Some of the stories that made the news, June 14 to June 16:

Nathan Mayberg reported in the Register Star state legislators and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently reached a deal to restore $90 million in funding cuts in this year's state budget to organizations like Coarc, which serve the developmentally disabled. Coarc, the Claverack-based group, was projecting a loss of $1 million for the coming year after lawmakers approved a state budget that slashed funding for the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Assembly member Steve McLaughlin said a vote on the deal is expected early next week. McLaughlin said, “It’s the best news I have heard all session. I am cautiously optimistic.” Assembly member Didi Barrett said, “I am thrilled to hear that a consensus has been reached." Read the full story in the Register Star.

Brian Hubert reported in The Daily Mail the Cairo-Durham school board last week approved a name change for two elementary schools based on the district's realignment plan. Durham Elementary School will now be called Cairo-Durham Elementary School, and house grades Kindergarten through 2. The Cairo elementary building will be home to grades 3 through 5, and has been renamed Cairo-Durham Intermediate School. These changes will be effective at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year. Superintendent Mary Fassett said the outcome of the budget re-vote Tues., June 18, will not have any impact on implementation of the plan. Fassett said, “The realignment plan is still on even if there is a contingent budget." The Cairo-Durham spending plan was one of 30 budgets defeated statewide on May 21. According to the exit poll conducted that day, the biggest reason people voted ‘no’ was the grade realignment plan. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Emilia Teasdale reported in the Columbia Paper the Kinderhook Town Board will hire a New Jersey-based ballistics specialist to follow up on a complaint from residents of the Bell Acres neighborhood that a bullet from the Tri-Village Rod and Gun Club flew past their house last year. At a recent town meeting, Kinderhook Supervisor Pat Grattan said that before the board starts paying the expert $110 an hour to investigate, town Building Inspector Wayne Voss, a former state trooper, will be asked to collect information and interview the residents of the neighborhood about the incident, which happened last summer. Bell Acres lies off of Route 203 just outside the Village of Valatie. Several residents came to the board last September to discuss the incident. The Town Board will hold a special meeting July 8, for a briefing on the Voss findings. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

Claude Haton reported in The Daily Mail the town of Cairo celebrated its prohibition history and ties to the notorious bootlegger and mobster Legs Diamond this weekend. The third annual Temperance and Tommy Guns Festival was held Saturday. Laurel and Hardy, Clara Bow, Mary Pickford, Shirley Temple, Marlene Dietrich and Mae West made appearances, as did a young Herbert Hoover, America's 31st president. Sylvia Hasenkopf of the Cairo Historical Society said, “This is an event we could only put on with cooperation from the community. People have been really supportive.” The weather also cooperated, with sunny skies replacing the storm clouds and rain that recently plagued the region. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

More than 40 speakers spent two and a half hours telling Administrative Law Judge Eleanor Stein and a member of the Public Service Commission why they oppose the current plan of New York State Electric and Gas to construct a new power line through Ghent. The hearing at the West Ghent Fire Station drew more than 140 people on Fri., June 14. NYSEG’s proposal is to tap into the National Grid line, build 2.5 miles of line to bring the electricity to a new switching station near Falls Industrial Park Road and Route 9H, and build 8.6 more miles of line to connect the switching station to the Klinekill Substation on Route 203 west of the village of Chatham. The line crosses many homeowners land, and the Art Omi sculpture park.Ghent Town Attorney Ted Guterman's comments are possibly the most crucial summation from the public hearing.

-- Chris Bishop

Ghent Town Attorney Ted Guterman (2:13)


Guterman's full summation (13:07)


Other speakers:
Walter Blank of Fitting Creek Farm (6:16)


Dan and Cyndi Bozik (7:23)


Stephen Metcalf (1:20)


Lawre Stone (4:45)


Koethi Zan (9:04)


Mark Johnson (3:44)


Brit & Greg Ceci (7:01)


Peter Paden, Executive Director of the Columbia Land Conservancy (7:35)


Ruth Adams speaking about Art Omi (4:34)


May Adams speaking about Omi summer camp (1:51)

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 82F; low 54F.[/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: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny. High near 82. A chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:

Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 77. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 53.
Wednesday: Sunny. High near 74. Mostly clear, Wed. night. Low around 49.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 78. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 55.

