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News Headlines for Sat., July 1, 2017

Apthorpe introduced as new Jamestown Public School Superintendent...
A Chautauqua County native says it's "very exciting" to be selected as the new Superintendent of the Jamestown Public Schools.  Dr. Bret Apthorpe... a 1983 graduate of the old Mayville High School... was unanimously approved by the city School Board last night to be the new superintendent... starting Sept. 1.  Following the vote, and introduction... Apthorpe took a moment to thank the board.  He says he was "very encouraged" to see the school board's passion and commitment to bringing "the best to this school."  The decision to hire Apthorpe ends a relatively short search after former Superintendent Tim Mains left for a similar position in the Pine Bush District last February.  Apthorpe comes from the Frontier School District in the Buffalo-area... where he has been superintendent for the past three years.  He was an assistant superintendent in the Fairport District near Rochester before that.  Apthorpe is a graduate of the SUNY College at Fredonia... and, began his teaching career in the Southwestern Central School District.  School Board President Paul Abbott says Apthorpe will work with Interm Superintendent Silvia Root to begin the transition towards his taking the reins on Sept. 1.
 
 
Gerace says latest Stop-DWI Crackdown underway, targeting drunk and impaired drivers...
A combination of the lowest gasoline prices in several years... and, a four-day holiday for many is expected to lead to a record number of travelers for the Fourth of July weekend across the U-S.  Of the 44.2-million people expected to travel through next Tuesday night... 37.5-million will travel by car.  Locally... traffic began picking up in the Jamestown-area early yesterday afternoon... and, local police will be stepping up enforcement efforts through the holiday period.  That from Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace... who says the Summer season is now in full swing... and, the typical influx of tourists and visitors is here.  Gerace says the Sheriff's Department and other local agencies will be stepping up their drunk driving details.  However... in recent years with the Heroin and opioid drug crisis... they've had to be on the look-out for people also driving while under the influence of drugs -- or both.  Gerace some people may be under the mistaken impression that they can drink less... but, use drugs and not be arrested for driving while under the influence... but they can be.  He says they'll also be on the look-out for seat belt and other violations.  Gerace made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the five Media One Group stations.
 
 
City unveils new Street Paver...
For the first time in several years... the Jamestown Public Works Department has a brand new piece of major equipment to help with it's Summer road and bridge program.  That from Mayor Sam Teresi... who announced the city has lease-purchased a new Caterpillar Paver on an emergency basis.  Teresi says the city's 1994-model paver recently "gave up the ghost..." and, could no longer be repaired.  He says he, DPW Director Jeff Lehman, and others, began looking at various options.  Teresi says they found the new paver for $420,000 on state contract.  Teresi says they need to make sure they've got good, state-of-the-art equipment that can do the job for the DPW.  He says the new paver will be plenty busy... with the city's most ambitious paving season in years underway.  He says they've already done some significant milling on streets -- mainly on Second Street -- and there's more paving to come.  Teresi says they are not able to pay the entire cost up front... so the matter was taken to city council... and, it approved the agreement with Milton CAT of Batavia this past Monday night.  Teresi says they will likely pay for the paver using a Bond Anticipation Note.
 
 
Leone says being County Dir. of Emergency Services has been an "excellent opportunity..."
The long-time Director of Emergency Services in Chautauqua County believes the 15-years he has held the job of coordinating public and emergency responders has been a "excellent opportunity."  Julius Leone will be leaving the position he has held since March of 2002 at the end of October.  Leone says he has been thinking about it for a while since his children now live in Maryland.  Leone is quick to credit the work of first responders in Chautauqua County for working with him to "do what's necessary to make sure the county is safe."  He has worked under three county executives, starting with Mark Thomas and continuing through Vince Horrigan.  He has seen many changes, not only in technology, but also with the involvement of the position.  Leone says emergency services really changed after "9/11" in terms of public safety, and how to keep people safe.
 
 
Pennsylvania Leg. approves budget, but, lawmakers don't know how it'll be funded...
The main spending bill in a $32-billion-dollar bi-partisan budget package is past the Pennsylvania Legislature on the state fiscal year's final day, although lawmakers don't know how it'll all be funded.  The House voted 173-to-27 on Friday, hours after the Senate voted 43-7. The package was unveiled a day earlier, after being negotiated in secret. Democratic Governor Tom Wolf supports it, but has yet to say whether he'll sign it if lawmakers can't figure out a spending plan.  Both chambers recessed until at least Wednesday, and lawmakers say they'll try next week to find $2 billion-plus to cover the shortfall.