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News Headlines for Sat., Feb. 17, 2018

One person found dead in Dunkirk fire...
A fatal fire has been reported in the city of Dunkirk... but, few details have been released.  Dunkirk Fire and Police responded to a report of a structure fire on Crooked Brook Drive about 2:30 p.m. Friday.  We have learned that the fire was out when crews reached the scene at 35 Crooked Brook Drive.  An elderly woman was reportedly found dead at the scene and a county coroner was sent to the scene.  The incident remains under investigation.  More when details are released.    
 
 
Three local school buildings go into lock-down, or "shelter down" after receiving threats...
Three local school students have been arrested for allegedly making threats against two schools in Chautauqua County... and, another in Cattaraugus County.  The incidents... which were reported Friday morning to State Police... took place at Chautauqua Lake Central School, the Ashville BOCES, and Randolph Academy.  Troopers were first called ot Chautauqua Lake just after 9 a.m. for a threat of violence reported to school staff.  Police say the school initiated a lockout while they investigated.  The investigation also reportedly revealed there was a possible threat at the Ashville BOCES.  The BOCES went into a "Shelter Down" protocol for a short time.  A 17-year-old student at Chautauqua Lake and a 15-year-old student from Ashville BOCES were taken into custody under the state’s mental hygiene law... and, taken to local hospitals for evaluation, and this investigation is continuing.
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A short-time later... troopers and investigators responded to the Randolph Academy for a threat there.  The school went into a lock-down situation while police investigated.  Troopers soon located a 16-year-old student believed to be involved in the incident.  He was taken to State Police headquarters in Machias for questioning.  He was later taken into custody under the state's mental hygiene law... and, was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.  That lock-down was lifted a short time later.
 
 
Young calls local school threats "alarming and dispicable..."
State Senator Cathy Young says the three "copy-cat" student threats made at the schools are both "alarming and despicable."  Young is commenting on the threats made in the wake of this past Wednesday's mass shooting at Parkland, Florida in which 17 innocent people... 15 of them students... were killed in cold blood by a former classmate.  Young says Friday's threats were made against the Chautauqua Lake, Ashville BOCES and Randolph Academy schools.  She says "while we don't yet know if their motivations were malicious or attention-getting, any type of threat understandably strikes terror in the hearts of other students, their parents and school staff."  She says these actions will not be tolerated and the consequences for threats of any nature will be rightfully harsh. 
 
 
Young in Sherman to present Bus driver with Liberty Medal...
Sherman School bus driver David Tenpas... who saved his students from a burning bus... has received the New York State Senate's Liberty Medal.  State Senator Cathy Young presented the award to David Tenpas at an assembly at Sherman yesterday morning... saying that it's the highest award that is presented by the Senate.  Tenpas hustled a dozen students off his bus on January 4, just moments before it burst into flames.  He was humble in his acceptance... and, thanked those on the bus for cooperating and moving when the problem was discovered.  
 
 
Tranum has concerns about proposed Payroll Tax in Governor's budget proposal...
The top official with the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce says they have concerns about Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposal for a voluntary payroll tax.  The Governor has included details of the proposal in his 30-day budget amendments that were released this week.  Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Tranum tells us there are two concerns about the proposal that attempts to blunt the effects of federal tax reform on employees... and, create another administrative burden on employers in NYS.  Tranum says businesses would have to -- it appears -- pay the tax in "some form" before getting the deduction.  There are some good things included in the budget proposal... according to Tranum... that should help the business community -- including more help for workforce training.  
 
 
JRC welcomes New Public Market Manager...
A Frewsburg native has been hired as the new Jamestown Public Market Manager for the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation.  JRC Executive Director Lisa Hatch says Linnea Carlson has a background with the Chautauqua County Health Network... most recently coordinating it's Creating Healthy Communities program to promote healthy retail and worksite development.  Carlson says most of her work was done in the north county... with the Salvation Army in Dunkirk, and later with the Fredonia Farmer's Market.  Carlson says she's "very excited" to be heading up this year's market... which will run from June 9th through the month of October.  She says she's most excited about the market receiving a $200,000 U-S Department of Agriculture grant to help grow and promote the Public Market.  For more information, call Linnea Carlson at 489-3497.