Radio Chatskill

New York State Senator Chuck Schumer visited Sullivan County yesterday to announce a new bill aimed at reversing President Trump’s Medicaid cuts. Schumer stood side by side with local lawmakers Assemblymember Paula Kay and Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz along with community leaders. Lawmakers estimate that 1.5 million New Yorkers could lose healthcare coverage when the law is enacted. But for rural areas like Sullivan County – where there are fewer hospitals and a larger percentage of residents on Medicaid compared to urban areas – the cuts could be a make or break moment. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar brings us this report.

One of the region’s most anticipated events — the Grahamsville Little World’s Fair — returns August 15–17, bringing with it a showcase of 4-H exhibits, livestock competitions, artisan markets, and the highly anticipated agricultural product auction.The Grahamsville Little World’s Fair, one of the oldest country fairs in New York, has been a cherished tradition for generations. For members of the Small Town Country 4-H Club in Hortonville, the fair is the culmination of a year’s worth of work raising animals, creating handmade goods, and preparing projects for public display.“It’s like the grand finale of the 4-H year,” said club leader Jenny Phelps. “The kids are bringing all their hard work to the public, and it’s an incredible opportunity for the community to support the next generation of farmers.”Livestock and Auction HighlightsAmong the standout events is the 4-H Livestock and Agricultural Product Auction, taking place Sunday, August 17 at 1 p.m. in the Upper Ring. This auction features everything from market lambs and turkeys to honey, eggs, and fresh farm products.Club member Maylie Phelps is entering a market lamb along with honey and eggs from her family’s farm, established in 1932. “The judges look at the structure of the animal, the weight, and how well it’s trained for showing,” she explained. “For eggs, size and shape matter, and the color depends on the breed of chicken.”Fellow member Alice Furber is entering a trio of turkeys — one male and two females — along with a pig. “For turkeys and pigs, the judges look at size, weight, and body structure,” Furber said, noting she has earned several first-place ribbons in past competitions.Artisan Market and Youth ProjectsBeyond livestock, the fair’s Artisan Market will feature still exhibits showcasing months of creative work by local youth. Visitors can expect to see jewelry, paintings, pottery, woodworking, and other handmade crafts.“Some of our members are selling their creations,” said Furber. “They’ve worked so hard, and it’s exciting to see people buy and appreciate them.”Supporting the Next Generation of FarmersPhelps emphasized the importance of community support during the auction. “Every bid you place goes directly back to the youth,” she said. “Eighty-five percent of the funds go to the kids to fund future projects and help reach college goals. The remaining 15 percent supports a scholarship fund for all 4-H members.”The Grahamsville Little World’s Fair runs Friday, August 15 through Sunday, August 17 at the fairgrounds in Grahamsville, Sullivan County. The fair offers rides, games, agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, and a chance to connect with the region’s farming heritage.For more information, visit the Small Town Country 4-H Club’s Facebook page or the Grahamsville Little World’s Fair website.

Artist Bette Blau is bringing a deeply personal and richly textured body of work to Hall Space in Eldred with her new exhibit, From Where I Stand. The opening reception takes place this Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and the show runs through September 7.“In the last seven years I’ve been met with lots of challenges, as many of us have, and I’ve come to really understand… perspective,” Blau explained. “Circumstances change and continue to change… nothing is stagnant… So, From Where I Stand is really about right now, from where I stand, this is where I am.”Blau creates layered collages from vintage paper, ephemera, and natural textures, transforming found materials into what she calls “landscapes and charts that invite you to look closer and see what lies beneath.”“I love to flea market and estate sale,” she said. “I love plain paper. I love paper with writing. I love envelopes that have different colors inside. Some of my collages are completely made from old envelopes… as you peel away the paper, things are left behind and you don’t always know what’s going to be there. I love that kind of exploration.”Her process is intuitive. “I start really by building… I just kind of start to layer and layer and I try not to get too attached with what I’m seeing. A lot of times I’ll paint a layer over that… and start to see how the color of the paint is coming through the paper. Most times I don’t know the direction of my piece.”Blau’s background as a set decorator influences her visual style. “It was almost like painting with objects,” she recalled. “The bottle that I chose was very painterly to me next to the textured surface next to the napkin… that’s kind of how it manifested itself.”When it comes to what she hopes audiences take away, Blau is open-ended. “Looking at art is so personal, just like the making of art is so personal. I want people to interpret from their personal experiences… I do feel that there’s a very calming element to the collages and I hope that they feel that.”One standout piece in the exhibit is Hoan, created during a stay in Hoan, Vietnam. “We were fortunate enough to be at an Airbnb… that were organic herb gardens. Every day the gardeners… came out to care for their land and there was a scent in the air that was sweet and there was a calm over the entire thing. I made that collage when I was there sitting outside… and that evoked a lot of beautiful memories for me.”Blau says the exhibit marks a turning point in her creative and personal life. “This has been a very healing year for me… personally this has been a good run for me.”More information about the exhibit is at hallspaceny.com. Details on Blau’s work are at betteblau.com.

Rising food and housing costs, paired with federal funding cuts, are hitting home. Sullivan Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Community Cupboard reported that emergency calls for food aid have increased 100 percent in the past three months.The Community Cupboard currently delivers to about 700 people each week, including running a 7-days-a-week emergency delivery operation. But with food insecurity on the rise, federal USDA cuts, and proposed Medicaid and SNAP cuts looming – the organization has reached its capacity limit.Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar joined the Sullivan Fresh Cupboard team – who provide sustainable food and service support to hyper-rural communities and food deserts – on their morning route to chat with the team about how they’re navigating an uncertain future.

Our resident science guy Joe Johnson has a fascinating update on three very different science stories: the subtle changes in Earth’s rotation, a rare meteorite impact in Georgia, and the resurgence of the screwworm fly in Central America and Mexico.Earth’s Rotation: Less Than 2 Milliseconds MatterLast week, Radio Catskill explored the changing rate of the Earth’s rotation and the tiny variations in day length. “And we're totally talking like less than 2 milliseconds here. We're not talking a big deal,” Joe clarified. He also corrected a misstatement from the previous report: “I made a mistake. I used the term sidereal day when I was really talking about a solar day. And there's a difference between them.”He explained: “A sidereal day is the Earth's rotation as determined by measuring the position of a distant star or radio source. And that's 23 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds. A solar day is from local noon when the sun hits the highest point in the southern sky to the next solar noon. And that's exactly 24 hours or 86,400 seconds.”The difference arises because “the Earth moves in its orbit about 1° per day. And so to get the sun back into that exact position, we have to then go another… 56 seconds or something like that. And so it's the change in position of the Earth that causes the two measurements to be slightly different from each other.”Joe illustrated the concept with a hands-on experiment: “I told Tim he should do the spinny chair experiment where you spin around on a chair with your legs and arms out and then draw them in and you go a lot faster. It kind of illustrates how a change in mass can change rotation.”Rare Meteorite Strikes a Georgia HomeIn North Georgia near Atlanta, a rare daytime fireball from June 26 was seen and heard by hundreds, leaving a sonic boom captured on dashcams and security cameras. “The next day it was reported that a meteorite fragment had actually struck a house in a little town called McDunna, Georgia in a place called Henry County and it actually made a hole the size of a golf ball in a residential roof. It was estimated to be moving about a kilometer per second and that's about a little over 2,200 miles per hour when it hit this guy's roof.”The meteorite passed through the ceiling, creating a 2- to 3-inch-wide crater in the living room floor. “The homeowner said it sounded like a gunshot, like a loud gunshot.”Approximately 50 grams of the meteorite were recovered, with 23 grams donated to the University of Georgia Geology Department for study. Researchers identified it as an elchondrite, a low-metal-content stony meteorite likely originating from the asteroid belt. “It's basically a leftover from the formation of the solar system… about 20 million years older than the Earth.”The meteorite has been dubbed the McDonagh meteorite, though the name must still be approved by the Meteoritical Society. Joe noted, “Most meteorites are not seen by people because about 3/4 of them fall in the ocean and most of the time they burn up before they hit the surface.”Screwworm Flies Make a ReturnThe final story covers a troubling agricultural threat: the new world screwworm fly, which infects livestock by laying eggs in open wounds. “The larva actually look like wood screws. That's why they're called the screwworm fly… it could cause sickness, weight loss and can even be fatal.”Although previously eradicated from the U.S. through the sterile insect technique—raising millions of flies, sterilizing them with gamma radiation, and releasing sterile males to prevent reproduction—the flies have resurfaced. “In 2022 this gap was breached… in 2023, they were in Costa Rica, 2024, they were in Nicaragua and Honduras. And now they're in Mexico. Mexico, Southern Mexico has had 2,700 cases and… 25 human cases too.”The U.S. government, in cooperation with Latin American countries, is responding by expanding sterile fly releases, developing new traps, and improving cattle inspection protocols. “New fly rearing factories are being built… Uruguay is even looking into gene editing to see if they can introduce a gene that would make them infertile.”With a $15 billion cattle industry in Texas alone, officials are taking the threat seriously. “Don't mess with that,” Joe remarked.

In the Catskills town of Neversink, the dream of ski slopes faded decades ago when alcohol bans kept developers at bay. That twist of fate laid the groundwork for something far more lasting. Today, the Blue Hill property's forested watershed is now protected through a deal by Open Space Institute. OSI's landmark acquisition of 3,100 acres strengthens watershed integrity, advances New York’s 30x30 climate goals, and secures the ecological legacy of this region. In the latest episode of Kaatscast, the Catskills Podcast, Host/producer Brett Barry talks to OSI's Charlie Burgess (OSI’s Northern NY Stewardship Manager) and Tom Gravel (OSI's Northeast Project Manager). They explore the decades-long journey from speculation to stewardship—and what this land means for clean water, climate resilience, and the future of public access.

