Patricia Sibilia, League of Women Voters Albany County

ALBANY COUNTY — Albany County, like the rest of the state, was in a holding pattern this week as the number of new COVID-19 cases and COVID-related hospitalizations continued to fall but mask mandates remain in places that Governor Kathy Hochul termed vulnerable — like schools — and also where large numbers of people gather and contact

Individuals may receive a maximum of $9,000 per deceased individual and a maximum of $35,500 per application, if they incurred funeral expenses for multiple deceased individuals.

The state’s first Free Fishing Weekend of 2022 is on Feb. 19 and 20, when freshwater anglers are permitted to fish for free without a license.

Dr. Ward Stone, Troy

While hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, and other health-care facilities have nearly reached or surpassed pre-pandemic staffing levels, long-term care facilities are still experiencing substantial job losses, according to a new report from the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living.

ALBANY COUNTY — Dion Lewis, on Feb. 10, pleaded guilty in Guilderland Town Court to driving while ability impaired.

Lewis, 31, had been arrested on Dec. 19 for first-offense driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, and for several infractions: improper right turn, illegal signal, and refusal to take a breath test.

Qualified landowners may apply for a free bag of 25 tree and shrub seedlings for planting near streams, rivers, or lakes to help stabilize banks, protect water quality, and improve wildlife habitat.

The emergency assistance supplement is provided to households that do not ordinarily receive the maximum allowable benefit per month on SNAP. Those households already near or at the maximum benefit level — $835 for a household of four — will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95.