Radio Chatskill

Families in Sullivan County are facing a difficult choice: go to work or pay for child care. New York’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which helps eligible families cover daycare costs, has been paused in Sullivan and more than 30 other counties. “CCAP is meant to help families pay for daycare,” said Isabelle Braverman, editor of the Sullivan County Democrat . “There are eligibility require...

Seniors and Medicare beneficiaries have until December 7 to review or update their health coverage for 2026, but experts warn that scam calls are on the rise. “As many people might know, right now, up until December 7th, we are in the Medicare annual enrollment period, which is when many people make their selections for what their health care is going to be for next year,” said Maria Alvarez , Exe...

Bar Veloce must remain closed after the Town of Tusten Zoning Board of Appeals rejected an effort by the owner to overturn the shutdown of the Narrowsburg business tied to fire and building code violations. Code Enforcement Officer Jim Crowley revoked the bar’s certificate of occupancy on August 28, stating that the business could not legally allow people inside until safety concerns were addresse...

Students in Sullivan County are getting hands-on lessons in nutrition, ecology, and teamwork—right in their schoolyards. The Catskill Edible Garden Project, started in 2012 by Sullivan 180, Catskill Mountainkeeper, and Cornell Cooperative Extension, has grown from four gardens to 15 in 2025. These edible gardens give students a chance to plant, harvest, and explore while learning about healthy eat...

 New York residents began receiving full monthly benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November, even as the federal government shutdown continues to cast doubt over future payments.  Here’s what you need to know: • Under an order from Governor Kathy Hochul, the state’s agencies were directed to proceed with full benefits for November. “Folks have already started...

As food insecurity rises across New York, hunters are stepping up to help their communities through a long-running venison donation program coordinated by Feeding New York State. The program, now in its 15th year, allows hunters to donate deer to registered meat processors. The meat is then packaged into one- or two-pound portions and distributed to local food banks and pantries. Each year, hunter...

Rural and Migrant Ministry hosted a Car Caravan and Vigil in Monticello yesterday to stand in solidarity with Immigrants facing racial profiling and lack of due process as ICE Raids continue to happen across the country. Radio Catskill's Genevieve Hartnett attended the event yesterday and has a postcard to share about a truly meaningful afternoon

Ann Talman was just 22 when destiny — and a striking resemblance — landed her onstage with Hollywood royalty. The Broadway actor, filmmaker and singer was cast as Elizabeth Taylor’s daughter in the 1981 revival of The Little Foxes. It was her first major role. It became the start of a lifetime friendship. “We met on the very first day of rehearsal, and from that moment on she was the most warm, wo...

 The Metropolitan Opera’s live HD simulcasts are back at SUNY Sullivan’s Sea League Theater this Saturday, kicking off the 2025-26 season with Puccini’s beloved La Bohème . “This is the most popular of all operas — everyone knows it,” said Dan Rigney, SUNY Sullivan’s assistant director of development. “Even if you’ve never seen an opera, you’ve heard Puccini’s music. And Broadway fans? Rent was ba...

As the federal government shutdown drags on, millions of Americans face food insecurity. In New York, 3 million people risk going hungry after SNAP food assistance was delayed and partially funded. The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) is stepping in with a $1 million emergency effort, providing $50 preloaded EBT cards to the neediest families. "We saw this coming," said Dr. David Sandman, Pre...

Underage drinking and drug use remain a serious threat in local communities, and officials say Jared’s Law is putting more responsibility directly on adults. The county’s social host law — named for a local teen killed in a drunk driving crash — makes it illegal for anyone 18 or older to provide alcohol or cannabis to minors. Penalties can include fines and even jail time. “It holds adults account...

One brings awe and stories from the natural world; the other brings jokes about death and a refusal to wear pants. Together, Connor Garvey and Shanna in a Dress promise a River Vibes show unlike any other. Garvey’s indie-folk music is known for rich narratives inspired by the natural world. “I love starting from a place of wonder and of awe,” he said. “Each song has its own unique journey.” His re...

