcome” in the exact spot where the White Lives Matter people stood last Friday. The Rev. Kim Singletary, a widely known faith and community leader, addressed the crowd from the gazebo.

“We are here today because we understand that we have to stop this cycle,” Singletary told the protesters. “We have to leave for our children and our children’s children a better nation.

We have to get the message across that white supremacy is a fallacy and an illusion.

And illusions do not exist.

They do not stand.”

The signs carried by the protesters bore inscriptions such as “Ghent says no to Hate,” “Stop Racism,” “End Hate and Racism,” “Love Heals All” and “Hate has no Home in Chatham” to name a few of more than three dozen signs seen around the gazebo.

Wednesday’s rally was organized in only two days yet was a perfectly judged rebuke to the White Lives Matter display of last Friday. The rally had teeth yet employed grace, thoughtfulness and even a little satire to make the point. It was a modest but effective triumph over prejudice.

ANOTHER VIEW

The Winter Games in China: Lonelier, quieter, spookier James Hohmann The Washington Post

China is requiring anyone attending the Winter Olympics to download an app on their cellphone that will allow the surveillance state to track their movements.

Ostensibly to help with coronavirus contact tracing, the software also includes glaring encryption flaws that make it easier for authorities to snoop on athletes in attendance as well as a special file with 2,442 keywords that could trigger the nation’s formidable censorship apparatus.

The Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity outfit at the University of Toronto, flagged these and other features of the Chinese welcome mat in a Tuesday report. Such hidden lists of “illegal words” are common in Chinese apps and a reminder of the hypersensitivity of the Beijing regime to even the slightest criticism. It could make for some unpleasant moments at the XXIV Winter Games.

But, ultimately, this quest to squelch criticism is China’s Achilles’ heel.

The banned terms on the Olympic app include unwelcome references to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, Tibetan

Buddhists and the Dalai Lama, Tiananmen Square and the Falun Gong. But the list also highlights more obscure sore spots, such as infighting between ex-leaders Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin. There’s also a feature that allows users to report “politically sensitive” content they see coming from others. Yes, the technology encourages reporting on the banned or discouraged speech of others.

The Winter Games were already setting up to be a subdued affair when news of this app was made public.

China announced this week, after a single case of omicron was reported in Beijing, that domestic spectators will not be allowed to attend Olympic events, which run from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20. This follows the announcement last fall that no foreigners would be permitted into the country unless they were participating. Athletes and journalists will be forbidden from ever leaving a tight bubble.

Adding a deeper chill to the already frigid air, a leader of the Beijing Organizing Committee warned during a Tuesday news conference that the more than 3,000 foreign athletes entering the country will be “subject to

certain punishment” if they speak up for human rights while visiting China. The official, Yang Shu, declined to specify what the maximum punishment could be but said that “dedicated departments” will make that evaluation depending on the infraction.

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai’s disappearance from public view in November after she accused former vice premier Zhang Gaoli of coercing her into sex suggests some of those departments have been busy of late. Human Rights Watch, a normally fearless watchdog group, advised athletes during a seminar on Tuesday not to use their voices until they return home safely.

Researchers with the group explained that nebulous Chinese laws allow visitors to be charged for ill-defined crimes such as “provoking trouble” or “picking quarrels.”

With at least 127 reporters currently detained, China is also the world’s biggest captor of journalists. As part of its deal to host the 2022 Games, the organizing committee promised attendees will have unfettered access to the Internet.

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The curious case of the clerk and the racist texts WASHINGTON — “Why is a prominent federal judge hiring a law clerk who said she hates Black people?” asked the headline on a column I wrote in October. Now, the story has resurfaced, with a surprising, belated — and, in my view, ultimately unconvincing — new defense: The bigoted texts were faked.

The clerk in question is Crystal Clanton, a student at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, selected for a coveted clerkship with William H. Pryor Jr., the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

Clanton’s selection was unsettling because she had been featured in a 2017 New Yorker story about the conservative student group Turning Point USA. The story, by reporter Jane Mayer, included quotes from texts apparently sent by Clanton to a fellow Turning Point employee, John Ryan O’Rourke.

I have seen a screenshot of the texts, I include them here to help readers judge for themselves whether the content seems genuine.

Clanton: “I HATE BLACK PEOPLE” “Like f--- them all,” with the expletive spelled out.

O’Rourke: “Well, that’s certainly direct” Clanton: “Are u free” O’Rourke: “At Starbucks right now” “What happened” Clanton: “Can I come to Starbucks in 5?”

O’Rourke: “Yes” Clanton: “Are u with ppl” When Mayer asked her about them, Clanton told her, “I have no recollection of these messages and they do not reflect what I believe or who I am and the same was true when I was a teenager.” (Clanton was 20 when the texts were sent in November 2015.)

Turning Point president Charlie Kirk, asked about the toxic texts, told Mayer that “Turning Point assessed the situation and took decisive action within 72 hours of being made aware of the issue.”

Kirk spokesman Andrew Kolvet reaffirmed the New Yorker’s account when I wrote about Clanton’s departure last year, and repeated in a conversation Saturday that she was “terminated from Turning Point after the discovery of problematic texts.”

Before writing the October column, I made certain, by emailing Clanton and through representatives of Scalia Law, that Clanton knew I was writing; I received no response; I also emailed Pryor, who did not reply.

In short: At no point before or after publication of the New Yorker story was there any public dispute that Clanton had sent the texts at issue. Neither Clanton nor her lawyer, to whom Mayer spoke at the time, suggested that there was any fabrication. Indeed, O’Rourke confirmed their authenticity to Mayer.

Meanwhile, other claims of disturbing behavior surfaced.

The website Mediaite reported in 2018 that Clanton had been hired by conservative activist Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, whom she had met at Turning Point. The Mediaite story described a Snapchat message featuring “a photo of a man who appears to be Arab and a caption written by Clanton that reads, ‘Just thinking about ways to do another 9/11.’”

After news reports about Pryor’s hiring of Clanton, seven House Democrats filed a complaint against Pryor and a district court judge who had also hired Clanton. The complaint

WASHINGTON POST

RUTH

MARCUS was transferred to the 2nd Circuit, which disclosed last week that Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston had dismissed the complaint in December.

Notably, the 2nd Circuit order affirming the dismissal makes clear that it did not decide “whether the information the Judges elicited and received regarding their hiring decisions was accurate, but only that they committed no misconduct in performing due diligence and then determining to hire the candidate based on the information before them.”

Here is where things get interesting. Reporting on the dismissal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Bill Rankin unearthed letters that aren’t in the public file but were submitted to the court by Pryor and Justice Thomas.

The Thomas letter, which offers a fascinating look at the close relationship Clanton had with the couple, describes how “Crystal came to live with us and work with my wife about three years ago after her controversial and public departure from Turning Point USA . . . My wife informed me of the horrible way in which she had been treated at Turning Point and asked that she be allowed to live with us. I agreed, and she lived with us for almost a year.”

Thomas relates how he encouraged Clanton, “understandably distraught and depressed,” to go to law school; recommended her when she applied to law school; and then suggested her to Pryor as a clerk, informing him of “the grossly out of character and unfounded allegations against her.” Thomas concludes, “It is certainly my intention to consider her for a clerkship should she perform as I expect and excel in her clerkships.”

The Pryor letter goes into more detail. “Before I hired her, I determined, after careful investigation, that Crystal had been a victim of a false accusation of racist behavior by a tabloid reporter whose central accusation relied entirely on an anonymous source in her scandalous report.” Of Mayer, Pryor states, “I was familiar with the reporter who published that initial report, and I distrusted her work.”

With all due respect, this is unfair. The New Yorker is no tabloid; its fact-checking is legendary. I know firsthand how careful and tenacious a reporter Mayer is. Her sourcing was neither anonymous nor based on a single individual: O’Rourke acknowledged receiving the messages and declined to comment on them, and Kirk, the Turning Point president, confirmed to Mayer that they were the reason for Clanton’s termination.

The most intriguing twist in Pryor’s account involves Kirk.

Pryor’s letter says that Thomas told him that Turning Point “determined that a rogue employee had compromised the accounts of several co-workers, including Crystal, to make it appear that they had engaged in misconduct when they had not. Justice Thomas explained that Turning Point fired that rogue employee.”

Pryor says he investigated further — after the controversy over Clanton’s hiring arose.

An attorney who had advised

Clanton shared that “one of the reasons Crystal has not publicly denied the allegation against her was that she is bound by a nondisclosure agreement with her former employer,” Pryor wrote.

He said he asked for and received a letter from Kirk asserting that “Crystal was the victim of a smear campaign launched by disgruntled ex-employees and carried out by negligent journalists.” The Kirk letter says he fired a Turning Point employee “after learning that he created fake text messages to be used against other employees” — although it does not specifically say, at least in the part quoted by Pryor, that the Clanton messages were among those fakes.

Pryor complained about “false insinuations” against Clanton. “For example, the New Yorker used Kirk’s comment that ‘Turning Point assessed the situation and took decisive action within 72 hours of being made aware of the issue’ to corroborate the charge that Crystal sent the inflammatory message,” he wrote. “But the ‘decisive action’ that Kirk took was to fire a rogue employee for fabricating the racist messages.” That is not accurate, based on Mayer’s reporting and my own.

What to make of all this? Was Clanton somehow the victim of phony texts and felt unable to refute the allegations because of a nondisclosure agreement?

That seems unlikely, especially given that she felt free enough to say to Mayer that “I have no recollection of these messages.”

This is not the defiant response one would expect if the texts had been made up and another employee fired for concocting them. Indeed, little about this 11th-hour assertion makes sense. I have repeatedly emailed and texted O’Rourke and other former Turning Point employees in an effort to figure out what happened. “Not fake,” responded one, who otherwise declined to elaborate.

“I don’t believe for a second somebody hacked that -- that’s literally how she talked on other subjects. She would say ‘I hate this, I hate all of this.’” said Gabrielle Fequiere, who described herself as Turning Point’s only Black employee and said she was fired by Clanton on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2016.

Fequiere recalls having several former colleagues share the texts with her shortly afterward.

Another possible explanation? Maybe Kirk concluded that it was not smart to get so crosswise with a Supreme Court justice and his influential spouse, and was trying to find a way to make amends, with Clanton and the Thomases. I have asked Kolvet repeatedly for an explanation of Kirk’s diverging accounts; he has declined to make Kirk available or provide any other response.

With the 2nd Circuit’s action, we now know definitively that Pryor was aware of Clanton’s background before he hired her, and that he took steps to reassure himself that the allegations against her were untrue — even if those steps, before the uncomfortable publicity, mostly consisted of checking in with those already on team Clanton.

We now know that Clanton appears well on her way to the ultimate credential for a young lawyer, a Supreme Court clerkship.

What’s less clear is that Clanton is the innocent victim of a terrible injustice, as Pryor and Thomas so confidently assert.

Ruth Marcus’ email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com.

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Friday, January 21, 2022 A5

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA • THE DAILY MAIL

Recycling last year’s seed orders With New York’s Rental Relief

Portal now reopened, Legal Aid urges tenants to apply

By Thomas Christopher For Columbia-Greene Media

I am the despair of my thrifty wife. Each year I place huge orders for flower and vegetable seeds, orders based as much on dreams and aspirations as on actual need. I can see in my mind’s eye the way the garden could be, and order accordingly, ignoring the small internal voice that’s asking me if I will really have time to plant all those seeds.

Of course, I find over the subsequent months that in fact I don’t have the time to plant all of the dozens of packets I purchased. Many languish in the refrigerator, never getting into the soil before winter rolls around and I get ready to place new year’s orders. That’s when my wife suggests we recycle some of the seeds we already have on hand. In the past, I’ve resisted, pointing out that we can’t know if the seeds are still viable, if they will still sprout satisfactorily if planted. In fact, that’s not true, according to Michael Ruggiero.

The former senior curator at The New York Botanical Garden, Mike has been mentoring me since I was a student horticulturist at NYBG back in the 1970s and he was the Native Plants Gardener. Mike subsequently rotated through almost all the departments at the Botanical Garden, mastering the skills of each before moving on to the next. He’s retired now, but still teaches classes to the students and to the public, including an introduction to plant propagation.

Mike recently recommended to me that I test leftover seeds to see how they will perform in the pot or the garden.

To do this, he instructed me to spread 10 seeds from each packet on a separate moist paper towel. Then roll the paper towel up and seal each one in a separate zip-lock plastic bag with a label identifying the type of seed. Store the bag in a warm spot (around 70°F.)

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Test leftover seeds to see how they will perform in a container or the garden.

out of the sunlight. In 2-3 days unroll each paper towel and check to see if the seeds have sprouted. If not, roll up the paper towel again, re-moisten it if it is dying out, reseal it in its plastic bag, return it to its warm spot and check again the next day. Repeat as necessary.

When the seeds do sprout, Mike pointed out, you will have learned two things. First, the number that sprout, when divided by 10, will give you a fair idea of the percentage that will germinate when you plant them later in the spring.

The second thing you will have learned is how quickly the seeds will germinate. This, according to Mike, is often quite different from the interval indicated on the seed packet.

In support of Mike’s recommendations, I found a useful online article about the typical lifespan of different kinds of vegetable seeds. You’ll find this, “Life Expectancy of Vegetable Seeds” by James Romer of Iowa State University at https://hortnews.extension. iastate.edu/1999/4-2-1999/ veggielife.html. This reveals that something as seemingly insubstantial as a lettuce seed will typically germinate even after 6 years of storage, while a tomato seed will likely still be viable after 5. Some seeds are less long-lasting: onions

and leeks, for example, stay viable only a year, according to Romer.

Crucial to longevity is that the seeds must be stored under what Romer calls “favorable conditions.” This means cool and dry. Essentially, I (and you too) should be storing unused seed packets in a jar with an air-tight lid, and to keep the seeds dry, you should add an envelope with a couple of tablespoons of powdered milk to the jar before you cap it. Once sealed, keep the jar in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant the seeds.

With all of this good advice, I’ll be ordering fewer new seeds this year, but planting as many or (who knows?) more.

A seed, after all, is a miracle, a promise of new life. It’s certainly nothing to be squandered.

Be-a-Better-Gardener is a community service of Berkshire Botanical Garden, located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Its mission, to provide knowledge of gardening and the environment through a diverse range of classes and programs, informs and inspires thousands of students and visitors each year. Thomas Christopher is a volunteer at Berkshire Botanical Garden and is the author or co-author of more than a dozen books.

Ice Castles in Lake George to open LAKE GEORGE — The wait will soon be over for the debut of the most anticipated new winter attractions in New York. Ice Castles in Lake George will open to the public on Jan. 23. Tickets are on sale at www.icecastles.com/newyork.

Ice artisans are working around the clock to get the attraction at Festival Commons ready for Sunday’s grand opening. The interactive experience will feature ice-carved tunnels, fountains, slides, frozen thrones, and cascading towers of ice

embedded with color-changing LED lights.

Artisans have spent the last 8 weeks growing, harvesting, and hand-placing icicles to create the life-size fairytale playground in Upstate New York. This is Ice Castles’ first season in New York. The Utah-based company has four other locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Utah.

Operating dates are weather dependent, but most of our locations remain open until early March. When tickets go on sale, they will be available

through February 21, and as we see what the weather will allow us to do, we will open up additional dates and tickets if we can.

Hours of operation are 4-9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; closed Tuesday; 3-10:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.

General admission, 12 and older, $20 and children 4-11, $15 weekdays; General admission, 12 and older, $27 and children 4-11, $22 weekends.

Children 3 and younger, free.

FSA Fridays in February webinar series returns SYRACUSE — A series of free webinars will be presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New York State. FSA Fridays in February will cover a variety of programs and services FSA offers agricultural producers in New York. Topics include an overview of available programs and loans, facility loans, disaster programs and loan programs.

