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WJTN News Headlines for Thurs., Jan. 27, 2022

County Legislature fails to act on motion that was focus of discussion at Wed. meeting...
There was not enough support to bring a motion to the floor of the Chautauqua County Legislature last night supporting the Health Department's efforts to control the spread and severity of COVID-19.  However... the measure was the main focus of last night's one-hour and a half-long meeting.  First-term Fredonia Democrat Susan Parker sponsored the motion... and, called the lack of action a "missed opportunity" for the legislature to whole-heartedly endorse the legitimacy of all the health department's continuing work in our community..." as well as support health care workers "treating sick and dying residents."  Only four legislators signed onto the motion... but, 10 were needed to bring it to the floor.  Jamestown Republican Elizabeth Rankin later pointed out that the legislature has not contradicted what the Health Department recommends when it comes to wearing masks and getting vaccinated.  Rankin says the Board of Health, of which she's a member, urge residents "to take personal responsibility, and chose wisely."  She noted that she has chosen to get vaccinated due to health concerns... and, she wears a mask indoors where it's requested.  Sheridan Republican Terry Neibel says there were parts of the motion that he could agree with... but, others that he could not.  Those were namely having children 5 and up get vaccinated, and those 2 years and older wear a mask.
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The number of new cases of COVID-19 continue to fall in Chautauqua County over the past week.  However... that drop has been slow.  The Health Department Wednesday reported another 1,653 cases for the week ending last Saturday... and, there were five new deaths.  Officials say there are now 24,531 total cases... and, 24,044 have now recovered.  There was no figure given for active cases.  The five new deaths brings that total to 295... and, 33 people are now hospitalized. 


Three men arrested during raid at town of Ellicott hotel on attemped homicide charges...
Three men from out-of-state wanted for attempted homicide were arrested during a raid on a room at the Clarion Pointe Hotel just north of Jamestown.  Chautauqua County Sheriff's officers say members of the Jamestown Metro, and Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Forces, executed a search warrant shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday at the 2800 North Main St. location.  The warrant accuses 18 year-old Sammy Carrasquillo, Jr. of Cleveland, Ohio, 32 year-old Mark Smith of Albion, Pa., and, 28 year-old James Terrell of Erie, Pa., of the attempted criminal homicide in Northeast, Pennsylvania.  Deputies say one of the suspects was taken into custody in the parking lot... and, the other two were arrested in the hotel room.  Drug agents then obtained a search warrant for the room... and, found 22 ounces of methamphetamine, about 7 grams of fentanyl, one-gram of cocaine and $600 cash.  All three suspects were charged as fugitives from Justice for the attempted criminal homicide warrants.  They were also charged with second-degree criminal possession of a Controlled Substance... two counts each of third-degree criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance... and, second-degree Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia.  All three suspects were taken to the county jail for Centralized Arraignment.


Hochul appoints gun violence czar...
New York's governor has appointed an administrator with a background in anti-poverty efforts and public health as the head of a new state agency that will try to curb gun violence.  Democrat Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that Calliana Thomas will direct the state's Office of Gun Violence Prevention.  Thomas previously worked on gun violence prevention programs during seven years with New York City's health department... and. also worked for an institute affiliated with the Harlem Children's Zone, a youth development group.  The new state agency is within the state's health department.  Hochul said it will examine the drivers and effects of gun violence.


Reed sounds off on Russia-Ukraine tensions...
Local Congressman Tom Reed says he's pleased to see the United States and NATO being unified in standing up to Russia as tensions remain high along with border with Ukraine.  The Biden administration and NATO members told Russia Wednesday there will be no U.S., or allied concessions on Moscow's main demands to resolve the crisis over Ukraine.  Reed says he was concerned about the "conflicting messages" last week from the administration... and, "we are united -- I believe as a nation -- that the aggression of Russia into Ukraine, needs to be held in check because our allies are watching us closely."  He also believes that China is as well because of their tensions with Taiwan.  In separate written responses delivered to the Russians, the U.S. and NATO held firm to the alliance's open-door policy for membership.  That includes rejecting a demand to permanently ban Ukraine from joining, and said they will not negotiate allied deployments of troops and military equipment in Eastern Europe.  The responses were not unexpected.


Unemployment insurance increase passes Senate... vote pending in Assembly...
New York state could boost weekly benefits for laid-off workers and delay unemployment tax hikes for employers under a bill that passed the Senate this week.  The state Senate unanimously voted Tuesday to pass the legislation sponsored by state Senator Anna Kaplan, a Democrat from Long Island.  The bill now awaits a vote in the Assembly.  The office of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, didn't immediately respond to request for comment Wednesday.  State lawmakers hope to help an economy that's rebounding but at a slower pace than the nation.