Sunrise today: 5:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:34 p.m.

Length of the day: 15:16 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Monday of the month.
(WGXC suggested calling ahead to confirm time and location.)

ATHENS Town meeting at 6:45 p.m. at Town Hall, 2 First Street, Athens (734-3636).
AUSTERLITZ Comprehensive plan meeting at 7 p.m., at 812 Route 203, Austerlitz (392-3260).
CANAAN Planning board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 1647 Route 5 South, Canaan (781-3144).
GERMANTOWN Town Board meets at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
GREENE COUNTY 6 p.m. meetings of Government Ops and Finance committees, plus party caucuses at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENVILLE Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Offices, corner of routes 32 and 81, Greenville (966-8276).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Headlines Radio and media news.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Mysteries in the Air Haunted radios, spooky spectres, eerie aether, mystical sounds, and more.
5 a.m.: This Week in Radio News: NSA Spying How much the National Security Administration is monitoring phone calls of U.S. citizens, and others around the world, was in the news this week. The team at 2600 on "Off The Hook" talk to the lawyer suing the government over the Verizon phone records being released to the government. Also, an entomologist talks cicada sounds and Glenn Jones gets grilled on the BBC.

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 Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Nan Marron of “Social Graces” joins Phil for her weekly "Good News" segment, a discussion the good news of the day. 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." Hosted by Philip Grant.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

John Mason in the Register-Star reports that more than 40 speakers spent two and a half hours telling Administrative Law Judge Eleanor Stein and a member of the Public Service Commission why they oppose the current plan of New York State Electric and Gas to construct a new power line through Ghent in front of 140 people at a hearing at the West Ghent Fire Station on Fri., June 14. NYSEG’s proposal is to tap into the National Grid line, build 2.5 miles of line to bring the electricity to a new switching station near Falls Industrial Park Road and Route 9H, and build 8.6 more miles of line to connect the switching station to the Klinekill Substation on Route 203 west of the village of Chatham. The line crosses many homeowners land, and the Art Omi sculpture park. Mason focused on Ghent Town Attorney Ted Guterman II's comments opposing the line, listing his many questions: "Is there a need for an improvement to the power grid? Does an upgrade serve the town of Ghent or does it serve other areas? Why doesn’t NYSEG want to consider the alternative proposed by the town? Why does the route zigzag, making 11.1 miles rather than the nine miles it was initially? Why has NYSEG refused to meet with the representatives of the town?" A spokesman for NYSEG told Mason the county would have blackouts if the company’s line between Chatham and Craryville went down during a peak load. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) attends the Red Rock Fire Company Annual Father’s Day Breakfast at 9 a.m. Sat., June 16. Gibson will be accompanied by his daughters. The Red Rock Fire Company, is at 401 County Rt 24, in Canaan. The breakfast is from 7 a.m. to noon.

Today's Local News and Weather
Click here to listen to audio recording of local news and weather, produced by Tom Roe and Philip Grant. PLAY CLIP (3:47)

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

Sunday: A slight chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Sunday night a 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Monday: A slight chance of showers between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight, with a low around 59.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Tuesday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Sunrise today: 5:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:34 p.m.

WGXC Programming

More than 35,000 radio amateurs nationwide will participate in the Amateur Radio Relay League Field Day next weekend, with some of those locally at the Claverack Town Park, 91 Church St., in Mellenville. Operators work as many stations as possible on any and all amateur bands (excluding the 60, 30, 17, and 12-meter bands) and to learn to operate in abnormal situations and less than optimal conditions, in preparation for emergency broadcasts. The Claverack event is organized locally by the Rip Van Winkle Amateur Radio Club. The club holds its monthly meeting, with final Field Day planning, Mon., June 17 at 7 p.m. at the Noecker66 Showroom at Rt. 66 and Graham Ave. in Hudson.

