Postponement granted in start of trial for Rushdie assailant...
Author Salman Rushdie's plans to publish a book about a 2022 attempt on his life has delayed the start of the trial of his alleged attacker. We have learned that Chautauqua County Court Judge David Foley has granted a defense request that the trial for 26-year-old Hadi Matar... which was to begin next Monday... be delayed. No date has been set as yet. The A-P reported Tuesday that Matar's attorney, Public Defender Ned Barone, was considering a request to Judge Foley. Barone says -- quote "“It's not just the book. Every little note Rushdie wrote down, I get, I'm entitled to. Every discussion, every recording, anything he did in regard to this book.” However... District Attorney Jason Schmidt said Rushdie's representatives had declined the prosecutor's request for a copy of the manuscript, citing intellectual property rights. Schmidt downplayed the book's relevance at the upcoming trial, given that the attack was witnessed by a large, live audience and Rushdie himself could testify.
Little or no snow in December or January? Blame el nino, says forecaster...
It's been one of the warmest, and least snowiest starts to Winter in Western New York ever... and, el nino is to blame. That from Forecaster Jason Alumbaugh with the National Weather Service in Buffalo... who says we're seeing some snow activity to our north and east... but, very little here over the next day or two. Alumbaugh talked about that with our Dennis Webster Wednesday morning... noting there have only been short bursts of cold air, with little snow so far. So far this Winter... Alumbaugh says they've only recorded about 8-inches of snow at their headquarters at the Buffalo-Niagara Airport. He says December was unusually warm. In fact... Alumbaugh says December of 2023 was the second-warmest on record. However... with Lake Erie still warm at 43-degrees... the potential is still there for some significant lake effect snow once cold artic air finally sets up over the lakes.
Pair arrested in Jamestown for stolen car, and others...
An investigation into a stolen vehicle in Cattaraugus County has led to the arrests of two people in Jamestown on various charges. City police say they located the vehicle on Hopkins Avenue shortly before 1 p.m. Monday... and, saw a man fleeing from the driver's seat. A female passenger inside the vehicle... identified as 43-year-old Julie Capizzi of Frewsburg... was taken into custody without incident. The male driver, who was found a short distance away, tried to give police a false name... but, was later identified as 47 year-old David Vanguilder of Jamestown... and, he was also taken into custody. Capizzi was later found in possession of suboxone strips without a prescription, and a quantity of fentanyl. She was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property... and, two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Vanguilder was already sought by JPD on outstanding felony arrest warrants... and, was also charged with false personation... fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property... and, second-degree criminal possession of a forged Instrument. He was arraigned, and turned over to the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office on warrants they had. Vanguilder is also wanted on other charges elsewhere.
Chagnon again elected as chairment of Chautauqua County Legislature...
The Bemus Point-area Republican who has led the Chautauqua County Legislature in recent years has been again elected to that position for the coming year. During their re-organizational meeting in Mayville Tuesday afternoon... lawmakers reelected Pierre Chagnon to head up the panel. In his very brief address... Chagnon said he was again honored to have the confidence of both majority Republicans, and minority Democrats. He says he will again adhere to "high moral standards, and do my very best to demonstrate servant leadership." 2024 will also be a year of change on the legislature... with several new members being elected... some of them replacing people who retired.
Wilfong to be new Majority Leader on legislature...
A Jamestown Republican has been named as the county legislature's new Majority Leader for 2024. Multi-term lawmaker Dave Wilfong will serve in the position this year after being formally named during yesterday's legislature reorganizational meeting in Mayville. Wilfong replaces Tom Harmon... who will be a committee chairman this year. Wilfong was on hand for Monday afternoon's inauguration of fellow Republican Kim Ecklund as the city's new mayor. Wilfong believes being able to work with both sides of the political aisle was a big reason for his appointment. Ellicott Republican Lisa Vanstrom will be Assistant Majority Leader in 2024. Minority Democrats have reappointed Dunkirk's Robert Bankowski to again be Minority Leader... and Fredonia's Susan Parker as Assistant Minority Leader.
Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign comes up just short in 2023...
The Salvation Army of Jamestown came up about $19,000 short of their goal in this year's Red Kettle Campaign. However... leaders have faith they will be able to still meet the needs of the local community in the coming year. That from Major Kim Merchant... who says including a $6,000 match from the national organization... they will have raised $105,700. While that's short of their 2023 goal of $125,000... they are pleased with the response, because a lot of people are struggling right now. Merchant noted during the campaign that they had fewer days to raise the money... and, that would also make it a challenge. However... she says if someone is so inclined, they can still make a cash contribution to their programming. Checks can be made out to The Salvation Army, 83 South Main St., Jamestown, New York 14701.
