A free community news service for Peru, NY
Brian Mills resigned from Clinton Correctional following his federal arrest
Posted: January 22nd, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News, State Government News.
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Homelessness in New York state has grown sharply, more than doubling between January 2022 and January 2024, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Homelessness grew by 53.1% from January 2023 to January 2024, more than four times the rest of the nation. The large spike was driven by New York City and the influx of asylum seekers, but the rest of the state also had double- and triple-digit rate increases, led by Glens Falls, Saratoga and the surrounding counties.
The number of homeless children increased from 20,299 in 2022 to 50,773 in 2024. Almost one in three of New York’s homeless are children, one of the highest shares in the nation.
“New York has long had a housing affordability crisis, and more families are running out of options and ending up on the street or in shelters,” DiNapoli said. “Many of the tens of thousands of asylum seekers that came to New York had no place to stay and drove up spending and a large portion of the growth of the homeless population. But let’s be clear, this isn’t just a New York City problem, it is impacting communities all over the state. New York needs to examine how it’s using current housing resources while taking more action to address this urgent situation.”
Measuring homelessness is difficult as individuals are mobile and their situations can be temporary or hidden. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses a single day, point in time count of the homeless population. The most recent count was done in January 2024, the same month the number of asylum seekers in city shelters peaked.
HUD found homelessness reached a new peak with 771,480 people nationwide experiencing homelessness in 2024. There were more than 158,000 homeless New Yorkers in 2024 – about one in five of the nation’s homeless. New York’s rate of homelessness, at about 8 per 1,000 people, was higher than all states except Hawaii and the District of Columbia. According to HUD, homelessness in New York increased because of eviction proceedings, lack of affordable housing, increased rents, and the influx of asylum seekers, among other factors.
New York City accounted for 93% of the increase in the state’s total homeless population. In January 2022, there were 45,343 people in New York City shelters run by the city Department of Homeless Services (DHS). By January 2024, there were 89,119 people in DHS shelters, 34,057 of whom were asylum seekers. New York City housed approximately 68,000 asylum seekers in total at that time.
Other findings in the report:
New York has the lowest share of unsheltered people at 3.6% in stark contrast to 43.8% in the rest of the nation. New York has the largest number of year-round emergency housing beds at 127,759, far surpassing second place California (76,000 beds), according to HUD. This number is mostly beds in emergency shelters (122,091), which is largely a result of shelter mandates in New York City.
New York is second to California in the number of permanent supportive housing units (52,462 vs. 78,758) and permanent housing beds (21,672 vs. 26,059), but lags other large states in the number of year-round beds for rapid rehousing – 4,887. California has more than 28,000, Texas almost 11,000 and Florida 7,500.
Gov. Hochul and New York City Mayor Adams both announced affordable housing proposals in their recent 2025 policy addresses. The report also notes that New York state is currently implementing a five-year $25 billion housing plan “to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes,” including making multi-year investments for homeless housing and assistance and for affordable housing. However, there is little information available to track goals, accomplishments and amount spent on these initiatives.
DiNapoli said more needs to be done to keep people in their homes and provide housing assistance, particularly to families with children. The state should carefully monitor and enhance reporting on the effectiveness of current programs and determine where additional resources may be needed, particularly for expanding rental assistance, and continue funding legal representation for low-income households facing eviction.
Report
Economic and Policy Insights – New Yorkers in Need: Homelessness in New York State
Related Reports
New Yorkers in Need: The Housing Insecurity Crisis
Posted: January 22nd, 2025 under General News.
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“While the Executive Budget Proposal is a daunting number, the Governor included important funding that will benefit the North Country. This is very early in the State Budget process as the Executive was just proposed and we will be working through the legislative process in the next several weeks. A $100 million increase to CHIPS aid will help our local governments maintain and repair roads, which is needed across the region. $100 million for the construction of new childcare facilities will also be instrumental in addressing the needs of childcare deserts like the North Country. While a nearly $10 million increase to the volunteer fire department capital fund will also provide local fire departments with the opportunity to make necessary improvements. Our fire departments in the North Country are in need of more equipment and capital upgrades, and I will fight for more funding for them. Over the next few weeks, I will also continue to push for important funding for agriculture, seniors, school districts, and local governments that I have secured previously in the final budgets.”
Posted: January 22nd, 2025 under Northern NY News, Political News, State Government News, State Legislator News.
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Posted: January 22nd, 2025 under Border News, Law Enforcement News, National News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History, Regional NY-VT News.
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Posted: January 22nd, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Business News, County Government News, Environmental News, General News, Northern NY News, Opinion, Peru/Regional History, Political News.
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced that the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery’s annual spring seedling sale is now open and will run until May 14, 2025. Each year, the nursery offers low-cost, New York-grown tree and shrub species for sale to encourage plantings that help conserve New York’s natural resources and foster the next generation of forests.
