Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 52F; low 34F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 52F; 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: Partly sunny. High near 49. A chance of rain, mainly after 4 a.m. Cloudy. Low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Forecast for the next three days:

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook from Wed., Mar. 12 through Mon., Mar. 17, for the eastern Catskills, the greater Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Greene and Columbia counties. A storm system will impact the region Wednesday, and Wednesday night, bringing rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow, to the area. Rain could be heavy at times, Wednesday. It does not appear that river flooding is likely at this time; however, localized poor drainage flooding is possible. Colder air will work its way into the area Wednesday evening, causing the rain to change to snow, with a period of sleet and/or freezing rain possible Wednesday night.

Wednesday: Rain, mainly after 8 a.m. High near 41. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Wednesday night, rain before 1 a.m., then snow. Low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 26. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 8.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 37. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 28.

Sunrise today: 7:12 a.m.
Sunset today: 6:57 p.m.
Length of the day: 11:45 hrs.

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

CAIRO Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main Street, Cairo (622-3120).
CHATHAM Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at 488 Route 295, Chatham (392-3262).
COPAKE Board of Ethics, 7 p.m.; Comprehensive Planning Comm., 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234)
COXSACKIE Town board at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Reed St., Coxsackie (731-2727).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Matthew Shipp Live from Wave Farm in Acra, Tom Roe previews the Matthew Shipp Trio show March 15, 2014 in Troy, NY at The Sanctuary for Independent Media that will also be broadcast and webcast on WGXC and Wave Farm Radio. Tune in to hear new releases from The Matthew Shipp Trio ("Root of Things"), Matthew Shipp and Michael Bisio ("Floating Ice"), and Michael Bisio solo ("Travel Music"). Click on The Sanctuary for Independent Media website for more information about the performance.
1 a.m.: Edward Snowden Edward Snowden speaks about privacy and technology with the ACLU's Ben Wizner and Christopher Soghoian at SXSW Interactive. https://www.aclu.org/
2 a.m.: Framework: Threefer Three episodes of Framework, a show about field recordings, found sounds, and acoustic ecology.
5 a.m.: PCJ Media Network Plus: 20140311 After the weekly presidential radio address, and Republican response, this 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 Day nine of the Radio On! Pledge Drive begins. 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.: Your Friendly Neighborhood Economist: Cheryl K Your Friendly Neighborhood Economist will be live on air for the Radio On! fund drive. Yes, you will be able to call in your questions and see if YFNE can think on his feet! Also, you will be able to contribute your share to keeping this great radio station going! Join Your Friendly Neighborhood Economist and special guest Cheryl K of the Jazz Disturbance.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show Interviews, news, weather, events, music and more. Live from the Hudson studio. Hosted by Mark Chandler Bailey and Gregor Trieste.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

Some of the stories that made the news, Mar. 7 through 10:

The Mid-Hudson News Network reported Ulster County had the strongest job growth rate in the Hudson Valley/Catskills region from January 2013 to January 2014 as well as the best rate among all 14 of the state’s metropolitan statistical areas. The state Department of Labor reported during the same period, Greene County gained 1,400 non-farm jobs, a growth rate of 1.4 percent. Columbia County gained 400 non-farm jobs, or 2 percent. There are currently a total of nearly 15,000 non-farm jobs in Greene Co. and more than 20,000 non-farm jobs in Columbia Co. The statewide unemployment rate in January was 6.8 percent, down from 8.1 percent the previous January.

Public News Service is reporting health concerns are growing as a result of the increased use of electronic cigarettes in the state of New York. Mike Clifford has the story: PLAY (1:27).

William J. Kemble reported in the Daily Freeman when Hunter residents go to the polls next week, they will find the ballot contains only an uncontested mayoral race. Incumbent Mayor William Maley is seeking a fourth three-year term. Maley is a retired postmaster and the owner of the Sedwick House Bed and Breakfast. He has been mayor for nine years, and previously served another nine years as a Village Board trustee. Maley is a registered Republican and will appear on the People's Party ballot line. Village elections are Tues., Mar. 18.

