Local News Headlines 4-12-13 4:58am
The Jamestown-area remains under a Flood Watch through late this afternoon. Forecaster Jim Mitchell with the National Weather Service in Buffalo says -- as a whole -- the region has received more than an inch of rain over the past two-plus days. Some of that was "frozen rain" more to our north and east. Mitchell says many areas have received up to 2 inches of rain. He says it won't be raining all the time... but, will continue to hit parts of the region in "waves." Mitchell says that's due to a stationary front just to our south. With that... Mitchell says that means some parts of the area could wind up with 4 inches of rain over the course of 3-and-a-half days. Our first major wave hit late yesterday afternoon... and, caused high water in many parts of the area. Mitchell says the frontal boundary that's causing this will remain in place... and, bring cold air... and, rain to the region. He says we may also see a "little" snow in the area by the weekend... with the pattern breaking up by Sunday.
We do have one road closing due to flooding from the rains of the past few days. The county's Department of Public Facilities reports that Kabob Road... between Route 380 and Waterman Road in the town of Stockton... has been shut-down. DPF officials say the closure will remain in effect until the water recedes... and, the barricades are removed.
There's a year to go before another Congressional campaign gets underway... but, the chairwoman of the Tompkins County Legislature wants to get a head start. That's why Martha Robertson is in Chautauqua County Thursday announcing her candidacy for the 23rd Congressional District. Robertson says she announced her candidacy in Dunkirk... and, later Jamestown... more than a year before next year's contest because it's a big district. Robertson wants to challenge current, GOP Congressman Tom Reed because she feels he is not representing the best interests of district residents. The Democrat questions the priorities of the current House leadership. A fellow legislator of Robertson took on Reed last November... but, Nate Shinagawa lost by a rather narrow margin. Shinagawa recently decided not to seek a possible rematch. However... Robertson says Shinagawa will serve as her campaign chairman.
Former Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch was in Albany Thursday warning about a fiscal crisis for local governments in New York. It's also a message he's been delivering nationally as well. Ravitch sounded the same alarm as lieutenant governor under former Governor David Paterson. But... many of his long-term fiscal proposals, while praised by financial experts, were ignored by lawmakers as the state fiscal crisis worsened. Ravitch has since been a partner with former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker in the ``State Budget Crisis Task Force.'' Ravitch is well-known for helping New York City out of it's fiscal mess in the 1970s.
The Jamestown School Board has named six teams that will be involved in the final interviews for a new school superintendent. Board President Joe DiMaio also says the district has made the first cut of candidates that will be interviewed for the district's top post. Following this week's board meeting... DiMaio said they named the teams after consultant David O'Rourke solicited participation from faculty... staff... and community groups who have a long history of involvement with the district. He says they're pleased with what O'Rourke came up with. DiMaio says the teams... which were finalized at a closed-door meeting of the board... include one for Community Members and Parents.... and, another for Staff. The others include Support Staff... principals and coordinators... Central Office Administrators... and, High School Students. DiMaio says they started with approximately 18 potential candidates... and, now have a solid number to begin interviewing. Board officials say all team members will take part in a training and confidential interview question development meeting on April 17th. Interviews with the three final candidates are scheduled to take place May 6th... 7th... and, 9th. Current Superintendent Deke Kathman will is retiring at the end of the current school year.
A Hornell man suffered "non-life threatening" injuries in a single-car crash on Interstate 86 in the town of Poland yesterday morning in the town of Poland. Sheriff's Deputies received a report of the accident -- near the Kennedy Exit -- shortly before 8:30 AM. Officers say their investigation showed that the vehicle... driven by 67 year-old Rodney Milliner... was eastbound when -- for an unknown reason -- the car veered off the northside of the highway, and, struck a guide rail. Officers say the vehicle then slid about 300 feet into a roadside ditch. Milliner was transported to WCA Hospital for treatment. Deputies say charges are pending.
