The Peru Gazette

Source: Spectrum is raising prices for cable TV and phone services – syracuse.com

“HIPAA only governs certain kinds of entities — your clinician, hospital, or others in the health care sphere,” Spector-Bagdady said on the university’s website in April. “It does not apply to the average person or to a business outside health care. It doesn’t give someone personal protection against ever having to disclose their health information.”

Source: Is it a HIPAA violation if businesses request proof of Covid-19 vaccine? What experts say – syracuse.com

Source: NY ending numerous Covid-19 restrictions today: See full list – syracuse.com

Source: Clinton County residents vote on school budgets | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Area schools saw the approval of budgets, propositions, and voted on new School Board members on May 18.

Source: Union calls for pause on N.Y. prison closures | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association officials are now calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to put a halt on all future prison closures pending a com

State Senator Dan Stec said he is pleased the Public Service Commission (PSC) updated its guidance for small Internet Service Provider (ISPs) companies seeking an exemption from providing low-income broadband, which was enacted as part of this year’s state budget.

The 2021-22 state budget mandates companies offer $15 per month broadband to low-income-qualified New Yorkers.  The budget also included language to provide a means of requesting an exemption for small companies (less than 20,000 subscribers) whose financial viability would be threatened because they serve so few customers and their profit margins are so narrow.

“When the budget was adopted, this was a big concern of mine because the last thing I want to see is broadband service disappear as a result of a new state mandate,” said Stec.  “After reviewing the language and talking with companies, I raised the red flag because the financial information that was going to be required by the PSC was far more extensive than the budget language suggested would be necessary to qualify for an exemption.”

Stec had a meeting with PSC staff on Friday, April 30 to discuss the matter and sent a May 5 follow-up letter objecting to their initial guidance, writing: “My point is that requiring a copy of the company’s audited income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows for the company’s most recent fiscal year; and a pro forma income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows assuming no impact from the requirement to offer the Low-Income Broadband Service, is too intrusive.”

While debating the budget with Stec, Senator Liz Krueger, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, had offered her assistance to address concerns he had raised about the low-income broadband program.
 
“Senator Krueger and I had a meeting with the PSC on May 14,” said Stec.  “We made the point that the intent of the law is to protect, not hurt, the small companies who are filling a critical high-speed broadband need in rural communities,” said Stec.  “What was being asked wasn’t necessary, far too onerous and would be counterproductive. I was relieved and grateful that the exemption guidelines were updated that day.”

Stec said more than 30 companies have contacted the PSC seeking an exemption.  The PSC will make a determination prior to June 16, 2021, when the low-income broadband program takes effect.

Source: Creativity amid the Coronavirus in Plattsburgh | NCPR News

Source: In Saranac Lake and other Adirondack communities, a shortage of rentals

Source: BETA Technologies plans Vermont factory for electric aircraft

Peru – May 18, 2021 – Twenty-seven school buses lined up waiting for high school dismissal. It’s an impressive sight! 

Source: NY ends mask mandate for the vaccinated. Will businesses do the same? – syracuse.com

Ensemble of North Country Professionals Opens Season on June 5

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Source: County governments weigh vaccine incentives

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