The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued an emergency statewide ban on residential brush burning through October 10, due to drought conditions, according to a press release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office on Fri., July 13. Violators of the open burning state regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions. In addition, the DEC will suspend all burning permits previously issued. A moratorium on new permits is now in effect through October 10. At least two small outdoor fires were reported Wed., July 10 in Greene County.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 93F; low 64F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 91F low 68F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

Today, Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny. High near 93; low around 66.

The outlook for the next three days:

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High near 95; low around 70. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 90; low around 62.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 84; low around 60.

Sunrise today: 5:32 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:30 p.m.
Length of the day: 14 hrs., 58 min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Monday of the month.
(WGXC 90.7-FM 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).

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="350"]Hudson Opera House plans.[/caption]Tom Casey in the Register-Star reports that the Hudson Common Council backed the Hudson Opera House Rural Area Revitalization Projects grant to put an elevator in the Opera House at a special meeting Thu., July 12. The elevator will go from the basement to the ballroom on the second floor. That ballroom still needs much work, but once open, will hold 300. See the full story in the Register-Star.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Crossroads Brewery webcam image during Athens Street Festival.[/caption]

Above, Crossroads Brewery also has a live webcam at rilfinley.com. Jess Puglisi and Ron Pulhulski's video guided tour of the Athens Street Festival is below.

Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) kicks off his re-election campaign this weekend with stops in Schoharie and Delaware counties on Sat., July 14, and opening his campaign office in Kingston Mon., July 16. At 11 a.m. Saturday Gibson will march in the Jefferson Heritage Day Parade at Jefferson Central School in Schoharie County. At 3 p.m. Sat., July 14 he'll be at the Sidney Arts & Music Festival on Main Street in Sidney. Mon., July 16 from 6-8 p.m. Gibson opens his campaign headquarters at 612 Ulster Avenue in Kingston with a speech. Gibson faces Democrat Julian Schreibman in November, and Schreibman was at the Athens Street Festival Sat., July 14, interviewed live on WGXC. He will also be at a Democratic fundraiser from 6-8 p.m. Thu., July 19 in New Baltimore. The Greene County Democratic Committee hosts Schreibman in a $20-per gathering at Yanni's Cucina on Rt. 144 in New Baltimore.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $9 million in flood mitigation and flood control grants Fri., July 13, through the NY Works program to 23 counties to help restore and rehabilitate New York’s waterways that were impacted by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Locally the money goes to:

GREENE COUNTY
$500,000 awarded + $378,222 matching grant = $878,222

• Kaaterskill Creek (Town of Catskill) – The project will stabilize the banks of the Kaaterskill Creek along both Katterskill Avenue and Mill Road to provide long term protection from erosion. Total Project Cost = $332,827; Total Grant Award = $94,060
• Ashland Well Head Protection (Ashland) – The project will restore the Batavia Kill to pre-flood characteristics and stabilize the eroded stream using a flood plain bench, rock rip rap and bioengineering. Total Project Cost = $922,786; Total Grant Award = $230,696
• CR6 (Town of Lexington) – The project will stabilize the West Kill Creek along CR6 to prevent future slope failures. CR6 is the sole ingress and egress to the West Kill valley. Total Project Cost = $1,038,239; Total Grant Award = $34,560
• Glen Avenue (Village of Hunter) – The project will replace the undersized Glen Avenue culvert which conveys an unnamed tributary of the Schoharie Creek. The proper sizing of the culvert correct continuous damage to Glen Avenue, provide stream stability, as well as provide aquatic organism passage. Total Project Cost = $161,925; Total Grant Award = $86,925
• Apple Hill Stream Restoration (Town of Jewett) – The project will remove an existing berm reconnecting the East Kill to its floodplain and stabilize the two slope failures which are significant sources of sediment loading to the East Kill. Total Project Cost = $900,552; Total Grant Award = $53,759.


