Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Nov. 7 through Mon., Nov. 10:

Ariel Zangla reported in the Daily Freeman four Greene County employees who are elected or appointed to fixed terms of service will now receive annual raises equivalent to what is given to other management and confidential staff. The county Legislature last week adopted a resolution to provide for those salary increases. The resolution applies to the county’s public defender, Department of Social Services commissioner, attorney and administrator, according to County Administrator Shaun Groden. Before the resolution was adopted, the only way to change the salaries for those employees was by first holding a public hearing, Groden said. In other business, county legislators scheduled a public hearing on a proposed local law that would provide $10,000-per-year raises for the county sheriff and the county clerk. The hearing will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 in the auditorium of Catskill High School on West Main Street in the village.

Siobhan (Shea-vahn) Barton reported in the Register Star the Greenport Town Board last week presented a resolution to consolidate the town’s two sewer districts. Municipal officials said the action would save the town $17,000 in administrative costs. Consolidation would begin Jan. 1, 2015, if residents decide in favor of the resolution following a public hearing scheduled to take place at noon, Dec. 31. The resolution would be put to a vote immediately following the hearing.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="156"] Kaaterskill Falls[/caption]

Max Oppen is reporting in The Daily Mail the New York State Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, Greene County Emergency Services and local fire departments and rescue squads participated in communications drills Sun., Nov. 9, at Kaaterskill Falls and Clove. The purpose of the drills was to determine if communications systems and organizations within the area have the ability to work together. Communications have long been a challenge to rescue crews in the Clove due to the rugged terrain. Communications were tested on multiple levels of the falls on multiple frequencies. There were approximately 50 rescue personnel and many local volunteers involved in the drill. Officials reported he tests went well.

WNYT reported FluMist does not appear to protect young children against swine flu. The Centers for Disease Control says the nasal spray version of the flu vaccine failed to protect kids against the strain last winter and might not work again this year. Why it did not work is not clear. Officials say the spray is still okay to use and does work against other flu strains, which are expected to be more of a threat this year.

Vince Pecoraro reported in the Register Star the energy company Kinder Morgan has postponed its open houses on the Northeast Energy Direct expansion of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline scheduled to take place this fall. Chatham Town Supervisor Jesse DeGroodt said a Kinder Morgan representative notified the town the company has requested to pre-file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and postponed the public meetings. DeGroodt said Kinder Morgan has "determined a few alternative routes are viable." He said there is also some talk the pipeline will not even come through Columbia Co. Information on the NED Project is available at www [dot] Kinder Morgan [dot] com.