From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is introducing the Equity in Student Loan Relief Act, a bipartisan bill that would extend the temporary relief from student loan payments to Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) borrowers who have been left behind.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided much-needed student loan relief during this global pandemic, suspending all monthly payments and interest accumulation for federally held student loans through September 30, 2020. However, about 7.2 million borrowers who took out loans under the FFEL program, which was discontinued in 2010, are ineligible to benefit from this temporary relief since their federal student loans are not held by the Department of Education.
Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA-3), Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11), Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12), and Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV-3) are co-leading the bill.
The Equity in Student Loan Relief Act directs the Department of Education make the interest payments for FFEL borrowers and enter into agreements with the current holders of FFEL loans to suspend student loan payments obligations, as well as cease all involuntary collections, through September 30, 2020. As provided for federally held loans in the CARES Act, each month a loan payment is suspended will still be counted as a payment for the purposes of loan forgiveness programs. The participating holders will notify borrowers of the changes within 15 days and provide at least six notices prior to the return to normal payment obligations.
“While the CARES Act lifted the weight of student loan payments from millions of Americans whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, too many borrowers are still being left behind,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “All students who have federal student loans should have their monthly payments suspended, no matter which type of loan they have or when they borrowed the money. Our bipartisan bill is a major step towards achieving parity and will deliver relief to the over seven million borrowers under the old FFEL program. I will continue to work on a bipartisan basis to develop additional legislation that extends these benefits to the Perkins borrowers who are also in need of immediate relief.” Read more »
Posted: April 22nd, 2020 under Congressional News, Education News, Political News.
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Plattsburgh, NY– Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) received news that Spirit Airlines will resume a modified schedule starting on May 2nd. They will be offering three flights a week to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) from Plattsburgh International Airport.
This is welcomed news as they suspended all flights in April due to travel restrictions in light of the global pandemic and travel restrictions.
It should be noted that while PBG is happy to see Spirit back on the schedule it is very important for all travelers to remember to practice social distancing while traveling and at the airport.
Healthy Travel Tips Include:
- PBG is practicing social distancing – please remain 6ft apart when entering the terminal
- Wear a face covering when in public spaces
- Wash hands often
- Cough into your elbow and sneeze into a tissue
- Consult with a doctor before traveling when sick
- Stay up-to-date on vaccinations
- Avoid contact with people who are already sick
- Avoid contact with animals while traveling
- Be aware of the latest travel advisories from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. State Department
For scheduling and ticket prices please visit flyplattsburgh.com.###
About Plattsburgh International Airport
Created from the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) is the first private sector redevelopment success story among the military base closures in the 1990s. Owned and operated by the Clinton County Government, Plattsburgh International Airport is a multi-purpose aviation and aerospace complex sitting on more than 5,000 acres. With the addition of a state-of-the-art passenger terminal, the airport serves residents of northern New York, southern Quebec and Vermont. For more information on Plattsburgh International Airport, please call 518.563.1000 or visit flyplattsburgh.com. Follow Plattsburgh International Airport on Facebook and Instagram.
Posted: April 22nd, 2020 under Adirondack Region News, Business News, County Government News, Heathcare News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History.
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The Peru District School Board will hold a remote special meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 7:30 AM. The sole purpose of this meeting is to vote on the BOCES (CVES) administrative budget and on the slate of candidates running for open CVES board seats. At this time, no other action items are anticipated. The public may view the meeting live at https://meet.google.com/gvb-qeyj-nsc. This meeting will also be recorded and available on the website.
The agenda is available on the District’s website.
Posted: April 22nd, 2020 under Peru School News.
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In case you missed today’s St. Augustine’s Church/Peru Community Church Soup Kitchen menu.
Home-made molasses cookies
Take-out only. Served 4:30 – 5:45.
Posted: April 22nd, 2020 under Community Events.
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From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has been in contact throughout the COVID-19 crisis with the families of Correctional Officers at FCI Ray Brook who have tested positive for COVID-19 but were denied their request for continuation of pay. Congresswoman Stefanik worked with the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs to highlight that Correction’s Officers should be considered high-risk employment when filing claims under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, which simplifies the process for claims to get approved. After Congresswoman Stefanik advocacy, the Department of Labor worked with the Bureau of Prisons to address the issue, and concluded that the Correctional Officers continuation of pay claims will be approved.
“Our Correctional Officers have been working in high-risk environments with exposure to COVID-19,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I have consistently advocated for them and worked to secure this result at the federal level to ensure they receive their rightfully earned compensation. I will continue to work to provide relief to our Corrections and law enforcement communities and their families, many of whom have sacrificed their personal health and safety to protect our communities throughout this challenging time.”