COLUMBIA COUNTY
$302,500 awarded + $33,064 matching grant = $335,564

• Bash Bish Creek Flood Debris Removal, Stream Channel Restoration, Stream Bank Restoration (Copake) – This project includes the removal of flood debris, removal of a gravel bar, stream bank stabilization, and stream channel restoration along a ¾ mile section of the Bash Bish Creek in the Town of Copake. Total Project Cost = $202,000; Total Grant Award= $103,771.
• Roeliff Jansen Kill Creek Repair of Stream Bank Stabilization Measure (Livingston) – This project includes restoring a previously installed stream bank protection measure that was damaged and partially eroded within the Town of Livingston. Total Project Cost = $16,000; Total Grant Award = $16,000.
• Shaker Road Bridge Scour Protection (New Lebanon) – This project includes repairing erosion at the abutments and wing walls of the Shaker Road Bridge where it crosses the Wyomanock Creek within the Town of New Lebanon. This is an NRCS EWP eligible project. Total Project Cost = $20,000; Total Grant Award = $5,000.
• Taghkanic Creek Flood Debris Removal and Stream Channel Restoration (Taghkanic) – This project involves the removal of flood debris, stream channel restoration and limited stream bank restoration along a 4,000 foot segment of Taghkanic Creek within the Town of Taghkanic. Total Project Cost = $58,000; Total Grant Award = $58,000.
• Wyomanock Creek Flood Debris and Stream Bank Stabilization (New Lebanon) – This project includes the removal of downed and debris located within the main stream channel of Woomanock Creek within the Town of New Lebanon. There are also areas of stream bank erosion that are eroding at an accelerated rate and this project also includes vegetative practices such as brush matting, live stake plantings or similar practices to stabilize the banks and limit future erosion. Total Project Cost = $17,500; Total Grant Award = $17,500.
• Green River Flood Debris Removal Gravel Bar Removal and Stream Channel Restoration (Austerlitz) – The scope of this project only includes segment 3 of the Lower Green River and involves debris removal, gravel bar removal and stream bank restoration in order to protect the Old Hotel Camp, Greenhouses, Upper Hollow Bridge, and River Road. The first and second segments of this project are not approved for funding. Total Project Cost = $6,213; Total Grant Award = $4,000.
• Punsit Creek Flood Debris Removal, Stream Bank Stabilization, Stream Bank Restoration and Gravel Bar Removal (Austerlitz) – While difficult to precisely locate there are four portions of this stream segment that have various degrees of stream bank erosion/damage and debris and gravel that need to be removed. Portions of this stream segment are impacting culverts associated with the Taconic State Parkway. Total Project Cost = $34,800; Total Grant Award = $27,900.
• Indian Brook to NYS Route 203 from the Taconic State Parkway (TSP) Indian Brook Flood Debris Removal, Stream bank Stabilization, Stream bank Restoration, Stream Channel Restoration and Gravel Bar Removal (Austerlitz) - This stream segment that have sections where stream bank erosion/damage has occurred and debris and gravel that need to be removed. Total Project Cost = $31,360; Total Grant Award = $25,350.

After the jump, see Schoharie, Albany, Dutchess, Ulster, Delaware, and Rensselear county awards.


