The Public Service Commission holds its next regular meeting, with issues facing Athens, Hunter, and other local towns, at 10:30 a.m., April 24, in the 19th Floor Board Room of its offices located at Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York. The meeting inlcudes a Petition for a Declaratory Ruling or, in the Alternative, Approval of the Indirect Transfer of New Athens Generating Company, LLC Pursuant to Section 70 of the Public Service Law, and for Approval of a Holding Company Transaction. There are also rate increases on the agenda in Windham (Minor Rate Filing to Increase its Annual Revenues by about $15,000 or 61.3 percent.) and with the Germantown Telephone Company (a Minor Rate Filing to Increase its Annual Revenues by $300,000.) The meeting includes "Petitions for Renewal of Cable Television Franchises" in Hunter (Time-Warner), in Greene County, and Roxbury and Andes, in Delaware County. The meeting will be webcast here.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., April 20. PLAY AUDIO (1:24)

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

• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 61, and a low around 34. South wind 5 to 8 mph.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70, and a low around 41.

• Tuesday: Showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.

Sunrise 6:05 a.m.
Sunset 7:43 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 12:22 A.M. 10:23 A.M.
Mercury 5:59 A.M. 7:09 P.M.
Venus 4:30 A.M. 3:52 P.M.
Mars 6:07 P.M. 5:48 A.M.
Jupiter 10:26 A.M. 1:36 A.M.
Saturn 9:14 P.M. 7:25 A.M.
Uranus 5:32 A.M. 6:11 P.M.
Neptune 4:10 A.M. 3:04 P.M.
Pluto 1:14 A.M. 10:45 A.M.

WGXC Programming

Sexing Sound: Music Cultures, Audio Practices, and Contemporary Art
April 19, 2014: 11 p.m. – April 20, 2014: 5 a.m.

Radia: UIOR
5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.

CounterSpin: Adam Gaffney, Astra Taylor
5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.

William J. Kemble in The Daily Freeman reports that Ulster County Executive Michael Hein spoke with CSX railroad officials last week about the need for better communication with local officials, after some recent Hudson Valley train troubles. A March 31 CSX breakdown blocked access to about 90 homes and businesses along Kings Highway in Saugerties. On February 25, another Ulster County accident involved empty rail cars that had recently off-loaded crude oil and occurred after the conductor missed a red signal and reversed the train through a switch. In Albany County Feb. 28, a derailment at the Selkirk Rail Yards involved thirteen train cars fully-loaded with crude oil. “Some of the concerns we had were the increased transport of materials,” Hein said about the meeting. “We want our emergency service personnel, our fire department and all of our EMTs to be very well aware of what’s being transported and when. So there has been an agreement that CSX will have that information readily available.” CSX officials said 30 to 35 trains go through local communities every day. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., April 19. PLAY AUDIO (1:51)

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

• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a northwest wind 13 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Saturday night should be clear, with a low around 30.

• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 62, and a low around 37.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Sunrise 6:06 a.m.
Sunset 7:41 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon Prev Day 9:22 A.M.
Mercury 5:59 A.M. 7:02 P.M.
Venus 4:31 A.M. 3:50 P.M.
Mars 6:13 P.M. 5:53 A.M.
Jupiter 10:29 A.M. 1:39 A.M.
Saturn 9:18 P.M. 7:29 A.M.
Uranus 5:36 A.M. 6:15 P.M.
Neptune 4:14 A.M. 3:08 P.M.
Pluto 1:18 A.M. 10:49 A.M.

WGXC Programming

Radio Stew: The End of Radio
12:05 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Shortwave Hours: Ron Stier/W9ICZ
5 a.m. – 7 a.m.
Saturday Morning Serial: Shut Down
7 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Radia: UIOR
10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Noon News: Electromagnetic Radiation Action Day
noon – 12:05 p.m.
Other Music: Peter Schickele
12:05 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Off The Hook: XP Malware
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Framework: Gurkan Mihci
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Mind Over Mirrors, Koen Holtkamp
8 p.m.
Sexing Sound: Music Cultures, Audio Practices, and Contemporary Art
April 19, 2014: 11 p.m. – April 20, 2014: 5 a.m.

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail the Greene County Legislature is backing a proposed alternative to the two-year property tax freeze included in state 2014-15 budget. In place of the freeze, the Legislature calls on the state to bear the costs of mandates imposed on local governments to ease the local tax burden. In a resolution passed unanimously Wed., Apr. 16, the Legislature argued a phased state takeover of the costs of the state's mandated human services, starting with Medicaid, would provide immediate and measurable tax relief at the local level. The tax freeze, proposed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, will hold property taxes to their current levels for two years by way of a state-funded rebate to taxpayers equal to any local increase for municipalities that stick to the state’s tax cap and make a detailed plan for sharing or consolidating services. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

William J. Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman the Catskill Town Board approved revisions to senior citizen property tax exemption deadlines that will add about two months to the filing date for hardship conditions. The changes were adopted Tues., Apr. 15, following a public hearing. Under the law, senior citizens will have until Grievance Day to provide proof they had a medical reason for missing the March 1 deadline for filing for an exemption, or were taking care of a family member and could not file. The exemptions applications filed in March would be for tax bills issued after July 1 by the town, village, school district, or county. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Azra Haqqie is reporting in the Times Union is reporting Anne Fahy Curtin of Valatie is one of five Capital Region residents that have advanced to the medalist level for the Jefferson Awards. The award honors public service in communities across the country. Curtin and her colleagues will be honored at an event in Albany, Thurs., Apr. 24. Curtin has cared for victims of domestic abuse and their families since her retirement six years ago as a lawyer for the state. She founded the organization Healing a Woman's Soul and launched the "Who is Your 1 in 4" campaign to raise awareness that one in four people is affected by domestic violence. The other four finalists are Alice Green of Albany, Zilpa Oduor of Albany, Mary O'Keefe of Niskayuna and Kevin Shephard of Greenwich. One of the five will be selected to represent the Capital Region at the national level. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 55F; low 27F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 54F; low 23F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Mostly sunny. High near 57. Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 35.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: Sunny. High near 62. Saturday night, mostly clear. Low around 33.
Sunday: Sunny. High near 65. Sunday night, mostly clear. Low around 39.
Monday: Partly sunny. High near 67. Monday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 47.

Sunrise today: 6:08 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:40 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:32 hrs.

Town meetings
Today is the third Friday of the month.
WGXC is unaware of any recurring meetings scheduled for today.

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio Stew: Edward Snowden, Vladimir Putin Snowden, the whistleblower, asks Putin, the invader, a question.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Turn It Off Themes of the end of radio are explored.
1 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Daniel Carter Episode 11 of 2014 of two-hour free jazz show that airs on eight European radio stations and free103point9 Online Radio and WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, in New York, in the United States. Click on title to access the playlist.
3 a.m.: All Mixed Up: Silent Spring Celebrating "Silent Spring" and Rachel Carson (d. April 14, 1964) with music from Tosca, The Beatles, Ben Watt, Jesse Winchester, Steely Dan, Johnny Cash, Roseanne Cash, Meshell Ndegeocello, Future Islands, East River Pipe, High School For Recording Arts, and Stanley Brinks. From Pacifica Radio.


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 and music live from the WGXC Hudson Studio. Call in to have your say: (518) 828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m. WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, weather, interviews and events.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Feature Story News
7 p.m.: Guest DJ: Guest DJ this week is the Music Maestro, who will play a variety of jazz music.  

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail the Greene County Legislature unanimously passed a fiercely worded resolution calling for the New York State Legislature to reject Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s plan for a publicly funded higher education program for those incarcerated. The Legislature's resolution called Cuomo's initiative a “liberal meddling with the institution of justice." Incarcerated individuals represent a continued threat to society, the Legislature said, and "are not deserving of rewards, but rather punishment for their actions.” The initiative, announced in February, would provide a college-level education for inmates at 10 state prisons at the cost of about $5,000 per inmate per year. The aim is to reduce the rate at which inmates return to prison following release. According to a recent RAND Corporation study, the total cost savings realized for a hypothetical pool of 100 incarcerated people who received education would be nearly $1 million. The Greene County resolution calls on the state legislature to reject the proposal and for Cuomo to withdraw it and apologize to those who have been hurt by the same people he is "attempting to coddle." Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

William J. Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman the Catskill Town Board had its first look Wed., Apr. 16, at a map of a proposed $10 million sewer district that would serve Jefferson Heights and Leeds. Consultant Michael Budris told the board engineering work remains to be done on the project. Approximately 400 residential and 25 commercial properties would be served by an extension of village sewer lines that currently end in Jefferson Heights. Funding will be provided to allow the village to separate stormwater and sanitary sewer lines. Consultants expect a sewer district could be formed sometime this year. The project is intended to address problems in Leeds, where the state Department of Environmental Conservation has threatened to fine some business owners over septic system violations. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

