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Hey everyone! Welcome to another episode of Watertown365 podcast for the week of July 23rd. We bring you Watertown’s latest scoops, news & stories, with 2 business spotlights that you have to watch out at the later part of this episode. Sit back and relax, and let’s begin with our first story. Heard of Bitcoin or maybe even Dogecoin? Watertown company, Astra, creates its own cryptocurrency! Next, curious how to report a lost or neglected animal in Jefferson County? Let’s find out the numbers of who to call! On the next story, let’s get some details on the fire that destroyed a Watertown apartment last Monday. Some good news, local food banks receive portion of $125K raised by Price Chopper/Market32 campaign. As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 is approaching, Flower Memorial Library is in the planning stages of organizing memorial events in the North Country. At the end of the episode, we are sharing the latest updates about COVID 19 in Jefferson County. Also, let’s show some love and support to our local businesses especially during this pandemic as we give the spotlight to 2 business in Watertown this week. All that and more for this week’s Watertown365 podcast
Watertown company creates its own cryptocurrency
You’ve probably heard of Bitcoin or maybe even Dogecoin. Those are called cryptocurrencies. Now, there are thousands, including one that originated right here in the north country called Astra. In a small corner office on Court Street in Watertown, Jason Byers and Jeff Gardner have created their own money, taking the term “reach for the stars” to a whole new level. It’s a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin that you can buy on their website, but they say it’s that goal that sets them apart from thousands of others. Unlike paper money, cryptocurrency is decentralized, with no government control. That’s part of the attraction, but that also means there’s room for scams. That’s why Astra’s founders say they are bringing transparency to cryptocurrency. They’ve gained 2,000 investors since starting up three months ago. As for its next steps, Astra will be holding an event for its investors called AstraCon at the end of September at Singer Castle. It’s there they hope to connect with investors and maybe find some more.
Fire destroys Watertown apartment
A man, his son, and 2 dogs safely escaped a fire that destroyed their Watertown apartment Monday. The blaze happened shortly after 3 p.m. in an apartment on Alexandra Meadows at Summit Wood, a complex off Washington Street in the city. City fire officials said the call came in as a fire starting on a stove. The man living in the apartment told 7 News that he and his son got out safely, along with their two dogs. Firefighters found heavy flames and smoke. They knocked them down, made sure residents were safe, and had power cut to the building. Officials were able to cut power to the affected apartment, while leaving it on for those on each side. Residents of the building’s other units were allowed to return home following the incident.
Jefferson County Public Health Service officials are urging people to continue taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of diseases, even as COVID-19 infection rates remain low. Public health planners and officials at the health service are advising people to keep an eye out for more than just COVID-19 as they return to school, work or other social environments.
They said that while the focus has been on COVID-19 for more than a year and a half, other diseases remain just as much of a concern as they were before the pandemic. The good news is, the tools and habits people have employed to stop the spread of COVID-19 work for other diseases as well. According to Faith E. Lustik, a public health planner with the health service, vaccination is a big step, but it’s also important for people to stick with washing their hands, covering their cough, staying home when they’re sick.”
It is important to keep an eye out for any symptoms of a possible illness and get a doctor’s opinion as soon as possible, before potentially exposing others to the illness. COVID-19 vaccination status does not matter. Ginger B. Hall, director of the health service, said the service has seen a number of cases in which someone vaccinated against COVID-19 assumed their symptoms were allergies and have spread a cold, flu or other contagious disease to their coworkers. Mrs. Hall said masks are proven to work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases, and people, both vaccinated and not, should keep those in mind as a tool to prevent the spread of any disease going forward.
The Jefferson County vaccination rate has slowed since the vaccine was first introduced and widely available, with about 51% of the adult population fully vaccinated, according to county data as of July 12. Mrs. Lustik said vaccine hesitancy, where people are concerned about the safety, efficacy or need for a vaccine and decide not to get one, is still an issue preventing the region from achieving full vaccination. As long as COVID-19 remains a risk, the other preventative measures like hand washing and staying home when sick are necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As the fall and winter seasons approach, officials said they anticipate they will continue to focus on combating COVID-19 well into the future. The Jefferson County Board of Legislators recently adopted a resolution authorizing $142,268 in federal aid money to the public health service to cover additional staffing costs for the remainder of the year.
Business Spotlight
Perry Optical
When you feel some pain in your eyes and you can’t see clearly, then you need to pay your eye doctor a visit! Wondering where to find a quality eye care service in Jefferson County? Perry Optical team has been helping the North Country see better for more than 30 years! Perry Optical is catering to families and individuals specializing in patients with special needs and clients who may be hard to fit for glasses or contacts.
Location Perry Optical Vision Center II, 1125 Arsenal Street, Watertown NY
Contact Number 315-786-0133
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 5:00 Sat 9:00 to 12:00
Rogers’ Hometown Pizzeria
Location: 4 West Church Street Adams, New York
Tel. No.: 315-232-3000
Hours: Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Thursday 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Friday – Saturday 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunday – 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Rogers’ Hometown only serve the best pizza and wings in town. Rogers’ take pride with their finest ingredients. Their dough is hand stretched daily. The secret recipe pizza sauce is mixed fresh each day! Your pizza crusts come in traditional or thick upon request.
Thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode. Don’t forget to visit our website, https://watertown365.com/, to stay up-to-date on our local news. You can also visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/watertown365 and leave us some comments! Stay tuned for next week’s exciting episode! Have a great weekend and always stay safe!
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