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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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Magic Hat Cancels Mardi Gras Celebration; Flynn Cancels Season: Latest Arts-Related Coronavirus News Updates in Vermont | Live Culture

Source: Magic Hat Cancels Mardi Gras Celebration; Flynn Cancels Season: Latest Arts-Related Coronavirus News Updates in Vermont | Live Culture

Clinton County Health Department Interim Guidance for Large Gatherings and Public Spaces During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Effective March 13, 2020 at 5:00PM, organizers hosting large gatherings must postpone or cancel any events with in-person attendance of more than 500 participants.

Effective March 13, 2020 at 5:00PM, private and public operators of establishments or organizers of events with fewer than 500 occupants or attendees must operate at no more than 50% of their maximum occupancy.

March 13, 2020

Background:

In December 2019, a new respiratory disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was detected in China. COVID-19 is caused by a virus (SARS-CoV-2) that is part of a large family of viruses called coronaviruses. Recently, community-wide transmission of COVID-19 has occurred in the United States, including New York where the number of both persons under investigation and confirmed cases are rapidly increasing.

It is therefore directed that any gathering with 500 or more participants be cancelled or postponed. This guidance is intended to determine whether or not a gathering of 500 or fewer participants can safely continue during the outbreak period.

This guidance is not intended for governmental, medical, educational, retail spaces, or mass transportation facilities, including but not limited to:

page1image1035153232 page1image1035153488

  • Schools,
  • Libraries,
  • Government Buildings,
  • Hospitals,
  • Residential Health CareFacilities,

• Retail Establishments, including: o Grocery Stores,

o Pharmacies,
• Public Transit Facilities:

o Trains/Railway Stations, o Subway Terminals, and
o Buses and Bus Terminals.

Large gatherings and public spaces within the scope of this guidance include, but are not limited to:

page1image1035207456

  • Theaters,
  • Auditoriums,
  • Concerts,
  • Conferences,
  • Worship services,

• Sporting events,
• Restaurants,
• Bars,
• Gaming establishments, and • Physical fitness centers.

Members of the public who are sick with COVID-19 symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, troubled breathing) or susceptible to infectious illnesses (e.g. older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes) should not attend large gatherings.

page1image1035281936

Read more »

Sewer upgrade to be done in two phases; Highway Dept. may get a deputy superintendent position & other issues

By John T. Ryan

The March 9, 2020 Peru Town Board meeting was chaired by Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglass. Supervisor Brandy McDonald was on vacation.

Plans are moving forward on Peru’s sewer system upgrade project; however, there’s been a change of plans. The project will be done in two phases – Maiden Lane and Elm Street in 2020 and Elm St. in 2021. Water/Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said the Town has been unable to reach an acceptable easement agreement with a Sanborn Lane property owner meaning the pump station serving Elm St. will have to be reengineered and relocated. Hopefully bids on phase #1 will be let in early April with construction beginning in June. The change may entail additional costs. A sewer system upgrade workshop was scheduled for Monday, April 9 at 6 p.m.

It appears the Highway Department may have a new position. Superintendent Michael Farrell proposed converting the group supervisor’s position to deputy superintendent. Calling it a safety net Farrell explained that if something happened to him or if he had to be absent for such things as a family medical emergency the deputy would have the legal authority to make purchases, sign the payroll and lead the department. He said several other local highway departments have this position and that a pay increase would not be required unless the Board decided to so. No counselor expressed opposition to the proposal which would require job description approval by the county and state. Farrell indicated he would like to appoint Lloyd Provost to the position.

Farrell also reported meeting with Assemblyman Billy Jones and Senator Betty Little when he made his CHIPS (Consolidated Highway Improvement Program) lobbying trip to Albany. One of his major concerns is funding major culvert replacements which cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Farrell would like to see major project financing removed from the tax cap requirements. He indicated Assemblyman Jones agreed with his proposal.

At the Board’s February 24th meeting Councilman Kregg Bruno suggested that the Youth Commission conduct more winter youth programs. Responding to a Peru Gazette question Youth Councilman Rick Barber said, “I spoke with John Flynn and Greg Mills and they said we have the biggest turnout (53 kids) at Whiteface as far as kids go.” Kregg Bruno commented, “I had my numbers wrong. Mr. Mills does a nice job running that program. The winter’s almost over. We might be able to get more programs going next year.”

Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglas commented the Town of Peru should be proud of Dan Lennon and Charles Remillard who qualified and participated in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta, GA. Douglass called it a great accomplishment.

Councilman Bruno said the Town should also take great pride in Peru High School graduate Jordan Bushey who recently won the National Junior College Association’s 174 pound National Wrestling Championship.

 

First major part of NY Thruway’s $355M cashless system installed near Syracuse (video) – syracuse.com

Source: First major part of NY Thruway’s $355M cashless system installed near Syracuse (video) – syracuse.com

Email just received from a friend in Northern Italy:

Updated 5:14 p.m.

Limit your exposure and contact… keep a distance between you and the next person…wash your hands and don’t touch your face.

We are in complete lock down. Remain home. However, we can still go to our local grocery store for a brief shop. Can’t go cross into another community/town. I went today for the first time in weeks. All customers wearing masks and employees were not as they are not that effective and they promote fear. And once again, exercise the above guidelines. There is no room for panic and fear. It was like a funeral…no one talking lots of sadness and I was just excited to do something normal for 15 minutes.

The message is to REMAIN HOME…literally allowed only to frequent the local grocery store or pharmacy, for now.  Can’t cross town lines.   Fines and even arrests if caught. It is quiet, sad and dark. If you have a job not in the hospitality/restaurant/bar/shop sector…meaning office or manufacturing you need certification/paperwork to go to work…if you get pulled over you better have documentation or big trouble meaning the fines and arrests like mentioned previously.

Bishop of Ogdensburg issues statement related to the coronavirus

The Diocese of Ogdensburg is actively following the directives of public health officials to ensure all diocesan parishes, schools, ministries and charities are responding appropriately to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Masses throughout the Diocese of Ogdensburg will continue to be offered at this time, contingent on emergency restrictions regarding large gatherings. Additionally, to those choosing not to attend Mass due to illness or having an underlying condition, Bishop LaValley hereby grants a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass beginning immediately and continuing until further notice.

To see Bishop LaValley’s full statement and current diocesan directives that relate to the virus, please visit https://www.rcdony.org/COVID-19.

Cuomo: Requirement to have 180 school days waived; decision to close up to districts – syracuse.com

Source: Cuomo: Requirement to have 180 school days waived; decision to close up to districts – syracuse.com

A message from Hill and Hollow Music

Dear Friends,

With deep regret – but also with a good measure of relief – we must inform you that Jazz at the Fire Hall March 20-22 has been cancelled. It has taken the better part of a week for our drama to play out and point us in the right direction. We’ve had many discussions with our artists, trustees, friends, and colleagues, and we have followed the rapid progress of the virus and noted the actions of many organizations in the region and beyond.

Tim Collins was not able to fly over from Germany (he was attempting to finagle a flight from the UK, but wasn’t sure he’d even be able to return to Europe); several other of the jazz musicians have likely been exposed to the coronavirus in infected areas (Montreal, New York City, Los Angeles). The whole scenario was just too risky for our precious Hill and Hollow Music family and the greater community. It is the sincere hope and expectation of all parties to re-schedule the concerts later on, once the crisis turns the corner.

Angela Brown

North Country’s rural community could see slower spread of COVID-19 | NCPR News

Source: North Country’s rural community could see slower spread of COVID-19 | NCPR News

Reinforcing Ticonderoga – Adirondack Explorer

Source: Reinforcing Ticonderoga – Adirondack Explorer

Peru K of C Bingo Cancelled Until Further Notice

 

Peru – Seeking to safeguard the health of our bingo patrons, workers and community the Peru Knights of Columbus Tuesday night bingo is cancelled until further notice. We pray that the Coronavirus crisis is resolved soon.

Assemblyman Jones calls for limiting visitation to New York Correctional Facilities

Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, I am calling on the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to follow the same course as institutions across the state and temporarily suspend visitation practices to our State Correctional facilities. This will ensure that we protect the well-being of correctional officers, civilian staff, inmates and their family members.

To ensure that we take steps to limit the spread of COVID-19, we must take sensible safety precautions. Several states across our nation have taken similar action, and I believe it is time for New York to do so as well. Therefore, I am respectfully requesting that for the time being, we limit visitation until further notice in facilities across the state until it is determined that this virus is no longer a threat. I am in constant contact with state agencies to ensure this happens.

