The Peru Gazette

NYC story, but is it happening in other parts of NYS 

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Ice began drifting on Lake Champlain, causing dangerous conditions for skaters who needed to be rescued

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Tate Frantz, native of Lake Placid, is representing Team USA in Milan

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story

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SUNY Potsdam photo

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Child Care Council Ex. Director: “There aren’t enough providers to meet today’s needs, let alone if it were expanded to more families. He said the physical infrastructure doesn’t even exist yet.”

Click here for the NCPR story 

(PLATTSBURGH, NY – February 4, 2026) – The City of Plattsburgh is partnering with local military families to honor men and women who have served or are currently serving in the US Armed Forces. Applications for this year’s program are due on March 16th.

Eligibility Requirements:

Honoree must be:

• Military personnel
• Currently serving, honorably discharged, retired or deceased

Honoree must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a current resident of the City of Plattsburgh
• Have previously lived in the City as a long-term resident (20 years or more)
• Be a graduate of a High School located within the City of Plattsburgh
• Be a resident of the City of Plattsburgh at time of enlistment or discharge from service.

Each application is subject to approval by the City of Plattsburgh Hometown Heroes Committee.

The “Hometown Heroes Banner Program” memorializes active and honorably discharged military personnel with banners displayed around the US Oval Historic District between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.

The City of Plattsburgh is privileged to have a rich military history within our community and are humbled to join neighboring communities in commemorating our local heroes. Displaying the banners around the US Oval, the nucleus of the Plattsburgh Air Force Base and the site of the North Country Honor Flight, is the perfect setting in which to honor our military community.

Banners will be displayed for two years after which they will be returned to the sponsoring family or friend. Sponsors will pay a $225 fee to cover the cost of the banners. If renewing, the cost is $150.

Applications for the program can be found at https://my.cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov/en/projects/hometown-heroes-banner-program and will be made available in the City of Plattsburgh Community Development Office at 41 City Hall Place, the Plattsburgh Public Library, local American Legion posts, and the Clinton County Veterans Services Office.

Applications can be emailed to BristerB@cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov, mailed, or dropped off to the Community Development Office at City Hall between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The deadline for the 2026 season is Monday, March 16th, 2026.

Banners will extend to U.S. Route 9 until all spaces are filled, at which time a wait-list will be maintained on a first-come first-served basis.

# # #

Albany, Dan Stec News Release of Feb. 4, 2026 – Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today joined his state Senate Republican colleagues in introducing a package of bills that would provide immediate, substantive tax relief to all New Yorkers. Chief among these bills is Senate bill S.9110, which would institute the largest tax cut in state history.

• S.9110 – Eliminates the state personal income tax on the first $50,000 of income for single filers and the first $100,000 for joint filers. New Yorkers that file jointly would see an estimated savings of up to $6,000 once fully phased in;
• S.1296 – Establishes an annual spending growth cap on the state budget that limits the growth of state operating funds spending;
• S.1487 – Reduces the amount small businesses and farms must pay in taxes by increasing the corporate tax threshold from $390,000 to $500,000 and lowering the rate to 2.5%. It also expands the small business exemption to all PIT businesses regardless of whether they have employees, increases the threshold to $500,000, increases the exemption to 15%, and increases the exemption to 20% for farmers;
• S.3914 – Ends the state income tax on overtime;
• S.5519 – Eases the property tax burden on homeowners by providing for a ten-year state takeover of the local share of Medicaid for local governments subject to the two percent property tax cap; and
• S.587 – Ends the state income tax on tips.

LCLGRPB gets $750K; P’burgh-North Country Chamber, $350K

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

(PLATTSBURGH – News Release of February 3, 2026) – The City of Plattsburgh is excited to release a full calendar of community events for 2026, which includes many of the community’s favorite events from years past such as the Fourth of July Celebration, Parks Come Alive events, as well as some new introductions! To stay up to date on upcoming events visit www.discoverplattsburgh.com/events.

