The Peru Gazette

ALBANY, NY, June 6, 2026  – Assemblyman Michael S. Cashman (D-Plattsburgh) shared some of his legislative wins upon the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session. The Assemblyman was the sponsor of 7 passed pieces of legislation, one budget provision, and co-sponsored an additional 21 pieces of legislation that also passed.

“I am proud to announce that seven of my bills have passed through the legislature, as well as many bills I co-sponsored,” Cashman said. “From supporting our veterans, small business owners, corrections officers, deputy sheriffs and first responders, to working on everyday affordability and recreational access, these bills cover a wide range of issues. I proudly work across the aisle, with each of my bills that were passed garnering bipartisan support.”

“One of the primary roles of state legislators is to bring home resources to the district. Voters entrust legislators to be their voice down in Albany, and my advocacy throughout the legislative process – from introduction, through committee, and to a final floor vote – has proven successful on each of these bills. These bills now await the Governor’s signature if passed in the Senate side as well.”

“There is always more work to be done, and my team and I have already begun preparing for next year’s session. On day one, we will be refiling many of our current bills, prioritizing our timeout box legislation, pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections legislation, and Camp Gabriels legislation. While it is frustrating that many bills must sit in limbo, I will remain dogged in pushing for these measures and many others to move further during the next session. I will continue to fight for North Country residents and look forward to being back in district for the off-session months.”

The legislative session was initially scheduled to run until June 4, but was extended into Friday to allow legislators to pass more bills. The state budget being passed over one month late was a contributing factor in this session extension. Assemblyman Cashman previously announced his budgetary wins, including $12.5 million for Tupper Lake’s water systems and funding for various local organizations and programming. Cashman will be doing a district tour following the conclusion of session highlighting a few of these budgetary wins and to continue seeking projects requiring support.

“This year, the ability of the legislature to pass legislation was heavily bogged down by the severely delayed state budget. It was incredibly frustrating to go through the budget process in negotiations that should not have been part of the budgetary discussions, but government is sometimes requires compromise. I am proud of the budget measures I have secured for the district as a freshman legislator, and I welcome discussions about measures the district needs to seek future funding measures.

Below is a list of a few of the highlighted pieces of legislation that Assemblyman Cashman sponsored and co-sponsored that passed during the legislative session.

• Legislation which requires the public service commission to review the economic impact of utility rate changes before implementing wide-scale rate increases.

• Legislation that allows veterans to fish for free within state parks, providing further recreational opportunities to those who have served our country.

• Legislation that allows the benefits of surviving spouses of firefighters killed in the line of duty to be disbursed.

•  Legislation that creates a real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of correction officers who die in the line of duty; and legislation that was included in the state budget, ensuring the benefits of correction officers to be dispersed to beneficiaries if they are to die in the line of duty.

• Legislation that establishes a one-year moratorium on the construction of data centers in the State of New York.

• Legislation allowing out-of-state healthcare professionals to perform services at Lake Placid Iron Man events in 2026.

L-R CVPH ED Nurse Manager Michael Wells, RN, CVPH ED Medical Director Nicholas Aunchman, MD and CVPH ED Advanced Practice Provider Manager Maurice Pauquette, PA.

CVPH ED team honors legacy of compassion, care 

Plattsburgh, NY, June 3, 2026 – Family, friends and colleagues of Nicole Killian, NP, gathered recently at the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) Emergency Department to dedicate its General Treatment Area in her honor and to celebrate the lasting influence she continues to have on patient care and the spirit of teamwork she so deeply valued.

Known for her quiet strength, empathy and ability to connect with people, Killian, of Richmond, Vt., held a doctorate in nursing and had an extensive health care background. In addition to practicing as a nurse practitioner at CVPH, she also volunteered as an Advanced EMT for the Richmond Rescue Squad, and worked clinically at New York Presbyterian Hospital and for Solis Health, both in Manhattan. In 2023, at the age of 28, Nicole died tragically while hiking in British Columbia.

In his welcoming remarks, CVPH Emergency Department Medical Director Nicholas Aunchman, MD called Killian “a steady presence in moments of uncertainty, a compassionate voice in times of fear and a trusted colleague who elevated everyone around her.”

“It is fitting that this space — this general treatment area — will carry her name,” he said. “This is a place where care begins, where decisions are made, where comfort is offered, and where lives are impacted. It reflects the very heart of what Nicole stood for: compassionate, skilled, patient-centered care.”

CVPH ED Nurse Manager Michael Wells, RN echoed Aunchman’s sentiments and added, “The dedication ties her legacy to something much larger:  the collective purpose of this Emergency Department team. It ensures that what she represented – steady care, professionalism, and compassion – remains connected to our daily work.”

