Liz Montgomery is reporting for Porcupine Soup the New York State Attorney General’s Office confirmed August 12, that its investigation into the death of Jason Jones at the hands of the Catskill Village Police Department last fall is ongoing. The probe began eight months ago after Jones was shot with a Taser and burst into flames in the front lobby of department headquarters on Main Street. The AG’s press office declined to comment on when the investigation could be concluded. In New York, the attorney general has the power to investigate, and if warranted, prosecute cases involving the killing of unarmed persons during an interaction with law enforcement. In late October, Jones entered the village police station and doused himself with hand sanitizer, which is combustible. He had been drinking, but it remains unclear why he went to the police station. A confrontation with police ensued, and the use of the Taser, apparently, sparked a fire. Jones died on Dec. 15, 2021, after being removed from a ventilator in an intensive care unit at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. He was on the ventilator for 48 days. Autopsy results and Jones' cause of death have not yet been released by authorities. The identities of the officers involved have not been disclosed. Jones's brother filed a wrongful death claim against the village of Catskill in February. Read the full story at porcupinesoup [dot] com.

Bill Williams is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media roadwork on the Taconic State Parkway will close a section of the roadway in Chatham for three days the week of August 15, said Heather Pillsworth, public information officer for New York State Department of Transportation, Hudson Valley Region. The southbound lanes, between Interstate 90 and Route 295, will be closed Tuesday through Thursday, August 16, 17 and 18, between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day, weather permitting, Pillsworth said. That area of the parkway is part of a larger work zone where all lanes are being repaved between I-90 and Route 217 in Philmont. Drivers traveling southbound are advised to follow the posted detour signs that use Upper Caddy Street, Rock City Road, Route 295 and Hartigan Road as an alternate route. The section of the parkway to be closed is much more narrow than the rest of the 13-mile work zone, Pillsworth said. Paving crews with Greenport's A. Colarusso & Son will be working on the southbound lanes and are expected to shift to the northbound lanes in the future. Southbound traffic is limited to one lane in the work areas. The roadwork will be completed sometime in the fall. Up-to-date travel information is available by calling 511 or going online to 511NY [dot] org. Read more at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Paul Kirby is reporting for the Daily Freeman Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corp. said August 12, its electrical supply cost has risen for the second month in a row in the middle of summer heat waves. Joseph Jenkins, a Central Hudson spokesperson, said the newest supply rate became effective on the 11th, when the residential price for electric supply rose from 5.83 cents per kilowatt hour in July, to 8.52 cents in August. Central Hudson’s residential price for electric supply also rose in July. “Electric supply prices tend to rise during the summer months due to increased demand,” Jenkins said. “We’ve seen sustained heat over the last few months, so this is in line with the supply price trends we usually see during the summer.” Jenkins pointed out that the state Public Service Commission and the New York Independent System Operator, which oversees the state’s wholesale energy grid, both issued reports in advance of this summer forecasting increased prices during the warmer months. The new rates were approved by the Public Service Commission as part of a three-year plan in November. That plan includes another increase in delivery charges in July 2023. Read the full story at Daily Freeman [dot] com.

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Rebekah F. Ward reports in the Times Union that New York begins accepting retail cannabis dispensary applications on Aug. 25. The first applicants must prove they, or an immediate family member, were convicted with a marijuana-related charge in New York prior to the state's legalization of cannabis in 2021, and that they've owned and operated a business that made a profit for at least two years. Nonprofits working with incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people can also apply. Tremaine Wright, chair of the state's Cannabis Control Board, said that this will mean "the first sales are conducted by those harmed by prohibition." Applications will be accepted through Sept. 26, and stores may open later this year or early in 2023. "We’ve worked to make this application as simple as possible for all interested applicants, and I cannot emphasize it enough that you do not need any legal expertise to fill this application out," said Chris Alexander, executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Columbia-Greene Media reports that Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced a plan to protect land and wildlife surrounding the Taghkanic Creek on Aug. 11. The Taghkanic Headwaters Conservation Plan was completed with the Columbia Land Conservancy, and community volunteers from the towns of Claverack, Copake, Hillsdale, and Taghkanic. The plan values large, connected forests and streams in the watershed to protect clean water, and wildlife such as eastern brook trout. Marissa Codey, Columbia Land Conservancy Director of Farmland, Forestry, and Land Use Programs, said, “The Taghkanic Headwaters Conservation Plan could not have been developed without the dedicated work of many local stakeholders, and we look forward to working with the broader community to protect and care for the lands and water systems within the watershed region.” Taghkanic Creek starts in Hillsdale and over 30.1 miles leads into Claverack Creek, which runs into the Hudson River. “Preserving natural connections between habitats is critical for wildlife movement, climate adaptation, and resilient ecosystems,” Seggos said. “DEC applauds the leadership of our Land Trust partners in working with local communities to create shared conservation visions for the eastern Hudson Highlands and for the Taghkanic headwaters watershed.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Mid-Hudson News reports that the City of Kingston elevated its drought emergency to stage two on Aug. 10. The Hudson Valley has not had much rain this summer and Pittsfield, Mass. has also implemented a water restriction plan due to a lack of moisture. In Kingston now, the regulations no longer allow adding water to any swimming pool, and there is no watering lawns, golf courses, ornamental shrubs or plants, though vegetables or fruits grown for human consumption can be watered with a handheld container. Large, nonresidential water consumers must reduce usage by at least 20 percent. Scattered showers are predicted next week, but the area is in need of a major storm. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

