Chemung County approves plan for Lowe’s to open after social distancing violations
TOWN OF BIG FLATS, N.Y. (WBNG) — Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss authorized the closure of a Lowe’s located in the Town of Big Flats on Sunday. 5:50 P.M. UPDATE: —– Moss said a representative from Head of State Government Affairs for the Northern Region for Lowe’s Companies submitted an action plan as Chemung County requested. Moss said this is not something the County wishes to pursue in the future. He said it is not the County’s intent to pursue closures, fines and possible arrests, but essentials businesses must follow guidelines. Moss said that this temporary closure comes after multiple verbal and written warnings involving numerous violations of executive orders. The Chemung County Health Department is requesting the establishment submit a plan regarding how they will ensure that compliance of the executive orders will be achieved. County Executive Moss said that after a conversation with Chemung County Public Health Director Pete Buzzetti, he decided to temporarily close the Lowe’s located on 913 County Rt. 64. Moss said he authorized this temporary closure because individuals continually violated executive orders issued by the state on social distancing. Moss said the plan has been approved by Chemung County Public Health Director Pete Buzzetti. The enhanced efforts to supplement the stores current safety and social distancing protocols are as follows: TOWN OF BIG FLATS, N.Y. (WBNG) — Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss has made an update to the temporary closure of the Lowe’s in the Town of Big Flats on Sunday. For more coronavirus coverage, click here. County Executive Moss said the 913 County Rt. 64 Lowe’s will be open for business starting Monday, April 20. “Posting an associate at the front entrance of the storeUtilizing technology to track the amount of customers in the storeLimit the store traffic to 4 customers per 1000 square feet of building spaceHire security or off-duty law enforcement to assist with crowd control as soon as feasibleContinue to monitor and evaluate all procedures listed here and above” County Executive Moss said once the plan is submitted and approved, the Lowe’s will be able to reopen. 
Reardon said customers are required to wear masks in the store, and wanted the goal of the shopping experience to be all about speed. TOWN OF CHENANGO (WBNG) — Ginny’s Unique Boutique was briefly back in business this Friday and Saturday, promoting social distancing shopping. “We just want to do something really nice for the community because people are getting a little depressed being home, and we understand we have to, but this kind of brightened everyone’s mood yesterday and today.” That design time helped create the store’s social distancing environment, allowing customers to shop but in a safe and healthy manner. Store co-owner Shannon Reardon said the business could have been open the entire time during the coronavirus pandemic, but decided taking some time off would be better. The temporary opening came with key changes, such as limited store hours, sections of the shop closed off, the spacing out of merchandise, and limiting the number of customers in the store to 10 at a time.
Having customers back in her store for the first time since March 16, Reardon was happy to shine a little light during the darkness. “Grab and go is the theme. No hanging around and chatting, grab your things and go,” she emphasized. “We just chose not to because we wanted to do things right,” Reardon said. “Clean the store really well, get it spaced out. We needed that time off to actually design the store.” Reardon told 12 News she is hopeful for a full re-opening of Ginny’s by June 1.
“We jumped on the opportunity to partner with New York agriculture and markets to be able to provide these items to our local farms,” said Broome County’s CCE Executive Director Beth Roberts. “Like” Jacob Seus on Facebook and “Follow” him on Twitter. He recounts seeing them say “out of stock” online. “We probably have about five or six employees that will use these gloves and such,” said Johnson. This was a trend that was noticed by the Cornell Cooperative Extension and well as assemblywomen, Donna Lupardo. On Tuesday, in Broome County at three different locations over 5,000 face masks and 380 gallons of hand sanitizer were handed out to local farmers and their employees. BINGHAMTON (WBNG) – In a time when wearing masks is the new normal, farmer, Dave Johnson, at Apple Hills says he couldn’t find them anywhere. “We”ll use them, we need them, I get on catalogs on the computer,” Johnson told 12 News. In time where farms in our area have been struggling, Lupardo told 12 News they will continue to be here to help out anyway they can. “If they have the need we will be here to fulfill it,” said Lupardo. “It’s been a challenge getting masks into the hands of farmers because there are so many out there and they are so busy,” said Lupardo. 
VESTAL (WBNG) — With the mandatory mask mandate, people are starting to notice acne bumps where the masks sits on their face. That’s according to Dr. Joseph Newark, a local dermatologist. To prevent maskne, only wear the mask when you need to, wash your face once or twice a day gently with light soap or water or use over the counter acne medicine. “Maskne,” mask acne, happens when masks are trapping sweats and oils on the skin.
He says if you are wearing the mask most of the day, do not put on makeup that is inclusive. “Don’t forget the mask is essential,” Newmark said. “I don’t want people going out say, ‘Oh, I’m breaking out. I’m not going to wear it.’ I think it’s very important that they do wear it.”
(WBNG) — Broome County Executive Jason Garnar appointed Brian Norris as Broome County Division of Security Director Thursday morning. Norris says he is honored to be his position and plans to “streamline” the division’s internal process and improve its infrastructure among other goals. “I plan to continue our community outreach programs andbuild upon them to connect with our Broome County residents,” he said. “We have a diverse department and I want to continue to improve and diversify my staff to better serve the county and its visitors,” Norris said in a news release. Norris fills the position following the retirement of former Broome County Division of Security Director James Dadamio, who served as director since 2006.
Norris says there’s always room for the county officers to learn and grow. County officials credit Norris with his more than a decade of service with the division. “Norris brings years of experience and knowledge to this position,” said County Executive Garnar in a news release. “We’re excited for him to take on this new role with the department.”
Professor Campbell said he had a Broome County Board of Elections staffer speak about the importance of poll workers and that the class, overall, has highlighted for the students just how important a ballot is, adding, “Not voting is actually voting. When they choose not to vote they give away their power. Now they realize that voting is actually a way of using their power.” As of now, the students do not yet know where they will be placed on election day, but say that they are looking forward to it. Jaclyn Jew, a senior, says she is doing it because she wants to give back; Owen Carmody, a sophomore, says it’s his civic duty and he wants to observe how democracy works; and Lina Morse, a freshman, says she wants to get involved. VESTAL (WBNG) — Roughly 75% of students in Prof. David Campbell’s Civic Engagement class at Binghamton University have signed up to become poll inspectors in this year’s general election.
The students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, say that they agree. But they all agree: that voting matters. 
While Coleman was making his debut, his family and friends back home in Binghamton found themselves glued to the TV. Coleman was thrown right into the fire in the team’s home opener, entering the game during the first half against number two ranked Pittsburgh. Going from Section IV soccer to playing some of the best teams in the nation has certainly been an adjustment for Coleman. The Orange’s next game is Friday night at home against Louisville. “My family sent me a video of when I went into the game and they all went crazy and it was an amazing feeling,” he said. “I got the ball and the first time I got the ball I won the header,” he said. “I just quickly realized how fun it is to play at this competitive level.” “I’m not the best player on the field. I’m not the fastest kid on the field. I’m not the most skilled kid on the field,” he said. “The only thing I can control is what I can control, like my attitude and coming to practice and working hard.” SYRACUSE (WBNG) – When Maine-Endwell’s Jack Coleman committed to play soccer at Syracuse University in December of 2019 he called it a dream come true. Nearly one year later, he made his debut with the Orange. “My family is watching at home. I have a lot of friends watching and I got in and was like here it is,” said Coleman. Once he became comfortable on the field, Coleman said it was business as usual. Coleman has made the best of playing at the next level and is ready to contribute in every way he can. 