Grant applications from artists who live in Columbia County, northeast Dutchess County, or Berkshire County, in Massachusetts or northwest Litchfield County, Connecticut are due by July 15 to the Boschen Fund for Artists, a fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. Emerging artists or artists experiencing a significant change of direction in their work are eligible. Funding supports individual artists or collaborations in the creation of new work, with a total of $30,000 available for granting this year. The fund accepts applications from visual artists, writers, craftspeople, new media artists, installation and performance artists, and interpretive artists working in dance, music, and other areas of performance. Applicants must have been full-time residents of the Berkshire Taconic region for two years prior to applying or demonstrate significant connection to the area. An advisory board for the Boschen Fund will review all applications and make recommendations to Berkshire Taconic’s Board of Directors. The board includes artists and arts professionals in a variety of artistic disciplines from the greater Berkshire Taconic region. Applications are available online at www.berkshiretaconic.org/grantseekers.

Today's Local News and Weather
Audio file here produced by Tom Roe and Philip Grant. PLAY CLIP (2:21)

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

• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71, and a low around 47.

• Sunday: A slight chance of showers between 9 a.m. and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon and before 10 p.m.. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68, and a low around 54.

• Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 79, and a low around 58.

• Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.

Sunrise 5:18 a.m.
Sunset 8:33 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 11:57 A.M. 12:02 A.M.
Mercury 7:07 A.M. 10:13 P.M.
Venus 6:48 A.M. 10:05 P.M.
Mars 4:25 A.M. 7:26 P.M.
Jupiter 5:34 A.M. 8:43 P.M.
Saturn 4:10 P.M. 2:59 A.M.
Uranus 1:48 A.M. 2:22 P.M.
Neptune 12:25 A.M. 11:15 A.M.
Pluto 9:16 P.M. 6:53 A.M.

WGXC Programming

On Saturdays free103point9 Online Radio airs on WGXC 90.7-FM, bringing transmission arts to the airwaves in the Hudson Valley, in New York. Tune in Sat., June 15:

Midnight – 12:05 a.m.: "Radio News: US Surveillance Programs"
From Free Speech Radio News: "Responding to revelations of broad US surveillance programs, some US lawmakers are introducing more bills to curb the spying powers of the Executive Branch, disclose more information about these powers, and affirm the constitutional rights of all Americans. Activist communities are also speaking out in the wake of leaker Edward Snowden’s disclosure of US government surveillance, and are planning a global day of action to defend the Fourth Amendment, scheduled for the 4th of July. In Washington, FSRN’s Alice Ollstein has more."

12:05 a.m. – 3 a.m.: "Radio Stew: The Beatles vs. The Beastie Boys"
DJBC presides over this mash-up royale.

3 a.m. – 4 a.m.: "Some Assembly Required: Jason Forrest, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, People Like Us"
Featuring work by Anarchoice, Bonzo Goes to Washington, Wayne Butane, Jason Forrest, Go Home Productions, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, The Kleptones, Laso Halo, People Like Us, RX Music, The Scratch Perverts and Twink.

4 a.m. – 5 a.m.: "Truthdig Radio: NSA Surveillance"
Jeremy Scahill on dirty wars; Bill Blum on the legality of NSA surveillance; Tim Shorrock on the privatization of the surveillance state. Distributed through Pacifica Radio.

5 a.m. – 7 a.m.: "Shortwave Hours: Multiple-Personality SDR"
Two hours of shortwave radio-oriented programming, starting with solar weather, news on meteor showers and ham radio, and other reports. Other reports include:
5:15 a.m.: "The RAIN Report" This week: "Scotty Cowling, WA2DFI, talks about Multiple-Personality SDR, excerpted from his 2013 Dayton Hamvention technical TAPR talk."
5:30 a.m., "The Shortwave Report" with host Dan Roberts and international news via shortwave radio. This week's show features stories from Spanish National Radio, Radio Deutsche-Welle, the Voice of Russia, Radio Havana Cuba, and NHK World Radio Japan.
6 a.m.: "Glenn Hauser's World of Radio"
6:30 a.m.: "Amateur Radio Newsline" This week: "The International amateur Radio Union gets ready for WRC 2015; a busy agenda for GAREC in Zurich; more and more over the horizon radar invades the upper High Frequency bands; a petition to extend Technician class privileges on 10 meters is filed with the FCC and some strange communications from the insect world."

