The Chautauqua County Health Network has made a more than 12-thousand dollar contribution to the city of Jamestown towards the project to renovate and upgrade Lillian Dickson Park. In announcing the grant... Mayor Sam Teresi thanked the Health Network for the "very generous" grant... which is actually being initiated by the state Department of Health. Teresi says the city itself is involved in a 30-thousand dollar upgrade outside the playground... and, providing in-kind services. Teresi says the Health Network grant monies are actually coming from the state Health Department to initiate "recreation and healthy lifestyle" projects. He says they appreciate the donation... which will be used to help pay for the playground part of the project. The committee involved is still raising money for that part of the approximately 65-thousand dollar effort. Teresi says the grant is the second the Health Network has provided for the Lillian Dickson Park project. He says the first was last year for "Fall Zone" safety materials. The city council will vote on accepting the grant later this month.
A Cherry Creek man is jailed on a slew of charges... including Felony driving while intoxicated... following a one-car crash in the town of Chautauqua. Sheriff's officers say 29 year-old Travis Logan of West Road was not hurt in the crash... which occured on Elm Flats Road just after 8 PM Monday. Deputies say... after further investigation... Logan was charged with Felony DWI... Aggravated DWI... first-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle... and, numerous other traffic violations. Logan was arraigned in Westfield Town Court... and, sent to the county jail. Logan will answer the charges later in Chautauqua Town Court.
Rural Hospitals were the focus of a roundtable event State Senator Cathy Young took part in late Monday in Albany... and, representatives from a number of organizations took part in the dialogue. One of Young's major concerns is access to rural hospitals. The Olean Republican says lack of access may hold up state efforts to revitalized the upstate economy. Another challenge facing rural hospitals is attracting new physicians. Chautauqua County Health Network Executive Director Ann Abdella was among the panelists. She says she would like to see an apprenticeship program established... similar to what many industries offer. She says this would help those who are struggling to pay their student loans. Young, who chairs the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, also encouraged the organizations to work with Senator Kemp Hannon, who chairs the Senate Standing Committee on Health. Hannon was unable to attend the two-hour long meeting.
A large coalition of activists rallied and lobbied in Albany yesterday for a 10-point women's rights proposal. They're calling for equality for women in the work place... and, stronger laws against discrimination and human trafficking for child prostitution, along with strengthening abortion rights. Governor Andrew Cuomo released a bill Tuesday that details his women's rights proposal for the first time since he announced the initiative six months ago. In the meantime... opposition has built in the Senate. Cuomo called that ``fear mongering'' by anti-choice legislators and advocates. The Democrat says he simply wants to bring the state abortion law in step with federal law, which he fears could be struck down. Opponents say that's unnecessary and would expand abortion.
Six concerts are scheduled as part of the city of Jamestown's annual Summer Concert Series at Allen Park's Goranson Bandshell. City Parks Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley was joined by other city officials... sponsors... and, others Tuesday afternoon to announce this year's schedule. The first concert of the season is one week from tonight... Wednesday, June 12th. It'll feature Jamestown High School Band, under the direction of Meghan Murray. She says the kids really enjoy putting on the first concert of the year. There will be a one-week break before the Jamestown Municipal Band does the first of it's five concerts of the season... beginning June 26th. The band is celebrating it's 60th anniversary this year... and, Director Rick Lundquist says their theme the first night will highlight that... and, "Light Classical Music" during that time period. "Manager Al" is Band Manager Al Smeragliolo. Lundquist says another highlight will be the final night on the schedule... which will be presented by the Scandinavian Studies Program at Jamestown Community College. He says they'll feature a number of Scandinavian tunes. Each of the six concerts begins at 7 PM at Allen Park.
Chautauqua Institution is on the verge of the first sell-out of the summer. Program Director Marty Merkley says fewer than 200 tickets remain for Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers... who will perform on Friday, June 28th. Martin and his string band first appeared on the Amphitheater stage in 2011. Marty Merkley says Martin's group is only playing a limited number of venues this summer, and the competition to get them was hot. Chautauqua tickets are available at Ciweb.org, or by calling 357-6250. Tickets for the acappella group Straight No Chaser are also selling very quickly. That group will open the Chautauqua season on Saturday, June 22nd.
