State Thruway's eastbound lanes between Fredonia and Silver Creek reopen after tractor-trailer fire this morning...
Both eastbound lanes of the state Thruway in the north county town of Hanover have reopened after they were shut down for more than two hours by a tractor-trailer fire. State Police for the Thruway says the fire was reported just after 8:30 a.m. Monday morning between Exits 59 at Dunkirk... and, Exit 58 at Silver Creek. A 12-mile stretch of Interstate 90 was closed between the two exits for a just over two hours until one lane was reopened about 11:15 a.m. State Police say the other lane re-opened about 1:45 p.m., though there was still debris clean-up taking place. Irving firefigthers were called to the scene... and, were assisted by Hanover and Fredonia crews. Troopers say the fire caused a 3-mile traffic backup before the one lane reopened. Troopers say the truck was hauling food. No injuries are reported. The cause of the fire isn't known yet.
Dunkirk man seriously hurt in town of Portland Motorcycle accident...
A north county man was seriously hurt when a deer collided with his motorcycle on Route 5 in the town of Portland early last weekend. Sheriff's Deputies... and, the Brocton and Portland fire rescue teams were called to the scene just after 8 p.m. Friday. Officers say 38 year-old Juan Barreto-Rivas was westbound when the deer entered the roadway... and, collided with the motorcycle. Barreto-Rivas was initially taken to Westfield Memorial Hospital... then flown by helictoper to the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is being treated for serious injuries. Barreto-Rivas was wearing a helmet. No charges will be filed.
Reed calls on U.S. Senate to approve legislation to hold down interest rates on student loans...
Chautauqua County's Congressman is calling on the U-S Senate to act on a measure to prevent student loan rates from at least doubling before the start of college in August. Corning Republican Tom Reed says he's heard the Senate has reached a compromise agreement on a new bill... but, that's not official yet. During his weekly Conference Call with Southern Tier Media... Reed says the Senate returns to session this week... and, the student loan measure should be among the top items they deal with immediately. He says the House passed it's measure, and the Senate should act before the August recess so students know what their rates will be before heading off to school. The House measure returns rates... namely Stafford Loans... to 3.4-percent. They doubled to 6.8-percent as of July 1 because both the House and Senate need to act. The House Republican bill... though... would have rates on others be variable, based on the markets. President Obama has already threatened to veto the House Republicans bill... if it's the one to pass, and is sent to him.
Chautauqua County Fair is underway...
The 133rd annual Chautauqua County Fair is officially underway at the county Fairgrounds in Dunkirk. There are four new parts to the week-long event... including a new amusement ride provider. However... there is still a lot of tradition... including this morning's opening ceremonies featuring the fireing of the Civil War-era cannon. Fair Board member Dave Wilson says they ended their long association with J-&-J Amusements after last year... and, Bates Brothers Amusements will be handling this year's rides. Wilson says Bates Brothers also provides the rides for the Cattaraugus and Warren County Fairs. He says one benefit to the Chautauqua County Fair is the fact there is more room on the midway of the Dunkirk fairgrounds... which allows Bates Brothers to bring in more rides. The Ohio company has brought some new rides to the Fair this year. The County Fair runs through Sunday, July 28th. Tickets are available for all events... and, the pay-one-price tickets are available. For more information... go on-line to www.chautauquacountyfair.org.
