The Peru Gazette

Ample Fishing Opportunities Await New Anglers

Free Fishing Days Support the Governor’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the 2026 dates for Free Fishing Days in New York. The requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived during the following six days in 2026: February 14–15, June 27–28, September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).

“Free Fishing Days provide the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors to affordably explore, unplug, and get outside,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State’s waters offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the nation, hosting memorable fishing experiences that increase tourism and benefit the economy. In addition to the many health benefits associated with recreating outdoors, fishing can provide more opportunities to connect with family and friends, something that seems harder and harder to do with increasing demands on time in today’s world.”

DEC’s Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 to give New Yorkers who might not fish a chance to try the rewarding sport of freshwater fishing at no cost, introduce people to a new hobby, and encourage people to support conservation by purchasing a New York State Fishing License.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “A wide variety of sport fish are thriving in thousands of freshwater lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers across New York State. Recreational fishing can be an exciting, affordable, and rewarding challenge that reminds us to slow down and take time to enjoy our valuable natural resources. Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned angler, I encourage everyone to get outside and visit New York’s waters during this year’s Free Fishing Days.”

DEC offers a host of resources for those interested in getting started in fishing. Read more »

Peru CSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the High School Community Room. It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:00 PM start, and that the Board will reconvene for open public session business at approximately 7:00 PM. The meeting will be recorded and will be available on the District’s website at www.perunighthawks.org. 

The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed. 

Currently, two (2) public comment opportunities are planned as follows:

First public comment: Related to items on the agenda. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.  

Second public comment: Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. 

Individuals who are unable to attend the regular meeting in person may submit public comments by emailing perucomments@perucsd.org no later than noon on Tuesday, February 10. Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.

Anticipated topics include:

• Policy Review

• Personnel Appointments

• Preliminary Budget Information presentation

• 26-27 Academic Calendar

The complete agenda will be available via BoardDocs on the District’s website (www.perunighthawks.org).

Many, many family activities this weekend. 

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A chance to voice YOUR opinion! 

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NYC story, but is it happening in other parts of NYS 

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Ice began drifting on Lake Champlain, causing dangerous conditions for skaters who needed to be rescued

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Tate Frantz, native of Lake Placid, is representing Team USA in Milan

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SUNY Potsdam photo

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Child Care Council Ex. Director: “There aren’t enough providers to meet today’s needs, let alone if it were expanded to more families. He said the physical infrastructure doesn’t even exist yet.”

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(PLATTSBURGH, NY – February 4, 2026) – The City of Plattsburgh is partnering with local military families to honor men and women who have served or are currently serving in the US Armed Forces. Applications for this year’s program are due on March 16th.

Eligibility Requirements:

Honoree must be:

• Military personnel
• Currently serving, honorably discharged, retired or deceased

Honoree must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a current resident of the City of Plattsburgh
• Have previously lived in the City as a long-term resident (20 years or more)
• Be a graduate of a High School located within the City of Plattsburgh
• Be a resident of the City of Plattsburgh at time of enlistment or discharge from service.

Each application is subject to approval by the City of Plattsburgh Hometown Heroes Committee.

The “Hometown Heroes Banner Program” memorializes active and honorably discharged military personnel with banners displayed around the US Oval Historic District between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.

The City of Plattsburgh is privileged to have a rich military history within our community and are humbled to join neighboring communities in commemorating our local heroes. Displaying the banners around the US Oval, the nucleus of the Plattsburgh Air Force Base and the site of the North Country Honor Flight, is the perfect setting in which to honor our military community.

Banners will be displayed for two years after which they will be returned to the sponsoring family or friend. Sponsors will pay a $225 fee to cover the cost of the banners. If renewing, the cost is $150.

Applications for the program can be found at https://my.cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov/en/projects/hometown-heroes-banner-program and will be made available in the City of Plattsburgh Community Development Office at 41 City Hall Place, the Plattsburgh Public Library, local American Legion posts, and the Clinton County Veterans Services Office.

Applications can be emailed to BristerB@cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov, mailed, or dropped off to the Community Development Office at City Hall between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The deadline for the 2026 season is Monday, March 16th, 2026.

Banners will extend to U.S. Route 9 until all spaces are filled, at which time a wait-list will be maintained on a first-come first-served basis.

# # #

Albany, Dan Stec News Release of Feb. 4, 2026 – Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today joined his state Senate Republican colleagues in introducing a package of bills that would provide immediate, substantive tax relief to all New Yorkers. Chief among these bills is Senate bill S.9110, which would institute the largest tax cut in state history.

• S.9110 – Eliminates the state personal income tax on the first $50,000 of income for single filers and the first $100,000 for joint filers. New Yorkers that file jointly would see an estimated savings of up to $6,000 once fully phased in;
• S.1296 – Establishes an annual spending growth cap on the state budget that limits the growth of state operating funds spending;
• S.1487 – Reduces the amount small businesses and farms must pay in taxes by increasing the corporate tax threshold from $390,000 to $500,000 and lowering the rate to 2.5%. It also expands the small business exemption to all PIT businesses regardless of whether they have employees, increases the threshold to $500,000, increases the exemption to 15%, and increases the exemption to 20% for farmers;
• S.3914 – Ends the state income tax on overtime;
• S.5519 – Eases the property tax burden on homeowners by providing for a ten-year state takeover of the local share of Medicaid for local governments subject to the two percent property tax cap; and
• S.587 – Ends the state income tax on tips.

