The Peru Gazette

Source: Staff shortages and pandemic fatigue take a toll on Vermont restaurants – VTDigger

The Peru Free Library has a new website design – Source: Home | Peru Free Library

Source: Upstate NY mom reunites with her kids who fled Afghanistan: ‘Thank you’ – syracuse.com

The story includes attendance history Source: New York State Fair attendance climbs back up to over 40,000 on Day 12 – syracuse.com

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Source: Hochul plans COVID booster shot distribution, considers more mandates | NCPR News

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones

“The recent announcement that the legislature is taking up the eviction moratorium extension is misguided. For over a year, landlords across New York have not been able to collect rent from their tenants because of the failure of the rental relief programs to rollout funding. This is infuriating. Meanwhile, their bills continue to pile up without any sign of relief. Many people are under the misconception that landlords have received assistance during the last 18 months of the eviction moratorium when that is simply not true. It is true that there are funds and programs set up to assist tenants with paying their rent if they lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the complicated application process prevents most tenants from applying and landlords cannot apply for the funding themselves. Consequently, the funding that is available for rental assistance has not been distributed and most landlords have yet to receive assistance of any kind. As of this week, only $200 million of the $2.4 billion that was set aside for rental relief has been released; this is a massive failure and gross negligence and we should be acting to help these landlords and tenants, not further burdening them.”

“While this is a concerning discovery and we take this development very seriously, we also have no knowledge that this indicates a larger problem in Vermont at this time,” said Cary Giguere, director of plant health and agriculture resource management at VAAFM. “We will take all the steps necessary to determine how large a problem this might be, but what’s more important is that people keep their eyes open for this invasive and destructive insect, and let us know immediately if you find any…even as few as o

Source: Invasive “Spotted Lanternfly” found in Rutland | Sun Community News MIDDLEBURY | Vermont researchers have been dealing with a growing list of invasive threats since the 1980s. Zebra mussels, milfoil, even unusual mosquito-borne viruses, have been in the ne

Source: N.Y.’s Canada goose hunting season opens Sept. 1 | Sun Community News RAY BROOK | New York’s Canada goose hunting season opens in the North Country Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Source: Essex County Health Department reports new COVID-19 death | Sun Community News An Essex County resident has died of Covid-19, the health department announced Tuesday, Aug. 31. The individual, who was not named by the department, had not been vaccinated.

Source: Law enforcement from across country attend funeral for Trooper James Monda in Schenectady | NCPR News

Peru Gazette 2020 photo

Peru Gazette 2020 photo

The Ausable River Association (AsRA), in partnership with Adirondack River Rentals, Casella Waste Systems, and One Tree Planted, is hosting their annual Ausable River Cleanup Friday, September 17 in Peru, NY. The cleanup is open to all community members and visitors who want to volunteer their time to help enhance and protect the health of the Ausable River.

AsRA’s staff will work with Adirondack River Rentals to remove trash in and along the banks of the Ausable River near Carpenter’s Flats. “We hosted this cleanup last year at this location, which was a great success, and there is still more work to be done,” says Carrianne Pershyn, AsRA’s Biodiversity Research Manager. Casella Waste Systems has volunteered to remove all the trash and tires collected from the cleanup. One of AsRA’s newer partners, One Tree Planted, will also enhance the event with supplies and other cleanup supports.

Participants are encouraged to provide their own boats, and Adirondack River Rentals will offer canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards to those who need them. Bags and gloves will also be provided, though volunteers can also bring their own. All applicable COVID-19 precautions will be observed during the event. The day will be broken down into two shifts to allow for easier participation: 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Household members are encouraged to come together and share a canoe.

The Ausable River faces many challenges including climate change, road salt, invasive species, undersized culverts, and bank erosion. Cleanup participants will be improving the health of the river, allowing it to better manage these challenges. “We’re so pleased to work with our many dedicated watershed residents and visitors to clean up a popular stretch of the Ausable River,” says Liz Metzger, AsRA’s River Steward.

The cleanup will begin at Adirondack River Rentals at 3004 US 9, Peru, NY at 9:00am or 1:00pm depending on the shift. For more information and to sign up, please email events@ausableriver.org and indicate which shift you would prefer.

The North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association will commemorate the 10^th anniversary of its North Star Underground Railroad Museum with a celebration on Saturday, September 18 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, to be held on the museum grounds at 1131 Mace Chasm Rd in Ausable Chasm. The program will include guest speakers, entertainment, and refreshments. Founders Don and Vivian Papson, and the many volunteers who have contributed to the success of the museum, will be honored at the event.

Speakers include Jackie Madison, President of the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association; Helen Nerska, Director of the Clinton County Historical Association and first manager of the museum; Peter Slocum, author and long-time volunteer and bus tour guide for the museum; and Martha Swan, Executive Director of John Brown Lives! in Westport. Entertainment will be provided by the Voices of Faith female gospel choir from Plattsburgh.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information please call 518-834-5180.

