Two boaters are safe after the bass boat they were on capsized on Chautauqua Lake last Saturday afternoon in the Loomis Bay Road area. Chautauqua County Sheriff's Navigation officers were called to the scene just after 2 PM... and spotted a 'Good Samaritan' vessel towing the capsized fishing boat. Deputies say the operator was in the water, holding onto the boat, and wearing a life jacket. The man told deputies that he had a passenger who was able to swim to shore. Officers secured both the driver, and the passenger on a dock near the accident. Both were being taken to the launch area of Prendergast Point when the passenger began to show signs of shock, and or hypothermia, and stated he was not feeling well. Navigation Deputies then stopped at the Long Point Sheriff's station to provide First Aid. A Bemus Point Fire Department ambulance then took the passenger to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for further treatment.
There are six new confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus in Chautauqua County reported over the past weekend... with 36 cases now active. The County Health Department reports there were two new cases Sunday... bringing the local total to 176. Officials say they are a pediatric case, and a woman in her 70s. There are now 516 cases under quarantine or isolation orders... while 133 have now recovered. The Health Department now reports 18,005 negative test results.
Up until the past week... Chautauqua County residents had done a great job, overall, in combating the coronavirus. However... this past week was a set back after 11 cases one day early last week... and, 16 more on Friday. Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says residents need to remain vigliant in taking all the precautions to avoid getting and spreading the COVID-19 Virus. Public Health Physician Dr. Robert Berke whole-heartedly agreed.
Berke says last week's spike in cases was a "sobering moment..." and, adds that everyone needs to be more disciplined. He says he's gotten reports about young people being relucant to provide information for contract tracing. Berke says that needs to stop... because if they can't track down cases... it'll take at least a year to "get out of this." Wendel says the health department has been working with local businesses to make sure social distancing and mask wearing is being enforced.
Certain nursing homes in New York can allow visitors with restrictions starting July 15 as the state eases a ban aimed at limiting spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable elderly residents. Only nursing homes and long-term care facilities that have been "without COVID-19" for at least 28 days can allow limited visits, according to state Department of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker. It was also unclear how many of the state's approximately 600 nursing homes would qualify to open up visitors.
The Jamestown City Council will take a look at new regulations regarding food trucks and carts... and, establish a pilot program in the downtown area. Lawmakers will hold their lone work session of the month tonight.. via Zoom Conferencing. Mayor Eddie Sundquist recently vetoed council's approval of an outdoor dining law, because it's already allowed in the code. Sundquist says they wanted further review the issue... and find a balance between allowing the trucks, and protecting "brick and mortar" restaurants.
Sundquist says a new pilot program being developed would not involve any downtown restaurant that also decides to have a food truck in that area. The issue of food trucks, and outdoor dining has been discussed by Jamestown lawmakers for the past couple of months as ways to help local restaurants serve more people due to state restrictions on indoor dining due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tonight's Council meeting begins at 7:30 PM.
A woman from Sinclairville is charged with burglarizing a town of Gerry home late last May... stealing a number of property items. Sheriff's officers say they were called to an address on Old Chautauqua Road for a larceny complaint on May 24th. Deputies say they arrested 30 year-old Toni Long... who was allegedly found in possession of the stolen property. Long was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of Stolen Property... and, was issued an appearance ticket for Gerry Town Court.
A man from Cherry Creek was arrested during a traffic stop on Interstate 86 in Cattaraugus County late last week for alleged drug possession. Sheriff's deputies in Little Valley say they pulled over 38 year-old Gregory Schroeder in Salamanca last Friday night for a traffic violation. However... they also found Schroeder in possesion of a quantity of Crystal Meth. He was issued appearance tickets for seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation.
Chautauqua Institution has won USA Today's "Best Small Town Cultural Scene" national contest. The institution won out over several other locations nominated for it's 10 Best Reader's Choice contest... including Taos, New Mexico... and, Saratoga Springs, New York. Chautauqua Spokesman Jordan Steves says they never relinquished the number-one spot until the standings were taken off line with a week to go in the voting. Chautauqua President Michael Hill calls it "a tremendous honor for Chautauqua to win this national contest, especially among such an amazing array of fellow nominees."
