Eight new cases of COVID brings Chautauqua Countys' number to more than 600...
Chautauqua County has reached another milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic... with the total number of confirmed cases now exceeding 600.  That from Interim County Executive P-J Wendel... who says there are eight new cases the past day... bringing the total to 602.  Wendel says there are currently 56 active cases, and they continue to recover.  He says there have now been 536 recovered cases.  Wendel says there are 279 cases under quarantine or isolation orders... while there are now 28 persons under the "domestic traveler quarantine."  He adds there have now been 40,344 negative test results to date.

One student test positive for COVID-19 in Cassadaga Valley district...
The Cassadaga Valley Central School District says it has been notified of a positive COVID-19 student in the district.  Superintendent Chuck Leichner stated in an announcement to CVCS families on Thursday that the positive case involves a student who is enrolled at Sinclairville Elementary School, but has not been in the building or on the campus so far this school year.  Leichner says the child has been following the county's quarantine/isolation guidelines and will not return to school until they have completed the procedures.

Reed announces $1-million federal grant for Chautauqua Center project...
A health care provider with locations in southern and northern Chautauqua County has received another federal grant... this one totaling $1-million.  Local Congressman Tom Reed says the money will be used to help construct the Chautauqua Center's new project in Dunkirk.  Reed says the funding is coming from the Department of Health and Human Services's Capital Assistance for Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts program.  He says he's "a big believer in the Chautauqua Center..." which looks at return on investment for the community."  Chautauqua Center Executive Director Michael Pease says the funding will be used "to build in systems to help the center in its preparation for future emergencies.  We hope to have the new facility open and serving the community by July of next year.”  Reed says the Capital Assistance for Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts funding provides health centers impacted by various natural disasters and crises with aid to help the response to and recovery from emergencies.  He says it also helps increase those center's capacity and ability to respond to those emergencies.

County receives $110,000 Census Grant...
Chautauqua County has been awarded a $110,389 grant through Empire State Development to do a Census 2020 Complete Count Outreach program.  Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says the grant will support community outreach and awareness efforts to engage and encourage residents to complete the 2020 Census.   He says "these grant funds will help further our action plan of having an accurate count for our County in the 2020 Census."  If you have yet to respond to the Census... you must do so by September 30th.  For more information... go on-line to my2020census.gov.

Jamestown hosts first ever "Parking Day" downtown...
Some unusual things popped up in parking spaces near Third and Pine Streets in downtown Jamestown Friday... upholstered chairs, yard games... even vegetables.  Jamestown's Director of Development, Crystal Surdyk explained it as the city's first ever embace of 'Parking Day.'  Surdyk says it's an effort to "reclaim" some space in the downtown area for people and the public at large.  'Parking Day' occurs in cities all over the world on the third Friday of September, and allows anyone who feeds the meter an opportunity to put whatever they'd like in the space.  The Market Director for the Jamestown Public Market, Linnea Carlson, brought fresh produce for her space, and says she's "thrilled" to see the city taking part this year.  Fringe Salon also took a space.  Surdyk says today's event is in stride with the city's efforts to help local restaurants better use the street space near their businesses.  She expects even more participation for 'Parking Day' in 2021.

Tim Horton's selling "Smiley Cookies" this weeked to raise money for Maternity Ward at UPMC Chautauqua...
The Tim Horton's '2020 Smiley Cookie' is back at the five Jamestown area locations, but only for a limited time.  Owner Blake Tarana says all the proceeds taken in from the cookie's sales will benefit a unique department of UPMC Chautauqua Hospital -- it's Maternity Ward.  Tarana says he and his family have pledged $25,000 to help them obtain equipment that will track and record newborns vital signs without having to take them separately, and write them down.  As of Friday morning... Tarana says they've sold almost 9,000 of the double-chocolate chunk smiley cookies in four days.  They are available at all five Tim Horton's locations in Lakewood and Jamestown through Sunday.  Tarana says you can call ahead for large orders today.