Emergency Broadband Benefit – What Is It and How Does It Work

FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel discusses the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. Starting on May 12, 2021, the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit will make available to consumers substantial discounts on broadband service and computers. This pandemic-related program will continue until the $3.2 billion in federal funding runs out or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the pandemic. Learn more at https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit

City of Kingston Board and Commission Meetings Return to Virtual

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble has announced that, due to the growing number of Covid cases in our area, City of Kingston Board and Commission meetings will be held virtually going forward. 

Last week, Governor Hochul signed legislation extending virtual access to public meetings under New York State's Open Meetings Law, which allows residents to virtually participate in local government meetings. The extension will be in effect until January 15, 2022. City of Kingston Boards and Commissions will now have the ability to meet remotely, as long as proper notice is given and the meeting is recorded and electronic transcripts are made available. 

 “At this time, I encourage all of our Boards and Commissions to meet remotely whenever possible,” said Mayor Noble. “I have not yet heard what the Common Council plans to do, but I am sure we will be updated by the Council President in the near future.” Updated meeting information will be posted on the homepage calendar on the City’s website: https://kingston-ny.gov/.

Mayor Noble's 2021 State of the City Address

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble delivered his annual State of the City Address, titled Recover, Rebuild, Reimagine, at the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. 

 “Typically my State of the City speech would include a long list of accomplishments from each City department, touting our successes and planning for the year ahead,” said Mayor Noble. “After the year we had, I didn’t want to recite a checklist of municipal achievements. Instead, I wanted to thank the Kingston community for their perseverance. I wanted to talk about what each person in our community sacrificed. And ask that we reflect on the path to recovery, the road to rebuilding, and together reimagine all that Kingston can be.

Read the full text of the speech; visit the City of Kingston website: https://www.kingston-ny.gov/news/?FeedID=1315 In the next week, Mayor Noble will be releasing a comprehensive 2020 Annual Report, detailing each City department’s 2020 achievements and developments along with goals for 2021.

Ulster County Executive Ryan Says We Are Experiencing The Start Of A Second Wave Of Covid-19 In Ulster County

County Executive Ryan implores residents to social distance, wear masks, and take all necessary steps to help blunt the second wave of COVID-19 

KINGSTON, N.Y. - County Executive Pat Ryan today during his Facebook live briefing stated that Ulster County is seeing the beginnings of a second wave in Ulster County and called upon all residents to take the sudden rise in positive cases seriously. As hospitalization rates and active cases rise to levels not seen since early summer, County Executive Ryan urged residents to adhere to health precautions like social distancing and wearing a mask. 

“It is clear now from looking at the data that we are at the beginning of a second wave of COVID-19,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “This is a make or break moment for us as a county and a community. We have a chance to remain proactive and blunt a much more significant second wave, but it will require all of us to continue to social distance, wear masks, and take all precautions necessary.” 

Since early October, Ulster County has seen a consistent uptick in cases and hospitalizations. Ulster County’s hospitalization rate is at the highest it has been since early May, and active case rates are at the highest point since mid-June.

For additional information about COVID-19 visit:  https://ulstercountyny.gov/coronavirus

Ulster County COVID-19 Hotline: 845-443-8888

NYS Coronavirus Information Hotline: 888-364-3065

RELEASE: November 12, 2020 Here https://ulstercountyny.gov/executive/executives-desk

City of Kingston Public Meetings are only available Online

Video by City of Kingston, NY - YouTube's Channel 

Government Meetings are not broadcasted on Public Access Television. 

The City of Kingston and Towns are collecting revenue from the cable franchise fees over 1/2 million dollars from the cable subscribers, and doesn't direct any funds to the public access station. Local Public Access 23 on Spectrum. currently Channel 23 is now under Esopus Community TV List of City and Towns collecting revenue from cable franchise fees. Government is not informing cable subscribers who paid the cable franchise fees.

City of Kingston Cable Franchise Fees $410,000
Town of Marbletown NY Cable Franchise Fees $105,821
Town of Kingston, NY Cable Franchise Fees $18,250
Town of Ulster, NY Cable Franchise Fees $260,000

4/6/2020 - Common Council Meetings Will be Held Via GoToMeeting

City of Kingston and the Towns lack to appoint any residence to the Cable Commission. City of Kingston receives $410,000 from the Cable franchise fees from the Cable subscribers Read more.

Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony are Cancelled

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble and the Kingston Veterans Association have cancelled the 2020 Memorial Day parade and ceremony at City Hall, due to a ban on all gatherings in the state of New York. The organizers will instead hold the event on Veterans’ Day, if guidelines and recommendations at that time allow. 

 “While we won’t have a public ceremony this year, it is still important for us all to personally pay tribute to those who have lost their lives fighting for our country,” said Mayor Noble. 

“I would also ask that we take a moment to thank all active duty and National Guard members who have stepped up to help during this pandemic. These men and women have bravely seen communities like ours through a scary and uncertain time, and should be commended. 

” For other ways to support the Kingston Veterans Associations, please visit: https://kingstonvets.org/

Past Videos of  Memorial Day Ceremony and Parades 2014 to 2019

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan Press Conference on Coronavirus - 3/8/2020

Video by The Kingston News - YouTube Channel 

“This morning, we were notified by the New York State Health Department that an Ulster County resident has received a ‘presumptive positive’ result for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This individual recently traveled internationally to France and notified our Health Department that he had symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Upon guidance from our Health Department he drove himself to a hospital where test samples were taken and he was immediately placed into quarantine.

We have been preparing for this contingency for the last several weeks and I am confident in our ability to respond quickly and comprehensively to ensure public health and safety. As a first step, we are activating the Ulster County Emergency Operation Center as well as deploying Health Department staff to focus solely on community mitigation efforts. Public Health officials have already begun interviewing this individual to assess who he may have come into contact with and will notify those individuals. We will continue to update the public to ensure full transparency as the situation develops. Read More

Common Council 3/3/2020 Kingston, NY

Video by The Kingston News link to Agendas & Minutes

Due to COVID-19 and in order to provide safe conditions and continuity for our community, city staff and council members, all Kingston Common Council meetings (that include the monthly caucus, full council and committee meetings) will be held remotely pursuant to Executive Order 202.1 until further notice.

3/13/2020 - City of Kingston Declares a State of Emergency, Mayor Noble Limits Access to Public Buildings 

4/6/2020 - Common Council Meetings Will be Held Via GoToMeeting