CCC News Release – Plattsburgh, NY — Clinton Community College (CCC) has been shaped by countless people over the years, making it the invaluable resource it is today for the North Country. But every so often, someone comes along who doesn’t just leave their mark—they leave a legacy. That’s exactly what Mike Zerrahn has done. This semester, CCC says goodbye to Mike as he retires, wrapping up an incredible career.
Mike’s journey with CCC began as a student, earning his associate’s degree in 1982. From there, he earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh and a master’s degree from SUNY Empire State. Over the years, he has worn many hats at CCC—Faculty-Student Association manager, CAP instructor, adjunct professor, and, since 2011, a full-time faculty member teaching business classes.
Mike’s dedication to the college extended far beyond his teaching responsibilities. In times of need, he stepped into critical roles, such as serving as a controller and overseeing FSA activities during staffing transitions. He also co-authored two textbooks, which are used as open educational resources, reflecting his commitment to accessible education.
Associate Professor Joanna Jackson highlighted Mike’s passion for learning and his contributions to campus life at a recent Board of Trustees meeting. “Mike didn’t stop taking courses once he earned his master’s degree. In fact, he has audited a number of courses here because of his interest in subjects beyond his own. He took my ASL class and agreed to be a guinea pig for activities with the students that gave them confidence to try out their signing in public,” Jackson said. “Mike’s giving nature has also been evident at special events and activities around campus when he could be counted on to show up and help out.”
Reflecting on his time at CCC, Mike shared, “I enjoyed my time, the people I worked with, and seeing people achieve their goals.” Mike Zerrahn’s influence on Clinton Community College and its students will be felt for years to come. His dedication, leadership, and generosity have set a standard that will inspire future generations of students, faculty, and staff. As the CCC community bids farewell to Mike, we thank him for his many years of service and wish him all the best in his retirement.
Posted: December 16th, 2024 under Adirondack Region News, Business News, County Government News, Education News, Faces of Peru, General News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru resident news/accomplishments, Peru School News.
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Ed Eisele, Co-Chair of Peru Lions Club, presents toys to the Clinton County Christmas Bureau
Peru Lions Club members Larry Shanley (l) and Cheryl Breen Randall (r) present a check for $1,000 and several food gift cards to Lisa Goodrow, JCEO Director of Community Outreach for the Peru/Keeseville Food Shelf.
The Turkey Trot gets underway
The Peru Lions Club’s Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot has been a great fundraiser for 47 years. Thanks to more than 400 participants and many donors, the 2024 Turkey Trot was another success. The Peru Lions are putting the proceeds to good use.
Posted: December 15th, 2024 under Adirondack Region News, Charity Events, Community Events, Faces of Peru, General News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru resident news/accomplishments.
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Peru VFW President Judy Lefevre led the wreath-laying
Active members or veterans of every military branch participated
The Tomb of Medal of Honor Recipient Thomas Kelly
Geoff Blaise of Keeseville instructs his daughter Harlee
Goeff Blaise and his son Andrew
The Blaise family of Keeseville L-R Andrew, Goeff, Harlee, Amanda and Tyler in blue jacket
December 14, 2024, Route 9-Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh – By John T Ryan
Many veterans, civilians, families and community leaders participated in today’s Wreaths Across America program at the Old Post Cemetery. They laid 210 wreaths at the gravestones of our fallen heroes.
The Wreaths Across America theme is Remember—Honor—Teach. Remember our fallen veterans, honor those who serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
The Old Post Cemetery is the location of our nation’s first Tomb of the Unknowns and the graves of many of the 136 Unknown Soldiers and Sailors of the Battle of Plattsburgh (1814). It is also the final resting place of another 163 known service members, members of their families, and Medal of Honor recipient Thomas Kelly.
Judy LeFevre, President of the Peru VFW Auxiliary, coordinated and led the ceremony. Guest speakers included Plattsburgh Mayor Chris Rosenquest, Mayor-Elect Wendell Hughes, Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman, Assemblyman Billy Jones, and State Senator Dan Stec. Glenn Miller sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and American Legion Post 1619 Choir sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” American Legion Post 1619 served as an Honor Guard and performed the Rifle Salute. Plattsburgh Scout Troops 8039 and 8046 and the Peru Girl Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Peru VFW Auxiliary raised $4,600 to purchase the wreaths. Many veterans organizations, veterans, local businesses and community members contributed dollars and services.
Posted: December 14th, 2024 under Adirondack Region News, City News, Community Events, General News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History, Veterans' News.
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December 2024 – NYS Section VII – We’re very proud of our “Heart of a Giant” Award finalists! Saranac Lake’s Zane Ragsdale, Peru’s Brady O’Connell and Northeastern Clinton’s Katelynn Johnston are at MetLife Stadium representing Section VII and their schools and being honored by the @nygiants! #SectionVII
Posted: December 13th, 2024 under Education News, National News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru School News.
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National Weather Service Burlington@NWSBurlington
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Given abnormally dry conditions long term, Lake Champlain welcomed recent rainfall; it received a boost in water that brought it up to nearly normal levels. Meanwhile, our mountains have maintained a healthy snowpack, as much of the snow melt occurred only in our valleys.
Posted: December 13th, 2024 under Law Enforcement News, Peru/Regional History, Regional NY-VT News, Weather News/History.
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It starts at the Irwin farm on Jarvis Road, left on River Rd., right on Laflure Lane, right onto Rt. 22, right over the bridge, right at Liberty’s on Union Rd., left on Cross St, left onto Route 22, back over the bridge to Stewart’s, left on Holden Ave, left on School Street to 22, and done.