The hour-long webinars will be held at noon every Friday in February. The webinars are free, however pre-registration is required to get a link to each webinar. Register at https:// fsafridays.eventbrite.com or by emailing lynnette.wright@ usda.gov.

Summary of each FSA Friday in February: Feb. 4 at noon Welcome to

FSA – an introduction to FSA loans, programs, and services, as well as how to start working with FSA. Feb. 11 at noon What to Do When Disaster Strikes – a presentation on the disaster programs available from FSA to help farmers recover from damaging weather.

Feb. 18 at noon Farm Storage Facility Loans – learn about Farm Storage Facility Loans, which are available to a wide-ranging number of producers for storage facilities and equipment. Interest rates on these loans are all below 2% right now.

Feb. 25 at noon FSA Farm Loans – an overview of the funding opportunities available from FSA’s Farm Loan Programs, including information on microloans, operating loans, ownership loans and

guaranteed loans.

FSA provides programs and loans to help farmers provide food, fuel, and fiber to millions of people worldwide. The New York FSA staff work hard every day to ensure that New York farmers have the information they need to participate in federally funded agricultural programs. FSA-administered programs benefit all Americans by providing stability for our agricultural producers, thus helping ensure a safe, abundant, and affordable supply of food and fiber.

If you need an accommodation to participate in one of these webinars, contact Lynnette Wright at (315) 4776309, or by e-mail at lynnette. wright@usda.gov, at least one day prior to the event. You may also contact Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

Find us at: HudsonValley360.com

NEW YORK — The Legal Aid Society urged New Yorkers in need of rental assistance to apply for the state’s Emergency Rent Relief Program (ERAP), which reopened on Jan. 11, after a court ruling in Hidalgo v. New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) — class action litigation brought by Legal Aid—which ordered OTDA to resume accepting applications.

ERAP portal: https://otda. ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance/ “New York’s ERAP portal has reopened, resuming access to rental assistance for our clients and countless other families at risk of eviction,” said Ed Josephson, Supervising Attorney in the Civil Law Reform Unit at The Legal Aid Society. “We urge all New Yorkers in need of rent relief to immediately apply for funds through the OTDA web portal, as a pending application will provide temporary protection from eviction, regardless of whether the state receives additional funding.

We are proud of our advocacy on behalf of our clients and all low-income New Yorkers, and will continue to monitor the implementation of statewide rent relief funds.”

OTDA is responsible for

the administration of funds under ERAP, which was established via legislation in 2021. Since its creation, ERAP has paid $1.25 billion in rent arrears for 100,000 families and approved an additional $770 million to pay the arrears of an additional 62,000 families whose landlords have not yet completed paperwork needed for release of the payments. However, over 400,000 New York families remain behind on their rent, but did not apply for ERAP before the portal closed, and without today’s ruling, those families would have been vulnerable to eviction when New York’s statewide moratorium expires on January 15, 2022.

Although New York State has spent or committed all its current ERAP funds, it will be eligible to apply for additional funding this Spring from an $18 billion national pool of unspent ERAP funds.

On Dec. 13, 2021, The Legal Aid Society sued OTDA, arguing that closing ERAP to new applicants before all funds are exhausted violated OTDA’s duties under the ERAP statute and exceeded its lawful authority. Their actions, moreover, violated the Legislature’s clearly expressed intent of protecting eligible families from being evicted while they are waiting

for federal funds to be fully distributed.

This lawsuit was filed on behalf of four individual tenants, on behalf of all tenants who are eligible for ERAP but who were barred from applying for relief due to OTDA’s premature closure of the program to new applicants.

Housing Court Answers and Coalition for the Homeless were organizational plaintiffs.

Under the state’s ERAP statute, tenants who have submitted ERAP applications are protected against eviction proceedings pending a decision on their application.

However, due to the closure of the ERAP portal, families who otherwise could have applied for ERAP would have been vulnerable to eviction when the state’s eviction moratorium expires on January 15, 2022, even though federal funds may not yet have been fully allocated, much less distributed.

The lawsuit argued that OTDA’s refusal as of November 15, 2021 to accept further ERAP applications despite a pending request to the federal government for additional funds, was arbitrary, capricious, beyond the scope of their authority under the ERAP statute.

DEC advises backcountry visitors of winter conditions in the Adirondacks and Catskills ALBANY — Current snow and cold weather are providing good conditions for winter outdoor recreation in the Adirondacks, Catskills and other backcountry areas, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable winter experience, visitors are advised to plan ahead and prepare with proper clothing and equipment for snow, ice, and cold.

“Winter conditions have arrived and it’s a great time to take advantage of all of the winter recreation opportunities New York has to offer,” Commissioner Seggos said. “While enjoying the outdoors this winter, remember that conditions can be dangerous if you’re not properly prepared. Visitors exploring the outdoors should dress for the cold and use proper traction devices and skis to navigate trails.”

Snow depths range greatly throughout the Adirondacks, with the deepest snow at higher elevations in the High Peaks region and on mountains over 3,000 feet. Snow depths are thinner in the southeastern and northwestern Adirondacks. Ice is also present on high elevation trails, as well as many lowlying trails. Much of the Catskill Mountains are covered in snow, with icy trail conditions.

DEC recommends visitors to the backcountry carry snowshoes and trekking poles and use them when snow depths warrant. Snowshoes or skis ease travel on snow and prevent “post holing,” which can ruin trails and cause sudden falls resulting in injuries. Crampons or other traction devices should be carried for use on icy portions of the trails, including summits and other exposed areas. An ice axe may be necessary above tree line in the High Peaks. In the High Peaks Wilderness, snowshoes or skis are required where snow depth exceeds eight inches. For more information about the High Peaks region, visit DEC’s Backcountry Information for the High Peaks Region web page.

DEC Forest Rangers strongly advise that current trail conditions will make travel without properly fitting traction devices

extremely difficult. Check out DEC’s website (https://www. dec.ny.gov/outdoor/112826. html) for further details on traction devices.

Although some seasonal access roads remain open, the use of four-wheel drive vehicles is strongly recommended and many seasonal access roads have transitioned to snowmobile use. Visitors are advised to plan ahead and check local club, county, and State webpages and resources, including the NYSSA Snowmobile web map, for up-to-date snowmobile trail information.

Ice has formed on ponds, bays of lakes, slow-moving streams, and backwaters of rivers. Not all ice is safe at this time. Although ice may have snow on the surface, it may not be thick enough to hold the weight of a person. When trying to decide whether ice is safe to walk on, always err on the side of caution. Test ice before putting full weight on it. Ice is always thinner where there are springs or other moving water, such as at the mouths of tributaries, near outlets and inlets and along shorelines. It’s better to remain dry and warm than to cross questionable ice just to save time.

Backcountry visitors should follow these safety guidelines: Check weather before entering the woods. If extreme cold is predicted or the weather is poor, postpone the trek.

Be aware of weather conditions at all times, and if the weather worsens, head out of the woods.

Dress properly in layers of clothing made of wool, fleece, and other materials that wick moisture (not cotton), including a wool or fleece hat, gloves or mittens, wind/rain resistant outer wear, and winter boots.

Learn more on DEC’s YouTube page https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=nKHqlzpigDE. Carry a day pack with the following: ice axe, food and water, extra clothing, map and compass, first-aid kit, flashlight/headlamp, sunglasses, sunblock protection, ensolite pads, stove and extra fuel, and bivy sack or space blankets. Hypothermia can kill even when temperatures are above freezing. A tiny emergency “space

blanket” can save your life.

Carry plenty of food and water. Eat, drink and rest often.

Being tired, hungry, or dehydrated makes outdoor adventurers more susceptible to hypothermia.

Know the terrain and physical capabilities. Remember that it takes more time and energy to travel through snow.

Never travel alone and always inform someone of the intended route and return time.

Common Winter Challenges Looking ahead to this weekend, the National Weather Service issued a wind chill watch in effect for northern New York, with dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 to 40 below zero possible.

Challenges common to winter include avalanches, snow squalls, frostbite and thin ice.

Except for those who recreate in the backcountry, most people are unlikely to become victims of avalanches. However, almost everyone has experienced a snow squall, which can obliterate vision and create slippery surfaces. Squalls tend to be brief, so stay put if you’re caught in one.

Frostbite is the freezing of living tissues that causes a breakdown of their cell structure. It may affect the extremities after prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing.

Frostbite injury can range from superficial redness of the skin, slight numbness or blisters, to skin discoloration, obstruction of blood flow or blood clots.

Rubbing frostbitten skin, once a popular “remedy,” can cause further damage; don’t do it.

Traveling through snow takes more energy and time than hiking the same distance, especially in freshly fallen snow. Plan trips accordingly.

In an emergency call 911. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS. DEC’s Adirondack Backcountry Information (https:// www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html) and Catskill Backcountry Information (https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/108207.html) web pages provide current trail conditions and other important information to help ensure a safe and enjoyable backcountry winter experience.

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

A6 Friday, January 21, 2022

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Matthew H. Ahl August 17, 1961 - January 18, 2022 Matthew H. Ahl, age 60, of Acra, died suddenly at home January 18, 2022. He was born August 17, 1961 in Brooklyn, the son of the late Charles and Elizabeth (Sammon) Ahl. Matthew is survived by his wife of 28 years Karen Ahl; two daughters, Ayla Ahl and Brianna Ahl; brothers and sisters, Charles Ahl, Gregory Ahl, Arlene Ahl, Christopher Ahl, Elizabeth Ahl, Mary Ahl, Jay Ahl, and Thomas Ahl; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call 11 AM~2PM Saturday at Traver & McCurry Funeral Home, 234 Jefferson Heights, Catskill. Private cremation will be performed at Park View Cemetery in Schenectady.

Arline Tompkins Arline Tompkins, 98, of Palenville passed away on January 19, 2022. Funeral arrangements by www.MillspaughCamerato. com.

Corrine L. Rogers

Louis F. Wambach, Jr.

August 20, 1944 - January 18, 2022

July 12, 1924 - January 18, 2022

Corrine L. Rogers, age 77 years, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2022.

She was born on August 20, 1944, in Brooklyn, N.Y. and is the daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Hartwich) Occhino.

Besides her parents, Corrine is predeceased by her husband Daniel D. Rogers, who passed away on November 1, 2013, and her sister Isabelle Augello and her brother Steve Augello.

Survivors include her daughters Ginger Rogers, Linda Oliver, Lucy Rogers and Danielle Kimm, her sister Ginger Falzarano, grandchildren Melissa Politan, Je-lan Baird, Erica Dayton, Marissa Slater, Sabrina Fulton, Samantha Oliver and Joseph Byrne, 24 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

During Corrine’s lifetime, she was employed as a home care provider.

Corrine loved family time and she loved to serve others.

She was loved by anyone who met her- she’d always make others laugh- as all who knew her have stories to tell.

She loved her cats, feeding the wild animals, dancing, cooking – especially her roasted and stuffed peppers. She loved watching movies, especially action and adventure movies, some of her favorites were Highway to Heaven, Rambo, The Mummies and Bruce Lee Movies.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours at Richards Funeral Home, 29 Bross Street, Cairo, N.Y. 12413, on Monday, January 24, 2022 from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon, with funeral services at the funeral home at 11:45 A.M. Wearing of face masks regardless of vaccination status, social distancing, etc. and all protocols for safety due to the Covid19 Pandemic will be adhered to for everyone’s protection.

Interment will follow in the family plot of The St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Catskill, N.Y. Contributions in her memory may be made to your local animal shelter. Condolences may be made at www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net.

Louis F. Wambach, Jr. was born in Austerlitz of parents Minnie and Louis Wambach Sr. on July 12, 1924, married for 49 years to Mary Keeler Wambach.

He passed away Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

Louis built his own house on farm property given to him by his parents and his wife Mary still lives in that home.

Early on, he worked with his father on the family farm in Harlemville. He later worked several years at WarpKnit Mills in Mellenville and retired from Ockawamick Central School District. He was a proud member of the Columbia County Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Along the way in his long life, he made many friends and acquaintances who will miss him dearly. He was well-loved and respected by all those he met. He enjoyed telling and hearing a good joke, loved good home cooking, hunting and fishing and gardening. He particularly enjoyed several years wintering in Florida with Mary where he continued his love of old time country music by playing his fiddle with various friends. He played some of his favorites at home with family at gatherings and around a campfire. He always ended a music set playing Amazing Grace, one of his favorite songs.

Louis was pre-deceased by his first wife Virginia Ennis Wambach, sister Florence Harms Wintjen, Mother Minnie Miller, Father Louis F. Wambach, Sr., nephew Lawrence Harms and granddaughter Aimee Jeanne Barber. Survived by sons Richard (Eileen) Wambach, Thomas (Karen) Wambach, Step-daughter Pamela (Robert) Barber, and Step-son Kenneth (Marybeth) Keeler. Grandchildren William (Melanie) Wambach, Christopher Wambach, Melissa Wambach, Regina (Kurt) Maier, Stephen Wambach, Anna Wambach, Ingrid Wambach, Katrina Keeler, Axel Wambach, Tamara Wambach, Kailynn Keeler, Great Grandchildren Hunter Lucas, Makaila Maier, Ethan Maier, Dylan Wambach, Jeremiah Keeler, Nieces Maria Dowling, Cathy Harms and many nieces and nephews, sister-inlaw Jean Ennis.

A private, family-only service will be held at Wenk Funeral Home in Chatham, New York. A memorial service at Saint Peters Presbyterian Church, Spencertown and interment at Harlemville Cemetery will be scheduled in the Spring of this year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Peters Presbyterian Church or Spencertown Fire Company. Fort on-line condolences, visit wenkfuneralhome.com

Arna Hansen Jordan August 28, 1918 - January 7, 2022 Arna Hansen Jordan passed away after a brief illness on January 7, 2022 at the age of 103. Arna, who lived most her life at her family farm in the Town of Gallatin, passed at an assisted living facility in Wrentham, MA, close to some of her family, who were with her at the end of her life.

Arna was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 28, 1918. Her parents, Signe Marie and Hans Jacob Hansen were originally from Norway. When Arna was a child, the family moved to South Ozone Park, NY, and in 1933 the Hansens purchased a fifty acre farm in Gallatin half-way between Jackson Corners and Elizaville.

This is where Arna spent most of her life. She graduated from Pine Plains Central School in 1935. She was accepted into Syracuse University, but due to the hard times of the Depression, was unable to attend. She worked in the NYC area for a couple of years, but her parents died within a year of each other in 1937 - 38. She worked hard to keep the farm by renting it while she continued to work in NYC. She met her future husband, George Jordan in 1935 while she was living at the farm. George was from the Bronx, but spent every summer at his grandfather’s farm in Jackson Corners. They were married in 1940 and lived with his family in the Bronx. While George fought in the 5th Army in WWII, Arna continued to live with his family in the Bronx, and was very close to his mother, Catherine. Upon his return in early 1946, Arna helped him deal with the trauma of war as best she could. They moved back to the farm and started a “chicken and egg” business. Arna helped with the business until it ended in the late 1960s. In addition to helping with the poultry business, Arna managed large vegetable and flower gardens on the property. Each summer for many years, she also rented out the bungalow on the property that her mother had built. In addition, the farm became a very popular meeting place for Arna’s large family and her many friends. Family reunions, chicken barbecues, and other gatherings took place for much of each year. She was also active in the Jackson Corners Grange and other local groups.

After the poultry business closed, Arna joined her husband working in the business office of Pine Plains Central School They retired in 1979. In retirement they continued to enjoy the farm, traveled and did a lot of camping. George developed a lung disease due to exposure to asbestos during WWII. Arna took care of him at the farm until his death in 1994. Arna continued to live at the farm until a few weeks before her passing, thanks in the last few years to assistance from family and friends.

Arna’s sister, Brita Dykeman, brother, Norman Hansen, and half-sister, Walborg Glombeck, all passed away years before Arna.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in law, Janet and Robert Ostoyich of Holland, PA, and by her son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Elvira Jordan, of Sharon, MA, as well as by four grandchildren, six great granddaughters, and many other relatives and friends across the country and overseas.

