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News Headlines for Tues., Mar. 12, 2019

Three boys arrested for alleged burglary in Cherry Creek...
Three boys -- two of them under the age of 15 -- have been arrested for allegedly breaking into a building in Cherry Creek, and stealing property inside.  Sheriff's officers and State Police were called to the scene on Depot Street shortly after 4 p.m. Monday on a report of three people entering a building.  However... the suspects allegedly fled the scene before they arrived.  They were all found during a subsequent search of the area... and, found they had allegedly burglarized the building.  A 17 year-old was arrested for third-degree burglary, and petty larceny.  A 14 and 11 year-old were turned over to a guardian pending further court action.


McLaughlin says decision by Truck-Lite to move headquarters to Michigan is "very sad news..."
The main headquarters for Truck-Lite Corporation appear to be moving sometime in the future from Falconer to a northern suburb of Detroit, Michigan.  The Detroit News reported late last week that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation would provide an $855,000 performance-based grant for the move.  Company officials have not returned a call requesting comment... but, we have heard from Ellicott Town Supervisor Pat McLaughlin... who says this is "very sad news."  He says he would be talking to officials from Truck-Lite, and the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Monday or Tuesday.  McLaughlin says he had been hearing rumors about the possible move... but, said until now... they had just been rumors.  The potential move is said to be due to the fact that many of Truck-Lite's suppliers are in that area -- where the automotive industry is still prominent.  McLaughlin says he's hopeful that some manufacturing aspects of the company will remain in Falconer.  Truck-Lite will be required to create 95 jobs through 2024 as part of the agreement with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.  The company... which makes truck lighting units... was founded in Jamestown in 1955.


Borrello says he's not surprised, but, disappointed in Truck-Lite decision...
It appears there is also a workforce issue that may have spurred Truck-Lite Corporation to plan a move to Michigan.  The Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced the plans by Truck-Lite to invest $4-million into a new building in Southfield, Mich.  County Executive George Borrello says that even with the move, he believes the majority of the jobs should remain in the county for production and purchasing.  Another part of the company - research and development - would be moved to Pittsburgh, PA.  While disappointed by the announcement... the move does not surprise Borrello because one of the reasons cited by the company is needing better access to qualified talent.  That's why work force development is Borrello's number one economic development concern.  He says Truck-lite has had tremendous difficulties recruiting people and filling positions -- especially in engineering. 


Cuomo says approving recreational marijuana could take longer than hoped...
Governor Andrew Cuomo says it could take longer than he had hoped to legalize recreational marijuana in New York.  The Democrat told reporters Monday that while he still supports legalization he's not confident lawmakers will include it in the state budget, which is due April 1st.  Cuomo said there are too many details on legalization that have to be agreed upon.  Lawmakers could take up legalization in separate measures before they adjourn in June. If not, it's questionable if legalization will happen this year.  Cuomo had wanted legalization to be included in the budget.  Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie expressed similar doubts about the timeline in January, saying lawmakers shouldn't rush the measure.  Supporters want lawmakers to act quickly to catch up to states such as Massachusetts that have already legalized recreational marijuana.


Borrello to push for water project funding during trip to Washington...
Chautauqua County's top elected official is in the nation's Capitol today to meet with local Congressman Tom Reed and U-S Senator Chuck Schumer to discuss a number of water projects in Chautauqua County.  Borrello says among the projects is one that's important to the city of Dunkirk... where extending the break-wall in Dunkirk Harbor is a major effort, among others.  He also says that Chautauqua Lake is on the agenda, including the funding of a study by the U-S Army Corps of Enginneers to look at flood mitigation.  The county official is part of a delegation that will be spending a couple of days in Washington. 


Cuomo says state regulators to look at damage to substations during weekend power outages...
Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed state regulators to investigate damage to power substations outside Buffalo after nearly 27,000 utility customers lost electricity service over the weekend.  The Democrat made the announcement late Sunday in Hamburg, where damage to three substations caused outages to about 26,800 customers Saturday night.  Cuomo says a high-capacity transmission line fell and took down other lines, knocking out power across an area just south of Buffalo served by National Grid and NYSEG.  Most customers had their power restored by Sunday night.  The outages occurred a few hours before high winds hit the region, with the National Weather Service recording gusts approaching 60 miles per hour across western and northern New York.  The governor says the Public Service Commission will investigate the utilities' preparation and response to the storms.