The Peru Gazette

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Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today issued the following statement concerning the leaked NYSERDA memo outlining the exorbitant implementation costs of the CLCPA:

“The leaked memo from Governor Hochul’s handpicked head of NYSERDA is a bombshell and a scathing indictment of the CLCPA.

“Because of it, Upstate New Yorkers can expect their energy costs to rise an average of $4,000 per household and gas prices can rise to over $5 a gallon as a direct result of these green energy policies. These numbers, which come directly from NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris, highlights the reality of what my Senate Republican Conference colleagues and I have been saying for years: The CLCPA is going to drive up costs and crush our families and small businesses.

“What’s even worse is that in a recent City & State article, Senate Democrats made it clear that they have no intentions of making any changes to the unaffordable and unfeasible CLCPA in the upcoming budget.

“At a time when, according to a recent Marist poll, one-in-three New Yorkers plan to move out of the state due to the escalating cost of living, perhaps my colleagues on the other side of the aisle should reconsider their position and put an end to the failing CLCPA mandates.

Editor’s Note – On Monday the Peru Gazette will ask for Mr. Stec for a comment regarding Republican efforts to combat climate change.

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Photo provided

Westport, NY – The Mental Health Association (MHA) proudly celebrates 60 years of dedicated service to the community on March 3, 2026. For six decades, MHA has remained committed to promoting mental wellness, supporting recovery, and providing compassionate, person-centered services to individuals and families across the region.

Founded in 1966, MHA has grown from a small community initiative into a comprehensive behavioral health organization offering a wide range of services. Throughout its history, the agency has expanded programs to meet emerging community needs while remaining steadfast in its mission to ensure that mental health support is accessible, responsive, and stigma-free.

Over the years, MHA has developed and strengthened programs including crisis response, opioid response, care coordination, housing support, peer services, community education initiatives, and other services such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The organization continues to adapt and innovate to address the evolving mental health landscape while maintaining a strong foundation of compassion and advocacy. 

Among one of its most impactful services is it’s operation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, providing 24/7 crisis counseling and emotional support. 

MHA proudly serves as the regional 988 contact center covering Franklin, Essex, Clinton, and Hamilton Counties in Northern New York. Read more »

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The “store that beat Walmart” fights for its life, as Village Mercantile seeks path forward

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Ausable Forks Elementary School: Kids learn about the importance of agriculture by planting and tasting microgreens

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Stewart’s expects to have 40+ stores across Vermont in the next three to four years

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Albany, February 27, 2026 Press Release – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State.

In 2025, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement fielded an estimated 101,169 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 35,575 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 15,673 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.

Illegal Deer Take – Columbia County
A hunter recently paid a penalty to resolve charges related to the illegal take of deer in Columbia County.

On November 16, 2025, ECOs Doroski and Keegan checked a trailer containing four antlered deer in the Town of Ghent. The ECOs, along with Lieutenant Billotto, determined one individual killed all four deer and unlawfully tagged them with tags belonging to other people. The Officers charged the subject with four misdemeanors for illegally taking big game in addition to lesser tickets for the tagging violations. They also confiscated the animals as evidence.

The defendant settled the misdemeanor charges in Ghent Town Court and paid a civil penalty of $1,200.

Vehicle Recovery in Snow – Saratoga County
On January 29, ECO Smith was on snowmobile patrol when a citizen flagged him down to report a vehicle stuck in deep snow on a nearby seasonal road in the Town of Providence. The ECO walked to the location and met with the driver, who stated he was attempting to take a shortcut home when his vehicle became trapped in the snow. ECO Smith recognized it was unsafe to leave the car at the location overnight due to heavy snowmobile traffic on the road, and snow conditions made it nearly impossible for a traditional towing vehicle to access the area. Smith returned to his patrol vehicle, retrieved some recovery equipment, and relied on a combination of hand winching, reduced tire pressure, and alternate traction control settings to free the vehicle from the remote roadway. The vehicle drove out under its own power and returned to the plowed roadway. Seasonal Limited Use Highways are not maintained or plowed from December 1 to April 1 and can be difficult for travel during winter conditions.

A vehicle stuck in the snow on a seasonal roadway in the Town of Providence, Saratoga County

Bird Rescue – Greene County
On February 21, ECO Milliron responded to a unique call in the Hamlet of East Durham. Employees at an antique store stated that shoppers noticed something extremely lifelike on one of the shelves. A sleepy Eastern Screech Owl was perched next to a chicken cookie jar. ECO Milliron arrived at the location, gently cradled the sleeping owl to remove it from the store, and released it into a wooded area where it flew into a nearby tree. This species of owl is nocturnal and typically nests in tree cavities, not store shelves. No word on how it got inside.

