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Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in coordination with NEIWPCC, seeks proposals for projects that interpret, highlight, and showcase human interaction with the natural world.
Awarded projects should highlight the Conservation & Community Interpretive Theme as described by the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) Management Plan, as well as support the “Biosphere in Your Backyard” campaign developed by the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Network (CABN).
The CVNHP is particularly interested in projects that focus on any of the following topics:
Natural Heritage and a Sense of Place: Natural Communities of Plants and Animals, Soils; Perceptions of Wild and Settled Lands
People on the Land: Towns, Villages, Hamlets, and Rural Settlement; Agriculture and Farm Life
A Changing Landscape: Forests and Forestry, Industrial Growth, Sheep Farming Boom, Dairy Industry, Post War Development, Skiing
Conservation Lands Movement: State Parks, Adirondack Park, Green Mountain National Forest, Farm Bureaus, Watershed Associations, Land Trusts
Modern Markets: Contemporary Agriculture and Forestry, Farmer’s Markets, Local Foods Movement
Sustainability: From Subsistence to Specialization, Energy Conservation, Greening of the Economy, Habitat Conservation, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry
“Our region is rich in stories of human connection the landscape, both past and present,” said Dr. Eric Howe, NEIWPCC Program Director of the CVNHP and LCBP. “The Conservation & Community Interpretive Theme and ‘Biosphere in Your Backyard’ campaign provide a framework for interpreting the many ways in which people have interacted with the land and waters of the Champlain Valley National Heritage Area.”
Approximately $40,000 in funding is available to support awarded projects, and grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded. One proposal may be submitted per eligible organization. Read more »
L-R JoAnne Beaudry, educator at the RISE Center for Success, (middle), and Simone Lutz (left) and Alison Brown (right), Co-chairs of the Educator Awards Committee (Northeastern Zone RENY).
This past June, the Northeastern Zone of the Retired Educators of New York (RENY) awarded theHudson-Kramer Memorial Grant to JoAnne Beaudry for her project, “Intensive Therapeutic SupportProgram Snowshoe Teambuilding”. This $2000 award will be used to purchase a class set ofsnowshoes which will be used by some of the high school and middle school students at the RISE Center for Success at CVES in Plattsburgh.
This grant honors Ross Hudson and Florence Coulter Kramer, dedicated and devoted members ofRENY. This $2000 award is offered by RENY every other year to area educators in public schools inthe Northeastern Zone’s region, which includes school districts in Clinton County, NY, and parts ofEssex County, NY. The Northeastern Zone also offers the Kramer Memorial Educator Award of $1000in alternating years. Information about these awards may be found on the NEZ website (https://www.renynez.com). Application information is sent to eligible districts in early March.
Peru, NY – The Peru Town Board conducted a brief 35-minute meeting on Monday, August 25. Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglass chaired the meeting.
The board authorized spending just over $242,000 in the town’s Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) monies to pave the Allen Hill Road from the Rod and Gun Club to the River Road sharp corner, and 4,000 feet of River Road to Donahue Road.
After Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that NYSEG continues to study the Telegraph Road power pole relocation issue, the board expressed its frustration. They can’t comprehend why NYSEG is resisting temporarily relocating the poles, given that the road has been closed for months, and two involved property owners are open to temporary relocation. Town Attorney Matt Favro recommended that the board request that NYSEG send a representative to a town board meeting to explain the situation. The board concurred with Favro’s recommendation.
Dog Control Officer T’Chaka Sikelianos commented on the dog tethering controversy in our region. He stated that he opposes laws such as the one recently approved by the Town of Plattsburgh, believing that existing laws addressing animal cruelty and negligence are more effective than tethering laws. He noted that the American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes arbitrary tethering bans. No board member voiced disagreement with Sikelianos’ comments.
Greg Badger, the artist who created the Peru history artwork at Heyworth Mason Park, informed the board on August 24 that he had learned $5,000 in New York State grant money is available for similar community art projects; however, the town would have to apply by August 31. After a lengthy discussion, the board authorized Pam Barber to determine if she has time to complete the application process before the deadline. Greg Badger said he believes similar grants will reopen in the not-too-distant future.
In other actions, the board:
Approved hiring Rosenbaum and Culling to appraise the property that the town purchased as a staging area for the wastewater treatment plant project. The Environmental Facilities Corporation will reimburse the town at the certified appraised property value. The town paid $65,000 for the property. Its assessed value is $48,000. The appraisal will cost $1,700.
Approved renewing its MOU with the Clinton County WIC Program.
Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in partnership with NEIWPCC, seeks proposals for projects that improve water quality in the Lake Champlain Basin.
The intent of this funding opportunity is to improve water quality through the planning, design, or prioritization for future water quality improvement projects, or the implementation of projects that will directly result in the reduction of water pollution in Lake Champlain and its tributaries.
Proposals for grants will fall into one of three categories:
Clean water: small grants for implementation
Clean water: large grants for implementation
Clean water: grants for planning
“These grants will help communities and organizations advance clean water in Lake Champlain and its tributaries,” said Dr. Eric Howe, NEIWPCC Program Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program. “By supporting both on-the-ground projects and the planning that makes them possible, this funding opportunity provides the tools needed to reduce pollution, restore healthy waterways, and protect the lake for future generations.”
Eligible organizations must be located in the U.S. and able to conduct work within the Lake Champlain Basin, and include colleges and universities; nonprofit organizations; for-profit companies (may only apply to categories 1 and 2); New York Soil and Water and Vermont Natural Resource Conservation Districts; and non-federal, non-state government agencies, including municipalities.
Approximately $680,000 in funding is available to support awarded projects. Grant request limits vary by grant category. One proposal may be submitted per eligible organization.
The awarded projects will advance the goals of the long-term Lake Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action (plan.lcbp.org). This grant opportunity is supported by funds awarded to NEIWPCC by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and in partnership with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
Proposals are due at 5:00 PM EST on September 29, 2025. An informational webinar covering clean water, healthy ecosystems (large and small), and aquatic invasive species (AIS) grants will be offered on September 9, 2025 at 12:00PM (register for the Zoom webinar at this link). Please note that healthy ecosystems and AIS grant opportunities will be released under a separate Request for Proposals, but the informational webinar will cover all of the above grant categories. Awarded clean water projects are targeted to begin work in May 2026 and must be completed by June 2029.
More information, including grant guidelines and applications, is available on the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s website at lcbp.org/grants.
August 25, 2025 MYNBC5 Facebook Post – Notice the low Lake Champlain water level this past weekend? It is now the lowest for this point in August since 1950, a whopping 75 years ago. A challenge for some backyard boat docks! More typical of a fall level. This happened more frequently prior to 1965.
Peru Central School District is seeking a qualified Long-Term Substitute Teacher for Grade 7/8 Mathematics, with an anticipated start date immediately to begin the school year. This position is expected to last for approximately 20 school days, with the potential for extension. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong content knowledge in mathematics, effective classroom management skills, and the ability to support students’ learning and engagement during the transition period. Interested applicants should hold appropriate New York State certification or be eligible for certification in Mathematics. To apply, please visit www.olasjobs.org – Peru CSD is located within the Capital Region.
Peru, NY, August 23, 2025 – Many people supported the 2025 Run For Jon. There’s always a happy atmosphere with kids and adults all having a great time.
Peru, NY Message from Jenna Mulbury – Wildfire Gala harvest has begin today at Northern Orchard. Other early varieties like Zestar!, Ginger Gold, Paula Red, and Premier Honeycrisp will be following soon before the fall McIntosh harvest begins in the early days of September. Customers will soon see our old Model A Ford trucks out with Mums and what pumpkins we’ve been able to grow through the drought. Our harvest team will begin to arrive next week to help us through the apex of the last years’ work. Here’s to a safe and successful harvest! Do a rain dance for us please!
Activities Promote State’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ and ‘Love Our New York Lands’ Campaigns
Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New Yorkers across the state to give back and enjoy the outdoors in the spirit of Adirondack and Catskill Park Day on Saturday, Sept. 6.The Governor urges New Yorkers to “Get Offline, Get Outside” by participating in service projects at their local parks and recreational areas, including those focused on the preservation and protection of the Adirondack and Catskill Parks, by conserving and enhancing lands for the enjoyment of all New Yorkers.
“Back for a second year, I am inviting the public to Adirondack and Catskill Park Day to help New York State support the environmental and cultural legacy of both regions with a day of stewardship throughout 6.5 million acres of unrivaled lands and forests in these parks,” Governor Hochul said. “Conservation is a responsibility we all share to help protect New York’s outdoor spaces, and I thank those who will give back and participate.”
Adirondack and Catskill Park Day is part of the “Love Our New York Lands” stewardship campaign — a series of themed public stewardship events that encourage year-round volunteerism and highlight the State’s outdoor recreation assets and the need to safeguard these resources. The series kicked off in April with Canal Clean Sweep, followed by I Love My Park Day in May. Adirondack and Catskill Park Day is the next event in this series, followed by Wildlife Day on Saturday, Oct. 4. These days are organized in partnership with Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the New York State Canal Corporation.
