From the Peru Central District Office
Peru Central School has selected its new mascot logo as part of the rebranding effort of becoming the Nighthawks.
Following the change of the school’s mascot last fall, a committee was formed of students, staff, and community members to design and select options for the new logo. These options were narrowed down to three choices, and those three were then presented to the entire community to vote on. The winning logo was then affirmed by the Board of Education at their May 11th meeting.
This logo represents the proud determination of the Nighthawks and their drive to succeed in all aspects of school life. It also incorporates the existing school colors of blue and white. Over the next few months the community can expect to see the new logo reflected in a variety of ways on campus and in the community!
Posted: May 19th, 2021 under Education News, General News, Peru News, Peru School News, Peru/Regional History.
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Since our 5/18 update, 2 additional lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have been reported.
CCHD has COVID-19 Vaccination appointments available!
– Thursday, May 20 at CCHD in Plattsburgh
– Saturday, May 22 at the Ted K Center in Plattsburgh
– Saturday, June 12 at Champlain Centre South (formerly Friendly’s) in Plattsburgh
Here are links to some frequently requested data:
Posted: May 19th, 2021 under County Government News, Heathcare News.
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Peru – May 18, 2021 – Twenty-seven school buses lined up waiting for high school dismissal. It’s an impressive sight!
Posted: May 19th, 2021 under Education News, Peru News, Peru School News.
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(From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones)
Assemblyman Billy Jones (D- Chateaugay Lake) joined local business leaders and families impacted by the United States-Canada for a press conference at the North Country Chamber of Commerce to call on the federal government and New York State to start making steps to allow a phased reopening of the border and to expand eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to Canadian essential travelers. Other border states have started to vaccinate essential travelers who are currently permitted to cross the border to help Canadians get vaccinated sooner.[1] The border closure that has lasted over a year has kept families apart, and negatively impacted local businesses that depend on their loyal Canadian customers.
“We need to start a phased approach in reopening the US-Canada border, ” Jones said. “Families have been separated for too long, and exceptions must be made to allow second homeowners to return to their properties. North Country businesses also have been patiently waiting for the border to reopen. Vaccinating Canadians who are permitted to cross the border will also help make progress toward reopening the border. Vaccine distribution across the North Country has been efficient and residents who wish to be vaccinated have been able to do so. As state distribution sites continue to accept walk-ins, there is no reason why New York State could not join other border states in helping Canadians get vaccinated. Getting people on both sides of the border vaccinated is an important step in getting the border reopened, and New York has the means to help our northern neighbors during this time of need.”
“The number one way we can directly help move the needle toward eventual progress at our border for non-essential travelers is to help maximize vaccination levels in both countries,” said Garry Douglas, President and CEO of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “It is in our interest as a state and certainly as a region to find ways to help in this regard, and opening vaccinations here for Canadian essential border crossers who haven’t yet been reached in Quebec and Ontario and are traveling here regularly for essential purposes is good for everyone. It’s the right thing to do as neighbors and hopefully will be seen by the Canadian Government as another sign of U.S. friendship, just as Canadians helped us after 9/11 and following other disasters, encouraging the start of bi-national planning for the way forward. We’re pleased to join with Assemblyman Jones in this call for state and county support in this regard, and we thank the Assemblyman for his leadership in all cross-border matters.”
John Momot, owner of Blue Haven Campground, discussed how the border closure has been hurting his business and his Canadian customers, “With 65% of our seasonal guests from Canada, the border closing has had a direct impact on our campground. The lack of revenue is even more devastating to the local businesses in the area like restaurants, hardware stores, and grocery stores. This has not been easy on our Canadian guests either, as they love our community! I am sure they find it especially unsettling to own property here that they are unable to utilize. Some of these families have been coming down here for many years. The longer the border remains closed, the higher the likelihood is that our Canadian guests may decide not to return at all.”
