The Peru Gazette

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Help addressing medical debt, insurance enrollment available

Plattsburgh, NY – Medical bills can feel overwhelming and even with insurance, costs like deductibles or services that are not fully covered can add up quickly. To help, the Financial Counselors at University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) are available every Wednesday from 7:30 am to 4 pm at the CVPH Diagnostic Center, 89 Plaza Blvd. No appointment is necessary. Clients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Counselors will also offer guidance and resources to assist those who are un-insured find health care coverage.

“There is assistance available for those with medical bills that are difficult to pay and for people who have no insurance. Our team is here to provide help and answer questions,” explained Melissa LaMountain, regional director of patient access.  “It can get overwhelming – especially if you unable to work while you are recovering. We’re hoping that by offering this additional opportunity to meet with our financial counselors, we can help ease some stress, prevent their debts from growing and hopefully make sure financial worries don’t stand in the way of recovery.”

CVPH’s financial assistance programs are designed to help people who do not have the ability to pay the medical bills incurred at the UVM health system’s New York partners.  There are eligibility requirements and an expectation to contribute based on the ability to pay.

Financial counselors are also available at the hospital’s main campus. To make an appointment there, call (518) 562-7075.

Chazy, NY— Champlain Area Trails (CATS), an accredited land trust founded in 2009, announces the grand opening of the Corbeau Creek Trails in Chazy, NY. These trails are part of the CATS network of over 100 trails, connecting people with nature and promoting economic vitality in New York’s Champlain Valley.

The festivities will kick off at 10 AM with a welcome program, light refreshments, and remarks from the Johnson family, who graciously host the trails on their land. Families and nature enthusiasts are invited to partake in a 2-mile guided walk immediately after.

The Corbeau Creek Trails feature two miles of walking trails that wind through a scenic landscape of forests, wetlands, and meadows. Visitors can explore the diverse habitats and enjoy views of Corbeau Creek, a tributary of the Great Chazy River. The trails offer opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and connecting with the natural world, right in the heart of Clinton County.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of the Corbeau Creek Trails, which expands our network of trails and conserved lands into Clinton County,” said Arin Burdo, Executive Director of CATS. “We are so grateful to the Johnsons for sharing their land with residents and visitors alike, offering more ways to experience the beauty and wonder of this region, and supporting our mission to protect the land, connect people to nature, and promote economic vitality.”

In addition to creating and maintaining trails, CATS has conserved over 3,000 acres of land in the Champlain Valley, ensuring these natural areas remain protected for generations. The organization also hosts a variety of outdoor education outings and volunteer events, engaging year-round residents and attracting thousands of visitors to the region.

The grand opening celebration for the Corbeau Creek Trails is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to explore the new trails and learn more about CATS’ work in the Champlain Valley.

For more information about the Corbeau Creek Trails and the grand opening event, please visit the CATS website at www.champlainareatrails.com or call 518-962-2287.

Westport Marina Owner: “Anecdotally, I’ve only seen one to two Canadian tourists this whole summer, and that is a huge swing from what we’ve seen in summers past.” And there’s much more to read in this story. 

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Peru Gazette file photo

By John T. Ryan

Peru voters will have the opportunity to fill several local elective offices on Tuesday, November 4.

The Peru Republicans have nominated Craig Randall as their candidate for a three-year term as town supervisor. The Peru Democrats do not have a nominee for this position. Randall has been serving as the interim supervisor since August 13, 2024, succeeding Brandy McDonald, who resigned after moving to Plattsburgh.

There are two open positions for three-year terms on the Peru Town Board. The Republicans have nominated incumbent board member Melvin Irwin and Dwane Bast, while the Democrats have nominated Nick Weaver.

For the four-year town justice position, the Republicans have not nominated a candidate. The Democrats have nominated Sarah Mitchell who also appears on the “We Are Peru” ballot line. Incumbent Democrat James Kirby announced several months ago his intention not to seek reelection. Now that he is feeling better, Kirby has launched a write-in campaign.

