Chautauqua County's Congressman was in Jamestown Thursday afternoon to lay-out his "Vision for American's Manufacturing Future." Corning Republican Tom Reed was at Blackstone Advanced Technologies to outline his eight-point plan to bolster U-S manufacturing. In his 10-page proposal... Reed said his "vision" includes the implementation of his bi-partisan 'Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act' which was approved by Congress two years ago. He adds there are two other important components. However... Reed says another key item is workforce development to make sure that people filling those jobs are well-trained. To that end... Reed was joined by Chautauqua County "Dream It -- Do It" Director Justin Hanft... who says the county has a "rich" industrial history Hanft says it's important for the story to be told about what's happening in the Jamestown-area. "Dream It -- Do It..." is supported locally by the Manufacturer's Association of the Southern Tier, and the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce." Local Assemblyman Andy Goodell was also on hand to voice his support for Reed's efforts to help manufacturers.
The union representing about 370 teachers and education professionals in Warren County is now on strike. Several teachers and other members of the Warren County Education Association were seen peacefully picketing in front of Eisenhower High School in Russell, Pennsylvania yesterday morning. An Association official delivered a strike notice to the Warren Times-Observer this part Monday at 4:30 PM. The union is required to give 48 hours notice before striking. Association members say they have "lost faith" in the school board's willingness to reach an agreement. We have been unable to make connection with Warren County Superintendent Amy Stewart for comment as yet.
The man who has headed up the Western New York regional office of the U-S Attorney's Office for just over six years has announced he is retiring at the end of the month. William Hochul, Junior... says today that he will be stepping down after a 30-year career in public service. The 57 year-old Hochul says while the threat to Americans has changed over the decades... certain fundamental truths have remained constant. He says first... "the commitment of law enforcement to protect and serve the public has never wavered, and it has been an honor to work with these heroes. Second, the system in which we operate is truly the best the world has ever seen." Finally, he says "it has been a great privilege to be able to achieve justice for those who have been targeted or hurt by vicious predators, unscrupulous fraudsters, and criminals of every type." Hochul was first appointed as an Assistant U-S Attorney for the District of Columbia in 1987. President Barack Obama nominated him to serve as the United States Attorney for the Western District of New York in 2009. Hochul was unanimously confirmed by the U-S Senate in 2010.
One of the laywers chosen to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November of 1963 will be part of the latest event coming to the Robert H. Jackson Center. The center will host it's latest in it's 'Continuing Legal Education' seminars at the Center next Tuesday, October 11th. One of the center's Founders, Greg Peterson, says "Seeking the Truth: Scandals and Conspiracies" begins at 8:45 AM... but, the main part of the program will be an interview at 11 AM with Cuyahoga County of Ohio Common Pleas Judge Burt Griffin. Peterson says the first seminar will be a session that should be of interest to most people... and, that's "Estate Planning: Tranformational Planned Giving." He says that begins at 8:45 with Attorney Cameron Brooks leading that program. Peterson says the second part will be at 9:45 AM... and, will feature his interview with author Charles Fountain who wrote the book; "The Betrayal: The 1919 World Series and the Birth of Modern Baseball." Peterson says they'll conclude with a luncheon featuring retired professional hockey player Craig Muni. The seminars are free and open to the public. For more information... call 483-6646.
The National Comedy Center in Jamestown is making final preparations for this weekend's 2016 Lucy-Town Half Marathon & 5-K race... and, interest is already growing. The Center's Executive Director, Journey Gunderson, says tickets are still available for Tammy Pescatelli, who will be appearing at the Willow Bay Theatre this Saturday evening. Gunderson describes Pescatelli as one of the hardest working women in comedy today.
Gunderson says Pescatelli's brand of comedy is suitable for the entire family. She says you still get tickets on-line at Lucyrace-dot-COM. Again... Gunderson says the show will begin at 7:30 PM. She says you can also get more information by calling 484-0800. The 2016 Lucy Town Half Marathon and Univera Kids 2-K will each take place on Sunday, while the Lucy Town 5K will take place on Saturday.
Gasoline prices in Chautauqua County are down slightly this week... falling about 6-tenths of a cent... to 2-dollars-29 cents a gallon. The Triple-A's Fuel Gauge Report says the price was just over 2--29 a gallon last week. Triple-A says that's still above the national average price... which is now 2-dollars-22 cents a gallon. The Fuel Gauge reports that nationally... prices have climbed higher as compared to the previous week, even though many states have switched over to "Winter-Blend" gasoline and there remain abundant crude oil supplies. Triple-A says the national average for regular, unleaded gas moved higher each of the past seven days reaching today’s average of 2--22 per gallon.
Grape harvests are underway at vineyards in the Northeast where unusually dry warm weather this summer was ideal for growing grapes. But... in parts of New York and southern New England, where drought struck, some growers are seeing decreasing yields. New York, the country's third largest wine producer, was hit hard by drought in the Finger Lakes wine region. Gene Pierce, owner of Glenora Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake, said his and other vineyards are seeing smaller crop yields, ranging from a 10 percent decline to as much as 30 to 40-percent. On the other hand, dry weather can bring a more intensely flavored wine. In Vermont... which escaped much of the drought, Lincoln Peak Vineyard in New Haven is on track for a record or near record harvest.
