Image from www.pknpk.com

CLYMER, NY – A major golf tournament is just about ready to tee off in Southwestern Chautauqua County.

The LECOM Health Challenge, Web.com PGA Tour will take place at the Upper Course at the Peek’n Peak Resort in Clymer from Thursday through Sunday.

The tournament marks the return of professional golf to Chautauqua County, and includes a Pro-Am on Wednesday followed by four official rounds of tournament competition on July 7-10. The four-round tournament competition features players who will compete for PGA Tour Cards so they can make their way to golf’s biggest stage.

“This is the PGA. That’s what this is,” explained County Executive Vince Horrigan during a recent WRFA interview. “With the PGA comes $6 million of investment, 85,000 visitors, hotel rooms, and notoriety for Chautauqua County, so we’re very excited about this.”

The rounds begin on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m.

Tickets are $25 for 4-day general admission or $10 per day.

In addition, Thursday will also be Military, Veterans, and First Responders Appreciation Day at the tournament and upon presenting a valid ID at check-in all current military members, veterans, first responders and their spouses will receive free admission.  They will also be treated to a complimentary lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 18th Fairway Tent on the Upper Course.

According to county officials, the LECOM Health Challenge will bring national and international exposure to Chautauqua County and the surrounding region, via a four-day telecast on the Golf Channel.  It is projected to have a direct economic impact of $5 to 6 million on the area.

Senator Catharine Young; Nick Scott Sr., President and Owner, Scott Enterprises; Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan; Kevin Sanvidge, Chief Executive Officer, Chautauqua County IDA; and Pierre Bellicini, Director of Communications and Marketing, LECOM Health announce $150,000 in New York State support to promote the upcoming LECOM Health Challenge. (Image courtesy of Sen. Young’s office)

CLYMER, NY – Both local and state officials are saying that the return of professional golf to Chautauqua County via the LECOM Health Challenge will be an economic boon for the region.

The LECOM Health Challenge, a PGA/Web.com Tour event, will be hosted at Peek’n Peak Resort’s Upper Course from July 4-10, 2016. The tournament includes a Pro-Am on Wednesday, July 6, followed by four official rounds of tournament competition on July 7-10. It is expected to draw 156 professional golfers and 20,000 to 30,000 spectators.

On Tuesday New York Senator Cathy Young (R,C,I – Olean) joined Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan, Chautauqua County IDA Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sanvidge, and Nick Scott, Sr., President and Owner of Scott Enterprises, which owns Peek’n Peak Resort, to announce $150,000 in New York State support to promote the upcoming tournament.

“The LECOM Health Challenge is a magnificent economic driver and it is exciting to have the tournament back at Peek’n Peak’s beautiful facility. Golfers across our region know how great the courses are in Chautauqua County, and now we have the chance to market our region to a worldwide audience,” Senator Young said.

“I was pleased to be able to secure this funding, because the tournament will highlight Chautauqua County’s assets, including our world class wineries and craft breweries, incredible dining, pristine lakes and waterways, and, of course, our recreational activities. Tourism is the state’s fourth largest employer and it is important that we build on that success. The boost local businesses will see during the tournament, and as a result of the worldwide audience, will help create even more good paying jobs,” said Senator Young.

According to Senator Young’s office, in 2014 tourism in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region was a $548 million industry, sustaining 5,600 jobs in Chautauqua County. The county represents 48 percent of the region’s tourism sales with $263 million in traveler spending. Direct and indirect income from area residents involved in the tourism industry totaled over $238,000.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund, as well as several other local charities including the United Way of Chautauqua County, Mikey’s Way Foundation, the Jamestown Community College Scholarship Funds and the First Tee of Western New York. In 2013-14, LECOM scholarships totaled more than $3.7 million for students.

Tickets to see the tournament are still available by visiting: www.LECOMHealthChallenge.com.

County Executive Vince Horrigan and IDA director Kevin Sanvidge will be joined by Senator Catharine Young and others to offer details on the upcoming LECOM Health Challenge pro golf tournament at Peek’n Peak.

The LECOM Health Challenge, a PGA/Web.com Tour event, tees off on Monday, July 4 and runs through Sunday, July 10.

The tournament marks the return of professional golf to Chautauqua County, and includes a Pro-Am on Wednesday, July 6, followed by four official rounds of tournament competition on July 7-10.

According to officials, the LECOM Health Challenge will bring national and international exposure to Chautauqua County and the surrounding region, via a four-day telecast on the Golf Channel.  It is projected to have a direct economic impact of $5 to 6 million on the area.

On Tuesday officials with the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency joined members of Peek’n Peak to announce that the Web.com Tour will hold its LECOM Health Challenge from July 4-10, 2016.

LECOM stands for Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The weeklong schedule includes a Pro-Am, followed by four official rounds of tournament play for a $600,000 purse. The Web.com Tour is the pathway to the PGA Tour for up-and-coming golfers. Golf Channel will televise all four rounds in the U.S. and the event will be available in 192 countries.

Officials with the Web.com Tour say their events bring with them anywhere from $5-10 million in economic impact with an average $200,000 to $250,000 going toward charity. They say tour can attract as many as 35,000 visitors over the four rounds of competition.

JAMESTOWN – Local residents will now have an opportunity to learn more about Robert H. Jackson’s life while living in Jamestown thanks to a new exhibit at the Jackson Center. Starting tonight, a new exhibit entitled  “Jackson & Jamestown: 1909-1934” will be on display for the public. To celebrate the debut of the exhibit, an open house is planned from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and there is no fee or reservation required to attend.

According to Jackson Center archivist Jennifer Champ, the exhibit will featuring stories, photographs and artifacts from a bustling era in Jamestown’s history – with Jackson – who was then a local attorney – serving as the centerpiece. Champ adds that a corresponding online exhibit will also be available.

The exhibit was supported by the generosity of RHJC board member Bruce Janowsky, and through collaborations with the Fenton History Center archives, Helen Ebersole, Jamestown High School, the Jamestown Lodge of Elks No 263, and the James Prendergast Library.

The exhibit will remain available for viewing up to Memorial Day, 2012. For more information, contact the Robert H. Jackson Center at (716) 483-6646.

We will hear more details on the exhibit from Jennifer Champ later today at 6 p.m. during our weekly Community Matters program right here on WRFA.

PRENDERGAST LIBRARY, CHAUT-CATT LIBRARY SYSTEM NAMES NEW DIRECTOR

JAMESTOWN – The James Prendergast Library and the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System will have a new director starting later this month. Linda Mielke of Oroville, CA will replace the outgoing director Catherine Way effective Monday, Nov. 14. Way announced earlier this year that she would be retiring from the position this month.

Mielke grew up in Detroit, where she began her career at the Detroit Public Library after earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in library science from Wayne State University in Detroit.

Since 2009, Ms. Mielke has served as director of libraries for Butte County Library, a Northern California public library system. She has also held key library positions in Florida, Maryland, Indiana, Texas, Oregon, Illinois, and Nevada.

As one of 23 public library systems in New York, the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System provides services such as ordering and processing to 36 members in the two local counties, including Prendergast Library in Jamestown and the Olean Public Library.

In making the announcement, Library System Board President Mary Bivens said they look forward to working with Linda and upholding the high level of service for which the Library System has come to be known.

HARMONY MAN CHARGED WITH DISORDERLY CONDUCT

HARMONY – A Town of Harmony man faces several charges after being arrested overnight on Button Valley Rd. Sheriff Deputies say 55 year-old Randall Lawergren of 57-77 Button Valley Rd. was charged with Disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and criminal tampering following an incident that took place just after midnight in front of his residence.

Deputies responded to a report that Lawergren was allegedly acting loud and disorderly and upon arrival he was found in the roadway, playing loud music while yelling and swearing. Police say Lawergren then smashed a portable radio and a beer can on the hood of a sheriff’s car, causing damage and also resisted arrest. He was sent to the county jail with no bail and while being transported to the jail, deputies say Lawergren began spitting and kicking the windows in the patrol car. He will appear in Town of Harmony court on a later date to answer to his charges.

MAN CHARGED AFTER CAR-PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT INVOLVING TEEN DRIVER

FORESTVILLE – A Forestville man faces a child endangerment and other charges following an incident that took place Halloween night in the village. Sheriff Deputies say 27 year-old Jonathan Thompson is accused of allowing a 15 year-old to drive his vehicle from one location to another in the village. While driving the vehicle, the teenager lost control and struck a pedestrian who was walking on the sidewalk for trick-or-treating activities. The unidentified pedestrian was then taken to Lake Shore for treatment of injuries.  Thompson was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment  and permitting unlicensed operation. He will appear in the Town of Hanover Court at a later date and time.

PEEK’N PEAK RECEIVES TAX BREAK FROM COUNTY IDA

MAYVILLE – The new owners of Peek’n Peak Resort & Spa are in the process of planning a $4 million renovation project. That’s according to a report in today’s Jamestown Post-Journal, which says the County Industrial Development Agency passed two resolutions yesterday to assist with the project.

