Some of the stories that made the news, Fri., July 4 through Mon., July 7:

Thane Grauel reported in The Journal News a magnitude 2.5 "micro earthquake" was reported Saturday morning in the Hudson Valley not far from Peekskill. The quake struck at 10:46 a.m., approximately three miles beneath the Appalachian Trail in a heavily wooded area of Garrison, Putnam County. While most people in the area did not hear or feel a thing, those near the epicenter were startled into the streets, Grauel wrote.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="172"] New Lebanon Town Supervisor Mike Benson[/caption]

Joe Gentile reported in the Register Star New Lebanon Town Supervisor Mike Benson last week submitted a brief email letter of resignation from the Columbia County Board of Supervisors Airport Committee. Benson is the second committee member to resign this year. Columbia Economic Development Corporation President Dave Crawford stepped down in April. Benson previously pronounced the work of the Airport Committee complete and said responsibility for the construction of the Columbia County Airport's safety zone now rests with the Public Works Committee, a committee he chairs.

Jim Planck reported in The Daily Mail the price of breakfast in the Catskill Central School District is going up. Students will pay an additional 25 cents beginning in September. Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Farrell said the increase was long overdue. The morning meal will now cost elementary students $1; at the middle and high schools it will cost $1.25. Farrell said the bagel and cream cheese and fresh fruit and French Toast sticks are among the most popular morning menu options.

Parry Teasdale reported in The Columbia Paper the first in a series of public meetings focused on the construction of new power lines in Ghent and Chatham will be held this week. The first of four local public meetings will be held 4 p.m., Thurs., July 10 at the NYSEG Chatham Service Center, located at 31 Dardess Drive in Chatham. The proposed 115 kilovolt line would run approximately 12 miles, most of it in Ghent, starting in Stockport and looping through Chatham. Settlement talks are slated to begin next month in Albany to find a way for NYSEG -- the New York State Electric and Gas Company -- to run the lines without disrupting local scenic views, historic sights and agricultural development.

Melanie Lekocevic reported in The Daily Mail Coxsackie Mayor Mark Evans recently announced a renovation of McQuade Park will soon be underway. The playground, located behind the village building on Mansion St., is a population destination for local families year round. McQuade was built by a team of volunteers 15 years ago. The renovation plan includes replacing the existing wood chips with rubberized chips, and the wooden playground equipment will be sanded down and refinished. The project will cost approximately $29,000, and is expected to completed by the fall.

The Associated Press reported a coalition of consumer groups, organized labor and elected officials says New York state’s telecommunication system is in decline. The group, which includes organizations like the AARP, Common Cause and the Working Families Party, has filed a petition with the Public Service Commission seeking a public review of the state's telecommunication system. In a statement announcing its petition, the coalition says landline telephone service has deteriorated and rates have gone up, while many upstate and rural communities are still without broadband service.