New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald announced March 21 that the DOT will install a four-way overhead flashing beacon at the interesection of Route 9G and Broadway/West Kerley Corners Road (Dutchess County Route 78) in Tivoli, after several recent fatal accidents. Since 2009, there have been oversized stop signs and stop ahead signs on the Broadway and West Kerley Corners Road approaches, which reduced by crashes by 80 percent, according to McDonald's press release. But two Bard College students were killed by a hit-and-run car at the intersection in late January, and after Brandon M. O’Connell, 21, of Hudson died March 3 as a result of a car accident there, Tivoli Mayor Bryan Cranna called for upgrades. Work begins next week to survey the intersection, with the new flashing beacon promised by Memorial Day.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., March 15. PLAY AUDIO (3:28)

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

• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31, and a low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -9.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Wind chill values as low as -10. Monday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 11.

• Tuesday: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 29.

Sunrise 6:51 a.m.
Sunset 7:11 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 1:31 A.M. 11:27 A.M.
Mercury 6:06 A.M. 4:54 P.M.
Venus 4:54 A.M. 3:15 P.M.
Mars 8:46 P.M. 8:05 A.M.
Jupiter 12:03 P.M. 3:16 A.M.
Saturn 11:12 P.M. 9:19 A.M.
Uranus 7:19 A.M. 7:53 P.M.
Neptune 5:58 A.M. 4:50 P.M.
Pluto 3:04 A.M. 12:34 P.M.

WGXC Programming

March 22, 2014: 8 p.m. – March 23, 2014: 1 a.m.: Saturday Night Special: Edward Snowden
Special on recent talks from exiled leaker Edward Snowden, mixed with a 2001 Department of Defense video "The People's Right to Know" about how the Freedom of Information Act works.

1 a.m. – 5 a.m.: Radius Sketchpad: Rewind
Several past episodes of Radius Sketchpad, an ongoing monthly program on WGXC 90.7-FM presented by the Chicago-based platform, Radius, are featured. Included: ShortWaveMusic'sAll Night Flight.

5 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.: Radia: James Goddard
Radia Show 486: "On Failure" by James Goddard (Ckut Radio Montreal). "Radia" is an international network of 25 stations, including Wave Farm's WGXC, interested in creative and forgotten ways of making radio. Each week, one station makes a show for the rest. This episode of Radia focuses on concept of failure and its sources using radio art as its exploratory medium. Failure of technology, Failure of language, Failure of colonialism, Failure to induce laughter…ultimately, failure to fail and many more expressions of failure, inaction and irrelevancy of success. James Goddard lives in Montréal, QC. He pays his bills by resisting oppressive working conditions and supporting better food options at Le Frigo Vert. He once interned at CKUT 90.3FM, before that he worked at CFRC 101.9FM and CHMA 106.9FM. His writing has appeared on Weird Canada and in Syphon magazine.

5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.: CounterSpin: Carla Murphy, Sarah Jaffe
Tune in wavefarm.org to hear transmission arts around the clock.
Carla Murphy on an FCC diversity study, and Sarah Jaffe on charter schools.

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Mambo Italiano: 20140323
Join host Tom DePietro for a show on all things Italian. Music, books, food and more.

The Hudson Valley radio dial may offer more choices soon, as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved new low-power FM (LPFM) stations in Palenville, Albany, Woodstock, Pawling, and other towns. Low-power FM is a 100-watts-or-less broadcast license authorized for non-commercial educational broadcasting that can cover a city or town. It was first created in 2001, after a decade of challenges on the air, in courts, and in Congress. WBCR-LP in Great Barrington emerged from that first LPFM opportunity, and a second application window for non-profit groups to apply for frequencies intended for community use opened last fall. Now these applicants must raise money, organize volunteers, and build studios to get on the air.

