Jay Braman Jr. is reporting in the Daily Freeman the approval process is now complete for the Belleayre (BELL-air) Resort at Catskill Park. The planning boards in Shandaken in Ulster County, and Middletown, in Delaware County, last week gave the final approvals needed for the $365 million project to be built. The resort will straddle the border between the two towns but will be located mostly in Shandaken, next to the Belleayre Resort at Catskill Park. However, the lawsuit filed by the Catskill Heritage Alliance and neighbors of the proposed site against the state Department of Environmental Conservation must first be resolved before construction can begin. The Belleayre proposal was first made public in 1999 and has undergone 16 years of extensive review. The resort will occupy 215 acres of a 739-acre site, and consist of two components: the Highmount Spa and Resort and the Wildacres Resort. Both portions will include hotel units and cabins. The Wildacres Resort, will include an 18-hold golf course, as well. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

The Catskill Town Board holds their monthly committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wed. Jan. 20 at Catskill Town Hall, 439 Main St. will also be available in an online webstream at http://www.townofcatskillny.gov/ and https://wavefarm.org/wgxc/calendar/t6m0s1. WGXC is partnering with the Town of Catskill to present live audio streams of public meetings. Additionally, audio archives from past meetings will be available following the meeting on the WGXC website. More information at http://www.townofcatskillny.gov/

Matthew Hamilton in Capitol Confidential reports that New York's very limited medical marijuana program is now in effect, with four patients purchasing marijuana legally in the area in the past week, one in Albany and three in Kingston. Etain, the company with a Kingston dispensary and another location on North Pearl Street in Albany, said it had sold its “Balance” product, which includes equal levels of THC and CBD, to all four patients. New York just started one of the most restrictive programs in the country, with some suffering from cancer, HIV and AIDS, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy allowed access. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential, a Times-Union blog.

Slate reports a major snowstorm may leave several feet of snow somewhere along the east coast of the United States Saturday. This far out, most of the snow should fall around Maryland and Virginia, but the storm may creep up the coast from there toward Boston, with outlying bands impacting the Hudson Valley. Currently, the National Weather Service in Albany predicts a 60 percent chance of snow Saturday for the WGXC listening area.

A former major league baseball umpire wants to call State Senator Kathleen Marchione (R-Halfmoon) "out" in November. Shaun Francis (D-Wilton) will officially announce a run in the 43rd State Senate District which covers Rensselaer and Columbia counties, and parts of Saratoga and Washington counties next week. Francis, who lives in Saratoga County, became a representative for the Office and Professional Employees International Union after leaving Major League Baseball in 2012. Francis has had a website up since last summer, and will make an official announcement Thu., Jan. 28 with appearances at Mexican Radio in Hudson and the Saratoga Hilton.

Hudson City School District officials are hoping voters approve $19.9 million in improvements on buildings, athletic fields and other facilities on Feb. 9. The school's website says that if the capital projects are passed by voters, "The local property taxes are estimated to increase by approximately 6 to 16 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, equaling 6 to 16 dollars per year for a home valued at $100,000 (dependent on STAR exemption)." The campaigning for the projects begins Jan. 20, with a series of public forums. School officials will present plans at three 6 p.m. sessions (others are Jan. 27 and Feb. 3) in the John L. Edwards Primary School cafeteria.

Local weather forecast

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

Today (Martin Luther King Day): Isolated snow showers before 9 a.m., then scattered flurries between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Mostly sunny. High near 30. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Wednesday night, a chance of flurries before midnight, then isolated snow showers between midnight and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 17. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 29. Thursday night, mostly clear. Low around 11.(br) Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 29. Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 16

Sunrise today: 7:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:54 p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:36


PUBLIC MEETINGS

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

CATSKILL Central School District Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. at high school, 341 Main St., Catskill (943-4696).
CATSKILL Town Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill (943-2141).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Human Services Committee meeting, 5 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature regular meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Planning Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.; both at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON< Zoning Board of Appeals meeting (tentative), 6 p.m., at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
STUYVESANT Zoning Revision Committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Dr., Stuyvesant (758-6248).
TACONIC HILLS Board of Education meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Central Office boardroom, 73 Co. Rte. 11A, Craryville (325-2800).

