Radio Chatskill

The clock is ticking for the federal government to avoid a government shutdown tonight. 

Senate enate leaders reached a deal with the White House on Thursday on the massive spending package after Democrats pushed for reforms to ICE following national outrage over the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Both were U.S. citizens killed by federal ICE agents.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke to New York’s 19th Congressional District Representative Josh Riley this morning about where the federal package is and the impact Minneapolis’s escalating immigration raids are having locally.

Agnes Van Put, a beloved fixture of Livingston Manor’s fly-fishing community and a longtime presence at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum, died January 21, 2026. She was 109 years old.

For decades, Van Put welcomed anglers, visitors, and neighbors with warmth, humor, and homemade food — becoming as much a part of the Catskills fly-fishing experience as the Beaverkill itself.

Her daughter-in-law, Judy Van Put, said Agnes lived with uncommon energy and generosity.

“I was fortunate to have gotten to know Agnes when I was in my early 20s,” Judy said. “I fell in love with her son Ed Van Put, and we married — and I had Agnes in my life for 48 years.”

Agnes, she said, defied easy description.

“She was an enigma,” Judy said. “She was tough and fair and kind and just filled with love.”

Much of that love came through food. Agnes was known for her baked goods, preserves, and the soup she made each year for opening day of trout season at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center — a tradition remembered fondly by generations of anglers.

“She gave love in so many ways,” Judy said. “So often it was with food. But if you were in Agnes’ net — which extended very wide — you certainly felt the warmth of her love.”

Agnes worked at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum well into her 100s, greeting visitors in the gift shop and attending community events across the region.

“She just had this incredible will to keep going,” Judy said. “She enjoyed life. She had a real joie de vivre.”

When asked about the secret to her longevity, Agnes kept it simple.

“She’d say, ‘I do whatever I like whenever I like, and I eat whatever I like whenever I like,’” Judy recalled.

That philosophy included a legendary sweet tooth.

“She’d say, ‘I didn’t feel like making dinner, so I had a banana split,’” Judy said, laughing.

The Van Put family is planning a public celebration of life in August at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum. Details will be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions in Agnes Van Put’s name may be made to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum.

Roscoe, N.Y. — This Saturday, Roscoe Mountain Club is embracing winter with Winterfest, a full afternoon of ice skating, snowshoeing, live music, and craft beer, hosted in partnership with Roscoe Beer Company. The festival runs from noon to 5 p.m., with an after-party until 8 p.m.

“Winterfest is kind of like our love letter to the Catskills,” said Tiffany Conklin of Roscoe Mountain Club. “It’s about leaning into the season instead of hiding from it. Adults and kids can just relax and have some good outdoor fun.”

Visitors can enjoy ice carving, horse-drawn carriage rides, sledding, bonfires with free s’mores, and a snowman-building contest. “The ice skating rink and live music is the most lively and festive part of the day,” Conklin said. “Snowshoeing and carriage rides offer a quieter way to enjoy the landscape.”

Live music starts at 12:30 p.m. with Far Beyond Gone at Wolf Lodge, followed by BJ Hendrickson at the barn at 1 p.m. The festival also features local artisans, pop-ups, fire pits, and indoor crafts for kids, plus dog-friendly areas.

“This is the 12th annual festival from Roscoe Beer Company,” Conklin said. “It’s a great way to support local artists, connect with the community, and show off everything the Catskills have to offer.”

For details, visit roscoemountainclub.com or follow their social media channels.

As a cold snap grips the region, many households are bracing for higher gas bills—even if they’re doing everything they can to conserve. A recent analysis shows that the culprit isn’t higher gas consumption, but the rising cost of maintaining and expanding gas pipelines across New York.

Jamie Van Nostrand, policy director at the Future of Heat Initiative and former chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, explained the disconnect in a recent interview.

“It's helpful to point out that the price of gas really hasn't changed much over the last decade or so,” Van Nostrand said. “It's the cost of delivering that gas that's driving up bills.”

