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More About The Peru Gazette

The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.

Comment Policy

The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No  foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.

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SUNY Plattsburgh expands access to student mental health services

Click here for the NCPR story 

A new tool in Old Forge aims to protect housing for year-round residents

Click here for the NCPR story 

Peru Drama Club presents “She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition”

When 18-year-old Agnes discovers a Dungeons and Dragons module written by her recently deceased little sister, she enters the game to get to know who her sister was truly.  Filled with monsters, demons, and dragons, follow Agnes’s journey to find herself and get to know the sister she never really knew.

***PLEASE NOTE*** This show is rated PG-13 for language, fantastical violence, and mature situations. Bullying revolving around sexuality and gender is prominent, as is the discovery of that sexuality.  Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Additional information is available on our website.

This show will be presented on Friday, December 2nd at 7:30 and Saturday, December 3rd, at 2 pm and 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. It features a cast of 24 students and a crew of around 10!

December 3-4 Holiday Bazaar at the Babbie Museum

The longest serving state legislator in New York talks about his 52 years in the Assembly as he readies for retirement

Click here for the City and State story 

Help Wanted: Businesses still scramble for employees, legislators ponder solutions

One suggestion: Phase in minimum wage to $21.25

Click here for the Times-Union story 

Mark your craft fair calendar Dec. 3 in Peru

Adirondack harmful algal bloom reports rise

Click here for the Press-Republican story 

St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen Menu for Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Shepherds Pie
Bread
Dessert
Served take-out only from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., in Peru.
All are welcome at our table.

Lake Champlain’s Split Rock is a good holiday hike

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Ravena falls to Pleasantville 15-7 in Class B semifinal

Ravena is the team that defeated the Peru Nighthawks last weekend. 

Click here for the ABC News10 story 

A long local tradition

By John T Ryan

Peru – November 26, 2022 – Small business Saturday is also the day many families think it’s time to buy a Christmas tree.  That was true today at Covel’s Tree Farm and Nursery where many people were either choosing a precut tree or walking to the nearby fifty-acre tree farm to select their special tree.

Families are essential to most small businesses, and Covel’s is no exception. So today, Don and Linda’s daughters, Dawn Bronson and Kim Lincoln, made wreaths and kissing balls while their husbands, Glen and Dean, assisted customers outside. Granddaughter Savannah and grandson Joey were also helping out.  Smiles and good cheer were everywhere. 

The Covel Tree Farm is located at 842 Mannix Road. It’s open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you want to select your tree from the tree farm, you should arrive by 3 p.m. Call 518-643-8723 for more information. 

Early snow brings good base for Adirondack ski season

Click here for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise story

Clinton County Legislature wants people warm and well-fed this winter

November 22, 2022 – Plattsburgh, NY – The Clinton County Legislature recognizes the struggle North Country residents are dealing with due to higher energy prices resulting in higher utility bills. The Legislature wants residents to know that there are programs available to offer assistance to help reduce energy use and control energy bills as the colder months set in.

“The Clinton County Legislature recognizes that with so many everyday items costing more and more,  residents are being forced to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table,” said Mark Henry, Chairperson of the Clinton County Legislature (R-Area 3,Chazy.)  “That is why the Clinton County Legislature is highlighting services being offered by the New York State Department of Public Service which is designed to help consumers manage their energy bills. Making sure Clinton County residents can stay warm in their homes is certainly a priority to the Legislature and we thank New York State for launching this vital program.”

The New York State Department of Public Service’s winter outreach and education campaign is designed to help New Yorkers keep their energy costs down while ensuring their homes are warm and safe during the winter season. The campaign includes a dedicated winter preparedness webpage, multi-agency workshops about resources available to help consumers this winter season, and free publications related to the upcoming winter season. More information can be found at www.dps.ny.gov/winter [1] Read more »

Peru Lions Club 2022 Turkey Trot Results

Click here to view the results. 

Alstom seeking welders for major contract

A major contract of 999 cars for the New Jersey Transit system.

