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The Daily Mail Copyright 2020, Columbia-Greene Media Volume 228, No. 41
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Windham Journal SEE PAGE A6
The nation’s fourth-oldest newspaper • Serving Greene County since 1792
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
Gun shop suspects charged
n FORECAST WEATHER FOR HUDSON/CA TODAY TONIGHT
FRI
By Sarah Trafton Columbia-Greene Media Very windy; rather cloudy
Windy and colder
Some sun, then clouds
HIGH 45
LOW 25
37 20
Complete weather, A2
n SPORTS
Section II Class B playoff Cats too much for Black Horses PAGE B1
n REGION
Police probe school bus crash Authorities seek answers to G’town bus rollover PAGE A3
n THE SCENE
COXSACKIE — Two Greene County residents were taken into custody Tuesday night following an investigation into two attempted break-ins at local gun shops, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. Robert L. Simpson, 38, of Catskill, and Melissa Anderson, 35, of Athens, were charged with second-degree attempted burglary, a class C felony; third-degree attempted burglary, a class E felony;
and two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, a class E felony, the sheriff’s office said. Melissa Simpson Anderson and Anderson were arraigned in Coxsackie Town Court. Anderson was released pending a future court appearance. Simpson was ordered held without bail. The pair could face
additional charges in connection with a burglary at Earlton Hill Country Store, the store man- Robert ager said. Simpson S i m p son left DNA evidence behind because he was not wearing gloves, store manager Kaitlin Andersen said. “He is associated with my cousin,” she said, referring to
Melissa Andersen. “She didn’t commit the crime but she was there and a part of it.” The suspects made off with $200 in cash and 80 packs of cigarettes, Andersen said. “He used a hammer to smash through the window at the entrance and unlock the door,” she said. The case was being investigated by state police, Public Information Officer Steven Nevel confirmed Tuesday. Nevel could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The store was closed the day of the
burglary to help facilitate the investigation and to wait for a new door, Andersen said. “We were back up and running the following day,” she said. “We’re trying to get back to normal but it’s hard considering a family member was involved.” Andersen is thankful for the swift action taken, she said. Meanwhile, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a recent burglary at a gun shop in Ghent. See SUSPECTS A8
Stores prepare for plastic bag ban By Abby Hoover Columbia-Greene Media
A plastic bag ban goes into effect on March 1 in New York state, and local stores and consumers are making alternate plans. The law bans all plastic carryout bags from distribution by anyone required to collect New York state sales tax. In 2018, the Columbia County Board of Supervisors discussed banning single-use plastic retail bags, but decided to wait for a state law to be passed, 3rd Ward Hudson Supervisor Michael Chameides said. “What was really clear in my research around it is that it was important that as the plastic ban goes into effect, it’s really important that people have access to reusable bags to sort of ease that transition,” Chameides said. Chameides helped organize a tote bag collection to donate to those in need at the Hudson Area Library at 51 N Fifth St. and has collected more than 75 bags. The Columbia County Department of Social Services is distributing the donated bags at its office at 25 Railroad Ave. to anyone who needs them. Social Services also purchased around 200 bags to distribute. The collection will continue as long as a need persists, Chameides said. See BAG A8
WICKED LOCAL FILE PHOTO/TNS
A plastic bag ban will go into effect in Quincy, Masschusetts, pictured, on Sunday, March 1. The ban will also go into effect in Greene and Columbia counties.
New ‘Wild’ still a thrilling yarn “Call of the Wild” almost overcomes digital facelift PAGE A7
n INDEX Region Opinion State/Nation Obituaries Sports Classified Comics/Advice
A3 A4 A5 A5 B1 B4-5 B7-8
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NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION/TNS
The state Department of Environmental Conservation will be handing out these reusable bags for free at food banks across New York in the coming weeks in advance of a plastic bag ban taking effect Sunday.
State braces for coronavirus epidemic By Kate Lisa Johnson Newspaper Corporation
ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced an appropriation of $40 million in emergency funding to the state Health Department on Wednesday to address the growing concern around the spread of coronavirus. Last month, a new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, that was not previously found in humans. This novel coronavirus can lead to fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the state Health Department. The $40 million appropriation will be used to hire additional staff, procure equipment and any other resources necessary to respond to the potential novel coronavirus pandemic. Cuomo spoke to legislators about
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, and state Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker during a press conference in the state Capitol’s Red Room on Wednesday to announce a $40 million appropriation for the health department as part of the state’s preparation for a coronavirus pandemic.
the appropriation and they were supportive, he said.
The department will convene local health departments and hospitals
statewide to review protocols, best practices and procedures to help ensure they are prepared to combat the spread of the disease, according to a statement from the governor’s office. “There are currently 53 cases of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus in the United States,” Cuomo said Wednesday afternoon from the Red Room in the state Capitol. “It’s highly probable you will see a continuing spread of this virus. It’s highly probable that we will have people in New York state who test positive. New York is the front door internationally — we have people traveling here from many other countries. No one should be surprised when we have positive cases in New York.” The department has tested 27
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See STATE A8