Island Dispatch, 2007-01-19

              ISLAND Dispatch For Home Delivery of the island Dispatch Call 773-7676 Niagara Frontier Publications proud publishers of Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver www.wnypapers.com V01.62 No. 44 January 19, 2007 20 Pages 773-7676 $1.00 GIFC officers installed page 3 Questions on Waterford page 5 Pre-K preview page 8 Thru way Board OKs 65 mph on Island 1-190 by Terry Duffy Great news for motorists crossing the heavily-traveled 1-190 section of the New York State Thruway over Grand Island; Thespeed limit has increased to 65 mph, and despite those 55 mph signs still found along the roadway, you can now speed it up without worry of a ticket Following on last month's proposal by Jeff Williams, a member of the Thruway's Board of Directors, to increase the speed limit on the Grand Island section from its long-standing 55 mph to 65 mph, the board at its Wednesday meeting routinely approved the measure by a unanimous 5-0 vote, and the change takes effect immediately."I presented the idea to the board and they went with it," Williams said yesterday. He reported that a full review of the traffic flow as well as the physical layout of the 1-190 section on Grand Island Icy signs of winter GI Fire Co. saves woman from car fire by Ray Pauley Public Information Officer Grand Island Fire Company A Rochester woman probably owes her life to the quick work of the Grand Island Fire Company during icy, hazardous road conditions on Monday. Terriann Brown, 27, was trapped in herveMcle whenit caughtfire after crashing into a guardrail on the southbound South Grand Island Bridge. Fire Chief Greg-Butcher extinguished the fire, which was confined to the engine compartment at the time. Brown was subsequently extricated by a GIFC rescue crew. She was treated for a neck injury and taken to Kenmore Mercy Hospital for follow-up medical attention. In all, Grand Island firefighters handled 18 emergency calls during a 13-hour period on Monday. Butcher noted that freezing rain and falling temperatures created hazardous road conditions, contributing to at least six motor vehicle accidents. Aside from Brown's accident, several others occurred shortly after 3 p.m. on the southbound South Grand Island Bridge. No other injuries were reported in other fender-benders that took place. The Sheriffs Department reported accidents at Baseline and Staley roads, and on the 3000 block of Stony Point Road. Downed power lines and fallen trees also blocked some local roadways and led to temporary power outages in various sections of the Island. Both the fire company and Erie County sheriffs deputies handled numerous weather-related calls to assist Grand Island residents in coping with the storm. The Sheriff s. Department had reports of wires down on Baseline Road and Oakridge Drive, the 3300 block of Wallace Drive, at the intersection of Ransom and East River roads and at the intersection of Stony Point and Ransom roads. Also, trees were reported down on Baseline, South Park and East River roads. When the ice storm hit overnight from Sunday to Monday, the return of winter weather was both dangerous and beautiful. Once the roads were cleared, Islanders could breath a sigh of relief and look around to an icy wonderland, as trees, bushes and even blades of grass sparkled in the crisp air. STALEY Staley Road shows strong signs of winter, (photo by Fred Claus} On Webb Road, these icicles just cannot let go of the Christmas season, (photo oy David Melgar) Sunlight illuminates icy trees along Whitehaven Road, (photo by Karen Keefe) Baseline looked more like Iceline on Monday, (photo by Fred Claus) Berries were imbedded in ice in this plant at an overlook along West River Parkway, (photo by Cheryl Belczakj * See page 20, for more photos captured by photographers who were inspired by the icy sculptures nature created. SEE ISLAND, continued on page 2 KutzbachflSßf Associate Broker lp\AS #1 Island Agent MP^J^MB #1 Company in WNY 745-7321 or 628-1719 * sell a home? A*Call Linda Kutzbach, •••she knows bow and would love to help yon. fSn&«9mlt£& Merest Sates have never been lower... Housing prices are good 'fißSijjjg' If yoa are thinking of IIKK'IM is no better time |BHrlh» thonnowi