“DEC is excited for our annual seedling sale, which provides New Yorkers with an excellent opportunity to get involved in environmental stewardship and support progress to achieve Governor Hochul’s goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033,” said Interim Commissioner Mahar. “The annual tree and shrub seedling sale not only allows individuals, families, and organizations to affordably beautify their communities, it plays a vital role in enhancing our natural ecosystems, combating climate change, and promoting biodiversity. Whether you are a homeowner, part of a community group, or a land manager, I encourage you to take advantage of this valuable resource and help New York plant the seeds for a healthier, greener future.”
DEC’s tree nursery grows more than 50 conifer and hardwood species from local seed sources, creating seedlings that are well-suited to New York State’s climate. Seedlings are sold in bundles of 25 or more and there are several mixed species packets available for those looking for a variety. Seedlings are a minimum of five inches tall and are one to three years old, depending on the species. For more information including how to order, visit the Spring Seedling Sale webpage on DEC’s website. Some species sell out quickly, so order early.
School Seedling Program Application Period Now Open
Applications are now being accepted for the nursery’s School Seedling Program. From now until March 28, schools and youth education organizations across New York State may apply to receive 25 free seedlings to plant with students.
The goal of the program is to help instill a sense of environmental stewardship among New York’s youth and set a foundation that will allow students to make informed decisions about the use of natural resources. The program is an excellent tool for educators to use in meeting the Next Generation Science Standards as it provides a hands-on opportunity to learn about natural systems and the valuable role of trees, while building awareness of conservation issues.
All schools (public, private, nursery, elementary, secondary, vocational, college or university), homeschool groups, and any youth education-based organization may apply, provided trees are planted in New York State. Individual homeschools must apply through a homeschool group, co-op, or other association. Seedlings are two to three years old, approximately four to 12 inches tall, and bare-root. There are four species available – jack pine, red oak, river birch or speckled alder – and each school or organization may only receive one group of seedlings per year. Visit DEC’s website for more information and to apply online. For assistance or questions, contact the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery at nysnursery@dec.ny.gov or 518-581-1439.
Posted: January 22nd, 2025 under Education News, Environmental News, State Government News, Statewide News.
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Posted: January 22nd, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Community Events, Environmental News, Law Enforcement News, State Government News.
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Apologies to Rod Driscoll. I received this press release on January 11 but failed to post it.
Rod Driscoll for Congress in NY 21
“A strong voice for workers, families, veterans and retirees!”
Our current congresswoman is leaving to be United Nations ambassador, resulting in a vacancy that will need to be filled by a special election that will likely take place in early Spring.
This seat in Congress will be tremendously important to the future of the people of the 15 northern most counties in NY State.
Our one congressperson is going to be crucial in the coming two years. We will have the opportunity to be a highly sought after voice in Washington, if anything is going to pass.
Special elections have very low turnout, usually in the mid 20% range. That presents us with a unique opportunity to win, if we can turnout moderate independents, Democrats & Republicans.
Issues
Kitchen table, retiree and veterans issues are extremely important to me and the voters of this congressional district.
It’s about time we brought some common sense to Washington!
Our district has higher percentages of seniors, veterans and middle class people than the rest of the US. We also have lower incomes and fewer individuals with college degrees than other congressional districts. We have a very small percentage of people earning over $200,000 a year.
Inflation, massive proposed cutbacks in Federal spending and huge tax cuts for the wealthy could have a massive negative impact here.
The proposals that are already on the table by the incoming administration could be devastating for our residents.
Cuts That Will Affect Us.. It’s a scary list!
President Trump, the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) & Congressional Republicans have targeted a total of $2 trillion in cuts.
Elimination of: VA healthcare, the FBI, the National Institute for Health, Federal prisons, Pell grants to low income students, Head Start, The Consumer Protection Agency and the Securities and Exchange Commission (which prevents financial fraud).
Allowing cuts in Social Security & Medicare Benefits when the trust fund runs out, which could happen as early as three years from now.
Capping Medicaid Benefits which could throw many nursing home residents out in the street.
Cutting national defense $125 Billion.
50-75% cut in the Federal workforce. So forget about getting help from Federal agencies like the VA, Social Security and Medicare.
Billions would be cut from transportation infrastructure projects that employ thousands of construction workers in our district and make us safer on our roads and bridges.
Elimination of the Affordable Care Act, ending health care coverage for 45 million Americans, over 100,000 in this congressional district alone. Our current congresswoman voted to do away with the ACA. It’s likely that another Republican would do the same for this issue.
Eliminate Federal aid to education. This aid makes up 14% of the average school district’s budget, funding special education and programs to help students in poor districts. Since these programs are mandated it would cause local school taxes to spike.
