Radio Chatskill

Ulster County’s Dec. 12 naturalization ceremony has been abruptly canceled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, one of several ceremonies scrapped across the Hudson Valley this month. USCIS says there were not enough candidates to move forward, but local officials argue the decision is arbitrary, poorly communicated and harmful to residents awaiting the final step toward citizenship.

Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck, who has been calling for the federal government to reinstate the ceremony, said he first learned of the cancellation about three weeks ago — part of a wider move by USCIS to suspend upstate ceremonies.

“They originally canceled them — not just ours, but all upstate ceremonies — about three weeks ago,” Bruck said. “They reached out and just said that the December ceremonies were going to be canceled and that there would be no more ceremonies going forward indefinitely.”

USCIS first claimed county courts did not meet statutory requirements, he said, even though counties have long met those standards. “We pushed back on that, citing the fact that we do, in fact, meet the statutory requirements — the requirements being a seal and a court clerk with local jurisdiction, all things that we’ve had for centuries here in our local courts,” he said. “So they rescinded the cancellations at that time.”

But early last week, the agency again scrapped ceremonies — this time saying there were not enough candidates to naturalize. “This is the first time we've ever heard that there wasn’t enough citizens to be naturalized,” Bruck said. “We typically would just do a smaller ceremony if there wasn’t as many as they expected.”

Bruck said there is no legal minimum for how many candidates must participate. “It seems to be an internal policy from USCIS,” he said. Rep. Pat Ryan has since written to the agency seeking clarification on the alleged quota.

The latest cancellation was delivered by email, Bruck said, after the county asked for its December list of candidates. “They responded … and said that we won’t be having a ceremony. They did not send a list, and that’s the last we’ve heard.”

How many local residents were expecting to take the oath remains unknown. “We had asked to do larger ceremonies,” Bruck said, noting the county had requested capacity for up to 100 candidates. “But no indication as to how close to that number we were going to get and no idea how many there were waiting.”

Ulster is not alone. Ceremonies were also canceled in Dutchess and Putnam counties, and others were scrapped across New York in November. “From county to county, they’re being canceled for seemingly different reasons,” Bruck said. “We can’t get much information about why these policies are changing.”

Bruck said the cancellations follow other recent shifts, including the agency’s decision to end reimbursements to counties that host naturalization ceremonies. “We again received an email that just said we won’t be reimbursed anymore and don’t expect to ever be reimbursed again going forward,” he said.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are seeking answers, he noted. “It’s really a bipartisan issue,” Bruck said. “Legal immigration is something we all generally agree on.”

Bruck argued that moving ceremonies solely to federal offices strips the process of community meaning. “When you do them at the federal locations, there is no ceremony. It’s essentially like going to the DMV,” he said. “What we offer locally is more of a celebration … our friends and neighbors can be part of the process and welcome in our new citizens.”

As of Monday, he said, there has been no response from USCIS to local or congressional inquiries. “It’s tough to know even what to do,” he said. “When you don’t receive any [answers], it’s hard to know where to go.”

Bruck said he worries most about the candidates left waiting. “I can’t imagine what the folks that are waiting to be naturalized feel, because I’m sure they’re in a similar boat,” he said. “A lot of this process comes down to a small group of people making decisions, and if those people are not responsive or being transparent, we’re all left in the dark.”

He encouraged affected residents to contact federal offices in Albany or New York City, where some naturalizations are still occurring, though at a slower pace.

To those who expected to become citizens this week, he offered an apology. “These are folks that have done everything the right way,” Bruck said. “I’m hopeful that USCIS does reinstate these for 2026. We have really big plans — 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the country. I would just tell them hold tight. We’re advocating as hard as we possibly can … because they certainly shouldn’t be punished for doing it the right way.”

This past Monday, advocates for prison and parole reform across New York City and state held six different rallies to raise awareness about seniors spending indefinite amounts of time on parole. They are preparing for a trip to Albany next month to get two state bills that would reunite rehabilitated incarcerated seniors with their families and save New York state money signed into law in the 2026 Legislative Session.

Radio Catskill’s Genevieve Hartnett attended the Newburgh rally for the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice and spoke with advocates, allies, and elected officials about how we can move towards a system of true rehabilitation for all incarcerated people.

Bethel Woods is closing out its family concert series this Sunday with an all-ages holiday sing-along featuring Grammy-winning musician Dan Zanes, along with Claudia Zanes and multi-instrumentalist Elena Moon Park. The multicultural performance will take place inside the museum’s Event Gallery, complete with songbooks so everyone can join in.

Katie Svoboda from the Bethel Woods Museum Education and Creative Programming team says the concert is part of the museum’s “pay what you wish” ticket initiative, designed to make arts access more inclusive.

