U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand on Thu., Feb. 12 announced $8,245,246 in federal funding for housing authorities throughout eight counties in the Capital Region. The funds will be used to modernize and develop affordable housing for low-income, working families in the region. Greene County got $113,897, Columbia County $187,360, Albany County will receive $3,135,513, and Rensselaer County gets $2,158,045. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Capital Fund Program.


· Albany County

o Albany Housing Authority will receive $2,249,899

o Cohoes Housing Authority will receive $458,255

o Watervliet Housing Authority will receive $427,359

· Columbia County

o Hudson Housing Authority will receive $187,360

· Greene County

o Catskill Housing Authority will receive $113,897

· Rensselaer County

o Hoosick Housing Authority will receive $31,278

o Rensselaer Housing Authority will receive $181,359

o Troy Housing Authority will receive $1,945,408

Local News
Local news Click here for news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., Feb. 15. PLAY AUDIO (2:53)

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

• Sunday: Snow likely with areas of blowing snow before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a temperature falling to around -1 by 5 p.m. Wind chill values as low as -23. Sunday night partly cloudy, with a low around -13. Wind chill values as low as -36.

• Monday: Sunny and cold, with a high near 7. Wind chill values as low as -36. A low around -10.

• Tuesday: A slight chance of snow after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 17.

Sunrise 6:50 a.m.
Sunset 5:28 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 3:51 A.M. 1:56 P.M.
Mercury 5:36 A.M. 3:25 P.M.
Venus 8:03 A.M. 7:43 P.M.
Mars 8:07 A.M. 7:59 P.M.
Jupiter 4:23 P.M. 6:39 A.M.
Saturn 1:36 A.M. 11:16 A.M.
Uranus 8:45 A.M. 9:25 P.M.
Neptune 7:23 A.M. 6:16 P.M.
Pluto 4:34 A.M. 2:00 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Radia: Lasse-Marc Riek
Feb. 15, 2015: 5 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.
Tiki Bar: Pledge Drive Special
Feb. 15, 2015: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

• Jeffersonville's WJFF (90.5-FM) celebrated its 25th anniversary Thu., Feb. 12. The station has an open house through Sat., Feb. 14. WJFF holds a Valentine's Dance Party Sat. Feb. 14 at Mullaly's Pub in Jeffersonville.

• The Daily Freeman reports that Kingston Community Radio is hosting its radio-thon beginning Feb. 13 every day from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on WGHQ, radio 920 AM. Their goal is to raise $10,000. Tune in at mykcr.org

• WGXC's Pop-Up Shop continues Sat., Feb. 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and
Sun., Feb. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. with a live broadcast of "In The Cut" with DJ Effie from noon to 2 p.m. Organized by Elizabeth Powell of Local, the Pop-Up Shop features handmade objects with 25 percent of the sales benefitting WGXC. Inventory will include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, books, clothing, kitchen wares, furniture, accessories. Children's clothing, toys, decorations.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Feb. 14. PLAY AUDIO (3:33)

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

• Saturday: Snow, mainly after noon. High near 21. Wind chill values as low as -9. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible, with a little more snow possible Saturday night. Low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -11.

• Sunday: A chance of snow before 1 p.m. Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 6, and a low around -11. Blustery.

• Monday: Sunny and cold, with a high near 9.

Sunrise 6:52 a.m.
Sunset 5:27 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 2:55 A.M. 12:56 P.M.
Mercury 5:38 A.M. 3:27 P.M.
Venus 8:04 A.M. 7:41 P.M.
Mars 8:09 A.M. 7:59 P.M.
Jupiter 4:27 P.M. 6:43 A.M.
Saturn 1:40 A.M. 11:19 A.M.
Uranus 8:49 A.M. 9:29 P.M.
Neptune 7:26 A.M. 6:20 P.M.
Pluto 4:38 A.M. 2:04 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Radia: Lasse-Marc Riek
Feb. 14, 2015: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
What's The Frequency, Kenneth?: Unbelievable
Feb. 14, 2015: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Framework: Hitoshi Kojo
Feb. 14, 2015: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Arthur Cusano is reporting in the Register Star the recent winter storms have put a dent in the road salt stockpile in Columbia and Greene counties. Columbia County Highway Superintendent Bernard Kelleher said his department has seen a slow down in salt delivery, and is starting to ration the salt and cut back on its use. Greene County Highway Superintendent Gary Harvey said his county has seen a similar slow down in delivery. Both Columbia and Greene counties acquires its salt through a contract with the state Office of General Services in Albany. The salt is purchased from a company in Illinois and shipped to the Port of Albany and then trucked south. “If we have one storm a week I’ll be fine, but if we get more than that I’ll be in trouble,” Kelleher said. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Closings and delays for Fri., Feb. 13

Catskill Central School District | Delayed two hours. No morning pre-K.
Chatham Central School District | Delayed two hours.Chatham Kids Club | Open. No delay; open at 6:30 a.m.
Questar III Catskill Academy | Delayed two hours.
Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School District | Delayed two hours.

