The Peru Gazette

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Plattsburgh YMCA “Statement*

We were deeply saddened and disturbed to learn of allegations of physical abuse and inappropriate discipline by a now-former employee against children in our Bright Beginnings Childcare Center. We’ve since terminated this person’s employment and are cooperating fully with state and local authorities as they investigate the situation.

While investigating these allegations, the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) found additional licensing violations, including failure to timely report abuse. These findings have led to the suspension of our Center’s childcare license, effective immediately. The Center will be closed until further notice.

We are heartbroken for those affected by these allegations which go against everything we stand for. The Plattsburgh YMCA has long-standing child protection policies and procedures designed to protect children in our care, and these violations highlight a failure to do so, which is completely unacceptable. We have placed certain members of Y leadership on administrative leave while this is investigated by OCFS and law enforcement police. Following the investigations, we will be reviewing our policies, supervision practices, and training procedures to ensure they reflect the strongest possible standards for child safety.

While this will not erase what has happened, we are hopeful that the board’s swift response will help build back trust within the community.

Click here to view a MYNBC5 story on the situation —

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The Peru Central School District is officially seeking candidates to fill two (2) at-large seats on the Board of Education. These vacancies result from the upcoming term expiration of Mr. Mark Hamilton and the resignation of Ms. Sarah Mitchell, which is currently filled by Mr. Steven Peters.

District residents interested in serving the community are invited to run for the following positions:

• A three-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.

• A two-year term to complete a vacated seat, beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028.

The elected candidate who receives the most votes will be granted the three-year term.

The Petition for Nomination of Candidate form is available in the District Office at 17 School Street on Mondays through Fridays, except on school holidays, or via BoardDocs on the District’s website. Petitions must be directed to the School District Clerk, shall be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District, and shall state the names and residences of the candidate and petition signers. The candidate’s phone number shall also be stated.

The qualifications that must be met to run for the school board are:

• A U.S. citizen

• At least 18 years old

• A qualified voter in the District

• Able to read and write

• A resident of the District continuously for one year before the election

• Cannot be employed by the Board

• Cannot live in the same household as a family member who is also a member of the Board

Petitions must be returned no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, April 20, 2026.

The School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Ogdensburg and Moriah added to a long list of previous winners 

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Events across the Adirondacks this week include concerts, snowshoeing, art exhibit openings and other activities

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Owner of Norma J’s Cafe faces prison time for allegedly defrauding an elderly man for nearly five years

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New York Focus read the governor’s, Senate’s, and Assembly’s budget proposals

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Seated, l-r: Kyle Lerch, Shiocton, Wis; Samantha Bowe, Mosinee, Wis; Carlos Fernando Gutierrez, Bryant, Wis and Ulises Garcia, Pine River, Wis. Standing, l-r: Jeronimo Flores Perez, Bryant, Wis; Jose Eduardo Hernandez Rodriguez, Bryant, Wis; Shane St. Cyr, Plattsburgh, NY; Kirstin Joyal, Williston, Vt.; Alyssa Berg, Kewaunee, Wis; Andrew Connon, West Grove, Pa; Kaitlyn Kesler, Hilbert, Wis; Ronna Wagner, Saint Johns, Mich.; Kristen Fischer, Prairie du Chien, Wis; Matthew Fischer, Owen, Wis; Jake Halbersma, Mosinee, Wis; Darian Scheer, Colby, Wis; and Joaquin Vazquez, Fond du Lac, Wis. Not pictured: Sarah Eck, Cambridge, Wis.

Graduates include Shane St. Cyr Adirondack Farms Partner 

March 11, 2026 – Madison Wisconsin – DAIRY NEWS – Upon successfully completing all three pillars of Cornerstone Dairy Academy, eighteen dairy farmers and industry professionals were honored as the program’s 2026 graduates at the Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) Business Conference at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis., March 4.

Presented by the Professional Dairy Producers (PDP), the application-based leadership-development program is designed to enhance the skills of communication, visionary thinking, ethical and servant-oriented leadership, and professional etiquette. The program also equips attendees with tools to work through workplace challenges caused by generational differences and diversities in emotional intelligence.

