Local weather forecast

Today’s forecast is specific to Cairo, in Greene County:

Today: There is 30 percent chance of snow after 10 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 22, and a low around 12.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30, and a low around 16.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Sunrise today: 7:16 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:58 p.m.



DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Fri., Jan. 22 (7:18). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

The New Lebanon Central School District announced Tue., Jan. 19, a group of its junior high school students took first place in the Capital District Future City Competition for the second year in a row. The event was held at Proctor's Theater in Schenectady on January 9. The team of nine students scored higher than 19 other participating teams. The group worked for months to develop their city of the future "Marhielo," under the direction of teacher Mary-Beth Liles. They now go on to represent the region in the national competition in Washington D.C. next month. This theme of the competition this year was “Waste Not, Want Not.” Students were asked to design a waste management system for residential use, taking into consideration issues such as collection, separation, processing, recycling, health and safety, energy-efficiency, environmental impact, and cost. The New Lebanon team designed their virtual city using SimCity software, constructed a scale model out of recycled materials, wrote a 1,500 word city description, and made a short presentation to a panel of science, technology, engineering and math teachers.

Michael Ryan is reporting in the Windham Journal a handshake agreement made nearly 50 years ago by volunteer firefighters is said at the heart of a disagreement that may result in the dissolution of the Windham Fire District. Windham Hose Company No. 1 announced in October its plan to dissolve the district, which includes the Hensonville Hose Company. At that time, Hose No. 1 chief Michael Scarey said the motivation for the dissolution was based in the creation of the fire district, which he said came about to facilitate the formation of a join rescue squad. He said that because there is now a paid ambulance and no rescue squad, there is no reason for the two departments to be fiscally tied to one another. However, the reasoning may now have shifted. The attorney retained by Hose No. 1 recently said his client "believes that its interests in providing fire protection within the area that it covers are not adequately addressed by the fire commissioners." The leadership of the fire company is hoping the fire commissioners and the town board will sit down with them to discuss the issue and negotiate a resolution. The existing fire district has an operating budget of $211,000. Hose No. 1 maintains its headquarters on Main Street in Windham. Hensonville has buildings in Hensonville and Maplecrest. Read the full story in the Wyndham Journal.

Matthew Hamilton and Claire Hughes are reporting at Capitol Confidential the state Health Department announced Wed., Jan. 20, that children and young adults with epilepsy may qualify for investigational studies of the medication Epidiolex, which contains an ingredient found in marijuana. The study will take place in five locations -- three in New York City, one in Rochester and one in Buffalo. Patients aged 1 to 21, who are not responding to conventional anti-epileptic therapy, will be given access to the drug, which has shown promise in previous studies, Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said. Initial enrollment of patients is expected to begin in the next few months. The studies will last a year. Information on the selection criteria and process will be available online at wadsworth [dot] org. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued by the National Weather Service for Dutchess and Ulster counties, and a Winter Storm Watch for counties further south ahead of the major winter storm expected to impact the mid-Atlantic states Jan. 22 into Jan. 23. Greene and Columbia counties and points north, have no warnings at this time, and most weather forecasting models predict the storm far enough out at sea that it will not severely impact the WGXC listening area.

Casey Seiler in Capitol Confidential reports something you don't hear everyday: praise for a New York politician from activist ethics groups. Common Cause New York, Citizens Union, and the New York Public Interest Research Group on Jan. 20 said they liked several plans from Gov. Andrew Cuomo including his proposal to stitch up the LLC loophole and limit lawmakers’ outside income to 15 percent of their base pay. Discussing closing the LLC loophole, Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause said, “We think the language the governor has proposed is strong and clear. … So please note that you can sometimes make good government groups happy.” They weren't so approving, though, on budget transparency. Dick Dadey of Citizens Union, condemned the secret memos of understanding that control discretionary funds. “We have no accountability on how this money is spent after the fact,” he said. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

Rick Karlin in the Albany Times-Union reports that Hudson Valley lawmakers had constituent complaints for the telecommunications officials grilled at a daylong hearing on broadband, cable, and phone access on Jan. 20. The Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; and Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry committees hosted the hearing, and local representatives Didi Barrett, Steve McLaughlin, and Pete Lopez had questions. "This is one of the biggest issues facing us in New York,'' said Troy-area Republican Steve McLaughlin, about internet access. "I have folks that would be happy with 15 mbps." Pete Lopez, a Republican who represents Greene, Schoharie and parts of Ulster and Albany counties, wanted more cell towers in his district. "My region is bereft of cell tower coverage ... How do we fund it?" he said. Didi Barrett, a Democrat who represents Columbia and Dutchess counties, said she can't drive through Columbia County without dropping calls. Read the full story in the Albany Times-Union.

