Three days before Lake Shore Hospital was set to run out of money, State Senator Cathy Young says she's secured $1 million to keep the hospital open. Young made the announcement at a rally for Lake Shore on Saturday afternoon at Silver Creek High School. The Irving facility filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December. Without the last-minute infusion of cash, the hospital would have completely run out of money this coming Tuesday. Senatory Young tells Channel 4 news in Buffalo "I've been working feverishly with the State Health Department, and I'm thrilled to announce that I've secured $1 million in emergency state funding,". Developer Tony Borrello is heading up a group of investors who have offered to buy Lake Shore for $15 million. Borrello says he is waiting for a decision from the bankruptcy judge on what Lake Shores worth, and access to the hospital's books. Senator Young estimated that $1 million will be enough to keep Lake Shore operating for about a month. Some 460 people stand to lose their jobs, if Lake Shore is shuttered.
There was some inconvenience... but, no major problems reported from Saturday's rain and warmer temperatures while led to some flooding and high water around Chautauqua County. NITTEC Traffic and Sheriff's Department dispatchers say Route 60 from Maple Avenue to Porter Road in Cassadaga was closed for nearly 4-hours Saturday due to flooding. Traffic was detoured there from just before 11 AM Saturday until about 4 PM that afternoon. There was also some flooding around Dunkirk that led to a road closing. Sheriff's dispatchers adds that Kabob Road in the town of Charlotte... just south of Cassadaga... was closed for a while late Saturday into Sunday morning. However... no evacuations, nor injuries, were reported.
A Clymer woman is accused of driving drunk... and, using a handheld electronic device while driving after her car crashed into a ditch in the town of Mina. Sheriff's Deputies were called to the scene in the area of Mann Road and West Mina Hill Road about 8:45 last Friday night. Officers say they found the car in the ditch... but, the operator had left the scene. Following an investigation... they determined that 31 year-old Cassandra Hoitink drove into the ditch while using facebook on her handheld phone. She was found at a nearby home... and, arrested on charges including DWI... and, an on a electronic device violation. She was processed... and, released pending arraignment in Mina Town Court at a later date.
There will be a few changes... but, not many... when the Jamestown City Council's standing committees meet tonight for the first time in 2014. That from Council President Greg Rabb... who announced committee assignments at last week's Council Reorganizational meeting. Rabb says the biggest change will come on the Housing Committee... which will have a new chairperson in 2014. He selected Fourth-Ward Councilwoman Marie Carruba to head up that panel... for a number of reasons... including experience. Otherwise... leadership of the committees will remain the same... with Republican Tony Dolce staying on as chairman of the Finance Committee. He took over chairing that panel last year after Vince DeJoy was selected to be the city's new Director of Development. The two newest members of council also got committee assignments. Republican Brent Sheldon will be on two committees... including Housing. The other newcomer... Third Ward Councilwoman Tamara Dickey... will serve on the Public Works Committee. Dickey feels strongly that the city needs to keep up it's infrastructure. Also this year... long-time at-large Republican Kim Ecklund has been added to the Finance Committee.
A Buffalo-area Assemblyman accused of sexually harassing female staffers says he will retire while continuing to defend himself against allegations he calls false. Dennis Gabryszak (GAB-ruh-zak) has been accused by seven former and current employees in recent legal filings of making unwanted advances and other abusive behavior. It's the latest in a string of legislative sex harassment cases and public corruption scandals in Albany in recent years. The 62-year-old lawmaker announced his retirement Sunday through his lawyer without giving a retirement date. In recent notices of claim... Gabryszak is accused of grabbing one woman and trying to kiss her and of telling another during a 2012 event that, ``You're so hot, you know what I want to do with you.'' The notices are the first step toward a lawsuit.
A farmworkers' rights group is calling on federal safety inspectors not to delay a program of surprise inspections of New York dairy farms. Rebecca Fuentes of the Workers Center of Central New York tells the Syracuse Post-Standard that the inspections are necessary because dairy workers are often reluctant to report unsafe conditions for fear of losing their jobs.
The "Campaign that Never Fails" is underway for the 90th time in Western New York... and, a record goal has been set for this year. Catholic Charities of Buffalo has announced it has set a goal of 10.8-million dollars for it's 2014 Appeal. Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone said the goal is 100-thousand dollars more than last year's effort. Diocesan Director Sister Mary McCarrick the higher goal is due to increasing costs being realized by the charity. McCarrick says while Appeal Week is more than three months away... they've already received some contributions. McCarrick says not only does it cost more each year to provide the services... the need remains great. Catholic Charities helps well over 150-thousand people each year in the eight county Diocese. In fact... she adds they've helped just over 5-thousand in Chautauqua County in recent years. This year's theme is "Heart at Work..." which recognizes the hard work of their volunteers, and employees. This year's Appeal Week is April 6th through 13th. For more information.. go on-line to ccwny-dot-ORG.
