The Local Edition

Welcome to Radio Catskill’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month where we honor the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in Sullivan County.

Veronica Serrano’s journey to becoming the Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary School was anything but typical. 

During the latest legislative meeting, District 8 Sullivan County Legislator Ira Steingart proposed a resolution to oust Legislator Rob Doherty from his position as Chairman of the Legislative Body.

“I  think it's an embarrassing time for us, to be quite frank. I decided not to run again. Because for the first time, I'm embarrassed to be a legislator with how we conducted ourselves and how people were treated,” said Steingart. 

The resolution was brought up during the Planning, Real Property, and Economic Development Committee meeting, and not everyone was in agreement with Steingart regarding the timing and the venue for voting on this matter. 

George Conklin, Legislator for District 5 said, “Personally find this all very troubling, and very unfortunate. That being said, we have an election coming up in less than a month, and then there's going to be a time when that new legislature, which is going to be a new legislature, however it turns out, will then be picking a chairman. And I'm willing to wait to that time. I'm not interested in entertaining this.”

Nadia Rajsz, the Legislator for District 2, expressed that she has, at times, felt bullied due to the actions of the chairman.

“I  have been bullied, harassed, , disrespected by not only another legislator, but a chair who's the face of the legislative body. Have to say that not one of his supporters stopped him publicly from doing what he, what he was doing. When that C word was posted on our website, that was an immense embarrassment. And now one of you guys addressed it with maybe you did privately, but not publicly. It's an embarrassment to all of us that we continue to operate that way.”

Doherty was absent from the meeting but informed Radio Catskill that he considered these proceedings to be political theater, emphasizing that this wasn't the first instance of such actions.

The resolution was voted down 3 to 2 with George Conklin, Michael Brooks, and Nicholas Salomone Jr. voting no. 

A powerful explosion that hit Patio Homes in Kiamesha Lake around 12:30 pm on Saturday, September 30.

According to NY State Police, the cause of the explosion was a propane leak, resulting in three injuries, and the victims were transported to Westchester Medical Center, where they are listed in critical condition. 

“Almost 50 years of fire service I've never seen anything like this. It's crazy,” said Thompson Town Supervisor Bill Rieber Jr. describing the devastation. 

The explosion happened on James Place in Kiamesha Lake.

Rieber said plywood, rafters, and metal aluminum scattered over a long distance. 

Authorities say the explosion doesn't seem to be a criminal act, but the investigation is ongoing, according to the New York State Police.

John Hauschild, the Sullivan County Fire Coordinator said when he arrived on the scene, that it was devastating to witness the aftermath. 

“It affected several houses in that community and residents. When I got there myself, Monticello Fire Department had a command set up along with the law enforcement agencies and EMS. Our EMS coordinator, Alex Rau, was there and helped assist with the additional ambulances that were required and requested to the scene,” said Hauschild. 

Barry Wallenstein, the author of eleven poetry collections, including his latest work "It's About Time," has been featured in more than 100 journals, such as the American Poetry Review and Manhattan Review. 

This Saturday, he will be hosting a jazz concert where he will blend his poetry with music alongside Steve Carlin.

This event is a part of the Liberty Poetry Festival and is scheduled to commence at 7pm at the Liberty Museum and Arts Center. 

Barry Wallenstein, a poet, and jazz musician, will be showcasing his unique talents on this occasion. He is the studio earlier today and here is our conversation 

Thompson, New York. Thompson Town Supervisors, William J. Rieber, Jr. and Fallburg's Katherine Rappaport, have just given their official nod to the petition for the formation of the Village of Ateres within the Town of Thompson.

But this isn't just a straightforward decision. In August 2023, near Kiamesha Lake, New York, residents gathered to discuss the inception of Ateres, a new village with grand aspirations. What follows is a complex journey through the maze of an antiquated New York State Village Law.

If you currently reside in Sullivan County, your garbage is currently transported to the Seneca Meadows Landfill in Seneca County, New York, as Sullivan County has not had its own landfill for approximately two decades. However, this situation could be undergoing a transformation, as Liam Mayo reports.

According to data from the CDC, there has been a notable 31% increase in hospitalizations within the past two weeks in the State of New York. This surge comes in the backdrop of the prevalent EG.5 variant, which has been identified as a relatively mild strain of the virus.

Additionally, health authorities are currently closely monitoring a new variant labeled as New BA.2.86, as announced by the New York State Department of Health.

Governor Kathy Hocul has recently issued a strong advisory, urging individuals across the region to adopt appropriate precautions in order to safeguard themselves and their communities.

At the local level, the surge in cases has risen, as indicated by data by the New York State Department of Health.

Patricio Robayo of Radio Catskill recently engaged in a discussion with Dr. John Moore, a virologist associated with Weill Cornell Medicine on the outlook of COVID this season. 

Once more, the people living in Thompson and Fallsburg came together for a combined public hearing involving the Fallsburg and Thompson towns. 

The purpose of the hearing was to discuss a petition for establishing a new village 

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo has more…

Gods in Shackles is a documentary that uncovers the mistreatment of elephants used in festivals. 

According to the documentary, the elephants are being exploited for profit under the guise of culture and religion. 

The film hopes to increase awareness to inspire individuals and policymakers to take action and improve the living conditions of both captive and wild elephants, offering a brighter future for these highly social creatures that are in danger.

Radio Catskill's Patricio speaks to the film's director, Sangita Iyer and Richard and Jackie Chiger from the 

Rivoli Theatre in South Fallsburg.

Radio Catskill and the Sullivan County Chapter of the NAACP have joined forces to engage with voters like yourself.

The forum aimed to gain a deeper understanding of your viewpoints, whether you hold the belief that your vote holds significance or not.

We are joined with:

Sullivan County NAACP: Sean Wall-Carty, Thomas Rue

League of Women Voters, Pike County, Elizabeth Forrest

League of Women Voters, New York, Erica Smitka

SUNY New Platz - Political Science Department, and Associate Professor Stephen Pampinella 

This November, Sullivan County voters will be deciding every seat in the County Legislature, Wayne and Pike County voters will be choosing their County commissioners – it’s a big local election year.

The most important way we can take part in our democracy is by voting.