Jamestown looking to partner with state on free syringe drop-box program...
The city of Jamestown is looking at setting up drop-boxes in local parks and the riverwalk area for people to safely dispose of waste syringes. City Council members heard a presentation from two representatives of Chautauqua 'Prevention Work's during last night's work session, who discussed a state-supported program to set up kiosks where people can throw out used needles. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says it was a problem in the city's parking ramps as well... until someone put a kiosk in one of them. Sundquist says the ramp operators asked who put the boxes in, because it really helped eliminate that eyesore, and health hazzard. During the opiod epidemic... the problem with waste syringes being strewn on the ground in many places has become a major problem. 'Prevention Works' Kari Huels says the kiosks are provided free from New York state... and, can be placed anywhere. Huels adds they don't have to be monitored either. She says one of the big reasons the city would be eligible for the program is it's considered to be in a "High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area."
Chautauqua County 4-H to hold 'UnFair' next month for meat animal sale...
In light of the COVID-19 related cancellation of next month's Chautauqua County Fair, 4-H has come up with an alternative event. Four-H Community Educator Kate Ewer announced its 'tongue in cheek' name as the -- "UnFair" -- with 4-Hers having their animals and projects on display at the fairgrounds in Dunkirk from July 21-25. Ewer says the 'UnFair' will allow projects to be judged and ranked in the usual way... over a tight two and-a-half day schedule. Though subject to change, the current rules mean the general public will not be allowed on the fairgrounds. Ewer says, though, their sale will be held on Saturday, July 24 starting at 12 Noon. Buyers are asked to register in advance through Cornell Cooperative Extension, the sponsoring organization for Four-H. Ewer says despite the challenges of the pandemic, participation has remained strong among 4-Hers and the volunteers that support them.
Only two COVID-19 cases reported in county from last weekend...
There were just two new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in Chautauqua County this past weekend... with one of those in the Jamestown 14701 zip code. The Jamestown Public Schools say that one case was someone in the district. This brings the local total since the pandemic began to 9,291. Officials say seven of those are active... and, three are hospitalized. They say 9,127 cases have now recovered... and, the infection rate remains 0.4%.
Primary Day arrives in Chautauqua County after light turn-out for early voting...
The Chautauqua County Board of Elections says there was a light turnout for the Early Voting for the upcoming Primary Day contests set for Tuesday. Republican County Elections Commissioner Brian Abram says just over 300 people cast their ballots during Early Voting that ran from Saturday, June 12 through last Sunday. He said it was kind of slow, but, not unexpected unless it's a presidential or statewide primary. Abram says about 30 to 40 people per day participated in Early Voting, with the larger turnout occurring at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds' site in Dunkirk. Voting also took place at the County Board of Elections in Mayville. Primary Day voting hours today will run now to 9 p.m.
Chautauqua Institution provides $1-million grant for Jefferson Project's research and data collection on Chautauqua Lake...
Chautauqua Institution is providing a $1-million grant to a new research initiative that would help better forecast and mitigate water quality issues on Chautauqua Lake. Chautauqua Vice-President of Campus Planning and Operations, John Shedd, says the grant will fund work this year by The Jefferson Project, which launched a partnership here last year to begin investigating how several factors impact the lake. Shedd says they'll continue efforts to find out how water exchanges between the north and south basins... including weather, and water flows. In addition... Institution President Michael Hill announced Monday that he has signed the new lake Memorandum of Understanding with several other lake stakeholder groups pledging to work towards a common goal. Shedd says the Jefferson Project's efforts began Monday... and, will continue until October. He says they expect work with the collaborative after that to work towards solutions. Shedd says they hope The Jefferson Project... which began working out of Lake George... will be able to help them do three things... forecast when weeds and algal blooms will appear, and how to mitigate that.
Dunkirk homicide victim's identity released...
The identity of the victim of a homicide that occurred on Route 5 in the town of Dunkirk on June 11 has been released. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt confirms that 41-year-old Andrew Garner of Dunkirk died as a result of a shooting incident. Schmidt says the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Forensic Identification Unit are actively investigating the incident.
