February is often a month for thinking about health—heart health, mental health, and the habits we hope to build for the year. But experts agree that staying healthy is easier when you’re not doing it alone.

That’s the idea behind Sullivan Club 180, a network of small, community-based clubs in Sullivan County that help people form healthier habits through simple, consistent actions.

“Health really doesn’t occur in isolation,” says Anne-Louise Scandariato, Director of Community Engagement at Sullivan 180. “Social isolation can increase the risk of chronic disease and depression. Those who find connection can have better heart health, lower blood pressure, and improved overall lifespan.”

Meaghan Mullally-Gorr, Director of Health and Wellness, adds, “Connections keep you accountable and make reaching your goals more fun. It’s not a chore—it’s something you enjoy.”

A Club 180 usually includes five or more people—neighbors, co-workers, or friends—focusing on physical activity, nutrition, mental health, or reducing substance use. Clubs are led by trained Community Health Champions and emphasize small, achievable steps over drastic lifestyle changes.

“Small steps are tangible and achievable,” Scandariato says. “In a group, you can see progress and hold each other accountable. It doesn’t become a chore—it’s just part of your routine.”

Clubs like the Monacello Fireflies have made regular meetups more intentional—adding walks, healthy meals, and nutrition lessons. Spartan Clubs, meanwhile, help students train for the annual Spartan Race at Bethel Woods, focusing on finishing together rather than winning.

“You don’t have to start with a big goal,” Scandariato says. “It just takes a spark of interest, and we help you build from there.”

CHESTER, NY — Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge is at the forefront of local resistance to a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in a former Pep Boys warehouse in Chester, Orange County. Residents, local officials, and Holdridge himself have raised concerns about economic impact, safety, and the federal government’s handling of immigration detention.

Supervisor Warns of Economic and Public Safety Risks

Holdridge emphasized the potential financial burden on the town.

"If the federal government were to take over the warehouse, we would lose around a half a million dollars of annual tax revenue for the town and village of Chester, which would be devastating to our local budgets here," he said.

He also warned that protests could escalate costs for local taxpayers.

"Chester taxpayers would have to front the money for policing costs and overtime costs… The federal government isn't going to pay us back for the mayhem that they cause," Holdridge said.

Concerns About Infrastructure and Safety

The town’s infrastructure, Holdridge said, cannot support the facility.

"There's no sewage capacity in the village of Chester… They're trying to turn a warehouse that was meant for just over a hundred employees into a facility that's supposed to house 1,500 beds plus employees plus visitors," he said.

He also flagged the facility’s proximity to youth sports facilities as a safety concern.

"They're planning on housing violent criminals near where kids regularly go for sports activities," Holdridge said.

Bipartisan Local Support

Supervisor Holdridge noted that opposition to the facility has been unanimous across party lines.

"On the local level here, it has been across the board unanimous… from both Republicans and Democrats on the town and village boards," he said.

He also pointed out strong support from residents.

"100% of the Chester residents that I have received emails and calls from have been against the facility… I’ve only gotten one email… that was in favor of the facility," Holdridge said.

Limited Authority, But Persistent Advocacy

Although the federal government ultimately controls the project, Holdridge is coordinating local opposition and legal avenues.

"Because this facility is privately owned, I'm not sure how much power [local officials] actually have… The federal government I'm not really sure is concerned with following local zoning laws or listening to local boards," he said.

He has circulated letters to local, county, and federal representatives, urging coordinated resistance.

"This is really a whole-of-government approach here on the local level… to continually say to the federal government, please stay away," Holdridge said.

Supervisor Committed to Fighting the Facility

Despite uncertainty about the outcome, Holdridge remains determined.

"My gut is telling me that we are up against the wall… I will not stop fighting," he said.

The debate over a proposed campground development along the Upper Delaware River is reaching a critical point as the Town of Highland planning board prepares to weigh approval. The Camp FIMFO project, a $40 million-plus project renovating a historic tenting campsite in Barryville with modern amenities, has already drawn scrutiny from the National Park Service, which determined the development does not conform with the Upper Delaware River Management Plan — a document designed to guide development while protecting the river’s nationally significant environmental and recreational resources.

So what happens if the planning board approves the project anyway?

Liam Mayo, news editor at The River Reporter, recently explored that question in depth, examining the options the National Park Service would have — including the rarely used and often misunderstood concept of eminent domain.

“The National Park Service’s determination has been in the background since 2023,” Mayo said. “But in December, the Park Service sent a letter to the planning board re-emphasizing that even after years of tweaks and adjustments, the project still doesn’t conform with the River Management Plan.”

The agency’s concerns focus on two major points. First, the River Management Plan prohibits permanent structures at campsites, and the Park Service considers the proposed park-model RVs at Camp Fimfo to qualify as such. Second, the project’s scale would substantially increase the intensity of use in the corridor, which could alter the traditional character of the area.

