Radio Chatskill

Sullivan County has shown some progress in the fight against the opioid epidemic. Overdose death rates have shown a gradual decline in recent years, but health officials and local residents say now is not the time to dial back. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar attended Sullivan County’s Substance Use Task Force meeting at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre. The task force is a county-led effort...

As federal immigration enforcement actions escalate across the country, rural communities in the Catskills and Northeast Pennsylvania are feeling the ripple effects—prompting fear among immigrant families, disruption to daily life, and calls for organized resistance. Juana Cortes-De Torres, Immigration Legal Rights Project Director at Rural & Migrant Ministry , says there's a growing anxiety f...

This week, our resident science guy Joe Johnson dives into a trio of surprising and thought-provoking discoveries—from an ancient agricultural marvel buried beneath Michigan forests to the latest in space exploration, and even the mystery behind wrinkly fingers after a swim.  LiDAR Uncovers Massive Indigenous Agricultural Site in Michigan A new study published in the Journal of Science on June 5 h...

As food insecurity increases across the Hudson Valley, federal food assistance programs that serve as a lifeline for families are being slashed—leaving local food banks scrambling to fill the widening gap. According to new data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap report, more than 355,000 people in the region lack consistent access to nutritious food. In Sullivan County, the crisis is especial...

Congressman Rob Bresnahan, six months into his first term representing Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, has carved out a reputation as a business-first lawmaker—an approach that’s winning some local support while drawing sharp criticism from environmental groups and voters concerned about healthcare and party-line voting. In a recent interview with The River Reporter 's Liam Mayo describ...

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will turn up the volume for its Horizon Happy Hour on June 11, showcasing a lineup that celebrates rock and roll across generations.  Writer, musician, and longtime local rocker Mike Edison and his band Rocket Train Deluxe will  be joined by fellow teaching artist and singer-songwriter Kali Seastrand, as well as the Rock Camp Ambassadors—student musicians from Beth...

Residents and businesses in the Town of Bethel are invited to explore practical, local solutions for a more sustainable future at the Environmental Open House Forum, scheduled for Saturday, June 15 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Duggan School Gym. Organized by Sustainable Bethel, the forum aims to provide attendees with information and resources to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy...

The future of the Delaware Valley Job Corps Center in Callicoon — and dozens of similar training centers nationwide — remains uncertain, but a federal court ruling has temporarily halted efforts to shut them down. On Wednesday, a U.S. District Court judge in New York City granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from proceeding with its plan to suspend operations at...

The Deep Water Literary Festival returns to Narrowsburg in just two weeks, and this year’s lineup promises timely conversations. Among the highlights is a panel titled Ordinary Rebels , which explores the quiet courage behind everyday acts of resistance. The conversation brings together three acclaimed writers—Suzanne Cope, Rebecca Donner, and Peter Pomerantsev—for a powerful exploration of what i...

On June 4, the U.S. District Court for New York’s Southern District temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s effort to suspend Job Corps centers. That would have included seven centers across New York State, including the Delaware Valley Job Corps Center in Callicoon, N.Y. Last week, the U.S. Labor Department announced it would pause operations at 99 Job Corps centers by the end of June as p...

Gun owners across the country are being urged to take a moment this week to evaluate how—and how well—they're securing their firearms. It’s all part of Gun Storage Check Week , a national initiative organized by Project ChildSafe and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) , the firearm industry’s largest trade association. The aim is simple but urgent: “Make sure it’s secure.” For Timmy Oh...

 As Medicare Fraud Prevention Week unfolds from June 2 through June 6, advocates across the country are sounding the alarm on a growing and costly threat: Medicare fraud. The issue impacts not only the federal healthcare system, but also millions of seniors, their caregivers, and families. In New York, the effort is led by the New York StateWide Senior Action Council , which administers the state’...

This week, a powerful gathering of voices is taking place in the Catskills. The Outrage: A Queer Writers’ Residency has returned to NACL for its second year, offering a week-long creative haven for LGBTQ+ playwrights, screenwriters, and storytellers. Founded by playwright and Yulan resident C. Julian Jimenez, The Outrage was born from a need to create space where queer writers can write, share, an...

