Chautauqua County's unemployment rates falls under 10-percent...
The county's jobless rate is back under 10-percent for the month of February. That from state Labor Department Analyst John Slenker who says the number of unemployed residents fell by 300 in February to help drop the rate from 10.1 to 9.6-percent. While the seasonally unadjusted rate remains high... Slenker says there's reason for optimism heading into the Spring. He says many job sectors saw gains... while the rest remained even. He says manufacturing was stable... but, the service providing sector was up 700. Slenker adds that government-related jobs increased by 500... while the financial sector was up 100. He says the fact there were no losses in any sector was good. He adds another reason for optimism is the fact Construction was even for the year. Slenker says that's despite the fact this February was not as good from a weather perspective than Feb. 2012. He says there were 800 more jobs -- total -- in February over January. That number grew from 52,100 to 52,900. Slenker says the countys's jobless rate was 9.3-percent in January of 2012.
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In Cattaraugus County... the unemployment rate was also down from 10.4-percent to 10-percent. Slenker says the job situation there is stable... but, the numbers remain high. He says there are gains in manufacturing, and government... while construction is stable. Slenker adds that the manufacturing gains were 100 in February. He says Cattaraugus County's jobless rate in February of 2012 was also 10-percent.
State's unemployment rate at 8.4-percent in February...
Officials have released preliminary data showing the unemployment rate in upstate New York was 9.2-percent in February. That's unchanged from a year earlier... while the New York City metro area rate dropped to 8.6 percent from 9.1. The state labor department statistics released Tuesday show the rate in upstate metro areas virtually unchanged at 8.8 percent... and, at 10.4 percent in rural areas. The rate in New York City was 9.2 percent, compared to 9.8 percent last year. Tompkins County had the lowest rate at 5.8 percent while Lewis County had the highest, 13 percent. The statewide unemployment rate was 8.4 percent.
Gillibrand announces new "comprehensive plan" for upcoming Dairy Bill debate...
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has announced a "comprehensive plan" she says will strengthen New York's Dairy industry... in particular smaller farms. The downstate Democrat says her 4-point plan is mainly in response to the loss of 65,000 dairy cows -- statewide -- over the past 10-years. Gillibrand says they will be her forcus when debate on a new farm bill begins after the Easter-Passover break. During a state-wide media conference call Tuesday... she said the measures include re-introduction of the Dairy Income Fairness Act... which would give farms with 200 cows... or less... a guaranteed $6.50 margin between the cost of milk minus the cost of feed to help those smaller farms. However... she would like that 200 cow limit increased to give those farms "more flexibility." Gillibrand adds she also has concerns about "supply management" because the state currently can't meet the needs of the state's growing yogurt and Greek Yogurt industry. Too often... she says they too often have to import dairy products from other states to make up for what they can't get here. Her plan also includes one new initiative. She is introducing the bi-partisan Dairy Pricing Reform Act with GOP Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Gillibrand says it will force the U.S. Department of Agriculture to begin hearings on restructuring the milk pricing system... and, directing the Secretary of Agriculture to release the USDA's recommendations to Congress. As for dairy herd losses... Gillibrand says Chautauqua County lost 2,400 head of cows lost between 2002 and 2012... while Cattaraugus County lost 2,800.
State Senator accused of trying to bribe his way into NYC Mayor's race...
A New York state lawmaker says he'll be vindicated of charges that he plotted to bribe his way into the race for mayor of New York City. Democratic state Senator Malcolm Smith said in a statement Monday that his record reflects 13 years of dedication, hard work and integrity. A city councilman and four other political figures also are charged in the corruption probe. The charges in the case include bribery, extortion, and wire and mail fraud.
Teachers aide at SWCS charged with child endangerment...
A Jamestown woman has been arrested for endangering the welfare of a child after allegedly spraying a cleaning solution in the face of a 5 year-old at Southwestern Elementary School. Ellicott Town Police say they investigated the Mar. 20 incident in which 50 year-old Terry Kemp... a teacher's aide... was cleaning tables in the school cafeteria. Officers say Kemp allegedly sprayed the solution at the child... and, it got into his eyes. The boy was not identified... but, he was taken to the nurse's office, and appeared to have suffered no injuries. Police say Kemp understands she made a serious mistake. She was issued an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court.
