"Double Up Food Bucks" program receives $2-million from New York state...
A nine-year-old program that provides greater access to food for low-income senior citizens and others who get SNAP benefits is receiving 2-million dollars in funding from New York state. Officials with the Field & Fork Network say the "Double Up Food Bucks" program literally doubles the buying power for SNAP recipients. During a program at the Silvertree Senior Center on Crane St. in Jamestown Thursday... Field & Food Program Director Josh McGuire says they've grown from being part of seven farmer's markets in 2014... to more than 230 in 32 counties now. McGuire says it's a nutrition incentive program to stretch the dollars of recipients for healthy and nutritious food. State Senator George Borrello... who is the top ranking Repubilcan member of the Senate's Agriculture Committee... says he's pleased the allocation's in the new state budget. Borrello says the "Double Up" program is major benefit during a time of high inflation... and, allows those people to get fresh, locally grown products. The announcement was made in front of the Jamestown Public Market's "mobile food truck" at the senior center. Market Director Linnea Haskin says they've been bringing fresh fruits and vegatables to the center for four years now. Silvertree's Liz Caldwell says residents look forward to the mobile truck coming to the center once a week.
Cummins to receive low-cost ReCharge NY power allocation for expansion project...
Cummins Jamestown Engine Plan is receiving a 450 kilowatt ReCharge New York allocation from the state Power Authority in support of the major expansion of it's town of Busti plant. That from Governor Kathy Hochul... who Thursday announced 21 companies statewide are receiving more than 9-megawatts of low-cost power in support of $830-million in capital investments. Cummins has the largest of the 21 projects... with the expansion supporting a transition to building heavy-duty engines powered by natural gas... and. eventually hydrogen. The project will add 90 jobs to the plant... which currently employs 1,280 workers. Hochul says all the projects will add 727 new jobs... and, support a total of nearly 4,500 jobs.
CARTS rebranded... is now CHQ Transit with new logos, buses, and trolleys...
Chautauqua County's long-time public bus system is getting a new name... and, a new look. The ribbon was cut Thursday afternoon in front of one of nine new buses for the newly rebranded "CHQ Transit..." formerly known as CARTS. A combination of federal, state and some local funding is paying for the transformation... which will be fully in place by next Monday. CHQ Transit Senior Project Manager Michelle Westphal made the announcement at CHQ's headquarters on Hopkins Avenue in Jamestown. Westphal says the benefit is two-fold, with buses that look different from other small buses in the area, and secondly the design incorporates various landmark scenes from across the county. The new design and upgrade were well received by local officials... including Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist and County Executive P.J. Wendel. The program also included an open house. Westfall says the buses were being funded by a state Department of Transporation grant of $826,000... along with a $1.5-million Modernization and Enhancement Program grant from the State DOT to purchase the three new, hybrid trolleys.
City fire investigators still looking for cause of No. Main St. fire...
Jamestown fire investigators are still looking into the cause of Wednesday's blaze at a two-story apartment house on the city's northside. City Fire Battalion Chief Shawn Shilling says crews were called to 860 North Main St. about 4:45 p.m., and, found heavy flames shooting from the second-story apartment. Shilling says they were able to knock down the fire from outside... but, it was difficult getting inside at first... because the heat and wind would continue fanning the flames. He says it took about an hour to bring under control. Shilling says there was heavy fire damage to the second-floor... and, water damage to the first-floor. An off-duty shift of 12 firefighters was called in to assist. No one was hurt.
Five more people graduate from "Invest U" program...
The five newest graduates of the groundbreaking ‘Invest U’ program got their degrees Wednesday at the Northwest Arena. ‘Invest U’ is a 16 week course that helps people break the cycle of poverty and become more invested in their communities. It uses a curriculum called ‘Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World.’ One of the new grads, Haydee Diaz of Jamestown, found the courage to make her first ever public speech... and, she says she now feels like she can "make a difference in my community." The Executive Director of the YWCA, Amanda Gesing, delivered the keynote address. She encouraged the graduates to ‘use their voices' to make positive change in the community. The other graduates were: Ben DuPree, Yanira Castellano, Carmen Perez and Rebecca Spinler... all of Jamestown.
Wild America Festival set for Panama Rocks this weekend...
The Wild America Festival returns to Panama Rocks this weekend... both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festival organizer, Jonathan Weston, says there'll be great music, food, lectures... and three dozens exceptional artists and vendors. Weston says it's a juried show for them. Adult tickets are $12, less for children. The $5 parking fee goes to support the Audubon Community Nature Center. More information on the Wild America Festival and the full schedule can be found at WildAmericaFest.com. Full access to Panama Rocks is included with paid admission.
