Local News Headlines
Two people face a number of drug related charges after authorities found 256 growing Marihuana plants while executing a search warrant Wednesday in the Town of Portland. Just after 7:15am members of the Chautauqua County Sheriffs SWAT team and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 7145 Plank road in the town of Portland and arrested 44 year old Jerry Erhard and 37 year old Jenell Long both of that address. Along with the Marihuana plants they found a quantity of processed marihuana, controlled substances, three long guns and a large quantity of cash associated with the growing operation. The value of the Marihuana is approximately 250 thousand dollars. Both Erhard and Long face a number of drug related charges. Authorities continue to ask anyone that observes narcotics related activity in their community to call the Southern Tier Drug Task Force or their local police agency.
There's a new plant manager at Cummins Engine's Jamestown facility. Company officials in Columbus, Indiana have announced that Mike Abbate took over the reins from David Porter this past Tuesday. Abbate was serving as interim manager after Porter was named to be part of Cummins' High Horsepower Oil & Gas Business. Company Spokesman Jon Mills says Abbate has been with Cummins for 31 years... working in several leadership roles in operations and manufacturing support roles at the Jamestown Engine Plant. For the past 10 years... Mills says Abbate served as the Jamestown plant's director of Materials and Supply Chain. Manufacturing Executive Director Kevin Aker says "Mike has been a strong contributor throughout his career and is very deserving of this new role." His ability to cultivate strong relationships with customers and suppliers has been integral to the success of JEP and the Engine Business." Abbate received his Bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University in Mechanical Engineering. Abbate resides in the Jamestown, NY, area with his wife, Kathy, and their family.
A suburban Rochester volunteer fire company that lost two members in a shooting rampage last Christmas Eve has welcomed its first recruits since the killings. WHAM-TV reports that three men and a woman were introduced Tuesday during a meeting for the West Webster Fire Department. The new volunteers were approved last month. They're the department's first volunteer class since two members were killed and two others wounded when William Spengler opened fire on them early on the morning of Dec. 24. Authorities say Spengler shot the four men after setting fire to his home on the Lake Ontario shore. New volunteer Quentin Spiegel says the incident inspired him to join the department.
The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office is notifying residents in the Olean area to lock their vehicles and not leave valuables in their vehicles. A rash of car break ins have been reported this week in the town of Allegany, Village of Allegany and the Town of Olean. Some of the break ins occured while vehicles were parked in garages. Sherrifs Deputies, State Police, Olean Police, and Village of Allegany police are working together on extra night time patrols. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cattaraugus County Sheriff's at 716-938-9191.
Mail Carriers will be picking up more than just the mail this Saturday as they take part in Stamp Out Hunger. Stamp Out Hunger is the nations largest single day food drive. Local food drive coordinator Dana Pattinato says making a donation is as easy as leaving it out by your mailbox. Local donations will be going to food pantries at the Salvation Army and Joint Neighborhood Project. Donated food items should be put in a sturdy bag - and again, no glass containers will be accepted. Canned items should be dent free. Financial donations can be made in by check with "Stamp Out Hunger" written in the memo line. Stamp Out Hunger is this Saturday May 11th.
Motorists who travel the New York State Thruway are being advised to be alert for deer on the highway this spring. The Thruway Authority and state police Troop T have issued their semi-annual ``antler alert'' to remind motorists that deer are more active in May and June. Officials say the most deer-vehicle collisions on the Thruway occur during the next two months and October through November. More than 2,000 vehicle collisions with deer were reported along the Thruway in 2012. The Thruway Authority says deer are more active during evening, dusk and dawn. Motorists should slow down when they spot a deer along the highway and be aware that others may be nearby.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the New York State Fair this summer will include some of the nation's top entertainers from Carly Rae Jepsen and Toby Keith to country music legends Reba and Lynyrd Skynyrd (LIHN-urd SKIHN-urd).Cuomo says country music Entertainer of the Year Luke Brian will perform Aug. 29. Keith will perform Aug. 23, pop music star Jepsen will perform Aug. 24, Reba will perform Aug. 25, and Southern Rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform Aug. 26, among other acts. Comedian Jeff Dunham will perform Aug. 27.The Great New York State Fair near Syracuse is scheduled for Aug. 23 through Sept. 3. Cuomo plans to announce the schedule Thursday as part of his effort to bolster state tourism this summer.
