Sean Eldridge and U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson have agreed to a debate schedule. The campaigns Tues., Aug. 26, issued a joint statement announcing the agreement, thanking the various venues involved. "We...look forward to having multiple, substantive debates on the issues," said Gibson campaign manager Kevin Crumb, and Gabrielle Quintana Greenfield, Eldridge campaign manager. Democrat Eldridge is challenging Republican Gibson in the 19th Congressional District in the general election, Nov. 4. The debate schedule is as follows:

1. October 3, 2014
   Joint Editorial Board Meeting with the Poughkeepsie Journal


2. October 6, 2014
   Debate at Lake Katrine Middle School


3. October 16, 2014
   Debate at WMHT Studio (Troy)


4. October 22, 2014
   Debate on Time Warner Cable News studio

In other election news, the Hudson City Democrats announced its slate of candidates for the November election. In a statement released Mon., Aug. 25, Committee Chairman Victor Mendolia announced support for Eldridge, for Brian Howard in the state Senate District 43 race, and for Didi Barrett in the 106th state Assembly District. The committee also endorsed Eric Schneiderman for attorney general and Tom DiNapoli for comptroller. The Hudson Democrats chose not to endorse a candidate in the gubernatorial race. Randy Credico, incumbent Andrew M. Cuomo and Zephyr Teachout will face off in a primary election, Tues., Sept. 9. Ed. note: Mendolia is a WGXC programmer.

John Ferro writes in the Poughkeepsie Journal the chief executive officer of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. says there is no contradiction between the utility's opposition to a federal plan that has increased home power costs, and its own plan to do the same. Steven Lant told the paper's editorial board Tues., Aug. 26, the newly created federal capacity zone does not create value for customers. Central Hudson's proposed rate increase, he said, would be used to fund infrastructure projects. The capacity zone, and the resulting six percent cost increase, were imposed in May by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC. Central Hudson is challenging the zone in court. Meanwhile, the power company is seeking a seven percent increase in what it charges to deliver electricity. It is also seeking a 1.29 percent increase in its natural gas delivery rates. A representative of the grassroots organization Pleasant Valley Concerned Citizens said that while he agreed in part with Lant's comments about FERC, he said Central Hudson is fighting the federally imposed increase because it hinders Central Hudson's chances of receiving its own rate hike. The utility's request is currently before the state Public Service Commission. A final decision is not expected until next summer. Read the full story in the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 86F; low 58F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 86F; low 59F.[/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 Hazardous Weather Outlook for east central New York, northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts and southern Vermont for Wed., Aug. 27. Widely scattered to scattered thunderstorms are expected Wednesday afternoon into evening. The storms are not expected to be severe and will occur along and ahead of a cold front. The front will move from northwest to southeast through the region.

Today: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 85. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Wednesday night, partly cloudy. Low around 59.

Forecast for the next three days:
Thursday: Sunny. High near 76. Thursday night, clear. Low around 50.
Friday: Sunny. High near 75. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 56.
Saturday: Partly sunny. High near 81. Saturday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 65.

Sunrise today: 6:16 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:37 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:20 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the fourth Wednesday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All telephone numbers are in the 518 area code except where noted.)

ATHENS Village Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Community Center, 2 First St., Athens (945-1551).
CAIRO Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
CATSKILL Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m., at high school, 341 Main St., Catskill (943-4696).
CLAVERACK Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on the Ginsberg project, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 91 Church St., Mellenville (672-7911).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Public Works Committee, 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Hamlet Revitalization Task Force meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mountain View Rd., Copake (329-1234).
HUDSON Common Council Public Works Committee meeting is CANCELLED; Legal Committee meeting, 6:15 p.m.; both at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUDSON Development Corporation meeting (tentative), 2 p.m. at 1 North Front St., Hudson (751-1044).
KINDERHOOK Historical Committee meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
PHILMONT Village Board Workshop meeting, 7 p.m., Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Architects Office Episode 944 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 944.

