The Democratic challenger in the 23rd Congressional District race is blasting President Trump, and incumbant Republican Tom Reed regarding Trump's handling of the death of Senator John McCain....  

 

Tracy Mitrano says that -- as a member of a military family -- she was "deeply embarrased and ashamed" by Trump's lack of initial response, and, raising the White House Flags after briefly being at half-staff.  She says it was a "shameful" way to treat the memory of a War hero, and POW.

 

McCain, a maverick Republican from Arizona, died this past weekend after discontinuing brain cancer treatments.  Mitrano also took aim at Reed, who she says has often times provided "cover" for Trump.  She says the Corning Republican has found is more important to stand behind the president on matters such as tariffs -- than stand for the people in his district.  Mitrano made her comments during a Tuesday press call.

 

 

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Cynthia Nixon are preparing for their only scheduled debate before next month's Democratic primary...  

 

The two-term incumbent and the former "Sex and the City" star will face off tonight at Hofstra University.  The debate will be broadcast at 7 PM on CBS-2.  Nixon is expected to accuse Cuomo of doing too little to address political corruption, income inequality and New York City's aging subways.  Observers say Cuomo will tout liberal accomplishments like a higher minimum wage and same-sex marriage and argue his experience makes him more qualified to stand up to President Donald Trump.  Cuomo leads in polls and fundraising.  The winner of the September 13 primary faces Republican Marc Molinaro, independent candidate Stephanie Miner and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins in the November election.

 

 

The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities has approved an additional allocation of up to $110,000 to cover legal fees for the proposed annexation of BPU property in the village of Falconer... 

 

The board approved the change order at yesterday Monday's meeting, the third such change since the BPU initially began the action regarding the Dow Street Substation property.  Mayor Sam Teresi says all sides in the matter are now preparing for a pre-hearing conference with a three-member tribunal.

 

Teresi says the intial session with the Tribunal is to take place sometime in October.  The BPU has now allocated $270,000 in total for the process, but the mayor adds they've only had to spend about $170,000.  He also says a lot of the work has been done "in house."  The BPU initiated the process to obtain the approximately four acres of property, which is adjacent to the city line, early last year.  It has been strongly opposed by the village of Falconer, town of Ellicott, and the Falconer School District because of the potential loss of tax revenue.

 

 

City residents and local and state lawmakers had the chance to mingle and talk about the issues during an outdoor program at Jamestown's Love Elementary School last night...  

 

First-term City Councilman Andrew Liuzzo hosted the event, called "Ask Us..." to give people the chance to hear from lawmakers -- and department heads -- about local issues.  Liuzzo says he was hoping for more residents, but says -- for the first year -- the event was a success.

 

Liuzzo was especially happy about the overall elected official turn-out, which included State Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Andy Goodell, as well as County Executive George Borrello.  County Legislature Chairman Paul Wendel of Lakewood was also on hand and, says such events provide important "face-time" with constituents.  Several department heads, including Police Chief Harry Snellings and Public Works Director Jeff Lehman, were also on hand for the informal gathering.  Liuzzo also gathered school supplies for the district during the event.

 

 

Half a dozen former international prosecutors heard stories from some of the victims of international war crimes and atrosities during the 12th annual International Humanitarian Law Dialogs at Chautauqua Institution...  

 

The dialogs concluded Tuesday afternoon with prosecutors issuing the annual "Chautauqua Declaration..." which voiced their standing by the victims of atrocities from all corners of the globe.  Retired Syracuse University Professor David Crane is former prosecutor in Sierra Leone and, has been involved in organizing all 12 dialogs.

 

The moderator for this afternoon's program, the American Bar Association's Alberto Mora of Washington, D-C, says the dialogs are important to continuing the spirit of the Nuremburg War Crimes tribunals following WWII.  Mora says they created the principals of international criminal law and, ended impunity for international aggressors, and those violating human rights.  The late Robert H. Jackson was chief prosecutor at the Nuremburg trials.  The center that bears his name and, Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio, put on this year's program.

 

 

A Jamestown man convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of five-grams or more of methamphetamine, has been sentenced in U-S District Court in Buffalo...  

 

U-S Attorney James Kennedy, Junior, says 32 year-old Matthew Jones received a sentence of 100 months in prison from U-S District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo.  Assistant U-S Attorney Laura Higgins, who is handling the case, stated Jones was arrested with his brother Beau "KC" Jones during a traffic stop on  December 1st of 2016 after Matthew received a 360-gram shipment of meth to his Colfax Street residence.  Kennedy says Beau Jones was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

 

 

A Jamestown man who was removed from the Bill's Pre-Season game last Sunday faces felony Leandra's Law charges... 

 

The Buffalo News reports 25 year-old Dylan George was behind the wheel on Southwestern Boulevard near Milestrip Road when his 24 year-old brother allegedly jumped from their moving SUV. The paper says George provided a .12 percent breath sample to Orchard Park Police. His 6 year-old child was a passenger in the vehicle, which upgraded an intial  DWI charge to felony status. He was additionally charged with marijuana possession and was released after posting bail.  George's brother was treated at Erie County Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. 

 

 

The Jamestown Jackals Basketball team is taking a big step upwards in the professional ranks for the 2019 season...  

 

The Jackels and the head of the former North American Basketball League today Tuesday announced Jamestown will be one of 12-teams in the new "The Basketball League."  Jackals Owner and General Manager Kayla Crosby announced the move today during a press conference at their home court at Jamestown Community College.

 

Crosby says while they are "moving up" to a fully-professional league, their main mission of "Integrity First" remains paramount to the organization.  David Magley, who played at the University of Kansas, and professionally with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has been involved with other lower level pro leagues but, says this one will be professional all the way.  He says they'll play in upper tier venues, wear same-brand uniforms, and, play the same number of games.  Magley says their plans are to have a 32-game schedule, with 16 home games beginning early next year.  Teams will include Albany, Rochester, Raleigh, North Carolina, Kansas City, and, there will be a California franchise. 

 

 

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has given final approval to a bill that will require all school bus drivers to submit to random drug and alcohol screening...  

 

The new law will take effect in four months. The law also prohibits bus drivers from drinking alcohol eight hours prior to their shift.  It previously was six hours.  The cost for school district drug testing will be eligible for state reimbursement.  The New York Association for Pupil Transportation -- which represents the school bus industry -- praised the law's passage.