March 3, 2023 – Peru and firefighters from several other departments are on the scene of a barn fire this afternoon at Forrence Orchards south of the Peru hamlet. The firefighters have been able to save several adjoining barns. A Forrence employee noticed the fire at about 1:20 this afternoon. The barn was used for storage, the field office and the breakroom. Fortunately, Forrences had moved several tractors out of the building a few days ago. McIntosh Forrence said the building dates back generations to when his family bought the farm from the Laphams. At that time it was a dairy barn. Roger Forrence and his family once lived in the brick home in front of the barn. 

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Peru’s Drive in Monday, March 27, 3 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center

CVPH program supplies blood, blood products to hospitals across our region 

PLATTSBURGH, NY (3/03/2023) – The Adirondack Regional Blood Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), is conducting several blood drives open to the community this month and asks all eligible donors to consider donating.

The following is the community blood drive schedule for March:

• Wednesday, March 1, New York State Police, Ray Brook, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, March 2, Holy Name Church Hall, Ausable Forks, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 3, Burke Adult Center, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Monday, March 6, Champlain EMS Station, co-sponsored by K of C, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 7, PSUC Angell Center, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 9, Beekmantown High School, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, March 10, New York State DEC Ray Brook, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Monday, March 13, Essex Fire Department, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 14, Chateaugay American Legion, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, March 16, NUMED, Hopkinton, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Friday, March 17, Plattsburgh Lowes, 9 a.m. to noon
• Monday, March 20, West Chazy Fire Department, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 21, Adirondack Medical Center, Saranac Lake, noon to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 22, Massena Village Neighborhood Center, noon to 3 p.m.
• Thursday, March 23, Saranac Lake High School, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Monday, March 27, St. Augustine Parish Center, Peru, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 30, Franklin County Court House, Malone, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, March 31, Clinton County Government Center, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Adirondack Regional Donor Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Blood collected by the Adirondack Regional Blood Center stays in the North Country, helping hundreds of people in this region. Its success rests on the generosity of donors and sponsors.

A donor card or another form of identification is required to give. Learn more about the Adirondack Regional Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBloodor call (518) 562-7406.

4″ to 8″ of snow expected in Champlain Valley 

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Initial findings point to murder-suicide. 

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McIntosh Drive pool variance on the agenda

TOWN OF PERU

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL of Dec 21, 2022 minutes
5. OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
6. APPLICATIONS:

1. 1. 1. 1. Z2023-078        Area Variance for Pool 

                                                                 Jeffrey Dickinson

                                                          280.1-2-57

                                                          14 McIntosh Drive

7. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS:                                    

8. CEO REPORT:
9. ADJOURNMENT

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Statewide cuts, not just Onondaga County. It affectes nearly 3 million people 

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Clinton County, NY, March 1, 2023, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced the expansion of accommodations for those choosing to pump in the workplace on December 9, 2022. Legislation (S.4844-B/A.1236-A) now requires that all employers must: 

1. Provide a safe and private pumping space that includes seating, access to running water, electricity, and in close proximity to the work space. 

2. Develop and implement a written lactation policy that ensures employee rights will not be infringed upon if they choose to pump and/or feed their child/ren in the workplace. 

3. Distribute the written lactation policy to each employee upon hire, as well as to employees who are returning to work after the birth of a child. 

In addition to the health benefits associated with chest/breastfeeding, research has shown that accommodating chest/breastfeeding employees improves job satisfaction, productivity, and staff loyalty; and it decreases absenteeism, health care costs, and employee turnover. 

The Clinton County Health Department’s Creating Breastfeeding Friendly Communities (CBFC) grant is partnering with businesses in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Warren and Washington Counties to become Chest/Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces. Throughout the designation process, staff will provide technical assistance with policy creation and implementation as well as resources needed to create a lactation room in accordance with NYS Labor Law 206-c. 

Becoming a Chest/Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace is simple and trained CCHD staff will help you every step of the way. 

1. Complete a ‘Worksite Assessment’ which is a short document that captures what is occurring within your facility. They are all yes or no questions and can be completed quickly. 

2. Adhere to the updated NYS Labor Law Section 206-C (taking effect June 2023). 

3. With your approval, staff will promote your place of business on our social media platforms once you are designated as a Chest/Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace. 

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity please contact Health Planning and Promotion at 518-565-4993 for more information. 

