The New York State Education Department announced Mon., Jan. 26, that as a result of the winter storm bearing down on much of the state, school districts will be allowed some flexibility around the administration of the January Regents exams and Regents Competency Tests. The department advised that exams rescheduled due to the inclement weather must be completed no later than the end of the school day, Fri., Jan. 30. In districts located in Columbia and Greene counties, Regents exams were originally scheduled to take place Mon., Jan. 26 through Fri., Jan. 30. When the storm has passed, districts impacted by weather-related closures must send to the Department a description of the dates schools were closed due to weather, the exams affected and when the rescheduled tests will be administered.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 18F; low 10F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 18F; low 12F.[/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 Winter Weather Advisory for snow in the Catskills, excluding western Greene County, and the Capital Region, until 1 a.m., Wed., Jan. 28. The Winter Storm Warning is canceled. Four to eight inches of snow are expected. Light snow will overspread the entire region by sunrise, then gradually taper off by Tuesday night. Dangerous travel conditions are expected due to snow-covered roadways and localized blowing snow.

Today: Snow, mainly before 4 p.m. High near 21. Wind chill values as low as -3. North wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Tonight, a chance of snow showers, mainly before 9 p.m. Cloudy. Low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -2. North wind 11 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Forecast for the next three days:
Wednesday: Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing. High near 27. Wind chill values as low as -3/ Wednesday night, mostly clear. Low around 4.
Thursday: A slight chance of light snow after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 32. Thursday night, light snow likely. Cloudy. Low around 24.
Friday: A chance of snow showers before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 32. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 0.

Sunrise today: 7:12 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:03 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:51 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the fourth Tuesday of the month.
These meetings are scheduled, but not confirmed.
During the snow emergency call ahead to confirm the meeting/event will take place at the announced time and place.
(All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.)

CANAAN Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1647 Co. Route 5, Canaan (781-3144).
CATSKILL Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill (943-2141).
CHATHAM CENTRAL Board of Education meeting, 6:30 p.m. at high school, 50 Woodbridge Ave., Chatham (392-2400). Note: Meeting is scheduled, but not confirmed; district is closed due to weather.
COPAKE Agriculture & Farming Protection Committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mountain View Rd., Copake (329-1234).
GREENE COUNTY Tourism Advisory Committee meeting, 9:30 a.m. at 411 Main St., Catskill (943-3223).
GREENPORT Planning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Storm Sounds A live mic on the winter storm and the online transmissions around surrounding it, live from the Wave Farm Study Center in Acra. Host Tom Roe will have a mic out for local wind, and will tune in weather radio, monitor scanner frequencies, listen for shortwave bursts, keep an ear on CB Channel 19, watch local television broadcasts and listen to hear if there are any other live humans talking on the FM band in the Hudson Valley.

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
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.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

[Updated 9:40 p.m.]

In the village of Catskill, a snow removal parking plan will go into effect 8 p.m., Monday. Vehicles should be parked on the odd-numbered side of the street until 8 a.m. Tuesday, when they should be moved to the even-numbered side of the street until 8 p.m. Vehicles should continue to switch sides until the snow emergency is lifted.

Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr. has declared a snow emergency in the city of Hudson, effective 8 p.m., Mon., Jan. 26. Beginning at 8 p.m., Monday, all cars must be parked on the odd side of the street. Parking is prohibited on the even side of the street for 24 hours. Beginning 8 p.m., Tue., Jan. 27, all vehicles must be moved to the even side of the street and remain there for 16 hours, until 12 p.m. (noon), Wed., Jan. 28, when the snow emergency ends. Snow removal will take place from 12 a.m. (midnight), Thu., Jan. 29 and into Sat., Jan. 31. Residents are to follow posted snow removal signage. Sidewalks on Warren St. must be shoveled to the curb within 12 hours after the storm is over, and within 24 hours for the rest of the city. For information, cityofhudson [dot] org.

Due to the severe winter storm that is impacting the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak has suspended Northeast Regional and Acela Express service between New York and Boston on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

In addition, Empire Service (New York – Albany-Rensselaer, N.Y.), Amtrak Downeaster (Brunswick, Maine – Boston), Vermonter (Washington – St. Albans, Vt.) and the Springfield line (New Haven, Conn. – Springfield, Mass.), are all suspended, as well as Lake Shore Limited service between New York and Albany-Rensselaer, N.Y., and Boston and Albany-Rensselaer, N.Y., only.

