Local News Headlines
The Post Journal is reporting that The Jamestown Police Department responded to a suspicious death at 11 Bush St. in Jamestown around 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Captain Robert Samuelson says a woman in her 50s who is believed to have been a resident of the address, was found deceased inside the home. The Chautauqua County Forensic Investigation Team was called to the scene, as well as District Attorney David Foley. Samuelson said the body was going to be taken to the Erie County Medical center in Buffalo where an autopsy will be performed today.
The new manager of Cummins Engine's Jamestown Engine Plant says he's long aspired to be the head man at one of the region's largest employers. Mike Abbate (Ah-BAY-T) had been the Jamestown plant's director of Materials and Supply Chain the past 10 years. A short time ago... he was named Interim Plant Manager after David Porter was promoted. Abbate had the "interim" tag officially taken off his title this past Tuesday... and, says he's "very excited" to be leading the plant that he's spent the past 31 years working at. Abbate is a native of Harborcreek, Pennsylvania... who says he moved to the area to work for Cummins in 1981. He says he's excited about the team of people they have assembled at the Jamestown Engine Plant... what they do there... and, the "opportunities ahead." After a sluggish start... Abbate says they're anticipating the number of engine orders to pick-up through 2013... and, that's why they've been hiring.
New Cummins' Jamestown Engine Plant Manager Mike Abbate replaces David Porter... who had been plant manager for the past several years. Porter has moved into a leadership post with Cummins' High Horsepower Oil and Gas Business. He was a high-profile manager for Cummins'... being involved with a number of community organizations and business groups. Abbate praised Porter for his work... adding that Cummins' has "strived to be a responsible corporate citizen." He says they're long-term success is "very strongly tied to the health of the community. Abbate says that's why Porter was so heavily-involved in the community... and, he will follow suit. He says he "absolutely" looks forward to being involved in the Greater Jamestown community. Most noteably... he was a member of the Western New York Economic Development Council that developed proposals to compete for a share of millions of dollars in state funding. Those projects approved by the state received funding to move forward.
Governor Andrew Cuomo says New York's Indian casinos could face competition in their backyards if tribes and the state fail to reach agreements in the coming months. The administration's talks with the Senecas, Mohawks and Oneidas come as Cuomo tries to bring three casinos in yet-to-be identified locations upstate. Three of the six upstate regions Cuomo is looking at already have Indian casinos. Cuomo said Thursday he's working with the tribes to resolve existing issues, like revenue sharing with the state. Cuomo says they won't try to site a casino near casinos run by tribes in good standing with the state. A public referendum to change New York's constitution to allow non-Indian casinos could be on the ballot as early as November.
Two Kennedy women were hurt when the car they were riding in struck a tanker truck early Thursday afternoon that was backing into a farm in the town of Ellington. Sheriff's Deputies say the crash occured on Waterboro Hill Road about 12:30 PM when the car... operated by 62 year-old Donna Burdic... crested a hill... and, struck the front end of the truck. The truck driver, 28 year-old Robert Behnke, Junior of Cattaraugus, was not hurt. However... Burdic, and her passenger, Nora Jo Rogers -- both of Kennedy -- were taken to WCA Hospital for treatment of their injuries. Officers say their investigation showed that Burdic didn't slow down when the car crested a hill... and, was ticketed. She's to appear in Ellington Town Court at a later date.
Chautauqua County officials and Cornell University will be hosting a final workshop tomorrow to update residents on the county's efforts to modify regulations on Septic systems along Chautauqua Lake. County Executive Greg Edwards says the last "Homeowner Education Workshop on Improved Wastewater Management for Lakeshore Communities" begins at 9 AM Saturday at Building "A" of the Hewes Educational Center-BOCES in Ashville. Edwards says the workshop is free... and, is sponsored by the county's Planning and Economic Development Department... the county's Department of Health... the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District... and, Cornell. Edwards says it's designed to educate homeowners, private businesses, and local, state and federal officials on the importance of properly maintained wastewater treatment systems near lakes and waterways. People attending will hear... and, interact with experts on the role waterfront septic systems can play in polluting the lake and creating potential health risks. They will also learn about the department of Health's efforts to modify lakefront septic system regulations to improve water quality. Edwards says "having a properly designed and maintained septic system is one more step lakeshore residents can take to help reduce the amount of phosphorous that enters Chautauqua Lake and feeds the weeds." For more information... contact County Watershed Coordinator Jeff Diers at 661-8915.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has made it official. The New York State Fair this summer will include some of the nation's top entertainers from Carly Rae Jepsen and Toby Keith... to Reba and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Cuomo made the announcement yesterday. The State Fair begins in Syracuse on August 22nd.
