The Peru Gazette

“To understand the current state of New York’s prison system, you have to go back to the early 1970s, when New York City was dealing with a drug crisis.”

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Rubeena Chaudrey & Patty Taylor 

MALONE, NY (3/28/2025) – Comfort and calmness come in many forms in healthcare. Sometimes, all it takes is a caregiver’s presence.

Comforting comes easily for Patty Taylor, a nurse aide at the University of Vermont Health Network—Alice Hyde Medical Center. One of her patients, who happened to be the husband of a registered nurse who works at the hospital, was dying. Rubeena Chaudrey, RN, was notified, and she immediately left for the hospital. In the meantime, Taylor began doing what she does best: providing comfort and compassion.

“My husband was anxious and wanted to come home,” Chaudrey explains in her nomination of Taylor for the hospital’s BEE Award. “Patty stayed with him, decreasing his anxiety until I got there. Her staying with him kept him calm.”

The compassionate care Taylor provided to Chaudrey’s husband led to her becoming Alice Hyde’s newest recipient of the BEE Award. The award recognizes members of the hospital’s support staff who go above and beyond in their roles to improve the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of patients and their loved ones.

Tears of joy and appreciation flowed when Taylor found Chaudrey among the team and hugged her during this week’s surprise ceremony, recognizing the loss while paying tribute to the delivery of care the RN will never forget.

“For our family, it is not small. (It) was powerful care she provided him. She stepped up to meet his need. My family is forever thankful for her, that she made the last day of his life calm and peaceful,” Chaudrey adds.

During the award presentation, Taylor received a certificate commending her for her extraordinary work. Like all honorees, she also received a BEE Award pin, a beautiful and meaningful sculpture, and a basket filled with bee-themed gifts.

All Alice Hyde employees who support patient care by working with physicians and registered nurses to provide exceptional care to patients and their families are eligible for the BEE Award. Nomination forms and boxes are located at the hospital’s main entrances and on the Alice Hyde website. Support staff may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. A committee reviews nominations and awards a deserving employee each quarter.

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Spaghetti

Salad 

Bread

Dessert

Served 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., take-out only, at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru, NY 12972 

All are invited and welcome!

Alert officers discover woman concealed in spare tire area of a vehicle

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SUNY Students Encouraged to Apply by April 18 Priority Deadline; Application Can Be Found Here

Albany, March 28, 2025—Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of applications for the second annual Empire State Service Corps Program, encouraging State University of New York students to apply for one of 500 paid civic and service internships this upcoming fall. The application opening signifies the program’s second year. During its first-ever application cycle, the program received over 2,000 student applications for 500 paid positions across 45 SUNY campuses within weeks of opening.

“The Empire State Service Corps is providing SUNY students with invaluable opportunities to serve their communities, gain hands-on experience, and build a foundation for future success,” Governor Hochul said. “By expanding civic engagement across New York, we empower the next generation of leaders to make a meaningful impact. I encourage all eligible students to apply and be part of this transformative program.”

The Empire State Service Corps is one of Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State priorities to expand service opportunities for college students. Students in the program dedicate at least 300 hours to paid community service and convene regularly to share and learn from each other’s experiences.

Seasonal tradition showcasing artisans in 100+ booths set on Clinton Community College campus

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The extension, which will apply to roughly 400 households, comes after the governor struck down legislation that would have granted a reprieve for all participants.

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State claims it doesn’t have resources to backfill the void

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Plattsburgh City firemen Hunter Church and Lt. Jamie Schwartz and 11th grader Landon Wilkens

Sandy Brady of AES Architecture, Engineering Northeast

Seated – Todd Clowney of Clowney Electric Services

Sheriff’s Deputy/School Resource Officer Mendoza and students Taylor Breyette and Lex Agnew

Clinton Community College Nursing Instructor Niki Rivers explains the school’s new 3-D viewers.

Veda Galy, NYS Dept.of Civil Service Outreach Specialist

Elizabeth Guillette of Schluter Systems has 800+ employees ranging from warehouse personnel to engineers.

