Dunkirk man killed after Train slams into his truck...
A Dunkirk man has now been identified as the person killed in a collision between a CSX Train and pick-up truck in the town of Dunkirk late yesterday morning. State Police in Fredonia were called to the scene shortly before Noon on a report of a collision on Temple Rd. between Route 5 and Willow Rd. Authorities found the pick-up driver, 63 year-old William Miller, dead inside the vehicle. A Chautauqua County Coroner was called to the scene... along with the State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. The investigation is continuing.
County reports 40 New COVID-19 cases, and three deaths Monday...
The Chautauqua County Health Department is reporting 40 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 from the past weekend... and three new deaths. The Health Department reports the most new cases in one community was 11 in the Jamestown 14701 zip code. There have now been a total of 8,978 confirmed cases... and, 112 are now active. Officials add that 10 are hospitalized... and, 8,714 have now recovered.
Cuomo announces NYS reopening on May 19...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says capacity restrictions for most types of businesses will end statewide in mid-May as COVID-19 infection rates continues to decline. The Democratic governor made the announcement yesterday... noting that the state's "Smart Reopening" is being coordinated with neighboring New Jersey and Connecticut. However... Cuomo added one caveat... the 6-foot social distancing requirement remains in place. He says retail stores, food services, gyms and fitness centers, family entertainment, and offices can all open with no capacity limits on May 19. Many restaurants in New York City are fairly small... and, social distancing will be an issue. But, Cuomo says until the Centers for Disease Control changes it's 6-foot guidance, the state will continue to keep that in place. However... a waiver can be issued if those events and places require proof of either a vaccination, or negative COVID test. A number of capacity changes... announced last week by Cuomo... take effect either May 17 or May 31. The outdoor food and drink curfew will be lifted on the 17th... while indoor restrictions will be lifted on the 31st.
Jamestown receiving more road and street repair funding from NYS... announcement on projects coming...
The city of Jamestown is in line for a significant increase in the amount of funding it receives from New York state for road and street projects this Summer. Mayor Eddie Sundquist told lawmakers during last night's City Council work session that he and Public Works Director Jeff Lehman will announce their list of projects either later this week or next what those projects will include. Sundquist says they're getting the bulk of the money from three sources. He says their Consolidated Highway Improvement Program -- or CHIPS funding -- is up 23-percent, while the Extreme Winter Recovery funding is up 53-percent, and PAVE-New York funding will be up 49-percent. In addition... Sundquist says there is a fourth source this year -- the "State Touring Routes" fund -- to help improve roadways designated for dual use by bicycles.
NJ woman receives five-year sentence for Meth Trafficking in Jamestown...
A New Jersey woman found to have been part of a drug trafficking ring in Jamestown has been sentenced to five-years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney James Kennedy, Jr. Monday announced that 26 year-old Alexis Hall of Harrison, NJ received the sentence from District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, five grams or more of methamphetamine. Prosecutors say that, between March of 2017 and October of 2018, Hall conspired with 15 other co-defendants to operate a drug trafficking organization, primarily involving the distribution of meth in the Jamestown area. During raids... law enforcement officers recovered 10 firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition, over 20 cellphones, drug paraphernalia, and cash. Kennedy says all 16 defendants charged in this case have been convicted.
Ellington will have scaled-back Picnic this year...
It'll be scaled back, but the 108th Ellington Town Picnic will take place on Friday, August 6th through Sunday, August 8th at the Town Square in Ellington. Some events are already in place, according to President Mat Pickup of the Town Picnic Association. Pickup says they'll have music each night, and the fire department will host it's chicken barbecue. The group 'Happy Days' will perform Friday night. 'Country Memories' will be onstage on Saturday. Pickup adds, some of the regular features will NOT take place... namely rides because they would have to be wiped down constantly. The horseshoe pitching contest and the baby show are also not likely for this year's picnic. Other parts of the schedule are still being firmed up. Pickup emphsizes they will follow all COVID guidelines in place when picnic time comes in August.
Borrello names former Reed staffer as new Chief of Staff...
A long-time staff member for local Congressman Tom Reed has been named as State Senator George Borrello's new Chief of Staff. Borrello Monday announced that Alison Hunt... who most recently had been Reed's District Director... succeeds Michael Ellison, who served in the role since Borrello won a special election for the seat in 2019. Borrello says Hunt "brings a wealth of governmental experience to the Chief of Staff role after serving for the past 10 years on the district staff of Congressman Tom Reed, the last six as his District Director."
