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News Update for Fri., Sept. 26, 2014

Horrigan explains 34 new jobs proposed in 2015 budget proposal...

While the proposed, 2015 Chautauqua County budget eliminates 197 jobs with the sale of the County Home in Dunkirk... it would add 34 new jobs.  County Executive Vince Horrigan says the $228.6-million spending plan includes a $449,000 spending cut.  Much of the decrease is due to the sale of the County Home... which remains on track to being completed by the end of the year.  Regarding the new positions... Horrigan says nearly 26 of them would being fully-funded.  Of those not receiving funding... Horrigan believes 4.5 positions should create a return on investment... namely for the Planning and Economic Development Dept.  He adds a pilot program for a new position in the public defender program is in process.  The budget does include a tax increase of 9-cents-per $1,000 full value.  Horrigan says the increase in the tax levy will help reduce the amount of funding being taken from reserves.  He says they could pull another $1-million and balance out the budget with no increase... but, adds he's concerned about having reserves for "2016 and beyond."  Horrigan is trying to close a structural budget deficit over the next two years.  He is hoping the aggressive economic development strategy and a growth in sales tax revenues will help close the gap.


Work continues to seat jury for Coggins Trial...

One more juror... and, four alternates... weere still needed this morning for the jury being seated for the trial of the alleged ringleader involved in the murders of a town of Carroll couple in April of last year.  Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley confirms that 11 jurors were seated by the end of yesterday for the trial of 34 year-old David Coggins.  Jury selection began a week ago last Tuesday in county court.  Coggins... along with three others... are accused of breaking into the home of 66 year-old Gordon... and, 59 year-old Joyce Skinner on Wheeler Hill Road.  The four are also accused of setting the home on fire to try and cover up the crime.


Clarification: No endorsement from County Police Chief's group for sheriff's position...

A clarification on a story we had on Media One News this week:  Republican challenger in the race for Chautauqua County Sheriff Russ Payne has not been endorsed by the county Chiefs of Police Association.  However... Association President -- and Lakewood-Busti Police Chief John Bentley -- says they have endorsed the concept of Central Police Services.  It's an idea that's being pushed by Payne... who is opposing incumbant Democrat Joe Gerace.  However... Bentley says the Chief's group has not endorsed either candidate.


Gas prices down about a penny this week...

Gas prices have dipped about one-cent a gallon this week in the Jamestown area to just under $3.69.  That from the AAA East Central’s Weekly Fuel Gauge report.  The Fuel Gauge reports the average price of regular, unleaded -- based on reports from 19 service stations in the area, was $3.68.8 a gallon.  That's down a fraction of a penny from last week’s average of $3.69.6.  That's down about 8-cents from this time last year.  Meantime... the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.34 per gallon. 


Ellicott officials say new Pizza Hut restaurant ready to open; one on Foote Ave. to close...

The newest Pizza Hut Restaurant in the Jamestown-area is just about set to open... however... another is going to close.  That from Ellicott Town officials... who say the final walk-though for the new "Wing Street" store on Fairmount Avenue in West Ellicott took place yesterday.  The new store is an entirely new, 2,600 square foot building.  The old building was about 2,000 square feet.  Town Supervisor Cecil Miller says once the new store opens... the one on Foote Avenue will be closing.  Miller says, nationally, they have a new, more modern look.  Demolition of the old Pizza Hut location began a few months ago.  Town Code Enforcement Officer Dave Rowe says the natural gas hook-ups were completed about mid-week... and, the building should be ready for Occupancy by the end of the week.  The new store should be open on or about Oct. 1.


Final preparations for 40th annual Busti Apple Harvest Festival underway...

The 40th annual Busti Apple Harvest Festival is set for this Sunday... and, while it maintains many of it's traditions... the location has continued to undergo significant upgrades through the years.  That from one of the festival's main organizers, Norm Carlson, who says they're excited about this Sunday's event... which will again be held at the Busti Historical Society grounds.  Since the festival began... Carlson says they've seen a "dramatic" expansion of their physical grounds and buildings.  However... many of their long-time demonstrations continue.  But... among the demonstrations taking place this weekend, says Carlson, is wood carving.  World Champion Bird Carver Ralph Sandquist will be displaying some of his prize carvings... and, working on another wood sculpture.  Carlson says they've acquired their current museum building... and, recently got the Miller house.  In addition... they'll also have the usual apple products... pies, and cheeses available to buy -- as long as they last.  The 40th Busti Apple Harvest Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Sunday.