The Peru Gazette

By John T Ryan

Peru, NY Renee Gifford’s exhibit is currently on view at the Peru Free Library through May 2. A registered nurse by profession, Renee rekindled her passion for art—first sparked in high school—during the pandemic. When she first showed her paintings at the Strand Center, she hesitated to sign them, unsure whether to call herself an artist. Encouraged by viewers, who insisted, “Yes, you are an artist,” her confidence grew. The sale of several pieces, including one by well-known artist Judy Gugglielmo, affirmed that others valued her work. Since then, several of Renee’s pieces have brought color to the walls of the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center. This summer, she’ll share her art at the Strand’s marketplace. Looking ahead, Renee hopes to open her own gallery after her retirement from nursing.

Votes to regulate large-scale retail buildings following years of development debate

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AuSable Valley sees itself as a canary in the coal mine, which should be a warning to other Adirondack communities.

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By John T Ryan 

Peru – The Peru town Board conducted a 30-minute regular meeting on Monday, March 9, and then adjourned to executive session to discuss potential litigation. Supervisor Craig Randall said he didn’t anticipate any other board actions following the executive session. 

The board approved: 

Signing a Supplemental Consultant Agreement with C&S Engineers in the amount of $245,000 related to the Telegraph Road Dry Mill Culvert-Bridge project. Supervisor Randall said the Supplemental Agreement is not an extra expense; it clarifies the design and construction support service that will be provided during the construction phase. It also clarifies C&S’s working relationship with a project inspector.

The Emergency purchase a Gould pump housing, impeller, and power frame for the Wastewater Treatment Plant at a price not to exceed $12,500.  This pump alternates with a twin pump to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Accepting with regret, Roy Perry’s request to resign as a member of the Board of Assessment Review. 

Payments to contractors working on the wastewater treatment plant project. Murnane payment #8 of $595,438; John W. Danforth Co. $38,475. 

A Change Directive requested by K & L Plumbing and Heating $0.00. 

The Highway Department’s request to purchase a computer to analyze truck maintenance issues at a price of $4,150.99.  Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell did not say if there would be an annual software update charge. 

Town Attorney Matt Favro is researching whether youth commission volunteers at athletic fields and ball games are covered by the town’s insurance policies. 

Code Enforcement Officer Duane Bibeau reported that he is working to close 30 open 2025 building permits. 

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Click here to view approved minutes posted 033126

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Prison officials have refused to release crucial records on how the agency handles allegations of sexual abuse.

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DEC reminds New Yorkers of the statewide brush burning prohibition for two months this spring in an effort to prevent wildfires

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“Johana would not be detained but for an unlawfully executed search warrant,” her lawyer Kristen Connors said in court. Two others are still detained.

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The Peru Central School District is closed today March 17, 2026, due to the downed trees and powerlines from last night’s weather. The campus will be closed to all activities. 

Peru Gazette photo

Karen Land -Peru Gazette photo

Karen Land – Peru Gazette photo

By John T Ryan 

Peru – “Gee” and “Haw.” Those are the commands mushers use to tell their sled dogs to turn right and left. Until March 7, many local families and kids had never heard those words—at least, not until Karen Land brought her exciting world of sled dogs to a Peru Free Library Family Program at St. Augustine’s Parish Center. Land had everyone, from the youngest children to their parents, captivated with her thrilling stories, gear, and, of course, her friendly Alaskan Husky Sophie, who lay calmly nearby as she spoke. She’s been sharing her adventures at hundreds of libraries and schools since 2004, after competing in three consecutive Alaska Iditarod races, the nearly 1,000-mile trek from Anchorage to Nome.

Land explained that Alaska’s indigenous people were the first to develop these amazing mixed-breed sled dogs. She told the audience, “A Greyhound and German Short-Haired Terrier make the perfect combination!” She emphasized that sled dogs aren’t bred for looks—they need to be big, furry, strong, and, most importantly, friendly enough to work together as a team. Just imagine: at the start of the race, there are at least 12 dogs pulling the sled, and Karen raced with 16! By the end, mushers must finish with at least five dogs still running.

Kids and parents alike were amazed to learn about the costs and challenges of dog sledding. Land explained that she spent about $30,000 each year she raced—much of it to feed her hardworking dogs, who each eat up to 12,000 calories (that’s 7 to 9 pounds of food!) every single day. She even brought along some of the 2,000 tiny booties she needed to protect her dogs’ paws from sharp ice. The Iditarod is a true adventure: it can last anywhere from 8 to 15 days, with mushers and their dogs braving freezing temperatures, blizzards, and powerful winds. Land described moments when she had to trust her dogs to guide the way through whiteouts. The race has three mandatory stops for rest and food, and at each of the 23 checkpoints, veterinarians make sure the dogs are healthy and happy.