Acela Express and Northeast Regional trains between New York and Washington, and Keystone Service (New York – Harrisburg, Pa.) will operate at reduced frequencies.

Passengers holding reservations that require modification are being accommodated on other trains and proactively notified by Amtrak Customer Service. A range of tools, including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps and 1-800-USA-RAIL, are available to assist in travel planning.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.

School closings and/or delays for Mon., Jan. 26:
[Updated 5:20 p.m.]


Cairo-Durham Central School District | Closing 15 minutes early. No afternoon or evening activities; no after-school events; Regents given.
Columbia County | The County Economic Development Committee and Airport Sub-committee meetings scheduled for Monday have been rescheduled to Mon., Feb. 2.
Columbia-Greene Community College | Closing early at 5:30 p.m. No evening classes (after 5:30 p.m.).
Coxsackie-Athens Central School District | Closed. No afternoon or evening activities. No after-school events. All games postponed.
Greenville Central School District | Open. No afternoon or evening activities; no after-school events.
Hawthorne Valley School | Open. No after-school events.
Hudson City School District | Open. No after-school program; no afternoon or evening activities; exams as scheduled. Board of Education curriculum workshop and board meeting cancelled.
Hudson Common Council | The Police and Fire committee meetings scheduled for Monday have been rescheduled to Mon., Feb. 2. The Legal Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday has been rescheduled to Wed., Jan.28.
Ichabod Crane Central School District | Open. All after-school activities canceled. Transportation only for students taking high school, Regents and mid-term exams for late buses. Normal transportation for all other students.
St Mary's Church (Coxsackie) | Closed.
Tech Valley High School | Open. No afternoon or evening activities; evening information session canceled. Has been rescheduled to 6 p.m., Thu., Feb. 5.

Sources: Times Union and Fox 23 Albany.

[Updated 3:30 p.m.]

Hudson Valley Weather is reporting areas of light snow were crossing the Hudson Valley, and there are some steadier bands of snow entering the lower portion of the region. Roads are quickly becoming snow covered in some areas. Periods of light to moderate snow will continue into the evening commute.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="602"] Source: National Weather Service in Albany, via Hudson Valley Weather Facebook page.[/caption]

The Daily Freeman, with reports from the National Weather Service, is reporting up to two feet of snow could fall across portions of the Mid-Hudson region by Tuesday evening. Winter storm warnings have been issued for Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia and Greene counties beginning 1 p.m. Mon., Jan. 26 until 1 a.m. Wed., Jan. 28. A blizzard warning is in effect for Orange County during that same period. Roads are expected to become snow-covered by the evening commute, Monday, turning heavy at times overnight, continuing until around noon, Tue., Jan. 27. Anywhere between 12 and 24 inches is expected to fall. Amounts will be greatest in eastern Columbia and Dutchess counties, with lower amounts falling towards the north and west in Greene County. Travel will be increasingly difficult Monday evening and will be treacherous overnight Monday and throughout the day Tuesday. Temperatures will remain cold, with readings hovering in the teens and low 20s for most of the storm. In the village of Catskill, a snow removal parking plan will go into effect 8 p.m., Monday. Vehicles should be parked on the odd-numbered site of the street until 8 a.m. Tuesday, when they should be moved to the even-numbered side of the street until 8 p.m. Vehicles should continue to switch sides until the snow emergency is lifted. According to the National Weather Service, this will be the strongest storm of the year.

Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Jan. 23 through Mon., Jan. 26:

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting in The Daily Mail Athens Town Council and Code Enforcement Officer George Holsopple have are developing a way to put pressure on owners of unkempt properties to clean up. At a recent public meeting, Holsopple said the phenomenon is becoming a real problem. "...It is time to nip it in the bud," he said. Neighbors to the offending properties must put their complaints in writing to the Code Enforcement Officer; a phone call is no longer sufficient, Holsopple said. Determining what is going on at a specific property could become an issue in rural areas. The code enforcement officer is prohibited from stepping foot on private properties without the consent of the homeowner. Asked by a council member if using satellite imagery to observe a property was outside the boundaries of the law, town attorney Virginia Benedict said she would have to look further at the issue before rendering an opinion.

