Arthur Cusano is reporting in the Register Star a Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy saved a life last week using a drug she learned to use less than two days before. Deputy Sheriff Cindy Madison responded to a call May 1 for help and arrived to find a 63-year-old man unresponsive and barely breathing. He was believed to have overdosed on a prescription pain medication. Madison administered Narcan nasal spray and the man responded immediately. The medication works to block the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing. Speaking with Victor Mendolia on WGXC Wed., May 7, Hudson Police Chief Ed Moore spoke about Narcan and the efforts to get the drug into the hands of law enforcement: PLAY (1:09). The majority of the sheriff's office staff has now received the necessary training to administer the drug. The sheriff's office is the first law enforcement agency in the county to use Narcan. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail the Leeds sewer project has moved a step forward. Michael Budris of Delaware Engineering told the Catskill Town Board Tues., May 6, the draft archeology report has been completed, and the results are as anticipated. He reported a couple sites of archeological interest were found, but nothing that would present problems for the project. Budris also said the soil borings needed to determine bedrock depth will begin May 19. He said the equipment needed for that process operates from the back of a pick-up truck, so it will not intrude on nearby residents' property. Delaware Engineering is expected to present the draft sewer map plan and report for review at the next town board meeting. The map plan and report will include information on how water rates will be structured. After the plan and report are accepted by the board, the public comment period will begin. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Public News Service is reporting recent polls have found a surprising number of immigrants eligible for citizenship are opting not to become naturalized U-S citizens. Mark Scheerer has the story: PLAY (1:31).

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 71F; low 51F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 70F; low 52F.[/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 northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, east central New York and southern Vermont. Scattered, non-severe thunderstorms are expected Thursday night.

Today: Isolated showers between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 68. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Thursday night, scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 65. Friday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 57.
Saturday: Scattered showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy. High near 77. Saturday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 57.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 78. Sunday night, partly cloudy. Low around 57.

Sunrise today: 5:40 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:02 p.m.
Length of the day: 14:22 hrs.

Town meetings
Today is the second Thursday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.

CHATHAM Village meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street, Chatham (392-5821).
COPAKE Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mountainview Road, Copake (329-1234).
GALLATIN Town Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 667 Route 7, Ancram (398-7519).
GREENE COUNTY Finance & Audit committee meets at 5 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
KINDERHOOK Planning Board Workshop meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
LIVINGSTON Town board meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 119 County Route 19.
STUYVESANT Town board meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).
TANNERSVILLE Village trustees meet at 7 p.m. in their Village Hall on Route 23A.
WINDHAM Town board meets at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Sontag Shogun, Patrick Higgins, Aaron Martin Sontag Shogun, Patrick Higgins, and Aaron Martin recorded performances from Sat., May 3. Sontag Shogun is a Brooklyn-based piano/electronics/tape loops project. Patrick Higgins is a New York-based composer/performer of experimental music. Higgins also plays guitar and composes in ZS, hailed by the New York Times as “one of the strongest avant-garde bands in New York,” and runs Future-Past Studios in Hudson, NY. Aaron Martin is a Topeka-based ambient cellist.