“We understand that a big day out at Bethel Woods can be a big expense for folks,” Svoboda said. “The pay-what-you-wish model allows people to donate what they can to help us keep the series going. We’re a nonprofit, and the work we do is mission-driven — providing access to the arts for our community.”

The intimate Event Gallery will host a smaller crowd than the summer concerts — typically 100 guests — but Svoboda emphasizes that the size enhances the experience. “Last year, we had about 50 people show up, but it was wonderful. Folks were up and dancing, people of all ages were singing together. You really felt the community in the room,” she said.

Zanes is known for family-friendly, multicultural music, and Svoboda says the holiday sing-along reflects that diversity. “There will be a Hanukkah song in Ladino, a song in Haitian Creole, and a song by a Palestinian musician. There are also classic Christmas songs. It’s really an opportunity for folks who celebrate different holidays to come together and enjoy a joyous experience,” she said.

In addition to the concert, attendees can access discounted tickets for the museum and the Holiday Light Show. “Make a day of it,” Svoboda said. “The show is at 4 p.m., doors open at 3:30. Museum tickets are just $5 if you want to check out the museum before the show, and we’ll provide coupons for the light show afterward.”

Bethel Woods continues to expand arts programming through its Museum Education and Creative Programming team. This year, more than half of summer participants received scholarships, and new initiatives like the Academy at Bethel Woods offer teens arts and music programming after school.

Svoboda said the mission is to provide broad access to creative experiences. “Many of our programs are paid, but there’s always an option to apply for tuition assistance. We’re happy to do it. Our goal is to share arts enrichment with as many people as possible,” she said.

The holiday sing-along runs Sunday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. Tickets are available online or at the door with a suggested donation. Parking is available across the street in Lot C, and volunteers will be on hand to guide guests.

For more information, visit bethelwoodscenter.org.

High fever, stuffy nose, body aches – these are all symptoms of what might be the flu.

Recent New York state health data shows that there have already been more than 17,000 flu cases this season. Emergency rooms have begun reporting a spike in patients coming into the ER with flu-like symptoms.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with David Williams, Emergency Care PA at Ellenville Regional Hospital, about what to expect this flu season and how to keep you and your loved ones protected.

From school gardens to countywide wellness initiatives, Sullivan 180 is closing out 2025 with what Executive Director Denise Frangipane calls unmistakable momentum — and gearing up for an even more ambitious 2026.

“Well, Sullivan 180 is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a healthy community through people, places, and policy with an intentional focus on prevention and empowering a healthier generation,” Frangipane said during her final monthly check-in of the year with Radio Catskill.

Across Sullivan County, she said, residents, schools and municipalities stepped up in ways that made the organization’s mission feel newly energized.

“Just a shout out of gratitude and thanks to everyone who has picked up this mission and made it their own,” she said. “It really is individuals doing it, but it requires the collective work of many.”

A Year of Growth in Schools

Frangipane said one of the clearest signs of progress is how deeply schools have woven health and wellness into everyday life.

“They’re embracing and integrating health and wellness into so much of what they’re offering our students,” she said, pointing to outdoor learning spaces, school gardens and the rise of Spartan clubs, inspired by the annual Bethel Woods obstacle-race event.

“It’s about challenging yourself to do better, do more,” she said. “We’re seeing young people getting a sense of accomplishment… getting off their phones.”

Sullivan 180 also expanded its food-service conferences and strengthened relationships with school staff and youth leaders throughout the county.

“When you peel away the layers of where people can engage… it’s exciting to see the ideas that are coming forward,” she said.

Hope Squad: Students Supporting Students

One of the most powerful highlights of 2025 was the growth of Hope Squads — peer-to-peer suicide-prevention teams launched at Eldred and Fallsburg.

“The idea of Hope Squad is to empower young people to be able to support each other peer-to-peer,” Frangipane said. “The only people who really can relate to youth the best are other youth.”

She said the turnout at the Out of the Darkness Walk in Kauneonga Lake showed how committed students are.

“Young people supporting each other and supporting their peers to say we’re here for you and we’re here for one another.”

Year-End Events and The Year Ahead

Every Monday through Dec. 22, the organization is partnering with Bethel Woods on the Peace, Love & Lights walk.

Sullivan 180’s 2026 grant season officially opens Jan. 1, bringing back school wellness grants, municipal grants, beautification funding and community development support.

“January 1, our official grant season kicks off,” Frangipane said. “If you have a project and you’re not quite sure whether it fits, just give us a call… We have a way of making everything fit.”

The organization will also host its 5th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 9, uniting students countywide for a full day of hands-on community work at HPAC.