Matthew Hamilton reported at Capitol Confidential the Senate Republican majority made committee assignments last week, and George Amedore the new Republican Senator for the 46th District, will chair the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee. Amedore will also serve on the Banks, Consumer Protection, Elections, and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs committees. “Everyone knows someone who has struggled with addiction, especially with the heroin problem that has overtaken so many communities throughout the state. We need to work on solutions to increase awareness, and also make sure that good treatment programs are available and properly funded. I look forward to working with my colleagues on solutions to help minimize the alcohol and drug abuse problems that so many New Yorkers are facing,” Amedore said in a press release.

Ryan Anglim reported in The Daily Mail on the Schoharie Watershed Program's 9th annual Water Quality Summit held in Hunter, Sat., Jan. 24. The event served as an educational opportunity to learn about various mitigation projects, relocation precedents, and mitigation and economic recovery. The keynote address was delivered by Nicholas Pinter, a professor at Southern Illinois University on flood mitigation solutions. The chairman of the Prattsville Local Development Corporation Kevin Piccoli provided an update on community reconstruction since the severe damage caused by the storms Irene and Sandy. He said growth in Prattsville is happening slowly, but the town is moving forward, and it intends to be more proactive in terms of flood mitigation. Michelle Yost, Coordinator of the Greene County Watershed Assistance Program said the overall objective is “not just dealing with the impacts of flooding to structures, but it is getting people out of harm's way and investing in the community.”

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 23F; low 16F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 23F; low 17F.[/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 Winter Storm Warning from 1 p.m., Mon., Jan. 26 to 1 a.m., Wed., Jan. 28, for heavy snow throughout the WGXC listening area, including the eastern Catskills, Mid-Hudson Valley, Taconics and Berkshires. A total snow accumulation of 12 to 18 inches is expected, with a maximum snowfall rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour. The storm will move in Monday afternoon, and the snowfall will be heavy at times from Monday night into Tuesday, before gradually tapering off late Tuesday night. Very dangerous travel conditions are forecast due to snow-covered roadways and low visibility. Some blowing snow and drifting snow will also be likely.

Today: Snow likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Cloudy. High near 21. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Monday night, snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 15. Wind chill values as low as zero. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Forecast for the next three days:
Tuesday: Snow with patchy blowing snow before 3 p.m., then snow likely after 3 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 24. Wind chill values as low as -2. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulations of 7 to 11 inches possible. Tuesday night, snow likely, mainly before 7 p.m. Cloudy. Low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -2. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 27. Wednesday night, mostly clear. Low around 5.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. High near 29. Thursday night, a chance of snow. Cloudy. Low around 24.

Sunrise today: 7:16 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:58 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:42 hrs.

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 Economic Development Committee meeting, 5 p.m.; Airport Committee meeting, 6 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 Police Committee meeting 6 p.m.; Fire Committee meeting, 6:45 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUDSON City School District Board of Education curriculum workshop 6 p.m.; board meeting, 7 p.m., at M.C. Smith Intermediate School, 102 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson (828-4650) canceled due to inclement weather..
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).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
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, public meetings, music and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio. Hosted by “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.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star cement company Holcim U.S. has sold more than 1,300 acres of land in Greenport and Hudson's South Bay and waterfront area to local sand-and-gravel company A. Colarusso & Son. The sale took place Oct. 29, 2014. The property transfer included the company's 45 acres of quarry land east of Newman Road in Greenport and its Hudson port. The maps were stamped by the County Clerk’s Office in late October, but the sale did not become public knowledge until it was revealed online by Sam Pratt last week. Hudson Common Council President Don Moore said he was not surprised at the news. He said it has to be better for the city that a local company has acquired the property. “I hope it’s good for their business, I hope it is good for the city,” Moore said. Greenport Supervisor John Porreca said, "I think it’s an excellent thing for Greenport. I totally support and embrace it.” Hudson First Ward Alderman David Marston said in an email he was pleased to see local ownership and operation of the parcels in his ward. “While the causeway margins have enlarged themselves significantly in the last two years, we hope expansion into the wetland is only a Holcim practice. The city is happy to have new partners in the South Bay,” Marston wrote. Timothy O’Connor, a member of the South Bay Task Force, said he has nothing against mining and welcomes the new owners. However, he remains concerned about the well-being of the flora fauna in the South Bay, and the impact of continued encroachment on that fish and wildlife habitat. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Matthew Hamilton in Capitol Confidential reports that the Republican majority handed out Senate committee assignments Thu., Jan. 22, and George Amedore (R-Rotterdam), the new Senator who represents the 46th District, will chair the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee. Amedore will also be on the Banks, Consumer Protection, Elections, and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs committees. "Everyone knows someone who has struggled with addiction, especially with the heroin problem that has overtaken so many communities throughout the state. We need to work on solutions to increase awareness, and also make sure that good treatment programs are available and properly funded. I look forward to working with my colleagues on solutions to help minimize the alcohol and drug abuse problems that so many New Yorkers are facing," said Amedore in a press release. See the full story in Capitol Confidential.

