Unnamed Prisoner Graves and New Release Of Inmates Meeting A Certain Set Of Criteria

Two yesterdays ago, on April 16, 2020, Beacon Prison Action sent a press release regarding multiple new unmarked graves being dug at the Fishkill Correctional Facility. Beacon Prison Action consists of c​ommunity members in the Beacon/Fishkill/Newburgh area, and is most active through the Beacon Prison Rides Project and the Beacon Prison Books Project (run closely with Binnacle Books).

The graveyard that sits near the Fishkill Correctional Facility is located through the woods beyond the Willow Loop, and behind Beacon High School.

Beacon Prison Action submitted photos of “multiple” fresh graves taken Wednesday morning (April 15, 2020). According to the press release: “Four gravestones are without identifying markers, leaving these recent casualties unnamed. A new grave, between two more markers, has yet to be filled.”

A Little Beacon Blog is pursuing information about the protocol for how it is determined for a prisoner to be buried there. If you have information, please see below.

The Prison Population By Numbers And COVID-19 Positive

According to Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS): “The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, guided by the Departmental Mission, is responsible for the confinement and rehabilitation with under 42,000 individuals under custody held at 52 state facilities and supervision of over 35,000 parolees throughout seven regional offices statewide.”

According to the USA Today Network’s Democrat and Chronicle, “New York has approximately 43,000 incarcerated individuals and 29,000 employees at its 52 state-level facilities, according to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.”

According to the DOCCS COVID-19 Confirmed page, the following COVID-19 statuses have been reported:

DOCCS COVID-10 Confirmed Cases
Staff Incarcerated Population Parolees
753 204* 29
*Of these confirmed cases, 49 are now recovered and out of isolation.

DOCCS COVID-19 Confirmed Deaths
Staff Incarcerated Population Parolees
1 5 4

New Release Of Inmates Over Age Of 55, Who Are Eligible For Release In 90 Days, No Violent Felonies, No Sexual Assault

Beacon Prison Action, as well as other groups including the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) on March 20, 2020, have made requests of how inmates could avoid infection.

Since then, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has approved the release of inmates meeting different sets of requirements, which was confirmed by Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to Governor Cuomo during today’s (4/18/2020) briefing when asked about it by a reporter (see minute 31).

DeRosa confirmed that inmates who are over the age of 55, who are eligible for release within 90 days, who have not committed violent felonies or sexual assault offense, and who do not pose a threat to society can be released. DeRosa estimated the number of inmates that fit this specific criteria to be around 200 people, and confirmed it would be a “rolling release” throughout this “current emergency.”

Additional Types Of Inmates Who Have Been Approved For Release

This is not the first set of requirements that have been created so that some inmates can be offered early release due to COVID-19. According to PrisonPolicy.org:

• A judge in the Bronx approved the release of 51 people jailed for alleged parole violations on Rikers Island in New York City. (April 13)

• 65 people have been released early from the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, New York, following discussions between the District Attorney and the Legal Aid Society of Westchester. (April 13)

• District attorneys in Brooklyn, New York, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have taken steps to reduce jail admissions by releasing people charged with nonviolent offenses and not actively prosecuting low-level, non-violent offenses. (March 17 and March 18)

• In New York state, all in-person parole visits have been suspended and replaced with telephone call, text message, and video call check-ins. (March 20). Details from TimesUnion: “As new cases and deaths from COVID-19 increased, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Friday ordered non-essential construction projects to stop, and a state agency told parole officers that 1,100 parole violators who are being held in jails and prisons across New York will be released.

• New York City has released 200 people from Rikers Island in the past week, and expects to release another 175 people before the weekend. (March 26)

• In New York, Gov. Cuomo announced that up to 1,100 people who are being held in jails and prisons across the state may be released with community supervision. (March 27)

Early prison release is being addressed at the national level. You can read about Attorney General William Barr’s directive here at The New York Times. A clip: “Attorney General William P. Barr ordered the Bureau of Prisons on Friday (April 3, 2020) to expand the group of federal inmates eligible for early release and to prioritize those at three facilities where known coronavirus cases have grown precipitously, as the virus threatens to overwhelm prison medical facilities and nearby hospitals.”

Inmates With Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Beacon Prison Action also highlighted inmates who have dementia and Alzheimer’s. From their press release: “Fishkill prison itself has a special Long-Term Care unit for people with serious health conditions, as well as a Unit for the Cognitively Impaired, largely serving elderly prisoners suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. In their last report on this prison, the Correctional Association of New York concluded, “[Our visit to this unit] reinforced the costly, cruel, and nonsensical policy of continued incarceration of people who are so physically and/or cognitively impaired that they pose no safety risk to the community and for whom there no longer remains any justifiable reason to keep them in prison.” (​Fishkill Correctional Facility 2012​ ​by the Correctional Association of New York).

Graves With No Names At Fishkill Correctional Facility

Back to the graves in Beacon, and why some markers have no names. According to Beacon’s most referenced book, “Beacon Revisited” by Robert J. Murphy and Denise Doring VanBuren, the graveyard is known as the Cemetery of Convicts, 1985. From the book: “At the edge of a stand of tall evergreens not far from Beacon’s new high school lies the state-owned cemetery wherein hundreds of unknown men and women are buried. Between the opening of the Matteawan State Hospital (then the Asylum for the Criminally Insane) in 1892, its closing in 1977, and its transformation into Fishkill Correctional Facility, about 1,800 inmates and patients were buried in the remote corner of the prison’s grounds. Today, only numbered stones mark the graves of these unfortunates.”

A Little Beacon Blog has questions and is in pursuit of the bigger picture. If you know the answer and you are an official, please comment below or email us at editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com. We are looking for answers to the following questions:

• Do all of the graves state no names?

• When a prisoner dies while incarcerated, what is the protocol? Are they buried there? Or are they sent to their family? Or if they have no next of kin, buried there? The DOCCS Handbook for Families and Friends is here, but doesn’t seem to mention it.

• Why would new burials have no name on the marker? The prison system knows the name of the individual, but why would a name not be placed on a grave?

• Are prisoners from all over New York state sent here to be buried, or just those in Fishkill Correctional Facility?
  
