Danielle Sanzone reports in the Daily Freeman on the debate between incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, Republican of Kinderhook, and his Democratic challenger, Julian Schreibman of Stone Ridge, at the studios of WMHT-TV in Troy. The two aired their similarities, but mainly argued about their differences, perpetuating the turbulent campaigning seen from both candidates. Schreibman repeatedly brought up controversial abortion and Medicare bills that Gibson had voted on, Gibson challenged his opponent on multiple topics as well. Gibson repeatedly asked Schreibman to give a summary of his budget plan. The 19th Congressional District includes portions of Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Dutchess, Ulster and Montgomery counties. The third, and final debate between the two candidates take place at SUNY Oneonta next week. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Play excerpt (courtesy the Daily Freeman) (1:39)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="216"] WGXC file photo[/caption]

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail the Cairo Nature Center is now permanently open. The center, a small park around the old reservoir on Route 23 with picnic tables and hiking trails, was reopened July 25. It has remained open to the present time. “It’s a nice little destination,” said Robert Hempstead, director of Parks, Buildings and Grounds for the Town of Cairo..The park is now free and open to all. The nature center has been opened and closed a number of times, with its proponents struggling against an unenthusiastic town board. “We’d almost given up,” said Neil Schoenfeld, about their efforts to open the park. Schoenfeld said the difference was a new, more supportive group on the town board. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

 

WGXC's Chris Bishop recorded the public comment portion of the Thu., Oct. 18, 2012 Ghent town meeting, which was largely about the recent TCI industrial fire.
Play excerpts (3:30)

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 63F; low 52F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 63F; 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: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 65. Showers continue into the evening. Mostly cloudy. Low around 55.

The outlook for the next three days:

Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 67. Low around 41.
Sunday: Partly sunny. High near 64. Low around 44.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High near 66. Low around 45.

Sunrise today: 7:14 a.m.
Sunset today: 6:05 p.m.
Length of the day: 10 hrs., 51 min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Friday of the month.

WGXC is unaware of any town meetings scheduled for today.

Programming Notes


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

6 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. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
3:30 p.m.: Knock On Wood Episode 77: Untrue Facts, Definitions of Words Harry loves to read untrue facts. A team of experts have combed over each fact to make sure there isn't a grain of truth in any of them featuring guest Chris Holder. Also on the program: Attack of the 50' Woman- The Tubes Chiddie-Bee- Jimmy Durante The First Baseball Game-Nat King Cole I Hate Barney-Freda Payne
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6;30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

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


8 p.m. (live) 1 a.m. (rebroadcast): Happy Jawbone Family Band; Pocatello Album release for Pocatello. Live webstream for this, and most, shows at Spotty Dog Books & Ale available from free103point9 and WGXC at http://comm.free103point9.org:8000/spottydog.mp3.m3u. This show will be broadcast live on free103point9 Online Radio and will also air Sat. Oct. 20 at 1 a.m. on WGXC 90.7-FM, just hours after the event.
12:02 a.m. Skyline: The Script Is The Score From Skyline: "We know we live in a country where simple and often ill-informed populations have each 'new' twist dangled before them like a cat toy. Blame the messenger. Join Skyline (John Baird and Damian Catera) as they traverse the sonic subtext of our current state being, unearthing the sublime from the trash heap." Live broadcast from Jersey City, NJ.

Michael Ryan reports in the Windham Journal the loss of records in the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene in Aug. 2011, made a recent audit of the town of Prattsville particularly challenging. Independent, outside auditors were able to access the books for only one-quarter of the fiscal year 2011 for their report. However, the auditors found the financial administrators in Prattsville complied with the requirements with regard to federal funds. Municipalities that receive more than a half million in federal funds in one year must undergo a financial review. Prattsville received nearly $1.5 million in disaster grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2011. “We got a clean bill of health,” said Town Supervisor Kory O'Hara. A follow-up audit is expected for fiscal year 2012. Read the full story in the Windham Journal.

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail the preliminary 2013 budget for Durham, approved by the Town Board Tues., Oct. 16, reflects a reduction in expenses and taxes from the current year, with few major changes. Total budget decreased by less than one percent, while the tax levy will be reduced by four percent. The tax levy reduction was due to a significant savings that resulted from a change in the town's health insurance provider. The reduction in cost did not involve a reduction in benefits. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Jimmy Vielkind reports in the Times Union on the televised debate between Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and challenger Wendy Long, Wed., Oct. 17, at Skidmore College. The debate revealed clear splits between the candidates over whether New York should move forward with natural gas hydrofracking and whether abortion rights should  be upheld, gun rights and job growth. Gillibrand, a Democrat, is seeking her first full term in the U.S. Senate. She said hydrofracking should not be allowed until chemicals used in the drilling process are disclosed and studied for health effects. She also said plans must be in place for dealing with wastewater and sealing abandoned wells. Long, a Republican attorney from Manhattan, said those are "phony concerns" and asserted that hydrofracking has been "completely studied." An August poll by the Siena Research Institute found 77 percent of voters surveyed had not heard of Long, and they preferred Gillibrand 65-22 percent. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 64F; low 54F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 64F; 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: Patchy fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, sunny. High near 66. Chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 52.


