Breaking: former Bemus Pt. village clerk arrested for stealing more than $60,000...
The former village clerk in Bemus Point has been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $60,000 in village funds.  State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt, and Sheriff Jim Quattrone today announced the arrest of 38 year-old Jennifer Jaeger, who was employed by the village between 2015 and last November.  DiNapoli says Jaeger, allegeldy wrote village checks to herself forging the signatures of officials, and had village officials sign blank checks which she then cashed.  In addition... Jaeger is accused of using the village bank account to pay for herself and her family’s personal cell phones and car payments, and to purchase Christmas gifts.  Jaeger is charged with second-degree Grand Larceny, and forgery among others.  She's to be arraigned later today on the charges.

Chautauqua County reports 37 New COVID-19 Cases Wednesday... lowest number in several days...
The number of new, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Chautauqua County has dropped again today to 37.  The county's Health Department reports that brings the total number of cases since the Pandemic began to 6,822.  Officials say there are 9 cases each in Jamestown and Fredonia.  The health department says there are 339 active cases... and, 38 are hospitalized.  Officials say there were no new deaths... and, 6,372 cases have now recovered.

Assemblyman Joe Giglio says he also has COVID-19...
Another area lawmaker says he has now contracted the new coronavirus.  Cattaraugus County state Assemblyman Joe Giglio confirmed late Tuesday that both he and his wife have COVID-19.  However... the Gowanda Republican says he has been working remotely for the past several weeks, and not attended any public events.  He says he will continue doing that for the duration of the illness.  The announcement came shortly after Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said he had tested positive for the COVID-19 Virus.  He says "I will remain in isolation until my doctor says it is safe for me to return to work in-person.  In the meantime, I will continue to work remotely."  He says his symptoms are mild.

NYS Counties can now vaccinate restaurant workers, drivers...
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he is giving county officials the authority to add for-hire drivers and restaurant workers to the list of people eligible for a coronavirus vaccine.  The governor's announcement late Tuesday came days after the governor slammed elected officials for pushing to vaccinate restaurant workers when supply is limited.  But Cuomo now says the federal government is signaling that it will send New York more doses in coming weeks.  The move could affect New York City's 200,000 drivers licensed by its taxi commission and over 800,000 restaurant and food service workers.

Comedy Center Executive Director says they are willing to remain a poll site, if it can be done legally...
The National Comedy Center is willing to continue as a polling site... even with "significant disruption" to their business operations and safety protocols, if state authorities can confirm that this is legal.  That from Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson in a statement issued late Tuesday.  Gunderson says "we received an advisory opinion last week directly from the State Board of Elections that this is legally prohibited because we have a liquor license."  She adds that "since the train station concourse remains fully accessible to the public five days a week, year-round, we believe that we are operating in accordance with all agreements in regard to public access."  Gunderson says she's also asked for the chance to meet with City Council members at next Monday night's work session to try and "resolve this matter amicably and equitably for all parties."

County's Deputy Executive for Eco. Development says Athenex project is moving forward...
The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the full opening of a major pharmacutical plant in the town of Dunkirk... but, preliminary operations are now underway.  The Athenex project was kicked off by an announcement by Governor Andrew Cuomo five years ago... and, the structure is now complete.  Deputy Chautauqua County Executive for Economic Development Mark Geise says there are about two-dozen employees at the plant right now.  Geise says the facility is now in place, but Athenex still needs some U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals.  The project was expected to be completed by this coming Summer.  However, that may change due to the pandemic.  The company had a bit of a setback with a recent electrical fire at the facility... but, Geise says there was only minor damage to one part of the building.  Athenex is projected to employ about 900 people once fully up and operational.  The project cost is about $35-million.  Geise made his comments for last weekend's Community Spotlight program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.

Interim Principal at JHS named to post permanently...
The man who has served at Interim Principal at Jamestown High School for the past year and one month has been appointed as permanent principal.  The city School Board last night approved the appointment of Dana Williams to the post.  Prior to being Assistant Principal at JHS... Williams was Assistant Principal at Jefferson Middle School.  He served in those capacities for 11 years before becoming Interim Principal at JHS in December of 2019.