The Peru Gazette

Clouds will begin forming in Northern New York around 2pm on Thursday, and will move east, with a line of thunderstorms making its way into Vermont into the early evening.

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While officials say some of the wastewater has been diverted back to the treatment plant, 10% of the city’s wastewater is still entering the river.

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Eastern Clinton-Western Clinton-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-
Orleans-Essex-Lamoille-Caledonia-Washington-Western Addison-
Orange-Western Rutland-Eastern Franklin-Eastern Chittenden-
Eastern Addison-Eastern Rutland-Western Windsor-Eastern Windsor-
Including the cities of Champlain, Plattsburgh, Dannemora,
Ellenburg, Lake Placid, Newcomb, Port Henry, Ticonderoga, Derby,
Newport, Island Pond, Lunenburg, Johnson, Stowe, Hardwick, St.
Johnsbury, Montpelier, Waitsfield, Middlebury, Vergennes,
Bradford, Randolph, Fair Haven, Rutland, Enosburg Falls,
Richford, Richmond, Underhill, Bristol, Ripton, East Wallingford,
Killington, Bethel, Ludlow, Springfield, and White River Junction
242 AM EDT Thu Jul 13 2023

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
  possible.

* WHERE...Essex and Clinton counties in New York. Portions of
  Vermont, including the following counties, Caledonia, Eastern
  Addison, Eastern Chittenden, Eastern Franklin, Eastern Rutland,
  Eastern Windsor, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Washington,
  Western Addison, Western Rutland and Western Windsor.

* WHEN...From 2 PM EDT this afternoon through late tonight.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
  creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
  - Additional rainfall is expected this afternoon and evening as
    a line of strong thunderstorms moves through. Rivers and
    streams are already running high and any additional rainfall
    will go straight to run-off in areas that have recently
    flooded. Additional forecast rainfall amounts for this
    afternoon and evening are 1 to 1.5 inches, locally up to 2
    inches in the heaviest storms.
  - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain vigilant, monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible
Flash Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should
be prepared to take action should flooding develop.  Have a plan in
place now if your area is flooded.  Make sure that you have a
reliable source to get flood alerts from.

&&

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A photo from the scene shows a home on Pleasant Street on fire, with smoke pouring out of the structure.

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Architectural Drawing

Architectural Drawing

Davey Drive is adjacent to and behind the Bear Swamp Road Dunkin’ Restaurant 

By John T Ryan 

Peru – July 12, 2023 – If the construction schedule goes as planned, in January 2024,  there will be eight new apartments at Davey Drive Commons. The developer and general contractor, Nate Wilson, opened eight units in early 2020. He’s had no problem renting them, so he’s building eight more. 

There are differences. Unlike the units next door, the new apartments do not have garages; however, they are larger bedrooms. Two-story apartments will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Single-story units will offer two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Wilson commented, “I’m very proud of the first eight units. These will have a different color but a similar appearance. They’ll have top finishing touches, including granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and bronze lighting fixtures.” 

Four years ago, when the Peru Gazette interviewed Wilson, he cited several of Peru’s remarkable qualities: “I think many people are looking for Peru’s conveniences and small-town life. They’ll be very close to restaurants, the post office and the walking trail.” Wilson hasn’t changed his mind. He stated, ” Peru offers so much, but people supporting local establishments is essential.” 

As a developer, Wilson stated, “By and large, Peru is relatively friendly to develop in. The school district is well-favored. That’s very important.” 

As stated in our 2020 story, Peru is also home to insurance agencies, a credit union, a bank,  a supermarket, a drug store, farmer’s markets, orchards, an accounting firm, hardware stores, a liquor store, a laundromat, a car wash, gas stations, churches, beauty shops, dentists, a medical practice, a new Stewart’s and more. Peru offers its residents city amenities but in a small town.

Several bodies of water reached new highs, while others came close to matching records set during Tropical Storm Irene. By Tuesday night, most were receding.

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Money was Taken from her Deceased Mother-in-Law’s Bank Account

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Ryan K. Buchanan and Inspector General for the Social Security Administration Gail S. Ennis today announced that Sandra Smith, a resident of Georgia, has pleaded guilty to the federal crime of theft of government funds and must pay back $459,050 in New York state pension and Social Security payments that were issued to her deceased mother-in-law.

“Exploiting the death of a family member for personal profit is a heinous crime,” DiNapoli said. “The defendant took advantage of our state pension fund and the Social Security Administration, but due to our joint investigation, her crimes were discovered. She now faces the consequences of her actions. My thanks to U.S. Attorney Buchanan and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General for their partnership in ensuring justice was served and restitution was made in this case.”

Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of government funds. Under her plea agreement, she will pay $264,699 in restitution to the state pension system and $194,351 to the SSA.

The defendant’s late mother-in-law, Minnie Smith, was an employee of the New York State Insurance Fund for 20 years until retiring in 2005. To be closer to family, she moved from Brooklyn to Georgia afterward and passed away there on Sept. 14, 2006.

As her mother-in-law’s caretaker, Sandra Smith had access to her bank account, which she kept open after her death to enable the theft of continued payments from the New York state pension system and Social Security. The Comptroller’s Division of Investigations and the SSA-OIG discovered and investigated the thefts.

Smith, 49, pleaded before Judge Eleanor Ross of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

The Town of Peru Highway Department will be paving Burnt Hill Road from Norrisville Road  to town line, on Wednesday, July 12^th from 6:30 am til 2 pm. 

Local traffic, school buses & emergency vehicles will be able to access the road.

The most recent weather events have brought a great deal of suffering for many of our North Country neighbors. In a community like the North Country, when events like this occur, we all know someone who has been directly affected, and we want to do what we can to help them through their difficult time.

Please know that the Mission of Hope family has everyone affected, directly or through family and friends, in our thoughts and prayers. We also stand ready to help anyone needing medical supplies, equipment, or clothing. Anything we have, we are happy to share with those in need.

If you need assistance, our warehouse will be open tomorrow from 9-11 AM, or you can call Jimmy Dumont at 518-651-6009 or Rob Bashaw at 518-335-8346.

God Bless
Deacon James

Route 9 bridge view heading south

Jabez Allen Road View

Historic Bridge Carrying State Route 9 Will Be Raised to Reduce Potential of Flooding and Ice Jams Impacting the Bridge

Read more »

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Ongoing demonstrations of antique chain saws, shingle mill, saw mill, and a planer and buzz saw run by hit and miss engines.   Watch our blacksmith at work.  See flax being spun into linen.  Try your hand using a wash board or vintage wringer washer.  Visit the garden shed, raised beds and hops display.  KIDS:  milk Apple Blossom, ride Thomas the Train & the stagecoach, visit the animals, lift hay to the hayloft and grind some corn in the granary.  Check out our new movie theater and kiosks.  Bring a bagged lunch and enjoy our picnic area.  Beverages and snacks are available in the Museum Store.

Peru Gazette 4/5/22 photo

Peru Gazette 4/5/22 photo

Peru – July 10, 2023. Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup watched as the 5 School Street house fell today. Guynup issued code violations over several years and brought the issue to Peru Town Court. Finally, the Town Board took the many required legal steps to demolish the building. Because the building was in disrepair and unsafe to enter, state regulations require that asbestos is assumed to be present. The contractor hauled the debris to the region’s hazardous waste landfill in Frankin County. The town will include the demolition cost in property owner Dale Bradley’s tax bill.

July 10, 2023 – The Little Ausable River at Heyworth/Mason Park and the Ausable River at Ausable Chasm are typically low this time of year. While they’re not high today compared to many area rivers, they’re still relatively high.

Click here for the Press-Republican story