William J. Kemble writes in the Daily Freeman U.S. Representative Chris Gibson on Thurs., July 25, said his vote against continuing a domestic spying program was about defending the privacy of Americans. The House voted Wednesday to continue the National Security Agency’s authority to collect information about communications between U.S. citizens even if not related to a specific investigation. Gibson said he “was concerned when I was first reviewing these bills for reauthorization that we could end up in a situation where the government is collecting information and stepping on our privacies without probable cause. As is now evident, that is what the government is doing. They are collecting all this information on us, and that’s wrong.” Gibson cited the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which protects Americans from illegal searches and seizures. He said supporters of continuing the program have not demonstrated that collecting private information has assisted in investigations. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 82F; low 57F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 84F; low 57F.[/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 80. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 58.

Forecast for the next three days:

Saturday: Sunny. High near 85. Saturday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 a.m. Increasing clouds. Low around 65.
Sunday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 82. Sunday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. Low around 64.
Monday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny. High near 80. Monday night, partly cloudy. Low around 60.

Sunrise today: 5:43 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:20 p.m.

Length of the day: 14:37 hrs.

Town meetings

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


CLERMONT Zoning Board of Appeals, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
HUDSON (tentative) Historic Preservation Committee at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: NSA Surveillance From "Free Speech Radio News": "Today, a federal court in New York City began hearing a legal challenge to the National Security Agency’s sweeping domestic data collection program. The American Civil Liberties Union sued the NSA in June after documents leaked by Edward Snowden revealed that the government had been collecting and storing the phone records of millions of Verizon customers. As the ACLU and other privacy advocates try to end these spying powers by taking the government agency to court, lawmakers in the House of Representatives tried this week to end them by cutting funding, using an amendment to the more than $500 billion military funding bill. Michigan Democrat John Conyers co-authored the amendment. “All this amendment is intended to do is curtain the ongoing dragnet collection and storage of the personal records of Americans. It does not 'defund the NSA' and it would continue to allow them to conduct surveillance as long as it’s on someone who is the subject of an actual investigation!” The measure failed by just 12 votes, despite broad support from many Democrats and Republicans. The House also rejected, by wider margins, amendments to prohibit the expansion of the Guantanamo Bay prison and end the indefinite detention of the 86 detainees who have been cleared for release." Locally, Republican Rep. Chris Gibson of Kinderhook voted for the amendment, against the NSA surveillance.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Walter de Maria From his "Lightning Field" earthwork in New Mexico, to the gallery-filled with dirt in New York City, Walter de Maria's works are examined. Also his "Cricket Music" and "Ocean Music."
1 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Natsuki Tamura Episode 17 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.
3 a.m.: Selected Songs: Cooper-Moore From Wikipedia: "Cooper-Moore (b. 1946, Virginia) is an American jazz pianist, composer and instrument builder/designer based in New York City. He began performing church music in the Piedmont region of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. In 1970, he formed a collective trio, Apogee, with saxophonist David S. Ware and drummer Marc Edwards. He has toured extensively in Europe [1] as well as the United States. His current group, with Tom Abbs and Chad Taylor, is called Triptych Myth. Another group Moore heads is the Digital Primitives trio, along with Chad Taylor and Assif Tsahar.[2] He has also performed with Daniel Carter. Among the many instruments Moore has built are "a deedly-bo [sic], a three-string fretless banjo and a mouth bow.""
5 a.m.: Takes On The World: Alfred McCoy Prof. Alfred McCoy, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison discusses details from his article for TomDispatch, “Surveillance Blowback: The Making of the US Surveillance State, 1898-2020; speaks of importance of Snowden’s leaks; attempt by Congress to curtail government surveillance; traces it back to US war on Philippines and role of Ralph Van Deman, father of US military intelligence; his collaboration with private right wing groups in 40s; describes WW1 crackdown on Left, IWW; COINTEL in 60s; recalls predicting 4 years ago the rise of US surveillance state; how Obama has expanded Bush surveillance programs into space.: Interviewer Jeff Blankfort from KZYX.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Also local news, previews of events in Greene and Columbia counties, music, and more. Call in to have your say 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, and events. Call 518-828-0290 to comment during the "WGXC Morning Show."
10 a.m.: ¿Qué cocinaré hoy?: Peter Gonzalez, Miriam Bauza, Gabriela Owen, Daniel Buzi, Beatriz Diaz Taveras Journalists Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos host a round table discussion with Peter Gonzalez (President of Latinos Unidos of the Hudson Valley), Miriam Bauza (Orange County Board of Elections), Gabriela Owen (Chair, Latino Democrats of Dutchess County), Daniel Buzi (Office of New Americans) and Beatriz Diaz Taveras (Director of Community Programs of Catholic Charities) about immigration, citizenship, right to vote and civic participation.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Jonathan Weisman in The New York Times reports that Rep. Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) aligned with liberal Democrats such as Jerrold Nadler of New York City, Wed., July 24, in a failed attempt to block the National Security Agency from collecting phone records of many American calls. Gibson voted aye on the amendment from Michigan Republican Justin Amash that failed 205-to-217. President Barack Obama and Republican House Speaker John Boehner were among those publicly supporting the continuation of the NSA's phone records collection program, recently uncovered by leaks from Edward Snowden. Read the full story in The New York Times.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star the potential construction site for a new Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility could be relocated, Columbia County officials said Wed., July 24. The new building could be located next to the existing building, north of the facility’s parking lot, close to county Route 217 in Claverack. The original proposal was to construct the new building further up a hill on the site. That would plan would require spanning a ravine by building a bridge, constructing a road and clearing trees. The cost of the project is estimated to be $40 million. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Jim Planck reports in The Daily Mail a metal detector that has been in use for town court at the Catskill Town Hall now has a uniform policy determining who must pass through it. Officials have now determined all town employees, not simply those people entering the courtroom, must now pass through the magnetometer when court is in session. The town retains an off-duty Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy to monitor the building entrance, the metal detector and the interior courtroom entrance door to make sure no one walks around the device. The device was paid for by a Justice Court Assistance Program grant from the New York State Unified Court System. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 77F; low 55F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 79F; low 61F.[/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 76. Thursday night, a slight chance of showers between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 56.

