Salamanca man arrested for alleged bar shooting in Ellicottville...
A Cattaraugus County man is being held on $50,000 bail following a shooting in the village of Ellicottive last Saturday. Members of the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation say the incident occurred during an altercation at the corner of Monroe and Washington Streets... when 25 year-old Damien Marvin of Salamanca allegedly shot one-round into the abdomen of a 41 year-old victim with a legally possessed Glock. Troopers say Marvin remained on scene and surrendered without incident. The victim was taken to Erie County Medical Center where he's in critical condition. The incident remains under investigation.
Savlation Army's Red Kettle Campaign way behind... still looking for bell ringers...
The Salvation Army of Jamestown is still in urgent need of bellringers for their annual Red Kettle Campaign across the Jamestown-area. That from Major Kim Merchant... who says they're only at $27,200 of their $112,000 goal they want to reach by Christmas Eve. Merchant says there's only about three-weeks left in the drive. Merchant says they have just over 670-hours left to fill in the final 18 days of the effort. She adds people can also mail donations to them at 83 South Main St. in Jamestown. Merchant says if someone would like to ring the bells at their many locations... they can call 664-4108 and ask for Holly... who schedules all of their ringers. She adds they're also into the final stretch of their "Angel Tree" program... with gifts due by Friday, Dec. 14. Merchant says they are also looking for donations of non-perishable food items that they can place in their food baskets for the Holiday Season. Again... if you would like to help out with the Red Kettle Campaign, or the Angel Tree program... contact the Salvation Army of Jamestown at 664-4108.
Martin to again host annual Holiday Haul for St. Susan's Center Dec. 13 -- 15...
One of the St. Susan's Center's biggest fund-raisers and food drives is set for next weekend to help the Jamestown area's largest soup kitchen get through the holiday season. Northwest Arena Executive Director Keith Martin is again hosting the event. Martin says the fifth-annual Holiday Haul will be held in the parking lot of the Jamestown Cycle Shop Dec. 13 through 15. He says they hpe to accomplish what they have over the past few years, bringing in a few tons of supplies, and a nice monitary donation to the soup kitchen... which is again on track to provide more than 120,000 meals to the area's needy. Last year, Martin says they were able to bring in 4-and-a-half tons of supplies, and over $14,000 for the St. Susan's Center. In addition to the 100-percent juices and non-perishable foods, he says the center is in greatest need of a few specific things... such as paper towels, and dishwashing soap. Martin says they also need the money so they can buy milk every other day. The 2018 Holiday Haul will run 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. next Thursday and Friday.... and, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. next Saturday. More information is available by calling Keith Martin at 484-2624.
State legislature to again consider pay raises...
In New York state government news, legislators will soon learn whether they will get their first raise in two decades. A commission created to study a possible pay increase for the Senate and Assembly is due to make its decision by Dec. 10. Lawmakers now make $79,500. Many argue the pay hasn't kept up with the cost of living and doesn't reflect work they do outside the six-month legislative session. Meanwhile, Attorney General-elect Letitia James is urging lawmakers to close a loophole in state law that could hurt the state's ability to bring charges against anyone pardoned by the president.
Wright says $20-million in very capable hands when she retires...
A major project to upgrade the emergency department and develop a new maternity area at UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown will be in good hands once the current head of the hospital retires. The approximately $20-million project began under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Betsy Wright... but, it will finish under a different leader next year. While the hospital will be led by interim president Brian Durniok from UPMC Northwest... Wright says the project has really been led by Vice-President of Operations Cecil Miller. She says Miller will also take on some other responsibilities once she retires on Dec. 31. Wright says that Durniok will only be in Jamestown two to three days a week. As for her nearly 20 years of heading up WCA -- now UPMC Chautauqua -- Wright says there were two huge challenges she was able to help the hospital get through. She says the main one was navigating the changing "reimbursements" for Medicare and Medicaid. Wright is retiring after about 35 years in the Health Care industry... nearly 30 of those alone at UMPC Chautauqua -- formerly WCA Hospital.
Erie, PA woman assaults, crushes boyfriend to death...
An Erie woman has pleaded guilty to killing her boyfriend by stabbing him, hitting him with a table leg and crushing him. Windi Thomas faces a sentence of 18 to 36 years after pleading guilty to third-degree murder. She had been scheduled for trial next week, but instead will be sentenced on Dec. 21. The 44-year-old Thomas admitted killing Keeno Butler last March, partially by lying on top of him. Thomas weighs about 300 pounds, while the 44-year-old Butler weighed about 120 pounds. The Erie Times-News reports Butler's sister said her family is still coping with her brother's death and had been hoping for a longer prison sentence for Thomas.
