Good morning, Schenectady.

Bethesda House, facing a winter funding gap, got an anonymous pledge to match up to $100,000 in donations & a $45,000 grant to keep Code Blue and social work services running.

Donations reached about $45,000 to $50,000 so far, and any remaining match will roll over into 2026.

Residents in Niskayuna are urged to safely dispose of unused or expired medications at free dropboxes, including those at Lange’s Pharmacy, to protect homes & water systems from contamination and misuse.

Health officials say proper disposal lowers accidental poisonings in children and pets.

Dr. James McDonald, the state health commissioner, warned New Yorkers to get their flu vaccines and avoid large gatherings after record-high flu cases were reported last week (with over 71,000 cases and steep rises in hospital admissions).