Wells added, “Emergency medicine requires skill, sharp judgment, adaptability, and a kind of compassion that doesn’t pause when things get busy or difficult. It also requires teamwork. No one succeeds here alone. Every outcome, every moment of reassurance, every difficult decision is the result of people working together with a shared purpose. And this Emergency Department team does exactly that, every single day.”

Calling Killian patient, dedicated and committing to always putting her patients first, CVPH Emergency Department Advanced Practice Provider Manager Maurice Pauquette, PA noted, “In a year where we are celebrating our centennial – 100 years of caring for patients across the North Country – we are dedicating a clinical space to someone who represents the very best of what and who we strive to be.”

Aunchman recalled how Nicole embodied the quiet strength and resilience that defines emergency medicine. “She showed up, day after day, ready to serve others — not for recognition, but because it was who she was. Her dedication to patient care and her commitment to her team left a lasting imprint that we continue to feel.”

Her participation on the team, according to Wells, reflected the strength and commitment that continues to define the group. “This team shows up under pressure, supporting one another through long shifts, difficult cases, and moments that extend well beyond the end of a shift. Much of their work is unseen and often goes unrecognized, yet it has a profound impact on patients, their families, and the hospital,” he said.

The General Treatment Area is located within the department and includes 10 patient rooms. Just beyond its entrance, the ED team has placed a sign dedicating the space to Killian, along with a photo collage featuring the nurse practitioner with coworkers, family and friends and sunflower artwork, a personal favorite of their colleague. The memorial was funded by The Foundation of CVPH. A paver remembering Killian is part of the Foundation’s Circle of Healing and Hope, surrounding the Angel of Hope on the hospital’s main lawn.

Chicken’n Biscuits

Vegetable 

Fruit Snack 

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!

SUNY Canton 

Emma Baker named to SUNY Canton President’s List.

Isaac Lane named to SUNY Canton President’s List.

Dusty LeClair  named to SUNY Canton President’s List.

SUNY Potsdam 

Ethan Luoma set to graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education

Madison Tromblee set to graduate with a Master of Science in Education degree in Literacy

Sarrah Zagrodzki set to graduate with distinction with a Master of Science in Education degree in Literacy

University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

Kathryn Ku’uleilani Bowman earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with high distinction from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Click here for the NCPR story 

Plattsburgh, NY (June 3, 2026) — The North Country Chamber of Commerce has been named one of just 12 recipients nationwide of an Award of Excellence in Communications by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) for its innovative “We Know Canadians…” campaign.

Based in Alexandria, Virginia, ACCE represents more than 1,600 chambers of commerce and economic development organizations and over 9,000 professionals across North America. The organization’s annual Awards for Communications Excellence program recognizes the most effective and creative communications and marketing initiatives undertaken by chambers of commerce.

“Strong communications are central to how chambers lead, serve and demonstrate impact,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “This year’s Awards for Communications Excellence winners show what is possible when strategy, creativity and execution come together to engage members, elevate community priorities and tell the chamber story with clarity and purpose.”

The North Country Chamber was recognized in the Campaigns Category for its “We Know Canadians…” initiative, a cross-border effort designed to reinforce the longstanding relationship between Northern New York and Canada through fact-based storytelling and shared history.

Launched during a period of heightened political tension, the campaign highlighted documented examples of collaboration, friendship, and mutual support between Canadians and Americans. Through bilingual video content, social media assets, and coordinated partner outreach, the campaign focused on strengthening people-to-people connections while emphasizing the importance of the cross-border relationship that has long defined the region.

The effort brought together an extensive coalition of partners, including the Consul General of Canada in New York, Québec’s Delegate General in New York, tourism organizations, elected officials, businesses, and community leaders on both sides of the border. The campaign generated more than 100,000 video views, substantial local and international media coverage, and widespread partner amplification that significantly expanded its reach and impact.

The campaign was developed largely in-house by the North Country Chamber’s leadership and marketing team, leading the conceptualization, scripting, design, and execution.

Judges praised the initiative, stating: “This was a really creative and well-executed campaign, produced in French and in English. It was sensitive, subtle and an example of successful collaboration across many agencies. It was a powerful one.”

“This has been a special endeavor to us, expressing timely and heartfelt messaging,” said Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “It is important and overdue that our Canadian friends hear our respect and appreciation for how they are there for us, and that Americans remember, learn and appreciate the depth of this special relationship.”

A panel of communications and marketing professionals from 16 U.S.-based chambers of commerce evaluated entries submitted from across the country. Projects were judged within annual revenue categories and across communications disciplines including digital media, campaigns, publications, and websites.

