Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Friends of Taconic State Park has received permission from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to build a small railroad track at the Copake Iron Works National Heritage Area Site in Taconic State Park. The old, abandoned ironworks facility, established in 1845, is located within the park, said Jim Mackin, president of the Friends group. In 2007, that site and 18 acres surrounding it were added to the State and National Register of Historic Sites. Friends of Taconic State Park repurposed the blast furnace and took remnants of the old facility to create a museum and a visitor center, Mackin said. “We finally realized, ‘gee wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could recreate some of the railroad story that was there,’” Mackin said. The train will hold 15 passengers and take them through the historic site on a 900-foot-long loop track. “...[W}e’re building the cars that will hold the tourists, which will look like ore cars that carried the iron ore,” Mackin said. “They’re kind of trapezoidal in style. So, people will sit in those as they ride and we talk about the history there.” The group has so far raised $174,000 through private donors and is looking to raise a total of $366,400 for the project. Mackin said, “...[I]f everything goes well, we’ll have railroad ties and the actual rail itself ordered and delivered. And then as soon as we can in the spring, we’ll start putting the ties down and the rails on top of it.” After the track is complete they will put the locomotive, which is currently being stored in a nearby barn, on the track. The project is expected to be finished next summer and the train will operate from 2 to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays from mid-May to mid-November. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Carl Campanile reports in the New York Post that Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Nov. 26, the first COVID-19 action by the leader of New York in a long time. It comes as the state, and the world, face the emergence of the new Omicron coronavirus variant in South Africa. Hochul is ordering hospitals to postpone elective hospital surgeries in hospitals at or below 10 percent of available staffed bed capacity, so there are enough hospital beds for the expected new cases. “We’ve taken extraordinary action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and combat this pandemic. However, we continue to see warning signs of spikes this upcoming winter, and while the new Omicron variant has yet to be detected in New York State, it’s coming,” Hochul said. "In preparation, I am announcing urgent steps today to expand hospital capacity and help ensure our hospital systems can tackle any challenges posed by the pandemic as we head into the winter months. The vaccine remains one of our greatest weapons in fighting the pandemic, and I encourage every New Yorker to get vaccinated, and get the booster if you’re fully vaccinated.” The new executive order goes into effect Dec. 3. Read more about this story in the New York Post.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media district residents turned out November 17, in support of a salary increase for the teachers employed by the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk school district. The teachers have been working without a contract since June. “These teachers are here to invest in the future of our children, and it is now your turn to help us invest in the future of our teachers,” parent Jessica O’Connor said during the public comment portion of the meeting. Matthew Miller, president of the RCS Teacher’s Association and a district biology teacher, said, “Our contract expired in June of this year, so we are without a contract right now, but we are trying to work towards a new one... We have been in negotiations since January. For most of the summer, we were at an impasse.” Following months of no activity, the district, its board of education and the union reopened talks last week. A second round of negotiations is expected in early December. “We have another meeting coming up Dec. 7,” Board of Education President Edward Reville said. Numerous parents went to the podium during the board of education meeting, asking that the district agree to a pay hike, the major sticking point in the ongoing contract talks. “We have amazing teachers in this district and if we do not show appreciation and pay them what they deserve, we will see more putting in resignation letters and going to other districts,” parent Chelsea Hildebrandt said. Board president Reville said, “None of us argue with any of you — we agree we do have great teachers.” Read the full story in The Ravena News-Herald.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics under legislation put forward by two state lawmakers on November 24, local news organizations would be eligible for business tax credits to hire journalists, and subscribers would be eligible for a personal income tax credit. The tax credits are being proposed as local newspapers have come under economic strain and are increasingly under the control of hedge funds. For example, the hedge fund Alden Capital has reportedly sought the purchase of Lee Enterprises, a chain that publishes papers in Buffalo, Glens Falls and St. Louis. Alden has come under fire for purchasing newspapers only to reduce staff and liquidate real estate. “Community news is the bedrock of our local democracy. But since 2004, more than 20 percent of American newspapers have gone out of business, including 40 percent of weekly papers in New York," said state Sen. Brad Hoylman. He said the Local Journalism Sustainability Act provides a way to help local news outlets survive and continue to inform the public in the current media landscape. The tax credits would apply to local newspapers and digital publications as a way to support subscriptions and hiring. Under the measure, subscribers to local publications would receive an annual tax credit for 80 percent of the subscription cost in the first year, and 50 percent in subsequent years, up to $250 a year. Local news organizations that employ local journalists full time would be eligible for a quarterly tax credit of up to 50 percent of their salary for the first year and 30 percent in subsequent years for up to five years total. Read more at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Today's daily headlines.