Jake Frechette, Elliott Supley, and other Future Business Leaders of America members recruited the participants and offered refreshments to everyone.

By John T Ryan

March 28, 2025, Peru— 1,200 students in grades 4-12 took a 40-minute break from their regular classroom activities today to participate in the Peru Central School District’s Career Fair. Students had the opportunity to listen and ask questions of representatives from 51 public and private businesses and organizations, such as Schluter Systems, Clinton Community College, trade unions, military services, and engineering firms. This event provided an excellent chance for students to start considering their future career paths.

The Career Fair is part of Peru’s grant-funded After-school Career Exploration Program (PACE). Through this program, students participate in over 50 after-school activities, such as podcasting, screenwriting, marine education, astronomy, painting, and chess. These activities are designed to align with four key career areas: computer technology and communications, environmental conservation and engineering, advanced manufacturing, and human services.

PACE has three main goals: to enhance students’ academic knowledge and skills, to improve their behaviors and attitudes, and to foster specific career knowledge and skills. The PACE team consists of over 55 faculty members, staff, and mentors from SUNY Plattsburgh, It aims to reach 290 students each year, providing them with 15 or more hours of enrichment programming.

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Thursday, April 3^rd at 6 PM in the High School Community Room for their third public session budget workshop.

The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal COVID-19 safety procedures and protocols will be followed.

The agenda will be available on the District’s website.

By John T. Ryan 

The Town of Peru is dealing with a troubling issue: thieves have stolen and damaged street and stop signs. At the town board meeting on Monday, March 24, Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that one or more individuals have taken approximately 30 signs and 10 posts over the winter months. When the thieves cannot remove a sign, they drive over the sign and its post. Farrell noted that it will be challenging to catch those responsible, as the signs are often out of sight of residences or cameras such as on the John Boswell and Davern Roads. The total replacement cost as of now is about $4,000.

Residents Scott and Tricia Thurber of 482 Laphams Mills Road raised concerns about the status of a house at 496 Laphams Mills Road. (According to tax rolls, the property is owned by Chad Snow.) Mrs. Thurber asked Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup about the conditions that lead to a house being condemned, the process for obtaining a certificate of occupancy after condemnation, the steps taken to ensure necessary improvements are made, and how an occupant can be removed from a residence without a certificate of occupancy. They also inquired whether the Clinton County Health Department has condemned the property. Guynup stated he is responsible for the condemnation process and did not recall if this property had been condemned. He also mentioned an aggressive dog on the property, adding that he would need to be accompanied by a sheriff’s deputy if he returned. The Thurbers said they and some neighbors feel unsafe due to the situation. Supervisor Craig Randall thanked the Thurbers for bringing the issue to the board’s attention and indicated that there would be a follow-up. (See discussion beginning at the 3:10 mark and concluding at the 23:50 mark of the meeting video).

Youth Director Kristen Marino announced that sign-ups for summer youth activities began on Monday, March 23. Youths not residing in the Town of Peru must obtain a waiver from the Clinton County Youth Bureau. Sign-ups for fall sports will begin in June.

In other actions, the board:

– Approved an annual $5,000 contract with the Clinton County Youth Bureau.

– Authorized a temporary $200,000 loan to finance the purchase of a 2025 Western Star plow truck for the highway department.

– Reviewed the engineer’s monthly report for the Telegraph Road culvert project, which is still on track for a bid advertisement by August 15.

– Approved hiring an appraiser or contacting real estate agents to appraise the Jenkins Street tennis court property the board intends to sell.

-Reappointed Terry Aubin to the Board of Assessment Review.

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Swearing-in ceremony to be held at Hawkins Hall March 28

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Click here for the Sun Community News story 

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History of Railroad Series – 1 pm, on the 1^st Tuesday of each week in April at the Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. With Transportation Historian Dick Soper.

April 1, The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Part 1.

April 8, The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Rouses Point (Part II).

April 15, The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Mooers (Part III).

April 22, The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Lyon Mountain (Part IV).