[caption width="175" align="alignright"] Catskill's Rip Van Winkle statute, in the middle of Main St.[/caption]7 a.m. – 8 a.m.: "Saturday Morning Serial: Rip Van Winkle"
The Greene County-based legend of Rip Van Winkle is featured. Catskill sound artist Brian Dewan gives a dramatic reading of the Washington Irving-penned tale. Also, the story in songs by The Devotions, Leon Russell, David Bromberg Band, The Moldy Peaches, Al Jolson and Bing Crosby, Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt, and Witch. Plus, Belle & Sebastian quote words from the story in "I Could Be Dreaming." Irving's legend is about a man who falls asleep, and wakes up a generation later, in a very different world. From Wikipedia: "'Rip Van Winkle' is a short story by American author Washington Irving published in 1819 as well as the name of the story's fictional protagonist. Written while Irving was living in Birmingham, England, it was part of a collection titled 'The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.' Although the story is set in New York's Catskill Mountains, Irving later admitted, "When I wrote the story, I had never been on the Catskills."

8 a.m. – 10 a.m.: "Open Air: 20130615"
"Please Assist Us With Transmission." Hopefully, there will be a signal to get through from Catskill this week, so anyone can contribute to the show in many ways on "Open Air." (Last week's show was diverted to Acra at the last moment.) Matt Bua hosts this live transmission art show about local transmissions from the Catskill Community Center. You make up the show with stories, phone calls, messages, requests, further information, and more. Please help be a part of the show. Stop by the Catskill Community Center in person. Call in at 518-219-WGXC. Tweet requests @WGXC. Skype calls at WGXCfm. Talk on Channel 6 on CB radio, we are tuning in. Features include solar weather, shortwave news, and more. Call 518-219-WGXC or Skype calls at WGXCfm to talk on the air.

10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: "Radia: Everything is Eel"
"Radia" is a network of international radio stations interested in creative and forgotten ways of making radio. Each week one station makes an episode for all the others. This week, from free103point9 and WGXC, Sam Sebren and Liz LoGiudice bring you a glimpse into the transmission of Anguilla rostrata, aka the American eel. Sebren and LoGiudice trace the eel’s story from the Hudson River to the Caribbean, sometimes by way of Europe and the Pacific. Sebren and LoGiudice look at the American Eel Project’s Hudson River Estuary Program. Teams of scientists, students, and over 200 community volunteers monitor and count glass eels at 12 HREP sample stream locations along the Hudson River in New York State in the United States. Each year, glass eels – the tiny, transparent young fish – navigate the Atlantic Ocean all the way from the Sargasso Sea to the rivers along the East Coast. Every March and April, these young fish migrate into the rivers and freshwater streams, where they mature for 20 years or more before returning to the Sargasso Sea to mate and die. This episode of “Radia” tracks their progress in the Hudson River, and around the world. The entire show serves as a metaphor for the “Radia” stations and weekly transmission.

10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.: "Radio Wonderland: 20130615"
Joshua Fried remixes NYC radio live on Hudson Valley radio.

11 a.m. – noon: "Framework: Iain Armstrong"
This regular edition of the field recordings-centric show features work by Iain Armstrong, Soduz, BJ Nilsen with Stillupsteypa, Chris Whitehead, David Precott-Steed, David Rogers, and a framework intro by Adam Malantonio.