This weekend marks exactly 56 years since the original Woodstock Music and Art Fair in Bethel, New York — and in a rare coincidence, the dates line up precisely with the original 1969 festival.The festival began on Friday, August 15, and ran through Sunday, August 17, 1969. This year, Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16, once again fall on the same days of the week.Radio Catskill, the closest radio station to the original Woodstock site, is marking the occasion with a week of special local news coverage. Meanwhile, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts — located on the historic festival grounds — is hosting a week of anniversary events.Festivities kick off Tuesday afternoon with special guest Elliott Landy, one of the official photographers of the original Woodstock festival. Landy is best known for his portraits of artists including Bob Dylan, The Band, Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix, and for capturing many of the most iconic images of Woodstock in 1969.Speaking about the original site and its legacy, Landy said:“I don’t have a nostalgia about the place itself, but what they’ve done is they’ve created a beautiful museum there and it’s quite a good museum. It’s very deep space and the people there are really dedicated to the essence of what Woodstock was about, which is creating a peaceful world.”Landy reflected on the ideals of the 1960s and their continued relevance:“In the 60s, we had hopes of throwing out all the bad ways of the past and creating a new system of living together in society… The latter part of the 60s and the early 70s was when we had a chance to pay attention. And now we’re suffering for not paying attention. It’s relevant today… the Woodstock Festival was… a cosmic nudge to show that despite difficult times… people can live lovingly and peacefully with each other and share and care and help each other.”Landy first arrived at Woodstock through his work documenting the anti–Vietnam War movement for the underground press. His music photography career took off after shooting artists like Janis Joplin and The Band. One day, he ran into Woodstock organizer Michael Lang, who later invited him to photograph the festival.Landy said he hopes his Bethel Woods appearances convey a message of optimism:“Hope. Hope. Hope — and also how to be what you want to be. If you want a peaceful life, then you have to be peaceful inside and then a peaceful life comes to you.”In addition to photo talks, Landy will present “Sharing Stillness” energy work and host a dinner event. On Wednesday, he will present Spirit of a Generation, a slideshow in the Event Gallery.Looking back at his famous images, Landy noted that while the cultural spotlight on 1960s ideals may have dimmed, the values themselves remain vital:“The ideals of the 60s didn’t fade away… we have to go back to those ideals and pay attention to them. Now with global warming, which is a direct result of selfishness, we see that we’re going under. I don’t usually like to use imperatives, but yeah, this is an imperative.”More information about Elliott Landy’s work can be found at elliottlandy.com. Bethel Woods’ full Woodstock Anniversary Week schedule is available on their website.

As students gear up to return to school, they will face a new reality: smartphones, smart watches, and earbuds will be banned throughout the school day, except for specific educational, medical, or safety needs. The statewide restriction aims to reduce distractions and improve focus, but it has sparked conversations among students, parents, teachers, and administrators alike.Liam Mayo, news editor of The River Reporter, discussed how these new rules are being implemented locally at Eldred Central School District and Sullivan West Central School District and what impact they might have.Enforcing the Bell-to-Bell BanAt Eldred Central, the policy varies by grade level:Elementary: Students are discouraged from bringing internet-enabled devices. If brought, devices must be silenced and stored in the school office.Middle School: Devices must be silenced and stored in homeroom device caddies.High School: Devices are silenced and kept in designated centralized holders.Sullivan West’s approach is similar but tailored:Pre-K to 4: Internet-enabled devices are not allowed.Grades 5-6: Students must turn phones into their homeroom teachers.Secondary students: Responsible for storing phones in school-issued blockers.Mayo explained, “There are some exceptions being made for medical, educational, or safety needs. These are managed through conversations between parents and school administration on a case-by-case basis, often involving individualized education programs (IEPs).”Local Perspectives on the ShiftBoth Eldred Central and Sullivan West anticipate a cultural shift with this policy change. Superintendent Tracy Ferreira of Eldred Central said, “This will be a cultural shift for students, staff, and families at the junior-senior high school.” Similarly, Sullivan West Superintendent Catherine Bressler noted that while some restrictions already existed, “Expanding it to the full day will be different because phones were part of how students communicated with parents or worked with teachers within set educational limits.”To prepare the community, both districts held multiple meetings over the summer to listen to concerns and inform families. Mayo shared, “We heard that both districts reached out to students as well, to gauge their thoughts on the new rules.”State Support and Safety ConcernsGovernor Kathy Hochul has emphasized the goal behind the ban, stating, “We want freedom for kids and parents,” highlighting that the policy includes provisions for exceptions. The state is providing approximately $13.5 million in funds to help schools purchase device storage solutions and develop enforcement plans.Sullivan West received $5,210 specifically for purchasing storage units for main offices and classrooms.Addressing safety concerns, Mayo relayed Hochul’s reasoning: “It’s actually safer for students not to have their cell phones in an emergency because the last thing you want your child to be doing is pulling out their phone rather than focusing on their teacher or security personnel trained to keep them safe.”Transition and Community ReactionSullivan West had some existing cell phone policies, potentially easing the transition. Superintendent Bressler acknowledged, “There were already areas where students could not use devices, so this expands those restrictions.”However, Mayo noted, “The statewide mandate overrides any local discretion schools had, requiring a stricter, uniform policy.”One notable perspective came from the president of the New York State United Teachers Association, who observed that students in schools adopting the ban early are passing notes instead of using phones.Mayo commented on this dynamic, “While social media on phones can harm mental health, passing notes or whispering has long been part of school life. This highlights the broader issue of student discipline beyond just cell phones.”Looking AheadAs school resumes, local media plans to follow up with students and families to understand how they are adapting.For detailed coverage at The River Reporter at riverreporter.com.

Local bookstores are bringing books to prisons throughout New York State. The Prison Books Project, in partnership with local bookstores throughout Ulster and Dutchess counties, is a nonprofit that was established in 2020 with the purpose of sending books to people incarcerated throughout New York State free of cost. Based in Binnacle Books in Beacon, the project has since partnered with a host of other local bookstores to send the hundreds of books requests that have come to fill their PO Box every month. Radio Catskill’s Julia Kim had the chance to speak with co-founder Annmarie Nye and current co-director Michal Mart on what inspired the Prison Books Project, the reach the nonprofit has been able to have and what role bookstores and books more broadly play in challenging the carceral system.

Do you have those home-cooked recipes that transport you to another place or time? Well, that’s what chef David Perez is hoping to achieve through their new tamales menu at Sueños, a new Mexican food pop-up in Livingston Manor.On the menu are fresh corn tamales, pork verde tostadas, and more. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar brought us along during her recent visit to Sueños at Sunshine Colony in Livingston Manor.

A deepening governance crisis in Woodstock, NY, has come to a head with the official termination of Michael Anello, a Level 3 sex offender who was quietly hired earlier this year as a town maintenance worker. His employment—and the secrecy around it—sparked weeks of public outrage, a power struggle within the town board, and widespread concern over transparency and safety.Michael Anello was hired part-time in March and promoted to full-time in June. His criminal record, which includes a conviction for rape and five years served in prison, came to light in early July. The revelation sent shockwaves through the community and led to an intense debate over accountability, public trust, and the rights of formerly incarcerated individuals.“In March he was hired, and it turns out he has a personal relationship with the supervisor’s confidential secretary,” said Noah Eckstein, editor-in-chief of The Overlook, who broke the story. “In 2014, the Town of Woodstock—like many towns across the state—‘banned the box,’ meaning they no longer asked about felony convictions on job applications.”Eckstein explained that while the town may not have broken any laws, the hiring process left many questions unanswered.“I would say it's not a breaking of any laws—it's more an ethical thing. It’s a failure in transparency and communication.”Board Action IgnoredOn July 22, after the full extent of Anello’s criminal history became public, the Woodstock Town Board voted 3-0 to terminate his employment. Board members Anula Cordes, Bennett Ratcliff, and Maria-Elena Conte voted in favor of dismissal. Laura Ricci abstained, and Town Supervisor Bill McKenna refused to vote.McKenna, whose term ends later this year, did not act on the board’s decision, prompting further outrage.“He just stalled on that. He completely waited,” said Eckstein. “Tensions have been high. I’ve been covering local government for many years, and this was the only town in which I thought there would be some sort of physical violence.”In the absence of action from the supervisor, Cordes—who is also the Democratic nominee for supervisor—took matters into her own hands. She signed the change-of-personnel order and submitted it to the Ulster County Civil Service Department. The county has confirmed that Anello is no longer employed by the town.“This week The Overlook broke the news and we confirmed that Anello has been fired,” said Eckstein.A Town DividedThe fallout from the controversy continues to reverberate through the community. A protest calling for Supervisor McKenna’s resignation is planned for Friday on the Village Green. Public meetings have been packed, with emotions running high.“The July 22nd meeting was completely packed—there were like 40 or 50 people there,” Eckstein said. “Some of whom were sexual assault survivors came in very, very impassioned by the hiring of Anello.”The controversy also reignited debate over how society handles reintegration for people with criminal records. While some residents believe Anello deserves a second chance, others say that public safety and transparency must come first—especially when town employees work in proximity to children.“It struck a nerve particularly because… he was seen sort of within 60 to 100 feet of the town pool near the rec camp,” Eckstein said.Critics also noted that McKenna failed to inform other officials, including the police chief and the town library, about the hiring.“It very much felt like a protection of Anello,” said Eckstein. “And I think it blew up because people want to feel safe and want to have as much knowledge about the people who are working in town as possible.”What’s Next?An upcoming town board meeting on August 12 is expected to be tense. Questions remain about Supervisor McKenna’s cooperation with the board and whether further actions will be taken.“The supervisor’s not answering my calls,” Eckstein said. “It’s been hard to get him on the phone, but it’s likely to be a pretty contentious and just tense board meeting.”The situation has thrown a spotlight on Woodstock’s local government, raising broader concerns about ethics, leadership, and how decisions are made behind closed doors.“This has really been overshadowed by the hiring of Michael Anello,” said Eckstein. “We published an analysis of the situation and contextualized [McKenna’s] broader eight years as supervisor.”As residents call for change, all eyes are now on the August 12 meeting—and the November election that could reshape town leadership.Further coverage at The Overlook

It's National Farmers Market Week, a national event that celebrates the huge role that farmers markets play in supporting local agriculture, strengthening community ties and improving food access. Locally, the Wayne County Farmers Market is celebrating 50 years of farm fresh food. We spoke with Anita Avvisato –co manager of the Wayne County Farmers Market , about how the market got started and what’s ahead.

