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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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Recycling Electronics This Holiday Season

Computer Recycling

With holiday cheer and gifts galore, many of you will give or receive new electronic equipment. As you switch out of the old and welcome the new, please remember to recycle your old electronics responsibly.

Examples of common electronic equipment that must be recycled:

  • Computers (desktops, laptops, e-readers, tablets, etc.)
  • Computer peripherals (mice, keyboards, monitors, printers, etc.)
  • Small electronic equipment (DVR’s, DVD players, MP3 players, video game consoles, etc.)
  • Televisions

It is illegal to dispose these and other covered electronic equipment (CEE) in the trash under New York’s electronic waste law.

How to recycle electronics:
Visit DEC’s Consumer Electronic Waste Recycling webpage for information on all available recycling/reuse opportunities.

Manufacturers of CEE are required to provide consumers a free and convenient opportunity to recycle their equipment or one piece of CEE from another manufacturer with the purchase of the same type. Depending on a specific manufacturer’s acceptance program, CEE recycling/reuse opportunities may include: permanent collection locations, local collection events, mailback programs, or at-home pickup (when no other free and convenient option is offered).

How to recycle cell phones:
Wireless telephone service suppliers that offer wireless phones for sale, are required to provide free reuse and recycling of up to 10 cell phones from any person or provide free shipping of those phones to a recycling program. Contact your local wireless telephone service provider for more cell phone recycling program details. Learn more about NYS Wireless Telephone Recycling Act.

Questions or concerns? Contact the E-waste Recycling Team.

Overdoses have killed a million Americans since the start of the opioid epidemic : NPR

Source: Overdoses have killed a million Americans since the start of the opioid epidemic : NPR

Environmental Conservation Police Officer Steven Shaw Honored as Top New York Wildlife Conservation Police Officer

Saratoga County Officer Receives “Officer of the Year” Award from Shikar-Safari Club International for Outstanding Service
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) Steven Shaw was honored with the Wildlife Officer of the Year Award from the Shikar-Safari Club International.
Shikar-Safari International Club was founded in 1952 by an international group of hunters interested in exchanging ideas about the sport and promoting ethical hunting of big game animals. Each year, the club sponsors an award for the Wildlife Conservation Police Officer of the Year in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and territories of both US. And Canada, acknowledging the important role ECOs play in local, national, and international wildlife conservation.
ECO Shaw earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Purdue University in 1993, and a master’s degree in Environmental Policy from Indiana University in 1996. Shaw did not pursue his dream of becoming an ECO until he entered the 15th Basic Training Academy at the age of 32 in the early 2000s. His goal to become an ECO dates back to his childhood when he was fishing on the Hudson River with his father and grandfather in the town of Moreau, Saratoga County. A man in a green canoe quickly appeared and approached the trio asking if they were having any luck catching fish. The man also checked his father and grandfather’s fishing licenses, looked at and measured the walleye they had on a stringer, and talked to them about fishing the Hudson River in general. It wasn’t until the man left that Shaw’s father explained that the man was a local game warden, responsible for making sure people were hunting and fishing legally. This interaction stuck with Shaw and eventually led him to his career at DEC.
ECO Shaw has served as an officer for 18 years in Saratoga County in DEC’s Region 5. In 2020 alone, he responded to approximately 300 calls for service, from catching poachers and enforcing fish and wildlife laws to assisting with the hunter education programs at the county’s Fish and Game clubs and the county fair. In addition, ECO Shaw is credited with single-handedly developing a fishing clinic for special needs children in his area, which he has hosted for the past 10 years.
ECO Shaw spends much of his spare time outdoors fly fishing out west, brook trout fishing in remote Adirondack ponds in his canoe, ice fishing local lakes, and hiking in the Adirondacks. He’s often joined on these outdoor adventures by his sons Hudson, 15, and Jackson, 12, as well as his girlfriend Lisa. Shaw and Hudson became 46ers this year and are now working on their Winter 46.

Over the past five days, CCHD reported 360 additional lab-confirmed COVID -19 positives and four additional deaths.

Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe will not have ambulance service as of January 1 | NCPR News

Source: Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe will not have ambulance service as of January 1 | NCPR News

136 additional lab-confirmed COVID-19 positives in Clinton County. Next Report 1/3/22

Since our 12/29 update, 136 additional lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have been reported.
Note: Our next case update will be posted Monday, January 3rd, 2021.
Here are links to some frequently requested data:
– A full list of Clinton County COVID-19 testing providers can be found at www.clintonhealth.org/covid19.
– CCHD offers free COVID-19 vaccine clinics every Thursday. Visit www.clintonhealth.org/covid19vaccine to schedule a first, second, third, or booster. Check back frequently, as additional appointment and dates may be added.
– Local Vaccination data: https://public.tableau.com/…/viz/Covid-Draft/Dashboard. According to the North Country COVID Vaccine Dashboard 128,870 total doses of COVID-19 Vaccine were given in Clinton County as of 12/28. As of 12/28, 71% of all Clinton County residents had at least one dose of the vaccine and 67% of residents had completed their vaccine series.
– NYS Percentage positive results: https://forward.ny.gov/percentage-positive-results-county…. According to NYSDOH 603 people were tested in Clinton County on 12/28. As of 12/28, 7-day average % positive in Clinton County = 9.5%.
– NYS School Report Card (providing school and college data): https://schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov
– North Country Region hospitalization data: https://forward.ny.gov/daily-hospitalization-summary-region. As of 12/28, 92 individuals hospitalized (26 ICU) in the North Country Region.
– Additional information: www.clintonhealth.org/covid19

DEC Releases New York’s First-Ever, Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report Compliant with State’s Climate Law

Supports Implementation of State’s Ambitious Climate Law
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos today announced the release of the State’s first-ever statewide greenhouse gas emissions report compliant with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The report describes statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for 1990 through 2019, and will be produced annually as required by New York’s nation-leading climate law. The release of the report is a milestone in the State’s efforts to meet the requirements of the CLCPA.
Commissioner Seggos commented, “This annual report shows that while New York State has reduced emissions from several sectors over the last three decades, emissions from some sectors, including transportation, have increased, revealing that enormous challenges remain in our ongoing work to meet our emission-reduction targets. The report is a critical resource as we continue to act on climate and advance a just transition to clean energy that creates good jobs and supports a green economy for the future.”
Click here to view the complete report 

Census Bureau Projects U.S. and World Populations on New Year’s Day

Happy New Year 2022

DEC. 30, 2021 — As the nation prepares to ring in the new year, the U.S. Census Bureau today projected the U.S. population will be 332,403,650 on Jan. 1, 2022. This represents an increase of 706,899, or 0.21%, since New Year’s Day 2021, and 954,369, or 0.29%, since Census Day (April 1) 2020. 

In January 2022, the U.S. is expected to experience a birth every nine seconds and one death every 11 seconds. Meanwhile, net international migration is expected to add one person to the U.S. population every 130 seconds. The combination of births, deaths and net international migration increases the U.S. population by one person every 40 seconds.

The projected world population on Jan. 1, is 7,868,872,451, an increase of 74,235,487, or 0.95%, since New Year’s Day 2021. During January 2022, 4.3 births and 2.0 deaths are expected worldwide every second.

The Census Bureau’s Population Clock displays simulated real-time growth of the U.S. and world populations.

Three violent incidents on one Tuesday night in Burlington

Source: Three violent incidents on one Tuesday night in Burlington

Part 1: Adirondacks are nature’s storehouse for vital metallic elements | Sun Community News 

Upstate NY school bans ‘Jingle Bells’ due to holiday song’s ‘questionable past’ – syracuse.com

Source: Upstate NY school bans ‘Jingle Bells’ due to holiday song’s ‘questionable past’ – syracuse.com

No, NY lawmakers are not voting on bill to detain the unvaccinated (FACT CHECK) – syracuse.com

Source: No, NY lawmakers are not voting on bill to detain the unvaccinated (FACT CHECK) – syracuse.com

New Covid cases soar to 265,000 a day in US, highest on record – syracuse.com

Source: New Covid cases soar to 265,000 a day in US, highest on record – syracuse.com

NY Covid hospitalizations reach 10-month high, surging 48% in a week – syracuse.com

Source: NY Covid hospitalizations reach 10-month high, surging 48% in a week – syracuse.com

Soup Kitchen is serving today

Wednesday, December 29th, Peru – The St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen didn’t take a holiday break.  A take-our only meal will be served today from 4:30 to 5: 30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., in Peru. The menu includes meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and dessert. All Are Welcome!

