The Peru Gazette

This new addition will enable CATS to increase permanent outdoor recreational spaces, ensuring welcoming and public spaces for all residents and visitors.

Westport, NY – Champlain Area Trails (CATS), a land trust dedicated to creating and maintaining trails, saving land, connecting people with nature, and promoting economic vitality in New York’s Champlain Valley, is excited to announce its upcoming acquisition of the 675.5-acre Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center. The acquisition from the College Auxiliary Service (CAS) at SUNY Plattsburgh is set to take place in September, advancing CATS’ mission to provide accessible outdoor recreation and educational opportunities for the local community and visitors.

Since 1945, Twin Valleys has served as a field campus for SUNY Plattsburgh, hosting various college programs, student activities, meetings, and workshops. The nonprofit organization CAS supports SUNY Plattsburgh students and the campus community by providing services not covered by the state budget. This includes owning and operating Twin Valleys, which is located approximately 40 miles south of the SUNY Plattsburgh campus, straddling the town lines of Lewis, Westport, and Essex.

This new addition will enable CATS to increase permanent outdoor recreational spaces, ensuring welcoming and public spaces for all residents and visitors. The Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center currently boasts 15 miles of established trails and facilities, including cabins and a lodge, which currently accommodate environmental education programs, community events, and more.

Since its inception in 2009, CATS has successfully created and maintained over 100 miles of trails, conserved 3,500 acres of land directly and through partnerships, and organized hundreds of hikes, outdoor education outings, and volunteer initiatives that engage both residents and draw visitors to the Champlain Valley.

The acquisition of the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center will significantly deepen CATS’ impact, allowing the organization to broaden its programming and amenities for the public. This strategic move will also further CATS’ commitment to promoting environmental stewardship, economic growth, and a stronger connection to nature.

“This acquisition marks a significant milestone for CATS and our mission to connect people with the stunning natural landscape of the Champlain Valley,” said Arin Burdo, Executive Director of CATS. “Owning the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center enables us to keep these trails and land open and accessible to our community while expanding our educational opportunities and conservation initiatives.”

“College Auxiliary Services at SUNY Plattsburgh is proud to partner with Champlain Area Trails to ensure the long-term preservation and public accessibility of the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center,” said Catherine Keleher, Executive Director of CAS. “We believe CATS is an ideal steward for this property and are confident in their ability to enhance its value as a destination for outdoor recreation and education.”

CATS is seeking to raise an additional $100,000 to complete this project and is calling on community support to help ensure the trails and land at the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center remain publicly accessible.

For further information about Champlain Area Trails or to contribute to the fundraising efforts of the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center acquisition, please visitwww.champlainareatrails.com.

Plattsburgh, NY – July 2, 2025 – As the summer tourism season gets underway, a recent survey conducted by the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, a division of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, reveals that local businesses continue to feel the ripple effects of reduced Canadian travel to the region. This survey, completed in June, gathered insights from tourism-facing businesses across Clinton County.

Key Survey Findings

The survey, conducted among regional hospitality partners between June 5 and 25, 2025, found:

• 83% of businesses reported decreased Canadian customers
• 74% experienced decreased bookings
• 70% identified political climate and tariffs as the primary concern

Top Contributing Factors:

• Political Climate and Tariffs (70% responses)
• Border/Travel Restrictions or Concerns (35%)
• Exchange Rate Issues (26%)

In response to declining Canadian visitation, local businesses have implemented various strategies:

• 43% have adjusted pricing or promotions
• 35% have reduced staffing levels
• 26% have increased advertising specifically targeting Canadian markets
• 39% have taken additional steps to welcome Canadian visitors

These findings below closely align with the results from the Chamber’s initial March survey and confirm that the trends and concerns identified earlier this year have persisted into the summer season.

Border traffic was down 31% in May compared to the previous year, continuing a concerning trend. However, Chamber officials stress the importance of focusing on the majority who are still crossing.

“That still means 69% are coming, and we need to give them the best welcome possible,” said Kristy Kennedy, Vice President of Marketing and Tourism. “This is about strengthening the relationship and experience for those loyal Canadian visitors who continue to choose our region.”

