High flu numbers in New York State during the holidays mirrored in Chautauqua Co....
After spiking over the Christmas and New Year's holidays... it appears that flu numbers across New York state are leveling off. That from local health officials in a review of the numbers in recent days. Chautauqua County Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Faulk... says the number of cases locally jumped right around and after Christmas. He says the county had 85 reported cases from Dec. 17-24... but, then increased between Dec. 25-31 to 119 cases... and, there were 110 cases from Jan. 1 to now. Faulk adds that those were the "limited" numbers by physicians and local hospitals. In October... he says New York state reported about 1,700 cases... but, two months later -- that number reached 113,000 cases with 5,300 being hospitalized. UPMC Chautauqua Hospital President Tracy Gates says that's generally what they've been seeing. She adds they've also been able to add more capacity in case their emergency rooms become full. Faulk says flu symptoms include: fatigue and body aches... along with sniffles and a cough -- with a fever following. He says most times... symptoms can be managed at home. However... he says if the fatigue or breathing becomes difficult... the person should go to the doctor or in more dire cases... the emergency room. While the flu shot may not be prevent the current strain... he says it will help in lessening any symptoms.
City man indicted for alleged threats made to DHS agent...
A man from Jamestown has been indicted by a federal Grand Jury for allegedly threatening to assault and murder a Homeland Security agent and their family. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced Thursday that the secret panel returned the indictment against 43 year-old Matthew White for threatening to assault and murder a federal law enforcement officer and interstate communication with threat to injure a person. DiGiacomo says the charges carry a maximum of 10 years in prison. Prosecutors say that White threatened to assault and murder the DHS agent with the intent of interfering in the officer’s performance of his duties. In addition... they say White posted threats on X, stating -- "I can’t wait to put a bullet into this guy’s brain, but first his children."
Jamestown firefighters make quick work of second-floor fire on Charles Street...
Quick work by Jamestown firefighters confined an overnight blaze on the second-floor of a southside home to the area of origin. City Fire Chief Ryan Rousch says crews were called to 208 Charles St. shortly before 1 a.m. Friday... and, found flames coming from the second-story windows on two corners of the house. Rousch says crews laid two handlines to the upstairs... and, had the fire out quickly. No one wsa home at the time. Rousch says an off-duty shift was called in... along with fire investigators. No injuries were reported... and, the cause remains under investigtion.
In wake of still-high gasoline prices, Wendel urges recents to find, and report places selling cheaper gas prices...
Gasoline prices in the Jamestown-area remained "steady" over the past week... but, that's not good news for local motorists. And... it's become "disappointing" to Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel... who says he share's local residents outrage over the fact we have some of the highest -- if not the highest -- gas prices in New York state. He says Crosby's and Kwik Fills in Lakewood and Jamestown have consistantly been at $3.39 to $3.40 for regular, unleaded. He says lower prices tend to be in the area of the State Thruway -- or the north county -- near Erie County. Wendel says the lowest gas price they've heard is $2.99 at the Kwik Fill in Westfield. With that... he's urging local motorists to frequent those service stations-convenience stores that have the lowest prices in the area. He's asking people to post their findings on his Facebook page to let people know what they're paying -- and where. He adds that the "Gas Buddy" app is also a good place to look. He made his comments for this coming weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
Gillibrand demands Trump Administration release child care funding for NYS, and others...
New York's Junior U.S. Senator is demanding that the Trump administration unfreeze more than $3-billion in grant funding that helps provide child care assistance to tens of thousands families in the state. Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand says it's part of the just over $10-billion to five Democrat-led states -- including New York -- that receive the funding. Gillibrand calls the move by the Trump administration on Tuesday "disturbing..." and, adds that the administration’s decision to freeze child care grants is -- "a brazen political attack that will hurt New York families, children, and child care providers who are already struggling to get by. Because of this action, child care providers will almost certainly be forced to close their doors, families will be stripped of the assistance they rely on, and children will suffer." Gillibrand says the funding goes to three child care programs in New York state: the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program... the Child Care Development fund... and, another that provides an "array of social service grants" to help with at-risk children.
