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Peru K of C Grand Knight Cormac O’Callaghan and JCEO Outreach Coordinator April Wright
May 25, 2023, Peru – Charity is the first principle of the Knights of Columbus; therefore, thousands of local councils conduct many programs supporting that principle. For example, each year, St. Augustine’s Knight of Columbus Council 7273 directs part of its charitable efforts to the Peru JCEO Outreach Food Shelf by conducting a “40 Cans For Lent” program at St. Augustine’s Church and making a monetary donation.
As they have done yearly, St. Augustine’s parishioners responded to the Knights’ call for help. During Lent’s 40 days, they brought 1,220 pounds of food to the church, which the Knights took to the Town Hall Outreach Center each Monday. Then Council Grand Knight Cormac O’Callaghan delivered a $500 check to Outreach Coordinator April Wright. When April runs short of specific food items, she’ll have funds to purchase them locally.
The Peru Knights conduct raffles and dinners to raise money for their charitable donations. They’re grateful to the many St. Augustine’s parishioners, local and area residents who support their efforts.
CVPH program supplies blood, and blood products to hospitals across our region
PLATTSBURGH, NY (5/25/2023) –The Adirondack Regional Blood Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), is conducting several community blood drives this month as part of its mission to ensure an adequate blood supply for the region.
The following is the June schedule of blood drives open to the public:
Thursday, June 1, Fort Covington Adult Center, 2 to 5 p.m.
Friday, June 2, Clinton County Government Center, first-floor meeting room, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Monday, June 5, St. Augustine Parish Center, 3 to 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 6, Malone Fire Department, 2 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 7, Massena Village Center, Noon to 3 p.m.
Thursday, June 8, Mooers Fire Department, 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Friday, June 9, American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, Clinton County Fair Grounds, 5 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 13, St. Lawrence County Human Services Center, Canton, Noon to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, June 14, Bloomingdale Fire Department, co-sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 15, Beekmantown Fire Department, 4 to 7 p.m.
Monday, June 19, Keene Fire Department, 3 to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 20, Ellenburg Knights of Columbus, 4 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 22, Long Lake Town Hall, Noon to 3 p.m.
Monday, June 26, Adirondack Medical Center, Saranac Lake, Noon to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, June 27, Chateaugay American Legion, 4 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 28, Cumberland 12 Cinemas, 4 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 29, Clinton County Advocacy and Resource Center, New York Road, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Walk-ins are also welcome at the Adirondack Regional Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd, and open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blood collected by the Adirondack Regional Blood Center stays in the North Country, helping hundreds of people in this region. Its success rests on the generosity of donors and sponsors.
A donor card or another form of identification is required to give. Learn more about the Adirondack Regional Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call (518) 562-7406.
May 25, 2023 – From the North Country Chamber of Commerce – The New York State Labor Dept. has released seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for April, showing some area counties approaching record lows and most outperforming the statewide figure of 4%. The unemployment percentages for April 2023 are as follows:
We are gearing up for our first @perutownmarket on June 25th from 10 am to 2 pm at Heyworth-Mason Park in Peru, NY, so mark your calendars!
We still have space available if you’re a vendor and you’re interested in joining us! Visit our PeruTownMarket.com to sign up. And please reach out with any questions!
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State. In 2022, Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responded to more than 25,600 calls and worked on cases that resulted in nearly 13,800 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.
Illegal Guns Intercepted – Oswego County
On April 23, ECO Bonilla responded to a firearms complaint in the town of New Haven. The ECO arrived at the location and observed three men standing at a table with five long guns on it. The group advised they were conducting target practice for most of the evening. Officer Bonilla realized the men were well within the 500-foot limit for discharging firearms near dwellings. He also observed two of the long guns had characteristics that made them unlawful under the NY SAFE Act. ECO Bonilla charged the trio with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling. New York State Police arrested the individual who admitted to owning the two guns with unpermitted modifications and charged him with several misdemeanor and felony charges related to the SAFE Act.
It Wasn’t Me – Delaware County
On May 5, an individual turkey hunting in the Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area in the town of Walton observed a subject drive down the road. The driver mistook the hunter’s turkey decoys for real turkeys and discharged a 12-guage shotgun round from his vehicle. The subject sped away after realizing he had shot a fake turkey. The hunter called ECOs for assistance and provided Officers with a description of the vehicle. ECOs Doig and Osborne patrolled the area for the next two days attempting to locate the vehicle without success. On May 7, Officer Osbourne spotted a vehicle matching the description traveling in the same area where the shooting occurred. The ECO followed the vehicle a short distance before it pulled into the driveway of a residence and interviewed the driver who denied shooting the decoy despite having a 12-guage shotgun and other evidence in his vehicle. Officer Osbourne left the residence, but returned to re-interview the subject after further investigation. This time, the subject admitted to shooting from his vehicle at what he believed to be a real turkey. The ECO ticketed the subject for possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle, returnable to the Town of Walton Court.