“Cornerstone Dairy Academy graduates represent the best of the best in our dairy industry with a commitment to developing their leadership skills to benefit their farms and dairy businesses and the entire industry,” said Amber Keel, PDP Program Coordinator. “Completing all three pillars of training provides a strong foundation of communications and servant leadership skills for dairy farmers and industry professionals at any stage of their career.”

Hailing from 5 states, the 2026 Cornerstone Dairy Academy graduates have completed the Influential, Visionary and Servant Leadership pillars. Graduates include:

• Alyssa Berg, Kewaunee, Wis.
• Samantha Bowe, Mosinee, Wis.
• Andrew Connon, West Grove, Pa
• Sarah Eck, Cambridge, Wis.
• Jose Eduardo Hernandez Rodriguez, Bryant, Wis.
• Matthew Fischer, Owen, Wis.
• Kristen Fischer, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
• Jeronimo Flores Perez, Bryant, Wis.
• Ulises Garcia, Pine River, Wis.
• Carlos (Fernando) Gutierrez, Bryant, Wis.
• Jake Halbersma, Mosinee, Wis.
• Kirstin Joyal, Williston, Vt.
• Kaitlyn Kesler, Hilbert, Wis.
• Kyle Lerch, Shiocton, Wis.
• Darian Scheer, Colby, Wis.
• Shane St. Cyr, Plattsburgh, NY (Far Left, Back Row of Photo)
• Joaquin Vazquez, Fond du Lac, Wis.
• Ronna Wagner, Saint Johns, Mich.

The PDP Cornerstone Dairy Academy is underwritten by Dairy’s Foundation. To learn more about leadership programs offered through PDP, visitwww.PDPW.org or contact them at 800-947-7379.

Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) is the nation’s largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind, focusing on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.

Albany, NY, March 12, 2023  — Volunteer firefighters from across New York State gathered at the State Capitol on Wednesday for their annual legislative advocacy day, organized by the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, the New York State Association of Fire Districts, and the New York State Fire Coordinators Association. The day provides firefighters the opportunity to meet directly with state lawmakers and discuss issues impacting volunteer emergency services and public safety.

Clinton County sent the largest delegation of firefighters to Albany for the event, underscoring the strong tradition of volunteer service throughout the North Country. Firefighters representing District No. 3 Fire Department, Cadyville Fire Department, Peru Fire Department, Mooers Volunteer Fire Department, Champlain Fire District, and South Plattsburgh Fire Department were among those who traveled to the Capitol to take part in the day’s meetings and advocacy efforts.

Assemblyman Michael S. Cashman welcomed the Clinton County delegation to Albany and thanked them for their continued service to their communities. “It was an honor to welcome firefighters from Clinton County to the Capitol,” Cashman said. “Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of public safety in communities across the North Country. Their commitment to training, emergency response, and service to their neighbors makes a real difference in the lives of the people they protect.”

Before his election to the State Assembly, Cashman served as Supervisor of the Town of Plattsburgh, where he worked closely with local volunteer fire departments and saw firsthand the dedication required of those who serve.
“As Town Supervisor, I had the opportunity to work side by side with our volunteer firefighters,” Cashman said. “I saw the time they dedicate to training, the sacrifices they make to respond when their communities call, and the pride they take in serving their neighbors.”

Volunteer firefighters make up the overwhelming majority of the fire service in New York State. Approximately 93 percent of the state’s fire departments are staffed by volunteers, making them a critical part of the state’s emergency response system, particularly in rural and small-town communities.

Cashman said he remains committed to supporting policies that strengthen volunteer emergency services and ensure departments have the resources they need to serve their communities. “As Assemblyman, I remain committed to being a strong voice for our volunteer firefighters in Albany,” Cashman said. “That is why I am carrying and co-sponsoring several pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening volunteer emergency services by providing additional tools, resources, and support. Our firefighters deserve the backing of state government as they continue their mission of protecting our communities.”

Peru Gazette February 28, 2026 photo of Peru’s wastewater treatment plant project

Albany, March 11, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced nation-leading cybersecurity regulations and $2.5 million in grants to help communities affordably protect their drinking water and wastewater systems. This comprehensive, unified approach equips drinking water and wastewater operators with the framework and tools to bolster their cybersecurity posture against increasingly sophisticated and dangerous cyber threats while strengthening services that millions of New Yorkers rely on every day.

