County updates COVID-19-related deaths, adding 23 -- mainly from nursing homes and hospitals...
Chautauqua County officials late Friday updated the number of COVID-related deaths to include several from nursing homes and hospitals not previously counted. Officials say there are 23 new deaths being added... making the number now 75. They add that these deaths occured over the past few weeks, but, were reported to New York state, not the county. Health officials say there were 80 new confirmed cases reported Friday... bringing the total number to 6,018. There are now 475 active cases, and 43 people are hospitalized. Officials say 27 of the new cases are from Jamestown... and, 18 are from Dunkirk. Overall, 5,468 cases have now recovered.
Dolce says he's optimistic of better times coming with COVID vaccine, and possibility of more federal aid...
The president of the Jamestown City Council says he's optimistic that we'll begin to see better times in 2021. Republican Councilman Tony Dolce adds, though, that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the community... both in terms of public and economic health. Dolce says city lawmakers are doing what they can to help local businesses weather the storm -- especially restaurants. He says most are at limited seating capacity, and others are still not open. It's expected that there will be some additional local, state and tribal funding in a new COVID-19 Stimulus bill being discussed now on Capitol Hill. As for the city... Dolce says they'll likely end 2020 with a deficit... but, not as bad as it could have been because sales tax came in better than expected.
Borrello critical of Cuomo's state budget proposals...
A state lawmaker from the area is critical of Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposed 2021-2022 state budget released earlier this week. State Senator George Borrello says it lacks a strategy in closing a $15-billion deficit... and very few details. Borrello says getting businesses back open is the key. He says the spending plan also includes too much spending... including $26-billion for green energy projects that he call's wasteful" because the state simply doesn't have the money to do them. Borrello says lawmakers will begin taking a "deep dive" into the budget details in the coming week. There are actually two budget proposals, and they are heavily dependent on federal aid. One scenario is for a minimum of $6-billion... and, the other for $15-billion in aid.
Congressional Problems Solvers Caucus adds 16 new members...
The bi-partisan Problem Solver's Caucus has expanded it's membership for the 117th Congress. In a release from co-chairs, local Representative, Republican Tom Reed, and Democrat Josh Gottheimer, says they have increased their ranks by 16 to 56 members. Reed says, the past four years "we’ve steadily illustrated the benefits of bipartisan lawmaking and the power of working together to break the gridlock. Now, we’re ready to build on that progress, help the nation heal, and ensure Washington is finally focused on best serving the needs of the American people." The caucus now includes 28 Democrats and 28 Republicans. The new members include Andrew Garbarino of New York... and, Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania.
Three National Guardsmen killed in Rochester-area helicopter crash identified...
A New York State Police officer has been identified as one of the three National Guard Pilots killed in a helicopter training accident in Monroe County on Wednesday. Troopers report 39 year-old Christian Koch had been a pilot with the State Police since 2016... and, served in the Rochester Aviation Unit. He was also a Division Unit Trainer, instrumental in conducting pilot training. Koch was recently honored by the Red Cross of Western New York for his role in rescuing an injured boy in June 2020. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle identified 54 year-old Steven Skoda and 30 year-old Daneil Prial, both of Rochester, as the other soldiers killed in the accident. The victims died when their UH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter crashed in a farmer's field in rural Mendon around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Abbate received County Chamber's Pam Lydic Award...
The former plant manager at Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant has been given the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce's annual Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award. The award was presented at Friday afternoon's joint annual meeting of the chamber... and, the Manufacturer's Association of the Southern Tier... to Mike Abbate. Chamber President and CEO Todd Tranum says Abbate is being recognized for his efforts to address education, and food resources in the area. Tranum quoted from United Way of Southern Chautauqua County Director Amy Rohler... who said Abbate played a critical volunteer role in setting up a system of "tracking data, and outcomes for local food pantries and providers in the midst of the COVID crisis." Abbate said he was "humbled and honored to be this year's recipient..." and praised the chamber on it's 20th anniversary... and, the 120th year of the Manufacturer's Association. He says "collaborations" are the key in both business, and community service. Abbate retired from Cummins Engine in 2018. The keynote speaker for the annual meeting was New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.
