Dunkirk man killed in snowmobile accident in town of Chautauqua...
A north county man was killed in a snowmobile accident that occured late last night on a trail in the town of Chautauqua. Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene -- off Bloomer Road -- shortly after 10 p.m., along with a number of other rescue crews. Officers say they found 37 year-old Thomas Allen of Dunkirk... at the crash site... and, he was given emergency treatment. However... he later died at the scene. At this time the cause of the accident is under investigation.
One person seriously hurt when his car slams into back of parked tractor-trailer in No. Harmony... A 21 year-old man has been seriously hurt after his car struck the back of a parked tractor-trailer on Interstate 86 in the town of North Harmony early Monday morning. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene... and, found the big rig -- operated by Rakhimov Dilshodjon of West Park, Florida -- was pulled over on the shoulder. Deputies say the unidentified driver of the car struck the parked tractor-trailer shortly after 2:30 a.m. Officers say he was the only occupant of the car, and was flown to UPMC Hamot Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. His name is not being released pending notification of relatives. The investigation is continuing... and charges are pending.
Borrello disappointed commission recommends changing farm labor OT threshold from 60 to 40 hrs...
New York state is looking at lowering the farm worker overtime threshold from 60 hours a week to 40 hours. That after a state board voted late Friday to recommend to the Labor Commissioner that a 40-hour overtime rule for farm workers phased in over the next 10 years. The news is disappointing to State Senator George Borrello... who says not only will the new threshold hurt farmers... it will also harm farm workers. Borrello says many have already spoken at public hearings that the measure will hurt their ability to make money and provide for their families. If the recommendation is approved by the labor commissioner... New York would join California and Washington state in phasing in an overtime threshold common in other industries. Borrello says Governor Kathy Hochul is also proposing a new tax credit to help farmers in the state. It's one of several issues the Sunset Bay Republican is dealing with as he continues at the Ranking GOP Member of the senate Agriculture committee.
Erie, PA woman arrested following DWI crash in French Creek...
An Erie, Pennsylvania woman has been arrested following a single-car accident in the town of French Creek blamed on drunk driving. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene on Mann Rd. just after 8:30 p.m. Friday... and, found the driver -- 21 year-old Haley Pernesky -- was driving while intoxicated. Deputies say Pernesky was taken to the Clymer Sub-station for processing on the DWI charge. She was later released with tickets to appear in Mina Town Court at a later date. No injuries were reported in the accident.
SUNY JCC extends deadline for applications for Nursing program...
Students interested in studying nursing at Jamestown Community College this fall will have a little longer than usual to file their applications. The college’s Director of Nursing, Dr. Heather Burrell, says the usual Feb. 1 deadline is being set aside this year because they haven't had as many applicants up to this point. Burrell believes the disruption of the pandemic may be influencing the application rate. At the same time... the COVID-19 era has led to increased need for nurses… who can be hired for $25 to $35-dollars an hour. Burrell says their graduates are pretty much guaranteed a job somewhere because "the demand is extremely high." The application period for the JCC nursing program will remain open until all spots are filled. More information is available by calling JCC or going to the college’s website.
Falconer woman arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle illegal drugs into County Jail...
A Falconer woman is accused of trying to smuggle illegal drugs into the Chautauqua County Jail as she was being secured into the facility. Sheriff's officers say a corrections officer searched 34 year-old Elizabeth Seice Jan. 16, and, found a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine. Deputies say an investigation by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force found that Seice had been in possession of the methamphetamine while being booked. Officers obtained an arrest warrant from Chautauqua Town Court and, it was turned over to the County Jail where Seice is currently being held on unrelated charges.
Girl Scout cookies now on sale...
Girl Scout cookies are now for sale across the area. And Laura Fakharzadeh, Product Program Manager for the Girl Scouts of Western New York, says the fastest way to get some is to contact any girl scout... and do it on-line. That way... Fakharzadeh says you can have them in your hands in about 10 days. Some shipping fees apply. Cookies are $5 a box. Girls are also taking orders on the traditional ‘order card’… and they’ll be selling cookies at booths beginning March 5th. The scouts are offering a new flavor this year… the ‘adventurefuls’... which is a brownie inspired cookie. Fakharzadeh says some areas of the country are short on the new ‘adventurefuls,’ there will be plenty in Western New York. More information on all the ways to buy Girl Scout cookies is available at gswny.org.
