Man arrested for allegedly holding up victim in Falconer, and taking wallet...
An early morning robbery in the village of Falconer has led to the arrest of a man who allegedly pulled a knife, and took a man's wallet.  Ellicott Town Police sere called to 215 So. Everett St. shortly after 5 this morning... and, were told by the victim that he had been held up a knife-point, and his wallet -- containing $300 -- had been taken.  The man told officers that 31 year-old Robert Arguelles had threatened him, and grabbed the wallet before running off.  Police found Arguelles a short distance away... and, he was arrested.  He was taken to the county jail pending arraigned on charges of first-degree robbery, and second-degree menacing.

Jamestown Police looking for jeep allegedly involved in hitting hydrant, and driving off...
City police are trying to locate at hit-and-run jeep vehicle that struck a fire hydrant on West Third Street -- at Main -- this past Saturday, Aug. 28, just after 1 a.m.  Officers say the vehicle is a black, 4-door Jeep Wrangler with black rims and a hard top.  Police say anyone who may know the identity of the owner/operator is asked to contact them at 483-7537... or, an anonymous tip can be left at the Tips Line 483-TIPs... that's 483-8477.

County reports 32 new COVID-19 cases reported on final day of August... bringing monthly total to 733...
There are 32 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 being reported today in Chautauqua County... but, no new deaths.  The county's Health Department reports there were 733 total cases reported in the month of August... the most in several months due to the Delta Variant of the virus.  Health officials say there there have now been 10,077 cases reported... and, 256 of those are currently active.  Officials say eight people remain hospitalized... and, 9,657 have recovered.  The seven-day infection rate is up slightly to 8.8%... which remains high.

Project to replace Co. Bridge 151 in Busti completed by DPF...
The Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities has completed a significant bridge project on Southwestern Drive in the town of Busti on schedule.  Public Facilities Director Brad Bentley says the detour signs between Hunt Road and Baker Street Extension came down earlier today allowing thru-traffic for the first time in two months.  Bentley says there is now a completely new County Bridge 151.  He says their crews completedly replaced the box culvert, which was old and quite deteriorated.  Bentley says the replacement was done during July and August so it would be least disruptive to traffic... and, be open in time for the start of the school year for the Southwestern District.  Bentley says the heavy rains this Summer... in particular in July... were a concern.  However... he says they are finishing up all their Summer projects with little disruption.  Bentley says they have had to divert crews a few times this Summer because of rain in particular areas.  He says they will typically do about 8 to 12 bridge projects during the construction season.  He says this new span should be good for more than 75 years.

School Board's Association director says "COVID Slide" and student's mental health big concerns for districts as they open...
Public School teachers and administrators will have to address two key issues as students return to the classroom this week and next.  One is learning loss after spending much of the past year-and-a-half out of the classroom due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  That from New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Bob Schneider... who says the biggest way schools plan to deal with the so-called "COVID Slide" is what's called "High-Dosage Tutoring."  Schneider says that's where teachers instruct in smaller groups with students for about 70-hours.  He says McKinsey and Company analyzed student learning loss at the end of the 2020-21 school year... and, on average, found students were five-months behind in mathmatics, and four months behind in reading.  The other major issue... he says... is student's "well being."  Schneider noted that... during the pandemic... there was a "large increase" in emergency room admissions for students with mental health issues.  However... he says superintendents say that was becoming a major issue before the pandemic.  Schneider says there are several ways to determine a student's "socio-emotional" well-being. 

JPS announces two new, Career Development-Community Navigators hired for the Fall...
The Jamestown Public Schools are beginning the new school year today with two new Career Development--Community Navigators to work with Hispanic and Latino community on college and career opportunities.  School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says Max Martin and Carmen Perez are both bilingual educators... who will also work to "foster a strong connection" between the schools and the Hispanic and Latino communities.  Martin is currently the President and CEO of the Hispanic Community Council of Chautauqua County.  Perez has worked in the district for 14 years... and, most recently was a Career Development Liason to Hispanic and Latino students and families.

State legislature approves extending eviction moratorium until mid-January...
The state Legislature voted Wednesday to extend an eviction moratorium for tenants who fell behind on their rent because of hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  New York's previous eviction moratorium expired Tuesday.  In an Aug. 12 ruling... the U.S. Supreme Court nixed part of the moratorium that allowed tenants to pause eviction proceedings simply by filing a form declaring they'd had a pandemic-related hardship. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the legislation will stand up to legal scrutiny.  Local Assemblyman Andy Goodell, and State Senator George Borrello voted against the measure.