Radio Chatskill

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a significant about-face Wednesday when she put an “indefinite pause” on a plan to charge a new toll for drivers entering lower Manhattan.  The $15 congestion pricing toll for most drivers had been slated to begin June 30th.  A number of lawsuits were filed to stop it. Hochul — in the past a vocal supporter of congestion pricing — says the timing is not rig...

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, many folks are pulling their bikes out of storage and hitting the roads and trails. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, it's essential to stay safe and keep your bike running smoothly. Contributor Tracy Gates took a ride down to her local bike shop in Jeffersonville to talk with the owner of Catskill CycleWorks, Jon Thorndike, t...

A nearly $18 million rehabilitation of the Callicoon-Damascus Bridge will get underway this July, while the study of alternatives for the closed Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge is expected to wrap up by the end of summer. Jason Dole spoke to Laurie Ramie, Executive Director of the Upper Delaware Council, about the plans for ten Delaware River Crossings.

Joe Johnson is a former Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer. He's bringing science stories that caught our eye recently:  otters utilizing tools in new ways; the discovery of another new planet; and researchers say a new procedure that burns stomach lining may help decrease production of a hunger hormone.  

The Delaware River Basin Commission is hosting a public meeting on June 5 in Narrowsburg, where the public can share their concerns and demands about the state of the Delaware River. Reporter Marin Scotten is joined by Tracy Carluccio from the Delaware River Keeper network to hear more about the event, their work as an organization and what actions they are demanding from the DRBC.

For the fourth year, CAS will celebrate Pride (LGBTQIA+) month with a special month-long installation and performance from the queer identifying and Roscoe-local, Terry DamE. The sound artist and creative technologist will present an interactive, geographically specific sound installation for the entire month of June in the second-floor River Gallery. Inspired by the artist’s love of nature, sound...

After the first regular meeting of the SUNY Sullivan Board of Trustees with its new President, Dr. David Potash, it was announced that several programs at the college would be cut.  Among the resolutions discussed, six programs were considered for elimination. Ultimately, five programs were approved to be cut, while one program, the Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) p...

Scientists have uncovered a massive, untapped reservoir of lithium in wastewater from Pennsylvania natural gas fracking sites, a finding that could help meet surging demand for the vital battery material. The researchers, publishing their work in the journal Scientific Reports, estimate the wastewater contains enough lithium to supply up to 40% of U.S. demand. Tim Bruno spoke with Philadelphia’s W...

Victoria Skutham and Katie Slemmer two local scouts who want folks to think, speak and act in the spirit of peace and harmony. They're planting a "Peace Pole" in Callicoon Creek Park on May 30 to promote peace, caring and acceptance.  The peace pole features the message, “May Peace Prevail On Earth,” in multiple languages. Katie and Victoria spoke to Tim Bruno about the project on Radio Chatskill....

After a near-fatal stroke and a separation, amidst a global pandemic, Rick Van Noy decided to go for a paddle. In Borne by the River , he charts the story of discovery, and healing that came from this solo canoe journey.  Paddling two hundred miles on the Delaware River to his boyhood home just upriver from Trenton, New Jersey, Van Noy contemplates his fate and life, as well as the simple joy of s...

Coach, author, motivational speaker and "father to all children," Pedro Tweed of Monticello has spent his life teaching and mentoring children since the 1970's.  He has a new Children’s Book called “ The Gymnastics Adventures of Coach Tweed” which teaches children life lessons around overcoming obstacles and mental blocks and learning to reset your mind.  Coach Tweed spoke to Jason Dole. 

You might have seen them crawling up the trees in your backyard or maybe on your Adirondack chair. Spongy moth caterpillars, identifiable by their dark, hairy bodies and blue and red spots, are back. This year is shaping up to be a bad spongy moth year in the region. Jason Dole Spoke to The River Reporter’s Ruby Rayner about the spongy moth’s seasonal return.

