One new death, 65 new cases of COVID reported in Chautauqua County...
There's a new death to report the past day in Chautauqua County from the COVID-19 Virus... bringing the local number to 26. The county's Health Department also reports 65 new cases... putting the total since the pandemic began... to 3,007. County officials say 20 of those cases are in Jamestown... and, 10 are in Dunkirk. There are now 382 active cases... while 2,599 have now recovered. Officials add that 35 people are now hospitalized.
Twenty-six new COVID cases reported in Cattaraugus County...
There are 26 new cases of COVID-19 in Cattaraugus County... putting that county's total to more than 2,100 now. Health officials say there are now 2,108 confirmed cases... and, 35 people are currently hospitalized with the virus. There are 467 active cases... and, 1,603 have now recovered.
COVID-19 Relief package not perfect... but, Reed says passage in Congress is good news...
Several of local Congressman Tom Reed's main priorities are addressed in the nearly $900-billion federal COVID Relief package approved late Monday night by the House and Senate. During his weekly conference call with regional media... Reed sounded tired... but, pleased with the effort to get the massive bill to the finish line. One of his major priorities was to get the 325-billion dollars in Payroll Protection... and, small business support. He says PPP is receiving $284-billion alone to help those industries most hard hit by the virus. Among those businesses that would qualify for that money are restaurants... many of which are barely holding on due to shut-downs... and, limited seating. Reed says he's also pleased to have $82-billion allocated to help schools. He says K-12 Schools will get $65-billion... with higher education getting the rest. He adds $5-billion will come to New York schools.
UPMC announces closing of Hillman Cancer Center in Jamestown...
The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center radiology oncology practice at UPMC Chautauqua at 51 Glasgow Ave. in Jamestown has closed... and, will no longer see patients. In a printed press release... UPMC officials would only say patients can continue to receive care at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. Officials say the closest non-UPMC radiation oncology center is Cancer Care of Western New York at 117 Foote Ave. in Jamestown. Patients with questions about these changes should call UPMC at 664-8670.
Borrello, other lawmakers, hold press conference calling on Gov. to keep Gowanda Correctional Facility open...
A group of state and local officials, along with union representatives, held a news conference Tuesday afternoon to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo to reverse New York State's decision to close the Gowanda Correctional Facility in 2021. State Senator George Borrello, one of the participants, says Cuomo still has time to reverse the decision on the closing, which is slated to take place by the end of March. Borrello says crime has been spiking, and violence in prisons has increased. The Sunset Bay Republican adds that the closing will have a major impact on the local economy, including the loss of more than 600 jobs. State Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt of Niagara County... Assemblyman Joe Giglio of Gowanda... and State Senator Patrick Gallivan of Erie County were also among those in attendance.
Winter Storm Watch to take effect Christmas Eve night...
It'll be somewhat last minute, but a 'very white' Christmas is headed for Chautauqua County. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch starting 7 pm on Christmas Eve. Meteorologist Dave Zaff with the Buffalo office says rain will change to snow late in the day Thursday. Zaff says they're now looking initially at 1 to 4 inches of snow, and we'll transition to more Lake Effect Snow later into Christmas Day. After that first burst... Zaff says the accumulation prediction is less certain... but, it could be anywhere between 7 and 12 inches more of snow. The 'Winter Storm Watch' will end on Saturday at 1 pm, but Zaff believes the lake effect could linger into Sunday. Driving caution is advised throughout the Christmas period.
The Salvation Army of Jamestown now just $10,000 short of Red Kettle Campaign goal...
Major Kim Merchant of the Salvation Army in Jamestown says this year's Kettle Campaign is a 'Christmas Miracle." She says they have now made $105,000 of their $115-thousand goal with just over a day left. Merchant says the drive started out slowly... but, has seen a surge in donations just over the past week... a few large ones, and many smaller ones. She says people are feeling generosity because of the urgent situation. Merchant says bell ringers are still needed... and, you can phone 664-4108 to learn what kettle stands remain open. Checks can also be sent to the Salvation Army, 83 South Main Street, Jamestown. She says the 'territory wide' match remains in place after a generous donor pledged to double all money contributed to kettle campaigns throughout the Northeast.