40% of Syracuse students lived in poverty in 2020, Census data shows – syracuse.com

Source: 40% of Syracuse students lived in poverty in 2020, Census data shows – syracuse.com

COVID hospitalizations are climbing in NY, including among children | NCPR News

Source: COVID hospitalizations are climbing in NY, including among children | NCPR News

Pop-Up Vaccination tomorrow Wednesday 12/29 at Clinton County College

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new pop-up vaccination site in Clinton County. The site will be open on Dec. 29 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. for first and second dose appointments for New Yorkers five years and older and booster dose appointments for New Yorkers 16 years and older. The new site launched in partnership with SOMOS Community Care, and is part of the State’s extensive outreach efforts to increase vaccination rates and provide support to counties requesting assistance on-the-ground.

“Our greatest defense against the winter surge is to get vaccinated and keep up with all recommended vaccine doses,” Governor Hochul said. “Get vaccinated, get your children five and older vaccinated, get the booster, and wear a mask indoors. We will continue to work with our local partners to provide the resources needed to ensure New Yorkers in the North Country and every part of the State can protect themselves and their loved ones.”

“The best way to protect ourselves and our children is to ensure we, and all those around us, are fully vaccinated,” Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. “I urge those in the Plattsburgh area to take advantage of this new pop-up site to get vaccinated and boosted. The vaccine is safe, effective, and free – and it is our best defense against the fast-spreading Omicron variant as we continue to do everything possible to combat the winter surge.”

Operational information for the new site is available below:

 

PLATTSBURGH POP-UP SITE

Clinton Community College, Gymnasium
158 Clinton Point Drive
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Vaccine Available: Pfizer-BioNTech
Registration Link: SOMOS COVID Vaccination (mdland.com); walk-in appointments also available
Event Partner: SOMOS Community Care

About the COVID-19 Vaccine:

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective and highly recommended for all eligible New Yorkers five years of age and older. Children and adolescents ages 5 and older are able to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which is available under Emergency Use Authorization for children ages 5 to 15 and is fully approved for those age 16 and older. All New Yorkers 18 and older can also receive the two-dose Moderna vaccine or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The Omicron surge is filling up our hospitals with many unvaccinated New Yorkers, reminding us in no uncertain terms: the Vaccine of Hope is how we protect ourselves and our loved ones from severe and even deadly COVID-19,” Chairman and Founder of SOMOS Community Care Dr. Ramon Tallaj said. “If we are going to ensure our families and friends stay safe and healthy, that means getting vaccinated, receiving our boosters, and doing our part in encouraging our community members – neighbors and strangers alike – to do what is right. This virus doesn’t care whether you’re upstate or downstate, and we know it will spread across New York in the weeks ahead. We also know, however, that the vaccine works. The vaccine saves lives. That’s why it is our honor to serve our neighbors up north in Plattsburgh. Thank you to the NYS Department of Health and Clinton Community College leadership for joining us in the effort to ensure no person is left behind on the road from crisis to recovery.”

“Amid the holiday season, when families, friends, and neighbors gather with one another to celebrate the start of a new year, numbers continue to show that the COVID-19 Omicron variant is spreading across the nation.  We know that the Vaccine of Hope is the difference of life and death,” Co-founder of SOMOS US Henry R. Muñoz, III said. “Our network of 2,800 community doctors have dedicated themselves over the past two years to bringing COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccinations to people where they are and in the languages they speak. We’ve brought the vaccine to neighborhood churches, schools, public housing, and even New York City landmarks like Yankee Stadium and Grand Central Station. It’s our honor to continue this mission now by bringing the Vaccine of Hope to Plattsburgh alongside our partners at the NYS Department of Health. Through vaccinations and safety measures like masks and testing, we will fight and defeat this pandemic together.”