As an Award of Excellence recipient, the North Country Chamber will now advance to compete for ACCE’s highest honor, Best in Show, with winners to be announced during ACCE’s Annual Convention in New Orleans on July 21.

Albany, June 1, 2026 – New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon, New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James, and Acting Medicaid Inspector General Frank T. Walsh, Jr. today announced the arrests of four defendants for allegedly using three Medicaid transportation companies to systematically defraud the program out of more than $1.6 million. Those arrested were Jawad Choudhary, 44, his brother Junaid Choudhary, 43, both of Clifton Park, Danya Matthew, 56, of Springfield Gardens, and Kenneth Smith, 34, of New York City.

“The defendants allegedly tried to scam New York’s Medicaid system out of over $1.6 million by billing for non-existent services, inflating charges, and paying kickbacks,” DiNapoli said. Read more »

Click here for the WTVB Story 

Guidelines for $81 Million First Round of FY27 Council on the Arts Grants Now Available Here

Albany, June 6, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $161 million in grant funding for New York State artists and nonprofit arts and culture organizations in FY2027, with applications now available for the first round of funding, totaling $81 million. The second round of applications for Capital Project funding, totaling $80 million, will open in fall 2026. These opportunities reflect New York State’s unwavering commitment to its unparalleled arts and culture sector and are administered by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

“Arts and culture are key components of New York’s global influence,” Governor Hochul said. “From driving tourism to building robust neighborhoods to engaging young learners, the impact of our unparalleled cultural sector is felt statewide. These funding opportunities will ensure that our artists and cultural organizations will continue to strengthen their communities and inspire the world.”

Included in these grant opportunities is critical general operating support for organizations, which provides funding for day-to-day activities for thousands of organizations statewide, as well as support for artists, affordable rehearsal space, folk arts apprenticeships, and performing arts residencies. Grant application guidelines are available at arts.ny.gov/OpportunityGuidelines.

Prerecorded opportunity webinars will be available to view on the NYSCA website on Friday, June 5, 2026. Virtual office hours will be held throughout June. Registration for the webinars as well as an updated schedule will be available here.

Guidelines for the following opportunities are available to download on the NYSCA website:

Support for Organizations: Provides flexible operating and programmatic funding for qualified nonprofit arts and culture organizations. Awards range from $10,000 to $49,500.

Support for Artists: Funds creative commissions to individual artists across the state. The commission areas include Choreography, Composer, Film, Media, and New Technology, Folk and Traditional Arts, Interdisciplinary, Literature, Theater Commissions, and Visual Arts. The award amount is $10,000.

Support for Targeted Opportunities:

• Rehearsal and Studio Space for the Performing Arts: This funding is intended to support creative rehearsal time and organizations that provide viable and affordable space for non-profit arts groups and artists.  Awards range from $15,000 to $35,000.
• Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships: This funding provides individuals experienced in folk art with opportunities to study with master folk artists from their own community. The award amount is $10,000.
• Performing Arts Residencies: This opportunity supports a minimum three-consecutive-week residency by New York-based performing arts groups in a targeted area in New York State outside of the applicant’s home county and outside New York City. Awards range from $15,000 to $35,000.

Read more »

TUPPER LAKE, NY (June 4, 2026) – The highly anticipated Tupper Lake Tinman Triathlon returns on Saturday, June 27, kicking off at 8 a.m. and continuing its legacy as one of the longest-running triathlons in North America.

Recently rated one of the Best Ironman 70.3 & Half-Distance Races in the U.S. for 2026 by Triathlon Magazine, the event draws athletes from across the United States—including Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida—as well as international participants from Canada and Colombia.

Now in its 44th year, the Tinman will welcome more than 400 athletes from across the Western Hemisphere in five events:

• Tinman (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run)
• Aquabike (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike)
• Team Relay (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run)
• Olympic (0.93-mile swim, 26-mile bike, 6.2-mile run)
• Sprint (0.5-mile swim, 12.6-mile bike, 3.1-mile run)

Race Director Wendy Peroza, a 25-year volunteer and race director for the past 10 years, credits the event’s continued success to the passion and dedication of the local organizing committee. “This race is entirely community-driven and plays a vital role in Tupper Lake’s summer season,” she said.

Many participants and their families extend their stay to explore the region and experience some of Tupper Lake’s newest attractions. This year is especially exciting as visitors can enjoy the first full summer season of the completed 34-mile Adirondack Rail Trail connecting Lake Placid and Tupper Lake, creating new opportunities for cycling, walking, and outdoor recreation throughout the region.

