[caption id="" align="alignright" width="288"] (dailyfreeman.com)[/caption]

The New York State Public Service Commission held its final public hearing in the Hudson Valley Thurs., Apr. 18, on the proposed $1.5 billion acquisition of the Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation by Fortis Inc. Fortis, a Canada-based corporation, is estimated to be worth $1.44 billion. The company has been acquiring utilities in the Northeast and the Caribbean. The acquisition proposal under consideration would bring about the indirect acquisition of Central Hudson through the merger of its parent company, CH Energy Group Inc., with a subsidiary of Fortis. Nearly 90 people were in attendance at Kingston City Hall for the second of two hearings held by the Commission on the issue. Among the speakers Thursday night, none spoke in favor of the takeover, and no one from Fortis offered public comment. Citizens voiced many concerns, including the lack of information available about the details of the merger. Many attendees demanded an additional extension of the comment period. Others alleged Fortis has a poor environmental record, and that local jobs would be lost. The Commission may approve, approve with changes, or reject the proposal in whole or in part. The public comment period ends May 1.

PLAY Elisa Ball, Kingston Alderwoman and spokesperson for state Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk (2:41)
PLAY Jeanne Walsh, Supervisor for the Town of Rosendale (4:01).
PLAY Betty Pritcha, a teacher speaking for the first time at a public hearing (5:02).
PLAY Manna Jo Green, Environmental Action Director of Hudson Sloop Clearwater (6:20).
PLAY John Speedling, President Coordinator, Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation (HVALF) AFL-CIO (3:18).
PLAY John Kaiser, President, IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 320 (2:38).

UPDATE (Apr. 26): PLAY Public comment collage, Apr. 18 PSC public hearing (13:32).

-- Sam Sebren

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 28F; low 19F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 25F; low 18F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Acra, in Greene County:
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Saturday night should be mostly clear, with a low around 26.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54, and a low around 28.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56, and a low around 35.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.

Sunrise today: 6:05 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:43 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 2:18 P.M. 3:01 A.M.
Mercury 5:32 A.M. 5:52 P.M.
Venus 6:27 A.M. 8:11 P.M.
Mars 6:09 A.M. 7:37 P.M.
Jupiter 8:26 A.M. 11:26 P.M.
Saturn 8:08 P.M. 6:49 A.M.
Uranus 5:23 A.M. 5:51 P.M.
Neptune 4:04 A.M. 2:52 P.M.
Pluto 1:03 A.M. 10:37 A.M.

[caption width="275" align="alignnone"] From Space.com, an image from last year's Lyrid Meteor Shower.[/caption]Space.com:

"One of the 'Old Faithful' meteor showers of the year will be at its best this weekend, but the moon may interfere with the celestial display. The annual Lyrid meteor shower will peak in the eastern night sky on late Sunday and in the wee hours of Monday (April 21 and 22). The bright moon, which is in its gibbous phase, may wash out all but the brightest of the 'shooting stars.' This year, the Lyrid meteor shower runs from April 16 to 25 but will be the most plentiful during the two days of their peak weekend. Weather permitting, stargazers with clear dark skies, well away from city lights, could see between 15 and 20 meteors per hour."

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., April 13:

2 a.m. – 5 a.m.: "Radio Stew: Sleeping With The Television On"
Billy Joel, and others, tour a world of static, white noise, and infomercials.

5 a.m. – 7 a.m.: "Shortwave Hours: Jeff Butterfield N7TJB"
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": "Professor Jeff Butterfield/N7TJB teaches in an empty classroom."
5:30 a.m., "The Shortwave Report" with host Dan Roberts and international news via shortwave radio. This week's show features stories from Radio Deutsche-Welle, Radio Havana Cuba, Spanish National Radio, the Voice of Russia, and NHK World Radio Japan.
6 a.m.: "Glenn Hauser's World of Radio"
6:30 a.m.: "Amateur Radio Newsline" This week: "Ham radio takes the point position after a terror attack on the Boston Marathon; the SARL gets two frequencies at 5 MHz to do a propagation study; the FCC says that the 2011 national EAS test is considered to be a success; a special event station in May will honor the Native American Code Talkers and will everyone in the world be on-line by 2020?"

