The Jamestown Board of Education unanimously approved a $90.7-million budget proposal for the 2019-2020 school year....
Superintendent Bret Apthorpe says the spending plan will maintain the current tax levy in the interest of keeping current programs and stability for tax payers. Jamestown is projected to receive $50.9-million in foundation aid next year, a $1.7-million increase from 2018. Main priorities in the 2019-2020 budget include a focus on student achivement. A public hearing will take place May 7th at Persell Middle School, prior to the May 21st vote.
The first quarter of 2019 went as well as could be expected for the city of Jamestown financially....
Those are the feelings of City Comptroller Joe Bellitto, who presented the March 2019 financial report during Monday night's City Council work session. From a revenue stand-point, Bellitto says they did well on payments in lieu of taxes from the Board of Public Utilities, as well as most others. As for spending, he says all but one area was "normal" for the first three-months of the year.
Bellitto says the one item they are lacking so far is the city's first-quarter sales tax payment, which he says should be received on or about May 1st. Back to the spending side, he says there is one area of concern... and, that's the Central Garage Contractural account. Bellitto says 34-percent of that budget has already been used in 2019. He adds that the 'early year' Winter Season saw overtime costs down by 30-percent and, salt expenses down about 19-percent compared to last year.
Four men -- three from Jamestown -- will serve state prison time for crimes ranging from drug possession to robbery following recent sentencings in Chautauqua County Court....
District Attorney Patrick Swanson says 23 year-old Collin Slack was sentenced by County Court Judge David Foley to 6 to 12 years total on two counts of third-degree Grand Larceny and one of first-degree reckless endangerment. In addition, Swanson says 35 year-old Albert Chapman of Jamestown will serve 3.5 to 7 years for third-degree robbery, and first-degree attempted robbery. He'll also serve 5-years in post-release supervision. The D-A says 51 year-old Fredrick Antill of Panama will spend 7 years in state prison and, 20 years post-release supervision for first-degree course of sexual conduct, and second-degree rape. Lastly... Swanson says 20 year-old Richard Catanese of Jamestown was sentenced by Acting County Court Judge John LaMancuso to 3 to 6 years for third-degree grand larceny.
An Iowa-based ice cream maker has acquired Fieldbrook Foods, headquartered in Dunkirk, from Arbor Investments....
County Executive George Borrello says Wells Enterprises, Incorporated, made the deal -- effective yesterday (Monday). Borrello believes the move by Wells and Arbor will be a good one for the local area.
Borrello says Wells Enterprises is looking to expand into the Northeast and this will help that increase their capacity to do that.
Pennsylvania State Police have identified the man at a Warren County home who was reported as "out of control" when they were called and, was dead when they arrived....
Troopers in Corry were called to the scene on Sutton Road in Freehold Township shortly before 11 PM last Friday... and, found 33 year-old Steven Little --of Erie -- deceased. Police say they are still investigating the cause and manner of death of the victim. The State Police Major Case Team.... Warren County Coronor's Office, and District Attorneys Office are also involved in the investigation. Autopsy results are pending.
Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone says he'll hold a series of listening sessions to hear from Roman Catholics about the clergy sex abuse crisis....
The diocese said Monday the sessions could begin next month and are part of a series of initiatives being undertaken with a community group that was formed to restore trust in the church. The diocese and group, the Movement to Restore Trust, also will review the way the names of accused clergy are made public. Malone has apologized for his handling of some abuse allegations against priests but has resisted calls by some in the community for his resignation. The Buffalo diocese says it has received allegations of child sexual abuse against more than 130 diocesan priests and more than 40 religious order priests.
