The Peru Gazette

Fourth Year of Application Fee Waivers Helps Students Apply to SUNY, CUNY and Participating Private Colleges and Universities at No Cost

October 13, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than 130 colleges and universities across New York State are waiving application fees for high school seniors as part of the 2026 College Application Initiative (CAI). The statewide initiative encourages high school seniors, particularly those from low-income families and first-generation students, to apply to at least one college. Building on more than a decade of helping New York students pursue higher education, CAI will run throughout October and November, expanding from its traditional one-month format to provide students with more time, resources, and support to explore their college options and complete applications.

“Every New York student should have the opportunity to pursue a college education, no matter their ZIP code or their family’s income,” Governor Hochul said. “That’s why we’re breaking down barriers at every step — giving students more time and support to complete their applications and waiving fees so families can keep more money in their pockets. New York is making it easier and more affordable for students to take that first step toward a college degree and a brighter future right here in our state.”

For the fourth consecutive year, students can apply for free to SUNY, CUNY and more than 45 participating private colleges and universities during designated application fee waiver periods in October and November. College application fees can range from $50 to $90 per application, and those costs can quickly add up for students applying to multiple colleges. CAI helps remove financial barriers and allows students to apply for a broader range of colleges in New York.

Last year, more than 300,000 college applications were submitted through CAI, saving students and families more than $15 million in application fees.

Governor Hochul has proclaimed October as College Application Month in New York State, underscoring the vital role higher education plays in shaping the futures of students across the state. This proclamation aims to raise awareness of the higher education opportunities available throughout New York and to support students as they pursue their academic goals. In honor of CAI, all state buildings will be illuminated in green and blue on Wednesday, October 21, in a visible show of encouragement for students taking this important step.

The College Application Initiative is led by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) in partnership with the State University of New York(SUNY), the City University of New York (CUNY), the New York State Education Department (NYSED), the Association of Private Colleges (APC) and theCommission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU). This year, more than 700 high schools across New York State are participating in CAI, and nearly 130 public and private colleges and universities are offering application fee waivers.

2026 Application Waiver Periods: Read more »

Click here for the New York Focus story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the vtdigger story 

Click here for the vtdigger story 

October 16^th, 12:30 pm, Plattsburgh Senior Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh A Jury of Your Peers.  Women received the right to vote across the nation in 1920 but not the right to be on a jury until years later. Learn the struggle for and gradual acceptance of women on juries, and the local women who were recorded as ‘firsts’. With Helen Nerska.

October 18^th, 2 pm, Beekmantown Town Hall, 571 Spellman Rd, West Chazy.  Moses Hazen, Clement Gosselin, and Congress’s Own Canadian Regiments: Their Personal Contributions in Winning the War for Independence with Gary VanCour and Thaddeus Booth Trudo. Most people probably have never heard of the Canadian Regiments that played a most important role in winning our nations independence during the American Revolution. Thaddeus Booth Trudo and Gary VanCour will present the historical, cultural, and military background leading to the formation of the Canadian Regiments serving in the Continental army. Often known as Congress’s Own, this presentation will feature the vital part that these Regiments and their veterans played both in the American Revolution and in early settlement of Clinton County. Although their life stories are somewhat varied, both Moses Hazen and Clement Gosselin are excellent examples of dedicated patriots who suffered severe sacrifices which their wartime service cost them in supporting the American dream of freedom from the British crown.

October 25, 2:00 pm, tour starts at foot of Green Street, Plattsburgh. Peace Point & Historic District Walking Tour. The 1.5 hour narrated walking tour comparing today with historic photos begins at the Commemoration Bridge at the foot of Green Street and covers the history of the city and the railyard, concluding at the historic Peace Point.  Call 518-561-0340 to register. Walk-ons also welcome. Free and open to the public.

October 22^nd – 5 pm, Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue,  “Oppression of the Oppressed: Freedom and Unfreedom Among the Haudenosaunee.” Presented by Robin Caudell, award-winning journalist and videographer and staff writer at the Press Republican. For the past seven years, Robin Caudell ‘s back-burner book simmered about abolitionist martyr John Brown’s memory and legacy in the Adirondacks. Placing him in the context of the Underground Railroad in the Borderlands, this presentation examines oppression of the oppressed and the adoption, captivity, and slavery practices of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Western Abenaki before, during, and after European contact. This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.

