The Peru Gazette

Blood collected by Donor Center supports regional hospitals 

PLATTSBURGH, NY (01/29/2025) –   The Adirondack Regional Blood Donor Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) in partnership with numerous community sponsors, has several blood drives open to the community planned this month.

Blood and blood products collected by the Donor Center meet the needs of CVPH patients, as well as patients at Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, Elizabethtown Community Hospital (including the Ticonderoga campus), Massena Memorial Hospital and Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.  The following is the February schedule:

• Monday, Feb. 3, Adirondack Medical Center’s Redfield Room, Saranac Lake,
  noon to 4 pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 4, Essex County Department of Social Services, Elizabethtown,
  10 am to 2 pm
• Thursday, Feb. 6, Beekmantown Fire Department, 4 to 7 pm
• Friday, Feb. 7, Medisca, 626 Tom Miller Road, 1 to 4 pm
• Monday, Feb 10, Willsboro Fire Department, 3 to 6 pm
• Wednesday, Feb 12, Churubusco Fire Department, 4 to 7pm
• Thursday, Feb. 13, Oak Street School, 1 to 4 pm
• Friday, Feb. 1, Clinton County Government Center, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
• Monday, Feb. 17, St. Augustine Parish Center, Peru, 3 to 6:30 pm
• Tuesday, Feb 18, BHSN, 2215 Route 22B, Morrisonville, 2 to 5 pm
• Wednesday, Feb. 19, Bloomingdale Fire Department, 3:30 to 6:30 pm
• Thursday, Feb. 20, Cumberland 12 Cinemas, 4 to 8 pm
• Friday, Feb. 21, Burke Adult Center, 9 am to 1 pm
• Monday, Feb. 24, West Chazy Fire Department, 4 to 7 pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 25, Ellenburg Knights of Columbus at Holy Name Church, 4 to 7 pm. Held in memory of Ronnie Manor
• Wednesday, Feb 26, Plattsburgh VA Clinic, 10 am to 2 pm
• Thursday, Feb. 27, Champlain Valley Vascular, 11 Hammond Lane, 11 am to 3 pm

The Adirondack Regional Blood Center also welcomes donors to its Donor Center located at 85 Plaza Blvd. The Donor Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.  Walk-ins are welcome.

Blood donors must be at least 16 years old (16- and 17-year-old donors must have written parental/guardian consent), in generally good health, and weigh at least 110 lbs. Prior to donating, a screening questionnaire addressing personal medical, social, and travel history must be completed, and a donor card or another form of identification is also required. Donors must wait 56 days between donations.

Learn more about the Adirondack Regional Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call 518-562-7406.

On Jan. 7, a Sergeant with the Lewis County Sherriff’s Office contacted NYS Environmental Conservation Officer Kraeger to report a hawk trapped in a local grocery store’s deli in Lowville. Officer Kraeger responded to the store and observed employees guarding the entrance to the deli area. The manager advised the bird flew into the grocery store through the front entrance sliding door and ended up in the deli. ECO Kraeger located the hawk perched on a shelf in a storage area, safely captured it, and then released the bird a short distance from the store, where it flew off successfully.

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Peru, NY January 29, 2025— Several contractors (local, downstate, and VT.) attended the Wastewater Treatment Plant pre-bid meeting this morning at the Peru Town Hall. AES Northeast, the town’s contracted engineering firm, filled them in on the contract details and responded to questions. The regulations contractors are required to follow are mind-boggling. None of them seemed phased. Bids must arrive at the town hall no later than February 25 at 10 a.m.

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

More are eligible for free program this year

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

“The guns recovered from the scene of the shooting were purchased from an individual who is allegedly a resident of Orleans, Vermont.”

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive, Monday, February 17, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru. St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 is coordinating the drive.

Peru Town Board January 27, 2025 Meeting Summary 

By John T Ryan

Youth Director Kristen Marino suggested a moment of silence, saying, “We have a heavy heart that one of our staunchest supporters, Geoff Spear, passed away yesterday.” Marino said Spear helped at Applefest, with the Youth Commission’s summer program, and at camp. She added, “His entire family pitches in as well.” (See the 36:18 minute mark in the accompanying video)

In her report, Marino said two to five basketball games are held at Peru Central on Saturdays beginning at 8 a.m. All is going well, and the custodial staff is very cooperative. Finney Sports is giving the town reasonable apparel prices and the Youth Commission website is up and running.