VA, Social Security & Medicare benefits are not entitlements to be cut, they are earned benefits.
Our people paid with their salaries, hard work and, for vets, risking their lives for these benefits. We need to make sure they are never taken away so billionaires can have another tax cut.
I wholeheartedly support the Social Security Fairness Act of 2025 which protects Social Security benefits for public employees.
I support reintroducing the Save Social Security Act which would be a great start to fully funding Social Security & Medicare into the future by eliminating the payroll exemption for wages above $176,100. The proposal would make all income above that amount subject to payroll tax, preventing the automatic cuts in Social Security and Medicare benefits that will occur when the Social Security Trust fund is exhausted in the next few years.
Avoid Spiking Inflation:
Tariffs would cause massive increases in inflation of 10-25%, particularly in grocery, technology, automotive and construction prices.
These increases would cripple middle class families, VA recipients and retirees.
We get 88% of our fresh fruit & vegetables from Canada and Mexico.
Vehicle prices could increase by up to 25%, since nearly every pickup truck and car is partially or totally made in Mexico or Canada.
All TVs and most electronics would be more expensive since they are made outside the US (mostly in China).
We need to regulate large corporations that unfairly jack up meat and agriculture prices for consumers while squeezing our hard working farmers.
Secure our border and fix immigration
I fully support the bipartisan immigration bill authored by conservative Republican James Langford of Oklahoma. It would greatly increase the numbers of border enforcement officers and immigration judges, allowing for more efficient screening and processing of individuals who seek to become legally part of the American dream.
Tax Cuts Should Be For Workers, Families, Veterans and Retirees, Not Billionaires!
What now? How do we stop this from happening? We elect:
Someone who has been president of a multi million dollar organization (Peru Central School) that balanced budgets and stayed within tax cap limits while preserving services for our community.
Someone who understands the middle class because he is part of it.
Someone who does his homework, understands how the government works and how to get things done.
Someone who would never cut the VA, Social Security and health benefits earned over a lifetime of work.
Someone who understands the need for a public school system that is second to none and serves all students.
Someone who actually lives in the North Country and understands it’s people.
Someone who would never compromise the safety and security of our region and the nation.
Someone who believes that it doesn’t matter what party you belong to when we’re talking about working for all Americans.
We all deserve representation, not just the voters who vote for the winner.
Someone who is a committed moderate who reflects the common sense approach to politics where ideology is not as important as problem solving and results that help people in their daily lives.
This is why I’m seeking the Democratic nomination for congressman from NY 21 and, hopefully, the opportunity to win the special election to proudly represent the people of the North Country and northern New York.
Outreach Is Key To Good Representation:
I am happy to answer any and all of your questions about my proposed candidacy.
Please go to the “Contact Us” page to send me an email or call my campaign line.
I’m available to any organization that’s having an event where they might like to have their members speak directly to me, please let me know. If I can possibly be there, I will be!
We need to reach out to the media and not wait for them to come to us.
Open Government is Good Government:
I learned that lesson as a successful president of my local board of education.
The NY 21 seat is not yet vacant, therefore there can be no decision from the Democratic Party about a selection of a candidate for the special election by the 15 county chairmen until the vacancy is official. The President-elect will be sworn in on January 20th at noon. It is likely that the appointment of our current congresswoman to the UN Ambassador’s post will be completed shortly thereafter, allowing Governor Hochul to schedule the special election, likely to happen in late March or early April.
Bio: I’ve lived in the North Country since 1972. Attended Plattsburgh State University. I have two bachelor’s degrees, a masters degree in education and a certificate of advance studies in education administration. I had a 34 year career in education, 32 years as a teacher, coach, advisor, union president and principal. I was also a board member & president of my local board of education in Peru, NY for 10 years. I have owned a small music business since 1978.
Posted: January 21st, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Congressional News, General News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru resident news/accomplishments, Peru School News, Peru/Regional History, Political News.
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More than 225 leads have been followed as the exhaustive search continued Tuesday
Posted: January 21st, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, General News, Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News, Peru News.
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Posted: January 21st, 2025 under Border News, Law Enforcement News, National News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History, Regional NY-VT News.
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January 21, 2025New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released the following statement on Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal:
“The Executive Budget proposal put forth today by Governor Hochul comes at a time of continued economic growth and improving revenues. State Operating spending is projected to grow by 7.9%, which is above the rate of inflation. I’m particularly concerned about the out-year budget gaps of $23.2 billion for the next three fiscal years, even as the Governor proposes to extend the personal income tax surcharge on high earners.
“The state needs to be prepared to assess any actions taken by the new administration in Washington and how they could affect New York’s finances. As we enter into a time of potential economic uncertainty, a focus on the long-term sustainability of the state’s finances and maintaining a commitment to increasing statutory reserves is necessary.
