Yesterday, the Daily News published a heartbreaking story about a Manhattan couple, Arthur and Madeleine Morris, who died after getting into a car accident at their Catskills vacation home: "Arthur, 88, was smothered trying to crawl out of the Ford Fusion, while brave wife Madeleine, 89, trekked to a road but died of exposure after a rainy night under a tarp." And they tried to call from their cellphone—nine times—but there was no service, seemingly dooming them to their circumstances. more ›

Ever dream of recreating the summer of 1963, when 17-year-old New Yorker Frances "Baby" Houseman took a family vacation to Kellerman's Resort in the Catskills? Well, now you'll never have the opportunity to awkwardly carry a watermelon into an after-hours staff party, because over the weekend the place was destroyed by a fire. Formerly the Brown's Hotel, it later became a 396-unit condominium complex, but as its former incarnation it served as (at least one of) the Catskills resorts that inspired the film. The fire was called the "largest fire in Catskills history," and in the end burned down 7 of the 9 buildings on the grounds. more ›

Have you been feeling the need for speed, machismo, and nature all one in one place? You're in luck! The Rental Car Rally, a ridiculous, testosterone-fueled 12-hour car race that draws its inspiration from "the Wacky Races, THX-1138, the Mad Max trilogy, Logan's Run, Daredevil #267, the original Death Race film, and Cannonball Run I (but not II, except for Catherine Bach's daisy dukes)," is just around the corner. more ›

An 18-year-old high school senior died yesterday in a skiing accident at Windham Mountain in the Catskills. According to state police, Erin Claire Malloy-McArdle lost "control while skiing and left the trail at a high speed into a wooded area where she struck a tree. She had not been wearing a helmet and sustained extensive head injuries as a result of hitting the tree." more ›

The state is considering authorizing drilling for natural gas on private land within the 2,000- square-mile Catskills watershed that provides drinking water to millions of NYC residents. Drilling could pump $1 billion into the state economy, but there's a bit of downside: It could leak toxic chemicals into drinking water, causing unknown health risks, according to a report by the city Department of Environmental Protection. That is, unless we build a $10 billion filtration plant and spend $100 million a year to run it! more ›

This weekend we sent Pat from Pop Tarts Suck Toasted to soak up some music at the Catskills-based ATP Festival; here's his report from Friday and Saturday. (Check back later for an update from yesterday.) more ›

All Tomorrow's Parties (better known as ATP) got a New York home last year in the Catskills, and the old upstate resort Kutshers provided such a perfect space that it'll all be happening again this year. The fest is hands down the most enjoyable event we've ever personally attended, and the soundtrack provided isn't too shabby either. This year Animal Collective, Sufjan Stevens, Flaming Lips, Deerhoof and many many many more will be performing throughout the three days; there's also poker with Steve Albini (don't miss his band Shellac, either), and plenty of other distractions to keep you entertained (check out photos from last year here). If you're free this weekend, we highly recommend buying yourself a ticket—but first, get to know the organizer a little better. more ›

Poor Tanya Hollander. When the 36-year-old holistic health counselor tried to make a little extra money booking illicit rendezvous for the Emperors Club escort service, she had no idea she'd end up tarred for life, thanks to former Governor Eliot Spitzer's penchant for prostitutes. Now even the Buddhists don't want anything to do with her! Catskills paper The Phoenicia Times reports that Nena Thurman, wife of Robert and mother of Uma, unwittingly hired Hollander to help manage the family's New Age retreat center last summer. And Nena doesn't seem inclined to let this particular sentient being escape her nasty karma; she tells the paper, "We’re extremely troubled to learn of her problems only now, and especially troubled that she withheld what’s clearly pertinent information about her background. Clearly, had we been aware, we might have hired someone else." more ›

Yesterday, the body of 20-year-old Carlo Milito was pulled from a lake in Smallwood, in Sullivan County. Milito and two other friends from Brooklyn, cousins Domenico Coluccio, 19, and Anthony DuPont, 18, drowned after their boat capsized on Sunday. Sheriff Mike Schiff explained, "The temperature of the water, which was 48 or 49 degrees, gives an immediate shock to the system – to the lungs, muscles – you cramp and start to develop hypothermia very quickly. They were also wearing layered clothing which absorbs the water and that will weigh you down to the bottom." more ›

Authorities say that two teens drowned and one is still missing after their boat capsized in the Smallwood Reservoir in Sullivan County yesterday around 1:30 p.m. A fourth person, Gianfranco Generoso, 20, managed to swim to shore. more ›

Three-year-old boy who disappeared from a Catskills campground on Saturday was found a day later. Daniel Niktalov, who lives in Forest Hills with his family but had been camping at the Swing Bridge Campground in Sullivan County, was found less than a mile away after "rescuers from three states" were involved with search efforts. more ›