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The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.

Comment Policy

The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No  foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.

Recent Comments

Clinton County officials slam Hochul Medicaid plan

“For instance, the county’s current budget, which was passed in December, would have an instant $1.7 million hole in it.”

Click here for the Press-Republican story 

Alstom joins Northeast Hydrogen Hub Consortium

“This is a significant milestone because if the hydrogen hub were to be selected and funded, it would create the potential for a hydrogen train, produced in New York State, to one day service the Northeast Corridor.”

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

I-87 Call Box System being dismantled

Northway’s emergency call system from Warren to Clinton counties being decommissioned

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

United Way exceeds Cow-Kissing’s goal

We are happy to announce that we exceeded our cow-kissing goal and raised $6,200 to support domestic violence services throughout the region! And with that, we were also able to surpass our overall 2023 campaign goal for a total raised of $665,000!!! Thank you to our incredibly generous supporters, our fabulous cow-kissing team (including our returning kissers and seasoned veterans), and all of the wonderful and hospitable staff at Miner Institute. We couldn’t do what we do without every single one of you!

CDC adds COVID-19 shots to list of routine vaccines for kids and adults

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

World Cup of ski jumping returns to Lake Placid for first time since 1990

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

United Way Completes Annual Fundraising Campaign 

$665K raised, including $113K by NYS employees

United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. has completed its 2023 Fundraising Campaign to help support high-priority health and human service programs in Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties. The annual campaign is conducted primarily during the fall months and concludes in February of each year. This year’s campaign raised a total of $665,000.00, which includes proceeds from special events and also includes projections of pending results from businesses and individuals not yet received but anticipated. John Bernardi, President & CEO, said, “we are so delighted to deliver this exciting news to our three-county region. It is once again a testament to the generosity and caring nature of the North Country. It was very challenging this year and we are proud of what we have been able to achieve. It was a valiant team effort among campaign team volunteers, United Way staff and employee campaign representatives, but most of all, it was the generosity of businesses, organizations and individuals that made it successful. I am always so impressed to see how people in our region come together for their friends and neighbors.” Campaign team members include Todd McCarthy (Co-Chair: Clinton County), James Monty (Co-Chair: Essex County), Amy Collin (Co-Chair: Franklin County), Monticia Prather, Chris Mazzella, Sandra Young-Brady, Sue LeBlanc-Durocher, Lee Rivers, DaleAnne Wolter, Tony Searing, Gerry Morrow, Ryan Lee, Hannah Provost, Jody Carpenter, Shay Prentiss and staff members Holly Lafountain, Jennifer Desrocher, Nikki Buck, Meghan Weeden, Wendy Baker, Tracy Repas and Bernardi.

The State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA), a campaign for state employees that runs parallel to the United Way campaign, also wrapped up recently and raised a total of $113,099.00, which is included in the campaign total. A regional committee of state employees, chaired by Bill Ferguson of Empire State Development, conducts the annual fund-raising campaign in state facilities across the region.    

The mission of United Way, which serves Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties, is to be a leader in community partnership building and to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another. The funds raised from this campaign will be allocated to local community partner agencies based on donor designations and agency applications for additional funds to support high-priority health and human service programs. A committee of community members will review requests for undesignated funds and recommend to the board of directors the awarding of grants based on prioritized community needs throughout the region. Chris Mazzella, Chair of the United Way Board of Directors, said, “Funds stay local and go toward supporting critical services for our friends and neighbors here in the North Country.” Last year, the health and human service network supported by United Way provided service to nearly eighty thousand people throughout Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties.

She’s a hero to us’

SARANAC LAKE — A first grade field trip to the Ice Palace on Wednesday could have ended disastrously if it weren’t for the quick actions of a teacher leading the trip.

Click here for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise story 

Mayor Rosenquest appointed to NY Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials Executive Committee

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

CLINTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S FACULTY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE A “VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE” IN THE INSTITUTION’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND MOVE TO “WORK TO RULE” STATUS. 

Faculty Association News Release 2/10/23

Clinton Community College’s teaching and non-teaching faculty have been without a salary increase for six years, and attempts to negotiate have been unsuccessful since 2017. 

In October 2022, the College Board was informed that the Faculty Association (FA) sought mediation, resolution, and progress toward a fair and equitable contract.  Currently, the College and FA are at an impasse.  The FA has determined that “no progress” toward a fair and equitable wage is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees (BOT). 