This winter the FCC granted a construction permit to WLPP-LP (102.9-FM) in Palenville, where the Maetreum of Cybele, Magna Mater, Inc., a pagan-oriented non-profit, now has until Jan. 27, 2017 to get on the air. The group claims their new signal will cover Catskill, Saugerties, and into Columbia County, and is advertising locally for folks to help them. (Click here or here to hear WGXC interviews with the Rev. Mother Cathryn Platine from the Maetreum of Cybele, about WLPP-LP from March 19, 2014 and Nov. 23, 2013)

In Athens, local listeners may or may not hear a new station from the jazz-oriented group Planet Arts. The New York City- and Catskill-based non-profit mistakenly filed two LPFM applications for Athens for the Nov. 2013 FCC deadline. One, to use the public's 96.7-FM frequency, was dismissed by the FCC, and another, at 93.9-FM, is labeled, "applied for," while similar applications without competition have been approved. (Click here to listen to a WGXC interview with Thomas Bellino from Planet Arts from Nov. 23, 2013.)

[caption width="290" align="alignright"]From Grand Street Community Arts Facebook page.[/caption]In Albany, the Grand Street Community Arts, Inc. non-profit, which has run a community center for several years, located at 68 Grand St. near the Capitol, will broadcast at 107.1-FM. Online, they are calling themselves WSER-LP, South End Radio, although those call letters are not yet officially registered with the FCC as of March 21. The group is hosting a volunteer meeting March 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. A representative of the group will call in to the WGXC "Saturday Afternoon Show" before the meeting begins. They have until Feb. 21, 2017 to get on the air.

In Troy five groups have applied for LPFM stations. The Sanctuary for Independent Media; Troy Bike Rescue; Green Education and Legal Fund; Oakwood Community Center; and Tap, Inc. all have applications pending for 92.7-FM. Steve Pierce from The Sanctuary for Independent Media, in a Feb. 1, 2014 interview with WGXC, said the five groups are friendly and will work out a time-share or other arrangements to get on the air. The FCC encourages groups competing for the same frequencies to work out time-sharing arrangements.

In Woodstock, WIOF-LP (104.1-FM) has a construction permit from the FCC. In the 2007 full-power application window the group Birds of a Feather applied to cover a much larger area, but had several competitors, none of which ever got on the air. Now, the group has until Feb. 14, 2017 to begin using this frequency.

In Dutchess County, Pawling Public Radio will occupy 103.7-FM. That group is already up and running with a lively website. It will hold a board meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 17 at 26 E. Main St. in Pawling. The application submitted by a community group in Amenia for 103.7-FM, though, was dismissed by the FCC. In Poughkeepsie, New York Catholic Radio's application for 94.7-FM is unopposed, but has not yet been approved.

Upper Room Ministries of Richmondville applied in Stamford, Delaware County, and will operate WJIJ-LP at 105.9-FM.

In all, New York had 65 applications for low-power stations, most in non-competitive situations. Non-profit groups were able to apply for low-power FM stations on available frequencies from Oct. 17 to Nov. 15.

LISTEN TO WGXC AUDIO INTERVIEWS
WITH HUDSON VALLEY LPFM APPLICANTS

• Click here to hear a WGXC interview with the Rev. Mother Cathryn Platine from the Maetreum of Cybele, about WLPP-LP from March 19, 2014, by Harry Matthews on "WGXC Afternoon Show." (4:07)

• Click here to listen to an interview with Platine from Maetreum about the station Nov. 23, 2013 by Tom Roe on the "Saturday Afternoon Show." PLAY CLIP (4:34)

• Click here to listen to an interview with Thomas Bellino from Planet Arts from WGXC's "Saturday Afternoon Show" Nov. 23. PLAY CLIP (5:46)

• Click here to hear Steve Pierce and Branda Miller from The Sanctuary for Independent Media discuss low-power FM, community media, and radio on WGXC's "Saturday Afternoon Show" Feb. 1, 2014. PLAY CLIP (53:24)

• A representative from Grand Street Community Arts will phone-in WGXC's "Saturday Afternoon Show" March 22 after 4 p.m. Click here to listen live.

• Click here to listen to an audio version of this report. PLAY CLIP (5:55)

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., March 15. PLAY AUDIO (5:55)

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

• Saturday: A chance of rain, snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 11 a.m., then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Saturday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 20.

• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 34, and a low around 15.

• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 28, and a low around 15.

