Promenade Hill Update

At the Common Council meeting on Monday, DPW superintendent Rob Perry reported on the progress at Promenade Hill. More of the landscaping has been installed, the bluestone border for the entryway into the central plaza is in place, and the stonework of the central plaza is underway.

The railings, which are being custom fabricated, continue to be the principal reason why it is not possible to predict when the work will be complete and the park can be reopened.

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Galvan's Plans for the Community Theatre

Last night, Dan Kent and other representatives of the Galvan Foundation presented what is being proposed for the old Community Theater building at Seventh and Columbia streets, which Galvan is renaming "Hudson Forum."

Abatecola in 2010

One of the people presenting Galvan's vision for the building was the artistic director for Hudson Forum, August Abatecola. Abatecola grew up in Claverack and graduated from Hudson High School in 2008. As a teenager, Abatecola was involved in theater at school and also performed with local theater companies--the Mac-Haydn Theatre, Upstage Productions, and the Cohoes Music Hall. In 2010, an article in the Register-Star reported that Abatecola, then known as "Augie," was "working tirelessly to land a record deal and become the world's newest pop artist": "Aiming high: Abatecola aspires to be a pop star." Abatecola is currently the artistic director at Yorktown Stage Musical Theatre in Westchester County.

Abatecola told the Planning Board that the intention was to "go mainstream" with the productions at Hudson Forum, offering musicals and plays with popular appeal, "things the entire county will want to come to," rather than "high art," which he described as "obscure" and "exclusive." In planning the programming, he said he wanted to cater to "our people" and bring quality entertainment to Hudson and Columbia County. He also talked about classes and programs for children and young people, saying he wanted give the community what he didn't have when he was growing up here.

Michael Walch, the architect for the project, presented the floor plans for the restoration of the building. 

The restored theater will have a maximum of 405 seats, and the seating in the main space will be moveable to allow the space to be used for weddings and other gatherings.

At last night's meeting, the Planning Board adopted a resolution classifying the the project as an unlisted action under SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) and declaring itself the lead agency in the SEQR process. In the discussion preceding the vote on the resolution, it was revealed that Galvan has not made an application to the Hudson Industrial Development Agency for tax abatements for this project, perhaps because it is intended to be operated as a not-for-profit.

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An Update from HPD

On Monday, Gossips published a press release from the Hudson Police Department regarding incidents of women allegedly being flashed and groped on the streets of Hudson. Late last night, Gossips received this update from the HPD.

The person who allegedly groped two women in the City of Hudson yesterday morning has been released from Columbia Memorial Hospital. He is identified as Jamar L. Beauford, age 21, of Hudson.

Upon his release this afternoon, officers arraigned him in Hudson City Court on the following charges:

Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd (misd)

Forcible Touching (misd)

Sexual Abuse 1st (felony)

Beauford was arraigned before Hudson City Court Judge Brian J. Herman who set bail at $500.

He is scheduled to reappear in Hudson City Court Thursday, July 14. at 9:00 a.m.

Jamar L. Beauford

The press release includes this comment from Chief Ed Moore: "A shocking and disturbing series of incidents played out on our streets yesterday. So many of our residents are concerned for their safety. Every HPD member is hyperaware of this situation and will be fully responsive to stop any repeat violent conduct toward the women of our community. The investigation is still open and ongoing."

First News from the Planning Board Meeting

At its meeting on Tuesday, which ran for just short of four hours, the Planning Board granted site plan approval to Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Galvan "Depot District" project.

During the course of the meeting, Dan Kent, vice president of initiatives for the Galvan Foundation, revealed that Phase 3 of the project, 75 North Seventh Street, had been "beat out" by other projects in the Capital Region for funding from NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). He indicated they would try again in the next round.

The building proposed for 75 North Seventh Street is the building intended for households with incomes between 40 and 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). Its financing is to come primarily from HCR. The construction of this building is Phase 3.

The building to be constructed across the street, at 76 North Seventh Street, is intended for households with incomes between 80 and 130 percent of the AMI. Private financing is being sought for this building, the construction of which is Phase 2 of the project.

The situation may raise this question: Will Galvan move ahead with the building proposed for the east side of the street, described as "workforce housing," when financing for the building on the west side, described as "low-income housing," is not assured? 

