Ashley Hupfl, Author at The Gloversville Leader Herald

29 Aug

Hochul warns of the emergence of new COVID-19 variant as school year begins

Ashley Hupfl0 CommentsLocal News, New York News, Newsba.2.86, CDC, center of disease control and prevention, COVID, covid variant, COVID-19, Education, health, Kathy Hochul, New York state, pandemic, variant

Ahead of the new school year, Gov. Kathy Hochul is warning about the emergence of a new variant of COVID-19 and an increase in reported cases and hospitalizations this summer. All viruses change over time and the changes can affect how contagious each is, how well each responds to treatment and how severely each impacts people, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Earlier this month, a new variant of COVID-19 called BA.2.86 was detected in Denmark and Israel and two cases have been identified in the U.S. The CDC reports it is too soon to know whether the…

28 Aug

Amid influx of asylum seekers, state officials send schools letter about children’s right to education

Ashley Hupfl0 CommentsEmail Newsletter, Local News, New York News, Newsasylum, asylum seekers, board of regents, DocGo, Education, Letitia James, migrants, mohonasen, mohonasen central school district, New York state, New York State Education Department, public education, public school, right to education, right to public education, Rotterdam, rotterdam new york, Schenectady County

As school officials prepare for the start of the school year amid the late arrival of prospective students from among the asylum seekers bussed up from New York City, state officials are reminding school districts that every student between the ages of 5 and 21 has the right to a free public education in New York. In a joint press release sent out Monday morning, state Attorney General Letitia James and state education officials detailed schools’ responsibilities in accepting new students and warned against any school policies that may prevent any undocumented students from registering for school. “We are a…

24 Aug

State says it has no authority to cancel NYC’s contract with DocGo

Ashley Hupfl0 CommentsEmail Newsletter, Local News, New York NewsAlbany, albany county, Colonie, contract, DocGo, Eric Adams, immigrants, Kathy Hochul, migrant crisis, migrants, New York City, New York state, nyc, Rotterdam, rotterdam new york, Schenectady County, state politics

Following weeks of increased scrutiny over New York City’s contract with DocGo to provide services and support for an influx of asylum seekers, state officials say there is nothing the state can do to prematurely end the city contract. DocGo is a private medical services firm that was originally contracted by New York City to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, it was reported the city awarded a $432 million, four-month, no-bid contract to help with relocating the migrants. Its contract requires DocGo to house and provide services, including case management, medical care, food, transportation, lodging and security. It is…

23 Aug

Schoharie limo crash: Nauman Hussain seeks bail during appeals process

Ashley Hupfl0 CommentsEmail Newsletter, Local News, News, The Gloversville Leader Heraldamsterdam, amsterdam new york, bail, court, crime, elmira, elmira correction facility, FBI, limo crash, Montgomery County, montgomery county new york, nauman hussain, Prestige Limousine & Chauffeur Service, Schoharie, Schoharie County, Schoharie limo crash, vehicle crash

Following his convictions on manslaughter charges due to his role in the deaths of 20 people from a 2018 limousine crash in Schoharie, Nauman Hussain is asking a judge to be released on bail during his appeals process. Hussain was sentenced to five to 15 years in state prison in May after a judge first rejected a plea deal last year that would have given him community service and probation in lieu of prison time. Hussain’s attorneys are scheduled to argue for bail on Friday before state Supreme Court Justice John Egan Jr., the Times Union first reported. He is…

22 Aug

New York to receive more than $3.6M in federal funds for 27 fire departments statewide

Ashley Hupfl0 CommentsJohnstown, Local News, Montgomery CountyAssistance to Firefighters Grant Program, ballston lake, Ballston Lake Fire Department, Canajoharie, Canajoharie Volunteer Firefighters Inc., Chuck Schumer, Federal Emergency Management Agency, federal funding, federal grants, fema, fire department, Firefighters, grant programs, grants, johnstown, johnstown new york, Kirsten Gillibrand, protective gear, Sir William Johnson Volunteer Fire Company, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response

ALBANY — U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced on Monday more than $3.6 million in federal funds to support 27 fire departments in purchasing new protective gear and supplies.The federal funds were provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. The funds will go towards protective gear, training and emergency personnel supplies. “From Black River to Buffalo, our brave firefighters are always on the front lines risking their lives to protect our communities,” Schumer said in a release. “These courageous first responders deserve all…

22 Aug

State AG opens investigation into DocGo; company last month started housing migrants at Rotterdam Super 8 Motel

Ashley Hupfl0 CommentsLocal Newsasylum, asylum seekers, DocGo, Eric Adams, Kathy Hochul, New York City, Rotterdam, super 8

ALBANY -- New York State Attorney General Letitia James has opened an investigation into DocGo, a company hired by New York City with an influx of thousands of immigrants, a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office confirmed Tuesday.That development comes on the heels of more than 200 such asylum seekers ending up last month at a Super 8 Motel in Rotterdam, within the district of Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who had announced the existence of the investigation Monday night.DocGo is a private medical services firm that was originally contracted by New York City to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. In early May, it…