Arna was cremated, and at some point this spring, her ashes will be buried next to George in a private family remembrance at the United Methodist Church cemetery in Elizaville.

Peloton stock plunges following report it will halt production Aaron Gregg The Washington Post

Peloton stock tumbled roughly 25% Thursday after CNBC reported that it would halt production of its signature connected bikes and treadmills amid slowing demand.

Citing internal documents, the news outlet said the company would pause production of its Bike for two months starting in February. It will extend an earlier production freeze on its more expensive Bike+, and it won’t produce its Tread

treadmill for six weeks, CNBC reported.

By midafternoon, Peloton clawed back some losses and was trading near $27 a share, down 15%. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post.

Peloton was among a cadre of fitness-minded companies that benefited in the early days of the pandemic as consumers looked for new ways to work out at home.

NY Senate approves Bassett nomination along party lines

By Kate Lisa Johnson Newspaper Corp.

ALBANY — Senators confirmed Dr. Mary T. Bassett to serve as New York’s 17th health commissioner Thursday with Republicans in the minority voting against her appointment, highlighting their concerns about the former New York City health commissioner’s stances on how to address substance use and overdoses, , The state Constitution allows the upper house to confirm the governor’s appointments of nonelected state officials and court judges after hearings and questioning of the candidate.

Senators voted 43-20 in favor to confirm Bassett as commissioner of the Health Department to officially replace Dr. Howard Zucker, who left the post Dec. 1 after being forced to resign for his involvement in scandals from former governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration.

“Most of the work that she has done in the decades that she has been working in public health have been always about trying to erase those health inequities, which exist in health systems all across our country and our state,” said Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, D-Bronx, from the floor Thursday.

Rivera noted the differences from Cuomo’s administration, adding “she said very clearly that she would never do something which she felt, even if it was said to her ‘This is something that you need to do for political reasons,’ that she would never do something that would put the health and well being of New Yorkers at risk.”

Members of the Senate Health and Finance committees questioned Bassett, 66, for several hours Wednesday before voting to move her nomination for a vote.

“I am honored to be officially appointed to serve as the 17th New York state health commissioner, and I thank Gov. Kathy Hochul for entrusting me and the state Senate for this vote of confidence,” Bassett said in a statement Thursday.

“As I have said from the

FUNERAL COURTESY OF GOV. KATHY HOCHUL’S OFFICE

State Health Department Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett speaks at a COVID-19 briefing in New York City last month.

Senators voted to officially appoint Bassett as the state’s 17th health commissioner along party lines Thursday.

beginning, I will continue to be open and transparent and make decisions based on science, data and improving the health of all New Yorkers. I will continue to work with our experts at the Department of Health and our partners at all levels of government on the COVID-19 response and other critical public health issues.”

Bassett served as the commissioner of New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene from 2014 through summer 2018 and oversaw the department’s response to Ebola, Legionnaire’s disease and other outbreaks.

The 20 Republican senators in the chamber’s minority unanimously rejected Bassett’s nomination, citing their skepticism she would not act without political influence from Gov. Hochul, a Democrat; and her support of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Sen. Phil Boyle’s negative vote was sealed when Bassett would not rule out a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students during committee hearings.

“That’s the wrong policy,” said Boyle, R-Bay Shore.

“We should not mandate our students and people watching around the state.”

He was also quick to criticize Bassett’s belief in decriminalizing personal possession of drugs and her support for supervised injection sites to prevent overdose deaths after the nation’s first opened in New York City in November.

Several members in the conference questioned Bassett’s ideology and its impact on the health of New Yorkers.

Sen. Sue Serino, R-Hyde Park, expressed disappointment Bassett had not read the controversial March 2020 order to send COVIDpositive nursing home patients home to their facility to recover issued by her predecessor Dr. Zucker. The policy was intended to free up hospital beds, but many continue to demand an investigation into the order’s impact on virus deaths in adult-care facilities.

“We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past, and that starts by unraveling exactly what went wrong,” Serino said. “I understand Dr. Basset’s desire to look forward and move into the future we all share that desire. But in order to do that effectively, as all scientists know, we have a duty to evaluate and learn from past practices.”

Bassett most recently worked as director of François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University and FXB professor of practice of health and human rights in the department of social and behavioral sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Senators also voted to approve John “Janno” as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s chair, 567, and CEO and Elizabeth Velez to serve on the MTA board, 60-3.

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.

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To submit an event to The Scene, please send a press release and any artwork to scene@registerstar.com. Information should be sent 2 weeks prior to the publication date.

Friday, January 21, 2022 A7

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Rhinebeck Theatre Society presents

New Directors Series February 3-20 It’s not every day that three talented young directors emerge on the Hudson Valley theatre scene with all the creativity, care, and resiliency necessary to mount live stage plays during these unprecedented times. And yet, that is exactly what Rena Gavigan, Dan Chester, and Lisa Delia are doing with Rhinebeck Theatre Society.

Each will take a turn presenting a fully-staged play at the Morton Memorial Library in Rhinecliff, NY this February.

Rena Gavigan Dan Chester The mix of plays is as eclectic as the directors themselves, and also be a special performance Lisa Delia, a graduate of Hofstra promises something for every- at the Dutchess County Pride University. This unconventionone. Each play is cast with expe- Center in Hopewell Junction on al piece makes use of an immerrienced area actors whom audi- Friday, February 4 (7 p.m.). sive Dungeons and Dragons ences will recognize from past In week two, Dan Chester, a module to help a woman find shows throughout the region. teaching artist with The Art Ef- closure after her younger sister’s Rena Gavigan, a graduate fect, directs the farcical Books by tragic death. She Kills Monsters of Circle in the Square Theatre Stuart Kaminsky. runs Thursday, February 17 (7 School’s Musical Theatre ConHere, an ordinary day in a servatory, has chosen Anna bookstore turns not-so-ordi- p.m.), Saturday, February 19 (7 Ziegler’s Boy. This compelling nary when a would-be bank p.m.), and Sunday, February 20 piece, spanning the years 1968- robber makes the place his (3 p.m.).

“The remarkable thing about 1990, is based on the true story hide-out. Books runs Thursday, of a family who decide to raise February 10 (7pm), Saturday, this series,” says producer Dot their son as a girl after a terrible February 12 (7pm), and Sunday, Luongo, “is how each of our directors has chosen a piece accident. Boy runs Thursday, February 13 (3 p.m.).

February 3 (7 p.m.), Saturday, The series concludes with which so clearly matches their February 5 (7 p.m.), and Sunday, She Kills Monsters, written by individual strengths. It is defiFebruary 6 (3 p.m.). There will Qui Nguyen and directed by nitely daring to present three

will need to be shown at event check-in. Proof of vaccination includes: a vaccination card, a photo of a vaccination card, the New York State Excelsior Pass

or Excelsior Pass Plus, or if you received your vaccination in another state, that state’s equivalent passport.

This exhibition is presented

Lisa Delia

different plays in just three weekends, but the energy, talent and enthusiasm of these directors has truly driven the project from the beginning. We are so excited for them to share their work.”

Individual tickets run $15 each, or a group ticket for all three shows can be purchased for just $30. Audience members must be fully vaccinated and remain masked for the entire performance. The Morton Memorial Library is located at 82 Kelly Street in Rhinecliff, NY. More information can be found at www. rhinebecktheatresociety.org.

by the Taipei Cultural Center in New York, Ministry of Culture, Republic of China (Taiwan).

Leading support has been provided by Omni Development Company, Inc., the Taiwanese American Cultural Society of the Capital District, Dorice Brickman, Mr. Alan P. Goldberg, Vicary and Peter Thomas, and Mr. Daniel L. Wulff. Major support is provided by Eleanor Holbritter Nasner and Margaret F. Holbritter, Mr. Edward Swyer, and Chet and Karen Opalka.

This opening reception is sponsored by the Taiwanese American Cultural Society of the Capital District.

Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts presents

Best of Open Stage: Quarantine Edition!

Starting next week, you can watch reruns of the Best of Open Stage: Quarantine Edition! All of you loyal viewers—top chatterers, runners-up, and bingo players alike—get ready to light the chat box back up on our Facebook and YouTube.

The Open Stage creates a supportive “laboratory” for emerging artists and professionals alike to experiment with new acts, hone works in progress, and refine older acts.

Whether online or in person, the Open Stage provides a venue where variety arts performers can network with other artists and show their work to presenters in a live setting. See below for

Bindlestiff FAmily Circus

the schedule!

Schedule Best of Season 1: Monday, January 24 Best of Season 2: Monday,

February 21 Best of Season 3: Monday, March 21 …and more to come!

Support the Cirkus

The circus and variety arts have the power to lift our spirits, bring people together, and create moments of joy. The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus needs your help to continue our work creating spectacles like Flatbed Follies that delight, programs that foster youth development like Summer Cirkus, and opportunities for emerging performers.

Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation and evolution of the variety arts. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Happy Birthday to William Kennedy Best wishes for a happy birthday to William Kennedy, founder of the NYS Writers Institute, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, mentor to generations of writers, and Albany’s greatest literary ambassador.

Happy Birthday William Kennedy!

William Kennedy at the Post-Star in Glens Falls in 1950, and more recently at his home in Averill Park, NY Enjoy a sampling of videos from our YouTube archives, including a 2020 Zoom conversation with William

Kennedy and Writers Institute Director Paul Grondahl, a 2019 talk with legendary film director Francis Ford Coppola and Kennedy discussing their collaboration on the “The Cotton Club” screenplay, and Kennedy’s celebratory remarks at his 90th birthday celebration in Albany in 2018.

More at https://www.nyswritersinstitute.org/post/ happy-birthday-williamkennedy-1 PS: Stay tuned for the Spring 2022 Season Schedule announcement coming on Tuesday!

William Kennedy

JANUARY 21 LIVE: WILD WEEDS Friday, January 21, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Wild Weeeds play “Garage Rock” like the Seeds, the Standells and the early Stones but mix in New Wave, Copake surf music and their own unique warped energy Friday, January 21, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., https://www.facebook.com/ events/465057965203155 Hudson Brewing Company, 99 South 3rd Street, Hudson, 518-6975400

JANUARY 22

Albany Institute of History and Art You’re Invited!

Monday, February 7, 2022 | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Join us to celebrate the opening of our newest exhibition, The Four Elements of Leigh LiYun Wen (January 29 - June 19, 2022). Mix and mingle with the artist and enjoy a special treat to bring home.

Learn more about this exhibition.

Tickets are $15 per person and registration is required.

RSVP online or by contacting Sarah Kirby at (518) 463-4478 ext. 414 or kirbys@albanyinstitute.org.

Please note: To ensure the safety of all our guests, masks and proof of vaccination will be required for all participants and

CALENDAR LISTINGS

THIS AND THAT FOOD TRUCK Saturday, January 22, noon - 6 p.m.

This & That Food Truck is back with their classic offerings and vegan menu such as grilled artichoke, cauliflower wings, empanadas, falafel, quesadillas, and more! (V + GF options) Saturday, January 22, noon - 6 p.m., https://www.facebook.com/ events/325861462780543 Cooper’s Daughter Spirits at Olde York, 284 State Rouite 23, Claverack, 845-480-1237 PASCAL RAMBERT: “THE ART OF THEATER,” AND “WITH MY OWN HANDS,” WITH ACTORS JIM FLETCHER AND ISMAIL IBN CONNER Saturday, January 22, 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. $25 – $35 Following their residency at PS21 in December 2021, celebrated French playwright and director Pascal Rambert, actors Jim Fletchers and Ismail ibn Conner, and translator Nicholas Elliott return to PS21’s Black Box Theater for four public performances of “The Art of Theater” and “With My Own Hands.” This engagement, co-presented with PS21, is a featured project of The Public Theater’s new Under the Radar Festival: On the Road initiative. $35 general, $25 for PS21 members.

The Art of Theater “The Art of Theater,” composed in 2007, is a manifesto about the nature of dramatic acting, spoken by a single actor who addresses, not the audience, but his dog, who patiently attends to his master’s voice. The audience, in effect, eavesdrops on the monologue. Fletcher, who co-starred with Kate Moran in Rambert’s two-character Love’s End (Clôture de l’Amour), previously appeared at PS21 in 2019, in the title role of Compagnie l’heliotrope’s Pollock.

With My Own Hands Since it was first performed in 1993, Rambert has adapted this protean meditation on the human condition, a soliloquy spoken by a wounded psyche on the brink of suicide, for a series of settings and performers, including the American actor Kate Moran in 2007. At the time, he said, “I wrote this text to be played by both men and women, young and old.” At PS21, Conner, who has performed widely in Centre Dramatique National Orléans’ production of Jean Genet’s Splendid’s and many other theatrical works, will embody the role of protagonist of this searing, enigmatic monologue.

The work is a puzzle of dark ideas on the nature of the human condition, performed with a somber humor.

Saturday, January 22, 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., $25 – $35, ps21chatham.org PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century, 2980 NY-66, Chatham, 518-392-6121

LIVE: THE LOST COWBOYS Saturday, January 22, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

The Lost Cowboys play classic country-western music. a 5-piece classic country-western band based in Palenville, NY. covering artists like Willie, Merle, Waylon, all 3 Hanks; and we play original tunes as well.

Saturday, January 22, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., https://www.facebook.com/ events/1131619567580017 Hudson Brewing Company, 99 South 3rd Street, Hudson,518-697-5400

JANUARY 23 PASCAL RAMBERT: “THE ART OF THEATER,” AND “WITH MY OWN HANDS,” WITH ACTORS JIM FLETCHER AND ISMAIL IBN CONNER Sunday, January 23, 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. $25 – $35 Following their residency at PS21 in December 2021, celebrated French playwright and director Pascal Rambert, actors Jim Fletchers and Ismail ibn Conner, and translator Nicholas Elliott return to PS21’s Black Box Theater for four public performances of “The Art of Theater” and “With My Own Hands.” This engagement, co-presented with PS21, is a featured project of The Public Theater’s new Under the Radar Festival: On the Road initiative. $35 general, $25 for PS21 members.

The Art of Theater “The Art of Theater,” composed in 2007, is a manifesto about the nature of dramatic acting, spoken by a single actor who addresses, not the audience, but his dog, who patiently attends to his master’s voice. The audience, in effect, eavesdrops on the monologue. Fletcher, who co-starred with Kate Moran in Rambert’s two-character Love’s End (Clôture de l’Amour), previously appeared at PS21 in 2019, in the title role of Compagnie l’heliotrope’s Pollock.

With My Own Hands Since it was first performed in 1993, Rambert has adapted this protean meditation on the human condition, a soliloquy spoken by a wounded psyche on the brink of suicide, for a series of settings and performers, including the American actor Kate Moran in 2007. At the time, he said, “I wrote this text to be played by both men and women, young and old.” At PS21, Conner, who has performed widely in Centre Dramatique National Orléans’ production of Jean Genet’s Splendid’s and many other theatrical works, will embody the role of protagonist of this searing, enigmatic monologue.

The work is a puzzle of dark ideas on the nature of the human condition, performed with a somber humor.

Sunday, January 23, 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., $25 – $35, ps21chatham.org PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century, 2980 NY-66, Chatham, 518-392-6121

JANUARY 27 TRIVIA NIGHT Thursday, January 27, 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Trivia Thursdays….come on out and have some fun!

Thursday, January 27, 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m., https://www.facebook. com/events/3288085848137593 Hudson Brewing Company, 99 South 3rd Street, Hudson, 518-6975400

The Scene

To submit an event to The Scene, please send a press release and any artwork to scene@registerstar.com. Information should be sent 2 weeks prior to the publication date.

www.HudsonValley360.com

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

A8 Friday, January 21, 2022

Lift Every Voice Hudson Jazz Festival Lift Every Voice Thursday, February 10 - Sunday, February 20 Weekend #1: VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND Get your romantic weekend off to a swingin’ start with the 2022 Hudson Jazz Festival: Lift Every Voice!

