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Weekend in review
Mar 10, 2014 6:58 am
Some of the stories that made the news, Mar. 7 through 10:
The Mid-Hudson News Network reported Ulster County had the strongest job growth rate in the Hudson Valley/Catskills region from January 2013 to January 2014 as well as the best rate among all 14 of the state’s metropolitan statistical areas. The state Department of Labor reported during the same period, Greene County gained 1,400 non-farm jobs, a growth rate of 1.4 percent. Columbia County gained 400 non-farm jobs, or 2 percent. There are currently a total of nearly 15,000 non-farm jobs in Greene Co. and more than 20,000 non-farm jobs in Columbia Co. The statewide unemployment rate in January was 6.8 percent, down from 8.1 percent the previous January.
Public News Service is reporting health concerns are growing as a result of the increased use of electronic cigarettes in the state of New York. Mike Clifford has the story: PLAY (1:27).
William J. Kemble reported in the Daily Freeman when Hunter residents go to the polls next week, they will find the ballot contains only an uncontested mayoral race. Incumbent Mayor William Maley is seeking a fourth three-year term. Maley is a retired postmaster and the owner of the Sedwick House Bed and Breakfast. He has been mayor for nine years, and previously served another nine years as a Village Board trustee. Maley is a registered Republican and will appear on the People's Party ballot line. Village elections are Tues., Mar. 18.
Rick Karlin reported at Capitol Confidential on the response of the state teachers union to the Assembly vote last week to delay significant parts of the Common Core implementation. The measure delays for two school years the use of test results for parts of teacher evaluations. The New York State United Teachers had earlier sought a three-year moratorium. The legislation still needs to make it through the Senate. The vote comes before lawmakers later in the month will vote for Board of Regents members. There is a push to remove some sitting members who helped put the Common Core program in place. In a statement released Mar. 4, Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk announced she intends to vote against any of the incumbent members of the Board of Regents when the time comes. Tkaczyk said the Regents must be held accountable for the flawed roll-out of the program. She said, "I ...believe very strongly they should be replaced with new members who will bring a fresh approach and a greater level of understanding of the issues facing our schools.”
WRWD is reporting area residents are waiting to learn the fate of two national chain stores located in Hudson. Both Radio Shack and Staples announced store closings last week, but did not disclose specific locations to be shuttered. Radio Shack reported national sales were down 19 percent last year and that it intends to close more than a thousand locations. Staples said nearly half of its sales are now online and it plans to close 225 stores nationwide. Radio Shack and Staples are located on Fairview Ave. in Greenport.
The Mid-Hudson News Network reported Ulster County had the strongest job growth rate in the Hudson Valley/Catskills region from January 2013 to January 2014 as well as the best rate among all 14 of the state’s metropolitan statistical areas. The state Department of Labor reported during the same period, Greene County gained 1,400 non-farm jobs, a growth rate of 1.4 percent. Columbia County gained 400 non-farm jobs, or 2 percent. There are currently a total of nearly 15,000 non-farm jobs in Greene Co. and more than 20,000 non-farm jobs in Columbia Co. The statewide unemployment rate in January was 6.8 percent, down from 8.1 percent the previous January.
Public News Service is reporting health concerns are growing as a result of the increased use of electronic cigarettes in the state of New York. Mike Clifford has the story: PLAY (1:27).
William J. Kemble reported in the Daily Freeman when Hunter residents go to the polls next week, they will find the ballot contains only an uncontested mayoral race. Incumbent Mayor William Maley is seeking a fourth three-year term. Maley is a retired postmaster and the owner of the Sedwick House Bed and Breakfast. He has been mayor for nine years, and previously served another nine years as a Village Board trustee. Maley is a registered Republican and will appear on the People's Party ballot line. Village elections are Tues., Mar. 18.
Rick Karlin reported at Capitol Confidential on the response of the state teachers union to the Assembly vote last week to delay significant parts of the Common Core implementation. The measure delays for two school years the use of test results for parts of teacher evaluations. The New York State United Teachers had earlier sought a three-year moratorium. The legislation still needs to make it through the Senate. The vote comes before lawmakers later in the month will vote for Board of Regents members. There is a push to remove some sitting members who helped put the Common Core program in place. In a statement released Mar. 4, Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk announced she intends to vote against any of the incumbent members of the Board of Regents when the time comes. Tkaczyk said the Regents must be held accountable for the flawed roll-out of the program. She said, "I ...believe very strongly they should be replaced with new members who will bring a fresh approach and a greater level of understanding of the issues facing our schools.”
WRWD is reporting area residents are waiting to learn the fate of two national chain stores located in Hudson. Both Radio Shack and Staples announced store closings last week, but did not disclose specific locations to be shuttered. Radio Shack reported national sales were down 19 percent last year and that it intends to close more than a thousand locations. Staples said nearly half of its sales are now online and it plans to close 225 stores nationwide. Radio Shack and Staples are located on Fairview Ave. in Greenport.