Fri, May 14th 2021 04:25 pm
New York state Wegmans pharmacy locations are now offering COVID-19 vaccination appointments to individuals age 12 and older. Online appointment scheduling for minors is open now, with appointment availability starting Saturday, May 15. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Fri, May 14th 2021 04:25 pm
The Erie County Department of Health announced that, with reported COVID-19 cases through Thursday, the rate for new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days is 91. This means that, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention thresholds for community transmission, Erie County is now considered in a "substantial" category of COVID-19 risk, down from a "high" level.
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Fri, May 14th 2021 12:15 pm
Congressman Brian Higgins says new public health guidance confirms the border between the U.S. and Canada can safely reopen. The congressman, who serves as co-chair of the northern border caucus and the Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group, is pressing the White House to end the orders banning nonessential travel. Orders have been issued monthly for over a year.
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Thu, May 13th 2021 08:25 pm
Erie County Medical Center Corp., following guidance from the CDC and New York State Department of Health, is now administering the Pfizer vaccine for anyone 12 to 18 years old in its vaccine center. In addition, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is also available in the ECMC vaccine center for the general public.
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Thu, May 13th 2021 08:25 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation (S.5923-A/A.6617-A) protecting New Yorkers' COVID-19 stimulus payments from being garnished by debt collectors.
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Thu, May 13th 2021 08:25 pm
The Erie County Department of Health will begin providing COVID-19 vaccine to youth ages 12-15 at its scheduled Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinics. This follows the recommendations of the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health, and their reviews of clinical trial data for safety and efficacy in that age group.
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Thu, May 13th 2021 07:25 pm
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday issued Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. It stated:
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Wed, May 12th 2021 09:15 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered this statement Wednesday night:
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Wed, May 12th 2021 06:55 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation (S.1453-B/A.6225-A) extending a moratorium that prevents utility companies from disconnecting utilities to residential households and small businesses that are struggling with their bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium is extended for a period of 180 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted, or 180 days after Dec. 31, whichever is earlier. Utility companies must instead offer these customers a deferred payment agreement without fees or penalties on any past-due balance.
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Wed, May 12th 2021 06:55 pm
A recent national survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) shows more than seven in 10 Americans (71%) support the federal government providing targeted economic relief to the hotel industry as called for in the Save Hotel Jobs Act. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), will provide a lifeline to hotel employees, providing up to three months of full payroll support.
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Wed, May 12th 2021 05:55 pm
Congressman Brian Higgins spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives highlighting the role of the Child Tax Credit in rebuilding an economy that works for hardworking families.
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Wed, May 12th 2021 05:55 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced five new pop-up vaccination sites at Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority station stops in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls areas. The sites will serve walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis utilizing the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. New York is partnering with Erie County Medical Center, Kaleida Health, Urban Family Practice and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center to administer vaccines at the sites.
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Wed, May 12th 2021 05:55 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced that, beginning June 1, Sahlen Field will have a fully vaccinated fan section for the return of the Blue Jays to Buffalo for the remainder of their Major League Baseball season. Approximately 50% of the stadium's available seating will be used for fully vaccinated fans.
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Wed, May 12th 2021 05:55 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced beaches and pools will operate with 6-foot social distancing in anticipation of Memorial Day. New York state's goal is to reopen them to 100% capacity by July 4.
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Wed, May 12th 2021 09:50 am
Grand Island secondary students could be heading back to five-day, in-person classes as soon as next Wednesday, May 19.
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Tue, May 11th 2021 04:50 pm
Congressman Brian Higgins announced new tools from the White House that will help Western New Yorkers find vaccination sites in Erie and Niagara counties and receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement follows news by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that Pfizer vaccine eligibility will be expanded to include Americans ages 12-15.
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Tue, May 11th 2021 04:30 pm
The Erie County Department of Health is introducing a service where a "Vax Visit" team will go to any individual's residence to administer COVID-19 vaccine.
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Tue, May 11th 2021 04:30 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday launched round XI of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative, officially kicking off a new decade of economic development in a post-pandemic recovery. The 2021 funding round includes more than $750 million in state economic development resources.
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Mon, May 10th 2021 05:35 pm
The University at Buffalo is supporting an initiative announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo during a press conference on Monday morning.
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Sat, May 8th 2021 11:05 am
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive at least the maximum allowable level of food benefits for May. For a 15th consecutive month, these emergency supplemental SNAP benefits are being provided to individuals and households already enrolled in SNAP.
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Fri, May 7th 2021 05:45 pm
Hosted by Selena Gomez with performances by Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, Prince Harry, J Balvin and H.E.R., "VAX LIVE" was taped before an audience of vaccinated frontline health care and essential workers at SoFi Stadium. This event will air Saturday, May 8, on ABC, ABC News Live, CBS, YouTube, iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations and the iHeartRadio App, at 8 p.m. The concert will also air on FOX at 11 p.m.
