The Local Edition

The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce has appointed a new President and CEO to lead the organization’s efforts in supporting local businesses and driving economic growth across the region.

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with the Chamber’s new President and CEO, who is stepping into the role at a time when Sullivan County continues to focus on strengthening its business community, supporting entrepreneurs, and promoting sustainable development.

In the conversation, the new leader outlined priorities for the Chamber, including expanding support for small businesses, increasing membership engagement, and strengthening partnerships with local and regional organizations. They also highlighted the importance of adapting to changing economic conditions and ensuring that businesses have the resources they need to grow and succeed.

The Chamber plays a key role in connecting businesses, advocating for economic development, and promoting the county as a place to live, work, and visit. Under new leadership, the organization is expected to continue building on those efforts while exploring new opportunities for growth.

The new President and CEO said they are looking forward to working with local businesses, community leaders, and residents to help move Sullivan County forward.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has retracted its false claim that the agency had bought a warehouse in Orange County, calling it a "mistake." Radio Catskill’s Kimberly reports.

Benjamin Land

Feb 13 2025

Trout Fishing in the Catskills needs attention to detail.

Ecosystems around the world are delicate. The one in the Catskills that supports the historic fly fishing culture is also a fragile thing. 

“ They (flooding) erode the banks. They get rid of all the indigenous trees that the roots hold, the structure of the stream back,” Doug Kluthe explained. Kluthe is a licensed fly fishing guide based in Phoenicia, New York. Kluthe grew up in the area where he learned from his grandfather, a contemporary of fly fishing legends like Lee Wulff and Art Flick. Like the fly fisherman that came before him, Kluthe is also a conservationist.

And without those key trees and bushes, it prevents the flies from having a place to breed.”

The New York State Climate Impact Assessment has reported that as waters warm, conditions may not support fish species that require colder water, like the prized indigenous fish of the Catskills, brook trout.

Kluthe explained the trepidation he has experienced in recent times because of the sensitivity of New York’s native fish.

“ All of a sudden we're in a heat wave, for the last two weeks and they (clients) really wanna go fishing and the water is up to 69, 70 degrees,” said Kluthe.

“It's really hard for me to take people out and fish for trout 'cause I know there's a really good chance you're gonna kill these fish, so either I have to find water that's gonna be less affecting the trout's health, or I have to target different species.”

There is still plenty to learn and catch with Catskills Fly Fishing Guide Service. Check them out for my info on guided fishing experiences and how to be better stewards of the aquatic environment.

Catskill Brewery is inviting the community to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a full day of activities, music and creative experiences.

The event will take place on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 12 to 8 p.m. in the brewery’s taproom. Organizers say the celebration is designed for couples, friends and anyone looking to mark the holiday in a relaxed setting.

Activities include a Polaroid kissing booth, where guests can capture moments with their partners, as well as ceramic figurine painting for those looking for a hands-on creative option.

Live music will be provided by Mike Brown from 2 to 5 p.m. Brown is a Grammy-nominated producer, engineer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, and the founder of Temperamental Recordings.

In a recent conversation, Radio Catskill’s Jason Dole spoke with Rare Pear Radio host Kassie Carlson about the event and what attendees can expect.

Organizers encourage guests to stop by at any point during the day to enjoy the festivities.

 From inside Woodbourne Correctional Facility, Atiq Akeem Weston is pushing for a change to who gets a voice in American democracy.

Weston, who has been incarcerated for more than 17 years, has drafted what he calls the “Incarcerated American Vote Act,” a federal proposal that would allow most incarcerated people to vote. The plan would restrict voting only for people convicted of specific offenses such as treason, terrorism, or espionage.

“Voting is not just a civic duty,” Weston said. “It is a constitutional and human right.”

Across the United States, more than two million people are incarcerated, and in most states, those serving felony sentences cannot vote. Weston argues that broad restrictions leave a large portion of the population without representation.

“How can we say everyone is fairly considered,” he said, “when millions are excluded from the process?”

His proposal would allow incarcerated individuals to vote in elections tied to their last known residence and require prisons to provide access to voter registration and absentee ballots. 

Weston also points to legal precedent, including a 1974 Supreme Court decision that protected the voting rights of pretrial detainees, to argue that incarceration should not automatically strip constitutional protections.

At the center of his argument is a broader question about the purpose of incarceration.

In his written proposal, Weston says prison walls are meant to separate people from society, not from their constitutional rights. 