Jeff Spitz, head of the planning board, told Mayo that the board is still reviewing the project and weighing the Park Service’s concerns. “Until that process is complete, it’s unclear how much influence the Park Service’s non-conformance finding will have on the decision,” he said.

If the planning board moves forward despite the Park Service’s objections, the federal agency has limited tools. The first option is continued negotiation, working with local stakeholders to minimize environmental impact and bring the project closer to compliance. The more extreme backstop, Mayo explained, is eminent domain — the legal authority for the government to take land in limited circumstances.

“In theory, the National Park Service could use eminent domain if the project violated zoning laws or threatened the river’s resources,” Mayo said. “But it’s extremely unlikely. It would be a last-resort action, and the Upper Delaware operates under a unique collaborative model that gives local towns and municipalities significant control over development.”

This collaborative model has historically allowed local projects to proceed even when the Park Service raises objections, making eminent domain a rare, almost unprecedented option in the region. Mayo noted that the outcome of the Camp Fimfo decision could set an important precedent for the future of camping along the Upper Delaware, potentially influencing how other sites balance traditional camping practices with new, amenity-rich developments.

The planning board has not set a firm date for a decision, though a ruling could come within the next few months. 

The Western Sullivan Public Libraries are expanding their role as a community learning hub this spring — with new programs that put teens in leadership roles and bring kids together around math, literacy, and even gardening.

Children’s Coordinator Callison Stratton says one of the most exciting additions is a peer-led academic enrichment program designed by local high school students.

“Back in the fall we opened up proposals for a teen mini-grant,” Stratton said. “So our winning proposal was the Equation and Expression program.”

The proposal came from Sullivan West High School sophomore Christopher Lee and junior Mary Chellis. Their idea: create a collaborative learning space where younger students explore math and literacy through games, led by teens who have recently navigated those same academic challenges.

“We thought it would be a really wonderful program to offer a peer-led, teen-led learning games environment,” Stratton said, “where they’ll be learning about math and literacy through this sort of collaborative, fun environment.”

The program will meet Wednesdays at the Jeffersonville library in five-week sessions, divided by grade level. Sessions for grades two and three begin February 25, followed by grades four and five on April 8. A middle-school preparation course for sixth graders starts May 20.

While families are asked to commit to all five sessions, Stratton says the focus isn’t on grades or test scores.

“Really it’s not about getting grades or anything like that,” she said. “It’s about community skill building, social emotional learning, developing those skills that are going to help them just go a little bit further in their academic career.”

Stratton says seeing teens step into leadership roles was what made the proposal stand out.

“It will be something that’s led by students who’ve been through it already,” she said. “When we saw their proposal, we were just so proud of it. We said, we have to help facilitate this.”

The library is also preparing to take learning outdoors with its Junior Master Gardeners program, which meets at the Narrowsburg branch and uses a plot at the Tusten Community Heritage Garden.

“We’re very excited for our garden club,” Stratton said.

The next session begins March 7 and is open to children ages six and up. Returning participants are welcome, and the program is open to families across the community.

“It’s a very community-based, all-ages program,” Stratton said.

The library is also seeking volunteers, particularly local gardeners interested in sharing their skills.

“People who love getting their hands dirty and love working with kids are welcome to come volunteer,” she said.

February is American Heart Month, and a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association is drawing renewed attention to how sleep habits — not just how much we sleep, but when and how consistently — can affect cardiovascular health.

Researchers found that so-called “night owls,” people who naturally stay up late, tend to have poorer overall cardiovascular health compared to early risers. The findings add to a growing body of evidence linking irregular sleep schedules to increased heart risk.

Dr. Lindsay Mitrani, a cardiologist with Optum Care Mount Medical, says sleep plays a central — and often overlooked — role in heart health.

“Sleep is crucial for cardiovascular health,” Mitrani said. “There is a bidirectional relationship, meaning it goes both ways. In other words, sleep is really important for preventing key factors that are related to cardiac health, including elevated blood pressure, weight, and feeling well. And the other side of this, cardiovascular treatment can also affect sleep.”

What counts as “good” sleep?

According to Mitrani, adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night — but quantity alone isn’t enough.

“Almost a third of adults are poor sleepers, meaning they're averaging less than seven hours, and less than half of adults report having a good night’s sleep,” she said. “That said, it's not just about quantity of sleep, it's also about quality.”

Quality sleep, she explained, includes how long it takes to fall asleep, how often someone wakes during the night, and whether sleep is consistent from one night to the next.

How lack of sleep affects the heart

When sleep is short, irregular, or poor in quality, the cardiovascular system can suffer.

“When someone's not sleeping, essentially the blood pressure rises,” Mitrani said. “Blood pressure is a critical risk factor for cardiac health.”

Sleep deprivation also affects daily habits tied to heart health.

