Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail the Catskill Town Board Tue., Mar. 1, placed a three-month, town-wide moratorium on the installation of solar panels. Only roof-mounted residential units are exempt from the ban. The action was taken at the request of the town planning board. Town planners determined last month that Catskill's existing zoning regulations do not adequately speak to solar power and its appropriate use. The town board unanimously voted to adopt the planning board's recommendation. Planning Board Chairman Joseph Izzo said there has been increased interest in using solar power within the town of Catskill. As a result of the town board's action Tuesday night, planners are now able to formulate draft zoning regulations for solar use. Izzo said on April 1, Pace University will issue a draft zoning law, specific to the regulation of solar power that may prove useful. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Roger Hannigan Gilson reported in the Register-Star local librarians traveled to Albany Wed., Mar. 2, to campaign for additional state funds on National Library Legislative Day. Librarians met with state legislators, requesting "full formula funding" or additional state aid equal to state education aid increases. The Mid-Hudson Library System’s Library Sustainability Coordinator Rebekkah Smith Aldrich said Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive budget includes no increases for libraries, leaving state funding at 1997 levels. Hudson Area Library Director Emily Chameides was among the group that visited the Capitol Wednesday. She said the day went well as she met with Assembly member Didi Barrett, and a representative of state Sen. Kathy Marchione. Claverack Library Director Thea Schoep, also traveled to Albany, said many patrons come to her library to access the Internet, pointing out that Columbia County is the second-worst county in New York for high-speed service. A January 2015 Siena Poll cited by the New York Library Association found library usage is up 10 percent statewide, with usage up 20 percent for households earning less than $50,000 annually. Chameides said with the number of people patronizing libraries increasing in recent years state funding to libraries is critical. Read the full story in the Register-Star. NOTE: Chameides is a WGXC programmer.

The Hudson High School boys basketball team remained undefeated March 2 beating Northeastern Clinton 76-66 at the Glen Falls Civic Center in the regional final. The Hudson team is now 25-0 and plays next at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5 at SUNY Potsdam against Ogdensburg (16-8). Hudson High won the Section II title last week for only the third time (in the 1973-74, 1964-65, and 1937-38 seasons) and is now in their first state tournament.

Click here to play or download an audio version of this report.

Andrea Sears reports from New York News Connection for Public News Service that as legislators debate the state budget in Albany, New York's immigrant community is making its needs known.

Passing the $15 minimum wage, investing in education and increasing adult literacy programs are among the top priorities in a detailed "Budget for Immigrant New York" released Tuesday by Make the Road New York. Daniel Altshuler, the organization's director of research, said that for too long, some critical needs have not been met.

"The state budget offers an opportunity to rectify that," he said, "and ensure that the resources that are needed in immigrant communities are provided."

According to recent statistics, immigrants now make up more than 22 percent of the state's total population and almost a quarter of the registered voters.

Altschuler pointed out that most immigrant children are enrolled in public schools that are owed millions of dollars in state education aid under the terms of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit.

"This report is calling for $2.9 billion in new school aid that should really be focused on high-needs school districts and those where immigrants are more likely to be concentrated," he said.

For adults, courses in English as a second language and workforce-developement programs would help immigrants increase their earning potential.

Altschuler emphasized that by investing in the immigrant community, the state will help secure the future for all New Yorkers.

"Community members and our organization are having continuous conversations with elected officials to be sure the proposals in this report be reflected in the ultimate budget," he said.

The state budget is due by the end of this month and goes into effect July 1.

The Budget for Immigrant New York is online at maketheroad.org.

Claire Hughes reports in The Albany Times-Union that walleye fish in the Hudson River caught between the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill and the Tappan Zee Bridge in Westchester County show elevated levels of PCBs. State health officials are warning New Yorkers not to eat walleye from the river. Last year, General Electric's dredging cleanup of the northern Hudson River concluded. Read the full story in The Albany Times-Union.

Local weather forecast
Today: Mostly sunny. High near 31. Thursday night, a chance of snow showers, mainly after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 16. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
FRIDAY: A chance of snow showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 34. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 20.
SATURDAY: Mostly sunny. High near 38. Saturday night, a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 24.

Sunrise today: 6:25 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:49 p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 11:24

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Today is the first Wednesday of the month. WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location. (All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.)

ANCRAM Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
ASHLAND Planning Board meeting, 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 12094 Route 23, Ashland (734-3636).
AUSTERLITZ Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 812 Route 203, Spencertown (392-3260).
COPAKE Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
COXSACKIE Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 16 Reed St., Coxsackie (731-2727).
GHENT Town Board informational planning and working session, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
KINDERHOOK Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
STOCKPORT Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 2787 Atlantic Ave., Stottville (828-9389).

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Mon., Feb. 29 (7:13). (Produced by Philip Grant.)