Wendel proposes property tax rate cut in 2022 budget plan...
Chautauqua County's top-elected official is proposing a tentative, 2022 budget that cuts the full value tax rate by 26-cents per $1,000 full value.  County Executive P.J. Wendel outlined the rationale and some details of his proposal at last night's county legislature meeting.  Wendel says their ability to do that began last year when, after making some difficult cuts due to the pandemic, the county brought in more money than expected... a total of $5.3-million dollars.  He says that came after mid-year budget cuts were made due to the pandemic.  Wendel says the 2021 tax rate is $8.51 cents per thousand... and, he says, if his proposal is unchanged, it would fall to $8.25.  He says the added revenue from the past year has allowed the county to rebuild it's undesignated fund balance.  That should be between 5% to 15% of budget.  However... Wendel says his proposal keeps the county over that amount.  He adds that he gave departments the option to reinstate services that were cut back due to the pandemic.  However... they had to demonstrate that those services needed to be reinstated in 2022.  The legislature will review the budget beginning on Monday, Oct. 4. 

Legislature approves plan for spending county's $24.6-million American Rescue Plan funds...
County lawmakers have approved the basic outline of using 24.6-million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funding for 43 county projects.  The legislature voted unanimously after some debate and discussion, to approve an amended resolution, that includes final legislative approval of final projects.  Jamestown Republican Elizabeth Rankin praised an ad hoc committee that worked on how to use the federal funding, and making it a "fluid plan" that includes votes on each project as it comes up.  Lawmakers rejected an effort to table the measure, 15-to-4.  Mayville Republican Bill Ward noted that he was ready to vote to table the measure... but, felt comfortable with the amended resolution.  While there were no public hearings on the ARPA Funding the county is receiving... lawmakers emphasized that members of the public that have ideas, should contact their legislator.

Jamestown man sentenced to 21 years in Ownbey murder case...
A Jamestown man has been sentenced in Chautauqua County Court to a determinate sentence of 21 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision for killing another man during a fight nearly four-years ago.  Erie County District Attorney John Flynn Wednesday announced the sentencing of 22-year-old Tavion Turner, who fatally stabbed 22-year-old Dyllan Ownbey during a fight on Willard Street on Nov. 28, 2017. Turner pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter back on July 26.  He pled guilty to the lesser included offense on the day his jury trial was set to begin.  The Erie County DA's Office was appointed as a special prosecutor after Turner's previous defense attorney, Jason Schmidt, was elected as Chautauqua County District Attorney in 2020.

County reports 47 new COVID cases Wednesday, and hospitalizations are up...
The COVID-19 numbers are looking slightly better in Chautauqua County... as the Health Department is reporting 47 new confirmed cases the past day.  There were no new deaths.  The 47 new cases brings the total to 11,427.  Health officials say 467 cases are now active... and, hospitalizations are up to 36.  They say 22 of the new cases were reported in the Jamestown 14701 zip code.  There are now 10,784 cases that have recovered.  The seven-day infection rate is up slightly to 9.1-percent.

Dunkirk HS Varsity Football Team sees second game postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak...
COVID-19 is impacting a local high school football team for the second time this season.  The Dunkirk Marauders varsity team has been forced to postpone their game against Pioneer on Friday.  The school's Marauder Athletics Facebook page says the current 10-day quarantine began on Sept. 17, the night of the Marauders' last game.  Second Ward City Councilman Marty Bamonto made the announcement during Tuesday's Common Council meeting.  Bamonto says this Friday's game will be played Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at Hoeppner Field.  The game against East Aurora scheduled for Friday, October 8 has been moved to Saturday, October 9, also at Hoeppner Field.

Shults Auto Group ready to celebrate 50th Anniversary Saturday...
The 50th anniversary of the Shults Auto Group will be celebrated this Saturday with a block party on Fluvanna Avenue across from their Chevrolet dealership.  Shults Auto Group President, Tim Shults, says they’re approaching the anniversary with a spirit of gratitude for all their partners, employees, and customers.  1971 was the year that Tim’s father ‘Big Ed’ Shults became sole owner of the Chevrolet dealership.  The group has since expanded to many brands and locations across the region.  ‘Big Ed’ who turned 87 this week will make an appearance around 4:30 p.m. Saturday as part of the celebration.  Full information and registration for the Shults 50th anniversary can be found at 50th.Shultsauto.com.

Busti Apple Harvest Festival returns this Sunday...
A major Fall event in Chautauqua County is set to return this coming weekend after a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Busti Apple Harvest Festival will be held this Sunday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Busti Historical Grounds off Lawson Road.  Society member Linnea Carlson says they look forward to again providing all kinds of apple products for people to enjoy... including pies, apple cider, and -- of course -- apples.  A number of demonstrations will also take place on the grounds.  For more information... go to the Society's Facebook page at facebook.com/bustihistoricalsociety.