It appears now that they intend to.

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Life in Our Little City

Around the holidays, there are often cautionary posts on social media about packages disappearing from porches and stoops. What was observed on North Sixth Street this morning provides another lesson on the prudence of retrieving your packages promptly.

Credit goes to Bill Huston for providing these pictures.

Where to Be on Wednesday

On Wednesday evenings, are you torn between being upstreet at the Hudson Wednesday Market or down by the river for Waterfront Wednesdays? If you want to be in both places, do you worry about how you will get from here to there? Agonize and fret no more.

The Wick Hotel has offered to shuttle folks between Seventh Street Park and Henry Hudson Riverfront Park in their little electric bus. The bus will be running every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the ride is free. No set schedule for trips between the two points has yet been established, and the exact stop locations are still to be determined, but if you see the vehicle on Wednesday evening, at the waterfront or the Public Square, you might want to climb aboard.  

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COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there have been 23 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is the same as yesterday, from which it can be inferred that, since yesterday, 23 county residents have recovered from the virus. The number of county residents hospitalized and in the ICU today has not changed since yesterday. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since Tuesday, July 5.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported 2 new cases of COVID-19, after the two-day weekend. The total number of cases was 4,278, and the number of active cases was 4. There were 5 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 1 was hospitalized, and 0 were in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 at this time last year was 96.

Just Beyond Our Borders

We Hudsonians, in our little progressive liberal bubble, sometimes forget that the rest of the county doesn't necessarily share our values. Gossips was reminded of this today by an email from GhentCAN, with the subject head "Hate Speech on County Road in Ghent." It would appear the only offense of the people whose property was so marked is that they are Democrats.

We are sad to report this very disturbing incident in our town. In speaking with the Ghent residents, who woke up to this sign in front of their home yesterday morning, they feel this is a personal threat and can think of no explanation other than their support of Democratic candidates over the past few elections. In 2021, their Dem lawn signs were vandalized and stolen numerous times as well. . . .

It Happened This Morning in Our Little City

Earlier this evening, Gossips received the following press release from the Hudson Police Department:

The Hudson City Police Department is currently investigating several apparently related incidents where women were subjected to sexual contact.

This morning, Monday, July 11, 2022, at 8:44 a.m., HPD received a call via Columbia County 911 from a woman who reported that she was walking on [East] Allen St. near St. Mary’s Church and was confronted by a man wearing red boxer underwear shorts and no shirt.

The victim stated that the man exposed himself to her and proceeded to touch and grope her. The man ran away west on Union Street.

Patrols and Detectives immediately responded to the neighborhood.

Several minutes after the initial report, an HPD Detective observed a man matching the description grab and fondle another woman as she was walking on Union Street. The man was immediately taken into custody by an HPD Sergeant.

The perpetrator is described as a black male, 22 years old, 6 feet tall, 180 lbs. He has script tattoos under both eyes.

HPD was immediately assisted by the Mobil Crisis Assessment Team (MCAT) and the man was transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital where he is undergoing treatment and evaluation.

HPD is currently investigating another, possibly related, incident that is alleged to have occurred earlier that morning in the area of Oakwood Boulevard.

Anyone with any additional information or [who] may themselves [have] been victimized [is] encouraged to call HPD Detectives at (518)828-3388.

The Return of the Concrete Blocks

Judging from the number of times inquiries about it have appeared on Facebook, it's a question on everyone's mind: When will the planters and concrete blocks that transform parking spaces on Warren Street into outdoor dining areas be returning? 

Photo: JD Urban | HBCi

Gossips learned the answer to the question this morning. The Department of Public Works will be positioning the concrete blocks and planters in the street tomorrow, Tuesday, July 12. 

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COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since Friday, there have been 33 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is 1 more than Friday, from which it can be inferred that, since Friday, 32 county residents have recovered from the virus. There are 2 more county residents hospitalized with COVID-19 today than on Friday, but the number in the ICU remains the same. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since Tuesday, July 5.

A year ago was a Sunday, and the CCDOH did not report COVID numbers. On the previous Friday, July 9, the CCDOH reported 0 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 4,276, and the number of active cases was 6. There were 2 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 1 was hospitalized, and 0 were in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Columbia County at this time last year was 96.

Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

"And what is so rare as a day in June?" This year, those rare summer days are happening in July. But this week, there are a few meetings that merit coming inside for.

• On Monday, July 11, the Common Council holds its informal meeting for July at 6:00 p.m. No agenda or documents for the meeting have yet been posted, but the proposed local law to amend the ward boundaries will have to be voted on by the Council this month. Amending the ward boundaries requires a referendum, and the deadline for getting the issue on the ballot for November is August 6. The Council's informal meeting is a hybrid--taking place at City Hall and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.

  

• On Tuesday, July 12, at 10 a.m., the House Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol resumes its hearings. According to the New York Times, the hearing will reveal the committee's findings "about the connections between former President Donald J. Trump's effort to overturn the 2020 election and the domestic violent extremist groups that helped to organize the siege on Congress." 

Update: The time of Tuesday's January 6 committee hearing has been changed from 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• At noon on Tuesday, July 12, Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency (HCDPA) holds its monthly meeting. An agenda for the meeting is not available, but it is expected that the discussion of turning over properties now owned by HCDPA to the Hudson Housing Authority for the development of subsidized public housing will continue and perhaps reach some conclusion. The meeting will take place virtually. Click here to join.  
• Also on Tuesday, July 12, the Planning Board meets at 6:00 p.m. The agenda for the meeting is not yet available, but two things that are likely to be on the agenda are Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the "Depot District" project and the new neighborhood proposed for Hudson Avenue. The meeting will take place virtually. Click here to join.

• On Wednesday, July 13, it's Waterfront Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to sunset. The event this week features the Flow Chart Foundation presenting, at 7:00 p.m., John Ashbery's Description of a Masque, performed by Shanekia McIntosh, Craig Reardon, and Zoe Tuck, with theatre concept by Jeffrey Lependorf. Ashbery's zany modern fairy tale of life and how it comes to us is a mash-up of classical mythology and nursery rhyme characters, with a touch of noir film banter thrown in.

• On Thursday, July 14, at 6:00 p.m., the Common Council holds a special meeting to receive an update on the truck route study and the efforts to reroute trucks out of Hudson. Gossips did a post about this meeting last Thursday. The meeting will be a hybrid--taking place at City Hall and on Zoom. Click here to join remotely.  

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Of Interest

For those whose interest in Marina Abramovic has outlasted her interest in transforming the old Community Theater building, now owned by Galvan, into the Marina Abramovic Institute (MAI), there was article about her yesterday in the New York Times: "Being Marina Abramovic, Even Where No One's Looking." 

Photo: Emiliano Grando | New York Times

If It's Not One Thing, It's Another

Yesterday, Matt Murell, chair of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, issued a press release that provided this information about health risks now present in Columbia County:

COVID-19 cases

As of Monday, per the CDC, Columbia County's rate of new COVID-19 cases remains in the low risk category. On Thursday, the CDC-reported average of new daily cases per 100,000 of population stood at 19.2. The positive test rate is 11.4 percent.

According to Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb, "Columbia County's COVID-19 positive cases for the week ending July 8 remained fairly constant in comparison with the numbers from June. As of today, we received reports of 87 positive cases this week. Also today, we have 13 in area hospitals and one in the ICU. Of the eight individuals at Columbia Memorial Health all are vaccinated, with six over the age of 60 and the other two under 40."

Director Mabb said his department is watching the rapid growth of the latest omicron variant BA-5. Information from the state Health Department this week shows BA-5 accounting for 54% of all new positive cases. That's up from the 37% last week.

"It appears to be more contagious and perhaps more virulent," said Director Mabb, who noted the saving grace for us is that it is summer, kids are out of school and we're spending more time outside. "We are anxious about what the fall will bring."

Powassan virus

The county Department of Health is also following a probable case of Powassan virus. This is a very rare tick-borne illness that can cause serious complications such as encephalitis, seizures, loss of coordination, and confusion. More common symptoms include headache, nausea, fever, and fatigue.

"I do want to emphasize that Powassan is very rare. This is only the second case we've had in the last three years," said Director Mabb. By comparison the county has seen 489 cases of Lyme disease so far this year.  

