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Bug off
Business assesses farmers’ enemies before attacking
By BRYAN F. YURCAN

After writing his graduate thesis on integrated pest management at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, Robert Koch decided to make it his living.

“My company now is a continuation of my thesis,” he said.

Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a type of agriculture practice involving the use of biological systems, cultural practices, genetics, and judicious pesticide use to maximize potential yields, said Koch.

Top Stories

Where are the alternative energy solutions?
The answer, my friend …
BY KATHY KAHN

Bob Dylan once counseled, “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” Perhaps new U.S. Rep. and former Orleans singer John Hall feels the 1960s’ standard should be revamped a bit.

Team preparing report on state of Orange County
BY KATHY KAHN

Is it traffic, education, sprawl or taxes that have you wondering what the future holds for the fastest-growing county in the state? You’ll have an opportunity to see how Orange County is measuring up in an extensive report being prepared by the Orange County Citizens Foundation and SUNY New Paltz’ School of Business, and chaired by Ed Estrada of Provident Bank, a member of the foundation’s board of directors.

Event gives visitors a ‘taste’ of Rhinebeck
Benefit raises $15,000 for hospital foundation
By LYNN WOODS

The party spirit reigned supreme on a recent evening in Rhinebeck, as disco music blared on village streets, restaurants and cafes threw open their doors to the cold, and crowds of foodies milled about, nibbling on a scrumptious array of appetizers and desserts.

Sheehan nominated as Medicaid inspector general
By BRYAN F. YURCAN

Gov. Eliot Spitzer on April 6 announced the nomination of a current U.S. attorney to fill the role of state Medicaid inspector general.

Drapkin hopes informal survey will pave way to unite counties
BY KATHY KAHN

Coming soon to a breakfast, lunch or dinner near you: Pattern for Progress (www.pattern-for-progress.org) president Jonathan Drapkin, will be bringing an informal survey he hopes will provide a guideline for unity to the nine counties his organization represents.

Jump-start on technology
New state program offers businesses the tools, funds to get projects off the ground
By LYNN WOODS

Small companies have difficulty getting access to the research facilities that enable them to design and fabricate new materials, which helps them grow. But now there’s a new program in New York state that not only allows small companies to work with the university professors who are doing the cutting-edge research relevant to their needs, but also provides matching funds to make it affordable.

Report cites sharp decline in horse-racing revenues, taxes
By BRYAN F. YURCAN

Revenue and taxes generated from horse racing in New York state continued to decline in 2006, according to the annual report issued earlier this month by the state Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee.

Bondi: 2-year tax hike necessary to continue county services
By BOB CHUVALA

Putnam County shoppers could see the county’s sales tax increase to 4 percent this summer, bringing the total sales tax to 8.375 percent, including the 4 percent state sales tax and the .375 percent MTA tax.

Ready, set, go, says Department of Health
State OKs med center’s plans for new hospital
BY KATHY KAHN

“If we build it, they will come.” So say planners of Orange Regional Medical Center, which just received state Department of Health approval to build a 621,000-square-foot hospital on 61 acres off Route 17 in the town of Wallkill.

Nubian Directions prepares the work force of the future
BY KATHY KAHN

With talk of the potential loss of skilled workers in the mid-Hudson, one community-based program is working to help young people achieve their goal of getting a good job. Robert Wright spent 23 years at Marist College guiding kids through the twists and turns of teen years through the institution’s Upward Bound program. “The goal was to get kids to stay in high school, get their diploma and go on to higher education,” said Wright, who was the associate director for the project. He also directed the New York state-sponsored Liberty Partnership Program geared toward motivating fifth- to 12th-grade students to continue with their studies.

Stewart Airport reconfiguration a strong possibility after buyout
BY KATHY KAHN

Stewart International Airport’s transition to a new owner may be in a holding pattern until the contracts are inked between New York, New Jersey and the Port Authority, but major players aren’t waiting to take a closer look at the airport’s infrastructure and map out its future.