The investigation is continuing into a fatal car-motorcycle crash that occurred on Route 20 in the town of Hanover on Monday afternoon.
Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies responded to the crash on Route 20 just after 4:30 p.m. That from Sheriff Joe Gerace who says the accident apparently occured at an intersection when the driver of the car failed to yield at a stop sign.
Gerace says the motorcyclist, 60 year-old Michael Shoemaker, was flown to the Erie County Medical Center, where he later died. He says the driver of the car, 48-year-old Tammy Mays of Silver Creek, has been ticketed for failing to yield the right of way at a stop sign.
The Sheriff indicates that while a ticket has been issued, the case remains open.
Authorities in upstate New York are warning residents about a telephone scam where callers pose as police officers.
WGRZ-TV in Buffalo reports several residents have notified the Erie County Sheriff's Office about the calls. Sheriff Timothy Howard says in each case the caller identified themselves as an Erie County Sheriff's Office Sergeant named Robert Stzeczario.
Howard says the callers threaten to arrest residents unless they pay a $2,500 fine for not appearing at jury duty. Howard says the scammers ask for money orders.
The Sheriff's Office says residents should hang up if they receive questionable calls.
Chautauqua County has submitted what it hopes is the winning application for New York's 20-million dollar Municipal Consolidation and Government Efficiency Competition.
County Executive Vince Horrigan said late last week that the application was sent before the June 30th deadline. Horrigan also praised the work of his Executive Assistant, Dan Heitzenreiter, and Legislator George Borrello on the final application. He says they and the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester did a lot of work on the application.
Horrigan says about 14 projects from across the county are included in the final application... and, he says they're in a variety of areas. Horrigan adds there is still more work ahead. He says each of the six entities involved in the state-wide competition will have to give a presentation in Albany in mid-July.
While no date has been announced, Horrigan doesn't expect a winner to be determined until sometime in September.
The Chautauqua County Independence Party has endorsed George Borrello for County Executive in this Fall's election.
In making the announcement Party Chairman Thom Shagla say's they've watched Borrello's career "as a legislator and the way he has immersed himself in the business of Chautauqua County." Shagla says "we are impressed with his intimate knowledge of all aspects of it's running and the energy he had exhibited."
Borrello is a Republican from Silver Creek and, founded his business "Top-Shelf Marketing" in his early 20s and, grew it into a national recognized supplier to the hospitality industry. Borrello was first elected as a legislator in 2009 and, is finishing his fourth-term on the panel.
He was endorsed last month by the county's Republican Committee.
Many of the best up-and-coming pro golfers in the world are in Chautauqua County for this year's second-annual LECOM Challenge tournament at the Peek 'n Peak Resort in Findley Lake.
Tournament play begins Thursday in the 72-hole PGA Web.com tour event. One of the tournament co-director's, Michelle Turner with the Chautauqua County Regional Economic Development Corporation, says they're excited to see the event return this year and, is hoping for another exciting finish like last year.
Turner says there are still plenty of tickets remaining and, adds that single-day tickets cost $10 each and, a weekly pass is $25 for all four days. She says the annual Pro-Am is being held at The Peek today but, adds that they've had activities taking place all week beginning with two on Monday.
She said Tuesday that one was a Kid's Golf Clinic with many of the pros which was followed by a Kids Pro-Am. Turner says about 100 kids took part in the activites.
The LECOM Health Challenge runs through next Sunday afternoon.
Gasoline prices in Chautauqua County continue to fall just like national prices have over the past week.
The AAA's Fuel Gauge Report says they've fallen to just over $2.44 a gallon for regular, unleaded fuel. The Fuel Gauge says the local price has fallen nearly a penny and are now $2.44.3 cents. Elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region this week gasoline prices have declined again this week.
Compared to one month ago, gasoline prices are on average 12 cents cheaper in the region. Gasoline stockpiles in the region were on an upward swing on the week, rising by 600,000 barrels. This was the only region in the country to see stocks increase, which contributed to the gasoline prices drop. Nationally AAA says the average price is now $2.23.
