Polls in New York have closed as voters decide key congressional primaries around the state...
It was "too close to call" in the 23rd Congressional District, but unofficially, Owego's Max Della Pia leads the Democratic primary with 7,022 votes to face incumbant Republican Tom Reed in the general election this Fall. Della Pia is retired from the U-S Air Force and Air Force Reserves. He says he's a strong supporter of federal programs to help combat and intervene with issues in communities such as hunger and the opioid crisis. Not far behind was Ithaca's Tracy Mitrano with 6,996 votes, while retired cardiologist Linda Andrei rounded out the Top 3 with 3,330 votes. The absentee ballots still have yet to be counted. The others contending for the Democratic nomination were Ian Golden and Eddie Sundquist.
The third time has been the charm for President Trump's travel ban on visitor's coming from several, mainly Muslim nations...
Even before yesterday's 5-4 U-S Supreme Court decision, Local Congressman Tom Reed said he felt this version would withstand muster. Reed says he felt this ban was better defined, and fully recognized policies the president can enact and, was not discriminatory.
Reed and other fellow Republicans, say the measure will help stop terrorism. He says it recognizes that there are "threats to American coming from different areas of the world..." and, that American's need to be protected from those threats. The high court's decision is it's first substantive ruling on a Trump administration policy. In addition to Muslim-majority nations like Syria, the ban also includes North Korea and Venezuela. Reed made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier Media.
The Jamestown City Council has approved the city's 2018 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program action plans...
The plans -- approved Monday night -- total about $1.48-million and, funds several low and moderate income projects. However, one resident says there is too much money going for administration of the program. Retired Board of Public Utilities manager Doug Champ says the current 20-percent is the maximum you can use. Before Jamestown became an "entitlement community..." Champ says he was involved in the program for the city, and they used about 10-percent.
Council President Marie Carrubba says it appears the city is taking more for administrative costs because they've been cut most of the past several years, so it appears they are taking more for those costs. Champ was also critical of whether lawmakers did their due diligence in holding meetings in their wards about the plan. Carrubba says they do hold several meetings, but adds they often don't get a lot of participation.
A Westfield woman has been arrested on federal charges for allegedly embezzling $227,000 from her employer...
U.S. Attorney James Kennedy, Junior says 40 year-old Alicia Raynor was charged late Tuesday by a criminal complaint. Prosecutors say Raynor was hired as Business Manager for Compassion at Home, Incorporated about six-years ago. She had access between November 2012 and August 2015, to the company's payroll processing service, which was used to deposit pay directly into employee bank accounts. Raynor used the service to divert funds from the company's bank account to accounts she controlled. Compassion at Home fired her in August of 2015, but the president said she continued to divert money to her accounts before being arrested.
Seventeen states, including New York and California, are suing to force the Trump administration to reunite migrant families who have been separated at the U.S.-Mexico border...
The states, all led by Democratic attorneys general, joined Washington, D.C., in filing the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Seattle Tuesday. It's the first legal challenge by states over the practice. Immigration authorities have separated about 2,300 children from their parents in recent weeks, sparking global outrage as images of weeping children emerged.
Governor Andrew Cuomo says the state will provide free legal services to anyone detained at New York airports on immigration charges...
The Democrat says the move is in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling upholding President Donald Trump's ban on travel from several mostly Muslim countries. Cuomo says lawyers will be available through the Liberty Defense Project, administered by the Office of New Americans. Cuomo created the office in 2013 to help immigrants navigate the naturalization process. The governor referred to the Trump administration's travel ban as religious discrimination camouflaged as national security. The state has set up a new multi-lingual state hotline for people seeking immigration assistance: 800-566-7636. The Liberty Defense Project was created in 2017 as the Trump administration's policies cracked down on immigration.
An event to raise awareness and support for those affected by kidney disease, including living donors and those who need a kidney transplant, will celebrate nine years of helping the community....
That from Southern Tier Kidney Association President Sam Pellerito, who says the 2018 Kidney Challenge Walk takes place on Sunday, July 8.
Pellerito says prior to walk starting, there will be a memorial ceremony called the "Butterfly Release" during which butterflys who were purchased in memory of a loved one will be released about 1:15 p.m., before the walk begins at 1:30. He says the Kidney Association may be one of the first groups in the area to use the newly-opened bridges on the Riverwalk from St. James Church all the way down to Panzarella Point and back. For more information on the 9th annual Kidney Challenge Walk or to donate, call 450-8958. All proceeds benefit Dialysis patients at UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital, kidney transplant donors and recipients through the WNY Kidney Connection and, to promote the awareness of kidney disease.
