Radio Chatskill

Sullivan County legislators have moved their vote on whether or not to approve the 2026 county budget after residents pushed back during two public hearings at the Government Center in Monticello.Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar attended the hearing on Dec. 9 and brings us this report.

Our resident science guy Joe Johnson is back with this week’s *Science Stories*, diving into the latest cosmic discoveries, cutting-edge tech inspired by nature, and updates on the comets lighting up our skies.Fast Radio Bursts Illuminate the UniverseJohnson kicked things off with fast radio bursts, or FRBs, the mysterious, ultra-brief flashes of radio energy that have captivated astronomers. “These are extremely powerful flashes of radio energy, literally more energy than our Sun releases in several days, but they only last micro or milliseconds rather,” he explained.While most FRBs originate from galaxies far, far away, scientists recently detected some within our own Milky Way. “They’re probably produced by magnetars, which are neutron stars with intense magnetic fields, literally hundreds of million of trillions of times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field.”Though incredibly powerful, FRBs are faint by the time they reach Earth—“about a thousand times weaker than a cell phone signal sent from the moon to the Earth. So they're barely there, but they are detectable,” Johnson said.Using these signals, astronomers have been able to map the intergalactic medium, the thin gas network connecting galaxies. “By studying how these fast radio bursts are changed by passing through this intergalactic medium, they can estimate how much gaseous matter the radio waves encountered,” he explained. The results show that 76% of the universe’s normal matter lies between galaxies, 15% in galactic halos, and only 9% within stars and gas inside galaxies—a cosmic census of matter for the first time.**Necrobotics: Spider Legs and Mosquito Nozzles**Next up, Johnson explored a field called necrobotics, where engineers use biological structures in machines. “The best example that I could find was what they called a biohybrid pneumatic micro gripper that was actually made from the legs of deceased spiders. They control them with air pressure and they use these devices to pick up, you know, tiny little electronic pieces in manufacture.”A recent study takes this a step further by using mosquito proboscises—the tiny straws female mosquitoes use to drink blood—as micro-nozzles for 3D printers. “These three printers can print structures as small as 20 microns across. A micron is a millionth of a meter or a thousandth of a millimeter. And just for reference, your skin cells are about 30 microns across,” Johnson said. He added, “These mosquito nozzles can outperform plastic or metal alternatives… and they’re also cheaper. Finally, a good use for the mosquito. Yes, finally. Getting their due.”This technology has applications in microelectronics, tissue engineering, and biomedical research, enabling scientists to print tiny circuits and cellular scaffolds with precision previously impossible.**Comet Updates: Lemon, Swan, and Interstellar 3I/Atlas**Johnson rounded out the segment with updates on comets currently in our skies. Comet Lemon (C/2025 A6) was the easiest to spot in October but is now fading. “Right now it’s fading fast, it’s a magnitude 8… Pretty soon it’s only going to be visible down on the southern hemisphere.”Comet Swan (C/2025 F2) disintegrated in late October, while the interstellar visitor 3I/Atlas continues to intrigue astronomers. “This did not originate, you know, close to home. It’s moving too fast and it’s moving on a path that tells us that it’s not gravitationally bound to the sun,” Johnson said. He cautioned against online speculation that it’s a spacecraft: “One of my heroes, Carl Sagan, famously said that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and I don’t think we’re at that point yet.”For amateur astronomers, Johnson recommends checking official agency updates: “NASA and the European Space Agency and the Japanese Space Agency will be releasing all kinds of pictures of it. So, if you want to see good pictures, go check them out.”Image by jcomp on Freepik

Pennsylvania’s 8th District Representative Rob Bresnahan brought a well-known guest to the region Friday: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. The two met with hospital executives and local health officials to hear directly about the challenges facing healthcare providers across Northeast Pennsylvania.“The purpose of the visit was for them to talk with local representatives and local healthcare officials and hear about what the needs of the region were and bring that back to Washington to potentially help get local health systems in rural parts of Pennsylvania and elsewhere across the country the help that they need,” said Liam Mayo, news editor of The River Reporter.Much of the discussion centered around the Rural Health Transformation Fund, a $50 billion program included in this year’s federal budget aimed at bolstering rural healthcare systems. “A lot of what Bresnahan and Dr. Oz talked about was ways that they were hearing to make sure that money was going to be effective in actually helping the needs of health systems and health care in rural parts of the country,” Mayo said.At a press conference following a closed-door roundtable, local healthcare leaders shared their perspectives. Jim Pettinato, CEO of Wayne Memorial Hospital, highlighted the challenges faced by smaller hospitals. “It was nice to be able to sort of hear very clearly what the expectations were of the metrics… and to be able to sort of talk about some of those metrics,” Pettinato said. Mayo added, “Hearing from Wayne Memorial specifically as a smaller hospital and making sure to adjust the metrics… understanding that Wayne Memorial Hospital is a smaller hospital and can't necessarily do some of the things in terms of IT deployment that larger hospital systems would be able to do.”In Pike County, which lacks a hospital or urgent care facilities, the focus was on emergency services. Mayo said, “That puts a lot of burden on the county's emergency services, its ambulances… because there aren’t those resources more locally.” Pike County is partnering with Northwell Health to open two primary care facilities—first in Dingmans Ferry, then in Hawley—and eventually hopes to develop a “micro hospital” to provide more comprehensive local care.Bresnahan and Dr. Oz also addressed concerns about the potential expiration of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. Mayo explained, “Projections from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation indicate that in our listening area, there would be about a 110% increase for the holder of a mid-tier health insurance plan.” Bresnahan expressed support for a two-year extension with reforms, while Dr. Oz emphasized system reforms over additional funding. “His concern was more about reforming the system than about extending those credits,” Mayo said.The visit also comes amid a contentious national debate over healthcare policy. “I think it’s a visit that is very much taken in full understanding of that political landscape… It’s both him being in the district and doing the job and listening to local leaders. And it’s something he’s doing knowing that this is going to be one of the biggest questions he’s going to be asked in about a year’s time when voters go to the polls,” Mayo said.Coverage of the healthcare roundtable and press conference can be found at The River Reporter, riverreporter.com.

Cold winter weather is driving up energy use across New York, leaving families struggling to heat their homes. More than 175 organizations—including clean energy advocates, local businesses, and low-income assistance groups—are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to act.They’ve launched the Building Electrification Equity Platform, a set of immediate policies aimed at lowering energy costs while moving the state toward a cleaner, more affordable energy future.Rising Costs Hit HardBetta Broad, Campaign Director at New Yorkers for Clean Power and Director, Advocacy & Organizing at Association for Energy Affordability, said the crisis is urgent.“We have been submitting this platform to Governor Hochul for the last five years…And this year, even, it's more urgent than ever that the governor take immediate actions to lower people's utility bills.”She highlighted the strain on vulnerable households:“It's not easy, especially for people who are on fixed incomes, seniors, folks who are on delivered fuels, like propane and oil…Utility bills are starting to really hurt.”Long-Term Solutions: Weatherization and EfficiencyBroad says programs like Empower Plus and the Weatherization Assistance Program help families reduce bills and improve home comfort.“Every New Yorker should have a home that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer…This platform has a number of different programs that we really want to see the governor ramp up investments in so that people can upgrade their homes and reduce their energy bills.”Concerns Over State DecisionsRecent delays and approvals worry advocates:All-electric building law delayed:“It is cheaper to build all-electric new buildings than not. And now…it's just going to continue to marry more New Yorkers to this reliance on expensive fossil fuels.”New gas pipeline approved despite environmental concerns:“There will most likely be irreversible damage to the New York City Harbor…Downstate ratepayers are going to have to shoulder the burden of a $2 billion pipeline if not more.”Clean Energy as an Affordable FutureThe platform calls for:Expanded solar incentives and tax creditsLow-interest loans for households narrowly missing program eligibilityInvestments in heat pumps, insulation, and energy efficiencyBroad says a clean energy transition would benefit all New Yorkers:“People would be healthier, the air would be cleaner, we’d have a thriving clean energy economy, and we wouldn’t be spending millions of dollars on fossil fuels out of state…We could be investing that money into helping New Yorkers improve the quality of their homes and buildings and bring them into the 21st century.”Full details are available at beepny.org.

For 18 years, Into the Light has captured hearts with its life-size puppets, vibrant dance, and universal story of hope. This December, the beloved Vanaver Caravan and Arm of the Sea Puppet Theatre production returns to the Rosendale Theatre for performances on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.A Timeless Story of Light and Joy “This is 18 years old, and it still has a huge following,” says Miranda Wilde Way of Vanaver Caravan. At the heart of the show is Lucia, a young girl navigating the darkness of winter—and of life itself. “The whole show is a metaphor for becoming depressed and then finding joy in the people of the world,” Wilde Way explains.Life-Size Puppets and Stunning Visuals From a Cap Dancing Skeleton representing death to a lovable bear puppet guiding Lucia out of hibernation, the production is a feast for the eyes. “The puppets themselves are all worn by dancers. So the dancers are absolutely life-sized. And yeah, visually it is just a stunning show,” Wilde Way says.A Celebration of Global Traditions The show travels the world through light-based celebrations. This year’s performances feature Kwanzaa, Diwali, Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, and indigenous tales, with guest artists bringing authentic music and dance to each scene. “We look at all these different cultures throughout the world that have used the lighting of candles to bring hope and inspire hope and connection,” Wilde Way says.Tickets and More Wilde Way says audience members leave inspired, many saying, “I really needed this. I really needed this.” More information rosendaletheater.org and vanavercaravan.org.