Rick Karlin reported at Capitol Confidential on the response of the state teachers union to the Assembly vote last week to delay significant parts of the Common Core implementation. The measure delays for two school years the use of test results for parts of teacher evaluations. The New York State United Teachers had earlier sought a three-year moratorium. The legislation still needs to make it through the Senate. The vote comes before lawmakers later in the month will vote for Board of Regents members. There is a push to remove some sitting members who helped put the Common Core program in place. In a statement released Mar. 4, Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk announced she intends to vote against any of the incumbent members of the Board of Regents when the time comes. Tkaczyk said the Regents must be held accountable for the flawed roll-out of the program. She said, "I ...believe very strongly they should be replaced with new members who will bring a fresh approach and a greater level of understanding of the issues facing our schools.”

WRWD is reporting area residents are waiting to learn the fate of two national chain stores located in Hudson. Both Radio Shack and Staples announced store closings last week, but did not disclose specific locations to be shuttered. Radio Shack reported national sales were down 19 percent last year and that it intends to close more than a thousand locations. Staples said nearly half of its sales are now online and it plans to close 225 stores nationwide. Radio Shack and Staples are located on Fairview Ave. in Greenport.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 46F; low 33F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 46F; low 33F.[/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 snow showers before 9 a.m. Cloudy. High near 41. Monday night, mostly cloudy. Lows around 33.

Forecast for the next three days:

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Winter Storm Watch from Wed., Mar. 12 through Thurs., Mar. 13 for the eastern Catskills, the greater Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Greene and Columbia counties. Heavy snow may mix with rain or sleet for areas south and east of the Capital Region during the day, Wednesday. Snow accumulation of greater than nine inches in a 24-hour period is possible, with a maximum snowfall rate of one to two inches per hour possible Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday late evening.

Tuesday: Partly sunny. High near 50. A chance of snow after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 31.
Wednesday: Snow likely before 11 a.m., then rain and snow likely between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then rain after 2 p.m. High near 37. Wednesday night, rain before 8 p.m., then snow. Low around 20. Blustery.
Thursday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 24. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 9.

Sunrise today: 6:14 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:56 p.m.
Length of the day: 11:42 hrs.

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

ASHLAND Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Main Street, Ashland (734-3636)
CATSKILL Village meeting at 7 p.m. at the Firehouse, 1 Central Ave. (behind Walgreens) (943-3830).
COPAKE Environmental Committee meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GREENE COUNTY LEGISLATURE holds Buildings & Grounds, Conservation, Public Safety, Highway, Government Operations, and Finance committee meetings at 6 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Industrial Development Agency at 5 p.m., Informal Common Council meeting at 7 p.m., City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Village meeting at 8 p.m.
NEW BALTIMORE Town meeting at 7:30 p.m. at 3809 Rt. 51, Hannacroix (756-6671)/
PRATTSVILLE Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 14517 Main St., Prattsville (299-3125).

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 Day nine of the Radio On! Pledge Drive begins. 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.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show Interviews, news, weather, events, music and more. Live from the Hudson studio. Hosted by Mark Chandler Bailey and Gregor Trieste.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

Laura Nahmias at Capital New York reports that New York Assembly Democrats plan to include a bill legalizing medicinal marijuana in their budget proposal next week, according to State of Politics. "Assemblyman Dick Gottfried, chair of the Assembly Health Committee, confirmed in an interview with Capital Tonight that the budget would include a measure very similar to his own proposed Compassionate Care Act, legislation that would create a structured system for dispensing the drug for a variety of ailments," Nahmias wrote. Gottfried's bill is cosponsored by Independent Democrat Diane Savino in the Senate, and slightly different then the Assembly plan. Both plans are much larger then the mild proposal Governor Andrew Cuomo made earlier this year. Senate Republicans have indicated a willingness in recent weeks to consider a bill to legalize medical marijuana, according to Nahmias. Majority co-leader Dean Skelos, who had been opposed to any legalization, this week said he is now willing to consider a bill that would legalize non-smoke-based forms of the drug. Statewide polling shows a majority of New Yorkers of both parties support using the drug for medicinal purposes, and some national polls show a majority in favor of legalization. Read the full story in Capital New York.

Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed 50 new hunting, fishing, hiking and recreational projects on March 7, including Hand Hollow State Forest in New Lebanon in Columbia County. The property is now known as the Hand Hollow Conservation Area and managed by the Columbia Land Trust. The 433-acre Gale Hill Road property includes woodlands, meadows, a lake, two ponds, streams, and wetlands, with beavers and otters, three miles of trail, and fishing. Cuomo's announcements also would allow crossbow hunting in New York, and make other minor regulatory changes.