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: "Sensor-Building Workshop"
Join Wave Farm Artists-in-Residence Zach Poff and N.B.Aldrich for a sensor-building workshop where participants make inexpensive hydrophones, contact mics, and similar small "sensors," to plug into attendee's own portable recorders or smartphones. Contact microphones record sound from contact, and hydrophones pick up sound under water. Contact mics and hydrophones will also be made at this workshop to be permantely installed on the Wave Farm Study Center building, and in the stream in front of the building, to be "played" live on WGXC anytime in the future. This workshop is limited to 10 participants, (ages 12 and up) and pre-registration is required. A workshop fee of $20 covers electronic supplies, and lunch. Email Galen Joseph-Hunter (gjh@free103point9.org) to secure your spot.

noon – 12:30 p.m.: "Noon News: Cicadas"
Sara Kendall and Nick Zachos interview Tim McCabe -- the NY State Entomologist and the chief entomologist at the NY State Museum in Albany -- about the periodical cicada, which has begun to merge after 17 years in the Hudson Valley. Also, the team from "Off The Hook" interviews the ACLU lawyer suing the government over phone surveillance. And local headlines, weather, and more.

12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.: "Other Music: Vital Weekly"
Doubleshot of recent "Vital Weekly" programs, featuring new experimental music.

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: "Distract and Disable: June 2013"
Monthly show from Jonny Farrow. Click on title for playlist.

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: "Human Machine: 20130615"
Weekly show, from Jeremy Kelly.

[caption width="400" align="aligncenter"] Zach Poff and Nate Aldrich.[/caption]4 p.m. – 6 p.m.: "Saturday Afternoon Show: Zach Poff and N.B.Aldrich"
Tune in to hear Wave Farm Artists-in-residence Zach Poff and N.B.Aldrich speak with Tom Roe about their work, as well as a special playlist created by Poff and Aldrich focusing on sounds beyond the limits of perception including: David Dunn's insect recordings, the micro improvisations of Jeph Jerman and Greg Davis, the raw contact-mic verite of Toshiya Tsunoda, and electromagnetic recordings from Alvin Lucier & Christina Kubisch.

6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: "PiratesWeek: Radio Free Whatever"
After the Weekly Presidential Radio Address, and Republican Response, "PiratesWeek," with host Ragnar Daneskjold. This week: "Check out Boomer the Dog aka WKND. ‭Select postings from the HF Underground and note stations logged per the Free Radio Weekly. ‭Off Air Recordings include the stations of: Red Mercury Labs, Hard Tack Radio, Wolverine Radio, UNID, Radio Free Whatever. An old clip from the first interview with Screaming Lord Sutch."

7 p.m. – 8 p.m.: "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Father's Day"
This episode includes songs by 1st and 2nd generation musicians who have complex familial and/or emotional ties. Also, the underreported story of the IRS "targeting" that Congress seems to be ignoring: NINETY percent of tax returns filed by those who claimed status as adoptive parents were "flagged" by the IRS last year. That's tens of thousands of adoptive moms and dads of all political persuasions. Hosted by Paul Fischer, distributed by Pacifica Radio.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="259"] Stockport Flats
(Courtesy timesunion.com)[/caption]

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star the state has acquired 296 acres of riverfront property in Stockport and Stuyvesant as an addition to the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve. The state, through its Environmental Protection Fund, teamed with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program to split the cost of the $1.6 million purchase from Scenic Hudson. The property will be added to the 5-mile Stockport Flats section of the Reserve, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation. The reserve is managed by both the DEC and NOAA. Stockport Flats includes a mix of wetlands, swamps and marshes. According to NOAA, the purchase will help protect spawning and nursing areas for the Hudson River’s migratory fish including blueback herring, alewife, American shad, American eel, striped bass, and the short-nosed sturgeon. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Ariel Zangla reports in the Daily Freeman Greene County Attorney Carol Stevens officially announced her candidacy for state Supreme Court justice in the Third Judicial District, Thurs., June 13, at the Greene County Courthouse. Stevens has been endorsed by the Greene County Republican Committee. She is seeking the seat currently held by Democrat George Ceresia. A resident of Windham, Stevens is the first woman to serve as Greene County Attorney. New York’s Third Judicial District comprises Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties. Other potential candidates for the seat include Rensselaer County District Attorney Richard McNally, Albany County Family Court Judge Dennis Duggan, and Ceresia’s son, Rensselaer County Judge Andrew Ceresia. The winner of the November election will serve a 14-year term. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

