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.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240"] The Selkirk Cogeneration Project. From American Power Ventures website.[/caption]

The 348-megawatt Selkirk Cogeneration Project announced plans to return to service, in a press release from the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) about recent power plants starting up in the Hudson Valley. In March, the Albany Times-Union reported that the natural gas-fired plant -- then employing 30 -- filed documents with the state Public Service Commission to possibly shut down Sept. 1, if its owners could not negotiate a new land lease. The Selkirk Cogen plant shares land with Saudia Arabia-based Sabic Innovative Plastics on Feura Bush Road. As a cogeneration plant, the facility has sold steam to the plastics factory. July 30, the Department of Environmental Conservation made a tentative determination to issue a Title V Permit renewal to the plant. The press release from NYISO also touts another new Hudson Valley power source, the 495-MW Danskammer Generating Station in Newburgh.

The Register-Star reports that Columbia County crime victims can now receive a text message notification about the custody status of an offender incarcerated in a county correctional facility in New York state or a correctional facility in New York City. Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett announced the launch of an enhancement to the New York Sheriffs’ Victim Hotline (VINE) last week. In 2014, almost 2.8 million crime victims searched the VINE Database, using either the toll free number (1-888-VINE-4-NY), the VINEMobile app, (both available for IPhone and Android), or the website (VineLink.com). Read the full story in the Register-Star.

The Daily Freeman is reporting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will host a public information meeting and open house to solicit public input and recommendations to amend the Kaaterskill Wild Forest Unit Management Plan. The meeting will be held this evening (Wed., Dec. 17) at the Hunter Town Hall. As an initial step to address safety concerns at Kaaterskill Falls, the DEC installed approximately 200 feet of split-rail fencing at the top of the falls and another 150 feet of fencing at the base of the falls to discourage the public from entering hazardous areas. The DEC also installed additional signage warning the public about the danger of leaving the marked and maintained areas. Comments will be accepted through Jan. 16. For information go to www [dot] DEC [dot] NY {dot] gov.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 43F; low 32F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 45F; low 32F.[/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 Special Weather Statement for the morning of Wed., Dec. 17. Locally dense fog is forecast across the WGXC listening area. Visibility of less than a half mile are possible at times.

Today: A slight chance of showers. Areas of fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy. High near 45. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Wednesday night, a slight chance of rain showers, mixing with snow after 9 p.m., then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. High near 41. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 25.
Friday: Partly sunny. High near 38. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 23.
Saturday: Partly sunny. High near 36. Saturday night, a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy. Low around 29.

Sunrise today: 7:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:25 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:06 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).
GHENT Planning Board, 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature public hearing on senior citizen tax exemption, 6:15 p.m.; public hearing on real property tax exemption for those disabled or with limited income, 6:20 p.m.; public hearing AG District 124, 6:25 p.m.; full 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
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Howard Stelzer Episode 960 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 960.
2 a.m.: FFFoxy Podcast: The Hafler Trio This episode of the FFFoxy Podcast (#48) runs the stylistic gamut maybe more noticeably than usual. Throughout the show you’ll hear everything from saccharine pop songs (Piano Movers, Jerry Paper) to blasted riff rock (Exhaustion, Shooting Guns) to text-based shenanigans (Yeast Culture, The Hafler Trio) and several points in between. There simply was a lot of great music to cover; in fact, this might be the most tracks we’ve ever played in a single episode of the show. Hopefully everything flows together in a way that doesn’t sound too jarring on your ears. Throughout the show you’ll also hear the phrase “_____, who put out one of my favorite releases of the year” tossed around a few times, so it’s worth mentioning that we’ll be putting together our year-end “FFFavorites” list once again in the week’s ahead. This year we are going to be featuring 50 titles broken down into the following categories: 20 favorite albums, 20 favorite tapes, 10 favorite reissues/archival releases. We won’t, however, be doing any type of year-end recap on the podcast show itself, we’ve got plenty of other new music and feature shows to get to.

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.
10 a.m.: @Issue: Tiffany Garriga, Alexis Keith, Quintin Cross Hudson Aldermen Tiffany Garriga and Alexis Keith (Democrats), and Quintin Cross, Executive Director of the Staley B. Keith Social Justice Center, will discuss diversity issues in the city of Hudson and in Columbia Co., in addition to other equality and social justice issues. Hosted by Victor Mendolia and Debora Gilbert. (Mendolia is the chairman of the Hudson City Democratic Committee.)
2 p.m.: Catskill Cabin Conversations: The Best of 2014 Catskill Cabin Conversations will be airing a compilation show of its guests from the past year. Tune in for an hour of fun and hilarity. Who knows, you might learn something, too. Hosted by Andy Reid and Mike Porter.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

