Cuomo expects COVID-19 to spike

Amid burgeoning rates of COVID-19 across the country, New York State has maintained one of the lowest infection rates in the U.S. However, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is saying that holiday travelers coming into the state for Thanksgiving pose a significant risk. Although families are discouraged from gathering in large groups this year, Cuomo said he expects to see a significant spike in cases several days following the Thanksgiving holiday. 

The New York State Public Service Commission has completed its investigation into New York's electric utility companies’ failure to adequately prepare for tropical storm Isaias last summer. Three of the state's largest utilities, Con Edison, O&R and Central Hudson, now face potential penalties totaling over $130 million. Con Edison and O&R could also see their licenses revoked.

And Sullivan County Public Health Services is alerting the public that two people were directly exposed to a positive COVID-19 case in the government center at the Board of Elections last Monday between 3 and 4:45 p.m. and Tuesday between 9 and 10 a.m. Public Health Director Nancy McGraw said that, thanks to mask-wearing and social distancing, the risk of exposure for all other visitors during that time is low. However, anyone who thinks they were exposed should quarantine for 14 days, and call their health care provider if symptoms develop.

PA restricts interstate travel

Beginning Friday, Pennsylvania is making a targeted effort to curb COVID-19 numbers by reducing interstate travel. According to an order from Health Secretary Rachel Levine, travelers from out-of-state and Pennsylvanians who have left the state and are coming back must get a negative COVID-19 test before they enter PA or otherwise quarantine for two weeks upon arrival. The order does not apply to people traveling for work or for medical reasons. The rules are a little less spelled out for counties that are right on the border with another state, like Wayne and Pike. However, the department is saying that the real goal to cut down on travel for the holidays, and it requests that residents employ "common sense" over the next couple months.

Wayne County Sheriff Mark Steelman announced Thursday that he will be retiring at the start of the new year. After 20 years with the county, Steelman has accepted a new security position with Wayne Highlands School District. Chief deputy Chris Rosler will step in as acting sheriff.

And PA’s GOP-led legislature successfully voted to conduct a large-scale audit of this year’s electoral process. House Speaker Bryan Cutler is now softening his rhetoric a bit, saying that the audit is non-political, and necessary because of PA’s new voting machines and mail-in ballot procedures.