The Local Edition

The Pennsylvania Department of State said Wednesday that it signed a new $10.6 million contract with Louisiana-based technology company Civix to upgrade the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors, or SURE, and integrate it with other state-run election systems. The SURE system is a statewide database used by counties to register voters and maintain their records, print poll books, process mail bal...

Former prison agency staff and newly released documents describe a patronage network centered on Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III’s family.

A freeze on federal funds has halted crucial programs supporting beginner farmers in Sullivan County, leaving many in financial uncertainty. The $1.5 million in funding, distributed through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County, was earmarked for mentorship and technical assistance to foster the next generation of local farmers.  The cuts also impact the Sullivan Fresh mobile farmers ma...

NPR journalist Zach Mack embarks on a deeply personal journey to understand his father, who has become immersed in conspiracy theories. Their relationship is strained by ideological differences, but instead of continuing endless debates, they make an unusual agreement: they write down 10 of his father’s predictions for 2024 and place a $10,000 bet on whether they will come true.  Over the course o...

With the looming possibility of major cuts in federal funding, nonprofit organizations are scrambling to justify the services they provide.  Such is the case of Action Toward Independence, a nonprofit that offers counseling and special services to people with disabilities in need in the Catskills.  Ever since the Trump administration started announcing cuts in federal spending, the organization ha...

More than 2,000 New York State correction officers have been terminated in the wake of an unprecedented wildcat strike that paralyzed the state’s prison system for weeks. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that her administration is “ready to move on” as the state scrambles to hire new officers to fill the vacancies left by those who walked off the job. The strike, which began on February 17, 2025, s...

Brush fires broke out in Suffolk County, Long Island over the weekend on Saturday, burning over 400 acres and closing several highways. Citing dry conditions and high winds, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency and burn ban for Long Island, New York, and parts of the lower Hudson Valley, including Ulster County – a week before the annual statewide burn ban is set to go into effect. An...

4th Annual Sullivan County Youth Poetry Festival , a celebration of creativity, self-expression, and the power of words! The festival, set to take place on March 29th , brings together young poets from across the county to share their voices, explore their artistry, and connect with a community that values storytelling through poetry. \ Kevin Graham, the Sullivan County Poet Laureate , shares what...

Nearly 400 residents attended a heated public hearing on March 4 regarding proposed zoning changes in the Town of Fallsburg. The amendments, aimed at aligning local laws with federal regulations, particularly RLUIPA, have sparked concerns over increased development, environmental impact, and water supply issues. While town officials argue the changes modernize outdated zoning laws, opponents fear...

Ryan Kost and Willow Higgins, who recently published an in-depth investigation into Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs) in New York at NY FOCUS . Their reporting uncovered troubling findings about how these units, meant to correct wrongful convictions, often fail the people they were created to help. This story is a collaboration between New York Focus and Columbia Journalism Investigations , an inv...

Sullivan County Legislator Amanda Ward, who represents District 8, shares the story of her late father, Roland "The Gator" Ward, and his lasting contributions to the county. From his early days with the Fallsburg Police Department to his rise as a lieutenant in the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, Roland Ward made a significant impact on the community. Amanda Ward is now advocating to honor her f...

The social services commissioner says New York wants to join other states adopting more secure cards, but lacks funds for the upgrade.

A tentative deal has been reached between New York State and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) to end the ongoing prison strike that has disrupted nearly 30 facilities across the state, including Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County. The agreement, formalized in a Consent Award , follows four days of mediation led by arbitrator Mar...

The New York state prison system is teetering on disaster as guards have staged an unsanctioned wildcat strike at almost all of its 42 facilities. Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard and, on Wednesday, obtained a court order mandating that corrections officers return to work. While striking officers have been mostly mum to the press, Assemblymember Scott Gray, who visited picket...

New York State correctional officers remain on strike, as Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered state troopers and the National Guard to intervene. Meanwhile, inside Woodbourne Correctional Facility, inmate Atiq Weston, serving 15 years for manslaughter and robbery, shared his perspective with Radio Catskill. Weston claims some officers are overly aggressive and violating Correction Law Section 137, which...

The ongoing strike by correctional officers across New York State has now entered a new phase. Workers are still picketing outside facilities, including the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County, demanding safer working conditions, better staffing, and an end to excessive overtime. Meanwhile, the state is taking new steps to end the protest. The strike, which has impacted nearly 30 o...

PepsiCo has announced the closure of its manufacturing facility in the Village of Liberty, where it produces the popular PopCorners snack. The plant, formerly known as Ideal Snacks, has been a staple in the community since the late 1990s before PepsiCo acquired the brand around 2018. The closure will result in the loss of approximately 300 jobs, significantly impacting local workers and businesses...

Correctional officers and staff near Woodbourne Correctional Facility have launched a strike, citing hazardous working conditions, excessive mandatory overtime, and a lack of action from state officials. The strike, which has spread to over 25 jails, highlights growing concerns over staff safety, including exposure to unknown chemicals and a rise in workplace violence. Governor Kathy Hochul has im...

On The Local Edition , Radio Catskill discussed a River Reporter article detailing allegations against the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office. The article includes claims from two former officers accusing Sheriff Mike Schiff and Undersheriff Eric Chaboty of ordering a falsified accident report and fostering a hostile work environment. Additionally, the article mentions an alleged FBI investigation i...

A growing number of NYSEG customers in Sullivan County and beyond are reporting massive spikes in their electric bills this winter, with some seeing increases of several hundred dollars. Rock Hill resident Tom O’Donohue saw his January bill jump to $834—nearly triple his highest previous bill. Shocked by the surge, he created a Facebook group where dozens of customers shared similar experiences, s...

The governor’s latest budget pitch would send an additional $290 million to the state’s public transit agencies, invest more in a new student-teacher stipend, and more.

All Things Liberty Winter Festival, happening on February 22, 2025, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Liberty High School Gym. It’s a day of fun for families with sled riding, carnival games, craft vendors, karaoke, and more. But this year, there’s something extra special: the Liberty Faculty Association is hosting a book giveaway for Liberty Elementary students, made possible through a grant from the America...

Students across New York State may soon be required to put away their cellphones during school hours under a new proposal announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. The plan, which still needs legislative approval, would take effect next academic year and prohibit students from using their phones in class, during lunch, and even in hallways. Hochul argues that limiting smartphone access will help student...

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been making headlines due to recent outbreaks, particularly of the H5 subtype. To shed light on this pressing public health issue, epidemiologist Haley Motola and community health nurse Amanda Wolfe from Sullivan County Public Health share their expertise on the virus's impact, transmission, and preventive measures. The Spread of Bird Flu and Recent...