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The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.

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The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No  foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.

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Chazy High School student athlete killed after tree fell on car, officials confirm

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

13 National Guard troops hospitalized after bus crash in Malone Friday morning

Click here NCPR story 

Roger’s House needs volunteers

Adirondack Foundation Announces Name Change to Adirondack Community Foundation

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

AGENDA – PERU TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING JUNE 23, 2025 6:00 PM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  1. Pledge of Allegiance
  1. Roll Call
  1. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of June 9, 2025. 
  1. Community Input. 
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Authorize Signature for Realtor’s Contract to Sell the 7 Jenkins St. Property.
  1. MOTION/DISCUSSION: Request for Use of Heyworth Mason Park for Honor Flight Fundraiser.
  1. MOTION/DISCUSSION: Request for Use of Heyworth Mason Park for Adirondack Regional Theater Production.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Richard Williams’ Resignation. 
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Appointment for Justin Wilson’s to the Position of Chairman for the Planning Board.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Appointment for Alison Webbinaro to the Position of Vice Chairman of the Planning Board.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Fiscal Advisors’ Financial Svcs Agreement for Peru WWTP Project.
  1. DISCUSSION: Telegraph Road Over Dry Mill Brook Culvert Project Engineering Update.
  1. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Town Council.
  1. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Dept. Heads.
  1. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.
  1. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – June 2025
  1. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.
  1. MOTION: Return from Executive Session.
  1. MOTION: Adjourn. 

The best Central New York prom photos

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

NY School Districts ranked by per pupil spending

Thanks to Syracuse.com for this information. 

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

Very gusty winds Friday morning and early afternoon

Batten down the hatches! We will see some widespread gusty winds materialize around daybreak on Friday and continue into the early afternoon. West winds of 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph could cause minor tree damage and/or scattered power outages.

Keeseville Music Festival’s nine concerts begin July 4

Jay receives $300K Community Development Block Grant

Eligible households now able to apply for funding

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Anderson Falls Heritage Soc. begins Summer Speaker Series

Free presentations uncover the fascinating stories behind Keeseville’s history

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Peru 8th graders write to Assemblyman Billy Jones

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.

Social Security benefits face big cuts in 2033, unless Congress acts

Click here for the NCPR story 

Celebrating the North Country’s role in the Underground Railroad on Juneteenth

“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.”

Click here for the NCPR story 

June 19, National Weater Service, Burlington

Warm to hot temperatures and muggy conditions will help increase the risk of isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms. The main time window will be between 2 PM and 8 PM. Storms could produce a variety of weather hazards today. After the front, gusts up to 35 mph are possible.

2025 NYS Fair concert lineup

Aug. 20 at 2 p.m.: The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA at Chevy Court

Aug. 20 at 8 p.m.: Nate Smith at Suburban Park

Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.: Cheap Trick at Chevy Court

Aug. 21 at 8 p.m.: Steve Miller Band at Suburban Park

Aug. 22 at 1 p.m.: Lily Rose at Chevy Court

Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.: Neon Trees at Chevy Court

Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.: Jessie Murph at Suburban Park

Aug. 22 at 9 p.m.: The Lady Gaga Tribute at Chevy Coury

Aug. 23 at 1 p.m.: Kidz Bop at Chevy Court

Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.: Kameron Marlowe at Chevy Court

Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.: O.A.R. at Suburban Park

Aug. 24 at 1 p.m.: Los Lonely Boys at Chevy Court

Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.: Busta Rhymes at Suburban Park

Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at Chevy Court

Aug. 25 at 8 p.m.: 98 Degrees at Suburban Park

Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone at Chevy Court

Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.: Sister Hazel at Chevy Court

Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.: Red Hot Chilli Pipers at Chevy Court

Stefanik asks for review of Medicaid eligibility

Says Medicaid must be safeguarded from waste, fraud and abuse

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Peru Town Board receives long-awaited news – The Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project will meet the July 1 start deadline

By John T Ryan

June 9, 2026 Town Board Meeting – The Senior Construction Manager at AES Northeast presented the near-term construction schedule for the wastewater treatment plant. The general contractor, Murnane Building Contractors, is set to arrive at the site on Monday, June 16, to erect signage, install electricity, and bring in trailers. Erosion control measures will follow the week of June 23. Metcalf mentioned that trucks will haul in 60,000 cubic yards of fill material and remove 10,000 cubic yards. With each dump truck carrying 20 cubic yards, this means 3,500 trucks will either enter or exit the site. Metcalf referred to the project as “trucking intensive.” The town has sent an advisory letter to residents on North Bend Street to inform them about the expected increase in traffic.

The board approved two initial payments for the wastewater plant upgrade: $28,139 to Triangle Electric and $116,850 to John Danforth & Co. The town is funding the project through both short-term and long-term borrowing.

Counselor Jim Douglass concluded that Dianne Miller’s records as Town Clerk and Tax Collector are “well-organized, with no exceptions” following his internal audit. Douglass also inquired about whether town personnel would be setting up pickleball nets at Sullivan Park, leading to a brief discussion, but no decision was reached.

Rick Barber, Chairman of the town’s America250 Committee, updated the board on plans to install a flagpole near two historical monuments at the Peru Dock.

