County Chamber hears budget details from Goodell and Young...
The loss of a Republican Majority in the New York State Senate led to a final budget that heavily-favors downstate interests at the expense of the upstate region.  Those are the feelings of State Assemblyman Andy Goodell as he and retired State Senator Cathy Young addressed the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce's annual State Legislative Breakfast in Lakewood yesterday morning.  Goodell says a number of items that were often approved in the more liberal Assembly would be stopped in the Senate.  He says transportation funding was a big one... as upstate received about $1-billion in the new budget.  However... Goodell says the MTA in New York City received $5.6-billion... five times more than upstate.  He says he was also disappointed to see the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program -- or CHIPS Funding -- cut by $65-million.  Young was making her first public appearance in Chautauqua County since stepping down last month to become director of the state Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell Agri-Tech.

County Chamber, Tranum honor and thank Young...
The State Legislative Breakfast was also the first public appearance since retiring for Cathy Young in Chautauqua County... and, members of the county chamber gave her a rousing welcome.  Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Tranum praised Young for the many projects she worked on... and, pushed in the Senate.  The first... and biggest... was probably the effort to save the NRG Power Plant in Dunkirk... which NRG ended up walking away from.  There were others, as well... such as funding to combat the opioid drug epidemic, and securing record school aid here and state-wide.  Tranum also praised Young for her commitment to constituent service... and, for considering the chamber's position when dealing with legislation.  He says the chamber will "miss having you as a representative in the Senate."  Young was given a standing ovation at the end of Tranum's remarks.

St. Bonaventure President calls on Buffalo Bishop Malone to resign...
The president of a Catholic university in Cattaraugus County is calling on Buffalo's bishop to resign.  St. Bonaventure University President Dennis DePerro says in an interview with WKBW that Bishop Richard J. Malone needs to step aside so the Diocese of Buffalo can begin to heal after a year of scandals related to the handling of sexual abuse.  DePerro acknowledged that the bishop had come forward with a period of prayer and healing.  But... he says "those things do not seem to be working."  An e-mail requesting comment was sent to the diocese on Friday.

Man arrested for weapons possesion in Falconer...
A Falconer man was arrested on weapons possession charges following a domestic dispute late Thursday night.  Ellicott Town Police were called to a residence in the village about 11 p.m., and, found 52 year-old Ronald McClaran was allegedly in possession of four semi-automatic handguns. Officers say McClaran did not a state-issued permit for the guns, and was charged with four-counts of criminal possession of a firearm.  He was sent to the County Jail pending arraignment. 

Borrello joins officials with new Chautauqua Lake Pops to announce move...
The village of Mayville is poised to become "the gateway" to Chautauqua Lake as the former Bemus Bay Pops program will be returning as the new "Chautauqua Lake Pops."  That from County Executive George Borrello... who says it's a "great thing" the pops is returning after a year in limbo.  That follows more than 20 years as the Bemus Bay Pops in Bemus Point.  Borrello says it became an important cultural and economic engine for the entire region... and, he says it's return is good news and will be a nice fit for the village.  With it's summer concert series, programs, and special events... Borrello says economic impact studies have determined that the Pops has generated between $12 to 14-million annually for Chautauqua County in past summers and is poised to do so again.  Chautauqua Lake Pops Chairman and President Dan Dalpra says “we are excited to bring this great program back to the lake. Mayville has come forward with an opportunity and partnership to make this happen."  Pops Communications Director Mike Ferguson thanked Mayor Ken Shearer and others for working hard to "make it happen."

Haynes received CAP Earhart Award...
A newly promoted Cadet-Captain with the Jamestown Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol has received CAP's highest honor... the Amelia Earhart Award.  State Assemblyman Andy Goodell was on hand to present the Earhart award to Emma Haynes at the organization's weekly gathering.  Goodell says "when you get this award on behalf of Amelia Earhart, there’s a special recognition of what you have accomplished so far, and what we expect of you in the future."  The 17 year-old Haynes plans on applying to West Point and other ROTC scholarship programs in the future.

Bogus Tax Refunds on the rise...
New York's comptroller is reporting a big increase in the number of questionable or fraudulent state tax refunds this year.  State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office said Friday that it had blocked more than 12,000 bogus refunds worth $43.7 million as of Monday, compared to $24 million in bogus returns at the same point last year.  DiNapoli says his office is using increasingly sophisticated data-driven methods to catch those who claim refunds they're not entitled to. Tax day this year is Monday.