A four year old Falconer boy has reportedly drowned in a backyard pool. The Jamestown Post Journal reports that the drowning occured at 3013 Water Street around 3pm Tuesday. Police believe the drowning was accidental. The boy was in the yard running when he crawled into the pool out of the sight of his parents. The boy was taken to WCA Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Ellicott Police were assisted by Falconer fire crews at the scene. Authorities are still investigating, but do say signs point to the drowning being accidental.
An elderly Portville woman has been identified as the person who died in Monday night's fatal house fire in the Cattaraugus County town. Portville firefighters were called to the scene at 118 Portville-Eldred Road about 6:45 PM... and found heavy fire and smoke coming from the two-story structure. Several mutual aid companies were called in. Crews found 84 year-old Patricia Luedtke (Lewt-key) inside the front door to the home. Fire officials say she was rushed to Olean General Hospital where she died from smoke inhalation. The Cattaraugus County Fire Investigation Team and Sheriff's Department investigated the cause... and, determined the blaze stemmed from faulty electrical components.
Local Congressman Tom Reed is among the federal lawmakers pushing a five-year bill to fight Heroin and Opioid abuse in local communities. Reed says the measure authorizes 103-million dollars a year to encourage coordination between law enforcement agencies to strengthen existing narcotics investigation efforts. He adds that another 5-million dollars will be used to support law enforcement and treatment efforts in areas with "high incidences" of Heroin and Methamphetime" abuse. Reed says the bill also authorizes new grants to states... and, groups of states to support programs aimed at treatment and recovery from opioid abuse. The Corning Republican says it will also specifically help states expand access to treatment services through use of "best practices" and through flexible funding. Reed hosted several roundtables in his district in recent months... and, also met with people on the front lines -- including families and addicts -- about what was needed to battle this crisis. He made his comments during his Weekly Telephone Conference Call with Southern Tier Media.
New York state is repaving 12 miles of the Thruway in the far western corner of the state in Chautauqua County. That from Governor Andrew Cuomo... who announced the start of the $11.7-million dollar project late Monday. It involves repaving two lanes of the Thruway, in both directions, between exits 58 and 59 between Dunkirk and Silver Creek. In total... 48 miles of pavement will be replaced. State Assemblyman Andy Goodell says the project also includes changes to the Thruway slope to improve safety and the addition of new guiderails and drainage culverts. The state hopes to wrap up the project this month.
Financial disclosures show six state senators topped their legislative pay with outside income last year while efforts to restrict it foundered in the Legislature. Filings at the state ethics commission by all 63 senators show five attorneys and one builder making 100-thousand dollars or more from other work. At the same time... 33 senators report having no other jobs. Legislative sessions in Albany run from January through June but lawmakers maintain offices in their districts expected to help constituents all year. Most report spouses with incomes, drawing pensions or investment returns in publicly reviewable documents at the Joint Commission on Public Ethics. That was the case with local Senator Cathy Young... who reported no outside income while serving in largely ceremonial positions on the panels for three organizations. Senator's base pay is $79,500-dollar... while many get additional pay for leadership posts. A commission is studying whether they deserve raises. Most face elections this Fall.
The final numbers are still being tallied... but, it appears the LECOM Health Challenge golf tournament had the "hoped-for" impact on Chautauqua County last week. That from director Andrew Nixon with the Chautauqua County Visitor's Bureau. Nixon was on hand at Peek 'n Peak for the PGA Web-dot-COM Tour stop... and, says thousands made their way to the county to enjoy the tournament, and other Summer attractions. It was expected that the tournament would draw 60 to 65-thousand people from July 6th through 10th... and, have a 7-to-8-million dollar impact on the local economy. Nixon says "everything was very full" for the week and weekend. While the early part of 2016 had some weather issues... he says the weather this Summer season has been "very cooperative." Earlier in the year... there was a problem from warmer than usual Winter temperatures... and, a lack of snow that hurt the ski industry. The Spring season also had some weather issues.
Democrat Zephyr Teachout and Republican John Faso expect an expensive and hard-fought battle for a Congressional seat opening up in New York with the retirement of Republican U.S. Representative Chris Gibson. The race playing out among small cities and rural towns of the 19th Congressional District is among a handful in the state that loom large as House Democrats try to trim the Republicans' 247-188 majority this year. Teachout is a college law professor who launched a surprisingly strong 2014 primary challenge to Governor Andrew Cuomo's re-election bid. Faso is a former Republican lawmaker who has been a sharp-tongued critic of liberal policies. They are fighting for a district that encompasses a scenic stretch of the Hudson Valley. Teachout recently appeared at Chautauqua Institution.
An elderly Central New York man has been found, alright... but, no details have been released. Authorities believe the man was seen in the Jamestown-area this past Monday night. A New York Missing Person's Alert for a "vulnerable Adult" was issued for 78 year-old William Caloroso of Nichols... which is just west of Binghampton. He was reportedly seen driving a dark blue sedan in the area, and was traveling west. Mr. Caloroso reportedly has dementia. Again... he has been found, and, is okay.
Authorities say the driver of a tractor-trailer has died in a fiery crash on Interstate 86 in upstate New York. The crash occurred Monday morning when state police say the westbound tractor-trailer crashed off the highway in the town of Elmira, struck several trees and caught fire. Troopers say the truck's driver died in the crash. Authorities didn't immediately identify the victim. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
New York state is warning people about the dangers of playing Pokemon Go while driving -- or even walking. The state's Department of Motor Vehicles says Tuesday that it's worried about ``tragic real-world consequences'' if someone plays the popular smartphone game while behind the wheel or crossing an intersection. Users playing the ``augmented reality'' game roam through the physical world searching for virtual Pokemon creatures to catch. New York state already prohibits smartphone use while driving. Tuesday's safety warning was prompted by the surging popularity of the game. Driving officials aren't the only ones concerned about the safety of distracted Pokemon players. On Tuesday... the Metropolitan Transportation Authority sent a tweet to its 350,000 followers reminding riders to stand behind the yellow line while playing in the subway.
