Reed says, given current circumstances, cost of gasoline could rise to $6 to $7 a gallon...
Gasoline prices here in the immediate Jamestown-area have held steady the past few days... after skyrocketing early last week. The current price at many stations remains about $4.40 a gallon for regular, unleaded fuel. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and the U.S. decision to stop oil and gas imports from Russia has driven the cost to unprecidented heights. But, it's not likely the end. Local Congressman Tom Reed says, unless the U.S. steps up production... we may see the cost increase to "$6 or $7" a gallon. Reed says that's why the country should "unleash" the power of the U.S. oil and national gas reserves. He says that would not only help prices here... but, across the world. There has been talk about suspending state and federal gasoline taxes... but, the Corning Republican says that would only be 18-cents a gallon federal tax, and would take money away from important infrastructure projects. He says that makes him hesitant about doing it. Gas prices in the U-S soared to a record high of $4.32 for a gallon of regular, unleaded Sunday.
Reed announces local projects in $1.5-trillion omnibus spending bill...
Local Congressman Tom Reed has announced several projects in the 23rd District -- including Chautauqua County -- receiving millions of dollars from the bipartisan omnibus spending bill. Reed says the biggest allocation locally is $5.9-million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging project at Dunkirk Harbor. In addition... he says $2-million is going to the village of Mayville to construct a new water well and associated treatment infrastructure that will replace existing contaminated wells. Reed says another $2-million is going to the town of Cherry Creek to upgrade it's Water Pollution Control Facility and the sanitary sewer collection system to meet new state Department of Environmental Conservation regulations. In addition... Barcelona Harbor's dredging project is getting $1.15-million. Reed says the "Dream It, Do It" employment and training program is receiving $250,000 for classroom and lab facilities.
Man from Brocton arrested for harassment...
A Brocton man has been arrested for allegedly striking another person during an altercation Sunday morning on Lake Avenue in the north county village. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene shortly before 9 a.m., and, their investigation led to the arrest of 46 year-old James Kachermeyer. Deputies say Kachermeyer was charged with second-degree harassment... arraigned, and released with an appearancet ticket for Portland Town Court.
Community Meeting set for tonight to discuss West Third Street redesign plan in Jamestown...
Jamestown city leaders will host a "community meeting" tonight to get input from westside residents on the West Third Street redesign project... which includes replacing the former Cathedral Oak trees. The meeting will be held at the Healing Word Ministries church at 1006 West Third beginning at 6:30 p.m., and, will allow residents to see and discuss plans to replace the trees, and other improvements to the street. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says the plan will be finalized after that... adding their preliminary plans included new sidewalks, buried electric lines, and new trees. Sundquist says City Arborist and Parks Manager Dan Stone will be on hand to make a presentation before opening up the meeting to questions and comments. He says, right now, they're looking at a couple of varieties of trees to plant between Hall Avenue and Hallock Street the provide a "different look." Sundquist made his comments for last weekend's Community Spotlight program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
Borrello happy to be part of RHJ Center program on county's eight executives...
Chautauqua County's eight executives who have served during it's nearly 50 years of having a legislative-executive form of government are still around. And, they all gathered in one place last Friday afternoon to reflect on their years in office in Jamestown. Current State Senator George Borrello was one of them... after winning election in 2017 to replace Vince Horrigan... who decided against running for a second term. The first executive, Joseph Gerace, who is also a retired State Supreme Court judge, joined the program virtually... and, 91 year-old Jack Glenzer took part in person. Borrello says Glenzer "stole the show." Current County Executive, P-J Wendel, was also on hand for the program... which was co-sponsored by the county's Industrial Development Agency... and, the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth.
SWCS Musical, "The Hello Girls," closes Saturday...
The final curtain came down Saturday afternoon on 'The Hello Girls,' this year's musical at Southwestern High School to rousing applause. For Director Christine Beichner, it brought the theater program at the school full circle from where it was two year ago. The 2020 Southwestern musical was the last one to run before the pandemic shutdown. That Monday, Beichner says, all schools in the county, and state, shut-down. Since then, students were brought back, but, with a lot of restrictions. Those restrictions were recently relaxed. Beichner says the successful completion of this year's show means the theater program is fully back, and it was like "no time had passed." 'The Hello Girls,' is based on a true story of American women who went to the front in World War One to run the phone system.
