A free community news service for Peru, NY
The Town of Peru, Town Board has scheduled a Town Board Workshop, Monday March 2, 2020 at 6:00 PM at the Peru Town Hall to discuss Water/Sewer Upgrade Project.
Posted: February 12th, 2020 under Town Board News, Water & Sewer Dept. News.
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Practice used in 1990s to address large numbers of inmates continues despite decrease in prison population
From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones
ALBANY – Today, Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) was joined by leaders and members of the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) to urge lawmakers to support A.930, a bill that would end the practice of double-bunking in medium-security state correctional facility dormitories.
Current regulations allow for up to 60 inmates to be housed in a medium security dorm, with 10 such inmates living in double-bunked cubicles designed for one inmate. The housing of 60 inmates in a medium dorm was necessitated by the spike in the inmate population during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. However, since the Rockefeller Drug Law reforms, most of the system’s low-level offenders have been released, resulting in a significant inmate decline. And although the inmate population closely mirrors the number that existed prior to the inmate population explosion of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the state has not adjusted its policies for housing inmates in a medium dorm. The current inmate population numbers unequivocally support a return to the “50-inmate maximum” that existed prior to the inmate population explosion.
“As a 20-year correction officer, I’ve worked in dorms that utilize double bunks to house inmates. The prison setting is stressful enough without requiring a single officer to supervise 60 inmates during a shift. The practice of double bunking is irresponsible and outdated. The Department should immediately take steps to address the overcrowding in medium dorms by removing double bunks and limiting the number of inmates in those dorms to a maximum of 50. This must be done before the state ever considers closing any more facilities. Our corrections staff has a very difficult job as it is, and overcrowding these dormitories makes it even more difficult,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones.
Assemblyman Jones and NYSCOPBA President Michael B. Powers also highlighted a recent report released by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) on violence within state correction facilities. The 2019 report found that the incidents of inmate-on-inmate (1265) and inmate-on-staff (1033) assaults were the highest ever reported.
“Our members are facing ever-increasing violence in our facilities and it is happening needlessly. In 2019, instances of violence and contraband were at the highest levels ever recorded. If the trends continue, 2020 is shaping up to be even worse. Double bunking inmates in a space built for one person is not the answer to reversing these trends. The inmate population has decreased to a level where the use of double bunks is no longer warranted. The space is available to spread the inmate population out and provide a safer environment for staff and inmates, alike. Rather than close prisons and force inmates into less space, the state should take the initiative and remove the double bunks and right-size the system that way,” said Michael B. Powers, President of NYSCOPBA
Powers also questioned the rationale of those who repeatedly raise concerns about the treatment of incarcerated individuals, yet take no steps to ensure that those individuals are housed in a humane setting — a living quarters designed for one person and not two.
“It is time for our elected officials to take action and take down the double bunks which needlessly requires two inmates to occupy a space designed for one person. The continued practice of double bunking puts our members and the inmates in harm’s way. We must take them down. I want to thank Assemblyman Jones for his leadership on this issue. He has worn the uniform. He knows what it takes,” Powers said.
Assemblyman Jones’ bill (A.930) is currently committed to the Assembly Corrections Committee and has several co-sponsors on both sides of the aisle, and in both Houses.
Posted: February 12th, 2020 under Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News, State Legislator News.
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Tom Glasgow began his career as a Peru Elementary School Teacher
Former student: Glasgow ‘personification of Bailey Avenue’ | Local News | pressrepublican.com
Posted: February 12th, 2020 under General News.
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Posted: February 12th, 2020 under Business News, Environmental News, State Government News.
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Kathryn Bowman had the top individual game (247) and three-game series (688) of the day in the CVAC, as Peru scored a 4-0 win over Saranac Monday.
Source: Girls bowling: Bowman leads league, Indians to sweep – Sun Community News & Printing
Posted: February 12th, 2020 under Education News.
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Posted: February 12th, 2020 under Law Enforcement News, State Legislator News.
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Posted: February 12th, 2020 under State Government News.
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Posted: February 12th, 2020 under Community Events, Things to do in & near Peru.
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Posted: February 12th, 2020 under General News.
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Posted: February 12th, 2020 under Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History.
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Posted: February 12th, 2020 under General News, Northern NY News.
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Posted: February 12th, 2020 under Education News, Heathcare News, Northern NY News.
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Posted: February 11th, 2020 under General News, Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News.
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Posted: February 11th, 2020 under Law Enforcement News, Peru/Regional History, State Government News.