For Weston, the issue is personal. Now 33, he says he has spent more than half his life incarcerated and has never voted.

“I’ve developed an interest in participating in our democracy,” he said. “But I’ve never had the chance.”

The debate over voting rights for incarcerated people continues nationwide, with supporters framing it as a civil rights issue and critics arguing that certain convictions justify the loss of that right.

Weston is serving time for a 2008 homicide and two 2012 armed robberies. Court records show he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the stabbing death of Robert Kwiatkowski at age 15, and received concurrent sentences of up to 10 years for manslaughter and 15 years for each robbery.

Weston says his goal is simple: inclusion.

“If we believe in democracy,” he said, “then everyone should have a voice.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has expanded its footprint in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Radio Catskill's Kimberly Izar reports.

A yearslong staffing crisis at state-run facilities has taken its toll on incarcerated kids and the workers who watch over them.

If you’ve been putting off a trip to the DMV, now’s the time to move it up your to-do list.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is temporarily shutting down all offices, phone lines, and online services across the state for a major technology overhaul — a move officials say will eventually make transactions faster and more reliable.

Starting Friday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m., every DMV office will close. Services will remain offline through Tuesday, Feb. 17, with offices and online systems expected to reopen Wednesday, Feb. 18.

During the shutdown, no in-person visits, online renewals, or phone assistance will be available.

Speaking with Radio Catskill, Russell Reeves, the Sullivan County clerk who oversees the local DMV, said the change is long overdue.

“This system has been outdated for years,” Reeves said. “There have been a lot of add-ons and patches. This upgrade is meant to replace all of that and fix many of the problems we’ve been having.”

Why the shutdown?

Reeves said frequent technical issues — including system crashes and equipment failures — can quickly create long lines and delays.

“When the computers go down for even 10 minutes and you’ve got a room full of people, it backs everything up,” he said. “We’re hoping this new system will streamline the process and shorten wait times.”

The state has been training local staff for months in preparation for the transition.

Expect a busy reopening

Even with the improvements, Reeves cautions there could be a rush once offices reopen.

“DMV is such an integral part of people’s lives,” he said. “Whenever we close, even for a day, we feel it. I expect it to be busy right after we reopen.”

His advice: don’t wait if your paperwork is urgent.

“If you need something done right away — a renewal, registration, anything to get on the road — come in the week before,” Reeves said. “Take care of it now so you don’t get caught in delays.”

What to know

Here’s the quick breakdown:

All DMV offices close: Friday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.

No online or phone services during shutdown

Services resume: Wednesday, Feb. 18

Expect heavier traffic when offices reopen

There may still be some early hiccups as staff and customers adjust to the new system, Reeves added, but the long-term goal is smoother service and shorter lines.

Liberty to World as Told by Kort Wheeler, Liberty Town Historian and Middle School History Teacher

Town Historian and middle school history teacher, Kort Wheeler,  has his eyes on bringing Liberty back into the limelight. Wheeler was named the town historian for Liberty a year ago, and his essay was chosen by the National Association of Towns Builders of America in their “How Towns Have Shaped Our Country” project.

The project aims to promote the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and Wheeler is one of six finalists from New York that were chosen. 

Wheeler believes acceptance is the number one reason why Liberty is a quintessential American town.

“The acceptance factor is what separates liberty from other towns. Groups that were not necessarily welcome with open arms in other parts of the country were welcomed here,” said Wheeler.

His essay touches on the ‘Borscht Belt’ and how pivotal establishments like Grossingers Hotel and Golf were for the entertainment industry.

“So many entertainers started here. A lot of its roots came from the Catskills and Liberty.”

Wheeler grew up in the town he lives in today and can even trace his lineage all the way back to the Mayflower. Starting as a golf teacher, his wife was influential in guiding his career to teaching in an academic setting.

Wheeler remembers shopping on main street with his dad on Christmas eve in downtown Liberty and says today he says Liberty is a bit different.

“You can still go fishing. The accessibility with our parks have gotten better. Your perspectives change as you get older,” said Wheeler.

The 250th anniversary of the country has been marked by civil unrest in Minnesota and other parts of the country with an Immigration Control Enforcement presence. Wheeler believes his students are being affected by the current attack on civil liberties in the United States.

“It makes teaching certain parts of history easier because of the current conditions.”

Wheeler sent his essay to help put Liberty back on the map and wanted the judges and readers of his essay to understand that Liberty has not gone away.