The Chamber’s ongoing Welcome Canadians campaign remains a key part of this effort, encouraging businesses to display bilingual signage, offer cross-border specials, and share positive messaging. Over half of survey respondents indicated awareness of the campaign, and several have taken steps such as promotional discounts and targeted advertising to reconnect with Canadian audiences.

As part of this effort, the Chamber is also promoting a Cross Border Specials campaign, which highlights exclusive offers from local businesses designed specifically for Canadian travelers. These specials are shared through the Chamber’s platforms and media outreach. Businesses are encouraged to take part by submitting a simple offer that Canadian guests can redeem, whether it’s a discount, a package, or a value-added experience. Participation is free and helps build goodwill and loyalty across the border.

As the region heads into its peak travel season, the Chamber and Visitors Bureau continues to monitor trends and work closely with tourism partners to adjust strategies accordingly. The survey serves as a reminder of the vital economic and cultural connection shared with neighboring Quebec and the importance of continuing to foster that relationship.

For more information on the Welcome Canadians and Cross Border Specials campaigns or to participate, visit www.northcountrychamber.com.

Already, the state’s green energy businesses are feeling the impact of the pending Congressional spending bill that includes phasing out Inflation Reduction Act tax credits.

Click here for the New York Focus Story 

On June 3, the town of Au Sable and Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) cut the ribbon to Keeseville’s new waterfront park.  celebrating one of many of Keeseville’s recent downtown developments.  Click here more information on the park’s history  new waterfront park

Elise Stefanik News Release of July 3, 3025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Republican Chairwoman Elise Stefanik released the following statement:

“Promises made, promises kept. I was proud to stay in Congress to vote to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill to deliver on President Trump’s historic mandate to enact the largest tax cut in American history, turbocharge economic growth, secure our borders, restore energy dominance, cut wasteful spending, and deliver peace through strength. 

As the Dean of the New York Republican Delegation, I was proud to help lead the successful effort to increase the State and Local Tax deduction cap to $40,000 — the largest tax cut for New Yorkers ever. This is in stark contrast to NY Democrats led by failed Governor Kathy Hochul who support the largest tax increase on hardworking families in history. 

Some additional provisions include:

• Largest tax cut in American history 
• No tax on tips
• No tax on overtime pay
• Largest tax cut for seniors in history
• Largest tax cut for NY families by raising SALT cap
• Expands access to affordable childcare 
• Doubles the child tax credit
• Creates newborn baby investment accounts
• Provides over $175 billion to reduce crime in sanctuary cities by deporting criminal illegal immigrants
• Supports hiring 10,000 new ICE officers to deport illegal aliens from sanctuary cities
• Strengthens Medicaid for New Yorkers 
• Supports educational opportunity for students
• Unleashes American energy dominance
• Holds failed universities accountable”

Homily, Rev. William Reamer, St. Augustine’s Church, Peru, NY, 8 a.m. Mass, July 4, 2025 

As American as apple pie, we say proudly. Apple pie is what we’re all about-it’s the symbol of American bounty and prosperity. But, in reality, there’s nothing at all American about apple pie.

In her book, The American Plate: A Culinary History in 100 Bites, Libby O’Connell writes that there is not one ingredient in apple pie that originates in what we call the USA.

The original saying “As American As Apple Pie,” we say proudly. Apple pie is what we’re all about. It’s the symbol of an adaptation of a British pastry dish that was adapted using bruised apples instead of pricier ones. The crusts are much lighter and flakier than the British original, more like the strudels made by German immigrants.

Wheat was first cultivated in the Middle East 9,000 years ago. The first English colonists in America could not get it to grow here, and so they turned to native corn. Russian immigrants in the late 1800’s finally managed to cultivate a strain of wheat successfully in North America.

Lard and butter came to America via Christopher Columbus’ second voyage in 1493 when he brought pigs and cattle, the source of all things dairy. Columbus also brought sugar and spices to the New World. Sugar originated from the Near East 4,000 years ago; cinnamon comes from a variety of evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka. Nutmeg and cloves are indigenous to Indonesia.