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: Ananthakrishnan Ramani, Kendra Shank, John Stowell Ananthakrishnan Ramani, M.D., Chief of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology in the Department of Medicine at Columbia Memorial Hospital will discuss Lyme disease. What is it? How is it contracted? What precautions should be taken to control or prevent the disease? Cheryl K of the Jazz Disturbance will interview vocalist Kendra Shank and guitarist John Stowell during the third hour. Plus news, weather, events, music, and more. Hosted by Noah Reibel, for Philip Grant.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: Prison Voices Project: Rally to End Incarceration Injustice This episode features Cornell West, keynote speaker at the Rally to End Incarceration Injustice, which took place Mon., May 5, in Albany, N.Y. The program will also feature highlights from the press conference of the Coalition Against Isolated Confinement and more from the rally, march and day of action, which brought together organizations from across the state of New York to harmonize their voices in a growing movement to end the New Jim Crow mass incarceration. Information at www.nysprisonerjustice.org. Hosted by Cory Fischer-Hoffman.
2 p.m.: The Passage: David Eustace A conversation with Canadian visual artist David Eustace, who recently completed an 18-month time lapse photography project in Austerlitz and will be artist-in-residence at McDaris Gallery in Hudson later this year. Produced by Richard Roth.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: The Four Just Men The Four Just Men, Part 1, The Scale of Justice Must Balance . An anthology series of dramas and comedies for radio. Each week a program will be made up of one radio play. Produced at KSVR Studios at the radio station KSVR-FM in Mount Vernon, Washington. The actors are from the Skagit Radio Repertory Company. The producer is Joseph C McGuire. Based on stories written by L.T. Meade and Robert Eustace; Adapted for radio be Heather Elliott. Written by Edgar Wallace; Adapted for radio by Barry M Putt Jr. Edgar Wallace, an early 20th century thriller writer, writes a story about a group of four men who decide when justice fails that must they step in to re-balance the scales. Using threats, terror, ultimatums and death they attack the elite rich and politicians who attempt to grind lower class under their heel. Two Washington DC women Metropolitan cops are are out to stop the The Four Just Men before they attack again. The Scales of Justice Must Balance. Produced by Joseph C McGuire. Edited by Jay Charles. Performers: The Skagit Radio Repertory Company. Made with a grant from the Corporation For Public Broadcasting. From Pacifica Radio.
3:30 p.m.: Kids' Brain Radio Live from the Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Sam Sebren and Matt Bua.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Nancy Ginsburg, Susan Simon, the Art Omi Writers Columbia County resident Nancy Ginsburg, star of the Food Network show, "Farmhouse Rules," will be in the studio talk about the new season, and Susan Simon will discuss potatoes as part of her ongoing pantry series. In the second hour, the Art Omi International Arts Center writers-in-residence will read from their work. Plus, news, weather, events, music and more. Hosted by Ellen Thurston and Tom DePietro.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

[Updated: May 8 (corrected "Gerald" Bunting to "Jerry" Bunting; corrected "Cappalano" to "Capuano;" added Public Service Commission affiliation in reference to Heather Bencke and Jeremy Flaum); May 12 (corrected "Bencke" to "Behnke")]

The E.J. Arthur Elementary School in Athens was the site last month of two public hearings held by the New York State Public Service Commission on the West Point Partners high voltage buried cable and DC converter station project. More than 150 people attended the second of the two hearings, held Wed., Apr. 23. Commission representatives Heather Behnke and Jeremy Flaum began the evening with a presentation about the Article VII process, then took questions. They were followed by Chris Hocker, Vice President of Planning for the Fairfield, Conn.-based private investment firm Power Bridge, LLC. Power Bridge is West Point's parent company.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="164"] (c) freefoto.com[/caption]

During the public hearing that followed, various community members, activists and public officials offered comments in front of Judge Kevin Casutto: PLAY (3:24). The Athens Town and Village boards are on the record in opposition to the project's proposed route, but neither government has opposed the siting of the converter station or the project overall. A similar public hearing was held before Casutto, Fri., Apr. 30, in Cortlandt, the location of the project's southern terminus. Andrea Smallwood and Sam Sebren attended that hearing on behalf of the Athens Citizens Development Committee. During that hearing, Cortlandt elected officials expressed unanimous opposition to the proposal.

The West Point Partners project is part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Energy Highway initiative, and is intended to deliver additional energy to New York City. According to its proposal, West Point would construct a 1,000 megawatt converter station in the town of Athens and a second in the hamlet of Verplanck. The two stations would be connected by a buried High Voltage Direct Current cable extending 80 miles, eight feet beneath the bottom of the Hudson River. Ed. note: Sebren attended and participated in these hearings. He is a founding member of the Athens Citizens Development Committee. Read more about the West Point Partners project online at newsroom.wgxc.org.

-- Sam Sebren

New York State Public Service Commission Public Hearing
April 23, 2014
E.J. Arthur Elementary School, Athens
All audio recorded and produced by Sam Sebren.

Collage: Citizen comments: PLAY (3:24)