Visitors can also experience TROLLS: Save the Humans at The Wild Center, a new exhibition featuring six larger-than-life, folklore-inspired trolls that encourage people to reconnect with nature and become better stewards of the Earth. Beyond race weekend, guests enjoy the area’s hiking, paddling, local dining, and craft beverage scene, making Tupper Lake a destination for athletes and families alike.

Returning for the 2026 event is the Tinman Virtual Training Club, sponsored by Hotel Saranac. This free two-part training series features expert-led sessions on training and race-day preparations. Sessions are led by Sean Luitjens, who has completed more than 350 triathlons and ultras, ranging from local sprint races to World Championship events. Recordings are available at TupperLakeTinman.com/tinman-virtual-training.

Packet Pick-Up & Registration
Packet pick-up and registration will take place in the Tupper Lake Library Community Room on Friday, June 26, from 1 – 8 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunities & Stipends
Volunteers are still needed for packet pick-up, course setup, and race-day support, including on-water paddle support. Nonprofit groups of eight or more are eligible for $200 stipends to support their organizations. Sign up at TupperLakeTinman.com/volunteers or email tinman@tupperlake.com.

Visit TupperLakeTinman.com or follow @TupperLakeTinman on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

June 6, 2026 – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other State agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 26 at 9:22 p.m., two hikers called Ray Brook Dispatch to report they were lost on Giant Mountain. The 19- and 21-year-olds were out of food and water, didn’t have extra layers of clothing or headlamps, and their cell phone batteries were running low. Forest Ranger Rooney spoke to the hikers on the phone and directed them to a lean-to the pair remembered seeing. Ranger Rooney instructed them to do whatever they could to stay warm until Rangers arrived. Just after 12 a.m., Rangers Ezumah and Rooney reached the subjects, provided warming layers and food, and hiked them back to their Ranger trucks. Rangers provided a courtesy ride to the subjects’ vehicle at Roaring Brook Falls. Resources were clear at 3 a.m.

Rangers suggest packing enough food and water to last through the night just in case the unexpected happens. Extra layers and headlamps are among the 10 Hiking Essentials all hikers should bring with them.

Town of Moreau
Saratoga County
Wilderness Search: On May 27 at 5:50 p.m., New York State Police (NYSP) requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a missing hiker in Moreau Lake State Park. The 88-year-old began hiking at the Western Ridge trailhead at 9:30 a.m. The subject is an avid hiker, but their caretaker called NYSP when the hiker did not return home by evening. Five Rangers, New York State Parks staff, and NYSP K9s and drones participated in the search. At 12:15 a.m., Ranger Morehouse located the subject in good condition just off the East Ridge trail. Rangers assisted the hiker out of the woods. Resources were clear at 2:45 a.m.

Town of Johnsburg
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 28 at 4:47 p.m., Warren County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a canoer stranded on shore after their canoe sank on Thirteenth Lake. Ranger Savarie reached the 63-year-old from Delmar and helped repair the canoe before assisting them to their vehicle.

Ranger Savarie patches hole in canoe

Town of Watson
Lewis County
Wilderness Recovery: On May 29 at 11:15 a.m., Rangers Evans and Lee responded to a report of a deceased subject off Adsit Road in the Croghan Tract Conservation Easement. The 74-year-old from Lowville was last seen the previous evening when they headed to their camp near the easement. The subject’s family was concerned and drove to the camp. They followed ATV tracks leading to the easement and found the subject deceased. Rangers worked with the Croghan Fire Department, Lewis County Search and Rescue, New York State Police, and DEC’s Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation to transport the subject on a Ranger UTV to the Lewis County Medical Examiner.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers condolences to the family. Read more »

More Than 200 Events Listed on I LOVE NY’s America 250 Calendar

Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted events happening across New York State to commemorate America’s 250th birthday, encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore the state’s diverse attractions and regions. More than 200 immersive activities and exhibitions are planned across the state, from tall ships converging on New York City and authentic Revolutionary War reenactments, to exhibits presenting the Black and Indigenous perspective on the Revolution and the continued efforts for equal rights. A comprehensive list of events statewide — with new opportunities added daily — can be found on the I LOVE NY website.

“The 250th birthday of our country has given us the opportunity to unite with our neighbors and communities and celebrate,” Governor Hochul said. “We are bringing attractions and activities to every region to highlight the profound impact that New York State has had on our nation’s history and culture. From our scenic state parks to Revolutionary War sites, there is something for every resident and visitor of our great state to enjoy.”

