Above: Detail from a National Weather Service weather forecast map issued at 3:53 am today. Source: NWS Binghamton website.

Forecasters are tracking a nor'easter that looks likely to dump snow and sleet across a wide swath of the northeastern U.S. starting this afternoon, with up to 8 inches expected in the high peaks of the Catskills.

In a blog post published today, the Weather Channel explains why they have taken it upon themselves to name the storm "Athena":

...without Sandy, we may not have named this storm. However, one of our main reasons for naming events is societal impact. With so many people still under recovery efforts -- even well inland -- the combination of heavy, wet snow and wind prompted the decision to name this storm. The decision to name was based on a trend in models toward a colder pattern with additional snowfall along the Northeast Coast.

Local developer Dean Gitter is selling his stake in Shandaken's Emerson Hotel to co-owner Emily Fisher.

In a press release issued Tuesday by the Emerson, Gitter said that the sale would allow him to focus on building the Belleayre Resort:

“Emily and I have worked together for almost two decades to bring to Shandaken an asset which has brought national attention to the town.  At my age, I cannot continue to ride two horses; so Emily will continue her stewardship of the Emerson, while I concentrate all my energies on the Belleayre Resort initiative,” said Gitter.

The long-anticipated Belleayre Resort has been the subject of much discussion, but little action, since 1998. In October, Gitter told the Fresh Tracks ski magazine that there may be some forward movement on the resort project soon:

Shokan residents James and Eva Stapleford were found dead in their Black Road home on Monday night by a Town of Olive police officer, after their daughter in Pennsylvania called Ulster County police to check on her parents.

According to an announcement made by the Ulster County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday morning, the Staplefords' house was found to be without power, though other houses in the neighborhood had power restored. A portable gasoline-powered generator was running in the basement-level garage, where 75-year-old James Stapleford was found dead. Officials believe James's death may have been the result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

73-year-old Eva Stapleford was found at the bottom of the basement stairs, where she appeared to have fallen in an effort to find her husband.

The Staplefords' deaths are under investigation by the Ulster County Medical Examiner's Office and Ulster County Sheriff's Office.

Central Hudson Gas & Electric also responded to the scene to restore electrical service, and make sure the house was safe.