The U-S Senate is expected to vote later this week on a spending package that includes $3.7-billion in funding for the treatment and prevention of Opioid drug addiction...  

 

One of the main proponents of the funding bill, New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, says she's pleased to see the measure included in the spending plan.  She says the Opioid drug epidemic took the lives of nearly 3,500 New Yorkers last year, and has touched everyone at some point.

 

Gillibrand says the funding represents a $145-million increase over last year's levels and, she's hopeful that translates to more money for New York.  She says the state received $25-million for fiscal year 2018.  Gillibrand says the funding will go to low-income community centers, health programs in rural communities and, for programs in New York state's Tribal communities, such as the Seneca Nation.  She made her comments during an afternoon conference call with New York state media.

 

 

A Fredonia man is jailed without bail on numerous charges, including drug and weapons possession counts following a raid at his business in the town of Sheridan last weekend...  

 

The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office, along with the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and, state Police Special Investigation Unit, wrapped up a lengthy investigation at 3491 East Main Road late last Friday morning.  Deputies say they focused on drugs and stolen property and, arrested 55 year-old James Langendorfer during the raid.  They also found a quantity of narcotics, marijuana and other contraband. Langendorfer was arraigned on about a dozen charges and, was sent to the county lock-up.  Sheriff's officers say more charges are pending.  (**If you see narcotics or other suspicious activity, you are encouraged to call the task force at 1-800-344-8702.)

 

 

The Democratic candidate for the 23rd Congressional District is voicing her view on a number of issues as the campaign with incumbant four-term incumbant Congressman Tom Reed heats up...  

 

Ithaca's Tracy Mitrano held her first conference call with regional media Tuesday and, discussed many of the issues.  Among them is the need for a broad approach to allowing for economic development and job creation.

 

Mitrano, who grew up in the Rochester-area, says the region is in "desperate need" of economic opportunity and development.  She says she also differs with Reed on other issues including health care, adding the Corning Republican has consistantly voted against affordable health care, especially for low-income children.  Mitrano defeated four other candidates in a district-wide, Democratic Primary back in June.  She will challenge Reed, who is a Republican from Corning and, who has served in Congress since 2010.  

 

 

While students may not be excited to return to school yet, five new hires in the Jamestown School District can't wait to get started...  

 

At a regular board meeting Tuesday night, the newest members were approved to a probationary position by the district, adding to the 17 approved hires earlier this month. The five members were in attendance last night and included Jamie Berg, coordinator of humanities, Kevin Emley, physical education teacher at Fletcher Elementary School, Desaree Hannon, ELA teacher, Heather Heald, special education teacher at Persell Middle School and, Brianna Rodriguez, teacher at Love Elementary School.  Board Vice President Patrick Slagle welcomed them to the Jamestown School family, while District Superintendent Bret Apthorpe echoed the sentiment. 

 

 

Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson is joining with every other D-A in New York state in opposing Governor Andrew Cuomo's signing of a bill that creates the nation's first commission to investigate prosecutorial misconduct...  

 

Cuomo says it would establish an 11-member commission appointed by the governor, Legislature and New York's chief judge to probe misconduct claims against local D-As and their assistants.  Swanson says New York already has the Attorney Grievance Commission, which does work.

 

In fact... Swanson says the commission just recent handed out a two-year suspension to a former St. Lawrence County D-A for misconduct.  He says the D-A Association has filed a grievance of it's own... saying the Prosecutorial Misconduct Commission would be unconstitutional because it it gives more power to the judicial branch of government.  Cuomo said on Monday that the law will root out any potential abuses of power and will give New Yorkers comfort that there is a system of checks and balances in the criminal justice system. 

 

 

Jamestown lawmakers may have the name of a potential candidate to fill an open constable's position for next Monday night's City Council voting session...  

 

That from Councilman Tony Dolce, who would only say there were three candidates that Mayor Sam Teresi presented during a closed-door session Monday night.  Dolce would not identify the three candidates, but says lawmakers had a chance to review their backgrounds, and eligibility.  He says they may have a name to consider next Monday night, but that is not a certainty.

 

 

A sex offender living in Dunkirk is now facing charges after an incident regarding a suspicious man this past Sunday...  

 

Dunkirk Police say they received a complaint from a resident in the 700-block of Main Street about a suspicious male in her front yard talking with a group of younger children.  A patrol later found 71-year-old Richard Conti walking from the area.  He is a Level-3 registered sex offender.  Conti was arrested following an investigation on charges of second-degree harassment and, criminal trespass.    

 

 

More retirements in Jamestown city government has led to council members considering hiring three replacements -- two of them in the City Police Department...  

 

Two proposals to again lift the hiring freeze and hire the officers was approved by the Finance Committee Monday night and Committee Chairman Tony Dolce says they'll be acted on at next Monday night's voting session.

 

Dolce says those two hirings, along with one for a combination accountant/clerk/typist in the Treasurer's Office.  As with the two police officers that would be hired, the position is budgeted for in the 2018 spending plan.  The committee also approved making a Clerk-Two position in the police department full-time.  All items will be voted on next Monday night.

 

 

Former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner has submitted more than 40,000 voter signatures to secure her place as a candidate for governor on the November ballot....  

 

Miner was elected to lead Syracuse as a Democrat, but she is running for governor as an independent on the Serve America Movement ballot line.  She says voters are fed up with politics as usual and that the major parties are to blame.  She submitted her ballot petitions to state election officials on Tuesday, as did Michael Volpe, who is running for lieutenant governor as an independent.  Miner will face Republican candidate Marc Molinaro, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and the winner of next month's Democratic primary between two-term incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon.

 

 

A new law signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo bans smoking in home-based day care centers... 

 

The law signed Monday requires facilities licensed or registered for child care services to comply with the smoking ban even when children are not present.  Operators and residents of home-based day care centers had previously been permitted to smoke outside of their hours of operation.  Cuomo said the law will "protect children from this public health hazard and the life-long misery that comes with it."