The Peru Gazette

First woman serves on Saranac Council » NEW TODAY… » Press-Republican.

Adirondack Events This Weekend (Feb 8) | The Adirondack Almanack.

How will new laws affect North Country gun dealers? | NCPR News.

Cuomo: “Rooftop highway” needs economic reality check | NCPR News.

Owens wary of strident gun control efforts – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com 

Winter Carnival by the numbers – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com | News, Sports, Jobs

 Hello Nemo » Local News » Press-Republican.

Adele Douglas took a few a few photos while on her daily walk in the Peru hamlet

Peru Central anticipates $2.9 million deficit » Local News » Press-Republican.

PROTECT releases satellite photographs showing heavy cutting of forests on state conservation easement lands in the Adirondack Park

Smaller banks earning some credit – Times Union.

Pistol permits in NY soared in 2012 | Press & Sun-Bulletin | pressconnects.com.

Plattsburgh Mail Processing Center closed » Local News » Press-Republican.

AGENDA 02.13

Regular Mtg Agenda Feb 11 2013

Rep. Owens, in local visit, reacts to ethics report findings.

Laurentian Aerospace seeking funding alternatives » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

Heavy snow expected » NEW TODAY… » Press-Republican.

Breaking: APA will vote on new clear-cutting rules « The In Box.

Former Assembly candidate arrested on drug charges (update) – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com 

Saranac Lake schools face gaping budget hole – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com

Plattsburgh, NY –The United States Postal Service (USPS) today announced they intend to eliminate Saturday delivery for first class mail beginning in August of 2013.  Congressman Bill Owens blasted the decision, calling on the Postal Service to take aggressive actions to raise revenue while not unfairly burdening rural areas with service cuts.

“I strongly disagree with the Postal Service’s outrageous decision to end Saturday delivery,” said Congressman Bill Owens.  “It’s well known that the Postal Service has a budget problem, but leadership within the organization has failed in its duty to grow and seek out new opportunities to raise revenue, instead turning to rural areas for service cuts that do little to solve the problem.  This is an irresponsible approach to management and one that I oppose.”

Congressman Owens cited a January 22^nd New York Times article, “Postal Service Losing Out on Federal Contracts,” noting USPS’s failure to pursue long-term contracts with the government, instead allowing private entities like Federal Express and UPS to edge them out.  The Congressman also noted that the majority of the Postal Service’s budget shortfall is attributable to a pre-funding requirement, initiated by Congress in 2006, for employee health benefits, in addition to overpayments USPS made to employee pensions. The Congressman co-sponsored legislation in the 112^th Congress (H.R. 1351, H.R. 3591)  to address these gaps.

“There is no question we must address to Postal Service’s budget shortfall, but cutting services that families in rural areas depend on is not the answer,” Owens said.

Congressman Owens noted that he is currently drafting a letter to Postmaster General Donahue regarding their inability to find new revenue.

Goodbye to Saturday mail? – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com | News, Sports, Jobs, 

What: The North Country Regional Economic Development Council will meet Thursday, February 21 at SUNY Potsdam.  The public meeting will be held from 1 – 2 p.m. The North Country Path Through History Work Group will also hold a public meeting to gain input for the development of its $100,000 marketing plan to encourage tourism, local economic development and serve as an educational tool as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Path Through History initiative.

Who: All members of the public, including businesses, labor, education, and nonprofit organizations, and heritage and tourism agency representatives from the North Country are welcome and encouraged to attend both meetings.

Where: SUNY Potsdam, Barrington Student Union, 44 Pierpont Avenue, Potsdam, NY13676                        

When: Thursday, February 21

Regional Council Public Meeting:  1 – 2 p.m.

Path Through History Meeting:  2:15 – 4 p.m.

Watertown Daily Times | Mother of quintuplets, newborn babies return to Watertown.

Campus Notebook: RPI president warns of budget cuts’ impact – Times Union.