Here are some events this week from the WGXC Community Calendar. Go to wgxc.org to see more local events, or to add yours to the WGXC Community Calendar.

IN KINGSTON • Wolf Eyes, Spreaders, and Glockabelle perform at Tubby's in Kingston from 7-11 p.m. Tuesday, April 16.

IN CATSKILL • Saxophonist David Intrator has "Jazz By The Pool" Wednesday, April 17 at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill.

IN CATSKILL • “Quattracenta is a three-piece art rock band from Baltimore, MD, who draw on post punk and no wave influences, and they perform with Rip Room and Faccia Brutta Thursday, April 18 at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill. IN EGREMONT • The Wild Weeeds perform on Saturday, April 20 at the Devine cannabis dispensary at 71 Main St. in Egremont, MA from 3-6 p.m.

MONDAY • Today, Monday, April 15, is the day of that the first-ever criminal trial of a former president of the United States begins. Donald Trump begins his trial in Manhattan about hush money paid to an actress from pornographic films. The National Weather Service in Albany predicts that sunny skies and warmer temperatures return Monday after a few grey, rainy days.

TODAY'S HEADLINES
IN CATSKILL • Porcupine Soup reports that Greene County Legislature Chair Patrick Linger proposed a resolution this week questioning the veracity of the local 2022 elections. Linger was doing the bidding of a group called the New York Citizens Audit, who question the results of the 2022 election in New York and nationally. Linger offered the resolution at a County Services Committee meeting last week, but the committee voted against the proposal to audit the 2022 election results. The story does not say who voted which way, but says the measure was "soundly defeated." Greene County Republican Party Chair Brent Bogardus, who also serves as one of two Board of Election Commissioners, said the allegations of any election fraud were ridiculous. He said, “There isn’t a lot that Democrats and Republicans agree upon at the state level, but they agree on this.”

IN STOCKPORT • HudsonValley360.com reports that many local residents came out for a public hearing April 11 about a proposed Dollar General store that the town of Stockport Planning Board is currently considering. The land is currently inhabitated by Indiana bats, who are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Their population has shrunk by 19 percent since 2007. Tim Farley of Stockport said, “I see them at night flapping around.... They've acknowledged that they're imposing on the Indiana bats habitat. The reason that they're endangered is they don't do well when they're disturbed. They're going to be disturbed, why would it even be allowed if an endangered species could be impacted?” Stockport resident Pik Berwick said, “For me, the town of Stockport is small, but we could do with a nature place.... I would love to see this rewilded. We’re already having problems with the land, let the land and nature do what it wants to do."

IN THE HUDSON VALLEY • Mid-Hudson News spoke with Mid-Hudson Library System Executive Director Rebekkah Smith Aldrich about the popularity of libraries. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR PLAY BRIEF EXCERPT.

ON THE MOUNTAINTOP • Porcupine Soup reports that the local bears have emerged from their winter siestas and are and about looking for food. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation last week issued a reminder to secure all outdoor food sources such as trash cans and bird feeders, as the bears are ready to eat. DEC Big Game Biologist Brendan Quirion said, “This time of year, bears are emerging from their winter dens and over the winter they have been depleting their fat reserves. They are coming out of their dens―and they are hungry." Black bears consume 15,000 to 20,000 calories per day and an average bird feeder contains around 12,000 calories. The DEC does not recommend homeowners have birdfeeders about between April 1 and November 1. Garbage cans and outdoor grills can also be bear targets. And the DEC emphasizes that intentionally feeding bears is illegal. Quirion said, “You shouldn’t be scared if you see a bear.... Bears are more scared of us than we are of them. But you should be cautious. You should never approach a bear and you should never attempt to feed a bear.” He advises anyone seeing a bear to make loud noises by yelling and clapping. loud noise, clapping, or yelling, and that, “You don’t want to surprise a bear.... That can lead to the bear acting aggressively.”

TUESDAY'S EVENTS
IN KINGSTON • Wolf Eyes, Spreaders, and Glockabelle perform at Tubby's in Kingston from 7-11 p.m. Tuesday, April 16.

