A Falconer man has been arrested for allegedly breaking into several businesses -- and an American Legion post -- in Warren County, Pennsylvania the past five months. State Police in Warren say they arrested 42 year-old Richard Schultz, Junior following a lengthy investigation into the break-ins. Two of them occured at the Sugar Grove american Legion last June 11th... and, again on August 3rd. Troopers say Schultz is accused of stealing 8-thousand dollars in cash... and, other goods. Other burglaries occured at Wilcox Brothers True Value... Chase Auction House... and, Youngsville Hardware. Police say they were assisted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department... and, Schultz was found in the McKean County Jail. He was arraigned on five counts of Felony burglary... two counts of Felony Theft... three counts of Misdemeanor Theft... and, five counts of criminal mischief. Schultz was sent to the Warren County Jail on 100-thousand dollars bail.
Ensuring that everyone is safe is the top priority when it comes to dealing with a police standoff... and, Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace says that was largely achieved during the standoff that occurred in Sinclairville Tuesday. Gerace says the ordeal, which lasted about six-and-a-half hours, began after they received a call about a despondent person in a Water Street residence around 12 PM. After a lengthy time of discussions with the man... he exited the residence peacefully around 6:40 PM. Gerace thanked the State Police, SWAT team members and local firefighters for assisting at the scene. He says preparations and training made a difference... and, adds they were preparing for an overnight stay when the man surrendered. The man, who has not been identified, was taken to WCA Hospital for treatment. Gerace says no charges will be filed.
New York is launching a new campaign to fight what Governor Andrew Cuomo says is the ``emerging threat'' of synthetic drugs. The Democratic governor has announced that the state is now airing two new public service announcements warning people about the harm of synthetic marijuana and other manufactured drugs. The ads are airing on television and music streaming services statewide. The state has also erected a billboard in the Bronx warning about synthetic marijuana, a drug created to mimic the effects of cannabis that can have very different effects on the body and brain. State figures show that the number of emergency room visits related to synthetic drug use went up by more than eight times between April and September when compared to the same period last year.
The Chautauqua County Farm Bureau has re-elected Dick Kimball of Dewittville as its President for the next year. Kimball, a partner in Country Aire Dairy in Dewittville, has held the job for the past several years. And, he has a goal for the coming year which is more education, and more outreach to the general public. Kimball might also become a member of the NEW YORK Farm Bureau Board of Directors. The state organization will decide on a new representative for far Western New York at its meeting in December. One of the resolutions the local Farm Bureau approved at its Wednesday meeting would give landowners a property tax credit for allowing snowmobile trails on their property. Assemblyman Andy Goodell was at the meeting, and thinks the idea has a good chance of getting through his side of the state legislature. This year's annual meeting was held at the Noble Winery in Westfield.
The city of Jamestown is holding it's own financially through the end of the third-quarter of this year. However... lawmakers might have to tap into the 2015 budget's contingency account to cover higher than anticipated health care costs. That from City Comptroller Joe Bellitto... who reviewed the numbers for the first nine-months of the year with the City Council Monday night. Bellitto says the numbers from Jamestown's self-insurance plan are better than the second-quarter. Bellitto says the city may have to use it's "rainy day" fund to cover that. Otherwise... he says revenues are about where they expected them to be. He says the Payment in Lieu of Tax agreements with the Board of Public Utilities are "slightly ahead of budget" right now. As for sales tax... he says the third-quarter is always a good indicator... and, they should hear from the county by the beginning of November. Back to spending... Bellitto says overtime for the Public Works Department "leveled-off" during the third-quarter... and, is at about 72-percent of the 2015 budget.
There may be some movement on a new, 300-billion dollar transportation bill over the next few days in Congress to help rebuild many of the nations roads and bridges. Local Representative Tom Reed has announced his support for the measure... even though it's not the five-year measure he was initially looking for. The Corning Republican says this proposal fullfills what he was looking for... and, that's not to raise taxes. His announcment following a tour of a problem bridge in Cattaraugus County. Reed says the House Transporation Committee will be marking up the bill for action today... and, he says the U-S Senate is considering two bills... one is a three-year plan very similar to the House measure. Reed says he wants to see the infrastructure needs filled with this measure. Reed says it appears there is a "path to victory here..." and a final bill can be approved by October 31st. Back in late July... Congress approved an 8-billion dollar bill to extend funding through the end of this month.
Local Congressman Tom Reed says he's "encouraged" that House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan is strongly considering running to be the next speaker of the House. Ryan met with the three Congressional Republican caucuses yesterday... and, laid out his conditions for becoming speaker. Having served with Ryan on the Ways and Means panel... Reed says he knows that he would "make an excellent Speaker." He adds that Ryan has repeatedly "shown his commitment to unifying our Party, the House of Representatives and our nation, with a rare courage for leadership."
Students at Jamestown Community College had the chance to learn about potential careers Wednesday at the Fall Volunteer, Job Shadowing and Internship Fair. Felix Muzza (myu-zah), the Experiencial Learning Coordinator at JCC, helped put the event together. Among the busineses represented was Artone Manunfacturing of Jamestown. Kathy Benson, who works in Human Resources for the local furniture maker, says such event are an opportunity to get the right message across to today's student. Fifteen different groups were represented at the event, held at the Collegiate Center at JCC.
Some bars in the Buffalo area plan to open early Sunday to accommodate Bills fans looking to watch their team take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. However... the beer taps won't open until Noon. Kickoff for the game at Wembley Stadium is 1:30 PM local time as the United Kingdom moves its clocks back an hour as Daylight Saving Time ends. That's 9:30 AM on the East Coast. Some sports bars and taverns around Buffalo plan to open a few hours earlier than normal on Sunday, with a few places offering brunch menus. The 716 Sports Bar at Harbor Center in down Buffalo is serving up bangers and mash, a traditional British dish of mashed potatoes and sausages. Bills fans will have to wash down their breakfast with something other than suds. New York state law prohibits the sale of alcohol before noon on Sundays.
