Warm up on the way for the weekend, but, we go back into deep freeze early next week...
There are no more Wind Chill Advisories... but, more wind chill issues are expected later tonight, and next week. Forecasters also say get ready for the next weather rollercoaster. Temperatures are expected to reach into the 30s this weekend... but, it won't last long. That from National Weather Service Meteorologist Bill Hibbert... who says we'll see the lower 30s by Sunday. However... by next Tuesday, the high temperatures may not even break zero. Hibbert also says that -- with the next arctic blast -- will be more lake effect snow. The Weather Service has already issued a Lake Effect Snow Watch for Monday morning through late Tuesday night.
County Legislature approves re-organizational meeting agenda, leadership...
A newly-downsized Chautauqua County Legislature is ready to begin the new year. The legislature, now six members fewer, re-elected Jay Gould as the chairman during its annual organizational meeting. He expects county lawmakers will have to deal with many challenges and issues in 2014... including the County Home -- and it's future. He adds "fracking" may also be part of the mix. During his brief acceptance speech... Gould says one important issue has already been addressed, the Dunkirk Repowering Project. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an agreement during a quick visit to Dunkirk in December.
King's requested waiver on State Math Assessment for Seventh and Eighth-graders approved...
Some New York seventh-and eighth-grade students will have one less math exam to take after the state received a waiver from the federal government. New York Education Commissioner John King, Junior sought the waiver so that advanced students who take the math Regents exam in seventh- or eighth grade can skip the general seventh- or eighth-grade state math assessment. King says the decision affects nearly 60,000 students and is part of New York's efforts to reduce the amount of time students spend on tests. The waiver granted Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education was needed because federal law requires states to use the same assessments for all students in a grade. Before the waiver, advanced math students have had to take both tests.
Reed feels final agreement on Farm Bill close...
A 30-day extension is ready if it's needed... but, local Congressman Tom Reed is hopeful that federal lawmakers will agree to a new, five-year Farm Bill early this year. Reed says a joint House-Senate Conference Committee is "very, very close." The Corning Republican says he's been in contact with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas... who is very optimistic a deal will be struck soon. Reed adds this will be a priority item when they return to session after the Holidays. He says the differences appear to be getting smaller everyday... including reforms such as to the Supplimental Nutrition Assistance -- or SNAP Program. Republicans say it's grown tremendously in recent years -- due mainly the increasing number of people on food stamps. Reed agrees that there's been a lot of "stop and start" on getting a new Farm Bill in place... but, he says they're making progress. As an example... he cites the new, two-year budget agreement which was passed in both the House and the Senate. Reed made his comments during this week's Telephone Conference call with Southern Tier Media.