Posted: December 13th, 2024 under Adirondack Region News, Agricultural News, Community Events, General News, Northern NY News.
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The Peru CSD Board of Education’s Policy Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 12:30 PM in the District Office (high school building) to develop policy for its 2000 – 8000 series. The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed.
Thank you.
Posted: December 12th, 2024 under Education News, Peru News, Peru School News.
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(Please Share) The Peru Fire Department will hold a spaghetti dinner on Friday, 12/13/2024, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Come and enjoy some great spaghetti, including meatballs and sausage, with your Peru Volunteer Fire Department.
Posted: December 12th, 2024 under Adirondack Region News, Community Events, Fire Department News, Peru News.
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Robert Thibodeau pleaded guilty to 11 charges after threatening to shoot hospital management
Click here for the Sun Community News story
Posted: December 12th, 2024 under Adirondack Region News, Heathcare News, Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News.
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Mrs. Dimock celebrated her birthday the day we visited.
By John T Ryan
Peru, NY – On Friday, December 13, at 6 p.m., Don Dimock will be Grand Marshal of the Peru Farmers’ Parade. As she has been throughout his farming career, his wife Martha will be at his side. (Look for them immediately behind the State Police Car) Among farmers, the Dimocks are best known for producing high-quality, award-winning milk. However, more people undoubtedly know their Route 22B farm for the candy cane decorating its 90-foot high silo during the Holiday Season. People travel from far and wide to see the silo’s bright lights.
Don and Martha moved to Peru in 1971. The Massachusetts natives worked on farms during their teen years. After high school, Don graduated from the University of Connecticut’s Agricultural School and worked for eight years for a purebred Holstein association before buying a farm.
The Dimocks looked at Vermont farms before coming to Peru. Don recalls, “I thought the Vermont farms were overpriced. I ended up buying the Harold Davis farm here in Peru. Paul Calkins was the realtor.” Martha commented, “The farm had sixty cows when we bought it and far fewer barns than we have now.” Dimock Farms, LLC has 360 cows and crops on about 800 acres.
Three children, Bruce, Anne, and Lisa, accompanied their parents to Peru. Heidi was born here. Today, Bruce is a farm partner and manager. Bruce’s wife, Mary, succeeded Martha in keeping books. Daughter Anne Farrell works with milking and feeding and is the brave person who climbs up the 90-foot silo ladder each year to replace burned bulbs and untangle cords. About every three years, she replaces all the lights. Don still does tractor work. Not counting Don and Martha, the farm employs ten people.
Dimock Farms, LLC is part of the co-op AgriMark, which sells Cabot & McCadam products like cheese, butter, and yogurt. AgriMark’s top-quality milk awards cover Dimock’s office walls. How do they produce such high-quality milk? Don mentions mastitis prevention, cleanliness, and animal health. Martha said, “We have good workers who do a good job!”
The Dimocks are rightly proud of their farm and family. They richly deserve to be honored in the 2024 Peru Farmers’ Parade.
Posted: December 11th, 2024 under Adirondack Region News, Agricultural News, Faces of Peru, General News, Peru News, Peru resident news/accomplishments, Peru/Regional History.
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Tonight’s December 11 Planning Board Agenda includes site plan reviews of motor Vehicle repair facilities at 16 Rockwell Rd. and 57 Connors Rd.
Posted: December 11th, 2024 under Adirondack Region News, General News, Peru News, Planning Board News.
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On Dec. 1 at 2:30 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from New York State Police (NYSP) for an overdue hiker on Allen Mountain. The caller reported his son Leo DuFour was hiking on Friday and expected back Saturday night. NYSP located the subject’s car covered in snow at the Mt. Adams trailhead. Forest Rangers led search efforts, with 59 Forest Rangers searching nearly 400 miles, primarily by foot, of rugged mountain terrain deep in harsh winter conditions. Rangers located one set of tracks on the trail leading from the subject’s vehicle, but recent snowfall hampered tracking. NYSP Aviation utilized two helicopters to transport crews, drop off supplies, and conduct aerial searching as weather conditions allowed.
After more than eight days of an active search and despite continuous efforts using cell phone data analysis and the expertise of Allen Mountain hikers, Rangers have not located the subject. Given the harsh conditions, the search mission to locate DuFour transitioned to a recovery mission. The operation will upgrade to an active search if any leads regarding DuFour’s whereabouts are realized.
Searchers utilized technical equipment, temporary basecamps, and extreme physical output to complete effective searches of tight drainages, thick forest cover, ledges and cliff bands, and swampy lowlands at elevations of more than 4,000 feet. This week’s weather is expected to dip below zero, and with wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour, the windchill at the summit is expected to be -20.
Due to the treacherous conditions—dangerous terrain, up to four feet of snow, whiteouts, and windchills below—it is no longer safe for anyone to continue searching using the methods and strategies in place since Dec. 1. Search efforts going forward will be based on thorough risk analysis to put effective searchers into high probability, unsearched areas to support Rangers’ sustained commitment to bring Leo DuFour home. At this time, individuals should not attempt searching Allen Mountain.
Posted: December 10th, 2024 under General News.
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Dee Duprey and Eric Russell were victims of a Saturday morning fire on McBride Road
Click here for the Sun Community News story
Posted: December 10th, 2024 under Fire Department News, Northern NY News.
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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!
Posted: December 9th, 2024 under Agricultural News, Community Events, Northern NY News, Peru News.
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Wilderness Search:
