A major malfunction with a transformer at a National Grid Company substation in the town of Busti cut power to some 6-thousand customers around the Jamestown-area Sunday morning. A National Grid Spokeswoman says an animal got into the transformer at the Baker Street Extension Substation about 8:40 AM... knocking the station off line. Crews were called in... and, power was restored to most customers just before 11 AM. Everyone was reported back on by Noon. The area affected reportedly extended from Panama to Frewsburg... and, south to the Pennsylvania state line. However... the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities service area was not affected by the outage.
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office is still asking for the public's help in finding a young Jamestown man who was reported missing in the town of Charlotte this past Thursday morning. Sheriff Joe Gerace says they were helped last Friday by several other agencies in the search for 25 year-old Tyler Chase. Gerace says Chase had driven to his parents house in the Cook Road area of Charlotte. Gerace says they're not sure if Chase had met up with someone... and, left the area... or if he went to the wooded area nearby himself. His last contact with family or friends was about 12:30 AM Thursday. He says last Friday's search was very extensive... and, includes State Police and the New York Forest Ranger service. Tyler Chase is a white male with short dark hair. If you have seen him... or know of his whereabouts... you're asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 753-2131.
More than 800 Jamestown Community College graduates were "validated" by receiving their two-year associates degrees last weekend. That from keynote speaker Joshua Harris... a member of the JCC Class of 1998. Harris is now the Policy Director at the Future of Privacy Forum -- a think-tank in Washington, D-C. However... Harris says he wasn't really the "scholarly type" when he first went to JCC. He specifically thanked Political Science Professor Greg Rabb for helping to make him "scholarly material." He expanded that to tell the graduates that their degrees 'validate' them to prospective employers, and other colleges. Harris also told the full house at the JCC Physical Education Complex that "in a world of limited knowledge... we've been able to cut the number of extremely poor people in half in the past 22 years." He says that came through opening up International Trade... a field he worked in for a while. In fact... Harris says some experts estimate that up to 40 more countries are on track to completely eliminate "extreme poverty" within the next 25 years. JCC's 64th Commencement also marked the first one for new President, Cory Duckworth. Dr. Duckworth was joined by JCC Board Vice-Chairman Dale Robbins in presenting degrees to the graduates. Duckworth says he's "enjoyed every minute" of his first year at JCC.
More than 14-hundred students received their degrees last Saturday during two graduation ceremonies at the SUNY College at Fredonia. College Spokesman Mike Barone says bachelor's and master’s degree recipients, as well as those earning advanced certificates, were honored during the two ceremonies. In all... Barone says more than 12-hundred undergraduates and nearly 200 graduate students and advanced certificate recipients were eligible to graduate. SUNY College at Fredonia President Dr. Virginia Horvath presided over both ceremonies... and, congratulated all of the graduates and families on their various achievements. Horvath said -- "from this point, it’s up to you to show what Fredonians can do. We’re counting on you to use what you have learned, to continue to learn as new questions and technologies arise, and to represent your alma mater in all you do."
U-S Senator Charles Schumer is calling on Congress to allow current workers to refinance their student loan debt to get the same interest rates now offered to current students. The Democratic is pushing legislation that would let students and former students who took out a student loan before 2013 refinance their debt to get an interest rate of 3.86 percent. That's the same rate now offered to new borrowers. The average student loan debt in New York is 30-thousand dollars.
A relative newcomer has won the distinction of having the "Best Tasting Water" in Chautauqua County. The Frewsburg water system... which was troubled by contamination issues several years ago... won this year's contest at the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood. County Water Resource Specialist Bill Boria says Frewsburg won out over last year's champion, Jamestown, in the final round. Boria says this is the first time Frewsburg has won the annual competition. Boria says Frewsburg water system officials and workers have spent a lot of time upgrading their system... which is fed by a number of underground wells. He says the water now meets and exceeds most state standards... and, is "pretty good tasting" too. Boria says six municipal systems in all took part. In addition to Frewsburg and Jamestown... the villages of Fredonia... Brocton... Mayville and Sherman took part in ths year's contest. The program is part of National Drinking Water Week... which highlights efforts to protect... and, conserve our drinking water. Frewsburg now moves onto the Western New York regional competition in Rochester in July.
Dealing with Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite, and strength. It can also hurt their self-esteem and confidence. But... that doesn't have to be the case. That's why WCA Hospital and the American Cancer Society are hosting a "Look Good Feel Better" program for women undergoing Cancer treatment today at WCA's Cancer Treatment Center. WCA's Wellness Director Toni DeAngelo... and, Shoshone Dentice with the American Cancer Society are putting on the program... which runs from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. DeAngelo says they've brought in six local cosmotologists to work with eight women who have gone through treatments to provide tips on skin care, make-up... and, coping with hair loss. For more information... call 1-800-227-2345.
Organizers of Jamestown's Memorial Day events are putting out a final call for veterans, active service members and community groups to sign up for this year's parade. Anyone interested in joining the parade is invited to a meeting tonight (Monday) at 7 PM at the Vietnam Veterans of America at 41 Bigelow Ave in Jamestown. Or you can call Dan Kell, the Parade Adjutant, at 485-3647. Jamestown's Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10 AM on Monday, May 26th... and will follow the regular route along 4th Street to Prendergast to Lakeview Cemetery. A truck will be provided for veterans who are unable to walk the entire route.