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Fri, May 7th 2021 04:35 pm
Six Flags Darien Lake is teaming up with the Genesee County Health Department to offer a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the park on Tuesday, May 11.
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Fri, May 7th 2021 04:00 pm
Mayor Robert Restaino announced the continuation of the expedited process for local businesses to apply for temporary permits for outdoor seating/dining service. This system was developed last year in response to the economic effects felt throughout the Niagara Falls community due to COVID-19 and increased reopening efforts by local government to support local businesses.
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Fri, May 7th 2021 09:40 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo released this statement on Thursday:
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Wed, May 5th 2021 04:25 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced large-scale outdoor event venues will only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of patrons to maintain the required social distance of 6 feet starting May 19. This will apply to outdoor sports, performing arts and live entertainment, and horse and auto racing venues statewide. Appropriate social distancing, masks and other applicable health protocols will still apply.
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Wed, May 5th 2021 08:40 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday signed an extension of the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 and the COVID-19 Emergency Protect Our Small Businesses Act. The legislation (S.6362-A/A.7175-A) extends protections prohibiting residential and commercial evictions, foreclosure proceedings, credit discrimination and negative credit reporting related to the COVID-19 pandemic until Aug. 31.
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Wed, May 5th 2021 08:30 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced the citizen public health training course for New Yorkers to learn about preparedness for and prevention of public health emergencies from top public health experts will open on Wednesday, May 5.
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Tue, May 4th 2021 01:50 pm
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) recently released new data showcasing the ongoing devastating impact of COVID-19 on hotel industry employment, including projected hotel job loss through the end of 2021. Without targeted relief from Congress, nationwide, hotels are expected to end 2021 down 500,000 jobs. Hotels are the only major hospitality and leisure segment yet to receive direct aid.
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Mon, May 3rd 2021 02:10 pm
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday announced a "significant easing" of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the region's businesses, venues and gatherings given "significant progress" in vaccinations and sustained reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
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Mon, May 3rd 2021 01:20 pm
Congressman Brian Higgins, who serves as co-chair of the congressional northern border caucus, spoke with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to discuss the existing order closing the U.S.-Canada border to nonessential travel. In the call, Higgins made an urgent appeal to expand the definition of essential traveler to allow for families to reunite.
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Fri, Apr 30th 2021 01:45 pm
The American Hotel & Lodging Association and UNITE HERE, the largest hospitality workers union in North America, joined forces to call on Congress to pass the Save Hotel Jobs Act. AHLA said, "The bill, introduced by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), provides a lifeline to hotel workers, providing the assistance they need to survive until travel returns to prepandemic levels."
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Fri, Apr 30th 2021 01:45 pm
Greg Olsen, director of the New York State Office for the Aging, urges all New Yorkers to take the CV19 CheckUp, a free, anonymous, personalized online tool that evaluates an individual's risks associated with COVID-19 based on their circumstances. The CV19 CheckUp provides recommendations and resources to help reduce an individual's pandemic risks.
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Fri, Apr 30th 2021 12:05 pm
Relay For Life will be held in person this year - the first time since 2019. This year's event has been scheduled for 3-7 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at the Fuccillo Hyundai dealership, 1910 Alvin Road.
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Fri, Apr 30th 2021 11:40 am
When Erie County Department of Health vaccine clinic managers scheduled teen COVID-19 vaccine clinics for Saturday, May 1, creative sparks started to fly.
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Fri, Apr 30th 2021 09:00 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced New York state will provide 1,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses and establish a new pop-up site targeting 16- to 25-year-olds in Buffalo. He also announced the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority will provide 1,000 day passes to help eligible residents reach the pop-up site.
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Thu, Apr 29th 2021 11:40 am
The Niagara County Department of Health will hold several free COVID-19 vaccination clinics across Niagara County throughout the month of May.
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Thu, Apr 29th 2021 08:45 am
Congressman Brian Higgins announced the Restaurant Revitalization Fund will begin accepting applications at noon Monday, May 3. The program, funded through the American Rescue Plan and run by the Small Business Administration (SBA), will provide struggling restaurants with federal COVID-19 relief. Applicants can register through the SBA's application portal beginning at 9 a.m. Friday.
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Wed, Apr 28th 2021 10:30 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced the midnight food and beverage service curfew will be lifted for outdoor dining areas beginning May 17 and for indoor dining areas beginning May 31.
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Wed, Apr 28th 2021 09:40 am
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center joined together Tuesday to celebrate and recognize staff for what it called their "heroic efforts set forth throughout the pandemic, including the important role in Niagara County's mass-vaccination effort."
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Tue, Apr 27th 2021 04:20 pm
The Erie County Department of Health is sharing the New York State Association of County Health Officials statement from NYSACHO Executive Director Sarah Ravenhall concerning COVID-19 prevention and response activities in schools:
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