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.
Albany, July 31, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James today announced that New York has sued KalshiEX, LLC (Kalshi) for running an illegal gambling operation in New York through its prediction market platform. Kalshi launched in 2021 as a service that allowed users to bet money on the outcome of a wide range of future events. In 2025, Kalshi launched sports “trading,” claiming it offered legal sports betting markets, accessible to Americans in all 50 states, and encouraging bettors to wager on the outcomes of major sporting events. Today, Kalshi offers users the ability to bet on events including sports, culture, and elections on its website and app. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Kalshi’s prediction market is an illegal, unlicensed gambling operation. Kalshi’s illegal prediction market exposes New Yorkers – including those under the legal gambling age of 21 – to serious personal and financial risk. The lawsuit is seeking a court order stopping Kalshi from operating as an unlicensed gambling business and requiring the company to pay fines, forfeit all illegal gains, and pay restitution to users.
“Kalshi has chosen to ignore New York’s gaming laws, which exist to protect consumers, prevent problematic gambling, deliver funding for critical public services, and ensure that every company plays by the same rules,” Governor Hochul said. “This choice has consequences, and working closely with Attorney General James, New York is taking action to stop this illegal behavior and bring Kalshi into compliance, because no company is above the law.”
Attorney General Letitia James said, “New York’s gambling laws protect children from underage betting and help combat gambling addiction. No matter what they call themselves, prediction markets like Kalshi are gambling platforms, plain and simple. By ignoring our laws, Kalshi is running an illegal operation and harming New Yorkers in the process. We are taking them to court to uphold our laws and protect New Yorkers.”
The lawsuit alleges that Kalshi’s prediction markets meet the legal definition of gambling because the outcomes of the events on which its users are betting are uncertain and outside the control of the bettor or hinge on a game of chance. Despite this, Kalshi has failed to obtain a license from the New York State Gaming Commission (Gaming Commission), sidestepping its obligation to pay taxes like licensed casinos and mobile sports gambling platforms do. This tax revenue from gambling regulation funds public schools, sports programs for underserved youth, and problem gambling education and treatment.
Kalshi’s prediction markets are also available to users between the ages of 18-20, even though New York law requires a person to be at least 21 years old to participate in mobile sports betting. Exposing young people to online gambling can have damaging effects on their mental and financial wellbeing. Recent research has shown that gambling among young people is associated with psychological distress, financial difficulties, and increased risk of gambling-related harms in adulthood.
In the lawsuit filed today, OAG is asking the court to order Kalshi to forfeit all illegal gains, distribute restitution to consumers who were harmed, and pay fines equal to three times the gains the company made through its illegal actions.
Grab your family, invite your friends, and bring the kids for a full day of delicious food, local shopping, live entertainment, fun activities, and community spirit.
Best of all, every dollar raised helps support the Battlefield Memorial Gateway Project, honoring the men and women who have served our country.
August 5th – 5:30 pm, Plattsburgh Public Library, 19 Oak Street, Plattsburgh. “Exploring Plattsburgh’s Point: The Buildings of the Macomb St. Historic District.” With Dr. James Lindgren, Professor Emeritus, SUNY Plattsburgh. Examining the city’s East End, this presentation traces the development of the area’s historic architecture: the building styles, their contributions to the extended historic district, and the status of their preservation.
August 8th– Saturday on Crab Island – – $35 per person. Register today! Meet for a short Island history at the Flagpole and take a leisurely hike around the Island. A brochure with a map is provided. Boat leaves from the Peru Boat Launch. Call to register – 518-561-0340.
August 11th, 6:45 pm, Lake Forest Retirement Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh. The Battle of Valcour Island – before, during and after. With Reenactor and Historian Craig Russell. Hear the story of the most important naval battle of the Revolutionary War – fought on our lake on October 11, 1776.
August 13 – 4:30 – 7:30 pm, Parks Come Alive, Melissa Penfield Park, Plattsburgh. Visit with Clinton County Historical Association volunteers and learn about free activities planned.
