A man from Panama faces two charges after allegedly hosting a large party with 'several hundred people' in attendance last weekend in the town of Harmony. Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene on Goshen Road last Saturday... and, found that many of those attending were under tha age of 21. Officers say 27 year-old Eli Miller was charged with first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child... and, second-degree criminal nuisance. He was issued appearance tickets for Harmony Town Court at a later date.
There are three new cases of the COVID-19 Virus being reported in Chautauqua County the past day... bringing the local total to 226. That from Interim County Executive P-J Wendel... who says the new cases are women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Wendel adds there are now 10 active cases... with one person hospitalized. He says 204 cases under local quarantine or isolation orders... and, another 844 persons are under the "domestic traveler quarantine" for having arrived here from a state listed on New York's travel advisory. He adds that 207 people have now recovered from the virus.
Travelers from 34 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, must now quarantine for 14 days when they travel to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Governors of New York and New Jersey announced Tuesday that Illinois, Minnesota, Puerto Rico and D.C. are now now on the list of states that face quarantine restrictions under a joint travel advisory issued last month. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has expressed worry for weeks that infection rates in hard-hit New York could once again rise because of travel from high-risk states.
New York's Lieutenant Governor says she was happy to be back in Chautauqua County Tuesday to put a spotlight on, and learn ways local tourist attractions have been dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic. Kathy Hochul took part in a tourism--staycation roundable at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown. The Buffalo-area Democrat says she loves coming here for some "R-and-R..." and, wanted to make this the second stop of her tour after going to Niagara Falls.
Hochul says she was pleased to see how entities, such as the Comedy Center, Chautauqua Institution, Panama Rocks, and others have quickly adapted to what they can, and cannot do during the pandemic. The institution has put it's entire 2020 season on-line as part of what President Michael Hill calls "CHQ Assembly."
Hill says the on-line platforms have provided some "great, free advertising" for the institution... and, he believes that when they can resume in-person programming on the grounds, they will attract more people from around the world. Hochul later spoke during one of those programs on the 100th anniversary of Women's right to vote.
A man from Stockton is accused of sexually abusing a minor earlier this month. The Sheriff's Department's Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation into 30 year-old Carl Silsby on July 11th regarding an incident that occurred in the town. Officers say Silsby was charged with third-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child... and issued appearance tickets for Stockton Town Court at a later date.
Chautauqua County's Congressman feels a fourth, COVID-19 Stimulus bill will be approved by federal lawmakers in a week to 10 days... inspite of current political posturing. Majority Republicans in the U-S Senate proposed their one-trillion dollar SMART Act bill Monday... but, it does not include some items that Corning Republican Tom Reed would like in it -- mainly local government aid. However... Reed feels there are enough lawmakers of like mind that it will be in the final package.
In addition to local muncipal aid... Reed says he also wants a revised unemployment benefit that helps people during the shut-down, but, also includes an incentive to return to work. The third main item he says needs to be in the bill is funding for child care programs. Reed says he's been working with Senate Republican Joni Ernst and others on a $10-billion package... that would involve direct aid to those programs. Reed says he believes the final bill will be about $1.5-trillion. He made his comments for his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier Media.