7 a.m. – 8 a.m.: "Saturday Morning Serial: Marching Bands"
A steel drum band covers "Transmission" by Joy Division on the streets of Manchester, England, "Billy Don't Be a Hero," by Paper Lace, "Tusk" by Fleetwood Mac, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," by Paul Simon, "Let 'Em In," by Wings, "The Recruiting Sergeant" by The Pogues, "Democracy" by Leonard Cohen, "One Tin Soldier" by The Original Caste, "Mull of Kintyre" by Wings, "Hunter" by Bjork, a version of "Radar Love" by the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band, and "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles.

8 a.m. – 10 a.m.: "Open Air: 20130420"
"Please Assist Us With Transmission." Anyone can contribute to the show in many ways on "Open Air." Matt Bua hosts 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: Our Domestic Radiation"
Our Domestic Radiation (2009). free103point9 transmission artist Anna Friz contributes the 199th show for the Radia network. A composition made from the imagined and actual intercepted fields of electro-magnetic and acoustic signals in and around my apartment in Toronto, Canada. This piece seeks to express some of the wireless action surging daily on site. I am particularly interested in the relative flatness and depth perceivable in both acoustic and Hertzian space, and in the diminishing horizon in the city as a result of urban design and an exponential increase in wireless infrastructure (or electro-magnetic clutter). Additional filters include mason jars, theremin, ring modulator, staged interference, and delay. This show is best enjoyed on headphones, for those listening online.

10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.: "Radio Wonderland: 20130420"
Joshua Fried remixes New York City radio every Saturday morning live from Brooklyn and beamed into Hudson Valley radios at 90.7-FM.

11 a.m. – noon: "Framework: Terje Paulsen"
Regular edition featuring tracks from the new framework:seasonal release by Terje Paulsen, Luís Antero, and Maile Colbert, along with works by Marc Behrens. Pascal Battus, Bertrand Gauguet, and Eric La Casa.

12:05 p.m. – 2 p.m.: "Other Music: Hazel Dickens"
Special on American bluegrass singer, songwriter, double bassist and guitarist Hazel Jane Dickens, just before anniversary of her detah, April 22, 2011. From Tennessee Watson, an Artist-in-Residency at Wave Farm, working on the Wage/Working project.

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: "Distract and Disable: April 2013"
Monthly show of experimental sounds from Jonny Farrow.

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: "The Human Machine"
Jeremy Kelly curates this week, the line between man and machine.

4 p.m. – 6 p.m.: "Saturday Afternoon Show: Hudson Valley Transmissions"
Tune in about an approved Quebec-to-New York City transmission power line, and a public hearing about the sale of an electric transmission company. Plus, it is April 20: Hitler's Birthday, anniversary of Columbine High School shooting, police code for marijuana, (Waco was April 19), and other portents to doom, an end to a historically bad week. The show will preview the Lyrid Meteor Shower this weekend. Also, the week's radio news, and new music, and more. Hosted by Tom Roe live from Wave Farm in Acra, NY in Greene County. Special guests tba.

6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: "PiratesWeek: North Korean Numbers Station"
After the Weekly Presidential Radio Address and the Republican Response, "PiratesWeek" this week: "The SWLing post is reporting that a recently detected numbers station originating from North Korea. No FCC actions this week, but take a look at their interactive map of pirate radio busts. ‭Select postings from the Free Radio Network, HF Underground and note stations logged per the Free Radio Weekly International Radio Report relays a story about the FCC commissioners remarks at the NAB. ‭Off Air Recordings include the stations of: Wolverine Radio, Hardtack Radio, Radio Appalachia, XFM, Flying Dutchman Seems VOA is broadcasting digital The venture experiments with transmitting digital text and images via shortwave broadcasting."

