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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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Congressman: Base closure ‘like having building fall on you’ | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Congressman: Base closure ‘like having building fall on you’ | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Three Beekmantown schools resume in-person learning | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: Three Beekmantown schools resume in-person learning | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Sept. 29th COVID-19 Update

September 29, 2020.
New York has seen an uptick in the infection rate over the last few days that is being driven by several COVID clusters. Positive cases from “hotspot” ZIP codes are 5 times the statewide rate.
The affected areas are in Brooklyn, Queens, Orange and Rockland Counties. We will react swiftly to each cluster to stop the spread. I am talking with community leaders and deploying resources.
To that end, two hundred rapid result testing machines are available to high rate localities for deployment. We will aggressively manage these developing clusters through enforcement and intervention. Local governments must enforce compliance, because a cluster today can be community spread tomorrow. I ask all New Yorkers to do your part: Wear a mask, get tested, wash your hands often, and don’t attend large gatherings. Wearing a mask is not a choice – it’s the law.
Chart of the Day: The COVID positivity rate in various regions of the state, as of yesterday.
Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. The COVID eviction moratorium has been extended until January 1, 2021. Residential tenants are protected from eviction if they are suffering from financial hardship due to the COVID-19 public health emergency under the Tenant Safe Harbor Act. Previous Executive Orders also prohibit charges or fees for late payments for tenants facing financial hardship. No New Yorker should be forced from his or her home as a result of COVID.
2. Colorado has been added to the State’s COVID-19 Travel Advisory. Arizona and Virginia have been removed from the list and visitors from these two states no longer need to self-quarantine upon arriving in New York. See the full list here.
3. The COVID positive test rate was 1.35 percent. Yesterday, there were 571 total hospitalizations. Of the 88,231 tests reported yesterday, 1,189 were positive. Sadly, we lost two New Yorkers to the virus.
4. International travelers arriving in New York must self-quarantine. Travelers arriving in New York from Level 2 and Level 3 countries must complete a 14-day quarantine and fill out the NYS Department of Health traveler health form. The order applies to almost all foreign nations, and will aid in the state’s robust contact tracing efforts and further prevent the spread of COVID-19. Learn more here.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Jasper, a 4-year-old dachshund from Connecticut, became a hero over the weekend after saving his neighbors from a house fire. Jasper began barking persistently at 3:30 in the morning on Sunday, alerting his owners, the Houser family, that their next-door-neighbors’ porch was on fire. Thanks to Jasper, the Housers were able to call 9-1-1 and save the family next door from any injuries.
If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
Ever Upward,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Coronavirus in NY: Downstate clusters are ‘embers’ starting to catch fire, Cuomo says – syracuse.com

Source: Coronavirus in NY: Downstate clusters are ‘embers’ starting to catch fire, Cuomo says – syracuse.com

More Upstate NY bars lose liquor licenses for ‘egregious’ coronavirus violations – syracuse.com

Source: More Upstate NY bars lose liquor licenses for ‘egregious’ coronavirus violations – syracuse.com

Vermont schools embark on their second reopening, as virus levels stay low – VTDigger

Source: Vermont schools embark on their second reopening, as virus levels stay low – VTDigger

New York delays state worker pay raises through end of 2020 | NCPR News

Source: New York delays state worker pay raises through end of 2020 | NCPR News

Stefanik Urges Congress to Pass Limo Safety Package Following NTSB Report

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is urging Congress to pass the comprehensive limousine safety reform package she introduced along with Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), and Congressman Antonio Delgado (D-NY-19) on October 3, 2019. This is following a vote today by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to finalize their investigative report into the tragic crash of a stretched limousine in Schoharie, NY, that took the lives of 20 people on October 6, 2018.
The bipartisan limo safety package includes three bills aimed at closing the gaps in the law to ensure limousines meet federal safety standards, strengthening inspection requirements, and directing research to guide further updates to limousine safety regulations.
 
“Almost two years ago, tragedy struck our Upstate community when a faulty limousine crashed and took the lives of 20 New Yorkers,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I will never forget the grief and sadness I witnessed and experienced when I attended the memorial event in Schoharie. I joined with Congressmen Tonko and Delgado a year ago to introduce legislation on behalf of the families who lost their loved ones and shed light on the concerning lack of safety regulations surrounding modified limousines across the country. The NTSB report released today shows clear negligence and egregious oversights and solidifies the urgent need for national limousine standards, citing ineffective state oversight of intrastate motor carriers in New York state. We must do more to hold bad actors with egregious disregard for safety accountable and I thank the dedicated NTSB investigators for their thorough work on this report. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to take unsafe limos off the road and work to put regulations in place to ensure tragic accidents like this never happen again.”
 
Based on the report, the NTSB issued six new safety recommendations to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Governor of the State of New York, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and the National Limousine Association. The final report, along with these recommendations will be available in the next few weeks.

Current Drought Conditions – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Source: Current Drought Conditions – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Soup Kitchen Menu for Wednesday, Sept. 31st

Dried Fruit-Nut Snack
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
Rice
Apple Crisp
 
Served 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. take-out only at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru.

Adirondack Moose Sightings: Rare and Majestic – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Adirondack Moose Sightings: Rare and Majestic – – The Adirondack Almanack

A “How To” Guide for Touring the Olympic Jumping Complex | Lake Placid, Adirondacks

Source: A “How To” Guide for Touring the Olympic Jumping Complex | Lake Placid, Adirondacks

Architects of Fun, Adventures at the Wilmington Bike Park 

Source: Architects of Fun

Empire State Development Expands Forward Loan Program to Include PPP Recipients

From the North Country Chamber of Commerce

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recipients are now eligible to receive low-interest loans from the New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF). This conditional change will provide the Fund’s network of lenders and financial institutions with greater flexibility and enable them to provide more small businesses with working capital to cover expenses associated with reopening.

