Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

UPDATE from our listeners/readers: I-86 eastbound (toward Bradford/Limestone) is open, but westbound (to Salamanca) is still closed . Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder, Sr. today announced the re-opening of Interstate 86, the Southern Tier Expressway, between Exits 20 and 23 on the Allegany Territory of the Seneca Nation in Cattaraugus County. Interstate 86 had been closed to traffic since early May as part of a $21 million reconstruction project. “Interstate 86 reopens today a more resilient roadway that will better serve residents and facilitate commercial activity in the Southern Tier," Governor Cuomo said. “This administration is committed to improving the quality of life for New Yorkers, and making smart investments in our infrastructure is absolutely critical.” The Interstate 86 improvement project included the major rehabilitation of approximately seven miles of road surface between Exit 20 and three miles west of Exit 23, and minor r...

OLEAN, NY – Opportunities for economic development, job growth and waterfront revitalization are increasing with the addition of the Allegheny River and the Cattaraugus Creek to New York State’s list of Designated Inland Waterways. State Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) sponsored legislation that was signed last week by Governor Cuomo designating both bodies of water as official inland waterways. With the additions to the list, communities on these bodies of water are now eligible to apply for grants through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program and other similar programs. “Many municipalities were established near rivers and other waterways for the beauty and practicality of the location. Communities continue to look for job growth, economic development and tourism opportunities through waterfront revitalization, and it is especially important to provide them with the necessary tools in these challenging economic times,” said Senator Young. Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio (R...

Community and university leaders integral to the project gathered Tuesday morning to dedicate the completion of the St. Bonaventure loop of the Allegheny River Valley Trail. Calling the trail addition a “wonderful milestone in our relationship with Allegany and Olean,” Brenda McGee, senior vice president for finance and administration at SBU, thanked Allegany and county officials and project consultants, and concluded with a “special thanks to Phil Winger, who expertly managed this complex project.” Winger is the associate vice president for facilities at the university. The roughly three-quarter-mile addition was completed earlier this month — six years after U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton helped secure federal funding for the trail expansion and campus road improvements. Federal and state roadblocks slowed distribution of the money until this year; project work finally began in April. University President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., expressed her gratitude to Schu...