ALBANY COUNTY
$434,257 awarded + $29,722 matching grant = $463,979

• Town of Westerlo (Blue House) Basic Creek (DSR-A-TW-07) – The project will install rock protection at the toe and on the lower slope to approximately 6 feet high with reinforced earth (w/geogrid and fill 15 feet depth) on the upper slope of Basic Creek, debris removal at site and install rock vanes in the stream channel. The site will be planted with live willow stakes for stabilization purposes. Total Project cost = $257,616; Total grant award = $67,945.
• Town of Westerlo Tan Hollow Road (DSR-A-TW-02) – The project will install 365 linear feet of rock rip rap along road/stream bank, debris removal, install rock stream barbs and V-notch weir and willow live stake plantings. Project will include 10 ft. keys and 2:1 Side Slopes with 30' bottom width, 4' high rock rip rap proposed with rock weir and 2-3 stream barbs. The site will be planted with live willow stakes at rock slope toe. One weir will be installed near existing large rocks in stream and leaning trees and snags will be removed. Total Project cost = $96,284; Total grant award = $27,612.
• Town of Westerlo Lobdell Road Basic Creek (DSR-A-TW-03) – The project involves installing approximately 220 linear feet of rock rip rap 4 feet high along bank. A culvert will be installed to accommodate high flows at the inlet of the mill run. The pass will be blocked off so the stream stays in its channel. To allow for flow at the outlet a 150 linear feet rock lined channel will be installed. The site will be vegetated and live willow stakes will be planted at the rock slope base. Total Project cost = $136,578; Total grant award = $37,685.
• Town of Rensselaerville Dry Hydrant Catskill Creek (DSR-A-TR-05) – The project involves installing rock rip rap approximately 9 foot high 400 linear foot long to armor the stream bank for the entire reach of where the road was replaced. This will prevent Catskill Creek from washing out the road and hindering access. Total Project cost = $263,600; Total grant award = $77,691.
• Town of Rensselaerville Medusa Dry Hydrant (DSR-A-CA-06) – The project involves the installation of pinned and stacked rock wall on bedrock along the stream bottom for approximately 275 feet, 6-8 feet high and backfilled with rock. Total Project cost = $118,549; Total grant award = $33,178.
• Snyder Lane Bridge (DSR-A-TR-04) - The north-west wing wall of the bridge over the Catskill Creek on Snyder lane in Preston Hollow is in danger of failing from stream bank erosion undermining. The project consists of installing approximately 75 linear feet of heavy rock rip rap upstream from the wing wall to a large stable rock on the west stream bank. The rip rap will be approximately 6-8 feet high along the bank with medium sized rock over geo-textile fabric. Larger rock will be placed along the toe of the Creek with a minimum of three feet in diameter. A small tributary that enters into the Catskill Creek upstream of the bridge will be lined with rip rap for 50 feet up stream and 12 feet wide. Total Project cost = $44,084; Total grant award = $14,562.
• Albany County Department of Public Works (DSR-A-TR-02-03) – The site 2 project includes exposed dual culvert abutments and road side streambank failure within two feet of the road for approximately 265 feet of County Route 352 along west bank of Fox Creek. The west bank culvert head wall will have an eight foot pinned rock wall. Approximately 64 feet of the stream bank will be stabilized with a six foot sloped rock wall. The east bank will have an eight foot pinned wall for 20 feet and a six foot wall for approximately 95 feet. Because of the proximity of the stream and road, failure is potentially imminent and mitigation is necessary. Site 3 includes an exposed culvert abutment along with streambank stabilization. A culvert headwall will be installed and 60 feet of County Route 352 along the east bank of Fox Creek will have a 25 foot pinned rock wall. Approximately 85 feet of County Route 253 along east bank of Fox Creek will have a 12 foot sloped rock wall. Rock veins will be installed to prevent head cutting in stream channel. Project Scope Limitation: Include only Sites 2 and 3. Site 1 has been eliminated from consideration to do landowner control issues. Total Project cost = $385,688; Total grant award = $99,963.
• Town of New Scotland Countryman Road Slide (DSR-A-TNS-01) – The road was washed out from stream impact and slope failure. The slope failure has a vertical height of 85 feet. A combination of stacked and pinned rock, slope protection and bioengineering will be installed 12 feet high. Geotextile and geogrid will be used to shore up the slope to a designed grade with adequate protection to prevent future slope failure. Total Project cost = $143,636; Total grant award = $47,700.
• Wolf Hill Road (DSR-A-TNS-02) - There is active erosion occurring along all wing walls of the Wolf Hill Road Bridge over the Onesquethaw Creek. The project involves installing heavy rock rip rap at the four bridge abutments for approximately 50 linear feet at each abutment. This will consist of 200 linear feet at six feet high. There will be two cross V-notch vanes at the inlet and outlet of the bridge to direct channel flow of the steam towards the center of the bridge openings and at downstream outlet. Pining the toe rock and vanes will be necessary in most of the rock placement areas. Live willow stakes will be planted at the stream toe along the project site. Total Project cost = $47,566; Total grant award = $15,432.
• Hill and Dale Road DSR-A-TK-01 – The stream bank is eroding putting the Hill and Dale Road at risk of washing out completely. The project consists of removing two large leaning trees on the banks. Approximately 100 linear feet at five feet high of medium rock rip rap from the tributary culvert to the utility pole on road/ stream bank will also be installed. The planting of willow stakes will also be planted along the project location. Total Project cost = $35,794; Total grant award = $12,489.

DELAWARE COUNTY
$500,000 awarded + $173,462 matching grants = $673,462

• County Route 35 (Sidney) – The project will replace four culverts along an unnamed stream tributary to Willow Brook in the hamlet of Sidney Center to reduce future flooding and protect public and private infrastructure. The culverts are located at Anderson Avenue, a private driveway, County Route 35 and Finch Avenue. Total Project Cost = $1,188,889.53; Total Grant Award = $343,872
• Johnson Road (Harpersfield) – The project will stabilize approximately 550’ of an unnamed stream that runs along Johnson Road. The stream bed and bank will be stabilized with a slope rock wall and a portion of stream channel and point bar will be excavated to create a floodplain bench. The improvements will prevent further damage to public infrastructure. Total Project Cost = $205,485; Total Grant Award = $51,371.25
• Secrest Road (Deposit) – The project will stabilize 75’ of stream bed and bank along Secrest Road by installing a stacked and pinned rock wall along with vegetative reinforced slope stabilization. The improvements will prevent further damage to public infrastructure. Total Project Cost = $249,109.50; Total Grant Award = $62,277.38
• Houck Mountain Road (Walton) – The project will repair the headwall to a culvert that runs under Houck Mountain Road. Activities to be completed include: replacement of headwall; creation of a new plunge pool; and protection of 22’ of road by stabilizing the streambank and installing four engineered rock riffles to prevent future damage to public infrastructure. Total Project Cost = $49,600; Total Grant Award = $12,400
• Readburn Road Site #2 (Tompkins) – The project will stabilize 130 feet of stream bed and bank along Readburn Road using 100’ of stacked and pinned rock wall and 30’ of rip rap. The stabilization measures will to protect public infrastructure. Total Project Cost =
$62,128.20; Total Grant Award = $15,532.05
• Rock Rift Mountain Road (Tompkins) – The project will stabilize 75’ of stream bed and bank along Rock Rift Mountain Road using a stacked and pinned rock wall. The stabilization measures will prevent future damage to public infrastructure. Total Project Cost = $33,723; Total Grant Award = $8,430.75
• Readburn Road Site #1 (Tompkins) – The project will stabilize 30’ of stream bed and bank along Readburn Road using a stacked and pinned rock wall. The stabilization measures will prevent future damage to public infrastructure. Total Project Cost =
$24,464.80; Total Grant Award = $6,116.20


