DOWNLOAD or PLAY the audio version of the local news headlines for Tue., May 30 (8:43). (Produced by Phil Grant.)

Some of the stories that made the news between Fri., May 26 and Mon., May 29:

Diane Valden reported in The Columbia Paper Columbia County Acting Supreme Court Judge Jonathan Nichols ruled May 18 that Salvatore Cascino remain in jail for not cleaning up his Copake property. He has been in jail for more than 270 days for his failure to obey the court's order to remove more than 9,600 cubic yards of illegally dumped solid waste from the 300-acre Copake Valley Farms property. After attorneys proved to the judge's satisfaction that the material had not been removed, Nichols ruled Cascino stay behind bars, at least until an August 9 hearing. Cascino has battled local officials for 19 years over violations of federal, state and town laws for illegal dumping, building and excavating on his property, located on Route 22 in Copake.

WNYT 13 in Albany reported authorities are investigating a possible arson in the town of Cairo. Fire officials were called to Grandview Road, off Route 23, around 3 a.m., Sun., May 28. The alarm was called in as a brush fire, but arriving firefighters found something much different. A small building was on fire, and with power lines across the roadway they were unable to get the fire trucks in. Cairo Fire Department Chief Raymond Feml said 20 minutes after they arrived a second structure went up in flames within minutes. The buildings were part of an old, vacant resort. Both structures burned to the ground. The state police are now investigating.

The Chatham Courier reported that for the fifth year in a row, the Chatham Central School District music program has been designated one of the Best Communities for Music Education nationwide by The NAMM Foundation. The designation is given to schools that demonstrate outstanding achievements in their efforts to provide access to music, and comprehensive music instruction to all students. Chatham offers band, orchestra and choral programs at all grade levels, from elementary through high school. The program enjoys a high level of student participation, as well as support from parent and community groups, including the Chatham Fine Arts Booster Club, Chatham Alumni Association, and Chatham Education Foundation.

The Associated Press reported beginning June 7, New York college students can apply for the state's free tuition plan. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Board of Trustees approved Excelsior Scholarship regulations last week. The program covers tuition at state universities for full-time, in-state students whose families early $125,000 a year, or less. Students must pay out of pocket for room, board and other expenses.

Amanda Purcell reported in the Register-Star Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Harlemville has closed its doors. The historic church, which served as a house of worship for 147 years, held its last worship service Sat., May 27. The congregation was formed as a German-speaking parish in 1870, by a group that left St. John's German Lutheran Church in Ghent. The Rev. David Vogel, of Delmar, was the last, official pastor of the congregation until he died March 25 at the age of 91. Parishioner Carole Bergen said the congregation has decreased to five members. “The youngest member is 65 and the oldest is 95,” said Bergen, who has been a member of the church for 24 years. The future of the building is uncertain, she said.

The Daily Freeman reported the Clermont State Historic Site will celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York state with “Woman on a Wheel,” a history ride program, June 17. Guest historian Kjirsten Gustavson will visit the site that morning wearing her reproduction 1890s bicycle costume to talk about the impact of the bicycle on women’s social status in the years before the vote. In the late 1890s, bicycles changed the popular notion of what American femininity could be. The discussion will be followed by a five-mile bike trip on the site’s wooded trails.

William J. Kemble reported in the Daily Freeman U.S. Rep John Lewis on Sat., May 27, told Bard College graduates they have a lot work to do if they want to help reshape a nation where it is easier to talk with chickens on a farm than elected officials in the nation’s capital. Lewis, 77, spoke to a graduating class of 576 students and approximately 2,000 friends and family members. Speaking about the lessons learned as a young man growing up in rural Alabama, Lewis talked about preaching to chickens in preparation for becoming a minister. “...I’m convinced that some of those chickens that I preached to in the 40s and the 50s came in to listen to me much better than some of my some of my colleagues listen to me today in the Congress.” The Georgia Democrat has served in Congress for more than 30 years, has been honored with the Medal of Freedom, the Lincoln Medal from the historic Ford’s Theatre, and the National Education Association Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award. He is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and is the Ranking Member of the Oversight Sub-committee.

