The Peru Gazette

Saratoga, NY – Last night, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans established under the CARES Act and issued this important clarification based on the guidance provided and developed by Congresswoman Stefanik who worked with President of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, Michael Bittel.

“Numerous North Country seasonal businesses contacted my office because the initial Paycheck Protection Program guidance did not fully clarify eligibility for seasonal businesses,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I immediately contacted the Deputy Secretary of Treasury and worked directly with the Department of Treasury to issue needed additional guidance so that our financial institutions were able to process loans for our seasonal businesses, which are critical to our North Country economy.”

“The ARCC received several calls from around the region, this past Friday, from our seasonal business members regarding lack of clarity on their PPP eligibility,” said Michael Bittel, President & CEO of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We immediately called Congresswoman Stefanik last Friday and worked with her and her staff on clarifying the verbiage. By Monday night, three days later, our verbiage was incorporated in the follow up guidance and Q&A from the Treasury Department. Many thanks to Congresswoman Stefanik and her staff for quick action and working with us to support our members and their employees.”

U.S. Treasury FAQ regarding seasonal businesses:

Question:  My small business is a seasonal business whose activity increases from April to June.  Considering activity from that period would be a more accurate reflection of my business’s operations.  However, my small business was not fully ramped up on February 15, 2020.  Am I still eligible?

Answer:  In evaluating a borrower’s eligibility, a lender may consider whether a seasonal borrower was in operation on February 15, 2020 or for an 8-week period between February 15, 2019 and June 30, 2019.

More than 180 nations worldwide have confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The following have the highest number as of 4 a.m. ET*:

US 368,449 (+9.13%)
Spain 136,675 (+3.82%)
Italy 132,547 (+2.79%)
Germany 103,375 (+3.25%)
France 98,984 (+5.55%)
China 82,697 (+0.07%)
Iran 60,500 (+3.91%)
UK 52,279 (+7.93%)
Turkey 30,217 (+11.63%)
Switzerland 21,657 (+2.64%)

Source: Davis, Stec share takes on state budget | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: North Country dairy farmers deal with lower milk prices | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: The Front Porch Project | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Chamber Launches Feed our Frontline Initiative 

Plattsburgh, NY – 4/6/20 – Hospital staff is working around the clock and risking their own health to care for our North Country residents. Restaurants are struggling to stay open, and people want to know how they can help others get through this challenging time.
Because of this, the North Country Chamber of Commerce has launched the Feed our Frontline initiative where all funds raised will be used to buy food for our frontline staff at area hospitals. By donating, you’ll be supporting local restaurants and providing a free meal for the people who are working so hard to keep us healthy.
“With this initiative, those who are able to make a contribution can support and thank our front line health care workers while also providing some needed support to our area restaurants,” says Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “Many have been asking how to do this and we are pleased to provide a pathway. We thank all in advance who can make a contribution. Stay well.”

To learn more OR donate visit: bit.ly/NCfeedourfrontline 

Bishop Terry R. LaValley will be livestreaming the following from St. Mary’s Cathedral, unless otherwise noted over the next two weeks. The livestreams and other ways to stay connected to your faith during this time of isolation can be found at www.rcdony.org/covid-19, on the Diocese of Ogdensburg YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Below also find online/Broadcast Mass links along with It’s Our Church, It’s Our Future Capital Campaign and Bishop’s Fund Appeal contribution links for your pledge payment and/or one-time gift convenience and our appreciating of you thinking of the continued support of your parish.

Thursday, April 9 – Holy Thursday

8 a.m. – Morning Prayer led by Rev. Joseph Morgan

6 p.m. – Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Friday, April 10 – Good Friday

8 a.m. – Morning Prayer

4 p.m. – Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion

Saturday, April 11 – Holy Saturday

8 a.m. – Morning Prayer

7 p.m. – Great Easter Vigil

Sunday, April 12 – Easter Sunday

8 a.m. – Easter Sunday Mass**

10 a.m. – Easter Sunday Mass from St. Patrick’s Church on WNYF, FOX28, Watertown and streamed at https://www.wwnytv.com

12 noon – Easter Sunday Mass from St. Patrick’s Church on WWNY, 7News, Watertown and streamed at https://www.wwnytv.com

Sunday, April 19 – Divine Mercy Sunday

8 a.m. – Mass**

3 p.m. – Exposition, Adoration, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Benediction

** Sunday Masses are broadcast on 92.7FM in Ogdensburg & WIRY in Plattsburgh

Online/Broadcast Mass – As of April 6^th, 2020

Of course, attending Mass is best and most proper. While we cooperate and try to slow the spread of the coronavirus, you can participate via television, Internet and radio options. More options include:

Within the Diocese of Ogdensburg Read more »

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Saratoga, NY – Yesterday, the Hospital Association of New York State (HANYS) hosted a productive call with the entire NY Congressional Delegation.