Click above to download or play today's "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.

Ted Remsnyder is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media COVID-19 has claimed its 84th victim in Greene County. On Tue., Nov. 23, a 39-year-old woman with severe comorbidities died after coming down with the coronavirus. The unidentified woman was unvaccinated at the time of her death, according to the Greene County Public Health Department. No additional information was made available about the woman, Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said. As of Wednesday, 64 percent of adults in Greene County have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. There are 221 active positive cases in the county, according to the Public Health Department, with 92 new positive cases recorded since November 20. A total of 350 county residents are under quarantine, with 20 people in the county hospitalized with COVID-related illnesses. As of Tuesday, the total percentage of cases in the county with positive results was 9.9 percent, with a seven-day rolling positive rate in Greene County of 4.6 percent. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Andrea Macko is reporting for Porcupine Soup Interested parties turned out November 22, for the first of two public hearings held at the former Durham Elementary School, on the proposed Bosque Subdivision. Approximately a dozen people spoke, the majority of them opposed to the project. Many of the speakers took issue with the town board’s October decision to issue a negative declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review, thereby finding that the 95-acre subdivision will have little to no environmental impact. Margaret Doherty spoke on behalf of the community group, Cornwallville Residents for Rural Preservation, saying the project will have “significant negative impact” on land, wells, traffic, noise, light, wildlife, aesthetic and historical value, and community character. Bosque Development of Hudson has submitted a proposal to the town of Durham to subdivide 95 acres of land that border Strong and Cornwallville roads. The project includes the construction of 12 high-end homes and a farming operation. Doherty said her organization over the past months, has collected 271 signatures from Durham residents opposed to the subdivision. “We hope that as lead agency, you will finally address the concerns of the majority of our residents within the Cornwallville community,” she told the board. Patrick Ciccone, chair of the Durham Historic Preservation Commission, noted that the project footprint is larger that the core hamlet of Cornwallville. “And its area comprises a significant portion of the total area of the Cornwallville Historic District,” he said. Other speakers addressed issues ranging from traffic safety, light pollution, and noise. Cornwallville Road resident Jim Stone was the only person to speak in favor of Bosque. “There is a reason Durham is dying… because we won’t allow change,” Stone said. “Places that don’t allow change, they die.” A second public hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on December 11, in the former Durham Elementary School. The public may also attend remotely via telephone at 1-503-300-6830 conference code 114503. Read more at porcupinesoup [dot] com.

Patricia R. Doxsey is reporting for the Daily Freeman the Ulster County Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee adopted budget amendments this week that eliminated a number of positions created as part of County Executive Pat Ryan’s proposed 2022 budget. The amendments also rolled back proposed salary increases for others. All together the committee made nearly two dozen changes to the proposed spending plan before voting to send it to the full Legislature for consideration. While the resolution to eliminate the communications specialist position narrowly failed, the committee did agree to reduce that salary by roughly $20,000. Minority Leader Ken Ronk first argued to get rid of the position, claiming it is more “brand-building and self-promotion” for the executive than for communications with the public. “I don’t think this is a necessary position for county government,” said the Walkill Republican. The committee also voted to reduce the proposed salary increases for three newly created positions that oversee the administration of the American Rescue Plan funds. Legislature Chairman David Donaldson said he will propose eliminating those jobs from the budget if Ryan's office fails to provide the Legislature with the resumes of those who have been hired to fill the positions. Deputy Budget Director Chris Kelly said the Ryan administration is aware of Donaldson’s request and it is under review. The committee rejected a proposal by Ronk to eliminate the newly proposed commissioner of Mental Health position, as well as a proposal to increase to full-time an existing part-time position in the Human Rights Commission. The full Legislature will vote on the 2022 spending plan on December 2. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Click above to download or play today's "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.

