HVNY News + Notes (1/15/24)
Half of the overpass over the New York State Thruway in New Paltz was successfully removed over the weekend after weather delayed demo. Southbound lanes of the New York State Thruway are expected to be closed this weekend, Saturday evening into early Sunday, to remove the remaining portion of the Brookside Road overpass. The overpass is being removed after extensive damage from being struck by overweight vehicles 27 times since 2019. Detours will direct drivers onto 9W to circumvent the construction zone.
Group of local officials pen letter to EPA over river clean-up – 54 municipal and county officials from around the Hudson Valley have sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency urging “a determination in its upcoming third 5-year review that the Upper Hudson River PCB clean-up remedy is not protective of human health and the environment.” The letter, signed by members of the Friends of a Clean Hudson coalition, a collaboration led by Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. “PCB contamination has turned the Hudson River into one of the country’s largest Superfund sites and has burdened Hudson River Valley communities for generations – making it unsafe to consume the river’s fish, shutting down its fishing industry, and compromising its ecological health. An effective cleanup of PCBs throughout the Hudson River is the only way to restore the River and the ecosystems that rely on it.” Click here to read the full letter:Link The Hudson River PCB Superfund Community Advisory Group will hold a virtual meeting on January 18, 2024 at 1pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend, though registration is required: Link
Catskill Hudson Bank to merge with credit union – The Hudson Valley Credit Union has reached an agreement to acquire Catskill Hudson Bank, a $500 million community bank headquartered in Kingston. Catskill Hudson was established in 1993 and currently serves 7,500 customers. “In today’s increasingly competitive, heavily regulated environment, smaller community banks like Catskill Hudson face many obstacles to growth. Catskill Hudson leadership recognized that a strong financial partner like HVCU can help to ensure future financial success for both their customers and employees. And we are committed to retaining all of Catskill Hudson’s dedicated employees,“ said Jonathan Roberts, HVCU President/CEO. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2024. More info: https://www.hvcu.org/chbmerger
PANDA, the Northern Dutchess County public access TV channel, has launched a free app called PANDANOW to allow residents to view the live channel and individual programs on demand. https://pandatv.org/watch/
AARP Foundation and the CA$H Coalition will begin another season of free tax preparation for low- and moderate-income taxpayers, families and individuals. The service begins taking appointments after January 17, 2024. Appointments can be made by calling 2-1-1, or 800-899-1479. No age restrictions, and AARP membership is not required.
What’s in the stars this January? Mercury concluded its retrograde on January 1. A new moon rises on January 11. Full moon: January 25. But before that, on January 20, the sun meets Pluto in Aquarius beginning a new, 20-year cycle. Check your monthly horoscope from Omega in Rhinebeck and learn what that all means with “Astrology for the Absolute Beginner” on Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 1-2pm at the Phoenicia Library, 48 Main Street. Registration is required by emailing fstaff@phoenicialibrary.org or call 845-688-7811.
The Catskill Science Collaborative is accepting applications for the 2024 Fellowship Program. Professors and professional scientists with a student interested in conducting hands-on summer research in the Catskills are encouraged to apply. Students (undergrad + grad) will address research gaps identified by resource managers. Funds up to $15,000 are available per fellowship with $7,000 (+) allotted for student salary. Proposals due by January 17. If you are interested but unable to meet this deadline, contact Joy Damon, CSC Coordinator at damonj@caryinstitute.org ASAP. See the RFP (PDF) for more information.
Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., not just on Monday but with the Dr. King Statewide Food Drive, upcoming book drive, and an hour-long virtual program dedicated to Dr. King.
Next week: The FDR Library Museum exhibits will be closed January 22-23, 2024 for deep cleaning.
Still happening:
Call for submissions: The Second Annual March “Monologue” Madness is seeking original submissions of all genres for its second annual event taking place on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Pieces must be 10 minutes or less. Scripts or video clips must be received by the Morton Memorial Library in Rhinecliff by January 31, 2024. Accepted play authors will be notified by March 1, 2024. Email submissions to sandy@mortonrhinecliff.org or in person at the library at 82 Kelly Street, or via snail-mail: PO Box 157, Rhinecliff, New York 12574.
CALL FOR ART: Visual art + talent for the Morton Memorial Library’s Annual Talent Show. Deliver your piece by Saturday, February 17, 2024. Email sandy@mortonrhinecliff.org with any questions.
Resolution to hike more this year? Take the 2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge by hiking at all six DEC-owned fire towers in the Catskills between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024. The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), and Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), as well as the newest and sixth fire tower opened in fall 2019. The 80-foot-tall Upper Esopus Fire Tower is located at the Catskills Visitor Center in Mt. Tremper. Once completed, submit a log of completed hikes along with a favorite photo to CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov, or via mail. Entries must be postmarked by January 6, 2025. All participants who complete the challenge will receive a letter and a commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge patch designed with the 2024 completion year. The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC’s Conservationist magazine. Again this year, finishers who completed the challenge multiple times will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize. DEC will offer a bonus prize entry to finishers who also submit a photo of themselves practicing Leave No TraceTM while participating in the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge (e.g., picking up litter, carrying out, planning and preparing for their hikes, staying on the trail). Full details can be found at the 2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge page.
