The Peru Gazette

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Schools are shifting away from full novels to excerpts to prep students for state exams and accommodate lower stamina for reading.

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By John T. Ryan 

Peru, NY, August 31, 2026 – “I enjoy meeting new people. In this business, I meet people from all walks of life. You never experience the same thing in any two places you go,” said Kyle Spear about operating his new business, Spear Septic Service. 

“It took a lot of thought to say, I’m going to do it,” Spear recalls. And do it he did. Since its incorporation in August 2025, Spear Septic Service has purchased a 2001 International truck, a 3,300-gallon tank, a vacuum pump, and a hydrojetter to clean sludge from leach fields and clear line blockages. Spear said, “The truck needed a total rebuild: brakes, exhaust, rear end, paint job, you name it! The tank only needed a paint touchup.” Thankfully, Spear’s step-father, Curtis Smith, gave his time and talents to the rebuild effort. Today, the fully equipped truck is an impressive-looking rig. 

Spear said scheduling has been a big part of running his own business, especially since he’s a full-time employee at the Peru Highway Department. “I’ve got to figure out when I can do jobs and fit it into my family life.” The 2009 Peru High School grad is married with three children. He stated, “I schedule calls for Fridays, evenings and weekends. I don’t have to pay employees, so I can keep my prices reasonable.”  Spear is happy with business since his first call in January and is looking forward to expanding with new equipment. 

Kyle Spear is a friendly man and good communicator. Customers should enjoy doing business with him.

For more information or to make an appointment with Kyle Spear, call 518-569-6974. See his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Spear-septic-service-61584256390633/

Date of incorporation was August 2025, not August 2026 as originally stated. 

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Franklin, St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis County Sheriffs join in the lawsuit 

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PLATTSBURGH, NY August 27, 2026 – Champlain Valley Educational Services (CVES) is proud to announce the appointment of Emily Blair as Principal at the Rise Center for Success. As Principal, Blair will lead and support Life Skills programming focused on helping students build the academic, social, and functional skills they need to achieve greater independence and success. She will work closely with Rise staff, students, families, and component school districts to strengthen opportunities and outcomes for every learner.

Blair brings more than 20 years of experience in education to the Rise leadership team, with a career dedicated to supporting students with diverse learning needs. Her experience as both a special education teacher and district-level administrator has provided her with a strong foundation in instructional leadership, student support services, special education programming, and collaboration with students, families, staff, and school communities.

Blair began her career as an Elementary Special Education Teacher at Northern Adirondack Central School before transitioning to a Secondary Special Education Teacher within the district. She later moved into district leadership, serving as the Director of Pupil Personnel Services, where she provided leadership for special education programs and oversaw a range of services designed to support student success.

She earned a master’s degree in special education from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Pupil Personnel Services from SUNY Plattsburgh at ACC.

“I am delighted to welcome Emily to our CVES Family of Professionals,” Dr. Mark Davey, CVES District Superintendent, said. “Her extensive experience, leadership, and commitment to students will be a tremendous complement to our outstanding Rise team. Emily knows our region well and understands the important work we do in partnership with our component districts and families. We are thrilled to have her at CVES as a new member of our Administrative Team and look forward to all she will bring to Rise.”

“I am truly excited and honored to join the Rise Center as the new Life Skills Principal,” Blair said. “Having worked alongside the dedicated Rise staff for many years, I have witnessed firsthand their commitment to students and excellence in education. I look forward to building on the school’s many successes and partnering with staff, families, and students to create meaningful opportunities for every learner.”

“Emily brings a tremendous combination of experience, compassion, and leadership to the Rise Center for Success,” Executive Director of Special Education, Dr. Matt Slattery said. “She understands the unique strengths and needs of the students we serve, and she has built her career around creating the conditions for students to be successful. Just as importantly, Emily understands that this work is rooted in strong relationships with students, families, staff, and our component school districts. We are excited to welcome her to the CVES leadership team and confident she will make a meaningful difference for our students and the entire Rise community.”

CVES welcomes Blair to the Rise Center for Success leadership team and looks forward to the experience, collaborative leadership, and commitment to students she brings to the role.

