The Sherman Central School District is the "Top Overachieving" school system in western New York for the eighth year in a row. The ranking was announced Tuesday by Business First of Buffalo... which annually ranks districts in several catagories. This catagory is for those that post strong academic records -- despite sizable poverty. Sherman School Superintendent Cain Kelly says it's an "honor" to be named again... and, says the main reason is they have a talented teaching staff that puts "student achievement" first. Business First says nearly one-third of the five-to 17-year-olds in Sherman live below the federal poverty level. Kelly says Sherman is a very "blue collar town that's agricultururally based." But.. while the district is poor financially... he says it's rich "in things that count." Business First says Sherman's youth poverty rate of just under 33-percent is the seventh-worst in Western New York. However... Sherman finished 29th in Business First's Western New York academic rankings... outperforming just over 70-percent of the other 95 districts. Second behind Sherman was Randolph in Cattaraugus County... and, Silver Creek was third.
A man wanted in Jamestown is jailed in Cattaraugus County on 10-thousand dollars for allegedly giving police a false name... and, being found with a small amount of cocaine in his possession in Salamanca. Sheriff's Deputies in Little Valley say they were notified that 28 year-old Silk Spencer was sought on a warrant... and, he was found at the Seneca-Allegany Casino back on June 7th. Officers say Spencer told them he was actually his brother, Travis. However... he unable to prove that. He faces charges including second-degree criminal personation... and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Spencer was arraigned in Salamanca City Court... and, sent to the Cattaraugus County lock-up. The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force assisted in the investigation.
Lawmakers remain far apart on a deal to renew the rent regulations covering 2-million New York City residents after the long-standing tenant protections expired at midnight. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie emerged from a meeting with Governor Andrew Cuomo and Senate Leader John Flanagan Tuesday to tell reporters that renewing and strengthening the rent rules remains the top priority for his chamber... which is dominated by New York City Democrats. The Republican-led Senate, however, supports its own bill which would subject rent-regulated tenants to income verification checks. Without a deal to extend it, the existing rules expired at midnight Monday. Lawmakers are also negotiating deals on Cuomo's proposal to create an education tax credit for private-school tuition and a new sexual assault policy for the private colleges and universities.
Momentum is building behind a proposed, four-part measure supporting job growth... strengthening Social Security... and, balancing the federal budget. That from local Congressman Tom Reed... who is a co-sponsor of the National Strategic Agenda Resolution with California Democrat Ami Bera. During his weekly conference call with Southern Tier Media... Reed noted there are now two Senate sponsors... and, says it's up for a hearing in the Senate Homeland Security and Govermental Affairs Committee tomorrow. Specifics on how each of those goals would be achieved have not been announced... but, Reed says the goal right now is getting Democrats and Republicans to sign on and be part of the solution. The Corning Republican says the hearing is another "positive step" in trying to identify "common goals." Reed says Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota... and, Democrat Bill Nelson of Florida... are co-sponsoring the measure in the Senate. They introduced the legislation two weeks ago. Reed and Bera introduced it in the House of Representatives last April.
New York officials say they have awarded 1.57-million dollars to eight programs -- one in Chautauqua County -- to help provide post-adoption services around the state. The money will help fund services like family counseling, parent education and mental health counseling. The awards were announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The Gustavus Adolphus Child and Family Services in Jamestown is one of the eight getting some of the money. The governor's office says they'll be receiving 142-thousand-500 dollars in funding. The other providers include Abbott House, serving Dutchess and Orange counties... Catholic Charities in Monroe County... the Children's Home of Jefferson County... which serves both Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.... and, the Salvation Army in Onondaga County.
Students at Ring Elementary School in Jamestown took part of establishing their own legacy yesterday afternoon by helping to plant six new trees on the northern edge of the school property. The new trees are the last of 62 new ones planted there in recent years. City Arborist Dan Stone hosted the event... and, says three of the trees were Quanzan Cherrys... and, the other three were Capital Pears. Stone says it's always fun getting the kids involved. Stone... and, members of the city's Parks and Recreation Department take care of the approximately 13-thousand "terrace" trees that are maintained by the city. Mayor Sam Teresi urged the students to "remember this day..." and, recalled helping to plant a tree when he was a student at Fletcher Elementary School. He told them to take pride in what they've done. The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation again helped provide the funding to put up the new trees. But... Executive Director Randy Sweeney commended the Ring students... who raised 185-dollars themselves for the project.
A ton of confiscated ivory will be crushed in Times Square this week to draw attention to elephant poaching and wildlife trafficking. The U.S. Department of the Interior, the Wildlife Conservation Society and New York's state environmental department are among the participants in Friday's event. The Wildlife Conservation Society says elephant poaching is at its highest level in decades and is causing significant declines in the population. It says rhinos and other species are also at risk. The society's Chief Executive Officer... Cristian Samper... says the symbolism highlights an effort to crush ``the bloody ivory market'' and let poachers know that they won't profit by slaughtering the ``majestic'' creatures.