According to the analysis, about three-quarters of a typical New York gas bill comes from delivery charges—not the gas itself. “The cost of the gas itself is only about one quarter of the bill,” Van Nostrand said.

Why Delivery Charges Are So High

These delivery charges largely reflect the money gas companies spend replacing pipelines—the primary way they earn profits. “They don’t make any money on the gas itself,” Van Nostrand explained. “The asset base for gas companies has increased from $17 billion to $37 billion over the last 10 years, and most of that is replacing pipes. Then there are profits and financing costs associated with that work.”

This structure creates a strong incentive for utilities to overspend on infrastructure, which in turn drives up bills for customers. “One of the biggest things we can do to address affordability is to get gas company spending under control,” Van Nostrand said.

Future of Heat Initiative’s Role

The Future of Heat Initiative, a nonprofit focused on energy affordability, works with state regulators to address these issues. “Across the country, natural gas sales are going down, yet spending on the gas system is going up. It’s just simple math: less sales, fixed costs rising—delivery charges go up,” Van Nostrand said.

He emphasized that while safety is essential, utilities often choose the highest-profit options for pipeline work rather than the lowest-cost solutions for customers. “Rather than replacing the pipes, which is where they make the most money, you could repair or reline them and keep them in service longer,” he said.

A longer-term solution, according to Van Nostrand, is electrifying homes and decommissioning parts of the natural gas system. “As sales go down, we need to be shrinking the gas system, otherwise rates are going through the roof,” she said.

The Role of State Regulators

In New York, the Public Service Commission sets utility rates. Utilities must file cases to increase rates, which regulators review carefully. “This is where regulators can really ask the tough questions: Is this replacement necessary? Is there a lower-cost solution? Should you repair rather than replace?” Van Nostrand explained.

She stressed the importance of addressing delivery charges to help customers. “It’s a source of real frustration. People are reducing gas use, but the delivery portion of the bill doesn’t change much,” he said.

Looking Ahead

As more New Yorkers switch from gas to electric heating, Van Nostrand warns that the cost of maintaining an oversized gas system could fall on consumers. “If we can’t reduce the cost of the system itself, bills are going to be much higher,” he said.

Future of Heat is advocating for regulatory changes to allow utilities to substitute electric service for natural gas, which would enable pipeline decommissioning and reduce unnecessary spending. “The legislature could help by giving the commission the authority to authorize utilities to move customers off gas and onto electricity,” Van Nostrand said.

A new dance party is flipping the nightclub model on its head — no alcohol, no late nights, and no pressure to be “cool.”

It’s called Daytime Disco, a sober, midday dance experience created by Catskills DJ Mark Partridge, also known as Ambient Barn, host of Ambient Barn on Radio Catskill. The first event takes place Saturday in Narrowsburg, offering a joyful, low-stakes way to move, connect, and shake off the winter blues.

“I think something like this is more necessary than ever,” Partridge said. “There are so many people in this region who are creative and love to dance. And sometimes it’s difficult to get out at night.”

Partridge said many people want to dance but find nighttime events hard to attend — especially in winter.

“There are a lot of amazing nighttime DJ dance parties in this area,” he said. “I thought there was some space to do something during the day.”

The idea was inspired by Brooklyn’s Mr. Sunday parties — daytime, all-ages dance events known for their welcoming, judgment-free atmosphere.

“They were super inspiring and uplifting,” Partridge said. “No nightlife cool-guy energy. Just open, fun, communal space. I thought it would be really cool to bring that to the Catskills.”

Daytime Disco is intentionally alcohol-free. Instead of a bar, Partridge and collaborators are experimenting with what they call “hydration bars,” with plans to introduce mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages in the future.

“In wintertime, people shouldn’t be drinking and driving,” he said. “We’re trying to fill that space.”

The goal, he explained, is to take the joy of nightlife dancing and bring it into daylight hours.

“You can come and dance all afternoon, drive home, feel uplifted, have dinner, watch a movie, and go to bed,”
 Partridge said. “It doesn’t have to be the other way around. No judgment — I love nightlife — but this felt like something new to try.”