Heather Behnke and Jeremy Flaum, New York State Public Service Commission
Full presentation: PLAY (23:15).
Commission presentation Q&A
Commission permit details (John Drew); project financing (Cecilia Tkaczyk); waiver requests and local law (Sam Sebren): PLAY (15:23).
Chris Hocker, Vice President, Planning, Power Bridge LLC
West Point Partners presentation: PLAY (11:59).
West Point presentation Q&A
Size of converter station (anonymous); disruption to roads while cable is laid (John Drew); noise (Luke Weiller); alternative routes (Tina Chaden); cost and economic impact on the village (Cecilia Tkaczyk): PLAY (12:41).
Derek Apa, Athens resident, Central Hudson lineman
Speaks in opposition to the project: PLAY (3:47).
Audrey Friedrichsen, Attorney for Scenic Hudson
Speaks about the cumulative impacts on the river and on land, siting for stations, etc.: PLAY (8:17).
Gary Smith, homeowner near proposed converter station site
Zoning ordinances and noise: PLAY (1:40)
Cecilia Tkaczyk, New York State Senator
Comments on future evidentiary hearings, the impact on the village economy and school, etc.: PLAY (7:07).
Chris Pfister, Village of Athens Mayor
The need for an alternative route: PLAY (12:48).
Jerry Bunting, Athens Citizens Development Committee
Traffic disruption, economic disruption, blasting bedrock, etc.: PLAY (9:14).
Susanne Norris
Environmental and health impacts, smart growth for Athens, etc.: PLAY (7:45)
Ralph Favicchio, Athens Citizens Development Committee
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Energy Highway: PLAY (13:39).
Jacqueline Goddeau, Athens Citizens Development Committee
Safety issues, West Point requests for local law waivers, etc.: PLAY (6:21).
Al Ramm, Athens Citizens Development Committee, retired industrial electrician
Dangers of HVDC and 345,000kv, changes in the original West Point plan: PLAY (2:42).
Sam Sebren, Athens Citizens Development Committee
Questions the value and economic viability of the West Point project overall: PLAY (6:59).
Andrea Smallwood, Athens Citizens Development Committee
Potential disruption and dangers to Athens water and sewer infrastructure, station location: PLAY (3:01).
Mark Levanway, Athens Citizens Development Committee
Conflicts with new gas line, safety concerns, etc.: PLAY (3:24).
Mary Jo Wynne, homeowner on route
Disruption to daily life, quality of life: PLAY (2:09).
Ron Puhalski, Athens Citizens Development Committee
Disruption to school access and fire, police, EMS response time; no traffic studies or economic impact studies have been done: PLAY (4:00).
Joseph Capuano, Athens resident
Spoke in opposition to the project: PLAY (1:32)
Nora Adelman
No mention of the Department of Health in Article VII process: PLAY (5:07).
Michael Black
Plea for the Commission to help the public: PLAY (5:30).
Tom Ragle
Concerns about West Point disregard for local laws: PLAY (3:43).
Carrie Feder
Negative impacts on the historic village, concern about more projects to follow: PLAY (6:20).
John Drew
Health and economic impacts, property devaluation: PLAY (3:29).
Forest Cotten, Athens Citizens Development Committee
Questions necessity for project: PLAY (5:52).
Lee Palmateer
Opposition to route: PLAY (5:51).
Deborah Artman
Project belongs in an industrial zone: PLAY (4:04).
Kenneth Baldwin
Concerns about community exploitation: PLAY (5:54).

• Video footage of the Commission hearings held in Cortlandt on Apr. 30, can be found here. (Total playing time: 4:48:04.)


• "Foes' concerns come through loud and clear," by Melanie Lekocevic, The Daily Mail (Apr. 25) can be found here.


• "No customers for Authority's power: Authority deal to buy energy for NYC has quickly produced more than $43 million in losses,' by James M. Odato, Times Union (Apr. 5) can be found here.


• To access the full record go to www.dps.ny.gov and search for Case #13-T-0292.

Adam Clayton is reporting in the Register Star representatives from Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. and the Rural Ulster Preservation Company joined Assembly member Didi Barrett in Ancram, Tues., May 6, to address community concerns over recent utility rate hikes. Central Hudson Director of Public Relations John Maserjian, said electric bills recently doubled and tripled due to increases in taxes and surcharges, delivery charges and supply fees. The rate hike was the highest in more than a decade, he said, but the increases are just beginning. Maserjian said with the creation of a new capacity zone by the Federal Electric Regulatory Commission rates for residential customers will increase by 6 percent and for commercial customers by 10 percent. The New York State Public Service Commission is seeking a reversal of the decision to create the new capacity zone. In a statement released in February, the Commission said the new zone will cause a potential $230 million increase in annual electric bills to consumers located in the lower Hudson Valley. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 70F; low 45F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 71F; low 46F.[/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 Frost Advisory remains in effect for the Hudson Valley remains in effect until 8 a.m. Increasing clouds. High near 71. Wednesday night, a slight chance of showers after 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Thursday: A chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 68. Thursday night, a slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 52.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m., then isolated showers. Cloudy. High near 68. Friday night, isolated showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10 p.m. Cloudy. Low around 58.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy. High near 75. Saturday night, scattered showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 57.

Sunrise today: 5:42 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:01 p.m.
Length of the day: 14:19 hrs.

Town meetings
Today is the first Wednesday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.

GHENT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, P.O. Box 98, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Meetings for Human Services, Health, and Education Committees at 6 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENPORT Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, 600 Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).
HUDSON Hudson Common Council Youth and Aging, and Arts and Entertainment and Tourism committee meetings have been rescheduled to Mon., May 19 (828-1030).
LIVINGSTON Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, County Rte. 19, Livingston (851-9441).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Listening "Deep Listening" from Pauline Oliveros, Oscar the Grouch ("Noise"), Tom Petty ("Listen to Her Heart"), DJ Shadow ("Listen"), Talib Kweli ("Listen!!!"), Beyonce ("Listen"), Donald Byrd and Kenny Burrell ("Say Listen"), Explosions in the Sky ("Can't We Just Listen to the Silence"), Grizzly Bear ("Listen and Wait"), Steve Forbert ("Listen to Me"), Spinal Tap ("[Listen to The] Flower People"), The Monkees ("Listen to the Band"), The Stylistincs ("Stop, Look, Listen To Your Heart"), Wings ("Listen to What The Man Says"), and J. Mascis ("Listen to Me").
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Derek Piotr Episode 930 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 930.
2 a.m.: Tabs Out: Negative Energy Cassette show, Episode #44. "Mics came unplugged, we called the pizza joint we go to over an argument about sauce placement, and played tapes by Black Unicorn, Broken Key, Charles Barabé, Negative Energy, Blackhoods, Yom San, Symbol, Tlön, Ghost Dudes, Endless Bummer, Mads Emil Nielsen, Zaimph & Yek Koo, Reebok Occult, Sugarm, and Matt Boettke."

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 Cheryl K, for Philip Grant.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: @Issue: Paul Czajka, Edward Moore Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka and Hudson Chief of Police Edward Moore will discuss opiate addiction and the issues surrounding addiction from a law enforcement perspective. This is the second in a series of episodes on addiction, treatment and justice in the region. Hosted by Victor Mendolia and Debora Gilbert.
2 p.m.: Barbershop Talks: Mother's Day Discussion about the differences of mothers of yesterday and today, shout outs to mothers, and debate on those in the media who are detrimental to the black community. Hosted by Kamal Johnson and Vern Cross.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star Claverack Town Supervisor Clifford Weigelt is advocating for a comprehensive look at the financial and operational health of the county-owned 120-bed Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center located in Philmont. In a letter sent Mon., May 7 to all county supervisors, Weigelt also expressed disappointment with the approach taken by the county's Pine Haven Subcommittee to date. Weigelt, a first-term supervisor, said he was discouraged to discover the subcommittee discussions have focused mainly on how the county could divest itself from the facility. Ancram Town Supervisor Art Bassin said he agreed completely with Weigelt’s emphasis on proceeding slowly and answering questions. Bassin said the subcommittee has just begun that process. According to Bassin, Pine Haven has cost the county approximately $12 million over the last five years. He said the facility currently owes the county a total of $3.5 million, not $1.4 million, as previously indicated. In April, the Wall Street bond rating agency Moody's warned the county's finances could be imperiled by its financial support of Pine Haven. Read the full story in the Register Star.

The Independence Party of Greene County has endorsed incumbent state Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk (KAT-chik) in the 46th Senate District race. Chairman George M. Acker Sr. said in a statement released Mon., May 5, Tkaczyk has distinguished herself through "hard work, intelligence and the willingness to fight for her constituents." He cited her work in education, and property tax relief for homeowners and small businesses as Tkaczyk's most notable accomplishments during her first year in office. Tkaczyk will face Rotterdam Republican George Amedore in the November election. The 46th Senate District stretches across all or parts of Greene, Montgomery, Schenectady, Albany and Ulster counties.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="526"] Canada's boreal forest
(Courtesy Boreal Songbird Initiative)[/caption]

Public News Service is reporting the millions of songbirds flying over New York this spring on their way north are facing new threats to Canada's boreal forest, what some call "North America's bird nursery." Mark Scheerer has the story: PLAY (2:24).

