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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.

Comment Policy

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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60 mph winds and snow forecast

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Monday 1/27/25 – 3:31 p.m. NWS Burlington
Gusty winds, up to 60 mph locally, will continue tonight through 9 PM as an arctic front approaches the region. Snow showers will move into the area beginning around 5 PM, with heavier snow and embedded snow squalls likely between midnight and 5 AM. #NYwx #VTwx

Prosecutor says woman charged in fatal border agent shooting had ties to people of interest in other homicides

Click here for the VTDigger story 

AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27, 2025 6:00 PM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  1. Pledge of Allegiance
  1. Roll Call
  1. MOTION:  Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of January 13, 2025 and 2025 Organizational Meeting of January 13, 2025
  1. Community Input. 
  1. DISCUSSION:  AES Northeast Update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.
  1. DISCUSSION/MOTION:    Engineering Update on Telegraph Road.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 2025 Peru Free Library Contract
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 2025 JCEO Contract.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 2025 Essex County Snowplowing Contract for Terry Mountain.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 6 6-month contract with Eagle’s Veterinary Hospital for Dangerous Dog Holding.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve or Reject Bids for a Highway Pickup Truck.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve or Reject Bids for a W/S/V Pickup Truck.
  1. DISCUSSION:  Approval of One Person Going to the E-One Service Training in Clifton Park for Two Days.
  1. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  
  1. DISCUSSION:  Other Business. 
  1. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – December 2024
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – January 2025
  1. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.
  1. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 
  1. MOTION:     Adjourn.

Peru man dies in Plattsburgh crash, police say

Geoffrey Spear of Peru was traveling north on State Route 9 when he lost control of his Chevy Silverado due to a medical event.

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

AARP free income tax preparation services beginning Feb. 3

Beginning Monday, February 3, 2025, local AARP Foundation volunteers will offer senior citizens, families, and individuals free income tax preparation services. Service is by appointment only at the Senior Citizens’ Council of Clinton County, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh. 

Beginning Monday, January 20, taxpayers can call 518.314.9762 to leave a voicemail with their name and phone number or email taxclintoncounty@gmail.com with their name and phone number. Foundation volunteers then contact taxpayers to arrange appointments with an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer. (Taxpayers should add 518.314.9762 to their contact list to distinguish it from spam.) Appointments usually take about 2 hours. AARP membership is not required. AARP Foundation TaxAide in Plattsburgh will operate through Friday, April 11. 

Taxpayers who want to use another AARP Foundation TaxAide site besides Plattsburgh can search the AARPfoundation.org website, click on “Find Help,” scroll down to “Financial Security,” click “Get Free Help ZFiling Taxes,” and search by ZIP code.

Peru Town Market announces 2025 dates

Our 2025 dates are
Sunday, June 29
Sunday, July 27
Sunday, August 24
Sunday, September 21
Sunday, October 19
We will share the application and vendor guide in February!
In the meantime, fill out this town survey if you live in Peru-

ACW’s Poem Village 2025 is open for submissions

The Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW) invites North Country residents to participate in its tenth annual installment of Poem Village.

Since 2016, ACW has been creating a series of posters, or broadsides, displaying poems written by North Country residents of all ages and experience levels. These broadsides are installed in shop windows in North Country towns and villages during April to build community and beautify the otherwise dreary mud season.

In 2024, ACW built successful partnerships with SLC Arts and the Downtown Artists Cellar, extending Poem Village beyond Saranac Lake to St. Lawrence County and Malone. This year, the project will expand again to include Plattsburgh thanks to a new collaboration with Outside Art: Plattsburgh Public Art Project.

“It’s incredible to see how Poem Village has evolved over the past decade,” said ACW’s executive director Nathalie Thill. “What began as a way to brighten Saranac Lake’s mud season has expanded to other villages and become a cherished tradition for so many Adirondack writers – from published authors to grade school kids. Last year, we had over 200 people submit a poem!”

Guidelines for submission:

Poems must be under 25 lines or less than 300 words, whichever comes first, and must be the original work of the person submitting. Poets must reside at least part-time in the North Country. ACW accepts all submissions as long as they follow these criteria and do not express any hateful views or content that could harm the general public. The deadline for submissions is March 17, 2025.

For more information and to submit a poem, visit adirondackcenterforwriting.org/poemvillage.

The Adirondack Center for Writing has been bringing people and words together for 25 years through provocative events and meaningful programs. For more information about ACW, visit adirondackcenterforwriting.org or follow @adkctr4writing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Ban smartphones in NY schools to break tech’s hold over kids (Editorial Board Opinion)

Click here for the Syracuse.com editorial 

Snow likely this evening into tomorrow morning, roads likely hazardous

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Snow is likely from this evening into tomorrow morning. Roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous for portions of northern New York. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2025 COMMENTARY: The APA ignores the public it serves

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac Opinion Piece

St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen Menu for Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Amish Hamburg Casserole
Bread
Fruit
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!

Special Weather Statement for Northern St. Lwrence and Franklin Counties

Sunday, January 26, 11:30 a.m. – NWS Burlington
Heads up! If you’re traveling along NY-37 or US-11 in New York. A special weather statement has been issued for a line of heavy snow showers moving out of Canada into northern St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. Quick reductions in visibility and gusty winds are likely. #nywx

Saratoga Performing Arts 2025 Events

Click here for information 

Clinton County Historical Association February Events

Feb 5, Noon. Talk and Walk Wednesdays at Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. Come for an inside look at the CCHA Portrait Collection and learn about its history. Then, CCHA President and exhibit designer Geri Favreau will give a special tour of the Prohibition Gallery.