The Times Union reported authorities said Fri., May 27, test results show the skull found by a hiker in the wetlands along the Hudson River in February belonged to a man 20 to 50 years old, and not that of a missing 12-year-old upstate boy who disappeared 10 years ago. The skull was found in a swamp in Coxsackie. The discovery led to speculation that it belonged to Jaliek (juh-LEEK) Rainwalker, who disappeared from his home in Greenwich, Washington County, in November 2007. Police investigators will use DNA testing to determine if the remains match an open missing persons case.

Amanda Purcell reported in The Daily Mail Catskill village officials decided last week to revoke New Jersey-based NRG Home Solar's permit to promote their services in the village. Officials in the village of Coxsackie previously took similar action. The step was taken in Catskill after village trustees and Police Chief David Darling said they received complaints from residents who claim company representatives made false claims about who they represent. Darling said NRG representatives told him and others they were working for Central Hudson Gas and Electric. Village trustee Jim Chewens said some of the NRG representatives were very aggressive with residents, as well. An NRG spokesman said in an email to The Daily Mail the company is reviewing what took place "...and fully respect the town board's decision."

Local weather forecast:
TODAY Chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 66. Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms likely before 10 p.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 54.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
WEDNESDAY: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 74. Wednesday night, isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 51.
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. High near 70. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 49.

Sunrise today: 5:21 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:24 p.m.
LENGTH OF THE DAY: 15:02 hrs.

PUBLIC MEETINGS
Today is the fifth Tuesday of the month.

WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.

COLUMBIA County Board of Supervisors Tobacco Securitization Committee meeting, 2 p.m.; .1 [point one] Committee, 2:30 p.m.; Finance Committee meeting, 3 p.m.; all at 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
GREENE County Legislature public hearing on the Governor's Shared Services Initiative, 6:30 p.m. at 411 Main Street, Catskill (719-3200).

POLITICAL EVENTS
Weekly events:
Citizen Action HV Action Night, 5:30 p.m., every Tuesday at 7 Grand Street, Kingston. Information at hudsonvalley@citizenactionny.org, or facebook.com/HVCitizenActionNY.
New Paltz Climate Action Coalition, 5 p.m., every Thursday at New Paltz Village Hall, 23 Plattekill Ave., New Paltz. Information at (845) 399-247 or newpaltzclimateaction@gmail.com.
Faso Friday, 12 p.m., every Friday at U.S. Rep. John Faso's District Office, 2 Hudson Street, Kinderhook. Information at erinpersists@gmail.com.

Faso Friday Kingston Meet-up, 10 a.m., June 2 at Broadway Lights Diner, 718 Broadway, Kingston. Participants are asked to meet at diner for a 45 minute focus on calls-to-action, followed by an informal visit to John Faso’s office. All interested are asked to contact kathy.adin@gmail.com.
  Hudson Women's Town Hall: Speak Out Against Violence, 11 a.m., June 3 at Hudson Area Library, Fifth and State streets, Hudson. The women of the 19th Congressional District have invited U.S. Rep. John Faso to meet and hear firsthand the ways that violence has impacted their lives. Hosted by the National Organization for Women New York and the Columbia County Democratic Committee.
Indivisible Rensselaer County meeting, 6 p.m., June 5 at East Greenbush Community Library, 10 Community Way, East Greenbush. Planning and organizational meeting for all group members. New people welcome!

John Eggerton reports at Broadcasting and Cable that a group of public interest nonprofits -- Free Press, Media Mobilizing Project, Prometheus Radio Project, National Hispanic Media Coalition, and Common Cause -- have petitioned a federal court to stay the Federal Communications Commission's April 20 reinstatement of the so-called UHF discount. The court has told the FCC to respond by June 1, as the old rules are slated to go back into effect June 5. The UHF discount counts viewers to UHF television stations as less than full people, allowing owners to acquire more stations than they normally would be allowed. UHF stations were higher on the old analog dial, with reception issues. UHF TV stations were like AM radio stations, compared to VHF stations with better reception like FM radio. Obviously, this is an old rule from a bygone age. The petitioners here believe the FCC acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, conceding the rule is obsolete and does not serve the public interest. The FCC voted 2-1 along political lines to restore the discount, allowing deals such as Sinclair's proposed $3.9 billion purchase of Tribune to move forward.

Memorial Day parades and ceremonies for Mon., May 29: [Updated 9:30 a.m.]

8:30 a.m.: Durham Memorial Day services at Durham Elementary School (until 10 a.m.).

9 a.m.: The Athens Memorial Day parade will step off, marching from North Franklin to the Veterans Triangle, placing wreaths in honor of deceased veterans, then proceed to the American Legion hall on Second Street.

9 a.m.: The Ghent Memorial Day parade has been canceled due to weather, but the ceremony will take place at the Ghent Firehouse at 9 a.m.

9 a.m.: In New Lebanon, the Memorial Day parade steps off at Shatford Park.

9 a.m.: In Philmont the parade will line up at 8:30 a.m. at the old American Legion building and step off at 9 a.m. Marchers will parade down Main St., ending at Memorial Park on Main St. Legion members will decorate the graves of veterans at the Claverack, Philmont, Mellenville, Hollowville and Martindale cemeteries. Rain or shine.

9 a.m.: The Valatie Memorial Day ceremony begins at Martin H. Glynn Square. The Memorial Day parade and ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in Niverville.

10 a.m.: The Germantown Memorial Day parade has been cancelled due to inclement weather; however, services will be held on the Main Street side of the Germantown Central School. Refreshments will be served.

10 a.m.: The Greenville Memorial Day parade will step off at 10 a.m. and conclude at 11 a.m., with an observance saluting America's war dead at VFW Post 3175, Route 6.

10:15 a.m.: The Hudson Memorial Day parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. at the Seventh St. Park Veterans Monument with the call to assembly and the laying of the wreath. Flags are to be flown at half-staff until noon. Seventh Street will be closed from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. The parade will process from Seventh St., down Warren and across Fourth St. to the Court House Park where Memorial Day services will be held is cancelled due to inclement weather.

10:30 a.m.: The Ancram Memorial Day parade lines up at the Ancram Town Hall and steps off at 11 a.m. The parade will end at Bliss Memorial Field where the ceremonies will take place.

10:30 a.m.: The Chatham Memorial Day parade will line up at the American Legion on Woodbridge Ave. and steps off at 11 a.m., then proceed over Woodbridge Ave., up Kinderhook St. to Central Square, and down Main St. to the gazebo adjacent to the veterans memorial at Main St. and Park Row.

11 a.m.: Cairo Memorial Day parade at Angelo Canna Park, the Cairo town park, just behind Main St. The parade processes from town hall to the park. The annual event is sponsored by American Legion Mohican Post #983. Refreshments will be served.

11 a.m.: The Greenport Memorial Day service will be held at the circle on Livingston Parkway in Lorenz Park.

11 a.m.: The town of Kinderhook’s Memorial Day parade has been cancelled due to weather.

1 p.m.: The Coxsackie Memorial Day parade will step off. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.

4 p.m.: Catskill Memorial Day parade and ceremony along Main Street with a ceremony at Court House.

Click here (6:39) to listen to WGXC's Congressional report, a look back at the week in news for Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook).

Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) released a statement after President Donald Trump's staff released a federal budget proposal for 2018. “President Trump’s 2018 budget plan makes some notable, and welcome, recommendations such as balancing the budget in 10 years and boosting our national defense readiness," Faso's statement read. "Deep cuts to domestic programs, however, would threaten Upstate New Yorkers at a time when a still-struggling regional economy and fragile jobs market have left many families concerned about the future. As a member of the Budget Committee, I intend to thoroughly review the details of this suggested budget plan and offer my support for policies and programs that thoughtfully reform federal spending and protect programs critical to our communities.”

