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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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Due to inclement weather Peru Central School District will be closed today, Thursday, February 13th.

Amazon planning 3.2 million-square-foot warehouse near Amsterdam, NY

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

NY school districts ranked from 1 to 670 based on 2024 high school graduation rates

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

US sues New York officials over immigration enforcement

Click here for the Reuters story 

Plattsburgh blood drive canceled today, but there are drives tomorrow at the Government Center in Plattsburgh and Monday in Peru

PLATTSBURGH, NY (02/13/25): The Adirondack Regional Blood Donor Center blood drive planned for today at 1 p.m. at Oak Street School in Plattsburgh is cancelled. You can give blood tomorrow, Feb. 14, at the Clinton County Government Center from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or Monday, Feb. 17, at St. Augustine Parish Center in Peru between 3 and 6:30 p.m. The Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd., is also open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Library will not open until Noon today!

Due to the inclement weather, the library will open at noon today, Thursday, February 13. 

The politics behind the NY-21 special election dust-up

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Contour Airlines Announces Service Between Plattsburgh, NY and Washington-Dulles

Peru Gazette File Photo 

Peru Gazette File Photo

Peru Gazette File Photo

Introductory Fares Starting at $94 one way.

Smyrna, Tennessee (February 12, 2025) – Contour Airlines is excited to announce the launch of a new, nonstop service from Plattsburgh, NY (PBG) to Washington Dulles, VA (IAD), beginning on May 1, 2025. To commemorate the new route, Contour is pleased to offer an introductory fare starting at $94 each way.

This marks Contour Airlines’ inaugural jet service to Washington Dulles, providing travelers an enhanced flying experience. Contour will operate daily flights utilizing a 30-seat Embraer ERJ-135 aircraft, which boasts all-leather seating with expanded legroom, complimentary snacks and beverages, and a free checked bag included with every fare.

“We are excited to connect Plattsburgh and the entire Lake Placid region with a non-stop flight to Washington-Dulles, “said Ben Munson, President of Contour Airlines. “In addition to easier access to Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas, passengers can connect to over 100 destinations easily and seamlessly on United Airlines.”

Flights between Plattsburgh International Airport and Dulles International Airport will operate on the following schedule:

Daily flights (Monday through Sunday)

Route Departure Arrival
PBG – IAD 8:55 am 10:35 am
IAD – PBG 12:35 pm 2:15 pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Sunday

Route Departure Arrival
PBG – IAD 2:45 pm 4:25 pm
IAD – PBG 5:45 pm 7:25 pm

The transition from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Dulles International Airport (IAD) presents significant advantages for the community. Dulles International Airport caters to both business and leisure travelers. It offers passengers an extensive hub experience, facilitating global connectivity through Contour’s interline partner, United Airlines.

“The return of nonstop service between Plattsburgh and Washington Dulles is a significant milestone for our region, reinstating a route that has previously proven to be successful and highly valued by travelers, “said Airport Committee Chairperson Robert Hall (D-Area 10, Plattsburgh). “This enhanced connectivity offers residents and businesses seamless access to our nation’s capital and beyond, with easy connections through United Airlines at Dulles International Airport. Plattsburgh International Airport continues to serve as a critical gateway for the North Country, and we are grateful to Contour Airlines for recognizing the demand and investing in our community. This service will undoubtedly strengthen economic and travel opportunities for our region.”

For additional information, please visit www.contourairlines.com. Call +1 (888) 332-6686 for customer inquiries or travel assistance.

About Contour

Contour Airlines offers a premium, low-fare airline product that includes a complimentary first-checked bag and snack and beverage service on all flights. Contour operates a growing fleet of Embraer regional jets featuring leather seating with expanded legroom in every row. Tickets are available on Contour’s website at contourairlines.com, by calling the Contour call center at +1 (888) 332-6686, and through local and online travel agencies. Travelers can also book seamless connections to our interline partner, United Airlines, at united.com.  As one of the largest Part 135 operators in the United States, Contour Aviation operates a diverse fleet of aircraft that includes regional airliners for its commercial service and numerous business jets available for private charter. The company also offers fuel and aircraft handling services at the John C. Tune Airport in Nashville and retail aircraft maintenance at a facility adjacent to its headquarters in Smyrna, TN.

TSA seizes handguns from passenger at Burlington airport

Click here for the WCAX story 

Rangers conduct night rescue in subzero temps for two lost Grace Peak hikers, multiple agencies respond to unresponsive hiker on the Wolf Pond trail

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Drone video shows massive building fire in Tupper Lake, New York

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Scam alert: NY Thruway Authority warns of text message scams regarding unpaid tolls

Click here for he Syracuse.com story 

19-year-old killed when train hit him and disabled SUV in Manlius was Onondaga Community College student, worked 2 jobs.

Family is from Iraq. They moved from Iraq to Turkey and then to the United States in 2015. Their father wanted the family to have a better life.

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Locally-owned Burlington restaurants help bring visitors, excitement to the city

Colder and slower months show just how much community ties carry local restaurants.

Click here for the WCAX story 

Burlington Council to consider UVM Medical Center plans for future growth

Major expansion could include a building that would tower over the existing hospital.

Click here for the WCAX story 

February Break at the Peru Library

A deep dive on U.S. reading and math scores, and what to do about them

Click here for the NCPR story 

Hochul calls for statewide audit of utility companies

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Chazy man indicted for smuggling undocumented immigrants

Bailey Burger allegedly smuggled four Indian nationals across the U.S. border

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD EMERGENCY MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2025 1:00 PM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  1. Pledge of Allegiance
  1. Roll Call 
  1. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.
  1. MOTION: Return from Executive Session. 
  1. DISCUSSION/MOTION: If Needed.
  1. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

CEO of Albany law firm dies while skiing at Gore Mt.