August 26th, Noon to 1:30 pm. Ausable Chasm Gazebo, Ausable Chasm. Women’s Equality Day – The struggle for Suffrage for Women of Color with Jackie Madison. Bring a dish to share.
August 27th– 6:00 pm, Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel, Old Base, Plattsburgh. Remembering the Ladies. Abigail Adams famously charged her husband to “remember the ladies” as he worked to reform colonial government in early 1776. Though rarely on the battlefield, many American women were as invested in the success of the Revolution as the men who led and died in the war. Their contributions from the home front to the front lines established their place as partners in the new nation. Presented by Dr. Wendy Gordon, History Professor, SUNY Plattsburgh.
Tournament days are scheduled for July 31 through Aug. 2, with daily takeoffs scheduled for 6 a.m. ET at the Plattsburgh City Boat Launch. Anglers will return for weigh-in beginning at 2 p.m. This tournament marks the final chance for prospective anglers to qualify for the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance at Lake Hartwell scheduled for Nov. 18-21. The top 10% of boaters and co-anglers will punch their tickets at the tournament’s end.
Once more known for its exceptional largemouth fishing, Lake Champlain has turned into smallmouth paradise in recent years. The population and size of smallmouth have increased, and the utilization of forward-facing sonar has unlocked the ability to target smallies chasing bait in open water.
Exhibit A was last year’s Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier presented by Bass Pro Shops in September, an event dominated by open-water smallmouth. While that event was during the late summer, a lot of the same areas and tactics will likely be seen in this event. Jighead minnows, small boot-tail swimbaits and drop shots are ideal baits for brown fish.
For more traditional smallmouth fishing, throwing jigs, Ned rigs and Carolina rigs around boulders, grass edges and rock ledges can be productive as well.
The last time a Nation event visited upstate New York, however, was in 2024 when Mark Burgess caught all largemouth to win with a three-day total weighing just over 62 pounds. That tournament was in a similar time frame as this event, but the water levels were several feet over full pool.
There is no doubt big largemouth still live in Lake Champlain, but it has become much harder to win with all green fish in multi-day tournaments. Vegetation and docks provide the best largemouth habitat, with topwaters, jigs and ChatterBaits often being the most productive lures.
Peru, NY – The Peru Town Board approved applying for a NYS Smart Growth Planning Grant at its July 30 Special Board Meeting. Adopting New York State’s Gender-Based Violence Policy is a grant qualification requirement. The grant applications must be submitted by July 31. Supervisor Craig Randall apologized for not including the item in the board’s July 27 regular meeting agenda.
New York State defined the purpose and goals for the Gender-Based Violence and Workplace program and has a template for towns to utilize. Peru will include the policy in its personnel manual and post it at all worksites. Gender Based Violence and Workplace Purposes and Goals
The board plans would use Smart Growth Planning Grant monies to hire the Lake George Regional Planning Commission to update Peru’s Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Board requested the update, believing the updated Comprehensive Plan would guide responsible growth while preserving the community’s unique character and enhancing the quality of life for current and future residents. Peru will be competing with other communities for the grant. The board applied last year without success. Supervisor Randall said the state announced last year’s awards in November.
Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State on Friday, July 31
July 30, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today directed that flags on all State government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of Staff Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, who died July 17, 2026, during an attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan. Flags will be flown at half-staff on Friday, July 31 from sunrise to sunset.
“My heart is with the family, loved ones and the soldiers who stood beside Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad as they grieve this unimaginable loss,” Governor Hochul said. “Staff Sergeant Rampersad lived a life of courage and selflessness. New York, and our nation, are safer because of brave Americans like her who answer the call to serve. May we honor her memory, remember her sacrifice and keep all who loved her in our prayers.”
Staff Sergeant Rampersad was assigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air & Missile Defense Command, Ansbach, Germany. A lifelong resident of Ozone Park, Queens, Staff Sergeant Rampersad earned her degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice following her graduation from Forest Hills High School. Throughout her distinguished military service, Staff Sergeant Rampersad has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon, and was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant.
Starting August 3rd, Road Resurfacing operations will begin on the following streets.
