[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="280"] Photo from Windham Mountain website.[/caption]

Local mountains will be plenty cold this weekend, and the skies may be filled with flakes too, according to the National Weather Service. If snow is not falling from the sky, the resorts will surely be making lots of their own, as temperatures are not expected to get above freezing this week. Windham Mountain already has 8"-40" on 66 acres with 18 trails and 5 lifts. On Sunday 300 Santas will go sliding down Windham Mountain in a holiday tradition. Hunter Mountain has 4"-48" of snow on its 21 open trails with three lifts running. Catamount Ski in Hillsdale has 14 of 33 trails open, with 12-24" of snow. Click here to play audio of WGXC Ski Report. PLAY CLIP (1:09)

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Dec. 14. PLAY AUDIO (2:04)

Ski Report
WGXC Ski Report: 300 Santas on Windham Mountain. PLAY AUDIO (1:09)

Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning in effect through 1 p.m., Sun., Dec. 15.

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

• Sunday: Snow likely, mainly before 9 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 31. Sunday night there's a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13.

• Monday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 19, low around 6.

• Tuesday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 26.

Sunrise 7:17 a.m.
Sunset 4:24 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 3:27 P.M. 5:30 A.M.
Mercury 6:45 A.M. 3:50 P.M.
Venus 9:41 A.M. 6:58 P.M.
Mars 12:32 A.M. 12:39 P.M.
Jupiter 6:04 P.M. 9:08 A.M.
Saturn 4:21 A.M. 2:30 P.M.
Uranus 12:37 P.M. 1:05 A.M.
Neptune 11:16 A.M. 9:58 P.M.
Pluto 8:18 A.M. 5:47 P.M.

WGXC Programming

5:30 a.m.: CounterSpin

[caption width="280" align="alignright"] Wave Farm's Study Center transmission art library, artist residence, and radio studio.[/caption]National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa announced this week that free103point9 Inc. (aka Wave Farm) is one of 895 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. Wave Farm is recommended for a $10,000 grant to support the Wave Farm Residency Program, a visiting artist program specific to transmission arts. The Wave Farm Residency program provides artists with an opportunity to concentrate on new transmission works and conduct research about the genre using the Wave Farm Study Center resource library. In conjunction with their residencies, artists perform, are interviewed, and create playlists for broadcast on Wave Farm's WGXC 90.7-FM, a creative community radio station serving over 78,000 potential listeners in New York's Upper Hudson Valley, and international listeners online. Wave Farm Executive Director Galen Joseph-Hunter said, “Artists making work with and about the airwaves, is what transmission art is all about. These projects experiment with the radio spectrum, reinvent radio theatre, or use transmission in performance, composition, and installation. We are grateful and honored to have the significance of this genre and the Wave Farm Residency Program acknowledged by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).” Visit http://wavefarm.org for more information.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Dec. 14. PLAY AUDIO (2:19)

Ski Report
WGXC Ski Report: 300 Santas on Windham Mountain. PLAY AUDIO (1:09)

Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning in effect from 8 a.m. Sat., Dec. 14 through 1 p.m., Sun., Dec. 15. Six to 12 inches of snow is expected, with up to 14 inches possible, and falling up to one inch per hour Saturday night into Sunday morning.

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

• Saturday: Snow, mainly after 11 a.m. High near 18. Wind chill values as low as zero. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Saturday night the snow gets heavier. Low around 14. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

• Sunday: Snow, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 27. Wind chill values as low as -1. Sunday night mostly cloudy, with a low around 8.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 18.

Sunrise 7:17 a.m.
Sunset 4:24 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 2:45 P.M. 4:33 A.M.
Mercury 6:41 A.M. 3:49 P.M.
Venus 9:45 A.M. 7:01 P.M.
Mars 12:33 A.M. 12:42 P.M.
Jupiter 6:09 P.M. 9:12 A.M.
Saturn 4:24 A.M. 2:34 P.M.
Uranus 12:41 P.M. 1:09 A.M.
Neptune 11:19 A.M. 10:02 P.M.
Pluto 8:22 A.M. 5:51 P.M.


