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News Update for Thurs, June 27, 2013

Most of Western New York... including Chautauqua County... under Flood Watch through Friday...

Some parts of Chautauqua County -- and all of Western New York -- could see up to three-inches of rain through late Friday afternoon as a storm system has moved into the region.  With that... the National Weather Service is continuing a Flood Watch until Friday afternoon for the entire area.  Forecaster Aaron Reynolds says... despite a short dry period recently... there's still plenty of water in the ground that could cause rising water.  So far this month, Reynolds says there's been nearly six-inches of rain in the region... so there's still a lot of water in the ground, and it won't take much to make water rise above ground.  Reynolds says the storm system developed in the Ohio Valley... and, moved into Pennsylvania before arriving on our doorstep.  He says the low pressure system could bring heavy rain at times.  Generally... Reynolds says we'll see between one and two-inches of rain... but, there may be more in localized areas.  He adds the heaviest rain should move out of the area later in the day Friday... but, showers remain in the forecast through much of the coming weekend.


Cummins donates to CCCC, MAST's "Dream It -- Do It!" program's STEM initiative...

A company with a vested interest in developing the local workforce has made a major contribution to the Jamestown area's "Dream It -- Do It" education program.  The Cummins Engine Company... and, Cummins Foundation... Thursday morning made the $235,000 check presentation at it's Jamestown plant.  Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Director Todd Tranum accepted the contribution... which will be used to increase educational opportunities for local students to learn about the skills they need in the high-tech world.  Without their support... Tranum says they would not have been able to create the WNY "Dream It -- Do It!" program.  The county chamber... along with the Manufacturer's Association of the Southern Tier have developed the Education Coalition... which includes local manufacturer's who are looking for young people to fill highly-skilled positions locally.  One of Cummins' Operations Directors... John Osborne... says that's where the STEM -- or the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math initiative -- comes into play.  Osborne says the idea is to make what they learn in the classroom practical to their lives -- and possible careers.  The STEM Program's new executive director, Dr. Peter Beeson, says he appeciates Cummins contribution. 


Edwards now looking for another appointee for CCIDA Board...

There was little debate on the floor... but, Chautauqua County lawmakers Wednesday night rejected Executive Greg Edwards' appointment of a north county woman to the Industrial Development Agency board.  Edwards says Katie Geise of Fredonia was his only choice for the panel because of her business experience.  However... even before the meeting... lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle expressed concern over potential conflicts of interest.  Edwards later defended the choice... saying the IDA current has a south county woman... Doreen Sixbey... who's with M-and-T Bank in the south county.  He says Geise would have helped "balance out" business and other interests on the board, as well as gender.  Katie Geise heads up the county's Workforce Investment Board.  Her husband, Mark, is Deputy Director of the county's Planning Department.  Mark Geise's boss, Bill Daly is also the director of the IDA.  The vote was 15-to-9 against the appointment -- even though most lawmakers acknowledged that Geise is highly qualified.  Ellicott Republican Mark Tarbrake voted for Geise... and later expressed his disappointment because she's very qualified... and, it's hard to fill those volunteer positions these days. 


Parking meters to be taken out at Prendergast Library...

The Prendergast Free Library will soon be completely free -- including parking.  The city's Public Works Department will be in next Monday morning to remove the parking meters that are currently there.  Library officials say the DPW will remove the digital coin collectors from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday, July 1, to convert the lot at Sixth and Cherry Streets from metered parking to free parking.  Library Board President Tom Price says -- "This action will be beneficial. It's in the best interests of the library, its patrons, and the city."  For more information... call the library at 484-7135.