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Tue., Jan. 19 (7:01). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail plans for the town of New Baltimore’s $2.6 million sewer plant upgrade are moving forward. The town has now qualified to receive project financing from the state Environmental Facilities Corporation, the funding arm of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Because of the town's poverty rate, it will receive a zero interest, long-term loan from the corporation instead of a grant. Short-term interim financing is expected to come through in the fall, and the project design and approvals would happen during the winter of 2016-17. If all goes according to play, the project would be completed in late 2017, or early 2018. A public hearing on the proposal will be held next Mon., Jan. 25, at town hall. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Diane Valden is reporting in the Columbia Paper Habitat for Humanity is interested in three properties located in the center of the hamlet of Ancram for renovation as affordable housing. The buildings would be sold to local families with mortgages held by Habitat. Representatives of the organization have visited the properties multiple times and are proposing a $12,000 architectural and engineering study to determine the feasibility of the projects. Habitat has asked the community to fund half of the project, for $6,000. At its January meeting, the town board authorized town supervisor Art Bassin to use the Ancram email list to raise the funds needed through donations. The projects are in the early stages of analysis and there is no guarantee they will actually come to fruition, Bassin said. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

William J. Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. wants to recoup the cost of restoring power during a 2014 snowstorm by charging customers higher rates. The outage affected 45,000 customers. The Poughkeepsie-based utility is seeking approval from the state Public Service Commission to collect nearly $5.3 million from ratepayers. Central Hudson has not said what the impact on individual ratepayers would be. The company said the storm resulted in nearly $800,000 in overtime costs and more than $336,000 in additional pay for managers. Central Hudson contends its acquisition by the Canadian company Fortis left it without a reserve sufficient to deal with large storms. The matter will be reviewed by the Public Service Commission at its meeting Thu., Jan. 21. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

A Wind Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service in Albany from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue., Jan. 19. All of Albany, Rensselaer, and Schoharie counties are included, and Western Greene County and Eastern Columbia County. Winds from 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts up to 50 mph possible.

The Daily Star is reporting Fordham law professor Zephyr Teachout has received the endorsement of the Democratic committee chairs in the 19th Congressional District in her bid for the seat currently held by Kinderhook Republican Chris Gibson. Gibson will not seek reelection in November. Teachout said in an online post over the weekend that she will soon announce her intentions. Teachout said she is “incredibly honored” by Democratic leaders urging her to run and “will be making a decision within the next week.” The Poughkeepsie Journal reported prior to making their decision, party leaders interviewed four Democrats at a closed-door meeting held in Hudson, Sat., Jan. 16. In a press release, Duchess County Chair Elisa Sumner said, "The chairs were impressed with the qualifications and commitment to public service shown by all four and would be proud to have any one of them represent us in Washington.” In addition to Teachout, the group heard from Margo Miller, a Dutchess County native who has been living in England; Will Yandik, a Livingston Town Board member and fourth-generation co-owner of a family farm; and, attorney Julian Schreibman from Ulster Co. Schreibman unsuccessfully ran against Gibson in 2012. In addition to those four, Dan Ahouse, chief of staff to former Rep. Maurice Hinchey has also indicated an interest in running. Candidate Ulster County Controller Elliot Auerbach, did not make a presentation on Saturday. And John Keho Jr., who declared his candidacy in June, has not reached out to the party for support. Teachout challenged Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary in 2014, carrying all 11 counties in the 19th District. She now has a home in Dover Plains.