This Sunday, the hills of Kerhonkson will come alive with the sound of twangy guitars and the shuffle of boots on the dance floor. "Kerhonky Tonkin’ in the Field" is an afternoon of live honky tonk, barbecue, and dancing under the stars. Among the performers is Andrea Maddox, frontwoman of Andrea Maddox and the Hey Y’alls, a six-piece Americana band based in the Hudson Valley.  With roots in Tenne...

Lani Sciandra, also known as DJ Catsilk — a longtime community DJ— and Mark Partridge, who performs as Ambient Barn, are bringing immersive synth-driven soundscapes to life at the FirstFriday Of Funk event at New Memories in Parksville, NY.  Together, they help host Foundation of Funk, a popular monthly dance party that celebrates diverse music, art, and community connection between the Delaware a...

By Kimberly Izar, Radio Catskill | June 4, 2025 Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger is speaking out after Ulster was named in a controversial list published last week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which categorized nearly 400 cities and counties as so-called “Sanctuary Jurisdictions Defying Federal Immigration Law.” The list included neighboring Orange and Sullivan counties an...

In the latest episode of Kaatscast, producer Brett Barry sits down with Don Dales, the visionary behind one of the most unique literary transformations in upstate New York.  What began as a single bookstore in the struggling village of Hobart has grown into the renowned Hobart Book Village — a cultural destination boasting seven bookstores, the Book Village Inn & Bar, and beloved annual events...

The Sullivan O&W Rail Trail, a multi-use trail system built along the historic Ontario & Western Railroad corridor, is at the center of a regional initiative to connect communities, promote healthy lifestyles, and boost economic development through tourism. Shannon Cilento, Director of Community Development & Communications at Sullivan 180, and Heather Jacksy, Sullivan County’s Directo...

Last July, Sullivan County unveiled its first solid waste management plan in more than 30 years – a 10-year plan for how the county will manage its garbage. It includes expanding composting efforts and exploring a waste to energy facility. Now, the chatter around trash is heating up. The county’s contract with Seneca Meadows, New York state’s biggest landfill, is up at the end of 2025, and the fut...

This June, the Upper Delaware River will transform from a serene natural landmark into a powerful symbol of inclusivity, joy, and resilience. Paddle for Pride returns June 28 for its second year with a one-of-a-kind rafting event designed to celebrate queer identity, educate participants, and foster community. “We’re creating a space where people of all ages, identities, and backgrounds can feel s...

The Deep Water Literary Festival returns to the Upper Delaware Valley this June with an ambitious and emotionally charged opening night event that sets the tone for a weekend dedicated to transformation and artistic exploration. The festival’s opening performance, I Am Living, I Remember You--A Midsummer Night’s Concert , will take place on Friday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tusten Theatre in Nar...

A federal immigration raid unfolded at a Honesdale restaurant on Thursday, drawing community attention and concern. In an interview with The River Reporter ’s Liam Mayo , who was on the scene, details emerged about the ICE operation and the strong response from local residents. According to Mayo, plainclothes ICE agents were first spotted around 11:10 a.m. near the Wayne County Courthouse. “They w...

At Chesters Creative, an intimate gallery space known for pushing artistic boundaries, a new exhibition is offering a deeply personal and timely meditation on what it means to belong. We Are Not Alone , featuring works by artists Catherine Chesters and David Barnett, runs through June 23 and draws on themes of identity, migration, and the human need for connection — all set against a surreal, abst...

Hamlet gets a serious shakeup in Narrowsburg—by way of slapstick, sock puppets (though they object to that term), and the comedic chaos of solo performance. Enter Clown Daddy Presents: Hamlet (All by Myself) , the latest creation by physical theater artist and clown performer Ellie J , also known onstage as Clown Daddy . Performances take place June 6th and 7th at The Parlor in Narrowsburg , and p...

Graduation season is upon us, and every graduate has their own story of why they wanted to pursue their education. For Sullivan County resident, June Hanley, her story began more than 20 years ago after recovering from her own substance use disorder. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke to June Hanley, Clinical Director at Samaritan Daytop Village treatment program in Ellenville, about her inspiri...