DUTCHESS COUNTY
$307,682 total

• County Route 43 along Wappinger Creek. This project is co-funded by the NRCS EWP program. The project consists of removing 160 cubic yards of debris and the reconstruction of the flood channel removing approximately 790 cubic yards of gravel. Total Project Cost = $130,070.89; Total Grant Award= $47,374.39.
• Wappinger Creek in the Town of Pleasant Valley and requires the removal of 75 cubic yards of debris that is completely blocking the stream channel. This blockage is causing the stream bank to erode near residential structures. Access to the site is difficult and large excavator is necessary due to the size of the debris. Total Project Cost = $31,286.89; Total Grant Award= $30,668.89.
• Wappinger Creek in Town of Pleasant Valley requires the removal of approximately 200 cubic yards of debris. Site access and landing requires large excavators and trucks. This site is choked with debris so that water backs up and floods the Town Hall and State Route 44. Total Project Cost = $56,120.83; Total Grant Award= $55,334.83.
• County Route 79 at Red Hook Park and involves the removal of approximately 1,000 feet of debris from the stream channel. The project requires a large excavator, small truck and also involves the removal of 180 cubic yards of material. Site access should not be an issue. Total Project Cost = $41,098.35; Total Grant Award= $40,280.35.
• County Route 7 in Town of Beekman along Fishkill Creek. This project involves debris and gravel bar removal to unblock the stream channel. Approximately 50 feet of stream bank will be stabilized and 50 cubic yards of debris and 30 cubic yards of gravel will be removed. Total Project Cost = $37,784.84; Total Grant Award= $37,221.84.
• County Route 49 & 21 Trip to Wappinger Creek in the Town of Lagrange. This project involves the removal of approximately 30 cubic yards from two sites where the channel is completely blocked. A mini & large excavator will be used to remove the materials and a truck will haul material away from sites. Access to this site is difficult. Total Project Cost = $15,026.66; Total Grant Award= $14,741.66.
• County Route 3 along Wassaic Creek in the Town of Amenia. This project involves removing four large debris deposits that are directing stream flow toward a resident and Town Court building. Three large & mini excavators will remove approximately 250 cubic yards of debris. Access to this site is difficult. Total Project Cost = $49,218.62; Total Grant Award= $48,378.62.
• County Route 251 along Wappinger Creek in the Town of Pleasant Valley. Approximately 160 cubic yards of material will be removed including large woody debris deposited in a field just north of the flood control structure. Total Project Cost = $17,367.72; Total Grant Award= $16,833.72.
• County Route 61 along Webatuck Creek in the Town of North East. Project includes debris removal in and around the bridge. Total Project Cost = $17,688.62; Total Grant Award= $16,848.62.