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 62F; low 37F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 63F; low 38F.[/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 Frost Advisory for eastern Greene, western Columbia, eastern Ulster, western Dutchess, eastern Albany and western Rensselaer counties, effective 3 a.m. to 8 a.m., Wed., May 7. Temperatures are expected to drop late Tuesday to between 33 and 36 degrees, with areas of frost developing.

Today: Isolated showers after 11 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 66. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Tuesday night, mostly clear. Low around 36.

Forecast for the next three days:
Wednesday: Areas of frost before 8 a.m. Otherwise, sunny. High near 70. Wednesday night, a chance of showers, mainly after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 46.
Thursday: A chance of showers, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 66. Thursday night, isolated showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 50.
Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9 a.m. Cloudy. High near 71. Friday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. Low around 57.

Sunrise today: 5:43 a.m.
Sunset today: 8 p.m.
Length of the day: 14:17 hrs.

Town meetings
Today is the first Tuesday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.

CATSKILL Town Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill (943-2141).
COPAKE Park Commission meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
LEXINGTON Town Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Municipal building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
LIVINGSTON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, County Rte. 19, Livingston (851-9441).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

1 a.m.: Guy's History of Recorded Music: 20140428 Early 20th century recordings are explored. Click on title for playlist. From radio4all.net.

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 Cheryl K, for Philip Grant.
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
7 p.m.: Leprous Garden: 20140506 From Bolt Thrower to Vital Remains, from Thrash to Doom, you will be led through the world of extreme metal. This month's episode of Metallurgy will take a look at instrumental metal, so tune in if you prefer ripping guitar chords to vocal chords. Hosted by Mantas.  

Some of the stories that made the news May 2 through May 5:

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting in The Daily Mail more than a year after passage of the New York SAFE Act, the Athens Town Council last week unanimously adopted a resolution in opposition to the legislation. Under the law, rifles patterned after military-style assault rifles must be registered and more background checks and additional filings for hand guns and ammunition are required. The Act also calls for harsher penalties for the illegal sale and use of a gun. A large group of gun owners appeared before the Athens Town Council and requested the resolution be passed and filed with the state. One attendee acknowledged the resolution was not legally binding, making it more a gesture of opposition. But if all municipalities do this and nothing changes, he said, "then it shows the arrogance of our governor."

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand will announce her plan to improve pedestrian safety on Hudson Valley roadways at an event Monday morning at L.M. Cahill Elementary School in Saugerties. The announcement comes at a time when 23 fatalities and nearly 990 injuries involving pedestrian occurred on the region's highways. Gillibrand is expected to declare her intention to push legislation to allow localities to use federal highway safety funds for pedestrian safety projects.

John Mason reported in the Register Star on the dispute that has arisen in Hudson over Mayor William H. Hallenbeck, Jr.'s decision to ban dogs from the Cedar Park and Hudson City cemeteries. Signs appeared Thurs., May 1, indicating dogs were not allowed. Hallenbeck said he ordered the signs posted until such time that he concludes canines are permitted in the cemeteries. Alderman John Friedman, chairman of the Common Council Legal Committee, said he doubts the mayor has that authority. Friedman said Common Council has said dogs that are registered can be anywhere in the city, except in the riverfront park. Hallenbeck will meet Tues., May 6, with Jim Folz [f-OH-l-z], the Commission of Public Works, to review the rules and regulations governing city cemeteries.

William J. Kemble reported in the Daily Freeman the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now has nine months to finalize new rules for wood-burning heaters. In a statement issued last week, state Attorney General Eric Schniederman said the time line was part of a court settlement after seven states and several public health organizations filed a lawsuit claiming federal officials were not acting quickly enough to update its air pollution standards for wood heaters. The lawsuit alleged federal officials have not met requirements of the U.S. Clean Air Act by allowing outdoor wood heaters to emit too much soot. Federal officials have until Feb. 3, 2015, to finalize the new rules.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 61F; low 39F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 61F; low 40F.[/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 64. Monday night, partly cloudy. Low around 38.

Forecast for the next three days:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High near 66. Tuesday night, mostly clear. Low around 36.
Wednesday: Sunny. High near 72. Wednesday night, a chance of showers, mainly after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy. Low around 47.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 65. Thursday night, scattered showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 51.

Sunrise today: 5:44 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:51 p.m.
Length of the day: 14:15 hrs.

Town meetings
Today is the first Monday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.

