Diane Valden reports in The Columbia Paper that Copake's Dinehart Bridge, also known as the “singing bridge,” will lose its voice when replaced in 2016. The Town Board passed a resolution on Dec. 11 temporarily suspending the five-ton vehicular weigh limit on Center Hill Road, County Route 7A, to establish a truck route detour in anticipation of the replacement of the Bridge. In October, the state Department of Transportation reported, “significant and increased I-beam deterioration near the bridge abutments at four of the bridge’s seven main steel members, which has resulted in the issuance of a red structural flag.” The bridge crosses the Roeliff Jansen Kill, between the Copake hamlet and West Copake. "The 60- to 70-foot long steel girder bridge with an open steel grating deck, which emits a loud humming sound when traversed by vehicle tires, was last replaced in 1938 “after the big flood,” [county DPW Engineering Division Director Dean] Knox told The Columbia Paper in a phone interview this week." The bridge will be closed during construction with traffic moved to Center Hill Road, and then to County Route 7, which comes out in West Copake. Copake's year-end meeting is Dec. 27 at 10 a.m. and its organization meeting is Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m. prior to the regular January meeting. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Local News
Local news Click here for news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., Dec. 21. PLAY AUDIO (2:40)

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

• Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33, and a low around 25.

• Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. A chance of snow showers before 1 a.m. Monday night, then a chance of snow showers, freezing rain, and sleet. Cloudy, with a low around 30.

• Tuesday: Freezing rain and sleet likely before 10 a.m., then rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 41.

Sunrise 7:21 a.m.
Sunset 4:26 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 6:33 A.M. 4:32 P.M.
Mercury 8:04 A.M. 4:50 P.M.
Venus 8:26 A.M. 5:25 P.M.
Mars 10:04 A.M. 7:52 P.M.
Jupiter 8:34 P.M. 10:34 A.M.
Saturn 4:54 A.M. 2:40 P.M.
Uranus 12:23 P.M. 1:03 A.M.
Neptune 10:59 A.M. 9:47 P.M.
Pluto 8:07 A.M. 5:32 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Saturday Night Special: Holiday Noise
Dec. 20, 2014: 7 p.m. – Dec. 21, 2014: 5 a.m.
Radia: Against the Tide
Dec. 21, 2014: 5 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.
CounterSpin: David Dayen, Ladd Everitt
Dec. 21, 2014: 5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.

Brendan J. Lyons reports in the Albany Times-Union reports that the state Committee on Open Government cited a "corrosive lack of transparency" for a unanimous vote this week urging the governor and Legislature to repeal a 1976 statute preventing the public from access to the personnel records of police and correction officers. The 11-member Committee on Open Government, including appointees of the governor and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, complained that the systems has evolved to, "allow police departments to withhold from the public virtually any record that contains any information that could conceivably be used to evaluate the performance of a police officer." the committee's report states. The panel's report also says that New York courts have expanded the meaning of statute section 50-A of the Civil Rights Law to now include former police officers, even though the law limits the shielded materials to, "personnel records used to evaluate performance toward continued employment or promotion." Read the full story in the Albany Times-Union.

Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) issued the following statement on the recent "hacking" attacks on Sony Pictures. “These attacks, which appear to have been carried out by agents of the North Korean regime, cannot be tolerated,” said Congressman Gibson. “Hackers have not only damaged the American film industry and intimidated their employees, more broadly they have threatened our first amendment freedoms because they disagree with the content of a movie. We must stand up to these cowardly acts. I have spent a lifetime protecting this cherished way of life and will advocate to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.” Gibson is back from Washington D.C., and will be in Athens at 2 p.m. Sat., Dec. 20 at the Athens Firehouse on Third St. to honor Eagle Scout Trever Baldwin of Boy Scout Troop 45, and Sun., Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. at the Kinderhook Celebration of Lessons and Carols at the Kinderhook Reformed Church.

Catskill's Ann Forbes-Cooper hosted her final "Between the Lines" show on WGXC Dec. 18. She interviewed Elaine Fernandez, a community activist and founder of a new Hudson Valley Playwrights group based in Rhinecliff. After four years on the air, Forbes-Cooper says she may be back with more radio after ahwile.

Tune in WGXC Christmas Eve afternoon and evening for hourly reports tracking Santa's journey around the globe from NORAD radar reports.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Dec. 20. PLAY AUDIO (2:18)

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

• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Mostly cloudy Saturday night, with a low around 18.

• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 35, and a low around 21.

• Monday: There is a 20 percent chance of showers after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36.

Sunrise 7:20 a.m.
Sunset 4:26 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 5:32 A.M. 3:37 P.M.
Mercury 8:01 A.M. 4:46 P.M.
Venus 8:25 A.M. 5:23 P.M.
Mars 10:06 A.M. 7:52 P.M.
Jupiter 8:38 P.M. 10:38 A.M.
Saturn 4:57 A.M. 2:44 P.M.
Uranus 12:27 P.M. 1:07 A.M.
Neptune 11:03 A.M. 9:51 P.M.
Pluto 8:10 A.M. 5:36 P.M.

WGXC Programming

[caption width="250" align="alignright"] Maybelle's inside, from Yelp.[/caption]Matthew Smallwood of Maybelle's in Catskill discussed the new restaurant on the "WGXC Morning Show" Dec. 19. The restaurant opened recently on Main St. in the village, and on Dec. 11 expanded its breakfasts and lunches to dinner too. Maybelle's is the second venture by owner Jamie Parry, who runs Another Fork In the Road in Milan. Several other restaurants have recently opened in Catskill, and a food truck has rolled into town. Listen to the the full interview with Smallwood here. PLAY AUDIO (5:12)

William J. Kemble in The Daily Freeman reports that Rep. Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) spoke Dec. 4 at a conservative energy forum “Waking Up to America’s Future,” for the Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Concord 51, and the Conservation Leadership Council. Gibson promised to introduce climate change legislation that he hopes his fellow Republicans can agree upon as they take the majority in both chambers in 2015. “We have changing weather patterns, and we have climate change. This is the science,” the congressman said in the speech. “I hope that my party ... will come to be comfortable with this because we have to operate in the realm of knowledge and science, and I still think we can bring forward conservative solutions to this, absolutely, but we have to recognize the reality.” Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

The Daily Freeman reports that Greene County's non-farm (private-sector and government) jobs grew 2.1 percent over last year, or 300 jobs, in November, leading the Hudson Valley, according to the New York Department of Labor. Job totals were unchanged from one November to the next in Columbia County. In Ulster County jobs grew by 800, or 1.3 percent, to 61,800 between November 2013 to last month. The labor department’s Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown statistical area, which comprises Dutchess and Orange counties, added 300 non-farm jobs or just 0.1 percent, while Delaware County lost 200 non-farm jobs or 1.2 percent. Statewide the unemployment rate inched down to 5.9 percent last month, its lowest level in more than six years. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

See the Department of Labor's full press release below.



The statewide unemployment rate in New York declined from 6.0% to 5.9% in November 2014, reaching its lowest level since September 2008, according to preliminary figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor. In addition, New York City’s unemployment rate fell from 6.4% to 6.3%, reaching its lowest level since October 2008.

New York State’s private sector job count remained near its record-high level, falling by only 100 jobs out of more than 7.6 million, or less than 0.1 percent, in November 2014. Since the beginning of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration, the state’s economy has added 506,100 private sector jobs and experienced employment growth in 40 of the past 47 months. This period included 22 consecutive months of private sector job growth, the state’s longest streak on record (current data go back to 1990).

The state’s private sector job count is based on a payroll survey of 18,000 New York employers conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Monthly payroll employment estimates are preliminary and subject to revision as more data becomes available the following month. The federal government calculates New York’s unemployment rate partly based upon the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month.

“In November 2014, the unemployment rates in both New York State and New York City continued their recent downward trend, reaching their lowest levels in more than six years,” said Bohdan M. Wynnyk, Deputy Director of the Division of Research and Statistics.


1) Jobs data (seasonally adjusted):

U.S. and New York State, October - November 2014

The table below compares the over-the-month change in total nonfarm and private sector jobs in the United States and New York State in October-November 2014.

Change in Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs,
October 2014 – November 2014
Change in
Total Nonfarm Jobs:
(private sector + government)
Change in
Private Sector Jobs:

Net
%
Net
%
United States +321,000 +0.2% +314,000 +0.3%
New York State -2,800 0.0% -100 0.0%


2) Unemployment rates (seasonally adjusted):

The state’s unemployment rate is calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, using a statistical regression model that primarily uses the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month. The statewide unemployment rate fell from 6.0% to 5.9% in November 2014. The number of unemployed New Yorkers also decreased over the month -- from 572,300 in October 2014 to 559,800 in November 2014.