Rising world temperatures have impacted the race. Insufficient snow in 2015, 2017, and 2025 forced organizers to relocate the race 400 miles north from Fairbanks to Nome. Other years, it’s been run in segments, bypassing areas without snow or ice on mountains and bodies of water. Land said some small villages close to the Bering Sea are having to relocate inland. 

Nevertheless, people are finding new ways to enjoy sled dog sports, even when there’s not enough snow. Karen told the kids about “dry-land mushing,” where mushers race using mountain bikes and scooters instead of sleds! It’s become so popular that the International Federation of Sleddog Sports now recognizes dry-land mushing as an official sport.

If you ever get a chance to hear Karen Land speak, take advantage of the opportunity. Thank you to librarian Stacey Bousquet and Peru Free Library for bringing her to our little community. 

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday February 23, 2026 at the Peru

Town Hall. Those present were Mr.Craig Randall, Supervisor; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman ;

Mr. Eric Duquette, Councilman; Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Mr. Nick Weaver, Councilman;

Mr. Matthew Favro, Town Attorney and Mrs. Christine Crawford, Town Clerk. Also present

were Mr. Scott Thurber, Town Justice; Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr.

Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the

Board; Mrs. Kristen Marino, Recreation Director; Mr. Tyler Jarvis, Deputy Highway

Superintendent and Mr. T’chaka Sikelianos, Dog Control Officer.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mr. Randall, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Mr. Irwin; seconded by Mr. Bruno to approve the minutes from the February 9th,

2026 Regular Meeting.

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

Community Input

Rocky Divoll was here giving an update on the Library. Stacy Bousquet is doing a fabulous job.

Although the town supports the Library operating budget, Mr. Divoll says that donations are

down at this time. The Library has a lot of free programs, with an upcoming Iditarod

presentation that will be very informative and fun. Mr. Divoll offers an open invitation to the

Board members to attend a future Library Board meeting. Mr. Randall expresses the Town’s

thanks for the great things happening at the Library.

Discussion: Engineering Update on Telegraph Road Over Dry Mill Brook

Mr. Randall goes over the Project Status Report for this project. The project is currently on

schedule and within the budget

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 26.02-23-1 Read more »

Multi-year expansion project now complete with enhanced assisted living and amenities

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Scattered outages, locally slick travel possible through Tuesday morning

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The Adirondack Park Agency is one step closer to moving from Ray Brook

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The Recovery Lounge provides space for artists from around the region, but has struggled recently due to funding cuts

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Through a variety of different situations, everyone experiences pain and suffers unexpected loss at some time in their lives.  The goal ofAn Evening of Healing is to open communication for attendees to learn where and how to find strength, connect with people so healing can begin, and leave with a sense of hope and purpose.  Members from previous panels will be in attendance as well as our new panel who will share their stories of strength.

The program will be introduced by members of our Evening of Healing Committee.  Our panel discussions will be led by members Bonnie Black, Deena Giltz McCullough, and Sally Meisenheimer.  All the committee members have experienced loss, trauma, and life events where they struggled and consequently found ways to become stronger and more resilient.

Our Panelists have remarkable stories of resilience and thriving and who include:

• Dena Archer, who has a story of emerging resilient from racial traumas

• Damien Battinelli, of Your Space Between, Inc., will be joining us as a panelist to discuss his focus on ending negative stigmas, supporting military veterans, and preventing suicide.  His 9/11 experience along with suicide ideation has motivated him to  form this non-profit.
• Dragos Banu, MD, finding strength and healing after his infant daughter’s death.

The musical interludes will be performed by Jay Lasage.

Recipients of Be The One Scholarship will accept their scholarships and present their stories. Created in 2019, these scholarships are a means to reach graduating seniors in Clinton County and ask questions related to mental health and suicide prevention. The scholarship gives individuals an opportunity to discover how they can “Be the One” to make a difference by reducing stigma, sharing stories of hope and encouragement, brainstorming creative messaging to include social media campaigns to save lives.  This year we are joined by Keep Another Tomorrow (KAT) Foundation, with their generous support we are giving out four scholarships in place of two.

Parking on site at the Newman Center is reserved for those who have difficulty with mobility.  All others, please park in the Kehoe parking lot across the street.  The Kehoe lot can be accessed from either Broad or Rugar Street.

For questions, please call the Clinton County NY Coalition to Prevent Suicide Chair, Bonnie Black, at 518-578-1612 or Dana Jeweler of the Evening of Healing Committee at 518-578-0844.

Shepherd’s Pie 

Fruit

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!

Demonstrators demanded the release of the three detained immigrants and called on Vermont police to answer for their role in the raid.

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