In the race for town clerk/tax collector, the Republicans chose Christine Crawford as their candidate instead of incumbent Republican Dianne Miller, who is seeking reelection under the Democratic Party line this year. 

Incumbent Michael Farrell is the Republican candidate for Superintendent of Highways, while Chip Blair represents the Democratic Party in that race.

The Peru Gazette is sending a questionnaire to each candidate, with responses due by October 8. We will post the replies after October 8. 

Cheeseburger Casserole 

Salad 

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!

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Another in the Peru Town Historian Helen Nerska’s Peru History Chats recorded by the Peru Gazette. Go to the Town of Peru website to find a link to all the Chats.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Acting Essex County District Attorney Michael P. Langey, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of the former Captain of the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad, Michael Moran, for allegedly stealing over $14,000 from the Town.

“Moran allegedly diverted resources meant to protect his community into his own pocket,” said DiNapoli.  “My thanks to Acting District Attorney Langey and the State Police for their continued partnership in fighting corruption.”

James said, “Mr. Moran violated the confidence instilled in him by the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad by disregarding the law and allegedly stealing funds he was not entitled to. We will continue to aggressively investigate any case involving public corruption and those who take advantage of their position at the expense of the community. I applaud the work of the State Police members assigned to this case, the Comptroller’s Office, and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office for their perseverance and dedicated work that led to this arrest.”

Michael Moran, 57, served as Captain of the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad and also worked for Essex County as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).  As Captain of the Squad, Moran was in charge of processing time sheets for payroll, including his own.

After receiving allegations of potential fraud regarding Moran and the Ambulance Squad, the New York State Police contacted DiNapoli’s office and a joint investigation commenced.  A forensic audit by DiNapoli’s investigative team revealed that from December 2023 through March 2025, Moran allegedly inflated the hours he worked for the Squad and also paid himself for nearly 150 hours at the Squad when he had also claimed to be working for the County.  Based upon Moran’s false submissions, the Town overpaid Moran $14,230 for hours not actually worked including $2,816 for overlapping time.

Moran is no longer employed by the Ambulance Squad or Essex County Emergency Medical Services.

He was charged with grand larceny in the third degree and arraigned before the Honorable Richard Carpenter in the Town of Moriah Court. He is due back in court on October 21.

The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2025 and Emergency Meeting of September 12, 2025. 

5. Community Input. 

6. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval to Sign Contract With Luck Bros. for Fuller Rd. Culvert.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:   Resolution to Use Storm Drain Reserve to Pay H33 Culvert Project Bill.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Daniel Hamilton Joining the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals.

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

10. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Town Council.

11. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Dept. Heads.

12. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – September 2025

14. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

15. MOTION: Return from Executive Session.

16. MOTION: Adjourn. 

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Electric bills in New York haven’t been this high for a decade, and they’re about to rise even more. Here’s why.

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Town of Moreau
Saratoga County
Prescribed Burn: On Sept. 10, Forest Ranger Clute, additional DEC staff, and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted a prescribed burn on 18 acres of Big Bend Preserve in Moreau Lake State Park. Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife. These burns are regulated by law and regulation and require technical expertise to safely conduct. Controlled burns help prevent the spread of invasive species, and in some areas, prescribed fire is used to reduce the buildup of wood, timber litter, and other fuel to reduce the potential for wildfires that threaten public safety and critical infrastructure. DEC carefully implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals.

Moreau Lake State Park prescribed burn

Moreau Lake State Park prescribed burn

Town of Fine
St. Lawrence County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance from a 65-year-old hiker on the Cranberry 50 trail with a possible food-borne illness. Forest Ranger Ezumah responded by boat across Cranberry Lake to campsite 17. Ranger Ezumah escorted the hiker from Ballston Spa by boat and then to their vehicle in Wanakena. The hiker declined further medical attention and DEC resources were clear at 1:45 p.m.

Town of St. Armand
Essex County
Wilderness Search: Read more »

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