Therefore, effective immediately, until a formal agreement with wage increases is signed, all members of the FA will work only to the exact terms of their employment contract. All extra work that is done without additional compensation has ceased. 

The Faculty’s enthusiastic instruction and stellar service in support of our students who are enrolled at Clinton Community College will continue to be the benchmark of our commitment to students who are enrolled at Clinton Community College. 

 

Man rescued after falling through ice on Lake Champlain

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

After receiving report of off-duty racism and misogyny by Vermont troopers, public safety chief initially declined to take action

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Staying Alive: Responding to Emergencies Set for February 18

Free program offers information about AED use, fire safety, narcan administration, Stop the Bleed and more

PLATTSBURGH, NY (02/08/2023) —  “Staying Alive: Responding to Emergencies” is a free community event planned for Saturday, February 18 at the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The health and information fair will be held on the first floor of the hospital’s Main Campus auditorium.

The event will feature displays, exhibits and information from the CVPH Clinical Education team, Alliance for Positive Health, EMT of CVPH and the Plattsburgh Fire Department.  Topics include providing assistance to someone choking, in need of CPR or having a stroke; fire and safety prevention; using an AED; administering Narcan; using Stop the Bleed principles and caring for yourself in an emergency.

“We’ve come together to share important information – specifically for people with little or no medical background.  Emergencies can happen at any time, anywhere, to anyone. Having some basic knowledge can make a difference while you wait for medical help to arrive. Our goal is to provide practical, useful information,” explained Shana Riel, CVPH Clinical Education Coordinator.

Participants are encouraged to use CVPH’s Main Entrance. Masking requirements remain in place.

Platttsburgh Scouts host Sunday Pancake Breakfast

Wind Advisory in effect for Northern St. Lawrence-Northern Franklin-Southern Franklin- Western Clinton-Western Essex-Counties

Northern St. Lawrence-Northern Franklin-Southern Franklin-
Western Clinton-Western Essex-
Including the cities of Massena, Norfolk, Fort Covington, Malone,
Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Dannemora, Ellenburg, Lake Placid, 
and Newcomb
331 AM EST Thu Feb 9 2023

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EST
FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Northern St. Lawrence, Northern Franklin, Southern 
  Franklin, Western Clinton and Western Essex Counties.

* WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to noon EST Friday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The highest gusts are expected during
  Friday predawn into late morning hours.

Historic fire tower relocated from Plattsburgh to Speculator

Click here for the Mountain Lake PBS story 

New York City helps migrants get to Plattsburgh, where many journey on to Canada

On a daily basis, taxis bring migrants from the bus stop in Plattsburgh to Roxham Road in Champlain

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

The Clinton County Historical Association Announces: “Redford Glass Uncovered”

Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 6:45 pm, Lake Forest Senior Living Retirement Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh, NY 12903

Admission is Free

Please join the Clinton County Historical Association (CCHA) on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 6:45 pm, at the Lake Forest Senior Living Retirement Community, for a presentation on Clinton County’s Redford Glass heritage.    

The presentation will take participants back to a period more than 200 years ago to learn about the short-lived history of the Redford Glass Company.  Although the company was in business for only 20 years they produced products that demonstrated unique skilled craftsmanship that survive to this day.  By the end of the presentation participants will see how the Company, that was once famous and esteemed for its crown glass windowpanes, has become synonymous with unique and priceless glassware. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Wrestling results – Peru Sr HS @ Beekmantown Sr HS on 02/08/2023.

Beekmantown Sr HS (BSH) 50.0 Peru Sr HS (PSH) 21.0
102: Matthew Desotell (BSH) over Alyn Capen (PSH) (Fall 1:49) 110: Caleb Starke (PSH) over   (BSH) (For.) 118: Ian Sylvester (PSH) over   (BSH) (For.) 126: Jacob Lagree (BSH) over Seanan Edwards (PSH) (Fall 3:05) 132: Jacob Magiera (BSH) over Cory Winch (PSH) (Fall 5:17) 138: Sawyer  Bell (BSH) over Spencer Davies (PSH) (TF 18-1 3:30) 145: Jack Brown (BSH) over Landen Goddeau (PSH) (Fall 5:43) 152: Huston Newell (BSH) over   (PSH) (For.) 160: Lucas Corrado (BSH) over Myles Cummings (PSH) (Dec 6-2) 172: Tristen Manny (BSH) over   (PSH) (For.) 189: Ryan Robinson (PSH) over Alexander Hall (BSH) (Dec 6-2) 215: Bryce Wiggins (PSH) over Tanner Manny (BSH) (Fall 1:41) 285: Connor Bushey (BSH) over   (PSH) (For.)