Sunrise 6:53 a.m.
Sunset 7:10 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 12:31 A.M. 10:31 A.M.
Mercury 6:06 A.M. 4:51 P.M.
Venus 4:55 A.M. 3:14 P.M.
Mars 8:51 P.M. 8:09 A.M.
Jupiter 12:07 P.M. 3:19 A.M.
Saturn 11:16 P.M. 9:23 A.M.
Uranus 7:23 A.M. 7:57 P.M.
Neptune 6:02 A.M. 4:53 P.M.
Pluto 3:08 A.M. 12:38 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Radio Stew: Basketball
Midnight - 4 a.m.
Low Power Hour: CB Radio
4 a.m. – 5 a.m.
Shortwave Hours: Ham Radio for the Blind
5 a.m. – 7 a.m.
Saturday Morning Serial: Air Raid Sirens
7 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Open Air: Local Frequencies
8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Radia: James Goddard
10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Words, Politics, Politicians
11 a.m. – noon
Noon News: Low-Power FM
noon – 12:30 p.m.
Other Music: Raymond Scott
12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Radius Sketchpad: ShortWaveMusic
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Human Machine: Brave New World, Part Three
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday Afternoon Show: Grand Street Community Arts, Slink Moss
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Off The Hook: 20140322
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Framework: David Velez
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday Night Special: Edward Snowden
8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail Catskill Town Supervisor Joseph Leggio said Thurs., Mar. 20, the Washington Irving Senior Center will stay open and remain open, despite the recent arrest and resignation of center director Ann Marie Moran on felony charges. He said for the time being, one person is covering most of the hours the center is open. Leggio said he and some of the town board members have been pitching in to help, as well as some of the seniors themselves. The director's position will eventually be posted, but the board intends to take the next two to three weeks to re-evaluate, and decide how to move forward. Moran has been accused of siphoning off funds from accounts she allegedly set up for an 85-year-old woman who attended activities at the center. Moran resigned her position as director, Wed., Mar. 19. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Mid-Hudson News Network is reporting the Catskill Association of Tourism Services held a legislative roundtable at Hunter Mountain Ski Lodge, Thurs., Mar. 20, and everyone present agreed there is plenty to do in the Greene-Ulster-Delaware-Sullivan County region. Greene County Tourism Marketing Manager Heather Bagshaw said the one thing that brings the region together is the Catskill Park. Bagshaw pointed out the many ski resorts and various reservoirs located throughout the region. She also said tourists go to Delaware and Greene counties to fish. Among those attending the legislative session in support of Catskills tourism were U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson and Assemblyman Pete Lopez. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="160"] From Rip Van Winkle Rod and Gun Club Facebook page.[/caption]

Ross Barkan reports in Politicker that two Queens-based New York state senators want the March 29 “Crow Down” hunting contest in Palenville, sponsored by the Rip Van Winkle Rod and Gun Club, shut down. Tony Avella, a Democrat, and Senator Jack M. Martins, a Republican, are co-sponsoring legislation (SB.4074), which would, "make it unlawful for any person to organize, conduct, promote or participate in any contest or competition where the objective of such contest or competition is to take the greatest number of wildlife." The Rip Van Winkle Rod and Gun Club, at 51 Mtn. House Rd. in Palenville, also sponsored a "Sqwirl Skramble" in January, 2013. Read the full story in Politicker.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 42F; low 24F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 43F; low 25F.[/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 45. Friday night, a chance of snow, mainly after 4 a.m. Increasing clouds. Low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Forecast for the next three days:

Saturday: A chance of rain, snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 9 a.m., then a chance of rain. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny. High near 49. Saturday night, Partly cloudy. Low around 24.
Sunday: Partly sunny. High near 39. Sunday night, partly cloudy. Low around 17.
Monday: Sunny. High near 32. Monday night, partly cloudy. Low around 18.

Sunrise today: 6:55 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:09 p.m.
Length of the day: 12:14 hrs.

