The Peru Gazette

Click here for the New York Focus story 

Dec. 17, 2025 Chamber of Commerce Facebook Post – North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas has been identified by City & State Magazine among their “2025 Responsible 100” honorees. The Responsible 100 list is, according to City & State, “intended to recognize New York’s most powerful execs, thought leaders, visionaries and influencers who are setting new standards of excellence, dedication and leadership in improving their communities and making transformative change by successfully promoting principles of social responsibility.”

Douglas sees the selection as “recognition of a remarkable team.” He cites “the work of major Chambers as going to the heart of progress, committed to sustaining, enhancing and growing employment; engaging directly in life-changing activities like training; providing leadership in response to regional challenges; and helping to build quality communities which are crucial to a quality economy. A salute to our great staff, volunteers and members on this recognition of what we continue to do together. Onward and upward!”

A Wind Advisory has been issued for much of northern New York and portions of Vermont for tomorrow. Strong southerly winds are expected to develop during the day tomorrow, with gusts up to 55 mph possible. Be sure to secure any outdoor objects, like decorations, as gusty winds may blow them around.

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 reflection and deliberation with the bill’s sponsors, advocacy organizations, and most importantly, everyday New Yorkers who shared personal experiences with the Governor. The bill, with the agreed-upon amendments, will be passed and signed in January, and the law will go into effect six months later.

“New York has long been a beacon of freedom, and now it is time we extend that freedom to terminally ill New Yorkers who want the right to die comfortably and on their own terms,” said Governor Hochul. “My mother died of ALS, and I am all too familiar with the pain of seeing someone you love suffer and being powerless to stop it. Although this was an incredibly difficult decision, I ultimately determined that with the additional guardrails agreed upon with the legislature, this bill would allow New Yorkers to suffer less–to shorten not their lives, but their deaths.

The bill, as passed by the Legislature, had a number of protections in place to ensure that no patient was coerced into utilizing medical aid in dying and no doctor or religiously affiliated health facility was forced to offer medical aid in dying. With today’s agreement, the Governor announces a number of additional guardrails that the Legislature has agreed to enact aimed at ensuring the integrity of the patient’s decision and the preparedness of medical institutions to appropriately administer medical aid in dying. Today’s agreement memorializes a shared path forward on this bill, with additional key guardrails, including:

• A mandatory waiting period of 5 days between when a prescription is written and filled.
• An oral request by the patient for medical aid in dying must be recorded by video or audio.
• A mandatory mental health evaluation of the patient seeking medical aid in dying by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
• A prohibition against anyone who may benefit financially from the death of a patient from being eligible to serve as a witness to the oral request or an interpreter for the patient.
• Limiting the availability of medical aid in dying to New York residents.
• Requiring that the initial evaluation of a patient by a physician be in person.
• Allowing religiously-oriented home hospice providers to opt out of offering medical aid in dying.
• Ensuring that a violation of the law is defined as professional misconduct under the Education Law.
• Extending the effective date of the bill to six months after signing to allow the Department of Health to put into place regulations required to implement the law while also ensuring that health care facilities can properly prepare and train staff for compliance.

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “Today, we make history. This agreement on Medical Aid in Dying is a monumental victory for every New Yorker who has wished to peacefully end their suffering from a terminal illness. Since we first introduced this legislation nine years ago, I have consistently said this bill is not about ending life, it’s about shortening death. I’m proud that New York is now the 13th state, along with Washington, D.C., that will offer expanded end-of-life care so that terminally ill New Yorkers gain greater autonomy over how much pain and suffering they must endure. I want to thank Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, and Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership and willingness to take on a difficult issue and help limit the suffering of New Yorkers. Most of all, we owe a deep debt of gratitude to those afflicted with a terminal illness and their families, who shared the heart-wrenching details of their end-of-life decision making in the hopes of improving the options for future generations. New York is a state of dignity and compassion for New Yorkers at all stages of life, and today’s announcement proves just that.” Read more »

Click here to view the Calvin Castine Video 

Click here for the WCAX News story 

Friend presses DEC for answers six months after Assistant Ranger Jackson’s death 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the Vermont Public story 

News Release of Dec. 15, 2025 – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 5 invites the public to attend the annual Children’s Holiday Party at the regional headquarters in Ray Brook on Thursday, December 18, from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Children and their families can meet Santa and Smokey Bear, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and participate in a variety of activities including cookie decorating and coloring.

The DEC Region 5 headquarters is located at 1115 NYS Route 86, Ray Brook, NY 12977. The event will take place in the building’s lobby and main conference room. Please park in the lot directly in front of the building and enter through the front doors. The event is free and open to all members of the public. No RSVP is required.

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

‘Study river’ segments are still waiting for official classification, 50 years later

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Click here for the WCAX News story 

Ham 

Scalloped Potatoes 

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!

For this installment of Campfire Fare, Adirondack Outlaw Dick Monroe shares a hunting story

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Stories of resilience and community spanning generations

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Clinton County News Release of 12/12/25 – Clinton County has officially completed the sale of its County-owned nursing home, marking the execution of a long-planned transition designed to protect residents, support staff, and provide long-term fiscal relief for county taxpayers. The closing represents the culmination of extensive due diligence and planning to ensure the facility’s ongoing service to the community.

County leadership emphasized that the transition focuses on continuity—continuity of care for residents, continuity for families who depend on the facility, and continuity of employment for staff who chose to remain through the ownership change.

“This has always been about honoring our responsibilities and putting the needs of the people who rely on this nursing home every day first.” said Mark Henry (Chazy, Area 3-R), Chair of the Clinton County Legislature. “Our priority from the beginning was ensuring residents continue receiving the high-quality care they deserve, while also making a responsible financial decision for our taxpayers. Today’s closing achieves both goals.”

County officials worked to ensure that employees who elected to stay on through the transition were afforded stability and remained supported throughout the process.

“Our team has been committed to a thoughtful and transparent transition,” said County Administrator Christine Peters. “We focused on protecting services, supporting the dedicated staff who serve our residents, and making decisions that strengthen the County’s long-term financial position. I want to thank the employees and residents’ families for their patience and engagement throughout this process.”

“Bottom line, we wanted to make sure the residents were looked after and things stayed steady,” said Kevin Randall (Morrisonville, Area 5-R), Chair of the Human Services Committee. “The folks who live there depend on that stability, and the staff who stayed on do too. This also takes a load off the taxpayers, and that’s important for the County moving forward.”

The sale alleviates the substantial financial burden the facility has historically placed on the County budget, while preserving the essential services the community depends on. A key priority throughout this process was keeping residents in their home community, which is why the county pursued a deliberate and thoughtful approach to ensure the right long-term outcome. County leaders shared that the transition reflects months of careful planning to support residents, employees, and taxpayers alike, and they are confident the facility will continue to serve the community well into the future.

Click here for the WCAX News story