Young says State Senate to also act on $30-million to go into state budget to deal with ongoing Heroin and opiate crisis...
Plans to set aside $30-million in the state budget has also been introduced in the New York state Senate. A similar measure was announced earlier this week by state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. The measure would expand prevention, treatment and recovery efforts around the state, with a special focus on areas and populations that are considered underserved by current programs. Local State Senator Cathy Young says it came out of hearings held by a Senate Task Force she was part of. Young says treatment is not adequate in many places... including Chautauqua County. She says there are still road-blocks regarding health insurance because of the definition of illness. Young says Senate leaders also met with Governor Cuomo this week about the need to address the issue... and, agreed "we need to do more." A final state budget is expected to be negotiated in the coming weeks by Heastie, Republican Senate Leader John Flanagan and the governor.
Panama Girls Basketball Team wins in state semi-finals!!...
In local sports... it was a big morning for the Panama High School girl's basketball team in the state Class-D Semi-Finals at Hudson Valley Community College. Senior Taylor Bowen sank three clutch free throws late in the game to help the Panthers win over Fort Edward, 46-43 in a very close game. Panama is now 21-4... and, will face the winner of the other Class-D Game at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. That game can be heard on Media One Group station WHUG, 101.9-FM. Good luck to the Lady Panthers!!
Ohio man faces several charges now in connection with vehicle pursuit in Ellington...
An Ohio man now faces numerous charges after leading police on a slow-speed pursuit... and, running into a Sheriff's patrol car in the town of Ellington. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene for a "suspicious vehicle" shortly before 6 a.m. Friday morning. Deputies say the pursuit began when the driver, 39 year-old Jay Head of Uniontown, failed to comply with officers trying to pull over his car. Deputies say Head allegedly struck a patrol car during the pursuit... causing serious damage... but, no injuries. The suspect was finally pulled over on Waterboro Hill Road... and, arrested without futher incident. Head was treated at the scene for a cut to his arm. He was later arraigned on charges including second-degree criminal mischief... second-degree reckless endangerment... and, driving while under the influence of drugs. He was later arraigned... and, sent to the county jail with bail to be set.
No one hurt when Fredonia school bus collides with pick-up truck...
There were no injuries in a minor accident involving a pick-up truck and a school bus on East Main Street near the Fredonia Central School driveway late Friday morning. Fredonia Police say the truck was eastbound on East Main Street... and, the school bus was turning left out of the of the driveway when the collision occurred shortly after 11 a.m. Police say there were 26 students on the bus at the time of the crash. There no injuries and the school notified parents of the incident. The students were transported home on another bus.
Dunkirk police assist feds in arrest for PA man for Child Pornography...
A man from Erie, Pennsylvania has pleaded guilty to a child pornography charge in U.S. District Court in Buffalo stemming from an investigation in Dunkirk nearly three years ago. U.S. Attorney William Hochul, Junior has announced that 35-year-old John Tarell Grayson pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography before a federal court judge. Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano says they worked closely with federal agencies on the case because Grayson was living out of state. Ortolano says the case... involving a child from the north county city... originated in March of 2013. He says his detectives did follow-up on the case with the federal investigators. Hochul says the charge against Grayson carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison... and, a $250,000 fine.
Maple Season almost over due to early stemming from mild Winter...
The harvesting of Maple sap across Chautauqua County -- and much of the Northeast -- is well underway due to our unseasonably mild Winter weather. That from David Munsee of Big Tree Maple, who is also spokesman for the county's Maple Producers. During an event in Forestville to promote the upcoming Maple Weekends... Munsee told our Dennis Webster that most of them have already taken in 50 to 75-percent of what they got last year at this time. He says the syrup being produced is a "dark Amber" with a robust taste. Munsee says this year has been very different compared to last year at this time. He says they had just started about this time in 2015 due to the bitterly cold weather. Munsee says all the producers hoped for cold overnight temperatures for one more "good run" of sap. He says they hope that'll get the trees "going again." The first Maple Weekend is March 19-20, and thesecond will be April 2-3.
***Turn clocks ahead tonight as we "Spring Forward..."
This week sees the start of Daylight Davings Time in the eastern U.S. It begins at 2 a.m. Sunday... so make sure to turn your clocks ahead before going to bed tonight. Otherwise, you'll be late for church, or other activities on Sunday. Fire officials say it's also a good time to check your smoke and CO detectors.
