The Peru Gazette

Click here for the NCPR story 

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.

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2025 and Emergency Meeting of September 12, 2025. 

5. Community Input. 

6. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval to Sign Contract With Luck Bros. for Fuller Rd. Culvert.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:   Resolution to Use Storm Drain Reserve to Pay H33 Culvert Project Bill.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Daniel Hamilton Joining the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals.

9. DISCUSSION: Telegraph Road Over Dry Mill Brook Culvert Project Engineering Update.

10. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Town Council.

11. DISCUSSION: Other Business, Dept. Heads.

12. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – September 2025

14. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

15. MOTION: Return from Executive Session.

16. MOTION: Adjourn. 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Electric bills in New York haven’t been this high for a decade, and they’re about to rise even more. Here’s why.

Click here for the New York Focus Story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the Vermont Public story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

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 »

Click here for the New York Focus story 

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 »

Click here for the CNY Central News 

Greenfield’s co-founder, Ben Cohen shared a statement on social media announcing his partner’s departure.

Click here for he MYNBC5 story 

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Stewart’s News Release, September 16, 2025 —Stewart’s Shops Eggnog and Strawberry Milk won 1st place in the 2025 World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin.

All counted, Stewart’s won 17 awards at North America’s best dairy products competition, including 1st place for Rainbow Sherbet, Pistachio Gelato and Lactose-Free Milk.

This year’s competition marked the second time in three years that Stewart’s Eggnog was selected as the Best of the Best in North America.

Stewart’s also won 2nd place awards for Chocolate Ice Cream, French Vanilla Ice Cream, Maple Walnut Ice Cream, Mango Dragon Fruit Sherbet and Salty Caramel Gelato.

Stewart’s won 3rd place for Vanilla Dairy Shake Refreshers, Bark in the Dark Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Pandemonium Ice Cream, Limited-edition Dirt Cake Ice Cream, Milk Chocolate Gelato, 1% Chocolate Milk and Unsweetened French Vanilla Half & Half.

This competition is open to dairy producers across the world and serves as the only competition of its kind in North America. These awards are a testament to the skill and dedication of the 21 family farms, who supply our milk, and the partners, who are committed to producing the highest quality milk and ice cream at our plant in Greenfield, New York.

Founded in 1945, Stewart’s Shops is an employee and family-owned convenience store chain based in Saratoga County, NY. Stewart’s is known for offering milk, ice cream, coffee, food to go, gasoline, and other convenience items. Today, there are over 400 Stewart’s Shops in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.

The Beekmantown Central School District announced its decision to place a staff member on leave following complaints from families about social posts reacting to the Utah shooting.

Click here for the MYNBC5 story