County announces 101 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, along with one death...
The Chautauqua County Health Department is reporting 101 new cases of COVID-19 the past three days... along with one new death. However... the infection rate continues to go in the right direction, and is now 2-percent. Officials say there have now been 7,313 total cases, and 135 deaths. They say there are currently 186 active cases... also the lowest number in many weeks. Officials say 27 people are hospitalized... and, 6,992 have now recovered. There were 38 new cases in Jamestown.
Reed talks COVID Nursing Home issue in NYS, and payroll protection in Dunkirk...
Local Congressman Tom Reed spent much of the day in Chautauqua County Tuesday... touring facilities in both Dunkirk and Jamestown. While at the STEL Offices on Central Avenue in Dunkirk... Reed reacted to Governor Andrew Cuomo's statements about COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes on Monday. Reed says, unfortunately, he didn't hear an apology from the governor. He points out that he, and other Republicans, called on the Governor to rescind the Mar. 25, 2020 order that sent recovering COVID patients into nursing homes. For 46 days... he says he and others told the governor "don't do this." He called the order "reckless." While Reed was at STEL... located in the former Cardinal Mindszenty High School Building... he met with Executive Director Tom Whitney and the staff about how they have handled the COVID pandemic. He says STEL... which also has facilities in Jamestown... was able to use the federal payroll protection plan to keep staff in place the past year.
Reed says Problem Solvers discuss possibly moving ahead on COVID vaccination and distribution part of $1.9-trillion dollar bill...
A bi-partisan group of members of Congress has begun talking about areas they could agree on in President Biden's $1.9-trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill. Local Representative Tom Reed says he was on a conference call with fellow members of the Problem Solver's Caucus that he co-chairs. The Corning Republican says many of them see the immediate need for one part of the package. That's boosting vaccine development, and distribution with a $160-billion infusion of money. Reed adds that money could be approved early next week if lawmakers could agree to bring it up for a vote. He also believes there is common ground to be found in other parts of the president's proposal. Reed made his comments during a Tuesday visit to the Fenton History Center in Jamestown.
Westfield woman arrested following alleged DWI accident in early February...
A Westfield woman has now been arrested for allegedly driving drunk when her car crashed and rolled over in the town of Westfield earlier this month. Sheriff's officers were initially called to the scene on Plank Road just before 8 p.m. on Feb. 4, and found 21 year-old Rylee Eggert had been taken to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries. Further investigation found that Eggert was speeding, and talking on a cell phone. Through further investigation... deputies found that alcohol contributed to the accident. Eggert was later arrested and charged with first-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation... moved from Lane Unsafely... refusal to take a Breath Test... Operating a mobile device while driving, and speeding. Eggert was released from the hospital and issued appearance tickets for Westfield Town Court.
Governor Cuomo's office responded to appeal of Small City School District lawsuit...
Jamestown school officials are blasting New York's assertion that services and needs for "small city" school districts are not required under the state constitution. Legal Counsel for Governor Andrew Cuomo last Thursday argued the state's position in Appellate Court in Albany that smaller class sizes, adequate Academic Intervention Services, more services for English Language Learners and more social workers for at-risk students are not required under Article 9 of the state constitution in the 12-year-long school finance litigation "Maisto vs State of New York." The Jamestown district is one of eight small city school systems involved in the lawsuit. The counsel’s argument is in response to an appeal submitted by the small city school districts. Jamestown superintendent Kevin Whitaker says the time is "long overdue for New York State to recognize the unique and urgent needs of school districts that serve large numbers of students who are living in poverty. They should acknowledge that these students have just as much right to a good education as other students in the state. The small cities lawsuit was filed in 2008.
Reed finally gets to see Fenton History Center, including Black History Month exhibit...
Congressman Reed says he's never seen one of the most famous landmarks in the city of Jamestown -- until Tueday. The Corning Republican took a quick tour of the Fenton History Center on Washington Street yesterday afternoon... especially to see an exhibit on the Underground Railroad. Reed points out that February is Black History Month... and, he says, through people like Catherine Harris, Jamestown has a prominent place in that history. Reed says not only were the slaves taking a big risk -- so were local residents. Catherine Harris helped dozens of slaves from the south on their run to safety in Canada from her home on Seventh Street. As for Ruben Fenton himself... History Center Director Noah Goodling pointed out that he was a Congressman who was at first a Democrat. However... he opposed slavery... and, later became a Republican who served as New York Governor... and, later a US Senator.
