Source: Federal government wipes out $2 billion more in student loans – syracuse.com

Source: NYC residents directed to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccine status, as Omicron confirmed in Canada – syracuse.com

Source: CNY village approves retail marijuana by a single vote, in example of a divided NY – syracuse.com

Source: Rep. Tom Suozzi enters race for governor, fourth Democrat to declare | NCPR News

Source: New report shows tobacco companies targeting certain groups in the Adirondacks | NCPR News

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Source: Leahy reflects on his decadeslong career, the changing landscape of American politics and his cautious optimism for the future – VTDigger

Source: NY-21 candidate plans to walk the walk | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Several Adirondack Health employees resign over vaccine mandate | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: Central NY pizza shop and gas station ordered to pay $120,000 in overtime, damages to employees – syracuse.com

Source: Bus driver shortage forces Central New York school to cancel school Monday – syracuse.com

Since our 11/22 update, 33 additional lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have been reported. CCHD has received notification of an additional COVID-19 related death of a Clinton County resident. This death bring the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Clinton County to forty-six.

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. To register call 518-565-4848. To schedule a Pfizer or Moderna booster, visit www.clintonhealth.org/covid19vaccine.

– CDC COVID Tracker: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view

– Local Vaccination data:  https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/adkaco/viz/Covid-Draft/Dashboard. According to the North Country COVID Vaccine Dashboard 114,661 total doses of COVID-19 Vaccine were given in Clinton County as of 11/14. As of 11/14, 68% of all Clinton County residents had at least one dose of the vaccine and 65% of residents had completed their vaccine series. 77% of residents 18 years and older have received at least one dose.

– NYS Percentage positive results: https://forward.ny.gov/percentage-positive-results-county-dashboard.  According to NYSDOH 435 people were tested in Clinton County on 11/21. As of 11/21, 7-day average % positive in Clinton County = 6.2%.

–  Vaccination information: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ or http://www.clintonhealth.org/covid19vaccine/

–  NYS School Report Card (providing school and college data): https://schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov

–  NYS DOCCS data: https://doccs.ny.gov/doccs-covid-19-report

– North Country Region hospitalization data: https://forward.ny.gov/daily-hospitalization-summary-region. As of 11/21, 83 individuals hospitalized (18 ICU) in the North Country Region.

–  Additional information: www.clintonhealth.org/covid19

Highlights of the Peru Town Board’s November 22, 2021 meeting. 

This year’s Christmas Tree lighting at the Little Ausable River Park Gazebo will take place on December 10th at 7 p.m.  (originally scheduled for Dec. 3rd) The Peru Fire Department will make its traditional appearance. Noting the public’s COVID concerns, the Board has not planned the traditional activities inside the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center. 

A few weeks ago, Peru deposited $353,274.55 of its $706,550 in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds. The remainder should arrive in mid-2022. The Board plans to use the money to help pay for the state-mandated wastewater treatment plant upgrades.  (Supervisor Brandy McDonald said the CARES Act news was reported at a previous meeting.  The Peru Gazette did not attend the October 25th meeting.) 

The City of Plattsburgh loaned Peru a used large capacity sidewalk plow. If it works, Peru may purchase it.   

In other actions, the Board: 

Accepted Keith Dew’s resignation as a highway department employee with thanks for his long service to the town. Dew will retire effective January 17, 2022.

Approved hiring Jason Burl as a highway department temporary full-time motor equipment operator at a $19.75 hourly wage. Burl has a Class A driver’s license, meaning he will operate all the department’s trucks. 

Approved a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. Clinton County, Peru, and nearby communities formulated a cooperative hazard reaction strategy. Federal regulations require hazard mitigation strategies to be eligible for any federal funds. 

Approved a three-year snow and ice removal agreement with Clinton County. Peru plows and sands 30 miles of county highways for about $136,000 annually. The agreement includes 1%, 1.5%, and 2% price annual increases, plus extra monies if fuel prices increase. 

Accepted an R R Charlebois $252,500 bid for a 2023 Model 114D Freightliner dump truck outfitted with snowplow gear. Charlebois will not deliver the vehicle for at least twelve months. 

Discussed not permitting cannabis dispensaries and on-site cannabis consumption sites in the Town of Peru. Town Attorney Matt Favro will research the definition of dispensaries and on-site consumption sites. Favro said the Board might want to permit some cannabis sales while not permitting others. He said the Board should consider if it is willing to forgo potentially significant tax revenues. 

Noted that NYS DOT approved reduced a speed limit on Valley View Drive. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said Valley View Drive is a small residential area leading off the Signor Road. It’s a loop with sharp turns, making it very difficult to speed.  

The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. to discuss new legal issues. 

Source: Record-breaking year for camping in N.Y. | Sun Community News ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced that overnight reservations at campgrounds operated by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York State Department o

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Graduate students at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) are asking for public assistance in the collection of samples as part of a study for an emerging zoonotic parasite. Samples for this study consist of gastrointestinal tracts from coyotes harvested within DEC Regions 3-7, which can be shipped to SUNY ESF where they will be screened for the parasite Echinococcus spp. The parasite is a tapeworm that typically infects wild canids (foxes, coyotes) but can infect domestic animals as well as humans. The goal of this study is to identify the distribution of the parasite throughout the sampling range, so that areas of high parasite levels and infection risk can be found. More information on the project can be found at the NY Echinococcus Project webpage or by emailing Corinne Conlon.

Source: Cuomo misrepresented COVID-19 nursing home toll, report says