DOWNLOAD or PLAY the audio version of the local news headlines for Fri., Mar. 23 (6:43). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Daniel Zuckerman is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Greene County Legislature on a vote of 12 to 2, on March 21, approved a resolution to authorize a $51.42 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Agency to finance the construction of a new county jail. The action taken locked in a 3.5 percent interest rate. “You pretty much can’t get below this number for a 30-year loan,” Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said. “They [the USDA] wanted to complete the application process.” Legislators have been engaged in discussions about the possibility of a shared jail facility with Columbia County, but the Legislature's Public Safety Committee March 12, rejected a measure to authorize a feasibility study of the project. Although the loan to build a new facility has now been authorized, the shared jail proposal is not permanently off the table, Groden said, adding any legislator can bring the topic up again. Windham legislator Lori Torgersen, who, along with fellow Democrat, Catskill representative Kevin Lennon, voted against the funding resolution, was not surprised it passed. The concept of locking in a low interest rate is good if the county actually needs a new jail, she said. “The county has not done its due diligence and needs to continue to move forward in not building a jail,” Torgersen said. “We can do that and we can save the county a whole lot more money.” Discussions about a shared jail concept with Columbia County will continue, Torgersen said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Emilia Teasdale is reporting for The Columbia Paper Kinderhook Village Code Enforcement Officer Glenn Smith has asked the village board to consider adopting a “zombie property” ordinance. Smith said the ordinance would help the village to impose maintenance plans and inspections for vacant or abandoned, or so-called zombie properties. “It’s been kind of a problem in the Village of Kinderhook,” Smith at the March 14 village board meeting. Smith said the village needs to pass the ordinance to become part of the state registry of vacant and abandoned properties. If the village passes the ordinance, village code enforcement can inspect the properties, request a maintenance plan from the mortgage holder and charge a $100 fee. Being a part of the registry will be a significant help, Smith said. “This is going to make it a lot easier,” he said, to find out who owns an abandoned or vacant property. He said that now it’s “next to impossible to find the owner who is responsible.” Smith has also proposed the towns of Austerlitz and Stuyvesant adopt the same law. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Amanda Purcell is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Hudson City School District Superintendent Maria Suttmeier assured the public and the Hudson Common Council March 20, the sale of John L. Edwards Primary School would be an open and transparent process. Suttmeier said the State Street school will go on the market when it is vacated by the end of the summer. “The board [of education] has been in conversation with the district leadership that we do want to sell the building,” Suttmeier said. “It has to be approved by the voters. We can’t sell it for less than what we owe on the property, so we’re talking in executive session about what the fair market value would be.” Suttmeier said last she checked, the debit service on the facility was "about $4 million." The building measures 90,000 square feet and contains a gymnasium and full commercial kitchen. “There will be public meetings about it in the future where everyone will have opportunity to say what they think what should be done with the building,” Common Council President Thomas DePietro said. School district officials are interested in hearing input from the city, county and public about the sale, Suttmeier said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

The Times Union is reporting Catskill is one of five villages in New York identified by the state comptroller's office as "susceptible to fiscal stress," or some form of fiscal trouble. DiNapoli's office evaluated a total of 529 villages statewide and found fiscal stress was relatively low among all but 10 villages. Island Park, a village with a population of just over 2,000, located in southern Nassau County, topped the list, in significant fiscal stress. The village of Ellenville in Ulster County, was one of four villages identified as in moderate fiscal stress. The comptroller's office also looked into the finances of 17 cities across New York state, and Long Beach, Nassau County, was found to be in significant fiscal stress. DiNapoli's office looks at financial indicators including year-end fund balance, cash position and patterns of operating deficits. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Local weather forecast:

TODAY: A slight chance of rain and snow showers between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., then a slight chance of rain showers after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 41. Friday night, a slight chance of rain and snow showers before 9 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 26.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS:
SATURDAY: Partly sunny. High near 38. Saturday night, a slight chance of snow showers before 7 p.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 24.
SUNDAY: Partly sunny. High near 39. Sunday night, partly cloudy. Low around 23.

Sunrise today: 6:51 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:11 p.m.
LENGTH OF THE DAY: 12:19 hrs.

PUBLIC MEETINGS and POLITICAL EVENTS for Fri., Mar. 23:
Please see the WGXC Community Calendar.