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

HUDSON Common Council Legal Committee Zoning Workshop, 11 a.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12:05 a.m.: Alexander Turnquist Two hours of live and album recordings of the Hudson, NY-based 12-string guitarist.
2 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Natsuki Tamura Episode 8 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.
4 a.m.: Surveillance After Snowden A lecture "Surveillance After Snowden," presented 3-10-2014 at MIT by David Lyon, Professor and Chair of Surveillance Studies at Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario). This was the annual Arthur Miller Lecture, sponsored by Miller's surviving family along with MIT's Program in Science, Technology, and Society (web.mit.edu/sts). Professor Lyon points out that surveillance has been around in various forms since the mid-19th century. He expresses gratitude to Snowden for igniting discussion and debate over the U.S. and Canadian governments' current programs. Recorded for Truth and Justice Radio, the award-winning weekly program 6-10am Sundays at WZBC 90.3FM (Newton, MA), streamed and archived for two weeks at wzbc.org.

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 Morning news, music, interviews and features. Hosted by Philip Grant. Call in with your views at (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

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail former Greene County EMS Coordinator Aidan O’Connor was elected president of Greene County Emergency Medical Systems, Inc. Tues., Mar. 19. O’Connor replaces longtime president Mark Evans, who has been on the Greene County EMS Board of Directors for 10 years and president for seven. He will continue to serve as a member of the board. The board president serves a one-year term. Evans declined to comment on O'Connor's election. Greene County EMS, sometimes referred to as Greene County Paramedics, is a non-profit corporation that has been providing Advanced Life Support first response paramedic services in the county since 2000. It is funded through a contract with Greene County and payments from the towns based on call volume. O'Connor said he was honored to represent Greene County EMS as president, and that he looks forward to working with all involved. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Emilia Teasdale is reporting in the Columbia Paper the village of Valatie and town of Kinderhook are considering a new supplier of electric service in an attempt to save energy costs. Both the Valatie Village and Kinderhook Town boards recently heard from Viridian Energy representative Pat Manning about the company, and the environmentally friendly sources of the power it provides. Manning also works with the towns of Greenport and Chatham, and the city of Hudson, as well. Manning told the Valatie board it could save nearly 11 cents per kilowatt-hour with Viridian. Valatie board member Frank Bevens said he believes the proposal will result in big savings for both the village and town. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

Adam Clayton is reporting in the Register Star the Taconic Hills Board of Education dismissed a plan presented at its Wed., Mar. 20, meeting by district parent, Bill Kraus, to authorize teachers to carry pistols in district schools. The proposal was made in the wake of threats of violence at the school in December. Kraus initially addressed the board at its January meeting and returned Wednesday to ask the board to consider a concealed pistol policy for the schools. Kraus provided the board with a packet of information, including a list of numerous local credentialed pistol trainers who would be willing to instruct Taconic Hills teachers. Kraus was stopped during his presentation by board president Kevin Maisenbacher, who told Kraus this was an option the board was not willing to consider. Superintendent of Schools Neil Howard said the school board had received letters from every union affiliated with the schools’ staff condemning the idea. Reading the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 47F; low 28F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 48F; low 28F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

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

Local weather forecast

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

Today: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny. High near 49. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 28.

Forecast for the next three days:

Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 44. Friday night, a slight chance of snow and sleet between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of snow. Increasing clouds. Low around 28.
Saturday: A chance of snow before 11 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 46. Saturday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 25.
Sunday: Partly sunny. High near 39. Sunday night, partly cloudy. Low around 20.

Sunrise today: 6:57 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:08 p.m.
Length of the day: 12:11 hrs.

Town meetings
Today is the third Thursday of the month.
WGXC suggests 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, 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (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

3 a.m.: All Mixed Up: David Brenner An international mix of music, memories and politics as we travel from New York to the borders of two "Cold Wars" with Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama, Nikita Khrushchev, Richard Nixon, Sterling Hayden, Peter Sellers, Django Reinhardt, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, PreFab Sprout, The Firesign Theater, Moondog, Matt Monroe, Sting, Joe Jackson, Micah P. Hinson, Sarah Palin, Paul Robeson, Lawrence Ferlingetti, and more. Tributes to David Brenner, Tony Benn, Hal Douglas, and Mitch Leigh, with Ali G, Bobby Fischer, Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, The Psychedelic Furs, Beck, The Beatles, The Heavy, Augustana, Tears For Fears, 10cc, The Kronos Quartet, and more. From Pacifica Radio via WBAI in New York with host Peter Bochan.
5 a.m.: Off the Hook: 20140320 Do not call during rebroadcast. Off The Hook, from the hacker zine 2600, airs every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET in New York City on WBAI 99.5 FM, and is rebroadcast the next morning at 5 a.m. on WGXC and free103point9 Online Radio. It is simulcast online via streaming MP3 and via shortwave on WBCQ The Planet at 5110 KHz. Join #offthehook on irc.2600.net to chat during the show. Email show at oth [at] 2600.com. Do not call during the rebroadcast. Rebroadcast from March 19, 2013.

