Radio Chatskill

Three students and their mother who were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are set to return home to Jefferson County, New York, according to local officials.

On March 27, three students, including a third grader, and their mother were detained by ICE agents in Jefferson County following an investigation at a farm in Sackets Harbor, New York, about 10 miles from Watertown near Lake Ontario.

As ICE raids target rural communities in New York, immigration advocates say that rural immigrants face growing isolation and fear to access essential services. 

Radio Catskill's Kimberly Izar spoke with Juana Cortes de Torres, Director of the Immigrant Legal Rights Project at the Rural and Migrant Ministry, about what residents should know when interacting with immigration agents.

In this episode of Kaatscast, host Brett Barry interviews John Michelotti, mushroom maven and founder of Catskill Fungi. John draws listeners into the enchanting and complex world of fungi, sharing his journey from an outdoor guide to becoming an enthusiastic mycology educator. 

Recorded at Catskill Fungi's commercial kitchen in Pine Hill, NY, the episode delves into the life cycle of mushrooms, their ecological roles, cultivation methods, and the mysteries of mycelium. John discusses the various types of mushrooms found in the Catskills, including edible, poisonous, and even mind-altering varieties. The episode also highlights the health benefits of mushroom extracts from varieties like Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Chaga. John is one one of the Catskill Center's "50 Stewards of the Catskills." Oh, and he's a super "fun-guy." 

On April 5, more than 200 people gathered at the Sullivan County Courthouse in Monticello as part of the national Hands Off! protests against President Donald Trump and his administration.

Protests also took place in Middletown, Newburgh, Milford, Honesdale, and many other towns and cities across New York and Pennsylvania. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke to protestors in Monticello and has this report.

Two solo exhibitions are opening April 5 at The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) celebrate art and nature: "Open Spaces" by Jenny Carpenter and "When We Are Among the Trees" by Kelly O’Brien. 

Working with the natural grain of birch panels, Carpenter’s paintings evolve in a dance between control and chance. Her process begins with the unique surface of each birch panel, whose grain guides her mark-making and shapes the final image

Inspired by the poetry of Mary Oliver, O’Brien's work is rooted in her ongoing exploration of care, repair, and our relationship to the natural world, inviting viewers to reflect on their place within a fragile ecosystem.

Greetings from Here showcases postcard-scale prints and other artworks that capture the essence of the Catskills through the eyes of local artists. The small-format pieces, reminiscent of classic postcards, serve as artifacts of travel, each offering a personal perspective on the region’s natural beauty and cultural significance.

The collaborative photography and art exhibition opens at Sullivan Public in Eldred, NY, on Saturday, April 5, and will run through the month.

The exhibit explores the Catskills as a place of refuge, nostalgia, and natural splendor, with each work offering a unique interpretation of what “here” means. The show reflects the diverse connections people have to the area, from its role as a vacation destination to its ongoing appeal as a place to call home.

Following the announcement of the closure of PepsiCo’s facility in Liberty, New York, town and village officials have been scrambling to address the fallout and find solutions for the hundreds of workers who are set to lose their jobs.

The layoffs are expected to have a ripple effect throughout Sullivan County, particularly impacting working-class families and the area’s sizable Latino population, many of whom have built their lives around stable employment at the plant.

Radio Catskill’s Miguel Santiago Colón has been following the story closely and has the latest updates on how the community is rallying in the face of economic uncertainty.

Fly fishing season has arrived in Trout Town USA – or Roscoe, New York to most New Yorkers.

April 1 marked the opening day for fly fishing season. Since the 1940s, fly fishing enthusiasts and local residents in the Catskills have met at the popular Junction Pool to cast trout and celebrate a ceremonial first cast from Trout Town USA. Judy Van Put, renowned angler, sportswriter, and late wife to celebrated fly fisher Ed Van Put, made the first ceremonial cast on Tuesday morning.

Fly fishing is a fishing technique where fishers angle a special fly rod to catch different fish species, like brown trout and rainbow trout. In March, New York State Department of Environmental Conversation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced the department would stock the state’s streams and ponds with 1.8 million brook, brown, and rainbow trout. Some streams will receive fish every other week for two months to provide season-long opportunities for anglers.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar reported live from opening day the morning of April 1st and brings us this full report from Roscoe, New York.

Over 200 teachers, public health professionals, and community partners in Sullivan County are now equipped to deliver the CATCH My Breath program to youth, thanks to recent training efforts by Sullivan 180. The program aims to combat the growing vaping epidemic among young people. 

In addition to training educators, Sullivan 180 has reached over 550 students with the CATCH My Breath program, in Liberty, Monticello, Eldred, and Roscoe school districts, as well as participants in the SUNY Sullivan Liberty Partnerships Program.

Recognizing the importance of parental involvement, Sullivan 180 recently held a CATCH My Breath Parent & Caregiver Workshop at Liberty Middle School.  Amanda Langseder, Sullivan 180 Senior Director of Prevention Programming, and Kate Rusin, Liberty Middle School Assistant Principal, appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the need for practical information on vaping. 

The workshop addressed the vaping epidemic's impact, common obstacles to discussing tobacco and vaping with youth, strategies for effective communication, and how families can unite against vaping.  One parent in attendance shared her intention to disseminate the information with her children, extended family, and friends. 

Langseder praised Liberty Middle School's proactive approach, stating, “We are glad Liberty Middle School is taking this issue so seriously and bringing in resources for their students and families right away.”  This was the inaugural presentation for caregivers on learning about the vaping epidemic and supporting students. 

Schools, PTAs/PTOs, and community groups interested in hosting the CATCH My Breath Parent & Caregiver Workshop can contact [email protected].  The next CATCH My Breath Facilitator Training is scheduled for July 16th, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at CCE Sullivan.

Delaware Valley Arts Alliance marks the start of National Poetry Month with a multi-sensory poetry happening, presented by Eric Baylin. Expect readings, musical accompaniments, improvisational multi-media collaborations from Matt Carpenter, Kazzrie Jaxen and Sullivan County’s Poet Laureate, Kevin Scot Graham.  

Nationwide protests are planned for Saturday, April 5, against President Donald Trump and his administration.

The protests, which have been dubbed “Hands Off! A National Day of Action,” are centered around the White House’s recent policy stances on topics ranging from health care and immigration to education and the environment.

Protests are planned locally, including one in Monticello, NY, co-organized by citizen activist Sandy Oxford and Myrna Marcarian of We Are One Sullivan, the local chapter of the national progressive organization, Indivisible.