Forecast for the next three days:

Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 81. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 58.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 83. Saturday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 67.
Sunday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 82. Sunday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 66.

Sunrise today: 5:42 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:21 p.m.

Length of the day: 14:38 hrs.

Town meetings

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


CHATHAM Village Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street, Chatham (392-5821).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Financial Review Committee at 1 p.m.; .1 [point one] Committee at 2:30 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GERMANTOWN Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
HUDSON HCDPA meeting (tentative) at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren St., Hudson (751-1044).
STUYVESANT Greenway Committee meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).
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

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Congress Debates NSA Spying From Free Speech Radio News: "Debate continued in Congress today on a more than $500 billion military spending bill. Lawmakers considered many controversial measures, including amendments to defund the NSA's domestic spying programs, transfer some detainees from Guantanamo Bay, combat a culture of sexual assault in the armed forces, and undo the 2001 law used to justify the so-called global war on terrorism. On Capitol Hill, FSRN’s Alice Ollstein reports."
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Cinema on the Radio Overnight filmic content.
5 a.m.: Off The Hook: 20130725 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 5 a.m. rebroadcast.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Also local news, previews of events in Greene and Columbia counties, music, and more. Call in to have your say 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, and events. Call 518-828-0290 to comment during the "WGXC Morning Show."
10 a.m.: Prison Voices Project: Trayvon Marton and Pelican Bay Tune in to hear the voices of those who participated in a vigil for Trayvon Martin in Hudson, as well as commentary on Trayvon Martin's death by Mumia Abu Jamal. Also, nearly 29,000 inmates in California state prisons have refused meals protesting prison conditions and rules. The protest is centered on the state's aggressive solitary confinement practices, but has attracted support from many prisoners with their own demands for changes in prison conditions. An interview with Delores Canales, a mother of an inmate in solitary confinement at Pelican Bay Prison and Carol Strickman, an attorney with Legal Services for Prisoners With Children will be featured. This segment was produced by Ken Nash & Mimi Rosenberg for Building Bridges. Hosted by Cory Fischer-Hoffman.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Rock Star Stories From a time long ago, when boys and girls dreamed of growing up to become rock stars, a fictional story of a long-forgotten industry. Includes words and works from The Byrds ("So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star"), Daniel Johnston ("I Picture Myself with a Guitar"), Elton John ("I'm Going to Be a Teen-Age Idol"), The Replacements ("Talent Show," "Kids Don't Follow," "Treatment Bound," "I Don't Know"), Foreigner ("Juke Box Hero"), Dr. Hook ("The Cover of the Rolling Stone"), and Jackson Browne ("The Load Out").
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News
7 p.m.: The Jazz Disturbance: Francesca Tanksley Pianist Francesca Tanksley will join host Cheryl K. for an interview. Tanksley will perform at Athens Riverfront Park August 2, as part of the 2013 Summer Concert Series. She studied piano with Sir Roland Hanna, Harry Jensen (Franz Liszt tradition) and composition with Jimmy Heath. Tanksley is a member of, and has recorded with the Billy Harper Quintet, the Jeff Siegel Quartet, the Erica Lindsay Quartet, and Howard Johnson's HoJo5, as well as leading her own group, the Francesca Tanksley Trio.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star the Columbia County Board of Supervisors Government Committee has agreed to move forward with its plan to take a 16-acre parcel in the town of Ghent by eminent domain. The county intends to acquire property at the Meadowgreens Golf Course to create a new safety zone around the Columbia County Airport. The golf course ownership group was offered more than $600,000 for the purchase of 16 acres and the easements for an additional 90 acres, but the owners want substantially more. Principal owner Carmen Nero said the group is not in negotiation with the county. He said, “They gave me the price and haven’t budged.” The proposed acquisition is based on an airport master plan created by the county in 2003. A public hearing on the matter will be held Aug. 14 at 401 State St. in Hudson. Read the full story in the Register Star.

