JPS confirms case of COVID-19 in middle school student...
A student at Washington Middle School in Jamestown has tested positive for the COVID-19 Virus... and, the Chautauqua County Health Department has begun contact tracing.  School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says the student last attended school in-person this past Monday... but, they cannot release any other information about the child infected.  However... Whitaker says he wants parents to know that a confirmed case does not mean that you, or your child has been exposed to the person testing positive.  He adds the Health Department will initiate direct communication with parents and staff who have been identified as a close contact with the positive case as to the next steps they should take.  He says any individual who has been identified as a close contact must quarantine for 14 days.

Eleven new COVID-19 cases reported in Chautauqua County Friday...
There are 11 new cases of the COVID-19 Virus bring reported in Chautauqua County... with five of those in Jamestown.  The county's Health Department reports one case is in the village of Lakewood... while the rest are in the north county.  Officials said Friday that there are now 71 active cases... with five people still hospitalized.  Interim County Executive P-J Wendel says there are now 738 confirmed cases... and, 654 have now recovered.  He says 355 cases under quarantine or isolation orders... and, 23 people are under the "domestic traveler quarantine" after arriving here from a state listed on the New York State travel advisory.  Wendel says 49,296 negative test results have been reported to date.

Reed encouraged by restarting of talks on fourth COVID-19 Stimulus bill...
There have been some positive developments regarding stalled talks on a fourth COVID-19 stimulus bill in Washington, D-C after one leader said it looked like it was dead until after the election.  President Trump this afternoon allowed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to resume negotiations with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  At a campaign event in West Ellicott this afternoon... local Congressman Tom Reed said he was aware of talks resuming... and, says he's is hopeful.  Reed says it's a $1.8-trillion proposal in an amount he says Pelosi has said publicly she could work with.  He says he likes the new, revised package because it includes everything he would like to see in a compromise package... including aid to state and local governments... child care... and, farmers.  The Corning Republican says it's "time to do what's right." 

Reed in West Ellicott to accept local GOP Endorsements...
Congressman Reed was in West Ellicott to officially get the endorsement of several, local Republicans in his run to retain the 23rd District seat he's held for a decade now.  Reed was greeted Interim County Executive P-J Wendel, Assemblyman Andy Goodell, and County Clerk Larry Barmore for the event.  He says it's appreciated... and, says it's been a very "unique" campaign because of the COVID pandemic... and, early voting.  He says it's great to have people like Wendel, Goodell and Barmore there to support his campaign in the outdoor event at Clearview Pools and Spas on Fairmount Avenue.  State Senator George Borrello was unable to attend the event... but, has expressed his full support for Reed previously.  

Five Star closing Lakewood branch office...
Five Star Bank has announced that it will be closing it's Lakewood Branch office on Jan. 15 of 2021.  A leading provider of consumer and commercial lending services across Western, Central, and the Southern Tier of New York, officials say the reason is a decline in the number of in-branch teller transactions.  Five Star President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Birmingham says... due in part to shifting customer needs and rapid advancements in technology... there's been a six-percent drop in transactions since 2018.  Birmingham says, though, that they are committed to Lakewood branch consumers and businesses... and will provide ongoing service and support to these customers through the new Lakewood Digital Bank... an online portal for digital and phone banking solutions.

Rosas proposes 2021 budget for city of Dunkirk...
Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas released his proposed 2021 city budget during a news conference this afternoon.  The nearly $24.5-million proposed spending plan holds the line on tax and water rates, but Rosas says he is proposing an increase in the tipping fee by $13 per quarter.  He says it would be the first increase in 15 years after absorbing increasing costs without raising fees during that time.  Rosas is also proposing an increase in the sewer fee, by 25 cents per 1,000 gallons.  The size of the proposed budget has actually decreased from the 2020 budget by about $217,000. 

County's Board of Elections receives more than 10,000 applications for absentee ballots...
The Chautauqua County Board of Elections has received more than 10,000 applications for absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 General Election.  Democratic Elections Commissioner Norm Green adds that more than 10,000 ballots have been mailed to voters.  The same day we receive an application is the same day we mail a ballot to the voter."  Green adds their staff "stays until the job is done every evening, and fortunately the overtime is being covered by grants that we have secured that is covering pandemic related expenses."  Officials say just over 5,100 of the 10,000 ballots have already been returned voted to the Board of Elections.  Green says the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is on Tuesday, Oct. 27.