James Nani at The Fray reports that Ulster County Executive Mike Hein will decide if he's running for Congress by the end of July. Hein, from the Town of Hurley, is a Democrat in his third term as Ulster County executive. In 2016, several local Democrats urged him to run against John Faso (R-Kinderhook), but he decided to keep his current job. Six other Democrats have said they’re running for the 19th District seat. The district includes all or part of 11 counties, including all of Greene and Columbia counties. So far, 28-year-old Gareth Rhodes of Kerhonkson, 40-year-old Antonio Delgado of Rhinebeck, 26-year-old Steven Brisee of Walden, 47-year-old Brian Flynn of Hunter, 52-year-old Sue Sullivan of Plattekill, and 40-year-old Jeffrey Beal of Woodstock have announced intentions to run. Flynn and Delgado have raised significant funds, according to federal election records. And Faso has also filed to run for again in 2018. Read the full story at The Fray.

Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) has added an amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017, which would stop any new barge anchorage sites to be established on the Hudson River between Yonkers and Kingston for at least a year. With Coast Guard funding set to expire, the bill is likely to pass with the amendment. Currently, the Coast Guard has a proposal to create ten anchorage spots for large barges on that portion of the Hudson River. The proposal has seen widespread, bi-partisan dissent locally. “The Hudson River, like any finite resource, can only thrive when it is shared responsibly and all voices are heard. Since news of the Coast Guard’s proposal emerged, I have urged the agency to work with our communities and listen to their concerns. I saw the opportunity with a must-pass piece of legislation affecting the Coast Guard to add a provision which would halt the anchorage process and get this provision enacted into law,” Faso was quoted in a press release.

On May 25 Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) voted for the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017 which changes the Clean Water Act to allow companies an easier time discharging pesticides in waterways. The bill passed 256-to-165, with only one Republican voting against, and 25 Democrats on board. This bill amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency or a state from requiring a permit for a discharge of a pesticide into navigable waters if the discharge is approved under FIFRA.

Richard Moody in The Daily Mail reports that when John Faso (R-Kinderhook) voted for the recent version of the Republican healthcare plan, he didn't wait for the Congressional Budget Office to release a report on the proposal. Now the CBO says 23 million Americans will lose health insurance under the plan, and many more could have much higher costs if any states opt out of certain provisions. “I do not agree with the CBO’s analysis as to losses of insurance coverage and specifically do not agree with their belief that some states will seek the waiver option permitted under the legislation,” Faso said. “I intend to fully review the contents of the report, just as I reviewed the initial analysis of the underlying elements of the American Health Care Act prior to its passage.” Under the plan, states are allowed waivers for required minimum standards of coverage and insurers are allowed to set premiums on the basis of an individual’s health if that person had a lapse in coverage. "People who are less healthy, including those with pre-existing or newly acquired medical conditions, would ultimately be unable to purchase comprehensive nongroup health insurance at premiums comparable to those under current law," the CBO report says. But Faso then says the report that is about one thing -- the new proposal -- should have been about something else -- the current Affordable Care Act law. “The CBO also ignores the fact that the ACA exchanges are unraveling in many parts of the nation. The key in my mind is to lower premiums and deductibles while maintaining protections for those with pre-existing conditions,” Faso said Thursday. “I expect the Senate to improve on the House-passed bill on both counts and I look forward to continuing to work to improve the health insurance system for all Americans.” Protesters turned out in the rain May 25 at Faso's Kinderhook office to protest his healthcare position. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Here are some stories from the Hudson River this week. Click here to hear an audio version of this report.

• The Stevens Institute reports temperatures this week in the Hudson River at Schodack Island have been between 63 and 65 degrees.

