Michael DeMasi reports in The Albany Business Review that the Albany Times-Union newspaper is offering buyouts. Announced in a staff memo Sept. 28, the buyouts are available to all of the paper's employees, who get two weeks pay for every year of service, with a minimum of 15 weeks and maximum of 52 weeks. "We do not like to see any more positions cut as our members are doing more and more work with pay that has been stagnant for eight years,” Guild President Tim O’Brien said in a posting on the union website. “On the other hand, we would much rather see employees leave voluntarily with cash in their pocket and health care coverage.” Read the full story in The Albany Business Review.

Matthew Hamilton reports for Capitol Confidential that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed two agriculture-related bills Sept. 25, one making mushrooms a state crop, and another protecting consumers from imitation birch and walnut syrups. “Actively managed log-grown woodland mushrooms” now fall under the state’s definition of “crops, livestock and livestock products,” under the bill. The other agriculture-related act now makes it illegal to produce imitation birch or walnut syrups without labeling all ingredients. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential, a Times-Union blog.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 63F; Low 644F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 67F; Low 46F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

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

A Flood Watch remains in effect through Thursday morning, Oct. 1, for all of east central New York and western New England. Heavy rainfall will continue to fall across the area into Wednesday morning before weakening to light rain Wednesday afternoon. Rainfall rates could exceed an inch per hour at times this morning. Total rainfall amounts of two to four inches are still expected at this time. Locally higher amounts are possible where bands of heavy rain move across the same areas.

Today: Rain, mainly before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers after 2 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature will fall to around 60 by 5 p.m. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Wednesday night, a chance of showers, mainly before 8 p.m. Cloudy. Low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Forecast for the next two days:
Thursday: A slight chance of showers before 9 a.m., then a slight chance of showers after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 58. Thursday night, a chance of rain, mainly after 2 a.m. Cloudy. Low around 45.
Friday: A chance of rain. Cloudy. High near 55. Friday night, rain likely. Cloudy. Low around 46.

Sunrise today: 6:52 a.m.
Sunset today: 6:38 p.m.
Length of the day: 11:46

Public meetings
Today is the fifth Wednesday of the month.
WGXC is unaware of any recurring public meetings scheduled for today.

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

FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly, the leading critic of the commission's recent decision to cut back spending on the enforcement division, and someone who is very close with the National Association of Broadcasters lobbyists, sounded another warning about the microradio menace with the Sept. 24 release of "A Draft Pirate Radio Policy and Enforcement Statement." The statement lacks any specifics, and instead restates the need for FCC action on the issue.

The Commission reiterates our firm position, as articulated in the Communications Act and Commission rules, that unauthorized broadcast operations within the FM and AM radio broadcast bands – often referred to as pirate radio broadcasting – is strictly prohibited and subject to enforcement measures. Violations are not to be taken lightly, as the harmful interference caused by pirate operations sabotages licensed broadcasters serving their communities and puts the valuable public safety contributions of these stations in jeopardy to the detriment of the American people who count on them, including diverse and underserved populations.

Further, the Commission makes clear that it intends to enact a vigorous campaign of enforcement activities to disrupt and permanently terminate all pirate radio stations that are in operation today and prevent those that may attempt to come online in the future. We will collaborate with federal and state law enforcement authorities, as needed, to enhance and complement our enforcement operations. Our effort will include an education component for those entities that may knowingly or unknowingly assist pirate radio operations in any capacity, including building owners and managers, national and local campaigns for political office, media advertisers, radio programming suppliers, concert promoters and venue operators, and equipment manufacturers and importers. All interested parties should be on notice that facilitating pirate radio broadcasting will not be tolerated, and may be subject to enforcement or legal actions, as permitted under law. Accordingly, we seek full cooperation by anyone who may have relevant information to help identify, locate, and take action against the operators and owners of pirate radio stations.

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Tue., Sept. 29 (8:05). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

https://data.wavefarm.org/r/60/b6/fh/WGXC%20DailyNews09292015.mp3

Julia Reischel is reporting at the Watershed Post a 3.0 magnitude earthquake shook Schoharie County Sat., Sept. 26. The quake did not damage the Gilboa Dam or the New York Power Authority's Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project, officials said. The earthquake's epicenter was in the town of North Blenheim. Steven Gosset, a spokesman from the New York Power Authority, issued a statement saying that the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project was inspected after the earthquake and no problems were found. The nearby Gilboa Dam, which is operated by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, was also inspected after the earthquake and found to be trouble-free, according to a department spokesman. The earthquake was felt by people up to 30 miles away, as far as Howes Cave in Schoharie County, Roxbury in Delaware County and Durham in Greene County. Read the full story at Watershed Post.

