A man from Califorina traveling illegally on a CSX Train apparent fell to his death Wednesday afternoon in the north county town of Sheridan. Sheriff's Deputies say they... and Silver Creek Police... were called to the scene about 5 PM. Upon further investigation... officers determined the man... who's name is being released... fell from the train while it was in motion. Deputies say the rider sustained fatal injuries... and, was found dead at the scene. Officer says the man's name is being withheld until next of kin is notified.
Despite "challenging" economic times for hospitals... WCA Hospital in Jamestown finished "in the black" for fiscal year 2012. That news was among several high-lights outlines at WCA's 18th annual "Meeting of the Corporations" yesterday morning. WCA President and Chief Executive Officer Betsy Wright says they were "very pleased" to finish the year with solid surplus. Wright cited the leadership of the WCA Board of Directors, the physician leadership and employees and supporters for making it happen. Wright says WCA brought in 107.89-million dollars in revenues... and, paid out 107.5-million. This year's meeting theme was "High Tech Meets High Touch." Wright says it incorporates the hospital's investment in "high-tech" devices... and, computer technology to improve the "human touch" needed in patient care. She says that was helped along by the opening of WCA's new Emergency Department. Wright also noted the addition of robotics... and, the way it's helped their physician's ability to do minimally invasive... and, single-site surgeries. WCA is the first Southern Tier hospital to use robotic surgery.
The Jamestown Community College Board of Trustees has selected a top administrator from Utah Valley University to be it's next president. However... JCC officials say the selection of Dr. Cory Duckworth is pending the approval of the State University of New York's board of trustees... which will meet next month. College officials say Duckworth is expected to begin his new position on or about September 3rd. Once approved by the SUNY Board... he will succeed Gregory DeCinque... who is retiring from JCC after a 19-year presidency. Doctor Duckworth currently serves as vice-president for Student Affairs at Utah Valley University. He's held that post since 2003. He previously served as vice president for university advancement and marketing at Ferris State University, and other posts at Utah Valley... St. Cloud University... Minot (My-not) State University... and, Southern Utah University.
Some powerful thunderstorms hit parts of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties Tuesday night accompanied by strong winds and torrential rains. There were reports of downed trees at Chautauqua Institution... and, in Kennedy. At least two roads reportedly had high water. There were Moon Road near Sinclairville, and Horton Road north of Jamestown. Forecaster Tony Ansuini (Answeeney) with the National Weather Service in Buffalo says the severe storms were part of a warm front that raced through the region. Ansuini also says Meteorologists from the State College, Pennsylvania Weather Service office went to the Erie, Pennsylvania-area Wednesday to determine if a tornado touched down near Edinboro, Pennsylvania. He added we were also under the gun late yesterday. However... no storms cropped up in the immediate Jamestown-area. Unofficially... one of our neighbors here on Orchard Road in West Ellicott recorded 2.3-inches of rain last Tuesday night. We also had a report of 3.5-inches in Columbus, Pennsylvania.
Parts of two county roads are now closed due to flooding from Tuesday's storms. The county's Department of Public Facilities reports that Kabob Road... between Route 380 and Waterman Road in the town of Stockton is shut-down. In the town of Ripley... Wattlesburg Road between State Route 76 and County Road 303 is also closed. The county DPF says the closure will remain in effect until the barricades are removed.
Chautauqua County's Congressman was in Lakewood yesterday rallying support of federal legislation designed to avoid significant cuts for local Hospice programs. Corning Republican Tom Reed was on hand at the Hospice Chautauqua County headquarters to call for local support of the Hospice Evaluation and Legitimate Payment -- or HELP Act. Reed says the legislation mainly protects current reimbursement rates... and, eliminates the requirement to see a doctor first to qualify for services. He adds there's also a provision to increase quality.
State Hospice and Paliative Care Association of New York State President Cathy McMahon was on hand for Reed's visit... and, says they appreciate Reed's efforts. She says federal reimbursements are slated to drop over the next 10 years... and, recent sequestration cuts really hurt. McMahon says that reduced reimbursements by 2-percent. She adds that taking away the requirement to see several other kinds of health professionals really helps people in rural areas where getting a doctor to do the evaluation is more difficult.
Assembly Republicans are calling for further investigation of Democratic Speaker Sheldon Silver's role in a secret settlement using public money to end sexual harassment claims against a member. The Republicans are demanding that Silver reimburse taxpayers 103-thousand dollars for the deal he made with lawyers for women who accused Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez of systematic sexual harassment. This month, the state ethics board accused Lopez of civil violations of the public officer's law, but found no crime or ethical violations by Silver. But... the Republicans are questioning Wednesday whether the board was authorized to look into misdeeds by Silver. Another report... by a Republican prosecutor, was limited to activity by Lopez in his Brooklyn district. The Republicans also question if fraud was committed because the 103-thousand dollars wasn't identified as a settlement.
