Gas prices jump by more than 30-cents a gallon, in one day, shooting over $4 for regular, unleaded...
The price of regular, unleaded gasoline in the Jamestown-area soared past $4 a gallon Thursday... increasing in some cases by 32-cents in one day. That comes the day after the price of oil hit 14-year highs. That from the AAA's East Central Gas Report... which is showing the national average price for regular, unleaded gas is now up to $3.73 a gallon. That's seven-cents a gallon more than Wednesday... and, was 18-cents higher than last Thursday. Some local service stations saw the price climb to $4.20 a gallon Thursday. AAA says the increase comes amid an increase in demand for gas, and the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia. On Wednesday... West Texas Intermediate ended the day at $110.60 per barrel after briefly hitting $116.57.
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Triple-A is also offering tips to lower fuel costs for drivers. Spokesman Jim Garrity says adopting responsible driving practices can contribute to significant savings at the pump and ease the financial strain. Garrity says "one of the simplest ways to keep your fuel costs lower is to slow down, as speeding drastically decreases how efficiently your vehicle burns fuel." He adds you should reduce trips, and lighten your car's load... and avoid "jack-rabbit" starts.
Reed signs onto letter calling on Biden to take shackles off American oil and gas production...
Local Congressman Tom Reed has joined with dozens of his House colleagues in demanding that President Joe Biden "unleash American energy" as the national gas price skyrockets towards $4. The Corning Republican issued a statement late Thursday outlining what the lawmakers want the president to do. Reed says the president needs to show leadership at a time of Americans "suffering from the pain of inflation..." and, he needs to stand up to the "extreme environmentalists on the left." Reed says those moves include: Implementing "meaningful permitting reform that removes unnecessary delays and bureaucratic obstacles to constructing new, modern energy infrastructure..." increase energy resource production on federal lands... and, develop a "new, robust national rare earth and critical mineral policy that ends our reliance on China and Russia."
Mask wearing in JPS district becomes voluntary...
Masks are now optional in New York state schools, and the rules are the simplest they have been since districts reopened for in-person education. Jamestown Public School Superintendent, Dr. Kevin Whitaker, says the state health department is requiring a 'mandatory quarantine' in just two situations. One is if you have COVID symptoms, and the other is if you have a positive COVID test. In those cases, you must stay home for five days. Whitaker says the person can then return after that, however, they have to wear a mask for five more days. He acknowledged the rules have been greatly loosened over a short time period... but, he believes the case count justifies the changes... and, he's comfortable with the changes. For the first time in several weeks... the Jamestown 14701 zip code did not have the most case numbers in Chautauqua County last week. There were 31 locally... while there were 35 in Dunkirk among the 139 in the county.
Jamestown school board begins budget discussions for 2022-23...
The Jamestown School Board has begun reviewing budget priorities for the coming year with the school superintendent. Kevin Whitaker says the biggest area they are looking to address has to do with what's been termed the "COVID Slide." Dr. Whitaker says with kids learning remotely... then going with a hybrid... then back to school full-time with masks... it's been like "slamming a car into different gears..." and has really hurt literacy, and math aptitude. Whitaker says he told board members this week include ways to support staff, students and their families, and the schools themselves. He says the plan will include ways to deal with behaviors and other issues they are seeing... and, getting everyone back to where they need to be.
City man arrested for threatening Sheriff's Deputy with a knife...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly threatening a Chautauqua County Sheriff's Officer with a knife during an incident on the city's eastside Wednesday morning. City police were called to the scene on East Fourth Street about 8:15 a.m. for a man obstructing traffic... and, pulling a knife on the deputy. Police took 39 year-old Kenneth Mosley into custody without further incident on a Felony charge of Menacing a Police officer... and, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
City Council approves ARPA funding to help small businesses, but, tables three others...
The Jamestown City Council has approved using $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to help small businesses in the city emerge from the pandemic. Lawmakers approved the program at this week's voting session, 8-to-1, to help restaurants, retail and personal service-type businesses. Council President Tony Dolce says council was comfortable with the money being specifically targeted to those businesses... where ever they are in the city. The city council tabled three other ARPA funded programs... but, not because they oppose them. Dolce says lawmakers want to make sure those programs... which use about $3.75-million in ARPA funding... will do the most good. He says there's another area council made want to direct some of that money... namely residential neighborhoods. Lawmakers considered using $1.5-million to fund an equipment and machine upgrades program, while another $1.5-million would go to a building and property infrastructure improvement program... and, $750,000 was to be allocated to an information technology improvements program.
