Below are 10 stories that should continue to be news as the year turns from 2018 to 2019.

BEMUS POINT-STOW FERRY

It came as a shock to many last spring when news broke that the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry likely wouldn’t sail on the lake at all in 2018 after the historic vessel failed a state marine inspection.

Volunteers spent the summer in Lakeside Park in Mayville, where the ferry was moved and then taken out of the water, welding in new i-beams and performing other repairs before the ferry was returned to its home in Stow in October. Repairs have progressed to the point that the ferry made a mid-December trip across the lake, following its familiar path to Bemus Point.

Monetary donations from the public as well as at-cost supplies or volunteer time have helped bring the ferry this far. To donate to the project, visit GoFundMe.com and search for “Save the Bemus Point Stow Ferry” with the not-for-profit group the Sea Lion Project Ltd. Information is also available on the Historic Bemus Point Stow Ferry page on Facebook or the Friends and Fans of the Bemus Point Stow Ferry page on Facebook.

“It is with pride that we say we are getting closer to being done with the repairs to the ferry, but before you all celebrate, there is still more to do,” Chris Flanders, Sea Lion Project Ltd. board member, wrote recently to The Post-Journal. “There may be some issues with the hull, metal that has been underwater year around and in service for more than 75 years. We will be consulting with the State Marine Inspector on a plan to do the rest of the restoration or replacement of the ferry structure, if that is what they ask, over several seasons. We will know more after the written results from the October survey arrives and then the new annual survey in early spring 2019 is completed. There is a lot of finish work that also needs to be done restoring the complex drainage system and reinstalling the wooden decking in easily removable sections for maintenance and repair access before the 2019 season can even take place.

DAIRY FARM STRUGGLES

The struggles of the dairy industry continued in 2018.

David White of Cabhi Farms in Clymer told The Post-Journal the issue has been ongoing since 2014. He said the cost of production is more than what they can sell the milk for. While there is generally a cycle of two or three years with decreases and increases, White said the decreases have lasted for so long, farmers haven’t been able to rebound in the past few years.

The low milk prices combined with the closure of Meadow Brook Dairy in Erie led to the closure of Maleski’s Dairy Farm in French Creek, a farm that had once delivered 9,000 pounds of milk every other day. Another former dairy farmer, Paul Troyer, purchased the former Happy Tails Boarding Kennel after selling his 40 cows at the end of August because dairy prices didn’t seem poised for an increase anytime soon.

Low dairy prices played a role in the contentious negotiations over the recently passed U.S. farm bill. Chautauqua County ranks 12th in the state for dairy production and is among the top 100 milk producing counties in the country — meaning an uptick in the dairy industry would be good news for a lot of Chautauqua County residents.

SEARS BANKRUPTCY

Much like the closure of Sam’s Club earlier in the year, the closure of the Sears location in the Chautauqua Mall, announced in October, and the shaky future of the Kmart location in West Ellicott will continue at least into the early part of 2019.

Kmart remained open as one of the few stores in the Sears Holdings LLC portfolio that continued earning profits. The deadline is fast approaching for Sears Holdings LLC to find a buyer for those profitable stores, however, or the remaining stores will likely close as well.

Sears Holdings operated about 1,000 stores as recently as February but has been shuttering underperforming stores. When the company filed for bankruptcy last month, it said it only had about 400 stores that could turn a profit. Now, it’s in the process of shedding more dead weight.

According to recent filings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the West Ellicott Kmart store is slated to remain open because it is one of 400 profitable locations in the Sears Holdings Corp. portfolio. Sears Holdings wants to rebuild its business around the 400 stores, but the path to do so is limited and centers on a sale of those profitable stores to save Sears and Kmart and the jobs of the stores’ employees. Sears Holdings Corp. also plans to market and sell some of its non-core assets, like intellectual property and specialty businesses, to pay for ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases.

“Time is of the essence,” the filing states. “As previously discussed, these Chapter 11 cases must progress with all deliberate speed to stem the substantial operating losses that will continue to decrease the value of the debtors’ estates. Accordingly, the prompt consummation of sale transactions that will maximize value for the debtors’ estates and preserve as many jobs as possible is a cornerstone of the debtors Chapter 11 strategy.”

Sears Holding Corp. is proposing approval of global bidding and sale procedures to market, auction and sell its assets, allowing the company to solicit proposals, negotiate transactions, provide stalking horse protections, hold auctions and complete transactions while allowing interested parties to review the transactions. The proposed rules set out specific milestones that must be reached, including a fully financed stalking horse bid — an attempt by a bankrupt debtor to test the market for the debtor’s assets in advance of an auction so the debtor can maximize the value of its assets or avoid low bids — of all its “go forward stores” by Dec. 15. The West Ellicott Kmart is one of those “go forward stores.”

By Jan. 14, 2019, the court shall have entered the bidding procedures order, with Sears Holding Corp. beginning an auction for the sale of its go forward stores by Feb. 2, 2019.

Then, Sears Holdings needs an order approving the sale of the go forward stores by Feb. 4, 2019, and close on that sale no later than Feb. 8.

NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER

The long-awaited opening of the National Comedy Center took place roughly four months ago, with the center now in the running for USA Today’s Best New Attraction award. The list was consolidated by a panel of nationally-recognized travel experts for the 10Best Award series. However, voting for the official rankings is in the hands of individuals who can vote online. Voting is available on the USA Today website through Jan. 7 at noon. Supporters of the comedy center can vote on the USA Today website by following the link at ComedyCenter.org/Vote.

In addition to the voting, there are two storylines worth keeping an eye on as the center moves toward its first full year in operation — traffic in and out of the center and its impact on foot traffic downtown as the center enters its first tourist season and, of course, the announcement of the headliners for LucyFest 2019.

The National Comedy Center is supported by over $14 million in resources from the state, including $4.4 million awarded through the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council; an additional $5 million through the Buffalo Billion II initiative; $5 million through the New Markets Tax Credit Program; and other state sources. It is expected to attract more than 114,000 visitors each year.

Several entrepreneurs have staked their money — and taxpayer-backed grants and loans — on the comedy center’s success. Arnold Duke has purchased two former banks at the intersection of Second and Main streets with plans to redevelop them into attractions in their own right while the owners of the Beer Snob and the Jamestown Brewing Company are working to add craft beer to the reasons for people to come downtown and stay downtown for extended stays. And, the Hamister Group is putting the finishing touches on the DoubleTree Hotel project in the former Holiday Inn building on Fourth Street.

PRIEST ABUSE SCANDAL

Several priests accused of sexual abuse of minors by the Buffalo Diocese served in Chautauqua County churches at various times over the last several decades. Earlier this year, the diocese released the names of 42 priests who were removed, retired or left the ministry after allegations of sexual abuse were reported since 1950. Included in the list are priests with more than one allegation; more than half on the list have since died after being accused.

As the church deals with the aftermath of the disclosures, the state Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo are expected to take up discussions of the Child Victims Act when the next state legislative session begins. The legislation has passed the state Assembly in the past but was not taken up by the state Senate. That will likely change with Democrats taking control of the state Senate today.

RESTORING AIR SERVICE TO COUNTY AIRPORT

It’s been almost a year since a commercial airplane took off from the Chautauqua County Airport in Jamestown after Southern Airways pulled out of the airport when it lost its federal Essential Air Service subsidy. Since that time, County Executive George Borrello has been working to bring a new air carrier to the airport, submitting for federal review a partnership between the county and Boutique Air of San Francisco.

The EAS program, which requires 10 passengers to fly each day, began after the deregulation of the airline industry in 1978. The program helps subsidize flights to smaller markets, such as Jamestown. Southern Airways passenger counts fell to an average of four per day, far fewer than the requirement of 10. The county airport also had trouble meeting the EAS program requirement that subsidies be less than $200 per passenger, with subsidy-per-passenger numbers of $630, which ranked among the highest in the nation before the contract was terminated.

Not only is Boutique proposing to bring down the cost of the potential service between Jamestown and Pittsburgh, but the airline continues to improve and expand its portfolio of interline and code share agreements with United Airline and other major carriers, said Shawn Simpson, Boutique Air CEO. He said this will provide travelers connecting on flights beyond Pittsburgh to have an extensive range of convenient onward travel options available through their network of airline alliances.

JAMESTOWN BREWING COMPANY, DOUBLETREE HOTEL TO OPEN

If all goes to plan, the new DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown will be opening in January.

Brandon Wade, DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown general manager, told The Post-Journal recently the opening date has been set for Tuesday, Jan. 29. He said hotel officials will start off with a soft opening with a grand opening celebration planned in February. Wade said the $19 million renovations of the former Ramada Hotel are going well.

“We’ve ran into some construction snags just like any other major renovation project. The hotel was built in the 1970s so what we are doing is not easy, but it is being done efficiently and well,” he said. “It is a total ‘shut and gut’ as it is called in the business. We shut the doors and we gut the whole hotel down to the floors. Everything is going to be brand new. It was a lot of work, but it’s looking great.”

The 147-room hotel redevelopment project will include a 4,100-square-foot ball conference room for meetings and receptions of up to 375 guests; Pearl City Hops, a gastropub and restaurant; Sweet Dreams beds; a 50-inch HDTV; complimentary Wi-Fi; and room service and a lobby market available 24 hours a day. Wade said the Pearl City Hops will be a restaurant and tavern that will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests will be able to go for a swim in the indoor, saltwater pool or work out anytime in the complimentary fitness center. Print service is complimentary in the business center. There will also be a secured covered parking in an attached garage.

Work also continues on the Jamestown Brewing Company project in the former Lillian Vitanza Ney Renaissance Center on the corner of Washington and Third streets. There have been delays in opening the business because of environmental issues, with the project being accepted into the state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program. Also, the developers had to acquire building plan approval from the State Historic Preservation Office for the renovations to the former Grants Department Store, located on the corner of Third and Washington streets.

The restaurant and bar will seat around 300 people, with 168 available on the mezzanine and 124 accessible on the first floor, McLellan II told The Post-Journal in March. There will also be a third floor banquet room, which can fit a large group of around 300 or can be retrofitted for smaller occasions.