7 p.m. – 8 p.m.: "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Boston"
A review of the terror attack in Boston, including the aftermath, the shootout in Watertown, the lockdown of Boston and suburbs, and one suspect dead, the other in custody, told entirely through actualities and music.

8 p.m. – 9 p.m.: "Radio Stew: Boston"
The Bee Gees weigh in on the state, and The Standells, Shellac, Jonathan Richman, the Dropkick Murphy's, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dave Loggins, Ted Leo and others, go to Boston.

9 p.m. – 11 p.m.: "Two Hours of Television"
Songs about TV from Billy Joel, Death Cab for Cutie, Arcade Fire, Daft Punk, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphopresy, Wilco, Bad Religion, Sunny Day Real Estate, Talking Heads, Man or Astro Man?, Baaba Maal, Television, Trans Am, Mission of Burma, Samiam, The Verve Pipe, Robyn Hitchcock, Youssou N'Dour, Japan, Don Rickles, Ben Lee, Marshall Crenshaw, The Radiators, Dave Edmunds, and others.

11 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.: "Some Assembly Required: Kid 606"
Episode 92 of mash-up show from Jon Nelson. Featuring work by Corporal Blossom, Mr. Dibbs & 1200 Hobos, Steve Dirkx, The Former Yugoslavia, Freelance Hellraiser, Kid 606, Messerchups, People Like Us/Wobbly, Jeff Sconce, Steinski, Donna Summer, Wake Up And Listen, and Myeck Waters.

Jim Planck reports in The Daily Mail the Hunter-Tannersville Central School District Board of Education adopted its budget for the coming school year, Thurs., Apr. 18. The district's 2013-14 spending plan totals nearly $13.9 million, an increase of more than five percent over the current year. The budget will require a four percent tax increase. HTC Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Darfler-Sweeney said the budget development process was not easy. “We have fiscal constraints," he said. At the same time, he stressed, it was a priority to not affect student opportunity for learning. The budget public hearing will be held May 14, at Hunter Elementary School. The annual budget vote and school board elections are May 21. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

For the second year in a row, Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) voted against the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives Thu., April 18 288 to 127, largely with Republican support. The proposal, which would allow the government to force computer information sharing with the government, is derided by privacy-oriented groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union. The bill now moves to the Senate, where last year both New York Democrat Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, voted for a slightly different version of CISPA. President Barack Obama has said he will veto the bill. Read more about the vote at Ars Technica.

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for today and tonight in northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, east central New York and southern Vermont. Strong southerly gradient winds will gust up to 40 mph throughout the day, especially across the Mohawk Valley, greater Capital District and elevated terrain. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening ahead of a cold front that will move through the area tonight. A few of the showers and/or thunderstorms could produce localized wind gusts up to 50 mph.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 73F; low 43F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 68F; low 43F.[/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 Hazardous Weather Outlook for today and tonight in northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, east central New York and southern Vermont. Strong southerly gradient winds will gust up to 40 mph throughout the day, especially across the Mohawk Valley, greater Capital District and elevated terrain. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening ahead of a cold front that will move through the area tonight. A few of the showers and/or thunderstorms could produce localized wind gusts up to 50 mph.

Today: A chance of drizzle before 9 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 71. South winds up to 20 mph, this afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms before 3 a.m., then a chance of showers. Low around 46. Breezy, with a south wind up to 23 mph. Winds could gust up to 34 mph.

Forecast for the next three days:

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny. High near 57. Mostly clear, Saturday night. Low around 27.
Sunday: Sunny. High near 55. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 31.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High near 55. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 36.

Sunrise today: 6:06 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:42 p.m.

Length of the day: 13:35 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Friday of the month.
WGXC is unaware of any town meetings scheduled for today.

