Power almost restored; more snow expected
As more winter weather was expected overnight Tuesday, utility crews were closing in on full restoration of electrical service in the area.
There were 53 customers without power in the town of Worcester, according to National Grid.
These customers and 206 in Schoharie County were expected to have their power restored by 11:45 p.m. tonight, the utility reported.
New York State Electric & Gas indicated electrical service was restored to nearly all of their customers, with just 33 interconnect customers still out in Schoharie County.
But Bob Pass of NYSEG said it may be necessary to shut down power to 1,200 customers in the Gilboa-Jefferson area for a few hours today, weather permitting, to repair a substation.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service forecasted 2 to 4 inches of snow for the Oneonta area overnight Tuesday, with another 1 to 2 inches of snow possible during the day today. Rain may mix with the snow late in the morning, the forecast indicates.
A winter weather advisory issued Tuesday is in effect for the entire region. Such an advisory is issued when winter weather is expected but not so severe it requires the issuance of a winter-storm warning.
Also on Tuesday, the state Department of Taxation and Finance postponed certain tax and filing deadlines for residents of Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie and 13 other counties affected by last week's ice storm.
Those required to file taxes or perform other tax-related activities on or after Dec. 11 and before Dec. 30 now have until Dec. 30 to accomplish their requirements. Those seeking more information may visit www.nystax.gov.
Visitor restrictions still in place at Fox
ONEONTA _ Restrictions on visitors to A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital and nursing home that began on Friday are still in effect, an official said Tuesday.
Visitors to the facilities must be at least 18 years old, said infection control director Russ Grant.
There were no new cases of the norovirus-like symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, in the hospital or emergency room on Tuesday, said Grant. An increase in the cases prompted the original restrictions. A similar episode occurred in March of this year.
He would like to see 72 hours without a case before the changes are lifted, he said.
Public education and control actions, such as cleaning of possible transmission surfaces with bleach and frequent handwashings with soap and water, appear to be working, Grant said. Hand sanitizers are not as effective in stopping the spread of germs, he said.
Common Council meeting postponed
ONEONTA _ The Common Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday night was postponed.
City Clerk James Koury said illness and other expected absences among aldermen prompted Mayor John Nader to call off the meeting.
The postponement of a meeting is extremely rare, Koury said.
The meeting has not been rescheduled, but Koury said he expects it will be held sometime next week.
The Board of Public Safety meeting scheduled for before the Common Council meeting was also not held. It has not been rescheduled.
