Chautauqua County reports two COVID-19 related deaths, but, single-day cases fall to 18...
The number of new, confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in Chautauqua County has fallen to it's lowest number in many weeks. The county Health Department is reporting just 18 cases over the past day... bringing the overall total to 7,099. There were two new deaths... bringing that number to 127. Officials say there were 4 new cases in Falconer... and, three each in Jamestown and Fredonia. There are now 245 active cases, and 28 are now hospitalized. There have also been 6,727 cases that have recovered.
Reed joins with NYS GOP legislative leaders in on-going push for investigation on NY Nursing Home deaths...
Republicans on both the state and federal level are calling on the U-S Department of Justice to launch a full investigation on how New York's governor mishandled nursing home patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local Congressman Tom Reed joined Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay, and GOP Senate Leader Robert Ortt in Albany for a press conference. Reed and the others reaffirmed their call to provide the public with answers and accountability through a "full, independent, and fair federal investigation." The Corning Republican says they will push on the Congressional side for a probe that brings accountability. Reed and other Republicans in New York's Congressional delegation last week sent a letter to the Department of Justice requesting a full investigation of Governor Andrew Cuomo's March 2020 order they say forced COVID-Positive, elderly nursing home patients, to be sent back to their homes once they were well enough. A recent report by State Attorney General Letitia James found that nearly 15,000 nursing home residents died -- either in a home, or in the hospital. Initially... the state Department of Health reported 8,500 deaths.
Wendel expresses frustration over no increase in state allotment of COVID Vaccine to counties...
Governor Andrew Cuomo says the state is increasing the allotment of COVID-19 vaccine to local counties by 20 percent. But... County Executive P.J. Wendel says local counties have not seen any boost in the amount of vaccine coming from the state. Wendel says it’s difficult to keep up with the demand for the vaccine from county residents who eligible to receive the shots. He says he has been frustrated over the state's rollout of the vaccine. He says they are looking at a better way for eligible residents to schedule appointments. Wendel says they are working with the state Association of Counties to get a phone app to help with that process.
Gunderson discusses keeping Ward-Three polling site at Comedy Center...
The National Comedy Center is waiting for final word from the state Board of Elections on whether it can again be a polling site in 2021. However... Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson also discussed several other related matters during an hour-long discussion with lawmakers at last night's City Council work session. Gunderson says they learned in late January that -- because they have a liquor license on the premisis -- they can't host a voting site any longer. Since then, she says they've gone back to the state asking for a formal ruling on whether they can host the polling site again this year... provided their don't serve liquor those days. Gunderson also said they are willing to sit down with the local Board of Elections to work out a solution that works for everything. She adds that -- given the pending redrawing of ward boundary lines -- she wanted the center to host voting again so residents didn't have to switch sites two years in a row. Council President Tony Dolce expressed his appreciation to Gunderson for attending last night's Zoom meeting.
New State Education Commissioner approved by Board of Regents...
Interim New York Education Commissioner Betty Rosa has been given the job permanently. The policy-making Board of Regents unanimously approved the appointment late Monday. Rosa has been interim commissioner since August 2020. The Education Department has been without a permanent chief since MaryEllen Elia stepped down in August 2019. Rosa is the first Latina woman to serve in the position and has worked in education for more than 30 years.
RTPI rebuild after Dec. fire underway...
The rebuilding of the fire and water damaged portions of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute is underway today. Chief Executive Officer Arthur Pearson reports all the ruined material is out, and the building is drying nicely. None of their archived material was touched by the small electrical fire on Dec. 3, but, the structural damage will take up to three months to repair. Pearson says when they do reopen, around May 1st, they’ll do so with a new strategic vision… displaying ‘art that matters to the planet’ in the manner of the Peterson Field Guide where Peterson created art that "matters to the planet." Pearson adds, the driving force behind the new vision is the desire to create a ‘nationally significant museum’ to draw tourists to the area.