The outlook for the next three days:

Friday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 65. Chance of showers late night. Mostly cloudy. Low around 52.
Saturday: Isolated showers. Partly sunny. High near 66. Cloudy overnight. Low around 41.
Sunday: Partly sunny. Low around 41. Clear overnight. Low around 42.

Sunrise today: 7:12 a.m.
Sunset today: 6:09 p.m.
Length of the day: 10 hrs., 57min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Thursday of the month.
(WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm meeting 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 Department of 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).
KINDERHOOK Historical Committee meeting at 7 p.m., Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).

Programming Notes


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


6 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. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
2 p.m.: Between the Lines: Jack Ketchum Stephen King called him probably the scariest guy in America. What better way to get in the mood for Halloween than to tune into a conversation with famed horror writer Jack Ketchum, winner of four Bram Stoker awards and author of twelve bone-chilling books, some of which have been made into cult films such as The Woman and The Girl Next Door. In anticipation of his talk, "Talking Scars," about turning your fears into fiction, at Beattie-Powers Place in Catskill on October 27 at 5 p.m., Ketchum discusses what makes a good horror story, the boundaries he will not cross, and what scares him. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Hosted by Ann Forbes-Cooper.
3 p.m. Radio Theatre: Stories from Edgar Allan Poe First Nelson Olmsted reads "A Cask of Amontillado" and "The Fall of the House of Usher" from "Tales of Terror." Then, Basil Rathbone reads "Alone" and "The City in the Sea" from "Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe."
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6;30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

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

Kyle Wind writes in the Daily Freeman Congressman Chris Gibson and challenger Julian Schreibman disagree on elements of the federal Affordable Health Care Act. Gibson, Republican from Kinderhook, has indicated his desire to repeal and replace the health-care overhaul law, while Schreibman, Democrat from Stone Ridge, says he wants to keep the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act intact and improve it. Gibson wants to see the legislation repealed, he said, because although well-intentioned, the law is not making health care more affordable or accessible. Schreibman has said the law has allowed the nation to take steps toward realizing universal access to good, quality health care. The two men are competing in the November general election for the seat in New York's new 19th Congressional District. The district encompasses Columbia, Greene, Sullivan, Ulster, Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie counties, and parts of Montgomery, Rensselaer and Dutchess counties. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Glenn Blain reports in the Daily News Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said he will block salary hikes for state legislators until "the people's agenda" is resolved. Lawmakers have recently been clamoring for their first salary increase since 1999. Cuomo told reporters Tues., Oct. 16, he would not even consider a pay raise unless "...the people's business was being done in a thorough, responsible way." Cuomo's agenda includes a minimum wage hike and his own proposal to decriminalize small-scale marijuana possession. Cuomo supports a raise in the minimum wage, but has not specified how large an increase he is looking for. The Legislature is in recess until January, but there is speculation the Assembly and Senate will reconvene after Election Day to give themselves a raise. Read the full story in the Daily News.

Rick Karlin reports in the Times Union a critical deadline in the debate over hydrofracking in New York is less than two months away, but participants in the pro-drilling rally Mon., Oct. 15, in Albany, said they have already waited too long. Supporters of the controversial natural gas drilling technique gathered at the Corning Preserve on the Hudson River and then marched up State Street to the Capitol. The protesters said New York was in danger of losing an opportunity for thousands of jobs and economic development in a hard-pressed area of the state. The rally came as the state Department of Environmental Conservation approaches a Nov. 29 deadline for issuing regulations for hydrofracking. If that deadline passes without an extension, the public comment period could be reopened, which could easily move back by several months any final approval for hydrofracking. Read the full story in the Times Union.

