The Peru Gazette

The Progressive state representative beat out Democratic City Councilor Joan Shannon.

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The recent investigation of A Canine Gem has boosted awareness of animal rights

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Musical navigates the challenges of high school with humor

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Story Update 3/4/24 – Police identified the cyclist as 73-year-old Joseph Byrd Allen of Shelburne.

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By John T Ryan

March 1, 2024, Peru – Dan and Pam Ballantine are giving thanks today. An early morning fire destroyed their garage and adjoining workshop and damaged the exterior of their 18 Mannix Road home. However, thankfully, local firefighters saved their nearby house. Pam Ballantine eloquently expressed her sentiments on Facebook, “Thanking our God that no one was hurt. Words can’t describe the greatest appreciation to Peru, Keeseville, AuSable, Morrisonville, South Plattsburgh, Cumberland Head, and District 3, who worked together to save our home. The garage and Dan’s shop are total losses, and the house sustained some melted siding and broken windows from the heat. We can safely live in our house. Thank you all who have called and offered prayers and assistance. We love you all.”

Pam, Dan, and Pam’s mom, Mrs. Helen Turner, were asleep at 3:30 a.m. Dan said, “Pam asked me if I heard something popping. I said, no, but I’ll get up and check. I looked out the back window and could see smoke. Then I looked up and saw flames shooting up. from the garage.” The popping sound probably came from an exploding paint can in Ballantine’s workshop. Reacting quickly, Pam ensured her mom was safe and backed the couple’s two vehicles parked in front of the garage. The fire’s cause is under investigation.

The workshop was always an important part of Dan Ballantine’s life. A retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, Dan’s been an avid woodworker for many years. Four years ago, deteriorating vision forced him to stop driving; hence, woodworking became an even more critical part of his daily life. Just yesterday, he completed a set of bookends for a family member. The fire destroyed those bookends, Dan’s many tools, and other things he had crafted.

Live music, food trucks, activities and more during five-hour Eclipse special April 8

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Rob Schwimmer playing theremin, 5/15/15.

Rob Schwimmer inhabits the same universe as the elusive Triple Helix—one that doesn’t exist except for his invention. He is the master of his musical kingdom where he, playing solo, conjures a sound world created by his singular virtuosity at the piano, theremin (on which he’s considered to be one of the world masters) and Haken Continuum. This rarely heard combination allows him to bring audiences to beautiful and mysterious new sonic territory and perhaps find new or reconnect with forgotten feelings.

A veteran player who has worked with beloved legends like Stevie Wonder, Simon and Garfunkel, Wayne Shorter, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as celebrated young contemporary artists such as Esperanza Spalding and Gotye, Schwimmer leads us on an organic and musically rich journey from the pensive to the thrilling, with many musical ports of call in between.

Rob Schwimmer performs a solo concert on piano, theremin and Haken Continuum, on Sunday, March 10 at 3:00 pm at the Saranac Methodist Church on Route 3 in Saranac. The program—performed without intermission—includes Rob’s original compositions and improvisations for all three instruments, themes and variations on classical masterpieces, jazz standards, and movie soundtracks—a healthy dose of mystery.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to help prevent wildland fires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires.

“While we’re seeing record-breaking fires in Texas right now, we’re also at a higher risk here in New York,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Before the annual burn ban goes into effect next month, we’re encouraging New Yorkers who burn woody debris to do it carefully, don’t burn on windy days, and have water or equipment ready to extinguish it if needed. All fires must be attended until completely out.” Read more »

Challenge Portal Open for Public Comment on Locations to be Eligible for Grants for New Broadband Service from the ConnectALL Deployment Program  

Updates Projections for Full Broadband Deployment in New York State to Fewer than 100,000 Locations 

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the opening of the ConnectALL Office’s New York State Broadband Challenge Portal for residents, local governments, non-profits, and internet service providers to help New York State fine-tune which locations could be eligible for new broadband service grants. Residents can run speed tests through the Challenge Portal and then share the results to suggest eligibility. Internet service providers, government entities, and nonprofit organizations can use the Challenge Portal to register for the formal challenge process, which ConnectALL will launch on March 19. Read more »