A Sinclairville woman and her husband have been arrested after she was recognized as being the person who allegedly stole a donation cannister from a downtown Jamestown convenience store. City Police Captain Bob Samuelson says they receive numerous tips from the public... and, their "field intelligence network" after a picture of the suspect was circulated. Samuelson says officers from another agency recognized 26 year-old Kelsey Raynor as the suspect... and, they were contacted. He adds they put a name to the face... and, soon found she and, 30 year-old Jacob Raynor were allegedly involved in a burglary on Foote Avenue. Samuelson says Kelsey Raynor is then accused of later entering the Robo Mini-Mart at 817 North Main Street... and, taking the "Cents for St. Susan's" cannister. Both were arrested Wednesday morning by Ellicott Town Police, and Sheriff's officers as part of a "parallel investigation" involving Ellicott officers. Samuelson says Kelsey and Jacob Raynor are both charged with second-degree burglary... and, she is also charged with larceny... and, being held pending arraignment.
School officials were all smiles Wednesday in the Bemus Point Central School District. That... after voters approved a 2013-2014 budget the second-time around Tuesday. School Superintendent Jackie Latshaw says she and the board were very happy with both the turn-out... and, the result. The 13.1-million dollar budget... which was defeated last May 21st by 12 votes... was approved this time, 601-to-440. Latshaw says the positive outcome was necessary to keep programming in place. While there was a 5.6-percent tax increase... she adds the spending plan was "very lean." Latshaw also says it addresses one of their biggest concerns -- class sizes in the lower grade levels. Voter turn-out was "high" all day Tuesday... and, while one-thousand-42 people voted on the new budget... Latshaw says it's not the highest turn-out the district has ever seen. About 15 to 20 years ago... she says about 15-hundred people voted on the budget and school board seats. However... she says it was the highest turn-out since she's been involved with the district.
Nearly all New York school districts that put budgets up for new votes after first-round defeats have won approval from voters. The New York State School Boards Association says 28 budgets -- including Bemus Point's -- passed in Tuesday's voting. However... two failed and the numbers were too close to call in one district. State law gives districts two chances to get budgets passed. If they fail both times, they cannot raise taxes at all in the next school year. Wilson in Niagara County and Remsen in Oneida County now face that challenge. The count was too close to call Wednesday in the Mount Vernon district in Westchester County. Three districts managed to override the state's tax cap with a supermajority: One was Newcomb in the Adirondacks... and, two others on Long Island.
The work is far from over for two area school districts whose voters have supported a proposal to merge the two districts. That from Brocton Central School Superintendent John Hertlein... who says he's pleased with the results of Tuesday's straw vote in centralizing the district with the Westfield Academy and Central School. The results were 468-to-77 at Brocton... and, 508-to-168 in the Westfield district. But... Hertlein says it appears there are still a lot of voters who took part in a previous merger vote with the Fredonia Central that didn't turn out for this vote. That merger failed. He wants to make sure those voters get honest and accurate information. While the Tuesday's straw vote was not binding... the October vote will count.
Both Assemblyman Goodell and State Senator Cathy Young thanked their colleagues for their hard work and dedication to support "these critical funds." In a printed release... Goodell says -- "we have a responsibility to speak up for those in our society who aren't able to do so for themselves." Young echoed Goodell's sentiments... saying it was a "hard fought" victory. She adds "the Senate was able to restore some of the cuts in the state budget, and remained persistent until these vital organizations could remain fully-funded." She says agencies will not be forced to cut or reduce programs that are crucial to people with disabilities.
Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders say they have a deal to authorize four upstate New York casinos that would drive jobs and tourism to the area. The agreement will allow four resort casinos in the Southern Tier near Binghamton, the Hudson Valley-Catskills area... the Albany area... and, possibly in the Catskills.
