New York's Attorney General believes that millions of state residents have been getting cheated by Spectrum-Time Warner Cable for far too long and he is seeking legal action to bring internet subscribers relief. A-G Eric Schneiderman today announced a lawsuit against Charter Communications... and, its subsidiary Spectrum Management Holdings for allegedly conducting a deliberate scheme to defraud and mislead New Yorkers by promising internet service that they knew they could not deliver. The suit alleges that subscribers’ wired internet speeds for the premium plan were up to 70 percent slower than promised; WiFi speeds were even slower, with some subscribers getting speeds that were more than 80 percent slower than what they had paid for. Spectrum-Time Warner Cable currently has approximately 2.5 million subscribers across New York State. In a statement yesterday afternoon... Charter says it is "disappointed" that Schneiderman is suing the company over promises made by Time Warner before the acquisition. It says it's making "substantial" investments to upgrade the system.
A former mayor of the north county city of Dunkirk has pleaded guilty to wire fraud for pocketing over 54-thousand dollars in campaign contributions. Acting U.S. Attorney James Kennedy, Junior says that 85-year-old Richard Frey pleaded guilty today (Wednesday) in U-S District Court in Buffalo. He was Dunkirk mayor from January 2002 to January 2012. Authorities say he solicited large contributions from businesses and business people between January 2003 and June 2012, then used the money for himself. The prosecutor says Frey had "substantial personal debt." Kennedy says Frey could get up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he's sentenced on May 11th.
Three people were hurt -- and two were hospitalized -- in a three-vehicle crash on Route 353 in the Cattaraugus County town of Little Valley yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. Sheriff's officers in Little Valley say they were called to the scene -- about a quarter of a mile south of New Albion Road -- just after 3 PM. Deputies say a car driven by 36 year-old Ashley Mazurzyk of Little Valley... was southbound when the car crossed the center line and struck an oncoming pick-up truck -- driven by 59 year-old Robert Willett of Cattaraugus. Officers say Mazurzyk's car continued on... and, struck another vehicle... driven by 61 year-old John Woodward, Senior of Franklinville. Officers say Woodward and Mazurzyk were taken to Olean General Hospital for treatment... while Willett was treated at the scene. Route 353 was closed for about 2-hours while the scene was cleared. The accident remains under investigation.
A Chautauqua resident who has attended the past seven Presidential Inaugurations says this year's was "somewhat of a let-down." Don Artico confirmed that the crowd size for President Donald Trump was "50 to 60 percent" of the people that were at the last one for Barack Obama. Artico adds there was also a different kind of person there. Most were respectful...but, he says others showed a general lack of respect for those who were there to watch. Artico says some have noted that there were "paid" protesters there... but, he says most did not not appear to be. Artico says he and his wife will stay with friends or relatives when they go to the inauguration... and, they'll help get them where they need to be. However... he says they've never had a problem getting tickets. This year...he says you really didn't need one. Artico says they tried to take a short-cut to get to their seats this year... but, could not because protesters blocked that gate. He has given eyewitness accounts of previous inuaugurations for us... including the previous two with former President Obama. His first inauguration was the first for two-term President Bill Clinton.
Lawmakers from both parties are criticizing Governor Andrew Cuomo's economic development efforts, pointing to lackluster results as evidence that New York isn't doing enough to spur job creation. Members of the Assembly and Senate on Wednesday grilled Cuomo economic development chief Howard Zemsky during a state budget hearing. Many questions focused on Start-Up NY, a high-profile program that waives taxes for participating businesses. Cuomo touted Start-Up as a potential "game changer" but a report issued last year showed it has only generated 408 new jobs in two years. Republican Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin called Start-Up an "epic failure." The Democratic governor is proposing a new name and new rules to improve the program. Zemsky defended Start-Up and other economic initiatives, saying they've helped reduce unemployment and improve the state's business reputation.
The Jamestown-area's newest veterinary hospital and care facility has opened up on Fairmount Avenue in West Ellicott. The ribbon was cut this (Wednesday) morning on the new Lakeside Veterinary Medicine at 976 Fairmount Avenue. It's co-owned by Dr. Patrick Farrell, and Brooke Harkness... who also operate Russell Veterinary Hospital in Russell, Pennsylvania. Farrell says they saw the need for an expansion of their services into Chautauqua County... and, the former Yeti Vape location was ideal. He says they provide services for both small and larger animals. Several local officials were on hand for the opening... including state Assemblyman Andy Goodell... and, a representative from State Senator Cathy Young... Lisa VanStrom - who is also an Ellicott resident. Ellicott Town Supervisor Pat McLaughlin was also on hand. For more information on Lakeside Veterinary Medicine... call 708-1010. Their hours are 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays... they are 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Wednesdays... and, 7:30 to 11:30 AM on Thursdays. For information on weekend hours... go to their website at lakesidevetmed-dot-COM.
Cornell University officials say the Ivy League school will use a household products company's 150-million dollar gift to bolster the college's business schools. H. Fisk Johnson, chairman and CEO of Racine, Wisconsin-based S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., joined Cornell officials in Ithaca on Tuesday night to outline the plans for the donation, the largest made to the university's upstate campus. Johnson announced on Saturday that he and his manufacturing company were making the gift to the newly named Cornell S.C. Johnson College of Business. Johnson received his undergraduate degree from Cornell and holds three master's degrees from the university. Cornell's Board of Trustees voted Saturday in Manhattan to rename the university's business college in honor of the Johnson family. The 131-year-old, $10 billion company makes such brands as Pledge, Raid, and Windex.
