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More About The Peru Gazette

The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.

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The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No  foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.

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North Country leaders stunned by tariff deadline reversal

Confusion and dismay after announcements that Canadian tariffs would still begin March 4

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program releases 2024 annual report

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Tax scams to watch out for this year

Click here for the WCAX story 

Burlington residents weigh water system upgrades

Click here for the WCAX story 

A look at what happened in the US Government last week

March 1 – Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Strictly Business magazine interviews Helen Nerska, Peru resident, Peru Town Historian and County Historical Association Director

Click here for the Strictly Business Story 

Prison guards on strike have a list of complaints. Does NY’s deal address them?

Click here for the NCPR story 

Adirondack homeowners face triple threat: high cost of repairs, contractor shortage, risk of flood damage

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer Story 

Peru high school girls’ basketball wins regular season and sectional championship the same season

Click here for the Yahoo.com story 

Mary Anne Lake and Christina Cone Named SUNY Online Teaching Ambassadors 2025

Christina Cone

Mary Anne Lake

Plattsburgh, NY – Clinton Community College is proud to announce that Mary Anne Lake and Christina Cone have been recognized as 2025 SUNY Online Teaching Ambassadors for their dedication to online education.

Mary Anne Lake has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a specialization in Toxic Substance Control from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and a Master of Science in Teaching from SUNY Plattsburgh. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Science Department and as the Interim Learning Skills Coordinator in the tutoring center at Clinton Community College. In 2018, she received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching.
Reflecting on her journey into online teaching, Lake shared,
“I spent the majority of my teaching career believing that online learning was something less than traditional in-person classes. I couldn’t fathom how the connection with my students in the classroom could translate into an online experience. Enter COVID and remote education. I was forced to rethink my entire approach to teaching and learning. I had to confront my preconceived notions about what an online class could be.”
Lake taught her first online course in the summer of 2022 and has since embraced the possibilities of virtual education. She now sees online learning as an opportunity to build meaningful connections with students while fostering creativity in course design.
“I’ve discovered a buried creativity that helps me develop online lab experiences that mimic the classroom. I believe that tech and online learning have allowed me to stretch and grow my teaching practice in ways I never imagined,” she said.
Christina Cone is an Adjunct Instructor in Biology and Chemistry and a Paraprofessional Tutor in Math and Science at Clinton Community College. Since 2018, she has taught both on-campus and online courses. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from SUNY New Paltz, a Master of Science in Biochemistry from University of Saint Joseph, and a Master of Education in Chemistry Education from University at Buffalo. In February 2025, she will complete the SUNY Center for Professional Development Instructional Design Certificate.
Cone, who completed her own Biochemistry degree online, understands firsthand the value of virtual education.
“I am proud and honored to be a part of the SUNY Online Teaching Community. Online education creates opportunities for everyone, expanding access to a wider population than ever before. I feel fortunate that technology has advanced to the point where I can provide students with an experience that adheres to my teaching philosophies of both ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’ (Newton) and ‘learning by doing’ (Aristotle).”
Cone integrates hands-on learning experiences into her online courses, ensuring that students gain essential scientific skills even in a virtual setting.
“We are able to use the available tools to build an informational foundation upon which to scaffold as well as create at-home, hands-on, and safe laboratory activities for students to experience as active participants,” she explained.
The SUNY Online Teaching Ambassador program recognizes faculty who demonstrate leadership in online education, a commitment to student success, and a dedication to advancing innovative digital learning experiences. Both Lake and Cone exemplify these qualities, enhancing Clinton Community College’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality education to students across diverse learning environments.
Correction 3/1/25 – Photo names corrected. Originally reversed.

Upstate NY fire chief stole over $100,000 from volunteer department, officials say

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Gov. Hochul addresses corrections mediation agreement

Hochul said the “resolution is just the beginning” to address systemic issues

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Lake Champlain Basin Program Reissues Request for Proposals for Projects that Boost New York Organization Capacity

Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) seeks proposals for projects that will support increased organizational capacity and long-term effectiveness of watershed organizations in the New York portion of the Lake Champlain watershed.

Funding requests ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 will be considered. Approximately $300,000 is available to support awarded projects under this Request for Proposals. The LCBP anticipates supporting multiple projects through this funding opportunity.

NEIWPCC/LCBP is announcing the re-issuance of this request for proposals (RFP) to align with the recent Executive Orders and to allow for all potential projects to be proposed that are in direct support of the ongoing efforts to preserve and advance water quality initiatives across the Lake Champlain Basin.

The intent of this funding opportunity is to assist organizations focused on water quality or watershed ecosystem health working in the New York portion of the Lake Champlain basin. Requested funds should be applied to environmental-related activities, workforce development, or professional development support. Please see the LCBP’s annual Organizational Support grant opportunity to apply for funding to support administrative-related organizational capacity needs.

Dr. Eric Howe, NEIWPCC Program Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program, said, “With their expertise and strong community ties, local organizations in the New York portion of the Lake Champlain basin play a critical role in restoring our shared waters and building a workforce ready to tackle the challenges facing our watershed. We’re grateful to support their growth and ongoing development with this funding opportunity.”

