The Peru Gazette

Source: Crews continue search for missing swimmer in Lake Champlain

Source: Ironman organizers cancel Lake Placid event

“The federal administration’s decision to suspend H-1B, H-2B, L and J visas would have a detrimental impact on the North Country’s regional economy. These visas allow many of our region’s largest businesses to permanently employ many Canadian citizens while other visas are crucial to our upstate tourist businesses.

“I applaud the recent move to reverse course on this decision to allow Canadian citizens to be exempt from this executive order. This will ensure that as our North Country businesses continue to reopen, they can rely on their Canadian workforce to be here.

“With that said, both Governments need to do more and re-examine their policies regarding international travel. Families have been ripped apart, cross-border property owners are left in distress, and both economies severely impacted. New York State has issued travel guidelines impacting essential workers when visiting for short periods of time, and I see no reason why this cannot be mirrored to reflect similar international policies. We need to ensure that our economies can move forward and families are safely reunited, without being subjected to 14-day quarantine when they pose very little risk. I am dedicated to working with our federal partners to find alternatives that address public health concerns about international travel.”

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Following the Administration’s Executive Order suspending U.S. entry for nonimmigrants with certain visas, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik worked with Secretary Chad Wolf to ensure that Canadians would be exempt.

“The cross-border partnership is a critical economic driver for the North Country, and I voiced my regional concerns to Acting Secretary Chad Wolf about the negative impacts this Executive Order would have on our local economy,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Today’s announcement that Canadians will be exempt from the Executive Order is excellent news for our region that I worked to secure. I will always advocate for the interests of our businesses, our partnership with our neighbors to the North, and the economic wellbeing of the North Country as a whole.”

“We can’t thank Congresswoman Stefanik enough for her determined and effective advocacy behind the scenes on this critical matter,” said Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “While suspension of these visa programs is generally a negative for economic growth, it was especially important that Canadians not be included, given the high degree of integration between our two economies.  L-1 visas in particular are crucial for our many bi-national manufacturers who need to share and move key personnel back and forth. The ability to do that is a prime reason they are here, and not having these visas available would stymie renewed economic development just as Canadian companies are starting to express fresh interest. The bottom line is that the availability of these visas to Canadians has helped to create thousands of manufacturing jobs here and will now continue to do so.”

The Canadian Association of New York released the following guidelines on today’s clarification:

1.  Canadians who currently have H-1B, H-2B, L-1 and J work visas can continue to use their work visa, travel freely on their work visa, and renew their work visa as necessary.

2.  Canadian citizen spouses and dependent children of work visa holders are also exempt from the proclamation and travel restrictions.
3. Canadians waiting for 2020 H-1B visa approvals or planning to apply for their first L-1, H-1B, H-2B or J visa are also not affected. They can proceed with their work visa applications without restriction.
4. Canadians holding other common types of work visas (TN, E, O, P) are entirely unaffected by the proclamation. They can work, travel and renew their work visas as necessary.

Source: Local tribal leader weighs in on Plattsburgh statue controversy

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, along with Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-6) are introducing the Elevating America’s Workforce Act, legislation that will establish personal reemployment accounts (PRAs) to help displaced workers obtain the training and skills necessary for sustained employment. The economic disruption caused by COVID-19 has taken a significant toll on our nation’s workforce, leading over 40 million Americans to file for unemployment over the last few months. This bipartisan bill empowers individuals with more choice in how they access training, engages employers to expand work-based opportunities, and incentivizes success through a reemployment bonus. Specifically, this legislation will:

• Enhance individual choice by providing more flexibility on where they can acquire new skills, including from providers that offer virtual or online training programs.
• Increase the ability of businesses, particularly small businesses, to attract and train skilled workers by supporting work-based training programs for new employees.
• Incentivize individuals to earn recognized postsecondary credentials and acquire in-demand skills with a bonus for completing training and reentering the workforce.
• Encourage the use of counseling and career services through the local workforce centers.
• Provide states the ability to target accounts to individuals most in need of new skills and enhance the quality of labor market information tools.
• Report on provider outcomes and include a robust evaluation to guide future investments in workforce development.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused joblessness to hit certain regions and sectors particularly hard, including many in the North Country,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I am proud to introduce Read more »

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Davey Commons is officially open. The first tenants moved into one fourplex a few days ago. The second fourplex should be complete by August 1st.  Davey Commons is located on Davey Drive, adjacent to Peru’s new Courthouse and just off the Bear Swamp Rd. 

