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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“What in the world is happening?” I asked myself this morning as I approached a pickup truck and a trailer equipped with a platform and grain bin. Then I saw the largest drone I’ve ever seen land on the platform. Drone operator Alex Menard stated, “I’m planning a cover crop.”
Adirondack Farms co-owner Jon Rulfs explained, “We bought two drones this year. We’re planting approximately 1,500 acres of winter rye, with drones planting many of those acres. If we plant after harvesting a crop, we use a seed drill.” Before drones, small airplanes dropped the seed.
Rulfs noted that cover crops, like winter rye, help reduce erosion, especially on sloped fields, while also assisting the soil in retaining fertilizer and capturing nutrients. He added that Adirondack Farms plants about 7,000 acres of corn in Peru and at its Moffitt Road farms in Plattsburgh.
Peru voters will have the opportunity to fill several local elective offices on Tuesday, November 4.
The Peru Republicans have nominated Craig Randall as their candidate for a three-year term as town supervisor. The Peru Democrats do not have a nominee for this position. Randall has been serving as the interim supervisor since August 13, 2024, succeeding Brandy McDonald, who resigned after moving to Plattsburgh.
There are two open positions for three-year terms on the Peru Town Board. The Republicans have nominated incumbent board member Melvin Irwin and Dwane Bast, while the Democrats have nominated Nick Weaver.
For the four-year town justice position, the Republicans have not nominated a candidate. The Democrats have nominated Sarah Mitchell who also appears on the “We Are Peru” ballot line. Incumbent Democrat James Kirby announced several months ago his intention not to seek reelection. Now that he is feeling better, Kirby has launched a write-in campaign.
In the race for town clerk/tax collector, the Republicans chose Christine Crawford as their candidate instead of incumbent Republican Dianne Miller, who is seeking reelection under the Democratic Party line this year.
Incumbent Michael Farrell is the Republican candidate for Superintendent of Highways, while Chip Blair represents the Democratic Party in that race.
The Peru Gazette is sending a questionnaire to each candidate, with responses due by October 8. We will post the replies after October 8.
Another in the Peru Town Historian Helen Nerska’s Peru History Chats recorded by the Peru Gazette. Go to the Town of Peru website to find a link to all the Chats.
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Acting Essex County District Attorney Michael P. Langey, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of the former Captain of the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad, Michael Moran, for allegedly stealing over $14,000 from the Town.
“Moran allegedly diverted resources meant to protect his community into his own pocket,” said DiNapoli. “My thanks to Acting District Attorney Langey and the State Police for their continued partnership in fighting corruption.”
James said, “Mr. Moran violated the confidence instilled in him by the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad by disregarding the law and allegedly stealing funds he was not entitled to. We will continue to aggressively investigate any case involving public corruption and those who take advantage of their position at the expense of the community. I applaud the work of the State Police members assigned to this case, the Comptroller’s Office, and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office for their perseverance and dedicated work that led to this arrest.”
Michael Moran, 57, served as Captain of the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad and also worked for Essex County as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). As Captain of the Squad, Moran was in charge of processing time sheets for payroll, including his own.
After receiving allegations of potential fraud regarding Moran and the Ambulance Squad, the New York State Police contacted DiNapoli’s office and a joint investigation commenced. A forensic audit by DiNapoli’s investigative team revealed that from December 2023 through March 2025, Moran allegedly inflated the hours he worked for the Squad and also paid himself for nearly 150 hours at the Squad when he had also claimed to be working for the County. Based upon Moran’s false submissions, the Town overpaid Moran $14,230 for hours not actually worked including $2,816 for overlapping time.
Moran is no longer employed by the Ambulance Squad or Essex County Emergency Medical Services.
He was charged with grand larceny in the third degree and arraigned before the Honorable Richard Carpenter in the Town of Moriah Court. He is due back in court on October 21.