“Cyber attacks on our water infrastructure can disrupt services and threaten public health and safety,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration is protecting New Yorkers by modernizing regulations and providing resources to adopt these important safeguards. There is nothing more important than keeping New Yorkers safe.”

Water infrastructure is essential to public health, safety, economic stability and national security, making it an attractive target for cyber attacks. As systems increasingly rely on digital and internet-connected technologies, the need for cybersecurity safeguards continues to grow.

Delivering on the Governor’s State of the State commitment to strengthen the resilience and reliability of water and wastewater systems, the Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) developed minimum standards for wastewater and drinking water systems that are threat-informed, risk-centric, and cost-balanced. At the same time, the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) created grants and no-cost technical assistance to support local implementation. Close coordination helped streamline oversight, eliminate duplication and align with federal cybersecurity guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

The new threat-informed, risk-centric, and cost-balanced minimum standards developed by DEC and DOH include: Read more »

Albany, March 6, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $15 million has been awarded to 13 workforce development projects across nine regions through Empire State Development’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development. These grants will support the training of more than 5,700 New Yorkers through collaboration between training providers and more than 40 employer partners in high demand fields such as construction and advanced manufacturing. Through nine rounds of funding, more than $83 million has been awarded to 91 projects through the Office to support training for over 20,000 New Yorkers.

Locally: 

• Clinton Community College – North Country – $260,799 P4P Operating Grant: Funding will support the expansion of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing’s (IAM) three-week Welding Academy to offer additional training opportunities and wraparound services, including stipends and transportation and childcare assistance. IAM has been providing welding training since 2022 with 100 percent completion and job placement rates and waitlists for each cohort. This project will double the number of yearly cohorts served, providing trained and job-ready workers for the North Country’s network of more than 50 manufacturers.

“Reshaping New York’s approach to workforce training has been a pillar of my economic development strategy — and we’re seeing the results,” Governor Hochul said. “By working with employers in target industries, more New Yorkers are learning the skills needed for high-demand jobs, while receiving the support they need to promote greater success. These projects represent an investment in New Yorkers and the future of our state’s economy.”

Residents raised privacy concerns and criticized how the program was introduced during village board meeting

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AEDA Peru Fire Station drawing

AEDA engineer Michael Coon explains interior work to contractors at March 3, pre-bid meeting.

AEDA engineer Michael Coon explains exterior work to contractors at March 3, pre-bid meeting.

By John T Ryan 

Peru – On September 3, 2024, voters gave the green light to a major investment: up to $5 million for expanding and renovating Peru’s fire station. Fast-forward 18 months, and the Department is now seeking bids for general construction, electrical work, HVAC, and plumbing. Bid proposal must be submitted by April 7 at 2 p.m, when they’ll be opened and read aloud. (Rescheduled form March 24 to April 7) 

Chad Frechette, Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, remarked, “The original plan hasn’t changed much, though we eliminated the glass doors to keep the cost down.” Frechette eagerly awaits the March 24 bid opening, hoping to see construction begin soon after. For the firefighters, new challenges lie ahead as they plan how to keep the department running smoothly during renovations. The target completion date is February 2027, although that date is flexible.

On March 3, local engineers Michael Coon and Jamie Hammaker from Architectural Engineering and Design Associates (AEDA) met with several interested contractors at a pre-bid meeting at the station. The department has saved some funds for the project, with the remainder to be financed through a 25-year bond. At the time of the September 2004 vote, the estimated fire tax increase was $ 0.6683 per thousand dollars of real property value. 

The renovation replaces the wood structural members with steel, extends the truck bays by 40 feet toward Bear Swamp Road, and replaces the bay flooring, roofing, engine bay doors, and most sprinkler, electrical, and HVAC systems. New facilities include an equipment storage area, a fitness room, a locker room, a decontamination room, an updated social room, space for the historic Brockway truck, an expanded EMS area, and larger eastside parking.

Link to Peru Gazette story prior to the vote  

In September, 2024 Greg Timmons explained why the changes are needed 

September 2024 vote results story 

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Young musicians applauded for their talent and hard work

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Evacuations underway along the Saranac River in Morrisonville Tuesday morning

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