Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State. In 2022, Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responded to more than 25,600 calls and worked on cases that resulted in nearly 13,800 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.

Illegal Guns Intercepted – Oswego County

On April 23, ECO Bonilla responded to a firearms complaint in the town of New Haven. The ECO arrived at the location and observed three men standing at a table with five long guns on it. The group advised they were conducting target practice for most of the evening. Officer Bonilla realized the men were well within the 500-foot limit for discharging firearms near dwellings. He also observed two of the long guns had characteristics that made them unlawful under the NY SAFE Act. ECO Bonilla charged the trio with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling. New York State Police arrested the individual who admitted to owning the two guns with unpermitted modifications and charged him with several misdemeanor and felony charges related to the SAFE Act.

It Wasn’t Me – Delaware County

On May 5, an individual turkey hunting in the Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area in the town of Walton observed a subject drive down the road. The driver mistook the hunter’s turkey decoys for real turkeys and discharged a 12-guage shotgun round from his vehicle. The subject sped away after realizing he had shot a fake turkey. The hunter called ECOs for assistance and provided Officers with a description of the vehicle. ECOs Doig and Osborne patrolled the area for the next two days attempting to locate the vehicle without success. On May 7, Officer Osbourne spotted a vehicle matching the description traveling in the same area where the shooting occurred. The ECO followed the vehicle a short distance before it pulled into the driveway of a residence and interviewed the driver who denied shooting the decoy despite having a 12-guage shotgun and other evidence in his vehicle. Officer Osbourne left the residence, but returned to re-interview the subject after further investigation. This time, the subject admitted to shooting from his vehicle at what he believed to be a real turkey. The ECO ticketed the subject for possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle, returnable to the Town of Walton Court.

Turkey decoy shot during illegal hunting incident in Delaware County

Turkey Decoy Detail – Town of Niles Read more »

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Drive, at St. Augustine’s Parish Center on Monday, June 5, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m..

All blood collected is utilized in our region.

Coordinated by the Peru Knights of Columbus Council 7273 

Buffalo, Stony Brook and Albany. 1,500 beds total. Announcement expected as soon as next week.

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The DEC still has our mud season travel advisory, so we are advising people not to go above 2,500 feet. The conditions up there are very, very wet.

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Her husband, Steven Dow, 36, of Potsdam, was charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.

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By John T Ryan 

Peru – It’s hard not to love drone photos. They’ve given us a whole new perspective on the world. David Duprey of Peru, is the owner of Duprey’s Drone Zone. The aerial views of Peru, the City of Plattsburgh, the Cumberland Head ferry landing, and the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum he’s posted on Facebook have been awe-inspiring.  

After 20+ years working for a local manufacturer and facing medical issues, Duprey devotes his energy to developing a drone photography business. He commented, “I bought my first drone about two years ago to play with. I’ve always been fascinated with technology.” Thankfully Drone #1 wasn’t expensive because it’s at the bottom of Lake Champlain. Duprey explained, “I was flying over the lake when heavy winds came up. The battery ran out, and down it came.” 

Drone #2 is much more sophisticated. For example, it automatically returns to the operator if it senses a problem, such as a low battery. It has a 360-degree obstacle avoidance system and won’t fly in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restricted airspace. As a commercial operator, Duprey has to be FAA certified, requiring him to pass a 90-minute, 130-question examination. Maintaining air safety is always his top priority.

Duprey has been low-key in advertising his business. He said, “I’ve only used word of mouth, Facebook and YouTube. My customers have included realtors, a wedding, land surveys, and people worried about such things as beaver dams on their property.

One job involved photographing the Town of Peru’s watershed adjacent to the Reservoir Rd. Duprey’s sophisticated software stitched together about 800 aerial photos. Peru Water Department Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said, “The images gave us an overview of the watershed tributaries and areas where we need to be concerned with runoff. On a previous occasion, we used a drone to inspect the top of our water tower for storm damage. Drones can be a big help to us.” 

If Dave Duprey ever purchases Drone #3, it might be a thermal drone he could use to find missing pets or downed animals. He commented, “It’d be my dream to help the community do that type of search and rescue or inspection with a thermal drone. But, for now, we’re happy doing what we’re doing, and some of the views we get are spectacular!”