“I support and am grateful to HANYS advocacy efforts on behalf of all hospitals as the Governor continues to clarify and walk back the announcement of the misguided, rushed, and concerning Executive Order declaring that the National Guard would be forcibly removing 20% of unused PPE and ventilators from Upstate hospitals to Downstate,” said Congresswoman Stefanik.

“This announcement caught hospitals and county public health offices completely off guard as there was little to no communication about this Executive Order prior. Additional outreach to county offices to identify landing sites for Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters also created unnecessary confusion and fear in communities Upstate.

“I strongly support the approach outlined by the Hospital Association of New York which would instead shift to voluntary action taken by hospitals to send excess PPE and ventilators elsewhere in New York State. All identified equipment will stay at its home hospital unless absolutely necessary and will be geotagged to ensure smooth and easy return. In addition, I believe that HANYS is the appropriate organization to coordinate this effort because of its strong, pre-existing relationships with hospitals across the entire state.

“I am confident that each and every hospital will continue to go above and beyond to serve their communities and their fellow New Yorkers in this time of crisis. Our North Country hospitals have risen to this occasion and do not require the threat of the National Guard forcibly removing 20% of PPE to lend a helping hand to fellow New Yorkers.

“This is a much more reasonable approach because it allows flexibility and recognition that every hospital and region faces unique challenges. This voluntary approach also ensures that New York is able to meet the critical health needs of all New Yorkers both Upstate and Downstate,” concluded Congresswoman Stefanik.

Read HANY’s full statement here.

Source: Trump administration nixes NTSB’s call for seatbelt requirement after Schoharie crash

Source: Churchill: Albany native’s death shows huge cost of COVID-19

Source: In State of the City address, mayor says Burlington is in ‘state of emergency’ – VTDigger

Source: Trump and 3M reach deal to allow N95 face masks to be exported to Canada | World news | The Guardian

Source: Siena research poll reveals the good, bad and ugly of social distancing – – The Adirondack Almanack

Served 4:30-5:45 p.m. (Take-out Only) at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center.

Coleslaw 😄
Ham 😄
Potatoes😄
Carrots 😄
M&M Cookies

Clinton County Health Department April 6th Report

Plattsburgh, April 6, 2020. The New York State Department of Health has updated its statewide tracking for COVID-19. Starting today, the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD), as part of the County’s Unified COVID-19 Response, will report local stats related to COVID-19 in the same format as the State’s COVID-19 Tracker.

Just went out wearing a mask to get milk. About 6 customers were in Stewart’s. Zero masks including clerks with no shielding. I tried to observe the 6 ft. rule until a middle-aged gentleman barged ahead of me to make coffee.

It’s not a great scene out there for us older folks. I don’t think I’ll venture out again unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!

Source: New York state cancels Regents exams due to coronavirus pandemic – syracuse.com

Saratoga, NY – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik released the following statement on the lack of COVID-19 testing in the North Country according to the New York State tracker:
“According to data from the New York State COVID-19 tracker, NY-21 counties have only received 1.67% of total tests statewide – this is unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “As Governor Cuomo continues to discuss shifting scarce Upstate resources to Downstate, such as PPE and ventilators, we need an immediate surge in testing capabilities Upstate – specifically in the North Country. The current population of our counties has increased because of the absorption of seasonal residents. We need more accurate data to drive the State’s decision making for resource spread, and that starts with a greater share of testing in the North Country. I have worked with our counties to request additional testing materials as the State continues to make the decisions about where tests are deployed. The current testing percentage in the North Country is unacceptable and needs to be addressed immediately.”

Source: Workbook: NYS-COVID19-Tracker

Source: Safety Advice If You Must Visit the Grocery Store – WSJ

Source: In highest single-day increase, state identifies 71 new Covid-19 cases, 3 deaths – VTDigger

Source: The Vermont National Guard is Building a 400-Bed Hospital at the Champlain Valley Expo | Off Message

Source: Woman killed, fiancé injured in Franklin County fire | Top Stories | nny360.com

Courtney Tetrault – Peru Gazette December 2015 photo

Water system flow chart – December 2015

By John T. Ryan

Peru – In these perilous times most people think about the basics of life: family, food, shelter and for some faith. Things once taken for granted are no longer taken for granted. Water is one of those things.

April 5th – Correction was made to story. Both Courtney and Chad are licensed water operators; therefore, a licensed water treatment operator is on duty at all times.