TUNE IN MONDAY
4 P.M. ON WGXC • Kieran Riley hosts the "WGXC Afternoon Show" live from Housatonic, MA, and this week's edition features "The Ag Report" from Brendan Donegan.

Here are some events this week from the WGXC Community Calendar. Go to wgxc.org to see more local events, or to add yours to the WGXC Community Calendar.

IN HUDSON • Neo Sora’s "Ryuichi Sakamoto Opus" film from 2023 finishes its run at TSL in Hudson this weekend, at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 13, at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, and at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 15.

IN KINGSTON • The Wendy Eisenberg/Caroline Davis duo, and a quartet of Joanna Mattrey, gabby fluke-mogul, Chris Williams, and Patrick Shiroishi perform from 7 to 11 p.m., Sunday, April 14 at at Tubby's in Kingston.

IN CATSKILL • Elizabeth Celeste Ibarra, Dylan Nowik, Wesley Harper and Alex P. Wernquest are the members of local band Camp Saint Helene, who perform alongside Lael Neale, and Andrew Victor Sunday, April 14 at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill.

IN CATSKILL • Music for Furniture gives its weekly performance from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. at Joust in Catskill. The weekly live improvised ambient music performance includes David and Kenji Garland, Dan Kirkhus, Jimmy Garver, Rodney Greenblat, and guest performers.

IN KINGSTON • Wolf Eyes, Spreaders, and Glockabelle perform at Tubby's in Kingston from 7-11 p.m. Tuesday, April 16.

IN CATSKILL • Saxophonist David Intrator has "Jazz By The Pool" Wednesday, April 17 at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill.

IN CATSKILL • “Quattracenta is a three-piece art rock band from Baltimore, MD, who draw on post punk and no wave influences, and they perform with Rip Room and Faccia Brutta Thursday, April 18 at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill.

Today's audio daily news update.

Click above to download or play the "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.

FRIDAY • Today, Friday, April 12, is the 102st day of the year. Confederate forces began their insurrection with their attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, beginning the Civil War. The National Weather Service in Albany is warning that "Additional rain showers are expected again on Friday, especially in the morning hours. The combination of rain and snowmelt from the high terrain may result in some additional minor flooding, especially of urban, low-lying, or other flood-prone areas. Rises on area rivers is likely, although most main stem rivers should stay within their banks. Behind the departing storm, westerly winds will be gusty on Saturday, with some gusts over 40 mph possible. Some downed tree limbs are possible."

TODAY'S HEADLINES
IN WASHINGTON D.C. • Mid-Hudson News reports that the the Environmental Protection Agency’s first-ever national drinking water standard for PFAS, the toxic forever chemical that has been poisoning drinking water locally in Hoosick Falls, in Cairo, near Stewart Airport, and many other sites. Rep Pat Ryan, a Democrat, said the new drinking water standard, “combined with over $1B in new funding for implementation, will reduce PFAS in drinking water to historic lows and protect 100 million Americans, including families in Newburgh and New Windsor, from these toxic ‘forever chemicals.’”

IN HUNTER • HudsonValley360.com reports that the village of Hunter’s finances were not adequately managed recently, according to a report from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. His report said, “The (village) board and clerk-treasurer did not properly manage village financial operations.... The board did not provide oversight and the clerk-treasurer did not perform all required duties.” The village of Hunte failed too prepare or maintain board meeting minutes, maintain supporting documentation for deposits, or file annual financial reports with the Office of the State Comptroller. Hunter Mayor Alan Higgins said, “Lack of proper staffing and changes in the governing body have contributed to their cause (the audit’s finding).” The report is about the village's finances between June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023. The report also said, “The clerk-treasurer also was paid $34,988 without support or approval over a two-year period for overtime ($32,462) and unused leave time ($2,526).... The lack of oversight and disorganization at the village office could allow for funds to be misappropriated without detection or correction.”

IN CHATHAM • The Times Union reports that Jackson’s Old Chatham House in the Columbia County hamlet has been owned by the same family for 81 years, but now has new owners, who have been dining at the restaurant for decades. Dina and Iggy Vardi promise few changes to the restaurant. Dina Vardi said, “This is more than just a business opportunity for us.”