Get ready, Parksville—because Saturday, August 16, the chickens are coming home to Main Street.The B'Kawk Festival —a now-beloved local tradition celebrating all things chicken—is back for its fourth year on Saturday, August 16, and it’s bigger, bolder, and more bird-brained than ever.From noon to 6 p.m., the small Catskills hamlet will transform into a lively celebration of community spirit, artistic expression, and, yes—chickens. Expect live music, a bustling lineup of food vendors, interactive art, quirky contests, and even a stilt-walking band.“It’s a full-on celebration,” said festival co-organizer Todd Perlmutter during a recent live interview, accompanied by wife Adrian Perlmutter "speaking" in character for the chickens. “Most people love chicken, and we decided that it was a good canvas to do a lot of other things—vendors, art, music—and we just center it around the chicken.”A Family-Friendly Flock PartyThe B'Kawk Festival is packed with playful nods to its feathered mascot. Festival-goers can expect a chicken crowing contest, egg toss, a kids’ chicken art contest, and even appearances by real chickens—thanks to the return of the event’s beloved “chicken mobile.”For younger attendees, there will be an arts and crafts tent, games, and early entertainment from the Shimbone Alley Stilt Band, who juggle and roam the street on stilts.This year, the food scene is clucking impressive. Visitors can sample:Jerk chicken from 876 JerkRotisserie creations from Beast TroiaSmoked chicken from Van SmokeyTacos and empanadas from Julia’s Market in MountaindaleMusic That Ruffles Feathers (In the Best Way)The festival’s music lineup mixes local talent with returning favorites. The Giraffes, who headlined the first-ever B'Kawk, return from Brooklyn with their powerhouse rock set to close the event around 5 p.m.Other performances include:Gorilla TossThe Boss’s WifeCreaturesA DJ set from Livingston Manor’s FineFrom Ghost Town to Cultural NestParksville has been experiencing a quiet renaissance, thanks in large part to efforts like B'Kawk and venues like New Memories and The Double Up. “Every year, we’re getting more and more people who just can’t believe that this is all happening in Parksville—in the ghost town," Perlmutter said. The festival is organized by volunteers and artists, with support from the Parksville Arts Center and a grant from the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association.“There's a lot of scheduling. We need a lot of volunteers,” said Perlmutter. “Adrian is getting all the food... and [she’s] complaining about all the social media she has to do,” he added with a laugh.Dreaming Bigger for 2026With each year, B'Kawk continues to grow—and the organizers are already dreaming about what’s next.“I feel like we just want to keep amping it up,” Perlmutter said. “Like right now this year we've gotten more food vendors and more chicken options and then next year we want to have even more… maybe by next year we'll go into the night. As of right now it's just 12 to 6.”But for now, the co-organizers are urging people to come and experience the magic in person.If you’re on the fence—or, as Perlmutter put it, “in the roost”—he had this to say: “The variety of entertainment and food that's going to happen... I don't think you're going to see anything [like it]. I'm pretty sure we have the only band on stilts.”🎟 More info:parksvilleartscenter.com/eventsInstagram: @parksvillebkawkFacebook: The Parksville Bkawk Festival

As smoke from Canadian wildfires once again drifts across the U.S., impacting air quality for millions, and major blazes burn in the West, communities are being forced to confront the far-reaching effects of these disasters. To help us better understand how to prepare for and respond to these increasingly frequent and complex emergencies, we spoke with Dr. Njoki Mwarumba, Assistant Professor of Emergency Management at SUNY Empire State University, whose work sits at the critical intersection of emergency planning and public health.“There’s never really a single reason or cause,” said Dr. Mwarumba. “Wildfires are part of natural ecosystems, but what we’re seeing now is convergence—human-made conditions, fuel buildup, hotter-burning fires, longer seasons, and less time for recovery.”Wildfires Are Getting Worse—Here’s WhyDr. Mwarumba pointed out that while fires have always been part of forest ecosystems, today’s fire patterns are changing dramatically. Fires are now:Burning hotter and spreading more widelyOccurring more frequentlyExtending fire seasons and shortening recovery timeThese shifts, she said, are being driven by a combination of drought conditions, increased fuel loads, and changing weather patterns—many of which are tied to climate change.“What used to be a seasonal pattern is now a threat multiplier,” she said. “Drier conditions extend fire seasons, which then disrupt ecosystems and strain emergency response systems.”Smoke Knows No BordersEven when the flames are hundreds of miles away, wildfire smoke poses serious health risks. The hazy skies across the Northeast this week are a stark reminder.“The smoke doesn’t respect national or state boundaries,” Dr. Mwarumba said. “It travels with air currents, carrying fine particles that pose a real threat to respiratory health—especially for children, the elderly, pregnant people, and those with asthma or other conditions.”She emphasized the importance of regional and international cooperation in responding to cross-border disasters like wildfire smoke.Are Emergency Systems Keeping Up?With repeated air quality alerts, some people may start to tune them out—a phenomenon known as alert fatigue. That’s why, Dr. Mwarumba said, communication needs to be both clear and accessible.“We need to use multiple channels—yes, smartphones and apps—but also radio, road signs, billboards, and community announcements,” she said. “Not everyone is online. We can’t assume a one-size-fits-all approach.”Dr. Mwarumba stressed the need for sustained public education, especially when the threat is invisible or delayed.Coordinating Response Across Borders and AgenciesFrom local fire crews to federal agencies and even international partners, wildfire response requires layers of coordination.“The work doesn’t start at ignition,” she said. “Planners, ecologists, and emergency managers are studying fire behavior year-round. They’re training, simulating, and investing in pre-disaster mitigation.”In remote or protected areas, like national parks or Indigenous lands, response becomes even more complex.“Access is limited. There may be cultural or historical preservation mandates,” she explained. “It’s vital to have respectful, pre-existing relationships—especially with sovereign nations—before disaster strikes.”The Role of Climate ChangeDr. Mwarumba was clear: climate change is contributing to escalating wildfire activity.“We’ve seen rising temperatures, more droughts, and more severe fire seasons. Whether you call it climate change or another name, the data shows a shift in patterns,” she said. “It’s shortening recovery time and making the job of emergency managers even harder.”Investing in ResilienceThe most effective response, Dr. Mwarumba said, is preparedness—before disaster hits.“Every dollar spent on mitigation saves seven to eight in recovery,” she said. “And that’s not even counting the cost in lives and suffering.”That means investing not just in equipment and personnel, but also in public communication, community planning, and equitable outreach to vulnerable populations.A New RealityAs wildfires become more frequent and smoke events more common, Dr. Mwarumba said it’s time for everyone—individuals and institutions—to shift their mindset.“Fires are part of the ecosystem. They’re here to stay,” she said. “It’s up to us to understand the risks, learn how to stay informed, and protect our health and communities.”Her final advice? Find your trusted sources of information—whether it’s a local radio station, a family member, or your county emergency office—and stay engaged.“Awareness is part of resilience. This is our new reality, and we all have to adapt.”

It’s not David Bowie’s band—but “spiders from Mars” are real, at least geologically speaking. That’s just one of the mind-bending science stories Radio Catskill’s resident science guy Joe Johnson broke down in a recent segment filled with cosmic curiosities, spinning chairs, and mysterious goo from the bottom of the Great Lakes.Spiders on Mars? Yes, But Not the Kind You SquashThese “spiders” aren’t living creatures, but strange dark formations on the Martian surface recently photographed in remarkable detail by the Mars Express Orbiter in 2024. Though first spotted from orbit back in the early 2000s, NASA released new data last year suggesting how these peculiar half-mile-wide, spider-like features—located in a region of Mars near the South Pole known as "Inca City"—actually form.The explanation lies in Mars’ extreme climate. Temperatures can plummet to -225°F, and the planet's atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide with a mere 1% of Earth’s air pressure. During the brutal Martian winter, CO₂ gas deposits directly onto the planet’s surface as translucent dry ice. Come spring, sunlight penetrates the ice, warming the dark soil below. This causes sublimation—ice turning directly into gas—resulting in sudden gas eruptions that blast through the ice, scattering dust and debris in branching patterns that resemble spiders.NASA scientists recently confirmed this “spider” formation theory in a Mars simulation chamber on Earth, offering a compelling Earth-based model for a truly alien phenomenon.Why August 5th Might Be One of the Shortest Days EverShifting gears from Mars to Earth, Johnson highlighted another space-time oddity: the ever-so-slight shortening of Earth’s daily rotation. According to the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service, August 5, 2025, was predicted to be 1.25 milliseconds shorter than a standard 24-hour day.“Milliseconds may not seem like much,” said Johnson, “but when it comes to GPS systems, air traffic control, and data transfer networks, precision matters.” In fact, just a 1-millisecond discrepancy once knocked out Qantas Airlines' system.The exact reason for the change? A combination of factors—atmospheric dynamics, oceanic movements, shifts in Earth’s core, even melting polar ice—all subtly redistribute the planet’s mass and affect its spin. While the long-term trend is for days to get longer (thanks to the Moon slowly drifting away), these short-term fluctuations are still significant enough to warrant attention from scientists and technologists alike.Scientists Find New Lifeform… on a Boat RudderBack here on Earth, another mystery unfolded under the hull of a research vessel named Blue Heron, operating in the Great Lakes. When the boat was dry-docked last fall for repairs, the captain noticed a mysterious black goo oozing from the rudder housing—an area normally ungreased to avoid contaminating the water.A sample was sent to microbiologists at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. What they found was astonishing: 20 different microbial genomes, including one never before seen on Earth. This simple organism, tentatively dubbed Ship Goo 001, may belong to an entirely new phylum—a major classification just below kingdom. That’s extremely rare in modern biology.Even more bizarre: the microbe seems to thrive in an oxygen-free environment, raising big questions. How did an anaerobic organism end up on a ship that’s only ever operated in the oxygen-rich Great Lakes?So far, scientists have only detected the organism’s DNA, not isolated it. But one thing is clear: it’s not just the surface of Mars that holds surprises—our own planet still has plenty of unexplained life right under our rudders.