  

The Retail Therapy Guide - 4/17/2020

Binnacle Books has teamed up with @fareground, converting their dollar book shelves into a TINY FOOD PANTRY for the time being. Take what you need, leave what you can. If you have food or funds to spare, please help Binnacle Books keep this pantry stocked for anyone who is in need. Please note, if you’re adding to the shelves please make sure the food is nonperishable, super well-sealed, and is not expired!  Safe Haven Thrift Shop & Pet Food Pantry is a nonprofit organization that has been running a pet food pantry for 8.5 years, helping Dutchess County residents feed their pets. They are also involved with the Beacon Barks Parade. Normally, the residents they assist have to meet an income requirement. However, many people right now are out of work due to the virus, and the pantry wants to temporarily help them. Pet food is available for pickup on Saturdays. Location: New address is 1545 Route 52, Suite 8, Fishkill Day: Saturdays only from 10 am to 1 pm How It Works: Come on Saturday and fill out a form and receive pet food. You can return in 3 to 4 weeks for more, depending on how much food is given. How To Donate: 1. Drop off bags of cat or dog food during the pickup hours listed here. 2. Write a check to Safe Haven Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 596, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 The Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market will open its 2020 season one month early on Monday, May 4, to increase access for City residents to fresh, healthy food during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The Market will run weekly on Monday afternoons from 3 pm to 6:30 pm in the Pavilion at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, 75 North Water St. in Poughkeepsie. Though the main museum is closed to visitors at this time as part of “New York on Pause,” the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum is in a unique position among museums across the nation in that part of its core program – a public farmers market – has been deemed an essential business. Beacon of Light Virtual Cabaret! Day: Saturday, April 18, 2020 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Facebook Live! Join Beacon Performing Arts Center for a night of musical theater by joining together as a community to celebrate the arts. Featuring kids throughout the Hudson Valley, ages 3 through college! Information > The CINEHUB Virtual Coffee Hour Day: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 Time: 7 pm Location: The CINEHUB via Zoom RSVP via Facebook or send them an email! Staying connected with peers is a part of staying positive and being ready for work when it returns. So, please join them at the next virtual coffee event! Information > What are you going to order tonight? Steak? Or vegetarian? You've got options... Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, who's delivering, or who's remaining paused for now. DONATIONS: The Yankee Clipper and Chill Wine Bar are raising money to stay warm while they are closed. BARB'S BUTCHERY While Barb's Butchery remains closed, you can still show your support by ordering a special “tip jar” T-shirt! Barb's Butchery is selling fun joke shirts with phrases such as "Butcher's jokes are the wurst!" and "A butcher's error is a missed-steak!" See more in their Instagram post and pre-order at info@barbsbutchery.com Information > EAT CHURCH (Powered Down For Now) Pickling Brine Recipe: 1 cup hot tap water 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar 10 tablespoons sugar 3 teaspoons salt - Cover cut vegetables with brine and seal tightly in jar or other airtight container. - Even though they're ready to eat within a couple of hours, the pickles will get more flavorful with added days. - Use for carrots, cucumber, daikon, etc. - Tell us what you think and share the results! - Stay safe, everyone. Follow Along > Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you! BAJA 328 Baja 328 is still offering pick-up and delivery orders, including to-go drinks! This includes one of their signature margaritas!  Information > Baja 328 is a Sponsor, thank you! BEACON FARMERS MARKET OPEN Beacon's farmers market opens for pre-online ordering (Friday afternoon order deadline) and Sunday pickup. Normally, pre-ordering ends on Fridays for Sunday pickup, but you could maybe still try! Now also offering delivery. The vendors are not on the property. All orders are pre-packaged into bags for those picking up (see this picture). The usual social aspect of this farmers market isn't here anymore, for now, but the delicious food remains. Details Here > LAST OUTPOST STORE Every purchase made online will come with a free western bandana to help keep your inner bandit safe. Online now at www.LastOutpostStore.com. Free local delivery with coupon code LOCALDELIVERY.  PS - meet Chris and Allison's new shop puppy, Leloo!  Well, you can't meet her in person yet, but you will soon!  Information > BEETLE & FRED With the executive order requiring all New Yorkers to wear masks in public when they cannot socially distance beginning today (4/17), mask makers are going through their fabric supplies quick! If you need fabric for mask-making, Beetle & Fred have fabric available in their online shop (bonus, many come in fun designs!) for $5 shipping and free local delivery. Start Browsing >   KAIGHT  The worker bees at Kaight have been busy while the brick-and-mortar store has been closed, getting the space spruced up for their reopening. Please continue to visit them on Instagram/social media @kaightshopbeacon for updates. Free shipping on domestic orders above $75! Shop online >  BINNACLE BOOKS Binnacle Books continues to be stocked with signed, rare, and first editions. Order anything through https://www.binnaclebooks.com/order-books, or reach out via their Instagram DM with any questions! Information > Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE Luxe Optique is selling online! Look at these Francis Klein frames. Designed and handcrafted in Paris, the plain frames are handmade in a French factory and the accents are designed by their team and handcrafted by talented artists. The skills of the artists include hand-engraving, laser drawing, rhinestone, 3D elements or haute couture jewelry placement. Look With Your Eyes > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK Home Featured in last week's comical Shouts & Murmurs section in the New Yorker magazine titled "Fear Of Missing Out" is the act of moving around a desk to make things feel different in a room you are in every day. Further - the new act of watching other people move around their desks to make their days feel different. Can you imagine if this (pictured here) was your desk ? It could be. Made by PTACEK Home, who has a store right here in Beacon. They can provide the look that will change your space. Start Dreaming > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you! LLTO (LIVE LIGHT TRAVEL OFTEN) It might be a little bit chilly this weekend. Take a look at LLTO's new Cozy All Season Throw, available in different colors. This reversible double-weave throw looks good on any surface, feels good on you and is made by a company whose quality and sustainability we can get behind. Visit them online to learn more and see their additional color options. LLTO is offering free shipping on orders of $50 or more! LLTO is a Sponsor, thank you! KNOT TOO SHABBY Knot Too Shabby's owner, Karen, was in her shop today, fulfilling orders. "I am at my happy place checking in shipments and filling customer orders today. If you are looking to do a project and need supplies you can order online at knottooshabbyny.com or call the shop at (845) 440-8001. Curbside delivery and shipping available." Knot Too Shabby sells some of the best furniture and wall paint - Annie Sloan Home - which is only available in select boutiques like this. She also sells paintbrushes (the right ones make all the difference - trust us) and stencils. A perfect project for the weekend or any day. SALON DAE with DANIELLE Got transitioning hair? Are you a new curly girl? Not sure how to shampoo and condition? Danielle's got you, over at virtual Salon Dae. In this video, she treated one side of her hair with conditioner, then she shares tips for the other side. Watch the video. People have been craving schedule and routines in their lives. Some activity centers have been providing that. Here are a few: HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY The Howland Public Library has created a Howland at Home blog so you can find links to all of their online programming in one place: beaconpubliclibrary.weebly.com. Your library card gives you access right now to dozens of free resources like eBooks, audio books, streaming movies and music, digital magazines, newspapers, and continuing education. This week, home access to Ancestry Library Edition has been added courtesy of ProQuest. For easy access to the free online services, go to their website, www.beaconlibrary.org. There you will find links to services on their home page. Mid-Hudson Library System has also added quick links to library resources from the main catalog page for easy access.   THE UNDERGROUND BEACON Do you need your collectible and card game fix? The Underground Beacon wants everyone to know that their Magic The Gathering sessions are still happening twice a week - Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm via Zoom. Click here for more information. Information > FIREFLY YOGA Digital yoga classes are also available through Firefly Yoga in Fishkill. Our Managing Editor, Marilyn Perez, teaches Slow Flow (Gentle) class Fridays at 11:30 am via Zoom. Open to all levels! Drop-in rate is $10. Sign up through the MINDBODY app at least an hour beforehand so you can receive the meeting room link. It's a nice mid-day practice to end your week. Information > ANTALEK & MOORE Antalek & Moore is celebrating Foodie Friday every Friday, and wants to know who you are ordering from!? Show some love to Beacon's local restaurants, and chime in on Antalek & Moore's Instagram! Chime In > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE How was your week? If you had a lot you wanted to get done; if you are a creator who had a lot of ideas; if you are an employee who had a lot of requests from a boss; if you are a teacher who is designing a never-before-had distance learning program; if you are a person who had to apply for a lot of financial relief, remember this: "one thing at a time." Pick one thing and move forward with it, and quiet those other requests that threaten to distract you. Read More > FREE CSA LISTINGS It's CSA season right now. That means you can sign up with a local farm in the Hudson Valley to have fresh produce reserved for you. A Little Beacon Blog is making available to all CSAs in New York the ability to list themselves in our Business Directory. People are searching our website right now looking for a list. Fill it! Details Here > We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support, even just $5, to help us continue to produce. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! If you are feeling inclined to send ALBB anything as a reader, then visit the new link in the ABOUT tab, called: “I Want To Support ALBB!” Different amounts are available, starting at $5. Click here or on the graphic above to learn more about how you can help! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments about what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

