The Peru Gazette

The State of Emergency includes Albany, Bronx, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Kings, Madison, Nassau, New York, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Suffolk, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester and contiguous counties.

Governor Kathy Hochul today declared a State of Emergency in 32 counties in response to severe weather and extreme heat impacting communities across New York. A cluster of severe thunderstorms impacted parts of the North Country, Central New York, Southern Tier, and the Capital District early this morning causing downed trees and power lines, structural damage and numerous power outages. Rainfall rates of up to two inches per hour will continue with additional two to four inches totals likely. The heaviest rain will likely continue to fall over areas in Central New York and Southern Tier that have already seen heavy rain. Flash flooding may extend into the Southern Tier and Mid-Hudson regions, especially from Broome to Ulster/Sullivan Counties. Numerous power outages exist from the North Country to the Southern Tier Regions. In addition, a multi-day heatwave will begin today statewide, with a combination of high temperatures and humidity resulting in feels-like temperatures between 90 to over 100 degrees through Wednesday.

“Our hearts break for the tragic loss of life during last night’s storms, and my administration has been in touch with local elected officials offering support,” Governor Hochul said. “State emergency response personnel are already on the ground providing resources and support as we work to recover from this severe weather and restore power quickly. I urge all New Yorkers to stay weather aware and take precautions to stay vigilant and safe as extreme heat and severe weather are expected to continue impacting the State over the next couple of days.”

The State of Emergency includes Albany, Bronx, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Kings, Madison, Nassau, New York, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Suffolk, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester and contiguous counties.

At Governor Hochul’s direction, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Enhanced Monitoring Mode to track the storms and damage. They are working closely with local emergency managers and governments to support requests and provide assistance as requested. State agencies stand ready to respond with equipment and personnel. Light towers have been provided to Oneida County and other materials stored in the State’s nine stockpiles including generators and pumps are also available to support local needs.

The New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control has activated its Fire Operations Center and can deploy teams, including canine units to provide support. The State’s swift water rescue teams are also prepared to respond.

New Yorkers can sign up for text weather and emergency alerts by texting their county or borough to 333111.

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Erik Bottcher discussed growing up in Wilmington, N.Y., his struggles with mental health, and how he advocates for kids in crisis

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Cheezy Ziti

Vegetable 

Bread 

Dessert

Served 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., take-out only, at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru, NY 12972 

All are invited and welcome!

A message and photos from Sweethearts and Heroes 

PERU, NY — About 350 Peru Central School District (CSD) students recently celebrated months of preparation and hard work — with a focus on changing their school culture — by holding a Community Day with Sweethearts & Heroes on June 11.

About 2,000 elementary school students and 100 high school students from six North Country schools, including Peru, have participated in Community Days throughout May and June with Sweethearts & Heroes, a student empowerment and youth leadership team that aims to prevent hopelessness, bullying and suicide. Sweethearts & Heroes provides dynamic, inspiring content that centers on the human interaction skills necessary for schools and other organizations to change all aspects of their culture — skills such as empathy, compassion and teamwork.

Throughout this school year, the six participating schools have been immersed in Sweethearts & Heroes’ Student Teacher Empathy Program (STEP), which teaches high-schoolers to deliver Sweethearts & Heroes’ foundational anti-bullying message to elementary students in their district — a message for students from students. STEP students are from: the AuSable Valley CSD, Chazy Central Rural School, the Crown Point CSD, Ticonderoga Central School, the Plattsburgh CSD; and the Peru CSD.

High-schoolers in those districts designed Community Days for their elementary-level counterparts. Community Days have featured age-appropriate obstacle courses and team challenges similar to the Spartan-supported races that high school STEP students completed during Sweethearts & Heroes’ first three-day Youth Leadership Summit at Killington Resort in Vermont last September. The Plattsburgh CSD will have Sweethearts & Heroes Community Day stations on display at previously established field days for students in Grades K-5.

The Foundation of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) is a strong, supportive partner of Sweethearts & Heroes and has provided sponsorships for STEP work in all six North Country schools. Goss Chevrolet, of Champlain, NY, has sponsored Community Days with medals for students and other support.

“Community Day at Peru Central School District was a day like no other for our students!” Peru CSD administrators said in a thank-you letter to Goss, following Community Day. “One 5th grade class commented to their teacher that it was ‘the best day they’ve ever had in school!’ Through team-building challenges and empathy-developing exercises, we were able to culminate our school’s Student Teacher Empathy Program (STEP) with a bang! Thank you for the medals and other support! We had so much fun!”

Josh Parker, General Manager, Goss Chevrolet, said, “Goss Chevrolet is honored to support a program as impactful as Sweethearts & Heroes. Like them, we are committed to empowering today’s youth to overcome hopelessness, prevent bullying, and understand that there is always more to look forward to beyond tomorrow. We are proud to sponsor these vital efforts and look forward to continuing our support for the next generation at every opportunity.”