This weekend, audiences in Highland Lake will be invited to dive deep—into memory, myth, and the mysterious realms beneath the surface of consciousness—through a haunting new shadow puppet performance at NACL Theatre.“A Fishing Line Sings” is the latest creation by composer and writer Rima Fand, developed in long-time collaboration with puppet designer and director Erin Orr. This Saturday’s work-in-progress showing (August 9 at 7:30 p.m.) marks the culmination of a week-long residency at NACL, a space renowned for nurturing experimental performance and community dialogue.The piece is rooted in Fand’s earliest memory: fishing on Lake George with her father at the age of three. That tender recollection evolved into a layered meditation on loss, longing, and transformation—casting fishing as both literal act and potent metaphor.“I became interested in the idea of fishing as a metaphor for remembering—kind of like pulling things from the deep,” Fand explained in an interview. “And then it dawned on me that I was actually trying to connect with my mother after she passed away… through this fishing line.”From that line extends a web of connections: to ancient Slavic and Finnish myths of women turning into fish, to evolutionary biology (Fand’s late father was a biologist), and to the shadowy realms of ancestral memory.In one Finnish myth that inspired the piece, a young woman transforms into a fish to escape an unwanted marriage proposal. Her would-be suitor, the deity Väinämöinen, unknowingly catches her—only to be told she’s gone for good. The myth mirrors Fand’s own exploration of grief and remembrance, wrapped in the gentle metaphor of “the one who got away.”The music and story are brought to life through Orr’s evocative puppet design—an artistic partnership forged over two decades.“I bring the music, she brings the visuals, and we make this sort of poetry that is visual and musical,” said Fand. “She always adds her own layers of richness.”Though it’s still in development, “A Fishing Line Sings” has been in the works for over a decade. A short version debuted at a “Puppets and Poets” festival years ago, but Fand stepped away from the project after the death of her father. Now, she says, the work feels joyful again—"like something celebratory”—as she reconnects with memories of both her parents.At NACL, artists are given space to explore and shape their work without pressure to present a finished product. NACL's Brett Keyser noted that even he has not yet seen the piece in full.“We’re often discovering the work alongside the audience,” Keyser said. “That’s the beauty of these in-progress showings—it’s a shared unveiling.”Audience feedback is central to the process. After the performance, a community discussion will be held—over homemade soup, in classic NACL style—giving attendees a chance to reflect, ask questions, and nourish both artists and each other.Fand says the fantastical elements of the piece—mythology, evolutionary storytelling, the magic of shadow puppetry—help ease the weight of the emotional themes.“Shadow puppetry is such a magical form… you’re diving into this world of mystery and imagining what might be down there,” she said. “I hope it resonates with anyone who's ever tried to reach into another realm to connect with someone they've lost.”More information is available at nacl.org.

A briny blend of food, fun, and fermentation is taking over Eldred this weekend. Sullivan Public is hosting its first-ever Public Pickle Party on Sunday, August 10, promising an afternoon packed with hands-on pickling, garden swapping, local flavors, and even a glowing pickle science show.“It’s part food fest, part garden swap, and all small-town joy,” said Jesse Lazar, co-founder of Sullivan Public, a community-driven arts and culture hub. The idea for the quirky celebration started during a snowstorm, when local farmer Austin Nash asked if Sullivan Public had ever hosted a pickling event. They hadn’t—so naturally, they decided they had to. Now, that offhand idea has fermented into a full-scale community happening.Pickling for AllFrom 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., Nash—who works with Hidden Acre Farm and regularly sells produce at farmers markets—will lead a live pickling demo, guiding participants through the process of preserving fresh vegetables using sweet and sour brines. “There’s going to be giant lobster pots of brine,” said Lazar. “You slice up veggies, shove them in a jar, and the magic is in the brine.”No experience or garden required. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own produce and clean jars, but locally grown vegetables and containers will also be available at cost for those who need them.The idea, said Lazar, is about more than just preserving cucumbers—it's about cultivating connection. “Gardens are often private spaces. This is a way to make that experience communal,” she said. “It’s great for little kids, seasoned adults, and anyone in between.”A Community CelebrationThe event runs 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 16 Proctor Road in Eldred, next to the post office and behind the library. In addition to pickling, the celebration will include Mr. Jason’s glowing pickle science demo, teaching curious minds about electrodes and electrolytes through electrified pickles.“I’m not a kid, and I’m very excited,” laughed Lazar. “There’s something magical about a glowing pickle.”More Than a PartyThe Pickle Party is part of Sullivan Public’s Second Sunday series, designed to create space for community interaction in rural Sullivan County.“In a place as spread out as this, you sometimes need an excuse to gather,” said Lazar. “It doesn’t need to be about buying something or making something great—it’s about showing up and being together.”More Info: sullivanpublic.com or follow @sullivanpublic on Instagram

Audrey Garro, executive director of A Single Bite, has a clear mission: if you have a child in your household and you need food, they are here to help. What began as a grassroots response to food insecurity in Sullivan County has grown into a vital service now providing nearly 1,000 meals a week—a number driven by increasing financial hardship, rising food prices, and changing housing conditions.“We're seeing more families where someone has lost a job, lost hours, or even moved into housing without cooking facilities,” said Garro during a recent interview on Radio Chatskill. “It's very difficult for families to ask for help, but the cost of living is just out of reach for many now.”The organization delivers fresh, healthy, home-cooked meals directly to families with children. Meals include nutritious proteins, vegetables, and carbohydrates, all packed and delivered by a small team and an “army of volunteers.”But with the dramatic rise in need has come a set of new challenges—chief among them, keeping up with demand amid rising food costs and limited funding.“We’ll cook all day, but if the food doesn’t get to people where they need it, it doesn’t matter,” Garro said. “Transportation is a huge issue in rural communities. We learned that during COVID, and it’s still true today.”Garro noted that while A Single Bite receives generous seasonal donations—particularly from local farmers and markets—protein remains one of the most expensive and essential components of their meals. And as summer draws to a close, food donations typically dwindle, forcing the organization to rely more heavily on purchased ingredients.“We budget and we do the best we can, just like a family does,” she said. “But we won’t skimp. We’ll continue to provide protein, healthy carbs, and vegetables. 52 weeks a year.”With little government support, the organization relies heavily on community donations and local partnerships to continue its mission. One such partnership takes center stage this weekend.On Saturday, August 9, A Single Bite will team up with the Shandelee Music Festival for a special farm-to-table fundraising dinner ahead of the festival’s opening night performance. Chef Jonathan Garro—who cooks weekly meals for the program—will prepare the dinner, using locally donated produce, Snowdance Farm chicken, and fresh bread from Jeffersonville's own Tara Bread.“Music is food for the soul, and so is local food,” said Garro. “To combine both for a cause like this—it’s an honor.”The evening’s headliner is acclaimed pianist Sara Davis Buechner, and proceeds from the dinner will go directly to support A Single Bite’s meal delivery and nutrition education programs.Looking ahead to the fall, Garro expressed concern about sustaining the pace of meal production without the fresh surplus of summer donations.“We’re very fortunate to have relationships with the Regional Food Bank and some local businesses, but we’ll go back to purchasing more, and that’s intimidating,” she admitted.Still, Garro remains optimistic and grateful—for her volunteers, the support of the community, and those who show up, meal after meal.“The 900 people a week that we’re feeding—they rely on us. And we rely on this community.”How to Help:Donate: Visit asinglebite.org to make a monetary contribution.Volunteer: Help deliver meals or assist with events.Attend the Fundraiser: The Shandelee Music Festival Dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, followed by a piano performance by Sara Davis Buechner.Learn more and get involved at asinglebite.org.

Flooding has been a major issue nationwide this summer, and New York has been no exception. From the flooding on the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Cross Bronx Expressway to the most recent flash flood warning for Orange County last week, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for nearly all counties in the Southern tip of New York.The increase in the severity and frequency of these hazardous floods is leading to many to identify the causes and urge our leaders to find solutions. Radio Catskill’s Genevieve Hartnett spoke with Sullivan County Historian John Conway about how in order to effectively address this problem, we need to look to our past.

You've probably driven it--Route 17, winding through the Hudson Valley and the Catskills, but big changes are coming to this familiar stretch of highway.New York State is in the process of upgrading Route 17 to federal interstate standards, part of a decades-long effort to rebrand the corridor as Interstate 86 (I-86). Some of that work is already underway around Monocello with even more proposals on the table, but not everyone is on board. While the state touts improved travel and connectivity, local advocates warn the billion-dollar project could come at the cost of environmental sustainability, community needs, and smarter investments.“Older Than I Am”: A Project With Deep Roots“This plan has been going on for a while — it’s actually older than I am, oddly enough,” joked Liam Mayo, news editor at The River Reporter, who has been covering the story in detail. “The federal legislation that is underpinning all of this comes from 1998. It was called the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, and it designated Route 17 as a priority upgrade for inclusion in the National Highway System.”Since then, upgrades have slowly progressed from west to east. Much of the western portion of the corridor has already been converted. As Mayo explained, “I-86 currently stretches all the way from the western end of the state up to Binghamton. And it’s the bit from Binghamton onwards that still needs to be upgraded.”That remaining stretch includes the portion of Route 17 from Exit 113 to Exit 131, which runs through the Catskills and Hudson Valley. “While proposals are still being worked out,” Mayo said, “one of the more likely ones is adding a third lane, or expanding that stretch of highway.” That project alone is expected to cost more than $1 billion.Monticello Upgrades and Public InputCloser to home, the NYS Department of Transportation is in the early stages of planning upgrades to Exits 103, 104, and 107 in Monticello.“These are proposals that are just kind of introducing to the public — at the very early stages of getting public input,” said Mayo. “There was a public display session on Monday, July 28, where the DOT had very preliminary proposals for what Exit 107 could look like. But those could still change as public input comes in. They weren’t even at that stage for Exits 103 and 104 — it was entirely just an announcement.”Mayo noted that these proposed upgrades may resemble the redesign of Exit 105, which was rebuilt with a modern roundabout a few years ago as part of the broader I-86 upgrade.Why Now?When asked why the project is picking up momentum now, Mayo said the answer may be simpler than it seems: “I assume that it's just that they've been working their way east from the western end of the state. If they upgrade this section from 113 to 131, that knocks out another huge chunk of it.”He added, “By the end of the decade, we could see just only a very little left to do to upgrade the entire corridor. But transportation projects take a very long time, and this is a very ambitious one. A lot has happened in the past 30 years that delayed sections or made them take longer than originally suggested.”Advocates Say: Rethink Route 17Environmental and community groups are pushing back — and asking the state to hit the brakes. Catskill Mountainkeeper is leading a coalition called Rethink Route 17, which is urging officials to consider different uses for the massive investment.“One of their main arguments,” said Mayo, “is that over a billion dollars of investment into the transportation of the Hudson Valley and the Catskills — you could spend that money a lot of other ways instead of just on Route 17 improvements.”According to data cited by the coalition — and sourced from NYSDOT — Route 17 is uncongested 95.8% of the time, and the full upgrade would reduce travel times by only about three minutes and six seconds.“They’re saying that the improvements would have very marginal benefits for the average traveler,” said Mayo. “On the other hand, if you spent that money on more local things, you could get a much bigger bang for your buck.”Suggestions from the coalition include fixing potholes, investing in local roads and downtowns, supporting small businesses, and developing alternative transportation infrastructure like trails, buses, and bikeways.How to Get InvolvedNYSDOT is currently seeking public input on the Route 17 upgrades. Residents can submit feedback via the state’s project website — route17.dot.ny.gov — or by mail at 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901.Advocacy groups like Catskill Mountainkeeper are also encouraging public participation. Their coalition website, rethinkroute17.org, includes ways to get involved and learn more.“You can also send comments in by mail or go through those websites,” Mayo noted. “And we include those links in our story as well at The River Reporter.”Competing Visions for the FutureWhat happens next will depend not just on engineers and agencies — but on the voices of residen