NYSNYS News Q&A with Republican state Sen. Tom Libous of Binghamton following the rally (1:38)

W.T. Eckert reports in The Daily Mail on the forum held in Saugerties, Mon., Oct. 15, with two candidates in the newly drawn 102nd Assembly District race. Current 127th District Assemblyman Pete Lopez, Republican of Schoharie, and Jimmy Miller, Democrat of Albany, talked issues at the event, hosted by the League of Women Voters. The debate included issues around hydrofracking, job creation and women's rights. Both candidates said they were in the race to help people and serve the community. "It is about the people, it is about helping individuals, it is about helping businesses and it is about growing this area," Miller said. “I am focused on you,” Lopez said, “because my belief is that you are an extension of my family. You are individuals who are part of a fabric of this community...." Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star the proposal to replace the existing Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Philmont with a new building has been granted conditional approval by the state Department of Health. The proposal calls for replacement of the existing facility with another twice the size. Pine Haven is owned and operated by Columbia County. Base construction costs for the new structure are estimated at $32 million. Detailed construction drawings must now be produced and submitted to the state for approval before bidding on the construction phase of the project can begin. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 61F; low 43F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 59F; 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:

Today: Mostly sunny. High near 62. Partly cloudy tonight. Low around 41.

The outlook for the next two days:

Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 66. Chance of showers after 8 p.m. Showers likely overnight. Cloudy. Low around 52.
Friday: Periods of rain. High near 67. Showers likely overnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 53.
Saturday: A chance of showers before 8 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 66. Cloudy overnight. Low around 44.

Sunrise today: 7:11 a.m.
Sunset today: 6:10 p.m.
Length of the day: 10 hrs., 59 min.

Town meetings

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

CATSKILL at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Human Services meeting at 4 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 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

Programming Notes


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


6 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. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
2 p.m.: Your Friendly Neighborhood Economist: Alderman John F. Friedman Presidential election economic coverage continues. Also, Hudson Alderman John F. Friedman (D-Hud3) will discuss housing issues, plus a wrap up of the economic news of the area. Hosted by Tom Masterson.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6;30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

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

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="225"] Congressional candidate Julian Schreibman speaks to a supporter in Hudson, Monday.
(Photo by Noah Reibel)[/caption]

19th Congressional District candidate Julian Schreibman made a campaign appearance in Hudson, at the gazebo at the water's edge in a rain-soaked Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, late in the afternoon, Mon., Oct. 15. In his remarks, Schreibman focused on his environmental platform, and criticized opponent first-term Congressman, Republican Chris Gibson, for his support of nuclear power. Following his public comments, Schreibman spoke with WGXC's Noah Reibel, commenting on Gibson's environmental record, the candidates' opposing positions on Medicare and Social Security, and the "divisiveness" of Tea Party politics.
Play the full interview. (7:14)
Julian Schreibman's remarks at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. (6:02)

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail the Columbia-Greene Community College Board of Trustees is considering the possibility of building its own student housing. The administration believes on-campus housing may be a way to make the school more competitive and draw students from outside the twin counties. Shrinking enrollment in the school systems that feed the college continues to be a concern for the board. According to CGCC President James Campion, during the next 10 years, some local schools could see graduating classes as small as 25 students. The college is currently conducting a study on the feasibility of building dormitories at the school's Greenport campus. A report on the study is due in January. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Ariel Zanga is reporting in the Daily Freeman appraisals must be obtained for properties severely damaged by Tropical Storm Irene and whose owners want to participate in a federal buyout program. During committee meetings Mon., Oct. 15, Greene County lawmakers gave initial approval to a resolution to seek appraisal services for 11 properties being considered for the buyout program. The county Legislature is expected to vote on the resolution during its monthly meeting Wednesday. Under the program, owners who are bought out receive 75 percent of the property’s pre-storm appraised value. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 54F; low 36F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 57F; low 36F.[/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: Isolated showers between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 58. Clear overnight. Low around 37.

The outlook for the next two days:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 63. Cloudy overnight. Low around 44.
Thursday: Slight chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 67. Chance of showers after 8 p.m. Cloudy overnight. Low around 48.
Friday: Showers likely. Cloudy. High near 64. A chance of showers Friday night. Low around 52.

Sunrise today: 7:09 a.m.
Sunset today: 6:12 p.m.
Length of the day: 11 hrs., 03 min.

Town meetings

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

Programming Notes


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


6 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. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
3 p.m.: Swagger Radio A music program produced by 8-10-year-old participants in the "We Make Radio!" workshop held at the Hudson Area Library, Sat., Oct. 13. Tune in to hear some of Hudson's young voices in their radio premiere, as they introduce their favorite songs and discuss music, life and love. Produced by Sara Kendall and Shannekia McIntosh.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6;30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News
9 p.m.: Live broadcast of the Second Presidential Debate between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney, from Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. The debate will run from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Post-debate analysis will be provided by Battlefield Earth's Dan Seward from 10:30 p.m. to midnight.

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

Stories that made the news, October 13-14, 2012.