WGXC Programming

5-7 a.m.: Shortwave Hours
7-8 a.m.: Saturday Morning Serial: Rip Van Winkle
8-10 a.m.: Open Air live from Catskill Community Center
10-10:30 a.m.: Radia: Wind Walk Radio
10:30-11 a.m.: Radio Wonderland
11 a.m.-Noon: What's The Frequency, Kenneth?
2-3 p.m.: Issue Project Room Radio: Wolf Eyes
4-6 p.m.: Saturday Afternoon Show: Gregory Whitehead and Virginia Madsen live from Wave Farm
7-8 pm.: Framework
8-10 p.m.: WGXC Winter Pageant live from Catskill Community Center

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="330"] The Greene County Jail.
(Jimmy Emerson via Flickr)[/caption]

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh has agreed to create a task force to explore the possibility of replacing the aging Greene County Jail with a new facility. The jail was built in 1907, and is located just off Main Street in the village of Catskill. According to county officials, the project would require at least five or six years to complete, and cost millions of dollars. Last year, the New York State Commission of Correction shut down six out of 56 beds at the jail due to the physical condition of the shower in the housing area. The historic building suffers from a number of mechanical problems, specifically its plumbing, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. If the task force chooses to build a new jail, it will not likely remain in Catskill, officials said. The county may pursue permission to build on the state-owned Greene Correctional Facility property located in Coxsackie. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Adam Clayton is reporting in the Register Star the Claverack Town Board voted Thurs., Dec. 12, against the proposed removal of Nathan Chess from the town's Planning Board. Town Supervisor Robin Andrews, Deputy Supervisor Robert Preusser and Councilwoman Katy Cashen voted against the resolution. Councilman Clifford Weigelt, who will be sworn in as town supervisor next month, voted for the resolution. Councilman Michael Johnston was absent from the meeting. Following the vote Andrews read a lengthy prepared statement and declared this to be one of the hardest decisions she has had to make in her four years as supervisor. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 27F; low 11F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 28F; low 12F.[/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 Winter Storm Watch Saturday morning to Sunday morning, for the central and eastern Mohawk Valley, southeastern Adirondacks, Lake George and Saratoga region, greater Capital Region, including the northern and eastern Catskills, Mid-Hudson Valley, Taconics, southern Vermont, Berkshires and northwestern Connecticut. There is the potential for seven or more inches of snow, with a maximum snowfall rate of up to onch per hour from late Saturday into Sunday morning. Light snow will begin Saturday morning and become steadier and heavier through the night, tapering off by mid-day, Sunday.

Today: A slight chance of snow showers between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 28. Friday night, a chance of snow after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 12. Chance of precipitation Friday is 20 percent.


Forecast for the next three days:

Saturday: Snow likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Cloudy. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New Snow accumulation of one to three inches possible. High near 19. Saturday night, snow. Low around 17. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.
Sunday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 29. Sunday night, partly cloudy. Low around 10.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High near 20. Monday night, partly cloudy. Low around 5.

Sunrise today: 7:16 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:23 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:07 hrs.

Town meetings

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

HUDSON Historic Preservation Commission (tentative) at 10 a.m., 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Headlines Radio news about radio waves.
12:05 a.m.: Deep, But Not Profound All sort of topics are discussed. With hosts Tom Skarimbus and Matt Bua every 13th of the month, live from Wave Farm in Acra.
2 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Fred Tompkins Episode 29 of 2013 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.
5 a.m.: Bookwaves: Lost City Radio Daniel Alarcon, author of the novels "At Night We Walk in Circles" and "Lost City Radio," set in a disguised Peru, discusses his work and career with host Richard Wolinsky. 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 Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil 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 The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
10 a.m.: ¿Qué cocinaré hoy?: Hugo Jule Engineer Hugo Jule, outreach coordinator for the energy reduction program of RUPCO and Clearwater will talk about the many ways to reduce energy consumption at home, while saving the planet and money. Plus a discussion of upcoming immigration clinics and DACA services, the Catskill Strolls, Sat., Dec. 14 and the Bard College Conservatory Orchestra concert scheduled for the same day. The final segment will be devoted to remembering Nelson Mandela and his positive influence on the world. Hosted by Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="130"] (c) FreeFoto.com[/caption]

The New York State Public Service Commission held one of three information meetings, Wed., Dec. 11, on the proposed Alternating Current (AC) Transmission Upgrade Proceeding in Albany. Approximately 25 people attended the meeting, including Assembly members Pete Lopez and Didi Barrett, Roger Downs from the Sierra Club, officials from Athens, Claverack and Livingston, along with residents of Columbia, Dutchess and Greene counties, where several different AC power line projects are pending. The event was moderated by Jim Denn, PSC Director of Public Affairs. The two-hour meeting covered a variety of issues including, details on why these projects are happening now, safety and security concerns, property values and real estate, the route of the lines, eminent domain and the costs and benefits of the projects. Diana Barney, PSC Utility Supervisor, explained that DC power does not help relieve the congestion of power going downstate. PLAY (1:38). For more information go to www.dps.ny.gov and enter case number 13-E-0488 for the Alternating Current Transmission Upgrade Proceeding. (ED Note: Sebren is a member of the Athens Citizens Development Committee.)

