Chautauqua County's new executive has already been able to visit several local businesses on way to visiting 100 in his first 100 days in office. And, the results so far have been interesting...  

 

Irving Republican George Borrello visited Rand Machine Products in Falconer last Friday afternoon and came away impressed by what he saw.  Borrello says they -- and most of the other six -- are looking to grow their business.  He adds there are hurdles, though.  The main one being lack of the necessary workforce.

 

Borrello says he hopes to begin working on the workforce issue sooner rather than later.  He says Rand Machine is looking to increase both job numbers and product output to serve it's several nationwide market.  Those also include work that's classified for the defense department.  It's website says Rand Machine is a leading custom machining manufacturer serving customers in the construction, industrial, automotive, electronics, medical, oil and gas, furniture and and other industries.  Borrello made his comments for this past weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the five Media One Group stations.

 

 

 

A man from Bemus Point arrested locally last August on several drug-related charges has now been indicted on federal charges by a grand jury...  

 

U.S. Attorney James Kennedy, Junior in Buffalo has announced that 42 year-old Gary Hannold, Junior was indicted on seven charges for trying to distribute methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, and suboxone.  The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.  Prosecutors say Hannold was stopped in Sherman for a traffic violation last August 11 and when he stopped, he allegedly threw his backpack -- which was found with packed drugs -- into the nearby weeds.  Hannold is being detained pending further court action.  

 

 

A Jamestown man faces several charges following an alleged domestic violence incident and later, a drunk-driving accident...  

 

City police were called to UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital just before 10 a.m. last Saturday to speak with the victim of the incident at 233 Sprague Street.  Officers spoke with the victim, who said 37 year-old Brian Morath had punched her in the face several times, then dragged her around the home by her hair.  She says Morath pulled much of her hair out.  During the investigation, police say they were called to a property damage accident at 211 Front Street, in which Morath's car crashed into a tree.  He was later arrested at his home for second-degree unlawful imprisonment, third-degree assault, driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.  Morath was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.

 

 

 

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was in Chautauqua County late last week to deliver a presentation on Governor Cuomo's State of the State Address...  

 

Despite the sub-zero wind chills, Hochul appeared in Dunkirk for the presentation, with the top concerns including the impact of the federal tax reform measure will have on the state.  She says they are looking at ways to buffer the effects of the reform, which caps the deductability of local property taxes.

 

Governor Cuomo did proposal a potential move from a personal income tax towares a payroll tax to soften the blow.  Hochul also indicated that Cuomo administration officials were trying to work out a plan to allow New Yorkers to continue the State and Local Tax -- or SALT -- deduction without a cap or increasing that cap.  Without that, she says New York will be hurt. 

 

 

The Lieutenant Governor's visit was hosted by Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas and Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello...  

 

Rosas was pleased with the large crowd that filled the conference center at the Clarion. While he didn't agree with everything in the governor's State of the State, Borrello says he was delighted by the update Hochul provided on Athenex and NRG.  He says he believes that things have been taking place "behind the scenes" to especially get the Athenex project rolling.  The new county executive says he hopes to learn more about status of Athenex in the coming days.

 

 

 

A town of Portland man has been arrested for allegedly growing marijuana in his Webster Road home...  

 

Sheriff's officers say they were investigating a situation at the home about 4:30 a.m. last Thursday when they say they found 31 year-old Ryan Dudek running a cannabis growing operation.  Dudek was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana and a public health law charge of growing of the plant known as cannabis by an unlicensed person.  Dudek was issued appearance tickets for Portland Town Court at a later date.

 

 

If you're looking to get rid of your Christmas Tree in the city of Jamestown, the annual pick-up of discarded trees will begin today...  

 

City Parks and Recreation Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley says the department will begin pick-up, weather permitting.  Ciesla-Hanley says the trees will be taken for recycling and residents should place their tree on the terrace between the street and sidewalk and if possible, to keep visible should a large snowfall occur.  She adds that all trees should be removed from plastic bags, lights and tree stands should be removed.  If you have any questions, call the city Parks and Recreation Office at 483-7573.