Rite Aid to Close dozens of Western New York stores in the near future, says report...
The pharmaceutical giant Rite Aid has announced that it’s pulling out of New York... saying in a letter to employees in Buffalo that it is "continuing to experience financial challenges" and "will cease all operations at [certain] facilities." It's a move that could close up to 73 pharmacies across Western New York -- including two in the immediate Jamestown-area. Rite Aid closed eight locations in the area last year. WGRZ-TV in Buffalo reports that Rite Aid has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in two years, and, is set to cause mass layoffs starting next month. One owner in Buffalo says the problem is pharmacy benefit managers, the middleman between drugmakers, insurers, and pharmacies. They say the PBMs determine which drugs are covered and which ones aren't, which also means they control the reimbursement rates for pharmacists. Just three PBMs control 80-percent Of the prescriptions in the United States. The owner adds those reimbursements rates keep getting lower and lower, and with that, fewer pharmacies now remain standing. The lay-offs are expected to begin on June 4.
Cause listed for weekend dryer explosion, and fire in Ashville...
A propane leak being ignited by a nearby electric dryer is being blamed for last Saturday morning's explosion and fire that heavily damaged a home in the town of Harmony. Sheriff's deputies say Asvhille fire crews were called to the scene on Matson Road shortly before 8:30 a.m., and, with the help of four mutual aid companies... got the fire under control and out. The county's Fire Investigation Team was called in... and, determined that the propane leak occured in the basement... and, the nearby electric dryer was in use. No injuries were reported... and, the fire has been ruled accidental.
CHQ Chamber kicks of National Small Business Week at 3 Lakes Cafe in Cassadaga...
It's National Small Business Week across the U-S this week... and in Chautauqua County it's going to be a busy week for the CHQ Chamber of Commerce. It all kicked-off Monday morning in Cassadaga... where the chamber highlighted 3 Lakes Cafe... which will celebrate it's one-year anniversary on May 26. Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater welcomed local business leaders, residents and others to the live-streamed program... and, says they had the chance to highlight businesses in the past that were celebrating 100th to 125th anniversaries. This year, 3 Lakes Cafe is celebrating it's first-year. The cafe... which is on Main Street in Cassadaga... is owned and operated by Jake and Abbey Landean. Jake says they've enjoyed the journey... even the challenges. Jake says they go by the old adage that "if it was easy, everyone would do it..." and, they already have plans to make the cafe "bigger and better than it already is." County Legislatore Lisa Vanstrom represented State Senator George Borrello... and, says in her travels... she's been able to enjoy some of 3 Lakes breakfast and lunch offerings... which are not your run of the mill items. Vanstrom presented a proclamation from Senator Borrello. There were also proclamations presented by representatives for State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor... Congressman Nick Langworthy, and County Executive P.J. Wendel. 3 Lakes Cafe is open 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Fridays... and, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. They're closed Sundays.
Iglesias to be on hand for "Fun Day" at Comedy Center that includes a Ribbon Cutting on new exhibit Thursday...
The National Comedy Center will open it's newest exhibit featuring Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias’ iconic 1959 VW Bus from his record-breaking Stadium Fluffy special with a ribbon-cutting this Thurs., May 8. Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson says Iglesias himself will be on hand to officially unveil the display. Gunderson says this vintage VW Bus from Iglesias’ personal collection, is now on display for the first time as part of the Comedy Center’s museum experience in a new exhibit gallery. In addition... she says on that day... admission will be free to the Comedy Center all day... and, fans will be welcome to explore the museum throughout the day and attend the event. Gunderson says a special fan photo-op to take place immediately following the 4:30 p.m. ribbon cutting. Attendees can RSVP to www.comedycenter.org/fluffy/.
Fredonia School Board approves new budget for voters to decide on May 20...
The Fredonia Central School Board has a budget proposal in place for the 2025-26 school year for district voters to consider. After more than 90 minutes of discussion during a special meeting late last week... the school board voted 5-to-1 to adopt a $38.3-million dollar spending plan. It increases spending by 5.2% and raises the tax levy by nearly 2.6% from this year. School Superintendent Brad Zilliox said the special meeting was called because there were still a lot of unknowns that needed to be cleared up, including New York State's budget... which has a conceptual agreement -- but no final deal yet. Most of the tax levy increase comes from a one-time, 1.9% hike from Proposition 1 of the district's capital improvement project, which voters passed in December. The lone board member who voted against the tentative budget was Brian Aldrich, who sought a tax levy increase of no more than 2%. The tentative budget will go up for a district-wide vote on May 20.
