Rain forecast for the weekend should help ease ongoing drought situation in parts of Chautauqua County...
The weather forecast for today should help parts of Chautauqua County that remain under "moderate" drought conditions. The latest U-S 'Drought Monitor' report from the federal government says that's still the case in the north county. Forecaster Aaron Reynolds with the National Weather Service in Buffalo says the rainfall deficit has improved... but, the level of streams and creeks remain low. Reynolds says the situation's been compounded by a lack of snowfall last Winter, and lack of rain this Summer. He says there is more rainfall in the forecast for today... and, that should help in the short term. However... it will take months for the area to get out of the drought. After this weekend's expected rainfall... Reynolds says temperatures will warm up again next week. It will reach close to 80 by next Thursday, the first day of fall.
Chautauqua County Airport near Jamestown to officially receive federal aid for parking lot project...
U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand made it official Friday... more than $896,000 in federal funding is on the way for two Western New York regional airports -- including one in Chautauqua County. County Executive Vince Horrigan says the County Legislature recently took action on accepting $745,000 in funding for completing work on the Jamestown Airport parking lot... which has fallen into disrepair. Horrigan says it's part of their five-year plan that's been in the hands of the FAA. He adds the project will take place this Fall. The Cattaraugus County Airport in Olean will receive $150,000 to purchase snow removal equipment in preparation for the winter season.
Teresi says New York City consulting firm hired to help drive projects to be part of $10-million Downtown Revitalization Initiative program "over the goal-line..."
The outside consultant that will help shepard the city of Jamestown through some 5 to 8 economic development projects to completion has been named by the state. It's part of the initial process for using the $10-million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant awarded by the state for each of the 10 Regional Economic Development Zones. Mayor Sam Teresi says the national consulting firm H-R-and-A of New York City has been selected to do the work using $300,000 of the funding. Teresi says the state is "very involved" in the process, He says H-R-and-A will work with the city and New York state to put together a "well-crafted, interconnected program" of activities using the remaining $9.7-million in funding. He says there are basically three areas of development the funding can go for. Those include infrastructure upgrades in support of development... plugging financing gaps on such projects... or, for public or not-for-profit initiatives... such as the National Comedy Center. Teresi made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the five Media One Group stations.
State Unemployment rate up slightly in August...
New York's private sector unemployment rate edged up slightly in August to 4.8 percent from 4.7 percent a month earlier. The state Department of Labor says that compares to a national rate of 4.9 percent. After steadily gaining jobs since the recession, the state's private sector lost 12,400 jobs in August. The department says the fastest growth in jobs over the past over the past year has been in Kingston, Dutchess and Putnam counties, the Watertown/Fort Drum area, New York City and Ithaca.
Police looking for thief or thieves involved in break-in at Sherman Town Court-Offices...
A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the theft of a large safe from the Sherman Town Court, and town offices. Sheriff's officers say the break-in at 111 Mill Street occured back on April 15... at about 12 Midnight. Deputies say the safe contained a small amount of cash. However... officials say -- more importantly -- it contained extremely important town records... particularly the cemetery records. Officers say it's extremely important that these cemetery records are recovered. If you have any information on this burglary... you are asked to call the We Tip-line at 1-800-78-CRIME... that's 1-800-782-7463... or contact Investigator Boland directly at 753-4925. In addition to the potential "We Tip" reward money of up to one-thousand dollars... additional reward money may be available.
Batman Day being celebrated at Chautauqua Comics...
It's "Batman Day" today across the nation... and, locally, Chautauqua Comics in Jamestown is celebrating! Owner Al Steffans says there will be store specials, contests and some special guests... including Batman and the Riddler. Steffans says there will be extra incentive for visitors to the store that come dressed as their favorite Batman Character. He adds a winner will be announced through a Facebook Contest on the store’s page. The winner will receive a $50 gift card, or a free graphic novel. Steffans says Batman Day started in 2014 when D-C comics celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the character. In the spirit of the day... he says everyone that visits Chautauqua Comics will get a free "rebirth" issue Batman Comic Book. Steffans adds that everyone will get a chance to be a hero as donations will be collected for St. Susan’s Soup Kitchen. Anyone who donates $1 or more will be able to spin the prize wheel. The Batman Day Celebration runs until 8 p.m. Saturday at Chautauqua Comics.