WGXC "Radio On" Pledge Drive
WGXC Spring pledge drive continues at 9 a.m. Call 518­-697-­7400 or go online at: wgxc.org/donate
Hudson Studio Address: 704 Columbia Street, Hudson, NY
Mailing Address/Acra Studio Address: 5662 Route 23, Acra, New York, 12405
Click here for full information and links to the following audio:
• Radio On WGXC Spring Pledge Drive Promo March 2, 2014. Produced by Jim McCabe. (:30)
• Radio On WGXC Spring Pledge Drive Promo March 2, 2014. Produced by Sam Sebren and Tyson Hauf. (:30)
• Jack S. Radio On Promo Feb. 25, 2014 Produced by Katy Donnelly.
• WGXC Pledge Drive jingle for spring 2014. Feb. 22, 2014. Created by Tom Skarimbas and Tony Fallon. (3:33)
• Radio On Mash-Up Feb. 21, 2014. Created by Tom Roe. (4:45)
• Cheryl K Radio On Pledge Drive Promo Feb. 20, 2014. Produced by Jess Puglisi.
• Tom DePietro Radio On Pledge Drive Promo Feb. 20, 2014. Produced by Jess Puglisi.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., March 9. PLAY AUDIO (3:00)

WGXC Ski Report
WGXC Ski Report: Resorts off to the races. PLAY AUDIO (1:22)

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

• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 31. Sunday night a chance of snow showers, mainly after 11 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 20.

• Monday: A chance of snow showers before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Monday night there is a chance of snow showers, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest wind 7 to 17 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.

Sunrise 6:17 a.m.
Sunset 5:54 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 6:57 A.M. 7:43 P.M.
Mercury 5:25 A.M. 3:46 P.M.
Venus 4:08 A.M. 2:09 P.M.
Mars 9:25 P.M. 8:35 A.M.
Jupiter 12:24 P.M. 3:36 A.M.
Saturn 11:36 P.M. 9:42 A.M.
Uranus 7:39 A.M. 8:10 P.M.
Neptune 6:19 A.M. 5:08 P.M.
Pluto 3:25 A.M. 12:55 P.M.

WGXC Programming

CounterSpin: Robert Parry, Luke Charles Harris
March 9, 2014: 5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.

[caption width="134" align="alignleft"] From Steve McLaughlin Assembly website.[/caption]Rick Karlin reports in Capitol Confidential about Steve McLaughlin, who represents the 107th Assembly District, which includes parts of Rensselaer, Columbia, and Washington counties, and does not have trouble attracting attention. He's previously considered challenging Andrew Cuomo for governor, and has, literally, been up in arms about Cuomo's SAFE Act that would create a few new regulations for gun sales. Now McLaughlin is helping to raffle off an assault-style rifle March 23 at the Grace Baptist Church in Troy’s Lansingburgh neighborhood. “This did not warrant a front-page story,” he told Talk 1300′s Fred Dicker on March 7. “Now I’ve got CNN calling me.” That's after features in the Albany Times-Union and New York Daily News. Pastor John Koletas said he was planning the free raffle as way of, “honoring hunters and gun owners who have been so viciously attacked by the antichristian socialist media and antichristian socialist politicians the last few years,” according to a letter on his website. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

While New York's ski industry has been happy with the cold this winter, the maple syrup sellers haven't been able to get started. To tap trees, the weather needs to be above freezing during the day, but below freezing at night. This weekend may be the start of maple syrup weather in our area, with seasonable daytime temperatures and chilly nights. Hunter Mountain has 46 trails open this weekend, serviced by seven lifts over 66-130" of snow. Saturday, starting at 6:30 p.m. Hunter hosts fire dancers, a torchlight parade, a laser light show, and fireworks. Windham Mountain has 52 trails, 39 groomed, open with eight lifts running over 24-80" of snow. Windham also hosts the USSA/NYSSRA U-14 State Championships March 8 and 9. Catamount Ski in Hillsdale has 32 of 34 trails open, with four of six lifts running over 22-40" of snow. Click here to hear an audio version of this report. PLAY AUDIO (1:22)

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Feb. 22. PLAY AUDIO (3:37)

WGXC Ski Report
WGXC Ski Report: Maple syrup weather. PLAY AUDIO (1:22)

Public Meetings
• PAWLING Congressman Chris Gibson will meet with firefighters and their families at 6 p.m. at Pawling Fire Department Installation Dinner, Scully Dining Hall, Trinity Pawling School, Route 22, Pawling, Dutchess County.

