This February could end up being one of the coldest ever -- if not the coldest...
Our series of Artic outbreaks in recent weeks means the month of February could wind up being one of the coldest on record for Western New York. That from Forecaster Tony Ansuini with the National Weather Service in Buffalo. Ansuini says another arctic blast is on the way for late Wednesday through Friday. He adds he doesn't see the trend changing anytime soon... with "well-below" normal temperatures through the beginning of March. Ansuini confirms that February is turning out to be one of the coldest on record in Western New York. He says the average temperature is 13.4-degrees...while the coldest month ever recorded was February of 1934 when the average was 11.6. As for the season, Ansuini ranks it among the top 10 coldest.
Cummins Engine announces major investment in new block machining line...
A major manufacturer of heavy-duty truck engines in the Jamestown-area has announced it has made a "significant" investment to install a new, engine block machining line to it's current facility. Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan says Cummins Engine is now preparing it's plant near Ashville to begin putting the new line in place during the second-half of this year. Horrigan adds that full production is expected to begin at the start of 2017... and, that's "good news." He says this follows a "very successful 2014 for the company." Horrigan, though, doesn't have specific numbers as to jobs being retained... or, how many would be added. Local Congressman Tom Reed... who's been a big supporter of manufacturing... says he met with Cummins' Chief Executive Officer about the proposal... which he says will cost about $40-million. He says that kind of local investment "only bodes well for our future." Horrigan adds that the investment represents a "vote of confidence in manufacturing in the Jamestown... and, surrounding area."
Some state lawmakers may push for pay raise in return for reforms on outside income...
Here's one idea for fixing Albany: Pay New York state lawmakers more. Legislators make a base salary of $79,500 for what's supposed to be a part-time job. But... they have long complained that the compensation hasn't changed in 15 years... and, doesn't reflect the workload. Now, a pay increase has resurfaced as part of a proposal to address political corruption. Many lawmakers and good-government groups say banning or restricting the money lawmakers make from side jobs would eliminate a frequent source of corruption.
