UPDATE: Jamestown-area to get foot of snow from nor-easter Sunday night into Monday morning...
After this past Friday and Saturday's blast of sup-zero wind chills... a second weather threat moves in tonight. Forecaster David Thomas with the National Weather Service says a nor'easter will be moving in from the south... and, the precise track will bring a general snowfall of 10 to 18 inches of snow in the Jamestown-area. In addition, another 4 to 8 inches could fall Monday night at Lake Effect returns to the region. All said... Thomas says some places in the region may wind up with about two feet of snow by Tuesday morning.
County Epidemiologist urges residents to stay vigliant, and contact trace if you get a positive COVID-19 test...
Since the Chautauqua County Health Department is no longer providing contact tracing... it's up to local residents who test positive for COVID-19 to follow the guidelines. That from Epidemiologist Bree Agett with the County Health Department... who says once you find out you have tested positive, contact any close contacts about getting tested. Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that the state will leave it up to counties whether to do contact tracing... due to the dramatic spike in case numbers. Hochul says those have been averaging 12,000 a day in recent days state-wide. Agett says with the local surge in cases, she's encouraging both the unvaccinated and vaccinated, to take precautions... including getting vaccinated and boosted... staying at home if you are sick. You should also wear a mask when in public, indoor places, and avoid large, close gatherings. The county reported over 1,800 new cases of the virus during the week of January 2-8... and the seven day rate of infection jumped to 20.5%.
BPU dealing with lack of compliance with garbage collection rules, and some being left at the curb...
A "perfect storm" of sorts has caused some beginning-of-the-year problems for garbage collection by the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities. Dr. James Scarpino says it's been a major topic of conversation at his dental practice lately... especially with the BPU now enforcing it's rules of using their containers... and, making sure the container lids are closed. During this week's city council meeting... Scarpino told lawmakers that a lot of trash has not been picked up since the start of the new year. Scarpino says he estimates that about 30% to 40% of containers in the city were not taken because the lid didn't shut completely. BPU and city officials say customers whose trash was not collected were to have gotten a sticker that explained why their garbage was not collected... and, how to get it collected going forward. BPU General Manager Dave Leathers did apologize for any confusion caused by the change... but, did point out that the move had been in the works for a while now. Leathers says it's in the city code... and, adds the big reason is employee safety... because there are often sharp objects inside those bags. He says the need for people to put their garbage bags in the BPU containers was first high-lighted during their container distribution last May and June. For more information... check your latest BPU Newsletter... or call the BPU's garbage hot-line.
Chautauqua County receives $2-million HUD grant...
Chautauqua County is receiving a $2-million federal grant to help protect children and families from home health hazards... including lead. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Thursday announced it has awarded just under $105-million to 60 non-profit organizations, and state and local government agencies located in 29 states. In New York state... HUD also awarded a $1.6-million grant to the Seneca Nation of Indians. The department says the grants will protect children and families with incomes at or below 80-percent of the area median income level by targeting significant lead and health hazards in over 7,400 low-income homes for which other resources are not available. HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge says "by providing these grants, HUD makes it clear that ensuring healthy and safe homes for communities across our nation is a priority."
NYSDOT official makes Route 60 project presentation...
North county residents got a chance on Wednesday to learn about the New York State Department of Transportation's proposed highway improvement project for a stretch of Route 60 in the Town of Pomfret. DOT Regional Spokesperson Susan Surdej spoke at an informational meeting held at the Fredonia Opera House. Surdej says the $5.4-million project will involve the widening of Route 60 between Routes 83 and 20... and installing a center left-turn lane in an attempt to reduce the number of accidents there. Surdej says it should allow "thru-traffic" to flow better in both directions in that area. Surdej says the project will also involve drainage improvements, lengthening culverts, and adding sidewalk near the roundabout at Route 20. The project is currently in the preliminary design stage, with approval anticipated in February.