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

• Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 4 p.m., possibly becoming snow showers later. Partly sunny, with a high near 41, and a low around 15.

• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. Sunday night there is a 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

• Monday: A slight chance of sleet before 11 a.m., then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41.

Sunrise 6:17 a.m.
Sunset 5:54 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 10:52 A.M. 12:57 A.M.
Mercury 5:15 A.M. 3:34 P.M.
Venus 4:04 A.M. 2:08 P.M.
Mars 8:59 P.M. 8:11 A.M.
Jupiter 12:00 P.M. 3:13 A.M.
Saturn 11:13 P.M. 9:19 A.M.
Uranus 7:16 A.M. 7:48 P.M.
Neptune 5:56 A.M. 4:46 P.M.
Pluto 3:02 A.M. 12:32 P.M.

Daylight Savings Time
Clocks get turned forward one hour in most parts of the United States at 2 a.m. Sunday morning.

WGXC Programming

Tune in Saturday to radio art on the radio all day.
Help with the WGXC "Radio On" Pledge Drive.
http://www.wgxc.org
518-697-7400

Shortwave Hours: EAS Tones
March 8, 2014: 5 a.m. – 7 a.m.

Saturday Morning Serial: Ping Pong
7 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Ping pong sounds and stories from Stereolab, Dolly Parton, Can, Antipop Consortium, Art Blakey, Momus, The Cyrckle, and others. Plus ping pong stories, and Abbott and Costello paddling back and forth on "Who's On First?"

Open Air: Radio On
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Pledge drive edition of "Open Air," the local radio show about local radio transmissions with weather radio, CB radio, telephone calls (518-291-WGXC or Skype WGXCfm), and more. The occasional hosts -- Matt Bua, Tom Skarimbas, Petey, Harry, the Dark Prince, Brian Dewan, and/or others -- take turns talking, and this week, one or more of them may debut a version of "Road Runner." Stop by in person at the Catskill Community Center WGXC studio to participate, or call in to pledge (518-697-7400). Matt Bua and Tom Skarimbas will be offering song poem for $100 pledges. You send your lyrics or poem and we create a song out of it. Also, other pledge premiums such as jars of locally produced maple syrup, t-shirts, tote bags, and gift certificates to Wasana's Thai Restaurant in Catskill.

Radia: Luc Méhari
10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Radio art from Jet FM, Nantes, France.

Radio Wonderland: 20130308
10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Joshua Fried remixes NYC airwaves live from Brooklyn.

What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Ukraine Unfolding
March 8, 2014: 11 a.m. – noon

Other Music: Robert Ashley
12:20 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Making Waves: NAISA Sound Bash Series
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
The premiere broadcast of "Making Waves" features selections from NAISA's Sound Bash Series, which takes place in March. During this month-long series, NAISA's Toronto installation space becomes an interactive participatory environment filled with everyday objects selected for the interesting sounds they make when struck or played, offering visitors a chance to play with sound and manipulate it live.

Human Machine: Brave New World, Part One
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday Afternoon Show: Wave Farm Study Center Open House Radio
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
During the WGXC Pledge Drive, we open the Acra Study Center studio for an open house afternoon show. Call in to contribute in any way, or stop by, virtually (Skype WaveFarm), or in person. See the newly renovated Studio A, the Study Center Library, and more. Hosted by Tom Roe.

Framework: Yannick Dauby
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday Night Special: The Schoemer Formation, Two Guys; Ping Pong
8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Back and forth, a metaphor for radio, and an actual game. And a broadcast between two points. Mic'd ping pong plays, as well as guest DJs, beamed in visitors, and more play in Acra, in between sets at the Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson. There, The Schoemer Formation and Two Guys perform. The Schoemer Formation feature Karen Schoemer, Wreckless Eric, and Amy Rigby. Two Guys includes Eric Braymer and Ron Burris. Live webstream for this, and most, shows at Spotty Dog Books & Ale available from free103point9 and WGXC at http://comm.free103point9.org:8000/spottydog.mp3.m3u. This show will be broadcast live on free103point9 Online Radio and will be broadcast live on WGXC 90.7-FM.