The Associated Press is reporting folk singer Pete Seeger's life will be celebrated at the annual Clearwater Festival this summer. Seeger died in January at age 94, after surviving his wife Toshi by about seven months. Clearwater Festival organizers say the two-day show at Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester Co., starting June 21 will celebrate the couple's legacy. The couple founded the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater and the annual music and environmental festival in the 1960s. Performers this year include Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones and Rufus Wainwright.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 52F; low 28F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 53F; low 19F.[/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 53. Thursday night, mostly clear. Low around 26.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 58. Friday night, a slight chance of showers after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 34.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers before 3 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 59. Saturday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 33.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 59. Sunday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 43.

Sunrise today: 6:10 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:39 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:29 hrs.

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

ANCRAM Board meeting at 7 p.m. in Town Hall at 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
CHATHAM Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. Town Hall, 488 State Route 295, Chatham (392-3262).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Public Safety Committee meeting at 5 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
COPAKE Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m., at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Town board meeting at 7:30 p.m. in Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham.
GHENT Town Board meeting at the Ghent Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
HUDSON Common Council Economic Development Committee meeting is cancelled. (828-1030).
KINDERHOOK Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
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.: NRFF B Radio: The Electric Earth Anna Friz, Jonny Farrow, Jeff Kolar, Peter Speer, and Stephen Germana perform in this transmission live from Chicago. NRRF B Radio Presents: The Electric Earth Live From Experimental Sound Studio, Chicago. Wednesday. Broadcasting on 87.9 MHz from Chicago's North side. The Frosty and Frothy NRRF Pirates have found themselves and their trusty schooner locked on a course DUE SOUTH owing to a badly malfunctioning compass. As they approach what appears to be the frozen, southern polar landmass, they suddenly discover that their ship is no longer moving. This episode begins with the crew celebrating 'nothing to do' as they are immobilized by the pack ice, so they decide to sing songs while quickly finishing off the rum. In their stupor, the crew encounters one very smelly and dreadfully lost Ijiraq which causes them to vacate the boat and wander off on to the ice where they experience many strange sensations and illusions: an unsettling shift in gravity, rings around the sun, a very convincing fata morgana, and several frightening aural hallucinations, all of which confuse them further. As they press forward to nowhere, the ice and permafrost begins to give way under their feet. Is this an earthquake? Is the land melting away? Eventually the crew finds magnificent caverns filled with magic energy crystals that seem to be connected to a giant electric ray transmitter. What is this strange world? A mirage? Madness? A secret military installation? Or the solution to the world's fossil fuel addiction? TUNE IN TO FIND OUT THE ANSWERS TO THESE AND MANY OTHER PRESSING QUESTIONS like, how can one Ijiraq be so smelly? What is a fata morgana? Is it really ever a good idea to drink that much rum?
3 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Artificial Memory TraceEpisode 926 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 926.

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 and music live from the WGXC Hudson Studio. Hosted by Noah Reibel for Phil Grant. Call in to have your say: (518) 828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m. WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, weather, interviews and events.
10 a.m.: We the People: Phillip Musegaas Riverkeeper's Hudson River Program Director Phillip Musegaas will discuss the virtual pipeline for crude oil that snakes thousands of miles by rail, barge and ship from oil fields in North Dakota and elsewhere, through the Hudson Valley to refineries on the east coast, and the pipeline's potential impacts to the river and local communities. Hosted by Tom DePietro and Chris Bishop.
11 a.m.: One Size Fits All: 20140417 An hour-long investigation into the idea of amplified sound, beginning with the Art Ensemble of Chicago and concluding with Tom Ze. With Your Host. Full playlist at www.facebook.com/OneSizeWGXC.
2 p.m.: Between the Lines: Kristi Gibson, John McInerney Kristi Gibson, owner of Catskill's new bookstore Magpie Books, discusses how to survive as an independent retailer in the age of Amazon. Plus, some of her fav reading picks for spring. Also, John McInerney, therapist, social worker and Buddhist discusses the role of Easter, Passover, redemption, new beginnings, faith and what it is that gives life meaning. Produced by Ann Forbes-Cooper.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Beneath the Land of Oz Part 2 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 the story by L. Frank Baum; Book Four in the Chronicles of Oz (Dorothy and the the Wizard in Oz). Adapted for radio by Joseph McGuire. Dorothy's third adventure beyond Kansas takes her to the Land of the Mangaboos. During an earthquake a crack in the Earth opens up depositing her and her new friends, Zeb and Eureka the Cat, far below the the surface of the Earth. There she meets the coldhearted vegetable people who inhabit the land beneath the Earth. Also meeting on old friend from her first adventure in Oz -- the Wizard. From Pacifica Radio.
3:30 p.m.: Kid's Brain Radio Live from the Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Matt Bua and Sam Sebren.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

