Chautauqua County now has a vehicle to help obtain both money and resources to help support local efforts to fight the Heroin and Opioid Drug crisis... 

 

Lawmakers recently approved a local law naming the epidemic a "public nuisance..." which makes it eligible for some of the reimbursement money being sought from major pharmacutical companies by several states.  Legislature Chairman Paul Wendel says local governments are getting on board New York's efforts to get those companies to pay the mounting costs of recovery.  He says that includes the anti-opioid drug Naloxone, also known as "Narcan".

 

In recent months, the costs have come down -- in some cases to zero -- for Narcan.  In addition to being part of any class action suits that could be filed in the matter, Wendel says the action could also allow the county to have better access to grant funding and information on dealing with the drug epidemic. 

 

 

A fire that broke out early this morning has City of Warren firefighters and investigators looking for answers... 

 

The condition of two residences in downtown Warren are unknown at this time as crew continue to battle a structure fire. According to reports from the scene, the blaze has seriously damaged a three-stroy brick home in the block between 2nd Street and 3rd Street. Fire crews set up blockaides in the area of Market and Water Streets as flames broke out. Reports indicate that the fire was first reported shortly before 5 a.m. with further details to follow. 

 

 

Sheriff Joe Gerace has announced he will be seeking re-election as Sheriff of Chautauqua County... 

 

In a released statement late Sunday evening, Gerace says, "Since I was first elected as Chautauqua County Sheriff, my professional team of deputies, correction officers, 911 dispatchers and other staff and I have risen to every challenge presented to the office at the least possible cost to property tax-payers." 

 

While serving as Sheriff, Gerace says he has implemented several innovative programs that have improved public safety, including the Forensic Identification Team, a county-wide public radio system and most recently, an EMT program where Deputies are trained as Emegency Medical Technicians to assist volunteer fire departments. Additionally, Gerace says he volunteers in the community as a youth hockey and softball coach. Gerace, a Democrat, will face former Chautauqua County Sheriff's Lieutenant James Quattrone this fall. 

 

 

A Corry, Pennsylvania man has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop early last weekend in the town of Sherman...  

 

Sheriff's officers say a patrol pulled over a vehicle, driven by 35 year-old Scott Smith, on the Clymer-Sherman Road just before 3 a.m. Saturday morning.  Deputies say further investigation found that Smith was in possession of drug paraphernalia, scales, and a quantity of marihuana.  They add that a license check also showed Smith's New York driving privileges were suspended.  He was arrested for third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, unlawful possession of marihuana and speeding.  Smith was issued appearance tickets for Sherman Town Court.

 

 

State Police out of Jamestown arrested two men during two separate traffic stops for unlawful possession of marijuana over the weekend.... 

 

On Friday, Troopers pulled over 21 year-old Adam Apperson--of Jamestown-- on Route 62 in Kiantone. While speaking with Apperson, Troopers allegedly smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search revealed a pipe containing marijuana residue and a license check revealed a bench warrant for Apperson on a prior marijuana charge. He was arraigned and sent to the County Jail. 

 

On Saturday, a Johnson City teen was pulled over pulled over on I-86 in Stow for speeding. While speaking to 19 year-old Isaiah Colgan, Troopers reportedly smelled marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A search of Colgan and his vehicle revealed a bag of marijuana and two smoking devices. The teen was issued a traffic ticket and an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the town of North Harmony Court later in the month.

 

 

Recent recruitment efforts by the health care community in Jamestown and UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital are bearing fruit, as the hospital now has more than 200 physicians on staff...  

 

That from Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Betsy Wright, who made her comments during the hospital's recent physician of the year program, which honored Dr. James Cirbus, who has been a cardiologist at WCA for 35 years. Wright says Cirbus talked about how much caring for patients has meant to him, as well as treating some of the medical staff at the hospital.  UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital recent announced the hiring of two more orthopedic doctors to be on staff.  The recruitment effort was started -- in earnest -- a few years ago, lead by the Health Care Action Team from the Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission.  

 

 

The official in charge of New York state's $209-billion public pension fund says it will take steps to ensure women are included on the boards of companies in the fund's portfolio...  

 

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced this past week that the New York State Common Retirement fund is "putting all-male boardrooms on notice" to diversify.  The Democrat says the fund will use its power as a shareholder to vote against board directors up for re-election at companies with no women on their boards.  DiNapoli adds that companies such as Bristol-Meyers Squibb have agreed to include gender and racial diversity when considering board candidates. 

 

 

April showers bring Mayflowers. However, before "digging" into any new landscape projects, National Fuel is reminding residents to be mindful of underground utility lines... 

 

National Fuel Spokeswoman Emily Ciraolo says homeowners are required by law to dial 811 prior to digging to prevent accidental damage to lines.  The national 811 phone number connects caller's plans to National Fuel for dispatch locators to mark the positioning of utility lines on their property for free. Ciraolo says that all excavation projects from shrubs to mailboxes require a call. New York homeowners and contractors should call at least two and no more than 10 business days in advance to the start of their project. 

 

 

New York state has cancelled plans to move a child psychiatric center in western New York to the nearby campus of an adult mental health facility in Buffalo...  

 

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the decision last week, saying he decided to reverse course after residents throughout the region expressed concerns about the move.  The state had planned to relocate the center from the Buffalo suburb of West Seneca to a site near the adult hospital.  Relatives of patients, community residents and local officials had all criticized the move, which they said would put children at risk by placing them near adults with significant mental illnesses.  Officials say the state will complete renovations at the site of the planned relocation so the site can be used for another purpose in the future.

 

 

State officials are asking the federal government to change its quotas to allow New York-based commercial fishing companies to haul in more fluke...  

 

Governor Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman have filed a petition seeking revised allocations for fish also known as summer flounder.  The Democrats say the current quotas unfairly limit the New York fishers' allocation because they're based on outdated data from the 1980s.  The New York officials say scientific studies have shown the summer flounder fishery has shifted north toward New York waters since then.  Cuomo and Schneiderman say the current quotas hurt New York's commercial fishers and seafood dealers.  They say increasing the allotment for New York-based commercial fishing operations will allow more fish to be landed in ports closer to where they are caught.