2026 Event Highlights

What can the public expect for events in 2026? The City will host family-friendly, free events that focus on highlighting regional food, drink, music, art and history. Our community events would not be possible without the collaboration with many community organizations like the Sunrise Rotary Club, the Strand Center for the Arts, the Town of Plattsburgh, SUNY Plattsburgh, 1814 Inc. and many others.

Beloved traditional community events such as the Fourth of July Celebration, Mayor’s Cup Festival and Regatta, Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration and A Miracle on Margaret Street are scheduled for 2026. Parks Come Alive, now in its fifth season, will return, along with Downtown Trick or Treat, the GreenUp Community Clean up & Earth Day Festival and the Lake City Arts Festival. Events like Chill on the Hill Winter Festival, The Memorial Day Parade and Movie Night in the Park debuted in 2025 and will return this year, with Movie Night in the Park expanding to three total movie nights in 2026.

Emma Stewart, Community Engagement Coordinator says “We’re excited to continue growing Plattsburgh’s event programming in 2026. With new events joining returning favorites, this year’s lineup reflects our commitment to creating fun, engaging experiences that bring people together and highlight our community.”

Building Partnerships with Local Businesses

The City is excited to collaborate with many local businesses in 2026. DELLA Auto Group, Microbird, Schluter Systems, UFirst Federal Credit Union, Dannemora Federal Credit Union, Northern Insuring, NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, Stafford Owens, Community Bank, and Happy Camper Pediatric Dentistry, have all partnered with the City to present different events throughout the year. The City’s business partners have not only contributed monetary resources to our community events but are also planning to get their employees involved in volunteering for events. Partnering with our local businesses strengthens relationships in the community and opens the door for collaboration.

Elizabeth Guillette, Recruitment Specialist at Schluter Systems, says “We take great pride and joy in sponsoring the community events of the City of Plattsburgh. It feels good to give back to the community that gives so much to us and means so much to our employees. We cherish the connections, enjoyment, and communal strength that these events foster annually.”

Anna Hewitt-Channell, Business Development and Marketing Manager at Dannemora Federal Credit Union says,“We love the community events because it is a great way to connect, see other families out having fun, meet new people and businesses, etc. I think the happiness is electric at our community events! There is something special about everyone being together in one location like the park or downtown for an Arts Festival. ”    

Colin McCullough, Marketing Director at Northern Insuring Agency says, “As a North Country business, we welcome the shared responsibility of contributing to a strong and vibrant community. These annual events go to the root of our organization’s core values and align with our commitment to support our most valuable resource: the local people who take pride in the North Country and choose to celebrate it.”

Chris Goodell, Pediatric Dentist at Happy Camber Pediatric Dentistry says, “Happy Camper Pediatric Dentistry is thrilled to be able to support events that get families together, outdoors, and having fun. We are excited to see the City of Plattsburgh building on previous years’ events, especially with the addition of several outdoor movies this year. By offering these events, it shows that Plattsburgh is committed to supporting families living in our community and that recreation is a priority for city leaders. Happy Camper shares that commitment and is proud to be able to help bring such family-friendly events to the community!”

2026 List of Events in Full

Visit www.discoverplattsburgh.com/events for event details such as timing, parking, and information about accessibility.

Hosting an Event in Plattsburgh

Community events and gatherings are what makes Plattsburgh an enriching place to live, work and recreate. If you are interested in hosting an event that is on City of Plattsburgh property, you can learn more on the City’s website by visiting www.cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov/holdinganevent. 

The Community Engagement Coordinator is a resource to help the community hold events and gatherings both safely and successfully. You can start the event application process by filling out an online form, by emailing events@cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov or calling 518-536-7510.

Peru  – Pancakes Plus Breakfast, Sunday, February 8, 2026 served by the St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus, St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. $10 for adults, $5 children 5 to 11, Children under 5 are Free. Take-outs are $10. 