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.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: The Right Opinion: Steve McLaughlin State Assembly member Steve McLaughlin will discuss his re-election bid. The Melrose Republican has represented the 107th Assembly District, which includes parts of Albany, Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer counties, since 2011. Hosted by Ed Fertik.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

Adam Clayton is reporting in the Register Star Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Pat Grattan explained Mon., Aug. 25, the logic behind his decision to have the Airport Subcommittee report to the Public Works Committee. The Kinderhook Republican has been under fire from various members of the public since announcing the decision earlier this month. The Public Works Committee is chaired by Supervisor Mike Benson. During his tenure on the Airport Subcommittee, Benson was resistant to public input, among other things. Grattan said Public Works would oversee the workings of the Airport Subcommittee, but would not hold sway over subcommittee decision-making. Grattan denied he intended to disband the subcommittee. He said, “As long as I am chairman of the Board of Supervisors, there will be an Airport Subcommittee.” Grattan and subcommittee chair Art Bassin agreed some members should be shared between the two groups. Supervisors Sarah Sterling and Ron Knott will now be crossover members of the Airport Subcommittee, while Supervisor Mike Benvenuto will join Public Works. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Public News Service is reporting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this year became the first federal agency to acknowledge the potential health risks from using cell phones. Then, just last week, the agency backtracked from its earlier statements of caution. Mark Scheerer has the story: PLAY (2:27).

The Greene County Sheriff's Office announced Mon., Aug. 25, it will participate in a DWI Crackdown campaign during the upcoming Labor Day weekend. According to a statement released by the Sheriff's Office, drivers can expect to see a high volume of marked and unmarked patrol vehicles in locations throughout Greene County. The police departments in Athens, Cairo, Catskill, Hunter and Windham will join in the effort. Holiday weekends are known for increased vehicle traffic and patrols will be maximizing efforts to ensure the safety of all travelers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports drunk driving kills more than 10,000 people every year. The STOP-DWI campaign is supported by a grant from the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 88F; low 62F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 87F; low 62F.[/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: Sunny. High near 85. Tuesday night, mostly clear. Low around 60.

Forecast for the next three days:
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 84. Wednesday night, partly cloudy. Low around 55.
Thursday: Sunny. High near 74. Thursday night, mostly clear. Low around 52.
Friday: Sunny. High near 78. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 57.

Sunrise today: 6:15 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:38 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:23 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the fourth Tuesday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All telephone numbers are in the 518 area code except where 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).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors County Government Committee meeting, 5 p.m. at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
COLUMBIA Economic Development Corporation Board meeting, 8:30 a.m. at 4303 Route 9, Greenport (828-4718).
COPAKE Agriculture & Farming Protection Committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mountain View Rd., Copake (329-1234).
GHENT Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing on the Ginsberg project, 7 p.m. at Ghent Town Hall, 2306 Route 66, Ghent (392.4644).
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: WGXC Story A radio docu-drama about WGXC getting on the air, followed by the first hours on the air, rebroadcast.

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.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Sue Ray, Jesse O'Dunne Catskill Library Executive Director Sue Ray will be in the studio, along with Youth Services Library Jesse O'Dunne to talk library news, fall programs, housing the WGXC satellite studio, and more. Plus, the "History of Rock and Roll," news, weather, events, and music. Live from the Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Peter Krug and Jillian Sutton, with Cory McCasland.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Aug. 22 through Mon., Aug. 25:

Diane Valden reported in The Columbia Paper an audit of Columbia County's financial records by the Office of the New York State Comptroller found thousands of dollars were overpaid to county employees. The August report was based on a review of county payroll records from Jan. 1, 2012 to Oct. 3, 2013. That examination found the county overpaid more than $18,000 to employees for time not worked or for leave time taken and not charged to leave accruals. The Comptroller also found nearly $25,000 in leave taken and not charged to leave accruals that county officials corrected as a result of the audit. Board of Supervisors Chairman Patrick Grattan agreed with most of the audit findings, noting in a written response, the county, “should adopt comprehensive written policies and procedures outlining countywide requirements for employee time and attendance and leave accruals.” The audit was conducted at the request of Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka (CHAI-kah).

The Cairo-Durham school board is now accepting letters from anyone interested in filling the seat formerly held by Robert Criswell. Criswell resigned earlier this month. The letter must include the candidate's full name, full address and phone number. The successful candidate will be chosen at the board workshop Oct. 2, and will serve through the end of the current school year. Letters must be submitted to district clerk Bridget Agostinoni no later than Sept. 5. The postal address is District Clerk P.O. Box 780 Cairo, N.Y. 12413, or via e-mail to bragostinoni [at] Cairo Durham [dot] org.

Public News Service is reporting according to Feeding America's new Hunger in America 2014 report, one in seven Americans depends on food bank assistance, while one in five U.S. households served by Feeding America food banks has at least one member who has served in the military. Mike Clifford has the story: PLAY (1:48).

