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WJTN Headlines for Mon., Dec. 10, 2021

22 year-old skateboarder killed in town of Ellery....
A 22 year-old Bemus Point man was killed after he was struck by a car while riding his skateboard on Route 430 in the town of Ellery last night.  State Police in Jamestown were called to the scene just after 9 p.m., and, found the late model sedan, operated by a 19 year-old, was westbound when it struck Bannon Eimiller.  Troopers say Troopers attempted CPR and used an AED until paramedics arrivedon the scene.  Eimiller was later pronounced dead at the scene.  The State Police Collision reconstruction unit and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted in this investigation... which is ongoing.


Clymer man arrested for brandishing a shotgun during domestic incident...         
A Clymer man has been arrested for allegedly pulling a shotgun on the residents in a house early Sunday morning... and, preventing anyone from leaving during a domestic incident.  Sheriff's Officers were called to the scene in the town of Clymer about 1:30 a.m., and arrested 25 year-old Tyler Lindemuth for second-degree menacing, and second-degree unlawful imprisonment.  Lindemuth was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.


Borrello pleased to see Comptroller's Office investigating state's unemployment system...
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli recently confirmed that he is leading an audit of the state's unemployment system.  That's good news to Chautauqua County's representative in the New York State Senate... George Borrello.  Borrello says he and others have been pressing for information regarding how much money in fraudulent unemployment claims has been paid out by the state.  He says the Department of Labor and Governor Andrew Cuomo have refused to provide such data... and, he feels DiNapoli believes there needs to be transparency.  Borrello says a combination of "extremely bad policy" and a lack of transparency have created what he calls a massive gap in the state's unemployment insurance fund... the Sunset Bay Republican adds that it is hurting businesses across the state... because they pay for the program.  The review is expected to take about 6 to 12 months... but, Borrello does not expect a cooperative situation between the Comptroller's Office and Cuomo's administration.


Cuomo sexual harassment investigation now looking into allegations about "vaccine czar..."
Investigators looking into sexual harassment allegations against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo interviewed county officials about his "vaccine czar" calling them to assess their support for the embattled governor.  The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that investigators with the state attorney general's office interviewed at least three Democratic county executives who say Larry Schwartz called to gauge their loyalty to the governor and whether they would call for him to resign.  Schwartz has acknowledged making calls to county executives but denied discussing vaccines and said he "did nothing wrong."  The state attorney general's office declined comment.


County residents will soon be able to do "in-person" transactions again at local DMVs...
Chautauqua County residents will soon be able to again do all their transactions at the Department of Motor Vehicles Offices in person.  That from County Clerk Larry Barmore... who says that will resume on Monday, May 17.  Barmore adds that persons requiring permit or CDL testing will no longer have to make an appointment.  He says a number of rules remain in effect:  All persons will wait outside of the office until instructed to enter... you must social distance and wear a mask at all times.  They add that only the person making the transaction is allowed in the building... and, no children are allowed in the building other than for permit testing.  In that case, a parent may accompany a child taking a permit test as required by the state.  Barmore says many people liked the appointment system, so one representative at each office will be available to take appointments for any transaction.  The appointment system will be ready for use a week from today, on Friday, May 14.


Wendel touts economic development efforts and projects during pandemic...
There's been encouraging news about development, even during the COVID pandemic, in recent days in Chautauqua County.  A couple in particular have been very encouraging.  One has to do with the long vacant Silver Creek Elementary School on Main Street in the north county village.  County Executive P.J. Wendel says it's part of an effort to get vacant buildings back in use... and, back on the tax rolls.  Wendel says UAW Region 9 is a development group that will be converting the building into about four dozen apartments for people aged 55 and older.  There's also the emergence of the former Castelli Cheese facility in Blockville from bankruptcy... and, it's pending purchase by another cheese producer.  He says there will also be a spin-off effect there for more locally produced milk.  Wendel says there are others that the county's Department of Economic Development is still working on... but, they aren't ready to announce them yet.  The Vittoria Dairy group is moving forward with plans for the former Castelli Cheese location. 


Sundquist presides over new Skatepark ground-breaking...
With a number of contractors already committed to other jobs during the Summer months... there's no timetable in place yet for completion of the first-phase of Jamestown's new skatepark.  A number of public and private entities involved with the fund-raising effort broke ground on the location at the former Trolley Mechanics Shop -- near McCrea Point -- late last week.  Mayor Eddie Sundquist says the public will be updated on when a dedication will be held.  Among those involved with the fund-raising effort is Pete Scheira from Jamestown Skate Shop... and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.  The project is estimated to cost about $500,000.