Wendel further outlines plans to restructure county's Dept. of Public Facilities...
Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel is looking to restructure the Department of Public Facilities. Wendel is outlining his plan to elevate existing DPF leadership to deputy director positions and form a "DPF cabinet." The Lakewood Republican first unveiled the proposal during last Wednesday's State of the County address. Wendel says after the resignation of former DPF Director, Brad Bentley, they realized that there was a lot that one person was having to take on. He says that amounted to as many as eight different departments. Under the plan... Wendel says the deputy directors will only focus on their areas of expertise. He says Engineering would be roads and bridges... while transporation would include airports and CHQ Transit... and, environmental would include the landfill operations. Wendel says the county's Law Department is currently reviewing the proposal, which will likely need final approval from the Chautauqua County Legislature.
Ripley man sentenced to 1 1/2 to 3-years in prison for attempted robbery...
A Ripley man will spend one-and-a-half to 3 years in state prison for third-degree attempted robbery in April of 2019. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 42 year-old Jason Meredith was sentenced Monday by County Court Judge David Foley to the term after pleading to the charge... which is a Class E felony. Schmidt says this is the defendant’s second felony conviction in ten years making him a predicate felon. He says the conviction is also follows a June 2018 arrest for burglary. Schmidt thanked the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office for it's assistance in the case.
Reed says Biden offered only "government solutions" during State of the Union address...
President Joe Biden vowed in his first State of the Union address to check Russian aggression in Ukraine... tame soaring U.S. inflation... and, deal with the fading but still dangerous coronavirus. Biden declared Tuesday night that he and all members of Congress, whatever political differences there may be, were joined ``with an unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny.'' Earlier... he announced $6.4-billion in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine... something local Congressman Tom Reed generally supported. However, he also wants to see the actual number first. Reed also wanted to see Biden do more to stop U-S purchases of oil and gas from Russia. However... Biden announced that the U.S. and several other countries will be release billions of barrels of oil to stop skyrocketing prices. He says a "lot of this" is rooted in energy, and the cost of oil and gas. Mr. Biden asked lawmakers in the crowded House chamber to stand and salute the Ukrainians as he began his speech. They stood and cheered. The U.S. president is aiming to lead the country out of the pandemic and reboot his stalled domestic agenda as well as confront Russia's aggression. Reed made his comments during his weekly telephone press call with regional media.
Zeldin get's GOP Executive Committee endorsement for governor...
New York's Republican Party leaders nominated U.S. Congressman Lee Zeldin as their candidate for governor. At a convention on Long Island Tuesday... Zeldin said he's running "so the people feel they are back in control of their government again." He could still face a primary challenger in June. Other candidates include businessman Harry Wilson, who last week launched a $12-million dollar television ad campaign... and, Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Any Republican candidate faces tough odds in New York, where registered Democrats outnumber GOP voters by more than 2 to 1.
Jamestown man arrested for domestic incident after brief foot chase...
A city man is accused of a family offense, and obstruction following an alleged domestic incident in Jamestown late Monday night. City officers were called to a Lincoln Street address about 11:30 p.m., and, on arrival, found that the suspect, 25 year-old Tyler Manelick, had left the scene on foot. Police located Manelick a short time later and they tried to take him into custody. He led officers on a brief chase before he was taken into custody without further incident. Manelick is charged with first-degree criminal contempt... Aggravated Family Offense... and, second-degree obstructing governmental administration. He was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
CLA urges county residents to take part in Chautauqua Lake Ice Pick contest...
The annual Chautauqua Lake Ice Pick competition is now underway... with residents able to guess the date and time the pick falls through the ice. The Chautauqua Lake Association's annual fundraiser began in mid-February... and, the pic is on the lake at Bemus Bay near the Lawson Center. Officials say the CLA places a bright orange ice pick on the frozen lake and invites the community to predict when the ice will break. The pick is monitored with a clock and video surveillance to accurately record the precise moment the pick has fallen through the ice. If you want to take part... you can download a mail-in form at the CLA's website at ChautauquaAssociation.org/events. Each guess costs $5, and, entries will be accepted through Sunday, Mar. 20. The grand prize is $250... and, the next five closest guesses each receive $50.