Kelcee Griffis at Law360.com reports that many environmental and historic reviews won't be needed to approve the many cell phone antennae that must be hung to create the nation's 5G cell network, after a March 22 vote by the Federal Communications Commission. The Republicans on the FCC, who outnumber the Democrats 3-2, voted to eliminate the need for National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act reviews for the 5G cell fixtures. The 5G technology should give consumers much faster service, but it also means cell phone antennae will 500 feet apart, instead of several miles. So there could be transmitters on telephone or electric poles, municipal buildings, and all sorts of other structures. Already, many states are passing laws limiting the rental limits for each cell signaling device a carrier puts on a tower or pole. The FCC vote declared the act of deploying small cells does not constitute a “federal undertaking” or a “major federal action,” so no reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Native American tribes and environmental advocates were especially mad about the vote, with one protester interrupting the FCC's meeting. Democrat Jessica Rosenworcel dissented, saying, “A solution to this infrastructure challenge is long overdue — and while today’s decision purports to be one — it misses the mark. It runs roughshod over the rights of our tribal communities and gives short shrift to our most basic environmental and historic preservation values.” Republican Michael O’Rielly disagreed, saying, “For too long, we've allowed a small subset of tribes to unnecessarily slow communications buildout and bring a bad name to the rest of the American tribes that really try to do good faith efforts to work with wireless providers on behalf of consumers.”

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local news update for Thurs., March 22 (3:50). (Produced by Alanna Medlock.)

Amanda Purcell reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the Hudson Common Council voted 6-4 against a resolution March 20 recommending that Mayor Rick Rector remove the Hudson Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. The Hudson Housing Authority has been criticized in recent weeks for the deplorable conditions in Bliss Towers, the public housing near the Hudson River waterfront. Rep. John Faso toured the property and said, “The living conditions at Bliss Towers are completely unacceptable.... What I saw during a recent visit combined with reading the recent inspection reports made it clear that Bliss Towers needs immediate intervention by HUD." The vote at the Hudson Common Council was largely on color lines, with all the white council members voting against the recommendation to remove the mayoral-appointed members from the housing authority. Fourth Ward Alderperson John Rosenthal, First Ward Alderperson Rob Bujan, Fifth Ward Alderperson Eileen Halloran, Fifth Ward Alderperson Dominic Merante, Fourth Ward Alderperson Rich Volo and Second Ward Alderperson Dewan Sarowar voted against the resolution; First Ward Alderperson Kamal Johnson, Third Ward Alderperson Shershah Mizan, Third Ward Alderperson Calvin Lewis Jr. and Second Ward Alderperson Tiffany Garriga voted to recommend removal; Common Council President Thomas DePietro abstained. Those voting against the measure did not offer solutions for the conditions in Bliss Towers. “I am casting a no vote, but not because I didn’t see things that need to be addressed and need to have strong support by some of the council,” Halloran said. Rosenthal said he toured the site this week and, "I am going to vote no here because I want to do something more positive and supportive of the conditions there and the residents rather than something negative.” Earlier in the week the housing board Chairman Alan Weaver and Vice Chairman Randall Martin said they think Garriga introduced the removal resolution as an act of retaliation after Garriga was asked to leave her Bliss Towers apartment last year because she also owned a home on State Street. Read the full story at HudsonValley360.com.

Uh oh. Some say the first sign of weakness is arrogance. Asked about his inability to raise money from small donors like @CynthiaNixon does, @NYGovCuomo walks away and says “I’m going back to Albany to work on the budget and I’ll answer your little questions later.”

— Zack Fink (@ZackFinkNews) March 22, 2018

Gideon Resnick reports in The Daily Beast that Democrat Cynthia Nixon reported March 22 that she received more small-dollar contributions in one day than Gov. Andrew Cuomo did in seven years. Nixon's campaign for governor reported receiving 2,214 contributions of less than $200 on March 19. Nixon's campaign says that since 2011 Cuomo has received 1,369 small donations. Asked about the difference, Cuomo walked away from reporters saying, “I’m going back to Albany to work on the budget and I’ll answer your little questions later.” Read the full story in The Daily Beast.

New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division Third Judicial Department suspended Columbia County attorney Joseph Battaglia, based in Ghent, March 22 from practicing law. Battaglia, who has been a lawyer since 1980, is under investigation for alleged professional misconduct, but was suspended because he "failed to fully comply with AGC's lawful demand for his information and records concerning these complaints. Moreover, respondent also failed to respond to AGC's numerous notices to appear for examination and failed to appear at any of the scheduled examinations at AGC's offices, even after being directed to do so pursuant to a judicial subpoena issued by this Court." He has 20 days to request a post-suspension hearing, and if he does not reply in six months he could be disbarred.

