Radio Chatskill

Since the correctional officers strike ended in late February, NYS prisons have yet to fully recover. During the three weeks of the unsanctioned strike, inmates found themselves confined to their cells for almost the entire day, and virtually all programs — from visitation and recreation to religious services and educational classes — were canceled. And now six months post-strike, prisons remain s...

The NYSERDA is cutting over ⅔ of the budget for EmPower+ — the state program that has helped low- and moderate-income households install energy efficiency upgrades to their homes that lower electric bills and use cleaner energy. Currently, over a million families in New York cannot afford to pay their energy bills, and participation in EmPower+ had only been growing every year when the NYSERDA cho...

New Hope Community is proud to introduce their newly appointed CEO Karen Russell! After being apart of New Hope Community for 30 years, Russell is stepping into her new leadership role with a deep love for the organization and community while remaining clear eyed about the challenges ahead with cuts to medical services and hospitals. Radio Catskill’s Genevieve Hartnett spoke to Karen Russell about...

One year ago, a handful of performers took the stage in Narrowsburg not knowing whether their bold blend of burlesque, circus-inspired acts, and campy cabaret would land. Today, Flirty Riot is celebrating its first anniversary with a devoted following, sold-out shows, and a growing ensemble. “It’s actually pretty remarkable to be sitting here today,” said co-founder Susan Mendoza . “We never reall...

Garnet Health Medical Center is teaming up with the New York Blood Center for a community blood drive on Tuesday, August 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at its Middletown campus. The drive comes as hospitals across the region face urgent blood shortages. Blood donations often decline in the summer months when schools are closed and many people are traveling. At the same time, hospitals tend to se...

Alice Howe and Freebo: A Musical Partnership Spanning Generations For nearly a decade, singer-songwriter Alice Howe and legendary bassist Freebo have been crafting a sound that feels timeless. Blending Howe’s soulful vocals and acoustic guitar with Freebo’s signature fretless bass, the duo effortlessly moves through Americana, folk, blues, and roots music. Their collaboration is a meeting of gener...

Hollywood icon Bill Murray and NFL star Jason Kelce will be among the special guests helping to celebrate a major milestone in Sullivan County this summer. The Sullivan County Golf Club is marking its 100th anniversary with two days of festivities on August 27 and 28 , featuring live music, a long drive competition, art, and a community-wide celebration of one of the Catskills’ oldest golf courses...

If you know anything about punk rock and new wave music of the 1970s and 80s, you’ll know all about CBGB in the East Village and the many bands that got their start performing there, including The Ramones, Blondie, and Talking Heads. If you’ve never heard of the eclectic music scene of this legendary night club, you’ll have the chance to experience it through never before seen video. The Common Go...

What do railroad conductors, clams, and modern-day music have in common? In Livingston Manor, the answer is the Catskills Conductor’s Clambake, a community celebration with roots stretching back more than a century. The event returns for its fifth year on Sunday, September 7, hosted by The Smoke Joint in Livingston Manor. The tradition dates back to the late 1800s, when the Ontario & Western R...

Local law enforcement and community partners teamed up earlier this summer to curb the illegal sale of vape and tobacco products to minors, part of an ongoing initiative called the Coalition for a Vape-Free Sullivan. The coalition includes organizations such as Sullivan 180 and brings together school leaders, law enforcement, and community agencies to address rising teen vaping rates. Amanda Langs...

The Town of Highland has released its final audit of the clerk’s office, finding nearly $5.4 million in deposits without proper documentation between 2022 and 2024.   The findings build on a preliminary report released in May, which flagged a $4.5 million discrepancy over a two-year period.  “There isn’t an allegation that money is missing,” said Liam Mayo, news editor of The River Reporter . “But...

Michael Martelon is the new CEO of the Sullivan County Visitors Association, bringing more than 30 years of tourism experience from Telluride, Colorado, and Santa Cruz, California. He joins the region with a mission to blend innovation, culture, and community-focused tourism. Learning Leadership from the Ground Up Martelon began his career as a receptionist in Boston, where he learned that “true l...