The state of things in Columbia County was the subject of a report on WAMC today, which can be read and heard here: "Columbia County warns of possible Powassan virus; COVID deaths tick up too." It is not known if the pun in that headline was intended or not.

This Year's CDBG Application

The CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) application process happens every year. The process involves public hearings to encourage public participation "both in the preparation of CDBG applications and throughout the implementation of local CDBG projects."

This past Thursday, there was a public hearing on this year's CDBG application. The hearing lasted for 16 minutes and was attended by no members of the public. The video recording of the hearing can be viewed here. What was announced at the hearing was that the City is using its CDBG opportunity this year to apply for a grant of $31,000 to $32,000 to do a feasibility study on renovating the beach house at Oakdale Lake.

Renovating the beach house was one of the eight ideas that were part of Hudson Valley Initiative's vision for Oakdale, developed in 2018. 

The changes that were proposed for the beach house in 2018 included a concession bar and the rearrangement of the Youth Department office and the bathrooms to make the latter more accessible. Also proposed in 2018 was a redesign of the entrance to Oakdale that involved making North Sixth Street a pedestrian entrance and drop-off spot and creating a new entrance from North Seventh Street for vehicles. 

After the feasibility study is done and a design for the renovation is in place, the plan is to go back for grant funding to implement the project. 

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COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there have been 15 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is 9 fewer than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that, since yesterday, 24 county residents have recovered from the virus. There is 1 more county resident hospitalized with COVID-19 today than yesterday, but the number in the ICU remains the same. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since Tuesday, July 5.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported 2 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 4,276, and the number of active cases was 6. There were 4 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 1 was hospitalized, and 0 were in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Columbia County at this time last year was 96.

Eleven Years Later

In January 2011, Gossips was first to report that Etsy was coming to Hudson. Today, the Register-Star reports that the Etsy facility on Columbia Street, in the Cannonball Factory, is closing: "Etsy closing Hudson facility, shifting to remote work."   

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there have been 10 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is 5 more than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that, since yesterday, 5 county residents have recovered from the virus. The number of county residents hospitalized with COVID-19 today is 1 more than yesterday; the number in the ICU remains the same. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since Tuesday, July 5.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported 1 new case of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 4,274, and the number of active cases was 4. There were 5 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 1 was hospitalized, and 0 were in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Columbia County at this time last year was 96.

Regarding the Truck Study

Last month, Mayor Kamal Johnson made an unannounced update to the Common Council on the status of efforts to get the truck routes moved out of Hudson. What he said wasn't very encouraging. The mayor maintained that the issue of the state truck routes, which bring eighteen wheelers through the city on their way to someplace else, could not be separated from the issue of Colarusso, its operations at the river, and the proposed haul road through South Bay. According to the mayor, "Greenport and Claverack are not interested in separating those two issues. . . . The State isn't going to choose between municipalities . . . without some kind of understanding and agreement and partnership between those municipalities, and from any conversations with other county supervisors, they're not in those conversations unless the haul road is decided." Exactly what the mayor said can be heard here, between 5:56 and 9:43.

Next Thursday, July, 14, a 6:00 p.m., the Common Council is holding a special meeting to receive an update on the truck route study and the efforts to reroute the trucks out of Hudson. The meeting was called by three councilmembers: Margaret Morris (First Ward), Ryan Wallace (Third Ward), and Dewan Sarowar (Second Ward). The presence of the mayor and the five Hudson supervisors--Claire Cousin (First Ward), Abdus Miah (Second Ward), Michael Chameides (Third Ward), Linda Mussmann (Fourth Ward), Rick Scalera (Fifth Ward)--is requested at the meeting.

On the issue of trucks in the city, and as a preview of how things might go at next week's meeting, this past Tuesday, Second Ward supervisor Abdus Miah submitted a petition to Assemblymember Didi Barrett, Mayor Kamal Johnson, and members of the Common Council, the Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding "Heavy Haul Truck Traffic" in the Second Ward. The following is quoted from Miah's cover letter:

I am writing regarding the petition of Heavy Haul Truck Traffic going thru the 2nd ward, City of Hudson. People living in 2nd ward are facing many issues because of Heavy Truck Traffic like noise and vibration disturbance in neighborhood residents, Several Health issues and so on. Many children play and senior people walk around this neighborhood streets. Pavement condition is poor on these roads and heavy wheel load causing severe deterioration. Also, there are many sewer pipes under these roads.