ANCRAM Conservation Advisory Council at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
ATHENS Town meeting at 7 p.m. at 2 First Street, Athens (734-3636).
CAIRO Town Board at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
CLAVERACK Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, Church Street, Mellenville (672-7911).
CLERMONT Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
TAGHKANIC Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, Route 82,West Taghkanic (851-7638).

The day ahead on 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 Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Peter Lievense, for Philip Grant.
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

On April 25, Windham Town Supervisor Stacy Post told Daily Mail reporter Michael Ryan, according to his story in the paper, that she would no longer give out any written information, and that folks who want to know what the town is doing must now make a Freedom of Information Law request. Ryan writes, "The blanket thrown over the media in Windham is unprecedented," without providing any proof of that statement. He also wrote, "The sweeping dictate comes amid escalating tensions in local government following the March 21 execution of a search warrant by state police, who were authorized to search the town hall and Post’s residence. Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents seized a computer from Post’s desk at the municipal building." Greene County District Attorney Charles Bucca says there is, “an open investigation into potential criminal offenses.” In her campaign literature, Post stated, among other goals, that “I would like to have a Current and dynamic web page for the Town of Windham. One that will advise the public of scheduled board meetings and share with the public the minutes from the last meeting.... I wish to bring more transparency to our local government and stop handling things and making decisions behind closed doors.” Instead, the Windham town website still says Stephen Walker, the previous superintedent, is still in charge, and does not include anything about how to file a FOIL request. New York's Committee on Open Government has extensive information about filing FOIL requests, including sample letters, sample email requests, and details about the law. The FOIL process requires the submission of a written request to the town’s FOIL officer. The records or FOIL officer for the town must respond, “within five business days of the receipt of a written request for a record reasonably described,” according to the New York State Department of State Committee on Open Government. Towns “shall make such record(s) available to the person requesting it, deny such request in writing or furnish a written acknowledgment of the receipt of such request and a statement of the approximate date … when such request shall be granted or denied.... If circumstances prevent disclosure to the person requesting the record or records within twenty business days … the agency shall state, in writing, both the reason for the inability to grant the request within twenty business days and a date certain, within a reasonable period, depending on the circumstances, when the request will be granted in whole or in part,” according to the Committee on Open Government. “The town supervisor is not an emperor,” Committee on Open Government Executive Director Robert Freeman told The Daily Mail. “The town clerk, by law, is the custodian of all town records. If the town supervisor has a document in her hand, involving town business, it belongs to the town clerk.... If the town supervisor wants to take over records management and be the FOIL officer, let them run for town clerk.... The supervisor doesn’t make the rules. The town board makes the rules. The supervisor is one out of five. It is the duty of an elected official to express himself or herself,” Freeman said.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., May 4. PLAY AUDIO (3:32)

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

• Sunday: Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 58, and a low around 41.

• Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 60, and a low around 36.

• Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 59.

Sunrise 5:45 a.m.
Sunset 7:58 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 10:08 A.M. 12:02 A.M.
Mercury 6:11 A.M. 8:54 P.M.
Venus 4:14 A.M. 4:16 P.M.
Mars 4:53 P.M. 4:41 A.M.
Jupiter 9:40 A.M. 12:48 A.M.
Saturn 8:14 P.M. 6:27 A.M.
Uranus 4:39 A.M. 5:20 P.M.
Neptune 3:16 A.M. 2:10 P.M.
Pluto 12:19 A.M. 9:49 A.M.

WGXC Programming

May the Fourth
May 4, 2014: 2 a.m. – 5 a.m.
Radia: Rectangular Grinder
May 4, 2014: 5 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.
CounterSpin: Craig Aaron, Anand Gopal
May 4, 2014: 5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.

Kyle Adams in the Windham Journal reports that the Greene County Legislature will spend almost as much as a house -- $142,944 -- on an equipment shelter at the base of an emergency communications tower on Windham Mountain. The tower and shelter, paid for with an $890,000 New York State Office of Emergency Management grant, should be ready to relay wireless messages in floods, storms, and other disasters by mid-September. VFP, Inc. of Salem, NY, was the sole bidder on the 12-foot by 32-foot shelter that will sit under the $35,000 tower in Jewett. Currently, Greene County emergency communications are relayed via land lines that did not withstand the heavy flooding of the storms associated with Hurricane Irene in 2011. Work is expected to resume in mid-May, after the spring thaw. Read the full story in the Windham Journal.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., May 3. PLAY AUDIO (4:43)

Public Meetings
HUDSON Sixth Annual Children’s Book Festival at Hudson Junior-Senior High School, Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson. At 11:30 a.m. Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) will meet with members of the public.