More information is available at sullivan180.org.

 The race for New York’s 51st State Senate seat is heating up ahead of the 2026 election, with three candidates officially in the mix following Republican incumbent Peter Oberacker’s decision to run for Congress.

“The district is quite large,” said Isabel Braverman, editor-in-chief of the Sullivan County Democrat. “It includes all of Sullivan County, Delaware, Schoharie, and Otsego counties, along with parts of Broome, Chenango, and Ulster counties.”

Democrat Michele Frazier, who ran against Oberacker in a previous election, is emphasizing affordability for families, including childcare, housing, and rural health care access.

Republicans Schoharie Assemblyman Chris Tague and Sullivan County legislator Terry Bernardo are both seeking the GOP nomination. Tague is focusing on reducing high costs, including energy bills, while Bernardo is highlighting her local roots. “Sullivan County has never had a representative in the State Senate,” Braverman noted.

The Sullivan County Republican Committee has not yet endorsed a candidate. “They will choose their endorsement based on how members vote during their convention in early January,” Braverman said.

With multiple candidates and potentially more still entering, the 51st District contest promises to be competitive. “It’s early. Definitely more people could still enter,” Braverman said.

For more, visit scdemocratonline.com.

Honesdale voters have rejected the borough’s proposed earned income tax (EIT), leaving local officials with tough choices for the 2026 budget.

The Honesdale Borough Council was split 3-3 on the proposal during a pre-Thanksgiving meeting. Mayor Derrick Williams cast the tie-breaking vote against the tax, officially stopping its implementation.

The EIT would have added up to 1% on the earned income of residents and workers in Honesdale. About 500 residents already pay an EIT to other municipalities where they work, but the local tax would have kept that revenue in Honesdale to fund projects like stormwater system upgrades.

Strong Opposition from Businesses and Residents

Business owners and working-class residents led opposition to the tax. Over 30 local businesses submitted a letter against the EIT, warning it could push employers and employees out of Honesdale. Critics also pointed to the borough’s surplus budget and questioned the need for the tax.

“Expecting taxpayers to absorb these costs for future unknown expenses impairs our own finances today,” said one resident at the meeting.

Proponents argued the tax would diversify Honesdale’s revenue beyond property taxes, protecting fixed-income homeowners while preparing for future costs. Mayor Williams emphasized that many working residents fall into the “asset-limited, income-constrained, employed” category, meaning the EIT could have hit struggling households the hardest.

Next Steps for Honesdale’s 2026 Budget

With the EIT off the table, borough officials are revising the 2026 budget. Initial projections estimated $400,000 in first-year revenue from the tax. Early signs suggest Honesdale may cut expenses rather than raise property taxes, but final decisions will depend on upcoming council meetings.

Some local business owners say they still feel underserved by the borough despite programs like the Greater Honesdale Partnership, which provides grants for infrastructure and building improvements.

Coverage by The River Reporter

Liam Mayo, news editor at The River Reporter, covered the council meeting and community reactions.
For more, visit riverreporter.com.

The holiday season can be joyful, chaotic—and, if the Tusten Humor Committee has its way, exactly the moment we could all use a good laugh.

“It’s a complicated question with a semi-complicated answer,” Feibusch said, explaining the group’s origins. “Technically, it’s a bunch of people that get together at the Tusten Cup Coffee Shop on Main Street in Narreensburg every morning starting at 7:00 till about 8:30. And it’s been going on. I’ve been a member for five years and I’m a newbie.”

Feibusch, a part-time resident of Narrowsburg, said he felt honored to be included among the “mostly local town folk characters.” The group, he explained, was dubbed the Tusten Humor Committee by Mike Farrell, a semi-retired sports writer and Feibusch’s partner for the Sage Session show. “Mike said, ‘Couldn’t we use some humor right now?’ And that’s a general thing that’s been going on, I think, for a long time. We could always use humor. I came up with the idea of…let’s see if we can move out of the coffee shop and maybe take it on the road.”

The "committee" has previously performed at local open mics and now brings their humor to the Sage Sessions, a Tusten Social program for seniors 60 and older. “We get together twice a month on Thursday afternoons and have a delicious lunch,” said Knutzen. “[It's] everything from local authors and performers to talks by local beekeepers, farmers, or the National Park Service. Usually between 30 and 50 folks show up at any session.”

Their upcoming Big Holiday Show is at the Tusten Social Sage Session on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m,  marking the fourth Tusten Humor Committee show at Sage. “We’re calling it the Big Holiday Show, which is a little bit satirical,” Feibusch said. “Mike and I are partnering. We do have one special surprise guest which I will not reveal.”