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COVID-19 Business Loans Tapped Out For Now - PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) and EIDL

Businesses can no longer apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) - as of today (Thursday, April 16, 2020). The appropriated funds have been exhausted, according to the SBA: “Notice: Lapse in Appropriations. The SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding.”

The PPP loan was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, made available through the Small Business Association (SBA) and was possibly one of the most considered and researched loans that businesses, nonprofits and independent contractors would research in a very small amount of time. From the moment it was announced as an option, stipulations changed with this loan that was “designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.”

When seeking local clarification from Dutchess County, A Little Beacon Blog was put in touch with Arnaldo Sehwerert, Ph D., Regional Director of the the Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center. He confirmed: “The PPP is designed mainly to keep existing workers in the payroll.”

How Much Money Were We Talking?

Money was appropriated through the first round of the CARES ACT, where the Department of the Treasury was supporting the SBA in this loan. “Up to $349 billion was dedicated toward job retention and certain other expenses,” according to the Treasury’s website.

Originally, the loan came with a low interest rate to pay back, which bristled some business owners, but that changed when new requirements were introduced. According to the SBA website and the U.S. Treasury website, the PPP loan could be wiped clean with no interest paid: “SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for 8 weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.” If the loan was not used to cover these expenses, then the low interest rate would apply, and repayment would be required.

Entities who were eligible included small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, veterans organizations, and tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors; they’re eligible if they also meet program size standards.

The payroll, however, could only pay people who were on the company’s payroll, and not contract workers. The contract workers would be on their own to apply for their own PPP loan. For example: for a graphic design firm who regularly paid contract workers who submit 1099s for taxes, these contract workers would not be protected under the PPP with the employing company, and would need to apply for their own PPP loan.

If the business owner herself was on payroll as the only employee, she would be eligible under the terms of the loan, and the loan could be forgiven when paid out. But if client work dried up and there was nothing to pay contract workers, the way the PPP loan as written could not help her 1099 contract team, unless they applied for and were approved for their own loans.

Many Pandemic-Based Financial Options - PPP, EIDL, UI, FPUC

The amount of financial options, and homework to understand the options, as well as the severely short timeline, has been extremely overwhelming for businesses. The Dutchess County Business Notification Network has been extremely helpful with highlighting daily changes.

UPDATE [4/17/2020]: Per a reader’s comments below, we have made the following note about the EIDL:
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan started with a requirement that if one was granted it, they could not apply for the PPP loan, but that changed, and businesses could apply for both. Additionally, part of the loan became an “advance,” whereas the first $10,000 granted to the business did not need to be repaid. See the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance page here.

Independent contractors were scrambling on what to do, because they were also permitted to collect unemployment insurance, something which is not normally allowed, which also could include an additional weekly payment of $600 of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC). New York’s website to file for unemployment insurance deeply crashed, was rebuilt by Google, and is currently accepting applications. However, Melissa De Rossa (secretary to Governor Cuomo) today (Thursday 4/16/2020) stated during the Governor’s briefing, that there is a delay for applicants who are independent contractors, as they are a special circumstance and not normally accepted to collect unemployment insurance.

As for employees who had been collecting both unemployment insurance and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (assuming they got through the website and were approved), the weekly benefit could exceed what their previous paycheck may have been at a local business. Would the employee want to decide to stay with unemployment insurance? That could possibly cause problems for the business owner who needs to keep all staff on payroll in order to meet the terms of the PPP loan to not pay it back. Myriam Bouchard, MBA, a Certified Business Advisor with Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center, clarified the timing of the usage of the loan: “The PPP is to be used from the moment the closing documents are signed. The employee cannot BOTH receive unemployment insurance and payroll from their employer.”

Local Impact Of The PPP Loan

The PPP loan was mandated to be processed through banks both small and large. This added a delay to the applications as banks of every size had to figure out how to process applications and avoid fraud. Banks opened to accept the PPP loan on different days. Local banks tended to open sooner than larger banks, since local banks, it was presumed, knew their customers better.