Registration is currently open for Adirondack and Catskill Park Day. Participants can sign up for a variety of opportunities to help clean up campgrounds after a busy camping season, maintain flower gardens for wildlife, pick up trash and debris at popular destinations, or help maintain hiking trails to foster safe and sustainable outdoor recreation. Sign up for events to show appreciation for New York’s Forest Preserve.
Peru – CVPH Donor Center will conduct a Blood Drive, on Monday, September 8, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru. There’s a special bonus during September. Every CVPH donor will receive a FREE voucher for a pint of Stewart’s Ice Cream Gelato!
The blood collected by the Donor Center provides more than 95% of the blood used at CVPH, and other hospitals in Elizabethtown, Malone, Massena, Saranac Lake, and Glens Falls.
St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 is coordinating the Peru drive.
Peru, NY – The Peru Town Board hired Bob Guynup as the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) just over nine years ago on May 23, 2016. At its meeting on Monday, August 11, Supervisor Craig Randall announced that Guynup is retiring, effective September 30. With leave taken into account, his last work day is September 22. The town board accepted Guynup’s resignation. Supervisor Craig Randall commented, “I express the board’s appreciation. You did the job to the best of your ability.” Following an Executive Session, the board voted to advertise the CEO position.
Bob Guynup reported that the seven-member board may soon be short two members. On January 1, newly appointed Planning Board Chairman Justin Wilson will depart for a one-year National Guard assignment. That news, combined with the resignation of longtime board chairman Richard Williams, will result in the board being two members short. Other current members include Mark Hamilton, Peter Stone, Jerry McGovern, Allison Webbinaro, and alternate Mark Robinson. Ideally, the board should have seven regular members and two alternates.
Ironically, at the August 11 meeting, former Mariner Bar and Grill operator Brandon L. Way presented a Notice of Claim that he said he would be filing within the next 30 days related to the Clinton County Supreme Court case, Lake Champlain Transportation, DBA Lake Industries, v. B.L. Way, LLC, DBA The Mariner Bar and Grill. Bob Guynup testified in that proceeding. Brandon Way is seeking $7.5 million in damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment, alleging violations of equal protection under the law and due process of the law.
AES Northeast engineers Nathan Bull and Michael Metcalf reported that the wastewater treatment upgrade project is progressing according to schedule. Metcalf commented, “We have about sixty cubic yards of material that have to come out of there and thirty cubic yards going in. There’s been a steady flow of trucks.” To date, most work has been taking place in the lagoon, bringing the subgrade up to grade. Metcalf said the contractor should pour the footings for the preliminary treatment administration building and water-sewer garage during the week of August 18.
The board authorized payment of four invoices related to the WWTP project. Payment #1 to Murnane Building Contractors in the amount $184,129; Payment #2 to John W. Danforth Co. for $14,250; Payment #1 to K & L Plumbing and Heating for $20,496.25; and Payment #3 to Triangle Electrical Systems for $14,129.76.
Supervisor Randall reported that there was no apparent progress in resolving the issue with the Telegraph Road closure. NYSEG must relocate two power poles to make room for a construction crane; however, it hasn’t reached an agreement with either of the two nearby property owners.
The board agreed with Michael Farrell’s recommendation that the Allen Hill Road and River Road should be next on the town’s 2025 paving schedule.
The 2026 town budget development process is in place. Following past practice, the board scheduled a public hearing on a Local Law to exceed the NYS-imposed 2% tax cap, if necessary. Supervisor Randall commented, “We’ll try not to exceed the cap as we always do, but with increasing costs, it’s becoming more and more difficult.” The board scheduled the tax cap public hearing for September 8 at 5:45 p.m.
Budget Workshop and Meeting Schedule – (All are open to the public)
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Highway Culvert Workshop for Bonding
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Highway Budget Workshop (Downstairs)
Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Water/Sewer/Valcour Workshop
Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Salaries/General Workshop
Thursday, October 2, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Special Meeting to Present Tentative Budget
Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Budget Review Workshop (Downstairs)
Peru, NY – Bring summer to a close on Saturday, September 20, at a North Country tradition, the 47th Annual St. Augustine’s Applefest. Each year Peru residents and people from near and far enjoy the community parade, craft fair, food treats, live music, chicken BBQ, games, and raffles. Activities at St. Augustine’s Parish Center begin at 10:30 a.m.
