Tim Tulloch reports in The Altamont Enterprise that voters in the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District in southern Albany County may see a multi-million-dollar bond issue for upgrades to the elementary and secondary school buildings. The “very preliminary figures” announced so far range from $16.035 million to $17.035 million. The improvements include a new hot-water heating system, and moving the district’s administrative offices onto the campus. Currently, they are across the Helderberg Trail from the school. The school board was mostly silent during the Dec. 12 presentation of initial plans, but former school board member and current Knox town supervisor Vasilios Lefkaditis was loud about his disapproval. He said a similar $12.7 million bond issue in December 2007, was approved quickly, but did not improve education at the school. He said the board then, “spent $12 million on a gym and showers for the coaches,” and while that work did put the school into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, “compliance could have been done, a lot more cheaply,” Lefkaditis contended. Read the full story in The Altamont Enterprise.

Local weather forecast:

Today: Snow before 1 p.m., then freezing rain and sleet likely, with a high near 34. The rain may continue overnight, with a low around 34.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
SUNDAY: Rain showers before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then a chance of snow showers after 4 p.m. High near 47. Partly cloudy skies overnight, with a low around 15.
MONDAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 24.

Sunrise today: 7:19 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:25 p.m.

DOWNLOAD or PLAY the audio version of the local news headlines for Fri., Dec. 16 (9:02). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Daniel Zuckerman is reporting in The Daily Mail the Catskill village code enforcement officer has declared the foundation of St. Patrick's Church strong, but said the historic building does require extensive renovations. Village officials made the report public, Wed., Dec. 14 at a meeting of the Village Board. Code enforcement also said the ceiling is in danger of collapse, and mold is rampant throughout the basement of the church. The building was inspected on November 26. Explaining why the inspection took place, Village President Heather Bagshaw said, "We as a village entity wrote a letter to the Diocese asking for access into the church so we could make sure that building was sound and safe for the community." Village Code Enforcement Officer Michael Ragaini found the only problematic part of the church was the ceiling. "Most of the rest of the church seemed intact and structurally sound," he said. "My opinion, the whole building structure is not in any danger of collapsing or compromising, except for the ceiling structure." The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany shuttered the Catskill church 10 years ago, and announced its permanent closure in May. The diocese said the 131-year-old historic building was in poor structural condition, and the needed repairs were cost prohibitive. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Ross Acheson and Daniel Zuckerman are reporting in the Register-Star the Columbia County Board of Supervisors derailed a proposal that would have permitted the sale of fireworks in the county. The full board Wed., Dec. 14, overwhelmingly defeated a resolution that would have authorized a public hearing on a new local law to allow common, safe items to be excluded from the definition of fireworks. "From my perspective, this was a mission brought up by private vendors looking to sell fireworks in the county. We had significant input from our Firefighters Association and a lot of us — we take to heart what our firemen are telling us. We felt if they had an issue, we probably shouldn���t pass it," said Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell. The sale of fireworks is allowed in other counties, including neighbor Greene County, but only during specified weeks every year. Read the full story in Register-Star.

Greg Hudson is reporting in The Daily Mail Tannersville officials announced this week plans to develop the Fromer House into an agricultural tourism farm. The property, located on Route 23 in the village, is owned by the Hunter Foundation. The Fromer House was a working farm in the early 20th century. Hunter Foundation Co-chairman Sean Mahoney said Wednesday, "We just got our site plan approved to place a ...greenhouse on the property, as well as place vegetable beds." Mahoney said the foundation worked with Cornell Cooperative Extension and has conducted soil studies on the property. "We believe this will be a huge economic boon to the village, where we can offer locally grown produce to shoppers and restaurants....," Mahoney said. There are also plans to work with the Hunter-Tannersville Middle-High School next door. Gardens at the house will grow fruits, vegetables and other plants. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

School closings and delays for Fri., Dec. 16:

Hunter-Tannersville Central School District | Delayed two hours. No morning BOCES.

William J. Kemble reports in The Daily Freeman that Rhinebeck is the latest local town updating is solar energy regulations. Hudson, Catskill, Jefferson, Cairo, Greenport and many other local municipalities updated or discussed solar regulations recently. Rhinebeck is considering allowing small-scale solar farms, said Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia at a Nov. 12 town meeting. “Right now it’s not an allowed use, and it’s next to impossible to get a use variance," she said. "There are, I think, four or five residents champing at the bit to get small-scale solar farms online. I’m talking ... about one-and-a-half, maybe two acres.” The supervisor said the town should act quickly as New York State Energy Research and Development Authority grants run out in July. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

Matthew Hamilton reports in Capitol Confidential that on Dec. 15 Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday placed blame for the lack of a special legislative session with the state Senate. “We’ve made good progress with the Assembly,” Cuomo told reporters at an unrelated event at JFK Airport. “We have not made as good progress with the Senate. If it was just up to my office and the Assembly, I think it’s fair to say we’d have a very productive session for all parties. The Senate has not been cooperative and that’s what’s slowing this up right now.” Politico New York reported about a screaming match with Senate Republican Majority Leader John Flanagan by phone on Dec. 13 about lawmaker pay. Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco rebuked the governor on the issue. “We’re going to be back in three weeks,” he said. “None of (the other issues) are that important. The only reason they’re being raised is because the only one that has to be done if it’s going to be done is the pay raise. So rather than just saying we’re going to let it go on the merits, the governor wants to get a pound of flesh for something that he wants. As I said, I don’t think that’s necessary at all.” Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

Governor Andrew Cuomo today and the Public Employees Federation announced Dec. 14 ratification of a three-year labor agreement. The contract includes a two percent pay increase in 2016-17, a two percent increase in 2017-18, and a two percent increase in 2018-19 and was approved by 96 percent of the union. "I applaud the governor for the cooperative and fair manner in which his team approached the bargaining table," PEF President Wayne Spence said.

Matthew Hamilton reports in Capitol Confidential that New York and 19 other states filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against six generic drug makers alleging the companies entered into numerous illegal conspiracies to favorably affect the market for an antibiotic and an oral diabetes medication. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office announced the lawsuit Dec. 15 against Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Aurobindo Pharma USA, Citron Pharma, Mayne Pharma, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA. The companies artificially inflated prices and reduced competition in the United States for doxycycline hyclate delayed release, the antibiotic, and glyburide, the oral diabetes drug, the lawsuit alleges. “Generic drugs play a critical role in moderating healthcare costs for all New Yorkers,” Schneiderman said in a statement. “Companies that collude and fix prices for generic drugs in order to pad their profits must be held accountable for the very real harm they inflict on New Yorkers’ ability to pay for life-saving medications.” Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

Local weather forecast:

Today: Mostly sunny. High near 20. Wind chill values as low as -11. Friday night, snow after 10 p.m. Low around 16.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
SATURDAY: Snow before 1 p.m., then a slight chance of snow and sleet until 4 p.m., turning to rain thereafter. The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow, from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday. Periods of snow will cause travel difficulties Be prepared for snow-covered roads and limited visibility. High near 34. Saturday night, rain. Low around 33.
SUNDAY: Rain likely before 4 p.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy. High near 46.

Sunrise today: 7:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:24 p.m.
LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:06 hrs.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Today is the third Friday of the month.
WGXC is unaware of any recurring public meetings scheduled for today.

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local news update for Thurs., Dec. 15 (3:43). (Produced by Alanna Medlock.)