WRGB TV reports that Petersburgh in Rensselaer County has lifted all restrictions on its drinking water. Like Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh has been struggling with the dangerous chemical PFOA in its drinking water, but a notice on the town website April 13 says the latest test results did not find PFOA in the drinking water. The town had added a new filtration system since the discovery of PFOA in the water. read the full story on the WRGB TV website.

The Daily Freeman reports that an industrial accident that killed a Greene County man will cost a contractor $360,000 in penalties. Catskill-based North American Quarry will pay for the death of employee Stephen J. Wickham, 30, of Greenville, who died operating an industrial drill in 2012 at Northeast Solite’s Mount Marion Pit and Mill in Saugerties when he became caught up in the shaft of the machine’s auger. North American Quarry was also cited for three “flagrant” violations and one “high negligence” violation, according to the Department of Labor. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

DOWNLOAD or PLAY the audio version of the local news headlines for Fri., Apr. 14 (7:54). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Rosa Acheson is reporting in the Register-Star more than half of Hudson's Bliss Tower residents could face eviction because of outstanding rent and apartment fees, Hudson Housing Authority board members said Wed., Apr. 12. As of Thursday, residents owed nearly $43,000, approximately 8 percent of the building's total annual rent, newly appointed Hudson Housing Authority Executive Director Anthony Laulette said. Of the building's 129 units, 74 of those households are in arrears, Laulette said. The new executive director's goal is to improve the rate of rent collection. "The goal is not to evict people, it’s to keep people here and help them get caught up," he said. Rent is typically 30 percent of a tenant's adjusted gross income, and current tenants are paying anywhere from $50 to $1,196 per month; however, some Bliss tenants pay no rent. The Hudson Housing Authority board last month approved the hiring of an attorney specializing in evictions. Laulette is working with that attorney to review leases and determine how to move forward. The reason some Bliss residents pay no rent is not known, Laulette said. "My perception is, there may have been lackadaisical lease enforcement, which is why I want to take a look at the lease," he said. Bliss Towers is a Housing and Urban Development funded, low-income apartment building located on Second Street in Hudson. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Amanda Purcell is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Catskill Board of Education has named Ronel Cook as its next superintendent, effective July 1. Cook is currently serving as deputy superintendent in the Poughkeepsie City School District. Cook’s 22-year career began as a classroom teacher in Poughkeepsie. He went on to serve as an assistant superintendent for human resources, director of personnel and principal in that district. Cook holds a doctorate in educational leadership, administration and policy from Fordham University and a certificate of advanced study, a master’s degree in educational technology and a bachelor’s degree in English from SUNY New Paltz. Cook said his first order of business will be to improve student performance in Catskill. “I was attracted to Catskill because it is a tight-knit school of about 1,500 students, its diversity and the challenge to help improve its schools and the district’s status,” he said. Cook will replace Annemarie Barkman, who has served as interim superintendent since 2015. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Daniel Zuckerman is reporting in The Daily Mail asbestos has been discovered in the building slated to house Lumberyard Contemporary Performing Arts in Catskill, and a fundraising campaign to help with the removal effort is now underway. The silicate minerals were identified on the building facade and the roof in March, approximately 18 months after the former American Dance Institute purchased the former Dunn Builders Supply buildings on Water Street for $1.2 million in 2015. When inspected prior to purchase the structure was deemed asbestos-free, Lumberyard Executive and Artistic Director Adrienne Willis said, but then the material was found by a construction company. That company suggested the building be retested, Willis said. It is not known why the first test came back negative, she said. "We’re still trying to get to the bottom of it." The Lumberyard launched a fundraising campaign Thu., Apr. 13, to raise $250,000 to support the asbestos abatement effort. In the meantime, the Lumberyard is continuing toward its goal to open the building by summer 2019, but performances scheduled for 2017 will be held outdoors at various venues in Greene and Columbia counties, away from the Water Street building. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Click here to play or download a recording of the April 13 Hudson Planning Board meeting.

Dan Udell recorded and uploaded the April 10 Hudson Common Council meeting. This is the first part.

Locally, you can always tell it is spring if the local drive-in movie theater is open. This weekend, the Hiway Drive-In in Coxsackie reopens, with eight movies on four screens. The double features now playing include "Fate of the Furious" and "Get Out;" "Beauty and the Beast" and "Rogue One;" "Kong: Skull Island" and "Logan;" and "The Boss Baby" and "Lego Batman Movie."

William J. Kemble reports in The Daily Freeman a Woodstock Town Councilperson brought a BB gun to a town meeting April 11. “There were several complaints because bringing a weapon onto town property is a big no-no,” Jay Wenk said. “I did that unknowingly, but that doesn’t count, and I apologize to the town of Woodstock and everybody here for having done that.” In 2015, Wenk also brought a BB gun to Adams Fairacre Farms store in the town of Ulster. Then, he was protesting Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum’s call for county residents to carry weapons. Now, he was going to demonstrate how easily safety locks can be used on firearms. Councilwoman Cathy Magarelli said, “I thought that was a really poor choice,” especially because, “I sit next to you,” she said to him. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

Casey Seiler reports in Capitol Confidential a New York court upheld the ban on hydrofracking in the state April 13. The state Appellate Division’s Third Department upheld a lower court ruling denying a request to annul the de facto ban on hydrofracking. The appellate court agreed with the lower court that the plaintiff lacked standing to bring the suit. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.