Source: Times Union

Kate Seckinger is reporting in The Daily Mail a new community center is in the works for the town of Durham. The town board has now formed a planning committee to make recommendations and move plans to create the Durham Community Center forward. The committee members will represent a cross section of the town and survey residents' interests in programs, location of the center and cost. Durham Town Supervisor William Carr Jr. said he is excited about both the YMCA and community center projects. He said the YMCA would focus more on health and physical fitness while the community center would center around self-improvement and education. A possible location for the center is the Durham Reading Room, which has a fax machine, free web access and books for loan or purchase. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Rick Karlin is reporting at Capitol Confidential the number of school administrators and teachers eligible for six-figure taxpayer-funded pensions has nearly tripled between 2009 and 2014, according to the Empire Center. The center has posted the most recent list of New York City and state teacher pensions on their website, SeeThroughNY [dot] net. Most of the pensions paying more than $200,000 a year appear to be on Long Island and in the New York City suburbs, although there are some SUNY pensions included. Almost 5,000 educators statewide were eligible for pensions above $100,000 in 2014. Pension costs for retirees, as well as health insurance costs, are often cited by school district officials as some of their biggest expenses and a reason that they struggle to stay within the state’s approximately 2 percent cap on property taxes.The Empire Center for Public Policy is a non-partisan, independent think tank. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] From NWS.[/caption]

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Wind Chill Advisory until noon, Fri., Feb. 13 for the WGXC listening area, and including the Capital District and Mid-Hudson Valley. Bitterly cold wind chill readings as low as 15 to 25 below zero are expected Friday morning. Frostbite and hypothermia are possible for those without proper protection from the cold. Northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, are expected. The sub-zero temperatures will continue through the weekend.

[caption width="619" align="aligncenter"] From the proposed Elm Ridge Wild Forest Unit Management Plan Amendment. [/caption]Julia Reischel in The Watershed Post reports that the New York State Department of Conservation wants to build more multi-use trails in Windham's Elm Ridge Wild Forest. Mountain biking, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are all possible in the wilderness area in the eastern escarpment region of the Catskill Park. The DEC is taking public comments on a plan to add five new trails in there, four miles of biking, cross-country skiing and hiking paths, bringing the total trail mileage up to 16 miles. The DEC also wants to evaluate 2.8 miles of "unauthorized" trails in the Elm Ridge Wild Forest that users have created. Public comments for the Elm Ridge Wild Forest expansion plan are due March 13, sent to Josh Borst, a senior forester at the agency, at 65561 State Highway 10, Suite 1, Stamford, NY 12167 or email them to r4.ump@dec.ny.gov. Read the full story in The Watershed Post.

[caption width="180" align="alignleft"] Elizabeth Warren, from Wikipedia.[/caption]Madeline St. Amour in the Albany Times-Union reports that local activists will rally outside on the coldest day of the year for a presidential candidate who promises she won't run. MoveOn, Democracy for America, and the Working Families Party are sponsoring "honk-and-wave" rallies around the country this weekend supporting Massachussets Senator Elizabeth Warren, including Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. in Kinderhook, at 1:30 p.m. in Saratoga Springs, and Feb. 15 in Colonie. Warren has said, "no" when asked if she will run for president, but activist groups think her consumer advocacy would make for a good president. The Kinderhook rally is at Kinderhook Village Square. "She stands for a lot of positive things in our eyes and that's really what we're trying to promote," Jim Botta, an organizer for the Albany rally, said. Read the full story in the Albany Times-Union.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 10F; low -4F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 10F; 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 Advisory until noon, Fri., Feb. 13 for the WGXC listening area, and including the Capital District and Mid-Hudson Valley. Bitterly cold wind chill readings as low as 15 to 25 below zero are expected Friday morning. Frostbite and hypothermia are possible for those without proper protection from the cold. Northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, are expected.

Today: Mostly sunny and cold. High near 11. Wind chill values as low as -9. Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 2. Wind chill values as low as -13.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: Snow, mainly after noon. Cloudy. High near 25. Wind chill values as low as -10. Saturday night, snow. Low around 10. Wind chill values as low as -4.
Sunday: A chance of snow showers before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 11. Sunday night, partly cloudy. Low around -7.
Monday (Presidents Day): Sunny. High near 14. Monday night, partly cloudy. Low around -5.