“As for PPP, we have not been approved and the well is dry until Congress can agree on how to forward. I’m really not sure what moving forward looks like for us. ”

— Joe Robitaille, Owner of Homespun

Homespun’s new owner Joe Robitaille had started applying for the EIDL and PPP loan from the very beginning, and has still not received an approval. “EIDL loan has not come through, was a far cry from what was initially offered, where they were saying they would be transferring $10,000 within three business days of application. That was three weeks ago that we applied. As for PPP, we have not been approved and the well is dry until Congress can agree on how to move forward. I’m really not sure what moving forward looks like for us. Feels like finding out the cavalry just isn’t coming after all. If they stall this too long, Beacon and lots of other towns are going to lose a lot of small businesses. Potbelly and Ruth’s Chris have secured $10 million and $20 million in PPP loan, respectively.”

A Little Beacon Blog happens to know that Homespun just got awarded with their liquor license, and with Joe’s big plans for wine, being that he was a sommelier, we are really hoping he can ride this out.

Accountants also saw a surge of activity from their clients, not only from those wanting to file their taxes by the original April 15 deadline, but from businesses who needed their business taxes filed in order to apply for the pandemic loans. “This is one of the busiest times in my life,” said local accountant Arthur DeDominicis to A Little Beacon Blog. “Everyone’s wanting their taxes filed, but they are also calling in with questions as they fill out the PPP application and banks ask them clarification questions.”

John Mitchell of Number Keepers, an accountant in South Carolina, was fielding questions from clients the day the local banks opened to applications on April 3, 2020: “Some banks are ready, some banks say later today, some banks are just taking general applications and stacking them. Some banks are not communicating anything online. Some banks, like Bank of America, are only taking applications from their business clients and you have to have account logins to even apply.”

Banks Are Standing By

Will the loan application process re-open? Perhaps.

Chase’s letter to business customers reads:

“Message from Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Chase Business Banking:

”As predicted, the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program was hugely popular. In fact, we have just learned the SBA has approved loans that will exhaust all the funding available for the initial round. By tomorrow (Friday, April 17, 2020) morning we will have notified all of our customers who received funding in the first round, and know many of you are disappointed, as are many other business owners around the country.

”We know Congress is currently considering another round of funds soon. In the interim, we will continue to work our existing queue of applications so we can be ready. We will continue to update you here.

”If you are among the many customers who have applied, we'll call you if we have questions and email you when we make a decision once additional funding is available.”

Another day begins tomorrow.

We shall see.

FREE CSA Listing In A Little Beacon Blog's Business Directory! Apply Now

A Little Beacon Blog is waiving the listing fee for New York CSAs for those farms who are trying to reach consumers with fresh produce, and for those people who are trying to vary where they purchase fresh food, and who want to support local farms that have lost restaurant clients and other wholesale orders.

HOW TO APPLY: If you are a CSA who wants to be listed, please reach out to us via our Contact Us form. Please include your CSA name, Website URL, Facebook, Instagram, and 1 sentence description of the type of food you offer.

Normally, ALBB’s Business Listing program runs on a monthly subscription model. Level 1 is currently free for CSAs. Those who want to upgrade and show pictures can do so for the price of Level 1.

Dutchess County Ready With Additional COVID-19 Health Facility, Should It Be Needed

Back on March 23, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo was working to increase hospital capacity across the state by at least 50 percent, with a goal of 100 percent. In order to help do that, Dutchess County has retrofitted the Dutchess Community College’s Conklin Hall Dormitory as a Recovery Facility to house patients who are recovering from COVID-19 and are able to be discharged from a hospital, but still need care.

“While we hope we will never need to utilize the Recovery Center based on the current trend in hospitalization,” said County Executive Marcus Molinaro in a press release, “it is important to have this resource ready to care for people as we do not yet know when we will reach our apex with this virus.”

The Recovery Center has 176 rooms and 457 beds spread over four floors. The total capacity will vary based on the number of people who require a single room and/or access to a private bathroom, per their care plan. Staffing for the Recovery Center consists of approximately 50 medical and nonmedical professionals from multiple disciplines, primarily volunteers from Dutchess County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). Housekeeping and security services are jointly provided by DCC staff and MRC volunteers.

Although staff is trained and prepared and the facility is ready for patient admission, it is not expected it will be necessary to open the facility this week as local hospital bed capacity has remained stable. However, during a presentation to volunteers about the Recovery Center (watch it below), Molinaro indicated that he thought it would eventually be used, and stated such in his speech to volunteers who would be running it: “We have spent the last month hoping that maybe we would not have to get together today… I can tell you first-hand that this is an ugly, ugly disease, and there are a lot of family members struggling really hard… We are hopeful that not one person has to walk through that door, but it is likely that someone will. You will be in one capacity or another, the lifeline that helps them to find recovery, to have hope, and to go back to their families and their homes. We are in a battle - a war - against an enemy that we do not understand, that outmaneuvers us, that attacks our weaknesses. The face of the front-line responder looks a lot different today: it’s health-care providers; it’s public health officials; it’s even grocery store clerks and cashiers; it’s the cleaners who are going to make sure this building stays clean. It’s just a new calling.”

Hospital capacity is evaluated daily, looking out three days, to determine whether it will be necessary to open the recovery center. According to New York State’s Coronavirus Tracker, there are 2,048 positive COVID-19 cases in Dutchess County today (4/15/2020) (Dutchess County Tracker has a slightly lower number), and 114 new positives recorded today. According to Dutchess County’s Tracker, there have been 18 deaths in total in Dutchess County as of today (4/20/2020).

Cathi Tegtmeier, Assistant Commissioner of Behavioral & Community Health for the county, indicated that the Recovery Center will be a relief valve available if needed: “[The Recovery Center] will reduce the stress on our local hospitals caring for COVID-19 patients. This facility, staffed by a dedicated contingent of medical professionals and trained volunteers, will provide a venue for those still recuperating from COVID-19 - but not needing hospitalization - to do so in a safe, contained building before being released home. Having this resource offers our healthcare community some peace of mind that there is a relief valve available to them if needed.”

The Stimulus Check: How It Works And Why Your Amount May Be Lower

The Economic Impact Payment, otherwise known as a stimulus payment or check, began arriving this week, with direct deposits showing as available today, April 15, 2020, the usual annual deadline for submitting taxes (The filing deadline has since been autoextended to July 15, 2020. You don’t need to do anything to get the extension, but you can still file your 2019 taxes. This is all spelled out on the IRS website.)

There are a few ways this is working. Not everyone’s amount will be the same; some who are “high-earners” will receive less, and those who haven’t filed taxes in the last two years will have a chance to file via special website in order to receive the funds.

A Little Beacon Blog is not a tax professional, so please check with your own tax professional about any decisions you make or questions you have.

Payments Are Automatic - If You Have Filed Taxes Within 2 Years And Have Direct Deposit

If you have filed taxes for 2018 or 2019, and have set up direct deposit with the IRS, then the money will hit your account connected to that Direct Deposit.

