Council reviews city providing $56,000 match on JPS sidewalk snow plow purchases...
The Jamestown City Council still has one matter to be resolved before it can vote on a shared services agreement for plowing sidewalks with the city school district. The City Council Finance Committee gave conditional approval to a resolution to have the district pay for two new plows... but, the city will now allocate $56,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to match a $250,000 allocation from the school district. Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund says everything else is the same... with the city using $689,000 to pay for two new parks dept. employees to run the plows. Ecklund says the agreement would run from this coming Aug. 1 through Dec. 31 of 2026. However... Councilman Jeff Russell questioned if the city could legally enter into the agreement itself. The initial response was "yes..." but, Russell and Ecklund asked if they could use ARPA funding for the match. Corporation Counsel Eliot Raimando said he would have to look further into that matter. However... he says the shared services agreement basically is no different than the one the city has for it's grants writer with Jamestown Community College. The final measure would be acted on at the City Council's June 27 voting session.
House fire on Jamestown's eastside Sunday morning under investigation...
Fire has extensively damaged a two-story, single-family home on Jamestown's eastside early Sunday morning. Fire Battalion Chief Roger Sigular says crews were called to 15 Winsor St. sometime before 7 a.m., and, found heavy flames on the outside of the rear of the house moving up into the first and second-floors. Sigular says the responding crew was able to get the blaze out fairly quickly... and, no one was hurt. He says firefighters did have to rescue a pet cat from inside. The responding crew was at the scene until shortly before 9 a.m. The cause is under investigation. Sigular says the house is uninhabitable.
Angola man arrested for license being suspended or revoked 10 times following head-on crash on Rt. 60...
A Buffalo-area man whose license has been suspended or revoked 10 times has been arrested following a head-on crash early Monday morning on Route 60 in the town of Charlotte. Sheriff's deputies say they were called to the scene... along with Sinclairville Fire rescuers and other mutual aid... just after 7 a.m. between Moon and Luce Roads. Officers found that a southbound pick-up truck, driven by 49 year-old John Lemke of Angola, was allegedly passing another vehicle in a marked 'no passing' zone. While passing the other vehicle... Lemke struck a northbound construction truck pulling a trailer. The collision significantly damaged both vehicles. The four people inside the construction truck suffered minor injuries... with one going to the hospital. Lemke was also taken to the hospital. Lemke was cited for second-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation... switching plates, unsafe passing, and other charges.
Hochul signs series of six abortion rights bills...
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a a package of abortion bills into law in New York City. A total of six measures were approved by state lawmakers before the end of the 2022 session. The bills are aimed at strengthening legal protections for providers and women ahead of a possible ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe versus Wade. Hochul says the legislation will protect women who seek abortions... because if the high courts strikes down the law, there would be "government mandated pregnancies." Hochul also had three messages for those who oppose abortion rights... "not here, now now, not ever." Back in May... Governor Hochul announced millions of dollars in additional funds for abortion providers across the state to expand their facilities and strengthen security ahead of the possible ruling from the nation's highest court.
Jamestown Municipal Band ready to begin full slate of performances, beginning June 29...
For the first time in three years... the Jamestown Municipal Band will perform a full slate of Wednesday concerts at Allen Park beginning on June 29 and running through Aug. 3. Band Director Rick Lundquist says the band is delighted to be back. Lundquist says it's great to see all the people on the hill. He adds the performances are free to the public. Lundquist adds the band has also been booked for the Labor Day Festival at Bergman Park….. and may be playing at some downtown events, as well. The theme for the first concert, June 29 at 7 p.m. is ‘Music for a Summer Night.' For that program... Lundquist says they want to include a tribute to baseball... and, include some members of the local Jamestown Tarp Skunks in that. The annual ‘patriotic’ concert will be July 6. Lundquist describes the performances as ‘music you know and love… played by your friends and neighbors.’ The Allen Park Women’s Club will once again be selling refreshments at each of the band’s concerts in the glen.
Whitaker says more than $1-million in scholarships and awards presented to JHS seniors...
Several members of the Jamestown High School Class of 2022 received numerous scholarships... and other awards during the school's recent Awards Night. School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says they received more than $1-million combined during the virtual ceremony. Whitaker says more than 100 awards were handed out. Whitaker says it's a "long night..." but "an incredible experience." Student of the Year awards went to Grayson Bloomquist, Sydeny Maggio, Jacob Smeraldo, and Annika Spitzer. Whitaker says the number of "incredibly talented" students receiving awards "packed the stage" at JHS.