I kindly request you to look into this issue quickly for a prompt and satisfactory solution. Please take a strict step to enforce the Heavy Haul Truck Traffic exclusion on the 2nd ward.

The petition itself focuses on the health risks to vulnerable populations caused by truck traffic and is more specific in its request. The following is quoted from the petition:

As you know, the 2nd ward of Hudson has the highest engagement of school-age kids and a large concentration of senior citizens who regularly travel thru the lower part of Columbia St. Heavy haul truck traffic not only poses a danger to the youth at the Hudson neighborhood playground but also increasing risk of lifelong chronic disease of asthma. So, as a resident of the City of Hudson, we are requesting our elected officials to put a halt to all heavy haul truck traffic up the lower half of Columbia St., from Front St. to 3rd St.

The only trucks that travel on Columbia Street below Third are Colarusso's gravel trucks.

It is the opinion of some that letting Colarusso have its way will eliminate the gravel trucks on the streets. At the informal Council meeting in June, after the mayor talked about not separating the issue of the truck routes from the Colarusso issue, Council president Tom DePietro said, "Let's be clear. That's not to say that we are pressuring the Planning Board in any way to make a decision." That's clearly not the case with Miah's petition.  

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Reminder: Candidates Forum Tonight

The Columbia County Democrats are hosting a virtual forum tonight at 7:00 p.m. with Jamie Cheney and Josh Riley, the two candidates who are competing in the primary on August 23 to be the Democratic candidate for the new 19th Congressional District. The winner of the primary will face Republican Marc Molinaro in November.

The forum is an opportunity to hear from the two candidates, ask questions, and learn how you can get involved with their campaigns. Those wishing to participate in the virtual forum are asked to register in advance, which can be done by clicking here.

Share Your Preservation Experiences

The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, in collaboration the Northeast Regional Initiative for the Preservation Trades, a four-state partnership among the Preservation League of New York State, the Preservation Trust of Vermont, the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, and Maine Preservation, is conducting a research project pertaining to the preservation trades workforce in the Northeast. 

If you are a current or retired tradesperson, a preservation advocate, the owner of a historic property, or someone else connected with this area of work, you are encouraged to share your experiences and perspectives by completing a survey. The survey, which takes just ten to fifteen minutes to complete, can be found here. To learn more about the project, click here.

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there have been 18 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is 8 fewer than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that, since yesterday, 26 county residents have recovered from the virus. There is 1 more county resident hospitalized with COVID-19 today than yesterday, but the number in the ICU remains the same. There has not been a death from COVID-19 reported in Columbia County since yesterday. 

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported 5 new cases of COVID-19 after a three-day weekend. The total number of cases was 4,273, and the number of active cases was 7. There were 8 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 1 was hospitalized, and 0 were in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 at this time last year was 96.

Happening This Saturday in Chatham

For all those who enjoy gospel music, there's a Gospel Music Festival happening this Saturday, July 9, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham.

The Current Plan to Market Hudson

Back in April, the Common Council passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with CGI Digital to be part of a Community Showcase Video Program. According to the resolution, the mayor's office was approached by CGI Digital to participate in the Community Showcase Video Program "to create a series of videos highlighting businesses, organizations, attractions, natural resources, and communities within Hudson." The resolution indicates that videos will be done "at no cost to the municipality."

Last week, Gossips learned that CGI Digital had begun contacting businesses, asking them to participate in the video program. According to the information Gossips received, businesses were being asked to pay a fee to be part of the video.

A few days later, the following information appeared on the City of Hudson website:

The Mayor's office is pleased to announce a partnership with CGI Digital (CGI) to coordinate and produce a series of educational videos highlighting all we have to offer residents, visitors, and business. CGI works in partnership with the National League of Cities and the United States Conference of Mayors to provide tools that showcase and promote municipalities nationwide.