Kick off the weekend with an art opening and outdoor street party, then enjoy delicious hot concessions and cool cocktails at your very own table for two while you’re serenaded by 2022 GRAMMY nominees and a jazz star on the rise. End the weekend on high with a free documentary about the power of music to change the world.

Keep scrolling to read the full scoop on our fabulous lineup of shows.

PURCHASE A TABLE OR WEEKEND PASS: https://hudsonhall.org/event/hudsonjazz-festival/ SCHEDULE LOOK AGAIN Curated by Michael Mosby Hudson Jazz Festival 2022: Opening Night Exhibition and Street Party Thursday, February 10 from 5 p.m.

FREE; timed-ticket entry for exhibition; reservations required Come celebrate the kickoff of the 2022 Hudson Jazz Festival and the opening of LOOK AGAIN on Thursday, February 10 with a party so cool, it’s outside!

Be one of the first to experience the exhibition with a timed-ticketed entry (starting at 5pm), then step outside to City Hall Place for a drink under the stars (from 6pm). Warm your jazz hands with libations courtesy of Kat Dunn of Barside Manner (cash bar) before

alexis-morrast/

Alexis Morrast

shaking off winter blues with music by DJ FULATHELA (from 7pm).

LOOK AGAIN is an exhibition that brings together a range of artists working in the field of abstraction. Curated by Michael Mosby and featuring the works of Autumn Ahn, Kirby Crone, Scott Keightley, Marisol Martinez, Catalina Viejo Lopez de Roda and Louise Smith, this exhibition emphasizes the intangible bonds that connect us all, underneath perceived social differences.

The 2022 Hudson Jazz Festival opening night party is sponsored by Chronogram.

Detail of artwork by Marisol Martinez.

RESERVE TICKETS: https:// hudsonhall.org/event/lookagain/ THE BAYLOR PROJECT Friday, February 11th at 7 p.m. Tables for 2 start at $70 Faith, love, and a sense of community ground the married duo of Jean and Marcus Baylor, who together lead the four-time GRAMMY-nominated The Baylor Project. Their music springs from gospel, blues, and soul

– culminating in a richly integrated take on jazz. According to Jazz Times, their recent album, Generations, with its “brassy swagger and cool vocals… cements [the Baylors’] role as trendsetters” – and also earned them a 2022 GRAMMY nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

PURCHASE TICKETS: https://hudsonhall.org/event/ the-baylor-project/ ALEXIS MORRAST Saturday, February 12 at 7 p.m. Tables for 2 start at $50 Catch singer/songwriter Alexis Morrast as she continues to take the jazz world by storm.

Just twenty years old, Morrast has already performed at major venues like The Kennedy Center and Dizzy’s Club (Jazz at Lincoln Center), captivating audiences with her charisma and imaginative stylings. Her collaborations include recordings with TONY Award-winner Christine Ebersole, Greg Phillinganes, and GRAMMY-nominated Michael Feinstein. The music world has taken notice – now it’s Hudson’s turn to do the same.

PURCHASE TICKETS: https://hudsonhall.org/event/

LET FREEDOM SING: HOW MUSIC INSPIRED THE CIVIL RIGHT MOVEMENT Documentary film screening Sunday, February 13 at 3 p.m.

FREE, reservations recommended Whether it was blues, folk, gospel, or R&B, the civil rights movement drew strength, focus, and power through music. Let Freedom Sing (dir. Jon Goodman, 2009) is a formidable chronicle of the individuals who cried out, in song, against inequality, racism, poverty, and war. With affecting accounts from the SNCC Freedom Singers, who sang every day as they risked life and limb, to GRAMMY-winning artists who continue to pen inspired lyrics capable of moving a nation, this documentary explores the civil rights movement and its continuing impact on music, politics, and culture.

Please note: The previously scheduled “Community Sing” has been replaced by a short film performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” featuring Hudson community members led

by Anneice Cousin with music arranged by David Sytkowski.

RESERVE SEATS: https:// hudsonhall.org/event/let-freedom-sing-community-singfilm-screening/ **FREE LIVE STREAM** If you are unable to attend any of the 2022 Hudson Jazz Festival performances, join us with our FREE livestream! Each of our in-person concerts will be streamed live via a private link for those who have reserved tickets in advance.

RESERVE TICKETS NOW: https://hudsonhall.org/event/ hudson-jazz-festival/

Advance Tickets On Sale Now for March 5 - 6

Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! Plays The Palace Theater ALBANY — Everyone’s invited to take part in the sunniest and funniest street celebration in Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! This Feld Entertainment, Inc. production features favorite Sesame Street pals Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and more in a sensory adventure live on stage.

Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! visits Albany, March 5 - 6, at The Palace Theater.

Sesame Street Live! Preferred Customers can purchase advance tickets starting today, January 11, 2022, to get the best seats available before tickets go on-sale to the general public on January 18. Fans can still sign up to become a Sesame Street Live!

Preferred Guest and get exclusive access to the pre-sale offer code.

While delivering the same fun-filled interactive experiences families expect from Sesame Street Live!, Feld Entertainment is continuing Guest Wellness Enhancements to help keep families safe at its live events.

Feld Entertainment is working

Party guests will sing along to familiar songs, like “I Love Trash” and “C is for Cookie,” with Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster; dance to the beat with Elmo; explore a wintry wonderland when Abby Cadabby’s magic goes awry; take flight with Big Bird to learn about some of his fabulous feathered friends; and discover new cultures in an interactive Spanish lesson with Rosita.

Sesame Street Live!

closely with venue partners to establish and follow COVID-19 health and safety standards in accordance with all federal, state and local guidelines. Please monitor the venue website for health and safety policies, including face covering and entry requirements, which are subject to change. Full details on Feld Entertainment Guest Wellness Enhancements can be found here.

From the moment the curtain rises, parents and children alike will be on their feet dancing along to a pop-infused soundtrack with new Sesame Street friends and live emcees Casey and Caleb. Planning a party isn’t easy when everybody has a different idea of fun, but with some help from the audience, it becomes the ultimate reflection of what friendship plus teamwork can accomplish.

WHERE The Palace Theater 19 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY 12207 WHEN Saturday, March 5 - 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m.

Sunday, March 6 - 10:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.

TICKETS Tickets can be purchase online at SesameStreetLive.com or in-person at the venue box office. *Ticket pricing is subject to change based on market demand.

Murder Cafe presents DEATH BY CHOCOLATE

Death by Chocolate

Danny, of Dan-Dee-CanDee, celebrates merging with his biggest competitor.

Among his guests are son Goobar, nutty ex-wife Godiva, creamy financee Coco, crunchy attorney Fanny Farmer and brittle chocolatier Russell Stover. Someone will poison Danny’s sweet deal and you’re either a suspect or a witness to murder!

This is our February Valentine’s themed murder mystery dinner show. There will be 7 public shows and I’m sure there’s one scheduled at a venue near you. For locations and ticket information visit the February calendar page of our website: www. murdercafe.net.

THE MYSTERY OF THE ALIEN INVASION

Mystery of the Alien Invasion

It’s 1954 and an extraterrestrial spaceship has been found. During a meeting of Americans Against Saucer Secrecy. Dr. E.T. Mars, will seize the opportunity to claim that UFOs not only exist, but that an invasion is approaching.

Where is the alien that landed the ship? Evidence shows he has assumed human form and has made himself part of the convention.

Colonel Perish enters and announces the convention is under quarantine. When Dr. Mars has been found murdered, Perish needs to expose the alien’s identity. The suspects include an otherworldly collection of characters all of whom begin acting strangely.

“The Mystery of the Alien Invasion” makes its premier at Mohonk Mountain House during the weekend of March 4th as part of their 45th annual mystery weekend. For information and reservations visit: www.mohonk.com MURDER AT THE ART AUCTION

Announcing our first event of our Spring 2022 Season!

A conversation with Alice Green, a champion of the marginalized and powerless in New York’s Capital Region since the 1960s 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 25 Page Hall 135 Western Avenue on the University at Albany downtown campus.

The event is free and open to the public. Masks required for all attendees.

Alice Green will discuss her new memoir, We Who Believe in Freedom: Activism and the Struggle for Social Justice, with Writers Institute Director Paul Grondahl, author of the book’s foreword and a journalist who has covered her singular career for more than three decades.

A leading local activist and

Alice P. Green

organizer addressing a variety of social issues, including racial justice, prison reform, voter equality, and community policing, she holds multiple degrees

from UAlbany, including a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, and is the founder and executive director of Albany’s Center for Law and Justice.

The program is co-sponsored by The Women’s Institute at Russell Sage College.

More information about this event at https://www. nyswritersinstitute.org/alicegreen-2022 The event kicks off the NYS Writers Institute’s 39th season of bringing literary luminaries and creative artists to the Capital Region. More than 20 events will be presented throughout the spring season, including the 2nd annual Albany Film Festival on Saturday, April 2.

More information to be announced next week.

Important reminder: All events are subject to change.

We will post updates on https:// www.nyswritersinstitute.org/ and via our mailing list.

An evening of Jazz Age art, mystery, and mayhem The year is 1928, and Professor Louis Bevier has returned to his family’s home in Stone Ridge, New York to host an art auction. Two feuding artists will be in attendance and have paintings up for sale. The revered and aged Terrance Ambrose will auction off his magnum opus, which everyone wants to get their hands on.

Art collector Emily Chadbourne and her companion, writer Ellen LaMotte, will bid against gangster Legs Diamond and his mistress, Kiki Roberts. Trying to keep the peace amid this clash of characters is Ian S. Crow, Louis Bevier’s loyal, but befuddled, lawyer. Keeping the peace becomes impossible, however, when Terrence Ambrose is found dead just before his masterpiece is auctioned off. So whodunit?

This original, historical whodunit, written by Jessica Boyd, will make its debut on May 13th and 14th at the Bevier House in Ulster County, New York. Additional public shows will be scheduled in May, check our website’s calendar page for updates.

Murder at the Art Auction

I’m sure you would agree, this is a great way to start the new year. And, there’s a lot more coming. For example, Murder Cafe is launching a new venture: Improvised Murder Mystery Shows!

Directed by accomplished stand-up comic David Britton, we will be offering audiences a series of improvised, and interactive, improv games followed by a long form murder mystery. Stay tuned for details and booking information.

As in previous years, we’ll also be scheduling a summer murder mystery and a Halloween themed whodunit.

Those shows, with dates and locations, will be announced soon.

And let’s not forgot our companion company, Theatre on the Road. In addition to living history tours in Kingston, Woodstock and Rhinebeck we will be producing the original Broadway production of Dracula. We’re booked on Bannerman Island for four dates in September and tickets are already selling. You can get yours by visiting: https://bannermancastle. org/dracula-play/ We’ll also be bringing Dracula to the Widow Jane Mine in Rosendale, New York on September 30 and October 1 and 2. Tickets will be on sale by the Spring.

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Sports

SECTION

Future uncertain

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

& Classifieds

Knicks’ Walker can’t make predictions about unpredictable knee. Sports, B3

Friday, January 21, 2022 B1

Tim Martin, Sports Editor: 1-518-828-1616 ext. 2538 / sports@registerstar.com or tmartin@registerstar.com

NBC Sports play-by-play announcers will not attend Winter Olympics in Beijing LINTAO ZHANG/GETTY IMAGES

A sculpture depicts Olympic figure skaters for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics at Shougang Park on December 16, 2020 in Beijing.

Stephen Battaglio Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — COVID-19 protocols will keep NBC Sports’ play-by-play teams from reporting on the scene at the Winter Olympic games in Beijing next month.

Greg Hughes, senior vice president of communications for the NBC Sports Group, said Wednesday that the

announcing teams will be based at the sports division’s studios in Stamford, Conn., rather than subject them to the risk of contracting the omicron variant of the coronavirus that has been on the rise in China.

The pageantry of the Olympics being held in a far-flung location is part of the allure for viewers, and not having

announcers on the scene could detract from that atmosphere.

But Hughes said viewers may not notice the difference as announcing teams for various major sports have been working remotely since the middle of 2020, when live action resumed in stadiums See OLYMPICS B3

Plenty of stud free agents are still on the board when MLB’s lockout finally ends Matthew Roberson New York Daily News

NEW YORK — With Carlos Correa hiring human ATM Scott Boras to be his agent on Tuesday, the free agent shortstop set himself up even better for a contract with multiple commas.

Along with Correa, there are still a handful of aspiring billionaires who will command similarly huge salaries from their next team, as they should. Whether they return to their previous organization or sign somewhere else, these 10 players are the best remaining free agents who will need a home when the lockout ends.

10. Clayton Kershaw He’s not the best pitcher in the world anymore, but Kershaw can still spin it.

Last season, the three-time Cy Young winner had a relatively down year by his standards. His 3.55 ERA was both the highest he’d posted since his rookie year in 2008, and yet still ranked in the top 20 of

BOB LEVEY/GETTY IMAGES

Carlos Correa (1) of the Houston Astros hits a home run in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on June 20 in Houston, Texas.

National League starters who threw at least 120 innings.

Undoubtedly in the twilight of his career (and with

B

the elusive World Series championship out of the way), Kershaw’s priorities are likely much different than his younger, ringless contemporaries. If any team is able to lure him away from the Dodgers, it’s the Texas teams, who can offer him the luxury of playing near his family.

— Best Fits: Dodgers, Rangers, Astros 9. Kenley Jansen Living the SoCal lifestyle, pitching one inning a night, and making nine straight trips to the playoffs is a pretty solid gig.

To get the Dodgers’ all-time save leader to switch sides, someone will have to come with a Godfather offer. That might not be the best business decision given Jansen’s age, declining strikeout rate, and the fungible nature of relievers.

But the Cardinals’ watched their historic hot streak end in the wild-card game because of a creaky bullpen, and the

ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES

Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving works off the dribble against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Jan. 5 in Indianapolis.

With or without Kevin Durant, Nets’ mission remains Kristian Winfield New York Daily News

NEW YORK — The Nets have lost two things with Kevin Durant out for at least a month and a half: 1) Their most versatile defender; a perennial Defensive Player of the Year snub with the myriad ways he impacts a game on that end of the floor.

2) An all-time bucketgetter and clutch scorer who owns more Olympic gold medals (three) than NBA championships (two).

Put simply, the Nets are down one of the most talented basketball players in the sport’s history, but their mission remains the same. Whether or not the league’s former MVP frontrunner is on the court, the Nets still aim to be a championship team, and thus must continue building those championship habits without Durant.

How they fare in games with Durant off the floor must improve so that when he returns, he latches onto a hotair balloon instead of schlepping a giant mass from underwater.

“I think everything is applicable,” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “We

just miss the presence, size, length, athleticism defensively, and we miss the leading scorer in the NBA offensively. But I don’t think we’re gonna change a ton of what we do.”

At first listen, Nash’s thought process seemed unreasonable.

Durant has averaged just over 29 points a game. He’s carried the Nets’ offense for extended spurts and won games this season with only eight and nine available players on the roster. Of course the Nets offense will change without Durant’s scoring ability, not to mention his unfair playmaking prowess at just under six assists per game.

But the game plan, Nash insisted, doesn’t change whether the Nets’ star is in or out of their lineup.

“We just can’t go to him on certain sets,” he said. “We want to evolve, we want to grow, we want to push this thing forward, but I don’t think the division or direction while he’s out is gonna be to throw everything out and start all over.

We want to play within the framework we’ve See NETS B3

See MLB B3

Mahomes, Chiefs look to settle score vs. Allen, Bills Field Level Media

The debate about who is the better AFC quarterback, Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes, plays out Sunday with another duel in the divisional round of the playoffs.

The Buffalo Bills claimed a convincing 38-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5 and return to the scene Sunday at Kansas City, Mo., where the Chiefs have won five straight postseason games.

