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New Headlines for Mon., Aug. 12, 2013

(**Sorry late, Tech. issues)One killed, one in critical condition after Cattaraugus County motorcycle accident... 
One person has been killed... while another has been seriously injured after their motorcycle crashed in Cattaraugus County town of Machias.  State Police in Amity say both the operators... and, his passenger were thrown from the bike while riding on McKinstry Road late Sunday night.  Troopers say the passenger, a 43-year-old Machias woman, died in the crash.  The operator, a 49-year-old man from Machias, is in critical condition at the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.  No names have been released.  Troopers are looking into what caused the crash.


One Buffalo-area person hurt when truck hauling camper-trailer crashes...

A Buffalo-area woman is being treated for some serious... but, non-life-threatening injuries after the truck she was riding in... and, hauling a camper-trailer... went out of control... and crashed in the town of Stockton.  Sheriff's deptuies say the camper-trailer attached to the truck --  driven by a Jason Ellicott of Hamburg -- began swaying on the Hartfield-Stockton Road about 2 p.m. Sunday as the truck went down a hill.  Officers say the vehicle then struck the earth embankment.. and overturned.  The passenger... Tricia Andrezejewski... was flown by Starflight Helicopter to the Erie County Medical Center for treatment.  No charges have been filed.


Car-pedestrian accident sends Buffalo-area man to ECMC...

A Buffalo-area man was hurt when he was struck by a car while jogging in the town of Chautauqua late last Saturday morning.  Sheriff's officers say 18 year-old Richard DuBois of Bemus Point was trying to avoid colliding with a several vehicles on Route 430 about 10:45 a.m. when he struck 53 year-old Ramiro Mireles of Orchard Park with the passenger side of his car.  Deputies say the vehicles in front of DuBois had stopped to make left turns onto old Route 17... and, DuBois crested a hill... and, apparently had little time to react.  Mireles was taken by ambulance to the DeWittville Fire Hall... then flown by Starflight Helicopter to the Erie County Medical Center for treatment.  DuBois was charged with moving from lane unsafely.


Reed working with other federal lawmakers on proposed NSA Reforms...

Local Congressman Tom Reed is part of an effort in the House of Representatives trying to reform the National Security Agency... and, other intelligence gathering organizations.  During his weekly conference call with Southern Tier Media Monday... Reed said the most critical reform is protecting American's civil liberties.  The Corning Republican says he's not calling for ending the NSA... but, he has three objectives he wants to accomplish.  One is to make the agency more transparent, totally accountable, and, protects American's civil liberies.  Reed says he especially wants more transparency in the FISA Courts that determine who needs to be watched as potential enemies of the state... and, so people that are not any kind of security risk have a way to challenge such determinations.  He admits it's a balancing act.  Reed also says this is the ideal time to be working on such reforms because the Intelligence Reauthorization Bill is up for renewal this Fall.  He's been working with Indiana Republican Marlin Stutzman on the measure... but, adds there's been some bi-partisan support for reforming the way phone records are handled.  Reed adds that he's also heard a lot of concern here in the 23rd Congressional District.


Tracy Plaza parapet wall, and leak repair underway...

The $1-million Tracy Plaza renovation project at Jamestown City Hall is proceeding on schedule... and, coming in "on budget."  That from Mayor Sam Teresi... who updated city council members on this phase... which includes replacing the parapet wall around the plaza.  The wall is completely down... and, on last weekend's "Community Spotlight" program... Teresi said construction crews are ready for the next phase of the project to seal-up leaks around the wall... and, on the plaza deck itself. Teresi says those leaks have caused water damage in the city hall parking garage... records area... and, the city police and fire department areas.  He says the other part of the project is replacing 24 of the most damaged, and deteriorated windows.  Teresi says they found a manufacturer through local broker -- D & S Glass -- who could replace the circa-1970 windows for about $200,000.  As for the parapet wall... Teresi says that part of the project will also involve replacing the old one with a shorter one that includes a railing that "opens up" the plaza.


Rubin says Turkey is a "role model" for the Middle East, but, the wrong kind....

Turkey has been considered a "role model" for the Middle East for adopting democratization over the past 11 years... and, there has been economic growth.  However... today's featured lecturer at Chautauqua Institution disputes that conclusion... and, has the evidence to back it up.  In fact... Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute... Michael Rubin... says Turkey is a model "for the wrong thing."  He says even Turkey's own records show murder rate for women has gone up 1,400 percent between 2002 and 2009.  Rubin says it seems to be because there's growing religious conservatism... there's a sense that some parts of society can act on their beliefs, and not fear police retaliation.  Rubin adds the military should not have a role in moving towards Democratization... yet they have in Turkey because there are no 'checks and balances.'  He says it's allowed Prime Minister Regitieb Aartlan to imprison jounalists.  Rubin says it's become the biggest jailer in the world for journalists.  He says that flies in the face of people who say that Turkey is a "western leaning member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.." or NATO.  He spoke with our Jim Roselle from Chautauqua to kick off "Turkey - Model of the Middle East" week.