Sound Out

Letters to the Editor It is important to come together as a community The COVID-19 outbreak has been a challenging time for all of us, as our daily lives have changed drastically. While the future remains uncertain, it is important that we come together as a community and do everything we can to get through this unprecedented situation.

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Akron/Newstead group organizing mask making effort

A group of Akron quilters have taken their love of sewing and turned it into an effort to help provide masks to nursing homes, doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other places that need them during the COVID-19 pandemic.  They are hoping more will join them, as they have more requests than resources to fill them. The sewers have already delivered some to Brothers of Mercy and to the office of Dr. Richard Charles. They are working on some for the Akron-Newstead food pantry which is still holding their regular distribution despite reduced staff. Mary Charles (542-2081), Sandy Kreher (542-4266), and Maxine

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SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to New York Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to New York small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced this week. SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on March 17, 2020. The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in the entire state of New York; and the contiguous counties of Fairfield and Litchfield

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Village and Town Halls staffed during COVID-19 crisis

The Akron Village Hall and Newstead Town are closed to the public and have implemented staffing reductions at Village and Town offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Akron Village Hall, Main Street is closed to the public. Staff is working on a reduced, alternating basis, with residents asked to make transactions by phone, mail, online banking, or drop box. The office is staffed daily from 8:00 -3:00. Contact with Village of Akron Code Enforcement Officer Mike Borth (CEO) is by appointment only. 716-542-9636. The Newstead Town Hall, Clarence Center, Rd. is open by appointment only until further notice. Reduced

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Some NYS DMV services accessible online

Expiration Dates Extended for Driver Licenses, Non-Driver IDs and Registrations All State- and County-Run Offices Closed and Road Tests Suspended Until Further Notice Motorists May Still Renew Driver Licenses, Non-Driver IDs and Registrations by Mail and Online More than 60 Transactions Available Online In compliance with Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.8 to slow the spread of COVID-19, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles closed all DMV offices and auto bureaus statewide until further notice. This includes both state- and county-run field offices. While offices are closed, expiration dates for driver licenses, non-driver IDs, and registrations will be extended.

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