With a highly visible interface on our official website homepage, our Video Tour will allow viewers to learn more about area attractions, quality of life, economic development, and more.

Recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce is an essential part of our city's vitality. This program will provide our business community with digital solutions to streamline recruitment efforts and strengthen presence online. In addition, the Video Tour on the City's website will backlink to CGI's www.elocallink.tv which hosts the videos, providing increased exposure for all participants.

We encourage members of our community to consider being a part of this initiative. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to request an appointment please email CGI Digital Vice President Brandon Bartz at brandon@cgicompany.com.

A video press release about the project, featuring Mayor Kamal Johnson, can be viewed here. Examples of videos created by CGI for other cities can be viewed here. (Scroll down to "Commitment to the Public Sector.") The common theme of all the videos seems to be that the subject municipality is a great place to live, raise a family, and grow a business.

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since Friday, there have been 52 new cases of COVID-19, and there has also been another death. The number of active cases being reported today is 3 fewer than on Friday, from which it can be inferred that, since Friday, 54 county residents have recovered from the virus. There are 3 more county residents hospitalized today than on Friday, and the number in the ICU remains the same.  

Meetings and Events in the Week Ahead

With the Fourth of July behind us, summer has officially and unofficially begun. In this first official and unofficial week of summer, here's what is happening in Hudson. 

• On Tuesday, July 5, the Housing Trust Fund Board meets at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will take place virtually. Click here to join.  
• At 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, the Conservation Advisory Council holds its regular monthly meeting. The meeting will take place virtually. Click here to join.

Update: The CAC meeting was canceled.

• On Wednesday, July 6, the Hudson Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meets at 4:00 p.m. The agenda for the meeting can be found here. The discussion of evaluation criteria and a process for negotiating community benefits agreements is expected to continue. The meeting will be a hybrid--talking place in person at 1 City Centre, Suite 301, and on Zoom. Click here to join remotely.
• From 5:00 p.m. until sunset on Wednesday, July 5, it is Waterfront Wednesdays at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. Starting at 5:15 p.m., there is the Ujima Drum Circle. From 6:30 p.m. to 7:00, there is an Operation Unite Awards Ceremony. At 7:00 p.m., The Hudson Eye presents an artist-driven program throughout the park, focusing on dance, music, performance, and visual art and featuring such renowned and emerging artists as Kris Perry, Jeremy Kristin Bullis, Hala Shah, Nadia Khayrallah, Isaiah João, and the alumni of The Hudson Eye's AIRs Residency Program. The program marks the final exhibition date for Kris Perry's monumental sculpture Back to the Land, which has been installed for the past year on the lawn beside the Dunn warehouse.

• At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6, the Common Council Legal Committee holds its regular monthly meeting. No agenda for the meeting has yet been published. The meeting will be a hybrid--taking place at City Hall and on Zoom. Click here to join remotely.
• On Thursday, July 7, at 6:00 p.m., there is a public hearing to receive comments on the City of Hudson's community development needs and to discuss the possible submission of one or more Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications. The hearing will be a hybrid--taking place in person at City Hall and on Zoom. Click here to join the meeting remotely.
• On Friday, July 8, the Historic Preservation Commission holds the first of two regular monthly meetings at 10:00 a.m. The meeting takes place virtually. Click here to join. 

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Happy Independence Day

 

Not Just the Sound of Fireworks

Shortly before 1:00 a.m. this morning, Gossips received this press release from the Hudson Police Department:

At 8:19 p.m. the Hudson Police Department received several calls reporting shots fired in the vicinity of Building #6, Hudson Terrace Apartments, 15 North Front Street, Hudson. Patrols arrived at the scene at 8:21 p.m. and discovered that a silver 2021 Volkswagen SUV had been struck by a bullet. Responding patrols from HPD, New York State Police, and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office secured the scene and collected evidence.

At 9:40 p.m. Columbia Memorial Hospital called HPD and reported a 19-year-old male walked into the Emergency Department with a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim is a resident of Hudson.

Currently HPD Detectives are working with investigators from the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Additional patrols have been assigned to assist throughout the evening.

Anyone who has information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Hudson City Police Detective Unit at (518) 828-3388.