Arthur Cusano is reporting in the Register Star following a public hearing Mon., Dec. 15, the Columbia County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the county's 2015 budget. The $147.3 million spending plan includes a 1.34 percent tax levy increase, which falls under the state-mandated tax cap. The budget includes funding for infrastructure repairs and renovations to the county Department of Social Services building in Hudson. The projected sales tax revenue for 2015 was increased to $36 million. Also included was a $1.2 million transfer to subsidize the county-owned Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The spending plan did not contain any cuts to services or staff. Following the budget vote the full board heard presentations in executive session from three for-profit companies interested in purchasing the Pine Haven facility. The county intends to follow through on the process of privatizing the 120-bed skilled nursing center some time in the coming year. Read the full story in the Register Star.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="335"] The LRAD 100X Handheld Acoustic System, the device purchased by the New York Police Department in 2004. (Courtesy LRAD website)[/caption]

Colin Moynihan is reporting in The New York Times New York City police are now using a long-range acoustic device to transmit loud, piercing sounds as a crowd control tool. The ear-splitting noise emitted from the device can reach up to 152 decibels. The apparatus was used Thu., Dec. 4, to control marchers during protests that erupted following a New York grand jury's failure to indict a police officer in the July killing of Eric Garner on State Island. A witness who came close to the device while documenting the protests, called the beeps “emotionally jarring.” She reported experiencing pressure on her forehead, and feeling dizzy and disoriented. On Fri., Dec. 12, three attorneys sent a letter to Police Commissioner William J. Bratton requesting the devices not be used for deterrent purposes until the police fully tested them, adopted public guidelines for their use and trained officers in how to properly operate them. A New York Police Department spokesman said officer training in the use of the devices addresses intensity of sound, duration and distance. In the past weeks, they said, these factors were controlled at levels not considered dangerous or harmful. The department purchased two of the devices in 2004 for $35,000 a piece, in preparation for the Republican National Convention. They were used to make announcements during the convention and to clear Occupy Wall St. protesters from Zuccotti Park in 2011. The use of the deterrent function on Dec. 4 appeared to be the first sustained use in New York, the lawyers said. In addition to the NYPD, police departments in Santa Ana, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Boston use long-range acoustic devices built by the San Diego-based LRAD Corporation. Read the full story in The New York Times.

The Daily Freeman is reporting gasoline prices continue to fall. The average retail price of gas in New York state fell an additional 5.4 cents per gallon last week. According to New York State Gas Prices [dot] com, as of Sun., Dec. 14, the average price was $3 per gallon statewide. In the Hudson-Catskill area, GasBuddy.com showed the price of 87-octane gas was in the range of $2.87 to $3.04 per gallon. The national average was $2.57 per gallon, down 8.3 cents from the previous week. A senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy said stations in 13 states were selling gas for less than $2 per gallon. The price in New York reported was nearly 66 cents per gallon lower than the same day a year ago, and 26 cents lower than in November. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Mon., Dec. 15, announced the results of the latest round of crude oil tank car and rail inspections. In a statement released by his office, Cuomo said inspectors from the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration uncovered 100 defects, including eight critical safety defects that require immediate action. State and federal teams examined 704 crude oil tank cars and approximately 95 miles of track during these inspections, which occurred on Tues., Dec. 9, at Frontier Rail Yard in Buffalo, Dunkirk Rail Yard in Chautauqua Co., and Kenwood Rail Yard in Albany. The inspectors also examined the CSX mainline track between Schenectady and Selkirk and the Canadian Pacific mainline track between Albany and Whitehall, and between Plattsburgh and the Canadian border. Read the full press release online at governor [dot] ny [dot] gov.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 39F; low 35F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 41F; low 37F.[/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 rain, mainly after 3 p.m. Cloudy. High near 41. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Tuesday night, rain, mainly before 3 a.m. Low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Wednesday: A chance of showers, mainly before 7 a.m. Cloudy. High near 47. Wednesday night, a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. High near 41. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 28.
Friday: Partly sunny. High near 35. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 24.

Sunrise today: 7:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:24 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:06 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.)

DURHAM Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
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 Community Programming Advisory Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m. at the WGXC Hudson studio, 704 Columbia St., 2nd Fl., Hudson (697-7400). WGXC Community Programming Advisory Committee reviews incoming program applications, conduct programming evaluations and provide feedback about the community program schedule. The public is welcome to attend.

