Westfield Academy student arrested for making alleged bomb threat again school...
A Westfield Academy and Central School District student has been charged by village police with a felony for allegedly makng a bomb threat against the school earlier this month. Westfield Police say the threat that was reported on Jan. 9, and, caused the school to go into a "shelter-in-place" as a precaution before the district was evacuated. The investigation by Westfield Police... and, the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office found that the bomb threat was written on a bathroom stall in the middle school. Police say the threat indicated that there was a bomb inside a specific locker, which was found to not be assigned to any student in the district. A search was performed by a K-9 Unit and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad. An isolated search of the building confirmed that the threat was not credible. The juvenile was arrested Thursday and charged with Felony making a terroristic threat. The juvenile was issued an appearance ticket for Family Court at a later date.
County Jail inmate who tried to escape from work detail earlier in week now formally charged...
The inmate who escaped from a Chautauqua County Jail work detail in the town of Ellery earlier this week has now been charged in the case. Sheriff's officers say 44 year-old Ralph Patterson was officially charged with third-degree escape. Deputies say the charge stems from the incident in which Patterson escaped custody during a work detail this past Monday. He was caught quickly by officers with the help of several other police agencies. Patterson was returned to the county jail on the charge.
More on Hochul's budget proposal that includes slight increase in school aid...
Governor Kathy Hochul says her 2024-25 budget proposal is making a new, record investment in New York state's public schools. Last year... Hochul and the legislature agreed to a just over $34-billion allocation for the state's roughly 700 school districts... and, this year... she's adding another just under one-billion dollars. She made her comments during Tuesday's presentation of her proposed $233-billion budget plan. Hochul says the $825-million increase will "cement" an increase to the highest level of education aid funding at $35-billion. She is also calling for training some 20,000 new teachers in going back to the basics education... namely boosting literacy by using phonics. She also highlighted three areas of crime she's putting additional money into. She's calling for $40-million to combat retail theft... and, another $40-million to deal with domestic violence. There's also $25-million to help investigate hate crimes
City man arrested on active warrants following one-hour standoff...
A Jamestown man sought on multiple warrants was arrested late Wednesday night following a one hour stand-off with police at an address on the city's southside. Jamestown police say members of their Violent Crime Unit responded to the unidentified location shortly before 11 p.m. to do a warrant check on 36 year-old Lucas Smyczek. They say Smyczek was also wanted on an active New York State Parole Warrant. During the investigation... officers spotted him inside the residence... directly violating orders of protection for two people inside the home. After the stand-off... Smyczek was taken into custody without further incident on two counts of second-degree criminal contempt... along with the active warrants. He was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
Borrello expresses concern over possible loss of state aid for local rural school districts in Hochul's budget plan...
While Governor Hochul's 2024-25 budget proposal includes another increase in school aid... one part of her plan is causing concern for local State Senator George Borrello. Hochul and the legislature agreed last year... for the first time ever... to fully fund Foundation Aid for districts. However... Borrello says a provision in the budget may lead some rural districts to lose funding... that's elimination of the "Save Harmless" provision that keeps districts from losing Foundation Aid. Borrello says his biggest concern is over the continued funding for New York City to deal with the migrant crisis. The current $1.9-billion allocation would be increased to $2.4-billion with the use of $500-million in reserve funds. The Sunset Bay Republican adds there is also an "alarming" proposal to close five prisons... which he says will exacerbate the crime crisis.
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Meanwhile, the Sunset Bay Republican does support initiatives dealing with improving water quality in lakes and waterways, which he says would benefit Chautauqua County.
Kennedy man arrested for alleged child abuse...
A man from Kennedy man now faces accusations of physically abusing a young child late last year at his home on Waterboro Hill Road. Sheriff's deputies say the child was seriously hurt in the incident... which occured around Thanksgiving. Sheriff's deputies say they investigated... and have arrested 62 year-old Clifford Hickok in connection with the Nov. 24 incident. Officers say the child needed immediate medical attention. Hickok was arrested Tuesday for endangering the welfare of a child... and, issued appearance tickets for Poland Town Court.
Geise named to Business First "Power 250" economic development listing...
The man who heads up many of Chautauqua County's economic development programs and initiatives has been named to the 2024 edition of Buffalo Business First's prestigious “Power 250” listing. In a printed release... the county's Industrial Development Agency announced that Deputy County Executive for Economic Development Mark Geise, is on the list published in the Jan. 10 edition of the trade paper. The news staff at Business First makes the decision after three months of research, reporting, and debate. Geise was first appointed as Deputy County Executive for Economic Development... and, IDA CEO in March of 2018.
