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Postponements, cancellations, ‘Coach of the year’ and more » pg. 12 Published By Denton Publications Inc.
Times of Ti
March 21, 2020
suncommunitynews.com
• EDITION •
The coronavirus tightens its grip on the North Country Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES.
Local schools closed until at least April 19
CHILD CARE DEEMED A CRITICAL PROBLEM
By Thom Randall CORRESPONDENT
NORTH COUNTRY | A five-word phrase echoed this week throughout the North Country, immediately and dramatically changing the lives of all area residents. “In an abundance of caution,” the announcements were declared again and again — in announcing the closure, postponement or cancellation of so many aspects of public life, due to the effort to curb the novel coronaviris known as COVID-19. The first of the many announcements occurred on March 12, prohibiting public attendance at sports tournaments, cancellation of concerts and mass gatherings. This was followed soon after by the visitation restrictions imposed by nursing homes,
The move meant that over 30,000 children are to be at home for the next five weeks — and with many single parent households, or those headed up by working adults — providing child care is likely to be a pressing problem. Within 20 hours, the Champlain Valley Educational Services BOCES followed suit by likewise suspending classes for their 16 school districts across Essex, Clinton and Franklin counties. Virtually all the schools said in their declarations that not one of their students had tested positive for COVID-19.
INSTRUCTIONS POSTED ON SCHOOL WEBSITES
All these North Country schools canceled or postponed all school-related activities — and students and their parents were advised to refer to their school website for information about online instruction as well as how to retrieve items students had left in school buildings. Town of Chester Supervisor Craig Leggett said March 14 that the disruption of k-12 school attendance was a major concern of his — how to assure the welfare of area children and their families — with the conflicting concerns of providing care for these youngsters while maintaining social distancing to assure that COVID-19 does not
Essex County business By Tim Rowland STAFF WRITER
In Essex County, the Board of Supervisors requested that anyone with county business to conduct first telephone the department or agency they want to visit prior to arrival. Supervisors Chairman Shaun Gillilland also requested that only
essential business be brought to the county offices. Access to agencies will not be impeded — including to the departments of Motor Vehicles, County Clerk, Social Services, Mental Health and Health Department — but Gillilland asked that contact be minimized if at all possible. He also stressed that the county
schools, jails, and hospitals — and the closure of closure of libraries, museums, churches and other public venues. The “abundance of caution” phrase was heard again later that day and on March 13, as major national sports tournaments were canceled. The most consequential local declaration, howe v e r, w a s m ade S at u r d ay — t he i m me d i ate shutdown, through April 19, of all 31 school districts of the
emergency order of March 10 remains in effect. As of Monday afternoon, there had been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Essex County, and “all measures are precautionary and designed to protect the public,” Gilliland said in a news release. Additional information on the emergency is available at essexcountyny.gov. ■
spread through the population. “How child-care can be provided under these circumstances is a huge question,” he said. “We want to take precautions, but our town governments are also the entities that help those in need and ensure the well-being of our citizens.” Meanwhile, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an order banning public gatherings of over 500 people. The prohibition also mandated that events hosting fewer than 500 attendees
Essex Co. zero confirmed cases By Tim Rowland STAFF WRITER
As of early Monday evening, Essex County had zero confirmed cases, with nine people under quarantine and five people tested, according to Andrea Whitmarsh, public health educator for the county. Whitmarsh said more people have actually been tested, but, in the name of accuracy and consistency the county is reporting results as they are entered into the department’s surveillance system. ■ would have to reduce their capacity by 50 percent. This dictate triggered a cascade of event cancellations. Simultaneously, colleges across New York State canceled on-site classes, causing thousands of students to empty their dorm rooms and head back to their hometowns. Many of those colleges said that students were to take their courses online.
SELF-ISOLATION TRIGGERS HOARDING
Also, physicians, medical officials and health care representatives urged people to practice “social distancing” which meant staying home if at all possible, in order to protect their health. These instructions prompted people to isolate themselves and their families at home, limiting contact with others as much as they could. This widespread self-isolation prompted thousands of people to cram area grocery markets and “big box” stores — and they filled their shopping carts with supplies they felt they needed in order to survive staying at home for weeks. Frustrated shoppers visited dozens of stores without finding vital supplies. Shannon Fonda of Johnsburg was among those seeking toilet paper and other essentials, with no success. “We’ll just go into ‘camping mode,” she said after her lengthy search. This nationwide phenomenon of panic shopping prompted President Trump to advise the public Sunday not to hoard such goods. “You don’t have to buy so much — take it easy, just relax,” he said. “Were doing great, it all will pass.” Fonda offered a similar thought. “People just need to hunker down and do what they do in the North Country when the power goes out for a week or two,” she said. “People are getting knocked out of their comfort zone — but no one needs to freak out — in a while this will be over, and they will survive.” ■
Ti-Alliance announces careertraining scholarship fund From staff reports
TICONDEROGA | The Ticonderoga Revitalization Alliance has announced the latest component of their Career Training Access Program in the form of a new scholarship fund. This spring Ti-Alliance will award the first Ti-Alliance Career Training Scholarships. The goal is to encourage people in our community to pursue careers in skilled trades, remove the barriers to the education needed for these careers, ensure student success and hopefully have these students live and practice their trades in our community where we have jobs waiting. The Ti-Alliance Career Training Scholarships will be available to graduating seniors from Ticonderoga High School that want to pursue a career in a skilled trade and plan to work in the Ticonderoga area after receiving their degree or certification. Eligible programs include (but are not limited to) Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Occupational Science, and certificate programs including: Culinary Arts, Fire Science & Paramedic, Construction Management, General Construction (all trades), HVAC/Plumbing, Electrical, Welding, Automotive, Marine/Sport Vehicle repair, Renewable
Publisher’s note: ELIZABETHTOWN | As of early Monday af ternoon the 16th, we’ve received a number of
Energy Technology, Environmental Technology, Mechanical & Industrial Technology, Facility Maintenance/Mechatronics, Dental & Medical Assistants, Nursing, Elder and Hospice Care, and other health industry programs. All programs must be certified by NY State or other governing board. Scholarships will be able to cover the costs of outstanding tuition (after other financial aid) and non-tuition costs such as room and board, transportation, books/tools/supplies, certification or other exam fees and child-care costs. The scholarships will represent a commitment to the student for 2 academic years, or the length of their program (if shorter). Donna Wotton, executive director of Ti-Alliance said, “In our work with the counseling office at Ticonderoga High School we’ve been made aware of students that really want to continue their education in these skilled trades but just can’t make the finances work. Even if they can get grants to cover their tuition, the programs are so far away that they can’t commute. Sometimes room and board, or childcare, or the cost of books and supplies is just financially unfeasible. This program is designed to find the financial gaps and bridge them so that these students can fulfill their goals.” ■
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Please know that we are seeking federal support from the SBA and other sources in an effort to maintain publishing and staffing resources. The situation, as I’m sure you
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Dancers from Marge Cross’s Command Dance Studio of Ticonderoga recently opened for the Harlem Globetrotters at the Glens Falls Civic Center. There they performed an original piece choreographed by Marge Cross to the accompaniment of “And Then They Start to Dance.” Afterwards, the troupe met with some of the Globetrotters. In this photo, Globetrotter Hammer Harrison is flanked (left to right) by Vivian Porter, Kathryn Moran, Chloe Baker, Marge Cross, Kylee Bennett, Maicey Dorsett and McKenzie Harrington.
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Ti dancers in the limelight