Unemployment Rates (%)*
*Data are preliminary and subject to change, based on standard procedures outlined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
November 2014* October 2014 November 2013
United States 5.8 5.8 7.0
New York State 5.9 6.0 7.1
New York City 6.3 6.4 8.2
NYS, outside NYC 5.6 5.7 6.4


3) Jobs data (not seasonally adjusted):

U.S., New York State, Major Regions, and Metro Areas: November 2013 - November 2014

The table that follows compares the over-the-year change in total nonfarm and private sector jobs that occurred in the United States, New York State, the Upstate and Downstate regions, and metro areas in the state between November 2013 and November 2014.


Change in Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs, November 2013 – November 2014
Change in
Total Nonfarm Jobs:
(private sector + government)
Change in
Private Sector Jobs:

Net
%
Net
%
United States +2,765,000 +2.0% +2,672,000 +2.3%
New York State +88,800 +1.0% +97,700 +1.3%

Downstate NY (10-co. area) +96,500 +1.6% +100,600 +2.0%
New York City +79,400 +2.0% +81,100 +2.3%
Suburban Counties +17,100 +0.9% +19,500 +1.2%
Nassau-Suffolk +15,100 +1.2% +15,900 +1.4%
Putnam-Rockland-Westchester +2,000 +0.4% +3,600 +0.7%

Upstate NY (52-co. area) +5,300 +0.2% +11,000 +0.4%
Metro Areas +5,700 +0.2% +9,500 +0.5%
Albany-Schenectady-Troy +3,700 +0.8% +4,500 +1.3%
Binghamton -100 -0.1% +500 +0.6%
Buffalo-Niagara Falls +700 +0.1% +1,700 +0.4%
Elmira +400 +1.0% +500 +1.5%
Glens Falls -100 -0.2% 0 0.0%
Ithaca +800 +1.1% +800 +1.3%
Kingston +800 +1.3% +1,000 +2.2%
Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown +300 +0.1% +800 +0.4%
Rochester +600 +0.1% +900 +0.2%
Syracuse -900 -0.3% -900 -0.3%
Utica-Rome -500 -0.4% -300 -0.3%
Non-metro Counties -400 -0.1% +1,500 +0.4%


Job highlights since November 2013:

In the 10-county Downstate region, private sector jobs grew by 2.0% over the past year. The Downstate region’s private sector job growth was most rapid in New York City (+2.3%) and Nassau-Suffolk (+1.4%).
In the 52-county Upstate region, the private sector job count grew by 0.4% over the past year. Private sector job growth occurred in both the region’s metro areas (+0.5%) and in counties outside of metro areas (+0.4%).
Over the past year, private sector jobs grew most rapidly in these metro areas:
New York City (+2.3%)
Kingston (+2.2%)
Elmira (+1.5%)
Nassau-Suffolk (+1.4%)
Albany-Schenectady-Troy (+1.3%)
Ithaca (+1.3%)
The metro areas in New York State that lost private sector jobs between November 2013 and November 2014 were Syracuse (-0.3%) and Utica-Rome (-0.3%).

4) Jobs data (not seasonally adjusted):

Change in jobs by major industry sector, November 2013 – November 2014

The table below compares the over-the-year change in jobs by major industry sector in New York State occurring between November 2013 and November 2014.

Change in Jobs by Major Industry Sector,
November 2013 - November 2014
*Educational and health services is in the private sector.
Government includes public education and public health services.
Sectors With Job Gains:
Professional & Business Services +35,800
Educational & Health Services* +35,200
Leisure & Hospitality +18,100
Trade, Transportation & Utilities +11,600
Construction +3,800
Other Services +2,100
Natural Resources & Mining +200

Sectors With Job Losses:
Government* - 8,900
Manufacturing -6,100
Information - 2,600
Financial Activities -400


Highlights among NYS sectors with job gains since November 2013:

Professional and business services added the most jobs (+35,800) of any major industry sector over the past year. Over the past year, sector job gains were mostly in professional, scientific and technical services (+18,100), and administrative and support services (+15,600).
Private educational and health services had the second largest increase in jobs (+35,200) between November 2013 and November 2014. Sector employment gains were centered in health care and social assistance (+34,300), especially ambulatory health care services (+23,200).
The third largest employment increase over the past year was registered in leisure and hospitality (+18,100), with most sector gains in accommodation and food services (+16,100), especially food services and drinking places (+13,900).
Highlights among NYS sectors with job losses since November 2013:

Over the past 12 months, government lost more jobs (-8,900) than any other major industry sector in the state, with job losses greatest at the local level (-8,200), especially local elementary and secondary schools (-2,600).
Between November 2013 and November 2014, manufacturing job losses (-6,100) were split between nondurable goods (-3,100) and durable goods (-3,000).