Even sweet, juicy apples themselves are not native to America but were brought over from Europe, as well. Sour crab apples are theAmerican version. And, yes, Johnny “Appleseed” Chapman did, in fact, plant apple orchards across the USA.

So what’s so “American” about apple pie? That America can take so many different ingredients and create something good. Our country is a meeting place where the gifts and graces of different peoples and cultures can come together to create such unique wonders as democracy’s respect for all races and people, liberty and justice for all men and women, the encouragement of individual initiative, and a commitment to the common good.

And apple pie. On this celebration of the founding of our nation, may we ask God to continue to bless this country with both the goodness of creation and the grace of his kingdom to continue to make and share “apple pie” that is worthy of us as a nation.

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “When spending time outside, it’s important to take precautions to protect against diseases that can be transmitted by ticks or mosquitoes. New Yorkers should remember that it only takes one bite from a tick or a mosquito to potentially cause illness. Stay healthy and keep pests away this fourth of July weekend by following simple methods to avoid being bitten.”

New Yorkers and holiday visitors should continue to take measures to protect themselves, their children, and their pets against all tick and mosquito-borne diseases that are present in New York State.

While hiking, working or spending time outdoors, follow these simple steps to help prevent tick bites:

• Wear light-colored long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toed shoes.
• Keep long hair tied back, especially when gardening.
• Check for ticks often while outdoors and brush them away before they attach.
• Perform a full body check multiple times during the day, as well as at the end of the day, to ensure that no ticks are attached.
• Tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors.
• Shower soon after coming indoors.
• Remember to check pets thoroughly for ticks after spending time outdoors and talk to your veterinarian about ways to reduce ticks on your pet.
• Consider using EPA-registered repellents labelled as effective against ticks containing 40 percent DEET, 20 percent picaridin or IR3535, and follow label instructions. If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
• Consider wearing clothing treated with permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills and repels ticks. While it should not be applied directly to skin, permethrin-treated clothing provides protection through multiple washings.

If you find an attached tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to remove it right away. Avoid risky removal strategies such as detergent or burning, as these could increase your risk of infection. See the Department of Health’s website for a video on proper tick removal technique.

For mosquitoes:

• Cover your skin as completely as possible when outside at sunrise, sunset, and early in the evening when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long sleeves, pants and socks.
• Use EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin and follow label instructions. If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
• Consider wearing clothing treated with permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills and repels mosquitoes. While it should not be applied directly to skin, permethrin-treated clothing provides protection through multiple washings.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.

The Department of Health and its partners routinely collect and analyze tens of thousands of ticks from across New York State each year to better understand the tick population, tick behavior, and regional trends in diseases carried by ticks. Current and retrospective tick collection and testing results are publicly available on the Department’s Health Data NY website. A map showing your risk of encountering an infected blacklegged tick by New York geographic region can be found here.

For more information about Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, visit https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/.

For information about how to reduce mosquitoes around your property and mosquito-borne diseases, visit https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/mosquitoes/.

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

New Website Provides Policy FAQ for School Districts, Informational Toolkit, and Examples of Policies Already Put Forth by Districts, Among Other Resources

Public School Districts Statewide Must Publish Their Distraction-Free Policy by August 1 Deadline

Governor Kathy Hochul today launched a website that provides resources for New York school districts as they prepare to implement bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones for the coming school year. The website, linked here, includes a policy FAQ, toolkit and examples that school districts can use to design their distraction-free policy, which must be published by August 1 as noted under State law. Many districts across the state have already developed and finalized distraction-free policies that benefit students, teachers, and parents — and by highlighting these new resources, Governor Hochul continues the State’s ongoing efforts to support all schools throughout the summer, in time for the 2025-26 school year.

“School districts across New York are already showing us that bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions help deliver the best possible learning environments for our kids,” Governor Hochul said. “As we prepare for the coming school year, my team is continuing to provide the necessary resources and tools to ensure school districts finalize and publish their distraction-free policy by the August 1 deadline.”

