Radio Bold News Pod

Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff sits down with Host Dylan Price to discuss a number of pressing topics in the county including policing in the Village of Monticello, a recent report of a loaded gun being found in the county jail, and how he and his office approach community outreach. All that and more in this Catskills News Conversation.

The social media landscape is constantly changing and Meta has implemented teen accounts to help protect younger individuals utilizing their platforms. Their head of North American Safety sits down with Host Dylan Price to detail all that Meta does to protect young people and constantly adapt their platforms to the changing times. All that, and more!

Terry Grafmuller is a giver, dedicating his time to a number of important causes across Sullivan and the Catskills. As board chair of New Hope Community he plays a pivotal role in the organization's success, and in this 50th year, a big part in the celebration. Grafmuller joins Host Dylan Price to discuss his role, his background, and all the incredible work New Hope does.

Karen Russell was recently named CEO of New Hope Community after 30 years of experience with the team. Now, she leads the incredible organization through their 50th year. Find out more on Karen's story, the monumental milestone (and how they're celebrating), and all about what New Hope does to serve others. All that and more as Karen sits down with Host Dylan Price for this conversation.

From cab driver to one of the biggest voices in comedy and media. Jimmy Failla's story is one worth the listen. He joins Host Dylan Price to talk about the latest happenings in the news, the art of making light of heavy times, his future sports talk career (?) and more!

Host Dylan Price sits down with Scouting America CEO Roger Krone to talk his background, the value of scouting, and the biggest lessons he learned from being an Eagle Scout.

Town of Thompson Highway Superintendent Hayden Carnell joins Host Dylan Price to discuss his background, all about the work he and the town are doing, and the preparations for winter.

Michele Frazier fell in her 2024 bid for NYS Senate, but now, she's back in the ring ahead of next year's election. Hear more on why she's jumping back in so soon, her thoughts on current issues, and more as she sits down with Host Dylan Price.

After 45 years Mike Sakell enters into retirement. For four and a half decades he's been the voice of Sullivan and the Catskills, on today's episode he joins Host Dylan Price to take you on a journey through his career and discuss his legacy.

Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day, Sullivan County Health & Human Services Commissioner John Liddle joins Mike Sakell for a conversation on the Drug Task Force and to detail the county's fight against the Opioid Crisis. That and more on the latest episode of Catskills News Conversations.

Dorothy Sanchez lost her son Jonathan to drug overdose in September 2024. She joins Mike Sakell to tell her story and discuss all she's doing now to fight for awareness and combat drug addiction.

In an exclusive interview with Host Dylan Price, NYS Assembly Member Paula Kay sits down with Dylan in studio to discuss a number of hot button issues facing Sullivan County and the Catskills. NYSEG rate hikes, all-electric regulations, healthcare shortages, and more are discussed. Plus, Paula breaks down her first 10 months since she was elected and talks more about her background.

Sullivan County's Republican Committee Chairman Greg Goldstein sits down with Host Dylan Price to discuss Senator Oberacker's recent award. Plus Greg gives his evaluation of the national, state, and county's performance in the 2025 year so far.

At the start of July, Liberty Central School District brought in Thomas Zehner to be their new Athletic Director. The Redhawks new AD joins Host Dylan Price to discuss his background, his goals for the program, and updates the community on what's next for some of the school's biggest projects.

News has been swirling about the all-electric mandate coming to New York in 2026. Combined Energy Services owner Mike Taylor has been on the frontlines of the fight against the state for years. Taylor joins Dylan Price to discuss what this means for home owners, the future of the NYS, and what you can do to help the fight.

Sullivan 180 Healthier Generation Coordinator Stacey Trinidad joins Host Dylan Price for a conversation about a partnership from this previous school year with Cornell Cooperative. The partnership benefitted numerous districts across the county and Trinidad talks about some of the accomplishments and goals.

Albee Bockman is a lifelong first responder, founder of Mobilemedic, County Coroner, and now advocate for legislation. After watching a documentary about the autobahn, and a tragic accident, Bockman was inspired with an idea to make it easier for first responders to get to emergency scenes in a timely manner. Hear his inspiration, where his piece of legislation stands, and how you can help, as Bockman sits down with host, Dylan Price.

Gary Siegel, longtime member of the Callicoon Center Band joins host Dylan Price to discuss the history and legacy of the band, some of their time honored traditions, and even plays a few tunes.

Sullivan County Fire Coordinator John Hauschild speaks with host Mikd Sakell about the NYS Burn Ban in effect from March 16-May 14 2025.

Catskills Conversations Host Mike Sakell speaks with Sullivan County Commissioner of Division of Community Resources Laura Quigley about the recent launch of Move Sullivan Transportatiion short loop routes introduced in Liberty and Monticello NY.