THIS WEEKEND'S LOCAL EVENTS
IN CATSKILL • "The Glass Menagerie" play completes its run at the Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill this weekend, through Saturday, April 13.

IN COXSACKIE • On Friday, April 12, the Hi-Way Drive-In opens for the 2024 season. "Civil War," from Alex Garland, debuts on the big screen there this weekend, in a double feature with the same director's movie "Ex Machina." The latest Godzilla and "Ghostbusters" movies also play at the outdoor venue this weekend.

IN HUDSON • Neo Sora’s "Ryuichi Sakamoto Opus" film from 2023 finishes its run at TSL in Hudson this weekend, at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 13, at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, and at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 15.

IN KINGSTON • The Wendy Eisenberg/Caroline Davis duo, and a quartet of Joanna Mattrey, gabby fluke-mogul, Chris Williams, and Patrick Shiroishi perform from 7 to 11 p.m., Sunday, April 14 at at Tubby's in Kingston.

IN CATSKILL • Elizabeth Celeste Ibarra, Dylan Nowik, Wesley Harper and Alex P. Wernquest are the members of local band Camp Saint Helene, who perform alongside Lael Neale, and Andrew Victor Sunday, April 14 at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill.

TUNE IN THIS WEEKEND
10 A.M. SATURDAY ON WGXC • "There's a Kind of Hush" as the former president begins a criminal trial on Monday on "Turn on the News."

8 P.M. SUNDAY ON WGXC • Tony Fallon is live from Acra with "The Irish Show."

Here are some events this week from the WGXC Community Calendar. Go to wgxc.org to see more local events, or to add yours to the WGXC Community Calendar.

IN CATSKILL • "The Glass Menagerie" play completes its run at the Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill this weekend, Thu., April, 11 through Sat., April 13.

IN COXSACKIE • On Friday, April 12, the Hi-Way Drive-In opens for the 2024 season. "Civil War," from Alex Garland, debuts on the big screen there this weekend, in a double feature with the same director's movie "Ex Machina." The latest Godzilla and "Ghostbusters" movies also play at the outdoor venue this weekend.

• IN HUDSON Neo Sora’s "Ryuichi Sakamoto Opus" film from 2023 finishes its run at TSL in Hudson this weekend, at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 13, at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, and at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 15.

• IN KINGSTON The Wendy Eisenberg/Caroline Davis duo, and a quartet of Joanna Mattrey, gabby fluke-mogul, Chris Williams, and Patrick Shiroishi perform from 7 to 11 p.m., Sunday, April 14 at at Tubby's in Kingston.

• IN CATSKILL Elizabeth Celeste Ibarra, Dylan Nowik, Wesley Harper and Alex P. Wernquest are the members of local band Camp Saint Helene, who perform alongside Lael Neale, and Andrew Victor Sunday, April 14 at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill.

• IN CATSKILL Music for Furniture gives its weekly performance from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. at Joust in Catskill. The weekly live improvised ambient music performance includes David and Kenji Garland, Dan Kirkhus, Jimmy Garver, Rodney Greenblat, and guest performers.

• IN KINGSTON Wolf Eyes, Spreaders, and Glockabelle perform at Tubby's in Kingston from 7-11 p.m. Tuesday, April 16.

• IN CATSKILL Saxophonist David Intrator has "Jazz By The Pool" Wednesday, April 17 at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill.

THURSDAY • Today, Thursday, April 11, is the 101st day of the year. Kurt Vonnegut, the American novelist, short story writer, and playwright was born on this day in 1922. The National Weather Service in Albany is warning that "a strong low pressure system will likely bring periods of moderate to locally heavy rainfall and strong winds Thursday into Friday. The combination of rain and snowmelt in areas with remaining snowpack may result in some flooding of urban, low-lying, or other flood-prone areas. Rises on area rivers is likely. The strongest winds are expected Thursday night into early Friday morning across the eastern Catskills, Taconics, Berkshires, and Litchfield Hills."

