The Peru Gazette

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New DAISY Award honoree Walter Rooks, RN ensures patient’s final moments filled with peace, respect 

CVPH News Release – Oct. 21, 2025 – Plattsburgh, NY – When Jessica Furnia’s father, Ricky Taylor, was unexpectedly admitted to University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, her world shifted in an instant. The man who was her best friend and grandfather to her two children was dying. In that moment of heartbreak, Furnia says a nurse brought grace and love to her father’s passing.

“I’ve worked in skilled nursing and end-of-life care,” Furnia shares. “I’ve met many amazing professionals through my work with NAMI-CV and the hospital. But I’ve never met anyone quite like Walter Rooks.”

Rooks introduced himself to Furnia, her mother, and even to Taylor, who was no longer responsive. He quietly bowed his head beside Furnia’s father, recognizing the sacredness of the moment. He spoke gently to Taylor, explaining each step of care, even though Taylor couldn’t respond.

“He talked to my dad like he was still fully there,” Furnia recalls. “He made sure every movement, every adjustment, was done with care and dignity.”

Rooks advocated for frequent comfort checks and medication to ease Taylor’s passing. He carefully positioned him with the help of assistants, adjusting blankets and pillows to ensure he was truly comfortable. And when Furnia’s mother had to step away, Rooks offered words of peace.

“Walter rubbed my dad’s arm and said, ‘Ricky, Claudia went home. She is safe. Your daughter is here. You are okay. You are loved.’ That moment will stay with me forever,” she says.

Furnia adds that Rooks stayed well past the end of his shift, continuing to check on her and speak to her father with warmth and love. At one point, Taylor smiled, something Furnia admits she hadn’t seen in days.

“That smile meant everything to me,” she says. “Walter made such a traumatic experience a peaceful one. I felt heard. My father was respected and cared for far beyond the call of duty.”

Walter’s impact was so profound that Furnia insisted he be mentioned in her father’s obituary. “Now when I talk about my dad’s passing, I talk about Walter,” she says.

She also nominated Rooks for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at the hospital. He received the honor during a surprise ceremony with his colleagues. During the award presentation, Rooks was presented with a certificate commending him as an extraordinary nurse. He, like all honorees, also received a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-cared by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

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. Read more »

Average Annual Increase of Nearly $1,400 for Individuals and $3,000 for Couples

Albany, Oct. 21, 2025 – Governor Hochul today slammed Washington Republicans for sending health care costs skyrocketing for 140,000 New Yorkers. As the GOP refuses to extend the existing enhanced premium tax credits, New Yorkers who rely on the ACA subsidies for affordable, quality coverage are now being notified that their health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 38 percent next year – an average annual increase of nearly $1,400 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. This news comes as New Yorkers are preparing for open enrollment, set to begin November 1.

“Republicans in Washington have made it clear – they don’t care about New Yorkers’ health care,” Governor Hochul said. “It’s shameful. By refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, they are turning their backs on their constituents and ripping away access to affordable, quality health care. Republicans in Congress need to do the right thing and extend these credits that make health insurance for New Yorkers more affordable.”

Given the magnitude of federal funding reductions enacted under H.R.1, which are now compounded by the GOP shutdown and the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits, no single state, including New York, will be able to provide funding to offset these losses.

The Governor is calling for Congressional Republicans to make the right choice and extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits that help make insurance more affordable for New Yorkers.

Regional Breakdown of Increased Monthly Health Care Costs:

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “I thank Governor Hochul for standing up for New Yorkers who rely on the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits to keep their health care costs affordable. These are hardworking everyday people who deserve affordable health insurance. The start of the open enrollment period is fast approaching and without immediate action at the federal level, the threat of increased premiums is quickly becoming a reality. Allowing these enhanced premium tax credits to expire will be devastating for hardworking New Yorkers who will be forced to choose between paying for food, rent or paying for the health care they need to survive.”

The Alzheimer’s Association is partnering with the Peru VFW to offer free dementia centered education at the Peru VFW Memorial Post 309 on Nov. 18 @ 2:00pm. The Association will be offering light refreshments and would love to see a good turnout. A document that outlines the correlation between veterans and dementia is attached. More information can be found at The North Country Alzheimer’s Association Facebook Group. Veterans and Alzheimer’s Disease

Hochul appears to have snubbed advocates, providers, and unions, while they try to figure out how serious she is about universal child care.

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Chloe Henry’s remains were located in Chazy Tuesday morning as the homicide investigation continues

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Climate Smart Communities Taskforce completes solar array installation on highway garage

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Comprehensive financial study that looks into the district’s long-term financial outlook released

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Peru Town Historian Helen Nerska

The Peru Historian’s office ended its 2025 tour season October 18^th with a walking tour of Elm, Sanborne, Lewis and Pleasant streets.  This was our 3^rd history walk. The first was October 24^th, 2024, starting at the Town Hall going down North Main into the Heyworth Mason Park.  The second tour was rained out but participants shared photos and stories of old Peru at the Town Hall. We have history walks planned for next year but are always looking for ideas.  Email the Peru Town Historian at historian@perutown.com with your suggestions. 

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Due to the weather, we will NOT be paving Allen Hill Road & River Road on Tuesday, October 21. We will be trying for Wednesday, October 22 or Thursday, October 23, depending on the weather.  

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Sue Hagar takes helm of coalition working to protect watershed from pollution, climate threats

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The Peru Gazette is posting this story a month late; however, it’s a very important story 

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Shepherd’s Pie 

Fruit 

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!

Sand River Community Farm shares food freely with its community

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Click here to view meeting video

(Technical issues led to the first few minutes of the meeting not being recorded including department reports, minute acceptances, plus the first portion of engineer’s report of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.) Thanks to Bill Baggs for recording the meeting.

AGENDA – Peru Town Board Regular Meeting of Sept. 22, 2025 at 6 PM

Tensions rise as tactical tests, proposed cannon testing disrupts life in small Adirondack community

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Advice for beginners from Tangleroot Farm

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The Town of Peru Highway Department announces that we will be closing a portion of Fuller Road between Bear Swamp Road and Lapham Mills Road from house # 881 to 906 on Monday, October 20th and will remain closed for up to four weeks while a box culvert is being put in.

There will be NO thru traffic during this closure including emergency vehicles.