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Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) presented a $50,000 check to the organizers of the North Country Honor Flight at an event Thursday afternoon. The funds will help cover flight and travel expenses for local veterans to visit the Arlington National Cemetery and other veterans memorials in Washington, D.C..
“The North Country Honor Flight is an incredible organization that I am extremely proud to be able to support each and every year,” Assemblyman Jones said. “Showing support to our local heroes in such an incredible way, by sending them to our nation’s capital to be recognized for their service and dedication to our country, is an amazing opportunity and a great showing of our community’s appreciation of our local veterans.”
We reached a bunch of records in the previous heat event, with the most notable one being Plattsburgh tying its all time highest temperature of 101 degrees
June 25, 2025 Assemblyman Billy Jones News Release – Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) was joined by New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie at the future site of the Plattsburgh YMCA on Tuesday morning. Jones announced that $4.5 million would be put toward the project’s completion during the visit.
“The Plattsburgh YMCA is a community project that we all want to see complete,” Jones said during a press conference. “Constructing this new state-of-the-art facility and renovating the location’s pool are much-needed upgrades that will allow our community to have more recreational opportunities for our community. Many of our hardworking families in the North Country continue to struggle to find child-friendly recreational opportunities, but the YMCA remains a critical resource for accessible after-school care and year-round offerings. From children to seniors, the new YMCA facility will be able to provide countless educational and recreational opportunities for all residents of the area. By investing in their growth, we can ensure that the YMCA has all the tools they need to continue providing for our community.”
“The YMCA provides critical access to recreational, community programming, and childcare for families all across our state,” Speaker Heastie said. “Expanding the opportunities they have to continue providing such an incredible service to this community is a must, and I’m honored to be able to visit the future site of this exciting development.”
Justin Ihne, the CEO of the Plattsburgh YMCA, accompanied the pair alongside multiple community organizations and individual donors.
“This is not just about building a building, it’s about building a community resource,” Ihne said.
Upon the completion of the project, the YMCA building will expand to total nearly 50,000 square feet: Adding a second floor that will house a new fitness center, completing the necessary renovations to the pool area, and creating new classrooms and community learning spaces. Upon its completion, community members of all ages will be able to partake in various learning opportunities, including kitchen safety and cooking courses, swimming lessons, water safety courses, and more.
“I can’t thank the YMCA’s community partners enough,” Jones said. “Every business, organization, and individual that has donated, I would like to take a moment to recognize and appreciate their generosity and dedication to improving the lives of our community and children.”
Construction is expected to begin later this year.
June 23, 2025, Peru Town Board Meeting – Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported electric line relocation issues related to the closed Telegraph Road culvert/bridge that could delay the project. The large crane required to installthe heavy box culvert needs a wide-clearance space, resulting in the relocation of power poles. Thus far, neither of the two nearby property owners has agreed to grant an easement for the poles. Mike Farrell will look into burying the power lines or temporarily relocating the poles. The discussion takes place between the 26 and 33 minute marks of the meeting video.
Farrell is collaborating with the town’s supervising engineering firm, Engineering Ventures, to prioritize the replacement of the culverts on Telegraph Road, Lyons Road, and Westcott Road. Farrell said his priorities are Fuller Road and Lyons Road. Farrell said Engineeriug Ventures has many projects on its work schedule.
The Highway Department repaired Telegraph Road shoulders. Paving will begin when Noel J. Burnell Paving is ready to go. Burnell is handling all the town’s paving due to persistent maintenance and parts availability issues with the town paver.
Town Historian Helen Nerska conducted a “History Chat” with members of the Peru High School Class of ’57 on June 23. She will conduct a Peru Walking tour on Saturday, June 28.
The Board:
Authorized signing a real estate sales contract with ReMax Realty for the sale of the town’s tennis court property at 7 Jenkins Street for $60,000.
Approved the August 9, 2025, use of Heyworth Mason Park for a fundraiser to benefit the North Country Honor Flight. The organizer, Amanda Garner, said she hopes to have 40 to 50 vendors, a classic car show, and two food trucks on site. The board emphasized that she must comply with all health department, waste disposal, insurance, and parking requirements and work closely with the town. Because the event will benefit the Honor Flight, the board will refund the rental fee if the user leaves the park in good condition.
Approved Adirondack Regional Theater’s application to use Heyworth Mason Park on August 8, 2025. Shakespeare’s Mid-Summer Night’s Dream is on the program.
Accepted with regret and appreciation Richard Williams’s resignation as Chairman and member of the Peru Planning Board. Williams served on the board for about 24 years, with about fifteen years as Chairman.
Appointed Justin Wilson as the new Planning Board Chairman for the remainder of Richard William’s term of office.
Appointed Allison Webbinaro as Planning Board Vice-Chairman to complete Justin Wilson’s term as Vice-Chairman.
Approved an agreement with Fiscal Advisors’ Financial Services to oversee the financing of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project (WWTP).
Approved Credit Order Change #1 on the WWIP. Because the contractor is using a smaller pipe, the price declined by $22,015.