The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Town of Moreau Saratoga County Prescribed Burn: On Sept. 10, Forest Ranger Clute, additional DEC staff, and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted a prescribed burn on 18 acres of Big Bend Preserve in Moreau Lake State Park. Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife. These burns are regulated by law and regulation and require technical expertise to safely conduct. Controlled burns help prevent the spread of invasive species, and in some areas, prescribed fire is used to reduce the buildup of wood, timber litter, and other fuel to reduce the potential for wildfires that threaten public safety and critical infrastructure. DEC carefully implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals.
Moreau Lake State Park prescribed burn
Moreau Lake State Park prescribed burn
Town of Fine St. Lawrence County Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance from a 65-year-old hiker on the Cranberry 50 trail with a possible food-borne illness. Forest Ranger Ezumah responded by boat across Cranberry Lake to campsite 17. Ranger Ezumah escorted the hiker from Ballston Spa by boat and then to their vehicle in Wanakena. The hiker declined further medical attention and DEC resources were clear at 1:45 p.m.
Town of St. Armand Essex County Wilderness Search:Read more »
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Fulton County District Attorney Mike Poulin and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced that the former president of the Snowdrifters of Stratford, Chad Daley, 52, pleaded guilty to stealing $17,000 from the nonprofit. As part of his plea agreement, Daley paid full restitution to the club.
“Chad Daley abused his position to enrich himself with funds meant to support his community,” said DiNapoli. “Any violation of the public’s trust for personal gain is unacceptable. Thanks to our partnership with District Attorney Poulin and the New York State Police in this case, Mr. Daley has been held accountable for his crimes.”
James said, “I commend our State Police members, the State Comptroller’s Office, and Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for their rigorous work on this case. This individual abused the position he was entrusted in, taking thousands of dollars that were meant to keep snowmobile trails and the community safe. We have zero tolerance for those who seek to defraud others and put the unsuspecting public in harm’s way.”
The Snowdrifters of Stratford receives funding from New York state and Fulton County to maintain snowmobile trails in the Adirondacks. Daley was the organization’s president for more than 10 years.
From late 2018 through 2023, Daley stole $5,300 in checks made payable to the “Snowdrifters Club” by depositing them into his own personal bank account. He also transferred over $3,000 in funds from the club’s account to his personal account and wrote a $3,500 Snowdrifters’ check to cash, which was endorsed and cashed by his longtime partner.
Daley also made cash withdrawals of over $5,000 from the Snowdrifters’ bank account without authorization or a corresponding purchase order. He took advantage of the club’s tax-exempt status to purchase snowmobiles and trailers using the organization’s funds while registering the vehicles to himself. Daley used the money he stole to support his personal expenses as well as to purchase a snowmobile for his own use.
Daley pleaded guilty to petit larceny before Judge Nicholas Rissmeyer in Stratford Town Court.
Funding Will Further Fuel New York’s Research Excellence; Brings Governor’s Total Investment in Higher Education Research Under Her Leadership to $1.34 Billion
Sept. 17, 2025 Gov. Hochul News Release: Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $300 million to establish the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, further catapulting New York’s national leadership in groundbreaking research that saves lives, grows the economy and improves national security.
“At a time when national investment in research and innovation is at risk, New York State is doubling down and SUNY is on the move,” Governor Hochul said. “The State University of New York at Stony Brook is a research powerhouse and will now be able to reach new heights in quantum. We know that to provide our state and nation with a brighter future, we need to invest today, and that is what New York is committed to do.”
Reversing years of disinvestment, since Governor Hochul took office in 2021, the State University of New York at Stony Brook has received $73 million in additional Direct State Tax Support operating aid and $969 million in additional State capital commitments (including the $300 million for the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub). In addition to increased operating aid, Stony Brook has also received $12 million to support new full-time faculty, $8 million to fully close the “TAP gap,” and access to the State’s $500 million endowment match. The latter provides a $1.00 in Direct State Tax Support for every $2.00 raised by philanthropic activity at the University Centers.Read more »
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Acting Essex County District Attorney Michael P. Langey, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of the former Captain of the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad, Michael Moran, for allegedly stealing over $14,000 from the Town.