RENSSELAER COUNTY
$341,260 total

• Bonesteel Creek County Road 79 and Blue Factory Road (DSR-R-CR-01) – This project will stabilize 165 feet of stream bank along Bonesteel Creek using rock rip rap. This project will construct a 165 foot rock wall, 6 feet high, with 15 feet keys into stable banks on both sides. Two v-notch vanes and two stream barbs will be installed in the stream channel. Jute netting with seeding and live willow stakes will be installed above the rock wall. Total Project Cost = $120,328; Total Grant Award= $30,713.
• Dill Brook County Road 94 – Dill Brook Road (DSR-R-CR-02) – This project will stabilize 625 feet of stream bank along Dill Brook using rock rip rap. Rock rip rap will be installed 625 feet by six feet high with 15 foot keys into the stream bank on both ends. A 3 foot by 3 foot by 3 foot rock toe will also be installed at the base. The project also includes the installation of 2 –3 stream barbs to center flow in the stream channel and the planting of willow stakes. Total Project Cost = $256,751; Total Grant Award= $62,439.
• Tackawasick River County Road 21 and Dunham Hollow Road (DSR-RCR-03) – This project will stabilize 210 feet of stream bank along the Tachawasick River using rock rip rap. Rock rip rap will be installed 210 feet long by 4 feet high, with 15 foot keys into the stream bank on both ends. A 3 foot by 3 foot by 3 foot rock toe will also be installed at the base. The project also includes the installation of 2 –3 stream barbs to center flow in the stream channel and the planting of willow stakes. Total Project Cost = $76,823; Total Grant Award= $20,595.
• Hackett Route 346 and Hoosic River – This project will relocate the Hoosic River bank back to its original channel. Project is located on Tax ID: 68.-2-3. Total Project Cost = $36,057; Total Grant Award= $36,057.
• Evergreen Oxbow Route 346 and Hoosic River - This project will stabilize 900 feet along the south bank of the Hoosic River using rip rap. Project is located on Tax ID: 68.-2-9.21. Total Project Cost = $66,557; Total Grant Award= $66,557.
• Evergreen Oxbow Route 346 and Hoosic River – This project will create a flood channel across the oxbow of the Hoosic River. The flood channel will carry flows during high water events and reduce stream bank erosion along the south bank of the oxbow. Project is located on Tax ID: 68.-2-9.21. Total Project Cost = $11,557; Total Grant Award= $11,557.
• Smith Route 67 and Hoosic River - This project will stabilize 550 feet of stream bank along the Hoosic River using rock rip rap. A 2 foot by 2 foot rock base followed by a 1.5:1 sloped rock bank will also be constructed. Each end of the rip rap will be keyed into stable banks. Total Project Cost = $31,057; Total Grant Award= $31,057.
• Herrington Welch and Creek Road – This project will stabilize 370 feet of stream bank along the Poestenkill Creek using rip rap. A 2 foot by 2 foot rock base followed by a 1.5:1 sloped rock bank will also be constructed. Each end of the rip rap will be keyed into stable banks. In addition, 3 stream barbs will be constructed to direct water back to the middle of the stream channel. Total Project Cost = $22,057; Total Grant Award= $22,057.
• Evergreen Bruce Route 346 and Hoosic River - This project will stabilize 400 feet of stream bank along the south side of the Hoosic River using rock rip rap. Project is located on Tax ID: 68.-2-9.21. Total Project Cost = $19,557; Total Grant Award= $19,557.


SCHOHARIE COUNTY
$500,000 awarded + $4,803,374 matching grant = $5,303,374

• Line Creek – Two miles of Line Creek will be cleared of debris and gravel deposits to restore flow capacity. In addition the project will require evaluation and reworking of the hard bank stabilization techniques used by emergency contractors. Natural stream design techniques will be used to restore Line Creek to pre-storm conditions. Once restoration is complete bioengineering techniques will be incorporated to provide soil stabilization and habitat improvement. This project protects four bridges and multiple residences. Total Project Cost = $4,754,180; Total Grant Award = $500,000


