State environmental officials have issued a drought warning for a large portion of western New York. The state Department of Environmental Conservation's drought warning covers both Chautauqua and Cattaraugus County's... as well as Allegany, Cayuga, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Seneca, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates. The rest of the state remains under a drought watch. Recent rains helped ease drought conditions in much of the state, but drier conditions persist in western New York. While there are no state-mandated water restrictions, New York residents are strongly encouraged to voluntarily conserve water. Local water restriction may apply.
The drought that’s been gripping most of Western New York -- including Chautauqua County -- is having an impact on area grape vineyards, with some of the plants starting to show signs of stress. Viticulture Extension Specialist Luke Haggerty with the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program in the town of Portland says some growers benefited from the spotty showers and thunderstorms that hit the area last Sunday. But... others missed out. Haggerty says overall, the rainfall deficit has led to a smaller berry size this year and that will lead to a smaller crop. Haggerty says rain is needed soon because the grape crop will be reaching a critical stage in about two weeks... once the vines start producing the sugars for the grapes. Showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast for tonight. Forecasters say some of the storms may be capable of producing downpours, but they will likely be scattered in nature.
A Jamestown man is jailed without bail for allegedly threatening several people with a machette during a large fight Wednesday night on the city's northside. Jamestown police say they were called to the scene of the fight -- near the intersection of Isabella Avenue and Lafayette Street -- just after 5 PM. On arrival... officers say they had to break-up an argument between about 30 to 40 people. Their investigation led to the arrest of 27 year-old Jesus Serrano... who was allegedly found with the machette... which he was waving in a threatening manner towards other people. Serrano was found a short distance away... and, arrested without without incident. He's being held on charges of third-degree criminal posession of a weapon... and, second-degree menacing.
Local sales tax revenues have slowed across New York state for the first six-months of 2016... but, Chautauqua County is leading the way with an 11.6-percent increase. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the county's increase has been fueled -- in large part -- by an increase in the local share from 3.5-to 4-percent over 2015. While that's good news for Chautauqua County... County Executive Vince Horrigan says that means those revenues are "right in line" for what was projected in this year's budget. There's also the Gerry Rodeo... and the first-ever Dragon Boat races... and, the new Lucy Statue unveiling in Celoron -- which takes place on Saturday. As for the 2017 budget... Horrigan says he begins face-to-face meetings with department heads about the budget within the next week. He says they're looking to keep property taxes flat to keep in line with their agreement with the state to keep the local sales tax at 4-percent. DiNapoli says state-wide... sales tax growth slowed from 2.6-percent in the first quarter to point-8 percent in the second.
The first-ever Chautauqua Lake Dragon Boat Race and Festival will sandwich a much-anticipated event in the village of Celoron this weekend. Mayor Scot Schrecengost says the Dragon Boat activities get underway this afternoon at 3 in Lucille Ball Memorial Park. Schrecengost says there'll be practice for the participants, along with food and other vendors, and entertainment in the Desi Arnaz Bandshell. He says activities kick into full-gear Saturday morning. The new statue of Lucille Ball will replace one that was so hated it was dubbed ``Scary Lucy.'' Sculptor Carolyn Palmer hopes her tribute will please fans who demanded that another artist's unflattering version be banished through a Facebook campaign. The unveiling takes place at Noon Saturday. Schrecengost tells us they have 24 entries for the boat race -- including a few pros -- for the race. He adds says the regional band "We Speak Canadian" will entertain in the bandshell Friday night from 6 to 9 PM.
A federal judge says New York's former Senate majority leader can remain free on bail while appealing extortion and bribery convictions. Manhattan Judge Kimba Wood ruled Thursday that Dean Skelos, a Republican, and his son Adam, had raised a substantial question on appeal in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling. The father and son were convicted last year of extortion, conspiracy and bribery. Earlier this year, Wood sentenced Dean Skelos to five years in prison and the son to 6 1/2 years in prison. Another judge is deciding whether to let former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat, remain free pending appeal of his conviction in a $5 million bribery case. The Supreme Court appeared to alter existing law when it recently reversed a former Virginia governor's conviction.
In addition to Dunkirk... Chautauqua County officials are also very interested in making sure that transition aid come it's way with the "mothballing" of the NRG Power Plant. The city of Dunkirk and the Dunkirk School District are also looking to receive the state aid. County Executive Vince Horrigan says all three should be able to shortly make formal application for the aid... which would begin with 80-percent of the lost tax revenues from the NRG Power plant being mothballed. Horrigan again expressed his appreciation to State Senator Cathy Young for pushing modifications to the transition aid so that local governments and school district's affected by the "mothballing" of a plant would qualify for aid. The county... city of Dunkirk and Dunkirk School Districts have already expressed their desire to get the aid. However... Horrigan says they and the others... need to also work on not being so dependant on that aid down the road.
We are both sad and stunned here at Media One Group to hear of the sudden passing of a former James Broadcasting employee. Steve Ehmke... who went by the name Dave McKay for the past 24 years at Tampa, Florida radio station WQYK-FM... died early Thursday. The Tampa Bay Times reports a co-worker found him in his St. Petersburg apartment about 6:30 AM. The worker went there after Steve failed to show up to work. Steve co-hosted the "Dave and Veronica" morning show at WQYK... a powerhouse country station in the Tampa Market... the past several years. He was 55. Foul play is not suspected. He worked at WJTN and SE-93 from about 1982 to 1985... and, was the morning man on SE-93 for a few years. Our condolences to Steve's family and close friends.
