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

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.

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

Source: Reinforcing Ticonderoga – Adirondack Explorer

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.”

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.

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 »

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

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

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

Kelly’s in the center with the red jacket.

By John T. Ryan

Few people become an “ADK Winter Forty-Sixer” in the manner that Kelly Moody of Plattsburgh did last Saturday. When she completed her descent of 4,606 ft. high Redfield Mountain her husband Miles and a great group of hiking friends surprised her with cheers, whistles and hugs.

Kelly had already earned her Forty-Sixer patch having previously climbed the Adirondack’s 46 High Peaks. Winter Forty-Sixers must accomplish the feat by climbing all the High Peaks between December 21st and March 21st over the course of one or more years. Kelly went above and beyond over the past several weeks climbing 31 of the 46 High Peaks since December 21, 2019.

Source: UVM cancels classes on campus over coronavirus concerns – VTDigger

Source: BREAKING: All SUNY schools to move to distance learning for spring semester | NCPR News

Congratulations to former Peru High School wrestler Jordan Bushey. Last weekend Jordan won the National Junior College Athletic Association’s 174 lb. National Championship.

Source: Bushey wins National title – Niagara County Community College

The popularity of podcasts is rapidly growing across the world. Nick Damiani and John Mitchell are actively exploring different ways to use podcasting to provide information to teachers, and to engage students. No one can deny the creativity and collaboration that naturally develops through the planning and recording of a podcast episode. Please take a moment to listen to the two podcasts that are currently being produced.

Former well-known Plattsburgh doctor

Source: Judge orders Paulus released; conviction reversed | Kentucky Today