Black bears exist throughout New York, and the majority (about 85%) of the black bear population can be found in the Adirondacks and here in the Catskills.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation will be at the Ellenville Public Library and Museum February 5 with a presentation on local bear species and what to do if you encounter one. 

Tim Bruno spoke to the DEC's Regional Bear Biologist Jonathan Russell. 

The Center for Discovery is a major research and specialty center where individuals from around New York State and the world travel to receive highly advanced care and access to groundbreaking research and treatment for a myriad of disabilities and complex conditions. Each year, The Center serves more than 1,200 children, adults, and families.

At the beginning of the year, Dr. Theresa Hamlin was named CEO of The Center for Discovery. The facility board chose her in October 2023 to succeed Patrick Dollard, now a senior advisor to the organization.

Hamlin joined the center in 1983 and was named president in 2020.

She spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

The Liberty Central School District Music Department hosts the 26th Annual Liberty Jazz Festival Saturday, February 2.

The festival features High School and Middle School jazz ensembles from the Liberty, Monticello, Tri-Valley, and Livingston Manor school districts.

Tim Bruno spoke to Liberty Central School District Music Director Eric Aweh for a preview.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. A month dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, and teachers. 

The PRASAD Children’s Dental Health program provides accessible dental care and education to children through their mobile dental clinic, which travels to various schools in Ulster and Sullivan County. Their mission is to provide high-quality dental services through education, prevention, detection, and treatment.

Radio Catskill reporter Marin Scotten is joined by Dr. Cecilia Escarra, dentist and administrator of PRASAD’s children’s dental health program.

Governor Kathy Hochul's controversial housing plan proposed last year would have mandated the construction of housing projects across New York, allowing the state, in some cases, to circumvent local zoning officials to get the job done.

But the plan fell through in Albany, facing objections by rural and suburban lawmakers concerned about "home rule": the autonomy of local governments to lead their communities.

Hochul's updated plan outlined in her budget this month now opts for incentives over mandates, but a new report by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress argues New York can balance the two to combat its housing crisis – because states like New Jersey and Massachusetts are already doing it.

Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress is a nonprofit organization that provides objective research, planning, and educational training throughout the region.

From the New York Public News Network, Pattern President and CEO Adam Bosch ("Bosh") spoke with WAMC Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Jesse King.

Image by kjpargeter on Freepik

The Wayne County Arts Alliance Gallery on Main Street in Honesdale re-opens for 2024 on Friday, February 2.

The first exhibition of the year is “Dream”, an exhibition of work created by young artists (kindergarten – 12th grade) from Wallenpaupack Area, Western Wayne, Wayne Highlands School Districts, and the Cooperage Project.

Tim Bruno spoke Debby Pollak from the Wayne County Arts Alliance on Radio Chatskill.

Color Thread Cloth is upcoming group textile show at The Darby Hotel in Beach Lake, PA, just across the river from Narrowsburg. 

It opens Thursday, February 1, and Radio Catskill's Valerie Mansi spoke to Avi Kravitz, new owner of The Darby and Randall Lane and Judy Brown of Somewhere Co. about the group show.

Wade St. Germain and his husband, RJ Baker, are openly gay business owners of Cabernet Frank’s, the bar and music venue in Parksville, NY. 

For several years, they say they have been harassed by a neighbor for being gay, but that neighbor claims their dispute is not about sexual orientation.

The Sullivan County District Attorney's Office confirms the couple has a restraining order against their neighbor, Joe Peters, and that there's a long list of pending criminal charges.

But officials say there's no evidence to show that any of the incidents are hate crimes and that Peters' family says the incidents are part of a longtime dispute between both sets of neighbors over land and stray cats.

In the latest development, St. Germain and Baker have been ordered to appear in Liberty Town Court  Thursday, January 31, to potentially face misdemeanor charges.

Wade St. Germain spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill.

NY FOCUS is currently examining Governor Kathy Hochul's Executive Budget. Chris Gelardi from NY Focus is joining us to explore aspects of the budget, particularly focusing on New York's initiatives in public safety and criminal justice. 

Recently, The American Red Cross announced that it is experiencing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years, in what the organization says is an emergency shortage. Tim Bruno spoke to Elektra about the blood drive and her other community service on Radio Chatskill.