The New York State Public Service Commission has approved the acquisition of CH Energy Group Inc., owner of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, by Fortis, Inc. of Canada, according to a statement released Thurs., June 13, by PSC Chairman Garry A. Brown. Key provisions of the merger plan include: A freeze on Central Hudson electric and gas delivery rates through July 1, 2015; an extension of the current union contract through June 2017, and the addition of 35 new union jobs; a $5 million community benefit fund established by Fortis for economic development and low-income customer assistance programs; and, a guarantee of $1.85 million per year in savings to ratepayers for five years. Fortis also promised a majority of the Central Hudson board of directors will be residents of the Central Hudson service territory. Speaking with William J. Kemble of the Daily Freeman, Dan Duthie, an attorney representing the takeover opposition groups Citizens for Local Power and Consortium in Opposition, said the state decision failed to consider evidence showing Fortis was largely manipulating corporate accounting methods and was not offering customers benefits. Citizens for Local Power spokeswoman Jennifer Metzger said the commission’s approval was unfortunate. She said, "This is a really bad decision for our service area." Read the full story in the Daily Freeman. The PSC full decision is expected to become available later today, and will be posted online at the Commission's Web site (dps.ny.gov).

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 70F; low 50F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 70F; low 50F.[/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 a Hazardous Weather Outlook in effect today and tonight for east central New York and southern Vermont. Isolated, non-severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon.

Today: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny. High near 74. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Tonight, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Mostly clear. Low around 52. Chance of precipitation overnight is 30 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:

Saturday: Sunny. High near 78. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 52.
Sunday: A chance of showers, mainly after noon. Partly sunny. High near 75. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, Sunday night. Mostly cloudy. Low around 57.
Monday: Partly sunny. High near 83. A chance of showers overnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 60.

Sunrise today: 5:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:33 p.m.

Length of the day: 15:15 hrs.

Town meetings

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

GHENT Public Service Commission Public Statement Hearing before Administrative Law Judge Eleanor Stein on NYSEG’s application for the Columbia County Transmission Line, a 11.2- mile 115 kilovolt power line to run through the towns of Chatham, Ghent and Stockport. Written statements may also be submitted. Information session begins at 4 p.m., public statements at 5 p.m., at West Ghent Fire Station, 74 Bender Boulevard, Gerald Simons Commerce Park, just off Route 9H, Ghent.
HUDSON (tentative) Historic Preservation Commission at 10 a.m., 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: Headlines Radio and media news.
12:05 a.m.: You, Me & the Radio, Korean Jeans Recorded live June 13, 2013, at the Spotty Dog, Hudson, NY.
2 a.m.: In Other News: Shadows In Other News topics range from the conspiratorial, controversial, and esoteric near the fringe of belief systems. This week's guest is Laurie Schapira of the C.G. Jung Institute. On this show, we often speak about hidden realities that effect our daily lives or that things aren't as they seem. Carl Jung's concept of the personal shadow fits right into this elusive category. Carl Jung was a Swiss psychotherapist and psychiatrist, and the founder of analytical psychology. In 1917 he wrote in his essay "On the Psychology of the Unconscious" of the personal shadow as the other in us. Schapira is also a film maker and author of "The Cassandra Complex: Living with Disbelief." We discuss the shadow aspects as the archetype collective and from the individual perspective.
3 a.m.: Reverend Bookburn: Fox News Guests: Sean Scamity of Fox “News,” Halliburton Ernie, Dr. Greed, George W. Bush.
5 a.m.: Interviews: Thomas Drake, Medea Benjamin, William Blum PRISM, NSA Spying Interviews from Left Forum: Thomas Drake is a former senior executive of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and a decorated United States Air Force and United States Navy veteran. In 2010 the government alleged that Drake 'mishandled' documents, one of the few such Espionage Act cases in U.S. history. Drake's defenders claim that he was instead being persecuted for challenging the Trailblazer Project. Medea Benjamin talks about drone strikes, military spending and more. William Blum covers a variety of subjects, including Cuba, Syria, US international policy, drones, anti-imperialism and visions for democracy. Interviews from Pacifica Radio.