If you did not file taxes in the last two years - and you aren’t part of groups who don’t need to file taxes (explained below) - then you’ll need to file your 2019 taxes. Learn about that here.

Payments Are Paper Check

If you do not have direct deposit already set up, a paper check is being mailed. If you moved since the last time you filed, you can change your mailing address here.

People Who Don’t File Taxes Can Apply

If you did not file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return because your gross income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples), or had no income at all, or you weren’t required to file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return for other reasons, you can still apply to receive a stimulus payment (click here). But, if you receive Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits, or Railroad Retirement and Survivor Benefits, you don’t need to apply, as your payment information is already hooked up, and the payment will come.

However, if you have qualifying children under 17 who you claim as a dependent, and you are part of those special groups already receiving benefits, then you do need to apply here to get the $500 child credit.

How Much Will The Stimulus Check Be?

Now we are into the nitty-gritty. The straightforward answer is $1,200 for individuals who file single, and $2,400 for couples who file jointly. But - income limits offset this, reducing the amount you will receive if you are a “high-earner.” There is also an additional $500/child credit if you claim qualifying children under 17 years old.

You should read all about the amounts of the stimulus check here, but here are some highlights from the IRS website:

$1,200* for individuals:

• Eligible individuals with adjusted gross income of up to $75,000 for single filers

• $112,500 for head of household filers

• $150,000 for married filing jointly

$2,400* married filing jointly.

*$500 paid in addition per qualifying child under 17 years old (this does not seem to be impacted by “high-earner” status).

“High-Earners”

For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$112,500/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000, $136,500 for head of household filers and $198,000 for joint filers with no children, are not eligible and will not receive payments.

Some Groups Of People Not Eligible For Stimulus Payment

People who are themselves dependents (like children or elder adults), people who don’t have Social Security Numbers, or are nonresident aliens are not eligible. Read about that here.

Receipt Of Payment

The IRS will be sending a letter 15 days after making payment, showing how your payment was calculated. Read about that here.

Should You File Your 2019 Close To The Original April 15 Deadline (aka Soonish)?

Some accountants believe you should. For the backlog of filings, if you hire an accountant to do this for you, it is probably a good idea to get in line now. According to the IRS, who continues to process electronic tax returns: “As of April 3, the IRS received over 97.4 million tax returns and issued over $213 billion in refunds.”

Especially in light of social distancing at work, even for the IRS, the IRS is urging online filing and writes about it here.

$400K Grant Open For Manufacturing N95 Masks and Ventilators For New York Businesses - Deadline Friday

A new grant has opened up in part from the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, and FuzeHub, a nonprofit organization that serves as the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NYMEP) center, supported by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology & Innovation - NYSTAR. This COVID-19 Manufacturing Grant will be spread across six companies who will share in a total of $400,000 in grant money available to produce N95 masks and manufacture ventilators.

Companies must be based in New York State, have fewer than 500 employees across the entire firm or enterprise worldwide, and must meet other requirements.

The grant is designed to aid existing New York State small- to medium-sized manufacturing companies that can meet prevailing FDA requirements and can quickly accelerate production of personal protective equipment and respiratory care equipment that has been depleted due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

These grants serve as a resource to assist manufacturers with increasing capacity in current operations as well as to pivot production in an effort to build and assemble these critical need items: specifically, N95 respirators and ventilators.

There Are 2 Award Tracks

$50K Awards to four companies: Goal is to increase manufacturing capacity of qualifying personal protective equipment, specifically N95 respirators.

$100K Awards to two companies: Goal is to increase manufacturing capacity of qualifying respiratory care equipment, specifically ventilators.

Apply online here. Deadline is Friday, April 17, 2020.

This opportunity was promoted in the Dutchess Business Notification Network.

2 Opportunities To Call Into Briefings With Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro Wednesday

On Wednesday morning at 8 am, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro joins Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce in a telecall to answer questions.

Business TeleCall Breakfast:

The Chamber continues its tradition of a monthly Contact Breakfast by presenting a “virtual breakfast” on Wednesday, April 15, from 8 to 9 am. As previously scheduled, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro will be the featured speaker, and he will provide an update for the business and nonprofit communities as well as taking questions from listeners and viewers. There are multiple ways to listen to and view the call:

Facebook pages: Dutchess County’s Facebook page, and Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. The County Executive encouraged people to write their questions into the livestream on the call.

Zoom: Click here.

Phone: Dial and listen, (845) 765-7121. Callers will be able to ask questions, according to Marc Molinaro’s COVID-19 update via YouTube.

Town Hall TeleCall

At 5:30 pm, the County Executive will host a 90-minute Town Hall with an update to assisting those in need via the Dutchess Responds Relief effort.

Phone: Call (845) 765-7121 to listen in. Questions will be taken via the call. Call in to ask questions.

Facebook: The Town Hall will be streamed on Dutchess County’s Facebook page. People can ask questions in the livestream.

Ohio Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Resident For Hoarding And Price Gouging N95 Masks

Ohio's Attorney General, Dave Yost, has filed a lawsuit against Mario F. Salwan, a resident of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and his co-conspirators for "allegedly hoarding N95 respirator masks and selling them online for nearly 18 times the retail price," according to several local news reports, including 21WFMJ and WKYC Studios.

Mario and his team allegedly operated an eBay store called “Donkey476,” which is now defunct, but 21WFMJ has a screenshot of a package of masks for sale. According to the article: “Beginning on March 28, Donkey476 sold packages of 10 N95 masks to 15 purchasers at prices ranging from $360 to $375 – with the prices averaging $363.43, or $36.34 per mask. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the average retail price was $2.05 per mask.”

The Attorney General said that the group “ramped up operations” in March by acquiring 1,200 N95 masks. According to the lawsuit, the group also acquired toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

According to the article, an emergency room nurse, whose husband is an emergency room physician, had reached out to Mario to ask him to reconsider the price. His reply, according to the article: “You and your husband should work for free during this crisis, you are greedy!”

Included in the attorney general’s lawsuit filing was this observation: “There’s another word for donkey that immediately comes to mind when thinking about these folks,” Yost said.

Why Can Ohio Sue For Price Gouging?

Ohio has legislation called the Valentine Anti-Trust Act. This act came about in 1898, after a government investigation of Ohio's coal, insurance, railroad, and oil industries, and other business types. The investigation revealed price fixing to increase profits. ”The Valentine Anti-Trust Act prohibited price fixing, production limitation, and controlled sales,” according to Ohio History Connection.

