The Local Edition

Without cuts or an infusion of cash, Pennsylvania’s budget surplus is projected to run dry next fiscal year. But lawmakers aren’t saying much about a solution.

Jason Dole speaks to Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

More than a million New Yorkers with children are receiving checks in the mail from the state. The payments of up to $330 are a one-time supplement to the state’s child tax credit, passed as part of the state budget negotiated by the legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul this spring.

But one Albany-area Republican senator wants the state to go further and permanently give all new parents a $1,000 “baby bonus.”

Julia Rock from NY FOCUS speaks to Radio Catskill's Jason Dole 

A new 1.1-mile trail has opened up in South Fallsburg, where visitors can wind around the partially collapsed Fallsburg Tunnel and take a scenic stop overlooking the Neversink River on a moderately hilly, unpaved path. It's part of an ongoing project to transform stretches of abandoned railroad tracks throughout Sullivan County into the 50-mile-long, multiuse Sullivan O&W Trail that will connect communities throughout Sullivan and beyond.

Heather Jacksy, the director of Sullivan County's planning department, spoke to Radio Catskill about the rail trail's history, the new South Fallsburg segment, and her hopes that the rail trail may bring to the community a public place to exercise, a new pathway for travel, and even an economic boost.

For trail maps, a calendar of upcoming events, and additional information about the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail, visit sullivanoandw.com 

New York's rollout of the adult-use recreational cannabis market has encountered numerous obstacles. While the first dispensaries licensed under the general application period are now opening, previous rounds aimed at equity applicants were marred by legal disputes and significant delays.

Philip Pantuso of the Times Union recently discussed these challenges with Jason Dole on The Local Edition. 

This year’s state budget addresses some gaps that leaders in rural areas say make it hard to attract and keep people in their communities.

Hochul says she’s working with the legislature to replace congestion pricing, but key legislators say they aren’t aware of any conversations.

Sam Mellins talks to Radio Catskill's Jason Dole. 

For this week's update from the Sullivan County government, we spoke to county treasurer Nancy Buck, who shared a reminder about the fast-approaching repurchase deadline for tax-foreclosed properties, and shared her thoughts on the fiscal state of the county.

Local rivers are swelling with heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby this week, putting low-lying towns in the Catskills and Northeast Pennsylvania on alert about potential flooding.

With increasingly extreme weather brought on by climate change, experts say it’s worth reconsidering the ways we manage our rivers and streams.

Radio Catskill reporter Chia-Tien Nicole Chen spoke to Tim Koch, the stream education leader for the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program, to learn more the importance of knowing how to observe our rivers, and making informed decisions about managing them for the long-term.

Sullivan County has temporarily closed several public buildings today, August 5, 2024, due to a non-specific threat emailed to the county government's main address. Acting Sullivan County Deputy Manager Michelle Huck authorized the closure as a precautionary measure.

The closures include the Social Services campus in Liberty, specifically the Travis Building and Olmsted Building. Additionally, the Public Health and Community Services buildings are closed. 

The Government Center and the Center for Workforce Development in Monticello are also affected.

Michelle Huck explained, "While we do not believe the threat was genuine, we asked law enforcement to sweep our buildings for any security concerns, of which they found none.”

Huck added, "I’m grateful to our employees, who calmly and safely responded to this unexpected situation. I’m also thankful we have the services of a top-notch group of professionals from our Sheriff’s Office, State Police, Public Safety Division, and Public Works, who coordinated their efforts today to ensure everyone’s safety."

All county offices are expected to reopen as usual tomorrow, Tuesday, August 6.