Local News
Local news Click here for news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., Jan. 25. PLAY AUDIO (2:41)

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

• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 25, and a low around 3.

• Monday: A 30 percent chance of snow after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20, and a low around 12.

• Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21.

Sunrise 7:14 a.m.
Sunset 5:01 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 10:13 A.M. 11:31 P.M.
Mercury 7:35 A.M. 5:55 P.M.
Venus 8:26 A.M. 6:51 P.M.
Mars 8:54 A.M. 7:58 P.M.
Jupiter 6:00 P.M. 8:09 A.M.
Saturn 2:52 A.M. 12:34 P.M.
Uranus 10:06 A.M. 10:44 P.M.
Neptune 8:43 A.M. 7:35 P.M.
Pluto 5:54 A.M. 3:20 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Brian Nearing in the Albany Times-Union reports that a misplaced piece of safety equipment triggered a derailment of 18 CSX railroad cars Wed., Jan. 21 at the Selkirk rail yard, the state Department of Transportation said Thursday. Two of the cars had been emptied earlier of highly explosive propane before the accident, which was caused by a derailer inadvertently left on the tracks by a crew that had been making repairs. "The remote control operator was moving freight cars onto that section of track when they ran into the derailer, pushing them off the tracks. Investigators believe the remote control operator was initially unaware of what was happening and continued to move the cars down the track, causing more to derail," according to DOT. Four cars in the accident were classified for hazardous materials: two for propane, one containing residue of a chemical herbicide, and another containing an industrial acid. The accident is the second derailment at the Selkirk yard this year. In February, 13 tanker cars carrying about 29,000 gallons of highly flammable crude oil each derailed, but did not spill or explode. The DOT fined CSX $5,000 for failing to notify the state of the derailment within the one-hour requirement, but this time, they made the deadline. Read the full story in the Times-Union.

[caption width="816" align="alignright"] From NWS.[/caption]• WWF48, the National Weather Service's channel on Mt. Greylock, MA on the frequency 162.525 has been off the air all month, and probably will be off the air until spring. Negotiations with the tower owner are progressing, however, but construction must wait for warmer weather. Stay tuned. to the Albany, NY (WXL34) transmitter at 162.550 MHz in the meantime.

[caption width="403" align="alignnone"] Cecilia Tkaczyk and Tom DePietro hosting WGXC's coverage of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "State of the State" address.[/caption] • Former state Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk and Tom DePietro provided commentary and analysis before and after Gov. Cuomo's "State of the State" address Wed., Jan. 21 on WGXC 90.7-FM. Tkaczyk's show "The Albany Report" will be on at 10 a.m. Monday beginnging next month on WGXC.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Jan. 24. PLAY AUDIO (3:03)

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

• Saturday: Snow is probable, mainly before 3 p.m., with one to three inches expected. High near 34, and a low around 23.

• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 29, and a low around 6.

• Monday: There is a 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20.

Sunrise 7:15 a.m.
Sunset 5:00 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 9:38 A.M. 10:22 P.M.
Mercury 7:43 A.M. 6:02 P.M.
Venus 8:27 A.M. 6:48 P.M.
Mars 8:56 A.M. 7:58 P.M.
Jupiter 6:04 P.M. 8:13 A.M.
Saturn 2:56 A.M. 12:37 P.M.
Uranus 10:10 A.M. 10:48 P.M.
Neptune 8:47 A.M. 7:38 P.M.
Pluto 5:58 A.M. 3:24 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Amateur Radio Newsline: Nevassa Island DXpedition
Jan. 24, 2015: 8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Radia: Jörg Piringer
Jan. 24, 2015: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Radio Camp: Greenville Cub Scouts Troop #42
Jan. 24, 2015: 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
What's The Frequency, Kenneth?: State of the Union
Jan. 24, 2015: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Framework: Mark Vernon
Jan. 24, 2015: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

[caption width="454" align="aligncenter"] From NWS.[/caption]The Hudson Valley should avoid most of the snow that hits New England Saturday, if the National Weather Service forecast holds. Eastern Columbia County is under a Winter Weather Advisory, as is Dutchess County. About one to three inches of snow are expected before 3 p.m. Saturday, though more to the east and south.

