Police arrest Salamanca man for murder in death of 3 year-old...
A Salamanca man is in custody following the death of the 3 year-old son of his girlfriend. Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard tells the Jamestown Post-Journal that 30 year-old Justin Crouse of Salamanca was taken into custody without incident around 5 a.m. Wednesday. Howard says the incident occurred about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation in Irving when the victim's mother, Tashia Seneca, called 9-1-1 after discovering her son, Gage, was not breathing. The boy was taken to Lakeshore Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The child's body was then transported to the Erie County Medical Center for an autopsy, which indicated the child died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head. Police investigated... and, arrested Crouse Wednesday. He was arraigned in Brant Town Court Wednesday, and pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge. Crouse is being held in Erie County Jail.
The woman involved in car crash that killed 7-month-old last November on Seneca's Cattaraugus Reservation...
A woman from southern Erie County has pleaded guilty in a deadly car crash that killed a 7-month-old girl on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation last November. The Buffalo News reports that 24 year-old Danielle Kellogg pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular manslaughter. Kellogg is free on bail.... but, she faces up to 15 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced May 22. Police say Kellogg was behind the wheel of an SUV that crashed into another vehicle carrying 7-month-old Baylee Marie Dion in Brant last Nov. 27. The infant's mother was seriously injured in the accident... but, survived. Kellogg's blood-alcohol content was 0.13 percent at the time of the crash which is above the legal threshold.
Highway supervisors, employees, in Albany to push for increased funding for road and bridge projects...
The public employees who maintain local roads across New York are gathering in Albany to push state officials for increased funding for transportation projects. Officials with the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways and the New York State County Highway Superintendents Association expect more than 600 highway superintendents, county and town highway officials and transportation advocates to participate in the gathering at a downtown Albany hotel. They're calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislators to increase state funding of local bridge and road construction projects as part of a campaign called ``Local Roads Matter.''
Jamestown DPW Director says potholes worse this Winter than in recent years...
With warmer weather on the way following our recent cold snap... we're likely to see more potholes popping up in the Jamestown-area. But... the pothole problem has been around for a while this Winter due to a number of 'freeze-thaw' cycles. That's caused headaches for local street and public works crews. In Jamestown... DPW Director Jeff Lehman says there have been a number of trouble spots... the worst being West Third Street. Lehman adds that West Fifth Street... and, some of the seams on the arterial have been a problem. He says because there have been so many freeze thaws... they'll patch up one area... and, it breaks up within a matter of days, and they're back patching it again. Lehman says his crews are continuing to use "cold patch" to deal with the trouble spots because the MacAdam plant that produces the "hot patch" won't be open for several weeks yet. He adds this is the worst Winter he's seen for potholes in several years. Last year... there were few problems because the mild Winter. Lehman says if you see any additional or particularily bad potholes... call his office. That number is 483-7558... and, he says they'll add it to their list of repairs.
Goodell says -- despite recent shortall added to state budget -- he's still expecting an early agreement on a spending plan...
The state legislature still appears on course for having an early budget in place... inspite of the need to plug another $500-million to $1.3-billion shortfall. That from State Assemblyman Andy Goodell as conference committees meet to reconcil different parts of the 2013-2014 spending plan. Goodell says the new shortfall is due to the federal government demanding payment for overbilling Medicaid over the past several years. The Bemus Point Republican says dealing with that is a "real challenge..." because the state was apparently "padding" it's bill to the federal government for Medicaid payments to mental health facilities. However... Goodell says the state may be helped by the amount of federal aid it's receiving for the ongoing relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. He says a number of revenue lines were cut in the new budget... and, the only area seeing an increase was aid to public schools. As for the projected budget adoption date of Mar. 21, Goodell says it's good fiscally, but, adds it's mainly being driven by upcoming religious holidays. He says this year... Easter is on Sunday, Mar. 31, and, the Jewish holiday of Passover begins at Sundown on Monday, Mar. 25. The state budget is due by April 1.
NRG Generating Station in Dunkirk will continue operations for at least two more years...
NRG Energy officials confirm that the Dunkirk generating station will continue to operate for at least two more years. Spokeman David Gaier with NRG tells us they are entering into an agreement with National Grid Company that will keep one of the generating units producing power through May of 2015. Gaier says they've agreed to a two-year reliability support services contract with National Grid from this June through May 31 of 2015. Currently... he says two units will continue to operate through May when only one unit will be used. Gaier says the company is upbeat about the two year deal because it will keep the plant in operation. He says their efforts have forcused on keeping one, or more of the units running through a multi-year contract with National Grid. But... Gaier says market conditions have not improved to where they can keep the plant open without a reliability contract. The contract still needs final approval from the state's Public Service Commission. In reaction... Dunkirk Mayor A.J. Dolce says he is disappointed that the company could not be able to keep the two units in operation beyond May. Dolce says -- at least with the two-year deal -- it brings "some stability" to the situation. NRG says they are continuing efforts for the Repower Dunkirk proposal... which would convert the plant from coal to natural gas. Dolce says he will continue to work with the company and other leaders in gaining approval from the state.
Gas prices up in Chautauqua County 4-cents this week...
Refinery maintenance and concerns are continuing to push local gas prices higher this week. In the Jamestown-area... the AAA's Fuel Gauge Report says the cost of a gallon of regular, unleaded is up 4-cents to about $3.95. However... the state-wide average is down slightly to $3.98 a gallon... the fourth highest in the nation. The national average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded is now $3.74 cents. That's down three cents from last week.
