A San Francisco-based regional air-carrier has submitted a formal proposal to return Essential Air Service to the Chautauqua County Airport near Jamestown...  

 

The announcement was made about Boutique Air last weekend by County Executive George Borrello and local Congressman Tom Reed.  Borrello had to deal with the abrupt loss of commercial air service during his first business day in office last January and, says he's been working with Reed to restore service to Jamestown.  In addition to getting service back, he says they've been working with Boutique Air to "improve the quality and reliability, by recruiting an airline with a great business plan."  Reed says... "for Jamestown to continue to grow their economy and attract businesses and people they need to have convenient access to an airport."  Southern Airways was cut from federal EAS funding last January due to the small number of customers taking flights.

 

 

A former long-time Chautauqua County Clerk has passed away...  

 

The Falconer Funeral Home confirms arrangements for Sandy Sopak of Falconer, who died at home last Friday at the age of 78.  She was first elected as Poland Town Clerk, many years ago and, was elected Chautauqua County Clerk in 1993.  She served five terms as clerk for a total of 20 years.  Sopak was also a member of the New York State County Clerk Association and served as President.  She received several NYS County Clerk Awards and was host to the state-wide County Clerks Convention at Chautauqua Institution in 2004.  Her funeral will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Levant Weslyan Church.

 

 

New York state has a new plan to control the tick population and combat tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease...  

 

Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo says the state will apply "eco-friendly" tick control treatments on public lands in the Southern Tier, the capital region and the Hudson Valley.  The state will also expand the use of deer feeding stations that automatically apply tick treatment to deer as they eat.  The stations have already been used on Long Island and in other areas.  A new public awareness campaign aimed at hunters, fishermen and hikers will provide tips on how to avoid ticks.  Additionally, the state's Department of Health will seek out private researchers to collaborate on new medical tests to detect Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

 

 

The village of Lakewood celebrated it's 125th year of incorporation last weekend with open houses at three locations, and other activities...  

 

Officials opened both the village's Fire Department, and Lakewood History Museums Saturday to residents and visitors and, activities were hosted at the Lakewood Library.  The  history museaum first opened in 2011... following an effort to create one by long-time village Historian, Tony Barone.  Barone says he spoke with Village Clerk Joe Johnson about locating an area for dozens of artifacts he found.  He says several dealt with the hotels along Chautauqua Lake.

 

Barone worked with former Historian Helen Ebersole and others on the project.  They were given space in the downstairs area where the police department used to be located.  Barone says one room is dedicated to the Packard Family, which owned a lot of property in Lakewood, and created the Packard automobile.  If you would like to tour the Lakewood History Museum, contact current Historian Susan Lane at 969-5792.  For more information check the Village of Lakewood website at Lakewoodny.com or their Facebook page.

 

 

Retiring Jamestown Community College President Cory Duckworth feels he is leaving the college in the best possible position as he steps down from the post today...  

 

Dr. Duckworth presided over his final graduations this past weekend at JCC's Jamestown and Olean Campuses and, says the college has gone through some changes in his five years at the helm.  He says one way is improving distance, and online learning.

 

Another challenge has been dropping area and college populations, which Duckworth says they've had to deal with from both a staffing and financial aspect.  As for his own future, Duckworth and his wife recently accepted an invitation by their church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to oversee one of their mission program on the island of Madagascar on the eastside of Africa.  A total of 676 graduates were honored with degrees and, other awards, during Saturday's commencement at the Jamestown campus.  Graduates heard from 2008 JCC Alumnus Kyle Baglia, who had been a member of the U-S Air Force's Thunderbirds Air show.

 

 

A city woman has been charged with disorderly conduct after Jamestown Police found her lying in the road last Friday night and, blocking traffic at an intersection...

 

Jamestown police were called to the area of Foote Avenue and Harrison Street shortly after 9 p.m. and, found 30 year-old Latasha Cooper lying in the street on Foote Avenue.  As officers arrived, they say Cooper threw her purse at them and, started screeming obscenities.  She also allegedly resisted arrest and, jumped on the hood of a vehicle.  She is jailed on charges of Felony criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

 

 

Voters in the city of Dunkirk will decide this fall whether the terms for Common Council members should be lengthened from two to four years...  

 

By a 3-2 vote, city lawmakers approved a resolution calling for the referendum during a meeting on Tuesday.  First Ward Councilman Don Williams voted in favor of the resolution.  He feels it should be up to the residents to decide.  Second Ward Councilman Marty Bamonto voted against the resolution.  He heard opposition from a number of city residents, many of whom were "totally against it."  The proposition will appear on the ballot in Dunkirk this November.

 

 

New York state is launching a new effort to help women struggling with maternal depression.  Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration announced late last week that the state will require insurers to cover maternal depression screenings...  

 

In addition, the state's Department of Health and the Office of Mental Health will create a new public awareness campaign to help women and their loved ones spot the signs of maternal depression and learn about ways to seek help.  The state also plans to open the first of several new outpatient programs for mothers this month. 

 

 

Authorities in upstate New York have found the body of a California man who was reported missing earlier this month...  

 

Cattaraugus County officials say they found Rudy Ray Rockett, Sr. in Zoar Valley in East Otto on Saturday night.  His son, Rudy Rockett, Junior, confirmed Sunday that the body found was his father and that police called him to inform him of his father's death.