Plattsburgh – One of the North Country’s most beloved bands will conclude the 14-concert Curbside At Harborside season on this Saturday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m. on Plattsburgh’s Harborside Stage, marking the twenty-fifth concert presented since this unique series began amid the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

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Good morning everyone,

The news is inundated with disturbing reports from multiple areas in our country as well as many other areas worldwide.  I’ve also been approached by many, asking if we will be collecting for disaster relief in aftermath of Ida.  Short answer = YES.  See below…..

In two key disaster areas this morning, please note the following:

1.  Aftermath of Hurricane Ida:  Yes, the North Country Mission of Hope is in the process of reaching trusted and vetted contacts in Louisiana, etc.  If you wish to send a monetary contribution, please use the word “Ida” as your memo.  We can accept donations via check, Venmo (state Ida) and search North Country Mission of Hope, credit card ( call Suzanne at 518-420-2679).  Please remember that fees are charged with a credit card option.

Among the contacts we are reaching out to are :

A.  Dominican Sisters of Peace who have Sisters serving in the New Orleans and surrounding areas.  The Mission has networked with these Sisters during other national disasters.

B.  SBP, a non profit organization in New Orleans, which spearheads “Nuns Build” where their goal is to reduce the time from disaster to recovery.  One of our Dominican Sisters of Hope has traveled annually to work on these building projects and is an organization I’ve personally supported as well. SBP stands for St. Bernard’s Project (located in the parish/county of St. Bernard) in Louisiana and began shortly after Hurricane Katrina.

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We will distribute donated funds accordingly.

2.  Update from Haiti:  As of this morning, we have received $8108.01 in donations.  These funds are already being used to provide for the basics and urgent needs on the ground in Haiti.  Once network ability is a bit more stable, we will receive a brief report and will pass that on to all of you.

3.  While our immediate focus is on these two areas of disaster relief, please know that we also remain vigilant and faithful to our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua, who continue to struggle and suffer horribly and we maintain a monthly donation for food to an orphanage in Venezuela as well.

4.  I truly hope you all understand how incredibly grateful we are for your continued support and trust.  We cannot do anything without your prayerful and financial support.  We might be able to provide the trusted conduit to serve those in greatest need, but we can only reach out in HOPE when you reach out and share your blessings with us.  We want you to know how grateful we are and that along with all those in need, we pray for you as well.  I am humbled and honored to be connected to all of you!  Thank you for sharing HOPE!

Perhaps we can all pray the following:

Living and sharing HOPE,

Sr. Debbie Blow, OP
Executive Director
North Country Mission of Hope
3452 Route 22

Source: Vermont National Guard members are out of Afghanistan – VTDigger

Source: Buffalo Bills schedule 2021: How to watch all 17 games | TV channel, time, live stream – syracuse.com

Source: EU to recommend reinstating restrictions on US travelers due to Covid rise – syracuse.com

Source: New York state facing shortage of school bus drivers (report) – syracuse.com

By John T. Ryan 

Counselor Kregg Bruno reported that the Youth Commission approved Brian Marino as its chairman at its August 17th meeting. Marino, who attended this town board meeting, replaces longtime chairman Greg Mills who resigned from the position. The town board plans to officially accept Marino as commission chairman at its next meeting.

The board accepted William Myer’s resignation from the Youth Commission and thanked him for his eight years of service.

Water-Sewer-Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault reported that eighteen additional Hometown Hero banners have been erected. He said the growing banner numbers may necessitate placing two banners on a pole, placing banners outside the hamlet, or displaying banners for a specified period of time. 

The board would like to improve Sullivan Park. Counselor Melvin said, “Sullivan Park is in rough shape.” Courtney Tetrault said the field’s use has to be defined and a plan devised.

In other actions the board:

• Approved amendments to the water tower lease contract with T-Mobile-Sprint at a rate of $2,200 monthly, an increase of about $100 monthly over the previous contract. 
• Approved an engineering contract with AES Engineering to evaluate the chlorination/dechlorination system at the Valcour Sewer District at a cost not to exceed $6,730.  NYS DEC required the evaluation. 
• Approved a resolution related to snow and ice removal on about 22 miles of Clinton County roads. It includes a $1 per mile increase for “snow-belt” roads.
• Approved an emergency purchase of Generac generators to be used at the sewer system’s new lift stations. Koehler is Peru’s preferred provider; however, Kohler has temporarily ceased production.
• Approved purchasing of four town hall exterior locks including optional software from Cologne Security at a cost of $10,326.  The software can be easily updated and will monitor when and who enters the building. 
• Scheduled sewer system workshops with AES Engineering for September 13th at 5 p.m. and October 18th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
• Scheduled a sewer system upgrade workshop with the Rifenburg Construction for Wednesday, August 25th at 10 a.m. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m. 

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“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recorded 6.97 inches of rain in Plattsburgh and 6.61 inches in Elizabethtown in less than a day. The river gage maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey near Au Sable Forks clocked the river’s pace on Aug. 28 at 46,500 cubic feet-per-second. Normal rainstorms push the river to run about 12,000 cubic feet-per-second. The Ausable reached 15.54 feet, over 8 feet above flood stage, clocking in with a recurrence interval greater than 500 years.”

Source: A decade after Irene: Remembering the deluge | Sun Community News KEENE VALLEY| Stories recall rebuilding, restoration