The Circus is Coming to Highland Lake Friday, May 24 NACL is welcoming the performers, artists, and technicians of Hideaway Circus for a second year. They’re sharing a preview of their next original show, "Canvas Sky." "Canvas Sky" explores the themes of self acceptance by following the story of a circus troupe where the clown struggles to ‘fit in’ and find his voice, until he gets a little help f...

The Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project is dedicated to preserving the history, legacy, and future of the Borscht Belt. Comprised of Sullivan County and parts of Ulster County, this area was internationally known as a summer retreat that provided culture, entertainment, and leisure for predominantly East Coast American Jews The Historical Marker Project is unveiling its first marker of 2024 com...

Joe Johnson is a former Port Jervis Science Teacher and Radio Catskill Volunteer. He joins us to share some science stories that caught his eye this week, including scientists decoding the secret history of the mysterious ‘Tree of Life’; how spending at least two hours outside each day is one of the most important things your kids can do to protect their eyesight; and an update on the highly patho...

The Skinners Falls Bridge crosses the Delaware River, connecting the communities of Milanville, PA, and Skinners Falls, NY.  The 470-foot long historic bridge been closed since October 2019 when an inspection identified timber deck and lateral truss bracing deterioration. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), together with the Federal Highway Administration and New York State De...

The shutdown to repair the Delaware Aqueduct is set for Oct. 1, and scheduled to be completed by June 1, 2025.  The twice-postponed project seeks to repair a minor leak near Warwarsing in Ulster County, NY, and a major leak under the Hudson River, which is the path used to get Delaware River water to New York City. On Tuesday, May 21, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection is hol...

Local students released several hundred trout fingerlings into the cold clear waters of Callicoon Creek in Jeffersonville on May 16 as part of the Trout in the Classroom project. The Trout in the Classroom program brings science to life and connects students to watersheds in classrooms across North America and the United Kingdom. Trout Unlimited along with a myriad of partners facilitate this prog...

Dandelion is a short-lived perennial that will grow just about anywhere, regardless of soil conditions. Though commonly dismissed as a weed, the dandelion is beneficial to soil health, honeybees, and people. Kaya Magee is a biodynamic farmer in Jeffersonville who is celebrating often overlooked plant with a Dandelion Festival on May 18.  She spoke to Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill. 

The NY State Department of Transportation, along with the Federal Highway Administration, is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the New York State Route 17 Mobility and Access Improvements Project. The project would add add a third lane to Route 17 between exit 131 (Harriman) and exit 113 (Wurtsboro) in both directions along 30 miles. The agencies are holding public scoping meetings f...

“Sayonara Cowboy” is a coming-of-age story that navigates the turbulent waters of racism, familial complexities, and the search for identity in the aftermath of World War II.  DVAA will host the book launch for William Yukikazu Fellenberg’s highly anticipated debut memoir on Saturday, May 18th in Krause Recital Hall in Narrowsburg.  Culture Reporter Valeri Mansi spoke to Fellenberg about being pul...

Seasonal allergies are getting worse after a particularly warm winter this year, causing plants to start blooming early and keep producing pollen for longer into the season.  Tim Bruno spoke to Christina Woods of Garnet Health about this particularly bad allergy season.  Note: Garnet Health is a financial supporter of WJFF.

According to founder Dr. Hope Blecher, Hope's Compass was established to create opportunities for community unity and "to grow one tiny, mighty, beautiful step at a time through meaningful civic engagement." Voices Of Survivors is the latest project from Hope's Compass, collecting memories and stories of Holocaust survivors. The exhibit opens May 17 The Liberty Museum and Arts Center. Tim Bruno sp...

Space Acres Comedy Night has been making comedy happen in The Catskills for the last two years and is now at hosting shows at New Memories in Parksville, NY. Their first show at the new location is Thursday, May 16. Tim Bruno spoke with Host/Creator Matt Werden and special guests. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and today we’re talking about ​Mental Wellness for the Agriculture Community. Farmers are always there, keeping food on our tables and filling store shelves.  It’s can be a rewarding, yet stressful way of life, filled with uncertainty that for some can lead to anxiety and depression.    Penn State Extension recognizes farmers and their families have unique circ...