Local News Headlines
We had some heavy rain showers in the Jamestown-area late yesterday afternoon... and, the National Weather Service is continuing a Flood Watch for the area from now through Friday afternoon for much of the region. Forecaster Jim Mitchell in Buffalo says a major weather system will bring waves of rain over the next several days. Mitchell says a stalled frontal boundary will be "hanging over" the state through early Saturday. He says the typical areas will likely be impacted. In addition to the 2 to 3 inches of rain that'll trigger some minor flooding... Mitchell says they have also issued a Freezing Rain Advisory from 8 this morning until 11 PM this evening for an area just inland from the Lake Erie shoreline... and, north of Interstate 86. Ice accumulations in the higher elevations of up to one-tenth of an inch is possible.
There were a few problems due to the severe thunderstorm that rumbled through the Jamestown-area late yesterday afternoon. The storm struck shortly before 4 PM... and brought heavy rain that filled ditches to overflowing. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office reported high water on Mall Boulevard... and, Summit Avenue in Lakewood. However... neither road was ever closed. Route 474 between Booker and Weeks Road in the Town of Harmony was closed about an hour early last night after a tree came down across the road.
A Falconer man has been charged with dozens of offenses for allegedly shooting deer illegal using a method called "deerjacking" from his car at night. The state Department of Environmental Conservation reports 60 year-old Bruce Giddy faces 54 misdemeanor counts... including 46 violations of environmental conservation laws, following a four month investigation. DEC officials say En-Con police began their investigation in November when a deer was shot on the grounds Bush Elementary School in Jamestown during Thanksgiving weekend. Giddy faces charges include deer jacking... which is the illegal practice of shooting deer with the use of an artificial light. Officials say they have linked Giddy to several similar incidents over a four-month period where deer had been shot in residential areas and left behind.
Voters in the Cassadaga Valley School District approved a nearly 1.5-million dollar water project by an overwhelming margin. The proposition cleared 146 to 14. School officials say the district will use State building aid and EXCEL funding to cover most of the cost and the project is not expected to impact district tax rates.
Southern Tier Congressman Tom Reed is among a group of bi-partisan House members pushing for key agricultural reforms that would be included in comprehensive immigration reform legislation. During a conference call with reporters yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon... Reed says the broken H-2A program must be transformed to create a "guest worker program" for immigrant workers on dairy farms, and others. Reed says the expansion of the program is needed to allow the ag industry to reach its full potential. The Corning Republican says the legislation is about helping New York state's number-one industry. Northern New York congressman Bill Owens and Vermont congressman Peter Welch are the primary sponsors of the legislation.
Springtime is bringing some relief at the gas pump in the Jamestown-area. The Triple-A's Fuel Gauge Report says local prices for regular, unleaded gas fell to 3-dollars-87 cents per gallon this week... making it the third week in a row of decreasing prices. That's a six-cent drop over last week. The Triple-A says the recent price decreases are not reflective of lower crude oil prices, which have actually increased during the downward pricing trend. Falling gas prices have instead been the result of an increase in refinery production... and, economic worries, which have raised demand concerns. The current, national retail price per gallon is now 3-dollars-58 cents per gallon... which is down 5-cents since last week. It is also 34 cents less than a year ago.
It's a chance to have fun with the "coolest game on ice..." and raise money for a worthwhile cause at the same time. The Jamestown Ironmen Junior-"A" hockey team hosts it's first play-off game ever Friday night... and, it'll be "Pink the Rink" night at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena. The Ironmen play Kalamazoo at 7 PM... and, have joined with WCA Hospital to put on the event. WCA Director of Development Karl Sisson is encouraging people to wear "pink" that night in support of breast cancer survivors. Sisson says they'll have a number of activities going on... including a Benefit Basket Auction... to help raise money for new equipment for breast cancer treatment at the hospital. If you say "pink" when you buy your ticket... 2-dollars from each purchase will benefit LINKS Charity and WCA Hospital. Ironmen Coach Dan Daikawa (Die-uh-KOW-Ah) says they're excited to be involved in another "Pink the Rink" event. Daikawa says there's been breast cancer in his family... and, he's hoping people will come out and support the effort -- and take in the hockey. For more information... or to order tickets... call the arena at 484-2624.
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says several major companies have agreed to disclose more information about spending on political causes. DiNapoli has been using his authority as the trustee of the state pension fund to pressure companies into disclosing the information.
