POUGHKEEPSIE – The state Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health have determined that the Standard Gage & Coal site in Poughkeepsie requires remediation.

The 2.5-acre site is on two parcels separated by a rail spur owned by Dutchess County.

The proposed mixed use – commercial and restricted residential – includes the redevelopment of five site buildings for commercial use as office space and the creation of a public garden and recreation area next to the rail trail.

The Parker Avenue parcel is developed with a former manufacturing facility, historically owned and operated by the Standard Gage Company. The Garden Street parcel is developed with a single-story 6,000 square foot commercial warehouse.

Three unregistered underground storge tanks were removed in 2008 and replaced with one 1,000-gallon tank and two 500-gallon tanks.

Semi-volatile organic compounds and metals were found in shallow subsurface soils at concentrations above use-specific soil cleanup objectives.

Volatile organic compounds and metals were identified in groundwater exceeding groundwater quality standards. TCE and PFAS were detected in samples exceeding screening levels.

Volatile organic compounds were detected in soil vapor sampling locations at concentrations requiring mitigation.

WASHINGTON – FEMA has declined to approve Individual Assistance for Orange County homeowners and businesses after Tropical Storm Ida.

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY-18) and County Executive Steven Neuhaus expressed heir disappointment with FEMA’s decision.

“I have seen the damage in our area first hand and have been working with state and local officials to provide FEMA with the most up to date damage data and to advocate on behalf of Hudson Valley homeowners,” said Maloney.

“Our private property and homeowners were significantly impacted by this event and continue to feel the impact of the storm. FEMA should be providing help to these individuals, just like they are in surrounding counties,” said Neuhaus. “If your property is damaged by a storm, it is damaged. It shouldn’t matter what side of a line on a map you live on.”

Just days before FEMA declined Orange County’s application, the agency approved Individual Assistance for Dutchess County.

NEWBURGH – Fire at 158 Lander Street in the City of Newburgh on Saturday caused heavy damage to a residence.

The blaze broke out on the first floor and extended to the basement.

The Red Cross was called in to assist residents with temporary shelter.

The two-alarm fire brought West Point and Air National Guard firefighters to the scene.

Mobile Life Support Services advanced life support ambulance also responded along with the Newburgh City Fire Investigation Unit.

Cronomer Valley and Middle Hope fire departments were on standby a the city public safety building.

CATSKILL – Saying “every student deserves to be able to do their homework from home; every small business owner deserves the tools necessary to complete in a world-wide marketplace,” USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced the availability of up to $1.15 billion to expand high-speed broadband in rural communities.

The federal official made the announcement of the ReConnect Program in Catskill on Saturday.

“Broadband is not a luxury – it is a necessity,” said Congressman Antonio Delgado (D, NY-19), who broad Small to Greene County to make the announcement.

Beginning November 24, USDA will accept applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to expand the availability of broadband in rural areas.

“Broadband has become the modern-day critical infrastructure,” said Greene County Legislature Chairman Pat Linger. The county legislature is “committed to providing 100 percent broadband coverage in Greene County.”

He said following the county’s development of detailed, house-level mapping, “we are poised at this time to apply for grant funding to accomplish this goal.”

STEWART AIRPORT – New non-stop service between the Hudson Valley and Florida begins tomorrow (Monday) as low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines launches its Orlando flights.

With airline will operate four weekly flights from New York Stewart International Airport with introductory fares as low as $39 on way.

On November 2, Frontier adds two more cities – Miami and Tampa, both with flights three times per week.

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the airline says it is focused on more than just low fares; it offers customers purchase options “a la carte” or in one bundle called the Works. That includes refundability, a carry-on bag, a checked bag, the best available seat, waived change fees, and priority boarding.