For the first time in several weeks, there have been two new deaths from COVID-19 being reported in Chautauqua County. The county's Health Department said Monday a man in his 50s and woman in her 80s passed away over the past weekend... bringing the local total to 12 people. In addition... officials say five more cases of the coronavirus are being reported Monday... bringing the local total during the pandemic to 698. Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says five of the 23 new cases over the weekend were in Jamestown, and adds there are now 51 active cases. There are now 299 cases under quarantine or isolation orders... and, 24 people are under the "domestic traveler quarantine." Wendel says 635 people have now recovered... and, there have now been 47,251 negative test results to date.
The city of Jamestown will not be holding it's annual Halloween Fun-Fest... and, will not be setting any official trick-or-treating hours on October 31st. However... in line with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's recent statement, the city is not banning Halloween trick-or-treating, either. That from City Council President Tony Dolce during last night's Council work session... who says the city will not set hours for trick-or-treating this year due to the ongoing pandemic.
Dolce added that council is urging residents "to continue to use safe practices when interacting with other people including wearing face coverings and social distancing at least six-feet. We also encourage parents to understand and respect the wishes of residents who do not feel comfortable answering doors." In that case... Dolce says residents not wishing to take part should leave their porch lights off. He adds that state guidelines only allow gatherings of up to 50 people, with six-feet of social distancing and face coverings required. He also noted that face coverings do not mean conventional Halloween masks, but, coverings that cover the nose and mouth.
A Frewsburg man faces criminal possession of a forged instrument charges following a suspicious person investigation in Falconer. Ellicott Police were called to the Community Bank in the village last Friday.... and, found that 25 year-old Robbie Stearns allegedly tried to pass savings bonds, while forging the signature of the actual owner of the bonds. Officers say Stearns was taken into custody a short distance away from the bank, and issued an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court at a later date.
Ellicott Town Police arrested a Falconer man for allegedly driving while intoxicated without a license last weekend. Officers responded to a motor vehicle accident with injury on Gerry-Levant Road shortly after 10 PM last Friday... and, on arrival, identified the operator as 40 year-old Brock Zampogna. Officers took Zampogna into custody for first-degree aggravated unlicensed operator, DWI and move from lane unsafely. He was issued an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court at a later date.
There have already been several inquiries by local businesses about the $10.5-million Chautauqua County and it's Industrial Development Agency have received from the federal CARES Act. Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says he heard from three businesses almost immediately about the money from from the U-S Economic Development Administration. Wendel also says it shows the local IDA has not been "underperforming..." and, he says Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise, and Finance officer Rich Dixon are working out details about who can get them... and, how.
Wendel says... in addition to working to bring jobs to the county... the IDA also does a lot of work to retain jobs. The $10.5-million will be used as part of a revolving loan-fund, similar to the county's Al Tech loan program. Wendel says the loans made to local, small businesses would be at a 2.44-percent interest rate. He made his comments for last weekend's Community Spotlight program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
The New York Lottery today announced there were multiple top-prize winning tickets sold for the October 4th TAKE-5 drawing. One of those tickets was sold in the city of Dunkirk. Matt's News located at 93 East Third Street in Dunkirk sold a prize winning ticket worth $27,646. Another TAKE-5 winning ticket was sold in Bronx, worth the same amount. Take 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39.