For more than 45 years, the Catskill Exotic Bird Club has brought together bird lovers across the Catskills. But as more bird species face the threat of extinction in recent decades, the club’s mission has evolved. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke to Richie Chiger, President of the Catskill Exotic Bird Club, about the organization and brings us this audio postcard.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is inviting the community to learn more about pollinators and their crucial role in the ecosystem at its upcoming event, Pollinator Pathway: Bee On It , on Saturday, August 23, at the Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake, PA. Rachel Morrow, education and volunteer coordinator for the Conservancy, explained her role and the organization’s mission: “My role as th...

MONTICELLO, NY – August 18, 2025 — Sullivan County will mark International Overdose Awareness Day with its fifth annual vigil on Tuesday, August 26, at 6 p.m. on the courthouse lawn in Monticello. The event will honor lives lost, support grieving families, and connect the community with recovery resources. “We want to remember, honor those people, give hope to those still struggling, give support...

As we approach the middle of August, pretty soon the Northeastern region of the United States will be feeling the layover effects of hurricane season. We’ve already had major rains this summer and while it may feel hot now, the rains will increase the likelihood of flooding in downstate New York. Local officials, fire safety, and water rescue are already working to prepare for these heavy rains. D...

New York State Senator Chuck Schumer visited Sullivan County yesterday to announce a new bill aimed at reversing President Trump’s Medicaid cuts. Schumer stood side by side with local lawmakers Assemblymember Paula Kay and Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz along with community leaders. Lawmakers estimate that 1.5 million New Yorkers could lose healthcare coverage when the law is enacte...

One of the region’s most anticipated events — the Grahamsville Little World’s Fair — returns August 15–17 , bringing with it a showcase of 4-H exhibits, livestock competitions, artisan markets, and the highly anticipated agricultural product auction. The Grahamsville Little World’s Fair , one of the oldest country fairs in New York, has been a cherished tradition for generations. For members of th...

Artist Bette Blau is bringing a deeply personal and richly textured body of work to Hall Space in Eldred with her new exhibit, From Where I Stand . The opening reception takes place this Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and the show runs through September 7. “In the last seven years I’ve been met with lots of challenges, as many of us have, and I’ve come to really understand… perspective,” Blau ex...

Rising food and housing costs, paired with federal funding cuts, are hitting home. Sullivan Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Community Cupboard reported that emergency calls for food aid have increased 100 percent in the past three months. The Community Cupboard currently delivers to about 700 people each week, including running a 7-days-a-week emergency delivery operation. But with food insecurity...

Our resident science guy Joe Johnson has a fascinating update on three very different science stories: the subtle changes in Earth’s rotation, a rare meteorite impact in Georgia, and the resurgence of the screwworm fly in Central America and Mexico. Earth’s Rotation: Less Than 2 Milliseconds Matter Last week, Radio Catskill explored the changing rate of the Earth’s rotation and the tiny variations...

In the Catskills town of Neversink, the dream of ski slopes faded decades ago when alcohol bans kept developers at bay.  That twist of fate laid the groundwork for something far more lasting.  Today, the Blue Hill property's forested watershed is now protected through a deal by Open Space Institute. OSI's landmark acquisition of 3,100 acres strengthens watershed integrity, advances New York’s 30x3...

This weekend marks exactly 56 years since the original Woodstock Music and Art Fair in Bethel, New York — and in a rare coincidence, the dates line up precisely with the original 1969 festival. The festival began on Friday, August 15, and ran through Sunday, August 17, 1969. This year, Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16, once again fall on the same days of the week. Radio Catskill, the clo...

As students gear up to return to school, they will face a new reality: smartphones, smart watches, and earbuds will be banned throughout the school day, except for specific educational, medical, or safety needs. The statewide restriction aims to reduce distractions and improve focus, but it has sparked conversations among students, parents, teachers, and administrators alike. Liam Mayo, news edito...

Local bookstores are bringing books to prisons throughout New York State. The Prison Books Project, in partnership with local bookstores throughout Ulster and Dutchess counties, is a nonprofit that was established in 2020 with the purpose of sending books to people incarcerated throughout New York State free of cost.  Based in Binnacle Books in Beacon, the project has since partnered with a host o...