Hochul on hand for ground-breaking, Champaign toast for new Celoron Haborfront Hotel...
Construction is underway on the new, $30.8-million Celoron Haborfront Hotel. Several local and state officials were on hand yesterday afternoon just west of Lucille Ball Memorial Park for an official ground-breaking, and toast to the effort. The project is being undertaken by Buffalo-area Developer Peter Krog and Hotel Operator David Hart. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was on hand for the toast and ground-breaking... and, says she's known both Krog and Hart for a long-time. With that... she says the project is "going to happen..." adding that hotel's "telegraph confidence." Hochul says they do "magnificant" work, which has been seen at their hotel's in Watkins Glen and the Thousand Islands. She says the project is important because hotel's "telegraph confidence" for other development. She and the other officials noted the state's investment of $5-million in the new National Comedy Center... and, $10-million for the city of Jamestown's Downtown Revitalization Initiative that will help make the area a 'destination point.' State Senator Cathy Young adds the new hotel will be a great addition to the area... and, adds they are pleased to see the state provide a $1.9-million grant for the project... as well as $2.6-million in tax credits.
Peter Krog and David Hart look forward to project, using local contractors...
Both the developer and hotel operator involved in the Celoron Harborfront Hotel project say they are pleased to put putting up their latest, state of the art facility on Chautauqua Lake. Peter Krog and David Hart say they look foward to opening the facility by Summer of next year. Krog expressed his apprecation to local and state officials for their support of the project. He adds that they are also using local businesses to help put up the new hotel... including Chautauqua Brick, Tri-James, and Southern Tier Supply. Hart says the grant... and, the state Office of Community Renewal tax credits were a big help in getting the project started.
Funeral taking place in Northern NY for slain Trooper...
Several thousand law enforcement officers from across the U.S. and Canada are expected to attend this weekend's funeral for a New York state trooper killed in the line of duty. WWNY-TV in Watertown reports that state police officials expect 3,000 to 5,000 officers to attend Saturday's services for Trooper Joel Davis. The 36-year-old was fatally shot Sunday night while responding to reports of gunfire on a couple's property in the town of Theresa. Police say a Fort Drum soldier, Staff Sgt. Justin Walters, fatally shot his 27-year-old wife before shooting Davis.
Horrigan stresses slowing down to deal with "slow-moving" traffic in latest 100 Days of Summer Safety event...
Slow down and pay attention to the road ahead. That's the message from local and county officials when it comes to dealing with farm vehicles and Amish buggies this Summer in Chautauqua County. County Executive Vince Horrigan hosted his latest 100 Days of Summer Safety event at John Wiggers and Son Farm Equipment on Route 474 in Clymer Friday morning. Horrigan urged people to be ready for the unexpected... especially when it comes to dealing with animals pulling buggies along rural roads. He says the horses sometimes get spooked by unexpected noises and movement. The ability to be able to stop within your sight distance is a key to a member of the Sheriff's Department Traffic Safety Board. Pete James of Chautauqua was on hand for the program in Clymer. He says emphasized being able "to stop within your sight distance..." adding that if you do that "you won't crash."
Bharara believes Silver will be convicted again on re-trail...
Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is defending his prosecution of ex-New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver after Silver's conviction was reversed. The prosecutor fired earlier this year by President Donald Trump's administration after he refused to resign says the evidence of public corruption against Silver was strong. He says he thinks the 73-year-old Democrat will be convicted again. Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim has said prosecutors will retry Silver. Bharara shared his opinion about the Silver case on Twitter after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tossed out the conviction Thursday. The appeals court said the evidence against Silver was sufficient, but instructions on the law given to the jury were not consistent with a Supreme Court ruling in another case that came out after the Silver verdict.
St. James Italian Festival underway...
The annual St. James Italian Festival will take place today at the St. James Catholic Church grounds in Brooklyn Square. Preparations have been taking place over the past several days... and, the big tent already up. Festival Chairman Tom Franco says they're compressing the festival into just one day this year... and, activities will begin at 10 this morning... and, run until 9:30 p.m. Franco says they decided to make it one day to allow volunteers to only have to commit to one day this year. Franco says they have some new wrinkles this year... including the operator of a new pizzaria -- named "Sauce" -- in the downtown area who'll be selling his wares.
Jamestown 13 year-old Babe Ruth Team wins NYS title, moves on to Mid-Atlantic Regional...
The Jamestown Babe Ruth 13-year-old all-stars have won the New York State Babe Ruth Tournament... and, have now advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Tournament. Manager Tom Tantillo says they're very excited about going to the tournament in Sommers Point, New Jersey beginning July 24th and 25th. However... Tantillo adds they need to raise $15,000 and $20,000 for the trip. Tantillo says fund-raising is underway... with a number of events planned to cover the kids food, lodging and other expenses. Tantillo says they have one fund-raiser today... with a Tag Days event now through 5:30 p.m. at Farm Fresh Foods on West Third Street. There will also be a Chicken Barbecue Dinner served on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Quick Lube Parking Lot located across from the Foote Avenue Plaza.