TODAY'S HEADLINES
IN CATSKILL Andrea Macko at Porcupine Soup reports that the WellNow Urgent Care on Maple Avenue holds an official grand opening and ribbon cutting with the Greene County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, April 30. The building has been complete, but empty, for two years. WellNow spokesperson Katie Riccio said, “We realized it was necessary to push our Catskill opening date out in order to make sure we were operationally set up to provide the excellent care and experience that our patients expect from us." The company has another location on Fairview Avenue in Hudson. The urgent care center will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and may add weekend hours.

IN KINGSTON • Mid-Hudson News reports that the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater is getting ready for its 55th sailing season beginning Saturday, April 13, leaving from its home port at the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston. The boat will sail between Albany and New York City through October. Clearwater Executive Director David Toman said, "We look forward to inspiring thousands of kids and adults through our onboard programs and community events." Finger Lakes region native Liam Henrie is the new co-captain this year.

IN STOCKPORT • HudsonValley360.com reports that the Town of Stockport is holding a public hearing for a new Dollar General at 7 p.m. April 11 at the Stockport Town Hall. The proposed business would be on a 4.2 acre parcel of land on Route 9 and Crown Court. There are other Dollar General stores nearby in Hudson, Germantown, Athens, and one being rebuilt in Cairo. The Stockport location is currently home to the endangered Indiana bat, according to the project’s environmental assessment form. Planning Board Chairman Dan McCormack said, “People are not happy.... I have a feeling a lot of the people that are not happy are going to be there and voice their displeasure.”

IN GREENVILLE Porcupine Soup reports that the Greenville Irish American Club's annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been rescheduled from March 23 to Saturday, April 27. The annual event was postponed because of rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain forecast for the original date. This year is the parade's 50th anniversary. Patrick O’Regan organized Greenville’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 19, 1974. O'Regan and others incorporated the Irish American Club in 1980. The April 27 parade begins at 1 p.m. from the parking lot of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church and ends at the library on State Route 32, with refreshments and entertainment in the Scott M. Ellis Elementary School cafeteria.

IN KINGSTON The Daily Freeman reports that MSNBC broadcaster Rachel Maddow will talk at the at the Ulster Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Maddow has a new book called, “Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism,” and will speak with University of Pennsylvania Professor Anthea Butler at the Kingston events. Oblong Books and the Bardavon are sponsoring the event.

TODAY'S LOCAL EVENTS
IN CATSKILL • "The Glass Menagerie" play completes its run at the Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill this weekend, Thursday, April, 11 through Saturday, April 13.

TUNE IN TONIGHT
7 P.M. ON WGXC • Ric Royer and G. Lucas Crane host "Suddering Words" live from the WGXC Acra studio. "Suddering Words" is a monthly improvised mashup of various radio show formats from rock jock to radio drama to NPR to old time mysteries and everything in between.

WEDNESDAY • Today, Wednesday, April 10, is the 100th day of the year. On this date in 1710, the Statute of Anne, the first law regulating copyright, went into effect in Great Britain. The National Weather Service in Albany predicts that rain returns to the region today through Saturday, with the most likely extended periods on Thursday evening and Friday.

TODAY'S HEADLINES
IN ALBANY New York State of Politics reports that state legislators blew past their April 1 deadline, and still have not approved a state budget for next year. New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins explained that legislators in Albany have yet to agree how to help the affordable housing crisis with the budget. PLAY OR DOWNLOAD EXCERPT OF STEWART-COUSINS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS.

IN CATSKILL • Michael Ryan in Porcupine Soup reports that construction on the new wing of the the Greene County Courthouse will continue through next year. There will soon be less parking in the village of Catskill, as the the $28.8 million construction project is taking over the lot across Main St. from the courthouse, for storage and vehicles. The digging for the project has unearthed old sewer and stormwater pipes. Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said, "They were deeper and bigger than we thought. We thought they were 12-inch pipe. They are 24-inch. The reality is there is little to no paperwork after 100 years." Expect construction to disrupt the village through June of 2025.