Last Friday, New York State adopted the strongest all-electric building code in the country — requiring most new homes and buildings to run entirely on electricity within the next few years.It’s a major step in reducing climate pollution from buildings, which are New York’s number one source of emissions. The move is also seen as a direct response to federal rollbacks, including former President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” which climate advocates warn could raise costs and undermine state-level progress.Radio Catskill’s Julia Kim had the chance to speak with Michael Hernandez, New York Policy Director for Rewiring America. Hernandez has been working on state and local electrification policies that aim to protect residents, lower utility bills and move New York off of fossil fuels.

The big, beautiful bill’s multi-prong attack against healthcare access includes a provision that will strip Planned Parenthood of federal Medicaid funding for one year. While a federal judge has indefinitely blocked the cuts from going into effect as of this Monday, they have the potential of closing 200 Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide and endangering the healthcare of millions of Americans. Radio Catskill’s Julia Kim had the chance to speak with Planned Parenthood of Greater New York CEO Wendy Stark, Leslie Seery and Andrea Flynn of the local group Rivertown 4 Reproductive Rights and Sullivan County activist Dayna Halprin on what these cuts could mean for Planned Parenthood, the historical underinvestment of women and queer people’s healthcare and how marginalized communities have disproportionately faced barriers to healthcare. Here’s Andrea…

Several Hudson Valley lawmakers signed onto a letter on July 26 calling for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Among those who signed on were New York 19th District Representative Pat Ryan, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, Senator James Skoufis and District 103 Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha.

A new festival in Delhi, New York engaged the canna-curious and canna-isseurs this past weekend. CannaBLISS in the Catskills brought together hundreds of attendees to celebrate upstate New York’s growing cannabis community.Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar visited the first day of CannaBLISS in the Catskills and chatted with cannabis farmers, business owners, and attendees about the future of cannabis four years after New York state legalized recreational marijuana. She brings us this report from Delaware County.

A unique gathering centered on wellness, grief, and collective action is returning to Sullivan County this summer. Now in its fifth year, the All Things Good festival—happening August 9–10 at New Memories in Parksville—invites participants to “wander into wellness” through a weekend of healing arts, protest training, and community celebration.Organized by Ariana Kaminsky, the event goes beyond the typical festival format. “It was born out of my existential dread, which I’m sure many of us can relate to,” Kaminsky said. “Living in this current day and age can be overwhelming, and it can feel like, what can I actually do to make a difference? This festival is designed for any human who wants to make the world a better place to live.”This year’s theme—grieving, healing, and organizing as a community—emphasizes both personal and collective resilience. Attendees can expect workshops on First Amendment rights, de-escalation tactics, and grassroots organizing, as well as sound healing, yoga, poetry, and live music.Highlights include a Climate Café on Saturday with Gail King of Extinction Rebellion, a Stand Up for Your Rights workshop with Alexis Danzig of ACT UP, and a Saturday night dance party with DJ Cat Silk. Sunday is designated as family day, with children’s workshops such as Our Bodies, Our Power, designed to help young participants explore their emotions, voices, and physical presence.Perhaps the most unusual feature of this year’s event is a community wedding ceremony planned for a couple facing hardships—whether financial, immigration-related, or tied to healthcare or LGBTQ rights. The package includes officiation by Once Upon a Vow of Boston, donated flowers from Earth Girl Flowers, a two-night stay at The Outlier Inn, and VIP tickets to the festival. “It’s so important to create space that recognizes love and hope in a period of such grief,” Kaminsky explained.In addition to the main event, a pre-party is scheduled for Saturday, August 2, at the Coshocton Pump House from noon to 6 p.m., featuring live music by the Electric Orchords and a DJ set from Tika Masala.Kaminsky hopes participants leave the festival with a renewed sense of hope. “Even though things can seem so scary and uncertain, we have each other, we have community, and we have to live moment to moment by embracing the love and opportunity that exists all around us,” she said.Tickets and more information are available at atgfestival.com or via @ATGfestival on Instagram and TikTok.

Local author Joan Glase is stepping into the literary spotlight with her debut novel, Searching for John Smith. The book weaves together adventure, mystery, romance, and unexpected twists as readers follow Julia, a heroine on a journey of resilience and self-discovery that forces her to confront a painful past. Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoke with Glase ahead of her reading and discussion at the Cutting Garden/Domesticities in Youngsville on Sunday, August 3rd, from 2 to 4 p.m.

How does the botanical elegance of a 19th-century artist find new life in contemporary design?In this episode of Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast, host Brett Barry follows the enduring influence of Emily Cole—daughter of Hudson River School painter Thomas Cole—whose delicate hand-painted ceramics helped define her artistic legacy. Cole was a founding member of the New York Society of Ceramic Arts in 1892, and she advocated for china painting to be recognized as fine art. Her floral porcelain was “highly prized and much sought after,” admired for its lifelike detail and expressive form.In a special pop-up collaboration, tattoo artist Kelsey Lue brought Cole’s botanical watercolors—on exhibit at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site—into a new medium. Clients at Hummingbird Tattoo were invited to choose from Emily Cole–inspired designs, bridging past and present through artistic interpretation.The exhibit, titled EMILY COLE: Ceramics, Flora & Contemporary Responses, is on view at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site through November 2, 2025.Featuring insights from curator Amanda Malmstrom and moments from the tattoo chair, this episode celebrates Emily Cole’s creative spirit and the artists who continue her legacy through reimagined design.

A fatal neurological disease affecting deer has been detected in Wayne County, prompting state officials to establish a new Disease Management Area (DMA 10) in the northeastern part of the county.Chronic wasting disease (CWD), caused by a misfolded protein known as a prion, is similar to mad cow disease but affects members of the deer family. The Pennsylvania Game Commission confirmed that CWD was detected earlier this year in a single captive deer in northeastern Wayne County.The discovery marks the first time CWD has been identified in the county. DMA 10 now encompasses all of Manchester Township and parts of Buckingham, Preston, Mount Pleasant, Lebanon and Damascus townships.Background on CWDCWD spreads through animal-to-animal contact or contaminated environments. Once introduced, it has been notoriously difficult to eliminate. Pennsylvania’s first cases were detected in 2012, and the disease has slowly spread across the state since.“This disease management area that the Game Commission has established … is the 10th disease management area,” said Liam Mayo, news editor at The River Reporter, during a recent interview on Radio Catskill. “Most of the other ones in Pennsylvania have only spread since their initial creation.”One exception, Mayo noted, was Pennsylvania’s first DMA, which was established around a captive deer population. That area was declared free of CWD after five years without additional detections, offering hope that DMA 10 could see a similar outcome.New Restrictions for HuntersWhile hunting remains permitted within DMA 10, several restrictions are now in place:Hunters cannot remove "high-risk" parts of deer, such as the head, spinal column, and spleen, from the DMA.Feeding deer is prohibited.The Game Commission is encouraging hunters to participate in free testing programs, where they can drop off deer heads for CWD testing.Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is no evidence that CWD can infect humans, the agency advises against eating meat from infected animals.“Hunting is actually part of the DMA management strategy,” Mayo explained. “It’s considered part of the solution to managing CWD.”Community ConcernsThe presence of CWD is alarming for Wayne County’s hunting community, which is a cornerstone of local culture and economy.Adam Hill, a Wayne County game farmer, told The River Reporter that the news is “incredibly concerning,” especially given the disease’s persistence in other states.“Northern Wayne County especially is kind of … an oasis for deer hunting,” Hill said. “It’s hard to find a family who doesn’t hunt deer here in Wayne County.”

When you receive one of those Amazon cardboard boxes with black tape, there are hundreds of thousands of warehouse workers behind the scenes – packing, stocking, and shipping products around the clock to make it happen.Here in the Hudson Valley, a massive one-million square foot facility employs hundreds of Amazon workers in Orange County. But some of those workers say the job can become dangerous. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Amazon’s SWF1 workers and labor organizers who are raising concerns about serious safety issues, like heat exhaustion and frequent injuries. She brings us this report.

Pharmacy closures are becoming an increasingly familiar story for Americans. The Rite Aid just outside of Honesdale, PA on Route 6 closed on June 4 after the company filed bankruptcy for a second time back in May. The pharmacy was bought out by Weis Markets, which has its own pharmacy just across the street from the former Rite Aid, but the automatic transfer of patients from Rite Aid to Weis Pharmacy has proven to be shaky as customers face new barriers to accessing their prescriptions. Radio Catskill’s Julia Kim had the chance to speak with Sullivan County resident Catherine Montesi, Honesdale Mayor Derek Williams and owners Todd and Wayne Stephens, who run the local Stephens Pharmacy about the immediate problems the Rite Aid closure has created for the local community as well as the impending issue of pharmacy deserts both in the region and across the country.