The state Department of Labor reported Tues., July 23, the unemployment rate in Greene County in June decreased to 7.6 percent from 8 percent in May. The Columbia County rate remained unchanged at 7.9 percent. The jobless rates in other Mid-Hudson counties were little changed from May to June. However, the state unemployment rate in June was 7.6 percent, up from 7.4 in May. The lowest unemployment rates reported statewide included Saratoga, Tompkins and Putnam counties.

Patricia Doxsey reports in the Daily Freeman the Federal Election Commission has closed its investigation into allegations that Dutchess County Legislator and one-time congressional hopeful Joel Tyner violated federal election campaign finance laws. Tyner’s former campaign treasurer accused him of mishandling bank accounts and campaign expenses during the primary election battle against Julian Schreibman for the Democratic line in the 2012 19th Congressional District election. Tyner denied the allegations. Tyner said Tuesday, “I knew I was right all along,...The whole thing was a tempest in a teapot.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Jon Campbell is reporting in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle after five years, hundreds of thousands of public comments and an electorate that remains split on the divisive issue, what has amounted to a moratorium on shale-gas drilling in New York remains in place. On July 23, 2008, the state officially moved to place large-scale hydrofracking permit applications on hold, a period of time opponents of the practice say attests to their strength, and advocates say is a clear indicator of political indecision. In five years, the battle over hydrofracking has grown from a little-watched debate to one that has expanded across the state and the country. Many environmental and anti-fracking groups, citing the potential for damage to water supplies and community character, have called on the state to either ban shale-gas drilling outright, or to implement a lengthier moratorium. Proponents of tapping the gas-rich Marcellus Shale say Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is missing an opportunity to boost the Southern Tier economy, particularly in Binghamton and Elmira. Read the full story in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 79F; low 52F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 81F; low 55F.[/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: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 7 a.m., then isolated showers between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 81. Wednesday night, mostly clear. Low around 55.

Forecast for the next three days:

Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 78. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 55.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 81. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 58.
Saturday: Partly sunny. High near 83. Saturday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 67.

Sunrise today: 5:41 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:22 p.m.

Length of the day: 14:40 hrs.