The menu includes Pancakes,Waffles, Strawberry Sauce, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Home Fries, Real Maple Syrup, and much more. 

The next Knight’s breakfast is March 8. 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for teh vtdigger story 

Will this week’s budget hearing provide insight into the state’s plan to salvage its safety net?

Click here for the New York Focus story 

A years long staffing crisis at state-run facilities has taken its toll on incarcerated kids and the workers who watch over them.

Click here for the New York Focus story 

NYS DEC File Photo

Town of New Lisbon
Otsego County
Wilderness Search: On January 28, Forest Ranger Laymon responded to a call for a search for a missing 70-year-old. The missing subject’s husband called at 4:38 p.m. to report his wife missing from their home. Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputies followed her tracks to Butternut Creek. Ranger Laymon went to County Route 12, where the road crosses the creek, and at 7:40 p.m., spotted the missing subject standing in a cornfield. Ranger Laymon wrapped the hypothermic subject in a blanket and walked her to the road where Otsego County Emergency Medical Services was waiting. The subject stated she left the house before 9:30 a.m. to go for a walk and became confused. The patient was transported to Bassett Hospital. Resources were clear at 8:45 p.m.

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On February 1 at 5:35 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about two hikers and their dog who were unable to continue their hike on Haystack Mountain. The hikers did not have proper traction devices for the icy conditions and didn’t have headlamps to assist them in the dark. Forest Rangers Jansen and Lewis met the subjects on the trail and escorted them out of the woods. Resources were clear at 8:03 p.m.

Rangers suggest hiking with the 10 hiking essentials, including proper footwear, traction devices, and a light source.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s “Hike Smart NY,” “Adirondack Backcountry,” and “Catskill Backcountry Information” webpages for more information.

If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on State lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.

Clinton County $74.5 Million +4.4% 

Essex County $42.77 Million +4.4% 

Franklin County $33.21 Million +5.2% 

NYS  News Release of Feb. 3, 2026 – Local government sales tax collections in New York state totaled $24.4 billion in calendar year 2025, an increase of 4.5%, or $1 billion, from 2024, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Growth in 2025 was higher than the 3.8% average annual growth rate from the 2010 to 2019 period of recovery following the Great Recession and before the pandemic.

“Local sales tax growth ticked up last year,” said DiNapoli. “However, with the potential for policy changes at the federal level to affect every level of government funding, as well as the continued impact of tariffs, local officials must budget carefully to safeguard the services their communities rely on.”

Quarterly year-over-year growth ranged from 3.2% in the first quarter to 5.4% in the third quarter.

New York City’s sales tax growth of 5%, or $521 million, was slightly higher than the city’s pre-pandemic (2010-2019) average 4.8% growth rate. Growth in the city’s collections was boosted by robust domestic tourism, including record average nightly hotel rates and solid Broadway attendance.

Aggregate county collections outside of New York City grew 4%, or $443 million, in 2025 compared to the previous year. While year-over-year growth varied among counties, over 91% (52 of 57) experienced an increase in collections, with 26 counties seeing growth of more than 5%.

Chenango County had the highest growth at 11.8%, followed by Yates (11%), Hamilton (10.9%) and Delaware (10.7%).

Sullivan experienced the steepest decline in collections (-5.2%), followed by Schoharie (-3.9%).

Of the 18 cities outside of New York City that impose their own sales tax, 12 saw year-over-year increases in 2025. Norwich had the strongest growth at 20.9%, followed by Salamanca (7.7%) and White Plains (7.1%). Six cities had decreases, including Gloversville with the steepest decline at -7.2% followed by Utica (-7.1%) and Oneida (-4.7%).

