Measurable snow reported on April 21st in WNY, and Chautauqua County...
The overnight snow storm that moved through western New York and Chautauqua County didn't produce as much snow as predicted... but, did force one school district to close today. That was in Silver Creek... where just over 2-and-a-half inches of the white stuff fell. That was the most in the county... while there was an inch-and-a-half reported in both Gerry and Fredonia. The most snowfall in the region was in Williamsville -- near Buffalo -- which reported 5 inches of snow.
McMahon says verdict in Chauvin trial is good first step in accountability...
A sense of relief is palpable across the United States after a jury found former Minnesota Police Officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in killing George Floyd. But... when it comes to what's next, the reaction is more hesitant. The exective director of the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown -- Kristan McMahon -- agrees this can be a first step in accountability. McMahon says that was the major underpinning of the Nuremburg War Crimes trials after World War II. However... she also feels there's a "long way to go." McMahon says the system of policing in the nation that needs "serious consideration and serious review." Some say they are "hopeful," pointing to the protests and sustained outcry as signs of change to come, in policing and otherwise.
Head of Jamestown Justice Coalition agrees verdict is a step forward...
The coordinator of the Jamestown Justice Coalition, Justin Hubbard, was ‘filled with emotion’ as the verdicts were announced Tuesday in trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer, Derek Chauvin. Hubbard says when you go through a year like we saw, there are a "lot of emotions connected to it." The death of George Floyd in May of 2020 led to the creation of the local justice coalition... and, a series of rallies at Dow Park downtown. Hubbard emphasizes that the jury’s decision in the Chauvin trial is just a single step forward... because it's up against dozens and hundreds of other names that did not see justice.
Two new COVID deaths, 13 new cases reported in county Tuesday...
The Chautauqua County Health Department is reporting a drop in the number of new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 Virus... but, also report two new deaths over the past day. Health officials say that brings the number since last Friday to 4 after going several weeks without any. There have now been 146 total fatalities from the virus. Seven of the new cases are from Jamestown... and, there are now a total of 8,757. Officials say there are 192 active cases, and 12 are hospitalized. They add there have now been 8,419 recovered cases.
Child Care entities hoping federal funding comes quickly to help keep them going...
The availability of affordable child care has been severely impacted by the pandemic, but federal funds will be directed through the new state budget to help address the issue. Beth Starks, Early Childhood Education Coordinator in Chautauqua County, says the funding will help in a couple of ways. Starks says families will be able to obtain the child care credit to help them find, and afford the care. Starks, an assistant Professor at Jamestown Community College, says that some of the funding is also being directed for child care facilities, many that were adversely affected by the pandemic. She says the industry wasn't that well funded before the pandemic. State officials say the new budget will be directing more than $2-billion in federal child care resources to expand availability, quality and affordability of child care across New York.
Two treated for smoke inhalation after Myrtle Street fire in Jamestown...
An apartment house fire on Jamestown's southside Tuesday afternoon extensively damaged the structure... and, sent two residents to the hospital. City Fire Battalion Chief Roger Sigular says crews were called to the multi-unit home at 33 Myrtle St. about 12:15 p.m. On arrival... he says firefighters had to rescue an occupant from the second-floor apartment... and, two others on the first-floor needed to go to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment of some smoke inhalation. Sigular says there were a number of items that hampered firefighters from finding the door to the basement. But... he says they got the blaze knocked down fairly quickly once they did. An off-duty shift was called in to assist... and, crews were at the scene until about 3 p.m. No firefighter injuries were reported. The cause was a malfunctioning gas heater in the home's basement.
City of Jamestown now looking at budget surplus...
After staring at a potential $1-million shortfall for nearly a year... the city of Jamestown is now looking at a nearly $1-million budget surplus. That from City Comptroller Ryan Thompson... who told City Council Monday that Jamestown took in nearly $607,000 less in revenues in 2020. However... Thompson says they also saved $1.6-million in expenses. He says one exception, though, was in salaries for the city's two biggest departments -- police and fire. Until approval of the federal American Rescue Plan... the city was looking at a 20-percent loss of state aid. However... with funding coming to New York state... local governments have now been made whole on their aid payments. Thompson says the city was also helped by $310,000 more than was anticipated in sales tax revenues. Spending in city government was cut about $1.1-million early last year when the COVID-19 shut-down began. The unaudited surplus is $975,000.
