NWS issued Flood Watch for western New York -- including Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties...
The potential for ice jam flooding and up to an inch of rain has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Flood Watch for all of Western New York -- including Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. Forecaster Dave Thomas says it's in effect until 8 a.m. Sunday. Thomas says milder temperatures and some rainfall will be a concern. He says temperatures got into the low 50s Friday... and, won't be below freezing until late tonight. Thomas says that, and a quarter to half-an-inch of rain, creates the chance of ice jam flooding. People living in areas that are prone to ice jam flooding should prepare for the potential for flooding this weekend. Up to this point... County Executive Vince Horrigan says we're fortunate that we've had no rain... and, still low temperatures at night to keep the ice from melting too quickly.
City home damaged in Kitchen Fire...
A grease fire in the kitchen of a home on Jamestown's westside triggered a blaze that heavily damaged the kitchen of that home. City Fire Battalion Chief Don Woodfield says crews were called to the scene at 34 McDaniel Ave. shortly before 2:30 a.m. Friday. Woodfield says firefighters found heavy fire coming from the kitchen... and, were able to make a quick stop on the blaze. He says it was then a matter of checking for any fire extension. Woodfield says fire crews used a one-a-three-quarter inch line to douse the fire. He says -- for the most part -- damage was confined to the kitchen. He says damage was significant... and, the family living there has been temporarily displaced. Woodfield says they are being helped by the local Red Cross chapter. He says no injuries were reported in the fire. Woodfield says an off-duty shift was called in to assist at the scene... and, man Fire Station-one. Firefighters were at the scene until 4 a.m. Friday.
Chautauqua County Sheriff's Dept to take part in state's latest Stop DWI Enforcement program...
Local police will be out in force during this extended St. Patrick's Day holiday weekend. That from Sheriff Joe Gerace... who says his, and other agenices across the region, will be out in force to deterr people from drinking and driving during the St. Patrick's Day period that begins today... and, runs through Tuesday night. Gerace says this detail is similar to ones they had back on Super Bowl Sunday Weekend... and, Christmas and New Years. He says "removing intoxicated drivers from county roadways is one of our top priorities." He says Christmas is now one of the big time periods where drinking and driving is seen. Gerace says St. Patrick's Day is often celebrated by drinking... and, he adds celebrate as much at you like... but, don't get behind the wheel of a car. This latest Stop-DWI Crack-down is taking place through next Tuesday... St. Patrick's Day... in New York state. During Super Bowl weekend... Gerace says there were more than 70 traffic stops... arrests and summonses.
DiNapoli says Medicaid Spending on the rise in NYS...
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says state spending on Medicaid is projected to rise in New York by nearly $700-million a year over the next four years. However... DiNapoli says the state's efforts to limit Medicaid spending are showing signs of progress with annual growth at less than 2 percent. The growth rate had previously been more than 5 percent annually. New York's Medicaid spending has long been among the highest in the nation. The federal government picked up just over half of New York's $55.3-billion Medicaid bill last fiscal year. Medicaid is the insurance program for low-income people. Total state enrollment is expected to exceed 6.4 million in several years.
Maple Weekend Preview Day held in Kennedy...
If we continue to reach about 40 degrees during the day... and, fall to around 20 at night... there should be a great Maple harvest this year in Chautauqua County. That from local Maple producers previewing the upcoming New York Maple Weekends later this month. This is the 20th year for the Maple Weekends... where local producers open up their sugar shacks... and, allow the public to see how syrup and other products are made. Big Tree Maple's David Munsee says they're ready to go. The first weekend is March 21-22, and the second will be March 28-29. The Chautauqua Maple Promotion Day was held Friday at Steward's Dairy Farm on Waterboro Hill Road in Kennedy. It's operated by Donald and Paul Steward, and their family. Paul Steward says they got a little bit of a late start due to the frigid cold weather through the end of February. Steward says they've got about 2,000 taps out... with another 600 yet to go out. Steward says he made his first batch of syrup just Friday... and, says it was "really good." He says he's anticipating good sugar content for this year. For more information on Maple Weekends in Chautauqua County... go on-line to www.mapleweekend.com.