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

• Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64, and a low around 43.

• Sunday: A 60 percent chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 55, and a low around 41.

• Monday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 58.

Sunrise 5:47 a.m.
Sunset 7:57 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 9:14 A.M. Next Day
Mercury 6:09 A.M. 8:46 P.M.
Venus 4:15 A.M. 4:14 P.M.
Mars 4:58 P.M. 4:45 A.M.
Jupiter 9:43 A.M. 12:52 A.M.
Saturn 8:18 P.M. 6:31 A.M.
Uranus 4:43 A.M. 5:23 P.M.
Neptune 3:20 A.M. 2:14 P.M.
Pluto 12:23 A.M. 9:53 A.M.

WGXC Programming

Reveil
May 3, 2014: midnight – May 4, 2014: 1 a.m.
Wave Farm's WGXC (90.7-FM) hosts "Reveil," a live 24-hour broadcast of the sounds of daybreak, relayed by audio streamers around the world. Beginning sometime around midnight EDT (-4 UTC) "Reveil" presents live webstreams at dawn around the world, beginning with London. "Reveil" travels west from one open microphone to another, tracking the rising sun, and finishes the following morning in London, where the entire broadcast is being presented at soundCamp at Stave Hill Ecology Park, about two miles from the Meridian line in Greenwich. The broadcast combines streams from the Locus Sonus network, many assembled specifically for this event including newly commissioned feeds from Abu Dhabi, Athens, Tehran, and Italy. Also included are existing live audio from webcams, deep ocean hydrophones, very low frequency (VLF) radio, and other independent channels covering all continents and time zones. Highlights include live streams from Austin, Texas in the United States, and Joel Goodwin at livenaturesongs.com; a whale song from Hawaii by the Jupiter Foundation, and soundscapes with goats and bells by Gregoire Lauvin (Locus Sonus) in the French Pyrenees. Besides Wave Farm Radio and WGXC, "Reveil" also airs on the following stato stations: Resonance FM (UK), Soundart Radio (UK), Radio Papesse (IT), Kriti FM (GR), NOFM2 [ARTSYNCH] (BG), Phaune Radio (FR), ARTxFM (Louisville, KY, US), basic.fm (UK), and Radio Patapoe (NL). The "Reveil" broadcast celebrates International Dawn Chorus Day , and annual event when many people listen to early morning bird songs. For more details visit www.soundtent.org or email info@soundtent.org.
http://self-noise.net/soundcamp/soundcamp_featured_streams.html

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr.’s plan to institute residential permit parking in the area around Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson is moving forward, and expanding. Hallenbeck said Thurs., May 1, he has now held meetings with the city attorneys on the proposal, and that he and Common Council President Don Moore have met with CMH Spokesman Bill Van Slyke. Van Slyke said the dialog with the Mayor's Office has been productive. He said the permit plan makes sense and the hospital would not oppose it. A residential permit would allow residents to park in the permitted areas throughout the day. Nonresidents would be limited to two hours. Hallenbeck said the attorneys said the permit plan can be accomplished by means of a local law. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Matt Bathrick is reporting in the Columbia Paper the Ghent Town Board approved a new contract to change to a cheaper energy supplier last week. The town’s electric power will now come from Viridian Energy following the board's approval of a two-year agreement with the company. The decision adds Ghent to the growing list of municipalities in Columbia County switching to the Stamford, Conn. based energy supplier. Town Supervisor Mike Benvenuto said the agreement with Viridian will save the town an estimated $11,000 a year, roughly half of what Ghent currently pays. The energy will be supplied by Viridian and delivered by the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

The Times Union is reporting 41 percent of New York residents would move elsewhere if given the chance. This is the finding of a new Gallup Poll that measured residents' interest in moving out of state. At the other end of the fulfillment spectrum are residents in Montana, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon, New Hampshire and Texas. Fewer than one in four residents in those states want to move, the lowest level recorded. The poll was conducted for all 50 states from June to December 2013 and included at least 600 representative interviews with residents aged 18 or older in each state. The average of all respondents across the 50 states who said they would like to move out of state was 33 percent. Read the full Gallup survey results online at Gallup [dot] com.