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="336"] Mud volleyball at Mudfest 2014.
(Courtesy Mudfest Facebook page.)[/caption]

Jay Braman Jr. reported in the Daily Freeman the third annual Mudfest was held this weekend. The event began Friday on the village green with a disc jockey and barbecue and later, live music. Young’s Hardware gave away free ice cream sundaes and s’mores. Fireworks concluded the evening’s festivities. On Saturday, attendees enjoyed an artisan fair, a raffle and silent auction, and a Kids' Fun Zone. But the real Mudfest was located just outside of the business district where organizers created “Mudville,” an open field groomed to offer tons of mud. Mud volleyball, mud horseshoes, a mud tug-of-war and mud obstacle courses for both children and adults were held all day long.

The Daily Mail reports the state Department of Transportation will close a portion of Route 42 in the town of Lexington, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tues., Aug. 26, for a private bridge installation. Route 42 will be closed between Spruceton Road (County Route 6) and Beech Ridge Road to allow a 275-ton crane to set the bridge in place. A truck detour will send trucks from Route 23A to Route 214 to Route 28. Cars and emergency vehicles will be able to use Beech Ridge Road as a local detour around the closure. In case of rain, the closure and detour will be postponed until Wed., Aug. 27.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 86F; low 59F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 85F; low 59F.[/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: Sunny. High near 84. Monday night, Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, clear. Low around 58.

Forecast for the next three days:
Tuesday: Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny. HIgh near 85. Tuesday night, mostly clear. Low around 61.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 85. Wednesday night, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 59.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 78. Thursday night, mostly clear. Low around 54.

Sunrise today: 6:14 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:40 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:25 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the fourth Monday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All telephone numbers are in the 518 area code except where 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 CITY School District Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. in high school library, 215 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson (828-4360).
HUDSON Common Council Police Committee meeting is CANCELLED; Fire Committee meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
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
1 a.m.: William S. Burroughs and Transmission Arts Wave Farm Artist-in-Residence, Damon Baker, presents Transmission as Contagion: William S. Burroughs and Transmission Arts.

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.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

The Daily Mail reports that the NYS Department of Transportation will close a portion of Route 42 in the Town of Lexington from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 26, for a private bridge installation. Route 42 will be closed between Spruceton Road (Greene County Route 6) and Beech Ridge Road in Lexington to allow a 275-ton crane to set the bridge in place. A truck detour will send trucks from Route 23A to Route 214 to Route 28. Cars and emergency vehicles will be able to use Beech Ridge Road as a local detour around the closure. In case of rain, the closure and detour will be postponed until Wednesday, Aug. 27. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., Aug. 17. PLAY AUDIO (1:49)

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

• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79, and a low around 54.

• Monday: Patchy fog before 9 a.m. is possible. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 83, and a low around 58.

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

Sunrise 6:13 a.m.
Sunset 7:41 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 5:21 A.M. 6:59 P.M.
Mercury 7:28 A.M. 8:21 P.M.
Venus 4:47 A.M. 7:04 P.M.
Mars 12:46 P.M. 10:34 P.M.
Jupiter 4:15 A.M. 6:42 P.M.
Saturn 12:40 P.M. 10:52 P.M.
Uranus 9:19 P.M. 10:08 A.M.
Neptune 7:49 P.M. 6:45 A.M.
Pluto 4:47 P.M. 2:18 A.M.

WGXC Programming

Radia: Hervé Moire, Juan Pablo Espinoza
Aug. 24, 2014: 5 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.
CounterSpin: Malkia Cyril, Jeff Cohen
Aug. 24, 2014: 5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Aug. 21 that the state’s multiple solar programs will be combined into a single, statewide NY-Sun Incentive Program with a billion dollars of funds. Cuomo's press release says the new grouping will add more than 3,000 megawatts (MW) to the state’s solar capacity. “Merging these programs into the NY-Sun Incentive Program will stimulate development of solar projects across this state, and sends a clear message that New York is a leader in solar energy innovation,” Cuomo was quoted in the press release. “This approach will help the industry plan for the future, spur new development and aid in New York’s transition to a cleaner, cheaper and more efficient energy grid.”



Full press release:


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the state’s multiple solar programs are transitioning to the single, statewide NY-Sun Incentive Program. This effort is designed to support the State’s vibrant solar economy through the $1 billion NY-Sun initiative, which will significantly expand deployment of solar across the state, add more than 3,000 megawatts (MW) to the State’s solar capacity and ultimately transform New York’s solar market into a self-sustaining industry.