These projects are supported by funds awarded to NEIWPCC on behalf of the LCBP by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Proposals are due at 12pm on March 20th, 2025. Awarded projects will begin work in June 2025. More information, including grant guidelines and applications, is available on the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s website at lcbp.org/grants.

 

‘Very, very financially fragile’: Vermont’s federally qualified health centers are struggling

Click here for the VTDigger story 

COMMENTARY: Black Settlers of the Adirondacks

Opinion: Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

APA 2024 Annual Report Highlights Include Efforts to Enhance Science, Public Engagement, and Community Outreach

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Champlain College introducing resources and connections to help STUDENTS kick off their own startups.

Click here for the WCAX story 

Here’s what conditions inside NY prisons have been like during the strikes

Click here for the NCPR story 

Adirondack Climate Conference slated for March 6 at The Wild Center

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Dog Teather Law Advocates Address Clinton County Legislators

Home Town Cable video 

Mediator for state, union announces tentative agreement to end prison strikes

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

 Danielle K. King Wins 40 Under 40 in Economic Development Award

L-R Todd Jorgenson (Jorgenson Pace), Danielle King (TDC), Sarah Brake (DCI)

Plattsburgh, NY—Danielle (Dani) King, President and CEO of TDC, has been announced as a recipient of the 2025 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award, the biennial award recognizing rising stars under 40 in the economic development industry.

The awards program is hosted by Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based integrated marketing firm that works with economic development and travel organizations around the globe, and Jorgenson Pace, Inc, a leading national executive search firm serving organizations in non-profit, economic and community development industries. An independent selection committee of six economic development leaders and site selection consultants evaluated nominations based on demonstrating strong leadership, commitment and innovation every day in the workplace. Read more »

Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol

Animal Abuse Investigation in Jefferson County, Long Haul Violations in Sullivan County, and Ice Fishing Violations on Oneida Lake

Animal Abuse Investigation – Jefferson County
On Jan. 30, Environmental Crimes Investigator Jackson responded to a call from a concerned resident who reported finding the carcass of an animal believed to be a coyote near Skinner Road in the town of Ellisburg. Investigator Jackson arrived at the location and determined it was a domestic dog that had been shot from the roadway. The next day, while following up with neighbors in the area, Investigator Jackson observed a small black and white puppy wandering near the area where the deceased dog was found. An investigation led Officers to the owner of both dogs and determined that the subject had been traveling through Jefferson County to either abandon the dogs or leave them with a friend when the larger of the two dogs jumped into his lap, causing him to crash his vehicle into a guard rail. Investigators say the subject then allegedly shot and killed the larger dog out of anger. The subject was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle (misdemeanor), discharging a firearm over a public highway (misdemeanor), abandonment of animals (misdemeanor), and aggravated animal cruelty (felony). He was arraigned in Jefferson County Criminal Appearance Court and is being held in the Jefferson County Jail until a future court date in March. Investigator Jackson managed to rescue the puppy found wandering in the area, and safely transported it to Jefferson County Animal Control office for a check-up and eventual rehoming. 

Long Haul – Sullivan County
On Feb. 3, ECO Heckler and Lieutenant Bello observed a tractor-trailer hauling what appeared to be dirt waste on Route 17 in Bethel. The tractor trailer’s registration number was displayed, which typically indicates a truck is hauling regulated waste, but the registration failed to note a company name or regulated waste haul number as required in New York State.

Officers followed the tractor-trailer from a distance and observed it enter a previously registered solid waste management facility where it dumped its dirt load. While at the facility, ECOs observed a second tractor-trailer tandem truck dumping similar fill material. The officers determined that both trucks carried dirt waste, which was documented as restricted-use fill on their waste tracking documents. DEC’s Division of Materials Management and Office of General Counsel confirmed the Sullivan County facility was not, nor was it ever, permitted to accept restricted-use fill. ECOs ticketed both drivers and the transportation company for both trucks for failing to produce regulated waste registrations, failure to display regulated waste permit numbers on two sides of a trailer, and transporting waste to an unauthorized facility.

Joint Ice Fishing Detail – Oneida Lake
On Feb. 8, ECOs in two DEC regions teamed up to conduct ice fishing compliance checks on Oneida Lake in Oneida and Oswego counties. Region 6 ECOs Starczek and Lakeman joined Region 7 ECOs Grisolini, Burdick, Prentice, Plows, Wing, Kostuk, and Bonilla in checking hundreds of anglers for compliance with New York’s fishing regulations. Officers checked for fishing licenses, catch size and limits, and compliance with New York State recreational vehicle laws.

ECOs issued 32 tickets and four written warnings for fishing without a license, catching undersized walleye, unregistered and uninsured snowmobiles, unregistered All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), and failure to wear approved helmets. For more information on ice fishing rules and regulations in New York, as well as important safety information, visit the DEC website.

New York State Police changing color of troopers’ patrol cars

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Flooding long past, many Vermont municipalities are still swimming in red ink

Click here for the VTDigger story