As voters head to the polls Tuesday, some may be thinking beyond the names printed on their ballots. Write-in candidates — those whose names must be physically written in by voters — have influenced close races before and could do so again this year. “Even though they are not printed on the ballot, they’re going to contest the office anyway,” said Jacob Neiheisel, associate professor of political...

There are seven Supreme Court justices in Pennsylvania. Three of those justices are on the ballots this November for retention: Justices David Wecht, Christine Donohue, and Kevin Dougherty. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Kadida Kenner, founding Chief Executive Officer of the voting rights organization New Pennsylvania Project, about why courts matter and what’s at stake.

Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corps has reported a 14 percent increase in emergency calls this year so far. But as its volunteer numbers dwindle and expected Medicaid cuts, EMS operators are worried about how the mostly volunteer-led organization will continue to serve residents in the coming years. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with John Tucci and Mike Bruce of the Damascus Township Volunte...

Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano opened applications on Wednesday for an emergency food relief program for people receiving SNAP benefits as the federal government enters its fifth week of its shutdown. Radio Catskill's Kimberly Izar spoke with DeStefano about who's eligible for the program and the impact potential SNAP delays will have on the community.

The League of Women Voters of New York State, joined by the Campaign Legal Center and the Brennan Center for Justice, has filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice seeking access to New York’s full voter registration database. The DOJ is requesting sensitive personal data, including driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers—information vo...

For children and young adults with disabilities, routine dental care can be nearly impossible to access. Families often face long waits, providers who don’t accept their insurance, and a lack of dentists trained to meet sensory or behavioral needs. This week, NYU College of Dentistry is changing that. Their pop-up clinic at the Center for Discovery in Sullivan County is bringing exams, X-rays, and...

Long before Halloween meant costumes and candy, the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain marked the end of harvest and the start of the darkening season. More than 2,000 years ago, Celts believed that during Samhain — pronounced “SAH-win” — the boundary between the physical world and the spirit realm thinned. Bonfires blazed, offerings were made and costumes were worn to protect against wandering sp...

Stewart’s Shops is a beloved gas station and convenience store with hundreds of locations across the Catskills, including Monticello, Ellenville, and Fallsburg. For many residents in rural communities, it’s a local staple and sometimes the only place open for those late-night ice cream cravings and lemonade. A new viral music video for the song, "Take Me Down to Stewy’s," has captured the essence...

With election day just a week away, political tensions are heating up in Honesdale. Councilman and mayoral candidate Jim Hamill was stripped of all his committee assignments Monday night in a unanimous vote by the Honesdale Borough Council, following disputes over a Central Park playground and Hamill’s recent public statements. Playground Sparks Political Fire Central Park’s playground, long cover...

Garnet Health has signed a letter of intent to pursue an affiliation with Montefiore Health System, a move leaders say will help sustain and strengthen healthcare services in Sullivan and Orange counties amid financial pressures facing hospitals nationwide. “If you look at what’s happened across the country, most smaller hospitals have already aligned with larger health systems,” said Garnet Healt...

Sullivan County residents are facing a property tax increase in 2026 , as the county prepares to release a tentative budget that will exceed the 2% state tax cap, according to Dan Hust, Communications Director for Sullivan County Government. Falling sales tax revenue and rising costs for healthcare, equipment, and supplies are driving the increase. County Manager Joshua Potosek will formally prese...

Alison Roman, the bestselling cookbook author and food personality behind viral recipes like “The Stew,” “The Dip,” and “The Cookies,” has found a second home — and inspiration — in Delaware County. Known for her candid cooking style and approachable yet elevated recipes, Roman has built a career through cookbooks like Dining In , Nothing Fancy , and Sweet Enough. Her fourth, Something from Nothin...

An Afghan refugee and Bard College student who fled the Taliban and resettled in Ulster County is now facing deportation after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, sparking outrage and community support across the Hudson Valley. Ali Faqirzada, who came to the U.S. in 2022 with his family, was arrested by ICE on Long Island last week following what officials described as a “c...