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 Morning news, music, interviews and features. Hosted by Philip Grant. Call in with your views at (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: Bruce Potter A follow-up visit with Bruce Potter, superintendent of the Berkshire Union Free School District, about the newly opened Columbia-Greene Partnership Academy. The academy is the product of a collaboration between Questar III BOCES, the Hudson City, Catskill Central and the Berkshire Union Free school districts. "The Bridge," as it is also known, serves students who could benefit from more individual attention and creative approaches to learning. Hosted by Tom DePietro.
11 a.m.: One Size Fits All: 20140320 An hour-long investigation into the idea of amplified sound. We will begin with Al Green and conclude with Deer Tick. Hosted by Your Host. Full playlist at www.facebook.com/OneSizeWGXC.
2 p.m.: Between the Lines: Kyle Adams, John McInerney Catskill-based journalist Kyle Adams recently spent three years in Ukraine teaching English. He will discuss Ukrainian politics, the people and his hopes for the country. Also, a conversation with family therapist and psychoanalyst John McInerney about how to improve parenting skills, teenage eating disorders and other adolescent problems and anxieties. Hosted by Ann Forbes Cooper.
3 p.m. Radio Theatre: Ozma of Oz, Part 1 Ozma of Oz Part 1, Book Three in the Chronicles of Oz From KSVR Studios. 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. This week: "Dorothy returns for another adventure this time not in the land of Oz, but the Land of Ev. Another fairyland where she mets some off kilter Baumian characters,TikTok, Princess Langwidere and the Nome King. There is one overarching law in fairyland animals can speak. So in this story we meet one of Baum's greatest characters Billina the Yellow Hen. 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.: 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

[Correction, 2:15 p.m.] William J. Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman Republican newcomer Rick Paolino ousted Democratic Village Board member Joseph Kozloski, in the Catskill village elections, Tues., Mar. 18. Paolino will serve a three-year term. Kozloski, who is in the second year of a three-year term as a Greene County legislator, was seeking his fourth term on the Village Board. Village Justice Maria LaRosa, a Republican, was elected to a second two-year term without opposition, In Hunter, voters re-elected Mayor William Maley over write-in candidate Michael Tancredi, a Village Board member. Maley has been mayor for nine years and previously was a Village Board member for nine years. Three Village Board members were re-elected to two-year terms without opposition, while the village justice also won without a challenge. In Tannersville, two Village Board members were re-elected to two-year terms without opposition. Republican Leigh McGunnigle won a third term; Democrat Brian Walsh won a second term. In Athens, Republican Peter Alberti and incumbent Gail Lasher were elected to two-year terms on the Village Board. A third candidate, Democrat Phyllis Dinkelacker, finished third. In Coxsackie, incumbent Dianne Ringwald and newcomer Daniel Hellen were elected to the Village Board in an uncontested race. In Philmont, incumbent Barbara Sagal and Brian Johnson were elected to two-year terms on the village’s Board of Trustees. In the uncontested Chatham race, Village Trustees Adrienne Morrell and Lenore Packet were re-elected.

Claire Hughes is reporting at Capitol Confidential the state Health Department is reporting enrollment in the state’s health insurance exchange, New York State of Health, surpassed 666,000 people as of Tues., Mar. 18. Nearly 1 million people have completed applications through the website, signaling their intent to shop for plans. Enrollees are about evenly split as to whether they qualified for coverage through the government-sponsored Medicaid program, or enrolled in private health plans. Open enrollment through New York State of Health ends March 31. After that date, only people eligible for government programs, such as Medicaid and Child Health Plus; or who undergo a big life change — marriage, divorce, birth of a child or loss of a job — will be able to sign up through NY State of Health for coverage beginning before 2015. The website is the only place where an individual who makes up to $46,000 a year can get financial assistance to buy insurance. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 42F; low 34F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 43F; low 34F.[/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: Increasing clouds. High near 42. Wednesday night, rain. Low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Forecast for the next three days:

Thursday: Rain likely, mainly before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 50. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 29.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 44. Friday night, a chance of snow after 3 a.m. Partly cloudy. Low around 29.
Saturday: A chance of snow before 9 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow between 9 a.m. and noon, then a chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 49. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around 28.