Michael Ryan is reporting in The Daily Mail the town of Windham has received a request from Town Supervisor Stacy Post to provide for her legal representation and possible defense in matters related to the March 21 state police raid of Windham Town Hall and her residence. In a March 24 letter to town officials, Albany attorney Dennis Schlenker said Post is being investigated in connection with her duties as Town Supervisor. Post has retained Schlenker to represent her in the matter. Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents seized a computer from Post's desk at town hall during the raid last month. It is unknown if anything was taken from the supervisor's home. Few details have been made available about what acting Greene County District Attorney Charles Bucca has called "an open investigation into possible criminal offenses." Town board members declined comment on Schlenker's letter, citing the ongoing criminal investigation. Post was sworn into office in January. Prior to her election, she served as Windham police chief from 2009 through 2013. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail Greene County officials are nearing a deal with a developer for the purchase and restoration of the former Candyman building, located on Bridge Street in Catskill. The vacant building was previously slated for demolition. It formerly housed Candyman Chocolates for approximately 50 years. The county acquired the property at a foreclosure auction in 2012. A resolution to authorize the sale of the building, and to enter into a contract with Chris Gilbert was approved by the Public Works Committee of the Greene County Legislature, Mon., Apr. 14. Gilbert is a partner in the Catskill Mill development project. Gilbert would restore the building to its mid-19th century appearance and make substantial improvements to the exterior of the building. Gilbert intends to offer the space for retail, office and residential use. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Jordan Carleo-Evangelist is reporting at Capitol Confidential Sean Eldridge is maintaining his fundraising lead on U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson in the 19th Congressional District, despite what Gibson’s campaign said was his most fruitful fundraising quarter of his congressional career. In a related story, John Mason is reporting in the Register Star Gibson challenged Eldridge on Tues., Apr. 15, to a mutual campaign finance cap of $2 million. The Eldridge campaign called Gibson's invitation a phony, election-year device. The Eldridge campaign said it would report raising more than $520,000 during the first quarter of this year, $250,000 of which came from matching funds of the candidate’s own money. This leaves Eldridge with more than $1.5 million in cash on hand. Eldridge, the husband of Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, lives in Shokan, Ulster Co. Gibson, a Kinderhook Republican and two-term incumbent, will report raising $459,000, leaving him with more than $1.2 million on hand, his campaign said. The 19th Congressional District is expected to be among the most competitive races in the country. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 44F; low 27F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 44F; low 22F.[/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, effective Wednesday morning, warning of patches of black ice during the morning drive. Most of eastern New York and adjacent western New England received one to four inches of snowfall late Tuesday. Any standing slush or wet spots may have frozen solid on untreated surfaces. Be careful for patches of black ice, especially in driveways, sidewalks and secondary roadways. Allow extra time to reach your destination and exercise caution when driving and especially walking.

Today: Sunny. High near 46. Wednesday night, mostly clear. Low around 22.

Forecast for the next three days:
Thursday: Sunny. High near 54. Thursday night, mostly clear. Low around 29.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 58. Friday night, a slight chance of showers after 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 36.
Saturday: A chance of showers after 9 a.m. Cloudy. High near 55. Saturday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 37.

Sunrise today: 6:11 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:38 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:26 hrs.

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

CATSKILL at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Human Services meeting at 5 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
GHENT Planning Board session at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature meeting at 6:30 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting (tentative) at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

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 and music live from the WGXC Hudson Studio. Hosted by Cheryl K. for Phil Grant. Call in to have your say: (518) 828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m. WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, weather, interviews and events.
10 a.m.: @Issue: Didi Barrett, Michele McClave Michele McClave, Executive Director of the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York, Albany, will talk about her organization's assistance for people with AIDS and the group's upcoming fundraiser, the 11th Annual Dining Out for Life on April 24. Plus, Assemblywoman Didi Barrett talks about the high and low points of the budget process and about her legislative accomplishments in the areas of farming, tourism and education funding. Hosted by Debora Gilbert.
2 p.m.: Hudson Valley Tap Show: Justin Taylor Justin Taylor from Sloop Brewing Company in Poughkeepsie is this month's guest. Hosted by Ken Landin.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: CB Smith, Athens Citizens Development Committee, Cultivate Catskill Mandolinist CB Smith, of CB Smith and the Lucky Devils, talks about the group's upcoming show at the Beattie Powers House. In the second hour, an update from members of the Athens Citizens Development Committee, and a conversation with Hudson Talbott and members of Cultivate Catskill. Plus, news, weather, events, music and more. Hosted by Harry Matthews.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