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 Mr. “Peetie 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

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="295"] A Kindergarten to Career program that encourages students to explore job options is just one of the funding recipients of the Long Island Community Foundation. The organization says 2014 has been a tough year for nonprofit groups. (Courtesy Long Island Community Foundation)[/caption]

Public News Service is reporting when federal and state funds fall short, someone has to step up and in 2014, charitable donations played a major part in addressing health and social service needs across the state. David Okorn, executive director of the Long Island Community Foundation, says 2014 has been a tough year for nonprofit organizations that serve New Yorkers because of shortfalls in both state and federal funds. He says his group works with a variety of donors to help fill many of those gaps. "The largest impact really seems to be on social service providers and social service agencies,” he adds, “organizations that are providing food to the hungry, housing to homeless people." During the largest round of grants this year, Okorn says the Long Island Community Foundation provided $500,000 to 23 nonprofit groups on the island. Marie Smith heads up donor relations for the Community Foundation, and says immigrant issues have also been at the forefront in 2014. "The new population that's coming in of unaccompanied minors, the immigrant children that are coming in,” she explains. “Long Island has a huge influx of that going on right now. We're trying to work with nonprofits that are going to address those issues." The very first Community Foundation in the U.S., based in Ohio, is celebrating 100 years of service this year. Okorn says his group is an operating division of the New York Trust, which just marked 90 years of service. "We spend a lot of time educating our donors, so that they really understand not only the issues, but also which organizations are effectively addressing those issues," he explains. PLAY FULL AUDIO VERSION OF THIS REPORT (1:41).

Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Dec. 12 through Mon., Dec. 15:

Melanie Lekocevic reported in The Daily Mail Coxsackie Police Chief Donald Meier abruptly resigned early last week. There was little, if any explanation for the sudden resignation. Village Mayor Mark Evans said Meier’s decision to step down was his own. He said, “Chief Meier resigned of his own accord; his resignation was not requested or demanded." During his tenure as head of the Coxsackie Police Department, Meier spearheaded a number of new programs for the village. He was one of the key original organizers of the Coxsackie Police Athletic League and the Safe Summer Program. The village board is expected to begin its search for a new police chief shortly.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="294"] The White Mills Road bridge in Chatham. (Courtesy town of Chatham Facebook page.)[/caption]

Last week marked the reopening of the White Mills Road bridge in Chatham. The bridge, which spans the CSX railroad tracks, has been closed more than seven years. Vince Pecoraro reported in the Chatham Courier, following the snowfall overnight Wed., Dec. 11, the Chatham Town Highway Department plowed and sanded the bridge and then reopened it to traffic.

Lance Wheeler reported in the Columbia Paper two Taconic Hills School District students and their bus driver suffered minor injuries when the school bus they were riding in rolled over on County Route 11 in Claverack, last week. The bus was headed north when it traveled across the road, struck a guard rail and then overturned. The accident was attributed to the icy road conditions. The driver was taken to Albany Medical Center with minor injuries. Two students on the bus were taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital with minor injuries a third student was uninjured and released to a parent.

Audrey Matott reported in The Daily Mail voters in the Cairo-Durham Central School District will go to the polls, Tues., Dec. 16, to vote on the district's capital improvements proposal. Acting Superintendent Anthony Taibi (tie-EE-bee) said the two-year, $3.3 million project will not create an additional tax burden to district residents. “It is the perfect time for us to do this project, keeping the project small ensures that there is no impact," he said. Among the improvements planned: An upgrade to the district's 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. The vote will be held 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tues., Dec. 16, in the Cairo-Durham Middle School cafeteria. The snow date is Wed., Dec. 17.

The New York State Department of Health announced Fri., Dec. 12, an extension of the December 15 deadline to enroll or renew health insurance coverage through the NY State of Health (NYSOH) Marketplace. The deadline to apply for, or renew coverage that takes effect January 1 has been extended through December 20. The extension gives consumers more time to enroll because of November’s extreme winter weather.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 36F; low 26F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 37F; low 28F.[/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 38. Monday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 26.

Forecast for the next three days:
Tuesday: A slight chance of drizzle, then a chance of rain, mainly after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 38. Tuesday night, rain likely, mainly before 1 a.m. Cloudy. Low around 34.
Wednesday: A chance of rain, mainly before 1 p.m. Cloudy. High near 46. Wednesday night, mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. High near 39. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 26.

Sunrise today: 7:17 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:24 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:06 hrs.

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).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors public hearing on the 2015 Columbia Co. Budget, 5:30 p.m.; Pine Haven bid presentation, 6:30 p.m.; both at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
GERMANTOWN Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
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; public hearings on Local Law B, Local Law C and tentative 2015 county budget, 7 p.m. at Catskill High School auditorium, 341 W. Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENVILLE Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Offices, corner of routes 32 and 81, Greenville (966-8276).
HUDSON Common Council Legal Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
TAGHKANIC Zoning Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m., at Town Hall, 909 Route 82, Taghkanic (851-7638).