The Borscht Belt Festival returns to downtown Ellenville for its third year, celebrating the legendary legacy of Jewish resorts, comedy, and culture that once defined the region.Presented by the Borscht Belt Museum, the festival runs from Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27, with a lineup of events honoring the heyday of the Catskills resort scene and its outsize influence on American comedy.“The Borscht Belt refers to the Catskills resort era—from the early 1900s through the 1980s—when more than 1,000 hotels and bungalow colonies drew over a million visitors each summer,” said Andrew Jacobs, President of the Borscht Belt Museum's Board of Trustees. “That’s where stand-up comedy was born. Joan Rivers, Jerry Seinfeld, Milton Berle—they all cut their teeth in the Catskills.”Full schedule & tickets: www.borschtbeltfest.org

Riverfest returns to Narrowsburg this Sunday, July 27, celebrating 35 years of art, music, and community along the Delaware River — and this year, it's taking flight in more ways than one.Joining Radio Catskill this week, Ariel Shanberg, Executive Director of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA), previewed what festivalgoers can expect from this year’s milestone celebration, from crowd favorites like the River Dogs Parade to brand-new additions like the Avian Amble.“We’re overlooking the narrowest and deepest part of the Delaware, and it’s a chance for our community to get together to welcome the thousands of people who come every year,” Shanberg said. “You’ll discover great artisans, learn more about the incredible ecology of our area, hear live music on the main stage, and of course, bring your dog — or your canine-identifying pet — to be part of River Dogs on Parade.”New This Year: The Avian AmbleWhile the dog parade has become a Riverfest staple, this year marks the debut of the Avian Amble, a bird-themed street stroll encouraging feathered costumes and creativity.“Main Street’s just too short for a full parade, but just right for an amble,” Shanberg explained with a smile. Leading the Amble will be none other than the National Park Service’s “Hunky Eagle” — a crowd favorite not just for his wingspan, but his good looks. Leading up to the event, kids can join artist Adrian Holder Whiskey in a morning costume workshop to prepare their bird-themed attire.And don’t be surprised if the Amble takes on a theatrical flair. “We’re bringing back that tradition of street theater — there’ll be puppetry, street circus performers, and maybe even some birds rolling down Main Street,” Shanberg said.A Maker-Centered CelebrationShanberg, who’s been with DVAA for eight of Riverfest’s 35 years, emphasized the event’s maker spirit. “This festival really reflects the creativity of Narrowsburg year-round,” he said. “It’s a chore to put on a street festival, but COVID reminded us just how much this community values it.”With over 60 vendors expected and Main Street completely closed to traffic, this free, daylong celebration continues to showcase the Catskills’ vibrant arts and culture scene.One of the festival’s signature elements is the Poster Auction, featuring work by more than 50 local artists. Each year, artists transform an 11x17 board into a one-of-a-kind creation to be auctioned off — this year at 1:00 p.m. Guest auctioneers include Tommy Cambridge of Growing Old Together.Proceeds benefit DVAA’s visual arts programming, and now, artists have the option to receive a portion of the auction proceeds themselves — a post-pandemic shift acknowledging their contributions.Music, Stories, and CraftingRiverfest’s main stage will open with Calisson Stratton, host of Liberation Station on Radio Catskill, and close with Ame the Band, a genre-blending musical act whose performance promises to be “equal parts haunting and healing.”The festival also features River Stories, with young storytellers from the YA Slingers (a collaboration between Test and Social and Yarn Slingers) sharing tales of life on the river.Due to the number of vendors, parking on Main Street will be restricted. Visitors are encouraged to use the Fireman’s Field lot, where a shuttle will take them to the festival entrance at Bridge and Main.For a full schedule, artist list, and more event info, visit www.delawarevalleyartsalliance.org/riverfest.

The CEO of Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills is warning that newly signed federal legislation could deal a severe blow to rural hospitals already on the financial brink.In a wide-ranging interview with Radio Catskill, Jerry Dunlavey, who oversees Garnet Health’s two Sullivan County campuses in Harris and Callicoon, expressed concern about the sweeping Medicaid changes enacted earlier this month as part of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law by President Trump.“This bill shifts a significant amount of the funding responsibility from the federal government to the state government,” said Dunlavey. “And the concern is that the state is not going to be able to make up that difference. That’s going to cause significant challenges for health systems, particularly our rural hospitals.”State lawmakers have warned that as many as 1.5 million New Yorkers could lose access to health coverage under the new law. According to Dunlavey, that could include as many as 40,000 residents in the Hudson Valley region alone.Financial Uncertainty DeepensAlthough the specifics of the law are still being analyzed, Dunlavey noted the immediate risk is clear. In Sullivan County, he said, 35–40% of Garnet Health’s patients are on Medicaid, and a similar portion are on Medicare. Only about 20% are commercially insured or pay out-of-pocket.“That payer mix is a recipe for barely being able to break even,” he said. “If you start to cut programs that fund the organization, it’s going to be significant.”Rural hospitals like Garnet have already been navigating financial headwinds, including recent cuts to Medicare reimbursement rates and physician fees. Last month, Garnet Health announced job reductions and the closure of two services: pulmonary rehab and diabetes education—programs Dunlavey said provided excellent care but had become unsustainable to operate.“The unfortunate consequence is that when programs can’t support the cost of their operations, it presents hospital leaders with very, very difficult decisions,” he said.Preparing for What’s AheadDunlavey said the Garnet Health leadership team is accelerating its strategic planning process in response to the law’s passage.“We normally have a strategic planning cycle set to start in mid-2026,” he said. “We’ve decided it’s time for us to get together now and talk about what initiatives we need to pursue to remain sustainable and preserve as many services as we can.”The ripple effects of the Medicaid changes are expected to unfold more fully in 2026, Dunlavey added, particularly if uninsured patients begin showing up in greater numbers to emergency departments.“Hospitals do not—and legally cannot—turn anyone away who needs care,” he said. “But hospitals also cannot support a growing volume of unreimbursed visits.”Staff and Community ConcernDunlavey noted that while patients haven’t expressed widespread concern yet, Garnet Health employees are already feeling the strain. At a recent anniversary lunch, he said, the top issue on employees’ minds was the future of Medicaid.“Our staff understand our community and the vulnerability of the population we serve,” said Dunlavey. “The concern over Medicaid cuts really feels like the straw that broke the camel’s back.”Despite the uncertainty, he emphasized that Garnet Health remains committed to the region.“These are unprecedented times,” he said. “Five years ago we were in the middle of a pandemic. We spent the years after trying to regroup. And now we’re facing billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid. It’s a challenge, but we are committed to doing everything we can to continue to serve the community.”For more information, visit garnethealth.org.Garnet Health is a financial supporter of Radio Catskill.

A New York State Supreme Court judge has awarded $30 million in damages to Jeff Pringle, a man who was sexually abused as a teenager at the Forestburgh Scout Reservation in 1985. The ruling is believed to be the first verdict under the state’s Child Victims Act in Sullivan County, according to Isabel Braverman, Editor of the Sullivan County Democrat.Pringle was 16 years old when he worked as a camp counselor at the Boy Scout camp nearly 40 years ago. During that summer, he was abused by a man who had posed as a medical professional at the camp.According to court documents and reporting from the Sullivan County Democrat, the abuser, Paul Caillaud, presented himself to campers and staff as a licensed doctor. Pringle visited the camp’s infirmary with an ear infection after swimming in the lake, where Caillaud—claiming to be a doctor—allegedly held him and sexually assaulted him over the course of two nights.Caillaud was reportedly a volunteer at the camp that summer and was not a licensed medical professional. He was originally from Florida and brought items like a medical briefcase and equipment to the camp to support his false credentials. It remains unclear how he gained access to the camp or how his impersonation went unchallenged at the time. The camp itself, and the Boy Scouts of America, were not named as defendants in this particular civil case.It was Pringle’s mother, a nurse, who began to suspect something was wrong after her son described the so-called “medical treatment” he received. She questioned Caillaud and another nurse at the camp, eventually discovering he lacked a medical license. Her concerns led to a police investigation in 1985 and ultimately Caillaud’s conviction.The $30 million award stems from Pringle’s decades-long suffering, which includes anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation—trauma the judge found credible and deeply damaging. The court also cited evidence of abuse against at least three other individuals, although specific details were not disclosed in the court record.While the Forestburgh Scout Reservation and the Boy Scouts of America were not part of this civil trial, Pringle is reportedly pursuing separate claims against the national scouting organization through its ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. His legal team argues the organization enabled abusers by granting access to vulnerable children.The ruling is notable as the first known Child Victims Act verdict in Sullivan County. Enacted in 2019, the law created a legal window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits, even decades after the abuse occurred. Prior to its passage, victims had until age 22 to bring civil claims.More coverage of this case is available at scdemocratonline.com.If you or someone you know is a survivor of abuse, help is available. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org for confidential support.

The Hudson Valley is known for its art history. The Hudson River School during the 19th century spearheaded the Romanticism movement in the United States, producing an extensive collection of paintings of the natural landscape we are famous for. But Forge Project, an Indigenous-led non-profit located on the unceded land of the Moh-He-Con-Nuck Community in Columbia County, argues it is a colonial legacy — one that has erased the very existence of Indigenous people in this region alongside their foundational contributions to American arts and culture. Established in 2021, the local organization has been working to challenge that erasure. Through a combination of supporting emerging Indigenous artists, working directly with Indigenous tribes and advancing land remediation and research projects, Forge specifically aims to deconstruct the institutional barriers that have long guarded the art world. Radio Catskill’s Julia Kim had the chance to speak with Executive Director and Chief Curator Candice Hopkins or Director of Indigenous Programs & Relationality Sarah Biscarra Dilley on the journey of the non-profit itself, the organization’s ongoing projects and the structural issues they aim to address and how racism and settler colonialism have been critical to the development of Western art. Here’s Dilley…

Sullivan County is facing an urgent housing crunch. Now, the county legislature must decide how to address the issue. Last year, the legislature allocated $2 million in local funds for affordable housing. County legislators are weighing several options for how to use those funds – create a housing trust fund, build new affordable rentals, or repair and improve the county’s existing housing stock.Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Heather Brown, Sullivan County Commissioner of Planning, Community Development, and Environmental Management about the different options on the table and what it could mean for the county’s housing supply.

Why is there an elephant in Jeffersonville? Many visitors to the weekly Jeffersonville Sunday Market have had the same question.If you’re lucky enough to meet Mama, the real life elephant replica structure stationed in the garden of the Jeffersonville Bake Shop you might also be surprised to learn the timely lesson she has about environmental awareness, Indigenous art, and human and animal coexistence.Radio Catskill’s Genevieve Hartnett spoke with Michael Huber, co-owner of the Jeffersonville Bake Shop and its parent company Heartwood about why her message is so important for Jeffersonville and attended the Sunday Market to talk with the community about their newest neighbor!