Feibusch promised a mix of humor and music. “We work pretty clean,” he said. “We start off with little stuff about the philosophy of getting old and the meaning of life. Then we launch into the holiday something show… alternative holiday music. Most of it not written by us but this is my own little number.”

He also gave a preview, performing his original “Talking Senior Citizen Blues”:

"Walk up one morning, it was a typical night,
 Three times to the bathroom before daylight…
 Now as a senior, I’m at the head of the class.
 I don’t take no guff, I don’t take no sass.
 Most of all, keep on moving."

“Attending the senior group is sort of like coming out as an old guy,” Feibusch said. “Once you go to a senior group you got to say there’s no escape in it. It’s been an opportunity for me to meet so many people and enjoy being part of a small community.”

For more information, visit tustensocial.org or email [email protected].

On World AIDS Day, New York State health officials say the state has made major progress in reducing HIV infections, but deep disparities and ongoing stigma continue to drive new cases—particularly among young people and communities of color.

Deepa Rajulu, deputy director of the New York State Department of Health’s AIDS Institute, said new HIV diagnoses have dropped 36% from 2011 to 2024, according to the state’s newly released report. “This is good news, but decreases are not being experienced equally across all communities,” she said.

Non-Hispanic Black New Yorkers face HIV diagnosis rates 9.2 times higher than white residents; Hispanic New Yorkers face rates 5.4 times higher. Most new diagnoses occur among people under 40.

Sam Meyer, program coordinator at the AIDS Institute, said stigma remains the biggest barrier—affecting sexual health conversations, prevention access and care. “Stigma prevents people from asking for the services they need,” he said.

The department also launched Unfiltered, a new PrEP-focused docu-series highlighting Black and brown New Yorkers, available at unfilteredny.org.

PrEP—available as a daily pill or long-acting injection—can reduce HIV transmission risk by up to 99%, Meyer said. Rajulu added that treatment advances supporting viral suppression reinforce the message of U=U: undetectable means untransmittable.

Despite federal funding uncertainty, Rajulu said the state remains committed to HIV services: “We live in a state committed to public health and are confident resources will be allocated to those with the greatest needs.”

For HIV testing, PrEP information or self-test kits, visit health.ny.gov.

PennDOT’s $935 million plan to widen Interstate 80 in Stroudsburg is triggering a wave of environmental concerns — not just in Monroe County, but 50 miles north in rural Damascus Township, Pennsylvania. 

To move the highway from four lanes to six, PennDOT says it must destroy wetlands along a 3.5-mile stretch of I-80. Instead of restoring wetlands locally, the agency is buying mitigation credits from a private restoration project in Wayne County.

“They’re connected through the wetlands in both places,” said Liam Mayo, news editor for the River Reporter. “The way they’re going to make up for that is by buying… mitigation credits in a project that is happening in Damascus Township.”

Why the Wetlands Are Being “Moved”

The restoration work is being done by Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), a national company that builds large-scale mitigation banks. RES plans to restore or enhance 30 acres of wetlands and about 13,000 feet of stream in Damascus.

Mayo said the regulatory system allows this long-distance swap: “It feels like it shouldn’t make sense, but this is the way the system was set up to work.”

Environmental Groups: “You Can’t Replace Our Watershed Somewhere Else”

Local advocates in Stroudsburg say the mitigation bank won’t help the Brodhead Watershed, where the ecological damage will occur.

“The ecological functions, values and benefits of water resources within the Broadhead Watershed cannot be replaced elsewhere,” said Stephanie Uhranowsky of the Brodhead Watershed Association. “Mitigation outside the watershed provides no benefit to the Brodhead Creek.”

“I don’t think that it takes a rocket scientist to know that the Brodhead Watershed versus the Delaware Watershed are two different ecologies,” state representative Tarah Probst told the River Reporter. “They are over an hour away. You can’t just pick up species and soils and habitation and vegetation and move them and think you’re going to have the same results.”

Surprise Construction in Damascus

Meanwhile, Damascus residents were stunned to see excavation equipment suddenly appear on private property. Mayo said one homeowner called the River Reporter fearing a fracking operation.

Probst has appealed the project’s permit, arguing there should have been public hearings in both communities.

Damascus Township Supervisor Stephen Adams defended the project: “Finding land that can be used to create wetland areas is very hard… There are only two options for the state and the feds — either purchase it or not recreate it at all.”

A Bigger Fight Over How Wetland Banking Works

The dispute highlights a statewide question: Should wetlands destroyed in one watershed be replaced in a completely different one?

Mayo said the tension boils down to scale: “There’s the fear that a mitigation project could technically check all the boxes… but in five years’ time be just a washed-out streambed.”

More at riverreporter.com.