Roger Hannigan Gilson is reporting in the Register-Star the newly established police team with jurisdiction over Columbia and Greene counties has been awarded two grants from the Department of Homeland Security totaling $250,000. The intended purpose of the grants is to allow the unit to "better respond to active shooters and other disasters." The Shared Services Response Team, as the unit is known, has conducted a variety of raids since it was officially launched last summer. The team is made up of members of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Greene County Sheriff's Office and the Hudson Police Department. The grants awarded are meant to strengthen anti-terrorism programs, enhance disaster readiness and expand protections to critical infrastructure, according to the governor's office. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Local weather forecast

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

Today (Martin Luther King Day): A slight chance of snow showers before 9 a.m., then a slight chance of snow showers after 11 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 23. Wind chill as low as -2. Blustery, with a northwest wind 14 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Tuesday night, partly cloudy. Low around 17. Blustery, with a northwest wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 30. Wednesday night, a slight chance of snow showers before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 17.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 29. Thursday night, mostly clear. Low around 11.(br)
Sunrise today: 7:19 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:51 p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:34


PUBLIC MEETINGS

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

COLUMBIA County Board of Supervisors .1 [point one] Committee meeting, 2 p.m.; Health and Medical Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m.; both at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
COLUMBIA Economic Development Corporation Loan Committee meeting, 1 p.m., 4303 Route 9, Hudson (828-4718). DURHAM Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
GERMANTOWN Town Board meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Rd., Germantown (537-6687). GREENE County Legislature Economic Development and Tourism, Government Operations and Finance committee meetings, plus Republican and Democratic caucuses, 6 p.m. at Caucus Room, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270). HUDSON Common Council Finance Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m.; Economic Development Committee meeting, 6 p.m.; Formal Common Council meeting, 7 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville (589-6150).
PHILMONT Planning Board meeting (tentative), 7 p.m., Philmont Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
TAGHKANIC Planning Board workshop meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, Route 82, West Taghkanic (851-7638).

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Mon., Jan. 18 (6:31). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Daily Freeman has a rundown of how various services are affected.

Amtrak: Holiday schedule
Banks: Closed
County offices: Closed
Federal offices: Closed
Financial markets: Closed
Greene County Transit: No service
Metro-North: Saturday schedule, enhanced with 35 additional trains
Mail delivery: None
Schools: Closed
State offices: Closed
Trailways: Regular schedule

Some of the stories that made the news from Fri., Jan. 15 through Sun., Jan. 17

Chris Bragg reported at Capitol Confidential an outside spending group was formed last week to support Republican Chris Gibson, who is mulling a gubernatorial run in 2018. Empower New Yorkers heavily features Gibson, who currently holds the 19th Congressional District seat, on its new website. In its mission statement, the group says it supports "people like Chris Gibson who are leading on the challenges of our time...Economic prosperity. Government reforms. Protecting personal freedoms....New Yorkers deserve to know more about citizen servants like Chris from its diverse communities ready to help revitalize our state.” The group also has a Twitter account and a Facebook page. Empower New Yorkers does not disclose online much information about its backers. However, in the state Board of Elections filings the group listed Cabell Hobbs of Arlington, Virginia as its treasurer.

John Mason reported in the Register-Star that Columbia County Planning and Economic Development Commissioner Ken Flood is, “moving on sometime in midsummer.” Flood said Jan. 18 that he has not decided what he will do next, but his wife is retiring from the Schodack Central School District this year. Flood was hired by then-Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Art Bear in 2008.

Keshia Clukey reported at Politico New York New York State Allies for Public Education is now hoping to have a say in the makeup of the New York State Board of Regents. The group made public last week its support for Regents board member Betty Rosa as the board's next chancellor, and board member Beverly Ouderkirk as the next vice chancellor. Rosa represents the Bronx; Ouderkirk, the North Country. Two seats will be open on the 17-member board this year as incumbent chancellor Merryl Tisch and vice chancellor Tony Bottar have said they will not seek re-election. New York State Allies for Public Education is a coalition of more than 50 grassroots parents and educator groups statewide. The efforts of its parent-led coalition resulted in the one of the nation's highest test refusal rates last spring.