Town meetings

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


ATHENS Village meeting at 7 p.m. at Community Center, 2 First St., Athens (945-1551).
CAIRO at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Public Works Committee at 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
HUDSON Common Council Public Works Committee meeting at 6 p.m.; Legal Committee meeting starts at 6:45 p.m at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUDSON Development Corporation meeting (tentative) at 2 p.m. at 1 North Front St., Hudson (751-1044).
KINDERHOOK Historical Committee meeting at 7 p.m., Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Funding For Radio-Controlled Drones From Free Speech Radio News: "In Washington, the House took up a more than $500 billion military spending bill today, which could fund the Pentagon and all related agencies for the year 2014. Over the next few days, representatives will consider at least 100 amendments. Some of them aim to release cleared detainees from their indefinite detention at Guantanamo Bay, block funding for military action in Syria, ban the use of drones for domestic surveillance and defund programs that allow the government to spy on American citizens. As Congress also debates deep cuts to food stamps, education and affordable housing, many progressive lawmakers and policy advocates say the increases in war and weapons spending show misplaced national priorities. On Capitol Hill, FSRN’s Alice Ollstein reports."
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Dickie Goodman From Wikipedia: "Richard Dorian "Dickie" Goodman (April 19, 1934 – November 6, 1989) was an American music and record producer born in Brooklyn, New York. He is best known for inventing and using the technique of the "break-in", an early precursor to sampling, that used brief clips of popular records and songs to "answer" comedic questions posed by voice actors on his novelty records.... In June 1956 Goodman created his first record, "The Flying Saucer Parts 1 & II," which he co-wrote with his partner Bill Buchanan, and featured a four-minute rewriting of Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds radio show. This recording was the subject of a copyright infringement case against Goodman. The lawsuit was settled out of court. "The Flying Saucer" was officially released under the artist name "Buchanan and Goodman" and was Goodman's highest-charting single on Billboard, peaking at #3. Buchanan and Goodman followed up with four other records: "Buchanan and Goodman on Trial" (#80 in 1956), "Flying Saucer The 2nd" (#18 in 1957), "The Creature (From A Science Fiction Movie)" (as by Buchanan and Ancell) (#85 in 1957), and "Santa and the Satellite (Parts I & II)" (#32 in 1957)." The trial song was about the legal wrangling over their use of popular songs in other songs,
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: ID M Thfft Able Episode 890 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 890.
5 a.m.: Shortwave/Pirates: Massachusetts Legislator Wants Pirate Radio Law First, "The RAIN Report," wit two Homeland Security trainers talking about ham radio's involvement in the ICS&NIMS programs. Then "PiratesWeek," with "pirates in the news this week include Massachusetts Broadcasters Seek Better Pirate Ammo. Steven Walsh introduced H.R. 1679, which would give the state attorney general the power to seek action against pirates, including seizing equipment and seeking money damages. We also take a look at the FCC Activities. Select postings from the Free Radio Network, HF Underground and note stations logged per the Free Radio Weekly ‭Off Air Recordings include the stations of: Red Mercury Labs, Pee Pee Vagina Radio, Black Cat Radio and Radio Free Whatever. Haarp facility to close down, A story from International Radio Report On the Media looks at Voice of America and the new law that allows some of its programming to be finally available for a domestic audience."

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Also local news, previews of events in Greene and Columbia counties, music, and more. Call in to have your say 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, and events. Call 518-828-0290 to comment during the "WGXC Morning Show."
10 a.m.: The Right Opinion: Peter Lopez New York State Assemblymember Peter D. Lopez, Republican, Conservative and Independent of Schoharie, will join host Ed Fertik in the Hudson studio to discuss a variety of topics. Lopez was elected to represent the 127th Assembly District for the first time in November 2006. He is currently a member of the Assembly Agriculture, Education and Environmental Conservation committees, as well as the Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy. Lopez is an honors graduate of Schoharie Central School, the State University College at Cobleskill and the University at Albany, where he earned a master’s degree in public administration. Lopez and his family reside in the Village of Schoharie.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Jim Planck reports in The Daily Mail a popular swimming hole in Palenville is coming under scrutiny, as usage has led to a variety of problems. The Kaaterskill Creek forms a pool next to the Woodstock Avenue bridge. It has been a community swimming spot for generations, but in recent days those using it are leaving garbage behind, says Catskill Town Supervisor Joseph Leggio. Parking is also an issue and graffiti is prominent at the site. Leggio said graffiti is now also under the State Route 32A bridge at the Kaaterskill, another site about a quarter mile downstream. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