Brian Fitzgerald is reporting in the Times Union a civil complaint has been filed in federal court by a man accusing Hudson police of prolonged harassment and badly beating him twice in a garage under the city police station. Filed in U.S. District Court in Albany on Tues., Mar. 4, the complaint alleges Jermaine McCrae was followed around the city and taunted by police several times from June 2011 through August 2012. During that time, the complaint states, McCrae was arrested on charges that were ultimately dropped or greatly reduced and he was assaulted after two arrests. One of the alleged beatings caused a fractured rib. Hudson Police Chief Edward L. Moore, who was not the chief at the time of the alleged incidents, told the Times Union he has not seen the complaint but, "Whatever facts are needed I'll bring them out." The suit names the city, the police department, Hudson Police Commissioner Gary Graziano and former chief Ellis Richardson, and several officers. McCrae and his lawyer said the FBI looked into the allegations at the request of the Columbia County District Attorney's Office. The district attorney's office did not return calls from the paper for comment. Read the full story in the Times Union.

William Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman the Catskill Town Board has agreed to settle a tax lawsuit with First Niagara Bank over the assessed value of 341 Main St. The building, formerly owned by First Niagara, is now owned by the Bank of Greene County. The agreement will lower the building assessment from more than $700,000 to just under $271,000. The board agreed to the reduction at a meeting, Tues., Mar. 4. The bank also agreed, as part of the settlement, to drop challenges to the assessed value of parcels it owns at 335 Main St. and a parking lot on Bridge Street. The bank will receive approximately $52,000 in school, village, town and county taxes, covering 2011 through 2013. Under the agreement, no interest will be charged for those refunds. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 39F; low 18F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 37F; low 15F.[/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: Partly sunny. High in the mid 30s. Friday night, mostly clear. Low around 17.

Forecast for the next three days:

Saturday: Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s. Saturday night, mostly cloudy, then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.
Sunday: Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s. Sunday night, partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. A chance of snow showers. Lows in the mid 20s.
Monday: Mostly cloudy in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s. Monday night, partly cloudy. Lows around 30.

Sunrise today: 6:19 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:53 p.m.
Length of the day: 11:34 hrs.

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

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

1 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Joakim Berghall


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 Day six of the Radio On! Pledge Drive begins. 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.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show Interviews, news, weather, events, music and more. Live from the Hudson studio. Hosted by Mark Chandler Bailey and Gregor Trieste.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

William Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman the Catskill Town Board has been asked to support efforts to restore a swinging bridge over the Kaaterskill Creek in Palenville. The project was discussed during a meeting Tues., Mar. 4, with property owner Daniel Souza. The bridge has received support from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as part of a regional effort to bring hiking to the community. The bridge would be part of a 356-mile hiking trail that runs from the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, N.J., to Thatcher State Park in Voorheesville, Albany Co. The most recent swinging bridge was one of four that spanned the creek over the past 121 years before being destroyed by downed trees and debris during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. It is estimated the cost to rebuild a 90-foot-long bridge would be between $25,000 to $50,000. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Lauren Stanforth is reporting in the Times Union a state Supreme Court judge has nullified the town of Coeymans new zoning regulations, throwing into dispute the legality of a new TCI-New York transformer processing facility currently under construction on Riverview Drive. The decision was made Mon., Mar. 3, in response to a lawsuit filed by the Coeymans Heritage Society. The Society asserted the Coeymans Town Board ignored environmental concerns when it rezoned the town in April. The group also said the town "spot zoned" the Riverview Drive property from residential to industrial just so TCI could locate its new plant there. TCI moved to Coeymans after getting into a legal battle with the town of Ghent, in the wake of the huge 2012 fire that destroyed its facility on Falls Industrial Road. Controversy arose in the past months in Coeymans after the town's Planning Board chairman and vice chairwoman quit, claiming attorneys for TCI bullied them during the site plan review process. TCI said the Planning Board leaders were biased against the project. A TCI spokesman told the Times Union the judge's ruling Monday has no impact on the company, and that it will continue building the plant. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Public News Service is reporting New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver introduced legislation Wed., Mar. 5, that would enact paid family leave and increase access to child care for low-income families. Mark Scheerer has the story: PLAY (1:54).