Anyone desiring more information can contact David Duprey at 518-593-4809 or email dupreysdronezone@gmail.com or search for his Facebook or YouTube page.  Click here to view David’s video of St. Augutine’s Church and Cemetery in Peru. 

See David’s May 20th video at the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum. 

Click here to view a real estate compilation. 

Duprey photos of St. Augustine’s Church and Cemetery

St. Augustine’s Church and Cemetery

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“The Republican Committee was the first to announce their official endorsement of a candidate, with Hilary Rogers, who is currently serving as the Chief Assistant Public Defender at the Clinton County Public Defender’s office, being their pick.”

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Another former corrections officer filed a lawsuit on Friday against the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, detailing allegations of sexual harassment and assault

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Good morning – We regret to advise that our May 23rd Program, Redford Glass Uncovered, to be held at the Orchard at Meadowbrook has been postponed, and a new date will be available soon. We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause.

Our May program continues with our Walking Tour of the Oval, 10:30 am, 98 Ohio Avenue on May 27th.

From the office of State Senator Dan Stec

State Senator today joined Joined Senate Republican colleagues at press conference to unveil slate of bills addressing migrant crisisSenator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today joined several of his Senate Republican colleagues at a press conference addressing the migrant crisis in New York State. Stec announced he’s sponsoring new legislation, Senate bill S.7390, which would prohibit the use of SUNY dorms to house migrants. Additionally, Stec and his colleagues announced several other pieces of legislation addressing local and statewide concerns over Governor Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ plans to move migrants out of the city and into communities across the state. 

 “When Democrats rushed to declare New York a sanctuary city, they ignored the financial costs and consequences of their actions,” said Stec. “They did so despite several warnings from many, including from the members of this conference. 

“New York City received $1 billion in aid in the state budget to manage this self-inflicted crisis. Despite that, they still can’t handle this issue and now Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul are trying to pass costs and responsibilities onto upstate communities and SUNY campuses,” he continued. “They didn’t ask to become havens for migrants or to be inserted into the mayor and governor’s mismanagement of this issue. If New York City, home to millions and recipient of extra funding, can’t handle the influx of migrants, there’s no way SUNY campuses and upstate New York are equipped for it.  

“The infrastructure and financial resources to handle this issue simply aren’t there, especially just after the state pocketed hundreds of millions from counties in eFMAP funding in the budget that just passed three weeks ago,” Stec said. “Passing this crisis onto our taxpayers and our communities is unacceptable, which is why I’m sponsoring a bill to prohibit the use of SUNY dorms to house migrants and ensure campuses remain used for academic purposes.   Read more »

All proceeds to support the mission’s clinic in Nicaragua

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Many know Don Evans as a retired Peru Central Drivers Education teacher. But, his Quaker Springs neighbors know him as a friendly, talented man who spends the winter months crafting fairy garden surprises. For the past few weeks, Don and his wife Shirley have planted flowers and put his fascinating structures in place for children and adults to enjoy. They invite parents and kids to stop by 7 Oakdale Dr. in Peru to get down low and examine the hand-crafted land of fairyland.

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1. Call Meeting To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. MOTION:  Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting Minutes of May 8, 2023.

5. Community Input.

6. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval to Advertise for Stumpage and Chips Bid for the Town’s 469 Brand Hollow Rd. Property.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval of Amendment to Employee Handbook Regarding Nepotism.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Declaring the Water/Sewer Department’s 2005 Haulmark Enclosed Trailer as Surplus Equipment and Bid Date for Sale.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Declaring the Water/Sewer Department’s 2000 New Holland Backhoe as Surplus Equipment and Bid Date for Sale.

10. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Review of Town Court Proposals for Heating and Air Conditioning. 

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Accept Proposal for the Town Court Building for Heating and Air Conditioning.  

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Possible New Hire for MEO at the Highway Dept.

13. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

14. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

15. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay May 2023 Bills.

16. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

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Elevate ADK is operating a delivery-only service until it moves into its new storefront.

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