At 11 a.m., the community parade begins its route down Main Street, from Peru Elementary School. People will fill the grounds looking for the Grand Raffle, apple fritters, fried dough, caramelized apples, hot dogs, michigans, sweet sausages, burgers, chicken BBQ, games, the train ride, face painting,bounce house, a Grand Raffle, the Pipes and Drums of Plattsburgh, and the On Three Band. Roger’s House and St. Vincent DePaul have sales throughout the day. The Grand Raffle drawing takes place at 4 p.m.
Champlain Valley Educational Services (CVES) will hold a public vote on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to authorize the sale of 15 acres of CVES-owned land to Clinton County.
The proposed sale price is $28,000 per acre, totaling $420,000, plus reasonable and customary closing costs and expenses. Proceeds from the sale will be distributed among CVES’s 16 component school districts. The per acre value was determined to be fair market value through an appraisal process.
The land is located at the corner of Military Turnpike and Rugar Street in Plattsburgh, just west of CV-TEC at the CVES Learning Hub Campus.
Voting Information
Eligible voters may cast their ballots at either of the following locations:
CVES Learning Hub Conference Center – 1443 Military Turnpike, Plattsburgh
CVES Mineville Campus – 3092 Plank Road, Mineville
Proof of residence is required at all polling sites.
Early voting is available by application at cves.org/capital-project. On the application, voters will have the option to have their early vote ballot mailed to them or they can pick up from the district clerk at 1443 Military Turnpike in Plattsburgh.
Voter Eligibility
To vote, you must:
Be a citizen of the United States
Be at least 18 years old
Have been a resident of one of the CVES 16 component districts for at least 30 days prior to the vote date
CVES Component Districts include: AuSable Valley, Beekmantown, Boquet Valley, Chazy, Crown Point, Keene, Moriah, Northeastern Clinton, Northern Adirondack, Peru, Plattsburgh, Putnam, Saranac, Schroon Lake, Ticonderoga, and Willsboro.
For questions about the vote, please contact Katelyn Smart at smart_katelyn@cves.org.
U.S. Border Patrol News Release Alien smuggling is incredibly dangerous, and it puts the public and our agents in grave danger when callous smugglers attempt to carelessly flee the border at high speeds. The smuggler driving this car was carrying five people that had illegally entered the U.S. when it flipped causing multiple injuries near Champlain, New York. The smuggler, who’s a citizen of India, now faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 15 years in prison. Following his sentence, he will face immigration removal proceedings. We continue to seek severe consequences against those who attempt to exploit or border. Border security directly correlates to public safety.
Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in coordination with NEIWPCC, seeks proposals for projects that interpret, highlight, and showcase human interaction with the natural world.
August 25, 2025 MYNBC5 Facebook Post – Notice the low Lake Champlain water level this past weekend? It is now the lowest for this point in August since 1950, a whopping 75 years ago. A challenge for some backyard boat docks! More typical of a fall level. This happened more frequently prior to 1965.
Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Peru, NY, August 23, 2025 – Many people supported the 2025 Run For Jon. There’s always a happy atmosphere with kids and adults all having a great time.
Peru, NY Message from Jenna Mulbury – Wildfire Gala harvest has begin today at Northern Orchard. Other early varieties like Zestar!, Ginger Gold, Paula Red, and Premier Honeycrisp will be following soon before the fall McIntosh harvest begins in the early days of September. Customers will soon see our old Model A Ford trucks out with Mums and what pumpkins we’ve been able to grow through the drought. Our harvest team will begin to arrive next week to help us through the apex of the last years’ work. Here’s to a safe and successful harvest! Do a rain dance for us please!
Peru – CVPH Donor Center will conduct a Blood Drive, on Monday, September 8, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru. There’s a special bonus during September. Every CVPH donor will receive a FREE voucher for a pint of Stewart’s Ice Cream Gelato!
Peru, NY – Bring summer to a close on Saturday, September 20, at a North Country tradition, the 47th Annual St. Augustine’s Applefest. Each year Peru residents and people from near and far enjoy the community parade, craft fair, food treats, live music, chicken BBQ, games, and raffles. Activities at St. Augustine’s Parish Center begin at 10:30 a.m.
U.S. Border Patrol News Release Alien smuggling is incredibly dangerous, and it puts the public and our agents in grave danger when callous smugglers attempt to carelessly flee the border at high speeds. The smuggler driving this car was carrying five people that had illegally entered the U.S. when it flipped causing multiple injuries near Champlain, New York. The smuggler, who’s a citizen of India, now faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 15 years in prison. Following his sentence, he will face immigration removal proceedings. We continue to seek severe consequences against those who attempt to exploit or border. Border security directly correlates to public safety.