DOWNLOAD or PLAY the audio version of the local news headlines for Thu., Mar. 22 (6:40). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Daniel Zuckerman is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Catskill Village Board approved a four-year contract with village police last week. The new agreement will increase salaries by 2 percent, add longevity pay, and provide health insurance at retirement, with the village paying 50 percent of the cost. Also, under the contract, police staff can no longer sell back vacation and sick time to the village. Village police have been working without a contract since 2016. The new agreement expires May 31, 2020. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Kenneth Crowe is reporting in the Times Union the most recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau are now out and show that while the population has grown in and around New York City and the Capital Region, upstate continues to lose residents. The high-tech, health care and higher education sectors are feeding the expansion of the Capital Region’s expansion, according to local experts. Mark Eagan, CEO of the Capital Region Chamber noted the region's private sector job growth is greater than all other metropolitan areas statewide. Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady all showed population gains between 2010 and 2017. During the same period, Columbia County's population decreased by 3.9 percent; Greene County's by 3.6 percent. "The region's more rural counties continue to struggle, but investments in them – from those for craft beverage industry to Downtown Revitalization Initiatives in Glens Falls and Hudson – should go a ways in reversing population trends," said Andrew Kennedy, a former official with the Cuomo administration. The fastest-growing counties nationwide are in the south and west, according to the Census Bureau. That growth is fed by domestic migration. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Audrey Matt is reporting for the Greenville Pioneer the Greenville Board of Education heard three appeals for new athletic programming from Athletic Director Denise Wickham during a budget workshop held March 5. Along with Todd Nelson, Assistant Director of New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Wickham proposed the addition of a unified sports program that partners with Special Olympics New York. The program would feature basketball, but could include bowling as well, and in the future, volleyball and cross country could be added, Wickham said. Their was also a discussion about the previously proposed girls tennis and football programs. The football program would create a combined team with the Cairo-Durham, and possibly Catskill, school districts. The Greenville board considered both programs last year, but ultimately rejected the proposal, due to concerns over sustainability. The addition of all three -- the unified sports, football and girls tennis programs -- would cost the district nearly $22,000 for the 2018-19 school year. The board is now looking at cost projections and assessing the potential impact on the budget. The board's next budget workshop is 6 p.m., Mon., Mar. 26 in the Greenville Middle/High School library. Read the full story in the Greenville Pioneer.

Columbia-Greene Media is reporting Greenport residents in the area of Route 9 and Kipps Mobile Home Park must boil and conserve water until further notice. Residents have been directed to boil water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and when preparing food and infant formula until further notice. Greenport emergency personnel responded to a major water main break at 329 Fairview Avenue on March 20., after the town water department noted high water usage and decreasing water levels. Tap water should be brought to a rolling boil, then boiled for one minute and then cooled before using. In the alternative, bottled water certified for sale by the state Department of Health can be used. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced March 20, the roughly one-mile long sidewalk of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge has been completely rebuilt by the New York State Bridge Authority with the addition of three scenic viewpoints, each 50 feet long by 10 feet wide. The scenic viewpoints will provide the public with unparalleled views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains, Cuomo said in a press release. Known as the Hudson River SkyWalk, the project will feature a pedestrian trail linking the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill and the Olana State Historic Site in Greenport. "This project is a perfect example of a successful public-private partnership between state and local partners promoting a unique part of New York State history and creating a timeless experience for generations to come," Cuomo said. Read the full press release at governor [dot] ny [dot] gov.

Closings and delays for Thu., Mar. 22:

Pine Plains Central School District | Delayed two hours.
Red Hook Central School District | Delayed two hours.
Rhinebeck Central School District | Delayed two hours.

Local weather forecast:

TODAY: Mostly cloudy. High near 40. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 27.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS:
FRIDAY: A slight chance of rain and snow showers after noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 38 Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 23.
SATURDAY: Partly sunny. High near 39. Saturday night, a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 23.

Sunrise today: 6:53 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:10 p.m.
LENGTH OF THE DAY: 12:16 hrs.

PUBLIC MEETINGS and POLITICAL EVENTS for Thu., Mar. 22:
Please see the WGXC Community Calendar.

Radio World reports that some in Congress are writing up a bill with more harsh penalties for pirate radio operators. Leonard Lance, a Republican from New Jersey, and Paul Tonko, a Democrat from New York, are writing the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act for their House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. The PIRATE Act proposes to change Title V of the Communications Act of 1934 to increase fines for pirate radio operations. The bill's proposed draft language is just ridiculous, upping the current $10,000 fines to $100,000 each day of broadcasting, with a maximum fine of $2 million. Many of the current $10,000 fines are dismissed on a hardship basis now, and the Federal Communications Commission shouldn't expect to fill its coffers with millions from pirate radio operators. Radio World says, "The draft legislation also calls on the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to conduct enforcement sweeps across the nation’s top five radio markets to identify and terminate illegal broadcasts," which is hilarious as Congress has repeatedly cut the FCC's budget, shrinking the enforcement bureau's workforce. And the act would allow state and local governments to add more fines on top of the $2 million figures, an admission that the current state laws against pirate radio are indeed unconstitutional. The fines, under this proposal, are also meant to go to anyone who "facilitates" the pirate broadcasts, which means landlords, and maybe interviewed guests, could be fined.