About the COVID-19 Booster:

All eligible New Yorkers are strongly encouraged to get their COVID-19 booster dose. You are eligible for your booster dose if you’re:

  • 16 years or older and it’s been at least 6 months since your initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine series
  • 18 years or older and it’s been at least 6 months since your initial Moderna vaccine series
  • 18 years or older and it’s been at least 2 months since your J&J vaccine
  • All New Yorkers who are booster eligible can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.

New Yorkers can learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine herebooster doses here, and the vaccine for children and adolescents here.

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 29, 2021 @ 6:00 PM.

(Meeting to be conducted via Zoom. See instructions following agenda)
 
1. Call Meeting To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
 
3. Roll Call
 
4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of December 13, 2021.
 
5. Community Input
 
6. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Champlain Area Trails Group – Little Ausable River Trail Extension.
 
7. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval of Organizational Meeting and First Regular Meeting Date and Time.
8. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Request for Quotes for Purchase of Automatic Start Generator for Highway Garage.
 
9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Transfer of Monies from Debt Service Account to Resolve H-26 Project Loans.
 
10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Transfer of Monies from Debt Service Account to Resolve H-24 Project Loans.
 
11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Line Item Transfers for General Fund 2021.
 
12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Line Item Transfers for Highway Fund 2021.
 
13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Line Item Transfers for Peru Sewer Fund 2021.
 
14. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Line Item Transfers for Valcour Sewer Fund 2021.
 
15. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Line Item Transfers for Water Fund 2021
 
16. DISCUSSION: Sewer Project Update.
 
17. DISCUSSION: Other Business.
 
18. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.
 
19. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay Bills
 
MOTION: Adjourn
 
**In an effort to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, this Town Board Meeting will not be open to the public. The minutes will be available online as soon as they are approved at the following Board Meeting of January 10, 2022. Thank you for your understanding in this matter and stay safe!
 
Town of Peru is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: My Meeting
Time: Dec 29, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 872 1697 8966
Passcode: 842411
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58 additional COVID-19 lab-confirmed positives reported

Since our 12/27 update, 58 additional lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have been reported.
Here are links to some frequently requested data:
– A full list of Clinton County COVID-19 testing providers can be found at www.clintonhealth.org/covid19.
– CCHD offers free COVID-19 vaccine clinics every Thursday. Visit www.clintonhealth.org/covid19vaccine to schedule a first, second, third, or booster. Check back frequently, as additional appointment and dates may be added.
– Local Vaccination data: https://public.tableau.com/…/viz/Covid-Draft/Dashboard. According to the North Country COVID Vaccine Dashboard 122,961 total doses of COVID-19 Vaccine were given in Clinton County as of 12/14. As of 12/14, 70% of all Clinton County residents had at least one dose of the vaccine and 66% of residents had completed their vaccine series. 78% of residents 18 years and older have received at least one dose.
– NYS Percentage positive results: https://forward.ny.gov/percentage-positive-results-county…. According to NYSDOH 278 people were tested in Clinton County on 12/26. As of 12/26, 7-day average % positive in Clinton County = 10.1%.
– NYS School Report Card (providing school and college data): https://schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov
– North Country Region hospitalization data: https://forward.ny.gov/daily-hospitalization-summary-region. As of 12/26, 85 individuals hospitalized (20 ICU) in the North Country Region.
– Additional information: www.clintonhealth.org/covid19

Peabody’s reopens with a new spin on downtown staple | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH |

Source: Peabody’s reopens with a new spin on downtown staple | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | If there is one thing that is repeated countless times by visitors of the North Country is that the North Country has beautiful scenery.

Executive order to help elderly homeowners amid winter surge | Sun Community News ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed an Executive Order to help support vulnerable homeowners amid the current surge of COVID-19 cases. 

Source: Executive order to help elderly homeowners amid winter surge | Sun Community News ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed an Executive Order to help support vulnerable homeowners amid the current surge of COVID-19 cases. 

N.Y. announces $23 million in water quality grants | Sun Community News ALBANY | 

The best movies of 2021 include three filmed in Syracuse – syracuse.com

Source: The best movies of 2021 include three filmed in Syracuse – syracuse.com

New York state breaks Covid record with nearly 50,000 new cases in a single day – syracuse.com

Source: New York state breaks Covid record with nearly 50,000 new cases in a single day – syracuse.com