The Local Edition

The town of Bethel has been recertified as a “Bronze-standard Climate-Smart Community” by the Department of Environmental Conservation as part of New York State’s Climate Smart Community program, which supports local efforts to meet the economic, social, and environmental challenges posed by climate change. Bethel is one of 23 municipalities being recognized for taking action to mitigate and adapt to climate change. 

To achieve Climate Smart Community certification, local governments accumulate points for planning and implementing actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve community resilience.

Reporter Marin Scotten is joined by Bethel town supervisor Daniel Sturm to hear about Bethel’s climate-friendly initiatives and the projects that they’ve been working on for over 10 years that have earned them this prestigious recognition from the DEC. 

NY-19 Congressman Marc Molinaro Discusses Assassination Attempt on Former President Donald Trump

Greg Goldstein, Chairman of the Republican Party in Sullivan County said "It's a sad day for America."

Former President Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt Saturday when a gunman opened fire at a rally approximately 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.

During the incident, one person at the rally was killed and two others were wounded before Secret Service agents neutralized the shooter. Greg Goldstein, Chairman of the Republican Party in Sullivan County said "It's a sad day for America."

Deputy Sheriff for Sullivan County Eric Chatboty announced that security measures will be heightened at public events this weekend in response to the recent assassination attempt.

For the second consecutive week, the Town of Fallsburg has issued another water conservation notice for certain areas of South Fallsburg, effective until Monday, July 15, 2024.

According to Fallsburg officials, a review of the current water supply this morning revealed that the LaVista Drive water tanks are at minimum levels necessary to meet the expected demand this weekend.

The town is urging residents in the affected areas to "conserve as much water as possible to avoid running out again this Friday evening."

Officials explained they are working "to dig up and replace several water valves believed to be obstructing the transfer of water from the new tank at Old Falls Road."

Additionally, the town is repairing a major water main leak beneath a state-owned culvert crossing State Route 42.

Fallsburg’s population nearly triples during the summer months as seasonal residents return to the Catskills, along with seasonal businesses and camps.

Town water is pumped from wells into pressurized holding tanks before being distributed to residents. During periods of high usage and little rainfall, it becomes challenging to meet the demand, officials have said in the past.

Fallsburg has faced water shortage issues in recent years due to the population increase and the construction of large, dense housing units. These developments have also impacted the town’s sewer system.

Bart Rasnick, President of the Fallsburg Fire Department, expressed concerns over the water issues, noting that if a fire occurs during this period, the department will not rely on hydrants. Instead, they will call for water tankers and use rivers and lakes to supply water to the emergency scene.

The town is also planning to upgrade the South Fallsburg Water Treatment Plant, which services homes in Woodbourne, Hurleyville, Old Falls, and South Fallsburg.

As Fallsburg continues to grow and more housing projects are developed, the demand for water in South Fallsburg has increased. The planned upgrade aims to meet these growing needs, especially during July and August, when the population peaks.

John J. Lennon is a prison journalist currently serving a 28-years-to-life sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility for murder, drug sales, and gun possession. He is a contributing editor at Esquire and a contributing writer at The Marshall Project. Recently, he started a nonfiction writing workshop at Sullivan, where 10 incarcerated individuals will meet weekly. Lennon, who learned to write in a creative writing workshop at Attica, has always wanted to offer the same opportunity to others. 

Thanks to the support of the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and Sullivan administrators, this vision has become a reality. 

Sullivan County’s bus service, Move Sullivan, is set to expand its routes, aiming to connect more communities across the county. This expansion is part of a broader initiative to improve public transportation accessibility for residents, making it easier for people to commute to work, attend medical appointments, and access other essential services.

In a recent interview with Radio Catskill, Patricio Robayo spoke with Laura Quigley, Commissioner of the County of Sullivan, New York. Quigley elaborated on the motivations behind the expansion and what residents can expect in the coming months. She highlighted the county's commitment to providing reliable and efficient transportation options, especially for those who rely on public transit as their primary means of getting around.

This initiative underscores Sullivan County’s dedication to enhancing public services and supporting the needs of its diverse population, ensuring that transportation barriers are minimized and that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

A transgender man sued the New York prison system for forcing him to undergo illegal genital examinations. He has settled the case for $275,000.

Chris Gelardi from NY Focus spoke to Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo on what this means for the transgender community in prisons.

Joanna Gass, a beloved local singer who performs with Search and Rescue and frequently appears at events throughout Sullivan County, such as Bethel Music by the Lake. 

Joanna, who sang during the Catskills Borscht Belt era, will be sharing her story with writer Carol Montana, discussing her life and how she became a staple in the Catskills nightlife scene.