Embattled Chautauqua County Democratic Elections Commissioner Green resigns...
Embroiled in controversy over who his successor will be... Chautauqua County Democratic Elections Commissioner Norm Green... has announced his resignation. Green announced late Thursday that it was his last day on the job... but, did not say what led to his decision. The move also leaves in question who his successor will be. The county legislature's Democratic Minority members recently put the name of Loren Kent up to replace Green as commissioner. The legislature approved that recommendation, 16-to-3. However... Green continues to support his Deputy Commissioner, Luz Torres, for the position. The matter is slated to go to court on Apr. 26. Green insists that the county's Democratic committee voted by majority rule to name Torres to the position. However... the legislature never took a vote on Torres last October because Democratic legislators asked that it be withdrawn. Green had served in the position the past 22 years.
Prowler arrested in Jamestown Thursday...
A Jamestown man has been arrested for allegedly breaking into a home on the city's southside early Thursday morning. City police were called to the scene on South Main Street shortly before 7 a.m. on a report of a prowler in the area. Officers say they spotted the man, later identified at 27 year-old Torry Kenny, crawling out of the window of the home involved. Police took Kenny into custody quick... and, he was also found in possession of property belonging to the homeowner. He was jailed pending arraignment on charges of second-degree burglary, and petty larceny.
Borrello says it's better to have a "responsible" state budget, even if late...
New York State won't have an on-time budget this year. The April 1st deadline arrived... and went with still no agreement on a final spending plan. However... local State Senator George Borrello says he feels what's in the budget is more important than making the deadline. Borrello says "having a responsible budget is more important." Since the budget deadline was missed, state lawmakers will not be getting paid until they approve a new spending plan. Borrello says he doesn't agree with this approach... because some legislators may make bad decisions in an effort to keepin getting their paycheck.
Chautauqua County reports 26 New COVID-19 cases Thursday...
The Chautauqua County Health Department is reporting 26 new cases of the COVID-19 virus over the past day... while the number of hospitalizations remains the same. Health officials say this brings the total number of cases to 8,261. They include 6 new cases in Fredonia... 5 in Jamestown... and, four in Silver Creek. Officials say there have now been 7,976 recovered cases. There are 143 active cases... and, five are hospitalized. Officials say there have been no new deaths... and, seven-day positivity rate is 1.3-percent.
Whitaker says Jamestown Public Schools should be in good shape with state aid to be reinstated...
There will be no tax increase in the Jamestown Public School district budget for the 2021-2022 school year. School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says that's the one, sure piece of news he can give district residents. The state legislature is continuing final negotiations on a new budget... but, Dr. Whitaker says it appears that what aid was going to be taken away from the district in the spending plan will be reinstated. He says they not only expect all aid to be restored... but, some additional items removed from Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposal appear to be put back in both the Assembly and Senate budget plans. They include about $700,000 in "Services Aid..." which goes towards BOCES and other outside service costs... and others amounting to about $3-million. Whitaker says they latest draft of the Jamestown school budget is being developed... using the most recent numbers. The public vote on the 2021-22 budget will be held on Tuesday, May 18.
State Troopers to begin wearing body cameras this month...
Some New York state troopers will begin wearing body cameras on patrol. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that body-worn cameras will be introduced to Troop G in the Albany area this month... and, expand on a rolling basis with statewide deployment expected by the end of the year. The rollout of 3,000 cameras at a cost of over $7-million a year is the result of a law signed in June. An A-P survey in 2019 found New York State Police were the largest primary state law enforcement agency not equipped with body or dashboard cameras at that time.
Jamestown Easter "Eggstravaganza" set for Saturday at Allen Park...
The City of Jamestown will offer a 'drive-through' "Easter Eggstravaganza" this Saturday... in place of the usual Allen Park egg hunt. The annual hunt was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. City Parks Manager Dan Stone says it'll start at 10 a.m. Stone says participants can drive up Martin Rd. on the southside, and drive into the park off side streets Springdale, Fairdale or Allendale. He says they'll be handing candy and other items for the kids. The Easter Bunny, a fire truck, and the Tarp Skunks mascot 'Whiffy' will be there to greet the children. Many people and groups have stepped up over the last couple of weeks to make the event possible... including city and Board of Public Utilities unions. The Frewsburg Soccer team has helped bag the candies. Stone adds there'll be no particular age limit for the Saturday drive-through. He says they have about two carloads of candy to give away... and, they'll be giving out the candy until it's all gone.