Musically, the daytime setting changes the vibe behind the decks. Partridge describes the sound as upbeat and eclectic, designed for sunlight rather than strobe lights.

“We start with daytime vibes,” he said. “Uplifting, major-key, forward-progress music that creates a sense of wonder.”

Expect a blend of Italo disco, house music, pop favorites, and custom edits of well-known songs — lighter than his nighttime sets, but still dance-floor ready.

Since announcing the event, Partridge says interest has been strong.

“The response has been incredible,” he said. “I think people are really going to come out of the woodwork for this.”

He hopes Daytime Disco becomes a recurring pop-up series across the region.

“Activating interesting spaces around the county is something I really want to do,” he said. “Bringing dance to different places and creating a daytime disco space for this community.”

More than anything, Partridge wants the event to feel open and welcoming.

“We’re trying to create a communal, non-judgmental space,” he said. “Come express yourself. Movement is meditation — especially in winter.”

His invitation is simple: “Rummage through your closet. Find that outfit you have nowhere else to wear. Put it on and come dance.”

Daytime Disco runs Saturday, January 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Kraus Recital Hall in Narrowsburg as part of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance Salon Series. More information is available at delawarevalleyartsalliance.org.

Gov. Kathy Hochul says her proposal to cut auto insurance rates is about affordability — cracking down on fraud and easing costs for New Yorkers.

But new reporting suggests powerful corporate interests, including Uber, may be playing a significant behind-the-scenes role.

Kevin Duggan, a reporter with Streetsblog NYC, says a little-known advocacy group has been lobbying aggressively in Albany in support of the governor’s proposal.

“One of the governor’s big proposals this year is to lower car insurance rates,” Duggan said. “She’s talking about going after fraud and regulations that she says allow for too much compensation for people involved in crashes.”

Duggan found that a group called Citizens for Affordable Rates has spent heavily on lobbying while keeping basic details about its leadership opaque.

“When we looked into this group, some information was available, but other things — like who’s in charge or even an address — were harder to find,” he said. “What we found is that this group is basically being led by Uber, with other car-focused companies attached.”

Those companies include trucking and coach bus interests, Duggan said, and they have been pushing similar policy changes for roughly a year.

The governor’s proposal includes narrowing the definition of “serious injury,” eliminating pain-and-suffering damages for people found mostly at fault in a crash, and capping damages for uninsured or impaired drivers.

“On paper, these sound like straightforward regulatory changes,” Duggan said. “But attorneys who represent crash victims warn this could drastically reduce how much someone can recover if they’re hit by a car.”

One provision would bar compensation entirely for anyone found even slightly more than 50 percent at fault.

“If you’re found just over half at fault, you would get no damages at all,” Duggan said. “Juries can be subjective, and small factors — like a cyclist not wearing a helmet, even if it’s legal — could tip the scale.”

Duggan said similar efforts backed by Uber have appeared in other states, including California and Florida, as part of a broader push to reshape liability and insurance rules.

Driver and safety advocates in New York remain skeptical. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance has not endorsed the proposal, warning that reduced coverage would also harm drivers injured in crashes.

Street safety groups argue the state should focus on preventing crashes in the first place.

“They’re urging the governor to focus on safer streets and cracking down on repeat speeders,” Duggan said. “That would reduce crashes — and insurance costs — without cutting victims’ rights.”

Hochul denies the proposal is being driven by Uber, saying it targets fraud such as staged crashes and inflated medical claims. But Duggan says it remains unclear whether the changes would significantly lower premiums.

“What we do know is that it would reduce the amount people can recover after a crash,” he said.

When Streetsblog asked the governor’s office about concerns raised by crash victims, Duggan said the response raised questions.

“The press office forwarded us a press release from Citizens for Affordable Rates that had been sent by an Uber spokesperson,” he said.

As budget negotiations continue ahead of a March deadline, Duggan says lawmakers should closely examine both the data behind the proposal and the influence shaping it.