Local weather forecast

Today’s forecast is specific to Cairo, in Greene County:

Today (Martin Luther King Day): Sunny. High near 26. Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 16.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
Saturday: A slight chance of snow after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 25. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around 15.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 32. Sunday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 16.

Sunrise today: 7:17 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:57 p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:40


PUBLIC MEETINGS

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

HUDSON Historic Preservation Commission meeting, 10 a.m., at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Thu., Jan. 21 (7:56). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Katie Kocijanski is reporting in The Daily Mail the proposal to modernize the Northeast Treaters factory was presented at a public hearing, Tue., Jan. 19, at the Edward J. Arthur Elementary School in Athens. The manufacturer of pressure treated lumber is asking the `Greene County Industrial Development Agency to provide a tax break in the form of a seven-year PILOT program for its rebuild. Agency Executive Director Rene Van Schaack said the plant renovation was designed in a way to be the least harmful, and most beneficial to the town. “The IDA will not be making any money off of this project,” Van Schaack said. He said the agency has waived the application fee and is asking only that its legal fees be paid. The company plans to build new structures at its Schoharie Turnpike location, replace old manufacturing equipment and acquire 19 additional acres of land. A brownfield cleanup program facilitated by the Department of Environmental Conservation is also included in the proposal. During the public hearing, former Athens Town Supervisor Lawrence Palmateer said he did not understand how the project would benefit the town of Athens, and said he did not believe the factory deserved a tax break. The IDA Board of Directors meets Thursday morning to consider the input from the public hearing. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Gail Heinsohn is reporting in the Chatham Courier the Chatham school board has approved a written corrective plan created by school officials in response to a district audit by the Office of the New York State Comptroller in October. In that response, the district disputed the comptroller's assertion that the amount of cash held in the reserve fund was excessive. Instead, the district said, the reserves are necessary. The comptroller found Chatham taxpayers paid higher than necessary real estate taxes because school officials overestimated expenditures. It also found the Chatham district's property tax levy was approximately $400,000 more than necessary. This led to accruing reserve funds that nearly doubled, to almost $6 million, in four years. The audit also faulted the district for failing to have a detailed written plan for the reserves. In response to the Comptroller's recommendation that realistic spending estimates be adopted, the board said it builds contingencies into district budgets to allow for unexpected expenses. The district did agree to create a written plan for use of the reserve funds. Heinsohn said, based on the district response to the audit, Chatham taxpayers should not expect any cuts to their school taxes. Read the full story in the Chatham Courier.

Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office said Wed., Jan. 20, that the property tax levy increase for school districts will be capped at 0.12 percent this year. DiNapoli said in a statement, “The nearly zero growth in the tax cap will limit budget options for school and municipal officials as they plan for next year.” DiNapoli said that while some local governments have available reserve funds to bridge the gap in funding, others may have to cut spending to stay under the cap. DiNapoli’s office estimates that the state’s school districts will have roughly $308 million less in levy growth compared to what they had last year. The state Association of School Business Officials called on lawmakers to make changes to the tax cap law. The association suggested the tax cap be tied to a consistent two percent growth rate or the state provide aid that makes up for losses in local revenue. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Bryan Rowzee in the Ravena News-Herald reports that Ravena village officials unanimously issued a resolution urging state officials to not allow the Pilgrim Pipeline to be built. The two proposed parallel pipelines would run from Albany, NY to Linden, NJ. One pipeline would transport crude oil south while the other pipeline would carry refined products north, passing through Ravena, and largely alongside Interstate 87. The resolution from Ravena village officials called on "the New York State Thruway Authority to reject use of its right-of-way for the purpose of transporting oil or gas by pipeline." “We just don't see a benefit in any way, shape or form to having this pipeline run through the middle of our community," said Ravena Mayor William Misuraca. Read the full story in the Ravena News-Herald.