November 4^th, 5:30 pm, Plattsburgh Public Library, 19 Oak Street, Plattsburgh. “Lost Plattsburgh: Our Missing Architectural Roots”  Focusing on the architecture and importance of Plattsburgh buildings destroyed by fire or willful act and picking up where Allan Everest left off in Our North Country Heritage (1972), the presentation discusses how their loss has left a lamentable gap in our nineteenth- and twentieth-century history. With Dr. James M. Lindgren, Professor Emeritus, SUNY, Dept. of History

November 10^th, 6:30 pm, Lake Forest Retirement Center, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh. A Photo Peek at Old Plattsburgh. Using photos from the CCHA collection, see ‘then and now’ photo comparisons of landmarks in downtown Plattsburgh. Come and see what you might recognize and share stories about these special spots.  With Helen Nerska.

For more information, contact Helen Nerska, Director, Clinton County Historical Association.

(cell) 513-582-7246, (museum) 518-561-0240

Peru, NY, October 10, 2026 – Click here to view Calvin Castine’s Home Town Cable’s Coverage. 

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Pork Chops

Rice 

Vegetable

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!

Click here for the Sun Community News interviews 

Click here to view the Vermont Public story 

Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates new bridge and viewing platform made possible through community partnerships

ESSEX, NY — October 7, 2026 — Champlain Area Trails (CATS) will celebrate the completion of the new Black Kettle Bridge by the Adirondack 46ers with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 14, at 3:30 p.m.

The beautifully constructed bridge and viewing platform gives hikers a new way to experience a special riparian landscape within the Champlain Valley. Spanning the creek and wetlands, the bridge provides an easy and welcoming destination for people of all ages and hiking abilities, while offering an opportunity to pause and take in the surrounding landscape.

The area is home to an active beaver population and a diverse community of songbirds. Although the creek is currently dry following a prolonged lack of rain, the landscape transforms into a lush, vibrant wetland environment in wetter seasons. Read more »

Join us one week for our Meet & Greet! Mingle with neighbors, hear from candidates, and enjoy some tasty snacks on Tuesday, Oct 13th at the Peru VFW (710 NY22). We’ll be there from 5:30 – 7:30. Bring neighbors and friends! Share our poster with anyone you’d like to invite!
>
> Extra info:
> ⭐ We’ll be accepting non-perishable food items for donation to the JCEO food pantry.
> 💪 Bring a sheet of postcard stamps (or donate $13 to cover the cost of a sheet) and take home one of our “Voted” buttons as a thank you.
> 🇺🇸 Support the VFW by purchasing beverages at the bar.
>
> It’ll be great to see you there!
> Marque Moffett
> Chair
> Peru Democratic Committee

The Town of Beekmantown and the Clinton County Historical Association presentMoses Hazen, Clement Gosselin, and Congress’s Own Canadian Regiments: Their Personal Contributions in Winning the War for Independence

Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM, Beekmantown Town Hall, 571 Spellman Road, West Chazy, NY 12992

Most people probably have never heard of the Canadian Regiments that played a most important role in winning our nations independence during the American Revolution. Thaddeus Booth Trudo and Gary VanCour will present the historical, cultural, and military background leading to the formation of the Canadian Regiments serving in the Continental army. Often known as Congress’s Own, this presentation will feature the vital part that these Regiments and their veterans played both in the American Revolution and in early settlement of Clinton County. Although their life stories are somewhat varied, both Moses Hazen and Clement Gosselin are excellent examples of dedicated patriots who suffered severe sacrifices which their wartime service cost them in supporting the American dream of freedom from the British crown.

Presenters: Developing a passion for history from a very early age, Thaddeus J. Booth Trudo received a BA from Norwich University in Studies in War and Peace and an MA in History Museum Studies through SUNY Oneonta. He has served as a volunteer at the Clinton County Historical Museum and has presented several topics as part of the America 250 speaker series. Gary VanCour has always been fascinated by the stories of the people in history and the commonalities that we all share. Upon receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from SUNY Plattsburgh, he pursued an innovative career in education as a social studies teacher for over thirty years. Although now retired from the classroom, he is currently the Historian for the Town of Beekmantown and continues to discover new pieces of our past to share with the public.