Posted: April 22nd, 2020 under Congressional News, Heathcare News, Political News.
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Washington Must Do More to Help
April 22,2020
The coronavirus pandemic has caused extraordinary economic challenges in New York with punishing, still-evolving impacts on public health, jobs, the economy and state finances. As a result, the enacted state budget leaves greater uncertainty for school districts, health care providers and local governments this year than ever before, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“The ultimate price of the coronavirus remains undetermined. What is clear is that Washington must do more to help stabilize state and local government finances to avoid drastic cuts that would hurt hospitals, schools and vital services,” DiNapoli said. “The Executive and Legislature passed a budget under very difficult circumstances to address our immediate needs, but we must be mindful of the bigger picture. Tax revenues will be substantially lower in the near term because of the pandemic, and likely well beyond. The state should minimize long-term costs from any new debt and commit to building up our rainy day reserves. The road ahead is a challenging one and will require a long-term strategy.” Read more »
Posted: April 22nd, 2020 under Heathcare News, Peru/Regional History, State Government News.
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Town of Keeseville – Essex County
On April 11, Forest Ranger Sarah Bode cited two rock climbers for Failure to Obey a DEC sign. The tickets were written to a 31-year-old man from Bernardsville, New Jersey, and a 32-year-old woman from New York City for climbing closed routes on Poke O Moonshine. DEC wildlife staff closes certain cliffs and climbing routes to allow peregrine falcons to breed, select a nesting site, and encourage the birds to return to their nesting sites. Once nesting has begun, DEC wildlife staff work with Forest Rangers and other DEC programs in notifying the climbing community and public of these closures and may open climbing routes that can be used without disturbing the nesting falcons and their young. After the young falcons have fledged, climbing routes are opened. The rock climbing community has been cooperative with DEC’s efforts and climbers have volunteered to be observers, monitoring falcons, and nesting activity. DEC last issued tickets to climbers for climbing on the closed routes in the early 2000s, and Forest Rangers continue to patrol and enforce these routes.
Posted: April 21st, 2020 under Adirondack Region News, Environmental News, Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News, State Government News.
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Sign erected when construction was scheduled to begin last month.
Photo taken at 5 p.m. today
By John T. Ryan
Peru – The old Maplefields gas station-convenience store at 654 Bear Swamp Road was demolished yesterday. Today contractors trucked away the remaining debris. The installation of the footings should begin tomorrow. Wright & Morrissey Inc. of South Burlington is the general contractor. Fuller Excavating of Keeseville is also working on the project.
Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup said Maplefields qualifies as an essential service under the terms of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s coronavirus March 22nd ‘PAUSE’ Executive Order. All on-site employees are required to wear masks.
The new building has been a long time coming. Planning Board and Zoning Board approvals were granted in 2017 with construction scheduled to begin that fall. Nothing happened in 2018 or 2019. Construction was expected to start 30 days ago but was delayed when the coronavirus crisis worsened. If the original construction is maintained the new store should be in operation in about 90 days.
Maplefields is a growing company operating at 44 locations. According to the company website: “Still based in St. Albans, Vermont, Maplefields strives to be the best in the business with a strong focus on community involvement, bright clean stores and the most outstanding staff you can find in any convenience store. Maplefields is best known for having a high-quality coffee program and very clean bathrooms all of which boast fresh flowers. Maplefields has locations as far west as Malone, New York and as far east as Littleton, New Hampshire.”
Link to Peru Gazette’s 2017 story with more details.
http://www.perugazette.com/…/maplefields-plans-major-expan…/
Posted: April 21st, 2020 under Business News, General News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru/Regional History.
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In coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Red Cross is seeking people who are fully recovered from the new coronavirus to sign up to donate plasma to help current COVID-19 patients.
People who have fully recovered from COVID-19 have antibodies in their plasma that can attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as a treatment for patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections, or those judged by a healthcare provider to be at high risk of progression to severe or life-threatening disease.
Click here for more information
Posted: April 21st, 2020 under Heathcare News.
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((Please Share)) Tomorrow If Anyone needs a hot meal let me know or inbox me your address and I will pick it up at 430pm in Peru at the Soup Kitchen and Delivery it and leave it on your doorsteps.Tomorrow between 445pm-515pm. They are having Shepherds Pie, Asparagus soup and Molasses Cookies inbox me on Facebook or text my cell # 1-518-593-3078 ((A Huge thanks goes out today to Ruth Hamilton Neil Hamilton Patti Thew Hamilton Family and to Marian Morse- Peters for the very Generous donation I will be dropping off tomorrow to the Soup Kitchen In Peru also again to Brenda A Brelia for making more Face masks again today !!!