Brian Hubert is reporting in the Daily Freeman more than three dozen town residents opposed to the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline were present Wed., Jan. 21, for the Saugerties Town Board meeting, but the board took no action in relation to the plan. Town Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel said town officials want more time to learn about the project before considering a resolution. The 178-mile pipeline would carry crude oil along the Thruway from Albany to Linden, N.J., and refined products back north. Helsmoortel assured the crowd town officials are taking the proposal seriously. Ulster County Legislator Mary Wawro announced her opposition to the plan, and noted the county Legislature is considering a resolution concerning the proposal. Legislator Chris Allen, who represents the hamlets of Barclay Heights and Malden and the village of Saugerties, also said he is opposed to the pipeline. The Kingston Common Council in early January unanimously adopted a resolution in opposition to the Pilgrim Pipeline proposal. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Casey Seiler is reporting at Capitol Confidential U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said the arrest Thu., Jan. 22, of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver goes to “the core of the problem” in state government corruption: “Lack of transparency, lack of accountability and lack of principle, joined with an overabundance of greed, cronyism and self-dealing.” In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Bharara laid out the case against Silver. He said it emerged in part from materials collected by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s Moreland Commission panel on public corruption. That panel was shuttered in April 2014 midway through its planned lifespan. In the case against Silver, the U.S. Attorney is alleging as a state official Silver “...sat back and collected millions of dollars by cashing in on his public office and his political influence.” Silver's attorneys called the charges "meritless," and said their client is looking forward to responding to the allegations in court. The government has seized approximately $3.8 million Silver held in eight different bank accounts at six different banks. Bharara said the corruption work is ongoing. He said, "“We will keep at it,...no one is above the law, no matter who you are, or who know, or how much money you have.” Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

During Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s State of the State address Wed., Jan. 21, more than 500 anti-fracking activists gathered to hold a rally on the concourse of Empire State Plaza to celebrate New York's statewide ban on High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing. The party then moved across the street to the Albany Hilton.

Music performances:

PLAY Richie Stearns (Horse Flies, Donna the Buffalo, Natalie Merchant) "You Are My Sunshine" (1:20).
PLAY Youth Against Fracking Choir "You've Been Fracked" (2:30).
PLAY Josh Fox performs "Star Spangled Banner" on banjo (2:04).

Speakers:

PLAY Wenona Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water Watch (6:30).
PLAY Elizabeth Betta Broad, Energy and Climate Program Manager, Catskill Mountainkeeper (5:06).
PLAY Dr. Sandra Steingraber, New Yorkers Against Fracking, biologist, author, cancer survivor (10:20).
PLAY Julia Walsh, Frack Action (6:50).
PLAY Renee Vogelsang, Frack Action (1:19).
PLAY Isaac Silberman-Gorn, Citizen Action (3:05).
PLAY David Braun, Americans Against Fracking (4:05).
PLAY Josh Fox, director "Gasland" and "Gasland 2" (13:50).

All audio recorded and produced by WGXC volunteer Sam Sebren.

Melanie Lekocevic in the Greene County News reports that two two locomotives sideswiped each other and derailed around 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at the CSX Railyard in Selkirk. The report says the trains were moving slowly when the accident occured, but included no other details. See the full story in the Greene County News.

The Windham Journal reports its parent, Columbia-Greene Media, publishers of the Register Star in Hudson, The Daily Mail in Catskill, and six weekly newspapers, are closing their Catskill printing operations and outsourcing to The Daily Gazette newspaper in Schenectady beginning Feb. 3. Nine full-time and 10 part-time workers at the Catskill facility will be "impacted," according to the story, with "several" offered jobs in Schenectady. The story says the move will allow for "full-color reproduction on every page." Read the full story in The Windham Journal.

The Daily Freeman reports that mmployment was up in much of the WGXC listening area this past December, compared to a year ago. The state Department of Labor reported Jan. 22 that Greene County gained 500 non-farm jobs (3.4 percent), for 15,000 total, while Columbia County added 200 jobs (0.9 percent), to reach 21,500 employed. Additionally, Ulster County added 800 jobs and the statistical area that comprises Dutchess and Orange counties added 1,000. the labor department said. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.