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Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media Jeff Friedman, president and executive director of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce, has submitted his resignation, effective in late September. Friedman started with the chamber in February 2013, leading the group for nearly a decade. “I told the board I would stay until the end of September,” Friedman said. “They are working on a plan to search for a replacement and they are also making plans for how the chamber will operate in the interim between my departure and the new person." Friedman will join his family’s business, headquartered in Clifton Park, but he will continue living in Catskill. “My brother has a contracting company, a floor-care company, and it’s been growing steadily for quite a while,” Friedman said. “He [has] asked me to ... partner with him in the company and manage the business end.” Friedman sees the change as a return to his roots and a new challenge. “... I just decided the time was right. I spent a lot of time at the chamber and I love the job. I love the chamber and I love Greene County. I love what I do, but this was an offer and a challenge that I felt I needed to take,” he said. The search for Friedman's replacement has begun. Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Nicole Bliss said a search committee has already been established. "...If you happen to know of anyone who may be interested in such an opening, please feel free to direct them to me for consideration,” said Bliss. The president and executive director serve as a communicator, facilitator and interactive community planner; and is responsible for the development, implementation and assessment of chamber programs, projects and events to ensure each member business’s investment in the chamber meets their needs, according to the job listing. Read the full story at TheUpStater [dot] com.

Brendan J. Lyons is reporting for the Times Union that former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Aug. 10, filed a lawsuit against state Attorney General Letitia James accusing her office of wrongly rejecting his request that the state pay for his legal representation in the federal claim filed by a State Police investigator accusing him of sexually harassing and inappropriately touching her. The female trooper also named the State Police and former Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa as defendants in the case. DeRosa's legal fees are being paid by the state. In the complaint filed in the state Supreme Court in New York County, Cuomo alleged James' office on April 12 rejected his request for counsel in defense of the federal lawsuit without providing a reason. Delaney Kempner, a spokesperson for the attorney general's office, released a statement stating, that Cuomo "is trying to force New Yorkers to pay his legal bills because he believes sexual harassment was within his 'scope of employment as governor. Sexually harassing young women who work for you is not part of anyone’s job description. Taxpayers should not have to pony up for legal bills that could reach millions of dollars so Mr. Cuomo’s lawyer can attack survivors of his abuse." The matter, filed on Cuomo's behalf by attorney, Rita Glavin, includes a detailed breakdown of their allegations that the AG's investigation of sexual harassment claims against the former governor was "one-sided" and "shoddy and biased." The trooper's lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages and was filed in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, lists allegations against Cuomo and his administration that largely mirror those outlined in a damning report issued by the state attorney general’s office one year ago. That report concluded the former governor was a serial sexual harasser who cultivated a toxic work environment. The trooper's accusations were among the most damaging leveled against the former governor, who had urged a senior investigator on his protective detail to offer the now-31-year-old female investigator a job on the special unit that protects the governor, according to the Attorney General’s report. Read the full story in the Times Union.

MidHudson News is reporting the State Public Service Commission has approved the construction of Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation’s transmission line known as the H and SB project. The plan calls for rebuilding 23.6-miles of transmission lines in the city of Kingston, and towns of Ulster and Saugerties in Ulster County, and the town and village of Catskill. The utility said the rebuild will help meet the energy needs of local communities, address aging infrastructure, and to enhance electric service reliability. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.

