The National Weather Service is continuing a Winter Storm Warning through 1 p.m. this afternoon for Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties...  

 

Forecaster Aaron Reynolds of the National Weather Service in Buffalo says a storm system has brought some heavy, wet snow to the area that began last night and will continue well into today.  Reynolds says some places will see more than others.  Reynolds says travel will be very difficult to near impossible through the morning commute today.  Gusty winds and wet, heavy snow could cause tree branches to fall.  Again, our Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through 1:00 today, but we're expecting snow through much of the day.

 

 

 

The six people vying for the Democratic nomination to run against incumbant Congressman Tom Reed were on Celoron last night for the party's latest candidates forum...  

 

They spoke before just over 100 people during the forum at the Celoron American Legion about why they got into the race and what they feel are the key issues.  Jamestown attorney Eddie Sundquist returned to the area a few years ago and says he want's to be part of the effort to bring real change to the area.

 

Linda Andrei is from the eastern end of the 23rd Congressional District... and, is a doctor and scientist.  She says the U-S has had a number of programs that are part of a "social contract" with it's citizens.  Andrei want's to expand that.

 

Owego's Max Della Pia provides a number of perspectives to the race with a military background, as well as legislative and legal.  Della Pia says he will stand up against special interests, which he calls a "domestic threat."  He adds he also will not be a "rubber stamp" for President Trump, like Reed currently is.  The candidates sounded off during the two-hour forum about a number of topics, including single-payer health care and the threat of nuclear war.

 

 

 

Democratic members of Congress are feeling some pressure to propose a school-gun safety bill for lawmakers to consider...  

 

But, there will be one by the end of the week.  That from U-S Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who made his comments late Wednesday in the wake of criticism by Governor Andrew Cuomo.  Cuomo said Democrats on the federal level need to draw up a "serious" proposal that covers school safety, and gun control.

 

Meantime, a Republican senator from neaby Pennsylvania is calling on President Donald Trump to back his proposed legislation on gun restrictions and says it would an important step in standing up to the NRA.  Senator Pat Toomey acknowledges the bill he's sponsoring with Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia lacks the needed votes for Senate passage.

 

 

 

Chautauqua County's top-elected official believes there should be school resource officers in every school...  

 

County Executive George Borrello spoke about SROs after the County Legislature approved an agreement that will have a sheriff's deputy as an SRO in Silver Creek Central.  Borrello says Sheriff Joe Gerace is looking into a plan that would allow all schools to have the specially trained police officers in their buildings.

 

Borrello says he believes having an SRO in a school building makes a big difference because they help create a "better environment" in these schools.  The legislature approved the agreement that will have a Sheriff's deputy continue to serve as an SRO at Silver Creek Central for about $76,000.  The vote was unanimous.

 

 

 

There have been more tough discussions for school officials across the nation in the wake of the recent mass shooting that took 17 lives in Florida... 

 

In the Southwestern Central School District, Superintendent Maureen Donahue says the subject came up during this week's school board meeting.  Donahue says they reviewed safety measures they take for their three-building campus in West Ellicott.  Donahue says theY don't have a School Resource Officer, but adds they do have a standing agreement with Ellicott Town Police that allows them to check in during the week.

 

With tight budgets in recent years, Southwestern has not been able to fund an SRO program.  However, Donahue says they would certainly look at it -- if state and federal funding were again made available.  In addition, Donahue says it's time for government to start funding Mental Health services in the community the way it needs to be and enhance programs for youth-in-need.  She says the district itself has been able to address mental health issues in the schools themselves.

 

 

 

Minority Republicans in the state Assembly are calling on Governor Cuomo to create a new commission to study school security...  

 

The proposed panel, which would be called the Temporary Commission on School Safety and Security, would include members from law enforcement, public education and state government.  Assemblyman Brian Kolb, who leads the chamber's Republican minority, says the commission could look at setting uniform security standards for schools throughout the state.  He says simple, small changes that could prevent another tragedy, like limiting access to schools to a single secure entry point. 

 

 

 

A Randolph man faces several charges including felony aggravated driving while intoxicated, after being pulled over on Interstate-86 for driving the wrong direction...  

 

Sheriff's officers in Little Valley received the report of a vehicle traveling east in the westbound lane shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday.  Deputies say they pulled over the vehicle and believed the driver, 59 year-old John Fellows, to be intoxicated.  Fellows was given sobriety and breath tests at scene by deputies before being arrested.  He was arraigned and released to appear in Randolph Town Court next week.