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 Hosted by Philip Grant. 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." Hosted by Philip Grant.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News
7 p.m.: Guest DJ: Tanya Blue Various music, including rock, from 20th Century Country Music host.

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail the New York State Senate Wed., June 12, passed a bill to encourage the expansion of broadband Internet access in rural areas, an initiative local leaders say is badly needed in Greene County. The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk, would promote broadband expansion by providing tax credits to residents and businesses for broadband deployment. In a statement released by her office, Tkaczyk called broadband "an absolutely crucial component of our modern-day business infrastructure.” Outside of the major population centers, much of Greene County must access the Internet using dial-up technology or is without access altogether, according to Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

William J. Kemble reports in the Daily Freeman a decision about Fortis Inc.’s proposed $1.5 billion takeover of CH Energy Group could come today. The state Public Service Commission will meet this morning to review opinions for and against the deal. The Commission has final say over the transaction. A commission spokeswoman confirmed earlier this week the takeover vote would be taken Thursday. The Canada-based Fortis, first proposed buying CH Energy, the parent company of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., in early 2012. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star Stockport town officials now have some idea of what happened to approximately $250,000 in missing town funds. An auditor report found a mix of overspending and accounting errors contributed to the shortfall. Auditors Pattison, Koskey, Howe & Bucci, criticized the accounting practices of former Stockport town bookkeeper, Mark Fitzgerald. The audit also takes issue the town board decision to authorize the building of a new park in Columbiaville without putting the project out to bid. Stockport Supervisor Matt Murell has also asked the state Comptroller's Office to investigate the town's finances further. The audit is available to the public at the town hall. Read the full story in the Register Star.

The National Weather Service in Albany has a Hazardous Weather Outlook and Flood Watch in effect from 8 a.m. this morning through Saturday morning for Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Rensselaer and Ulster counties. Rain will overspread the area this morning, becoming heavy at times by afternoon. The rain is expected to be heavy at times into the evening and taper off late at night. The combination of nearly saturated ground, elevated river and stream levels and forecast rainfall amounts of one to possibly three inches may result in flooding. Runoff is expected to be higher than usual due to the early saturated ground. The highest rainfall amounts are expected to occur across the southeastern Catskills, Mid-Hudson Valley and northwest Connecticut. Flash flooding is also possible across portions of the watch area.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 61F; low 50F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 64F; low 50F.[/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 a Flood Watch in effect from 8 a.m. this morning through Saturday morning for  Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Rensselaer and Ulster counties. Rain will overspread the area this morning, becoming heavy at times by afternoon. The rain is expected to be heavy at times into the evening and taper off late at night. The combination of nearly saturated ground, elevated river and stream levels and forecast rainfall amounts of one to possibly three inches may result in flooding. Runoff is expected to be higher than usual due to the early saturated ground. The highest rainfall amounts are expected to occur across the southeastern Catskills, Mid-Hudson Valley and northwest Connecticut. Flash flooding is also possible across portions of the watch area.

Today: Rain likely, mainly after 10 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times throughout the day and night. High near 64. Showers likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between one and two inches.

Forecast for the next three days:

Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 73. Partly cloudy, Friday night. Low around 50.
Saturday: Sunny. High near 78. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 56.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 81. A chance of showers, Sunday night. Mostly cloudy. Low around 60.

Sunrise today: 5:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:33 p.m.

Length of the day: 15:14 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the second Thursday of the month.
(WGXC suggested 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