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 28F; low 9F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 27F; low 7F.[/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 27. Wind chill values as low as -14. Thursday night, mostly clear. Low around 9.

Forecast for the next three days:

Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 36. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 22.
Saturday: Partly sunny. High near 44. Saturday night, a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 24.
Sunday: Partly sunny. High near 37. Sunday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 20.

Sunrise today: 6:20 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:52 p.m.
Length of the day: 11:31 hrs.

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

ANCRAM Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
AUSTERLITZ Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, 812 Route 203, Spencertown (392-3260).
COPAKE Planning Board meets at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GHENT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
KINDERHOOK Zoning Board of Appeals meets at 7 p.m. at 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

1 a.m.: Selected Songs: Marina Rosenfeld Marina Rosenfeld and Mats Lindström perform together at a recent Issue Project Room show, plus other recent Rosenfeld performances. Rosenfeld teaches at Bard College.
3 a.m.: Selected Songs: Sunburned Hand Of The Man Sunburned Hand Of The Man performance 02.26.14 at Turn It Up! Brattleboro, VT, and other performances.

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 Phil Grant returns for day five of the Radio On! Pledge Drive. Morning news, music, interviews and features. 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 The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
10 a.m.: We the People: Doug McGivney Kinderhook resident and former town supervisor, Doug McGivney, will be in the Hudson studio to discuss the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent information sessions on the cleanup of the Dewey Loeffel Landfill Superfund Site in the town of Nassau. The hour will also feature audio recorded by WGXC volunteer Chris Bishop during the meeting held Mon., Mar. 3, in Kinderhook. Hosted by Tom DePietro.
11 a.m.: One Size Fits All: Radio On! Pledge Edition An hour-long investigation into the idea of amplified sound. The special live Radio On! Pledge Drive edition will begin with The Handsome Family and conclude with John Fahey. Tune in and support WGXC Hands-on Community Radio by calling (518) 697-7400. Hosted by Your Host.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: First Time Caller, Long Time Listener During the WGXC Spring "Radio On" Pledge Drive, this show attempts to engage, and samples past, first time callers, long time listeners. Tune in. Call in at 518-622-2598 or Skype WaveFarm. Show hosted by Tom Roe live from Wave Farm. Feed will be available at http://comm.free103point9.org:8000/transmissionarts.mp3.m3u.
3:30 p.m.: Kid's Brain Radio: The Hauf Family Ingrid, Zephyr, Noah, and Harry Hauf will zoom into Catskill to make some noise along with anyone else who shows up! Co-hosted by Matt Bua and Sam Sebren.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Didi Barrett, Susan Simon State Assembly member Didi Barrett will join co-hosts Ellen Thurston and Tom DePietro in the Hudson studio to discuss Women's History Month. Susan Simon will discuss food in the Hudson Valley. Plus, news, weather, events, music and more.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

The Daily Freeman and Mid-Hudson News Network are reporting state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli Tues., Mar. 4, said the industrial development agency in Greene County did not comply with job reporting requirements and failed to enforce job-creation goals at companies that received assistance. In a press release announcing the audits of agencies in Greene, Dutchess and Putnam counties, DiNapoli said the Greene County Industrial Development Agency had four of 10 businesses that failed to meet employment goals; entered contracts in which its own board members were suspected of having conflicts of interest; and inadequately analyzed the costs and benefits of proposed arrangements with businesses. The Greene audit, covering the period of January 2011 to September 2012, did not identify the four businesses by name but said collectively, they fell 242 positions short of job-creation goals. In response, Greene County Industrial Development Agency counsel Paul Goldman said the audit did not take into account a change in leadership at the agency and a restructuring of its Board of Directors. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail the general public weighed in on the question of reforming Green County's emergency medical services, Mon., Mar. 3. The meeting was the third and final public forum hosted by the Greene County Ambulance Task Force. The meeting, held at Catskill High School drew about 40 people. Most of those present were members of the emergency services community and elected officials from various valley towns. The task force asked attendees to offer their opinion of the current system, how the current system could be reformed and in what form they would like to see a new system take. When talk turned to a countywide ambulance system run as a county department, Greene County Treasurer and task force member Peter Markou said that is unlikely to happen. Task force co-chair Mark Evans said the task force has not formed any proposals yet and is gathering information and exploring all the options. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on March 4 urged federal officials to strengthen rail safety standards, after recent oil train accidents along the Hudson River on both ends of the WGXC listening area. On February 25, an 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. "New York State is a key corridor for the transport of high volumes of crude oil from North Dakota and Canada, which is destined for refineries in the Mid-Atlantic and New Brunswick, Canada," Cuomo's said in a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson. "I am not convinced that federal regulations and oversight sufficiently protect New York’s communities and natural resources from safety hazards in transporting this material. Therefore, I request that you move swiftly to strengthen regulations on tank car safety, require reporting of derailments when crude oil is involved, and increase inspections along the network in which crude oil is shipped." See the full letter below.