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail the Greene County Legislature has approved the final installment of its program to relieve towns of college chargeback payments. Until this program was implemented in 2011, payments were made by a student's home location exclusively when the student was enrolled in a community college outside of Greene County. Columbia-Greene Community College President James Campion explained, “If...someone from Greene County attends Ulster County Community College, Ulster County Community College then bills the cost back to Greene County, and that represents Greene County’s share of the student’s cost of attendance.” That cost is split three ways -- between the state, the county and the student. Since 2011, Greene county has assumed responsibility for a portion of the chargeback payments. Beginning Jan. 1, the county will be responsible for the full amount. Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said Mon., Sept. 28, the full annual cost of the chargebacks is approximately $700,000. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

DOWNLOAD the full audio version of this report.

https://data.wavefarm.org/r/0g/71/mn/PNS_ConservationFundShowdown_20150928.mp3

Andrea Sears is reporting for Public News Service a federal conservation program that doesn't cost taxpayers a dime may expire on Wednesday if Congress doesn't act to reauthorize it. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been around for 50 years. And according to Jessica Ottney Mahar [OTT-nee ma-HAR], director of government relations for The Nature Conservancy of New York, the program has helped communities by funding projects across the country and here in New York. "Neighborhood parks and playgrounds, to the protection of historic sites, to cooperative working forests, places where people can hunt and fish and hike and recreate with their families," she points out. Since 1965, using only money from federal offshore oil and gas revenues, the fund has provided almost $320 million in New York state alone, funding more than 1,300 projects from Long Island to Buffalo. Nationally, the total is more than $16 billion. But Ottney Mahar says the whole revenue-neutral arrangement is now in jeopardy. "It's a grand bargain that was struck between the concept of resource extraction and resource protection, and that link is at risk by a failure to reauthorize," she explains. Ottney Mahar says she doesn't see the fund as controversial, noting that it has broad bipartisan support. If the fund does expire on Wednesday, Congress may vote to reauthorize it at a later date. To Ottney Mahar, that's just too much of a gamble. "Once we've lost that authorization, we don't know if we'll get it back,” she states. “And after 50 years of producing success it's just amazing that we would let that go." The Nature Conservancy says with extreme weather events and rising sea levels due to global climate change, resources from the Land and Water Conservation Fund could be more important than ever.

The Register-Star is reporting the Claverack Democratic Committee announced recently it endorsed two candidates for town board at its caucus last month. Incumbent town board member Katy Cashen and newcomer Dave Baylen were chosen to fill two open seats on the board, each carrying a four-year term. At the caucus, Cashen was recognized for her work to date, and as the only woman and the only Democrat currently serving. Cashen's recent achievements include spearheading town negotiations with Mid-Hudson Cable to extend Internet coverage in the area. Baylen is a retired technology director and industrial arts teacher. He serves on the technology and communications committees of the Claverack Library and has extensive experience in public service. In November Cashen and Baylen will face incumbent Bill Gerlach and Maryanne Lee, both endorsed by the Claverack Republicans. The Claverack Democrats will hold a candidate meet and greet event Thu., Oct. 1, at the Vanderbilt House in Philmont. In Ghent, incumbent Richard Sardo is seeking his second term on the town board. He has received the endorsement of the Conservative Party. Sardo said he prides himself on a perfect meeting attendance record and is satisfied with his voting record. That record includes supporting the Ginsberg's Food expansion project and opposition to possible eminent domain efforts on the power line and airport issues. Sardo has imposed a two-term limit on himself because “eight years is long enough for any person to serve in one political office.” The general election is Tue., Nov. 3. Read both stories in the Register-Star.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting in The Daily Mail the Coxsackie Republicans held their caucus early last week and endorsed a full slate of candidates for the November town elections. Incumbent town supervisor Rick Hanse is at the top of the ticket. He is seeking a second term. Hanse, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was first elected supervisor two years ago replacing Democrat Alex Betke. The caucus also endorsed incumbents Thomas Hobart and Michael Veeder for two, four-year seats on the town board. Political newcomer Ted Ferenczy was endorsed to fill the one, two-year position open on the board. That vacancy was created by the mid-term resignation of Jeffery Lewis. The caucus also chose retired educator Wanda Dorpfeld for town justice; Harry Albright for town highway superintendent; Bambi Hotaling for town clerk; and, Valerie Murphy for tax collector. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 80F; Low 61F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 77F; Low 61F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