Sunrise today: 6:53 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:25 p.m.
Length of the day: 10:32 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the second 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 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
For WGXC Winter 2015 Pledge Drive: Day 2 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: For WGXC Pledge Drive Begins Local news, weather, events, music and more. Live from the WGXC Acra studio at the Wave Farm Study Center in Greene Co. Hosted by Tom Roe.
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.: ¿Qué cocinaré hoy?: Felipe Santos, Melanie Forstrom Conversation with Felipe Santos, an amateur host of a newly created online radio show called "La hora de la juventud y no tan joven," which is broadcast live from Poughkeepsie. And part two of an interview with Melanie Forstrom, about Cornell Cooperative Extension programs. Plus, a discussion about the number of eligible U.S. permanent residents of Mexican origin that actually take the path to U.S. citizenship. Hosted by Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos.
11 a.m.: Wall to Wall Hosted by Shelley Weiner.
12 p.m. (noon): Sugar Shack Jukebox Hosted by Jared Widjeskog.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show Live from the WGXC Acra studio. Hosted by Mark Bailey and Gregor Trieste.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News: G Lucas Crane, Pam Finch, Tianna Kennedy, Eric Ball Special live pledge drive edition from the WGXC Pop-Up Shop at 117 Warren St. in Hudson. The Opening Reception features treats from Verdigris, and a performances from Void Moon (G Lucas Crane and Pam Finch) and Jantar (represented by Tianna Kennedy and Eric Ball).

[caption width="709" align="alignright"] From the volunteer fire company's website.[/caption]Debby Mayer in The Columbia Paper reports that the public was not allowed to attend a Germantown fire company town meeting. President Dale Hinkein told a reporter for The Columbia Paper -- a member of the public -- that the "press" would not be allowed to attend the Germantown Hose Company No. 1's meeting Tue., Feb. 3. Hinkein claims the company itself does not receive public funds, that financial support and equipment come through the Board of Fire Commissioners. The fire company, he said was “a club” and therefore does not have to abide by the Open Meetings Law. In a 2004 written advisory opinion, Robert Freeman, executive director of the Committee on Open Government, wrote that “a volunteer fire company at its meetings conducts public business and performs a governmental function… carried out for a public corporation, which is defined to include a municipality, such as a town….” In Westchester Rockland Newspapers v. Kimball, in 1980, a case about the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), the Court of Appeals, New York's highest court, found that a volunteer fire company is an “agency” that falls within the provision of the FOIL. Hinkein said that firefighters were unhappy with, "a January 8 report in The Columbia Paper that included the company’s fund balance ($40,000) and post-meeting supper (spaghetti)." The Register-Star and The Daily Freeman -- which both cover the town -- have no online record of writing about the Germantown volunteer fire department. (Note: Not only are "press" members of the public, but all members of the public may report for WGXC or any other media entity, or themselves.) Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wed., Feb. 11, the state has launched a $40 million New York Prize competition aimed at creating microgrids to help with energy needs during major storm events. The governor's office defines microgrids as local energy networks that are able to separate from the larger electric grid during extreme weather events or emergencies, and provide power to the grid when needed. The technology can combine solar, wind, hydro or combined heat and power systems. The competition is open to local governments, community organizations, non-profits and for-profits. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will run the competition. It is currently seeking applications for the first phase, which will provide up to $100,000 to as many as 25 to 30 communities to study the feasibility of microgrids in their locations. Read the full post at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Catskill Mountainkeeper launches its Capital Access Agricultural Loan Program this week, a loan program to connect local farmers with capital. “We conducted surveys among farmers and learned that their biggest barrier to increasing farm production and revenue was access to capital.” said Ramsay Adams, Catskill Mountainkeeper’s Executive Director. “This program begins to address that need and furthers our efforts to develop the Catskill Region as a food basket for the greater New York City Metropolitan area.” The Capital Access Agricultural Loan Program offers small- to medium-sized loans to nurture environmentally friendly farms and food businesses throughout the Catskill Region. As part of its test stage, the program made its first loan to fund the expansion of the Catskill Food Company, resulting in an increase in production and sales of artisanal sausages whose ingredients are sourced from the region and New York State.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 30F; low -6F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 31F; low -4F.[/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: Snow likely, mainly between 10 a.m. and noon. Cloudy. High near 32. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible. Thursday night, a chance of snow, mainly before 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 2. Wind chill values as low as -12. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Mostly sunny and cold. High near 10. Wind chill values as low as -14. Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 1. Wind chill values as low as -10.
Saturday: Snow likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Cloudy. High near 24. Saturday night, snow likely. Cloudy. Low around 5.
Sunday: A chance of snow showers before noon. Mostly cloudy and cold. High near 6. Sunday night, partly cloudy. Low around -9.