The Peru Central School District Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for potential candidates.  The District Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on our school or achieved an outstanding contribution(s) to society as a graduate of Peru CSD. The candidate must have attended, been employed, served, or contributed to Peru CSD in some capacity and must have been retired for at least five (5) years.

The following criteria will be used when considering an individual to the Hall of Fame – outstanding contributions to Peru CSD, outstanding contribution to society, outstanding career, participation and/or leadership in community activities, and a significant impact on an individual’s life while associated with Peru.

Deadline for applications will be March 15, 2023. Applications are available at the High School Office or the District’s website at https://www.perucsd.org/peru-csd-hall-of-fame/.

For information or assistance, please contact (518) 643-6400.

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         Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that nominations for his 2023 Women of Distinction Awards are underway. The Women of Distinction Awards are held annually and honor local women who have had significant positive impacts on their community and those around them. Awards will be given for various categories, such as health care, business, volunteer work, and education. The deadline for nominations is March 31, and the awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 27 at 6 p.m. at Clinton Community College’s Stafford Center Theatre.

            “March is Women’s History Month, and one of the best ways we can celebrate it is by honoring inspirational and influential women here in our own backyard,” Assemblyman Jones said. “The North Country is home to a great deal of brave, hardworking women who make their communities a better place for those who live there, and I’m happy to have this opportunity to show them the recognition they deserve.”

            Residents who wish to nominate a woman for the awards can fill out a nomination form online at nyassembly.gov/jones. Nominees must live in the 115^th Assembly District, which includes all of Clinton and Franklin counties and a portion of Essex County.

            Last year’s Women of Distinction award winners were: Melissa Gooley for the Healthcare category; Jean McGibbon Goddard for the Perseverance category; Chief Beverly Cook for the Community and Civic Affairs category; Shantell Manor for the Education category; Chelsea Scheefer for the Community Advocate category; Robin Caudell for the Military Service category; Dana Fast for the Volunteerism category; and Rebecca Boire-West for the North Country Neighbor category.

Sightings Anticipated to Become More Prevalent as Spring Approaches

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today issued guidance to help prevent conflicts between people and coyotes. Coyote sightings are likely to increase in the coming months and DEC encourages New Yorkers to be aware of the potential for conflicts and follow DEC guidelines to prevent negative encounters.

Coyotes inhabit a variety of habitats throughout the state, from rural farmland and forests to populated suburban and urban areas. For the most part, coyotes will avoid human contact. However, conflicts with people and pets may occur, particularly during the spring denning and pupping period when coyotes tend to be more territorial and protective of pups. Furthermore, if coyotes learn to associate food, such as garbage or pet food, with people, these animals may lose their natural fear of humans, increasing the potential for close encounters or conflicts.

To reduce or prevent conflicts with coyotes, New Yorkers are encouraged to take the following steps:

• Never feed coyotes.
• Do not leave food outside. Pet food and garbage attract coyotes and other wildlife and increase risks to people and pets. DEC encourages people to:
• • Feed pets indoors.
  • Prevent access to garbage.
  • Fence or enclose compost piles.
  • Eliminate availability of birdseed. Concentrations of birds and rodents that come to feeders can attract coyotes.
• Do not allow coyotes to approach people or pets. If you see a coyote, be aggressive in behavior, stand tall and hold arms up or out to look as large as possible. If a coyote lingers for too long, make loud noises, wave arms and throw sticks and stones.
• Teach children to appreciate coyotes from a distance.
• Do not allow pets to run free. Supervise outdoor pets to keep them safe from coyotes and other wildlife, especially at sunset and at night. Small dogs and cats are especially vulnerable.
• Fence yards to deter coyotes. The fence should be tight to the ground, preferably extending six inches below ground level and taller than four feet.
• Remove brush and tall grass from around homes to reduce protective cover for coyotes as they are typically secretive and like areas where they can hide.
• Ask neighbors to follow these steps to prevent coyote conflicts.

In spring, coyotes tend to be more active and may be more visible. Just seeing a coyote occasionally is generally not a cause for concern. However, if they exhibit bold behaviors and have little or no fear of people, or if they are seen repeatedly during the daytime near residences, contact your Regional DEC Wildlife Office for assistance. In emergency situations, contact your local police department.

For additional information about the eastern coyote and preventing conflicts with coyotes, visit:

Eastern Coyote

Coyote Conflicts

Feeding Wildlife: A Wrong Choice

Tips to Eliminate Wildlife Conflicts

The meeting of this system and the cold air mass is likely to create heavy snow, and conditions could last into midday Saturday.

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