As more residents across the region turn to crisis hotlines and community support networks, a new center in Wayne County is preparing to open its doors with the goal of meeting growing mental health needs.The Center for Community Resources (CCR), which operates in 37 Pennsylvania counties, is launching the Northeast Regional Crisis Stabilization Center in Honesdale. An open house is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, to introduce the public to its expanded services.“Our goal is to connect people to those community resources and supports that improve their everyday life within their individual communities,” said Victoria Toomey, the center’s outreach coordinator. “We are in 37 counties, so it looks different in each of those, but I would say just getting people the support that they need.”CCR was founded in 2002 as a centralized hub for people navigating their mental health journeys. “Initially, the goal was to be a resource hub — a place where anyone going through their mental health journey could come to and get connected to providers or just local community resources that could be helpful,” Toomey said. “And then over time, we evolved into that provider role.”Today, CCR offers a wide range of services, including early intervention, intellectual and developmental disability support, and crisis intervention — the focus of its newest expansion in Wayne County.First-of-its-Kind Crisis Center in Wayne CountyThe new stabilization center will provide a homelike, non-clinical environment for people experiencing a mental health crisis — a model that Toomey said sets the center apart.“It’s the first of its kind in Wayne County, so that’s really exciting,” she said. “The center does a really good job of feeling very comforting and not very clinical. We want people to come in and just feel kind of at home.”The crisis program includes a 24/7 phone hotline, mobile crisis teams that meet people where they are, and around-the-clock walk-in services at 616 Main St. until the new facility is fully open.Once the Park Street location begins operations, the center will offer two programs under one roof: a walk-in crisis urgent-care model on the ground floor and an upstairs crisis residential program with eight voluntary beds for stays of up to five days.“The goal is to give people a place to go — an alternative to the emergency room during a mental health crisis — where they can come in and immediately meet with a specialist,” Toomey said. The residential program, she added, is designed to support people before they need inpatient treatment.No Cost, No Insurance NeededToomey stressed that the walk-in center is open to anyone, regardless of age, insurance, or income.“It is also no cost. You can walk in 24/7,” she said. “Even if you just need a place to kind of sit down and ground yourself when you’re going through a tough emotional time, we want to provide that space.”Building Awareness and TrustOne of the biggest challenges, Toomey said, is simply making people aware that crisis services exist — especially in tight-knit or underserved parts of the county.“I would say that a lot of times I’ll go to an event and talk to somebody and it might be their first time hearing about what crisis services really are,” she said. “In Wayne County specifically, it’s a very tight-knit community. A big way to connect people is just sitting down face-to-face and talking with them.”Toomey said the upcoming open house is one more way to meet residents where they are.“People can come and meet the team, take a tour of the facility, and just learn a little bit more about those services,” she said. “We’re so excited for people to see the building.”Growing to Meet Community NeedsWhile funding and staffing are challenges for many mental health programs, Toomey said the center has benefited from strong county support and a growing workforce.“We’re lucky that it has been going well, but we just want to keep growing,” she said. “There’s already been so much growth, but with this new center, now there’s a new place for people to go and continue to learn about our services and help break down that stigma.”Toomey encourages anyone unsure about seeking help to simply make the first call.“It doesn’t have to feel like the end of the world to make that call,” she said. “We have amazing crisis workers that are there 24/7. They can help you figure out what that next step might look like for you.”More information is available at ccrinfo.org or by calling the Wayne County crisis line at 833-557-3224.“Even if you’re just looking for community resources or local providers, don’t hesitate to call that number,” Toomey said. “We just want to serve our community.”

Ulster County’s Dec. 12 naturalization ceremony has been abruptly canceled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, one of several ceremonies scrapped across the Hudson Valley this month. USCIS says there were not enough candidates to move forward, but local officials argue the decision is arbitrary, poorly communicated and harmful to residents awaiting the final step toward citizenship.Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck, who has been calling for the federal government to reinstate the ceremony, said he first learned of the cancellation about three weeks ago — part of a wider move by USCIS to suspend upstate ceremonies.“They originally canceled them — not just ours, but all upstate ceremonies — about three weeks ago,” Bruck said. “They reached out and just said that the December ceremonies were going to be canceled and that there would be no more ceremonies going forward indefinitely.”USCIS first claimed county courts did not meet statutory requirements, he said, even though counties have long met those standards. “We pushed back on that, citing the fact that we do, in fact, meet the statutory requirements — the requirements being a seal and a court clerk with local jurisdiction, all things that we’ve had for centuries here in our local courts,” he said. “So they rescinded the cancellations at that time.”But early last week, the agency again scrapped ceremonies — this time saying there were not enough candidates to naturalize. “This is the first time we've ever heard that there wasn’t enough citizens to be naturalized,” Bruck said. “We typically would just do a smaller ceremony if there wasn’t as many as they expected.”Bruck said there is no legal minimum for how many candidates must participate. “It seems to be an internal policy from USCIS,” he said. Rep. Pat Ryan has since written to the agency seeking clarification on the alleged quota.The latest cancellation was delivered by email, Bruck said, after the county asked for its December list of candidates. “They responded … and said that we won’t be having a ceremony. They did not send a list, and that’s the last we’ve heard.”How many local residents were expecting to take the oath remains unknown. “We had asked to do larger ceremonies,” Bruck said, noting the county had requested capacity for up to 100 candidates. “But no indication as to how close to that number we were going to get and no idea how many there were waiting.”Ulster is not alone. Ceremonies were also canceled in Dutchess and Putnam counties, and others were scrapped across New York in November. “From county to county, they’re being canceled for seemingly different reasons,” Bruck said. “We can’t get much information about why these policies are changing.”Bruck said the cancellations follow other recent shifts, including the agency’s decision to end reimbursements to counties that host naturalization ceremonies. “We again received an email that just said we won’t be reimbursed anymore and don’t expect to ever be reimbursed again going forward,” he said.Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are seeking answers, he noted. “It’s really a bipartisan issue,” Bruck said. “Legal immigration is something we all generally agree on.”Bruck argued that moving ceremonies solely to federal offices strips the process of community meaning. “When you do them at the federal locations, there is no ceremony. It’s essentially like going to the DMV,” he said. “What we offer locally is more of a celebration … our friends and neighbors can be part of the process and welcome in our new citizens.”As of Monday, he said, there has been no response from USCIS to local or congressional inquiries. “It’s tough to know even what to do,” he said. “When you don’t receive any [answers], it’s hard to know where to go.”Bruck said he worries most about the candidates left waiting. “I can’t imagine what the folks that are waiting to be naturalized feel, because I’m sure they’re in a similar boat,” he said. “A lot of this process comes down to a small group of people making decisions, and if those people are not responsive or being transparent, we’re all left in the dark.”He encouraged affected residents to contact federal offices in Albany or New York City, where some naturalizations are still occurring, though at a slower pace.To those who expected to become citizens this week, he offered an apology. “These are folks that have done everything the right way,” Bruck said. “I’m hopeful that USCIS does reinstate these for 2026. We have really big plans — 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the country. I would just tell them hold tight. We’re advocating as hard as we possibly can … because they certainly shouldn’t be punished for doing it the right way.”

This past Monday, advocates for prison and parole reform across New York City and state held six different rallies to raise awareness about seniors spending indefinite amounts of time on parole. They are preparing for a trip to Albany next month to get two state bills that would reunite rehabilitated incarcerated seniors with their families and save New York state money signed into law in the 2026 Legislative Session.Radio Catskill’s Genevieve Hartnett attended the Newburgh rally for the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice and spoke with advocates, allies, and elected officials about how we can move towards a system of true rehabilitation for all incarcerated people.

Bethel Woods is closing out its family concert series this Sunday with an all-ages holiday sing-along featuring Grammy-winning musician Dan Zanes, along with Claudia Zanes and multi-instrumentalist Elena Moon Park. The multicultural performance will take place inside the museum’s Event Gallery, complete with songbooks so everyone can join in.Katie Svoboda from the Bethel Woods Museum Education and Creative Programming team says the concert is part of the museum’s “pay what you wish” ticket initiative, designed to make arts access more inclusive.“We understand that a big day out at Bethel Woods can be a big expense for folks,” Svoboda said. “The pay-what-you-wish model allows people to donate what they can to help us keep the series going. We’re a nonprofit, and the work we do is mission-driven — providing access to the arts for our community.”The intimate Event Gallery will host a smaller crowd than the summer concerts — typically 100 guests — but Svoboda emphasizes that the size enhances the experience. “Last year, we had about 50 people show up, but it was wonderful. Folks were up and dancing, people of all ages were singing together. You really felt the community in the room,” she said.Zanes is known for family-friendly, multicultural music, and Svoboda says the holiday sing-along reflects that diversity. “There will be a Hanukkah song in Ladino, a song in Haitian Creole, and a song by a Palestinian musician. There are also classic Christmas songs. It’s really an opportunity for folks who celebrate different holidays to come together and enjoy a joyous experience,” she said.In addition to the concert, attendees can access discounted tickets for the museum and the Holiday Light Show. “Make a day of it,” Svoboda said. “The show is at 4 p.m., doors open at 3:30. Museum tickets are just $5 if you want to check out the museum before the show, and we’ll provide coupons for the light show afterward.”Bethel Woods continues to expand arts programming through its Museum Education and Creative Programming team. This year, more than half of summer participants received scholarships, and new initiatives like the Academy at Bethel Woods offer teens arts and music programming after school.Svoboda said the mission is to provide broad access to creative experiences. “Many of our programs are paid, but there’s always an option to apply for tuition assistance. We’re happy to do it. Our goal is to share arts enrichment with as many people as possible,” she said.The holiday sing-along runs Sunday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. Tickets are available online or at the door with a suggested donation. Parking is available across the street in Lot C, and volunteers will be on hand to guide guests.For more information, visit bethelwoodscenter.org.

High fever, stuffy nose, body aches – these are all symptoms of what might be the flu.Recent New York state health data shows that there have already been more than 17,000 flu cases this season. Emergency rooms have begun reporting a spike in patients coming into the ER with flu-like symptoms.Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with David Williams, Emergency Care PA at Ellenville Regional Hospital, about what to expect this flu season and how to keep you and your loved ones protected.

From school gardens to countywide wellness initiatives, Sullivan 180 is closing out 2025 with what Executive Director Denise Frangipane calls unmistakable momentum — and gearing up for an even more ambitious 2026.“Well, Sullivan 180 is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a healthy community through people, places, and policy with an intentional focus on prevention and empowering a healthier generation,” Frangipane said during her final monthly check-in of the year with Radio Catskill.Across Sullivan County, she said, residents, schools and municipalities stepped up in ways that made the organization’s mission feel newly energized.“Just a shout out of gratitude and thanks to everyone who has picked up this mission and made it their own,” she said. “It really is individuals doing it, but it requires the collective work of many.”A Year of Growth in SchoolsFrangipane said one of the clearest signs of progress is how deeply schools have woven health and wellness into everyday life.“They’re embracing and integrating health and wellness into so much of what they’re offering our students,” she said, pointing to outdoor learning spaces, school gardens and the rise of Spartan clubs, inspired by the annual Bethel Woods obstacle-race event.“It’s about challenging yourself to do better, do more,” she said. “We’re seeing young people getting a sense of accomplishment… getting off their phones.”Sullivan 180 also expanded its food-service conferences and strengthened relationships with school staff and youth leaders throughout the county.“When you peel away the layers of where people can engage… it’s exciting to see the ideas that are coming forward,” she said.Hope Squad: Students Supporting StudentsOne of the most powerful highlights of 2025 was the growth of Hope Squads — peer-to-peer suicide-prevention teams launched at Eldred and Fallsburg.“The idea of Hope Squad is to empower young people to be able to support each other peer-to-peer,” Frangipane said. “The only people who really can relate to youth the best are other youth.”She said the turnout at the Out of the Darkness Walk in Kauneonga Lake showed how committed students are.“Young people supporting each other and supporting their peers to say we’re here for you and we’re here for one another.”Year-End Events and The Year AheadEvery Monday through Dec. 22, the organization is partnering with Bethel Woods on the Peace, Love & Lights walk.Sullivan 180’s 2026 grant season officially opens Jan. 1, bringing back school wellness grants, municipal grants, beautification funding and community development support.“January 1, our official grant season kicks off,” Frangipane said. “If you have a project and you’re not quite sure whether it fits, just give us a call… We have a way of making everything fit.”The organization will also host its 5th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 9, uniting students countywide for a full day of hands-on community work at HPAC.More information is available at sullivan180.org.