Sunrise today: 6:54 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:24 p.m.
Length of the day: 10:29 hrs.

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

CAIRO-DURHAM Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria, 1301 Route 145, Cairo (622-8543).
CHATHAM Village Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street, Chatham (392-5821).
CLAVERACK Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 91 Church St., Mellenville (672-7911).
COPAKE Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mountainview Road, Copake (329-1234).
GALLATIN Town Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 667 Route 7, Ancram (398-7519).
GREENVILLE Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. in the middle/high school library, Route 81, Greenville (966-5070).
HUDSON Common Council Finance and Legal committees' joint public hearing on the issues surrounding the possible imposition of a lodging tax in the city, 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren St., Hudson (828-1030).
KINDERHOOK Planning Board Workshop meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
LIVINGSTON Town board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 119 County Route 19.
NEW BALTIMORE Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 3809 Co. Rte. 51, Hannacroix (756-6671).
PHILMONT Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
STUYVESANT Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).
TANNERSVILLE Village trustees meet at 7 p.m. in their Village Hall on Route 23A.
WINDHAM Town board meets at 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 1 WGXC's winter pledge drive kicks off on Thu., Feb. 12, and culminates with a celebration of the station's four years of diverse voices and adventurous sounds on the the FM dial. 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: For WGXC Pledge Drive Begins WGXC staff members join host Michelle Lewis as the pledge drive begins. Local news, weather, events, music and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio.
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: John Friedman, Nick Haddad Discussion of the pending proposal to levy a four percent lodging tax on Hudson B&Bs with aldermen John Friedman and Nick Haddad. Hosted by Tom DePietro.
2 p.m.: The Passage: Fabrizio De André An hour devoted to the music of Fabrizio De André (1940 – 1999), an Italian singer-songwriter known for his sympathies towards anarchism, libertarianism and pacifism. Artistically active for almost 40 years and the author of thirteen studio albums, he is renowned for the quality of his lyrics and is often considered a poet. Following his early death several streets, places, parks, schools and public libraries were named after him. Produced by Richard Roth
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Station Takeover An updated tale from 2013, whereas the Radio Station faces takeover from Evil Forces, and listeners must call to save it.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show Live from the WGXC Hudson studio. Hosted by Ellen Thurston and Tom DePietro, with Jake "The Intern" Ebel.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News Extended, live version with local news, weather updates, public meeting listings, and national headlines from Public News Service. Plus, national headlines in spanish from "Democracy Now!" Also, a local interview.

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail Ulster-Greene ARC has been awarded more than $600,000 through the New York State Balancing Incentive Program. The funds will be used to help provide employment opportunities for the developmentally disabled. A portion of the funds earmarked for Greene County will also be used to enhance and expand the county's public transportation system. The funds originated with the federal Affordable Care Act. Ulster-Greene ARC Executive Director John McHugh said the award will directly support the creation of a food and catering service, a lawn care business and a commercial cleaning unit. The agency will now be able to provide relevant vocational training, create three dozen jobs and provide work experience. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Michael Ryan is reporting in The Daily Mail the Greene County Ambulance Task Force will present its proposal for a new countywide ambulance system to lawmakers next month. The plan is expected to call for the hiring of eight or nine full-time crews staffed with a paramedic and an EMT. Rigs would be stationed strategically throughout the county and shifted, when necessary, to multiple call areas and during peak and low call periods. A non-profit entity would be created to operate and administer the system. The estimated cost is $6.5 million. The plan is expected to be presented to the Greene County Legislature Health Committee in early March. A decision by the full legislature would occur in the spring. The task force was appointed by the legislature in late 2013 to explore steps to improving the county’s EMS operations. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Daily Freeman is reporting March 1 is the filing deadline for all property owners seeking state tax exemptions. Property owners who currently receive the Enhanced STAR, Senior Citizen, Agricultural Disability, Forestry or Wholly exemption from property taxes must file their renewal form by March 1. All property owners in New York state are eligible for the Basic STAR exemption on their primary residence as long as their adjusted gross income is less than $500,000 per year. Property owners who currently receive the Basic STAR exemption do not need to file a renewal form. Property owners who will be 65 years old by Dec. 31 might be eligible for the Enhanced STAR Exemption and should contact their local assessor’s office before March 1 to find out. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.