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News Headlines for Sat., Mar. 30, 2019

Man seriously hurt after being struck by car in Lakewood...
A unidentified male was taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital with serious injuries after being struck by a car in front of the Fifties Restaraunt in Lakewood Friday evening.  Lakewood-Busti police report the incident happened just after 8:30 pm at the West Fairmount Avenue restauraunt.  Witnesses say the male ran out in front of an eastbound vehicle and was struck.  The investigation is still on going at this time.  


Goodell says work still continuing on final state budget, though bills are being passed...
The state legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo will continue work into the weekend in an effort to reach a budget agreement by Sunday night.  The Albany Times-Union reported a tentative deal was reached among leadership late Thursday night... and, it includes a statewide ban on many single-use plastic bags that would take effect next March.  Local Assemblyman Andy Goodell says details are still coming out on the agreement.  Goodell says state lawmakers passed the debt service bill earlier this week... and, more bills are on the way.  He says the governor will likely issue a statement of necessity to allow those and other bills being printed to be approved.  Goodell says he voted against the debt service bill... which was for more than $50-billion.  However... the state constitution says voters need to approve the state taking on the debt, and that's only been done on about $2.5-billion of that debt.  The rest was obtained through other means, including authorities. 


County Chamber head, Todd Tranum, following state budget developments...
The head of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce says business leaders will be following developments concerning the budget very closely.  Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Tranum says it’s hard to tell what impact the plastic bag ban will have on local businesses... such as grocery and other stores.  Tranum says the chamber continues to push for tax relief for businesses, including legislation that would make the Tax Cap permanent for local governments and school districts.  He also would like to see the Regional Economic Development Program continue... since it has benefitted a number of projects in the county.


President of JCC also watching what's going on in Albany...
Community colleges across New York state are asking lawmakers in Albany for some predictability when it comes to their share of funding in the new budget.  That from Jamestown Community College President Daniel DeMarte... who says he hasn't heard a lot about the new spending plan the legislature and Governor Cuomo are trying to hammer out this weekend.  DeMarte says they want a new model that includes a funding "floor" as opposed to the current one based on incoming enrollment numbers -- which have dropped pretty much everywhere -- including JCC.  DeMarte says the situation in New York is not different from other community colleges in other states.  His message to state lawmakers is simple -- "Fund us at the formula."  That formula for many years called on New York state to fund 40-percent of the costs for each full-time equivalent student.  Dr. DeMarte made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program to be heard on all six Media One Radio Group stations.


Eight arrested as part of alleged thefts of children's ID in Buffalo-area...
Authorities say a New York based identity theft ring targeted children's Social Security numbers throughout the country.  Following a 16-month investigation by the New York State Police and Social Security Administration, eight people from Buffalo and Amherst are charged with identity theft.  Authorities say the suspects were using Social Security numbers stolen from children as young as 11.  Investigators say a 2017 suspicious activity report from the State Intelligence Center about Social Security numbers being used by different assigned names launched the initial investigation.


Collins named as UPMC Chautauqua's Physician of the Year...
A primary care doctor who has spent the past three-decades-plus in Jamestown has been named 2018's Physican of the Year at UPMC Chautauqua Hospital.  The award was given to Dr. Patrick Collins during Friday afternoon's annual Doctor's Day Luncheon at the hospital.  Collins says he's both "honored and humbled" to receive the award... and, says he loves his work at UPMC Chautauqua... and, at Jamestown Family Practice.  He says "we have wonderful doctors, and wonderful support staff" here, and they all work together well.  Collins and his wife, Karen, have lived in Jamestown since they first came here in 1986.  Collins tells us that after he and his wife got their degrees, they spent five years in Ithaca, where his wife got her graduate degree.  


Chautauqua County Humane Society...
If making a difference in an animal's life holds a soft-spot in your heart... you're asked to consider a new opportunity to experience the love and compassion of having a dog with the Chautauqua County Humane Society.  Humane Society Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Johnson says they are the first shelter in New York state to participate in the "Expawditions" study.  She says they're allowing people to take the dogs out for 2 to 4 hours to help reduce theirs, and the dog's stress levels.  Johnson says the program begins Monday, April 1... and, is headlined by assistant Virginia Tech University Professor Dr. Erica Feuerbacher in collaboration with Arizona State University.  Feuerbacher says the research originates in studying animal welfare of dogs in shelters.  Anyone interested in taking part is asked to stop by the Humane Society or Contact Rachel Johnson at 665-2209 ext. 210.  Details are also available at spcapets.com.