The Peru Gazette

A Canine Gem animal rescue operator is facing more than 50 charges including six felonies and 48 misdemeanor counts.

Click here for the Press-Republican story 

I should have shared this excellent February 3, 2024, Kim Dedam, Sun Community News story. It traces Plattsburgh City Hall’s history. Its architct designed the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

The Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW) and North Country Public Radio (NCPR) have announced the first five Howl Story Slams of the 2024 season.

“Anyone can sign up to tell a story. Stories must be: true, under five minutes, adhere to the night’s theme and told without notes.”

The first event is set for Wednesday, Mar. 27, at 7 p.m. at Olive Ridley’s in Plattsburgh, NY. Additional story slams are scheduled in Morristown at the Iron Horse Grill on Apr. 23; Upper Jay at the Upper Jay Art Center on May 16; Indian Lake at the Indian Lake Theater on June 21 and Saranac Lake at the Waterhole on July 9. The theme for these five slams is “Risky Business.” More information for each event can all be found on ACW’s events page at adirondackcenterforwriting.org/events.

Anyone can sign up to tell a story. Stories must be: true, under five minutes, adhere to the night’s theme and told without notes. Storytellers are judged by a few audience members and a winner is announced at the end of each night. All of the 2024 winners will be invited to tell a story at the Grand Slam at the end of the year.

No tickets are needed; each slam is a suggested $10 donation which is split between ACW and NCPR, two North Country nonprofits dedicated to inspiring the love of storytelling.

You can listen to past storytellers on NCPR’s The Howl Podcast at northcountrypublicradio.org/pages/the-howl. Videos from last season’s Grand Slam at St. Lawrence University can be found on NCPR’s YouTube channel and on The Howl Story Slam Facebook page.

The Adirondack Center for Writing has been bringing people and words together for 25 years through provocative events and meaningful programs. For more information about ACW, visit adirondackcenterforwriting.org or follow @adkctr4writing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Find all the latest on Town Meeting Day here.

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Blood collected by CVPH program helps thousands of North Country residents 

The next drive in Peru is Monday, April 1. 

PLATTSBURGH, NY (3/05/2024) – The Adirondack Regional Blood Center,  in collaboration with numerous generous sponsors, will conduct several blood drives open to the community in March.  The Blood Center is a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH).

Here’s the March community blood drive schedule:

• Adirondack Helping Hands, Thursday, Mar. 7, 2 to 6 pm
• Clinton County ARC, Friday, Mar. 8, 9 am to 1 pm
• Willsboro Fire Department, Monday, Mar. 11, 3 to 6 pm
• St. Lawrence Human Services Center, Thursday, Mar. 14, noon to 3 pm
• CVPH Auditoriums A & B, Friday, Mar. 15, 7:30 am to 2 pm
• Champlain EMS, Monday, March 18, 3 to 7 pm
• Brushton – Moira American Legion, Tuesday, Mar. 19, 4 to 7 pm
• Adirondack Medical Center, Redfield Room, Monday, Mar. 25, noon to 4 pm

Blood collected at these drives and at the Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd stays in the North Country, helping hundreds of people in this region. The Donor Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm and walk ins are always welcome.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years-old (16 years-old with written parental/guardian consent), in generally good health and weigh at least 110 lbs. A screening questionnaire addressing personal medical, social and travel history must be completed prior to donating.  A donor card or another form of identification is also required. Donors must wait 56 days between donations.

Learn more about the Adirondack Regional Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call 518-562-7406.

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Click here for the Press-Republican story 

Peru Gazette photo of March 6, 2024 at 7 a.m.

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

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

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

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Musical navigates the challenges of high school with humor

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

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

Click here for the MYNBC5 story

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

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.