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Editorial»

FREE Take One!

Our reporters talk about what it was like on the front line PAGE 6

A Denton Publication

Always remember

Saturday, July 4, 2015

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COnGRatuaIOnS!

This Week PERU

PHS class graduates with fond memories, friendships By Teah Dowling teah@denpubs.com

PLATTSBURGH —  Always  remember, class of 2015. The  PHS  commencement  took  place  Saturday,  June  27  at the SUNY Plattsburgh Field  House  at  2  p.m.,  focusing  on  a  very  familiar  word  to  the  school: remembrance.  As  the  seniors  walked  in  two-by-two  and  took  their  seats  in  the  front  of  the  class,  Superintendent  James  Short  introduced  the  class  of  2015  and  held  a  moment  of  silence  for  a  classmate  not  present:  Michael Lawson. “Although  he  is  not  standing  here  beside  us,  Michael  is  still  graduating  with  us  today,”  Salutatorian  Alexander  Webber  said.  “We  carry  him  in our hearts and he will never   CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Peru grads told to live in the moment PAGE 2 SARANAC

Beekmantown class of 2015 graduates Matthew Butler, left, and Marie LeClair head to their seats during the June 26 commencement ceremony. Butler, who also spoke during the event, is in the National Honor Society and LeClair a member of the CVTEC National Technical Honor Society. Turn to page 5 for more on the Beekmantown commencement. Photo by Teah Dowling

Superintendent, eleven others placed on leave By Pete DeMola

PAGE 9

pete@denpubs.com

Clinton Correctional Facility, located in the heart of Dannemora, in the days following the escape of Richard Matt and David Sweat. Three high ranking officials, as well as nine staffers, were suspended Tuesday in connection with the June 6 escape. Authorities did not provide any more details.

DANNEMORA  —  Three  high-ranking  offi cials  from  Clinton  Correctional, including the superintendent, have been placed on  administrative leave alongside nine security staffers, the Department  of  Corrections  and  Community  Supervision  revealed  on  Tuesday. Their leave is part of review associated with the June 6 escape,  said spokesperson Linda Foglia in a statement. While  the  suspended  personnel  were  not  named,  the  statement  said  Assistant  Commissioner  for  Correctional  Facilities  James O’Gorman will oversee the prison as the new leadership  team transitions this week. “Staffi ng for the security positions will be addressed through  procedures outlined in the union contract,” said Foglia. Steven Racette, of Saranac Lake, serves as the prison’s superintendent. Reached by phone on Tuesday, Cherrie Racette, his wife, confi rmed that her husband is on administrative leave. ”We have no comment,” she said. Racette, a second generation superintendent, has worked in  CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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PRISON BREAK

From manhunt to the battle in the courtroom PAGE 14

Photo by Andrew Johnstone

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Saranac grads begin the next chapter

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