By Joe Moskowitz
An Academy Award. An “Oscar.” The best there is in the world of motion pictures. There is no higher honor. On February 24, a part-time New Kingston resident may take home the most coveted statuette in the entertainment world. And he gives a great deal of credit to having a conversation in Roxbury on a summer day a few years ago.

By Brian Sweeney
Roxbury Central School is among the districts that have been awarded a Virtual Advanced Placement (VAP) Grant.

The New York State Education Department grant offers funding that allows students to participate in online Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
There are several major goals for the VAP grant:
• To improve targeted access to virtual AP courses and increase AP opportunities for low-income students;
• To provide professional development to teachers, administrators and technical staff with regard to development, instruction and support of VAP courses;

By Jay Braman Jr.
With all the talk on the national news about the current flu epidemic, it appears that many in the region have heeded the warnings and gotten a flu shot to prevent getting the nasty virus.
But unfortunately it appears that the shortage of the vaccine has also hit some parts of the region.

On Monday staff at Margaretville Hospital reported that while they saw an increase in flu cases at the emergency room a couple of weeks ago, that has leveled off.

By Karen Hinkley
The Grand Gorge Fire Department hosted a surface ice rescue drill on Saturday and Sunday with training provided by Team Lifeguard Systems Inc. of Shokan.

Almost 40 volunteer firefighters and EMS participated in the two-day weekend training session from Grand Gorge, Roxbury, Margaretville, Stamford and Halcottsville.

By Joe Moskowitz
It’s in the country, so it’s rural. It doesn’t cost anything to watch, so it’s free. And it has sound and video, so it’s TV. It’s Rural Free TV, or RFTV. It’s the brainchild of Margaretville resident Vic Tannenberg.

Tannenberg, who spends what he considers an inordinate number of hours in front of a computer screen, owns Vicware, a one-man company that designs software, or if you prefer, apps. He decided to use his technical skills to create RFTV, his own Internet and sometimes cable-based television network.

By Joe Moskowitz
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has taken another step toward allowing the public expanded recreational use on some of its water-supply reservoirs.

Staff report
When Governor Andrew Cuomo gives his State of the State address on Wednesday, he is expected to make a strong case for education reform and urge small school districts to consolidate.
However, many of the proposals that the governor is expected to pitch have already come under fire from educators.

Staff report
With a newly improved wastewater treatment facility, a new health clinic and cell phone service on the horizon, Andes Supervisor Marty Donnelly says that it looks as though 2013 is shaping up to be a good year for the town.

The malfunctioning eight-year-old wastewater treatment system has finally been overhauled. “I’m very, very pleased,” said Donnelly. “Sometimes, you have to really step back and look at these things. The city is actually using this new type of system that we’re getting.”

Highmount — Philanthropist Kingdon Gould Jr. is being recognized at the 27th annual Belleayre Snowball on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Overlook Lodge at Belleayre Mountain.
Mr. Gould, who is being honored for his steadfast devotion to the Central Catskills, will receive the 2013 Spirit of the Catskills Award.

By Jay Braman Jr.
The Ulster County Sheriff’s Department wants residents to share their concerns on school safety as the department begins study on the matter.

The comments, which should be sent either through email or in letter form, will be used along with information garnered after local law enforcement administrators have appeared at area school public forums and have communicated with all Ulster County school superintendents to listen to concerns and answer questions posed.