A city man has reportedly been killed in a single-car accident on the eastbound on-ramp of Interstate 86 just north of Jamestown. State Police in Jamestown confirm a passing motorist spotted lights off the road about 5 AM off of North Main Street Extension. Troopers say they found a smaller sedan on it's side... after going down an embankment. Police say they found the driver -- and lone occupant -- 40 year-old Jeffrey Baker -- dead inside. Troopers say Baker apparently got onto the on-ramp at a high rate of speed when the car left the road and traveled down the embankment. Fire crews from Fluvanna and Falconer were called in along with the county's EMS. A coroner was later called to the scene.
A man from Westfield has been accused of driving recklessly... and, almost running another vehicle off the road... on Route 20 late last week. Sheriff's Deputies and Westfield Police were called to the scene in the town of Westfield just after 1 PM Thursday... and their investigation showed that 60 year-old Raymond Near was the driver involved. Near was stopped... and, charged with second-degree menacing... two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a child... and, reckless driving. He was taken to the county jail pending arraignment.
One of the most contentious... and important parts of the proposed COVID-19 Relief bill is funding for local and state governments who have seen increased health-related costs, and serious losses of revenue. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand believes that... if that can be resolved... a new bill could be agreed upon shortly. President Trump signed four executive orders last weekend to provide relief to Americans... but, none addressed the local government issue. Gillibrand says -- if that funding is not provided -- major cuts would have to be made to important services.
Gillibrand made her comments last Friday at Feedmore Western New York's Falconer distribution Center while announcing a proposed expansion and extentions of Supplimental Nutrition Assistance Program and Pandemic EBT benefits. The president bypassed the nation's lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and replace an expired unemployment benefit with a lower amount after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed. Trump's orders on Saturday encroached on Congress' control of federal spending and seemed likely to be met with legal challenges.
A Silver Creek man has been arrested after a lengthy investigation for allegedly manufacturing and trafficking methamphetamine in the north county village. Sheriff's Deputies say members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force made several controlled purchases from 46 year-old Sean O'Connor of Hickory Street over the past several weeks. Officers say O'Connor was arrested late last Wednesday during a raid at his home on charges of one count of second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and four counts of fifth-degree criminal possession... as well as third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine. O’Connor was arraigned and released later in the week.
Jamestown Community College is preparing to welcome over 200 students to its residence halls later this month. Residence Life Director Tyler Silagyi says the move-in will run from August 20th through the 22nd... and, will provide maximum social distancing and enhanced safety protocols for students and their families in Hillside Suites. Silagyi says students will be sent their room and suite assignments by email early this week. He adds "the information will include their assigned move-in day and time." For more information... call the Residence Life office at 338-1188 or email at residencelife@mail.sunyjcc.edu.
A $1.25 million project to repair the storm ravaged lake wall along Lakefront Boulevard in the city of Dunkirk remains in limbo. Mayor Willie Rosas says they are still haggling with the Federal Emergency Management Administration over funding for the project. Rosas updated the project's status late last week. Local Congressman Tom Reed toured the damage in June along with state representatives. Rosas says they are all going to bat for the city... including New York's Senior U-S Senator... Charles Schumer. A storm that hit Western New York last Halloween battered the lake wall with high winds and waves.
Evictions are still on hold in New York courts as housing advocates worry about the fate of an estimated 14,000 renters who faced eviction before the state's COVID-19 emergency. Courts spokeswoman Lucian Chalfen said last Friday that the state's stay of evictions is still in effect through a March 16th order signed by the state's chief administrative judge. The announcement comes as housing advocates including The Legal Aid Society hope New York courts will heed the governor's call for "no evictions" amid the pandemic.
Pennsylvania's governor is recommending that youth sports, including high school sports, be put on hold until January to help prevent COVID-19 infection. The office of Democratic Governor Tom Wolf said Thursday it wasn't a mandate and that school administrators and locally elected school boards will make the final decisions. Some schools have already canceled fall sports, and leagues have pushed back start dates. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association last week issued a statement noting it followed the governor's guidance to ban spectators.