For more than 16 years, Sweethearts & Heroes has presented what Director/Founder Tom Murphy calls “‘the ‘stop, drop and roll’ of bullying” to more than 2.5 million students in school districts from New England to Hawaii and north into Canada. However, there was a Sweethearts & Heroes first in the AuSable Valley CSD last January: AuSable Valley STEP students — not Sweethearts & Heroes — presented Sweethearts & Heroes’ signature presentation to second-graders at Keeseville Elementary and AuSable Forks Elementary. The other districts followed suit with their respective STEP presentations.

The Foundation of CVPH and Sweethearts & Heroes started their partnership several years ago. Kerry Haley, Associate Vice President of Philanthropy for the foundation, said, “The wellbeing of youth in our region is critical to family dynamics and a strong future. We are proud of the partnership we have had with Sweethearts & Heroes these past several years to reach children where they are at and when they need it most. These programs build a foundation for skills that will last a lifetime.”

For more on Sweethearts & Heroes, find them here on social media.

Gibbs encourages public interest in government office

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New name reinforces the community foundation’s deep commitment to serving the people and places of the Adirondack region

LAKE PLACID, NY  — Adirondack Foundation has officially changed its name to Adirondack Community Foundation, a move that highlights the organization’s long-standing mission: to strengthen Adirondack communities through donor generosity, partnerships, and strategic investment.

“Adding the word community to our name is about clarity and purpose,” said William Creighton, Board Chair of Adirondack Community Foundation. “It reflects who we’ve always been — a community foundation, not a private foundation. It’s philanthropy that’s of, for, and about the people of the Adirondack region — and it signals our continued commitment to bringing donors together to meet urgent needs and build a stronger future.”

Since its founding in 1997, Adirondack Community Foundation has served as a hub for regional generosity. It has grown to steward more than 300 charitable funds created by individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits. The foundation is the largest grantmaker in the Adirondack region, awarding more than $10 million annually to support local nonprofits, schools, and municipalities, often in partnership with fundholders who make grants with community foundation guidance.

“My husband, Jim Herman, and I opened a donor advised fund at Adirondack Community Foundation, because its  network of both donors and nonprofits meant we could join with others to have a greater impact than we could make on our own,” said Dave Mason, of Keene.

Through its work, Adirondack Community Foundation supports solutions to pressing issues such as food insecurity, affordable housing, child care access, educational opportunity, and economic development. Recent initiatives include:

• Reweaving the Adirondack Social Safety Net through partnerships with the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and the John Rugge Center for Community Impact.

• Advancing early childhood outcomes through the Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance.

• Supporting local job creation through the Adirondack Innovation Initiative.

• Fostering civic engagement via the Trust for Civic Life.

• Making local impact investments in workforce housing and small business development.

“Adirondack Community Foundation is a lasting, trusted source of support in the good times and the bad,” said Cali Brooks, President and CEO. “We are here during economic downturns, climate emergencies, and pandemics. In these uncertain times, we’re equipped for the long haul, ready to provide stability when our neighbors need it the most.”

To learn more about Adirondack Community Foundation, visit www.adkcommunityfoundation.org

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of June 9, 2025. 

5. Community Input. 

6. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Authorize Signature for Realtor’s Contract to Sell the 7 Jenkins St. Property.

7. MOTION/DISCUSSION: Request for Use of Heyworth Mason Park for Honor Flight Fundraiser.

8. MOTION/DISCUSSION: Request for Use of Heyworth Mason Park for Adirondack Regional Theater Production.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Richard Williams’ Resignation. 

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Appointment for Justin Wilson’s to the Position of Chairman for the Planning Board.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Appointment for Alison Webbinaro to the Position of Vice Chairman of the Planning Board.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Fiscal Advisors’ Financial Svcs Agreement for Peru WWTP Project.

13. DISCUSSION: Telegraph Road Over Dry Mill Brook Culvert Project Engineering Update.

14. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Town Council.

15. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Dept. Heads.

16. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

17. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – June 2025

18. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

19. MOTION: Return from Executive Session.

20. MOTION: Adjourn. 

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Thanks to Syracuse.com for this information. 

https://www.datawrapper.de/_/gwj66/

Eligible households now able to apply for funding

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Free presentations uncover the fascinating stories behind Keeseville’s history

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Today I received letters from students in Peru Central School District’s 8th grade class. They shared with me their concerns about issues they’re seeing with the environment and wildlife. I love hearing from young students about their concerns and seeing them getting involved in being a voice for change. Thank you to their teachers and parents for helping them with this assignment, and for encouraging our next generation of leaders to stand up for what they believe in.

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“It honors the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and told the last enslaved African Americans they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed.”

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