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News Headlines for Mon., Oct. 19, 2020

Chautauqua County reports 28 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed last weekend...
There are 28 new cases of the COVID-19 Virus in Chautauqua County the past two days.  That from Interim County Executive P-J Wendel's office... which reports there were 13 new cases on Saturday, and 15 more yesterday.  Wendel says that brings the local number of cases to 866.  No other information was made available on Sunday.  There will be more information released later today.  As of last Friday... more than 700 of the local cases since the pandemic began have now recovered.


Cattaraugus County reports 14th COVID-related death...
There's now been a 14th COVID-19 death reported in Cattaraugus County.  The county's Health Department says that death was a 65-year-old woman who developed respiratory failure and was unable to overcome her illness despite aggressive medical treatment.  The health department reports there have now been 347 total cases in Cattaraugus County.


Falconer man arrested for kicking and hitting Jamestown DMV front door with cement parking sign...
A Falconer man is charged with criminal mischief after allegedy smashing a glass front door at the Chautauqua County Department of Motor Vehicles office in Jamestown.  City police were called to the scene at 512 W. Third St. just before 4 p.m. last Friday after a panic alarm was set off.  Officers learned that 38 year-old James Morris showed up at the DMV without an appointment, which was needed due to COVID-19 restrictions.  Police say Morris allegedly began punching and kicking the front door as he left.  He then allegedly grabbed a cement parking sign, and struck the glass door several times.  Officers say Morris fled the scene in a white car before they arrived... and, the car was later found crashed in Falconer.  He was ticketed by both Ellicott Town, and Jamestown City Police.  He was arraigned in Jamestown on a third-degree criminal mischief charge, and issued an appearance ticket.


Early "in-person" voting in Chautauqua County begins next weekend...
Early voting in Chautauqua County gets underway next weekend when early "in-person" voting begins at three different locations.  Democratic Elections Commissioner Norm Green says early voting takes place for nine of the 10 days before the November 3rd General Election.  He says early polling sites will be open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Board of Elections Offices in Mayville... the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood... and, the County Fairgrounds in Dunkirk.  He adds Mondays and Tuesdays up to Nov. 2 hours will be 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.... and, Wednesdays through Friday hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Green says ballots will be provided "on-demand" for voters at each site.  He adds that sample ballots will be at each location for voters to refer to.  In additon to the Presidential race at the top... Green says the ballots will include state Assembly and Senate races, the special election for County Executive... and, County District Attorney.  Green says demand for absentee balloting has been unprecidented... with about 11,000 requested by last Friday.  Green says about 6,000 ballots have now been returned.


Man from Sinclairville arrested on drug charges following traffic stop
A Sinclairville man was arrested last week during a traffic stop in the village of Westfield for allegedly being in possession of methamphetamine, and hypodermic needles.  Sheriff's officers say they stopped 42 year-old Todd Witt on East Main Street about 8 p.m. Wednesday for an alleged traffic violation.  Deputies say further investigation found that Witt was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver's license.  A search of Witt's vehicle also uncovered the meth, and hypodermic needles.  He was arrested for seventh-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance... criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument... and, second-degree aggravated Unlicensed Operation.  Witt was take to the County Jail for arraignment.


Goodell, Cardinale debate state deficit during north county debate...
The candidates running for the 150th District Assembly race were featured in a special one-hour debate early last weekend.  A number of issues were discussed, including New York State's growing budget shortfall and the economy.  Democratic challenger Christina Cardinale of Jamestown... who is challenging incumbant Republican Andy Goodell... feels the legalization of marijuana could help the State deal with an estimated $15-billion deficit.  Cardinale says it would stimulate revenues simular to Colorado.  However... Goodell, who is opposed to legalizing pot, doubts it would generate enough revenue to help close the gap.  In fact... in the first year... Governor Cuomo projected $300-million dollars in revenues.  He adds that two counties have already opted out of the program.  This debate between the two Assembly candidates was held in the north county last Friday.  Both recently debated on WJTN in a recorded debate put on jointly by WFRA, WJTN and Western New York News Now.


Movie theaters can open Friday in New York state, but, not Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties...
Movie theaters in New York state can reopen beginning this Friday, Oct. 23, with restrictions on audience size and other precautions in place.  That from Governor Andrew Cuomo last weekend.  Cuomo adds, though, that theaters in New York City aren't included, and counties must have a positivity rate below 2-percent on a 14-day average and have no "cluster zones."  Audiences will be restricted to 25-percent of capacity with a maximum of 50 people per screen.  Cuomo also says that masks will be required and there will be assigned seating to ensure social distancing.  The Post-Journal is reporting this morning that -- due to local infection rates -- theaters in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties will not be reopening immediately.