Youth Director Kirsten Marion reported that instructors have been found for tennis and basketball. The program currently has three boys’ Peewee teams, three girls’ Peewee teams, two boys’ Grasshopper teams, two girls’ Grasshopper teams, one girls’ Pony team, and four T-Ball teams.

Assistant Highway Superintendent Tyler Jarvis reported maintenance issues with the grader and two trucks. One truck has been repaired and is back in service, but both roadside mowers are currently out of service, awaiting parts and repairs.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that a new pickup truck arrived with issues related to its grill color. Additionally, the delivery of a plow truck ordered two years ago has been delayed because the box, front plow hitch, sander, and salt controls are still pending from the supplier. Farrell is considering changing suppliers as a result. He also indicated that tests have determined that the culverts on Fuller, Wescott, and Lyons Roads are located in wetlands, which means they require approval for replacement plans from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Furthermore, the Army Corps has yet to approve the plans for the closed Telegraph Road bridge.

Historian Helen Nerska is organizing a Peru History tour scheduled for Saturday, June 28, starting at the town hall at 10 a.m. Nerska and Chris Mullen will also host a history chat featuring members of the Peru Central Class of 1957 at the town hall on Monday, June 23.

Pam Barber has arranged the schedule for all summer concerts, which can be found on the town’s website.

The Peru Gazette expresses gratitude to Bill Baggs for videoing this meeting.

Church Street in Burlington to be temporarily renamed Canada Street: What’s behind it?

Click here for the Free-Press Story 

King named new P-R editor

Click here for the Press-Republican story 

Thousands of New Yorkers are having their food benefits stolen while state sits on simple solution

Click here for the Syracuse.com and NY Focus story 

Disaster Hub forming at St. Augustine’s Parish Center

Peru Gazette file photo

PERU | St. Augustine’s Church in Peru has announced the formation of the North Country Community Disaster Hub, a new regional initiative to provide coordinated response, training, and relief services in the event of natural disasters or community-wide emergencies.

The Hub will be located in the former St. Augustine’s School, now functioning as the parish center, directly across the street from the church. The facility will serve as a multi-purpose emergency response site, offering space for shelter, resource distribution, volunteer training, and collaborative planning with community partners throughout Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties.
“Our parish center has always been a place of service,” said Fr. Christopher Looby, pastor of St. Augustine’s. “Now it will also become a place of readiness and hope—ready to serve our neighbors in times of crisis.”
The North Country Community Disaster Hub is being developed in partnership with St. Joseph’s Outreach Center, The United Way, the American Red Cross, local Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) networks, county emergency services, and a growing number of nonprofit and faith-based partners. Planned upgrades to the facility include accessible showers, laundry facilities, and a generator system to ensure resilience during power outages.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, the Hub will host training events for shelter volunteers, trauma and crisis responders, and agency personnel preparing for possible Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) activations during large-scale emergencies.
The creation of the Disaster Hub reflects a growing commitment across the North Country to prepare collaboratively for future challenges—including storms, flooding, and prolonged outages—while building stronger bonds between service agencies, faith communities, and volunteers.
Further announcements, including upcoming training opportunities and community events, will be made in the coming weeks.
For more information contact Jackie Black at 518-561-5039.

Stefanik Revives Bill to Fairly Compensate Federal Correctional Officers

Elise Stefanik News Release 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik joined Congressman Randy Weber (R-TX) in reintroducing the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act.

The purpose of the legislation would allow BOP facilities otherwise classified as “Rest of the U.S.” jurisdictions to be included in a higher locality pay area as long as they fall within a 200-mile radius of an existing, higher-paying area. This will help compensate for the cost of living, commute times, and the hard work that staff at BOP facilities undertake every day.

“As the Representative of FCI Ray Brook, I am working to address the significant challenges our hardworking correctional officers are facing such as low staffing and retention issues,” said Chairwoman Stefanik. “Our COs put their lives on the line every single day and I am committed to addressing their staffing, compensation, and retirement issues in Congress.”

“Our correctional officers put their lives on the line day in and day out to keep our communities safe,” said Congressman Weber. “It’s time their pay reflects the seriousness of that responsibility. This commonsense bill ensures that correctional officers—whether they serve in Beaumont, Texas, or anywhere across this nation—are compensated fairly for the dangerous, essential work they perform every single day.”

Background:

Federal prisons located outside of established General Schedule locality pay areas fall in “Rest of U.S.” (RUS) locality pay. These facilities experience high levels of staff turnover and retirement, low morale, and increased mandatory overtime. Several of the BOP facilities classified as RUS are located within 200 miles of the nearest locality pay, meaning that these facilities are near enough to areas with higher cost of living, yet are unable to provide their workforce with wages that take into consideration cost of living and competitive pay opportunities located in comparable professional fields.

This results in understaffed prisons and overworked employees, creating a dangerous work environment for staff. Additionally, inmates are negatively impacted because there are not enough staff to supervise them, forcing prisons to scale back activities such as visitations, recreational time, and academic enrichment opportunities.

Read the bill here.

Vermont Legislature adjourns 2025 session after weeks of debate on education reform

Fundamentally change how the state’s K-12 schools are governed and funded 

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Infrastructure concerns mount at former Plattsburgh Air Force Base

Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman says he has repeatedly asked for federal assistance to address the issues, but no serious action has been taken

Click here for the MYNBC5 story