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

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Flood Watch beginning Tuesday (Sept. 29) evening through Thursday (Oct. 1) morning, for east central New York, western Massachusetts, southern Vermont and northwestern Connecticut. Heavy rainfall is expected to impact the area through Wed., Sept. 30. Rainfall rates could exceed an inch per hour at times. Embedded isolated thunderstorms are possible Tuesday afternoon and evening, which may enhance rainfall rates. A total rainfall of two to four inches is forecast.

Today: A chance of showers, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. High near 77. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Tuesday night, rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between one and two inches possible.

Forecast for the next two days:
Wednesday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 65. Wednesday night, rain likely before 8 p.m., then showers likely, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Cloudy. Low around 48.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Cloudy. High near 58. Thursday night, a chance of rain. Cloudy. Low around 46.

Sunrise today: 6:50 a.m.
Sunset today: 6:40 p.m.
Length of the day: 11:49

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

CANAAN Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1647 Co. Rte. 5, Canaan (781-3144).

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

pic.twitter.com/4jEnFbQgAT

— Dronestream (@dronestream) September 27, 2015

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Mon., Sept. 28 (5:59). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

https://data.wavefarm.org/r/1a/vb/2z/WeekendinReview28092015.mp3

Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Sept. 25 through Sun., Sept. 27

Claire Hughes reported in the Times Union Columbia Memorial Hospital has asked the state Health Department to approve a plan to make Albany Medical Center its parent and co-operator. A review committee has recommended the plan be approved. The final say rests with the state Public Health and Health Planning Council, which will consider the proposal at its Oct. 8 meeting. The Hudson-based hospital argues the change would make the delivery of health services more efficient and stable in the region, while also saving costs. Columbia Memorial lost $2.2 million in 2013, more than $500,000 in 2014 and nearly $400,000 in the first half of 2015. Hospital officials are keeping mum on the proposal until after the Oct. 8 meeting.

There is roadwork on Route 23 on both sides of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge planned this week. 511NY.com reports construction in both directions at Route 23 and NY 9G beginning Oct. 2, with various lane closures. Signs are also up in Greene County along Route 23, warning that repaving projects begin again this week, with lane closures at times.

Jim Planck reported in The Daily Mail the Ulster County legislator who allegedly got into an altercation with a Hunter-Tannersville Central School art teacher last week in Kaaterskill Clove was charged by the state police, Fri., Sept. 25. Christopher Allen, 47, of Saugerties, was charged with third-degree assault and arraigned before Hunter town justice William Simon. Allen was released on his own recognizance to come before the court at a later date. The arrest stems from a Sept. 18 dispute that took place at a parking area off state Route 23A. HTC Director of Art Education Ritamary Montano-Vining had accompanied a group of students to a swimming hole parking lot to clean up the site and paint over graffiti. The incident began when Allen went to park his car in the lot, but found some supplies in his way. Montano-Vining has said Allen became belligerent when she attempted to explain that he could not park there because of the ongoing work. Allen has repeatedly denied the accusations, saying Montano-Vining wanted to discredit him and ruin his political career. Allen, a Democrat, is serving his first term as an Ulster County legislator and is seeking re-election in November. No date was announced for Allen's next court appearance.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 78F; Low 58F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 77F; Low 61F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

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

Today: Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers after noon. High near 77. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Monday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Forecast for the next two days:
Tuesday: A chance of showers. Cloudy. High near 76. Tuesday night, showers likely. Cloudy Low around 58.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 65. Wednesday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 49.

