The Peru Gazette

Cathy Webster completes 4-day trek from Benson, Vermont to southern Canada. Money raised will go towards her adaptive kayaking program.

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DEC encourages New Yorkers to ‘Know it, Avoid it, Report it’

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L-R Jarett, Bryce and Melissa Wiggins

Bryce’s Flad Retirement Box is just inside the VFW’s main entrace

Three benches for the Vets to enjoy!

By John T Ryan

Peru, NY – May 27, 2025 – Yesterday, Peru VFW Post 309 recognized Bryce Wiggins for outstanding achievement and leadership in completing his Eagle Scout Project with the support of Post 309.  Bryce led fellow scouts in constructing a U.S. Flag Retirement Box and three wooden benches for Post 309.

Bryce Wiggins is a member of Beekmantown Troop 8046. A Peru HIgh School graduate, this fall, he will enter his sophomore year at Alfred University majoring in Game and Interactive Design   He’s the son of Jarett and Melissa Wiggins, both of whom are very involved in scouting. Jarett is an Assistant Scout Master, and Melissa is the Unit Leader of Peru’s Girl Scout troops. She’s also a member of Post 309’s Auxillary.

Author’s note – Peru does not have an active Boy Scout Troop at this time.

Student applications up 16 percent as CCC prepares move to PSU campus

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Community invited to celebrate long-awaited new station

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By John T Ryan

Meeting fascinating, very nice people is one of the best parts of publishing the Peru Gazette. This morning at Ausable Point, I encountered Cathy Webster, a resident of South Hero, VT. as she departed on the second leg of a 110-mile kayak journey the length of Lake Champlain from Benson, VT. to the Canadian border at Mississquoi Bay. Why? Webster manages the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association (NDAA). Its motto is “Breaking Down Barriers One Paddle at a Time…leave your chairs and canes on the shore, and explore the beautiful Vermont shorelines.”

NDAA is open to all individuals with mobility impairments. Volunteers supervise and assist each participant. Kayaks have seats, pontoons for added stability, and specialty paddles. NDAA goes hand in hand with Cathy’s professional life as a physical therapist. She said, “This journey is a celebration of the program’s 10th year; it memorizes the people who have participated.”  Webster said many suffered strokes, experienced head or spinal injuries, or experienced all kinds of disabilities.”

Cathy departed Ausable Point saying, “If anyone would like to help the program, they can go to kayak@disabledathletes.org or FB NDAA Kayaking.” 

The NDAA phone number is 802-862-6322. Click here for an MYNBC5 story on Cathy’s journey. 

I suspect the golfers arrived very soon after 6:30.

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BBQ Chicken 

Vegetables 

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!

Video by Calvin Castine of Hometown Cable 

Legislation S.7230/A.6762 Puts Money Back Into New Yorkers’ Pockets and Protects Consumers From Unfair Business Practices by Energy Services Companies

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to allow energy services company (ESCO) customers to easily claim owed funds and prevent ESCOs from holding onto such money indefinitely. Specifically, this bill prevents any bad actors in the ESCO industry from retaining customer refunds that the Public Service Commission has ordered the ESCO to provide to its customers in situations where the customer is no longer served by the ESCO and the ESCO is unable to contact the customer. This legislation aligns ESCOs with standards already required of utilities.

“I’ll never stop fighting to lower costs for families — that’s why I’m signing legislation to bring down energy bills, protect consumers and hold energy services companies accountable,” Governor Hochul said. “These reforms will end the practice of bad actors retaining refunds owed to customers, ensuring New Yorkers get their money returned.”

New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, “This action by Governor Hochul reinforces New York’s history of consumer protection through real, tangible changes that prevent ESCOs from taking advantage of everyday New Yorkers. Before this legislation, there was little incentive for ESCOs that no longer operated in New York to continue reaching out to customers to return unclaimed funds. These changes enhance the ability of the Commission to act on consumers’ behalf.”

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Carlene Allen Wood Photo

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) recognized nine women from across the North Country as Women of Distinction at his annual award ceremony Thursday evening. This year, the event was held at MHAB Life Skills Campus in Plattsburgh.

Each year, Jones invites community members to nominate impactful women from across numerous categories to be recognized for their efforts throughout the district. After carefully reading through the over 200 heartfelt nominations he received, the Assemblyman proudly notified the winners.

“It is my honor to recognize this year’s Women of Distinction awardees,” Jones said. “Between volunteering to help those in need or going above and beyond in their professions to best serve their communities, this year’s honorees are truly making a difference in the North Country. Please join me in congratulating these women for this well-deserved award.”

The recipients of the 2025 Women of Distinction awards are:

• Valerie Abraham-Rogers, Volunteerism Award
• Valerie Ainsworth, Service to our Hometown Heroes Award
• Maria Alexander, North Country Neighbor Award
• Amanda Bulris-Allen, Healthcare Award
• Michele Carpentier, Education Award
• May Chow, Law Enforcement Award
• Geana Dyer, Trailblazer Award
• Helen Nerksa, Community/Civic Affairs Award
• Joy VanLeuvan, Businesswoman Award

Individual biographies of all awardees are available on the Assemblyman’s social media pages.

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Click here for teh Adirondack Almanac Story 

Michael E. Snell- devoted father, husband and trooper- passed away May 20

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