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: FCC Open Meeting Highlights from the Federal Communications Commission's April open meeting. The Commission will consider a Second Report and Order to streamline the foreign ownership policies and procedures that apply to common carrier radio licensees and certain aeronautical radio licensees under section 310(b) of the Act, significantly reducing regulatory burdens while ensuring the Commission continues to receive the necessary information to protect the public interest.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Disconnected Movies with cell phone disconnections, bad ads, a "New York Telephone Conversation" and more. Originally broadcast Nov. 28, 2012.
1 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Shayna Dulberger Two hours of free jazz. Show airs on eight European radio stations also. Episode 09tfjh2013.
3 a.m.: Selected Songs: Sonny Rollins Germantown free jazzman Sonny Rollins is featured.
5 a.m.: Off the Hook: 20130418 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 Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, events, music and more, with host Philip Grant.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

As annual state testing of elementary and middle school students commenced this week, two local districts dealt with parental concerns and resistance to the process. Barbara Reina reports in the Register Star approximately 135 Ichabod Crane students in grades 3 through 8 opted out of the annual evaluation by way of parent refusal letters. Ichabod Crane PTA President Kathryn Sundwall said parents are concerned about teachers being compelled to teach to the test, the possibility of information sharing of student information by the company producing the testing, as well as parents and teachers not having access to test answers for additional learning and student growth. District Superintendent George Zini said the impact on the district, including possible reductions in state funding, remains to be seen. Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail Cairo-Durham Superintendent Mary Fassett fielded a flurry of calls in the past week from concerned parents inquiring about opting out, worried their children were being unnecessarily and unproductively stressed by the new requirements. The school responded with a robocall, letters and information posted on its Web site about the tests and the notion of opting out. Despite the concerns, Fassett reported no illegitimate absences as testing began Tues, Apr. 16. The state ELA and math exams are now aligned with new Common Core standards that set higher achievement requirements. The New York State Education Department has cautioned schools and parents that as a result of the raised standards, scores are likely to be lower than on previous tests until the curriculum catches up.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star Columbia County officials are reporting a dramatic and unprecedented drop in the size of county's homeless population. The decrease occurred during the past 18 months. County Department of Social Services Commissioner Paul Mossman reported the homeless figures remained uncharacteristically steady this winter, hovering around 34 people, but that number then fell to 14 on April 1, and down to eight, this week. As recently as the winter of 2010, the county reported a homeless population of 117. The county homeless data is based on the number of people DSS places in emergency housing. Mossman credited a restructured temporary assistance unit for the changes. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Ariel Zangla reports in the Daily Freeman the full Greene County Legislature adopted a resolution Wed., Apr. 17, calling on the state to allocate 911 surcharge funds to counties to support emergency and public safety communications. The resolution said the state imposes a $1.20 public safety surcharge on all wireless telephones, which was intended to be spent on 911 operations. Instead, the state has diverted fund proceeds for many years. County Administrator Shaun Groden called the state’s diversion of the funds unconstitutional. Lawmakers are calling on the state to allocate more of the funds back to counties through a grant program. Greene County already imposes a 30-cent local surcharge on cellular phones. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 63F; low 54F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 66F; low 54F.[/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 64. Tonight, a slight chance of showers. Cloudy. Low around 54.

Forecast for the next three days:

Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4 p.m. Cloudy. High near 75. South winds up to 17 mph. Showers and thunderstorms possible before 1 a.m., then showers likely. Low around 49.
Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly before 7 a.m. Mostly sunny. High near 57. Mostly clear, Saturday night. Low around 31.
Sunday: Sunny. High near 55. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 32.

Sunrise today: 6:08 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:41 p.m.