LCLGRPB gets $750K; P’burgh-North Country Chamber, $350K

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

(PLATTSBURGH – News Release of February 3, 2026) – The City of Plattsburgh is excited to release a full calendar of community events for 2026, which includes many of the community’s favorite events from years past such as the Fourth of July Celebration, Parks Come Alive events, as well as some new introductions! To stay up to date on upcoming events visit www.discoverplattsburgh.com/events.

2026 Event Highlights

What can the public expect for events in 2026? The City will host family-friendly, free events that focus on highlighting regional food, drink, music, art and history. Our community events would not be possible without the collaboration with many community organizations like the Sunrise Rotary Club, the Strand Center for the Arts, the Town of Plattsburgh, SUNY Plattsburgh, 1814 Inc. and many others.

Beloved traditional community events such as the Fourth of July Celebration, Mayor’s Cup Festival and Regatta, Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration and A Miracle on Margaret Street are scheduled for 2026. Parks Come Alive, now in its fifth season, will return, along with Downtown Trick or Treat, the GreenUp Community Clean up & Earth Day Festival and the Lake City Arts Festival. Events like Chill on the Hill Winter Festival, The Memorial Day Parade and Movie Night in the Park debuted in 2025 and will return this year, with Movie Night in the Park expanding to three total movie nights in 2026.

Emma Stewart, Community Engagement Coordinator says “We’re excited to continue growing Plattsburgh’s event programming in 2026. With new events joining returning favorites, this year’s lineup reflects our commitment to creating fun, engaging experiences that bring people together and highlight our community.”

Building Partnerships with Local Businesses

The City is excited to collaborate with many local businesses in 2026. DELLA Auto Group, Microbird, Schluter Systems, UFirst Federal Credit Union, Dannemora Federal Credit Union, Northern Insuring, NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, Stafford Owens, Community Bank, and Happy Camper Pediatric Dentistry, have all partnered with the City to present different events throughout the year. The City’s business partners have not only contributed monetary resources to our community events but are also planning to get their employees involved in volunteering for events. Partnering with our local businesses strengthens relationships in the community and opens the door for collaboration.

Elizabeth Guillette, Recruitment Specialist at Schluter Systems, says “We take great pride and joy in sponsoring the community events of the City of Plattsburgh. It feels good to give back to the community that gives so much to us and means so much to our employees. We cherish the connections, enjoyment, and communal strength that these events foster annually.”

Anna Hewitt-Channell, Business Development and Marketing Manager at Dannemora Federal Credit Union says,“We love the community events because it is a great way to connect, see other families out having fun, meet new people and businesses, etc. I think the happiness is electric at our community events! There is something special about everyone being together in one location like the park or downtown for an Arts Festival. ”    

Colin McCullough, Marketing Director at Northern Insuring Agency says, “As a North Country business, we welcome the shared responsibility of contributing to a strong and vibrant community. These annual events go to the root of our organization’s core values and align with our commitment to support our most valuable resource: the local people who take pride in the North Country and choose to celebrate it.”

Chris Goodell, Pediatric Dentist at Happy Camber Pediatric Dentistry says, “Happy Camper Pediatric Dentistry is thrilled to be able to support events that get families together, outdoors, and having fun. We are excited to see the City of Plattsburgh building on previous years’ events, especially with the addition of several outdoor movies this year. By offering these events, it shows that Plattsburgh is committed to supporting families living in our community and that recreation is a priority for city leaders. Happy Camper shares that commitment and is proud to be able to help bring such family-friendly events to the community!”

2026 List of Events in Full

Visit www.discoverplattsburgh.com/events for event details such as timing, parking, and information about accessibility.

Hosting an Event in Plattsburgh

Community events and gatherings are what makes Plattsburgh an enriching place to live, work and recreate. If you are interested in hosting an event that is on City of Plattsburgh property, you can learn more on the City’s website by visiting www.cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov/holdinganevent. 

The Community Engagement Coordinator is a resource to help the community hold events and gatherings both safely and successfully. You can start the event application process by filling out an online form, by emailing events@cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov or calling 518-536-7510.

Peru  – Pancakes Plus Breakfast, Sunday, February 8, 2026 served by the St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus, St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. $10 for adults, $5 children 5 to 11, Children under 5 are Free. Take-outs are $10. 

The menu includes Pancakes,Waffles, Strawberry Sauce, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Home Fries, Real Maple Syrup, and much more. 

The next Knight’s breakfast is March 8. 

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Will this week’s budget hearing provide insight into the state’s plan to salvage its safety net?

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A years long staffing crisis at state-run facilities has taken its toll on incarcerated kids and the workers who watch over them.

Click here for the New York Focus story