County Legislature finds Wendel prposed, 2026 Budget is solid, and looks at few if any changes...
The Chautauqua County Legislature has begun it's review of Executive P.J. Wendel's 2026 tentative budget... and, are looking at only one minor change. Wendel says lawmakers began looking at the $309.7-million spending plan Monday... and, they call it a "solid" budget that really needs few changes. He says there was one change to be made... and, that was a cost reduction of $50,000 in social services in overtime. Wendel adds that he's proud to be able to propose a $.54 per $1,000 assessed value property tax rate reduction... but, says the tax levy increase of $1.7-million is misunderstood. He says that's being driven by a significant increase in the market value of county properties. He says those have gone up an average of 11.2%... based on home sales and revaluations. Wendel says more people have been returning to the county to work and "raise their families." Wendel says the budget does use more of the undesignated fund balance than he would like... but, adds that it would still remain about 11.5% of expected revenues. The county did have to use about $2.3-million in contingency funds to cover increase in public assistance "Safety Net" costs. Wendel made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
Three arrested in Jamestown on drug charges following traffic stop...
Three people have been arrested on drug possession charges following a traffic stop in Jamestown's Brooklyn Square area early Wednesday morning. City police say a patrol in the area spotted the car... driven by 44 year-old Joseph Davis... commiting several traffic violations about 3 a.m near Foote Avenue and Harrison Street. Officers allegedly found Davis... and, his passengers... 39 year-old Christine Park and 23 year-old Michael Shafer... in possession of quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl... and, a digital scale. Police also allegedly found Park in possession of glassine envelopes and an additional quantity of meth. All three were taken to the city jail on two counts each of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Davis and Shafer are charged with one count each of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia... while Park faces two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Davis was also issued several traffic summonses.
Hochul calls on Congressional Republicans and Democrats to negotiate end to federal shut-down in "good faith..."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul says federal lawmakers need to negotiate in good faith to stop President Donald Trump from continuing to "unleash chaos" on the nation. Hochul and other state leaders -- including Attorney General Letitia James -- blamed Congressional Republicans for failing to negotiate an end to the stalemate with Democrats involving the first government shutdown in several years. She says the state will do what it can to mitigate the impact of the shut-down... and, the possbiility of more federal cuts to such programs as the Supplimental Nutrition Assistance Program, WIC and others. Hochul touted her administration's efforts to make the stawte more affordable... including those inflation reduction checks of $200 for single adults... and, $400 for couples. Hochul hosted a rally in New York City with the Statue of Liberty in the background. She says the state will be monitoring whatever cuts are made to programs including the Supplimental Nutrition Assistance Program... WIC... and, Medicaid. However... she says loss of the Affordable Care Act at the end of 2025 looms for some 25-million Americans. She says the state is still looking at a federal cut of $750-million in health care this year... and, possibly another $3-billion cut next year.
DiNapoli says government shutdown will have "painful consequences" on the state...
New York state's fiscal watchdog says the federal government shut-down has "painful consequences" to the state. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says prolonged shut-downs hurt the economy... disrupt critical services... and, harms federal workers." DiNapoli says some people may have their benefits delayed, and business operations may be interrupted. He says more than "115-thousand federal employees work in New York, ranging from healthcare workers to engineers and, parks workers. The longer the shutdown drags on, the more families and businesses will suffer. Our economy is slowing down and prices are high. New Yorkers and all Americans deserve action to get government back up and running."
A city man has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill, and then hit another person...
A Jamestown man is accused of threatening to kill another person... and, then hitting that person during a domestic incident on the city's southside. Jamestown police were called to the location about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday for the domestic incident... and, learned that 37 year-old Tyler Stakelum had threatened to kill the victim with a knife. He then allegedly struck the victim on the right side of the face... causing an abrasion. Officers also found that the victim had a stay away order of protection against Stakelum... who was taken into custody. He's charged with second-degree menacing and harassment... first-degree criminal contempt... and, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon... and, jailed pending arraignment.
