Local State Senator George Borrello has been named as co-chair of the Senate Republican "Repeal Bail Reform Task Force" to collect testimony on New York's new bail reform law.
Borrello says the task force will hold it's first hearing next Thursday, February 6th, at 2 PM in Buffalo. He says it's time to hear from the people who have been most impacted by these changes.
Borrello says... since the January 1st enactment of the law, there has been a public outcry over the changes, which have allowed some violent and repeat offenders back onto the streets after their arrests, with nothing more than court appearance tickets. Borrello says they have yet to have any Democrats discuss joining them for the hearings, even though some moderates are critical of the law. He again blasted the way the Democratic-majority in the legislature pushed the changes through last year... adding the changes eliminated bail bail and pretrial detention for over 90 percent of crimes. Borrello made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group station.
Two north county men were arrested early Thursday morning on drug possession and other charges following a traffic stop in the village of Mayville.
Sheriff's officers say they stopped a car, driven by 31 year-old Christopher McNett of Brocton, on Lakeview Avenue shortly before 5 AM for an alleged traffic violation. Deputies say they found that McNett's license had been revoked for a prior drunk driving conviction. Officers also accuse McNett of being in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine. Further investigation found that his passenger, 28 year-old Leroy Stepp, Junior, of Westfield, was in possession of quantities of meth and marijuana. McNett was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, false personation, and aggravated unlicensed operator. Stepp was also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of drugs and, unlawful possession of marijuana. Both men were issued appearance tickets for Chautauqua Town Court.
The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump resumed Thursday with Republicans appearing focused on bringing the proceedings to a vote of acquittal, possibly in a matter of days.
However, Senate Democrats are still pushing for witnesses, especially former National Security adviser John Bolton. Among those wanting to hear from Bolton is New York's junior U-S Senator, Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand.
Bolton's new book reportedly implicates the president in withholding military aid to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into former Vice-President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. Gillibrand also blasted Wednesday's comments by one of Trump's attorneys' -- Alan Dershowitz -- that what the president did was for the "public good," and therefore was not impeachable. Dershowitz and the presidents other lawyers used yesterday and Wednesday's question-and-answer session to insist senators have heard enough.
The new Jamestown Tarp Skunks baseball team is set to the take the field at Russell Diethrick, Junior Park for the first time in late May and, the community 'buzz' is continuing. Local baker Chad Ecklof, of Ecklof's Bakery, says he's been hard at work developing a cookie to celebrate.
Frank is Tarp Skunk's General Manager Frank Fanning. Ecklof says they are working with the organization to sell the cookies to help raise funds for youth baseball leagues in the Jamestown area. Fanning says -- from uniforms to cookies -- they are trying to keep everything as local as possible so local people and businesses benefit. Ecklof, Fanning and Mayor Eddie Sundquist were guests of the Andrew and Noel Show program Wednesday night to unveil the new Skunk Stripe Cookie.
The National Comedy Center in Jamestown is currently in the lead for USA Today Readers’ Choice “Best New Museum” Travel Award.
Center officials say the center is in first place after the first 10-days of on-line voting for the honor. Online voting continues through Monday, February 17th at 12 Noon. Officials are asking visitors, fans and supporters to cast their vote for the museum as part of the public voting process to select a winner. Everyone is invited to vote daily, now through February 17th at Noon. Just go on-line to VoteComedyCenter.com, The winner will be announced on Friday, February 28th.
The Western New York Farm Show is underway now through Saturday in heated buildings at the Erie County Fairgrounds at Hamburg. The show's coordinator, Kirby Dygert, says it has something for everyone, and it's free.
The show runs through Saturday, and each day at noon, men, women and children, can enter the 'Elite Toss Hay Bale Throwing Competition' with cash awards to the winners. On Friday, high school students will compete in a mechanics competition. On Saturday, top timbersport athletes will line up for the 2nd annual 'Lumberjack Classic.' The Western New York Farm Show runs today from 10 to 4, Saturday 9 to 3. Parking is also free at the Erie County Fairgrounds.