Court Street – between Oak Street and Beekman Street
Wells Street – between Brinkerhoff Street and Cornelia Street
Couch Street – between Oak Street and North Catherine Street
Helen Street – between Broad Street and Brinkerhoff Street
Protection Alley – between Marion Street and Oak Street
Elm Street – between Margaret Street and Miller Street
Work will consist of storm and sanitary structure rehabilitation, milling of road surfaces and repaving (it does not include curb, sidewalk or driveway apron work).
Work will commence in this order and will be continuous between the hours of 7am to 7pm, Monday thru Friday.
On street parking will be prohibited during working hours.Please use caution and follow directions of the flag persons!
“Key changes include making public participation and Tribal consultations discretionary, limiting the scope of protected properties, and replacing the step-by-step review framework with an agency-certified report.”
“A lower share of the state’s energy production is carbon free today than in 2019. This is when lawmakers passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act…”
Peru, NY – Appointing a deputy town clerk and approving a new building permit fee schedule were the major topics at the Peru Town Board’s July 27 meeting.
On March 23, the Town Board appointed part-time Code Enforcement Secretary Taylor Jo Swan to the deputy town clerk position at a pay rate of $1,250 per year. Subsequently, the council learned that NYS town law requires deputy town clerks to reside in the town where they hold office; however, boards have the authority to pass a local law permitting someone who is a non-resident to hold the position. Swan resides in Keeseville. Town Supervisor Craig Randall said several area communities have made similar changes and that it’s good to have the deputy working at the town hall if the town clerk is unavailable for a short period of time. The public will have an opportunity to comment at a public hearing scheduled for August 10 at 5:45 p.m.
The board approved the building permit fee schedules that were the subject of the public hearing preceding this meeting. At that hearing, CEO Duane Bibeau explained that the new fees are commensurate with a project’s complexity and size. Larger jobs require more inspections. Bibeau and Planning Board Chairman Garrett Mastic suggested the changes. Many fees are not being increased.
When the board hired Duane Bibeau as Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) effective February 1, 2026, it agreed to increase his annual salary from $56,000 to $63,000 when he passed the State’s CEO’s Principles and Practices exam. Bibeau passed the exam recently so the board approved granting the salary increase. When the board hired Bibeau, it also retained its Acting CEO, Town of Plattsburgh CEO Steve Imhoff, to work a few hours weekly to assist and train him. At this meeting Bibeau told the board he currently sees Imhoff at least twice a week and talks with him three to four times daily, and while he’s passed the required exam, he doesn’t have experience with large jobs such as the Peru Fire Station upgrade project. Citing core and safety inspections, Bibeau would like to keep Imhoff on staff for 90 days. The suggested pay rate is $750 per week. Counselor Melvin Irwin said this is the first time he’s heard about this idea and asked if Imhoff could be employed on a per diem basis rather than a flat weekly rate. Irwin motioned that the issue be tabled; the board approved. (Counselor Kregg Bruno was not present at this meeting.)
At its last meeting, the board tabled a resolution to purchase a $5,700 roadside sign for the town’s Route 22 disc golf course pending a determination if the town could seek sponsors. At this meeting, Supervisor Craig Randall said there is sufficient money in this year’s budge to pay for the sign. The board voted to purchase the sign from Signs Now with the possibility of getting sponsors and donors next year. Located near a dip in the highway, the course’s entrance road is very difficult to see. Drivers sometimes stop quickly, resulting in what some people regard as a traffic hazard.
The board also:
Approved three work change directives requested by Murnane Building Contractors related to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.
Approved hiring a diver to inspect and remove sediment at the town’s Cross Street and Reservoir Road water tanks for $8.700.
Approved transferring funds from general savings to pay Luck Brothers for work performed at the Telegraph Road Dry Mill Brook project.
In other business:
Counselors Irwin and Rick Barber said five paintings will soon be installed in the window casings at Hayworth-Park’s historic stone building, completing the goal of filling all the window casings.
Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that work on Lyon’s Road 17-foot box culvert is underway. Earlier in the week, Farrell published a notice stating that the road would be closed from July 21 to approximately September 21. Residents have access from Rock Road and South Junction Road.
Farrell received a complaint that snow plows are pushing sand and salt through the Peasleeville Cemetery fence, damaging gravestones. Farrell reported the situation to Clinton County Highway,which is responsible for the road.
Farrell is anxiously awaiting the salt prices that are expected on July 29.
The Lapham Mills Road paving will exhaust Peru’s 2026 paving budget, so that will be the last road paved this year. The project’s flaggers encountered lawless and rude drivers. One driver sped through the work zone at very high speed and ignored flaggers on at least one other occasion. Other motorists raised a middle finger to the flaggers. Farrell said he told the men, “All I need is a license number!”
Historian Helen Nerska said 14 people participated in the July 18 Peasleeville History Tour. On July 20, Nerska participated in the Battle of Valcour Bay cannon fragment unveiling at the Peru Dock. On August 15, her office will host an Open House at the Lyons Street School. The school’s interior will be set up with desks and other early 20th-century schoolhouse memorabilia.
Recreation Director Kristen Marino said the baseball-softball season is done. Basketball is underway, as is tennis, pickleball, and arts and crafts. Soccer registration is underway with 201 youth registering, including 81 peewees, 72 mites, and 41 mini-mites.With numbers that large, Marino is looking for a soccer program assistant.
CEO Duane Bibeau reported that three new residential structures are underway and four more are pending.
WHEREAS, at its regularly scheduled meeting on July 27, 2026, the Town Board duly passed resolution 26.07-27.01, to call for a public hearing in accordance with Town Law to change the residency requirements for the Deputy Town Clerk
NOW, THEREFORE,
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Peru will hold a Public Hearing in the meeting room at the Town of Peru Town Hall Building, 3036 Main Street, Town of Peru, New York(Clinton County), on the 10* Day of August, 2026 at 5:45 O’clock P.M. to view documents and consider said change.
PLATTSBURGH, NY – Get ready for one of the most exciting weekends of the summer! The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau and the City of Plattsburgh are thrilled to welcome East Coast Watercross back to Plattsburgh City Beach from July 31-August 2, 2026, bringing three days of adrenaline-pumping jet ski racing to the shores of Lake Champlain.
Watch as some of the East Coast’s top watercross racers fly across the waves, battle for position, and launch into thrilling turns just offshore. Whether you’re a longtime racing fan or simply looking for a fun, family-friendly way to spend a summer weekend, this event delivers excitement from start to finish.
Best of all, admission is free for spectators, and regular City Beach parking fees will be waived throughout the event, making it easy for everyone to experience the action.
Event Schedule
📍 Plattsburgh City Beach
4 Beach Road, Plattsburgh, NY
Friday, July 31
Practice Day | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Saturday, August 1
Race Day | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, August 2
Race Day | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Be sure to stop by Saturday and Sunday to check out an exciting Powersports display from Taylor Equipment Sales & Powersports, featuring Kawasaki Jet Skis, Ridge side-by-sides, Mule utility vehicles, and motorcycles.
When you need to refuel, make a stop at 1 Up Arcade & Pub’s beach location, open all weekend with cold drinks, great food, and the perfect spot to take a break while staying close to all the action. On Sunday, you can also grab a bite from The Dog Father Food Cart, serving up crowd-favorite eats throughout lunch.
“Events like East Coast Watercross showcase the Adirondack Coast in such a unique way,” said Kristy Kennedy, Vice President of Marketing for the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau. “There’s nothing quite like watching elite racers compete against the backdrop of Lake Champlain. It’s an incredible weekend for visitors and locals alike, and we’re excited to welcome everyone back to the Plattsburgh City Beach.”
Bring a lawn chair, your sunscreen, and your sense of adventure—the beach is about to come alive with speed, spray, and summer excitement.
Plattsburgh Public Library continues its monthly speaker series, Lifelong Learning for All, held on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the library auditorium on the second floor. The series brings local experts to the library to share their knowledge with the community. All are welcome. Each session includes a half-hour presentation followed by Q&A/discussion.