Length of the day: 13:33 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Thursday of the month.
(WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

ANCRAM Board meeting at 7 p.m. in Town Hall at 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
CHATHAM Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. Town Hall, 488 State Route 295, Chatham (392-3262).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Public Safety Committee meeting at 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
COPAKE Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m., at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Town board meeting at 7:30 p.m. in Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham.
GHENT Town Board meeting at the Ghent Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644)
COLUMBIA COUNTY Public Works Committee at 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
HUDSON Common Council Economic Development Committee meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
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: U.S. House Debates CISPA The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act is back in the U.S. House this year, and the Obama administration is again threatening to veto the bill because of privacy issues.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: World Amateur Radio Day This year marks the 88th anniversary of the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). To mark this occasion, the IARU and its more than 160 Member Societies will celebrate World Amateur Radio Day on April 18. For many years, the IARU Administrative Council has declared a theme for each World Amateur Radio Day. The theme for 2013 is Amateur Radio: Entering Its Second Century of Disaster Communications.
1 a.m.: Selected Songs: John Fahey Songs of acoustic guitarist John Fahey are featured.
3 a.m.: Rensselaer Contemporary Music Ensemble Performances of works by Bartok, Ravel, Crumb, Reich, Piazzolla, Rzewski, Oliveros, Kennedy, and Eastman. Curated by Michael Century.
4 a.m.: Selected Songs: Joyce Hinterding Joyce Hinterding is a cross media artist living and working in Sydney who focuses on a form of work concerned with energy and sound. At the heart of her work is the exploration of the seemingly invisible phenomena that pervade our very existence: electricity, the sounds of weather or electro-magnetic fields. Consistent throughout her oeuvre has been the desire to make the invisible visible.
5 a.m.: Radio Curious: Gregg McVicar Gregg McVicar, the host and producer of Under Currents is featured. Under Currents is Public Radio's freewheeling eclectic music mix of Triple A, Rock, Folk, Blues, Native, Americana, World, Reggae, Dub and Electronica. It brings you five hours of music every day. More information is available at undercurrentsradio.net. This show is from Pacifica Radio.
5:30 p.m.: Sprouts: Radio Vieques Vieques was used as a bombing range by the US military and has been partially transformed into a wildlife refuge on Puerto Rico. We look into what environmental effects this is still having and what the federal government is not doing. We also talk about the new community radio station being built there called Radio Vieques. See how radio and the environment go hand in hand. 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. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, events, music and more, with host Philip Grant.
2 p.m.: Between the Lines: Art Murphy and Nina Sklansky Catskill-based fine arts photographer Art Murphy loves invertebrate fossils. So much so, they have become something of an all-consuming passion. A passion that's resulted in an event most photographers can only dream about: a solo exhibition this September at the Museum of Natural History in Florence, Italy, which he likens to "the Sistine Chapel of fossils." Engaging, witty and articulate, Art takes us on a journey that begins more than 350 million years ago. Also channeling her passions: Nina Sklanksy, a Catskill resident who's launched a website, marketing campaign and attracted a team of like-minded souls all intent on promoting the village of Catskill.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Constance Dunlap Produced at KSVR Studios at the radio station KSVR-FM in Mount Vernon, Washington. The actors are from the Skagit Radio Repertory Company. The producer is Joseph C McGuire. This week: A Sisters of Crime series about a young women named Constance Dunlap. Taking place during the Roaring 20's when women were breaking out of the confines of the Victorian era. Here's a women who is celebrating her gaining freedom with adventures in crime. In the first story her husband comes home to confess that he has embezzled from the bank where he works. What she decides to do is a surprise to her husband. From Pacifica Radio Archives.
3:30 p.m.: Kid's Brain Radio Live from the Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Sam Sebren and Matt Bua.
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 the Cairo-Durham Central School District’s proposed $27.7 million budget received a welcome boost in state aid last month, but school officials warn that current spending trends cannot be sustained for long. An increase of more than $400,000 will nearly close the previously projected budget deficit, Business Manager Lissa Jilek said. The district will receive approximately $12.8 million in state and federal aid, an increase of more than $500,000 from last year and the largest increase in state and federal aid the district has received in about four years. Even with the state aid increase, the Board of Education must appropriate $1.7 million from the district fund balance to close the funding gap. Read the full story in The Daily Mail. Information on the Cairo-Durham 2013-14 budget can be found at the district's Web site.