John Mason reports in the Register Star the city of Hudson is considering the possibility of contracting out the administration of its parking division. At the meeting of the Common Council Police Committee Mon., July 22, Police Commissioner Gary Graziano said Chief Edward Moore is meeting with two companies that would take over the whole process. Graziano said the department does not have the personnel to collect outstanding tickets. During the month of June, the city issued tickets totaling more than $13,000. The city is currently owed close to $250,000 in parking ticket revenue. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail the Greene County Youth Fair will kick off its 59th year Thurs., July 25, at Angelo Canna Town Park in Cairo. The fair is organized by the Greene County Agricultural Society. The annual event celebrates Greene County’s longtime tradition of agriculture and honors the young people who will keep that legacy alive, according to the Society. The four-day fair includes live music, animal shows and competitions, food vendors, a tractor pull, a classic car show, karaoke and fireworks. It draws approximately 14,000 visitors over the course of four days, according to organizers. More than 100 volunteers set up and operate the fair all weekend. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 81F; low 63F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 84F; low 66F.[/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 Flash Flood Watch for portions of northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, east central New York and southern Vermont. The Flash Flood Watch is in effect through Tuesday evening. Slow moving showers and thunderstorms producing very heavy rain will continue across the region into Tuesday afternoon. Rainfall rates of one to two inches per hour will be possible within thunderstorms. Showers and thunderstorms will move slowly and may also train repeatedly across some areas, possibly producing isolated amounts in excess of five inches. This heavy rainfall will likely lead to some flash flooding, particularly in areas of poor drainage and in urban areas. In case of flooding, act quickly. Move to higher ground at once. Get away from places subject to rapid flooding, such as dry creek beds or places along streams. Avoid already flooded areas.

Today: Occasional showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy. High near 79. Tuesday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy. Low around 64.


Forecast for the next three days:

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11 a.m., then isolated showers between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 81. Wednesday night, mostly clear. Low around 53.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 81. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 56.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 82. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 60.

Sunrise today: 5:40 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:23 p.m.

Length of the day: 14:42 hrs.

Town meetings

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


COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors County Government Committee Meeting, 5 p.m at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
GREENPORT Planning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: 94 Children Killed By U.S. Radio-Controlled Drones in Pakistan From Free Speech Radio News: "More evidence has surfaced indicating the civilian death toll from US drone strikes in Pakistan is higher than what officials have disclosed. US drone strikes have killed hundreds of people in Pakistan’s tribal region], including civilians and children, according to an internal document by Pakistan’s government obtained and made public by the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism. The document includes a log of strikes from 2006 to 2009 and chronicles nearly 750 people killed, at least 147 of the dead are civilians, 94 of them children." Also, Helen Thomas, longtime UPI correspondent, dies.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Babies Babies crying, laughing, and being lulled to sleep. Works by Badfinger, Talking Heads, Devendra Banhart, Raymond Scott, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Chicago, Ween, The Ronettes, and others.
1 a.m.: Nina Bar-Giora Four hours of performances, presentations, and DJ sets from Nina Bar-Giora. Bar-Giora is Wave Farm's 2013 Summer Intern, hosting a DJ set live from Wave Farm. Bar-Giora will graduate from Bard College this May with a degree in biology. While at Bard, her studies have been focused in biology and philosophy including courses in the Mind, Brain, and Behavior concentration. Nina is the host of "Rainbows On My Eyeballs," a radio show on Bard’s student-run online station WXBC. She makes music on her own and with the band "Pogs." Writes Bar-Giora, "I’ve long been in love with music and curious about radio. I’m thrilled to be an intern this summer at Wave Farm. I’m looking forward to learning about how a non-profit arts organization works, working alongside artists in residency, and learning as much as I can about transmission and sound arts."
5 a.m.: PCJ Media Network Plus: 20130723 International radio and media show. The show is produced jointly by PCJ in Taiwan and Canada. Producer/Presenter: Keith Perron.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Also local news, previews of events in Greene and Columbia counties, music, and more. Call in to have your say 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, and events. Call 518-828-0290 to comment during the "WGXC Morning Show."
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Some of the stories that made the news, July 18 to 21:

Parry Teasdale reported in the Columbia Paper Chatham Village Mayor Tom Curran has confirmed Schuyler Companies has purchased Chatham Plaza, the site of the Price Chopper market, from the Morristown, N.J.-based real estate firm, The Hampshire Companies. Schuyler is the Latham firm that recently prevailed in the contentious fight to build a new, 44,000-square-foot supermarket just over the village line in the Town of Ghent, directly next door to the store's current location. Construction on the new market has not yet begun. Accord to Ghent officials, the company intends to build a connector and sidewalk between the plaza and the new store. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