On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., Dr. James Lindgren will present “Exploring Plattsburgh’s Point.”This presentation examines the historic East End of Plattsburgh, tracing the development of the area’s architecture and the many styles of buildings that contribute to the city’s extended historic district. Attendees will learn about the significance of these structures, their role in Plattsburgh’s history, and ongoing efforts to preserve this important part of the community’s built heritage.
About the Speaker:
Dr. James M. Lindgren is Emeritus Professor of History at SUNY Plattsburgh and an internationally recognized scholar of historic preservation and museum movements in the United States. He is the author of several books, including Preserving Maritime America and Preserving Historic New England, as well as more than sixty publications. During his thirty-seven years at Plattsburgh State, he taught courses on historic preservation, history museums, and historic sites, and received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship.
For questions or to inquire about presenting in the series, contact Library Director Ben Carman at 518-536-7442 orcarmanb@cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov.
Albany, July 27, 2026 – An audit released today of the New York Access to Home for Heroes/Veterans Program found inadequate oversight and poor outreach delayed the distribution of funds for home and accessibility repairs for veterans with disabilities, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Auditors determined that only 36% of the program’s $3.3 million in recent contract funding was spent, while some counties with the largest populations of disabled veterans were not aware of the program or did not apply for funding.
“Affordable, accessible housing remains out of reach for many of New York’s veterans,” DiNapoli said. “This program is supposed to deliver critical home repairs, but poor oversight and weak outreach left veterans waiting for help. Our recommendations will help the state fix this program and better assist the men and women who served our country.”
New York is home to around 173,000 disabled veterans. The Access to Home for Heroes/Veterans Program helps low- and moderate-income veterans with disabilities remain safely in their homes by providing financial assistance for emergency repairs, accessibility modifications or to fix code violations. The program is administered through the Office of Community Renewal (OCR) within New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR).
Each year OCR accepts applications from local governments and nonprofit organizations, known as Local Program Administrators (LPAs) to administer the program in specific regions or counties. LPAs receive funding on a reimbursement basis for project costs incurred, with individual projects generally capped at $25,000. During the audit period of April 2022 through December 2025, the audit found that only 14 LPAs applied for funding and 12 LPAs received funding.
Only Fraction of Program’s Money Spent
Of the $3.3 million awarded during this three-year audit period, only $1.2 million, or 36%, was spent as of October 2025. In total, 81 projects were completed in 15 of New York’s 62 counties. Since the program’s creation in 2015, only about 31% of the $19.6 million allocated to the program has been spent, averaging 33 projects annually statewide.
Oversight Shortfalls
Auditors found OCR did not effectively monitor contractor performance or adequately identify or conduct outreach to underserved regions with high disabled veteran populations. OCR relied too heavily on local providers to market the program without sufficient oversight. The audit also identified repeated failures by LPAs to meet project milestones, follow competitive bidding rules and comply with conflict-of-interest requirements.
Among major findings:
Seven LPAs missed at least one major contract milestone 80% of the time, delaying assistance to veterans when auditors reviewed 10 contracts. Two LPAs missed a key milestone by almost three years.
Two of 10 contracts failed to submit required initial project reviews despite being 10 months into the contract term.
Seven of the 10 reviewed contracts contained incomplete or inaccurate records, raising concerns about improper use of funds.
Auditors identified questionable bidding practices in multiple contracts, including sharing the bid of one contractor with another.
Some LPAs failed to comply with conflict-of-interest requirements (2 of 10 contracts), including one instance in which an administrator hired a relative.
Outreach and marketing efforts were far from adequate, with only two of nine LPAs advertising the program in accordance with their marketing plan.
Immigration agents charged with boosting arrests are targeting a Sungrow greenhouse and packing facility 20 miles outside of Rochester, prompting workers to flee.