Andrea Macko is reporting for Porcupine Soup that three shovel-ready projects in Greene County have been awarded more than $1.8 million by New York state through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Announced this week by Governor Kathy Hochul, a total of $81 million will go to support 97 projects statewide. Local awards include $750,000 for Lokal Astoria, $360,000 for the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, and $750,000 for Wylder Windham. "The pandemic toll touched every corner of the state and every sector of New York's economy, and as a result, we must ensure that our recovery does the same," Hochul said. The Lokal Astoria project will transform the vacant motor lodge on Route 23B in Catskill into a four-season tourist destination. Plans feature 25-30 newly renovated or constructed cabins, a restaurant, a pool and bar, spa cabins, hot tubs, a cold plunge tank, saunas, and a yoga platform. The funding awarded to Thomas Cole National Historic Site will be used for a new 1,800 square-foot visitors center with exhibit space and outdoor terrace, as well as facility upgrades to buildings at the Spring Street, Catskill site that will increase energy efficiency and improve climate conditions for historic preservation. Infrastructure upgrades will improve visitor safety and site accessibility. Wylder Windham will use its award to renovate the historic Thompson House on Route 296 into a tourist attraction that will create jobs on the mountain top. The Thompson House is a 110-room full-service resort on 20 acres that was owned by the same family for 140 years. Wylder Hotels of Los Angeles purchased the property in early 2021. This year, $150 million in grant funds from Empire State Development were made available. Additionally, projects within each region are eligible for a share of $75 million in Excelsior Jobs Program Tax Credits to help attract and grow business in their region. Read more at porcupinesoup [dot] com.

Jeanette Wolfberg is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Hudson City School District Board of Education is anticipating several vacancies during the next two months — a new board president, a new superintendent, a new high school associate principal, and a new board clerk. Current board President Carrie Otty will resign, effective January 18, and her successor will likely be someone already serving. Her exit will leave the board short one member. The board is asking that anyone who wants to fill the vacancy to submit a letter of interest to the board clerk by December 16. Otty is a long-time board member, having filled a seat for more than 10 years. She was appointed in November 2011, to fill the vacancy created by the death of her husband, Jeffrey. He succumbed to illness that year, three months after he was elected board president. Otty was chosen president by her fellow board members in July 2015. District Superintendent Maria L. Suttmeier will retire in early January. Board member Mark DePace reported there were 19 applicants for the district's top spot. Eight of the 19 were selected to be interviewed during the week of November 15. DePace said the final decision is anticipated around December 6. And William Wood, an associate principal at Hudson High School, has resigned, effective December 3. He was hired as principal of Questar III BOCES’ Columbia Greene Education Center in Greenport. The November 16, board meeting was Leslie Coons’ last as board clerk. She has served as clerk of the board for six years. She will continue to serve the district as secretary to the business administrator. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Cloey Callahan is reporting for the Times Union Danskammer Energy announced November 24, its intention to appeal the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s decision to deny an air permit for its new natural gas-fired power plant near Newburgh. The DEC in October struck down the company's proposed project in the mid-Hudson Valley, saying it did not comply with New York’s new climate law. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was adopted in 2019 and calls for sharp reductions in the use of fossil fuels, such as the natural gas that would power the Danskammer facility. “We believe DEC is holding Danskammer to standards that don’t even exist because the Climate Action Council has yet to issue guidance on what it means to be consistent with the state’s new climate law,” said Bill Reid, CEO of Danskammer Energy, in a press release. The energy company had been seeking authorization to construct a new power generation facility near Newburgh in Orange County and submitted its application to the DEC in December 2019. “...[The] DEC’s decision to deny our Title V Air Permit was unjustified, and not in the best interests of New York residents or their future power needs,” Reid said. Other groups, including Orange County Partnership, the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, expressed support for Danskammer Energy’s decision to appeal. The DEC’s decision in October came after a comprehensive review of Danskammer’s application and supporting materials, as well as more than 4,500 public comments received on the project between June and September of this year. Danskammer estimates that its proposed natural gas-fired combined-cycle power generation facility could provide up to 600 megawatts of power. Read the full story in the Times Union.

The Daily Freeman rounds up what is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Banks: Closed
County Offices: Closed
Federal offices: Closed
Financial markets: Closed
Mail delivery: None
Metro-North: Saturday schedule on Thursday; expanded Saturday schedule on Friday
Schools: Closed
State offices: Closed
Trailways: Regular schedule.

Today's daily news update.