Catskills News Podcast Host Mike Sakell speaks with New Hope Community Director of Development Janae Myers about the New Hope Foundation, some highlights from 2024 and a look ahead to 2025 and the New Hope Community 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Catskills News Podcast host Mike Sakell speaks with Livingston Manor and Roscoe School Superintendent John Evans on the upcoming school merger vote scheduled for December 19th 2024. Dr. Evans discusses the reasoning behind this years updated merger study and the current information campaign taking place in both the Livingston Manor and Roscoe communities leading up to the merger vote. This is an extended conversation first presented as a Catskill Conversation on Ciliberto and Friends on Catskills News Talk 92.5 and 94.9 FM In Sullivan County NY.

Host Mike Sakell speaks with Vice President of the Wurtsboro NY Board of Trade Kelly De Guzman as Representatives from the State Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be hosting a public forum in Wurtsboro on Wednesday November 20, 2024 at the Emma Chase School in Wurtsboro as the NYS DOT is getting closer to finalizing its plans for bringing Route 17 in line with federal standards to make it an interstate highway. De Guzman says she is interested in alternatives to the suggested closure of the exit, which would greatly impact local business in the Wurtsboro community.

Catskills News Director Mike Sakell moderates Catskills News Decision 2024 NYS 100th Assembly District Debate between Democrat Elaine Paula Kay and Republican Lou Ingrassia Jr.

Hear the Catskills News Conversation presenting both sides of the issue regarding voting on NYS Proposal One. Hear Sullivan County Democratic Committee Chair Ann Hart and Sullivan County Republican Chair Greg Goldstein make the case for voting Yes or No on Proposal One found on this years ballot.

Catskills News Director Mike Sakell sits down with NYS Senate Candidate Michele Frazier in conversation on the race for the 51st District.

The Boards of Education of the Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central School Districts will hold a joint meeting Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 in Livingston Manor. Roscoe and Livingston Manor Superintendent Dr John Evans talks with hist Mike Sakell about the key elements of the updated 2024 Merger Study Addendum recently approved by the State Education Department that the joint boards will consider moving forward for another merger vote.

Catskills News Podcast host Mike Sakell has an extended conversation with Museum at Bethel Woods director Neal Hitch on the removal of the Woodstock Festival "Message Tree." The more than 100-year old, 60-foot red maple, was removed due to its deteriorating condition. Now plans are in the works to purpose wood for the tree in an artistic way keeping its legacy alive.

Catskills News Director Mike Sakell moderates a debate with candidates for the NYS 100th Assembly District, Democrat Paula Elaine Kay and Republican Lou Ingrassia Jr.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its star rating report and Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties is officially a 5-star rated organization. Catskills News Podcast host Mike Sakell speaks with Sandra Cassese CEO of Hospice of Orange and Sullivan about the 5-star rating, a direct result of the satisfaction expressed by caregivers of their patients regarding the quality of care as measured through Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) surveys.

This is the 2024 International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil event held on Auguts 28 2024 on the lawn of the Sullivan County NY Courthouse in the Village of Monticello.

Catskills News Director Mike Sakell speaks with Janna Walter, Supervising Community Health Nurse-Maternal Child/Healthy Families Program Manager at Sullivan County Public Health. August is National Breastfeeding Month and Public Health would like the community to know about their Lactation Consultants. Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding!

Catskills News Podcast host Mike Sakell speaks with Lynn Skolnick and Marvin Rappaport of the Ethelbert B Crawford Public Library in Monticello NY about their ongoing oral history project. The project is interviewing local individuals who have interesting personal stories and life experiences. Those being interviewed come from the service area of the library including the Towns of Bethel, Forestburgh and Thompson.

Catksills News Podcast host Mike Sakell speaks with Daniel Stroup, Founding President of the Shandelee Music Festival about this years upcoming 31st season taking place August 13th through August 24th 2024.

Catskills News Podcast host Mike Sakell speaks with US Army Veteran Matthew Kleman the Veteran Peer Services Coordinator for Vet 2 Vet of Sullivan County coordinated through Action Towards Independence in Monticello NY. Matthew Kleman speaks about the many services and information available through the program including the service dog program.

Catskills News Podcast host Mike Sakell Speaks with Daniel's Music Foundation co-founders Daniel and Ken Trush who will bring Hello Inclusion: A Festival of Possibilities to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on Friday July 12, 2024 as part of Disability Pride Month. The foundation is inspired by Daniel who suffered a brain aneurysm at the age of 12, leaving him in a coma for 30 days with close to a year of rehabilitation. Today Daniel and the Daniels Music Foundation offer up to 50 weekly music classes for disabled individuals in New York City, as well as online. Hello Inclusion has nine featured artists performing on the Horizon Stage prior to an evening concert with Jason Mraz and the Superband, who is a supporter of the project.

