Fri, May 1st 2020 06:55 pm
The New York State Department of Labor on Friday announced it had distributed over $4.6 billion in unemployment benefits since the coronavirus pandemic began impacting businesses in early March. In total, the DOL has processed over 1.6 million completed applications for unemployment benefits since March 9, including for both traditional unemployment insurance and the new COVID-19 pandemic unemployment assistance program.
|
Fri, May 1st 2020 12:50 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced new York's 4.2 million students will not return to campus before the end of the academic year.
|
Fri, May 1st 2020 11:25 am
Congressman Brian Higgins announced federal funding to safeguard residents in low-income housing during the public health crisis. The CARES Act, approved in the House of Representatives on March 27, included supplemental public housing operating funds to support measures to respond to the coronavirus pandemic in public housing.
|
Fri, May 1st 2020 01:55 am
Early this week, there was a spike in Erie County's COVID-19 hospitalizations. The number of people hospitalized with the virus in the county reached 258, the highest it has been.
|
Thu, Apr 30th 2020 11:05 am
The Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund, coordinated by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, The John R. Oishei Foundation and the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, has awarded $1 million to an additional 35 nonprofit organizations, bringing the total grant amount from the fund to $5.5 million, supporting a total of 109 nonprofit organizations.
|
Thu, Apr 30th 2020 11:00 am
Kaleida Health has expanded hours for its COVID-19 testing site on the East Side of Buffalo.
|
Thu, Apr 30th 2020 11:00 am
The Giving Project has launched a fundraising campaign called, "Good Neighbors Against COVID-19," which will benefit the Child Care Resource Network. CCRN is an essential resource for the Western New York community during the pandemic as it is connecting essential workers such as doctors, nurses and grocery store workers with child care services. The organization teamed up with Thurman and Patti Thomas to put together a special raffle prize: Dinner with them at Mullberry Italian Ristorante.
|
Wed, Apr 29th 2020 09:20 pm
Congressman Brian Higgins encouraged local professional and volunteer fire departments to apply for new federal fire grants made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act approved by Congress on March 27.
|
Wed, Apr 29th 2020 11:30 am
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday outlined additional guidelines for the phased plan to reopen New York on a regional basis. Each region of the state - Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley, New York City, North Country, Long Island, Southern Tier and Western New York - must follow these guidelines as part of the reopening plan.
|
Tue, Apr 28th 2020 02:20 pm
Patients at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's six primary care sites can now go online to quickly and conveniently meet with their care providers.
|
Tue, Apr 28th 2020 10:20 am
|
Tue, Apr 28th 2020 10:00 am
Following an announcement from the New York State Division of Budget that budget shortfalls resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic could result in cuts of up to 50% in aid to local governments, the New York State Association of Counties called on President Trump, U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, the New York congressional delegation and leaders McConnell, Pelosi, Schumer and McCarthy to provide direct support to counties as congressional leaders begin negotiations for a fourth stimulus package.
|
Mon, Apr 27th 2020 06:25 pm
Erie County Medical Center Corp. on Monday announced the 50th COVID-19 patient has been discharged and the institution celebrated the positive milestone by playing The Beatles' much-loved song, "Here Comes the Sun."
|
Mon, Apr 27th 2020 05:05 pm
It was announced Monday that 850 purchased meals for medical staff would be delivered to nine local medical facilities over the next two weeks. The first of 17 deliveries arrived at ECMC this morning. The scheduled deliveries will continue through May 8 at various other facilities.
|
Mon, Apr 27th 2020 02:20 pm
New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher on Monday said, "Gov. Cuomo provided some much-needed good news today for the state's farmers and our partners looking to feed fellow New Yorkers in need. Our organization has been advocating for food purchase programs at the state and national levels to address the surging demand for food assistance as well as to help alleviate oversupply issues that are burdening our farms because of the loss of markets in the food service industry.
|
Mon, Apr 27th 2020 12:30 pm
University at Buffalo researchers have created a map of food resources in Buffalo to help people locate and access food during the coronavirus pandemic.
|
Sun, Apr 26th 2020 06:30 pm
Across the country, emergency departments previously bursting at the seams and hospitals that were operating at capacity have seen a significant reduction in patient volumes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
Sun, Apr 26th 2020 11:55 am
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Saturday announced the state is expanding diagnostic testing criteria to include more frontline New York workers - a direct result of rapidly increasing diagnostic testing capacity. The expanded criteria will now allow all first responders, health care workers and essential employees to be tested for COVID-19 even if they aren't symptomatic. The state will continue to expand testing criteria as testing capacity increases.
|
Fri, Apr 24th 2020 09:30 pm
On Friday, the $480 billion Emergency Interim Coronavirus Relief Package was signed into law, with a focus on further assisting small businesses, while also providing much-needed aid to hospitals and ramping up testing capacity across the country.
|
Fri, Apr 24th 2020 02:50 pm
Arts Services Initiative of Western New York announced the application materials for the WNY Arts Emergency Relief Fund, a granting program for struggling artists and arts and cultural organizations, are now available. The application will open Friday, May 1.