The race for New York’s 51st State Senate seat is heating up ahead of the 2026 election, with three candidates officially in the mix following Republican incumbent Peter Oberacker’s decision to run for Congress.“The district is quite large,” said Isabel Braverman, editor-in-chief of the Sullivan County Democrat. “It includes all of Sullivan County, Delaware, Schoharie, and Otsego counties, along with parts of Broome, Chenango, and Ulster counties.”Democrat Michele Frazier, who ran against Oberacker in a previous election, is emphasizing affordability for families, including childcare, housing, and rural health care access.Republicans Schoharie Assemblyman Chris Tague and Sullivan County legislator Terry Bernardo are both seeking the GOP nomination. Tague is focusing on reducing high costs, including energy bills, while Bernardo is highlighting her local roots. “Sullivan County has never had a representative in the State Senate,” Braverman noted.The Sullivan County Republican Committee has not yet endorsed a candidate. “They will choose their endorsement based on how members vote during their convention in early January,” Braverman said.With multiple candidates and potentially more still entering, the 51st District contest promises to be competitive. “It’s early. Definitely more people could still enter,” Braverman said.For more, visit scdemocratonline.com.

Honesdale voters have rejected the borough’s proposed earned income tax (EIT), leaving local officials with tough choices for the 2026 budget.The Honesdale Borough Council was split 3-3 on the proposal during a pre-Thanksgiving meeting. Mayor Derrick Williams cast the tie-breaking vote against the tax, officially stopping its implementation.The EIT would have added up to 1% on the earned income of residents and workers in Honesdale. About 500 residents already pay an EIT to other municipalities where they work, but the local tax would have kept that revenue in Honesdale to fund projects like stormwater system upgrades.Strong Opposition from Businesses and ResidentsBusiness owners and working-class residents led opposition to the tax. Over 30 local businesses submitted a letter against the EIT, warning it could push employers and employees out of Honesdale. Critics also pointed to the borough’s surplus budget and questioned the need for the tax.“Expecting taxpayers to absorb these costs for future unknown expenses impairs our own finances today,” said one resident at the meeting.Proponents argued the tax would diversify Honesdale’s revenue beyond property taxes, protecting fixed-income homeowners while preparing for future costs. Mayor Williams emphasized that many working residents fall into the “asset-limited, income-constrained, employed” category, meaning the EIT could have hit struggling households the hardest.Next Steps for Honesdale’s 2026 BudgetWith the EIT off the table, borough officials are revising the 2026 budget. Initial projections estimated $400,000 in first-year revenue from the tax. Early signs suggest Honesdale may cut expenses rather than raise property taxes, but final decisions will depend on upcoming council meetings.Some local business owners say they still feel underserved by the borough despite programs like the Greater Honesdale Partnership, which provides grants for infrastructure and building improvements.Coverage by The River ReporterLiam Mayo, news editor at The River Reporter, covered the council meeting and community reactions. For more, visit riverreporter.com.

The holiday season can be joyful, chaotic—and, if the Tusten Humor Committee has its way, exactly the moment we could all use a good laugh.“It’s a complicated question with a semi-complicated answer,” Feibusch said, explaining the group’s origins. “Technically, it’s a bunch of people that get together at the Tusten Cup Coffee Shop on Main Street in Narreensburg every morning starting at 7:00 till about 8:30. And it’s been going on. I’ve been a member for five years and I’m a newbie.”Feibusch, a part-time resident of Narrowsburg, said he felt honored to be included among the “mostly local town folk characters.” The group, he explained, was dubbed the Tusten Humor Committee by Mike Farrell, a semi-retired sports writer and Feibusch’s partner for the Sage Session show. “Mike said, ‘Couldn’t we use some humor right now?’ And that’s a general thing that’s been going on, I think, for a long time. We could always use humor. I came up with the idea of…let’s see if we can move out of the coffee shop and maybe take it on the road.”The "committee" has previously performed at local open mics and now brings their humor to the Sage Sessions, a Tusten Social program for seniors 60 and older. “We get together twice a month on Thursday afternoons and have a delicious lunch,” said Knutzen. “[It's] everything from local authors and performers to talks by local beekeepers, farmers, or the National Park Service. Usually between 30 and 50 folks show up at any session.”Their upcoming Big Holiday Show is at the Tusten Social Sage Session on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m, marking the fourth Tusten Humor Committee show at Sage. “We’re calling it the Big Holiday Show, which is a little bit satirical,” Feibusch said. “Mike and I are partnering. We do have one special surprise guest which I will not reveal.”Feibusch promised a mix of humor and music. “We work pretty clean,” he said. “We start off with little stuff about the philosophy of getting old and the meaning of life. Then we launch into the holiday something show… alternative holiday music. Most of it not written by us but this is my own little number.”He also gave a preview, performing his original “Talking Senior Citizen Blues”:"Walk up one morning, it was a typical night, Three times to the bathroom before daylight… Now as a senior, I’m at the head of the class. I don’t take no guff, I don’t take no sass. Most of all, keep on moving."“Attending the senior group is sort of like coming out as an old guy,” Feibusch said. “Once you go to a senior group you got to say there’s no escape in it. It’s been an opportunity for me to meet so many people and enjoy being part of a small community.”For more information, visit tustensocial.org or email [email protected].

On World AIDS Day, New York State health officials say the state has made major progress in reducing HIV infections, but deep disparities and ongoing stigma continue to drive new cases—particularly among young people and communities of color.Deepa Rajulu, deputy director of the New York State Department of Health’s AIDS Institute, said new HIV diagnoses have dropped 36% from 2011 to 2024, according to the state’s newly released report. “This is good news, but decreases are not being experienced equally across all communities,” she said.Non-Hispanic Black New Yorkers face HIV diagnosis rates 9.2 times higher than white residents; Hispanic New Yorkers face rates 5.4 times higher. Most new diagnoses occur among people under 40.Sam Meyer, program coordinator at the AIDS Institute, said stigma remains the biggest barrier—affecting sexual health conversations, prevention access and care. “Stigma prevents people from asking for the services they need,” he said.The department also launched Unfiltered, a new PrEP-focused docu-series highlighting Black and brown New Yorkers, available at unfilteredny.org.PrEP—available as a daily pill or long-acting injection—can reduce HIV transmission risk by up to 99%, Meyer said. Rajulu added that treatment advances supporting viral suppression reinforce the message of U=U: undetectable means untransmittable.Despite federal funding uncertainty, Rajulu said the state remains committed to HIV services: “We live in a state committed to public health and are confident resources will be allocated to those with the greatest needs.”For HIV testing, PrEP information or self-test kits, visit health.ny.gov.

PennDOT’s $935 million plan to widen Interstate 80 in Stroudsburg is triggering a wave of environmental concerns — not just in Monroe County, but 50 miles north in rural Damascus Township, Pennsylvania. To move the highway from four lanes to six, PennDOT says it must destroy wetlands along a 3.5-mile stretch of I-80. Instead of restoring wetlands locally, the agency is buying mitigation credits from a private restoration project in Wayne County.“They’re connected through the wetlands in both places,” said Liam Mayo, news editor for the River Reporter. “The way they’re going to make up for that is by buying… mitigation credits in a project that is happening in Damascus Township.”Why the Wetlands Are Being “Moved”The restoration work is being done by Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), a national company that builds large-scale mitigation banks. RES plans to restore or enhance 30 acres of wetlands and about 13,000 feet of stream in Damascus.Mayo said the regulatory system allows this long-distance swap: “It feels like it shouldn’t make sense, but this is the way the system was set up to work.”Environmental Groups: “You Can’t Replace Our Watershed Somewhere Else”Local advocates in Stroudsburg say the mitigation bank won’t help the Brodhead Watershed, where the ecological damage will occur.“The ecological functions, values and benefits of water resources within the Broadhead Watershed cannot be replaced elsewhere,” said Stephanie Uhranowsky of the Brodhead Watershed Association. “Mitigation outside the watershed provides no benefit to the Brodhead Creek.”“I don’t think that it takes a rocket scientist to know that the Brodhead Watershed versus the Delaware Watershed are two different ecologies,” state representative Tarah Probst told the River Reporter. “They are over an hour away. You can’t just pick up species and soils and habitation and vegetation and move them and think you’re going to have the same results.”Surprise Construction in DamascusMeanwhile, Damascus residents were stunned to see excavation equipment suddenly appear on private property. Mayo said one homeowner called the River Reporter fearing a fracking operation.Probst has appealed the project’s permit, arguing there should have been public hearings in both communities.Damascus Township Supervisor Stephen Adams defended the project: “Finding land that can be used to create wetland areas is very hard… There are only two options for the state and the feds — either purchase it or not recreate it at all.”A Bigger Fight Over How Wetland Banking WorksThe dispute highlights a statewide question: Should wetlands destroyed in one watershed be replaced in a completely different one?Mayo said the tension boils down to scale: “There’s the fear that a mitigation project could technically check all the boxes… but in five years’ time be just a washed-out streambed.”More at riverreporter.com.

For 25 years, Old Skool Sessions has been spinning vinyl, sharing deep cuts, and keeping the spirit of classic hip-hop, funk, and soul alive on the airwaves. This weekend, fans of the long-running Radio Catskill program will have a chance to celebrate the milestone alongside hosts DJ Chuck and Selector sTArKeY at the station’s annual music sale.“Man, I can’t believe it,” said DJ Chucks, founder of Old Skool Sessions. “It’s, you know, I can’t believe it’s been 25 years. Time goes by so quickly… Selector sTArKeY always does his part and fills in the gaps where I can’t. I want to take my hat off to Mr. Selector sTArKeY. Thank you for all the work, man.”Selector sTArKeY, who joined DJ Chucks a few years after the show began, reflected on the enduring passion that keeps them on the air. “We’re all what I call radio dogs and we’ve been at it a long time,” he said. “We’ve devoted part of our lives to radio. That’s just… we loved it when we were little kids and this is a dream come true.”For DJ Chucks, music has been a lifelong pursuit. He recalls his early years in Queens, New York, where house parties and record collections sparked his love of sound. “We didn’t have what we have today with the internet and all these players,” he said. “We had 45s and albums… I would always ask to play, entertain, and learn about the music.”His tastes were eclectic from the start: Motown, reggae, James Brown, disco, funk, Latin music, salsa, and calypso all shaped his ear. Hip-hop arrived organically through block parties and park jams, where DJs and MCs experimented with beats, mics, and homemade echo boxes. “That’s where I came in,” DJ Chucks said. “I would travel that whole south Queens section by bike. I wasn’t even in my teens yet.”Selector sTArKeY described how their partnership began: “I was a big fan, and I called Chucks and said, ‘Do you know it’s going to be James Brown’s birthday coming up?’ I had all these James Brown records, and Chucks said, ‘Bring them in.’ That’s how I started.” He initially contributed reggae segments and helped expand the show’s range, adding multiple genres in a single night.Old Skool Sessions officially debuted on Radio Catskill in October 2000, after DJ Chucks was encouraged by the station manager Christine Ahern to volunteer on air. “She gave me that on-air slot to get me comfortable and it helped a lot,” Chuck recalled. “I could be creative at the same time.”Over the years, the show has remained true to its roots in deep record digging and live DJing, a practice that continues at the station’s popular music sales. This year, DJ Chucks and Selector sTArKeY will spin live at the annual post-Thanksgiving event, promising a mix of obscure tracks and classic grooves.“It’s going to be happening and you want to bring a friend,” DJ Chucks said. “There’s literally something for everybody. We try to mix it, hang out, and have fun for a couple of hours with the people coming in to shop and buy music.”As Old Skool Sessions marks a quarter-century on the air, the hosts reflect on the personal connections and community built through radio. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Old Skool Sessions this Saturday during the station’s big music sale, with records, instruments, and more from 10 am to 3 pm.