WGXC Fundraising Advisory Committee meeting, 6 p.m. at 704 Columbia St., 2nd Fl., Hudson (697-7400). This group provides leadership with respect to fundraising events and major donor gifts for WGXC 90.7-FM. (Meeting rescheduled from Dec. 8 due to inclement weather.)

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 Mr. “Peetie 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: Diggie asks, "Who named the fire?" My young Digg looked up at me and asked, "Papa, who named the fire?" This sent me into the far distant past, mentally questing and coming up drawin' blanks. I honestly do not know who named the fire, and what is the fire? Let's find out! Hosted by Tyson Hauf.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

The New York State Department of Health announced Fri., Dec. 12 an extension of the December 15 deadline for enrolling or renewing health insurance coverage through the NY State of Health (NYSOH) Marketplace. The deadline to apply for or renew coverage that takes effect January 1 has been extended through December 20. The extension gives consumers more time to enroll, because of November’s extreme winter weather.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) announced Fri., Dec. 12 that a measure to reauthorize the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area designation passed the Senate in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This reauthorization gives the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area breaks to promote recreation and tourism, with federal funding for local projects. The legislation already passed the House on Dec. 4, and now heads to the President’s desk for signature. “The Hudson River Valley is truly one of America’s richest treasures, and holds enormous potential that we are still unlocking,” Senator Gillibrand said. First authorized in 1996, the National Heritage authorization expired in 2012, and was extended for just a year, in 2013 and also 2014. The designation -- from Saratoga to Westchester -- lasts through 2021.

Organizers of the Mountain Jam concerts in Hunter announced headliners for this year's event: The Black Keys, Gov't Mule, and Moe. The 11th edition of the event takes place June 4-7 on Hunter Mountain.

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. 14. PLAY AUDIO (3:23)

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

• Sunday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 39, and a low around 25.

• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 39, and a low around 27.

• Tuesday: There is a 40 percent chance of showers after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 43.

Sunrise 7:16 a.m.
Sunset 4:24 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon Prev Day 12:00 P.M.
Mercury 7:41 A.M. 4:29 P.M.
Venus 8:17 A.M. 5:12 P.M.
Mars 10:16 A.M. 7:51 P.M.
Jupiter 9:03 P.M. 11:02 A.M.
Saturn 5:18 A.M. 3:05 P.M.
Uranus 12:51 P.M. 1:30 A.M.
Neptune 11:26 A.M. 10:14 P.M.
Pluto 8:33 A.M. 5:59 P.M.

WGXC Programming
Tabs Out: Takamitsu Ohta
Dec. 14, 2014: 1 a.m. – 4 a.m.
Radia: Anne Lepère
Dec. 14, 2014: 5 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.
CounterSpin: Baher Azmy, Mel Goodman
Dec. 14, 2014: 5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200"] State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk talks to WGXC's Tom Roe on election day in Catskill. Photo from Cecilia Tkaczyk Twitter feed.[/caption]State Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk announced Thu., Dec. 11, her post-government plans will include hosting a weekly public affairs show on WGXC at 90.7-FM, and on the web at wgxc.org. The Duanesburg Democrat made the announcement at an event held to thank supporters at Crossroads Brewery in Athens. Tkaczyk was defeated by Rotterdam Republican George Amedore in November; she will leave the Senate Jan. 1. Her show, "The Albany Report" will provide a behind the scenes look at what's happening in the state capital. Tkaczyk will help parse and dissect the state budget and legislative issues important to the residents of Columbia and Greene counties. Tkaczyk spent more than 20 years focused on issues of government accountability as the executive director of a statewide coalition of affordable housing providers, president of the Duanesburg school board and a high-ranking Senate staff member. She intends to bring that same sensibility to her weekly radio broadcast. The show is expected to begin airing in February.

Rip Van Winkle Amateur Radio Club monthly meeting is Mon., Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Churchtown Firehouse, 2219 Rte. 27, in Churchtown, in Claverack. This meeting includes their annual Christmas goody fest.

[caption id="attachment_38560" align="alignleft" width="274"] Matt Bua, Al Davis, and Max Goldfarb (l-r) load in the WGXC's Energy-Onix transmitter made in Valatie at the Cairo transmitter site.[/caption]Barbara Reina in the Register-Star reports that Valatie is attempting to recover debt owed on a $500,000 2007 loan to Energy-Onix, a radio parts manufactuer. The manufacturing company that received a Community Development Block Grant went out of business in recent months, after founder Bernard Wise died last year. Wise was internationally famous in radio broadcasting circles for his “grounded grid” transmitter innovation. The company made radio transmitters for stations around the world, including for WGXC. Wise's son Jack Wise took over management of the company, which has since closed. Reina reports the company once had 21 employees. Read the full story in the Register-Star.