The Saturday, March 21, Press-Republican has an excellent in-depth story on City school issues 

Click here for the MSN story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Click here for the vtdigger story 

Clisk here for the New York Focus story 

Peru Gazette file photo

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y., March 29, 2026  — Mayor Hughes today issued the following statement regarding the recent decision by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to increase hydropower rates supplied to municipal utilities:

“The City of Plattsburgh has long benefited from some of the lowest electric rates in New York due to our access to clean hydropower. However, NYPA’s approved rate increases will have a direct impact on our municipal electric system and, ultimately, on our residents and businesses.”

A much larger increase was averted last year when the Governor stopped the proposed rate increase. The increase came about when the debt service increased to over 25 million dollars and  recently topped 51 million dollars. As part of this agreement this debt has been forgiven.

NYPA recently approved a phased increase in its “preference power” rates, which supply public power systems like Plattsburgh’s. The increases are scheduled to begin in 2026 and continue gradually over six years.

“We understand that any increase in utility costs places added pressure on families—especially at a time when affordability remains a top concern across the North Country.”

Local and regional officials have consistently highlighted rising energy costs as a major issue for residents, with affordability cited as a key concern in recent public forums.

The Mayor emphasized that the City will work to minimize impacts where possible:

“Our Municipal Lighting Department will carefully evaluate how these changes affect our rates and will continue to prioritize reliability, transparency, and cost control. We are committed to keeping Plattsburgh’s electric service among the most affordable in the state.”

The City also plans to:

• Monitor NYPA rate adjustments and long-term impacts
• Advocate for policies that protect municipal power customers
• Provide updates to residents as more information becomes available

“We will continue to advocate at the state level to ensure that Plattsburgh will not be disproportionately impacted by rising energy costs but this deal does solidify our Preferential Hydro power till 2040 and insures clarity and limits for future rate increases. ”

The most concrete deadline for climate action would be pushed out to the end of her potential second term.

Click here for the New York Focus story 

Plattsburgh, NY, March 20, 2026  — Following the allegations of physical abuse, the Plattsburgh YMCA has taken decisive personnel actions. The employment of the individual directly involved was terminated following the initial allegation. Since then, the Plattsburgh YMCA Board of Directors has terminated the employment of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Bright Beginnings Director, and the Lead Teacher following a review of the circumstances surrounding this matter.

The Board of Directors continues to work closely with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and local law enforcement as their investigations remain ongoing. The organization is also working in consultation with legal counsel to ensure all appropriate steps are taken in response to the findings to date.

To provide experienced leadership during this time, the YMCA is in the process of bringing on an Interim Chief Executive Officer through YMCA of the USA (Y-USA). This individual will support the organization in stabilizing operations, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements, and guiding the YMCA through this critical period.

“Our focus remains on the safety and well-being of the children and families we serve,” said Molly Ryan, Vice Chair of the Plattsburgh YMCA Board of Directors. “We are taking this matter extremely seriously and are committed to taking the necessary actions to address what has occurred and to rebuild trust within our community.”

The YMCA is actively working with OCFS and legal counsel to implement all required corrective actions and safeguards. These steps are essential to ensuring that the Bright Beginnings Childcare Center can safely reopen in the future under the strongest possible standards for child protection and oversight.

“We recognize the impact this situation has had on families, staff, and the broader community,” said Richelle Gregory, Secretary for the Plattsburgh YMCA Board of Directors. “While we cannot undo what has happened, we are committed to transparency, accountability, and making the changes necessary to move forward responsibly.”

The Bright Beginnings Childcare Center will remain closed until further notice. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available and as the organization progresses through the required steps toward reopening.

Albany, March 20, 2026 – New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Montgomery County District Attorney Christina Pearson, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of MaryBeth Shults, the former Executive Director of the Fulton-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, for allegedly stealing $440,351 from the Chamber.

“Instead of helping small businesses grow and thrive in her community, Shults allegedly helped herself to $440,351 to fund her lifestyle,” DiNapoli said. “My thanks to Montgomery County DA Pearson and State Police Superintendent James for their partnership in rooting out the misuse of public funds.”

“The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office takes matters of public trust and misuse of public funding very seriously,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Christina Pearson. “We thank the  New York State Comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli and his professional staff members and the members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation for their diligence in conducting this investigation, which led to the arrest of MaryBeth Shults for three felony level charges.”

“Cases like this represent a serious breach of trust and undermine the integrity of organizations that serve and support local communities,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “The New York State Police will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of financial crimes and hold individuals accountable when they exploit positions of authority for personal gain.”

Shults’ actions first came to light when she attempted to purchase a $160,000 home with Chamber of Commerce funds, prompting the launch of a joint investigation by State Comptroller DiNapoli’s Office, the New York State Police and the Montgomery County District Attorney.

DiNapoli’s forensic examination of the Chamber’s accounts discovered that, in addition to the attempted home purchase, Shults embezzled over $440,000 in Chamber funds starting almost immediately upon appointment as the Chamber’s Executive Director in June of 2025.  As Executive Director, Shults had access to the Fulton-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce bank accounts. She allegedly used her access to write checks to herself, made unauthorized cash withdrawals, and pay for high priced items including a $57,000 down payment on a pick-up truck. She also spent $220,000 on personal farm equipment, a snowmobile, and furniture.

Shults was terminated in early March of this year when her alleged crimes came to light.

The Fulton-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce receives funding from Montgomery County, Fulton County, other local municipalities, and state grants.

She was charged with Grand Larceny second degree, Possession of a Forged Instrument first degree, and Falsifying Business Records first degree. Shults was arraigned before Judge Wayne Moratta in the Town of Amsterdam Town Court and is scheduled to appear back in court on May 5.