Jessica Mosier reported in The Daily Mail the Greene County Industrial Development Agency is moving forward with plans for the development of a new business park. Fountain Flats Park would be developed on approximately 100 acres of IDA owned lands in the town of Coxsackie, located between Bronck Mill Road and U.S. Route 9W. It is the site formerly intended to be the location of a large commercial greenhouse complex proposed by Fernlea. The IDA projects the creation of 150-250 jobs upon the completion of the business park. A public hearing on the proposal will be held 6 p.m., July 31 at the Village of Coxsackie office. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Galvan Foundation announced last week the recipients of its third round of grant awards, totaling more than $300,000. The funds were awarded to 21 groups that provide a variety of services in the Hudson community. The largest award, in the amount of $150,000, was made to the Columbia-Greene Partnership Academy, also known as "The Bridge." The funding will underwrite the cost of enrolling 25 Hudson City School District students in the academy. Other recipients included the Columbia-Greene Hospital Foundation Child Advocacy Center, the Hudson Opera House, the Hudson Pride Foundation, the Staley B. Keith Social Justice Center and the Hudson Fire Department. The foundation began operations in January 2012. Its stated mission is to improve and enhance the quality of life for all Hudson residents.

The Daily Freeman reported the former executive director of Ulster-Greene ARC, has been appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo as acting commissioner of the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Laurie A. Kelley served in the private, not-for-profit agency for 14 years prior to her resignation, July 2. Todd McNutt, president of the Board of Directors at Ulster-Greene ARC, called Kelley “a visionary.” Ulster-Greene ARC was founded in 1956 by families in Ulster and Greene counties who insisted that their children with disabilities have the same opportunities as anyone else. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 84F; low 66F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 82F; low 68F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

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

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

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, east central New York and southern Vermont. Isolated, non-severe thunderstorms will be possible Monday afternoon and evening across portions of the region. Any thunderstorms should move from the southwest toward the northeast at around 10 mph. There is a chance for non-severe thunderstorms late Monday night. The combination of increasing moisture and relatively light winds aloft could lead to slow moving, heavy downpours. This could lead to ponding of water in low-lying, poor drainage and urban areas. Isolated flash flooding could occur in areas where heavy showers and thunderstorms repeatedly occur.

Today: Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 84. Monday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy. Low around 66.

Forecast for the next three days:

Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy. High near 74. Tuesday night, Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8 p.m. and midnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 65.
Wednesday: Isolated showers. Partly sunny. High near 83. Wednesday night, partly cloudy. Low around 59.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 81. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 62.

Sunrise today: 5:39 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:24 p.m.

Length of the day: 14:44 hrs.

Town meetings

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


CATSKILL Village board meeting at 7 p.m. at Firehouse near Catskill Commons (Wal Mart) (943-3830).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors’ Economic Development/Planning Committee meeting, at 5 p.m at 401 State St., Hudson.
HALCOTT Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 813 Route 3, Halcott Center (845-254-9920)
HUDSON Common Council Police Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall; Fire Committee Meeting at 6:45 p.m., at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
PHILMONT Local Development Corp meeting at 7 p.m., Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
STUYVESANT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Also local news, previews of events in Greene and Columbia counties, music, and more. Call in to have your say 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, and events. Call 518-828-0290 to comment during the "WGXC Morning Show."
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Route 23 in Prattsville following Tropical Storm Irene (2011).[/caption]

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail the town of Prattsville will receive $3 million from New York state for storm reconstruction efforts under a new program launched Thurs., July 18. The town, severely damaged during Tropical Storm Irene, is one of more than 100 communities statewide to receive a total of more than $750 million under the New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program. Prattville's grant amount was based on damage assessments by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The funds will be awarded once the community’s plan is submitted to the state for approval. The award will contribute to the town’s ongoing projects, including business reconstruction and development, housing reconstruction, parks reconstruction, streetscape improvements and the development of hiking trails. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Columbia Paper is reporting the Chatham Democratic Committee caucus unanimously chose Landra Haber of Valatie and Kandace Eaton of Old Chatham to run for the two town council positions up for election this fall. The caucus also nominated incumbent Republicans Beth Anne Rippel for town clerk and Joseph Rickert for highway superintendent. A statement released by the committee said the caucus participants believed both have served all Town of Chatham residents well in their respective positions. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

William J. Kemble reports in the Daily Freeman the Catskill Town Board has agreed to policy requiring a recently acquired metal detector be set up at the courtroom entrance when cases are being heard. The directive was approved during a meeting Wed., July 17. Town Supervisor Joseph Leggio said, “I think anytime court is in session they have to walk through it. ... It might be a slight inconvenience for somebody, but it’s better to err on the side of safety.” The metal detector was purchased for about $6,000 with a grant from the state Unified Court System. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.