5) Regular Unemployment Insurance (UI):

For New York State, during the week that included November 5, 2014, there were 131,455 people (including 120,515 who live in the state) who received benefits under the regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) program.

New York State residents who received Unemployment Insurance benefits made up 22% of the total unemployed in the state in November 2014.

Note: The responsibility for the production of monthly estimates of state and metro area nonfarm employment by industry moved from the Division of Research and Statistics to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), starting with the March 2011 estimates. More detailed information on the change is available on the BLS web site.

Many economic data series have a seasonal pattern, which means they tend to occur at the same time each year (e.g., retail jobs usually increase in December). Seasonal adjustment is the process of removing seasonal effects from a data series. This is done to simplify the data so that they may be more easily interpreted and help to reveal true underlying trends. Seasonal adjustment permits comparisons of data from one month to data from any other month.

Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In New York State, payroll jobs data by industry come from a monthly survey of 18,000 business establishments. Jobs data by industry do not include agricultural workers, the self-employed, unpaid family workers or domestic workers in private households.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="164"] Lisa Fisher
(Courtesy albanygop.org)[/caption]

The Daily Freeman is reporting Lisa Fisher was ceremonially sworn in Thu., Dec. 18, as a new state Supreme Court justice in New York’s Third Judicial District. The ceremony was held at the Greene County Courthouse in Catskill. Fisher, a Republican from New Baltimore, was elected in November and formally begins her 14-year term in January. Fisher defeated Albany Democrat Justin Corcoran. She will be the first female judge in the district in more than a decade. The seven counties in the district include Ulster, Greene and Columbia.

Matthew Hamilton in Capitol Confidential reports that though medical marijuana won't be available in New York until January 2016, the state announced draft regulations for the program Dec. 18. “Today we take another step forward to provide much-needed relief to New Yorkers living with extraordinary pain, while balancing the need to safeguard general public health and safety,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “These proposed regulations are designed with that in mind, so that we can alleviate suffering for patients with serious conditions while also ensuring that medical marijuana is dispensed and administered responsibly.” On Wed., Dec. 17, a few state legislators considering a bill to legalize recreational marijuana held a hearing to raise a bill in the 2015 session. State Senator Liz Krueger said the bill doesn't have much chance during the upcoming legislative session but was holding hearings to keep the conversation moving forward, Dan Goldberg reported in Capital New York.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 31F; low 20F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 33F; low 23F.[/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 sunny. High near 35. Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 23.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: Partly sunny. High near 35. Saturday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 23.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High near 35. Sunday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 28.
Monday: Mostly cloudy. High near 39. Monday night, a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy. Low around 38.

Sunrise today: 7:20 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:25 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:05 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the third 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
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: Matthew Smallwood Local interviews, local news, regional events, music and more, live from Wave Farm in Acra in Greene County. At 7:30 a.m., host Tom Roe is joined by Matthew Smallwood from the restaurant Maybelle's, located at 355 Main Street, Catskill, NY. Smallwood will discuss his recently opened establishment, which is a second venture by owner Jamie Parry (Another Fork In the Road in Milan, NY); new dinner hours and menu; and their special New Years Eve event.
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?: Mirna Quesada, Adam Rivera First, the Affordable Care Act and the open enrollment period to register for health insurance. A discussion with Mexican immigrant Mirna Quesada about her family business, and her gift idea for the upcoming holidays. And part two of the interview with Adam Rivera, of the child care staff at the Children's Home of Kingston. Rivera talks about his life in Puerto Rico and his involvement with the Latin Kings. Produced by Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News
7 p.m.: Guest DJ: Michel Mazza