-- Sam Sebren

Related Audio:

PLAY Assembly member Didi Barrett asked about conservation, micro grids, cutting energy use. Jim Denn, Diana Barney responded. (7:40)
PLAY Assembly member Pete Lopez asked who pays, who are the beneficiaries of this plan? How is the benefit attributed back to the rate payers? Denn, Barney responded. (5:02)
PLAY Livingston Town Board member Will Yandek asked how the 1,000 MW required minimum was decided upon. Barney responded. (4:36)
PLAY Dutchess County Legislator Joel Tyner asked about the PSC giving preference to companies with ties to Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. and National Grid. Ashley Merino, Denn and Barney responded. (4:14)
PLAY Andrea Smallwood, Athens Citizens Development Committee, asked about the Special Protection System and capacity capability at Athens Generating. Barney responded. (3:23)
PLAY Roger Downs, Sierra Club, asked if parts of the proposals can be combined into hybrid solutions. Moreno and Barney responded. (3:08)
PLAY Athens Town Supervisor Lee Palmateer asked how the AC proceeding affects the DC proceeding, and if both projects can be built simultaneously. Barney responded. (2:40)
PLAY Stewart Gill of Claverack asked about eminent domain and if the PSC has the power to request power companies to share rights of way. Moreno responded. (2:31)
PLAY clip: Introduction to presentation by Erin O'Dell Keller, PSC Office of Consumer Policy and Denn. (2:08)
PLAY full PSC presentation by Denn and O'Dell Keller. (19:43)
PLAY full Q&A, PSC AC Transmission Upgrade proceeding (1:38:25)

Casey Seiler is reporting at Capitol Confidential the Capital Region has been awarded $82.8 million in grants as part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Program. Applicants in the region requested $96.2 million for 85 high-priority projects in eight counties, from Columbia and Greene counties in the south to Warren and Washington counties in the north. The awards in Columbia and Greene counties include $1 million for the Phase 1 development of the Catamount Ski Resort, $807,000 for the Town of Prattsville's recovery project, $500,000 for the rebuilding of the New Studio at the Thomas Cole House and $195,000 to the Olana Partnership for design and plans for restoration of the Main Barn complex at the Olana Historic Site. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

William J. Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. is warning of rate increases of 8 percent for homeowners and 15 percent for businesses under a plan by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to limit sources of electricity. The utility this week said federal regulators are establishing “capacity zones” that would artificially push up the price of electricity. According to a company spokesman, Central Hudson can currently draw from approximately 30 electric generators statewide. Under the new federal plan, that would be reduced to three, or perhaps four generators. The company will be limited to buying that capacity to an area south of the Capital District and north of the New York City metropolitan area. Capacity-related costs to customers were not part of a promise made this year by the Canadian-based Fortis Inc. during its successful takeover of Central Hudson’s parent company, CH Energy Group, to freeze rates for two years. The new rules are scheduled to take effect in March 2014. Utility companies and the state Public Service Commission are trying to convince federal regulators that plans for new transmission lines will resolve the problem. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 21F; low 10F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 22F; low 13F.[/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 7 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 24. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 15.


Forecast for the next three days:

Friday: A slight chance of snow showers after 11 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 26. Friday night, a chance of snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 13.
Saturday: Snow. High near 24. Saturday night, night snow. Low around 17.
Sunday: Snow likely. Cloudy. High near 30. Sunday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 12.

Sunrise today: 7:15 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:23 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:08 hrs.

