Jamestown police have now identified the city woman who was struck and killed by a car on West Third Street at Lakin Avenue Wednesday afternoon. Police officials say 69 year-old Margaret Thorn later died from her injuries at WCA Hospital. Officers say Thorn was struck by an eastbound car about 2:20 PM... and, was severely injured. Police say the unidentified driver will likely not be charged. However... officers say the investigation into the acccident is continuing with the help of the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department Accident Reconstruction Team.
The New York state budget is late. Budget deliberations in the state Senate and Assembly blew past a midnight deadline and into the start of a new fiscal year today. The Senate planned to work into the early morning hours to pass the $156 billion state budget proposal. Members of the Assembly, however, are expected to return later Friday morning for final votes. On-time budgets have been seen as an indicator of government effectiveness in recent years, and have been a top priority for Governor Andrew Cuomo. Last year's budget also was late, but only by a few hours. The highlights of this year's budget are a modified version of Cuomo's proposal to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, a middle-class tax cut and a program giving workers paid time off to care for a sick relative or new child.
A compromise is in the works in the state legislature on a new, minimum wage that includes a 15-dollar an hour wage for New York City within three years... and, a significantly longer phase-in for upstate. The proposal, linked to the state budget, would raise the upstate wage from 9-dollars to 12-dollars-50 cents over five years. Further increases to $15 would be contingent on an economic analysis by the state... and, could take several more years to be implemented. With that out of the way... local Assemblyman Andy Goodell says lawmakers are pretty close on other items. On the financial aspects... Goodell says "they're pretty well agreed to." However... Minority Republicans in the Assembly... including Goodell... were blasting the budget process Thursday... saying they're being pushed to vote before the new fiscal year begins Friday -- even though they haven't yet seen most of the legislative details. Democratic Assemblyman Herman ``Denny'' Farrell says many parts of the budget and amounts were known already and the changes simply involve shifting funds that they'll review before floor votes. However... Goodell says ``We ought to take our time and do it right'' and the state isn't ``going to grind to a halt over the weekend.''
There is good economic news for the north county in the new state budget deal. State Senator Cathy Young said Thursday afternoon that she is "ecstatic" that the leadership in both the Senate and Assembly have agreed to put the 200-million dollars in state funding in the final spending plan for Athenex (Ah-THEE-Nex)... a pharmaceutical manufacturing center that will create 900 jobs in the Dunkirk area. Young says it was "somewhat of a battle during the budget negotiations" to keep it in. In fact... she says the Assembly Majority had actually removed the project from the Assembly’s one-house budget at one point. However... Assemblyman Andy Goodell -- with some help from Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas -- helped get it back in. He says Rosas has been able to get the Assembly's Black, Puerto Rican and Hispanic Caucus to back the proposal.
The budget negotiated by New York's legislative leaders and Governor Andrew Cuomo would authorize Medicaid coverage for ``high needs'' state prison and local jail inmates starting 30 days before their release. Assembly sponsors pushed the plan... saying it would ensure that the inmates can get prescription medications and services to keep them from relapsing and returning. The legislation authorizes seeking federal approval for the Medicaid change. The new fiscal year starts Friday. New York expanded discharge planning last year for inmates getting mental health treatment.
A Sinclairville man has been accused of sexually abusing a child in the town of Charlotte. Sheriff's officers say they received a complaint from the county Department of Child Protective Services of an alleged sexual abuse involving a child. Deputies say a warrant was issued out of town court for the arrest of 46 year-old Louis Higgs, Junior of Thornton Road. Officers say Higgs was arrested early this afternoon without incident for first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child... second-degree sexual abuse... and, one count of endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned in Charlotte Town Court... and, sent to the County Jail on 50-thousand dollars cash bail.
For the most part... the stronger winds predicted for the immediate Jamestown-area only ended up to be a good breeze at times yesterday. However... what's coming in behind those winds for the weekend is on the way. The National Weather Service says we'll have another chance of showers today... but, temperatures will only make it to the upper 40s this afternoon as colder air moves in. Forecaster Aaron Reynolds says we'll begin to see that colder air by this evening. Reynolds says lows tonight will drop into the mid 30s before rising to the lower 40s Saturday. But... by Saturday night... another shot of cold air... this from the Arctic... will move in. Reynolds says highs Sunday will be hard pressed to make 30. He says -- in addition to the colder conditions -- there will be some "accumulating" Lake Effect Snow. However... Reynolds says they're not sure -- at this point -- how much snow will accumulate from this storm. He says the highest snow amounts will be south of Buffalo... and, in those traditional snow belt areas. The complete forecast follows our news.
The new Chief Executive Officer at Brooks Memorial Hospital says she is excited about beginning her new duties at the Dunkirk-based hospital. The new director... Mary LaRowe... says she's already worked at Brooks for several years now. Chris Lanski chairs the hospital’s Board of Directors. Lanski says the board is excited about the hiring of LaRowe because of her background "in rural health care... and, being from the community." LaRowe has more than 30 years experience in healthcare... including a stint with Westfield Memorial Hospital in administration and leadership. She was most recently president and Chief Executive Officer for the St. James Mercy Health System in Hornell. LaRowe steps in as Brooks Memorial Hospital, and, the TLC Health Network become partners with Kaleida Health.
A Mayville man has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of a significant quantity of marijuana... and, a hypodermic needle. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene at 34 South Erie Street about 9:30 PM Wednesday on a complaint of a disorderly man. Deputies say they identified the suspect as 22 year-old Torry Kenny of the Mayville address. Following investigation... officers say they found Kenny in possession of several bags of pot... and, the hypodermic needle. He's been charged with criminally possessing a hypodermic instrument... and, criminal possession of Marijuana. He was issued appearance tickets for Chautauqua Town Court.
