Schumer in Jamestown to push EPA to expedite review, and clean-up of burned-out Crawford Furniture factory building...
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer joined local officials in Jamestown Wednesday morning to push the Environmental Protection Agency to expedite the clean-up of the former Crawford Furniture factory. During a news conference in front of the burned-out structure on Allen Street... the New York Democrat said local communities don't have the resources to do the environmental work... then clean-up. Schumer says $3.5-billion was set aside in last year's infrastructure bill to do this kind of work. Schumer says once they determine the health risk, EPA will be able to move ahead with clean-up efforts. Schumer and Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist noted that the city, and EPA, had begun working with the latest property owner to remove old solvents, varnishes and other materials from the building. However... Sundquist it looks like the clean-up costs could be upwards of $2-million. He's pleased that Schumer and Congress were able to reinstate the federal Superfund program in 2022 because city government can only do so much with limited manpower and money. A major fire last Nov. 16 destroyed the building... and, it took fire crews three days to put it out.
Supreme Court allows NYS ban on guns in "sensitive places" to main in place -- for now...
The Supreme Court is allowing New York to continue to enforce a sweeping new gun law banning guns from ``sensitive places'' for now while a court challenge plays out. The justices on Wednesday turned away a plea by the law's challengers. The gun owners wanted the high court to lift a federal appeals court order that temporarily put on hold a lower court decision blocking portions of the law. The appeals court hasn't finished its review of the case, and justices are often reluctant to weigh in under those circumstances. The justices could still consider the case and the law more generally in the future.
Hochul pushes dealing with trifecta of issues during State of State Address...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is pushing the state legislature to deal with a "trifecta" of issues this year to make the state safer... and, more affordable. During her first State of the State Address in Albany after being elected to a four-year term last November... Hochul moved to address a number of concerns raised over the past year. With crime being the state's top issue in recent polls... Hochul touted changes to gun laws and other measures in recent times. She says there are a number of factors that have led to increases in crime. However... Hochul called for finding "common ground" on changes to bail reform because recent polls have shown that public safety is the top concern amount residets. She also proposed a major investment in strengthening mental health services... and, providing more psychiatric beds. Hochul also addressed the outmigration of residents from the state... citing housing affordability as one problem. She's proposed the "New York Housing Compact..." which has a goal of developing 800,000 new homes in the state by 2033.
Borrello has "mixed reaction" to Hochul's State of the State...
There are proposals in Governor Hochul's State of the State Address that "sounded promising... and, others that raised red flags." That's local State Senator George Borrello's reaction to the just under one-hour long speech. Borrello says he "was glad to hear Governor Hochul recognize that New York State’s outmigration is a problem we can no longer ignore." He says acknowledging the problem is the first step in fixing any problem. However... he says "the blueprint she outlined won’t stop the exodus. Some crowd-pleasing talking points accompanied a series of proposals that fall short of the change in direction we need." He says the biggest disappointment was a "lack of emphasis on public safety." Borrello does agree with the governor that the state needs to strengthen "our mental health system..." and he's encouraged" by the investments the governor has promised.
Gillibrand outlines $130-million proposal to help assist and revitalized NYS health care system...
New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has announced more than $130-million in federal funding will be going to assist and revitalize the state's overburdened health care system. The Democrat says the spread of the COVID-19 'XBB.1.5' sub-variant has fueled new challenges as public health workers continue coming back from the pandemic... along with a difficult flu and RSV season. Gillibrand says the funding will help support local medical staffing... maternal mental health programs... pandemic preparedness... and, more to help it not only deal with what's going on now... but, future issues as well. Gillibrand says "New York is currently facing a significant health care worker shortage and strain on our public health infrastructure that is burdening workers and patients alike. The $130 million-dollars I fought for will play a fundamental role in easing this burden and building the capacity of our health care workforce across the state."
Ruling made on Ripley house fire...
Unsafe use of a fuel oil heat source is the reported cause of a mid-morning house fire in the town of Ripley Tuesday. Chautauqua County fire dispatchers say four fire departments responded to the blaze at 12 Loomis St. about 8:30 a.m. Dispatchers say Ripley fire crews got mutual aid from South Ripley, Sherman and Westfield. They also got assistance from Chautauqua County Emergency Services. No one was hurt in the blaze. County fire investigators were called to investigate once the fire was out.