According to the article: “The Valentine Act, Ohio’s antitrust law, gives the Attorney General’s office broad powers to protect the public and foster fair and honest interstate and intrastate competition by instituting actions against those who conspire to restrain trade and commerce or monopolize markets in Ohio. The hoarding of an item and the related increase in prices of that item constitute an unreasonable and unlawful restraint of trade, a violation of the Valentine Act.”

The attorney general “seeks injunctive and other equitable relief – including but not limited to a temporary restraining order – and preliminary and permanent injunctions as well as statutory civil forfeiture,” according to 21WFMJ. The state is also asking Mario to surrender all N95 masks for “reasonable compensation.”

Storm Knocks Out Several Traffic Lights In Beacon; Some Side Streets Blocked With Downed Trees and Wires

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Rte. 9D blocked at 2:15pm (may be open by the time you read this) coming off the Newburgh/Beacon bridge. Other streets blocked in neighborhoods down side streets as well.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Several street lights were out in Beacon today following a gusty windstorm. Police officers directed traffic in some intersections, like at Verplanck and Fishkill Avenue. At other intersections, like on the overpass of the Beacon/Newburgh bridge, drivers used their own best judgment as to when to cross when exiting I-84 or continuing on Route 9D (as of 2:15 pm).

Neighborhood intersections were blocked in increasing number, as tree limbs and/or wires fell. Cars attempting to cut through the neighborhoods created congestion in some areas, and dead-ends in others.

Trucks from the Beacon Highway Department were out through the neighborhoods during the storm.

According to reporting at the Daily Voice, “As of 1 pm on Monday, April 13, Central Hudson was reporting that 17,493 of its 120,208 customers were without power, while 2,580 of its 5,151 customers were reporting outages.” In Beacon, 2,455 were without power as of the publishing of that article at 1:12 pm. The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather warning.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

As of 5:30 pm, Beacon’s Mayor’s Office said Central Hudson told them to expect power to be restored by this evening.

State Police were directing traffic at I-84 as of 5:30 pm. According to Anthony J. Ruggiero,
Beacon’s city administrator, those lights are part of the Town of Fishkill.

Traffic lights out on Verplanck, near Southern Dutchess Country Club, as of 5:30 pm
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Dutchess County Executive's Father Passes From COVID-19; "I Already Miss" Him, Molinaro Says

After a two-week battle with COVID-19, Anthony Molinaro, father of Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, passed away after being on a ventilator at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. According to the article, he was 67 and had no known underlying health conditions.

Marc Molinaro tweeted: “Anthony Molinaro quietly left us this afternoon. I already miss my father but confidently know of his love for my sisters, their mom, my brother and me. And, we are grateful for the moments and memories we shared.”

Marc further elaborated in that tweet:

"All our lives have been touched in some way by the coronavirus and we know we will never be the same. This afternoon, my father died and while it's natural to dwell on the final moments, I know it is the value of all the moments that make up our lives together that matters most.

"I entered public life inspired by the desire to bring people together, so it's with immense sadness that at this most difficult of times we were apart.

”Yet, he did not leave this world alone. He was expertly and passionately cared for by an amazing team of doctors, nurses and caregivers; he had his memories of better times and those he loved; he felt the love and prayers of family, friends and even strangers who wouldn't give up..."

A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Beacon’s Mayor’s Office for comment, and Mayor Lee Kyriacou responded: “We mourn another lost soul, this one the father of my colleague and friend, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. He and family are in our thoughts and prayers. Stay well, all.”

NYC Mayor de Blasio Announces School Closure For Year - Gov. Cuomo Says Not Mayor's Authority At This Time - Wants Multi-State Agreement

During a press briefing early on Saturday morning, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he had decided to keep schools closed through the year. The New York Post reported on the announcement, saying that the mayor characterized the decision as “‘painful’ but said keeping the schools closed is the way to keep the coronavirus from spreading.”

When asked about this decision hours later during New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s daily briefing on 4/11/2020, the governor answered that no decision on school closures had been made, and that at this time, the final decision resided with the governor. Watch the briefing here on Twitter, and the response is at minute 28.

Reporter Jesse (we didn’t catch a last name) asked: “Are you saying it’s your legal authority to close New York City schools, not Bill de Blasio’s?”

Gov. Cuomo answered: “It is my legal authority in this situation, yes. That's why when we closed them, we closed them statewide. We closed at the same time the island, then the suburbs, and we coordinated all upstate.”

Important to Gov. Cuomo is connecting businesses opening with school opening. During today’s briefing, Gov. Cuomo said: “I think you have to coordinate the business with the schools. Schools do education. Schools also do daycare, effectively, for a large percentage of the New York City population. How can you say to people: I think you can go back to work in May, but schools are going to continue to be closed, so figure out what to do with your children during the day, but you're going to have to go to work.”

With regard to officials in New York City and the White House saying they want businesses to open in May, Gov. Cuomo’s response was in part: “I accept it. I hear it. I'm not prepared to act on it. I have talked to all the County Executives. Some people believe the businesses will open in May. [Cuomo added that it was the mayor of NYC who thinks this.] Some people think we open in two weeks. Some people until June. I hear it all. We'll discuss it; we'll coordinate it.”

The governor has given no indication that businesses will open in May, and in fact, chastised Broadway’s announcement that it would open in June. During a press briefing this week, Gov. Cuomo responded to a question from a reporter about Broadway: “I wouldn’t use what Broadway thinks as a barometer of anything.”

Whose Authority Is It, Anyway?

Reporters were quick to focus on the whose-authority-is-it angle, with several followup questions and subsequent articles, but the fact remains, New York schools are closed until Wednesday, April 29, at least.

Gov. Cuomo presented his regional school closure strategy: “At the end of the day, the decision must be at minimum for the metropolitan area, hopefully statewide, ideally regional, with Connecticut and New Jersey. That's my goal. Coordinate school and business.”

Melissa DeRosa, the secretary to Gov. Cuomo, explained to Reporter Jesse how statewide school closures work in the executive order: “When we did the executive order with the 180-day waiver,” she explained, “school districts need a waiver if they are going to have less than 180 days of school. We said we are setting them all at the same time. Everyone is on the same schedule. NY PAUSE is extended through April 29. Everyone is on the exact same schedule, and when we extend that, that’s when we extend the 180-day waiver.”

Other States Have Closed Schools For The Year

New York would not be the first to close schools for the year, if this were to happen. California announced a school closure for the year on April 1. Kansas, in fact, was the first state to announce in-person school closures for the year back near March 18. Washington state announced school closures for the year on April 6. So far, Ohio has not announced a school closure for the year, and has extended it to May so far.