|
Fri, Apr 24th 2020 02:45 pm
New York Attorney General Letitia James sent letters to 35 of New York's major mortgage servicers, calling on them to provide immediate and long-term relief to all New York homeowners struggling to pay mortgages amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The letters emphasize the responsibility of mortgage servicers to do more to ensure that COVID-19 does not cause unnecessary foreclosures or increase homelessness in New York.
|
Fri, Apr 24th 2020 02:45 pm
Farmworker safety is important year-round, but the needs are paramount at this time as farms work to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. New York Farm Bureau has written a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo asking for additional state assistance to address the needs of the agricultural community. This would include inter-agency coordination related to testing, medical treatment and emergency housing for farmworkers, who are essential to agricultural production.
|
Fri, Apr 24th 2020 11:50 am
Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living, issued the following statement in response to rising number of COVID-19 outbreaks and fatalities in New York's nursing homes and assisted living communities:
|
Fri, Apr 24th 2020 11:30 am
Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns announced Erie County residents performing frontline and essential work can make an online request to register their vehicles or transfer license plates through the County Clerk's website to make sure they have transportation to work.
|
Thu, Apr 23rd 2020 01:40 pm
As essential businesses across Niagara County seek to comply with executive orders requiring face coverings for employees, legislators David Godfrey and Jesse Gooch on Thursday announced the Niagara County Department of Emergency Services has obtained a supply of cloth face coverings that are being made available to essential businesses at no cost.
|
Thu, Apr 23rd 2020 12:25 pm
More than 20 local community leaders have joined forces to launch the Community Leaders Response Fund, pledging their personal financial support in response to the COVID-19 crisis Western New York is facing together. The community leader support effort is being led by Michael W. Cropp, M.D., president and CEO of Independent Health.
|
Thu, Apr 23rd 2020 12:00 pm
"We regret to report the passing of a 65-year-old male with underlying health conditions. We offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends."
|
Thu, Apr 23rd 2020 12:00 pm
Kaleida Health on Thursday announced it has once again expanded its laboratory testing capability for COVID-19, adding a third clinic, this time on the east side of Buffalo, which has seen significant growth in the number of positive coronavirus cases.
|
Wed, Apr 22nd 2020 02:15 pm
Erie County Medical Center Corp. on Wednesday announced a community-based, inner-city health care initiative designed to support Buffalo's vulnerable, at-risk residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
Wed, Apr 22nd 2020 01:45 pm
The Niagara County Legislature on Tuesday night passed a resolution extending the deadline for payment of county taxes without interest and penalties until May 31. The resolution passed unanimously.
|
Wed, Apr 22nd 2020 11:50 am
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related financial challenges that it is facing, Kaleida Health is offering a temporary voluntary furlough program for its staff.
|
Tue, Apr 21st 2020 10:55 am
M&T Bank and KeyBank, in partnership with the First Niagara Foundation, have teamed up with Pegula Sports & Entertainment in its direct community aid initiative. PSE began the initiative March 25 in partnership with the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres Foundations. Together, the companies will provide $540,000 to aid front-line workers at Kaleida Health, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) in the local fight against COVID-19.
|
Tue, Apr 21st 2020 10:50 am
The New York State Department of Labor on Monday released a fact sheet outlining how New Yorkers can apply for the COVID-19 pandemic unemployment assistance program and answering the most common questions regarding the federal program. The release of this new resource follows the launch of a new, streamlined unemployment benefits application that will connect New Yorkers with the benefits they deserve faster.
|
Mon, Apr 20th 2020 12:00 pm
The New York State Department of Labor on Monday announced the launch of a new application for New Yorkers to apply for traditional unemployment insurance or the new COVID-19 pandemic unemployment assistance. This "one-stop-shop" for unemployment benefits will connect New Yorkers with the benefits they deserve faster, without requiring them to call the Department of Labor.
|
Fri, Apr 17th 2020 07:00 pm
During these unprecedented times when the directive is to stay at home and to limit your interaction with others, the demand for both curbside pick-up as well as home delivery has seen a sudden spike. In fact, since the onset of COVID-19 impacted our nation, services like Instacart saw longer wait times than usual, noting order volumes increased by 300% last week alone compared to the same period the previous year.
|
Fri, Apr 17th 2020 04:25 pm
Can't find masks online? Need to make a cloth covering? Not sure how? Niagara County has some suggestions.
|
Fri, Apr 17th 2020 12:00 pm
The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is announcing the expansion of its testing categories for people with COVID-19 symptoms who can be tested through the Erie County Public Health Lab.
|
Thu, Apr 16th 2020 08:25 pm
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is pushing for Congress to approve the Protect Our Post Offices Act (H.R. 6425), legislation appropriating $25 billion in emergency funding to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for financial hardship related to the coronavirus outbreak.
|
Thu, Apr 16th 2020 12:00 pm
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday afternoon announced he would issue an executive order requiring all people in New York to wear a mask or a face covering when out in public and in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained, such as on public transportation. The executive order was signed later in the evening, and will go into effect on Friday, April 17.
|
Wed, Apr 15th 2020 04:45 pm
As some communities face the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak in their area, others are preparing for a surge of COVID-19-related cases. Emergency physicians continue to encourage everyone to practice social distancing and stay at home when possible, but, do not delay necessary medical care, especially if you think you are having an emergency.
|
