Governor signs Adirondack road salt reduction bill | News, Sports, Jobs – Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under Highway Dept. News, Peru/Regional History, State Government News.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Dec. 3 COVI-19 Update
December 3, 2020.
Hospitalizations due to COVID continue to increase throughout the State. The total number of hospital beds in NY is about 53,000—currently 35,000 of those beds are occupied by patients, about 4,000 of whom are COVID patients. For context, at the height of the pandemic in the spring, we had about 19,000 people hospitalized with COVID.
The next stage of the battle with COVID is going to be vaccine distribution and vaccine acceptance. The vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel. We just have to get there, and we have to get there with as little loss of life as possible. We must do our best to keep the virus from spreading any further. Wear a mask, avoid gatherings (both indoor AND outdoor), social distance and wash your hands.
Photo of the Day: During my briefing today I showed an example of the vaccine packaging once it’s ready for distribution (Photo by Mike Groll)
Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. The statewide positivity rate ticked up to 4.84 percent yesterday. There were 9,855 positive cases from 203,440 tests reported yesterday. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 5.91 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 4.49 percent.
2. Total hospitalizations rose to 4,063. There were 783 patients in ICU yesterday, up 41 from the previous day. Of them, 377 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 61 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. The State is launching 150 new rapid testing sites in partnership with Prescryptive Health. The partnership will help expand testing capacity in areas across the State where testing access is limited. Residents can find participating sites, schedule a test, receive results and follow-up with licenses clinicians directly from their mobile device. All testing sites will be searchable on the State’s COVID test website and appointments for these sites will also be available at www.prescryptive.com.
4. I will sign an Executive Order expanding eligibility for New York State’s COVID Rent Relief Program and reopening the application window. This Executive Order will expand the program’s eligibility so more rent relief can be provided to New Yorkers and additional details will be available in the coming days.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Celebrity Chef David Chang, owner of the Momofuku restaurant group, became the first celebrity to win $1 million on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”. The prize money will be donated to the Southern Smoke Foundation, an emergency relief fund for restaurant industry workers impacted by the pandemic.
If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
Ever Upward,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under General News, Heathcare News, State Government News.
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Adapting and Growing to Meet the Challenge
L-R Gary Morette, Jody Renaudette, Mike Petrivelli
By John T. Ryan
Peru – 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for the restaurant industry. Livingood’s Restaurant and Brewery is facing all the well-publicized rules and regulations. Co-managers Gary Morette and Jody Renaudette describe the past several months as a period of adapting, learning and finding ways to keep customers and staff safe while growing the business.
During April, Livingood’s business model changed from primarily eat-in to take-out. Instead of predictable in-house orders, they had to respond to often rapid phone call orders. Gary explained, “One of the first things we did was reorganize the kitchen. Everything had to be labeled so that employees could easily find what they were looking for.” Jody added, “We also learned that we had to schedule five or six take-out orders for a time frame, like at 5 p.m. We had to serve both a good take-out business and our in-house customers.” Restaurants are still limited to 50% of capacity. Jody said, “We have the advantage of having a lot of space. We can accommodate 125 people and still keep them socially distanced.”
Known and loved as a brew-pub, Livingood’s has hired a new brewer. Mike Petrivelli, a Syracuse native, joined the staff in late July. Thanks to Mike’s experience and brewing skills, Livingood’s still offers its longtime favorite brews and has added several more. Customers have a choice of 15 house-brewed IPAs, porters, lagers, stouts and pilsners. Recognizing that not everyone prefers craft beers, Michelob Ultra, Coors Light, Budweiser, Corona, and a non-alcoholic beer are included in the menu.
Probably the most exciting change happened about a month ago when Livingood’s hired a custom beer canner. Several hundred 4-packs of JED IPA were in the first canning run. Yesterday, they canned Live For Today IPA and Maple Vanilla Porter. The canned products are sold at the restaurant and at an expanding number of local stores, including Richard’s Grocery and Bark’s Beer Cave in Plattsburgh, Arnolds Grocery in Keeseville, and the Craft Beer Center in Keene. That list is expanding almost daily, so look for Livingood’s beer at your favorite store.
Gary Morette and Jody Renaudette are both restaurant veterans who seem to thrive on their daily challenges. They’re very excited about Livingood’s future and grateful for the tremendous support from Livingood’s owners Jon Rulfs and Shannon Rulfs Wilkins. Jody remarked, “We’re going to make this succeed.” Gary and Jody know that success doesn’t happen without competent staff. Jody commented, “Everybody’s family. Almost all the staff is back. We’re a big happy family.” Both managers believe that happy staff, combined with ownership support, good food and beverages are the critical ingredients for satisfied customers and Livingood’s future success.