Posted: April 21st, 2020 under Community Events.
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Assemblyman Dan Stec (R,C,I-Queensbury) today applauded the announcement by Governor Cuomo that New York State will use a regional approach to reopening New York State’s economy. This move comes on the heels of the bipartisan advocacy of Assemblyman Stec, local and regional leaders and area small business owners to abandon a one-size-fits-all approach for one that more accurately reflects the situation on the ground in different parts of the state.
“I welcome the Governor’s announcement that our state will reopen region-by-region,” Stec said. “As I’ve personally said to the Governor’s office during daily updates and heard from local business owners and elected officials, we need to acknowledge that the needs of the North Country and other parts of the state at this time are simply not the same as the needs of New York City and downstate suburbs. Today’s announcement is a sign that the Governor has listened and is responding to what I and so many upstate leaders have said and encouraged.
“By opting to move forward in this fashion, the Governor has taken a key first step in helping upstate get back on track,” he added. “Restoring our economy and coming up with new strategies to help the record amount of unemployed New Yorkers get back to work is going to take time and a lot of hard work and planning. We’ll have to proceed safely, cautiously and responsibly to ensure we continue to mitigate the spread of coronavirus in our region, but this news is a great start.
“In the days, weeks and months ahead, I look forward to working with the Governor, my colleagues in the Legislature, local business owners and our community stakeholders to help safely reopen and restore confidence in our economy,” Stec concluded.
Posted: April 21st, 2020 under Heathcare News, Political News, State Legislator News.
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Clinton County Health Department COVID-19 Case Update
Contact Tracing Vital to County’s Efforts to Control the Spread
Plattsburgh, April 21, 2020. Expansion of testing and contact tracing have been identified at both the state and national levels as key to a safe reopening of businesses and other sectors of society. Each time the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) receives notification of a positive COVID-19 test result, contact tracing begins.
Contact tracing includes interviewing an individual who is ill or has tested positive for COVID-19; determining where they have been and who they have been in contact with, and reaching out to those contacts. The same is done for individuals who meet the criteria of a suspect case, even without a positive test result. The contact tracing team for COVID-19 also connects individuals who must remain in isolation or quarantine with community resources to help them meet the needs for food and other essential items.
“Contact tracing is a routine part of any communicable disease investigation”, according to Erin Streiff, Director of Health Care Services for the Clinton County Health Department. “What’s different with COVID-19, is the scale. There are many more people to contact and more follow-up needed as people are advised to remain in isolation or quarantine as a result of exposure to the virus. More people are needed to accomplish the task.”
The County’s contact tracing team currently consists of 15 individuals and includes Health Department staff, Sheriff’s Department representatives and additional assistance from the Department of Social Services. “The size of the contact tracing team for any disease investigation depends on the number of people who are ill or suspected of being ill,” Ms. Streiff noted. “The well-established partnerships that exist among County Departments and other community organizations allowed the team to grow as needed.”
CCHD developed a “Just in Time” training (JITT) for new additions to the contact tracing team. JITT is a term used to describe the training that quickly teaches the specific steps needed to carry out a task during an emergency or disaster. This training is another factor in the County’s ability to expand contact tracing as needed.
In the coming weeks, it is likely that more testing will become available in all areas of the state and nation. With this increased level of testing, a larger team will be needed to do contact tracing. Clinton County is anticipating the need to expand its capacity.
COVID-19 case numbers in Clinton County for Tuesday, April 21, 2020 are as follows.
Lab-confirmed positive 56 – Recovered 40 – Deaths 2
Probable 3 – Recovered 2 – Deaths 1
Suspect 42 Recovered 37 – Deaths 0
Posted: April 21st, 2020 under County Government News, Heathcare News.
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More than 180 nations worldwide have confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The following have the highest number as of 4 a.m. ET*:
- US 787,960 (+3.72%)
- Spain 200,210 (+0.77%)
- Italy 181,228 (+1.26%)
- France 156,493 (+1.55%)
- Germany 147,065 (+0.91%)
- UK 125,856 (+3.86%)
- Turkey 90,980 (+5.42%)
- China 83,849 (+0.04%)
- Iran 83,505 (+1.57%)
- Russia 47,121 (+9.96%)
Source: Johns Hopkins University
*Percentage change over 24 hours
Posted: April 21st, 2020 under Heathcare News.
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