Elderly Fredonia woman succombs to injuries in town of Pomfret crash...
An elderly Fredonia woman has now died of injuries she suffered in a car crash on Van Buren Rd. in the town of Pomfret early last week.  Sheriff's deputies say that 93 year-old Elizabeth Abram of Berry Rd. was one of two people involved in the accident... which occured last Tuesday on Van Buren -- near the intersection with Farel Rd.  Officers say Abram was flown by Stat Medivac Helicopter to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for treatment.  The Erie County Medical Examiner's Office contacted the sheriff's office this past weekend to report she had died from her injuries.

Man rescued from Chadakoin River late last week apparently fell from bridge...
An unidentified man escaped serious injury after he reportedly fell from a bridge into the Chadakoin River in downtown Jamestown last Friday afternoon.  City police were called to the scene just after 2 p.m. for a person "in distress..." and officers found the 58 year-old man clinging to the rocks on the river bank off Victoria Ave. and Institute St.  Officers say city firefighters were joined at the scene by Alstart EMS... and, used a rescue basket and ladder truck to hoist the man to safety.  He was take to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.  Police believe the man fell from the bridge, and was swept downstream by heavy rain run-off in the river.

Hochul says her administration will work to restore government ethics...
As she begins her first, full-week as New York's new governor... Kathy Hochul says she's planning to "dramatically change the culture" in Albany.  Upon replacing former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Hochul said she wants 'ethics and accountability" to be front and center in her administration.  Hochul promised to eliminate the "toxic" work environment -- including alleged sexual harassment -- that was part of the Cuomo administration starting with sexual harassment training done "in-person" instead of on-line.  Late last week... Hochul introduced State Senator Brian Benjamin from New York City as her choice for lieutenant governor.  Both promised to work together to address the ongoing pandemic, and get COVID-19 relief into New Yorkers' pockets... and, beginning to change the culture in Albany.  To do that... she says "we must and will work together."  Hochul, who is from the Buffalo-area, took office last Tuesday after Cuomo's resignation amid his sexual harassment scandal. 

Hochul promising to get out more rent relief...
Governor Kathy Hochul's promise to get more COVID-19 rental assistance money into the hands of struggling New York tenants has taken on new urgency after the U-S Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration's temporary federal ban on evictions.  The court ruling Thursday means New Yorkers behind on their rent because of pandemic financial hardship will have fewer protections when the state's own eviction ban expires Aug. 31.  New York's rental relief program got off to a slow start. It's supposed to dole out more than $2.4-billion to renters.  But as of Monday, the state had distributed only $200-million of that money.

More COVID-19 contact tracers needed with surge...
Health investigators across the U.S. are finding it nearly impossible to keep up with the deluge of new COVID-19 infections and carry out contact tracing efforts that were once seen as a pillar in the nation's pandemic response.  States are hiring new staff and seeking volunteers to bolster the ranks of contact tracers that have been completely overwhelmed by surging coronavirus cases.  Some health departments have just a few dozen investigators to respond to thousands of cases each day.  Some states trimmed their contact tracing teams when virus numbers were dropping... and, are now scrambling to train new investigators.  Others have triaged their teams to focus on the most vulnerable, such as cases involving schools.

Marching Bands getting ready for season, even with COVID-19 uptick...
After a year’s absence, the area’s high school marching bands are back on the field.  The Jamestown High School Marching Band performed for parents at the end of ‘Intensive Week’ last Friday night.  With rising COVID numbers, Director Meghan Murray hopes the band can continue to practice and perform.  Murray says she fears that there will be an instance where they can't travel to -- or host competitions.  However... she remains hopeful that it won't happen.  The F2CS Band from Falconer and Frewsburg spent last week grooming its fall show as well.  The Director of that band, Alicia Laska, is equally aware of the challenges the virus could raise.  Laska says if they have a week where they can't perform, they'll deal with it.  The first competitive show for each band will be at West Seneca on September 11th.  The Jamestown show is a week later, September 18th at Strider Field.

Charges pending against Fredonia man who got lost while wandering after accident...
A north county man had to be hospitalized after he was hurt in a motor vehicle accident in the town of Pomfret, became disoriented, and got lost in a nearby wooded area.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene of the rollover crash about 7 a.m. last Wednesday on Van Buren Rd., and, found that 38 year-old Garmalier Ortiz-Pagan of Fredonia, had fled the scene prior to deputies arriving.  After they investigated the circumstances of the accident... they learned that Ortiz-Pagan was lost, hurt and trapped in a wooded area nearby.  Officers later deployed K-9 Drake to assist in the search... and, dispatchers were able to help narrow the search.  Deputies were able to locate Ortiz-Pagan and help him to an area where Fredonia EMTs were able to get him to the hospital for treatment.   Sheriff's officers are investigating the incident and charges are pending.