Kyle Hughes reported in the Daily Freeman Republican state Assemblyman George Amedore has raised four times as much money as Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk (pronounced: KAT-chik) in the race for New York’s 46th Senate District seat. Amedore reported more than half a million in donations received; Tkaczyk has collected $133,000 in contributions. Amedore has out-spent his opponent nearly four to one, since July. Amedore has received financial support from the business community, including the owners of Price Chopper supermarkets and Marini Builders, Time Warner Cable and former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. Tkaczyk's donors include state Sen. Gustavo Rivera and Emily's List. The 46th Senate District comprises parts of Ulster, Schenectady and Albany counties, and all of Montgomery and Greene counties. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="224"] North Dock Tin Boat Assn. (July 2012)
(courtesy upstateearth.blogspot.com)[/caption]

Tom Casey reported in the Register Star Hudson Mayor William Hallenbeck Jr. is urging the Common Council to quickly decide what it intends to do with the city-owned North Bay property once home to the North Dock Tin Boat Association. In a letter to the Council, Hallenbeck site the liability associated with the city's ownership of the parcel, along with a string of recent break-ins as the reason to expedite the decision-making process. The Columbia Land Conservancy's plan for a park in the area is expected to be discussed at the Oct. 18 meeting of the Council's Economic Development Committee. Read the full story in the Register Star.

The Hudson, Chatham and Coxsackie-Athens school districts received qualifying scores for funding under the Strengthening Teacher and Leader Efectiveness program, the state Education Department announced last week. However, the funding will not flow to those districts yet. Not until all three have a teacher evaluation plans completed and approved by state education officials. The grants in question are intended to support school districts in their efforts to recruit, develop and retain effective teachers and school leaders. All school districts must have a state-approved evaluation plan in place no later than Jan. 13, 2013, or risk the loss of funding. Read the full story at unmuffled.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="186"] Shaker Swamp
(courtesy clctrust.org)[/caption]

Karrie Allen reported in the Register Star 1,300 acres of land in New Lebanon and Canaan are at risk of going unprotected, if funding for the Mount Lebanon Forest Legacy Project is cut by federal officials. The endangered acreage surrounds the Mount Lebanon Shaker Society National Historic Landmark and the adjacent Shaker Swamp. The mountain range and swamp have been identified by the state as a significant biodiversity area. If funding falls through, development is a significant possibiilty because the properties are highly desirable locations for weekend, or second-home development, a spokesman for the Columbia Land Conservancy told the paper. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Billy Shannon reported in the Register Star the Columbia County Sheriff's Office has confirmed Kyle Pember, the Massachusetts man who disappeared during a hike near Bash Bish Falls in Copake last week, will not face criminal charges. The police said Pember, 28, intentionally stayed in the woods for 36 hours while dozens of responders searched the area. The man was eventually located after he used his cell phone to call Columbia County 911. The cost of the rescue effort is still unknown and it is unknown if Columbia County will take legal action against Pember to recoup those costs anytime in the near future. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 68F; low 43F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 64F; low 46F.[/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 before 4 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., then a chance of showers after 5 p.m. Cloudy. High near 69. Tonight, chance of showers, mainly before 9 p.m. Cloudy, then becoming partly cloudy. Low around 45.

The outlook for the next two days:

Tuesday: Partly sunny. High near 57. Low around 38.
Wednesday: Partly sunny. High near 65. Cloudy overnight. Low around 46.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 68. Chance of showers, Thurs. night. Mostly cloudy. Low around 48.

Sunrise today: 7:08 a.m.
Sunset today: 6:13 p.m.
Length of the day: 11 hrs., 05 min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Monday of the month.
(WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm meeting 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).

WGXC Radio Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., 704 Columbia St., Hudson The WGXC Radio Council will meet to discuss the Council transition plan, policy updates, committee reports, and fundraising. WGXC Council meetings are open to public observation. The last 15 minutes of the meeting are reserved for public participation. Anyone in attendance wishing to participate will have equal time to address the Council, beginning at 8:30 p.m.

Programming Notes


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


6 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. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: As It Is On Earth will feature an interview with Peter Matthiessen Wheelwright about his new novel, "As It Is On Earth". Wheelwright is an architect and associate professor at the School of Constructed Environments Parsons The New School for Design in New York City. Set in New England over seven days at the end of the Millennium 1999, "As It Is On Earth," published in September, follows a young college professor from a fallen family of Maine Puritans who is trying to come to terms with his family’s history and religious legacy. We'll also talk to Aily Nash about legendary Philippine filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik's "Perfumed Nightmare," - a semi-autobiographical fable that tells the story of Tahimik's awakening to and reaction against American cultural colonialism, screening on Thursday at the Basilica Hudson. We'll hear excerpts from the Fall Conference at the Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College, called "Does the President Matter?" Plus local headlines, events, and music, with host Sara Kendall.
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6;30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News


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