Heavy Weather with gusty winds forecast for Chautauqua County this afternoon, but no tornadic activity...
Father's Day weekend saw some heavy weather across Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania... and, more could come later today. But, Meteorologist Bob Hamilton of the National Weather Service in Buffalo says tornadoes are unlikely. Hamilton says damaging straight-line winds are more likely anytime after lunch. This is graduation week for high schools in the area, and Hamilton indicates things will be okay at midweek... perhaps not at the end, though. He says there's the likelyhood of rain showers both Saturday and Sunday. High temperatures will drop below average for Tuesday and Wednesday, before rebounding later in the week.
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There was some storm damage from yesterday's round of severe storms in the region. The National Weather Service reported a tree down on some power lines in the town of chautauqua, along with some quarter-inch hail in the Ripley and Chautauqua areas.
Borrello, Cruz push Cuomo to sign "Nourish NY" legislation...
Local State Senator George Borrello is urging Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign legislation that would make Nourish New York a permanent state program. The Sunset Bay Republican says the measure cleared both legislative chambers without opposition... and, there's an overwhelming need for the program. Borrello says the major difference between their legislation and the governor's is that he would have less control of the program. Borrello traveled to New York City this past Thursday where he joined Queens Democrat Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, who was also a sponsor. Both made the request of Cuomo to sign the measure.
Jamestown annual Juneteenth celebration concludes Sunday afternoon...
Jamestown's Juneteenth Festival began Saturday with a tree planting and memorial to late city council member Vickye James... and ended Sunday with a gospel music festival. City Councilwoman Regina Brackman, principal organizer of Juneteenth, looked back at the two days and felt it was an event of 'unity and community' along with a sense of love and admiration for Vickye James... as well as joy that Juneteenth is now a holiday. Brackman adds the planning committee will soon get to work on the next Juneteenth in 2022. President Joe Biden last week signed a law making Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Juneteenth kicks off Saturday with tree dedication to Vickye James...
It was a poignent start Jamestown's annual Juneteenth Festival Saturday... that began with rememberances of a leader in the community... and, celebration that the day is now a holiday. One of the festival's long-time organizers, late City Councilwoman Vickye James, was recognized by her successor, Regina Brackman. Brackman says Vickye would be overjoyed to know that Juneteenth is now a national holiday. A local student gave a brief history of Juneteenth... which was abbreviated from June 19, 1865. That was two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation... freeing black slaves in the United States. Three new trees were planted in Jackson-Taylor Park... where Juneteenth is held each year. Parks Manager Dan Stone says his crews planted one of two trees they were initially going to plant. He then found a "Legacy Maple" that would perfectly signify Vickye James' legacy to the festival. Mayor Eddie Sundquist read a proclamation... marking Juneteenth Day in the city.
Quattrone expresses concerns over Jamestown's promotion of pot growing and manufacturing locations...
Chautauqua County's top law enforcement official says he has some concerns about a local municipality's recent initiative to attract cannabis growing and production businesses. The city of Jamestown recently announced an initiative to attract those "factory" type businesses, following the legalization of adult-use marijuana in New York State. Sheriff Jim Quattrone hopes that officials involved in the city's decision look at negative impacts in other states where marijuana is legal. Quattrone says he is worried about crime rates around dispensaries... and, how cannabis is regulated. He says how "well it's going to be regulated" will likely have a big impact in a number of areas. Quattrone says many proponents of marijuana legalization look at studies based on "cannabis of yesterday" with a low THC content of 3-to-5-percent. He says present-day marijuana has a THC concentration of about 17-to-20-percent... while the concentrate in marijuana edibles can range anywhere from 70-95-percent. Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, though, made it clear that these were manufacturing facilities -- not dispensaries.
Jamestown woman arrested for trespassing during domestic incident...
A city woman faces criminal trespass and mischief charges after allegedly breaking into an ex-boyfiends residence on Jamestown's eastside late last week. City police say they were called to the scene of a domestic incident about 8 p.m. last Friday... and, found that 29 year-old Chelsey Mee had damaged a side door to the home, and unlawfully entered the residence. She was arrested on the trespass, and criminal mischief charges... and, was later charged with obstruction for refusing to cooperate with the booking process. Mee was held pending arraignment.
One of NYS biggest car dealers, Billy Fuccillo, dies at age 65...
For close to four decades, Billy Fuccillo operated car dealerships in New York and would pitch buyers "yuuuuuuge-jahhh" savings in television and radio ads. Fuccillo died last Thursday at age 65. His longtime attorney Robert Scalione told the Albany Times Union that Fuccillo's health had been declining. Based in Syracuse, Fuccillo Automotive Group was the largest privately owned dealership in the state at its peak. His gregarious presence in television ads and creative ploys to sell cars meant he was well-known across the state.
