AAA of Western New York says 72.2-million Americans to be traveling this 4th of July weekend... celebrating nation's 250th birthday...
Just over 72-million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more during this long, Fourth of July holiday period. That's up from last year... due largely to it being the nation's 250th birthday. With that... pack your patience, and fluids for dealing with the heat. The majority of us will be traveling by car. That from AAA of Western New York Travel Advisory, Beth Steves... who says nearly 85% will be traveling that way. She says that translates to about 61.4-million. During a recent on-line press event hosted by AAA this week... Steves also noted that slightly more people will be flying this year. She says be sure to bring the required ID... among others. She adds making sure the airline has your contact information, and get text alerts from your airline... and, have the apps for your airline downloaded. AAA Communications Director Elizabeth Carey says higher gas price aren't stopping people from driving to their destinations. Prices have come down in recent days... but, in the immediate Jamestown-area... are still around $4.25 to $4.30 for regular, unleaded.
Parades, celebrations, fireworks to celebrate USA's 250th birthday on July 4th...
America's 250th birthday is being celebrated in grand style from Coast-to-Coast... and, there will be plenty of celebrating in Chautauqua County. Several local communities will be hosting fireworks displays and day-long activities. In the immediate Jamestown-area... County Legislator Jamie Gustafson of Lakewood says they'll be kicking things off at 9 a.m. at Hartley Park with the annual Firecracker 10K run/walk. There'll also be vendors and music during the day before the fireworks at 10 p.m. Not to be outdone... Dunkirk will have it's annual day of activities at their park and pier. That from Legislator Bob Bankowski who says he and other legislators will be there, along with live music from three bands, and fireworks to cap off the day. Mayville will also have a full-day of activities... starting with their annual parade tomorrow morning... beginning at 10 a.m. That from Findley Lake Legislator Martin Proctor.... who says fireworks at Lakeside Park will begin shortly after dusk. There will also be fireworks in the village of Bemus Point... and the traditional flare lighting on Chautauqua Lake will take place at 10 p.m.
Chautauqua Lake in "great shape" for July 4th holiday period...
One of the best ways to "beat the heat" this week is to get out on the waters of Chautauqua Lake... and, this year may be the best in some time. That from County Executive P.J. Wendel... who recently took a second tour to check lake conditions with Chautauqua Lake Association General Manager Heather Nolan-Caskey. In particular... he says what a difference a year makes in places like Burtis Bay... which is showing no excess weeds... or matting of weeds. Wendel says the later onset of hot weather may have helped curb the weed growth... but, add that the CLA getting out earlier to harvest weeds was a major factor. He says that prevents many of the seeds from the plants from dropping and taking root at the bottom. Wendel adds the north basin also looks good... though there is some algae growth in some place. He says, though, that so far there have been no signficant reports of Harmful Algal Blooms in the water. Wendel made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Glenora Radio Network stations.
Irving man accused of threatening another person with a deadly weapon...
A north county man has been arrested after allegedly threatening another person with a deadly weapon. Sheriff's officers were called to a report of an altercation on Routes 5 and 20 in Irving just after Midnight Friday. Deputies say their investigation found that 38 year-old Jamar Fountain of Irving intentionally put a person of reasonable fear of serious physical injury by displaying an unidentified deadly weapon. Officers located Fountain a short time later... and, he was arrested for second-degree menacing... and, second-degree aggravated harassment. He was taken to the County Jail pending Centralized Arraingment.
City man arrested for letting child in his car wander without supervision...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly leaving a young child in his care unsupervised for more than 20 minutes on the city's eastside. Jamestown police say they were called to the scene shortly before 11:30 a.m. Thursday on a report of a lost child. Officers say they saw the child standing in front of a residence... and, the mother arrived at the scene about the same time. The mother told police say she had left her son in the care of her boyfriend... 40 year-old Timothy Gonzalez. However... officers say Gonzalez left the child... and, a pizza in the oven... unattended. Police say they found Gonzalez a short time later... and, he was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant... along with charges of endangering the welfare of a child... and, second-degree criminal contempt. He was jailed pending arraignment.
