The Peru Gazette

Click here for the Spectrum Local News Story 

A GREAT STORY!!!!!!! 

Click here for the Spectrum Local News Story 

Nearly half a million New Yorkers on the Essential Plan could lose their coverage this summer.

Click here for the New York Focus Story 

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL

“Last July, New York House Republicans voted for Donald Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, ripping health care away from millions of working families. Today, New Yorkers will begin to feel the consequences of that vote as communities across our state are notified of looming coverage cuts.

“From the beginning, I sounded the alarm about the devastating impact H.R. 1 would have on our hospitals and health care system, and made clear that no state can fully backfill cuts this severe. While we have taken action to protect coverage for 1.3 million New Yorkers who would have otherwise lost care, hundreds of thousands more now face a serious health care crisis at the hands of these seven New York Republicans. This was their callous vote. This is their crisis, and they need to hear from the thousands of constituents now affected.

“My administration is committed to helping impacted individuals find the most affordable coverage available. New Yorkers deserve better than the decisions coming out of Washington. They must fix this now.”

Click here for the New York Focus story 

Application Period for Prestigious Program Closes June 1; Apply Online  

Albany, March 31, 2026 – Governor Hochul today announced that applications will be accepted starting April 1 for the Empire State Fellows Program, a full-time, two-year leadership training program that prepares the next generation of talented professionals for careers as New York State policymakers. New Yorkers interested in the 2027-2029 class of this prestigious program should apply by the deadline of June 1, 2026. The incoming class of Empire State Fellows will serve from January 2027 to January 2029, and receive an annual salary of $90,000, plus a generous benefits package.  Read more »

Click here for the Vermont Public story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

In a letter to the APA State Land Committee, Adirondack Wild advocates for the review of the DEC mobility device policy

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac commentary 

ECO Seabury with turkeys killed illegally in Jefferson County

Albany, March 31, 2026 – Illegal Turkey Take – Jefferson County
On February 27, ECO Seabury responded to a complaint from a resident who reported witnessing an individual shoot and kill several wild turkeys off a back porch in the Town of Orleans. Officer Seabury questioned the subject who admitted to firing four shots and killing three wild turkeys while they were feeding at a bird feeder in the dwelling’s backyard. The turkeys were hidden in the bed of the subject’s pickup truck.

ECO Seabury ticketed the subject for multiple counts of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, the illegal take of wildlife, and taking game out of season. He then confiscated the birds as evidence. The defendant is due in court in April to answer the charges.

The upcoming season for wild turkeys is May 1 to May 31 with a bag limit of two bearded birds per hunter. It is not uncommon for wild turkeys to congregate in residential areas near bird feeders during winter months to store necessary fat reserves for survival.

A Special meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Friday, March 20, 2026 at the Peru

Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Craig Randall, Supervisor; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman;

Mr. Eric Duquette, Councilman; Mr. Nick Weaver, Councilman and Mrs. Christine Crawford,

Town Clerk. Councilman Mel Irwin was excused. Also present were Mr. Matthew Favro, Town

Attorney and Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board.

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Mr. Randall, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

RESOLUTION NUMBER:26.03-20-01

A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE HIRING OF SPECIAL OUTSIDE

COUNSEL OF BOND, SCHOENECK & KING FOR LAND USE MATTERS AND

AUTHORIZES THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE ATTACHED ENGAGEMENT

LETTER.

MOTION: Mr. Weaver SECOND: Mr. Bruno

WHEREAS, the Town Board has found that in the best interests of the Town, we are in need of

outside counsel that specializes in land use matters.

WHEREAS, the Board has in front of them, the basic Terms of Representation from Bond,

Schoeneck & King, PLLC.

WHEREAS, according to those terms, the Town of Peru agrees to pay an upfront retainer fee of

$2,500.00 to cover initial costs and hourly fees will vary from $315.00 to $475.00 per hour with

specific rates reflecting the knowledge, experience and expertise of each individual assigned.

AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call: YES NO

Kregg Bruno x

Eric Duquette x

Mel Irwin Nick Weaver x

Craig Randall x

excused

Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Noes

Motion by Mr. Weaver; seconded by Mr. Bruno to adjourn the Special meeting at 5:03p.m.

Ayes 4, Noes 0

Motion Carried

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday March 9th

, 2026 at the Peru

Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Craig Randall, Supervisor; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman ;

Mr. Eric Duquette, Councilman; Mr. Nick Weaver, Councilman; Mr. Matthew Favro, Town

Attorney and Mrs. Christine Crawford, Town Clerk. Also present were Mr. Courtney Tetrault,

Water/Sewer Superintendent, Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent, Mr. Duane Bibeau,

Codes Enforcement Officer.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mr. Randall, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Mr. Bruno; seconded by Mr. Duquette to Accept Reports from all Departments:

Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning;

Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; JCEO and Banking Reports. Read more »

Officials plan to apply for grant funding to help further revitalize downtown

Click here for the Sun community News story 

Plattsburgh course set to open on April 11

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

BOE looking to exceed tax cap by 12%, transition sixth-grade into the middle/high school

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Plattsburgh Walmart supports annual commemoration with $1,000 donation

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

DEC grant program will release more than $46 million to support tree production and forest management

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

The city could lose $239 million from the policy, which is supported by business groups while unions remain on the sidelines.

Click here for the New York Focus story 

New Application Round for K-12 STEM Teachers and K-12 Counselors Now Open

Albany, March 30, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced applications are open for the Master Teacher Program and Master Counselors, which recognizes more than 1,600 outstanding public school teachers and counselors throughout the state. Those selected for the program serve as mentors for students and early-career teachers and counselors. New York State’s teachers may apply at suny.edu/masterteacher and the deadline to apply is May 21, 2026.

“I am grateful to our state’s exceptional teachers and counselors who dedicate their careers to inspiring and educating the next generation of New Yorkers,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “By promoting these outstanding individuals through the Master Teachers and Master Counselors Program, I hope more New Yorkers will celebrate the teachers from every corner of our state who have stepped up and excelled in their roles as educators and mentors.”

The Master Teacher Program is hosted at nine State University of New York (SUNY) campuses to leverage the expertise of SUNY faculty and existing educator preparation programs. Additionally, SUNY faculty and staff regularly collaborate with local STEM career and industry experts. Read more »