Ripley man arrested for alleged sex abuse in Sherman...
A Ripley man has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with a juvenile victim in the town of Sherman.  Sheriff's officers were called to investigate the matter... and, arrested 20 year-old Patrick How Thursday.  Deputies say How was issued an appearance ticket for endangering the welfare of a child for Sherman Town Court at a later date.

Two teens hurt in single-car accident in Sherman...
Two teenagers were seriously hurt when the car they were riding in crashed in the town of Sherman last Wednesday night.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene on Titus Road just after 8:30 p.m., and found the 17 year-old male driver, and 18 year-old female passenger injured inside.  The boy was taken by ambulance to UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa. for treatment.  The woman had to be extricated from the vehicle... and, she was later flown to Hamot for treatment of her injuries.  No names have been released, and the investigation into the accident is continuing.

County lawmakers approve pay increase for managers, and motion to keep Southern Tier Congressional district...
The people who helped Chautauqua County get through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and saved the count $4-million, are getting a pay raise.  The County Legislature voted 19-0 Wednesday night to increase salaried managers pay by 3%.  Sheridan Republican Terry Niebel says he's been asked why managers deserve a 3% wage hike.  Neibel says there are two reasons: The first being they found significant savings for the county 18 months ago... during the early days of the pandemic.  Jamestown.  Niebel adds the managers also helped the county find savings for the 2022 budget that cuts the full value tax rate from $8.51 per $1,000 to $8.10 per $1,000. 
---
In addition... county lawmakers approved a motion urging New York state to continue the "long-standing practice" of putting all Southern Tier counties into one Congressional District.  The measure was approved, 17-2 with Democrats Bob Bankowski and Robert Whitney voting no.  

County reports 436 new confirmed COVID-19 cases the past week...
There have been move than 400 new, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Chautauqua County over the past week for the first time in over a month.  That from the county's Health Department Wednesday... which reported there were 436 new cases... bringing that total to 14,227.  There were also two new deaths.... making that total 216.  Officials say there are currently 475 active cases... and, 23 of those are hospitalized.  The Health Department says 13,536 cases have now recovered.  Of the new cases... 170 were in Jamestown... 57 in Dunkirk... 32 in Fredonia... and 28 in Falconer.  The seven-day infection rate is now 8-percent.

Cattaraugus County sees COVID infection rate jump...
One of the real COVID-19 hot-spots in the region continues to be Cattaraugus County... where the seven-day rate of infection has now climbed from 11 to 12.1-percent.  The Health Department in Olean said Thursday there were 87 new reported the past day to go with 128 the day before.  There are now 655 active cases... and, 49 people are now hospitalized.  Officials say there have now been 9,511 total cases... and, 8,652 have recovered.  The Health Department reports there have now been 165 COVID-related deaths during the pandemic.

Hochul hinting at reinstating COVID restrictions if infection rates don't come down...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul says New Yorkers in upstate communities seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases could again face more pandemic restrictions if infection rates fail to drop.  The Democrat didn't outline any specifics earlier in the week that she could take, or when they could begin.  However... Hochul says she's troubled by vaccine holdouts and signs of rising COVID-19 cases in parts of western and central New York.  By this time, she had hoped to loosen some of the restrictions on mask wearing in school, but, unless the numbers improve, she's going to look at having "stricter measures."  Hochul also said anyone who feels they're at high risk of getting COVID-19 should get a booster shot. 

Jamestown's Christmas Tree now up on Tracy Plaza...
Downtown Jamestown is looking more festive as the city's official Christmas Tree has been put up on Tracy Plaza.  A city crew, headed up by Parks Manager Dan Stone, harvested the Blue Spruce tree from the DeLong family at 265 Prospect St. on the southside Wednesday morning.  Stone says the 40-foot tall tree is the first Blue Spruce they've used in five years because they've become harder to find.  He says disease has take it's toll on those trees in recent years.  The tree is now up and anchored on the northwest side of the plaza, where it's usually put up, and Stone says park's crews will install thousands of Christmas lights between now, and the annual Christmas Parade... this year on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.  Parks and Public Works crews have been busy in recent days... also putting up street lights and other ornaments in the downtown area.  Stone also thanked Jamestown police for providing an escort to city hall, and closing off East Third in front of city hall so the tree could be put up.  The tree lighting will be on Dec. 4... prior to the parade.

DeJoy approved as new Planning and Development Director in Dunkirk...
The city of Dunkirk has a new Director of Planning and Development.  During Tuesday's Common Council meeting... lawmakers unanimously approved the appointment of Vince DeJoy for the post, which was recently vacated by Jill Meaux.  DeJoy, who had worked in the same capacity in Jamestown, thanked Mayor Willie Rosas and the Common Council for their confidence in him, and says he is ready to get to work.