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News Headlines for Wed., Aug. 19, 2015

Flash Flood Watch now in place for all of WNY on Thursday...

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for all of Western New York including Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties from Thursday morning through Thursday night.  A slow moving cold front crossing Western New York could trigger possible flooding.  That from Forecaster Bob Hamilton with the Weather Service's Buffalo office... who says with warm, soupy air already in place... that will produce numerous showers and thunderstorms.  Hamilton says some of those storms could stay over a few areas, triggering those flash floods.  He says rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in localized areas on Thursday.  Generally, he says the region will see about half-an-inch of rain.  Hamilton adds that excessive runoff produced by the localized heavy rainfall may result in rapid rises on small streams and creeks in addition to poor drainage areas.


Ribbon is cut on new Jamestown DMV Office on city's westside...

The new location for the Chautauqua County Department of Motor Vehicles in Jamestown has been open for about two weeks now... and, it couldn't be working any better.  That from County Clerk Larry Barmore during Wednesday morning's official opening of the location at 512 West Third St.  Barmore first of thanked Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi... and, Renaissance Corporation Executive Director Greg Lindquist, and city Development Director Vince DeJoy for finding the new location.  He's says it's been a "great place," and they've received nothing but customer compliments on the free parking, and spacious interior.  He says they have six full service stations to serve customers.  In fact... Barmore says they haven't had to use their numbering service because they've been able to move customers in and out fairly quickly.  County Executive Vince Horrigan called it a "neat development" in many ways.  He says one of those is... with the DMV moving out of the South County Office Building on East Fourth Street to the new location opens up more space for the Department of Social Services.  Horrigan says that'll relieve congestion at that location, as well.  Teresi and DeJoy both thanked the county for being flexible enough to consider a different location.  Initially... county officials were looking at the former Big-N Plaza on Fluvanna Avenue for a new DMV office.


Jamestown school district has new, four-year agreement in place with union representing paraprofessionals...

The Jamestown school district has reached unanimous agreement on a new, four-year contract with one of it's largest unions.  The school board last night approved the new pact... which is retroactive to July 1st of 2013 and runs until June 30th of 2017.  Association of Jamestown Paraprofessionals Co-President Val Hagglund says she's very happy and relieved to have the new contract in place.  Co-President Cheryl Jones says... after dealing with several stumbling blocks along the way... a new mediator helped get the ball rolling on talks.  Hagglund adds this was the "most difficult" negotiation she's ever been part of... because key negotiators left the talks... or someone passed away.  She says the vote by the 133-member unit was also unanimous.  School Superintendent Tim Mains agrees the new contract was a "long-time coming" and he's "very pleased" it's now in place.  Salaries, and benefits were among the key issues to deal with.  Mains says there were "step" and hourly wage increases that don't add up to a-dollar over the four-years.


Schumer proposing legislation to deal with Drones around airports, and other "No fly" areas...

U-S Senator Charles Schumer is introducing legislation forcing the Federal Aviation Administration to require drone manufacturers to implement technology that would prevent the aircraft from entering ``no-fly zones'' like airports.  The New York lawmaker's proposal follows a recent spate of reports that unmanned aircrafts appearing near airports.  Schumer tells The A-P it's only a matter of time before a deadly collision results from one of these encounters.  He says so-called ``geo-fencing'' technology exists that would limit where drones can fly.  Schumer noted there have been at least seven reported drone sightings at Kennedy and Newark airports in the past week.


Donation of $2,500 Kaye Trainer allows special figure, and hockey skaters to stand-up while participating...

The developmentally and physically disabled have a new way, locally, to help them stand up so they can enjoy ice skating or playing hockey.  The Chautauqua County Council United Commercial Travelers-#202 has donated a $2,500 "Kaye Trainer" to the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena that will help them to do that.  The arena has hosted a Sled Hockey program for people with developmental disabilities... but, this is new and different.  Arena Ticket and Guest Services Director Brittany Mason says that the trainer allows the player to be in a standing position.  Mason says the first candidate was put into the equipment late Tuesday morning.  She says the trainer has a metal frame with a pulley attached to a harness.  She says that allows them to pull the person up from a wheelchair.  Mason says several people... including current Sled Hockey Coach Rod Kolstee... are working to create at least one "stand-up special" hockey team by drawing people from sled hockey... The Resource Center... Aspire and Special Olympics to take part.  For more information on the program... call Mason at the arena at 484-2624.