Charter Communications merger with Time-Warner revoked by NYS regulators...
New York regulators have revoked their approval of Charter Communications' merger with Time Warner Cable and ordered the company to find another cable provider for its more than 2-million customers in the state. The state Public Service Commission on Friday claimed the company is not meeting public benefit conditions agreed to in 2016. A key complaint centers on the company's commitment to expand its broadband network to underserved areas. They ordered Charter, doing business as Spectrum, to file a plan within 60 days to ensure an "orderly transition to a successor" provider or providers. Charter says it remains focused on expanding broadband and said "rhetoric often becomes politically charged" in election years. Charter provides cable service in Jamestown, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens and parts of Brooklyn.
Problem Solvers, Reed, introduce "Break the Gridlock" legislation in Congress...
A bi-partisan Congressional caucus has introduced proposed changes to House Rules to encourage bi-partisanship, transparency and create debate on real issues. Local Congressman Tom Reed says the measures have been introduced by the Problem Solver's Caucus he co-chairs with New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer. The Corning Republican says the "Break the Gridlock" legislation would give "fast-track" priority to bi-partisan legislation, and would guarantee a "mark-up" on each. Reed says extremists on both sides of the aisle are currently able to wield too much power to "control the floor," and stop consensus building. Reed adds that one of the big items in the package is the replacement of the current "Motion to Vacate the Chair." With Speaker Paul Ryan's pending retirement... he says there are already moves a foot to quickly replace him. Reed says he wants a person who supports what they're calling for. Right now... Reed says the House floor can be controlled by a "select few." Gottheimer says they've seen their common sense measures get "jammed up" in the current system. Reed made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier Media.
Quattrone endorsed by State Police PBA in run for Sheriff...
Chautauqua County Sheriff candidate Jim Quattrone has received a signifiant endorsement in his run against long-time incumbant Democrat Joe Gerace. Quattrone, a Republican, announced late this week that the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association is backing him. PBA Delegate for Troop-A, John Clark, and another union official met with Quattrone to inform him of the endorsement stating the organization was "proudly endorsing him." Quattrone says -- "Chautauqua County residents and visitors deserve a community that they can feel safe and secure. It is only when agencies can collaborate and cooperate with each other that we will have these safe communities."
Former NYS Assembly Speaker sentenced to seven-years in prison...
Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has been sentenced to seven years in prison for public corruption. U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni announced the sentence Friday at a court in Manhattan. Silver was once among Albany's most powerful Democrats until he was felled by a corruption scandal. He was initially found guilty in 2015 of pocketing $4-million illegally by collecting fees from a cancer researcher and real estate developer. His conviction and 12-year prison sentence were thrown out by an appeals court, but the 74-year-old fared no better at a second trial in May. In a pre-sentence submission, Silver said he was filled with shame and feared he would die in prison.
All 16-to-18 year-old Babe Ruth World Series teams now known... many from a few hours away...
The final team in the 16-to-18 year-old Babe Ruth World Series has been determined... and, a new event has been added to the opening weekend festivities. That from Local Committee Vice-President Kim Ecklund... who says an Eastern Pennsylvania team Westend, from Williamsport, won the multiple-time delayed Mid-Atlantic Championship Wednesday. That means five of the world series teams -- including the local Chautauqua County entry -- will come from within seven-hours of Jamestown. The others include Western New York Champ, Onondaga... the Mid-west representative from Indiana... and, the New England winner, Cap Cod. Ecklund says the new event will be held at Diethrick Park next Friday night, a skills competition and home run contest. She says she is still getting parade entries for the World Series Parade in downtown Jamestown a week from today at 9 a.m. She says it will step off promptly at 9 because the first game begins at 12 Noon.
