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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Xena: The Warrier Princess (Brandy McDonald Photo)

L-R Brandy McDonald, T’chaka Sikelianos, Dennis Cook, Xena: The Warrier Princess, Victoria Cook, Natasha Hogh, Julie Simpson

By John T Ryan

Peru – Brand Hollow Road residents Dennis and Victoria Cook had only owned their terrier puppy for a few hours when Dennis decided to see how the terrier liked the dog pen. When he stepped outside, the puppy quickly wiggled free of his grasp, and off she went down Brand Hollow Road. A fantastic 12-day chase began. Today, the five-month-old, five-pound puppy named Xena: The Warrior Princess is safe at home with the Cooks thanks to the persistence and teamwork of four people and others who took the time to report seeing a missing dog. The persistent people are Peru Dog Control Officer T’chaka Sikelianos, Julie Simpson, Natasha Hogh, and Peru Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald.

When Xena escaped on January 21, Dennis Cook followed his first instinct and asked for help on Facebook. Several people soon reported seeing Xena at different locations, but she was gone when Cook arrived. After two days, T’chaka Sikelianos received a phone call from a man named Justin, who reported seeing a small dog near the Route 22 Disabled American Veterans building. Justin remained there long enough to show T’chaka the dog’s tracks. T’chaka followed them but couldn’t locate the dog.  He recalls, “I drove to the DAV several times a day for about three days. I didn’t spot the dog; the case went cold. I easily had driven one-hundred miles. I was about to throw in the towel, but two ladies, Julie Simpson and Natasha Hogh, provided a fresh spark, so I decided to join them and resume searching.”

Julie Simpson explained, “My niece had the dog but couldn’t keep it, so I decided to do whatever it took to get her in a safe place. She’s so tiny, and she wasn’t familiar with this area. T’chaka and I were virtually inseparable for a week or two, hiking through a foot of snow at times.”

Plattsburgh resident Natasha Hogh, also related to the original owner, joined the search. When T’chaka’s trap didn’t work, Hogh bought two new ones. She even went to the extent of consulting a medium who insisted the dog was alive and hiding in a dark place. T’chaka recalled, “At one point, the ladies discerned the dog was hiding in an old barn behind a Route 22 home, but every time we showed up, we could hear her for a second, but then she’d go silent.”

About a week into the search Peru Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald helped spread the news by posting a photo of Xena on his popular Facebook page. One morning a snowplow driver reported seeing a small dog near Glenwood Plaza. After a two-hour search, T’chaka and Julie saw the dog running through a nearby neighborhood. T’chaka followed the dog through the woods as far as the Northway when he received a call reporting that the dog had crossed the Northway to the northbound truck inspection station. T’chaka immediately drove to the inspection station, but, as usual, Xena was long gone.

Finally, on February 1, a Northwood Road resident named Mitch reported seeing a small dog on his security camera and said the dog had run toward the Adirondack Golf Course. T’chaka and Julie followed the small tracks about a half-mile in deep snow through the golf course to the Northway with no success. At the same time, Brandy McDonald drove north and south on the Northway, trying to spot her. Julie suggested doubling back to the Northwood Road home. At that point, Brandy McDonald joined them, and they spotted the dog. T’chaka blocked her escape route, and Brandy tackled Xena when a retaining wall blocked her escape path. T’chaka recalled, “She bit Brandy’s gloves quite a bit, but he didn’t let go. We put her into the trap, and once she was in the warm car with food, she settled down and was as friendly as can be. Elmore SPCA examined her; amazingly, she had no frostbite or issues.”

The next day Xena returned home and is doing well today. T’chaka believes she survived the snow and brutal cold by sheltering in the Route 22 barn and eating bread the Route 22 homeowner had placed outside for birds.

Dog Control Officer T’chaka Sikelianos, Supervisor Brandy McDonald, Julie Simpson, and Natasha Hogh went above and beyond the call of duty. Their teamwork and persistence resulted in a happy ending for Xena and the Cook family.

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Peru Highway Department, “Telegraph Rd. from  Sullivan Rd to Bruce Drive will be closed to one lane only due to emergency repairs on February 27 until further notice.”

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Section VII began with five wins

Jeff Lang loves his horse, and his life

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Peru Gazette File Photo

Who is ready for a clean car? Car washes are starting on March 4th and will continue every Saturday through March weather permitting. Cost is $5 per car and we will be washing from 8am to noon. Hope to see everyone there and thank you all for your continued support

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https://www.clintoncountyfair.com

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NY will gradually lower the threshold for overtime pay from 60 hours a week to 40

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Crafted by Artisan Sign and Design, 3092 Man St., Peru, NY  See previous Peru Gazette story on this unique company.

“It’s designed to provide the best care possible for our patients in Vermont and Northern New York.”

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