Busti hosts Memorial Day Parade and Service under sunny, humid conditions...
Memorial Day is a day for parades across the Jamestown-area... one of the first was in the town of Busti Monday... where several local fire departments, veteran's and youth organizations took part. The Southwestern High School, and Middle School Bands also took part. The Reverend Roy Ferguson from the Busti Church of God was featured speaker at the Busti Memorial Day event at the Busti Gazebo. However...he spoke about the night before, when he paused at the Busti Veteran's Memorial near the five-corners that recognizes service members from the area who died in battle. Ferguson says he tried to picture the vision of each as they were fighting in World War-one... World War-two... Korea... and, Operation Iraq Freedom. Ferguson says he has presided over more than 200 funerals during his time in Busti... but, says there is still nothing like a military funeral. A soldier presents a folded-flag to the family... and, expresses the president, and nation's gratitude for that person's service.
Veteran's Council president reflects before Jamestown's Memorial Day Parade...
The head of the group that organizes Jamestown's Memorial Day encourged the public to reflect on the real meaning of the day today. Leo Penfield is the President of the United Veterans Council... who says Memorial Day has mainly become a "sales day." Penfield urged people to pause, and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Penfield spoke on WJTN's Saturday Breakfast Party. Riding near the front of the parade in a Corvette was Elizabeth Lutgen, an eight-grade student at the Jefferson School in Jamestown. She wrote the winning essay to become this year's 'Miss Veterans Poppy.'
------
There were also parades and services this morning near the Southwestern Central Schools in West Ellicott... Falconer... Celoron... and, Frewsburg.
Blue Star Mothers honor Gold Star Families at Memorial Day Service last Saturday...
The first of the Memorial Day Weekend services and commemorations was held last Saturday in Jamestown at Veteran's Park on Logan Avenue. The Lake Erie Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers held their annual service of rememberance for local Gold Star Families... who have military members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Local Blue Star Mother's President Sue Rowley said that she had been able to visit Ground Zero in New York City... and, Pearl Harbor in Hawaii over the past 10 months. Both times...she reflected on the service of those who died... as well as what their families endured, and making sure that their sacrifices are never forgotten. Rowley was joined at the ceremony by several local officials... including state Assemblyman Andy Goodell... County Executive George Borrello... and, Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi.
French Creek man seriously hurt in Car-Tractor accident...
A French Creek man suffered serious injuries when his car struck the back of a tractor early last weekend on Bakerink Road in the town of French Creek. Sheriff's officers say 66 year-old Dale Rager was southbound about 6:30 last Thursday night when his car struck the tractor -- which was also traveling south at a slower speed. Deputies say Rager was apparently speeding, and could not stop in time. Rager was treated at the scene... then flown by Starflight Helicopter to UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pennsylvania. The person operating the tractor was not hurt. Rager was issued a citation for French Creek Town Court.
Buffalo-area man arrested on drug charges during traffic stop in town of Harmony...
A West Seneca man faces charges after allegedly being found in possession of a significant amount of marihana during a traffic stop early Sunday morning in the town of Harmony. Sheriff's deputies say they pulled over a vehicle... operated by 25 year-old Aaron Fischer... for an alleged traffic violation on Bear Lake Road about 12:30 a.m. Officers say their investigation led to a search of the vehicle by K-9 'Link...' who alerted deputies about narcotics being inside the car. They say a search of the vehicle yielded about 70 grams of marihuana... drug paraphernalia... digital scales... and, concentrated cannabis. Fischer was issued appearance tickets for fourth-degree criminal possession of marihuana, and speeding. He was release pending further court action.
Progress now "every evident" at site of new Athenex Plant...
The transformation from unused land to the future location of the Athenex plant is progressing quickly off Lake Shore Drive East, Route 5 in the town of Dunkirk. Two Chautauqua County legislators provided an update on the project late last week. Republican lawmaker Kevin Muldowney of Dunkirk owns Route 5 Warehouse and Distribution, which neighbors the site. He says the property is undergoing change on a 'daily basis' with local contractor Steve St. George heading up the project. Athenex plans to invest $1.5-billion dollars into a state-of-the-art, 320,000 square foot facility to produce cancer-fighting medications. Democratic Legislator Kevin O'Connell of Hanover says he has also seen the changes that are being made at the site... with massive amounts of earthmoving taking place. Local residents have been wondering about the project that was announced over two-years ago by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Muldowney encourages area residents to drive by the work site and see for themselves.