“When you're tired, it's harder to make good dietary choices. You're less physically active. You're not in the mood to go to the gym,” she said. “And even for me or for anyone I know, there's definitely mood disturbances or irritability when you don't have good sleep.”

Over time, poor sleep can increase the risk of atherosclerosis — plaque buildup in the arteries that can lead to heart attacks.

Is it timing, quality, or duration? All of the above.

Mitrani says heart health depends on a combination of sleep factors.

“It’s all three together,” she said. “When we think about heart health, we think about not just medications, but lifestyle. What can we do to help keep our heart healthy?”

That includes both getting enough sleep and maintaining good sleep quality. Frequent awakenings, trouble falling asleep, or difficulty staying asleep can all undermine cardiovascular health.

Can night owls “catch up” on sleep?

The study focused on people with late-night sleep patterns, raising questions about whether weekend sleep or naps can offset weekday deficits. Mitrani says irregular sleep itself is part of the problem.

“The irregularity is definitely harmful,” she said. “Having sleep consistency is a key marker for sleep success.”

Still, she emphasizes that many sleep habits are modifiable.

“What we like to talk about is sleep hygiene,” Mitrani said. That includes limiting screen use before bed, dimming phone displays, setting a consistent bedtime routine, and keeping the bedroom cool and dark. “Some people turn their phone on do not disturb, turn down the temperature 68 to 70 degrees, and even turning off the TV to not have something awakening them up in the middle of the night.”

Families, kids, and mismatched sleep schedules

For couples or families where one person is a night owl and another is an early riser, Mitrani says routines can help reset circadian rhythms.

“Studies show you can actually move that up by a couple of hours by setting good routines,” she said, though she acknowledges not everyone can fully adjust.

For children and teens, screen time and caffeine are major obstacles.

“Another big thing is caffeine, especially with teenagers,” Mitrani said. “Trying to limit that later in the afternoon… all of that can be helpful.”

Even as a cardiologist — and a parent — she admits sleep struggles are universal.

“Oh no. Absolutely not,” she said, when asked if her children follow her advice. “A lot of what I do in clinic with patients is normalize how difficult it is.”

When to talk to a doctor

Mitrani encourages people to seek medical advice if sleep problems persist despite good sleep hygiene, especially because some sleep disorders are closely linked to heart disease.

“One big one is called obstructive sleep apnea,” she said. “That means not just snoring but gasping for air and difficulty obtaining oxygen, which is crucial to your health during sleep.”

She also points to depression and anxiety as common, treatable conditions that can disrupt sleep and affect heart health.

The takeaway

Mitrani says the benefits of good sleep go beyond feeling rested.

“Good sleep can improve your life expectancy up to several years,” she said. “One study said almost five years in men and two and a half years in women.”

Just as important, she adds, is quality of life.

“It can improve your blood pressure, your mood, helping make good dietary choices,” Mitrani said. “All of this is essential to good cardiovascular health.”

More information about American Heart Month and ways to prevent cardiovascular disease is available at the American Heart Association’s website, heart.org.

For a third consecutive day, the Sullivan County DMV office in Monticello remained closed Friday after a prolonged internet outage tied to Spectrum, leaving residents unable to access in-person DMV services.

County Clerk Russell Reeves said the disruption began without warning earlier this week and has left staff unable to process routine transactions that depend on internet connectivity.

“We have had no service for three days now,” Reeves said during a Friday radio interview. “Spectrum has left us hanging. We cannot get internet into the Monticello DMV, and without it, we simply cannot serve the public.”

Reeves said repeated calls to Spectrum have yielded few answers, adding that the Monticello DMV appears to be the only county office affected by the outage.

The closure has had a wide ripple effect in a largely rural county where access to transportation and identification is critical.

“If you think about daily life—driving to work, getting to a doctor’s appointment, traveling, opening a bank account—without an ID or vehicle registration, you’re really in trouble,” Reeves said. “This is tremendously impactful for our residents.”

To provide limited relief, the county has deployed a mobile DMV unit and temporarily set up two service stations with assistance from the county’s IT department. Under normal circumstances, the Monticello office operates eight to ten stations.

“We’re doing whatever emergency situations we can,” Reeves said. “But we’re operating at a fraction of our capacity.”

The timing of the outage has added to the strain. Reeves noted that New York State DMV offices—including Sullivan County’s—are scheduled to shut down for several days beginning February 13 as part of a planned statewide system upgrade.

“We’ve been preparing for weeks to get people through their transactions ahead of that shutdown,” he said. “This couldn’t come at a worse time.”

For now, officials are urging residents to complete transactions online whenever possible. Standard renewals remain available through the state DMV website. Those with urgent needs—such as medical travel or time-sensitive identification issues—are encouraged to contact the county clerk’s office directly for assistance or referrals to other DMV locations.