The action by the IDA will allow Scott Enterprises – the new owners of Peek’n Peak – to do a tax lease agreement, which will eliminate the sales tax on renovation materials and new equipment and help with mortgage tax costs. According to IDA executive Director Bill Daly, the incentives will lead to a ”couple of hundred thousand” in savings for Scott Enterprises.

The $4 million renovation project will include renovating the resort’s hotel with a new phone system and new reservation system. Also, the project will include buying new equipment like snow trail groomers and trucks for maintenance work at the facility.

CELORON TO HOST COMMUNITY MEETING ON WATERFRONT PLAN

CELORON – The Village of Celoron is sponsoring a public meeting tonight for its Waterfront Revitalization Plan. The meeting will take place at  6:30 p.m. in the village’s Community Center at 47 Dunham Avenue.

The Waterfront Revitalization Plan is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to help shape the future of the community. The plan will develop a revitalization strategy for the future of the Village commercial district, Lucille Ball Memorial Park and the former Celoron Amusement Park site.

Residents and stakeholders are invited to tonight’s meeting to help identify a shared vision for the Village that will guide the redevelopment plan.

MAYVILLE – A piece of property owned by the county has been approved for sale to the Ashville Fire District for $85,000. The action was taken last night during the monthly meeting of the Chautauqua County Legislature. The panel approved the sale of the property at 2097 South Maple Avenue in North Harmony to the fire department, despite the opposition of several residents – including members of the fire department.

At issue was whether or not the fire department actually needs – or can even afford – the property.  Former Ashville Fire Department Chief Mike Gleason claims the fire commission went ahead submitting a bid before even having it approved in meeting. While the sale was approved by the legislature, the residents of the fire district will have the final say on the purchase when it goes up for a  public referendum this November.

COUNTY TO CONTINUE 7.5 PERCENT SALES TAX IN 2012

MAYVILLE – In other news from last night’s meeting, the Legislature approved a resolution to keep the county’s sales tax at 7.5 percent. The resolution received nearly unanimous support, although Lori Cornell (D-Jamestown) spoke out against the current rate, saying she opposes any tax increase, noting that if the legislature voted against the measure, the tax increase would revert to 7 percent.

However, several legislators disagreed, including Chuck Nazarro (D-Jamestown), who said that maintaining the current sales tax level is far more palatable than the alternative of raising property taxes even higher to offset the difference. Nazarro noted that 7.5 percent is still comparatively low compared to other counties in the state, and if the sales tax were to revert back to 7 percent, the county would be facing a $24 million budget gap instead of the $18 million.

Foreclosed property amendment also debated
There was also a lengthy discussion last night regarding an amendment to a current law dealing with who can purchase foreclosed property from the county. The amendment dealt with several matters, but the final version did not include a stipulation that any purchaser of foreclosed property must not have any outstanding tax payments to other properties they already own. Maria Kindberg (D-Jamestown), along with Cornell, wanted to leave that stipulation in the final version of the amendment, but didn’t receive the needed support. Legislator Larry Barmore (R-Gerry) said that because it would be difficult to track of each purchasers tax records, the county legislature would instead review each property purchase on a case-by-case basis.

Other Legislature Action
Among other items last night, the legislature approved a resolution naming Katherine Tampio as the new clerk of the legislature for the remainder of 2011. She will replace Ron Lemon, who announced he was stepping down from the post at the end of this month.

The legislature also approved a resolution on a one-year lease agreement for space to be used as a restaurant in the Chautauqua County Airport to Teal Wolcott, owner of the Backyard Bar and Grill in Kimblestand – at a cost of $600 per month.

ERIE, PA COMPANY PURCHASES PEEK’N PEAK

FINDLEY LAKE – It looks like the owner of the Erie, Pennsylvania indoor water park will be the new owner of Peek’n Peak Resort in Findley Lake. On Wednesday, Scott Enterprises – which owns the water park located off Interstate 90 along with a string of other hotels – was the high bidder at a court-ordered auction. The Post-Journal reports that the successful bid was for $11.3 million. A total of four participants took part in the bidding process during yesterday’s auction. A Bankruptcy judge in Cleveland is expected to approve the deal for the 1,150-acre ski and golf resort during a hearing later this morning.

COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN TO BE FEATURED ON WRFA

The Chautauqua County Humane Society is asking area residents to turn their carbon footprint into a green pawprint. The organization’s 2nd Chances Thrift Store wants all of your fabric and electronic cast-offs, especially the stuff that would normally be thrown in the garbage. The new initiative has already been launched and we’ll have complete details later today during our Community Matters program at 6 p.m. right here on WRFA.

Also tonight on community matters program, we’ll replay a portion of last night’s county legislature meeting dealing with the progress of creating a Chautauqua Lake Watershed’s Management Plan. Lyle Hajdu of Chautauqua Lake Management Commission and Jeff Diers of the the Chautauqua County Watershed Commission delivered the update.  A management plan is needed before the lake can qualify for state funding to address various issues of concern related its health.

MAYVILLE – The current clerk of the Chautauqua County Legislature says he will resign from the post at the end of this month. Frewsburg’s Ron Lemon, who also served as a county legislator for district 8 prior to becoming clerk, made the announcement yesterday in a written statement. He served in the capacity of county clerk for nearly seven months. Lemon said that he was given the opportunity to return to his bus route with the Frewsburg Central School District. In his announcement, Lemon expressed his gratitude to the people of District 8 for their support, along with the legislature’s bipartisan support when he was appointed to the position of clerk earlier this year.  In his announcement Wednesday, Lemon wrote that he will stay involved with county issues related to the Office for the Aging and veterans, as well as any efforts to offer the youth of the county greater opportunities to stay locally.

LEGISLATURE’S AUDIT AND CONTROL COMMITTEE TO MEET THURSDAY MORNING

MAYVILLE – The county legislature’s audit and control committee has a busy agenda for its meeting this morning in Mayville. A highlight of the meeting will be the distribution of the 2012 occupancy tax – also known as the bed tax – money to various tourism-based agencies throughout the county. The panel will also review the resolution calling for keeping the county’s sales tax rate at 7.5 percent for 2012. And the committee will also review the county’s self-insurance plan for 2012.

BRWS TEAMS TO ARRIVE TODAY

Today’s the day the teams for the 2011 13-15 Year Old Babe Ruth World Series will be arriving in Jamestown. The teams –which come from as far away as Mississippi, Washington state and California – will begin play on Saturday, Aug. 20. Between now and then, they will be meeting with their host families and attending a “breaking the ice” picnic Friday in Bergman Park.

The teams that will be participating in this year’s tournament come from Syracuse, New York , Tri-Township, Pennsylvania, Harris Township, Indiana, Sarasota, Florida, Waite Park, Minnesota, McComb, Mississippi, Centralia, Washington and Tri-Valley, California. The Host team from Jamestown will also participate, with their games scheduled for Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. All games will be played at Diethrick Park.

For complete details on the Babe Ruth World series, go online to www.jamestownworldseries.com or visit the world series headquarters at the Lillian Ney Renaissance Center on 3rd Street. Hours are 9 to 4:30 p.m.

PEEK-N-PEAK UP FOR BIDDING ON Aug. 25

A local resort in Southwestern Chautauqua County will be up for sales later this month on Aug. 25.  Peak-n Peek in Findley Lake will have a new owner either through competitive bidding or by live auction. The former owner, Paul Kiebler, filed for bankruptcy in May 2010 but did not create a working plan to reorganize debt. This morning’s Post-Journal has a story has a feature story detailing the potential impact the sale of the resort will have on Findley Lake and surrounding communities.

CCHS TO HOST MUTT STRUT THIS SATURDAY

The Chautauqua County Humane Society is inviting area dog owners to attend the regular Mutt Strut this Saturday in Lakewood. The “Mutt Strut” is an opportunity for dogs and their owners to socialize and enjoy a weekend walk together. Dogs and walkers can meet at 11:00 a.m. on the corner of Chautauqua and Summit Avenues, in Lakewood (former Wilson Farms parking lot).

All dogs must be up to date on their vaccines, friendly and on a leash. Owners are also expected to bring bags and clean up after their dogs. This is a “rain or shine” event so dress accordingly.

WRFA ‘COMMUNITY MATTERS’ TO FEATURE JRC

And this reminder that we will have the executive director of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation as a guest on this week’s community matters program. Jason Stronz will provide us with an update on all the projects the JRC has undertaken in the past few months, along with several new initiatives that have recently been launched. In addition, will focus on the impact the programs have had on the greater Jamestown downtown along with the feedback he’s gotten from area residents and business owners.

Today’s community matters program begins at 6 p.m. right here on WRFA-LP. A podcast will be made available afterward.

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.