The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities announced that the Falconer flushing of water mains has been rescheduled to take place today through Friday this week, October 17-19, instead of on its traditional weekend flushing process.....
BPU Spokeswoman Becky Robbins says the shift is due to high water levels and issues created by the North Main Street Bridge project. The Village flushing, will take place after 8:30 p.m. tomorrow, overnight into Friday. Robbins says flushing is expected to be completed by the noon hour on Friday. She adds, customers are reminded that the flushing process may create discolored water in Falconer and also on the north side of Jamestown. Anyone with questions should contact the Flushing Hotline at 661-1688 or BPU Communications at 661-1680.
Several lawmakers on Capitol Hill are calling for the aggressive investigation and sanctioning of Saudi Arabia in the wake of the disappearance -- and likely death -- of a Saudi journalist in Turkey...
Local Congressman Tom Reed isn't being as vocal as some of his colleagues, but he says if the Saudi government was involved in the death of Jamal Khashoggi, they need to be held accountable.
Turkish officials say they believe Khashoggi was killed during an interogation at the consulate and, his body dismembered. The incident has led President Trump to walk a fine-line in criticizing the Saudi's because of last year's $110-billion arms sale deal with that government. Reed says that may have to be something that's on the table and, he says any kind of sanctions would have to be significant and direct. He says if they were involved -- even if the death was accidental -- it's "completely unacceptable."
The city of Jamestown has a new, four-year Flex Rate agreement in place between the Board of Public Utilities and another local manufacturer...
Mayor Sam Teresi says the contract with TitanX will maintain lower energy costs for the local maker of heavy-duty engine cooling systems. Teresi and BPU officials were on hand at TitanX Tuesday to sign the new contract to provide the slightly lower rates and, in return, TitanX pledges to invest in their Allen Street Extension plant and maintain it's employment levels.
Teresi says there are still upwards of 100 manufacturers still in the city, or the industrial corridor near Falconer, which is where TitanX is located on Allen Street Extension. Moore says the combination of lower cost and, reliable electricity is very important to their operations. Titan's North American Human Resources Director Andy Johnson says the local plant is otherwise at a competitive disadvantage making products that primarily go out-of-state due to operating and transportation costs. TitanX is a global company, now owned by the Tata Group from Mumbai, India and, employs 218 people full-time here.
One of the original plaintiffs in the landmark case 'Barnette vs. West Virginia' is in Jamestown to observe the 75th anniversary of the decision...
Marie Barnett Snodgrass says she's honored the case is so revered, and a little surprised the decision is so resilient. As young Jehovah's Witnesses, Marie and her sister defied the mandated flag salute and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in school. Jamestown's Robert H. Jackson wrote the 1943 decision that permitted them to decline the ritual. The case has been raised in the contemporary controversy over NFL players not standing for the National Anthem. Marie Snodgrass says that 'does not affect' her. Her only interest is that children get to worship as they want. A number of the principals in 'Barnette' and the case that preceded it have assembled at the Robert H. Jackson Center. The 75th anniversary observance continues through today. The public is welcome.
The number of jobs in New York's health care industry continues to rise, with that sector of the state's economy contributing about $71-billion dollars in wages last year....
That's according to a new report released late Monday by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. DiNapoli says health care jobs statewide topped 1.2 million in 2017, an increase of more than 18 percent over the past decade. The Democrat's report found the health care industry had an average annual wage of more than $57,000 in 2017. New York City led the state in growth in private-sector health care employment over the last decade with an increase of nearly 33 percent, followed by Long Island at 25 percent. Among upstate regions, the Finger Lakes led the way with a nearly 19-percent increase in employment.
Jamestown's Department of Public Works is continuing to do it's work with crew trucks and other vehicles that are "well-past" their usefullness...
That from DPW Director Jeff Lehman and City Fleet Manager Pat Monahan as they went before the city council to begin the 2019 budget review Monday night. Lehman told lawmakers about $7-million worth of their equipment is in that condition.
Lehman and Monahan also said they need an open mechanic's position filled that was in this year's budget, but taken out of Mayor Sam Teresi's proposed spending plan. Lehman says they also need at least a part-time maintenance person for Tracy Plaza and city hall because there is only one person right now that knows the building well. The public works Department has been dealing with two leaking issues on the deck of the plaza, the most recent being over the Fire Department. Parks Manager John Williams also says he needs at least three more laborers that aren't in the nearly $36-million budget plan.
The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation is celebrating a milestone this year,as the local organization celebrates it's 40th anniversary...
First-year foundation Executive Director Tory Irgang says they are taking time to "pause, reflect, and celebrate" the accomplishment. The Community Foundation, which was started in 1978 with about one-million dollars, helps fund various community projects, scholarships and grants. Irgang says they now have assets in access of $100-million.
Irgang made her comments at the end of last Friday's presentation of the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award to retired Jamestown Community College biology professor Tom Erlandson. That took place at the Celoron Harborfront Hotel. Erlandson praised Hamilton as one of the people involved in starting up the foundation and, playing an important role in JCC's emergence.
The last classic car show of the year put on by the Southern Tier Classic Chevy Club was nothing short of successful...
That from club member Joe Siparek, who says that despite weather conditions at Peak 'n Peak resort, pver 700 cars came out to celebrate the 21st annual Greg Neid Memorial Car Show. Siparek says they donate proceeds -- usually a "few thousand dollars" from the Greg Neid Car Show to Shriner's Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania each year. He says they hope to do more this year. The Southern Tier Classic Chevy Club, which started in 1991, holds between two-to-four events a year.
