WNY now officially under "severe drought conditions..."
All of western New York... and, much of New York state... is now experiencing "drought" conditions. Both the state Department of Environmental Conservation... and, the U-S Drought Monitor confirmed that Friday. In fact... the Drought Monitor says that western New York is one area experiencing "severe" drought conditions. Forecaster Kirk Apfell with the National Weather Service works directly with the Drought Monitor... and, says the water levels here are about 3 to 8-inches below normal for this time of year. Apfell adds that those numbers put the area -- generally -- at about half the water level it should have. He adds the western Southern Tier has done a little better than the Niagara Frontier part of the region. Apfell says most parts of western New York haven't seen an significant precipitation since very early Spring. He adds that it's going to take a while for us to get out of the drought situation as well. Apfell says it's gotten bad enough that many creek beds are dry. However... he says none are at record levels yet. Apfell says it's a good idea to use some voluntary water conservation steps that may help your community. Those include fixing dripping and leaking faucets... and, sweeping sidewalks and steps instead of hosing them off.
City police arrest four for allegedly dealing "crack," fentenyl, and marijuana...
Five people... four from Buffalo... a jailed following their arrests for allegedly trafficking several types of drugs in the Jamestown-area. Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings say members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force... and, the state Police C-NET Team... raided the lower apartment at 153 South Main St. just after 11 a.m. Thursday. Snellings says agents found "crack" cocaine... fentanyl... marijuana... and, $2,000 cash -- which was all seized. He adds that Task Force members arrested three of the Buffalo residents... 29 year-old Nicholas Gaskin, 24 year-old Kayma Snow, and 36 year-old Clifford Stanley... as they were trying to leave the scene in a car. Snellings says agents found drugs in both the car and apartment. Arrested inside the apartment were 22 year-old Laquil Hilson of Jamestown... and, 23 year-old Sydney Johnson of Buffalo. All five are charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Johnson is also charged with criminal impersonation. Three, Gaskin, Snow, and Hilson are in the county jail without bail. Johnson posted bail, and Stanley was still being detained in Jamestown early this evening. Anyone with information on the illegal trafficking of narcotics in the Jamestown-area can contact the task force at 483-TIPS... that's 483-8477.
Oswego latest small city in state to be awarded $10-million from state for Downtown Revitalization Initiative...
Oswego is the latest city in New York state to win $10 million in state funding for the revitalization of its downtown. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo traveled to the city on Lake Ontario Thursday to make the announcement. A total of 10 cities and towns will each win $10 million... with one in each of the state's 10 upstate economic regions. Westbury, Elmira, Plattsburgh, Middletown and Geneva have already been announced as winners. The governor was to be in Jamestown for a "big announcement" last week... but, the appearance was cancelled, and has not yet been rescheduled. There is speculation that Jamestown may be getting one of those awards.
20th annual Laurel Run begins...
The first part of The Resource Center's 20th annual Laurel Run got underway Friday morning at the intersection of Eighth Street and Fairmount Avenue in Jamestown with several runners taking part. One group of runners from Maple Grove Senior High School led off a 30 mile relay run to Dunkirk. One of them was Gracie Auer, a junior this Fall, who says they think it's a "great opportunity to give back to our community." She adds it's a "great cause." The race is named for Laurel Hotelling of Silver Creek, who despite Down Syndrome is an active, contributing member of her community. Her mother, Elaine Hotelling, says it's important to understand how 'able' the 'disabled' can be. She says everyone has some "kind of disability" in life. On Saturday... Laurel Run moves into Silver Creek for a 8-K run, and other special events. The Resource Center's Steve Waterson says the event raises several thousand dollars each year, with the proceeds going to help the disabled.