Bold Gold Media Catskills News Director Mike Sakell spoke with members of the NYS Army National Guard as part of the statewide New York State Broadcasters Association July 4th Salute to Citizen Soldiers. Army National Guard SSgt Victor Ayala and SSgt Robert Mc Nair spoke about the role the Army National Guard plays close to home in New York as well as across the country and the world.

Garnet Health this week announced a restructuring. The move will impact 26 employees in the Garnet Health system. Speaking to Mike Sakell Catskills News Director, Garnet Health Catskills CEO Jerry Dunleavy insists the restructuring will have minimum impact in Sullivan County. Dunleavy breaks down the restructuring that includes inpatient palliative care services, Garnet Health Doctors outpatient Infectious Disease capacity and phasing out medical directorship to three local post-acute facilities, located in Orange County.

K and K Pharmacy in Liberty NY is offering a new weight loss managment program making available GLP-1 class drugs at low prices. K and K Pharmacist and Owner Sam Shah speaks with host Mike Sakell about the drugs, availability and weight management through diet and exercise.

Catskills News Director Mike Sakell Hosts the Decision 2024 Republican Primary Debate for the NYS 100th Assembly District featuring Camille Obrien and Lou Ingrassia Jr on topics of interest including the state budget and state spending; the drug crisis and mental health; housing and infrastructure; crime and bail reform; gun rights and migrants and more.

About a year after deciding on a new mascot for Liberty Central School District, the district has finalized a new Redhawks logo. Catskills News Director Mike Sakell speaks with Liberty Central School Superintendent Dr Patrick Sullivan about the process that included designs brought back to the district's student liaison teams in all three schools for input. After several rounds of redesign and student input. The new design will begin being put in use over the next several weeks.  

Catskills News Director Mike Sakell speaks with Steven Kelley, President and CEO and Ashima Butler, COO of Ellenville Regional Hospital. Ellenville Regional has recently embarked on a plan to replace their current facility, a $100 million dollar project. The project is dependent on a New York State Department of Health Transformation Grant, that is $50 million dollars to start.

Catskills News Director Mike Sakell speaks with Ryan Terracciano of The Catskills Outdoorsman and volunteer for the Jeffersonville First Aid Squad about their daylong fundraising event Saturday June 1st, 2024. This Emergency Funding Event is the result of a serious funding shortfall caused by the closing of the Jeff Adult Home. The community event includes music, food, activites and an evening Night Club DJ event for those 21+ starting at 8pm.

This is the complete recording of the Memorial Day Service held in the lobby of the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello, NY on Monday May 27, 2024.

Cohen Dentistry has been providing the Catskill Mountains and surrounding areas with quality dentistry for over 35 years! Host Mike Sakell speaks with Dr Ari Cohen about Cohen Dentistry and their use of the most up-to-date and modern technology and equipment to always improve upon the patient's experience and overall results.  

The owner of Unity Ambulette, that serves Sullivan as well as Dutchess, Ulster and Orange Counties has written to Governor Hochul calling inadequate rate increases for medical transportation an untenable situation. Host Mike Sakell speaks with Joe Adamo of Unity who wrote the letter after the closure of several companies across the state.

The State University of New York Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. David Potash as president of SUNY Sullivan. Dr. Potash's appointment is effective on or before July 1, 2024 and Catskills News Podcast host Mike Sakell speaks with the incoming SUNY Sullivan President on his approach to building partnerships and the unique role community colleges play in offering residents educational opportunities. 

Share in a special Passover presentation with the Landfield Avenue Synagogue. During these troubled times share in the story of Passover including traditions, recipes and the importance of family. Landfield Avenue Synagogue Interim Rabbi Jacob Stern will talk about the story of Passover along with Synagogue Board of Directors Secretary Lori James sharing stories as well as presenting upcoming events at the Landfield Avenue Synagogue. This special Passover program is being sponsored by PN Alarm of Monticello. Find out about security and alarm services at PNAlarm.com

The housing crisis and homelessness are front and center in this conversation with Sullivan County NY Commissioner of Health and Human Services John Liddle with host Mike Sakell. One possible solution is working with SUNY Sullivan and upgrading a deteriorating dormitory to house families.

April 14th to April 20th the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) joins the country in celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a time to honor and recognize 9-1-1 professionals who are frontline responders Host Mike Sakell speaks with Sullivan County NY E 911 Coordinator Alex Rau about the county employees that handle approximately 40,000 incidents a year and process nearly 100,000 phone calls per year.

Catskills News Podcast Host Mike Sakell speaks with John Kocijanski of Catskills Astronomy about the Monday April 8 Solar Eclipse and as well as the group that likes to get together and stargaze in Sullivan County. You will have the opportunity to view the partial solar eclipse with Catskills Astronomy at SUNY Sullivan on April 8 from 2-4:30pm. John Kocijanski from Catskills Astronomy will be on hand with solar filtered telescopes that will allow a safe observing of the sun.