Albany, July 25, 2026 (Gov. Hochul News Release) – Governor Kathy Hochul today launched a new website with resources for the Venezuelan community and their allies across New York. One month after the country’s devastating earthquakes, Venezuela still faces a dire situation and Governor Hochul continues to urge New Yorkers to support recovery and relief efforts. Understanding New York’s deep ties with the Venezuelan community, she is partnering with the Hispanic Federation to provide resources in support of humanitarian aid efforts in the region while warning about potential donation scams.
“One month after the devastating earthquakes, thousands of Venezuelan families, including many here in New York, are still grappling with unimaginable loss and uncertainty,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage New Yorkers to continue showing the generosity that defines our state by supporting trusted humanitarian organizations providing relief on the ground. If you choose to donate, please remain vigilant against scams, ensuring every dollar reaches the people and communities who need it most.”
As Venezuela continues to recover from this devastating disaster, Governor Hochul has reiterated her support for Temporary Protected Status for eligible Venezuelans, recognizing that people should not be forced to return to countries facing humanitarian crises.
Supporting Humanitarian Aid Efforts
One month since the devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, New York remains committed to standing with our global neighbors during times of crisis. In our continued effort to support impacted communities, we are sharing resource pathways provided by the Hispanic Federation for those interested in contributing to relief and recovery efforts.
Hispanic Federation – Ayuda a los Pueblos: Venezuela Disaster Relief
Hispanic Federation, the nation’s largest Latino nonprofit membership organization, announced a $100,000 Emergency Relief Fund: Ayuda a los Pueblos: Venezuela Disaster Relief.
Partnering with organizations such as AID for Life and Casa de Venezuela Orlando with strong connections to local groups who are mobilizing immediate humanitarian assistance including food, clean water, emergency shelter and critical supplies across Venezuela.
Aid for LIFE – Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund
On the ground team in Venezuela assessing the immediate needs of affected communities in real time, providing food, clean water and medical supplies.
Donations go directly to the team inside Venezuela, who coordinate with local organizations including students at Universidad Central de Venezuela conducting rescues and hospitals and clinics in urgent need of medical supplies.
Casa de Venezuela Orlando – Emergency Relief Response
Partnering with the Network of Venezuelan Organizations in the United States and local groups to deliver continuous, long-term support for communities through providing emergency medical support and supplies and offering emotional support to families inside and outside Venezuela.
World Central Kitchen – Venezuela Emergency Food Relief
By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of food trucks or emergency kitchens, WCK provides freshly made, culturally familiar meals alongside clean water and ice to communities impacted by disasters.
Has served more than one million meals in the weeks following the recent Venezuelan earthquakes, and has supported community kitchens with food supplies, kitchen equipment, infrastructure improvements and culinary training to expand their capacity.
Avoiding Donation Scams
Anytime disasters occur, scam artists prey on the heartstrings of individuals looking to help. The earthquakes in Venezuela provide an opportunity for fraudsters to set up fake charities or pose as compelling war victims. Others design websites to mimic a legitimate charity’s official site to steal unsuspecting donors’ money and/or personal information.
To prevent donation money from falling into the wrong hands, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection recommends taking the following precautions:
Verify the request: Scammers are more frequently posing as friends, family or romantic interests on social media and requesting donations. If you receive an unsolicited request for donation relief online, even if it appears to be someone you know, connect with the person directly through a different communication link to verify the request. Do not click on any links or complete forms before verifying the source. If the request is coming from someone you only recently met online, it is most likely a scam and you should be especially wary.
Be aware of fake charities: Some scammers will create fake “charities” and try to trick you with names similar to well-known charities. Pay attention to the charity’s full name, web address, contact information, etc. Scammers may copy or mimic the name of a familiar, trusted organization to swindle you.
Research the charity: Don’t rely on a charity website alone. Search online before donating to any charity using the name of the group plus search terms like “review” and “scam”. The Federal Trade Commission recommends checking with give.org, charitynavigator.org, charitywatch.org, or candid.org to see reports and ratings for charities. You can also check with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for verification that a charity is registered. The Office of the Attorney General also recommends reviewing the Charities Registry for financial reports prior to donating to ensure the charity is fiscally sound.