Report
2025 Local Sales Tax Collections Totaled $24.4 Billion, Up 4.5 Percent Over Prior Year

Data
Regional Table

TOWN OF PERU

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL December 2025 minutes 
5. OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC HEARING
6. APPLICATIONS:
   1. Amendment to File #P2025-019 – 3-Lot Minor Subdivision of Parcel ID#267.-1-13.1 submitted by Donald and Linda Covel, 842 Mannix Rd.
   2. File #P2026-001 – Site Plan Review – Valcour Island Marina, Former Olde Valcour and Snug Harbor Marinas, submitted by Aaron Ovios, LS on behalf of Lake Champlain Transportation.
7. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
8. CEO REPORT
9. ADJOURNMENT 

The Peru Central School District Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for potential candidates. The District Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on our school or achieved an outstanding contribution(s) to society as a graduate of Peru CSD.

The candidate must have attended, been employed, served, or contributed to Peru CSD in some capacity and must have been retired for at least five (5) years.

The following criteria will be used when considering an individual to the Hall of Fame:

• outstanding contributions to Peru CSD,

• outstanding contribution to society,

• outstanding career, participation and/or leadership in community activities, and

• a significant impact on an individual’s life while associated with Peru.

The deadline for applications will be Friday, March 6, 2026. Applications are available at the High School Office or the District’s website at perunighthawks.org/peru-csd-hall-of-fame/

CATS Volunteers contribute hundreds of hours at Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center in Lewis, NY

News Release of Feb. 3, 2026 – Lewis, NY– Champlain Area Trails (CATS), a community-supported non-profit and accredited land trust dedicated to creating and maintaining trails, conserving land, connecting people with nature, and promoting economic vitality in New York’s Champlain Valley, is proud to announce that it has successfully raised the necessary funds to purchase the 675.5-acre Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center. With this acquisition, Twin Valleys is officially open to the public.

Located approximately 40 miles south of SUNY Plattsburgh, Twin Valleys has long served as a hub for environmental education. The property connects 15 miles of trails, cabins, and a lodge that historically hosted college programs, workshops, and events. Under CATS’ stewardship, the trails will now be fully accessible to residents and visitors, while plans are underway to determine the future use of the buildings to enhance and expand their use in alignment with CATS’ mission.

“This acquisition is a transformative step for CATS and for the Champlain Valley region,” said Arin Burdo, Executive Director of CATS. “Owning Twin Valleys allows us to ensure the land and trails remain open to everyone, while providing a platform to thoughtfully plan future programs and facilities that strengthen connections to nature and support local economic vitality.”

A “forever-wild” conservation easement will keep Twin Valleys permanently undeveloped. CATS received assistance in purchasing the property from Northeast Wilderness Trust, a regional land trust that focuses on wilderness conservation. This support came through the Wilderness Trust’s Wildlands Partnership program, which offers guidance and funding to local land trusts to help protect their lands as forever-wild. Through the Partnership, the Wilderness Trust will hold a conservation easement on Twin Valleys, adding an extra layer of legal protection in addition to CATS’ ownership of the land. This project continues the long-standing relationship between CATS and Northeast Wilderness Trust. Read more »

Peru, NY, February 3, 2026 – As advertised, Clinton County Health Department and Casella Waste Systems personnel were in Peru this morning explaining their joint food collection program. Peru is participating in a pilot program to determine how many residents will participate and, if they don’t, what can be done to encourage participation.  Americans typically send up to 40% of their food waste to landfills, where it takes up space and emits greenhouse gases.  The Health Department had free 2-gallon collection buckets for people signing up, and Casella personnel demonstrated how to use the collection container, located immediately along Cross Street in front of the Peru Highway Garage. 

People who couldn’t attend today can sign up at the Peru Town Hall, where they’ll receive a free 2-gallon bucket and explanatory literature. Participants will need to purchase BPI-certified biodegradable waste bags from local or online retailers. 

A Peru and a Schuyler Falls resident told the Peru Gazette they have composted food for several years. One has had problems with animals disturbing her outdoor compost container. The other individual has a solar composter, but it doesn’t work in extreme cold. She thinks this program should be a viable alternative. 

Click here to learn how to use the collection container at the highway garage. 

Click here for the New York Focus story 

Click here for the BCPR story