“The families who have been separated for over a year, and the North Country businesses, including many small businesses in our communities, who all depend on Canadian customers deserve tangible action being made by our governments to reopen the border,” Jones concluded. “It is time for both federal governments to consider reopening under a phased approach so that people in the North Country can see their loved ones who live across the border and second homeowners are able to return to their homes. If Canadians who are permitted to cross the border are allowed to get vaccinated in New York, it will bring us one step closer to finally reopening the border.”
Posted: May 19th, 2021 under Northern NY News, Political News, State Legislator News.
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I hope you’ve been fully enjoying our beautiful spring weather. The Peru Democratic Committee will be meeting at 6 pm on Thursday, May 20th, in the main meeting room of the Peru Town Hall. I hope you can join us, as one of the major talking points of the evening will be a discussion of goals for the rest of this year.
We’re still figuring out how NY state’s COVID guidelines play out at events such as these, so please plan to wear a mask for this meeting. If you’re unable to attend but would like to send along some input regarding committee goals, I’d love to hear from you via email.
Posted: May 19th, 2021 under Peru News, Political News.
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Board of Education
Mark Hamilton 379
Jon Malcolm 176
Jeff St. Denis 65
Write-ins 2
Budget Proposition #1 431 YES, 210 NO
Bus Proposition #2 427 YES, 216 NO
Posted: May 18th, 2021 under Peru News, Peru resident news/accomplishments, Peru School News.
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Ensemble of North Country Professionals Opens Season on June 5
North Country music lovers will welcome live musical performances back to Plattsburgh this summer with the return of “Curbside At Harborside,” a full season of concerts by locally based, top-caliber artists and arts organizations taking place at the U.S. Oval Gazebo and Plattsburgh’s Harborside Stage.
Trillium Ensemble, a trio comprised of clarinetist Janine Scherline, oboist Janice Kyle, and pianist Timothy Mount, will open the season with a program of beautiful chamber music for an early summer evening, performing on June 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the historic U.S. Oval Gazebo, located near the Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel on the site of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.
The repertoire performed by these three professional players, all of whom live in the North Country, spans from the Baroque to the Romantic Era to the present day, offering a delectable menu of sonic treats guaranteed to please any listener.
Scherline and Mount open the evening with Paul Reade’s delightful Suite from The Victorian Kitchen Garden, instantly transporting listeners across the Atlantic Ocean to England. Fans of the Antiques Roadshow may find Reade’s sonic palette familiar, as he composed (with Tim Gibson) the theme music for this popular television program. For The Victorian Kitchen Garden, a BBC2 series from the late-1980s, Reade won the Ivor Novello award for creating this tender, flowing music, crafting memorable melodies with lightness and vitality.
Read more »
Posted: May 18th, 2021 under Arts and Entertainment, General News, Northern NY News.
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WHAT – Music for your pleasure — Just Jammin’
Listen or join in — but enjoy.
WHERE – Peru Memorial VFW
WHEN – Thursday, May 27th from 5 – 8 p.m.
Note: Kitchen Open from 4 – 7 p.m.
Posted: May 18th, 2021 under Arts and Entertainment, Community Events, Peru News, Veterans' News.
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The evening spelling competition featured students from seven local school districts with grade-level honors and recognition also going to Grade 4 Elsa Isecke from Peru Central School District; Grade 5 Emma Sheldrake from Peru Central School District and Grade 6 Jacob MacDougal from Boquet Valley Central School District.
Source: Returning champion and regional honors in local spelling bee | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | After an exciting night of academic excellence, a returning champion walked away with the top honors at the CVES Regional Spelling Bee that featured grade-level
Posted: May 18th, 2021 under Education News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru resident news/accomplishments, Peru School News.
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A spokesperson for the company said that customers will not be required to show proof of vaccination.
Source: Stewart’s to allow vaccinated customers into stores without masks
Posted: May 18th, 2021 under Business News, Heathcare News, Northern NY News, Upstate New York.
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Message from the Clinton County Health Department
Plattsburgh, May 18, 2021. Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced that beginning May 19, New York State will adopt the CDC’s “Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People” for most business and public settings. Consistent with the CDC guidance, Pre-K to 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and healthcare settings will continue to follow the State’s existing COVID-19 health guidelines until more New Yorkers are fully vaccinated.
