Buffalo area man arrested following abduction of woman in Erie Co., then brief stand-off in Falconer...
A man from the Buffalo area has been arrested after allegedly forcing a late model Jeep vehicle off the road in Erie County, NY... and, abducting one of the three passengers before driving off to the Jamestown-area.  Ellicott Town Police say they were told that 43 year-old Jason Talley was possibly heading towards Falconer.  They say... just after 3 a.m. Monday... officers located the vehicle behind 7 Richard Ave. in the village.  Police say they saw the man open the back door of the home then slam it shut.  Police then set up a perimeter around the house with the help of Jamestown police... and, the Chautauqua County Sheriff's office.  They soon after got the four people inside to come out.  A woman was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries... and, police took Talley and two others -- Zaid Mendoza and Desiray Corrigan -- into custody.  Talley is charged with second-degree menacing, third-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment.  He was taken to the county jail pending arraignment.  Mendoza and Corrigan were found to be wanted in Cattaraugus County... and, they were sent to Little Valley for processing.

City man pleads guilty in 2020 stabbing death...
A Jamestown man has pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred in the city back in July of 2020.  A Chautauqua County Court Clerk confirms that 30-year-old Carl Sorenson entered the guilty plea in County Court last Friday.  Sorenson was facing a second-degree murder charge for the stabbing death of 23-year-old Brandon Holland on July 6 of 2020.  Sentencing for Sorenson is scheduled for Dec. 20. 

City Council approves new labor contract with public works and parks workers represented by AFSCME...
City lawmakers in Jamestown have approved a new, three-year contract with it's unionized public works and parks employees.  The City Council voted 7-to-0 last night to approve the agreement with members of AFSCME, Council 66, Local #418.  Mayor Eddie Sundquist says there are salary increases for each of the three years... 2022 through 2025.  They're 2.5% the first two years... and, 2.75% the last year in 2025.  Sundquist says it also standardizes overtime and sick leave, to ensure they are able to get manpower in for emergencies, such as weather issues.  He adds there will be some givebacks on the part of the union... including higher health insurance contributions up to 24%, then 25%.  He adds his negotiating team is still working on the four remaining contracts... which include the city and fire departments.  Last month... Jamestown lawmakers approved the first of the new contracts with the city's clerical workers.  

City lawmakers conclude initial round of 2022 budget deliberations...
The initial round of the Jamestown City Council's budget review has been completed... and, members will now review the 2022 spending plan and look at possible changes.  Council President Tony Dolce says they wanted to finish up looking at the agencies they fund, and smaller offices -- like the Corporation Counsel last night.  Dolce says his biggest concern is how the city's American Rescue Plan funds are "co-mingled" with the budget.  He says they also want to take a closer look at replacing more than one police car, and they're looking at using more Asset Forfeiture Money to get a second car in addition to the one in the budget.  Dolce says they may also try to put one or two more cars in the final budget.  Police Chief Tim Jackson told lawmakers last week that all nine of the department's patrol cars have reached high-mileage... with one over 160,000 miles.  He says they'll all need to be replaced sometime soon.  Dolce adds that public safety was a big concern voiced at a recent "town hall" style meeting he co-hosted with county legislator Elizabeth Rankin.  Council's next work session is Monday, Nov. 8... and, amendments are due two days later.  The $38.9-million budget includes a slight increase in the tax levy... but, no increase in the tax rate.

Hochul still has not signed Nourish NY legislation...
A local group that has been using Nourish-NY funding to help local families facing food insecurity is concerned that the program may not be renewed.  Kathy Peterson of Chautauqua County Rural Ministry says they are moving ahead with two food distributions this week, but are still awaiting word of a contract with the state.  Peterson says the program ends on Dec. 31 of this year... but, adds they are going to stay in the program and hope the measure is signed soon.  Local State Senator George Borrello sponsored the measure in the Senate... and, says they are still pushing Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the measure.  Borrello says some minor changes have been requested.  The bill was approved unanimously by both the Senate and Assembly.

Hochul and de Blasio get COVID booster shots...
Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio separately received COVID-19 booster shots Monday.  The two Democrats received their shots at separate events Monday.  They were eligible because they had each received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine earlier this year.  De Blasio got a booster shot of the Moderna vaccine from city Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi during the mayor's regular on-line news briefing.  Hochul got her booster at public ribbon cutting in Johnson City, near Binghamton.