WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate is expected to act on the federal deficit bill during a noon voting session today. The move comes after the house approved the plan yesterday by a wider-than-expected margin – with nearly all house republicans approving plan and about half of house democrats voting “yes.”  If approved, the measure will increase the federal debt limit will also calling for a $2 trillion dollar reduction in spending over the next ten years.

SEARCH FOR SOURCE OF FUEL LEAK CONTINUES

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – Public Safety officials are continuing their search for the source of last Friday’s Fuel leak into the Chadakoin River. So far, the mystery has baffled crews with the Jamestown Fire Department, who spent much of the day Monday prying off manhole covers searching for the source. Members of the Department of Public Works and the State Department of Environmental Conservation assisted in the effort. In addition, a contractor has been brought in to complete the clean up effort.

The leak was first reported early Friday evening at about 6 p.m. when police and fire personnel responded to a call regarding a strong odor of fuel coming from the river near Main Street. Fuel was spotted leaking from a large viaduct underneath the railroad tracks. The Warner dam was closed shut and crews spent much of Friday evening and Saturday morning cleaning up the fuel to prevent it from heading down stream. It is not known how much of the fuel spilled into the river.

SENECA NATION TURNS TO FEDS FOR HELP IN COLLECTING MONEY FROM STATE

IRVING, N.Y. – The Seneca Nation is turning to the federal government for help in dealing with the New York State Thruway Authority. The nation is contesting the Thruway’s alleged “illegal occupation of a three-mile swath of land” across the nation’s Cattaraugus Territory – located just north of Irving between Chautauqua and Erie Counties.  Seneca officials say it violates several treaties and have asked state officials to discuss the grievances  involving four lanes of highway running through nation territory – but so far those grievances have not been addressed.

An easement for the highway was granted in 1954, but Seneca President Robert Odawi Porter says it is now void because it was never formally approved by the Secretary of the Interior.  In 2007 the nation’s Tribal Council rescinded authorization for the easement and imposed a $1 per vehicle toll – billed to the state – for each motorist passing through the territory. Porter said the state continues to reject the bills that he said total more than $80 million. They are now seeking assistance from the Obama administration in collecting the money they say is owed to them.

PEEK’N PEAK RESORT NOW OPEN FOR BIDDING

FINDLEY LAKE, N.Y. – Peek’n Peak Resort is to be sold by Aug. 25. That’s according to the Post-Journal, which has an article today deal with the golf and ski resort located in the southwestern corner of the county. According to recently filed court documents, the resort will either be sold through competitive bidding or a live auction. Those interested in bidding on the resort must submit their proposals by Aug. 12 to David O. Simon, the court-appointed trustee overseeing the Findley Lake resort’s operations. After that date, all bids will be reviewed and negotiations with the top individual bidders will move forward. Each of the top qualified bidders will submit its final, highest and best offer by Aug. 22.

On May 26, 2010, Paul Kiebler, owner of Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa, filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code to reorganize the business in an attempt to become profitable. In May, court officials accepted an agreement between Huntington National Bank and Kiebler to sell the resort in bankruptcy court by Sept. 1.

EDWARDS TO ATTEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT

MAYVILLE, N.Y. – Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards will be part of a regional economic development summit set to take place this Thursday and Friday in Buffalo. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s Accelerate Upstate Summit will focus on economic development issues in the 40,000 miles that comprise Upstate New York. Edwards will take part in an Elected Officials Round Table hosted by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. The title sponsor for the summit is BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.

FIRST NIAGARA TO CLOSE/CONSOLIDATE BANKS PURCHASED FROM HSBC

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The company that’s purchased 195 branches of HSBC Bank says it expects to close, consolidate or sell as many as half of them – including 20 to 30 in Western New York. First Niagara Financial Group said Monday that the expected move is the result of government-imposed divestitures, voluntary sales and overlap. On Sunday,First Niagara announced it would pay $1 billion to acquire all of HSBC’s branches in upstate New York — as well as a dozen in the lower Hudson Valley and in Connecticut.

INVASIVE SPECIES INVADES ANOTHER UPSTATE LAKE

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – And there’s a new invasive species to worry about in Upstate New York waterways. Invasive Asian clams have been found in Owasco Lake, south of Syracuse. A recent story in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle says that researchers found the mollusks in a shallow area of the lake. Asian clams have also been found in Seneca and Cayuga lakes. The clams feed algae blooms, turning clear water muky and their sharp shells wash up on beaches.