“Merging these programs into the NY-Sun Incentive Program will stimulate development of solar projects across this state, and sends a clear message that New York is a leader in solar energy innovation,” Governor Cuomo said. “This approach will help the industry plan for the future, spur new development and aid in New York’s transition to a cleaner, cheaper and more efficient energy grid.”

NY-Sun is part of Governor Cuomo’s commitment to protect the environment, grow the clean energy economy and lower energy costs for all New Yorkers. The plan involves deploying public funds in a strategic manner to drive industry to scale and reduce burdens on ratepayers. The program provides financial support for solar projects and uses a proven MW block system approach that is responsive to changing market conditions, allowing the solar market in each region of the state to grow at its own pace. It will eliminate incentives sooner in regions where the market conditions can support it, based on market penetration, customer demand, and payback. The program expects to add more than 3,000 MW of installed solar capacity in the State by 2023.

John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), said, "The days of start-and-stop solar incentive programs are over. The NY-Sun Incentive Program will provide much needed funding certainty and transparency to the market to stimulate continued private sector growth of the solar industry. Governor Cuomo’s commitment to solar will enable significant growth in New York’s clean energy economy."

The MW block system divides the state into three regions – Con Edison territory, Long Island and Upstate. Each region is assigned separate MW blocks and incentive levels for residential solar projects up to 25 kilowatts (kW) and small non-residential solar projects up to 200 kW. When the MW target for the first block in each sector (residential or small non-residential) within a region is reached, that block is closed and a new block for the sector is started with a new MW target and a lower incentive level. Once all of the blocks for a particular region and sector are filled, an incentive for that region and sector will no longer be offered.

NYSERDA will work closely with PSEG Long Island, which will locally administer the program on Long Island, New York Power Authority staff and the photovoltaic industry during the transition, which will be complete by August 28, 2014. The MW blocks and incentives for large commercial systems over 200 kW will be available in 2015.

Customers can access financing for solar projects through Green Jobs-Green New York.

Gil C. Quiniones, New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and CEO, said, "The NY-Sun Incentive Program is another dimension to New York State’s efforts to advance the use of clean solar power installations. Its structure of reducing incentives as specific goals are achieved makes this truly a model incentive program – and one that will benefit New Yorkers across the state, including New York Power Authority customers."

While growth of solar in the residential sector has been very successful on Long Island, small non-residential solar growth has been slower. The NY-Sun Incentive Program increases the size of non-residential systems eligible for incentives from 100 kW to 200 kW and also provides incentives for non-residential systems that are installed through Power Purchase Agreements and leases, a strategy that is expected to stimulate market investment.

David Daly, President and CEO of PSEG Long Island, said, "PSEG Long Island is committed to bringing more efficient and cleaner generation to the electric system through solar PV. With the launch of the NY-Sun Incentive Program, the State is continuing to make good on its promises to further stimulate the local solar PV market. We are excited to work alongside NYSERDA to locally run the incentive program, which will help keep Long Island’s solar PV market going strong. From solar PV to other advanced energy technologies and distributed resources, PSEG Long Island is providing its customers on Long Island and in the Rockaways with more choices, future cost savings and a more reliable and resilient electric grid."

NY-Sun is a comprehensive initiative that includes components in addition to the MW block system, such as:

NYS Unified Solar Permit and the Photovoltaic Trainers Network to work with local officials to streamline solar inspection and permitting processes and to help firefighters and other first-responders safely work on buildings where solar is installed;
Community Solar/K-Solar to provide communities and schools with the tools and expertise to bring solar energy to their communities and school facilities and to help schools act as community hubs for solar education;
Low- to Moderate-Income Photovoltaic Working Group to identify ways to make solar accessible for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers;
Consumer education so potential solar customers understand photovoltaic options;
Photovoltaic balance-of-system research and development projects supported by NYSERDA and the New York Power Authority to reduce costs of photovoltaic components other than the solar module;
New York Power Authority’s support for increased solar use has also included its Solar Market Acceleration Program, which reduces solar balance-of-system costs in New York State.

In the first two years of NY-Sun, a total of 316 MW of solar photovoltaic has been installed or is under contract, more than was installed in the entire prior decade. Approximately 116,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions will be avoided with the installation of the NY-Sun projects, which is the equivalent of removing 23,000 cars from the road. For more information about the NY-Sun Incentive Program, visit www.ny-sun.ny.gov.

