Gerace says Ohio hunter involved in Friday hunting accident was "totally irresponsible..."
Chautauqua County's top-cop says an Ohio man was "totally irresponsible" in his actions during a second hunting accident in the county within the past three days. In Friday's case in the town of North Harmony... no one was hurt... but a rifle shot from 26 year-old Marvin Miller of Middlefield, Ohio just missed two men riding in a pick-up truck near Snake Forest Road just before 11:30 a.m. Friday. Sheriff Joe Gerace says it's "hard to believe" that Miller mistook the movement of the truck for a deer while he was hunting. Gerace says hunters not only need to be tracking their prey... but, need to be aware of all their surroundings, including people and vehicles. He says, once a shot is taken, there's "no taking it back." Fortunately in this case... neither Robert Merritt of Springboro, Pennsylvana nor his passenger were hurt. They were reportedly riding in the pick-up truck on an access road near State Lands in North Harmony. Officers say Miller fired one round from his high-powered rifle, striking the truck in the driver's side front fender. Gerace says Miller faces two charges... including second-degree reckless endangerment. Deputies say Miller came out of the woods, and checked on the two occupants. He was arraigned on his two charges... and, released on bail.
Holiday Valley opens to good-turn-out Friday, open through weekend...
A special ski season at Holiday Valley resort in Ellicottville is underway... even though there's little if any snow on the ground around the Western Southern Tier. That from Holiday Valley Ski Resort in Ellicottville opened up at 9 a.m. Friday with with a limited number of slopes open. However... Marketing Director Jane Eshbaugh says it's been cold enough most nights to make, and keep the snow that's being made by their snow-guns. Eshbaugh says they had a good turn-out yesterday for the start of their 60th season. She says they have two ski lifts... and, five slopes open right now. He says they'll be open again today until 10 p.m., and, will be open again from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Eshbaugh says they've been making as much snow as possible over the past two-and-a-half weeks... and, they currently have a 6 to 20-inch base so far. She says their first big event will be their annual Demo Day on December 16th. She says they'll be celebrating their actual 60th anniversary early next year. For more information on Holiday Valley, call 699-2345... or go on-line to www.holidayvalley.com, or their Facebook page.
County Office for the Aging helping local seniors with Medicare Enrollment...
More of the "Baby Boomer" generation is retiring this year... and, if you have reached the age of 65 this year... that means you should be looking into enrolling in a traditional Medicare -- or a Medicare Advantage program. The Chautauqua County Office for the Aging provides help to local residents trying to navigate the many plans out there for retirees. The office's Chris Chernois (Chur-oh-niss) says a lot of local residents like the advantage plans... but, she adds those change each year. Cheronis says if you don't have high hospitalization, and are on some maintenance medication, there are good Advantage plans out there that provide good coverage. Medicare Enrollment runs now through Dec. 7, and, Chernois adds that traditional Medicare only covers 80-percent of your medical costs. She says if you don't have any coverage... you are responsible for that bill... and, that can add up to a lot of money. She says you will also need a stand-alone prescription drug plan in that case. For more information... call the Office for the Aging's NY Connects number at 753-4582... or toll free at 661-7582.
Tranum touts Small Business Saturday...
Today is an important day for local retailers... Small Business Saturday. Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Tranum says they have been a local champion of the annual event and believe it makes a difference for local businesses across the county to affirm the importance of shoping locally. Tranum is reminding local residents about another local program through the Chamber... "Shoptauqua." He says it's been a gift-check program... but, is now a "gift card program" with more than 100 businesses locally taking part. Tranum says you can get more information about the gift card program by calling the Chamber at 366-6200 or by going online to www.chautauquachamber.org.