Emilia Teasdale reported in the Columbia Paper the Chatham Town Board on January 7, appointed John Wapner to fill an open seat on the board for one year. Wapner will fill the vacancy created when board member Maria Lull was elected supervisor. Wagner must run for election in November If he wants to fill out the remainder of Lull's term, through the end of 2017. In addition to Wapner, the board also interviewed Julia Veronezi and Wayne Coe for the position. Wapner is a clinical psychologist and served as president of the Chatham Board of Education for a number of years. He is the consulting psychologist for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, and has a contract with the health care wing of the state Department of Civil Service. He also maintains a private practice at his home in Old Chatham. Wapner is a not registered with any political party. Wapner said he was thrilled to be chosen. "I'm going to work hard," he said.

John Mason reported in the Register-Star Assembly member Didi Barrett, announced in a press release Fri., Jan. 15, that she is not a candidate for the 19th Congressional District seat, which includes Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer and Dutchess counties, and parts or all of seven other counties, as well. Barrett was among 10 candidates reportedly under consideration by the district's 11 county Democratic leaders. Barrett said, “I am honored and humbled to have been asked and encouraged to run and I am truly flattered that after less than four years in office, I have been recognized as an effective public servant who could successfully represent the sprawling 11-county district in the U.S. Congress," she said.

Charlie Holmes reported in The Daily Mail that Catskill joined Athens and Coxsackie in sending a second round of letters to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation asking the DEC to head the environmental review of the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline project, rather then share the regulation with the Thruway Authority. “We have sent our letter in asking that the DEC, as we had originally requested, maintain sole lead,” Catskill Town Supervisor Doreen Davis said. In November, the New York State Thruway Authority proposed that the Thruway Authority be the lead agency, then the DEC proposed the two share jurisdiction. Iris Bloom, a Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipelines organizer, said 29 other towns also sent letters asking for the DEC to decide on the environmental issues.

Melanie Lekocevic reported in The Daily Mail the town of Athens has sworn in a new slate of town officials. Republican Robert Butler last week took the oath of office, beginning his first term as Athens town supervisor. Butler replaces Joseph Iraci, who chose not to run for a second term. Three council members and several other town officials were also sworn in, all but one of them Republicans. All officials were sworn in by Town Justice Connie Pazin.

Local weather forecast

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

Today (Martin Luther King Day): A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 23. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Monday night, a chance of snow showers, mainly before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -2. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
Tuesday: A slight chance of snow showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 23. Tuesday night, partly cloudy. Low around 17.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 30. Wednesday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 16.

Sunrise today: 7:19 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:52 p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:32


PUBLIC MEETINGS

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

ATHENS Town meeting, 6:45 p.m. at Community Center, 2 First Street, Athens (945-1052).
AUSTERLITZ Comprehensive plan meeting, 7 p.m. at 812 Route 203, Austerlitz (392-3260).
CAIRO Town Board special meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
GREENVILLE Town Board special meeting, 6 p.m. at Town Offices, corner of routes 32 and 81, Greenville (966-5055).

Some of the guests and special shows on WGXC 90.7-FM this week:

• On "The Albany Report" Mon., Jan. 18 at 10 a.m., the Governor's ethics proposals are discussed, and David Little, Executive Director of the Rural Schools Association of New York State reacts to the Governor's State of the State address and budget. Former state Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk hosts.

• Johannes Fricke, independent curator and son of the late Florian Fricke of the band Popol Vuh, discusses their music on the "Experimental Composers" show from Clocktower Radio, at 1 a.m. Thu., Jan. 21.

• Marc Epstein, historian and jazz activist joins host Rob Saffer on "Overlooked," at 7 p.m., Thu., Jan. 21.

• Patrick Kiley, Franzy Lamprecht, Carl Skoggard, and Rebecca Wolff are in the Wave Farm Study Center for a conversation in conjunction with Skoggard's recently published translations of Walter Benjamin's little-known sonnets on the "Saturday Afternoon Show" 4-6 p.m., Sat., Jan. 23.