Joe Gentile is reporting in the Register Star six fire companies fought a 15-acre brush fire fanned by 40 mph winds, near 89 Route 217, in Claverack, Mon., Apr. 14. The fire scorched a cornfield and charred nearby woods and marshland. According to fire officials, the blaze did not threaten any structures in the immediate area, but firefighters faced tough terrain as they brought the fire under control. The fire was initially reported shortly after 12:30 p.m. and kept firefighters busy for nearly four hours. Claverack Fire Chief Michael Cozzolino has the fire under investigation. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Casey Seiler is reporting at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Mon., Apr. 14, the selection of 215 new state Master Teachers, including two from Columbia and Greene counties. Jason Reinhard of the Cairo-Durham Central School District, and Dolores Storey of the New Lebanon School District were among the 23 teachers in the Capital Region acknowledged to be the highest-performing professionals in their field. Subjects of expertise include calculus, algebra, physics, earth science, chemistry, engineering design and development, and genetics. The newly named Master Teachers will receive $15,000 annual stipends for four years while working with students and fellow teachers on new programs. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential.

Bryan Fitzgerald is reporting in the Times Union the Northeast, more than any other part of the country, has become a hot spot for record rain and flooding in recent years. In addition to being more frequent, major storms are bigger, slower and thus more prolonged. Soil is wetter than ever. All of this, meteorologists said Mon., Apr. 14, at an extreme weather forum at the State University at Albany, has coalesced to increase the chances of severe floods in the Capital Region and beyond. According to one expert, rainstorms have increased in the Northeast by 74 percent in recent years. In the past three years, low-lying areas around the Capital Region have been destroyed by floods like never before, most notably small creekside towns and villages in Greene and Schoharie counties. Speakers noted how, unlike tornadoes or other catastrophic weather, the damage from floods can be mapped and somewhat mitigated, but floods will almost certainly become more frequent in the coming years. The forum Monday was hosted by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 63F; low 27F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 62F; low 26F.[/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 has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts and east central New York, effective Tuesday. There is a chance of non-severe thunderstorms all day. Thunderstorms may contain gusty winds up to 50 mph as they move from southwest to northeast around 40 mph. Rainfall could be heavy, producing significant within bank rises on some rivers and streams, as well as poding of water in areas of poor drainage.

Today: Periods of rain and thunderstorms before noon, then period of rain between noon and 1 p.m., then periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rainfall. Temperature will rise to near 66 by 11 a.m., then fall to around 50 during the remainder of the day. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Tuesday night, periods of rain before 10 p.m., then sleet likely between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., then scattered snow showers after 11 p.m. Low around 329. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Forecast for the next three days:
Wednesday: Sunny. High near 46. Wednesday night, mostly clear. low around 25.
Thursday: Sunny. High near 54. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 32.

Sunrise today: 6:13 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:37 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:24 hrs.

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

COLUMBIA COUNTY Insurance Committee meeting at 10 a.m., Health and Medical Services Committee meeting at 4 p.m. at 401 State St. in Hudson (828-1527).
DURHAM Town Board meets at 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
HILLSDALE Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall on Main Street (325-5073).
HUDSON Finance Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m., Formal Common Council meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville (589-6150).
LEXINGTON Town board meeting at 7 p.m., at Municipal Building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
TAGHKANIC Planning Board workshop meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall on Route 82 in West Taghkanic (851-7638).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: The Sinking of the Titanic Tune in historical broadcasts, songs and stories on the 102nd anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

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 and music live from the WGXC Hudson Studio. Hosted by Cheryl K. for Phil Grant. Call in to have your say: (518) 828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m. WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, weather, interviews and events.
2 p.m.: Hudson Valley Tap Show: Justin Taylor Justin Taylor from Sloop Brewing Company in Poughkeepsie is this month's guest. Hosted by Ken Landin.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Feature Story News