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

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: ACLU Surveillance Lawsuit From Free Speech Radio News: "As revelations continue to emerge about the US government’s broad surveillance powers, lawmakers in Washington are speaking out against Edward Snowden’s decision to leak information about these capabilities to the media, and are calling for his extradition. But several Congress members are questioning the government’s right to collect this data in the first place and refuting claims by President Obama that they were all fully informed about the NSA’s activities. Bills introduced in the House and Senate this week aim to limit the scope of the spying, while a new lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union seeks to have the whole program ruled unconstitutional. On Capitol Hill, FSRN’s Alice Ollstein has more."
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Deep But Not Profound A monthly talk show dealing with the murky world of para=politics and the electromagnetic manipulation of human consciousness. Many alternative theories will be presented alongside the "official" stories, leaving few stones un-turned. Midnight until 2 a.m. on the 13th of each month. Hosted by Tom Skarimbas and Matt Bua, live from Wave Farm in Acra, NY. Call 518-622-2598 or Skype free103point9 to talk on the air with the hosts.
2 a.m.: In Other News: Shadows In Other News topics range from the conspiratorial, controversial, and esoteric near the fringe of belief systems. This week's guest is Laurie Schapira of the C.G. Jung Institute. On this show, we often speak about hidden realities that effect our daily lives or that things aren't as they seem. Carl Jung's concept of the personal shadow fits right into this elusive category. Carl Jung was a Swiss psychotherapist and psychiatrist, and the founder of analytical psychology. In 1917 he wrote in his essay "On the Psychology of the Unconscious" of the personal shadow as the other in us. Schapira is also a film maker and author of "The Cassandra Complex: Living with Disbelief." We discuss the shadow aspects as the archetype collective and from the individual perspective.
3 a.m.: Exploration: Oliver Sacks Dr. Oliver Sacks explains how our brain appreciates music. From Pacifica Radio.
5 a.m.: Off The Hook: PRISM, NSA Spying 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. This week, a discussion about government spying.

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 Hosted by Philip Grant. 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." Hosted by Philip Grant.
10 a.m.: The Prison Voices Project: Corners2cornerstones How do you go from selling crack on the corner to becoming a cornerstone in your community? Leslie Alphin and David Thigpen of Corners2cornerstones will talk about their recent work with youth at Brookwood Secure Facility, in Claverack. In this pilot program, 12 youth designed their own business plans. When they are released, they will receive support from corners2cornerstone to build skills, and launch their businesses. Tune in to hear about the program, and to learn what led Alphin and Thigpen to this work.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: The Shoplifters, The Blackmailers An anthology series of dramas and comedies for radio. Produced at KSVR Studios at the radio station KSVR-FM in Mount Vernon, Washington. Available through Pacifica Radio. The actors are from the Skagit Radio Repertory Company. The producer is Joseph C McGuire. Adventures of Constance Dunlap 4: The Shoplifters and The Blackmailers. Story by Arthur B. Reeves, Adapted by Joseph McGuire. Our fun loving sister of crime is back with a two tales involving shoplifters and blackmailers. Ben Drummond is also back still vowing "I'm gonna get you". But even adventures don't always end well. So be aware that the Blackmailers has a rather dark ending.
3:30 p.m.: Kids' Brain Radio Broadcast live from the Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Matt Bua and Sam Sebren.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail Greene County Emergency Medical Systems, Inc., better known as Greene County Paramedics, is faced with an $82,000 workers compensation bill this year. When the county switched its workers compensation provider last July, the paramedics group was left out because it is a non-profit organization. Without the benefit of being in the county’s workers compensation pool, the cost of coverage jumped from $6,000 a year to $82,000. The organization is now appealing to the county for help. Greene County Parademics president Mark Evans said, “We will need some help here or we are going to have to go back and put this on the shoulders of the towns.” Greene County Legislator and Public Safety Committee Chairman William Lawrence said the county is “trying to come to an amicable solution to prevent the paramedic system from going under,” while working to keep the majority of the costs off the towns. In a county with no hospital and long travel times, Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh said the paramedics are a particularly valuable service. In light of that, he said the workers compensation situation “warrants serious discussion.” Read the full story in The Daily Mail. NOTE: Lawrence is a WGXC 90.7-FM programmer.

William J. Kemble reports in the Daily Freeman Congressman Chris Gibson supports federal legislation to renew the Hudson River National Heritage Area designation, an aide to the congressman says. Stephanie Vallee said the Kinderhook Republican favors the designation because of the benefits it brings to the region. Under the heritage area designation, more than 100 sites that promote tourism and recreation are linked to showcase the Hudson Valley's role in American history and development. Legislation to authorize the designation for another 10 years is pending. The previous designation expired last year. The heritage area covers 150 miles along both sides of the Hudson River from north of Albany to the Bronx. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.