Click here for the Press-Republican story 

Hochul signs NY law that limits cryptocurrency mining; first in nation

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

The strange intersection of gun rights and legal weed in New York State

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Kent Delord House to hold holiday event

Click here to view the Sun Community News story 

500+ participate in the 2022 Lions Club Turkey Trot

Peru – Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2022 – Over 500 runners and walkers were at the starting gate at 9 a.m. this morning, participating in The Peru Lions Club’s 45th Annual John P. Adams Turkey Trot.
The Peru Central School bus garage was the place to be if you like to see smiles and good cheer as friends and families greet each other before taking off on the 5K and 10K runs and walks.
Thanks to the Peru Lions, the participants, and all the community volunteers who make this Thanksgiving Day event possible.
Click here to view these and more Peru Gazette photos. 
Click here to view the results 

MHAB, located on the “New Base” in Plattsburgh, to offer free Thanksgiving meals today

MHAB Life Skills Campus, 14 Dormitory Dr. (New Base) in Plattsburgh. MHAB Life Skills Campus, 14 Dormitory Dr. (New Base) in Plattsburgh. Sit-downs Noon to 2 p.m. Take-outs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Click here for the Press-Republican story 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Thank You for reading the Peru Gazette

Fall Into Winter Craft Fair in Peru on Saturday, Dec. 3

Joking, community and schnitz pies: Let’s visit two Amish sisters in Lisbon as they prep pies for church

Click here for the NCPR story 

Medicare Covers Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests

Took effect in April 2022 and is still in effect. 

Medicare has a new initiative covering up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month at no cost to you. 

Who’s eligible?

Medicare will cover these tests if you have Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, the tests covered under this initiative will be covered outside of your existing plan’s coverage, and in addition to any over-the-counter tests that may be covered under the plan as a supplemental benefit.

Medicare won’t cover over-the-counter COVID-19 tests if you only have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) coverage, but you may be able to get free tests through other programs.

When does this initiative start?

It starts April 4, 2022, and continues until the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends. People with Medicare Part B can get up to eight free over-the-counter tests for the month of April any time before April 30, and can then get another set of eight free over-the-counter tests during each subsequent calendar month through the end of the COVID-19 PHE.

How can I get tests through this initiative?

You can get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at any pharmacy or healthcare provider that participates in this initiative. Check with your pharmacy or health care provider to see if they are participating.  If so, they can provide your tests and will bill Medicare on your behalf. A partial list of participating pharmacies can be found at https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus.  You should bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card to get your free tests (even if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part D plan), but the pharmacy may be able to get the information it needs to bill Medicare without the card.

Do I have to change pharmacies to get a free test?

No. You can get your free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests from any eligible pharmacy or healthcare provider that voluntarily participates in this initiative, even if you aren’t a current customer or patient. Getting your tests won’t impact any prescriptions you have in place.

Will I have to pay anything to get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests in this initiative?

No, you won’t have to pay as long as you go to an eligible pharmacy or health care provider that participates in this initiative. However, if you get more than the eight covered over-the-counter COVID-19 tests in any calendar month, Medicare will not pay for additional over-the-counter tests in that month. You may be responsible for the cost of additional tests that calendar month, unless you have additional health coverage. If have additional coverage, you should check whether they will cover any additional tests obtained beyond the Medicare quantity limit. This means that the pharmacy or health care provider might ask you to pay for them. Note tests are sometimes packaged with more than one test per box, so eight tests may come in fewer than eight boxes.

Can I get reimbursed for any tests I bought before April 4, 2022?

No. Medicare coverage and payment begins on April 4, 2022, and is available for up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per calendar month you receive from a participating pharmacy or healthcare provider after the initiative starts. Medicare will not provide payment for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests obtained prior to April 4, 2022.

Do I have to wait a certain amount of time before I can get another eight over-the-counter tests through Medicare?

Starting April 4, 2022, this initiative covers up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month. If you’ve gotten eight of these tests in the current calendar month, you will need to wait until the beginning of the next calendar month to get more tests. For example, if you receive eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests on April 14, 2022, through this initiative, you will not be eligible for another round of eight free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests until May 1, 2022. Note that there can be multiple tests per box, so eight tests may come in fewer than eight boxes.

Can I submit a claim for a test I pay for myself?

No. Medicare cannot process a claim submitted by a beneficiary for a COVID-19 over-the-counter test. You should check whether your pharmacy or health care provider is participating in the initiative, in which case they will bill Medicare for the over-the-counter test on your behalf.

When does this initiative end?

Medicare will pay for up to eight free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per calendar month through this initiative as long as the COVID-19 PHE continues. Read more »