Town meetings

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

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

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12 a.m. (midnight): Josephine Foster Rebroadcast of Dec. 11 show at the Spotty Dog in Hudson. From Wikipedia: "Josephine Foster is an American singer-songwriter... [who recorded] "There Are Eyes Above" (2000), an album of ukulele accompanied songs strongly influenced by Tin Pan Alley, and an album of children's songs, Little Life (2001). For several years she worked as a singing teacher in Chicago, recording and performing with a variety of musical acts on the side including Born Heller, a project with free jazz-bassist Jason Ajemian, and The Children's Hour, a pop band formed with songwriter Andrew Bar. In 2004, joined by her occasional backing band The Supposed (Brian Goodman on guitar and Rusty Peterson on drums), she released an album of psychedelic rock called All the Leaves Are Gone which has drawn comparison to Patti Smith and Jefferson Airplane."
2 a.m.: Spike Jones Works from the sound affects man, composer, and more. First, an edition of "Monday Musical Matinee" by Lincoln Mayorga that explores his works, then other songs and sound effects are considered.
5 a.m.: Tony Martin From Issue Project Room Radio: "Will Corwin first met artist Tony Martin while working as a gofer for him, Mike Ballou, Ken Brown and Sally Webster on a light show at Pierogi's Boiler in Williamsburg. Tony is a master of spontaneously produced psychedelic liquid forms which he projects into light and are often part of multimedia and immersive installations. Tony comes to the Clocktower to regale Will with tales of light shows produced at the Fillmore West for such bands as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and many more. Recorded in 2010. artonair.org/show/tony-martin"

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 features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil 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 The Morning Show continues with ocal news, weather and events.
10 a.m.: Your Friendly Neighborhood Economist Host Ed Fertik interviews NY State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin about Columbia County Airport and power line issues, the Common Core and about his own political future.
2 p.m.: The Passage: Mac Chambers Host Richard Roth interviews Mac Chambers, former 57th Street Gallery Director.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: 'A Christmas Carol:' Laurence Olivier plays Scrooge in this radio theatre story of the Charles Dickens holiday classic. Plus Spike Jones and His City Slickers perform a special version of "Jingle Bells."
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show

Joe Gentile writes in the Register Star the Columbia County Board of Supervisors is expected to make some adjustments to employee salaries when it meets Wed., Dec. 11. The changes were prompted when the board's .1 [point one] Committee rejected the county Public Defender's recent appeal for a raise. Public Defender Robert Linville requested his salary be raised to approximately $89,000 per year. The raise was part of a proposal to eliminate a full-time opening in the office and promote a part-time assistant to full time. Linville argued his plan would save the county money. At issue are the disparities between salaries paid to attorneys employed in different county departments. Assistant district attorneys currently make approximately $20,000 per year more than the highest paid assistant public defender. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail a report released Tues., Dec. 10, by the New York State Tax Commission recommends $2 billion in tax relief over the next two years, largely through property tax measures and relief for businesses. The handful of proposals, presented to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for consideration, take advantage of a projected surplus in the 2014 budget, which is the first. The proposals include a two-year freeze on property taxes, with eligible homeowners receiving a tax rebate from the state equal to the amount of increase in their tax bill. Cuomo praised the bipartisan cooperation of the Tax Relief Commission, which was chaired by former Gov. George Pataki and former State Comptroller and current SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman H. Carl McCall. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Robert Gavin is reporting at Capitol Confidential on the significant victory for the media in New York, Tues., Dec. 10. The state’s highest court ruled a Fox News reporter should not be compelled to reveal her sources in a Colorado court. The decision ruled in favor of Jana Winter, who faced the prospect that she would have to reveal the sources behind a July 25, 2012, story. The story revealed the existence of a notebook reportedly kept by James Holmes, the man accused of killing 12 people and injuring dozens more at a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” at an Aurora, Colo., theater. The case had drastic implications for the rights of the news media to safeguard the identities of its sources. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 28F; low 11F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 29F; low 13F.[/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. Some icy spots are to be expected. The combination of temperatures below freezing and residual moisture from the melted snowfall has resulted in patchy black ice. Be especially careful on secondary roadways, bridges, overpasses and untreated walkways and parking lots. Motorists are urged to leave plenty of room between neighboring vehicles and to allow a little extra time to reach your destination safely. Scattered snow showers and possible heavier snow squalls will be possible Wednesday afternoon into evening as an arctic cold front moves southward. These snow showers and squalls are expected to produce mainly minor accumulations; however, they could lead to hazardous travel conditions.

Today: Partly sunny. High near 29. Wednesday night, a chance of snow showers, mainly before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 16. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.