“A lot of this will come together at the last minute in Albany,” he said. “We may not know the final outcome until the budget is released.”

HAWLEY, PA — Hawley is exploring how its rivers, trails, and open spaces can drive economic growth through the Outdoor Towns initiative, a community-driven planning program designed to enhance public access to nature.

“The Outdoor Towns initiative goes back to this toolkit created by the PA Environmental Council,” explained Liam Mayo of The River Reporter. “It helps towns figure out ways to better use their outdoor spaces and revitalize their natural economies.”

Hawley’s plan, guided by consultants from Eastwick Solutions, combines public input and an action team of local residents. Ideas include expanding trails, constructing a pedestrian bridge over the Lackawaxen River, updating trail maps, and promoting outdoor dining and events.

“The priorities people ranked highly were about creating more ways to access nature,” Mayo said. “Some projects, like adding Hawley’s trails to the AllTrails app, can happen quickly. Others, like the pedestrian bridge, will take longer and require planning and funding.”

The initiative emphasizes natural development as economic development, aiming to attract tourists who use local trails, rivers, and lakes while supporting small businesses. Outdoor recreation contributed $19 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy in 2023, showing the potential of nature-focused growth.

Residents interested in learning more or participating can visit visithawleypa.com. “It takes a village,” Mayo said.

Read Liam Mayo’s full reporting on Hawley’s outdoor revitalization at riverreporter.com.

At Fair Hill Therapeutic Riding Center, horses are more than animals — they’re teachers. Helping people build confidence, communication skills, and emotional connection, they offer lessons that traditional classrooms or therapy rooms often cannot.

“Your ability to connect with the horse for the rider affects them deeply in areas we can’t even measure,” said Vera Remes, a PATH International–certified therapeutic riding instructor and equine assisted learning specialist. “At Fair Hill, the most important component is the horse.”

Connection Comes First

Fair Hill’s one-hour lessons are structured to prioritize connection before skill. Executive Director Sally emphasizes relationship-building with the horse before teaching riding techniques.

“They could do stuff we really can’t do with words,” Remes said. “There are skills, and then there’s connection for our riders.”

During sessions, participants begin on the ground with breathing exercises and grooming, learning how their body language affects the horse.

“When you get an equine involved, they affect everyone in the area,” Remes explained. “There’s even research that shows their heartbeat can lower the heartbeats of people in the lesson. It’s called heart rate variability.”

Parents often notice improvements at home. “One little vignette,” Remes said, “is when a kid who’s never said a word tells their horse to ‘walk on.’ Your heart just swells.”

Beyond Traditional Riding

Therapeutic riding differs from standard instruction because the horse’s movement itself promotes healing.

“If someone’s on a horse, it approximates the movement of the human body walking,” Remes said. “You’ll often see improvement in gait, balance, and coordination.”

Fair Hill’s instructors ensure horses keep moving during lessons. “When they’re walking, you’re helping with balance and coordination — all the things you can’t really teach. The horse is doing that,” she said.

Serving a Wide Community

Fair Hill serves children with developmental, intellectual, and behavioral disabilities, adults, seniors, foster children, and veterans.

“We have a woman with a bad back,” Remes said. “The horse helps her because she can’t walk well. When she gets off, she feels better.”

The center also runs Stable Moments, a mentoring program for foster youth. “When you change a person’s attitude, other things come along with it,” Remes said. “It changes how they think of themselves and the people around them.”

Volunteers: The Heart of Fair Hill

Volunteers are essential to the program. Annual training, led by Remes and Nancy Van Wick, is set for Saturday, January 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Maplewood Farms in Waymart.

“We welcome people even with no training,” Remes said. “We’ll make them really good volunteers who can interact with professionals, participants, and families. You’ll never feel stranded.”

She adds with a laugh, “Nancy and I are like comedians. It will not be dry and academic.”

A Place of Belonging

For Remes, Fair Hill is more than therapy — it’s community.