June 25, 2025, North Country Chamber of Commerce – Border crossing numbers from Canada at our Champlain Port of Entry were down 31% in May compared to 2024. This compares to a 31% figure for March and 26% in April, likely attributable to the Easter holiday falling in April this year.
It remains important that we recognize that a 31% decline still means a 69% continuation, reinforcing the importance of heightened hospitality for our Canadian visitors. All businesses are encouraged to visit our website at www.northcountrychamber.com to access tools and suggestions. And to let us know of “specials” you are able to offer to attract and thank our Canadian customers this summer.
The Chamber also continues to message actively, both privately and through bi-national media, to help to address feelings and to highlight tariff and other impacts.
June 24, 2025 – Gov. Hochul News Release – On the third anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling, which ended the constitutional right to an abortion in the United States, Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $24 million in State grants made to organizations in New York State to fund abortion health care services under the New York State Abortion Access Program. The Program provides financial support to health care providers across New York State ensuring that patients can access safe and supportive abortion services within their communities.
“Abortion is health care and I will always fight to protect reproductive rights for all New Yorkers and anyone receiving health care in New York,” Governor Hochul said. “As we face anti-choice extremists in leadership who aim to roll back these hard fought for rights, we will always fight to ensure access to reproductive care is protected here in New York and ensure that this state remains a safe harbor for those in need of abortion care.”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “This funding is critical for clinics across the state to continue offering abortion care and to expand the range of reproductive health services they provide. As other states strip away protections, New York’s commitment to reproductive freedom has never been more important. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul, we will continue ensuring abortion care is affordable, available, and accessible to anyone who needs it.”
Since taking office Governor Hochul has taken significant steps to expand access to reproductive health care in New York and nationwide. Key actions include:
Dedicating hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to support abortion providers and reproductive healthcare statewide, with additional funding in the FY26 Enacted Budget to help providers adapt to current challenges. This includes additional funding for medication abortions and for capital investments that will enable renovations, equipment upgrades, planning and construction to help facilities modernize and secure their operations.
Codifying abortion as protected emergency medical care in New York State and requiring hospitals to provide this care, reinforcing access to abortion services when medically necessary.
Earlier this year, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to strengthen New York’s shield law that protects abortion providers from out-of-state prosecution, allowing medical providers to include only the address of the dispensing health care practice on the prescription label instead of the name of the provider or practice and requires pharmacies to abide by a prescriber’s request to remove their name from the prescription label. This legislation built on a law signed by Governor Hochul in January, days after Louisiana officials attempted to extradite a New York-based doctor who prescribed FDA-approved abortion medication through telehealth.
Governor Hochul has also signed additional pieces of legislation to bolster reproductive rights across the State, which include:
Landmark legislation (S.1066B/A.1709B) to enhance access to reproductive health care and protect patients and doctors providing abortion care via telehealth, allowing services to patients outside New York without fear of litigation in restrictive states.
Laws (A1060-A/S1043-A) to make hormonal contraception available over the counter, aiding marginalized populations and (A1395-C/S1213-B) ensuring medication abortion access for SUNY and CUNY college students.
In November 2024, voters approved Proposition One, an amendment to the New York Constitution that protects abortion rights and access to reproductive health care. The approved amendment establishes constitutional protections against discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and sex — including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes and reproductive health care and autonomy. These protections are in addition to explicit protections against racial and religious discrimination that were already included in New York’s Constitution. The amendment went into effect on January 1, 2025.
Abortion access remains safe and accessible for New Yorkers and for those coming from outside of New York State. Medication abortion and in-clinic abortion is also protected in New York. Abortions are legal up to and including 24 weeks of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, individuals can still get an abortion if their health or pregnancy is at risk. Learn more about abortion in New York State by visiting the Know Your Rights website.
“Fenton proudly served in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1957, working in aviation aboard the USS Hornet. After his military service, he continued his aviation career with Grumman in Long Island before taking the New York State Police exam. He was sworn in as a Trooper in the early 1960s and dedicated 35 years to the force, retiring with distinction as a Uniform Captain.”
Proposed Regulation Changes to Modernize Reporting and Expand Youth Hunting Opportunities
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced several proposed regulation changes to streamline use and reporting of hunting tags and provide new deer hunting opportunities. Hunting is important in New York State for wildlife population management and contributes an estimated $2.6 billion in economic benefits annually to the state’s recreational economy through license sales, equipment purchases, and related travel and lodging expenses.
“DEC is proposing to update regulations to improve deer management and hunters’ experience by offering a streamlined digital option for tagging and reporting,” Director of DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife JacquelineLendrum said. “The proposals released today reflect public desires for hunting opportunity and improvements to deer management to benefit hunters, wildlife managers, and landowners.”
The proposed regulation, available on DEC’s website, consists of three components: using electronic hunting tags and revising the harvest reporting time period; providing enhancements for youth deer hunters; and making improvements to the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP).