Mahomes ascended quickly to elite status by leading the Chiefs into the AFC championship game each of his first three seasons as a starter and split two Super Bowl outcomes the last two years.

His motivation surfaced in the wild-card round last week when Mahomes directed Kansas City on six straight touchdown drives, including five scoring strikes, in toppling Pittsburgh 42-21.

“I really like winning,” Mahomes said when asked if he can summon a special gear. “That’s the end of it.”

His 404-yard passing performance was tops for RICH BARNES/USA TODAY any NFL quarterback in the wild-card round but Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) reacts to a touchdown during the second half in an AFC now he faces a talented Buffalo back end that feaWild Card playoff game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on Saturday. tures Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.

“They’ve done everything that we’ve asked and in Week 5, knows what’s at stake in another show- Jones and Charvarius Ward and had not nabbed they’ve gone above and beyond, really,” Buffalo down against Mahomes and the Chiefs. key midseason acquisition Melvin Ingram. Since coach Sean McDermott said of his talented safe“They’re what we aspire to be,” Allen said, then, the defense has sparkled. ties.

“I wouldn’t say we owe them one,” Ingram said. mindful the Bills fell to the Chiefs, 38-24, in last Allen also fired five scoring strikes and drove year’s AFC championship game at Kansas City.

“We’re just going to try to win a playoff game and Buffalo to touchdowns on all seven of its nonThe Kansas City defense Allen opposes has im- I’m only trying to be a piece to the puzzle.” kneeling possessions as it walloped New England proved dramatically since the Week 5 mismatch, After an abysmal start that found the Chiefs 47-17. Yet Allen, despite the victory in Kansas City when the Chiefs played without starters Chris ranked 30th or worse against the run and pass

during a 3-4 start, they transformed to win 10 of their last 11. They have not been as careless with the ball, though they did allow the Steelers a touchdown return last week by fumbling a sloppy handoff.

Allen poses a complete threat whether throwing the football or taking on tacklers, either by design or improvisation. He completed 21 of 25 passes in the rout of the Patriots while adding 66 yards on just six carries. Yet he understands the Chiefs will offer wrinkles different from Week 5.

“They’re throwing so many looks at quarterbacks right now and bringing pressure from everywhere imaginable,” Allen said.

Allen noted the difficulty in playing on the road before a Kansas City fan base accustomed to postseason success, but the taste of falling short of a Super Bowl bid a year ago remains bitter.

“We don’t want to have that feeling that we had there last year,” Allen said. “We know our season ended there last year and now we have to do everything in our power to put our foot forward and make sure it doesn’t end there this year.”

Buffalo finished as the NFL’s top-rated pass defense while also securing 30 takeaways. Yet the Bills are without Tre’Davious White, who has been out since Week 12. Mario Addison is dealing with a shoulder strain suffered against the Patriots.

Kansas City continues to assess Clyde EdwardsHelaire (shoulder), though he is practicing. Jerick McKinnon stepped up against Pittsburgh and provided 142 yards on 18 touches. McKinnon’s impact could be critical again with Darrel Williams nursing a sore toe.

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B2 Friday, January 21, 2022

Pro hockey NHL Eastern Conference Atlantic Division GP W L OT SO Pts Tampa Bay 41 27 9 2 3 59 Florida 39 26 8 2 3 57 Toronto 37 24 10 2 1 51 Boston 36 22 12 1 1 46 Detroit 40 18 17 4 1 41 Buffalo 39 12 20 6 1 31 Ottawa 32 11 19 2 0 24 Montreal 38 8 25 5 0 21 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT SO Pts NY Rangers 40 26 10 3 1 56 Carolina 36 26 8 2 0 54 Washington 40 22 9 7 2 53 Pittsburgh 38 23 10 1 4 51 Columbus 36 17 18 0 1 35 Philadelphia 39 13 18 4 4 34 New Jersey 38 14 19 1 4 33 NY Islanders 32 13 13 3 3 32 Western Conference Central Division GP W L OT SO Pts Colorado 36 25 8 3 0 53 St. Louis 39 23 11 3 2 51 Nashville 41 24 14 2 1 51 Minnesota 35 22 10 0 3 47 Winnipeg 35 17 12 3 3 40 Dallas 36 18 16 1 1 38 Chicago 39 15 18 5 1 36 Arizona 38 10 24 0 4 24 Pacific Division GP W L OT SO Pts Vegas 40 23 15 1 1 48 Los Angeles 40 20 15 4 1 45 Anaheim 41 19 15 4 3 45 San Jose 40 21 17 1 1 44 Calgary 35 18 11 6 0 42 Vancouver 39 18 18 1 2 39 Edmonton 35 18 15 2 0 38 Seattle 38 11 23 3 1 26 Tuesday’s games Carolina 7, Boston 1 Buffalo 3, Ottawa 1 Washington 4, Winnipeg 3, OT NY Islanders 4, Philadelphia 3, SO Vancouver 3, Nashville 1 Montreal 5, Dallas 3 Calgary 5, Florida 1 Tampa Bay 6, Los Angeles 4 Columbus at NY Islanders, PPD Detroit at Philadelphia, PPD Chicago at Edmonton, PPD Wednesday’s games Arizona 4, New Jersey 1 NY Rangers 6, Toronto 3 Colorado at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

Thursday’s games Washington at Boston, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Columbus at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Ottawa at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Winnipeg at Nashville, 8 p.m.

Florida at Edmonton, 9 p.m.

Colorado at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.

Montreal at Vegas, 10 p.m.

San Jose at Seattle, 10 p.m.

Friday’s games NY Rangers at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Arizona at NY Islanders, 7:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Florida at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

St. Louis at Seattle, 10 p.m.

GF GA 141 117 159 116 126 99 112 97 108 130 101 134 90 115 83 139 GF GA 119 99 126 81 133 111 125 100 116 131 98 133 108 133 75 88 GF GA 156 115 138 108 125 115 132 109 105 103 102 111 95 126 86 141 GF GA 141 122 115 109 120 120 112 121 110 88 101 111 117 117 102 138

Pro basketball NBA Eastern Conference Atlantic W L Pct Brooklyn 28 16 .636 Philadelphia 26 18 .591 Boston 23 23 .500 Toronto 21 21 .500 New York 22 23 .489 Central W L Pct Chicago 28 15 .651 Milwaukee 28 19 .596 Cleveland 27 19 .587 Indiana 15 29 .341 Detroit 10 33 .233 Southeast W L Pct Miami 29 16 .644 Charlotte 25 20 .556 Washington 23 22 .511 Atlanta 19 25 .432 Orlando 8 38 .174 Western Conference Northwest W L Pct Utah 29 15 .659 Denver 22 20 .524 Minnesota 22 23 .489 Portland 18 26 .409 Oklahoma City 14 30 .318 Pacific W L Pct Phoenix 34 9 .791 Golden State 32 12 .727 L.A. Lakers 22 22 .500 L.A. Clippers 22 23 .489 Sacramento 18 28 .391 Southwest W L Pct Memphis 31 16 .660 Dallas 26 19 .578 San Antonio 17 28 .378 New Orleans 16 28 .364 Houston 13 32 .289 Wednesday’s games Philadelphia 123, Orlando 110 Brooklyn 119, Washington 118 Atlanta 134, Minnesota 122 Charlotte 111, Boston 102 Miami 104, Portland 92 Chicago 117, Cleveland 104 Milwaukee 126, Memphis 114 Dallas 102, Toronto 98 San Antonio 118, Oklahoma City 96 Houston at Utah, 9 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Denver, 10 p.m.

Detroit at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

Indiana at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

Thursday’s games New Orleans at New York, 7:30 p.m.

Phoenix at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Indiana at Golden State, 10 p.m.

Friday’s games Oklahoma City at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at Orlando, 7 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Miami at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Portland at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Toronto at Washington, 8 p.m.

Chicago at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.

Brooklyn at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Memphis at Denver, 9 p.m.

Detroit at Utah, 9 p.m.

Houston at Golden State, 10 p.m.

GB — 2.0 6.0 6.0 6.5 GB — 2.0 2.5 13.5 18.0 GB — 4.0 6.0 9.5 21.5 GB — 6.0 7.5 11.0 15.0 GB — 2.5 12.5 13.0 17.5 GB — 4.0 13.0 13.5 17.0

Pro football NFL PLAYOFFS Divisional Playoffs Saturday Cincinnati at Tennessee, 4:30 p.m. (CBS) San Francisco at Green Bay, 8:15 p.m. (FOX) Sunday, Jan. 23 L.A. Rams at Tampa Bay, 3 p.m. (NBC) Buffalo at Kansas City, 6:30 p.m. (CBS) Conference Championships Sunday, Jan. 30 AFC lowest remaining seed at highest remaining seed, 3:05 p.m. (CBS) NFC lowest remaining seed at highest remaining seed, 6:40 p.m. (FOX)

Sixers’ Simmons and Harris could be traded West Keith Pompey The Philadelphia Inquirer

PHILADELPHIA — How bad do the Sacramento Kings want Ben Simmons?

Multiple sources previously said the Western Conference team was willing to complete a deal for Simmons and Tobias Harris.

And the Kings still have interest in acquiring the 76ers’ two highest-paid players, according to sources.

One source said Sacramento has considered packaging Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes and two firstround picks for Simmons, Harris and Matisse Thybulle. However, the source said the Sixers aren’t interested in that package.

Another source said the Sixers haven’t received a formal trade offer at this time. The source added that none of those talks have involved Thybulle or any of the Sixers’ other young players. Speaking of Thybulle specifically, the source added the second-team AllDefensive selection is close to being untouchable.

However, the Kings have contacted people around the league in order to get background information on Thybulle, Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed, according to sources.

League executives believe the Sixers are content with holding onto Simmons throughout this season and moving him in the offseason.

But this isn’t the first time Harris’ name has come up in trade discussions involving Simmons.

Last week, the Atlanta Hawks considered sending John Collins, Cam Reddish and a first-rounder to the Sixers in exchange for Simmons, according to sources.

However, the talks stopped after Harris’ name was brought in the deal.

The Sixers denied a report that said they’re packaging Harris alongside Simmons. However, multiple teams around the league say that’s the case. Sources have even said the Sixers are shopping Harris, which has also been denied.

The Kings know the Sixers aren’t interested in acquiring standout point guard De’Aaron Fox in a deal for Simmons. A source said that’s why the Kings want to include Barnes in the deal. The power forward’s $20.2 million could help make salaries match up. Barnes is also someone that has value around the NBA. But, intent on getting Simmons, a source said the Kings are trying to find a way to acquire Harris, who’s also a power forward.

They would either trade for him or find a third team willing to take Harris in a multi-team trade, according to a league source.

At this time, the two sides have not gained any significant traction on a deal ahead of the Feb. 10 deadline.

But to make the possible deal, the Kings would most likely have to add an extra piece or get a third team involved to make the salaries add up.

Harris ($35.9 million), Simmons ($33.0M) and Thybulle ($2.8M) make a combined $71.7 million.

Meanwhile, Hield ($23.0M), Barnes (20.2M) and Haliburton ($4.0M) combine to make $47.2 million.

The Kings would have to use their $3.6 million trade exception, take Thybulle in and add another piece to make the deal work.

One option would be using Tristan Thompson’s expiring $9.7 million contract.

The best deal salarywise would include Fox ($28.1M), Barnes and Hield for Simmons and Harris. The three Kings make a combined $71.3M. But sources have repeatedly said the Sixers are not interested in a deal involving Fox unless he’s shipped to a third team.

Time will tell if they change their mind.

But will Haliburton, Barnes and Hield propel the Sixers to NBA championship contention?

The Sixers’ position that they’re not going to trade Simmons just to make a trade has been consistent.

They want an All-Star caliber player in return that will help them win a championship.

Barnes is averaging 16.2 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting a careerbest 41.9% on three-pointers. Despite that, he’s looked upon more as a role player on an elite team.

Meanwhile, Heild is a volume shooter that doesn’t play defense and is paid handsomely for a player who started just six of his 46 appearances this season.

The sixth-year veteran’s 15.6 points per game is his lowest since averaging 13.5 in his second season.

Meanwhile, his 38.5% from 3-point distance is the lowest since he shot 36.9% as a New Orleans Pelicans rookie before being traded to the Kings.

Haliburton is a good young player, averaging 13.7 points and shooting 42.7% from 3. But how good he’s going to become is yet to be seen.

Simmons has yet to play this season after telling the Sixers in August he wanted to be traded. The three-time All-Star has been adamant that he’ll never play another game for the organization.

A source confirmed that Simmons intends to sit out the remainder of the season if not moved by the trade deadline.

The Sixers are continuing to fine Simmons for games missed, according to sources. However, they’re no longer fining him for small indiscretions like failing to tape his ankle for practice.

College basketball USA TODAY COACHES POLL 1. Gonzaga (23) 2. Auburn (8) 3. Arizona (1) 4. Purdue (0) 5. Duke (0) 6. Baylor (0) 7. Kansas (0) 8. Wisconsin (0) 9. UCLA (0) 10. Houston (0) 11. Villanova (0) 12. Kentucky (0) 13. Michigan St (0) 14. Iowa State (0) 15. USC (0) 16. LSU (0) 17. Illinois (0) 18. Ohio St (0) 19. Texas Tech (0) 20. Xavier (0) 21. Providence (0) 22. Texas (0) 23. Colorado St. (0) 24. Loyola-Chicago (0) 25. Connecticut (0) 25. Tennessee (0)

Record 14-2 16-1 14-1 15-2 14-2 15-2 14-2 14-2 11-2 15-2 13-4 14-3 14-3 14-3 14-2 15-2 13-4 11-4 13-4 13-3 14-2 13-4 13-1 13-2 11-4 11-5

Pts 787 759 687 647 643 642 611 546 530 491 479 419 366 326 322 300 297 263 261 252 227 103 75 60 52 52

Prv 2 4 6 5 8 1 10 13 3 11 14 17 9 16 7 12 24 15 19 21 20 22 NR NR NR 23

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Brooklyn Nets’ Bruce Brown (1) goes to the basket against the Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal (3) during the first half at Capital One Arena on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

NBA roundup: Irving, Aldridge lead Nets to victory Field Level Media

Kyrie Irving scored 30 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added a season-high 27 off the bench to fuel visiting Brooklyn to a 119-118 victory over Washington on Wednesday.

James Harden added 18 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Nets, who improved to 1-1 since Kevin Durant sprained his left medial collateral ligament on Saturday.

Washington’s Bradley Beal finished with a team-high 23 points and nine assists. Kyle Kuzma had 16 points for the Wizards, who have dropped two of their past three games.

Nuggets 130, Clippers 128 Nikola Jokic had 49 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, Aaron Gordon hit a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in overtime and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 130-128 on Wednesday night.

Jokic finished one point short of his career high, and Gordon wound up with 28 points. Monte Morris had 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, and Jeff Green scored 12 for Denver.

Ivica Zubac scored a careerhigh 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Reggie Jackson had 28 points and 12 assists for Los Angeles.

Zubac tied the game with a layup with 26.4 seconds left before the Nuggets’ final play.

With the shot clock running down, Jokic threw a crosscourt pass to Gordon in the corner, and Gordon drained a trey as the shot clock expired.

76ers 123, Magic 110 Joel Embiid tied his career high with 50 points to go along with 12 rebounds and three blocked shots while leading host Philadelphia to a victory over Orlando.

Embiid shot 17 of 23 from the field and 15 of 17 from the free-throw line. It was his 17th career game with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds. Tobias Harris added 21 points, Tyrese Maxey contributed 14 and Georges Niang had 10 for the Sixers.

Mo Bamba hit 7 of 8 3-point attempts, scored a career-high 32 points and blocked three shots before fouling out for the Magic.

Bucks 126, Grizzlies 114 Giannis Antetokounmpo finished three assists shy of his fourth triple-double of the season as Milwaukee handed Memphis its first road loss since Dec. 23.

