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Clinton County American Legion Commander Joe Patnode

The official groundbreaking on May 26, 2023.

A large number of people turned out for the groundbreaking.

By John T. Ryan

May 26, 2023 – Plattsburgh Excitement was in the air Friday as many supporters attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Battlefield Memorial Gateway. Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman told the large gathering he was so excited he had trouble sleeping the previous night. Located on Route 9 across from Clare and Carls Restaurant, the seven-acre Battlefield Memorial Gateway Park will connect what Cashman called the “triangle of history,” the mainland, Crab Island, and Valcour Island. The park’s ultimate goal is to honor our veterans and its history and to educate both residents and visitors on that history.

Local historian John Rock approached Cashman with the Gateway concept shortly after Cashman took office six years ago. Over the past five years, planning and fundraising have been taking place. Cashman praised Assemblyman Billy Jones for securing $250,000 in state monies, saying, “Without those funds, we would not be here today.” Jones referred to the park as a public-private partnership, emphasizing that more funding and “sweat equity” are needed to complete the project.

The American Legion and several local businesses have committed to the project. Clinton County American Legion Commander Joe Patnode told the gathering, “This park will be for all veterans, educating our youth, as well as many adults, including myself, on how this area was instrumental in the development of the greatest Constitutional Republic ever formed.”

Michael Cashman, Assemblyman Jones, and John Rock believe the park will attract visitors to our region. Rock stated, “I believe this will be a destination point for tourism… This is one of the most historic sites in the nation that I know of that has not been shown the honor that has taken place here and its importance in the birth of our country.” Rock noted that fifty Americans who died in the War of 1812 are buried on Crab Island. He said, “Until a flag pole was erected on the island in 2022, their names had not been displayed since September 11, 1814.”

Historian John Rock, who conceived the Gateway

Supervisor Casham directed people to where an amphitheater and playground will be constructed. He envisions teachers bringing history classes to the park.

Plans call for the park to be opened in phases to be complete for our nation’s Semiquincenntial (America 250) on July 4, 2026. Luck Brothers Construction is currently working on phase 1.

Click here for a memorable Mountain Lake Journal story about Danny Kaifetz and the American Hereos Flagpoles

One of the many reasons people love Peru is that our little community has so many things to offer. This time of year it’s fruits, flowers, plants and fresh vegetables like asparagus. Here are some things Northern Orchard Farm Stand on Union Road is offering this weekend.

Newest addition coming to the Lake City is a ‘Welcome to Plattsburgh’ artwork

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Project requires State Historic Preservation Office review

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You can help Champlain Area Trails (CATS) develop its first trail system in Peru on Saturday, June 10, from 9 am to 1:00 pm. The CATS “2nd Saturday-of-the-Month Trail Project” will continue making the eight-mile network of Allen Hill Trails that features incredible views from Huckleberry Hill, gurgling brooks by Bennett Hill, waterfalls on the Reverend York Trail, and pleasant walks on wonderful old roads. We will clear a new trail, “Sue’s Trail,” which winds along Caldwell Brook.

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.

•    CLINTON COUNTY: 2.8%
•    ESSEX COUNTY: 3.5%
•    FRANKLIN COUNTY: 3.1%
•    HAMILTON COUNTY: 5.4%
•    WARREN COUNTY: 3.0%

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Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol

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

Turkey Decoy Detail – Town of Niles Read more »

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Drive, at St. Augustine’s Parish Center on Monday, June 5, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m..

All blood collected is utilized in our region.

Coordinated by the Peru Knights of Columbus Council 7273 

Buffalo, Stony Brook and Albany. 1,500 beds total. Announcement expected as soon as next week.

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The DEC still has our mud season travel advisory, so we are advising people not to go above 2,500 feet. The conditions up there are very, very wet.

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