ULSTER COUNTY
$359,347 awarded + $298,765 matching grant =$658,112

• Ida Lane (Village of Ellenville) – The project will use natural stream design techniques to stabilize the stream running along Ida Lane and remove two large debris piles in the stream channel. The removal of debris will allow the stream to return to the original channel and protect Ida Lane which was reduced to one lane. Total Project Cost = $291,948; Total Grant Award = $73,127.
• River Road (Town of Lloyd) – The project will stabilize streambanks along the Twaalsfskill Creek above the Village of Highland sewage treatment plant and along River Road. The work will address the significant damage to municipal infrastructure sustained as a result of Hurricane Irene. Total Project Cost = $101,270; Total Grant Award = $25,457.50
• Drummond Falls Road (Town of Saugerties) – The project will stabilize the Kaaterskill Creek realigning the approach to the Drummond Falls Bridge. Large deposits of woddy debris will be removed, a bench with cross veins will be created and 150’ of stacked rock wall will be constructed to keep the stream from cutting behind the bridge abutments. Total Project Cost = $178,920; Total Grant Award = $44,870
• Old Greenfield Road (Town of Wawarsing) – The project will stabilize the West Beerkill protecting Old Greenfield Road. A stacked rock wall with grade control structures will
be constructed to redirect flow toward the centerline of the stream. Total Project Cost = $148,453; Total Grant Award = $37,253.25
• Buckley Road (Town of Ulster) – The project will protect the Town’s waterline, sewerline and a residence. The stabilization consists of sloped rock rip rap up to 6’ and will be planted with vegetation. Total Project Cost = $81,978; Total Grant Award = $20,634.50
• Lewis Road (Town of Wawarsing) – The project will stabilize streambank along Sandburg Creek to protect Lewis Road. Lewis Road is the sole access for year round residents and serves as the only access for emergency services, utilities and requires Town services, (i.e., snow plowing). Total Project Cost = $93,872; Total Grant Award = $23,608
• Bradken Road (Town of Olive) – The project will stabilize streambank along Traver Hollow to protect Bradken Road, a Town road that is the sole access for year round
residents. The road is eroding in low flow conditions and is the only access for emergency services, power, utilities and requires Town services. A downstream culvert has been replaced and the streambank upstream requires stabilization to protect the new culvert. Total Project Cost = $115,280; Total Grant Award = $28,960
• Dry Brook Road (Town of Hardenburgh) – The project will stabilize Dry Brook by constructing a stacked rock wall, large dumped rock rip rap, skimming gravel bar and removing storm debris. The work will protect Dry Brook Road, Millbrook Road and the Town of Hardenburgh garage from future flooding events. Total Project Cost = $39,647; Total Grant Award = $10,051.75
• Millbrook Road (Town of Hardenburgh) – The project will stabilize streambanks along Millbrook Creek to protect Millbrook Road by replacing a failing concrete block wall with a stacked rock wall. Millbrook Road is the main access road into the Millbrook Valley through the Town of Hardenburgh for commerce, emergency services, and utilities. Total Project Cost = $34,694; Total Grant Award = $8,813.50
• Fox Hollow Road (Town of Shandaken) – The project will stabilize streambanks on Fox Hollow Creek with the construction of a grade control structure to raise the streambed to an elevation to protect Fox Hollow Road, Muller Road and a bridge. Total Project Cost = $47,444; Total Grant Award = $12,001
• Maben Hollow Road (Town of Shandaken/Ulster County DPW) – The project will stabilize the Esopus Creek to protect Maben Hollow road, County Route 47 and the bridge over Little Peck Hollow Creek. The planned repairs include the removal of approximately 350 yards of debris around the County Route 47 bridge that currently has about 10% capacity. In addition, approximately 70 feet of stacked rock wall will be stabilized adjacent to Maben Hollow Road. Total Project Cost = $90,158; Total Grant Award = $22,679.50
• High Street Water Pumping Plant (Town of Shandaken) – The project will stabilize the Esopus Creek to protect the water pumping plant located on High Street that serves the hamlet of Phoenicia. A stacked rock wall will be constructed with 15’ keys into the bank and debris will be removed. Total Project Cost = $159,028; Total Grant Award = $39,897
• Roslyn Street (Village of Ellenville) – The project will stabilize Sandburg Creek to protect the sewage pumping plant located on Roslyn Street that services the residents of the Village of Ellenville. The sewage pumping plant will be protected with 80 feet of dumped rock rip rap. Total Project Cost = $47,420; Total Grant Award = $11,995.

Susan Campriello in The Daily Mail reports that the Cairo-Durham School Board voted down a $108,500 bus maintenance agreement between the their schools and the Greenville Central School District Thu., July 12. The vote was 4-4-1 vote, with a majority required to pass resolutions. School Board President Greg Koerner-Fox, Vice President Carl Kohrs, and board members Robert Criswell, and Beatrice Clappin voted for the agreement, while Beth Daly, Thomas Plank, Susan Kusminsky, and William Alfeld were against, and Elizabeth Philips abstained. The agreement would have ended 50-plus years of the Cairo-based Thomas Rogers Auto Service taking care of the buses. Both schools said they would have saved money with the agreement, but supporters of Rogers argued otherwise. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Dutchess County-based author Laura Pensiero discussed her food book "Hudson Valley Mediterranean" Thu. July 12, on the "WGXC Afternoon Show" with Richard Roth, Ellen Thurston, and Tom Roe. Pensiero will have a stack of books with her at the Hudson Farmer's Market Sat., July 14. She discussed local growing conditions, and seasonal vegetables, during the full interview (listen here, 10:34). Click here to hear an excerpt with Pensiero discussing hail damage to crops in Columbia County and the recent drought.
PLAY EXCERPT 1:22

Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-20) voted for H.R. 6083, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act of 2012 in the House Committee on Agriculture, which passed 35-11 on Thu., July 12. The bill now goes to the full House, and, if it passes, a conference with the Senate version. “While not perfect, the FARRM Act contains a number of important provisions that will assist local family farms struggling with profitability.... Importantly, the bill overhauls the safety net program for dairy farmers, encourages the growth and sustainability of local and regional agriculture and organic farming, protects conservation programs, and helps beginning farmers access the capital they need to enter the field,” Gibson said.