Sunrise today: 6:58 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:07 p.m.
Length of the day: 12:08 hrs.

Town meetings
Today is the third Wednesday of the month.
WGXC suggests 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 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: The Legendary Pink Dots Episode 923 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 921.

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 Morning news, music, interviews and features. Hosted by Philip Grant. Call in with your views at (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: William Hughes, Jr., Sarah Sterling Hudson Supervisors William Hughes Jr. and Sarah Sterling discuss county issues and projects they have been working on. Hughes is Minority Leader, and Sterling is Deputy Minority Leader of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors. Hosted by Victor Mendolia, with Debora Gilbert.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Fawn Potash, Molly Stinchfield, The Rev. Mother Cathryn Platine Conversation with Fawn Potash and Molly Stinchfield from the Greene County Council on the Arts. Plus Rev. Mother Cathryn Platine from the Maetreum of Cybele, the neo-Pagan group located in Palenville. News, weather, events, music and more. Hosted by Harry Matthews.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

Diane Valden is reporting in the Columbia Paper two unsuspecting residents of Columbia County recently lost thousands of dollars to scammers claiming to be law enforcement officials requesting cash to release a grandchild from jail, according to District Attorney Paul Czajka (CHAI-kah). In other instances callers have identified themselves as the grandchild in trouble and address the victim as “grandma” or say they are a different relative. The caller says he or she needs money for a variety of reasons: bail, car repairs or custom fees to re-enter the country from Canada. The caller then instructs the victim to wire the money via Western Union or MoneyGram. Czaijka cautions that any  request for money for any reason via the telephone to be skeptical. He advises to get as much information from the caller as possible, including proof of the their claims. The district attorney said if there is any issue at all to contact his office, the sheriff or the State Police. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

Jordan Carleo-Evangelist is reporting at Capitol Confidential Times Union columnist Marv Cermak reported Mon., Mar. 17, former Assemblyman George Amedore will seek a re-match this year against state Sen. Cecilia Tkacyzk, who beat him by 18 votes in 2012 for the then-open seat in the newly created 46th Senate District. Cermak reported GOP leaders have been trying for months to convince Amedore to run again, but the former assemblyman has been on the fence. Party leaders are preparing candidate endorsements for various races in the fall election. Amedore responded to the column with a statement that neither confirmed or denied the rumor, but said a formal announcement was forthcoming. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Glenn Blain reports in The New York Daily News that the New York State Senate defeated the DREAM Act by two votes March 17. The bill would enable the children of undocumented immigrants to receive state tuition assistance, and was approved by the Assembly earlier this year. Thirty Democrats voted for the bill, with two against: Ted O’Brien of Rochester and Simcha Felder of Brooklyn. All Republicans voted against the measure, which needed 32 votes to pass. Locally, Cecilia Tkaczyk, a Democrat who represents parts of Greene, Albany, Ulster, and Schoharie counties, voted for the bill, and Kathy Marchione, the Republican who represents Columbia and Rennselear counties, voted against. Read the full story in The Daily News.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 42F; low 22F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 42F; 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: Sunny. High near 38. Tuesday night, mostly clear. Low around 20.

Forecast for the next three days:

Wednesday: A slight chance of snow showers after 3 p.m. Increasing clouds. High near 41. Wednesday night, rain, snow and sleet likely before 2 a.m., then snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain. Mostly cloudy. Low around 32.
Thursday: A chance of rain or freezing rain before 11 a.m., then a slight chance of rain showers between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 48. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 30.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 46. Friday night, a chance of rain and snow. Partly cloudy. Low around 31.

Sunrise today: 7 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:05 p.m.
Length of the day: 12:05 hrs.

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

COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Health and Medical Services Committee meets 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 5 p.m. Finance Committee meeting; 7 p.m. Regular Common Council meeting 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).