The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

(PLATTSBURGH, NY – March 20, 2026) The Strand Center for the Arts is excited to host

“Holding space, ” a collaborative exhibition between the Strand Center for the Arts and BHSN

(Behavioral Health Services North) for Mental Health Month in May. This show will be composed of work from the general public as well as artwork created by residents in BHSN’s PROS program.

Mental health is a universal human experience and often goes hand in hand with the arts. It is common knowledge that art can be used as a creative outlet for processing one’s mental health.

This process looks so vastly different from person to person, as everyone’s psyche is individual to them. This exhibition invites artists to submit 3-5 pieces of work that represent their own journey with art and mental health. Some questions artists may ask themselves as they create or curate work for this show: What are the correlations between art and mental health? How has art impacted your mental health journey? How has your experience with mental health informed your practice as an artist?

This exhibition will be a place to hold space for those who need it. “With this exhibition being an open show for the public to submit artwork, it’s likely to see a lot of familiar artists as well as new ones. These types of exhibitions, especially ones with a theme, give the general public a greater opportunity to display their work. Having this exhibition up all through Mental Health Month in May is a big plus.

Strand Center for the Arts Gallery Hours:

Open 1 p.m. —9 p.m. Wednesday, Open 1 p.m., —5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Open 10 a.m. —3 p.m. Saturday,  Closed Sunday—Tuesday

Click here for the New York Focus story 

CVPH Photo

10,000 eggs, Easter Bunny, and inclusive fun April 4

Plattsburgh, NY, March 20, 2026 — The Foundation of CVPH is “hopping” into spring with its Annual Easter Egg Hunt planned for Saturday, April 4 at 10 am sharp on the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) front lawn.

This community tradition will feature 10,000 candy‑filled eggs spread across the lawn. To ensure a fun and inclusive experience, the event will include a separate hunting area for children ages 3 and under, as well as a quiet hunting area for children who may benefit from a calmer environment. Families are encouraged to come prepared — this is a BYOB event (Bring Your Own Basket) and is held regardless of the weather and hunting conditions.

Serving as guest of honor is the Easter Bunny who will be greeting families and posing for photos.

“There’s something really special about being able to offer this tradition to the community each year. We see many of the parents with their children who were once egg hunters themselves,” said

Michelle Senecal, Foundation Manager of Events and Special Projects. She added that Easter Egg Hunt would not be possible without the amazing support of CVPH volunteers. “Many thanks to volunteers who spend hours filling thousands of eggs.”

Known by some as “the fastest minute in Plattsburgh,” the egg hunt moves quickly, so families are encouraged to arrive early and be ready to go when the hunt begins at 10 a.m. sharp.

Convenient parking is located in the Medical Office Building lots just off the Cornelia Street entrance. For more information, contact Senecal at 518-314-3359 or msenecal@cvph.org.

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of March 9, 2026. 

5. Community Input. 

6. DISCUSSION:   Engineering Update on Telegraph Road Over Dry Mill Brook.

7. DISCUSSION:   Engineering Update on the Water Plant Upgrade Project.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Hiring Atlantic Testing Laboratories for Material Testing for Lyons Rd. Culvert Project.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Hiring of Full Time Seasonal Laborer for the W/S/V and Parks Dept.

10.  RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Money Transfer from Water Debt Service to Pay H34 Water Project Bill.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Appointing James Douglass to the Board of Assessment Review.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Appointing of a Deputy Town Clerk/Registrar of Vital Statistics. 

13. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Application for Use of Heyworth Mason Park By the Peru Free Library.

14. DISCUSSION/MOTION: America 250 Presentation By Historian, Helen Nerska.

15. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve of Proposal for Engineering Services for the Valcour Wastewater Treatment Plant Update Report by AES Northeast.

16. DISCUSSION: Other Business. – Councilmen

17. DISCUSSION: Other Business. – Dept. Heads 

18. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

19. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – March 2026

20. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

21. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

22. MOTION:  Adjourn Meeting.

Closures are Effective Immediately due to Spring Thaw in DEC Region 5 and Region 6

The Peru Central School District Board of Education will conduct a series of two budget workshops to develop the 2026-2027 budget. These sessions are scheduled for 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 24 and Thursday, March 26, 2026. Both workshops will be held in the High School Community Room.

The meetings are open to the public, and current District, County, State, and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed. 

The complete agendas for each workshop will be available via BoardDocs on the District’s website at www.perunighthawks.org.

Commission Will Be Comprised of Experts, Workers’ Advocates, Business Leaders

Albany, March 19, 2026 – With artificial intelligence poised to reconfigure the global labor market, Governor Kathy Hochul today launched the FutureWorksCommission to advise on policy and private sector interventions which protect the economic security of workers while harnessing the economic benefits of AI. This blue ribbon Commission will be composed of nation-leading experts, workers’ advocates, and business leaders, and will be charged with advising Governor Hochul on how to navigate the AI transition, so that the benefits of AI can be shared among New York’s families, workers, and small businesses — not just large corporations. 

This announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to strengthen New York’s position as the responsible AI capital of the nation through her groundbreaking initiatives like Empire AI, her first-in-the-nation legislative victories to address emerging technology safety, and providing free community college for adult learners in high-demand fields through SUNY and CUNY. These programs will be complemented by new efforts to train students, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the State workforce in AI skills.  Read more »

Click here for the story 

Data from the Lake George Association was used to show that road salt has a long-term impact on water quality

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

From the 2017-2018 school year to 2022-2023, 692 out of the 718 school districts in New York state (96%) saw drops in enrollment, a total loss of over 188,000 kids statewide.

Click here for the Adirondack Explore story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

EMERGENCY TOWN BOARD MEETING

MARCH 20, 2026

5:00 PM