With this initiative, New York’s role as a leader and first mover in shaping the future of energy remains firmly in place. By developing innovative market solutions, the State is delivering on Governor Cuomo’s commitment to transform the energy industry into a more resilient, clean, cost-effective and dynamic system. Working with State, citizen and industry stakeholders, New York’s energy policy is moving to a more market-based, decentralized approach. This means preserving the environment, decreasing energy costs, and creating opportunities for economic growth for current and future generations of New Yorkers. In advancing these new energy systems and solutions, New Yorkers will have improved energy affordability and efficiency without sacrificing the ability to live in a cleaner, resilient and more sustainable environment.
###

Lissa Harris in The Watershed Post reports about 13,250 Central Hudson customers in Greene and Albany lost power Aug. 18, after a downed wire cut power to Cairo, Durham, Greenville, New Baltimore and Tannersville, and parts of Athens, Catskill, Coxsackie and Hunter. The WGXC transmitter lost power and was off the air from about 9:30 p.m. until after 1 a.m. Aug. 19. The problem was traced to a phase wire that came down on Paul Saxe Road in Catskill, impacting several substations, according to Central Hudson. Read the full story at The Watershed Post.

On Aug. 26 Catskill Library Executive Director Sue Ray will be in the WGXC Catskill studio, along with Librarian Sam Alvarez and Youth Services Library Jesse O'Dunne to talk library news, fall programs, housing the WGXC satellite studio, and more. Peter Krug and Jillian Sutton host the "WGXC Afternoon Show," with Cory McCasland 4-6 p.m.

On Sat., Sept. 6, 2014 Wave Farm Artist-in-residence Patrick Quinn will lead a workshop on USB dead drops at the Wave Farm Study Center in Acra, NY. USB dead drops are anonymous, offline, peer-to-peer file-sharing networks in public spaces. This workshop will focus on various countersurveillance techniques and tactics citizens can utilize in order to protect their privacy and civil liberties. Citizens will learn how to create their own dead drop, deploy practical cryptography techniques in daily life, and map various surveillance apparatus in their respective neighborhoods. E-mail info@wavefarm.org to register for this workshop. Materials and lunch fee: $20 per participant. Patrick Quinn is a Brooklyn-based artist, hacker, researcher, and activist investigating civil disobedience, remix theory, the commodification of sub-cultures, subversive locative media, and how information is weaponized in the Digital Age. His participatory projects aim to problematize the concepts of property and surveillance in hopes of activating communities and generating social change. His latest project SURVANT utilizes USB dead drops, which are anonymous, offline, peer-to-peer file-sharing networks installed in public spaces (physical + digital), and citizen captured video recordings to create inverse surveillance logs of surveillance cameras.

Slate Magazine first reported, and The Watershed Post followed up, that in July the National Archives released video of a Nazi summer camp in Windham in 1937. Audrey Amidon writes on the National Archives website, "In 'Volks-Deutsche Jungen' in U.S.A. ('German Youth in the U.S.A.') you’ll see what first appears to be an unremarkable story of a boys’ summer camp. The film starts with the camp under construction and excited children piling onto chartered buses to make the journey from New York City to Windham, New York in the summer of 1937. The boys pitch tents, unload crates of baked beans, and perform physical fitness drills. If you pay close attention, you might notice that some of the boys are wearing shorts bearing the single lightning bolt insignia that marked the younger contingent of the Hitler Youth, but it’s not until the “Flaggenappell” (flag roll call) at 13:47 that the affiliation becomes clear." Patricia Morrow, Windham's town historian, guessed in The Watershed Post that maybe someone in Windham rented land without asking too many questions. "Many resorts and boarding houses in this area openly stated 'No Hebrews Taken' in their ads," Morrow wrote to The Watershed Post. "When forced to remove that phrase they switched to 'Churches Nearby' in an attempt to convey the same message in a less offensive manner." Morrow though that the elevation shown in the video suggests the camp could have been held between North Settlement and Mitchell Hollow, off County Route 10. The Windham Historical Society's Facebook page suggests, "The wagon path at 0:52 reminds me of this postcard of the road to Mt. Pisgah. At 6:42 it looks like the buses are coming up Palenville Mountain (Route 23A). Die Sportwiese (the sport meadow) at 7:57 appears to be a view of the Durham valley," and the Windham Historical Society's Facebook page is accepting comments from anyone who recognizes other scenes.

[caption id="" align="alignncenter" width="484"] From the National Archives.[/caption]

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Aug. 23. PLAY AUDIO (5:00)

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

• Saturday: Patchy fog is possible before 9 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 74, and a low around 53.

• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77, and a low around 55.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Sunrise 6:12 a.m.
Sunset 7:43 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 4:24 A.M. 6:28 P.M.
Mercury 7:23 A.M. 8:21 P.M.
Venus 4:44 A.M. 7:04 P.M.
Mars 12:47 P.M. 10:36 P.M.
Jupiter 4:18 A.M. 6:45 P.M.
Saturn 12:44 P.M. 10:56 P.M.
Uranus 9:23 P.M. 10:13 A.M.
Neptune 7:53 P.M. 6:49 A.M.
Pluto 4:51 P.M. 2:22 A.M.

WGXC Programming

Radio Stew: Boomboxes
Aug. 23, 2014: 12:05 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Low Power Hour: 20140823
Aug. 23, 2014: 5 a.m. – 6 a.m.
Amateur Radio Newsline: Global Amateur Radio Emergency Conference
Aug. 23, 2014: 6 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
Off The Hook: Australian Internet Surveillance
Aug. 23, 2014: 7 a.m. – 8 a.m.
What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Ferguson Journalism
Aug. 23, 2014: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Saturday Morning Serial: Nazi Camp in Windham in 1937
Aug. 23, 2014: 9 a.m. – noon
Radius Sketchpad: Burke Mahoney
Aug. 23, 2014: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Radio Camp: Building a Receiver
Aug. 23, 2014: 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday Afternoon Show: Damon Baker
Aug. 23, 2014: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Diane Valden in The Columbia Paper reports an August payroll audit report of Columbia County's financial records from the Office of the New York State Comptroller found that thousands of dollars were overpaid to employees. Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Patrick Grattan (R-Kinderhook) agreed -- with three exceptions -- with the audit findings, noting in a written response, the county, “should adopt comprehensive written policies and procedures outlining county-wide requirements for employee time and attendance and leave accruals.” The comptroller’s report is based on an audit covering county payroll practices from January 1, 2012 to October 3, 2013 and found that the county, “overpaid $18,724 to employees for time not worked or for leave time taken and not charged to leave accruals. We also identified an additional $24,824 in leave taken and not charged to leave accruals that county officials corrected as a result of our audit.” Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Max Oppen is reporting in The Daily Mail the Greene County Department of Human Services’ RSVP Volunteer Program is facing a substantial decrease in federal funding in 2015. A nearly 70 percent cut in federal funds to the Corporation for National Community Service of RSVP programs, would have a considerable impact at both the national and local levels. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, is a national organization that provides volunteer services in local communities. RSVP is one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation for people 55 and over. In Greene Co., RSVP volunteers deliver meals for the homebound and provide transportation to medical appointments. At this time, it's unclear what specific impact the federal cuts will have on the local program. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

WNYT in Albany reports that a part-time Athens police officer was arrested Aug. 21, accused of pepper-spraying a man after a fight. State police accused 38-year-old Anthony Delvecchio III of assault and reckless endangerment and released him on his own recognizance. The Athens police suspended the officer without pay. See the full story at the WNYT website.

Mid-Hudson News Network is reporting unemployment in the Hudson Valley/Catskills region in July was down in all area counties, compared to the same month last year. Information released this week by the state Department of Labor showed Columbia County had the lowest rate of unemployment at 5 percent, down from 6.1 percent in July 2013. Greene County reported a jobless rate of 6.4 percent during the same period. Ulster County unemployment was down to 6.5 percent, and Sullivan County, which has seen double-digit unemployment in the past few years, was down to 6.6 percent.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 68F; low 58F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 69F; low 58F.[/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 showers. Cloudy. High near 72. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Friday night, a slight chance of showers before 2 a.m. Cloudy. Low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: Partly sunny. High near 78. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around 56.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 81. Sunday night, mostly clear. Low around 56.
Monday: Sunny. High near 82. Monday night, most clear. Low around 58.

Sunrise today: 6:11 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:45 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:33 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the fourth Friday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All telephone numbers are in the 518 area code except where noted.)

CLERMONT Zoning Board of Appeals, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
HUDSON Historic Preservation Commission, 10 a.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
12:05 a.m.: Captain’s Log and The Buffalo Trio Rebroadcast of live performanace at Spotty Dog Books & Ale, 440 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., Thurs., Aug. 21.
2 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Craig Taborn Episode 23 of 2014 of two-hour free jazz show that airs on eight European radio stations and Wave Farm Radio and WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, in New York, in the United States. Click on title to access the playlist.

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.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Feature Story News