Joe Gentile reports in the Register Star the Hudson Common Council voted Tues., Apr. 16, to relocate the city's Senior Center to the Hudson Armory, now owned by the Galvan Foundation. The resolution adopted by the aldermen also rescinded Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr.’s authorization to contract with the architectural design firm Spacesmith's lead architect Jane Smith on the project. Council voted in February to accept a redesign of the center on the site of the former Boys and Girls Club. Council President Don Moore defended abandoning the Spacesmith plan, saying concerns over cost was the major factor in the decision. The center’s electrical, plumbing and other construction costs were estimated at $1.3 million. Under the Galvan Foundation offer, the city will pay the nonprofit a $1.00 monthly rent, in addition to utilities, liability insurance and other minor operational costs or repairs. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Mark Arsenault and Shelley Murphy report in the Boston Globe investigators combing through the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings have found evidence that timing devices were used to detonate the bombs that exploded on Boylston Street, near the race finishing line, Mon., Apr. 15. It has also ­been determined the two bombs were probably fashioned from 6-liter pressure cookers, filled with nails and small ball bearings and then hidden in black nylon bags or backpacks and left on the ground. The two explosions, timed 12 seconds apart, killed three people and injured 176 others. More details were ­revealed Tuesday, on the three people who died — an 8-year-old boy from Dorchester, a 29-year-old woman from Medford, and a Chinese graduate student at Boston University. The FBI is leading the investigation. It has asked the public for tips on anyone who may have been lugging a heavy black bag near the finish line. The White House confirmed President Barack Obama would visit the city Thursday, to speak at an interfaith prayer service. Read the full story in the Boston Globe.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star Aaron Enfield has been named chairman of the Hudson City Democratic Committee. Enfield replaces Victor Mendolia, who stepped down as chairman last month. Enfield formerly worked for state Assembly member Didi Barrett, serving as a constituent liaison and field manager. He attended Gloversville High School and SUNY Albany. Enfield is now employed by the soon-to-open Fish and Game Restaurant in Hudson. He has been a member of the Hudson Democratic Committee for three years. The committee will begin to interview candidates or Mayor, Common Council President and Treasurer on April 23. Read the full story in the Register Star. NOTE: Victor Mendolia is a WGXC programmer.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 63F; low 39F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 63F; low 41F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

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

Today: Sunny. High near 64. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 38.

Forecast for the next three days:

Thursday: Partly sunny. High near 64. A slight chance of showers, Thurs. night. Mostly cloudy. Low around 54.
Friday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 74. South winds up to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 p.m. and midnight, then showers likely after midnight. Cloudy. Low around 48.
Saturday: A chance of showers before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 59. Mostly clear, Saturday night. Low around 32.

Sunrise today: 6:09 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:39 p.m.

Length of the day: 13:30 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Wednesday of the month.
(WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

CATSKILL at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Human Services meeting at 5 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
GHENT Planning Board session at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature meeting at 6:30 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing to accept public comment on an application for a side yard variance to build a garage at 17 Aitken Ave. in Hudson. Regular meeting to follow at 6:30 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: Boston Marathon Explosions Police Scanner Audio Tune in the police scanners during the first few chaotic moments after the Boston Marathon explosions.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Marching Bands A steel drum band covers "Transmission" by Joy Division on the streets of Manchester, England, "Billy Don't Be a Hero," by Paper Lace, "Tusk" by Fleetwood Mac, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," by Paul Simon, "Let 'Em In," by Wings, "The Recruiting Sergeant" by The Pogues, "Democracy" by Leonard Cohen, "One Tin Soldier" by The Original Caste, "Mull of Kintyre" by Wings, "Hunter" by Bjork, a version of "Radar Love" by the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band, and "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles.
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Fluorescent Grey Episode 877 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click here for playlist 877:
2 a.m.: Other Music: Reich/Radiohead Trace the connection between the minimalist composer and the rock band here, with covers of each others work, interviews, and original compositions, including an excerpt of Reich's new Radiohead tribute "Radio Rewrite."
4 a.m.: Selected Songs: Carlos Giffoni Live tracks, songs from free103point9 projects, and other works.
5 a.m.: Shortwave/Pirates: North Korean Numbers Station From "PiratesWeek" this week: "The SWLing post is reporting that a recently detected numbers station originating from North Korea. No FCC actions this week, but take a look at their interactive map of pirate radio busts. ‭Select postings from the Free Radio Network, HF Underground and note stations logged per the Free Radio Weekly International Radio Report relays a story about the FCC commissioners remarks at the NAB. ‭Off Air Recordings include the stations of: Wolverine Radio, Hardtack Radio, Radio Appalachia, XFM, Flying Dutchman Seems VOA is broadcasting digital The venture experiments with transmitting digital text and images via shortwave broadcasting." Also, "The RAIN Report," with "Professor Jeff Butterfield/N7TJB teaches in an empty classroom."

