The Peru Gazette

Includes Expansion of New York State’s Polystyrene Foam Ban and Restrictions on Hotel Hospitality Single-Use Plastic Bottles The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding businesses, organizations, and consumers of upcoming waste reduction law requirements taking effect on January 1, 2026. The provisions will help reduce pollution by expanding the State’s ban […]

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NYS News Release of December 31, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the availability of resources aimed at educating young people, caregivers and educators on how to safely navigate digital media content in a way that protects their mental health. Developed by the state Office of Mental Health, digital wellness resources are available on […]

Recapping a dry year for the Eastern Adirondacks Click here for the Adirondack Explorer Story 

The mountain’s snow season has shrunk by almost three weeks since 1965, with snowpack onset occurring later in the fall months and disappearing earlier in the spring months, according to National Weather Service data. Click here for the VTDigger story 

More than 645,500 Pounds of Chemicals, Pesticides, Paint, Oil, Flammable Liquids, and Other Hazardous Materials Collected During 2025 Albany, DEC News Release of Dec. 29, 2025 – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced another record-breaking year for the CleanSweepNY program. More than 645,500 pounds of chemicals, including pesticides, […]

Albany, NY News Release of Dec.29, 2025 –  Michael Cashman (D-Plattsburgh) has been named Chair of the Task Force on New York-Canada Relations, a first-in-the-nation working group that fosters the New York’s critical links to its northern neighbor. “New York State and Canada have a deeply ingrained relationship built on cooperation and respect,” Cashman said. […]

Troopers Seized 170 Vehicles and Issued More Than 1,000 Tickets To Ensure Public Safety and Accountability 30 Individuals Owed Nearly $82,000 in Unpaid Tolls and Fees to Thruway Authority NYS News Release of Dec. 29, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Police Troop T, in partnership with the New York […]

Builds on the Governor’s Ongoing Efforts To Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis Albany, NY – News Release of Dec. 26, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul negotiated a chapter amendment and signed legislation that will require social media platforms to display labels warning of the dangerous impact certain features can have on young users’ mental health. […]

Tracking the year’s most popular wildlife stories Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

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One hundred and forty laws that almost were. Click here for the New York Focus story 

Assembly Speaker News Release of Dec. 22, 2025 – Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie alongside a New York delegation of elected officials hosted a humanitarian mission trip to Jamaica following the landfall of the devastating category five Hurricane Melissa. The historic storm was record breaking, becoming the third most intense hurricane in the Atlantic and the […]

Why is healthcare so expensive in Vermont? BlueCross BlueShield says it’s, in part, the sheer cost of services from the biggest hospitals. Click here for the vtdigger story 

Board delays decision, questions consultant price tag Click here to view the Adirondack Explorer story 

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Peru, NY, December 20, 2025 –  Sarah Mitchell was sworn in as Peru’s first  woman Town Justice shortly after 6 p.m. this evening. Deputy Town Clerk Judy Akey, Sarah’s mother, conducted the ceremony as Sarah’s father, Robert Akey, husband Tim, sons Isaac and Jacob, and other family members looked on.  Town Justice Scott Thurber was […]

Recently adopted environmental regulations have added months to New York’s already years-long energy permitting process, colliding with new deadlines for federal subsidies. Click here for the New York Focus story 

Expands Use of Cameras, Increases Reporting and Investigative Powers When Deaths Occur, and Adds Members to the State Commission of Corrections New York State News Release of December 19,2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an agreement with the Legislature on the prison reform omnibus bill that would enact a series of ten transformational changes […]

‘Conservation Conversations’ books blend personal stories with insights from 40+ years protecting Champlain Valley waterways Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

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Governor Claims Protections Will Ensure Integrity of Patient Decision and Preparedness of Medical Institutions Gov. Hochul News Release of December 17, 2025 – Governor Hochul today announced an agreement with the Legislature to make medical aid in dying available to terminally ill New Yorkers with less than six months to live. This comes after careful […]

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