Local News Headlines
The Warren Times Observer reports that A Warren teenager was killed in a motorcycle-car collision on Route 6 in Union Township, Erie County, late Saturday night. According to Corry-based state police, 18 year old Paula Southwell was eastbound on Route 6 at 11:20 p.m. on a 1991 Honda Night Hawk motorcycle between Lyons and Tarbell roads, and was following two vehicles. Police said Southwell, who was a senior at Warren Area High School, crossed into the westbound lane to pass the two vehicles and collided head-on with a westbound 2008 Toyota Matrix. Southwell, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle, according to police. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Erie County Coroner.
State conservation officials say continuing dry weather has raised the risk and danger of wildfires. They are advising rural and suburban residents that all residential brush burning is prohibited during the usually high fire risk period now through May 14th. State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens says the number of seasonal fires has dropped 35-percent since the open burning regulation took effect in 2009. Violators can face a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense.
New York Sen. Charles Schumer says the ability for making an untraceable and undetectable gun with a 3D printer is ``stomach-churning.'' The senator on Sunday displayed a photo of a plastic gun made by a Texas company using the 3D printer technology. He said the guns are capable of firing real bullets and pass unnoticed through metal detectors. Schumer said the technology means anyone ``can open a gun factory in their garage.'' He said the company, Defense Distributed, last week announced it had successfully made the plastic gun using a 3D printer. The senator said the company plans to post blueprints for the weapon online this week. A spokesman for the company couldn't be reached for comment.
There's been some new interest expressed in buying the Chautauqua County Home... and, County Executive Greg Edwards still believes there is an opportunity to sell the Dunkirk facility before he leaves office. However... Edwards says there is also a sense of urgency to get the financially-strapped home sold so it doesn't have to be closed. The Busti Republican says that's was leaders in Suffolk County on Long Island just recently had to do.
Edwards has said that... even if the county were to follow all of the recommendations in the Center for Regional Governance report... county taxpayers would still have to subsidize the County Home. He adds that more and more people he's talked with around the county are coming to the realization that selling it to a private operator is the best way to go. He says his administration... and, the real estate firm Marcus and Millichap are getting potential buyers all the information they need. Two times earlier this year... the county legislature came up just short of the needed votes to sell the County Home to Altitude Health Services of Illinois.
A city man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife early last weekend in their Buffalo Street residence. Jamestown police were called to the scene of the domestic violence incident about 3:30 AM Saturday. On arrival... they found that the suspect, 42 year-old Jason Smith, had fled the scene. Officers say Smith's wife told them that he had grabbed her by the hair... and, slammed her against a wall and the floor. He's also accused of hitting her head on the floor... and, choking her to the point of being unconscious. Smith was found a short time later at another location... and, arrested without incident. He's in the city jail pending arraignment on charges of third-degree assault... 2nd degree Strangulation... and, criminal mischief.
The Grape Discovery Center near Westfield will open to the public Saturday, May 25th. The center, on Route 20 just west of the village, is a project of the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association, and has been nine years in development. Westfield area native Mackenzie Cady will manage the center. She's excited about the opening.
The Grape Discovery Center will have a tasting area for wine and juice... educational exhibits... and many grape related items for sale. The Executive Director of the Heritage Association, Andy Dufresne (du-frane), expects thousands of people will come over the next few years. Dufresne says Memorial Day weekend will be a 'soft opening', as some of the exhibits won't be finished until later this year. State Senator Cathy Young secured just over a million dollars in state money to start the Discovery Center. Over 350 thousand dollars has been raised locally to help sustain it.
National Grid has two more weeks to finish up work on it's analysis and recommendations regarding the proposed re-powering of the NRG plant in Dunkirk. The utility will now have until May 17th to issue its response. National Grid Spokesman Steve Brady says they'll be looking some key factors... including service and cost to their customers. That's because the customers ultimately pay through their energy bills. Brady also says the PSC wants National Grid to address the community impact of the plant in the report. As the former owner of the plant... Brady says they're "very much aware of what it means to the community in terms of jobs and tax base." Once they received National Grid's response... the state's Public Service Commission will take a look at the analysis and recommendations from the utility... and, the NRG proposal and make a final decision. Brady says the utility expects to meet the May 17th... but, he does not know when the State PSC will make a determination.
Shareholders at Entergy have rejected a resolution by New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli that calls for minimizing nuclear waste the company stores in spent fuel pools and transferring it into dry-cask storage. The comptroller's office says the preliminary count yesterday shows the proposal received about 5 percent of votes cast. The proposed resolution says dry-cask storage of spent, cooled nuclear fuel in steel containers surrounded by inert gas is safer.
A 15-year volunteer with the JHS Marching Band is the newest member of the Jamestown High School Band Hall of Fame. Bill Johnston was honored Saturday night at the bands' spring concert. Band director Meghan Murray helped present the award... and, called Johnston an "essential member" of the band's pit crews... and, one of it's biggest advocates. He began volunteering when his children were in the band... and stayed with it after they graduated. Johnston says he enjoys helping the young musicians. Bill Johnston is a retired batallion chief for the Jamestown Fire Department... and, now serves as Deputy Fire Coordinator for training in Chautauqua County
