The Peru Gazette

“Many school administrators, teachers, faculty and concerned parents from our local schools have reached out to my office with concerns about acquiring PPE and hand sanitizer for the upcoming school year as New York State releases more guidance for reopening. As an advocate for public education, I understand the current fiscal situation for our local […]

Source: City makes big gesture to honor Sen. Little | Local News | pressrepublican.com

COVID-19 July 10 Updates Nursing Home Visitation Updates State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker announced today that nursing homes and long term care facilities in New York will be allowed to resume limited visitations for facilities that have been without COVID-19 for at least 28 days, a threshold set by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid […]

“There have recently been instances of blatant acts of racism and hatred right here in the North Country, and it cannot and will not be tolerated. It is most concerning that one of our very own diversity officers feels threatened and unsafe in her own community and this is quite simply unacceptable. I have personally […]

Clinton County DMV Updates The Clinton County DMV opened their doors yesterday, July 6, and understandably the line to get inside has been longer than expected. Please remember that all licenses and learners permits that expired on March 1, 2020, or later will be extended until further notice so you do not need to visit […]

“The federal administration’s decision to suspend H-1B, H-2B, L and J visas would have a detrimental impact on the North Country’s regional economy. These visas allow many of our region’s largest businesses to permanently employ many Canadian citizens while other visas are crucial to our upstate tourist businesses. “I applaud the recent move to reverse […]

COVID-19 June 24 Updates Phase IV and Sports and Recreation Updates Under Phase IV, church occupancy can increase to 33% from 25%. Gatherings of up to 50 people will also be permitted under Phase IV. Guidance has yet to be released for malls, gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys and other industries and I continue to push […]

Source: Davis, Stec differ on resolution | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

COVID-19 June 23 Updates Clinton County DMV Updates Clinton County DMV will be open by appointment only starting on Wednesday, June 24. Call 518-565-4789 to make an appointment. New York Forward Child Care Expansion Incentive Program Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that $65 million in federal CARES Act funding is available for child care providers statewide through […]

COVID-19 June 19 Updates Celebrating the North Country Community With the beautiful weather recently, I wanted to highlight a few heartwarming stories during the pandemic from around the district. To start, I wanted to make a shoutout to Brock Benware, a Beekmantown Central School student who created an Obstacle Course of Hope to bring light to […]

COVID-19 June 18 Updates General Updates New guidance was released for sports and recreation. The guidance is available here. Governor Andrew Cuomo will no longer be holding daily briefings. However, I will continue to send updates as needed. SBA PPP Forgiveness Application Updates This week the SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, posted […]

“Today, the federal administration announced that they are extending the travel restrictions between the United States and Canada. It has been 87 excruciating days since the border restrictions have been put in place and as the Honorary Co-Chair of the Quebec-New York Corridor Coalition, I know the impact this has had not only on our […]

It has been three weeks since George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. Since then, there have been demonstrations around our state and the nation. The outrage we are seeing is not just about George Floyd. It’s about Trayvon Martin. It’s about Breonna Taylor. It’s about Abner Louima. It’s about Rodney King. How […]

“As we continue the phased reopening of the state, it seems only fair that we look to find safe ways to allow individuals the opportunity to visit with their family members, face-to-face, in our hospitals and our nursing homes. Hospitals and nursing home facilities have been thoroughly conscientious in creating policies to screen individuals entering […]

COVID-19 June 11 Updates Phase 3 Updates The North Country is permitted to open under Phase Three tomorrow Friday, June 12. Limited indoor seating at bars and restaurants will be permitted, as well as personal care services such as spas, tanning, cosmetology, massage therapy, nail salons, waxing, tattoos, and piercings. Please visit the NY-Forward website […]

COVID-19 June 9 Updates Phase 3 Guidelines Future guidelines for Phase 3 are now available on the NY-Forward website. Please note that this does not mean that the North Country has been cleared to open under Phase 3- these guidelines were released so that we can prepare to move into Phase 3. Food Services Information Summary Guidelines […]

COVID-19 June 5 Updates Franklin County Milk and More Giveaway JCEO and Glazier’s are hosting another free drive-thru milk and produce box pick-up this Sunday, June 7th from 9 am-12 pm at the Franklin County Fairgrounds at 606 E. Main St. There will be 1500 milk and 1500 produce boxes with the following food items […]

From the office of Assemblyman Dan Stec Republican candidate for NYS Senate   Drive-thru diplomas, virtual ceremonies are simply inadequate   The Governor and State Department of Health issued guidelines for graduation ceremonies today and Assemblyman Dan Stec (R,C,I-Queensbury) is pointing out that they are just not good enough for our students and school districts. […]

COVID-19 June 3 Updates Restaurant Outdoor Seating Update Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted under Phase Two of reopening. Restaurants that have already entered Phase Two can reopen for outdoor dining beginning tomorrow, June 4th. Outdoor tables must be spaced six feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings […]

COVID-19 June 1 Updates Important Information for Hair Salons and Barbershops There have been questions about mandated testing for employees at hair salons and barbershops. We reached out to the Governor’s office and Empire State Development and they informed us of the following: It is RECOMMENDED that employees at hair salons and barbershops are tested […]

Source: State Lawmakers Pass Over 30 COVID Related Bills

Updates on PPP Loan Forgiveness On Friday, the SBA released additional guidance for borrowers and lenders on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. For information on the borrower requirements for loan forgiveness, visit this website. For information on loan review procedures for lenders and borrowers, visit this website. Please note, loan forgiveness is not automatic- to […]

Source: Lawmaker Says Religious Gathering Guidelines

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones “For weeks, I, along with local officials, have been voicing concerns about testing capacity as the Governor’s directive called for increased testing as a requirement to regionally reopen, including the testing mandates for nursing homes. Now the stark reality of our worries has been realized as Wadsworth testing […]

US-Canada Border Update The American and Canadian governments have agreed to extend the existing restrictions on non-essential travel across our shared border for an additional 30 days. The restrictions have been extended until June 21. Individuals may cross the border only for established essential purposes including health care workers and others commuting for essential work, […]