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under Business News, General News, Peru News, Peru resident news/accomplishments, Peru/Regional History.
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City & State Coronavirus Update co-sponsored by AT&T
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under Heathcare News, State Government News.
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Local Dec. 3 COVID-19 Report: Lab-confirmed positive +17, Recovered +5, Active 56, Tested +138
Since our 12/2 update, 17 additional lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have been reported and 5 individuals have moved to recovered. Cases continue to be spread throughout our community. Some new cases are close contacts of other positive cases; many are associated with recent gatherings of friends and family members, also referred to as “living room spread.”
Follow these steps to protect yourself and your family:
– Wear a face mask.
– Keep a physical distance (6 feet) from others.
– Wash your hands often.
– Avoid crowds and gatherings.
– Stay home when you’re sick.
– Get your flu shot.
Here are links to some frequently requested data:
– 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
– Hospitalization data: https://forward.ny.gov/daily-hospitalization-summary-region. As of 12/31, 27 individuals hospitalized (4 ICU) in the North Country Region.
– Percentage positive results: https://forward.ny.gov/percentage-positive-results-county…. As of 12/1, 7-day average % positive in Clinton County = 2.2%
– Additional information: www.clintonhealth.org/covid19
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under Heathcare News.
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Time to Enjoy The Knight’s Great Spaghetti Again
Peru – Peru Knights of Columbus Council 7273 will host a take-out only spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center. Regular & gluten-free spaghetti, salad & bread. Served at the parish center from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for only $8 per person. The Knights will deliver within a 3-mile radius of the parish center—Call 518-593-4256 on Dec. 12 between 1 and 4 p.m. for delivery.
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under Community Events.
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Burlington expands testing as Chittenden County cases increase dramatically – VTDigger
The announcements come on a record-breaking day for coronavirus cases in Chittenden County. The county reported 55 new cases of the virus on Wednesday, the highest count since early April.
Source: Burlington expands testing as Chittenden County cases increase dramatically – VTDigger
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under Heathcare News, Regional NY-VT News.
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Franklin County schools to resume in person – – The Adirondack Almanack
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under Education News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History.
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Breaking her silence, Stefanik supports Trump’s challenges to election
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History, Political News.
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Virus touches Saranac Lake village staff | News, Sports, Jobs – Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under Heathcare News, Northern NY News.
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Starbucks gives free coffee to frontline workers all December long as coronavirus surges – syracuse.com
Posted: December 3rd, 2020 under Business News, Heathcare News.
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Update: Explosion that shook Central New York explained – syracuse.com
Posted: December 2nd, 2020 under Environmental News, Peru/Regional History, Upstate New York.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Dec. 2nd COVID-19 Update
‘We are seeing an alarming rise in COVID cases that trace back to “living room spread.” New York’s latest contact tracing data shows that 70 percent of new COVID-19 cases originate from households and small gatherings. Today, the State released a new PSA highlighting the dangers of COVID spread in these smaller, indoor settings. Watch the PSA here.”
December 2, 2020.
The federal government has informed us that New York will be getting its first 170,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks. If all safety and efficacy approvals are granted, we expect to receive these vaccines doses—from the New York pharmaceutical company Pfizer—on December 15. The State expects additional doses of both the Pfizer-developed vaccine and the Moderna-developed vaccine this month.
Following FDA approval, the NY COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force will look at the data and provide an additional level of review to the vaccine. This review will not delay distribution of the vaccine and will simply be another safety measure that ensures we can all trust in the vaccine. The COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force is made up of health experts and medical professionals and is co-chaired by Dr. Charles Rice, the winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Healthcare workers and nursing home residents will be the first groups of people to receive the vaccine. For most New Yorkers, though, the vaccine is still months away—and we are faced with a set of challenges to overcome before we get it. Hospitalizations are climbing across the state, and holiday social activity is certain to worsen this trend. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but in the winter we must fight harder than ever to slow the spread and save lives.
Video of the Day: A new PSA warns against “living room spread.”
Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. The statewide positivity rate dropped slightly to 4.63 percent yesterday. There were 8,973 positive cases from 193,551 tests reported yesterday. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 5.88 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 4.21 percent.