A recent Sullivan County health report revealed that more than 300 adults and children were living in emergency housing as of November 5th. Among them are residents with disabilities, who often face increased barriers to securing accessible housing.Hotels-for-housing placements have increasingly become New York state’s primary way to shelter homeless families – despite offering no wraparound support services.Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with residents experiencing homelessness and housing experts about the challenges disabled New Yorkers face – some of whom are concerned that county services are failing to provide accessible services.

Once overlooked by history, 19th-century American artist Fanny Palmer is finally getting her moment in the spotlight. An exhibit of her original works, paired with household items inspired by her lithographs, is now on view at the Narrowsburg Union through December 30.Palmer, who worked extensively with the famed Currier & Ives publishing company, captured everyday American life with meticulous detail. Her prints adorned calendars, dishes, cards, and ornaments—bringing art into homes across the country. “These are the types of items I grew up with, not knowing who the artist was behind them,” said curator Tina Spangler, who also created a documentary exploring Palmer’s life and work.The exhibit features early works Palmer created before her Currier & Ives collaboration, as well as her iconic lithographs. A highlight is a three-dimensional, illuminated winter village modeled after Palmer’s depictions of Victorian homes—a treat for both adults and children.A special reception on Friday, December 5, will offer visitors a sneak peek of Spangler’s documentary, including a segment exploring 19th-century lithography, the intricate process behind Palmer’s prints.The exhibit is free and open to the public during Moon River Interiors’ business hours, Friday through Tuesday. For details, visit moonriverinteriors.com.Exhibit Details:American Seasons: The Art of Fanny PalmerDates: November 21–December 30, 2025Location: Narrowsburg Union, in collaboration with Moon River InteriorsSpecial Reception: December 5, 5:30–7 p.m.

Since 2017, the Zipper Junction Project’s Holiday Toy Drive has been more than just a gift-giving program—it’s become a lifeline for families across Wayne and Pike counties. Each year, it delivers toys, essentials, and a touch of holiday magic to hundreds of children who might otherwise go without.The project began in a moment of urgency. A local organization that had been serving the area suddenly closed, leaving children at risk of missing out on holiday gifts. Jim Zumpone, founder and chief visionary of the Zipper Junction Project, was asked to store a few donated toys in his business. What started as a small favor quickly grew into something much bigger.“I received a kind of a frantic phone call asking me if I could store some toys in my building for my main business, and it turned into within a week’s time creating a whole new program,” Zumpone said. “We help on average about 500 kids a year. Everything we collect is in Wayne and Pike Counties, and everything we distribute is in Wayne and Pike Counties.”When asked why he chose to start a new program rather than continue with the existing one, Zumpone explained, “I was a little disillusioned with how they actually operate and it wasn’t local enough for me. That was the driver for creating this program.”Local focus is at the heart of Zipper Junction. “The folks that donate live here, and a lot of them want to see their help go to local people,” he said. “Some they may know, some they may not, but it’s to see things collected and go, literally hundreds of miles away. It sounds somewhat selfish, but we’re trying to solve a problem locally from the local population.”The logistics of the toy drive are no small feat. “We created an online application process where we tell folks if they apply through our website and they answer everything honestly, they will be accepted. It’s not like they have to wait to learn if they’re accepted. We do verify everything later through an interview process,” Zumpone said.With nearly 300 drop-off locations—spanning stores, non-profits, and government agencies—the community comes together to support the effort. “We collect everything in a very short amount of time, which is when all the work really begins. We basically check every item for safety, we value it, we categorize it, we put it in age-appropriateness categories as well,” Zumpone said.The toy distribution is carefully orchestrated. Families “shop” in a setup Zumpone likens to IKEA: aisles lined with age-appropriate toys, each marked with color-coded stickers. “We have an algorithm so that when the last parent goes through to, quote, ‘shop for their kids,’ there’s still a little bit of a selection for them to get,” he said.Meeting the needs of all ages is a constant challenge. “Newborn items under 18 months and from about 13, 14 and up are always the problem,” Zumpone said. “For teens, anything electronic, self-care items like ordering kits, perfumes and makeup. Small tool kits, things for your first car, buckets with cleaning supplies, small items for first dorm rooms. Some of them are seniors in high school. So they’ve gotten single-serving waffle makers and coffee makers. It was a big hit.”Beyond the gifts, the drive touches lives in profound ways. “Sometimes the stories we hear are intense. Parents will say, ‘We don’t deserve this,’ and that’s when you know we’re helping the right people,” Zumpone said.Even as the volunteer roster fills quickly each season, there are still ways for the community to get involved. “We’re obviously collecting toys everywhere that’s listed on our website, zipperjunction.org. Click on the truck with the big bag of toys. It takes you to the Toy Drive homepage, and you can select any of the boxes there. There are events that you can support. Many businesses set up events that benefit us,” he said.Looking ahead, Zumpone sees the project as a lasting community effort. “If there’s a need, we’ll be here,” he said.For more information, visit zipperjunction.org

Local organizations are stepping up this holiday season to support families in need through food banks, meal distributions, groceries, warming centers, and community donation drives. Among them, a Pocono Mountains nonprofit is helping hospitality workers struggling to put food on the table.Settlers Cares, founded in 2023, is offering a limited number of $200 Wise Market gift cards to employees facing food insecurity due to reduced hours, layoffs, or medical leave.“Settlers Cares has the mission to support hospitality workers in the Pocono Mountains when they experience a time of crisis. So we're offering swift financial support during those times in life when things are really tough and folks are stretched beyond the breaking point, said Janna Genzlinger, Executive Director, Settlers CaresInitially a crisis fund providing emergency support, Settlers Cares has expanded its efforts in response to growing community needs. “In the past few years, we've received a lot of requests related to housing. And so we are developing some housing programs here in the Poconos. And then also lately a lot of requests related to food and security. So we developed our grocery gift card program,” Genzlinger said.The gift card initiative was prompted by seasonal fluctuations in tourism that affect hospitality workers’ hours. “Particularly in the northern Poconos, the travel and tourism is a little bit less than you might see during the summer months. So hospitality employees might see a decline in hours,” Genzlinger said. “We found that the grocery gift card was a quick way to help people to just make sure that they can keep food on the table while they might be waiting for benefits or government programming to kick in.”Eligibility has expanded beyond workers experiencing full or partial layoffs to include those re-entering the workforce or temporarily away for personal leave.“So far, we've distributed close to 50 gift cards,” Genzlinger said. “We're very excited because we have another infusion of fundraising initiative that came through. So we have many more to distribute… and really, we're just getting overwhelming gratitude. I think people feel excited that the community understands what going through… and they're just really happy that there's a little bit of help in these trying times.”Settlers Cares is also focusing on housing initiatives. “We're hoping to increase and further develop the Settlers Care's Hospitality Haven, which would offer shared housing, particularly focusing on employees that are housing insecure or currently unhoused,” Genzlinger said. “We work with our workforce development partners… so that there are programs that are wrap-around which provide employment, housing, educational opportunities, and some assistance with other life necessities like getting them connected to the right agency from medical care and things like that.”Looking ahead, the nonprofit is preparing for Giving Tuesday next week. “Every penny raised next Tuesday will enable us to purchase more of these $200 gift cards to help more of our neighbors here in the Poconos who are facing food insecurity,” Genzlinger said.The organization faces challenges as a fully volunteer-led operation but remains committed to its mission. “I think it's my connection to community and just really believing that we are all stronger together… Knowing that at any moment someone could need help and not have it, versus need help, have the help out there and nowhere to access it… that really is what puts a fire in my belly to keep going and to dream big dreams,” Genzlinger said.For more information on Settlers Cares, visit settlerscares.org.

For the second year in a row, Blue Fox Motel and Tusten Social will host a free Community Thanksgiving Lunch in Narrowsburg, offering neighbors a chance to gather, share a traditional meal, and celebrate together. The event will take place Thursday, Nov. 27, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Blue Fox Motel, 5670 NY-97, Narrowsburg.“We at the Blue Fox always feel like one of our roles in the community is to be a space for people to convene,” said Meg Sullivan, co-owner of the Blue Fox. “We usually close on Thanksgiving to give our staff the day off so they can be with their families. And then we thought about… people who may not have family nearby or are on their own. And then we thought, well, we're available. We have the space. Maybe we should do a community-driven Thanksgiving.”Sullivan said partnering with Tusten Social expanded the event’s reach. “One of the board members of Tusten Social… just jumped on it, which was such an amazing collaboration. It’s been amazing because we pulled that all off in… maybe a month. We were just curious to see how it would land.”The meal last year drew a diverse group of attendees. “We were just really taken aback by the breadth of the community—how many people really found it useful and wanted to attend,” Sullivan said. “We had people who found themselves alone, and a couple who were suddenly saddled with young kids, not knowing what to do. And they came along. It wound up being a dance party in the end… but that was mostly George’s fault.”Greta Knutzen, co-founder of Tusten Social, said the Thanksgiving lunch reflects the organization’s mission to strengthen community connections. “Providing opportunities that allow people to come together in ways they otherwise wouldn’t—this Thanksgiving lunch exemplifies that perfectly,” Knutzen said. She added that Tusten Social also partners with the Blue Fox on other programs, such as the Teen After Club.The event also benefits the Narrowsburg Ecumenical Food Pantry, supporting local families in need. “This year, in particular, has been a complicated year in terms of food and security,” Knutzen said. “So we're trying to raise money and product—we’ll take both—for the food pantry because they’re doing such an important job right now.”The meal is free, but RSVPs are required by Monday, Nov. 24, to ensure there’s enough food. Community members can reserve a spot by emailing [email protected] can expect a traditional Thanksgiving menu, including turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, and sweet potato soup. “The fire will be roaring… it’ll be a very cozy, warm spot. We’re really looking forward to having everybody,” Sullivan said.Both organizers emphasized the personal meaning of the event. “We consider the community our family at the Blue Fox,” Sullivan said. “This is an opportunity for us to open our doors and allow people in in a way that we don’t get to do every day.” Knutzen added, “Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. This is a Thanksgiving with the entire community, and it’s just really joyful.”

