The Peru Gazette

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Labor and Delivery nurse honored for care during devastating delivery 

Plattsburgh, NY, April 1, 2026 –  – For many expecting parents, the days leading up to an anatomy scan are filled with excitement – picking out names, imagining tiny fingers and picturing a future that suddenly feels close enough to touch. But for Marissa Burnell, that hopeful moment shattered in an instant.

What she expected to be a joyful milestone became the start of the most heartbreaking experience of her life. She learned that her baby girl had a genetic condition not compatible with life, a reality that left Burnell and her husband stunned, grieving and searching for something steady to hold onto.

That steady presence came in the form of Cindy Tate‑Gutierrez, RN.

Caring for her Patient’s Heart

When Burnell was admitted to Labor and Delivery at University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, she was scared, heartbroken and overwhelmed. Tate‑Gutierrez introduced herself on that first day – not just as a nurse, but as someone who would walk beside their entire family through a moment no one ever imagines facing.

The next morning, Burnell was relieved to see a familiar face. Tate‑Gutierrez had become her primary nurse. From the start, it was clear Tate‑Gutierrez understood that caring for Burnell meant caring for her heart as much as her body.

“She met with me and my husband 1‑on‑1 and provided us with so much reassurance, comfort and confidence,” Burnell says.

She remembers how Tate-Gutierrez noticed the small details that matter – massaging Burnell’s legs and feet, sharing stories and listening with warmth and without hurry.

“She Was My Voice When I Lost Mine.”

As the delivery progressed, Burnell says she reached a moment when fear swallowed her words. She couldn’t speak up for herself or steady her thoughts.

Tate‑Gutierrez didn’t hesitate.

“During an incredibly difficult moment in my delivery where doubt and worry overcame me, she was my voice,” Burnell says. “She advocated for me, for us, for our daughter. Cindy was my anchor – someone I knew I could trust. She was the light for our entire family during a very dark and painful time.”

For a nurse, those moments can be emotionally heavy. But Tate‑Gutierrez never pulled away.

Moments Preserved Forever

After their daughter was born, Burnell was drained – emotionally, physically and spiritually. She wasn’t thinking about photos or memories. She was just trying to breathe through the moment.

Tate‑Gutierrez thought of it for her.

“She grabbed my cell phone and captured some of the most precious moments my husband and I will forever be able to cherish,” Burnell writes.

Those photographs became gifts the family will always be able to hold on to, even though they’ll never be able to hold their daughter.

A Nurse Who Embodies Compassion

Even as she managed one of the most heartbreaking experiences of her career, Tate‑Gutierrez put Burnell’s needs above her own.

“Her support, compassion and empathy never wavered,” Burnell says. “All of our needs were put before her own, showing the true selflessness she has to offer.”

“When I think of a DAISY, I think of Cindy.”

Honoring an Extraordinary Nurse

For the profound difference she made during one of the darkest moments a family can face, Cindy Tate‑Gutierrez, RN, was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. She received the award during a surprise ceremony surrounded by her colleagues in Labor and Delivery. During the award presentation, she received a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse. Tate-Gutierrez, like all honorees, also received a DAISY Award pin.

Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital launched the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in 2018 to recognize and reward licensed nurses for making a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients. Nomination forms and boxes are located at each of the hospital’s main entrances and online at UVMHealth.org. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues.  A committee reviews nominations and awards a deserving nurse each quarter.

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. More information is available at DAISYfoundation.org

Will Fund museum repairs and America250’s Signature Event 

Plattsburgh, March 31, 2026 – The Clinton County Historical Association is pleased to announce the receipt of $50,500 in grant monies through two 2026 Local Heritage Grants from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.  

The first grant for $10,500 is to replace three windows at the Clinton County Historical Association at 98 Ohio Avenue.  The Association is committed to keeping its 121-year-old building comfortable for visitors and energy efficient and secure for housing exhibits and the County’s artifacts.  Window replacement is an ongoing requirement, and grants have been used over the years to replace 21 windows to date.

The second grant for $40,000 is to fund the county’s three-day Signature event from October 9-11, 2026, which will culminate the area’s two yearlong America250 celebration with free events for students and the public and concluding the weekend with a reenactment of the Battle of Valcour Island. Additionally, events will be filmed for posterity. Friday and Saturday events are focused on student and public learning opportunities including the Native North American Travelling College, walking and museum tours relating to local revolutionary war histories, free boat trips to and tours of Valcour Island including the Bluff Point Lighthouse, the dedication of a legacy center at the Peru Dock interpreting the story of the national historic landmark for the Battle of Valcour Island, and reenactor demonstrations. Saturday evening and Sunday morning will feature concerts by the United States Navy Band. Sunday, the final day of the weekend celebrations, begins with the Saranac Chapter NSDAR’s 131^st commemoration ceremony of the Battle of Valcour Island followed by a fully narrated reenactment of the first battle of the United States Navy with a flotilla replicating both British and Patriot gunboats.

Activates throughout the coming months will be posted on the battleofvalcour.com and clintoncountyhistorical.org websites, in local news media and on the Clinton County Historical Association’s Facebook page.  Any questions can be directed to County America250 Committee Chair, Geri Favreau at 518-561-0340.

