The Peru Gazette

“Up to 7 million immune-compromised Americans have been left behind in the nation’s wobbly efforts to get back to normal. A weak immune system simply can’t rev up to fight the virus after vaccination like a healthy one does.Not only do these fragile patients remain at high risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, they can harbor lengthy infections that can help spark still more variants.”

Source: Most vulnerable still in jeopardy as Covid precautions ease – syracuse.com

Source: Officials clear metrics for ending mask mandate in schools

High School Scholarships are available to any graduating high school senior from Clinton or Essex County who has chosen to pursue a degree in a health care related field including, but not limited to nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, pharmacy, radiology school, EMT etc.  Scholarship applications need to be completed in their entirety and received by the Scholarship Committee no later than April 14, 2022.  We are asking each student to write a 100-200 word essay on why they wish to pursue a degree in the healthcare field and to include a copy of their high school transcript.  Click here to apply.  If you have any questions please email Karen Kalman or speak with your high school guidance counselor.

Source: The worker shortage’s big impact on people with developmental disabilities | NCPR News

Source: No Major Changes for Forest Rangers in the Adirondacks – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Invasive insects spreading in Adirondack Park – Adirondack Explorer

Source: Keene to move ahead on new mountain bike trails – Adirondack Explorer

Source: Clinton Co. announces social connections mini-grants | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Clinton County Office for the Aging has announced a mini-grant opportunity to help enhance social connections among area senior citizens.

Source: Sen. Stec urges Hochul to reject farm labor decision  | Sun Community News ALBANY | Sen. Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) is urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the Farm Laborer Wage Board’s recent recommendation to lower the overtime threshold for farm workers fr

Source: Nova Bus announces its largest order of electric buses in the U.S. | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Nova Bus, a member of the Volvo Group and a leading North American transit bus manufacturer, has announced its largest electric bus contract to date.

Source: Should you still be wearing a mask?

FEBRUARY 14, 2022 @ 6:00 PM 

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION/DISCUSSION: To Accept Reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; JCEO; and Banking Reports).

5. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of January 24, 2022 and Special Meeting of January 28, 2022.

6. Community Input 

7. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Declare Water/Sewer Dept. 2002 for F-450 Dump Truck as Surplus for Sale. 

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval of Bid and Purchase of New Truck for Highway Dept. 

9. DISCUSSION:  AES to Put Lagoon Project Out For Bid on March 8, 2022. 

10. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Walking Trail Extension Property. 

11. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval of Rifenburg’s Pay Application #10. 

12. DISCUSSION: Youth Commission Bylaws and Members.

13. DISCUSSION: Bell Tower at Heyworth Mason Park.

14. DISCUSSION: Sewer Project Update. 

15. DISCUSSION: Other Business. 

16. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only. 

17. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay Bills

18. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session. 

19. MOTION: Return from Executive Session. 

MOTION:     Adjourn

Source: More Vietnam vets now qualify for disability benefits, but it may be years before they see the money | NCPR News

This story is 10 days old Global Foundries announced yesterday that it will invest $180 million at its Essex Junction plant, $500 million at its Malta, NY plant; nevertheless this is a very informative story. 

Source: GlobalFoundries is growing amid the chip shortage. But is it committed to Vermont? | Vermont Public Radio

Source: NFL’s Roger Goodell says head coaching opportunities for minorities ‘fell short’

Source: 2022 Winter Olympics: See the results for Nathan Chen, Chloe Kim and other Olympians

Source: Who wants to run for governor as a Republican in 2022? – City & State New York

Source: NY judge who directed training for 1000s of judges resigns after accusations of nepotism – syracuse.com

Source: Sheriff’s deputy was asked about financial discrepancy at work days before murder-suicide – syracuse.com

Source: Mask mandate to end Thursday for New York businesses, but not for schools – syracuse.com

Source: Eric Adams calls for bail reform rollbacks at virtual state budget hearing – City & State New York

Source: Hochul’s ‘transparency’ vow called into question over campaign finance practices – City & State New York

Assemblyman Billy Jones, “With Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement today lifting the mask mandates for businesses, I want to thank local business owners and patrons for their patience over the past couple of months.  I agree with both New York State United Teachers and New York State Council of School Superintendents who have called on the Governor to provide reasonable and achievable metrics for when the mandate will be lifted. All institutions that still have mask mandates also need clear guidance for when the requirements can be lifted. It’s also important to note that the best defense against COVID-19 is getting vaccinated and boosted.”

State Senator Dan Stec, “The decision by Gov. Hochul to lift the mask mandate on small businesses was long overdue,” Stec said. “Much of the country has been easing COVID-related restrictions for weeks and the mask mandate seemed more about political science than trusting the actual science.

“I encourage the governor to take the next step and end the mask mandates for schools,” he added. “Numerous studies have shown the detrimental effects masks have had on students’ social, emotional and intellectual development. Rather than postpone a decision on this for another month, we must move forward and repeal this mandate on our students and teachers.”

Hochul said she remained reluctant to lift New York’s school mask mandate in part due to the low COVID-19 vaccination rate among children ages 5 to 11, with just 38% of kids in the group receiving at least the first of Pfizer-BioNtech’s two-dose vaccine series as of Tuesday.

“This is all about looking out for the health of our children,” Hochul said Wednesday, asserting the mask mandate in schools in part helped New York limit outbreaks and sustain in-person learning this fall and winter.

Source: Gov. Hochul lifts mask mandate for NY businesses, but schools have to wait. Here’s why