This new requirement will take place in the 2025-26 School Year and applies to all schools in public school districts, as well as charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Under this law, all school districts must publish their distraction-free policy by August 1, so it is visible to the district’s community of students, parents and other key stakeholders.

Governor Hochul’s cellphone policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:

• Prohibits unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
• Allows schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
• Secures $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
• Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
• Requires teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
• Prevents inequitable discipline

Governor Hochul’s policy clarifies that students will have authorized access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.

Additionally, the Governor’s policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes, or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.

Click here for the New York Focus April 9 Story 

Four farms upstate won’t sign or follow contracts awarded by state-appointed arbitrators after bargaining stalled.

Click here for the New York Focus story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Rachel Calkin Covey

Sweet Treats Photo

Sweet Treats Photo

Sweet Treats Photo

By John T Ryan

Peru, NY, July 1, 2025. When spring’s first warm day arrives, there’s one place in Peru where you’re virtually guaranteed to find a large crowd – Sweet Treats Ice Cream. Since opening in the early 1980s, the shop has been a local and regional favorite. On April 24, its local ownership tradition continued when Rachel Calkins Covey welcomed customers for the first time. Rachel commented, “I started coming here when Pope’s operated it. It’s been a part of my life, and I enjoy trying new things. Over the years, I had thought about owning a bakery, but as a real estate agent, buying an ice cream shop wasn’t on my radar. However, after giving it some thought, I decided to do it,  so here I am.” Since a previous owner still holds the name Sweet Treat, the shop is now called Sweet Treats.

Sweet Treats is an appropriate name. The shop’s list of offerings seems endless. There’s hard and soft ice cream, sorbets, as well as non-dairy and vegan options, plus weekly specials. Oatmilk ice creams called Super Berry ACAI and Classic Cookie are non-dairy favorites. Popular dairy flavors include pistachio, maple (with local maple syrup), black raspberry, vanilla, Superman, and cotton candy. Customers can choose from more than 30 hard ice cream flavors. Suppliers include Hershey’s, Giffords, Hood, and Dole. Warning, the hard ice creams are very rich. Gifford’s is 14% butterfat, Hershey’s is 12%, Hershey’s Premium Gold is 18%. Rachel says, “We’re always coming up with new concoctions. People love things like our waffle cones with a cotton candy crunch coating.”

What’s been her biggest surprise? Rachel said, “The amount of support I’ve received, many people have reached out. There’s been much love and good wishes.”  Finding employees hasn’t been a problem. Seven or eight of Tim and Jeanne Arnold’s employees stayed, and Rachel hired four, with forty applications on file. The staff consists of students from several area schools, plus two school teachers.

Rachel is up on the latest technology. You can find her website at https://www.sweettreatsperu.com. One of its pages highlights the shop’s 40+ year history. The fun Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/SweetTreatsIceCream. Beginning today, July 1, the shop’s summer hours are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.  

Jamie Eagan, RN Receives DAISY Award

PLATTSBURGH, NY (7/1/2025) – A normally beautiful moment bringing a baby into the world became life-threatening in the operating room. The newborn was healthy, but the new mother was losing a lot of blood.
Jamie Eagan, RN, a member of the labor and delivery team at University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) was rushing in and out of the OR to bring supplies in and help out any way she could.

“Jamie is a nurse you want by your side when something is happening on the unit,” says Cierra Lafountain, LPN, an OR technician at the hospital. “She has the knowledge, experience and compassion to be put into any situation and excel.”

Thankfully, the mother was stabilized. But she was also intubated. Lafountain says Eagan stayed with the mother to make sure the newborn could still experience skin-to-skin time with her. This was critical, helping regulate the baby’s body temperature, heart rate and breathing while promoting bonding, even as the mother remained sedated.

The mother was transferred to University of Vermont Medical Center for a higher level of care and fully recovered. Lafountain points out this is one of many examples she has witnessed Eagan providing compassionate care to patients.

“She is always willing to lend a hand, cheer up a new mom or hold the hand of a mother-to-be when they think they can’t do this anymore. Jamie is an extraordinary nurse to her patients and an extraordinary person in general,” Lafountain adds.

