There are 9 new cases of COVID-19 being reported today (Wednesday) in Chautauqua County... and the number of active cases has increased to 53. The county's Health Department reports there have now been 710 total cases reported. Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says the most -- five -- were reported in the Dunkirk-area. Wendel says 644 cases have now recovered... and, 280 cases are under quarantine or isolation. He adds that 23 people are under the "domestic traveler quarantine" after having arrived her from a state listed on New York's travel advisory. Wendel says there have been 48,196 negative test results.
There has now been a 10th COVID-19 related death in Cattaraugus County... on the heals of the ninth death... which was reported Wednesday morning. Health Department officials said last night that a 97 year-old man developed respiratory failure, and was unable to overcome his illness despite aggressive medical treatment. The 9th death... reported earlier in the day... was a 62 year-old woman... who also developed respiratory failure.
There is still a chance that all sides involved in negotiating a fourth, COVID-19 stimulus bill could reach an agreement soon. However... it's important for each side to stay at the negotiating table. That from local Congressman Tom Reed... who says both sides were "extremely close" to a final agreement. However... negotiations ended with a presidential tweet Tuesday night. Reed was disappointed... but, feels negotiators are closer than they may believe.
Reed co-chairs the bi-partisan Problem Solvers Caucus... which released a statement late Tuesday urging both sides to get back to the table. He says they also spent much of the past day lobbying key lawmakers not to give up. In a flurry of tweets... President Trump pressed for Congress to approve $1,200 stimulus checks, and new aid for airlines and other businesses hard hit by the pandemic. Reed adds, though, that a stand-alone bill could be acceptable. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has rejected such piecemeal spending measures all along. The bill being discussed was for $1.7-trillion.
Prosecutors are urging a judge to reject an effort to delay or eliminate a prison sentence for the first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president. Federal prosecutors said in a letter Wednesday that it's time for Christopher Collins to report to a Pensacola, Florida, prison camp to begin serving a 26-month sentence. The 70-year-old former New York congressman was sentenced in January after pleading guilty last year to conspiring to commit securities fraud and lying to law enforcement. Lawyers for the Republican cited the coronavirus in asking a judge to delay or modify his sentence. Prosecutors say the threat of COVID-19 is higher outside the prison walls than within. They say further delays for Collins would not serve justice.
Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist will present his first budget to the public this afternoon -- a budget he calls "incredibly challenging" in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sundquist says if there is any good news in it... it's that there won't be a tax increase because the city is at it's constitutional taxing limit. However... there will be losses in both state aid, and other revenues... including sales tax. But, that's not all. The city is still waiting to find out what it's contribution is to the state's retirement system in 2021.
Sundquist says he and his finance team are putting the finishing touches on the 2021 budget... which is expected to be in the neighborhood of $35-million. The budget presentation at City Hall begins at 4 PM today... and, will also be shown on the city's website at Jamestownny.gov or Facebook page.
A Cattaraugus County hospital has suspenced patient visitations due to an increase in community spread of COVID-19 in the area. On it's website... Olean General Hospital has announced visitations have been suspended... unless there are end-of-life situations, and the designated support person for maternity patients. Olean General says it has "new capabilities to arrange for virtual visits via iPad." They add that patients can contact pastoral care, or a nurse regarding how to connect with loved ones.
Two of Jamestown's best known residents will be honored tonight... as the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce presents it's Community Service Award to Russ and June Diethrick. Both Russ and June are deeply involved with the Babe Ruth World Series and the Jamestown Tarp Skunks. Individually, Russ is a member of the College Council at SUNY Fredonia, while June is committed to the Marvin House. June Diethrick believes her 'husband to be' was very influencial shaping her life as a volunteer in her mid-20s. The Diethricks award will be presented as part of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Virtual Awards Banquet... starting on-line at 6 PM this evening. The event is free, but you must register through the chamber's website.