• Brian Nearing is reporting in the Times Union federal officials have one week left to grade the success of General Electric's effort to remove toxic PCBs from the Hudson River. In the meantime, elected officials and environmental activists are telling the Environmental Protection Agency the river cleanup is far from finished. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. representatives Paul Tonko and Nita Lowey, Sean Maloney and Eliot Engle of the Hudson Valley area, wrote to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt this week urging the agency to consider complaints made last year by the state Department of Environmental Conservation that too many PCBs remain. The letter advised the EPA to weigh DEC data that shows the remedy as prescribed is not "protective of human health and the environment." The letter further warned that "New Yorkers must not be left holding the bag for contamination that will render the Hudson River a Superfund site for generations to come." Under federal Superfund pollution rules, the EPA must review the effectiveness of its cleanup projects every five years. The federal agency had expected to issue its five-year review of the Hudson River cleanup in April, well in advance of a June 1 deadline. On Wed., May 24, an EPA spokesperson said no date for release of the report has been set. The current draft report runs to 900 pages and is still being revised. Read the full story in the Times Union.

• On May 25 Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) voted for the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017 which changes the Clean Water Act to allow companies an easier time discharging pesticides in waterways. The bill passed 256-to-165, with only one Republican voting against, and 25 Democrats on board. This bill amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency or a state from requiring a permit for a discharge of a pesticide into navigable waters if the discharge is approved under FIFRA.

• The Daily Freeman is reporting two teenagers were rescued from the middle of Catskill Creek, Fri., May 19, state police said Monday. Troopers received a call around 7 p.m. reporting that two teens were unable to make it up a trail to the Route 23 overpass of the creek. The police arrived to find the 14- and 15-year-olds stranded in the middle of the creek clinging to a rock ledge at the edge of a 15-foot waterfall. The Leeds Fire Department and Greene County paramedics responded and deployed a lifeline across the water. The 14-year-old was able to grab the line and made it to shore uninjured. The 15-year-old tried to follow, but lost his grip on the line and was swept over the falls into a pool of water below. Eventually, a medic was able to enter the water downstream and along with the crew, was able to get the boy out of the water. The 15-year-old was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital to be treated for possible hypothermia and minor injuries. Both teenagers were from Catskill. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

• On May 23, Cornell University and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were recognized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program for 20 years working to protect and preserve the Hudson River Estuary and its watershed. “While this award recognizes the crucial impact we have had so far, there remains much to be done to safeguard the Hudson River and its many communities. We are committed to applying our research and expertise to sustain this stunning natural resource for future generations of New Yorkers,” said college dean Kathryn J. Boor.

Local weather forecast:
TODAY (Memorial Day): Periods of rain, mainly before 3 p.m. High near 60. Monday night, isolated showers before 9 p.m., then patchy drizzle with isolated showers after 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 52.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
TUESDAY: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 66. Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then scattered showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 54.
WEDNESDAY: Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 74. Wednesday night, isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 51.

Sunrise today: 5:22 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:23 p.m.
LENGTH OF THE DAY: 15:01 hrs.

PUBLIC MEETINGS
Memorial Day observed.
All non-essential federal, state, county and local municipalities are closed. Post offices, banks and schools are also closed today.

The Daily Freeman reports the following closed or altered services for Mon., May 29:
Amtrak: Holiday schedule
Banks: Closed
County offices: Closed
Federal offices: Closed
Financial markets: Closed
Greene County Transit: No service
Mail delivery: None
Metro-North: Sunday Schedule
Schools: Closed
State offices: Closed
Trailways: Holiday schedule

Radio Caroline, perhaps the world's most famous pirate radio operator, has been granted an AM license from Ofcom, the British agency that regulates the airwaves. It was 50 years ago when the British Parliament passed the 1967 Marine Broadcasting Offences Act after Radio Caroline skirted UK regulations by broadcasting from a boat. Peter Moore, who runs Radio Caroline, said the station plans to broadcast from the ship the MV Ross Revenge on the River Blackwater in Essex, with a signal covering Suffolk and northern parts of Essex. “It’s our intention to broadcast to the same people we used to when we had the ships off the Essex coast,” Moore said. “It will be the same sort of service they would have heard in the past delivered in the same way and presented in many cases by the same people as before.... It’s like a living time capsule.” Radio Caroline began to play pop music the BBC would not in 1964. The station has been immortalized in the film "Pirate Radio" with Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Radio Caroline continued to broadcast until the Ross Revenge was shipwrecked off the Kent coast in 1991, according to the Sunday Post.