Today, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) honors transgender individuals lost to anti-trans violence, shining a spotlight on a crisis that continues to affect the community nationwide.Tekla Taylor, public education specialist at Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) and author of the organization’s new report on violence against trans people, spoke about the findings and the importance of remembering those lost. A4TE is also hosting an online vigil with GLAAD to honor lives lost and uplift trans communities.“Transgender Day of Remembrance started in 1999,” Taylor said. “Trans communities were responding to the murders of Rita Hester and Chanel Pickett… Gwendolyn Ann Smith started the Remembering Our Dead web project to make sure we’re not forgotten.”The new report reveals stark realities. “Almost all of the trans women of color we lost this year were killed by gun violence,” Taylor said. “Thirty percent were lost to intimate partner violence. This violence is intimate—but it’s also fueled by disinformation from powerful platforms and leaders.”Taylor also highlighted systemic failures in policing and public safety. “We lost two trans people who were shot by police… what they really needed was help. Their lives might have been saved if their safety had been taken seriously.”Federal policy continues to challenge the community. “These basic needs—accurate documentation, respect, safety—are under attack,” Taylor said, referencing restrictions on passports, military service, and sports participation for trans Americans. “This administration is using trans people to enforce a harmful, restrictive vision of gender.”Despite these threats, Taylor expressed hope in the resilience of trans communities. “Trans people have always been here… and now, for the first time in history, we have supportive parents at scale. That gives me enormous hope.”The online vigil begins tonight at 6 p.m. ET, featuring trans elders, youth, supportive parents, and community advocates. Taylor urged both trans individuals and allies to attend.“For folks who want to take action beyond attending, donate to trans-led organizations, push back against anti-trans rhetoric, and share stories at transrememberance.org,” Taylor said. “Make sure their names are said and their stories are not forgotten.”Locally, the Trans Support Initiative of Sullivan and Wayne Counties hosts an interfaith memorial service at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church in Callicoon, NY. More at transsupportinitiative.nypa.org.For additional resources, visit transequality.org and glaad.org.

On Friday night, The Muse in Rosendale won’t just be hosting a concert — it will become the meeting place of two vibrant musical worlds. VKB Band, aka Vicki Kristina Barcelona, the genre-bending trio known for reimagining the Tom Waits songbook, returns to the stage with their “arsenal” of instruments and trademark three-part harmonies. Opening the evening is the 10-voice women’s ensemble the B2s, led by singer, arranger, and founder Debbie Lan.The show, billed as Harmony, Wit and Grit, promises both musical craft and community warmth.VKB members Rachelle Garniez, Amanda Homi, and Kirsten Thien say their sound is rooted in rediscovery. Garniez described the band’s approach simply: “What we love to do is take these rough diamonds that are these incredible songs of [Tom Waits’] and we sparkle them and shine them up and find the melodies and create new ways of hearing the songs.”For Homi, the thrill lies in revealing something listeners may have missed in Waits’ famously gravelly voice. “He has so many beautiful melodies and sometimes people don’t really hear that,” she said. “It kind of reveals some real beauty there, as well as all the poetry.”Their chemistry, the women agree, emerged naturally. “We all come to this as songwriters ourselves,” Homi said. “We always find interesting pathways.”That sense of play extends to the band’s instruments, which include accordion, harmonium, ukulele bass, banjo, washboard, bottles and bells. Garniez laughed that the instruments “seem to naturally attract,” saying, “Once you take out an accordion, the banjo’s not far behind.”The B2s — now a dozen years strong — bring their own distinctive spirit. Lan’s ensemble began as a community voice group but grew into a polished and deeply connected vocal collective. “They present their voices to me like a blank piece of canvas,” Lan said. “I get to throw whatever I want on the canvas, and they sing whatever parts I ask them to.”The two groups will join forces for a collaborative finale, creating a chorus of 13 women. Their combined rehearsal, Thien said, felt electric. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in a room with 11 to 13 women joined together with a common mission,” she said. “It was really powerful.”Lan said that sense of shared joy is one reason she continues the work. “One of the things that turns me on a lot is community — singing with community,” she said. “We come together as a group and discover that together we have a really powerful sound.”More information at themuserosendale.org.

A proposed one-year moratorium on new high-density residential development in Bethel is at a standstill after a 2-2 tie vote at the town board meeting. The tie came with one board member absent, leaving Supervisor Dan Sturm and one council member in favor, and two council members opposed.“The reason it's out of standstill is because there was some discussion on whether the tie vote meant that they could reintroduce the measure at next month's meeting or if it would have to go through the process of introducing a local law again,” said Isabel Braverman, editor in chief of the Sullivan County Democrat.Supporters, including the citizens group Bethel Roundtable, want a pause while the town updates its comprehensive plan, which hasn’t been revised since 2006. “They see an increase in high-density development in the town, which they say puts a strain on resources, can have detrimental environmental effects,” Braverman said.Opponents argue the moratorium is unnecessary, pointing out that existing projects follow all zoning and planning rules. Five pending high-density projects in Bethel, including developments with 141 and 170 units, would not be affected by the moratorium.Rabbi Ben Halberstam, whose name with a Brooklyn address is listed on documents for proposed housing developments currently before the planning board, urged the board members who voted in favor of the moratorium to reconsider if it does come up for a vote again. Representing a large group of the Hasidic community, he said their housing projects should be allowed. “He said that they follow all of the rules and the laws, from the zoning and the DEC environmental laws,” Braverman said.The town’s comprehensive plan committee is expected to present findings in four months, but board action could take longer. Supervisor Sturm said the town attorney is reviewing options after the tie vote.For more coverage, visit scdemocratonline.com.

Thomas G. Waites first made his mark as a young actor in cult classics like The Warriors and John Carpenter’s The Thing, earning early recognition for his intensity and screen presence. A Juilliard-trained performer with an MFA in playwriting from the University of Iowa, Waites has built a far-reaching career across Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, independent film, and teaching—founding his own acting studio in New York City.But beyond his work on stage and screen, Waites is also a singer-songwriter who blends storytelling, social commentary and Americana influences into his music. His band, Heartbreak Waites, delivers folk, rock and Americana songs that pair protest anthems with harmony-rich original material. The group performs Thursday night at The Colony in Woodstock.Speaking about the path that brought him from Juilliard to theater, film and now music, Waites said his early training shaped everything he does.“I came from basically down the street from the ghetto outside of Philadelphia, and Shakespeare is what got me out of there and into Juilliard,” he said. “You can imagine what a shock it was to my system to go from a lower middle-class, blue-collar family to this extraordinarily high-end culture at Lincoln Center — drama, dance, opera. That transition was formidable in forming my character.”Waites said being surrounded by talent left a lasting impression. “I was in the elevator with Rudolph Nureyev. Leonard Bernstein called us a class. I had really great influences as a young person,” he said. “All of that registers in your subconscious someplace. When you go to write a song, hopefully you have the capacity to draw from that beautiful and brilliant language to tell a story. And never have we needed stories more than we do now.”A Career Marked by Highs, Lows, and Hard LessonsWaites was cast in The Warriors in his early 20s and later appeared as Windows in The Thing. Both films became iconic, but their intensity on set was matched by intensity in his own life.“I was very lucky as a kid. By the time I was 23, I signed a three-picture deal with Paramount,” he said. “My first picture was The Warriors with Walter Hill directing, and he and I didn’t get along very well because mostly I was a huge pain in the ass. So he fired me.”The experience, he said, “left an indelible imprint.”“It really shocked me, and I realized there might be something wrong with me,” Waites said. “There were mental issues I had to address — addiction among the most profound. That was course-correcting a trajectory toward stardom that I managed to derail pretty effectively.”Those struggles became a foundation for his work as a teacher and mentor.“I’ve made all the mistakes, so I can help you from making the same mistakes,” he said. “I try to pass on the knowledge and the wisdom I’ve gained from the damage I self-engineered. I think that can be useful to people.”He recalled coaching actor Vincent Pastore just as Pastore landed a major television role.“David Chase called and said, ‘I wrote a great scene for you — but I’m killing off your character this year.’ Vinny was furious,” Waites said. “I told him, ‘You’re not calling anyone. The only thing you’re going to say is: Mr. Chase, thank you so much for the work you’ve given me.’ That helped him go on and have a terrific career. That’s an example of how I can be useful.”Bringing Protest Songs to WoodstockHeartbreak Waites joins him Thursday night, though Waites says he’ll be opening the concert solo with protest music.“I’m so excited — you have no idea,” he said. “To play Woodstock? Oh my God. All of my idols — The Band, Bob Dylan — everybody came through there.”His decision to perform protest songs comes from urgency, he said.“Anybody who’s even partly awake to the fascist takeover that’s fallen upon our country — sadly — knows we’ve got to address it,” Waites said. “Seventy-six percent of the people in these detention centers are not guilty of any crime — not even a DUI — but they’re being forced to do labor. All of the horror that’s descended upon our country has got to be addressed.”One bandmate, he said, fears political retaliation because he travels across the border to Canada.“If they check your phone and see that you’re not a Trump supporter, people have been detained,” Waites said. “I don’t want to jeopardize anyone. If ICE or Trump or any of those muppets — excuse my language — come after me, that’s fine. Give me liberty or give me death. But I don’t want to jeopardize anyone else in the process.”Original Songs and a Band Built on “Exploiting” TalentAfter the protest set, Heartbreak Waites takes the stage with original music.“We play almost all original songs,” Waites said. “A lot of them are love songs. It’s very uplifting and fun — cathartic as well.”He said the band exists for one central reason: to showcase its musicians.“The main reason I started this band is to exploit the people that are in it,” Waites said with a laugh. “Cedric Allen Hills — if Brian Wilson and D

From 66 million-year-old dinosaur “mummies” to bees that can tell time—and even the hidden psychology in rock-paper-scissors, Joe Johnson breaks down the latest discoveries that are as fascinating as they are weird in this week's Science Stories segment.Dinosaur “Mummies” and the First HoovesAround 66 million years ago, a small herd of Montasaurus ankylosaurus died in a drought—then were ironically buried in a flood. The result? Fossilized “mummies” that preserved detailed impressions of their skin.Johnson explains, “They died of a drought, but then they were buried in a flood. Now this preserved an impression of the skin as it lay draped on their bones.”Recent scans of a 20-foot juvenile and a 40-foot adult revealed something astonishing: the rear feet had three large toes, each capped with a hoof, while the front feet had a single central hoof. “This is the first hoof ever known on a reptile,” Johnson notes. “They beat the ungulates—the modern hoofed animals we know—by a couple of million years.”It’s a classic case of convergent evolution. “Both the horse and these duck-billed dinosaurs were herbivores that had to run to avoid predators,” Johnson says. “It kind of makes sense that they would evolve the same structure.”Bumblebees That Can Tell TimeIn London, scientists trained buff-tailed bumblebees to associate the length of a light flash with a reward. Johnson highlights the finding: “They very quickly learned that the longer flash indicated that it was the good stuff for them. Some of the flashes were as short as a half a second.”Why would bees need this skill? “Perhaps it evolved for different purposes such as keeping track of movement in space or communication,” Johnson says, showing how even tiny brains can reveal surprising abilities.The Hidden Strategy of Rock-Paper-ScissorsEven simple games have secrets. In a study of 62 participants playing rock-paper-scissors, researchers found that humans struggle to be truly random. “Winners will tend to repeat their winning choice… Losers tend to change their choice,” Johnson explains. “So if you play paper and the other person plays scissors, next round you should play rock or scissors because they’re probably going to play scissors again.”

