There is good news regarding the COVID-19 Virus in Chautauqua County. There are no new cases... and, County Executive P-J Wendel says nearly 1,400 negative test results came back over the past day. During his Thursday update... Wendel said we remain at 105 positive cases... 12 of which are active... while 87 people have recovered. He says there are 130 people under quarantine or isolation orders... and, 7,898 tests have come back negative for COVID-19.
The first five regions in New York state allowed to begin reopening will be able to move to Phase-Three of reopening tomorrow. Those regions include the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes areas... which will be able to move to indoor dining, food services, and other personal care services. That from Governor Andrew Cuomo during his daily COVID-19 Briefing today... and, says their experts have given the go-ahead.
It's expected that Western New York -- including Chautauqua County -- will move to Phase-Three early next week. Cuomo says he understands that people are anxious -- and many businesses have reportedly jumped the gun on reopening. He says don't do it... because people are "wary" about businesses that are doing that, he adds "the rules are clear." Regarding restaurants... Cuomo warned no indoor service until that region enter's Phase-Three... and, those will be at 50-percent. He says they risk being shut-down, and if they serve alcohol, losing their license.
Chautauqua County Executive P-J Wendel says he's received clarification from New York State that garage and yard sales are permitted in regions that have entered Phase-2 of Reopening. Wendel says... with many completing their "Spring cleaning..." he's received numerous inquires on whether they can be held. He says they can... but, with "certain requirements." Wendel says whether holding or going to a yard sale... he encourages residents to please take precautions to protect themselves from the coronavirus. He says people need to observe at least six-feet of social distancing... and, no more than 10 people can be in the sale area at any given time. Wendel adds that if you can't observe 6-foot distancing... you must wear a face covering. He adds keep hand santizer available.
In the wake of recent peaceful protests in the city of Jamestown over the police-involved death of George Floyd... Mayor Eddie Sundquist is reinstating the citys Human Rights Commission. Sundquist says he will empanel the 12-member group to "bring a better understanding between the diverse people that make up the city." Sundquist says the former commission was disbanded many years ago... but, given current tensions and conflicts nationwide, he felt it was needed.
Sundquist says bringing the Human Rights Commission back came out of the dialogue between himself, and Police Chief Harry Snellings with many of the protesters at Dow Park -- in particular the first one in late May. He says he will make appointments to the commission, and they would be approved by the city council. So far... he says already received over 50 applications. For more information, and to apply for any board... go on-line to Jamestownny.gov/Boards.
A Jamestown man recently arrested in one drug bust has s been arrested again... along with a female accomplice... after they were allegedly found with a variety of drugs... and, about $39,000 in cash. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force were trying to serve a parole warrant on 48 year-old Luis Martinez... who had been arrested on June 5th during a raid at 64 Water Street. While conducting surveillance at 533 Winsor Street late Wednesday afternoon... police spotted Martinez and another man come out and go to the back of the house. But, Martinez allegedly left a child's backpack he was carrying at the back of the house. Samuleson says the pair then drove away in a car. However... they wre stopped by State Police... and, Martinez was arrested. Police later found the backpack with more than $37,000 inside. Task Force members then got a search warrant for the house... and, found 13.4-grams of crystal methamphetamine... 11.4-ounces of marijuana... along with another $1,600 in cash. Martinez was arrested along with 31 year-old Kanisha Pintagro... who was inside the home. Both are jailed pending arraignment.
Despite the COVID pandemic, the U-S Census is happening right now and advocates for people with disabilities are stressing the importance of being counted. The economic impact of the pandemic could mean sharp budget cuts at city, state and federal levels. Margi Trapani, with the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York, or CIDNY, points out that census figures are used to determine how resources are distributed to states and localities, but people with disabilities often are overlooked.
Everyone should have received a census form in the mail, and this year it is possible to complete the process through the government website at 2020census.gov. Trapani adds that people with disabilities who need assistance completing the census form can get help from CIDNY at www.cidny.org/census.
