County reports five new deaths, 45 new COVID-19 cases...
There are five more deaths from COVID-19-related illness in Chautauqua County being reported today... bringing the local total to 122. The county Health Department also reports 45 new cases of the virus today... bringing that total to 6,961. The Jamestown 14701 zip code was the only one in double figures with 14 new cases. Officials say there are 351 active cases... and, 34 of those are hospitalized. There have now been 6,488 cases that have recovered.
Lakeshore Flooding predicted through Saturday afternoon in Dunkirk, snow to the north...
High water levels along the eastern end of Lake Erie are a major concern today. The National Weather Service has issued a Lakeshore Flood Warning until 4 p.m. Saturday for Chautauqua and Erie counties. Meteorologist Phillip Pandolfo at the Buffalo Office says there are several locations in the city of Dunkirk that could see flooding... including Lakefront Boulevard, and the Dunkirk Pier. Pandolfo says the Buffalo metro area is preparing for a major lake effect snow event with the National Weather Service issuing a Lake Effect Snow Warning from this afternoon through Saturday night. He says some places may get a foot of new snow. However... Pandolfo says ski country will escape the bulk of the snowfall from this latest storm.
Reed votes to kick Taylor-Greene off committees in conference, but, votes no on Democratic sponsored measure in full House...
Local Congressman Tom Reed was in the minority Wednesday night... but, he voted to strip a new, controverial House member of her committee assignments. However, the majority of the GOP House Conference voted to allow her to continue on two committees after expressing regrets about some "words of the past." However... Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Greene stopped short of apologizing for racist and violent rhetoric. Reed says he's appalled by comments attributed to Greene. However... he did not vote for a Democratic measure to take her off the education and budget committees. Reed says he told both her, and GOP members that he will be watching her "rhetoric closely" in the future. As for last night's majority vote of the full House on stripping her of committee assignments... Reed says majority Democrats should watch their step... because "when you point your finger at someone... you have three pointing back at you." There were 11 other Republicans who voted for the Democratic measure.
Williams calls is a "big honor" to be named permanently as JHS Principal...
The new principal at Jamestown High School is a familiar face in the district... and, says he's "very honored" to be named to the post permanently. The city school board this week approved the appointment of Interim Principal Dana Williams to the position. He was appointed interim in December of 2019 after serving as an assistant principal at both the high school, and Jefferson Middle School the previous 11 years. He says it's a "lot of responsibility..." but, adds he "looks forward to it." Williams says the school has been inched towards normalcy in the COVID-19 pandemic, with sports starting up... as well as student organizations. Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says Williams has a solid track record... and, knows the school and district well. He says the new principal also has the "right focus -- on kids." Most of all... Whitaker says Williams puts a lot of emphasis on relationships... not just with staff and teachers, but, students as well. Both were interview guests yesterday on our Dennis Webster Show.
No one hurt in Dunkirk vehicle/house fire...
A vehicle fire that spread to a nearby home in the city of Dunkirk early yesterday morning was quickly brought under control by city firefighters. Fire Chief Mike Edwards tells us that all units responded the blaze at 437 South Roberts Road about 5 a.m., and, says they found the vehicle fully-engulfed in flames -- but, they had begun spreading. Edwards says, fortunately, no one was hurt. He says the house was occupied, and everyone got out safely. Edwards says the people living there are being assisted by the local Red Cross. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
SBDC to host "Women in Networking" event next Thursday...
The next Women in Networking event put on by the Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College will be Thurs., Feb. 11, at Noon... on Zoom. The Director of the SBDC, Courtney Curatolo, says it'll be a first for the 13 year old series... a panel discussion. Curatolo says Patti Centi from the Landmark, and Waterfront Restaurants... and, others from Three C's Catering and, Forte, the restaurant. Curatolo says the session will focus on an industry hard hit by the pandemic recession, and how they've dealt with it successfully. The WIN event is free, but you must register by phoning the SBDC at 338-1024. Courtney Curatolo reminds any small business owner that they can contact the SBDC for full information about government programs designed to assist small businesses through the pandemic.
