Catskills News Conversations

SALT, Sullivan Allies Leading Together, hosted a sit down with community stakeholders and youth discussing Youth Perceptions of Underage Cannibis Use. This discussion was recorded at the end of the 2022-2023 school year and moderated by Thomas Bosket.

Catskills News Pod Host Mike Sakell discusses the many services available through MISN. Maternal Infant Services Network Executive Director Jennifer Lansiquot will discuss infant services, including promoting breastfeeding information, medical insurance navigation for families, and student programs promoting health and well being.

Catskills News Pod Host Mike Sakell sits down for a conversation with Founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Duvi Honig to talk about the work of his local, national and international organization that offers the oportunity for members, both Jewish and Non-Jewish to prosper in the business community. Honig focuses on his local connections with the Sullivan County community and...

The 3rd Annual International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil was held on August 31st, 2023 on the lawn of the Sullivan County Courthouse in Monticello. This is a recording of the entire event as it happened.  International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remembering without stigma those who have died from overdose, and acknowledging the grief of the fami...

Mike Sakell speaks with John Thompson, director of CRISP, Catskills Regional Invasive Species Program on the effort to identify and in some cases remove invasive species at the new location of the Callicoon Creekside Park. The Sullivan County owned park is set to open in 2024. CRISP, a program of the Catskills Center for Conservation and Development, has been welcoming volunteers this summer to wo...

Host Mike Sakell sits with Sullivan County Democratic Committee Chair Anne Hart to discuss the upcoming election in November 2023 that includes competitive legislative races in 7 out of 9 districts. Hart talks about the candidates and the mission of Democrats in Sullivan County.

Mike Sakell checks in with new Sullivan County Republican Committee Chairman Greg Goldstein. Goldstein discusses his priorities for Republicans in Sullivan County, focusing on unity for the party and the road to November 2023.

Host Mike Sakell discusses the work of Iman Samuel Encarnacion and the Masjid Ahlis Sunnah Islamic Information Center of Sullivan County. The center serves as a community hub for the Islamic community and offers counseling and connections for individuals and families that may be dealing with substance misuse issues, domestic violence and other difficulties. Iman Encarancion also discusses being a...

The Black Library’s mission is to celebrate Black culture and history, as well as create a collaborative, creative, and educational atmosphere for the residents of Sullivan County, New York. Host Mike Sakell speaks with Douglas Schindler and Michael Davis as The Black Library prepares for it's grand opening on Saturday August 12 from 5-8 pm at their location on Broadway in Monticello. Schindle...

Catksills News Pod host Mike Sakell sits down with Sullivan County Office for the Aging Coordinator of Services for the Aging Kelly Soller and Aging Services Specialist Judy Gerow to discuss HIICAP the Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program. Residents can find information on options for Medicare, EPIC prescription drug benefits, low income savings options and more.

Catskills News Pod Host Mike Sakell welcomes Garnet Health President and CEO Jonathan Schiller and Garnet Health Catskills CEO Jerry Dunleavy on a discussion on the health care systems financial situation as well it's interaction with community partners in the battle against substance abuse and treatment of mental illness. Both guests also talk about future plans including a news Catskill medi...

Catskills News Pod Host Mike Sakell sits down with Marty Rutberg of Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law. In light of the recent settlement with Ellenville School District in regards to a sexual abuse case between a teacher and student, Rutberg discusses the details of the case as well as school and institutional responsibility in regards to mandated report of suspected abuse. Marty Rutberg also re...

Catskills News Pod Host Mike Sakell sits down with Author and Photographer Marisa Scheinfeld discussing the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project. The project is set to erect 20 historical markers throughout Sullivan and parts of Ulster County telling the historical story of the Borscht Belt and Jewish life in the Catskills. Scheinfeld also discusses her photography projects including work on her...

Catskills News Director Mike Sakell sits down for a conversation with Shannon Kelly, CEO Catholic Charities of Orange Sullivan and Ulster Counties. They discuss the mission of the organization in our community plus talk about the many supporters within the community that make it possible. Kelly also discusses the ongoing work on providing substance misuse services and their many service organizati...

Candidate statement from Acting District Attorney Brian Conaty

Republican Primary Candidate Statement from Deputy County Attorney Thomas Cawley.

Host Mike Sakell sits down with recently appointed Town of Thompson NY Historian Al Dumas in a conversation that covers a range of topics including his father's interest in historical facts that developed into Al's interest today. Take a trip down memory lane in the Town of Thompson and Monticello from the end of the Borscht Belt period to today. Dumas also reflects on the growth of the ar...

Host Mike Sakell sits down with Museum at Bethel Woods director Neal Hitch focusing on the 2023 Special Exhibit The Place Where Peace Happened, exploring how communes such as The Hog Farm promoted volunteerism and the idea that personal action helps a community succeed. Peace was the plan leading up to the start of the Woodstock Festival and peace prevailed. Hitch also reports on his recent travel...

Host Mike Sakell speaks with Krista Berger, Youth Workforce Coordinator at Center for Workforce Development on the many youth and young adult programs avialable including the WIOA Youth (Workforce InvestmentOpportunity Act) and SYEP (Summer Youth Employment Program). Center for Workforce Development also has an in school youth program that is contracted with Work Readiness Training LLC . Krista Be...

The Sullivan County Drug Task Force held its first public meeting of the year at the Sullivan County Government Center on March 24, 2023. The meeting includes updates from leaders of all nine drug task force "pillars" including Financial Management/Grants, Medical Provider Services, H.O.P.E and Prevention, United Sullivan, Policy Reform, Law Enforcement, Treatment Programs, C.A.R.E (Peri...

Host Mike Sakell speaks with SUNY Sullivan Director of Clinical Education Brandon Bedenbender on this weeks SUNY Sullivan Healthcare Conference and more on SUNY Sullivans Healthcare curriculum.

PRASAD is celebrating 25 years in the community and host Mike Sakell highlights their mission on Childrens Dental Health with a conversation on Healthy Teeth & The Power of Smiling. Guests are Dr. Cecilia Escarra, DDS, Executive Director of PRASAD, Dr. Richard Herman, DDS and PRASAD Dentist, Dyan Campbell, former Sullivan County Public Health Director. Dr. Richard Gillette, Medical doctor, psy...

Radio Bold News Director Mike Sakell sits down for a brief Q&A with Bethel Woods CEO Eric Francis with details on the just announced Catbird Music Festival. 

Host Mike Sakell speaks with New Hope Community CEO Debra Mc Ginness about their recently completed "Season of Giving." By giving back to show support and appreciation for others, New Hope Community makes a difference in people’s lives and strengthen connection.  Mc Ginness talks about 2023, the year ahead, new employee certification incentives and employment bonus opportunities.

Radio Bold News Director and Host Mike Sakell reviews some of the news highlights of 2022 in Sullivan County NY with Sullivan County Democrat Managing Editor Joe Abraham and Staff Reporter Liam Mayo of the River Reporter.  Topics include politics, economic development, healthcare and the opiod crisis, plus a look of what's ahead for 2023.