The governor went on to explain his rationale, that he is connecting school closure or opening with when businesses open, about which no decision has been made, now that we are in the apex that has plateaued, depending upon human behavior of maintaining social distancing.

If you want to make a prediction, like if a predicted snowfall is going to result in a snow day, you could follow A Little Beacon Blog’s snow day methodology, which includes keeping an eye on Ohio for weather patterns. Will COVID school closures follow?

The Retail Therapy Guide - 4/10/2020

Hey hey! Happy Passover, Easter, and Ramadan around the corner. If you're still looking for Spring Egg Hunt gifts, you will find them in A Little Beacon Blog's Hunt Gift Guide - right here in Beacon! No shopping required. Porchside delivery and curbside pickup available! Check it out to see what you can find. We found all kinds of goodies! Glad we weren't the only ones to notice New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's style! Vanity Fair has done a roundup of bomber jackets he would probably approve of.   Second Saturday Arts Guide Sponsored By No. 3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works. For those of you social distancing on solo walks on Main Street, there are virtual experiences open in some art galleries. Second Saturday Guide Editor Catherine Sweet has compiled them all for you in A Little Beacon Blog's Second Saturday Guide here! "Some venues are taking their exhibitions global - like, to the World. Wide. Web," Catherine says. "Get the details on any online exhibitions we’re coming across." Bau Gallery 506 Main St. ONLINE for Second Saturday: In the 183rd consecutive exhibition at Bau Gallery, the Main Room will have Roots, a group show from Bau members, whose work here is in response to the word “roots.” In this show, “our artists have the chance to create one-off works of art outside of our regular everyday practice. ... We do have a show up in the windows and the front gallery for passersby to enjoy through the window."   SECOND SATURDAY ART GALLERY GUIDE Beacon Virtual CSA Fair Day: Saturday, April 11, 2020 Time: 12 pm Location: hudsonvalleycsa.org/csa-fair Discover what your local vegetable, meat, and flower farmers have to offer at the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition’s first-ever Virtual CSA Fair on Saturday, April 11, 11 am to 2 pm. Beacon area residents should tune in at 12 pm to meet the farmers serving this area with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs.  Information >   What are you going to order tonight? Steak? Or vegetarian? You've got options... DONATIONS: The Yankee Clipper and Chill Wine Bar are raising money to keep their staffs warm while their doors are closed. VÉGÉTALIEN After a successful weekend, Végétalien is continuing with DoorDash/curbside pick-up/takeout. You can call to order at (845) 765-1943, send a message on their Instagram, order through DoorDash, or email at vegetalienbeacon@gmail.com. They will only be accepting cards or exact cash. If this weekend goes well, their takeout hours will be extended. Follow their Instagram for updates. Information > BARB'S BUTCHERY While Barb's Butchery remains closed, you can still show your support by ordering a special “tip jar” T-shirt! Barb's Butchery is selling fun joke shirts with phrases such as "Butcher's jokes are the wurst!" and "A butcher's error is a missed-steak!" See more in their Instagram post and pre-order at info@barbsbutchery.com Information > EAT CHURCH (Powered Down For Now) Pickling Brine recipe: 1 cup hot tap water 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar 10 tablespoons sugar 3 teaspoons salt - Cover cut vegetables with brine and seal tightly in jar or other airtight container. - Ready to eat within a couple of hours, will get more flavorful with added days. (Store in fridge.) - Use for carrots, cucumber, daikon, etc. - Tell us what you think and share the results! - Stay safe, everyone! Follow Along > Eat Church is a Sponsor - thank you! THE PANDORICA The tea-room turned Doctor Who–themed restaurant is riding out the pandemic with owner Shirley's English-style cooking. The weekend special: Shrimp Po'Boy with a spicy Cajun tartar sauce on toasted hoagie bun. Chicken corn chowder (has bacon). Open Thursday to Sunday, 4 to 8 pm Menu > BAJA 328 Details Here > BEACON FARMERS MARKET OPEN Beacon's farmers market opens for online pre-ordering (Friday afternoon order deadline) for Sunday pickup. Normally, pre-ordering ends on Fridays for Sunday pickup, but you could maybe still try! Now also offering delivery. Details Here > ACCUPRINT 'N' SHIP The folks at Accuprint 'N' Ship would like everyone to know that they are OPEN and trying out different ways to serve the community, like curbside pickups and drop-offs, limiting the amount of people in the store, limiting time spent in the store, and constant cleaning of their surroundings. Follow on Instagram for updates! Information > MOUNTAIN TOPS OUTFITTERS Mountain Tops Outfitters is having a “Keeping The Lights On” SALE all of April on their website. You can get 30% off all items with special discount code SUPPORTLOCAL - free shipping included. They have new Spring/Summer items up for grabs from brands like Patagonia, Prana, and Oboz. Information >   BLACKBIRD ATTIC Items can be purchased through message on Instagram, Facebook, via email info@blackbirdattic.com or call (845) 418-4840. Free local delivery available or use curbside pickup at 442 Main St. Some items are shippable. Follow their Instagram for updates and videos instagram.com/BlackbirdAttic. Information > LUXE OPTIQUE Who doesn't love a giveaway?? Right now, Luxe Optique is giving away $25 gift cards to five winners! Find the details and information on how to enter on their Instagram.  Information > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor - thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS Binnacle Books is keeping their Instagram updated with books you can purchase online, and they're delivering stock from the store directly to local customers or special-ordering new books from their distributors, which are shipped directly to your mailbox, whether you’re local or not. Order anything through https://www.binnaclebooks.com/order-books, reach out via their Instagram and DM with any questions! Get Details > Binnacle Books is a Sponsor - thank you! PTACEK Home Known for their fresh feel from the cube design that is used in several designs from PTACEK Home. They have pieces ready to go now that could ship to you, or you can send pictures of your home space for a custom build. Start Dreaming > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor - thank you! LLTO (LIVE LIGHT TRAVEL OFTEN) This sleek, ecofriendly air purifier is made from activated charcoal and all-natural materials. The Chikuno Cube is engineered into a microhoneycomb structure that optimizes the total surface area of the charcoal and amplifies its effectiveness in absorbing odors and moisture in enclosed spaces of up to 17 square feet. Made in Kyoto, Japan. Materials: Bamboo, activated charcoal, clay Dimensions: Height: 1½”, width: 1½”, length: 1½” . Care instructions: Refresh cubes by exposing to direct sunlight for at least six hours each month. This helps to release trapped odors and extends the cube's lifespan. Buy Online > LLTO is a Sponsor - thank you! SALON DAE with DANIELLE Got transitioning hair? Are you a new curly girl? Not sure how to shampoo and condition? Danielle's got your back, over at virtual Salon Dae. In this video, she treated one side of her hair with conditioner and she shares tips for the other side. Watch the video. People have been craving schedule, routine in their lives. Fitness centers have been providing that. Here are a few: THE UNDERGROUND BEACON Do you need your collectible and card game fix? The Underground Beacon wants everyone to know that their Magic The Gathering sessions are still happening twice a week - Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm via Zoom. Click here for more information. Information > FIREFLY YOGA Digital yoga classes are also available through Firefly Yoga in Fishkill. Our Managing Editor, Marilyn Perez, teaches Slow Flow (Gentle) class Fridays at 11:30 am via Zoom. Open to all levels! Drop-in rate is $10. Sign up through the MINDBODY app at least an hour beforehand so you can receive the meeting room link. It's a nice mid-day practice to end your week. Information > ANTALEK & MOORE Antalek & Moore is together even when apart! Using this Brady Bunch-inspired picture to show you how: "Alice, turn your video on. No, it's the button on the bottom. Not that one, over to your left. FFS. Jan, you're on mute. UNMUTE YOURSELF!" But seriously, keep up with small business issues they are researching on their Facebook page - such as a recent SBA Webinar on YouTube about Economic Injury Disaster Loan Basics. Be sure to follow them also on Instagram! Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor - thank you! TIN SHINGLE Tin Shingle teaches businesses, artists and makers how to get the word out about their business. Part of that package is to provide Media Contact names, social handles, and sometimes email addresses. Now during the time of the pandemic, Tin Shingle recognizes that Fox News programming is harming the world. This is not new information, but Tin Shingle is taking a stand by removing this programming from the Media Contact Database. Tin Shingle advises our small business community to not pitch any show on Fox News, despite demographic numbers. #WatchYouDisappear We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce - even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! If you are feeling like you want to contribute to ALBB as a reader, then visit the new link in the ABOUT tab, called “I Want To Support ALBB!” Different amounts are available, starting at $5. Click here or on the graphic above to learn more about how you can help! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments about what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Has Supported >

