A new law in New York will prevent local school districts from authorizing teachers from carrying firearms on school grounds....
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the measure into law on Wednesday. While law enforcement and school resource officers will still be allowed to carry guns, the new law will stop any local districts from trying to arm teachers or allowing them to bring guns onto school grounds. The state teachers union had supported the bill, arguing that arming teachers would only increase the risk of accidental shootings without increasing student safety. Cuomo also signed legislation Wednesday that would create statewide rules for gun buy-back programs, which allow individuals to turn in or sell their firearms to authorities without risk of prosecution.
The interim superintendent of the Dunkirk City School District says school safety is a top priority going into the new school year.....
That's according to Sylvia Root, who took over the district's top post on July 15th... and, she says School Resource Officer Steve Zentz has been working closely with the administration on a plan. While a school safety plan is mandated by the state, Zentz says the district is taking it a step further -- a computer program called "Navigate Prepared''. Zentz has been holding individual meetings in all six buildings in the district as they prepare for the start of school on September 5th.
A Jamestown Public School Board member has been selected to head-up the Small Cities Schools Association for the 2019-2020 school year...
In a printed release, the New York State Association of Small City Schools announced Nina Karbacka for the role. Karbacka is a three-year member of the association and a four-year member of the JPS Board of Education, with 40 years of teaching at all grade levels in the district. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Music Education at SUNY Fredonia. Nina Karbacka says she's honored to accept the presidency, saying, "It is an exciting challenge to work to promote efficiency and economy in the small city districts and to communicate the educational and financial needs of our students to the public and New York State legislature." Nina founded the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony and is also an active community volunteer in Jamestown.
A Panama man faces charges for falsely reporting his vehicle stolen after he was found to have actually crashed it while leaving a Pennslvania bar on the Fourth of July.....
State Police responded to 27 year-old Zachary Dunham's residence to investigate the theft but, learned Dunham allegedly left a bar in Sugar Grove, when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed. Troopers say video surveillence and witnesses confirm that Dunham was driving and wrecked his own vehicle during the time he reported it was stolen from his yard. The passenger was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Officers arrested Dunham last Friday for second-degree offering a false instrument for filing and third-degree falsely reporting an incident. He was released with an appearance ticket for Harmony Town Court next month.
A new fireworks company has been approved by Jamestown lawmakers to provide the pyrotechnics for this September 1st Labor Day Festival at Bergman Park.....
The City Council Monday night unanimously approved Pyrotecnico of New Castle, Pennsylvania to do the fireworks that conclude the festival this year. Mayor Sam Teresi says the representative at Pyrotenico worked at the previous vendor, Zambelli Fireworks, also located in New Castle.
Teresi says it's a $20,000 contract, but, will include about 2,000 shells, which is about 400 more than were fired off last year. He says they four different companies make bids to the Labor Day Festival committee, but he says Pyrotecnico "really wanted the business." Again, the new company will provide the fireworks for Jamestown's Labor Day Festival on Sunday, September 1st. More information will be released on the festival in the coming weeks.
There was a brief rain shower, but that didn't spoil the fun for about 200 people Wednesday at the Chautauqua Adult Day Services annual Summer Picnic at Midway Park in Maple Springs......
The event allows participants in each of the program's sites across the county to gather and enjoy music, food and activities. Executive Director Frank Bercik they've held the picnic for nearly 30 years and, this year's theme was the "Wizard of Oz".
Bercik says the picnic is part of the programming they provide for older residents who are 60 and over. He says they provide case managers to help support the older person, and their families and, provide programs during the day along with breakfast and lunch. Bercik says their goals are to allow older adults to stay and live in their homes, provide a safe and fun place during the day and, give their caregivers a break. For more information, go on-line to Seniordayprograms.com, You can also call 664-9759.
More than 220 professional cowboys and cowgirls are competing in this year's 75th annual Gerry Rodeo, which continues tonight at the Rodeo Grounds off Route 60.......
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association says the 224 competitiors are from more than 30 states and, will compete each night through Saturday at 8 PM. Rodeo Spokesman Paul Cooley says the list of contestants is headed up by 56 team ropers (28 two-man teams), followed by 52 female barrel racers. He says the saddle bronc competition has drawn 26 entries while the bareback riders total 18. The ever-dangerous bull riding will feature 23 cowboys. Steer wrestling has 25 competitors and the tie-down roping events has 24. Cooley says this year's purse will be approximately $50,000 and, the stock provider will again be Painted Pony Championship Rodeo from Lake Luzerne, New York in the Catskill Region. For more information on the rodeo... go on-line to GerryRodeo.org, or by phone at 985-4847 or 1-888-985-4847.
New York will allow candidates for state and local office to use campaign contributions to pay for child care.....
Under a measure signed into law Tuesday, child care expenses incurred during a campaign or an elected leader's official duties can be claimed as a campaign expense. The change takes effect in 60 days. Governor Andrew Cuomo says child care expenses shouldn't deter anyone from seeking office and that the new law should empower more parents, and especially mothers, to run. Last fall, the Federal Election Commission permitted Democrat Liuba Grechen Shirley of Long island to use campaign funds to pay for child care during her unsuccessful challenge to Republican Peter King. It was the first time the commission ruled ongoing child care could be considered a federal campaign expense.