2. Total hospitalizations rose to 3,924. There were 742 patients in ICU yesterday, up 24 from the previous day. Of them, 373 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 69 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. Starting next week, I will resume holding scheduled COVID briefings. Instead of daily briefings, this time the briefings will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Briefings are always streamed online at ny.gov, and are additionally broadcast on Twitter and Facebook Live.
4. We are seeing an alarming rise in COVID cases that trace back to “living room spread.” New York’s latest contact tracing data shows that 70 percent of new COVID-19 cases originate from households and small gatherings. Today, the State released a new PSA highlighting the dangers of COVID spread in these smaller, indoor settings. Watch the PSA here.
5. We’ve seen a 262 percent increase in hospitalizations in Western NY over the past three weeks. Even though the region continues to have the highest positivity rate in the state, hospitalizations are increasing across all of New York’s significantly. I implore all New Yorkers to please follow health guidelines—wear a mask, socially distance, get tested, wash your hands and stop the spread.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Thanksgiving is a tradition that can be celebrated by all members of the American family—including canine and feline members. Last week, Rob and Hillary Dunn of Utica, NY, served “Thanksgiving dinners” to around 80 dogs and 150 cats at the Stevens Swan Humane Society. Each dog received a vet-approved plate of white turkey meat (no bones), canned sodium-free green beans, and canned pumpkin. The couple prepared the meals in the days leading up to the holiday, doing their best to make as many meals for the animals as possible. Visit the animal shelter’s website here and learn about the animals up for adoption.
If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
Ever Upward,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Posted: December 2nd, 2020 under General News, Heathcare News, State Government News.
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First doses of COVID vaccine in NY will got to health care workers, nursing home residents | NCPR News
Posted: December 2nd, 2020 under Heathcare News, Northern NY News, State Government News.
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Prosecutors offer few details in Massena mayor’s arrest; Currier issues apology | NCPR News
Posted: December 2nd, 2020 under Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News.
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City & State Coronavirus Update co-sponsored by AT&T
Posted: December 2nd, 2020 under Heathcare News, State Government News.
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Dear Santa, From The Elmore SPCA
Posted: December 2nd, 2020 under Community Events, Northern NY News, Peru News.
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Local Dec. 2 COVID-19 Report: Lab-confirmed positive +2, Recovered +7, Active -5, Tested +491
Since our 12/1 update, 2 additional lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have been reported and 7 individuals have moved to recovered.
Here are links to some frequently requested data:
– 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
– Hospitalization data: https://forward.ny.gov/daily-hospitalization-summary-region. As of 11/30, 26 individuals hospitalized (4 ICU) in the North Country Region.
– Percentage positive results: https://forward.ny.gov/percentage-positive-results-county…. As of 11/30, 7-day average % positive in Clinton County = 1.9%
– Additional information: www.clintonhealth.org/covid19
Protect yourself and your family by:
– Wearing a face mask. 
– Keeping a physical distance (6 feet) from others.
– Washing your hands often.
– Avoiding crowds and gatherings.
– Staying home when you’re sick.
– Getting your flu shot.
Posted: December 2nd, 2020 under Heathcare News.
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Massena mayor arrested during drug investigation
Posted: December 2nd, 2020 under Heathcare News, Northern NY News.
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State Announces Complete Removal of Height-Restricted I87 Bridge in Beekmantown
Removal of Low Clearance Railroad Bridge Over Interstate 87 in Clinton County Eliminates Detours for Commercial Shipping
Project Also Eliminated At-Grade Rail Crossing Along Busy Corridor, Minimizing Motorist Delays and Enhancing Safety
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced the completion of a project to facilitate economic competitiveness and enhance commerce in the North Country by removing the last height-restricted bridge over Interstate 87 in Clinton County, located in the Town of Plattsburgh. Removing the low-clearance railroad bridge eliminates the need for commercial shippers to detour around the structure as well as the potential for bridge strikes, enhancing safety for travelers along the busy corridor. In addition to the removal of the railroad bridge, a new median barrier was installed along the interstate, and an at-grade rail crossing on nearby State Route 22 was decommissioned and removed to reduce motorist delays and make their journeys safer.
The bridge carried an abandoned section of track formerly known as the Chateaugay Branch. The $2.2 million project began in April and required periodic closures of Interstate-87 northbound and southbound during non-peak hours.
Senator Betty Little said, “Highway safety is important for every region of our state, but I think especially for us given our cross border relationship with our Canadian neighbors and the high volume of commerce and tourism we see along the Northway corridor. While COVID has been terrible for so many reasons, it has been a good opportunity for road construction and getting ready for when things return to normal.”