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced in October the largest Medicaid fraud scheme ever prosecuted by the Orange County DA’s office, allegedly stealing $2.9 million in Medicaid funds.Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler who shared more about the investigation and what residents should know to keep themselves protected from fraud.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is under fire from environmental advocates and progressive Democrats after her administration postponed a landmark law that would ban natural gas in most newly constructed buildings. The All-Electric Buildings Act was set to take effect January 1.Hochul’s office says the move is merely an extension and that she remains committed to the law. But critics say the delay signals a retreat from major climate goals — and arrives alongside other decisions that have frustrated environmentalists. The administration recently approved a natural gas pipeline that had long been stalled, and it green-lit a power plant in the Finger Lakes that is prepared to operate for crypto-mining.Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who is challenging Hochul in the Democratic primary, has emerged as one of the sharpest critics, calling the actions “a shame” and accusing the governor of backtracking on climate commitments.Lisa Marshall, advocacy and organizing director at New Yorkers for Clean Power and a leader of the Renewable Heat Now campaign, said the delay undercuts years of climate progress.“Well, you know how they say when you’re in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. That’s what the all-electric building act does,” Marshall said. “These are just better, healthier, safer buildings. It’s a win for everybody, and it’s an extreme disappointment to have Governor Hochul delaying this law today.”Marshall argued Hochul is wavering on climate commitments. “She really seems to be going back and forth on these common-sense climate measures,” she said. “She is not doing this because she supports the law. She is doing this because she is not brave enough to stand by her own policies and bring the case to the people of New York.”Marshall said the delay will allow developers to continue “building systems that are sort of like an anachronism in these brand-new buildings.”“This is really giving an out to the corporate developers,” she said. “They should be state-of-the-art, safe, and healthy, and instead they’re going to be able to be hooked to the gas system for who knows how much longer.”She also emphasized the health stakes, noting high rates of asthma and heart disease linked to fossil-fuel combustion in homes. “If you have the gas stove and a gas furnace, it’s like a tailpipe in your kitchen,” she said. “You’re breathing nitrogen oxides and particulates that are not healthy and not safe.”Marshall disputed claims that electrifying new buildings would overwhelm the grid. “That is completely false,” she said. “The all-electric building law has an exemption. And we have plenty of headroom in the winter. There’s just not that many new buildings being built in New York.”She said cost concerns are also exaggerated. “It’s another scare tactic,” Marshall said. “We have several studies showing the costs are better if you build all-electric.”Marshall said advocates are now pressing Hochul to sign another major climate measure — the repeal of the state’s “100-foot rule,” which shifts the cost of new gas hookups onto all ratepayers. “The annual cost of hooking up buildings to the gas system was almost $600 million a year,” she said. “People have been noticing those bills going up and up.”Thousands of Renewable Heat Now supporters plan to rally in December, she said, delivering postcards and urging Hochul to reverse course. “We have a very positive, forward-looking, joyful movement,” Marshall said. “We’re registering our very deep disappointment and sadness over the loss of what is really a common-sense, win-win law.”

This holiday season, you can deck the halls without decking the planet. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, in partnership with New York Sea Grant, is hosting “Plastic-Free Holidays” workshops that teach families how to swap single-use plastics for fun, reusable DIY decorations.Anna Harrod McGrew, natural resources and environment educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension, said the workshops are part of a fall series raising awareness about microplastics and plastic waste.“So our workshops are part of a larger webinar and workshop series we're trying to do this fall…we started in October with a microplastics webinar and a Halloween costume swap at the Kingston Farmers Market. Moving into Thanksgiving, our two other workshops that we have left are unfelted pumpkins and recycled gift tags,” she said.The idea is simple: you don’t need to buy new every year. “There's things around your house that you can use to decorate. And then there's lots of natural materials, plastic-free materials that you can use or reuse to reduce your plastic,” Harrod McGrew said.At the Thanksgiving workshop, participants make felted wool pumpkins using just a few pieces of wool, a felting needle, and a felting pad. “That could also be saved year after a year and doesn't contribute to our enormous amount of plastic waste going into our waste stream,” she said.In December, DIY gift tags are the focus—made from leftover ribbon, buttons, and card stock. “We'll just have kind of a whole table full of supplies that are all assembled from what might have ended up in people's trash to make those gift tags,” Harrod McGrew said.She encourages simple eco-friendly habits at home, too. “I love wrapping gifts with found materials…brown bags from the grocery store, decorating with dried flowers, dried oranges, fancy ribbons. If everybody focused on one thing—like, I'm not going to purchase wrapping paper this year—that can make a huge impact,” she said.Workshops are free, open to ages 10 and up, and registration is available at ulster.cce.cornell.edu/events.

Garbanzo beans, potatoes, even laundry detergent are just some of the items at the new Calliope & Gael Grocers, a new free community food pantry on Main Street in Livingston Manor.What makes it unique? It’s designed as your regular grocery store where people can choose what they want to throw in their grocery cart. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar chatted with Gael Roots’ Iris Fen Gillingham in Livingston Manor about the future of the pantry and how people can help.

A Single Bite, the Sullivan County nonprofit focused on feeding families, says food insecurity has surged dramatically in recent months—even as federal SNAP benefits resume following the end of the government shutdown.Executive Director Audrey Garrow said the organization has seen demand double since early fall.“Since September, we were feeding 625 people, families out there in the community with prepared food,” Garrow said. “Today, 1,200 people. So that’s double.”Garrow said some of the increase is due to heightened public awareness during the SNAP crisis, but the underlying need runs much deeper. “These individuals are not going to call us tomorrow and say, ‘I have my SNAP benefits back. I don’t want your healthy prepared food anymore,’” she said. “My kids are still getting enough nutrition. That’s just not going to happen.”She noted that even families with restored benefits remain behind on basic expenses. “They’ve already spent their rent money on food or their medicine money on food because kids and people need to eat every day,” she said.Sam Buniga, who delivers meals across the county, said those realities are clear on the ground.“I have a family that’s been in temporary housing for quite a while,” he said. “The place has now been condemned… but she has a stove for the first time. She told me she hasn’t cooked a baked potato in years and she was so excited to have a potato and to have real food.”A Single Bite provides prepared meals three days a week, delivered by volunteers from Long Eddy to Wurtsboro. Garrow said the ready-to-eat meals remain vital for families who lack time, transportation, kitchen facilities, or the ability to prepare bulk food from pantries.“During COVID, we learned that families struggle with time, working two jobs,” she said. “Do they have enough energy to have a propane stove? Is their stove working? There are many, many families living in temporary housing in this community.”Both Garrow and Buniga said the return of SNAP benefits has not eased the long-term fears families face.“These are families that are living at or below the poverty level, period,” Garrow said. “Catching up is not possible with the resources they have.”Buniga said many residents only sought help when the shutdown pushed them past their limits. “Maybe they were really fighting and said, ‘We got this,’” he said. “But then the shutdown—that was when they hit the wall.”As the holidays approach, Garrow said A Single Bite will continue providing weekly shared meals, along with special Thanksgiving and Christmas dishes. But winter brings new challenges.“We’ve received a lot of donated produce over the harvest time and that is going to subside,” she said. “We need to start purchasing fresh food… and make sure the highest-quality, most nutritious food ends up on people’s plates.”Buniga said the public often doesn’t grasp the scale of need: “The rest of us are going to bed, our bellies are full, our kids’ bellies are full. And there’s people out there that every day their kids’ bellies are not full when they go to bed.”Garrow encouraged residents to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more about the organization. “It’s not easy to ask for help,” she said. “And we respectfully provide that support every week.”A Single Bite recently received a boost from Homestead School students, who grew pumpkins for their annual project. The pumpkins were turned into soup for families, and the students presented the nonprofit with a $3,000 check.More information, volunteer opportunities, and donation links can be found at asinglebite.org. A full list of food pantries across the region is available at wjffradio.org.

The once dead Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project, a pipeline that would bring fracked gas from central Pennsylvania through New Jersey and into New York City, is now one more step towards revival. Last Friday, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation issued a Water Quality Certification Permit for the construction of the project, effectively reversing its legal position under the Federal Clean Water Act in 2019 and 2020.While environmental advocates and legal experts are preparing to stop NESE again, they are also looking ahead to the inevitable revival of its companion project, the Constitution Pipeline that would run through Upstate New York.Radio Catskill’s Genevieve Hartnett spoke with Mark Izeman, Senior Attorney for Environmental Health at the National Resources Defense Council and Board Member of Catskill Mountainkeeper about the increased federal pressure pushing these pipeline projects forward and how statewide opposition can stop them.