When the NYFLF launched in May, the federal Small Business Administration had just issued rules regarding companies’ eligibility for federal assistance. The goal of the NYFLF was to help New York-based small businesses that did not receive PPP funding with flexible working capital to reopen and adapt to post-COVID needs. Companies with 20 employees or less make up 90% of New York’s business community, and it was critical to provide a funding lifeline to those businesses shut out of federal assistance.

However, some NYFLF applicants who needed assistance were deemed ineligible because they had already received PPP funds. Through discussions with lenders and applicants, it became apparent that PPP loans did not go far enough to support New York-based small businesses. Legislative criteria restricted how the government assistance could be spent, and oftentimes PPP amounts were a fraction of what was needed and requested.

Starting today, NYFLF Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) will contact previously ineligible applicants to determine if they are still interested in funding and begin the underwriting process. This is limited to small businesses that received $50,000 or less in PPP assistance. The fund is prepared to process the new applications from this change while also working with existing applicants. Small businesses that did not receive any federal assistance are still eligible and encouraged to apply. Additionally, the program goal of providing at least 60% of loans to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) remains, and that goal will not change due to the newly-expanded eligibility.

Eligible small businesses and small residential landlords can apply for a 60-month, no-fee loan with a 3% fixed interest rate; while eligible non-profits can apply for a 60-month, no-fee loan at 2% fixed interest. The maximum loan amount is $100,000. Loan funds can be used for working capital including payroll, operating and emergency maintenance, property taxes, utilities and costs associated with refitting physical space to follow social distancing guidelines. More information is available online at nyloanfund.com.

‘I didn’t know if I was going to make it out alive or not’: Alleged Plattsburgh hate crime victim shares story

Source: I didn’t know if I was going to make it out alive or not’: Alleged Plattsburgh hate crime victim shares story

NTSB: Limo owners, DMV, DOT to blame for deadly 2018 Schoharie limo crash

Source: NTSB: Limo owners, DMV, DOT to blame for deadly Schoharie limo crash

Police request public’s help in search for missing Moira, New York couple

Source: Police request public’s help in search for missing New York couple

25 University at Buffalo athletes test positive for Covid-19; activities paused in 3 sports | College | buffalonews.com

Source: 25 University at Buffalo athletes test positive for Covid-19; activities paused in 3 sports | College | buffalonews.com

City & State Coronavirus Update

Source: City & State Coronavirus Update

Free Cancer Screenings for Women Offered Oct. 24

Services offered by Cancer Services of Northeastern New York, CVPH

 The Cancer Services of Northeastern New York will offer eligible women free cancer screenings at the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) Family Medicine Center, 159 Margaret St. on Saturday, October 24 from 8 a.m. to Noon.

The Cancer Services program has teamed up with the Family Medicine Center and another CVPH program, the Women’s Imaging Center (WIC), to provide these screenings as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Manal El Daouk, MD, gynecologist, of the Family Medicine Center, will provide clinical breast, Pap, and pelvic exams. Mammograms will be done at WIC.  All will be offered at no out-of-pocket expense to women with no insurance or who are underinsured and meet other clinical requirements.

Insurance will be billed when applicable and those who are uninsured or under-insured will be enrolled in the Cancer Services Program. Funded by the New York State Department of Health, the Cancer Services Program provides breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings at no cost to eligible New Yorkers.

Appointments are required for the October 24 event.  Call (518) 324-7671 to make an appointment or discuss eligibility.

 

Clinton County Sept. 29 COVID-19 Report: Active +0, Recovered +0, Tested +259

Another COVID-19 testing site in Clinton County opens Wednesday, September 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. Located at 213 Connecticut Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12903 (on what is commonly referred to as the New Base), this new site has opened to accommodate our community’s ever-increasing testing demand. A cooperative effort between The University of Vermont Health Network – CVPH and the Clinton County Health Department, for this week the drive-through site will conduct tests Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, September 30 – October 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. Testing is free and a physician order is not required. This is a drive-through testing site and individuals must remain in their vehicles at all times.
Individuals with (symptomatic) and without (asymptomatic) COVID-19 symptoms may be tested at this location, including those who:
– Require a test to return to school.
– Need a test to visit a loved one in a nursing home.
– Have an occupational requirement (hairdressers, barbers, etc.).
– Are subject to precautionary or mandatory quarantine (by the health department).
– Directly interact with the public while working (health care worker, first responder, or other essential worker).
– Meet the criteria set by the New York State Department of Health based on where you live, work, or other factors the Department deems relevant to COVID-19 testing.

Laid-off Albany teachers rehired as substitutes

Source: Laid-off Albany teachers rehired as substitutes

Plattsburgh mayoral candidates focus on city development, regional relationships in debate

Source: Plattsburgh mayoral candidates focus on city development, regional relationships in debate

Nursing homes navigate new regulations | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | 

Source: Nursing homes navigate new regulations | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | While the length of in-person visitation after a positive case has been halved, visitors must now provide proof of their own recent COVID test.

Trump And Biden Debate Tuesday. Here’s What You Need To Know | NCPR News

Source: Trump And Biden Debate Tuesday. Here’s What You Need To Know | NCPR News