Radio Chatskill

For more than a century, the Catskills have provided New York City with billions of gallons of clean drinking water. Will NYC be the unlikely partner that –– finally –– brings wireless coverage to the Catskills? In a new effort to enhance communications in the Catskills, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is partnering with New York's ConnectALL initiative to expand wir...

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced Monday that work to remove the Skinners Falls Bridge will begin this week.  The bridge, which connects Pennsylvania and New York, has been deemed a safety hazard due to its failing substructure and superstructure, according to PennDOT. A January 2025 inspection revealed further deterioration, with the New York abutment and upstream...

In December 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law creating the nine-member Community Commission on Reparations Remedies. It’s tasked with investigating ways of compensating the descendants of enslaved people for historical injustices.  From The New York Public News Network, WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports the panel is asking for more time to complete its mission.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing growing calls for him to either resign or be removed from office by the governor. This all comes after a federal justice department official - under President Trump -  sent a letter to prosecutors urging them to drop criminal corruption charges against the mayor.  There has been much speculation about the political relationship between Adams and Trump. Sinc...

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, The River Reporter is working to address one of its biggest challenges: finding enough staff to cover the extensive geographic area of its readership In a new initiative aimed at enhancing that local news coverage gap, the newspaper is launching its 2025 News Ambassador program this spring. The program invites community members to volunteer their time a...

Maple syrup has a rich history in North America, dating back to Native American tribes who first discovered how to turn sap into syrup and sugar. In the heart of Northeastern Pennsylvania, this time-honored tradition continues to thrive, and visitors can get a firsthand look at the process during the annual Self-Guided Maple Tour hosted by the Northeastern PA Maple Producers Association. Trevor To...

On February 23, historian and author Evan Pritchard will lead a virtual event, "By Any Means Necessary: Retracing Algonquin Portage Routes in New York," exploring the history of Native American trade and travel routes.  Presented in partnership with the Time and The Valleys Museum, the program will delve into Algonquin waterways across the state, including the Rondout Creek, Neversink River, Calli...

In the world of modern folk music, few artists blend genres with the same grace and authenticity as Jenna Nicholls.  With three albums under her belt, this gifted singer-songwriter has woven a unique tapestry of sound, seamlessly fusing the rich, soulful spirit of New Orleans with the rugged charm of the American West. 

Legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog’s latest project is “Theater of Thought,” an ambitious exploration of the inner workings of the human brain.  Herzog turns his lens to neuroscience, delving into the complexities of thought and consciousness. “Theater of Thought” will be screened Thursday, February 20, at the Callicoon Theatre. And there’s a local connection: it was partially filmed in Cochecton,...

Kate Prascher doesn’t want you to look at her. She wants you to see what she sees. Through her music, Prascher invites listeners into a world where the unsaid is just as important as the spoken, where the subtle currents of everyday darkness and the depths of memory take center stage. With an ethereal voice that has been described as having an "intangible vintage feel," she makes you ask, "Do you...

Join or Die is a film about why you should join a club — and why the fate of America depends on it. On Saturday, the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) and Tusten Social are partnering to host an afternoon focused on civic engagement and community-building with a free screening of the documentary Join Or Die at Krause Recital Hall in Narrowsburg, NY. In this feature documentary, follow the half-...

Our mind and body are deeply connected. While it used to be common practice to view, evaluate, and treat them as separate body systems, new research is showing that this approach may not be best in all situations. Not only does our mind have the ability to impact our physical state, but the way we use our body has the ability to change our mental state as well.  It’s easy to look at the mind-body...

An already tight timeline for the merger of the Livingston Manor-Roscoe School Districts got tighter last week.  Due to inclement weather, the Livingston Manor-Roscoe Board of Education (LM-R BOE) election, originally scheduled for last Thursday, February 13, was postponed to this Thursday, February 20. The new board will also be tasked with making crucial decisions about the operations and polici...

For homeowners in New York State with the Basic STAR (School Tax Relief) exemption, a recent update could mean some additional paperwork. Typically, once applied, the STAR exemption runs on autopilot year after year, offering relief in the form of a property tax credit. However, this year, many may soon receive a letter requiring further verification to continue receiving the benefit, according to...

The Party Farm, a boutique recording studio nestled in the scenic Catskill Mountains, is excited to announce that it is now accepting submissions for its Third Annual Songwriting Contest. Open to all aspiring musicians, the contest is completely free to enter, offering an exciting opportunity for one lucky winner to have their song professionally recorded. The winner will receive a full recording...

Tusten Social, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering community connections in rural Sullivan County, has announced the launch of its Teen Club program, a free after-school initiative designed to support local youth through creative exploration and skill-building. The program, which will run weekly from February 19 through June 18, 2025, offers a range of exciting opportunities for teens...

The 2025 Wayne County Ag Day will take place on Monday, February 17, from 10 am to 3 pm. at Honesdale High School, offering a day of agricultural education, product showcases, and networking opportunities for local farmers and enthusiasts. Chelsea Hill, Livestock & 4-H Animal Science Educator for Penn State Extension- Wayne County, appeared on Radio Chatskill about the event, which will featur...

Fair Hill Therapeutic Riding Center in Waymart, PA, specializes in therapeutic and adaptive riding, and the center is dedicated to providing a platform where participants can experience the unique benefits of connecting with horses in a judgment-free, supportive environment. Vera Remes, Board Member at Fair Hill, is an Equine-Assisted Learning Facilitator, Equine Specialist, and NJ Certified Teach...

As Valentine’s Day approaches, you may be planning a romantic dinner at home, complete with candles and a home-cooked meal.. However, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is urging folks to keep fire safety in mind while celebrating this holiday of love. According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries year-round. Unattended cooking is a fact...

Nearly 30 lawmakers and hundreds of advocates from across New York State rallied in Albany last week to urge the Assembly to pass the New York Home Energy Affordable Transition (NY HEAT) Act. The legislation, designed to address the state’s escalating energy affordability and climate crises, promises to lower energy bills for struggling households and accelerate the state’s shift to clean energy....

Our resident Science Guy Joe Johnson is back with the science stories that caught his eye recently, including ancient tattoo patterns revealed on mummies in Peru using lasers; how your ear muscles "wiggle" when you struggle to listen; and that asteroid that could hit Earth in December 2032.

In a live episode of Kaatscast , recorded at the Emerson Resort & Spa on November 8, 2024, host Brett Barry engages in a detailed discussion with Elinor Levy, Folk Arts Program Manager at Arts Mid Hudson, about the life and legacy of Clayton 'Peg Leg' Bates. The show explores Bates' inspiring journey from losing a leg in a cotton gin accident at the age of 12 to becoming one of the most celebr...

Acting Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck has sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing significant concerns over the Department of State’s recent decision to suspend the processing of passport applications that include an 'X' gender marker for non binary individuals.   In the letter, Bruck calls the policy change a "step backward in terms of inclusivity and equality," urging t...

Fallsburg resident Brett Budde, owner of Majestic Farm in Mountaindale, New York, says his well ran dry last summer, and he believes the ongoing development in the Town of Fallsburg is to blame.  With the town’s population tripling in the summer months, he says the strain on water and sewer systems is only getting worse.  Now, Fallsburg is considering zoning changes that would allow for greater ho...

Wayne County is set to receive a major boost in mental health crisis care with the upcoming launch of a new 24/7 Walk-In Crisis Center and Crisis Residential Program at 100 Park Street in Honesdale. The project is being made possible thanks to a $5.9 million crisis grant. John Nebzydoski, Behavioral Health Director for Wayne County, says the new facility will offer a critical alternative to tradit...