Balloon Fest and Americade were good, officials say
Americade and the Adirondack Balloon Festival both ran this weekend, and things were busy, and busy is good, says a story in the Post-Star. Gina Mintzer with the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB reported that some lodging vacancies were available, but also lines at restaurants. Americade organizer Christian Dutcher said he was pleased with attendance, despite it being lower than normal. The motorcycle rally normally rides into Lake George Village in June, so he thought the change to September hurt attendance.
Attorney General looking at Saratoga
The state Attorney General's Civil Rights Bureau is looking at upstate cities where Black Lives Matter protesters have been arrested, the Times Union said late yesterday. Attorney General Letitia James her office is examining actions taken in upstate cities during a discussion on WAMC radio. She did not name the cities, but arrests in Saratoga Springs and Schenectady are high on the list, the story says. The Saratoga Springs Police Department says it will assist the investigation if asked.
Minimum wage is rising
Upstate New York’s minimum wage will rise to $13.20 per hour on Dec. 31, up from $12.50. This inches closer to the target rate of $15 per hour, the Albany Business Journal is reporting. New York City is already at $15, and Long Island communities will reach that this year. The state’s Department of Labor pushed ahead since companies are already moving up the scale attempting to lure employees back to low-pay jobs, the story says. [Signs at Glens Falls/Queensbury Burger Kings are already advertising a $15.50 per hour, starting salary.]
Hospitals looking outside
“Local hospitals are using outside agency staff and stepping up recruiting efforts to make up for staffing shortfalls caused by employees who were not vaccinated by Monday’s state deadline,” the Post-Star is reporting this morning. Staff at Glens Falls and Saratoga hospitals are about 95% vaccinated, the story says. Glens Falls Hospital will place the unvaccinated on unpaid leave and have been recruiting and using “agency” nurses, the story says. [A Marketplace radio story yesterday reported that United Airlines is expecting a lawsuit after doing much the same.]
Adk Council asks for a bigger trail budget
Trails in the Adirondack High Peaks have been getting a workout during the pandemic and long before, and the Adirondack Council says the state needs to put money into rehabilitation, especially using modern trail-building techniques that lessen erosion, a story in the Daily Gazette says. Many of the trails are too steep and could be rerouted. Bond money may be available.