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. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, events, music and more, with host Philip Grant.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Mark Arsenault reports in the Boston Globe two bomb blasts, 12 seconds apart, rocked the finish line of the 117th running of the Boston Marathon Mon., Apr. 15, killing at least three people, including an 8-year-old boy and wounding more than 130. The blasts occurred at 2:50 p.m., several hours after the elite runners had finished the race. Flags were lowered to half-staff in Washington, D.C., and around the ­nation, as the country mourned with Boston. President Barack Obama spoke to the country, Monday night, and said the full resources of the federal government are being mobilized to investigate the explosions. (3:12)

(Bloomberg News)


A massive investigation was underway as of Monday night under the direction of the FBI, as much of the Back Bay was locked down to protect the sprawling crime scene. Marathon officials and ­police immediately ended the race after the explosions, turning runners away from Copley Square. Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star nine Columbia County runners, including members of the Kinderhook Runners Club, took part in the race and escaped the event unharmed. Other local runners, not affiliated with the club, also participated in the race and returned home safely Monday night.

Melanie Lekocevic reports in The Daily Mail a small leak in a water main near the Coxsackie Creek has caused a portion of Mansion Street in Coxsackie to be closed for several days. Mayor Mark Evans reported the leak was identified last week, but once work began the water main ruptured. A temporary fix was put into place by the Department of Public Works, but by late Sunday night the connection failed and the village was without water. Mansion Street is expected to remain closed as work continues through Wednesday. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for today for the Mohawk Valley, Capital Region and southern Vermont. There is a slight chance of non-severe thunderstorms ahead of a cold front late this afternoon into this evening. The winds will increase from the south to southwest ahead of the cold front at 15 to 30 mph with some gusts in the 35 to 45 mph range. If higher gusts occur, then a wind advisory may be needed for some locations later today. The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 66F; low 45F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 66F; low 45F.[/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 Hazardous Weather Outlook for today for the Mohawk Valley, Capital Region and southern Vermont. There is a slight chance of non-severe thunderstorms ahead of a cold front late this afternoon into this evening. The winds will increase from the south to southwest ahead of the cold front at 15 to 30 mph with some gusts in the 35 to 45 mph range. If higher gusts occur, then a wind advisory may be needed for some locations later today. The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low.

Today: A chance of showers, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 67. South wind up to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph this afternoon. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 46.

Forecast for the next three days:

Wednesday: Partly sunny. High near 66. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 41.
Thursday: Scattered showers, mainly before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 66. Isolated showers, Thurs. night. Mostly cloudy. Low around 53.
Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 72. Showers likely Fri. night. Cloudy. Low around 49.

Sunrise today: 6:11 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:38 p.m.

