Retired county director of Mental Hygiene Services given commendation...
Chautauqua County's longtime Director of Community Mental Hygiene Services was honored by county lawmakers on Wednesday for her years of service to the county. Legislators and County Executive P.J. Wendel presented Patricia Brinkman with a commendation during their monthly Zoom meeting. Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon says Brinkman helped bring quality services to those dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues the past two decades... and, worked tirelessly to bring those services to those who need it. Brinkman called it "an honor and a privilege" to serve the county, and told legislators that while her work was challenging, it was also exceptionally rewarding. She retired earlier this month. The county is in the process of finding a new department director.
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Also during Wednesday's meeting, county legislators approved resolutions authorizing the acceptance of two Airport Coronavirus Response Grants from the FAA. The Dunkirk Airport and the Jamestown Airport will each receive $13,000 for costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, and sanitization.
County records 18 New cases of COVID-19 the past day...
The Chautauqua County Health Department reports 18 new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 Virus over the past day... and the infection rate remains below 2-percent. Health officials say 6 of the new cases were reported in the Jamestown 14701 zip code... and, that brings the overall total to 8,884. There were no new deaths. Officials say there are 97 active cases... and, 12 of those are hospitalized. There have now been 8,639 recovered cases... and, the infection rate remains 1.4-percent.
County to host COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for residents in Findley Lake...
Univera Healthcare and the Chautauqua County Department of Health are teaming up to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic this Friday Apr. 30, in Findley Lake. Officials say it's the first time a health insurer has hosted a clinic... and, it will be held at the Mina-Findley Lake Community Center, 2883 North Rd., in Findley Lake from 2 to 7 p.m. The clinic will use the Pfizer COVID-19 first dose shot, distributed through Kinney Drugs. All New York state residents ages 18, and older may attend. Appointments are required and can be made online at kinneydrugs.as.me/Univera-ChautauquaCounty. Attendees must be prepared to show identification and a health insurance card. Transportation assistance is available for this clinic by calling NY Connects at 753-4582... or Community Connections at Findley Lake at 769-2473.
BPU officials discuss what to do with old Garbage Containers once new ones are delivered...
Since the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities will be distributing new garbage containers... beginning the week of May 10... the question has come up about what to do with your old one? During an interview on our Dennis Webster program on WJTN... the question was put to BPU Solid Waste Administrative Clerk Gloria Miranda. Miranda says if you want to have it taken away... you can just leave it out and the BPU sanitation crews pick it up. She says either mark it with a message to throw it away, or call the garbage hotline to alert them to take the can away. Miranda says there will be no charge for taking them away. Otherwise... Miranda says you can give or sell it to someone outside the city, if you prefer. She adds there is one other option as well... and, that's to "re-purpose" your old can to use for yard waste when taking it to the BPU's yard waste site. If you have further questions... Miranda says call the Garbage Hotline at 661-1651.
Fire at Frewsburg church under investigation...
There was only minimal damage reported after a fire that was possibly sparked by a cleaning solution at a church in Frewsburg Tuesday afternoon. Chautauqua County fire dispatchers say Frewsburg fire crews responded to an alarm at Our Lady Of Victory Catholic Church on Institute Street about 2:45 p.m. Officials say the fire was pretty much out by the time crews arrived. Frewsburg volunteers were joined by Kiantone, Busti, Lakewood, Falconer and Kennedy crews... and, the county's Hazardous Materials Team. No injuries were reported.
Borrello introduces legislation to put moratorium on Wind Turbine construction on Lakes Erie and Ontario...
Local State Senator George Borrello has introduced legislation to place a moratorium on the building or placing of wind turbines on bodies of freshwater in New York State. Borrello says he drafted the bill to protect freshwater lakes from becoming industrialized, adding that Governor Andrew Cuomo and his allies in the state legislature want to allow such turbines in the waters of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. He says that will disturb the lake beds, and threaten their ecosystems. Borrello... a Republican from Sunset Bay... says most Western New York residents want to protect the region's natural resources, and that's why he's introduced the measure.
Midnight curfew on NYS bars and restaurants to be lifted next month...
New York state will be lifting it's Midnight curfew on food and beverage services beginning in mid-May. Governor Andrew Cuomo's office made the announcement... just before the state legislature was expected to take up legislation to end the restrictions. The outdoor dining curfew is to end on May 17... while the one for indoor dining areas will end on May 31. The governor also announced on that the 1 a.m. curfew for catered events where attendees have provided proof of vaccination status or a recent negative COVID-19 test result will be lifted beginning May 17, with the curfew for all catered events set to be lifted May 31.