Assemblyman Billy Jones said, “COVID-19 continues to impact small businesses here in the North Country, and it’s critical that we do everything we can to support the regional economy. By removing the last height-restricted bridge and completing additional infrastructure improvements, we can increase safety on our main thoroughfare and boost economic activity. These targeted infrastructure investments will help our communities recover and lay the groundwork for a brighter tomorrow for all of our families.”
Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.
For real-time travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org, or logon to the new mobile site at m.511ny.org.
Follow New York State DOT on Twitter: @NYSDOT. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSDOT.
Posted: December 2nd, 2020 under Highway Dept. News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History, State Government News.
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Syracuse-area trash hauler hit hard by coronavirus; driver shortage causing delays – syracuse.com
Source: Syracuse-area trash hauler hit hard by coronavirus; driver shortage causing delays – syracuse.com
Posted: December 2nd, 2020 under Business News, Heathcare News, Upstate New York.
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Working families walk a thin line balancing remote learning and work | NCPR News
Posted: December 1st, 2020 under Business News, Heathcare News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Dec. 1 COVID-19 Update
December 1, 2020.
December is here, and we are quickly moving toward a COVID-19 vaccine, which is great news. However, the federal government’s current vaccine distribution plan fails to address equity issues adequately. Today, joined by a coalition of groups, I issued a letter to the Department for Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar urging the administration to support underserved communities and to protect undocumented immigrants in the process of the federal COVID-19 vaccination program.
We need to fund outreach to Black, Brown, Asian and low-income communities that are historically underserved by healthcare institutions so that every person in the United States can get vaccinated. Time is of the essence as we get closer to the distribution date and I urge the federal government to address these issues quickly.
Chart of the Day: New York continues to lead the nation in testing and to date we have conducted over 19 million tests.
Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. The statewide positivity rate ticked up to 4.96 percent yesterday. There were 7,285 positive cases from 146,675 tests reported yesterday. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 6.27 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 4.46 percent.
2. Total hospitalizations rose to 3,774. There were 718 patients in ICU yesterday, up 37 from the previous day. Of them, 348 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 66 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. Western NY has the highest positivity rate of any region in the state. The region has a 7.29 percent test positivity rate on a 7-day average, the highest of any of New York’s regions. Regardless of where you live, you should be sure to follow the health guidelines—but this is especially true in Western NY.
4. The tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center will be held virtually tomorrow, December 2nd. There will be no public viewing of the lighting ceremony, but New Yorkers can watch it on TV—on NBC at 8pm. Starting Thursday, December 3rd, the tree will open to the public with protocols in place to manage crowds.
5. New York’s annual holiday toy, coat and school supply drive begins today. This year has been difficult for more families than any time in recent memory. The holiday donation drive will benefit families in need across the state and runs through December 16th. Drop-off locations are set up around the State and COVID-19 protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of those dropping off donations. I encourage all New Yorkers to participate in the drive to help make someone else’s holiday brighter.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Captain Sir Tom Moore, a British World War II veteran, has been named one of GQ’s “Men of the Year” and will become the oldest person ever to be featured on the magazine’s cover. Moore first caught our (and the world’s) attention when he tried to raise $1,200 in COVID-19 relief funds before his 100th birthday by walking laps in his yard. Not only did he smash his goal by raising over $39 million, but he was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his service.
If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
Ever Upward,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Posted: December 1st, 2020 under Heathcare News, State Government News.
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Assemblyman Billy Jones Dc. 1 COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 December Updates |
Updates from Governor Cuomo |
| Governor Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday a new winter plan for the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are five targeted areas for this plan: |
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The Department of Health also initiated emergency hospital measures to prepare the state’s hospital system for an expected surge in new admissions over the upcoming weeks. Specifically, these measures include:
The Department of Health will also be launching a new, statewide hospital metric tracking system. Please visit this site for more detailed information on Governor Cuomo’s winter plan. |
Holiday Toy Drive |
| While the pandemic has halted many of our traditional in-person festivities, that’s no reason to stop supporting one another.
That is why I am hosting my annual toy drive again this year from now until Dec. 20. Drop off an unwrapped toy to my office at 2020 US Oval in Plattsburgh Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm to show your support for our most vulnerable community members and to spread some holiday cheer. All donations will go to the Christmas Bureau. |
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Posted: December 1st, 2020 under Heathcare News, State Government News, State Legislator News.
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