(Sorry, tech. issues prevented last Thursday and, Friday headlines from being posted)...
Chautauqua County lawmakers accept state and federal funding for airport projects...
County lawmakers have approved accepting more than $760,000 in federal and state funds for construction projects at the Jamestown and Dunkirk Airports.  During it's monthly meeting in Mayville Wednesday... the county legislature okayed resolutions toward a taxiway rehabilitation project at Dunkirk... and, a project to replace 34 airfield guidance signs at the Jamestown Airport.  Jamestown Republican Elisabeth Rankin said it's important to support those projects.  North county legislators Tom Harmon of Silver Creek, and Robert Bankoski of Dunkirk, say the projects will come at no cost to county taxpayers... and, they will save money down the road.  The funds from the Federal Aviation Administration... and, New York State Department of Transportation total over $679,000 for the Dunkirk Airport project and $86,700 for the project at the Jamestown Airport.

Fredonia man arrested following investigation into theft of meds from town of Dunkirk assisted living facility...        
A Fredonia man is accused of stealing prescription medication from a residential assisted living facility... and, then falsifying records to cover up the crime.  Sheriff's officers were initially called to a reported larceny at the unidentified town of Dunkirk facility last May 1st... and, began investigating after packaging materials and business records were found inside a trash can away from the facility.  During the several weeks long investigation... deputies found that 56 year-old Scott Frank stole the medication prescribed to patients... and, then altered and destroyed business records at the facility to cover up the theft.  An arrest warrant was obtained... and, Frank was arrested for first-degree falsifying business records... fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... fraud and deceit related to a controlled substance... and, two counts of petty Larceny.  He ws taken to the County Jail for centralized arraignment. 

Five arrested during drug raid on Jamestown's westside Wednesday night...
A drug raid on the city of Jamestown's westside has led to the arrest of five people on several narcotics-related charges.  City police say members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force and the Sheriff's Office Narcotics Investigators executed a search warrant at 110 Fairview Ave. just before 7 p.m. Wednesday.   Officers say they found 32 year-old Jaqwan Martin... 39 year-old Michael McGaughy... 20 year-old Jhaszmine Mitchell... 32 year-old Taylor O'Neil... and, 29 year-old Christine Baca inside.  Detectives searched the home and found 14-grams of crack cocaine... 12.8-grams of fentanyl... a quantity of methamphetamine... packaging materials, scales, ammunition, and cash inside the residence.  All five individuals were arrested for three counts each of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.  Police say O'Neil was also charged with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.  All five were jailed pending arraignment.  The JPD SWAT Team... and K-9 Unit also assisted. 

Project SEARCH holds graduation...
There was a chorus of celebration Thursday morning at UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown, as the first three graduates of ‘Project SEARCH’ received their diplomas.  Project SEARCH was conducted in partnership with the Resource Center.  TRC’s Director of Employment and Community Based Services, Terri Johnson says it’s is a ‘full immersion internship’ for persons with disabilities.  Johnson says the students get to go to the host business and have a variety of experiences to help develop those skills they've learned about over their nine-months of work.  The three graduates are Abigail Adam, Joshua Holsinger and Nick Kenzie.  Kenzie told our Dennis Webster that he wanted to join the program to better position himself to get a job.  Project SEARCH is an established program at many places around the world, including five UPMC hospitals. 

Dunkirk Police on look-out for woman allegedly involved in bank robbery...
Dunkirk police are asking for the public's helping in finding a person allegedly tied to a bank robbery early Wednesday afternoon.  The Dunkirk Police Department Facebook page reports that officers were called to the Key Bank location at 51 East Fourth Street -- in Dunkirk -- shortly after 1 p.m.  Police released two photographs of the alleged suspect... but, did not release any other information regarding the suspect.  They did not say how much, or if any money was taken.  The person -- believed to be a woman -- was wearing a grey or tanish colored hoodie... wire rimmed glasses and a white mask.  Anyone with information regarding Wednesday’s robbery is asked to contact Dunkirk Police at 716-366-2266 or the confidential tipline at 363-0313.

County Legislators agree they need a new Budget Director ASAP...
Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel recently kicked off the 2024 budget making process.... but, the county is also in the process of looking for a new budget director.  Kathleen Dennison left the post for retirement earlier this month.  County Legislature Majority Leader Tom Harmon, a member of the search committee, says the effort to find a new director is underway.  The Silver Creek Republican says it's a "huge position" that needs to be filed.  Legislature Minority Leader Bob Bankoski says Dennison is helping out, but the position needs to be filled full-time.  Right now... he says Dennison is helping out 2 or 3 days a week.  Wendel has until late September to present the County Legislature with a 2024 budget. 

Local woman arrested for allegedly shoplifting $1,300 of items from West Ellicott Wegman's...
A Jamestown-area woman has faces a Grand Larceny charge after allegedly stealing just over $1,300 worth of merchandise at the Wegman's supermarket in West Ellicott.  Ellicott Town Police say they received a report of a shoplifting at the 945 Fairmount Ave. location on Tues., June 20.  Officers say their investigation showed that 42 year-old Stephanie Derby had filled a shopping cart with items, and proceeded to walk out of the store without paying.  She was arrested for fourth-degree Grand Larceny... and, issued an appearance ticket for Ellicott Town Court at a later date.

State School Board's Association says overall, there is a nice balance of experienced, and new board members taking office on July 1...
As a new public school year begins this Saturday... new school board members begin the process of getting up to speed on the nuts and bolts of running a school district.  That from New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Bob Schneider... who says there were just over 500 new board members elected last month across the state.  Schneider says a larger number of incumbants chose not to run on May 16, but, those who ran did well.  He says there were 1,378 seats that were filled in the May elections.  Schneider says 854 incumbants won their elections... and, 524 newcomers were voted in.  Typically... Schneider says about 20% to 25% of incumbants elected not to run for re-election... but, this year about 30% decided not to run again.  He says NYSSBA found that there were only about 1.3 candidates running for each open school board seat this year.  Usually... Schneider says that number is usually 1.5 candidates.