In a press conference, Governor Cuomo announced his plan to re-open New York and discussed what a new normal could look like. He said this plan will come in phases and will be based on region. Governor Cuomo says the phases will be as follows: Cuomo said based on recommendations from the CDC, once a region experiences a 14-day decline in hospitalizations due to the virus, they can begin to re-open. “Phase one will include opening construction and manufacturing functions with low risk.Phase two will open certain industries based on priority and risk level. Businesses considered “more essential” with inherent low risks of infection in the workplace and to customers will be prioritized, followed by other businesses considered “less essential” or those that present a higher risk of infection spread. As the infection rate declines, the pace of reopening businesses will be increased.The region must not open attractions or businesses that would draw a large number of visitors from outside the local area.There will be two weeks in between each phase to monitor the effects of the re-opening and ensure hospitalization and infection rates are not increasing.This plan will be implemented with multi-state coordination, especially in downstate New York. The plan will also coordinate the opening of transportation systems, parks, schools, beaches and businesses with special attention on summer activities for downstate, public housing and low-income communities, food banks and child care.The phased re-opening will also be based on individual business and industry plans that include new measures to protect employees and consumers, make the physical workspace safer and implement processes that lower risk of infection in the business. The state is consulting with local leaders in each region and industry to formulate these plans.” (WBNG) — Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a phased plan to re-open the state on Sunday.
Additionally, he said the state is closely monitoring the results of the antibody tests, hospitalization rates, and infection rates, and will make adjustments to the plan accordingly. For more coronavirus coverage, click here.
“We were sitting on half a barrel of alcohol and a lot of essential oils which we use to craft and blend our salves and creams,” said Mastey. To stand out from the competition, they created People Grow Together, selling CBD and hemp-based products. “If we can control the quality all the way from seed to bottle, we were able to control our own future,” said co-owner Daniel Mastey. While restructuring the business wasn’t always in the plan, Mastey and Morabito have some advice for other small businesses who may be struggling during this time. It came up with the idea to create hand sanitizer. “Adaptation definitely helps. Being flexible. We’re not stuck in a box,” said the co-owners. “Being small we were really able to communicate and interact with the people we were selling to and it gave us the input to see what we could do going forward,” said Mastey. Some are being forced to close their doors temporarily, while others are restructuring their businesses, like People Grow Together based in Windsor. (WBNG) — Due to the coronavirus pandemic, small businesses everywhere are taking a hit.
“That also goes along with our mission, to provide a quality product that’s needed, that helps our customers, our communities, our families,” said co-owner Morabito. Daniel Mastey and Jennifer Morabito started a hemp farm in Broome County, jumping in on the booming industry in the Southern Tier. For more information on how to contact People Grow Together and its products, click here. Sanitizer has been flying off the shelves in recent weeks, a product that wouldn’t just help People Grow Together survive, but one that would help the community. People Grow Together plans to continue production of its hand sanitizer even when the pandemic ends. When the coronavirus made its way to our area, People Grow Together was able to change its business plans. It hopes to grow within the community, working with both cities and schools.
BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — Binghamton Mayor Rich David said he expects the Boscov’s in downtown Binghamton to sign a one-year lease. This is the third one-year lease for Boscov’s after a five-year agreement made in 2013. Mayor David said the lease extension was approved on Thursday, May 20 by Broome County’s Industrial Development Agency. He said he has been talking with the store since the lockdown began.
Mayor David told 12 News the lease has not been signed by Boscov’s yet because they are waiting for phase two of the reopening process. He also said once the lease is signed, Boscov’s would operate in the city location through May 2021.
Police said Brian K. Bidwell of Glouchester, Virginia was riding southbound on State Route 79. He went off the roadway for an unknown reason and “stuck a ditch.” WINDSOR (WBNG) — New York State Police say one man is dead after a motorcycle crash in Windsor Friday night. Authorities said he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The residents of Broome County should feel safer today knowing a career criminal has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, ” Broome County District Attorney Michael A. Korchak told 12 News in an official press release. Galusha was found guilty in January 2020 and has 18 arrests dating back to 1999, according to the district attorney’s office. (WBNG) — The Broome County District Attorney’s Office says a Binghamton man will serve a decade behind bars for burglary. Charles R. Galusha has been sentenced to 10 years in state prison and five years parole for a 2nd degree burglary conviction. “Based on Mr. Galusha’s criminal history, a sentence of 10 years is appropiate in this case,” he said.
The announcement is timely as September is National Puppy Mills Awareness month. OSTEGO COUNTY (WBNG) — The Susquehanna SPCA announced on Sept. 21 the creation of the “PAWS Before You Pay” program, aimed to educate, inform and even empower consumers in New York. For more resources to educate yourself on the Susquehanna SPCA click here. The program highlights the importance of adopting and buying healthy animals from responsible breeders and shelters instead of puppy mills, which animal advocates say are only in the business to make money and do not care about the pets themselves. Animal advocates spoke about how often times pets from puppy mills turn out to be sick with deadly diseases like parvovirus, leaving their owners to decide if it’s financially worth keeping their pets. “I can’t tell you the number of calls that I get,” said Libby Post, executive director of the NYS Animal Protection Federation.”The animal has parvo. What should I do? Well, you have three things: The first thing is you have to make the decision whether or not you want to spend thousands of dollars above and beyond of what you’ve already spent to care of this animal and get it through parvo, which is not a guarantee because parvo is a deadly, deadly disease for puppies. You can make the decision to put the animal down which is a heart breaking decision to make.” The SPCA also stressed that buying an animal from a puppy mill could even leave you with making a gut wrenching decision: putting your animal down. 
Katie Potter, Red Cross External Communications Manager said, “As a humanitarian organization, we are focused on our mission of helping others in any way possible. So, certainly, people have a heightened interest, at the simplest level in this information and knowing if they could have been exposed to COVID-19” According to the Red Cross, they began collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma from those already diagnosed with COVID in April. Previously, convalescent plasma collection was limited to about 170 Red Cross donor centers across the United States, and that’s because a specialized process is used to obtain this type of plasma. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood now to help ensure coronavirus patients and others who depend on transfusions have needed blood products this fall. Now, whole blood donations made at any Red Cross blood drive or blood donation center in the country are taking part. Each time a donation of blood or plasma is made, the humanitarian group tests it for COVID antibodies. Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services said, “With approximately 2% of the U.S. population testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies, every donation is important to ensure patients with coronavirus have access to every treatment option available to them. Antibody testing may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual experienced symptoms. Donations are tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing. BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — The Red Cross is joining in the fight against coronavirus by testing blood and plasma for COVID-19 antibodies. The group also said the secondary testing is what allowed them to expand the process to all blood drives. If the donor gave plasma and tests positive for the antibodies, the plasma is then used only for patients fighting the virus. The Red Cross says it’s a win-win for everyone involved. Convalescent plasma contains COVID-19 antibodies that may be useful in helping critical patients fight the virus. The Red Cross said test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. The group also reminds donors that a positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity, and these tests are not to diagnose illnesses of the coronavirus.
ENDICOTT (WBNG) — Two fans of the Dicks Sporting Goods Open gave Charles F. Johnson Elementary school in Endicott a generous donation this morning. Jeff and Eddie say it was a blessing to be able to help the children out at Charles F Johnson. The school says the donation will go towards outreach programs for the students in remote learning situations. The school is located just across the road from the En-Joie Golf Course and offers parking at a cheap rate, using the money made to fundraise for school trips and other activities for the students. Jeff Whitesel and Eddie Sheehan have been coming to the DSGO for several years and park at the school each time they come to the event. Jeff said he felt bad for how cheap the parking was compared to the prices of parking in the DC Metro area, so he began giving a little extra. Originally from the DC metro area, the pair are used to expensive parking and long walks. But at CFJ school for the DSG Open, that is not the case. “So, each year I would come up, pay my money and feel guilty and started saying, here’s a ten-dollar bill, here’s a twenty-dollar bill, keep the change,” said Whitesel. With the tournament being canceled this year due to COVID-19 the school missed out on its fundraising opportunity. So, the pair drove five hours up from Maryland to present the school with a $10,000 donation.
The men’s season opener against Marist tips off from the Events Center Saturday at 2 p.m. Head coach Tommy Dempsey said the team is excited to play at a competitive level for the first time since March. In addition to the new faces, Dempsey said he’s excited to see the development of last year’s freshman. Tinsley will be bolstered by the return of Thomas Bruce, who re-joins the Bearcats after a two-year injury absence. Bruce said his expectations for himself are even higher this season. With a mix of old and new players, Dempsey said one of the team’s strengths will be its depth. “George makes Thomas better and Thomas makes George better,” said Dempsey. “That’s a match up on that front line, we feel like we can have an advantage many nights.” The sophomore heavy team brings back America East rookie of the year George Tinsley, who led the conference in freshman scoring last season. “I think with all of the new guys we have, I think we could really surprise some people this year,” said Betram. Dempsey said Bruce and Tinsley complement each other on the court. “This year’s going to be much different, obviously because now you’re playing games back to back on weekends and now teams are going to be ready for what kind of style of play I am,” said Tinsley. “So I’m going to change it up and improve any way I can, and also take on a leadership role this year.”
“Patience is good, too much patience is bad. So you have to find that line where you’re going to have to be a little bit patience early in the year,” said Dempsey. The team returns just two starters from the 2019-2020 season, and is looking to fill the scoring void left by point guard Sam Sessoms, following his transfer from Binghamton. “Of course I don’t feel like we’re completely ready but we’ll learn through our mistakes. The kids need to play,” said Dempsey. VESTAL (WBNG) — The Binghamton men’s basketball season will begin Saturday as the Bearcats host Marist to open the non-conference schedule. “Tinsley and (Brenton) Mills, Hakon (Hjalmarsson) and (Dan) Petcash and those guys, I mean they played a lot of minutes as freshman,” said Dempsey. “The old saying ‘the best thing about freshman is they become sophomores,’ well now they’re sophomores and you hope they can take the next step.” With limited practice this preseason, Dempsey said he expects physical mistakes early on, but he wants his players to focus on their attitude and effort. He said they’ve added pieces with the ability to score a lot of points, including transfer and Cooperstown native Tyler Bertram. “Last time I played I made the all-defensive team. I want to be defensive player of the year and also be on the all-conference team, and a championship of course,” he said. 