Forecast for the next three days:

Thursday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 9 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 25. Thursday night, a slight chance of snow showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 12.
Friday: A chance of snow showers after 1 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 31. Friday night, a chance of snow showers. mostly cloudy. Low around 18.
Saturday: Snow likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Cloudy. High near 23. Saturday night, snow. Low around 18.

Sunrise today: 7:14 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:23 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:08 hrs.

Town meetings

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

VILLAGE OF ATHENS Board meets at 6:30 p.m at the Athens Community Center, 2 First St., Athens (945-1551).
CLERMONT Planning Board meets at Town Hall at 7 p.m. at 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Airport Committee meeting at 3 p.m., full board at 7:30 p.m., both at 401 State St. in Hudson.
COPAKE Resource Advisory Committee meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GHENT Planning Board Application meeting and Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. both at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
HUDSON Planning Commission meeting is cancelled.
JEWETT Town meeting at 7 p.m., at Municipal Bldg. 3547 Co. Rt. 23C (263-4626).
KINDERHOOK Town’s 9 & 9H Corridor Committee meets at 7 p.m. at at Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
KINDERHOOK Village Board meeting and budget hearing, 7 p.m. at 6 Chatham Street, Kinderhook (758-9882).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Christina Kubisch & Eckehard Güther Episode 909 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 909.

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 features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil 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 The Morning Show continues with ocal news, weather and events.
10 a.m.: Your Friendly Neighborhood Economist Host Ed Fertik interviews NY State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin about Columbia County Airport and power line issues, the Common Core and about his own political future.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star the city of Hudson’s minimum dwelling size could be reduced to 300 square feet. The recommendation was made by Common Council Legal Committee Chairman John Friedman at the Council's Informal Meeting, Mon., Dec. 9. The consensus among Council members appears to be the city's current minimum apartment size of 1,500 square feet, as specified in the city code, should to be reduced. Friedman suggested a paid consultant be engaged to revamp the zoning requirements. Council President Don Moore said the minimum apartment size should be given priority when the new Council convenes in January. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Due to black ice conditions some school districts in Ulster County will be closed or have delayed opening, Tues., Dec. 10:

Highland Central School District is closed, but the bond referendum vote will take place as scheduled.
Kingston City School District is closed but the bond referendum vote will take place as scheduled.
New Paltz Central School District is closed.
Onteora Central School District is delayed two hours.
Saugerties Central School District is delayed two hours.

Sources: Daily Freeman and Times Union.

William J. Kemble writes in the Daily Freeman the Catskill Town Board has agreed to purchase an ambulance for $125,000 from North Eastern Rescue Vehicles. The board approved the purchase during a meeting last week. Town Supervisor Joseph Leggio said the price will be reduced by nearly $24,000 by trading in three of the squad’s backup ambulances. There are currently four active ambulances used by the Catskill Rescue Squad and one backup vehicle. Town officials decided to trade in the three oldest ambulance after one of them broke down. Leggio said, “You take it to the garage, and the next thing you know, it’s a thousand dollars because they’ve got to put gold plugs in them.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Public News Service is reporting Albany County and New York City are poised to enact a ban on styrofoam food containers. In Albany, the provision could take effect as early as June. Mike Clifford has the story: PLAY (1:55)

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 30F; low 10F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 31F; low 10F.[/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 Tuesday morning. Areas of black ice are likely. Temperatures across much of the region remain near or below the freezing mark. In combination with abundant low level moisture, this has allowed areas of black ice to form, particularly on untreated surfaces, as well as bridges, overpasses, ramps and walkways. Motorists and pedestrians are urged to use extra caution this morning.

Today: Snow likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Cloudy. High near 31. Tuesday night, mostly clear. Low around 15.


Forecast for the next three days:

Wednesday: A slight chance of snow showers after 3 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 28. Wednesday night, a chance of snow showers before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear. Low around 12.
Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny. High near 22. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 9.
Friday: Partly sunny. High near 28. Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 14.

Sunrise today: 7:14 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:23 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:09 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

1 a.m.: Some Assembly Required: Escape Mechanism Mash-up show from Jon Nelson. Episode 259.

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 features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil 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 The Morning Show continues with ocal news, weather and events.
10 a.m.: Your Friendly Neighborhood Economist Host Tom Masterson updates on the latest local, national, and international economics news and information.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show