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Raymond Pignone reports in Columbia-Greene Media that David Darling's 17 years as Catskill village police chief ended Aug. 8 when his retirement became official. The report says the Village of Catskill Board of Trustees would name Lt. Ronald Frascello as his replacement at its meeting Aug. 10. Darling also had a 35-year career with the New York State Police, and was a U.S. Army military police patrol supervisor during the Vietnam War. He also worked one year with the Saugerties Police Department. “It’s not easy to leave something you know well, but there comes a time when you have to say goodbye,” Darling said. “I have six grandchildren and they all live locally. I’m going to spend a lot of time with them." Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Patricia R. Doxsey in the Daily Freeman compares Marc Molinaro and Pat Ryan, the two candidates running in a special election Aug. 13-23 to serve in Antonio Delgado's 19th Congressional District seat for the final week's of his term. Molinaro, a Republican, is currently the Dutchess County Executive, and Ryan, a Democrat, is the Ulster County Executive. Molinaro is well-known locally, holding public office since he was 18, first as a village of Tivoli trustee, then as its mayor, then as a county legislator, state assemblyperson, and now county executive. He also lost a bid for governor against then Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2018. “My entire life, and I do not apologize for it, has been about trying to make government function for the people,” Molinaro said. “I want Congress and Washington to function for the people of Upstate New York.” Ryan is a West Point graduate and Iraq war veteran who has been Ulster County executive since 2019 after losing to Delgado in 2018's crowded Democrat Congressional primary election. “What I think the American people need and deserve right now are patriots, patriots who understand the existential nature of the threat to our democracy. When you look at other Americans storming our Capitol and willing to take away our fundamental rights and that’s what I’m standing up for,” Ryan said. Molinaro does not often talk about his party's position on the attempted coup on Jan. 6, 2021, nor about his party's views on abortion, instead focusing on inflation. “I’m running at this important moment because I believe the district, the residents in this community in upstate New York deserve somebody who is going to leverage every resource, every experience, and every relationship on their behalf to deliver real results, just as I have done every day of my adult life,” Molinaro said. Ryan, contrasts his career with Molinaro's. “We’ve got plenty of career politicians in Washington, what’s missing are real leaders, leakers with backbone, leaders who have put their life on the line for our country, who built successful businesses, who brought people during difficult and trying times and ultimately leaders who deliver,” Ryan said. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Maura Rosner reports for Columbia-Greene Media that 10,000 tires still remain at Coxsackie's Green Tire Recycling even though that is more than the 1,000 allowed, and the company has only paid $750 of $2,250 in fines for violations. And all of the tires were supposed to be removed more than a year ago. Town Supervisor Richard Hanse sounds frustrated, and says he wants the state Department of Environmental Conservation to revoke a permit the department issued for tire storage at one of the company's two locations. Owner Shane Foster claims he is shipping the tires to India to recycle them back into oil. “So far, I’ve been shipping the tires to India in overseas containers that cost $2,500,” Foster said. “The reason for shipping to India is that they are extracting oil from the tires to eliminate landfill waste. They are essentially converting the tires back into oil.” He also claims that "COVID-19 is the reason that the tires piled up so much. I think what we are doing is good for the environment. Everyone’s talking about the tires so negatively. However, I feel eliminating landfill waste is a positive thing.”

Mid-Hudson News reports that the City of Beacon has added an all-electric car to its fleet that currently includes four hybrid police vehicles. And the hybrid cars are being charged by renewable energy. “We are producing about 70 percent of the electricity that the city uses including for recharging these cars at our solar facility. We are also going to be expanding how much solar energy we produce by putting an installation on our highway garage early next year,” City Administrator Chris White said. Beacon's solar energy The solar power from an array on top of the former city landfill. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

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Andrea Macko is reporting for Porcupine Soup three brothers from Greenville are being celebrated as heroes for saving the life of a man trapped in a burning car. Peter Liquari IV and Nickolas Liquari, both 14, and their brother Dylan Liquari, 7, were honored by the Greenville Volunteer Fire Company on August 9, for their courage and life-saving actions following a crash on State Route 32 on Aug. 7. Four people were injured when a sedan and a minivan collided, and fire department officials said it could have turned fatal if not for the Liquaris. “Without them, it would have been a much different situation,” said Clifton Powell, Jr., chair of the Greenville Fire District Board of Commissioners. Around 7:45 p.m. the boys were headed home for dinner from South Westerlo with their dad, Peter Liquari III, when they came upon the accident near the Albany County line. The crash had just happened, and first responders were not yet on the scene. One of the vehicles was engulfed in flames and the driver was pinned inside. Their father ran to a nearby house in an effort to get water to put out the fire. But when they noticed he needed help, all three boys jumped out of the car and formed a bucket brigade. “They kept the fire from spreading into the driver’s compartment,” Powell said. “If they didn’t throw water on that car the driver wouldn’t have made it,” said Greenville Fire Chief Kip Drollette. Powell said he cannot remember a time locally when heroes as young as the Liquaris saved someone’s life. Read the full story at porcupinesoup [dot] com.