WHUC (1230-AM) reported Cairo firefighters and forest rangers fought a fire in the woods near Bailey Road on Wed., July 11, and Freehold firefighters put out a brush fire along Rt. 32 the same day. Clearly, it has been hot this summer, and has not rained much lately. The National Weather Service reports "abnormally dry" conditions in our area, and little rain in the immediate forecast. Susan Scheck, a Hillsdale-based master gardener for Cornell Cooperative Extension offered some tips for gardens facing the drought conditions on the "WGXC Afternoon Show" Thu., July 12. Click here to listen to full interview (16:24) with Richard Roth, Ellen Thurston, and Tom Roe. Click here to hear brief excerpt with watering advice.
PLAY EXCERPT :55

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="276"]The Greene Farm Market recently opened in Cairo.[/caption]The Greene Farm Market opened three weeks ago in Cairo, across from the Stewart's and next to Di Stefano's Meats at the intersection of Route 23 and Route 23B. WGXC stopped by to see the new market and hear from Oscar, the turkey who wanders around outside the shop. Cairo's main grocery, Slater's, closes in September, so the market may help serve the community before a Hannaford's opens months later. Joel Lahey, the owner of the Greene Farm Market, explains on this audio clip he will be a guest with host Peter Krug Tue., July 17 on the "WGXC Afternoon Show" live from Wave Farm in Acra.
PLAY CLIP :42

Friday, the 13th, from Wikipedia: "According to folklorists, there is no written evidence for a "Friday the 13th" superstition before the 19th century. The earliest known documented reference in English occurs in Henry Sutherland Edwards' 1869 biography of Gioachino Rossini, who died on a Friday 13th. He [Rossini] was surrounded to the last by admiring friends; and if it be true that, like so many Italians, he regarded Fridays as an unlucky day and thirteen as an unlucky number, it is remarkable that one Friday 13th of November he died. Several theories have been proposed about the origin of the Friday the 13th superstition. One theory states that it is a modern amalgamation of two older superstitions: that thirteen is an unlucky number and that Friday is an unlucky day.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 91F; low 68F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 90F low 64F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is for Harlemville 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 Leeds, in Greene County

Today, should be sunny with a high near 91; low around 63.

The outlook through the weekend:

Saturday: Partly sunny. High near 88; low around 63. There is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, Saturday night.
Sunday: Also a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms and cloudy or partly sunny. High near 88; low around 67.
Monday: Sunny, high near 90, low around 66.

Sunrise today: 5:31 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:31 p.m.
Length of the day: 15 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the second Friday of the month.
(WGXC 90.7-FM suggests you call ahead to confirm meeting time and location.)

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

Special Programming Saturday on WGXC:
Tune in for radio art, experimental sound, free jazz, noise, compositions, media criticism, live events, radio theatre, and all sorts of transmission art, Saturdays on WGXC. This week:
• 6 a.m.: Framework. Weekly show from London about field-recording and it’s use in composition, and other acoustic ecology. This week features John Grzinich, Nigel Simpson, Jez Riley French, Auvikogue, Sala, and an intro by Chad Clark.
• 10 a.m.: Prattsville Report. Jess Puglisi's report from Prattsville, where photographer Larry Gambon's photos hang on the half-ripped open walls of the Zadock Pratt Museum. The photo show is about the repercussions of the floods associated with Hurricane Irene there last fall, and so is this radio documentary.
• 10:30 a.m.: Radio Wonderland. Every week Joshua Fried remixes NYC radio live from Brooklyn on WGXC.
• 11 a.m.: The Shortwave Report. Dan Roberts collects international news on the shortwave.
• 11:30 a.m.: Radia. From international network of radio art radio stations, this week from TEA FM in Zaragoza, Spain. "The Music of Sound" is the theme.
• Noon: Athens Street Festival. WGXC's Jess Puglisi and Ron Puhulski host two hours of live radio from the middle of the Athens Street Festival. Come by their booth at the corner of Rt. 385 and Second St. before to record something, or during WGXC's live broadcast from noon to 2 p.m.
• 6 p.m.: CounterSpin. Media review from Fairiness and Accuracy in Reporting.
• 6:30 p.m.: Amateur Radio Newsline. Stories include the FCC to investigate telephone failures after the big windstorm of Friday, June 29; and a 9-year-old in South Carolina who learns first hand about ham radio on a television program that he hosts.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="296"] Courtesy gotohudson.net[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_20663" align="alignleft" width="230"] WGXC file photo.[/caption]