Despite mounting frustration, Reeves praised the public’s patience.

“The people of Sullivan County have been phenomenal,” he said. “But it’s not fair to put them through a three-day disruption like this.”

As of late Friday morning, Reeves said Spectrum had not provided a clear timeline for restoring service, though a technician was reportedly working on a nearby issue.

“We’re hopeful,” he said. “And if anyone out there has a contact at Spectrum who can help move this along, we’d welcome it.”

County officials say they will provide updates as soon as service is restored and normal DMV operations can resume.

Expect another weekend full of extreme winter weather.

There is an Extreme Cold Warning from 7AM Saturday until 1PM Sunday Afternoon as more arctic air moves into our area tonight along with snow and wind.

“We call this pattern the Siberean Express because the airmass is originating in Siberia, going over the north pole, and then descending into the northeast,” Adam Gill, Meteorologist with The National Weather Service (NWS), Binghamton tells Radio Catskill. 

If this sounds like a similar forecast to those in the past month, it is. The difference this time, says Gill, is just how cold this air will be. 

“With this pattern persisting, we just keep getting these bouts of really cold air, and it looks like this weekend will be the coldest that we’ve seen this season.” 

With single digit temperatures and winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour, the NWS says there will be dangerously cold wind chills, possibly as low as 25 to 30 below zero. Exposed skin could get frostbite in less than 30 minutes outdoors. 

There will also be snow Friday night into Saturday. With the cold and wind, whatever snow does fall will be light, fluffy, and drifting around. 

“It’s going to blow around pretty easy,” Gill explains.  “Once those winds pick up on the back side of the cold front Friday night into Saturday, you’re probably going to have blowing snow issues, especially near open areas. …It’s definitely going to be a pretty raw day on Saturday and into early Sunday.”

Looking past this weekend’s cold front, temperatures are expected to rise next week, possibly reaching the low 30s by Tuesday.

The Orange County legislature unanimously passed a resolution on Thursday against a proposed ICE facility in Orange County. Hundreds of residents from across the Hudson Valley, including Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, showed up to protest the facility. 

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar was at the county legislative meeting and has more.

Ellenville, NY — A new hub for wellness, creativity, and community is opening in Ellenville this week. Juniper, co-founded by Adrian DiMatteo and Cassie Luzenski, is a cultural and wellness center offering yoga, meditation, art classes, music programs, and after-school activities for people of all ages.

“Juniper is a picture that is being painted as we speak, all of us together,” says Luzenski. “We’re bringing our background and people-focused mission, but the other half is the people who walk through our doors—their needs, their interests, what they envision for their community.”

Located in the heart of Ellenville, Juniper was born out of a desire to fill gaps in local resources, especially for arts and after-school programs. “We’ve noticed a need in the community,” says DiMatteo. “Many families lack access to music schools, wellness programs, and cultural opportunities. We’re here to change that.”

Juniper blends wellness and global cultural experiences, influenced by DiMatteo and Luzenski’s travels. “I work directly with indigenous cultures around the world—from Guatemala to Peru, Israel to Egypt,” DiMatteo explains. “All of these experiences inform our work, especially ancestral wellness practices that we’re bringing to the community.”

Juniper’s mission goes beyond individual wellness to building flourishing community life. “We’re creating connections,” says Luzenski. “Helping people connect with themselves radiates out to neighbors, friends, and the larger community. Together, we can make a positive, constructive world.”

Nature is central to Juniper’s vision. Programs like a community garden and food education initiatives help residents reconnect with the environment and learn sustainable practices. “It’s about honoring the natural world and integrating it into daily life,” DiMatteo says.

Grand Opening Celebration
Juniper officially celebrates its grand opening this Saturday from 6–9 p.m., featuring a cacao ceremony, live music, and community gatherings. “Cacao is a superfood from the Amazon Basin,” DiMatteo says. “It’s our way of welcoming the community, opening hearts, and planting seeds for what will grow here.”

Looking ahead, Juniper hopes to become a go-to hub for wellness and cultural learning in Ellenville. “Yoga, nutrition, arts, and community programs can transform lives,” Luzenski says. “We want Juniper to be a place where people take action to improve their own lives and their community.”

For more information and programming updates, visit junipertogether.com.
 

After Superstorm Sandy, New York launched the Citizens’ Preparedness Corps (CPC) to teach residents how to handle emergencies—from storms and floods to power outages.

Maria Pfegel of the program says:

The training helps New Yorkers create household emergency plans, gather essential supplies, and think ahead for themselves and their communities. Each family receives a preparedness kit, checklists, and guidance to be ready for any situation.

The CPC also encourages participants to help neighbors and vulnerable populations, not just themselves:

Local residents can join the next training at Livingston Manor Roscoe Branch Library, Friday at 5 p.m. 

Pfelgel leaves one final tip for those who haven’t thought much about preparedness: