Sundquist urges residents to be careful with frigid wind chills through Saturday morning...
The city of Jamestown is urging residents to be careful today through tomorrow morning as temperatures fall to zero to -10 below zero... and the winds chills making it feel like -15 below.  Mayor Eddie Sundquist says... "while we deal with cold temperatures frequently, do not underestimate the effects that extreme cold can have on the body."  He adds it "can generate a significant decrease in body temperature, and induce frostbite damage to exposed skin and other tissue over an accelerated period of time."  Sundquist urges people to wear layers and if you go outside, let someone know that you are leaving and when you make it to your destination.  If you need help or resources... he says call 2-1-1 to connect with agencies that provide help with food, shelter and closing... and other needs.  

Wendel believes county is moving to other side of COVID omicron peak...
Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel says he believes that the county has passed its peak winter surge of COVID-19.  Wendel spoke after the county reported a slight decline in the number of new COVID cases for the week of Jan. 9-16.  The Lakewood Republican says the county's COVID numbers are following a similar pattern compared to one year ago... where there was a decline between Thanksgiving and Christmas... and, then again after New Years.  Wendel also pointed to the county's significant decline in the number of active cases over the past week.  The county had 339 new active cases of the virus as of Saturday, which is 75.5% lower than a week ago... when there were just over 1,300 cases... that's a drop of about 1,000 cases.  Wendel believes that the drastic reduction in that number is due to the required quarantine period being shortened to five days.

Two arrested after alleged overnight fight in Jamestown early Wednesday...
Two people from Jamestown are accused of fighting a man... and, damaging his cellphone and then trying to push him into oncoming traffic on the city's westside.  City police were called to the undisclosed scene shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday... and spoke to the victim.  Officers say he told them that 19 year-old Ray Babyak had punched him in the face... and, threw his cellphone to the ground so he couldn't call 9-1-1.  They add 52 year-old Heather Babyak then allegedly tried to push him into on-coming traffic.  Both suspects left the scene before police arrived... but, they were found at a nearby address.  Ray Babyak is charged with second-degree harassment and fourth-degree criminal mischief... while Heather Babyak is charged with second-degree reckless endangerment.

Whitaker says it's "fantastic news" that Hochul's budget fully funds Foundation Aid for schools...
Jamestown School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says it's "fantastic" news that Governor Kathy Hochul is proposing to fully-fund Foundation Aid in her New York state budget proposal.  Hochul Tuesday announced increased spending in several areas... but, added she wanted to put a record $31-billion into funding for the state's public schools.  Whitaker says that would satisfy local districts... who have clamored for two decades... to have fair funding.  He says that funding would go to three areas... student education and socio-emotional support, and for building and facility maintenance upkeep.  Up to this point... Dr. Whitaker says the state has not lived up to it's end of the bargain regarding this 'basic' aid.  Foundation Aid is doled out through a special formula to each district in the state.  Historically... the Jamestown Public Schools have received state aid totaling about 75% of it's budget.  Governor Hochul presented her $216-billion budget plan this past Tuesday.  The legislature must approve a final spending plan by Apr. 1.

Whitaker talks sidewalk snow removal with Jamestown mayor...
There was no school Monday when the region was hit by a nor-easter on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day... which was good news.  However... there were still problems outside some of the Jamestown district's schools when students returned to class Tuesday morning.  Parents complained on social media about sidewalks not being cleared... and, children having to walk in the street.  Superintendent Kevin Whitaker says he spoke with Mayor Eddie Sundquist on Wednesday... about future planning with more emphasis around an in school zone areas.  Whitaker says the city has certain snow-removal responsibilities... but, property owners are expected to keep the sidewalks clear in front of their property.  Therefore... he agrees the district is responsible for clearing the sidewalks.  However... outside the school zones... there's a "patchwork" of responsible people clearing their sidewalk... but, others are not.

Hochul leads NYS gubernatorial field in fundraising...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has raised nearly $22-million for her election campaign, a huge sum that gives her a dominating advantage over a narrowing field of opponents in the Democratic primary.  Hochul's haul dwarfs her closest competitors among both Democrats and Republicans, according to campaign finance filings Tuesday.  Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi of Long Island reported $5.4-million in campaign cash for a run against Hochul.  On the Republican side... Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin reported $5.6-million for his campaign.