Antetokounmpo poured in 33 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and handed out seven assists while helping the Bucks snap their two-game losing streak. Khris Middleton added 27 points.

Ja Morant was also on triple-double watch, pacing the Grizzlies with 33 points, eight rebounds and 14 assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. tallied 29 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.

Mavericks 102, Raptors 98 Luka Doncic scored a season-best 41 points and made

a crucial 3-pointer with 1:01 to play as Dallas topped visiting Toronto.

Doncic also had 14 rebounds and seven assists for the Mavericks, who have won four straight and 10 of their past 11.

Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 16 for the Mavericks.

Pascal Siakam scored 20 points for the Raptors, who have lost four of their past five games. OG Anunoby added 19 points for Toronto, and Fred VanVleet had 18 points and 12 assists.

Pacers 111, Lakers 104 Caris LeVert scored 22 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to lead Indiana to a comeback victory at Los Angeles. The Lakers led by 15 points in the first quarter and by five early in the fourth period.

Domantas Sabonis recorded 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season and 17th of his career as Indiana snapped an eight-game road losing streak.

LeBron James had 30 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who lost for the fourth time in the past five games. Los Angeles’ Dwight Howard grabbed seven rebounds to tie Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond for 10th place in NBA history with 14,464.

Hawks 134, Timberwolves 122 Trae Young scored 37 points, including 23 in the third quarter, to help Atlanta overcome a 16-point deficit and defeat visiting Minnesota.

Young failed to score in the first quarter but finished 10for-17 from the floor, including 6-for-10 from 3-point range, and added 14 assists. It was his league-leading 11th game this season with at least 30 points and 10 assists.

Minnesota was led by D’Angelo Russell with 31 points, including five 3-pointers, and Anthony Edwards, who scored 20 points before being ejected in the third quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Heat 104, Trail Blazers 92 With Jimmy Butler ejected, reserve Caleb Martin scored 26 points to lead host Miami past Portland.

Bam Adebayo added 20 points and 11 rebounds for Miami, which has the best home record in the Eastern Conference (15-5). Miami earned its ninth win in the past 10 home games despite Butler getting two technical fouls and an early exit with 2:28 left in the second quarter.

Portland, which is 4-15 on the road, was led by Anfernee Simons (a game-high 27 points but just seven in the second half) and CJ McCollum (24 points but just four in the second half). Jusuf Nurkic added 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Hornets 111, Celtics 102 Terry Rozier finished with a game-high 28 points and 10 assists against his former team to help keep Charlotte rolling with a win over host Boston.

Miles Bridges added 22

points and LaMelo Ball had 15 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for the Hornets, who won for the sixth time in seven games.

Dennis Schroder scored 24 points to pace Boston on an off night for stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Boston had won two straight and five of its previous six games.

Rockets 116, Jazz 111 Garrison Mathews hit a pair of late clutch free throws and scored 23 points off the bench to lift Houston to victory over Utah in Salt Lake City.

Jae’Sean Tate scored 18, Eric Gordon added 16, Kevin Porter Jr. contributed 15 (including a big 3-pointer with 22.4 seconds left) and Christian Wood chipped in 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets.

The Jazz, playing without Donovan Mitchell (concussion protocol), scored only 49 points in the second half while losing for the sixth time in seven games. Utah’s Bojan Bogdanovic was the game’s leading scorer with 29 points, but he shot just 3-for-13 from 3-point range.

Bulls 117, Cavaliers 104 DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points and Nikola Vucevic contributed 24 points and 12 rebounds as host Chicago stopped a four-game losing streak by defeating Cleveland.

Ayo Dosunmu had 18 points and eight assists and Coby White chipped in 16 points as the Bulls snapped the Cavaliers’ five-game winning streak.

Chicago withstood a sparkling effort from Cleveland’s Lauri Markkanen, a former Bull, who scored a season-high 28 points on 9-of-14 shooting.

Darius Garland notched 20 points and 12 assists for Cleveland.

Spurs 118, Thunder 96 Dejounte Murray racked up a 23-point, 14-assist, 10-rebound triple-double in just three quarters of play to lead a balanced San Antonio attack in a win over visiting Oklahoma City.

Doug McDermott added 20 points for San Antonio, which earned its second win in three games. Devin Vassell scored 19 off the bench.

Aaron Wiggins led the Thunder with 19 points, and Luguentz Dort added 15.

Pistons 133, Kings 131 Cory Joseph capped a wild comeback by sinking a tiebreaking jumper with 26.5 seconds remaining as Detroit overcame a 10-point deficit in the final 2:48 for a victory at Sacramento.

Saddiq Bey poured in 30 points and Kelly Olynyk, playing for the first time since Nov. 10, chipped in with 22 for the Pistons. Detroit snapped a two-game losing streak while playing on the road for a second night in a row.

Sacramento’s Terence Davis exploded for a career-high 35 points but missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 16.4 seconds remaining as the Kings dropped their second straight.

Friday, January 21, 2022 B3

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Knicks’ Walker can’t make predictions about unpredictable knee Stefan Bondy New York Daily News

NEW YORK — It’s impossible to plot the future of Kemba Walker’s balky left knee. And nobody understands that better than Walker, which is why the 31-year-old couldn’t make declarations about his availability for the remainder of the season.

“We’ll see. We’ll see down the line,” Walker said. “It really just depends on how I feel.”

Walker has tried a stem cell injection and rest. He stopped playing both ends of back-toback games in Boston, then signed in New York with a plan of splitting time at point guard with Derrick Rose.

But circumstances in the NBA are unpredictable, especially during a COVID-19 outbreak. It left Walker logging heavy minutes in December, and one “weird” step during warmups on New Year’s Eve shut him down for 20 days.

Walker said it wasn’t an injury of accumulation, just a freaky misstep.

“It was particular to that night,” Walker said. “It just happened during my warmup, just a weird step, I guess. I don’t know.”

Tuesday night’s 112-110

Olympics From B1

and arenas throughout the U.S. following a pause for the pandemic.

“Technology allows for this and we’ve learned and adapted,” he said. “The viewer experience will be the same as it would have been otherwise, at a very high level.”

While NBC faced COVID-19 challenges deploying teams to Tokyo for the Summer Olympics in 2021, commentators — including former Olympian Michael Phelps and “Today” show” talent Hoda Kotb — were in Japan for major events

MLB From B1

Phillies’ ten-season playoff drought has coincided with having unreliable closers. If anyone should overpay for a reliever, it’s those two.

— Best Fits: Dodgers, Phillies, Cardinals 8. Nelson Cruz Cruz took a page from the Tom Brady playbook last year by heading to Tampa Bay in his 40s.

The ageless slugger became a Ray via trade, though. Now that he has a chance to make his own decision, the likely arrival of the NL designated hitter opens things up beautifully. His old pals in Seattle could use a thumper, but the man whose services were once limited to half the league should have plenty of suitors, especially teams who play in home run paradises.

— Best Fits: Mariners, Phillies, White Sox 7. Michael Conforto When the Mets pilfered Starling Marte and Mark Canha, it may as well have come with an order for Conforto to clean out his locker.

There is no spot anymore for the boyish bruiser in Flushing. A West Coast native, Conforto might have his eyes on a few teams out there with a

Nets From B1

already set.”

With Durant out, more opportunities become available for the rookies competing for minutes, as well as the veterans who’ve seen inconsistent playing time. James Johnson, DeAndre’ Bembry and Bruce Brown could all see a bump in playing time, as will rookies

SARAH STIER/GETTY IMAGES

On Nov. 15, the New York Knicks’ Kemba Walker controls the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden.

loss to the Timberwolves was more of an encouraging step for Walker. He played 30 minutes and contributed 19 points, providing the Knicks with the type of offense they’ve missed at point guard. He’s still not driving to the rim with effectiveness and Tom Thibodeau’s start-or-don’t-play edict with Walker remains puzzling.

But Walker nearly carried the Knicks to victory in the

fourth quarter with three treys in two minutes. The Knicks (22-23) never hit another field goal, however, and choked at home to Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves.

“He brings speed. He brings an attitude to our team,” Evan Fournier said. “And he’s always smiling, he has a great attitude, he has a great spirit.

It’s always great to see Kemba.

With him on the floor it adds

another weapon. He’s so good off the pick and roll and off the bounce. He shot great.”

It was Walker’s first game since Dec. 29, with the Knicks going 5-4 without their starting point guard. Overall this season, the Knicks are just 7-12 in games Walker doesn’t play.

“Just rest, really. I just needed to rest,” Walker said. “I was a little sore for a while. It was time, really I just wanted to feel good enough to get back on the court and (Tuesday) was the night.”

How did he feel?

“Felt good,” he said. “It was good to be out there with my teammates.”

Before Walker returned, Thibodeau said he hoped the point guard would heal up enough to play through the season without another long break — “What I don’t want a situation where it’s on-off, onoff,” the coach said.

That’s tough to ensure with Walker’s knee, no matter how long he sits between games. In the meantime — as the Knicks wait for Rose’s return from ankle surgery and keep Cam Reddish shelved — Walker’s going to have an important role when healthy.

Naomi Osaka, Ash Barty advance at Australian Open Field Level Media

Defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka downed Madison Brengle in dominant fashion to advance to the third round and edge closer to a clash with Ashleigh Barty.

The 13th-seeded Osaka posted a 6-0, 6-4 victory to push her 2022 winning streak in Australia to five matches and set up a meeting with American Amanda Anisimova.

The 25-year-old Osaka said on the court after the match that she didn’t want to compare her game to her own expectations and remains focused on “having fun” on the court.

“I might as well enjoy it,” she said.

Top-ranked Barty potentially awaits the winner in the fourth round. Qualifier Lucia Bronzetti was no match for Barty, who cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 win in just 52 minutes. She has lost just three games in four sets this week.

Barty faces 33rd-ranked Italian Camila Giorgi in the third round.

Barty is attempting to become the first Australian woman since 1978 to win the Grand Slam in Melbourne Park.

Playing on First Nations Day on center court, Barty, whose great-grandmother was a member of the Ngaragu people, said the second-round win was particularly meaningful.

“It was really cool. It was nice for me to be a part of it in a way that I feel most comfortable, I suppose,” she said. “Out on the tennis court is how I express myself as an athlete, it’s how I’m able to express myself as a person as well. On a day we’re bringing cultures together, bringing people together, it was really nice for me to go out and enjoy that.”

such as gymnastics and swimming.

But all other sports were covered from Stamford.

The Games in Beijing are already fraught as the U.S. has declared a diplomatic boycott of the event to protest China’s human rights abuses. Athletes have been warned about speaking up on human rights issues while in China for their own safety.

Having announcers call an event without being in the stadium or arena became a common practice for sports TV networks even before the pandemic hit. NBC Sports had play-by-play teams in its New York studios calling events for the 2008 Summer Olympics in

Beijing.

NBC Sports planned to send three teams to Beijing to cover the Winter Games, which run from Feb. 4-20.

But with the higher sensitivity of coronavirus testing in China, the likelihood of positive outcomes are high, potentially putting announcing teams out of commission once they were in the country. NBC is still sending several hundred technical and support staff to the games.

Some familiar on-air names will be on location.

Mike Tirico, the lead host of the Olympics, will be in Beijing for some portion of the Winter Games, but is returning to the U.S. for NBC’s coverage of

Super Bowl LVI, being played Feb. 13 in Los Angeles. Craig Melvin, the news anchor for NBC’s “Today,” will be reporting from Beijing for at least a week.

Other personalities were already scheduled to work remotely, including studio host Maria Taylor and “Today” cohost Savannah Guthrie, who will handle commentary during the opening ceremonies.

Both will be working out of NBC’s New York studios.

The Olympic Games have long been a cornerstone of NBCUniversal business.

In 2014, the media company committed $12 billion to extend its partnership with the International Olympic

Committee through 2032.

Every two years, NBCUniversal has used its 17 days of Olympics coverage to showcase its sports division and forge relationships with key advertisers, pay-TV distributors and millions of viewers.

Its Olympics telecasts typically crush the competition in the ratings. However, massive audiences have become less of a sure thing due to a fractured TV landscape, competition from streaming services and fewer marquee athletes.

Ratings typically rise and fall based on the strength of the performance of the U.S. athletes, and NBC does better when it has big-name athletes to promote.

NBCUniversal is also hoping to use the Beijing Games to help redefine how the audience is counted. The company has contracted with research firm iSpot.tv to provide data that will combine the number of viewers watching on traditional TV and steaming platforms, including Peacock, which will carry every event shown on NBC’s cable and broadcast networks.

NBCUniversal also has used the past two Games to market its 18-month-old Peacock service as the place to watch hours of coverage of individual sports. The company plans to live stream events on its $4.99-a-month streaming service.

corner outfield need.

His struggles last season were well-documented — and will absolutely cost him some cheddar — but Conforto is still a great player when he’s on, and the league knows that.

— Best Fits: Giants, Padres, Mariners 6. Carlos Rodon Rodon is the biggest risk of this group. Talent has never been an issue for the lefty with the game’s best slider. His problems stem from recurring shoulder and elbow injuries, the pitcher version of a leaky transmission.

Last season, the White Sox finally saw the guy they drafted with the third overall pick in 2014. Rodon made his first All-Star team and finished fifth in the Cy Young voting, just in time to hit free agency. Should the White Sox let him walk, the Rangers have made it clear that they’re serious about joining the race, and a certain team in the Bronx would look a lot better with a new No. 2 starter.

— Best Fits: Rangers, Yankees, Padres 5. Nick Castellanos Extra-base hits get you paid, and no one has more doubles since 2017 than Castellanos.

He can drive the ball over the wall too and the best numbers of his career just so happened to come in a contract year. Still shy of 30 years old, Castellanos should not get out

of bed for anything less than $100 million.

— Best Fits: White Sox, Reds, Marlins 4. Trevor Story The Yankees are not expected to shell out $300 million for a shortstop, which likely removes them from any Correa conversations and already left them out of the Corey Seager pursuit.

Story, who is only a few weeks older than Javier Baez and a more consistent overall player, could maybe be had for $150 million. That would get him more money than Baez and slightly less than Marcus Semien, who went to the Rangers for $175 million. Whatever the Yankees — or any other team’s asking price — is, it will be for the best available shortstop who isn’t attached to Boras.

— Best Fits: Yankees, Astros, Angels 3. Freddie Freeman While the prevailing notion has always been that Freeman will return to Atlanta, the fact that they were unable to reach a deal before the lockout left the door slightly ajar for other teams.

But after becoming the hometown hero that brought Atlanta a long-awaited championship, one would imagine Freeman settles back in on a multi-year deal. Aside from the Yankees, there’s also not many contending teams that need a first baseman,

narrowing Freeman’s list dramatically.

— Best Fits: Braves, Yankees, Brewers 2. Kris Bryant A player with a career onbase percentage above .375 and slugging percentage north of .500 that can play multiple positions is basically ideal in modern baseball.

That’s exactly what Bryant is, and while every team would want him, it’s the cashthrowing teams in postseason

competition that will rise to the top. The Mets fit that bill, but they’ve already added three position players this offseason and have Robinson Cano likely taking over the designated hitter spot.

— Best Fits: Mariners, Blue Jays, Mets 1. Carlos Correa This is a guy who knows he’s the best option out there.

Hence the Boras representation.

Correa to the Tigers almost

makes too much sense. He’d get a chance to play for his old manager A.J. Hinch and team up with Baez, his former World Baseball Classic teammate, to form one of the flashiest infields in league history.

Detroit has also shown a willingness to pay the soaring price of admission for entry in the contenders’ club.

— Best Fits: Tigers, Marlins, Angels

Kessler Edwards and David Duke Jr. As for the others, the objective remains the same: James Harden will continue captaining this Nets offense, and without Durant, he’ll have to shift gears. He can no longer go stretches on auto-pilot.

