Green in New Hampshire for Democratic Presidential Primary...
Chautauqua County's Democratic Party Chairman is heading to New Hampshire this weekend to help with organizing leading up to next Tuesday's first presidential primary vote. Norm Green was on his way Friday afternoon to the Granite State... and, says he's excited to be heading back. Green says he visited New Hampshire last Fall, and looks forward to working to unify the party through the November election. He's the guest of Jeremy Zellner, who is chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee, for a major fundraiser tonight in Manchester. Green says he and Zellner have yet to endorse a candidate... and, he says the nomination remains up in the air after the disasterous Iowa Caucus. Senator Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg were neck-and-neck for the top spot in Iowa... with others close behind. Green says former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomburg has become an interesting addition to the race.
Congressman Tom Reed says a new Infrastructure Bill could come in late 2020 or mid-2021...
While political rancor has been on full-display in Washington, D.C. this week... there has been some talk about working to get a new infrastructure bill in place. A $1-trillion dollar measure has been discussed by President Donald Trump, and many members of Congress on both sides of the political aisle. Prior to the State of the Union Address... U-S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said she would like to work on such a bill... and, local Congressman Tom Reed followed up those sentiments. Reed says most of the vetting and solution work has already been done. However... he's not sure anything will be agreed to during the current election season. Still... Reed, who is running for re-election himself this November, says he believes that if a major infrastructure isn't voted on this year... it very well could be in the first half of 2021. The Corning Republican says he believes that will be the case whether President Trump is elected to a second-term or not. He made his comments for his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier media.
Cuomo announces state lawsuit opposing Trump administration blocking New Yorkers from being enrolled in "trusted traveler" program...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says his state will file a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's plan to block New Yorkers from enrolling in "trusted traveler" programs. The lawsuit announced Friday is the latest salvo in an escalating fight over immigration policy between President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders in his home state. Federal officials say they took the step of blocking New Yorkers because of a new state law barring immigrant agents from getting access to state motor vehicle records. The law allows New York residents to apply for driver's licenses without having to prove they are in the U.S. legally.
Ripley man arrested for sexual offense in case involving juvenile...
A Ripley man has been arrested for allegedly having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a juvenile in the town of Ripley. Sheriff's officers say their Criminal Investigation Division was called to investigate a "suspicious situation" at a Ross Street home. Deputies say they found that 19 year-old Cortland Hepfner did engage in the inappropriate relationship with the juvenile. Hepfner was issued an appearance ticket for a later date in Ripley Town Court for one count of sexual misconduct.
County office buidlings in Mayville evacuated briefly after power outage triggers alarm...
Chautauqua County’s Mayville Office Buildings and county courthouse had to be evacuated Friday morning after a power outage triggered their emergency alarm system. County Executive P-J Wendel's office confirms that, due to the winter weather, evacuees were taken to the nearby Mayville Catholic Church. Wendel says at first officials were not sure why the system was triggered, but after they determined there was no threat to public safety, the campus was re-opened. The executive said no other county facilities were effected by the outage and subsequent evacuation.
Two major projects set to begin at cold storage facility, and Fieldbrook Foods this year...
Two major projects should be having a positive impact on the Dunkirk area's economy during 2020. Mayor Willie Rosas announced late this past week that the Cold Storage Warehouse located on South Roberts Road is ready for operation. Rosas says the facility is already open and looking to hire more people. Rosas also gave an update on another project that is expected to get underway in 2020 at Fieldbrook Foods... and says they're getting their approvals and permits in place for a major expansion there. He says the $89-million expansion is expected to employ about 70 workers.
City woman arrested for stealing nearly $350 worth of merchandise at Lakewood WalMart...
A Jamestown woman was arrested for allegedly stealing nearly $350 worth of items without paying at the Walmart Superstore in Lakewood. Village Police were called to the Fairmount Avenue location Wednesday night... and, took 38 year-old April Crawford into custody. Officers says Crawford allegedly under-rang $349.16 in merchandise at the self-checkout. She was issued an appearance ticket for Busti Town Court on a charge of petty larceny.