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Source: State takes step back from tightening rules on private schools, to seek compromise | Newsday
Posted: February 11th, 2020 under Education News, State Government News.
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Posted: February 11th, 2020 under Adirondack Region News.
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Applications are now available for DEC’s cooperative Day-Old Pheasant Chick Program. The program provides pheasant hunting opportunities through a partnership among DEC, hunters, 4-H youth, and interested landowners. The program is funded through the State Conservation Fund from license fees paid by hunters, trappers, and anglers. In 2019, DEC distributed more than 31,500 day-old pheasant chicks to qualified applicants!
Day-old chicks are available at no cost to participants who can provide a brooding facility, a covered outdoor rearing pen, and an adequate release site. Applicants must provide daily care to the rapidly growing chicks, monitor the birds’ health, and ensure they have adequate feed and water. The pheasants may be released beginning when they are eight weeks old and must be released no later than Dec. 1.
All release sites must be approved in advance by DEC and must be open for public pheasant hunting opportunities. Approved applicants will receive the day-old chicks in April, May, or June.
Individuals interested in these programs should contact their nearest DEC regional office for applications and additional information. A “Pheasant Rearing Guide” and applications are available on the DEC website. Applications must be filed with a DEC regional wildlife manager by March 25, 2020.
Posted: February 11th, 2020 under Environmental News, State Government News.
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Posted: February 11th, 2020 under Law Enforcement News, State Government News.
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From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has signed on to a letter to the new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Steven Hahn, urging him to take action to enforce the FDA standards of identity that are already in place for dairy products. The FDA has formal rules surrounding the definition of labeling genuine dairy products and alternatives that they have chosen not to enforce for several years. Congresswoman Stefanik is also cosponsor of the Dairy PRIDE Act, a House bill that would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the sale of any food that uses the market name of a dairy product but does not come from an animal, and does not contain milk as a primary ingredient. This letter to the FDA is the next step in urging them to act on dairy labeling issues.
“For far too long, the FDA has failed to combat the misuse of dairy terms on non-dairy products,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Not only does this cause confusion among consumers, but it also puts our North Country dairy farmers at a disadvantage in the grocery store. Real dairy products come from real cows, and they should be the only products labeled as ‘milk’. I will continue to be an outspoken advocate and urge FDA to enforce existing law.”
“Dairy farmers continue to urge FDA to uphold the law and enforce existing standards of identity for dairy,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. Read more »
Posted: February 11th, 2020 under Agricultural News, Congressional News.
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Posted: February 10th, 2020 under Law Enforcement News.
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From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik voted in favor today of the Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019, legislation she cosponsors. This bill authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection, every fiscal year, to add 240 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists, 20 agriculture canine teams, and additional support staff in the Office of Field Operations. This is expected to continue until the number of specialists sustains the requirements put forward by the Agriculture Resource Allocation Model.
“It is in the best interest of our national security to ensure that our food supply is sufficiently protected from any outside interference,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “In my visits to our Northern Border, I have witnessed the need for more staffers who are specially trained in this area. I am proud to vote in favor of this legislation to provide adequate resources and staffing at our borders and protect our country’s food and agriculture interests.”
Posted: February 10th, 2020 under Agricultural News, Congressional News.
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Do you have an interest in solar farms being located in Peru. The Town Board his holding a workshop today at 5:30 p.m. to learn more about solar farm regulation. Companies are thinking about locating solar farms here. 
Posted: February 10th, 2020 under Environmental News, Town Board News.
Tags: peru ny, solar farms, town board
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From the office of NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli
The New York State Common Retirement Fund’s (Fund) estimated return in the third quarter of the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2019-20 was 5.28 percent for the three-month period ending Dec. 31, 2019, with an estimated value of $225.9 billion, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“A strong upswing in the markets to close out 2019 boosted the Fund’s returns in its third quarter,” DiNapoli said. “Volatility remains the defining characteristic of the investment landscape, however. As we approach the Fund’s fiscal year end, we will maintain our conservative approach and keep a close eye on investment returns.”
The Fund’s estimated value reflects benefits of $3.27 billion paid out during the quarter. Its audited value as of fiscal year end March 31, 2019 was $210.5 billion. Read more »
Posted: February 10th, 2020 under State Government News.
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Source: Student suspended at SUNY-ESF after racist graffiti found in dorm, college says – syracuse.com
Posted: February 10th, 2020 under Education News, Northern NY News.
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Posted: February 10th, 2020 under Adirondack Region News, Community Events.
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