February 11, 6:45 pm, Lake Forest Retirement Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh. The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Lyon Mountain (Part IV). Transportation Historian Dick Soper will share the history of rail development which opened up Clinton County to new markets and eventually to new tourism and a past we now take for granted. This is the fourth in a 5-part series spanning the history of Clinton County rail development from 1833 to the present, including photographs, newspaper articles, aerial videos, and information from the large collection of railroad books recently added to the Clinton County Historical Association’s research library.

February 13, 2:30 pm – Meadowbrook Healthcare, 154 Prospect Avenue, Plattsburgh. Portraits and Painters of the Early Champlain Valley (1800-1865) with Helen Nerska. Slides from a 1975 SUNY Plattsburgh exhibit with reflections on the painters’ history and the sitters’ lives.

February 21, 12:30 pm, Plattsburgh Senior Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh. The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Lyon Mountain (Part IV). Transportation Historian Dick Soper will share the history of rail development, which opened up Clinton County to new markets and eventually to new tourism and a past we now take for granted. This is the fourth in a 5-part series spanning the history of Clinton County rail development from 1833 to the present, including photographs, newspaper articles, aerial videos, and information from the large collection of railroad books recently added to the Clinton County Historical Association’s research library.

February 27, 6:30 pm, Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Plattsburgh (Part V). Transportation Historian Dick Soper will share the history of rail development, which opened up Clinton County to new markets and eventually to new tourism and a past we now take for granted.  This is the last of a 5-part series spanning the history of Clinton County rail development from 1833 to the present, including photographs, newspaper articles, aerial videos, and information from the large collection of railroad books recently added to the Clinton County Historical Association’s research library.

January 13, 2025, Peru Town Board Meeting Highlights 

By John T Ryan

Bruce Drive residents John Roberts and Karyn Langlas expressed disappointment that construction on the closed Telegraph Bridge may not occur this year. At a December board meeting, Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell stated that it’s his “gut feeling” that construction may not begin in 2025. Bid opening is August 15, which Farrell has said is not the best time of year to gear up and begin construction in this region. Langlais questioned “gut feelings.” stating, “We’re looking for facts, not feelings. It’s twelve miles out of my way for two vehicles every day.” Roberts said the delays seem excessive, given that it’s been 18 months since the town learned it had to replace the bridge. Roberts and Langlais said there didn’t appear to have been a follow-up with engineers until she and Roberts started pushing. Town Supervisor Craig Randall responded that there had been follow-up over the last two months. Counselor Eric Duquette commented that, in his experience, engineering firms are hard to push and that environmental approvals take a lot of time. Farrell cited the mussel study as a hold-up. (See video 2:20 to 10:25 minute mark for this discussion.)

The board approved two contracts with Atlantic Testing Laboratories for subsurface and geotechnical evaluation services related to the Lyons Road ($23,805) and Fuller Road ($23,580) culverts. 

The board also accepted Ryan Davies’s resignation from the Planning Board, reappointed Richard Williams as Chairman, and appointed Justin Wilson as Vice-Chairman. 

The board authorized advertising bids on the multi-million million dollar treatment plant upgrades. See Peru Gazette Story 

Michael Farrell will travel to Albany on Monday, March 5, to participate in lobbying for state highway improvement funding (CHIPS). Farrell said he hadn’t determined the 2025 paving schedule but would pave Telegraph Road until the bridge. The Highway Department maintains 83 miles of town roads. 

Courtney Tetrault advised the board that the town hall basement ceiling needs attention. 

Click here to read meeting minutes – Posted 1/28/25

 

1/25/25 1:20 PM Correction –  Telegraph Road construction corrected from 2024 to 2025. 

NY to open HEAP applications after short closure

Click here for the Nrws10 story 

Federal prosecutors file charges in probe of fatal shooting of border patrol agent in Vermont

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Vermont reports progress on $600M of investments in clean water projects

Click here for the VTDigger story 

UVM Health Network executives made $3 million in bonuses in 2024

Click here for the VTDigger story 

 

Expand digital access across New York State

Deadline for Digital Equity Program Capacity Grant is March 24

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

NYS 2025-26 Executive Budget proposes $252B spending $3B for Inflation Rebate checks, $1B in middle-class tax cuts

$3B for Inflation Rebate checks, $1B in middle-class tax cuts

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Two of the cheapest places to retire in U.S. are in NY, ranking finds

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

The last two winters were the 3rd and 1st warmest, respectively

National Weather Service (NWS) Burlington
With nearly two-thirds of Meteorological winter (D-J-F) being completed, the Champlain Valley is averaging about 5 degrees colder than the past two winters, yet this winter has been statistically average. The last two winters were the 3rd and 1st warmest, respectively. #vtwx #nywx

Prison staff in Malone treated with Narcan, hospitalized after encounter with substance

Click here for the NCPR story 

DEC Awards $342,500 in Grants to 17 Municipalities for Zero-Emission Vehicles

City of Plattsburgh, Westport, and Indian Lake among awardees

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced $342,500 in grants were awarded to 17 municipalities across the state to purchase or lease zero-emission light- and medium-duty fleet vehicles as part of DEC’s Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate Program. The addition of these vehicles to municipal fleets is helping reduce greenhouse gas pollution in support of New York’s  Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act).