This weekend, audiences at NACL Theater will witness an intimate and deeply personal work-in-progress titled Mercedes: Para los Callejones, created by Brooklyn-based artist Modesto “Flako” Jimenez and the ¡Oye! Group. The play, performed primarily in Spanish with English supertitles, is both a tribute and a time capsule — inspired by the grandmother who raised Jimenez in Bushwick after he immigrated from the Dominican Republic.Through letters, receipts, and other personal mementos, Jimenez uncovered his grandmother’s quiet but powerful legacy — a woman who helped countless Latino families survive and thrive in New York City while staying connected to loved ones back home.“The Mercedes-Benz, the matriarch — the one that opened her doors for many generations to ground themselves in America, in North America, in New York City,” Jimenez said.As Jimenez cared for his grandmother during her battle with dementia, he began uncovering the story that would become Mercedes.“I kept going into drawers and different boxes and realizing that she never threw anything out — like a true beautiful hoarder,” he said with a laugh. “I found letters from people in the Dominican Republic asking for things and saw how she took care of them. I realized, oh, this woman didn’t just take care of me — she took care of multiple generations even back in the motherland.”Those discoveries revealed a woman whose small acts of love and resourcefulness rippled across generations.“She made sure that I had a lock on the bathroom door so I could study my lines and be a performer,” Jimenez said. “People should know that those little tools — that love — gave me space to breathe and become who I am.”A Matriarch’s Spirit on StageActor Zuleyma Guevara, who portrays Mercedes, said the character felt instantly familiar.“Flako told me I reminded him of his grandmother,” Guevara said. “When I read the script, it reminded me of my own mother. Immigrants work their asses off — sending money, resources back home — and they never want to be thanked. My mother never wanted to be seen as a savior. She just helped.”That quiet strength, Guevara said, runs deep in the immigrant experience.“There’s that element of secrecy — you don’t want to elevate yourself, you just do for your family,” she said. “Mercedes did that. She worked ten jobs, sold Avon and Stanley products, made cakes and ornaments by hand. There was always some capital coming in, but she never bragged. Somehow there was always money hidden in a drawer or a jacket.”One of the most poignant discoveries, Jimenez said, was finding a receipt his grandmother had kept for the cost of bringing the family to America — right down to the price of passport photos.“She could barely read,” he said. “But she figured it out. She figured it out through love.”Language, Memory, and HealingThe play’s bilingual nature was a deliberate choice.“When she landed here, none of us knew English,” Jimenez said. “So the production respects that — telling it how it was. The Spanish, the English, it’s about sharing tools. This isn’t trauma sharing; it’s about celebrating how we take care of ours.”Over several years of development, Mercedes has grown into more than a play. Jimenez and his collaborators have hosted workshops at senior centers, worked with caregivers, and even developed a documentary and virtual reality experience tied to the project.“Caring for yours after they cared for you — that’s a beautiful celebration,” Jimenez said. “It’s about time travel through memory, through dementia, through love.”Mercedes: Para los Callejones will be presented this Saturday night at NACL Theater in Highland Lake, featuring English supertitles — and, fittingly, a warm bowl of soup after the show.“Mercedes would’ve appreciated that,” Jimenez said, smiling. “She loved making sure everyone had a bowl of something warm.”For more information, visit nacl.org.

Families in Sullivan County are facing a difficult choice: go to work or pay for child care. New York’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which helps eligible families cover daycare costs, has been paused in Sullivan and more than 30 other counties.“CCAP is meant to help families pay for daycare,” said Isabelle Braverman, editor of the Sullivan County Democrat. “There are eligibility requirements such as your income levels. Based on that, you can receive a certain amount to help pay for the cost, sometimes even fully covered.”The pause began July 1. Families already enrolled continue to receive funding, but new or renewed applications are on hold. Braverman said the program may not resume until January 2026 due to budget constraints.Daycare providers report immediate impacts. At Twin Bridge Play School in Liberty, four children have left and several others moved to part-time care. “It’s really not sustainable for them as a daycare,” Braverman said. At Jessica’s Daycare in Monocello, owner Jessica Dean is advocating for more funding and plans to create a nonprofit scholarship fund to help families while CCAP remains paused.Braverman noted potential short-term solutions, including returning to the former CCAP payment structure to free up funds for delayed applications. State officials say they are working to expand childcare access, but Sullivan County’s funding gap remains a challenge.For more coverage, visit scdemocratonline.com

Seniors and Medicare beneficiaries have until December 7 to review or update their health coverage for 2026, but experts warn that scam calls are on the rise.“As many people might know, right now, up until December 7th, we are in the Medicare annual enrollment period, which is when many people make their selections for what their health care is going to be for next year,” said Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of the New York Statewide Senior Action Council.Even if your coverage seems fine, Alvarez urges a double-check. “People's health situations might change, the plan might have changed, the coverage might have changed, there might be other options. And so this is the time when most people are able to assess that situation,” she said.Scammers often target seniors during this period. “Medicare, Social Security or the IRS, they will never call a person at their home...much less would they ever call and ask for a person's Medicare number because they already have that information,” Alvarez said.If you get an unsolicited call claiming to be from Medicare, hang up immediately. “Never give out your Medicare number, your Social Security number, your bank or credit card numbers,” she said.For help, seniors can call the New York State Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-333-4374, or 1-800-MEDICARE to report fraud or review benefits. Alvarez also reminds seniors: “You have until December 7th at midnight to make your decision. Don’t let anyone pressure you into choosing a plan today.”Families and caregivers can protect loved ones by encouraging them to take their time and consult trusted sources before making any changes.Key Takeaway: Never share sensitive information over the phone, and be wary of pressure tactics. Use available resources to make informed decisions about your Medicare coverage.

Bar Veloce must remain closed after the Town of Tusten Zoning Board of Appeals rejected an effort by the owner to overturn the shutdown of the Narrowsburg business tied to fire and building code violations.Code Enforcement Officer Jim Crowley revoked the bar’s certificate of occupancy on August 28, stating that the business could not legally allow people inside until safety concerns were addressed.The notice said, “You cannot open this eating and drinking establishment known as Bar Veloce until fire and building code issues are addressed as per Section 107 on safe structures and equipment of the New York State property maintenance codes.”Earlier that same week, the town received notice that an engineering report submitted in support of the bar’s rooftop deck had been forged. Appeal Must Go to State RegulatorsBar Veloce’s attorney argued the closure was flawed because it came without an inspection.“His basis for revoking the C.O. was this claim that there was imminent danger to the premises,” the attorney said. “It’s beyond my understanding how he could have made that determination without having conducted an inspection of the premises.”The ZBA ruled that because the action was based on New York State fire and building code, it cannot intervene.Board members told representatives of the business, “You can make that argument, but you can’t make that argument to us,” according to a report from the River Reporter’s Liam Mayo.After the meeting, the bar’s attorney told Mayo the zoning board was only the “first stop” in the appeals process and said they “are going to keep fighting this and will take it to court if necessary.”Rooftop Deck Requires Separate ReviewEven if the ground floor is allowed to reopen, the rooftop deck will remain closed. The town planning board separately rescinded its previous approval after learning of the forged document. Mayo said the business would need to reapply for that permit if it wants the upper level back in use.Ongoing Dispute With Neighboring BusinessThe bar has faced years of opposition from neighboring Narrowsburg Union, which has raised issues including parking and code compliance. Mayo said the dispute has often turned on “technicalities, like jurisdictional issues and timings of disputes.”He noted some residents argue small businesses need flexibility. The town’s code officer has previously said, “If he strictly enforced every regulation in the book, everyone would be in violation of property maintenance, everyone, including myself.”

Students in Sullivan County are getting hands-on lessons in nutrition, ecology, and teamwork—right in their schoolyards.The Catskill Edible Garden Project, started in 2012 by Sullivan 180, Catskill Mountainkeeper, and Cornell Cooperative Extension, has grown from four gardens to 15 in 2025. These edible gardens give students a chance to plant, harvest, and explore while learning about healthy eating and the natural environment.Liberty Elementary School’s garden coordinator, Christy Green, said garden days are transformative. “Every time they discover something or make a connection, it’s exciting. They go and tell you about it and want to know more,” she said.Students grow tomatoes, beans, potatoes, lettuce, kale, and herbs, enjoying the harvest themselves or donating extras to school meals. Gardens also provide academic enrichment, physical activity, and lessons in collaboration and responsibility.Sullivan 180 garden coordinator Eva Bednar said the key to success is simply starting small. The program also offers grants to schools, daycares, and youth-focused nonprofits, with applications opening Nov. 15.For more information or to get involved, visit sullivan180.org.

New York residents began receiving full monthly benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November, even as the federal government shutdown continues to cast doubt over future payments. Here’s what you need to know:• Under an order from Governor Kathy Hochul, the state’s agencies were directed to proceed with full benefits for November. “Folks have already started receiving full November SNAP benefits in the state of New York… and that’s expected to continue over the course of this week,” said John Liddle, Commissioner of Health and Human Services and Social Services in Sullivan County.• The deployment follows a federal district court ruling requiring full funding of SNAP payments, which was temporarily stayed by the Supreme Court of the United States. • Despite the state’s advance, the backdrop remains precarious: a looming lapse in federal SNAP funding due to the shutdown, which led New York to declare a state of emergency and mobilise $65 million in state funds to support food banks and vulnerable households.• In Sullivan County, where nearly 15 % of the population — about 12,000 residents — rely on SNAP, Liddle said local agencies are working overtime to keep up with the shifting guidance. “It’s a lot of work, I’ll be honest … but local agencies have really stepped up,” he said.• He warned that while SNAP benefits are moving, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) remains “in the dark,” adding: “We have no way forward for HEAP benefits right now because that’s completely dependent on the shutdown ending.”• Residents still can apply for SNAP and use their EBT cards; unused benefits remain available. However, continued lapse of federal funding could mean delays or reductions in future months. For help, New Yorkers can visit the website of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) or their local Social Services department.

As food insecurity rises across New York, hunters are stepping up to help their communities through a long-running venison donation program coordinated by Feeding New York State.The program, now in its 15th year, allows hunters to donate deer to registered meat processors. The meat is then packaged into one- or two-pound portions and distributed to local food banks and pantries. Each year, hunters donate roughly 60,000 to 70,000 pounds of venison — enough to fill two truckloads of meals for families in need.“It’s an opportunity for hunters to donate that high-protein meat that’s always requested at food pantries and emergency programs,” said Kathleen Stress, executive director of Feeding New York State. “Once you tag your deer and bring it to a processor, you fill out one form indicating you want it donated to a food bank. From there, the meat gets processed and distributed through that food bank’s service area.”Stress emphasized the importance of safety and proper handling, including the use of non-lead ammunition, to ensure families can make informed choices about consumption. “We want to make sure families have the information that allows them to decide whether venison is the best choice for their household,” she said.The program comes as New Yorkers face increased food insecurity amid delays in federal SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. “We are preparing mass and mobile distributions to meet the needs of community members,” Stress said. “But sadly, we are not going to be able to food bank our way out of this.” She urged residents to contact elected officials about the importance of SNAP, noting that food banks typically provide one meal for every nine meals SNAP can provide.Venison donations are just one part of Feeding New York State’s broader effort to reduce food waste and increase access to nutritious food. Since 2022, its food recovery program has redirected 65 million pounds of edible food to local food banks. The organization has also distributed 4.6 million pounds of dairy and 148 million pounds of produce in the past fiscal year.Stress said the programs not only support families in need but also help local farmers and producers. “We work closely with our donors, farmers, growers, and producers to ensure our food banks have the resources they need,” she said.Hunters, processors, and community members interested in participating in the venison donation program can find more information at feedingnys.org

Rural and Migrant Ministry hosted a Car Caravan and Vigil in Monticello yesterday to stand in solidarity with Immigrants facing racial profiling and lack of due process as ICE Raids continue to happen across the country.Radio Catskill's Genevieve Hartnett attended the event yesterday and has a postcard to share about a truly meaningful afternoon

