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WJTN Headlines for Monday Oct. 30, 2017

A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of narcotic drugs with the intent to sell in the village of Bemus Point last weekend. 
 
Sheriff's officers say a patrol pulled over a car on Main Street shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday and, their investigation led deputies to bring in Department K-9 "Link." 
 
Officers say "Link" alerted officers to drugs being found in possession of the passenger, 49 year-old Jeffrey Myers.  Those included quantities of Heroin, methamphetamine, Suboxone, and prescription pills.  Deputies say they also found Myers with digital scales, packaging materials, and, $2800 in cash. 
 
The driver was issued a traffic ticket and released.  Myers was arrested and charged with Felony criminal possession of controlled substance with intent to sell, seventh-degree criminal possession, and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.  Myers was arraigned and sent to the county jail without bail.
 
 
The National Heroin and Opioid drug addiction crisis got national attention with last week's declaration by President Trump of a Public Health Emergency. 
 
Locally, steps have been taken to begin addressing the issue here. led by the mother of Alex Foulk, who died from an overdose in February of last year.  Kim Carlson started a foundation in honor of her son at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.  She then worked with local attorney Dale Robbins to establish a new organization to help recovering addicts.
 
Carlson says their efforts received a major boost from the Jamestown High School "Battle of the Classes" last Spring.  The students raised nearly $13,000 for the effort to being the "Fresh Start" fund at UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital. 
 
Carlson says it will help develop a long-term rehabilitation program.  Thirdly, she has worked with Oxford House officials in Buffalo to begin a house here in Jamestown, named after Alex.  Kim Carlson made her comments for this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the five Media One Group stations.
 
 
A South Dayton man is accused of speeding and drunk driving after his car was pulled over early Sunday morning in the town of Hanover.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies say they pulled over 28 year-old Mathew Easterly-Press just after 2 a.m. on Route 39 for a traffic infraction. 
 
Officers say they allegedly found him in an intoxicated condition.  Easterly-Press was charged with DWI, and Speeding in a 55 mile per hour zone.  He was issued appearance tickets for Hanover Town Court.
 
 
Chautauqua County's top cop says he's concerned about the county's 2018 spending plan due to overcrowding issues in the jail in Mayville. 
 
Sheriff Joe Gerace says he doesn't believe the budget has enough funding to run the jail.  Gerace says he conveyed his concerns to the Legislature's Audit and Control Committee during the budget review, saying that they've been having to "board-out" inmates in record numbers.  He says he's hopeful they can get back to the numbers they should be at through local and state judicial reforms. 
 
The Sheriff also says they saw some parole violators ordered back to state prison, as well as others.  However, he adds they got 10 new prisons brought in the same day last week.  Gerace says it costs the county $85 per day per person to board out inmates.  He estimates the overage could reach nearly $100,000 in this year's budget.  
 
 
Labor unions are leading the fight against a New York ballot measure to hold a constitutional convention. 
 
They argue that it's just too risky to tinker with the state's governing document and threaten existing protections for worker's compensation, unemployment benefits and collective bargaining. 
 
But convention supporters say the November 7th ballot measure is a chance to address some of New York's most pressing problems, such as chronic corruption and high taxes.  They say unions are just trying to hang on to the status quo. 
 
 
In state government and political news, New York has taken action to protect the Hudson River amid increased oil tanker traffic. 
 
Governor Cuomo signed into law new rules giving the state the authority to establish tanker-avoidance zones to prevent damage to the environment or problems for local residents. 
 
It's one of several new policies signed into law recently including a statewide ban on electronic cigarette use in bars and restaurants.  Another new law will make it easier for children in foster care to visit their siblings.  
 
 
Lawmakers in the village of Fredonia have given the go ahead to establishing a paid fire chief's position. 
 
They have also made a provisional appointment.  During last week's meeting, the village board approved the appointment of Ryan Walker to the position by a unanimous vote.  Mayor Athanasia Landis says she was pleased with the choice of Walker.
 
While the fire chief will now be a paid position, Dr. Landis says the assistant chiefs will still come from the volunteer ranks.  She says the volunteer part of the department remains an important part of it. 
 
Walker has begun his new job and will received an annual salary of $85,000.  The appointment is provisional until he takes and passes the Civil Service exam.