“My office will release a more detailed analysis of the Executive Budget in the coming weeks.”
Posted: January 21st, 2025 under State Government News.
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Please join us for a celebration of the life and values of Martin Luther King, Jr. Posted: January 21st, 2025 under Arts and Entertainment, City News, Community Events, Education News, General News, Northern NY News, Things to do in & near Peru.
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Posted: January 21st, 2025 under Arts and Entertainment, Community Events, Peru Library News.
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Posted: January 21st, 2025 under Northern NY News, Political News, State Government News, State Legislator News.
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Posted: January 21st, 2025 under Political News, State Legislator News.
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Existing Wastewater Pretreatment and Treatment buildings (Peru Gazette File Photo)
The Cross Street Water-Sewer-Parks Department building would become a storage building. (Peru Gazette File Photo)
Peru, NY—The Saturday, January 18, Press-Republican legal page included a request for bids for upgrades to Peru’s wastewater treatment plant. After contractors submit bids on February 25, it will be up to the town board to decide if the town can afford all the work envisioned or must reduce the project scope. Deficiencies in the plant’s disinfection and preliminary treatment processes resulted in the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) mandating upgrades. In 2023, Peru signed a consent order agreeing to begin construction by July 25, 2025, and complete it by May 1, 2028.
AES Northeast, the engineering firm designing and supervising the project, presented three options to the town board. One included plant upgrades, a new department administrative building with a locker room, bathroom, lab, and showers, a 5-bay garage, and several upgrades to the village’s collection system. The second option did not include the village collection upgrades, and the third option did not include the 5-bay garage. The board decided to seek bids on the second option.
The Water-Sewer-Parks Department operates in a decades-old Cross Street building that once housed the highway department. Department Superintendent Courtney Tetrault says more storage is needed, the offices are cramped, and there are no lockers or showers. Employees often drive personnel vehicles home to clean up after working on a sewer line break.
At a January 7 workshop, AES stated they reduced the projected cost to $21 million with 70% grant funding. AES previously projected the cost to be $22.6 million with 60% grant funding. At that level, the sewer district’s approximately 565 users would incur a $320,000 annual debt payment or roughly $451 per EDU (Equivalent Dwelling Unit). Following the workshop, Town Supervisor Craig Randall requested updated detailed cost figures reflecting AES’s calculations. Randall wants to translate the projected cost into the cost per thousand dollars assessed value for district dwellings.
General bid specifications in the Press-Republican legal ad included site work, demolishing the existing treatment plant and administration buildings, construction of a new administrative and treatment building, constructing a 5-bay vehicle storage building, modifications to the existing solids handling building and secondary treatment building, construction of a new a filtrate pump, construction of stormwater treatment area, site fill and grading, paving, and miscellaneous site improvement.
AES will conduct a pre-bid conference with interested contractors on Wednesday, January 29, at 10 a.m. at the Peru Town Hall.
Posted: January 21st, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, General News, Lake Champlain News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru/Regional History, Town Board News, Water & Sewer Dept. News.
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Foster Grandparents are role models, mentors, and friends to children with exceptional needs. The program provides a way for volunteers age 55 and over to stay active by serving children and youth in their communities. They are placed in a classroom with a child or children who need emotional support, development of basic learning skills, friendship, companionship, encouragement, individual attention, and unhurried help. The program currently has 40 volunteers and serves more than 100 kids per year.
To volunteer in this program, you can live in one of the following counties. Franklin, Essex County, Clinton County, St. Lawrence County or Jefferson County
Contact for More Information: Melissa Howard, Email: mhoward@cathcharities.org Phone: 518-359-7688
Posted: January 21st, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Charity Events, General News, Northern NY News.
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Posted: January 21st, 2025 under National News, Peru/Regional History, Political News, Regional NY-VT News.
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Posted: January 21st, 2025 under Border News, Law Enforcement News, National News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History, Regional NY-VT News.
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Posted: January 20th, 2025 under Law Enforcement News, National News, Northern NY News, Regional NY-VT News.
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Posted: January 20th, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Heathcare News, Northern NY News, State Government News.
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Eighteen years of solid fundraising efforts have supported scores of local nonprofits
Posted: January 20th, 2025 under Charity Events, City News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History.
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Posted: January 20th, 2025 under Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News.
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Students in grades 3-5 can sign up for a night of fun in the gyms, with games and activities planned by the indoor track team’s coaches and athletes! All proceeds from ticket sales will help the indoor track team attend more events this season.Posted: January 20th, 2025 under Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru School News, Sports News.
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Posted: January 20th, 2025 under Congressional News, National News, Peru/Regional History.
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