News From Our Neighbors

State Hunter Education Courses Available Now

All new hunters or trappers planning to go afield this upcoming hunting and trapping season must first complete a mandatory hunter or trapper education course. Previously licensed hunters who plan to hunt out of state should also have their sportsman education certificates or previous licenses in hand as proof that they have completed the required course. All states accept New York’s hunter education course, but states differ on what is required as proof of completion.

Sporting licenses went on sale August 13. To purchase hunting or trapping licenses in New York, proof of a previous license or your original sportsman education certificate must be shown.

All first-time hunters, bowhunters and trappers must pass one or more courses before they can obtain a license in New York. All courses are free of charge, but space may be limited. Finding a course immediately prior to or during the hunting season will be difficult. To locate a nearby hunter or trapper education class and course list visit DEC’s website or contact a local DEC regional office.

Alcoa Employs Texas Firm for Roof Project

Area ironworkers are displeased about the selection of a Texas firm to repair a portion of Alcoa’s damaged cast house roof. Alcoa’s project management firm, Fluor, awards construction projects to companies, and recently selected CCC Group, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas to complete a portion of the roof repairs. CCC supposedly gave a very competitive bid and opted to bring 24 of its own workforce to the cast house project and hire four local employees on top of that. It cannot be confirmed that the 24 workers are from Texas but it is clear they will not be local, even though nearly 160 ironworkers live near the Alcoa plant. The Local 440 had members ready to work on the project.

Many are angered by Alcoa’s choice, but Alcoa responded by citing the local work force they have used so far on the project and the fact that they must keep the plant as competitive as possible.

“Operation Summer Brake” Enforcement Begins August 27

 “Operation Summer Brake,” an eight-day initiative promoting work zone safety, will take place Monday, August 27, and continue through Monday, September 3, 2012, the New York State Thruway Authority and State Police Troop T announced.

“As part of ‘Operation Summer Brake,’ the Thruway Authority encourages motorists to be alert on the road, drive responsibly, obey posted speed limits, and avoid all distractions to ensure a safe trip to their destination,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Thomas J. Madison.

 From August 27 through September 3, members of Troop T will be stepping up enforcement efforts on the Thruway.

 “Throughout this period of expanded enforcement, the dedicated members of Troop T will be watching for those who are intoxicated, speeding, or driving aggressively,” said Sgt. Thomas Ferritto. “Also, Troop T will be enforcing the Move Over Law to protect  

maintenance workers, tow truck operators, and state troopers.”

 New York State Police Troop T issued 838 tickets during the 2011 “Operation Summer Brake” campaign.

Massena KFC/Long John Silver Closed

The KFC/Long John Silver’s restaurant located on Main St. in Massena is no longer serving its famous chicken, as it closed its doors for good over the weekend.

The decision was allegedly made by the KFC Corporation, not by local franchise owner John Burns. The reason for the closure has not been released. Kentucky Fried Chicken had been there since 1971 and the Long John Silver’s was added in 2004.

Obama Administration Finalizes 54.5 MPG Fuel Efficiency Standards

Consumer Savings Comparable to Lowering Price of Gasoline by $1 Per Gallon by 2025

WASHINGTON, DC – The Obama Administration finalized groundbreaking standards that will increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by Model Year 2025. When combined with previous standards set by this Administration, this move will nearly double the fuel efficiency of those vehicles compared to new vehicles currently on our roads. In total, the Administration’s national program to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions will save consumers more than $1.7 trillion at the gas pump and reduce U.S. oil consumption by 12 billion barrels.

“These fuel standards represent the single most important step we’ve ever taken to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said President Obama. “This historic agreement builds on the progress we’ve already made to save families money at the pump and cut our oil consumption. By the middle of the next decade our cars will get nearly 55 miles per gallon, almost double what they get today.”

McGuinty Government Gets Important Legislation to Create Jobs Passed

August 28, 2012 - Today, the Attracting Investment and Creating Jobs Act was passed, making the Eastern Ontario Development Fund permanent and creating the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. These job-creating regional development funds for eastern and southwestern Ontario will soon be up and running to support local companies that generate local jobs.

Since the Eastern Ontario Development Fund was established in 2008, it has helped create or retain over 13,200 jobs and leveraged over $595 million in investment across the eastern region. This successful model will now be applied in southwestern Ontario to continue driving job creation.

Recognizing that each region of Ontario has separate and distinct requirements, the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, and the programs run by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation will remain separate from the new Jobs and Prosperity Fund announced in the 2012 Ontario Budget.