“When I walk into the barn, I get that warm and fuzzy feeling,” she said. “It’s a place where people are just so accepting of whatever different abilities you might have. That’s what the horse does for you.”

More information on volunteering and programs is available at fairhill.farm.

New York is facing a growing blood supply shortage, and health officials say the situation is becoming increasingly critical.

The American Red Cross and regional partners, including the New York Blood Center, report that in parts of the state, blood donations are running nearly 40 percent below hospital demand. O-type blood — along with A-negative and B-negative — is especially needed.

Blood is essential for everyday hospital care, from emergency trauma response and childbirth to cancer treatment and chronic illnesses such as sickle cell disease. Nationwide, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. When supplies run low, hospitals may be forced to delay surgeries, infusions, or other lifesaving care.

January is National Blood Donor Month, a time set aside to raise awareness about the ongoing need for donations — particularly during the winter, when supplies often dip.

“So this month exists because donations during January are so low,” said Jennifer Malinchak, a registered nurse and manager of Occupational Health and Wellness at Garnet Health. “In 1969, actually President Nixon declared January to be National Blood Donation Month. So that started in 1970, so it has a long history.”

Malinchak joined Radio Catskill to discuss the statewide shortage and an upcoming community blood drive hosted by Garnet Health in partnership with the New York Blood Center. Garnet Health is also a financial supporter of Radio Catskill.

Winter weather, seasonal illnesses, holiday travel, and scheduling disruptions all contribute to fewer donors during this time of year.

“We have for various reasons, as you can imagine — the weather, right? We have a pending storm coming this weekend, wintertime illnesses, the holidays, people planning holiday events and also travel,” Malinchak said. “So blood donation may not be at the forefront of people’s minds.”

On the front lines, the shortage is already having real impacts.

“There is a critical shortage right now, so that impacts the ability that we have to provide blood products to our patients,” she said. “There may be delays in discharges, delays on infusions. People may need to stay in the hospital longer or reschedule infusions or surgeries.”

While blood donations are often associated with emergencies or trauma care, Malinchak emphasized that most donated blood supports everyday, ongoing medical treatment.

“Actually, more than 25 percent of the blood supply goes to treat cancer patients,” she said. “In addition to cancer patients, we have patients that have chronic illness that require transfusions of blood products. So it really impacts not only during times of trauma — it’s also day-to-day treatment of patients, improving their quality of life and saving lives.”

Health officials say many people who are eligible to donate never do.

“Every two seconds, someone needs blood,” Malinchak said. “At least 62 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, but only 3 percent do. So there’s a huge opportunity for education and sharing the importance of blood donation and how it saves lives.”

For those hesitant to donate, Malinchak said the process is simple and safe.

“The New York Blood Center has been doing this for well over 60 years. The professionals make the process as easy and seamless as possible,” she said. “Usually it takes about an hour of your time. The actual donation time is about 15 minutes. So it’s a relatively short period of time where you can make a huge impact on the well-being of the community.”

And yes — donors still get refreshments. “There’s always the juice and cookies at the end,” she added.

Most people who are healthy and feeling well can donate. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and generally be between the ages of 16 and 75. Sixteen-year-olds need parental permission, while donors 76 and older need a doctor’s note.

Malinchak also encouraged past donors to keep coming back.

“You’re able to donate approximately every two months — like 56 days,” she said. “If you have already donated, you understand the process, the rewards of donation are so great. I encourage you to return as a donor and continue to contribute to the well-being of our community.”

To help address the shortage, Garnet Health and the New York Blood Center will host a community blood drive on Wednesday, January 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Garnet Health Medical Center, 707 East Main Street in Middletown.

“It’s right off Route 17, easy access,” Malinchak said. “You can come in the main entrance or the side entrance by the conference center. You can pre-register, or we accept walk-ins.”

Appointments can be scheduled through the events page at garnethealth.org, though walk-ins are welcome.

“One hour of your time makes a huge difference in someone’s life and their quality of life,” Malinchak said.

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