AES Northeast Engineer Nathan Bull reported that good local and out-of-town contractors are interested in the wastewater treatment plant upgrade project. Two permits are outstanding; however, Bull expects them to be received within a week. The bid opening is scheduled for February 25 at 10 a.m. Bull said he’ll meet with Town Supervisor Craig Randall to discuss project funding.

Supervisor Craig Randall stated that engineers report no schedule changes in the Telegraph Road bridge replacement project. The town plans to advertise for bids on August 15, 2025. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell forwarded a 144-page Army Corp. – DEC document to our engineers for review.

The board approved its 2025 contracts with the Peru Free Library, Peru JCEO Outreach, and Essex County. The town budgets $80,000 annually for the library, pays JCEO $15,811 twice a year for its services, and plows Terry’s Mountain’s parking lot for $70 per visit.

Eagles Nest Veterinarian Services will continue providing dangerous dog services to the town at a $500 annual flat rate.

The board approved the Highway Department’s purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet pickup truck with a plow-equipped, state-contracted price of $70,632. Joe Basil Chevrolet of Buffalo was the low bidder. 

The board tabled a resolution to purchase a new pickup for the Water-Sewer-Parks Department pending the determination of the payment source.

A sewer department employee will attend a two-day training program for grinder truck repair in Clifton Park.

The board tabled a Verizon request to support an undefined issue pending more information.

The town received a $211,640.78 Clinton County sales tax revenue check. Supervisor Randall will ask the County if it will send more checks this year. The board budgeted $326,466 in 2025 sales tax revenue.

Courtney Tetreault reported that the Sullivan Park ice rink is in good shape, and people are using it. 

Supervisor Craig Randall thanked confidential secretary Pam Barber for working through the recent payroll system platform change. Although it came at the end of the year, when she was busy with many reports, Barber worked through the challenge successfully.

The board adjourned to the Executive Session at 6:45 p.m. to discuss personnel issues. 

25.01.27 Regular Meeting Minutes. Added 1/12/25

“Our 40-year history has shown the remarkable compassion of Americans towards those who stood alongside US troops, escaped violent conflicts, and those seeking hope and freedom,” Joe Wiah, executive director of the council

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the VTDigger story 

“He was called the N-word. His head was compared to a chimpanzee’s skull. A banana was waved at him with comments about him looking like he needed it.”

Click here for the VTDigger story 

“His love for the game of soccer and deep dedication to our student-athletes was evident in everything he did.”

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Sarah Beamon was found with 2+ ounces of meth, cocaine and a weapon

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

She posed as a student and attacked a teacher in front of students

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the VTDigger story 

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION:  Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of January 13, 2025 and 2025 Organizational Meeting of January 13, 2025

5. Community Input. 

6. DISCUSSION:  AES Northeast Update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.

7. DISCUSSION/MOTION:    Engineering Update on Telegraph Road.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 2025 Peru Free Library Contract

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 2025 JCEO Contract.

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 2025 Essex County Snowplowing Contract for Terry Mountain.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve 6 6-month contract with Eagle’s Veterinary Hospital for Dangerous Dog Holding.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve or Reject Bids for a Highway Pickup Truck.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve or Reject Bids for a W/S/V Pickup Truck.

14. DISCUSSION:  Approval of One Person Going to the E-One Service Training in Clifton Park for Two Days.

15. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  

16. DISCUSSION:  Other Business. 

17. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

18. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – December 2024

19. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – January 2025

20. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

21. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

22. MOTION:     Adjourn.

Geoffrey Spear of Peru was traveling north on State Route 9 when he lost control of his Chevy Silverado due to a medical event.

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Beginning Monday, February 3, 2025, local AARP Foundation volunteers will offer senior citizens, families, and individuals free income tax preparation services. Service is by appointment only at the Senior Citizens’ Council of Clinton County, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh. 

Beginning Monday, January 20, taxpayers can call 518.314.9762 to leave a voicemail with their name and phone number or email taxclintoncounty@gmail.com with their name and phone number. Foundation volunteers then contact taxpayers to arrange appointments with an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer. (Taxpayers should add 518.314.9762 to their contact list to distinguish it from spam.) Appointments usually take about 2 hours. AARP membership is not required. AARP Foundation TaxAide in Plattsburgh will operate through Friday, April 11. 

Taxpayers who want to use another AARP Foundation TaxAide site besides Plattsburgh can search the AARPfoundation.org website, click on “Find Help,” scroll down to “Financial Security,” click “Get Free Help ZFiling Taxes,” and search by ZIP code.