Panera Bread restaurant coming to Lakewood...
A national restaurant chain will be locating one of it's stores in the Jamestown-area by sometime later this year. Lakewood Mayor David Wordleman confirmed rumors of recent days that Panera Bread is buying the property owned by Shults Auto Group on the west side of Mall Boulevard... and, planning to begin construction of a new restaurant soon. Wordleman says he's excited to see the fast-growing eatery chain coming to the area... adding it's one of his favorite places to stop when he's out on the road. Wordleman says he and village Building Inspector Charlie Smith met with a Panera representative last week... and, adds they're excited about the news. He adds the building will be about the typical size of Panera's other restaurants... but, he says this restaurant will have something different because it's going to have a drive-thru window... which he hasn't seen before. Wordlemann says the proposal may not have to go before the village Planning Board because the building is less than 5,000 square feet. This store would be 4,000 square feet. However... he says it may anyway. If all goes as planned... Wordleman says a site plan should be ready for the village board in about a month... and, the new restaurant should be up and running by late Summer or early Fall.
New restrictions on Gun Ammunition take effect Wednesday...
New York's new restrictions on ammunition sales take effect tomorrow... requiring all sellers to register with state police and buyers to appear in person to get bullets. It's part of the law pushed through a year ago by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, one month after the massacre of 26 educators and children in Newtown, Conn. It requires transactions to take place in person. That includes Internet sales, which will require the face-to-face involvement of a New York-licensed seller. Organizations like shooting ranges and hunting clubs that distribute ammunition on their premises can register to keep getting direct shipments. State police say the law will require retailers to record sales and do background checks on buyers as required now for gun sales once a state database is operating.
Red Cross running drives to help make up for national blood shortage...
Last week's "Polar" Winter storm has left the American Red Cross with a dwindling blood supply. Southwestern New York Chapter Director Bill Tucker says about 300 drives in 25 states were cancelled last week due to the storm and dangerous weather conditions... so there's a need to build the blood supply back up. Tucker says if you have the time... and, are able... you can make an appointment to give the "gift of life." He says you can make an appointment by calling 1-800-Red Cross. Tucker says you can also go on-line to www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment. You can also make a walk-in donation. He says there are a number of drives going on right now... but, he adds their fixed site in Jamestown will be open Wednesday, and, Thursday afternoons from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. He says if you can... make a call, and set an appointment time. The Red Cross likes to have at least a three-day supply of blood on hand. To donate... you must be in generally good health... be at least 17 years of age... and, weigh 110 pounds.