IN ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON • The Daily Freeman reports that the Bard Prison Initiative is getting $4.5 million in federal funding to broaden its college-in-prison work across seven state prisons as well as its reentry and alumni programs throughout the state. Bard College President Leon Botstein said, “The Bard Prison Initiative has led the nation in shaping the way we think about higher education for incarcerated people and its role in changing the impact of imprisonment for the better, inside the prison system and beyond.” Currently, the Bard Prison Initiative enrolls more than 400 incarcerated students in degree-granting programs. The program “begins working with students to plan their reentry at least a year ahead of release and then works with students and alumni as they transition back into the community and throughout their careers. Reentry services at BPI include continuing education, career development, housing services, and mental wellness.” The Bard Prison Initiative reports recidivism rates from their students who earn an associate’s degree is 8.7 percent, and their students with a bachelor’s degree rate of return to prison is only 3.1 percent. That is much better than the national recidivism rate, which is above 60 percent.

IN ALBANY Campaign ads will soon flood the local television airwaves, as there will be big spending this year on Congressional elections. Republicans flipped several New York seats in 2022, helping them take over the majority in the House of Representatives. Locally, incumbents Democrat Pat Ryan, and Republican Marc Molinaro are expected to have competitive races, while incumbents Democrat Paul Tonko and Republican Elise Stefanik are expected to win easily as usual. New York State of Politics reports that the Democrat-aligned House Majority political action committee is reserving roughly $21 million worth of TV ad time in New York before the November elections. That includes $1.19 million in spending in the Albany television market.

TODAY'S LOCAL EVENTS
IN CATSKILL • The monthly Nonchalant variety show is back from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, April 10, at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill with video, films, sound, and more.

IN KINGSTON • Also on Wednesday, April 10, Philadelphia/Michigan-based musician Rosali peforms at Tubby's in Kingston with Verity Den opening from 7-11 p.m.

TUNE IN TONIGHT
8 P.M. ON WGXC • Catskill's Neva Wartell delves into the music of Brazil that has been deeply rooted in African as well as indigenous traditions on "Music For the Masses" at 8 p.m. at wgxc.org and 90.7-FM.

Today, Tuesday, April 9, is the day after eclipse day. The total solar eclipse was only a few hours away yesterday, and Greene County residents saw a 96 percent eclipse around 3:20 p.m. USA Today reported that six inmates at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility near Monticello sued the state corrections department over a planned lockdown during the total solar eclipse. Instead, they got to squint at the sky yesterday. On this day in 1860 Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville made the oldest known recording of an audible human voice on his phonautograph machine. The National Weather Service in Albany predicts sunny skies and a temperature that may reach 70 degrees today.

• The Times Union reports that on April 8 a New York appeals court judge denied Donald Trump's appeal to delay his April 15 hush money criminal trial as he mounts a last-ditch effort to move the case out of Manhattan. Trump's lawyers asked Justice Lizbeth González at an emergency hearing that she postpone the trial indefinitely while they seek a change of venue. But she did not accept their arguments. Trump's hush money trial is the first of his four criminal indictments to get a trial, and would be the first criminal trial ever of a former president.

• The Daily Freeman reports that state assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson, a Democrat from Newburgh, wants New York officials to review and fortify several local bridges after the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed last month after a collision with a container ship killed six workers. A recent New York Times report warns that the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, Mid-Hudson Bridge, and Newburgh-Beacon Bridge lack pier protection and could be vulnerable to collapse from a similar collision. Jacobson said, “Hudson Valley residents rely on these bridges as major arteries connecting both sides of the Valley, as other highways go north and south.... The disruption and cost to the state and Federal economy would be immeasurable if the Newburgh Beacon Bridge, which carries I-84, collapsed or was unusable."

• Lawmakers in Albany still have not passed a state budget, now more than a week after the deadline, and some deposits have been delayed but state checks have been on time, New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says in the Times Union. Legislators returned to Albany on April 8 to add another budget extender to keep state payroll flush through April 11.

Tune in to WGXC, solar-powered creative community radio, at wgxc.org or 90.7-FM on Wednesday, April 10 and hear:

• "Democracy Now!" with Amy Goodman and Juan González live at 8 a.m.