Length of the day: 13:27 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Tuesday of the month.
(WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

COLUMBIA COUNTY Health and Medical Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. at 401 State St. in Hudson.
DURHAM Town Board meets at 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
HILLSDALE Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall on Main Street (325-5073).
HUDSON 5:30 p.m. Finance Committee meeting; 7 p.m. Regular Common Council meeting at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville (589-6150).
LEXINGTON Town board meeting at 7 p.m., at Municipal Building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
TAGHKANIC Planning Board workshop meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall on Route 82 in West Taghkanic (851-7638).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Media Gets Some Things Wrong About Boston Marathon Explosions The New York Post reported that a Saudi national with shrapnel wounds was in custody at a Boston hospital. The Associated Press said cell phone service had been shut down in Boston to prevent someone from triggering a bomb remotely. Many outlets reported BBs in the bombs. These reports were later proved false. The Atlantic Wire traces the entire history of the rumor of the link between a small fire at the JFK Library, and how the media got those reports, and treated that information. And the Truth Broadcast Network, and others, seized on the slurry of information, some false, some true, to craft a host of conspiracy theories before anyone took credit for the explosions.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Massachusetts The Bee Gees weigh in on the state, and The Standells, Jonathan Richman, the Dropkick Murphy's, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dave Loggins, Ted Leo and others, go to Boston.
1 a.m.: Art Is? George Quasha asks the question, and a variety of folks give their answers in a marathon radio broadcast from Aug. 11, 2012.
5 a.m.: Mixt Media Audio Zine: Premiere First edition of DIY program that blends zine readings, underground press news and indie music, from DJ Frederick of the "One-Minute Zine Review."
5:30 a.m.: PCJ Media Network Plus: 20130416 Weekly international radio and media show.

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. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, events, music and more, with host Philip Grant.
10 a.m.: The World According to Lawrence: Tax Day
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News9:30 p.m.: LunarMoss: Conjure Sounds to help raise the vernal tendrils from beneath the earth . . . featuring recent releases from the sonic garage of Purling Hiss, to the psych-tinged, Herbcraft. More from Steven O'Malley's Ensemble Pearl, and Sondra Sun-Odeon.

Some of the stories that made the news, April 12 to 15:

David Lee reported in the Register Star Columbia Memorial Hospital officially opened its new Spine Institute in Hudson, Thurs., Apr. 11. The institute is the only comprehensive spine institute in the area and one of only a few in the entire capital district that addresses spine issues. It will offer a variety of treatments, including acupuncture, chiropractics and holistic medicine. Although planning for the institute began nearly two years ago the actual construction took only six months. Columbia Memorial Hospital CEO Jay Cahalan said, "This facility will take integration to another level: Physicians will have many more options for treatment -- more flexibility." Hudson Mayor William Hallenbeck Jr. was present for the opening and expressed appreciation for the contributions of all involved. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Melanie Lekocevic reported in The Daily Mail three incumbent Republicans were sworn to new terms on the Coxsackie Village Board last week. Mayor Mark Evans and trustees Stephen Hanse and Paul Sutton were re-elected unopposed in the March election. Evans said, "I am very happy to begin another term. We accomplished a lot in the past few years in this village, but I don't do any of it by myself." Evans credited the members of the Village Board, the Clerk's Office and other village employees for making the village work. In the organizational meeting that followed the swearing-in ceremony, Evans appointed Hanse deputy mayor. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Nathan Mayberg reported in the Register Star the Claverack Planning Board has a special committee to review plans for The Big Up, a three-day independent music festival scheduled for August at Hemlock Hollow Farm. Organizers must meet special conditions for the concert, including security-plan approval from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department, fire-plan approval from the Columbia County Fire Coordinator’s Office and an evacuation plan. The festival was previously held in Ghent in 2011, but the event was marred by drug arrests, noise complaints and property trespass complaints. Organizers are expected to appear before the planning board in May. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Jim Planck reported in The Daily Mail the Village of Catskill Police Department's investigation of a recent report of alcohol consumption on the grounds of Catskill High School has concluded. The allegations grew out of barbeque held in the school parking lot, March 28. Police were called in by school authorities and found a container with a vodka mix in it, but breathalyzer examinations administered produced no results. The investigation concluded Tues., Apr. 9, after one 17-year-old male was charged with underage drinking, Catskill Village Police Chief Dave Darling confirmed Thursday. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.