The first floor of the business will have an open floor area where people can pull up a stool and watch the brewing process in the basement. He said there will be a lounge area and pub and booth seating available. Also, the south wall of the upper floor will be replaced by a windows so people can see what is happening at the National Comedy Center along West Second Street. He added in future years, they want to be able to offer customers outdoor seating and roof top accessibility.

COCKAIGNE TO OPEN SKI LIFTS

CHERRY CREEK — Local winter sports enthusiasts anticipating the reopening of the Cockaigne Resort will have to wait another year to hit the slopes.

The winter destination, formerly named the Cockaigne Ski Resort in Cherry Creek, was on schedule to reopen for the 2018-19 ski and snowboarding season until complications preparing slope lighting, snow-making systems and ski lifts prompted a post on the Cockaigne Resort’s official social media accounts announcing a delay for the grand opening. A soft opening in the form of a music festival was held in September.

“We are disappointed and heartbroken to say that we will not be opening for the 2018/2019 Skiing & Snowboarding Season,” the post began.

Now, the resort should be open for the 2019-20 skiing and snowboarding season.

While Cockaigne was attempting to bring back winter sports to Chautauqua County this year, owners wanted to bring much more than that while dropping the word “ski” from the previous title of the resort to exemplify their new image. The resort is now looking to only open the resort for the winter for additional events excluding snowing and skiing.

“We’re going to have a number of events throughout the season,” Julie Anderson, resort marketing director, told The Post-Journal.

Anderson said the resort was still scheduling certain events unrelated to skiing and snowboarding. The restaurant and bar within the lodge is still on schedule to open for the 2018-19 season. The resort is also anticipating to welcome the snow-mobile community for the winter season and is still cutting trails for riders to enjoy.

The Cockaigne Resort is set to open at the same location the previous Cockaigne Ski Resort was home to, but with numerous upgrades to slopes, trails, operations and a new lodge reportedly almost two thirds larger than the old one.

In 2011, a fire that could reportedly be seen from 5 miles away burned the original lodge. Now, almost seven years later, a 10,000 square-foot lodge will be finished before winter, Anderson said.

The lodge is fit with a 3,000-square-foot stage — referred to as Your All-American Recreation Destination, or simply the YAARD — that will be accessible to bands for concerts and festivals. The lodge will include an indoor/outdoor bar and a cafeteria style kitchen and dining area with an occupancy of 300 people. The original a-frame lodges are being renovated as well.

Additionally, new ownership is having 5,600 feet of new snow-making systems installed as well as refreshing the old systems.

A NEW HOME FOR THE ANEW CENTER

A new home for the Salvation Army’s Anew Center has been turned down in each of the past two years. It is likely that a new potential home will surface sometime this year.

The Salvation Army has been searching for 15 years to relocate its facility, which is currently in the city of Jamestown. A Jamestown site was rejected in 2017 amid community concerns while a zoning change in Ellery was voted down in 2018, scuttling plans to relocate the center.

While the location of a new site may change, the issues driving the move have not.

Diana Butcher, Salvation Army Anew Center director, told The Post-Journal the current building, which is located in a mansion built in the 1860s, needs renovations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as plumbing and electrical system upgrades. A second location used for administrative personnel also needs to be renovated, with both buildings needing new technology and more space for clients.

The current Anew Center has led to several accidents for clients. She told one story about how an elderly lady who was a victim of abuse after being pushed down stairs injured her face at the Anew Center while trying to climb stairs. Swanson said another example is when they needed room for a dialysis machine for a child. Because there were no rooms that fit the necessary equipment, the upstairs living room had to be cleared so there would be enough room for the child and the dialysis machine.

In recent years, the county has decreased slightly in the state for the number of abuse cases, Butcher said. She said the county went from being the fourth highest ranked in the state to seventh or eighth the past few years. She added the county is always ranked in the top 10 in the state.

JAMESTOWN BUDGET

When the Jamestown City Council approved its 2019 budget in December quietly, it did not bring an end to the three-year question of what happens when the state begins decreasing its additional state aid to the city.

For the last three years, the city has received more than $1 million from the state to help balance the city’s budget. The 2019 budget is no different. But, Mayor Sam Teresi has said in the past that the state views the city as being on a three- to five-year plan, and 2019 is the third year of that plan. City residents are waiting now to see what cost-saving measures the city administration devises to either lower costs or increase revenues so that the city can withstand the phasing out of the state’s money.

The 2019 budget included no tax levy increase because the city has once again hit its constitutional tax limit. The constitutional tax limit is the amount of money a city can ask its property taxpayers to provide compared to the total assessed property value in the community. City officials first hit the limit in 2017. Because city officials have hit the limit, the tax levy next year will be the same it was this year — $16,011,982. Because of a $3,715,617, or .56 percent, increase in taxable assessed property, the tentative budget includes a 13 cent, or .54 percent, decrease in the tax rate to $23.85 per $1,000 assessed property value. The total budget is $35,997,962.

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