Buffalo-area couple killled in pick-up truck -- motorcycle crash in town of North Harmony...
An Amherst, NY couple has been identified as the two people killed when their motorcycle crashed into a pick-up truck on Route 394 in the town of North Harmony last Sunday afternoon. Sheriff's officers say the bike... operated by 64 year-old John Honan... was traveling on Route 394 -- near Camp Chautauqua -- just before 1 p.m. when the truck made a left turn in front of him. Multiple fire and rescue units were called to the scene... but, Honan and 53 year-old Rhonda Honan were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pick-up truck... 42 year-old Stefan Parkhurst of Mayville... has been arrested on several charges... including reckless driving... operating without insurance... operating while registration revoked or suspended... making an improper turn... moving from lane unsafely... and, failure to yield. He was issued appearance tickets for North Harmony Town Court at a later date.
Man killed in Panama in one of three, Labor Weekend fatal crashes in Western Southern Tier...
A 27 year-old man has died from injuries suffered in a one-car, rollover crash in Panama late Monday night. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene on Goshen Rd. just after 11:30 p.m. Deputies say the man was found pinned underneath the vehicle... and, pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff's office was assisted by Panama, Clymer, and Sherman fire departments as well was County EMS at the scene.
One killed, another seriously injured in strange Cattaraugus County accident...
One person was killed and another seriously injured when they and four other people were struck by a car during a gathering last Sunday night in the Cattaraugus County town of Allegany. State Police in Olean were called to a home on Cheese Factory Rd. about 7:30 p.m. after the vehicle... driven by 70 year-old Peggy Errera of Bradford, Pa., went into the front lawn of the home as she was trying to leave. Troopers say Errera had backed out of the driveway... and, into the roadway... but, never straightened out the front wheels as she accelerated forward. One of the people struck... 81 year-old Ronald Piechota of Schenectady... was pronounced dead at the scene.
Borrello says press conference calling attention to issues with "Nourish NY" program spurs action...
A news conference held to call attention to the state of limbo the "Nourish-NY" program has apparently caught the attention of Governor Kathy Hochul's office. That from State Senator George Borrello... who provided an update on the situation late last week on the program... which helps those who are food insecure while providing a market for farmers. Borrello says he and the program's Assembly sponsor, Catalina Cruz, were both on a conference call with the governor's staff, and caught their attention. As a result... Borrello they were able to dollars flowing to the program... with another $22-million being released for it. He says they are still trying to get answers about getting the program back fully in place. Borrello was joined by local and state elected leaders outside Chautauqua County Rural Ministries, which works with Nourish-NY, to again call for the program to be returned to the perview of the state Department of Agriculture.
Students back to school; NYSSBA director says goals include getting migrant students up to speed, along with others out of pandemic...
There are a number of challenges that many school districts across New York state face heading into the new year... but, for the most part -- they are ready to resume classes this week. That from State School Board's Association Executive Director Bob Schneider... who says... given the number of asylum seekers coming into New York City... there was concern over the numbers who would end up upstate. However... Schneider says a survey they did show those numbers appear low right now... with only 5% of districts responding said they expected more migrant students. But, he says they indicated they should be able to handle their numbers. New York state schools have been told they must accept those students like any others. However... providing the services... especially help with language skills... may be a problem. Schneider says a lot of that's because -- as with many other positions -- there's a lack of English as a Second-Language instructors. The Jamestown schools resume classes today with a half-day of school... and, a full-day tomorrow.
Chautauqua Lake Association receives funding from county to get through Fall...
A number of ideas have been 'floated' in recent years to generate additional money for the maintenance of Chautauqua Lake. Executive Director Doug Conroe with the Chautauqua Lake Association, says whatever way the money comes... it'll be welcome. He cites this summer as a good example, because if they didn't receive added funds, they would have had to shut-down operations on Aug. 18. The county legislature approved the extra money at its August meeting. As a result, Conroe says their 'on lake' operations will continue into the fall. He says they recognized that more needs to be done... and, approved an additional $87,000 to fund the work.
Ritzer Award to Whitney on sunny, warm Sunday before Labor Day...
It was maybe one of the best weather days in recent years for last Sunday's 42nd annual Labor Day Festival at Jamestown's Bergman Park. All events went off without a hitch... including the yearly presentation of the George Ritzer Labor Award. That went to long-time International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union member Robert Whitney, for his many years of union leadership... and, community contributions.