Here are some of the events happening across New York State:

• Sail4th 250 (New York City): From July 3-9, the largest international flotilla of tall ships ever assembled will arrive in New York Harbor, accompanied by fireworks, Fleet Week programming and culinary festivals, and an International Aerial Review.
• FourLeaf Air Show (Long Island): Timed to coincide with America 250, the July 5-6 show at Jones Beach State Park will feature military and civilian aerobatic performers, headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
• USA 250th and Niagara County Celebration (Western New York): Old Fort Niagara will mark the 300th anniversary of its iconic French Castle on June 6. Visitors can step into the past through immersive living history programs, hands-on demonstrations of traditional trades, and ceremonial musket and artillery salutes. The celebration highlights shared U.S. and French history and international ties at one of the Niagara River’s most storied landmarks.
• America’s 250th Anniversary at the Webster Arboretum (Finger Lakes): On June 24, this family-friendly event will feature a reading of the Declaration of Independence, Ganondagan stories and tales of the Senecas for children, historical games, and two distinctly American music performances: barbershop harmonies and Dixieland.
• The Binghamton Philharmonic Presents America250 (Southern Tier): A free Fourth of July concert begins at 4:00 p.m. in Downtown Binghamton with the Grenadiers Alumni Drum Line. At 5:00 p.m., the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra takes the stage to perform American classics, including music by Aaron Copland, John Philip Sousa, and Irving Berlin, culminating with the 1812 Overture and Stars and Stripes Forever.
• America250 Celebration at Fort Ontario (Central New York): Visitors can explore the unique star-shaped Fort Ontario State Historic Site on the shores of Lake Ontario, which dates to the early 1840s. The fourth and current Fort Ontario was built on the ruins of three previous forts, which saw battle during the French and Indian War and the War of 1812. In the mid-1940s, it served as a refugee camp — mostly for Jewish Holocaust victims — by order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and opened as a state historic site in 1949.
• Independence Day the 18th Century Way (Mohawk Valley): Fort Stanwix National Monument will commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4 with the annual ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldiers. The day’s events continue with cannon and musket salutes and Declaration of Independence readings. Visitors can sign their own Declaration of Independence or British loyalty oaths, make tricorn hats, and dress in a soldier’s uniform.
• Empire State Plaza Fireworks Show (Capital Region): On July 4, enjoy your historic capital city with a revolutionary afternoon of live music, delicious eats, and fun for all ages. Kids can dive into interactive activities and games throughout the Plaza while the whole family soaks in the festive atmosphere. Sing and dance along to your favorite throwback songs and cap off the night with the most brilliant fireworks display in the area.
• Fort Ticonderoga Real Time Revolution™ Event Series (North Country): Living-history programming reenacting key Revolutionary War moments on the original grounds, including the signature “Return of an Army” event during Independence Day weekend.
• Turning Point Festival (Capital Region): Commemorating the American victory Battle of Saratoga, seen as the turning point of the Revolutionary War, the festival on August 8 will feature music, food and fireworks. The annual Turning Point Parade will step off on August 2 in Schuylerville with more than 100 different units walking the route where British General John Burgoyne surrendered in 1777.
• Rev Fest 250 Remembers the Battle of White Plains (Mid-Hudson): On October 24-25, the more than 4,000-acre Ward Pound Ridge Reservation will be transformed for a reenactment of this battle between General George Washington’s Continental Army and British and Hessian troops.

June 5, 2026 – The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the High School Community Room. It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:30 PM start, and that the Board will reconvene for open public session business at approximately 7:00 PM. The meeting will be recorded and will be available on the District’s website at www.perunighthawks.org.

The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed.

Currently, two (2) public comment opportunities are planned as follows:

First public comment: Related to items on the agenda. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.  Second 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 noon on Tuesday, June 9. Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.

Anticipated topics include:

• Public Hearing on the District Emergency Response Plan (DERP)

• Retiree Recognition (includes a recess)

• Personnel Appointments

• Annual Budget Vote & School Board Election

• Sports Mergers

The complete agenda will be available via BoardDocs on the District’s website (www.perunighthawks.org).

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Funding for Communities Supports Local Climate Action to Reduce Emissions, Improve Air Quality, and Increase Resilience

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced at least $18 million now available under the Climate Smart Communities Grant program to help municipalities take action to address climate change. Eligible projects help reduce flooding and protect critical infrastructure, support decreasing transportation emissions through cycling and walkability projects, reduce emissions from food waste and landfills, and undertake feasibility studies to advance climate projects. The funding is part of the millions of dollars now available through the Consolidated Funding Application recently announced by Governor Kathy Hochul for more than 20 programs to facilitate projects that advance regional strategic plans and State priorities.