The Nets will also benefit from having Kyrie Irving, who will be key as the Nets play seven of their next nine games on the road. So, those two will certainly take a step forward with

Durant out, potentially beyond the Feb. 20 NBA All-Star Game.

“We want to keep pushing hard for growth and being self-critical and analyzing our play daily so that we can make those improvements,” Nash said, “but when Kevin3/8 comes back, hopefully we’ve moved this thing forward, and we’re in a better position, and he jumps back in, and we’re able to do things at a higher level at both ends of the floor.”

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

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Employment 435

Professional & Technical Columbia/ Greene County USDA Farm Service Agency Is Hiring

The Columbia/ Greene County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office in Ghent is hiring a full-time temporary Program Technician (PT). The deadline to apply is February 11th 2021.

Duties include general office activities and supporting FSA programs administration at the field level. Successful applicants must be reliable, have a professional attitude and enjoy working with the public.

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Applicants interested in applying should submit a resume & list of references to matthew.forrest@usda.gov.

Contact Matthew Forrest at 518-828-4385 ext. 2 if you have specific questions regarding the position.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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Ichabod Crane Central School District Valatie (Columbia County) is seeking the following positions: *High School Technology Teacher –leave replacement *Teaching Assistants in the Primary and Middle School If possible, please apply through Olas.

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COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Top 25 roundup: Marquette stuns No. 11 Villanova with late trey Field Level Media

Justin Lewis scored 21 points, including the goahead 3-pointer with 13 seconds remaining, to lift visiting Marquette past No. 11 Villanova, 57-54, on Wednesday.

Lewis hit five treys, Greg Elliott added 14 points and Darryl Morsell had 10 for the Golden Eagles (13-6, 5-3 Big East), who won their fifth in a row.

Marquette ended the game on a 7-0 run.

Eric Dixon tied his career high with 15 points, Justin Moore added 13, Collin Gillespie had 10 and Jermaine Samuels swept 10 rebounds for Villanova (13-5, 6-2), which had its six-game winning streak snapped.

No. 2 Auburn 83, Georgia 60 K.D. Johnson, who played for the Bulldogs last season as a freshman before transferring, scored 12 points to help the host Tigers extend their winning streak to 14 games.

Wendell Green Jr. had 12 points and a game-high 11 assists for Auburn (17-1, 6-0 Southeastern Conference). Walker Kessler added 15 points, six rebounds and six blocks, and Jaylin Williams chipped in 13 points.

Georgia (5-13, 0-5) got 16 points from Christian Wright. The Bulldogs, who were without leading scorer Kario Oquendo for undisclosed reasons, lost their seventh straight game.

No. 12 Kentucky 64, Texas A&M 58 Sahvir Wheeler scored 12 points and Davion Mintz added 10, including a crucial free throw in the final seconds, as the Wildcats came from behind and outlasted the Aggies in College Station, Texas.

Oscar Tshiebwe added 14 rebounds for the

Wildcats (15-3, 5-1 Southeastern Conference), who have won four consecutive games.

Texas A&M’s Henry Coleman III led all scorers with 17 points. Aaron Cash grabbed 11 rebounds for the Aggies (15-3, 4-1), who had an eight-game winning streak snapped.

Texas A&M finished 1 of 22 from 3-point range and made just 5 of 13 free throws.

Alabama 70, No. 13 LSU 67 Jaden Shackelford scored 26 points as the Crimson Tide ended a three-game losing streak by knocking off the Tigers in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Jahvon Quinerly added 17 points and Keon Ellis scored 12 for the Crimson Tide (12-6, 3-3, SEC).

Tari Eason scored 26 points and Brandon Murray added 19 to lead the short-handed Tigers (153, 3-3). They were playing their third consecutive game without third-leading scorer Xavier Pinson and saw second-leading scorer and leading rebounder Darius Days miss the second half because of an apparent ankle injury.

No. 20 Xavier 68, DePaul 67 Jack Nunge scored 15 of his team-high 23 points after halftime and Colby Jones added 13 points as the Musketeers rallied past the Blue Demons in Chicago.

Xavier (14-3, 4-2 Big East) led for a mere 2:08 to stun DePaul (10-7, 1-6), which was searching for its second straight win against a ranked foe.

Jalen Terry had a clean look at a potential gamewinning 3-pointer from the baseline, but his shot was no good as time expired. DePaul’s David Jones led all scorers with 26 points.

How sports — and fans — have learned a lot about dealing with COVID Michael Arace The Columbus Dispatch

COLUMBUS, Ohio — There were 13,000-plus in Value City Arena to watch Ohio State grind out a 6156 victory over Penn State Sunday afternoon. As far as I could tell, every fan wore a mask, which is to say we could all breathe easier.

Props to Ohio State, which is maintaining a certain vigilance and is willing to pay a price for it. It’s not easy. Concession stands are closed. Patrons are asked to distance as best they can.

Public-service announcements reinforce the idea that we’re all in this together.

I found this comforting.

Here was a place where you could just sit and watch a basketball game, in an environment that might be described as neighborly. The collective focus was aimed, unwaveringly, directly at the court.

It almost felt like January 2019.

The omicron variant of the coronavirus appears to be less virulent, which is to say less likely to cause disease, but it has ripped through the U.S. in the seven weeks since it was first detected in California.

Over the weekend, the rate of new cases of COVID-19 spiked to an all-time high.

If you’re tired of this pandemic and you do not work in health care, then you probably have not plumbed the true depths of fatigue.

Hospitals are jammed right now, and it’s possible that the flow of new coronavirus patients will increase before it is stemmed.

“Hospitalizations and deaths lag way behind the new case data, so we haven’t seen the worst omicron can do yet,” said Mark Cameron, a virus expert.

Cameron is a professor in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. It’s a long title.

The short of it: Cameron is a geneticist who develops immunotherapies and vaccines; his work branches into public health generally and

JOSHUA A. BICKEL/THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Ohio State is requiring mask-wearing and has closed concession stands at sporting events to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

epidemiology specifically.

For months (and months and months), he has been gracious enough to answer my questions and share his thoughts about the pandemic and its impact on sports.

“I’m dismayed that at the two-year point, with so much knowledge about the virus, with so much knowledge of effective protection, with so much sickness and death, that we’re still dropping the reins when it most matters,” Cameron said. “How can we become immune to this virus if so many have become immune to tragedy? Why are even the basics such an imposition?”

He continued, “I’m not trying to be too cynical, because in terms of large gatherings I still see a lot of masks, and assumedly there are a lot of vaccine cards nearby. But I don’t understand why there’s little-to-no effort being made at a variety of levels, from leadership to the (entrance) gates, to make sure the stands are filled with people checking two of three boxes at the very least: vaccine, test, mask.”

Novak Djokovic, arguably the greatest male tennis

player who ever lived, was deported from Australia on the eve of the Australian Open. Instead of trying to win a record 21st Grand Slam men’s singles title, he’s back home in Serbia because he is unvaccinated and lied on his entry declaration.

The next Slam is the French Open in May. Sunday, the French parliament passed a law requiring vaccines for anyone at restaurants, sports arenas and other venues. Djokovic has a decision to make.

Cameron sees these headlines. What he takes note of, however, are the overarching policies. For instance, as the Djokovic story went international, coronavirus rates were spiking in Melbourne -- and Australian Open officials cut attendance to halfcapacity to ensure better social distancing.

Cameron said, “(Beyond) hesitancy and hostility, there’s the NBA a few weeks ago reacting to the new CDC ‘feeling fine and free in five’ guidance by putting in place a testing threshold on top of that guidance, likely knowing full well that the vast majority of COVID-positive

players wouldn’t test at the return-to-play threshold for seven to 10 days anyway.

Now there’s a league that has learned from this pandemic.

“The Beijing Olympics will have learned from the Tokyo Olympics, or at least the delegations will have. Most national leagues and international associations have very mature infection-control programs now, despite headlines about singletons.”

That’s progress. But we still need to do better for the people in the stands who congregate at these events, Cameron said.

We’re all so tired. Here in the U.S., there have been nearly 67 million confirmed cases and more than 850,000 deaths from the virus. We don’t want to hear that there may be new variants beyond omicron, but it’s surely possible.

Hang in there. More than 524 million doses of vaccines have been administered in our country. It bears repeating that vaccines work and so does masking and social distancing. Every little bit helps.

Hang in there.

With so many NFL openings, it’s past time for more Black coaches to be hired Mike Preston Baltimore Sun

BALTIMORE — Black coaches are good enough to be coordinators in the NFL, but not head coaches.

That’s the message the league has been sending, with hopes that it will change this year.

There were eight openings soon after the regular season ended Jan. 9, leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin as the only Black head coach among the league’s 32 teams.

Since then, there has been speculation about who will get hired and who has been interviewed, but that’s business as usual this time of year.

And then no Black coach gets hired.

Almost as tiring is the repeated line about “why do teams have to hire Black coaches? Why don’t they just hire the best candidate for the job?”

That sounds good in theory, but maybe that question should be asked to the owners. Did former Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer and current Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule

have more professional experience than defensive coordinators Todd Bowles of Tampa Bay and Leslie Frazier of Buffalo?

Really?

The last time we checked, the Bills had the No. 1 defense in the NFL, followed closely by the Buccaneers, who put together the model that everyone copied after Tampa Bay beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9, in Super Bowl LV nearly a year ago.

Coincidentally, the coordinator of the Chiefs’ high-powered offense, Eric Bieniemy, is Black.

Other Black candidates include Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores and former NFL coaches Jim Caldwell and Marvin Lewis.

If the Dallas Cowboys fire coach Mike McCarthy and the Arizona Cardinals get rid of Kliff Kingsbury, there could be as many as 10 openings around the league. It would be embarrassing if there weren’t several new Black coaches, but league owners don’t care. They’ve

MARK BROWN/GETTY IMAGES

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy looks on during the Chiefs’ practice prior to Super Bowl LIV at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on January 29, 2020 in Davie, Florida.

gotten around the “Rooney Rule,” which requires a team to

interview at least two external minority candidates for a head

coaching job and one for a coordinator’s position. They have no interest in giving an opposing team another draft pick for hiring a minority candidate from a rival organization. Very seldom have teams hired a Black coach for a second stint (see Art Shell, Marvin Lewis).

According to the Associated Press, since the “Rooney Rule” was instituted in 2003, only 27 of 127 head coaching vacancies (21%) have been filled by minorities.

NFL owners are still a thriving “good ole boys” network. Most of them have only one concern, and that’s money. Take a look around the league. It’s usually the same five or six teams that win consistently because they care as much about winning as making a profit. A lot of the owners want the CEO type, which is why NFL coaches appear to be getting younger. They believe in analytics and are more concerned about what’s on social media than what’s in the playbook.

Most of them also happen to be white.

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That’s not to say that some Black coaches don’t fit the same descriptions; they just happen to be a different color. The bigname media plays its part, too, often hyping assistants for head coaching positions because they have the same agent. Few coordinators have gotten more publicity recently than Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

NFL players talk about the hiring discrepancy all the time because 70% of the league is Black. According to recently published statistics, 3,798 of the league’s 5,177 coaches and personnel staff are minorities.

Yet right now, there is only one Black head coach.

There were three until the Miami Dolphins fired Flores after a second straight winning season and the Houston Texans let go of David Culley after just one year despite the former Ravens assistant returning respectability to a franchise in turmoil.

#SupportRealNews

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B6 Friday, January 21, 2022

This is what Rams envisioned: Matthew Stafford vs. Tom Brady Gary Klein Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — A season of firsts continues for Matthew Stafford.

For the last 12 years, when the NFL playoffs moved to divisional-round games, Stafford was relegated to interested observer. The Rams quarterback rooted for friends and former Detroit Lions teammates on teams trying to advance to NFC or AFC championship games and beyond.

“I’ve made bunch of relationships in this business,” Stafford said Wednesday during a video conference with reporters. “So, I’m always paying attention no matter what. Just trying to pull for the guys I know.”

On Sunday, for the first time since he was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft, Stafford will be a participant, not a fan, for an NFC divisional-round game when the Rams play the defending Super Bowl-champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

Stafford earned the opportunity by leading the Rams to a 34-11 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in a wild-card game at SoFi Stadium. It was Stafford’s first playoff win after losing three wildcard games with the Lions.

Now a Rams team built with a mandate to play in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium has a chance to take another step toward that goal.

“I’m hoping that we continue to earn more opportunities,” Stafford said, adding, “I’m enjoying every moment of it and preparing myself to play as a good as I possibly can to help us try to keep it going.”

The pressure will be on Stafford on Sunday in a game that pits him in a postseason duel against Tom Brady, the most successful quarterback in NFL history.

Stafford has a 1-3 record in the playoffs. Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, is 35-11.

This season, the Buccaneers led the NFL in

GARY A. VASQUEZ/USA TODAY

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at SoFi Stadium on Monday.

passing and were second in scoring.

“The biggest thing about going against a guy like Tom is just knowing his consistency and his ability to get his team in the end zone,” Stafford said. “He’s done a great job throughout his career, both in New England and Tampa, scoring points -- and doing it kind of every which way is called upon.

“As an offense, we need to do the same.”

Stafford outdueled Brady in September during the Rams’ 34-24 victory over the Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium.

Stafford completed 27 of 38 passes for 343 yards and four touchdowns. Brady was 41 of 55 for 432 yards and a touchdown.

Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said Stafford has not changed since the first game.

“They’re running the ball a lot better and more of it, but I think Matt is playing fantastic,” Arians said Wednesday during a conference call with Rams beat reporters. “I don’t see much different.

He was playing great in that game too.”

Stafford was efficient Monday night against the Cardinals, completing 13 of 17 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly, he did not commit a turnover for the first time in five games.

His 17 attempts were the fewest of his career in a game that he did not leave because of injury.

“I love throwing the ball, no doubt, but I love it

when I’m handing off and our guys are getting 10, 12 yards3/8 a pop, too,” he said. “At this point, I’ll take ‘em any way we can get ‘em.”

During the regular season, Stafford passed for 41 touchdowns, with 17 interceptions that tied him for the most in the league.

Playing in the Rams offense required a psychological change from attempting to do everything for the Lions.

“I just got to go play within myself within this offense as well as I possibly can,” he said. “I tried to do that on Monday night. I felt like the ball was going to the right place. I got to continue to try and push myself to be that way.”

Coach Sean McVay said throughout the season that he did not want Stafford to ever lose his aggressiveness.

Is there a sense that Stafford, this deep in the playoffs, cannot take as many shots down the field as he took during the season?

“It’s situational,” McVay said Wednesday. “We talk about it all the time: Shot called doesn’t necessarily mean shot taken. But you want to be aggressive but smart with the way you go compete.”

Rams linebacker Von Miller played on a Denver Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50 with Hall of Famer Peyton Manning at quarterback.

The pressure was on Manning, but “we knew we couldn’t just go in there and just rely on Peyton Manning to just save the day like he normally does and like he did his whole entire career,” Miller said.

Stafford and Manning are “two totally different quarterbacks,” Miller said.

“But I think it’s the same,” he said. “We’re not just relying on Matthew Stafford to go out there and save the day.

“Although all the pressure is always going to be on the quarterback ... I feel like as a team we all feel like we have to do our part. We all feel like we got to do more to win a Super Bowl.”

Titans’ power play: Derrick Henry likely ready for Bengals Field Level Media

RAJ MEHTA/USA TODAY

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) gets pursued by Detroit Lions defensive tackle John Penisini (98) as he throws the ball during the first quarter at Ford Field on Jan. 9.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers hope to take advantage of banged-up Niners Field Level Media

The Green Bay Packers are shooting for a deep playoff run while the clock ticks loudly for Aaron Rodgers.

The 38-year-old veteran looks to lead the top-seeded Packers to the NFC title game for the sixth time in his tenure as starting quarterback when Green Bay hosts the sixth-seeded San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night.

