Man in Ripley arrested for allegedly firing Long Gun towards multiple people...
A Ripley man has been arrested for allegedly firing shots from a long-gun at multiple individuals on Brockway Road in the town of Ripley last night.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene about 9 p.m., and, learned that 31 year-old Patrick Bowman fired two round from a shotgun within close vicinity of multiple victims during a confrontation.  Sheriff's K-9 "Bentley" located a spent ammunition round in the snow where the alleged incident occurred.  Bowman was taken into custody a short time later and charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree reckless endangerment... and, second-degree menacing.  A search warrant was issued... which led to deputies recovering multiple firearms at Bowman's home.  He was jailed pending arraignment.

Chautauqua County nears 7,000 COVID-19 cases, five more deaths reported Friday...
There are five more deaths from COVID-19-related illness in Chautauqua County being reported today... along with 45 new cases of the virus.  County health officials say the county is nearing 7,000 cases... with 6,961 now.  The number of deaths has now climbed to 122.  Officials say the Jamestown 14701 zip code was the only one in double figures with 14 new cases.  Officials say there are 351 active cases... and, 34 of those are hospitalized.  There have now been 6,488 cases that have recovered.

Cuomo says state will open vaccine eligibility for people with certain health issues Feb. 15...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced the state will open up vaccine eligibility by Feb. 15 for people with certain health issues that put them at risk for severe illness from COVID-19.  Cuomo says the state will come up with enough vaccine by reallocating remaining doses set aside for hospital workers.  The Democrat also touted the first step by the U-S Senate to approve President Biden's $1.9-trillion COVID-Relief package... which includes $350-billion for local and state governments.  Cuomo says the big question now is in how that money is allocated.  He says it's "factually inarguable" that New York, New Jersey and Connecticut paid a "higher price for COVID."  Cuomo says there also needs to be fairness to this particular crisis.  He has said that his 2021-2022 budget will depend on federal aid... otherwise there will be spending cuts.  The vaccine announcement comes weeks after he said New York would accept new federal guidance to expand vaccine access to people with certain health problems, including those with weakened immune systems.  But weeks later, cancer patients and others with underlying health problems aren't all eligible for vaccination.

Corrections officer saves county jail inmate from attempted suicide... 
A Chautauqua County jail inmate is recovering from injuries stemming from an attempted suicide Thursday night at the County Jail in Mayville.  Sheriff Jim Quattrone says the corrections officer in charge of the unit made the discovery while he was doing his normal rounds.  Quattrone says "proper protocol" was followed with the Mayville Fire Department responding to the call.  The inmate, who was not identified, was transported to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment, and later returned to the jail.  Quattrone says the medical and mental health teams along with the correction staff at the jail will continue to monitor the inmate to ensure his safety.

Cattaraugus County man arrested for alleged rape, and assault...
A Cattaraugus County man has been arrested in Ohio for allegedly raping another person in the town of New Albion.  Sheriff's officers in Little Valley were called to the scene earlier this week for a reported sexual assault.  Deputies say they later issued a warrant for 42 year-old Steven Remington for first-degree rape, and second-degree assault.  Remington was arrested on the warrant... and, returned to Cattaragus County.  He was taken to the Little Valley Jail pending arraignment.

Tenney wins last undecided, U.S. House seat...
A New York judge ruled Friday that Republican Claudia Tenney defeated U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi by 109 votes in the nation's last undecided congressional race.  The ruling by Judge Scott DelConte could clear the way for Tenney to be sworn in as the representative for central New York's 22nd Congressional District, barring emergency intervention by a state appeals court. DelConte's ruling came after he spent three months reviewing ballot challenges and trying to fix a myriad of problems with vote tabulation.  He rejected an argument by Brindisi's lawyers that certification of the election results be delayed until an appeals court had a chance to review the case.