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More About The Peru Gazette

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.

Recent Comments

North Country Chamber launches donation page to feed frontline staff and help local restaurants!  

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 

A Guide to Roman Catholic Holy Week Prayer and Liturgy

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 6th, 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 »

Stefanik Supports New York State Shifting and Clarifying Announcement of Executive Order to Voluntary

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

St. Augustine’s/Peru Community Church Soup Kitchen Menu for Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

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

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

County up to 35 confirmed COVID-19 cases

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.

The NYSDOH COVID-19 Tracker now provides updated stats for the number of persons tested, number of persons tested positive, percent of positive results, number of persons tested today and number of new positives today for every county in New York State. The tracker can be accessed on the State’s website https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home (look for the COVID-19 Tracker VIEW box near the bottom of the web-page).
The reformatted, interactive tracker makes it easy for health professionals and residents alike to view a county-by-county breakdown of testing and positive cases around New York State.

When appropriate, CCHD will continue to report other significant information related to COVID-19 in Clinton County and from around the region, considering residents of Essex or Franklin Counties, or visitors to our area may also be receiving care in our county. The consistency in number reporting the tracker provides will prevent confusion in statistics reported.

Ms. Erin Streiff, Director of Health Care Services noted, “We want residents to have numbers that are consistent with those being reported by the NYSDOH and numbers that they can compare day-to-day. As of this morning, Clinton County has 35 laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19, 9 laboratory confirmed recovered and 0 deaths.”

Listen up Older Folks – John Ryan Editor

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!

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

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

Stefanik Calls on New York State to Significantly Increase North Country Testing Before PPE and Ventilator Re-Allocation Decisions

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.”

New York County by County COVID-19 Positives

Source: Workbook: NYS-COVID19-Tracker

2:45 p.m. April 5th Clinton County Health Department COVID-19 Case Update

Leave the Family at Home When You Shop

Plattsburgh, April 5, 2020. As of mid-day Sunday, 32 positive test results confirming COVID-19 had been received for residents of Clinton County. Additionally one case is considered probable but not listed as confirmed due to indeterminate test results. Other cases are also now being identified based on clinical assessment. There are over 30 of these suspect cases in the County. Cases that are identified as suspect for COVID-19, are treated as though they had received positive test results. All precautions including isolation and contact tracing apply. Negative test results have been received for 229 individuals. As of yesterday seven of the confirmed cases were listed as recovered.

Clinton County Health Department (CCHD), the County’s Office of Emergency Services and municipal leaders report that, over the past few days, they have received multiple phone calls and social media messages about people who are disregarding “stay at home” and social distancing guidance. Complaints of families out shopping together, parties, and children playing in groups have been received, to name a few. All of these activities contradict the direction that has been provided by public health professionals aimed at slowing community spread of COVID-19. Erin Streiff, Director of Health Care Services at CCHD stated, “These reports are highly disturbing; they keep me awake at night. We have the power to lower the impact that COVID-19 will have on our community. We have a chance to save lives, but only if we all act responsibly.”

Whether people who defy public health recommendations don’t understand or don’t believe is uncertain. After several weeks of being cooped up at home, a desire to have things return to normal could be at play too. Ms. Streiff conceded “In some cases, a parent may have no other option than to bring children when shopping or running other essential errands, but whenever possible residents should solo-shop. If there are two parents in the household, one should remain at home with the children. Groups of friends, and extended family also need to follow the recommendations. Only those who live in the same household, should be together.”

On a more positive note, many businesses have done an exemplary job of safely continuing to provide essential services while following recommendations for slowing the spread of COVID-19. Grocery stores are wiping down carts between uses, placing signage on the floor to space out customers and implementing specified hours for seniors and other vulnerable populations. Storewide announcements and posters are helping consumers follow new policies at retail locations that remain open to shoppers. Other businesses are only accepting call-in or on-line orders and bringing products out to cars. In many locations, customers have been observed intentionally allowing space between themselves and other shoppers, and avoiding aisles with other shoppers in them.

Safety Advice If You Must Visit the Grocery Store – WSJ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keeping Peru’s Safe Water Flowing

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.

Courtney Tetrault is Superintendent of Peru’s Water and Sewer Department which delivers water to hundreds of users in Peru. This morning the Peru Gazette asked Tetrault what measures the department has taken to ensure its services function during the Coronavirus crisis. He explained, “We discussed this at the last Town Board meeting. We’ve split our personnel into two crews. I’m working with Dan Gonyea. Chad Frechette is working with Chris Malin. We are working 3 days on, 3 days off.” The two-crew setup means that a licensed water system operator is always on duty and COVID-19 personal separation is being maintained as much as possible.

The chance of a positive Coronavirus infection severely impacting the Water-Sewer Department and Peru residents has been reduced, although not eliminated.

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.

 

April 4, 2020 COVID-19 Clinton County Health Department Case Update

As of Saturday morning, there are 30 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Clinton County, along with 1 probable case. Another 32 people in the community may have COVID-19 based on clinical assessment (suspect cases). Negative test results have been received for 202 individuals. Seven people are now considered recovered. Three are in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). While the numbers are still relatively low, they are doubling every four days and that’s troubling County officials.
“Each person who becomes infected with COVID-19, infects several more. They in turn each infect several others. The numbers grow exponentially,” stated Eric Day, Director of Clinton County’s Office of Emergency Services. Public health officials have been warning that we must flatten the curve, but what does that mean? John Kanoza, the County’s Public Health Director explained, “The number of cases will rise quickly or slowly depending on the actions we take as a community. If they rise very quickly, our local hospital and the health care system will not be able to keep up with the demand for beds, ventilators, and staff to treat patients. However, if we can slow the spread of this virus enough, then the resources we have available will be able to keep pace.”

COVID-19 is a new virus. Humans have no immunity and there is no vaccine. Many will get the virus eventually. That’s the bad news. The good news is that most people who get the virus will have only mild symptoms and will recover on their own. Unfortunately, this creates another problem. Mildly ill people often don’t feel sick enough to stay home. Some don’t feel sick at all. If people with mild symptoms and people who have the virus but have not yet developed symptoms move about in the community, they are likely to spread the virus to others. One of those others may be you or a member of your family.

“Staying home and maintaining distance between yourself and the people around you are critical steps you must take to protect yourself. They are also the steps you need to take to protect your children, your parents, your friends, your neighbors and your grandparents,” stated Mr. Kanoza. “This is serious but we have the power to save lives. Our goal as a community must be to sustain a manageable number of cases so that those who develop serious illness will have access to the medical care and resources they need to recover.”

Predictions have been made about how long the outbreak will last. Earlier forecasts had indicated that the peak, or the highest number of cases, might occur as early as mid-April. Realistically it will be much later into the spring before the peak, or the apex of the curve gives way to fewer cases. We may even see more than one apex. Maintaining social distancing strategies for several months won’t be easy but slowing the spread of COVID-19 can be the difference between life and death. Reducing the rate at which the virus is passed from community member to community member will help to ensure that resources will be available for all who need them.

Read more »

Life-sustaining water at our reservoir

The Peru Gazette always considers posting interesting photos submitted by readers. We have over 3,000. Here’s one taken by Deb Bell this morning at the Peru reservoir.

Hudson Headwaters to Furlough Workers | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: Hudson Headwaters to Furlough Workers | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

‘If we can help them, we will help them’ | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: ‘If we can help them, we will help them’ | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Still a sweet day: Woman’s family makes the best of 102nd birthday at a distance | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: Still a sweet day: Woman’s family makes the best of 102nd birthday at a distance | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com