This spring, forests across the North Country experienced a Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD), commonly known as gypsy moth, infestation causing a severe loss of foliage in many areas, especially in the Town of Plattsburgh and Town of Beekmantown. LDD feed...

“The announcement today that the United States-Canada border closure has been extended until October 21 while air travel for vaccinated foreign travelers will be permitted starting in November is disappointing and infuriating. It makes absolutely no...

“No one who lives in the North Country is surprised by the recent report by the New York State Comptroller’s Office that puts our region at the top of the list of households that still do not have broadband access. That is why I have continuously...

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that Plattsburgh Public Library will receive a state grant of more than $8,600 to make necessary renovations. “Libraries help foster a love of learning and a sense of community,” Assemblyman Jones...

For months, Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) along with other North Country officials and business leaders have been calling for the United States-Canada border to reopen. In August, the Canadian government reopened the border for vaccinated...

“When the COVID-19 pandemic began 17 months ago, the Legislature put in place an eviction moratorium to ensure no New Yorker would be left homeless due to a pandemic-related loss of employment or income but failed to put in protections and mechanisms...

“The recent announcement that the legislature is taking up the eviction moratorium extension is misguided. For over a year, landlords across New York have not been able to collect rent from their tenants because of the failure of the rental relief programs...

“The recent decision by JCOPE to refer the criminal investigation into the alleged leak from a member to former Governor Cuomo about the commission’s private vote over the matter of Joe Percoco to the Attorney General’s office is long overdue. Government...

“I want to welcome the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor, Brian Benjamin, to his new position in Albany and I look forward to working with him on important issues that North Country residents face. There are many sites to see in my district from the...

“We’ll never forget the thousands of loved ones, friends and neighbors we tragically lost over the course of this pandemic. For months, I’ve called on the state Department of Health and previous administration to release accurate data regarding...

“It is a historic moment for New York as Kathy Hochul officially becomes the first woman governor of our state. Since I was elected, Governor Hochul has visited the North Country numerous times and I look forward to working with her to address the many...

“The announcement today that the United States will continue to keep the Canadian border closed is outrageous. Canada opened the border for Americans earlier this month which allowed some people in the North Country to reunite with their families and...

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that he will be hosting a series of blood drives, beginning at the end of August, to help address the nationwide blood shortage in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This past year, the COVID-19 pandemic...

“Impeaching a governor in New York has only happened once in our history and it happened over 100 years ago. This has left many legal and constitutional ambiguities on whether the State can proceed with impeachment proceedings after a Governor has resigned....

“Throughout the impeachment investigation, I have repeatedly called on Governor Cuomo to resign so that my colleagues and I in the State Legislature can continue to govern despite the controversies surrounding him. I do personally wish that the impeachment...

“Although my colleagues and I have been calling for Governor Cuomo to resign, today is a sad day for the state of New York. I am glad that the Governor made the decision to step down so that we can continue to govern and not be distracted by the accusations...

“Since the first sexual harassment allegation against Governor Andrew Cuomo, I understood that this was a nonpartisan issue. Harassment in the workplace should never be tolerated and I want to applaud the brave women who stepped forward to tell their...

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that two of his constituents were appointed to the New York State Rural Health Council –former Congressman Bill Owens and Citizen Advocates CEO James Button. “Efforts to improve public health face...

“For the sixteenth straight month, the federal government has extended the restrictions on crossing the U.S.-Canada border. This frustrating decision only compounds the challenges facing families separated by the border, as well as local business owners,...

“Upon the heels of the announcement Friday that Prime Minister Trudeau intended to open the Canadian border to fully vaccinated U.S. Citizens sometime in August, today’s announcement giving a hard date of August 9th is beyond welcomed news. Every...