Funding for the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program is supported by the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and the State’s Environmental Protection Fund. Since the CSC Grant program’s inception in 2016, DEC has awarded more than $109 million to municipalities in support of local climate mitigation and adaptation projects.

Applications for CSC grants are submitted via the Consolidated Funding Application; see DEC’s website for more details. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026. Applications will not be accepted after that date and time.

As part of the program, municipalities are required to provide a local match of 50% of the total costs for most projects. For communities that meet the criteria for financial hardship or for projects that are located in disadvantaged communities, the match may be lowered to 20%.

At least $17 million is available for grants of between $35,000 and $2 million for implementation projects related to the following topics, among others:

• Reducing vehicle miles travelled (VMT)
• Reducing food waste in landfills
• Reducing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions from refrigeration and cooling equipment
• Increasing natural resiliency through restoration or preservation of natural features
• Reducing future flood risks, including by relocating or retrofitting critical infrastructure
• Preparing for extreme heat and extreme weather events
• Renewable energy projects in municipal facilities
• Engineering feasibility studies for flood risk reduction, refrigerant management, and smart growth analysis.

In addition, up to $1 million is available for grants of between $10,000 and $200,000 for planning, inventory, and assessment projects that are aligned with certain Climate Smart Communities Certification actions in the areas of greenhouse gas mitigation, transportation, climate adaptation, and land use.

Updates to CSC Grant Program
DEC recently announced revisions expanding the number of entities eligible to receive grants under Climate Smart Community Projects, including local public authorities, local public benefit corporations, and Indian Nations, consistent with the Environmental Conservation Law. Expanded eligibility will allow for additional entities to apply for funding and help to ensure increased participation among disadvantaged communities. Visit DEC’s website for more information.

Albany, June 1, 2026 – Statewide Survey of Nearly 600 Teachers and School Administrators. Approximately 80% Reported Positive Outcomes Including Better Student Engagement and Improved Social Connections

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the results of a survey to collect feedback from nearly 600 educators statewide at the conclusion of New York’s first phone-free school year — and the numbers speak for themselves. Teachers overwhelmingly report that without smartphone distractions their students are more active in class discussion, more engaged with their peers, and more focused on their assignments. Schools across New York State implemented one of the nation’s strongest phone-free policies at the start of the school year in September 2025, in line with the requirements of the distraction-free schools law that was enacted by Governor Hochul in May 2025.

“I successfully fought for New York schools to go phone-free because our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling – and these survey results show our nation-leading policy is working,” said Governor Hochul. “Teachers overwhelmingly report that without constant smartphone distractions, students are more focused on learning and more engaged with their peers. These are results we can all be proud of, and I congratulate New York students and educators as we near the end of an outstanding school year.”

End-of-Year Survey Results:

The Governor’s Office received 585 total responses, representing all regions across the state, grade levels, and roles in schools, to its end-of-year survey on distraction-free learning.

Overwhelmingly positive reception: 80% said that implementing a phone-free policy has delivered positive results for their school.

Classroom behavior and engagement: 76% reported positive changes in classroom behavior, such as improved attention, respect for peers, and following directions, and 76% said student engagement increased. The most commonly observed forms of engagement were more active participation in discussions (311 respondents), improved peer collaboration (282), and better focus on assignments (273).

Educators reported improved effectiveness: 75% said their ability to teach effectively improved.

Social connections improved, bullying declined: 80% saw student social connections improve. 60% reported a decline in bullying and cyberbullying incidents.

More specific positive feedback included:

• Teacher in the Capital Region: “Great improvement. Stick to your beliefs on this one. It is working. Kids are actually socializing, talking, discussing and it is really good to see.”
• School support staff in Western New York: “It is just so wonderful seeing kids being kids again. Without the draw to the cell phone, the students are engaging with each other again. It is so heartwarming to watch!”
• School Administrator on Long Island: “This has taught students to focus better and to be without their phones. It has encouraged more collaboration during free time (i.e. students playing board games with one another in the cafeteria)”

A Look Back on Mid-Year Survey Results

These results are in keeping with the positive feedback the Governor’s office received from its mid-year surveyof more than 350 school administrators statewide on distraction-free learning. More than 90% of administrators reported a smooth transition to phone-free classrooms and greater than 80% reported better student engagement.

Governor Hochul’s Distraction-Free Learning Initiative

Recognizing the necessity of ensuring safe and productive learning environments for students and educators, Governor Hochul advanced legislation to create a statewide standard for distraction-free school environments, secured its passage in the FY2026 budget, and signed it into law in May 2025. New York’s statewide bell-to-bell restriction on smartphones is among the strongest in the nation.

