March 2025
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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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How the Education Department cuts could hurt low-income and rural schools

Click here for the NCPR story 

AGENDA – Peru Town Board Regular Meeting, Monday, March 24 at 6 p.m.

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  1. Pledge of Allegiance
  1. Roll Call
  1. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of March 10, 2025, and Special Meeting of March 18, 2025. 
  1. Community Input. 
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Clinton County Youth Bureau Contract.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval to Loan Money from the General Fund for the Temporary Partial Payment of the 2025 Western Star Plow Truck.
  1. DISCUSSION: Telegraph Road Culvert Project Engineering Update. 
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval to Hire a Property Appraiser for the Jenkins St.

 Property.  

  1. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Town Council.
  1. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Dept. Heads.
  1. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – March 2025
  1. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.
  1. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 
  1. MOTION:     Adjourn.

US to restrict Canadian access to historic Vermont library straddling northern border

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Honoring the 2025 Irish Person of the Year: Bill Meyers

L-R Matt Boire, Bill Meyers, Gary Douglas

Chamber of Commerce News 

A highlight of the event is the presentation of the Irish Person of the Year Award, recognizing individuals who exemplify exceptional dedication to volunteerism in business, community, or civic activities. This year, we proudly honored Bill Meyers, Market Area Manager at Casella Waste Systems.

Bill’s unwavering commitment to community service and leadership made him a standout choice. A devoted husband to Wendy and father to Connor and Hannah, Bill values family deeply. His impact extends far beyond his professional role—he has been an active member of the Chamber for years, serving as Board Chair in 2021, guiding the organization and its members through the challenges of the pandemic.

Bill is known for fostering strong relationships, mentoring young professionals, and sharing insights on teamwork and employee development. His leadership extends into the community, where he is a passionate supporter of SUNY Plattsburgh’s athletic programs, a sponsor and coach for the Mariners, and a dedicated volunteer across numerous organizations.

He is an active member of United Way, where he was recognized as Citizen of the Year in 2024, and contributes his time and efforts to Adirondack Health, the CVPH Foundation, Elmore SPCA, and various youth athletic programs.

His generosity, dedication, and community spirit make him a most deserving recipient of the 2025 Irish Person of the Year Award.

“Bill Meyers is a perfect honoree,” said Garry Douglas, Chamber President. “He’s unassuming and truly committed to our area, its people, and so many good causes. His community service includes leading the Chamber during the pandemic, providing steady support for our team as we looked to help our business community through uncharted waters. Congratulations to Bill on this highly deserved recognition and our thanks for all that he has done and continues to do.”

Special Thanks to Our Contributors

The North Country Chamber of Commerce extends heartfelt gratitude to Matt Boire for his incredible efforts in writing, scripting, and delivering a show filled with laughter and charm.

We also recognize Chris Boire of Boire Benner Group for his generous contributions in videography and editing, producing high-quality skits that kept the audience entertained. Chris’s creativity and enthusiasm brought an extra layer of fun to the event.

Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who attended and supported this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast. We hope you enjoyed the celebration as much as we did and look forward to carrying on this wonderful tradition for years to come.

 

St. Augustine’s Community Meal/Soup Kitchen Menu for Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Stew
Fruit
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!

High winds and possble flooding today

Sunday, March 16, 2025 National Weather Service – Burlington, 6 a.m.
Southerly wind gusts up to 35-55 mph are anticipated throughout the day. When rain begins this evening, winds will decrease, though excessive runoff of rain and snowmelt may flood rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

Wanted in VT, Armed and dangerous man arrested in New York after manhunt

Gardner now faces several felony charges in New York.

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Vermont agriculture community reels from federal funding changes

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Adirondack Loon Center Unveils New Interactive Exhibits

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Five years later, COVID continues to impact education in the North Country

In-depth story details many of the challenges facing today’s schools, including here in Peru, NY 

Click here for the excellent NCPR story 

Stec, Gray announce joint resolution to rescend Governor’s CO employment ban

Senator Dan Stec (R, C-Queensbury) and Assemblyman Scott Gray (R, C-Watertown) today announced a joint legislative resolution to rescind an executive order banning fired correction officers from all government employment. Senate Resolution B515 would eliminate Executive Order 47.3 and restore rights taken away from 2,000 correction officers who went on strike to protest unsafe working conditions.
“The governor’s order barring 2,000 correction officers from any government employment is an absolute shameful display of pettiness and executive overreach. I’m proud to partner with Assemblyman Gray in sponsoring a resolution calling on the governor to rescind this unfair executive order. At a time when Democrat leaders look to expunge criminal records of convicted felons seeking employment, it’s unconscionable to punish dedicated officers who were concerned for their safety,” said Stec.
“Sponsoring a Concurrent Resolution to repeal Executive Order 47.3 is the right thing to do because no public servant should be denied future employment for exercising their right to protest unsafe working conditions. This order unjustly blacklists dedicated corrections officers, treating them worse than convicted criminals just for advocating workplace safety. We must uphold fairness and consistency in our policies—terminating this executive order is the right and necessary step forward as these individuals put their lives back together,” said Gray.