Cairo environmental activist Neal Schoenfeld is often dumbfounded that the Town of Cairo keeps closing the Cairo Nature Center that he and others worked hard to open in 2007. Shortly after the park opened Cairo closed it, "for a year to argue about what sort of permit process should be instituted, eventually closing the park off to everyone except Cairo town residents who pay a $15 fee," according to a WGXC Newsroom story from 2009. "Another project, another roadblock," was the headline in the Greenville Press at the time. Recently Susan Campriello in The Daily Mail wrote about a Wed., May 23, 2012 town board meeting, "The area is not physically closed to the public, according to Robert Hempstead, head of the town’s highway department and its parks, buildings, and grounds department. But it is not technically open, either, said Town Supervisor Ted Banta." Schoenfeld on the "WGXC Afternoon Show" with Ron Diamondstein at the Catskill Community Center Wed., July 11 says, six weeks later, the town has not provided a definitive answer. Click here to hear the excerpt of the interview with Schoenfeld, the Chairman of the town's Cairo Nature Center Committee talking about whether the Center will reopen.
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[caption id="attachment_20663" align="alignright" width="300"] Barbara Runyan, left, and Joan Geitz at Wave Farm in Acra.[/caption]

As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and founder of Friends of the Feathered & Furry Wildlife Center in Hunter, Barbara Runyan follows animal trends closely. Lately, she has seen more woodchucks, chipmunks, and red foxes, and explains that last summer's storms associated with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee are to blame. Hudson woodchucks are getting national and international attention for their flag-stealing abilities, and a pair have moved under the deck at WGXC's Acra studio at Wave Farm. Runyan was a guest with host Joan Geitz (who has her own woodchuck problem in downtown Cairo) on "Conversations on a Tightrope" Tue., July 10 on WGXC 90.7-FM. Click here to listen to the full show. Click here to play a short excerpt with Runyan describing how the storms last summer affected area animals.
PLAY CLIP 2:05

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 91F; low 68F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 90F low 64F.[/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, temperatures are forecast to be nearly the same as yesterday. Patchy fog before 7 a.m. Otherwise, sunny. High near 91; low around 62.

The outlook through the weekend:

Friday: Sunny. High near 91; low around 63.
Saturday: Patchy fog before 7 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny. High near 87; low around 69. Chance of showers and thunderstorms, Saturday night.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 88; low around 68.

Sunrise today: 5:30 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:32 p.m.
Length of the day: 15 hrs., 2 min.

Town meetings

Today is the second Thursday of the month.
(WGXC 90.7-FM suggests you call ahead to confirm meeting 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).

Brian Tumulty of the Politics on the Hudson blog writes that Rep. Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook), "broke with other Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee Wed., July 11, by supporting a failed Democratic amendment to trim the proposed cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps. Gibson supported an amendment from Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Oregon) under which the House would match the reductions contained in the Farm Bill that passed the Senate last month, according to Gibson’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Valle." The Senate bill reduces spending on the program by $4.5 billion over 10 years, cutting benefits to an estimated 500,000 people, including 300,000 New Yorkers. The House bill would reduce the growth of SNAP by $16.5 billion over 10 years, eliminating food assistance to an estimated 2 million to 3 million people. Also on Wed., July 11, Gibson reported his campaign raised $405,851.23 in the second quarter, bringing his cash on hand to $1,191,549. Since retiring from the Army in 2010, the Congressman has received over 7,200 individual contributions, 74 percent of which are from individuals in "and around," the Congressman's district. (This is defined as all counties in the current 20th District, the new 19th District, and any contiguous county.) Forty-six percent of all total contributions have come from individuals in and around the Congressman's district. In the Democratic primary, Gibson's November opponent Julian Schreibman was criticized for the percentage of money his campaign raised from outside the district, and Gibson, by releasing this information, intends to make it an issue this fall too.

From Free Speech Radio News:

"As lawmakers in Washington, DC continue to debate the 2012 Farm Bill, small and organic farmers across the nation are hoping for a more level playing field. They’re vying for a bigger share of federal dollars to help support a flourishing sector of the farming industry. The Senate has already passed its version, and the House agriculture committee is working on their bill Wed., July 11, but sustainable farming activists say the bill shuts out small farmers, while favoring agribusiness. FSRN’s Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno."

W.T. Eckert reports in The Daily Mail a committee established two years ago to raise money, design, and erect a Greene County Emergency Services Memorial Wall is still trying to raise the funds needed to complete the project. A marker located between Mountain Ave. and the Greene County Emergency Services Building in Cairo indicates the site for the memorial, which will consist of three large, standing stones displaying the names of deceased Greene County firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel. An additional $5,000 is left to be raised. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Jimmy Vielkind is reporting in the Times Union Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo now intends to turn his focus on reforming the state's campaign finance system. Cuomo said Tues., July 10, he would begin touring the state to argue for a system of public matching funds to blunt the influence wealthy donors have on the political system. The governor said his push will likely coincide with this year's presidential election, and may result in legislation before lawmakers return to Albany in January for the next scheduled session. A pay boost for legislators may be considered after the fall election and, according to Vielkind, Cuomo may use it as a bargaining chip to get campaign finance reform through the Legislature. Read the full story in the Times Union.