Rogers has won just one Super Bowl during his famed run in Green Bay and his future with the franchise remains uncertain. He would like to take advantage of this chance with the Packers coming off a bye and possessing home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

“This is a special opportunity. We’re not gonna make it bigger than it is,” Rodgers said. “We’ve gotten this far being level-headed and even-keeled and not riding a roller coaster of emotions, and we’re gonna keep on doing the same thing. If it was good enough to get us this far, it’s good enough to get us past this point.”

The 49ers represent one of the recent stumbling blocks for the Packers.

San Francisco whipped Green Bay 37-20 in the 2019 NFC title game when Raheem Mostert rushed for 220 yards. Last season, it was Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who finished Green Bay off with a 31-26 victory in the NFC Championship Game.

If the Packers win Saturday, they would become

the first team to reach three straight NFC title games since the Jim Harbaughcoached 49ers from 2011-13.

Green Bay defeated the host 49ers 30-28 in Week 3 of the 2021 regular season when Mason Crosby kicked a 51-yard field goal as time expired.

While the Packers were resting last weekend, the 49ers booted the Dallas Cowboys out of the playoffs with a 23-17 road win.

“If you look at them as of late, this is a confident group,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said of the 49ers. “You can see it on tape. You can see it in how they’ve played. We’re going to have to play every play like it’s our last play for the duration of the game.”

However, San Francisco was a beat-up squad after the win over Dallas. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo sprained his right shoulder to go with the torn ligaments in his right thumb, defensive end Nick Bosa sustained a concussion and linebacker Fred Warner sprained his right ankle.

Bosa was a limited practice participant on Wednesday, a positive step in terms of possibly being cleared to play. He had 15.5 sacks in the regular season.

Warner and Garoppolo were full participants, as was top running back Elijah Mitchell (knee).

Garoppolo said he hurt the shoulder during a fall in the game against Dallas while he was trying to protect the thumb.

Derrick Henry hopes to make a triumphant return as the top-seeded Tennessee Titans host the upstart Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC divisional playoff game in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday.

Henry is expected to be activated from injured reserve and play for the first time since sustaining a fractured right foot on Oct. 31.

Prior to the injury, the bruising back led the NFL with 219 carries for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“It’s been a while since he’s had contact,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said of Henry.

“We’re going to have to do these things that come close to replicating what’s going to be asked of him in a football game. We’ll have a week of work, we’ll see how he feels and make a decision.”

Henry would love a repeat of his 2019 performance in the playoffs, as he became the first player in NFL history to rush for 175 or more yards in back-to-back games. He participated in a padded practice Tuesday and said Wednesday he plans to contribute, but to what degree remains uncertain.

Whatever I can do to help, I am always for it,” Henry said. “... I am ready to go out there and play.”

Whether it’s Henry receiving the full workload or D’Onta Foreman tasked with carrying the mail, the Titans face a stern test against the Bengals’ fifth-ranked rush defense (102.5 yards per game). Tennessee received a boost from Foreman (566 rushing yards, three touchdowns in nine games) to finish the regular season with the fifthranked rushing offense (141.4 yards).

“I think we kind of stuck to our guns, and I think the stats will show that,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. “We ran the ball really well, even with Derrick out.

“If he is back (for Saturday), it’ll be nice to have him back. But I feel like we’ve stuck to our guns and our game plan and we can insert him back in.”

The threat of a viable play-action passing game should benefit Tannehill (3,734 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, 14 interceptions), who endured a statistically mediocre season at best.

A.J. Brown was Tannehill’s most trusted target with team-leading totals in catches (63), receiving yards (869) and receiving

TREVOR RUSZKOWSKI/USA TODAY

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball during warm ups against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 31.

touchdowns (five) despite playing in just 13 games. The Titans have posted an 11-2 record in games in which Brown has played.

Tennessee rested last week with the No. 1 seed in the AFC, while the Bengals outlasted the Raiders 26-19 in the wildcard matchup in Cincinnati.

On the opposite sideline resides confident second-year quarterback Joe Burrow, who set franchise records in passing yards (4,611) and touchdown passes (34) this season while completing an NFL-best 70.4 percent of his attempts. Burrow fired two touchdown passes in his first career playoff start last weekend, leading fourth-seeded Cincinnati past the Raiders.

Considering Burrow is no stranger when it comes to competing for championships, a wild-card victory wasn’t the end-all, be-all for him.

“I tried to downplay it and all that because this is how it’s gonna be from here on out,” Burrow said. “It was a great win for us. But now this is the standard for the bare minimum every year going forward.”

Rookie Ja’Marr Chase had nine catches for 116 receiving yards in his playoff debut to help the Bengals secured their first postseason win since the 1990 season.

The Burrow-Chase connection has helped Cincinnati average a league seventhbest 27.1 points per game. Tennessee, in turn, finished sixth in scoring defense (20.8).

Bengals standout defensive end Trey Hendrickson’s availability for this weekend is in question after he sustained a concussion in the third quarter against the Raiders.

But Hendrickson was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, a sign of measured progress.

“Progressing through the concussion protocol in a positive manner,” Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said of Hendrickson, who totaled an NFL fifth-best 14 sacks en route to earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Hendrickson’s career-best total topped the 13.5 he had in 2020 for the New Orleans Saints.

Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou (knee) and wide receiver Stanley Morgan (hamstring) were limited in Wednesday’s practice.

Tennessee defensive lineman Teair Tart (ankle) was listed as limited on Tuesday’s injury report after sitting out the season finale against the Houston Texans. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday.

The biggest questions for the divisional round of the NFL playoffs John Clayton The Washington Post

After one of the most unpredictable NFL regular seasons in recent memory, that first round of the playoffs was largely predictable. Five of the six home teams, all of them favorites, won over the holiday weekend, with only the San Francisco 49ers pulling an upset over the Dallas Cowboys.

Will that carry over to the divisional round? Let’s take a look at the biggest questions

heading into each matchup.

Bengals at Titans (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.)

Can the Bengals’ offensive line protect Joe Burrow?

One of the biggest debates heading into last year’s draft was whether the Bengals should select Ja’Marr Chase or offensive tackle Penei Sewell with the fifth overall pick.

Chase has proven them correct with an excellent rookie season, but the offensive line nonetheless remains a problem

area for Cincinnati. Burrow was sacked 51 times this season, and whether the Titans can get pressure on him to disrupt the Bengals’ potent passing attack could be a difference-maker in this game.

Will Derrick Henry’s return be enough to get Tennessee to the AFC championship game?

It isn’t yet a lock that Henry will play Saturday, but it appears to be trending in that direction. He was on pace for a second straight 2,000-yard

season before injuring his foot this season, and his presence makes a huge difference for a Titans offense that aims to win with their running game and play-action passing attack - and whose line has struggled with pass protection issues.

The Bengals’ defensive line had two key injuries in the win over the Raiders. Tackle Larry Ogunjobi will miss the game against the Titans, while Trey Hendrickson is questionable with a concussion.

Friday, January 21, 2022 B7

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

Man’s history of sexual abuse hidden for years Dear Abby, During my teenage years, I was repeatedly raped by my brother. The emotional and physical damage has left my life broken. He is now in a long-term relationship. Should I tell his girlfriend about the abuse? When DEAR ABBY I confronted him about it years ago, he denied it. If you were his girlfriend, wouldn’t YOU want to know?

Holding A Secret

I’m sure your diagnosis has been frightening for both you and your wife. She may be worried that if you plow through all the money, there will be nothing left for her after you are gone. Although you are dubious about it, there is also the possibility that you may live 10 more years and beyond.

That’s why this is an important subject you and your wife should discuss with a financial adviser.

Yes, I would want to know. I’ll bet your parents would have also wanted to know. As would your teachers or school counselors, so your brother could have been reported as a sexual predator and stopped. By all means tell the girlfriend, particularly if she has a daughter.

P.S. Because what your brother did has left lasting scars, please seek counseling with a licensed therapist with expertise in treating victims of sexual abuse. Contact RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) for more guidance. You will find it on the internet at rainn.org.

Dear Abby, I work in an office where people occasionally bring in treats to share with co-workers.

Usually, we place the goodies in a common area and let others know there’s food available and they’re welcome to it.

The problem I’m having is that one particular co-worker brings in treats and shares them only with her favorite office buddies.

She’s not discreet about it either. She struts around the office and makes a big scene delivering her homemade treats to her friends, right in front of the people she has chosen not to include. Should she be confronted and told she’s being rude and inconsiderate, or should her behavior just be ignored?

Missing Out

JEANNE PHILLIPS

Dear Abby, I have just been diagnosed with cancer.

I doubt that I will live another 10 years. My wife is arguing with me because I want to draw down my 401(k) over the next 10 years so I can enjoy the savings I have accrued during my long career. We are talking about a LOT of money, Abby — expensive cars, expensive second homes, extravagant vacations.

How can I convince her that I deserve this after having worked for 40 years, and that we should enjoy these savings for the period of time left for me on Earth?

Wants To Enjoy Life Now

Pearls Before Swine

Classic Peanuts

What your co-worker is doing is rude. This is a lesson in politeness and consideration for others that children in grammar school usu- Garfield ally learn. (Perhaps she was playing hooky that day.) That said, if there’s no rule in your office against it, I do not advise confronting her.

Turnabout is fair play, and perhaps you should discuss a “delicious” solution with the rest of the unfavored few.

Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Horoscope

By Stella Wilder Born today, you are a study in contradictions, and even those who know you best and consider you a faithful friend or companion must concede that there are things about you that they simply do not understand or cannot anticipate. You are, on one hand, quiet and studious, the kind of person to do things without attracting much attention. On the other hand, when the situation requires it of you, you can be quite bold and impulsive.

You are at home dealing with both worldly matters and those that are more spiritual in nature. You often demonstrate a kind of fearlessness that is widely admired, and yet you are not foolhardy or careless in any way. You know how to make a plan and stick to it, and you know how to change direction quickly when faced with insurmountable obstacles.

Also born on this date are: Jerry Trainor, actor; Emma Lee Bunton, singer; Geena Davis, actress; Mac Davis, actor and singer; Hakeem Olajuwon, basketball player; Jack Nicklaus, golfer; Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, Confederate military leader.

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.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22 AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — You’re likely to be quite resistant to doing things the “old way” today — but be sure that your newfangled methods actually get the job done!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — You may be exposing yourself to danger today by avoiding the “popular” path. There’s a reason why so many are going that way!

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — You may have

Pickles

Zits your mind changed quite unexpectedly today by someone who knows just how to push your buttons. This needn’t be a big deal.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Your creativity is on the rise at this time, and you’ll be hardpressed to find that one endeavor that satisfies all your needs and urges.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — You may want to investigate further today when you receive information about something you’ve long considered. You uncover some surprising facts!

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Any assumptions you make about someone today are only likely to come back and bite you. You must deal only in what can be proved!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — You can try to get permission to do something rather “oddball” today, or you can be forgiven for doing it, afterward.

Which is more likely?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Take the reins today and go where you want to go! There’s no real reason why you can’t explore things more freely today, especially with a friend.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Something you recently learned may have you going down an unusual path today. You can make this work for you if you expect the unexpected.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — You may be tempted to hide away from all that is going on today, but that would be doing yourself a disservice. Get out there and explore!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — You may be frustrated by someone’s habit of saying “no” to you, but later in the day, you’ll find a way to get around that obstacle.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You can work well with others today, but you may be tempted to try something new entirely on your own. Don’t make any excuses for yourself.

Dark Side of the Horse

Daily Maze

COPYRIGHT 2022 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.

Goren bridge WITH BOB JONES ©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

TOO AGGRESSIVE Neither vulnerable, West deals NORTH ♠AQ82 ♥ AK764 ♦ AQJ ♣9 WEST EAST ♠6 ♠ 10 7 5 3 ♥ Q983 ♥ J52 ♦ K62 ♦ 54 ♣ A K 10 5 2 ♣Q643 SOUTH ♠KJ94 ♥ 10 ♦ 10 9 8 7 3 ♣J87 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1♣ Dbl Pass 1♠ Pass 4♣* Pass 4♥ Pass 6♠ All pass *Raise to 4S, shortness in clubs

Opening lead: Six of ♠ North’s splinter bid promised a huge hand – too good to just raise to four spades. South might have

(Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001.

E-mail: tcaeditors@tribpub.com)

Columbia-Greene

MEDIA

The bidding:

had absolutely nothing for his one-spade bid.

South didn’t have much, but he had a lot more than absolutely nothing. He cue-bid four hearts to show a useful hand and North drove to slam.

The contract would have failed after repeated club plays by the opponents, but declarer had a chance on the trump lead. South won the opening trump lead in hand with the nine and timed the play beautifully. He led a heart to the ace and ruffed a heart. A diamond to the queen was followed by another heart ruff.

The long heart in dummy was now established, thanks to the 4-3 split in hearts. Declarer cashed the king of spades and led a diamond to dummy’s jack. The ace and queen of spades drew the outstanding trumps and the seven of hearts was South’s twelfth trick. East-West took a club trick at the end. Very nicely played!

Well, it would have been nicely played, but the actual declarer failed to make this contract. He won the nine of spades at trick one and immediately took the diamond finesse instead of ruffing a heart. This subtle difference ruined his timing and he could no longer make the hand. Too bad.

Sponsor Comics 518-828-1616

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

B8 Friday, January 21, 2022 Close to Home

Free Range THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

Level 1

2

3

4

NTTSU LYTES YACENG DXEEEC Solution to Thursday’s puzzle

1/21/22

Get Fuzzyy

©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

“ Yesterday’s

sudoku.org.uk

Heart of the City

Dilbert

B.C.

For Better or For Worse

Wizard of Id

Crossword Puzzle

DOWN 1 Grand __; batter’s delight 2 Slangy response

Andy Capp

Bound & Gagged

Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews

3 Icky 4 Become firm 5 Humiliation 6 Golfing term 7 Limb 8 Coast 9 Church toppers 10 Ashen 11 Feels unwell 12 Horse’s gait 14 Channel changer 19 Extinguish 22 Sit-__; ab exercises 25 Easter flower 27 Chore 28 Infuriates 29 Chokes 30 Out of one’s mind 31 Portion 33 Melody 34 Stage signal 36 Spelling contests 38 Haphazardly 39 Reds or Browns

1/21/22

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

Non Sequitur

©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

41 Dull and dirty 42 Examined thoroughly 44 Las Vegas athlete 45 Trucker’s compartment 47 Necessities 48 Provokes

1/21/22

49 Shipshape 50 Facts and figures 53 Eat 54 College official 56 Battery size 57 __-witted; stupid 59 Tractor-trailer

” (Answers tomorrow)

© 2022 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

ACROSS 1 __ as a bug in a rug 5 Mineral springs 9 Run-in 13 Lover of solitude 15 Long-eared animal 16 Couple 17 Mac maker 18 Animal with a bony plated shell 20 Brooks or Blanc 21 Colorful flower, for short 23 Most resentful 24 Wed on the run 26 Pink or purple 27 Characteristics 29 Spread rumors 32 Market walkway 33 Intimidate 35 Skeleton part 37 Do away with 38 Cheek coloring 39 Sequoia, for one 40 Boxer Norton 41 Actress Claire __ 42 Serenity 43 Kite maker’s need 45 Wooden boxes 46 Common conjunction 47 Ruth’s motherin-law 48 Blue dye 51 Lessen 52 Strange 55 Off-the-rack 58 Bert’s buddy 60 Prince William’s wife 61 __ to rest; buried 62 Singer Ross 63 Asterisk 64 Candied __; sweet side dish 65 Secluded valley

Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.

-

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit

Get the free JUST JUMBLE app • Follow us on Twitter @PlayJumble

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

Unscramble these Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.

Rubes

Jumbles: MOMMY JOIST OBJECT SUBDUE Answer: The planes were chatting near the gates. The nonsensical one was a — MUMBO JUMBO JET