The Peru Gazette

Source: A baby, a football player, a retired teacher: Meet the 32 people lost to homicides in Syracuse in 2021 – syracuse.com

Source: Best places to visit in 2022 list includes Upstate New York region – syracuse.com

Source: Clinton Co. records highest COVID-19 rates to date | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Over the New Year’s weekend, Clinton County saw nearly 450 new cases of COVID-19- the largest recorded spike since the onset of the pandemic.

Source: Kathy Hochul will propose term limits for New York’s top elected offices

Steve Moore, owner of Condo Pharmacy, speaks at a press conference on the Pharmacy Rescue Package while Assemblyman Billy Jones and Leo “Skip” Maggy of Maggy Pharmacy look on.

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones

Last week, Governor Hochul signed A1396/S3762 and A5854/S3566 into law right as the deadline was approaching after vetoing A7598/S6603 earlier in the week. These three bills were referred to as the Pharmacy Rescue Package because they will regulate Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBMs) and will help keep independent pharmacies operating.

PBMs are the mediators between health insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies who negotiate the price of prescription drugs and how much insurance companies will reimburse pharmacies for medications. The difference between what the insurance companies pay and the pharmaceutical companies charge is pocketed by PBMs despite how many independent pharmacies lose money on these transactions. Additionally, there are PBMs that own pharmacy chains resulting in bigger reimbursements to these pharmacies and PBMs requiring Medicaid patients to use these pharmacies exclusively. These practices have caused many independent pharmacies to close.

“Governor Hochul signing parts of the Pharmacy Rescue Package is an important step forward toward the State regulating PBMs and leveling the playing field for independent pharmacies,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay). “I want to thank Governor Hochul for supporting independent pharmacists who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic offering COVID-19 testing and vaccines for their communities.”

After the State Legislature passed the Pharmacy Rescue Package in 2021, Assemblyman Jones joined Steve Moore, owner of Condo Pharmacy, Leo “Skip” Maggy owner of Maggy Pharmacy, Dan Bosley owner of Cornerstone Pharmacy and Keeseville Pharmacy, and other local pharmacists in calling for the Governor to sign these bills. Many of these pharmacists joined the assemblyman for a press conference held at Condo Pharmacy when the bills were delivered to the Governor in December.  

“I would like to thank Governor Hochul for taking long overdue action to protect New Yorkers from pharmacy benefit managers,” said Steve Moore, owner of Condo Pharmacy and past president of the Pharmacy Society of the State of New York. “The bills that she signed last week will expand patient choice and stifle PBMs’ ability to raise drug prices, rip off taxpayers and destroy community pharmacies.  Along with everyone else here at Condo Pharmacy, I am incredibly grateful for the support that Assemblyman Jones has provided for these bills during the years that it took to see the legislation passed.  Billy has been a steadfast champion of patients, taxpayers, and pharmacies throughout his time in office and the district is lucky to have him representing us in Albany.”      Read more »

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POTSDAM, NY (01/03/2022)– The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 887 students to the President’s List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the Fall 2021 semester.

To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

• Evan Howe of Peru, NY, whose major is Criminal Justice Studies

• Hannah Kanaly of Peru, NY, whose major is English Literature

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges — and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

POTSDAM, NY (01/03/2022)– The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 235 students who excelled academically in the Fall 2021 semester to the College’s Dean’s List.

To achieve the honor of being on the Dean’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of between 3.25 and 3.49 in the given semester.

The students included:

• Hayden Dustin of Peru, NY, whose major is Music

• Avery Tromblee of Peru, NY, whose major is Theatre

• Madison Tromblee of Peru, NY, whose major is Childhood/Early Childhood Education

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges — and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

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Cannabis can still be sold in the village

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Source: Hochul extends statewide mask mandate as NY Covid hospitalizations jump 67% in a week – syracuse.com

Source: N.Y. unveils Winter Surge Plan 2.0 | Sun Community News ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced Winter Surge Plan 2.0, a new targeted effort to bolster New York’s fight against the winter surge.

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM SATURDAY TO 7 PMEST SUNDAY…

* WHAT…Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of up to 4 inches and ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch.

* WHERE…Most of Vermont and portions of northern New York.

* WHEN…From 7 PM Saturday to 7 PM EST Sunday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Precipitation will transition from light rain on Saturday night to freezing rain, sleet, and snow by Sunday. The transition will occur from north to south, becoming snow entirely by Sunday evening. Snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches will occur across the Adirondacks and portions of north-central Vermont, while a dusting up to 2 inches is expected for south-central Vermont. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Slow down and use caution while traveling. Please allow extra time if travel is necessary. &&

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Source: Gov. Hochul details North Country school COVID tests and more | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | As Gov. Kathy Hochul urged North Country residents to get vaccinated, she commended local health and municipal efforts while detailing the ramped up efforts fo

Source: New business brings gas to Ellenburg  | Sun Community News ELLENBURG | Mountain Mart is a local family-owned gasoline and convenience store retailer. The tenth location of Mountain Mart officially opened during the last week of December. 

Hazardous Weather Outlook

436 AM EST Fri Dec 31 2021 NYZ026>031-034-035-087-VTZ001>012-016>019-010945- Northern St. Lawrence-Northern Franklin-Eastern Clinton- Southeastern St. Lawrence-Southern Franklin-Western Clinton- Western Essex-Eastern Essex-Southwestern St. Lawrence-Grand Isle- Western Franklin-Orleans-Essex-Western Chittenden-Lamoille-Caledonia- Washington-Western Addison-Orange-Western Rutland-Windsor- Eastern Franklin-Eastern Chittenden-Eastern Addison-Eastern Rutland- 436 AM EST Fri Dec 31 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern New York, central Vermont, northeast Vermont, northwest Vermont and southern Vermont. .DAY ONE…Today and tonight. Light freezing drizzle is possible through the mid-morning hours, until temperatures climb above freezing. A few icy spots are possible on untreated roads and sidewalks, but measurable precipitation is generally not expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Saturday through Thursday. We continue to monitor the potential for light to moderate mixed wintry precipitation late Saturday into Sunday across the North Country. The best chance for accumulating snow and sleet will be across far northern New York. Meanwhile, a mix of sleet, freezing rain, and plain rain is likely across the remainder of the region. Precipitation will likely transition to snow from northwest to southeast before ending on Sunday, with some light snow accumulations possible across the Champlain Valley, as well as central and eastern Vermont. Lastly, much colder temperatures and low wind chills are expected Sunday night into Monday. If you have travel plans late Saturday into Sunday, stay tuned to the latest forecasts.