An owl rests on a shelf at an antique shop in Greene County

ECO Milliron with the sleepy owl observed inside an antique shop in the Hamlet of East Durham, Greene County

To contact an ECO to report an environmental crime or incident, call 1-844-DEC-ECOS for 24-hour dispatch.

A sad, sign of the times! 

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Recent State changes mean local assessors can no longer process STAR applications, and homeowners must now work directly with New York State to register or update their STAR information.

Clinton County, NY, Feb. 25, 2026 – The Clinton County Legislature, working with the Clinton County Treasurer’s Office and the Clinton County Real Property Office, is reminding homeowners that the deadline to act on the School Tax Relief (STAR) program is March 2 this year, as March 1 falls on a Sunday.

Recent State changes mean local assessors can no longer process STAR applications, and homeowners must now work directly with New York State to register or update their STAR information.

“Property taxes are one of the biggest expenses many families and seniors face, and programs like STAR can make a real difference in whether those costs are manageable,” said Clinton County Legislature Chairman Mark Henry. “With the State changing how this program is administered, it’s critical that residents understand what’s different, what they need to do, and when they need to do it. The Legislature wants to make sure people don’t lose benefits simply because the process changed or a deadline was missed.”

New York offers STAR in two forms: the STAR credit, which is a check or direct deposit to help pay school taxes, and the STAR exemption, which reduces the school tax bill directly. Homeowners who have received the exemption since 2015 may continue for the same primary residence, but new homeowners must register for the STAR credit.

There are two benefit levels: Basic STAR, available to eligible homeowners with no age requirement, and Enhanced STAR, which provides a higher benefit for seniors age 65 and older who meet income limits. For the 2026 benefit year, eligibility is based on 2024 tax return information. Enhanced STAR is available to seniors with incomes of $110,750 or less. Basic STAR income limits are $500,000 for the credit and $250,000 for the exemption.

“STAR and local exemptions can make a real difference in a household budget,” said Finance Committee Chair Rob Timmons. “We’re encouraging people to take a few minutes now to make sure they’re properly registered and not leaving money on the table.”

“While the State now administers STAR, our goal locally is to make sure taxpayers aren’t left guessing,” said Clinton County Treasurer Randy Lozier. “We want residents to understand what’s changed, where to go for help, and what steps they need to take before the deadline.”

“Because local assessors can no longer process these forms, it’s especially important that residents don’t wait until the last minute,” said Tammy Lacey of the Clinton County Real Property Office. “Seniors in particular should review the exemption options that may be available to them under the State’s updated system.”

In addition to STAR, homeowners may also qualify for local property tax exemptions, including the Senior Citizens Exemption and the Limited Income Disability Exemption, with income limits that vary by taxing jurisdiction. For questions about local exemptions, residents should contact their local assessor or the Clinton County Real Property Office at 137 Margaret Street, Suite 210, or call 518-565-4760.

For STAR registration or updates, residents must contact the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at 518-457-2036 or visit https://www.tax.ny.gov/star/

The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program, Champlain Centre, Champlain Watershed Improvement Coalition of New York, and NEIWPCC welcome the public to celebrate World Water Day on Saturday, March 21, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Champlain Centre in Plattsburgh, New York. This event is hosted in partnership with the Champlain Basin Education Initiative (CBEI).

Mall guests can view a gallery of student art, media and writing that celebrates the waters of the Lake Champlain Basin. More than 30 scientists, historians, artists, and other water quality experts will be on hand to share their work and answer questions. 

Visitors of all ages will be able to learn about water quality and ecosystem concerns that affect water bodies in our region through a variety of activities and exhibits. Visitors can:

• Explore how rivers flow and streambanks erode during flood events through a hands-on model.

• Complete quests on a giant Lake Champlain watershed floor map.

• See fly tying demonstrations by expert Trout Unlimited anglers.

• Learn how a small fish poses a major threat to Lake Champlain.

• Explore lake and soil-friendly lawn care practices.

• Use microscopes to examine aquatic insects

“We are excited to return to the Champlain Centre alongside many partners in celebration of World Water Day,” said Stephanie Larkin, Outreach Specialist for the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program and NEIWPCC. “These organizations work hard year-round to improve water quality, steward ecosystems, interpret our region’s history, and expand access to recreation across the Lake Champlain watershed. We all look forward to this celebration of our shared waters.”

World Water Day was initiated in 1993 to draw attention to the issues and threats surrounding the world’s water resources. CBEI has been hosting a local World Water Day Celebration for more than a decade to share student work about water resources from more than a dozen classrooms. Champlain Centre has helped expand the event by providing a large display space and inviting more public participation and partners into the celebration.

For further information about the event, contact Stephanie Larkin, Lake Champlain Basin Program at slarkin@lcbp.org or call 802-372-3213.