Contact Helen Nerska at director@clintoncountyhistorical.org or Gary Van Cour grvanc@aol.com for more information.

Plattsburgh, NY (October 8, 2026) — The North Country Chamber of Commerce has earned a Gold Award in the 2026 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards for its “We Know Canadians As…” campaign, recognized in the Travel Destinations – Marketing – Promotions with Purpose category.

The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards are among the travel industry’s premier honors, recognizing outstanding design, marketing and services across the travel industry, including destinations, hospitality, cruise lines, airlines and airports, tour operators, travel agencies and more. The 2026 awards drew hundreds of entries from across the United States and around the world, with Gold and Silver honors recognizing work that meets Travel Weekly’s established standard of excellence. Read more »

PUBLIC NOTICE

Date: October 5, 2026

From: The Town of Peru Planning Board

Position: Alternate Planning Board Member

The Town of Peru Planning Board is currently seeking a civic-minded resident to fill a vacancy for an

Alternate PLANNING Board Member. This is a vital role that ensures our town’s land-use, zoning, and development reviews continue smoothly when regular board members are absent or recused due to conflicts of interest.

About the Role:

As an alternate member, you will participate in monthly meetings, review project applications, and stay informed on local planning initiatives. When activated, you will hold full voting privileges. This position offers an excellent opportunity to learn about municipal government, shape the future growth of our community, and give back to the Town of Peru. Planning Board Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month at 6p, given there are applications submitted the previous month.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Must be a legal resident and registered voter of the Town of Peru.

• Must have a strong interest in community planning, zoning, and sustainable local development.

• Ability to attend regularly scheduled monthly meetings and occasional special workshops.

• Willingness to complete New York State-mandated municipal training hours annually (training is provided

and funded by the town).

No prior experience in municipal planning or law is required—just a commitment to fair decision-making and the long-term well-being of our town.

How to Apply:

Interested individuals should submit a brief letter of interest and a resume outlining their background and why they wish to serve. Please submit your application to:

Town of Peru Codes & Zoning Office

3036 Main St.

Peru, NY 12972

Email: zoningsecretary@perutownny.gov & peruzoning@perutownny.gov

The Town of Peru is an equal opportunity employer and encourages residents of all backgrounds to apply. Codes Officer: peruzoning@perutownny.gov ~ Codes Secretary: zoningsecretary@perutownny.gov

Copied from the Town of Peru Website: A Resolution will be considered by the Town Board of the Town of Peru, Clinton County, New York on October 15, 2026 to authorize the reconstruction of the Lyons Road and Westcott Road culvert crossings at an estimated maximum cost of $4,334,157 and authorizes the levy of a tax for the project in an amount not to exceed $4,334,157 which shall be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Town Board and that in anticipation of the collection of such tax, bonds and notes of the Town are authorized to be issued at one time, or from time to time, in the principal amount not to exceed $4,334,157 and a tax is authorized to pay the interest on said obligations when due.  Under the Local Finance Law, the Project has a period of probable usefulness of thirty (30) years.  This meeting is open to the public and will take place at the Town of Peru Town Hall, 3036 Main Street at 6PM.

ALTONA, N.Y. — The Town of Altona will officially break ground on its new Town Hall on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at 3124 Miner Farm Road.

The new facility will provide a modern, accessible and efficient space for town government and community services. Plans include seven designated office spaces, a separate modern courtroom, a dedicated Town meeting room and a versatile community outreach office designed to better serve residents.

The building has been designed with both staff and the public in mind, incorporating shared spaces where practical while improving the functionality of municipal offices and public
meeting areas. The entire facility will be ADA compliant and will include updated safety and security features.

The project was initially put out to bid earlier this year with an original design estimated at approximately $4 million. Following additional review, public meetings and community
conversations, the Town undertook a redesign that brought the project cost to approximately $3.2 million — a savings of nearly $800,000.

“We took a thoughtful look at the project and were able to reduce the cost significantly while still creating a modern, accessible and secure Town Hall that will better serve our staff and residents for years to come,” said Brady Smart, Interim Town of Altona Supervisor.

The new Town Hall represents a significant investment in Altona’s municipal infrastructure, providing updated spaces for day-to-day Town operations, court proceedings, public meetings and community outreach.

Community members are invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony and mark the beginning of construction on the new facility.