You can find more details regarding this dual using the following link.

https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/seasons/LoadBalance.jsp?pageName=DualMatches.jsp&dualId=6973841132

CHAMBER HIGHLIGHTS POSITION OF AREA BUSINESS ON KEY ISSUES

The North Country Chamber of Commerce has released the results of its 2023 Annual Issue Survey, defining the position of regional business on a number of key issues and expressing expectations for the year ahead.

“We said a year ago that if inflation, workforce and supply chain challenges persisted, they would have an effect on confidence and expectations and we are seeing that,” says Chamber President Garry Douglas. “The Business Confidence Index in 2022 was 90%, with 71% expecting their business activity to be up and 19% expecting it to remain steady. For 2023, we are still at a positive level of 80%, with a majority of 51% anticipating business growth with 29% expecting no change. That shift is definitely tied to continued strong challenges in terms of rising costs, a very tight labor pool and expectations that 2023 may see a national recession or slowdown.”

Douglas notes, however, that while a small regional majority still expects growth and only 20% expect business to be down, 69% believe the New York State economy will be down this year and 71% believe similarly for the national economy. 62% believe that if there is a recession this year, “our economic region has positioned itself better than most rural regions of New York.” “The fact that confidence is higher about our region than about the state and nation is welcome,” says Douglas, “and reflects such factors as strong employment, the return of Canadian visitors and investment, the expected growth in much of our area manufacturing base including transportation equipment, and being in the businesses we now are in.”

At the same time, the Chamber points to several key issues, some of which have been major concerns for two years:

  • 63% indicate that staffing shortages are limiting hours, productivity and/or business activity, causing lost business.
  • 34% believe workforce challenges have become worse in the past year. Only 10% believe they have become better.
  • 92% cite quality, affordable housing for working people as a growing regional challenge, requiring enhanced state attention and support.
  • 92% say that as the State’s Climate Action Council’s Scoping Plan sets deadlines for the transition of buildings, businesses, and homes to clean electric sources, eliminating gas and oil, it will be important to maintain energy supplies during the transition and to avoid negative economic impacts on New York residents and businesses from mandated changes.
  • 94% say it is important that the State avoid new cost-increasing mandates on small business and employers at this time.
  • 66% oppose the proposed automatic annual increase of the state minimum wage in line with inflation.
  • 84% believe New York must address the causes of the out-migration of residents from the state as a priority.​

Overall, the priorities for action on the state level this year are:

  1. Avoid new mandates on small business and employers.
  2. Address workforce shortages in various ways.
  3. Increase regional availability of quality, affordable housing.

On the federal level this year, 95% call for the U.S. and Canadian governments to focus on further coordinated progress toward normalization of border crossings, aiming for restored 2019 levels of travel. Other findings include:

  • 89% support for further federal and state support to enhance access to affordable childcare as an essential part of meeting workforce needs.
  • 90% indicate that inflation is negatively impacting their business and must be brought under control. 91% indicate similarly for supply chain challenges.
  • 86% support immigration reform that includes enhanced legal immigration to help meet workforce shortages, and that this is timely and important to many sectors including hospitality, agriculture, health care, engineering, and manufacturing.

Priorities for federal action this year are:

  1. Bring inflation under control.
  2. Further progress toward normalization of U.S.-Canada border crossings.
  3. Enhance availability of affordable childcare.
  4. Increased legal immigration to help meet workforce needs.

The Chamber’s 2023 Issue Survey results have been shared with federal and state officials and will be used to help guide the Chamber’s advocacy efforts in the coming months in Washington, Albany and elsewhere.

Lake? Pond? What’s the difference?

Click here for the Adiromdack Almanac Story 

Whiteface sees record cold temps

Minus 40.2 degrees Fahrenheit — with a wind chill of 91 degrees below zero — at about 3 a.m. Saturday.

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Vermont’s rates of homelessness are (almost) the worst in the country

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Tupper Lake triad adds to community allure

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Behind the scenes look at the governor’s budget reveal

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story