One-year-old from PA dies from injuries in last week's pick-up truck and tractor-trailer accident on I-86...
A Pennsylvania toddler who was a passenger in a pick-up truck that slammed into the back of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 86 last Wednesday morning in the town of Mina has died of his injuries. Sheriff's officers say one-year-old Achilles McBride of Westfield, PA was initially taken to the Hamot Medical Center with his parents for treatment. Authorities say Achilles was later transferred to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh... where he died Saturday. Deputies say the accident occured shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday when Achille's father, 39 year-old Matthew McBride, struck the big rig. The operator of the tractor-trailer... 52 year-old Dale Legg of Medina, Ohio... was eastbound when he pulled off to the side of the road due to white-out type conditions. McBride was treated at Hamot... and, later released. 28 year-old Esmeraldo McBride was later transferred to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh... where she is still being treated. No charges will be filed.
Three hurt in Westfield car accident after driver falls asleep...
Falling asleep at the wheel is the apparent cause of a one-car accident last Saturday afternoon in the town of Westfield that left al three in the vehicle injured. Sheriff's officers say 57 year-old Cynthia Marx of Rochester was traveling on Route 5 about 3 p.m. when she fell asleep... and, the car went off the road... and, struck a utility pole head on. Deptuies say one of the passenger's tried to get Marx's attention... but, the car was already into some gravel and snow on the shoulder. They say the car then went down a small embankment... and, struck the pole... sheering it off at the base. Marx and her passengers, 97 year-old Elizabeth Marx of Westfield... and, 61 year-old Norrien Snyder of Lyons, New York... were all taken to Westfield Memorial Hospital for treatment. No charges have been filed.
State Business Council leader says there's a lot to like about Cuomo's budget plan... but, adds they are concerned about added $1.3-billion to deficit in 2013-14 budget...
The state Business Council's man in charge of lobbying for economic development says there's "lots to like" in Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposed 2013-2014 budget. However... Vice-President of Government Affairs Ken Pokalsky says there are also some concerns in the coming year -- and, beyond. Speaking to members of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce in Jamestown last Friday... Pokalsky says the $143-billion proposal holds the line on spending... and, includes some "pragmatic reforms" you wouldn't expect. They are reforming and restructuring the unemployment insurance program, and making cost savings reform in workers compensation. However... he says they are concerned about some others... including an extension of a $500-million a year energy tax... and, increasing the minimum wage. However... he says the state is on the "right track..." and, may even show budget surpluses a few years down the road. There is a problem, though, involving the federal government... which is changing it's formula for reimbursing states for Medicaid. He says that's going to add another $1.3-billion dollars to the state's deficit. Pokalsky adds, though, that the federal government is also claiming that the state overbilled Medicaid in recent years by $15-billion... and, wants it repaid.
Pokalsky says there will likely be an increase in the minimum wage, but, Business Council believes it will have "adverse impact" on job market...
One of the top leaders with the New York state Business Council believes there will likely be an increase in the minimum wage... but, he adds it will have an "adverse" impact on jobs. In fact... Vice-President of Government Affairs, Ken Pokalsky, believes the "upward push" on wages will also impact hiring for manufacturing jobs that currently pay $9 to $12 an hour. Who enacts it depends on whether federal lawmakers act on a proposal by President Obama to raise it nationally to 9-dollars an hour. However... during last Friday's breakfast session with the county's Chamber of Commerce... he declined to call such a move a "job-killer..." especially in youth employment, and part-time hiring. Pokalsky says the Business Council estimates the impact of a state minimum wage increase will be one to $1-billion to $1.5-billion. Governor Cuomo recently called for increasing the minimum wage to $8.75 an hour... while Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has called for an increase to $8.50 an hour... with indexing for inflation. However... the push for an increase has waned since Obama's call for increasing the national minimum wage.
State ESD official says NYS tring to send message to businesses that state is "open for business," but, not all seem to be responding...
The state is trying to send the message to businesses that they are ready to do work with them to locate -- or stay -- in New York. But... not everyone seems to be responding. Sam Hoyt, the Regional President of the Empire State Development Corporation, told community and business leaders late last week during a visit to Dunkirk that the state is trying to reach out to companies about retaining jobs and developing news ones. But, some companies don't seem to be willing to work with the state. Hoyt says they would like to "get to them" before decisions are made on lay-offs, or moving to another state, but, that doesn't always happen. Hoyt says his agency has reached out to Ralcorp and the new owner ConAgra in dealing with Carriage House in Dunkirk and Petri Baking in Silver Creek. Dunkirk Mayor A.J. Dolce says he has seen this first hand... and, he says "we are losing that local touch "with these sales.
Sherman man hurt in weekend snowmobile accident...
A Sherman man escaped serious injuries when his snowmobile crashed into some trees on a trail in the town of Chautauqua last Friday night. Sheriff's officers say 54 year-old James Weise was traveling on Trail C-4 between Hannum Road and Route 430 about 8:20 p.m. when the accident occured. Deputies say it appears Weise lost control of his snowmobile... and, it struck a few trees before he was ejected from the machine. Weise was taken to WCA hospital for treatment of injuries to his arm.
SWCS Senior takes second at state Distinquished Young Woman of New York competition...
Southwestern Central School Senior Veronica Schuver has been named first runnerup in the Distinguished Young Women of New York contest. The event was held Saturday in Albany... and Veronica was elated with the results. Schuver says she "couldn't be happier" with the outcome. Veronica was named Distinguished Young Woman of the Lakewood Area last November, after wowing the judges with her performance of a Chopin Nocture. She played the same piano piece for the state event... and, says it went "really well." Veronica is the daughter of Bill and Dee Dee Schuver. She is still weighing her college options... but would like to study math or business. Veronica believes being a part of Distinguished Young Women has been a great "growth experience." The winner of this year's Distinguished Young Women of New York competition was Brittany Egnot of Albany.
