Western New York, and Chautauqua County, remain under Winter Storm Warning this afternoon...
Snow continued to fall about about an inch per hour in some parts of Western New York... and, we had received 6 to 9 inches of snow by mid-morning here in the Jamestown-area. However... the snow should lighten up early this afternoon. Most schools in Chautauqua County are closed for the mid-Winter break. However... most of the few that were open closed today. Forecaster Dave Zaff with the National Weather Service says the highest snow totals will be to the east... where Zaff says we could see 18 inches of snow around Rochester. This snow appeared somewhat grainy... but, still heavy. Zaff says we're seeing a "synoptic..." or general snowfall from this system that's different than typical lake effect snow. He says it will depend on where you are... but, snowfall totals will be between 8 and 18 inches of snow... with higher amounts around Rochester, and just south of Rochester. Just to the east of Rochester... most places were seeing a mix of precipitation including rain, sleet and snow. It was all rain in much of eastern New York.
Winter Storm affecting all of Ustate NY...
A mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is making driving conditions dicey for commuters across upstate New York, with winter storm warnings and hazardous weather advisories posted throughout the state. Separate crashes occurring within an hour... and, a few miles of one another shut down the Thruway in both directions just northwest of Albany early Tuesday morning. One lane is now open in each direction. State police say there was freezing rain at the time of the accidents but the causes of the crashes are being investigated.
Flames destroy barn in Fredonia-area...
Firefighters from a half dozen departments battled a blaze that has destroyed a barn in the town of Pomfret. Fredonia firefighters were called out to the fire at 8836 Fredonia-Stockton Road, near lower Hahn Road around 11:30 p.m. Monday. Fredonia firefighters received mutual aid from Cassadaga, Stockton, East and West Dunkirk and Sheridan along with County Emergency Services. The city of Dunkirk sent an engine to standby at Fredonia Fire Headquarters. The last units cleared the scene around 3 a.m. There were two rekindles. No one was hurt... and, there's no word on a cause.
Nine new members inducted to Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame...
It was a night of excitement and story-telling before a capacity audience at last night's 35th annual Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame Induction banquet. The inductees came from all parts of the county... and, even across the country to be on hand. Several sports catagories were well represented... including Cross-Country. Robert "Doc" Rappole was inducted for his work at Maple Grove High School... where the girl's team won three straight State titles in 2010-through-2012. However... he was also a teammate of a past inductee -- Dan Stimson. Track and Field was also represented by SUNY College at Fredonia Coach Jim Ulrich... whose teams won 20 consecutive SUNY Athletic Conference Championships. Wrestling was well-represented with former Fredonia High School Coach Alex Conti... who is now with the U-S Women's Olympic Team. The late "Flash" Olson... who coached several league wrestling championship teams at Southwestern was also inducted. Southwestern graduate Dan Hoard went in for sportscasting. He's the play-by-play voice of the Cinncinati Bengals. Dunkirk's Julie Gawronski was inducted for staring in several high school and college sports. She worked for the U-S Olympic Committee from 2007-12. Also inductee posthumously was Falconer native Heather Leffort Edborg. Fredonia swimmer Sarah Schuster Morrison was also inducted... as was the late Parke Hill Davis of Jamestown. He is known as the "grandfather" of Football statistics.
Don Beebe talks about "not quiting," and charactor at CSHOF Dinner...
Another member of the Buffalo Bill's teams that went to four Super Bowls was the keynote speaker at last night's Hall of Fame banquet... and, he's become a great example of what it means 'not to quit.' Retired Wide Receiver Don Beebe was a big part of the Bill's success from 1990 to 1994. However... he's probably most well-known for coming up from behind... and, knocking the ball away from Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Leon Lett. Lett had recovered a fumble... and appeared on the way to scoring an easy touchdown. He says "God gave me a play that stapled 'I'm never giving up' on me." Beebe says he didn't think much about the play because the Bills were getting beat handily. However... he says he was inundated with letters of support following the game... and, still wins accolades from coaches who tell their players to "never give up."