Brian Nearing in the Albany Times-Union reports that the Lafarge cement plant in Ravena in southern Albany County got a $100,000 state fine for polluting a stream that feeds the Hudson River last week from state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The Lafarge plant on Route 9W spilled 1,500 gallons of sulfuric acid on July 1, sparking an investigation. In all, Lafarge admitted to 50 violations of federal water pollution rules, according to an agreement signed Dec. 12 by DEC Regional Director Keith Goertz and Plant Manager Mike Kralik. "Waiting three years for enforcement action is far from ideal," said Phillip Musegaas, director of the the advocacy group Riverkeeper's Hudson River program. "This appears to be a systemic record of continual violations, which suggests this facility has not been operating in compliance with its permits." The DEC now requires Lafarge:
• Repair and replace the pipes that collect liquids from the landfill, and finish a new system to control alkalinity and remove mercury, a toxic heavy metal;
• Create a "draft preventive maintenance program" for landfill fluid collection, stormwater, acid storage and pumping stations that control fluid movement;
• Report on the "total amount" of sulfuric acid that was stored in the tank that leaked, how much was recovered and later stored temporarily at the plant, how much was later shipped elsewhere and "any remaining unaccounted for sulfuric acid." Read the full story in the Albany Times-Union.

Max Oppen is reporting in The Daily Mail he Civil Service Employees Association, or CSEA Local 820, Unit 7000, demonstrated on Main Street in Catskill Wed., Dec. 17, to draw attention to the fact that some Greene County employees are working without a labor contract. CSEA Unit 7000 president Judy Soderblom, who has been working for Greene County for more than 20 years, said county employees want the public to know what is going on. “We want to be treated fairly,” she said. The local was visible in November when approximately 50 members protested the $10,000 salary increases for both the county clerk and sheriff. According to a fact-finder’s report, which was obtained by the paper through a Freedom of Information Law request, CSEA has asked for a 3.5 percent wage increase each year under a four-year agreement. The county’s counteroffer is a salary freeze for 2013 and 2014, and a 1.5 percent salary increase in 2015, only if union members accept the county’s health care plan. The fact-finder reported the average wage of Greene County employees is currently nearly $40,000, which would increase to an average of $63,000 after the inclusion of benefits including step increases, longevity payments, Social Security, pension and worker’s compensation. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Casey Seiler in Capitol Confidential reports that the state Gaming Commission’s casino siting board picked Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady for one of three casino licenses. Montreign Resort Casino in the Town of Thompson, Sullivan County, and the Lago resort proposed for the Town of Tyre in Seneca County, were the other choices. The board turned down proposals in or closer to the WGXC listening area in East Greenbush in Rensselear County, at Howe Caverns in Schoharie County, and at the Belleayre Resort in Ulster County. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

Matthew Hamilton reports at Capitol Confidential acting state Health Department Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said Wed., Dec. 17, he would not recommend high-impact hydraulic fracturing in New York state. “Would I live in a community with HVHF (high-volume hydraulic fracturing) based on the facts I have now?” Zucker said. “Would I let my child play in the school field nearby, or my family drink the water from the tap or grow their vegetables in the soil? After looking at a plethora of reports … my answer is no.” Now, the state Department of Environmental Conservation will complete the SEQR (seekr) process with a final study published early next year, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “I will then issue a legally binding finding statement prohibiting HVHF in New York state at this time,” Martens said. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said he would be bound to whatever the “experts” decided “because I am not in a position to second-guess them with my expertise.... It can’t be political — it’s after the election.” he said. Locally, Hudson-based state representative Didi Barrett released a statement. “Our communities have worked hard to protect our natural resources and our beautiful Hudson River because we know how important it is to have a vibrant, safe and healthy water supply. The Department of Health’s recommendation to ban fracking is consistent with that priority, and makes sure that the health of our families, our water and natural resources are protected so that our communities remain strong, and our environment stays clean, now, and for future generations,” Barrett said. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 37F; low 27F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 38F; low 29F.[/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 showers, possibly mixing with rain after 11 a.m., then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy. High near 41. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 26.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 36. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 21.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 35. Saturday night, a slight chance of snow after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 26.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High near 38. Sunday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 29.

