Governor Andrew Cuomo traveled through lake effect snow Sunday to get to Dunkirk to deliver an early Christmas gift for the city of Dunkirk... and, all of Chautauqua County. Cuomo announced final agreement on a plan to repower and expand the Dunkirk Power Plant. The 150-million dollar agreement will expand the plant and convert from coal to natural gas. Cuomo made the announcement in front of a large crowd at the Clarion Hotel on Sunday.
The repowering plan will create about 50 construction jobs and preserve permanent jobs at the site. Cuomo says the people of Chautauqua County and Dunkirk spoke -- and Albany listened. Under the agreement... the facility will be in service by Fall 2015. It will also restore tax payments to local governments to their previous level of about 8-million dollars annually. The terms of the deal must be submitted to the State Public Service Commission for final approval.
One of incoming Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan's major concerns was what was going to happen to the NRG Power Plant in Dunkirk. Horrigan... who is finishing out his term as a county legislator... was among the large group of people on hand yesterday for Governor Cuomo's announcement. The Bemus Point Republican says getting the final deal in place was important in three ways. Horrigan also applauded the bi-partisan effort to keep the NRG Plant from being moth-balled... and, losing all of it's jobs and tax base. He singled out the efforts of State Senator Cathy Young... and, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell for their efforts to keep the issue at the forefront. But... he adds the large "very visable and persistant voice" from Chautauqua County helped get this win. Dunkirk residents... and, thousands of others from across the county were almost unanimous in their support of the project. About 22-hundred people turned out for a state Public Service Commission Hearing on the project late this past Summer... and, about 300 turned out for a rally in Dunkirk last weekend.
The operators of New York state's power grid expect to have an ample supply of electricity this winter. The New York Independent System Operator forecasts the peak demand for electricity in New York state this winter will reach about 24-thousand-700 megawatts. That's just shy of the forecast for last winter. Generators in the state will be able to produce just over 40-thousand megawatts this winter. That's far above the peak forecast. Additional power will be available from beyond New York. Power demands are typically higher in the summer because of air conditioning and cooling systems.
Two city teens are jailed without bail for allegedly robbing an man using a gun and knife on Jamestown's eastside late last Saturday night. City police say the victim was walking on Tower Street -- near Willard -- about 11 PM -- when he was approached by the two 16 year-olds. Officers say one pulled out a knife... and, the other displayed the gun... and, allegedly threatened the man. Police say the teen with the gun put the firearm to the man's head, while grabbing a small amount of cash. A short time later... officers found two boys who fit the descriptions given by the victim. They were then positively identifed... and, arrested. Both teens were arraigned on charges of first-degree robbery... and, second-degree menacing... and, sent to the county lock-up.
With about two weeks to go before the end of the general campaign... the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County has raised 79-percent of it's goal. Co-Chair Deb Kathman says the effort has raised about one-million-40-thousand dollars... or 79-percent of the the 1.315-million dollar goal. Kathman -- who's heading up this year's effort with her husband, Deke -- says they're most concerned about the fact there are a few larger companies that haven't reported the results of their individual campaigns yet. She says they hope to have those wrapped up this week. Kathman adds that their campaign volunteers... and, United Way staff... are ready to help out in whatever way they can to get those unfinished campaigns completed. The United Way Campaign primarily funds both United Way human service programs... and 39 others at 18 partner agencies. For more information... call the United Way at 483-1561... or go on-line to UWayscc-dot-ORG.
One person was hospitalized with apparent non-life threatening injuries following a car-pedestrian accident that occured in downtown Jamestown on North Main Street. The Post-Journal reports the call came in about 8 PM last Friday from between Second and Third Streets. Witnesses tell the paper that officers found the victim laying on the street between vehicles. A police official Sunday said the victim -- who was not identified -- was initially treated here... then sent to another hospital outside the area for further treatment. Police interviewed the driver of the car involved... who said she was trying to avoid the pedestrian... and no charges will be filed.
