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Weekend in review

Jun 23, 2014 6:41 am
Some of the stories that made the news, Fri., June 20 through Mon., June 23:

The Daily Freeman reported employment was stronger in much of the Hudson Valley in May 2014 than it was in May 2013, according to data released last week by the state Department of Labor. Non-farm employment last month, compared to May 2013, was up by 200 jobs (1.4 percent) in Greene County, and up by 200 jobs (less than 1 percent) in Columbia County. The state-designated Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown area had the region’s most robust growth, reporting a gain of 1.3 percent. Non-farm jobs include all private-sector and government positions that are not in agriculture.

Joe Gentile reported in the Register Star Victim Impact Panels could return to Columbia County for the first time in nearly 10 years. The groups were created as a way to help individuals convicted of drunken driving from repeating the offense. A large cross-section of people attend the sessions, and are effective in getting across the point that DWI has far-reaching effects. Reginald Crowley, coordinator of the STOP DWI program has reached out to the District's Attorney's Office, the county Sheriff's Office and the Hudson Police Department to help hash out the logistics for bringing the panels back.

Audrey Matott reported in The Daily Mail the Cairo-Durham Central School District has now officially instituted its summer school program for grades K through 12. The Board of Education approved the program at a special meeting, Thurs., June 19. However, there is a difference of $12,000 between the estimated cost of the program and the actual cost presented to the board Thursday. Superintendent Mary Fassett promised the discrepancy would be explained. A recording of the full June 19 Board of Education meeting can be found at wgxc.org/archives.

Jordan Carleo-Evangelist reported at Capitol Confidential state Sen. Kathleen Marchione has been named one of S.C.O.P.E.’s two legislators of the year for her opposition to the SAFE Act. The western New York-based Shooter's Committee On Public Education also honored Utica-area Assembly member Claudia Tenney. Marchione represents the 43rd Senate District, which includes all of Columbia County. The first-term Republican has been a vocal opponent of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's 2013 gun control legislation, which requires owners of assault weapons to register them with the state. Most New Yorkers support the law, but upstate voters oppose it. S.C.O.P.E. lauded the senator for her sponsorship of two bills that would repeal the law.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="162"] (clearwaterfestival.org)[/caption]

The Associated Press reported the Clearwater Festival was held at Croton-on-Hudson over the weekend, the first of the annual music and environment program to be held following the death of founder Pete Seeger. Folk artists Tom Paxton, Tom Chapin, Holly Near, Dar Williams and others performed together to honor Seeger. Sets were planned that centered on music of the Weavers and Almanac Singers, and others highlighted the banjo, which Seeger frequently picked in concert. The two-day festival was expected to draw around 25,000 people.
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