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Tree Falls In Beacon: Windy Gusts Take Tree On Main Street Outside Beacon Barkery

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

If you follow A Little Beacon Blog’s Instagram, you may have seen the InstaStory we put up that was a picture of this flowering tree taken through the car sunroof. This week in Beacon is usually one of the most beautiful because it is when the white flowering trees on Main Street all open up. We were doing a little countdown of when all of the buds would open.

Photo Credit: A person who emailed this into Mayor Lee Kyriacou, who forwarded it to ALBB.

Thursday (yesterday) was a particularly windy day, especially in the morning, which ended in a hail flurry, catching some outdoor joggers by surprise. The storm system was predicted and reported on by the Daily Voice, saying it came from the Midwest (my Ohio family confirmed it; I knew of the gusty wind earlier). Friday is turning out to be similar, with a few ice snow flurries.

Thursday morning, Jon from Beacon Barkery (pet food store) wrote in with some weather-related activity outside his shop: “Good morning Katie. It's been pretty exciting on Main Street so far. The giant flowering tree in front of my store snapped and broke my flag pole.”

Good grief! Jon was OK, as he was inside the shop when he heard the tree fall. “It all started when I was in the back cleaning. I heard a loud noise and Angel (my pug) barked. I figured it was a customer knocking on the door to get my attention. When I went to the front of the store, I looked out and said: ‘Holy Cow!’ The branch had fallen and crushed the flag and broke the end half of my flag pole.”

Jon reports that the City of Beacon maintenance crew was on it in what felt like 5 seconds. They came with chainsaws to cut the tree and remove it. White flower petals were blowing around, and Jon stayed inside so that the debris would not blow into his shop.

The Beacon maintenance crew returned a few hours later to cut and remove the entire tree.

A Little Beacon Blog wrote into the mayor’s office to see what details they knew of the incident, and received this response from Mayor Kyriacou:

“Thursday morning a brief, but strong wind storm passed through the City and broke a tree on Main Street. The Highway Department head happened to pass by and immediately called in City crew to cut and clean up the debris. Even in these unusual times, the essential City of Beacon operations continue. I applaud the of the Highway Department for their help, as well as all the efforts of the City employees.”

Governor Cuomo Directs Flags To Fly At Half Mast - Beacon Honors The Directive - 14 Died In Dutchess County So Far - 23 Die In One Day In Orange County

Photo Credit: Anthony Ruggiero, City Administrator for the City of Beacon

On April 8, 2020, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed that flags be flown at half-mast “in honor of those we have lost to to COVID-19,” according to his press release. In the Governor’s nightly briefing email, he said: “We continue to mourn the New Yorkers we have lost to this vicious virus. I will issue an Executive Order to bring additional funeral directors to New York to help with the high number of deaths due to COVID-19. There are no words that can express our grief and heartbreak at the lives we have lost. It is a loss to the very fabric of New York.”

Beacon lowered the flags to half mast, as announced by Mayor Lee Kyriacou in a COVID-19 briefing call to residents: “Beacon’s flags are flying at half-staff, as we mourn fellow New Yorkers who have succumbed to COVID-19, which tragically now exceeds 7,000 deaths statewide and 14 here in Dutchess County. We will continue to fly at half-staff during the NYS PAUSE.”

The Dutchess County Impact Dashboard lists the number of deaths as 10 as of today, but the numbers on that dashboard are a bit lower than the New York State tracker. We will take the mayor’s number on this. Home deaths that are likely connected to COVID-19 are also not counted in New York’s reporting system at this time, as first reported by Gothamist. Where the average was 25 people dying at home per day in New York City, the number grew to 280 people who had died in their home by the time the fire department was able to respond, according to NPR.

The mayor also reported that there are 79 “active cases” in Beacon. Today in Dutchess County, 98 new people tested positive for COVID-19, according to the New York State Department of Health Tracker.

In Orange County on Monday, County Executive Steve Neuhaus announced in his daily COVID-19 briefing that that 23 county residents had been lost to COVID-19 in just the last 24 hours.

The Record Online reported this week that cases are expected to grow in this region, saying: “The coronavirus outbreak is taking a more serious toll as it pushes northward in the Hudson Valley, with COVID-19 fatalities in Orange County nearly doubling since Friday and Ulster County warning it could run out of hospital beds this week.”