The Honorable Anthony Foxx
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590

The Honorable Jeh Johnson
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
12th & C Street S. W.
Washington, D.C. 20024

Dear Secretaries Foxx and Johnson:

I am deeply troubled by the pattern of incidents involving the rail transportation of crude oil, from major accidents in 2013 to two minor derailments in New York this week. As you know, New York State is a key corridor for the transport of high volumes of crude oil from North Dakota and Canada, which is destined for refineries in the Mid-Atlantic and New Brunswick, Canada. I am not convinced that federal regulations and oversight sufficiently protect New York’s communities and natural resources from safety hazards in transporting this material. Therefore, I request that you move swiftly to strengthen regulations on tank car safety, require reporting of derailments when crude oil is involved, and increase inspections along the network in which crude oil is shipped.

In the past week, two derailments have occurred in New York involving trains engaged in the transport of crude oil, the first in Ulster County and the second in Albany County. The Ulster County derailment on February 25th 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. The Albany County derailment at the Selkirk Rail Yards on February 28th involved the derailment of thirteen train cars fully-loaded with crude oil. Although neither incident resulted in spills or injuries, they reinforced our concerns in a time of heightened awareness.

In response to the considerable increase in crude oil shipments by rail through New York, I issued Executive Order 125, ordering a comprehensive review of the State’s crude oil accident prevention and response programs. As the federal government has nearly exclusive authority over railroad regulation, our effort has also included a coordinated approach with federal partners at the Federal Railroad Administration to focus inspections on crude oil trains. This past week, State and Federal transportation officials performed joint inspections of rail yards in Albany and Buffalo. I am grateful for this continuing inspection partnership with the FRA and ask that you commit to expanding inspections along the portion of New York’s rail network in which crude oil is transported.

Current regulations are insufficient to maximize accident prevention or to assist state and local responders adequately in the event of an accident. Inspections and enforcement are critical, but stronger, mandatory regulations and more federal assistance are needed to prevent accidents and to respond to any that may occur. I ask that you prioritize the following actions:
1. Swiftly move to incorporate the voluntary agreement between the FRA and railroad companies into the mandatory regulations governing the shipment of crude oil;
2. Require that the railroads report within one-hour to FRA and NYSDOT any incident in which crude oil is transported;
3. Require railroads to add additional identifiers to tank car placards so that local first responders understand the type of crude oil being transported. If there were to be an accident, first responders currently would have to physically locate the waybill on a damaged train before they could identify its content; and
4. Add crude oil to the list of hazardous materials that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security tracks and provides to the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Secure real-time shipping notification about the movement of crude oil in New York State would make responses to derailments, spills and other accidents more expeditious and effective.

We look forward to continuing this important work with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on the issues arising from the transportation of crude oil in order to ensure safety of New Yorkers and our environment.

Sincerely,



ANDREW M. CUOMO​

Scott Waldman in Capital New York reports that just as the state Department of Environmental Conservation considers expanding black bear hunting to manage the growing population, State Senators passed a bill sponsored by State Senator Tom Libous, by a vote of 56 to 4 on March 2, that would allow for rifle hunting of bears in the Southern Tier. The new DEC regulations may make New York, after Maine, the second state in the nation where it is legal to trap a bear. The new rules also would allow for the use of dogs and bait to attract bears during hunting, and increase the hunting season in the Catskills and allow for killing of females and bears younger than a year in other regions. New York has an estimated 8,000 bears, with about half in the Adirondacks, a third in the Catskills and the rest in the central and western part of the state. The DEC has a draft plan for bear management at http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/bbplandraft2014.pdf bit.ly/1azHyo3. The public comment closed on the plan Feb. 21. Read the full story in Capital New York.