The incident constitutes the largest immigration enforcement action against migrant workers in Vermont in recent memory.

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the WPTZ News story 

Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On April 19 at 6:14 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two hikers looking for assistance getting down from the top of Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway. The two 19-year-olds from Quebec were not prepared for the cold and rainy conditions on the trail. At 6:52 p.m., Forest Rangers Curcio and Foutch reached the hikers on the road. Their clothes were soaked through, and if further subjected to the cold, the pair would likely have suffered from hypothermia. Rangers provided warm clothes and transported the hikers to their vehicle. Resources were clear by 7:50 p.m.

To avoid similar issues, hikers are encouraged to check the weather before a hike, wear insulating layers, and bring traction devices when icy conditions are possible.

Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On April 21 at 2 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from New York State Police about a GPS beacon initiated by a lost hiker. Coordinates placed the hiker off the Santanoni Express trail near the junction with the Bradley Pond trail. At 5:05 a.m., Forest Ranger Martin located the 36-year-old from Brockport and 41-year-old from Fairport and escorted the hikers back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 7:50 a.m.

Click here for the Observer-Dispatch story 

Click here fr the NYUP.com story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

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!

AGENDA – Peru Town Board Regular Meeting of April 14, 2025 @ 6 p.m.

1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. MOTION/DISCUSSION: To Accept Reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; Banking Reports, and JCEO);

Read more »

March 2020 Peru Gazette Photo. Richard Williams is chairing the meeting.

Once again, the Peru Town is seeking Planning Board volunteers. The longtime chairman, Richard Williams, is giving up his position, and one vacant position has not been filled. The board can have up to seven members; It’s been getting by with six plus one alternate. 

Regarding serving on the board, Richard Williams explained, “Why not get involved in the town? You vote; you live here. It’s only one meeting a month and you learn about town government. I’ve enjoyed serving on the board, trying to help out on projects, getting them moving forward, and working with the surveyors who represent the applicants. It’s rewarding to see them come in with other projects.”  Williams doesn’t keep records, but he thinks he started serving on the board about 24 years ago and has been chairman for about fifteen years.  

Community service has been a hallmark of Richard William’s life. He taught at the Peru Elementary School for thirty-two years and has been a Peru Volunteer Fire Department member for fifty-three years. He is moving to South Carolina, where he’ll be near his son, Tyler, and not far from his son, Townsend, who lives in North Carolina as a member of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division. Tyler and Townsend were members of the Peru Fire Department, with Tyler serving as chief. 

People interested in serving on the planning board should call Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup at 518-643-2745, Extension 103.

On Friday, April 18, Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman unveiled plans for the Battlefield Memorial Park’s Remembrance Plaza. The park is on Route 9, directly opposite Claire and Carl’s Restaurant.  Here’s a link to a November 17, 2023, Sun Community News story on the park. 

On April 18, the Peru Gazette photographed the park’s current status.

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Drive, Monday, April 21,  from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru.

The blood collected by the Donor Center provides more than 95% of the blood used at CVPH and is used to supply other hospitals in Elizabethtown, Malone, Massena, Saranac Lake and Glens Falls.

St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 is coordinating the drive. 

Click here for the Yahoo.com story 

Click here for the CBS News story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click to the Adirondack Almanac Story 

Monaco’s Land of Make Believe heritage is safe–and on public display–at the Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown

Click here for Adirondack Almanac story 

Click here for the News 10 story 

Click here for Syracuse.com story 

Click here for Syracuse.com story 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate, and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.

Town of Harrietstown, Franklin County
Wilderness Search: On April 8 at 10:15 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a subject concerned about a 57-year-old friend who was one day overdue from a hike on Seward Mountain. Six Forest Rangers started searching at 2:30 a.m., and 12 more Rangers later joined the search. One crew located the subject’s snowshoe tracks after brushing below four inches of fresh snow. The Rangers followed those tracks for 100 yards and continued in that direction. At 12:36 p.m., the Rangers located the subject at the Ouluska Pass lean-to off the Northville-Placid trail. The hiker was tired, but otherwise in good health. Rangers escorted the hiker back to the trailhead where he was met by a family member. Resources were clear at 4:52 p.m.

Town of Burke
Franklin County
Law Enforcement: On April 13, Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger response to a wildland fire. Burke Volunteer Fire Department responded and extinguished a fire started by a subject illegally burning debris and leaves in their yard. A Forest Ranger issued a ticket for a violation of the statewide annual ban on residential brush burning.

Village of Saranac Lake
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On April 13 at 9:25 p.m., Forest Ranger responded to a call for a shoeless subject last seen walking into the woods. Rangers searched with Saranac Lake Fire Department and Saranac Lake Police. At 10:30 p.m., Rangers Adams, Corey, and Jansen located the 26-year-old in good health and walked them back to their residence. Saranac Lake EMS took over care of the subject.

Honoring Dispatchers: April 13 to 19 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, which honors the vital work of public safety telecommunicators, who are often the first point of contact for emergency calls.

Dispatcher Hanf

Dispatcher Nerp

April 17, 2025 – Elise Stefanik News Release 

Peru Gazette File Photo While Plattsburgh International Airport qualifies as a port of entry under CBP’s criteria, it has not received this designation, which has resulted in increased costs for the airport and travelers flying in and out. Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik reintroduced the bipartisan Border Airport Fairness Act to designate Plattsburgh International Airport as a Port of Entry (POE), saving the airport around $800,000 per year. “The Border Airport Fairness Act will save Plattsburgh International Airport hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs by ensuring that it receives the designation it deserves. My legislation makes certain that Plattsburgh International Airport is equipped with the resources it needs to continue meeting the transportation needs of Upstate New York and North Country families and continue to provide access for tourists visiting our region,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “I’m proud to work alongside Congresswoman Elise Stefanik on this bipartisan legislation to save South Texans and travelers from duplicative costs,” said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX). “As our region continues to rapidly grow, it’s essential that our airports and transportation infrastructure not only keep up with increased demand for commercial travel but also continue to support critical federal operations. This legislation is an investment in our future.” “This bill is great news for our airport and the people who rely on it. Removing the user-fee burden will help us put those dollars back into operations, maintenance, and future improvements,” said Robert Hall, Plattsburgh International Airport Committee Chairperson (D-Area 10, Plattsburgh). “We appreciate Congresswoman Stefanik’s continued support for keeping our airport strong and sustainable.” “Plattsburgh International Airport is one of our region’s most significant economic drivers, and this legislation addresses a longstanding barrier to its continued growth. Eliminating the financial strain of user-fee status will allow for smarter reinvestment in infrastructure and services. I commend Congresswoman Stefanik for her leadership in advancing a solution that enhances regional competitiveness and long-term sustainability,” said Mark Henry, Clinton County Legislative Chairperson (R-Area 3, Chazy). “This bill is only fair, treating Plattsburgh International the same as so many other airports,” said Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “Its adoption would secure our airport Customs operation permanently and thereby support the development of new international air activities here. And it would free valuable resources for airport marketing, air service development and other improvements. We thank Congresswoman Stefanik for being our champion in the House and will continue to support her efforts on our behalf. Onward and upward!” Plattsburgh International Airport is one of only two primary commercial service airports in close proximity to the Northern or Southern Border designated as user-fee airports. This means the airports must pay out of pocket for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) services such as security screenings, cargo security and examinations, and immigration inspections.