Sunrise today: 7:19 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:25 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:05 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).
COXSACKIE-ATHENS Board of Education meeting, 6:30 p.m. at high school, 24 Sunset Blvd., Coxsackie (731-1800).
COPAKE Land Use Review Committee meeting, 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
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 Common Council Economic Development Committee meeting is cancelled.
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
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 News, weather, events, music and more. Live from the 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.
11 a.m.: One Size Fits All: 20141218 The final hour of "One Size Fits All" in 2014. This hour-long investigation into the idea of amplified sound will begin the holiday festivities with Matteah Baim and conclude with a seasonal insight from William S. Burroughs and Kurt Cobain. Produced by Your Host. The full playlist can be found at www.Facebook.com/OneSizeWGXC.
2 p.m.: Between the Lines: Elaine Fernandez Elaine Fernandez, community activist and founder of the new Hudson Valley Playwrights group based in Rhinecliff, NY, discusses why she founded the group and the up-and-coming weekend of staged readings of new plays and monologues at the Morton Library on January 17 and 18, 2015. Plus, Ann Forbes Cooper bids a fond farewell after almost four years of hosting the show. She pays tribute to former guests and signs off with a reading of her own work.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: A Christmas Carol Laurence Olivier plays Scrooge in this radio theatre story of the Charles Dickens holiday classic. Plus Spike Jones and His City Slickers perform a special version of "Jingle Bells."
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: "Sauerkraut" Seth Travins, Gene Shetsky “Sauerkraut” Seth Travins will be in the studio to discuss “Seth’s Sauerkraut Revue," his work with the Wiyos and his sauerkraut business. Hudson Mayor's Aide Gene Shetsky will come by to talk about Columbia County’s plans for the Lincoln Funeral Train Commemoration in April. Plus, news, weather, events, music and more. Hosted by Ellen Thurston and Tom DePietro, with Jake "The Intern" Ebel.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News
7 p.m.: The Jazz Disturbance: Charlie Apicella Guitarist Charlie Apicella, who was born and bred in Hudson, NY, will talk about his Italian heritage, his familial musical influences, his education in music and his latest release with Iron City on Zoho Records, “Big Boss.” Hosted by Cheryl K.

Audrey Matott is reporting in The Daily Mail the Cairo-Durham Central School District's $3.3 million capital project was approved by voters, Tues., Dec. 16. The referendum was agreed to on a vote of 137 to 98. Interim School District Superintendent Anthony Taibi (tie-EE-bee) said, “I’m thankful for the support of the community on our capital project and passing the project ensures that we can keep our costs even going forward.” Board of Education President David Infantino was also pleased. He said, “There are a lot of things that are going to be set in place that need to be set in place; a lot of security-minded improvements.” The green light from voters authorized payment for an upgrade to the district water treatment system, the creation of a single point of entry at the elementary school, asbestos abatement, updates to the elementary school playgrounds and the addition of a new bus loop and 60 more parking spaces, along with various other updates to the elementary school building. Construction is expected to get underway in the summer of 2015. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Arthur Cusano is reporting in the Register Star former state Assembly candidate Mike Kelsey was arrested Mon., Dec. 15, on charges he sexually abused two Boy Scouts during an upstate camping trip. He is an elected member of the Dutchess County Legislature. Kelsey, 36, of Pleasant Valley, was arrested by state police and charged with forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. The alleged incident involved two 15-year-old male scouts and occurred during a week-long 50-mile hike in the Adirondack State Park, in August. Kelsey pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released after posting bail. Kelsey, a Republican, narrowly lost to incumbent Democrat Didi Barrett in the race for 106th Assembly District seat in November. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Michael Ryan is reporting in The Daily Mail Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka (CHIA-kah) has become the second prosecutor to withdraw from the investigation into potential wrongdoing in Windham that may, or may not involve Town Supervisor and former police chief Stacy Post. Reached by phone this week, Czajka offered the paper little detail about the investigation or his decision to withdraw. He said, “I can confirm that I have asked the county court to relieve me from the investigation and prosecution of at least one case in Greene County, the specifics of which I cannot discuss.” A former Bronx assistant district attorney, John Sandleitner (SAND-lite-ner), has been appointed to take over the probe by the Greene Co. Supreme Court. Sandleitner maintains a private practice in the town of Hunter. Acting Greene County District Attorney Charles Bucca (BOO-khah) recused himself in April to avoid any appearance of impropriety. State police investigators raided Post’s home and seized a computer from her town hall office in March. No charges have been filed. Town officials continue to decline comment on the matter. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.