NYC law enforcement remains on heightened alert after Boston Marathon bombings...
Law enforcers say New York City remains in a heightened state of alert until more is known about the Boston explosions. More officers are working around New York, including counterterrorism units and beefed up patrols. The major focuses include landmark locations such as the Empire State Building and World Trade Center site. Subways and commuter rails are also getting an extra dose of protection. Mayor Michael Bloomberg -- and his security detail -- took the subway on Tuesday to show that it's safe. Around the financial district, the security measures looked the same as they always do. Bloomberg noted Monday that some of the steps will be noticeable -- and others will not be. There have been no reports of any specific threats against the city.
Media One learns at least one Jamestown-area resident ran in Marathon... but, finished well-ahead of the bombings...
Media One News has learned of at least one runner from the Jamestown-area took part in Monday's marathon. That person is a competitive runner... who finished about an hour ahead of the two-bomb blasts that took place just over 4-hours into the historic road-race. He finished, and word is he should be okay. However... the runner is not being identified at this point... because the group he's involved with has not heard from him yet. Once they do... they will let us know.
No extra blood donations needed in wake of Boston Marathon Bombings... but, local blood bank presses need to keep blood supply current...
The investigation continues into Monday's terrorist bombings at the Boston Marathon. In the meantime... it appears there is enough blood available to help the injured. Dan Desrochers of the Community Blood Bank of Western New York says it was fortunate that such a disaster occurred in April... and, not during the summer. Desrochers says the incident may have "played out a little differently" if it occured in June, July or August. He says it doesn't appear likely the local blood bank will need to provide any extra blood to help with bombings. However, he says it points to the importance of keeping a strong local blood supply... and, having a "cushion." Desrochers says the local blood is in a good shape. He says a number drives have been held in area schools including one last week on the State University College at Fredonia campus.
Buffalo Marathon organizers say there will be tighter security at it's May 26 run...
Organizers of the Buffalo Marathon say runners in next month's event can expect tighter security measures in the wake of the deadly bomb explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Buffalo Marathon Director John Beishline tells local media that his group had already instituted an idea borrowed from their Boston counterparts, who set up an emergency command center near the finish line for distressed runners. After Monday's two explosions... the center was used to treat people injured in the blasts. The Buffalo Marathon's first emergency command center was set up for the first time for last year's race and will be there again when the 12th annual event is held May 26. The Buffalo Police Department and other law enforcement agencies will provide security during the race.
County's DPF Director outlines need for new Falconer Shop sometime soon...
Chautauqua County lawmakers are being asked to consider construction of a new, $4-million Public Facilities Shop in Falconer. The Falconer shop... which is one of three in the county... is also the main headquarters for the DPF. However... it's had no upgrades since it was first built in 1927... and, DPF Director George Spanos says it's no longer functional. Spanos updated the legislature's Public Facilities Committee about the situation... and his recommendations. He says they need a building that can accomodate today's bigger, heavy duty equipment. In Summer, he says the doors can be left open to help maintain equipment. In the Winter, though, that becomes difficult because plows can't go inside with the trucks. Spanos says there have been studies of the building in the past... but, the next step to upgrade and expand the building never occured. He says the trucks they use are no longer the smaller, single-axle models that could fit into the shop. Spanos knows money is tight... but, is pleased a couple of committee members will soon tour the shop so a decision can be made on replacing the structure. He's hoping more will also tour the facility. Spanos says he wanted to make the committee "aware" of what's going on at the Falconer shop. He says the Sheridan Shop in the north county is the DPF's most modern building... while the Sherman Shop is under review for a capital project which, if approved by the state, would put the town, village and county in one facility.
Special grant awarded to SUNY College at Oswego to study Lake Effect Snow...
An upstate New York college located in one of the snowiest places in the nation is getting a $320,000 federal grant to study lake-effect snow storms. The State University College at Oswego is one of four getting a portion of the nearly $4-million grant from the National Science Foundation to gather data with the help of an airplane, Doppler radar-equipped trucks and weather-profiling instruments. The work will be done in conjunction with several other colleges. Meteorology students and faculty at SUNY Oswego, located on Lake Ontario's eastern end, will study lake-effect storms whose snow bands run parallel to the shoreline... and, can dump several feet of snow in a matter of hours in central New York.