Last year The Town of Peru granted Peru native Nathan Wilson approval to construct six fourplex buildings on the property. Wilson said COVID-19 restrictions delayed the project by about six weeks. He doesn’t know when he will begin the next phase, but it won’t be Until next year at the earliest.

Click here to see more details on the project.

Green Mountain National Forest
Bennington, Vermont
Out-of-state Rescue: On June 16 at 5:15 p.m., Forest Rangers Tony Goetke and John Gullen began responding with the New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation unit to assist with a health emergency via a mutual aid helicopter hoist request from the State of Vermont. NYSP received a request from Vermont officials looking for help with the rescue of a 41-year-old Bennington, Vermont man who was experiencing chest pain and discomfort while hiking along the Long Trail in the Green Mountain National Forest. Once on scene, Ranger Goetke lowered Ranger Gullen from the helicopter to the hiker, and with help from the Southern Vermont Technical Rescue, they packaged the man into a litter and raised him into the helicopter. From there, NYSP Aviation transported the hiker to a nearby landing zone and turned him over to Wilmington Fire and EMS for transportation to a local hospital.

Forest Rangers assist with helicopter rescue

Helicopter picks up Forest Ranger Gullen after rescue

Town of Keene
Essex County
Pet Distress Reminder: On June 21 at 2:45 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker advising that they were coming down Giant Mountain when their 75-pound Golden Retriever collapsed about one mile from Chapel Pond parking lot. The hiking party had started their trip at approximately 7 a.m. up the Ridge Trail and neglected to bring enough water for their dog. About halfway up the trail, the dog began to struggle and the group turned around to head back down. The dog collapsed from heat exhaustion just above the junction for the Ridge Trail and Giants Nubble. An Assistant Forest Ranger working in the area was notified and quickly found the distressed dog. The dog was carried to the Washbowl waterhole and placed in the water. After cooling the dog and giving it time to rest and rehydrate, the dog was able to make it back down the trail without further assistance.

Every summer DEC’s Forest Rangers receive calls for dogs in distress on hot summer days. Pet owners sometimes overestimate their pet’s physical fitness and capacity to walk on scalding hot rocks. DEC warns pet owners to avoid bringing dogs hiking with them in the summer. Dogs are at risk of heat exhaustion and death. If a dog collapses from exhaustion, owners are advised to get the animal to a shaded area as quickly as possible and cool their feet, which is the most effective way to help an overheated dog.

Source: Crews continue search for missing swimmer in Lake Champlain

Served 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center. Take-out only.

Tossed Salad
Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Rice
Delicious Home-made Molasses Cookies

Source: TV Rescan day on July 2 for Mountain Lake PBS – Mountain Lake PBS

Source: One boater dead, another missing in Lake Champlain near Red Rocks Park | Local 22/44 News

Since being posted this morning Clinton County Health Department has increased the active cases to 3 and total cases to 216.

Source: New York, NJ, CT order 14-day quarantines for travelers from some other states – syracuse.com

• Higher Education
• Low-Risk Outdoor Arts and Entertainment
• Low-Risk Indoor Arts and Entertainment
• Media Production

Source: NY malls, gyms, movie theaters will not reopen in phase four (report) – syracuse.com

Source: Church Street business owners worry about uptick in vacancies – VTDigger

Source: Unofficial results show Rosenquest ahead in mayoral primary | Local News | pressrepublican.com