April 29, The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Plattsburgh (Part V). 

April 2, Noon. Talk and Walk Wednesdays at Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. Portraits and Painters with Helen Nerska. Stories of local itinerant painters and their subjects, including a temporary exhibit of the actual paintings.

April 10, 2:30 pm, Meadowbrook Healthcare, 154 Prospect Avenue, Plattsburgh. Remembering Clinton County’s World War 1 Veterans and the Hometown celebrations which welcomed them back with Helen Nerska.

April 12, 10 am to 3 pm, Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. Slow Art Day. Enjoy the museum art with guided tours throughout the day. 

April 16, 6:45 pm, Lake Forest Retirement Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh. Maple Sugaring: More Than Just a Sweet Tradition. Come explore the history of maple sugaring with Kristina Parker, Altona Town Historian and New York State Maple Producers Association Treasurer. We will look beyond the Native Americans and modern methods to the political and social impacts of maple production.

April 24, 6:30 pm, Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. Maple Sugaring: More Than Just a Sweet Tradition. Come explore the history of maple sugaring with Kristina Parker, Altona Town Historian and New York State Maple Producers Association Treasurer. We will look beyond the Native Americans and modern methods to the political and social impacts of maple production.

April 25, 12:30 pm, Plattsburgh Senior Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh. Profiles from Portraits. From the Clinton County Historical Association’s collection, see portraits of men once posted at the Plattsburgh Barracks whose uniforms hint at their military history, uncovering special stories yet to be told by Military Historian Thaddeus Booth Trudeau.

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Blood donations support health of patients in several North Country hospitals 

PLATTSBURGH, NY (03/27/2025) –The Adirondack Regional Blood Donor Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), has planned 18 community blood drives in April and continues to welcome walk in donors at its Donor Center as part of its mission to maintain an adequate supply of blood and blood products for the North Country.  In addition to benefiting patients at CVPH, blood collected by the Donor Center also supports those in need at Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, Elizabethtown Community Hospital (including Ticonderoga) and Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

The April schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, April 1, Bouquet Valley High School, in Elizabethtown, 10 am to 2 pm
• Wednesday, April 2, North Country Community College, Ticonderoga Campus, 10 am to 2 pm
• Thursday, April 3, Northeastern Clinton Central School, 10 am to 2 pm
• Monday, April 7, Adirondack Medical Center, Redfield Room, Saranac Lake, noon to 4 pm
• Tuesday, April 8, New York State Department of Conservation, Ray Brook, 10 am to 2 pm
• Thursday, April 10, Beekmantown Fire Department, 4 to 7 pm
• Monday, April 14, Willsboro Fire Department, 3 to 6 pm
• Tuesday, April 15, Saranac Lake EMS station, 4 to 7 pm
• Wednesday, April 16, Salmon River High School, Fort Covington, 10 am to 2 pm
• Thursday, April 17, University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital in Ticonderoga, 1 to 4 pm
• Monday, April 21, St. Augustine Parish Center, Peru, 3 to 6:30 pm
• Tuesday, April 22, Chateaugay American Legion, 4 to 7 pm
• Wednesday, April 23, Bloomingdale Fire Department 3:30 to 6:30 pm
• Thursday, April 24, Cumberland 12 Cinemas, 4 to 8 pm
• Friday, April 25, Burke Adult Center, 9 to 11 am
• Monday, April 28, West Chazy Fire Department, 4 to 7 pm
• Tuesday, April 29, Ellenburg Knights of Columbus at St. Edmunds Church Hall, 4 to 7 pm
• Wednesday, April 30, Chazy American Legion, 4 to 7 pm

The Adirondack Regional Blood Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd., is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. Blood donors must be at least 16 years old (16- and 17-year-old donors must have written parental/guardian consent), in generally good health, and weigh at least 110 lbs. A screening questionnaire addressing personal medical, social and travel history is completed before donating and a donor card or another form of identification is also required. Donors must wait 56 days between donations.

Learn more about the Adirondack Regional Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call 518-562-7406.