According to an article by New York Focus, thousands of people across New York state are facing long waitlists for two major state-funded, community-based mental health programs — supportive housing and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT). In Sullivan County, every resident who applied for supportive housing programs in 2022, 2023 and 2024 were placed on waitlists of up to a couple of years. The backlog in these voluntary programs comes as Governor Kathy Hochul recently expanded involuntary commitment for people with mental health issues in the latest state budget, opening the door for a potential increase in the forcible hospitalization of those suffering from mental health-related challenges amid fears for public safety. Radio Catskill’s Julia Kim had the chance to speak to Luke Sikinyi, Director of Policy at the Alliance of Rights and Recovery, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to mental health advocacy, about why New Yorkers are having to face these long waitlists and the main issues advocates have with the expansion of involuntary commitment. In addition, Kim also spoke to members of the Hudson Valley Clubhouse — a community-based program located in Poughkeepsie that connects people dealing with mental health issues to critical resources — including executive director Blaise Sackett, program director Sarah Santos and member William Dlugozima on the importance of community-centered models like the clubhouse in supporting recovery.

New York immigration arrests were up in early June, according to newly obtained federal data. This comes as President Trump continues his attempt to fulfill the largest mass deportation effort in history, with widespread deportation arrests across the country. The growing threat of raids have left rural communities with heightened anxiety and fear, but some grassroots organizations are springing into action locally. In South Fallsburg, a new children’s summer camp for rural and migrant families is creating a safe space for kids – to be kids.

A familiar face has returned to a familiar newsroom. The Sullivan County Democrat has named Isabel Braverman as its new editor, following the departure of Derek Kirk. Braverman, a Narrowsburg resident and longtime journalist, steps into the leadership role with deep local roots and a clear vision for community-centered reporting. Braverman’s leadership marks a new chapter for the Sullivan County Democrat as it continues its 133-year tradition of serving the region with trusted, community-driven reporting.Braverman, who previously worked as a staff reporter at the Democrat, brings a broad range of experience from her work at the Sullivan County Visitors Association and Radio Catskill’s "One Small Step" project. Speaking about her return, she said, “I really felt that I was missing local news. Personally, just knowing what’s going on. I always want to know more, to find out that information, and so I just thought it would be a great step to come back and be a part of the newsroom again.”Reflecting on her shift from reporter to editor, Braverman acknowledged the adjustment. “It feels different being the editor, which I wasn’t sure if it would. I think back to when I was a reporter and Matt Shortall was the editor. I learned a lot from him during that time, and I’m bringing that knowledge now to help guide the newsroom.”Braverman says her goal is to deepen coverage of local issues that directly impact Sullivan County residents. Citing a recent investigation into challenges faced by independent pharmacies, she noted, “I really think we can do some great in-depth stories on issues affecting our communities.”A lifelong Sullivan County resident, Braverman emphasized that her local perspective will shape the Democrat’s coverage under her leadership. “I’m from here, born and raised. Having worked at the Visitors Association, I really got to know the local businesses and the people behind them. I feel very much a part of this community, and I’m bringing all of those years to this position.”Braverman also spoke candidly about balancing her professional role with motherhood. The mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, she highlighted the challenges faced by working parents in the region, including a shortage of affordable childcare. “It adds an extra stress,” she said, “but luckily I have family in the area to help.”She acknowledged the significance of her appointment in an industry historically dominated by men. “It’s important to have that representation. I look forward to mentoring others, just like I was mentored.”Addressing common misconceptions about the newspaper’s name, Braverman clarified that the Sullivan County Democrat is not affiliated with any political party. “It’s just called that because when it started in 1891, many papers had names like Democrat, Republican, or Independent in their titles. The name just stuck.”In an era of rapid digital change and increasing pressures on local media, Braverman said the Democrat is working to bridge traditional journalism with modern platforms. Stories are published both in print and online, with select content shared on social media. Still, she emphasized, “If you really want to know what’s going on, pick up the newspaper and read it.”With several local outlets—including the River Reporter and Radio Catskill—working alongside each other, Braverman sees collaboration, not competition, as the way forward. “We’re all in this together to amplify the stories of our region.”Braverman underscored the urgency of sustaining local journalism. “Many counties across the country have just one or no local media outlets. The fact that we have several strong organizations here is really an asset. We can’t afford any more losses.”

The legacy of the Catskills’ fabled Borscht Belt is being kept alive one marker at a time. Tomorrow, the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project will unveil its 12th official marker in Loch Sheldrake, honoring Brown’s Hotel and the area’s once-iconic resorts that made Sullivan County a cultural epicenter.“Brown’s is one of those big names like the Concord or Grossinger’s,” said Marisa Scheinfeld, photographer, historian, and co-founder of the project. “These weren’t just vacation spots. They were cultural epicenters. Everyone from Jerry Lewis and Joan Rivers to Sammy Davis Jr. performed here.”Brown’s Hotel, long known as a landmark of entertainment and leisure, was part of a network of over 500 hotels and thousands of bungalow colonies that defined mid-20th century life in the Catskills. The new historical marker doesn’t just commemorate the resort’s heyday; it also recognizes Loch Sheldrake’s lesser-known history as a hotspot for boxing, and even as a remote refuge for gangsters from New York City—some of whom used the area as a literal dumping ground, according to local historian John Conway.Scheinfeld noted that the project initially focused on the major towns like Liberty, Fallsburg, and Thompson, but is now expanding to smaller communities. “When we started, there wasn’t a single historical marker for the Borscht Belt. To be unveiling our 12th feels like real progress. Our goal is to get to 20.”The unveiling will be followed by a public screening of A Walk on the Moon, a film chosen for its direct ties to Catskills history. Written by Pamela Gray, who spent summers in local bungalows, the 1999 film portrays a family vacationing in Sullivan County in the summer of 1969, against the backdrop of the moon landing and Woodstock.Scheinfeld said the film captures the unique world of the bungalow colonies, “a whole other Borscht Belt experience that sometimes gets overshadowed by the big hotels.”The screening will take place inside an original Borscht Belt nightclub that remains intact, offering visitors a rare chance to experience the setting firsthand.The Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project has several more events lined up, including nighttime dedications in Woodbourne on August 23 and community celebrations in Parksville and Livingston Manor later this fall.The project encourages locals to share personal stories and artifacts. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, a partner in the effort, is recording oral histories at dedication events. “Don’t throw anything away,” Scheinfeld urged. “Every story matters.”For more information, including how to attend events or contribute to the project, visit BorschtBeltHistoricalMarkerProject.org — or, MayTheBorschtBeWithYou.org.

Good news for beginner farmers in the Catskills region: Sullivan County Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Beginner Farmer Program is back. Earlier this year, those funds were temporarily frozen as part of Trump’s DOGE efforts to shrink the federal budget.The program pairs farmers in the Catskills and Hudson Valley regions who have been operating for less than ten years with farmer mentors, group trainings, and networking. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Melinda Meddaugh, Agriculture & Food Systems Senior Issue Leader of the Sullivan Cornell Cooperative Extension, about the program returning.

From plastic-eating caterpillars to mysterious lights above thunderstorms and dazzling summer meteor showers, Joe Johnson, Radio Catskill’s resident science guy, unpacked some of nature’s strangest and most fascinating phenomena this week.Plastic-Eating Waxworms: Nature’s Unlikely Solution to Pollution?Plastic pollution is choking oceans and landfills worldwide—but help might come from an unlikely source: the waxworm.At last week’s Society for Experimental Biology conference, researchers revealed that the larvae of the wax moth—commonly sold as bait for ice fishing—can digest polyethylene, one of the world’s most common plastics.Johnson explained the discovery began in 2017 when a Spanish biologist and beekeeper placed waxworms in a plastic bag and returned an hour later to find it full of holes. “The worms, which naturally consume beeswax inside beehives, had begun eating the plastic,” Johnson said. The reason? Both beeswax and plastic are polymers, meaning they’re made up of long chains of repeating molecules.Evolution has equipped waxworms with specialized enzymes and metabolic pathways that allow them to break down beeswax. Researchers have now found those same enzymes—present in the worms’ saliva and digestive tract—can break polyethylene down into lipids: fats and oils that the worms store as body fat.But there’s a catch. “A pure diet of plastic kills the worms in just a few days,” Johnson noted. Scientists are now exploring ways to supplement the worms’ diet to help them safely consume plastics. If successful, waxworms could potentially be raised on a plastic-containing diet to help reduce landfill waste. After feeding on plastic, the worms themselves could serve as food for aquaculture or livestock.“Alternatively, scientists might be able to mimic the worms’ chemical processes and develop industrial-scale solutions for breaking down plastic waste,” Johnson said.Red Sprites: Rarely Photographed Weather Phenomenon Shifting from earth to sky, Johnson also discussed a breathtaking image recently shared by astronaut Nicole Ayers from the International Space Station. The photograph shows a rare weather phenomenon known as a red sprite: a glowing, jellyfish-like flash of red and purple light stretching above a thunderstorm over the U.S.-Mexico border.“Sprites are upward electrical discharges that occur high above thunderclouds, in the mesosphere and ionosphere,” Johnson said. Known collectively as Transient Luminous Events, or TLEs, red sprites were only first photographed in 1989. They typically last just milliseconds and are notoriously difficult to capture on camera.Sprites aren’t the only strange lights haunting stormy skies. Johnson noted scientists have also identified blue jets, elves, trolls, pixies, and even ‘ghosts’—most of which are based on scientific acronyms, despite their whimsical names.As thunderstorms grow more powerful with climate change, Johnson said it’s likely sightings of these transient luminous events will increase.Look Up: Summer Meteor Showers Light Up Catskills SkiesJohnson urged local residents to spend some late nights outdoors this summer to catch two upcoming meteor showers.Alpha Capricornids will peak on July 29th into the morning of July 30th, known for their bright fireballs—meteors that blaze dramatically as they fall through the lower atmosphere. Viewers can expect 5 to 10 meteors per hour, though occasional bursts may surprise watchers.Perseids, perhaps the most popular meteor shower of the year, will peak between August 12th and 13th, with as many as 100 meteors per hour possible at its peak. Caused by debris from comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids are best viewed after midnight in the northeastern sky.“The darker your surroundings, the better,” Johnson advised. “Let your eyes adjust to the dark and avoid looking at your phone. A good astronomy app with red-light mode can help you find the best viewing direction.”Though moonlight from a waning gibbous moon may interfere with the Perseids this year, Johnson said the show should still be well worth watching.