Sunrise today: 6:49 a.m.
Sunset today: 6:41 p.m.
Length of the day: 11:52

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

CATSKILL Village Board meeting, 7 p.m. at firehouse near Catskill Commons (Walmart) (943-3830).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Insurance Committee, 12 p.m. (noon); .1 [point one] Committee, 1 p.m.; Finance Committee, 1:30 p.m.; Environmental Management Council, 7 p.m., all at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
GERMANTOWN Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Rd., Germantown (537-6687).
HALCOTT Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 813 Route 3, Halcott Center (845-254-9920).
HUDSON City School District Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. at Hudson High School library, 215 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson (828-4360).
HUDSON Common Council Fire Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m., Police Committee meeting, 6 p.m., City Hall, 520 Warren St., Hudson (828-1030).
NEW BALTIMORE Town Board work meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 3809 Co. Route. 51, Hannacroix (756-6671).
PHILMONT Development Corp meeting, 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
STUYVESANT Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).
TAGHKANIC Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 909 Route 82, Taghkanic (851-7638).

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

Kyle Wiens reports at Wired that mesh networks in communities all over the world may be in danger from an unnoticed line of regulations from the Federal Communications Commission. In March, 2014 the FCC updated requirements for U-NII devices using 5 Ghz bandwidth that includes many Wi-Fi devices and routers. It took over a year for anyone to notice a bit of regulatory language that might affect the open source community:

“Manufacturers must implement security features in any digitally modulated devices capable of operating in any of the U-NII bands, so that third parties are not able to reprogram the device to operate outside the parameters for which the device was certified.”

There is roadwork on Route 23 on both sides of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge this week. 511NY.com reports construction in both directions at Route 23 and NY 9G beginning Oct. 2, with various lane closures. Signs are also up in Greene County along Route 23, warning that repaving projects begin again this week, with lane closures at times.

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

Nia Hamm at Public News Service reports that New York state education officials are hoping a 10-day stretch of public hearings will give them the input they need for a big turnaround at 62 struggling New York City schools. The schools are part of a larger list of failing schools in the state that, under a new law, could be taken over by outside managers if they don't improve soon. Marina Marcou-O'Malley, policy director for the Alliance for Quality Education of New York, said her organization was never in favor of the so-called "receivership" legislation, but added that she's hopeful more community involvement can spur action on such issues as chronic school underfunding. "All of these schools are located in low-income areas, in areas that have low-income students, high-need students that require a number of different programs and a lot of resources," she said. "The state has never adequately funded these schools." The receivership legislation, passed earlier this year, gives 144 failing schools one year to show improvement or face being taken over by an outside manager. The schools all rank in the bottom 5 percent of state schools in terms of academic performance. Lisa Rudley, co-founder of Allies for Public Education, said she doesn't think the receivership program is the answer. She agreed that underfunding is a huge issue, but said socioeconomic issues also are hurting many failing schools - which are in need of additional assistance the new law doesn't address. "Community schools, where they have health services, their children are able to have more after-school programs," she said. "I mean, don't forget - in New York state, there has been a budget crisis across all school districts." Under the new law, failing schools must post gains at the end of a year, some even sooner, or they will be taken over by a receiver who will restructure the school. The state has set aside $75 million for the 144 New York schools affected by the receivership program. Information about the receivership legislation is online at governor.ny.gov.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., Sept. 27. PLAY AUDIO (2:55)

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Acra, in Greene County.

• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67, a low around 51.

• Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a 40 percent chance of showes, with a high near 69, and a low around 56.

• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.

Sunrise 6:47 a.m.
Sunset 6:45 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 5:57 P.M. 4:47 A.M.
Mercury 7:38 A.M. 6:45 P.M.
Venus 3:22 A.M. 4:47 P.M.
Mars 4:00 A.M. 5:37 P.M.
Jupiter 4:48 A.M. 5:56 P.M.
Saturn 11:38 A.M. 9:21 P.M.
Uranus 7:17 P.M. 8:15 A.M.
Neptune 5:44 P.M. 4:43 A.M.
Pluto 2:48 P.M. 12:14 A.M.

Rick Karlin reports that Governor Andrew Cuomo released some details of his broadband expansion plan that aims to spend $500 million to insure broadband at speeds of at least 100 Mbps in most places, and 25 Mbps in the most remote underserved and unserved parts of New York. Cuomo made a Request for Information through the New York State Broadband Program Office’s website with responses due by Oct. 30. Respondents may download the Request for Information at nysbroadband.ny.gov/new-ny-rfi and email their responses to NYSBroadband@esd.ny.gov. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential.

Preview of “new-ny-broadband-rfi.pdf”.pdf