$14.5 Million in State Aid for Malone, Keeseville

Ausable River flowing through Keeseville

3/14/25 – Senator Dan Stec (R, C-Queensbury) announced that two North Country communities will receive nearly $15 million in state funding. The Village of Malone will receive $10 million in funding as the North Country winner of the eighth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and the Hamlet of Keeseville will receive $4.5 million as the North Country winner of the third round of NY Forward. These investments will help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

“I’m pleased to announce that Malone and Keeseville will be receiving significant state investments for their efforts to transform their communities,” said Stec. “Both areas have made a significant effort to make this region a better place to work, live, and visit. This state funding will help further those efforts and improve our quality of life for years to come.”

DEC Reminds New Yorkers: Statewide Residential Brush Burning Prohibition Starts March 16

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that the annual statewide ban on residential brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities and first responders during heightened wildfire conditions.

“Prevention is best, and after a dry and windy winter season, DEC is encouraging New Yorkers to protect themselves and their communities by complying with the State’s two-month burn ban that starts this Sunday, March 16,”Acting Commissioner Lefton said. “As the seasons change, melting snow leaves behind dead leaves and brush more likely to catch fire and put our communities and natural resources at risk. In addition to protecting land and structures, the burn ban keeps DEC Forest Rangers and other firefighters safe and ready to respond to emergencies.”

Even though some areas of the state remain blanketed in snow, warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise. Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall’s debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. Each year, DEC Forest Rangers extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are staffed by volunteers, too often have to leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires. DEC continually updates a Fire Danger Map on DEC’s website as a resource for viewing local conditions.

New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small cooking fires. Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State. For more information about fire safety and prevention in homes and communities, go to DEC’s FIREWISE New York webpage.

Some towns, primarily in and around the Adirondack and Catskill Parks, are designated “fire towns.” Open burning is prohibited year-round in these municipalities unless an individual or group has a permit from DEC. To find out whether a municipality is a designated fire town or to obtain a permit, contact the appropriate DEC regional office. A list of regional offices is available on DEC’s website.

Forest Rangers, DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs), and local authorities enforce the burn ban. Violators of the State’s open burning regulation are subject to criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. For search and rescue, reporting a wildfire or illegal activity on state lands and easements, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264). To report environmental law violations, call 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267).

DEC released a new Public Service Announcement to help spread the word about the annual burn ban, available for download here.

 

Sixty-three children and teens reported as runaways were found safe, due to the efforts of a first-of-its-kind operation in the Capital Region.

Click here for the News Channel 13 story

Population estimates for New York in 2024

Clinton County had a slight decline of 0.02%. New York’s total population increased 0.66% last year to about 19.87 million. The state’s population grew in the second year in a row, but it’s still 1.18% (237,000) lower than in 2020. 

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Program that sends local food to Vermont schools loses funding in Trump cuts

Click here for the Vermont Public story 

As US-Canada relations sour, Vermont businesses are facing boycotts

Canadians are shunning Vermont-made goods and canceling trips to the state.

Click here for the VTDigger story 

WIRY Radio announces its closing down

3/13/25 ANNOUNCEMENT FROM WIRY RADIO STATION MANAGEMENT

To Our Loyal Listeners and Valued Advertisers,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of WIRY. After serving our community for 75 years, the challenges of an evolving media landscape have made it increasingly difficult to continue operations.
The rise of digital platforms and social media has changed the way audiences consume content, leading to declining traditional radio listenership. Coupled with rising music royalty costs, a shrinking media sales force, and decreasing profit margins, we have reached a point where it is no longer viable to continue broadcasting.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff, advertisers, and—most importantly—our listeners, who have supported us throughout the years. Your loyalty has meant the world to us, and we cherish the memories we’ve created together.

Though our AM signal may soon go silent, the spirit of WIRY will live on in the music, voices, and moments we’ve shared. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives.

With sincere appreciation,
WIRY

National Weather Service Burlington warns Sunday, heavy rain and possible flooding

Widespread snowmelt will continue through the weekend with widespread rainfall expected Sunday and Sunday night. This will lead to sharp river rises and the potential for flooding. Now is the time to prepare, so be sure to monitor the forecast and river levels in the coming days.

Peru Town Board Special Meeting Tuesday, March 18

The Peru Town Board has scheduled a Special Meeting for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 4:00 PM at the Peru Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting will be to award bids for a wastewater treatment upgrade and purchase a 2025 dump truck.

Cortland Standard, one of New York state’s oldest newspapers, closes

The article said its closure was due to declining readership and increasing costs, including an expected 25% tariff on newsprint. Seventeen employees lost their jobs.

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Northern lawmakers blast Hochul’s CO employment ban

Federal agencies are now actively recruiting fired officers

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

NY lawmakers push to make Daylight Saving Time permanent

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Upstate NY cop hits 7 parked cars in 3 separate crashes, still faces no charges

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

CVPH Blood drive March 19 in Keeseville

PLATTSBURGH, NY (03/12/2025) –The Adirondack Regional Blood Donor Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) will hold a community blood drive at Mountain Lake Services, 100 Industrial Parkway in Keeseville on Wednesday, March 19. The event will take place from noon to 4 pm. 

All eligible donors are encouraged to give. 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 the Ticonderoga campus), and Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

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