U.S. Census letters are arriving via U.S. Mail to be completed by April 1

Received 2020 United States letter in the mail today. Responses are submitted online. It took four minutes to complete for a two-person household.

Don’t forget the Fire Dept. Car Wash on Saturday

 

Peru Fire Department
Is your car dirty? We can help! Car Wash Saturday, March 14th. 8am – noon. $5 donation

UVM Medical Center treating 2nd positive COVID-19 case

Vermont’s 2nd coronavirus patient in critical condition; others waiting for test results

Source: UVM Medical Center treating 2nd positive COVID-19 case

Peru K of C’s Saturday Corned Beef Dinner Canceled

Please be advised that in the interest public health the St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Irish Dinner scheduled for Saturday, March 14th has been cancelled. The Knights were looking forward to serving everyone, but they believe that this is the prudent course of action. They pray that the coronavirus will be contained very soon.

NY state workers to get 2 weeks’ paid leave if ordered into COVID-19 quarantine – syracuse.com

Source: NY state workers to get 2 weeks’ paid leave if ordered into COVID-19 quarantine – syracuse.com

Plattsburgh students scramble to make plans as SUNY campuses shift online | NCPR News

Source: Plattsburgh students scramble to make plans as SUNY campuses shift online | NCPR News

Stefanik Cosponsors Legislation to Protect School Meal Access During Coronavirus Closures 

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is cosponsoring the COVID-19 Child Nutrition Response Act, bipartisan legislation that would protect students’ access to school meal benefits during school closures that occur as a result of coronavirus. The legislation will create a nationwide waiver authority, allow school officials to distribute food in any number of settings across all nutrition programs, and allow for flexibility on meal components if food supply or procurement is disrupted.

“It is imperative that our students maintain access to the school meals they rely on, even in the event of school closures as a result of coronavirus,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “As schools close to prevent further spread of coronavirus, we must ensure that meals will still be available to these children. As a member of Congress, I remain committed to keeping my constituents informed and providing the most up to date information about the Coronavirus as it is made available. I am proud to be cosponsoring this legislation and will be monitoring school closures as they pertain to the North Country. I continue to encourage anyone with questions to reach out to any of my offices.”

Sewer Upgrade Workshop scheduled for Thursday, April 9

The Town of Peru Town Board will be holding a workshop on Thursday April 9, 2020 at 6 PM at the Peru Town Hall.  Discussion item will be the Town of Peru’s sewer upgrade project.

 

Cancellations: March 14th Willsboro Coffeehouse & March 20th Contra Dance

Due to the growing public health problem of the COVID-19 (Corona) virus, the following events are cancelled:

Saturday, March 14th Willsboro Coffeehouse concert with the Too Tall String Band.

Friday, March 20 Contra dance at the North Country Squares Dance Hall with caller Jeremy Clifford and Adirondack 2 Step

DEC Announces Residential Brush Burning Prohibited in New York State March 16 Through May 14

Annual Burn Ban Has Decreased Spring Wildfires 42.6 Percent Since 2009

Ban Reduces Wildfire Risks, Protects Lives and Property

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced a statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning will begin March 16 and run through May 14. With spring approaching, DEC is reminding residents that conditions for wildfires are heightened in springtime when most wildfires occur.

“While many associate wildfires with the western United States, the start of spring weather and the potential for dry conditions increase the risk for wildfires in New York,” Commissioner Seggos said. “To protect our communities and natural resources, New York prohibits residential burning during the high-risk fire season to reduce the potential for wildfires. The burn ban has effectively reduced the number of wildfires over the last decade, and we’re encouraging New Yorkers to put safety first.”

Even though areas of the state remain blanketed in snow, warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise. DEC will post a Fire Danger Map rating forecast daily for the 2020 fire season and the NY Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife App, on DEC’s website. Currently, fire conditions in most of the state are low risk. Read more »

Coronavirus in NY: Most nursing homes dogged by poor infection control – syracuse.com

Source: Coronavirus in NY: Most nursing homes dogged by poor infection control – syracuse.com

New York State to contract private labs to assist in coronavirus testing – amNewYork

Source: New York State to contract private labs to assist in coronavirus testing – amNewYork

Vermicomposting: Making Black Gold – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Vermicomposting: Making Black Gold – – The Adirondack Almanack