“Taking off the masks is a well-deserved relief for the almost 50% of Clinton County residents who are fully vaccinated,” stated John Kanoza, Director of Public Health in Clinton County. “The Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) continues to recommend wearing masks in indoors settings or crowded outdoor settings where the vaccination status of individuals is unknown, especially until more detailed guidance is provided by the state.”
Unvaccinated individuals will still be required to wear masks in public settings and maintain 6-feet physical distance, specifically when in close proximity to people, both indoors and outdoors. Businesses may also continue to require masks for all patrons if they choose to do so or they do not have the capacity to verify the vaccination status of their customers. All residents should continue to be prepared to wear a mask when in public.
“As we await more detailed guidance from NYS, we urge residents to be patient with our local businesses,” advised Mr. Kanoza. “Continue to wear your mask out of courtesy until you have established your vaccination status with the business and what their policies are.”
Though it is unclear at this time how vaccination status will be verified, CCHD recommends residents download New York State’s Excelsior Pass. The Excelsior pass will be the easiest and most accurate way to verify your vaccination status. Visit
https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass to learn more.
“As Clinton County’s COVID-19 vaccination rate has increased, we have seen our active cases decrease – which is great news, added Mr. Kanoza. “If our residents continue to use common sense, avoid crowds, wash their hands frequently, and continue to wear a mask when the vaccination status of the people around them is unknown, our hope is that we can continue on to the goal of eliminating COVID-19 as a threat in our community.”
Posted: May 18th, 2021 under County Government News, Heathcare News.
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Since our 5/17 update, 3 additional lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have been reported.
CCHD has COVID-19 Vaccination appointments available!
– Thursday, May 20 at CCHD in Plattsburgh
– Saturday, May 22 at the Ted K Center in Plattsburgh
– Saturday, June 12 at Champlain Centre South (formerly Friendly’s) in Plattsburgh
Here are links to some frequently requested data:
Posted: May 18th, 2021 under County Government News, Heathcare News.
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Lower number of patient visits during pandemic continues to fuel deficit.
PLATTSBURGH, NY (05/18/2021) – As low patient visits and increased COVID-19 related expenses persisted through the first six months of its 2021 Fiscal Year (FY2021), the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) reported today that it lost almost $8 million between October 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 despite receiving $289,000 in stimulus money in October 2020.
The hospital’s net patient service revenue, the key revenue indicator, was $165.5 million, $15.9 million less than expected. Patient discharges fell 17.7% short of budget, October 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020 (pre-COVID). With a drop in patients visiting the Emergency Room, visits were 13,506, 21.5% below budget and 22.3% lower than last year.
Alice Hyde Medical Center and CVPH Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Christopher Hickey speculated on the cause, “It’s hard to pinpoint the reason behind the drop in inpatient and emergency admissions. We would expect people to come to the hospital, COVID or not. Much of what we lost is the lower acuity patients. Did we lose them because they went somewhere else? I doubt it. This phenomenon is being experienced across the country.” The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reports emergency rooms visits are down 25% nationwide. He added, “Our patients may still come back, and we will be ready to care for them when they do.”
Team Continues to ShineWhile salary expenses remained on par with FY2020, expense reductions were found by slowing or pausing various programs, services and purchases not critical to patient care. Hickey credits the team for doing an exceptional job managing expenses, coming in at $183.3 million, $9 million under budget, though these efforts unfortunately were not enough to make up the deficit.
Posted: May 18th, 2021 under Heathcare News, Northern NY News, Regional NY-VT News.
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Posted: May 18th, 2021 under Heathcare News.
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Two-thirds of Hamilton County residents — 66.1% as of Monday morning — have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to data from the U.S. Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention. The number’s even higher for adults, as 76.1% of Hamilton County residents 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
Source: Rural county in Upstate NY has one of nation’s highest vaccination rates (report) – syracuse.com
Posted: May 18th, 2021 under Heathcare News, Northern NY News, Upstate New York.
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