Outdoor outfitter hopes to have the 70,000-square-foot store open by 2024. It would be the fourth in New York state.

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L-R Stacey Bouquet & Becky Pace

Patrons Twila Jennings and her grandchildren Eli and Michael Dunham

Library entrance pickup

Art Exhibit Painting

By John T. Ryan (Please share)

Peru – Public Libraries! Does anyone use libraries when people can find almost any publication online? In Peru, NY the answer is YES! Many people use and appreciate the Peru Free Library’s books, media, and services. For example, last year, the library’s printed and digital media circulated 11,628 times, including 6,594 to adults and 3,575 to children, plus a digital circulation of 1,338. There are 700 active library cardholders; 117 people signed up for cards during the past year.

The Covid pandemic necessitated re-invention and creativity at almost every institution, including the Peru Library. For example, when Covid regulations barred patrons from entering the building, Library Director Becky Pace and Assistant Librarian Stacey Bousquet bagged books and media for patrons to pick up from an entryway bookcase. Patrons appreciated that innovation, so it continues. Each day there’s an average of twenty packed bags awaiting pickup. Becky Pace has been Library Director for twenty years, while Stacey Bousquet has been Assistant Director for eight years. Both women take great pride in their work and do their best to surpass patron expectations.

The library offers more than books, periodicals, and digital media. Both artists and patrons look forward to its frequent, high-quality art, quilt, and pottery exhibits. In addition, people appreciate its computer, wifi, copy, fax, and printing services, and organizations use the library’s spacious main room for special programs. The children’s reading program and art camp at the library are centerpieces of Peru’s summertime activities.

As a member of the Clinton-Franklin-Essex Library System, Peru’s cardholders have access to works in the system’s twenty-nine other libraries, plus libraries across New York State and the nation. Cardholders at other libraries, in turn, have access to Peru’s 18,000 books and media. As a result, cardholders at other libraries accounted for almost 25% of Peru’s 2022 circulation.

A Board of Trustees oversees the Peru Free Library. The Board’s current members are Marque Moffett – President; Sandy Divoli- Vice-President; Sarah Richman – Treasurer; Diane Haight – Secretary; Patric Andrews, Terri Cioppa, Patrick O’Mara, Rocky Divoli, and Dr. Tracy Orkin.  

Library hours are Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm,
Saturday 10 am -1 pm. For more information, call 518-643-8618. Locate the library’s excellent website at https://www.perufreelibrary.org or via the Clinton-Essex Franklin County system at https://cefls.org/libraries/peru/

“The Peru Democratic Party seeks candidates for several town and county offices. If you are interested in seeking any of these offices please contact Peru Democratic Party Chairman Marque Moffett at perudemocrats@gmail.com

The party is actively looking for Democrats who are willing to serve our community in the following ways:

• as a member of Peru’s Town Council
• as a County Legislator for area 5 or area 7
• as a Delegate to the County Democratic Committee
• as the County Coroner
• as the County Clerk.

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Saranac Community is grief-stricken

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http://www.perutown.com/TBAgenda.pdf

“Learning what has happened and how this has occurred, it can be a little uplifting that there are still people who want to be human, who want to help others.”

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NYSP News Release – The New York State Police will crack down on impaired and reckless driving during Super Bowl weekend. The special STOP-DWI enforcement campaign, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, will include increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints to deter, identify, and arrest impaired drivers, as well as underage drinker enforcement. The enforcement initiative runs from Friday, February 10, 2023, through Monday, February 13, 2023.

New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, “Make the winning decision on Super Bowl weekend and don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking. Those celebrating the big game this weekend should do so safely-game plan ahead or drive sober. Safety is our top priority, and we will be increasing patrols and expanding sobriety checkpoints to identify drunk and impaired drivers and to help prevent senseless tragedies. The message is simple, don’t drink and drive!”

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the number of drinking and driving fatalities, too many lives are still being lost because of crashes caused by impaired drivers. During the 2022 Super Bowl campaign, State Police arrested 189 people for impaired driving and issued 10, 975 total tickets.
During this enforcement period, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

Drivers should also remember to “move over” for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road when they travel New York roadways.
An impaired driving conviction carries a maximum fine of $10,000, up to 7 years in prison and license revocation.

If you are hosting, you’re the team captain! Designate a responsible driver now to help your guests get home safely:
•    Ask all of your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance or help them arrange ridesharing with sober drivers. If you don’t drink, offer to drive guests home.
•    Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
•    Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter—this is a good time to serve coffee and dessert.
•    Sign up online for a ridesharing service or keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from any guests who are thinking of driving after drinking.
•    The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation “Have a Plan” mobile app, is available for Apple, Droid and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties, and a way to even report a suspected impaired driver.
•    Remember, if you serve a guest alcohol and he or she gets in a crash that night, you could be held liable.
•    If an underage person drinks and drives, the parent or guardian can be legally liable for any damage, injury or death caused by the underage driver.

Crews responded to the fire around 3 a.m. Saturday

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At least three people have fallen through the ice, two have died, since Thursday

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

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“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.”

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