First, DEC proposes a process for using electronic carcass tags for deer, bear, and turkey. Hunters can choose to obtain a paper license and tags, as is currently available, or use the HuntFishNY mobile app as electronic proof of licensure and possession and use of tags for deer, bear, or turkey. An electronic harvest report, submitted immediately upon taking a deer, bear, or turkey through the HuntFishNY app, will serve as “e-tagging” the carcass.
The HuntFishNY app provides a confirmation number for the report and works even without immediate cell service, as it stores the harvest report and transmits it to DEC upon reconnection to cell service. Hunters using e-tags will not need to attach a physical tag to their harvested deer, bear, or turkey while they remain in possession of the carcass, including in their vehicle and home. If e-tag users otherwise leave the carcass unattended or deliver the carcass to a taxidermist or processor, they would need to affix a tag that includes their name and reporting confirmation number to the carcass.
For hunters using paper tags, this proposal reduces the timeframe required to report a deer, bear, or turkey harvest from seven days to 48 hours, encouraging prompt reporting and providing greater opportunity for quick law enforcement oversight. As in the past, hunters can report their harvest online, via the HuntFishNY app, or by phone.
Second, DEC proposes to provide a replacement regular season deer tag to youth hunters who successfully use that tag during the Youth Big Game Hunt weekend. Some successful young hunters may not have another tag available to use during the subsequent regular firearms season. This rulemaking will enable youth hunters who successfully fill their regular season tag during the Youth Deer Hunt and who do not have a Deer Management Permit to receive a replacement tag for the regular firearms season. Replacement tags would be for the opposite sex deer as was harvested during the youth hunt (e.g., harvest of an antlered deer during the Youth Deer Hunt would yield an antlerless-only replacement tag for the regular season).
Finally, DEC also proposes to enhance the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) by extending the permit renewal cycle from three years to five years and rescinding the limit on number of DMAP tags that may be used per hunter. Extending the DMAP permit renewal cycle will further enable enrollees to implement steady and consistent deer management on private properties while also reducing paperwork for permittees. Currently, hunters are limited to using no more than four DMAP tags per permit. This proposal removes that restriction, benefiting landowners by allowing them to maximize use of the tags issued. The total number of DMAP tags issued to a landowner will still be set by DEC staff based on property size and management need.
DEC is accepting comments on the proposed regulations through Aug. 18, 2025. Submit comments to wildliferegs@dec.ny.gov (subject: “e-tags and DMAP”) or to: NYSDEC, Attn: Deer Hunting Regs, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.
$120 Per Child to Eligible Families Through 2025 Summer EBT Program
Albany, June 23, 2025 – Gov. Hochul News Release – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York has begun issuing more than $250 million in food assistance to an estimated 2.2 million low-income children as part of the 2025 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer, Summer EBT, program. New York State is sending $120 per child to eligible families to help pay for food during the summer, when students lose access to free school meals.
“As New York’s first Mom Governor, I’m committed to doing everything in my power to help kids and families across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “At a time when federally funded nutrition programs are under attack in Washington, Summer EBT will help thousands of low-income families with school-aged children across our state afford to buy healthy food over the summer when many children lose access to free school meals.”
Benefits will continue to be sent to families through the summer and into the fall. New Yorkers are encouraged to learn more about eligibility and apply, if necessary, before the Sept. 4 deadline. Most households will be paid based on available information and do not need to apply.
The Peru School Board of Education will hold its reorganizational and regular monthly meetings on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The meetings will be held in the High School Community Room. The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed.
Anticipated Topics Include:
Approval of BOCES Services
Officer Elections
Appointment of Personnel
Board Meeting Dates for 25-26
Mileage Rate
Substitute Rates
Currently, two (2) public comment opportunities are planned as follows:
1st public comment: Related to items on the agendas. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.
2nd public comment: Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.
Individuals who are unable to attend the regular meeting in person may submit public comments by emailing perucomments@perucsd.org no later than 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, July 1st. Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.
The agendas will be available on the District’s website (perucsd.org).
A recording of the meetings will be available on the District’s website at perucsd.org at a later time.
Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) presented a $50,000 check to the organizers of the North Country Honor Flight at an event Thursday afternoon. The funds will help cover flight and travel expenses for local veterans to visit the Arlington National Cemetery and other veterans memorials in Washington, D.C..
June 25, 2025 Assemblyman Billy Jones News Release – Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) was joined by New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie at the future site of the Plattsburgh YMCA on Tuesday morning. Jones announced that $4.5 million would be put toward the project’s completion during the visit.
June 25, 2025, North Country Chamber of Commerce – Border crossing numbers from Canada at our Champlain Port of Entry were down 31% in May compared to 2024. This compares to a 31% figure for March and 26% in April, likely attributable to the Easter holiday falling in April this year.
Proposed Regulation Changes to Modernize Reporting and Expand Youth Hunting Opportunities
The Peru School Board of Education will hold its reorganizational and regular monthly meetings on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The meetings will be held in the High School Community Room. The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed.