Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail following a lengthy review, the Hunter Town Board Tue., Feb. 17, denied a request by the Machne Tashbar summer religious retreat and camp to create its own, private wastewater plant and collection system. Machne Tashbar, formerly Antonio's resort, is a 6.9-acre parcel located at 57 Dale Lane, in Platte Clove. The application to incorporate included the five-acre former Redcoat's Return property located across the street. The board's denial of the application was based on 10 legal points, including the opinion that the proposal was not consistent with the town's comprehensive plan and the resorts to be consolidated did not constitute a community center. The board was also discouraged by the high number of violations for the existing plant. In its resolution the board noted the system (if created) would not lessen the burdens of government, and "eventually become a burden on town taxpayers." Read the full story The Daily Mail.

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star the Hudson Common Council will not have the right to pick its own attorney, at least for now. At a meeting of the full Council Tue., Feb. 17, a resolution to override Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr.'s January veto of a council resolution to fund the position was taken off the aldermen's desks. In January the council authorized the city treasurer to allocate $15,000 for a Common Council legal advisor. Three days later, the mayor vetoed the resolution. On Feb. 10, steps were taken to begin the process to override the veto. On Tuesday, Council President Don Moore, a proponent of the override, tried to postpone the vote, but city attorney Carl Whitbeck Jr. said the law was clear -- if the vote was not taken that night the veto would stand. Calling the matter a significant issue, Moore vowed to resurrect the proposal, saying a new resolution would eventually be put forward again. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Casey Seiler is reporting at Capitol Confidential Assembly member Barbara Clark has introduced a bill that would amend legislative law to ban a measure from being introduced with a short title that contains a person’s name. The bill’s justification memo calls the practice of naming bills after people, usually those who have experienced tragedy, exploitative and unnecessary. The sort of bill titles the measure would undo include Buster’s Law, named after a Schenectady tabby cat who was set on fire. The bill popularly known as Leandra’s Law, which toughened penalties for drunk drivers who have a minor in the car, was actually called the Child Passenger Protection Act. Read the full post at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

[caption width="134" align="alignleft"] Martin Reid, from Rensselaer County Legislature website.[/caption][caption width="134" align="alignright"]Steve McLaughlin, from State Assembly website.[/caption]The Albany Times-Union reports that Martin Reid, the chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature, no longer works for Republican Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin. Last month by the Times-Union’s Brendan Lyons reported that a state administrative law judge concluded that Reid, “willfully and intentionally misrepresented the facts” when he collected more than $15,000 in state unemployment benefits in 2013 while making $30,000 a year from the county. Reid began working in July as a part-time legislative assistant for McLaughlin -- who represents parts of Columbia and Rensselear counties -- and left the payroll Jan. 28. McLaughlin has been a torrid Twitter critic of Albany corruption, tweeting recently after one scandal that, "The standard of acceptable behavior should be more than 'he hasn't been convicted' for Assembly Dems." The story says, "In a brief interview, McLaughlin said Reid’s 'assignment ended,' and declined to comment further." Read the full story in the Albany Times-Union.

Scott Waldman reports in Capital New York that a proposed wind farm near Ithaca will be the first community-owned wind farm in the state. Marguerite Wells, an organic flower farmer, there has raised more than $1 million to build seven 475-foot turbines on a hillside to be called the Black Oak Wind Farm. “This is a way we're getting it done without any changes in legisation,” the 37-year-old Enfield resident said. “It's just regular people doing something they want to happen. It's just democracy by dollars.” Cornell University will purchase the power produced by the wind farm and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will purchase renewable energy credits. “We see this as a model for considering in terms of its replicability for New York,” Doreen Harris, senior project manager of NYSERDA said. Black Oak would produce 12 megawatts, enough power for about 5,000 homes, and cost $40 million. Enfield's average wind speeds of 17 m.p.h. are better than other state wind farms that have average wind speeds of 14 m.p.h. Read the ful story in Capital New York.

[caption width="230" align="alignleft"] From Wikipedia.[/caption]The Associated Press in The Daily Freeman reports that a Hudson Valley researcher says ticks that carry Lyme disease are emerging earlier in spring and spreading into new geographic regions, a trend that corresponds with climate warming trends. Biologist Richard Ostfeld at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook in Dutchess County says that two decades of data shows nymphal ticks emerging as much as three weeks earlier in the Hudson Valley each spring. Ostfeld co-authored a study with Taal Levi of Oregon State University published this week in the journal “Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.” Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 16F; low -6F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 16F; low -7F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

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 Catskill, in Greene County:

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for the WGXC listening area, including the greater Capital Region, Mid-Hudson Valley, the Taconics and Berkshires, from 10 p.m., Thu., Feb. 19 to 9 a.m., Fri., Feb. 20. Dangerously low wind chill values are possible, with the lowest values around sunrise Friday. West winds of 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph and temperatures of zero to 10 in most areas are possible.

Today: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 16. Wind chill values as low as -3. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Wednesday night, Mostly cloudy. Low around -6. Wind chill values as low as -20.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 13. Wind chill values as low as -21. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around -6.
Saturday: A chance of light snow after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 26. Saturday night, snow. Low around 22.
Sunday: Snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain and sleet before noon, then rain and snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain. Cloudy. High near 36. Sunday night, a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 16.

Sunrise today: 6:44 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:33 p.m.
Length of the day: 10:48 hrs.

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.)

ANCRAM Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. in Town Hall at 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
CHATHAM Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. Town Hall, 488 State Route 295, Chatham (392-3262).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee meeting, 5 p.m. at 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Land Use Review Committee meeting, 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
COXSACKIE-ATHENS Board of Education meeting, 6:30 p.m. at middle/high school, 24 Sunset Blvd., Coxsackie (731-1800).
DURHAM Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. in Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-6122).
GHENT Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Ghent Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
HUDSON Economic Development Committee, 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
KINDERHOOK Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
WINDHAM Town Board meeting, 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
For WGXC Winter 2015 Pledge Drive: Day 8 WGXC's winter pledge drive began Thu., Feb. 12, and will culminate in a celebration of the station's four years of diverse voices and adventurous sounds on the the FM dial, Feb. 28. Tune in throughout the drive for a full slate of remote broadcasts, and turn out for special events in Greene and Columbia counties.

1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Ryuichi Sakamoton Episode 969 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 969. Rescheduled from night before.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Local news, weather, events, music and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio. Hosted by Michelle Lewis.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. National, daily, independent, award-winning news program providing audiences with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: We the People: Greg Mosley Interview with Greg Mosley, Operation Unite President and director of the new minority police initiative, a program designed to bring diversify to local law enforcement agencies. The program is a joint effort between local governments and the Galvan Foundation. Mosley is a retired New York state trooper. The conversation was recorded in the WGXC Hudson Studio, Tue., Feb. 10. Plus, commentary and news updates, and the For WGXC! Pledge Drive continues. Hosted by Tom DePietro.
11 a.m.: One Size Fits All: For WGXC! Pledge Drive Edition An hour-long investigation into the idea of amplified sound. We hope to encourage carefree offerings of needed cash by beginning with Laura Veirs and concluding with Mirah. Full playlist found at www.Facebook.com/OneSizeWGXC. Produced by Your Host.
2 p.m.: TBA: Allen Shawn American composer, pianist, educator, and author Allen Shawn discusses his life and work. Shawn is the composer of various orchestral works, chamber and choral music. He is the son of the late "The New Yorker" editor William Shawn and the brother of the actor and playwright Wallace Shawn. Shawn received a bachelor's degree from Harvard University, and a masters from Columbia University. He also studied with French composer and conductor Nadia Boulanger. (Wikipedia) Shawn currently teaches at Bennington College. Produced by Pierce Huff.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: The Path of 90.7-FM A special pledge-drive edition of "Radio Theatre" follows the path of sound as it enters the Acra and Hudson studios, travels in seconds by a webstream to a computer server on the west coast and back to the WGXC transmitter in Cairo.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Live from DA|BA A special pledge-drive edition live from DA|BA restaurant in Hudson, NY. Stop by and clink glasses with hosts Ellen Thurston and Tom DePietro.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News One-hour For WGXC! Pledge Drive edition. Live from the DA|BA restaurant in Hudson.

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail the Catskill Housing Authority has been awarded $114,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The agency operates the 80-unit affordable housing residence at Hop-O-Nose, in Catskill. U.S. senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the funding as part of an eight-county award to housing authorities in the Capital District region. The funding comes from HUD’s Capital Fund Program for addressing infrastructure and maintenance needs. Housing Authority Executive Director Nita Blauberg said Tue., Feb. 17, agency was hoping to replace windows this year, but the award will not to cover the total cost. As a result, Blauberg said, there are as yet no specific plans for how the money will be spent. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Patricia Doxsey is reporting in the Daily Freeman the Ulster County Legislature went on the record Tue., Feb. 17, in opposition to the proposed 178-mile Pilgrim Pipeline. That pipeline would pass through the county on its way from Albany to New Jersey. Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted in favor of calling on the state Thruway Authority to reject the use of its right of way for the pipeline. More than a dozen county residents attended the meeting of the Legislature Tuesday, to ask lawmakers to formally oppose the proposal. The line would carry Bakken crude from Albany to Linden, N.J., following the Thruway corridor. Refined crude products would be returned to Albany via a parallel line. The resolution adopted by lawmakers says the pipeline “threatens important surface water resources,” “potentially threatens the health, safety and welfare of the community; could decrease the values of homes located along its route and in surrounding neighborhoods and could negatively impact future development in Ulster County.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

A large CSX oil train explosion Feb. 16 in West Virginia had an immediate impact in Albany, with several politicians making statements. Photos of the large accident along the Kanawha River might be similar to what it might look like if there was a local oil train accident. There, a fire raged for almost a day, and shut down the local water plant for almost 24 hours. In the Hudson Valley, oil trains travel up and down the west side of the Hudson River daily, with hundreds usually sitting in the Albany yards. It turns out that the train cars in the West Virginia accident were the same type of “safer” cars that ship much of the crude through New York. Capital New York reports that the CPC-1232s involved in the accident are also used by New York's largest oil transport company, Global Partners. The company began voluntarily using these cars in New York last year after a several high-profile oil train accidents. The Daily Freeman reports that the Cuomo administration has proposed boosting New York’s oil spill fund from $25 million to $40 million. Riverkeeper staff attorney Michael Dulong testified in Albany recently that when the oil fund was created more than 30 years ago it was worth about $100 million in today’s dollars. The Cuomo administration also wants to shift authority over the accidents from the state comptroller to its own environmental staff. NYSDOT Commissioner Joan McDonald and NYSDEC Commissioner Joseph Martens released a joint statement on the accident:

"Yesterday's derailment of 25 rail cars carrying crude oil through West Virginia and the resulting house fire is exactly the reason why the U.S. Transportation Department should not wait any longer to adopt tougher safety regulations for shipments of crude. These proposed regulations - requiring rail cars to be retrofitted with reinforced steel plates and advanced braking systems - will help better protect our communities from the dangers posed by the transport of crude oil by rail. For more than a year, Governor Cuomo has strongly advocated for the federal government to expedite new regulations regarding crude oil by rail, but the pace of progress remains far too slow. New York has witnessed a dramatic increase in the amount of crude oil transported by rail in recent years. Under the Governor’s direction, the State has taken aggressive actions to better protect our residents and natural resources."

Bryan Rowzee in the Ravena News-Herald reports that Coeymans town officials are considering a ban on landfills. Town officials are attempting to move current maps online, so Rowzee notes the discussion at a Feb. 9 meeting began with some in confusion. Memories of the 1990s where clear at the meeting, though, when, the Coeymans Town Council blocked a proposal that would have created a landfill for the City of Albany within Coeymans' boundaries. Resident Rick Touchette, a former Coeymans councilman, asked, “Would the law you propose eliminate the prohibition of importing solid waste?” “In effect yes, and it would stop landfills,” answered Larry Conrad, the code enforcement officer for Coeymans. “I think we are trying to allow recycling in every aspect of the word, but not allow garbage and demolition debris to be buried in the town." Read the full story in the Ravena News-Herald.

[caption width="240" align="alignleft"] Rip Van Winkle Bridge, from Wikipedia.[/caption]Mid-Hudson News reports that the New York State Bridge Authority is converting the Hudson River bridges to LED lights. Already the agency has installed the cost-saving lights on the Bear Mountain Bridge and has included LED lights in the renovation of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. The Kingston-Rhinecliff and Rip Van Winkle bridges will be updated later. Now the Bridge Authority is installing 174 LED lights at the Mid-Hudson Bridge, with 120 street lights, 22 high mast lights around the toll plaza and intersections and 32 tower lights on the bridge. With a one-time cost of $57,000, the Authority will save over $50,000 per year. “Within one year this project pays for itself; it’s a win-win and the maintenance costs will be greatly reduced because of the shelf life of these products,” Executive Director Joseph Ruggiero said. Read the full story at Mid-Hudson News.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 23F; low -3F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 22F; low -2F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

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 Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Mostly cloudy. High near 24. Wednesday night, snow showers likely, mainly between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Cloudy. Low around 12. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Forecast for the next three days:
Thursday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 10 a.m. Cloudy. High near 15. Wind chill values as low as -1. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around -1. Wind chill values as low as -15.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 12. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around -2.
Saturday: A chance of light snow after 1 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 24. Saturday night, a chance of snow. Cloudy. Low around 20.

Sunrise today: 6:46 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:32 p.m.
Length of the day: 10:45 hrs.

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 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).
GHENT Planning Board, 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature meeting, 6:30 p.m. All at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 6:30 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 town meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 909 Rte. 82, Taghkanic (851-7638).
TACONIC HILLS Board of Education meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Central Office boardroom, 73 Co. Rte. 11A, Craryville (325-2800).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
For WGXC Winter 2015 Pledge Drive: Day 7 WGXC's winter pledge drive began Thu., Feb. 12, and will culminate in a celebration of the station's four years of diverse voices and adventurous sounds on the the FM dial, Feb. 28. Tune in throughout the drive for a full slate of remote broadcasts, and turn out for special events in Greene and Columbia counties.

12 a.m.: 17th Annual Homeless Marathon America's only national broadcast focusing on homelessness and poverty will broadcast live from Sarasota, FL, starting on Wave Farm Radio from 7 p.m., EST, on Tue., Feb. 17, 2015 and ending 14 hours later, at 9 a.m., EST, on Wed., Feb. 18. It airs on WGXC from midnight to 6 a.m.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Local news, weather, events, music and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio. Hosted by Michelle Lewis.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. National, daily, independent, award-winning news program providing audiences with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: @Issue: Didi Barrett, William Hughes New York State Assembly member Didi Barrett discusses the upcoming state budget along with her priorities for the next term. Supervisor William Hughes Jr. talks about his initiative to recruit minorities for positions in law enforcement. Hosted by Victor Mendolia and Debora Gilbert with Debby Mayer.
11 a.m.: Just the Intern Hour WGXC intern Pierce Huff keeps it live during the pledge drive, playing some music and asking for your support.
2 p.m.: For WGXC! Music Special Pete Lievense and Pierce Huff host a For WGXC! Pledge Drive special.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show Live from the WGXC Hudson Studio. Hosted by Vern Cross, Kamal Johnson and Rainer Blue.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News One-hour For WGXC! Pledge Drive edition. Live from the WGXC Acra studio at the Wave Farm Study Center in Greene Co.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting in The Daily Mail the Coxsackie Republicans have endorsed candidates in the upcoming village elections. Incumbents Mayor Mark Evans, Deputy Mayor Stephen Hanse and Trustee Paul Sutton will all make another bid for office. Evans and Hanse are seeking their fourth terms, and Sutton, his third. Evans said, “I am proud of the record of achievement that we have accomplished over the last several years.” He cited from a list of items that included the construction of a new water plant, building the Riverside Park playground and securing grants for sewer line upgrades, among other things. All three candidates cited controlling the level of local taxation as a high priority going forward. “Controlling taxes is the biggest issue, given the economy and people’s ability to pay for the services that the village provides,” Evans said. Village elections will be conducted Wed., Mar. 18. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star the future of the Copake Agricultural Center is more secure, following the announcement last week that its 189 acres are now protected for agriculture. The announcement was made by Scenic Hudson, which worked with the Columbia Land Conservancy and Northeast Farm Access to engineer the protection. Northeast Farm Access brings together farmers and social investors to revive and transform sustainable agriculture. The group's current lead project is in Copake, where it is raising $2.5 million to create a multi-faceted farming center and community on 189 acres in the vicinity of Copake Town Hall. The three farms that currently make up the Agricultural Center are Morningstar, Tiny Hearts and Sparrow Arc. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Dan Goldberg is reporting at Capital New York a bill that would make it easier for parents to obtain a vaccine exemption for their children has lost its support in the state Senate. Sen. Martin Dilan, the primary sponsor, pulled the bill, leaving no one to carry it. The bill still has support in the Assembly. The bill would provide parents the option of a philosophical exemption, which is already available in 19 states. It would allow New York parents to send their unvaccinated children to school if they check a pre-written statement indicating their objection. Support for the philosophical exemption shifted in past weeks as a measles outbreak spread throughout the country, according to a source familiar with Dilan's thinking. Read the full story at Capital New York.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 23F; low -3F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 22F; low -2F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

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 Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: A chance of snow, mainly before 9 a.m. Cloudy. High near 20. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Tuesday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 3.

Forecast for the next three days:
Wednesday: A chance of snow showers, mainly after 1 p.m. Cloudy. High near 24. Wednesday night, a chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. Cloudy. Low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -3.
Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 13. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around -6.
Friday: Sunny. High near 11. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around -7.

Sunrise today: 6:47 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:30 p.m.
Length of the day: 10:43 hrs.

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 Health and Medical Services Committee meeting, 4 p.m. at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
DURHAM Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature Economic Development and Tourism, Government Operations and Finance committees, plus party caucuses, 6 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HILLSDALE Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall on Main Street, Hillsdale (325-5073).
HUDSON Common Council Finance Committee meeting, 5:30 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).
LEXINGTON Town Board meeting, 7 p.m., at Municipal Building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
PHILMONT Planning Board meeting, 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).

WGXC Fundraising Advisory Committee, 6 p.m. at the WGXC Hudson studio, 704 Columbia St., Hudson (697-7400). This group provides leadership with respect to fundraising events and major donor gifts for WGXC 90.7-FM.

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
For WGXC Winter 2015 Pledge Drive: Day 6 WGXC's winter pledge drive began Thu., Feb. 12, and will culminate in a celebration of the station's four years of diverse voices and adventurous sounds on the the FM dial, Feb. 28. Tune in throughout the drive for a full slate of remote broadcasts, and turn out for special events in Greene and Columbia counties.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Local news, weather, events, music and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio. Hosted by "Mr. Petee Pete" Lievense.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. National, daily, independent, award-winning news program providing audiences with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
3 p.m.: Super Radio Maniac Fun: Special Full Hour For WGXC! Pledge Drive Edition Hosted by Loretta Salzberg with Karen Schoemer.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News One-hour For WGXC! Pledge Drive edition. Live from the WGXC Acra studio at the Wave Farm Study Center in Greene Co.

Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Feb. 13 through Mon., Feb. 16

Casey Seiler reported at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s state Operations Director Jim Malatras, has written another letter to Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch. In this letter he calls for the New York State Education Department to examine the Massachusetts’ legislative blueprint for restoring struggling schools. The plan includes placing failing schools in receivership during a state-mandated recovery period. Malatras calls on the Regents to assign the state education department to conduct a “comprehensive data and field analysis to see how and why the program is working and the specific measures that are making the model a success.” The letter notes that Cuomo’s executive budget proposal includes legislation similar to what passed in Massachusetts.

Emilia Teasdale reported in the Columbia Paper the Chatham Town Board voted to hold a public hearing on the proposal to place a 12-month moratorium on special use permits and site plan reviews for parcels on unpaved town roads. The hearing will be held Tue., Feb. 17. An application to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a special use permit by Adam Stone to create a tennis camp on his Thomas Street property appears to have triggered the call for a ban. That application has now been withdrawn, but the public hearing on the proposed moratorium will occur as planned.

Dan Goldberg reported at Capital New York the state health department said Fri., Feb. 13, those who begin filling out their application on the health insurance exchange before the Sunday deadline will have until the end of the month to complete it and enroll in a health insurance plan. The state gave people a similar amount of extra time last year when snow storms devastated western New York. Those who completed their application and chose a plan by Sunday will have insurance beginning March 1. Those who choose a plan between Feb. 15 and Feb. 28 will be covered as of April 1.

Jim Planck reported in The Daily Mail the Catskill Town Board has learned the Greene County Industrial Development Agency has plans to develop a project in Catskill. Under consideration are a waste-to-energy facility at the former Holcim cement plant, located on Route 9W, and a tourism/lodging venue along the Co. Route 23B corridor between Leeds and Jefferson Heights. The agency has budgeted $250,000 to gather and assemble data on the two locations during the coming year.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 13F; low 0F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 14F; low 2F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

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 Catskill, in Greene County:

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Wind Chill Warning through noon, Mon., Feb. 16, for east central New york and western New England. Dangerous to life threatening wind chills are expected throughout the morning. Temperatures of zero to 20 below are forecast for early Monday, rising to 5 below to 10 above by midday. Northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with guests up to 30 mph are possible.

Today: Sunny. High near 12. Wind chill values as low as -23. Monday night, a slight chance of snow after 3 a.m. Increasing clouds. Low around 0. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent..

Forecast for the next three days:
Tuesday: A chance of snow, mainly before 1 p.m. Cloudy. High near 19. Wind chill values as low as zero. Tuesday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 1.
Wednesday: A chance of snow showers, mainly after 1 p.m. Cloudy. High near 23. Wednesday night, a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 2.
Thursday: Partly sunny. High near 13. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around -7.

Sunrise today: 6:49 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:29 p.m.
Length of the day: 10:40 hrs.

Today is Presidents Day
All nonessential federal, state, county and local municipalities are closed. Post offices, banks and school districts are also closed.

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).
CANAAN Planning board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1647 Route 5 South, Canaan (781-3144).
GERMANTOWN Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
GREENVILLE Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Offices, corner of routes 32 and 81, Greenville (966-8276).
TAGHKANIC Zoning Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m., at Town Hall, 909 Route 82, Taghkanic (851-7638).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
For WGXC Winter 2015 Pledge Drive: Day 5 WGXC's winter pledge drive began Thu., Feb. 12, and will culminate in a celebration of the station's four years of diverse voices and adventurous sounds on the the FM dial, Feb. 28. Tune in throughout the drive for a full slate of remote broadcasts, and turn out for special events in Greene and Columbia counties.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Local news, weather, events, music and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio. Hosted by "Mr. Petee Pete" Lievense.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. National, daily, independent, award-winning news program providing audiences with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
11 a.m.: Zoom: Liv Carrow Special guest singer-songwriter and host of "Low Tide" Liv Carrow for the hour. Hosted by Tyson Hauf.
12 p.m. (noon): Monday Musical Matinee Live from the WGXC Hudson Studio, the extended For WGXC! Pledge Drive edition, with special guest. Hosted by Sheri Bauer-Mayorga and Lincoln Mayorga.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Betta Broad, Sam Sebren Energy will be topic of discussion with Betta Broad of Citizens for Local Power and community anti-fracking and energy organizer for Catskill Mountainkeeper, along local environmental activist Sam Sebren during this special For WGXC Pledge Drive episode. Citizens for Local Power is made up of 10 women who affectionately refer to themselves as "the kitchen cabinet." The kitchen cabinet meets weekly in Rosendale, Ulster Co. The group is currently working on issues related to utility reform, Community Choice Aggregation, the energy infrastructure and the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline. Plus local news, weather, events and more. Hosted by Kieran Riley. This is the first of two live broadcasts from the Spotty Dog on Warren Street in Hudson scheduled during the For WGXC! Winter 2015 Pledge Drive.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News One-hour For WGXC! Pledge Drive edition. Live from the WGXC Acra studio at the Wave Farm Study Center in Greene Co.
10 p.m.: LunarMoss: An Evening with Three Creeps The "LunarMoss" pledge drive edition! An evening with three creeps, to celebrate four years of the party weird on WGXC. Join DJ LunarMoss and special guests Peter Aaron, and Logan Visscher, as they supply plenty of frosty cold cuts to keep the blue in your veins. Music for crunching on icicles. Tune in and wax the transmission nocturnal. Call in and keep the strange haunts radiating on your lonely radio, (518) 697-7400 or go online to wgxc.org/donate.

Larry Rulison in thw Albany Times-Union reports about the changing solar power industry, and new laws that may affect locals. In Greene County, towns such as Cairo have started small solar farms lately, as regulations allow municipalities to buy the power for typically 30 percent to 35 percent above what they normally charge other customers. "Although the way such solar farms are financed can vary, the developers typically pay the costs of the solar farm and charge the municipality a fixed, long-term rate for the electricity," wries Rulison in the Times-Union. "The municipality gets to substantially lower its electric bills from the premium it earns selling the power back to the utility." A December Public Service Commission ruled that the industry was taking advantage of "uneconomic arbitrage" and now the solar industry says that drastically alters the financial projections for hundreds of projects. Monolith Solar was planning to move from Rensselaer and build a new $4.6 million headquarters in Slingerlands, but now is not so sure. "Monolith says it has 231 such remote solar farm projects in the pipeline, all of which will have to be scrapped if the rule change stands." Read the full story in the Albany Times-Union.