(PLATTSBURGH, NY – Aug 28 2026) The Strand Center for the Arts is excited to host “Portrait of a Community,” a group exhibition featuring the works of five local artists excited to share their appreciation for their community through portraits. The five artists who will be presented in this exhibition are Naomi Bradshaw, Kaitlyn Jubert, June Levenson, Shaun O’Connell, and Cynthia Root. Each artist approaches the portrait with a different perspective and medium. 

“We are a group of five portrait artists who have been working together for the past several years. We sit together with our subjects, and then complete the works on our own, using photographs taken during the shared session. The subjects are people in the local community. Each portrait shines as a unique yet integral part of this place we call home. It has been a fascinating endeavor to see each community member portrayed from a different vantage point, and in a totally different style and medium.” 

– Statement compiled by the artists. 

The opening reception for “Portrait of a Community” will be held on Friday, Sept 11 from 5-8pm and this exhibition will be on display until Oct 24. 

Strand Center for the Arts Gallery Hours: 

● Open 1 p.m.—8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday 

● Open 10 a.m.—3 p.m. Saturday 

● Closed Sunday—Tuesday 

During a recent visit to Lake Placid, Gov. Kathy Hochul provided an update on plans to make a bid for a third Olympics in the North Country

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August 28, 2026 – Gov. Hochul News Release – Governor Kathy Hochul today granted clemency in the form of a pardon to six individuals. This action recognizes people who have demonstrated remorse, exemplified rehabilitation and displayed a commitment to improving themselves and their communities. After implementing procedural reforms to strengthen the clemency process, Governor Hochul has made a total of 145 grants of clemency during her time in office, which include 125 pardons and 20 commutations.

“As Governor, I remain committed to reforming the clemency process and ensuring each application is thoroughly reviewed and individuals receive timely notifications regarding their case status,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, I am granting clemency to six individuals who have displayed positive changes in their lives and will dedicate themselves to bettering their communities — they earned their second chance through rehabilitation and can now establish their futures once again.”

The Governor’s Office has taken a number of steps to improve transparency and communication in the clemency process. The Executive Clemency Bureau has implemented a policy of sending regular letters to individuals with clemency applications, informing them of their case status, and providing information about how to submit supplemental information in support of their applications. The Governor’s Office also launched an updated online web hub to assist clemency applicants with the application process; this hub includes template clemency application forms to provide prospective applicants with improved guidance about what information to include when they apply.

The Governor also convened a Clemency Advisory Panel composed of impartial experts to assist in advising the Governor on clemency applications. Following recommendations from the Clemency Advisory Panel, Governor Hochul is granting clemency in the form of a pardon to six individuals.

Pardons

Individuals receiving a pardon today have lived crime-free lives for a significant period of time and have made positive contributions to their communities. All pardon recipients continue to be negatively impacted by their criminal conviction(s) despite having successfully served their sentence(s) many years ago. The Governor’s pardons will help alleviate these burdens.

Sae Joon Park, 57, was convicted of Bail Jumping in the Second Degree in 2009 and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 2007.

Kile Jackson, 54, was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 1992.

Angela Walder-Tuckett, 62, was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree in 1989.

Heriberto Atiles, 61, was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Loaded Firearm in the Third Degree in 1986.

Keisy Guerrero Mariano, 38, was convicted of Assault in the Second Degree in 2015.

Paul Koopman, 62, was convicted of Driving While Intoxicated in 1995.

The 1990 remarks from Claire Barnett, a member of the Commission on the Adirondacks, continue to ring true today

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Ham 

Scalloped potatoes 

Vegetable 

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!

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By John T Ryan 

As of August 28, 2026, traffic is moving the length of Lyons Road. The town closed the road in late July to replace a badly deteriorated culvert.  Contractor Ed Garrow and Sons Inc., the low bidder at $317,205, completed the job faster than expected.  Design, bid specification preparation, any financing, and miscellaneous expenses are in addition to construction costs.

Ron Arnold, who resides on Lyons Road, was among the first to cross the new culvert. He commented, “I saw the Garrow’s truck go by the house with some equipment, so I thought it might be open.”  Rather than driving to and from Plattsburgh via the South Junction Road, Arnold’s been taking a left on the Rock Road to take Route 9, so he’s very happy to see the work completed. 

August 28, 2026 – The Town of Peru Highway Department has announced that at 5 pm the Lyons Road box culvert replacement project will be completed and the road will be re-opened at that time.

Shelby Patrie will spend more than a decade in prison for substantial local drug distribution

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