Serious injuries have been reported in a two vehicle crash -- involving a State Police cruiser -- on Interstate 90 in the westbound lanes between Dunkirk and Silver Creek.....
Troopers say the accident occured at mile marker 462, between exits 58 and 59. Troopers say the other vehicle had five people inside. Both westbound lanes were blocked for a time at the Silver Creek exit to allow 2 medivac helicopters to land. Traffic was backed up approximately 3 miles at one time but, was moving again last night. The accident remains under investigation.
Beleaguered residents on West 11th Street in Jamestown may soon get some relief from tractor-trailer rigs being on their street making deliveries......
The 18-wheelers have been reportedly making deliveries to the still-new NAPA Store at West 11th and Washington Streets... and, through very late hours. However, residents such as Jeanette Jones says the owner promised no tractor-trailers on West 11th -- only Box-delivery trucks.
In addition, Jones told the city council at last night's work session that deliveries were to end each day by 12 Midnight. However, she says she's seen trucks making deliveries as late as 1:45 AM. Mayor Sam Teresi told Jones she was right on both accounts. Teresi asked Jones for any pictures she might have, because he'll have the police department put NAPA on notice that they can't use residential streets for that purpose. In addition, Jones said she was also concerned because the NAPA store had a "permit granted" sign in it's window and, she questioned if any expansion was planned. Teresi said he wasn't aware of it.
New York state's top education official is resigning at the end of next month.....
Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia told the Board of Regents at its meeting Monday she is resigning August 31st. Elia was appointed in 2015. She says it was an honor to serve the students and teachers of New York for four years. An education department spokesman said Elia will pursue another, unspecified professional opportunity. She had previously served for 10 years as superintendent of schools in Hillsborough County, Florida, which includes Tampa. The New York State United Teachers union issued a statement wishing Elia well.
The Democratic candidate for the 57th State Senate District seat says he does not support a measure that allows illegal immigrants to obtain New York state driver's licenses....
Freedom's Austin Morgan told the Jamestown Noon Rotary Club yesterday afternoon that the bill was not well thought out, and fails to address the concerns of County Clerks, who are in charge of the Department of Motor Vehicles offices that are on the front line in issuing licenses.
Morgan says the farming community also has issues that need to be addressed when work visas expire. He says unfortunately, there is no way to apply for citizenship, or reapply for a work visa if an illegal immigrant is already here. Morgan says he wants to replace the retired Cathy Young, because the Olean Republican was a legend in Albany, who was a strong voice in the former GOP Majority. He says you need that voice in the majority, otherwise it gets drowned out. Morgan was a State Senate staffer last year, who worked a lot on rural poverty issues. Republican candidate, and Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello, will address the Rotary next month.
Local Congressman Tom Reed has resumed work on a bill he and a Democratic lawmaker began working on a couple of years ago.....
However, Reed says the proposed "Credit for Caring" tax credit is getting more bi-partisan support now. The Corning Republican says two Democratic Presidential candidates, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennett, are now lending their support to the measure, which supports caregivers.
Reed says there are advantages to someone providing care to a loved one at home, two in particular. He says the quality of care is better because relatives are involved and, costs to the system are reduced because the person receiving care is not being institutionalized. Reed praised his Democratic colleagues for joining with him to get the legislation moving. He says two Republican senators have also thrown their support behind the Credit for Caring measure, including Iowa's Joni Ernest. He made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier Media.
A cannon blast remains a long-time tradition for opening the annual Chautauqua County Fair...
A number of local, county and state officials gathered in Dunkirk Monday morning for the kick-off of the 138th edition of the Chautauqua County Fair. Assemblyman Andy Goodell says Chautauqua County continues to play an important role when it comes to agriculture.
County Executive George Borrello says the fair also plays a role in bringing the entire county together because agriculture remains our number-one industry. Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas and a number of county legislators also attended the opening ceremony before taking a tour with fair ambassadors from the Chautauqua County 4-H program. This year's fair continues through Sunday, July 21st.
An upstate New York town that denied a permit to stage the Woodstock 50 festival at a local horse track is poised to hear an appeal from organizers....
Town of Vernon attorney Vincent Rossi says the planning board is set to hear an appeal Tuesday night. The town denied a permit application on Tuesday for a festival August 16th-18th at the Vernon Downs racetrack and casino. Residents and some local officials had voiced concerns about preparing for a big festival on short notice. Vernon Downs emerged as a possible site for Woodstock 50 after the original venue, Watkins Glen International, pulled out last month. A festival at Vernon Downs could host up to 65,000 people, as opposed to the 150,000 planned for Watkins Glen, and it would not feature camping.