Is leaving the woods alone really the best way to preserve them? According to forester Ryan Trapani of the Catskill Forest Association, “doing nothing” comes with hidden costs—and a whole lot of shade-loving trees. In this immersive forest consultation, Ryan pays a visit to Kaatscast host Brett Barry's property to explore hands-on stewardship, the limits of laissez-faire ecology, and the surprising power of sunlight in shaping forest health.

After more than two decades at the helm, Roberta Byron-Lockwood has retired as CEO of the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (SCVA), ushering in a new chapter for the region’s growing tourism industry. Her successor, Michael Martelon, a tourism executive with experience in Santa Cruz County, California, and Telluride, Colorado, brings a shift not just in leadership, but in strategy—moving from traditional promotional tactics to data analytics and county-wide outreach.Journalist Liam Mayo, who’s been covering the transition for The River Reporter, describes the change as a “hugely significant moment” for Sullivan County tourism. Under Byron-Lockwood’s leadership, the industry expanded into a billion-dollar economic force, with visitor spending nearly doubling from $500 million in 2018 to nearly $1 billion by 2023.“She’s the person who created that billion-dollar industry,” Mayo said. “Those are huge shoes to fill.”A Strategic ShiftMartelon, who describes himself as a “data geek,” is focused on inclusion and detailed analytics. He’s ending SCVA’s paid membership model—which some critics said prioritized member businesses over others—and pledging to market the entire county more equitably.He’s also utilizing sophisticated digital tools to analyze tourism patterns down to individual short-term rentals across various hamlets, aiming to tailor marketing efforts and distribute visitor traffic more evenly across the region.“Instead of just tracking total visitors or general revenue, Martelon wants to map where tourism is thriving or lagging and target promotions accordingly,” Mayo explained. “It’s a more inclusive approach, but also a more data-driven one that fits the current digital moment.”Bumps in the RoadMartelon’s arrival hasn’t been without turbulence. Early in his tenure, he froze a grant program that funded local events and promotions—triggering frustration among businesses that had already been promised funds. Though the grants have since been restored, Mayo noted, the episode highlighted both the abruptness of the leadership change and Martelon’s intention to make immediate operational changes.“There was a rocky couple of weeks, but conversations with the business community helped smooth things out,” Mayo said.Political BackdropThe leadership change also comes after several politically charged years for the SCVA. Historically, the organization received the full 85% of Sullivan County’s room tax revenues designated for tourism promotion under New York State law. But under former legislature chair Rob Doherty, that arrangement shifted, with some funds withheld due to concerns about SCVA’s perceived lack of county-wide inclusivity.That political tension has eased following Doherty’s departure in 2023. The new county legislature has restored full funding to the SCVA and is now in discussions about how to utilize additional reserved tourism funds—conversations that hinge on Martelon’s strategic direction.Rebuilding TrustWhile Byron-Lockwood’s decades of personal and professional connections tied SCVA closely to local government and business leaders, Martelon must establish new trust as he implements his more technologically driven, inclusive approach.“It’s not a gentle succession,” Mayo said. “This is someone coming in from outside, signaling that things are going to change.”

Local organizers in Sullivan County are set to join more than 1,500 communities nationwide in commemorating the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis this Thursday, marking five years since the civil rights icon’s passing. The event, titled Good Trouble Lives On, is part of a national day of non-violent action inspired by Lewis’s call to “get into good trouble.”Hosted by the local civic group We Are One Sullivan, the gathering will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion at Hanofee Park in Liberty. The event will honor Lewis’s lifelong work advancing civil rights, voting rights, and non-violent protest.“We are one of 1,500 celebrations across the country,” said Ken Wompler of We Are One Sullivan. “This event gives us a chance to be inspired by Congressman Lewis’s life and legacy, and to be renewed by it. It puts the ‘good’ in ‘good trouble’ and reminds us how vital voting is to our democracy.”The local event is co-sponsored by several regional advocacy groups, including the Sullivan County chapter of the NAACP, the Committee for Equity and Justice, and the Rural and Migrant Ministry.Anne Hart, also with We Are One Sullivan, emphasized the continued relevance of Lewis’s message. “Even though we’re relatively protected here in New York when it comes to voting rights, nationally, access to the ballot box is under attack,” Hart said. “Lewis registered millions of voters in his lifetime. It’s up to us to carry that work forward.”Speakers at the event will address ongoing challenges to voting rights, including restrictive voter ID laws and other measures enacted in several states following the Supreme Court’s Shelby decision, which weakened federal protections.“We can’t become complacent just because we feel secure locally,” Hart added. “John Lewis taught us that protecting democracy takes constant work.”Founded in 2016 and reinvigorated in 2024, We Are One Sullivan is a local chapter of the national Indivisible movement, working to engage residents in grassroots advocacy. “This is about building coalitions,” Wompler said. “We must stand together, locally and nationally, to protect the foundations of our democracy.”Asked what Lewis’s mantra of “good trouble” means to them, Wompler and Hart offered personal reflections. For Wompler, it’s a “commitment to non-violence” and the belief that voting itself is a form of protest. Hart focused on the “trouble” aspect, saying, “Sometimes, to create change, you have to make a little noise. You have to call out injustice when you see it.”Thursday’s event will feature speakers, community networking, and refreshments, with volunteers assisting guests and providing lemonade on what is expected to be a hot summer evening.As Hart put it, “Courage is contagious. When you see your neighbors standing up, it inspires others to join in.”For more information about the event and the national movement, visit goodtroubleliveson.org.

Few places have shaped American music and culture quite like New York’s Greenwich Village.From the folk revival of the 1950s to the punk explosion of the 1970s, “the Village” has been home to legends, outsiders, and game-changers. In his new book <em>Talkin’ Greenwich Village</em>, veteran <em>Rolling Stone</em> journalist David Browne dives deep into the stories behind the scene—chronicling the rise of artists like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and the Lovin’ Spoonful, and honoring the lesser-known figures who helped build the Village’s creative legacy. We spoke with Browne about the music, the mayhem, and the myth of this one-of-a-kind neighborhood.

According to the New York State Department of Health, more than six million New Yorkers rely on Medicaid — but that coverage is now in jeopardy. President Trump’s recently signed so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" includes sweeping Medicaid cuts, and lawmakers warn that as many as 1.5 million New Yorkers could lose access to care when the law takes effect.For rural hospitals, the consequences could be especially dire. Healthcare providers already dealing with limited staff, tight budgets, and aging healthcare systems say these cuts will only deepen the crisis in underserved areas.Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Steven Kelley, President and CEO of Ellenville Regional Hospital in Ulster County, about how this new law could threaten the future of rural healthcare in the Catskills and beyond.

Village Apothecary, an independent pharmacy located in Woodstock, recently announced that they might have to stop filling prescriptions that have led to profit losses of upwards of $130,000. And they are not the only local pharmacy having to make this choice. Local pharmacies, not only throughout the Hudson Valley but also across the country, are cutting prescriptions or even closing their doors. They have named pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — the “middlemen” of the pharmaceutical industry in charge of processing prescriptions and setting prices between insurance companies and pharmacies — as the major source of profit losses. Radio Catskill’s Julia Kim had the chance to speak with Dr. Neal Smoller, a long-time pharmacist and owner of Village Apothecary, and Dr. Gene Burns of Riverside Remedies in Callicoon about the economic challenges they’re facing, the issues that PBMs raise for independent pharmacies and the growth of pharmacy deserts across the nation and its impact on local, especially more rural, communities in the Hudson Valley. Here’s Smoller...

This weekend, the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) and Scranton Fringe are teaming up to present “A Taste of Fringe,” a three-day celebration of bold, immersive, and subversive theater in honor of World Fringe Day. The mini-festival takes place at the historic Tusten Theatre in Narrowsburg from Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14.Fringe festivals are known for amplifying underrepresented voices and pushing the boundaries of performance art. That ethos is at the heart of this collaboration between DVAA and Scranton Fringe, a Pennsylvania-based arts organization that has made a name for itself championing experimental and inclusive work.“We felt that the energy of Fringe would be really well-served in our community,” said Ariel Shanberg, executive director of DVAA. “We have a rich tradition of supporting independent voices here, and this is a way to bring in something new and exciting.”The weekend features three unique one-hour performances, each staged twice to allow for maximum flexibility—and repeat viewing. Among the featured works:“A Taste Of Fringe: Pissi Ruins Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall” – a drag cabaret parody by Pissi Ruins, who mixes reverence for the late icon with irreverent humor and powerhouse vocals.“A Taste Of Fringe: Girl Walks Into a Movie Theater” – a deeply personal solo show written and performed by Mandy Pennington, using multimedia and cinematic nostalgia to explore coming of age as the child of teen parents.“A Taste Of Fringe: When Hailey Met Sally” – a queer retelling of the classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally, written and performed by Amanda Melhuish and Cat Montesi, DVAA’s new performing arts manager.“These are seasoned, accomplished performers,” said Shanberg. “The shows will touch your heart, fill the theater with laughter, and remind us just how vital the arts are—especially in times like this.”Connor O’Brien, founding producer of Scranton Fringe, said the festival model is intentionally broad and accessible. “Fringe can be experimental and avant-garde, but it can also be family-friendly. It’s about letting artists decide what they want to put forward—and giving them a platform when others won’t.”For first-timers who may be unsure if Fringe is for them, O’Brien offers reassurance: “The shows are short—about an hour each—so it’s a great low-risk way to try something new. See one you’re excited about, then take a chance on something unexpected. Nine times out of ten, you’ll be glad you did.”Performances will be held at the Tusten Theatre, 210 Bridge Street, Narrowsburg. Tickets are available for individual performances or as a three-show VIP pass, with the flexibility to mix, match, or share tickets.For full schedule and ticket information, visit: delawarevalleyartsalliance.org