Village elections Tuesday in Athens, Catskill, Chatham, Coxsackie, Hunter, Kinderhook, Philmont, Tannersville and Valatie. Contact village offices for polling times and locations.

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Tunings Radio tunings, around the dial, tune in.
5 a.m.: PCJ Media Network Plus: 20140318 International radio and media show. The show is produced jointly by PCJ in Taiwan and Canada. Producer/Presenter: Keith Perron.

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 Morning news, music, interviews and features. Hosted by Philip Grant. Call in with your views at (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.: World According to Lawrence: 20140318 A blend of commentary, guests, sound clips of politics, pop culture, current events and science. You will hear the views or take on the news and events that surround us as a nation, a state and the counties of Greene and Columbia. Hosted by William Lawrence with Debra Kamecke.
2 p.m.: Hudson Valley Tap Show: Tommy Keegan Tommy Keegan of Keegan Ales in Kingston will be in the studio. Hosted by Kenny Landin.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

Some of the stories that made the news, Mar. 14 to Mar. 17:

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="239"] The Historic Blue Stores Restaurant
(businessownersdirect.com)[/caption]

The Times Union reported New York State Police said they will continue to investigate the fire that destroyed the 200-year-old Historic Blue Store Restaurant in Livingston early Sat., Mar. 15. Firefighters responded to the intersection of Route 9 and county Route 31 at about 1:45 a.m. State and county agencies and 18 other fire departments also responded. Officials requested the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation's aid because of the size of the structure, the significant damage and monetary loss involved. The cause of the fire has not been determined. No one was injured in the blaze.

State Senator Kathleen Marchione's office is currently soliciting nominations for her "Women of Distinction" program. The program recognizes, celebrates and honors the accomplishments of local women, according to a statement released by Marchione, Thurs., Mar. 13. Women living in the 43rd Senate District, which includes all of Columbia County, and parts of Saratoga, Rensselaer and Washington counties, are eligible. Nominations must be submitted no later than Mon., Mar. 24. One nominee will be selected by the senator and her special advisory panel to be part of the Senate's statewide Women of Distinction program and honored during a public ceremony in May. Marchione's 2013 local honorees included Valatie resident and former Columbia Memorial CEO Jane Ehrlich, Columbia County Deputy Sheriff­ Wendy Guntert of Hillsdale, Shirley McThenia, Stuyvesant resident and retired Ichabod Crane Central School District support staff substitute, and retired Sage College School of Education professor Julia Johnson Rothenberg of Canaan. Nomination information is available at 455-2381, or Marchione [at] NYSenate [dot] gov.

The New York State Comptroller's Officer Fri., Mar. 14, released an audit of the Hudson City School District. The audit examined the district's controls over grant administration between July 2011 and May 2013. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's staff found found the district expended more than $79,000 on grant-related expenditures that either were not approved, not properly supported or not expended for legitimate grant purposes. Auditors found grant expenditures reported to the State Education Department lacked sufficient supporting documentation to substantiate employee benefits and salaries. Comptroller audits of the district in the past have uncovered a variety of fiscal issues in the district, including a failure to claim eligible special education services during the 2008-09 school year, and the gross mismanagement of a student mentoring grant, which led to a 2007 criminal investigation.


National Sunshine Week kicked off Sun., Mar. 16. Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public’s right to know. The Florida Society of Newspaper Editors launched Sunshine Sunday in 2002 in response to efforts by some Florida legislators to create scores of new exemptions to the state’s public records law. Though created by journalists, Sunshine Week is about the public’s right to know what its government is doing, and why. As part of Sunshine Week, the Empire Center for Public Policy, an Albany-based conservative-leaning think tank, is offering a webinar and various public outreach activities centered on its government transparency website SeeThroughNY [dot] net.

The Daily Freeman reported the Greene County Department of Human Services will hold its Fourth Annual Senior Citizens Day at Catskill Point May 15. The event is devoted to senior citizens in Greene County and their accomplishments. Vendors will be on hand to display services and items of interest to seniors, and aging services representatives will be available with information about the services the county has available for residents over the age of 60. The event also will feature recognition of the 2014 Senior Citizen of the Year and Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Citizen award winners and fellow nominees.