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A GREAT STORY!!!!!!! 

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Nearly half a million New Yorkers on the Essential Plan could lose their coverage this summer.

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STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL

“Last July, New York House Republicans voted for Donald Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, ripping health care away from millions of working families. Today, New Yorkers will begin to feel the consequences of that vote as communities across our state are notified of looming coverage cuts.

“From the beginning, I sounded the alarm about the devastating impact H.R. 1 would have on our hospitals and health care system, and made clear that no state can fully backfill cuts this severe. While we have taken action to protect coverage for 1.3 million New Yorkers who would have otherwise lost care, hundreds of thousands more now face a serious health care crisis at the hands of these seven New York Republicans. This was their callous vote. This is their crisis, and they need to hear from the thousands of constituents now affected.

“My administration is committed to helping impacted individuals find the most affordable coverage available. New Yorkers deserve better than the decisions coming out of Washington. They must fix this now.”

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Application Period for Prestigious Program Closes June 1; Apply Online  

Albany, March 31, 2026 – Governor Hochul today announced that applications will be accepted starting April 1 for the Empire State Fellows Program, a full-time, two-year leadership training program that prepares the next generation of talented professionals for careers as New York State policymakers. New Yorkers interested in the 2027-2029 class of this prestigious program should apply by the deadline of June 1, 2026. The incoming class of Empire State Fellows will serve from January 2027 to January 2029, and receive an annual salary of $90,000, plus a generous benefits package.  Read more »

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In a letter to the APA State Land Committee, Adirondack Wild advocates for the review of the DEC mobility device policy

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ECO Seabury with turkeys killed illegally in Jefferson County

Albany, March 31, 2026 – Illegal Turkey Take – Jefferson County
On February 27, ECO Seabury responded to a complaint from a resident who reported witnessing an individual shoot and kill several wild turkeys off a back porch in the Town of Orleans. Officer Seabury questioned the subject who admitted to firing four shots and killing three wild turkeys while they were feeding at a bird feeder in the dwelling’s backyard. The turkeys were hidden in the bed of the subject’s pickup truck.

ECO Seabury ticketed the subject for multiple counts of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, the illegal take of wildlife, and taking game out of season. He then confiscated the birds as evidence. The defendant is due in court in April to answer the charges.

The upcoming season for wild turkeys is May 1 to May 31 with a bag limit of two bearded birds per hunter. It is not uncommon for wild turkeys to congregate in residential areas near bird feeders during winter months to store necessary fat reserves for survival.

A Special meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Friday, March 20, 2026 at the Peru

Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Craig Randall, Supervisor; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman;

Mr. Eric Duquette, Councilman; Mr. Nick Weaver, Councilman and Mrs. Christine Crawford,

Town Clerk. Councilman Mel Irwin was excused. Also present were Mr. Matthew Favro, Town

Attorney and Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board.

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Mr. Randall, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

RESOLUTION NUMBER:26.03-20-01

A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE HIRING OF SPECIAL OUTSIDE

COUNSEL OF BOND, SCHOENECK & KING FOR LAND USE MATTERS AND

AUTHORIZES THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE ATTACHED ENGAGEMENT

LETTER.

MOTION: Mr. Weaver SECOND: Mr. Bruno

WHEREAS, the Town Board has found that in the best interests of the Town, we are in need of

outside counsel that specializes in land use matters.

WHEREAS, the Board has in front of them, the basic Terms of Representation from Bond,

Schoeneck & King, PLLC.

WHEREAS, according to those terms, the Town of Peru agrees to pay an upfront retainer fee of

$2,500.00 to cover initial costs and hourly fees will vary from $315.00 to $475.00 per hour with

specific rates reflecting the knowledge, experience and expertise of each individual assigned.

AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call: YES NO

Kregg Bruno x

Eric Duquette x

Mel Irwin Nick Weaver x

Craig Randall x

excused

Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Noes

Motion by Mr. Weaver; seconded by Mr. Bruno to adjourn the Special meeting at 5:03p.m.

Ayes 4, Noes 0

Motion Carried

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday March 9th

, 2026 at the Peru

Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Craig Randall, Supervisor; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman ;

Mr. Eric Duquette, Councilman; Mr. Nick Weaver, Councilman; Mr. Matthew Favro, Town

Attorney and Mrs. Christine Crawford, Town Clerk. Also present were Mr. Courtney Tetrault,

Water/Sewer Superintendent, Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent, Mr. Duane Bibeau,

Codes Enforcement Officer.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mr. Randall, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Mr. Bruno; seconded by Mr. Duquette to Accept Reports from all Departments:

Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning;

Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; JCEO and Banking Reports. Read more »

Officials plan to apply for grant funding to help further revitalize downtown

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Plattsburgh course set to open on April 11

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BOE looking to exceed tax cap by 12%, transition sixth-grade into the middle/high school

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Plattsburgh Walmart supports annual commemoration with $1,000 donation

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DEC grant program will release more than $46 million to support tree production and forest management

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