The Ancram Town Board is considering a switch to LED street lights, and holds a public hearing on the issue Thu., Jan. 21. Central Hudson Gas and Electric Company wants the Ancram Town Board to change the town’s 31 street lights from sodium or mercury vapor lights to LEDs, or light emitting diodes. The town could change the street lights individually as they go out over the next 10 years at a cost of $142 for each light or change all the lights now at one time at a cost of $3,500, saving $2,300 in the long run. But some residents at recent town meetings cited articles claiming the blue LED lights were too bright, and impair night vision. Ancram Conservation Advisory Council member and resident Kim Tripp told the board that nocturnal animals interpret the LEDs as daylight, interrupting their life cycles. “This is either a really good idea or a really bad idea,” Supervisor Art Bassin said in December. The Ancram public hearing on the LED lights is at 6:30 p.m., Jan. 21 at the Ancram Town Hall, 1416 County Route 7 in Ancram.

Tyler Kingkade is reporting at the Huffington Post two federal complaints were filed last month alleging Bard College violated gender equity law. The Title IX complaints were filed shortly before the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights began investigating the private institution for potentially mishandling a separate case of sexual violence on campus. Two of the three complaints filed claimed the school did not follow its own policy when disciplining students accused of sexual assault and it did not adequately provide available resources to victims. The third complaint was from current students who say Bard President Leon Botstein made "victim-blaming comments" that undercut the trust in having a proper response to a sexual assault report at the college. One of the women told the Huffington Post, "I'd like the investigation to put pressure on Bard to make its policies more consistent and transparent. I also think President Botstein's role needs to be re-evaluated." The college did not respond to request for comment. Read the full story at the Huffington Post.

Local weather forecast

Today’s forecast is specific to Cairo, in Greene County:

Today (Martin Luther King Day): Mostly sunny. High near 30. Thursday night, mostly clear. Low around 10.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
Friday: Sunny. High near 27. Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 13.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High near 26. Saturday night, a chance of snow., mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 17.

Sunrise today: 7:17 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:55 p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:38


PUBLIC MEETINGS

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

AUSTERLITZ Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 812 Route 203, Spencertown (392-3260).
GREENE COUNTY Industrial Development Agency meeting, 8 a.m. at the IDA office, 270 Mansion St., Coxsackie (731-5500).
GHENT Town Board meeting, 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
STUYVESANT Town Board, Zoning Revision Commission, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Dr., Stuyvesant (758-6248).

Casey Seiler is reporting at Capitol Confidential the Carey Gabay Scholarship Program is now accepting applications. The program will provide full scholarships to five incoming students in four-year programs within the state university system. The first scholarships will be awarded for the upcoming school year, and will cover all costs, including tuition, room and board, college fees, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. The program is named in honor the former aide to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo who died at age 43 after being caught in gunfire in Brooklyn last fall. Carey grew up in public housing in the Bronx, and attended Harvard University and Harvard Law School. At the time of his death, he was first deputy counsel for Empire State Development Corp. The scholarships will be awarded to students, “who exemplify Carey’s commitment to social justice, leadership, and mentoring, as well as his personal story of succeeding academically despite having an economically disadvantaged background,” according to a release from the governor's office. Applications must be submitted by March 15. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Wed., Jan. 20 (5:13). (Produced by Tom Roe.)

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting in The Daily Mail in one of its first acts of the new year, the Coxsackie Town Board has appointed Joseph Warren to fill the vacated town justice seat. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Richard Roberg last fall. Word of Roberg's retirement came after the filing deadline for the recent local elections, so Warren will serve this year and voters will choose Roberg's permanent replacement in November. In other town business, the newly sworn board appointed Michael Veeder deputy town supervisor, set town board salaries, and reappointed Edward Pebler as code enforcement officer and his father, Gordon Pebler, as deputy code enforcement officer. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.