More News of the Church

Yesterday, Gossips shared the news, first announced on Facebook, that the project to repair and replace the First Presbyterian Church's standing seam metal roof, which is more than a hundred years old, had begun. That post gave the impression that all the money needed for the project had been raised. That's not exactly the case.

Photo: Brooklyn DoubleWide

Today I learned from Theresa Parsons, treasurer of the Friends of the First Presbyterian Church, that nearly 95 percent of the total cost of the project has been raised. Yesterday, after hearing that the project had begun, a first time donor offered to match all donations made in July, up to $5,000. In addition to the match, the church needs to raise another $10,000 in the next few weeks.

Now is the perfect time to make a gift, large or small, to help preserve this beloved Hudson landmark. We are all enriched by its presence. We all need to help support its preservation. Click here to make a contribution, or send a check to Friends of FPC at 369 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534.

The Bear Out There

We don't quite know the route of the bear's meanderings around Hudson this morning before being persuaded to get out of town, but thanks to this picture we know that at some point, between being spotted in the stately homes block of Allen Street and being captured on video at Cherry Alley and Sixth Street, the young ursine took a moment to contemplate climbing a tree in Courthouse Square.

Photo: John Lippert

COVID-19 Update

The Columbia County Department of Health has released its numbers for today. Since yesterday, there have been 2 deaths reported, along with 17 new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases being reported today is 3 fewer than yesterday, from which it can be inferred that, since yesterday, 18 county residents have recovered from the virus. There are 2 fewer county residents hospitalized today than yesterday, and 1 fewer is in the ICU.  

A press release today from Matt Murell, chair of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, contained this information:

As of Wednesday, per the CDC, Columbia County's rate of new COVID-19 cases remains in the low risk category. Also as of Wednesday, the CDC-reported current average of new daily cases per 100,000 of population stood at 11.1. The positive test rate is 5.4 percent.

"June ended with half the positive COVID-19 cases of May, even as the numbers climbed the last two weeks of the month. May saw 893 cases with June dropping to 422," Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb said today.

"It is good to see the numbers cut in half this month, but that's tempered by the persistent rise in case numbers these past two weeks," said Director Mabb. "The last week of the month saw 106 positive cases, up from 98 the week before. The department is reporting two additional Covid-related deaths today--one was a resident of an area nursing home in her 60s, and the other a gentleman in his 80s who had been a patient of Albany Medical Center Hospital. These deaths bring to 148 the county residents who have died while positive for Covid. There are nine people in area hospitals who are positive for Covid, with two in the ICU."

The information in the press release about hospitalization does not match the numbers released by the CCDOH at 3:00 p.m. today.

A year ago today, the CCDOH reported 0 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases was 4,266, and the number of active cases was 2. There were 11 county residents in mandatory quarantine, 0 were hospitalized, and 0 were in the ICU. The total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Columbia County at this time last year was 96.

Help for a Treasured Landmark

The First Presbyterian Church, whose iconic spire appears in many images of Hudson's main street, both vintage and modern, and in whose tower the city clock resides, made this announcement today on Facebook:

After years of hard work, repair and replacement of the church's 100+ year old standing seam metal roof began this Monday. The church along with the Friends of First Presbyterian are immensely grateful to the Albany Presbytery Trustees for an unprecedented gift of $100,000 to help complete this project. Many thanks are also due to the Friends' diligent faithfulness and many church members who have both contributed financially to the fundraising efforts and also given their time in repairing and maintaining the existing structure. It will be a joyous day when we don't have to pour out buckets of water from the attic any longer! . . .

Bear Sighting in Hudson

This morning, a young bear was seen in the backyard of a house on the south side of Allen Street, in the 300 block. A reader provided this photograph.

Where the bear went after his stroll through the yard is not known, but folks in the area should be on the lookout.

Update: An hour later, it was reported on Facebook that the bear was in Cherry Alley near Sixth Street and heading east.

Update: Leah Jacobs, who posted the video of the bear in Cherry Alley on Facebook (from which the image above is a screen capture), reported this follow-up on the Hudson Area Community Board:

The bear was safe and unharmed and relocated outside the city of Hudson. And yes, [it] was hungry and looking for food and yes we are in their backyards. This is life in the country.