By John T Ryan 

Peru, NY, June 4, 2026 – The Peru Town Board met for a low-key, 31-minute meeting on Thursday, May 28. Several department heads were absent, along with Councilman Nick Weaver and town attorney Matt Favro. County Legislator Kevin Randall observed the meeting. 

Primary news items: 

Supervisor Craig Randall shared that construction of the Telegraph Road Dry Mill culvert was scheduled to begin on June 1. Additionally, Randall noted that the Peru Highway Department had received an $86,299.41 ADK Action/Lake Champlain Basin Program grant to upgrade its highway salt-brine equipment. Most of the funding will go toward a larger brine tank. The board approved acceptance of the grant.

The board addressed staffing within the Recreation Department. After advertising for an Assistant Recreation Director for several months without success, the board appointed Mia Marino to the position at $1,000 for one season. Kristen Marino, Mia’s mother, is the Recreation Director. Supervisor Randall noted that the town might need to amend its personnel manual, as similar situations have occurred before; typically, direct supervision of a family member is avoided. Considering the Peru Recreation Program serves about 300 children, board members believe an assistant is needed.  

The absence of Code Enforcement Officer Duane Bibeau and Town Attorney Matt Favro meant Corey Trombley and Theresa Larson did not receive answers to their questions about zoning law enforcement related to Lake Champlain Transportation ‘s Valcour Marina property. 

The board approved personnel changes recommended by the Planning Board. Allison Webbinaro moved from full-time member to Alternate Member, while Patrick McFarland transitioned from Alternate Member to Full-Time member. 

Turning to public works, Water-Sewer-Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault reported that the Wastewater Treatment Plant project remains on schedule.

Councilman Rick Barber praised the Peru Highway Department for an excellent paving job on Garrow, Donahue, and Allen Hill Roads. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m. 

Thank you to Bill Baggs for video recording this meeting. 

Click here for the Approved Minutes of this meeting. 

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Click here for the New York Focus story 

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By John T Ryan

Peru, NY, June 3, 2026 – Luck Brothers Inc. personnel began replacing the Telegraph Road Dry Mill Brook culvert today. The culvert’s deteriorating condition led the Peru Highway Department to close the road in April 2024, forcing many people to travel several additional miles. The culvert being replaced was installed after the 1998 flood. 

Luck Brothers will install a concrete 24-foot wide box culvert. It is expected to remain in service for at least 50 years.

Luck Brothers submitted the low bid of $1,852,995. C&S Engineers Inc. is the design firm. MJ Engineering’s construction inspector is on-site. The last known estimated total cost for the project is $2.4 million. The project did not qualify for the Bridge New York grant program.

Correction on June 4, This story originally stated that the box culvert would not be delivered until at least October. That was a misunderstanding on your reporter’’s part. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell stated that the culvert is ready for delivery at this time.

Click here for a more detailed previous story on the project. 

Blood Center offers  opportunities to donate in June  

Plattsburgh, NY – Blood donations to the Adirondack Blood Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) make a lifesaving difference for patients across the North Country by ensuring a steady and reliable supply of blood for local surgeries, emergency care and ongoing medical treatments

Patients at the Plattsburgh hospital, its northern New York health system partners, Alice Hyde Medical Center and Elizabethtown Community Hospital (including Ticonderoga) along with the Adirondack Medical Center benefit from the generous donations collected and processed by this team of health care professionals. Drives sponsored by local community groups, businesses and organizations are the backbone of the Donor Center’s success.

The June schedule is as follows:

• Monday, June 1, Adirondack Medical Center, Redfield Room, 2233 Route 86, Saranac Lake, noon to 4 pm
• Tuesday, June 2, Long Lake Town Hall, 1204 Main St., 2 to 5 pm
• Wednesday, June 3, Alice Hyde Medical Center, 133 Park St., Malone, 11 am to 3 pm
• Thursday, June 4, Beekmantown Fire Department Station 1, 6978 Route 22, West Chazy, 4 to 7 pm
• Tuesday, June 9, Malone Callfiremen Station, 37 Finney Blvd., Malone, 2 to 6 pm
• Thursday, June 11, Keene Fire Department, 10858 Route 9N, Keene, 3 to 6 pm
• Friday, June 12, Burke Adult Center, 1040 East Main St., Burke, 9 to 11 am
• Monday, June 15, West Chazy Fire Department, West Chazy, 4 to 7 pm
• Wednesday, June 17, Franklin County Court House, 355 West Main St., Malone, 11 am to 2 pm
• Thursday, June 18, Elizabethtown Community Hospital, Ticonderoga Campus, 101 Adirondack Lane, Ticonderoga, 1 to 4 pm
• Wednesday, June 24, Altona Fire Department, 480 Devil’s Den Road, Altona, 4:30 to 8:30 pm
• Thursday, June 25, St. Lawrence County Human Services Center, 80 State Route 310, Canton, noon to 3 pm
• Friday, June 26, Medisca, 626 Tom Miller Road, 1 to 4 pm
• Monday, June 29, Essex Fire Department, 2659 Station Rd., Essex, co-sponsored by Masonic Lodge, 4 to 7 pm
• Tuesday, June 30, FCI Ray Brook, 128 Ray Brook Rd., Ray Brook, 12:30 to 4 pm
• Blood donors must be at least 16 years-old (16- and 17-year-old donors must have written parental/guardian consent), in general good health and weigh at least 110 lbs. A screening questionnaire addressing personal medical, social and travel history is completed prior to donating. A donor card or another form of valid identification is also required. Donors must wait 56 days between donations.
• The Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd., is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. No appointment necessary.
• Learn more about the Adirondack Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call 518-562-7406.