That is why she nominated Eagan for The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. And Eagan was presented the honor during a surprise ceremony with her colleagues in the Alice T. Miner Women and Children’s Center (WCC).

During the award presentation, Eagan was presented with a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse. She, like all honorees, also received a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

CVPH launched the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in 2018 to recognize and reward licensed nurses for making a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients. Nomination forms and boxes are located at each of the hospital’s main entrances and online at UVMHealth.org/CVPHDaisy. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. A committee reviews nominations and awards a deserving nurse each quarter.

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. More information is available at DAISYfoundation.org.

“Today, Senate Republicans moved one step closer to ripping health care away from millions of Americans to pay for massive tax breaks for billionaires.

“From North Country farmers to downstate hospitals, Trump’s ‘Big Ugly Bill’ would devastate New Yorkers. Over one million people in our state would lose their health care. A quarter million would see cuts to SNAP. Nursing homes will close. Food prices will rise. Hospitals will shutter. All during a national affordability crisis.

“Every single New York Republican in Congress backed this disaster. They helped write it, cheered it on, and voted to gut the very programs that keep their constituents alive. The bill slashes Medicaid, axes clean energy tax credits, and guts SNAP.

“I will do everything in my power to shield New Yorkers from the fallout. But if this bill becomes law, there will be real pain. And the Republicans who helped inflict it won’t be able to hide from the consequences. Not in Washington. Not in New York. Not ever.”

Estimated Impact of Hospital Cuts by New York Economic Region

Growing demands, arrivals at all hours and a rare disease are just some of the challenges Vermont’s prisons have faced while working with federal immigration authorities.

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Program Covers Tuition, Books and Fees for Adult New Yorkers Ages 25-55; Expands Access to Higher Education and Career Mobility to Millions of Adult Learners

SUNY and CUNY Reconnect Applications Now Open, Link To Apply Available for SUNY Here and CUNY Here 

Governor Kathy Hochul today launched New York’s free community college program for SUNY and CUNY students as part of her fight to lower costs for New Yorkers and make education more affordable. Starting this fall through SUNY and CUNY Reconnect, New York State will cover tuition, fees, books and supplies for community college studentsages 25-55 pursuing select associate degrees in high-demand occupations. 

“The cost of pursuing a degree should never be a barrier for New Yorkers — that’s why we’re opening the doors of opportunity at SUNY and CUNY so that students can achieve their dreams,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m fighting to make education more affordable and accessible, and the Reconnect program will continue to pave the way forward for students as they enter our State’s future workforce.”

As part of Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State address, free community college for adults in high-demand fields builds on her legacy of ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to a world-class and affordable education.

For the four million working-age adults in New York who do not already have a college degree or credential, the free community college program for adult students provides a valuable education at SUNY and CUNY campuses, with tuition, fees, books and supplies all covered after applicable financial aid. In addition, eligible students will have access to advising and support. 

New York State has stepped up as a national leader in many emerging industries such as semiconductor and advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and AI. As a result of these investments, many of the new jobs available in New York will require workers with a degree or credential to fill these specialized positions. The SUNY and CUNY Reconnect programs will help connect eligible New Yorkers to these job opportunities. 

In order to be eligible for the program, students will enroll in high-demand fields including:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Engineering
• Technology
• Nursing and allied health fields
• Green and renewable energy
• Pathways to teaching in shortage areas

In order to ensure that students have the tools they need to succeed, the program includes funding for SUNY and CUNY to support retention through wrap-around supports such as academic advising and student success coaching. In addition, it also includes funding to support marketing for effective outreach for the program.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “The Governor’s free community college initiative will help empower eligible New Yorkers to achieve their full potential and move our state economy forward. By implementing SUNY Reconnect, campuses throughout New York have already seen promising interest and enthusiasm from adult learner students ready to seize this opportunity. We appreciate the strong support from Governor Hochul and the State Legislature to ensure New Yorkers receive the world-class education and job training opportunities they deserve, on the path to upward mobility and career advancement.”

Early morning crash claims the life of Westport man

Click here for the Sun Community News story