Another comedic legend will be coming to Chautauqua Institution this Summer as part of Chautauqua and the National Comedy Center's week on Comedy.
Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson announced yesterday afternoon that comedian and director David Steinberg will be the featured lecturer next August 1st as part of "Comedy and the Human Condition" Week at Chautauqua. Gunderson says they are "thrilled" to have Steinberg speak at 10:45 AM.
Most recently Gunderson says Steinberg is in his ninth season of directing the cable comedy show "Curb Your Enthusiasm" that stars Comedian Larry David. Steinberg has also directed for the hit series "Weeds." He has resume that spans The Second City, Broadway, and a prolific television career. Known for his work on "The Smothers Brothers..." Steinberg’s satiric and controversial "sermons" caught the ire of President Richard Nixon and caused the show to be thrown off the air.
The week at Chautauqua is being held in conjunction with the National Comedy Center's annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival... which runs from August 3rd through 6th.
The investigation is continuing into a drowning in Lake Erie near Silver Creek yesterday morning.
Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace confirms that that the drowning involved an elderly male, with the victim's body being located behind St. Columban’s on the Lake on Route 5 shortly after 7:30 AM.
The victim's name with being with-held until family members are notified. Sheridan Fire crews also assisted at the scene. More details when they become available.
The city of Jamestown needs the federal Community Development Block Grant program now as much as ever with more than 100 vacant and condemned homes.
That includes the eight structures destroyed in nine arson fires during four-days last week. That from Mayor Sam Teresi who says they try to budget a certain amount of city, state and CDBG funding to knock down unsafe structures each year. Teresi says that's one reason why CDBG funds are so critical. That resolution called on the administration and, regional Congressional leaders to push to keep the program in place.
Local Congressman Tom Reed has already voiced his support for CDBG. While it costs upwards of $40,000 to do a "planned demolition" at can cost upwards of $60,000 for an "emergency demolition" because the wood composition changes.
The investigation is continuing into those fires. If you have any information on them call Jamestown Police at 483-7537 or the confidential Tips line at 483-TIPS, that's 483-8477. You can also use the JPD Tips 4-1-1 app.
The Western New York Chapter of the American Red Cross is continuing to assist the victims of last week's fire that heavily damaged a half-a-block area of West Main Street in the village of Falconer.
Executive Director Chuck Marra says they are assisting a total of 19 people left homeless by that major fire. Marra says the local Red Cross depends on volunteers and they received the assistance of several Disaster Assistance Team members during the fire. He says five volunteers are part of their Disaster Action Team that responds to a fire at anytime.
As for the victims, Marra says the Red Cross will help them get assistance from community service partners and government agencies to make sure that they have the resources to move forward with their lives.
Gas prices in the Jamestown-area have fallen slightly again this week dropping nearly half-a-penny to just over $2.46. That from the AAA's Fuel Gauge Report which say the price for regular, unleaded is now $2.46.4. It was $2.47 last week.
AAA says nationally the average price at the pump is now $2.29 a gallon.
The Fuel Gauge says this is the same price as compared to one month ago, but just fractions of a penny below one week ago and 25 cents per gallon more than the same date last year. The average pump price has now decreased nine of the past 10 days.
Prices in much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast remain relatively steady on the week. Regional gasoline inventories remain low as the region continues to remove winter-grade gasoline from the system.
A record number of prize baskets will be up for bidding at this Saturday's 14th annual Basket Fair put on by the St. Susan's Center in Jamestown.
Executive Director Jeff Smith says the fund-raiser for the area's largest soup kitchen begins at 11 AM in the Physical Education Complex at Jamestown Community College.
Smith says admission is free but, adds you do have to buy tickets to be able to bid on any of the 125 gift baskets they'll have this year. Smith says a basic sheet of tickets costs $10 each. There's also what he calls a "super sheet" you can buy that is a better value, and allows you to bid on more items.
He says they have all kinds of gift baskets with various items in them. Smith adds they have some terrific grand prizes this year including a meat smoker, and a 55-inch Hi-Definition TV.
He says you'll be able to bid on the various gift baskets starting at 11 AM and, tickets will be available until 1:45 PM. He says drawings start at 2 PM. He says they hope to raise at least $15,000 this year.
Democratic lawmakers in some states are pressing ahead with efforts to protect birth control access Planned Parenthood funding, and abortion coverage in case they are jeopardized in the future.
Republican leaders in Congress withdrew a bill last week that would have repealed former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, halted Planned Parenthood's federal funding and curtailed the ability of many low-income women to obtain affordable birth control.
Despite that setback for the GOP, some Republicans say Congress might revisit health care. At the same time, anti-abortion leaders say they will not abandon their campaign to defund Planned Parenthood.
The uncertainty has prompted decisions to press ahead with bills in Nevada, Oregon and Maryland that would protect against some proposed GOP actions.
Monthly alternate parking begins this Saturday April 1st in the city of Jamestown.
That from City Police Captain Todd Issacson who says vehicles must be parked only on the odd-numbered side of the street during odd-numbered months and, only on the even-numbered side of the gtreet during even numbered months.
Issacson says vehicles should be moved at 10 AM on the first-day of each month and there is no grace period.
