By Jay Braman Jr.
The operators of the area’s ski resorts think that Mother Nature and Old Man Winter need to have a talk. Mild temperatures have set the stage for something not seen in years. A Thanksgiving weekend with no skiing in the Catskills.

Approximately 50 guests turned out late Thursday afternoon as Town of Bovina officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open their new highway garage. The new garage was built on the Main Street location of the town’s former garage that had all but fallen down prior to being demolished in the early summer.

By Jay Braman Jr.
New visitor restrictions have been imposed at Kingston, Benedictine and Margaretville hospitals in an attempt to protect patients from exposure to the seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses. No more than two people will be allowed to visit a patient at one time; no visitors under the age of 12 will be permitted; and no visitors with flu-like symptoms will be allowed.

By Brian Sweeney
Big game season for white tail deer and bear in New York’s Southern Zone opens on Saturday, Nov. 21 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 13. The outlook for hunters is a good one, with nice weather predicted and a plentiful deer herd.

By Brian Sweeney
A four-year-old Arkville girl has been selected to perform in a key scene of the vampire movie “Stake Land” that is being filmed locally. Angelique Biasutto, a student at the Arkville Head Start program, was selected for the role after a chance meeting with movie personnel.

By Jay Braman Jr.
Ulster County Executive Mike Hein has announced that the operators of five ski resorts he convened for a collaboration promoting skiing in the Catskills, have decided to build upon prior success with a new, expanded promotion for the upcoming season.

The Margaretville Blue Devils will take on Hamilton in the first round of the state tournament on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1:15 p.m. at Chittenango High School in Chittenango, N.Y. The game will follow a match-up between Marathon and Cooperstown, which will kick off at 11 a.m.

By Julia Green
Across the country, sniffles and low-grade fevers have led to increased vigilance and alarm in recent weeks, as national awareness of the H1N1 virus – known colloquially as “swine flu” – continues to grow.

By Jay Braman Jr.
Republican challenger Rob Stanley bested Democratic incumbent Peter DiSclafani in last week’s election, and with the win secured by fellow Republican Jack Jordan, who will take a town council seat come January, there will no longer be a Democratic majority on the town board.

By Matthew J. Perry
Town planning and zoning boards of appeal are not known as hotbeds of drama. They tend go about their business quietly, mostly because that business, no matter how important it may be to a municipality, is rarely exciting.
But last month members of the Andes Zoning Board of Appeals made a decision that still has the community buzzing, often with anger and frustration. What could have touched off a fractious debate?
A sign. Or a mural. It depends on whom you ask.