Ann Talman was just 22 when destiny — and a striking resemblance — landed her onstage with Hollywood royalty.The Broadway actor, filmmaker and singer was cast as Elizabeth Taylor’s daughter in the 1981 revival of The Little Foxes. It was her first major role. It became the start of a lifetime friendship.“We met on the very first day of rehearsal, and from that moment on she was the most warm, wonderful sort of stepmother,” Talman said. “She sensed that I was motherless — my mother had just died — and she instinctively took me under her wing and mothered me for the rest of her life.”Talman toured with Taylor for 18 months and remained close with her until the icon’s death in 2011. Now, Talman is sharing that story through song and memory in her acclaimed cabaret show, Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile. She performs it this Saturday and Sunday at The Parlor in Narrowsburg as part of The Parlor Presents series.A connection written long before BroadwayTalman laughs at the notion of fate — but it’s hard to ignore in her story.“From the time I was a toddler, my mother noticed I looked exactly like young Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet,” she said. “People would stop me to say it. Then I auditioned for The Little Foxes, and when Elizabeth met me, she hugged me and whispered, ‘Oh my God, I feel like I’m looking at myself from National Velvet.’”The show intertwines Talman’s own coming-of-age with intimate scenes from Taylor’s life — including a side of Taylor the public rarely saw.“She was hilarious — a great practical joker with a famous cackle,” Talman said. “But she was also very authentic and down-to-earth. She loved being a mother and a grandmother.”Music as storytellingThe cabaret features Broadway standards and selections from the Great American Songbook — each chosen to reflect Talman’s bond with Taylor.“One of the first songs I picked was Long Before I Knew You,” she said. “I felt like I always sort of knew her, even before we met.”Other favorites include “If They Could See Me Now” and “Mira” from Carnival — a nod to Talman’s hometown of Upper St. Clair outside Pittsburgh.An especially emotional moment comes when Talman recounts Taylor’s pioneering AIDS advocacy.“I was with her in London in 1981 and ’82 when AIDS started rearing its head,” Talman said. “We immediately lost friends. I watched her dive into action and use her celebrity for good.”Her tribute includes the story of how “That’s What Friends Are For” became an anthem for AMFAR — the foundation Taylor helped create.A star reborn — up closeTalman has performed the show in renowned rooms like 54 Below and Feinstein’s. But she says smaller, more intimate spaces — like The Parlor — are where the magic truly happens.“The audience has shared that they really feel like Elizabeth comes alive,” she said. “There are moments where I become her — the cackle, the voice — and the closer people are, the more powerful it is.”Keeping the legacy humanFor all of Taylor’s fame, Talman hopes audiences walk away remembering the woman behind the diamonds.“She was a mensch,” Talman said. “A genuinely good human with a huge heart. So generous. That’s what I want people to feel.”

The Metropolitan Opera’s live HD simulcasts are back at SUNY Sullivan’s Sea League Theater this Saturday, kicking off the 2025-26 season with Puccini’s beloved La Bohème.“This is the most popular of all operas — everyone knows it,” said Dan Rigney, SUNY Sullivan’s assistant director of development. “Even if you’ve never seen an opera, you’ve heard Puccini’s music. And Broadway fans? Rent was based on this story.”The HD experience brings the opera house to Sullivan County, complete with backstage access, interviews, and behind-the-scenes magic. Lead soprano Giuliana Gregori stars as Mimi, tenor Freddie Di Tommaso as Rodolfo, and local baritone Sean Michael Plum plays Schaunard.Doors open at noon Saturday, Nov. 8, with the simulcast starting at 1 p.m. Early arrivals can enjoy a pre-show discussion and refreshments from Never Sink General Store. Tickets at sunysullivan.edu/met-opera.

As the federal government shutdown drags on, millions of Americans face food insecurity. In New York, 3 million people risk going hungry after SNAP food assistance was delayed and partially funded.The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) is stepping in with a $1 million emergency effort, providing $50 preloaded EBT cards to the neediest families."We saw this coming," said Dr. David Sandman, President and CEO of NYHealth. "This is the first time SNAP benefits have ever been in peril. Families are stressed, not knowing where their next meal will come from."SNAP, the nation’s most powerful anti-hunger tool, supports 42 million Americans. With benefits only partly funded for November, families face tough choices between food, rent, and utilities."Food prices are at record highs, and more New Yorkers are food insecure than during the pandemic," Sandman said. "This is the worst possible time to cut off assistance."NYHealth’s cash assistance program allows families to shop for food with dignity and autonomy, while also supporting local stores and the food economy.Food banks and pantries are overwhelmed. The state has fast-tracked $100 million to help, but supply chain and staffing challenges remain."Every donation counts," Sandman said. "Support local food pantries and provide healthy foods like oatmeal, tuna in water, and vegetables. Together, we can help families get through this crisis."For more information, visit nyhealthfoundation.org or see local food pantry listings at wjffradio.org.

Underage drinking and drug use remain a serious threat in local communities, and officials say Jared’s Law is putting more responsibility directly on adults.The county’s social host law — named for a local teen killed in a drunk driving crash — makes it illegal for anyone 18 or older to provide alcohol or cannabis to minors. Penalties can include fines and even jail time.“It holds adults accountable,” said Dawn Wilkin, director of prevention services at Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster. “Even though you may be 18 and not legally able to drink, if you provide to somebody younger, you’re still treated as an adult.”Wilkin says the law is only as effective as the community that supports it.“It really does depend on adults in the community to make the report,” she said. “Law enforcement will follow up.”As cannabis becomes more widely accepted, Wilkin said young people are especially at risk.“There’s this perception that because it’s legal, it’s fine,” she said. “It’s not the cannabis of the 1960s or ’70s — the strength is much stronger now. And if the perception of harm is low, use will increase.”She also pushed back on the idea that teens are safer drinking or using at home, supervised by parents.“You think you have control — but once substances are introduced, you are not going to be able to contain that situation,” she said. “And you cannot give someone else’s child a drink. Then you break the law.”Wilkin stressed what science already shows: the brain is still developing well into a person’s mid-20s.“The sooner you introduce substances, the larger the possibility that child will end up with an addiction,” she said.Catholic Charities continues working with community partners and schools to reach both parents and youth before issues escalate. Outreach includes prevention education, resource guides and public awareness campaigns countywide.“Parents and guardians are still the number one deterrent to any substance use,” Wilkin said. “You have your whole life ahead of you. Don’t rush it. Enjoy being young while you’re young.”More information and support are available at ccCsos.org or by calling 845-794-8080, extension 2531.

One brings awe and stories from the natural world; the other brings jokes about death and a refusal to wear pants. Together, Connor Garvey and Shanna in a Dress promise a River Vibes show unlike any other.Garvey’s indie-folk music is known for rich narratives inspired by the natural world. “I love starting from a place of wonder and of awe,” he said. “Each song has its own unique journey.” His recent album, Another End of the Year, explores human experiences during the pandemic, including joy, loss, and parenthood.Shanna in a Dress, the stage name of songwriter Shanna Enright, blends humor with emotional depth. “I think I just see the world as a big joke,” she said. “Even though it matters, none of this matters, and that helps me bring lightness into the supposed turmoil we create for ourselves.” Her upcoming album, Sweet Spot, celebrates embracing life’s sweet spots with clever wordplay and personal insight.Both artists praise The Cooperage’s intimate setting for creating close connections with audiences. Garvey said, “To share your songs with people who really listen and lean in — that’s the real payoff.”The concert is part of the River Vibes series at The Cooperage in Honesdale on Sunday. More information: thecooperageproject.org, connorgarveysongs.com, shannainadress.com.

As voters head to the polls Tuesday, some may be thinking beyond the names printed on their ballots. Write-in candidates — those whose names must be physically written in by voters — have influenced close races before and could do so again this year.“Even though they are not printed on the ballot, they’re going to contest the office anyway,” said Jacob Neiheisel, associate professor of political science at the University at Buffalo and an expert on political communication and elections.Neiheisel said many voters use write-ins symbolically.“We think of them sometimes as protest votes,” he said. “Somebody doesn’t like their options, and in most places there’s no ‘none of the above’ option. So they just write in a friend, a neighbor — Mickey Mouse isn’t all that unusual.”But sometimes, write-ins are part of serious, well-funded campaigns. “It’s rare, but write-ins do win,” he said.When Write-ins Can CompeteNeiheisel pointed to a recent example in Buffalo. Then-Mayor Byron Brown lost a primary but campaigned as a write-in — and won.“He had a lot of money, a lot of airtime,” Neiheisel said. “Couple that with the fact that he’d already served four terms as mayor — name recognition and resources really helped him out.”Successful write-in candidates are usually established figures who have held office before and can run competitive campaigns even without ballot placement, he said.The Communication HurdleGetting voters to remember and correctly write a name is a major challenge.“It’s really, really hard,” Neiheisel said. “You have to come up with clever slogans.”In Brown’s case, his campaign encouraged voters to “write down Byron Brown” — a phrase that “just rolls off the tongue,” he said.New York also allows voters to use rubber stamps in the booth to enter a candidate’s name — though stickers are banned because they can jam voting machines.“There was a challenge to it here, but it was ultimately allowed,” Neiheisel said.Strengthening Democracy — or Risking Confusion?Neiheisel said the option can empower voters who want to register dissatisfaction — but it comes with risks.“There almost certainly will be people whose votes are not counted because they were confused about the process,” he said.In New York, voters must fill in the write-in bubble and write the name legibly.“If you misspell the name, if you write outside the lines, you risk your vote not being counted,” he said.Still, he noted that unlike Nevada — which has a “none of the above” option — most voters nationwide lack a formal protest mechanism. Write-ins are “the closest we can get to participating, but also showcasing that we don’t like the options in front of us.”Could Rules Change?Major parties generally don’t see write-ins as a threat, Neiheisel said — at least not yet.“In most cases it’s a few scattered votes here and there,” he said. “If it got to be something where independent candidates were continually contesting as write-ins and having even more success, that’s something they could look at curbing.”Some states already restrict candidates who lose primaries from running again as independents — so-called “sore loser” laws. New York does not have one.“But if write-ins became a bigger deal, that’s certainly something the parties would look into,” Neiheisel said.Eyes on New York CityNeiheisel said the mayoral race in New York City — where a Democrat who lost the primary is now running as an independent — underscores why those laws exist.“The party doesn’t like challenges to its ability to be the gatekeeper,” he said. “It dilutes the brand and makes things more confusing and difficult for voters.”

There are seven Supreme Court justices in Pennsylvania. Three of those justices are on the ballots this November for retention: Justices David Wecht, Christine Donohue, and Kevin Dougherty.Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Kadida Kenner, founding Chief Executive Officer of the voting rights organization New Pennsylvania Project, about why courts matter and what’s at stake.

Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corps has reported a 14 percent increase in emergency calls this year so far. But as its volunteer numbers dwindle and expected Medicaid cuts, EMS operators are worried about how the mostly volunteer-led organization will continue to serve residents in the coming years.Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with John Tucci and Mike Bruce of the Damascus Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps to learn what challenges lie ahead.

Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano opened applications on Wednesday for an emergency food relief program for people receiving SNAP benefits as the federal government enters its fifth week of its shutdown. Radio Catskill's Kimberly Izar spoke with DeStefano about who's eligible for the program and the impact potential SNAP delays will have on the community.