Turkey decoy shot during illegal hunting incident in Delaware County
Peru – It’s hard not to love drone photos. They’ve given us a whole new perspective on the world. David Duprey of Peru, is the owner of Duprey’s Drone Zone. The aerial views of Peru, the City of Plattsburgh, the Cumberland Head ferry landing, and the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum he’s posted on Facebook have been awe-inspiring.
After 20+ years working for a local manufacturer and facing medical issues, Duprey devotes his energy to developing a drone photography business. He commented, “I bought my first drone about two years ago to play with. I’ve always been fascinated with technology.” Thankfully Drone #1 wasn’t expensive because it’s at the bottom of Lake Champlain. Duprey explained, “I was flying over the lake when heavy winds came up. The battery ran out, and down it came.”
Drone #2 is much more sophisticated. For example, it automatically returns to the operator if it senses a problem, such as a low battery. It has a 360-degree obstacle avoidance system and won’t fly in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restricted airspace. As a commercial operator, Duprey has to be FAA certified, requiring him to pass a 90-minute, 130-question examination. Maintaining air safety is always his top priority.
Duprey has been low-key in advertising his business. He said, “I’ve only used word of mouth, Facebook and YouTube. My customers have included realtors, a wedding, land surveys, and people worried about such things as beaver dams on their property.
One job involved photographing the Town of Peru’s watershed adjacent to the Reservoir Rd. Duprey’s sophisticated software stitched together about 800 aerial photos. Peru Water Department Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said, “The images gave us an overview of the watershed tributaries and areas where we need to be concerned with runoff. On a previous occasion, we used a drone to inspect the top of our water tower for storm damage. Drones can be a big help to us.”
If Dave Duprey ever purchases Drone #3, it might be a thermal drone he could use to find missing pets or downed animals. He commented, “It’d be my dream to help the community do that type of search and rescue or inspection with a thermal drone. But, for now, we’re happy doing what we’re doing, and some of the views we get are spectacular!”
“The Republican Committee was the first to announce their official endorsement of a candidate, with Hilary Rogers, who is currently serving as the Chief Assistant Public Defender at the Clinton County Public Defender’s office, being their pick.”
Another former corrections officer filed a lawsuit on Friday against the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, detailing allegations of sexual harassment and assault
Good morning – We regret to advise that our May 23rd Program, Redford Glass Uncovered, to be held at the Orchard at Meadowbrook has been postponed, and a new date will be available soon. We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause.
Our May program continues with our Walking Tour of the Oval, 10:30 am, 98 Ohio Avenue on May 27th.
State Senator today joined Joined Senate Republican colleagues at press conference to unveil slate of bills addressing migrant crisisSenator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today joined several of his Senate Republican colleagues at a press conference addressing the migrant crisis in New York State. Stec announced he’s sponsoring new legislation, Senate bill S.7390, which would prohibit the use of SUNY dorms to house migrants. Additionally, Stec and his colleagues announced several other pieces of legislation addressing local and statewide concerns over Governor Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ plans to move migrants out of the city and into communities across the state.
“When Democrats rushed to declare New York a sanctuary city, they ignored the financial costs and consequences of their actions,” said Stec. “They did so despite several warnings from many, including from the members of this conference.
“New York City received $1 billion in aid in the state budget to manage this self-inflicted crisis. Despite that, they still can’t handle this issue and now Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul are trying to pass costs and responsibilities onto upstate communities and SUNY campuses,” he continued. “They didn’t ask to become havens for migrants or to be inserted into the mayor and governor’s mismanagement of this issue. If New York City, home to millions and recipient of extra funding, can’t handle the influx of migrants, there’s no way SUNY campuses and upstate New York are equipped for it.
“The infrastructure and financial resources to handle this issue simply aren’t there, especially just after the state pocketed hundreds of millions from counties in eFMAP funding in the budget that just passed three weeks ago,” Stec said. “Passing this crisis onto our taxpayers and our communities is unacceptable, which is why I’m sponsoring a bill to prohibit the use of SUNY dorms to house migrants and ensure campuses remain used for academic purposes. Read more »
Many know Don Evans as a retired Peru Central Drivers Education teacher. But, his Quaker Springs neighbors know him as a friendly, talented man who spends the winter months crafting fairy garden surprises. For the past few weeks, Don and his wife Shirley have planted flowers and put his fascinating structures in place for children and adults to enjoy. They invite parents and kids to stop by 7 Oakdale Dr. in Peru to get down low and examine the hand-crafted land of fairyland.
By John T Ryan
Good morning – We regret to advise that our May 23rd Program, Redford Glass Uncovered, to be held at the Orchard at Meadowbrook has been postponed, and a new date will be available soon. We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause.
From the office of State Senator Dan Stec