There was some significant wind damage in northern Chautauqua County... and, parts of Cattaraugus County yesterday afternoon when a strong line of storms came through the area. Forecaster Jim Mitchell with the National Weather Service says they received some video of a possible funnel cloud in the Silver Creek-Forestville area... but, nothing touched down. Mitchell says they'll work to confirm that later today. Mitchell also noted that winds... estimated at times to be about 60 MPH... destroyed a barn in Brocton... and, caused a lot of tree damage in Salamanca and Napoli in Cattaraugus County.
There are two new, confirmed case of COVID-19 in Chautauqua County over the past day... and, the county is reporting the most hospitalizations for the virus in some time. County Executive P-J Wendel says the Health Department reports the two cases are a person under the age of 18... and, a woman in her 40s. Wendel says there are three people hospitalized as of July 14th... while 46 total cases are "active." Wendel says there are now 193 confirmed cases of COVID... while 139 people have recovered. He says there are 765 cases under quarantine or isolation orders, and are being monitored... and there have been 18,792 negative test results to date.
Federal lawmakers are expected to return to Capitol Hill next week... and, among the items they'll be working on is a fourth, $1.5-trillion CARES Act stimulus bill. That from local Congressman Tom Reed... who says a key part of that will likely be an extention of the extended unemployment benefit that runs out at the end of the month. Reed says he would like to see a "flex benefit" up to the current $600 a week. However.. he says Senate Republicans are looking at less.
However... Reed says federal unemployment officials say a "flex" plan that would be based on income would be a difficult... if not impossible lift. He says the problem is -- in New York State -- some people would make 72-thousand dollars if the $600 benefit is drawn out over a year. As for COVID-19 itself... the Corning Republican says...have a "healthy respect for this virus as we reopen." However... he says the region has been fortunate. Reed made his comments during the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce's annual Congressional Breakfast meeting... which was held on-line Thursday morning.
Both candidates seeking to win the 23rd Congressional District seat this Fall should have ample funding to get their messages out this year. Incumbant Republican Tom Reed and his Democratic challenger... Penn Yan's Tracy Mitrano... have released their second-quarter fund-raising reports... and, Reed reported just over one-million dollars being raised. Reed, who is from Corning, says he's pleased with how his effort has gone... and, credited his supporters and volunteers for their hard work.
However... while Reed had a huge fund-raising advantage at the start of the campaign in 2016... Mitrano has made up some ground as the campaigns move into high-gear. This time around says says her campaign brought in $266,000 during the second-quarter. She now has $341,000 cash-on-hand. She adds that she's proud of her efforts because 93-percent of what she raised last quarter was from "individuals from across the district." She adds only 35-percent of the donations Reed received between March and June came from individual donors.
A Jamestown man arrested for trafficking crack-cocaine while on parole has pleaded guilty in federal court to intentionally selling the illegal narcotic. U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior says that 28 year-old Earl Stone, Junior -- also known as "Ooh Wop" -- pled guilty before U-S District Judge Richard Arcara to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Prosecutors say Stone -- along with another parolee -- were arrested for violating terms of their release. Both were found in the upstairs bedroom of a residence on West 7th Street... and, Stone had what appeared to be floor insulation from the attic all over his clothing. During a search of the home... suspected crack cocaine was located in the attic on top of floor insulation consistent with what was on the defendant's clothing. A digital scale with white residue and three cellular telephones were also seized. Stone faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $1-million fine when he is sentenced in October.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has voted to delay the official start of the Fall 2020 sports season... and, has cancelled the Fall regional and state championships. In addition... Association President Paul Harrica says... they are also preparing to implement a condensed season schedule in January 2021 -- if high school sports remain prohibited throughout 2020 due to COVID-19. Harrica says the decision comes at the recommendation of the association's COVID-19 Task Force. Harrica adds that "as the state considers reopening, it is unrealistic to believe athletic seasons can start on August 24th as originally scheduled... so the start date has been moved to September 21st.