The Daily Freeman reports that Ulster County announced two more deaths from coronavirus on Nov. 23, and the number of active cases there has tripled since Nov. 4. Ulster County reported 736 cases, more than three times the county’s Nov. 4 total of 240. Dutchess Countyon Nov. 23 reported a one-day increase in active cases from 724 to 731. Columbia County's health department reported 52 more cases on Nov. 22, and 28 more on Nov. 23. Those numbers are closer to what the county reported in January, when vaccines were just becoming available. Hudson City Hall was closed Nov. 23 because of a COVID-19 outbreak, and will stay shut down through Nov. 26. Across the Hudson River the numbers are growing too, with Greene County Public Health reporting Nov. 19 195 active cases, including 54 new reports in the prior two days. “I’m always concerned about the numbers,” Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said. “We do seem to be paralleling the counties around us. I think that people are tired of COVID and they’re relaxing and maybe we’re not wearing masks as often as we should. We’re just tired of it. Everybody wants to go back to normal. But it’s safe to say that COVID is not going away. It’s not going to ebb down slowly, slowly. I’m not sure if it’s mutating, which is causing it to hold on.” Greene County Legislator Chair Patrick Linger,said the county is not planning to take any action, even with the increased number of cases locally. “Not at this point,” Linger said. “We’ve held other vaccine clinics recently that only had from 2 to 11 people that showed up. That’s a waste of resources as far as I’m concerned. People can schedule an appointment at just about any pharmacy to get their vaccine. So when we put forth the effort to do a clinic and only a couple of people show up, that’s not the best use of our resources.” The only specific action Greene County officials are taking take in the face of the rising cases counts is words. “You walk into a store and probably 80 percent of the people aren’t masked up,” Groden said. “That’s where you should be masked up, where mass levels of people are gathered. Just throw a damn mask on, will you please? Don’t take the chance, because I’ve seen a lot of people with it and it sucks.”

Roger Hannigan Gilson reports in the Times Union that Hudson's Common Council voted unanimously last week to enact a tough anti-eviction law because of the current local housing crisis. Claire Cousins of the Hudson-Catskill Housing Coalition said the law "is an acknowledgment of the crisis that our community is currently in.... We believe that our City understands what is at stake, and is taking the necessary steps to make Hudson an equitable, fair place for people to remain citizens in." Landlords will now bring eviction proceedings in front of a city judge in the rapidly gentrifying community of 5,900. Tenants can now only be evicted for legitimate reasons outlined in the law, and if nonpayment of rent is the issue, they cannot be kicked out if the rent is being raised more than five percent in a year. Landlords get an exemption on the five percent rule if improvements are made to the property. Hudson's Common Council passed a similar law before, but Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson vetoed that effort, saying he wanted to give tenants more rights. Similar so-called "Good Cause" eviction laws have passed recently in Albany, Newburgh, and Poughkeepsie. Of these four cities, Hudson's version of the law is the only one that does not allow landlords to remove tenants if the property is being sold. "What we're seeing is a lot of people buying property, displacing tenants and flipping them for a higher price," Johnson said. A housing report issued earlier this year.said Columbia County housing prices rose 40 percent in 12 months. Hudson will hold a public hearing on the law next month before Johnson can sign the bill into law. NOTE: Johnson is a WGXC volunteer programmer. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Emilia Teasdale reports for The Columbia Paper that both the Scenic Hudson activists and the Germantown Town Board oppose plans to construct a mooring for barges in the Hudson River near the town. The mooring would cover nearly an acre in size, for up to six large barges. They could be empty vessels waiting to be filled with loose sand and gravel at quarry docks in Catskill and Hudson, or full and awaiting transport, Scenic Hudson says. The group is particularly concerned that the mooring will be seen from the Olana State Historic Site. “The view from Olana’s front porch, a place frequented by many visitors, includes the Hudson River, as well as a direct view of the proposed barge mooring site,” which would be a “discordant element… and could be present for extended periods of time. In light of these impacts and the overwhelming opposition to the proposal from Germantown residents, whose riverfront park is very close to the mooring site, Scenic Hudson has recommended consideration of an alternative location — the large dock at the former Atlas Cement plant, about 1.3 miles south of the quarry jetty in Catskill,” Scenic Hudson says. New York State Marine Highway Transportation, a tug and barge operation from Troy, said that the docks at the quarries at Peckham in Catskill and Colarusso in Hudson are “narrow sections of the river immediately adjacent to the Navigation Channel. The proximity to the nav-channel does not afford a safe berth for multiple barges.” So the new mooring would provide a “lay-berth for barges while waiting for berth availability at the quarry’s loading facility.” On November 9, the Germantown Board passed a resolution saying that the mooring “may interfere with boating associated with the New York State Boating Launch at Lasher Park, may delay or complicate first responders’ marine responses and training” at the park as well as cause bank erosion. Read more about this story in The Columbia Paper.

Today's daily headlines.

Click above to download or play today's "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.