Resist high-pressure tactics: While the situation is urgent, consumers should resist being pressured to donate immediately. Scammers often pressure you to donate immediately, causing you to overlook red flags in their story. Beware of direct e-mails from “victims” and solicitors who employ heart-wrenching stories, insisting that you donate immediately. Do not give money over the phone to unsolicited telemarketers; instead, ask the caller to send written materials about the charity and where to donate, if you choose.
Keep personal information private: Never give your Social Security number, credit card or debit card number, or other personal identifying information in response to an unsolicited charitable request. If donating online, ensure that your internet connection is secure before following through on donation requests.
Ask how your money will be spent: Consumers want to know that their money is going directly to the victims. A genuine charity should be able to let you know how much of your donation will go directly to the program as opposed to administrative fees.
Donate by check or credit card: Never give money using cash, gift cards, crypto currency, or any tender that would be difficult to trace. Give your contribution by check or credit card to ensure that you have a record of the donation. Make checks out to the charity, not to an individual. If you choose to donate via a charity’s website, check that the website is secure and that your computer is equipped with the latest anti-virus protection.
If you suspect that you have encountered a fraudulent attempt to receive donations, you can file a complaint with the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection. Consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.
The Division’s Consumer Assistance Hotline is open Monday to Friday, excluding State holidays, 8:30am to 4:30pm at 1-800-697-1220. You can find more information and tips by following the Division of Consumer Protection on social media on X and Facebook.
Town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence County Wilderness Rescue: On July 13 at 1:19 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a subject who collapsed on the Mount Arab trail in Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest. Forest Ranger Shea and Tupper Lake EMS hiked in and located the 75-year-old from Honeoye Falls approximately half a mile up the trail. The hiker was conscious but could not walk and had trouble speaking. Due to the hiker’s condition and location, New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation responded. NYSP Pilot Sergeant Beck flew Rangers Martin and Savarie to the location. Ranger Savarie lowered Ranger Martin to assist harnessing the patient. Ranger Savarie successfully hoisted the subject into the helicopter. Sergeant Beck flew to a nearby landing zone, where the patient was transferred to a Tupper Lake Ambulance. Resources were clear at 3:20 p.m.
Town of Keene, Essex County Wildland Fire: On July 13 at 2:10 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a report of smoke on Sawteeth Mountain. Six Forest Rangers responded to the fire at Marble Point lookout. The fire is approximately 3,549 feet in elevation and measuring approximately 0.25 acres. Rangers worked with New York State Police Aviation in the coming days. The fire continues to smolder in the ground, Rangers are patrolling it daily.
Sawteeth Mountain fire
Sawteeth Mountain fire
Town of Great Valley, Cattaraugus County Law Enforcement: On July 13, while training on State Land, Forest Rangers observed two people on an ATV and a dirt bike, riding without helmets. Rangers tried to stop them, but both subjects pulled off into the woods and ran off. Rangers tracked them to their residence and issued 12 tickets for observed violations.
Illegal dirt bike and ATV use
Town of Harrietstown, Franklin County Plane Crash: On July 13 at 11:40 p.m., Forest Ranger Adams responded to assist Saranac Lake Fire Department with the search for a possible downed civilian aircraft near the Lake Clear Airport. On July 14 at 2:25 a.m., they located the plane on private property adjacent to the Adirondack Rail Trail between Route 186 and McMaster Road. They found three people, ages 70, 33, and 2, deceased. Six Rangers assisted New York State Police (NYSP) with the recovery and carryout of the crash victims. NYSP, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. Read more »
Grab your family, invite your friends, and bring the kids for a full day of delicious food, local shopping, live entertainment, fun activities, and community spirit.
August 5th – 5:30 pm, Plattsburgh Public Library, 19 Oak Street, Plattsburgh. “Exploring Plattsburgh’s Point: The Buildings of the Macomb St. Historic District.” With Dr. James Lindgren, Professor Emeritus, SUNY Plattsburgh. Examining the city’s East End, this presentation traces the development of the area’s historic architecture: the building styles, their contributions to the extended historic district, and the status of their preservation.
By John T Ryan
Baked Ziti
