Biden says Cuomo should resign if sexual harassment allegations are confirmed...
President Joe Biden says New York Governor Andrew Cuomo should resign if the state attorney general's investigation confirms the sexual harassment allegations against him. Biden made the remarks in an interview with ABC News that is scheduled to air this morning. When asked by anchor George Stephanopoulos if the investigation confirms the claims of the women, should Cuomo resign, Biden said ``yes,'' adding, ``I think he'd probably end up being prosecuted, too.'' Cuomo is facing allegations that he sexually harassed or behaved inappropriately toward multiple women, including several former staffers. He has denied touching any women inappropriately.
County reports only 15 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday...
There are 15 new cases of the COVID-19 virus being reported the past day in Chautauqua County... and, the seven-day infection rate remains below 1-percent. The county Health Department says there were four new cases each in Jamestown and Sinclairville... and, the total now stands at 7,848. There were no new deaths reported... and, the number of recovered cases is now 7,592. Health officials say there are 116 active cases... and 9 of those are hospitalized. They add the infection rate is now .9-percent.
Borrello says Aging Committee Chair again rejects allowing motion on Cuomo Nursing Home investigation...
Motions made to investigate Governor Andrew Cuomo's handling of nursing homes during the pandemic, and possible connections to his coronavirus book deal, were rejected Tuesday by the chairwoman of the State Senate's Aging Committee. Local Senator George Borrello joined the committee's ranking member, Sue Serino, in advancing the motions, but Chair Rachael May ruled them out of order for the third time. He says they need the records and testimony from Health Commissioner Howard Zucker. Borrello also wanted to hear from the head of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics... because he says things are "being sandbagged and white-washed." Borrello says he and Serino were pushing for bi-partisan investigations into the allegations.
Sundquist says Jamestown will again host it's annual "Turn the River Green" on the Chadakoin this Saturday...
It's another sign that normalcy is slowly starting to return to the Jamestown-area as the United States marks the one-year anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city has announced that it's annual "Turn the River Green" event is returning... and, will be held this Saturday, Mar. 20, at 11 a.m. in the JAMA Parking lot along the Chadakoin River. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says he was recently approached by people involved in putting on the event in the past... and, he says everything fell into place to do it. Last year's St. Patrick's Day festivities -- including turning the river green -- were canceled due to the pandemic... and, Sundquist says this year precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of all residents. If you are attending the event... he says please wear a mask and socially-distance. No other activities are scheduled. Sundquist calls this a "proud Jamestown tradition that we are happy to be continuing after last year's cancellation." Jamestown is one of the few cities in the U-S that still turns their river green to observe St. Patrick's Day.
Mayor Sundquist says two more Food Truck "feedback sessions" set, and restaurants can open to 75-percent starting Friday...
Business owners and residents will have the chance to sound off two more times on the city of Jamestown's Food Truck Pilot Program before it move's into it's second-year. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says the Department of Development is holding two more "feedback sessions" on the program... with the next one this Thursday, Mar. 18 via Zoom conferencing at 6:30 p.m., and, finally Monday, Mar. 22, at 3 p.m. In addition... Sundquist noted th state will allow restaurants to increase their capacity to 75-percent -- starting this Friday.... and, he says hopefully they will be able to get to 100-percent in a couple of months. The Food Truck program began last year as a way to help local vendors and restaurants during the pandemic. For more information on the Food Truck feeback sessions... contact Principal City Planner Ellen Shadle at 483-7541... or e-mail her at shadle@jamestownny.gov.
Jamestown and Olean receiving HUD Housing Authority grants...
The Jamestown Housing Authority will receive just over $400,000 from the more than $18-million in grant funding for public housing assistance in Western New York. U-S Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand jointly made the announcement Tuesday that the authority will be getting $422,000. Gillibrand says the monies are being allocated through the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development address housing insecurity... increase health and safety measures for public housing residents... and, develop and modernize Public Housing properties. Schumer says "every New Yorker deserves a safe and secure place to call home and this federal investment gets us one step closer to that goal,” In addition to Jamestown... the Olean Housing Authority will receive just over $816,000.
