The Peru Gazette

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From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones

            Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a bill (A8445a/S7504a) sponsored by Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) to rename the bridges located on Interstate 87 over the Saranac River after Trooper Brian S. Falb. Trooper Falb died of cancer stemming from his duties during the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Jones introduced the bill last year after the Town of Plattsburgh passed a resolution in support of renaming these bridges in honor of Trooper Falb’s memory.

            Trooper Brian S. Falb moved to the North Country when he was in college. After he graduated from the Police Academy in 1998, Falb decided to start his career and raise his family in the region. He tirelessly served the community for 18 years until his death in March 2017.

“Trooper Falb was a true American hero and the least the State could do was rename the bridges over the Saranac River on Interstate 87 in his honor,” said Jones. “Nothing can truly express the North Country’s gratitude to Falb for giving the ultimate sacrifice when our country was under attack but renaming the bridges will ensure that his memory and legacy will be preserved for generations to come. Now all travelers on the Northway will see Trooper Falb’s name on these bridges and will be inspired by his patriotism and dedication to his communities.”

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“For everyone else in New York state: If you see a pet in a car on a hot day, you’ll have to call 911 to respond to the situation. If you break into a car, you could face up to 18 months in prison for criminal mischief, as well as charges for theft, burglary or trespassing — animals are considered property — plus a lawsuit for any damage caused to the car.”

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City Beach remains open as of July 20, officials said

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(Schenectady, N.Y.) – Price Chopper/Market 32 is issuing a voluntary manufacturer recall on 16 oz bottles of PICS Ground Cinnamon with UPC 4173505270. The manufacturer, International Spice, is recalling this product due to a packaging error. Some containers may contain cumin instead of cinnamon.

Customers who purchased the affected product can return it to their local Price Chopper/Market 32 store for a full refund. For more information For more information, please visit www.pricechopper.com or contact Price Chopper/Market 32 at 800-666-7667 or via email consumerresponse@pricechopper.com.

Many of the customers who purchased this item have already been contacted through Price Chopper/Market 32’s Broadnet recall notification program, which uses purchase data and consumer phone numbers on file in connection with the company’s AdvantEdge (loyalty) card to alert those households that may have purchased the products in question.

From the office of NYS Senator Dan Stec

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury), Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C,I-Horicon), New York State Corrections Officers PBA President Michael Powers and Northern Region Vice President John Roberts today held a press conference outside Great Meadow Correctional Facility to call for a repeal of the HALT Act.

 HALT severely limits the use of special housing units in correctional facilities. Since HALT’s implementation on April 1, data from the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) shows that overall assaults in facilities has risen well by well over 30 percent. At this rate, a new record for attacks in correctional facilities in one calendar year will be set this October.

The spike in assaults, in conjunction with declining officer recruitment numbers and increased retirements since HALT’s implementation, has caused a crisis inside correctional facilities. Senator Stec and Assemblyman Simpson sponsor legislation to repeal HALT (Senate bill S9378/Assembly bill A10593) and urged the Governor and Legislature to take action on it and help restore safety inside correctional facilities and support officers and civilian staff.

“Since the implementation of HALT, it seems like serious inmate assaults on officers, civilian staff and other inmates has become commonplace,” said Senator Stec. “It’s unacceptable that our corrections officers and civilian staff don’t have the full range of resources necessary to offer protection against violent, disruptive inmates. We must take action immediately and make correctional facilities safer by repealing HALT. I’m proud to stand for public safety and stand with our corrections officers and will continue working to ensure they have the support they need to do their dangerous, essential work.”

“I cannot condone any type of violence so I will continue to support my colleagues and correction officers until we successfully repeal the HALT Act. Selfishly and abruptly changing the level of structure ultimately gives more power to the inmates, leaving correction officers unwilling to remain on the job and sacrifice their safety. Look at the data on the rise of inmate attacks and listen to those working in the facilities who demand we make the necessary changes to keep them safe. We must use our common sense and put an end to the HALT Act once and for all,” said Assemblyman Simpson.

“The data tells you everything you need to know about the impact the HALT Act has had on our correctional facilities. According to the State’s numbers, attacks on staff are up 37% since the implementation of HALT. Factor that increased violence in with the continued mandatory overtime our members are forced to endure to meet all of the programming requirements included in the HALT Act, and you have a job that is not only dangerous for your physical well-being, but your mental health as well. We thank our partners in the NYS Legislature who support repealing the HALT Act because it is vital that this issue is immediately addressed to return some semblance of meaningful deterrents back into our facilities and allow our officers to safely perform the jobs they were hired to do” said NYSCOPBA President Michael Powers.

“Since the HALT Act was implemented just a few short months ago, the level of violence our officers have had to endure not only at Great Meadow Correctional Facility, but in prisons across the state, is alarming and unsustainable. By the end of this week, over 500 staff members will have been the victim of a violent assault inside a New York State correctional facility just since April 1 of this year. The HALT Act has done nothing to improve the lives of anyone who works or resides in a prison and in fact, conditions are worsening by the day. Simply put, repeal the HALT Act now,” said NYSCOPBA Northern Region Vice President John Roberts.

Preservation group completes its mission to save, reuse historic site

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“In my conversations with local business owners across the North Country, one of the top concerns they share with me is an expected increase to the unemployment insurance tax rate. When many businesses were forced to close during the pandemic and an unprecedented number of workers were unemployed, the State borrowed money from the Unemployment Trust Fund. The state now owes $8.1 billion to the Unemployment Trust Fund that must be paid off immediately so that business owners are not burdened with this debt. All businesses would experience an increase to their unemployment insurance tax rate- even the businesses that did not lay off a single employee during the shutdown. The State Comptroller also issued a report in June that stated the importance of paying off this debt immediately. That is why I joined several of my colleagues last week urging the Governor to allocate revenues that have exceeded the projections for this fiscal year, including revenue from mobile sports wagering and sales tax. Business owners already have enough on their plate with inflation and the increased cost of fuel and it is time for the State to help local business owners after all their hard work and cooperation navigating state mandates the last few years.”

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More severe weather possible Thursday

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Footage sought from a new targeted area and time frame as investigation continues

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