Click here for the NCPR story 

Monday, Feb 17, CVPH Peru Blood Donor Drive

Peru—CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive will be held on Monday, February 17, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru. All donors are eligible for a monthly $50 gift card drawing. St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 is coordinating the drive.

HamilSun Solar: What we learned on Saturday

Additionally, any household that has qualified for Section 8, SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, or HEAP benefits automatically qualifies.

On Saturday, February 8, the Peru Free Library conducted the first of its 2025 Community Learning Series programs. Mark Hamilton described the HamilSun Solar Project and its many benefits, especially to low—and moderate-income households. Thank you to Marque Moffit, the library’s Community Learning Series Coordinator, for the following narrative.

Back in 2015, after having spent time evaluating existing power supplies and infrastructure, NY State officials passed legislation that allowed the development of community solar farms (CSFs) as part of their efforts to diversify NY’s power sources and build an energy system robust enough to handle the growing needs of citizens. CSFs start when landowners receive a letter from a developer interested in leasing land for a solar farm. Landowners who enter into these agreements turn over control of the leased land to the developer and the community solar project moves forward.

A few years ago, one such letter set the Hamilton family on a path to creating a different type of CSF. Rather than leasing their land to an outside developer, the Hamiltons spent several years crafting a plan that would allow them to keep control of their land and bring savings to their community. Ultimately partnering with RER Energy Group to design and build the solar array and with Neighborhood Sun to organize and maintain subscriber services, the Hamiltons now have a product they are excited to share with everyone in Peru: HamilSun Solar.
Located on their property on Mannix Road, the array consists of 5217 solar panels mounted on a single-axis tracking system that will enable the panels to follow the sun across the sky. By maximizing sun exposure in this way, the 2.6-megawatt facility is expected to generate roughly 4,131,000 kWh annually—enough to cover the electrical consumption of 400 – 500 homes yearly! Believe it or not, all of this is taking place on a 10-acre parcel of land that has always been too wet to use for planting.
Now that HamilSun is about ready to go live, the Hamiltons and their partners are excited to share another perk of their unique solar farm project. Unlike typical CSFs with subscribers from around NYSEG’s territory, HamilSun is first opening its registration to locals. This is great news for community members because it means we will get dibs on all subscribers’ guaranteed savings: a 20% discount on our NYSEG bill.
The Hamilton family has deep roots in Peru. While creating and building HamilSun Solar, they have worked hard to make a product that would benefit the local community. In addition to developing a program with built-in guaranteed savings, they are reserving the first 50% of membership slots for low- to moderate-income households. The full list of income ranges is attached to this email. Additionally, any household that has qualified for Section 8, SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, or HEAP benefits automatically qualifies. Slots are limited, so interested parties are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. Every Clinton and Essex County NYSEG customer is eligible to apply.
Interested in learning more? You can see detailed articles on HamilSun’s Facebook page. Registration information is easy to find at www.neighborhoodsun.solar/HamilSun. Pro tip: have your NYSEG bill handy when signing up.
With thanks from Marque Moffett and on behalf of Peru Free Library, stay tuned for more details about our next event in March.
Peru Gazette added, “Every Clinton and Essex County NYSEG customer is eligible to apply.” at 7:25 p.m. on Feb. 10.

 

Free Beginner Cross-Country Ski Lesson Offered in Cadyville by Champlain Area Trails During February School Break

2024 Photo Provided

CADYVILLE NY – Champlain Area Trails (CATS), an accredited land trust established in 2009, is dedicated to creating and maintaining trails, protecting land, connecting people with nature, and promoting economic vitality in the Champlain Valley. For the second consecutive year, CATS is offering a free beginner cross-country ski lesson during the school winter break.

This family-friendly event is suitable for participants aged 5 and older and will take place on Wednesday, February 19th, from 1 PM to 3 PM at the Cadyville Recreation Park, located at 114 Goddeau Road in Cadyville, NY. CATS is partnering with the Plattsburgh Parks & Recreation Department to present this exciting free opportunity for the community.

“Cross-country skiing is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months and explore the beautiful trails in our region,” said Arin Burdo, Executive Director of CATS. “We’re thrilled to offer this free beginner lesson for the second year in a row to help introduce people of all ages to the sport and encourage them to get outside and experience the joys of winter recreation.”

Skiing equipment will be provided, but participants are encouraged to register early due to limited availability. While the event is free and open to the public, pre-registration is required.

Since its founding in 2009, CATS has established and maintained over 100 miles of trails, protected 3,000 acres of land, and hosted hundreds of hikes, outdoor education outings, and volunteer events, attracting thousands of visitors annually. The organization’s mission is to create and maintain trails, protect land, connect people with nature, and promote economic vitality in the Champlain Valley.

“Our free cross-country ski lesson is just one of the many ways we’re working to connect people with the natural beauty of the Champlain Valley,” added Arin. “We hope this event will inspire more people to get out and explore our trails, discover the joys of winter recreation, and appreciate the importance of land conservation and outdoor activities in our region and their own backyards.”

To register for the free beginner cross-country ski lesson or to learn more about CATS and its upcoming events, please visit the organization’s website at www.champlainareatrails.com.

DEC urges hikers to use caution during avalanche-prone February & March

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story