NYS Real Care photo

Albany, February 27, 2029, News Release – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of a public awareness campaign to educate New Yorkers on regulations that improve access to mental health and substance use disorder care. The ‘Real Care, Real Access to Behavioral Health Services’ campaign highlights regulations that give New Yorkers with qualifying health plans access to initial outpatient appointments for behavioral health care within ten business days of the request and require insurers to help insured individuals access the care they are entitled to receive. The campaign also includes a new website with information about patient rights and how to file a complaint if those rights are violated.

“Every New Yorker deserves to have access to the care they need, and it is crucial now more than ever that the State continues to expand services,” Governor Hochul said. “By launching this public awareness campaign, more people across the state will be able to know their rights when it comes to behavioral health treatments and find more affordable options for providers.”

Led by the State’s Department of Financial Services and Office of Mental Health, the statewide public education campaign is aimed at encouraging more New Yorkers to access in-network mental health and substance use disorder care and understand their rights under these rules. Through June, multi-lingual ads will be featured on multiple digital and out-of-home platforms, including social media; transportation signage and digital kiosks; traditional television and radio; and on other digital platforms, including search and streaming services.

The campaign highlights the pillars of New York’s behavioral health regulations, including:

Timely Appointments

New Yorkers covered by individual and group health insurance policies that are subject to New York law, including policies purchased through the New York State of Health Marketplace, Medicaid Managed Care, Child Health Plus, and the Essential Plan, are entitled to see a mental health or substance use disorder provider within ten business days for initial outpatient visits, or seven calendar days for a follow-up after being discharged from a hospital or emergency room.

Help Finding Providers

Health plans must post on their websites an accurate and up-to-date directory of their health care provider network, including the provider’s city/town and zip code, telehealth options, languages spoken if the provider is a health care professional, any restrictions concerning the conditions treated or ages served, and any affiliations the provider has with participating facilities, among other information.

The regulations also require health plans to have dedicated employees who can help their insureds find an in-network provider that treats the insured’s specific behavioral health condition. Additionally, the health plans must provide a list of in-network providers available to treat the insured’s specific behavioral health condition within three business days, following the request of an insured or the insured’s designee.

Out-of-Network Care

If an insured is unable to schedule an appointment with an in-network behavioral health care provider within certain specified wait times because there is no such provider available, then the insured, or the insured’s designee, may submit an access complaint to the health plan. The health plan has three business days from receipt of the access complaint to locate an in-network provider that can treat the insured’s behavioral health condition and is able to meet the appointment wait times.

If no in-network behavioral health care provider is available after an insured or the insured’s designee files an access complaint, the health plan must approve care from an out-of-network provider that can meet the appointment wait times. To ensure cost is never a barrier to getting care, if an out-of-network provider is approved because in-network care is not available, the insured only must pay the in-network copay, coinsurance, and deductible.

BHSN STOP DSV Program Director Tiana Barten at center with Sheriff’s Department team members (Photo provided) 

Plattsburgh, NY, February 26, 2026, News Release – Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN) has partnered with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department to host a training this week through BHSN’s STOP Domestic & Sexual Violence Program. The training was conducted for 30 members of the Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday, February 25, and Thursday, February 26. STOP DSV Program Director Tiana Barten and four additional staff members conducted the training on Intimate Partner and Gender Based Violence.

“The goal is to create lasting relationships, to connect, and enhance mutual understanding on a number of topics,” said BHSN STOP DSV Program Director Tiana Barten. “Our team highlighted the significance of Domestic Incident Reports, the WHY behind the interviewing, and furthered our partnership. It’s imperative to understand why survivors often recant, why they are afraid to share information or ask for help, and why the role of officers is so crucial in identifying power and control.

Clinton County Sheriff David Favro stated, “The members of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office are excited to partner with BHSN and STOP Domestic & Sexual Violence. Working together, we can gain valuable knowledge to empower those in a critical time of need. Prompt, accurate reporting is invaluable to those who have already been victimized and are skeptical of the system.”

Major Nicholas Leon stated, “It was an excellent opportunity for the members of the Sheriff’s Office to hone their skills to look deeper into the potential lethality of intimate partner violence. The time spent in this joint venture has better equipped the members of the Sheriff’s Office to serve the public and find assistance for those in the darkest of times who may feel trapped by intimate partner violence. We are very thankful to STOP Domestic & Sexual Violence for coming to the Sheriff’s Office to be a part of our monthly in-service training calendar.”

New Yorkers could see new benefit cards in 2027 as officials pledge to prioritize a long-awaited upgrade.

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New York State Police are investigating the death of a 51-year-old man forest rangers found in a lean-to in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness

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Beta also has a facility in Plattsburgh 

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