History was made last night as American President Donald Trump met face-to-face with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and, predicted that he and Un will have "a terrific relationship"...  

 

After an initial 35-minute meeting with Kim, Trump said he feels the session went "really great."  Local Congressman Tom Reed says the series of meetings between the two are critical, especially for the North Korean leader.

 

Reed says he first became optimitic that the meeting would take place after a senior North Korean leader hand-delivered a letter from Kim Jong Un to President Trump last week.  Trump said "we're going to have a great discussion and a terrific relationship."  Kim says through an interpreter that it "was not easy to get here" and that there "were obstacles but we overcame them to be here."

 

 

The process of naming the new National Comedy Center in Jametown the United States' "official" home of comedy now has a second supporter in Congress...  

 

There is now a House sponsor for federal legislation making the designation in local Congressman Tom Reed.  Comedy Center Board President Tom Benson says the move is a "major milestone" for the effort.  Reed says the bill is similar to the one introduced earlier this year by U-S Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and, he adds that it's appropriate that Jamestown have that distinction.

 

Reed says the designation will put the National Comedy Center on a "par" with such places as the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio and, the Baseball Hall of Fame a few hours to the east in Cooperstown.  Gebbie Foundation Executive Director Greg Edwards says their studies estimate that the center will have a $20-million impact on the Western New York economy.

 

 

The weed and other aquatic plantlife in Chautauqua Lake is about three-weeks behind where it should be and, that's helped hold down weed growth in the lake this year...  

 

That from Chautauqua Lake Association Executive Director Doug Conroe during yesterday's annual meeting of the CLA held at Chautauqua Institution's Atheneaum Hotel.  Conroe says Eurasian Milfoil continues to be a problem in some areas, but not what it was like a few years ago.

 

The weevil insects that are native to Chautauqua Lake have helped keep the milfoil in check the past couple of years.  Conroe says the lake is about "three-weeks behind" as far as weed growth is concerned.  What is growing moreso this year, he says, is a more "native plant" called Elodea. Conroe says that's been the main focus of the CLA's mechanical weed harvesting efforts the past couple of years.  He adds that, so far, the Harmful Algal Blooms have not made an appearance on the lake.

 

 

The Jamestown City Council approved the new temporary location of the county's bus system to Pine Street... 

 

In a special meeting Monday evening, council members voted on allowing the Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System--- also known as CARTS-- to move the West Second Street hub to the area around the South County Office Building. The move came after some discussion of what time streets signs should read notifying motorists of when transit buses are parked along the street. The council passed a resolution to allow for CARTS parking from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. CARTS officials say the move is needed with the current streetscape project on West Second Street, and the grand opening of the National Comedy Center in early August.

 

 

There are opportunities to expand deer hunting in the areas around Jamestown during next Fall's hunting season, which may allow for a bigger harvest of the animals...  

 

That from At-Large City Councilman Andrew Liuzzo, who says he's continued his discussions with the state Department of Environmental Conservation about the matter.  Liuzzo recently told council members that, under the law, hunters can now apply for up to four additional tags and, says he posted the information on his Facebook page.

 

Liuzzo says landowners in the DEC Area "9-J" can apply for the additional permits, which can then be assigned to hunters.  He says it allows hunters to shot and harvest more deer.  Liuzzo says it's "a start..." and, will allow some additional hunting in wooded areas around the city to help thin the herd.  Ward Six Councilman Tom Nelson says he currently receives more calls on the deer population issue than any other.  He agrees it's a good place to start.

 

 

A New York state senator wants to use cameras to catch motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses...  

 

Republican Senator Cathy Young's proposal would allow the cameras to be mounted on the stop arm of a bus and record any car that passes when the arm is extended.  The Olean Republican says the evidence from the cameras could be used to issue tickets to motorists who break the law.  She cited studies estimating that drivers around New York state pass school buses thousands of times each day.  She says similar proposals have been introduced in state legislatures around the country as a way to crack down on motorists who put children at risk.  Young and other supporters plan to discuss the legislation at a press conference Tuesday.