An elderly Fredonia man was killed after his vehicle collided with a pick-up truck in the Town of Pomfret on Route 5 near Van Buren Road yesterday afternoon... 

 

The Jamestown Post-Journal reports investigation by State Police revealed 91  year-old Donald Thering was traveling on Van Buren Road before 2 p.m. when he stopped at the intersection with Route 5. He then proceeded through the intersection and failed to yield to a Chevy truck operated by 29 year-old Matthew Coyle. The truck impacted the left side of Thering's sedan, causing severe damage. A portion of Route 5 was closed off while emergency crews were on-scene. Thering was airlifted by Starflight before succumbing to his injuries. 

 

 

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer says consumers should have the ability to block robocalls on landlines and mobile phones...  

 

The New York Democrat announced Wednesday that he's supporting legislation to require all phone carriers to make call-blocking tools available for free to customers.  The technology prevents the automated calls from ringing through by identifying suspicious phone numbers or calls, similar to how email spam filters catch unwanted emails.  Schumer cited statistics that Americans received 3.4-billion robocalls last month, an increase of nearly one-billion calls compared to the same month a year ago.  The Senate minority leader says the automated phone calls are not only a nuisance but can also hurt consumers financially by exposing them to scams.

 

 

While it's been signed by Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello, Sheriff Joe Gerace says his office still has to wait until the legislation is filed in Albany before establishing an Animal Abuse Registry....  

 

Gerace says once that's done, they'll then make the registry part of the department's website.  He says any animal abuse cases prior to the local law being filed will not be in the registry.

 

Gerace says he supports the idea of having an animal abuse registry and brought it to Borrello's attention and, he helped push it through the county legislature.  He says there are other counties in the state that have it and, he urged Borrello to support the effort and, he did.  Borrello signed the measure Monday, after holding a public hearing. 

 

 

About one-third of the school budget defeats in all of New York state took place in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties...  

 

That from state School Board's Association Executive Director Tim Kreamer, who says there were 16 total defeats on Tuesday.  Kreamer adds that five took place in our area.  Kreamer says reasons for the spending plan defeats varied from district to district, but adds the amount of spending was an important factor.

 

In addition to Clymer, Westfield and Ripley in Chautauqua County, Gowanda and West Valley's budgets were rejected in Cattaraugus County and Eden's was defeated in Erie County.  So far, Clymer officials say they will likely make changes to their spending plan and, resubmit a budget that's within the state's property tax cap.  Kreamer says 97.6-percent of all school budgets passed this year compared to 99.3-percent last year.

 

 

State Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash that led to a Jamestown woman being airlifted to an Erie, Pennsylvania hospital Wednesday morning...  

 

Troopers in Fredonia say the accident occurred as the car veered off Route 5 in the Town of Sheridan.  The Post-Journal reports 49 year-old Patricia Bova's Pontiac Grand Prix drifted across the road into a yard and, struck a tree near Herrington Road.  State Police dispatchers say she was flown to UPMC Hamot Medical Center where her condition is unknown at this time.  More details will be released later.

 

 

A community-wide event where volunteers help clean-up and beautify Jamestown is set for this Saturday...  

 

That from Marketing and Events Manager Zach Agett with the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, who says participants in "Hands On Jamestown" assist the city Parks Department with flower plants, litter collections and other activities in the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods.

 

Agett says they have 323 volunteers signed up so far, but anyone is welcome to participate by filling out a form on their website, Facebook page, or call him at 489-3496.  Agett says participants are asked to wear brightly colored shirts and encouraged to bring their own tools and gloves if they have them.  In addition, they'll offer light refreshments, garbage bags and gloves at the Winter Garden Plaza.  This year's "Hands On Jamestown" takes place from 8 a.m. to Noon on Saturday.

 

 

The Jamestown Area Community Orchestra will be holding one of it's two "traditional" concerts next Sunday afternoon at First Covenant Church...  

 

Orchestra Publicist Craig Ridgway says they're excited about the upcoming event, which begins at 4:00.  Ridgway says there is no charge to the public for seeing the concert, but they are accepting donations. 

 

Ridgway says there are about 50 members of the community orchestra, who play a variety of instruments from woodwinds, to brass and others.  Ridgway himself has played Timpani for the group for about 20 years.  He says Director Andrew Coccagnia has put together about an hour-long program that includes some newer sounds,  including Washburn's St. Lawrence Overture and classics like Slovanic Dance.  The Jamestown Area Community Orchestra has been putting on free concerts each year the past 25 years.  For more information. go to their Facebook page at "Jamestown Area Community Orchestra."