A round of intense thunderstorms is headed east across upstate New York this afternoon. We're keeping track of fast-moving Catskills weather updates in the Storify post below. As we add new updates, the latest news will automatically appear at the bottom of the post.

Got a news tip or photo for us? Send it to [email protected]. 

Ulster County primary election results from Tuesday are in -- and in a few of the hottest races, incumbents kept their party lines against challengers.

In Woodstock, where challengers Lorin Rose and Terrie Rosenblum sought to unseat incumbent Jeremy Wilber as the Democratic nominee for town supervisor, Wilber won a decisive victory, earning 296 votes to Rose's 207 and Rosenblum's 93. In the race for two Democratic slots for town council, incumbents also held the day: Town council members Cathy Margelli and Bill McKenna were the top vote-getters, with 376 and 355 votes, while challenger Gary Kutcher earned 258. 

Unofficial results are in from Tuesday's primaries in eight Sullivan County towns: Bethel, Fremont, Liberty, Lumberland, Mamakating, Neversink, Thompson and Tusten. Absentee ballots have not yet been counted, and a few races are too close to call before all ballots have been counted. 

In Bethel's Democratic primary, incumbent supervisor Daniel Sturm fended off a challenge from Judith Maidenbaum, 247 to 82. The race for highway superintendent was also decisive: William Crumley beat Ira "Moose" Liff 214 to 108 for the Democratic nomination. A race for the two Democratic slots on the ballot for town council was closer: Sitting council member Lillian Hendrickson took a clear victory with 229 votes, but Dawn Ryder and Timothy Colaianni were close with 139 and 130 votes respectively.  There were 76 absentee ballots issued for the race.

Bethel also had a Republican primary for the highway superintendent's race, in which James Crowley Jr. beat Ronald Weiss 64 to 51. There were 21 absentee ballots issued.

Some local voters registered with a political party will have a chance to weigh in at the polls on Tuesday, September 10. The local races underway in the region may not be as headline-grabbing as others in the state -- New York City mayoral race, anyone? -- but there are some important races underway in Catskills towns and legislative districts. 

A few of the jucier races underway this week: A heated battle is underway in the Prattsville GOP, with two slates of candidates dueling for seats on the county Republican Committee. Ulster County legislative chair Terry Bernardo, a Republican from Accord, is fighting a challenge from newcomer John Dawson of Kerhonkson. And a three-way race is afoot for the Democratic nod for town supervisor in Woodstock, with incumbent Jeremy Wilber facing challengers Terrie Rosenblum and Lorin Rose.

Once again, Schoharie County -- which had no primary elections in 2011 -- is holding no primaries this year. (Note to Schoharie County's aspiring local politicians: Might want to start thinking about 2015.)

Update, 7pm: The Daily Freeman reported Friday afternoon that 90-year-old Elizabeth Askue, a well-known member of the Hurley community, was found dead in a wooded area near her home.

New York State Police released a statement later in the day:

"On September 5, 2013 the New York State Police in Kingston, NY received a report from Catherine Cattabiani, of Hurley, NY that her 90 year old mother Elizabeth Askue was missing.

Investigation revealed that Elizabeth Askue suffers from dementia and would frequently walk in the area of her residence on Old Route 209. As a result of neighborhood interviews it was discovered that Elizabeth was seen walking in the area of Wynkoop Road on Wednesday evening around 6:30 PM.