The Peru Gazette

Source: Stefanik says NY schools are forcing a ‘radical and racist’ agenda on children. The false claim fits a pattern | NCPR News

“Give A Pint, Get A Pint” returns for the seventh year

May 25, 2022— The need for blood donations doesn’t take a vacation. Summer is a challenging time to collect enough blood donations to meet the needs of patients. That’s why The American Red Cross and Stewart’s Shops are incentivizing donors with a sweet treat.

For a seventh year, Stewart’s Shops is treating Red Cross blood donors to free pints of ice cream as a part of the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program.  For the month of June, presenting donors at blood drives in 26 counties across Upstate New York will receive a voucher for a free pint of Stewart’s Shop’s ice cream or gelato. Vouchers can be redeemed at any Stewart’s Shops location. Read more »

Source: Which Central NY school districts spend the most and least per student? Search 673 districts statewide – syracuse.com

Happy Birthday to WWII Veteran Curtis Banker of Peru, NY. Curtis celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday, May 29, 2022. Today he attended the Memorial Day Service at Peru VFW Post 309. Curtis entered the Army in 1942, stayed in the Army, and retired in 1963.

Correction of Mr. Banker’s age. It was stated in error that he is 100. He is 98.

Source: New Study:1 in 5 Adult COVID-19 Survivors Has Long COVID

Local farmers expressed their concerns about the OT threshold in a press conference last November. The Governor’s silence has been deafening.

“Immediately following the last public hearing on January 28, by a vote of 2-1, the Farm Laborers Wage Board members advanced a series of resolutions to lower the overtime threshold to 40 hours. The status of the Wage Board’s report to the Commissioner of Labor is unknown at this time.”

Albany, NY – The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), the Business Council of New York State (BCNYS), the National Federation of Independent Businesses of New York (NFIB), Upstate United, and Democratic legislators Billy Jones and Carrie Woerner are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul and Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon to maintain the overtime threshold at 60 hours on family farms across New York State. At the event held in the Capitol today, NYSAC and the business organizations cited the extraordinary challenges that farms and agri-businesses are facing to justify the rejection of the Farm Laborers Wage recommendation of a 40-hour threshold.

Antonio Delgado, who was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of New York on Wednesday, previously sent a letter to Governor Hochul to express his disapproval regarding the New York State Farm Laborers Wage Board’s recommendations. Delgado said, “Lowering the threshold over the next ten years from 60 hours per week to 40 hours per week is not mindful of the dynamics of farming.”

Paul Ruszkiewicz, NYSAC Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Vice-Chair, Orange County Legislator, and Co-Owner of John Ruszkiewicz Farm, said, “The cost of fuel, fertilizer, and feed are the highest they’ve been in recent memory. Add that to record inflation and rising labor costs, the next generation of farmers are seriously considering what the future holds for them in this state. Family farms across the state are taking a hard look at their businesses and are in many cases facing tough decisions as we continue to wait for a final decision on the Wage Board’s 2-1 recommendation. We urge Governor Hochul to consider the unintended consequences before forcing additional regulations on an already fragile, yet necessary industry. Any overtime threshold lower than 60 hours will result in an even greater labor shortage, and fewer contributions to regional food banks and programs like Nourish NY. Please keep overtime at 60 hours and support the next generation of farmers and farmworkers in New York State.”

Resolution from the New York State Association of Counties. Read more »

Source: Injured hikers in Bolton, Keene; hiker death on Scarface – – The Adirondack Almanack

Clinton County Health Dept. News Release

Plattsburgh, May 26, 2022. On Friday, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) announced they were investigating two potential cases of Monkeypox in New York State. Since that announcement, one case has been ruled out and the second case is still under investigation. 

“There are currently no cases of Monkeypox in our region,” explained Debra Tackett, Director of Health Care Services at the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD). “While there is still a case investigation underway in the state, it is believed the risk to the general public is very low.” Residents do not need to take any specific action at this time. 

The NYSDOH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are monitoring the situation within NYS and the U.S. “CCHD participates regularly in situational briefs with the state and will continue to relay information to residents if the situation changes,” added Ms. Tackett. 

Monkeypox is a viral illness similar to smallpox but less severe. Read more »

Peru Gazette File Photo

New Adirondack Harvest Resource Provides Info on 65+ Area Farmers’ Markets 

Lewis, NY – Summer farmers’ market season has officially kicked off this month in the Adirondack region, bringing a welcome return of locally grown and made food, arts and crafts. Seasonal farmers’ markets offer a closer-to-home opportunity for folks to support farmers and makers in their community.

The Plattsburgh Farmers and Crafters Market has begun and will run through October 8 each Saturday from 9 am-2 pm in the Pavillion on Green Street downtown. Shoppers can use FMNP coupons at this market. There is also a farmers’ market in Peru that begins in June and runs through October on select Sundays from 11-3 in Heyworth Mason Park. 

