Voters in the Clymer Central School District have approved a 2019-2020 budget, this time with room to spare....
The nearly $11.5-million spending plan, which includes an 8.8-percent tax levy increase, was approved by more than the state mandated 60-percent supermajority Tuesday. The vote was 703 to 392, which was a nearly 2-to-1 margin. There were also four non-binding propositions, including one to explore another merger. That was approved 691 to 278. However, one to tuition students to another district was handily defeated. Redistricting was also defeated, while one for sharing services was approved 770-to-185.
The Harrison Street Bridge in Jamestown's Brooklyn Square area will be closed to traffic starting on Monday, July 1st so the entire span can be replaced....
That from Chautauqua County Public Facilities' Director Brad Bentley... who says the bridge replacement is scheduled to last about five months with a plan to re-open the bridge in November of this year. Bentley says they worked with the approved contractor, Nichols-Long and Moore Construction of Lancaster, New York, to minimize traffic impacts.
Bentley says during the construction period, Harrison Street between Foote Avenue and Main Street, will be closed to thru traffic and a detour will be posted using Foote Avenue, Main, Second and Fourth Streets. He says there will be a separate truck detour posted as well due to the low clearances on the Railroad viaduct on Foote and Main Streets. Bentley says the current span has "severely deteriorated as the original stone bridge foundations have reached the end of their useful life." He says about 95-percent of the $3-million cost will be picked up by the federal and state governments.
A Brocton man has been charged with driving while under the influence of drugs after a one-vehicle crash on Route 60 near Wilson Road in the town of Pomfret Monday....
State Police in Fredonia say 33-year-old Marcus Watters became unconscious, and, his vehicle overturned after it struck a driveway culvert. Watters was taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He's been charged with DWAI drugs, speeding, and fail to maintain lane.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation that clears the way for undocumented immigrants to apply for a New York State driver's license....
Cuomo signed what's called the "Green Light bill" shortly after it passed in the state Senate on Monday. Local State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Chautauqua County's connection in Albany, opposed the legislation when it came up for a vote in the Assembly. He says it "devalues" a driver's license when it comes to identification purposes. Goodell says the legislation will also put county clerks in a bad spot since they would be required to evaluate other forms of identification, including documents from other foreign countries.
The Jamestown City Council will vote next Monday night on applying for a $100,000 grant through the state's Regional Economic Development Council to build a new skateboard park at McCrae Point Park....
Lawmakers Monday night heard more about the proposal from Development Director Vince DeJoy, who says the application will go through New York's Consolidated Funding Application process. DeJoy says it'll also be part of their Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
DeJoy says they're received some "very positive" feedback on the application, and is urging the city to apply. Mayor Sam Teresi says the Tony Hawk Foundation is providing $250,000 grant for the project, and further support is coming from the Ralph Wilson Foundation. Teresi says there's also some private fund-raising going on, involving Skate Products Unlimited, and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. He adds the city is also including a $100,000 line-item was it's new Community Development Block Grant application to be submitted later this year to the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development. This application was approved by the council's Finance Committee Monday night.
For the first time in it's history, Bush Industries of Jamestown has received a New York state contract for the sale and installation of commercial office furniture....
The contract allows the maker of professional-grade products to be eligible to bid on any state agency contract. The company may now bid on opportunities for schools and universities, as well as local municipalities and statewide agencies. Bush Industries has held a General Services Administration federal contract since 2009. However, the company had been unable to sell commercial furnishings to agencies in its home state until the contract was approved by the New York Office of General Services on May 23rd. Bush President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Evans says they've been "passionate" about getting a state contract and, says this is a "win-win for Bush Industries and agencies statewide." Evans says they have "solutions for all types of workspaces in numerous styles, formats, and finishes."
An elderly Warren County, Pennsylvania man with Alzheimer's Disease was found safe and sound Tuesday morning after he wandered away from his home in Mead Township....
State Police in Warren say 80 year-old Richard Smith left his home on foot early Monday morning and, was found Tuesday not far from his home. Troopers say an extensive search, which included local volunteer fire departments, and police agencies, took place. Police say Smith was found about six-tenths of a mile from his home in a heavily-wooded area, walking along the side of a lease road off Forest Route 160 in Mead Township. He was checked out at Warren General Hospital as a pre-caution.
