Special State Wage Board approves phased-in $15 per hour wage for fast-food workers...
Fast-food workers in New York state may soon be making $15 an hour... but, it would be phased-in over several years. A proposal to raise the minimum wage for workers at McDonalds, Starbucks and other fast-food restaurants to $15 an hour was endorsed Wednesday by a state labor board. Governor Cuomo, whose administration has the final say on the idea, has signaled his support. Many fast-food workers say $15-an-hour would allow them to keep up with the state's high cost of living. However... restaurant owners say the increase will lead to higher prices and fewer jobs.
Leone says Chautauqua County likely not to have enough damage to qualify for federal disaster aid...
Chautauqua County officials continue to work on getting as much assistance as possible for communities hit by last week's flooding, but it doesn't appear that a federal disaster declaration is likely. That from County Emergency Services Director Julius Leone who says they are still working on final numbers... but, adds they've tallied up about $6.3-million in damage so far. He says those numbers reflect public property damage. Leone says the county's threshold of just over $400,000 was easily excceeded, but from a state perspective, at least $20-million is needed to trigger a federal declaration for FEMA funding. Leone says representatives from the Small Business Administration are touring the area. He says they began in Silver Creek... and, have gone through Brocton, and are now in Westfield for businesses that may be eligible for low-interest loans. County Executive Vince Horrigan said earlier this week that he is working closely with State Senator Cathy Young's office to determine what assistance is available.
Jamestown woman seriously hurt in single-car accident in Kiantone...
A city woman is being treated for serious injuries after she was she was ejected from her car when it crashed near a house in the town of Kiantone Tuesday afternoon. Sheriff's deputies say 19 year-old Rachel Burt of Bowen Street was northbound on Kiantone Road just after 1 PM when she missed a curve... and, the vehicle left the road. Officers say Burt's car slid then sideways for about 150 feet before hitting several brick light pillars. The vehicle then overturned after hitting a raised driveway... and, rolled backwards before hitting a fence. Deputies say Burt was ejected out of the back window... and, through a wooden fence into a hayfield. Officers also say the homeowner... who was standing outside in his front yard... had to run behind the house to avoid being hit. Burt was flown by Starflight Helicopter to the Hamot Medical Center in Erie for treatment. Charges are pending.
Ohio woman arrested for driving the wrong way on State Thruway...
State police say a woman from Ohio was under the influence of drugs when she drove the wrong way on the Thruway in northern Chautauqua County. Officials say troopers spotted a car traveling west in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 around 7:20 p.m. Tuesday in the town of Hanover. Police say troopers were able to catch up to the car after the driver of a tractor-trailer blocked all the eastbound lanes to prevent any accidents. Troopers say they charged 44-year-old Michelle Weaver of Painesville, Ohio, with driving while ability impaired by drugs and reckless endangerment. Police say Weaver was turned over to a sober third party and released.
Ramis' daughters to be part of special panel discussion at Lucille Ball Comedy Festival...
T-V Talk and game show host Regis Philbin isn't the only late addition to the line-up for next week's annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Comedy Center Director Journey Gunderson says members of late comedy writer and director Harold Ramis' two daughters will also be on hand for the big panel discussion about comedy legends. Gunderson says they will join Kelly Carlin... the daughter of the late George Carlin... and, the late Joan Rivers' daughter... for the program on Friday night, July 31. Kelly Carlin will moderate the panel discussion. Gunderson says Ramis is considered one of the most "enfluencial" writer/directors of all time. His credits include "Animal House," Groundhog Day," "Caddyshack,"... and, "Ghostbusters." For more information on the panel discussion... and, others events during the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival... call 484-0800... or go on-line to www.lucycomedyfest.com. Two sold out shows with Comedy Legend Jerry Seinfield high-light the weekend on Saturday, Aug. 1.
