County reaches 99 confirmed COVID-19 Cases, many more tests come back negative...
Chautauqua County is reporting two new cases of the COVID-19 virus... bringing the total now to 99. That from County Executive P-J Wendel during his weekly COVID-19 press briefing Friday... who says the cases are a man and woman -- both in their 20s. Wendel adds there are currently 22 active cases. However... he says there is good news also... with 71 having recovered. Wendel says 269 people are in quarantine or isolation, and are being monitored. The two fatalities reported Thursday are two men in their 80s. That from Public Health Director Christine Schuyler... who says both men had underlying health issues that made them suseptible to the virus. Wendel says there have now been 4,463 negative COVID-19 test results so far... with about 1,700 of those reported this week alone. He says that's good news. However... Schuyler says "we will see further spread of the virus as we reopen and I hope people will continue to take reasonable precautions."
Wendel talks about Phase-Two reopening during County Chamber Webinar Friday...
County Executive Wendel says he is encouraged by the response of county businesses to Phase 2 of New York's reopening. During a webinar with the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Friday morning... Wendel says there was a spike with seven new cases of COVID-19 yesterday... along with two deaths. However... he also indicated that the overall numbers are moving in the right direction. Wendel says "we are moving forward in the second phase, and also reported that businesses in the county are responding to the state's requirement of completing an electronic affirmation before reopening. Wendel says 57 more businesses signed those affirmations Friday... bringing the total since Phase-Two began to nearly 100. He emphasized the importance of businesses completing the electronic affirmation... and having their plans on hand.
Prendergast Library Director reminds residents in Jamestown to vote on library proposition on school ballot...
The Executive Director of the James Prendergast Library is reminding voters in the Jamestown School District to send in their ballots.
Ann Green says they must be in by Tuesday, June 9. The second proposition on the ballot is a proposal to raise $350,000 for the Prendergast, amounting to $11.50 a year for a home assessed at $50,000. Green says the funding line would restore what the library lost when city support was dramatically cut. The first proposition on the ballot is the Jamestown School budget for the coming year.
Two people arrested in Cattaraugus County after Landlord-Tenant dispute becomes violent...
A landlord-tenant dispute has led to the arrest of two Cattaraugus County residents for alleged drug and weapons charges in the town of Machias. State Police in Machias were called to the scene on Route 16 shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday... and learned the tenant, 39 year-old David Coffey of Delevan, had struck the victim with his pick-up truck. Troopers say Coffey the got out and went into his residence, and allegedly fired a gun before police arrived. They arrested Coffey for second-degree reckless endangerment... third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and possession of drugs and stolen property. Troopers also arrested 23 year-old Abigail Klink for third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. She was arraigned and sent to the Cattaraugus County Jail on $2,500 bail... while Coffey was arraigned and jailed without bail.
City of Jamestown receives DOJ Grant...
Jamestown is receving a just-over $58,000 grant under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program through the Department of Justice. U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Jr. has announced that "these funds will help to ensure that our first responders have the ability to continue to do exactly what they have done throughout the pandemic - keep our communities safe." Jamestown is one of five municipalities to receive funding, as part of a $1.7-million grant dispersed through the Western District of New York. Kennedy says projects or initiatives that the money may be used for include overtime, hiring, training, equipment and supplies.... and, addressing the medical needs of inmates in state, local, and tribal prisons, jails, and detention centers. Jamestown previously received funding awards from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Two city residents arrested for shoplifting at Lakewood Wal-Mart...
Two Jamestown residents were arrested for petty larceny following two separate shoplifting complaints at the Lakewood Walmart on Wednesday. Lakewood-Busti Police say 35 year-old Renee Rogers was allegedly seen by asset protection concealing items she did not pay for on her person. She was taken into custody shortly after and released with an appearance ticket. In the second theft... officers say 38 year-old Steven Gaddy was seen opening a speaker package and taking the item out. Gaddy was reportedly seen then hiding the item on his person. He was additionally charged with third-degree burglary.
Norm Lydell retires as Jamestown High School A'cappella choir director...
The conductor of the acclaimed Jamestown High School A'cappella Choir is putting down his baton. Norm Lydell is retiring after 34 years in the Jamestown schools and 17 as the choir's director. Lydell is just the fourth director in the 95 year history of the choir. He says the triumphant 95th anniversary Vespers program in December, and the subsequent performance at Disneyworld gave him the 'sound in his head' he wants to take with him. The virus shutdown meant no 'good-bye concert' for the director. The A'cappella's spring project is a youtube video of its famous 'Kyrie.'