• This week on "Las Brujas Bilingues" on the "WGXC Morning Show" Las brujas are off to see the wizard! Life is full of magic! Esta semana en "Las Brujas Bilingues": ¡Las brujas se van a ver al mago! ¡La vida está llena de magia! Tune in at 9 a.m.

• At 10 a.m. on "Reading is Funktamental" host Sal Cataldi talks with Joel Selvin, who from 1972 – 2009 was the influential rock music columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. He is also the author of more than a dozen books on rock music and culture and has covered artists such as Sly Stone, The Grateful Dead, Ricky Nelson, and Sammy Hagar.

• Catskill's Neva Wartell delves into the music of Brazil that has been deeply rooted in African as well as indigenous traditions on "Music For the Masses" at 8 p.m.

Today, Monday, April 8, is eclipse day. The total solar eclipse is only a few hours away. Greene County residents will see a 96 percent eclipse. The eclipse will be seen from 2 p.m. until about 4:30 p.m. with peak viewing at about 3:20 p.m. The Catskill Public Library is hosting an eclipse watch event at Beattie-Powers Place from 2-5 p.m. The Olana State Historic Site in Columbia County has a presentation about eclipses at 3 p.m. The Kinderhook Memorial Library is also hosting an eclipse event Monday at Stuyvesant Town Hall.

In Catskill, Porcupine Soup reports that the Greene Medical Arts building evacuated because of the shaking from the New Jersey earthquake at 10:23 a.m. this past Friday, April 5, firefighters reported. Whether the earthquake could be felt this far away depended on the type of building and the ground composition beneath those buildings, experts say. Gov. Kathy Hochul said, “We actually felt it here in the Capitol in Albany. People felt it on Long Island and all over the State of New York and indeed the East Coast.” The U.S. Geological Survey reports that since 1950 there have been about 20 earthquakes on the East Coast with a magnitude of 4.5 or stronger, compared to more than 1,000 on the West Coast.

The Times Union reports that Democrat Joe Biden received 90 percent of the vote in most local counties in last week's presidential primary election. Republican Donald Trump, though, got numbers in the 70s and 80s in locally. Trump got 83.5 percent of his party's votes in Dutchess County, and only 80.3 in Ulster County. Trump received 80.4 percent of the votes of Columbia County Republicans, and 87.1 percent in Greene County. Biden did best in Dutchess County, with 92.9 percent of the vote. He got 91.5 percent in Ulster County, 90.5 percent in Greene County, and 92.4 percent in Columbia County.

In Tannersville, the Wellness RX pharmacy on Main St. has moved operations to Phoenicia, Porcupine Soup reports. Last week owner and Pharmacy Manager Ed Ullman said, “Market forces have necessitated a shift in all pharmacy operations from Tannersville to the Pharmacy for the Public Good in Phoenicia, effective immediately.... Decreased insurance reimbursements and unfriendly business practices from wholesalers have significantly impacted small businesses like ours."

In Coxsackie, the Hi-Way Drive-In opens this weekend for the first time on 2024. "Civil War," from Alex Garland, opens on the big screen there this weekend, in a double feature with the same director's movie "Ex Machina." The latest Godzilla and "Ghostbusters" movies also play at the outdoor venue this weekend.

Porcupine Soup reports that Democrats prevailed in village elections in Athens, Catskill, and Coxsackie on March 19, according to unofficial results from Greene County Board of Elections. Republicans won in Tannersville, and the villlages of Hunter and Chatham had not posted results as of March 20. In Athens, incumbent Democrat Gail A. Lasher got 238, followed by Democrat Joey J. Dillberg with 227, to take the two seats available. Republican Jessica L. Vermilyea received 89 votes. In Catskill, Democratic newcomers Daniel R. Ward got 446 votes and Jeffrey E. Workman, Jr. received 407 to take the two seats available. They beat incumbent Republicans Jeffrey C. Holliday, with 353 votes, and Peter J. Grasse, who also serves as village president, who got got 370 votes. In Coxsackie, Incumbent Democrat Katlyn E. Irwin was the top vote getter with 309, followed by Democrat Deidre M. Meier with 297, to win two seats. Republicans Stefanie A. Sitcer and Cesar O. Echavarria got 266 and 259 votes, respectively. In Tannersville incumbent Gregory P. Thorpe, who ran on both the Democratic and Republican lines, received 67 votes and Republican George J. Kelly got 57 votes, while Democrat Andrew Tepper received 17 votes.

