The Peru Gazette

Source: New York to require masks in public starting this week, Cuomo says – syracuse.com

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday, March 23, 2020 at the Peru Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor, Excused; Mr. James Douglass, Deputy Supervisor; Mr. Kregg Bruno Councilman; Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman, Excused Mr. Richard Barber Jr., Councilman; Mr. Matthew Favro, Town Attorney, Excused and Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk. .

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mr.Douglass, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Saratoga, NY – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sent a letter to Congressional Leadership requesting additional flexibility for seasonal businesses when calculating their average payroll for Paycheck Protection Program loans, ensuring the maximum amount they are eligible for is not weighed down by weeks they are not in operation. The letter urges leadership to make adjustments so the amount of funding seasonal businesses are eligible for truly reflects their average payroll costs. Congresswoman Stefanik has previously worked directly with the Department of Treasury to ensure PPP guidance provided clarity that seasonal businesses are eligible even if they were not up and running on Feb. 15, 2020.

“Our seasonal businesses are critically important to the North Country economy,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I will continue to advocate for flexibility for their unique needs during this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis when many of them must remain closed. I will continue to urge leadership and the administration to support our small businesses and advocate for programs like PPP that provide them with some relief.”

Story Update – Peru Food Shelf Drive

Wednesday, 10:20 a.m. – Shirley Mcilwain-Koch of the JCEO is present at the Peru Food Shelf daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Food plus health and beauty aid donations can also be dropped off there if you call ahead (518-643-8455). Call the same number to pick up items. The door is locked. You must call ahead.

While food is needed, the other items needed in Peru at this time include diapers, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dish detergent, sanitary napkins, DRY dog and cat food.

Milk is also being dumped in Peru

Source: Milk shelves are empty, yet dairy farmers are dumping milk. Here’s why. | NCPR News

Source: Managing Possible or Confirmed COVID-19 at Home | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

“That includes $2,028,646 for Plattsburgh International Airport; $69,000 for Adirondack Regional Airport in Saranac Lake; $30,000 for Lake Placid Airport; and $20,000 for Malone-Dufort Airport.”

Source: Local airports to receive CARES Act funding | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: Taxpayer friend leaves legislature | Opinion | pressrepublican.com

Source: Departments battle blazes at two garages Tuesday morning | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Introverts unite! (From a distance) – – The Adirondack Almanack

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stefanik and Congressman Anthony Brindisi (D-NY-22) have led a bipartisan letter to USDA requesting immediate assistance for upstate New York dairy farmers, many of whom have lost direct markets due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The letter, signed by members of the New York Congressional delegation, requests swift action by USDA, including direct payments and reimbursements for dumped milk, in order to provide relief to dairy farmers. It also requests that USDA purchase dairy products to be distributed to local food banks and provided to communities in need, and also allow grocery stores and other venues to donate milk locally.

“Our dairy farmers are facing an unprecedented crisis that comes after years of low milk prices” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I have had conversations with many producers in my district and understand their urgent need for relief. I am proud to be co-leading this effort, along with Congressman Brindisi, to urge USDA to immediately provide financial relief to our farmers and make purchases to give our communities better access to dairy products. The dairy industry is very important to upstate New York and it is crucial that we continue to support them, an essential industry, who is working tirelessly to keep our grocery stores stocked during this unprecedented time.”

“As Members of New York’s Congressional Delegation, we represent a robust community of dairy farmers who have lost direct markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Brindisi. “Farmers across the country have suffered tremendous loss, and New York is no exception. We are writing to request that swift action be taken, including direct financial assistance, by the administration and USDA in order to provide relief to our dairy farmers and other parts of the dairy supply chain.”

“At a time when food security is of utmost importance, we must do everything we can to keep farmers in business during this most challenging time. New York Farm Bureau appreciates the efforts from Rep. Stefanik and our congressional delegation for highlighting the needs of our dairy farmers and working to secure federal assistance for our farm families,” said David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President.

“Dairy farmers and their cooperatives are facing unprecedented economic strain marked by significant demand displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation. “We have urged USDA to use the authority provided by Congress under the CARES Act, as well as other existing authorities, to provide immediate, robust support to dairy producers. We commend Reps. Brindisi and Stefanik for their bipartisan collaboration and strong advocacy for Upstate New York dairy producers during this challenging time.”

Information and your questions on the EIDL and PPP answered! 

Plattsburgh, NY – The North Country Chamber of Commerce and SCORE will be hosting a webinar/call on Friday, April 17th at 10:30 am to discuss the following federal assistance programs:

• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program
• EIDL Cash Advance
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Staff from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on the call to provide our business community, local nonprofits, and chamber members with the most up-to-date information available on the programs, as well as, answer your questions.

Register and ask your questions today by visiting northcountrychamber.com!

Source: First COVID-19 death in Warren County, third in Clinton County as North Country cases surpass 600 | NCPR News

The U.S. trend has been declining daily.

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

1. US 582,594 (+4.48%)
2. Spain 170,099 (+1.96%)
3. Italy 159,516 (+2.02%)
4. France 137,877 (+3.15%)
5. Germany 130,072 (+1.73%)
6. UK 89,571 (+5.12%)
7. China 83,303 (+0.20%)
8. Iran 73,303 (+2.26%)
9. Turkey 61,049 (+7.19%)
10. Belgium 30,589 (+3.18%)

Source: P-R Sports Photo Flashback: April 14, 2020 | Sports | pressrepublican.com

Source: Cuomo signals rural NY might be able to start relaxing stay-home guidelines sooner than NYC | NCPR News

Source: NYS Prisons: Hundreds of staff and inmates contract COVID-19, advocates call for early release of inmates | NCPR News