Two Bemus Point men dead after being struck by car in town of Ellery...
A tragic, car-pedestrian accident on the Maple Springs-Ellery Road last Saturday night has killed an elderly Bemus Point man and his son. State Police in Jamestown say 85 year-old Wesley Lutgen... and, his 42 year-old son, Benjamin... were struck and killed by the vehicle while they were walking in the town of Ellery about 6 p.m. Troopers say the eldery female driver couldn't see the men because they were wearing dark clothing at the time. The driver was not hurt. No charges have been filed.
Dunkirk man suffered medical emergency, car veers of Dunkirk Pier in fatal accident...
Dunkirk Police have now released the identity of the north county man who died after the vehicle he was driving crashed off the city pier into Lake Erie late Saturday night. Police say 64 year-old Steven Kucmierz of Dunkirk suffered a medical emergency prior to the accident. The vehicle crashed through the railing on the side of the pier and became submerged in the lake just before 10 p.m. Dunkirk Firefighters... and, the Dunkirk Underwater Rescue Team entered the water... and, worked hard to free the man from the vehicle, which was badly damaged. Kucmierz was taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital... but, later died. City units were assisted by Fredonia Police, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department... and, the county's WET and HAZMAT Teams.
Three hurt, one seriously, in I-86 crash in Cattaraugus County...
Three people were hurt... one seriously... in a one-car, rollover crash on Interstate 86 near Salamanca last Saturday morning. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's officers say 21 year-old Danielle Morgan of Dundee, NY... was driving westbound in the town of Cold Spring just after 10 AM... when the car began drifting off the road. Deputies say Morgan overcorrected... and, she lost control of the car. Officers say the vehicle then struck the median barrier... and, overturned. Deputies say two back seat passengers were ejected. One passenger... Morgan's 16 year-old sister, Rachael... is in stable condition at the Erie County Medical Center with internal and back injuries. Danielle Morgan and the other passenger... 17 year-old Walker Kapral of Bath, NY... were treated for minor injuries at WCA Hospital in Jamestown. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's officers were assisted at the scene by state Park Police... and, the Seneca Nation Marshall's offfice.
Dolce says new, Joint Task Force on Efficiency and Cost Reduction to meet in Jamestown next month...
The Jamestown City Councilman named to head up a new task force to look at ways the city and it's Board of Public Utilities can save money and be more efficient is hoping for an initial meeting in January. Second-Ward representative Tony Dolce says the city's taking of a dividend payment from the BPU's surplus came to "a head" this year... and, led to the naming of the panel by Mayor Sam Teresi. Dolce says city can legally request the "dividend" payment. However... citizen members of the BPU have said it will hurt the utility in the long run... and, could lead to a rate increase. Dolce emphasizes that city officials don't want that to happen. He says everyone needs to avoid viewing this as an "us versus them" situation. Dolce says the Joint Task Force on Efficiency and Cost Reduction is a chance for city and BPU officials to meet... and, see where efficiencies can be found. In the past... he says such discussions led to the BPU to take over the city's sewer operations... and, garbage pick-up. Dolce made his comments for last weekend's "Community Spotight" program.
Town of Busti receives state Grant to help town facilities be upgraded, make to comply with ADA requirements...
The town of Busti has received a $50,000 state grant that'll be used to improve it's court... community and senior center... and town office building. State Senator Cathy Young has announced the grant was approved by the State and Municipal Facilities Program for the Lakewood location. Young says the grant will "result in a tremendous boost for the seniors who use the facility regularly, as well as for those appearing before the court." She says it will provide residents with "greater availability" to needed services, resources, and community activities. But... most importantly... the Olean Republican says the town’s facilities will now be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Town Supervisor Jesse Robbins adds that completing the new Busti court rooms... and, community-and-senior center is "vital" to the town's future. He says the grant will allow the project to become "a reality."
Next top-10 story of 2014, sale of Chautauqua County Home...
We continue with our look back at the 10 top stories of 2014. It was an easy one to forget after the final vote was taken... but, the Chautauqua County Legislature voted last February to sell the County Home in Dunkirk. Lawmakers agreed to sell the facility to VestraCare of Long Island... after failing to muster the needed votes in late 2013. This time... the 13 supermajority votes were there for passage. Former Jamestown lawmaker Fred Larson cast what appeared to be the deciding vote. Larson viewed the November 2013 elections as a "referendum" on the County Home... and, the clear majority of the voters wanted the home sold. But... Sheridan Republican Terry Niebel didn't agree. While he believes the County Home will never break even, Neibel feels it’s worth keeping in County hands. He said he would rather subsidize people who have lived here their entire lives, and live in the home... then people who come from out-of-state to take advantage of New York's "generous" public assistance benefits." However... supporters of selling the County Home didn't know whether they had enough votes until they were actually cast.