Tiffany Greenwaldt-Simon reports for HudsonValley360.com that Sarah Spohler, a fan of the Cascades restaurant in Hudson, has bought the brand and will reopen it as a food truck. The restaurant closed last April after about 30 years, and the building is now for sale. Spohler said, “It was one of my favorite places.... When I heard that it was closing I was pretty distraught.” Spohler also owns the Bees and Baas small farm in Castleton. She could not afford the rent on the Warren St. space, so instead she bought the rights to the restaurant, including the menu, and will go on wheels. She said, “I wanted to make this happen for myself and the community, so I got creative with it. This is a way to do it on a smaller scale.... I know where every ingredient is from, but I can’t fit everything. I want to offer some things as specials.” She hopes to have the food truck rolling in May. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Mid-Hudson News reports that Jet Blue airlines will not be returning to Stewart International Airport. Since Jet Blue left the Newburgh airport in 2020, officials there have been hoping to lure them back. But the airline says they did not sell enough tickets to their Florida flights there. Currently, Allegiant Air and Breeze Airways provide non-daily service to several Florida cities from Stewart. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

Kevin Frey reports at New York State of Politics that on March 18 the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a First Amendment case between the National Rifle Association and the former head of New York’s Department of Financial Services, Maria Vullo. The NRA, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, accuses Vullo of violating the First Amendment by pressuring banks and insurance companies to blacklist the NRA after the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. The Supreme Court may decide between governmental advocacy and coercion. The ACLU’s David Cole said there was a, “campaign by the state's highest political officials to use their power to coerce a boycott of a political advocacy organization because they disagreed with its advocacy.” Vullo’s lawyer, Neal Katyal, said Vullo was “seeking to weaponize the First Amendment and exempt themselves from the rules that govern you and me simply because they're a controversial speaker.” A ruling could come later this spring. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Roger Hannigan Gilson reports in the Times Union that the Coxsackie-Athens and Catskill school districts have been removed from the state’s “Targeted Districts” list after their standardized test scores and other metrics improved. The state compares schools standardized tests results, including ELA and math tests given in grades 3-8 and the Regents exams, and also factors in chronic absenteeism rates and other metrics in deciding which districts are targeted for improvement. Coxsackie-Athens Superintendent Randall Squire said, “We believe our kids are more than a test score.... We believe by concentrating and focusing on the whole child and providing the environment they need to achieve their own extraordinary success, one of the results is an improvement on standardized tests — but we don’t focus on them, we don’t teach to the tests. We believe there are other indicators that are more accurate to determine whether a kid is going to be ready for college, career, life.” Catskill Superintendent Dan Wilson, who is currently facing a petition being circulated through the community for his resignation over an employment issue, said it “fantastic news and something our entire school community can be proud of.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Liz Montgomery reports for Porcupine Soup that the Piccolo Trattoria restaurant is moving from Main St. in Catskill to Main St. in Leeds. The restaurant is moving into the Murphy’s Law Public House, which closed in January. Instead of a smaller restaurant in Catskill the Italian eatery will expand in the Leeds space. The restaurant released a statement that said, in part, “Piccolo Trattoria will now be able to offer not one, but two brand new beautiful private event spaces―one that can accommodate up to 20 guests and another that holds up to 75 guests.... In the nicer weather, dine al fresco on our gorgeous outdoor patio or enjoy a cocktail by our custom fire pit." Dara and Jeremy Ellenbogen own the restaurant, and say Piccolo Trattoria be at 601 Main Street in Catskill through April 30 and then in Leeds on May 1. Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

March 19 is election day in many local villages. Unlike most elections, villages directly administer their elections rather than the county board. Citizens should check with their local village hall for details on polling locations and hours. Locally, there is voting today in the Villages of Athens, Catskill, Coxsackie, and Tannersville in Greene County, and in the Village of Chatham in Columbia County. Voting begins next week in the presidential primary, and that voting is run by the county board of elections.