Plattsburgh, June 2, 2026 – Three days of celebrations will be held from June 19 to June 21 to mark the 2026 national Juneteenth holiday in Clinton and Essex counties, which were hotbeds of abolitionism during a transformational time in American history. Juneteenth National Independence Day celebrates the final end of chattel slavery after the Civil War, when Union troops occupied Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865.

FRIDAY, June 19.  The weekend of events kicks off Friday evening with New York City blues guitarist Solomon Hicks at Retro Live, 14 Margaret St.  Plattsburgh. Concert begins at 7 pm, doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at the door or online at https://www.plattsburghbluesandjazz.com/juneteenth-concert-with-king-solomon-hicks

SATURDAY, June 20. A bus tour of Underground Railroad sites leaves from the North Star Underground Railroad Museum, 1131 Mace Chasm Rd. Ausable Chasm. at 10 am. The bus costs $10 for an individual and $20 for a family. Register online at https://northcountryundergroundrailroad.com/. The tour will go from Keeseville/Peru to Beekmantown/Plattsburgh stopping at key sites in the area, including churches involved in the abolitionist struggle and local cemeteries, with reenactors providing historical interpretation. Among the reenactors will be the great, great grandson of local Underground Railroad leader Stephen Keese Smith. Included in the bus tour is a stop at the Plattsburgh Public Library (19 Oak St. Plattsburgh) for a special FREE movie that highlights how the Underground Railroad helped a Union soldier get home after he ended up in a Confederate prison. The movie starts at 1:30 pm. If you are riding on the bus, you are encouraged to bring a lunch. The bus will return to the North Star Museum at 4:00 pm.

Also on tap is an art exhibit – “What Remains: Voices from the Margins of History” – followed by a reception at the SUNY Plattsburgh Art Museum, Myers Fine Arts Building, 101 Broad St. Plattsburgh. This FREE event will be from 5 to 7 p.m.    

SUNDAY, June 21. From 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., the celebrations move to John Brown Farm State Historic Site at 115 John Brown Rd., Lake Placid.  for a family-themed fair.  Highlights include a concert featuring the well-known Adirondack group, Jamcrackers and Friends.  Also, Praise Tabernacle Dancers will perform and there will be a recitation of John Brown’s final speech at his gravesite. All events Sunday at John Brown Farm are FREE.

Activities will also include children’s games and the presentation of the annual Colors of Freedom Award. Food will be available for purchase from the Dogfather Food Truck of Plattsburgh.  ($10 adults, $7 children.)

 John Brown’s final speech was a farewell address delivered to the Virginia court as he was sentenced to be hanged for leading the raid on Harper’s Ferry in 1859.  His body was then transported back to the farm in North Elba for burial. 

The Juneteenth events are sponsored and organized by a network of organizations in the North Country, including the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association, Clinton County Historical Association., John Brown Farm State Historic Site, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, John Brown Lives, the Adirondack History Museum, Plattsburgh Public Library, Essex County Arts Council, Paul Smiths College and the SUNY Plattsburgh Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center and Art Museum. 

Details on all the events can be found at:

https://www.northcountryundergroundrailroad.com/forms/web/cof.php

For more information contact:

Jackie Madison, North Country Underground Railroad Historical Assn.  <jemcal16@aol.com>

Helen Nerska, Clinton County Historical Assn.  director@clintoncountyhistorcal.org

Peter Slocum, Adirondack History Museum, pslocum47@gmail.com

Cheryl Craft, John Brown Farm State Historic Site.  cheryl.craft@parks.ny.gov.

Click here to read the NCPR story