There are two new cases of the COVID-19 Virus reported in Chautauqua County Wednesday... bringing the total since the outbreak began to 21.
That from County Executive P-J Wendel, who says the new cases are a man and woman, both in their 40s. Wendel adds that there are now 11 active cases, involving people who continue to recover under orders from local health officials. He says eight people have now recovered, while two have died. Wendel says there are now 108 cases under quarantine or isolation orders by the Public Health Director, and are being monitored. There have also been 229 negative test results so far.
Social Distancing is continuing to work on flattening the curve of COVID-19 cases in New York state, but Governor Andrew Cuomo says it's not time to let off the gas pedel.
But, while the number of new cases have flattened, the number of deaths is up again to 779 over the past day. During yesterday's press briefing in Albany, Cuomo urged residents to stay with the program.
The 779 deaths is the highest since yesterday, which was the first day deaths exceeded 700 during the Coronavirus outbreak. He says the number of deaths appears to be happening after longer hospital stays, and many were on ventilators during that time. In addition, Cuomo announced today that New York State is extending unemployment to 39 weeks to help put another $600 into the pockets of people who have applied.
Jamestown Public Schools are hoping for the best, but planning for worse in regards to whether or not classrooms will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year. District Superintendent Bret Apthorpe says Governor Cuomo extended state-wide school closures until April 29th.
Apthorpe says schools were originally closed until April 20th. In the meantime, the leadership team is in a two-week, comprehensive planning phase and, will meet with principals on Tuesday, April 21st, to discuss the details. During the school board meeting Tuesday night, Apthorpe says they approved a motion to keep Dana Williams as the top adminstrator of Jamestown High School. He says Williams has been doing a "terrific job" leading the high school during this difficult time, and will be principal during the 2020-21 school year also. Apthorpe adds that the state education department has announced plans to cancel the June 2020 regents exams. Students currently in grades 7-12 who would have been scheduled to take a Regents exam, may be exempt.
There are a number of concerns, but also some positives that are coming out of the new, $177-billion New York State budget after both the Senate and Assembly wrapping up voting late last week.
After the Senate completed the process of approving budget bills, local Senator George Borrello voiced concerns over the 2020-21 spending plan. A big one, he says is the lack of transparency in the process. Borrello says state leaders are using the COVID-19 crisis to pass a "lot of things" that will ultimately be damaging to Western New York. However, Borrello did find some positives in the budget, including reforms for Medicaid transportation. It was an issue the Sunset Bay Republican had pressed to be addressed during the budget making process.
An overnight fire Wednesday has heavily-damaged a home in the town of Sherman and, kept several fire companies busy.
Chautauqua County Fire dispatchers say Sherman firefighters were called to the scene on Route 430 shortly before 1 AM and, they soon after called in mutual aid from Ashville, Chautauqua, Ripley, South Ripley, Westfield and Clymer fire companies. Dispatchers say many of those call-outs were for tanker trucks. No one was hurt. Crews were at the scene until shortly after 5 AM. The cause is under investigation. The Red Cross is helping the family.
A Jamestown man faces robbery and assault charges after allegedly stabbing, and stealing property from the victim early Wednesday morning.
City police were called to the scene at 17 Bush Street just after 4 AM and found the victim with a large cut to their neck. Officers say they found the suspect, 27 year-old Marquez Davis, trying to flee the scene. He was arrested on one count each of first-degree robbery, and assault and, criminal possession of stolen property. Davis was jailed pending arraignment. Police say the victims wound was not life-theatening.
A Jamestown man was arrested for allegedly injuring a person a domestic incident and fighting with police officers Tuesday night.
City police responded to a "physical" domestic at a Newland Avenue residence and on arrival, found 47 year-old Robert Barr struck a female in the face several times. Officers say Barr then proceeded to choke the victim, causing her to lose consciousness and receive facial injuries. A brief struggle occurred before police took him into custody. Barr faces several charges including second-degree strangulation and third-degree assault.
The Dunkirk Common Council and Mayor Willie Rosas continue to be at odds over the removal of two appointed city officials that occurred earlier this year...
Councilman-at-Large Paul VanDenVouver says a lawsuit has been filed against the Common Council for its decision to remove Human Resources Director Dave Campola and Executive Assistant Vicki Westling back in January.
During Tuesday's meeting, council members voted 4-1 to rescind a 2017 resolution creating the Human Resources Director position. Rosas told the council that he plans to veto the resolution, stating that the HR Director oversees the majority of personnel costs in the city budget. He told council members that they were wrong, and "doing a disservice to the taxpayers." Second Ward Councilman Marty Bamonto cast the lone "no" vote.
Pennsylvania emergency management officials will be permitted to commandeer N-95 face masks, ventilators and other crucial medical equipment for use in the fight against COVID-19.
That comes under an order signed Wednesday by Governor Tom Wolf. The order mandates that private and public health care facilities, manufacturers and other companies tabulate their supplies of personal protective equipment, drugs and other medical equipment and provide an inventory to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. PEMA will make the commandeered material available where it is needed. Several other states, including New York and Minnesota, have issued similar orders.
