Chautauqua County legislators are clearing the way for establishing a sustainable energy loan program in the county.
By an 18-0 vote, lawmakers approved a local law that established the program for state financing for energy efficiency upgrades for commercial properties and multi-family homes. Legislator George Borrello of Hanover has concerns about large-scale projects, but supported the local law. Borrello says this is unlike large-scale wind and solar projects that are a "burden on the community... these projects are practical."
County Executive Vince Horrigan says he now supports the program because it could have a positive economic impact and will not require any county funding. In other action, the County Legislature approved a measure that allows the Transportation Alternatives Program Project on Dale Drive in the village of Cassadaga to proceed.
Engineering and preliminary work will be able to move ahead on the shoulder expansion project that was recently awarded $588,000 in federal funding by the state.
The state Assembly has voted to name the new Tappan Zee Bridge after the late Governor Mario Cuomo. The legislation endorsed by lawmakers early Thursday morning also would renew the law giving the mayor of New York City control of public education in the city. That 15-year-old policy is set to expire Friday.
Under the bill, the new bridge would be known as the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The structure is being built to replace the old Hudson River crossing, formally named the Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge. The Senate is expected to consider the legislation later today.
A Buffalo-area man accused of attacking a Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputy last September 11th reportedly told police he suffers from multiple mental conditions.
The Post-Journal reports that 22 year-old Justin Haffa of Cheektowaga appeared Wednesady for the continuation of a Huntley Hearing in County Court. The hearing began in late April and, looks at how police obtained statements from the defendant.
Police did report that Haffa may have been suicidal. He faces multiple felony charges for allegedly attacking a female deputy in the early morning hours of late September 11th while a field sobriety test was being administered along Route 60 in Pomfret. Haffa's trial is to begin August 22nd.
A decision on whether a one-time candidate for New York governor who publicly insulted former President Barack Obama should remain on a school board is expected in several weeks.
Layers wrapped up a five-day hearing in Albany on Wednesday. State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia will make her decision on Carl Paladino's future on the Buffalo school board after receiving written briefs until mid-July.
Fellow school board members say Paladino improperly disclosed information about teacher contract negotiations discussed in closed-door sessions. But Paladino says the real reason for the action is comments he made about Obama published in a Buffalo arts newspaper.
There will be a "cruise-in" event in downtown Jamestown this Summer thanks to the efforts of the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce which has stepped forward to put on the event.
Community Chamber Coordinator Lee Harkness made the announcement Wednesday afternoon in front of one of the sponsors of the August 18th event Shawbucks Press Room.
Harkness says the event will begin at 4 and run until 10 PM that day and, adds they're getting a lot of help from the local Der Kobblers classic car organization. In addition to dozens of classic cars Harkness says there'll be plenty of other activites taking place including live music, vendors and food. He says the main stage will again be at the corner of Third and Main Streets.
Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Tranum thanked Harkness for taking on the project. The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation will continue involvment as a sponsor this year. The Media One Group is also a sponsor of the event.
For more information call Lee Harkness at 338-6089.
A Jamestown man has been cited for keeping a wild deer on the second floor of his home.
State Department of Environmental Conservation Officer Jerry Kinney says his office received a complaint that a neighbor was harboring a wild animal in his city house.
The resident told responding officers he believed it was legal to keep the whitetail deer fawn in his house for up to six weeks before he had to release it. Officers told him this was not true and issued the resident a ticket for illegal possession of protected wildlife. Kinney says the deer was in good health and was released back into the wild.
The Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services are up and running in upstate New York and on Long Island.
The ride-hailing apps became available for those regions as of Midnight this morning under legislation approved by state lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo earlier this month. Uber and Lyft had been limited to picking up passengers in New York City until lawmakers voted this year to permit the expansion.