Adirondack Harvest has just launched an updated 2022 Summer Farmers’ Market Guide that includes up-to-date information for every farmers’ market in the 13 counties they serve, Read more »

Source: Solos and Swashbuckling: Willsboro Festival of Theater Arts promotes arias and action | News | pressrepublican.com

Source: City weighs appealing court ruling to resume Durkee development | News | pressrepublican.com

Source: NRA speakers unshaken on gun rights after school massacre in Texas

Source: Prison assault leaves officers with burns and possible broken bones | Sun Community News DANNEMORA | Two officers were seriously injured by an inmate at Clinton Correctional Facility May 26.

Source: After alleged threat, racial slur from Indian Lake parent, school goes on lockout | NCPR News

Source: Are the Adirondacks really for everyone? Community groups get real about racial, environmental justice | NCPR News

Interactive Map Displays Bloom Locations and Informative Website Encourages New Yorkers to “Know it, Avoid it, Report it”

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Department of Health (DOH) today reminded New Yorkers to learn about and be aware of harmful algal blooms, or “HABs,” as the 2022 HABs notification season starts. With resources such as the online HABs map and reporting system, New York is a national leader in supporting initiatives to swiftly and effectively respond to HABs across the state.

“We encourage New Yorkers to be on the lookout for HABs and report any sightings to DEC,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “DEC and DOH experts will continue to work closely with local partners to investigate HABs, make significant investments to prevent excess nutrients and other contaminants from affecting water quality, and monitor potential threats to the health or recreational use of waterbodies.”

“As we enter the warmer months, New Yorkers should be aware that the primary exposure to harmful algae blooms is through recreational contact. New York State beaches close swim areas when any suspicious blooms are sighted and New York State public drinking water supplies have effective protocols and treatment for HABs and toxins,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “It’s easy to avoid risks by staying away from any discolored waters, blooms and scums and recreating in areas where the water is clear. People should always rinse off if they have had contact with a bloom and immediately seek veterinarian care if noticing any symptoms in your pets if they consumed bloom material or had contact with blooms.”

The New York Harmful Algal Bloom System, “NYHABS,” reporting system became active today and allows both the public and trained citizens to send reports of HABs to DEC electronically via a simple, user- and mobile phone-friendly form. Read more »

“World on a String” performs two shows at the Saranac Fire Hall on Route 3 in Saranac, New York: Saturday, June 4 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, June 5 at 4:00 pm. Admission is $20 for all at the door. Current public health guidelines will be followed. For further info: telephone 518-293-7613, e-mail ambrown.hillholl@gmail.com or visit www.hillandhollowmusic.org 

Paul Meyers is one of the most admired jazz guitarists active today. His classical guitar artistry finds him equally at home performing musical styles ranging from Bossa Nova to Be-Bop to Bartok – all played with impeccable technique and true passion. His fluid style and lyricism as both virtuoso guitarist-improviser and composer-arranger have won him praise and respect from colleagues, afficionados, and the media.

Paul Meyers has been a busy freelancer, sideman, and bandleader in and around New York City since 1980. An eloquent and versatile improviser, Meyers’s list of credits reads like a Who’s Who in Jazz. He has been heard with an extraordinary range of jazz greats, including performances and recordings with: Geri Allen, Harry Allen, Kenny Barron, Andy Bey, Ron Carter, Ray Drummond, Eliane Elias, Clare Fischer, Sonny Fortune, Eddie Gomez, Annie Ross, Wynton Marsalis, Bill Mays, Rufus Reid, Frank Wess, and Steve Wilson.

A gifted composer and arranger, evolving from the vast jazz repertoire he has studied and performed over four decades, Meyers takes the listener to a much advanced, fresh place of creativity, stretching traditional boundaries while never losing the basic song form or joy. His harmonic structures are new and often unexpected and open a new world of chord voicings and usages.

“World on a String” is a project for which Paul has been writing for several years. Leo Traversa on bass and Vanderlei Pereira on drums – a pair of dynamic musicians active in the New York City jazz scene-join Paul on nylon string guitar to perform his originals and arrangements. Music that fuses the jazz tradition with rhythms and concepts taken from Brazilian and Latin, folk, classical music and beyond, this is Paul’s personal version of jazz with a world music perspective-all with a swinging, grooving foundation.

“…one of the most eloquent jazz guitarists since Kenny Burrell…” James Gavin, The New York Times 

“Meyers is clearly one of the best guitarists and composers around” Dr. Judith Schlesinger, allaboutjazz.com

“One of the great things about NYC’s jazz scene is the presence of musicians like Paul Meyers-so consistently satisfying that we sometimes take his greatness for granted!” Jack Kleinsinger, Highlights in Jazz

“A virtuoso guitarist and improviser [who brings] his own voice to each and every melody and solo he performs…. his lines are delivered with a hard-driving sense of groove that only helps to accentuate his melodic and harmonic vocabulary.” (Matthew Warnock, Just Jazz Guitar)